Back at the original cave, the mysterious inner cavern has automatically reassembled itself to harmonise with the dreary walls.
The weather remains hostile. It cuts through the cavern walls in wave-like chills and catches their breaths in its howling winds. Eventually, the storm picks up with ferocious ardency, until any conversation is forcibly muted between Tobi and Rin.
Only when the rain lightens and the winds hold its breath for longer periods does Rin speak.
"In that underground cave, those sacrifices, do you really think they were used for the purposes of accessing the other universes?"
Tobi does not immediately speak, as if he is filtering his thoughts for a constructive response to her speculation.
"I believe so. I think an enormous amount of chakra would be needed to do something considerable as opening up another parallel existence, hence the multitude of sacrifices at any given time. I do not know how or why someone would want to do that."
The winds screech in short intervals. Inhale. Hold. Exhale.
"There were ten panels surrounding the middle one. Ten simultaneous sacrifices. What an immense amount of chakra required for such unfathomable act. The sacrifices were completely drained of all living energy," Rin says, "I felt it."
Her voice is feeble and fragile.
"Who knows if it even worked," Tobi says.
They fall silent.
"I can't seem to understand this world," Rin utters.
"The world is full of mysteries. You can never understand everything," Tobi replies pensively.
"The world has a lot to offer."
"If time permits."
"The experiences of seeing it would be better shared with another. I'd like to see it with you," Rin says gently.
His responding demeanour is somewhat surprised at her generous comment.
"You'd want to see the world with me?" he asks in bewilderment.
She smiles.
"I like your company," she answers meekly.
He does not speak, but his body language is cautious.
She looks to him with stark confusion, as if his wary comment is a deliberate attempt to emotionally bar her from stepping too close.
"Do you see travel and discovering the mysteries of this world a goal?" Rin asks.
"No," he answers shortly.
And she allows him ample time to pursue his explanation to her query. But he remains quiet so she continues.
"Why are you in the Akatsuki?"
The atmosphere turns perplexingly cold. Tobi's watch is transfixed on the now heavy fall of rain.
"Why is the notion of world peace such a thing where everyone is always hoping for, yet the relentless wars are always so clearly evident? Action speaks louder than words," he answers eventually.
His voice is oddly robotic, didactic and full of irreversible resentment.
She gives a nod to showcase her sympathy.
"And so you intend to change this?" she asks softly.
"In whatever ways I see fit," he answers coldly.
She does not pursue the comment. His reluctance to reveal details is potent. She drops the conversation to respect his privacy.
"I see."
"You don't disapprove?" he asks sternly.
He is watching her for too many long uncomfortable seconds.
"I'm sure you have the best intentions," Rin replies.
The quietude emerges between them.
Every passing minute aligns itself with a drop in temperature. One degree Celsius per minute.
The cold crawls through her skin. It radiates a sullen energy and leaves a mass trail of raised bumps in its wake.
And the involuntary shivers begin, slow and unnoticeable. She cannot suppress the piercing chill without utilising her chakra.
"Are you cold?" Tobi asks.
"No, I'm fine," she answers quickly.
Yes, Rin, keep this attitude going and you'll end up with hypothermia.
"Are you sure?" he replies firmly.
There is a steely edge to his voice, as if it is not a question but an undeniable factual statement that Rin cannot refute. Still, her mind refuses to relent, so the words automatically leaves her without proper processing.
"Yes, I'm okay."
"Quite stubborn aren't you?" Tobi says lightly.
"Perhaps. Deidara definitely thinks so."
"He is stubborn for thinking that you are. I wouldn't completely label you as obstinate."
She stares in surprise.
"You just said otherwise earlier," she mumbles sheepishly.
He lets out a short laugh.
"I doubt your ideology of fulfilling your duties as a medic is considered stubborn. You were right to be frustrated at Deidara's decision for flying into the storm, and perhaps on other protective matters that Deidara would deem as weak and obstinate," he pauses and looks to her direction, "But you are stubborn when it comes to your own health."
A silence follows this comment. She never thought of herself as a priority.
"Come here," Tobi says softly, and she sees, albeit not very well, that he is stretching out one leg and tucking the other one under it to form a triangle.
