Chapter 46: Catch-Up

After everyone finished eating, I slowly grabbed dishes and started to wash them. Nervousness was starting to set in now that it was nearly time to start answering questions. Itachi came up beside me to dry after I had finished washing. I kept glancing up at Itachi who seemed cool but his eyes betrayed the same nervousness that I felt.

Shisui moved to the loveseat and made himself comfortable, watching the two of us with a slight smirk. "So...how much longer will my questions be delayed from having answers?" Being caught delaying the talk caused me to drop a plate which Itachi caught just before it could fall onto the floor and he gave me a sideways, knowing look.

I blushed. "Thank you..." my voice was a whisper and Itachi handed me the plate before turning and walking over to Shisui.

"The real question is...how much do you know, Shisui?" He asked calmly as he found a place on the floor, resting his back against the wall and planting his feet.

"Hardly anything since dying." He cooly replied.

His response sent a shiver up my spine, having a flashback to his death. I sighed, finished with the dishes and joined Shisui on the loveseat. I looked to him, slightly tilting my head. "If you're able to tell us what you have gathered so far, we can go from there..." I, too, kept a cool demeanor, despite how nervous I was for this conversation to happen.

Shisui blinked. "The doctor in that village told me the Uchiha clan was no more... and I'm aware of the time that has passed since my death." There was a long, awkward silence.

"That's all you know, Shisui-sama?"

He gave a nod. "Since my death, I've felt that I had been basically hibernating."

Itachi rested his head on his forearms which were placed on his knees. "Everyone aside from us...and Sasuke...are all dead." He said emotionlessly.

Shisui eyed him. "They had been annihilated by the orders of the council?"

The breath caught in my throat as Itachi's eyes met Shisui's. "I...killed everyone."

They stared at each other for the longest time before Shisui spoke again. His expression was flat. "What happened to the plan? I gave you the mangekyo sharingan to complete what I couldn't."

My eyes kept going back and fourth between the two nervously. This was starting to look bad and Itachi's emotionless expression was changing into one of pain. I wanted to intervene but Shisui shot me a look as he leaned forward on the edge of his seat and I sat back submissively before his eyes returned to Itachi.

"Danzo...and I made an agreement." Itachi started to explain slowly and with much difficulty. "He knew that even with using the ability...eventually they would have gone back to the same conclusions... the massacre of the clan could not be prevented..."

Shisui had to sit back, close his eyes and take a deep breath. Eventually he opened his eyes again to look at Itachi. "I don't believe that was the only way to solve the issue...but it can't be helped now." His voice was filled with anger, despite not raising it once.

I sighed and hugged my knees closer, looking to Itachi with understanding. I felt the same way as Shisui, however not as strongly. Itachi had gone through enough internal turmoil during and after the massacre. No one could hate him more than he did himself for having to go through with what he had. After thinking things through, I stood from the couch and went over to Itachi and placed myself in his lap, leaning into him. He had moved his legs so that they were crossed and gratefully wrapped his arms around me.

Shisui eyed me. "You support his decision...?"

A tear slipped from my eyes and slowly shook my head 'no'. "I always believe that there are other ways to solve issues...even ones as great as that one...however after being attacked by my own parents and clansmen with the intention to take my life...the feeling of holding anything against Itachi-sama... to me... is null."

Shisui stared at me wide-eyed. "Your parents...tried to kill you?" I gave a nod with a rather blank expression. Shisui blinked away his astonishment. "What happened to them?"

My eyes narrowed. "I killed them. All of them." My voice sounded hollow as I tried to keep the image of their slaughter from entering my thoughts.

Shisui sighed sadly. "This explains why you've been a rogue since around the time of my death."

I gave a nod.

Itachi's chin rested on my head as he peered over at Shisui. "That's also when the village caught wind of the many abilities she has."

I sighed. Taddle-tail...

Shisui raised his eyebrow at me. "Does this mean the village has been hunting you down?"

"Not exactly...Lord Third excused me to retire in the village that used to stand near here...Danzo is the only one of the Leaf who had tried to take claim to my abilities. Itachi was able to save me from such torture..." I blinked away a sad expression. "Not long after I had returned here to my home, the village nearby had been attacked...and I took vengeance by hunting down the rogues and became a bounty hunter. This is why nearby small villages hail me as a hero."

Shisui's eyes met Itachi's. "Where were you when this happened?"

I shifted uncomfortably in Itachi's embrace and felt him take in a slow, deep breath. "I've...been taking on a role within an organization...gaining intel from it and anonymously leaking it to the leaf." He replied.

"You're a double agent?" Shisui seemed perplexed as he leaned forward again.

"We both are..." my voice was quiet as I peered at the floor.

Shisui's eyes narrowed. "You've brought Shikara into an organization dangerous enough for you to have to gain intel from?"

I gave him a look. "This was the only way Itachi-sama could protect me..." I sighed as he gave a questioning look. "I've been marked as an S-class criminal in the bingo books, thanks to Danzo...both ANBU and other criminals alike are out for my blood." Shisui's and Itachi's eyes locked.

"This is not how things were supposed to be..." Shisui sighed, leaning back and placing a hand over his eyes.

I looked up at Itachi who was in deep thought. "What is it, Itachi?" I asked curiously.

A small smile appeared over his lips. "This may not be all bad..." Shisui and I gave each other confused expressions before turning our attention back to Itachi. He blinked a few times. "The Akatsuki believes you to be dead, Shikara."

"H-huh!?" I couldn't contain my shock.

"I've informed them about your run-in with Orochimaru. I told them what I had seen... if you choose to stay with Shisui and move on from the Akatsuki... I believe you can begin with a new slate."

I peered up at him, baffled. "But...what about you, Itachi-sama?"

He held me just a little tighter. "I must remain with them, in order to protect the village, Angel..." I stared at him and he gently kissed my forehead before looking to Shisui. "You both can start over."

"Stay with us..." I pleaded.

He gave a sad smile, before carefully placing me to his side and standing up. "Maybe someday." He poked my forehead before walking over to Shisui who stood from the couch. "It's your turn...to take care of her, for me." I watched as the two locked fingers. Itachi was planning to leave soon and I didn't have any say in it. "The Uchiha name has not been tarnished...I was able to keep at least one promise to you...Shisui..."

Shisui gave Itachi a knowing nod. "You're sure you have to return to them?"

Itachi smirked. "It's what's best...for now." He turned away from Shisui and walked over to retrieve his cloak from the coat hanger by the door and slung it over his shoulder. He peered back at us with confidence. "I'll check in from time to time." He said before leaving.

I scrambled to my feet and went after Itachi. "Wait! Itachi-sama!" I ran out of the cottage. He had turned to peer at me as I approached him before he could put the cloak on and embraced him. "Promise me...that you'll come back!" I stared up at him with worry.

He gently smiled down at me. "I'll always come back to you...Angel." He cupped my chin and his lips claimed my own in a passionate kiss. It couldn't have ever lasted long enough as I returned it. By the time I felt his lips leave mine and opened my eyes...he was gone.