A/N: Chapter 12 will be the last chapter. If you want a sequel to this story please let me know and if there are enough people that want it than I will begin writing it. Thank you guys!


Knowing

I felt like my time here was moving rapidly. I had been in Naruto for almost one year now, working with the Akatsuki. I missed my old life but I really believed I made a home here even if it was with s-rank criminals. They have become family to me. I had been completing multiple missions either solo or with Itachi and Kisame. The odd times I would work with the other partners but that wasn't quite that often. I hardly had time in the hideout with how many missions were coming in but I wasn't bothered much by it.

I was happy here. It was comfortable for me even when I was putting my life on the line some days. Then again, I had the Akatsuki protecting me. I still had no idea how I managed to get the members to accept me and even like me but I did. For once in my life I really felt like I belonged.

"Are you daydreaming again, kid?" Kisame asked me as all three of us were walking on a path after a mission. I was behind Itachi and Kisame as they walked side by side.

"Huh?" I said, coming out of my thoughts. I heard a chuckle. "Wait. I'm not a kid. I'm 18 now." I said and crossed my arms.

"You are still a kid to me, kid," he teased with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever, Sharkbreath."

He ignored me, "What were you daydreaming about?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Why would I tell you?"

He chuckled, "I'm curious as to what goes on in that small head of yours."

I sighed, "Just thinking about the past year, is all."

"That's right. It has been a year since you joined us," Kisame said as he realized just how long we have known each other. "You missing home yet?"

I shrugged, "It would be a lie if I said I didn't."

"But?"

I blinked. I hated that they knew me so well now. "But I'm just fine where I am."

All of a sudden I felt someone ruffle my hair. "That's right, kid. You belong with us now."

Once he was done I attempted to fix my hair. "I hate you," I deadpanned.

He laughed, "Sure you do, kid. Sure you do."

I felt something, like a presence but I couldn't tell from where. I stopped walking and looked around.

"What is it?" Kisame asked me. I heard his footsteps and Itachi's getting closer to me.

"Don't you feel that?" I asked them, still looking around.

"No," Itachi answered.

That's weird. Itachi was better at this stuff than me but then why did I have a weird feeling like we were being watched? I felt a pull urging me in a direction. Whatever the presence was wanted me to find it.

I glared at the direction, "Fuck you. I am not moving from this spot."

"Who are you talking to?" Kisame asked as if I had gone insane.

"Don't know. I just feel like something wants me to go that way," I kept my eyes on the direction, like I expected something to happen. The pull became stronger. "Fucking coming out!" I knew my partners probably were thinking I had lost it.

No, I heard a voice say in my head. My eyes widened. It was like the robotic voice I always heard but it was clearer and I could finally tell that it belonged to a male.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Uh, kid? I think you lost it," Kisame said, "There is no one there." I shushed him.

I knew your father, he told me. I am the one that has brought you here.

I was shocked. No way. There was no way. Why? He knew my father? What? So many questions went through my head. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"What's going on?" Kisame asked me. I could hear the worry in his voice.

I looked at him then at Itachi then back at him, "Whoever it is, he is saying that he knew my father. My real father." I saw the confused look in Kisame's eyes and slight disbelief in Itachi's.

"Do you believe we can trust this person?" Itachi asked me.

I wasn't sure and I was hesitant. I looked back at the direction, "My father?"

"Indeed," the male voice said only this time out loud but the sound came from every direction. "He was an honorable man. Not many people knew of him but his life had purpose just as yours."

Kisame was looking everywhere, trying to pinpoint where the voice was coming from. Itachi stayed quiet and calm. I was just overall confused, "What was his name?"

"Akio."

"Is he-?"

Before I could ask my question the voice had cut me off, "No. He is no longer among the living." So, my father was dead. "You must let me in, Kai."

"Uh, what?" I blinked. The fuck?

"I have no physical form. You must let me in," he said.

"That still doesn't explain fuck all," I was getting irritated.

"Just as you released the essence that dwells within you blood you must accept me."

"Why would I do that?"

