(Kokoro no Setsuzoku) Connection of Hearts- this rare jutsu can only be performed when a powerful love connection is made. It can then be shared with both user and partner.



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Pein swore that he just saw the girl shiver. It wasn't even cold.

"You don't have to frightened of me, child. I won't hurt you. We'll help each other."

He could only imagine what he looked like to her, but then, he didn't care.

The unruly periwinkle hair that obscured her face was paired with the expression that this was a nightmare that she desperately wanted to wake up from. It wasn't helping his cause.

It was clear that she didn't have a heart to love him. She was too wise. It also dawned on Pein that he was scaring her.

It was such a pity. Such such a wasted opportunity. She wouldn't even look at him.

He needed to change that.





---





"You can't make someone love you," Deidara groused.

"Love isn't really our forte," Zetsu sniffed. "You must be kidding."

Hidan shrugged. "Maybe you're just not her type. Now, women love me."

Kakuzu scoffed.

"What was that?"

Hidan clenched his hand into a fist; Kakuzu cracked his neck in response.

"Tobi wants to try! Tobi wants to meet the lady." Obito declared.

"Does she like sharks?" Kisame put in.

Itachi remained silent. He would never put himself in the way of what the leader desired.

"Maybe the little wench wants to be high and mighty. Let her stay locked in her tower. She'll soften up. They always do."

The other members of the Akatsuki were left to wonder if Hidan had any personal experience in this matter.

Pein swept his arm violently. "None of you are qualified, It must be, I, Pein."

Obito shivered at Pein's tone of voice. Itachi closed his eyes.

"Her heart must be given freely for her chakra to flow and for me to attain the technique as well. There is no other way."

"But wouldn't killing her be more fun?" Kisame asked dryly.

In two heartbeats, Pein had crossed the room and was inches from the swordsman's face.

"Never suggest that again. I need her jutsu."

Hey, doesn't she need to eat?" Obito asked

Zetsu cocked his head. "That's right. She doesn't live off of air."

"I suppose," Kakuzu nodded.

Pein stared. He wondered just how low the intelligence of the organization had sunk. Maybe they had been too complacent lately and needed to go on more missions.

"Don't giver her any of the good stuff," Hidan cautioned. "The leftover rice from today is good enough."

Pein shifted his fingers in his sleeves with sheathed frustration. "I will give her the sustenance I feel that she deserves."

The others watched as Pein sauntered off to his conquest. Only the foolish would dare to interfere.

"You might want to ease off a bit," Obito warned once their leader had left.

Hidan spread his arms wide. "What? Why?"

"Hidan?" Kakuzu intoned.

Hidan turned. "Yeah?"

"Shut up."



---



"I brought you some food, Hinode," Pein announced.

Pein wondered if she would thank him. Or smile.

Such an odd girl. though she looked at at him meekly, her posture was challenging. She would run for the door if she could in the hopes of escape. But where would she go? she probably would be stumped by the very same question. The answer would be nowhere.

A slight sound rang out from the ceramic as he placed it on the low table.

He watched as comprehension resounded through her when she swung her eyes swung towards bowl. How intensely she stared at the vegetable stew.

Before she threw it to the floor.

For a moment, pein couldn't speak. The gesture was unexpected and the rudeness of it was appalling, This was how she thanked him?

"Pick it up, Hinode," Pein ordered.

He was being merciful. Others would insist that she eat it off the floor.

There was no reaction.

In answer, he brought his face closer to her own even as she averted his death stare.

"Pick. it. up."

When she didn't respond, he grasped her wrist, and for the first time, she gasped. The smirk that spread over Pein's face was slow and cruel. He wasn't playing around anymore.

Through her skin, he could feel her heart involuntarily tremble and her pulse flutter. Yet, it was out of fear and not out of the love how he needed.

Hinode was already making this difficult.