Hashirama watched as Kabuto worked from the corner of the room, standing guard over Madara's still form while noting the seals drawn and the jutsu used. He would need to learn this, he needed to be better, for all his seal mastery he had been completely useless. He had lost the most precious thing in his life. He had been a broken man when he lost Madara the first time, he knew that he would take his own life if Kabuto could not bring Madara back, there would be nothing to live for, there was Pein but he believed if Madara was lost, Pein would walk away, leave everything all behind.

Kabuto staggered back from the blood soaked bed, the blood long since dried into a rust coloured hard crust around the still body on the bed. Madara was still deathly pale, the spark of life slow to ignite. This time he found the Impure World Reincarnation summoning to be extremely difficult, he normally could reincarnate dozens at a time but this time it drained him and Madara was not up and walking around like he should be, he wasn't sure of the cause, it could have been that Madara's soul had been locked in his body by Hashirama and was fighting the reincarnation.

"Finish it," Hashirama growled from the corner of the room.

"It is finished," Kabuto replied, continuing to step back from the bed until his back hit the wall, sliding down the wall until he was sitting on the hard bamboo wooden flooring.

"He is not awake, I was awake and moving when you brought me back," Hashirama growled again, grabbing Kabuto by the front of this top, hauling him to his feet. "Finish it!" he growled again.

"There is nothing more I can do, he has life, it is dim but it is there, any more healing jutsu will cause danage to what I have already preformed, he needs to heal naturally at the moment. I will check on him tomorrow, I may be able to heal him further or brew a healing mixture to speed up his recovery. I think I would like to be taken back to my cell now, I need to rest if you want to do anything more tomorrow." Kabuto whispered heading to the door.

Kakuzu stepped into the doorway when Kabuto opened it blocking his path. "Take him back to his cell," Hashirama ordered while gently lifting Madara from the bed.

Kakuzu grabbed Kabuto by the arm and dragged him down the hallway to the ground floor, he was being lead to the entryway to the subterranean levels where Madara's cells were located. As he was dragged down the hallway, he heard raised voices from the study and caught Kyuubi watching him from a sofa chair. The fox demon looked sad, there was something going on he didn't know about but from the murmured conversation he was hearing, it was important. "It's probably worry over the fact that Madara still hasn't walked down stairs yet." He thought.

"Thank you for helping Madara," Kakuzu told him in a lowered voice while pushing him into the cell. "He is more important to us than you may realise. If you tell anyone about this conversation, I will kill you". Kakuzu hissed shutting the door to his cell. Kabuto stared at the closed door for moment, bewildered at the weirdness of Kakuzu, a conversation would imply an exchange of words. The Akatsuki were odd.

Pein looked around at those gathered in the study, "is there anything else we can do?" he asked Kyuubi.

"No, as you said, you are not in a position to strike at Kumogakure as yet, you have fought battle after battle with no time to recover. I made this personal and will lay waste to the Hidden Cloud Village to get Haku back, hopefully Killer B will be ordered by A or guided by C to hand Haku over. They would not want to initiate a war with released demon. You all need rest, Pein you need to help Hashirama attend Madara, I know it is killing you to be down here and not up there. Myself, my Kit and the bastard Uchiha….the older bastard not the younger," Kyuubi grinned looking at Itachi. "will manage things while you care for your beloved."

"What will you do about Kabuto?" Pein asked.

Kyuubi released a loud sigh, slumping back in the chair and looking up to the ceiling, "we need to find him another love interest, someone who will keep him enthralled, someone who keep a tight rein on all that crazy, someone who will keep him loyal to the Akatsuki. Kabuto may be batshit crazy but he is an outstanding medic…I think I may know of someone but there may be complications. I need to speak with Konan, I'll let you know…but so that you know, I have no intention of touching him again. I need to find a replacement rather quickly."

Pein slowly nodded looking at Kyuubi, "I think I know who you mean and I have no issue with it, if anything we may need his strength for what's coming. I need to check on Madara and Hashirama, let me know if there is any information about Haku. Kyuubi, you are welcome to stay here or choose another house."

"I will take Hidan's old house, all his personal items have been moved to Suna, and it will suffice until I am able to redecorate." Kyuubi replied. "Go, check on Madara, we have work to do. For what it's worth, I am sorry this happened to the three of you."

Kyuubi looked to Kimimaro and Neji, "You both have been through a lot recently and will not be any good to Haku when he returns in your current state, go get some sleep."

As Kimimaro and Neji were leaving, Yagura, Utakata and Sai entered the room. "We just heard….about everything, tell us what we can do." Yagura asked sitting beside Sasuke on the sofa.

"Kabuto has performed the Impure World Reincarnation summoning and Madara lives, Pein and Hashirama are tending to him, we don't know how long he is going to be out of action so we need to run things until the three of them are able." Itachi stated.

"Haku has been kidnapped and is now in the hands of Killer B." Kyuubi whispered, knowing the both Yagura and Utakata would understand the significance of the problem.

"NO!" gasp Utakata looking over at Yagura.

