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The fruit makes a dull thud as it lands in Kisame's prefab wicker basket. Some dumb thing the owner made them buy as part of the entry-fee. In front of him, Konan's outstretched hand grasps a plumb, red bulb about the size of his fist. The woman even bought a sunhat from the lobby while Kisame refused to engage in the slightest way besides being her protection. Now look at him-- sun beating down on him as she drags him through each row. Their obvious look of yakuza by how he wears a half-suit and she openly bears her tattoo-covered arms. It's ridiculous.
"Why are we doing this again, boss?" Kisame complains. He means no disrespect, of course. But.
Konan plucks the fruit from the limb and turns around. "It's tradition."
Kisame nearly rolls his eyes. "What tradition? I don't recall Akatsuki having apple-themed parties." Come to think of it, Akatsuki never had themed parties. In fact, Akatsuki didn't even have a presence in Aomori. Too far north from their territory.
Konan smirks, pressing her elbow against her hip as she holds the apple out. " 'Apple-themed parties'?" she echoes, "Strange example. Is it your desire to have one? I suppose we could get another basket and load it up too."
His eyes dart down at their nearly empty harvest. Filling this up alone would take all afternoon. "N-no boss, that's not what I'm saying."
"Akatsuki always samples the goods before taking over our competitor's business." She places the apple in the basket, looking at him with cold eyes. "This is only quality assurance."
"You're evaluating the farm?"
He's convinced Konan's gone mad since their entire gang died. Who wouldn't? She turns back and continues her leisurely pace, looking for another product to judge. The two apples roll around Kisame's basket as he follows. Perhaps he's gone mad too.
"Aomori produces half of all apples sold in Japan. It's a good investment." She plucks another from the branch, examining the sun-ripened, golden-red exterior. She bites into it, juices spilling down her chin and wrists. What on earth has he signed up for? She looks at him, smiling and sticky. "Besides, it'll be a clean business this time. Isn't that what we want?" Konan tosses the apple to him. Scrambling, he clutches the basket with one hand while catching the apple, bite-side down in his open palm. "A fresh start?"
Unable to resist her dare, he bites into the fruit. Kisame smiles back at her.
Ah, hope. It tastes sweet.