A few months later, Itachi and I were en-route to another assignment and stopped for lunch at a little outdoor café just outside of Kumogakure. There are times when we need to be more in the open and are allowed to not wear the black and red robes. I love those times, it's easier to pretend I'm not in Akatsuki then. I reclined in my seat, resting my feet on the nearby empty seat. Itachi had gone to get the food.
"See that girl over there? The one with the big sword?" Someone whispered to their friend. My ears perked up, they had to be talking about me. I pretended that I was far more interested in the view than in what they were saying.
"Not many shinobi carry such cumbersome weapons these days, perhaps she's one of those Seven Swordsmen of the Mist."
"That can't be, they have their newest member picked. To replace that Zabuza guy remember?"
"I'm not talking about his replacement. I'm talking about the one who replaced that walking blowfish. Killed by one of his subordinates, I understand. Oh what was his name again?"
Blowfish? They must mean Suikazan-sensei. He was dead now too? That was more than a little surprising. He was tougher than nails.
"Chisame something or other I think."
The blood drained from my face. Kisame. Kisame? He killed his own sensei?
"You mean Kisame Hoshigaki," his friend corrected. "I remember him. He used to be such a great guy. Married one of his younger students, what a pervert huh? I heard she was a pretty little thing. Such a waste, she left him without a word."
His companion gasped. "No! Just like that? How ungrateful! What happened?"
"No one knows for sure, but everyone assumes she ran off with another man. You know how fickle little girls are. Serves him right. It is a shame though, he never recovered from that. First he killed everyone in the Cypher Division when they nearly got captured by Konoha and then kills that other guy and claims Samehada all to himself."
"Though he isn't much a teammate anymore," the other replied. "I hear he works directly for the Mizukage now."
I kicked the chair over and stormed off. I was probably drawing all kind of attention to myself with that childish stunt. But I had heard enough. I brushed past Itachi and took off running. I wasn't sure where I was going. I wasn't too familiar with the streets here. But anywhere was better than here, and preferably away from people. I just had to be alone. Tears burned in my eyes and my chest ached from holding back sobs.
Once I found a private little spot, I fell down on my knees and let it out. I cried, screamed, and punched everything in sight. How could he do this? What had happened to him? Killing the entire Cypher Division? He was supposed to protect them! And now he was under Madara's thumb! I couldn't tell what I was angrier about: his stupid behavior or the fact that it was my entire fault.
My rage lasted well into the afternoon. The sun was just going down when Itachi's shadow fell over me. That was another thing I appreciated about him. He always gave me time and space to vent. He hung back and watched on. "It isn't your fault."
"Oh yes it is, are you kidding? If he had tried to pull any of those stunts when I was there, I would have killed him! He's snapped Itachi," my voice broke, but I could no longer cry. "I did that. I did that when I left." I pulled myself up to feet, weaving a little unsteadily, and rested my hand on the rock wall. "And what makes it worse, is that I can't do a thing to stop it. And I'm afraid…that I may have lost him for good."
"You should be careful of gossip," Itachi cautioned. "It was often exaggeration with little real fact."
"You might be right," I agreed. "And if you are, then I've just made a complete fool out of myself."
"You're not a fool. A little stubborn perhaps, but not a fool."
"Kisame had said the same thing once," I whispered.
"Then trust in him," Itachi encouraged. "Don't give up yet."
In the weeks that followed, we were back at the base and were called in for de-briefing on another assignment. Pein handed Itachi the usual folder of paperwork, since he was the senior partner. Itachi leafed through it with the usual casual flippancy. Suddenly he stopped and stared down, then slowly looked up as if he had seen a ghost.
Pein-sama narrowed his eyes. "And I trust you will keep this confidential, especially from Ritsuko."
I frowned. Why is he treating me like a kid now? Just last week he was telling me how valuable my tracking jutsus were. And Itachi's reaction unnerved me as well. I've never known him to be afraid of anything. Speechless, he nodded.
"Excellent," Pein-sama continued on as if he hadn't noticed. "Just remember that the timing is crucial."
Once we were dismissed, Itachi took off to be alone. It seemed a little weird, particularly because I couldn't ask him what was going on anyway. Pein's orders were not to be taken lightly. I would find out soon enough, so I figured I would get started on packing. Once that was done, I tried to find him again. It was a fruitless effort. I should have known better, he could never be found when he didn't want to be. I just couldn't understand why he would hide from me. Maybe it's a mission concerning his little brother, I thought to myself. That would definitely tear him up. But that doesn't explain why I wouldn't be allowed to know.
The next morning, he knocked on my door. "I hope you're ready, we have to leave in an hour."
"I'm ready to leave right now." I said as I opened the door. He looked back to his normal self for the most part. His eyes still looked a little sad.
"We're not in that much of a hurry," he assured me. "Let's get something to eat first."
Once we set off, Itachi silently led the way. He would usually give me the background information of the mission and suggestions for what I should do along the way. He wasn't able to do that this time. The silence wouldn't have normally bothered me, he wasn't that talkative anyway. But it still bothered me that I couldn't be included and I suspected that he was still upset. A few days into our travels, I realized that we were in the Land of Water. It had been nearly two years since I had been back and while I was excited I was also a little apprehensive. What if we ran into Kisame? What if the rumors were true after all? And above all, what would he do when he sees me in Akatsuki robes? Last time he believed me to be innocent; he certainly wouldn't think so anymore.
"Ritsuko," Itachi slowed to a stop and turned to face me. "I am unable to tell you anything about this mission. But I can say this one thing."
"Yes?" I asked hesitantly.
He narrowed his eyes. "Remember that despite orders, you have a choice."
"But you always say that," I protested. "That is hardly a hint."
"It's the best I can give to prepare you." He turned on his heel and kept racing through the trees. I hurried up to follow him. We didn't stop again until the evening. Itachi pointed out a small little hotel with eating accommodations.
"Order something for us and I'll get us checked in." Itachi instructed.
"Sure thing," I said as I sat down at the bar and grabbed a nearby menu. "Any special requests?"
He had already left so I read through it. I was very hungry after a hard day of travel. I heard footsteps approaching behind me. I didn't bother turning around, figuring it was just another customer.
"Ritsuko? Is that you?"
I dropped the menu and whirled around. It was Kisame. Standing right here in front of me…and with Samehada strapped to his back.