Yagura's eyes blazed artic blue as his demon rushed to the surface. "You must get him back!" the demon demanded looking at Kyuubi.

"I have sent Ginkako and Kinkaku with a message for Killer B demanding the return of mine." Kyuubi sighed, "I cannot lay waste to the village without fair warning." Kyuubi snapped. "And the Akatsuki is in a weakened state to go on the offensive."

The Three tailed turtle starred at Kyuubi for a moment, "very well, I will accompany you should it come to that."

"Let's break here and meet up again at 0600h tomorrow morning, hopefully we will have some news by then." Itachi said grabbing Naruto's hand and pulling him to his feet from the sofa.

Kyuubi stepped from Madara's house to find Kisame leaning against the entry gate, "thought I would find you lurking around somewhere."

"Tell me," Kisame demanded pushing off the gate post to step in front of Kyuubi.

"He was kidnapped by Yamato and handed over to Killer B, he was hoping we would believe that Haku was the spy."

"And the Silver and Gold Brothers?"

"My servants, I have sent a message demanding the return of what's mine."

"He's not yours!" Kisame seethed stepping closer to the demon. He had not been surprised when Kyuubi walked out of Madara's house, he expected the fox demon to be handsome. The demon in his human form was beautiful; tall, lean hard muscle, long fire red hair, all sharp lines with high cheek bones, a soft pout red mouth that he had an urge to punch. He hated what he was looking at, he hated that such a beautiful creature wanted what he was so desperately in love with. Again it just demonstrated that he had no chance with something as pure and captivating as Haku. He was known as the monster of the mist and standing before this creature of fire and beauty, he really was a monster.

Kyuubi stepped closer to Kisame, toe to toe, eye to eye, nobody threatened him and lived. He needed to calm, he was angry about what happened to Madara. He was furious about what he knew was happening to Haku and couldn't stop, his violent fury was a maelstrom burning through him; he wanted to vent, lash out in violence and the perfect opportunity was just handed to him. Taking a deep breath to calm his boiling rage almost undid him, his fists clenched, his claws digging into his palms, he felt hot slick blood pool between his clenched fingers. He felt his charkra tentatively reach out to touch the creature in front of him, testing him, tasting him. What he smelt and tasted almost brought him to his knees, he expected the shark to reek of the briny stench of the sea but instead he was all wild turbulence and ferocity of storm swept oceans, the metallic tang of electricity in the air with the spray of sea salt. He was delicious.

"We have a common goal," Kyuubi whispered, lips a breath away from Kisames.

Kisame took a staggered step away, confused at the sudden change in the demon but a hand wrapped around his upper arm gently pulling him back. Looking down he saw Kyuubi's long delicate fingers around his arm, smearing blood across his shirt sleeve.

Kyuubi gently wrapped his other hand around the Swordsman's forearm almost groaning out loud at the texture and feel of his pale blue skin, it was slightly roughened, cool to the touch, the perfect counter piece to his own heat and fire. He would bet anything that when wet it would be slick, soft and taste amazing.

"I may have been wrong about you," Kyuubi breathed against the Swordsman's lips. "I think we can both get what we want."

Kisame staggered back, ripping free of the demons hold, "don't fucking play me demon."

"I was going to take up Hidan's previous residence but I think it would be most beneficial if I were to stay with you, when Haku is returned, he will need a location where he feels safe." Kyuubi said giving the swordsman his distance. He had just freaked the poor Kisame out and he needed to give the man is space to gain his equilibrium back.

"I don't want you in my home." Kisame barked walking out to the path from Madara's house.

"Come on, don't be like that, you know when we get him back, he will need constant care, he will need special handling and my kit will be busy with running this village with your bastard of a partner."

"Kimimaro will be there," Kisame snapped back, walking away from the demon. He was angry, the fox had tried to play him, mess with his emotions, he was having none of that.

"True, Kimimaro was devastated when he learnt of what happened to Haku and will be there during his recovery but he will need us both, he will need to feel completely safe. Now that has been settled, please lead the way to our new home." Kyuubi grinned running his eyes over every inch of the swordsman's body.

"Goddammit, will you stop." Kisame snapped. "Just stay the fuck away from me."

Kyuubi chuckled darkly following tall swordsman.

Kisame walked through the streets, turning down twisting alleys, all the houses stark skeletal remains of a once vibrant community when Pebble was a teaming village. "You had better not live in some shanty hut," Kyuubi called out. "I may have to rethink my choice about staying with you."

"I didn't ask you to follow me." Kisame snapped.

"Pfft, please….don't lie to yourself, you want me in our home."

"Will you stop calling it our home, it is not yours."

"Well it won't be if it's some shabby lean too." Kyuubi grinned stopping outside high fortified gates.

Kisame unlocked the gates and walked around the front of the house to the rear. Kyuubi didn't follow him through, he looked over the estate, this was bigger than Itachi's and his Kit's home, slightly smaller than Madara's. Following Kisame through the lush established garden with large willow trees and fragrant jasmine plants, he slowed his step as he took in the heated springs ringed with ornamental rocks, moss and lilies.

