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Chapter 6: Who Are You?
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"Surrender yourself!" She demanded as she flew after him into the tight dark alleys of Ame.
The ninja in black ran swiftly, using a jutsu to throw bricks and pipes in her path. Sparks sprayed across her line of vision, Konan's wings beating swiftly as she flew after the assailant.
Rain pounded the steel and cement skeleton of the Hidden Rain. The thunderstorms in Ame came down into the lands like a falling god. The sky was dark and tumultuous, flashes of lightning revealing the silvery shadow of her enemy.
"Come back!"
One of Pein's Sixth Paths jumped in, using his sonic pull to capture the Ninja, but it wasn't as strong as it could've been. The body flew towards Pein but dissolved into water before it made an impact. A clone.
The target is moving too quickly for my body, I am weakening. I haven't had enough time to recuperate. Nagato's voice echoed in her head. This technology is still new to me, my chakra is already low.
Then fall back! Let me catch him. Konan shouted back into the mental void. She couldn't help the concern in her voice.
He cannot get away. Nagato said.
I know. Fall back. Your safety is more important. I will catch him.
Very well. But I'm sending Tobi-sama in my place.
She gritted her teeth. Get Kisame, it's a Hidden Mist nin.
I already sent out the message.
She could feel Nagato's presence slip from her mind. On cure, she watched the Nakara Path vanish. She knew she needed to land at least one piece of paper on this Ninja and she could catch him.
Konan turned a tight corner. She gasped as particles of freezing ice formed against her body, pulling her from the air. She crash-landed into the dirt yard of a nearby abandoned factory. Konan tried to shed paper but the ice quickly spread against cloak, trapping her exposed skin and clothes under a sheet of ice.
"Give it up." Growled the Ninja.
She looked up to see a slim man with filed teeth, dressed in all black. He did not have his headband but she knew he was from Kirigakure as soon as she saw the mist approaching the tower.
With the death of the Fourth Mizukage and the lingering tension since Hanzo, it was all she needed to surmise that he had sent someone into Ame to threaten their young leaders.
Konan focused her chakra and pushed paper out like a snake's second skin, shredding her Akatsuki cloak to break the shell of ice. Paper finally slipped through. His face flickering in surprise as origami shapes begin to form.
"Where is your leader?!" He demanded. "Who are you?!"
"That does no matter." She said, her hands quickly formulating signs. The paper birds descended upon the ninja, paper bombs ensuing. The explosives reverberated off the buildings. She watched his figure flicker in the expanding light.
Konan let out a cry as icy senbon pierced her skin. She pulled her tattered cloak out of the way to dislodge the weapons. The senbon drew blood, but none had deeply punctured her. She looked up to see the ninja had escaped her attack.
Fuck. She pushed aside the pain and tried to gain traction under her feet, her wings collapsing as she slipped on ice and fell back to the ground. She had to catch him, this was the perfect opportunity to get intel on the village of the Bloody Mist. She owed it to Nagato, who trusted her.
She blew her loose hair out of her face.
I need to protect my village and the Akatsuki at all costs.
But Konan faltered as her vision blurred. The Ninja smiled cruelly. "You managed to pull out the needles. But it's too late, I can see you are done for. Perhaps you are not the Kage, but the Mist will be pleased if I bring home a little gift."
He summoned a chain into existence and advanced on Konan. Konan's breathing deepened. He had not realized she was not near her end.
She summoned her wings once more, doubling in size. He laughed. "Sorry Princess, I'll be clipping your wings today."
As the ninja moved toward her, now with a sword glinting, his fluid movement was interrupted as an arm reach out for his jugular, grabbing the nin by his neck and shoving him backward.
The man let out a cry in pain. The body of the arm appeared. Tobi-sama.
"It is forbidden for you to be here." He rumbled, facing the man.
The Hidden Mist nin jumped forward, sword-swinging, only to have it go straight through Tobi. Before he could process what happened, Konan's paper finally latched onto the man's skin, following by dozens more, pulling the man to the ground and into submission.
Tobi stood above him in a relaxed stance. A moment of stillness passed before the man began to shriek, thrashing on the ground.
Konan narrowed her eyes and watched, unflinchingly, until the man's body stopped moving. She knew her paper was not doing that. Genjutsu. Tobi stepped back, waving his hand. The man burst into flames. Tobi then turned around and began to briskly walk past his comrade.
"What are you doing?!" She yelled, scrambling upwards to catch up to him. "We needed him captured, not slaughtered like a cow!"
Thunder crashed around them. He did not look back, moving towards a sheltered alleyway, probably to escape the downpour. As if a passing-through man could catch the rain.
"Did you hear me?!" Yelled Konan. "Why did you not just suck him into your dimension for interrogation?"
