Apprentice
..You perverts only reviewed because you wanted the sex...
I actually STUDIED for this chapter! Gasp! I asked my mom, the doctor, and looked through atatomy books, so I know my information is correct (you'll see why, soon)!! I'm so proud of myself!!
Lately, I've been getting alot of pictures of Itachi, for reference to outfits, hair, etc. I have a couple picture folders in my comp, and they're all Naruto. It's catergorized as follows:
Collage (I made a collage for Sasuke... he's a jerk)
Created Characters (consists of altered pictures of Rei, Shizuka, Kyu and Yoshi)
Itachi (Guess; 78 files, last time I checked)
Other (Consists of random Orochi pics, Kimimaro, and any other pics I happen to have come across)
Sakkon (Sakkon pics; 15 files)
Innocent Woodland Creature Illustration
No prizes for guessing where my priorites lie.
(smile) People liked my choice of flashbacks! I so glad! It took me a while to find them, though... I wanted to get some of each of the Four (or Five) doing something with Shizuka, but I snuck in one of Kabuto just because he and Orochimaru were also really close to her (despite it all) and... yeah. But I wanted to pick ones that would matter to her; like I said, she's a lot like me, attitude/personality-wise, so I picked ones that would matter to me if I were in her shoes. I'm glad you guys liked them!
BTW... People who are commenting on Itachi's OOCness... please read the last chapter's note.
Lately, people have been leaving nice, long, PARAGRAPH (o.O) reviews. WHEEEE! ME SO HAPPY! You guys go into, like, exquisite detail about what you do and don't like, or what you think would happen, or what you thought was funny.
The reason I'm updating so fast is because I'm home sick with a cough that would wake the dead. I've been home from school for the past three days with nothing to do but do my laundry, take my medicine (which I only just got today) and write ficcies. (hack, cough, hack) Ow. I also read manga while sick in bed. I have a whole bunch of Shaman King, Naruto, Ceres, Fushushi Yugi and Ranma ½ all around my bed... it's a disaster! I get a lot of my love-scene-material-inpsiration from Ceres, though. It's a good manga. Nice little love-scenes.
I'm so glad people like this ficcie!! I didn't think it'd be that popular, since my summaries suck, but... well, dang, dudes. I got almost 150 reviews! O.o I am not worthy...
P.S.: To those who had asked me to check out their stories... I did look at a lot of them, and I read a few here and there, but, lately, I've been trying to "shed my influences," so to speak. I don't want to copy other author(ess)s jokes and punch lines and stuff. So please, unless you want me to sort of paraphrase your jokes... don't ask me to read them. (But I probably will read them, without knowing it, if I go on searches...)
Chapter Twenty: Koi O Shiteiru
Shizuka's P.O.V.
It's dark... I can't see very well...
But I can feel. I can feel him. I can feel his hand in mine, holding it tight. I can feel our robes beneath me, soaked in sweat.
He whispers something in my ear... I can't really hear it, but it sounds like an apology... Apology for what?
Slowly, I understand, as a stabbing pain I hadn't noticed before increases. I gasp quietly, and feel small tears leak out of the corners of my eyes. It hurts so bad...
He kisses my eyes, cheeks, lips and forehead, apologizing and promising... promising what, I'm not sure.
Arms lay on either side of my head, supporting him, so as not to crush me. Pain slowly ebbed away, leaving exquisite pleasure in its wash. Rhythmic movement. I can feel myself rise to meet him in tandem.
Delicate tension rose. It threatened to take over. I can feel him smiling at me, even through the darkness. He whispers in my ear...
"Soon... So close..."
He moves harder. Hastier. I can't help but revel in the sensation. My mind is swirling. Only the sensation exists. Only the man above me matters.
Harsh breathing echoed around my ears. I can feel it; we're balanced on a fine line. I clutch his shoulders. He only sped up his movements. My eyes widen. He kisses me, quickly and firmly, drowning out my silent scream.
Euphoria.
End Shizuka's P.O.V.
Itachi's P.O.V.
I had collapsed on top of her, totally spent, drawing shaky breaths as I feel my heartbeat calm. She kisses my neck softly, her lashes caressing my skin.
I smile slightly and gather her in my arms again, rolling over so she was laying on top of me. The need to protect returns.
She squirms a little, pulling on my chin until I look down at her. Amusement and satisfaction swirled in me. I found happiness and completion in her.
Her lips form a word: Wow.
To tired to even focus chakra in order to speak?
