Author's note: Only ten more chapters until the end of book one. It's all so wicked, it's just been my thirteenth week since I started… WOW? And as for the readers that have stuck with me… thank u! ^_^ You make me a happy author and for that, hope ya enjoy the next few chapters especially. $_$

Chapter's song: "Only exception" by Paramore (Lotta Paramore these last few chapters? Because they're awesome.)

Chapter 25
I wouldn't say no

3 days later (Leaf gate)
Shisui took in a deep breath, taking in his village's air, taking big steps through the gate. "Home again… nothing like the feeling of a successful mission." Akina and Itachi stood outside the gate, watching their steadfast comrade, not knowing to look upon him with annoyance or respect.

Itachi then stated, looking away from Akina, but his eyes shifting towards her. "It's weird?"

Akina tilted her head slightly to the boy beside her. "Huh?"

"I'd usually be listening to a witty remark on how big Shisui's head is... you lose your voice again or just day dreaming?"

Shisui frowned and cut in, smirking away his pout. "Be nice my brother… you should be showing off your good side."

"Huh?" Itachi stepped beyond the gate, beside Shisui to see what he was looking at. It being the beautiful miss Keiko to come running— "Hey… welcome home!" She'd jump into his arms as Itachi chided in surprise, swinging her around in his arms to support her without falling over. "Keiko?"

Akina smiled at the couple and lowered her eyes until her eyelashes closed over her green stare. She then also entered the village, walking past Shisui, passing his back as he turned his head. "Huh," Akina was walking away deep into the alleys of the Leaf, alone. Shisui smiled sadly, before he looked back to Keiko and Itachi in question.

The green-eyed girl headed home to see— Shisui leaning on her clan's gate. Akina stopped with question, but without saying a word. Shisui pushed off the wall then repeatedly pulled his index finger into his palm, gesturing Akina to follow. "Come on… I want an X-ray of that ankle." Akina didn't argue; she hated hospitals, but not as much as arguing with Shisui. So she followed. "You're a good friend, Akina." Shisui stated as he took the lead.

"Thanks," Akina stated dully, wondering what he really wanted? She'd pull out her watch. No chain to place around her neck to have the watch hang close to her heart, but at least she had it. …Itachi?

"Are you getting green eyed at all?"

"I'm already green eyed." Akina seriously stated.

Just to make Shisui chuckle, her always having a witty reply. "You know what I mean… jealous?"

Akina stopped dead in her tracks. "Why would I be jealous of them?"

"Them?" Shisui cockily asked, tricking her to open her mouth. "That could be you ya know." He'd apprise, turning to see Akina's careless expression.

"…I have no interest in Itachi. Besides, he seems content with her. And there's more important things to deal with."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No… it's complicated."

"Still being… all you have to do is tell him. Neither Keiko or Itachi care for each other."

Akina stood listening to Shisui in the sun setting breeze, still wondering what he was going on about, what he knew? "Their parents are the ones making do this 'dating' crap." Shisui putting dating in air quotes. "You tell him and he'd be with you in a heartbeat. You'd be the one… his excuse to be with someone he really does love."

"What, love? There's nothing to tell."

"You can talk… tell me the truth."

"Truth? I don't need to talk, Shisui."

"Itachi's not your only comrade."

"What are you getting at?"

"Something happened… Itachi has always been slightly warmer to me. No one else, only because I wouldn't leave the damn loner alone."

Just like Benjiro was to me.

"But then you… a loner for a loner. An understanding between each other— no one but you and Itachi have such personalities."

"So what?"

"You make a good pair."

"I thought it was opposites attract?"

"Heh-heh? Akina, just keep what I've said in mind." And nothing else was said, all the way to the hospital.

Hospital
Akina lied in the hospital bed, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her head placed atop them. Shisui said Itachi loved me… did Itachi share that with him? No— even if he did— he doesn't love Keiko and he would be with me? Me…?

She'd then lean up when Shisui and Yutaka entered her room. "You're a lucky one… not totally broken, but I'd stay off it for as much as possible." Yutaka ordered.

"Yes, sir…"

"Hahaha… haven't changed. How did this happen again?"

