The Mission and Part of the Past

Hikari's Pov

I walked down the halls of the Akatsuki hideout. My black cloak with red clouds wound around me snug but comfortably. Blond, layered bangs fly in front of my face as I walk quickly. It is late at night and my leader has summoned me. My face is an emotionless mask as I open the doors to the meeting chamber.

The room is huge. The walls and floor are made of pure stone and have been carved equally on each side. A long table stood in the center and 5 chairs were on each side. At the head of the table was the chair where our leader sits. His head rested on the top of his hands and his elbows were perched on the table. He stared straight ahead.

I knelt as the doors closed behind me. "You called leader," I stated with respect. He removed one of his hands from under his chin. "Yes. Rise and be seated Hikari," he said casually as he motioned for me to stand.

I stood up and walked to the table. I pulled out a seat, the closest one to him on his left side, and sat down with grace. I placed my hands squarely on the table, one on top of the other and waited for him to continue. When he didn't I grew agitated but I didn't let it faze my face. He stared straight ahead, deep in thought.

"Pein, the mission?" I prodded without raising my voice. He looked at me casually before speaking. ~He doesn't usually get side-tracked when he gives us missions.~ I thought. ~Wonder what's bothering him.~

"Ah yes," he began as he sat up straight, fixing his composer to show his true position. His face was hard and serious now. "You know of Konoha in the Fire Country." I nodded. "You haven't been there in years." I nodded again.

"It's been 4 years," I said casually. "I've always wanted to visit Itachi's home again." I had made so many memories with him and two others there but the truth was that I never wished to return. Not after what he and Madara sensei had committed.

Pein smiled crookedly at the remark then continued. "Your next mission will take place in Konoha. It will be an undercover operation and will last up to six months." I nodded and then looked at him with questioning eyes. ~six months?~

"How do you propose that I stay hidden for that length of time," I asked solemnly. I looked at him while trying to keep an emotionless face. He smirked, obviously seeing that I had trouble keeping my face like that.

Pein reached into a black satchel and pulled out a scroll. He opened it up slowly as he spoke. "You're still young Hikari. Only 14 and perfect for this operation." He laid the scroll out on the table so I could examine it.

My eyes widened in shock after scanning it over. ~What?!~ I grabbed it and clenched the edges. I quickly put my eyes back in a serious stare as I read it over more carefully. I looked to Pein and he smiled in amusement. "You can't be serious," I said in disbelief. ~And to think, I was somewhat excited to go but now… ~

He smirked wider as he caught me off guard. "You will be attending the ninja academy in Konoha for the time period. Posing as a Genin. Your objective is to gain the trust of the higher council members and the Hokage," he explains. "Start gaining respect from your classmates then begin moving forward to higher ranks."

"So I'm only going to gain their trust?" I asked with slight annoyance in my voice. I tapped my fingers on the table. "That doesn't seem like a mission that fits my potential." My annoyance leaked through more and Pein smirked as he noticed this. ~And as a Genin?!~ I quickly tried to return my voice to normal before speaking again. "How am I supposed to blend in with the other students?"

"In the beginning," Pein began. "Only use higher level jutsu in near death situations. This should help cover up the fact that you're beyond Anbu level. Also, don't perform any forbidden jutsu at any time. That is a direct order." I nodded at this but still could not believe that I was going to attend an academy. I'd never been to one before.

"Other objectives will be relayed to you during this process so don't fret," he said solemnly. Pein took out a pen and laid it on the document. I had enough explanation. I couldn't take it anymore.

"No way," I said as I crossed my arms over my chest. "There's no way that I'm going to act like a Genin! I won't be able to use any high jutsu! I mean, why can't I pose as a Jounin or an Anbu or something like that?!"

Any other Akatsuki member would have been severely punished for defying Pein but I knew that he wouldn't harm me. He was like a father to me and he was used to my outbursts. Still, I knew better than to defy him about a mission. But seriously, posing as a lowly Genin?! That was disrespectful.

"Hikari…" Pein said with authority and with slight anger building. I knew that this voice meant that he was holding back his urge to kill me and I quickly looked over to him with a tinge of regret from my words.

