The following days were much of the same; traveling until the late afternoon, setting up camp near water, and sparring before the sun fell. With each consecutive day, Kiri became more comfortable in their daily routine and with Kisame. He seemed to be the same shinobi he was all those years ago, and as Kiri re-adjusted to life with her sensei again, she gradually let go of her resentment of his abandonment. He had given her a chance to stay this time, and that's what mattered, she told herself.

Before, she had been a kid, brash, loud, and unapologetic. It frustrated Kiri to no end, but Kisame was right before. Akatsuki would not have put up with her attitude. He was only protecting her.

Not that she would tell Kisame he was right. His ego was inflated enough as it was.

Kiri was jolted out of her thoughts as Kisame abruptly stopped in front of her. Landing next to him on the path below, she stared ahead at the cliff. They had reached the end of the forest, the light trail stopping at the tree line. Frowning, Kiri glanced over to Kisame who appeared to be doing nothing.

She opened her mouth to comment, and felt a ripple of chakra. Genjutsu?

Facing the cliff again, her expression turned to shock. Carved out at the bottom of the cliff were giant gates, both of which had slowly begun to swing open as Kisame marched toward them. He glanced back with a toothy grin.

"Impressive, eh, kunoichi?" he winked.

"Pfft," she snorted, slightly impressed but stubborn enough to hide it. I'm no Genjutsu master, but still that's some strong stuff. She hustled to catch up with Kisame's stride as he strode through the gates and into the tunnels of Amegakure.

As they reached the other side of the gate, Kiri allowed herself to gape around in wonder. The city was huge, with towering buildings filling the skyline and civilians bustling about. As they passed through the streets, Kiri's head spun trying to understand why a secret organization like Akatsuki would base their headquarters in a village that was so big.

"Kisame-," Kiri muttered.

"Not yet," he cut in. "After, I'll explain."

She nodded as they continued on through the streets.

Naturally their destination was the tallest building in the center of the city. It towered above the others, and jutting out from the top was a demonic stone face. As Kiri squinted up at the face, she felt water droplets land on her face.

The rain began to pour as they entered the building.

"Listen, kid-"

"I'm not a kid anymore, Kisame-"

"Fine, listen, kunoichi," Kisame drawled out the last word with a dramatic eye roll. "Stay quiet and don't speak unless you're spoken to. Remember, no dying."

"Right, sure. I'll do my best not to drop dead for no reason," she retorted sarcastically. I may still be brash sometimes, but I know when to keep my mouth shut.

Kisame rubbed his temples before pinching the bridge of his nose. He muttered something under his breath.

"Oh don't even start, gills," she snapped. "I'm not an idiot, you've already told me this guy is dangerous. I'm not gonna piss him off; I'm on your side remember?"

Kisame examined her with a long, somber look. Kiri glared back defiantly. She wouln't let him treat her like a kid anymore. Kisame sighed and turned to the door, pushing it open with a loud creak.

Pain stood on the ledge of the open window, watching the rain pour. He sensed Kisame and his apprentice outside the door and heard their whispered bickering. He glanced over his shoulder, hearing the door open and then footsteps that came to a halt some feet behind him.

"Kiri Same," he spoke, his voice even and emotionless. "I've heard so much about you."

He turned and registered Kiri's reaction. Her eyebrow had risen slightly, in part due to his appearance, and in part because he had just insinuated that Kisame spoke of her often. Her breathing was even, chakra levels subdued, but she was clearly tense.

Kiri felt herself begin to tense up. Chill. He's a powerful ninja, and you only have to stay on his good side. You've been on the bad side of several powerful ninja before and lived.

Pain's gaze flickered away from Kiri. "Kisame."

"Leader." Your sensei nodded in response and stepped away from Kiri as Pain walked toward her. Kiri stiffened slightly as Leader circled her.

His chakra... it's overwhelming. I feel like he's smothering me!

"Why did you leave the Mist, Kiri?" he questioned as he came to a stop next to her.

Without turning her head to face him, Kiri responded evenly, "I wanted to freely search for Kisame."

