Reflection of God (Pein Story)

Chapter 2.

Pein watched the sun start to set out of his window, lost in his thoughts.

They weren’t anything special; nothing particularly exciting had gone on that day, and he’d gone on with his routine as normal, handing out missions and keeping everyone in check as much as he could. Things had been relatively calm in general over the past few days, and Pein couldn’t help but repeat that idea in his head, rolling his shoulders and closing his eyes for a moment as he exhaled slowly, feeling himself relax slightly. It wasn’t something he did often, and in a sense, it felt wrong. As a ninja, he had to keep on guard constantly, and even more so as a missing nin and leader of the Akatsuki. But there was nothing happening currently, and his mind felt like it was on overdrive—something had to give.

What he was concentrating on so badly, Pein wasn’t sure, but something felt different. He felt as if he should be expecting something to occur; that something would pop out of the shadows any minute now or attack him from a hiding place. However, Pein knew that idea was ridiculous, and therefore shook it off, opening his eyes again to look back across the sky and the brilliant rays of golden light the sun sprayed over it, like paint on a canvas. Though that feeling remained niggling at the back of his mind. Maybe it wouldn’t be something as obvious as that; but something was coming, whether big or small. Narrowing his eyes slightly, Pein sighed imperceptibly in irritation—he didn’t like it. He didn’t feel right, and he couldn’t let anything affect how things were turning out.

None of the others had been acting differently today, and Konan had mentioned nothing or shown no signs of anything when Pein had spoken to her. Whatever was going on seemed to be concerning him alone—something else Pein wasn’t particularly fond of. He flexed his fingers, contemplating the idea of going for a walk; anything that would take his mind off the strange feeling inside his head. If this was a supposed omen, then Pein wished it would just hurry up. If something was going to happen, then it could at least happen—

“Leader-sama!”

Snapping back to reality, Pein turned to face the door instantly as he heard the banging and the voice calling out to him, quickly stating a word of assent for them to come in. Immediately a subordinate entered, looking slightly nervous but determined all the same, and bowing in respect and greeting, he began swiftly,

“Leader-sama…we’ve got something you should see.”

It had been early evening by the time Kyo had woken up, the suns rays streaming across her face as she groggily came round. Shaking off her drowsiness, Kyo had instantly fallen into a defensive stance, knowing her arms were tied behind her back but not needing them free to be able to fight back and break away. Her opinion had only changed when she had finally gotten a good look around her; the subordinates must have been carrying her all day, as a building had abruptly loomed ahead in the distance, and Kyo hadn’t recognize the forest around her. Wherever they had taken her, she didn’t know, and better yet, she didn’t know who was involved. They had taken her to see someone, that was evident, but there had been no hint as to who that person was. Kyo couldn’t think of any reason why they might want her, the idea that it was because of her boss somehow seemed strange. There would most likely be more people inside, though, and as they got closer to the building, Kyo knew there was no point in running—they would only find her and drag her back.

Seeing she had woken up, the subordinates had simply pulled her forward and forced her to walk now that she was able, and with a slight glare in their direction, Kyo had complied. What else would she have been able to do in the situation? So instead she merely remained quiet, taking in her surroundings as she was taken inside the building and walked along the corridors. It was plain, and practically empty; it contained necessities, and that was about it from the looks of things. Just how many people lived there was unknown, and Kyo felt her muscles automatically tense up the further she went into this place. Even the subordinates themselves didn’t seem fully comfortable with where they were, and it did nothing to relax Kyo—especially as they passed an open doorway a moment later, revealing the people inside. It was the cloaks that caught her attention; the red clouds on a black background.

“Akatsuki,” Kyo whispered, her eyes lingering on them before she was pushed onwards.

The subordinates had hesitated when she had looked round at them; upon seeing her abilities. Was that why she had been brought here? Because of what she could do? But what would the Akatsuki want with her? Kyo couldn’t answer any of these questions, and clenched her fists to help herself remain calm as a door appeared at the very end of the corridor, right at the back of the building. No doubt this was where their leader was; something that was proven as she was pulled to a halt, a subordinate stepping forward and banging on the door, calling out to whoever was inside.

“Something I should see? What?” Pein instantly responded, narrowing his eyes at this sudden interruption and unusual circumstances. Knowing Pein didn’t have a clue as to what was going on, the subordinate quickly replied,

“We saw her training, Leader-sama. We thought she was powerful to begin with, but—”

“Bring her in, then. Where is she?” Pein cut him off, gesturing for her to be brought forward. He needed to sort things out as quickly as possible; that feeling that something was different—that something was coming—had not fully faded from his mind, and Pein wanted to make sure everything was as it should be. He didn’t need to hear anymore, after all—he’d find out soon enough what they wanted him to see when she was brought in.

So pulling her forward, they swiftly led Kyo through the door and stood her a few paces into the room. Pein immediately turned around as he heard the room fall silent, hesitating as he saw Kyo standing there. Her head was bowed, not meeting his gaze as she stood there—but Pein could see it wasn’t from fear. It was more like respect she was showing him, and narrowing his eyes Pein could find nothing to say for the moment. Her silver hair couldn’t completely hide her face; couldn’t hide her beauty, and she held herself with perfect posture, not about to shy away from anything but still willing to hold back when the need arose. Pein had never met or even seen anyone quite like Kyo, and forced himself to look away; to break the trance she had placed upon him as he turned to the subordinates and stated bluntly,

“Leave. You’ve done all that was needed.”

Nodding quickly, the subordinates didn’t pause, instantly turning and leaving the room, shutting the door quietly behind them. This only reinforced Kyo's impression of Pein; though he didn’t seem unfair or cruel in anyway, he was still not a man to be messed with. What her life had to do with the Akatsuki was a question that still plagued her; but she felt it best that she stay silent while he looked her over, wondering what he was thinking. He gave off an atmosphere of authority, it was true; but there was something else that added onto this image, though she couldn’t quite tell what it was. Forcing her heartbeat to stay at its normal rate as Kyo felt Pein's gaze on her once more, she said nothing as Pein finally began, getting straight to the point,

“What is it they’re so interested in?”

“Well—”

“Look at me,” Pein instantly interrupted, and to begin with, Kyo paused. She knew it was an order—but her concerns about how the subordinates had reacted upon seeing her were still in her mind, and she was uncertain how Pein would react in the same situation. But Pein instantly picked up on this, and narrowing his eyes at her as she didn’t lift her head, he took a step forward, and repeated, more firmly this time,

“I said. Look. At me.”

Now, however, and Kyo knew there was no way out of this, and sighing inwardly, she slowly lifted her face to his, watching as he blinked in surprise at what he saw.

After all, seeing the Rinnegan staring back at him was the last thing he’d been expecting.