In the Rain
Chapter 1
(Naruto fanfiction –contains my Oc's, and pairing Itachi x OC)
EDIT: I've re-written this chapter. My English was awful when I first done it, so I think you'll have more fun reading it now^^. Please enjoy!
XXX
Thunder rolled over the forest, accompanied by lightning piercing the sky. Filling the darkness with unnaturally deep shadows. She really hated such weather. They were literally drowning in rain. It kept falling mercilessly since they left the inn and right now, they were both soaking wet, angry and constantly followed by the group of Iwagakure hunter nins.
Red-haired kunoichi looked up into the clouded sky, trying to read anything about the weather, but she knew that nothing is going to change soon. And she didn't want to even think about upcoming fight…
It was when her foot slipped on the wet bark, and she immediately lost her balance. Cursing horribly, she extended her arms, trying hard, to stay on the branch. It was quite far to the ground from here. She grimaced, wiping the rain from her face, but without much effect. Why, whenever they were getting into troubles, it was always somehow her fault? This time, she just couldn't stop her big mouth from babbling, in the worst time possible. And this is how average mission of retrieving some scrolls turned all fucked up.
"You know? You have incredible talent for getting into troubles" she thought to herself. Maybe if she wasn't so loud, she wouldn't draw their attention. But unfortunately, people here didn't have much of warm feelings for Konoha shinobi.
Another string of flashing light shot through the sky almost making her squeak in panic. She hated storms like this. More than anything else.
When her foot lost support again it was a familiar hand, which saved her from falling. Mimiko's fingers dug deep into the cloth of her cloak and pulled her up. Both girls pushed themselves to next long jump between trees. Black-haired woman barely glared at her friend.
- You better stop spacing out like that… You don't want to end with your neck broken, don't you?
Patsumi cautiously returned the gaze. She was more than sure, that Mimiko was seriously pissed off. It wasn't kind of situation she liked to find herself in. An hour ago they were sitting in the nice, warm inn finishing supper. Now rain found its way deep under their clothes, including underwear. And they couldn't even think about looking for shelter. Mimiko didn't want to risk open fight, since they were outnumbered and it would end badly for fragile state off something like "peace" between their villages. So they were running like never in a while, constantly changing directions, trying everything they have, to lose their pursuit. Now, they've turned again, and dive deeper into forest, when thicker leaves provide them some sort of protection from pounding rain.
But Patsumi was pissed off too. Trickles of water was running down her face, hair was plastered to her skin. She just couldn't end up worse.
- Maybe you didn't notice but it's fucking raining here… - red-haired kunoichi mumbled irritatingly. Mimiko shot her only a bored, uninterested look.
- Maybe you didn't notice – she echoed her friend. – But we're followed by hunter nins… You must put your problems to the side…
- Yeah, easy to tell… I've said, that I'm sorry, right? It was just four of them there…
- Oh, shut it Pat… After so many years, you should know that your appearance is enough to draw attention, we don't need your…
- So… it's about the way I look now? – she instinctively build more distance between them, when sharingan glinted in the darkness, but she just wasn't in the mood, to let Mimiko spill all her temper tantrum problems on her, so she acted similarly annoying.
- No, it's about your annoying mouth… You always snap in the worst time possible…
- And this is saying the ice queen, who is always in control…
- Oh, please, just be quiet and make yourself useful… I'm running out of ideas, how to loose them. I thought you also don't want to fight? – they once again turned in place, zigzagging. Second kunoichi rolled her eyes instead of answering.
Patsumi just shook her head quirking her lips and made few quick hand signs. Her chakra flared suddenly and run in every direction like a wave. It wasn't wise to betray her position like that. But it was also the best way to check if they're covering their tracks.
The chakra came back, carrying massage only she was able to read. She gathered all she needed and immediately concealed her chakra again, indicating the new direction of run only by slight move of her head. They shoot forward rapidly.
- Right there, is only two of them running in our direction – she explained. – We should be able to take them down easily… Mimiko? Are you laughing? – she asked as her eyes went wide.
With no doubt, her best friend has a wide smile on her face right now. Wasn't she pissed off a second ago?
- I thought you're the expert of sensing chakra here…
- And I thought, you were the serious one here… Stop trying to trick me with your mood swings and tell me already what's bothering you for last half an hour? I know you too long to fell for something so cheap… - Patsumi said, pouting her lips.
