Konan awoke that morning to the soft touch of sunlight shining through her small bedroom window. Sure, she didn't like the sun, but at least it supplied her with warmth. Most of the Akatsuki were cold-feeling people. This especially applied to Pein, whose deva-path body didn't produce heat. At times, the world could naturally warm his skin, but usually, he was either cold or room temperature.
Konan's book hat she'd been reading last night laid on her lap. She picked it up, folding the page backwards to represent where she'd stopped. She sat it on her bedside table, careful not to crush the origami creatures that she had placed there.
After taking a quick shower, she headed into the kitchen. Konan knew far too well that she would need to make the Akatsuki's breakfast. She got out a few ingredients and began to cook.
_ _ _
As Konan set out the plates, she was careful not to set ones out for Tobi and Deidara. She looked at the shining plates, grimacing at how bright they were. It was a sign of how stressed she'd been in the previous day.
It brought pain to her eyes, seeing the number of plates decrease. As more and more Akatsuki members died, the brighter the platters shined. Today, only seven plates were set on the table.
Hen the guys all entered, breakfast was set. They sat where they usually sat. No one said a word when Konan exited the dining room with two plates.
_ _ _
Pein sighed, finishing his paperwork. He heard a knock on his door. It was soft and petite. Smiling for only a moment, he sat up in his chair. "Come in." he said quietly.
Pein felt joy run through the veins of Yahiko's body as Konan walked in. She really did deserve the title of "God's Angel". She was a beautiful creature surrounded by miles of hatred and sadness.
She quietly set Pein's breakfast on his desk, sitting down with her own plate. She walked as if she was floating. Her movements were always graceful, as if she'd never tripped a single time in her life.
They ate in silence for a while. After they'd finished though, they were both equally eager to talk to one another. The two had learned to find comfort in one another's presence.
Konan was the first to bring up the subject at hand. "Have you heard any news of Deidara and Tobi?" she asked worriedly. She treated the guys as if she was their mother, always checking up on things.
Pein shook his head in the direction that Konan wasn't hoping for. "Not yet. Some of our Anbu black-ops did say that they left the village safely, though." he informed her.
Konan frowned. "How long are you giving them to get back?" she asked.
Pein looked up at the clock. "If they're not back by midnight tonight, I'll send out a team of rescue ninja." he said.
Konan's frown sunk lower. She didn't think he could handle another team member dieing. They were her family. Well, at least the closest thing she had to one.
Pein, desperate to change Konan's sour mood, grabbed the bird that Konan had made for him yesterday. It had been sitting on his desk, making him smile whenever he looked at it. He set it in his right hand, while caressing it with his left.
Pein traced his finger around the paper wings. He showed her appreciation this way, by paying attention to her origami. He was one of the few people who truly saw how beautiful her art was. Pein thought that perhaps, if he showed her how much he appreciated the bird, that she'd be happier today.
Through the corner of his eye, Pein saw Konan's frown rise into a small smile. He fingered the creation some more, nearly giving himself a paper cut. That was something you had to be careful of when around Konan.
_ _ _
It was eleven p.m. now. Konan sat outside of the base, sitting on a frighteningly high ledge. It had become a habit that she'd developed from Pein, sitting upon high places that is. In fact, she almost did it more than Pein.
It was raining again tonight. Konan had taken the paper flower out of her hair, tucking it into her pocket. She'd neglected to tell Pein that she was outside, but that didn't matter. This was natural rain, not the type that Pein created.
Konan didn't mind the fact that she couldn't see anything, not to mention that ice-cold rain was pelting her like bullets. She preferred this, as apposed to waiting for Tobi and Deidara inside the base.
The rain was pouring so hard now, that Konan couldn't hear anything over the loud noise. She was being beaten by freezing rain in the dark, yet she was okay with that. 'What kind of an angel has no common sense?' she thought to herself.
Konan felt the chilling feeling of a tear run down her flushed cheek. She had far too many things running around in her head. After all, tomorrow was the anniversary of her parent's death.
She'd met many people who'd gone through this type of thing, but no one seemed to have a story that impacted their lives as much s she did. Pein's story was far worse than hers, but he blocked it all out. She, on the other hand, thought about it often.
A loud "whoosh" could barely be heard through the rain. Konan watched as Deidara and Tobi flew into the base on Deidara's giant clay bird. They didn't seem to notice her, so Konan didn't bother hiding her face.
Konan felt more tears run down her face. Not able to contain her sadness, Konan's tears turned into wild sobs. She pulled her knees to her chest, and hid her face in her hands. Her shoulders shook. Now she was cold, wet, and crying out in the dark.
Konan sat there for quite a while. She nearly fainted when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up, shocked at what she saw.
There, out in the rain, was Pein. His rinnegan tainted eyes looked at her with worry. He had her by the shoulders.
"P-Pein . . ." Konan managed to get out. She felt another wave of tears run down her face.
"Konan, what are you doing out here?" asked Pein.
Konan wiped her eyes, not wanting Pein to see the tears. "I didn't want any of you to see." she choked out.
Pein took off his Akatsuki cloak, rapping it around Konan's shaky shoulders. "See what?" he asked.
Konan shivered. "See me crying." she murmured, looking down.
Pein sighed. "It's about tomorrow, isn't it?" he asked, helping her up. Konan didn't say anything, she just nodded.
She walked back into the base with Pein. The ginger-haired boy still had a hand on her shoulder, as if to guide her.
"You know, I'll be coming with you tomorrow." he told her.
Konan nodded, stopping at Pein's door. He was referring to the fact that she was going to visit her parent's gravesites tomorrow. "That means a lot to me, Pein." she said.
Pein nodded, opening his door. He almost shut it, but walked back out at the last second. He gathered Konan into a much-needed hug, breathing in her scent.
"Go take a shower, you must be freezing. Get some sleep tonight." he said, releasing her.
Konan nodded. She started of down the hallway. Once again, she heard Pein's voice call out to her.
"Konan?" called Pein.
Konan turned around. "Yes?" she asked.
Pein gave her a small smile. "Any time you start to cry, please don't hide. Just come to me." He told her.
End of chapter quote:
I am not my own,
For I have been made new,
Please don't let me go,
I desperately need you.-Meteor Shower, Owl City
