Reflection of God (Pein Story)

Chapter 16.

Pein seemed to know just what to do to make Kyo uncomfortable.

Though she was beginning to think it wasn’t as purposeful as she’d thought.

His attitude had changed a lot since she had first arrived at the Akatsuki, being cold and aloof one minute and then normal the next. He’d become quite casual with her, seemingly more relaxed in her presence and not showing so much hesitation and restraint when it came to talking with and spending time with her. It hadn’t been something Kyo had noticed had first; because in turn, she’d been doing the same, but there were still times when she paused, bewildered at how things had turned out. Not quite understanding why the situation was the way it was and how Pein had become this way with her.

But now things were really starting to change.

Maybe Pein had always acted this way towards Kyo, and she just hadn’t spotted it, but as she began her training session with him that day, he appeared…gentler, if that word could be used in accordance with a man like Pein. Whereas yesterday his method of training had been egging her on and confidently stating things for Kyo to do next, he was more softly encouraging her today, explaining things carefully and allowing her to take her time. His general manner was calmer overall, as well, even in the moments when they weren’t training and dealing with something else. But as much as Kyo felt he had changed because of what had happened yesterday, a part of her was beginning to wonder if he was just trying to make things easier for her.

Not that that in itself was easy.

Kyo wasn’t used to this kind of attention. Sure, she had had to deal with being the highest ranked ninja where she used to work; with leading the missions she went on and what people thought of her wherever she went. She had met ninjas who had heard of what she had done, and they mentioned a few things, and ultimately had had the attention on her—but it hadn’t mattered. The first few were things that came with the job, and the others were things she couldn’t change, but weren’t about to let them affect her. By doing the amount of missions she did, there was bound to be people who knew about her—and those who took offence to what she had done.

But what Pein was doing was different—because he was waiting on her, instead of it always being the other way around. It was how it had been for Kyo; her leader would tell her something, and she would react off of it. Yet now it was Pein who was suggesting something, and seeing what decision Kyo would make. Whether or not she wanted to do something or just doing something in general and seeing what she would do in return. It felt like that whatever happened during this training session wasn’t down to him, even though he was her leader and for the moment, her sensei—but instead it was down to her. She’d feel a shiver up her spine, and know his intense gaze was focused on nothing but her, watching and waiting—making her less likely to know what to do to react!

He didn’t stop, however, and persisted in what he was doing. Kyo wasn’t speaking to him like she usually did and was acting so much more submissive. Pein didn’t like it, and as such he was doing whatever he could to get her to talk to him again. That way he could figure out how she really felt about this whole situation and he would know where to go from there, instead of having this atmosphere around the both of them. Kyo knew he still had that suggestion in mind; he wasn’t the kind of guy to give up easily, and the few times she did glimpse into his eyes that same determination and authoritative nature remained regardless. With his stature in life, getting what he wanted was never a hard thing to achieve considering the power he had. Only this time it was different. He didn’t want to force it on Kyo, but for her to choose to do it of her own free will.

And to be honest…she was wavering.

A part of her really was willing to agree to his suggestion, and not just because he was persevering in the way he was acting towards her. It didn’t matter what she did to try and disguise it and force it away; not talking to him unless necessary and avoiding eye contact as much as possible…he still managed to have an effect on her, and Kyo didn’t know why. All she could concentrate on was the idea that calling Pein by his first name didn’t feel such a bad idea as it had done to start with. She’d been dreading this training session, not knowing how anything was going to go, but now she’d been forced into this situation with him, focusing on the training as they spent time together…things seemed clearer than they had before.

Pein had told her he wanted her to join the Akatsuki, and as such Kyo was now a member. But right away she had been different; considering she had the Rinnegan. At first Kyo had thought it would distance her from Pein...but it clearly hadn’t turned out that way. Instead he was personally training her to learn how to use the Rinnegan, taking the time out of his usual daily routine and missions to do this, allowing her—time off, essentially—of missions in order to complete it. It wasn’t even as if it was general ninja abilities, because the Rinnegan was special and unique—so instantly that meant Kyo would be sharing a closer bond with Pein with their shared kekkai genkai. Combine that with how much time they spent together and all he’d done for her…and Kyo was closer to him than most were in this world.

Konan was incredibly close to him, and knew him better than anyone; but they were childhood friends and had known each other all their lives, working together to where they were today; and still he didn’t treat her like he did Kyo. Considering she hadn’t known him that long, compared to everyone else, Kyo was closer to Pein than most could imagine they could be. But she had agreed to it all back then. She hadn’t fought or struggled when being told she was joining the Akatsuki and was willing to work for him; and the idea that he would be training her personally had almost brought up a feeling of excitement within her. It had been willingly that she had gone, and willingly that she spent the breaks between training and the time afterwards with him. He hadn’t suggested or forced Kyo to do that. When Pein had said he wanted her to call him by his first name, Kyo had stood there and been shocked at the idea her boss was saying that—but he’d done a lot more before it. Even the fear she had felt at the idea of getting close to him seemed to fade as she glanced up at him standing there, until eventually she burst out in frustration,

“Why do you want me to call you by your first name? You said you wanted me to, but never the reason why—so what is it?”

Smothering the feeling of relief that arose within Pein at the fact Kyo was finally speaking to him again, he merely turned to face her, meeting her gaze full on and not looking away as he replied simply,

“Because I’d consider you a friend, Kyo. It feels strange to have you standing there calling me ‘Leader-sama’ constantly when we train together and generally spend time together.”

But for a moment, Kyo couldn’t find anything to say to reply to that.

Immediately her defensive attitude began to fall at his words, having found them completely unexpected but knowing she was strangely glad he’d said them. All her life her focus had been her work; just following orders and doing what she was told. When she wasn’t doing missions, true, she had her hobbies, but none of them had ever involved other people—like she’d said before…they were just colleagues. But Pein was standing there and saying he considered her a friend. Not only that, but as Kyo stared back at him she knew she felt the same. The concept of friendship was a little new for her, but she could understand it now, and the fact that Pein himself was the one stating it made it ever more significant. Her doubts and uncertainties faded, as she finally nodded slowly in agreement to his request, replying firmly,

“Alright…Pein.”

Kyo had known everything was so different in the Akatsuki.

But now she could see it was only a good thing.