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love
(everything about him)
"God, I hate the rain!" Yahiko bellowed when he noticed a few drops fall into the hideout from the slightly cracked roof. "The rain ruins everything! It never stops!"
Nagato and I looked down, knowing that Yahiko was going to go into his 'rain' rant that he announced at least once every other week. I rolled my eyes at Nagato, and Nagato stifled a laugh behind his long straight red bangs.
Yahiko adopted his declarative posture, the one where he looked as though he were about to make a speech in front of hundreds of people. He crossed his arms, straightened his back and stared out straight in front of him with sharp sky eyes, tangerine hair wild and unkempt.
"It's like this country is crying all the time! This country is getting trampled over by war all the time! And all Amekagure can do is rain! Weep! This country is so pathetic! I hate this country!"
Nagato and I listened intently. We couldn't help it—each and every time he would speak, his passionate voice was something that quieted the distractions so that all we could hear were smooth audacious words coming from his lips.
"We're going to show this country what it means to be shinobi, and show everyone what it means to come from Amekagure ourselves!" he declared, and Nagato and I nodded our heads in vigorous agreement. Yes! We would carry this dream of ours until the very end! We would show the world!
And now, I watch him several years later, after the three of us had grown out of the remaining naivety that we had left.
He's still the charismatic leader that we have always known to be.
He stands, in the speech posture we know so well. His arms are crossed in front of him, two hands resting on the handle of his large sword, point stabbed in the muddy earth below. His back is straight, defying the heavy downpour of rain, and even through the low visibility of the rain we can see his striking blue eyes as he looks out ahead of him.
He stands in front of a crowd of hundreds now.
"Akatsuki! We join to obliterate the violence of this world!"
Cheers erupt in the crowd. Arms punch the air.
There is more than just Nagato and I now. There are many who take comfort in his voice. Many more that rekindle what spirit they have left by the sparks Yahiko creates.
Yahiko joins me later, after his declarations are over. I cannot help but see the Yahiko I knew those years ago and compare him to the Yahiko that stands before me. Now, taller, stronger, but still with the same spirit and leadership.
He cracks a small grin at me, and I smile in return.
He tilts his head up to the rain that falls over us.
"You used to complain about the rain all the time," I say.
"I still do," he replies after a moment, looking down at me. "I always will." His face twists for a very slight second and then he explains, "Well, I have to admit though…I've grown to love the rain and this country that it spills over."
I laugh once, silently.
"No really," he defends. "I love this country—look at how far we've come, Konan! There's been so much progress!" His eyes sparkle, or perhaps it's the reflection of the scattered raindrops.
"I love everything about Amekagure," he continues. "The rain, the muddy crops, the overfilling rain buckets, the leaks in the roof…everything, everything that makes this country for what it is! I love the warm fires that are always burning inside houses, love the cold fresh air that blesses us after the long rainfall, love the puddles the kids splash in, love the homes they return to, love the people…"
His voice trails but my eyes have already looked up at him, even though I tell myself that he isn't referring to anyone in particular.
But my eyes meet his blue oceans.
He didn't look away from me.
"The people…" he repeats softly. "I love the people."
And here, his eyes leaves mine, shifting to look forward to the east horizon.
I look down and figure out what to say.
Does he realize that Amekagure loves him as much as he loves it? Did he realize that the people willingly follow his lead because they love him?
Does he realize that…some…love everything about him? The stubborn orange hair, blazing blue eyes, the smirk drawn over his firm jaw, the broad shoulders that mimic his brave dares, the silk hard voice that declares his steadfast beliefs, the heartwarming spirit…
"You're the leader; the people of Amekagure love you, too," I say quietly.
He looks back at me, stunned perhaps, surprise scrawled on his face.
He holds me under his gaze for another moment, then shrugging off the surprise, he laughs and feigns arrogance, folding his arms across his chest.
"Well…I do as well."
thir13enth