Chapter 74: Plan A, B & C

After assigning missions to several teams I decided that it was enough. Luckily I found a team to escort the monk to the Mist and caught up on yesterday's work. Leaning back in the chair, I stretched my arms over my head. I need to practice the sealing jutsu. With a sigh, I rose from the chair and gazed out the window. I need to ask Kakashi a favor as well. I made my way to the door and exited the office. My plan to get Shisui away from the village failed and now I needed to make a new plan. I want to face Madara alone and now I'm forced to train harder to ensure I've mastered the sealing jutsu. I need Kakashi to stand in for the stand in... which of course is me.

It wasn't hard to find him. I knew his habits and usual schedule. It hadn't changed much from the time I was just a kid, training under his wing. "You still visit this memorial every day, huh?" I came up beside him and knelt down to gaze upon the stone.

A soft chuckle came from my first captain. "Do you remember...?" His head turned slightly towards me, "what you said when I brought you here years ago?"

The corner of my mouth turned up and I relived those moments in my mind. "Yes." I looked to Kakashi with a genuine smile. "I'll be the hero that lives." My attention went back to the stone and I carefully touched it's cool, hard surface, my smile disappeared and a thoughtful expression replaced it. "I have lived and became a hero to many, at least." My eyes narrowed. "I may end up with my name upon this memorial still ...and yet..." I took in a steady breath, "I feel completely content."

Kakashi blinked at me. "What of your dreams? Have you accomplished your goals?"

A small smile spread across my lips. "No. Though I've accomplished most, I will never succeed every goal I've ever had or have. Having dreams and goals - it's what keeps people going, along with that drive to constantly do better and improve ...however... even if I never reach some of those dreams and goals, I know I've done my very best." I grinned up at Kakashi, "that's all that matters in the end, right?"

"Hmm..." I could tell Kakashi was smiling behind that mask of his. "I suppose you're right." His head slightly tilted. "Will you push for your dreams until the very end?"

"Absolutely, until my last breath, I'll give it my all." I softly replied.

"Good. You'll do just fine, as you always have." He fully turned to me, "now what brought you here, Shikara?"

I stood and faced him. "I have a favor to ask of you."

His eye widened, "...a favor?"

"Yes. I want you to be my stand in while I prepare for the coming of Madara..." my face fell flat "...or whoever the hell he is."

Kakashi blinked and seemed to become a little uncomfortable. "Why ask me?"

I tilted my head and gave a sweet smile. "Because unlike me, you're the perfect Hokage stand in... heavens knows you'd just make a great Hokage in general, there's no one else better for the job right now." I placed my hands in a prayer like position, "please Kakashi-sama?"

A few seconds passed and the air grew awkward Kakashi sighed, "I suppose, as long as it's temporary."

A big smile appeared over me. "Thank you so much! Also..." my smile fell. "Will you do whatever it takes to keep Shisui and Itachi away?" Lady Tsunade will return in a few days and I don't want them to interfere. I folded my hands again, "make sure they're busy!"

Kakashi rubbed the back of his head. "I'll...try." Her request will be harder done than said.

I waived as I began to run off. "Thanks again, Kakashi-sama!" The look on his face was flat and I knew I asked a lot from him but it is necessary. I needed complete focus, any distractions could be fatal at the end of all this.

I quickly made my way to a secluded spot where I knew it would be difficult to find me. I need to meditate for a full day and night to prepare. As soon as I reached the area, I sat cross legged and closed my eyes. With a deep breath I cleared my thoughts and focused. Now is the only time to tweak any last errors for the jutsu before Itachi returns to the village. Shisui and his team have patrol for 24 hours and will need rest after. I'll have peace for just the right amount of time.

...

The following day Shisui sent his team home and decided to report back to Shikara at the Hokage residence. He knocked on the door and waited for her response.

A carefree male voice called from the other side. "Come in."

That sounds like... Shisui opened the door, only to see Kakashi sitting at the Hokage's desk, reading his favorite novel. "Where's Shikara?" He asked as he stepped in, confusion written all over his face.

"Oh." Kakashi looked up cooly before placing the book down. "She put me in her place for now. She had an important matter to attend to." He expressed what seemed like a smile. "How can I help you?"

"Did she say where she went?" Shisui asked, slightly impatient.

Kakashi leaned forward. "No, however she was adamant about having privacy. She specifically asked to keep you busy."

"Did she now...?" Shisui chuckled.

Kakashi nodded before lifting his book from the desk again. "It's none of my business but I would let her be. Once her mind is set on something, it's hard to sway her." He glanced up from the book again, "she's just as hard-headed as an Uchiha."

Shisui turned away to face the door and peered over his shoulder. "She is an Uchiha."

His correction left Kakashi speechless, however when Shisui left he thought to himself, don't say I didn't warn you.

...

I'm almost there...The jutsu's almost perfected. I just need a little more time. I tried to focus, the breeze brushed through my hair and calmed me enough to concentrate some more of my chakra.

"Hey."

I sighed, dropping my hands to my lap. "I see Kakashi failed to keep you busy."

Shisui approached and stood before me with a soft grin. "Are you hungry?"

I peeked an eye at him, flustered. "On the contrary, I'm anything but." Both eyes were now open, looking to Shisui with irritation. "Did Kakashi also not pass on the memo that I need space?"

