Chapter 2 - Scarlet's troubles

I can't believe I'm now a mermaid…

That was my recurring thought as I stroked my tail from the bed of kelp I made at the bottom of this lake I was placed in. Running my finger along the scales I felt the smooth yet jagged surface of my scales. Hearing something odd in the water I looked up at the surface and towards the shallow end. There was the mask member of the Akatsuki, Tobi stood. I took to shifting and swam up to the surface, though a little away from him.

I knew from my time reading the manga he could just walk across the water to me, though if he did I'd probably just dive to get away. I never finished the manga so I didn't know everything but no one could stay away from spoilers long. So I was not sure what I was getting into talking to the Masked Member of this criminal group.

"Yes?"

"Tobi wants to know what Pretty Fish Lady wants to eat?"

I had to blink at that. I didn't even think about food since they left me in this lake. But now the thought of food made my stomach rumble. Slowly I swam towards the shallow end but closer to the deep end. I sat then on the drop ledge. "Some sashimi or some dried kelp would be nice."

"Kay Tobi will go get some!"

And with that he ran out causing another to appear. It was Deidara and Sasori, the blonde held something in their hands. It looked like a bento box, but why eat in here? Watching them I sighed as they sat away from me. With that it was obvious they were here to watch me, not keep me company. So I ran my hands over the surface of the water, lifting my hands I was shocked to see the water follow my fingers. I smiled a little, now I had something in entertain myself with.

As I played with the water, causing different designs with the string of water I didn't notice Sasori walking over. "Girl are you using chakra?"

I jumped causing the water to drop from my hands and I almost slid into the deeper end of the lake. Turning I saw the redhead and I cleared my throat. "No, I don't have chakra, I was just playing with the water."

He made a humming noise from the back of his throat. He walked onto the water closer to me, I shifted a little. "Try to use the same method to control this."

He set a small puppet down in the water, it floated there for a while I looked at it and then back at him. "I don't like to be kept waiting." He stated.

Raising my hand over it I felt the water connect to my fingers and then I tried to connect it to the puppet, for a moment nothing happened. So I sighed and tried again. Soon the water dropped from my fingers and I felt water rush around me in replacement of silver water. I then saw Sasori had walked closer to me, he was looking at my tail which caused me to look at it.

Metal… the scales turned metal...like a machine. I ran my fingers over the newly developed scales. "Try again." Sasori stated and I nodded as I held my hand over the puppet. Soon enough something came from my fingers, water… it latched onto the puppet much easier and I wiggled my fingers causing the puppet to move with them.

"I uh...never moved a puppet before…" I stated as I tried to get it to stand on the water. So far I only got it to sit up in the water.

Sasori remained silent as he walked out of the water. I held out the puppet for him to take as he left my side, he took it as he placed it in his cloak. Turning to watch him leave I saw Tobi standing at the edge of the water with a plate of sashimi and dried kelp. I blinked as I crawled over. Looking at him carefully I sat in the shallow water as Tobi held out the food. I took it from him only for my metal scales to turn pitch black. I blinked at that as I ate the kelp first.

Eating my food I saw Tobi watching me carefully. I shifted a bit away from him since he was being so silent and creepy from staring at me. Looking over I saw the two babysitter members had sat and watched the masked member as he sat crossed legged on the ground. It was a little uncomfortable but I slowly ate the food before me. The ootoro was great and the kelp was nicely salted, it was way better than what I had at home. I smiled at the taste. Looking up shyly at Tobi I thanked him for the meal as I finished.

"So, Pretty Fish Lady...what's your world like?"

"Please call me Scarlet or Scar. And my home? Hmm, its a normal place, we have our wars but we fight to defend the peace. We have endangered animals that are being helped. Technology is very advance. Our military of my homeland is considered one of the strongest that we don't have to worry about wars in our lands and we even go abroad to help with other countries that we feel need it."

"Scar-chan then! What was your home life like?"

"I uh...was an artist and musician from a wealthy family. Oldest from my siblings. And I had training for taking over banks for when I stepped away from my hobbies and other jobs." At the words artist and musician the two Akatsuki members that were watching me looked interested now in our conversation.

