~~~~~

Kana and Pein dashed through the treetops, only the moonlight guiding their way through the thick forests. Kana focused heavily on her footing, while Pein let his thoughts wander. He had already begun formulating a plan to take over Amegakure and get rid of the current leader, Hanzo.

Just up ahead, Pein spotted something sticking out of a tree, something large and green, wearing a familiar cloak. No doubt about it, it was Zetsu.

"Kana, please continue ahead, I will catch up." Pein ordered.

"Okay, see you in a bit." Kana nodded, not stopping when Pein completely stopped.

Kana rushed forwards, enjoying the wind as it whipped through her hair. Pein leapt to the branch where Zetsu waited.

"Did you find him?" The white half asked.

"Yes, in fact, you will be going to get him in a few days." Pein replied.

"How come we aren't bringing him back now?" The black half growled.

"Two reasons really, firstly, he has something to do first, and secondly, there is something we must do first." Pein replied.

"What is it?"

"I'll explain when I get back, in the meantime, please inform everyone to begin packing up their belongings and to prepare for a mission." Pein ordered.

"Got it, boss!" White Zetsu chirped.

"Idiot." The black Zetsu scoffed.

Zetsu sank back into the tree disappearing from sight. Pein cracked his neck and sighed.

"Can't wait to pay him a visit..." He smirked. "For Yahiko."

~~~~~

Kana glanced behind her when a faint scent hit her nose. She didn't panic however, it was a familiar scent, one of rain. Pein speed through the trees before he slowed down, hopping from tree to tree beside her.

"What happened?" Kana asked, not sparing him a glance.

"I had to speak with Zetsu," He replied. "It's nothing that should concern you."

"What was it about?" She asked.

"About our mission, and the next few missions." Pein answered her, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.

"New missions?!" Kana exclaimed. "What are we doing next?!"

"We will be going to retrieve a man named Hidan from the village of Yugakure," Pein replied. "Another man rumoured to have another form of immortality."

"You mean, he can't die, right?" Kana asked, scrunching up her face in concentration.

"That is correct, although his form of immortality is supposedly different from Kakazu's." Pein nodded with a sigh.

"How is it different?" Kana mumbled. "I mean, immortality is immortality, what's the difference?"

"That, I am not quite sure of," He sighed. "I know very little of the kinjutsu Kakazu has from Takigakure, and I know next to nothing about this Hidan's form of eternal life. All I have are theories, guesses, and information from other people."

"What is a kinjutsu?"

Pein rolled his eyes, quickly tiring of all her questions, but answering nonetheless.

"A kinjutsu is simply a forbidden technique, something that has been banned from being used or taught," Pein replied. "The Jiongu is an example, currently no one else is known to have it, and Takigakure hasn't been seen using it since Kakazu was a shinobi of Taki."

"Oh I get it," Kana chirped. "So kinjutsus are just something you shouldn't use or teach because they are considered banned."

"That is correct." Pein nodded.

"So is Hidan's immortality a kinjutsu too?" Kana asked.

"That's something I do not know," Pein sighed. "All I do know is that his immortality is said to have been something that came with his religion."

"A religion is when someone or something is worshipped by people, right?" Kana mumbled.

"Yes, and most religions have some sort of similarity, though that isn't always the case." Pein elaborated.

"What kind of a religion is he part of?" She asked.

"You don't want to know." He sighed.

"I'll take your word for it." She shrugged.

~~~~~

Much to Kana's dismay, they spent the night in the forest, sleeping in the trees and surrounded by various traps. Kana had come to enjoy sleeping on a bed, even though Pein had already explained that beds were a luxury. On the bright side, she had an excellent view of the full moon and sky full of stars. The clouds were few, and the moon was bright. She frowned slightly when she thought of Deidara. He hadn't gone stargazing with her yet or taken her flying. Her heart ached when she thought of the base.

"Pein-sama," Kana whispered, looking to the branch on her right.

"Yes, Kana?" Pein replied, opening one eye to look at her.

"What do you call the feeling of missing the base?" She asked, gazing up at the sky.

"Homesickness." Pein replied, also bringing his gaze up to the sky.

"Do you ever feel homesick?" Kana asked.

"All the time," Pein frowned. "All the time..."

