Chapter 8: I don't want to regret-Epilogue

Hehehe, looks like I can never keep my promises when it comes to writing. I'm so lazy it scares me sometimes, just like Shikamaru, haha. But this time, with this chapter, I'm done ! Thank you to all who read this until here and who supported me. Please enjoy this ! J

She didn't come.

It was odd, he thought. He was so certain she would, and he was usually never wrong in his judgement. He had known her for several years now, had witnessed her fears and character. He knew she was often too scared to act, but he had thought that for such a life-changing decision, she would fight her fears and choose him over an arranged wedding and a man she despised.

Had he been anyone else, he would feel insulted.

But he was Uchiha Itachi, the youngest prodigy of Konoha. He could not be wrong.

The thought that he may be this time was unsettling. And despite himself, when he thought that he should leave, for the time he had given her to think was over-and had been for several hours, now that the sun was rising- he couldn't help but feel a twinge of something in his chest, and an annoying little voice, one he thought he had quieted a long time ago, whispering that there was no way she wouldn't have chosen him.

And that he should check whether she really had chosen the wedding and did not regret it.

But he couldn't. Doubting himself was a weakness. He had thought wrong, had obviously overestimated her wish for freedom; now he would let it be, go back to the headquarters and tell leader that the girl wasn't as strong as he thought her to be, and it would end here.

He would not give into the agony of his frozen heart. He would not go back, and that was final. She had taken her decision, and it was not he. He would soon forget about her.

Forget her smile, so tired and yet so beautiful. He would forget the way his heart seemed to beat faster whenever his eyes locked upon her form. He would forget her skilled fingers as she painted bright pictures, images that seemed to come alive under the lightest stroke of her pen-

Suddenly he felt a strange warmth in his heart, and he became aware of a slight weight in his breast pocket. Something he hadn't given any importance until now. He reached inside his heavy cloak, and retrieved something he had forgotten. Something he had watched her crumble and throw in the river with desperate tears refusing to fall from her eyes, a day she had been particularly upset before training. Something his partner had retrieved and wordlessly given to him, after seeing what it was. Something he had slipped in his pocket, after telling himself the only reason he had kept it was because it was beautiful, and he didn't want it to go to waste.

He stared at the picture. Its message was obvious, but he had ignored it, thinking she had done the same. But now, now that he was here, still waiting for her- against his better judgement- he couldn't help but think again. Somehow, looking at the picture now, he knew she had not given up. Especially when he reread the words she had written.

I've lost who I am

And I can't understand

Why I can't feel a thing no

The lifeless words still carry on

And I feel in my heart but lonely tears

Blending together while trying to forget

Shadows of the time when I used to fear

Losing when I hope you wouldn't regret

Never whishing inside that we'd never met…

He let out a tired, almost inaudible sigh. He knew what he had to do, to be able to leave in peace. However, as he stood up, he was interrupted by his partner.

"So she's not coming after all…"

"…" He didn't answer. He didn't need to.

"Such a shame, really. She would have made a fine kunoichi. I wonder what will become of her skills, with that hypocrite mother of hers"

Itachi stopped. Hypocrite mother…? He stared at the shark man, wordlessly asking him to elaborate. Kisame tilted his head back to stare at the rising sun.

"Didn't you know ?" He mused. "Her mother is a kunoichi herself. She never quite gave up her skills when she married into the clan. And I heard she was very skilled, as well. She used to be ANBU, so she I guess she'd have no trouble subduing the girl. Heh. I really pity her. She stands no chance against- Itachi ?"

Kisame jumped to his feet, searching for his partner, and cursed.

Itachi was nowhere to be seen.

And Kisame could only stare at the paper on the ground, which appeared to be glaring at him.

A picture he had seen only once, before giving it to his partner.

A picture he had understood to be very important, seeing that his partner had not destroyed it on sight, even he was pictured in it.

And the fact that he had kept it spoke louder than any words.

Uchiha Itachi was hugging the girl close to his heart, with a look in his eyes he had never seen but was easy to understand.

Love.

XxX

Pain.

That's all she could register at the moment.

Excruciating pain running in every single inch of her body.

So strong she couldn't even think.

And each time she could take a break from the pain and breath, she'd remember.

Remember how exactly she had landed in this position, lying lifelessly on the ground of the cold, unforgiving basement of the Nowhara compound- a place she hadn't know existed. And with the harsh realisation that the clan had its own cells, the questions came swirling in her mind.

How many times has this cell been used ? What kinds of people were thrown in there ? Was it even legal ? How much people had died in these cells- cursing this clan for its talent with secrecy and its own shadowy rules, in the very heart of a peaceful village ? How is it even possible that no one has ever realised what is going on behind the dazzling charms and the fake politeness of these people ?

The pain came again, and Ayano's voice resounded in her head, a memory already several hours old.

