My eyes fluttered open slowly, my lashes tickling my cheeks. I slowly sat up, my back screaming in pain. I wish Madara wasn't so rough when it came to this. I willed myself to clamber out of bed and slowly walked towards the bathroom to wash up. I turned on the lights, which flickered overhead, and turned on the bath water. I watched from where I sat on the toilet as the tub filled up slowly, the mirrors fogging up with the steam.
I stepped in with it still filling, wincing at the hot water against my delicate ankles. I finally submerged my body into hot water, my pale skin reddening due to the heat. I lathered my skin with soap, flinching as I touched the bruises on my wrists. I grabbed a rag and laid over my eyes, laying back in the water. I let the water soak into my pale skin, it burning slightly.
I sat there, drawing up my knees and resting my chin on them. Was this really all I was worth? I mean, I enjoyed most nights, but now I wonder if that's the only reason why I'm here. Am I really just a toy? I wiped down my body with my strawberry soap, ignoring the burning sensation when it landed on my cuts. I lathered it through my hair, contemplating the value of my life.
I pulled the plug out from the bottom of the tub, just sitting there as I let the water drain out, exposing my naked body to the elements. I winced at the feeling of the cold air nipping at my skin, but I didn't care. I was too caught up in my thoughts. I stood up slowly after what felt like hours and wrapped a towel around myself. I walked over towards the mirror, frowning at leftover makeup on my face.
I walked out and laid on my rickety bed, not bothering to dress. I just stared at the ceiling, trying to make designs out of the water stains. I don't understand why I am feeling like this, I have never felt like this before. The only word I could use to describe this feeling, was the feeling of being useless. The door creaked open, but I didn't look up. I didn't have to look up to see who it was.
"What's wrong?" The usually perky woman asked as she next to me, playing with my short hair. I huffed quietly and continued looking at the ceiling.
"Do you ever just feel used and abused? Like you don't matter to no one?" I asked her, playing with the hem of my towel. She gave me a questioning look, an almost concerned look in her eye.
"Where is this coming from?" She asked, her blue eyes drilling into mine. An annoyed sigh left my lips as I turned my head to gaze out the cracked window.
"Just answer the question." I snapped impatiently. She just sighed and leaned back against my nonexistent headboard.
"Sometimes I guess. Why?" She answered plainly, but curious as to why I was acting so weird.
"I don't know, I just feel useless anymore." I told her, sitting up and walking over to my beaten up dresser to finally get dressed.
"You aren't useless, you are awesome!" She said with that same perky voice that I love.
"What am I good for though. I don't do anything of importance, all I am is the Akatsuki's personal concubine." I told her, throwing one of Itachi's oversized shirts over my head. I didn't get a response back, only silence answered me. I turned around and caught sight of Sarah, who looked like she was debating amongst herself. I continued to dress, leaving Sarah to her inner demons.
"If you are useless then so am I, because that is all we are." She said, her voice wavering slightly. I cringed inwardly seeing this side of my best friend. I am just hoping it is the hormones acting up.
"What are we going to do? We can't stay like this forever." I said simply, sitting next to her again.
"Why don't we take on a mission, just like the rest of the Akatsuki do!" She exclaimed excitedly, her perky side back.
"Pein will never let you take a mission considering that you are pregnant." I told her point blank, but a devious expression was already on her face.
"Pein doesn't know yet though." She said with a slight smirk. I glared at her a bit.
"I would never forgive myself if you got hurt." I told her, but she just put a hand on my shoulder.
"This is my decision, I want to live my life that I was meant to, which is doing exactly what I want." She told me, causing my eyes to widen at her sudden wisdom. A slight smirk finally splayed across my lips as I stared at her.
"I guess we are going to visit Pein then."
_________________________________________________________________
The two of us stood in front of our notorious leader, a blank expression on his face as he viewed us both. The silence had an eerie feeling to it, it made the atmosphere almost stressful. His judgmental eyes shifted from us to the list of available missions. The purple haired woman stood beside him, her emotionless face still present. Yet, her eyes were another story. The bags under her eyes indicated high levels of stress, and her eyes kept shifting, but for that I couldn't tell. Either it was out of curiosity, or it was something else entirely. Something like fear.
Pein's hands shot out and grabbed a fistful of my shirt, bringing us face to face. Most people would have assumed the natural fear that came with his gaze, but I saw something else entirely, it was almost like he was challenging me. A large smirk spread across his face, reveling in his confused expression.
"So can we have that mission or what?" I asked with a sickeningly sweet voice. I could hear Sarah snickering behind me, to which was quickly shushed by Konan. He looked at me, then smirked with confidence, seemingly amused with my confidence.
"Are you sure you can handle it? These missions tend to be very dangerous." He said tauntingly, obviously thinking that I couldn't handle it. I leaned in closer, close enough were I could feel his breath on my face.
"Why are you so doubtful of me? Is it because I am a girl?" I said teasingly. He just sighed and released me, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"That's not it at all. I would rather not send you out being as inexperienced as you two are." He said while glaring at me.
"Well then send me out on an easy one!" I nearly shouted. He sighed before looking through his folder again.
"The best I can do for you two is to be shadowed by an Akatski member on one of their missions, but still heavily advise that you wait till an easier one comes in." He told us with an almost worried expression. One that I had failed to notice at the time.
"Give us one with Itachi then." Sarah said from beside me, whilst I shot her a half hearted glare. She gave me a knowing smirk before turning her attention back to the orange haired man.
"Fine. Let Itachi know that he is taking you two on his mission with him. He leaves tonight." He told us before shooing us out of his office. Both Me and Sarah jumped up and down gleefully once the door was shut.
"I'll go tell Itachi, you go get ready." I told my blonde haired best friend. She saluted me before taking off in a mad dash.
I giggled at her childish antics before making my way down the long hallway, a skip in my step if you must. I took in the cracked walls and peeling paint, as if noticing it for the first time despite living here 5 years already. Each door there had its own personality, telling you who lived where. Hidan's door had a weird symbol, probably one for his fake god. Sasori's was built very well and had beautiful intricate designs on it, making it seem almost out of place in the crumbling building. I finally made it to a familiar black door, to which I knocked on 3 times. I waited a minute before he answered the door.
"Is there something you need Misty?" He asked tiredly, obviously having been taking a nap.
"Pein told me to tell you that you will be shadowing us on your mission tonight." I told him plainly, to which he raised an eyebrow.
"I'm doing what now?" He asked, still groggy with sleep. I just sighed and shook him by the shoulders, repeating my previous question slowly. His eyes widened a bit as he finally caught on to what I was saying.
"He does realize that I am going on an S-class mission right?" He asked emotionlessly. I just nodded my head as my answer, causing him to sigh a bit. It was at this moment that our favorite blonde showed up, a pack on her shoulder.
"Time to go!" She chirped loudly, a large smile on her face. I walked across the hall and pulled on my leather jacket. I stared out my window one last time before catching up with my two partners. I was super excited for my first official mission.
I wish I would have listened to Pein. I wish I would have heeded his warning. I wish I would have noticed the fear in his eyes. I wish I would have never gone. Because I could've never predicted what happened next.