"Mm…" I agree. Suddenly, I let out a jaw-cracking yawn, letting my tiredness catch up to me. She yawns, as well. "Aw...tired already?"
She stuck her tongue out at me, then rested her head on my shoulder, closing her eyes.
"Mm." I gather her closer to me and bury my nose in her hair; she smells like... well... me.
Interesting...
End Itachi's P.O.V.
Shizuka could feel the tendrils of sleep caressing her mind. Itachi...? she whispered, finally rested enough to gather chakra.
"Mm...?"
Is that all you can say?
"Mm-hmm..."
You know what?
"Rwha...?" His speech was beginning to slur.
...I love you, too.
His eyes flew open. She pulled away from him slightly to await his response in amusement. Slowly, he smiled. A gentle, satisfied smile. He pulled her to him again and held her tight.
"Mrwah..." he muffled against her hair.
(Meanwhile...)
Kisame and Gaara looked at each other over the campfire. They, of course, knew what was going on. They weren't stupid. They'd known what was going to happen as soon as Shizuka left the campfire half an hour ago by herself, with Itachi following her a few minutes later.
"Well, isn't this interesting," Kisame said finally, grinning. "Your partner likes my partner and my partner won't have anything to do with me anymore and both our partners think no one notices."
"That is interesting," Gaara agreed, crossing his arms.
Kisame rolled his eyes. He'd gotten Gaara to talk a few days ago, and, since then, had gotten two- to three-word responses every once and a while. It wasn't much, but it was a start. To his knowledge, Kisame was the only one Gaara would willingly (he thought) talk to, besides Shizuka. Gaara and the rest of the Atatsuki ignored each other. Gaara and Itachi dealt with each other. Kisame had thought Gaara was jealous of Itachi's relationship with Shizuka, but when he boldly voiced this (praying for his life), Gaara had actually laughed. Laughed till he was blue in the face.
That answered that.
"How long do you think they'll be out there?" Kisame asked, stoking the fire around the rabbits they were cooking for dinner.
"'Till they wake up."
Wow, four word-response. Must be a record.
Hey, guys. Sorry we're late. Is the food ready?
Kisame and Gaara turned. Shizuka and Itachi stepped into the firelight, looking distinctly tired and mussed-up, but otherwise, they looked the same as they had when they left.
"No, it's fine." Kisame smirked as they sat down on the fallen logs they were using as seats. He leaned over and nudged Itachi a little. "You dog!" he whispered, so only he could hear.
Itachi looked at him oddly. "I beg your pardon?"
Kisame rolled his eyes. "Forget it." He glanced over at where Shizuka and Gaara were arguing. Over food, of all things. Well... it seemed like they were arguing; Shizuka glared at Gaara, and Gaara spoke randomly in response to unheard questions. Then, she tackled him and they rolled out of sight, biting and kicking, sand flying.
Yes. Definitely arguing.
But the kind of arguing Kisame would expect from children, not Atatsuki members, and certainly not from fourteen/fifteen-year-olds.
...They were fourteen/fifteen-year-olds, right? I mean, if height told truth, they were about ten years old. Kisame glanced at Gaara's height of a mere five feet, three inches, and Shizuka's height of just over five feet.
"Stop it," Itachi ordered, taking out a scroll. "We have to write our letter to the Hokage."
What letter? Shizuka asked, her head popping up from behind the log.
"The letter that will let us have unquestioned access to Konoha without starting a riot," Itachi answered, taking out a pen, as well.
"I thought Kosuhdai-san sent it," Kisame said, frowning.
"He sent the initial warning," Itachi answered, writing something in the scroll. "It's our job to send the conditions."
"...Oh..." The three looked at each other, still confused. Itachi didn't see it, however, as he scribbled away in the scroll.
After a few minutes, he held out the finished work to them. "Here, read it and see if you agree. Not that it makes a difference."
Kisame took it, and Gaara and Shizuka crowded over his shoulder.
"Ah. Doodling." Gaara smirked.
Itachi glared. "Just read it."
To the current Hokage of Konohagakure
Here are the conditions the Atatsuki presents to you upon our arrival
1. There will be no attacks, from either side. Our members will not attack your villagers, and vise verse.
2. ANBU guards of your choice, for our security as much as yours
3. No questions beyond what is necessary
4. Cooperation from all concerned
This visit is not an attack, and will hopefully be a peaceful one. Below are lists of the Atatsuki members who will be arriving.
