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Chapter 16: Two Lovers, Ten-Tails
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A note: Lemon ahead
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He was burning.
Smoke billowed from the harsh crack in his armor.
Obito watched the way the sun hit her lavender hair, the way her long eyelashes and smoky smudges of eyeshadow framed her gilded eyes. Her cheeks were tinged pink from the cold winter air. Even on missions, even after a kidnapping attempt, she kept up her appearances. His eyes dipped lower to the labret piercing tucked under her plush bottom lip. He wanted to run his tongue over it. The morning in the cave only added more flare to his anger of the Inn incident, leaving nothing but heat in its wake.
He was struggling to pretend as if he wasn't on fire.
"You're staring again." Konan said pointedly without looking at him.
"I'm making sure you aren't going to fall over."
Her eyes darted upwards, her glare still icy. "I told you, I feel fine."
She was miffed that he hadn't released her from that genjutsu and that he had carried her a good bit of the way. Even when they had stopped to finally sleep, then scrub the blood and dirt away at a nearby spring, she had kept her distance. He was mildly disappointed that she didn't want to be in his arms, but it was charming how flustered she was. After traveling a good distance from branch to branch she insisted she could walk on her own so he finally acquiesced.
The sound of birds and whistling breeze filled the silence between the two Akatsuki ninja as they approached the large stone facade of Madara's past and future. They made it to their first target location. Obito knew the sight all too well. Hidden by a cliff face, it fit perfectly into its surroundings. The location was quite beautiful, set in the shadows right in the heart of the Land of Rivers.
They made their way across the water, feet light with chakra on the cold river's currents. He noticed how Konan looked up as they walked underneath a massive worn red gate, peering at the foreign seals pasted to its sides. For all anyone knew, this river had risen over spiritual grounds, the gate remaining as an evidence of a portal into a sacred world. There was certainly something there, something so subtle - a humming from the earth and stone, perhaps only noticeable by a highly trained sensory nin. It felt as if a power so great lay dormant deep in the cliffside.
Obito proceeded to flash a complex sequence of hand signs. The mountainside trembled. They looked on as the stone moved upwards, water crashing against the jagged wall. It stopped several feet in the air, just enough to pass under. Obito tilted his head, motioning her to follow. She gingerly stepped up and under, following him into the darkness.
With a great groan and shudder the stone lowered itself back into place. At once, a soft blue glow cast across the cavern, some sort of chakra fueled system, revealing an incredible sight.
Konan stepped backward in shock, now understanding that hum they felt from the outside. "Outer path statue." She whispered. "I don't understand."
"This is his home. And soon, ours." Obito announced.
There it was, like a sleeping giant. Its form was embedded into the twisted roots and ancient rock, only the face protruding, with its all-seeing eyes shut and jaw open, a nightmarish amount of sharp teeth on display. Two large hands were outstretched in front of the Outerpath Statue. A chain swung across its wrists, confining the demonic energy into the earth of this large cavern.
"This place feels so strange." She said with a shiver, looking around to see debris and lights leading into ominous tunnels. This place felt secret and sealed. Even in winter, the air remained damp and warm.
"I know." He replied. His memories flooded back to life, the days spent healing and grieving. In a way, this deranged place was home.
"So what are we doing here?"
"I want you to determine what we need to do to make this a new Akatsuki base."
Her mouth forms a silent oh. "You want us to leave the Tower in Ame?"
"Not necessarily. It's impertinent that I, you, and Nagato stay in Ame. I think for the safety of Ame, and ourselves, we make this a neutral base. When we have to meet, we meet here. Our supplies and artillery will also be moved here. Mainly, we need this place functioning and secured for when we start to bring in the tailed beasts."
Her eyes widened at that.
"And geographically speaking," he added, "It makes the most sense. It's an ideal location in a small, neutral country."
"Okay…but how do you explain the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?"
"That's up to Nagato, he's the one that can summon it." Answered Obito with a smirk.
"He knows about this?" She asked.
"Of course." He answered with a shrug. "It's one of the first things I taught him."
She sighed in frustration. "Once again, you leave me out of the picture."
"It wasn't really important for you to know, until now." He answered plainly.
"No. I'm not important enough to know until I'm useful." She corrected him.
Obito ignored her, gracefully scaling up the statue, standing on the tip of the Path's giant index finger. "Come on up."
She looked upwards suspiciously but then summoned her paper wings, flying up after him. She landed on the finger next to him, scanning the massive space below.
"Our members will receive rings." Obito broke her out of her observations, pointing to the fingers that had symbols faintly painted on them. "That will coincide with where we stand. More importantly, they will connect us to the Outer Path. But Nagato and I are still working out the details."
"Why do we need that connection?"
"For the beasts," Obito explained. "To seal them within Ten-Tails."
"I see." She said in new understanding, looking up at the statue. By the look on her face, she was uncomfortable by it. He understood, it took him a long time to get used to its presence. She turned to him. "Are you going to assign me a finger? Am I standing on the right one?"
"You will be on the same finger, but on the right hand instead of the left." He said. "White."
"White?"
"It suits you." He jumped down into the large outstretched palm. She jumped down after him.
"You won't let me pick?"
He reached out and plucked a piece of paper from her wing, flipping it between his digits. "I think it suits you best."
