Scarlet Kunai
By Ginta and Hakakku Fangirl
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or any of the characters A/N: Original Character's name is Kyoko, female, only a few months older than Uchiha Sasuke, no Kekki Genkai, ANBU-ranked kinoichi, more info in story. Rated M for violence, language, and lime. *I may have to "rearrange" some events, in order for this fic to make sense. A/N: Don't forget to vote in the poll on my profile! It's for my newest fic, Crimson Shuriken! ***SPOILER WARNING FOR ITACHI-SAMA'S PAST!!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Previously:
"This Sharingan…will you teach me to use it?" Itachi pulled away. "Itachi?" "I don't know, Kyoko," he sighed. "Please?" "Maybe…" Itachi put an arm around her and lead her to the bed. Pulling her down with him, he pulled the blankets up over their shoulders, wrapping his arms around Kyoko so that she was nestled snuggly against him. Kyoko nodded, drifting off. Itachi sighed. This was a major risk, having Kyoko with him. More so even than she realized. Though Zetsu was growing quite fond of her, he was still loyal to the Akatsuki… If Konoha realized that he and Kyoko were together again… And that wasn't the worst that could happen. XXX Itachi sat up as there was a loud hammering on his bedroom door. Getting up, he opened it to see his partner. "What?" he snapped, then looked down to see Kyoko in Kisame's arms. "She's running a fever," Kisame said. "I don't think she's doing to well." Itachi nodded, placing a hand on Kyoko's brow as Kisame lay her on Itachi's bed. "Go get Deidara," he said. Kisame nodded before leaving. Itachi sighed, sitting on the bed and stripping the clothes from Kyoko's body before pulling the blankets up over her. Kyoko had only had a fever like this once before. It wasn't the poison. This was something else…
Deidara ran down the corridors after Kisame. The blue colored man had only told him that Kyoko was ill in Itachi's room, but that was enough for him to panic.
Itachi looked up, annoyed, as Deidara burst into his room, panting.
"Where--where's Kyo-chan, un?"
"She's right here," Itachi said softly. On the bed beside him Kyoko lay beneath the blankets, cheeks flushed, breathing hard.
"What's wrong, yeah?"
"I'm not sure," Itachi said. "She's only had a fever like this once before, right before her Jounin exam."
"Is it that poison?"
"Iie." Itachi shook his head. "I think it's stress."
"Just stress?" Kisame asked.
Itachi nodded. "She's been training too hard."
"So what do we do, un?"
"We have to bring down the fever," Itachi said. "Help me move the bed to the center of the room."
"Right, yeah."
"Careful not to jolt her," Itachi said. Beneath the sheets Kyoko shifted. As soon as the bed had been set back down, Itachi pulled away all the blankets but one.
"We need to create a seal," Itachi went on. "Follow these hand signs."
"Right, un," Deidara said; Kisame just sighed.
"Am I really needed for this?"
"Hai," Itachi said. "Unless you'd rather explain to Zetsu or Konan why Pein's personal spy has become incapacitated and useless, and how you refused to help. This is a three person seal, and unless you want to go mess with Tobi or wake up Hidan, I suggest you help," Itachi said, Sharingan spinning.
Kisame sighed, nodding. Now he had two people to threaten him with the Sharingan. Too bad it was so useful.
Hand seals finished, Itachi pressed his hands on the bed just above Kyoko's head. Deidara placed his at one of Kyoko's sides, Kisame at the other.
Light, blue-green chakra spread over the girl like a blanket.
"Keep the chakra as thin as possible," Itachi said calmly.
"Is this medical jutsu, un?"
"Iie." Kisame shook his head. "It's a ninjutsu."
"Medical jutsu is ninjutsu!" Deidara snapped.
"It's neither," Itachi said. "This is Genjutsu."
"Genjutsu?" Deidara looked shocked.
Itachi nodded. "It's a Genjutsu that requires the chakra of three people. Only one needs to know how to do it, that's why my hands are at her head."
