i. in the land of rain and war
Three little orphans, lost in the storm called war.
Yahiko and Konan were first. They found each other soon after the toll of war took everything from their hands. At such a young age, it forced them to experience the difficulties of life alone - and what a cruel life it was.
Stealing from the market only to avoid the horrific feeling of hunger, always staying low, out of the ominous sight possessed by guards and soldiers, sustaining the cold and dampness. All alone, without a guidance which every child rightfully deserved. Each day was a struggle, each day could be the last for the little orphans. The life they had wasn't a gift, but a torture they learned how to endure, as they had no other way of surviving.
But what kind of life it was? With no other significance than existing, overcoming challenges as a daily routine, with no hope for a better tomorrow? That world had no meaning for them. It was so easy to give up and let it go, like being alive never happened.
Despite everything, they never did, for they found another source of purpose, a meaning for their existence - buried deep inside their hearts.
The third child, the last orphan, came later. His eyes saw many battles, but the one leaving him with nothing left caused an outbreak - a cry filled with despair tore his heart open as blood of the soldiers painted the ground. The result of child's blind rage was frightening, and the pleads nor the words of apologizes coming from his victims did not reach his ears.
Nagato was deaf to the begs of the ones who took his family away.
Thus, the little orphan left the only place he knew, hands covered in blood and orbs wide open, awakened to see the world anew. The darkness of war also embraced him, left him stray and scared in the middle of the storm, in the city where the sky pours not rain but blood.
The child ran far and fast, not looking behind even once, for the wraiths of what he has done followed him all the way. He tried to seek for hush, but failed miserably - not only the past haunted the child's mind, evoking the power of his eyes, but also the city bathed in endless rain offered no place of calm, for it was overwhelmed with death and hunger.
Was there hope for the little orphans? Was there a place for them in the world built on pain and suffering? Were they bound to find peace or bear the wrongness the adults created?
No matter the answer, they were yet about to discover the interlace of their fates. As if it was fortune who plotted their destiny, soon they've met.
Konan shared the valuable resource which food was as if Nagato was her brother, or at least like they've known each other for ages. The divided piece of bread became a symbol, a gleam of hope for betterness, for it brought the little orphans together. The eyes previously debased by agony and anguish now sparkled with life, as they saw a friend for the very first time. A new feeling blossomed in the boy's heart and he took his companion's hand, believing that it was his time for a change.
Yahiko did not appreciate Konan's kind heart at the first sight, but later he also discovered the rising feeling of sympathy in his mind. If he yearns for this system to change - why not start with himself? There was no need for him to walk alone when comrades were near, ready to carry the weight of the world together with him. He couldn't see others as a burden anymore, as another mouth to feed, for the support he earned along the way he trudged became invaluable.
Only then he realized - he couldn't walk alone. The struggle was too great to bear it on his own.
Then, the three little orphans marched together, side by side, searching for what they could call future and if it was nowhere to be found - they would create it by themselves.
But in their tongue, the future meant uprising, and their eyes blazed in a color of revolution.
ii. standing together
When did he lay his eyes on her in such an infatuated gesture for the first time, he could not remember.
Under the training of one of the most famous and most well-known shinobi to be ever alive, the Legendary Sannin with the name Jiraiya, the little orphans not only found their destinies within each other but also came into possession of the strength they would make an use during these challenging times. For it was time for them to move forward, to make first steps towards the brighter future - and they were going to proceed with confidence, no longer fearing what future held for them.
Together, they stood strong, dreaded no foe. Even the most ferocious blow would not take them down.
And before they knew, because of a powerful bond they learnt how to develop, a feeling of love was born.
Her orbs gleamed in the rays of a moonlight and he watched in awe, hidden in the darkness, becoming a shadow himself. He didn't dare to interrupt the woman's ritual, as it was rare for the town made of steel to gift its inhabitants with a night like this. The sky was almost cloudless, and these which remained allowed the moon to break through the mist of their creation.
