18. Storm Release

I open my eyes slowly, the only thing I could see was Deidara's face. That's right, I had slept in his bed last night. I blink a couple of times then stare at him for a while, closely inspecting the features of his face, his blonde hair is sprawled across the pillow.

Slowly his eyes start to open. I quickly close mine and pretend to be asleep. I feel him readjust then his touches my arm gently. If I was asleep I surely wouldn't have felt it. What was he doing? I moved my arm a little to shake him off, then, I heard his head softly hit the pillow.

I laid there for a while longer in silence enjoying the comfort of his bed, hope I can get a bed like this too.

Dei shakes me a little, I open my eyes and glance over at him. "You look pretty comfortable, un" His voice laced with a sleepy rasp. I yawn. "Yeah, you're right."

He sits up and stretches his arms above his head. I roll over to face him, watching as he gets out of bed. "I should be getting back now." I slide to the edge of his bed and standing up too.

"Yeah, Sure." He walks over to his bathroom. "See you later, un". He gives a small smile before closing the bathroom door behind him. I put my slippers back on and shut his door behind me, heading back down towards the training room.

I stretch as I take my time walking back. I wander if Sasori is back yet? Or kakuzu? Either one of them would be good right about now.

As I reach the large cavern I notice a tall guy with a blue tinge to his skin. He resembles a shark. He's in conversation with another tall guy, the one I assumed was Sasuke's brother. They were both talking but I couldn't hear what they were saying. I ignored them and turn for the hallway that Sasori's bedroom is. I try to be as quiet and inconspicuous as possible because I didn't want them seeing my pink polka dot Onesie pyjamas. But, before I could take a step Into the hall a voice came from directly behind me.

"Hey, You must be the new girl." I turned around and gave an awkward smile. "Yeah, that's me. Tila Kurama." I lazily wave at the two. The blue guy and the tall ravenette were standing right in front of me, staring me up and down. The stunned look they're giving me is awkward as hell. I blush. Damn it, you're not making the best first impressions!

"Kisame Hoshigake, And this is my partner. Itachi Uchiha." He gestured over to the ravenette beside him. I smile, stealing a glance at Itachi. So, this was Susuke's brother. Itachi. He really is a splitting imagine in the facial expression department. "Yes, It's nice to meet you, Tila." Itachi says to me, it's cold. No surprise there.

I give a short bow, they return the gesture. Before things get any more awkward I turn around set off down the hall at a brisk pace. When I reach Sasori's room I close the door behind me, letting out a long sigh. The room was empty. The thought of Sasuke and everything he'd done for me drifts to mind. That guy, his brother, was the one who had killed his entire clan. It's an intense situation, but who was I to get involved in his family strife.

After I showered and got changed into denim and black mid sleeve shirt I dried out my hair straight, leaving it natural.

A knock at the door pulled my attention. I went and opened the door to reveal Konan. "I've come to let you know that your room is now set up." She had a light glow, her expression plain. "Thanks, Should I move my things there now?" I ask, standing back from the door.

"Sure, I'll take you there." She steps in and sits down so I grab my bag and all of my things.

"I'm ready, I don't have many things to pack." She nods, about to lead me out of the room. "Oh wait, I forgot something." I quickly duck back into Sasori's room and find a piece of paper and pen. Feeling bad for just leaving after being so kind I decide to leave him a note.

Sasori,

Thank you for sharing your room with me, I enjoyed my time with you but I suppose all good things come to an end. I'm just kidding, When you get back come and find me. I want to spend time with you.

Tila

I placed the messily scribbled message on his pillow and closed the door behind me. Konan was waiting patiently in the hall.

"Sorry I just felt rude not leaving without leaving a thankyou." She softly smiled. "That's okay. I'm not in a hurry." She replied. We started to walk down towards the training hall. I guess that meant my room wasn't in the same hall as Sasori. Maybe I would be next to Dei or kakuzu? Knowing my luck wasn't very good with these things I had my doubts but I didn't say anything and just followed Konan as she proceeded to walk down the third hall from the far left hall.

We continued until we approached two doors across from each other. She opened the one to the left and I followed in behind her. The room was spacious, tall lilac walls. There was a queen sized bed with black velvet sheets. The bed-head matched the wardrobe and cupboards. A smile breaks across my face, I'm really liking this. To the left there is a connecting bathroom, It's small like Sasori's one. But, the tiles and walls are a dark grey instead.

"This is perfect." I turn to Konan, she gives a gentle smile. "I designed it, you're one of us now so I wanted to make it nice for you."

Feeling slightly overwhelmed I pulled her into a hug. "Thanks Konan, that's really kind of you." Her stiffness falters and she hugs me back. I put my bag down and take a seat on my bed, looking over to her.

"I have some things to do but I'll be around later." she tells me before making her way for the door. "Okay." I reply. She closes the door behind her leaving me to my thoughts. I gaze around again, maybe being here wasn't so bad. I could maybe see myself being happy here... Compared to when I was with Orochimaru, this is like heaven. Well, that isn't exactly true. I remember what Leader had said about the tailed beasts. Just how much trouble would attaining them prove to be?

