Konan woke up inside her room within the Akatsuki tower.

"Ooh, you're awake. You missed out on Obito bringing you to this room." Saiken said.

Konan sat up and looked around the room, everything was as she left it almost three months ago. However, there was a paper creature that almost looked humanoid with wings sitting on her dresser. It was quite the atrocity to her as she was an origami expert. She stood up and inspected it, the atrocity had a scent of ash and pine, "Obito..." She snickered at the horrible attempt at origami. But there was a note underneath the origami atrocity. She picked it up and began reading it.

"Konan, I'm not one for sweet words or words in general. But want you to know that I am sorry that I didn't do anything when I discovered that you were a jinchuriki. I had a bad run-in with the last jinchuriki of the three tails. I was with rage and fear when I learned of your status, I didn't know what to do. You becoming a jinchuriki was something that I never expected to happen which puts a damper on the Akatsuki's plans. Regardless your safety has relieved my troubled mind. If you're up for it would you want to talk? If so please come see me." There was a little bit extra. "Also, I'm not sure if you can tell but I tried my best to make an origami angel."

Konan looked at the origami tragedy and laughed audibly. Obito did care, in his own special way. A wide smile spread across Konan's face. Her heart fluttered thinking about what they'd talk about. Maybe it would involve taking the next step, physical love, or maybe even something else.

Obito sat on his bed, it was his quarters from before, just as empty and drab as it was originally. In all honesty, Obito never really needed a whole lot of sleep, and as such the room was seldom used.

Right now Obito had his mask in front of him, the mask represented his hidden identity and the path he'd taken. Because of this he could almost hear Madara's voice coming from it, and a Sharingan peering into his soul.

"Obito, just give in. The infinite Tsukoyomi is all you've ever wanted, it will grant all of your dreams and make them a reality. All that is required of you is to revive me and we'll seal all the tailed beasts."

The prospect of the infinite Tsukoyomi was something Obito wanted, it was what he pledged himself to. But now... he couldn't. The one thing that held him back was Konan. She was a star, no, the sun illuminating his world and there was no circumstance, no possible way, or universe where he would kill Konan to revive the ten tails. She was the only thing in this world to fight for.

In a moment of vulnerability, Obito had his guard down when Zetsu morphed through the ground.

"The last time we spoke you were trying to save Konan." The white half said.

"And now there's two Leaf Shinobi in the tower." The black half said.

The white half seemed curious about that, "Oh yeah, what's going on with that?"

Seeing Zetsu made Obito think back to his conversation with Nagato and what they planned on telling Zetsu. "Jiraiya wanted to come visit Nagato. I convinced the Hokage to send us on a diplomatic to talk to him about a partnership between the Hidden Rain and the Leaf."

The white seemed content but the black half did not, sceptical. It wasn't like Obito to incite a partnership between two villages, especially when it would mean that Nagato was a known entity to the Leaf.

"This better not interfere with the eye of the moon. Everything hinges on you."

Obito had a thought, "If I eliminate Black Zetsu, then I eliminate the last remaining piece of Madara. Setting me free from him. Or at least easing my conscience."

This wasn't something he ever planned for but he needed to do this now rather than later. "I have a question. You said you had a White Zetsu watching me most of the time, could I possibly ask to change its subject of interest?"

The white half was enthused, "Ooh, who do you wish to watch? A new love bird perhaps?"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi," Obito replied.

Zetsu stood up and out of the ground, the black half asking a question. "You wish to spy on the Hokage? Now that's something interesting."

In a swift moment, Obito activated his Sharingan and pulled Zetsu into Kamui. He had to be discreet about this, considering Jiraiya and Nagato were in the tower. He sucked himself into a Kamui soon after.

In the realm of Kamui, Black Zetsu was befuddled but not surprised at Obito's betrayal. Obito manifested and opened a second eye which was also a Sharingan, "Getting cold feet aren't we, Obito."

Obito was impassive, he would give the monster no emotion or remorse. "I can't go through with the infinite Tsukoyomi anymore, nor can I have you going around doing things for Madara's sake. I'll end your pathetic existence here and now."