"This is a mission of outmost importance and can be only carried out at this present time by someone young." His tone sent chills down my spine. "You know of our true purpose for forming the Akatsuki. One of the pieces in our plot resides in Konoha. You see why we need you there?"

His face was hard and anger etched around the edges. I was terrified at the thought of what he would do if I defied him again. I reluctantly scowled at him. ~This mission is so freaking stupid!~ I thought . ~Though I do know it will be of great importance in the end.~

I sighed as I grabbed the pen. "Who do I sign as?" I asked as I put the pen on the signature line. I laid my head in my other hand as I closed my eyes.

"Sign as you," he said seriously, slightly calming down. "Use the last name I gave you."

I nodded as I wrote out my name. Hikari Phoenix. I signed then opened my eyes and looked at the other empty line. "I need a guardian signature since I'm under 18," I said as I looked up at Pein. "Would that be you?" I smiled slightly, trying to ease the tension in the air, as I handed him the pen.

"No," he said with a smirk. My smile vanished as I looked at him questioningly. "Your posing guardian is outside the doors. Enter," he said with authority. We both gazed at the doors as they opened. In walked a raven-haired man.

"No way," I mumbled to myself. "Itachi Uchiha?" He walked into the room slowly. His appearance was breath taking. His black bangs hung in his face and the rest of his hair hung in a low ponytail that lay in his Akatsuki cloak. His eyes were at the perfect angle, making him look slightly feminine but masculine all at once. His cloak was the same as all the other Akatsuki members and he wore it so that the center was open and his left hand rested in the fold.

He didn't bother kneeling, like always, instead he stood in front of the closing doors. "You may be seated," Pein said as he motioned for Itachi. Itachi walked to his seat at Pein's right side with outmost grace and power. He sat down and looked across the table to me with his perfect emotionless face. His Sharingan eyes were piercing and intimidating and I cringed involuntarily.

He turned to look at the leader with the same secured expression. "Pein," he said with a solemn voice. "You summoned me for what reason?" His voice turned velvet smooth but serious all at once.

Pein kept his face in a hard line while in Itachi's presence and he kept it that way. He looked to me again and spoke. "Itachi will pose as your guardian but he will only be in the village a few days each week. Akatsuki will have missions for him at other times."

I looked to Itachi from the corner of my eyes. He was eyeing the document and he soon reached for it. I covered my eyes with one hand and peered at him through my fingers. ~Oh man. He's not going to like this.~

Itachi took it from my hands and scanned over it. A slight sign of disbelief passed through his eyes but it was unnoticed by Pein but I saw it and waited for his defying outburst. Instead, it didn't surprise me, when he let out a short sigh and glared at Pein evilly, his crimson eyes were cold and piercing. Pein looked at him, not intimidated by his glare.

"I'll explain every detail to you personally Itachi but for now you need to sign on the line next to Hikari's signature." Pein took the pen from my hand swiftly and put it next to Itachi. Itachi stared at it for a moment before looking up to Pein again slowly. I lowered my hand to the table again and held both my hands together.

"What are my alias and age?" Itachi asked smoothly as he picked up the pen. He placed it on the line and listened for a reply. I could definitely tell that he was not the kind of person who would want to be a guardian for anyone other than himself.

"Icatai Hayate," Pein replied in a monotone voice. "Use the age that you are now. You can decide on a proper form tomorrow for your character."

Itachi started to speed read over the document. I knew he was looking for some way out of this. He stopped abruptly then looked up to Pein.

"I'm not 18," Itachi said, his small grin was hidden by the cloak's collar. I looked at him with slight amusement. I liked it when he tried to argue with Pein. "You'll need to find someone older."

"I've already discussed this with the Hokage and he will accept that you are one age difference and besides," Pein said with a crooked smile. "Hikari has no family and you will be posing as her guardian and sensei. That bit persuaded the old fool to allow it."

Itachi grimaced and glared at him and Pein smiled slightly, knowing that there was no way Itachi could get out now. Itachi looked towards me with the same glare. I fought back the involuntary cringe and smiled at him as sweet as I could. Aggravating him was something that I did every so often when he was in a mess like this. Itachi gave me a death glare before he looked back down at the document. He signed his alias name then looked to Pein menacingly as he handed it back to him.

