Touch Of Black - (10) – The Sharingan

A/N: Sorry, but this time it's only a REALLY short chapter. Will be longer next time around, but I'm currently very busy. You can expect an update sometime in the next week.

'How Does One Live, Without Their Heart?'

Troubles, on an already troubled mind. Anger, with no way to vent it. And sorrow, such a weight that it could not have been lifted from her shoulders. Maiko Emiri stood before Itachi Uchiha like a mouse, cowering in the presence of a hunting cat. Yesterdays storm had taken its toll on her body, she was cold all the time. Her head ached, her nose ran and she felt as if she almost couldn't breathe. And yet there she was, forced once again out of her bed at the early hours of the morning, forced once again to the training grounds on an awful day and forced once again to do something she didn't want to do. Only one thing mattered to her though, the fact that he was there with her. They would be practising;

"Taijutsu," Itachi began, pulling off his Akatsuki cloak and tossing it to the ground, (Maiko rarely wore hers unless she had too, so that wasn't an issue) "Is a term for Martial Arts techniques that rely solely on body dynamics as opposed to weapons and other devices,"

He voice was low, and monotone, like he was life threateningly bored and would much rather be doing anything than be in the Emiri's presence, his glare was fixed on her, a frown plastered over his voice as she stood impatiently waiting for him to say something that she didn't already know. This was pointless to her.

"Listen Kunoichi, your life may depend on it," He snapped.

"Since when have you started worrying about my life?" Maiko replied bitterly, folding her arms, she still forgave no one after the storm. Surely they must of heard her knocks, and yet they didn't answer. Just to humiliate her no doubt, just to try and show her who was 'stronger'. Well now, Maiko thought, she would show them. If they wanted her to be compliant than they should have treated her with a little more respect to begin with.

Red. A Flash. Everything faded to darkness, until Maiko opened her eyes to see she was somewhere else. In a land, which was mainly red, she saw no one. And blinked.

"The Sharingan.." She mumbled to herself, how stupid she had been to look directly into his eyes.

"I, kunoichi, hold the power to destroy you in a second, with or without my kekkai genkai," Itachi's voice erupted throughout the area, but she couldn't see him.

"I can do whatever I want to you here kunoichi, and nobody will ever know except you and I,"

She felt herself pushed to the ground, and when Maiko had recovered from the thud, saw Itachi above her, no, actually on top of her, his Sharingan blazed red, equally as red as the world around her. He took her wrists and held them above her head with one hand, his strength was amazing. With his other hand, he gently caressed the tips of her breasts, before smirking cruelly. She was about to scream, when his hand went over her mouth.

"I trust you understand now?" He asked.

Maiko nodded fearfully.

And then...

It was over.

And she was back in the real world.

Itachi simply glared at her, and told her to remove any weapons she had on her. Maiko did so without speaking, placing them on the ground. They walked further out into the field. It was obvious to Maiko that he was making her practise her taijutsu with him. She really didn't want to. Not now. She hated the way she could be so determined to do something, and then just have him throw it back in her face, she felt so weak whenever she was with him. And she didn't know why.

He stood, waiting for her to begin, she did nothing. Itachi sighed.

"Fine,"

Maiko had merely blinked, and he had gotten her to the ground with one kick to the stomach. Fuck. She really needed to stop thinking and concentrate. The Uchiha made no move to help her up, so she awkwardly stood herself. He faced her again, and this time, she put a little more effort into it, blocking one of his punches, only to be hit with another. Itachi noticed her hesitation, the way she almost seemed intimidated by him. The way she made no move to actually attack him, and just feebly tried to defend herself.

She wasn't giving her all. She can't have been a Jounin for no reason.

"Concentrate," He said through gritted teeth, the longer it would take him to train her fully the longer he'd have nothing but troubles. They were only on Taijutsu and already it seemed it would take forever to have her up to Akatsuki standards. There was no doubt to him that her confidence had be bashed and almost completely destroyed after they had attacked Konoha. She'd pretty much given up.

"Try to attack me," He told her, the two stepped forwards again. He aimed a kick at her, she dodged it just in time, aiming an attack at his shoulder; she did succeed to hit him. But only because he let her. The attack was pretty gentle. Apparently, she felt awkward around him.

Good.

Maiko didn't know what to do, he just kept getting her. She tried one thing, and he blocked it, hitting her thrice as hard as she had intended to hit him. He was a bastard alright. Definitely.

They trained for hours and hours, and when Itachi had thought she'd gotten a little more confidence, he allowed kunai to be used. He had to note, when it came to sharp things being thrown at her she certainly wasn't slow and uncertain then. When it came to fighting close up, kunai-on-kunai, with the possibility of being stabbed or badly scratched by the opponent, she was worried. But somewhat more determined not to be struck, however she was. Many many times. They tried shuriken too, and Maiko felt it was just like being back at the Ninja Academy. Ridiculous. She felt stupid the whole time. She much preferred ninjutsu and genjutsu, that was for sure.

She really didn't appreciate all of the cuts, bruises and grazes she had to show for the training. Gladly, they wouldn't scar, but they would damn well hurt for quite some time. The weather, which had held itself throughout their training, was beginning to get worse. In fact, it looked as if it was going to rain. Itachi Uchiha had worked the Emiri almost all day, it was early evening. And by the tired expression on her face, she could have used a rest. Truthfully, so could he. Though he didn't show it. Itachi hadn't trained at such a harsh pace for what seemed like years, he knew, that he would definitely improve through the time he had to train her. If she would just show her true colours...her true power. She would be great. If she wasn't so...emotional. The kunoichi would do well in the Akatsuki.

The rain began to fall, and he dismissed her. She gathered up her things and ran quickly back to the hideout. It was obvious she didn't want a repeat of what had happened before. Itachi merely put his cloak back on, and looked up at the sky. Frowning.

Maiko made her way straight towards her room, heading into the adjoined bathroom and quickly turning the taps of the bathtub on. Steam rose as the water poured out and into its white depths. She put the plug in, and collapsed on her bathroom floor breathing heavily. She leaned up against the wall, wondering why she felt so peculiar.

She had been so afraid….and yet…

"No," Maiko scolded herself, standing up and locking the bathroom door. She gently peeled off her clothes, which were not any good. Not any more. They were torn and ripped and covered in her blood. She cursed, tossing them aside and then scanning her battered body in the mirror.

She supposed, that she would get used to it all. Of course she would, Maiko didn't have much of a choice. It was kill or be killed. And she preferred the former to the latter.

When the bath was at the right temperature, she climbed in, the water made her wounds sting. But she knew that it would all be for the better. The Jounin didn't plan on spending long in there, just a few minutes.

"I don't trust anyone here," She said aloud, before she took and deep breath, and submerged herself underneath the hot, soothing water.