Art Store Angel

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Konan got up at eight Saturday morning. She went downstairs and poured herself a bowl of cereal. The TV was on in the living room. Chilliyo wasn't there so Konan flopped down on the sofa and turned to the news, wanting to know if it would be the right temperature to wear her new outfit.

Some news person randomly blabbed on and on about subjects Konan couldn't give a damn about. Tonight the weather said it would be sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Perfect. Her shirt was thin, but Konan liked being a little chilly.

After eating the rest of her cereal Konan put it in the sink and laid down on her bed. She decided to read until two and then sleep till six. Then she would get ready for her date and set out. Konan pulled the second book of the Twilight series by Stephenie Myer off the shelf, New Moon. She set her alarm clock so when she took her nap she would be up by five and not oversleep. Opening her book Konan started to read.

At two Konan marked her page and laid down her book. She tucked herself under her covers. Her eyes wandered over the different white doves sowed on, some starting to land, others in midflight. Yet, there was nowhere to land, nowhere to fly to. Sleep came and overtook Konan, capturing her like death did as the doves were shot.

The alarm clock beeped as it did countless times before. Konan turned it off and climbed out of bed. She put on her shirt, pants, and lipstick. Her hair was put up as usual with its usual origami flower.

Konan wondered if she should make a different flower. She pulled out some paper and with a few quick folds had a beautiful daisy. She tucked it right under her bun. Konan loved the effect.

By the time Konan was ready it was six-thirty. Plenty of time since she was going to met Pein at seven-thirty and it was only a forty-five minute walk from her house to the park. So Konan got up and started out, figuring being their fifteen–minutes early wouldn't hurt.

The night was cool and Konan loved it. When she got to the park the sun was just beginning to set, streaking the sky with orange, red, and purple. A striking effect against the fall colors of the trees. Konan sat on the bench beneath the apple tree and waited. As the clock in the center of the park struck seven-thirty (Konan didn't know why it did that, it was an old clock and only struck seven-thirty, nine, eleven, and midnight) Pein walked towards her, coming from the right.

"Somebody was eager to get here, I see."

"Being early never hurt."

"True."

Pein sat down next to her, crossed his legs at the knee, and out his hands behind his head. He looked like it was just any old night, not a date. Konan loved it. He was calm and cool, just like the night.

They sat like this for several minutes, both staring out at the sky.

"So, where would you like to walk?"
Konan thought about the question. Where did she want to walk?

"Through the park I suppose. It's so pretty here we don't need to go anywhere else."

"I agree."

So Pein rose, offered his hand to Konan, which she accepted, and they set off through the thin maze of trees that dotted the park. After about an hour of simply walking, which was spiced with lively conversation between the two, they sat down on the edge of a fountain with two hawks back to back spouting water from their beaks.

Konan sat facing Pein and he sat facing her.

"I didn't hear you talk much of your family or where you live, Konan."

"Tsk, my grandmother is an ass. I don't know where any other family is except a cousin of mine who lives near the park closer to the ghetto. She used to have a chili stand."

"I know what you're talking about. Didn't the stand get destroyed?"

"Yes, she's very happy about it. Now she's a florist. She sells out of a decent sized shed in her side yard. It's windowed and everything so it looks likes a mini-shop."

"Cool."

"So what about your family?"

"I don't have any. I used to live in the ghetto with my aunt for quite some time. She died two years ago. Now, I live in the center of the ghetto. I don't visit my aunt's house very often."

"I see. You're so lucky, not having to live with any family. I'm trying to work up enough money to buy my own house and move out."

"Wouldn't an apartment be cheaper?"
"I don't make enough every month to pay rent."

"Why don't you get a better job?"

"I like my job, well, more or less. Most places won't hire me since they think I'm an 'unruly teen' even though I make good grades. The places that will hire me are places where I have to be social or a fast food place. Neither are interesting prospects. Besides, at the art store I know everybody and I actually know who owns the store unlike those huge fast food chains."

"Nice logic, I never would've thought of it that way."

Then, the clock struck nine.

"I'm sorry Konan, I have to go. Would your boss mind if I came and spent the day with you at work tomorrow?"

"No, he won't mind since almost nobody comes in and as long as I still do what I'm supposed too. I have to be there at ten since I work almost all day on weekends."

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodbye."

Pein and Konan rose. Pein did something that Konan would be relieving all night long. He leaned in and gave her a peck on the cheek. She turned a brighter color than his hair. As Pein walked away with his back to her, she brought a hand up to her cheek and touched the spot where his lips had touched hers.

It wasn't till Pein was gone that Konan started home, not believing what had happened.

Seven pairs of eyes watched Konan as she walked away.

"Hot damn, un! They were made for each other!"

"I told you leader would kiss her. You owe me five bucks Hidan."

"Damn you money obsessed moron."

"At least I'm a rich moron."

"Would you two shut up? We're trying to watch what happens."

"I hope she gets dumped after I fell in that chili. That shit hurt."

Itachi snickered as he remembered when Kisame came home after that incident.

"At least you didn't get kicked in the knuts."

Sasori snicked as he remembered hearing that story from Deidara.

"I think leader has finally found a winner."

Konan lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling as she had done countless times. She breathed in happily, remembering his scent. He smelt oddly like paper. Oh well. Konan drifted off to sleep, for once in her life, looking forward to work.