Helpless

  “Zetsu-kun!  Zetsu-kun!”  Tobi ran around the base, searching for Zetsu in excited desperation.

  Zetsu, upon hearing his name being shouted, popped his head out from the wall.  He looked at Tobi with a blank expression.

  “What is it, Tobi?”

  “Guess what, Zetsu-kun!” Tobi yelled as he pulled his mentor into a hug.

  “What?” Kuroi growled.

  “Tobi is going on a mission!  He gets to escort one of Pein’s friends to the Hidden Leaf and then give a letter to the Hokage!  This is so exciting!”

  “Be careful, Tobi,” Zetsu warned in a soft manner.  “I hear that the Chunnin exams are being held at the Hidden Leaf.  It may be too hard for you to do this.”

  “But, Zetsu-kun!” Tobi whined.  “Tobi isn’t a member of Akatsuki so he won’t be recognised!”

  Zetsu sighed.  “You have a point, but there’s the chance that you have been seen with us.  If they know you associate with us, you’ll be captured and taken in for questioning.”

  “Don’t worry, Zetsu-kun.” Tobi flashed Zetsu a bright smile.  “Tobi will be fine!”

  Zetsu rolled his eyes.  He knew that Tobi didn’t quite understand his concern.  Okay, Tobi.  When will you be back?”

  “Pein-sama said in two weeks!”

  “Be careful, Tobi.  Excuse us – we have to go talk to Leader-Sama.”

  With a loud, delighted squeal, Tobi gave Zetsu one last hug before he disappeared down the hallway, leaving Zetsu to his own devices. 

  -XX-

  Tobi was extremely happy to have been given another unofficial mission for the Akatsuki and was taking his duty seriously.  He was so excited that he refused to slow down for the man, Hotaka, who was lagging behind due to the child’s exuberance. 

  “Hurry, Hotaka-san!” Tobi called out from ahead.  “Tobi wants to hurry!”

  Hotaka sighed before gritting his teeth.  He hated that kid so much.  The boy was loud and idiotic – everything Hotaka hated in a person. 

  Almost an hour later, the two arrived at the border of the Wind and Fire Countries. 

  “We’re at the border, Hotaka-san!” Tobi screamed as he charged on ahead.  “Let’s go!”

  “Tobi, stop for a minute!”  Hotaka tried as hatred boiled to the brim.  “If you don’t stop, you’re only going to -!”

  Tobi screamed as a kunai flew past him.  It landed directly into Hotaka’s chest with a sickening squelch.  Without even checking to see if his elder was okay or not, the black-haired boy fled in terror.  He could sense several others chasing after him, which only heightened his panic. 

  -XX-

  Hours had passed by before Tobi was finally free of his pursuers.  He panted heavily as he collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted.  Every noise that he heard made him jump in paranoia and every shadow in the dark caused his heart to beat faster.  However, when the bush next to him begun to rustle, the boy screamed.  He was too scared to run away as a fox scrambled out from the underbrush.

  “Just a… fox…” Tobi laughed nervously to himself. 

  The boy pulled off his mask, hoping it would help him catch his breath.  It didn’t really make much of a difference, but it was a little more comfortable to lie down without it strapped to his face.  Tobi grasped his face with his hands and burst into tears.  Why was everything so hard whenever Zetsu was not around?