"My, you are much like your father," he paused. "Your blood is unique. It has a life of its own and thus it has the potential of turning on you if your heart is no longer pure. It is slowly becoming dark and will consume you. If you do not accept me you will cease to exist and you will become a monster. If you do I will grant you my power."

"Is that what happened to my father? He turned into a monster?" I asked.

"Yes. He became crazed. I had to send him away but it only grew worse until he met your mother. She was able to heal him but it did not last. He left to protect her. To protect you and soon met his end. That is the curse of your bloodline, Kai. You can be great healers and protectors but you can also cause death and destruction if your blood becomes tainted."

"And you're supposed to help with this?"

"Yes."

I narrowed my eyes, "Fuck that. I've been fine up 'til now."

"If you deny me all the people you love will die by your hands."

"Yeah well how do I know that you're not what killed my father or turned him into a monster? Plus, I don't need your power."

"You do not wish for power then?"

"No."

"You have faith in your own abilities?"

"Yes."

"Very well," he said. His voice was coming from behind us now. We turned around to see a white wolf in front of us.

"What's with the wolf?" Kisame asked.

I stared at it and somehow I knew what it was. I also knew the purpose behind this conversation. This wolf was my essence; the life that dwells in my blood. The life within my blood was testing me. It tempted me with power and fear but I had passed. It had accepted me and was officially going to be one with me. It was pledging it's loyalty to me. My family on my father's side had been gifted as well as cursed by a deity with this blood. If the heart of the person was true they would be gifted the ability to heal but if they were untrue they would lose themselves to the darkness and cause destruction and desire only death. Our blood was like a guardian, familiar or entity.

The wolf changed into light and came rushing at me. It went into my body and my body had tensed at the feeling of power that rushed through me.

"What the hell? I thought you didn't accept it?" Kisame questioned confused.

I looked at my hands as if I had been reborn. My blood had been what had brought me back here. The entity thought it was time for me to come back to my real home where my father had been from. This was really where I belonged. I felt wrapped in warmth and comfort. It was a rush.

"It was always in me, Kisame. It just tested me," I turned to him with a smile, "I passed." I turned around to move forward on our path. "It really accepted me as its master now."

"I am so confused."

I laughed as a heard them walking behind me, "Don't feel so bad. Up until now I didn't really know where my weird ability came from but now I do and it's still confusing to me. But at least I know a little bit more and I know who my father was or at least looked like." My entity had somehow showed me my father. I didn't know much about him but at least I knew what he had looked like.

Call me Ko, he said to me.

It felt weird to have a life inside of me but I'd get used to it right? I felt Ko's presence disappear and knew that he had gone to 'sleep' until I would 'release' him.

"Is it like a demon? You have a demon inside of you?" Kisame asked, obviously curious.

I looked over my shoulder at him, "Uh. I don't think so. It's really hard to explain. He is more like a guardian or weapon. If that makes sense."

"Weapon makes sense. I'll start thinking about it that way. I can't wrap my mind around it otherwise."

I looked forward, "Whatever." I felt like I could do anything now. "Can't wait to be in a nice comfy bed again. Sleeping in the forest isn't all that great."

Kisame snorted, "You just want to sleep in the same room with Itachi, alone."

Okay, it didn't shock me that he had said that. Somehow some of the members of the Akatsuki had figured out something was going on between Itachi and I. And for the past 6 months Kisame had been teasing me about whatever it was that Itachi and I had. It was getting old. Yeah, Itachi and I were close but it hadn't gone much further than it had been before. It didn't go much passed cuddling.

"I'm not listening to you," I said, trying to ignore him.

He laughed, "Just admit it already."

I looked over my shoulders, "Admit what?" Okay, stupid question.

He smirked, "You know what."

I blinked, "Nope." But then it clicked. "Ew! Kisame!" He burst out laughing. "Stop being a pervert!"

"You're the one thinking about it," he smirked at me again. He got me again!

I narrowed my eyes, "And you say I'm a kid?"

Itachi was just ignoring us like he always did.

