Reflection of God (Pein Story)

Chapter 20.

“Great…”

Pein growled. Sure, he might know what was going on in the situation now…but it still didn’t mean he had anything to go on in terms of correcting it. It was delicate situation, and if he did something wrong, then it could end up making it worse. So what was he going to do? But it was clear he didn’t need to answer that question just yet, as Konan seemed to have found a solution for him, speaking up to say bluntly,

“Maybe action isn’t the answer, Pein. There are other ways to go about this. She’s trying to deal with all these changes, but it’s been alone every step of the way. If you actually spoke to her—apologised for what you did and explained everything that was going on Kyo might just be able to understand and comprehend all that concerns you.”

Glancing over his shoulder at Konan, his eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities of going through with that, Konan merely smirked and nodded in goodbye, turning and leaving the room. She had given him the idea, but there was nothing more she could do—he could be stubborn when he wanted to be, even if he was a god. Pein merely brushed off the smug look on Konan’s face for the moment, however, and let her leave, letting his gaze drift as he realised she was right; that he did need to talk to Kyo. A long, in depth conversation that covered everything. Now all he had to do was plan what he was going to say, and things would be fine.

Kyo wasn’t quite so much the optimist.

She had gone straight to her room, dodging past anyone that she saw in the corridors and not saying a word. What emotion she was feeling, she hadn’t a clue—anger? Happiness? Confusion? All of them seemed to be flitting around her head without managing to come to a firm conclusion about anything. She was angry with Pein—he had known it had been difficult getting her to call him by his first name, let along coming up to her and kissing her like that! But then again, she probably hadn’t made it easier with how she acted towards him in the first place. For all she knew she had been egging him on this whole time—it’s not like dating techniques and flirting were something she was clued in on; plus, responding immediately when he had kissed her was also probably a sign.

That was where the happiness came in, the anger dissipating like it hadn’t even existed in Kyo in the first place. The moment Pein’s lips had touched hers it had been like lightning shooting through her body. It had been an automatic reaction for her to respond and hold onto Pein; to bring him closer to her in anyway possible. Kyo had never felt like that in her entire life, but she had liked it. It had overwhelmed her senses until she could think about nothing else—or even think at all. But what added onto this feeling was the sense of almost relief at it happening. With that one kiss, so much seemed to be explained for the both of them. All of it made sense.

Then of course she had remembered her situation…and the happiness faded too.

Finally reaching her room, she flung open the door but closed it quietly, not wanting to arouse too much attention from the other members in the hideout. She threw her cloak and jacket onto her bed, walking straight to the window and leaning against the windowsill, clamping her eyes shut as she tried to do the same to everything else. Even now the memories were jolting through her head like muscle spasms; the feeling of his body flush with hers, her lips fitting perfectly against his as they moved in utter symmetry, so soft, warm and inviting, contrasting with the cold metal of his snakebites as they pressed against Kyo's skin. A shiver of pleasure ran up her spine though she was just recalling it, and shaking her head furiously Kyo tried to break herself out of that trance. She couldn’t think like that. She just couldn’t.

Come on; calling him by his first name was one thing; being in a relationship—a sexual relationship—with him was another thing entirely! Why had it even crossed his mind? It couldn’t happen. It wouldn’t work; he had to assign her missions and treat her like any other member. If he started dating Kyo, then he’d end up treating her differently and might even favor her over the rest. What if it affected her missions? She needed to concentrate when she was doing them, after all, and missions were what kept her in her job. It would just…ruin everything. So why did she like the idea? Why had everything felt just right when he had kissed her, and that it was all fitting into place? Why did she want to be with Pein so badly?

“Kyo? Are you alright? What’s wrong?” A sudden, soft voice called from the door, and instantly standing up and turning round, Kyo came face to face with Itachi, closing the door behind him as he walked over, narrowing his eyes in concern. A part of her felt like making up an excuse at his appearance and getting him to leave; but she had no idea what to do anymore, and turning round to look out at the sunset, she whispered in frustration,

“We kissed. He came over, and…we kissed.”

Narrowing his eyes at that information, Itachi paused for a moment as he took it in, but soon shook it off as he realised what he was doing. It was clear Kyo and Pein got on well, and with how much time they spent together…it wasn’t that much of a surprise to know that things were going this far. But somehow that statement wasn’t happy; but why, Itachi didn’t know, prompting him to ask quietly,

“Do you not like him? Are you worried something will happen because of it?”

“It’s not that I didn’t like it, it’s just I…I’ve never done anything like it before, and he’s still my leader. It wouldn’t be right—I work for him!” Kyo shot back, rubbing her temples as she tried to figure out something that would help this whole situation.

All she would be able to think about when she saw Pein from now on was that moment, constantly reminded of the kiss and all that had happened. She wouldn’t be able to continue normally; as if nothing had occurred. Things were a little too complicated for that. But if she hadn’t been able to properly look him in the eye after she walked away from him the first time, how would things be now? Realizing this was the second time Kyo had turned her back on Pein as if he didn’t matter, she added bitterly,

“He’s probably angry with me now.”

“Somehow I doubt that, Kyo. You said ‘we’, so obviously he reacted as well. If that was the case, he can’t be angry with you because you weren’t ready for it. There’s an easy way to deal with that—to just talk to him. To explain why you reacted like that and the truth—that you did like it, but that there are…extenuating circumstances.” Itachi answered calmly, never taking his eyes of Kyo as she stood there and nodded slowly in agreement. But as she remembered the other reason she had pulled away from Pein, Itachi continued,

“But as for the rest…there’s only so much I, Leader-sama…or anyone can do. You don’t have to bow for all of us or obey him completely…you have free will, Kyo, and you have a right to have your own voice. I know you had to deal with a lot from who you worked from before, I’m not trying to denounce that. But I can’t force you to change your mind. Unless you realise that Leader-sama isn’t about to do anything like that to you, and that he wouldn’t let it affect anything, you’re never going to allow yourself to get close to him.”

Looking down at her feet, Kyo said nothing for a moment, before finally stating a small ‘thank you’ towards Itachi. Knowing she wanted to be alone, he said goodbye and swiftly left, leaving Kyo still standing there. She knew he was right; that it was her own thoughts that were causing all this trouble and that she had to figure out it all in her mind and come to terms with her life if she wanted to get anywhere—it was just harder than it first seemed. But glancing up, noticing the moon having risen, Kyo walked to her window and climbed out, leaving it open for when she returned as she padded through the trees to talk a walk.

Her unexpected guests were the last people she had been wanting to meet.