The house itself was old world feudal Japan, with paper and wooden screens, sliding doors with a large deck area running the length of the house. Kyuubi stepped inside to find all modern furniture, rich neutral tones with splashes of colour in area rugs, cushions and art work. He liked this, he liked this a lot. Ready to make a smart arse comment about the swordsman's home, he looked to find Kisame watching him carefully. "Our home is beautiful." Kyuubi smiled.

"Not your home!" Kisame snapped. "You're in the guest room, second door on the left."

3am saw them both seated in the lounge area pretending to read, looking out over the springs. They were unable to sleep, both consumed with worry over Haku.

C stepped back from the damaged Haku, "Pebble," he thought. There was something familiar about that name, something in the back recesses of his mind, something his conscious mind was trying grasp. He remembered reading an old scroll about the demise of villages, he had read it to ensure Kumogakure didn't make the same mistakes…Pebble…..they had two village locations, the main village and a defensive village. He remembered suggesting that they look at establishing a well-fortified location as an alternate should the need arise that they had to evacuate. A laughed at the idea, saying they didn't need such precautions, they were superior to all other villages. Pebble, their defensive was located near a lake…..C took in a sharp breath, he knew where the Akatsuki hide out was.

"What to do," he thought looking down at Haku.

"Did you find out anything?" A asked looking across at his brother Killer B, he had returned to his office to find Killer B loitering in the doorway.

"No, nothing, he is stronger than he looks, I will break him down further and get the information," B grinned.

"No, I don't think you will, you were hard on him, it was not pleasant to see your handy work," A grimaced. "We should hand him back."

"No, he is mine!" B yelled launching to his feet. "So much pleasure and energy we got from him." B groaned.

A loud clap of thunder boomed through the village, causing items to fall from shelves and buildings to shake. "What the fuck was that?" cursed A running to his window.

"What is it?" A demanded as a shinobi landed lightly on the window ledge.

"Two Shinobi at the entrance, they have a message for Killer B and will only present to him," the shinobi replied.

"We better go have a look," A told his brother walking from his office.

"Fuck," A muttered as they drew closer to the main gate….."Fuck, tell me that's not who I think it is."

"It is, the silver and gold brothers." Killer B whispered.

"Fuck, I thought they were dead. What the hell do they want?" A whispered back.

"Gentlemen, so glad to see you, I hope you have been faring well," A boomed grinning widely.

"Killer B, we have a message from our Master." Ginkako growled handing over a scroll.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Killer B yawned, he was feeling tired, he had been up all night and morning with his new pet, and what pet he was.

Taking the scroll, he cracked the red seal and read the contents, "It appears that Kyuubi wants my little pet back." Killer B chuckled.

"Our Master, Kyuubi demands the return of Haku," Kinkako interjected. "NOW!"

A boomed out a laugh, "Pfft, go tell Naruto to go fuck himself, that inept idiot."

"You need to watch your mouth Raikage," Ginkako warned. "Our Master has been released from his son, and wants the ice shinobi back."

Killer B's eyes widened in surprise, "Kyuubi was free? He was not bound? This would mean that he's at full strength." He thought.

"Do you really want war with our Master eight tail?"

"That's Lord Eight-Tail to you." Killer B huffed, although he was quickly attempting to come up with a plan to get rid of the Brothers and still keep his pet.

"We will hand over Haku," A cut in. He did not need a war with the legendary nine tail over a mere pet. "If you wait here, we will retrieve him."

A turned to his brother as they walked to the holding cells, "I hope C is still around the area, we need him to do a quick healing before we hand him over. It will not bode well if we hand him over in his current state."

They entered the cell where Haku was being held, the sharp copper scent of blood hit A as he walked in, the walls splattered with dried blood droplets from the whipping the young Shinobi had taken. Stopping inside the entrance to the cell, they both looked around. The cell was empty.

"Where did he go?" Killer B asked, frowning at his brother.

"C may have taken him to the hospital, such a soft heart he has, this is why he loves me so, he knows I will always protect and cherish that heart of his." A commented preening while flexing his muscles.

After checking the hospital and not finding either Haku or C, they made their way to the front entrance, "you don't think C has betrayed us to you?" Killer B asked his brother.

"No way, he's loyal to me, I am his Sun, I am his Moon, he loves me for all eternally." A scoffed. "Haku must have escaped."

The Silver and Gold Brothers waited patiently at the entrance, "It appears that Haku has escaped," A told them.

"You lie to us."

"No, really, by the time you get back to your Master, he will probably already be there." Killer B stated. He was saddened about losing his pet. As soon as the brothers departed, he planned to hunt him down.

"We will be back with our Master, if he fails to turn up." The brothers stated departing in a boom of thunder.

"Fuck," A shouted. "Send out your apprentices to find him, make sure he gets dumped in a village somewhere."

Killer B found his apprentices Samui and her brother Atsui near the training field. "I have a job for you both, my pet has escaped. Find him and bring him back to me."

