39. Ulterior Motives

Soft velvet sheets encase me as I stare at the dimly lit ceiling. I'd woken up but, two days of sealing had me still tired. My mind strayed. After the last encounter I'd had with Madara I was worried about leaving my room, but, I couldn't hide in here forever.

Who knew how long Itachi and Kisame would take on their mission. The deep desire to train today was stronger than my uneasiness. Madara's Genjutsu had been quickly flipped into my own, and, I need to know how he was injured after my Genjutsu was released. But, there was no answer. Instead of going around in a figure-eight, I let it go for now and get up.

I pull out my Genjutsu scroll and read it over five times, memorising it completely. I need to know all I could seeing as Itachi had offered to train me. On top of that, I attached a tattoo summons on my wrist for my poisoned needles. Scrolls were bothersome.

When I'd finished I get ready. Showered, changed and brushed my hair out so it's up in a high ponytail. Lastly, I attach all my weapons and head to the kitchen. Despite wanting to train, I didn't know who to ask to join me...

As I walked into the kitchen Pain and Konan both looked at me. Pain stood behind the counter and Konan was seated with her back to me.

"Tila" Pain gave a nod in my direction. Konan turned in her chair and gave her usual faint smile.

"Do either of you have plans for today?" I asked as I sat down beside Konan, pulling a couple of slices of bread from the loaf siting on the table.

"I have the day off today," Pains voice cold. Konan looked between us.

"Unfortunately I have some things I need to do for Madara" she looked annoyed.

"I see" I replied before biting into my bread.

"Why do you ask?" Pain questioned, I shook my head before answering.

"Oh it's nothing, I just wanted to train today but didn't know if anyone would have the time to join me" I explained. Pain's eyebrow raised slightly.

"I'll train with you"

"Really? This should be interesting then," I grinned at the favourable turn of events. The side of his lip curved as though he was attempting to smile. But, I just sort of stared at him. It was awkward how feeble his excuse for a smile was...

"Yes I agree, shall we begin then?" Pain asked. I gave a nod as I finished off my slice of bread.

"I'll see you later then Pain, be careful Tila" Konan joked as she watched us both leave for the training room.

"I'll go easy on her, not to worry Konan," He said, peering over his shoulder at hr before exiting the kitchen from in front of me.

"You know Leader, I sort of wish you were still in charge," I confessed as we entered the training room.

"Tila, call me Pain from now on," He said, turning to face me. We were in the centre of the training room.

"If you say so Leader" I winked, he chuckled darkly then took off his cloak and threw it to the side.

"So, would you like to go first or shall I?" He mused.

"Ladies first." I giggled. His face became slightly flustered but quickly recovered his serious demeanour.

"Don't push it Tila" he grumbled, I couldn't help but giggle a little more.

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Pain and I trained for what seemed hours, our attacks and counterattacks flow smoothly, as though predicting the others next move. A ferocity to it. One that I craved in a fight.

Pain had pushed me back with a gravitational push, I slid back against the ground, feet finally finding grip. In the split second pause after his attack, I sensed a presence behind me.

It was a familiar one of cold eyes watching me. I summoned some needles, turned, and shot them in the direction of the stare with precision. My hunch was correct. Madara's ominous figure stood just within the line of the shadow of the hallway. He held one of my needles between his for-finger and thumb as if he had caught it just before it hit him.

"Hm," he sounded unamused, dropping the needle onto the floor. It made a light clinking sound as it hit. Then, Madara turned around and walking away. I watched in confusion as his figure disappeared into the darkness, his long dark hair swaying behind him.

"Tila" Pain's voice came from behind me, I turned to see him walking closer.

"I think we're done for today" he glanced me up and down.

"Yeah, thanks for training with me," I gave a small bow. He returned my gesture before walking off down a hallway too. I huffed lightly as I caught my breath from the intense training session. Pain truly was a worthy opponent.

But that sly Uchiha, he was a different story. I hate him so much it's not even funny. I tried to be less irritated by the Uchiha's arrogance and sat down on the training room floor. I laid down onto my back and close my eyes, my fatigue starting to kick in. I don't know if the thoughts that came into my mind were habitual or, if they were something else but, I felt myself become consumed by them.

___________________________

"Sasori my man, I wonder if Tila will want to stay with us after we ambushed her like that?" My eyes are still closed but I can hear deidara loud and clearly... Just like the first night is met them.

"Tila, you're too beautiful to cry," Sasori's distant voice cooed, as though on replay from the first time he had ever spoken those words to me.

"If sasori was showing you around he wouldn't be very pleased hah. Hates to be kept waiting, you're lucky I don't mind so much" Deidara said as he stood properly from against the wall. He nodded his head in the direction I was to follow him in... My first day here.

