Nagato:
The harder Nagato tried to catch a moment of respite, the clearer it became for him that it was impossible to obtain, as if a dreamless slumber was a luxury reserved only for these few of us of pure heart and soul. After what felt like an eternity of nightmarish endeavour, the white-haired man finally gave up, leaving his bed instantly. A glance he paid towards the digital clock hanging on the nearby wall only made him angrier - it was 4:32 a.m. But, instead of complaining, the violet-eyed man decided to head out and train a little, seeking a way to calm down.
Typically, Nagato would have used the gym he had built on the ground floor. However, given that Konan decided to stay throughout the night, he decided to utilise the less equipped one located two levels below the surface. Not caring all that much about his appearance, he took some loose clothes before exiting the bedroom. After all, it was highly likely that his friend had little to no trouble falling asleep.
Whilst descending through the stairways, the white-haired man reminded himself to take some water alongside. Given his rather grave mood, it was inevitable for him to start throwing punches and picking extreme exercises that would bring him close to collapsing. Still, there was a remedy for this absurd and rigorous approach – it would forcefully erase everything from his mind except the incoherent thoughts regarding the pain and exhaustion.
Stepping into the gym was akin to making a promise – I would not give up. Driven by his inner hardly controllable rage, Nagato knew he would give his 110% like always.
Konan:
For the past four years, Konan had never slept outside her bed, her apartment. Waking up in a completely different environment felt surreal initially, but after a few seconds, the woman realised it was only a lie she had been telling herself. As Nagato had related her, the guest room – or rather her room – was tidy, prepared to suit her needs. Surprisingly enough, the sheets as soft as velvet were changed seemingly the previous day, still preserving a strong yet slowly fading away scent of lilies. It was a pleasant finding that only quickened the process of her falling asleep.
It took her more than a few minutes to finally leave the warmth of the bedding. Even though it was still a relatively early morning – her smart band displayed 7:41 a.m. – she needed to keep moving. After all, her usual plan was rather packed, leaving only as much free time as she needed to catch a breath.
Looking with visible dismissive towards her yesterday's clothes, Konan headed towards a massive wooden wardrobe, hoping to find something decent in it. However, what she saw there exceeded her expectations entirely. It seemed that Nagato decided to fill it half-way with clothing he knew she liked. Looking through them, the navy-haired woman's jaw dropped, realising that most-if-not-all of these were branded. How much did you pay for them, Nagato – she wondered. Nonetheless, she decided to use what her friend had provided her with.
Konan sighed, shocked and embarrassed simultaneously. Of course, she did not want to upset Nagato by rejecting such a generous gesture, yet the discovery made her feel weird. Still, not wanting to waste any more time, she picked the most casual pieces she could find, putting them on without as much as a glance. They fit her perfectly, as expected, but she did little to acknowledge it, heading toward the exit as soon as possible.
For a brief moment, the navy-haired woman wondered whether to call her friend. Yet, the idea was ultimately discarded. Without much consideration, she strolled through the house, wondering where to find the white-haired man. Considering the relatively early hour, perhaps the kitchen would be the best first guess. Hence, Konan virtually sprinted there, expecting to see Nagato. But in reality, she only found a short piece of paper in the middle of the stone table.
Konan,
I am grateful for what you did yesterday. Yet, considering the ungodly hour you fell asleep, please take today off. I made breakfast for you; you can find it in the fridge. But if you want something else, please use everything you see there or order something that suits your needs. There is a box with a credit card in your room – you know the passcode. I will be home late. So, if we do not see eye to eye – have a nice day.
Nagato
The woman's grey eyes scanned the paper more than a dozen times, yet she still found herself baffled. Then, when a full minute elapsed, she clenched her fists. How come she did not notice Nagato's insomnia worsening over time? The previous embarrassment was quickly replaced by sheer anger – it flared through her body like a raging fire. He was her oldest and dearest friend, and yet, once again, she had completely forgotten about him. Konan wanted to curse, to start hitting things, but in the end, she did absolutely nothing. She stood still, her eyes glued to the floor. She did not resist as her eyes slowly became glassy, allowing the tears to roll out, staining her flawless porcelain skin.