Bemused, she stares at him for quite some time, perhaps highly sceptical at the sudden offer of such intimacy. But her body does not allow her time to process the appropriateness of such actions. Hesitantly, she shuffles close. The feel of his piercing stare is so potent, she is sure he can read every thought that passes her conscious.
When she eventually finds her way in the darkness, she ends up sitting nervously beside him. And though she can only see his outline, she is uncertain of his incapability to see. She stands by her speculations of his visual prowess.
Nothing happens for several minutes, and she wonders if she is imagining it all. But Tobi suddenly takes her hand and pulls her towards him.
"What are you waiting for?" He asks mildly.
She immediately tenses when he continues to pull her closer - until she is sitting on him.
"Are you okay?" Tobi asks uncertainly.
His level of astuteness is remarkable. Perhaps it is because she is sitting so close to him?
"I'm f-fine," she stutters tensely.
"I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable," he says quietly.
She shakes her head.
"No, no it's fine."
"If you say so, I just don't want you to get sick from the cold because…you know…we cannot have a sick medic."
"Is that the only reason?" she asks dispiritedly.
The words escape her faster than she can process. She is uncertain of the impending disappointment to his excuse.
"Do you not want it to be the only reason?"
"I…I don't know."
He does not speak but his hand is making light even strokes down her back. The mesmerising feel of his touch is a surprising relaxant to the buzzing apprehensiveness that plagues her mind.
In exchange for tranquility and composure, her awareness of the situation disperses.
She knows this feeling - her heart is taking over. But this time, she attempts to exert control.
Her breathing is heavy and impatient, and it translates itself into her forward actions. The curiosity, combined with such an advantageous opportunity, has brought forth a sudden level of audaciousness. His nearness evokes the memory of their kiss so many nights ago. And still, she can feel the vivid sensation that lingers across the surface of her skin.
Ever so tentatively, her fingers rest on either side of his face. Then slowly, she pries the mask from him.
For several moments, he sits unusually still. He does not speak, nor show signs of withdrawal. And he lets her touch him, lets her feel the warmth of his rugged skin beneath her fingers, lets her trace his features, his jawline, his soft lips and, the very uneven jagged surface of his right cheek.
But he flinches uneasily, as if her touch hurts and it is triggering an unsettling tension in the dark atmosphere.
She takes his left hand, the one where she can feel the pulsating warmth of his chakra.
Immediately, his grip tightens, almost possessively, as if he is afraid she may let go.
The contradictory action confuses her. He offers his hospitality to protect her, yet despite the intimacy, he is reluctant to pursue things further.
To decipher him is like an amateur comprehending a newly learnt language. They cannot fully fathom its entirety, but in order to gain a basic understanding, they must connect the fragmented pieces of information.
Perhaps his volatility allows him to mask the emotional strain that afflicts him?
"You're afraid aren't you?" she whispers tenderly, "You don't have to be afraid. I'm here."
He remains silent, but his head inclines to the ground, as if ashamed of the truth in her questioning.
Hurt and disheartened at his manner, she places a gentle hand on his cheek. Her touch remains despite his sudden movement. And when he relaxes against her light even strokes, she leans in to kiss his forehead.
When her lips brushes against his, the uncertainty in his demeanour is conspicuous, but not in the sense of outwardly rejecting her. The hand around her waist has tightened considerably.
She tries to soothe the tension in him but no matter how much she pushes, he does not return the kiss. So reluctantly, she withdraws from him.
Perhaps she is pushing it too far this time?
"No Rin, it was a selfish attempt to satisfy your needs and your wants. You never thought of him when you decided to push forward with this. It was all for you," her conscience chides.
In response, she attempts to slide off him, but is met with resistance when he suddenly tightens his grip around her waist.
"Where are you going?" he asks quietly.
"I'm sorry," she whispers.
"You'll get cold and sick, we cannot have that with a medic, remember?" he answers airily.
Eventually she ends up pressed against his chest.
Physically, his proximity provides her with untold feelings of warmth and security, but emotionally she is broken and lifeless. As empty as her heart is, her thoughts are toxic.
So in the dark quietude of this cold night, she lets the silent steady stream of tears flow.
Tobi, astute as he is, does not speak nor respond. His propinquity and ignorance to her hurt leaves a gaping wound in her soul.
But ironically, it is the faint steady sound of his heartbeat that brings her thoughts to a dormant state.