Chapter 64: The Talk

The following morning I woke to an empty bed. After sorely rolling out I found my kimono and lazily slung my arms through the sleeves and barely wrapped it around to tie it. There on the wall to the right side of the room is a gorgeous, oval mirror, lined with a silver dragon, chasing it's tail. I went to it and was shocked to see how the night before turned my hair into a whirlwind. I needed to get cleaned up before anyone saw me this way. Smirking to myself, I strolled out to find the bathroom. The smell of a floral aroma became stronger and stronger as I slowly made my way down the hall and I turned to the room where it was strongest. Sliding the door, I was met with surprise.

It seems that Itachi had already prepared a bath. It was more like a small pool. I glanced around. Still no sign of him. My eyebrows creased as I slowly approached the edge. There were flower petals all around and inside, too, floating on top of the water. The aromatic air caused my eyes to close blissfully as I deeply breathed in the smell. Once I had a moment to gather my thoughts, I decided to remove the kimono, then sat on the edge, letting my legs test the temperature. It was warm and I loved the initial sting before my skin adjusted to the heat. When I fully entered, the water came up past my waist. There was a ledge a foot beneath the surface which encircled the whole bath and I gratefully sat upon it to relax. I wasn't sure what came over Itachi last night. It was like having a redo of our honeymoon times a hundred. Needless to say, I was feeling it and was grateful for this extraordinary treat.

I took my time washing away the night before and being as relaxed as I am, felt no need to rush. Today I was free from my duties until later tonight when I'd meet with the Shadow Ops for the real training. When I could find Itachi, I would be able to discuss with him a strategy. I was great with such things but couldn't deny that he is better. I was training them in his stead after all, they would need to be to his standards if he was to take over.

I released a long, steady breath to clear my mind and stood from my perch, moving to the center of the bath. My fingertips brushed the top of the water and I focused on the element. After a few moments of twisting and turning my wrists through the warm liquid, I realized that it wasn't reacting the way I had hoped. "What's going on?" I murmured before closing my eyes to focus a little harder. I moved my arms in a fluent motion and concluded that I couldn't use the water element. "This can't be..."

"Is the bath to your liking?"

I quickly turned around to see Itachi observing me from the edge, a robe draped over his arm. His eyebrow raised as the corners of his lips turned up to create a small smile.

"Oh, it's lovely..." I softly replied before looking to my hands with concern.

Itachi observed my actions with question. "If you're enjoying the bath, why do you appear troubled?" He draped the robe over the back of a small chair and removed his own kimono before entering.

I felt my face grow hot as I peered up at him as he approached. "I...think I've lost the ability to use the water element. It's possible that I've lost control over the others as well."

His head tilted slightly before he gently kissed my forehead. "Of course...you refuse to use your chakra, so the elements may not react the way you wish them to."

Before it didn't take me using chakra to call to the elements. They seemed to react to my movements on their own. He was probably right, though. I was not synced with my chakra and therefore wasn't in sync with myself.

It's always something.

His voice soothed as he spoke. "It's time for you to accept your chakra. I will help you learn to use it."

My eyes met his again. "Only with extensive study over the scroll will I use it." He had to admit, it's better than me refusing altogether.

"After our bath, we will visit with Shisui."

Even though I had already washed, Itachi was intent on spoiling me with lavender scented soap. He gently pulled me into his lap as he sat on the ledge and massaged my back. He must have known how sore I was and took his time to work out each muscle that felt tense. When he moved to my shoulders I felt my body relax into him and I closed my eyes blissfully. He smiled against my neck and kissed it softly. It sent a shiver up my spine and his smile became a grin.

"You make being a decently reserved husband difficult."

My eyes peered open and a small smile spread across my lips. "Something would be terribly wrong if I didn't make things difficult for you."

I heard a soft chuckle before he responded. "When will you stop sneaking contraceptives...I wonder...?"

A blush spread over my face. I hadn't known that he was interested in having a little one. We hadn't talked about it.

"Hm?" He wanted an answer.

I wanted to respond honestly but first his question would be met with another. "If I find a way to heal you of your illness...would you allow it? Or will you slip away without ever being a memory to our future child?"

He paused for a moment of thought. "Do you think you know of a way?"

I gave a slight nod before repositioning myself so that I faced him, straddling his lap. "I want you to be here if we choose to do such a thing...and I think I've found a jutsu that can help."

A small smile played across his lips before he stroked my cheek with his fingertips. "You wouldn't produce my heir if I am to die in the near future?"

I bit down on my lip as he gently pulled my hips to his before responding. "I'm not against it...it's just better to share memories as a family." My hands rested on his chest as he gazed into my eyes with reserve.

"In other words...you would give me a child no matter what happens...as long as I wished for it."

