Chapter 47: Something Fun
I fell to my knees and stared off into the forest. Itachi said he would return...someday...but how long would that be? It seemed that no matter how hard I tried I couldn't stay by his side. I felt a presence behind me and slightly turned my head.
Shisui squatted down, his knees on either side of me and his arms wrapped around my waist. We were like this for a while before he spoke. "He will be okay."
I forced a smile. "It seems that I can't ever keep him around for very long..."
He tilted his head. "For your cabbage dinners, I'm sure he will...next time..."
Despite the heavy disappointment I felt, a giggle escaped me. "Yeah, next time."
"I don't think anything will keep him away for long... we will find a way to free him from that Organization and hopefully all of us can return to the Leaf."
I turned fully to him. "You want to go back?"
His eyes were calm as he peered into my own. "Thanks to Itachi... we have a chance at a real future...without hiding for the rest of our lives." He gently cupped my chin. "Wouldn't it be nice to return to our home and start new? We could serve the Leaf again and be the shinobi we are..."
I sighed. "That does sound nice...I've dreamt of returning to the Leaf... and... I think you would make an amazing sensei for rising ninja."
Shisui's eyes widened a little. "A sensei?"
I blushed and gave him a nod. "This world has needed someone like you, who believes in peace and working towards a future filled with it. Teaching future generations ideals such as yours would have lasting effects to reach such goals."
His smile was heartwarming. "I'd like that. You, too, have worked towards peace and have brought it to the people outside the Leaf."
My eyelids drooped. "I'm not so sure anymore that beheading a bunch of lost souls was exactly the right way to bring peace." I titled my head to him. "After being a part of the Akatsuki...I'm starting to think that maybe...some of those I've killed could have been saved."
He stood and held out his hand, a slight smile spread across his lips. "Let's get some rest, you're still fresh from the hospital."
I took his hand and he helped me rise, then put his arm around my shoulders as we walked back into the cottage. As Shisui relaxed on the loveseat, I decided to shower and put clothes on that fit my form a little better. When I reemerged from the bathroom in black short shorts and an off-shoulder white tee, Shisui was staring at me. I blushed and removed the towel from my hair, revealing the natural light brown color and walked over to sit next to him.
"Is it better now, Shisui-sama?"
He smiled and pulled me into his lap. "Much better...you look like my sweet angel agian."
I blushed at his remark and decided to change the subject. Even though Itachi had told me that the two had been willing to share in the past...it still didn't feel right to have both. "How will we return to the Leaf, I wonder? With Danzo still around...it seems impossible."
"We speak to the Third." Shisui said with confidence. I slumped a little in his arms and he raised an eyebrow in question.
I peered up at him. Of course he wouldn't know... "Lord Third is dead..."
Shisui blinked. "Who is the new Hokage?"
"One of the legendary Sannin, Lady Tsunade."
"I see..." Shisui seemed to be contemplating.
"Danzo no longer holds much power, however he still lurks in the shadows. It would be hard to return with him around..." I tilted my head, "I'm sure we will come up with something, in time." I gave Shisui an encouraging smile before standing and turning to him, offering a hand. "Will you join me for bed?" I blushed. I didn't want to be forward like this but I was ashamed to admit that because I no longer felt the demon's power coursing through me...I was afraid to be alone.
Shisui blinked the shock from his eyes before taking my hand and walked with me to the room. As I snuggled into one side of the bed, Shisui removed his shirt, exposing his toned upper body. I blushed more and tried my best to not be rude by staring and instead rolled over onto my side.
Shisui wasn't fooled and had a small smirk as he climbed in with me and wrapped his arms around my body. He pulled me close and nuzzled into the back of my neck, sending shivers up my spine. I felt him grin against me and my blush deepened further. My sweet Shisui was making this difficult for me to restrain.
"Goodnight, Angel."
I sighed in relief, thankful that he wasn't going to tease me. "Goodnight, Shisui."
I felt his grin widen.
"sama..." I quickly added.
He kissed the back of my neck, causing an involuntary arch of my back. "I love the way...you say my name...Angel." He teased me after all. It didn't take long before I felt his entire body relax. He must have been exhausted because he had already fallen asleep. I snuggled myself closer to his warmth and joined him in a deep sleep.