"What kind of Genjutsu?" Kisame asked suspiciously.
"It heals," Itachi said softly. "Forcing the person to sleep, it allows the immune system to awaken fully, attacking the illness. It's a technique only a few choice ANBU learn." He sighed. "If this doesn't work, we'll have to take her somewhere else. Suna is closest. But she may need medical attention."
"And just how are we supposed to get into the Sand Village, un?" Deidara snapped. "I don't think they'll just let us waltz in and go up to the hospital. We killed their Kazekage, I don't think they'll appreciate us bringing one of us to be helped--"
"Kyoko's not one of us," Kisame pointed out. "And she's a close friend to the Kazekage."
"But--"
"We'll figure that out later," Itachi said, frowning. He looked at Deidara. "Do you know what she's been doing to train lately?"
"Taijutsu, yeah," Deidara said promptly. "The Leaf Hurricane…hand to hand combat…weapons--"
"Weapons?" Itachi said sharply.
"Ha-Hai." Deidara looked confused. "Why--What are you doing, un?!" he yelled as Itachi pulled his hands away from Kyoko, breaking the jutsu.
"Kisame, leave."
"What?"
"Leave," Itachi repeated.
"Yeah, yeah." Kisame shrugged as he left the room. The instant the door had closed behind the blue-skinned man, Itachi tore the blanket from Kyoko's form, bare save for her panties.
"Look for any wound on her," Itachi said softly. "Even a scratch."
"Right, un."
Deidara began to examine Kyoko's legs as Itachi spread her fingers and ran his fingers lightly over her hairline.
"Found it, yeah!" Deidara said. He had placed one of his hands on the left side of Kyoko's neck.
Itachi replaced Deidara's hand with his own. Sure enough, there was just a tiny, tiny mark.
"I see it…" Itachi pulled a kunai from his pocket.
"What are you doing, un?"
Itachi didn't anwer.
"Itachi-san? Hey!" Deidara yelled as Itachi drew the blade sharply against Kyoko's pale skin. Blood seeped from the thin line, just enough to spill a few drops onto the bed.
"What the hell, un?"
Deidara stared; Itachi grimaced.
The blood was black.
"It's going to take more than a Genjutsu to heal this, yeah," Deidara whispered. Itachi nodded.
"How are we going to get her into Suna?" the blonde asked.
"Not Suna," Itachi said. "This is going to take the Leaf Village's Fifth Hokage, Tsunade."
"And just how the hell are we supposed to manage that, un?" Deidara snapped. "I don't think either of us is exactly welcome in your old village, Itachi-san!"
"We have to wait for Konan," Itachi said. "Only the ninja from the Hidden Rain Village have ever seen her. She can take Kyoko into Konoha."
"She won't be here until tomorrow, un!"
"Then we'll just have to keep Kyoko alive until then," Itachi said nonchalantly.
Deidara stared at him.
"Leave," Itachi said. "I can take it from here."
"But--"
"Leave."
Itachi sighed as the door slammed shut behind Deidara. It wasn't stress. It seemed that something had happened after Orochimaru had had Kyoko kidnapped, while she was still unconscious in his lair.
Pushing the bed back to the wall, Itachi covered Kyoko once again before kneeling beside the bed. Pressing his lips to the slim red line, Itachi began to suck. The bitter taste of the dark liquid filled his mouth as he drew harder before spitting it out. Over and over he repeated this, until at last the blood ran a pure red and the bitter, choking flavor was replaced with the taste of naught but blood.
