YAY! CHAPTER 4! Okay I just wanted to get right to the plot o_o lmfao. So like yea ^.^

The first thing I would like to say is that i'm being a caring person and i'm not going to spoil you anime watchers on who Tobi is!(: In this story he's still unknown to everybody so like, he could be ANYBODY! I just hate all those Manga readers who feel the need to spoil everyone about EVERYTHING!

Second, Black Zetsu is the bold letters while White Zetsu is the regular letters! ^.^

Third, I HOPE YOU ENJOY3

Disclaimer: Naruto DOES NOT belong to me!

Chapter 4

"Stop stressing."

"Yea, I'm right. Stop stressing Pain."

"I'm NOT stressing!"

The Akatsuki were all out on missions for the evening. Zetsu, Pain, and Tobi were done with theirs and decided to meet up in a cave to rest and talk. The cave was moist and dark, a place they would meet up occasionally to discuss important things. Today, they didn't really discuss something important, they discussed about personal problems. Pain's in specific.

"It's just, I'm doing the best I can to make her feel PROTECTED. It's like I'm not pleasuring her," Pain brought his hands to his face in frustration.

"Maybe Konan's not interested in you anymore!" Tobi brought his hands to his mask where his mouth is, teasingly, "Women do get tired of the same person! If only you were TOBI! Woman love me!"

Zetsu stared at Tobi like he was dumb. Oh wait. Tobi wishes women wanted him. Zetsu chuckled at his thoughts.

"Can you PLEASE cut the act for a couple of minutes. I'm being serious right now! PLEASE," Pain waved his arms in the air in anger. Wishing he would come up with an effective solution that would get him out of his current situation. He cared about Konan, he really did, but he couldn't handle talking to foolish people at the moment when he's looking for advice.

"..."

Suddenly Tobi crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. He slowly shook his head, ashamed at Pain for being distracted by something so little. Suddenly, a surprisingly low voice, something never heard from Tobi before, came from Tobi.

"I don't understand why your paranoid, Pain. She's just a distraction. Don't let her get in the way of your goals."

Pain grew pissed.

"She's not a distraction. She IS my goal. I just want her to be happy. To live on Yahiko's dream. I don't care about this organization! As long as I fulfill what I need to."

Tobi grew daggers, staring at Pain through the one hole in his orange swirly mask. Pain stared back not regretting a word he said. Konan was his goal. He truly didn't give a care about this organization. He only went with it because he believed it would bring world peace and protect Konan from any danger that could possibly come to be. Zetsu just stared at the two men, wondering what will happen next. It was rare that the two quarreled like this. They mostly depended on each other to get things done so the organization can continue taking steps further into their goals and fulfill what they need to fulfill.

"Tch. What's the point? At the end she won't be there."

Tobi turned back around to face the wall, trying to control the anger that was rising in him. This conversation somehow reminded him about his past. About someone important to him who had passed away. After that, he believed that he had wasted his time trying to protect her, only for the worst to possibly happen. Only for him to fail.

"How would you know? I'm sure you never even HAD any women in your life," Pain picked up a rock slowly and examined it.

"Actually, I have. That's why I'm saying to get over it. It's not worth it."

Pain threw the rock across the cave in response, anger rising up in him. No one ever understands him. No one ever understands what he goes though. No one will ever understand how he feels about Konan. How he still mourns about how his friend, Yahiko, who saved his life when he was an orphan, had passes away right before his eyes. Pain stood up, facing Tobi.

"YOU DON'T UNDER-"

"Tobi's right, Pain."

"Yea! Tobi is right! Women are a lot to handle," Zetsu noted as he agreed with himself.

Both Tobi and Pain turned to Zetsu in confusion, not believing Zetsu had any experience with women. In fact, Zetsu is the last person they'd believe would ever be involved with women considering his frightening looks and weak abilities.

"How the fuck would you know?" Pain asked, his anger slowly descending to a minimum.

"Man I have women everywhere! Like my garden is chaotic. Flowers everywhere just saying 'Come here Zetsu!' 'Water Me!' 'No, Water me first!' Like it's frustrating! Women are so impatient! Like, I'll water you when I get there! Gosh. Don't get me STARTED on my Venus-Fly Trap Collection! They-"

"Shut. Up."

"..." Pain and Tobi stared at Zetsu like he was insane. Pain sat back down on the large rock against the cave wall and reverted his attention back to Tobi. He was calmer now and wanted to switch the stressful subject.

"Anyway, when are you just going to finally come out and tell everyone who you really are and what you're planning?"

Tobi lifted himself off the wall and started heading out.

"When everything is officially set up."

Pain flinched. He then thought about Konan and the fear of her being affected by Tobi's secret plan. His plan wasn't really the most safest plan but he was convinced that it would bring world peace.

"Tobi, I'll continue helping you, but only under one condition."

Tobi stopped walking, signaling that he was ready to hear what Pain wanted to say.

"Don't lay a finger on Konan."

The air suddenly grew tense. There was a moment of silence for a long while. All three men were silent, not saying a word after Pain's serious request. The silence was cut off by Tobi's laugh. Tobi laughed evilly, turning to face Pain.

"Trying to play good guy, huh? Hn, I like you, Nagato."

