Rin does not encounter anyone on her way out, but when she passes the hallway's extremity, a sudden movement catches her attention.
Her gaze arrests on the sitting figure by the window sill.
Tobi.
Immediately, a thick slicing silence infiltrates the air, as if the unwelcome tension has a physical manifestation that is expanding in size.
At his approach, she sees the layer of self-control beneath his unmasked face.
"Before you go, the sealing is about to begin," he says solemnly.
There is almost an element of forced steadiness to his voice.
She knows what that means. Tobi and Deidara will be off-limits for three days and three nights.
"Right," she says shortly.
Tobi keeps quiet, and when she does not add to her sentence, he continues to speak.
"Also, be wary of who you associate with, you are still an Akatsuki ally."
"Are you telling me?"
Her eyes widen in contempt. The rough, chilling edge to her tone darkens his gaze.
"I don't think it concerns you who I associate with. I keep my personal life separate from my duties. Please don't assume that I am irresponsible in that manner," she continues coldly.
"That's a bit rich, coming from you," he says derisively.
His comment cuts deep, like a knife slicing through and her body has taken far too long to register the ailment. The pool of hurt wells somewhere in the recess of her stomach. She feels the unease and the way it spreads through like a parasitic contagion.
"Really?" she falters.
Her mind identifies the ailment - a sudden tightening of her internal, as if what they shared meant absolutely nothing to him.
She watches the sudden convoy of madden displeasure transpire behind his dark gaze.
"It is not like I wanted such an alliance in the first place any way," she continues brashly.
"Is that so?"
Tobi briefly glances at their surroundings.
"Is it an impediment to your life?" He continues tensely.
"I don't know," she whispers tentatively, and she is hugging herself protectively, "I really try and when I finally get a breather, I am being punished for it."
The heartfelt sentence leaves her in a flurry of words. She is by no means poetic, but she feels it speaks to the widening emptiness that is her very core. Irrespective as to who hears them, Tobi may be the best person who would understand them.
The brief flicker of a thousand interchangeable emotions is perceivable across his harsh features, yet not one is fathomable.
"You are free to go. The three tail mission has been completed after all," he says quietly.
She stares at him. The bitterness in his voice is evident in the way it makes her heart vibrate in consternation.
Her thoughts are infiltrated by Akihiro's words. His kindness has kept her emotions at bay and halted any despondency and sorrow that Tobi instilled into her the previous night.
"I have been offered to see the world," she says.
The last time she proposed such thing was their time on Cascades Mountain. The desire to see the world with Tobi still lingers, but Rin cannot shake the uncomfortable darkness that clings possessively to his soul. And she is incredibly afraid for him. Her reluctance to leave his side is perhaps rising exponentially by the minute.
"Then do so. You have made quite the acquaintance," he replies sardonically.
This time, the spiteful look he gives is blatant.
"Please stop saying it like that," she breathes hurtfully, "Akihiro is..."
"Is what, Rin?"
His chilling tone is so flagrant, she can feel its physicality.
"I…he is…kind and thoughtful."
He smiles at her comment, but it is far from genuine. There is almost a level of hostility and unpleasantness to his grin, and she hates it.
"Then why are you hesitating on the offer? Or are you trying to lessen your guilt by getting some sort of approval?"
She winces at the repulsive comment. He is taunting her, and for what reason she does not know.
"What are you saying?"
He angles his head slightly, as if surveying a piece of artwork.
"You really liked it didn't you?"
"Please stop," she whispers.
"Are you afraid of the truth?"
She stares at him in confusion.
"I think you are."
He momentarily turns away.
When she takes his hand in reassurance, his attention arrests on her grip. The silence mounts, until he pulls away from her hold. Then he looks to her with a deep expression of resignation and animosity etched onto every line of his face.
"So pure," he whispers mildly. He lightly brushes his fingers against the side of her face, "I wouldn't want to taint such innocence."
The vacant look he gives is lost in its own convoluted world, as if he is speaking his mind and not directly at her.
With Tobi, she is never sure. He is contradictory and volatile. But if she does not walk away, she will dig herself into a deeper hole.
Her feelings run deep, so much so that the words she speaks does not resonate with the logical part of her mind. Rather, it is depiction of her heart's desire for closure.
"Tell me you want me to stay and I'll stay," she says brokenly.
His face tells a thousand words, all of which she cannot fully decipher.
But she sees his answer. His hand falls from her and his gaze averts to the ground in contrite.
The smile of resignation hovers against her lips. Perhaps this is the closure she desperately needs?
With bittersweet resentment, she turns from him.
As her outline slowly dissolves from sight, Tobi continues to watch on from the same position.
"Stay with me," he whispers.