"You sure like to decide on a lot of things on my behalf." She chided, folding her wings out of existence. He knew right away that she still held a grudge from earlier. Angry at his selfish want to keep her safe.
"You can't just throw me around like a doll." Konan announced, leaning against the index finger. "While I'm grateful you got me out of the Inn, I don't appreciate being thrown to the side, without being able to control my own body. You can't always do whatever you want."
"I do what I need to do." He corrected her tersely, lifting his mask to the side to reveal his annoyed expression. "You serve the Akatsuki. We all move towards the same goal. It was in our best interest to get you to safety." He knew his answer was unfair, but he struggled with telling her the truth he hid in his heart.
"That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying, you continue to underestimate me. And you wonder why I can't wholeheartedly trust you. I'm not a delicate woman. I've been working by your side for years. If you think a genjutsu is enough to strike me down I will head back to headquarters right now, by myself, and someone can replace me. Don't waste my time!"
"Konan." His dark eyes pinned her, his heart racing. "I'd never underestimate you. You are the strongest kunoichi I've ever known, and if I thought otherwise I doubt we would be here. But we both know you are still a million times more precious than the other members, no matter what I can or can't do."
"I'm not precious. At all." She said with indignation, jumping down from the tip of the middle finger.
He jumped after her, catching the sleeve of her cloak as she prepared to return to the cavern floor.
"You are to me."
He was silently starving. He needed her, right at the moment. He needed her to know how insufferable it was to try to wade through the murky depth of his emotion. She was right, from that time she yelled at him in that rainy alleyway, that he needed to show his humanity. His true self, or else how will he ever gain her trust. He scowled. Showing a shred of vulnerability fucking terrified him.
"Happy?" He spat. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"
She turned red and ripped her arm away. "I don't get you."
She pressed further into the side of the Demonic Path's thumb, responding to his admission with her frustratingly stony silence.
"Don't pretend like you don't understand where I'm coming from." He jeered, nearing her. "You can say that you don't trust me all you want, but I know you. Know you well enough that I can have you squirming underneath me."
She stood up straight, her face hot, craning her neck as her gaze snapped to his. She looked just as frustrated as he was.
"Tell me, what exactly do you want from me?" She asked, scared to breathe.
She frowned, watching him look unraveled as he mused his hair, eyes trained on her like he was making a difficult decision. Because he was, the mental battle he continually lost. He threw off his cloak. And then peeled off the rest of his top layers, revealing his mismatched skin and hard muscles, as if his blood ran too hot for his winter layers. She was starting to wonder how unhinged he felt.
"This is who I am." He gestured to his scars and impaired flesh. "I know," His voice went husky, he neared her and gently gripped her wrist. "I'm a selfish, heartless bastard. All I do is think about you, how badly I want to touch you and kiss you. That's what I want right now. To forget about everything else, for at least a moment in my miserable ass existence, and feel you." Feel alive.
At the bark of his wild confession, she studied him. He stood before her, unwavering in his spoken emotion. They both glared at each other. He was challenging her.
He, wanton in want. His hands closed into a fist, he wanted to liberate this prolonged turmoil. Sparking the internal blaze.
Forceful.
Driving.
Need.
He reached out, grasping her chin. A flourish of dread and excitement went straight to the apex of her legs as his eyes shifted red. "What do you want, Paper Angel? I'll give it to you and then some."
She believed she embodied paper in his mind - that must have been his reasoning. Easily torn, easily crumbled, easily ripped to shreds by a touch. Yet she had spent her entire formative years diligently working to strengthen the layers into something impenetrable. Now, he just had to come along and strip those layers away, with every dark intention, down to the last fragile wall she carefully built around her. She was dangling in the palm of his hand, by one slip, one layer.
She swallowed hard. Her expression softened. "I think-I think we want each other."
He kept eye contact, silent, as he took off her cloak, trying to control his shaking hands. She understood it as well as him, the shared fear and insecurities between them, trampled. She then allowed him to peel off her thermal. He threw the fabric over the ledge, falling towards the stony base of the Demonic Path's folded legs. Beneath the melancholy, beneath their clothing, a heady desire threading between them, binding them to each other. He pressed his mouth against her neck, his tongue darting out, tasting the salt of her skin. She dug her orange-colored nails into his biceps, enough that it should hurt.
He craved her. That's what had persisted within him for so many months, perhaps years as she bloomed into a woman and her magnetic presence drew him in no matter how hazy reality was. He desperately craved her mouth, her skin, her hair. A fire she's been feeding for months. Paper to an imbrued log.
He ripped the collar of her favorite top. That fateful button, the one that he noticed the day she commanded his attention, fell into the darkness without a sound. Frantic, he pulled at her braid, undoing her long hair, running his hand through it, not caring how hard he pulled, not caring when the paper flower fell out.
"Your top-" He said as he kissed her, his hands now occupying themselves in the navy fabric of her tight-fitting kunoichi clothing, his wandering touch tickling her sides.
She bit down on his lip, wanting to elicit a noise, instead he pulled away, wiping his mouth, giving her a hard red glare. "What?" She accosted him.
His fingers found the zipper. "I'm taking it off." He yanked on the zipper and snatched her beloved piece of clothing from her shoulders, throwing it over the ledge without hesitation. Her bindings followed.