Pein rolled up the certificate and placed it back in the satchel. Itachi's emotionless mask reappeared perfectly. He closed his eyes as he waited for the leader to continue. I let out a small sigh of envy when I noticed how easy it was for him to keep such an impassive face and I could hardly contain myself.

"You will leave tomorrow around noon and should arrive at Konoha in approximately one day," Pein said as he stiffened slightly, knowing that only the easiest part, telling Itachi, was over. "You will both be introduced to the Hokage and Hikari will begin attending the Academy the following day. Understood?"

Itachi and I both nodded. "Hikari you are dismissed," he said solemnly. "Pack all of your belongings and be prepared for departure."

I stood up and bowed slightly before leaving the room. Before the doors shut I gazed back to Itachi. His Sharingan was activated and Pein's Rin'negan was lit up. They were looking at each other seriously and I smiled slightly. It wasn't surprising that Itachi would be upset. This mission was below me, let alone below him. He was an astonishing Shinobi and he was going to play babysitter for me a few times a week.

I sighed as the large doors shut. Miraculously, I was able to keep my sadness hidden during the conversation. I let a tear drop from my eye now before I began to walk down the halls of the hideout.

I walked down the halls of the Akatsuki hideout quickly and silently. My face returned to normal, showing emotions and it was carefree. I only kept it emotionless when meeting with our leader or when discussing something of great importance.

I turned around many corners until I reached my room near the back cave wall. I began to turn the knob when someone grabbed me around the waist and hoisted me into the air quickly. I gasped softly as I looked back. It was only Deidara. He spun me around quickly as he hugged me tightly.

"Oh Hikari!" he exclaimed as he hugged me tighter. "I'm going to miss you, un!"

"Deidara!" I exclaimed with extreme annoyance. "Let go of me, NOW!" I tugged at his hands and he finally dropped me. I landed on my feet and turned around. His blond hair covered one of his eyes and the other blue one was sad, though he kept smiling. He rubbed the back of his head and closed his visible eye.

He was always so energetic and exciting. Every time I saw him he'd scream my name or give me a bone-crunching hug or something along those lines! He was one of the few people I could actually talk openly with. He was my best friend.

"Sorry Hikari. He hugged me again and cried fake playful tears. "You're going to be away for so long, un! I'm going to miss you, yeah!" I grabbed a kunai from my pouch and grabbed the ponytail on his head. I placed the kunai at its beginning.

"Let go of me if you want to keep your hair!" I said angrily, teasing him. He dropped me quickly and pulled back. He folded his arms across his chest. I gave him a grin to make sure he knew I was only teasing.

"You're not as fun as you used to be Hikari, un," he said as he looked at me with amusement. I put my kunai back in the pouch. "Probably because you've been hanging out with Itachi too much." He winked at me and I immediately knew what he was thinking.

"Dei!"

I blushed involuntarily and turned around quickly to enter my room. I shut the door in his face as he began to laugh loudly. I cursed him under my breath as I turned into my room.

I have lived in this place ever since I couldn't remember. So about… 8 years. The only time I was absent was when on was on a mission and between the ages of 8 and 10. Those two years were the time when I was secretly hidden in Konoha.

My room was arranged especially for me. It was painted midnight blue on the three front walls and black on the back wall. My bed was pushed up against the back wall. Black silk sheets and pillows rested over it. In the front left corner was an enormous book case that was completely filled with everything I needed to know about being a ninja. The other front corner led to my huge walk-in closet where all my clothes and other vanity appliances were kept. The door to my bathroom was on the right and another door was on my left. The left door led to a passage that connected to a training field. The right door led to a large bathroom that I and the person next to me had to share.

Lucky for me it just had to be his room. Itachi Uchiha.

I didn't like that he and I had to share a bathroom together because everything was out in the open in there. There were two hot tub sized bathtubs in two of the corners when you walked in. There were no curtains and no way to lock the doors on either side of the bathroom so it was like taking a bath in front of each other. I despised that. A 20 ft long mirror hung on the front wall and two sinks were underneath it. The only form of privacy was a door on the back wall that led to a toilet.

