Chapter 69: The Falling of the Leaf

My knees felt weak as our team stood upon a mountain, overlooking the area where the village flourished. Now there was only a massive circular scar, buried deep into the earth where it used to be. Everything is gone. Not a single building survived the massive attack. Whatever happened here it was over and with luck we could see below many of the villagers picking up what ever they could to begin reconstruction.

Instinctively my hand slowly rose, fingers gripping the mask which covered my face and pulled it away to reveal a sorrowful expression. My eyes turned to my lover and he, too, removed his mask.

"C1, C2!" S5 exhaled in disapproval, "we are not to reveal our identities, even to each other!" The Akimichi isn't wrong, we weren't to reveal ourselves to anyone, however there was no longer a village to be revealed to.

"Itachi-sama...?"

His eyes met mine and displayed traces of dismal expression. His eyebrows creased slightly before he spoke. "Everyone...put your masks away and find your loved ones. C2 and I will find the Hokage."

"Yes, sir." A few of the six replied.

We turned to our team and I followed Itachi's lead as we watched each remove their masks. Not a single one is unaffected by the loss of our village. They peered at us and my eyes met each one. Itachi and I knew who they were and by the looks of things they weren't surprised to see who their captains are.

I stepped forth and bowed to my comrades. "I hope everyone finds their friends and family in good health. You're all dismissed."

"Captain." They replied, then dispersed.

I rose, still peering to the ground in contemplation. "How can this be? We were only away for a week."

A hand gently rested upon my left shoulder and I looked up to see Itachi's eyes peering into my own. "We must find the Hokage."

We then departed from our location and soon approached the area where the village used to stand and realized everyone seemed okay. Most were able to evacuate the premise and learned anyone who had been killed were brought back by the one who attacked the village, Itachi and I's former leader, Pain, or rather, Nagato. This information was gathered from a fellow ninja and he kindly pointed us in the direction of Lady Tsunade. When we found her she was busy tending to the wounds of a villager, who had been caught in the rubble of a collapsed building.

Itachi bowed before her and her eyes fell upon us for a brief moment before quickly healing the man's arm from a nasty break.

"Lady Tsunade." Itachi softly addressed.

She wrapped up what she was doing and stood. "You two came back earlier than expected." The seriousness of her tone caused me to gaze down shamefully.

If only we had been here... maybe the elite of the village could have helped to prevent such destruction. "We finished the mission just before receiving the news of the village, my lady." I replied in a whispered tone.

"I see." She looked around to observe the village's current status. "Everyone is safe, thanks to Naruto."

My eyes widened and I turned my gaze to Itachi. He glanced at me and a small smile played at the corner of his lips. He already respected Naruto for being there for Sasuke all those years and now the glint in his eyes seemed to portray more, for saving the people of the village.

"You two will be responsible for helping anyone you can from this point on." Lady Tsunade gave a smile. "We need to rebuild the Leaf and you, along with everyone else must do your part."

"Yes, my lady," I said. Itachi gave a slight nod. "Where should we start?"

"Find Shisui and your other half. They should be together, helping the injured near where the East gate resided. They can fill you in and you can go from there."

"Right." Itachi and I rose, quickly taking action to find the others.

I felt nervous. Itachi's dealings with the Akatsuki could raise questions from our fellow villagers. I don't think that I could handle a repeat of the mistrust from the past. He has come so far to gain the respect he had.

"You're scowling." Itachi was eyeing me from the corners of his eyes and a light blush of embarrassment crossed my features.

"It's nothing." I can't express my concerns now, we have to stay focused.

"Really?" A small smirk creeped from the corner of his mouth.

My eyes narrowed. "Let's find the other two." I really don't want to trouble him with my worries now.

"As you wish...captain..." his teasing words caused my blush to deepen. I'd be foolish to believe he'll let this go.

"Itachi, Shikara!" Shisui waived us down as Angel continued to focus on a small boy who appeared to have an injured leg.

"Shisui," Itachi greeted calmly as we drew near.

"Hey." Shisui's smile couldn't hide the fatigue. "Things were pretty crazy here while you were away. The Akatsuki came for Naruto, taking out everyone who refused to leak information." His tired smile became one of pride. "Not a single one caved and the boy actually saved everyone." He glanced to Angel, "She and I had a close call with the enemy as well."