Her orange eyes lit up in surprise. He claimed her lips again before she could react. One hand pressed against the small of her back while the other laid claim to the soft flesh of her breast. His thumb dragged across her pert nipple. She whimpered.
He suddenly stepped back, leaving cold air against her skin and her lips already numb. She quickly covered her chest, opening her eyes, finding him laying his discarded cloak on the rough surface of the Demonic Path's outstretched hand. She looked upwards seeing its foreboding face then looked down at him, meeting Obito's expectant look.
"Right here?" She asked in disbelief.
Impatiently he held his hand out, once again, his Sharingan relentlessly burning through her. She accepted his hand, sinking to join him, determinedly hiding her exposed chest with one arm.
His heart was a quickening drumbeat as she leaned against him. His palm found her cheek. She was so velvety. He stroked her jaw, then his fingers splayed across her neck. His lips grazed her ear as he gently moved her arm from shielding her chest. His hands dipped downwards, as he found himself hardening against her soft curve.
His desire was feral…burning every sensibility, every responsibility, every logical thought that dared to cross his mind. His longing, how much it had grown, over the years of mulling over painful memories in the absence of love and fondness.
Konan's body was a siren's song. It had occurred to him he was no longer a boy in a husk of a man. He missed so many milestones that coming-of-age youth looked forward to. It was unfair, to be made into an adult so young. It's embarrassing that he had become somewhat of a late bloomer when it came to these things. His lips pressed to her neck, techniques sat in the back of his mind like they were always his and not instincts passed on to him. He decided when he touched Konan he would stop feeling weird about that and use his knowledge to her advantage.
It's just sex. He reminded himself, looking down at her. She looked up, her fingers pressing against the spiraled scar on his face. He shuddered. He wasn't thoroughly convinced that she admired his torn appearance. She certainly wouldn't if she knew the truth behind it. He thought of Yahiko, someone so powerful and radiant, so untarnished. He was her true equivalent. The mere mental image of the long-dead nin and Konan made him bitterly resentful.
He couldn't give her love. Not like he did. All he could offer her, at this point, was pleasure. And that is what he would give her. She watched him slowly look her up and down, his hand idly following his gaze, up her thigh, the curve of her waist, cupping her breast. "You're perfect."
Touch. It was so euphoric it shattered your senses. She closed her eyes, letting out quiet sighs as he kneaded and pressed against the sensitive flesh that was foreign to him until his very moment. His face was hot with excitement, her body was incredible. His fingers found her nipples. His thumb and index finger expertly pinched them. Her hands went to his thighs, squeezing them in warning. Pain and pleasure intersected perfectly at that moment. She moaned. More.
His hands traveled downwards grazing her ribs and stomach, and then he hooked his thumbs under the band of her leggings. "May I?" He whispered into her ear.
They pulled her leggings off with ease. She was naked. Laid bare before the leader of the Akatsuki. She tentatively turned around and pulled at Obito's trousers. There was no way she'd be vulnerable alone. He obliged her, pulling them off with ease. They took at the moment, finding each other's eyes as they processed the unannounced string of fate between them. Her copper eyes took in his form unabashedly. Someone so beautiful. And so broken. She leaned forward, fingers scraped across his scars and his strange porcelain flesh, from his chest to his torso.
Konan's fingers found the nape of his neck, lowering him to her mouth. He pivoted their positions, lowering her beneath him, onto the cold stone of the Ten-tails.
Of all the dark and unruly places where they could lay together.
They kissed feverishly.
He moved her legs apart and the memories from the other morning came alive again. His fingers dipped into her, stroking the heat between her thighs.
He dragged his lips down the column of her throat
along the collarbone
Reflexively.
A slow assault
of lips and hands
Down to her the silkiness of her full breasts
down to her legs
In between.
Pure attraction.
His kisses trailed across, pulling her nipple between his teeth, his tongue pressing against them just as his fingers worked in circles on her clit in fascination, watching the movements in her body, a nature, unlike anything he's seen in response to his actions. He was ensnared, her essence a potion of provocation. She writhed underneath him at the colliding sensations.
She pressed against him fully, feeling the way every hard line of his body met her curve.
Obito, being one who could not relinquish control, hovered over her, looking at her with an expression that traced lines of fire across her soul. She reached up to touch the corner of his eye. She was marveling at the copy wheel design, still intrigued by the mysteries they hold.
"Is this on purpose?" She asked, referencing the remark he had made about his eyes when he found her paper Sharingan.
"No." His voice came out guttural, harsh like the winter they were in. It's an emotional response. "I can't control it sometimes."
"Oh." Her expression softened, the copper gaze simmering in what he could see was a whirlwind of bottled feelings.
"Do you want me to stop?" He frowned. He was trying to read her. He knew any resistance on his part was futile. Just because she responded to his touch in one way so far, didn't mean her mind and heart felt another as their defenses became overwhelmed.
"No."
Desire was swift, surrender imminent. He returned to his work, pleasuring her. Slow strokes growing to fast paces, panting into her neck, the muscle of his arm straining.
Desperate, thrilled, she reached down and ran her hand across his length making him hiss at the contact. It's what he had fantasized about for so long but he knew his fuse was too short. His hips jerked as she did it again, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as she pressed along the ridge of his lust.
