Last week Deidara got a bath and Itachi, Kisame, Sasori and Deidara took out several targets for their bounty.

Thanks for all the reviews!

Disclaimer: oturaN snwo otomihsiK

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Chapter 54 – Assassins and Medics

The Konoha hospital was one of the largest buildings in the village. Its large, stark white walls rose above the nearby businesses and the green foliage that surrounded it, making it easy to find even for visitors not familiar with the area. Even now, in the darkest part of the evening, street lamps reflected off the brightly painted building, bathing it in perpetual daylight.

Making his way through the dark, deserted streets of Konoha Itachi saw no other people. He had returned to Konoha a few hours earlier. After checking in with his father and attending a clan meeting he was now on his way to the hospital for an "impromptu" meeting with Dr. Yakushi about his vaccination records. Fugaku had mentioned that the doctor was working a late evening shift, though how he knew was a mystery.

"Itachi! It's been a long time since I've seen you." The doctor said pleasantly when he opened his office door. "What can I do for you?" He looked down at the boy, noticing that he was a little taller than the last time he had seen him, and had a grim expression on his face.

Itachi got right to the point, "I contracted Chicken Pox on my last mission and I would appreciate an explanation as to how that was possible if I was, in fact, vaccinated." He sat down without invitation and locked eyes with Dr. Yakushi. "I was quite ill and may have died if not for my teammates."

Dr. Yakushi blinked once in surprise. "Excuse me, Itachi. I will return momentarily with your file." He quickly left his office and made his way to the records room. When he returned Itachi was still sitting in the same position.

Sitting down he opened the file folder and addressed the boy, "Vaccinations are not one hundred percent. However, it should have at least lessened the effects of the illness if it was unable to prevent it. Let's see…." He turned several pages, looking back over Itachi's medical history. Finally he shook his head and closed the folder. "You don't have a vaccination record from when you were five. Did something happen that year?"

"Yeah." Itachi sighed, then related the incident with the incompetent medic who gave him three vaccinations and had no bed-side manner. He sketched a quick picture of the man and handed it to the doctor.

"I remember him. He was fired for gross negligence. Ended up killing three patients." Dr. Yakushi frowned and the memory. It was one of the worst months of his life and it kept coming back to haunt him. All three patients had minor infections and were only in the hospital for observation. Medic Touma had given them the incorrect medications causing one patient to die of an allergic reaction and the other two to die of overdoses. Touma hadn't even apologized and accused Yakushi of "overreacting", saying "patients die all the time, who cares".

"So where is he now?"

"Administration. His father is part of the Daimyou's personal staff and we were unable to completely expunge him from the hospital." Dr. Yakushi practically spat the words out and Itachi looked up at him with what appeared to be sympathy.

"Sit here for a minute, I'll collect the proper vaccinations and we can take care of it now. You were supposed to get two others that day as well. Since we have no way of knowing what you did get, I'll just redo them. Minus the Chicken Pox, since you already have anti-bodies now from catching it."

"Oh… Doctor? Can you check one more thing?" Itachi asked quietly.

"What?"

"The healer who treated me said there was something wrong with my lungs."

"Like what?"

"Nothing specific." Itachi stood up. "Can you check now?"

"Yes, of course. There is an empty examination room down the hall. Room 4A. Make your way there and I'll go collect the vaccinations and join you in a few minutes."

Itachi took a deep breath as he entered the examination room. Sometimes he was glad he was an assassin in ANBU. And when he took out that medic he would be glad of it again. He couldn't believe the man had killed three patients – three people who had come in sick and expected to leave healed – and got away with it. Not only did he get away with it, but he had been promoted.

"Mamoru Touma." Itachi quietly said his name.

The door opened and Dr. Yakushi entered. "Remove your shirt." He said, turning professional. He stuck Itachi with two different needles and then asked him to lie back on the examination table. Placing his hands a couple inches over the boy's chest he activated his chakra and slowly moved his hands over where the lungs were. He creased his forehead and stopped at several places for a closer look.

"Itachi, there is something there." He withdrew his hands and looked down at Itachi. Despite the determined look on his face, the boy looked so young, still just a child. 'Or maybe I'm just getting old.' He thought to himself.