Tobi stopped walking, standing against a brick wall under an old awning, away from prying eyes. "He had no useful information." He finally said, his voice raspy. He turned around, his mask glistening from the rain. "I searched his mind already."
"You-" her amber eyes widened. "You can do that?!" She had only known Nagato to have an ability like that.
"Yes." He answered impatiently. "He knew too much. He's been surveilling the village for the past three weeks. I decided to end his life than risk keeping him alive."
"That was not your decision to make." She admonished him.
In a fraction of a second, the man was in front of her. She backed up, fear sinking into her gut as her bare shoulder blades and wings brushed the rough wall. He looked down on her. This time she could not see into the oculus of his eye.
"It was a security measure. Do not question my decision-making." He sneered.
Despite Konan's fear, her anger rose within like a tsunami. She was tired of his manipulations. "How do I know what the truth is? You could be hiding things from the Akatsuki. I know you have your agenda to Madara Uchiha."
"Konan." His voice deepened an octave. "The organization would cease to exist without me. I have been transparent about my plans since the beginning."
She gaped. He continued before she could formulate a comeback. "It is you who has secrets. You sneak away to the Village for hours on end, you show up to my room, blatantly questioning my identity. You clearly have your own agenda."
Frustration climbed from the deep inhale and exhale of breath. "Forgive me, My Lord, for wondering why you keep secrets from your comrades for years. I have always wondered who you are ever since you appeared in front of Nagato, Yahiko, and I. How do I know this plan is real? That Madara is not long dead?"
"You have to trust me." He said. "Just as I have to trust you and Nagato even when you fail me like you did today. If he was not caught by me you would've let Ame's safety collapse as he crossed our borders."
"I would not have let him go." She said with a stoic tone. "I had the situation handled. Maybe if you didn't stress Nagato and his Six Paths so much, he could focus more on protecting his health and the safety of his people."
"Nagato is fully capable of taking care of himself. I know what his limits are. Since when have you challenged my decisions before?" He replied. "You actively conspire against me as of late."
She sneered. "Just because I have not challenged you does not mean I will blindly follow you. Your lack of humanity discolors you in my eyes, I have never seen you as a favorable leader."
A loud crack of thunder rumbled above them. "I don't care if you hate me." He said at last. "All I care about is that you and Nagato have trust in me when I say the Akatsuki will succeed in dismantling this world."
"My trust and hate cannot be separated."
"Then put your faith in Nagato's trust in me."
She cracked a cruel smile. "Nagato is only here because of his bond with Yahiko and I. He fights for us. He will trust me before he will trust you, no matter what success you have brought to us."
"For someone who cares so little of me, you have been putting a lot of energy into discovering my identity. It seems like you are never satisfied. What do you want?" Commanded Obito.
"I can't trust you to take care of Nagato and the Akatsuki until I know who you really….ARE!" She jumped up, pulling at his mask. Her fingers slipped under the hard edge and she successfully pulled it halfway across his face before he maneuvered his body to fully trap her.
She grunted as his arm came up and pinned her by the neck. His other hand gripped her arm with vice. She flailed in his grasp but he was too strong, and her hands passed through his sides. She met his blazing red eye, realizing his Sharingan had a complex pattern, much more complex than she noticed before. She could see the strange scars in his pale skin, the aristocratic nose, the firm snarl of his mouth. Her eyes drank in every small detail of half of his ghostly face.
She bared her teeth. She's squared against enemies since she was a small girl. A child of war wasn't going to bow down to someone like him. "Go ahead." She said hoarsely against his grip. "Punish me."
To her surprise, he falters. His eye closes and reopens, the red gone. The anger flickered with what looked like uncertainty in his expression. His eye scanned her expression back and forth. She almost wanted to laugh if it was not for the pressure of him at her throat.
He went slack, releasing her neck, his arm coming down to grip her shoulder. Feeling emboldened by his reaction, Her wings, now freed, fluttered so she could lift off the ground to get as level to him as she could, finding that her hands could now grasp him.
"What's your name?" She demanded, tightening her grip in his cloak's collar. "Tell me your name, Uchiha."
He looked down at the ground, his fingers tightening on her bare skin. "Madara has forbidden I share it."
"Stop with the secrets! Years upon years of secrecy." She cried. "Your. Name."
She could count each drop on her skin as she waited for him to reach the eye of the storm.
Drip.
One.
Drip.
Two.
Drip.
Three.
Four, down the cheek like a tear.
Each drop of water that washed away the barriers between them.
"Obito." He finally spits out. "My name is Obito."
…..
She searched his half-covered face, her wings ceased their powerful beating, her feet landing gently on the wet stone. "Obito…" She whispered, her hand going to his exposed cheek. "Who are you, Obito Uchiha?"
