Chapter 12: We're So Close

We finally got past the strange conundrum that Shisui put me in with my parents and got to the matters at hand. After collapsing I needed a refresher on the subject and how I could be of use.

Shisui gave another brief explanation of what was going on with the clan and after there was an uncomfortable silence between the three of us. I finally spoke as soon as I thought carefully about the situation. "So we are facing a coup d'état within' the clan, due to the way the Uchihas have been treated in the village for a long period of time..." I needed to verify that I understood.

Shisui nodded.

"It doesn't stop there...if this were to happen, the whole world could face another great war." Itachi added calmly. That's the last thing any of us want.

I sighed, "That's certainly not something on my bucket-list of things to go through." My eyes met Shisui's, "how can I help?"

The clan's plan wasn't to be carried out for a couple more years, so we had time to attempt to sway against the coup d'état and try for something more peaceful for the clan, as well as everyone else in the village. More accurately: the world.

"I know it may be difficult but maybe over time you could convince your father to change his mind. Itachi will be doing the same with his." Shisui said and Itachi nodded.

A look of worry flashed in my eyes, I couldn't imagine actually trying to convince Fugaku of anything. That man seemed hard-headed, I felt sorry for Itachi. When I saw the boys staring at me I smiled reassuringly. "Sounds simple enough, Itachi is adored by everyone and I'm my daddy's princess." I looked confident, however I knew it really wasn't going to be that easy and this was a personal mission that could actually take the two years we had.

Shisui and Itachi came to sit next to me on the log and we all gazed up at the night sky. There was something calming about this and it was something we all shared after most of our trainings together. I prayed that the coup wouldn't happen...or we may never share these moments together again.

"I have something else that I'd like to share..." I murmured. Both boys looked to me. "Fugaku came over this evening to invite me to the meeting tomorrow night. He didn't seem like he would take 'no' for an answer." I added.

They exchanged looks, then Itachi sighed. "I've been avoiding them."

"I've been going from time to time to keep tabs..." Shisui said.

"Double agent, huh?" I teased.

Shisui gave a halfhearted smile. "Maybe for now you can do the same."

What an odd learning opportunity..."I'll follow your lead, Shisui-sama."

"By the way...when did you start calling us both sama?" Itachi asked with a glint in his eyes.

I cleared my throat and leaned against Shisui. "It's only fair, after all."

"Shikara is right, I train her, too." Shisui said with a grin.

I giggled, seeing a rather rare, envious expression flash across Itachi's face. I had my fun, so I stopped teasing Itachi and instead stood from the log to have a good look at my mentors. I admired the two handsome boys before me and I would give the world to them if I could. I blushed and spoke the words that came from deep inside my heart, words that I was dying to say all along. "I love you two, thank you for making me a part of your team, it's an honor." My eyes closed so that I wouldn't feel embarrassed and my lips became a very sincere, gentle, sweet smile before turning away to walk home. "Goodnight."

...

The boys were left speechless as they watched her go. When she disappeared into the night Shisui gave Itachi a sideways grin. "Our little angel has grown up."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "...Our...?"

...

Over the next six months I trained hard with the ANBU as my morning routine. Itachi must have made an impact somewhere because they laid off - just a tad. I finally became a Chunin within' the first three months of training and now I wanted to push for Jonin. The Hokage was impressed with my progress and realized that I took serving him and the people of the village very seriously. His trust in me grew as did my devotion. That didn't mean that I wasn't devoted to the clan, however. Working with Shisui and Itachi as double agents couldn't have been more confusing and difficult and all of this was an attempt to protect the clan, along with the Uchiha name.

During the day, I spent time with my father as well as my fellow clansmen, trying to make a big enough impact in their lives to gain everyone's trust and hopefully, eventually, their support. It was necessary if we were to change the minds of not just the ones in power but the people as well. Trying to be loved by all was draining, however it seemed to be paying off the more I helped with simple daily things...even down to helping Aunty Uruchi hang laundry.