In a matter of barely few seconds, another paper creature was born from the smoothness of the woman's hands. And then it took off to the vault of heaven, as if with a mission to understand the world, to see all the wonders and miracles it contained, to play the role of woman's eyes for she was stuck in the village of rain and metal.
"I know you're here, Yahiko," her voice breaks through the silence and the man can't help but to reveal himself from the shadows' embrace.
He should have known that Konan was the best sensor around. There was no use in hiding from her senses, for she sees and knows everything.
"So why calling out only now?"
"Because I was curious if you have enough confidence to come out by yourself," a giggle was her answer, as she moved to the edge of the roof, tapping the free space next to her as to invite the friend of hers "You still need to work on it if you want to carry on with your plan."
Yahiko puffed, crossing his arms on chest, pretending like he didn't care at all.
"The creation of Akatsuki was not only my idea."
He then sat by Konan's side, fixing his gaze on the distant view spreading before them, hoping it will be enough to mask his hidden attraction towards woman's shining in the moon's light hair. Fortunately for him, the blush remained unseen for Konan's golden eyes, as it was still too dark for her to observe such detailed features of his.
"If you want to command all these people, you need to learn how to approach and speak with them."
"I'm sure Nagato will do just fine."
"Have you talked with him?"
"Yes…"
"And what did he say?"
The question is left hanging in air, but both of the orphans already knew the answer.
Little did the woman know, Yahiko accepted his role as the leader of Akatsuki a long time ago. He was seen in the place of leadership by the others and he acted like one too, growing enough to take this important duty on his shoulders. Everyone in the group saw Yahiko's heart sparkling with determinations and ambitions, thus as much as young and unexperienced he still was, other members treated him with respect and many placed their faiths in the fire blazing in his eyes.
Yahiko wished for changes and he will make his vision become true, no matter what it takes and how many sacrifices he needs to make from his side. He was even ready to give his life away if it meant the world would become a better place.
"It's not about me, Konan," Yahiko's voice broke through the silence, gaining woman's attention again "People are scared of him. They fear what these eyes can do," the silence signed him to continue "Do you remember what he did to that chūnin from Iwa? People know their ways and gossips spread like fire."
"He did this to protect you."
"I know, but-"
"Are you scared of him too, Yahiko?"
The man scowled, his gaze on his friend, a hint of mixed anger and surprise painted on his face.
He couldn't understand why did she accuse him for such ridiculous things, after all the time spent together, defending each other's backs on the many battlefields they've experienced together.
"Let me get this straight, Konan," his tone turned into confidence and the woman's lips curved in a mild smile "Nagato is a great friend of mine and nothing is going to change it. I care about him as much as I care about you," deep inside, he wished he could take Konan's hands now as a proof of the truthfulness of the words leaving his lips, but he was still being held by the fright of rejection "I haven't told you yet, neither I told him, but there's something utterly important I have to share with you right now."
Konan felt her soul being pierced by Yahiko's glance, as if he wanted to see through her, judge if she was ready to take the secret he was about to reveal. She almost felt the weight of the importance of the matter she was going to carry together with her friend soon, and so she felt honored for being the very first person to gain the knowledge of the mystery of his.
"I agree I should keep the position of Akatsuki's leader. Nagato is… terrible at approaching people. And these eyes, these damn eyes," he seemed bothered by the power his dear friend possessed, but both Yahiko and Konan knew it resulted from being worried of what might it bring to Nagato in the future "I believe he's the key, Konan. He's going to bring true peace to the world. He wasn't chosen to have such power for no reason, and soon, I presume he must make an use of them."
"And the problem is…"
"He fears his own strength. And as long as he's scared of himself…" Yahiko's eyes darted to the sky, for he was still searching for the right words in his mind.
Telling the truth was harder than he expected.
"People will stay afraid of him too."
Yahiko felt reassured, for Konan decided to speak for him.
"Exacly."
