A/N: I don't intend to copy anyone, but if there are similarities, please let me know. (I'm pretty sure there are no need for this note yet, but for future references.) Also there will be death in this chapter. Nothing big, I like peaceful things. Constructive criticism is always welcome! 12/08/22
2. Proceeding
They stood in front of the Hokage's office for a second, before Neji spoke. "We'll meet at the gates in an hour. Will that be enough time, Shikamaru?"
"Yeah, should be. Lee, leave the weights. And everyone should bring arm and leg guards. If you want, you can get gloves too. That giant sword is just too dangerous to go totally unprepared." Shikamaru said and started walking.
The others got the clue and everyone went home to get ready. Naruto, Sakura and Lee were still a bit out of it.
-: : :-
After getting home, Shikamaru got to work. Reading and memorizing the contents of the folder. He would've complained if he had time, but an hour to fit every detail into his plan wasn't much, not to mention, he had to pack as well. So he put on his business face and attitude.
This was a challenge, not just because the enemy was an S-class criminal, but because they needed to alert one, while leaving the other in the dark as much as possible. So what to say? That they knew? That the Hokage wanted him back? That his mission ends now? Mention Danzo? Or Tsunade? How to tell while not telling? He had to work something out and fast!
Neji's gentle fist would work as their main plan, the others stalling, creating diversion, the opening needed. But they needed to be careful not to use ninjutsu. Ambushing them, and Shikamaru disabling their movement would work as a start. He'd risk the retaliation.
An hour later he explained his strategy to the others, and they set out. It was an easy formation. Lee in the lead, being the fastest. Shikamaru following him. Then came Sakura and Naruto side by side, Neji bringing up the rear. They were less than a day from the location marked on the map, so they would travel till sunset, set up camp near the two missing-nins and confront them the next day.
The travel was fast and silent. The members alert to any suspicious sign by instinct, conscious mind slowly accepting the new setting. They knew they had to do it before the next day. They needed a clear mind, they couldn't risk giving the enemy any chance, but it wasn't a simple matter. Especially for Sakura and Naruto, but while the girl hard-wired Itachi's hate in her mind, thanks to her previous infatuation on Sasuke, her teammate adjusted pretty fast, like he always had to. Naruto wasn't someone who judged others. He'd seen what discrimination led to, he felt it and vowed that he wouldn't be one to cause such hurt. He didn't even think if Itachi, only if they got some intel that Sasuke may be near his brother, providing a lead to the younger raven.
-: : :-
In the evening they set up camp. Neji confirming the targets' position and offering first watch. They didn't talk or light a fire. Eating rations so as not to alert their 'prey' while staying lee ways. Better safe than sorry.
Their night was peaceful. Everyone finally settling down around midnight, at peace with themselves. They were ready when the first rays of sunlight shone on them.
Neji again activated his kekkei genkai and signalled to them which way, how far they had to go. Shikamaru taking off first, followed by the other three boys after a minute and lastly Sakura.
Shikamaru activated his Kagemane no Jutsu while running not wanting to waste even a second, and sent his shadow before himself. He caught the pair with it. Sighing in relief, he first looked at the shark guy, than to the Uchiha in the eye. It was pure luck that he caught them, and didn't want to waste this chance. If he could get in Itachi's genjutsu, he could talk without the other knowing, and letting the raven know of their intentions. He was counting on that, after all, Itachi was famous for his abilities with the Sharingan.
The only problem was, he didn't know if he was in one, or not. Everything looked the same, and probably would only change if he attacked, and he couldn't risk that with the other two mimicking him. So he stared at Itachi, and started counting, until the others came. More specifically 10 second before the others got there. Silently trying to get the elder's attention.
13…
12…
11…
10… "We came for you." He said. His voice clear, and void of any harmful intentions. For a second, he saw a change in Itachi's eyes, maybe recognition, maybe not. It was covered too soon to be recognized. They'll have to gamble on it.
The others came, and he released Itachi, even though his attention stayed on him, the others going straight to Kisame, who seeing this, started fighting against the shadow imprisoning him. He got out just before Lee reached him, Naruto staying a bit further while Neji tried finding the perfect position. Shikamaru registered that the fight started, but his attention didn't waver from the Uchiha. Even if he couldn't exactly fight the man, he could stall and distract while the others dealt with Kisame and he intended to do just that.
They heard metallic sounds and Kisame laughing. "Not bad, this may even turn out to be interesting! I hope you won't mind me taking all of them Itachi-san!" His voice merry, clearly enjoying the fight. He didn't get an answer, and he didn't expect one, throwing himself in the fight, tasting and enjoying every second of it. Even if he wasn't normal, he didn't seem like someone insane. If Shikamaru didn't worry a bit for his teammates, he would even say, he's wanted to know, to analyze the man.
Then he saw it. Itachi's hand started moving. Not getting a weapon, or preparing to fight, but the signal language shinobi use. The one Neji used just this morning.
'Are you here to kill us?'
'No.'
'Kisame?'
'Yes.'
'What about me?'
'Come back to Konoha.'
'What for?'
'Your mission is finished.'
Seeing this, Itachi didn't show his surprise. He was suspicious, the kid before him made sure he knew something was up. He wanted to attack at first, but he didn't sense any killer intent directed towards him, and the others clearly didn't even pay him any mind, like they trusted him. So he stopped himself from making a move, to see how things would turn out.