"The reason I have brought you here is because you have the potential to help me achieve this goal. Tila, will you join the Akatsuki?" Pain and I are face to face in his office. The moment he'd propositioned me.

"Tila, calm down and breath slowly!" Sasori said loudly, placing his hand on my back. The nightmare of the spiders. Fainting in the shower...

"I'm Kakuzu, I'm the one who stitched you up," A familiar green and red glower in his eyes - the memories are so vivid, as though happening right before me.

"Please I need to get stronger Kakuzu, you're from my village. Please train me." I'd begged him, desperate to get stronger. To protect myself from the pain, but...

"Tila! Are you alive? Un" Deidara...

I.. Couldn't sleep, Sasori isn't back yet and..." I stammered. Deidara grabbed my wrist and led me into his room then closed the door behind me. We'd snuggled that night.

"Kisame Hoshigake, and this is my partner Itachi Uchiha." Those cold Uchiha eyes bore down on me.

"Well, that was fucking rude"... Hidan...

"Look Sasori, isn't it beautiful?" The dawn broke, Deidara's bird from our first mission.

"Don't worry, from now on Kakuzu and I have your back. No ones going to fuck with you, got it?" The words of encouragement and comfort Hidan had spoken in the hot spring. Him and Kakuzu...

"I wish I could've captured this moment for eternity" Sasori's voice whispers so softly. I can feel him twirling my hair between his fingers. He's right beside me. Isn't he?

"Sasori.." I whisper his name, denial flooding my mind.

"What's that?" I pointed at the weird tattoo on Deidara's chest, we'd been huddled in bed together. His blue ocean eyes searched mine.

"Here, try it on," The hidden Waterfall headband Kakuzu held outstretched in his hand. He'd given it to me...

The forest blurred as I kept running, deeper and deeper into the forest.

"TILA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? RUN" Deidara's voice screamed.

"Tila?" Itachi's voice lurks my name.

I feel tears leaving my eyes.

I scrunch my eyes tight - Deidara's body is falling from the sky in pieces.

"Itachi! Where did you go?!" The snow had covered his face as we played together. But, I'd found him...

"Tila, Hidan and Kakuzu have been killed on their mission" Zetsu's words echo.

__________________

The cold of the training room floor sent chills through me. Tears drop, trailing down from my closed eyes.

___________________________

Strong arms slip under and lift me, I don't dare open my eyes.

I didn't want Itachi to see me so upset again. I lay limp, letting myself be gently carried away somewhere. Anywhere was better than here. But, I knew... no matter where I was, my emotions would persistently thump in my chest. There was nowhere to hide.

A door creeks open and soft sheets are beneath me.

I lay silently for a while, my eyes shut tightly. The door creeks again. With courage, I crack open an eye and peek. The blurry image of long raven hair filled my vision. Then, the door shut. Was that...

________Madara POV________

God, the Akatsuki has fallen to a new low. The lack of organisation is truly bothersome. Just as I'd anticipated, Pain had been slaking off this entire time. If I hadn't been revived then this plan of mine would've never come to tuition. Sitting in this morbidly boring office all day certainly isn't helping my bad mood so, I believe it's about time to have a tea break.

I take one last look at the scattered papers across the desk then stand up and head for the door. Hm.

I shall have black tea today. Finally, I approach the training room. But, I sense her Chakra. Did she really think she was going to get any stronger overnight?

I stood within the shadows and watched closely as she and Pain fought - I must admit, her style is fairly gracious. I guess it makes up for her lack of skill. Hm.

I felt a small disturbance in her Chakra flow, perhaps she'd noticed me watching. In the blink of an eye, she summoned and flicked something towards me.

Did she really think I wouldn't see it? Foolish girl.

I caught it, eyed the object only to realise it was a poisoned needle. I dropped it on the floor.

Pitiful.

I continued to the kitchen to make my tea as I'd intended. As I boiled the water and grabbed out a glass I couldn't help but to question those mysterious powers of hers. Only Pain and I were able to absorb Chakra and that was only because we posses the Rennigon.

There was a dark Chakra deep inside her and I wanted it. I will have her powers.

It is only a matter of time. Patience Madara, patience.

I poured the boiling water into my glass then started to blow into my tea. Yesterday I burnt my tongue - it didn't hurt at all compared to half of the injuries I'd sustained during Battle but.. It would probably be best to avoid burning my tongue again.

I took my time, enjoying my tea as I plotted ways to obtain the last two tailed beasts. I had a feeling they would be the most troubling to obtain.

As I finished up I started to head back to that horrible room Pain had called his office. As I passed through the training room my eyes shifted to the figure of that girl again.

That foolish, yet interesting girl.

She lay in the middle of the training room, tears falling from her cheeks. Tsk. Utter weakness.

I suppose I should take her to her room, if I was going to use her power later on down the track then I needed her to trust me.