They both let the silence fill the surrounding space, as if to give each other time to think over the matter they've just picked up to discuss. The topic was difficult, these two had to admit, but it was an important issue to find a solution to. Nagato was their dear friend, one of the orphans, one of the Akatsuki's founders, and one of those who bore a mission to restore peace to the world. They couldn't leave him with the problems on his own.
"Is that why you brought up the topic of leadership in the first place?"
"What?"
"You wanted to push him to the top so he could learn how to gain confidence, is that correct?"
Konan was not only gifted with the most heightened senses in the group, but she also reads its members like a book. Yahiko's head fell, eyes searching for the ground, his intentions exposed. That woman never fails to surprise him.
"You know it's not the way…"
"I thought that maybe he just needs a little boost, you know? Or, how do they call that… a shock therapy?"
"With Nagato?"
"Oh, come on, you know what I mean."
"Yahiko," the man's heart skipped a beat as he found his hand locked in hers, a move so unexpected yet so nice that his cheeks turned into the darkest shade of red "I know you're doing your best and you only wish for his good, but you're making things unnecessarily complicated. What Nagato needs most is us to put trust in him."
"I know…"
"So, tell me - do you believe in him?"
"I do."
"So why won't you just show that to him?" Konan's lips curved into a smile, so sweet and dear that Yahiko began afraid of melting under her touch "Put some faith in him, Yahiko. He needs it most from all of us."
And who he was to argue with the most knowledgeable woman in the clan? Who he was to question her words of wisdom if even his mind gave up on its own conclusions?
Yahiko could be a leader, he could proclaim himself a god - but in terms of perspicacity, he was still far behind Konan.
For she was right, as always, Yahiko realized. She was right about him making the solution too complicated; she was right about believing in the closest friend of theirs. It was so simple. No requirement to push Nagato in uncomfortable space against his own will, for faith was all he truly needed. If his companions trusted in a possibility of change, he'll feel the same way too.
They all had to stand together if they aimed for changes.
"Are you blushing?" a question so unexpected that made Yahiko jump in place.
"W-what?! No!" his hands found their way back to his sides, head turned to the side as to show that it was nothing, that he didn't care about being so close to the person he adored most.
Such childish yet sweet behaviour allowed Konan to chuckle, and she got back to her task. Folding another paper crane in her hands, now with the knowledge of the spreading redness on her friend's cheeks. She couldn't help and smiled to herself, allowing the silence to embrace them again.
Little did Yahiko knew, Konan perfectly remembered the day when he gave her such a found gaze for the very first time.
iii. the growth of our love
"Are you… going to give her that?" Nagato asks, watching as Yahiko twitches the envelope between his fingers for another time.
The tension was high, Nagato noticed. His friend's eyes fixed on the paper he clung to for a few days now, as under a fear of losing it to the wind or even worse - damping in the rain, resulting the inked words to blur, making his speech nothing but a messy picture. He held onto it so dearly that the said envelope didn't leave his side even during the night, for Yahiko places it safe just next to his pillow.
"I don't want to sound weird, but you have been behaving strange past these few weeks."
"Have I?" Yahiko glance darted upwards, the question caughting him by surprise.
For a while, Nagato studied his friend's confused expression, before raising an eyebrow while Yahiko tried to come back to earth.
"So..?"
"Okay, I might have been a bit distracted lately, but that's not a big deal, right?"
"It is."
Just these two words turned out to be enough to bring the orange-haired man back from wherever he previously was. A loud sigh escaped his lips, shoulders lost their tension and pouted face confirmed Nagato's guesswork.
"What if she rejects me?"
"Are you really thinking that? You kidding me?" Nagato laughs, putting an arm on his friend's shoulders in order to give him fortitude and strengthen his mind "She can't take her eyes from you whenever you two are close, she always tells me how goofy you look while trying to give out a speech. Yahiko, she's charmed by you."
"So I am by her…"
"Isn't that enough?" Nagato asks, his lips curving in a refreshing smile "You once told me how important it is to have courage in this world. Now it's time for me to tell you the same."
