Chapter 9

I crossed another street, tossing a glance back, and it seemed he's still there, keeping a safe distance from me.

I sighed in annoyance, my head started screaming at me to be rational and clear. Obviously, though, with him around me my head is never going to be clear. Whenever I think about him, my mind focuses entirely on him, starting from his hair to his toe and every single bit in between. Then it jumps to what he did, what he said, and every possible effect he has on me, and I became completely lost in his web.

It's obvious that he's spying on me, but what confused me was how obvious it was. A shinobi like him, he isn't supposed to be that... clumsy, to the point even I recognize that he's spying on me. Is he spying? Or is he just happened to be walking in the same direction? I would confront him if it wasn't for my desperate attempt to get away from him. Ever since that thing with the Hokage the day before yesterday, he has been trying to get me alone to talk, in which I find a morbid satisfaction-because the situation has been flipped, he is the one who is obsessing over me! Hahaha!

My sudden burst of immaturity amazed myself, perhaps I wasn't so damaged after all.

Well, the only reason he haven't had his way yet is because of Anko, who has been urging me to pack up and move into a new apartment. On top of moving, she directed me to purchase some of the necessities that was needed at home, which actually weren't necessities at all. For example, she insisted on buying a kitty shaped alarm clock, and a white fridge black board. On top of that, she then dragged me to the curtains and drapes store and asked for custom made curtains to be made-with pink sakura flowers and white snow drops imprinted on top. I warned her if she kept on doing whatever she wanted, we're going to have to go back on our credits with the bank, and she waved her hands as if they were nothing. "It's our first home, Chiro. We need to make it special."

I agreed, even though I doubt I'll be staying here for long, I didn't go against her wishes. Meanwhile, I have been asking everyone I know when the next lunar eclipse is, and apparently none of them has any idea. I even went to the library, and it seemed suddenly all their books on astrology has suddenly disappeared overnight.

After about a week or so, Anko went on a mission again. I was walking home from the library for the third day in a row after a long day at work, only to find Itachi leaning against a light pole with his arms crossed, and his eyes staring straight at me.

"Hello." He said.

"Goodbye." I turned around rapidly.

"Wait-Arai-san!" He quickly stepped away from the pole, and just the sound of my last name on his tongue made me want to vomit. I walked faster, but of course I was no match for the great Uchiha.

"Chiro-san, please." He caught up to me, but not touching me. His steps are faster than mine as he leapt in front of me. I turned the other way and begin to walk the other direction, in which he blocked my path too. I was so determined not to talk to him I walked everywhere where he isn't around, but I underestimated his ability to create shadow clones.

"Oh for the love of god, please, leave me alone." I wailed, my eyes watering again. Seriously, it's a condition. Whenever he's near, I can't help it at all. Even though the man I remembered is constraint in this thirteen year old body, I can't help but get waves of nostalgia whenever I look at him.

"I would like to apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you-" He began.

I stopped him by holding up a hand, "Look."

He stopped talking and listened to me intently.

"Uchiha-san." I thought I might greet him with the same courtesy he does to me, "I solemnly swear whatever crap I have said in the Hokage's office will remain in there. I admit they were directed at you, and I was wrong to do so. I am sure whatever information I have in mind are not for the interest of others, therefore I will not repeat them, and you can go ahead with whatever big plan you're preparing with, and can we just agree that neither of us will ever cross each other's paths again?"

Itachi, perhaps for the first time in his life, looked confused.

"I don't understand." He begin, "Please forgive me for not abiding in your request."

"What?" I glared.

"I very much would like to be acquainted with you." He tilted his head a little and curved his lips slightly to smile warmly at me, "Chiro-chan."

I swear, I almost broke down.

He can sense it, the bastard can sense the effect it has. I suppose because he is a shinobi, he must utilise every single one of his advantages against his opponents, but I bet he has never resorted to use this trick, because usually the mission resolve themselves wth his intelligence or ability. But to prove my stability and my incredible inner strength, I coughed and looked away.

He didn't appear directly in my face this time, as he approached a bit closer and whispered, "Please?"

I breathed in and out, in and out, in and out, and after the third breath, I turn to face him with the best "Anko" tone of voice I can muster, "Kid, you're thirteen."

He chuckled.

