#ic — pein

[exurgedomine]

The rain washes, cleanses, purifies all. No blood, no stray mark, no sin would leave a trace of history on any exterior of Ame. Through the winding metal tunnels, deep set dirt trenches, and everything in between that inlays the city into the foundation, the gaps where thus cemented with persistent water flow. It was never enough to portray the inclement weather as a mere lapse in pressure. A fleeting phase of homeostasis to fuel the land and empty the skies. No. The rain was living. It breathes as its God breathes. The cold exhale of wind dusting over the wide land, always and forever attempting to wash away the miasma of poison erupting from its badlands.

But, until the world splinters through the middle and sprouts ecology anew, the rain will remain, so will the poison, and everything that attempts to thrive around it.

Nagato sat upon his throne, tucked neatly into the heart of his shrine. His heavenly eyes gazed upon the downtrodden landscape veiled from the oppressive light of the sun, filtered by the somber grey of Cumulonimbus clouds. A blank stare forwards, a mind fragmented into several living bodies. Where the light graces his eyes instead relayed nothing towards his mind.

He flips through his view space, seeking his favored body ( his friend; Deva ) to watch through him.

Within those cold dead hands sat a man, young in the face with a body betraying such a compliment. It fought and twisted within Deva's grip until eventually it freed, placing several paces between itself and the deific mask. All the words were warbled and incoherent through the body; a chakra gathering so thick and dense that it clouded the reception through the black rods.

Deva twitched his fingers, conjuring another rod. The length of it concealed within the Akatsuki sleeve allowing the outfit to shield the metal out of view until it stabbed into the ground, feeding through the metallic pipeage beneath this battleground, and sprouting several hundred underneath this rogue shinobi, seeking any skin to pierce.

" Surrender and I'll grant mercy, " Nagato's lips parted, but the sound travelled though Pein. His deep, resonating voice marked with warning. " Your choice. "

Closed starter — @kagami--uchiha

[pcgatos]

Peine para informáticos.

[cosmic-glow]

A Beach Day with Akatsuki

Summary: how would each of the Akatsuki members be in the cliche anime beach episode.

Warnings: mentions of deaths and alcoholic beverages. SFW.

Characters: Pein; Konan; Tobi; Zetsu; Itachi; Kisame; Deidara; Sasori; Hidan and Kakuzu (from Naruto).

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Kisame

Kisame liked the idea from the beginning.

As soon as he gets to the beach he goes straight to the water.

Likes to surf.

And it's really good at it.

He doesn't wear sunscreen.

He spends practically all day in the water.

He just goes out to pull someone out to sea with him.

Or to buy some ice cream.

He randomly comes out of the water sometimes and brings a very nice shell or rock and gives it to someone.

He tries to pull Itachi out to sea with him just to provoke him.

Kisame would come out of the water in the afternoon to watch the sun go down.

While drinking something refreshing, like coconut water or a drink.

That man was so comfortable.

It upsets him to have to leave the beach.

The next day he is locked in his room, sunburnt.

He doesn't want to go out for  doesn't have to overhear Itachi saying "I told you" for refusing to apply sunscreen.

Still, he really liked his day at the beach and would do it all over again.

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Kakuzu

He didn't want to come.

Like, beach is just a warm place with salt water and sand, what's fun about that? That's what he thinks.

He is really in a bad mood.

He can't even cool off in the sea because he can't swim due to his stitched up body.

He tries to relax sitting in the shade of the parasol while reading a book.

But any noise bothers him.

And a beach with Deidara, Hidan and Tobi is sure to be noisy.

He eventually decides to walk to the edge of the sea away from the group while checking his bingo book.

Was that or kill those three.

In the end, when he is well away from the group he manages to enjoy the beach a little.

He sits near some palm trees.

The waves gently lap at him feet in a relaxing manner.

And finally the silence that he loves so much.

He would only reappear in the group in the evening, when started to cool down.

He is not sad that he has to leave.

And he would never admit that he enjoyed the quiet moments he spent alone.

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Tobi/Obito

Ever since he learned that him be going to the beach he has been extremely anxious.

He is wearing those bathing suits that cover the whole body, like surfers do.

But he doesn't surf.

Yes, he is wearing the mask even on the beach.

Doesn't stop at any moment.

He would go into the sea to jump the waves and end up falling as soon as they took their eyes off him.

Then he would get up as if nothing had happened.

He has been bothering Deidara since they arrived.

"Wow Deidara-senpai, I didn't know your abdomen was so defined" - would be just one of the comments he make to tease the blond.

Tobi is a good boy, so he put sunscreen on the parts that his suit doesn't cover.

Takes too much ice cream and ends up freezing his brain.

He would not want to leave the beach.

Would only do it when it was getting dark.

Definitely a happy child enjoying his day at the beach.

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Hidan

For Akatsuki to be able to go to a beach it would have to be isolated.

And well, I'm saying this because Hidan was responsible for offering Jashin anyone who showed up bothering.

He's a narcissist and made a point of getting a swimsuit that didn't cover too much and value his ass.

At first, he avoids getting into the water because he doesn't want to get his hair wet.

But when he enters the sea it's scary to see how he spends hours underwater since he can't die by drowning.

Enjoys bothering Kakuzu... as usual.

He purposely wets Deidara's hair.

Hidan wasn't worried about sunscreen.

After all, he's immortal, what difference does it make?

What no one knows is that he ended up going through the fear of losing the pale shade he likes so much.

He has who brought the alcohol.

He keeps drinking and bothering others with silly pranks.

Leave the beach at the end of the sunset already drunk.

He found the day at the beach fun.

After all he didn't have to work and spent all day drinking and making fun of the members, why would he complain?

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Zetsu

He likes sunbathe.

Obviously him don't wear sunscreen, because he don't need it.

Would avoid going into the sea because of the salt water.

White Zetsu wants to make a sand castle.

But doesn't work out too well because black Zetsu refuses.

He likes to drink a lot of water.

Zetsu purposely walks away from the group.

He likes to be alone and it is no surprise to anyone.

He finds the sound of the sea very relaxing.

White Zetsu wants to take the little shells he finds home.

Black Zetsu wants to eat the crabs he finds.

At some point he would end up sleeping.

Would only wake up when the sun started to set.

And then finally would return to the group to leave.

White Zetsu really enjoyed the day at the beach and think was relaxing.

Black Zetsu didn't think it was bad, but he wouldn't admit it and would say it was a waste of time.

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Deidara

“Finally a rest day” - that's what he thought, until he saw how Tobi can be even more irritating on the beach.

The beach is a very inspiring place for an artist.

So Deidara is trying not to waste all his explosive clay on Tobi.

He wants to tan, not burn, so he put on sunscreen.

Deidara knows and likes to surf.

And he's annoyed that Kisame is better than him at this.

He was avoiding going into the sea until Hidan wet his hair.

His bathing suit is the prettiest.

This boy has style.

He would retreat at some point to make sand castles without being seen.

Prefer to eat slushies.

Would want to compete with Itachi on something.

And would say he cheated when he lost and walk away from the group.

Collect shells <3

He tries to sunbathe, but Deidara is the kind of person who can't sit still.

So it's useless.

The sunset is art for him, after all it is temporary.

Appears out of nowhere in the group when they are leaving.

At the end of the day he's sulking.

Because the day at the beach was not what he expected.

… But he liked it.

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Itachi

To be honest, he doesn't really like the beach.

Like, he can't deny the place is beautiful, but what is he going to do here?

He ends up sitting in the shade of the parasol watching others have fun.

Most of the shells Kisame brings from the water are for him.

He obviously use  sunscreen.

And brought it, in case anyone forgot.

In fact, the bag with everything needed for a day at the beach is his.

He doesn't really like the idea of ​​going into the sea.

The most he'd do is get his feet wet because it's relaxing.

He's the one who bought Kisame's ice cream while he was getting out of the water.

He's not paying attention to Deidara's taunts.

And he made no effort to beat him.

He likes the sound of the sea.

Take the opportunity to rest for a while.

He ends up getting so relaxed and quiet you could swear he's sleeping sitting up.

Itachi finds the sunset a bit melancholy but beautiful.

Is eager to return to the group's hideout.

The next day he know that Kisame doesn't want to leave his room because he's sunburned.

He didn't think the day at the beach was all bad, but he would have preferred to go somewhere else.

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Pein

Honestly, he only accepted all this because of Konan.

Doesn't like warm places, so the beach is not his favorite place.

He came just to make sure that nothing bad would happened.

He refers to Hidan, Deidara and Tobi in the same place for more than 5 minutes.

And he doesn't want anyone to bother Konan either.

Konan who reminded him to wear sunscreen.

Pain likes to eat watermelon when he is at the beach, is refreshing.

He won't go into the sea, don't even try.

Doesn't like ice cream very much.

He doesn't really like sweets in general, they make him thirsty.

He notices when someone moves away.

Being honest, he is just waiting for the day to end.

He understands why they think sunsets are beautiful, him thought too when he saw how Konan admired the sky.

Pein makes sure that everyone is present as they come back.

Tobi tests his patience by refusing to return "so soon".

He understands that a rest is necessary... But for him it was just a wasted day.

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Konan

She was who gave the idea to go to the beach.

Konan likes to sunbathe, even though she's very pale.

Hoped that this day would be at least a little relaxing for Pain.

Konan would read a book in the shade while listening to the sound of the waves.

Likes to drink refreshing drinks, eat scratch cards, eat watermelon, etc.

She is enjoying the moment.

Would go into the sea to cool off a bit, but she would be quick.

Konan is very stylish, so her bikini makes her look radiant.

She really wants to play in the sand for a while.

But as we know she is shy, and ends up being embarrassed.

Didn't approve of the idea that Hidan could kill anyone who came along.

But her understand why Pein thinks it's necessary.

She loves the different shades that appear in the sky as the sun goes down.

Left the beach a little reluctantly.

She who manages to convince Tobi to leave.

Konan liked her day at the beach but wishes she had enjoyed it more.

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Sasori

He wonders why he had to come along.

Like, there's nothing for him to enjoy on the beach.

Not that he can't go into the sea, but he's a puppet, the job he'd take to get the water out of his body.

Not to mention that salt water can wear out his body.

Definitely out of the question.

The only problem is that all that sand and hot sun just reminds him more and more of his old village.

He doesn't have a problem with the heat at all, he actually likes it.

He would try to distract himself by looking for pretty rocks.

Kisame would notice and bring some for him.

He'd be so focused on this that he wouldn't realize he'd ended up walking away from the group.

He ended up getting wet when he picked up a rock too close to the sea and a wave came to meet him.

He returns to the group grumpy after that.

Sasori lies down waiting for the sun to dry him and ends up sleeping.

Hidan and Deidara bury him in the sand.

He hasn't seen the sunset and is just grumpy wanting to go back to hiding.

But he is taking the rocks he found with him.

He doesn't want to repeat the experience.

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Sorry for any typos;

Buy me a coffee?

Masterlist

[sueske]

it's telling that at sns' pivotal moments, and during the scenes where they discuss their bond when they become more honest about their feelings, it's framed in such a way that distance is put between them and others. their bond is theirs alone.

like during the LoW they're separated physically from the rest by ice mirrors:

during vote1 it's a battle just between them as they shed previous pretenses:

during the reunion scene sasuke gets up close and personal with naruto and only naruto as he speaks to him more personally, and enters his headspace as well:

during the kage summit arc they go to another plane of existence to discuss their bond, where naruto's feelings towards sasuke clearly parallel hinata's feelings towards naruto during her Pein arc confession (which also raises another interesting point - because it's very telling that those particular words were the ones that were 'hidden' from the other characters): 

again during vote2 it's just them, all outside interference stopped in its tracks. even kurama is asleep during sns' emotional reconciliation in 698.

when sasuke leaves the village in 699 he leaves kakashi and sakura behind at the gate much like he did when he left in part 1, when he was able to break off the bond he had with them that night. but it's naruto who comes to see him off outside the village (also reminiscent of part 1 - the one bond sasuke couldn't break). their separation is between them alone, as sasuke takes the headband which has become representative of their bond on his journey with him, keeping naruto close while he travels the world.

basically kishimoto keeps others at a distance from witnessing and understanding naruto and sasuke's bond. it's a way to create distance between the other characters, because no other bond, no other relationship comes close to the one that naruto and sasuke have. and even at the end of the story this distance is maintained. it's visual storytelling to reinforce the written text.

