Chapter 50: Drawings

The boys were still so drunk last night, they hadn't realized that I retreated to the couch while they were passed out on the bed. They were caught by me this morning snuggling. I quickly found my camera and snapped a photo which caused Itachi to jump awake.

"What was that?" He demanded, rubbing his eyes before noticing Shisui cuddled up to him. His grouchy expression went flat.

I giggled. "I'm sure you'll hold off on some of that liquor...next time." I playfully mocked while flapping the newly developed picture in my hand. As I turned to leave the room, I called over my shoulder to him. "Now I have blackmail."

Itachi woke Shisui as he scrambled out of the bed to chase me down. Shisui sat up yawning and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "What's going on?"

"She has blackmail!" Itachi shouted from the doorway.

I had bolted, completely ready for a morning run. I had spent the last hour, formulating a plan to help the boys with their hangovers and had already dressed for the occasion. I was wearing sweatpants and a tank top with my ninja sandals. Perfect for my usual chilly morning routine...and...this was the best plot I could come up with at 5:30am. Itachi already hated his photo being taken, so having one as proof that he was snuggling with his best friend instead of myself was great motivation to join me for said run. I was still laughing as he struggled to put his shoes on. Shisui wasn't far behind.

Good. I'm glad they're motivated. I thought with wide grin plastered to my face.

The truth is, I'm not faster than Shisui, nor more crafty than Itachi but I could hold my own...for some time. Shisui tried using his teleportation/body flicker technique to catch me but I maneuvered just in the nick-of-time as his finger tips touched the picture.

"Nice try," I giggled. "At this rate, I'll show this photo off to the whole world!"

"We'll see about that!" He called to me with a glint in his eyes.

I smirked, while dodging Itachi. It wasn't shocking to see the two team up, what took me off guard was that they started to play dirty. They had their sharingan activated now as I attempted to turn and spin around their nearly successful attempts at snagging the photo.

It was my turn to play. I maneuvered the air to whip around and with the flick of my wrist they were blown back. This gave me some time to put distance between myself and them as they took a moment to regain momentum.

Itachi had a sly look when I peered over my shoulder. He was taking this as a training exercise and the excitement gleaming from his eyes couldn't have been more obvious. "Shisui, flank her from the left. I'll take her right."

My eyes widened as they intercepted me at the river. Shisui was truly too fast and he forced me to duck low to avoid his capture. Itachi took advantage of the awkward maneuver and swooped low, taking my feet out from under me. When I hit the ground and attempted to roll into a rebound, the picture slipped from my fingers and glided towards the rippling waters.

Awww, I wanted to keep that! The photo was consumed by the river. Darn.

Shisui was grinning as he stretched his arms over his head. "We win."

I laughed as I took the hand Itachi offered and pulled me to my feet. "Aw! You guys...I wanted to keep it for the album..."

"You really thought you could get away with that?" Itachi shook his head at me with a faint smile.

"No...but it was worth the try." I faced the rising rays of the sun and marveled at the colors in the sky that they created. "I missed this feeling..." I murmured before turning my head to smile at the two who were now looking to me in question. "The feeling of being truly alive."

They glanced to one another before Shisui stepped closer. "Truly...alive?"

I nodded. "We haven't done an exercise like this in years."

"You've become stronger." Shisui laughed to himself putting a hand behind his head. "Even with our Kekki-genkai, you made things difficult."

Grinning up at him I replied. "If we are to return to the Leaf someday...we will have to be ready."

Itachi's expression fell. "You plan to return?"

Oops. We hadn't had the chance to speak with him about our plans. I shyly made a circle on the ground with my foot. "We belong there...all of us."

His eyes were gentle but seemed distant as he peered back at me. "If you two decide to return, I cannot follow...and there's an issue of your current status in the bingo books."