Itachi repeated the action once more to be sure before bandaging the wound. After rinsing his mouth, Itachi lay next to Kyoko, pulling her close. Staring up at the ceiling, he found himself finally growing drowsy…
"Hey, Itachi?" "Hn?" Thirteen-year-old Itachi turned to the older boy as they sat together in the training field sharpening weapons. "What is it, Shisui?" "About that girl…" "Girl?" "What is she to you?" "Shisui, who are you talking about?" "I'm talking about that girl you trained. The one on your ANBU team." "Kyoko?" "Hai." "What about her?" Itachi asked again. "What is she to you?" Shisui repeated. "You've been spending a lot of time with her. People are starting to talk." "What?" Itachi laughed. "Shisui, Kyoko-chan only just turned eight a few months ago! She's only a few months older than my baby brother." Shisui paused. "Mitoko-san said that you spend more time with her than you do with Sasuke. "Of course." Itachi shrugged. "Don't look at me like that, Shisui, I can't help it. Kyoko is on my team, I'm her captain. And I want to get her exposed to as many missions as I can before--" "Before?" "Nothing." Itachi sighed. "She's so skilled, Shisui. It's amazing. She graduated from the Academy in just a month. No one has ever come close to doing that since Kakashi-sempai! And he graduated at the age of five, not seven." Shisui nodded. "Shisui, it only took me a few weeks of training and she had already found her specialty. The girl has a natural talent for bombs," Itachi said, lying back in the grass. "And her other abilities?" "Well, she's not much one for Genjutsu," Itachi admitted. "But her ninjutsu is amazing. With her chakra control, she might even be able to learn medical ninjutsu when she gets older." "And her work with weapons?" Itachi laughed. "Shisui, you sound like you're trying to find out everything there is to know about Kyoko. I don't think I like that." Shisui shrugged. "I'm just trying to find out what it is about such a little girl that has you so preoccupied." "I'm not preoccupied," Itachi protested. "Hmm…" Shisui made a sound of disbelief in his throat, which Itachi chose to ignore. Finally… "So…when do I meet her?" "Huh?" "I said, 'when do I meet her?'" Shisui repeated. "Baka!" Itachi said. "She's a comrade, one of my subordinates. Stop talking about her as if she's more than that. She's five years younger than I am!" Shisui was about to reply to this when Itachi suddenly looked up. "Taichou!" Itachi jumped to his feet as a tiny girl with shoulder-length black hair and the mask of a puppy in one hand, a kunai in the other, came running across the field. "Taichou!" she cried again, launching herself into Itachi's arms. Itachi laughed, crushing her into a hug; Shisui stood, eyebrows raised. "So Itachi, this must be Ky--" Shisui stopped short. She was a beautiful little girl, with bright eyes and pale skin. But there were deep shadows beneath her eyes, dark bruises on her chin. One of her eyes was surrounded in yellow and green, the results of an almost-healed contusion. Scars covered the crook of each elbow and she looked too thin to be so energetic. "Taichou, you promised to train me today!" she pouted. "I'm sorry, Kyoko," Itachi said. "I meant to come get you." "It's okay." Kyoko frowned. "Where's Sasuke-kun?" "He's at the Academy," Itachi answered. "Shisui?" "Ha--hai?" Shisui tore his gaze from the girl. "This," Itachi said, "is Kyoko-chan. Kyoko, this is Shisui-kun." "Ohiyo!" Kyoko smiled, but edged behind Itachi. "Kyoko, why don't you go on ahead to my house and get some breakfast before we train," Itachi suggested quietly. "Hai!" Kyoko turned away. Shisui expected her to only walk, but instead the child crouched before jumping into a tree, running through the branches. "Wow…" "I told you she's amazing," Itachi said proudly. "Hai, but, anno…How did she get so…banged up?" Shisui asked. Itachi was silent. "Itachi?" "Orochimaru," Itachi said finally, "is responsible for most of the scars. The bruises are from her parents." The youth sighed. "That's why I've been taking her on so many missions," Itachi said. "Why I've been spending so much time with her. The Third can't take her away from her parents' house, not on what little evidence he has. Kyoko is a ninja, so her parents blame her injuries on missions. It's not true, and the Third knows it. But still…" Itachi sighed. "I try to keep her away from her mother as much as possible." "And her father?" Shisui asked. "He's in the hospital," Itachi answered. "Burns. He doesn't have much longer to live." Shisui nodded as Itachi stood. "I had heard a rumor that Orochimaru had taken a child a few years ago," Shisui said. "That would have been Kyoko, ne?' Itachi nodded. "Hey, Shisui?" "Nani?" "Let's take the long way back to the Uchiha compound," Itachi suggested quietly. "The one past the river."