The Night Bird's Plea

Chapter 6: Coincidences

Across the lifespan of a single human, events are bound to repeat themselves. Coincidences happen. Select words or phrases spoken elicit a sense of deja vu. Memories play tricks on those susceptible to seeking where things should not be sought. Actions contributed to one are faulted for another; brain growing fatigued with age and not recalling as sharply as it once did.

Thus, Kotori dismissed Tobi's exact replications of scenarios from the past as innocent spur of the moment nonsense. Nothing to be examined further. He wasn't aware they were another knock on the door of her heart. Asking permission to open a world of regret. Tobi wasn't to blame for her sudden disappearance, either.

She felt horrible about abandoning him there. Leaving him at the lake when they were both susceptible to staring off into the viciously white distance. Lost in memories after what he said. Deserting him when he mirrored her abject silence. When everything became too much.

Which is why she was in this position now, hunched over the counter in her modest kitchen in her unconventional teashop in her mystical town, kneading ground matcha pigment into mochi dough to be used for wagashi under the single dark eye of her suitor. If she were to believe she were being courted and not duped for the only person in entirety of the Akatsuki and their retinue who could withstand being in Tobi's vicinity for more than two minutes.

The man in question leaned against the counter next to her. Dressed in his usual black garb. Orange swirl mask freshly polished with citrus peel. Scarf resting on his chest, under his folded arms. Head tipped watching her work, legs crossed at the ankles. Exuding a casual, calm demeanor she was growing accustomed to. Getting the idea he did not show it often. And ignoring the delightful twinge in her core at the implication of her being special for seeing this side of him.

"Sorry about leaving you the other day," she apologized for not the first, nor the second time.

Tobi lowered his voice to a soothing tone, "I said it was okay-" He ducked out of the way as she wrenched open the cabinet door behind his head.

Any excuse to stop the hunger in her blood when he spoke to her that way.

Kotori rose to her tiptoes and curved her body around his, scoping out the containers on the shelf. Hands foraging, filling her arms with the items she needed. Loading the ingredients one by one. Not touching him. Never touching him in this space where they were alone without interruption. Maintaining a barrier of understanding between their bodies.

He kept his hands to himself. Reserved. Restrained. Because one of them had to be, so he bore the responsibility of denying themselves the temptations they could not succumb to.

Tobi may not have meant to create such visceral responses to the things he said, and the soft touches he gave her, but the nightmares were all the same.

Sure, she fraternized with the Akatsuki, but falling for a criminal who could not devote his time to her--could not make her a priority--and the constant worry he could be dead and she wouldn't know was not a life she was willing to lead anymore. Not since the accident in her youth..

A destined spy, Kotori's espionage skills granted her a rank in the ANBU as soon as she graduated the Academy. Secured her the ability to protect the village, which in turn meant protecting her friends. Ensure their safety. Except for the one she loved--left one night on a standard mission during the war times, never to return.

The shattered ANBU mask was placed before the Hokage's desk the day she learned of Obito's death through whispers of gossip, not from the mouths of adults feigning to care about her. Resigning from her duty with as much respect as she was shown; she left the village and never looked back. Damned to roam from country to country in search of a purpose. Something to occupy her time until her very end.