When night approached and Itachi or Shisui weren't busy keeping appearances or completing missions, we were able to spend time together. Sometimes we would train and focus on jutsu. For whatever reason we found that I had an unusual wide range of jutsu that I could use. Normally, most shinobi could only use up to two elements. For me, we found that I could weakly use four: fire, lightning, air, and water. We had to pick which two to keep a secret for my own safety, however still trained in private to hone those other skills. We chose lightning and air to keep secret for I had already openly used Frozen Prison and set someone ablaze in the same day. This also made it easier on Itachi and Shisui because the clan were particularly exceptional with fire-type jutsu.

When we weren't training we were discussing plans, goals and the progress we've made to end the coup. It had been an exhausting year and it showed, especially for Itachi.

...

I eyed him as he stared blankly into a small stream that we chose to rest by. We were outside the village walls just trying to feel normal for once. It seemed that this was the only place that we could, away from the village and from the clan. Itachi looked like he hardly slept anymore and it worried me. I wasn't sure how to help him as we waited for Shisui to meet with us. We all needed a break.

"Itachi-sama?" I gently called as I joined him beside the stream.

"Hm?"

"How have you been?"

He was silent. I knew it was a silly question, however the feeling to help him was becoming unbearable. He has changed so much lately...I was nervous as I leaned on him, my head resting on his shoulder. At first his body felt as hard as stone but he slowly softened and ever so gently, leaned his head against mine. I sighed in relief to the familiar closeness. This felt good, it felt right and we stayed this way for a while as we watched the water trickle downstream.

"How is Sasu-kun?" I asked softly. Sasuke gave Itachi comfort, so it was safe to ask.

The small smile I was waiting for appeared on his lips. "He's growing fast." The low hum of his voice was soothing to my ears and I felt more at ease.

"Maybe we can play together again soon." I closed my eyes to imagine it with a soft smile.

There was a pause, then Itachi turned towards me and I lifted my head to meet his warm, gentle eyes. To see them this way was rare these days. "He misses you, you know."

I gave a slight nod. "I miss him, too."

"You two look comfy." Shisui finally made it.

I giggled, rolling my eyes and dropped my head back to give him a playful glare. "What took you so long?"

Shisui let out a large sigh, hand on his head almost as if it ached. "I ran into your father. He was looking for you." Shisui gently shook his head. "How do you explain to someone that you aren't their daughter's keeper?"

I rolled my eyes again and brought my head back up as Shisui gracefully plopped down beside me. I was noticeably smaller than the young men as I stayed perched between the two, however I had grown more into my maturing body. "The poor man thinks his princess courts two men...I wonder whose fault that is?..."

Shisui smirked. "I will never live this down."

"Maybe we shouldn't always be carrying you home when you push too hard?" Itachi added. His sly smile was irritating, however, refreshing. He finally, fully loosened up.

"It's not entirely my fault." I peeked at him through slitted lids. "We barely get to train together and you two are the only ones who know of the other two elements." I leaned forward towards the stream as a small fish swam by. "I can't imagine what goes through my poor parent's minds. They see their daughter being carried home late at night by two different men and each time, it's: 'Oh, she trained too hard'." I gave a look of disgust. "They're so presumptuous."

Shisui laughed. "They love you, you can't say that they actually believe that you're dating anyone. You wouldn't have time for them." He laughed again.

I shot him a look. "Yes, but it doesn't help when someone made a rather interesting remark." An eyebrow raised in Shisui's direction from Itachi.

"It wasn't supposed to sound the way it did..." Shisui trailed off.

"What did you say?" Itachi asked.

He sighed and the words that came from him were so quiet, it was impossible to hear.

I smiled. "Just forget it. It's not the first time, I'd be silly to believe it would be the last." I giggled, "Plus, it's good for them. They seem to need a little more excitement in their lives."

Itachi calmly shook his head. "And to think that we actually call you 'Angel'."

My cheeks puffed.

"On another note:" Shisui began. "We are coming dangerously close to our deadline."

I nodded in agreement, knowing this as fact for I, too, have been going to the meetings...reluctantly. "We have less than a year. I've talked with my mother about having doubts...she listens and seems to understand my concern."

"And your father?" Itachi asks.

My head dropped down a little and I closed my eyes. "He hears me out but it goes from one ear and out the other, usually. It's better than him getting defensive like he used to, though."

Shisui looks to Itachi. "Any luck?"

Itachi just gently shakes his head 'no.'

"We are getting so close..." Shisui says under his breath.