\ xxx "…Obssessed with the clan, obssessed with the organization, obssessed with our lineage... A worthless compulsion that enslaves us and limits our capabilities... Leading us to fear what you don't understand…"xxx "…The people of this clan are all the same; You focus on the trivial and lose sight of what's most important. Change is impossible in this fog of ignorance. How can we evolve when regulation is all we know…?" Itachi lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, remembering his words from just hours earlier. Remembering how it had been his baby brother who had stopped him from using the Mangekyou Sharingan. The Elders and Danzou…Madara. He had no choice. But what would happen to Kyoko? Iie. She wasn't important. Not compared to Konoha… xxx "Taichou!" Kyoko cried out. "Taichou, what's wrong?" "Tsukuyomi!" Kyoko screamed. It had taken only a second, just like with Sasuke. Itachi cringed. The images he had forced them to see. Sasuke, the images of their parents' last moments. And Kyoko…tears fell down Itachi's face. No! This was for the best. So what if he had made her see Orochimaru's torture of her? It would make her stronger. It would make Sasuke stronger. Just as long as they never saw each other again. Kyoko would be the elite kunoichi he had trained her to be. If they never saw each other again. He had already pleaded with the Third. Protect Sasuke. And tell her...I'm dead. XXX
"Like I told you before," he said, "appearances and preconceptions aren't going to tell you anything. For instance, you've made the mistake of assuming I'm a patient man. The clan, the clan... You underestimate your own abilities with no idea of the depth of my own. And look at you now... Groveling in the dirt."
He shook his head. The stupid police, the clan…Accusing him of murdering his best friend, Uchiha Shisui…They had no proof. And now he had the eyes… The eyes that he already detested…
"Itachi bolted awake, covered in sweat. Kyoko wasn't beside him.
"She's in the main room."
"Ko-Konan?" Itachi gasped.
Konan nodded.
"She's fine now," the blue-haired woman said softly. "It was a poison. Not Orochimaru's. It wasn't his style. It was your little brother. He had opened a few wounds, but the main one was when he bit her neck. Apparently Sasuke's training has included ingesting poisons to boost his immune system."
Konan looked disgusted.
"There was still a few traces of poison coating Sasuke's teeth," she went on. "Kyoko was just conscious enough last night to realize what was going on and she had the theory about the poison. Apparently you removed just enough of it from her system that she was able to walk." Konan turned away. "Kyoko's fine now, we managed to remove the rest of the poison. It's a good thing you found it when you did. It was strapped there in her neck. She's very lucky."
Konan smiled lightly.
"I don't think the same can be said for you," she said. "You look feverish. I suppose you must have swallowed some when you sucked it out of Kyoko. I'll go get her. She can get it out of your system, else you'll be sick for a week or so. I'm going back to Pein."
"Iie." Itachi shook his head. "I'm not sick because of the poisons. It's just a cold." He grimaced at Konan. "I was out in the rain, I'm fine."
Konan nodded.
"Itachi?"
"Hn?"
"Be careful around Madara when Kyoko's here," Konan said softly, just as Kyoko's voice carried through the halls.
"What's going on?" Itachi asked, standing.
"It would appear that Deidara has gone after your brother," Konan said. "I'm off."
"Right." Itachi sighed, going to the table beside his bed. Opening the draw, he reach in for the bottle. He stared at it for a moment before taking out three pills and quickly swallowing them, replacing the bottle quickly before hurrying down the hall to Kyoko.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Totally undramatic, but this chapter makes the next one really good, you'll see! Next: Scarlet Kunai Special: Super Long Chapter!!! Love,
Fangirl