"You can't return yet but we will find a way." Shisui was confident. "We will have to make preparations to gain their trust again, however, Shikara is right. We've been away for long enough. The village holds our future as shinobi. He clasped a hand on Itachi's shoulder. "She also has an opportunity to learn more about herself as well."

Itachi blinked. "You speak of the scroll." Shisui gave a nod.

"You knew about it?" My eyes widened.

Itachi gave a small smile. "It pulled the attention of many as the village tried to uncover it's secrets."

My eyes narrowed. "How long have you known of it's existence?"

His eyebrow slightly raised. "Since Shisui brought it to the Leaf."

This whole time... I sighed before tilting my head. "I know I made a promise to you to not return..."

Itachi crossed his arms, looking to Shisui. "Now is better, anyway."

I was shocked by this response, it seemed that Shisui, too was curious. "Why do you say it that way?"

"News spread that Danzo is no more..." Itachi seemed to trail off. He knew more about it but didn't seem to want to say.

"How did he go?" I was disappointed to not have the chance to rip his head from his body myself.

Itachi flashed a smirk, seeing my disappointment. He knew the hatred I had for Danzo. "Sasuke."

Shisui and I shared our surprise as we glanced to one another. After a moment a huge smile spread over my lips. "I know I shouldn't voice this...however it serves that man right."

Itachi poked my forehead. "You're just glad an Uchiha killed him."

"Good riddance..." My response caused Itachi to grin in amusement.

Shisui raised an eyebrow at me. "I didn't think you had it in you to hate someone."

I sighed before starting to walk towards the cottage. "Only one...and he's dead now." I linked arms with Itachi as he joined my side. "...Sasuke has become more powerful..." I murmured, kind of spaced out as we walked.

Itachi was giving me a sideways stare. "Yes...he has..."

We walked back in silence and as we approached the cottage I paused to look at Itachi.

He stared back curiously. "Is there something you would like to say...?" His eyebrow lifted.

The look on my face was one of worry. "Shouldn't we do something about the hatred he has for you?"

Itachi sort of just looked off to the side. He didn't appear to know how to answer.

Shisui eyed him. "You plan to let him hate you...don't you...?"

Itachi seemed to contemplate our concern for a moment before finally responding cooly. "It's a complicated situation."

My eyes narrowed. "Clearly." I freed my arm from his and entered the cottage which had been left wide open.

"Shi-chan..."

I stopped dead in the doorway. My eyes scanned over to the younger Uchiha who had made himself comfortable on the sofa.

Speak of the devil...

"S-Sasu...kun..." I glanced back nervously and only saw Shisui shaking his head. Itachi had disappeared. Thank god... my eyes met Sasuke's again. "How...did you find my home...?" I stepped in and Shisui followed, taking my hand protectively.

Sasuke had a very serious look as he eyed us. He stood and drew his sword. "My brother has been here."

The breath I had caught. I kept my composure as I stepped closer to Sasuke, Shisui was trying to hold me back. "What do you want?" My voice sounded much more calm than I actually felt.

Sasuke was clearly hostile as he raised the sword. "Where is he?" He demanded.

I sighed, looking to Shisui who's eyes were narrowing. He was very tense. Neither one of us wanted a fight. "Sasu-kun...maybe..." I trailed off for a moment to gather my thoughts as I peered into his eyes. "It's time for us to talk."

"Shikara..." Shisui shook his head. I wanted to listen to him and find a way around this...but I didn't see one.

I smiled up at him sadly before turning my attention to Sasuke fully. "Itachi-sama isn't here now, Sasuke."

His expression became angry. "Why are you, either of you, protecting him!?" He yelled.

"Itachi doesn't need our protection, Sasuke." Shisui stepped forward.

"He killed you! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Shisui gave a confused expression. "He didn't kill me..."

"How does he have the Mangekyō sharingan!? Explain that!" Sasuke was pissed. He thought we were taking him for a fool.

