Disclaimer : I kind of forgot to write the disclaimer in the prologue so here it is: I don't own Naruto
Disclaimer : I kind of forgot to write the disclaimer in the prologue so here it is: I don't own Naruto ... sadly.
Chapter 1
The Red Moon
Silence. Silence, as well as darkness and stillness permeated the huge cave which was the gathering point of Akatsuki, the assembly made of nine S-ranked missing-nin from all over the Elemental continent. However, the silence was dominant. Jagged rocks could be seen by a sharp eye rising up from the ground and pointing upwards. There were holes in the ceiling of the cave, letting in the rays of moonlight. Showing that it was nighttime in the outside world. Due to moonlight, one could see the vague formation of rocks located in the centre of the gargauntuan cave, with the biggest of holes letting in the moolight positioned over the boulders making up the formation. The moon was visible through the large puncture in the roof of the cave.
Suddenly, silence ended, as a strange sound filled the air. The sound was accompanied by blurs appearing in the rock outcropping. The sound, resembling a cross between buzzing of a gigantic insect and downpour of rain, increased as more and more blurs appeared.
The number of emerging blurs stopped at nine, and as the blurs solidified in shape, the sound decreased in volume until it was a mere murmur.
On the rock formation, there was now nine figures standing, each on one of the boulders. Every one of them held a similar shape, their forms constantly changing and rippling. All of them were as black as the fabled ambysses of the Rai no Kuni. The only thing differing between them were their eyes. Eyes mundane or unnatural, ordinary or bizzare.
Soon, a voice broke the near-silence again.
"So, we have gathered again, hmmm." Spoke one of the shorter figures, with teal eyes shining with curiosity. "Wasn't the date of our assembling set for three months from now, hmmm? Eh, Leader-sama ?"
The last words of the figure echoing in the cave.
"Heh, Deidara's right. We were supposed to have time until the start of the summer. Me and the old one aren't even near to finishing our part of the task. So, how about it, oh honored leader? Why did you call us?" this time it was one of the higher figures that asked, his words carrying a biting sarcasm in them when speaking to his comrades. Its purple eyes glowing eerily.
Only the ever-present sound of humming could be heard. Slowly, a figure opened its eyes: "There has been … a mistake … in our calculations." it said with its monochromatic eyes gazing at the others.
"A mistake, Leader-san?" asked the the second-highest figure, a second form, that of his sword, at his side. Its eyes staring straight at the leader of Akatsuki.
"Yes. We were wrong in our estimation. The Red Moon … won't appear … as early as we thought."
"How much have we misjudged?" asked the figure which towered over others, its alien green eyes with black irises looking like from beyond this world.
"One year." Suprisingly, it wasn't the figure labeled as leader that spoke. It was an other figure, its voice feminine. "Or, to be precise, one year and two months."
"Huh? You aren't screwing with us, by any chance ? You fucking 'misjudge' by a whole fucking year!? What the hell?" angrily shouted the figure with purple eyes.
"Konan isn't lieing. It is as she says, about one year from now." Answered him the leader.
"This is unfortunate." said a deep baritone of a hunched figure. "How does this effect our plans?"
"It delays them. As for the other aspects, it remains to be seen." said the Leader of Akatsuki with resignation.
"Do we proceed with information and jutsu gathering?" asked the figure with red eyes, black commas spinning madly in them. As if in contradiction to the crazed eyes, its voice calm and toneless, almost bored.
"Yes. However, there may be later on … some added objectives."
"Ooh, care to enlighten us, oh Leader-sama?" asked sarcasticaly the figure with purple eyes.
"I grow weary of your mockery, Hidan. Do not test me."
"Heh, I'll stop testing you when you prove to me that you are worthy of my respect. Until then, tough luck." said Hidan, only to be assaulted by enormous killing intent pouring out of the monochromatic eyes of the Akatsuki's leader.
Hidan stood quiet for a minute, until he nigh inaudibly muttered :"Fine" then, continued in a much louder voice "Well, that's proof enough … for now. Still, I want to know what added objectives you speak of. So, let's hear it."
"They matter not at the moment. I'll inform you if they do become a thing of importance. For now, it is time to continue our work. Farewell until further notice." said the leader and closed his eyes as his form dissappeared.
Soon, the figures dissappeared one by one, the strange noise that accompanied their arrival returning full-force.
After the last form vanished, so did the noise. And then, the cavern was yet again permeated with still and darkness. And silence. Always silence.
A man and a woman stood in a small clearing in the middle of a huge rainforest, thick canopies, dense undergrowth and ancient and gargantuan trees surrounding them. The rain was drizzling, the sound of it only adding to the cacaphony of other noise in the rainforest. The woman, possesing a cool and detached quality around her, turned to the man and asked:
"You decided not to tell them about Amegakure, after all, Pain-sama?"
The man, tall with spiky orange hair, stared with his monochromathic eyes in the jungle before turning towards his companion and answering evenly:
"It is of no importance to them currently. Nor are our aims there set in stone. All our planning affecting the Shinobi Nation of Ame, is just a reserve in case of unforeseen circumstances."
"A reserve? Somehow, I find that very hard to believe."
"Perhaps I am indeed understating the potential benefits and the magnitude of importance that our plans there posses; yet, for now, they are not even near as important as the gathering and the sealing of the Bijuu. It can barely be called an alternative."
"Why not focus on the both the gathering of the Greater Demons and the alternative, doing so would double our chances."
"As would double our risks, Konan. I did think about it … still, I am at a loss."
He then pointed his gaze at the sky upwards, and watched as the frizzle turned into a fierce downpour.
Konan carefully observed her soul-brother before she said with some cool amusement.
"It seems that you have found your answer, Pain."
Pain turned his eyes towards her, before saying in the same cool amusement with a detached smile on his face.
"So I have, Konan. So I have."
