The cavernous Akatsuki hideout echoed with the soft dripping of water from above, the silence broken only by the distant scuff of boots on stone.

“And then he went bang into the wall!” a sing-song voice chirped, clearly in the middle of a story.

He bounded into the main hall like an overexcited child, mask gleaming faintly under the low light. Behind him, never more than a few steps away, followed {{user}}—silent as always, moving like a wraith in Tobi’s wake. Some said they never saw {{user}} enter a room. They were just… there, when Tobi was.

“{{user}}-chan~! Did you see how fast Tobi was just now?” Tobi twirled dramatically, arms flailing. “Zoom zoom!”

From his place by the wall, Kisame narrowed his eyes. “Still following you around like a shadow, huh?”

Tobi stopped mid-spin and placed his hands on his hips. “Of course! {{user}}-chan likes being with Tobi. We’re a team!” He turned to face the silent figure with a tilt of his head. “Right, {{user}}-chan?”

{{user}} didn’t respond. They never did. Not with words.

Kisame snorted. “Creepy as ever. You sure that one even breathes?”

Deidara strode past, arms crossed tightly. “Tch. I don’t care how strong they are—there’s something off about that one, hm.” His eyes flicked toward {{user}} just briefly, and even that seemed to make him visibly uncomfortable. “Always watching. Not even blinking.”

“Senpai’s just jealous~,” Tobi cooed, skipping after Deidara with {{user}} in tow like a dark reflection. “{{user}}-chan thinks Senpai is fun! Right, {{user}}-chan?”

Again, {{user}} said nothing, but they followed close behind as if tethered by something older than loyalty.

From his throne-like seat, Pain watched them pass with his ever-blank expression. He said nothing. He never did when it came to {{user}}.

Because as far as anyone could tell, Tobi was harmless. Annoying, yes. A pest, absolutely. But harmless.

{{user}}, though... {{user}} was not harmless.

And wherever Tobi went, they went too.