[imagineakatsuki]

Alright who prefers to smoke a joint and who prefers to down a long island ice tea (aka who likes to get high and who likes to get drunk)?

Pein/Nagato: drunk

Konan: drunk

Deidara: high

Sasori: high

Itachi: drunk

Kisame: high

Hidan: high

Kakuzu: drunk

Obito: drunk

Zetsu: high

Admin S

[exurgedomine]

Friend. A word tossed around so carelessly, yet Pein accepts. His intuition tells him not to reject the good nature of this man, lest its a headache that he seeks.

"You may look. I believe these eyes speak for themselves."

He locks his gaze over those red crystal lenses, staring within, seeking his audience. However, he makes no stride nor attack on this man ( not yet ), merely letting the rings glow idly in show.

"I'm willing to be open to sharing, if you are to share in return." This dead corpse makes no effort to string itself along, not even bothering to mimic the bodily tense and twitch of alive muscles. "You are unnatural as me, yet we are not the same. Is there a soul that exists?"

❝ 𝐀𝐒 𝐌𝐔𝐂𝐇 𝐀𝐒 𝐈 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐎 . . . ❞ alucard found himself speaking smoothly & calmly , even in the face of someone so dead inside . ( quite literally for this gentleman . . . ) working with the dead & abominations of the world led alucard to have a keen eye on such things . however , back to the topic of battle ;

--- ❝ you have made no enemy of mine . for now , i will let you linger with said gaze . perhaps i will even be open to hearing more of its capability if you are open , new friend . ❞

friend , how laughable ; --- even alucard found that cruel & unjust to leave on someone .

[ladykissingfish]

Did you know Itachi was ELEVEN. when he joined the AKATSUKI? Idk what ykur gonns do with thst informarion but erm yeha

Are you sure he was only 11? Goddamn. That's awful. That's insane. My poor little abused traumatized boy :-( He never had a chance at a normal life, did he? Wait so if he joined the Akatsuki at 11, what age was he in ANBU?? Holy Gods, this poor boy ...

Can you imagine him walking into a room populated with Nagato (as Pein), Konan, Sasori's weird ass whose already eyeing him as a possible puppet, Kakuzu who would just as soon rope him up and drag him back to Konoha for the bounty on his head, and fucking OROCHIMARU who already has it in for his ass (take that however you will)? If he thought killing his clan and family was bad, then having to join that deranged group was probably the icing on the shit-cake.

[phantomchick]

✩ WEEKLY FIC ROUND-UP ✩

Been a while since I did one of these but eh.

Skulduggery Pleasant

And The Darkness Rained Upon Them by MaidOfDarkness

It's a Skulduggery Pleasant time travel fix it. There are Skulduggery Pleasant fanfics? You may well ask. There are. Congratulations. This one's particularly good and I love time travel fix its so it really hits all my buttons at once.

You'll take care of it, alright? by JinxAnn

Valkyrie (13) got sick during a mission with Skulduggery, so he drops her off at his place. Leaving it to his friends to look after her, while he's working and probably just avoiding a situation he's not comfortable with. Meanwhile each of the dead men adds to the chaos, until one of them decides to save them all.

BNHA

The Democratic Republic of One for All by featherlessquill (CinnamonScribbles)

It's decided then, says First. I'm transferring the quirk. For the record, this is a terrible idea. Third slumps back in his seat. There's an abrupt shift in perspective, and now they're back on the rooftop with the kid. I hate democracy. This from Eigth's shadow. Or. The vestiges democratically elect the next One for All user. They do not inform All Might of their decision.

Star Wars

Biting His Own Tale by ADragonsFriend

Darth Vader time travel fix it to his prequel era body. I love how it handles the symptoms of his trauma from outsider perspectives. I love how redemptive it is, like it satisfies all those cravings for Darth Vader to put in the work to earn his redemption, earn peace for the galaxy he helped oppress. In the movies it makes sense that it's Luke who puts in the work because his father's already so lost in the darkness, but here we see an Anakin whose found his way back to the light thanks to Luke getting through to him (so that effort wasn't for nothing) while also getting Darth Vader vs The War That Ruined His Life/The World.

Not a Karking Jedi by 786

" You killed Jedi ! " " They tried to take my baby daughter " " Great power in the Force, you and your children have " " And they will not join your order of slavers, they will not have their freedom to feel emotion and have families stripped " " We do not enslave !. Your children will make great additions to the Order " " Do I get to be in their lives ? " " Attachment is forbidden ! " " And your presence is forbidden near MY children

DC Comics

dead man's party by TheResurrectionist

This fics a long time fave. Jason can see ghosts, a typical trope but taken to the fantastic extreme with how it handles Martha his jewish grandmother haunting him and explicates on all the ways that could effect him and his life. I especially loved the moments when mannerisms he's absorbed from being around her give Bruce and Alfred the grief/nostalgia. The latest update was hilarious.

Naruto

The New Recruit by butter_peanut

He looked like a particularly stupid civilian. He looked like a sharp burst of wind would blow him over. He looked like he’d answered their advertisement thinking the Akatsuki was a cat appreciation society. “Are you kidding?” said Hidan, voicing what everyone was thinking. “This guy is supposed to replace Sasori and Deidara?” “Sukea is qualified,” Pein said in a tone that brooked no arguments. “And will be paired with Tobi.”

Kagura by lulu_lisbon

It's a naruto self-insert but the mc is legitimately such a freak. And not in a crack way. Compelling. Wish there were 20 more chapters so I could more fully hurl myself into the abyss of her personality.

The Sage Who Leapt Through Time by SarthakBikramPanta

Naruto time travel fix it with spirit world/youkai content for flavour. I don't dig the main ship but the plot itself is fantastic and I really like the writing.

tired to his very bones by cheshire_carroll

“You killed Izuna!” Madara snarls, as if Izuna’s death is a heinous, unspeakable crime, instead of just another one of the countless casualties of war. Usually, Tobirama would remain icily silent on this matter– he may be an “ice-cold bastard” at the best of times, but he does possess enough heart to be kind, even to his once-enemies. Usually, he is functioning on more sleep.

Understanding Does Not Presage Peace by Karmic Acumen (Karmic_Acumen)

One of my current favourite reads. Follows the story of a self-insert who's reincarnated as a normal Konoha civilian whose family was killed by the kyuubi. Lore! Fantasy Science! Entertaining dialogue! A banger of a title that gets more apt the farther you are into the fic. Definitely recommend.

Hear the Silence by EmptySurface

I went from being someone who never read self-inserts and assumed they were all badly written/written for the author not the audience as a rule, to someone who reads my fair share of them and this fic is definitely a significant reason why. Kyo is an assassin with a poison specialty and she's a great character in her own right, seeing her live and grow is so fun and interesting. Really well written. I love reading this fic.

Death Note

Back Again by Brenna1918

Time travel fix it with L/Light as the ship. On the one level this fic sucks because Kira keeps being justified in-fic and I absolutely do not believe in the death penalty, whether as a cautionary thing to make people 'too afraid' to commit serious crimes or as a punishment, especially to the level it's used in Japan. The justice system will invariably punish those from impoverished or under-privileged backgrounds more often and more severely than the reverse, similarly Kira's justice fails to take into account societal pressures that underpin high crime rates; and dismisses the value and necessity of reformative justice despite the fact light himself is reforming himself somewhat from what he was. On the other hand this fic is so fun! It's well written, it's silly, it brings back the vibes of the original death note and respects the side characters while not being afraid to deviate drastically. Also the L/Light ship writing is A++++ content, it's so funny and lovely. This is a fantastic romance centred time travel fix it so far. Very entertaining read.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

i'll come crashing by ohmygodwhy

A:TLA au. Zuko and his boyfriend Jet (derogatory) spend 45k doing a mating dance around each other's identities and psychological issues. I am obsessed with this fic but in like, an unhealthy way, I shouldn't be reading this. But I'm gonna. Summary: Li's scar is suddenly all Jet can think about. The scar, the scar, the old man’s hot hands warming his tea like he thought he could get away with firebending in the middle of a crowd. or: After getting to know Li on the ferry, Jet sees Mushi heat his tea. Instead of assuming Li is also a firebender, Jet assess the situation and comes to a rather different conclusion.

One Piece

see hope rise with the tide by Origamidragons

“If you’re looking for Arlong, he’s inside,” she says, pointing at the monstrous building. Jinbe doesn’t look away from her, from the bruise over her eye. She can’t be older than thirteen or fourteen. Her fingers are worn red and raw. As he watches, a drop of blood drips to the ground. A girl, with reddish hair and exhausted eyes and a ragged, forced smile, and it’s Koala but it’s not. (Jinbe goes to check in on his brother, and finds some things that need to be set right.)

This Bites! by Xomniac

One piece self insert. I was giving this a reread. It's a bit too punch and judy in the humour sometimes for my tastes but this is a fantastic and very creative fic. I love how it explores how different things could've gone for certain crew-mates with the right encouragement and I love how it handles Cross (the mc)'s knowledge of the future and how he can use it to benefit the crew without spoiling the sense of adventure. It's a very epic read and lots of cool events happen. Plot-driven with a lot of respect for Oda's world-building. The way it handles the female characters (with the exception of granny kokoro who absolutely did not deserve to be body-shamed no matter her age and whose treatment upset me a lot actually) is also nice if not perfect, they all get stronger in a believable way and don't get perved on as much. Their character growth is really great. And I also like how it handles fight scenes, which are very easy to imagine clearly based on the descriptions. A very cool fic. I crave the sequel.

MARVEL

Choking on Sunlight by issuedSideways

Tony Stark centric. Platonic Hanahaki. Hanahaki Disease was distinctive enough that even Tony could recognize it. He’d heard of it, he just hadn’t ever thought it could happen to him. It was the sort of thing he associated with lovesick melodrama, more fitting for a cheesy telenovela plot than real life. At sixteen, he felt far too old for that sort of thing. And more importantly, he wasn’t in love with anyone.

tempo(ral) by dakhtar

Tony Stark's last memory is of the sceptre touching his chest, the alien metal clinking delicately against the glass surface of his arc reactor, and Loki's triumphant face. His next memory is waking up in Siberia, bruised and confused, with FRIDAY apparently his AI and Rhodey - Rhodey! - in a wheelchair. (The sceptre does nothing. Except it does everything. Tony Stark's eyes turn blue, but only until he flies a nuke through a portal. And then--)

[shadowwolflady]

After Pein

After the attack on Konoha, Kakashi has to process some news Rai had told him. But now, there is even more news from the Council.

Shortly after Pein's attack on Konoha, Kakashi went through a whirlwind of emotions when Rai told him she was pregnant. He didn't know how to feel at first. Sure, they had talked about it. Especially after Asuma's passing, Rai had expressed to him how much she would love to have a part of him with her when he was gone. Something she could pour her love into.

This tipped Kakashi over the edge of being on the fence about kids. At first he was against kids. Kakashi never pictured himself as a father. He wasn't dad material. He couldn't fathom it. The biggest deterrent was what happened between him and his father, on top of having to deal with rowdy genin, the ultimate baby deterrent. He wouldn't want to leave his child fatherless if something were to befall him. Leaving behind a child with disappointment and anguish. Maybe, if the child was lucky, Kakashi would die when the child was young enough not to remember.

However, the longer he dated Rai. The more he seemed to accept the idea that he would be okay with a small child. Now, he found himself in slightly more favor of having a kid. There was something about Rai. Something where the idea of having a child with her, was actually kind of, exciting. A thing that turned that ‘definite no’ into a ‘possibly’. And eventually something he wouldn't mind.

With the past trauma still on his mind, he began to scour the bookstores for child rearing and baby books. Part of him wondered if this was how Asuma felt when Kurenai told him. No. Asuma was over the moon with the announcement.

On one such expedition, he was stopped before he could even set foot in the bookstore.

“The council has requested your presence.” The ANBU told him.

It was at this meeting that he was told about the seriousness of Tsunade's predicament.

“You'll have to be acting Hokage.” Homura told him. Apparently, Tsunade had already placed in the paperwork for Kakashi to take over as her successor, in case anything were to happen to her.

