Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story
The very next day, I had rushed directly to Tsunade's room. With her awake again, there was no need for me to keep the Hokage seat, and with us being in the middle of a war; having an experienced Hokage was by far better than someone completely new one. Not to mention that with Tsunade back in action, I wouldn't have to inform Shizune about Itachi. The less people who knew he was still alive, the better. Tsunade's room was heavily guarded by Tanuki's ANBU force. 'Heh, saying that still gives me joy. She shouldn't have laughed at me, that evil girl.' I thought with a smirk as the two ANBU in front of the door saluted me before stepping aside. I hid all of my worries and stress behind a smile, and walked in.
The room was messy. Empty plates, bowls and glasses were stacked all over the place, proving that no one had bothered to clean up after Tsunade's massive meal. Shizune was looking at the Godaime with both relief and slight disgust, while the Hokage herself was stuffing her face with more food.
"Oi! Tsunade! How could you tell Shikaku that you wanted me to be your successor?" I complained childishly and sat down opposite her. In reality it wasn't really a complain, but rather a celebration over the fact that she was okay. I would complain childishly, and she would defend her decision with an equal lack of maturity.
"I told you I would punish you for stealing my sake!" Tsunade stated triumphantly. "And now, you're stuck with the job."
"Actually…" I started, now completely serious and Tsunade quickly put down her chopsticks and gave me her full attention. "The Akatsuki declared the Fourth Shinobi War and all major villages as well as the Samurai have allied. I'm not ready for a job like this."
"Could you repeat that?" Tsunade asked with a groan while rubbing her forehead. And so I explained everything she missed in her coma. Danzo being named the Rokudaime, Sasuke attacking the Five Kage Summit, Madara declaring the war, Sasuke and I dealing with Danzo and retrieving Shisui's eye, my Hokage election and finally; the upcoming meeting between the Kage's.
"I'm supposed to leave tomorrow, but if you're well enough, you should go." I finished off.
"Then you have a lot more you need to explain to me." Tsunade stated with a groan. "And of course, we'll need to let Shizune in on everything regarding Itachi so she can do the eye operations."
"Is that wise? I do by no means distrust Shizune, but the less people who knows the better." I wondered out loud.
"First Hokage lesson: Get help when you need it. No one can do everything themselves." Tsunade responded with a kind smile. "While it is important to keep secrets, there will be those who can help, and they obviously need to be in the know."
I nodded my head in understanding, knowing that she made a very good point. Itachi and I tried to do everything on our own at first, but by letting Tsunade in on everything, we were able to stop Itachi from dying.
"Then I'll update Shizune on everything while you catch up on what you need to know. I'll send Shikaku over here to help you. He knows everything." I said with a smirk as I saw Tsunade groaning yet again. "I'll have him bring all the needed paperwork as well."
"You win this one, Akira, but I'll get you back." Tsunade stated and I raised a challenging eyebrow.
"Of course, Tsunade, of course."
Shizune had been very confused during large parts of my explanation. It was understandable though, to hide the true reason behind a massacre, Itachi both pretending to be a traitor and faking his death, and somehow not giving anything away all while working for and living in a Shinobi Village was an impressive feat.
"So Uchiha Itachi is not a traitor and… I'm sorry, but did you say he was sunbathing in the Uchiha Compound?" Shizune asked in absolute disbelief.
"Yes! Well, I told him to sunbath at least. Of course, being the responsible adults I am, I made sure that he used sunblock so he won't burn his delicate skin." I smiled happily. "Honestly, he needs to get out more, he's as pale as a ghost!"
"Akira, you do realize that you're just as pale, if not paler?" Shizune deadpanned and I pouted at her remark.
"That's hardly got anything to do with the topic!" I insisted and crossed my arms. "The operations!"
"Right… I don't see how it'll be an issue, but there's the problem of Itachi. We can't do his operation at the hospital. Many Hyuga Doctors use their Byakugan at work." Shizune pondered out loud. "Could I sneak the needed equipment over to the Uchiha Compound?"
"Probably if we plan ahead." I shrugged casually. "We'll need to do my operation first though, otherwise Itachi won't get two eyes."
"We should prepare everything for Itachi's operation first though, I can't do all of it alone." Shizune stated with an eyeroll. "There's a lot of moving and planning involved."
"Eh… Let's just make Kakashi do the moving." I shrugged again with a slight smile. "I know he's been worrying about my lack of vision with the up-coming war."
"He does know that you'll be away from it with Naruto, right?" Shizune asked with an amused smile.
"Well yeah, that's why he's so worried. Who knows when Naruto will find out and rush in without planning ahead?" I smiled at the thought of Naruto. I was worried about him, but I had full faith that he would be able to pull through just about anything. 'And if he can't, then I'll be there to save his arse.' I thought determinedly. "Anyways, just tell Kakashi I sent you, and he should at least attempt to help you."
