The Last Week
Disclaimer: Still don't own Naruto.
Summary: SEQUEL to One Week. The week preceding Shisui's death.
Ya-re, ya-re, look who's back! Now with twice as much vigor of youthfulness! –primeval rawr-
Chapter One: Sunday
All Moansday, Tearsday, Wailsday, Thumpsday, Frightday and Shatterday.
-James Joyce
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Itachi's heart keened wildly in his frozen chest as Danzou-san briefed him on his mission. His mind groped in the darkness he's thrust himself in for some light, for some kindness, to be spared the agony of what he was hearing—but it was no use. He'd known this moment would come ever since the ANBU Root founder had asked him to read the scroll of the Uchiha clan's secret in the shrine. He'd known from the moment he'd learnt the secret of the mangekyou that he would be asked to do this.
But his heart keened on, unheeding to the voice of reason. What was he doing? This mission was physically impossible for him! He couldn't do it, he wouldn't do it, no, no, no, no, no, no!
NO.
"I shall give you a week. You must finish it by then," Danzou said.
"I
will."
"We're counting on you, Itachi-kun. You need no
reminding that the village is eternally in your debt. You know
this."
"I do."
Danzou sighed heavily, falsely. "It's
tragic. But necessary. Believe me, I feel you pain, I understand—"
"Danzou-san,"
Itachi interrupted, his fist shaking, "I will say this only once.
You do not
understand. You cannot even begin to comprehend it. Please. Do not
try to comfort me."
0000000000elsewhere00000000000
Shisui
blinked in confusion. "What?"
His father repeated with a grim
expression, "You must keep an eye on—"
"I heard," Shisui laughed, his heart pounding. What did this mean? Did the clan no longer trust Itachi? Impossible—his best friend would lay his life down for the clan, everyone knew that! "Why? It's not like Itachi would betray us," his voice slipped despite his efforts to keep it level, his heart sensing what his mind didn't (couldn't?)—something was wrong.
Aarai-san, the assistant commander of the police force scoffed. "It is exactly because we believe Itachi would betray us that we ask this of you. You are his best friend, his most precious nakama."
Shisui locked eyes with his father, panicking slightly. "Father…"
"Shisui," he said in that voice that meant he was speaking as a commander, not a father, "Itachi is the boy I've watched grow up with you. He's my second son. I believe in his integrity as much as you do. But not everyone does…they don't know him like you do. You will carry out this mission as a junior Konoha police officer. That's an order."
Shisui nodded, saluted, and left. His legs took him to the park where he'd first asked Itachi to play with him, nearly six years ago.
With an awkward jolt, he realized what day it was.
000000ichiriki000ramen00000stand00000000
"Itachi!"
The thirteen year old looked up, a smile inching its way across his face as he saw his friend.
"Ramen?" he offered, holding out his chopsticks. Shisui needed no second bidding. "Teuchi jii-san!" he mumbled around a mouthful, "Ger 'im another 'owl."
"No, thanks, I'm short on money," Itachi declined.
Teuchi laughed. "This one's on the house!"
"He never does that for anyone. It's only 'cause you're here," Itachi whispered to the other boy.
"You're welcome," Shisui grinned. As he grew older, he'd insisted on growing his hair longer, until the thick voluminous curls fell to his waist in a ripple of silk. His eyes had remained absolutely unchanged, still the sleepy slits of grey-black, but now they could flash red as well. Shisui's puppy fat had lingered, giving him an appealing, babyish look that Itachi had outgrown.
Next to him, Itachi looked (and felt) older than he really was.
"Guess what day it is!"
Itachi raised an eyebrow.
"Uhhh…Sunday?"
"It's a week shy of six years of best friendship," Shisui scowled, "And
we've never celebrated it! For our sixth anniversary, we will!"
"Shisui, we're friends, not boyfriends."
"Oh, shut up."
Itachi chuckled. "So how do you plan on celebrating?"
"I was thinking…technically we became friends over the course of a
week. So every day we should do something symbolic that represents that day of that week!"
Itachi tapped his chin thoughtfully. "So…today you want to invite me to a kick-the-can game and have me refuse?"
Shisui sniffed. "Don't be an idiot. Today you and I will just go for a movie, and we'll have lunch tomorrow together!"
Itachi shook his head. "I have a mission tomorrow morning."
Shisui gasped. "You just refused my invitation! It's like a kami-sama is watching over my plan!"
Itachi rolled his eyes. "Baka, you already knew I had mission."
"If you call me a baka again…" Shisui warned.
"What'll you do? BAKA."
"Ita-hime!! ITA-HIME!! ITA-HI—mmmmph!" Shisui's yell was muffles as Itachi stuffed a hunk of bread down his throat. He began chokig, and the noodle girl who washed the dishes ran over eagerly to help him out. Before she could get a chance, however, Itachi thumped his back and his friend straightened, watery-eyed.
"Evil pig! Nearly killed me!"
"Nearly," Itachi shrugged, unrepentant.
"Hmph. Let's go watch that movie Ita-hi…uh, Itachi."
Itachi threw an arm around Shisui's shoulder. "I pick the movie!"
"Aw man! You always pick the most boring one!" Shisui whined.
"And you always pick the most idiotic one," the ANBU member shot back. Arguing, they strutted off, and the noodle girl sighed…
…hoping at least one wasn't gay.
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I think I messed up on the timeline…how much younger is Sasuke? T.T
Annnnyyyywaaaay…review!