Already numb from learning he was going to be a father, the news for Hokage just added more of a pit into his stomach. More emptiness. More dread and worry.

At first, he was concerned he wasn't going to be a good father or be around to help raise his kid. That was ONE kid.

But now, he was supposed to be in charge of a whole village? Oh boy. Talk about filling up an already full plate.

After the meeting, Kakashi went to find Rai. As per usual, she was at her apartment.

“They asked me to be acting Hokage.” Kakashi told her as they sat on her couch. He sat leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands folded. “At least until Tsunade gets better.”

This was a lot of news for Rai. Ice settled in her stomach as she mulled over the words. Being Hokage was a huge responsibility.

“And, what if she doesn't get better?” Rai asked, playing devil's advocate.

“Then,” Kakashi looked up from the ground to across the room at the wall. “I become Hokage.”

This was a lot to ask and just about as much to take in. So many thoughts danced around their minds. Finally, Rai spoke.

“Kakashi,” Rai placed a hand on his shoulder. “I want to make sure this is something you want.” Rai stressed. This was a big ask for Kakashi. For anyone really.

Kakashi was his own person capable of making his own decisions. Whichever he decided, Rai would support him.

They sat there for several minutes, allowing their brains to worm down various rabbit holes and thoughts. However, as the silence grew, Rai felt more and more like karma decided to rear its ugly head again for her. She was going to be pushed to the wayside again.

Just as she thought things were going her way, in comes something to yank a pillar of her life out and ruin her foundation.

“I'm not going to accept it.” Kakashi's words made Rai blinked and come back to reality. Brown eyes turned to look at him out of the corner of her eye before turning her head to face him. “I'm not going to abandon you.” Too much guilt weighed on him. He was not going to abandon his family. Especially now that Rai was pregnant. No. He would not settle for that.

A warm hand covered one of his. “Think about it.” Rai encouraged. “Sleep on it. Maybe after some time it will make sense.”

Word got around that Kakashi was to be the new Hokage. It didn't sit well with him. He didn't feel ready.

Hell, he didn't even feel ready to be a father and that got thrown at him. But that was different. There was love involved and a second person. That was something he was willing to do. A path he was willing to go down. But Hokage? Not in the cards for him. He didn't even want to be Hokage.

Kakashi kept his mouth shut about Rai being pregnant. They didn't want anyone to know yet.

During this time, he would find himself staring at her sleeping form at night. Or he would lay his head on her lap and smile up at her and then her stomach where his child was growing. Sometimes, he would lay his head on her stomach and take a nap.

But, maybe being Hokage wouldn't be such a bad idea. With Rai being pregnant, he could stay around closer to home and help raise their kid.

Suddenly, an arm was thrown around his neck and shoulders. It was Gai.

“Yo, Kakashi!” Gai greeted.

Oh. He must have dazed off while out for a walk.

[riversimmone]

Morning Light

Morning Light

RiverOfTheSand

Summary:

The morning sun streamed over her face, silhouetting her body against the dance of light and colour. Now more than ever, she was his guiding light: his way out of the dark. SasuSaku.

Notes:

Cross-posted from fanfiction.net. Original Author's Notes: Just a quick one-shot that came out of nowhere, as the damned things are prone to do. This is me musing. My new favourite concept: silence in solace. Enjoy. :) Rated T. Hope you all enjoy. :)

He woke to the smell of dust. Every morning for the past six months, it had proven a surprising comfort to him. For so long, he'd been broken and angry, clinging to whatever he could in vain hope of escaping the monotony of his existence. Day after day, he fell into the same routine, the same rush of denial, of anger and resentment. He dwelled on what he'd lost; so much that even he was becoming frustrated by his own moodiness. The rush of excitement from controlling everything in his life was a dream long dead and after all this time, he was still as deluded as ever, no matter what he told himself. He was fate's bitch, and destiny had a twisted, sick sense of humour.

A now familiar sensation of instability coupled with the ache of his waking body reminded him he was alone and naked. The unseasonal cool air drifting in the window had woken him up early; sunrise was half an hour away.

Sasuke Uchiha rolled out of bed, fumbled around in his closet as he did when she wasn't there to help him, dressed himself methodically, and gingerly made his way out of the room. He inched toward the top of the banister, gripping the elegant statue adorning the top of the stairs, and inhaled deeply, preparing himself. The first step was always the most difficult.

The wood of the banister was rough under his calloused hands; it hadn't been polished in years, but he didn't mind really, since he was just as abrasive himself. He preferred it this way. At least he didn't have to look at it.

Sasuke made his way down the staircase, his grip on the wood firm and fleeting as he pictured it in his mind's eye; occasionally running his fingers along the well-worn wood; the only memories from this place that plagued him now were something more akin to screaming children and stern, disapproving parents. This house wasn't the home he'd grown up in of course, but the flashes of memory suited him fine: he didn't really care where they belonged, just that they still came to him. The details were a little fuzzy though.

At the base of the stairs, he paused, wondering what he thought he was doing; he wasn't hungry, thirsty, tired or bored, really. So he decided to go for a walk, knowing his self-appointed carer would find him quickly enough once she realised he was up and around. The front door was ten feet away from the foot of the internal staircase, and he remembered the hallway closet nearby had a few coats he could choose from.

But once he opened the closet, he realised there was nothing to distinguish one coat from the next. They must have been missed in the rush Sakura had pushed him in to colour code the tags. He had no idea what to do with them.

So he left his home without a coat, ignoring the ice cold goose bumps forming on his exposed skin. He held a hand out, feeling for the edge of the porch and once he found it, Sasuke managed to descend the three steps to the ground quickly.

Sasuke walked. He kept going, using childhood memories to guide his path toward the familiar, the soothing, and the secluded; a place Sakura had insisted he visit often, it seemed to spark his memories strongest, especially since the house he grew up in was destroyed in Pein's attack. But the grounds were the same, barring renovations, and he never stumbled or faltered.

The smell of the small lake on his family's property drove him on and before he knew it, the grass beneath his bare feet made way for the granite he always associated with that of seaside sand. He felt his way along the shore, not opening his eyes, not daring to look at the water now lapping at his feet. He tested the water, dipping his foot in to the toes, and scrunched up his face at the cold.

Fate was cruel; all he could do was struggle as it pulled him down, like an undercurrent, and he hated it ‒ the delusion of an Uchiha.

Sasuke sighed and found a dry patch of sand to sit down on. This place had changed too much: there was no pier, and the ground itself was more uneven, rugged, and depreciated. He couldn't hear any animals, smell the smouldering after effects of his family's Katon no jutsu, nor feel the natural rising heat that made this place the perfect spot to practise his fire jutsu when he was younger. Despite the presence of water, the humidity always used to be above average, even in the middle of the night.

In his musings and internal grumblings, he almost didn't sense the incoming chakra signal. Strawberry and vanilla wafted over him and a moment later, he could feel her against him. No words were exchanged – no words were necessary – as she got comfortable against him. He imagined she was curling her toes against the sandy shore, enjoying the rising sun.

Sakura didn't dwell on her picturesque surroundings for long. Her right hand moved with his as he directed it to the side of his face; her fingers twitched under his, gently probing his unseeing eyes with her chakra. He kept them tightly shut, perhaps defiantly, stubbornly and vainly fighting what he could never control. She would coax them open eventually, but for now, he hung onto his pride. His dignity was the only thing he had left that ever went his way anymore, despite his condition.

And that was the lie he kept telling himself every day since she saved him.

Throughout this entire exchange, Sasuke had kept resolutely facing forward. Now, he turned to face her, lifting his other hand warily; she shifted next to him as he touched the other side of her face gingerly. His forefinger traced her profile, and he took a deep breath, like he was preparing for battle. Finally, Sasuke opened his eyes, what little light he could make out piercing his eyelids with relentless cruelty. The light of the sun streamed over Sakura's face however, and she stared at him, silhouetted against the dance of light and colour.

He hissed painfully, slamming his eyes shut again as she pulled him closer to her; Sakura held him to her breast, waiting for him to try again. The pain receded from his eyes and he forced his chakra down – it was thrashing like a spoilt child. The pinkette half cradling him was patient, running her hands soothingly through his raven locks and kissing the crown of his head gently.

She murmured his name as he pulled away and Sasuke grabbed her roughly, crashing his mouth down onto hers.

His tongue played along her lips and she parted them instinctively; his grip on her tightened as he opened his eyes again. This time the light didn't hurt him. It intensified, faltered, and then simmered; all awhile, Sakura's eyes remained tightly shut. She was in the moment, her arms now around his neck, her body humming as it reacted to her lover. Sasuke pushed her gently, eliciting a familiar, arousing mewl from her.

Small waves surged toward the shoreline, cascading outward, shifting with an unseen tide, and climaxing with a loud, unexpected crash that went ignored by the lovers at its edge.

And as the morning light of the sun disappeared, Sasuke refused to close his eyes. The stream of light illuminating Sakura's body for him was the last thing he saw before the blood red light faded once more.

–XXX–

[exurgedomine]

@bladedhunter: And thus Deidara carefully folds a paper that says *Akatsuki should be optional to join* and puts it in the box.

Pein reads. He nods. He tosses it into the firepit.

[lightweaving]

That Ice Should Kindle Flame: A DeiKonan fic

Deidara hated bodyguard duty. No chance to blow anything up, and constantly having to deal with people wishing you were doing anything except your assigned task. And of course, there was the woman he was set to guard.

HELLO I am here for kinktober with 5 chapters of smut and feelings and some plot because I am incapable of writing porn without plot

Yakuza AU featuring low-level grunt Deidara and boss's mistress Konan

Read it here

Snippet from Chapter 1

“What are you even planning to do, anyway? Flash your tits at them? That might work on Pein, might even work on the Salamander, but they can’t charm his entire group of thugs.” Though as his eyes roved down her figure again – from her violet hair that had come loose from its usual severe bun, to the subtle hint of her cleavage under her disheveled yukata, he had to admit that it might actually be effective. “You overstep,” she said coldly. “Just telling the truth. They’re fantastic tits.”

[electrasev5nwrites]

Ninja Daily: Vapors 100

Kakuzu gave a stretch through his shoulders, luxuriating in the uncommon silence.

He wasn't an idiot. He knew perfectly well that the quiet meant that the simpleton had left. That was why he had hidden in the basement bathroom so that Konan couldn't find him. Someone else could retrieve the moron while he enjoyed his respite. Hidan was a plague, and he didn't know what he'd done that had caused Leader-sama to inflict the idiot on him.

'Except that I killed all my previous partners,' he noted fairly.

That seemed a little petty of Pein, but Kakuzu was too busy to care. There were much more important issues at stake.

"I don't see how we can possibly make up for this lapse in productivity," he noted darkly, using his knees as a desk for the notebook on his lap. Writing out the problems and possible solutions made him feel better, even as he reaffirmed that Akatsuki's finances were taking an enormous hit.

They had only been taking domestic missions for over a month now. He didn't see why Pein had chosen to send Tobi and Zetsu out on another jinchuuriki mission now, when they desperately needed to replenish their finances.

'It is possibly an attempt to lower our living costs,' he mused. 'If Tobi were to perish in pursuit of a jinchuuriki, we could eliminate the budget allocation for ice cream altogether.'

Tobi wasn't the only one who ate it, of course, but Itachi and Konan never went out of their way to bring it home either.

That made him feel a bit better about his participation in this organization. Pein's priorities were strange, but he at least had some semblance of business sense and the wisdom to step back and allow more competent individuals free reign when appropriate. Of course, he also extended too much freedom to touchy-feely, sentimental lunatics like Hidan, so the trait was still problematic.

Kakuzu glowered at the bathroom mirror, and then wondered why it was positioned to face the toilet. He looked down at his lap instead, suddenly disquieted. Why was he still in here? Surely Konan had noticed Hidan's unsubtle escape and taken care of the matter herself. He stuck his pencil behind his ears, washed his hands out of habit and conscientiousness despite not having used the facilities, and kept an ear out for the incoherent babbling that would undoubtedly accompany Hidan's return.

But he didn't hear anything like that.

'He's still not here?' Kakuzu grunted, both satisfied and unimpressed with Konan's lack of efficiency. She was a terrible manager.

