The night of the fire, Ino ran, unable to return to the brothel. With nowhere to go, she took to the forest. She knew that would be the place she was least likely to be found, though she feared the rumours. Everyone knew that the forest was full of wild animals that could tear a girl apart easily. Apart from that, there were criminals and spies. Because of this, Ino wasn't surprised at what happened next. Still, it didn't stop her from being scared. After mere minutes of running, she was found. Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach as she asked, "Who are you?"

"Just a pair of eyes," he said with a smile. He was a large man with steely eyes, grey skin and a mop of dark hair. There was something cruel about him. His voice was much the same - harsh and cold.

"Whose?" she whispered the question weakly, trying to sound unafraid but she knew he saw right through it.

"Not Koharu's," he laughed at the fear in her gaze. "Don't worry. I'm no watch dog for the cops, either."

"W-what do you want with me?" she stuttered.

"Ino Yamanaka, right?" he asked her. "My name is Kisame Hoshigaki. Why don't we take a walk?"

So, they did.

  ||XxXx|| 

Akatsuki – a group of wanted rebels, ex-slaves, lab rats, missionaries, killers and prostitutes. Ino wasn't sure where she fell in. She still isn't sure. She isn't like any of these people. She always considered herself privileged, even though she felt the sting of cruel misfortune in the past.

Akatsuki... She heard the name thrown around before, but she never asked questions and she certainly never thought she would be part of it – but here she is as Akatsuki's newest recruit.

There is Deidara and Sasori – two ex-slaves. There is Jugo and Suigetsu – two lab rats. There is Hidan, Kakuzu, Karin and Kisame, ex-missionaries and assassins.

They haven't been kind, but Ino understands that they are busy. There isn't time to be kind. She's been glued to Kisame's side for much of her stay, asking question after question. He does his best to answer them.

"Jugo..." she murmurs. "Where'd he take Sasuke?"

"Somewhere safe," Kisame answers. "I already told you that much. We can't discuss his exact location."

Ino sighs. "There were rumors about him back at the brothel... They said that he had rages?"

"He does," Kisame says. "Just don't get him angry."

Ino nods slowly. "What about Suigetsu?" she pries.

"Suigetsu is a genetic mutation," kisame explains. "Karin helped him escape with Jugo just months ago."

"Ah," Ino sympathizes, but she supposes it's not surprising. The pale haired man has a strange way about him. "What about you, then? What's your story?"

"I'll tell you later if the mood strikes," he says. "But not now."

Ino relents with another nod and decides not to pry any further. Everything about the situation strikes her as strange, but at the same time she is exhilarated – more so than she's been in a very long time. Perhaps she can do something better with her existence. She doesn't want to keep watching from the sidelines and cleaning up the messes of men and women who don't care. She can tell her life is about to take quite a turn.

  ||XxXx||  

At Villa Joy, Sakura is lost. Kiba died, Ino ran away and Sasuke disappeared with Jugo. She's alone – with only her clients to keep her company. It's the kind of company she hates. Talk is fleeting and she hates the rough touches.

Koharu is frantic trying to find her favorite toy, but she's had no luck. Sakura keeps quiet, not daring to ask questions. She's too afraid of what the answers may be. At least this way she can pretend Sasuke is alive and well, even if he's not.

The brothel has been repaired. Kiba was the only fatality. No one seems to care. She's been mourning him quietly. "Take it with an empty mind," she says to herself. She says it a lot these days. It was the mantra that kept Sai and Sasuke sane. Perhaps it will work for her as well. In the least, she can try.

She's been good. She's had no second strike. During dinner, she sees a new face keeping watch. He has dark hair and angry eyes.

"Shion," she whispers to the blonde girl seated next to her. "Who is that?"

"Zaku," the other girl answers quietly. "He's new. Koharu hired a lot of new people after what happened. She lost a lot of hands. Ino is gone, Kiba is dead, Jugo stole Sasuke... She doesn't want it to happen again."

"Oh," Sakura says weakly, hoping she won't ever have to be near him.

"There will be hell to pay if they ever find Sasuke," Shion mumbles.

For his own sake, Sakura hopes no one ever finds him.

  ||XxXx||  

Late in the night, Ino finds Kisame in a room with the man who appears to be the leader of Akatsuki. Unsure if she is interrupting, she hovers quietly. However, Kisame soon spots her. "Come," he offers. "I'll tell you a story if you want."

The other man smiles serenely and Ino finds it strangely inviting. She cautiously enters the room and sits with the two men in front of the fire. She fees anxious, but at the same time there is excitement.