Hoshigaki Kisame
Uchiha Itachi
Sabuku No Gaara
Hakai-teki no Shizuka
We will be arriving on the 5th of this month to discuss the purpose of this mission. Please be prepared however you please.
Kisame, Gaara and Shizuka glanced up at Itachi. "This is the cheesiest thing I've ever read," Kisame stated.
Twitch. "Shut up."
Are you sure they'll be able to read your handwriting? I mean... Shizuka looked optimistic.
Twitch-twitch. "Shut up."
"We should charge him for every time he says 'shut up,'" Kisame contemplated. "He's been saying it at an alarming frequency."
Yeah. 500 yen, please. Shizuka held out her hand expectantly.
Itachi glared. "Sh--Cease to speak," he caught himself.
(On the 5th of the Month)
Tsunade starred at the scroll before her, reading it over again, then looked back up at the cloaked Atatsuki members. She sighed; life was just getting more and more complicated since she'd become Hokage. She had a distinct feeling that all the Konoha residents had just been waiting for their problems to build up over the years, and were just now bringing them forward. She rubbed her temples as if they pained her. And now she had to deal with the Atatsuki, too...
"Ok, fine," she said after a few moments of thought. "What do you want?"
"Tsunade-sama," Itachi began, "we understand you have some knowledge of healing."
Some?! "That's correct."
Itachi stepped back so she could see the girl standing behind him. "Then we'd like you to examine this one, please." (Kenshin!)
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. The girl looked healthy enough, why would they need her to examine her? She voiced this.
"She's been mute since birth, and has been speaking with voice jutsus for the past year," Itachi answered. "And, according to her file," he held up a folder, "it's fixable, with the right knowledge and equipment." He handed the file to her.
Tsunade took it and examined it with a frown.
Name: Shizuka
Age: 14
D.O.B.: Jan. 24, 1989
Height: 5'
Weight: None of your business
Blood-type: O
Parents: Mother: N/A, Father: Orochimaru
"...Whoa!" Tsunade did a double-take, rereading the stats. "Orochimaru is your father?!"
Shizuka glared. Yes.
"...!" I'm gonna have to get used to that voice... Tsunade sighed, rubbing her temples again. "So, let me get this straight. You're mute."
Yes.
"Why?"
Kabuto said my vocal chords hadn't developed completely.
"Did he ever examine you himself?"
Yes.
"How many times?"
Once a month, and once before we created a new voice jutsu.
It's like talking to a business partner... "What kind of voice jutsus did he use?"
Kangae Gimu-teki No Jutsu and this one.
"Obake Koe No Jutsu," Itachi supplied. (A/N: This Jutsu translates to Ghost-Voice)
Tsunade frowned. "Come here, Shizuka, was it?" She beckoned the girl closer.
Shizuka moved to stand next to the Hokage at her desk; Tsunade reached out and touched Shizuka in various places along her neck. Tsunade raised an eyebrow when she came to several small marks along the flesh. Bite marks...? Huh. She frowned. "What's this?" She touched a small, thin scar on Shizuka's neck, barely noticeable.
I don't know. I've had it for forever, Shizuka answered, shrugging.
"Hmm..." Tsunade sighed, dropping her hands. "I have something to tell you, Shizuka," she said quietly. "Your vocal cords aren't only under-developed. They've been severed."
Shizuka's eyes widened. What the hell are you talking about?
"These voice jutsus you've been using were obviously designed especially for you, and your needs," Tsunade explained. "However, every time you got a new design, your chances of your vocal chords ever developing on their own decreased."
So... you're saying that if I'd just left them alone, they would work? Shizuka starred, wide-eyed.
"Maybe not. It's an interesting case. There's a high chance they might have, a little." Tsunade sighed. "The problem with your chords, in particular, is that the membrane around your cricoid is too thick. Normally, this membrane is thinner, allowing vibration. Yours doesn't allow this. So, to be honest, I'd say your vocal cords were over-developed. Eventually, if they had been left alone and you continually tried to use them, this moving your cricoid, the membrane would have thinned out, thus allowing voice. However, your vocal cords have been cut completely, and there's nothing I can do about that."
"What?!" Kisame shouted, slamming his samahada down on the floor. "We came to you because you're supposed to be the best!"
"I am the best," Tsunade said coldly. "You interrupted me. There's nothing about the sever that I can do, but I can replace them."
"Replace? How?" Kisame frowned.
"Through surgery. It's a matter of removing her vocal cords entirely and replacing them with properly-functioning ones." Tsunade entwined her fingers and rested her chin on them.