~~~~~

"Yahiko! Nagato!"

The two boys looked up, rubbing their eyes and yawning as they gazed at their purple-haired friend.

"What is it Konan?" Nagato whispered.

"Why are you up so late?" Yahiko added.

"Just follow me!" She giggled.

The two boys groaned, but got up, crawling out of their sleeping bags, which were no better than a few scraps of fabric. The cheerful girl leads her only friends outside, pointing to the mouth of the cave.

"You have to see this!" She exclaimed.

They left the cave and all shared a collective gasp, their eyes glued to the sky. Yahiko's eyes watered as he stared high into the night sky, glancing at Nagato with teary eyes. While Nagato didn't cry, he smiled a small, rare, smile.

"What do you know, there are no clouds!" Yahiko exclaimed. "I haven't seen the stars in forever!"

The three of them stayed up all night, enjoying only the company of each other and the stars. 

"I wish the sky was always like this!" Yahiko chuckled, laying back.

"Me too." Nagato smiled.

~~~~~

It was around noon the next morning when Pein and Kana finally arrived back to the place they currently called home. Kana was well rested, despite sleeping in a tree, meanwhile, Pein didn't sleep more than two hours. It just had to be a starry night, didn't it?

Waiting at the entrance stood all other members of the Akatsuki (minus Kakazu and Zetsu of course), all of them patiently waiting for their return.

"I sensed your chakra approaching and we all came out to wait." Itachi said a small smile on his face.

"Thanks, Itachi-nii!" Kana grinned, giving Itachi a big hug before moving to give one to every other member there (except Pein, who cringed away).

"Well everyone, I have big news, so please meet me in the lounge," Pein said, brushing past them.

The rest of the Akatsuki and Kana followed after their leader, everyone taking a seat either on a chair or on the floor. No one dared to take Pein's leather armchair. Pein sat up in his chair, making eye contact with everyone gathered before drawing in a deep breath.

"I thought I should inform you all of Kana and I's mission and what will be happening over the next few days." Pein began. "First off, we now have a new member, Kakazu of the Jiongu, former shinobi of Takigakure."

"How did Kana's training go?" Sasori asked.

"Very well, she has mastered her chakra strings, although water walking needs more work," Pein said. "Which brings me to my next point, I'd like all of you to start packing your belongings."

"Packing?" Kisame asked. "Dammit, I just got comfortable."

"Well I wouldn't complain too much, we are going somewhere much bigger than this base." Pein smirked.

"Where are we going?" Konan asked.

"Amegakure."

The room broke into murmurs, with Kana just sitting their in confusion.

"There is no way we will be allowed in," Konan said, crossing her arms. "Not until Hanzo is gone at least."

"Exactly." Pein agreed. 

"You can't seriously be thinking of-"

"Silence!"

Kona shut her mouth, not getting rid of the worried expression she wore.

"This is how the next week or so will be going," Pein grumbled. "You all gather your belongings for a short mission, Kana will begin her taijutsu training with both Itachi and Deidara along with ninjutsu training with Kakazu, pack your belongings when you have time, we leave for the mission shortly after Kakazu arrives, we get Hidan to join us, I go on a one night mission on my own, and we move."

Kana's head span, something told her that this was going to be a long week.

"Finally," Pein sighed. "The Akatsuki will be ready to start taking action."

A/N

Alright, so the plot will really start to take off soon, and before you ask, yes, Kana will interact with people from other villages (like Konoha) at some point, and I also plan on having more people join the Akatsuki than what was in Naruto. I really want to spoil who, but I'll hold out. Remember my peeps; VOTE AND COMMENT!