"Yes Lord Jinchuriki." Samui responded.

Konan looked over the cave entrance with trepidation, it had been a long time since she had been here and was not looking forward to what she may find within. Last time she was here the occupant was near death, so terribly wasted, she had no idea why Kyuubi had asked her to come here and the message was even stranger.

Konan tentatively stepped through the cave system to a broad open cavern, it was light, warm and smelled of burning incense.

"Is that my angel?" a rasped voice echoed through the cavern.

"Yes, I have been asked to bring you a message from Kyuubi," Konan said stepping further into the cavern.

"I felt his release, as I felt the presence of the Priest. Our world is on the precipice of change, what does the nine tail want with me."

"He asked if you were well enough, if you would be interested in coming to Pebble" Konan asked, gasping at the sight before her.

"As you can see, I have fully healed, my six paths have made me stronger but why am I needed now?"

"Hanzo of the Salamander has returned, as you have stated, we are on the cusp of a new Shinobi war, we want to prevent that." Konan replied.

"The Akatsuki has enough powerful shinobi to handle that, there is something you are not telling me."

"Kabuto, he needs handling now that he no longer has a Lord."

"I still don't understand, Kyuubi can easily control that medic."

"Haku was kidnapped and taken by Killer B, Kyuubi is protective of him."

Standing and walking over to the fire place, the man with blood red hair leaned against the mantle looking into the flames. "What is so special about the ice shinobi?" he asked Konan.

"I have no idea, I have heard that he referred to Haku as earth and winter."

A smile played on the man's lips, "so rare," he thought.

"Kyuubi also said to tell you that Kabuto aligned to your tastes, whatever that means." Konan frowned.

"And what does Pein think of all this?"

"He said it was not an issue."

"Very well, I will return with you, let's see what delights you have to show me." Nagato grinned evilly.

Pein entered the bedroom to find Hashirama removing the bed linen. Pein took the linen from him and dumped it in the hallway. Luckily the linen and mattress protector absorbed all the blood and the mattress remained clean. Looking through to the bathroom, he saw Madara was propped up in the bath, eyes closed, his breathing shallow. He was still deathly pale. Hashirama's fingers shook as he tried to unfold clean linen, Pein wrapped his arms around the shaking fragile man. "He will recover," he whispered into Hashirama's hair.

"I didn't protect him." Hashirama stated in a shaky breath.

"Either did I, we weren't expecting what happened. No one expected Jin to do what he did. I want to kill him but I understand his need to protect his family. I think we leave him and let Madara make the choice of what to do with him."

"He won't be able to work here any longer, Itachi and Naruto won't want him and Zetsu will kill him the first chance he gets, he does not take betrayal well, especially the betrayal of Madara." Hashirama responded. "We better get this bed made and Madara in it."

Pein helped Hashirama to make the bed and he gently carried Madara from the bath to the bed. Lying him down, they dried him and tuck the heavy bedding around him. "You need sleep as well," Hashirama insisted.

"Haku's been taken," Pein frowned before resting his forehead on Hashirama's shoulder. "Yamato handed him over to Killer B."

Hashirama began to rub slow circles at the base of Pein back. "We'll get him back," he whispered.

"He will be broken, I don't know if his mind and spirit can be healed from what he is currently being subjected to."

"Will it be that bad?" Hashirama asked, now he was concerned. Shinobi are taught to endure a certain amount torture.

"Imagine Hidan swapped out and Haku in his place." Pein mumbled.

"NO!" Hashirama stepped back starring at Pein. "No, please tell me it's not that bad."

"It's worse, there is love and consent between Hidan and Gaara, there is nothing but pain and misery with Killer B."

"Do the others know?"

"No, only Kyuubi and the demon hosts know about this, they will not say anything. They have no desire to add to the worry and concern the others are already suffering."

"Thank you for telling me."

"What are you two whispering about?" Madara crocked from the bed.

They both turned to find Madara looking at them, he was still deathly pale, his black hair starkly standing out against his too pale skin.

"Nothing, you need your rest, you're still weak." Hashirama whispered against Madara's hand. "We nearly lost you."

"Serves you right for drugging me. What happened?"

"Yamato threatened Jin's family and place a Jutsu on him so he couldn't tell anyone. Jin was meant to kill Hashirama but got you instead. You can deal with them when you are well enough," Pein told him removing his clothes and slipping into bed beside Madara. "You scared me," he mumbled against Madara's neck.

"Sparrow, are you coming to bed?" Madara asked struggling to keep his eyes open.

"I'm just going to the kitchen for a jug of water, you will need it," he replied.

Walking down the staircase, past the study and the kitchen, Hashirama descended to the lower level. "Kakuzu, can you please step out for a moment."

"Which one?" Kakuzu asked.

"Yamato."

"Sure, I'm just going to get a drink from the kitchen, won't be long." Kakuzu waved striding out the cells area and up the stairs.

Hashirama walked to the cell Yamato was held in, the outer door had been ripped from its hinges and the inner metal cell door was locked, performing a jutus he unlocked the door an entered the cell.