"Close call?" I echoed.

Shisui turned his attention to me with a gentle gaze. "Yes but thanks to Angel and my use of Susanoo, we made it without any serious injury."

I peered over to Angel as she finished her healing jutsu and helped the small boy to his feet. Her upper left arm is bandaged from elbow to shoulder. As she returned the boy to his mother, who bowed to her gratefully, a glint of happiness radiated from her eyes. She turned to us and a big smile appeared.

"Itachi-sama, Shikara!"

"You've gotten really good with your jutsu, Angel." Itachi observed in admiration.

Wiping the sweat from her brow as she stumbled towards us, Angel laughed. "I've been hoping to put it to use. I never anticipated that I would have to do so in such a way." She slowly, tiredly peered around. "This area is complete," she sighed. Her eyes locked with mine before giving me an unexpected hug. "I wasn't sure that I could do all this without you."

Eyes wide, I felt myself respond to the embrace and wrapped my arms around her. By the way my other half was shaking, I could tell she was at her peak of exhaustion. Her weight took me by surprise and I sunk to the ground with her. Angel must have been at this for hours. Everyone who was brought back to life were all in good health, however anyone who remained living and were caught in the aftermath still had their injuries.

"Rest, Angel." I softly whispered, still holding her. She's strong... My eyes met Shisui's as Angel became limp in my arms, her head rested against my shoulder. "Thank you." I said to him.

He blinked in confusion.

A smile crept across my lips, along with a light blush. "You've been at her side, protecting her all this time. I'm guessing she refused to stop, despite putting herself in such a state."

Shisui bashfully placed a hand behind his head, an unmistakable red tone flushed over his cheeks. "I'd do anything for her..."

His sweet, simple response caused me to grin. "You're a good husband, Shisui-sama."

A chuckle escaped him and I tilted my head curiously. There was a strange glisten in his eyes as he responded. "I have yet to fully secure that title." He then scooped angel from my arms and winked at me before turning away, walking towards the forrest. "I'm taking this one somewhere more suitable to rest. I'll meet with you later."

I blinked in confusion as Itachi and I watched him go. He has yet to secure the title? What does that mean? We witnessed their union ourselves. I looked to Itachi for answers.

He seemed to purposely ignore my expression and gazed up at the stone faces of the Hokage who had lead us from past to present. Thankfully they were left unscathed and brought some comfort. It was as if they all still watched over their people.

Itachi quietly murmured to himself, "Naruto will make a good Hokage, someday."

The compassion the Uchiha has for the village and its people is unparalleled. In my eyes, Itachi would have made for a good Hokage, if ever given the chance. He had sacrificed everything in his life to protect Konaha.

A small smile spread across my lips as I reached out to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Itachi-sama?"

He looked to me curiously.

"Let's make ourselves useful."

His eyes closed as he tried to hide his amusement but failed with the slight smirk that had developed. "I think you should rest, first." He peered at me with care. "We've only just returned from our mission - and with great haste."

My eyes narrowed teasingly. "After knowing how much Angel and Shisui have donefor the village and it's people, rest is not on my agenda."

My hand slipped off of his shoulder as he turned fully to me. Itachi's deep gaze caused my heart to jump as he searched into my soul. I can't believe even still to this day he does that to me.

He reached to cup my chin in his fingers and a sly expression crossed his handsome features. "Rest, first. That's an order."

My cheeks puffed. "You're always going to use your title against me, aren't you?"

His smirk widened. "Only if you resist."

I felt my eyes narrow. "You mean every time I go against your wishes."

"Precisely."

I couldn't help but to scoff and this amused him further. Itachi started to chuckle at my dismay because he knew I wouldn't refuse an order while still in uniform...or even out of uniform. He had me wrapped around his finger and it is absolutely infuriating.

"Come." He called over his shoulder as he turned towards the forest. "We, too, will find a more comfortable area."

My eyebrow rose at the back of his head. He's really going to force me to sit on my ass and do nothing for now...

"Are you coming?" He paused to wait.

A small sigh left me and I mentally shrugged to myself. A few moments of rest won't hurt. "Alright, captain, I'm coming." I quickly made my way to his side and took his arm into mine. He chuckled at my defeat before disappearing into the forest."We can't be too long, though."

I could tell he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, okay."