"Who I am doesn't matter anymore." He replied bitterly, jerking his head back so she could not touch him. "Happy now? You know."
"The little Leaf boy in the picture is you…" She said softly.
"Yes, but I told you he is dead." One of his hands held tightly to her chin. "Enough, Konan. Now you know my truth, you need to swear on your trust."
Konan swallowed her many questions as the red in his eye swirled. She did not, could not look away. Darkness pierced her vision. She felt weightless, the breath knocked out of her as she recognized the feeling of teleportation.
Konan opened her eyes to the world of black and grey. Her hands were tied above her head to a sort of column, alone in the dark chasm, Tobi took her too that one night he was drunk. Rain fell from the abyss above, but she did not feel the water. This so-called Obito stood in front of her, his red eyes glowing against the darkness. Half of his face was shadowed as if he did not fix his mask.
She shivered, willing her heartbeat to slow. She had been trapped in some sort of genjutsu.
"This is the result of my Mangekyō Sharingan. The pride and joy of my clan." He rasped, nearing her. "This is the world you are so curious about, Konan."
She opened her mouth to speak but to her horror, no words came out. "That's right, I control everything in this world." He smirked. "Time is also not a factor in my dimension, I can make seconds feel like an eternity. Under my genjutsu, the possibilities are endless."
She swallowed, briefly recalling his success with manipulating the fourth Mizukage a few years ago. She knew he controlled and destroyed the young Mist leader. He was showing her the true threat of his power. The reason why he was chosen to carry out Madara's plans. The reason why Nagato swore loyalty to him. "This is where you will live if you betray my true identity."
He neared her, his hand reaching out to touch the exposed skin on her waist. She flinched at the contact, making him chuckle darkly. "Beautiful Lady Angel, did you forget what I'm capable of?"
She gave him a fierce stare, thinking of how foolish she had been. Her heart pounded in her chest but did not allow herself to show him fear.
"You need to understand that I went through immense pain and death to be who I am today. I am forever indebted to Madara and you cannot challenge my fate. Under my terms, we will restore trust in each other, if you wish to keep yourself and Nagato safe. Now tell me, do you agree to keep my secret in exchange for trust?"
She glared daggers and tried to speak again. "Very well." Her voice echoed off the black chasm. "But tell me one thing Obito, what do you want from me?" Her eyes flicked down to his hand once more on her waist.
The two cursed shinobi stood in a few moments of silence, Obito looking at Konan, as if seeing answers of long-forgotten questions.
He leaned forward, his lips nearing her ear. Konan, under his threat, pressed into the column to create what little distance she could afford. She squeezed her eyes shut, anticipating an affliction of pain. Instead, it was the furthest thing from harm. She shakily inhaled a gasp as his lips grazed her cheek, then skimmed her jawline before pressing on her neck. It was airy and light as if he was a predator sampling his prey.
His lips paused on her neck. "I want to know I can rely on you the way you once relied on your dear leader Yahiko."
Warmth flushed under her skin. "I cannot be reliable if you remain guarded." She whispered. At that, he stepped away. She felt an incoming rush of the cold air against her skin once his burning touch left her. He could even control her senses. "But," She met his one-sided gaze. "Since you have revealed your identity to me, I will put my trust in you to lead the Akatsuki to victory, Obito Uchiha. Consider your true identity to be kept within my heart."
"I'm glad we could come into agreement." He said, his breath tickling her cheek.
The world went dark.
…..
"Hi!"
She was facing a sunshine-filled meadow. Hearing the voice, Konan turned to see the orange and blue Leaf boy, hands behind his head, grinning widely. His eyes gleamed behind his large googles.
She tucked a hair behind her ear, suddenly finding it was short. Surprised, she looked down to see a girl's slim form and the clothing she wore as a girl.
"What's your name?" He asked, color dusting his cheeks.
"Konan." She found herself saying shyly.
"You dropped this, Konan." He held out an origami flower.
Her hand flew to her hair, finding that it fell out. She took the flower from his outstretched hand, turning red as a tween girl does when a cute boy pays attention to her.
"Did you make that?" He continued, curiosity twinkling in his dark eyes.
"I did. I like origami." She said, tucking it back into her hair.
He widened his eyes. "That's cool. It's really pretty."
"Thank you." She said returning his bright smile.
"I'm Obito Uchiha by the way! You don't look like you're from Konoha."
Her eyes widened. Obito! So this is him as a young boy…
"I'm from the Hidden Rain village."
"Wow! I haven't met someone from the Hidden Rain." He tapped his cheek like he was in deep thought. She calculated the years and realized this had to be around the start of the war, she was surprised he did not regard her as some sort of enemy. The thoughtfulness on his face shifted in alarm, he jumped up as he exclaimed. "Shit! I'm late again. My team is waiting for me somewhere around here, you haven't seen a girl with purple face paint and a guy with silver hair around here?! Argh, I'm gonna be in so much trouble."
