Midnight Memories

I don’t own Naruto nor do I make money from it.



Midnight Memories



Chapter Eighteen



Numbness was something he was used to. After countless lifetimes of existing in an almost monotonous world, he was used to feeling little. Occasionally flashes of anger burst through his barrier such as with the council and Sasuke.



In part, he had Naruto to thank for returning him part of his ‘humanity’ if such a word could be used by one such as him. He forced him to start living and feeling again after so long locking away every emotion threatening to escape him.



As he stared at the final words scrawled neatly upon the page, he was at a loss for what he felt. His memories weren’t as sharp as he remembered and the times described were over a millennia past–some of them closer to two. There were reasons he’d chosen to forget them and now they were pushed with glaring clarity back into his mindset.



He had wanted to forget them and once again they haunted him. Some instinctual part of him had recognized Pein for who he was. Another part shoved the memory even further back to the safety of his subconscious.



Closing the journal, Itachi stared at the leather bound tome. It wasn’t the original–of that he was certain. The binding was only a century old, if that. That Pein’s friend…Konan, had painstakingly re-scribed her story into a new volume bespoke of her wish to eventually transfer the knowledge onto Pein.



Perhaps she didn’t know she would die, perhaps she did. It really wasn’t his place to speculate about what she’d known when she wrote out the events of his past. All he could say with any certainty was the utter feeling of numbness at fully knowing the events transpiring around the centuries prior to his acceding to the nightwalker throne and the part his father played in it.



“Well?” Pein stood near the fireplace, his narrow gray eyes trained directly on Itachi.



“What would you like me to say?”



Disgust spread across the strangely beautiful face. “Don’t say it doesn’t affect you because if damn well affects me.”



“I barely recall those days,” he replied calmly.



It wasn’t actually a lie. He had forgotten many things, but reading Konan’s account of them caused his mind to nearly black out with the influx of long forgotten days and feelings he held during those times.



And then came the numbness.



He’d locked away his feelings and emotions, choosing the path his father had created for him. To rule without the burden of emotions was to view all sides with a clear mind. But in truth, he hadn’t wanted to lose again. Where Sasuke chose to cling to Naruto, Itachi had given up on the incarnations of Pein. He didn’t know the complete truth, but the sense of loss wasn’t something he’d wanted to deal with even if he didn’t fully understand the depths of his connection. It wasn’t even a conscious act, but one created out instinct to protect himself.



He might be numb now, but the dreaded onslaught of anger was beginning to tingle along his senses. Already he could feel it building in intensity. Something had been taken from him and he’d never realized the true implications of it until this very moment.



He refused to lose control. His control was a hard sought strength he couldn’t relinquish because if he did, the world would tremble. He would not tear his people apart for it. Desire for Danzou’s death was eating away at him, forcing him to push all the harder for control.



He was his father’s son. He was nothing like Sasuke who was treated as an innocent by Fugaku. Itachi was groomed from the moment he first drew breath. He was taught to bottle away his emotions. His first kill had occurred at age ten. Unlike Sasuke, Itachi was forced to battle his darkness from a far younger age.



“You’re lying. I see it in your eyes. Are you going to tell me that you don’t care? That it doesn’t bother you that your father dictated every aspect of your life including that concerning me?” Pein sounded almost offended on his behalf.



The words awakened another part of his soul. “How do you know I lie?”



Pein gave a small snort. “I’m not some child. In experience, I’m nearly as old as you. I can tell.”



Itachi stared at Pein. It was true. His eyes were those of an ancient. They held secrets of the long dead past–probably more secrets than anyone would desire to have.



His eyes shifted away so not to stare into the smoky gray depths. Staring too long would cause him to lose himself. Was this what Sasuke felt with Naruto? Was his connection to Pein some warped version of the connection Naruto and Sasuke shared?



He couldn’t be sure. Time had distorted their connection to such a degree, he couldn’t fully understand it. Probably never could. Perhaps it was similar to a blind man seeing for the first time after a lifetime in the darkness. His eyes didn’t know what they saw and his brain didn’t know how to process the information.



Sasuke was obsessed with Naruto. Such emotions didn’t translate for Itachi. He found Pein physically attractive but if he fell dead in this very moment, he wasn’t sure he would be driven insane or even feel more than a tingling of remorse for the other‘s death. It was remnants of centuries devoted to control.



“Aren’t you angry?”



