Kakuzu's Treasure
Chapter 10: My Sleeping Beauty
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Perspective: Kakuzu
I stared at the girl. Is actually twenty? She would gain nothing from lying about her age. I thought she was a teenager. It isn't surprising that she looks the way she does after years of malnutrition. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I've never seen a person in such peace in my presence. Most wouldn't dare sleep with an s-ranked missing ninja in attendance, but she seemed completely unfazed by me. I envied how peacefully she slept. I'd never had such an ability.
Watching her was soothing. I shook my head. I can't put finances off for long. They needed to be finished by tomorrow morning. I finished. It took a tedious amount of time. Normally, the process went smoothly. My concentration was broken when I caught a glimpse of Snow. She was shivering.
"Snow", I said quietly.
I left my desk and took a seat with her in bed. My fingers gently brushed against her smooth soft skin. It was frigid to the touch. This isn't natural. Her stunning midnight blue eyes opened. They seemed to have lost some their brilliant sparkle. They seemed cold and glassy like dark marbles. She needs to be warmed. I joined her in bed before she had the chance to object. Snow was helpless she didn't have the strength to move away.
"What, are you doing?" she asked.
Her voice was only a whisper that would have gone unheard if I wasn't so close.
"I have to keep you warm. I don't want you getting sick in your weakened state", I said.
She didn't argue. Snow seemed to understand I was doing this for her own good not take advantage of her weakened state. Started coughing. It was a dry cough the shook her meek frame. I sat her up. There was little I could for her. I ran fingers up down her arm hoping it would calm her. A few minutes passed and the coughing came to an end. Her breathing was shaky but soon returned to normal. I got her a glass of water. I gently pressed to edge of the glass against her lips. She slowly drank. I wiped away the water from her soft lips.
"Thank you", she whispered.
A light blush stained her cheeks. I enjoyed seeing the young woman blush. She settled back down and turned away from me. The back of her shirt was raised exposing her pale scarred skin. Her ribs slightly peeked from her skin. She needs to gain a few pounds. It would do her good. Her eyes closed. Snow's breathing calm. She was at healthy temp. When I tried leaving the bed, her small hand grabbed mine.
"Don't go", she begged.
Our eyes met. A soft pink blush across her face. I lay with her in bed. We were a foot apart from each other. The blush on her face only darkened. She turned away from me.
"What do you have to be embarrassed by?" I asked.
I thought it was a lovely feature. It wasn't fake. It was a pure reaction.
"I'm not", she said.
"Then why are you pink?" I asked as I touched her cheek.
"I'm tired", said Snow.
She laid back down. Snow pulled the blankets tightly around her. Her eyes closed. She's struggling to sleep. I closed my eyes hoping it would comfort her. She went still. Snow moved closer to me.
"At least one person is sleeping well," she said.
I wanted to test how she would react to closer contact with me. My arm wrapped around her tiny waist pulling her close to me. She didn't struggle. Snow actually seemed to enjoy it. The young girl huddled close to me. I wasn't sure if she was enjoying my heat body or just wanted the comfort of being close. Her head rested on my chest but gave no notice of my heartbeats. Maybe she couldn't hear. It was that or she didn't care.
"Thanks for taking care me, Kakuzu", whispered Snow.
I felt her warm breath near my face, it was followed by the soft touch of her lips to my cheek. It made me crave her kiss. When I looked at her, she curled up against me. She is so petite even with her in the bed I have plenty of space. She's probably only 5'1. Snow nuzzled her face into my chest. Soon she was sound asleep. I made sure not to move, so I wouldn't wake her. Watching her sleep, so peacefully on my chest made me tired and my eyes began to shut. I woke at seven in the morning Snow was sound asleep.
Sleeping with her in my arms was the best sleep I'd had in decades. I tried getting out of bed, but Snow's hand turned to diamond and grasped my shirt tightly. The only way I could escape her grip without waking her was by removing my shirt. Snow's arm stretched out trying to find me. Her hand found my shirt. She hugged it close to her chest. Before leaving to shower, I pulled the blankets over her.
I showered quickly. I changed in the bathroom. I can't risk her seeing me without my clothes. When I left the bathroom, Snow was still asleep. I approached the bed. I have enough time to join her. She is so warm and caring. Having her in my arms is peaceful. Something I've lacked greatly in my life. A knock on my door stopped me. Ignore it. Whoever they are will get the idea. It only grew louder. Snow stirred in bed. I groaned but opened the door.
"I'm surprised you're awake this early. I never thought of you as a morning person, Kakuzu", said Konan.
"I'm not", I groaned.
She peeked into my room. Her expression contorted in rage when she saw Snow in my bed.
"What are you thinking, Kakuzu? She can't be older than sixteen!" hissed Konan.
"She's of age Konan. Despite what you may think of me. I'm not the kind of man to take physical advantage of a young woman", I said.
"Why should I believe you?" she asked.
"You either do or don't. I don't care", I said.