Turns out the three orphans needed each other no matter the situation or time. Always standing side by side, the three orphans became inseparable as they kept on learning from each other, gaining new knowledge about the world surrounding them, understanding how this all worked. None of them dared to put shame on the fact they still needed support, for this became natural, something what was always meant to be.
Could they survive the storm of war not as whole? They weren't sure and didn't want to know.
That day, Yahiko understood he still had a lot to learn. Or rather that he still possessed the ability of being capable of learning, even while taking the highest position as a leader.
But at least he made progress, for he took his friend's words deep to his heart and confessed his love to the one he kept watch over across the years.
Words were not enough to show what was he truly feeling. Even the letter he has prepared with the biggest caution in the world did not catch up with what he craved to express. Despite Konan looked at him with the love he has never experienced before upon reading, he still felt like he wasn't good enough.
The night she took care of his wounds, wrapping the snow white bandage to cover the injuries resulted from battle. Their relationship has been settled once and for all.
That night he promised to stay by her side forever, guard her back no matter back, make her dreams come true and cherish her very existence each and every day.
In exchange, she agreed to commit herself to accomplishing the biggest dream of his, working to fulfill the purpose of the Akatsuki. She became a pillar for his vision of the future, a support for the bridge of peace he yearned to erect.
They would be forever, always.
Their fates and dreams woven as one.
However, sooner than any of them would have thought, the world around was going to break into a million of pieces.
iv. the sacrifice
Her cry broke through the rain, and in his eyes, the world has stopped spinning for what felt ages.
That day, the three orphans discovered how fragile in fact human's body was. Or perhaps they should have called themselves as two, for the soul of one of them left, lifting itself to the place they hoped to call heaven. No more they were bound to be together, no more to listen to each other, no more to guard each other's back.
Rain pouring hard, washing away the blood staining Nagato's cloak as he stood completely still in silence, processing what one of his dearest companions did. Stunned, his god-like eyes wide open, he became afraid of losing last bits of self-control as the emotions started to flood his already sensitive soul. The pain became unbearable, his heart aching and bleeding more than his friend's chest pierced with a kunai.
The mind of the red-haired man barely registered the moment his friend jumped, sealing his fate and putting his life in Nagato's hands. It lasted only a few seconds, and when it was done, they both froze in time.
Is it what he has declared as confidence a few weeks back? Is it what he claimed to be a bigger sacrifice for the peace which was yet to come?
Nagato didn't know, but once he dared to guess, another unleashing of his hidden powers occurred, destroying everything on sight. He was blind in his rage, revealing abilities worthy of comparison with god.
Konan watched, but wasn't scared.
Laying with her knees burred in a pool of her lover's blood, she held him tight, as in hope to feel his chest rise again, feel his warm breath against her puffed cheeks and perhaps hear words of comfort, promising that everything's going to be okay. Tears mixing with droplets falling from the sky, that was when she has realized it for the first time.
Amegakure was crying. Blood soaking into the ground, marking the place of yet another downfall, the city of tears took another loss of its. It wasn't the same rain as before - the clouds formed into a different shape, absorbed another shade of gray and even the echoing sound of raindrops hitting against the metal the village was built of sounded different from before.
It wasn't the same monotonous pattern, but a funeral song.
She heard the city howl together with her over the loss, while the world around her fell apart. There was no tomorrow, no hope, no peace they yearned so much to achieve. If the god himself has fallen, what was the point of this, who else bears such amount of strength to carry this desire further?
That day, they didn't know. They had answers no more, ambitions and determination leaving along with the soul of the fallen one. Together they were like a puzzle, and apart - nothing but an incomplete piece, missing the most crucial part of their being.
Is it what hell looks like?
What a terrible day it was for the two little orphans.
v. changes we make
Time passed a lot of slower since that day, and Konan couldn't help but notice changes.
Getting back to the place of her living turned out to be a lot of more challenging that she has imagined. Avoiding her old apartment on purpose and spending days on travelling across the village with no clear destination on her mind. Back in time she was used to covering her hair with her hood when going out, even if she never truly cared about the rain damping her head. However, now she let the droplets fall on her faded strands, bringing wetness to the paper flower as well.