"Fuck yes!" I said as I jumped on the bed after I had taken a shower and put on my sleeping clothes on. We were finally back at the hideout. Itachi had already taken his shower when I went to Pein to brief him on the missions. So technically when I jumped on the bed I had almost jumped on Itachi who had been leaning on the wall at the head of the bed with a pillow. I was dangerously close to have had jumped on him. "Home sweet home!"

"Kai," Itachi said my name. I looked up from laying my head on my arms.

"Yeah?" I asked. He was looking at me like he wanted to say something. And just like usual when we were alone, he had deactivated his sharingan. "What's on your mind?"

He looked away from me, "Nevermind."

I furrowed my brows. I sat up on my knees at poked his cheek, "Listen here, Uchiha. Tell me what's on your mind or I'll…" I trailed off.

"Or you'll what?" he was now looking at me again, only with a smirk on his face.

"Torture you," I deadpanned.

"How?"

Okay, he caught me. "Fuck," I pouted.

"I don't see how that would be a form of torture," he said, a smirk still plastered on his face.

Did he just…? I blinked, letting his words sink in. Then I felt heat on my cheeks, "Pervert!" God, never thought I would ever call him a pervert. I heard a small chuckle. Did he just chuckle? His eyes held a hint of amusement. I crossed my arms over my chest and closed my eyes as I held my head up high, "You wish."

I felt something soft on my cheek. I opened my eyes to see that he was touching my cheek with his fingertips. I felt a slight chill go down my spine. We hadn't been alone like this in months. I felt a little anxious at the thought of being alone with him. But I also felt excitement. He moved his hand to my chin as it moved my head in his direction. I could feel my heart pound against my chest as I looked into his eyes. I couldn't tell what he was thinking but I found myself leaning in. What the fuck was I doing?

I felt fear run through me. What if he rejected me? We had only kissed once and that was only so that I would stop crying. It was just a form of distraction. Nothing more, right? And anyways, it was a long time ago.

I saw him lean in towards me too. I felt his hot breath on my lips and I found my eyes closing as I got closer. I felt his lips touch my own so softly and then move away slightly. Then suddenly I felt his lips capture mine, this time no hesitation. His hand went from my chin to the base of my neck. I felt his other arm wrap around my waist and pull me forward. I didn't resist and moved until I was now straddling him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my chest on his bare one, deepening the kiss.

I felt his tongue lick my lips, asking for permission and I opened my mouth. His tongue explored my mouth as my body felt as though it was on fire. His slid his other arm around my waste and tightened his arms around me. I pushed his shoulders softly to pull away from the kiss slightly and took in a breath. I was breathless from this kiss. I tried to gather up my thoughts. Had that really happened? Did I really just make out with Itachi? I knew I was blushing as I looked up and saw him looking at me.

"Um," I said, lamely. I couldn't think straight.

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

I tilted my head in confusion, "What?"

"I should have resisted the temptation."

I was so confused. He was apologizing because he couldn't resist kissing me? I couldn't help but let a girlish giggle escape, "Idiot." He just stared at me with a hint of confusion. "It's okay. I, uh, I liked it." I was now blushing and looking away, embarrassed.

I felt his arms drop so that his hands were now resting on my hips. Oh yeah. I was still straddling him. And my hands were resting on his bare chest. Yeah, that didn't help my blush. I attempted to move myself off of him but his grip on my hips kept me in place.

"What?" I asked, still not looking at him. I felt one of his arms leave my waist and then a hand move my head to look at him. I bit my lip. Then I saw something in his eyes. It was as if he was speaking to me. What I saw was hope, affection, fear and want. I lifted my hand to caress his cheek and smiled. "You are important to me. I hope you know that, Itachi." I felt his thump make soft circles on my cheek. I moved myself so that my arms were wrapped around his neck in a hug. "It's okay." I knew he couldn't say anything to me out loud. But it was okay. I knew now that he cared about me greatly. I could feel him trying to tell me that I was just as important to him. It was okay that he didn't say it. I felt it. And then I felt him hug me back. Everything was alright.