Itachi’s eyes darted back to meet gray when it occurred to him. He was in shock. The numbness was fading and the anger he expected was building to even greater heights in his stomach. He wanted to kill them all for taking what belonged to him. The anger pushed at him, forcing him to struggle to keep from allowing it to take over completely. He was very dangerous to everyone when he was angry. If Pein didn’t start the war, Itachi’s actions could very well send his people into a civil war.



He closed his eyes to hide the change from black to red. He was furious at what he’d lost and at the same time his hands were tied by his position. All he was left with was unrelenting frustration and anger.



And Pein seemed determined to bring them to the very surface like a boil ready to burst. He couldn’t realize what he was threatening to unleash. He had to know there was a limit to what Itachi could take before erupting.



“Stop what you’re doing,” hissed Itachi.



Pein stormed forward, wrapping a hand in Itachi‘s inky locks and forcing his head back so their gazes met. “Your other was taken from you and you don’t feel the need to destroy those who allowed the atrocity.”



Itachi glared with as much force as he could. “I don’t know what that means. I barely remember that time.”



He knew exactly what it meant and lying to Pein only made his frustrations grow in strength. What was natural was perverted by his father so that both he and Pein suffered to different degrees from the actions.



Pein‘s eyes increased in intensity. “It means you need to take your revenge. Your father is beyond us but Danzou can pay for both their crimes.”



“War will accomplish nothing save tearing my people apart.” Itachi lifted a hand to clench in Pein’s soft sweater. “Am I angry? More than you could fathom.”



“Then why are you acting as if you don’t care?”



Itachi stood and forced Pein against the wall with such a force, the wall cracked behind him. The force of the action didn’t even seem to knock the breath from him.



“I care but I am a king. To know I have someone who is so joined to me that we are nearly the same being. To know that I lost a chance to have what Sasuke and Naruto have hurts. It hurts more than you could ever know. I hate what was done to me but I have to put my emotions aside for the greater good of my people. I have to be willing to sacrifice,” snarled Itachi.



Pein‘s eyes darkened to a swirling gray. “So I am your sacrifice? When you thought Naruto dead, were you hurt? I know what you felt for him. I’m a watcher and I watched the two of you. Did you ever think of taking him from your brother? Killing your brother so you could have him?”



Itachi hissed, his fangs gleaming white in the muted light. “What I feel for Naruto is irrelevant.”



Pein dropped his hands away. “Fine. Take the noble role. Naruto still fights with us.”



“No.”



“That’s not your decision to make,” replied Pein.



“Why are you pushing for a war? Is it your immortality? You’re sure you will win?” asked Itachi with a frown.



“You don’t understand. You’re nothing but a slave to your father and Danzou.” Pein pushed at Itachi’s chest with more strength than Itachi would have thought could come from him. “Danzou didn’t just take Konan from me. He and your father took you. Do you realize that I should have died. But I wanted to live so badly. I wanted to be with you. My other lives didn’t matter because in my last, you saw me. For the first time I think you actually felt our connection.”



Itachi felt his anger burn away to leave regret. The regret hurt more than the sense of betrayal he felt. He hurt because he knew what he’d lost and who had taken it from him. While he would put nothing past Danzou, that his father had instigated the actions forced him to tamp down even more. If he had his way he would slay Danzou where he stood for what he’d done.



But there was more than just himself to think of. Already the council was torn in their allegiance. Things would get nasty if a war was to erupt.



“Don’t drag my people into a war.”



“What would have me do? Forget everything? Continue to allow Danzou to come and have the threads of fate interpreted for him? Act as if nothing happened and Konan was still alive?” Pein shook his head. “I can’t do that.”



“Then what about that man?”



Both sets of eyes turned to where Naruto stood with Sasuke slightly behind him. Itachi stiffened and eyed the two while Pein moved calmly towards one of the two chairs set before the fireplace.



“What man?” asked Itachi.



“He means Danzou,” answered Sasuke. “And I can honestly say the world and our people would be better off without that man alive. Kill him Itachi. You‘re the king of our people. Take him out for crimes against your person.”



Itachi shook his head wearily. “Even if I wished for Danzou’s death, the council would never allow it. It would take a unanimous vote to execute a council member. He has at least one family in his grasp.”



“Who said we go through the council.” Sasuke’s eyes faded to crimson.



“Explain.”



Sasuke‘s teeth flashed as a crooked grin slid across his face. “Why not bring him to the watchers? We don’t have to go through the council and justice is done.”