"Sasu-kun..." I smiled sweetly. He turned his glare to me but I didn't falter. "Shisui-sama is telling the truth, I was there." A tear developed and I quickly wiped it away. "Shisui...willingly went..." it was hard for me, even now to speak of that time, "...he sacrificed himself, so that Itachi could carry out what he couldn't..."

Sasuke's eyebrows creased. "That doesn't explain anything."

Shisui took in a breath before placing a hand behind his head. "Things were really messed up back then. We tried to keep you out of it...but it's come to this." Shisui appeared to be calm as well but there was an unmistakable sadness in his eyes. "None of what happened was what we had intended."

I gave Shisui a small nod. "We were trying to save the clan and the village..."

Sasuke was getting annoyed. "What are you trying to say...? Did you all destroy the clan together...?"

My eyes widened and Shisui shook his head. "No, however the clan planned for a coup." Shisui paused for a moment before continuing. "Their plans could have caused another great ninja war. We were trying to put a stop to it but things went wrong...and Itachi was left with a difficult task."

Sasuke's eyes widened for a moment before he scoffed. "It doesn't change what he did."

My eyes met the floor. He was right. It didn't change anything and Itachi was also right...this was very complicated.

"So you two continue to hang around a traitor." His eyes narrowed. "Why?"

I blinked. "Because we care about him."

Shisui froze, as did Sasuke.

"Itachi-Sama painted a rather horrible image in your mind to make sure you hated him for his actions..." a tear slid down my face, "but the turmoil he must have felt...and still feels..." my voice broke. "Can you honestly believe that your caring, sweet brother would enjoy doing all this?" I took a breath as Shisui placed a hand on my shoulder. "He wants you to take vengeance, Sasuke...that's why he's treated you terribly..."

The sword Sasuke was holding dropped to his side. "He planned for me to kill him one day?"

The words left a sting but this was the reality of it and like Sasuke, I had just figured it out myself. My gaze dropped to the floor and my voice was a broken whisper. "He hates himself more than you ever could...Sasu-kun..."

The shocked look on Sasuke's face quickly dissipated. "You can't honestly believe that I'd fall for this bullshit, that my brother faked being a monster!?"

Shisui was at a loss for words. He had done everything he could back then to keep Itachi and Sasuke close but he had failed. "Inside that monster is someone who has watched over you this whole time...from the shadows." He finally said.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, he seemed to want to retort but with all of the mixed feelings he must have right now, it caused him to refrain.

Shisui protectively pulled me behind him in case Sasuke had an outburst. "I don't support what happened to the clan, I won't ever pretend to...but I can't change things now." My eyes widened. Shisui had stronger feelings about the clan's massacre than I had realized but his love and respect for his friend somehow outweighed the tragedy of it all. "Neither can he, so this is what we're left with, Sasuke. Terrible decisions were made...all we can do is move forward to a better future."

Shisui moved us to the side as Sasuke scoffed and then decided to take his leave. "The future would look better without him in it." He said over his shoulder.

I stared after Sasuke, eyes wide. The relationship between the two brothers appeared impossible to repair. Shisui was still tense as he finally turned to me and gently wiped away my tears. I blinked a few times before making up my mind. I bolted around Shisui and out of the cottage to catch up with Sasuke who was about to disappear into the forest.

"Sasuke!"

He turned with a dull stare.

I stopped several paces away. "You're wrong!"

His eyes narrowed.

"The world wouldn't be better without him." Determination gleamed from my eyes. "Because of him the Leaf remains safe. Everyone who cares about you, including myself, is safe because of Itachi-sama."

Sasuke fully turned to me. His eyebrows started to crease as his patience wore thin.

I took the snowflake pin from my hair and held it out to him. "I've kept this close to me all these years because I believe in a future that we can all share. I know it will take time to rebuild but the Uchiha clan is not dead, not as long as we are all still here to strengthen it."

Shisui calmly joined me at my side again, giving Sasuke a nod. "She's right. We can start over and rebuild our clan stronger than before."

