Rain To Wash The Blood Away (Nagato x reader)

17. A promised paradise

Nagato's eyes opened, taking time to focus on the ceiling above. It was the middle of the night and he had woken up, this being something unusual for him to do. Sitting up, he looked around at the other sleeping members, ignoring the few that snored. He enjoyed the fact that they all slept together in the same room. Since they were shinobi, it was a basis for trust, people being their most vulnerable during their sleep. But this wasn't the only reason, this also reminded him of the times he spent with (Y/n), Konan and Yahiko during their youth. They would sleep in the same room, feeling safe because (Y/n) was there to protect them. Now that he had the ability to protect himself and fight, he no longer needed her to look out for him in that way, but he still relied on her. He felt safer in her presence and now that he was stronger, he could protect her like he had promised her all those years ago.

Thinking about the woman he couldn't get off his mind, he glanced towards her bed on the other side of the room. But was surprised to see that she wasn't there, the covers pushed back and the bed empty. He quickly stood from his own and began looking around. Searching inside the hideout, he was unable to find her. She wasn't anywhere within the base and he couldn't help but panic a little as he continued to look, not planning on giving up.

After searching the base a few times over, his eyes landed on the bases door, connecting their home to the outside world. Thinking about her, he knew that she would definitely be somewhere out there. He knew that she liked to be outside because of how quiet the night was and the fact that she enjoyed star gazing.

As he left the base and walked around in search of her, he couldn't help but remember the many times he has found her outdoors. She would sit beneath the stars and look up, adoring the glittering lights in the sky. Sometimes he would catch her quietly humming to herself and there was one time he had been there without her knowing and he had seen her cry. He hadn't a clue as to why she shed her tears but he didn't dare ask, let alone let her know that he was there to witness it.

Nagato walked through the forest, ringed orbs locking onto anything that would be a clue as to where (Y/n) would be. He was lucky enough to find a set of footprints leading up to a hill in the distance. Under the light of the moon, he could see an assortment of wild flowers spread throughout the grass of the hill. He continued to follow the footsteps, noticing that someone was laying down on top of the hill once he had gotten closer. His sandal-clad feet shuffled through the grass, catching the attention of the one who lay atop the hill. They sat up and revealed themselves as the person he had been looking for, (Y/n).

"Nagato, what are you doing up so late?" she asked, looking up at the red-haired man in front of her. He looked back in the direction he had come before turning his full attention to her.

"I couldn't get back to sleep," he lied, watching as she heaved a quiet sigh and pet the spot next to her.

"Come and sit then." Nagato did as she asked without hesitation, letting his eyes remain on her even after he had sat down. She didn't turn to look at him, instead, she pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin atop them as she stared at the sky above. The redhead remained silent and turned in the direction she was looking, trying to see what she found so interesting about the sky.

"What was keeping you up?" she asked, catching Nagato off guard. He was quick to deny her words, not wanting her to think there was something wrong with him. She was too kind for her own good and her focusing on him so much wouldn't be necessary in his eyes.

"It's nothing." He received a nudge on the shoulder from her and quiet laugh.

"Come on, Nagato. I know you too well for you to go hiding things from me, you've been acting strange lately and I'm worried," she admitted, bringing a light blush to the red-haired man's cheeks. He kept his head down, clenching his fists as he contemplated whether or not he should confess his feelings. Thinking back to what Konan said earlier that day, he couldn't help but feel the need to say something.