Begin Chapter One.

It was a calm day in the Akatsuki hide out, and that was very unusual…

Pein, the Leader of the Akatsuki, woke up to the sound of chattering people and running water in the bathroom. "Konan's up early," he thought as he got out of bed. He was still rather tired, seeing as he had only slept for about an hour.

The water in the bathroom cut off and he could hear the soft tap of a wet foot on the stone floor. He looked over, knowing well enough it was Konan, but he still seemed unsure of himself for some reason. "She's going to tell me to go back to sleep, I know it." He thought, still sitting on the side of his bed. There was a soft creak as the door leading from the bedroom to the bathroom, then another string of taps as Konan walked across the floor, her steps nearly silent, but Pein heard them as if they were the quiet, calming flutters of a butterfly's wings.

She then saw him, her bright cobalt eyes swelled with worry, "you're up?" She asked, a rhetorical question obviously, and slowly walked closer to him, but on the other bed so she could see him face to face. She was the one person that he allowed to look him in the eye. To be honest, she was the only one that could.

"Yes, something wrong with it?" He asked, the normal tone of anger that he directed toward the other Akatsuki members was gone, replaced by a calm, almost loving tone.

"No, I'm just surprised that you're awake. You've only slept for about three hours." She replied, a small smile playing on her paled face. She wore no make-up at the moment, so her skin seemed to shine in the pale torchlight.

"So beautiful." He thought, but was snapped from his thoughts when she stood again. "You know, you slept less than I did, love. You were still awake when I dozed off." He stood as well, walking over to where she was sitting at the dresser brushing her hair and gently wrapped his arms around her.

She leaned back into his arms slightly; there was a small – natural – blush on her cheeks. "Yes, but it wasn't long until I fell asleep as well, Pein-kun."

He lightly kissed her forehead. "Alright, alright." He then stood again, walking over to the large 'mobile' closet opening one of the cedar doors, and pulling out the normal mesh top he wore. With a small, barely audible sigh he pulled the top over his head. "Shit," he muttered under his breath when a section of the mesh got caught on one of the spiked 'earrings' in his nose.

"Get caught again?" Konan asked, walking over to him. She gently moved the top away from the ring and kissed his nose.

He smiled, "thank you, tenshi."

"You're welcome, koi." She was blushing slightly, still no make-up.

"So, why were you up so early? Is something bothering you?" He asked, gently tucking a strand of soft, damp azure hair behind her ear with a smile.

"I just woke up. I had tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't." Her eyes then locked on the door just as someone knocked.

Pein sighed, draped her cloak over her shoulders and then pulled his own on. He walked to the door with silent steps and then opened the door.

She smiled lightly and pulled the cloak on her arms as he opened the door.

"You needed to see me, Leader-san?" The voice of Uchiha Itachi spoke, his eyes were on the floor – how all Akatsuki, save for Konan, treated him – with respect.

"Yes, I did, wait in the Feudal Lord's temple. I'll be there momentarily." He spoke in an even tone, almost monotonous.

"Hai." Itachi said calmly. He bowed and walked away, his steps echoing somewhat in the stone hallway.

Pein sighed and closed the door.

End Chapter One.