I blushed deeper than before and shyly nodded. "I'll do anything, if it satisfies you."

"Just as you've continued to make sacrifices all this time to satisfy everyone around you."

My eyes widened at this. "What are you talking about?"

"Do you deny it?"

My head tilted. "Deny making sacrifices to satisfy everyone? ...I suppose I do deny it..."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "You refuse to train with your chakra in fear of harming others, which causes you suffering. You wont reunite yourself as a whole so you could marry the men you love without judgement. And you deny the feelings you have to keep a promise you knew would be impossible."

Honestly my head was spinning. I've never heard Itachi say so much in one go. I needed time to come out of my initial shock before processing what he had said. "Am I in trouble for something?" The way he was peering at me was a little unsettling, as if I've been dishonest with him.

He closed his eyes with a light sigh. "Shisui brought this point up to me when we went out. The issue is your honesty to yourself."

My head tilted curiously. He's never been great at explaining things that were personal. I don't think I've ever been very strong in the field either. "Should I speak to him about it? I feel as if there's a misunderstanding happening here."

Itachi's eyes opened again and within them a flash of irritation. "Is there a misunderstanding, or do you believe everyone around you is blind?"

Uh-oh...I am in trouble. He was holding my hips firmly as he searched my eyes for answers. I couldn't keep this up, he was becoming impatient with me. I veered my gaze to the side and murmured nervously. "The dark chakra is eating away at the life energy I have...and...it is becoming...intolerable."

"And?"

I blinked away the sting that was happening in my eyes. "And...I was worried how we would be viewed by the people of the village, so I never intended to become one again..."

He was staring at me with an eyebrow raised. "Continue."

...

After telling her to continue, she peered into Itachi's eyes reluctantly. Her light blush was sweet, however it didn't change the fact that she was giving up too much for everyone else's happiness. Angel is no different. Itachi was sure Shisui and his new wife would be having the same conversation this morning as well. It's the oldest trick in the book. Divide and conquer.

"I may not have been fully honest...and have sacrificed some to ensure the happiness of others..." she admitted.

Itachi gave her a light kiss on the cheek. She needed to know that her honesty wouldn't go without reward. Now it was time to push further. "How do you feel about Shisui?" Her eyes widened for just a split second. It didn't go without notice and the corner of his mouth twitched, threatening to expose his amusement that she tried to hide her surprise.

"Shisui is a good friend...annoying sometimes...but a good friend."

She was choosing her words wisely but mistakingly couldn't keep eye contact. "He is a good friend...like an older brother...to me...but what about you?" He pressed.

"You baited me into this with a large tub and a serious inquiry... and now you're asking if I have feelings for your best friend. This conversation has become one-sided...and tactfully confusing."

Itachi couldn't keep the corner of his mouth from turning up this time. She was clearly ready to start backtracking. He would have to reform the question. "Does Angel hold all her love for Shisui, or does she have feelings for me as well?"

Shikara blinked before her expression became flat. "Must I remind you who comes second in command? Changing the wording of the question is a cheap trick."

She had him. Shikara wouldn't flat out lie to him but she was good at avoiding questions that she didn't want to answer.

"As first in command, I order you to answer the question." Itachi had to hide his satisfaction of turning the table again. Their conversation was challenging because she is just as sharp as he is, however his ranking still bests her's.

Shikara's eyes narrowed. She was clearly irritated now. "I feel for you the way Angel feels for Shisui."

Itachi sighed. He wasn't getting anywhere and decided to rest his back against the ledge to think. Shikara wouldn't budge on this matter. She was avoiding eye contact all together now. Maybe it was a little much to press for all the answers in this moment. It had offended her that he baited the conversation with talk of having children and then piled a whole set of issues onto the table.

"I'll agree to having you heal me of my illness if you choose to become one with yourself again."

Her eyebrow raised. "Maybe I should be asking you if you have feelings for my other half?"

He smirked. "I love you. All of you."

She blinked. "Shisui said the same..."

"Will you answer the question now?"

Shikara's eyebrow raised. "I already have." She tried to remove herself from his lap but he held her hips in place. "Itachi..." she said his name with warning.

Without another word he simply kissed her. She cared for everyone around her dearly and has done more than what was ever necessary to show it. He would push matters later but for now he would just enjoy having this part of his angel to himself. At least while it lasted.

...

After having a rather stressful bath time with Itachi, he wanted to show me around the house. It was large enough for someone who is used to living in a small cottage to get lost in. When he was certain that I knew my way around we readied ourselves to meet with Shisui and Angel. This was good because I wanted to make sure Shisui didn't break her.

When we came to Shisui's doorstep I gave a few light taps. I heard from the other side of the door trampling footsteps before the door flew open to reveal Angel's excited face.