The stairs up to the first floor were rickety and old, in no small part due to the fact that Kakuzu had shot down the proposal to replace them himself. He considered it a good trade. They were placed on the opposite end of the long hallway that his room was. Kakuzu covered ground towards his private space quickly, hoping to avoid seeing anyone else.

And then the back door opened. His mood instantly plummeted. So the idiot was back already? He turned, ready to cut off Hidan's head just for the principle of the thing- and stopped.

The gaggle of offensively bright Konoha and Suna nin piling in the door like puppies fleeing the rain paused as well, with the notable exception of a blond with a stupid facial expression who pointed at him and shrieked something incoherent at a pitch that humans were not meant to communicate in.

Kakuzu made a quick count. 'One, two… Four teams?' He catalogued any who he recognized: Sharingan no Kakashi, a very valuable prize—ooh, the Senju woman's Uchiha pet, the beast of Konoha, the Kazekage's siblings, and…

Itachi.

'Not worth it,' he decided instantly. His life was worth more than any one of those bounties. That didn't mean he would turn any one of them down, of course, but a 14 on 1 fight when he recognized several of his prospective opponents as S-class shinobi was a poor investment choice.

Of course, they were blocking the most convenient exit point…

He dropped into a low crouch, putting both his palms on the ground, and called on the earth underneath the base. It answered in a nearly instant roar, swelling up and bursting the floor open like a dead man's belly splitting in the sun.

Kakuzu dropped below, creating a tunnel outside the base and filling it as he went. He broke out of the dirt onto the surface within heartbeats and set off a dead sprint.

On one hand, he would have thought that Itachi at least would have had the reflexes to chase after him. On the other, perhaps he had overestimated their competency.

Earth was his primary affinity, after all, and he had been perfecting it for a very long time.

He would find Zetsu, he decided. Zetsu was Madara's servant. He would know what should be done. And it would be important to note that Itachi had turned traitor. Perhaps Itachi would kill Konan while he was at it, and no one would be able to hold him accountable for fleeing?

"Er," Kakashi said faintly, rubbing his eye and then opening it experimentally. "Did that old man in his pajamas really just tunnel out of here, or am I having a short stroke?"

He was having a harder time getting over the pajamas than that he'd run. Kakashi might have run if he'd seen such a large group of intruders waltz into a temporary base. (If it was Konoha, he would fight to the death, of course). But the pajamas? It was half past noon.

"That was Kakuzu," Itachi explained factually, gingerly stepping over the crack in the floor. "He prefers to be comfortable while he tabulates expenses."

"Of course he does," Kakashi muttered. "What was I thinking?"

' Well, Itachi was already right about one Akatsuki. He fled. That means there's only two of them to fight. Would it be worth it to chase after Kakuzu, or should I take that as luck? One S class shinobi on his own can be hunted and cornered at our leisure. Most of this group is powerful, but inexperienced. I don't like the idea of splitting to chase after him when we know that there are two difficult fights coming up here.'

Kakashi warily examined the premises as he could see so far. The building was remarkably narrow. Hardly ideal conditions for an altercation, especially if he intended to use the advantage of numbers…

"Well, nice tour, thank you Itachi." Kakashi shooed the ninja who had crowded in behind him out. "Come on, get."

"What the hell are you doing?" Sabaku no Temari asked flatly, looking spectacularly unimpressed. He aimed an eye smile at her.

"I think we should have our friends come to us. It's rude to enter without knocking, after all. Don't crowd the doorstep." Once he had pushed the small mob far enough back, he nodded at Sasuke. "Why don't you knock?" he suggested generously.

Sasuke smirked unpleasantly. "Of course, Kakashi." He curled his hand into a fist and pulled it back, approaching the building at a jog. The momentum was probably unnecessary. Sasuke used it to leap, land feet-first on the side of the building, and crouch in a lightning-quick motion that brought his fist down by his right sandal. He kicked off at what seemed to be the exact moment that half the building folded inwards.

Rubble and dust flew out, instantly coating everyone who hadn't had the sense to stand behind someone taller in a layer of filth.

In other words, Itachi, Kakashi, Baki, and Genma exchanged various levels of amused glances while the less experienced ninja coughed and fanned frantically at their faces.

"Do you think they heard you?" Karin asked sarcastically, pulling her glasses off to wipe them on the underside of her shirt.

Abruptly, the rain stopped altogether.

' It definitely wasn't natural, then,'

One minor mystery solved. Also, Akatsuki knew they were here.

"I could knock again," Sasuke half-threatened, half-grinned with the thrill of showing off in front of his brother.

"I think it served its purpose," Genma muttered, giving a loopy little grin to Yamato, who was sneezing pathetically and rubbing at his nose. The poor boy looked to be on the verge of a break down. He'd had a bad day.

"Karin, contact the teams in the direction that Kakuzu fled," Kakashi ordered. "Tell them who is coming and when he will arrive. Give them a rundown of his abilities and the option to engage or move out of his way, depending on whether they think they can defeat him without sustaining losses."

He hadn't judged that chasing Kakuzu would be a pointless waste of life for his team only to assume that it would be negligible for their nominal allies to lose people in the same pursuit. Even if Kakuzu had left in the direction of the Kumo teams.

The snake Karin summoned this time was much less conspicuous than his brightly scaled peers—tan and gold. Kakashi edged away subtly. That one he recognized. Karin lifted it closely to her lips as if she was about to kiss the top of its flat head and began to murmur to it.

The Suna nin looked similarly disquieted by the show of affection, but then, they probably recognized the species as fatally poisonous just as he did. It was native to the desert, after all.

He didn't actually notice Konan arrive. What he noticed was Baki shouting some bland code word that was apparently an order for Temari to pull the fan over her back and swing it from a low left position to a high right, buffeting what appeared to be a murderous flock of white butterflies off course.

That protocol had probably been for projectiles in general.

He still preferred to think they had a code that meant it was time to attack butterflies.

The woman herself flashed into sight, balancing lightly on top of the collapsed bunker wall. Her amber-orange eyes were directed at one man only.

"Itachi, I am disappointed," Konan said quietly. "Have you betrayed us so easily?"

"She's surprised? That's rather short sighted, considering she knows why he left Konoha," Hyuuga Neji muttered.

Kakashi had never before realized a Hyuuga could be funny. Judging by the disappointed look Gai leveled on his student, the green beast disagreed. Pity.

"We do not have to fight," Itachi said seriously.

Oh, to be so naïve.

Konan's eyes narrowed as if she agreed.

"Speak for yourself, Uchiha," Sabaku no Temari sneered, squinting up at Konan. "I owe grandmother here an ass-kicking. I lost my hotel deposit thanks to her!" Kankuro snorted, but moved into a ready stance as well. "Also she kidnapped Aiko from my room," Temari amended as an afterthought.

Naruto perked up. "What, this old lady?" he asked skeptically. "I expected you to look different. All Aiko said was that your makeup was horrible." He gave Konan a thin smile. "Temari's right. You do need an ass-kicking."

'That's not the plan,' Kakashi thought, frustrated. Naruto wasn't suited to fight Konan at all. If he really wanted, he could pummel her on the way back to T and I. This fight had already been planned.

"Stick to the plan. Everyone else, back!" Kakashi barked out. He steadied Karin by her arm, as artificial winds picked up to a downright dangerous level while Temari and Baki started throwing out A and B class wind jutsu. The hurricane threatened to actually pick up Karin, by far the smallest member of their party. She made an aborted squeak, and latched onto Naruto's arm like a limpet while her clothes flapped in the wind, leaving her stomach bare. "Is Kisame approaching?"

Tenten actually speared a good twenty of Konan's projectiles mid air. Her glittering knives impacted the ground with a multitude of little 'shuk-shuk-shuk' sounds. Paper struggled futilely, trapped. Genma gave a low whistle- and then jerked forward to push her out of the path of a paper dragon the size of Mitsuo, catching its fangs with his short sword and ducking under the reach of its claws. Chakra threads wrapped around it—and then Kankuro cursed as the entire paper construction dissolved into individual sheets of paper. A good chunk of them sliced through Crow like the puppet was made of lukewarm butter.

"Karin," Kakashi reminded sharply. They couldn't afford to get distracted.

"Er-" Karin squeezed her eyes shut to concentrate, biting her lower lip. Something about the motion seemed odd, until he realized that she had used four teeth to do so. He was used to seeing Aiko pin her lip more delicately with just one tooth. "Yes," she concluded, opening her eyes and then blinking rapidly. She jerked her head to the right. "He's trying to sneak up to assess the situation," Karin assessed. "He masks his chakra really well, actually, but it's enormous."

"Wind blade!" Temari actually aimed her attack directly at Konan, who had apparently manifested wings in the time that Kakashi had looked away. The blue-haired woman appeared flustered. She didn't quite dodge in time, and the wind that caught her wing sent her spinning slightly. She shot straight upwards, and then came down like an avenging goddess, gathering what looking like starbursts of blades at the tip of each extended hand.

Kakashi suppressed the urge to merely nod at Karin for her report and tore his gaze away from the large-scale fight. "Good work," he grudgingly allowed. It wouldn't do to allow his irritation with the teens to prevent him from accurately assessing and rewarding their contributions.

And Karin really was proving her worth as a field shinobi.

'If I'm to be honest, she's more essential to this mission than I am,' he noted with no small amount of irony. She had the most direct access to information, after all. 'If she were less inexperienced, maybe she should have been the one calling the shots.'

"You are creepy, girl," a gravelly voice observed. Kisame pulled his bandage-wrapped sword off of his back and pointed it directly at Karin.

She gaped. "Me?" The indignant shriek hurt Kakashi's ears. He winced and leapt away, moving to a slightly safer distance. Not coincidentally, his new positioning also gave him a better view of the entire area, including the battle that was steadily pushing its way westward. "I'm creepy?" Karin slapped a hand to her chest.

"When it comes from the bipedal shark, it really means something," Naruto snickered, not hiding his laughter at his cousin's expense.

"What an UnYouthful thing to say to a lovely young lady in the springtime of her youth!" Gai chuckled, giving Karin a thumbs-up and a smile that sparkled in the sun. "This opening move is devoted to you, Karin-san!"

Her "Er, thanks?" was drowned out by the yell, "Konoha Double Lotus!" Lee made an excited yelp and dashed forward from the other side, spinning into a kick at Kisame's left. The nuke-nin grunted and moved his sword to catch his foot—which left his right open to the bone-breaking force Gai was wielding.

Except the blow didn't connect. Kisame managed to dodge by a thin margin, leaping backwards. The green-clad menaces stayed on him, leaping and weaving in a blur of movement that Kakashi couldn't fully register without his Sharingan. He resisted the temptation to uncover it.

That would be a waste of chakra. Right now, the situation seemed to be overwhelmingly in their favor, to the point where they had more than enough people to control the field. There were too many people for them all to fight together, actually. The Suna team was working well together, and Genma was keeping Tenten out of the crossfire, but any more participants in that fight would be more of a problem than a benefit. If anyone were to be injured, they could easily be rotated out of either fight and both patched up and kept safe.

'We don't know where their leader is,' Kakashi reminded himself darkly, not letting his attention waver. 'Our numbers advantage could easily become irrelevant. Karin couldn't even tell when he left. We may have no warning. For all we know, he could be here.'

The thought was bleak, but still less unpleasant than anything else he might be doing. By all accounts, that man was a monster. The idea of someone like that going directly after jinchuuriki or taking the body count to another village was unpalatable.

Karin shifted uncomfortably, scuttling backwards a little bit. Sasuke reached out to steady her, red eyes whirling and cataloguing everything that was happening.

"Are you sure we can't join in?" Naruto half-whispered, bright blue eyes practically dancing with visible excitement. His head was following the back and forth action of the blue-on-green fight rather like a pinball game.

"No," Kakashi said shortly.

"Actually," Karin muttered, looking over her shoulder. "There might be a fight for us after all. There's a team coming in from Ame."

' Does that mean that Ame really is affiliated with Akatsuki, or are they just taking advantage of the confusion?'

Kakashi frowned under his mask. There was no way to tell until this team arrived. If they joined with Akatsuki, that might be a problem.

"Yamato, take Naruto and Sasuke to investigate our visitors," Kakashi decided blandly. It would be better to keep the fights separate. "Itachi, keep Karin safe. If the situation changes, further orders are at your discretion."