Zetsu sensing danger, tried to flee by morphing into the ground but just before it could, it was engulfed in black flames.

Obito's left Sharingan had a different pattern as he shed tears of blood. This Sharingan was one Obito had stolen from Madara's corpse, it wasn't his but whose ever it once was awakened their Mangekyou and had an ability known as Amaterasu. The black flames it ignited would never stop until their target was nothing but cinders.

Obito deactivated his borrowed Sharingan and closed his eye. He watched with one eye as Zetsu clung to life. Obito knelt down to it and heard Black Zetsu's final words, "Mother..."

Zetsu was nothing but ash, dust, and a forgotten memory. One that would stay forgotten. Obito stood up and brushed himself off of any remnants of Zetsu. "Guess that's one less loose end no one will miss." He said to himself and sucked himself out of the dark and blocky dimension.

The first thing Obito saw when he returned to the real world was an open door. Alarm bells rang out in his brain as he turned around.

There in the darkness did he see those beautiful yet ethereal eyes. "I came to see you as you brushed off my conversation from earlier. But now I see the real you."

Obito took a moment before he walked toward the door and closed it. "What is it, Nagato?"

The Deva path was sitting on Obito's bed next to the orange mask. "Earlier I asked what happened in the Mist but you brushed me off. But now I'll ask a different question. How long have you and Konan been doing it?"

A flush formed on Obito's cheeks, "Woah, woah, woah. Me and Konan haven't been doing anything." He started fidgeting with his hair. "I mean she's a beautiful woman who could bend any man to her will if she wished. Not that I'm into that type of thing of course."

The Deva path stood up with the orange mask in hand, "Never mind. I've learned everything I needed to know." He walked by Obito placing the mask onto his chest. "Whatever romantic endeavors that go on between you and Konan are not my business. But know that no matter how powerful or how elusive you are I will find your weakness and exploit it if you hurt her. And if any harm comes to her on your watch then you can kiss our partnership goodbye."

He walked past Obito and grabbed onto the door knob.

"Nagato," Obito called out with his back turned. "Me and you both care for Konan, which means we'd rather take all the pain for her, physical and emotional. You and I haven't seen eye to eye on many things and we've held secrets from one another, but know that I will do everything in my power to protect her, even if it costs me my life." "On that, we can agree," the door opened and Obito put the orange mask on.

"Can I know the name of my friend's lover at the very least?"

He was slow to answer, he still wasn't used to hearing it, least of all from himself. "I was once called Obito. Obito of the Uchiha clan."

The Deva path continued, "I want to discuss the Akatsuki's plans tomorrow when you have time. And some other things."

"Very well, I'll see you then." He closed the door and could finally rest knowing that he rid the world of every bit of Madara. But there was something that he needed to do when he returned to the Leaf village, he had to apologize for what he'd done. But for now, he could dream with a conscience clear of any fears.

The next morning, Kakashi decided to make bacon and egg omelettes. Since they were guests in Nagato's home, he'd perform a gesture of goodwill by making food.

Everyone gathered in the den, small talk was exchanged between Jiraiya and his former students, and glances were shared between Konan and Obito.

Food was shared and eaten, except for the Deva path. He carried his plate into another room, he brought it back empty. Everyone seemed to understand except Kakashi, but it wasn't the biggest deal for him to know.

After breakfast Obito wandered off, and not too long after him, Konan did too. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they were going to the same place.

As Konan walked down the hallway of the barracks, she felt his gaze on her back. She turned and saw nothing, but she felt a presence in front of her. She knew it was him but she still wanted to tell him that he could never get the drop on him. Konan thrust a fist toward her front, it was blocked by a gloved hand.

Konan turned to face him and was surprised to see him without a mask, "You're..."

He shrugged, "I felt I didn't need to wear it. I'm just seeing you after all." Obito tried to grapple Konan and pin her down. But she struggled and wiggled from Obito's grasp.

Konan was now on Obito's shoulders and trying to choke him out with her legs and her pelvis. Normally he would have used Kamui or tried to smack his attacker against a wall. But in this instance, he couldn't decide what to do... with Konan's under region... in his face.