"Then do the surgery!" Kisame ordered.
"I could," she said with a shrug. "But I should warn you. This surgery is very complicated. It involves, first, making very careful and large incisions along the side of her throat, here." She gestures in long lines down Shizuka's throat. "Then removing the vocal cords, which are, by the way, her only source of breathing, and replacing them. The surgery itself, for me, is nothing. But if Shizuka's body rejects the new, foreign organs, it would unconsciously destroy them, and kill her."
(Five Minutes Later)
"Come again?" Kisame said, finally breaking the silence.
"There's a 10-percent chance she could die after the surgery was completed, regardless of how well it was done," Tsunade answered. "However..." She smiled. "Since the percentage is that low, I'm willing to do it, if you are."
...Have you ever done this before? Shizuka asked suspiciously.
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Yes. Several times. I haven't had a failed surgery once, and no one has ever died."
"..." The four Atatsuki members looked at each other.
"I'll give you some time to think it over." Tsunade begrudgingly went back to her paperwork. "Some ANBU guards will show you to your living quarters. Oh, and, Gaara?"
Gaara turned as he was walking out.
"Be sure and find Naruto before you leave. He's been wondering if you'd come back." Tsunade smiled.
Gaara smirked.
(Later, in Itachi's room)
"I think we should risk it."
"What about the other 10 percent, though?"
"She said she's never messed up before."
"So? That doesn't mean anything."
"Even so, I still think we should risk it. She seems confident."
Who is going under the knife, here?! Shizuka snapped, shutting Gaara and Kisame up. I'll decide if I want to die, or not, thanks!
Gaara and Kisame looked at each other. Shizuka had been rather testy since their arrival in Konoha. 'On edge' was a better term, but they didn't feel it suited her.
Gaara shrugged, standing up. "I have to go find Uzumaki. I'll be back tonight. Maybe. Don't go into surgery without me."
"Huh?" Kisame looked up at him.
Kick. Gaara nodded discreetly in Itachi and Shizuka's direction.
"Oh--oh, yeah, I've got this thing and it needs to be done cuz it's a thing." Kisame stood up, following Gaara out the door.
Itachi and Shizuka looked at each other.
They know.
"Hm."
Wonder how they found out. (How, indeed? -rolls eyes-)
"Hm."
Have you gone back to one-word/no-word responses again? she snapped, tugging gently on his hair.
"Mm-hmm."
She rolled her eyes, pulling on the neck of his cloak slightly. Com'ere...
"Mm." He moved so his head was in her lap, closing his eyes tiredly, folding his hands on his stomach, looking ready to go to sleep.
She smiled slightly, unbuttoning his Atatsuki cloak and pulling him out of it, replacing his head on her lap. She ran her hands under his shirt, feeling over his chest and stomach; his build was changing, ever-so-slightly; he was still made like a boy, but was starting to become a man. Shizuka smiled. It was so cute!
"You only want me for my body," he mumbled tiredly.
Shizuka paused, then smiled. Maybe.
"Bitch."
Slut.
"Whore."
Man-whore.
"Why, thank you."
So long as you're my man-whore.
"I knew you only wanted my body."
Yeah, that's right. She leaned down and kissed him gently.
"Meh." He pulled her head down, deepening the kiss while he snuck his hand in her robe and up her shirt.
You do love me, don't you, Itachi? she asked optimistically.
"I'm sleeping with you, aren't I?"
Well, that doesn't mean anything! she retorted, pulling his hand out of her shirt.
He opened his eyes, starring up at her. "Are you saying this doesn't mean anything to me?" he asked, almost angrily.
Well--
"It does," he retorted, sitting up. "If it didn't, I wouldn't do it."
Do what?
"Us. You. This." He gestured to the room, and the village, in general. "Look." He turned back to her. "Bottom line is, I can't help myself. I know that sounds perverted, but you--I--we--Gah." He rubbed his forehead. "See what I mean?"
She shook her head.
"..." He sighed. "I don't... like discussing my emotions," he said finally.
How come I have to discuss mine, then? she asked angrily.
"Because yours are more important," he answered. "But I do love you," he reassured her. "And I always will." He leaned over to kiss her forehead
Really? she asked stubbornly.