Yamato was sitting with his back to the far wall. "You!" he spat. "It was you who was supposed to die."

"You blame me for something I didn't do, I was dead when you were experimented on. I am as much a victim as you. Your misguided revenge has wrought so much damage, I want to kill you, I want to rip your soul from your body, tear you apart. You are so far gone, I don't think you will ever learn from your mistakes." Hashirama seethed turning back toward the door.

He felt a shift in the air and knew Yamato had charged at him, just like he predicted the coward would. Spinning, he knocked Yamato across the room, pinning him to the wall with his wood jutsu; Yamato's feet dangling above the floor coughed blood across the cell. "You orchestrated the death of my beloved, you kidnapped my student, I love Haku like a son. You forgot what I was and what I am," Hashirama spat standing before Yamato. "I have no mercy for cowards such as you." Hashirama hissed backhanding Yamato across the face. Hashirama walked back to the cell door, releasing his wood jutsu again, sending hundreds of spiked spears into Yamato's body. He was about to exit the cell when a thought struck him, pulling out a kunai he walked back to the body of Yamato.

"Feeling better now?" Pein asked as Hashirama entered the bedroom. Pein was sitting up in bed with Madara laying across his chest.

"Yes, I was angry, here don't say I don't bring you nice things," he replied throwing a bag at Pein.

With a puzzled frown, Pein opened the bag, a huge grin broke across his face, "you do love me," he grinned pulled out the still warm bloody heart of Yamato.

C pulled the blanket up higher over Haku, he healed the young shinobi as best he could while he travelled toward Pebble. He stopped for the night in a clearing and started a small fire taking care to hide both his and Haku's charka signatures. He hoped they thought Haku had escaped and he would be back before his absence drew too much notice. He could easily get A to believe any lie he made up to cover for his disappearance. He wasn't about to leave Haku in the hands of Killer B, he had been horrified at the abuse the shinobi had endured. He calculated he should reach Pebble by mid-morning the next day and be able to return to Kumogakure by evening.

Lying beside Haku, he performed a healing jutsu so Haku could heal further during the night.

"Should we take them now?" Atsui whispered to his sister from the dense trees overlooking the clearing.

"No we wait, let's see where he's going." Samui whispered back watching C as he healed the ice shinobi.

Kyuubi stood as he felt the Silver and Gold brothers approach the front door. Haku was not with them, this could mean he was already dead or Killer B refused to hand him over.

"Well?" he asked opening the door.

"They claim that Haku escaped and was probably making his way back home."

"You didn't stop and search the area before returning?" Kyuubi seethed.

"We believed the Raikage to be lying." Ginkako explained.

"If there is no news by midday tomorrow, we go inforce. Leave and I will call you if you are needed."

"As you wish Master." The brother said in unison before bowing and disappearing.

"Anything?" Kisame asked walking toward him.

"No, A and Killer B said that Haku escaped but I do not believe them, if we hear nothing by tomorrow we will attack."

"I will go with you."

"No, I sorry but you can't. They can not know the Akatsuki are involved. Pebble is too weakened at the moment, Madara is still out, Pein and Hashirama are not thinking clearly and although I hate to admit it, Itachi is an excellent leader but he is also worried about Madara and not fully recovered after being separated from my Kit for so long."

"I understand, I hate it but I understand." Kisame muttered returning to the sofa. Neither of them would be getting any sleep until they had Haku back.

Itachi rolled over looking at Naruto, this Tenshi had a troubled night, he barely slept. Pacing between the lounge and kitchen, he finally came to bed around four in the morning.

"Something is bothering you, I know you care deeply for Haku but there's something else. What is it?"

"I don't want to tell you," He replied softly. "It will only make you angrier and make you worry. I don't want to cause you more pain."

Sitting up, Itachi looked to his beloved frowning. "You're in agony over Haku being taken, there is something more to this than we have been lead to believe, tell me my Tenshi."

"I learnt about all the demons and their hosts from Kyuubi, he instructed me on all their weaknesses, strength and kinks."

"Okay, I've met Killer B and he is an idiot, he is just like the ox that is inside of him, all brawn and no brain. What sort of idiot stops to write rap lines during a fight?"

"I know," Naruto grinned. But he has some kinks.

"Like?"

"His tastes run darker than Gaara's."

Itachi gasped, "No, no wonder Kyuubi and the others were so adamant about getting him back."

"I don't think we will get him back but if we do, I don't think he will be whole again. He'd been dealing with so much before he was taken. It's just not fair, he deserves love and all he has been handed is abuse and pain." Naruto explained, his eyes misting "I need him back."

Zetsu worked in his garden, he had been there all night, he was worried about Madara, although he knew Madara lived, he was still recovering. Madara had the first Hokage and deceitful one with him so he was safe. He was more worried about his friend Haku. He like the gentle shinobi, he liked that he cared about the plants and worked with him in the gardens. He was glad the demon was working to get him back, it made them both sad that Haku wasn't here.