"What do you think it is?" Itachi's voice cracked a little bit and the doctor smiled, despite himself. Perhaps he wasn't that young after all. Itachi cleared his throat in annoyance. His voice had been acting up in the last couple days. When it had started he was still traveling with Kisame and the shark-man had laughed at him, then teased him about "becoming a man". His own parents had even given him wistful smiles; which were expected perhaps from Mikoto, but on Fugaku it was just creepy.

"I need to run some more tests." Dr. Yakushi stepped away from the exam table and crossed his arms.

"So it's not related to my recent illness?" Itachi sat up.

"Definitely not. However, there are other things I need to check for."

Itachi sighed. "Could it be what Fumitake had?"

"That illness starts out with the same lesions you have now. However, it is not the only illness that causes them. Also, we got a hold of Fumitake too late to really treat him with any success so don't work yourself up." Dr. Yakushi tried to reassure Itachi, but he realized that the boy was too intelligent to be deceived. Really, the chances that Itachi had that disease were almost one hundred percent, and they both knew it.

Itachi pulled his shirt on over his head. "How long before I would start experiencing symptoms?"

"Three or four years. If you have it, you will catch colds that easily turn into bronchitis or pneumonia." Dr. Yakushi sighed. He imagined Fugaku's disappointment when he learned about his heir and a wave of sorrow passed over him. "Itachi, we don't know for sure if you have it yet. If you are free one day this week make an appointment with the receptionist on your way out and I'll make a full diagnosis."

"Thank-you for your time doctor. Give my regards to Kabuto." Itachi walked to the door and opened it, then paused. "I suppose it would be pointless to ask you to keep this news from my father."

"What would you have to gain if I did?"

Itachi thought about that for a moment. Fugaku had plans to use Itachi to kill Madara. It was possible he wouldn't survive the encounter. If that was so, then having an incurable illness wouldn't matter. "Nothing at all. Never mind."

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The next afternoon Itachi walked silently down the hall of the hospital's administration offices. He was looking for room 281. People passed him in the crowded hallway, but due to a Genjutsu he had cast over himself no one saw or sensed he was there.

Dressed in his black ANBU gear, including his rat mask he approached the room he was searching for. Lifting up his mask he rested it on the top of his head and opened the door. Touma was sitting behind a desk covered with various file folders and a computer.

"Who are you? Get out!" Touma yelled indignantly. "This is administration and patients have no right to be here."

Itachi entered the room and closed the door softly. He activated his Sharingan and stared down at the seated man. "Mamoru Touma."

"I told you to get out!" The man's face turned red with anger and he stood up. "I'm not afraid of you useless ANBU brats."

Itachi moved to the other side of the desk so fast Touma only saw a blur before he was pushed up against the wall with a katana placed against his throat.

"Are you afraid now?" Itachi said calmly. Even though he was a head shorter than Touma he had no problem immobilizing him. He struggled to escape, but couldn't gain an inch.

"I am going to have you kicked out of the ninja corps! How dare you attack and threaten an administrator." Touma's voice had gone up a couple octaves and he started sweating.

"No, I believe it is I who will have you kicked out of the Medic corp. You've done enough damage and it's time you paid for it." Itachi usually wasn't this talkative when he went after a target, but Touma was angering him. He suddenly realized that he if carried on like this he could open himself up to mistakes.

"Help!" Touma started yelling, "Please, don't kill me! I'll give you anything you want, I'm rich I can get you money, anything! Please don't kill me!"

Itachi finally had enough and drew the length of the sword across Touma's throat, severing the head in one clean stroke. He watched the blood drip off the sword, the fluid that gave life or took it away. It had always fascinated him how such a simple liquid, in his favorite shade of red, could be so important. Wiping the blade on the man's clothes he sheathed it and left the room.

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Late July found Itachi sitting in Danzou's office, staring at various maps of Konoha. The old man was sitting comfortably behind his desk, a serene look on his face. "There have been several assassinations of highly placed individuals within Konoha in the last few months. The police have been unable – more like 'unwilling' – to catch the perpetrator. Therefore I am assigning you. I want the assassin dead, Itachi. Not caught."