He paused, looking up from her cleavage, annoyed. "Don't."
She almost laughed but it came out as a gasp she neared her peak, his hardness forgotten. She dragged her hands down his shoulder blades, gripping him hard, mewling into the crook of his shoulder. He moved one of her thighs over her shoulder to get better access, plunging his deft fingers more deeply into her.
Her hips snapped up, that delicious heat reverberating across her pelvis as her orgasm sent her to the heavens. She moaned loudly, the echo bouncing off the cavern walls, pushing at his chest, unable to take it anymore.
This time her hand determinedly found his cock, wanting to return the favor. He inhaled sharply, allowing her to touch him. This was the first time a woman had been this close to him. Her hands on him caused a profound effect. Softening of his limbs, oiling of his joints, and melting of his heart.
Two bodies releasing one breath. Her artist hands expertly felt him to his core.
Knowing exactly what to do she gently wrapped her hand around his length, pushing up and down. He bowed at that, grunting, ferociously kissing her because he didn't want to hear his yells reverberate against the cavern walls as if the sleeping gods would hear and awake in anger. Their tongues and teeth danced as she continued to dominate his control, her fingers pressing at the sensitive ridges, making him finally let out a low moan. She had never heard a sound like that emerge from him, and it gave her a gratifying satisfaction, to have such a powerful man wrapped around her fingers.
Then he gripped her wrist, pulling her hand away, not wanting to finish the high without diving deep into her waters. He pressed his cheek against hers. Mouth to her ear, he murmured, "Is it ok? Can we-?"
"Yes, yes-I-I take something for that." She explained. Ninja who needed it had access to birth control elixir. That he knew.
"Okay. Good."
This time they kissed slowly, stoking the fire of his dreams. Konan adjusted herself underneath him and his red gaze.
Will you feel me? The man I've become.
He looked into those deep gilded eyes, unabashed, feeling reconciled, feeling whole in the freedom she had granted him to feel in his body.
Liberated with her reciprocation, raging with his heart's camouflaged desire, Obito positioned himself above her, attempting to find his way into her. …This is harder than I thought.
She smirked up at him, catching on, and he blushed furiously as he felt her hand guide him to the right spot. "Here." She said gently.
She inhaled deeply, exhaling in gasps as he filled her. "Slowly!" She whimpered. He squeezed his eyes shut at the tight, foreign sensation. He moved as slow as he could, not wanting to hurt her. He looked down at her and found her watching him with dreamy eyes and flushed cheeks. She was stunning, like this. His confidence grew into a steadier pulse. What an incredible feeling, a feeling so right with the Paper Angel. Pretension debunked. With patience he began to move in and in, drawing moans from both of them. Obito exhaled against her cheek. "Fuck." He growled as she undulated beneath him.
Together they became one, with every long stroke, the last layer between them dissolved. The tether between them reverberated into her bones. She didn't care who he was. Who he is. How he felt about her.
At that moment it was just their bodies moving against each other, feeling alive. For Obito, their movements resulted in his quick, maddening demise. Biting her lip, pulling her lavender hair as it fell over the edge of their cradled existence. He caressed her face as he moved against her. Ocean in desert, winter in summer. It was wrong. It didn't make sense. And yet, being the selfish bastard that he is, he couldn't find an ounce of regret within him.
…..
Obito lazily kissed her once more before rolling onto his back. They both laid still, catching their breath, processing, and taking in the feeling of cold air on damp skin and bliss.
They kept their distance, refraining from touching each other. She couldn't find it within herself to touch him as if she was afraid he would dissolve like it had been a dream instead of reality. So instead, she paid attention to his breathing, the attractive scent of his pheromones, the simplicity of his body next to hers. It felt normal.
He ran his eyes over her mused hair and toned body. She met his stare and smiled. His first, and she knew it, but she didn't comment on it. That wasn't important after all the things they've been through.
"Well, this is probably one of the strangest things I've ever done." Konan mused.
"What? You never fucked on a progenitor of chakra?" He joked.
She giggled, then mulled over his words. "Well, maybe that's why it felt different. All this monstrous power around us."
"Maybe it's because we hadn't had anything like it in a long time…or ever." He countered. She noticed his eyes faded to black.
"Did you get what you wanted?" She found herself asking, a lightly teasing tone in her voice.
He looked over at her, turning to his side. Her heart skipped a beat as he moved a strand of hair away from her warmed face, his palm against her cheek. She laid her head into his hand, watching emotions play across his face as a new understanding set between them.
"I got way more than I bargained for." He admitted, grabbing the back of his neck bashfully. At that moment, she knew, there certainly wasn't a Tobi or Madara present. She smiled. It was just Obito. Obito Uchiha.
…..
Konan pressed her wide brim hat in front of her head as gales of winds rampaged across Wind Country's desert. They had traded in winter for miles of sun and sand. She was terribly sweaty in her winter layers and black cloak. She could hardly focus on the changing scenery around her, before she knew it, their arrival in Suna had happened in a blink of an eye. Konan's mind had been completely occupied, finding herself staring at Obito's broad back as she followed him into the searing heat. Subconsciously her fingers pressed to her lips, numb and puffy from being kissed senseless earlier that morning.
