Think of the way fresh rain and lizard smell and you basically had Pein's scent, add in a splash of sadness and you have him. No, sadness isn't a smell, but it might as well have been with how much sadness radiates off that man. It's no wonder he's called Pein.

By now it had gotten really late, almost everyone who wasn't a kunoichi or shinobi had retreated indoors, making the atmosphere much less welcoming. She had yet to lock onto Pein's scent, so she was still just wondering around. Her eyes welled as she yawned, another clear sign that she wanted to sleep so badly.

"I just have to pick him out..." Kana sighed. "That should be easy."

She paused for a moment, focusing only on her sense of smell.

"Rain and lizards, rain and lizards..." She mumbled to herself, before grinning. "Found it!"

She suddenly bolted down the street, making the surrounding people jump. Most people however relaxed once they saw her face, stuck in a huge grin. She kept running and running until eventually, she smacked into someone's back. The man turned around, ringed eyes locking onto brown ones.

"Found you!" Kana chirped, hugging him from behind.

"Well done, Kana," Pein awkwardly said once he was released. "Have you gotten any information on our target?"

"Uh-huh!" She exclaimed.

"Then you can tell me when we get back," Pein replied.

Pein placed his hand on her head, giving it a light pat. While his face stayed in its usual frown, he seemed happy. Kana smiled, a light blush dusting her cheeks at Peins gesture of affection. They walked back to the inn side by side, listening as other people talked in hushed whispers. When they got inside, the lobby was empty, even the receptionist was gone, with a sign saying someone would be there soon.

Once Pein opened the door to the room, Kana rushed in, flopping onto her bed.

"I'm so tired..." She yawned, letting her head smack against the pillow.

"You can go to bed, but first, tell me what you learned about Kakazu." Pein ordered, sitting up on his own bed.

Kana quickly sat up, turning to face Pein and sitting with her legs crossed.

"I ran into a man while I was wondering around, he said that Kakazu was in Kusa not too long ago." Kana said, tapping her leg absentmindedly. "Apparently he wants to avoid Takigakure at all cost, so he's most likely headed to collect some bounties in the Land of Earth."

Pein nodded. "Very well done, this is very useful indeed."

"Really?" Kana asked, his eyes widening.

"Yes, I was able to gather very little, and even then, it was all common knowledge. Kakazu, from Takigakure and the only known host of Takigakure's own kinjutsu, the Jiongu. It is unknown to Takigakure if he is still alive." Pein grumbled. "You did very good."

Kana smiled, flopping back onto the bed.

"Can we go to bed now?"

Pein nodded. "Goodnight."

~~~~~

Pein couldn't sleep.

He had enough trouble sleeping usually and was probably an insomniac. But now, he was in an unknown place, sleeping in a new, uncomfortable bed, in a room lit only by the moon. Not only that, but he just had to use the name 'Yahiko.' Yahiko was gone, he wouldn't be coming back, and it was all because of fighting, because of war. The only thing he could do to calm his thoughts was to think of the future to come, especially since it now seemed brighter.

An innocent girl forced her way into everyone's lives, changing all of them without even realizing she was doing so. No one else had noticed yet, but all the Akatsuki members had been on extra good behaviour recently, they hadn't even killed anyone recently.

Kana suggested they bring peace by talking, a goal which seemed impossible. No one would listen to members of the Akatsuki, S-rank criminals who have all abandoned their villages. But a girl who came from nowhere with the intention of uniting all nations, maybe, just maybe, it was possible.

She could certainly be a great leader one day, a person who could bring true peace, for a long time. She was a leader in the making.

And just like that, Peins goals changed. His purpose had changed, all for a girl he just met a week ago.

'I never really liked Hanzo anyway...' 

~~~~~

"It's time we leave,"

Kana cracked open her eyes, whining as the sun hit her face. She groaned and brought up an arm to cover her face. "Okay..."

Her eyes eventually adjusted to the sun and she sat up, giving Pein a drowsy look.

"Go get ready, we leave in ten minutes," Pein said, finding it convenient she didn't need breakfast.

Kana took her pack and entered the bathroom, starting to get ready for the day. She changed out of her pyjamas and put on her clothes, strapping her kunai pouch to her waist. She frowned when she remembered she didn't practice much yesterday. The combed through her white hair, putting it up in her usual ponytail, the only hairstyle she really knew how to do. She packed all her clothes away in her bag, putting her arms through the straps and adjusting it on her back.

"So, where are we going?" Kana asked, stepping out of the bathroom.

"We are going to stop in the forest on the border of the Land of Earth, near the bounty station." Pein replied. "Hopefully we find Kakazu and can convince him to join our cause."

"Peace!" Kana exclaimed.

Pein nodded.

The two left the room the way they found it, making it seem as though they were never there. They stopped at the front desk, where Pein handed over some money and the room key to the shakey receptionist.

"H-have a nice day, Y-Yahiko-san." The man mumbled.

Pein gave the man a half-hearted glare before walking off, Kana hot on his heels. While he looked angry, it was hard to miss how sad he felt. It was difficult to explain, but Kana could tell he was sad. And there was that name again; Yahiko. Just who was Yahiko? And why did the name mean so much to Pein?

"Alright, let's hurry up and sneak out of here." Pein sighed.

They walked back to where they came from, scaling the wall with their chakra. Once at the top, they enjoyed the view for a mere moment before climbing back down.

"The Land of Earth's border is just northeast of here," Pein said, looking down at Kana. "We should arrive just after sunset, warn me if I move too fast."

Kana smiled at the gesture. "Let's go!"

Pein kept his back to her, hiding the smallest of smiles underneath the collar of his cloak.

A/N

Kana melts the hearts of all! She is like the definition of a smol innocent bean. Hope you enjoyed! REMEMBER TO VOTE AND COMMENT! Also, remember to go back and vote on which cover you like!