Chapter 19

In the next morning, Sarah hadn't returned to the hideout yet. Pain gathered all the members, less Tobi and Zetsu because they had not returned.

"Sarah isn't back yet. I will send some of you to find her" Pain started. "Kakuzu, Hidan, you guys just came back from a mission. I-"

"I'm f*cking fine. I'm in" Hidan interrupted. His eyes are serious. When he returned from the mission, he got the news that Sarah was missing. Sarah is a good person, Hidan will not forgive anyone who hurt her.

"I'm in" Kakuzu stated, his tone was indisputable. Sarah is the kindest and most sincere person he have ever met. Kakuzu doesn't want Sarah to get hurt.

"Alright then" Pain turned to Sasori. "Sasori, go with Kisame and Itachi"

"Why? He's my partner, hm" Deidara asked.

"You stay in the hideout. You haven't recovered yet" Pain answered.

Deidara growled. "Do you really think that I'll just stay at the hideout when Sarah is in danger, hm?!"

"Watch your tone, Deidara" Pain warned.

Sasori, who knew that Deidara won't obey Pain's word, raised his hand. "Leader, Deidara is already in a better condition and I'll help him. Please let him join the search"

Deidara gave Sasori a grateful smile.

Pain considered Sasori's words before nodded. "I allow Deidara to come looking for Sarah. Don't get into unnecessary battles"

"Thank you, Leader, hm" Deidara smiled.

Pain turned to Konan. "Konan, you'll look for Sarah around the hideout"

"Understand" she replied.

"Sasori, Deidara. Use the giant bird to search from above. Hidan, Kakuzu. Go to Getsugakure, we don't rule out the possibility she was there. Itachi, Kisame. Go to go to Hirusagari headquarters, this could be the doing of that copycat organization" Pain commanded. "I'll stay here to keep our hideout safe, Tobi and Zetsu will be with me at the hideout when they return from the mission. All clear?"

All the members nodded in response."Good. You may go" Pain said.

All the members quickly disappeared, their goal was the same. Finding Sarah.

I heard the door creak and my eyes fluttered. I saw Akio walk in with a mocking smile. "Good morning"

I didn't want to see her face so I looked down. "..."

"You should answer when someone greets you" Akio crossed her arms across her chest.

"... What do you want?" I asked.

"I just wanted to chat with you. Don't you miss me??"

"I miss the old you"

Akio laughed out loud. "I am the same Akio as before. Let me correct you, you miss me acting as your best friend"

I hold back my tears. I got to know Akio when I was 15. She came over to me who was crying at the headstone of my parents. Since then, we're best friends, or is it just me who thinks so."Why...?" I asked in a trembling voice. "Why are you doing this to me??"

Akio approached me and yanked my head. "I really hate girls like you. The ones who act all sweet, shy and innocent just to make people like them. Use both your parents' deaths so you can get people's attention. It's so fake, makes me want to puke"

Each word drilling another wounds another nails into my wounds. How could she think like that?

"Well..." I choked. "If I'm fake, then what are you??"

Akio slammed my head against the wall. "You better be careful when you talk to me"

I closed my eyes and felt the blood pouring out of my nose. Suddenly, I heard a clapping sound.

"Enough, Akio" Sakoda walked in. "I want to talk to her. Get out"

"I'm not done with her" Akio answered.

Sakoda glared at Akio. "You know what will happen to you if you dare to oppose me"Akio slapped me before she walked out, leaving me with Sakoda.

Sakoda smiled at me. "I hope you have provided the answers I want, Princess"

"Stop calling me that"

"Why? It's a fact that you're Akatsuki's Princess" Sakoda said. "I've been watching you for a long time. Finally, I found Akatsuki's weakness"

I blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"They're monsters. Your existence turns them human, which weakens them"

Sakoda answered. "Now, my answer"

I glared at him. "I won't tell you anything"

Sakoda sighed in annoyance. "Since you don't want to tell me anything, what if I give you an offer?" he raised his eyebrows. "You don't have to give me any information about the Akatsuki, but you have to join my organization"

I laughed. "You're assuming that I want to join your organization?"

"You will replace Akio. You can take revenge on her" Sakoda smirked."How can you just dump your members so easily?"

"If there is a better one, the old one should be thrown away right?" he tilted his head. "So, what do you think??"

"I will not give you any information about the Akatsuki and I will not join your organization" I answered firmly.

"That's a bad choice"

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