Now only the rain of Ame brought her feeling of being whole again.
The smile Yahiko used to love was long gone, replaced by an emotionless expression matching the village's essence, what it looked like and how it felt like. Despite it was only one of the uncountable amount of losses the village had seen, this one hurt most for the possibility of change vanished. The man with brave heart, with future carved in his mind has passed and the bridged he wished to create seemed to fall along with him.
Its pillars were weak as well, ready to crumble anytime. But despite the circumstances, they never truly did.
It took Konan long to cope with her failure, for she many times accused herself for what happened before. If the man with a salamander written as his second name hasn't captured her, there would be no need for the sacrifice that day, no need for the terrible cry of despair and rage to break out from Nagato's throat, no need to soil the kunai with blood of their own friend.
Konan watched the city of tears, her gaze grey and faded as never before. She folded yet another paper crane and let it go; it flew steady and high just as she excepted it to. The creature was yet another pair of her own eyes, playing the role of a guard and seeing everything the woman wished to see.
But it never glided far.
Nagato often observed the creatures of her making, watching their flight filled with beauty and grace. They resembled Konan's being, or at least who she once used to be.
Did Nagato cared about Konan's change? Did he raise any words of concern, brought up the topic troubling her mind?
If he had had enough confidence, he probably would. But instead of asking, he stayed quiet and let her embrace the quietness too. They both possessed an unique ability of communicating without voice and a single glance was more than enough to understand each other feelings, therefore talk was no longer needed.
And surprisingly, after the day of Yahiko's last departure, their speechless communication skills seemed to only improve.
While watching another folded piece of paper pass by, Nagato requested Konan's presence. She appeared behind him without words, just as she always did.
"The time has come to act," his voice sounded, mixing with the dull noise of falling rain.
"What's our plan now?"
"Taking over the world."
Konan's eyebrows furrowed in response.
She knew well that Nagato carved his own path, so similar yet so different from Yahiko's dream. Now without an ability to move on his own, for he sacrificed his own legs to prevent himself from suffering due to another loss, Nagato created a new vision of the world reconstruction.
But declaring himself as a ruler of all? The leader of a revolution which was yet to come?
To claim a name of a god?
Nagato turned his head back, awaiting an answer to reach his ears, and Konan noticed the flash of purple in his eyes. She thought it imitates the fire once playing a role of Yahiko's irises.
Who she was to doubt in a person possessing the power of a Rinnegan? Has she changed so much to not put trust in her very last friend?
She reminded herself of Yahiko's words. He's destined to make a difference, he's a foundation of the bridge we want to build, she recalled.
Konan approached her friend, now standing side by side. She gazed upon the city, watching as it fades in the gray of clouds and her heart couldn't help but to ache again.
"Is this what Yahiko would have wanted?" she asks in a whisper, daring to doubt in Nagato's words.
He remained silent, adjusting his eyesight on the towers looming far on the horizon. His arm rose upwards, catching few droplets in a grasp, as he tried to take control over weather itself.
Something only a god can do.
"What Yahiko always wanted was peace. And we're going to achieve it - no matter what it takes," he opened his hand yet again, exposing it to rain "We're now the bearers of his will. But, peace cannot be obtained in the way we thought it could. What we need is to bring war into play, to start it by ourselves. We need people to fear and respect us, we need them to experience the hardships of war, to make them understand why it needs to stop," his voice so deep that it brought Konan shivers "Take control over everyone and everything. To be in charge, calling the shots. That's the only correct way to accomplish what we want. Make everyone bleed as much as we did in the past."
Nagato no longer was sacred, no longer in the hands of fear. Now he felt mighty like an immortal being, being able to push the mountains if he only wished to. The power of his eyes has awakened for good, and at some point - he has earned the name he desired, at least here in Ame.
Konan will never look at him the same way again. She will stare into his purple irises no more, taking his hand became forbidden and presence he spreads will stay wrong to her forever.