It's just sex. We both want it, we both are giving it to each other. It doesn't mean anything. She reasoned. She ignored the tiny voice from her heart, the one mocking her for being hooked on Obito. Hooked like she was with Yahiko. A streak of guilt burned across her heart. She grabbed at her cloak pressing against her chest, blinking at the gust of raw emotion. It's been years. She scolded herself. I'm still keeping my promise.
Obito looked over, shooting arrows into her heart. She quickly wiped at her face, hoping he didn't catch her. "Dust in my eyes." She explained anyway, dragging the brim of her hat further down over her face, shoving those emotions deep down inside her.
They arrived at Village Hidden in the Sand, a jagged fortress in the middle of nothingness. She had only skirted the borders of the supposed desert oasis. It was a busy weekday, people paraded in and out, traveling families and merchants with carts full of foods and other imports. Konan felt a little relief that they had finally made their destination, as she was drenched in sweat, dirt, and exhaustion.
Konan eyed the dusted shinobi casually leaning against the stone wall, surveying the crowds, their muted flack jackets camouflaging them into their landscape. She glanced at Obito, who was as calm and quiet as ever. She was sure he was expertly surveying the foreign territory behind that orange mask, taking in what Sasori had described to them in great detail.
The single entrance to the village loomed over them, a slight cleft between two cliff faces. As Sasori of the Red Sand had warned them, several shinobi at the entrance diligently checked in the comings and goings.
Konan lifted her hat, wiping the sweat off her face as they approached the Sand nin. She imagined they looked like strange weary travelers, covered in grime and dust.
"Welcome to Sunagakure." Said a young kunoichi as she approached them. Her smile was bright, and her forehead protector glinting in the sun, making Konan squint. "Identification and reason for visiting?"
Tobi reached into his cloak, passing over a scroll with a broken seal. "Invitation from the Kazekage." He said coolly in his deep-set Madara voice. "Akatsuki."
The woman unfurled the scroll, eyes narrowing as she quickly scanned the document. Her pale brown eyes flicked up, scrutinizing them both in suspicion. "Just a moment please."
They waited patiently. Konan's fingers twitched against the paper shuriken tucked against her thigh. Getting into other villages set her on edge. Establishing mercenary work was her least favorite task. She watched anxiously as the Kunoichi showed the document to two of her comrades. They all glanced at the pair, talking under their breaths. Konan strained to hear but she couldn't with the strong winds and clatter of people moving through the village entrance. The woman nodded furiously and saluted her comrade before she walked back over, a smile back on her face.
She handed the scroll back to Obito. "Sorry about that. Just needed to confirm the Kazekage is expecting you. Follow me in, it sounds like your accommodations have already been prepared. You'll get a village escort too, he's been alerted of your arrival and will meet you at your lodgings."
As Konan walked through the tall and narrow portal into the perpetually sunny village of Suna, she couldn't help but feel the tense stares of the frowning shinobi. She knew they were not excited to see them. The Land of Wind's Daimyō had a lot of issues with the Hidden Sand - as of late, they had been exporting work to Konoha and mercenaries. Mercenaries like them. She wondered if they had heard rumors of Sasori of the Red Sand becoming an Akatsuki member. Perhaps not, he had been operating a low profile since joining, waiting out the fresh memory of his crimes in the guise of a puppet shell.
The inside of the village matched the outside, its crumbling adobe buildings shaped like rock formations and dunes. The citizens of Sungakure milled about their daily grind, wearing gauzy loose clothing and head wraps to shield them from the harsh desert sun and winds.
The Sand kunoichi walked them through dense narrow streets until they reached a part of town that had more impressive terra-cotta buildings with palm-lined terraces, sparkling pools, and tall razor-edged gates. "We're here." The shinobi chirped as they stopped in front of a nice hotel with antique-looking architecture and a large fountain gracing the entrance. Konan was impressed, she didn't think they'd get any special treatment. They must know enough about the Akatsuki to garner their favor. "Your escort will be here a bit later to take you to headquarters, please enjoy your stay in our village." She bowed before vanishing into a plume of smoke.
"Well, this is nice." Hummed Konan.
They checked in, courtesy of the Kazekage, and Konan sighed in relief as she entered her cool-aired room. It would be weird if they were given one room, Konan felt a mix of disappointment and relief that she got her own private space for the first time on their mission. She wondered if he would find an excuse to knock on her door like he did at the Tower.
At this point Konan decided she didn't give a fuck if Obito would invite himself in, she was so grimy and uncomfortable that she needed to bathe, but she cursed herself as she followed protocol and swept the room for any wired devices. After about half an hour she was confident that there were none, and feeling stickier than ever, she began removing all her clothing and jumped in the shower. Ah, plumbing, how she had taken it for granted. Konan scrubbed the dust and dirt from every inch of her body. The water was frigid and it refreshed her senses. She stepped out of the shower as a renewed, alert woman and was slightly surprised to see redness across her cheeks. She had already been sunburned, figures, being a woman from a constantly rainy country. Konan pulled out a mini kunoichi-issued skirt and her tight halter top, her summer weather clothing. As she dressed she wondered if she could get her hands on a light gauzy robe like the villagers wore to protect themselves from the intense rays, they looked so breathable and nice.