Nagato:
When the white-haired man finally reached the office level, it was nearing 6:30 a.m. Though he undoubtedly appreciated the calmness and emptiness associated with such an early hour, he knew it would not last much longer. As the lift wings slowly parted, revealing the all too familiar corridor, his sharp eyes noticed something, or rather someone, he had not expected to see. A tall, relatively young man with raven-down hair strolled through the passage. Considering he held a mug in his left hand, his destination was the kitchen and most certainly the coffee machine. As the black-haired man had his back turned to Nagato, he could not have noticed his arrival. Nevertheless, the leader decided to talk with Itachi. After all, Uchiha had not been in the office for the past few weeks, handling a rather complex – and well-paid – assignment an anonymous client had commissioned. With a semblance of a goal in mind, the white-haired man pushed forward, catching up with his colleague in no time.
"Good morning, Itachi," Nagato greeted.
"Morning, boss," the latter replied, turning his head to the side. "I see you finally decided to use lenses, huh?" he commented, visibly exhausted.
"Konan got me these a few days ago," the leader said, replaying the memories associated with that day for a brief moment. "She told me that many people are scared of my eyes."
"It is reasonable."
"Yes, I know," Nagato agreed, nodding. "What did you return? I take the mission was successful?"
"A few hours ago," Itachi sighed, lazily scratching his nape. "The mission is concluded, but the area will be hot for a few more days if not months. Reznov had a few friends covering his ass. Because of that, the whole mission's briefing was virtually thrown into a bin. I needed to come up with a plan on the fly. Hence, it took this long."
"It happens sometimes," the white-haired man said quietly. "What about your sight? Any progress?" he inquired, switching his tone to reflect his concern.
"Eh," a heavy sigh filled the silence. "Unfortunately, it is slowly getting worse over time," Uchiha responded reservedly.
"I take you have not been able to find a doctor who would help you with the matter?" Nagato asked in a rhetorical manner. "Would you allow me to help you?"
"I fear … there is no remedy for me."
"You see your situation in dark colours, Itachi," the leader commented. "I think it is worth trying. After all, I do not picture you as the type of guy who would give up and die. So, allow me to handle the matter."
"Very well," the raven-haired man sighed. "But boss, please do not try to take pity on me. I can still perform my duties."
"I will take it into consideration. Nonetheless, I would like you to take a few days off to rest after the mission."
"I see. How is your schedule today, boss?"
"Hmm," the white-haired man hummed, thinking briefly. "I have nothing scheduled for today. Truth be told, I came to the office to calm down. What is on your mind?"
"I would like to have a coffee. But … after this, I would like to train with you."
"Very well."
Nagato:
The training session ended around lunchtime. Considering its intensity, one could have guessed it was concluded due to sheer exhaustion – and it would be a partially correct assumption. Yet, the other part was Nagato receiving a text message from Obito. Apparently, the man responsible for the organisation's intel had something exceptionally interesting – something that could not be postponed.
The leader slowly made his way back towards the office level without as much as an ounce of excitement. If the situation was any different, he might have followed Itachi's example. Uchiha had already left the building, mentioning venturing further into the city in search of something intriguing to eat. However, as much as it pained him, it was not really the case. Obito, or rather Tobi – as he was known by most Akatsuki members – rarely visited the office, opting to waste as little time as possible. So, it was only logical to prioritise his meeting requests. After all, he was on the field much more frequently than most of them.
As Nagato expected, he found Obito sitting comfortably in the leader's office, slowly sipping a greenish-looking alcohol – it was most likely an herbal liqueur. If the violet-eyed man's sight was any good, his colleague had poured himself at least a few fingers of the liquid. He instantly shook his head – trying to keep tabs on everything, and everyone was a bad habit. Tobi always wore an orange mask that covered his entire face. Underneath it, disfigured, ashen-coloured, and dried skin was hidden – a result of his ruthless youth, he had once mentioned. Other than that, at first glance, he looked like a typical man in his thirties.
"Hello," Tobi greeted the leader, raising the glass he held in his left hand.
"Hey," Nagato replied, approaching the informant. "What have you dug?"
"More than I would have liked," the orange-masked man replied mysteriously, taking another sip. "On top of some shady stuff that is too boring to bring up, I have learned that Reznov will be in Munich tonight. Considering it is not far from here, it gives us a shot at silencing him. I know it all sounds too convenient to be a coincidence, yet I think we should take the chance as it is presented," he explained, unbuttoning the top button of his dark blue shirt.
"Unfortunately, everyone is on the mission," the violet-eyed commented, taking a clean glass from the wardrobe. "If we were to try to kill him tonight, I would have to go alone," he added, pouring himself a little over a finger of whiskey.
"What about Konan and Itachi?"
