I'm back! Sorry it took so long. I'll try to be regular from now on, and I'm trying to clean up The Unexpected Things. I think I know where I'm going with these stories now.

Inexorable Forces

Chapter Four: Our people

"Well, he sure seems to like you a lot," Itachi told her with just a hint of sarcasm as they went to pay for the food. She snorted as she remembered how hard it used to be for her and Naruto to understand the elder Uchiha's little jokes, but she came to appreciate them eventually.

As a typical twelve year old female, it used to be a struggle for Sakura to look past the smoldering eyes and unbelievably long lashes of her teammate's brother, which was something that ticked her team off but there wasn't much they could do about it. Even while training, if Itachi stopped by to give his brother a message or to escort him home-despite Sasuke's scowl that indicated his displeasure about being babied-Sakura was quick to complete whatever it was she was doing to practice tree or water walking nearby, if only to hear his voice. At that point, Sasuke and Naruto were still at the point where their voices weren't that different from Sakura's: squeaky and not exactly music to her ears. She conveniently forgot about Kakashi as, according to Ino, he wasn't not eye-candy material.

"We were in the same class at the Academy. He used to stomp on my flower crowns and I, well, cried. He's a bully who never got over the fact crybaby Sakura managed to become the Hokage's apprentice."

"Crybaby?" He tried to suppress the note of amusement but she caught it anyway, giving him a dirty look in response.

"It was my nickname. I was a sensitive kid, okay?" She defended as they took off towards the trees.

"Of course."

Patience was a skill Sasuke had to learn through years of putting up with his teammates. He liked to think that he could withstand a lot of things now, but it helped that Naruto had calmed down quite a bit ever since he returned from Mount Myoboku. He glanced at the blond, who in turn was staring at the large building in front of them.

"How long do you think it's going to take this time?"

"Hn." Naruto took that to mean 'I don't know' and nodded. He had his own quirks, so he understood that it was the same for others and that was why they both were waiting for Sai outside the Temple. About five months back, the artist started arriving late for training every Monday-unless he was on a mission- so of course they were curious to find out what kept him from coming on time. There were several theories: a girl, a part-time job, a habit taken up just to arouse their curiosity. What they did not expect was to follow him to a Temple of all places, and they were baffled for a few days before Sakura caved and asked him why, since it was uncommon for Shinobi to believe in religion, and it seemed even less likely for the ex-Root member to be a man of faith.

"The existence of God is subjective, but the faith of these people who visit the Temple with devotion in their hearts, hope in their eyes and uncertainty in their minds is fascinating. For some, the idea of an all-knowing deity watching over them gives them comfort because no one else does. Some just need something to believe in, and others need the fear of God to suppress their desires." No one questioned him after that.

"Are you sure about this?" A sharp glance from her companion made her look away but she continued tersely. "I don't understand what's going on in that head of yours but please, think this through..."

"We both know who the real commander of this ship is. You will take my place while I'm gone." The man ran a hand through his auburn hair and turned back to continue packing.

"He may have created the organisation but you're our leader. You're the one our members listen to. Please, Pein," she tried to plead but he wouldn't have any of it.

"Konan, the 'creator' of this organisation has disappeared, and he took the chakra of the One-tailed and Two-tailed beasts with him. The members have their orders; they are to continue with their main missions and deal with our clients. You are to oversee their progress. Contrary to popular belief, this job isn't that hard," he smirked when she bowed her head in defeat and unbuttoned his cloak, only to hand it to her.

"You won't be taking it with you?"

"I won't need it where I'm going." She raised a brow at that and tucked the cloak under her arm.

"And where exactly are you going?" He chuckled and shook his head.

"If I tell you, you might follow or send one of our members to check up on me. Don't worry Konan, I'm not taking a vacation. I have a mission of my own." They shared a long look before Konan sighed and nodded.

"Be careful."

"Always. Have fun managing the kids," he joked as he slung his bag around his shoulders and walked out of the room.

The people of Amegakure had never seen him in person, so walking through the crowds wasn't too hard. 'I bet they'll be happy to see more of their Angel,' he mused as he remembered the reverent look of the citizens when she brought them a message from him. He stopped at the gates and turned to look the city, before he felt a familair chakra nearby and went up to it.

"Is everything in place?" he inquired and the figure before him nodded before melting into the ground. "Good. Keep an eye on the city, Zetsu." 'Since I won't be around to make it rain.'