Itachi took a walk the next morning. He woke up at dawn and had to slip out of Hinata's bed as gently as possible so he didn't wake her. She was sound asleep. No training for her today, Itachi mused as he brushed her feathery bangs out of her eyes. When she slept, Hinata had the most peaceful expression written across her body. Itachi wondered if he ever looked like that when he slept. Not likely, he concluded as he put his clothes on.

Stepping outside, he took a breath of fresh air, turning his gaze upward. The smell of bark and flora invaded his nostrils. He strode leisurely toward the forest, needing to keep himself hidden. It wasn't smart to walk about the premises of his old village; anyone could spot him at any given moment. He had to be careful. Nobody liked someone invading their home unexpectedly, especially someone as dangerous as Itachi, who used to reside within the very same walls. A jagged edge of something sharp poked him somewhere deep inside. Konoha used to be his home; he used to have family there. Itachi rubbed his eye with the palm of his right hand, stopping for a moment to get his mind on track.

Now was not the time to dwell on the past, Itachi told himself. This time, he would need to think about the future. A future with Hinata. That put a smile on his face. He saw himself waking up in the morning, cradling her in his arms. He liked this feeling, of being able to look forward to something new. Nothing made Itachi happy, not since his younger years. He was all work and no play. But now that he had left the Akatsuki with no intention of going back, he was able to create a new set of hopes, goals, and desires. Itachi had an endless supply of happiness at his fingertips; all he had to do was grab hold of it.

Itachi stopped at a small stream, knelt down and let the current pass through his fingers. It was a cool sensation on this warm day. As he ran his hand carelessly through the steady stream, he contemplated his future. Now was the time to make a move to build his future. He was out of the Akatsuki, he was healed and healthy; and he had a bright outlook on things. He knew what he wanted and that was to be with Hinata. Hinata wanted to be with him. Something fuzzy trickled and buzzed inside his stomach, a flutter. Itachi had never had the possibility to say that someone wanted to be with him in this particular way. It was a brand new experience but, Itachi realized, it was welcomed because it made him happy.

But, Itachi's forehead creased in despair, they couldn't be together. In a sense, they both came from two different worlds that didn't accept each other. It wasn't as simple as two clans being at war with each other. It was that he was a member of a criminal organization that abandoned the very village she resides in and tried to capture their jinchūriki. He couldn't simply waltz into the village and act as if he had done nothing wrong. No, this decision would be costly.

And then a peculiar thought echoed in his cerebrum. What if he left? What if this thing he shared with Hinata was just a figment of his imagination, a side effect of the injuries he had done to him? He was knocked on the head quite a few times, knocked some screws loose. If he left and the feelings for Hinata stayed within him, then that meant it was real. But if he left and she faded out of his thoughts forever, what would happen then? Itachi wasn't so sure he wanted to find out. Living in a world of imagination didn't sound so bad if Hinata were in it. She was a gentle soul that calmed his broken one. They were an odd match but they seemed to fit together quite well. He didn't want to let her go, not even to find out whether or not he was being delusional. If his feelings and thoughts were this strong regarding Hinata, Itachi decided, then they must be real.

So what now, Itachi? He sighed, resting his chin on his knees. Can they run away together? Would she do that for him? How much did the village and the people mean to her? Quite a good amount, he supposed. Spending years with people and growing with them formed bonds. Would Hinata be willing to break those bonds just to be with him? He wished he had an answer to these questions but the truth was he had no clue. He didn't know how Hinata would answer them because he didn't know her for very long. They thought differently, preventing him from answering for her.

What if he asked the Hokage for permission? Surely that would be a way to turn yourself in, Itachi chuckled to himself. 'Hello, Lady Tsunade, I would like the honor of being allowed to see Hinata.' Itachi could be as humble and gentle as possible but he'd still get thrown in a cell. This seemed rather useless and was getting him nowhere. Now was the time to make a move but Itachi had none. He was fresh out of strategies and full of discouragement.

Itachi was at a loss for the first time in years. He fell backward onto the grass and sank his head onto his arms. The sound of birds and the whistling of the wind helped to calm his frantic thoughts. He let the sounds of mother earth cascade through his senses and eventually Itachi was dozing peacefully by the stream.

He didn't know how long he had been asleep for but when he awoke, refreshed with a clear conscience, he knew he wasn't alone. A presence of someone strong was very nearby and very aware of Itachi sitting by the stream. The presence moved cautiously, scoping out its prey. Itachi sat very still, not because he was afraid or wished he were invisible (which wouldn't be so bad at this particular time), but because he was calm; more calm than he'd been in a while. The presence crept closer, up in the trees he leapt from one branch to the next, making sure they were at a safe distance the entire time. Itachi just waited, gazing into the stream at the young fish that swam along the current. It wasn't long before Itachi realized who it was that was stalking him. It seemed his past had come back to grab hold of him.

He stood. The presence appeared behind him, twenty yards away. Itachi exhaled slowly, his mind already made up. Turning around so as to face the man Itachi had given up on, he met the man's gaze, which was everything but welcoming.

"Hello, Uzumaki Naruto."

"Uchiha Itachi."