The Tenth Akatsuki

Chapter Nine: Countdown

One year later... 

I was sleeping soundly, cuddled against Konan, as she hugged me tight, snoring lightly. I dozed off back to sleep again, trying to close my eyes as I looked into Konan's radiating orange eyes. Then, I noticed Konan's alertness as she gasped "Joshua!!! Wake up!!! The baby is coming!" Konan yelled as she shook my shoulder, startling me. I sat up seeing Konan in agonizing pain and immediately readied for the hospital as I held Konan in my arms. I was about to Ninjutsu over until Konan quickly interrupted me. "No Joshua, going to the hospital will create too much attention - I must have the child here," said Konan admittingly. I nodded my head before gently proceeding to put her on the bed, assuring her that she will get through the pain. "Konan you are so strong - you can do this - our child is a gift from God," I said as I lowered Konan into the bed, with Konan looking back at me with a very nervous smile. I looked at Konan as she was struggling from the pain. "Konan - my angel. I'm here for you," I spoke as I took Konan's hand firmly, holding it tightly. I felt the sensational connection holding Konan's hand as she smiled through the pain and nodded. 

After ten hours passed I heard the baby crying, echoing through the world. I panicked a little as Konan passed out from exhaustion, but had a sense of assurance that she would be alright. I waited impatiently, but soon enough Konan woke up as I smiled brightly. I kissed her forehead and caressed her cheek. "I love you so much Konan - I am so happy everything's fine - I was so worried," I said as tears started to flow down as I tried to hide my expression with a smile. I kissed her forehead once more, as Konan smiled and looked around. "Where is my child?" 

I helped Konan sit up, so she can see the small bed next to her containing the sleeping child. Konan smiled seeing that it was a little girl. She had Konan's elegant lavender hair with those radiating orange eyes and some of my features. I carried the child up and handed her to Konan. Konan pulled her close to her chest, marveling at her soft face. 

"I hope you don't mind - I already named her while you were resting," I said worriedly as Konan smiled "What name did you choose?" "Aislinn." 

"Aislinn - that is a beautiful name," Konan said happily and kissed her forehead softly. I leaned my head on Konan's and closed my eyes "Thank you so much - I love you eternally - you will always be the best thing that's happened - my angel," I said. 

"Yes, I can't believe after everything I can spend this moment with you - have an opportunity to have a child." 

"After all the killing its so hard to believe this is even real. I can't imagine how you must be feeling," I said softly. 

"Don't worry about me. I can handle anything as long as you're here with me," Konan said, making me smile. 

Konan and I stood next to each other, overlooking the city of Amegakure, ready for our deaths. I looked at Konan's paper flower, decaying in the darkness. Konan looked off into the atmosphere, asking God for a prayer while ruminating about her bygone youth. She stared off into the distance longer before turning to me to present a very hopeful smile. I smiled back at Konan before gazing at the pleasant outlook of the city. I tried thinking about Konan's serenity, her happiness, but figured she was thinking about a time before she knew me. I looked back at my beautiful wife and assured her about our destiny. "Konan please - I won't let you die - we prepared for this - remember? We knew that this'll happen, that one day we'll have to fight Madara. I don't know why you trusted him - but that doesn't matter - it's in the past. What does matter is that we studied his abilities like his Space Time Techniques, so we'll defeat him, right?" I said growing increasingly nervous that maybe I was unprepared. Konan completely ignored me, continuing to look to God for an answer.