The dust settled as we all stared at each other. The two in black with red clouds cloaks were on the other side of the clearing their faces hidden underneath straw hats. My team stood posed to strike. Rayne, Ruka and Kai. Were we strong enough? We didn't come prepared. This wasn't our mission. We were to gather intel on a village rumored to have a Jinchuriki. Even if the Akatsuki were hunting them we were supposed to have time before they moved.
Except I knew they would be there. Tsunade-sama made a false mission so we would run into them. They wanted me. And I would be the leaf's spy. The possibility of death was obvious but I was loyal to my village and would do what was asked.
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"Shikyo, I have a very special mission I would like you to consider," Tsunade said sitting behind her desk with a scroll in front of her. Shizune was refusing to look at me she was hugging the pig.
"What kind of mission Hokage-sama?" I asked. My team wasn't here. Tsunade has only been Hokage for a year. I didn't know her thinking as well as I did the third.
"We have heard that the Akatsuki have been asking for information about you," the Hokage said.
There was a pregnant pause as I thought over her words. I am a jonin, yes. I was young when I became a genin but I couldn't think of why they would want information on me. When I was in the anbu my identity was hidden anything that happened in that time would not be common knowledge.
"What exactly have they been asking?" I asked.
"For the most part they want to know about your Kekkei Genkai. They are curious as to how it's developed and what you are known for."
I hissed an intake of breathe. My Kekkei Genkai wasn't well known. I come from the first ninja clan. Their name isn't known anymore. We established the first villages by the elements we could control. Water, Fire, Earth, Wind and Lightening. Our eyes resemble what nation we were born in and our control over the element is strongest in their respected country. All eye based Kekkei Genkai evolved from my clan.
"We need intel on their whereabouts and what they are up to. Shikyo we are asking you to be our spy. They want you and this would be our best chance to know exactly who and what we are dealing with." Tsunade explained.
"You don't have to!" Shizune exploded. "You have a choice, Shikyo, please know that."
I could see Tsunade's glare at Shizune as she winced away.
"I would like to think about this," I said.
"Of course but please tell no one." Tsunade said.
"I… I would like Kakashi's permission before I make a decision. I mean no disrespect Hokage-sama but Kakashi has been the only one there for me since… her death and I would not want to distress him."
"Only Kakashi," The fifth Hokage said as she handed me the scroll.
I took the scroll and bowed; using the wind to take me to Kakashi. I needed his permission. I couldn't take this mission knowing he'd resent me. Especially if I died. I don't know if he'd forgive me.
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According to the scroll this was supposed to be a blonde Akatsuki with a hunched over guy. That's all we knew. This wasn't them. One was at least 5 inches taller than the other. Both stood tall staring.
"What do we do?" Ruka asked breaking the silence.
I stared at the two before us. If I made myself known maybe I could keep them out of the fight. At least keep them alive. The smaller one looked up and I saw it. The Sharingan.
"Itachi Uchiha," I hissed.
"We're fucked," Rayne said to Ruka.
"Kakashi couldn't even fight him," Ruka whispered.
I raised my hand and they both went on guard. This was not the plan. Itachi could kill us without even trying or use his tsukuyomi on us. I haven't seen Itachi since I was 11. Would he remember me? Remember my powers. Back then I could only use fire and water I was still learning wind. Lightening came later. And Earth was my worst. I was born in the Land of Water. Earth was my opposite. It would always be a struggle.
"Shikyo?" Ruka asked nervous.
"I'm thinking."
"The odds are not in our favor," Kai put in.
I was aware. Alright, I had a mission now was the time to start.
"We are shinobi of the leaf," I announced. "I am Shikyo. State your business."
The taller one stepped forward. Kisame. He really did look like a fish. The sword on his back could eat chakra. I had to remember that. He was fast, strong, and had no hesitation when it came to killing. A legendary Swordsman of the Mist.
"Now who would give their daughter a name like that? 'Death' really?" he asked taking his hat off.
I readied a kunai in my hand. I was not going to make the first move. Itachi stepped in front of Kisame and took his hat off. His Sharingan stared right at me. He remembered me. I could see it in his eyes.
"Hello Itachi-kun," an air of condensation in my voice.
"Do you think he'll spare us since they used to be friends?" Ruka asked Rayne behind me. I saw Kisame glance at Itachi.
"Something is telling me that if he can kill his clan, he can kill a girl he knew as a child." Rayne answered.
"But, ya know, maybe, he still cares deep down," Ruka said.
"Ruka," I warned. It wasn't her fault. She was a nervous talker.
Ruka was a skilled medical ninja. Her speed made it impossible to touch her. Rayne was an amazing genjutsu wielder. Kai's taijutsu and weapon skills were to be feared. With my ninjutsu skills we were a very well rounded team. We taught each other a little of everything. Ruka taught us all how to heal minor cuts and bruises while still battling. Rayne made it so even if we were trapped in the most seamless genjutsus we could identify it and escape. Thanks to Kai we all could fight and defend ourselves no matter the enemy. We were about to find out if all that training was worth it.
I reached out with my chakra and made the wind blow between us. My long black hair lifted in the breeze. I could feel Ruka's nervous aura and Kai and Rayne's anticipation for the fight but Neither Kisame nor Itachi's chakra were being used. What were they planning?
"Shikyo," Itachi said slowly. "You've grown."
