Arc VIII Chapter 2
<strong>VIII</strong>
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<strong>Arc V</strong><strong>III</strong><strong> Chapter</strong><strong> 2
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Asami followed the mysterious angel through an endless maze of corridors. The atmosphere was still unbearable. As a result, she tried her best to strike a conversation to lighten the mood. “I was told your name is Konan. A beautiful name.”
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Silence.
“Not in a talkative mood, it seems.”Asami shook her headin dismay. “Such a shame.”
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No reaction. Nothing.
The ufortable silence continued. Hermunication attempts failed. Asami offer her hand, but Konan declined.
Asami clicked her tongue. “I must confess that I find your presence increasingly annoying. Ignoring a guest doesn''t constitute proper etiquette, but I shouldn''t have expected much from a puppet to begin with.” Her words elicited a reaction. Konan took offence. Traces of humanity were still left inside her heart.
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“...” Konan red at him. Her eyes expressed cold indifference. “What are you implying?”
Asami pondered her words. “It appears that my impression didn''t deceive me, you are dead, a hollow puppet, Konan, You are nothing but an emotionless husk. Seriously, you should try to smilefrom time to time. Less gloom. More smile.Show some happiness. Show some positivity. It would help a lot.”
Konan''sheart remained unmoved. “I don''t smile.Thisworld is cursed. Happinessand joy don''t exist.They are a lie.”
Asamitilted her head. “How so?”
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Konan dismissed her. “You wouldn''t understand, child. You can''t understand.”
Asamichuckled. “How presumptive ... I won''t deny that I don''t know your past, but I understandpain. I understand loss. I have suffered my fair share myself.”
“How so?” Konan halted. Her wordshit a nerve.
“Konan, ... my mother was murdered before myveryeyes. My hands are stainedwith blood. Young, old, father, mother, child, I killed them allin the name of Konoha.” Asami smiled. “I think I understand.”
“...” Konan observedher in silence. Her masknever slipped.“My apologies, it seems I might have misjudged you ...”
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“We have arrived, Pain-sama.”Konanbowed and Asami spotteda coated figurein the dark.
The manwas watching Ame''s skyline and the ever pouring rain, contemting, not deeming her worthy of his attention. Her presence was of minor importanceto the self proimed god, even when his im appeared dubious, at best. Pain was nothing buta mere mortal.
“...” Asami maintained herposure,despite clenching her fist. Once again, she was ignored.
Pain turned, and her assessment changed drastically. For a fraction of a second, hersmile faltered. Her perfect fa?adecrumbledin frot of him. His eyes...
“...” Asami fell silent. These eyes ... This was ... impossible ... Apurple abyss confronted her. Pain''s uncanny gaze crossedthe room,judgingher worth.
Sherecognised hiseyes, their colour, their pattern. They were theeyes 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.Yet he possessed what was clearly not his.
Pain studiedher. “Weassume that you are Asami. Wewere awaitingyour arrival.We have heard about your capabilities. We hope that your future performance won''t disappoint us.”Ash of lightning illuminatedthe room.
Asami deflected with a smile. Acting servile was the best course of action, for the time being. “I feel honoured byyourtrust, 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. Her wordsamused Pain. “We wouldn''t say so. Kakuzu spoke highly of your capabilities. We doubt that you will fail us... Konan, handher the scroll.” Konanplied,presented her with a scroll.
Asamiepted the present. “What''s this?”
“Thisis your next mission.”
“I see.”Asami dislikedthe word mission. Once an errandgirl. Always an errandgirl. Such was her destiny. She had served Konoha. Now she served a new master.
Pain borated, “You will meet up with your assigned partnerandplete the mission.”
Asami opened the scroll to study her orders. Cold days were about toe. Her mission led her north, into the eternal snowy white winter wondend, without adequate equipment. No fur coat. No warm gloves. No boots.
“I see.”Asami smiled at her saviour. It was time to leech some funds. After all, she was a little princess, and princesses were expensive.“Pain-sama~ ...”
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