I stand grab my bag and start to pack away my things, summoning clothes to hang in the cupboard. I stop mid-way. My stomach aches, it reminds me that I haven't eaten anything. The churning is so uncomfortable I don't think I can take it.

I put everything down on my bed and leave my room. As I step out the door across from mine opens suddenly. A guy with violet eyes and slicked back hair collides hard with me.

I stagger back, holding my head where he had bumped me. "Fucking watch it, or I'll-" He breaks off as his gaze fixes on me. "Who the fuck are you?" He asks, surprise plastered across his face.

"Tila Kurama." I reply, rubbing my forehead irritably. "And don't tell me to watch it. You're the one that head butted me!" I fire back. He scratched at the back of his head, chuckling sheepishly. "Well fuck, How was I supposed to know there was going to be some fucking hot girl waiting for me out the front of my door."

I sigh. "Your kidding right? Sorry to disappoint you but I moved in to this room this morning." I can't hide the sarcasm back as I gesturing to the door behind me. This guy was a dick. How, Oh how did I end up in a room across for him. As I looked him over it was impossible to ignore thee confidence that was radiating from his entire being.

"Sheesh... You don't have to sound so fucking disappointed! You'll have a great fuckin time staying next door to me. Don't worry." I literally face palmed.

"Why the fuck are you hitting yourself? Anyway, I'm Hidan" He's still staring at me, head tilted to side slightly. I force a smile. "Nice to meet you".

"Yeh you too, shit. I can't believe I'm gone for a week and we already got a newbie." he smirks.

"Yeah, believe it.. Anyways, I have to go." My stomach starts to ache badly again so I don't wait for a reply and quickly walk off.

I hear Hidan call out from behind me. "Well that was fucking rude." I ignore it and keep going, eventually reaching the training room. The kitchen isn't far.

________________

As I enter I spot Kakuzu sitting at the table eating alone. "I was looking for you yesterday." I walk past and open the cupboard. He looks up at me. "So, You figured it out huh?" He shoots back before taking a bite of his sandwich. "I did, I wanted to ask. What do I do after I can infuse the two natures?" I pull out some fruit and start chopping it.

"Huh? You release it." He gives a gruff laugh, as though that wasn't obvious. I glance back at him, unable to hide my disappointment. He switches back to his usual demeanour.

"I'll show you Storm Release techniques kid, I just didn't think you'd manage it in the same day." "Neither did I" I admit as I finish cutting my fruit.

I take a seat with him and we finish our meal. Afterwards, he decides to show me the techniques. Saying he had the time. Maybe, just maybe Kakuzu had a soft spot for me? I got the feeling he hadn't seen anyone from our home village in a long time. Or, maybe it was something else, but, I felt like he was teaching me when in actuality, there was no reason for him to.

Kakuzu and I now stand face to face in the middle of the training room. "First, channel your Chakra." he instructs as he begins to do so. I start to build it up and convert it, it takes a moment. Then, I start to infuse just like last time. When I'm finished I open my eyes to see Kakuzu waiting for me.

"Focus that Storm Chakra and make thunder cloud rings. Make them think, and pack them with electricity."

I crack open an eye. "But..." He stops me from questioning him. "Just shut up and do it." He huffs.

"Okay" Pushing my hesitation aside I begin to release the pent up Chakra. Streak of cloud began to circle me, it rumbled and cracked.

"Focus, then hit me with the lightning." He takes a stance.

I stand straight, the lightning feels like an extension of my Chakra. It wasn't stable but, I focused on where I wanted it to hit. The lightning would obey my command. It was hard to control at first, but, after a few strikes, I started to get the hang of it.

Kakuzu dodged my strikes with ease. "Good, now I'm going to come at you. I want you to use your thundercloud defensively." I nod, watching Kakuzu carefully. The black stitches on his arms began to come undone. What kind of Jutsu is that? I'd never seen anything like it.

Suddenly, a multitude tendrils shot at me, and fast. I barely had time to think, luckily lightning strikes faster. It knocked them back. They kept coming from different angles, but, I kept knocking them back until my cloud began to disperse.

Kakuzu retracted his arm, his hand attaching itself back into position. I Knelt forward, trying to catch my breath. This Jutsu was perfect for offence and defence but it took a lot out of me. Not to mention the range was close to mid at best.

"Not bad for your first time." Kakuzu comes closer. I'm still panting, trying to catch my breath. "What's this Jutsu called?" I ask between breaths.

"Storm Release: Thunder Cloud Inner Wave." he pats me on the back. I crack a smile as I look up to him. "If you can manage to hold it that long on your first try then with a bit of practice you'll have it down in no time". I regain myself, straightening up.

"Have a break for 30 and then I'll show you one more technique." I give a nod. He turns and walks off. I sit down on the ground cross legged. I need to use this 30 minutes to build up more Chakra. That Jutsu completely drained me. I close my eyes and begin to concentrate.