A rumbling sound came in the distance. She looked up to see an oncoming storm. Konan felt a few drops on her cheek. So quickly the sunshine washed away. Her stomach grumbled. She forgot how hungry she always was as a child.
"Uh no."
"Konan!" The genin both looked over to see the young orange-haired Yahiko standing with his arms crossed, glaring in Obito's direction. "What are you doing?"
"Oh! I dropped my paper flower." She quickly said, blushing at the fact that Yahiko caught her talking to a foreign boy.
Obito frowned, moving to stand in front of her. "Who is he?" He asked.
Her eyebrows rose. He had just met her yet he was trying to protect her. She laughed nervously. "No need to worry, Obito. He's my friend. I should get going though." She sidestepped him and began to run up the grassy hill towards Yahiko.
"Wait!"
She paused, looking back. "What is it?"
"Next time I see you, can you make a paper flower for me? There's someone I want to give it too!"
She looked at the Hidden Leaf genin in confusion, what are the chances they would cross paths again? Their countries are at war. Nevertheless, she nodded furiously. He beamed, giving her a thumbs-up before he began running in the opposite direction.
She stood there, a loss for words. Yahiko gripped her shoulder. "Who was that guy?" he asked, sounding suspicious.
"I don't know." She finally answered.
.
.
.
.
What a strange dream.
.
.
.
.
Konan blinked, seeing darkness.
Her vision settled on her ceiling. She sat up, feeling surprisingly refreshed. She looked down to find herself still in her tattered clothing from the battle with the Hidden Mist intruder. Her arm was bandaged. She recalled the storm and the alley.
Heat was on Konan's skin. Memories flooded into her. The Kamui. The kiss on her neck. The secret promise.
Obito. His name is Obito.
It was all real.
There was a soft knock at the door, alarmed Konan pushed the blankets up to her chin. "Yes?" She rang.
The door opened slightly. To her surprise, Itachi Uchiha of all people peered in. "Is it alright if I step in?"
"Yes." She said, sitting up. She was not quite ready to see another Uchiha.
He entered with a tray of tea and a meal, brushing his long sleek ponytail out of the way as he set it on her bedside table. She had to remind herself he was nothing like Tobi. Out of all the Akatsuki members, he was one of the kindest.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
He looked up at her, and she could see the similarities he and Obito shared. Absolutely from the same clan. Questions bubbled up in her mind.
"Pein-sama asked I bring you something to eat and drink. This is not normally something I would do, but Pein is away, and he figured you'd rather see me than Kisame." His lips quirked in a slightly amused smile.
"Oh." She smiled in relief. "Yes, that is true. Thank you Itachi-san for the meal. It seems I've been out of commission for a while?"
"About two days." He said folding his arms elegantly. "Tobi found you after the fight."
"Ah." Two days?! No wonder she felt so refreshed.
"Itachi-san?" She felt herself saying.
He looked up. His dark eyes and hair were the same inky black as Obito's. This is the man who killed everyone in his clan. He had to have known who Obito was growing up. She wondered how he got away. If anything, Itachi had to know Tobi was an Uchiha. But before she could ask she remembered their pact. Her panic set in and she chased the thoughts away. "Thanks again." She managed to blurt out.
His eyes softened and he bowed slightly before exiting her room quietly.
Konan laid back down, wondering if Tobi-sorry-Obito was still in the tower. She had to get used to the idea that she knows who he is-or at least-has his name. The man of many worlds, that is who he is. His mystery managed to stay shrouded, yet she cracked his facade.
She thought of the boy in the picture. He was once a cheerful boy. A sliver of that boy exists within him, she was sure of it, no matter how much he flaunts his devastating power. Knowing what exactly he was capable of, she felt as though she could not bring herself to fully fear him. In fact, Konan felt a wave of fierce determination to recover the true man under the weight Madara Uchiha, now that she had his supposed "trust."
Then butterflies migrated to her lower abdomen as she considered something else he said;
"I want to know I can rely on you the way you once relied on your dear leader Yahiko."
He knew she and Yahiko used to be lovers. Surely, in some twisted way, he confirmed that he wanted her. In exchange for his secret.
She knew she was not done with him, not by far. Their agreement cemented their budding proximities. She may know his name, but he had yet to remove his mask.
…..
Author's Note: Hello readers. Apologies for the delay with the latest chapter. I recently have been juggling large projects at work so afterwards all I've been wanting to do is absently scroll anime twitter or watch reality tv.
I'm excited about the next part, things are really gonna heat up!