"He did." Shisui confirmed, kneeling down to get eye level with me. "I just want to help you any way I can. So what are you working on?"

I let out a deep breath and adjusted my position to get more comfortable. "It's a sealing jutsu. It would have been helpful for you to let me focus."

His eyes widened before they dropped down to the ground. "I see." He peered at me now with reservation, "you plan to seal the demon away?"

I was now staring at my lap, unsure the right way to reply. "If Kurai gets out and comes for me or anyone else, I must stop him."

Shisui's eyes narrowed at me. "You plan to go in alone, is that what I'm gathering?"

"It's the only way. He's not like the tailed beasts of our world, he's a demon underling of Jashin, himself."

Shisui's eyebrows creased. "You don't actually believe in a god like that, do you?"

I blinked and stared at him for a moment. "How couldn't I?" Shisui sat back hearing these words, I continued to speak, glancing to the side. "I've met someone who actually worships said god and has gained immortality this way, so long as he makes sacrifices. I've seen it for myself, even fought him..." my face became flat, "though he's a total sore loser..."

"You fought him?"

"Yes, twice. There's no way to kill him. I'm sure he would have to be sealed away, just like Kurai."

"How do you intend to seal away the demon?"

His question caused me to fall silent for a while. He's not going to like the answer, may even try to stop me...but it's the only way I can. "I have a way that's full proof." I tilted my head and smiled. "Do you trust me, Shisui?"

His shoulders dropped and he stared at me in contemplation. "I trust you have good intentions but I'm not sure what you plan to do will benefit you in the end."

Does he know? How could he? "I'm not sure what you mean."

He smiled to me, letting out a sigh. "If you can't trust to tell me, then how do you expect me to trust you won't do anything that could harm yourself?" He softly placed a warm palm against my cheek. "I'm here to protect you and help carry out your dreams, just as you help carry out my own. If something happens to you - our dreams will disappear, together."

The breath caught in my throat. He's right, I'll be sacrificing not just mine but his, too. That's not fair to either of us. My eyes dropped down and I stared at my knees in thought.

"So your sealing jutsu would harm you, then? That's why you won't tell me." His hand fell to rest on my thigh. "Don't do it." His voice pleaded to me and it broke my heart.

"Shisui I-" I looked up to catch his eyes, "I don't know what to do. If I decline Madara, he will set Kurai loose - and not sealing him away will have a worse outcome... for everyone." My eyebrows creased as I tried to hold back the fear which was starting to cause my body to tremble. "I can't let the people I care about suffer because of my choices!"

A look of sorrow shadowed over Shisui and his head bowed. "I'll protect you. Believe in me." His voice became a whisper, "please."

I thought my heart was breaking before but now it has shattered, just as I was causing Shisui's heart to do the same. Tears began to swell in my widened eyes, realizing my mistake too late. I had openly revealed that I didn't think anyone could help, nor keep me safe from what's to come. I wiped away the tears, smiled and took Shisui's hands. He looked up with defeat and I took a deep breath. "I believe in you so much, Shisui-sama, in fact I don't think I can do this without you. Please, stay by my side and help me defeat my demon." My eyelids dropped low, "I wanted to do this alone... I can't stand the thought of watching someone I love get hurt or die... but..." my voice was cracking, "...but..."

"I'll do it."

"Huh?" I looked up again to see a look of determination emitting from Shisui.

"We will come up with a plan to put Kurai down for good and capture this so-called Madara."

A breath of relief escaped me. "Shisui..."

"Have I been left out?"

My eyes widened and I looked over to see Itachi in his uniform, leaning cooly against a nearby tree. "Itachi-sama? You've come back already?"

He uncrossed his arms before making his approach. "I hoped I'd have a moment with you when I arrived at the Hokage's office...only to witness Kakashi Hatake in your stead." Shisui and I stood to greet Itachi. He seemed calm and collected as usual, however slight irritation shown in his eyes.

I blushed and gazed to the side. "My apologies..."

"Kakashi mentioned you wished to be left alone... however... here you are with company." Itachi lifted a brow at Shisui. "It's seems neither of us can keep ourselves from our wife." A slight smile developed upon his lips and Shisui smirked.

"Yeah, well... just look at her."

Shisui's statement caused me to blush and turn away in embarrassment. They tease me too much!

Itachi stood before me, gazing down at my expression. "Shisui and I have spoke of a plan A, it seems you've been pulling together a plan C."

Blinking in confusion I looked up. "Plan C? Does this imply that you may have a plan B? If so, then why is my idea labeled 'C'?"

Itachi smiled lightly. "Because I have come up with a separate plan and it will come after Shisui and I's original one and because yours is only to be used if the first two fail."

My eyes glazed over. "What is plan A and B? I may not agree to either of them."

Shisui grinned at my proclamation. "Maybe we should show her the first, Itachi?"

"Hm." Itachi closed his eyes as he turned away and silently walked in the direction of the village, almost beckoning for us to follow.

My eyebrows creased. "What's the meaning of this?" I asked Shisui.

He grinned and lent me his arm which I took before he led me after Itachi. "I have a feeling you may like plan A."

I blinked in confusion again. What are they plotting...?