Nyx moved swiftly across the barren landscape, her presence marked by the thin layer of frost that followed her, freezing the ground beneath her feet. The cold wind blew against her face, carrying with it the faint sounds of distant celebrations coming from the Sand Village behind her. She didn't look back. The mission had been completed, and her interest in the events that followed had faded as quickly as the warmth of the desert sun.
The Sand's Kazekage had been saved. Konan had wanted that outcome, and so it had been done. Nyx's lips pressed into a thin line as she thought about her partner. She knew Konan was different from the others—stronger, more principled, not merely caught up in Akatsuki's schemes. It was why she trusted her. The only one she truly did. It was why she had ensured that the Sand would get their leader back.
Her hand briefly touched the spot where her white scarf used to be. It was no longer there—she had given it to Rina before the battle. A small gesture, but it meant something to her. The scarf, as much a symbol of her resolve as it was a tool in battle, had become an extension of her identity. She hoped Rina understood its significance, though she doubted she'd ever explain it aloud. Explanations were unnecessary; actions spoke louder than words.
Nyx's eyes flickered momentarily as her thoughts shifted to the battle. The desperation in Temari's face, the sheer determination in her eyes as she fought for her brother—it was admirable, in a way. Emotions like that drove people to great feats, but they also clouded their judgment, left them vulnerable. She'd watched as Temari and the others fought, their actions frantic and chaotic compared to her own precision.
She had allowed them to get close enough to save Gaara, subtly creating an opening amidst the chaos of combat. They probably thought it was luck or simply their own skill. A faint smile crossed her lips—let them think that. The truth was unnecessary. What mattered was the result, and she had no need for gratitude or recognition.
The sun had nearly dipped below the horizon when she finally stopped at a rocky outcrop. The cold had grown harsher, the air thickening with frost as night began to fall. Nyx paused, her gaze fixed ahead, watching the changing colors of the sky.
She exhaled slowly, her breath forming mist before her. Her thoughts returned to Konan. She wondered how her partner would react to her actions, whether she would question Nyx's decision to help the Sand retrieve their Kazekage. It hadn't been part of their orders, after all. But Konan would understand—Nyx was certain of it. Konan always seemed to understand her better than anyone else, even when Nyx herself couldn't quite articulate the reasons behind her choices.
A flicker of warmth touched her otherwise cold demeanor, and she allowed herself a rare moment of introspection. Konan's influence had changed her in ways she had not expected, and that alone was a testament to the bond they shared. It was strange, almost unsettling, how much she cared for her. It made her vulnerable, and she despised vulnerability. But Konan was worth it. She was the only one who had ever made Nyx feel that her icy solitude wasn't absolute.
Nyx closed her eyes for a moment, letting the cool wind brush against her face, her long hair dancing with the gusts. The image of Temari's determined eyes reappeared in her mind, followed by the thought of her own actions during the battle. The decisions she had made had been driven by her own instincts, her loyalty to Konan. But it also left her wondering if that loyalty was enough, if she could continue walking this path without questioning the outcome it would bring.
"Enough," she whispered to herself, her voice sharp in the silence. Doubts were not productive. She had made her choice, and she would see it through. As long as Konan remained by her side, nothing else mattered.
Nyx opened her eyes again, her gaze now as frigid and unyielding as the ice she controlled. The path ahead was long, uncertain, filled with shadows and secrets she might never uncover. But that was the shinobi way. She'd chosen to live in the cold, to wield it as her weapon, and she had no intention of turning back.
With one final glance at the fading light, Nyx turned and continued on her way. The ground beneath her feet froze instantly, her trail of ice leaving a visible mark in the desolate landscape. There was still much to be done, and she would do it, without hesitation, without regret.
The desert night was cold, but Nyx had always been colder.
Finally, Nyx had reached her room. She entered quietly, her body exhausted from the mission and the long journey back. The cold of her surroundings seemed to intensify as she stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. She was ready to collapse onto her bed and finally allow herself a moment of rest.
But what she found caught her by surprise. Konan was there, sitting casually on her bed. One foot rested on the mattress while the other was on the floor, her arm propped on her knee. She was still in her Akatsuki uniform, the black cloak adorned with red clouds giving her an air of authority. Her blue hair framed her face, and her amber eyes were sharp, fixed on Nyx as she entered.
"Konan...?" Nyx spoke, her voice betraying a hint of surprise she rarely allowed herself to show.
Konan's gaze didn't waver, her expression unreadable. "Why did you spare that blonde girl's life?" she asked, her tone calm but firm. There was no warmth in her voice, only the weight of her question hanging in the air between them.
Nyx sighed, closing the door behind her and stepping further into the room. She leaned against the wall, her icy blue eyes locking onto Konan's. She could feel the tension, the unspoken expectation of an explanation. Konan had always been straightforward—there was no room for ambiguity in her questions, no tolerance for evasion.
"Are you going to report me, even if I tell you?" Nyx asked, her tone edged with a hint of wariness. She knew Konan wasn't one for empty threats, and the question was more out of a need to understand where she stood than any actual fear of reprimand.
Konan's gaze remained unwavering, her posture relaxed yet commanding. "State your reasoning," she said, her voice leaving no room for deflection.