“Don’t be childish. It would only start a war. Someone would call for Danzou’s murderers and I wouldn’t be able to stop it,” sighed Itachi.



Naruto placed a hand on Sasuke’s chest before approaching Naruto. He leaned his head on Itachi’s chest and sighed heavily.



“Naruto?”



Itachi could feel both Pein and Sasuke’s eyes on him and Naruto. The intensity of both gazes seemed to rip though him. There was a distinct air of jealousy coming from both males, though for different reasons.



“Itachi…we can’t do nothing. Pein needs you.”



“Wait a minute,” growled Pein as he half stood from his chair.



Sasuke moved to Pein’s side, placing a hand on his shoulder to keep him seated. “Let him talk. He’s smarter than anyone gives him credit for.”



“If there is a threat of war–a real threat–I think the council will err on the side of saving themselves rather than protecting Danzou,” argued Naruto.



“They won’t just hand him over. If I wasn’t involved, I might be less likely to simply hand him or anyone over merely because someone threatened war.” There was a way, but he wasn’t sure if the council would go for it. “But–”



“Itachi?” Sasuke frowned at the look of concentration working its way across Itachi’s face.



“If an injured party comes forth demanding compensation for a grievance, they might agree.”



Sasuke’s eyes widened. “Gods. I should have thought of that.”



“What?” Naruto and Pein seemed completely out of the loop of understanding.



Sasuke shook his head. “Nightwalkers hold very true to tradition. We dig our feet in on most issues but honor isn’t one of them.”



“So…?” Naruto seemed to have trouble following his explanation.



“All grievances must be answered and the value of the life paid. It is a matter of honor as our people originate in the Far East.” At Naruto’s confusion, Sasuke continued his explanation. “Each species holds a value–some more than others. Because of the prevalence of their species, humans possess the lowest worth. If by some random chance a human sought a grievance, it would most likely be paid in something of monetary value.”



“Hey! I used to be human.”



Sasuke smirked faintly, his hand lifting to stroke Naruto’s cheek. “I know. Because the human worth is so low is the reason execution for my crimes were always stayed…well and having the king for a brother helped as well. They feared discovery more than anything which is why my crimes had them on edge. It wasn‘t the people I killed but the very public nature of it.”



Itachi snorted but said nothing, merely allowing Sasuke to speak. He would have his say soon enough if need be. If Sasuke was thinking along the same lines as him, the council would have no choice but to issue execution orders.



“What race is worth the most?” asked Pein, though from the smirk curving his lips, he knew exactly which race.



“I had always assumed it was the incubi,” answered Sasuke. “In the last five hundred years, their numbers have been in a decline.”



“But it’s not, is it?” asked Naruto.



Itachi shook his head. “No it is not. How many watchers are there in the world?”



Pein cocked his head for a moment, calculating silently. “Less than five hundred.”



“I thought as much.” Itachi glanced at Naruto. “The incubi continue to have at least three or four thousand.”



“Whoa. I’m a member of an endangered species,” gaped Naruto.



“The question is, will your council recognize watchers as worth anything? We are largely unknown and this action will do something we’ve never done. We will be shoved into the supernatural spotlight.” Pein frowned as he spoke. “We’ve remained outside of history but this action will force us into the forefront. Every race except the humans will know of our existence.”



“Is that something you really want to happen?” asked Itachi. “There are other ways to punish Danzou besides killing him. I’m sure I can have him removed from the council. His intrigues are becoming a nuisance to many of the more prevalent houses.”



“It is a necessary evil. Perhaps it is time we step from the shadows. We still possess the skills to watch without being seen.” Pein rested his chin on his fist. “What do you have in mind?”



Itachi heaved a sight before speaking. “I will call a council meeting to address a grievance brought to my attention. You will have to speak on Konan’s death and the reasons behind it. I have no doubt death will be his punishment.”



“Danzou will not fall easily,” interjected Sasuke.



“I’m aware,” answered Itachi calmly. “I’m sure he will gather what supporters he can but those are the choices of his followers. I can only protect those who wish it.”



“Are you alright with this, Pein?” asked Naruto.



“I am. My people will support my decision.” He glanced at Itachi. “How long before you can call a council meeting?”



“I will send out missives immediately. The meeting will be held next nightfall. I very much doubt Danzou will answer. As he is the accused, his vote does not count but he has several supporters. If they do not show, it could be difficult if a majority is not present,” answered Itachi.



Pein nodded and stood stiffly. “Then do so.”