Zetsu paused in tending of the garden, sensing someone trip his warning defensive alarms he placed out last night. He was more vigilant now after what happened with Yamato and Jin. He would eat that traitor if he wasn't killed by Madara. Slipping beneath the earth he moved toward the entrance and through the narrow opening, raising from the ground just as the shinobi there released a charka flare.

He rushed forward and grabbed Haku from the shinboi's arms as Kyuuni, Kisame, Itachi, Naruto and Yagura exited the entrance.

"I am sorry, I didn't know what he was doing to him." C gasped as he was pinned to the ground by Yagura.

Itachi took in the still batter form of Haku in Zetsu's arms. "Did he tell you were the village was located?"

"No, he didn't tell them anything. He only mentioned Pebble to me, I happened to have read about fallen villages and knew Pebble had a defensive village location. I am the only one who knows and I won't tell them where the village is located. I don't want war, it is very bad for business and will put my village at risk." C responded getting to his feet.

"Hanzo has confirmed that he managed to get a hundred of the genetically altered shinobi out before your destruction of Orochimaru's fortress. He plans to deliver them next week and A plans to use them to take back Konoha."

"Why are you telling us this?" Itachi asked.

"As I said, I don't want war, if Konoha is attacked and Tobirama is murdered, you will go to war with us. You have extremely powerful shinobi and demon hosts with you, there is a strong possibility we will lose. He may be annoying…..a lot of the time but I will protect A, even from himself."

"We thank you. If you need anything please send us a message." Itachi finished.

Leading the group back through the entrance they all made their way to Kisame's house with Zetsu in the lead. "I will inform the Lying One and Hashirama once I have seen Haku to the safety of your home." Zetsu told Kyuubi.

Samui watched the freak plant take Haku from C and the other Akatsuki appear through the rockface. She grinned, they may not have gotten Haku but they could give Killer B the location of the Akatsuki hide out.

Kisame lead Zetsu though the house, hesitating of where to place him when he heard Kyuubi behind him.

"Place him in our bedroom," Kyuubi said opening Kisame's bedroom door.

Zetsu gently lay Haku on the bed, "I will leave, I do not wish to see the damage done to my brother, it will hurt us." He said leaving the room.

Naruto approached the bed and was about to fold back the blanket Haku was wrapped in when Kimimaro with Neji burst through the door. Kimimaro cried out seeing Haku on the bed, dropping to his knees beside the bed, he took Haku's hand gently. All the joints of his hand were swollen and red, obviously they had been broken.

"C must have healed him as much as could on the way here," Kyuubi said. But with the amount damage still visible, Haku must have been close to death.

Naruto slowly folded back the blanket revelling Haku's bruised and bleeding torso. Kimimaro wept into Haku's hand.

Kyuubi approached the bed his charka flowing out to heal Haku of injuries, he laid a hand over Haku's heart healing the internal damage first. He felt Pein enter the room with Iruka, his eyes flaring red as he took in the battered still figure of Haku.

"Do you need help?" Pein rasped, his voice thick with emotion.

"Please," Kyuubi responded. "I am working on internal injuries, if Iruka could work on external.

Both Kyuubi and Iruka worked to heal Haku, "I need to turn him over," Iruka whispered.

Kisame and Kimimaro gently moved Haku, rolling him to his side and onto his stomach. There was a loud gasp from Naruto and Neji at the multiple whip marks slashed across Haku's back. His back was a mass of blood, gore and deep open wounds.

"That Ox will die," Yagura spat, his eyes blazing artic blue.

"Yes he will," Pein hissed through clenched teeth.

Kyuubi and Iruka worked to heal all of Haku's injuries. "I will fill a bath to bathe him," Kimimaro softly spoke from the side of the bed.

"Take to the springs," Kisame said, walking to the bathroom and bringing out a bar soap that smelt of peony blossoms. "Use this to wash him, it's safe to use in the springs." Kisame said handing the bar over to Neji.

Kimimaro walked from the room with Haku in his arms and Neji following behind. The group went to the lounge, waiting silently. Naruto headed out to the spring with a large bath sheet.

Pein and Kyuubi stood on the deck overlooking the spring, watching Neji gently wash Haku while Kimimaro held him in his arms, silently weeping over Haku's unconscious body.

"Have you told Madara?" Kyuubi asked.

"No, he was still sleeping when Zetsu arrived. I don't plan on telling him until he's stronger. He will demand to be brought here."

"It's for the best at the moment."

"Hashirama will be here when I get back to take over watching over Madara. Please go easy on him, he loves Haku like a son and he is still fragile after losing Madara again."

"I like Madara's sparrow a great deal, I will care for him."

"So….Kisame?"

Kyuubi grinned, "he will be a challenge but I do like a challenge."

"Take care with him as well, he has never had anyone in his life before and if you play with him, he will most likely turn dark."

"I don't plan on hurting him, plus we both will have Haku as well."

"If he recovers."