- It wasn't a cheap trick, Pat… But well, I just let you find out by yourself…
- Right… I'm sorry, I didn't understand your brilliant sense of humor Uchiha-sama… So? We still have somewhere to run, right? And they didn't close the distance…
- Maybe, but from what you're telling, it looks like we let them to make us think we are running away. The truth is, it's their ground, they know every rock in this forest, so I think they have us right when they wanted… And current weather leaves us in big disadvantage…
- You mean, that I won't be able to help you? – now Patsumi sounded a bit irritated. – I'm not little girl anymore!
- I know – she stated simply. – I didn't mean it in this way… Don't give me such embarrassed look now – Mimiko smirked. – I used to your manner of saying something before thinking… But you should know where is the right time to shut up after all these years.
- Thanks… I'll keep that in mind… And I know you'll be there to save my ass, so I don't… Oh, snap! What is that?
Mimiko just smiled again.
- Told you… I just can't believe you didn't notice them earlier. That's why I laughed. I just imagined you "taking them down sooo easily"…
- Pff… Sorry, but I don't have your ability of sensing him from miles away… Besides, why are you worried? You love to fight, especially when there is no rules to follow…
- Maybe, but not when there is 15 against one…
- Oh, stop being grumpy… You know I'll always has your back and we've been in similar troubles before. We can handle it – she added with a smile. – And if you wanted to say something about the crimes you've already committed, I can only say: yes, and I'm your partner in it. Stop worrying and let's kick their butts!
Mimiko smirked but her only answer was short, ambiguous "hn". Patsumi only narrowed her eyes in annoyance.
- Please don't give me this pathetic sound here… You're not any of your brothers and it simply doesn't fit you… Are you laughing at me again?
- Kind off… - black-haired woman nodded. The other kunoichi simply averted her gaze, to avoid her friend's meaningful smile. She knew she was very close to blush.
XXX
They run in silence for a while. After that Mimiko announced, that they were also spotted and lead them in the direction of meeting point.
- Um, Mimi… Just wondering – shouldn't we try to avoid them somehow? It wasn't like we've planned that…
- Are you telling me, that you actually want to stay away from my brother? Please you can joke better than that… Besides, it's pointless. They know that we're not a threat for them. And it's always better to fight together with more than one trusted partner…
Mimiko's hand once more shot forward to catch Patsumi's cloak and keep her on the spot.
- You're surprisingly clumsy today… C'mon and tell me, it's only because the bark was slippery…
- You are an evil witch Mimiko… Why don't you give me rest?
- Cause I love your face when you're embarrassed like that… Come now. The clearing is right there.
Mimiko jumped onto the next branch and then on the ground, landing soundlessly on the wet grass. Patsumi followed her seconds later. She couldn't admit it aloud, but Mimi was right. It definitely wasn't a weather. But it was much stronger than her ability of self-control. Red-haired woman caught herself recently, thinking about events from three months ago. Not only the mind-blowing sex they had, since she knew this feeling already, but also the way they talked just lying close to each other for hours. She realized before, he wasn't complete jack-ass, but it was entirely different from their usual way of stripping each other rapidly, acting on lust and attraction only. However, it was something different to told her, that the thing between them wasn't only physical. After all, she fell asleep on him, showing him complete trust, but also he was there when she got up. Playing with streak of her hair. It was…. so sweet to see it. She found him handsome from their very first meeting, but she never felt so safe with him before…
Yes, she admitted it wasn't only attraction right after that. Not on her part at least. But she couldn't say it aloud. She was too realistic, to dream about deeper romance of any kind. If Mimiko has relationship so low on her priorities list, where it was on his?
"And they teach us – DO NOT let your feelings cloud your judgment…"
She brushed the thought off and got more careful look to her surroundings. Actually she was afraid that getting down here, will just earn them more buckets of icy cold water poured down on them from the clouded sky. But leaves was thick enough to protect them from getting even more wet.
"Like it's even possible!" Patsumi shrugged violently feeling a trickle of cold water, sliding down her nape and past her collar under her shirt. Nasty. She grabbed her hair and twisted it around her wrist, trying to squeeze out as much water as possible from it. It started to get heavy.
Moving on to analyze the possibility of performing her jutsus, she didn't notice that Mimiko wasn't observing only the bushes around.