Konan heard a gentle knock at the door, she smiled to herself in excitement. "Come in."
Obito slinked in, finding Konan leaning over the counter in the mirror, carefully reapplying her makeup.
"You cleaned up nice." Commented Obito, playfulness in his voice. She looked over, noticing his damp hair. He was also in a good mood after showering. She then remembered the note he had given her and her face turned hot, quickly turning back to the mirror pretending she wasn't having dirty shower thoughts.
"I'm presentable now, hm?" She chided, glancing at him through the mirror's reflections.
"Ah. You always are." He neared her, standing directly behind her, his chest almost making contact with her back. She smiled at their reflection in the mirror, admiring their height difference and the way his presence cocooned her form. She twisted, reaching up and pushing his mask to the side to reveal his sly grin.
They studied the pair that reflected back at them. Konan's heart fluttered, for a slight moment, they looked like a proper couple instead of two shinobi on an important diplomatic mission. Obito's dark eyes met hers through the mirror, his face softened. "I'm glad you're here with me." He remarked.
"Me too." She stepped away, snapping her makeup case closed. It was getting late in the day, and she heard of the Hidden Sand's infamous desert sunsets.
"Suna." Commented Konan, crossing the room to push aside the curtain to admire the deep hues of golds, reds, and purples that painted the sky. He followed her to the window. "Everything is beautiful but so dry and dusty."
"You'd rather step in rain puddles."
She turned around, smiling at that. "Almost."
He ran a strand of her hair between two of his fingers. "Your hair matches the sky." He leaned forward, inhaling her scent, burying his hand into her lavender tresses. She was full of butterflies. She tilted her head, meeting him for a kiss. Desire was instantly reignited in her core-
"Ah, what have we here?"
They both jumped away from each other like cats being hit with a bucket of water. Desire extinguished, all joy left Konan's features as she watched Zetsu's spore-ass float in from the floor.
"I see your mission is going well." White Zetsu commented with a smarmy smile.
Obito re-adjusted his mask over his face, probably to hide his pissed-off expression. He stepped away from Konan, folding his hands behind his back, clearing his voice. "Glad to see you made it."
Konan put her hand on her hip, making her discontent known. "Zetsu." She greeted coldly.
"We don't have much time before we meet with the Kazekage." Obito said curtly. "Tell me what you've learned."
"I have intel." Black Zetsu gruffed, going straight to business. "We discovered the old Jinchūriki is long dead."
"That monk or whatever?" Mused Obito.
"Yes. One-tail is now in the Fourth Kazekage's son."
Obito scratched his chin in thought. "Interesting. They have been keeping this secret well within this village. And any insight on what we will be walking into tonight?"
"Hidden Sand's resources and economy have been in a slow decline. Kazekage Rasa is desperate to secure more high-tech opportunities to better their shinobi pipelines. He's been working on a long-term plan to stabilize the relationship between Land of Wind and this village. They'll want our skills to illegally secure resources from other territories. Artillery. Better grade ninja weaponry. Jujutsu scrolls. They don't have good intel and their shinobi aren't skilled enough to intercept trade."
"And the Kazekage himself? I'm not familiar with the Fourth, though I know of his gold dust technique."
"I wouldn't describe him as beloved by his people." White Zetsu offered with a dark chuckle. "Serious man, very concerned with money. Not nearly as influential as the Third, there's a lot of pressure to fill his predecessor's shoes. From what I saw, you'll need to get through his right hand, Koga Kaii, and his board of counselors. But Koga will likely be the one negotiating with you."
"If that's the case we have plenty of opportunities to extend our services to help them compete with the other villages. This win will be monumental for the Akatsuki's success, it's imperative we retain an alliance to keep tabs on One-Tail. Konan, you understand what needs to be done?"
"Leverage our resources to establish a mercenary-serviced relationship with Suna. Got it."
"Excellent work Zetsu." Obito said with a tone of appreciation. "Konan and I can take it from here. Do me a favor and check in with our mercenary teams and base. I'll summon you if we need backup."
"Of course my Lord."
"You two behave now." White Zetsu exclaimed with a waggle of his eyebrow as he sank back into the floor and out of existence.
Konan scoffed. "He doesn't ever knock, does he?"
"No." Obito snorted, equally annoyed. He caressed Konan's face, his thumb dragging across her bottom lip. "I'm going to return to my room and wait for this escort. We'll play later." He purred quietly, making her blush.
"Is there anything else I need to do tonight to ensure our success?" She suddenly asked as he opened the door.
He looked over his shoulder. "No. You'll do great like you always do. Just don't get kidnapped."
She flipped him off, fighting a smile as she heard him chuckle beneath his mask.
…..
Suna's headquarters sat inside a large bulbous-looking building that towered over the rest at the heart of the village. It was as wide and squat compared to her Tower headquarters which was narrow and tall. She and Obito followed their jounin-level escort through the tiled plaza. Thankfully he didn't care much for conversation. Konan shivered, she wished she brought her cloak but Obito insisted they arrive without their Akatsuki gear. He wanted them to come off as more approachable and not to raise suspicion amongst the skittish council of the Hidden Sand, who was open but no doubt suspicious of the black and red clouds upending the shinobi underworld.