"Itachi-sama! Shikara!" She greeted us happily before taking my hand and pulling me in. "I made breakfast, please join us!"

"Hey." Shisui greeted calmly from the dining table.

It seems that Angel is still in one piece. I smiled to my other half as she had me sit at the table then motioned for Itachi to sit across from Shisui.

"Hurry up! It'll get cold." She then placed herself across from me with glimmering eyes.

I smirked. "Um...thank you...for breakfast. I would ask you how you're doing this morning but it seems there's no need to."

Angel blushed and sent Shisui a sweet smile. He winked to her and her blush deepened.

Oh man...they're too sweet...I've lost my appetite...

"Shikara, try the eggs, I made them the way we like!" Angel's sweetness continued to curb my appetite but I tried a bite.

"Mmm, they are good." It did taste good but I was still trying to not gag which thankfully Angel was too busy showing off everything else she made to notice. The boys did though and I caught a sly smirk from the corner of my eye from Shisui. I shot him a warning look. His lips tightened together to hold back a grin and my eyes narrowed.

Dont you dare give me away.

...

Shikara was trying to be polite to Angel and was having difficulty. It amused Shisui. She had this way of always making things more interesting. Like the way she hides her feelings for him. Angel refused to let up on how she felt when they talked, however the twoslipped up from time to time. All Shisui wanted was to know the truth. Shikara seemed worried about Angel this morning. Was she jealous? A smirk came to his face. Maybe he could toy with her a little and find out.

...

"Angel, Shikara seems to be trying to wake up still, maybe she could use some tea?" Shisui suggested, giving me an annoying, devious grin. If looks could kill Shisui would have been sent back to the afterlife in a heartbeat.

"Here!" Angel passed the tea kettle across the table and I slowly accepted it. I poured some in the cup that was placed on the table, next to the full plate of food in front of me. Angel was looking at me expectantly and I took a sip. It was extremely bitter and caused my eyes to squint.

"Do you like it?" Angel asked.

I couldn't take it anymore. They were all staring at me, Itachi and Shisui with smirks. Itachi was right, I'd do just about anything to please others but this was the last straw.

"Pass."

Angel gasped. "You don't like it?"

I gently placed the cup on the table. "Angel...you and I both know that this isn't our cup of tea." Pun intended.

Her eyes were wide in sarcastic shock, now she was clasping a hand over her mouth to keep herself from laughing. Shisui was already chuckling and Itachi had a grin. They set me up. My people pleasing days are over.

I lightly pushed the plate of food a few inches away before clearing my throat. "I'm ready to train, using the dark chakra."

Everyone fell silent.

I peered at Angel who's eyes were sincerely wide this time in shock. "We will need to study the scroll before I use it." My eyes scanned over to Shisui.

He seemed pleased. "I'm glad you brought that up." Shisui pulled the Tenshi scroll out from under the table and held it out to me. "I think you and Angel need free reign of the scroll." He had a sheepish smile. "Without me hovering...as much..."

I took the scroll and couldn't help the smile that played over my lips. "This is what you meant...about making things right?"

Shisui gave a small nod. "I won't promise not to keep a watchful eye...but it isn't right to keep something from you that's yours." His eyes glanced to Itachi before returning to me. "I would rather have it this way than you keep secrets from us."

"With that being said..." Itachi began, "is there anything you would like to share before you delve into that scroll...?"

I was already untying the scroll when he said this and reluctantly put it in my lap. "Hm?" I looked up to see everyone staring at me. "Uh..." my eyes narrowed at Itachi in thought. "Happy almost birthday? In like...a month..."

The corner of Itachi's mouth twitched in slight irritation. "How about you agreeing to become one again?"

My eyes narrowed further as Angel appeared to become excited. "Did you really?!"

Did I?

"You want to be one again, Angel?" I was surprised by this. We may be two of the same in many ways, however our goals were completely different. She wants to learn from Sakura and the other medical ninja and I want to continue as an ANBU captain, to protect the village and carry out orders that could bring peace to the neighboring countries.

"I think once we've mastered our skills separately we should...if there is a way..."

"I see..." I looked to Shisui. "You two have talked about this?"

A smile appeared across his lips. "We had much to discuss last night once we parted ways."

My eyebrow raised. Did they really spend their marital night talking? I closed my eyes in thought. It took me a moment to gather everything and place each subject in place. I needed to respond and they were waiting almost eagerly. Once my thoughts were organized I peered at Angel with a flat expression. "A medical ninja is not allowed to be on the battle field...unless they've become a sage. If we do not acquire such a level of power we will not be able to pursue our goals as shinobi."

Shisui and Itachi became still. Was that their goal? For us to not put ourselves in danger once we were one?

"That wouldn't sit well with us."

...