Nagato took over Yahiko's body, for he wished him to continue the revolution he has started. He wanted him to lead the Akatsuki like back in days, to make him a leader he always deserved to be.
His death was unexpected. Not planned at all. This sacrifice was never supposed to happen.
So now, the orphans had to find a way to cope.
"I believe you, Nagato."
"I know."
"But I miss him."
"I know…"
And for a moment Konan's heart stopped, hearing Nagato's voice shake. Despite how far from being a human he was, now his soul tightened in anguish together with hers.
"We'll make this world a better place," he whispered, eyelids half closed "I promise."
He didn't mean it. He didn't mean to make empty promises.
But how could he know his time was doomed to end like Yahiko's?
He didn't know, neither Konan did. She believed him, tented to his true body every day, cared for his scratches and wounds, prepared meals only to keep him alive and functioning. Knowing his godlike soul is trapped in a human body, she kept him away from the entire world, well hidden from every sight.
She held his shoulder and caressed his matte strands of hair whenever he felt weak.
Despite being together, the two orphans never felt as whole again.
vi. destined to fall
Konan didn't know if she endures the result of another broken promise.
Konohagakure ambush started out well, according to the plan. While The Six Paths of Pain proceeded with the attack, Konan's task was to hide and protect Nagato's true body from all kinds of danger and everyone's sight.
And she did well. Either did Nagato until The Child of the Prophecy showed up. That's when he realized it's time to pass his duty to someone else, for he understood the path he decided to take was wrong and full of unnecessary deaths.
And the child in front of him spoke in a language of wisdom, his orbs gazing far in the future, being sure that violence can be skipped. Nagato saw the sparkling fire not only in his eyes but also deep within his soul. That blaze reminded him once again of Yahiko and true values he wished to carry.
Values they wanted to carry.
The realization hit him hard, and he also chose to let his life go for a greater good, to fix the mistakes he made from his own hand.
Therefore, he followed Yahiko's steps and offered his very being to save someone else. And as in an exchange, he tasked the child to bring their dream to life.
Konan didn't say a word. She watched Nagato's passing in silence, closing her eyes when his body went numb, becoming lifeless. At least his pain is gone, he suffers no more; she tried to comfort herself. She carried his body out from the machine he was trapped in for years, pulled out the spikes which sealed his fate, and the child didn't stand still but offered his help.
During the process, maybe a single tear rushed its way down her cheek. But there was no crying, no state of denial and no sign of growing anguish in her heart, for the choice Nagato made was his and only his. No force pushed him to what he did and his will stayed free till the very end. Before leaving, he even glared towards her as to say 'it's alright'.
And he genuinely believed she would be alright.
Konan knew that this death is different. It didn't leave her helpless as before, didn't make her drown in her own sorrow. However, she couldn't deny the fact that her heart felt yet more empty since that day, like the void tried to take over her and her mind. But she never let it in, never welcomed it in her soul, for she saw another path for herself. A wave of new possibilities flooded her thoughts, and she knew what she had to do.
Nagato opened a new way she willingly accepted to take. The flowers she gifted to The Child from The Prophecy were a symbol of a fresh start.
"May these be the flowers of hope," she called them "May they be a token of our friendship and brighter future yet to come."
"And what will you do now?"
Konan couldn't help but to smile dreamily, looking the boy in the eyes.
"I'll continue the work Nagato and Yahiko have started in Ame."
And as she said - she indeed did.
"It's going to be alright," she whispered while leaving, two bodies wrapped in paper hovering by her side.
vii. standing our ground
Revolution took a different color in her eyes.
She no longer yearns for anyone to suffer. She no longer feels the need to share her pain with others, she doesn't want to break innocent hearts. Her own anguish blossomed and turned into a range of new feelings she wishes to express, as a proof that she has changed.
World isn't as dreadful as the three orphans previously thought. It doesn't have to be full of agony, bodies don't have to fall and the ground doesn't have to soak in blood anymore. Why opt to spread hatred when words of peace can be carried all over the world with the same ease, written on paper cranes' wings?