"Konan is off today," the leader responded calmly, trying to get over the searing sensation as he sipped from his glass. "As of Itachi … he only returned from a complex and dangerous mission. Considering his health condition, it would be unwise to push him further. Do not try to look surprised, Obito. We both know the truth."
"Very well," the masked man sighed heavily. "So … I assume this whole effort will be wasted?"
"Do not play this card," Nagato commented. "I will deal with this nuisance. But … I will only attempt it as I appreciate your work," he added, knowing fully well it was Tobi's plan all along.
"Attempt?" Tobi chuckled. "I would have thought that you are more than capable of handling such missions."
"Is there any point in this mockery?" the violet-eyed man asked, already exhausted from the conversation. "If not, then please tell me everything you know, as I need time to prepare for this challenge."
"With pleasure, partner," Obito decided to continue the mockery.
Nagato:
The midnight was nearing when Nagato parked in the underground garage. He was beyond exhausted, yet he had more things to deal with. As his heavy exhale raised and slowly faded away into nothingness, the man finally gathered his wits to call the informant. He knew he should have called earlier, but considering the chaotic nature of this mission, it must have been postponed.
"I take the mission was successful," Obito's voice sounded after a few moments.
"Not exactly," Nagato said reservedly. "It was not Reznov but one of his doppelgangers. I have killed him and covered any traces of my presence, but I could not learn the Russian's current location," he continued, explaining briefly.
"That does not bode well," a quiet comment sounded. "Nonetheless, good job, partner. It seems I need to start from the ground zero – fucking Russian scum."
"Contact me when you catch his trail," the white-haired man said, sighing. "But … for now, I need to take some rest. If you need anything, call me tomorrow," he added, hanging up.
Groaning slightly, Nagato exited the vehicle, picking up the heavy bag containing the equipment he used that night. Carrying this burden was a hellish chore, he concluded. Given his strained muscles, he would have liked to postpone it, but it would have been foolish. Hence, occasionally complaining under his breath, he marched towards the elevator, unwittingly turning on the internet connection on his mobile. Yet, it only took a moment for the man to regret this subconscious decision, as he was flooded with dozens, if not hundreds of notifications. Too tired to handle this workload, he decided to look through them all once comfortably situated in his bed.
Once the elevator wing swung open, something crashed at him, forcing him to stumble backwards. At first, he had no idea what happened, but as a familiar scent hit his nostrils, the mystery resolved itself. Konan caught him in a near bearhug, using all her strength as if trying to crash Nagato's bones. Unfortunately, the navy-haired woman touched his right side, causing a scorching wave of pain to run through his bruised frame. He failed to muffle a slight groan, unprepared for the sudden situation.
"Have you been shot?!" his childhood friend asked immediately, concern filling her voice.
"It is good to see you too, Konan," Nagato joked, trying to cover a nasty grimace. "I thought you had left earlier. After all, you told me you would only stay for a night. Something has happened?" he inquired, changing the topic.
"Don't you dare to switch the topic!" Konan commented, slightly angered. "So … have you been shot?" she repeated.
"Yes, two bullets clipped my right side," the violet-eyed man replied. "Do not worry, though; I patched them up."
"Let me see," the woman requested, pulling him towards the nearest restroom.
Nagato's fatigued mind had problems catching up, seemingly registering only fragmentally, not to mention with delay. To him, it was a fleeting moment before his friend forced him to enter some room – potentially a restroom - he concluded. Then, she removed his turtleneck, anger and concern mixing on her beautiful face. It was a dangerous yet intoxicating mixture that the white-haired man found appealing. However, it was only a matter of time before Konan noticed blood staining his side. Without wasting a moment, her delicate fingers grabbed the hems of his tee, pulling it up and revealing the wounds. The navy-haired woman's scowl deepened, but she had no time for petty anger – she needed to act. The makeshift bandages were removed gently so as not to cause more than the bare minimum discomfort, and then a low and prolonged hiss sounded.
"You haven't removed the bullets?" Konan quietly asked.
"I did not have time for that luxury," Nagato replied, trying to soften the situation by flashing a reassuring smile. "Then … I forgot about it as I drove back from Munich," he mumbled.
"Why have you gone on a mission alone?"
"Obito played his cards well," another short answer was provided.
"Stay still," the ashen-eyed woman ordered, reaching out to the first-aid bag. "It's going to hurt," she informed her friend before attempting to pluck the shells from his flesh.
"Do your worst," the violet-eyed chuckled.
