It was raining all around the Akatsuki hideout. Or maybe 'pouring down' would be a better expression. Or 'beating'. The big, heavy drops were falling with an intensity and purposefulness that made one wonder if their biggest ambition in life was to make the earth flat. It was raining inside as well. Or at least dripping, because it wasn't actually a real hideout with a sturdy roof; just some old cave where the Leader had decided they should meet. Nobody had bothered to comment on it and anyway Pain liked the rain (although he himself would never use a word as mundane as 'like').

Anyhow, a group of S-ranked criminals had more important things to think of than a leaky ceiling.

Team work, for instance.

Pain wouldn't have bothered with it, hadn't the only one with enough power to call himself Pain's superior decided that it was an important issue and ordered him to call this meeting. And make everyone come here in person.

"Everyone is here." It was neither a statement nor a question. "For the following week you are to switch teams and work with someone other than your regular partner."

Cut straight to the case, never use any excessive words. That was one of the keys to become a successful evil leader. Unfortunately, not everyone in the organisation seemed to understand that, Pain thought as a disapproving murmur followed his words.

"Why do we have to do that?" Hidan demanded.

"Because God says so."

"Jashin-sama didn't mentio-"

"We are," Pain raised his voice slightly to drown out the complaints, "after all," he closed his eyes and remembered Madara's words, "not five different two-man cells, but one, united group. Therefore it is important that you can work with any given member of the organization, if need be. From now Itachi and Deidara will continue Itachi's assignment, Hidan and Kisame will take Hidan's, and Sasori and Kakuzu will do Sasori's. Konan stays with me and Zetsu... you observe the progress."

Zetsu nodded solemnly.

"We're good at that."

"You will all be back here at the same time in a week. That is all. You're dismissed."

The finality in Pain's voice quelled all further objections and there was a moment of busy silence as everyone found their new partner and headed out in the rain again. Zetsu lingered for a while, debating over which pair he should watch first, before finally disappearing into the ground.