When I peered through my lids again, it was morning and I had turned in my sleep. I was snuggled in close to Shisui's chest and took a moment to close my eyes again and truly enjoy his scent. I slowly looked up with a small smile and then realized that Shisui was already awake, peering at me with a grin and an eyebrow raised.
"Good morning, angel." His deep voice was alluring.
I felt incredibly embarrassed and hid my face by resting my forehead on his chest. My voice came out muffled. "G-good morning!"
I felt a low rumble as Shisui chuckled to himself before guiding my chin up so that I was looking into his eyes. "Did you sleep well?"
The blush I now had deepened as I smiled. "Yes... did you?"
"Better than ever." He replied. I felt that I was getting lost in his eyes as he lightly traced my figure with his fingertips. I realized there was no way possible for me to resist him if he were to make his move.
A sigh left me. "What would you like to do today?" I asked, trying to get a hold of myself. He had been gone for so long, I wanted to prioritize whatever it was that he wanted.
His eyebrow raised again. "Just one thing..." he leaned in and kissed my lips. My heart began to pick up in pace as I closed my eyes and returned it. It was gentle and soon deepened as his hand softly brushed over the side of my face. Shisui slowly pulled back after a moment and rested his forehead on mine. "Now...what would you like to do?" He asked with a slight smile.
I peered at him nervously. "I want to stay like this."
His smile became a sexy grin. "As you wish."
He was exactly what I was craving for, for so long. I nestled my face into his chest again, arms wrapping around his neck and I closed my eyes, focusing on his heartbeat. There was a part of me that feared this was only a dream and I would wake up to find myself in pain and alone. My encounter with Orochimaru had left massive internal scars. I think that I had finally realized how fragile life really was and having Shisui here was the only comfort I had...it was the only comfort that I needed.
...
Shisui held his goddess close. He knew that whatever she had been through had nearly destroyed her confidence. She was different now, the fire in her seemed to have burned out. Normally she would have a genuine smile that now seemed to be forced, the excited sparkle in her eyes had disappeared. The way she used to be playfully defiant to draw out his more dominant nature never surfaced. She seemed frightened and though she claimed to have slept well he had to hold her throughout the night to prevent her from having nightmares. Whatever happened to her in that strange lab had broken her and he had every intention to piece her back together and make her whole again. She had nestled into his chest and after a while he felt a light shiver from her body. He wanted to know what happened so that he could help her.
"Shikara..." he called to her soothingly. She peered up at him with a distant look in her eyes. "Will you tell me...what happened to you in that lab?"
Her eyes widened before she hid her face again. Shisui paused for a moment before sitting up and carefully pulled her with him. She was covering her face with her hands now, still leaning against his chest. This was clearly not going to be an easy subject.
"You can tell me." He coaxed, moving her legs so that she was straddling his thighs.
Eventually she leaned back and made eye contact. "I...was tortured..." Her emotionless, distant words left a sting but Shisui wouldn't react in fear that she would stop explaining. He waited patiently for her to continue. She drew in a deep breath. "I was completely helpless...I couldn't move as my body was pumped with strange fluids which caused unfathomable agony... I'm not sure how long it went on for, however...eventually it drew Kurai out and then I don't remember much after until I came to at the hospital."
"Who is Kurai?" Shisui gently pressed.
"He was the demon who protected me to complete a contract with my blood mother...I found later that my entire clan was slaughtered by this demon." She blinked at Shisui before tilting her head. "It's strange...but I feel completely hopeless without Kurai..."
Her saying this pained Shisui, he gently pulled her closer to him and just held her. After a few moments he moved to look her in the eyes. "You are a strong shinobi, Shikara. You don't need a demon to help you feel safe..." he gave her a gentle smile, his eyes filled with determination to put her worries to rest. "Plus...I'm here..."
She tilted her head. "Thank you...Shisui-sama..."
...
Shisui was watching me as he held me close. I forced the sweetest smile I could. "Let's do something fun."
His eyebrow raised at my sudden proposal. "Something...fun?" His head tilted slightly as I broke the embrace, maneuvering off the bed and then looked around in the closet for a casual shinobi outfit.