The Uchiha looked downright amused about being downgraded to a bodyguard, but he nodded in agreement nonetheless.

"What about you, sensei?" Naruto blinked guilelessly up at him. Kakashi resisted the urge to pat his head.

"Neji and I are going to investigate that base, of course," he explained breezily, indicating the partially collapsed building. They were fighting in its shadow—it would be intelligent to know what potential dangers were nearby.

He still didn't wholly trust Itachi, after all. If there was anyone else around that Karin couldn't sense in the way that she hadn't sensed Akatsuki's leader, he wanted to know about them.

"Naruto, don't move ahead," Yamato commanded, keeping the tiredness out of his voice. The blond deferred, falling slightly behind to run at Yamato's left. Sasuke was in the parallel position by Yamato's right hip.

"Sorry, captain," Naruto apologized honestly. His voice was much lower than usual. Surprised, Yamato glanced over to see that the mask of happy idiocy had been wiped from the blond's face.

'Of course,' he realized, feeling like an ass. 'It's almost a little cruel to keep him out of the fight with Konan, now that he knows she's the one who hurt his twin.' Yamato had never had a twin, of course, but he imagined that Kakashi was something like an older sibling. Always cooler and more capable than he could ever be- the idea of someone hurting him just sounded wrong. He would be off-kilter as well in that situation.

Yamato gave an uneasy glance to the other teen—Sasuke's jaw was set firmly as well. Would he be thinking along similar lines? He half-doubted it. Sasuke was preoccupied with his own older sibling.

'And isn't that a messy situation.' Kakashi obviously didn't trust Itachi. Yamato didn't either. If Tsunade-sama confirmed the information and personality assessment, he would welcome Itachi into Konoha with open arms. Until that moment, he thought he had the better deal in putting some distance between the two of them.

' A fight might make a good distraction for both of them.'

If that was true, they were spectacularly lucky. They met the Ame ninja a mile and a half out from their comrades. It was immediately obvious that this was going to be a hostile altercation. Yamato gritted his teeth and didn't waste time trying to talk them down.

He met with their leader with a clang of metal, locking his ANBU shortsword against a green-haired woman's thicker sword. She grimaced in his face, huffing- and then spat into his right eye. Yamato shut it in reflex and instantly cursed himself. He forced his left open again just in time to see the movement of her hand as she tossed some sort of white powder directly upwards into his face.

It burned like an acid. Yamato yelped—but took advantage of his superior strength and the fact that his opponent had taken a hand off her blade in order to force her blade out wide and freed up one of his hands to deliver a punch directly into her solar plexus.

The altercation had taken less than a second. Sasuke was just bringing his fist to bear on a man twice his size and Naruto was a foot away from smashing what looked like a Rasengan into a thin brunet's jaw.

'They seem to be doing fine still,' he noted distractedly.

The kunoichi's raised foot hit the ground at the same time that his did, and they split in a blur of movement. The slower shinobi had probably just seen the sparks from their swords colliding, and possibly the powder-fine glitter that had been tossed into the air.

They whipped around on the next step. Yamato cut sideways to buy time to pry his eyes open even as the woman darted forwards to press her advantage. He ducked away from her first blow and lifted his blade to block her second.

'No wonder this woman managed to bat Aiko around like a cat toy,' Temari noted depreciatingly. Her muscles were trembling with the effort to keep pushing at the prohibitively brutal speed that was necessary. 'We have her outnumbered five to one, and she's still keeping us on the run. What kind of monster is she?'

The little konoha kunoichi gave a little grunt and covered her face with her forearms to block the worst of a mis-aimed wind jutsu from Baki. His wind blades tended to go wide and veer unpredictably once they hit another breeze. In other words, they were short-distance weapons, which was why they normally complimented her long-distance attacks.

Neither was optimal against another long distance fighter who moved so damn quickly. They had to predict and force her movements in order for anything to connect while working around the limitations and general havoc of their own techniques. It was a wonder that the Konoha nin hadn't gotten hurt yet, inexperienced as they were with the unpredictable nature of those attacks. The man seemed to have been in plenty of fights before, but the girl couldn't possibly have been. She looked like she had fruit stuck to the top of her head for kami's sake. Fearsome killers just didn't do that.

'Still, she's pretty good,' Temari noted grudgingly. She was doing well to keep the paper ninja's attacks away from herself and was steadily immobilizing the older woman's supply of ammunition.

Temari hadn't managed any such damage so far, but she was proving to be the best at harrying the Ame kunoichi. Kankuro was covering her back, working to keep any rogue paper from doing anything sneaky when she wasn't looking.

'When I got that lucky hit in earlier, it disrupted her movements for almost a full second,' Temari noted, narrowing her eyes at the winged shadow overhead. 'If I can do that again and coordinate well enough with Peaches here to hit her at the right moment, we might be able to take her down. Or we could play it safe and fight her by attrition. The Uchiha traitor said that she was nearly undefeatable as long as she had weaponry, didn't he?'

Then again, she didn't know what observations he was basing that analysis off of. In her experience, anything and anyone could be killed, often by someone much smaller than them.

Temari gave a vicious grin, already picturing cutting off her enemy's head to take home. She really didn't like that woman.

Konan dove yet again, flashing across the sky and raining down explosives shaped like doves. "Nugh!" Temari grunted, heaving with the effort to bat them aside. The constructions that collided with each other went up in little localized blasts, but not all of them were detonated. Three were intact and headed for-

"Genma!" Peaches called out, sliding in from the right and pinning the first one with a spinning shuriken. It took a moment for Temari to catch on that the idly grinning Konoha nin had speared the other two with senbon. That was just fucking scary.

"Don't worry about me, Ten-chan. I'm a big boy. I'll be just fine." He winked at her.

All the respect she'd had for him based on the impressiveness of that senbon accuracy stunt fled instantly. Peaches gave a dismissive grunt and turned away as well, pulling the enormous scroll off her back.

"Temari-san! Do you think you can hit her again?"

'A girl after my own heart,' Temari realized, licking the inside of her lips. She just nodded. 'I have to be smart about this. She only comes down into my range when I'm preoccupied if she can help it. But she must be getting desperate to finish this fight. She's got to know that it can't end in her favor if it goes much longer. Maybe we should just be playing it safe, but what if she's playing for time because she expects reinforcements?'

"Kankuro, give me some space," she said lowly, widening her stance and adjusting her weight instead of keeping low so that she could dart in any direction.

Konan would want to take her out. If she made herself a target, the older woman might come in close enough to do the job herself.

' There's more than one way to force her to hold still. If I can't count on getting an attack in, I could go directly to her.'

Konan wasn't the only aerial fighter, after all. Temari snapped her fan open the rest of the way and called up a fierce gale. She ran with it for a moment—and then spread her weapon perpendicular to the ground and deftly leapt on top. The sun-warmed metal all but burned against her bent legs, but she didn't care. The fast moving air picked at her tightly bound hair and threatened to rip her clothing. It would have if the cotton wasn't reinforced with fine threads of metal.

She gripped the edge of her fan tightly, never minding that a line of blood appeared on her fingers where she was clutching, and used every bit of brute strength she had to moderate the movement of her weapon (and primary mode of transportation). With the wide edge directed down, the wind from underneath pushed her upward. Temari slowly sucked in a deep breathing, acclimating to the change in pressure—and then darted after the blue-haired bitch, leaning with the wind. A humourless smile exposed her teeth to the air. So high up, it was both thin and dry, unlike the moist crap hanging below.

' Much better. Water in the air was slowing me down.'

Up here, Temari was fast as thought, slipping like quicksilver. Konan couldn't ride the wind—she flapped unwieldy paper wings to move, thousands of expertly turned feathers that were so susceptible to a little thing like conflicting air pockets…

She barreled directly at Konan, taking vicious pleasure in how wide her orange eyes were in the bright light above the clouds. Temari pulled four senbon out from her thigh length stockings and wore them in her hand like claws between her knuckles, ready to do her best to skewer those ugly eyes.

' Damnit!'

Konan moved at the last moment. Instead of her perfect shot, Temari had to close her eyes as she burst through the thousand tiny feathers that made up Konan's left wing. She gasped with pain—hundreds of papercuts were still hundreds of cuts.

But she had the last laugh anyways. Konan's wing was tattered and struggling to reform while the older woman plummeted like a rock. Peaches leapt directly into the air, spiraling and spinning in a fascinating way with that enormous scroll.

'It looks like she's dancing,' Temari realized, privately enchanted in the moment before she realized that Peaches was running her fingers along the scroll as she moved upwards.

And suddenly knew it was a bad idea to maintain her current position in a straight line with the other two kunoichi. Temari leaned forward to speed her travel and called a brutally efficient gust that rocketed her out of the way, never mind that the force caused some of the bits of paper hanging off her flesh to dig deeper in.

Hundreds and hundreds of pinpricks of light- senbon and kunai and shuriken and a dozen kinds of little knives that Temari couldn't name- cut through Konan again and again in the three seconds it took her to fall. There was no blood, but Temari knew that if she were closer she would have able to see the sunlight through the holes in the older woman's body.

'It's over.' She couldn't even be sorry that she didn't get to land the final blow. That had been beautiful. Konan smacked face first into the ground with enough force to blow up a cloud of dust, spread eagle with limbs clearly broken from the impact.

Temari landed and smoothly pulled her fan up, closing it in the same motion that she slipped it over her back. Kankuro glanced over at her with a pout, clearly put out that he hadn't gotten to do more than play defense. She grinned cheerfully back at him.

And Konan's left leg twitched, straightening at the break that had set her calf at two angles. The smile froze on Temari's face.

' What is this woman made of? I mean, she can't actually be made of paper, can she?'

[mythriteshah]

Pg. 27: Thandha Fabricator's Apron

Following its armored counterpart is a less conservative - yet still appealing - set of gear intended for those working in the arms trade. 

The Thandha Fabricator’s Apron takes another page out of Naldiq & Vymelli’s (though sadly no royalties were negotiated) with its fur-trimmed vest and sleek bandana.  The user’s arm is also protected with Himvat Mythril to better shield the Blacksmith from errant sparks when strikes are dealt to metal.  The set even comes with an owl necklace reminiscent of the Regalia’s living mascot, Lady Nyra (per her request)!

As the brother to Eitri, the artifact tool for Blacksmiths is called Brokkr.  This cross-pein hammer, though not as flashy, was created with more practical usage in mind.  The Glacialization process works similarly to its Armorer counterpart, but while this same ice-aspected energy dances along the stricken metal, the flames turn into a bright bluish-white when the hot steel reacts with the furnace.  This reaction is not just for show as this also creates hotter flames to temper metals with higher melting points!

Smithies the realm over will surely flock to the nearest Branch Headquarters to request such revolutionary gear to help fuel their businesses.  Make your metalworks the talk of the town as they gaze upon you who dons the Thandha Fabricator’s Apron!

[ya-boiiiii]

The differences between character appearances in Madame Goncharov (1971) and Goncharov (1973).

So, I'm a huge fan of both and love to compare and contrast so behold the second of hopefully many Goncharov analysis posts to come!

The timelines of the book and movie aren't set in stone but based on certain lines in the book such as "Plus de dix ans de loyauté et c’est ce que tu me fais?" I'm going to assume the story takes place in between ten to twenty years and as a result will also be covering how accurately to the book the characters aged.

Goncharov

Played by Robert de Niro, Goncharov is shockingly the least accurate to the books!

Described as "semblable à un loup", Goncharov is consistently mentioned with distinctively sharp wolf-like features, something that - while De Niro doesn't necessarily lack - does not have in abundance.

Another detail that gets left out is that (book) Goncharov is quite tall - over 6', being only rivalled by Ice Pick Joe in the main cast. De Niro on the other hand was 5'9 at the time of filming.

I stand by the casting of De Niro nevertheless, as Goncharov's most touched upon quality - his youthfulness - was the one thing that De Niro had in spades. Roughly 40 at the beginning of the story, Goncharov is described as looking nearly a decade his junior, this trait continues throughout with the only sign of Goncharov's advancing age being a few grey hairs (something included in the film).

Mario Ambrosini

Following the least accurate appearance we have the most (with only one major exception) with Al Pacino as Mario Ambrosini!