She didn't know if they looked that much approachable without their signature cloaks anyways. He looked formidable and polished in all black. She supposed she matched him in her dark ensemble, albeit exposing more than enough skin to the chilling breeze. She forgot desert climates get cold at night. She would've worn her winter thermal if it wasn't so dirty from travel.
Konan and Obito walked side by side into the Kazekage's terf, feeling all the eyes on them as people paused to look and whisper. She ignored the stares, looking ahead to the large archway flanked by statues of past Sand heroes, opening into the main lobby.
"We're here." Announced the escort sternly, turning on his heel and shoving his circular sunglasses up his nose.
Konan's thoughts dissipated as they rounded the corner of a hallway and into the Kazekage's office. Konan didn't know exactly what she was expecting, perhaps something a little more..flamboyant for the powerful village but she was surprised to find a fairly utilitarian setup. Nondescript furniture, sparse decorations-save for a potted plant, and a large map of the Shinobi world. A plain broad desk neatly stacked with papers. Everything was a dusty shade of beige and brown, even the few people standing beside the Kazekage's desk, looked at them expectantly.
Her eyes narrowed to the figure in the tall desk chair. He swiveled around to face them, revealing a relatively young man with a mop of red hair and a firmly set grimace with eyes that stood out with a smudge of black eyeliner, a common detail among Sand peoples. His lips twitched as if he was trying to appear pleasant but he was far too stern to look remotely charming. Fourth Kazekage Rasa.
"The Akatsuki," He said, his voice carrying easily across the room. "Welcome."
…..
Obito abhorred world leaders. He could deal with them thanks to Madara, but if it was up to him just killing them off would be easier than navigating the complex political minefield. They always took themselves way too seriously with a heavy dose of narcissism and stick-up-the-ass syndrome from being at the top of the food chain, and hungry for more. He should know, he's been pretending to be one of the greatest shinobi leaders there ever was. He was glad his dream of being Hokage died as soon as his eyeball was plucked from his skull by Rin. Being a leader meant to kill or be killed. The burden felt so heavy on his shoulders. By the constipated look on the Kazekage's face, it appeared he felt the same.
"Thank you for inviting us here." Konan said with a respectful bow. She had her armor up, a soft but indifferent expression on her face. "I'm Konan, and this is my comrade Tobi."
Three people stood around the Kazekage's desk, a shinobi with short gleaming white hair, another with a large club stepped to his back, and two older people with gauzy head wraps and similar flowing robes. One of them, an older woman, looked unimpressed, her hands on her hips. "The Akatsuki, huh? You weren't what I expected you to look like." She muttered, adding a 'so young'under her breath.
Rasa nodded towards the woman. "This is Lady Chiyo, head of the Puppet Brigade. And my other counselor Hataka Ita. They both sit on Sunagakure's council."
Lady Chiyo? His eyes shifted to the petite grandmother. Ah yes, the sister counterpart of the infamous Honoured Siblings. She was legendary for her poison work and puppetry in the Third Shinobi war. Even he had heard about her as a genin.
"And I'm Koga Kaii." Piped up the young white-haired man with a brilliant smile, clasping his fist and bowing. "The Fourth's best friend and right hand…mostly best friend though."
Raza rubbed at his brow in mild irritation, standing up. "We'll start our official negotiations tomorrow before we introduce our deal to the rest of my council. For now, Koga-san here will take care of you and anything you need."
"Yup, and we'd love to have you stay for dinner. We have an excellent in-house chef here." Obito noticed Koga was specifically looking at Konan.
"We accept." Konan said with a slight smile. Obito nodded in agreement, ready to play the game. That and he was ravished from the journey. The dinner invitation was unexpected, but a good sign, they were anxious for the Akatsuki's help.
Their brief meeting adjourned. Koga and Rasa casually walked with them down to the banquet hall, the elder counselors opted to retire for the night, not keen on getting to know the Akatsuki with bottles of sake present. Somehow Obito found himself next to the Kazekage, while Konan was ahead with Koga.
Koga looked entranced by Konan at first sight. Fucking idiot. Thought Obito, watching the way he drooled over her. Perhaps his plan to bring Konan was already working too well.
Obito strained to hear their conversation.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Konan-chan."
His mouth pressed into a thin line. Konan-chan? Really?
"Nice to meet you too." He heard her reply steadily.
"Have you ever had our food before?"
"No, I haven't."
"I always say we have the hottest weather and even hotter foods." He said with a laugh. "Our people though, not so much."
She shrugged awkwardly with a polite chuckle. "Oh, I doubt that."
"No, it's true!" He insisted flirtatiously. He gestured to her hair. "We don't have people with such lovely hair colors such as yours."
"Did you journey here alright? The sand storms have been frequent lately." Rasa bellowed next to Obito.
Obito snapped out of it, gritting his teeth as he unwillingly turned his attention away from watching Konan. "We managed." He replied shortly.
Rasa nodded. Obito noticed the darkness under his eyes. "I've heard from many sources of the Akatsuki's skill and success. Village Hidden in the Stone has had an advantage with your services."
Obito almost smirked. Subtle. "We've been doing well, but by no means can the Hidden Stone fill our pockets. We're an elite group of nin who are eager to work across borders."
