Chapter 2

When I wake up again, the room is darker than before, and warmer. My eyes feel puffy and every fiber of my body seems to be protesting in some way. Some of them feel stiff (how long have I lain here?), but most of me hurts in a hundred thousand different ways. The pain in my side is the most vocal and I feel some chakra in my system, so I place a hand over it to dull the pain. I don't know if I have enough to start forcing the cells to regenerate.

As the healing chakra gradually fades away, I manage to sit up and unwrap the bandages around my belly. The wound looks clean. More than that, it has been stitched shut by a neat and practiced hand. I doubt they have medic-nin in the Akatsuki just sitting around. Itachi? I can't imagine him putting so much effort in making the stitches even.

The door opens and I push my blouse down quickly, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks. Itachi steps in, carrying a steaming bowl of something. He stops by the door, like before, and he looks at me. A few moments pass in awkward silence before he speaks.

"I brought you something to eat."

My face contorts into a frown as if it has a will of its own. Part of me knows I need that food. I must replenish my forces if I'm to somehow get out of here, away from him. I will my facial muscles to relax, but the best I can do is look sullen rather than angry. I nod my head slowly and he steps close enough to put the bowl in my hands before backing away. For a moment, I relish in the thought that he will leave me alone now, but he merely sits on the lone chair by the table.

My hands are shaking, even as the warmth of the miso soup seeps into them. The fact that I know he's watching me doesn't help. I grab the chopsticks and force myself to put the first bite into my mouth. It's better than I expected. My stomach groans in appreciation.

I glance at Itachi, whose eyes are set on me like he's studying me. It makes me uneasy. His cloak is gone, giving me access to his body language. He seems quite at ease around me. And why wouldn't he be? He clearly thinks I pose no threat in any state, especially not my current one. I grow bitter as I think about it and keep eating to take my mind off it. Always a mile behind everyone around me. It's not working very well, is it? Shannarou

I place the bowl in my lap, feeling like I couldn't stomach another bite.

"I would finish that if I were you," he says, startling me. I'd almost forgotten he's here. "We set out tomorrow and you'll need your strength."

"We?"

"I thought it was clear I can't let you go."

"I don't understand," I say, an undercurrent of irritation in my tone. "I don't see what use I could possibly be-"

My mind works faster than my mouth can process. The words die in my throat as I make the connection. I smile bitterly.

"Sasuke wouldn't come for me," I say. My voice is shaking, but I don't care. Deep down, I've always known it. "But Naruto would. It's him you want, isn't it?"

For the first time, I see Itachi Uchiha smile. It frightens me.

Leaving Konoha on my own, thinking I could make it to Sasuke and convince him to come back with me… it was all stupid. Ino would have slapped me silly if she had known. I would be thanking her for it now. Except she doesn't know. Right now, the others might have figured out where I was headed, but they have no way of finding me. How could they? Even I have no idea where I am.

My only chance of fixing the damage I've done is to escape. If Itachi plans to drag me along, it's all the better - I will find a way to run. I may not be strong enough to fight my way out, but I'm smart enough to find another way. I have to, shannarou! Suddenly, my appetite is back. I look down into the bowl of miso soup with newfound determination and start eating again, bite after bite, until the bowl is empty.

When I look up at Itachi, he's still staring at me, a hint of amusement on his face. I'm suddenly worried he might have read my mind. I know it's not possible, so I must have let too much show on my face. I berate myself inwardly for it, but the damage has been done. I can't help it when I get all pumped up like that. I bite my tongue and hold out the bowl.

"Thank you for the meal," I say.


She was like an open book. This usually happened when you knew which buttons to push and the exact amount of pressure to put on them.

He reached out to take the bowl from her and a sharp pain exploded in his chest as he did, causing him to hesitate for a split second. Sakura was so absorbed in her thoughts she did not seem to notice. Itachi gradually let out the breath he'd been holding as the pain began to fade, slackening its grip on his lungs.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, but he turned around and left before she could see them. Before the pain returned.

He needed to rest.


I hear the lock on the door and lie back down, pulling the covers up to my chin.

He winced. He hid it well. He doesn't think I noticed, but I've been trained to notice. Two can play this game of hide and seek. Now he's left me wondering. Is it a wound? Is he ill? Everything I know about Itachi Uchiha suggests he is not one to get badly hurt. An illness is more likely. My mind is itching for answers I know I'm not going to get. I mostly toy with the idea of using this to my advantage somehow – it is proof that he is not infallible, it is hope. There is a chink in Itachi Uchiha's armor, and there has to be a way to exploit it.