Al Pacino has every single feature mentioned in the book, the only difference being that Mario is described as unattractive while Pacino is most certainly not. Pacino is also slightly taller than Mario who is constantly mocked for being "petit" and "à peine la hauteur des épaules".

However, while this is not about the casting, I feel it's important to mention that Mario during the later stages of the movie looks nothing like his book counterpart.

While Goncharov barely ages, Mario is the opposite. Though the movie definitely showcases the depths of just how tired and depressed he is, it would have been impossible to portray an older Mario without the filming taking forever or casting another actor for the second half.

Mario is said to have gained a substantial amount of weight due to overeating thanks to the stress of working as Goncharov's consigliere, as well as having grown out his hair. He's also described as looking in his mid-fifties which Al Pacino was definitely not.

I'm honestly thankful they didn't use prosthetics or cast another actor though, because despite this one nitpick, Mario honestly felt like he was wrenched straight out of the book and I think only Al Pacino could have pulled him off.

Katya Goncharova

Portrayed by Cybil Shepherd, Katya is fairly accurate to the books with a few key differences.

In the books, Katya is not a real blonde and stops dyeing her roots in later chapters as her dark "true colours" begin to shine. In the movie she stays fully blonde throughout and there is no allusion made to Katya dyeing her hair at all.

Katya also has much softer features in the film than the book, having been described as the fox to her husband's wolf. She is mentioned to have a very pointy chin and triangular nose as opposed to Shepherd's more rounded features.

Like Goncharov, Katya is said to have not really aged all that much save for her eyes. I think a little makeup to accentuate her eyebags could have gone a long way, as she looks the same at the end of the movie as she did in the beginning.

Her performance more than makes up for all this though, so 10/10 in my book regardless.

Andrey (Andrei) Daddano

I know some people have mixed feelings on Harvey Keitel as Andrey (spelt Andrei in the books) but I think, in terms of appearance, the casting was pretty accurate.

In the beginning, Andrei is said to look more like Katya's brother than Valery - their similarities being a constant point of comparison (Goncharov has a type). He's described as having a "visage de renard" but I think Harvey Keitel fits this description very well.

He's mentioned to have dirty copper hair (something Keitel lacks), and is the most "pâle" of the ensemble in terms of skin. He is also supposed to have a punchable face according to Goncharov himself and I do not want to punch Keitel so there is that as well.

In terms of aging, I think the eye patch, facial hair and streaks of grey caused Keitel to age accurately to the books, however he is mentioned in certain passages to have lost quite a bit of weight (Cassius parallels what up), but I don't think it would have been ethical to force Keitel to do the same.

Joe Morelli and Sofia Ambrosini

We're doing a two for one here for Sofia (played by Sophia Loren) and Joe (played by the late, great John Cazale).

The differences for these two are pretty inconsequential, Sofia is said to have a longer face and rounder eyes (resembling Mario) whereas Joe is supposed to be 6'4 and "jaunâtre". However this is bordering nitpicky and I can't think of anyone more suited to playing these two.

An interesting detail I want to point out is that it seems Loren was cast based on her resemblance to an older Sofia as opposed to everyone else (sans Ice Pick Joe, my man died before everything went to shit).

But yeah, these two were very good choices and I do not have much else to say. Thank you for bearing with me and I will be back with another essay soon.

[sadistiicangel]

• SWEET DREAMS BITTER NIGHTMARES •

CHAPITRE 6: Jouons à un jeu !

Encore une journée passée. Encore d'étranges choses. Encore tant de choses…

Syana se réveilla avec un mal de tête… et un bien plus horrible de dos. Ouvrant péniblement les yeux, s'attendant à avoir le soleil dans ces derniers, elle constata que… non. Le noir était la seule chose qui l'accueilla. La pièce n'était pas éblouissante, juste à peine éclairée pour laisser distinguer les choses depuis son point de vue. Mais… elle ne reconnut pas de suite l'endroit.

C'est pas chez moi…

Un soupire passant ses lèvres, elle remarqua qu'elle était toujours habillée, son sac au sol et un petit plaid sur ses jambes. Un moment de réflexion, elle chercha dans sa mémoire.

Oh -! C'est vrai…

Elle était à présent ici, c'est ce que lui avait dit cette femme; Louise. Était-elle vraiment plus en sécurité ic-... Un sursaut la fit se redresser d'un seul coup, manquant de tomber à nouveau sur ce fauteuil et de tout faire dégringoler- Elle regarda autour d'elle avant de se redresser d'un seul coup, courant bien rapidement partout, dans tout les sens, se cognant à plusieurs reprises. Son regard allant partout, elle courut vers les autres pièces adjacentes, ces dernières étant pour dire vide..

Rien…

Descendant l'escalier, elle entendit un bruit familier, et à son soulagement, elle vit cette cage dans le grand couloir.

Se précipitant alors, elle remarqua son lapin, tentant de grignoter les barreaux pour s'échapper et grognant de protestation d'être ainsi enfermé... Une détermination telle qu'elle cru bien qu'il allait réussir !

Mais… et ses affaires…? Bien qu'elle s'en moquait grandement, la veille elle n'avait rien pu récupérer ou bien ramener ici, ni même prévenir qui que ce soit, bien qu'elle n'ait personnes à prévenir pour ce genre de choses, alors… comment-?

Encore eux…?

Sans doute… Ils semblaient toujours au courant de chose la concernant ou pour un moyen de l'aider… c'était décidément étrange. Trop étrange… Elle avait tant l'impression d'être dans un long rêve parfois, tellement tout était irréel… Secouant la tête doucement, elle regarda son lapin grignoter quelque chose.

Grignoter -?

Elle ne lui avait encore rien du tout donné pourtant-!

Se mettant alors à quatre pattes devant la cage, prenant sur son mal de dos et en fronçant les sourcils, elle remarqua un papier, déjà bien entamé par son cher rongeur. Le lui prenant alors et récoltant un "GRUNK-!!" magistrale, elle pesta.

Haaah- vilain !

Décidément, il n'en loupait pas une. Décidant d'ouvrir le papier à moitié mangé, elle tenta de déchiffrer la chose.

“ Je me suis permi– de –—— – ramener- I— e— tes affa––s sont dans la penderie ou –––, celle de ton petit animal dans le placard dans — —— –––oir. Je te laisserai tout arranger à ton ———, mais tu seras bien —— ici. Je reviens te voir bientôt !

Bisous, Louise ! (: ”

Souriant face à ce mot, Syana se redressa, un long soupir de soulagement passant ses lèvres. Elle avait pris la peine de tout lui ramener alors même qu'elle se risquait… Se souvenant de la veille, la bleuté haussa les sourcils avant de les baisser. Elle espérait qu'elle n'ai rien eu par sa faute… ces gens. Cet homme surtout… Kh.

"La prochaine à mourir."...

Elle en avait encore d'horribles frissons en y pensant. Tout ça car elle était venue ici-? Avait-elle fait quelque chose de mal envers ces choses ? Avait-elle dis quelque chose les ayant… énervé ? Elle n'y comprenait décidément rien.

...Prenant la cage contenant son animal, elle alla à nouveau vers l'escalier, montant marche par marche avant d'arriver où elle avait passé la nuit. Poussant la barrière, elle regarda la pièce, curieuse. La veille, après tout cela, elle avait étrangement bien dormi. Malgré toutes ces choses et cette voix qu'elle avait sûrement dû rêvé pour s'apaiser, elle avait pu se reposer, sans se réveiller durant son sommeil. Chose rare… Mais ces mains ou qu'importe, elle les avaient trouvées étrangement apaisantes. Tout comme ces paroles. Cette chose, elle ne savait même pas si c'était sortie de son imagination, ou si c'était réel… Pour une fois, la seconde option lui semblait bien plus probable. Le noir qui l'effrayait étant plus petite était maintenant une source de réconfort. Elle y était bien, sans bruit ni lumière… tout y était apaisant maintenant, comme la veille quand elle s'était endormie…

Se décidant à aller vers l'une des chambres adjacentes avant d'arriver sous les combles, elle posa la cage de son lapin, regardant autour d'elle d'un air étonné. Cette pièce… faisait littéralement la taille de son ancien lieu de vie.

« Yuyu, t'vas avoir tout une pièce pour toi cette fois! De la place pour tes binkies, zoomies et flop, regarde ! C'est le paradis, hein ! … J'te mettrai tout en place plus tard, promis. »

Elle le regarda tendrement, allant le caresser une fois la cage posé et ouverte. Parfois, elle avait tant l'impression qu'il la comprenait, qu'il l'aidait dans tant de choses malgré lui… La pièce n'avait besoin que de nombreux tapis et les joujoux qu'elle avait déjà, un peu de rangement et quelques protections pour les murs et elle était sûre que tout serait parfait et sans danger.. Hmmh. Elle tapota ses genoux en le regardant, lui faisant signe avant de sortir de la pièce, semblant retenir l'emplacement de certaines choses déjà. Un léger sourire aux lèvres, elle se demandait… si elle devait rester ici, ou essayer de sortir. L'envie de rester cloîtré ici lui plaisait bien plus et sonnait comme une bien meilleure chose, mais en même temps… Elle aurait voulu sortir, sans rien avoir cette fois-ci. Une simple sortie pour se changer les idées et se dégourdir… Se sortir toutes ces horreurs de la tête, s'aérer l'esprit… Cherchant son carnet une fois à l'étage, elle le trouva dans son sac. Feuilletant deux trois pages, elle se décida alors à écrire ce qu'elle avait vécu la vieille…

03/11

J'avais reçu un mot pour aller à une adresse ! J'y suis allé même en flippant, et j'étais face à une immense… immeeeeense maison ! O: y'avais personne donc j'suis rentrée dedans. Tout grand comme l'extérieur, j'ai fais le tour. C'est beau en plus. En plus j'ai évité une inondation en arrivant ! Mais a un moment, j'ai entendu des pas. J'ai fuis puissance 1000000 tout en haut avec un couteau, sur un fauteuil derrière un rideau. Mais en vrai, c'était la personne qui m'avait mis le mot qui était là ! Elle s'appelle Louise, l'ancienne proprio ! J'avais peur + suspicions mais en fait elle est comme moi, sauf que elle, elle peut faire des trucs trop cool! Elle contrôle les objets et les papiers !! ):< Elle est super gentille… Elle m'a fait visiter toute la maison en détail et ensuite le dehors pour aller au magasins sans "risques"... C'était super, mais à un moment, j'ai vu un type avec une femme, les deux trop chelou avec ce sourire. Ils ont dit que Louise était la prochaine à crever. J'ai été la prévenir et ont est rentré hyper vite a la maison- le type était là, mais d'un coup POOF! Il avait disparu en fumée.

Puis quand j'suis allée à l'étage au même endroit sous le toit, j'ai entendu une voix, la même que d'autres fois, mais ça venait pas vraiment de ma tête. Un type, je sais pas qui ou quoi, mais c'était… apaisant au fond. Je sais pas si c'était réel mais j'pense que oui vu mes impressions et tout!! Est-ce qu'il est là pour m'aider ou pas? Jsp son nom en plus…

Elle regarda son stylo, soupirant longuement après avoir écrit tout cela. Tant de choses décidément étranges… elle devait soit vivre dans un rêve à rallonge ou devenir totalement folle, qui sait… peut-être même les deux.

Elle soupira à nouveau, tapotant la penderie cachée par le rideau, ne sait-on jamais, mais en l'ouvrant, elle vit ses affaires, propres et rangées… c'était surprenant, vraiment. Qui que soit la personne qui faisait cela, elle devrait tout de même le ou la remercier… Changeant son haut, pour un t-shirt à manches longues, elle regarda son bras, laissant encore ces bandages en place aussi bien ici qu'à sa nuque. Elle ne voulait pas risquer quoi que ce soit pour le moment. Et puis… ça donnait un côté classe ! Quoi que…

Elle prit son portable en main, regardant son reflet dedans. Cernes et cheveux en bataille en plus de ses bandages, c'était presque amusant en sachant qu'elle ne prenait jamais soin d'elle. À croire qu'elle avait fait la guerre à se voir ainsi. Souriant alors maladroitement et regardant son reflet ainsi, elle soupira rapidement en éloignant bien rapidement son téléphone, ne souhaitant plus voir ce reflet, se frottant les joues.