"Mmhmm...fun..." I found what I was looking for and quickly made my way to the bathroom and soon reemerged. When I did I had on black capris with pockets on my hips and sealed pockets on the side of each calf. My shirt, a white halter top and I put on my favorite netted arm braces. The black mask I had on went from the bridge of my nose and disappeared under my shirt and I wrapped a long, red scarf loosely around my neck. I decided to wear my hair up in a flowing ponytail, tied in a black ribbon and put on my black combat sandals. If anyone looked like they were ready for a fight, it was me.
Shisui looked me from head to toe, then smirked. "What could you possibly have in mind?"
"I dropped something on my way home before being ambushed," I explained, strapping the small weapons pack to my thigh. I then looked Shisui in the eyes with determination. "I want it back...and..." I sighed to myself, "...I need to go grocery shopping..."
...
Shisui watched as Shikara bent down and removed a floorboard, revealing a wide variety of weapons. It was quite impressive to see as she picked out similar ones that he had carried himself in the past and placed them before him. Whatever it was that she had 'dropped,' it was obviously very important to her. He was also amazed that she was taking grocery shopping so seriously and had to hide his amusement... though after what she had been through, he couldn't blame her...
He stood from the bed, putting his shirt back on and suddenly felt more energized than he had before. He turned back to Shikara and his eyes widened, seeing her surrounded by a light aura as she meditated with a hand held out towards him. She then dropped it down by her side and opened her eyes.
"Good...at least that's still in tact..." she quietly stated to herself.
"What is that?"
She blinked with a serious expression. It seems that Shikara had gone into mission mode. "My clan's ability." She simply replied before turning and strapping a sword to her back. "Ready?"
Shisui felt that she was determined enough to leave him behind if he wasn't and quickly readied himself. She still has that fire inside her, after all. He smirked and followed her out.
He was surprised that it had only taken them a couple hours to reach the spot where she had dropped her precious item. "Shikara..." he called to her. She had been nearly silent the whole way, being cautious and completely focused. It wasn't hard to notice that she was acting as though this were a dangerous mission and he was beginning to feel that maybe it was.
She slightly turned and peered at him. "Yes?" Her voice was almost dismissive.
He smirked realizing he would have to remind her later that he was her superior. "What are you looking for?"
She tilted her head. "A hair pin." She turned forwards again, kneeling down before some markings on the ground. There was clear signs of a battle here and she traced them with her fingers. She looked a little further ahead and stood, walking to a spot, stained with dried blood. "It should be here somewhere..."
Shisui caught in the corner of his eye, a shadow move around a tree and grabbed the sword he had strapped to his back. In a flash, he moved protectively in front of Shikara and she also took a defensive stance behind him. "Come out." Shisui demanded.
The person stalled, before revealing himself from around the tree. "I couldn't believe it before...but it really is you...Shisui." He said cooly.
Shisui's eyes widened for a moment and then he heard the whispered voice of Shikara. "Sasu-kun..."
Sasuke glared at her. "You've been in the company of a traitor...Shisui."
Shisui shifted the sword in his hand downwards. "There are things that you don't understand...Sasuke. I'm not sure I fully understand, either...but one thing I know for certain...Shikara is not a traitor." His expression was serious, warning written all over it. He would let no harm come to Shikara and though it was Sasuke, Shisui was completely prepared to knock the young Uchiha out.
Sasuke seemed perplexed as he stood with a hand to his hip. "She killed her own parents and joined my brother. How is she not?"
Orochimaru clearly informed Sasuke about her broken past. Shikara seemed to come out of her initial shock and slowly stepped forward. "It's true...that I had killed my parents, along with a couple others of the clan...but it was only out of self defense...Sasu-kun." Her eyes were filling with tears. "I never wanted to hurt any of them..."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "You still knew of the clan's massacre and joined my brother." His voice became harsh.
Shisui tensed again. "Sasuke...did you really ambush Shikara, with Orochimaru?" His voice was low. He was doing his best to not express the amount of fury he felt. If anyone had betrayed someone, it was Sasuke.
Sasuke's eyes returned to him. They were cold. "I had hoped to kill her here."
A small gasp escaped Shikara and the tears in her eyes fell. Shisui was now having difficulty keeping his composure, though he sounded calm when he spoke again. "Look at her, Sasuke... does she look like an enemy to you?"
Sasuke gazed back at Shikara and blinked. His eyebrows creased as she turned her gaze away from him and held a nervous fist to her heart. She couldn't look him in the eyes. Shisui couldn't imagine the pain she felt of betrayal from someone she held so close and in high regard.