"You're not alone anymore...Sasu-kun." I said with a gentle smile.

Sasuke's eyes softened as he gazed at the hair pin. "I would need to speak with my brother...to make my choice..."

Just then, almost on que, I heard footsteps approach us from behind. My heart began to race as I watched Sasuke's expression closely. Itachi joined me at my side. He calmly looked to his younger brother and slightly tilted his head. "Sasuke..."

The young Uchiha became tense as he glared at Itachi. It took a moment before he was able to speak. "I'm told that you slaughtered everyone because of a coup. They tell me that you wanted me to hate you and take vengeance. Is this true?"

Itachi blinked and he gave me a sideways glance. "You figured it out..." I gave a nod and he sighed, shaking his head lightly. "That's no surprise..." he turned his attention back to Sasuke. "The clan called for a coup, the three of us tried to stop it peacefully, we failed and I was left with a difficult decision." He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. "Having to destroy nearly everything I cared for in exchange to keep you safe in the Leaf...is unforgivable. I don't deserve forgiveness and I won't ask for it." He stepped forwards and gave Sasuke a weak smile. "I wanted you to come for me one day and defeat me, Sasuke."

Shisui and I exchanged glances as Sasuke appeared to contemplate his next move. He eyed his brother, "I won't be coming for your life." He turned away. "Only because I refuse to give you what you wish..."

As Sasuke took his leave I peered at Itachi who turned to us with a tired expression. "Shikara..."

Hearing him say my name quietly caused my body to react on its own and I embraced the feared Uchiha. "I'm here, Itachi-sama." I soothed. I knew he didn't want Sasuke to know the truth but this facade Itachi had couldn't continue. It was killing him. His arms loosely wrapped around me.

"Do you truly believe in such a future...?" He closed his eyes as if he was trying to envision all of us together, building what he never wanted to destroy from the beginning.

I gave him a soft smile. "Definitely."

Shisui placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder and gave him that encouraging older brother look. "We won't be letting you get killed off like that, so you may as well put it from your mind."

Itachi smirked. "You're both pains..."

"I'm your pain though." I gave him a cheesy grin and he shook his head, releasing his arms from me.

"You're the biggest pain of them all."

My cheeks puffed as I stepped back to glare. "You only say that because I refuse to let you have your way."

His eyebrow arched. "We will see about that."

Shisui started laughing as my expression fell. The blush on my face was bright red and the aura around me gave away the sudden embarrassment. I spun on my heel to walk away, muttering. "He thinks I'm a pain...screw you, Itachi-sama..." I could hear Shisui laughing harder than before, hearing my remark. I'd probably pay for that later...

After getting back to the cottage to shower and change, I decided that I wanted to go out and train some more. I needed to figure out how to gain some control over the light chakra. It was embarrassing as a ninja to have so little. As I stepped out into the living space I was surprised to see a note with no sign of the boys around.

Angel,

Something came up. We will return. Do not leave the house.

I.

I smirked. Seriously? I placed the note down and drew on the back of it. There. I finished before going to the door and opened it. Another note fell from the top of the door. Wtf?

You will be punished severely if you do not heed the first warning.

S.

"They can't be serious...did we not just have a conversation about hovering!?" Frustration took over my senses before walking over to the table and drawing on the back of this note as well before going back to the door. My hand rested on the knob for a moment. What if this is serious? I stalled before opening it again and peered out. What if this is a prank? Is it a test? I peeked around and didn't see anyone or anything out of the norm. I even checked for traps and when I was confident that there were none I completely stepped out with a flat expression. They're fucking with me, I just know it and are hiding out somewhere laughing at me.

I started walking towards an over grown path, back behind the cottage. It led to a small stream and eventually would link up with a large river. My private training area was there and my excitement grew with every step I took.

...

Shisui was intent on having a moment with Itachi to discuss something that had been on his mind. He and Itachi both claimed Shikara and with her telling Sasuke that she wanted to rebuild the clan, things have gotten serious, fast.

