55. The Tale Of Tila

Fuck. It's been a good 20 minutes since she went for a shower.

I sit on her bed and wait a little longer, maybe something's happened to her? She was pretty fucking weak when she went in, I knew I should've just went in with her. Maybe I should go and take a look, her well-being is more important than her damn privacy. Besides, I've seen millions of girls naked by now.

Tila doesn't have anything I haven't already seen. I get the fuck up and walk over to the bathroom door.

"Tila?? You fuckin alright?" I yell out but there's no response. I wait another second and then it fucking hits me.. Shit, if something's happened I'm fucked. Kakuzu's going to kick the shit out of me.

I kick down the door to find the shower is running full pelt but there's no one inside. The room is empty and the window is wide open. The cold breeze and raindrops pelt down landing onto the bathroom windowsill.

"Fucckkkk" I groan, I'm never going to hear the end of this! I quickly run off to find Kakuzu and tell him that Tila's missing. Hopefully she hasn't gotten too far, she's fucking already weak as it is.

__________________________

It took Tila all of her strength to focus her Chakra into her feet so that she could run down the side of the building through the rough wind and pelting rain. The skies grey, the day in the hidden rain village were surely a dreadful one. Little did Tila know there were a pair of mysterious Sharingun eyes watching her make her get away from above.

The bruised and bloodied girl who was still only covered by a white night-gown, continued to run for her life as far away as possible from the strange people that had held her captive - or so she thought. As she reached the bottom of the building and carefully stepped onto the cold wet ground her legs shook, knees faltering but, with all her might she stood back up and slipped off into the nearest street.

Tila continued to walk down the deserted street, passing shops in the freezing wind and rain. The chilled breeze against her wet skin felt like ice - she couldn't take it anymore, she needed to find warmth and fast so she ducked into the nearest shop which happened to be a small local village Inn.

As soon as she closed the door behind her she fell to the floor in a heap, the middle aged woman behind the counter gasped and ran over to her in utter shock at the sight of the messy girl who had just collapsed in the pub doorway.

Luckily, the Inn was completely deserted as the woman crouched down beside Tila to see if she was okay. All of a sudden the door creek open causing the owner to look up - a tall dark, handsome man had just walked in.

"My, my. This girl looks as though she's in bad shape." The onyx eyed man cooed darkly as he crouched down beside her. The woman's eyes widened as she watched him pick her up in his strong arms.

"By chance, do you know this girl?" The man asked her, she shook her head in response.

"No.. She only just walked in moments ago and then collapsed on the floor," she told him hesitantly.

"Do you have a spare room and clothes? I would be happy to rent a room here tonight and watch over the girl until she wakes up," The man offered and after a moment of contemplation the lady felt she had no choice but to agreed.

"Of course, if you need any help please don't hesitate to call," She said, slightly stammering.

The truth was that the feeling she got from this gentleman was a cold and dark one. She didn't want to agree to his suggestion but she wasn't in a position to deny him. Her fear had gotten the better of her and she watched worriedly, reluctantly, as she handed over a room key. The man carried the unconscious girl up the stairs and disappeared.

___________________________

"Tila?" I heard someone call from beside me. I opened up my eyes and as soon as I did, a man with dark orbs sat on the bed in front of me where I lay. I felt my body heat accumulating and realised I was clean and clothed and comfortably in a bed.

"Who are you? How do you know my name?" I asked groggily as I sat up and stared at the man feeling a drop in my stomach.

"My name is Itachi, I'm a friend of yours.. Although I know right now you can't remember. I came to make sure you were alright after you ran away" the mysterious man said.

"Itachi? I'm so confused," I stammered - tears threatening to leave my eyes, but, I held them back. Instead, I looked around the dank room and noticed the rain still falling outside. The light tapping sound pained against the glass of the cloudy dark grey window lightly.

"I know you must be confused but, everyone back at the hideout cares for you a lot and it's hurting them to see you like this... All I ask is that you give us a chance..." Itachi's voice was softly.

They cared about me?

"I.. don't know, I'm just so scared, if you were my friend then.. why can't I remember? Please.. can you explain to me.. How.." I trailed off as I managed to get my thoughts out.

"Tila, truth be told.. I'm afraid if I explain too much that it will only frighten you more. All I ask is that you trust me." Itachi said, faint smile apearing.

That smile.. Those eyes..

I couldn't help but to feel something familiar, something I had experienced in the past. I felt a soothing sensation wash over me as I stared at his small smile. The panic that yearned in my heart began to subside for the first time since I'd awoken on a random couch earlier. I took a deep breath in then exhaled.