"Really, really." He pulled her to sit on his lap, his arms around her waist, kissing her. He kissed her lips, cheeks, and eyes, pulling off her Atatsuki cloak and tossing it aside. He felt her arms go around his neck, her fingers entwining with his hair. He kissed her again where her shoulder met with her neck, then slowly kissed his way down her collarbone to press his lips in the hollow of her throat. He felt her hands work their way between them to work his shirt up his chest. He broke away from her quickly and raised his arms, allowed her to pull his shirt up over his head before he kissed her again, this time more passionately, his hands trailing down her back, pressing her against him. All he wanted right now was to be close to her, to feel her skin against his, to be one with her in this one thing, and he knew she was willing to grant that wish.
(Meanwhile)
Tsunade smiled, watching the two lovers in her crystal ball. Now that is cuter then a shaved monkey with no tail, she thought, passing her hand over the glass again as the image disappeared. Even she wasn't that perverted.
(The Next Morning)
Itachi suppressed a yawn; he wondered again what he was doing here. Tsunade had sent a messenger saying that the Hokage wished to 'speak to him.' Whatever that meant. Personally, he would much rather be back in his room, in his bed, under the covers with a particular Ex-Oto-Nin next to him. But it wasn't to be, for the Godaime obviously hated him. Oh, yes, and there was always the two ANBU who followed him everywhere.
"Hello, Itachi," Tsunade said pleasantly. "Coffee?" She gestured to the tray on her desk next to her, on which were two mugs and a pot of coffee.
He stared at her.
"Alright, then." She poured herself a cup and sipped it carefully. "I understand you have some sort of relationship with Shizuka?"
"Ye--No. Ahem. No."
She gave him a look.
"..." He shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe a bit."
Yeah, right. She rolled her eyes. "That's why I figured this would concern you."
"What would?" He woke up a little.
"Well, I think it's pretty obvious that someone doesn't want Shizuka to be able to speak."
"What makes you say that?"
"You remember when I said Shizuka's vocal cords had been severed?"
He nodded.
"And how the voice jutsus that were created for her were semi-self-destructive?"
He shook his head.
"Well, they are."
"That's not possible. I helped create those jutsus, and they were fool-proof," he retorted.
"Obviously not. Did you test them?"
"No."
"Well, there you go."
"Are you saying this is my fault?!"
"No. I'm saying it's either Orochimaru's fault, or Kabuto's fault. Can you explain how the voice jutsus were created?"
Itachi shook his head. "It was all written down on a scroll for her to study. I don't have a record of it. But I do know that it had to do with gathering chakra to the part of the brain that produces thoughts and channeling the thoughts to another person."
"It sounds complicated. And she's only been using this jutsu for a year or so?"
"She's used the current one for about four months. I'm not sure about the last one."
"My god..." Tsunade rubbed her temples again; it was becoming a habit. "She's skilled... to have mastered such a complicated jutsu in such a short amount of time."
"I've never seen the extent of her technique, but she told me she could use the summoning technique when she was ten. Apparently, she used the snakes for communication. Something about body-language. It's all in the file."
"Yes, but she's not perfect." Tsunade opened the file again. "She probably has massive amounts of chakra stored up somewhere, but she's never been trained to use it to it's full extent. I blame Orochimaru, for being too tender with her. She could be strong, but he won't let her."
Itachi nodded slightly. Tender, my foot! he thought angrily.
"It's best you didn't tell her about all of this, though," Tsunade added, closing the file. "I don't want her to be upset going into surgery. This whole thing is troubling enough for her, for now."
He nodded. "Can I go back to bed now?"
Tsunade smiled slightly. "Yes, you can go back to bed now."
Itachi stalked out of the room, followed by his ANBU. Orochimaru, you asshole, he thought angrily. You just can't wait to ruin peoples' lives, can you?
He left the ANBU at the door to his room (they weren't completely invading his privacy) and went over to his bed.
Shizuka stared up at him. Where did you go?
"Tired much?" He rolled his eyes, taking off his cloak and crawling under the covers again. She immediately curled up against him. "Tsunade just wanted to ask about the operation."
You're not very good at lying, Itachi-kun.
"Yes, I am."
No, you're not.
"But I was telling the truth!"
No, you weren't.
"Yes, I was."
Nuh-uh.
He rolled his eyes; if Counter-Attack, by four y/o's was correct, he knew what he had to say. No way in hell was he going to, though. "Yes, I was."
Nuh-uh!
"Yes, I was."
Nuh-uh!
"Yes, I was."
Nuh-uh!
"Yes, I was."
Nuh-uh!
"Yes, I was."
Nuh-uh!
"Yuh-huh!"
Shizuka grinned.
Itachi: o.o "Damn!"