"You give me no choice, Tsuky," Ayano whispered with fake sadness. "I can't let you dishonour the clan. Such a shame, really. I was ready to forgive your foolish attempt at being something the clan disapprove of. I gave a chance to redeem yourself, but you didn't take it. And now, you must suffer the consequences of your choice. This is the last time, Tsuky. Surrender or suffer. And know that it pains me to see like this, suffering in the dirt, alone and helpless. I take no pleasure in seeing you broken."

Her hands were bound behind her. Her ankles were, too. And she was wearing chakra-suppressing cuffs. She was completely helpless, but the worse wasn't knowing she was weak, once again, or that all this time her mother had been a kunoichi, and yet had forbidden her daughter to be one. No, the worse was knowing…knowing…

That no one would come for her.

She could tell that it was dawn already. Itachi must have thought she hadn't chosen him, and left.

It made her want to cry.

Her cheek rested on the harsh, cold ground. She was alone in this, and there was no way out. A hand stroked her cheek in a parody of kindness.

"Give up, Tsuky," The cursed voice whispered, like a snake curling around her heart, choking her, crushing her. But it didn't need to.

She was already broken.

Had been since the sun had arisen, bringing with it the cold realisation that would seal her fate.

The game was over. She had lost.

And this time there was no one around to save her.

She had remained silent all throughout the torture and pain. She had been left alone with a masked man, a member of the clan who was a part of Morino Ibiki's torture and Interrogation's squad; an expert at getting people to yield, even if, thankfully, he did not have the right to go too far with her; after all, she was still expected to marry within the month. It wouldn't do if she couldn't heal in time, or at all.

She had grown numb to the pain. She almost couldn't feel it at all, crushed by the realisation that everything was over; she couldn't fight anymore. And yet, she couldn't find it in herself to give up.

Even if she had no hope of escaping this.

The door opened; someone came in, had a few words with the masked man, who left and closed the door. Tsuky didn't even bother raising her head from the ground. She knew who it was.

"Why must you be so stubborn, Tsuky ?" Ayano asked, shaking her head. "There is nothing left for you anymore. Why do you keep fighting your duty ? Why would you choose suffering in vain over bringing power to the clan ?"

Tsuky stayed quiet. There was no point in replying. The woman wasn't interested in her answer.

"Really, Tsuky. Do you honesty think you are being strong by resisting me ?" Ayano tsked disapprovingly. "You will achieve nothing by doing so. You have lost, Tsuky. There's no point in denying it."

Ayano waited, but Tsuky had no reaction. The woman decided to change tactics. Her daughter was obviously quite depressed, and she needed comfort. All she had to do was making her daughter turn to her for help, and then she would become everything for her daughter. She was already broken, having lost everything she had ever fought for. Yes, Ayano thought, she could become everything Tsuky needed, manipulating her, leading her to forget everything she had fought for, leaving only the need to serve the clan.

"My poor baby" Ayano sighed, tenderly stroking her daughter's dishevelled hair. "You were wrong, but mother's here to help you now. She'll show you the right way."

This got a reaction, but not the one Ayano was expecting. Instead of the tear-filled eyes, seeking comfort and forgiveness, she was faced with nothing but cold indifference.

"You can stop pretending, mother. It's been a while since I stopped believing in your lies. And it has been even longer since I last cared," and she spat the word, "about this wretched clan that has brought me nothing but pain and suffering."

Ayano stilled. And even if she had been expecting the change, Tsuky was taken by surprise upon witnessing the gentle, caring mask shifting to pure, unadulterated loathing. Suddenly she was no longer facing a woman, her mother, but a true monster, which had been hiding under the soft appearance of a seemingly caring and dashingly beautiful brown-haired woman. And for the first time in a while, Tsuky was scared.

She released a scream of pain as Ayano grabbed her hair and threw her against the wall with as much strength as she could muster which, considering her past as a kunoichi, wasn't so little. She seemed not to care anymore whether her daughter would be healed for the wedding.

"You want me to stop pretending ?" The woman snapped furiously. "Fine. I'll stop pretending. You're right, I never cared about you. Not since you expressed this pathetic wish of entering the academy, and when your fool of a father heeded your wish. Look at you, Tsuky ! Crying shamelessly before your opponent, writhing in pain, your face is an open book ! Shinobis have no emotions. They are proud, courageous soldiers of this village. You've always been a coward, Tsuky. Never talking for yourself, never fighting, always obeying ! You wouldn't have lasted a minute outside of the walls, do you why, Tsuky ? Because you will never be courageous enough !"

Silence fell upon the cell. But for once, it was not submissive silence on Tsuky's part.

No.

She was thinking.

Or, more precisely, she was recalling something that was whispered in her mind not too long ago.

'You never know how strong you are, until being strong is all you can be.'

Only then did Tsuky understood. She had nothing to lose. She knew she would never submit to this wedding. Never.

Meaning she had only one option left.

Tsuky took a deep breath; she knew what she had to do.

As she slowly raised her head from the ground, it was Ayano's turn to be taken aback by her daughter's eyes. For there was now nothing but fury in these eyes, eyes that had…wait, had her eyes changed form ?!