I decided to take a bath before he returned. I went to my closet and pulled out my favorite black silk pajama outfit and walked into the bathroom. I turned on the hot water and it rushed out quickly. I walked to the counter and laid my pajamas on it. I removed my cloak and hung it on a hook and my head band followed. My shoes were underneath them and I threw my other undergarments and clothes into a basket underneath the sink.

I grabbed a towel and placed it near the bathtub and I stepped into it slowly. The water was hotter than I attended so I absorbed some of the heat and made the bathroom fog slightly. I washed my hair and body quickly and efficiently. When I was done I rested my head on a cushion as I relaxed my muscles. I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed deeply. I hadn't been able to relax in a while and this was nice.

I almost fell asleep but was disturbed by a door slamming on the opposite side of the bathroom door. My eyes shot open immediately as I realized that I had been in the bath for longer than I needed to be. I jumped out quickly and dried myself off with a weak fire jutsu I had conducted for this purpose. I wrapped the towel around me as I grabbed my clothes and half ran to my room.

I shut the door behind me and as soon as it shut the door to Itachi's room flew open and hit the wall with a loud crash and the sound of wood splitting echoed in the room. I knew that a hole was now in the wall and that the door had been completely ripped off its hinges.

Water started to rush and I heard him strip down quickly. I sighed in relief, happy that I was able to get out of there before he came in. But I still couldn't help wondering what Pein had said to make him so angry.

I blew a hair out of my face as I walked towards my bed. I put on my pajamas and walked into my closet with the towel. I threw it into another clothes basket and walked over to a table in the corner. I took the brush and quickly brushed my hair out as I moved back to my room and stood against the bathroom door. I tried listening through the door and into the bathroom. I concealed my presence using a jutsu.

The only thing I heard was Itachi getting into the bath and then it was pure silence. I wondered what Pein had said to him exactly and I was straining to hear if he said anything.

I heard him whisper a few things to himself but I couldn't make out all the words. I heard him say something about orders and elders. The last thing I heard surprised me the most. I heard the words foolish brother and kill in the same sentence. But that didn't make any since. His brother was already dead, why would he say that? I pressed against the door more and it made a slight creaking noise. I didn't hear anything else for a few moments but I kept still.

"It's not right to spy on people Hikari." I opened my eyes wide. ~What?! How did he know?!~ I asked myself. ~I was perfectly hidden with my jutsu!~ I thought about the door creaking. ~He must have heard me.~

I felt his breath on my neck and I didn't dare move. I was scared of him, even if I would never admit it. He leaned in to my ear and spoke.

"Now, what were you listening for?" His voice was as smooth as velvet and it was also unintentionally seductive at the same time. I felt his wet hair against my neck as he let it hang out of his low ponytail. I was frozen. I couldn't speak.

This man was breathtaking physically and he was brilliant in everything else. I had fallen for him 4 years ago and I've loved him ever since. He, along with most of Akatsuki knows this but sadly, he doesn't love me anymore. Instead, he uses my emotions against me when a situation demands.

"N-Nothing Itachi," I stuttered quickly as I remained still. I could still feel his warm breath on my neck and I was almost paralyzed. He was close enough that I could feel his body vibrate from a faint chuckle. He touched my upper arms and ran his fingers up and down them slowly. I couldn't breathe.

"Really?" he whispered in my ear. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck. "Are you lying to me?" His fingers traced my muscles smoothly and seductively. I took in a deep breathe, letting my mind take control and putting my emotions aside.

"No," I said confidently as I turned around to face him. His arms dropped to his sides as I moved and when I completely turned around I started to blush brightly.

He didn't have anything but his pants on. His muscular chest and abs glistened from the water and his long raven hair rested over his shoulders and water dripped from the ends. His crimson eyes looked directly into mine. His normal face was replaced by a seductive and lustful look and it knocked the breath out of me.

I quickly regained my composer and looked him straight in the eyes. "I was just standing by the door, brushing my hair." I put on an innocent smile and closed my eyes to try and block out Itachi's face. That didn't work.

