61. The meeting

As I sat in the eerily dim meeting room at the large table between Deidara and Kisame's looming figures I looked around from left to right - Hidan, Sasuke, Itachi, Konan, Kakuzu and Sasori were seated and they all had a very seriously look upon their faces.

"Firstly, Itachi what is the status on Shinobi recruitment?" Kakuzu asked gruffly as he looked over to him for answers.

"We've begun to analyse and allocate Shinobi into their relevant categories according to their Jutsu types. It's going to be a lengthy process but with Kisame's input it shouldn't take as long as anticipated" Itachi explained.

"Good, we're running out of time and need to get everything organised as quickly as possible. Sasori, how is the weaponry situation looking?" Konan asked before letting out a faint sigh, she looked from Itachi over to Sasori.

"I've ordered and sent a small team to go and collect it at the end of this week. The stocks will be filled and ready to use by then" Sasori replied boredly.

"That reminds me, I still need Kakuzu and Danna to write a list of medicinal herbs that I need to get, un" Deidara added.

"I've got the list ready, I'll give it to you after the meeting," Kakuzu replied. I sat silently in my chair and continued to listen as everyone was deliberating about things that I just couldn't really understand, I feel like I should know what they're talking about but I don't and it's just making me really confused. I shuffle slightly in my chair and look around the room again, everyone just looked so serious and I don't know why..

Why are they planning for a war?

Who are they even having a war against?

I decided not to say anything out loud because I just felt out of place and I didn't want to bother anyone by asking in case I made myself look silly but then I heard Hidan saying my name and I quickly focused back on the conversations.

"Fuck, Tila?" Hidan said as he wave his hands up in my direction as he attempted to grab my attention.

"Yeah?" I asked hesitantly.

"Would you want to fucking do that or not?" Hidan asked exasperated. I looked around feeling even more confused because I had no idea what he was asking still but then Sasuke said something and I realised what Hidan meant.

"Do you really think she's ready for a mission?" Sasuke said coldly over to Hidan who just waved a dismissive hand.

"Look, it's just to get some fucking herbs. She'll be fine" Hidan reassured.

"Hnn" Sasuke hummed as he sat back in his chair eyeing Hidan coldly as though in disapproval.

"Hidan's right, she needs to get out more" Kisame sighed from beside me.

"Yeah.. I would like to go" I piped up. Everyone looked over at me and I felt a little awkward then Kakuzu let out a sudden grunt.

"It's decided, she'll go with Deidara and Hidan to get herbs from the farmers. You two are so useless that you'll need her medical experience anyway" Kakuzu announced sounding a little annoyed. I looked over to Deidara who was scowling and Hidan also didn't look too happy but the room stayed silent and no one was talking.

"Now that we've finished discussing matter for the pending war I want to refocus on what our plan is for getting Tila's memory back" Konan said.

"I may have found a way" Itachi's cool voice then said which gained everyone in the rooms attention and a few leaned forward attentively to hear what he had come up with.

"Earlier, Sasuke and I both showed her a memory from her past using our Sharingun. Tila had a small recollection of something, it's not much but it's better than nothing." Itachi explained.

"You used a Genjutsu? What did she remember, Hm?" Deidara asked quickly.

"Nothing too significant. The point Itachi is trying to make is that we should keep showing her memories until she remembers herself" Sasuke retorted.

"Shit, for once I agree with the Uchiha" Hidan smirked cockily.

"I don't think forcing her to remember is good for her health. Kakuzu and I are still working on brewing something up" Sasori interjected.

"Well why don't we use Itachi's idea In the meantime" Kisame suggested. Kakuzu nodded.

"That's fine" Konan agreed before clearing her throat to continue.

"I think we've settled everything so far, Deidara, Hidan and Tila will go tomorrow to collect herbs and everyone else will continue as planned" Konan reasoned, receiving nods and grunts of agreement from the others and then everyone slowly started to stand up. I sat quietly and watched as Konan and Kakuzu left the room, Hidan turned and started talking to Deidara and Kisame got up and went over to Itachi and Sasuke.

All of a sudden I saw Sasori stand up and walk towards me, I felt a small knot form inside my stomach! Am I nervous? No way.. I'm not shy am I?!

"Tila, Did you want me to escort you back to your room perhaps?" Sasori's calm charming voice asked me, I looked up Into those big beige orbs of his and noticed that a very vague smile was on the brink of crossing his lips.

"Sure Sasori" I agreed as I stood up, I couldn't avoid him forever and I bet he's already forgotten about the awkward moment between us so why not.

I followed Sasori over to the door and as he opened it up he stepped aside to let me go first. He was quite the gentleman when he wanted to be.. At first I didn't think so but towards me he really did act quite peculiar. We silently made our way down the staircase then proceeded to walk side by side along the corridors until we reached my bedroom door.

I reached for the door handle but before I could wrap my fingers around it I felt Sasori pull me from my upper arm gently back around to face him.

As I came to an abrupt haul, our eyes met and I felt those cool orbs of his that were on me do strange things to me but before I could look away I noticed his lips part and begin to form words.