"Why have we left Shikara to ponder on our notes, Shisui?" Itachi was amused, knowing Shikara would take the notes more as a challenge and would probably deliberately go against what they said. He also wasn't confident about leaving her there, knowing that Sasuke now knew where she lives.

"It's about Shikara and us." Shisui replied before turning to Itachi. "We've both claimed her...and haven't considered doing things properly."

Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly. "You speak of courting her the right way...?" He smirked. "It's a little late to take back making love to her...don't you think?"

Shisui's face became flat. He was old fashioned and had gone against everything he believed in when it came to courting a woman. He was mentally face-paling himself now. She was just too damn irresistible...and it wasn't like his illusion before his death helped any.

Itachi was eyeing him now. "Do you plan to ask for her hand...Shisui?"

Shisui thought for a moment. "I think we both should." He had a half smile saying this.

Itachi almost rolled his eyes. He believed in doing things right as well but there were things that hindered him from being a proper significant other for Shikara. "It's not possible...right now."

Shisui grinned. "Have cold feet already?"

Itachi smirked. "She was mine first, so no. I don't have cold feet."

Shisui raised a brow. "I doubt that she was yours first..."

Itachi blinked. "You used it on her before you died...didn't you...?"

Shisui cleared his throat, almost nervously.

"She was twelve...Shisui..."

"Not in the illusion..."

Itachi's jaw clenched for just a moment before getting himself under control. "She's been mentally mature...since the time she was a girl." Itachi sighed. For the first time in a very long time he had to keep hold of his temper. "How old was she when you ended the illusion, Shisui?"

He looked incredibly remorseful. "Twenty two."

Itachi was glaring at this point. "It makes sense now...why she could handle more than an average girl..." Itachi finally calmed his nerves. "She's always been able to bounce back but when I found her again...she was behaving beyond her years."

Shisui was staring at the ground. "She's always been mature, Itachi...and I don't deny that I made a mistake." He looked up finally. "I want to make it right...she told Sasuke that she wants to rebuild the Uchiha clan and make it stronger than it was."

Itachi had to close his eyes and take a breath. "Her life span has been cut by a decade..." He looked to Shisui who was yet again in a depressed state. Itachi blinked before putting out a pinky. "We'll do right by her...but she has to know, first."

Shisui seemed to pause before interlocking fingers. "Alright..." a light smile spread over his lips. "Let's prepare for the big question."

The only thing that allowed Itachi to go along with this is because while he's away doing missions for the Akatsuki, Shisui could be there for her in his stead. This might actually work out better than he thought. He gave Shisui a slight nod, hiding the slowly creeping blush which threatened his face. "Let's go."

...

It had been a while since I was able to use all four of the elements. It felt good to unleash the power as I created the river bend into my personal dance floor. It seemed that this was the only way that I could call to the four and bend them at will. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I decided that this was enough for the day. If I had time tomorrow, I would focus more on the light chakra and test it's limits.

I packed the things I brought and headed back to the cottage. The boys weren't there when I had arrived and I didn't see any more demands written, so they must be enjoying their time together. I sighed happily before taking a shower then dressing myself in a lavender laced dress. I made a simple lunch and decided to work on the garden at the front of the cottage. The weeds had gone out of control. I put on a straw hat to block the sun's rays from my face and got to work. By the time I had finished, the sun hung over the treetops. I smiled, satisfied with the flower garden. Granny Yin would be so happy to see this.

"Wow...you really spruced this place up..."

A big smile crossed over my lips as I turned to Shisui, Itachi at his side. "It looks much better, doesn't it?" I tilted my head. "I hope the two of you had a nice day..." my eyebrow raised seeing that they were hiding something behind their backs.

Shisui approached me first and brought from behind him a bouquet of gorgeous flowers with peonies as the focus. "Happy birthday, angel."

