VIII

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Arc VIII Chapter 2

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Asami followed the mysterious angel, walked down the corridor. Her desire to not get lost in this maze. Too many doors, too many floors, too many stairs. Too confusing.

Blasting her way through the tower might not be a bad idea. Destructive, but effective. Explosives never hurt ...

No.

Maybe ...

No.

Not even if ...

No.

...

No!

But ...

No.

Asami sighed in defeat and resisted the alluring, seductive, sweet, welcoming, ecstatic, inviting, euphoric, wonderful temptation f explosives. Explosions were true beauty.

The detonation, the flash, the blast made her eyes sparkle, but no explosions for a sad little girl.

Asami struck a conversation to lighten the mood. Her lips smiled. "I was told your name is Konan, A beautiful name."

...

...

...

Silence.

"Not in a talkative mood, it seems." Asami shook her head in dismay. “Such a shame."

...

...

...

No reaction. Nothing.

The uncomfortable silence continued. Her communication attempts failed. Asami offer her hand, but Konan declined.

Asami clicked her tongue. "I find your presence increasingly annoying. Ignoring a guest doesn't constitute proper etiquette, but I didn't expect much from a hollow puppet to begin with.“

Her words elicited a reaction. Konan took offence. Traces of humanity still burned inside her heart .

...

...

...

Konan confronted her with a blank stare. Her eyes expressed cold indifference. "What are you implying?"

“My impression didn't deceive me, you are dead, a hollow puppet. You are nothing but a walking corpse, an emotionless husk.“

Asami beamed. "Konan, smile. Less gloom, more smile. Show some happiness. Show some positivity. It helps."

Konan's heart remained unmoved. "I don't smile. This world is cursed. Happiness and joy don't exist. They are a lie."

Asami tilted her head. "How so?"

...

...

...

Konan dismissed her. "You wouldn't understand. You can't understand."

Asami chuckled. "I won't deny, I don't share your past, but I understand pain. I understand loss. I suffered my fair share myself."

Konan halted. Her words hit a nerve.

"My mother was murdered before my eyes. My hands are stained with blood. Young, old, father, mother, child, I killed them all in Konoha's service.“

“I think I understand." Asami smiled.

Konan observed her in silence. Her mask never slipped. “It seems I misjudged you, you might understand. Time will tell.“

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"We have arrived, Pain-sama" Konan bowed and Asami spotted a coated figure in the dark.

The man Ame's skyline and the ever pouring rain, contemplating, not deeming her worthy of his attention. Her presence was of minor importance even when little supported his divine claim. Pain was nothing but a mere mortal.

Asami maintained her composure despite clenching her fist. Once again, she was ignored.

Pain turned and her assessment changed drastically. For a fraction of a second, Asami's smile faltered. Her perfect facade crumbled. His eyes.

Asami stumbled. These eyes ... This was ... impossible ...

A purple abyss confronted her. Pain's uncanny gaze crossed the room, judging her worth.

Asami recognised the eyes, their colour, their pattern, eyes of legend thought forever lost to myths. The Rinnegan had returned and questions arose. Pain was neither a Senju nor an Uchiha. The Rinnegan was supposed to be beyond his grasp.

Pain studied her. "We assume you are Asami. We awaited your arrival.“

Asami listened.

“We heard about your capabilities. We hope your future performance won't disappoint us." A flash of lightning illuminated the room.

Asami deflected with a smile. Acting servile was the best course of action for the time being. "I feel honoured by your trust, but my capabilities are ... modest at best. I fail to see how I can contribute in any significant way to Akatsuki, Pain-sama."

Her words elicited a weak chuckle. They amused Pain. "We wouldn't say so. Kakuzu spoke highly of your abilities. We doubt you will fail us. "

"Konan, hand her the scroll." Konan complied and presented her a scroll.

Asami accepted the present. "What's this?"

"This is your next mission."

Asami disliked the word mission. Mission sounded like work. "I see.“

Once an errand girl, always an errand girl. This was her destiny. She served Konoha. Now she served a new master.

Pain elaborated, "You will meet up with your assigned partner and complete the mission."

Asami opened the scroll and studied her orders. Cold days were coming. Her mission led her north, into the eternal snowy white winter wonderland without adequate equipment.

No fur coat. No warm gloves. No boots. Problematic.

Asami smiled at her savior. It was time to leech some funds, Asami was a little princess, and princesses were expensive.

Asami beamed. "Pain-sama ~ ..."

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