"Okay, I'll come back.. But, can we please stay here for a while?" I asked, looking down into my lap.

"Of course we can," His deep voice pulled my attention back up.

"Itachi?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Hn?"

"If I was your friend.. Then, can you please tell me what sort of person I am? I mean before.. I lost my memory.." I asked, bitting at my bottom lip.

"I'll tell you a story, how does that sound?" Itachi smiled as he readjusted himself so he was siting cross-legged on the bed in front of me comfortably. I gave a small nod and laid my head back down at an angle against the pillow, head facing Itachi as I listen. Feet touching the cold wall on the opposite side of the bed.

I watching Itachi with interest as he began to tell me a story;

"Once upon a time there was a girl, she was bright and lively and even a little cheeky and clumsy at times but she was the kind of girl that you just couldn't dislike. In fact, when she came and joined a certain secret organisation she was loved by mostly everyone and it didn't take her long to befriend whoever she met. Before the girl joined her life was a mystery, no one knew what had happened to her prior to that - or where she'd come from, but, I believe whatever was in her past, she was glad to be rid of it." He took a small breath and went on.

"This organisation that the girl joined had solely one goal, it was to find a way to bring peace to the world. This girl liked that idea very much, I think that she also truly wanted peace after seeing the pain and suffering of others around her. And, not long after joining for the cause she met a particular boy that, in my opinion she had grown strong feeling for." I continued to listen with intrigue.

"I think she cared about this particular boy so much that she would have even given her life away to see him happy. It may have been true love, but after some time the said boy was killed by an enemy Ninja." Itachi paused as he noticed the frown on my face.

"That's so sad Itachi.. What was the organisations name?" I asked him.

"The organisations name was 'The Akatsuki' and it was originally made up of 10 members. All of who were very skilled in combat in their own unique way," My eyes widened a little at this.

"Wow, they sound truly amazing.. What kind of Justu's did they have, Itachi?" I asked curiosity growing. The muscles in my cheeks hurt a little as I broke into a small smile.

"Hn, perked your interest now have I? Well.. The first members name was Sasori of the red sand, he excelled in the art of poisons and puppetry although his patience is truly that of a short fuse."

"His partner and the second members name was Deidara, although he was young and at times hot headed his intelligence and love for art always shone through and his explosive style that he infuses into his clay creations always make heads turn when they hear the bang."

"Thirdly there was a somewhat psychopathic immortal named Hidan who's religion is his life and is what drives his thirst for blood although at the best of times I think people misunderstand his true intensions to do good deep down."

"Next, his partner Kakuzu who is also an immortal although Kakuzu being the complete opposite of Hidan in most cases is driven by his love for money and also had five hearts,"

"Itachi.." I whispered as I remembered Hidan's name from earlier..

"Yes Tila?" He asked, those dark eyes intently on me.

"Hidan was the one who was looking after me earlier.. This story.." I stammered in a confusion.

"It's alright Tila, please don't overthink it. Maybe it's time you got some rest." Itachi cut me off. I slowly nodded, resting my head back onto the pillow and closing my eyes. Whenever I tried to remember my head would pound and I'd feel even more lost so I decided to give up for now and do as Itachi had said.

I'm going to give them a chance.

_____________itachi's POV______

I sat and watched as Tila closed her eyes, laying before me in bed. Hidan really is an absolute idiot, Kakuzu couldn't be more on the money there.

Hn. The thought of brushing her hair while she was unconscious comes back to me.. It had taken way longer than I'd imagined. I still wonder if she will ever be able to fight like she did before now. Would she ever recover to her former self? There really was too many unanswered questions right now.

My younger brother Sasuke had saved the day this time. If it wasn't for him then, perhaps we would've never found her. Why would Sasuke have saved her, though?

This question still lingered in the back of my mind, did Sasuke have feelings for her? He must if he went to the trouble. I doubt that Sasuke knows anything about what's happened between Tila and Sasori. If he did then I'm not to sure he would be very pleased by it.

Let alone, if he were to learn of what happened between Tila and I. It may be better that I stop thinking about it and just let things pan out the way they're supposed too. I really should let everyone know I've found Tila and that she's safe. Perhaps Kisame had relayed the news earlier when I left to followed her...

Hn.

I let out a long sigh then stood up and walked over the window, gaze directing outside into the dark rain filled city night.

Will things get better? Will the rain ever cease to fall?