As soon as I closed my eyes I was pinned against the door, my hands above my head. He held my wrists together with one hand and he caressed my cheek with the other. My eyes opened in surprise. He had never pushed it this far! He was starting to scare me.

He leaned in until our lips were only inches apart. "Will you please tell me?" he asked as he brushed them over mine slightly, really making my emotions go crazy. I started to blush again before I spoke.

"I w-wanted t-to hear if y-you would mention a-anything that the leader t-talked to you a-about," I stuttered involuntarily. I couldn't lie to him anymore, not with the way he was holding me and how close his lips were to mine. I knew that he was tricking me into telling him but I feared what he was willing to do to get answers.

I felt his smile fade and return to a hard line and his face also turned back to its composed form. He leaned away but held my wrists firm. His gaze was now very serious and intimidating. I looked up at him and cringed.

"And did you hear anything?" he asked in outmost authority.

"No," I said as I looked at the ground. I did hear some things but I couldn't make sense of them so there was no point in telling him.

Itachi let out a low sigh as he let go of my wrists and they fell to my sides. I was on the verge of tears as I heard him walk to the door. I looked up at him one more time before he opened the door. He didn't look back and a tear trickled down my cheek.

He treated me like I was nothing. He didn't care about my emotions or about me at all. He messed with them, purposely knowing that they were my weakness. I hated him for that.

I grabbed a pillow off my bed and threw it at him when he turned around. He didn't attempt to dodge it and it hit him in the back of the head. "I hate you Uchiha!" I exclaimed. He started to turn around to look at me but I turned from his gaze and jumped to my bed and buried my face in another one of my pillows

I cried into it and after a few moments the door shut and I was alone again.

Itachi's Pov

I was furious towards Pein. He had to choose me. From all of Akatsuki it had to be me! I barged into my room. I didn't ever let my emotions slide but I couldn't help it this time. I literally ripped the bathroom door off its hinges as I walked in.

I turned on the bath water and quickly stripped down to nothing. I undid my hair and removed my head-band and placed it on the counter. I waded into the water and sighed mentally. I needed to relax. I was over exaggerating and I needed to calm myself.

I lay back against the side and closed my eyes. I couldn't help but think about my old home in Konoha. I didn't want to return. Not yet. My thoughts flashed to images of the ones I used to care for. Father, mother, even the old foolish Hokage. The one picture that stood out was the one of my brother. Tears streamed down his eyes as he looked at me, completely terrified.

I was ordered to kill every person in my clan. It was the only way to prevent another great ninja war. I put the village above myself and I felt a tinge of regret. I hurt him so badly and I would never forgive myself. The only way that I can purge my soul is by fulfilling my promise.

I clenched the sides of the tub tightly. "He was the only one I left alive," I said quietly. "My foolish brother was not killed by me but if the elders have hurt him, they will not live to see another day. I will kill them where they stand. This I swear."

I withdrew my hands from the side and finger indentions were left behind. I washed my hair and body quickly. I heard a low creak and my eyes flew open. I gazed around the room and my eyes stopped on the other bathtub. My eyes opened in slight shock and worry. It had not been drained which meant…

Hikari had just left and she was in her room. She must have hurried out when she heard I was coming. I tried to sense her presence but she was hiding it with a jutsu. I made a hand seal and whispered, "Release." Her presence became clear to me. She was leaning against the bathroom door, probably listening for something.

~Not good.~ I thought. ~If she heard me then…~ I grabbed my pants quickly and made a few more hand seals. I disappeared from the water and reappeared in Hikari's room. She was still pressed against the door and she didn't seem to notice me.

I quickly put on my pants and walked over to her quickly and silently. When I was a foot away I stopped.

"It's not right to spy on people Hikari," I said solemnly. Hikari froze. Definitely not expecting me. When she didn't say anything I leaned in next to her ear.

"Now, what were you listening for?" I asked in my normal voice. My wet hair brushed against her skin and she stiffened involuntarily.

"N-Nothing Itachi," she stuttered quickly as she remained still. I chuckled slightly, making her tense even more. I knew how to make her talk and it was easy to perform.

I raised my hands and touched the tips of my fingers to her upper arms. I moved them up and down them slowly and seductively, tracing her muscles smoothly. She didn't breathe for a few moments.

