I'm SORRY if this one is shorter than Chapter 35! I've had the absolute worst writer's block.
Not to mention I'm trying to make my writing more serious.
Ugh.
Anyway, try to enjoy? D:
Happy Halloween! (Even though it's tomorrow.)
Before you met me
I was a wreck
But things were kinda heavy
You brought me to life
Now every February
You'll be my valentine, valentine
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
...
"What are your plans for my daughter?"
Pain had seen Madara repeatedly had his eye on her. The man clearly desired something of Koneko.
He scoffed as he gazed upon the flickering flames dancing in the fireplace, "There are none yet. I'm aiming to move her on my side so when the time comes she won't be frightened by my true identity."
"I do not want her to become a key to your scheme of domination. If risk falls to Ko-"
Madara swept his eyes to him, as he challenged, "Is it possible that you are threatening me?"
The auburn haired male kept his stern expression solid. Konan surveyed the two men warily, without a word.
Taking a seat in an old chair across from Pain as he brushed off his defiance, Madara crossed his arms.
"No matter. She won't be placed in harm's way. However, she is vital to the future."
The bluenette couldn't stand to hear them converse any longer. Speaking of Koneko as if she was unaware of everything, and needed a hand to guide her at all times.
As if those two had control over her life.
Konan silently excused herself and left the unkempt living room. With a small candle dish in her hands, she ascended upstairs to navigate around darkness, excluding her minuscule flame.
Noiselessly cracking open the door to the young girl's temporary room, she saw that sleep had already claimed her.
Her lips were parted. Chapped and dry enough to make little cuts in the thin layer of skin.
Golden eyes landed the brunette's tearstained cheeks and pillow. She frowned, puzzled; deciding that perhaps it was best left unmentioned.
After lighting several candles in Koneko's room, she pulled the itchy blankets over her huddled figure then bid a hushed goodnight to her.
Konan returned corridor of bedrooms, shutting the door behind her. She illuminated various candles that were hung against the walls and immediately the room brightened to a soft glow.
The dim lighting revealed Madara, leant against the far wall with his arms folded.
Konan hadn't sensed him and was somewhat taken by surprise; but held her blank stare.
"Is she asleep?"
"Yes..."
A low hum came from his chest as he stepped away from the wall and brushed past her to his own room without another word.
Paying no heed to the lies Madara told Pain; from the bottom of her heart, the woman knew that Koneko would be directly placed in jeopardy.
"The attack is over!" Tobi sang, raising his arms high into the morning air. A slow wry smile floated to her lips.
Her heart was aching for those who died, especially for the Sandaime. He was such a kind elder man...
Pain's eyes slanted over to the dark smoke, continually rising into the air from their far distance, "Good. Koneko, you may return to Konoha now. Proceed with your mission and the charade that you were unaware of the occurrence."
"Yes, father." She slid her bag over her shoulders. Nods of encouragement came from Konan and Pain.
Koneko was flung into the masked man's arms, "I hope you come back to the base soon, Koneko-chan!"
"I hope s-so too, Tobi.." She only returned his hold on her with a single arm. He let her free.
To return to the Akatsuki headquarters sounded like bliss. But, she was tied tightly to this mission.
"...See you, for now." Koneko waved a tad as she disappeared into the forestry.
Once they were sure she had gone, the Uchiha male squared his shoulders, "Let's go."
The scene before her... was disastrous
Bodies were sprawled, wherever her eyes were laid. Unconscious and deceased, or simply too wounded to stand.
Groans and cries of pain rang around her. The sounds of shinobi giving orders were audible while she stepped further into the broken village.
"I need an iryō-nin here!" A jounin hollered, carrying a limp child in his arms.
Koneko came before him straight away, "What h-happened to her..?" The shinobi cautiously placed the little girl down.
"There's blood seeping from her head. I'm not sure from where." Rolling out her medic kit to begin her work, she retrived the necessities.
"And... Where did you f-first come across her?"
He extended his thumb behind him to a patch of ruble, "I'm not sure where her parents are."
The brunette nodded her head as she gently dabbed a pad of gauze over the young girl's head. The white square was stained red as she finally touched blood.
She gathered her chakra to her hand, hovering her palm over the gash. Oh, how she wished she could've been here to help sooner.
Only a minute or so passed before the child began to awaken. Blinking her eyes rapidly.
"Are you alright?" Koneko murmured to the child, hold a hand against her back for support while she sat up.
An exuberant smile, "Yes, thank you!"
Certainly, she was proud of her deed. The corners of her mouth curled up.
Glimpsing at the torn village, she saw that the jounin was no longer with them; and had probably been called away to be of assistance.
"Chiyo!" A woman who seemed similar to the child was running toward them, waving desperately.
The girl's face brightened as her mother embraced her, "Mamma!"
Koneko smiled for them, glad that the child's parent hadn't been harmed by the attack.
Seeing the mother and daughter hold one another joyously surfaced solemn memories of her own mother...
The woman mouthed her thankfulness to her. Standing straight, she nodded and departed to aid more villagers and shinobi.
A piercing caw chimed in the air. The men shifted their view to the sky, pausing their travel.
Itachi's crow flew circularly above them, continuously calling out.
Beckoning the bird with his gaze, it flew down towards its master; landing on the solid ground.
The Kiri nin watched as his accomplice removed a folded sheet of paper from the pouch strapped to the bird.
"Itachi-san?" Kisame inquired while watching crimson eyes dance over the letter.
A minuscule smile touched the Uchiha's lips; disappearing just as soon as it came. He slipped the parchment into his mantle.
"It's nothing." Monotone, closing his eyes. Taking that as the best possible response he would receive from the expressionless man, they continued to move.
Upon noticing a board sign, Kisame peered over at the shorter man.
Konohagakure - 3 miles
"Won't be much longer, eh, Itachi-san?"
Agreeing, a low vibration emitted from the long ebony haired man.
Slanting his line of sight to the dirt road, shark-like teeth glimmered in the sunlight. He was rather eager to reunite with soft spoken Koneko.