"I was reckless." Was Akina's simple answer.

Shisui tightened his fist, coming irritated with her lack of emotion. Reckless? It wasn't such a thing; she saved Itachi's life. How could she deny what she felt for him? Yutaka noticed Shisui's fist, and then Akina as she stood, ready to leave— when Shisui would make his voice be heard. "How can you be so—"

"Cold?" Akina snapped, Shisui lowering his pointing finger that she growled at. "You said it yourself… only Itachi could understand."

"Then why don't you—"

Yutaka had to step in, his students being at each other's throats. "Why don't squad five gather for dinner… on me, for becoming chunin and all."

Akina shook her head, passing by Shisui's side. "I'll pass… have a boys night out. I'm sorry, Shisui, you're a good friend too. You can tell Itachi about our conversation."

"You haven't told me anything?"

She proceeded to the door, slightly limping on her foot. "Don't need to… truth will reveal itself in time if need be. Thanks guys, goodnight." With that, she was gone, away from the dreadful hospital she would refuse to stay. Not that home was much better.

Mochizuki Manor
Akina unlocked her front door, proceeding into a dark house. Good… the girls must still be on their missions. Akina then dropped her backpack in the kitchen; she was going straight to bed as she achingly climbed the stairs. But as she got to the top— there was Iva— lying on the floor?

The Mochizuki princess stood staring until— SHATTER! Akina dodged Iva throwing a family picture frame at her. "I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY! Because of you… I have no decedents!" Shock came to green eyes, but then— SWAP! Went Iva's hand through the air, Akina ducking in time, Iva then going to kick, trying to swipe Akina off her feet— but black roses threw her to the wall. Iva hit, her back cracking the drywall, as she slid down it. "You're a monster… get out of my face!" Akina coldly then left, leaving Iva to break down in tears afterwards. "A-Akanah… Benjiro… Botan, my—"

The young girl left to her room, climbing out her window, scaling the drainpipe and lattice twined with closed morning glories. She sat on the edge of the rooftop. Another life gone… and I was just starting to care about her. I-I I'm so sorry Akanah, it's all my fault. This stupid clan… Akina then brought her dangling feet up to the roof's edge, tucking her chin into her kneecaps. She glanced her eyes around, then finally deciding to look to the sky, the full moon. Well… tonight's the night. He's gonna move all my stuff to that outpost town. Akina hop to the ground, with slight fatigue as she landed on her bad foot hard and then looked back up to the moon. "Better if I wasn't here."

Once Akina walked away out of the clan. The onyx-eyed man opened her window and snuck in, to go over and pick up a picture of Squad five. And as Akina left the clan's black barb gates— she'd think about what Iva could do to him. You'll be all right, my brother… Iva will be getting drunk, crying in her sake. I don't want to be like her.

Dumpling shop
Yutaka was laughing hysterical, as did Shisui, sitting at a table enjoying themselves, with Itachi as well, who just watched his corky squad members. But then— the other serious member graced them with her presents, pushing back the curtain and standing still in the entranceway. Itachi lifted his head to the girl, acting distant again. Akina sheepishly smiled, when Yutaka and Shisui turned around to see what Itachi was looking at. "Akina?" Shisui questioned as said girl closed her eyes.

"I hope the invitation still stands?"

"Your still a member of squad five, right?" Shisui smile, being still very warm to her. Akina proceeding in with a soft smile, to then go sit by Itachi. Yutaka raised his glass, Shisui following his Master's action.

"Congratulation, and to the future." Yutaka would toast.

Itachi and Akina meeting their glasses to have them clank in the cheers. Akina then took a sip of her tea, setting her glass to the table, running her index finger around the inner opening of the cup, Itachi noticing this. Tonight's when her clan member goes in after her parent's belongings.

The night went by relatively fast, dinner being long eaten when they'd all just start vegging and reminiscing. Akina's squad always made her feel better. "Well, we gotta get back to the hospital." Yutaka addressed, rolling up to stand and then have Shisui follow, the other two also following the medics out into the street. "You heading home, my brother?" The other Uchiha ask.

