„Thinking"

„Talking"

„Impactful word"

Location: SSV Normandy SR-1 - Second Deck - Captain's quarters

Shepard POV

Jane's finger loosely travelled over the display of her datapad, though her forest-green orbs were trained intently on its contents. Her brows furrowed as she planned ahead, trying to sort out how to balance out the assignments given to her by the Alliance and her duties as a Spectre. It was a ton of work but she made peace with the fact that it came with the job and accepted it willingly with the knowledge that her efforts contributed to the betterment of the future.

In spite of Councilor Sparatus' discontent, who never ceased to find fault in Shepard's actions, Therum was a success.

Sadly, Liara had nothing ground-breaking in concern of her mother's behaviour and was visibly distraught by the news, that at least assured Jane that she was innocent in Benezia's involvement. Shepard couldn't really sympathize because she didn't know what it was like to have a mother... or a parent altogether, but the least she could do was offer support. And it was up to the Liara to take it if required.

She also thought about Akane, who she hadn't seen around for a period that had her worrying. She knew she felt responsible for her crew's well-being, far more than any other Captain, yet when it came to the teen she became extra concerned. She couldn't explain it, this gut-wrenching worry that made her want to see her in good health. But she pushed those urges back rather than indulge herself in them, and end up successfully depriving Akane of her privacy she deserved.

Perhaps Jane could pay her a small visit after the two smaller shakedowns on Edolus and Sharjila. Speaking of which, she should drop Ashley and Kaidan a line via Joker that they should get prepared.

Location: SSV Normandy SR-1 - Third Deck - Engineering and Storage Room

Tali POV

No matter how much she tried, she could not get these dreadful thoughts of concern for a certain someone out of her head. A human nonetheless! It wasn't that she was distrustful of them, otherwise, she wouldn't have joined the Normandy's crew. What she didn't expect, when she had signed up on this mission, was to be on this beauty of a ship. They had an actual tantalus drive core! Much to her initial surprise and giddy excitement, she was allowed to examine this product of modern technology!

And the crew with the Captain was surprisingly welcoming and respectful towards someone of her status, unlike Chellick and those bastards at Illium's docking bay. Weren't it for their distrust and prejudice, Jacobus wouldn't have had enough time to land on Illium first and plan an ambush that resulted in the death of Honorata's whole crew. Good thing she managed to burn the turian mercenary to a crisp, but everything came at a cost... and the Honorata paid the price.

Luckily Shepard was inclined to equality between species and Tali actually felt accepted, but no one ever... EVER... addressed her as politely as Akane. The teen had manners that were uncommon among normal folk, well not that uncommon, more like the refined type of speech the asari are known for. Moreover, Tali fully lost it when she had been referred to as 'Ma'am', which left her flabbergasted for a minute straight.

She had strongly suspected she was being played a fool or there was some sort of ulterior motive behind this strange behaviour, but it took one look at the human to know that she wasn't indeed, toying with her. Since leaving the Migrant Fleet, the galaxy had proven to be a treacherous place, it might have been seen insignificant to any other, but to her, it felt like the first stepping stone of something grand that she wouldn't want to jinx.

She had found an attentive listener in the young woman that ignited her saddened mood and reignited the passion and pride she thought long lost. She wasn't just that second-class citizen in her eyes. Just another quarian to look down upon. Not once did she judge and she found her open-mindedness refreshing. Just what she needed after losing Keenah.

But she was getting off the topic, Akane had truly looked pallid, she had said so much herself that she felt unwell. And then when she had followed her to the bathrooms, instead of seeing the med-bay as agreed, she realized it must have been something urgent.

She wondered if it was due to the burn she had acquired secretly when Tali caught her skirmish with the geth but doubted the human immune system to be this weak. Most definitely not. There had to be something else behind it, and Tali was set on discovering what that was.

So began her search for Akane.

Location: SSV Normandy SR-1 - Second Deck - Crew's quarters

"Damn that fever is persistent."

Her condition didn't get better at all with sleep. Her short intervention with her healing seemed to have been only temporary relief of pain but not the definite solution. Another pang to her temples was enough for her to drop her search for a way for treatment and just let the illness take its course.