Mal…

Sourire n'était pas pour elle. Elle n'y arrivait pas sans paraître constipé ou ridicule à souhait et en plus… Ça faisait mal aux joues.

Étant déjà prête, elle enfila à nouveau sa veste, mettant également son sac après avoir rangé son cher carnet. Qui sait encore ce qu'elle allait vivre aujourd'hui comme folie. Un simple tour vers les magasins où vers la place.. Cela faisait un moment qu'elle n'y était pas aller ni même qu'elle avait profité de l'espace, de la tranquillité… Comme cette fois-là, avant sur tout ne dégringole pour elle. Peut-être que cette fois-ci… elle n'aurait rien. Même si elle en doutait grandement, elle pouvait essayer, juste pour prendre l'air. Trouver quelque chose pour se réconforter, qu'importe la dite chose.

Elle voulait sortir , vraiment, pour affronter ses peurs et tout cela, mais avec les récents événements, elle avait encore bien plus peur à présent de mettre un pied dehors… malgré cette envie de sortir…

Le comble.

Inspirant un bon coup, elle regarda cette simple clé encore présente dans sa poche.

"Tu n'en auras pas vraiment besoin."

… C'était bizarre. Elle n'allait pas entrer et sortir comme par magie au vu de tous les cadenas! Un soupire silencieux passa ses lèvres alors qu'elle descendit lentement les marches.

Et si une de ces choses l'attendait derrière la porte…?

Elle n'en savait rien. Elle espérait que non. Qu'elle devait se faire trop de films.. Une main tirant sur son bandage à la nuque, elle baissa la tête, regardant d'abord au bas de la porte et ne semblant absolument pas s'y faire, elle hoqueta malgré tout. Voir ainsi au travers des choses, des murs, des portes… elle ne savait même pas comment la chose fonctionnait en soit! Remontant très lentement son regard, en haut puis sur les côtés, elle ne vit rien. Pas l'ombre ou la chair d'un de ces "monstres"... Étrangement, depuis l'intérieur elle pouvait voir à l'extérieur, mais l'inverse était impossible… Ça avait été impossible la veille et à sa première venue ici, peut-être était-ce à cause de ces talismans…? Elle l'ignorait bien encore une fois, mais c'était la chose la plus probable pour elle. Prenant alors la poignée de porte en main, elle la regarda, puis ces nombreux cadenas…

C'est littéralement IMPOSSIBLE que ça s'ouvre comme ça… D'un coup !

Elle haussa un sourcil, tentant alors en la tournant, et à sa plus grande surprise, tous les cadenas venaient de s'ouvrir. L'un après l'autre. Sans aucun bruit horripilant ou dérangeant... Jusqu'à ce petit "clic"...Surprise de la chose, elle se demandait si tout le monde en était capable. Aah, quelle stupide pensée, bien-sûr que tout le monde le pouvait ! Elle n'était pas exceptionnel ni même spécial pour ouvrir une simple porte. Ce devait être un simple mécanisme reliant le tout depuis l'intérieur. Sortant dehors et renfermant aussitôt la porte derrière elle en entendant un bruit, un long "SWISH!"... Elle regarda les lanternes, le palier si grand et haut… c'était vraiment… irréel une telle grandeur. S'éloignant à reculons pour avoir un aperçu de la chose, main au dessus des yeux, elle pencha la tête en remarquant bien des talismans ou divers écriteaux éparpillés sur la façade. Elle aurait tant voulu poser des questions à ce Nathan tout comme à Louise, là maintenant. Eux qui semblaient en savoir tant sur tout alors qu'elle… elle était totalement ignorante…Sur tous finalement… mais… impossible, elle était seule. Se tournant en serrant son sac, elle ravala sa salive, avançant sur le chemin que lui avait montré la rouquine la veille. Enfin… Elle espérait bien s'en souvenir et ne pas se perdre comme à son habitude.

Les maisons avec leurs hautes clôtures étaient là… Les nombreux arbres également. Ces chemins et croisement aussi… elle regarda un peu partout, traversant en plein milieu de la route, n'ayant absolument rien, voyant alors la gare. Certes de derrière, mais elle avait sû se repérer ! Serrant son poing en petit signe de victoire, elle longea le long bâtiment, apercevant la place de ce dernier et plus loin les bâtiments. Tous les magasins et la petite place où elle allait souvent s'asseoir pour flâner, pour profiter du calme et de l'air si agréable… Avançant à nouveau, calmement, elle remarqua quelques personnes. Habillé de noirs, comme Nathan, vadrouiller dans les rues, semblant veiller l'air de rien sur tout cela. C'était la seconde fois qu'elle en remarquait ainsi, la première fois ayant été lors de son altercation avec le brun… c'était comme si la ville était animée depuis un programme bien précis… soufflant doucement, se sentant un peu plus à "l'aise", elle passa son chemin, arrivant à de nombreux magasins… Mais son regard ce stoppa sur un en particulier… ne parvenant pas à retirer ses yeux de l'enseigne dans son champ de vision.

" MAKE A WISH "

Ce magasin qu'elle avait vu ce jour-là, cette fois-ci où elle avait fait un stupide vœu… Enfin, vœu ou karma, elle savait que quelque chose s'acharné sur elle depuis ce jour précis, c'était certain.

Étrangement attiré à nouveau, elle regarda les vitrines. Remplies de toutes sortes de jouets anciens comme nouveaux. Des peluches variées et disposées un peu partout, sur des étagères, des petites balançoires ou même debout et retenue par un fils transparent… toute la scène la fit rire, une telle vitrine à la décoration enfantine et coloré, c'était beau, réconfortant… agréable à voir. Mains collées aux vitres froides, elle regardait avec une certaine excitation ces dernières. Prenant son pseudo-courage à deux mains, elle décida d'entrer dans ce magasin de jouets, entrant en premier temps les portes coulissantes, une affiche collée sur ces dernières dont elle ne sembla absolument pas faire attention. Et pourtant… La seule chose ayant été aperçue par son regard étant les mots “Déjà-vu” suivit d'un point d'exclamation ... Et cette couleur rouge et blanche.

Étrange pour une affiche.

Une fois à l'intérieur, elle remarqua que tout était.. éteint. Personnes n'était là, comme dans les rues l'autre fois. Une main sur le portique d'entrée, elle se pencha doucement, voulant voir si le magasin était bel et bien fermé, ou bien si elle était venue trop tôt…

Lire cette affichette aurait été mieux, qui sait. Ça lui apprendra à se précipiter…!

Le magasin devait être fermé ou en congé, qui sait, mais… les vitrines étaient illuminées et elle avait pu passer les portes principales, c'était la chose la plus étrange, surtout si le magasin était fermé… Décidant de se pencher un peu plus comme pour chercher quelqu'un de vue, sa voix résonnant en de simple petit appel en écho, elle ne fit que passer les portiques sans le désirer, se retenant en trébuchant et bien plus à cloche-pied sur plusieurs mètres.

Jurant et pestant, elle s'arrêta enfin, reprenant sa stabilité et déblayant les cheveux de devant ses yeux, elle regarda autour d'elle. Tout était… à présent allumé. Une petite musique douce, enfantine et mélodieuse jouant en fond, tout était maintenant… Vivant.

Sous le choc, elle regarda partout, voyant plusieurs personnes présentes, mais leurs visages et expressions semblaient vides de toutes émotions… Était-ce… des pantins ? Des mannequins ? Des animatroniques ou même des… robots super réalistes -?!

Son regard en l'air d'un coup en suivant celui de ces choses, elle remarqua une petite télé, comme bien souvent présente dans ce genre de magasins. La seule chose différente étant… ce petit personnage à l'air clownesque et au masque sur le visage dedans, remuant joyeusement la tête de haut en bas. Fixant cette petite animation, la douce musique se stoppa, laissant entendre une voix comme modifiée à l'hélium… Difforme, mais non comme celle qu'elle avait entendu la veille. Autrement encore.

« Bienvenue à tous!~ Maintenant que nous sommes là… Comment allez vous aujourd'huiiii-? Allez, jouons à un jeu tous ensembles ! Le but de ce cher jeu est de trouver l'objet perdu avant la fin du temps réglementaire. Si les joueurs le trouve, la prochaine partie commencera ! Sinon... Surprise surpriiiise !~🌟 »

Un… jeu…-? Syana haussa les sourcils, l'air incrédule, regardant toujours la petite télé, ne comprenant pas. Ce devait être… une petite animation. Pour promouvoir ce magasin— Qui sait-! Reculant et se cognant aux portiques, elle tenta de les pousser mais… rien n'y faisait, c'était comme fermés de l'intérieur.

Pestant, elle regarda devant elle. Mais… aucune règles ? Que devaient-ils tous trouver avant la fin du temps ? Et… des conséquences, donc…?

Huh. Ravalant sa salive, elle regarda autour d'elle, ne voyant personne avancer elle sembla hésiter, avant d'aller vers l'un des nombreux rayons du magasin, préférant éviter ces gens ou quoi que ce soit.. Tout était si grand qu'elle savait d'avance qu'elle allait perdre. Mais trouver quelque chose sans même savoir quoi… c'était encore pire que trouver une aiguille dans une botte de foin… fredonnant l'air de cette petite musique qu'elle avait entendu et qu'elle avait maintenant en tête, elle avança en rythme de cette dernière inconsciemment.

Un rayon.

Deux rayons…

Ce fût au bout du troisième qu'elle trouva une petite chose au sol l'interpellant.

Une boîte à musique, d'un magnifique bleu ciel ornée de dorures, un soleil et une lune trônant fièrement sur le couvercle.

Regardant discrètement de droite à gauche, la bleutée se jeta dessus, la prenant en main comme si elle venait de trouver un trésor. Mais trouver la chose demandé serait impossible, ça ne pouvait-... Souriant maladroitement malgré elle et l'ouvrant, elle entendit cette même musique, signe qu'elle… venait de trouver “l'objet perdu” ? Se redressant au minimum sur ses genoux en souriant bien plus, elle ne semblait pas en revenir. Elle avait réussi… Étouffant un rire de satisfaction et de pure surprise, elle fut surprise de voir une paire de pieds devant elle.

Coloré et basculant d'avant en arrière.

Relevant la tête doucement, son regard suivant, elle vit alors la personne devant elle. Applaudissant à grand coups et rapidement, visiblement heureux.

Un jeune homme… visiblement ? Plutôt grand malgré son point de vue.

Un pantalon remplis d'écussons en tout genre mais surtout enfantin, de couleur vive ou d'écritraux disant clairement les choses tel que “PLAY WITH ME!” ou “DON’T LOOK HERE”

Une chaussette haute et rayée par-dessus son pantalon, uniquement à gauche, et une bien plus courte également dessus, avec des étoiles.

Un sweat bicolore, beige et turquoise, l'une des manches ayant des rayures verticales, à l'opposé de cette chaussette à sa jambe et une grande étoile sur le devant..

La peau pâle, de ce qu'elle pouvait constater, comme de la porcelaine… De longs cheveux blonds au dessous turquoise, le tout vraiment en bataille mais attaché en petite queue de cheval, enfin… un petit palmier, sur la simple partie supérieure.

Et un masque cachant son visage. Ce dernier possédant un simple large sourire a pleine dents, et un seul œil, deux larmes à chaque coin de ce dernier.

Clownesque et enfantin..

Un masque pleurant de joie ? Hmn… Comme sur le personnage de la télé.

Se fit-elle la réflexion. C'était pour le moins un look surprenant et déroutant.

C'était véritablement les mots lui venant en regardant cette personne face à elle…

Penchant la tête, le jeune garçon continuait d'applaudir avant de s'arrêter, regardant visiblement Syana , elle et elle seule.

« Bravo pour cette première victoiiiire ! Tu es très forte Sosooo ! 🌟 »

Une voix horriblement saturée et aiguë, comme celle d'un vieux jeu vidéo… Mimant un arc-en-ciel avec ses bras, la bleutée eut tout juste le temps de cligner des yeux alors que son sourire fanait, qu'elle se retrouva à l'entrée du magasin, là où elle s'était arrêtée avant tout cela, cette boîte à musique en mains… ne comprenant absolument rien, et encore moins comment cette personne pouvait connaître son surnom, elle regarda autour d'elle. À genoux au sol, elle remarqua que bien moins de personnes semblaient présentes, mais ces dernières étaient bien plus… costaud. Imposantes. Une plus grosse carrure. Se levant et posant cette boîte à musique sur une étagère lambda à quelque pas d'elle, son regard ne quittant pas ces "gens" avant que tout ne tombe dans le noir total.

