Kenshin's heart clenched unexpectedly as his eyes lingered on Konan. He didn't understand why, but a strange, inexplicable ache lingered in his heart.
He shook it off quickly, chalking it up to seeing someone he considered family as part of a terrorist organization, one he'd inevitably come into conflict with—despite knowing this was inevitable.
Focusing on the mission, Kenshin noted that his shadow clones reported no other presences within a one-kilometer radius. That confirmed it: Konan was alone.
Kenshin's gaze sharpened. He activated his ANBU uniform's special ability, completely concealing his chakra and rendering himself undetectable.
He moved silently, weaving through the trees and approaching the clearing. As he neared Konan, he slowed his breathing, each step calculated. Finally, he was close enough. With deliberate precision, he extended his hand and slid his index finger down the nape of her neck.
Konan stiffened, a startled shudder running down her spine as the unexpected touch broke her focus. She spun around with lightning speed, her palm connecting sharply with Kenshin's cheek before she even processed who it was.
The sound of the slap echoed in the quiet clearing, and Kenshin staggered back slightly, holding his tingling cheek with his left hand. A wide grin spread across his face as he looked at her.
"It's good to see you too, onee-san," he said, his tone teasing. "And honestly, that reaction was worth the slap."
Konan's eyes widened as recognition dawned, and her face flushed crimson. "Kenshin?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached up, pulling off her mask to confirm what her eyes were telling her. "What the hell?"
But as she realized what she was wearing—the unmistakable Akatsuki cloak—her expression changed. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as panic set in. "It's not what it looks like! I— Kenshin, I can explain—"
Kenshin cut her off with a casual wave of his hand. "Relax, I already know everything," he said, his voice calm but tinged with amusement. "I'm not here to judge. Though I'll admit, I'm more surprised Nagato sent you alone on a dangerous mission like this."
Konan's mouth opened as if to reply, but no words came out. Her face paled, the embarrassment from a moment ago shifting into an unsettling mix of confusion and dread.
'He knows everything?' she thought, her mind racing. 'But how? He shouldn't know about me and Nagato being in the Akatsuki.'
Kenshin, sensing her inner turmoil, leaned casually against a tree. His grin softened into something more sincere as he added, "It's just like you, though. Always taking on the hard jobs yourself. But still, onee-san… you should be more careful. You never know who might sneak up behind you."
Konan spoke up, her voice low but steady. "How do you know about me being part of the Akatsuki, Kenshin?" she asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. Her body tensed as if bracing for an explanation she wasn't prepared to hear.
Kenshin tilted his head, his teasing grin softening into a knowing smirk. "Come on, onee-san. You should be able to figure this out yourself. You know I've always been good at putting pieces together."
Konan's eyes flickered with recognition, her memories dredging up the time Kenshin had uncovered Pain's secret and forced Nagato to reveal himself.
The tale Kenshin had told back then, about deducing that Pain was real and probably had some sort of Dojutsu based on the unnatural chakra he sensed at the center of the village seemed plausible enough to her, even if it had unsettled Nagato.
"I see," she murmured, though doubt lingered in her mind. She decided not to question it further. Kenshin's ability to uncover truths, no matter how improbable, had been proven time and again.
Turning toward the clearing, Konan's expression darkened as her gaze landed on Danzo. Realization struck her like a bolt of lightning—her identity was exposed to one of Konoha's most dangerous figures. Her efforts to keep her affiliation hidden from the Leaf, especially someone like Danzo, had been wasted.
Kenshin noticed the flicker of panic in her eyes and let out a quiet sigh. He stepped forward, his tone turning commanding. "Danzo," he said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Remove your top. Show the lady your back."
Danzo stiffened, his eyes narrowing with indignation, but his body obeyed without hesitation. The slave seals etched into his skin glowed faintly in the pre-dawn light as he removed his top, baring his scarred, pale back to the freezing air.
Konan's eyes widened slightly at the sight. The intricate sealing marks pulsed faintly, a visual reminder of the absolute control Kenshin had over the man.