Itachi looked over a list of names. "This one I did." Itachi said calmly.

"Oh? 'Mamoru Touma, hospital administrator'. Why would you do that?" Danzou's brow creased in curiosity.

Itachi looked the man straight in the eye. "He messed up on my vaccines and I got ill and almost died. He had also killed three previous patients and got away with it."

"And you felt that gave you the right to kill him?"

"Yes." Itachi's plain answer surprised Danzou, but he smiled anyway.

"I guess I can't argue with that. One more example of corruption, but you took care of it appropriately." Danzou was pleased with Itachi's initiative. A medic who killed patients was definitely an enemy of Konoha. "Can you kill this assassin in the next week?"

"Yes. Is that all?" Itachi stood up as he spoke.

"You may leave." Danzou looked down at his desk, returning to his paperwork as Itachi left the room. He looked at the closed door and smiled. He notice Itachi's voice had finally changed. It was deeper, the same timbre as Fugaku's, but smoother with a "cultured" sound that made him sound patient and calm. Danzou gave a short laugh. In another year or so he would probably have half the teenage girls in the village chasing after him. He shook his head and returned to his paperwork.

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"Shit!" Itachi buried his head in his hands. After leaving Danzou's office he had gone straight home and shut himself in his room. "How could she be so careless?" Itachi picked up a book and threw it at the wall, then stood up and started pacing. "What am I going to do?"

He heard voices in the hall, his mother and Aya. A moment later his father's voice joined them. Itachi pursed his lips in anger. He had no choice. Exiting his room he caught his father's eye.

"Excuse me." Fugaku moved away from Mikoto and Aya, who were standing outside of the master bedroom.

"Father, I need to speak with you." Itachi spoke with an air of urgency and Fugaku immediately turned around and started walking towards his meeting room. Itachi followed a few paces behind.

"What's going on?" Fugaku said once the doors were closed. They were standing in the middle of the room.

"Aya had been careless. Too many targets too quickly." Itachi looked his father in the eye with a stern expression.

"So Danzou has taken over the investigation." Fugaku returned his son's gaze. "How long does she have?"

"Probably a few days. He asked for the death of the assassin. I can't put it off for too long, I'm too good to claim I can't catch her."

Fugaku was silent for a few minutes. Almost all of the targets had been taken out. The remaining ones could be killed later by Mikoto. However, he had to think about what to do with Aya. Actually, there really was only one thing he could do.

"Aya will have to leave the village for a couple years. When the coup is completed she may return without reprisal." Fugaku sighed. "She isn't going to like this."

Itachi thought about it, then asked, "Where can she go?"

Fugaku put his hand to his temple and shook his head. "Perhaps Madara…"

"No!" Itachi said vehemently. "I forbid you to hand her over to him! He would find a way to use her and it would hurt all of us!"

"Itachi! Think for a moment… It's very possible there is a branch of the clan in Mist village. If we hand Aya over to Madara where would he take her?"

Itachi closed his eyes and clenched his fists. His father's logic was correct this time. Aya had to leave the village. She had to go someplace she wouldn't be recognized. And they needed to find out if there was an Uchiha clan in Mist village. Everything fit together too perfectly. But he didn't like the idea of using Aya for such a dangerous endeavor. Sheeta and Nui would be broken-hearted at their sister's disappearance and Shisui…

"Dammit father!" Itachi turned around and faced the wall, clenching his fists in anger.

"Call him Itachi. Call him now." Fugaku's voice was so low he was almost whispering.

Itachi left the room without speaking and made his way to his bedroom. Shutting the door he opened a loose floorboard and pulled out the bracelet he had been given so many years ago. Clenching it in his fist (it no long fit his wrist) he called Madara.

"Itachi, it has been a while since we last spoke. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Madara's deep voice held a hint of amusement.

"Fugaku needs a… 'favor' so to speak." Itachi spoke hesitantly.

"Fugaku?"

"Safe haven for clanswoman."

"Aya?"

Shocked, Itachi was silent for a minute. Madara always seemed to be one step ahead of everybody.

"I suspected she was on the road to trouble a long time ago. Itachi, that girl is trouble. I am surprised Fugaku lets her live."