His eyes, I have always been mesmerized by his eyes. I have seen those eyes looking at me in every possible way, and this look he's giving me right now, it was suddenly so familiar that my mind felt like it's being melted in a pool of warm liquid. I recalled, he used to look at me in this exact way when we first met. I did not know it back then, but I know of it now-it's seduction. His eyes are not particularly big and anime-like than most characters, instead they form a petal shape. They're almost long and slanted like a fox's, but when he narrows them, it looked as if he contained your entire soul inside, and they hold whatever you want them to hold. Be it love, affection, adoration or need. He has all of them, he can provide for all of them, and all you need to do is to surrender willingly into him, and he will drag you into the deepest, darkest abyss of pleasure.

"I..." I begin, but almost lost my train of thought because he was so close to me, and everything I have ever wanted since I came here is with in my reach. They're so lose to me that I want to scream with happiness. This is all that I wished for, and I want it now, within my grasp. I can't wait another moment, because every second has been killing me.

"Chiro-chan." His voice seemed suddenly distant, as suddenly the entire sky is covered by petals and colors of orange and pink, and I even smell the fragrance of fresh blossoms, as he moved his hand up to my neck, and his lips closer-

Son of a bitch.

I pushed him away, and everything immediately came apart as I shook my head and leaning against a wall beside the light post. I stared at the scene in front of me, it's the regular dark evening again, with street lamps and the night sky. Itachi is still about a meter away from me, with his eyes fixiated intensely at me.

"Did...did you just try to use genjutsu against me?" I asked, incredulous.

He looked away, "I'm sorry, it was a habit."

"Of course it was," I sneered, "Of course it was, the great Uchiha prodigy. I suppose if you really tried, I would've gotten out of it, let alone realizing I was under your jutsu."

"I didn't say that." His tone was neither defensive or argumentative.

It's this tone that has always pissed me off. It was no use ever arguing with him, because he would always win. Not to mention his persuasive nature, his facade just gave his opponent the impression he was always in control of everything. He has an incredible amount of confidence, and yet he does not appear arrogant. He displays unbelievable amount of intelligence in every action he performs, as if he had centuries to think about it. Being with him has its perks, I remember, but sometimes, I just wish he could be more... normal. More... stupid, like the other guys my friends were dating. He acted like a god, like a sense of belief or religion, he is omnipotent, calculating, manipulative, and above all, he has no weakness. Even at this age, the age which he has yet to master every emotion behind his actions, he still displays this in front of me.

"Enough, Uchiha, enough." I could feel my tears falling out, I have never felt so helpless, right here in front of him. I felt as if I am a bug on his hand, and he has the power to squish me whenever he wanted, "You... you have the audacity... to using genjutsu to me."

I suppose it's very ridiculous for a civilian girl to speak like this to him, but he displayed no emotions of annoyance or anger as he looked at me, eyes dark.

I wiped my eyes with my sleeve as he quickly said, "I apologize-"

"No!" I hissed out, "Stop it. Just tell me, what do you want exactly? Please, pray tell, what is it that you want?"

He seemed to hesitate a moment before he said, "Arai-san, my mother would like to invite you over for dinner next week."

Everything calmed down for a moment before I stared at him like he was a crazy man, which I don't do often.

"Well?" He asked.

"Fuck you." I said, before turning away and walk straight back to my new apartment.

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"Chiro-chan, I really would love it if you come." Mikoto said the next day to me, she even left Sasuke here twenty minutes late just so she can catch me alone without much interruption from other children and their parents.

After the whole birthday present theft fiasco, I was suspended from duty for a week, and now I'm back on the payroll. Which I desperately need, since I need to support rent and groceries bills that comes rolling in every month. I was careful not to cause trouble again, but obviously I stayed away from some brats because I don't like them. Now first day back on the job, I was cornered by Mikoto-san.

"I...I really don't know. I'm pretty busy next week." I said, desperately thinking of some excuse that can get away from this "dinner". If it's all the same to them, I'd rather not walk into the Uchiha compound, because I value my life, thank you very much.

"Please, any other day is fine. I've been dying to have you over." Her eyes sparkled, "Sasuke-kun has been talking about you all the time, and Itachi-kun-"

At this point, the mentioning of his name made me glare at Mikoto, and she quickly stopped at mid sentence and switched the topic, "I just thought it's better for everybody. Besides, we rarely have guests over."

"Really, I wasn't aware." I snarled sarcastically.

She stared at me in surprise, and I quickly adjusted my facial expression, "I'm sorry, Mikoto-chan. I don't like to visit other people's houses, and no offence to you, or to anybody else in your family, your mansion intimidates me, and I'd very much rather not go." I refused flatly.

Mikoto sighed, then called out to Sasuke, "Sasuke-kun, let's go."

