Heaven's Regulations {Rewrite}

Chapter 36 ~ Alive

Hey, guys! How's it going? I hope you've all had a wonderful week, and let's get going with this...

Enjoy!

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"Rin~" a certain blond called.

"Heyo!" the medic said.

"Leader-sama is calling a meeting, un." She gasped.

"I-I can finally go to those?!" she cried. "YES!"

"Only because it's too important to miss, un. Come on." The sculptor grinned down at Rin, sapphire eyes flashing happily. She giggled.

"So happiness really is contagious."

"You bet, yeah!"

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"Good morning, Akatsuki. I have called you all here today for the reason of discussing-" Nagato's eye twitched as the others burst out laughing. He rubbed his temples, sighing in resignation. "I can't do this."

"Can't you just talk to us normally, man?" Hidan asked, laughing.

"It's been a long time since you called a formal meeting," Zetsu remarked. "What's up?"

Rin glanced around, fascinated.

Despite the laughter, the members did seem just a little more collected than usual.

She was in awe.

Itachi noticed her enamored gaze and punched her gently.

"It's not normal," he told her.

"So what's it normally like?" she asked, chocolate eyes shining, enthralled. The Uchiha shook his head, smiling fondly, and clapped his hands.

"Guys, Rin wants to know what our meetings normally look like. Ready? Three, two, one, go."

And suddenly, there was no sound.

Nagato, who had been leaning casually against the wall before then, was standing at the front of the long tables in the room, hands behind his back. He gazed at the members solemnly.

Hidan, who had just recently had his legs propped up on the table, was sitting the straightest of all the Akatsuki affiliates.

Everyone watched their leader, eyes full of attention.

Rin, whose elbows were on the table and propping her chin up, suddenly felt very out of place.

The silence was choking.

Blinking, she sat up and gestured for him to continue.

"As I was saying, we are here today to discuss something very important," Nagato said. "There will be a new member joining our ranks in approximately three months' time."

Identification flashed in Rin's chocolate eyes.

Obito...!

No one around her reacted. As she glanced around, she could see that their faces were all blank, eyes betraying nothing.

"I know this goes against the organization principles, but I need to give some of this new member's information away for our safety's sake. He goes under the code name Tobi, but is actually Uchiha Madara - or so he says. In addition, he-" Nagato's voice wavered and the corners of his lips fought with his will as he saw the horribly-suppressed horrified expressions on his subordinates' faces.

The Akatsuki leader plopped down onto his seat with a sigh of defeat.

"I can't. You guys."