"If she was an enemy to our clan...why would she bring me back from the dead?" Shisui stated her case. If Sasuke couldn't see his wrong judgement, then no one could convince him otherwise.
Sasuke stood for a moment in thought, then slowly pulled something from his pocket. Shisui put a protective arm out in front of Shikara, who was trying her best to be strong. When Shisui saw what it was that Sasuke had, his arm came back down to his side.
"Is this what you came back for..?" Sasuke seemed a little unsure of himself.
Shikara blinked away the tears and gave a determined nod. "Yes, the hairpin you and Itachi gave me when your family took me in." She appeared to give a sad smile. "I've cherished it this whole time..."
Sasuke stared at her for a while before walking towards them. Shikara appeared to become more nervous but stood her ground and Shisui tensed, ready to protect her if that's what it came down to.
Sasuke stopped a few feet away and held out the snowflake pin with a saddened expression. "I won't attack you again...Shi-chan..."
She seemed to hesitate before stepping forward and cautiously took the hairpin from Sasuke. She peered at it for a moment before looking to him. "You may not know this now...but this means a lot to me."
Sasuke gave a slight nod before looking to Shisui. "I was the only one to see you, Shisui ...and... Orochimaru believes her to be dead after the collapse of the lab." He glanced back to Shikara. "I won't tell him any different."
Another tear fell from Shikara's eyes. "Thank you..."
Sasuke sighed. "Don't thank me...just... don't return to the sound." He had a soft expression now. "I'm glad you brought Shisui back...Shikara."
She gave him a slight nod. "I'm not sure how I did...however...the world feels like a better place with him here...doesn't it?" Her words caused Shisui to smile lightly and especially because there was now a gleam in her eyes that he hadn't seen since before his passing.
Sasuke gave a simple nod, closing his eyes with a very slight smile and turned away to leave.
"Wait!" Shikara took a few steps forward, reaching out...then retracted her hand again. "Please tell me...what happened to Kurai?"
Sasuke stopped in his tracks and turned back. "We had to seal the demon away before it caused mass destruction in the sound..." he smirked at Shikara. "And to think something like that had been inside you..." he turned away again and disappeared into the forest.
...
After several moments of us staring in the direction that Sasuke went, Shisui turned to me with a slight grin. "That went well..."
I wiped the tears away. "Thanks to you...Shisui-sama..." I softly laughed. "If you hadn't been here, things could have easily gone in a different direction."
"I'm not so sure..." he said, "he came here with your hair pin. It seems all he wanted was answers."
I tilted my head. "He doesn't know the truth about you or the clan..."
Shisui put an arm around my shoulders. "Things will work out the way they are supposed to. Have faith in that, angel."
"For the first time in some time...I think that I can." I then wrapped an arm around him and we walked together to the village.
It didn't take long for us to gather what we needed for the cottage but not before I had finally convinced Shisui to get a few sets of clothes. I loved his manly scent but he needed to change so that I could wash the clothes he's been wearing.
We made our way back to the cottage and Shisui followed me into the bedroom after placing the groceries in the kitchen. He watched as I put away the weapons and then walked over to the nightstand and opened a drawer, carefully placing the hairpin inside with my old ANBU mask and the photo album.
"What's that?" Shisui had moved over to me and gazed at the album from my shoulder.
"It's...something that I haven't been able to look at for a very long time."
"May I?" He asked softly.
I paused for a moment before taking it from the drawer and turned to him. "Here..." I handed it to him before trying to walk around him but he gently took my arm and pulled me into his lap as he sat on the bed.
"Shisui..." I started to complain. I wasn't ready to jump into the past. I didn't think I ever would be.
"I'd like to see it with you, Angel." He coaxed me into staying as he flipped open to the first page.
I had my eyes closed at first but I felt Shisui's quiet chuckle and peered to see the photo that I had taken of Shisui and Itachi playing with Sasuke. That day Sasu-kun had been so excited to learn how to throw shuriken. A small smile appeared across my lips.
"He's grown a lot since then..." Shisui said under his breath and I gave a nod.