She reached over to her small nightstand for her bottle of water, only to grunt when she found it emptied. Shit! There was no way she would get all the way to the bathroom with these wobbly legs without drawing any attention. And that made her feel pretty pathetic. It took her all to suppress her shivering from under her blankets whenever somebody walked by. To pretend that she was having a simple nap.

She felt vulnerable, and if somebody came to kill her, she would be too weak to defend herself. She hoped she managed well-enough to conceal her condition when she had made her way from the bathrooms towards her sleeping pod. But there was always a possibility. And she dreaded to think of the outcome should this possibility come to pass.

As if on cue, as if fate acted on her fears, someone came into view.

It was... Tali?

She felt her heartbeat rapidly against her ribcage to the point where it was the only sound resonating in her eardrums. An eerie silence hung between them and it sent Akane's mind reeling. She closed her eyes and sank further into the mattress as if it would offer some kind of escape.

Why was she here? Did she notice? Did she come to kill me? Did she-

"Keelah! You're burning up, you bosh'tet!"

Tali was by her side quicker than her tired eyes managed to follow, the sensation of a three-fingered hand ghosting over her sweaty forehead felt alien. Akane realized she wasn't going in for the killing blow but instead, the quarian merely assessed her temperature and all her doubts immediately dissipated. An unfound feeling of safety engulfing her distressed mind.

Her vision began to blur, signalling that she was close to falling asleep again. And for some reason, she didn't fight it.

Tali POV

By now probably everyone knew that she searched for Akane because there wasn't any person on this starship who she hadn't asked where she could possibly be. So much for discretion but she became a bit desperate at the end. Good thing Kaidan was around to give her a clue where to look.

But the sight she was met with left her quite... shocked.

In front of her wasn't Akane Uchiha. At least not the one she was used to seeing in public.

In front of her was someone who needed help even if the person itself in most scenarios rarely required it. Frankly, she hadn't seen the teen in such a weakened state. Without her aura of total control and all those traits she associated with Akane, the difference might become staringly apparent to anyone who had met her.

But what had an immense impact on her made Akane's expression when she came closer.

Pain, angst, worry, anticipation...

There were so many emotions whirling in the dark of her eyes. This wasn't like the impassionate Akane she knew. No. This was a new side of her and for a moment she felt as if she intruded on something personal. Yet for some reason, she couldn't simply walk away either.

She couldn't tell if this was enough to draw out her sympathetic side but it appeared to be so as she closed the remaining distance between them in a few strides. The human looked positively frightened by her actions and it made Tali's insides clench painfully at the image. Akane looked as if she was facing certain death.

Tali couldn't understand why the teen expected to be taken advantage of her weakened condition but it showed how brittle her trust in others was. Tali was aware of the fact they didn't know each other for too long but she thought they'd already established some form of trust, at least on a professional basis. And it left her dismayed when she realized it wasn't mutual.

But she couldn't very well begrudge the teen for it either. Quite the opposite, her sympathy for her deepened. It was facile to forget that she was still considered a child, especially because of her matureness. And Tali somehow felt a sense of responsibility for her. She had been the one to ask of her help on Therum and Akane had been the one to act on her request. So Akane's wound was on her account.

When she noticed Akane had fallen asleep, she looked up some guides on how to break human fevers, because she doubted it was the same as with her people. She inconspicuously hurried so she wouldn't let Akane alone for too long, coming back with lots of water and damp cloth, which she adjusted on the teen's fiery forehead.

When everything was set out to her own satisfaction, she made herself comfortable on a free sleeping pod in close proximity to Akane and stood watch. Watchful of every indication that somehow threatened her stable condition or simply as support should she wake up delirious.

She balanced on the edge of her consciousness and the dreamscapes of her mind.

Frequently switching between the two different states, yet never lingering too long in each of them. It was a lost fight if she tried to resist, but she always caught a glimpse of a violet expanse, albeit vaguely. She tried to figure out what it was in amidst all the stimulations her sensitive skin perceived, but repeatedly failed.