Itachi nodded and gestured for Sasuke to follow him from the room. Naruto stayed, staring at Pein who gazed blindly into the crackling fireplace.



“Are you alright?”



A slight nod of the head was the only response he received. The lack of appropriate response incited him to press for more.



“You and Itachi are like me and Sasuke, right?”



Pein broke his gaze with the flames and glanced at Naruto. “No.”



“Why not?”



Pein shrugged. “It’s complicated.”



Naruto wasn’t one to let something go when he set his mind to it. He was determined to find out exactly what Itachi and Pein were to each other. He wanted his big brother to be happy because he’d never seen the light in Itachi’s eyes.



“But you want to be.”



Pein heaved a sigh before looking at Naruto. “I’ve never seen a pairing such as you and Sasuke Uchiha. I can’t say with any certainty that Itachi Uchiha and I wouldn’t have been as you if we’d had a chance. But as we did not, our relationship is different.”



“Itachi’s hard to read. He’s always been like that. It’s like he’s afraid to let anyone in except Sasuke. Sasuke was always an exception even though I didn’t realize it at the time. He kept everyone else at arm’s length.” Naruto’s grin became devious. “But I wormed my way in. You should too. He needs someone. He’s always alone. Sometimes I see him in my memories. He’s always alone.”



“If things were different,” murmured Pein.



“Make them different. We deal in threads of fate, right? Well, you know there is always more than one fate. Hell, I haven’t been a watcher very long and I know that much. Fate is what you make of it.” Naruto propped his hands behind his head and grinned widely. “You should change your fate.”



Naruto continued grinning as he stood and left Pein alone with his thoughts. The contemplative look on Pein’s face was enough to insure he was considering Naruto’s words thoroughly.



“Perhaps.” Pein glanced at Naruto from the corner of his eye. “After this issue is settled.”



Knowing he wasn’t going to get more out of him than he already had, Naruto nodded and left him to the silence of his thoughts.



oOo



Itachi slashed a lengthened claw across his wrist and allowed the blood to run thickly down into the cupped palm. Dipping a finger into the crimson fluid, he began writing in blood upon the wall while Sasuke watched in awe.



“I never realized you were so adept at it.”



Itachi snorted as he completed the final symbol. “I didn’t have a choice in the matter.”



“Will enough come to kill the bastard?”



Itachi paused before running a tongue over his wrist and glancing at Sasuke. “They will come. I added a bit of compulsion to the summons. Of course, it wouldn’t work on the stronger families like the Nara, but the weaker minded council members–the ones Danzou owns–won’t have a choice but to obey.”



“Good. I doubt the Naras would let anyone own them,” commented Sasuke as Itachi hissed a few words and the blood shimmered bright red before fading completely.



“Don’t assume anything about the Nara clan. They aren’t as noble as you believe. They will do what they think is right for their clan. Some times I wonder if the Nara would be better kings than the Uchiha,” mused Itachi.



It was Sasuke’s turn to snort. “The Naras like staying behind the scenes. They are like puppet masters. They would never willingly rule anything.”



“Perhaps you know more than you let on, Sasuke. Much like Naruto.” Itachi sat wearily into a chair in Sasuke and Naruto’s quarters.



“Are you well?”



Itachi nodded. “I’ll need to feed before the meeting tomorrow. Weaving such a powerful compulsion into the summons is draining.”



“Not Naruto.”



Itachi paused, sending Sasuke an annoyed look. “Naruto isn’t the first person I think of when needed to feed.”



“But he has the best blood,” argued Sasuke. “I feel unusually energized when I drink from him. And the taste is far better.”



“I’ll make do.” Itachi leaned his head against the back of the chair, appearing even less the powerful nightwalker and more of just a man.



Naruto moved into the room, pausing at seeing Itachi sleeping. “Is it day? I can’t tell when there aren’t any windows.”



“Not yet. He wiped his energy sending the summons. He needs to feed,” answered Sasuke, pulling Naruto into his arms. “And before you offer, I already told him no.”



Naruto’s mouth closed with a snap. “But I know my blood is good.”



“He’ll be fine. The sleep will give him enough energy to hunt before the council convenes tomorrow.”



“What about Pein?” asked Naruto.



Sasuke nuzzled his face into Naruto‘s shoulder. “What about him?”



Naruto snickered and pushed Sasuke away. “Itachi could feed from him.”



Sasuke sat back with a glare. “I think that man would rather see Itachi starve.”