Sasuke bounced over and asked, "Did she agree?"

"No, dear, she didn't."

"Oh well. What's for dinner?"

I coughed, and waved the mother and son goodbye as I cleaned the cluster around the classroom. Naruto went back to the shelters early today because Iruka promised to take him to the park and teach him a super awesome special jutsu that no one else can peek at, apparently not even me. So I refrained from joining them and stayed behind to finish cleaning.

The sun dawned as the streets became less crowded. Everybody is at home enjoying dinner, and yet at this moment I have no one to accompany me for dinner-I might as well just buy some ready-to-eat left over lunchbox from the vendor and that can serve as dinner. Thinking of this, I locked up the school behind me, and stepped into the cool night air.

"Good evening, Satoshi-san." I greeted the vendor. He was just packing up as he saw me, and he smiled while giving me a large portion of left over rice and fried squid with vegetables.

"Rough day at school?" He asked sympathetically.

"Yeah." I said, "I'm just a little tired. I can't believe it's almost summer vacations. I'll be really glad by then."

"Of course." He laughed, "Enjoy your evening."

"Yes, you too." I said, handing him a bill.

When I walked around a corner, I saw him again, leaning by the walls.

"May I accompany you?" He asked.

"To what?" I asked, "I'm going home."

"The walk home, then. It's dangerous to walk alone in these streets." He said politely.

I laughed, "Careful, Uchiha-san. People might talk."

"Let them." He replied.

I rolled my eyes and kept on walking.

"I think it goes without saying, that any conversation between us is completely confidential." He said behind me.

I ignored that and asked, "Captain Uchiha. Are you not busy these days? With missions or whatever? Where do you find the time to come and stalk me?"

"Obviously you're a priority."

I turned to look at him, but his eyes showed no other emotion other than amusement. I suddenly felt so very tired.

"Uchiha-san." I began, "I heard a tragic accident has happened to your clan. One of your best friend-what's his name again? Was killed?"

He frowned, "This is not the time nor the place to talk about that."

"Please." I sighed, "Can you spare all the... all this. Just assume I know everything."

"Arai-san."

"Honestly." I stared into his eyes, "Please, tell me what you want from me."

He was silent for a few moment before he made a statement, "You're not afraid to look at me anymore."

I frowned in puzzlement.

"Before, ever since you first laid your eyes on me, you always avert your eyes." His voice was soft, almost tender, "Were you afraid of me?"

I refuse to answer that question, because I have learnt everything he asks is a trap to lure information out. I may be loosing more than the hints that I know of the future. My eyes tore from his eyes as I stared up at the sky, and the crescent moon was bright.

"Do you happen to know when the next lunar eclipse is?" I asked, staring fondly at the moon itself.

Suddenly he grabbed onto my arm, which surprised me so much I dropped my dinner. he made a dive for it as he bent down, all the while not letting go of my arm. When he ascended again, his eyes looking straight into mine. We stared at each other for a few seconds when he placed my dinner back into my hands and slowly letting go of my arm. I haven't felt his touch in so long, I almost forgot what it felt like. He used to send tingles up to my body, and I shiver in delight whenever he touches me. Unfortunately this time was no exception. I resisted the shiver, but it left something there.

"Arai-san." He said in the most gentle way, "There is no way for you to know the next lunar eclipse. I have blocked that information away from you in every possible way."

"What?!" I was immediately outraged. My brows knotted as I threw my dinner in his face, and of course he dodged it, and it landed on the pavement. There goes my fried squid. "Why?" I almost screamed.

He suddenly stepped back a step and explained, "I have deduced that according to Tsunade-san and our interrogation unit, the first memory we could detect was on the day of the lunar eclipse in Amegakure. I did not disclose this information to others, but I have made necessary precautions to make sure you do not... disappear."

"You have no right." I spit out.

"I am sure I do not." If it's possible, his words are even more gentle than before, "I am sorry."

I resist the urge to scream and thrash at him in the middle of the street, therefore I took a deep breath in and out, then asked with little patience, "I'm going to repeat this one last time, what, do, you, want?"

"Two things." He was frank this time, "I beg of you to abide. But this is not the place to talk about them, may I please accompany back to your apartment?"

I bit my lips in anger and stomped on. We were fairly close to the building already. He followed me swiftly as I climbed a few sets of stairs and opened the door with my key. I was out of breath for a second as I watched him carefully examining the place with two spinning red eyes.

"All clear?" I asked while slumping onto the couch, "Get on with it."

He nodded, while standing directly over me.

