Chapter Nine


Reiko's long, silvery hair was down and she was combing through it when Akahana walked into the room. It was strange that Akahana had been the only child to inherit such white blond hair from her mother. Although the color on her mother's head was fading quickly.

"How long have you been seeing that boy?" She hadn't even waited for Akahana to sit down.

"Mother, I need to explain," she said as she sat down on the mat across the room from the woman. "Itachi and I aren't—"

"He's a good boy, dear. I like his attitude. We'll get your fabric for your dress tomorrow."

"Mother—"

"What kind of cake does Uchiha-san like, hmm?"

"He's not—"

"And then we have to plan a date and all else—"

"Mother, shut up!"

The silence rang in Akahana's ears. She stood as the old woman did, and then caught the comb as it flew toward her head.

"You insolent little—"

"We are not together, Mother!" She took in the woman's look of shock. "I brought him back to lie and he became obsessed. He stalked me and raped me and now he treats me like I'm a fucking toy!" She took a breath. "He executed his own family and Sasuke killed him to get revenge! I cannot marry him, he'll kill me, and you know it!"

The old woman simply sighed. "He deflowered you, Akahana. The two of you live together."

"Not by choice, Mother."

"That is not my concern. He's no more powerful than you are, dear. If you wanted him stopped, you would have done so yourself."

Reiko had a grin on her face. "Do you enjoy what he does to you?" she continued. "I think that you like it, if it's even true. And if it is, you would have stopped him by now."

Tears welled up in the younger woman's eyes. "I'm telling you that I can't do it!" she shouted. "You've never seen him fight, you've never faced the Sharingan! He's stronger than any samurai I've ever—"

"Shut up, brat," Reiko croaked. "The wedding will take place. No other man will court a deflowered whore such as yourself. You no longer have a choice, Akahana. Without proof of anything, you willingly gave yourself to him and that means you must do what is right."


Itachi had gotten into the bath with her. At least it was a hot spring, so she had room to move away if need be.

She had gone straight to the bath from her mother's room. She'd pleaded and cried, but to no avail. The woman was bound and determined to make Akahana miserable.

She was going to marry Itachi. She had to. She would be bound to him as long as she lived. She would be angry and living a half-life forever.

Oh, god, they would have to have children! No, she wouldn't do that. Kids were created from love. Even her mother had been kind and caring once, before their father had died years ago.

"Itachi, I can't do this."

By this point he was lifting her into his lap forcefully, turning her to face him. "What is it?" he asked. "Are you tired, Akahana? We can just go to bed tonight, if you don't want to."

Since when did he become such a gentleman when it came to sex? "No, Itachi, I mean…" He looked at her with such trust in his eyes. It frightened her that she knew how quickly this whole situation was going to change. "I can't be with you anymore. I-I'm not happy."

Instead of anger like she'd expected, Itachi's eyes filled with sadness. He hugged her to him, burying his face in her shoulder. "I can make you happy," he said. "I won't have to use my Sharingan, either. I'll make you happy, Akahana. I'll make you love me."

She sighed. "Itachi, why are you even—"

"You make me perfect, Akahana," he said. "You make me forget what I did. What I am. I need you. I love you."

"Itachi." She put her hands on his shoulders to push him away. "I'm sorry, Itachi, I don't want—"

She stopped when her gaze met crimson, sucking in a breath. Fear was chilling down her spine and through her veins now, despite the hot water.

He'd never used a genjutsu or any other Sharingan technique on her before. But those eyes meant his temper and possibly his mind was now lost.

"I-Itachi?"

A fist gripped her hair, and his lips crashed against her neck suddenly. She tried to move, but for some reason she felt as though his chakra was fading… and so were…

Then she realized what he was doing.

He was sealing her chakra, making her weak. Making her helpless. He seemed to know that she was prepared to fight back.

Just like the first time.

"I'll make you happy," he said quietly. "I promise, Akahana, I'll make you happy. Don't leave me. You can't leave me."

She felt as though her hair was about to be ripped from her scalp. More than a few tears left her eyes to pour down her face. "Itachi, that hurts," she pleaded. "I won't leave, please stop…"

He suddenly released her then, and she was once again faced with onyx. His eyes were filled with sadness once more, and he embraced her tighter. Those three words had fixed everything…

"Sorry," he said quietly. "I'm sorry, I love you…"

"It's okay," she answered, and attempted to move away from him again. "I-I think I'm ready to go to bed, okay?"

He nodded against her skin, giving her chills. "Yes, you've had a long day, you need your rest."

"Y-Yeah…"