Her answer hung in the air. Pain said nothing, letting the silence continue as he finished circling her, coming to a stop less than two feet in front of her. Kiri could feel his chakra, pulsing around her and through her. She met his searching eyes, suddenly feeling very small and extremely insignificant. Finally, he spoke, "Why search for Kisame though? Surely there were other swordsmen in the Mist whose tutelage you could seek."

Kiri snuffed the retort she could feel bubbling up inside. He was baiting her, testing her. Be honest, not sarcastic.

"Kisame is my sensei. I promised a long time ago to be loyal to him and learn under him. I didn't intend to break that promise for any reason." Kiri could feel Kisame shifting somewhere behind her, his eyes burning into the back of her head. Surely he knows that. I've been searching for him for years, why else would I do that?

"What a loyal little follower," Pain mused. Kiri dropped her eyes from his. Pain strode away toward the open window, hands firmly clasped behind his back. "However, it is my understanding that you waited some time before chasing after your beloved sensei. In fact, you stayed in the Mist for two years following his insurrection did you not?" Kiri gulped, once again feeling overwhelmed by the man's chakra. "Yes."

"Why?"

The statement resounded in Kiri's ears. It sounded like a question, but Pain seemed to know the answer. His chakra was still smothering her, pressing in from all sides even though he was across the room. It wasn't even the amount of chakra he had (Kisame Hoshigaki was her sensei after all), but the power and ruthlessness behind it. Kiri breathed deeply to calm her frantically beating heart. Why is he so terrifying?! Was he exuding his chakra on purpose? Is he testing my honesty?

"I was furious. I thought he had betrayed me and abandoned me. I-," she gulped again, "I doubted him."

Pain's hidden face smirked. "A god should strike down non-believers," he stated. Kiri's heart seemed to drop to her stomach and stop beating. "However," he turned and approached Kiri with an outstretched arm, placing his hand on her head. Kiri's blood ran cold as Pain spoke.

"Your dedication has proven worthy. All is forgiven, child. God knows your heart, and he has saved you."

Numbness filled Kiri. Is he... did he just call himself god?!

A beat passed. Pain seemed to be waiting, his cold hand resting on her head, chakra still pressing in.

She stuttered out a gracious-sounding "Th-thank you, Leader" and he pulled his hand away, the chakra lifting from the room. Kiri's lungs dragged in air, suddenly feeling free from the pressure of Pain's chakra. What... the hell... is he?!

"Konan will show Kiri to a room. Kisame, we have some matters to discuss. Privately." The door creaked open again, and Kiri turned to see a woman with blue hair and wearing the same cloak worn by Kisame and Leader enter the room. She gestured for Kiri to leave the room with her.

Kiri locked eyes with Kisame for a moment, and upon seeing the unreadable expression on his face, she glanced away quickly, following Konan out of the room.

Once Kiri was out of the room, Kisame approached the window that Pain had resumed staring out of. Eyebrows furrowed and confusion lacing his lips, he spoke.

"Well that was new."

Pain gave a soft chuckle in response. "The girl cares not for the state of the world and for peace as much as we do, friend. She has other…" he paused and glanced at Kisame, "priorities, which require alternative means of persuading. Much like the sheep in this village, she needs someone to follow." Pain paused and smirked, seeming very proud of himself.

Kisame snorted in disbelief.

Pain sharply retorted, "Don't be so close-minded, Kisame. She may seem unchanged, but she is not the same girl who you abandoned all those years ago. Many of those years, you were her only thought, her only priority, day after day. You don't think the girl prayed for your return? For answers?"

"She wasn't praying to you, Pain." Kisame responded coldly.

Pain's lips shaped another smirk. "Perhaps not. But now should her loyalty waver, I may be more persuasive." He gestured over the city. "As you can see, I make a very convincing god."

Thanks for staying dedicated, dear readers! Comments are so very much appreciated. Let me know your thoughts, I'm always happy to hear from you! 'Til next time.

~Kiri-chan