"They're Uzumaki slave seals." Kenshin said casually, gesturing toward the seals. "Danzo can't defy a direct order from me, no matter how much he'd like to. You don't need to worry about him running off to report anything to the Leaf."
Konan's gaze lingered on the seals, her sharp mind processing the implications. The visible strain on Danzo's face as he endured the cold without resistance confirmed Kenshin's claim.
"And the other one?" she asked, her eyes darting to Sai, who stood silently nearby, his expression unreadable.
Kenshin chuckled softly. "Sai won't say a word. He knows better." He glanced at Sai, whose blank expression remained unchanged. "Right, Sai?"
Sai nodded slightly. "I'm just here to follow orders."
Konan relaxed slightly, though her unease didn't entirely dissipate. She turned back to Kenshin, her voice lowering to a near whisper. "You always have a way of complicating things, Kenshin."
Kenshin gave her a wry smile. "What can I say? It's a gift. But don't worry, onee-san. As far as I'm concerned, nothing about this meeting leaves this clearing. You have my word."
Konan's expression shifted, the familiarity and vulnerability of moments ago giving way to a composed, professional demeanor. Her gaze sharpened as she met Kenshin's eyes. "What are the mission details?" she asked, her voice steady and authoritative.
Kenshin took a deep breath, steadying himself before beginning. "As you know, there was a coup d'état in the Land of Grass recently," he started. "The Hidden Grass Village's leader—Tetsuya Kuroko—was behind it. He orchestrated the overthrow of the daimyo and replaced him with a puppet acting daimyo. But there's more to it."
Konan crossed her arms, her brows furrowing as she listened.
"In the guise of a political alliance, Tetsuya secretly formed a military alliance with the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud to stand against the Hidden Leaf." Kenshin continued. "As part of his plan, he handed over one of his subordinates—a young kunoichi named Karin Uzumaki—to Orochimaru in exchange for forbidden jutsu."
Konan's eyes widened at the mention of Uzumaki. "Uzumaki?" she repeated, her voice carrying a mix of recognition and disbelief.
Kenshin nodded grimly. "Yes. Karin Uzumaki. She's Aunt Yukari's daughter."
Konan's stoic mask cracked for a moment, her lips parting in surprise. "Yukari?" she echoed. "Kana told me about her once—her childhood friend and attendant. So Yukari… she survived the destruction of your village?"
"She did," Kenshin confirmed. "She was taken to the Hidden Grass, where she became the village healer for decades. Karin is her daughter, which makes her my cousin."
Konan's expression softened briefly, a flicker of sympathy passing through her eyes before she regained her focus. "Go on," she said.
"The former daimyo of the Land of Grass is still alive, but he's been imprisoned," Kenshin explained. "Somehow, he managed to get a secret message to the our Daimyo, which is how the Leaf learned about all of this."
Konan nodded, her analytical mind processing the implications. "What about the forbidden jutsu Tetsuya received from Orochimaru?"
Kenshin's gaze darkened. "We don't know the specifics yet, but considering it came from Orochimaru, we have to assume it's dangerous. I'm estimating Tetsuya's power to be on par with the Sannin, at least temporarily or situationally."
Konan's eyes narrowed. "And your plan?"
"I want to use you to gather intel," Kenshin said bluntly. "Specifically, I need to know where the former daimyo is being held. Once we have that information, I can move to rescue him. After that, I can eliminate both the puppet daimyo and Tetsuya from a distance with my jutsu."
Konan frowned slightly. "Why not send the Leaf's intelligence division? Why come to me?"
Kenshin crossed his arms. "This mission requires someone who can move unnoticed and leave no trail. I can't risk anyone finding out the Leaf is involved. The Leaf's hands are tied politically, and they'll avoid open conflict with the Grass unless they're forced into it. You, the Akatsuki, on the other hand, can operate without drawing suspicion."
Konan considered this, her gaze steady. "You're asking me to risk exposing myself to the Grass leader's forces. And if I get caught?"