Black-haired kunoichi was well-aware of her friends feelings and worries. They didn't have to talk about it, she knew her for such a long time, that Patsumi became like an open book to her. She knew exactly, why her friend didn't want to went straight and confess as she would normally do. It was partly her fault after all. Pat knew typical Uchiha personality probably better than anyone else, except for her. She knew perfectly how to "handle" some things, even if it was usually done completely involuntary. On the other hand, it was probably the first time, when her interaction with man reached further then only "few-dates-sex-all-by-my-rules-no-goodbye" scheme she was usually playing at. No wonder she was confused.
But Mimiko was the only person who was able to see how her brother was feeling about it. Yes, she was cautious at the beginning, since she was sure that they'd rather kill each other than work out a compromise. Patsumi didn't make it any easier with her attitude, but strangely it drew them closer instead of pushing them away. After some time of watching them testing lines, she was sure that he appreciated her company. On his own way. If he'd only wanted to admit it, maybe it will move on smoothly. She was sure that they would make a great match. It was their stubbornness, that was preventing them from it.
And no, she wasn't jealous. Not at all. She was actually happy for them. That's why she was able to keep Kisame distracted all night.
Another thunder drummed in her ears. Mimiko moved wet strands of hair behind her ears, her dark red eyes seemed to be bigger and brighter than usual. She scanned the surroundings with every fiber of her being. She knew, how difficult the fight in such weather conditions may turn. She had to be prepared. If she couldn't avoid blood spill, she at least make sure it won't be hers blood on the ground. She wasn't not going to let anyone ambush her, ever again. Her dignity wasn't going to allow that.
- Don't worry so much… - Pat's voice sounded right next to her ear. – This time, I'm with you and I'm not going anywhere. We can do this.
They exchanged smiles and nods. Words wasn't needed.
After not more than five minutes, bushes moved again and two figures dressed in black entered the clearing without making single sound. They approached each other without previous atmosphere of caution. It was almost friendly now. Patsumi saw how her friend's face lighten up, when she saw her brother. In few seconds, their expressions lost their usual sharpness, when Mimiko stepped forward to hug him. Maybe, if Konoha men would know, that she can smile and look like that, they wouldn't be so scared of her breaking their bones on the first date. She herself felt her cheeks flushing, but she immediately slapped herself mentally.
"Who, the hell, am I? Some squeaking teenager? Get a grip girl!"
She made sure, she looked as normal as possible and turned herself toward two shinobi. Kisame didn't look amused when, right beside him, the show of sibling love took place. He turned toward Patsumi, grinning his triangular teeth.
- Why are you sulking witch? – he asked, towering over her.
She was sure, that he was looking for chance to annoy her. But he didn't knew it was pointless. She couldn't be more pissed off right now.
- Go away Kisame – she barked, observing two Uchihas and their silent conversation.
- Oh, and you're angry too? – he wouldn't be himself if he didn't push her again. – What is it about? A little bit of water never hurt anyone ya' know?
- Well, not when you're fish… - she hissed. – Why you don't go enjoy it somewhere else?
- Ah, I see someone has a sharp tongue today… - answered tall man still grinning.
None of them has a chance to say something else, cause black-haired kunoichi show up right beside them. One look of sharingan silenced them effectively.
- Both of you, shut up already – her voice wasn't loud, but it demanded obedience. – Maybe you two didn't notice, but a fight is about to start… A little bit of focus would be appreciated…
-Oh, I see someone else is pissed today… - Kisame wasn't able to finish, cause he felt Patsumi's heel, drowning deep into his foot. He glared down at her, but she was already a few feet away, wearing absolutely innocent face expression.
Mimiko paid him no heed. She grabbed her hair and tied them up, to not let them interfere in battle.
- Well, I hope you two had some plan already? – Patsumi decided to break the silence.
- No, we were busy, admiring your talent for getting us in troubles… Can you check them out again? Try to count them this time…
Patsumi nodded already making correct hand sings. But she caught the older Uchiha gaze, when it was passing her. She stayed focus for a while, searching, sending her chakra as far as possible. Finally she has everything needed.
- About 40, one and quarter mile away… They don't move just waiting. I think it's because we're surrounded… So, what we're doing? Those ANBU knows about what I've done right now. They may strike any time…
- So let them come – Kisame took off Samehada and unwrapped her. Red-haired kunoichi shrugged, feeling the wave of bloodthirsty chakra coming from the sword. She send Kisame teasing smile.
- It seems like she is the only woman who can stand your attitude…
- You're right princess… And you have no idea, how jealous she can be sometimes – he grinned back at her.