Pain was shocked by his name being heard through Tobi's voice. It sounded so, evil. He grew daggers, eyeing Tobi with suspicion and seriousness. Tobi didn't take him serious at all. He just mocked Pain, finding this whole situation completely hilarious. He coughed to clear his throat and turned around, suddenly switching back to his playful, kid voice. He was no longer the serious Tobi. He was now the fake, playful Tobi that acted innocent.

"Now will you excuse me, I'm heading back to the hideout... Senpai."

After Tobi left, Pain pounded his fist against the solid, moist cave walls, cursing under his breath.

"I hate that guy."

"Damn, these stupid evening missions piss me the fuck off! Especially these dumbass bounty missions! I'm tired as fuck. I just want to sleep."

Hidan and Kakuzu had just recently finished their mission, heading back to the hideout in fatigue. They had to capture a man who had a bounty of $1,000,000 and the Akatsuki couldn't ignore that. Kakuzu was happily holding two briefcases, even though he was tired from his mission. It took a lot of work to bring the man down, but in the long run, it was worth it. He was even more happy once he threatened the man to give him an extra $500,000 for himself, which was in the briefcase Hidan was lazily holding.

"I don't mind these missions at all."

"Of course you don't because you're a money crazed old ass freak!"

Kakuzu grew annoyed at Hidan's name calling and hit the back of Hidan's head with the briefcase he was holding in his right hand.

"Ow! It's the fucking truth!"

"Tch. I'm going to ignore that. Moving on, what's up with you and Konan lately?"

Hidan grew dumbfounded. He didn't expect Kakuzu to ask such a question. This was honestly because they never really discussed life stuff like this. They mostly argued and quarreled throughout they're years of knowing each other.

"Err... Nothing's going on? Honestly. Why the fuck would you ask that?"

Kakuzu rolled his emerald eyes. He never liked discussing things with Hidan anyway.

"I'm just noticed you two have been talking more and getting along... Not like before. It's a suprise."

Hidan turned to face Kakuzu. Waiting for Kakuzu to say something else but frowned when he realized he wasn't going to say anything else.

"Nothing's going on! Do you like the bitch or something?"

"No."

Hidan sighed, "Fiiiinee. If you're really that curious. She's just been fucking down lately and I'm trying to help out. It's the least I could fucking do anyway. I'm not good at that shit but I guess I managed to get some stuff figured out for her. It's just shit with her and Pain and stuff. Just a phase."

"That's polite of you."

Hidan shuddered after hearing Kakuzu's words. Polite is the last thing Hidan would want someone to describe him as.

"Don't say that ever again! It's not like I had a fucking choice! I owed her," Hidan pouted. He picked up his speed, hoping they would arrive at the hideout already.

"Whatever."

Hidan sighed in relief once he saw the familiar hideout that he'd been longing to be at ever since he left for his mission. He noticed everyone else was already back from their missions. Why the fuck did his have to take the longest?

Hidan walked in, being followed by Kakuzu who snatched the briefcase from Hidan's hand and headed to his room. Hidan watched Kakuzu head to his room in disapproval. He could have just asked for the briefcase nicely.

Hidan took his thoughts away from Kakuzu when he noticed everyone was here except for one person.

Konan.

For some reason he was looking forward to her presence. He wanted to walk in knowing he helped Konan a little after their talk in his room. He was looking forward to seeing that smile on her face or even a frown. He was looking forward to her coming to him, depending on him for advice with her life issues. Where could she possibly fucking be?

Hidan suddenly grew surprised at the fact that he actually cared for a moment. Not too long ago him and Konan hated each other. Exchanging rude remarks every time they passed by each other in the halls. Now he wants to help Konan. He then thought about Konan's struggle about Pain. He remembered what he told her.

Just a phase.

Maybe it really was just a phase and things were back to normal? Maybe she was somewhere else being happy about everything being solved. Just a phase, Hidan thought. It was all just a troublesome phase that he never had to go through. At least, that's what he thought. Little did he know that Konan was still unhappy.

Just a phase.

Hidan kept repeating it in his head, trying to get over it. He started heading to his room, still tired from his stupid bounty mission.

Just a phase.

He arrived at his room and slowly opened the door, barely holding on to the doorknob as he forced himself to enter his room. He put away his ninja tools and took off his akatsuki robe. He turned around and stared at his bed; the place where him and Konan were sitting and discussing about her problems.

Just a phase.

He walked to the bathroom that was connected to his shared room and locked the door behind him. He slowly stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower. He gradually turned on the water, adjusting it until the water felt nice and warm against his worn out body. He ran his fragile fingers through his wet, silver hair and tilted his head up. He closed his eyes, letting the water fall upon his face. He thought about what was going on at the moment. It was just a phase. After that, everything would be back to normal. Konan wouldn't be coming to him anymore. They would just continue hating each other, cursing at each other at every chance they had. He would never be someone Konan would want to come to. He would never be someone Konan thought about when she was worried, frightened, gloomy, or even confused. He would never see the smile that would be directed towards him. A thought finally struck him. Hidan quickly opened his eyes.

He didn't want it to be just a phase.

I hope you liked it! Tune in next time for Chapter 5! ^.^ I'm actually enjoying writing this story o: