"You work for me now, do you understand!" Madara said as he back handed me.

"Yes, sir..." I said.

Right now you must be wondering what's going on, well... I was being punished. During the mission, the one Masaaki and I had done before seeing my brother, I allowed two children to live. I didn't have the heart to kill them... the fear they had in their eyes, the way they held each other as if their life depended on it. Masaaki had already murdered their parents because they held information about us.

He at least killed them outside while I watched over the two scared children. They were brothers... the more I looked at them, the more I began to hate myself.. but of course I would never show it. I just couldn't kill them... my hands are stained enough! I.. I couldn't kill them.

"LISTEN TO ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!" Madara said with a blow in the stomach.

The force of his punch was strong. I hit the cave wall behind me and slumped down clutching my stomach in pain.

"They're just... children." I mumbled.

"Yet they will soon grow to avenge their parents, everyone is a , Satoshi." Madara spat.

"Of course, how could I be so foolish." I said still in pain. "Forgive me, Madara-sama."

"Not without a punishment!" he said.

He grabbed out a whip and knowing the procedure... I had already removed my cloak and my shirt. He began whipping me as he gave me new wounds and reopening old ones. I grit my teeth and clenched my fists on the ground to make sure not a single whimper left my lips. Once he was finished, he tells me to never disobey . Yet the scars on my back tells otherwise... I've disobeyed him many times. He can't and he won't kill me, because I know he needs me.

I was still hunched over as the blood on back dropped down onto the cold floor. Footsteps were heard while the echoes became louder, indicating that they were coming my way. My breathing was uneven as the footsteps finally ended.

"You know better than to disobey him, Satoshi.." the only female voice said.

I stayed silent as Konan sighed. She helped me up and sat me down on a nearby chair. I cringed from my open wounds as Konan examined them. At that very moment Pein had walked in looking for Konan. However, he stopped in his tracks when he has seen the condition I was in.

"Pein, can you watch him while I get the medical supplies?" she asked.

Pein nodded his head as sue walked out. Pein looked over to me as I tried my best to not look into his eyes.

"What did you do this time, Satoshi?" he asked.

"Disobeyed him.." I replied.

"Elaborate."

"I refused to murder two children, and I don't regret it." I said.

He ruffled my hair. "You know not to cross him Satoshi... but I am proud you chose what you thought was right."

"Yeah, but my body won't be able to handle the beatings anymore.. and you know that." I mumbled.

"I'm sorry, Satoshi.. I wish I could help you, but this is something I cannot interfere." he said.

"It's alright... I don't expect anyone to interfere, this is something I have to deal with alone..." I mumbled.

He sighed. "Please try to cooperate with him... I can't have my best member unable to do missions for a week due to injuries again."

"Of course... Leader-sama.."

Pein looked at me slightly worried. He should be.. I'm very close to breaking. A few silent minutes went by and Konan finally showed up. She poured some rubbing alcohol onto a white cloth and began to dab it onto my back. The stinging sensation kicked in, making me grit my teeth.

"Don't worry, I'm almost finished.." she said calmly.

After she was finished, she wrapped my back and folded my clothing. She handed them to me as I took it from her. She carefully helped me up and walked me over to my room.

"What the hell happened to you?" Hidan asked.

By then, everyone who was in the main room looked my way.

"Mission.." I replied bluntly.

"Must have been some mission." Sasori said.

I nodded my head as I we walked past them. Konan opened my door making Maasaki stop whatever he was doing.

"Whoa! What happened to you?" he asked.

Konan set me on my bed and carefully laid me down. She pulled the blankets onto me and set my clothes aside.

"He was on a mission." she replied. "Take care of him Maasaki, he's in great pain."

"Of course, miss!" he said happily.

Konan looked at me one last time before leaving my room. Maasaki then skipped his way over to me with curiosity evidently written in his eyes.

"What happened on that mission? Where did you go? How did you get hurt?" he said bombarding me with questions.

"Maasaki..." I said with a hoarse voice. "I can't speak loudly... come closer."

He leaned forward and once he was close enough, I slapped his head.

"Ow! What was tha-"

"For your stupidity..."

"I'm just worried! You're my partner, Satoshi! Plus.. I don't want a meaner partner if you leave." he said mumbling the last bit.

"What was that?" I asked.

"I... said you're the best partner ever!" he said.

"You're an idiot..."

"HEY-"

"Yet... you're very entertaining.."

Maasaki looked at me with wide eyes and soon, he was smiling like an idiot. I looked at him weirdly as he tackled me in a hug.

"THAT'S THE NICEST THING YOU EVER SAID TO ME SATOSHI!" he shouted happily.