- Well, it's not like I'm going to flirt with you in any way…
Another lightning pierced the sky, followed by the loudest thunder so far, announcing that it hit somewhere near. It sends unwanted shiver down Patsumi's spine. She still hoped that the weather will change somehow, but she finally accepted, that it's not going to happen. She didn't want to fight like that, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to control herself. And the last thing she wanted, was him seeing it.
- What's up with you, witch? – she heard Kisame's voice. – You aren't scared of little storm, are you?
She didn't have chance of answering, cause Mimiko's voice cut her off.
- You know, sometimes it's better to just shut up Kisame… You have to keep them checked – black-haired women turned to her friend. – And I bet, he is killing your chakra sensing abilities…
- Yeah, kind off… - muttered the other woman, grateful for a possibility to back off. – I'll be there keeping eye on them. I'll scream if they move – saying this she stepped away, to finally get some peace.
- What have you done, right now? – she heard right in her ear, as soon as she couldn't hear Kisame anymore.
She didn't know how he was able to get so close to her, while she was all alerted, busy with tracking Iwa hunters. It looks like she wasn't seeing him as threat anymore.
"That's why falling in love with bad guy, can kill you" her subconscious chirped.
- What are you talking about? – she asked, not sure what exactly he meant right now. She used to the fact, that he liked to frustrate her. It was better to make it clear, though she couldn't believe, he could pay attention on the way she acted.
- Your ability of sensing chakra. How you do this?
She felt how his breath was brushing the skin of her neck. She smiled softly and turned around to face him. Maybe it was a mistake, but she just couldn't be afraid of him. Not anymore. He looked back at her, politely curious. It looked like he really wanted to know.
- I'm an Earth Element user – she explained, wondering why he still was so close to her. – Thanks to my natural ability of chakra control I'm able to send it in waves, through earth, rocks and trees, to scan the surroundings. When it bumps onto something, that poses some active chakra on its own, it comes back to me. It doesn't matter if it's just squirrel or a human, but thanks to the size of the signal I can guess what is it exactly. And knowing the time, in which the signal came back to me, I can judge how far the enemy is. However, I can't recognize like that a specific chakra presence, unless I know it very well – like Mimiko's for example – she smiled softly to her own thoughts. – But all in all, it's very useful, especially, cause it works further than your Sharingan sees. – she finished still smiling.
Again, he watched her for a while without speaking a word. He did that a few times before and it always ended up, with her feeling really embarrassed. She had no idea, what might be so interesting about her. She was used to the men stares, but only when they first saw her.
On the contrary, Itachi found her embarrassment quite amusing. Especially, if matched with her usually fierce personality. But right now he was simply processing, what she told him. And to be honest, he was a bit surprised. Until now, he thought of her as his sister's medical support, not exactly a dangerous kunoichi. It was probably the first time, she shown some strictly combat abilities. Thinking about it, she kept proving him, that she's not just another pretty face, from the first day they met. It was hard to admit it, but he did exactly, as many men before him – judged her by appearance.
- Why the hell, you are looking at me like that? – her voice distracted him from his thoughts. She was looking at him, with one of her eyebrows rised slightly. But before he was able to say anything, her eyes grew wide as she sensed something.
- Oh shit… - she growled, turning around to scream. – THEY'RE COMING!
His Sharingan worked, long before she'd noticed anything. So instead of warning her, he just grabbed her around the waist and jumped back, seconds before the place when they stood was filled with kunai. Some of them had familiar stripes of paper attached.
- Exploding tags! – he heard Mimiko's scream, but Patsumi was first to react. She made quick hand signs and placed her hand flat on the ground. When bombs exploded it was already a solid, stone barrier between them and the blow.
- Just to make things clear… - she looked at him briefly. – I can take care of myself! – she stepped away from him, shrugging his hand off her shoulder.
He didn't expected to hear "thank you", but he wasn't sure why she was so mad – what he had done right now, wasn't a thing to be angry about. He almost heard her screaming "there's no need to save me!" right in his face.
- Hey! Are you guys alright? – Mimiko screamed again, looking at her friend.
- Yeah, we're fine! – the answer came. – Go worry about yourself!
Despite everything, black-haired kunoichi smirked a bit. She should expect such answer.
It was the moment when hunters started to show up on the nearby branches. As expected, they were surrounded – there was no possibility to run. Mimiko moved instinctively, taking place behind Kisame.
- Are you suggesting teamwork, little witch? – tall man grinned, looking at her over his shoulder.