"First, it is useless to deny my interest in looking over your mind. I wish to do so, but only with your consent. And I am willing to trade the date and location of the next lunar eclipse for this.." His cleared his voice in discomfort.

"What, didn't you forcefully use those little red spinning orbs on me already?" I asked sarcastically.

His reply was honest, "Yes, but without your consent I can only reach so far. With your consent it's more effective."

"Do you ask your victim's authorization before you wipe their minds too?" I laughed.

"Not usually, only because they are fellow shinobis and treated as the enemy. If I forcibly step beyond their limit without their consent, I will most definitely damage their nervous system."

I wanted to laugh in his face, "And you care about not damaging my nervous system?"

"Yes, I do." He said in earnest.

Later, I would came to know that at that moment is probably the first time ever he was completely sincere to me, but I took that statement with skepticism and contempt.

"Uchiha Itachi." I clicked my tongue on the roof of my mouth, "You expect me to believe, a captain specialize in assassination is able to have feelings? You underestimate my intelligence, it seems."

"I'm not asking you to let me do it now." His eyes displayed slight worry, "which brings me to my second request."

"And that is?"

"If you really can foretell the future, as it appears that you do, I suggest you lay low for the next month or so." This time he collected his emotions and hid them away nicely.

"Next month?" I was confused, "What's going to happen in the next month?"

"A lot of things. Radical, extreme things." He was carefully examining my expression.

And then realization dawned on me, "You-Uchiha-Next month... so soon- I..." My face went as pale as a sheet.

"Please." he leaned closer to me, "If it's possible, please stay away as far as you can."

I nodded numbly, "I understand."

"If...If it's possible." He replied, "I will try to reach you after, and we can exchange information."

I swear, a wave of tsunami washed over my mind as I realized how hopelessly selfish I was. Here I am, facing the dawn of the massacre of the cursed clan, and all I could think about is chasing my stupid romantic dream, and pushing him away purely because of my non-existent pride. Seriously, after all I have done, what pride do I have left? My eyes suddenly start to water as I was reminded of Mikoto-san. Her gentle smile and bright eyes. An entire clan, an entire clan...

"Itachi." I suddenly whispered his name. It left the tip of my tongue as I suddenly hugged his waist. My head pressed on his upper abdomen. He made no move to stop me, and I was thankful of that. I sobbed for a while as his hands caressed my hair and shoulders gently.

He knelt down until he was at eye level with me, "Why are you crying?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." I whimpered, I buried my head in his embrace as I hugged on to him, "I've been so selfish, and you've been carrying such great responsibility..."

"Please don't cry." He sighed, but he made no attempt to push me away.

It was way later, I would come to terms with what he was thinking of at that moment. He just wanted me to stop crying, and my constant tearing up whenever I was around him was driving him crazy.

I hugged onto him tighter, "Oh god, I've missed you so much, you have no idea. My heart felt as if it's been hollowed out. I wake up in the middle of the night asking for you, screaming for you, but you weren't there, you weren't there... I thought I went crazy. I thought I was crazy..."

He didn't say anything as he allowed himself to emerge in my wave of emotions.

I sobbed bits and pieces of everything that has happened for the past half a decade, "I was so scared at first, I didn't know where I was... and Ame was horrible...it was horrible. I was constantly hungry... and there were kids... sick... I... and so much blood... and I was so scared I wouldn't make it to you. I tried so hard to make it out... I want to stay alive... and when I got here, you don't remember me, you don't remember me at all... I was so sad, so sad..."

I could feel his grip tighten. I knew most of what I said doesn't make sense to him, but just the fact that he's here, listening was enough. I cried and cried in his arms, and as he sat down next to me on the couch, I got into my old habits of curling into his arms and greedily taking in little bit of warmth and safety he provides for me. I was mumbling incoherent things and half asleep when his voice came from above my head. It was so tender I had an illusion I was back in his arms while in our world.

"I must've owed a great debt to you in our previous life."

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TBC

A/N: As our Konoha-arc coming to an end, I'd love for any suggestions, comments questions and/or criticism. Oh yes, don't worry, this story is not nearly done yet. The next comes a bit of buffer chapters and then the big story arc on Akatsuki.
By the way, I thought after this arc was finished, it should be justified to put in a chapter entirely on Itachi's perspective. The problem with that, however, is that I'd have to have great insight and depth in to his psyche, and I think rarely few authors are able to do this justice. If the reviews requires it, I will do research and prepare for this chapter. If nobody cares much, then I'll just um, leave that bit out. Heehee.

Comments appreciated.