"How old is she?" asked Konan.
"Twenty, what do you want from me, Konan? I assume there's a reason you disturbed me", I said.
"It's not what I want, but it's what he wants", said Konan as she pointed to Pain.
What can he possibly want at such an hour? As far as I know, Pain is less of a morning person than I am.
"You wanted to see me?" I asked as I walked into his office.
"Have you ever seen something like her before?" he asked.
"Once before when I was a much younger man. He only revealed one of his abilities to me, but that doesn't mean didn't have more", I said.
"Do you think there's anyone left in her bloodline that could carry all of the same traits as Snow?" he asked.
"He had a wife and unborn child so there's a possibility of some relation. I believe she's a prodigy of whichever ninja bloodline she descended from. The kind of prodigy that comes around once every few generations", I said.
"Kakuzu, how long ago was this encounter?" asked Pain.
"Maybe seventy-one years ago", I said.
"I agree that's she's extremely gifted. That brings up the question of whether someone of her family may be searching for her", said Pain.
"From what's she's told me she's been a slave since the age of two. Her clan gave up searching for her years ago or didn't care enough to do so", I said.
Pain changed the subject by saying,"Kakuzu, once Snow is strong enough I want to test her loyalty and if she's truly loyal to the Akatsuki and she will start training to become a member. If she betrays us I will kill her no matter how valuable she is".
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.
"You've grown fond of her, Kakuzu. I don't want you acting rashly if she were disloyal to us", said Pain.
I couldn't deny that. I have no idea how I would react if she is taken away from me. I don't know why she has such an effect on me.
I walked out of his office and Konan was waiting for me and asked, "So what did he say?"
"He wants to test Snow's loyalty and if she passes the test she will start training to become a member", I said.
She smiled.
"What are you smiling about?" I asked.
"That means she'll be staying here", said Konan.
"There's no grantee she will pass and don't act like there is, Konan", I said.
Why would Snow want to stay here she is finally free she can go anywhere she wants? Konan seemed to be concealing something from me.
"What do you know, Konan?", I asked.
"You haven't noticed?" she asked.
Konan's smile grew. This is growing annoying. Why won't she tell me already and put an end to this pointless game?
"You really don't see it", she said.
"How do I know what I'm supposed to be seeing when you refuse to tell me?" I asked.
"The way she looks at you", said Konan.
Looks at me? Konan rolled her eyes.
"She blushes every time she meets your gaze and the way she looks I thought it would be obvious", said Konan.
I have never seen Snow truly scared of me she always looks at me with curiosity and kindness.
"Are you so thick headed, Kakuzu?" asked Konan.
I glared at her.
"She likes you, Kakuzu. She may even love you. Why is beyond me", said Konan.
"If what you're saying is true, it's at most a school girl's crush. When she adjust to this life she'll come to see that", I said.
"I don't think you're giving her enough credit Kakuzu. She might not realize what she's feeling, but I believe she's capable of understanding that it more than just a crush. But if I'm wrong you'll have the satisfaction of telling me so", said Konan.
I returned to my room. I couldn't help hoping that what Konan said may true. I opened the door of my room. The beauty was sleeping peacefully in my bed. How could she think some like her would fall in love with me? Snow doesn't even know and if she did it would repulse her. Snow sat up and yawned. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Snow smiled. Blush stained her face when my eyes met hers. There was such kindness in her gaze, but there was also something else. What it was I don't know.
"Good morning, Kakuzu", she said.
"Morning", I said.
"Why are you up, so early?" asked Snow.
"I had to talk, Pain", I said.
"Why?" asked Snow.
"It was nothing important", I said.
She frowned.
"It was about me wasn't it", said Snow.
She hugged her legs to her chest. I sat on the bed with her.
"There's nothing for you to worry about", I said.
She looked at me with those deep blue eyes. Snow shivered.
"I don't want to leave here", whispered Snow.
I raised her chin.
"I won't let anyone harm my investment", I said.
She sniffled. I was about to leave the bed when her arms wrapped around my neck keeping me close. Her body was warm against mine. She leaned her weight against me. Her heartbeat was normal. She wasn't scared in the least. My hearts were racing, though. Snow rested her head on my shoulder. Her warm breath touched my neck. Why does she want to be this close to me?
"Kakuzu, you're still tired aren't you", Snow whispered in my ear.
I nodded.
"I want to help my investor", said Snow.
I smirked. I laid down beside her and she rested her head on my chest. I ran my fingers through her hair. She sighed peacefully. Her eyes closed. She huddled closer trying to get more contact.
"How can you enjoy this after all you've gone through?" I asked.
"Most of my life I've only known the cruelest touch. So this is nice. Do you not like this?" asked Snow as she pulled away.
"It's fine", I said.
She smiled and made herself comfortable. Her breathing calmed. I was sure she was asleep.
"How can you not see me for what I am?" I whispered.
I know she's seen monsters before. Her master was one of them.