"You've worked with Konoha as well?"
Obito paused at the mention of his Village. He then recalled what Zetsu had informed them, the Sand was losing work to the Leaf. "No, nor do we plan on it."
Rasa squinted slightly like he was pleased by the response "I appreciate you coming here upon my request."
"Of course Kazekaga-sama, we look forward to building a relationship with you."
…..
Konan breathed in the cool air, fanning her cheeks as she stood on the balcony overlooking the village. She was nervous and had ended up drinking too much sake. What didn't help is that dinner was just as spicy as Koga had promised, the heat in her food made her guzzle her alcohol.
She left the men in there, finishing their dinners, talking about the political state of the shinobi world. She wasn't surprised Obito managed to eat discreetly with the slightest move of his mask. She had also observed some food vanish into thin air off his plate. After she had noticed it happen before, many times over the years, she finally figured out that he used his jutsu to get food into his mouth. It was ridiculous just as much as it was impressive.
"Hey."
She turned around, hoping to see Obito but instead Koga came into view.
She frowned. He was good-looking and charming. She wasn't expecting him to be so pleasant next to the high-strung Kazekage. But she was uncomfortable with what it would mean in terms of negotiations. These men never could leave her alone. She turned back around to roll her eyes to the moon.
Koga grinned as he joined her side. "You're one of those kunoichi aren't you?"
Konan glanced at him. "What do you mean by that?"
"I noticed how tense you were at dinner. All business. No fun. Just relax, you don't have to follow mission protocol every second you're here."
"Are you really questioning my priorities, the Kage's right hand?" She was miffed, she didn't think she was that stand-offish during the dinner.
He let out a chuckle. "Trust me, it's not as high stakes as you think. We need you more than you need us."
She flashed an amused look. At least he wasn't completely clueless about the situation.
He leaned towards her. "You probably get this all the time, but you're really hot."
The Rain nin tensed for a moment, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking away from his bright eager eyes. "Thanks." She deadpanned, voice flat and laced with as much indifference she could muster.
"You wanna head to my place?" He propositioned, his voice going low, lightly touching her shoulder to call her attention back to him. "You know, relax a little bit more."
"I ah-um" Her eyes went wide at the bold invitation, inwardly panicking as she realized he had cornered her. She was caught off guard.
"Konan, it's time for us to return."
The interruption was welcomed. She took the opportunity to shrug off his hand, turning to see Obito leaning against the doorway, arms crossed. "Tobi-san!" She turned to Koga and pretended to smile apologetically as relief washed over her like a breaking wave. "Sorry, I'll see you tomorrow."
He simply grinned and stepped out of her way, as if he wasn't annoyed that his plans got derailed. "I look forward to it, Konan."
She practically ran across the balcony. Obito lazily stood up, purposefully standing in front of Konan as if he was shielding her.
"Apologies for whisking her away," Tobi said in his graceful, velvety demeanor. "I know she's excellent company, but we have some reports we need to work out still. We look forward to negotiations tomorrow."
The pit of Konan's stomach dropped to her core at his blatant passive aggression. She sensed the tension between the men. Koga's eyes purposefully flickered between them, intrigued. She realized that Obito was being territorial. Did he not trust Koga ? Or perhaps…he's jealous?
"Of course." Koga bowed. "Have a good night."
They bid their goodbyes, Obito making sure Konan was close to him as they walked out into the plaza where they awaited their assigned Sand jounin. Once they stepped into the night a strong wind picked up, Konan shivered.
"What are you doing?!"
Obito shrugged off his jacket, handing it to her. "You're cold."
She bit her lip wanting to protest but she couldn't find it in her. She accepted the jacket, feeling jittery as the scent of pine and smoke hit her senses. "Thank you."
She wanted to know his intentions. Finally, she asked, "So do we really have reports, or did you just say that to break me out of there?"
"Both. Though what we have to work out won't need pen or paper."
Her face went hot, suddenly she couldn't look in his direction. "I don't know what you mean by that."
"You know exactly what I mean by that."
Before Konan could retort, their escort appeared before them to take them back to their rooms. They were silent the entire way back, Konan knew anything that came out of their mouths would be reported directly to the Kazekage. No matter though, she was lost in her thoughts, yet too aware of the man beside her. She hugged his jacket tighter around her shoulders, glancing at how the street lights outlined Obito's defined muscles under his tight long sleeve shirt. She was all butterflies. She was dying to know what was going on in that mind of his, and what he had planned for them. Even when it came to intimacy, he was a strategist.
Konan couldn't deny it, she wanted to devour him.
Or be devoured.
…..
Author's Note: Finally…the sexual tension is properly addressed! What a difficult chapter to write! So much choreography! When writing out intimate scenes I realize it's hard for me to stick to only one point of view (Obito's in this case), I decided to let my writing flow naturally through ObiKonan's first time together, it felt right to sort of sit in between both their perspectives. Hope it paid off..
&Y'ALL. We are now nearing the crescendo of the story, so crazy!
Thanks for sticking with me. Anyone else's life picking up speed? I finally got some time to sit down and smash out some major upcoming scenes. So excited to crush ur hearts~ (Just kidding…maybe not) :P
Beta-read by the amazing Aishwarya!
-LL