On her third run, she managed to connect the dots and realized it was Tali. She didn't feel as tired out as on her previous attempts to stay up longer and rested her glossy eyes on the quarian. Even without the Byakugan, Akane could tell she was relaxed whilst she intently focused her attention on her omni-tool. Not typing, only watching. A film? Or something of that sort? Her logical reasoning was a bit cut short.

She was perplexed about the quarian's actions, her thoughtfulness for which she certainly did nothing to deserve. She had been using her as an information source all the time, for her own benefit, and it hadn't even crossed her mind to consider her to be something more. She briefly wondered if she knew, but she most likely wouldn't be so kind to her if she did.

When had she become so distrustful?

"When you decided to become a shinobi." her inner voice answered.

When had she lost hope in the good of people?

"When you entered the darkness."

Where had she failed?

"When you tried to do everything on your own."

(Flashback)

Location: Somewhere near the Abenjazū Hideout

Time: Abenjazū Downfall

She allowed herself to indulge in a moment of remembrance, as she stood atop a familiar skyscraper. Their secret hideout. A place that held great meaning to her. The same place they had declared their love for each other. Under the fading rays of the sunset.

She wished it could last forever, but of course, it couldn't. Nonchalantly did she slowly put those warm feelings aside, because if she kept them there, it would make what was to come even harder. Her head had to be clear and heart empty to accomplish her mission, otherwise she would falter.

But something didn't feel right...

Quicker than she realized who it was, Haruko teleported to her location. A pained cry left him, which put her heart to a stop, as he fell on his knees. "Haruko!"

She was by his side, doing everything in her power to somehow ease his pain. She tried everything, from Sharingan to medical ninjutsu... yet nothing seemed to have the desired effect when he clutched his head tighter.

"My love, I am sorry..." he whined; a sound that she had never heard of him before and it caused something to crack in her heart.

"What happened?"

He shouldn't be here! Iijima sent him specifically on a long-term mission to avoid him getting involved, so what was he doing here?

He was breathless from the constant tension in his body but he managed to explain, "I tried to use Kotoamatsukami on Tani to get him to call off the coup d'etat but it was a trap."

"Why?" she knew it was futile to ask what she already knew.

As much as she hated herself that she had plotted behind his back and therefore abused his trust. She knew if he had knowledge of her plans, he wouldn't let her do this alone, but the selfish person she was, she didn't want him to suffer with her. Not when she could avoid it.

"I couldn't let you kill your own family," another violent shudder took over his body when tears began running down his face, the physical and emotional stress he was under finally showing its extent.

She wasted no time gathering him in her arms, his hands clutching at her coat. He had told her of his families death and what it had done to him. He did this because he didn't want her to go through the same, out of his pure love for her. She swallowed a lump in her throat, the intense emotions suffocating her.

"How?" her voice never sounded so meek.

"Our chakra is the only thing protecting us from the reaper's influence, but when I inserted myself into Tani's indoctrinated mind I became vulnerable to its effects."

"Listen... the reapers... I can't hold out much longer. You must- Aargh!" Haruko tore himself from her grasp, thrashing on the ground in a desperate attempt to shake off the voices inside his head. Akane stood petrified at what he had implied.

No, no, no, no... She could never-

"Please! I don't want them to use me as a tool to hurt you! You have to kill me!" he cried out loud, and there was no way she could hold back her tears any longer.

He had no idea what he asked of her. Every fibre of her being rioted against the mere suggestion but in the end, there was an undeniable truth to his words. Nobody knew the true extent of indoctrination, but it was clear to say that the process was irrefutable. Akane squinted her eyes, still trying to convince herself that this wasn't real, yet she couldn't run away from it. He begged her to end his life so he wouldn't become a threat to those he loved and she respected his choice, however, it didn't make it any easier.

A relieved look appeared on his pained expression as he watched his lover unsheathe her chokutō. The swords quivering in her grip as she levelled it on his chest. Ragged breaths were leaving her mouth, close to hyperventilation if she didn't act soon. She looked for the last time into the very eyes she loved so much, before driving her blade through his clothed chest.

"I am sorry..." She whispered and she felt her heart shatter in but a single moment. A gasp followed by a sharp intake of breath came out of him whilst the sword penetrated his skin and Akane forced her gaze onto his eyes, no matter how much her heart screamed at her to avert from this agonizing sight, her determination was stronger so she could be with Haruko through every single moment.