Shisui turned the page and I winced. One picture was one of myself with my parents in a family photo, we looked so happy...and the other was of Izumi and I, we looked like we were having so much fun, both of us making peace signs and winking. My heart ached as I realized how much I missed the people in these photos. Shisui brought his legs up and crossed them, giving both of us a little more support on the bed. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to make me face my past in the gentlest way possible. I gave a sad sigh before attempting to be brave. He turned the page again. On the left Sasuke and I were drawing in the dirt together. Shisui had taken this photo, he had secretly kidnapped my camera. It was the day after our camping trip. I felt Shisui shift as I peered at the photo to the right. Itachi was holding my hand and looking to me with an expression of adornment. In the photo my eyes were closed but I had an unmistakable grin. During that time I hadn't been aware of the feelings that were beginning to blossom. It would have been obvious to anyone who had witnessed this moment.
"You've loved him for a long time, haven't you, Shikara...?" Shisui's voice was gentle.
I gave a slight nod. "It seems so. Itachi saved me...named me...and taught me many things." I glanced up at Shisui. "You both have taught me a lot about life and I will always be grateful." A light blush appeared over me.
Shisui gently rested his chin on my shoulder, turning the page. The photos were of the day we celebrated Itachi's birthday and my promotion. I stood between Shisui and Itachi, my hands resting on the shoulders of a laughing Sasuke as he gave a 'thumbs up' to the camera. Itachi looked a little embarrassed with his slight smile in this photo and I was looking up at Shisui with a glint in my eyes as he sported a huge grin.
"This was when you made your decision..." Shisui said quietly.
My blush returned as I peered up at him with a slight nod. I was beginning to feel nervous because Itachi and I have a private relationship now... and I feared the possibility of hurting either one of them.
Shisui's eyes were soft. "You never had to do that...by the way..."
"Hm?" My eyes blinked in confusion.
"You didn't have to choose between the two of us." He said in a smooth tone.
My blush deepened. "Itachi-sama told me the same thing..." I sighed, looking away. "...it could never be acceptable by anyone else's standards, Shisui-sama."
"How does it feel, though?" He quietly hummed into my ear. It sent a shiver up my spine and I could tell he had a slight grin, feeling it.
"It..." I struggled to say the words, "...feels right...almost natural, even."
Shisui carefully placed the photo album on the night stand and then sat me beside him. "Often times..." he began, shifting so that he was facing me, "...we as humans will deny ourselves of our truest selves to please everyone else around us." He smiled and I felt my face become hot. I couldn't believe that we were having this conversation now...I wasn't ready for it. "Itachi and I spoke about this a long time ago and we believe that you deserve to live life fully and completely...Shikara."
My eyebrow raised at Shisui. "I don't know a single woman who can handle two men in their lives in such a way...especially two Uchiha men." I could feel myself loosing the focus I needed to contain the light aura which was starting to softly glow around me. I was getting flustered thinking about the two sharing their time with me and it was causing the aura to become brighter.
Shisui was observing the aura much like Itachi had in the beginning, then finally responded. "True...any normal woman probably couldn't...but a goddess such as yourself, could."
I was having a hard time getting my heart under control and I closed my eyes. "I'm no goddess...Shisui... and I'm not an angel, either..."
I peered up at him and he gave me a gentle look. "Back then...before we had put most of our focus into trying to stop the coup, I had gone on a mission to retrieve an artifact, believed to be lost for centuries. It had information most would only deem as legends and myths...but...now that I think of it...it may hold some answers that you need to find your true self."
I gave him a questioning look. The conversation took a curious turn. "What does this have to do with the relationship we all share together, Shisui?"
His eyebrow arched.
"Sama." I added quickly.
He smirked. "By the way...angel...you've been extremely bossy to me lately...and... you've been addressing me differently as well..." he leaned closer with a sly expression. My heart skipped a beat as he continued in a low tone which he knew was alluring to me. "Has someone forgotten who their superior is?"
I blushed deeply and blinked a few times. "But...my dear, sweet Shisui..." my voice was filled with playful sarcasm, "...you forget who's lived longer. Technically I'm your superior now." I grinned at him teasingly.
Apparently this didn't sit well with him because he stood and picked me up, slinging me over his shoulder with a devilish grin. "Ah-! Shisui-sama!" I tried to complain as he walked us to the bathroom. My blush had become insanely red as I grew nervous with whatever it was that he intended to do with me for expressing my defiance.
What does he plan to do!?!