"Really?" I whispered in her ear. "Are you lying to me?" I rubbed her arms and with a little more force and she took in a deep breath as in an attempt to clear her head.

"No," she said confidently as she turned around to face me. My arms dropped to my sides as she turned. When she completely turned around she began to blush uncontrollably. Probably because I was only wearing my pants and my upper body was exposed.

When she started to look up I put on the most lustful and seductive face I could conduct. That seemed to knock the breath out of her for a moment. When she regained her composer she looked me straight in the eyes.

"I was just standing by the door, brushing my hair." She put on an innocent smile and closed her eyes. I needed to know what she had heard, even if I had to push a little further.

I pinned her against the door and her eyes flew open in shock. I held her wrists together above her head with on of my hands while I carressed her cheek with the other. I had never gone this far to get answers from her but I had to know what she heard. If anyone found out that I was ordered to kill my clan and that I still cared for my brother or the fact that he was still breathing then I don't know what would happen.

I leaned in until our lips were close to touching. I brushed my lips against hers gently as I spoke. "Will you please tell me?" I asked softly. I could feel her body tense at my touch.

"I w-wanted t-to hear if y-you would mention a-anything that the leader t-talked to you a-about," she stuttered involuntarily. I knew that she knew that I was tricking her but she could never lie to me when I was this close.

My smile faded and returned to a hard line and my face returned to its composed state as I leaned away. I kept her wrists shackled as I looked into her eyes seriously.

"And did you hear anything?" I asked in outmost authority.

"No," she said as she looked at the ground. I could tell that she was not being completely honest but I concluded that she couldn't make sense of anything anyway so I didn't press further.

I let out a low sigh as I let go of her wrists and they fell to her sides. She was about to sob as I started to walk to the door. I didn't look back but I knew that I'd hurt her more than intended and I felt slight lament but I didn't let it show.

It was of out most importance that no one found out about my true past and future actions. I couldn't risk letting them slip out.

She grabbed something and threw it at me when I reached the door. I didn't sense it being something threatening so I didn't attempt to dodge it and it hit me in the back of the head with a soft thud.

"I hate you Uchiha!" she exclaimed. The urge to say something came over me as I started to turn around to face her. As soon as I turned, she jumped to her bed and buried her face in another one of the pillows

She cried into it and I scowled at my actions. I didn't mean to go so far. I turned around slowly and opened the door. I glanced back at her one more time before shutting myself out.

I sighed as I turned to head down the hall to my room. When I reached the door I stopped, feeling a familiar presence behind me. I kept a straight face and spoke.

"What is it Kisame?" I asked with an impassive voice. I didn't turn around but was aware of the large man behind me. He chuckled slightly as he leaned against the wall opposite of me. He had obviously heard everything.

"Sometimes you can be overly cruel to the girl," he started in an amused voice. "Not that I care, it's your business, not mine." His arms were crossed over his chest and his eyes were looking at the ground.

"I required answers and that was the easiest way to manipulate them out of her," I said matter-of-factly. I turned the door knob slightly.

Kisame began to chuckle even louder. "And to think," Kisame began as he looked up at Itachi. "You once had feelings for her. Now you just use them to deceive her. Maybe you are the cruel, ruthless person that everyone knows."

My grip on the doorknob tightened but I refused to utter a word at Kisame's statement. I felt Kisame's smirk and he didn't budge. Kisame knew that he was treading dangerous waters by making that statement to me but he didn't show that he was intimidated.

When I didn't speak Kisame let out a sigh, to my surprise. "You really have changed Uchiha," he said in no more that a whisper. I heard it though and I quickly walked into my room and shut the door right behind me.

I rested my hands on my chest as I looked up at the ceiling of my room. I was lying on my bed and I rested in silence. Kisame's voice echoed in my head. You've changed Uchiha.

"What did he imply by that exactly?" I asked to know one in particular. I sighed and closed my eyes. I felt a pain in my chest and it wouldn't cease. Was I actually regretting my actions towards Hikari? No. I wouldn't accept that. I had no more feelings towards her. Those were in the past.

I slowly drifted off to sleep, thinking about the hell that was approaching me tomorrow.