Nyx held her gaze for a moment, her expression unreadable as she considered her words. Finally, she spoke, her voice measured and calm. "The Kazekage needed to be saved," she began, her eyes narrowing slightly. "They needed an opening, and I provided it. Sparing the girl was a tactical decision—without her, their efforts would have faltered. And without Gaara, the balance we need would be compromised."
Konan's eyes narrowed slightly, though she remained silent, her expression contemplative. Nyx knew Konan well enough to see that she wasn't satisfied yet. There was more she wanted to understand.
Nyx took a step closer, her voice softening. "But more than that... I made a promise." She hesitated, the words feeling foreign as they left her lips. "A promise to you. You wanted the Kazekage saved, and I did what was necessary to ensure that outcome."
Konan's expression shifted almost imperceptibly, the faintest glimmer of something unspoken crossing her eyes. She looked at Nyx for a long moment, studying her, as if weighing her next words carefully.
"You've always been difficult to read, Nyx," Konan finally said, her voice still calm, though there was a softness to it now that hadn't been there before. "You speak of tactical decisions, of balance, but you also act on something more. Something personal. I want to understand why you made that promise to me. Why you chose to help them."
Nyx's eyes softened just a fraction, a rare vulnerability slipping through her guarded demeanor. She looked away, her gaze falling to the floor as she considered Konan's words. "You're the only one I trust," she admitted quietly, her voice almost a whisper. "I don't care about anyone else in the Akatsuki, or their plans. But you... if it matters to you, then it matters to me."
Konan's gaze softened as well, the tension in her shoulders easing. She slowly lowered her foot from the bed, standing up and taking a step closer to Nyx. "You care more than you let on," she said, her voice gentle now. "You may hide behind the ice, but there's more to you than just the cold."
Nyx looked up, meeting Konan's eyes, her own expression softening further. There was a silence between them, a quiet understanding passing between them, unspoken but undeniable. The tension that had filled the room seemed to dissolve, replaced by something much more intimate, something that neither of them could put into words.
Konan's gaze never wavered, her eyes searching Nyx's for a long moment before she reached out, her hand moving gently to cup Nyx's cheek. The warmth of her touch was startling against Nyx's cold skin, her thumb brushing softly along her cheekbone. Nyx's breath caught in her throat, her heart skipping a beat as she felt the unexpected tenderness in Konan's touch.
Without a word, Konan leaned down, closing the distance between them. Nyx's eyes widened in surprise, her breath hitching as Konan's lips brushed softly against her cheek. It was a gentle, fleeting kiss, but it left a profound impact. The warmth spread across her skin, chasing away the cold that had always surrounded her. For that moment, Nyx felt something she hadn't felt in a long time—a warmth that reached deeper than any physical touch.
Nyx was caught by surprise, her normally composed demeanor breaking as she looked at Konan, her expression vulnerable. The ice that always guarded her heart seemed to melt away, and for once, she felt exposed, unsure of how to react. Konan pulled back slowly, her eyes searching Nyx's face, as if waiting for a response.
"Konan..." Nyx whispered, her voice barely audible. She wasn't used to this. She wasn't used to feeling this way—so unguarded, so open. The words she wanted to say caught in her throat, tangled with emotions she didn't quite know how to express.
Konan's gaze softened, her thumb continuing to caress Nyx's cheek in a gentle motion. She gave a small, understanding smile, her eyes filled with a warmth that seemed to reach deep into Nyx's very soul. "You don't have to say anything, Nyx," she said softly, her voice like a gentle breeze that seemed to chase away all of Nyx's doubts. "I just want you to know... you're not alone."
Nyx's eyes softened, her gaze locked on Konan's. There was something in Konan's voice, in her touch, that made Nyx's chest tighten in a way that was almost painful. It was as if all the walls she had built around herself, all the coldness she had embraced, were being stripped away, leaving her bare and exposed.
Slowly, she reached up, her hand moving to rest over Konan's, her fingers trembling slightly. She closed her eyes, leaning into Konan's touch, allowing herself to feel the warmth that she had so often denied herself. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible, the words escaping her lips before she could think to stop them.
Konan smiled softly, her eyes filled with understanding. She leaned forward, resting her forehead against Nyx's, her breath mingling with Nyx's as they stood there, their closeness filling the room with a warmth that seemed to push back the cold. "You don't always have to be strong, Nyx," Konan murmured, her voice gentle. "You can let someone else be there for you."
Nyx opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Konan's, her heart pounding in her chest. It was terrifying—this closeness, this vulnerability. But at the same time, it was comforting, in a way she couldn't quite explain. She nodded, her eyes softening as she looked at Konan. "I... I'll try," she said, her voice shaky but sincere.
Konan smiled, her eyes filled with warmth and affection. She leaned back, her hand slipping from Nyx's cheek, though the warmth of her touch lingered. She gave Nyx a gentle nod, her gaze filled with reassurance. "That's all I ask," she said softly.
As Konan turned to leave, Nyx watched her, her heart still pounding, her mind still reeling from what had just happened. The door closed behind Konan, and Nyx was left alone in the room, the silence almost deafening. She reached up, her fingers brushing against her cheek where Konan's lips had touched, the warmth still there, a reminder of what had just transpired.
A rare, small smile tugged at Nyx's lips, her gaze softening as she looked toward the door. For the first time in a long time, she felt something other than the cold emptiness that had always been with her. It was terrifying, but it was also exhilarating. For now, she allowed herself to embrace that warmth, even if just for a moment.