A mischievous look worked its way across Naruto’s face. “Not if he wants to live.”



“What are you talking about?”



“I heard on my walk here that Pein’s make-up has changed. You know what happens when I get low on energy?” Naruto pressed a hand to Sasuke’s chest, drawing energy from him.



The sensation was probably similar to that of being shocked by static electricity, though much more erotic in nature. Sasuke moaned, his hips jerking beneath Naruto’s and his fangs lengthening enough to poke from his lips.



Sasuke shuddered and clung to Naruto who shifted teasingly in his lap. “Don’t do that.”



Something gleamed in Naruto’s eyes. “Does it feel good?”



“You have no idea. So stop before I fuck you with Itachi in the room,” growled Sasuke.



“Ooo, kinky.”



A growl rumbled from Sasuke’s throat and his hands clenched on Naruto’s hips. “Naruto–”



“If you two are going to go at it, please allow me a moment to leave. I have no desire to watch or listen to the two of you.” Itachi stood slowly and glided from the room almost like a ghost.



“Why do you have to be such a bastard?” Naruto slammed a surprisingly strong fist into Sasuke’s shoulder.



oOo



Itachi smirked slightly at the yelp of pain coming through the door. Apparently Naruto was growing stronger every day.



As he turned towards in a random direction in hopes of finding an empty room to rest in, his vision blurred and he staggered against the stone cut walls. The combination of Pein feeding from his energy and the use of blood magic had him to the point of nearly collapsing.



“Excuse me?”



Itachi felt his fangs poking at his lips. Watchers were strange. They could hide every aspect of their being from the world–sight, scent, touch, and sound. But inside these walls they were offered some sort of comfort and tended to allow their natural forms to expand.



He could smell the blood flowing beneath the girl’s skin. He could taste her nervousness and a small hint of excitement. It was exhilarating.



“Are you alright?” she asked.



Itachi opened his lips to reply when he felt a presence at his side. It was hard not to notice Pein’s signature spicy scent and the shear power he exuded when he was near. Where the blood of the girl was tempting, Pein’s was nearly unbearable.



“I’ll take care of him, Cora,” interjected Pein.



“Yes, sir.” She gave a small nod of her head before moving down the hallway.



Itachi shuddered, leaning heavily against Pein while inhaling deeply. He hadn’t been this starved in ages. Having Pein’s arm around him and the scent of his blood was almost overwhelming.



“Are you alright?” Pein frowned at how Itachi leaned against him. “You’re sick?”



“No,” he whispered, pressing his face into where his shoulder and neck joined.



Pein jumped and pulled away at the first touch of a tongue on his throat. “What the hell?”



Itachi stumbled slightly but was able to brace himself against the wall. His eyes lifted and he was certain Pein saw the red by the slight stuttering of his breath.



“What’s wrong with you?”



Itachi moved so fast, he probably appeared like a blur to any onlooker. He had Pein pressed firmly against the wall with their noses practically touching.



“What the fuck,” gasped Pein as his back slammed into the wall.



While the redhead looked surprised, he wasn’t exactly pulling away, making Itachi determined to keep him off balance. He was in his grasp and Itachi was starving.



“I’m hungry…starving,” purred Itachi as he lowered his head to nose at the skin just above the neckline of Pein’s thin sweater.



“Stop,” he whispered though he wasn’t trying hard to stop the other.



Itachi lifted his head to stare into Pein’s shocked eyes. “Do you really want me to stop?”



His hand lifted and stroked across the throbbing vein beneath the surface. It was practically begging to punctured.



His touch seemed to increase the pounding of the fluid exponentially. Temptation didn’t even begin to describe what he felt.



When Pein didn’t answer, Itachi lowered his head to scrap his fangs across the skin. He could taste the blood rising just beneath the skin, begging for him to take it.



It was a strange experience for him. While he’d felt the hunger throughout his lifetime, he’d never been so enthralled with the process. He’d never wanted to draw out the feeding to the point of exquisite pleasure. Pein made all the difference.



Pein released a shuddering moan, his neck arching back at the slight scraping of teeth. “Itachi–”



“Let me take from you.” Itachi nipped at the skin before soothing the small hurt with his tongue. “Let me taste you.”



If he had any qualms about Itachi feeding from him, he didn’t speak them. Instead his head dropped back even further to bare the veins in his neck. One could almost imagine him being under a thrall though watchers seemed mostly immune to such talents.