"Tila, I just want you to know .." Sasori paused for a second as though hesitant or as though he didn't know what to say.. "That you're special to me" Sasori said quietly. Tingles ran through me at his soft words, what did he mean?

"Sasori.." I stammer, but, the way I said his name sounded worried.. All of a sudden his eyes broke away from mine, he gently pushed my arm to the side as he reached behind me for the door handle and then opened my door.

"You have a mission tomorrow, you should get some sleep" Sasori said, but the way he spoke was different.. It was more hard, more forceful.. I gulped down the small lump of nervousness that was sitting in my throat and turned around, I walked into my room and slowly shut the door behind me.

Special?

The words resided into my mind as though imprinted there for me to ponder, did he have some sort of feeling towards me perhaps? No I'm being absurd.. Sasori was already deeply in love with someone .. He had told me that already.

I went over to my wardrobe and got changed Into some pyjamas and then went and took a look out the big window beside my bed. The night was grey, foggy and it was drizzling down with rain. I guess they don't call in the village hidden In The rain for nothing right?

An unintentional yawn escaped my mouth so I lay down onto my big bed and huddled into the black velvet sheets and pillows and turned the light off. I stared around my dark room at the furniture that was now only visible because of the dim moonlight that shone through the large window on the right side wall. I wish I could remember - then I would understand what Sasori meant.. I would understand why everyone is having a war..

I could - suddenly I was snapped from my thoughts as I noticed a pair of red eyes glowing on the other side of my room. They were slowly approaching, I felt my heart sink in a panic as the dark figure loomed closer, as it did I slowly sat up- too scared to say a word, not daring to let a sound escape my lips. The figure stopped and stood beside my bed for a moment, those intricate and almost dangerous red eyes intently on me.. A deep voice then spoke.

"Tila, don't be scared. I'm here to tell you that you aren't safe here" the deep voice caused a rippling goosebumps effect onto my skin and I felt my breathing become more shallow as I thought about what to say...

"W.. Why? Who.. Are you?" I managed to say as I felt my lip tremor slightly but as I spoke the figure backed away slightly.

"I cannot tell you now, it's too dangerous. In due time" the deep mysterious voice spoke with a tone that roused all of my senses to new heights..

Suddenly the dark figure swung open the window and disappeared out Into the rainy dark night as quickly as he had appeared. I stared at the window that was now ajar as the raindrops gently fell onto my bedroom floor boards causing a light tapping sound.

I was in complete shock. What the fuck just happened..? Who in the world was that.. He said I was in danger.. But..?

I felt a wave of confusion overtake me as I sat upright on my bed, eyes still deadlocked on the place the intruder had just departed. After a few moments of trying to compose myself I slowly stood up and went over to the window and shut it again. I can't think clearly.. I'm scared to sleep in my room.. I feel terrified.. And I don't know who to trust.

My mind clouds and I feel fear fill my insides, I wrap my arms around my waist to try and subdue the discomfort but to no avail does it help. I need some space, some time to think.. Maybe that person was trying to warn me.. About something?

I slowly walk over to my door and head out Into the hall desperately still trying to find a solution to stop these feeling inside myself... maybe I just need a glass of water.

As I step into the kitchen I realise that I'm not the only one that was thirsty at this time of night, Itachi is standing at the bench with a glass half raised to his lips as he notices me. He slowly lowered it back down, setting it onto the bench as he looks at me.

"Is everything alright?" Itachi askes me, I slowly walk into the kitchen and stop as I reach the bench in front of him.

"I.. Had a nightmare" I then say, trying to think of an excuse quickly to hide the fact that was still shaken up.

"Hn. Did you want to stay in my room tonight then?" Itachi asks as his stoic expression softens slightly. I thought about it for a second before slowly nodding my head.. Maybe being alone wasn't the best for me right now and there was no way I could sleep in my own room after that..

Itachi gave a faint smile before setting down his glass and wrapping his arm around my shoulder, I felt myself relax a little as his warm soft skin made contact with mine and I felt him lead me back towards his room. Itachi and I silently walked down a long corridor until we reached a door at the end.

As Itachi and I entered his room he removed his arm and turned around to shut the door, I looked around at the dark spacious room and noticed it was very similar to mine - there was a large window and big bed in the centre of the room. I slowly crawled into bed laying on my side and got under the blankets, Itachi got in beside me and then gently fluffed his pillow before laying his head down so that he was on his back looking up at the ceiling.

As I lay there silently I admired his facial features and the way his hair fell so carelessly onto his pillow then Itachi slowly closed his eyes. I closed my weary eyes too, laying in the dark silence until I heard a soft voice.

"You used to stay in my room sometimes, back then," Itachi's gentle. I felt a small shiver run though me at his words but I didn't say anything .. To be honest, I didn't know what to say..

I pretended to snore quietly as though I'd already fallen asleep, I had a feeling he may have know I wasn't but Itachi only let out a very faint sigh. I still felt very confused as I thought about everything that had happened today, but eventually it all faded away as I fell into a sleep.

Maybe tomorrow will hold come clarity.