- And do you have any better idea? – woman answered with question. – It's not like we have much choice anyway… - she drawn her sword silently. – But, don't expect much, cause I'm going to worry about my butt first…
- Like I could imagine it different… - he interrupted her, without paying much attention, to her definitely not-amused face expression. Mimiko glared at him for a second, then shrugged her shoulders, and twisted her writs sharply, sending few exploding kunai into the nearby tree. The explosion match in time with the sound of thunder coming from the sky.
Mimiko didn't really care about being paired with Kisame. Right, she thought about him as a brutal bully. Right, she hated his heavy sense of humor. RIGHT, she couldn't allow herself to trust him like she trusted Patsumi, so she kept her Sharingan activated. She will face the consequences in the right time. Pat was the one, who got all freaky and over protective when her eyes started to bleed, not her. And to be honest, Kisame was used to fight with Uchiha as partner – she should be able to fit herself to his style.
What was bothering her a lot more now, was the weather – rain still poured down from the clouds, literally like it was buckets emptied on them. It was hard to see anything, except shapes, everything got slippery. Not good – she preferred to be able to follow her enemy movements.
"Whatever…" she broke her train of thoughts. "As long as I'm not going to die here tonight…"
At the same time, eight ANBU members, came out from their hideouts, approaching second pair cautiously. Rest of them still remain in their hideouts, waiting. Everything became still and quiet, only the sound of rain remind them, that time didn't stop.
Patsumi was somehow grateful, for the nasty weather right now. Yes, she still hated this storm. Yes, she was still afraid that she might freak out in front of everyone. But right now, this rain made their cloaks identical in looks. If there was anyone, who might recognize her, it will be better if she wasn't run around with Konoha leaf printed on her back. But, she really hoped there wasn't any of her cousins in the group of Iwa nins. She really didn't want to be forced to kill any of her relatives.
Subtle, barely sensed change in the air, announced that someone casted a genjutsu. She knew who it was, before two shinobi standing in front of them, started to fight each other. Mimiko has similar, just a bit more sadistic expression on her face, when she did that to someone. She also knew exactly, what to do right now. They worked this scheme so many times, that it was printed in her instincts. Quick sequence of hand signs, and she drove her heel deep into the ground in front of her. Rock pillars started to shooting out, building a cage around her enemies. It all happened, before other shinobi was able to understand what's exactly was going on.
Itachi had to admit it – he was surprised. He didn't expect her to act so fast. Right after that came thought that she probably did that move many times before. She actually prepared him a perfectly still target. All he had to do was to make hand signs. In mere seconds, beautiful ball of flames, flight forward, consuming everything on its path. Their opponents, could only scream in pain, when fire covered them. Those cries of agony were awful, air was filled with scent of burning flesh. Patsumi grimaced against her will, resisting the urge of covering her mouth with her sleeve. It wasn't good moment for mental fight with her ethical issues. Next ANBU came down from the trees, approaching, encircling them.
"It's not good… There is too much of them" she murmured to herself in thoughts. She unconsciously took a place, behind his back, preparing another jutsu. She counter striked the stone spears coming from the ground, before they was able to do them any harm.
- Wanna fight with Earth like that? – she smirked. – Well, you have to do better than this…
Another team of eight, close the distance with Mimiko and Kisame. Kunoichi felt a sudden pain in her shoulder, when blue-skinned warrior patted it. She gazed at him, rising eyebrow.
- They really don't know, who they mess up with, right? – he asked grinning.
She actually couldn't imagine him, doing something like that to Itachi, but she decided it's more funny than annoying. So she replied with a murderous grin, matching perfectly his own. He failed, trying to hide his surprise.
- No they don't… - she was still smirking, finishing her justsu. – But, they will see soon, that it was the fatal mistake… - she took a deep breath and send the wave of flames straight on the enemies. She followed second after, leading her sword with mastered precision.
Kisame shook his head in silent disbelief, easily knocking his first opponent. How it was even possible, the two of them could be so different? This whole thing actually gave her fun! That one thing he could clearly see, written all over her face. And this woman tried to kill him, when he called her crazy bitch? He was damn right! Tearing his next opponent into pieces, he followed after his partner, to make some more mess. He ignored the blood splashed all over his face when another shinobi, most likely escaping from furious Mimiko, crashed straight on the Samehada.
"Nice… It will be more fun with her, than with him…"
- Kisame, damn it! – the kunoichi barked at him. – Are you fucking coming, or not?
"How nice…" he grinned and swung his sword through two ANBU at once.