"Ow- let go of me! I'm still in pain you !" I cried.

"Oops! Gomen..." he said, releasing me.

I groaned in pain and readjusted myself.

"You need anything Satoshi? Anything at all?" he asked.

"Just one..."

"What is it friend?" he smiled with sparkles in his eyes.

"Get away from me..."

Maasaki's face shattered as it broke into a frown.

"You're... so... mean.." he said.

"You said " I said.

He sniffled. "Fine!"

"Your acting sucks.."

"I try. But in all seriousness, do you need anything?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine for now." I replied.

"Okay! ~"

Maasaki went back over to his side of the room while I closed my eyes. I fell asleep as an odd dream began to form.

I awoke in a dark place, however, there was light coming from a distance. Seeing that there were no other paths, I walked towards the light as it began to get brighter each time I took a step. As I was getting closer, it seemed that there was a person sitting down. I wasn't quite sure who, but they had long hair.

I now stood behind the person, it seemed that they were just sitting by a campfire. The person looked behind them to see who was there. However, their face was blurred and I could make out that he was trying to speak... but no words were able to come out.

"I.. I don't understand what you're trying to say.." I said.

This time they were able to speak, but it wasn't a full sentence.

"I.... shi... and... why... rry.."

I looked at him confused. By the way my face showed, he stopped talking and instead gave me a hug. I don't know who this man is... but.. I felt safe. I returned the hug as he rubbed my back. I could tell that he was upset by the way he held me... it seemed he was angry about my wrapped body. I was still in the clothing I was in before I had fallen asleep.

"Don't do it..." he said, sounding ghostly. "Your mind.. I can hear it.... don't do it."

His voice sounded sad as he released me from the hug. I was confused, what did he not want me to do? I don't understand... however, before I could even ask him, I was being pulled away from the blurred man. I tried to reach towards him so I could stay longer, but he didn't help me... he just stood there. I was then dragged away as the man watched me without moving a muscle...

"Sa....hi.." a voice said. "Satoshi...! Satoshi, wake up!"

"Huh?"

I opened my eyes to see a teary eyed Masaaki, a worried Konan, and an impassive Sasori.

"You're alive!" Maasaki cried. "I- you.."

He couldn't even finish his sentence and began to cry again. I looked over to the others hoping they'd give me an answer.

"You died in your sleep." Konan explained. "If it weren't for Maasaki, you would have been permanently dead."

"You were losing more blood than Konan expected it to be, I had to revive you with my medical knowledge. Don't say I never helped you." Sasori said.

"I see... thank you." I mumbled.

"Lay back down brat, you need rest." Sasori said.

"I'll get you some food, Maasaki, watch him." Konan said.

Konan left the room along with Sasori. Masaaki hasn't stopped crying, which kind of bothered me.

"Oi, stop crying... you're an Akatsuki, not a baby." I said.

"But..."

"I'm alive and well... so stop crying."

He sniffled. "Okay..."

I finally got him to stop crying, but he was still sniffling like a child. I sighed, he really is such a . Konan walked in with my food in a bento box. I thank her as she left. I began to eat my food, but Maasaki watched me carefully as if I could choke any minute.

"Maasaki..." I said a bit menacing.

His eyes faltered as he set his arms on my bed and laid his head on it.

"I'm just worried..." he mumbled.

"Caring for a member who can be replaced easily isn't something to dwell on." I said.

"Yeah, but... just like you said before, you're the only member here who can tolerate me. You're the only friend I have here.." he said sadly. "If you died-..."

"Urusai.."

"Huh?"

"As a member of the Akatsuki, you shouldn't befriend any of us.. for tomorrow, you will never know when our death will come." I said.

"I know... but it's nice to think you have a friend." he mumbled.

I looked at Maasaki as he blankly stares at the blankets. He must really think of me as a comrade to be this sad about my small death... I then looked away from him and continued to eat my food. I didn't want to see that sad look on him anymore... it was bringing me down myself. I even lost my appetite.. I stopped eating, which Maasaki noticed seeing that he raised his head.

"You need to eat Satoshi.."

"How can I possibly eat with you around me. Either you leave the room to cry or sob to yourself on your bed." I snapped.

Maasaki flinched at my tone of voice and looked as if he were ready to cry again. He slowly got up and turned around to walk away. Seeing that, I felt bad..

"Maasaki..." I said gaining his attention.

He stopped in his tracks and turned around.

"Thank you..."

He smiled at that and nodded his head. He decided to give me space and left the room. I look down at my food as I began to rethink my entire life. How I grew up, what I aspired to be, who I became, and what I wanted to do. These things will always wonder in my mind.. and yet, I will never find a answer for any of them.