Did they think one chuunin could win against him? Surely not. The chuunin didn't even seem to want to move from his spot, just waiting. Concentrating, but not malicious. So he started to hope. He knew his initial plan was to die by Sasuke's hand, to clear the Uchiha name, but that went down the drain the minute Sasuke left the village and became missing-nin himself. So did he want to wait it out anyway? Not really. Sasuke wouldn't go back if he stayed an Akatsuki member, but maybe he could change, if he knew the truth.
Itachi imagined his brother, his foolish little brother coming back, so he could tell his story. The possibilities were great, and frankly he missed Konoha, even if he didn't show just like he didn't show he was capable of feelings. His current world too dangerous to show weaknesses and he played his part flawlessly. But now he hoped. So he had to ask. If his hopes proved to be in vain, he'd just join the fight and continue playing, but he had to try.
Asking outright would be foolish. Him speaking would alert his partner no matter how low his voice would be, or how long. He just didn't talk. Using a jutsu would alert the Konoha team and he would become a target. He couldn't risk that either. And if he was right, he'd just cause their mission to fail, if he took their concentration away from Kisame. He didn't feel attached to his partner. They weren't friends and as seconds ticked by his hopes got the better of him. So he used his hands. Slowly but surely communicating his questions.
The moment the other started replying, he felt a huge weight rolling off his chest. He didn't show. He never showed. He was sure, what the answers to his questions would be, but he had to make sure. He had to see the answers before he gave way to his feelings, even if only on the inside. And he got them. In no uncertain ways. So now he only had to wait. He wouldn't interfere with the battle, to hold up the façade of him having a mental showoff with the kid in front of him.
Just then, Neji managed to get close enough to Kisame, to execute his part, effectively incapacitating the blue skinned shinobi. And while he had to exert himself, making his hit the most powerful he ever made them, almost reaching his limits just with this, but he succeeded. As Kisame lay on the ground, unable to move, the rush of the battle left him suddenly. He realized that he couldn't move or mold chakra anymore. His surprise stayed only a moment, before he looked at Itachi. The last thing he saw, before Neji struck him between his eyes, inserting fatal amount of chakra in his brain.
The others turned to the silent pair, breathing hard, but not daring to relax themselves just yet. Worry clear on two faces, but they didn't make a move to engage in another battle. They waited for the conclusions.
"I'm going with you." Itachi said, calm on the outside, but happy beyond belief on the inside. He was finally going back. He confirmed it, and seeing the kids relax instantly made him relax in turn. They really just wanted this. No shackles, no further killing, no complications and the gratitude could be felt in the air a mile from them. They didn't even hope for the mission to go so smooth, but here they stood, their primary target safe and clear on their purpose and secondary target dead a few feet away.
Hesitant smiles blossomed on Naruto's and Lee's face, Shikamaru moving to retrieve Kisame's head. Were he not the logical and lazy person he was, he'd carry the whole body, but it was easier this way, and the head was enough. He handed it to Sakura, when the girl got closer, seeing the conclusions, and while muttering about 'troublesome fish guys with with giant swords', he took said sword, wrapped it up, and placed it on his back to take it back to the village as well.
Seeing as they only took a few hours to complete their tasks and it was only around noon, they headed back. Lee on the front, Itachi following him, so the others could see him, the formation stayed the same otherwise. Itachi didn't mind. He knew the kids didn't quite trust him until they reached the village and he was reinstated as jounin or ANBU, so he didn't complain. He could understand that even if the brain knew that he was friend, their previous meetings, him being an enemy until that point made them wary of him.
"So, what will you do when we get back?" Naruto asked, effectively shocking the raven. His voice friendly, open, like he already considered Itachi a comrade. And it was a good question. He didn't think that far. He didn't even think he'd see the village ever again. But there were things he could think of. And they weren't enemy, or a forced pair. They really were ones he could get to know. So he spoke, after so long, he let go a little, and just told what was on his mind.
"I'll have to get my rank back, but we'll obviously go to the Hokage straight after reaching the village. I'll visit the compound and see if I can live there, or what I should do with it. And maybe reacquainting myself with the village. I don't think there are too many left of those I know, but I'll try finding those who are still there."
The teens felt reality finding them slowly. They were really bringing him back, he wasn't an enemy, this was happening. The mission briefing, the preparations, the travel and the fight took around a day and they still couldn't quite believe it, but hearing Itachi's plans made everything more real. They could relate, the next steps he planned were logical, and close to themselves. They felt like a unicorn just informed them that it'll go to the grocery shop because there weren't any more food at home. But Itachi was just another ninja. Just like them.
"If you want, you could come live with me. My apartment is a bit small, but if you need a place to stay, just say the word. I'm up for a good meal of ramen too. Anytime!" The blonde said laughing a bit, and when Itachi looked behind himself, Naruto even winked at him playfully.
"Yeah, but he'd make you pay, and he doesn't hold back while eating ramen, so be careful with him!" Shikamaru commented, not feeling that open, but wanting to warn the other anyway.
But his comment eased up the others' mood too, Naruto acting sheepish knowing it was the truth. So they added their bits into the conversation, loosening their mental guard while they were running home.
Itachi was baffled, at how easily they opened up to him, letting him into their circle. He enjoyed it. He was quiet, but the Hyuuga kid was one too, so they weren't bothered by it, and without the mission, the expectations and rules, he felt himself letting go too, just a bit, but far more than he let himself in the last seventeen years of his life. At twenty-two, for the first time, these kids made him feel accepted, just one of the group. It felt unreal, like a miracle, and he wanted to know them better for this.
