Chapter 25! This arc is almost over! (Wow its getting hard to think up new chapter titles!)

Anyways, this chapter is dedicated to Schauspielerinnen. Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy your chapter. I know its a day late, but in the US, technically, I'm only 34 minutes late.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!

Itachi and Kimiko were walking through a peaceful forest in a comfortable silence.

It had been about a month and a half since Itachi and Kimiko had last seen Konoha, and they were finally making good time towards home.

In the past month and a half, they had learned to trust each other and had come to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses. They were almost completely dependent on each other, especially since Itachi's sight showed no signs of getting better.

By now, Itachi had learned to cope with his limitation, and even found a way to use it to his advantage. Because his eyesight was lost, his other senses were heightened. He could hear a squirrel rustling some leaves in a tree a hundred meters away, and he used the feel of the sun on his skin (or lack of it) to determine where objects that could be blocking it were located. To any passerby, he's look like a completely normal person.

He also had another sense of sorts. He had become aware of Kimiko's presence, if she was in the same room, or even within hearing distance, he could tell exactly where she was.

Itachi listened to Kimiko's soft breathing as they walked; somehow it was comforting to know she was next to him. He was completely at ease around her, which was saying something. The only people he'd ever really been comfortable around were Sasuke, Shisui, and Reiko. He wasn't used to letting people near him, but it felt good to know that there was someone he could completely trust.

Kimiko was comfortable walking next to Itachi. She felt like she really understood him now that they'd spent so much time together. She was getting used to having him around all the time. He was a good teacher as well as a good friend.

It saddened her to think about what would happen when they got back to Konoha. He'd get pulled into the Uchiha clan again. He was the heir after all, everyone would be ecstatic to have him back, especially Reiko.

Kimiko sighed sadly and subconsciously, Itachi brushed his hand against hers for a split second in a sign of comfort. Kimiko was still stuck in her musings.

Once they did get back, would she ever see Itachi again? She was sure that Fugaku wouldn't want the heir of the clan to go on any more dangerous missions after this, especially now that he was blind. He'd want Itachi to get married to Reiko and settle down.

Kimiko smiled sadly. At least Itachi would get half of his ideal world. He never liked fighting or killing much, he was really a pacifist. The only reason he was a ninja was to try to help keep the countries at peace.

He didn't even want to be the heir of the clan. In fact, she was sure that. Even though he'd never say it, he'd much rather spend his time with Sasuke or watching Tobi and Shisui goof off.

Kimiko looked up at the bright blue sky while birds chirped in the distance. At least she this time with him now, Aoi and Tayuya hadn't managed to find them yet, and with any luck, they'd make it back to Konoha without any more problems.

Tayuya, Aoi, and the rest of the Sound and Rain ninja had set up a camp site near a river and were looking at a map of all of the countries.

Aoi slammed his fist down on the makeshift table, "We've looked everywhere between Amegakure and Konoha! Where could they be?"

"You aren't thinking hard enough idiot," commented Tayuya uninterestedly. She had gotten tired of this goose chase long ago, and Aoi's obsession with finding them wasn't making it any better.

"This is Itachi Uchiha we're talking about, the Itachi Uchiha. He knows that well be waiting for them outside of Konoha, and that girl isn't exactly stupid either," said Tayuya. A hawk cawed outside. "What's more, they're both injured. They'll probably look for somewhere closer."

"Somewhere closer," murmured Aoi, "somewhere safe…hah! They'll be heading for a nation Konoha is allied with! And the closest one is Suna!"

Tayuya clapped sarcastically, "Good job, you aren't a complete moron after all."

Aoi started to object, but just then a sound ninja came in with a scroll. "Tayuya, a messenger hawk just arrived with this. It's addressed to you."

Tayuya took the scroll and unrolled it, then looked back up at the sound ninja, "What are you waiting for? An invitation?" Leave," she said as she looked back down at the scroll. It read:

Tayuya,

Good news. Lord Orochimaru has found himself a powerful and willing vessel himself since you seem to be unable to procure the vessel you went after.

No worries though, he isn't angry with you. We had an Uchiha deliver himself straight to us.

You are ordered to report back to the base. Lord Orochimaru has more important things for you to do than chasing after someone that is clearly out of your league.

You have one week to get here before Lord Orochimaru loses his patience and decides to send you back to the lab for experiments.

Kabuto.

Tayuya scoffed, "Pleasant as always I see." She looked up at Aoi, "Well, have fun killing the girl," she turned and yelled at the remaining sound ninja, "Pack up losers! We're leaving!"

"What!" asked Aoi sharply?

"I was losing interest, and now that I have orders to leave, I don't have to stick around anymore," smirked Tayuya.

"Fine," Aoi retorted coldly, "I don't even need you. Now that I know where they're headed, I can take care of them myself. Both of them!" He turned and yelled at his Rain ninja, "We're leaving too! I've found out where the girl and the Uchiha are headed!"

The Next Day

Itachi and Kimiko were getting closer to Suna. They only had about half a day until they reached the desert, and from there, it was only two days to the city. Two and a half more days, and they would be safe.

They bounded through the forest when Itachi suddenly put out his arm and stopped. As soon as Itachi stopped, so did Kimiko.

"What is it?" she asked quietly.

Itachi put a finger to his lips to silence her and listened to their surroundings.

It was quiet. He could hear a soft wind blowing through the trees, but nothing else. Where had the birds and forest animals gone? And then he could hear it, the soft footsteps of a group of ninja coming towards them. He quickly and silently signaled the news to Kimiko using hand signs. There were two squads on ninja coming directly towards them, and they were coming fast.

Itachi and Kimiko quickly hid high in the tree tops. Moments later, the two squads appeared, and with them so did Aoi.

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