Itachi had trouble disagreeing with that. He had to admit that he may not be viewing the situation objectively, but then she was his dead best friend's girl-friend. And Shisui had asked him to look out for her.

"He probably needs her to bear children for the clan." Itachi volunteered.

"Well, I guess I could do that then."

"You will not!" Itachi spoke loudly.

Madara laughed. "Sorry, Itachi, I spoke out of place. I meant I will give her safe haven."

Itachi wasn't convinced, "That better be what you meant."

Madara laughed again. "I will arrive in two days. You or Fugaku should bring her to our old training site outside of the village at dusk. Have her pack light. I will provide funds for her to purchase what she needs when she arrives at our destination."

"Where will you take her?" Itachi knew that Aya would want to know.

"There are a couple possibilities. I will decide later."

"Yes. Okay. Thanks for helping her." Itachi closed his eyes as Madara cut the communication.

"I've done what I could Shisui. Please don't hate me for handing her over to Madara." He suddenly wondered if killing her would be kinder. Was their misunderstanding about children a miscommunication or was the elder Uchiha hinting that he found Aya attractive and wouldn't mind impregnating her? Itachi shuddered. Aya was legal age now, but still she was only fifteen. Marriage contracts usually weren't given out until one was eighteen, and most shinobi didn't marry until they were in their twenties or thirties.

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"Father, everything is taken care of." Itachi spoke as he entered the meeting room. Aya and Mikoto were in the room speaking with Fugaku. Aya was wiping her eyes and sniffing.

"When?" Fugaku asked sternly.

"In two days at dusk in our old training spot. Pack lightly. He will provide funds to purchase what is needed."

"Who am I going with?" Aya said softly.

Fugaku looked down at the girl and frowned, "Madara Uchiha."

"He… who?" Aya had only ever heard of one person name "Madara" and he had died a long time ago.

"It's a long story, but suffice it to say that he is alive and kicking and is coming to take you someplace safe until after the coup. Do not tell anyone else about him. He's definitely more trouble than he's worth, but maybe he can make himself useful this time." Fugaku sat down on the small dais and leaned back on his arms.

"And Aya…" Itachi spoke, gaining the girl's attention. "Watch out for him. He already knows who you are and I suspect his intentions aren't… Just…" He struggled to find a good way to say it. He suddenly felt like a twelve-year-old kid instead of a powerful genius ninja.

Mikoto saved him, albeit a little bluntly. "No sex, Aya. Don't let him draw you in." The girls eyes went about three sizes bigger and her face turned beet red.

"Do I really have to go with him?" She said in a small voice.

"It'll be okay, just stay on your toes." Mikoto gave the girl a hug. "Now go home and get ready."

Fugaku spoke calmly, "Do not tell anyone but your family you are leaving. And they are not to know about Madara."

Aya dropped to her knees and pressed her head to the ground, "Thank-you Lord Fugaku, Lord Itachi, Lady Mikoto. This is all so much more than I deserve. I will repay you someday. I promise on my life."

"As it should be. Come here an hour before dusk the day after tomorrow. You may leave now." Fugaku dismissed her and she exited the room, followed closely by Mikoto.

"Dammit!" Fugaku hit the floor with his hand. "Now I owe that bastard a favor. That girl had better be worth the trouble."

For the first time in a year Itachi found himself agreeing with his father. A deal with the devil would be more straightforward and legit than a deal with Madara. That was a man the devil himself would shy away from.

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Aya spent her last days in Konoha visiting her favorite places and talking to all the friends she had made. She couldn't tell anyone but her family, Kisa and Toshiro that she was leaving and that made it harder.

Crying over Shisui's grave she begged his forgiveness and wondered if he would give it. He was a kind-hearted boy, but she also knew he tended to hold onto grudges. She had killed a kinsman and Shisui would never have approved of that. Even if she felt she had a good reason. Even if she did it to protect Itachi's secret.

"Aya, thank-you for meeting me here." Inabi smiled and stepped closer to the teen. He put his hands on her shoulders and she stepped backwards away from him.

"Don't touch me. I don't like you." Aya said angrily.