Konan has developed a new perspective, and she regretted not realizing it earlier. She regretted not being able to live through it together with her friends. The new discovery painted her eyes in colors of kindness and compassion, feelings so different from what she used to feel along with Nagato.
It is a new beginning, a new chapter in her life. She took a very first step on a path of the unknown and even if fate condemned her to walk alone, she will with no hesitation.
Konan could be hard-headed, but she never doubted for even a second that her friends has stopped watching her from above. The thought gave her strength, energy to keep going. Both of her sides may be filled with void forever, but she will always feel their eyes on herself.
Loneliness is a part of her future. But she will keep going.
For she still has enemies who must fail.
"Konan-sama."
Standing on the very top of Pain's tower, watching the endless rain pour over the city below her feet, Konan turns her gaze to look at the newcomer. Just as hers, his clothes were nothing, but a cloak decorated with red clouds, a pair of simple shoes and a straw hat with bells attached to protect its owner from the dampness of rain.
Upon taking the hat off, as a gesture of respect, two red irises appeared on the view.
"Itachi-san." she answered as the man stood in front of her, his eyes turning back to blackness.
"This is the last of our meetings," Konan's eyebrows don't even wince "I must leave Akatsuki."
"I know. You have your own duty to accomplish."
Their friendship among the Akatsuki was not a secret - at least not to everyone. Itachi was a close friend of Nagato, for they both suffered from similar conditions and their ideals were somewhat similar. Therefore, it was just a matter of time for Itachi and Konan to get along too. When Konan was at her weakest, the Uchiha served as a guidance, showing a way he thought was the best to take. And most of the times he was correct, even with half-blindness plaguing him.
He was also full of pain. It has never escaped her notice.
"I'm sorry. I wish it would look different."
"It's alright, Itachi. You did your best and I appreciate your help," a smile of reassurance moved her lips "Everyone has a task to do. It's time for you to advance with yours."
Itachi returns the smile, something he doesn't do often.
"Thank you," he approached, standing on the tower's edge together with the woman "Thank you for your understanding."
"Thank you for everything, Itachi. May the fortune be on your side during your last battle."
"It doesn't have to. My task is to fail so the others can progress."
Konan's voice softens as she tries to hide despair taking over her heart. Why do the noble souls always have to go first?
"So there's no other way around?'
"There isn't. And there never was," Itachi raises his head to look at the dark sky, in a search for a glamor of sunlight piercing through the clouds.
In search for a sign of hope.
"And you understand it better than anyone else, Konan."
"Even if I wish such sacrifices weren't necessary for this world to function, sometimes there's no other way."
"And some still have to pay for their sins," Itachi acknowledged, feeling Konan trying to carry his own burden as if they were one.
He doesn't want this. His destiny is different from hers, they couldn't be connected so carelessly. Their ways about to part forever, he needs to give her the last words of courage, to show that despite she's alone in that world of destruction, he still holds faith in her heart. It is one of his last duties, for he saw that glitter of light, that sunbeam of hope in her.
He can't poison her with the liability he has created by himself.
"You still have something to do, right? Many times Nagato told me about a dream of yours."
"I do. And I'm sure he did. You two shared a lot in common."
"Do not give up on that craving. It's a dignified vision of future yet to come." his dark glance fixed on Konan now, he puts a hand on her shoulder and she doesn't even flinch at the sudden contact, for she trusts Itachi like in no one else, "Your task is difficult, perhaps even more challenging than mine. But you have that power to achieve your goal and make this world beautiful, just as it should be," he beams and Konan realized it's the last time she sees a smile of a friend "Never lose your faith, Konan. It's the most treasured value you can ever possess."
Faith pushes to go further, to break your limits for a greater cause. Faith makes you obtain things previously impossible to reach. Faith is the reason Konan stands in the place she is today.
If not for faith, she wouldn't have gone far.
"Things are about to change," she answers.
"But only for better."