Naruto draped the towel over his arms, Kimimaro placed Haku in his arms, wrapping the towel around him. Naruto carried Haku back to the bedroom, placing him in the bed and gently dried him. He and Kimimaro moved him under the covers, they both stripped down to their underwear and climbed in, one on either side of Haku.

"Let them stay with him," Itachi said looking over the three in bed.

"Kimimaro didn't sleep last night." Neji stated.

"We'll be in the next room if they need anything," Kyuubi replied pulling Kisame toward the spare room.

"Is everything alright?" Hashirama asked when Pein walked in.

"He suffered greatly." Pein said sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What happened?" Madara asked softly, his eyes still closed.

"Nothing for you to worry about at the moment, we will get your favourite medic soon for more healing," Pein smiled.

Madara groaned, "Can't you get Iruka?"

"Sorry, only Kabuto knows how to heal after the reincarnation summoning." Hashirama smiled at Pein.

"What the fuck happened?" Madara groaned again.

"No need to worry about that either at the moment." Pein leaned over to kiss Madara on the temple.

"Fuck." Madara moaned.

C entered the office to see A sitting behind his desk, he was awfully quiet. "I have confession." He said, he needed a certain amount of truth.

"What is your confession?" A asked leaning back on his chair.

"I removed Haku from the cells and returned him."

"And where did you return him too?" A enquired.

"I sent a message to the Akatsuki to collect him. What your brother did was unspeakable." C said taking a seat.

"That was not your decision to make….but you failed to confess one last thing my dear C."

"I don't think so."

"You failed to mention that you betrayed us, BETRAYED ME!" A yelled.

"I didn't betray you," C said calmly.

"You knew the location of the Akatsuki hide out and you failed to tell me, instead you take my brother's pet and tell them all about our plans."

"It's not what you think." C snapped.

"It's too late my beloved, GUARDS, take my daring C to the cells. The cell of my brother's pet should suit him just fine." A smiled cruelly.

Nagato followed Konan through the entrance of Pebble, it had been a long time since he been here, it was still beautiful. Zetsu blocked the path at the entrance.

"He is to be taken to Pein, Kyuubi is indisposed at the moment." Zetsu glared at the new comer.

"Thank you Zetsu," Konan smiled, she had always been weary of Madara spy. His abilities were terrifying.

"Follow," Zetsu snapped turning towards Madara's house. "I don't trust him," his white half mumbled. "I'm with you, we will watch this one, he proves to be a threat we will eat him," his black half whispered back. "Yes, I like you plan, about time you came up with something sound, you are all together usless." White hissed back. "I'm not the one who let the crazy spy hurt our Master." Black hissed back.

Nagato smiled watching Zetsu argue with himself while making their way to through Pebble. He had been alone a very long time, although he was able to connect to the outside world through his Six Paths of Pain, he himself chose to isolate himself. The world was an ugly place and he wanted nothing to do with it. Coming here was about curiosity, the sage had revealed himself, Kyuubi was out in the world and so many of the most powerful shinobi have chosen to join Madara and his tawdry group.

Konan entered a large gateway and followed the path to a front door, she was about to knock when the door opened and Nagato came face to face with his dead brother Yahiko. They were war orphans along with Konan. "Rikudou Sennin," Nagato bowed to Pein. "Although it saddens me to look upon the form of my orphaned brother Yahiko, he would have been honoured that you chose to take his form. How may I assist you Great Sage?"

Pein winced at the title, how he hated titles and labels. "Please call me Pein, Kyuubi and I were hoping you may be able to assist with a small problem we have. Kabuto needs handling, he needs a very strong hand to keep him in line. You have hidden away long enough, it's time to take an active part in the world and not just through your puppets."

"Konan mentioned that Hanzo was walking the earth again." Nagato said following Pein into the house. He turned back and smiled at Zetsu who was glaring at him from the gateway. "Thank you for your hospitable welcome Zetsu, I'm sure I will be seeing more of you."

Zetsu sneered at Nagato, "we can eat him now," Black hissed. "No! we follow the plan," White hissed back.

Nagato entered the study and took a seat on the sofa, "Tell me what you want?" He said looking Pein.

Nagato was startled when Hashirama entered the study and sat on the arm of the chair, where Pein sat. Pein reached over and caught a length of Hashirama's hair, sliding the ends across his mouth, deep in thought. "Will Madara be joining us?" Nagato asked He had been out of the world too long, he had no idea, Hashirama was in play and he was the lover of the Great Sage….where did Madara fit into all this.

"No, Madara is still recovering from death," Hashirama replied.

"We are facing war at the moment, we know the Land of Iron is making moves, we know Kumogakure is hostile and posed to attack. We have been informed by C that they plan to attack Konoha, We have limited medic shinobi and Kabuto would be asset to us but he is unstable and needs controlling, he is not use to independent thought, so use to answering to his Lord, we need a replacement." Pein stated.

"Do you think the information C gave you was good."

"No idea but we can't risk it, we are looking at deploying forces to Konoha to support Tobirama and fortify our own village." Hashirama interjected.