Continuing to nibble at the skin, Itachi relished in the slight tremors working through Pein. This was perhaps the most docile he’d ever seen the male. It was arousing–the hunger running through him making his sexual nature rise quickly to the forefront.



There was little need for more preamble. The foreplay was forced aside under the hunger. He refused to wait any longer for what he needed.



Teeth sunk deeply through the tissue and into a throbbing vein. His teeth were removed and rich blood poured into his mouth, sending a shock wave of unexpected pleasure. It was completely different from any blood he’d ever tasted, including the small droplet of Naruto’s.



He couldn’t withhold the small moan escaping his lips, mirrored by a similar one coming from his companion. Unimaginable power was flooding into him with a force he never expected. Instead of pulling back, he pressed harder–sucking as much of the delicious nourishment into his body as he could.



He couldn’t help but press closer so that his now rock hard erection pressed into the other’s hip. He could feel Pein’s equally hard response, making him growl low in his throat and withdraw, only to strike again.



Pein grunted under the second assault but instead of pulling away, his legs lifted and wrapped around Itachi’s hips to anchor himself to him. “Oh Goddess–”



Itachi pulled back, blood dripping from his lip to splatter on his shirt. He stared into Pein’s eyes before driving their lips together in a forceful kiss. His body had never been this driven in his entire life. All he could think of was burying his tongue in Pein’s mouth and his cock in his ass.



He drove his hips forward with the same force as his tongue plowed into his mouth. He couldn’t get enough. Tasting Pein. Drinking him. Completely devouring him.



This must be what Sasuke felt–this overwhelming need to possess and devour. It was driving him insane. He wanted more.



His hand lifted, fisting in Pein’s hair and forcing his head back at a sharp angle. He watched the wounds healing before his eyes until nothing but smooth skin remained.



He was at full strength but wanted more. He wanted to devour him.



His tongue stroked from collarbone to chin in one swoop–tasting the blood and sweat. “Delicious.”



His hips ground even harder against Pein, causing him to scratch and claw at Itachi’s shoulders. The legs tightened around his hips as his teeth nipped at the bobbing adam’s apple.



“Geez, at least Sasuke and I go at it in our room.” Naruto stood in the hall, staring at the two with a look of amusement and exasperation.



A growl rumbled in Itachi’s throat, his eyes flashing dangerously in Naruto’s direction. He couldn’t stop the possessive way his hands clenched on Pein’s hips or the flashing in his crimson colored eyes. This was the most alive he’d felt in centuries and he wasn’t about to let anyone take it from him.



Sasuke was immediately between Naruto and Itachi. “Calm down, Itachi.”



Reality flooded back to him, his arms nearly dropping Pein like a stone. His eyes quickly darted to meet his companion’s no longer lust heavy gray gaze. There was anger there, and confusion.



“Put me down.”



Itachi complied, stepping back despite every instinct telling him to lunge forward and claim him once more. “Forgive me. I’m afraid I was a bit more drained than I’d thought.”



Pein lifted a hand to his neck, rubbing the smooth unmarred skin. “Will the council meet?”



“The summons has been sent. Unless they are loyal to Danzou, they will meet.” Itachi glanced at Sasuke. “The sun will rise soon. We should rest before tomorrow night.



Pein blinked several times before gesturing towards the room across the hall. “That room is unoccupied. You can sleep there until dusk.”



The three watched as Pein turned and walked stiffly down the hall before disappearing around the corner. Itachi was in just as much shock as Pein, only dealing with it in his usual manner of numbness.



“Goodnight,” he said quickly before Naruto could open his mouth to comment and escaped into the sanctity of his room.



His back leaned against the door for several seconds before he moved into the small washroom. Staring at his face, his eyes glazed at the sight. Drying blood stained his lips and jaw with a brownish red. He looked as if he’d murdered someone rather than practically fucked them against the wall.



He refused to allow Pein into his head. There was no point in dwelling on the past and as much as he might wish to deny it, Pein was his past.



Washing away the blood, he lay on the unmade mattress and allowed the pull of the sun to tug him into the dreamless sleep he desperately needed to fight the swirling thoughts threatening his sanity. Tomorrow could possibly be the start of a war he held little power in stopping. He could only hope on the wisdom of the council to see them through it.



To be continued…



AN: I apologize for the wait. I'm getting to it. 1-2 more chapters. This chapter ran longer than I'd thought So the next chapter will either be longish, or I'll break it into two chapters. We'll see. Please forgive any mistakes and such.