The Tenth Akatsuki

Chapter Ten: My Snow Angel

Five years later... 

After a good 3 hours I finally managed to create a paper flower bouquet for Konan. I made sure to use an assortment of different colors when crafting the paper bouquet, for example I made sure I used lavender paper when making the flower but using separate paper to ensure the stems were green. When I started to make the paper bouquet, I realized how challenging all of the folding was, and using the Paper Blizzard or Angelic Advent abilities that Konan taught me wasn't going to make a difference. To summarize, even though I'm good at origami and enjoy it, I'm atrocious at origami when you compare it to my wife's skills, I mean it take me arduous hours to create a paper bouquet and my wife can effortlessly make one in seconds by manipulating the paper with her fingers. 

When I finally finish the lavish paper bouquet, I wrote a thoughtful Christmas card before proceeding to walk out of my room and down the convoluted hallway that resides in the apartment. Currently as a family we live in the Hidden Rain Village in the downtown area, in a decent sized house, but we're at the moment residing in an apartment in South Konoha. I understand the destruction and death that the Akatsuki had caused in Konoha, but after Nagato's sacrifice, Konan and I defeating Obito, and apologizing to the residents of Konoha for the actions we've committed, the people of Konoha along with Naruto graciously understood the circumstances we we're facing and accepted our apology. In fact, we're good friends with Naruto and visit him at least every year. Naruto's married to Hinata and has a seventh month son named Boruto. By the way, when Konoha was being demolished in Pain's Assault and I decided to save this girl named Sakura, I later told Naruto about what happened after Naruto told me that he's good friends with Sakura, even training together since a very young age after they were both put on Team 7. 

Naruto told me that he doesn't know where Sakura is because she decided to chase someone named Sasuke in his redemption travel after he didn't return to the village. Anyway, as a family we usually stay in South Konoha for Christmas because in Konoha it snows majestically and in the Hidden Rain it rains all the time, and Konan and I prefer the snow. The reason why we live in the Hidden Rain is because after Nagato's death, Konan and I defected from the Akatsuki, and Konan became the de facto village head of Amegakure after gaining beloved feelings from the people of the Hidden Rain, even having the people of Amegakure treating Konan like an angel. Because Konan is busy working as the de facto village head of Amegakure, I'll sometimes report into Konan's office to help her with reporting or delegating tasks, but I also stay at home and take care of Aislinn. Essentially, I co-run the village with Konan after she appointed me second in command, so I guess you could say she's my boss, but usually when we run the village it takes a joint effort, depending on what people need help within the village. With people either needing me or Konan depending on the task, those issues will determine who stays at home to take care of Aislinn. 

Anyway, after I navigate my way through the confusing hallway and into the living room, I see Aislinn on the ground with Konan, both playing with paper lanterns Konan's made. I paused for a second and looked at them for a good moment, not wanting to impede on their precious time together. I looked at Aislinn very observationally as she gazed at the limelight emitting from the paper lantern. Then I looked around the room and noticed how dark everything was, the candles in the house losing the wax needed to survive, like a virus depending on its host. I sit down besides the Christmas tree, ready to discuss with Konan. "I think Aislinn loves paper too, she can't stop looking at that lantern," I said as Konan turns her head, noticing my presence. 

"Or I think she just likes the light," said Konan as I nodded my head in agreement. "Did you have a pleasant nap?" "You know I had a pleasant nap," I said as I smiled at Konan. "Before my nap I organized an accord that you and Hokage Kakashi will sign on Wednesday signifying a potential future alliance with the Leaf. This will be one step closer to achieving peace," I said as Konan quickly, and surprisingly stood up to rush over and kiss me. "Thank you, together another one of our dreams will become a reality," said Konan with excitement. "Yes, this is one of our ambitions, but I'll do anything for you," I said as I stared at Konan lovingly. "Honey, it's a little dark in here, I think the candles ran out of wax," I said with a quiet but caring tone.