"No… I've got something else to do."

Akina had turned her head back, only to feel Itachi's eyes land on her crest. Wondering if he was implying for her to stop, him wishing to follow?

"You two in love?" Shisui scoffed, getting Itachi to send a disapproval glower to his friend. Akina got slightly flustered when she tried to keep the blood from flowing around in her hot cheeks. Itachi then pulled Akina's arm softly, guiding her to turn away.

Once they were far enough away, Itachi take his arm back, placing his hand in his pocket. "How's your ankle?"

"It's not broken… Shisui took an X-ray."

"That's good… do you need a place to stay?"

"Huh? Oh no, no," Akina shook her head multiple times, Itachi studying her reply, her emotion. "I-I…" Akina then just kept walking. Wondering what was wrong with her?

"What happened?" Itachi's husky voice demanded firmly to know.

Akina turned back, standing straight like a solider, daring to glance at onyx that somehow showed through in the night's own darkness. Itachi approach slowly, coming close to the silent girl, glancing gently down into Akina's green glow. "How do you know when something's wrong… you're destroying me, you know that."

"Destroying?"

"Akanah's dead."

"Akina, oh Akina, I—" said girl shake her head, backing away, to Itachi's wonder.

"I'm all right."

Itachi sighed, setting his eyes softly on her. "Okay… so where are you staying tonight?"

"I might grab a hotel… don't know why, I'm not gonna sleep." Akina kept walking, Itachi staying right with her. "So you're not walking me home." She confronted.

"I figured…" and yet he didn't leave.

Park
Akina sat down on the bench, Itachi remaining over at the top of the stairs. "You better get home… your parents will be worried sick."

"And who will worry about you?"

The stoic girl would shake her head. "You're so lucky."

Itachi now shook his head, and sat down beside her, how they watched the stars shoot by. "My father wants me to head into ANBU." Akina turned her head to Itachi immediately. "Just to give you the heads up… six months of training and then I'll be fighting in the dark."

Akina swallow, looking back to the stars, forcing all her bravery from her shadowed lips. "Fighting behind a mask… count me in." Itachi looked over to her, those glowing green eyes. "So we probably won't be seeing each other?"

"Huh?" Itachi questioned when Akina stood.

She turned back though, his orbs of gems meeting hers. "What I say is true. To the future… night, Uchiha."

And she left, walking down the stairs, Itachi going to the rail to watch her leave. True? Truth means nothing, if you won't admit to it.

Next Morning
"It's all here, milady… right down to your mothers pearls. Will there be anything else?"

Akina shook her head, smiling softly to the onyx-eyed man. "Thank you… I'm sorry for your involvement." The man backed away bowing— PUFF. Akina walked through the storage room, as she seen— her pictures. She'd pick up a photograph of her squad. I'll think I'll take this back with me. She then picked up her parents picture with her as a young girl. I miss you all so much… if only I could see you again. But dark times are coming.

Mochizuki Manor
Akina sat the pictures back down on her dresser, but glancing up into the mirror, Iva appearing in the reflection. Green eyes turn to glare, when Iva growl, "Where in hell is all the stuff, you little wretch?" The raged Iva boiled, charging for the girl, but stopping when Akina made one single black rose bloom in her hand to hold. Iva cease her approaching of Akina. Giving the girl the chance to speak. "My stuff… is no longer in this household. From now on we live separate lives. What yours is yours and what mine is mine. I won't bother you, and you won't bother me… that is until I take the clan back of course." Akina speak profound, emotionless words scowled, her lifting her eyes to Iva in a warning glance of cold green crystal.

Iva slivered out, hissing just like a snake. "We'll see about that… but I do agree. We live separate lives. Although it won't be soon before long that I separate your life from this one." SLAM! Went the door when Iva left. Akina didn't quiver to the shake of the room to the impacting door. She'd just pick up her squads picture, to the attempt to keep it from falling over from the vibration. Akina smiled, remembering when she was placed on squad five. She was now thankful for the Uchiha she never wanted to be paired with. She had turned into one of those girls that fell over him. But one thing still hadn't changed—she would still never lose to him.