"Ha! You don't have a choice. Aya, you will marry me when you turn fifteen. You will be my ladder into the main branch." Inabi smirked at the girl and put his hands in his pockets.

Aya snorted in derision, "What makes you think that?"

"I know why Shisui was killed. And it's something you will give your life to keep the clan from discovering."

"Oh, what?"

"Mangekyou Sharingan." He realized Aya didn't know what that was and explained, "It is an advanced Sharingan that is obtained by killing your best friend. A long time ago the Uchiha clan would pit friend upon friend to create the ultimate ninja. It was banned as a forbidden jutsu, but everyone knows about it. Itachi is a genius and without any morals. He killed Shisui and now has the Mangekyou. If the council were to find out he would be killed for having it. If you want to keep your 'friend' alive then you'll be a good little girl and marry me."

"What makes you think he has it? Can you prove it?" Aya wasn't sure she even believed this "Mangekyou Sharingan" existed.

Inabi pulled out an old scroll and handed it to her. It was a short discourse on the training methods of the Uchiha ninja clan from almost one hundred years ago. As she read it her eyes opened wide in disbelief. Had Itachi and Shisui truly fought to the death? If so why? What would attaining this horrid jutsu give someone who was already powerful?

"If I go to the meeting tonight and announce my suspicions the council will immediately turn on Itachi, demanding resolution. If it is discovered he has it, and they will know Aya, he will be killed immediately and Fugaku will be accused of covering it up. His leadership will come into question. It would be a direct violation of the oath he took when he assumed his position as chief."

Inabi looked down on the startled teenager with an air of superiority and smiled. "So Aya, what will it be? Civil strife within the clan or marriage? You have two minutes to decide."

Aya didn't know what to do. She had no chance to check if Inabi was lying or not. Panicking she walked close to Inabi and put her hands on his chest. She then quickly pivoted around on her left foot and brought her right leg up, kicking him off the cliff. Jumping down with the use of chakra she found him sprawled out, moaning in pain. Silently, she picked up a rock and brought it down on his head, crushing it.

When questioned about the murder by Fugaku she realized that if he found out Itachi might have the Mangekyou Sharingan he would kill his son. She couldn't let that happen. So she played along with him, half-way hoping he would kill her. But instead he made her an assassin.

Aya had considered killing herself several times since then, but she couldn't bear the though of leaving Sheeta and Nui alone. Especially Sheeta. They had looked after each other to the point of being inseparable. And now they were going to be separated. Aya couldn't get over the feeling that something bad was going to happen if she wasn't here, or that she would never come back.

Holding the necklace Shisui had given her in hand she looked at it closely. She was afraid to take it with her. What if it was stolen? On the other hand, if something happened and she had to fend for herself she could sell it and use the money. Although she truly didn't feel she could actually ever sell it. Finally, fashioned a small pocket in the lining of her bra and slipped it in, adjusting it near the bottom of the cup so it wouldn't be noticeable.

"I am saving Itachi for you, Sheeta. So you can be happy. Please don't hate me for leaving." Aya shouldered her backpack and put on a cheerful face. After all, her family, Kisa and Toshiro had gathered to see her off, thinking she was going away on a long-term mission and would be back in a few months.

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The trio made their way out of the village and into the woods. The late summer evening was noisy with the sound of birds and cicadas. As the sun set over the horizon the sky turned pale blue, then white. Aya looked up into the sky and saw the evening star twinkling through the trees.

As they walked into a small clearing a tall man in a mask could be seen leaning up against a tree. "Good evening Aya, it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Hello." Aya said shyly. She looked at Madara and was more than a little intimidated. He was dressed all in black, with leather armor plates hanging down from his waist. His face was hidden behind an orange mask that had one eyehole. His chakra was completely hidden; she couldn't sense it at all.

Fugaku stepped forward, "I trust she will be treated well?"

Madara caught the hidden meaning and smiled under his mask. "Like a princess."

Itachi raised an eyebrow and Madara looked at him and asked a question, "How will you explain her escaping?"

"I am going after a woman in our Bingo book. She happens to be in the next village and known for her assassination skills. It is a perfect frame-up. My sources tell me her current target is a business-man in Konoha so the story fits as well."