"You won't," Kenshin said confidently. "I trust your abilities, onee-san. Besides, I'm not asking you to fight—just to find out where the daimyo is. Once I have the location, I'll handle the rest. I can eliminate them from more than a mile away."
Konan exhaled slowly, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she gave a slight nod. "I'll do it. But, Kenshin…" She fixed him with a pointed look. "You owe me an explanation when this is over. About why you're so willing to risk everything for this mission."
Kenshin smiled faintly, though his eyes carried a hint of sadness. "You'll get your explanation, onee-san. When the time is right."
The group moved steadily toward the Hidden Grass Village. Danzo led the way, his presence cold and silent, while Kenshin and Konan walked side by side, chatting casually.
Sai trailed behind them, his usual emotionless demeanor masking any thoughts about the mission or the group dynamic.
"So," Konan began, glancing at Kenshin, "what are your plans for the Festival?"
Kenshin let out a soft chuckle. "Honestly? Nothing big. I just want to buy gifts for the family with the money I've saved up. I've managed to put away about 1.5 million ryo now."
Konan raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Well, well. Apparently, my little brother is a rich man now."
Kenshin laughed, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I wouldn't go that far, onee-san. I'm just good at not spending money."
Konan smiled, but her gaze softened slightly. "And how is everyone at home?"
Kenshin began to reply, though his voice faded into the background of his own thoughts.
As they walked, he felt a strange ache in his chest—a persistent, gnawing sensation that refused to fade, no matter how much he tried to ignore it. It wasn't physical pain but something deeper, something he couldn't figure out.
Meanwhile, Konan was battling her own thoughts. She struggled to keep her composed facade intact whenever Kenshin looked at her with those sudden, confused expressions, as if fragments of the memories she had erased still lingered.
She cursed herself inwardly for that night—the night she'd confessed her feelings to him in a drunken haze. He had reciprocated, and for a brief, blissful moment, she had felt hope. But she had erased it all because she couldn't allow herself to hold onto something so fragile.
Her grip on that hope was too weak compared to her loyalty to Pain. Pain's vision for the world would never align with Kenshin's, and she knew he'd oppose it the moment he found out the truth. When Nagato targets the Nine Tails, Kenshin would fight back—and she couldn't imagine him winning.
Despite his potential, just months ago, he'd been an innocent boy doing everything he could to keep his dying mother alive. There was no way he could stand against the Six Paths of Pain. Not yet. Not in time.
Kenshin suddenly stopped, breaking her train of thought. His eyes narrowed as he considered something.
"Danzo," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the silence.
Danzo turned to face him, a slight hint of irritation in his expression. "Yes?"
"You're no longer needed for this mission," Kenshin stated bluntly. "Neither are you, Sai. You'll both be a liability. Return to the Leaf."
Danzo's expression darkened but didn't argue. He couldn't argue. A slave cannot speak up against his master. Sai obliged as well, his expression never changing.
As Danzo turned to leave, Kenshin's voice carried once more. "One more thing. Both of you are to keep Konan's identity as a member of the Akatsuki—a secret. No one, not even the Hokage, is to know. If you so much as consider telling someone, Danzo, you'll take your own life before doing so. That's an order."
The slave seal on Danzo pulsed faintly, ensuring his compliance. Despite the dual authority shared with Tsunade, Kenshin's Uzumaki bloodline gave him dominance. Danzo bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Understood."
With that, Danzo and Sai departed, leaving Kenshin and Konan alone. Konan watched Kenshin with a mixture of surprise and unease. His cold, authoritative tone had been unlike the boy she had seen for the past 15 years.
The sun rose higher in the sky, and the pair decided to take a short break. Kenshin unsealed some food from a storage scroll, sharing breakfast with Konan before they rested briefly.
This pattern continued throughout the day—walking, pausing, and continuing again—until finally, well past midnight, they stopped to set up camp.
Kenshin gathered firewood, igniting it with a small Fireball Jutsu. The warm glow of the flames bathed the clearing as he unsealed more food from his scroll. He and Konan sat side by side, sharing a quiet dinner under the stars.