"You," Tsuky whispered, shaking, "KNOW NOTHING !"

Ayano tensed; her daughter never raised her voice. Never.

"HOW CAN YOU SAY I'M A COWARD !? YOU WERE NEVER THERE TO WATCH ME GROW UP ! NEVER THERE TO WATCH AS I PICKED MYSELF UP FROM THE GROUND, TIME AND TIME AGAIN ! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SAY ANYTHING ON MY LIFE, SEEING AS YOU NEVER WERE A PART OF IT ! But you know what, mother ?" she stated, lowering her voice, "I don't care what you think of me. Not anymore. Someone…someone I truly care about has made me realise the truth. I don't belong here, under your command. You are nothing to me, just like this cursed clan I was born into. You can hit me as much as you want, Ayano," and she stressed the name, "I will not marry this guy. I have found, at last, the place where I rightfully belong, and it is most definitely not by your side. I have fallen for a man." Tsuky ended, closing her eyes, remembering that she would never see him again; but she couldn't stop now. Tsuky opened her eyes again, Hoshigan blazing with determination, "AND I'D RATHER DIE THAN SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH SOMEONE WHO ISN'T UCHIHA ITACHI !"

Ayano's eyes narrowed; she had not listened to the end of her words. Her decision was taken in an instant. She was so blinded by her anger that she failed to notice the different chakra signature looming just outside the cell.

"You'd rather die ?" She spat. "Fine. I guess I will grant your wish, then !"

A katana was summoned, and raised to kill. Tsuky closed her eyes, knowing it was the end.

She had resisted, until the end. She couldn't do more. She closed her eyes in silent resignation as a lonely tear rolled down her face. It would be over in a few seconds. Soon, she wouldn't feel anything.

Her last thoughts drifted to Itachi. I wish I could have told him I loved him…

A clang of metal and a startled gasp interrupted her thoughts. What she saw made her yes go wide, and her jaw hang open. There was no mistaking the black cloak with red clouds, the dark hair in a low ponytail resting on his shoulders…or the red, sharingan eyes, staring at her. His name escaped her lips unthinkingly.

"Itachi…"

He didn't say anything, but she knew the eyes roaming over her form were looking for injuries. And finding no life-threatening ones, he finally turned to the woman in front of him.

She was staring openly at him, mouth opened wide, shaking with fright for a second before quickly getting a grip and getting back in guard, avoiding his eyes. But it didn't change her fate, for it was sealed the instant Itachi heard Tsuky's scream and witnessed Ayano preparing to end her daughter's life. Tsuky blinked once, and it was over.

The Uchiha had suddenly flickered out of existence before her to reappear at the other side of the cell…his kunai nowhere to be seen, while Ayano fell to the ground, blood pouring profusely from her chest. Tsuky knew she was dead before she even touched the ground.

Itachi freed her from the ropes tying her arms and ankle, but she couldn't focus on him. All she could see was her mother's frozen face, eyes opened in a frightening display of pure terror. She felt a sting in her own eyes, and realised she was crying. Crying for a monster…she knew she had something to do before leaving.

She took a step towards the lifeless corpse, but a hand on her wrist stopped her.

"We need to go."

"There's something I want to do before we leave." She whispered softly.

Itachi searched her eyes. He didn't understand.

"She is the one who made you suffer the most. You own her nothing"

"That may be true," she avoided her eyes, looking quietly at the blood at her feet, before meeting Itachi's disapproving gaze unflinchingly. "But she was still my mother."

With that, Tsuky resumed her walk, and Itachi let her go. With a gesture full of undeserving deference, Tsuky reached for her mother's eyes and closed them quietly with tenderness. She whispered a quiet prayer for her soul, before standing up to face Itachi. She was too tired to protest as Itachi scooped her in his arms and fled the dark, unforgiving cell. Before she knew it, they were outside of Konoha's walls.

"Itachi." She mumbled quietly. "Thank you. For coming for me."

He gazed at her, before turning back to stare at the path ahead.

"Rest. You need it."

She closed her eyes, and Itachi knew from her deep, even breathing, that she was asleep. He tightened his grip on her, careful not to hurt her. She had just escaped from a terrible ordeal, what right did he have to drag her into another one ? None. But he couldn't let go of her. For once, he wanted to be selfish. She brought light to his darkened world. From now on, he silently vowed to himself, he would protect her. No harm would befall her as long as she was under his care. And if he could help it, she would always be. Always.

Nodding to himself, he sped up along the trees, becoming nothing but a shadow in the landscape. The future would be hard, but he would protect her. He was not the most patient man, the most caring or the most gentle. But he would give her everything he had to give. She had chased his loneliness away; he was forever indebted to her, but he didn't mind. He had willingly chosen to watch after her, to be her silent guardian angel, always protecting from the shadows like he had always done since he himself became a shinobi. Ever since he had saved her from herself. He was not a man of words, but of actions.

That's why he would make sure the painter would never be sad again.

THE END