"OOOHH! Scar-chan is an artist like Senpai and Sasori-senpai! Does Scar-chan's art move on its own too or maybe blow up?"

I chuckled at his enthusiasm. "No, I painted and played guitar."

"Does Scar-chan have a lover back home?" Tobi asked all of a sudden. It made me blink and laugh really hard. It got him to cock his head . "What did Tobi say? What's so funny?"

"Tobi...I never had time for a lover. But the way you asked. So innocent and curious, it was just the opposite of how I normally got asked. And every time I was asked I told the other I wasn't interested in love or dating." I smiled as I calmed down.

"Does Scar-chan not want a lover?"

"Nope. Never found the one that interested me enough to settle on the thought." I set the plate down next to the masked member. "What about you Tobi?"

"Huh?"

"Has someone caught your eye?" I smiled as I leaned in the water, wagging my tail gently in the shallow water. "You got a cute personality, so I'd think someone would be interested in you."

He stiffened before he scratched his head. Before he could answer I heard a loud voice shout out laughing. "That idiot can't have a girl in his life, un!"

I blinked at the words from the blonde bomber, the red head next to him sighed. "I'm sorry. Was I talking to you?"

He blinked then glared I sighed at it. "Look, who are you to tell another person they can't love someone?"

"He's a freak, always hiding behind a mask. And don't think a guy will want you either. You're nothing but a freak of nature now, un." He glare as he got up and left. I blink and frowned as I looked at my shark tail. Sasori sighed and turned to me.

"Ignore the brat. Tomorrow I'm watching you. Practice." he stated as he set the puppet down next to me near the water. I nodded at his order as I picked up the puppet. Looking at Tobi I saw he was looking down, which made me feel sad for him so I tapped his knee.

"Hey Tobi?"

He looked up, I saw nothing in the hole of his mask but darkness.

"If a girl likes you for you then they won't care for the mask you were. It's your personality that matters not appearances. You could be a wrinkled old man. Or a scarred disabled boy. There will be someone who will see you for who you are and love you for that." I smiled, he nodded and next think I knew I was hugged. I blinked and patted his back awkwardly since I was still in the water. "Tobi while I'm not sure if it's possible but am I allow out of the lake if I'm with an Akatsuki member?"

He sat back and shrugged. "Tobi's not sure. But maybe?"

"Good cause I want to get back at Deidara for what he said to you."

"Why Scar-chan?"

"Because, you might be my only friend here for now. You have been nothing but kind so far. I know you're apart of the Akatsuki for a reason but I protect my own. And I consider you a friend. Deidara has made a mistake in verbally abusing you." I smiled before looking at my fin. "So that means I need to work on my skills and possibly see if I could change my tail into legs."

"Scar-chan wants to walk again?"

"In myths mermaids could change from land to sea, so I should be able to do that too. I just need to figure out how." I smiled. "Plus if I could walk it would help with my predicament wouldn't it? I can't help the members if I'm still in a water basin all the time."

Tobi giggled. "Of course Scar-chan. Plus Tobi will get to carry Scar-chan while she's learning her skills!"

"I just wish I could get the blonde bomber back for what he said to you right away." I sighed.

"No worries Scar-chan! Tobi will play a prank on Senpai just for you!"

I smiled at him. "Get him good for me. And hey when I work out my abilities why not train with me?"

"Okay Scar-chan! Tobi has to head to a meeting, so Tobi will visit later!"

"Bye Tobi and remember what I said."

He nodded as he left with the plate. Looking at my tail I saw it revert back to a silver grey of a normal shark fin. Turning my eyes at the pupper I got to work on practicing, just for the puppet master.

Now I know I shouldn't think even to help this group. But what else am I supposed to do? I'm literally stuck in a pond until I figure out how to walk again. So best way to keep myself safe if to be compliant with whatever they want. If only to survive this world.

-XxX-

-xXx-

This almost convinced me to turn this into a OC x Obito. But then I recalled that there aren't many Kisame OC stories. I'll have to be careful. Review and Like if you enjoyed~