@blackgreed They no longer wear a Konoha headband, they no longer fight for the Konoha flag, nor its land or people. Defected, a missing nin, and one of so much value, that their bounty seems to grow day by day. The viper pays it little mind, their confident journey down a dark passageway a mixture of arrogant and graceful. They know they are not completely welcome in this organisation, accepted because they are undeniably powerful. And perhaps, because Pein could not tell whether they were more dangerous as an ally or enemy. They have been informed they will be guided through the first few days of joining the Akatsuki. Certainly not to make them feel at home, but to ensure they don’t step on anyones toes or aggravate the team. Something the viper is rather good at, their playful nature coming out in the most challenging ways for team leaders and comrades. Their partner remains a mystery to them, the definition vague and clouded. They know their partner is immortal, powerful, and has an apparent habit of killing his teammates. Something he won’t do easily when the viper stands by his side. Their undying attitude almost becoming a personality trait of its own accord.
They swoop in to the room in search of their partner, locating him in their blur of movement, “you must be-” Their words are caught in their throat when they meet his gaze. And oh what a familiar gaze. Why, they had seen his stare so many times in their mind, could pinpoint every detail. The inhuman colour, to the feeling those eyes stirred in their chest. When they were a child, they had feared him. Had cowered at the memory itself and shuddered at the haunting voice. But now? Now they find some morbid fascination. Unease still finds them, for their instincts wish to send them back a few years to when they fled for their life. Yet they stand unmoving, watching him with golden eyes that now harbor intelligence, and far more self assurance. A smile pulls at the corners of their lips, revealing fangs as they chuckle in half nervous amusement. “Kakuzu-san,” they finish, their eyes scanning the taller shinobi from head to toe, “I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you dear, but we’ve already met.”