The girls figured it out. Shisui and Itachi had met in private to come up with a plan to have Shikara become one again once she gained the skills necessary to stay in control. She was already in danger before but in this weakened state there was no doubt that if the wrong people found her, she would be in trouble. If Angel excelled at being a medical ninja, they wouldn't be able to take part in outside missions.

Itachi knew that the Akatsuki would come after him someday for abandoning them. If Shikara was found with him as she is now, she couldn't defend herself. They were on a time limit for her to gain control of her chakra and learn jutsus to protect herself.

Shisui had noticed that their existence in the village is also compromised. Their dreams to remain here were hanging on a thread which could fall with any wrong move. Shikara may be hailed as a hero but they hadn't changed her status as a criminal. Itachi was the same. He was beginning to think that maybe they never would, therefore, their skills were of use for now...but if they were deemed as a danger to the Leaf in any way, they would be assassinated without anyone batting an eye. The Hokage was gaining intel on all of them and the purpose couldn't have been more clear. They may be welcome for now...but that could change. They had blindly walked into one big trap.

"Learn your skills separately, then we can worry about what comes after." Shisui said. Shikara was eyeing him with a knowing look. "Is that clear, Shikara?"

Her eyes narrowed before peering across the table to Angel. They shared the same expression and in unison said. "Crystal."

Angel became very serious, mirroring Shikara. "Is there something that you two would like to share with us?"

It was a bad sign to see the peppy side of Shikara become this way. Itachi and Shisui were now trying to communicate without using words. If the girls found out about their suspicions on the Leaf, it could tear away the advantage they had. As long as she wasn't aware of the Hokage's skepticism of them, it kept them in good graces with the rest of the Leaf. The people love her, if she was suddenly taken out by their own alley, (which the boys would never allow) there would be a lot of question from the rest of the Land of Fire. She was their only line of defense at this point.

Shikara gave Shisui a sideways stare. "You're hiding something."

"Both of you." Angel added.

"Shikara...Angel...do you trust us?" Itachi asked calmly.

The girls blinked at one another before appearing to lose their suspicious attitude towards the guys. Angel finally responded. "Of course. Whatever is going on though, it concerns us, too."

Shikara sighed. "I trust you as well." She tilted her head to Angel. "The subject must be better left forgotten...for now."

Angel gave a slight nod. "For now..."

Shisui took Angel's hand. "Don't worry." He gave an encouraging smile. "Everything will be okay, so for now let's focus on our current goals."

She gave a solemn nod before sparing a sweet smile. "Okay...Shisui-sama..."

Shikara fully untied the scroll and scooted back on the floor to give it room to roll out. "I hope you don't mind but I'd like to study now while there's time."

Angel got up and joined Shikara. "While you study the dark, I'll focus on the light."

Shikara nodded and then gave Shisui a sly smirk. "Feel free to hover, however boring it may be."

"Heh, I have a breakfast to finish...so...have fun."

His and Itachi's eyes met. There was a mutual relief between the two that Shikara seemed to catch on to not pushing the matter further. Every move they made from this point on had to be careful. Though they were all loyal to Konoha, they had a lot of convincing to do.

Shisui stood from the table after a while and stretched. "It's that time."

"You're leaving already?" Angel piped up.

He chuckled. "Yeah, I'm meeting with my students."

Shikara looked up from the scroll with a grin. "I bet they admire you." A light blush made a barely visible appearance over her features.

"Yeah...they are curious about me, at least...and maybe sometime you could stop by the training grounds near here. They ask about the 'Angel of Death' often enough."

Shikara smirked and turned to Angel. "Yeah, you would make a great guest speaker for Shisui-sama."

"I like kids. They're cute." She grinned before turning her attention back to the scroll. "After we've studied, though."

Shisui sighed and shook his head before heading to the door. It seems that he didn't have any luck figuring out how Angel or Shikara truly felt either. That would be an ongoing mission for the two Uchiha men. Shisui peered back with a curious expression to see if he could get a reaction from his wife. "I'm leaving now."

"Kay, bye, have a nice day." Angel said dismissively without taking her eyes from the scroll. Itachi had to cover a grin as Shisui's expression fell.

Shikara looked up, realizing that Shisui was expecting something from Angel and raised an eyebrow at her before giving her a light nudge. "Go give your man love before you hurt his ego..." she muttered.

Angel smirked. "Why don't you?"

The air grew still with awkward silence.

Shikara tilted her head as her eyes narrowed. "Angel..." her tone was a warning.

"Just kidding, hehe!" Angel popped up and ran into Shisui's arms. "I'll see you soon!" She had a sweet expression before pecking him on the cheek. She then quickly returned back to Shikara to study.

Shisui looked to Itachi in question.

All Itachi could do was shrug. "I'll be here with them."

"Yeah. Good luck." Shisui shook his head before disappearing through the door.