The fire crackled softly as Kenshin and Konan sat in silence after their meal, the warm light casting faint shadows on their faces. Kenshin stared into the flames, his thoughts restless.
The persistent ache in his chest gnawed at him, and he wondered, just for a moment, if he should ask Konan about it. Would she know what it was? Could she possibly help him understand?
Another thought flickered briefly in his mind—he could use his left eye. A glimpse into her thoughts might reveal something, might offer some clarity.
But as quickly as the idea appeared, he shook his head. That would be a violation of her privacy, a line he refused to cross. He sighed softly, trying to push the unease away.
"You should get some sleep," Konan said suddenly, her voice gentle but firm. "I'll keep watch."
Kenshin frowned. "You've been traveling all day too, onee-san. You need rest more than I do."
Konan shook her head, her expression leaving no room for argument. "I'll be fine. You need to be at your best for tomorrow."
Kenshin stared at her for a moment, considering his options. With a small smirk, he leaned against her, resting his head on her shoulder. "Then I'll rest here," he said, his voice tinged with playful defiance. "I've always wanted to do this."
"Kenshin—" Konan began, but she stopped herself. She sighed, allowing him this small rebellion.
The warmth of her presence and the steady rhythm of her breathing soothed him, and before long, his own breathing slowed as he drifted into sleep. Konan sat still, staring at the fire, her mind a storm of emotions.
Gently, she shifted him, letting his head rest on her lap. She brushed a strand of hair from his face, her fingers lingering against his skin as she caressed his sleeping features.
Her heart ached with regret, a deep and familiar pain that she had come to accept. In this life, they could never be. Not while she remained tied to Pain's plan, and not while Kenshin carried the burden of his family and his ideals. But perhaps... perhaps there was hope in another life.
She looked down at his peaceful expression, her own eyes soft with longing. If fate was kind enough to grant them rebirth, as it had granted him and Akane once before, she wished to be with him in that life. No war, no Akatsuki, no barriers to separate them. Just him and her, free to—
Suddenly, Konan stiffened, her hand freezing mid-motion as a voice whispered in her ear.
"You're getting rather cozy with the boy," Zetsu murmured, his tone laced with mockery, his pale form emerging just behind her. "You don't even question how he knows so much about the Akatsuki... interesting. But I'd be careful, Konan. Letting your feelings get in the way could jeopardize the plan."
Konan's breath hitched, though her expression remained neutral. Zetsu leaned closer, his voice dropping to a sinister tone. "Madara has noticed. He's concerned... about the boy and his mother. Should they prove to be obstacles, he'll have no choice but to eliminate them. Both of them. And surely you wouldn't want something so unfortunate to happen."
Her eyes widened, her face briefly paling as the weight of his words settled in. But she quickly forced herself to calm, straightening her posture as she spoke, her voice cold and composed.
"Madara does not need to concern himself with my private life," she said firmly, her eyes narrowing. "What I do is my own business. As for Kenshin and Kana, I trust them. They'll not interfere with the Akatsuki's work—so long as the Leaf itself doesn't involve them. If that happens, the blame won't be theirs."
Zetsu's unreadable gaze lingered on her, his golden eyes almost as piercing as the chill his words left behind. After a moment, he melted back into the ground, his presence vanishing as swiftly as it had appeared.
Konan let out a slow, trembling breath once she was alone again. Her eyes drifted back to Kenshin's sleeping face, peaceful and oblivious to the storm brewing around them. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she wiped them away before they could fall.
"Please," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Stay out of the Akatsuki's way, Kenshin. Protect your family. Stay safe... Keep Kana safe. Love Akane, live on for her. Please... I love you. I don't want to see you die."
Her fingers hovered over his hair, brushing it lightly as if trying to memorize the texture. The words felt hollow, lost in the night air, much like the memories she had erased from his mind—the confession, the promise, the kiss that lingered only in her heart.
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Once again, thank you everyone for your continued support and power stones. And as always, please give me your power stones and comment your opinions. They make a big difference and motivate me to write more.