"I never meant for this to happen. I wanted to spare you from the pain but in the end, I did more wrong than good. Can you forgi-" The kunoichi cut him off by pressing her lips to his, trying to convey all of her pent-up love, pain, sadness, grief...

They both wished time would just stop for them. "My life may belong to Shirone, but you have my heart. In life as in death," she hiccuped, "I love you."

Another stream of tears ran freely down his cheeks at the confession. For the first time in many years did a smile appear on Haruko's face. A smile holding such joy as well as sadness that made the reality of what was to come so much crueller.

"I love you, too, my love." he sucked in a breath, with his last strength he held onto her left shoulder, where her Anbu tattoo laid, and with the other cupped her cheek to rest his forehead against hers in a loving gesture. Their last but most meaningful.

He knew she needed it for what was to come. From now on she would be forced to walk down a long, dark path. One that was filled with pain and suffering. Compared to her, his pain would be over in an instant. Oh, how he wished he could be with her through it all, but in his dread, he knew she wouldn't falter from her path, because he believed in her. He was selfish in his desire to taste her one more time before his road definitely ended and she welcomed his lips without hesitation.

Here they were, at the same place they had declared their love for each other did it also come to an end. Under the fading rays of the sunset for the darkness to settle in.

And with that Uchiha Haruko breathed his last in the arms of his lover along with tears of blood, the Mangekyō was born.

(Flashback end)

"Oh! I haven't realized you were awake!" Tali bolted up from her comfortable position and Akane blushed that she was caught staring, not knowing what to say to the quarian or even noticing the small droplets running down her humid face. She had been crying, and the last person who had seen her crying was Shirone, right after she...

She swallowed thickly, Tali taking it as a clue to press the glass of water to her chapped lips. Akane didn't fight it, couldn't in fact, for she wouldn't turn down such generous offer... and she wouldn't want to ruin their relationship (if there ever was one) by rejecting her.

"Thank you." she rasped through her sore throat, receiving an automatic 'Don't mention it.' by the quarian. The same choice of words she had used on Therum after she had healed her wound.

It became shamefully apparent to her that she disregarded Tali's genuine concern as fake. And sadly not only once, but twice! She became blind to the positive things in life in the face of her demons from the past. And deep down she knew that she didn't want to be shackled to them any longer. But as in most cases, qualms ate away at her resolve.

Would she be able to leave the darkness? Who will save her from her darkness?

In a rare moment of clarity, never before had she been this certain about the answer.

No one. Because there was no saviour other than herself. She must become her own hero because life was now in her hands. And with the borrowed time that had been gifted to her, she had the chance to become someone she wanted to be. Someone Shirone would be proud of.

Just live your life, be happy, smile and laugh, enjoy the time that had been given to you and don't you dare to come back without being an old hag with lots of kids! Promise me!

"I promise."

It was time to step out and embrace life anew.

Words dictionary:

Kotoamatsukami 別天神 / Distinguished Heavenly Gods - Is the ability of Haruko Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan that works only when both of the Sharingan are present. The technique allows the user to enter the mind of any individual within their field of view, and manipulate them by giving them false experiences, making it seem as if they were doing things of their own free will.

Author's note:

Hope you're still having a good time even when the world's currently a mess! There is an issue that I would like address before some die-hard naruto fan throws this to my face: I know it's a lame move from me to just copy the abilities of Obito's (in case of Shirone) and Shisui Uchiha's (in case of Haruko) Mangekyō Sharingan. Both of them had a strong impact on the Naruto Shippūden, which I am not going to delve into because you know what I am talking about, to know that they are their signature moves and I respect that. However, we have to consider that nobody reckoned with the possibility of techniques repeating over the course of generations, even in case of the Mangekyō Sharingan. I am aware that most of them are unique but I am not Masashi Kishimoto to be able to invent such abilities from scratch (and with the risk of making it too overpowered). However, it is only those two, otherwise, Akane has her own unique abilities, which will be exploited over the course of the story. If this explanation isn't sufficient enough then deal with it!