"I will pull all my paths back here, let me know if you want any in Konoha, Shall we go see my new project?"

Entering the cell area they found Kiba and Lee playing shogi outside of Kabuto's cell. "Anything?" Pein asked.

"Not a whimper, he may be recovering from healing Sensai Madara this morning," Lee responded, moving another tile.

"You both can take off, we will handle Kabuto from here," Pein explained opening the cell door.

Lee and Kiba packed up their game and made their way to the exit, "you know who that was don't you?" They heard Lee whisper to Kiba as they went upstairs.

"Well your arrival will be all over Pebble in about five minutes, this will piss Madara off royally that everyone knows what's going on and he doesn't." Hashirama grinned.

Opening the cell, they noticed Kabuto laying on the bed, his eyes closed but was very much awake.

Nagato grinned widely staring at Kabuto, "give up this farce of pretending to sleep, you forget yourself. Who do you think you are in the presence of?"

Kabuto slowly sat up looking at the three gathered in the doorway of his cell. "I have nothing to say to you all, bring me my beloved."

Nagato grabbed Kabuto by the throat, pinning him to the wall opposite the bed. Again you forget yourself, apologise to Pein and Hashirama for your rudeness."

"Get the fuck off me," Kabuto kicked out.

Nagato shook Kabuto like a ragdoll, slamming his back against the wall, "You might want to give me some time alone here," he said to Pein and Hashirama.

"Kyuubi has given you to me as a gift," Nagato said when the cell door closed.

"No, he is mine, we made a deal, I reincarnate Madara and he becomes mine." Spat Kabuto.

Nagato took a deep breath, "I know but circumstances change, he could not devote his time to you, he cares for you and wanted you to have someone special, someone to take care of you, of your complex needs."

"My needs are not complex," Kabuto raged. "WE HAD A DEAL!"

"Wouldn't you like to belong to someone who doesn't take you for granted, who respects your skills? Or it could be that you don't find me attractive enough."

"Don't be ridiculous, you know that you are attractive." Kabuto snarled.

"What do you find so objectionable than? Could it be you finally found someone who understands your needs, Kyuubi has told me of your needs, your desires." Nagato smiled running a hand over Kabuto's groin while that other kept him pined to the wall."

"Stop that," Kabuto hissed between clenched teeth. He could feel himself harden, how could he not with the beautiful shinobi before him.

"I don't think you have any idea of who I am. I specialise in pain. I am the Lord of Hell." Whispered Nagato running his tongue along Kabuto's jaw. "I will give you want you need, not what you think you want." He snarled nipping Kabuto's bottom lip between his teeth while squeezing his groin.

Kabuto's breath hitched, he was hard, he was liking all that the red haired shinobi was doing to him, saying to him…wait…."Lord of Hell….Pain," he thought. His eyes widened in recognition. "Nagato." He breathed through his lips.

Nagato smirked biting down harder on Kabutos's lower lip, enough to draw blook. "That's Lord Nagato or My Lord to you." He said pulling Kabuto away from the wall and tossing him on the bed.

He tore Kabuto's shirt and pants from his body, taking off his glasses and releasing his long grey hair. He stepped back from the bed he looked down at the now naked Kabuto. "There is no trickery here, once I take you, there will be no others for you. Do you understand? Do you accept me as your lover, your beloved?, your Lord?"

Kabuto looked up from to the beautiful youth in front of him, this was the legendary mastermind of the Six Paths of Pain. He was powerful, strong, the equivalent of possessing Jiraiya. This was a Lord he deserved, a Lord that didn't need to demand respect and fear, he had earned it.

"Yes, my Lord, I give myself to you."

Nagato smirked, removing his blood red cloak and pulling down his training pants, exposing his hard glistening member. "Show me your skills," grabbing Kabuto by the hair and pulling his face toward his groin.

Kabuto eagerly opened his mouth, running his tongue over the swollen gland. He gasped when Nagato thrust himself deeper, hitting the back of this throat.

"Take all of me," Nagato growled gently slapping Kabuto across the cheek. "You don't get to come until I tell you."

Kabuto closed his eyes in bliss, this is what he needed. If only his new Lord knew how he liked to be fuck, he would be in heaven.

Nagato pulled away from Kabuto, grabbing him and flipping him on to his stomach, dragging him onto his knees while holding his head firmly against the mattress. He entered Kabuto without preparation, taking him in long hard thrusts. Kabuto was moaning begging for release. Nagato's balls tightened, he was about to cum.

Reaching around, he roughly tugged on Kabuto's cock, "Cum for me my beautiful Kabuto."

Kabuto arched into the grip that was holding him down, yelling out his release. Nagato thrust into him harder seeking his own pleasure, pulling out he released over the back of Kabuto.

"You have pleased me, my dove." Nagato purred over Kabuto. "Just think of how much fun we will have when my six paths join me."

"Did you mean it when you said, I was yours." Kabuto whispered hardly believing his good fortune.

"You are mine, none shall touch you, none other than my Six Paths shall know what pleasure you give."

"Thank you my Lord. I am yours."