Due to Obito's indecisiveness, he fell on his back with Konan on top of him. Her canary eyes stared deeply into his own, a smirk on her face. "Looks like I win, Uchiha."

Obito would've said something if he didn't have such a view that left him breathless. Konan sat atop him, wearing a tight red shirt with blue leggings. The tight clothing made it so Obito could see Konan's breasts, leaving no room for imagination of what they looked like.

Konan laughed playfully, "What's wrong, cat got your tongue?" Her smirk was short lived as she felt something, Obito knew exactly what made her uncomfortable. They both shared the embarrassment, Konan in causing the issue and Obito in succumbing to it.

Obito looked away in embarrassment, "I'm really, really sorry..." His apologetic tone was both endearing and comedic to Konan considering this was their first time almost intimate. Maybe Konan would take advantage of the extra blood pumping into Obito's... Fifth appendage.

Konan bit her bottom lip, "You know, my bedroom is right there. I could help with your problem under the bridge."

Obito heard the invitation on repeat several times before he had an answer, "Are you sure? I don't think I'd be the greatest."

Konan understood his hesitancy. She arched back and moved her hands behind her, halting her from falling back. "It can't be bad if it's the first time for both of us."

Obito closed his eye, "I want to but I think it's too early. We've been seeing each other for less than two months."

Konan started grinding on Obito's crotch, which caused him to tense up and get harder. "You say that but your little buddy really wants it."

The sensation of Konan rubbing against him, if she kept going then he'd surely succumb to his carnal desire. "I..." Konan trailed a hand up Obito's leg until it reached his crotch. Konan gripped the outline in Obito's pants, this drove Obito over the edge.

With a beautiful woman like Konan on top of him, offering to relieve his pent up sexual desires only eluded that the time for denying this was over. He stood up and grabbed Konan before she could perceive his actions. She was startled to now being carried by the Uchiha. She looked at his expression and smirked, Obito had the face of wanting. And what he wanted was something that only Konan could give him.

He leaned forward with a sloppy kiss and after a moment both of them were enjoying it to it's fullest. The separation thereafter made both parties miss the kiss, but Obito wanted more. He carried Konan to her room and then both of them stripped away slowly.

Seeing Konan stripped of clothing was a moment of ecstasy, something that'd be engraved into his memory. "Obito," she said softly, "Wake up."

Obito was confused until he felt wet and ice cold.

Obito jolted forward and fell onto the floor off of a couch. His hair wet and water dripping from his mask. He looked up to see Konan looming over him, "You okay? You don't usually go to sleep that fast."

Obito was surprised to be in Konan's room, but then he remembered. "Oh, right." After breakfast Obito had gone to Konan's bedroom to wait for her as he wanted to talk instead of using another note. "How long was I out?"

Konan was holding a mug that was empty but was presumably what she used to wake him. "It's been twenty minutes since breakfast. And Nagato's been wanting to speak with you and I."

Obito got up and stretched, the joints of his natural body parts were aching. "Alright. Let's go then."

X

They met Nagato in the big open room where the real Nagato was stationed. He seemed to have an almost happy expression, then again all three of them were relieved that the six tails business was done and over with. But now was the aftermath.

"So, Uchiha, with one of the tailed beasts in our possession what is our next course of action?" Nagato asked.

Obito sighed, "I guess it's time I come clean." Konan was surprised to hear his voice in relation with Nagato. "My purpose and plan was never the same as yours but with Konan's safety and a betrayal I faced I feel it's time I speak the truth. I am, or was Madara's apprentice and before he died he entrusted me with his plan codenamed Eye of the Moon. It was a plan to revive a being known as the ten tails which could only be revived by sealing the nine tailed beasts into the Gedo statue."

Nagato's slight bit of happiness was just gone, he felt betrayed but he already knew Madara, or Obito was always playing with his own goal in mind. "Go on."