Konan would remind herself of that very last talk, last meeting with her last friend. Drowned in a vast amount of responsibilities associated with taking over the entire village, she recalls Itachi's words along with Nagato's gaze and Yahiko's smile. The very last pictures of them, she sees them as she walks her path alone, venturing into the unknown.
But never she was scared. Never she lost hope.
She devoted herself for the village, for the future, for the dream she had since the childhood.
For the defeat of her enemies.
Enemies stronger than herself.
viii. the end
The last words, the last gaze, the last smile.
The last pictures.
Her last sigh were tides of the endless rain.
And what a terrible feeling it was.
Embraced by her own village, by the place she longed to make better. It felt like a punishment for something she didn't do, like she wasn't enough to fulfill the purpose life gave her - the purpose she inscribed by her own hands.
Konan was falling, consumed by darkness.
Her last view was the sky - cloudless, a change for her eyes. She had almost forgotten what color the heaven took above the mist and now all shades of blue filled her eyesight. It was a pleasant feeling, she couldn't deny.
But she was still descending into the depths of oblivion.
Will someone remember her name? Or will she be forgotten? Will her task never be completed?
Still, The Child of the Prophecy lives. Therefore, their legacy will continue as well. It was the most important matter of all.
The woman couldn't think of anything else but a better future without her aid.
She suffered enough. Now it's time for her to rest.
And put her whole trust in someone else.
iv. uniting again
Mere seconds passed before Konan's eyes went wide again.
Her gaze registered blueness again and she couldn't help but to lie still, enjoying the view spreading above her head. Clear sky welcomed her sense, and the rainfall was no more. The air filling her nostrils was brisk, breeze soothed her cheeks, and the quietness let her rest in calmness.
Feeling her thoughts and spirit at peace, she sat up to inspect the place she found herself in. To her surprise, the area didn't look like anything else she has known or would know about its existence. Even her cranes have not travelled that far.
Or perhaps this place didn't belong to the world of hers.
Attempting to stand up, she felt a touch on her shoulder. A sudden sensation of warmth spread across her entire body as if electricity ran through her veins, travelling through every inch of her frame. But the feeling pleased her, comforted her mind and reminded her of something she used to posses years ago.
This touch did not differ from the way Yahiko would connect his hands with hers.
"You're finally here."
She didn't even have to turn around nor take a guess, for she already knows that voice from a previous lifetime. The same used to relieve her worries, sing for her on the longest evenings, make the shivers passage across her spine while listening to the words of fondness.
She turns around only to find herself in the man's embrace she's so madly in love with, and he smiles in return, arms locking her as if trapping her in a cage.
"Shh, it's alright. I got you…" Yahiko reassures, leading his chin against her head, taking in her scent and realizing how much he had missed all these little gestures of affection.
Meanwhile, Konan is unable to speak, a wave of undescribed emotions building up in her soul. The image before her is so unreal, as if imagination played tricks with her, something what rarely happens as she doesn't allow herself to fantasize often.
Is it a dream? Is she going to wake up soon? Return to the place of rain and metal?
If so, she has to make the best of the time she was gifted with.
"We did it," a new voice joins the reunion, a voice her hearings recognize well too, "The era of peace has begun."
The new hits Konan's ears and she turns around, only to see the coming of Nagato, whose face covers a smile, like from the old times when they all three used to play together with no care in the world. His presence emits with warmth as he approaches, embracing Konan from behind.
"I'm so glad to see you again…" a quiet whisper fills their ears and Konan can't help but feel tears pricking her eyes.
Their hold seems to last forever, as if time didn't count anymore. They didn't even know when tears began to roll down their cheeks, for the gratitude and bliss growing in their hearts were so great that it almost hurt. The touch is so real and Konan knows it's not a dream.
Death embraced them all, but it's not enough to separate them. The three orphans have ascended and their prayers have been answered.
Together from the beginning, together till the very end and beyond. They truly were meant to exist as a whole, always.
So they will stay, hearts beating as one for the rest of the eternity.
And their fates connected.
Entwined.