Aya hung her head, feeling bad that someone else was going to take the wrap for her crimes, even if that person deserved it. "Then…then I guess we better get going." Aya stepped forward, afraid that if she waited any longer she would loose her nerve and run back home. She looked over at Itachi and stopped. "Itachi, please watch over Sheeta."

"I will." He said quietly.

"Lord Fugaku… thank-you for everything." Fugaku nodded once and she walked up to the masked man.

Madara turned around and started walking away, Aya followed a few paces behind. She heard Fugaku and Itachi also turn around and head back to Konoha. Wiping a tear out of her eye she sighed and steeled herself for the journey.

They had walked about twenty minutes when Madara suddenly stopped and turned around. He looked down at the teenager for several minutes without moving or speaking. His chakra was still masked.

Aya returned his gaze, trying hard to reign in her growing fear. What if he didn't intend on taking her anywhere, but instead was going to kill her? "Please…what… what's wrong?" She finally stuttered out her words.

Madara still didn't answer. He really didn't know what he was going to do with her. She was a liability, a young girl who had messed up a simple assassination mission. The trouble Fugaku had to put himself in to save her was not something he would have done when he was clan leader. He would have killed her. In fact, he still could. His hand twitched as he imagined the feel of a knife slitting the girl's tender throat.

"Why should I let you live, Aya?" He finally said as he unleashed his chakra in a wave of malevolence.

Aya shuddered and blinked back her tears. "There… there probably is no reason. I…I…wi…will not d…demean myself by b…begging for my life."

"Humph." Madara had to admit that the little girl standing in front of him and shaking like a leaf was pretty brave to say such a thing. He sensed that she even meant it.

"If you mean to k…kill me, pl…please just get it over with." She looked down at the ground, then dropped down to her knees and sat on her legs.

Madara sighed. Why were teenage girls always so dramatic? He almost felt like clapping at her performance. Except the girl was serious and not acting.

"Stand up. I have a use for you, princess." He reached over and put his hand on her shoulder after she stood up. "We are going to Mist village. I will place you into my household and when you turn eighteen, marry you to a man of my choosing."

"Yes, Lord Madara." Aya said softly.

"Mizukage. I am the Shadow that watches over the village hidden in the Mist." Madara released her shoulder and started walked away. Aya pushed down her fear and trailed behind him, wondering what kind of man someone like Madara would consider "husband" material. She feared she would not like the answer and decided that, perhaps, not thinking about it would be the best thing to do right now. That was three years away and anything could happen between now and then.

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Watching the pair walk away, Itachi and Fugaku sat side by side on a heavy branch overlooking the spot where Madara and Aya had their "discussion" only moments earlier. Both were silent for a long time as they digested the odd conversation.

It seemed, for all intents and purposes, that Madara had fully intended to kill the girl. Why had he backed off? Should that worry or please them?

Fugaku was the first to speak. "At least we know for sure he is the Mizukage. Not that it's a surprise. I've suspected as much for years."

"The old 'final exam' was a bit of a give-away." Itachi volunteered, bitterly. He, of course, was referring to the exam given at the end of a students Academy education. The "final" pitted two students against each other in mortal combat. The winners would become Genin, the losers died. Zabuza Momochi had ended that tradition by slaughtering the entire graduating class one year. He hadn't even been a student at the Academy at the time.

"We still don't know if there are Uchiha in Mist. 'Household' could refer to anything." Fugaku sighed in frustration.

"What did you expect? You know he knew we were up here." Itachi stood up and jumped to the ground, then looked up at his father. "I'm going to go collect that head."

"Yeah." Fugaku said quietly.

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Next week, Itachi has a strange day that makes him reflect on his past and his plans.

Well, Itachi got his revenge against the medic who messed up his vaccinations. I hope his reaction to Danzou asking him to kill the assassin wasn't too OOC. I really don't see anyone, including Itachi, as being "calm and collected" all the time. And if he was going to loose his cool at all it would be after being told to hunt Shisui's girlfriend. Also, he was alone at the time so he didn't have to worry about someone seeing him.

Please review! Anonymous reviews are okay.