Much to my amusement and Shizune's ire, Kakashi had been even extremely stressed and worried before my operation. Once he learned that Shizune would be the one in charge of it - instead of Tsunade, he actually freaked out. Shizune had taken offence to that, apparently it was a very easy procedure that she had learned during her first years as Tsunade's apprentice. Something about it being so easy that it could be done on the battlefield and all that crap.
"Kashi, I'll be fine." I told him in amusement. "Shizune knows what she's doing."
"Fine I won't be loud about my worries…" he pouted slightly, the pout barely noticeable because of the mask.
"For the sake of Kami, let's just start." Shizune stated and started dragging me into the operation room. "I swear, if he wasn't one of the most important nins in Konoha, I would strangle him!"
"Isn't he sweet getting all worried?" I sighed happily. Shizune snorted and pushed me onto the operation bed and helped me put on the mask that would put me to sleep.
"Just go to sleep, Akira…"
Akira was crying and hitting her head against the wall. The nine-year-old deserved it. She had done something absolutely horrible. She had taken the life of someone. Just like that man had taken her Kaa-san, Akira had taken someone's father, brother, son and friend. She was just like him. Who was she to decide who lived and died? No one. She shouldn't decide something like that. Only Kami had that right.
"Imouto, please stop banging your head like that." The familiar voice of her Shisui-nii-san told her worriedly. Akira couldn't understand why he was so worried. She wasn't doing anything bad. At least not any worse than what she did to the man on her mission. She had thrown her kunai at him and hit him in the throat. He had been in so much pain before he died. His family was probably in a lot of pain right now. Why shouldn't she be in pain as well?
"Hurting yourself like that won't change anything." Shisui stated and pulled the child away from the wall and onto his lap. He hugged her tightly. "What you did saved Tadashi's life."
"But it wasn't fair. Why should I decide which one of them lives and dies?" Akira cried into her brother's chest.
"You protected your precious person. That's what makes a Shinobi different from a weapon. We kill and torture, but solely for the sake of our precious ones." Shisui explained and stroked her hair softly, trying his best to comfort her.
"And he probably killed for the sake of his precious people. I killed a killer. But the person who kills me, will also kill a killer." Akira muttered, her crying making it hard to comprehend what she was saying. Shisui stayed quiet for a while, contemplating the younger girl's words.
"You're right. But the difference between a murderer and a Shinobi is the reasons. We don't kill to kill, imouto. I kill so that our enemies can't get here and hurt you. We kill to defend." Shisui tried to explain again, so that the child would understand. "I know it's sad, but you're keeping the people of Konoha safe by doing your job."
"Like you kept me safe?" Akira asked him and finally looked up at her nii-san.
"Yes, like I kept you safe and always will keep you safe." Shisui assured her with a smile. "Your nii-san will always watch over you, Akira. Always."
The sound of low whispers was heard from above. Someone pacing around and a hand holding mine tightly. My eyelids felt heavy, both of them covered by some kind of bandage keeping me from opening them. I frowned slightly before turning my head toward my left to see who was holding my hand. 'Oh right… Can't see right now…' I reminded myself with a frown that quickly disappeared as I recognized chakra signatures of my boyfriend and Kamiko.
"Hey." I whispered, and everything was completely silent for a few seconds.
"Oh thank Kami! You've been asleep for so long!" Kakashi said worriedly and I felt him kiss my cheek.
"Dude… She wasn't supposed to wake for another half-an-hour. You were being all worried for no reason." I could practically hear Kamiko roll her eyes. "Honestly, Akira, how do you deal with such an idiot of a boyfriend?"
"Kira-chan! Your friend is rude to me again!" Kakashi complained childishly.
"Well I was her friend before you became her boyfriend." Kamiko shot back, sounding just as childish as my boyfriend. 'How am I the youngest again?'
"So? I'm her future husband!" Kakashi argued and I couldn't help but wonder where he got the 'husband' part from.
"Divorce is more and more common these days." Kamiko stated and I could feel her smirking.
"Yeah, but not as common as people changing friends as they grow up." Kakashi shot back, sounding victorious.
"Sisters before misters." Kamiko said factually.
"You got it all wrong, it's her mister before her pretend-sister." Kakashi argued and I sighed deeply.
"How come I feel like the mature one now? I'm supposed to be the adorable and awesome one!" I complained and forced my hand out of Kakashi's to cross my hands childishly. "I mean, I know I'm the ever-awesome Nakamaru Akira but please…"
"Yeah… You can keep her." Kamiko snorted.
"Rude…" I muttered with a pout, earning a kiss on my lips from Kakashi.
"Look at my Kira-chan being adorable!"
"Shut up Kashi…"
"You guys sicken me."