Un simple bruit.

Une sorte d'eau… non—

Un tuyau dans lequel de l'eau tombait… coulait…? Hmn. C'était en tout cas un bruit doux, relaxant presque.

Regardant autour d'elle malgré la pénombre en se sentant vaciller, elle vit la lumière revenir d'un coup…

Si d'autres joueurs étaient encore là, cela voulait dire que plusieurs exemplaires du même objet avait été éparpillés ici-même… Bien-sûr, elle n'allait pas être la seule à jouer, ce serait trop simple…

« Bravo à vous joueurs !! Vous êtes plus fort que je le pensais. Vous êtes prêts -?! Allez, c'est la deuxième partie, on continuuuuu!~ Ta-daaaam-! ✨ »

Tout d'un coup, une petite table fût là, juste derrière eux tous, proche de l'entrée, illuminée par ce qui semblait être un spot. Un cahier ouvert et un stylo sur cette dernière, la jeune aux oreilles pointues ne compris pas. Aucune règle à nouveau, rien. Juste ce bruit et ils devaient faire avec-?! Sa première réussite était purement dû au hasard et à la chance, elle me savait ! Voyant tous ces gens se jeter littéralement sur le carnet et cette table, elle recula en secouant la tête, n'en revenant pas. Dans quoi… était-elle tombée ? Elle avait dû se cogner la tête et rêver, hein-? Fixant cette télé ou l'animation de ce garçon passait toujours, elle le fixa, comme si elle allait s'en sortir ainsi… le temps passant, secondes, minutes, quart d'heure… Syana était maintenant la seule restant ainsi, à ne pas avoir été vers ce cahier. Écrire… devait-elle écrire ce qu'était cette chose ? C'était impossible… Regardant ces gens, toujours aussi vide d'émotions et maintenant de tout mouvement, immobiles, elle avait l'impression de faire face à des mannequins, vraiment…

La dernière page… elle prit le stylo, tremblant alors en se remémorant ce bruit entendu. De l'eau… de l'eau étouffée dans quelque chose? Pas possible. Elle savait qu'elle avait déjà entendu ce bruit, elle en était certaine ! C'était un bruit bien trop familier à ses oreilles… elle regarda la table, autour d'elle comme dans l'espoir de trouver la réponse aux alentours ! Deux de ses doigts tapotant machinalement sur le carnet tout en faisant vaciller le stylo de droite à gauche. Regardant ce geste, elle pencha la tête. Les yeux ronds et la bouche entrouverte. Si un point d'interrogation aurait pû apparaître au-dessus de la tête, elle en aurait un énorme ! Mais… Ce bruit. Ce geste qu'elle faisait pour se calmer… Elle tenta alors en se souvenant d'une seule chose.

“Un… bâton… de pluie…- ”

Se demandant mille fois si elle n'avait pas mal fait et se doutant qu'elle allait perdre… Elle allait sûrement être en game over cette fois ! Mais de l'eau, ici, c'était également impossible, au vu du genre de magasin… des tuyaux serait visible, et faire couler de l'eau maintenant serait dangereux…

Le noir revenant alors et plusieurs bruits sourd ce faisant entendre, Syana se baissa d'un seul coup, prise de panique et mains sur les oreilles face aux bruits si soudain et fort. Que…? Des coups de feu-?! Et ces bruits… Ces cris courts… beaucoup.

BAM

BAM

BAAAM!

En un rire amusé… C'était ressemblant à une arme a feu, mais… rien. Elle n'avait… rien-? Alors que les coups venaient de finir...? Un simple halo de lumière se faisant voir derrière elle, elle secoua d'un signe négatif la tête en la tournant doucement, tremblante de tout son long, les larmes coulant encore et encore sur ses joues, tombant sur ses genoux et même le sol. Elle vit à nouveau ce type. Si étrange et au milieu de cette lumière.

Regardant Syana, l'inconnu pencha la tête, se mettant à applaudir à nouveau tel un maniaque. De plus en plus fort. Chaque coup de ses mains entre-elles semblant faire exploser la tête, un bras, une jambe... de chaque personne autre que elle. Semblant ? Non… c'était littéralement ce que chaques coups faisait ! Têtes explosantes, membres pétant tels des ballons ! La seule chose restant debout étant ces corps flottants… Tels des vulgaires ballons, encore et encore.

Le bruit ressemblant à des coup de feu était donc ça…

Tombant en arrière, les mains au sol, Syana le regardait, les yeux ronds écarquillés comme des billes, le souffle saccadé et court, transpirante de peur face à ce qu'elle voyait. Prise de peur et de panique tout en se cognant à la petite table, elle n'eut d'autres choix que de le regarder en le voyant avancer avec cette lumière, jusqu'à être devant elle, debout, riant en remuant la tête de droite à gauche. Bras joint à présent derrière lui. Cet étrange personnage se pencha face à elle, jambes tendues.

POOF

POOF !

Syana elle, se saisissa du stylo sur cette table, le pointant vers cet étrange garçon, le menaçant ainsi, comme si cette “arme” allait la sauver, la protéger.

« Ahahah! Bah alors- tu vas faire quoi avec le stylo ! 🌟 Intelligente! T'es trop doué ! Tu saiiiis, t’aurais explosé sinon!~... BADABOOOOM!~ Comme un ballooon, tête gonflée, encore… encore— comme eux !~ Allez, on continue ! ✨

- P..Pourquoi vous faites ça -? -Fit-elle d'une voix cassée, déchirée par les larmes- V… Vous êtes qui-?! C…C'est tor-

-Waaaaah waaaah, bleeeh- GNAHBLAHBLAAAAEUH- alleeeeez.~! On joue ! Ahahah!~ 🌟♥️ »

La voix de cette étrange personne, passant d'aiguë a grave, de distordu à plus calme… Syana le fixait, les yeux remplis de larmes et sanglotant sur place. Il secoua simplement la tête, la pièce plongeant, suite à ce simple geste de sa part, dans le noir, encore. Seul un rire ce faisant entendre. Un rire qu'elle venait tout juste d'entendre et pour cause, c'était celui de ce type. L'ayant entendu à peine quelques secondes avant tout cela, elle en était certaine. Serrant toujours ce stylo, aussi fortement que possible, en main quitte à lui en faire horriblement mal et sanglotant malgré tout, la lumière s'allumant doucement en un cercle au sol, elle vit une simple chose au milieu. Non lui cette fois-ci… mais son masque. Ce masque si jovial et enfantin ainsi au sol, signifiant… Que c'était lui. Rampant à genoux au sol, les larmes aux joues, elle alla se saisir de ce masque en tendant le bras, comme de peur que quelque chose n'arrive, regardant autour d'elle, doucement.

Plus aucune lumière hormis celle au sol.

Rien.

Plus personne…

Plus un bruit à par ce rire, en boucle.

Le noir total l'entourant, comme à son arrivée ici-même.

Elle était à présent seule ici, dans cet étrange merdier, dans ce jeu effrayant.

Un jeu mortel pour sûr.

Fuir était impossible, elle le ressentait bien

Se mettant debout à nouveau, elle regardait simplement ce masque, ce si grand sourire figé… Les jambes tremblantes elle avança, reniflant à plusieurs reprises tandis que ses larmes coulaient encore inconsciemment… suivant alors cette lumière qui était maintenant sous ses pieds. Pas à pas, le regard rougis par les larmes et encore brumeux mais fixé sur ce masque qu'elle tenait en mains. Elle ne faisait attention à rien autour d'elle, comme si la peur que quelque chose ne fonce sur elle ne se fasse ressentir… Le rire grandissant, se faisant de plus en plus proche et en totale distorsion alors que la bleutée avançait dans ce dédale d'étagères et sans même savoir où elle allait, Syana se figea sur place, le voyant à nouveau, là. Devant cette porte de sortie de secours. Bras croisés derrière son dos et agitant toujours aussi joyeusement sa tête, il semblait amusé encore plus sur tout. Relevant la tête en le voyant faire signe de "relever" avec sa main, elle le vit bien-sûr sans son masque mais… Un si grand sourire aux lèvres, comme sur le masque. Des yeux bleus, diverses teintes en un seul œil. La pupille à elle seule faisant quasiment tout l'��il digne d'une sclera, trois cercles distinctifs les uns sur les autres… Et cette peau si pâle était recouverte de divers stickers, ou était-ce de patchs… cousus à même la peau-?! Non… Tout était si réaliste, elle avait l'impression d'avoir vu des fils à ces derniers… ce ne serait pas si surprenant si ces choses étaient cousues, mais elle… elle en avait peur. Son regard devait flou devait lui faire voir des choses. Un sentiment semblant la pétrifier sur place, elle hoqueta en entendant un immense "BABOOM", des confettis sortant rapidement du plafond, diverses paillettes et petits bonbons. Dans une totale incompréhension, recroquevillé sur elle-même, elle le regardait, abasourdi, sursautant sur place, cherchant à réagir, à comprendre quoi que ce soit de ce qu'elle venait de vivre. Mais bien plus que tout… elle était là, planté sur place, inapte à quoi que ce soit d'autres que le fixer avec cet air. Le rire de ce garçon semblant ce faire bien plus réaliste, moins aiguë mais plus masculin, elle sortit doucement de sa torpeur. Riant et applaudissant à nouveau, le blond si étrange la fixait, sautillant même sur place

« Gagné -! 🎉 Tu as.. ga—gné-!🌟 Aaah ahah- Bravo Syana, j'adore jouer avec toi, c'était trop marrant hein! HEIIIN ?! Allez, la prochaine fois on se fera un autre jeu, dacodac-?! ♥️ J'ai trop hâte, yeaaaay !~ ✨

-Q…Que… qui…-

-Huuuum-? Qui qui quoi coin coin! POUET ! AHAHAH !~ Tu le saura bien vite, Syana !~ Viiite… ~ Tu veux savoir, hein, heiiin, heiiiiin?~ »

Avançant avec cette lumière au sol, l'inconnu riait. Un rire… non, plusieurs rires, bien plus sombres et à donner froid dans le dos cette fois-ci. Restant comme bloqué sur place en le fixant dans les yeux, la salive s'accumulant dans sa bouche, elle lâchant ce masque au sol d'un seul coup, sursautant, fermant les yeux une fois que ce type fut devant elle, son souffle contre son oreille, en un murmure alors que tout le magasin plongeait à nouveau dans le noir totale, plus un son, plus aucun bruit. Rien… Sauf…

"Iren. 🌟"

Ouvrant les yeux et tombant en arrière, Syana remarqua qu'elle était de retour à l'avant de ce magasin.

« H…Huh… C'était quoi tout… ça ? J'ai… J'ai pas rêvé hein…—? La folie- M…Maison- je dois écrire… tout ça. Je doi–… souvenir— Iren-... »

Mais dehors. Face à cette enseigne. Deux choses semblant s’être ajoutées… Une grosse étoile, et un petit masque. Le même que ce garçon avait au visage, et celui-là même qu'elle avait tenue en main… Ce masque- Elle ne l'avait d'ailleurs plus en mains… Soupirant et littéralement sur le cul et sans voix, elle regardait le magasin, puis ses mains, son sac tombant de ses épaules ainsi que les diverses paillettes et confettis sur elle, dans ses cheveux , dans ses vêtements, partout. Croyant à un mauvais rêve, à un cauchemar, elle dû bien réaliser que c'était la pure vérité et qu'elle venait de vivre tout cela. De vivre un cauchemar éveillé. En plus de s'en sortir indemne… Bien étrangement. Ce magasin… semblait plein de vie à présent, même de l'extérieur, c'était comme s'il avait eu… un relooking express.

Ses yeux se révulsant en arrière et une douleur à la tête, elle tomba en arrière, inconsciente, n'ayant plus de force ni même la moindre pour crier a l'aide. Comment allait-elle finir cette fois ? Dans cette rue à son réveil, ou dans cette maison…? Hah.

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