Mommy's Here
I walk through the long corridors of our hide-out, slowly, as to make sure my presence is not noticed. Pein is in his room for the night, hopefully taking his medication and trying to sleep. It's been a very hard job, making sure the rest of the Akatsuki doesn't notice that it's a clone performing his duties. Awhile back, when Pein engaged Jiraiya in combat…he went…insane from grief. He couldn't handle being brought back to his past like that, when he had worked so hard to block it from his memory. He…acts like a child now, and I can't help but cry every night over the loss of the man I once knew. I knock once on the door, and am greeted by a beaming face. "Hi Mommy!" He can't remember who I am, or rather…he doesn't recognize me. What with his childish thought process, a women who's older then him, taking care of him…surely means I am his mother. I smile sadly, and give him a hug…feeling his arms tighten around me makes me want to weep, this is not what I want…by far. "Hello Pein, are you ready for bed?"
"Yes Mommy," he grins, and jumps onto his bed. I stride over, gently ruffle his bright orange hair, and kiss his head. "Goodnight Pein…remember…Mommy loves you." He giggles, and leans up to kiss my cheek, and then let's his head fall to the pillow. "I love you too Mommy, night!!" I nod, and walk out the room, flipping the light switch as I shut the door.
The kitchen is dark, and I sit at the table, head in my hands…with tears falling freely. The light turns on and Kakuzu sits across from me. "Konan…where have you been? I haven't seen you in forever."
"Out," I whisper…trying to mask the fact that I am crying.
"On a mission?"
"Yes."
"How's Pein been?" The tears come faster now, I wished I could tell Kakuzu the truth…Kakuzu, my friend…the only one I could really trust. "He's just fine…just…busy."
"Ah…I see. Well, come talk sometime…I need a break from Hidan."
"Of course you do. My apologies. Sometime tomorrow?"
"That'd be nice. Goodnight Konan," he says, standing. A nod is what he receives and my small sob is released as he exit's the room, surely he heard it. Kakuzu has never liked being lied to, he won't come back and comfort me…I understand. I should have told him, clearly…I need help…I call out his name softly, but he's gone. Goodnight indeed…
Alone in my room, I can hear his voice. The voice of my Pein, not this childish imitation. I can hear the way he says my name, and I just want it to stop. I'll never hear it again, stop torturing me. The door opens, and Pein walks in…coughing and rubbing his eyes. "Mommy…I don't feel well…" Immediately I rush to him, I'm not sure if I really am becoming maternal…or…if this is just old habits. After a half hour of reading stories, giving medicine and hugs…Pein falls asleep once again. This is the only time I've seen him so happy…a child in the mind, an adult body…that smile on his face…just doesn't fit. It angers me. It's suddenly occurred to me, that I can't handle this anymore. As I start to cry again, I stumble in the dark to Kakuzu's room. He opens the door, takes one look at me, literally throws Hidan out on onto the couch…and pulls me inside. I collapse onto him, my entire body shaking from sobs, and my head resting on his chest. "Shhh," he says, "it's alright Konan…I promise." He pulls me over to the bed, and we both sit, me with my arms around him, crying harder then I ever have and Kakuzu…looking utterly miserable. "K-k-k-k-kakuzu, can you…fix him?" My words are barely intelligible, mixed with sobs and gasps for air that seems to come so…grudgingly. A shadow of a grimace passes his face, before he tries to smile, reassuringly. Unfortunately, I am upset, not blind. "Of course I can…just give me time." I nod, because I can only hope Kakuzu can fix him, he's never failed me before. I'll cling to that, and just pray. He quiets me again, and tries to comfort me. I lay down, wailing into his pillow, as he speaks in the background. "Konan…you don't need to play the hero…you don't need to be alone, why didn't you tell me?" I can't answer, the words just won't leave my mouth. I want to apologize for lying, but I can't. "Just sleep for now…rest. I can take care of Pein tomorrow." My eyes are half lidded now, and I can vaguely see Kakuzu move forward. I can feel his lips on my head, but I have no time to wonder about his actions. He sits in a chair by the desk, bright eyes staring at me intently. I fade away, into a sliver of peace.
I disobey, and sneak up to Pein's room. My head spins as I see Kakuzu staring at a curious Pein, "Daddy…where's Mommy?" It takes Kakuzu a moment to react…he places one hand on Pein's head, and shakes his head very slowly. Pein looks even more confused, as Kakuzu turns, opens the door and passes me without any words. I shakily approach Pein, and he runs up to hug me. "Mommy", he cries, "I missed you!" "Shh…I miss you too." With a kiss on his forehead, a lone tear falls down my cheek. He reaches out and wipes it away. "Don't be sad Mommy, I'm here."