"The ten tails could then be absorbed into one's self and then the second stage could be enacted, the infinite Tsukoyomi. A world of dreams where everyone could live the life they wanted without death and despair. I wanted that more than anything and I would have done anything to achieve it." Though the mask hid his expression, his choice of words spoke volumes.

"But now it's not possible with Konan as a jinchuuriki. I recommend a different method if you wish to bring peace."

Nagato furrowed his brow, "And what would you suggest?"

Obito took his mask off and shook his head, "I have no answer. Peace doesn't just happen through one event, it's a multitude of events that shape peace. And if either of us wants to bring peace then we need to start somewhere small and build our foundation for peace, starting with the Leaf."

Obito's words made Nagato curious, "You want to start with an alliance between the Rain and Leaf? What's the point in the Leaf doing that when they could conquer it?"

"If neither side takes initiative then we won't know until we reach out a hand. The younger me knew that well, I thought it was childishness and innocence but in actuality it runs deeper. There will always be those who fight for whatever drives them, whether it be love, duty, avarice, or pride. But only a select few ever have the will to reach a hand out to your enemies."

Nagato looked at Obito but as the words came out he couldn't help but see him as Yahiko. Was this Yahiko's way of telling him to return to their once noble path? "He's just like Yahiko." He thought to himself. But he wasn't the only one, Konan felt much of the same. It reminded her of when she was under that genjutsu that made her see him as Yahiko. There were many similarities between the two, but Obito was a twisted version of himself originally. However, now there was just something about him that seemed to have changed and for the better. Konan smiled at Obito.

Nagato changed his expression it was a wary but optimistic look. "Alright, I will try."

Obito was thankful that his words at least changed Nagato's view a little. But now was the bad part. "There's one more thing I must tell you, Nagato."

Konan was curious, "Is everything alright, Obito?"

He glanced at Konan but knew that what he was about to say was going to make Nagato question his life, he looked Nagato dead in the eye. "The Rinnegan you possess aren't your own, they were Madara's. He placed them into you in hopes that I'd convince you into reviving him using a jutsu called Rinne rebirth. It would cost you your life but he would be resurrected to his youth."

Nagato who had thought he was special because he was the first person to awaken the Rinnegan since the Sage of Six Paths, but that was all a lie. Jiraiya had held Nagato in high regard because of his Rinnegan and even saw him as the child of prophecy, but did any of that happen because of his eyes or himself?

Obito placed the mask on his face and walked away, "I'm sorry, Nagato, neither of us were free from Madara's grasp. But at least we're free from him now, I made sure of that."

Konan looked between Nagato and Obito, she focused on Nagato. She could tell that Nagato was having an existential crisis, if there was one person to console him it was her.

A little while later Obito felt guilty for informing Nagato of the truth behind his powers, but it was needed. Today if Konan was feeling better they'd return to the Leaf village.

You know, it was strange, he actually wanted to go back. Was it because the seal on his heart was missing? Did it hinder his emotions? It was possible, but that also would mean that he was easier to coerce with the seal. That made his anger toward Madara even greater. But he wouldn't ever have to deal with him ever again.

While Jiraiya stayed behind for a little longer, Kakashi, Konan, and Obito journeyed back to the Leaf. But something felt strange to Obito, he wasn't a sensor but the feeling of unease in the air was as thick as stone. Whatever ominous feeling Obito had made him wonder if Zetsu had a failsafe in place of it's death. But he quickly dismissed it.

By the time they got to the village it had been several days since they left Amegakure. Konan was glad to be back in the land of Fire, it was so nice to feel the nice warm sun on her skin.

Kakashi's shoulders eased as he dropped his backpack onto the ground , "Hey guys, why don't we go grab a bite to eat after resting a little bit?"

Konan seemed interested, "Sure. But should we invite some of the others too?"

Kakashi sighed, "I suppose there's no reason not to."

While the two were talking both noticed Obito's lack of a response, Konan braved to ask, "Tobi, is everything alright?"

He was quiet but what he did say was concerning. "No. I need to see sensei again." He disappeared into the village, Kakashi assumed Obito was going to the cemetery but this preconceived notion was false. There was another way to speak with the dead, through Naruto.