I gently took them, smiling up at Shisui. "Thank you." I had forgotten about my birthday. I can't remember the last time I had actually celebrated it.

Itachi nervously approached and held out a box of chocolates. "Happy birthday." I giggled as his blush was more prominent than my own.

"Thank you, both of you." I kissed each on the cheek before turning to take the gifts inside and place the flowers in a vase. The boys followed me in. They seemed pretty quiet as I puttered around to clean up from lunch time and prepared to make dinner.

Shisui came up behind me as I washed dishes and wrapped his arms around my waist. He seemed pretty sullen when I peered up at him and smiled. It dissipated and I fully turned to him.

"What's wrong, Shisui-sama?" When he didn't reply right away I glanced over to Itachi who had perched himself on the couch and wearily watched us. My eyes went back to Shisui and I raised a brow. "Shisui-sama?"

He sighed, gently looking me deep in the eyes. "I have to tell you something..."

Before I could ask what, he carefully picked me up and sat me next to the sink. Whatever it was it was serious and my heart started to race and my eyebrows creased. "Are you okay?" Please don't tell me you're going to leave...or worse...

"I made a mistake, years ago...and I can't take it back." He began, still gazing into my eyes sadly. "When I put you through that illusion...you had basically lived ten years. Though your physical self has developed normally, mentally you have matured beyond your years."

I blinked. "That makes sense." I replied simply and smiled at him. "Why would you wish to take it back?"

He sighed, resting his forehead on mine and closed his eyes. "I've cut your life by a decade...Angel."

It was silent for a good few minutes as I stared at Shisui who was full of regret. His eyes didn't have to be open for me to see that. I felt slightly irritated and my eyebrows creased again before I finally responded. "And...so what?"

He pulled back, eyes wide in surprise.

This annoyed me further and my eyes narrowed. "Were you expecting me to be angry, or hate you?"

"I...wasn't expecting this reaction..."

I blinked a few times. "I knew what I was getting myself into then, as I do now. You can put that regret behind you because I don't regret those last seconds with you at all." I smiled softly. "I would have done it all over again at the cost of an entire lifetime."

His eyes were more wide now than before. "Shikara..."

"You knew about the abilities of the Mangekyō Sharingan?" Itachi asked from the couch, completely perplexed.

I smirked. "Yes."

Shisui's eyebrow raised. "How did you know about it? It's a secret taboo ability of the Uchiha. That information is locked away."

I blushed, my smirk turned into a sheepish grin. "Um...well...after the camping trip we had years ago...I was increadibly curious about the Sharingan after yours had changed in pattern...you know...when you were about to use it on me..."

"You broke in and read the scroll...didn't you?"

I puffed. "I didn't have to. My father and Fugaku thought I couldn't read it when they went over it themselves, therefore didn't mind that I was right there looking at it with them."

Itachi smirked. "You can read codes and other languages?"

I gave a nod and eyed Shisui. "I may be a criminal but I'm not a thief."

He looked ashamed. "Sorry."

I poked his forehead as my eyes narrowed. "Better be."

"So...it seems someone had a bit of a tantrum." Itachi was looking at the drawings on the back of their letters with amusement.

I blushed in embarrassment, I had forgotten about those and Itachi was now comparing them! As Shisui walked over to see what Itachi was talking about I took this as a chance to sneak off to the bedroom. Shit, I have to make myself scarce now before they tease me...or worse...damn my compulsive anger issues...!

...

Shisui understood Itachi's amusement as he stared at the pictures with surprise. "I can't believe it..." Itachi was chuckling. "...angel...I didn't know you were an artist."

On Itachi's letter was an angry chibi drawing of Shikara giving the middle finger with the words 'fuck you" written below. On his it was the same only it said 'fuck you most.' He turned to see that she was no longer at the counter and the sound of a window opening echoed down the hall from the bedroom.

Shisui turned to Itachi with a bewildered expression. "Did she really just escape out the back window?"

Itachi smirked. "It seems so."