Removing the bullets took them a few moments. Even though Nagato clenched his jaw and fists, he remained mostly silent, only occasionally grunting. He took the whole procedure as if she was tending to a shallow flesh wound, which baffled Konan. She drenched a sponge once the projectiles were removed, cleaning the caked blood off the man's skin. She started stitching up the wounds only after being satisfied with the result.
"Thank you," a hallow-voiced sentence filled the air.
"Don't mention it."
"No … it needs to be said," Nagato replied. "Thank you for tending to my wounds, Konan. I greatly appreciate this," he added weakly.
Too preoccupied with the task on her hands, Konan initially did not notice a change in her friend's appearance. The last time she had seen him shirtless was shortly after Yahiko's death. Given the extent of his injuries, he had been weak, pale, and thin. However, what she currently could see was a near-miracle transformation. From a boy struggling with anorexia, he turned into a man with visible and appealing muscularity, at least in her eyes. As she continued staring mindlessly, she felt her cheeks reddening from sheer embarrassment, or so she reasoned. She hoped he did not notice it.
"You've been training since Yahiko's death?" Konan unwittingly questioned.
"Yes," the Akatsuki leader replied, putting his tee back on. "I blamed myself for his death. Hence, I swore I would never allow anyone dear to me to suffer or die."
"It wasn't your fault," the navy-haired woman reminded him for a thousandth time.
"You keep saying it, yet I can not stop."
"I've cooked a dinner for us," the ashen-eyed woman said, changing the topic. "Let's postpone this topic until we eat. What'd you say about that?"
"I would say it is a good idea," Nagato commented, flashing a smile.
"Then, come," Konan said, grabbing her friend's hand and leading him towards the kitchen.
Author's notes section:
[2023-08-24]: Hey, here is a preview of the story's next chapter. Please, bear in mind that it is, as mentioned, a preview. Some parts of it might not be included in the final release. I will try to finish this chapter as soon as possible. I would like to clean up some of the tasks in my schedule, and right now, there are many chapters queued there.
[2023-09-06]: Hey, I have a minor update for you. As a side note I think I will be able to finish the WIPs this week.
[2023-09-09]: Hey, I have managed to conclude the chapter. I'm deeply sorry if you find it a tad unpolished as I greatly struggle with writing emotional situations.
Don't forget to comment. I really appreciate your feedback.
Note that the dialogues written in italic are thoughts.
As always, I would like to thank you for everything. See you soon :)
Changelog:
[2023-08-24]: A preview has been released.
[2023-09-06]: A minor update applied, focused on enriching and progressing the piece.
[2023-09-09]: A major update applied, focused on completing the piece and progressing the story.
Info: I have included more stories in the schedule as I'm not 100% certain what I want to write next. Please, keep in mind that I might add or remove positions from the list. I might rewrite some of the older stories or extract some of the longer stories from `The story of one lost soul`.
Schedule:
- The broken heart (finish the WIP)
- My home is where my heart lies (finish the WIP)
- The shadows can be deceiving (new chapter)
- Hidden in the mountain's shadow (new chapter)
- The war call (new chapter)
- The rise of the Blood Moons' servants (new chapter)
- Black Diamond (new chapter)
- When the clock is ticking (Warhammer 40k new story)
- Sometimes it's just better not to know (new chapter)
- My home is where my heart lies (rewrite chapter 4)
- The heart not so cold (rewrite chapter 2)
- The family tree (revisit the previous chapters and apply adjustments)
- Will you look past my mistakes? (new chapter)
- The silence of the shackles (new chapter)
- The Prisoner of Your Eyes (new chapter)
- Lifetime of war (new chapter)
- Hope is the last one to die (new story in SW universe)
- Sometimes it's just better not to know (finish rewriting the second chapter)
- Life is full of surprises (new chapter)
- Exiled you say? (new chapter)
- Until my last breath (new chapter)
- The family tree (new chapter)
- The story of one lost soul (new chapter)
- See the world through my eyes (new chapter)
Bonuses' section:
A new story taking place in the Warhammer 40k universe.
Story of one lost soul: The war call: rewrite.
An entirely new story (possibly Akali x [Irelia, Syndra, Katarina]).
A new short story (Vi x Cait).
An entirely original story (possibly even two stories, one taking place in medieval times, the other in the far future)
Bleach story. (Byakuya x Yoruichi / ?)
Naruto story. (Neji x Hinata / Neji x TenTen / Nagato x Konan)
Fairy Tail story. (most likely Erza x Mira)
Maybe some Star Wars?
References:
*bonuses will be worked on when I don't feel like writing the chapters pointed out in the schedule :D
End of the author's notes section.