Chapter 78: Dream Team

The hideout Madara spoke of isn't nearby at all. It's actually located in a small land of Ame, northwest from the land of fire. I would have to make haste and cover my tracks at the same time. It won't take long for Itachi or Shisui to notice the clone, if one or both haven't already. There would be a whole new set of issues if I was caught so early on. It would also mean any shinobi available would be sent after me as well. Luckily I had assigned most of the teams on missions, aside from the ones who had just returned and those posted to protect the village.

Ugh, I'm pulling a Sasuke...though I'm sure my reasons are more valid...

Mentally grumbling to myself I quickly made my way in the direction, sticking close to rivers and streams the best I could. I learned from before a well trained ANBU could easily track an illusive person. What's more - a well trained ANBU would also struggle to cover their tracks from others alike. Even more challenging, Itachi would most likely be tracking my trail, along with the skilled team I proudly helped put together for him. They know how I move and I couldn't be clumsy. Setting up fake trails would have to be done and to properly create them takes time.

In the middle of my trail-setting, a sudden realization struck. I just now remembered in Sage mode I could fly. Freezing in place of setting false steps, my hand met my forehead for a face-palm.

Dummy! I just wasted so much time!!!

Unfortunately, with all the stress and uncertainty lately, I had forgotten about my latest ability. I heard a rustling from behind and let out a small sigh. My realization set in too late and without surprise, had already been found.

"Shikara..."

I turned slowly to look at my dear husband, my late team, and also a very flat-faced second husband, who looks incredibly sexy with his especially messy short hair.

I kept a calm expression while I fully faced the lot. "Oh, good morning." I smiled sheepishly before tilting my head, "out for an early stroll as well, I take it?"

Itachi blinked away his annoyance, which was quickly replaced with a stony expression, reminding me of Sasuke's clone from earlier. I had the ability to annoy them and fact check their underlying care for me. It's amusing.

Shisui crossed his arms, eyes narrowing before speaking. "Let's not play games. What are you doing?"

"Our dear late captain has grown rusty in such a short time... those fake trails were pathetic," Katsuo mocked, earning a look from Itachi. Not a single one of them wore masks, nor their uniforms.

"Hey, what's up with the getup? You're all wearing your regular clothes." I glanced around in confusion.

"Our captain didn't think it necessary for us to prepare for an assassination." The Akimichi said, looking a bit bland about the situation.

Yua, or S6 stepped forth, eyebrows knitted together in worry. "You don't truly plan to abandon us, do you?" She looked as if I had betrayed her. I guess I kind of have...

My heart ached at the thought and my eyes veered to the side. "There's no way around this, so I'm going to be straightforward." I looked each person in the eyes as I continued to speak. "That man has Kurai sealed inside a scroll. He's a demon of mass destruction and has it out for me, especially. If I don't go, that man threatens to release said demon upon the village. You all know this." My eyes met Itachi's, "I won't risk the lives of everyone in the village for my decision if I were to decline." I scanned over to Shisui, "if you wish to stop me from leaving...I warn you...I won't go easy on any of you, no matter how I feel."

"...So that's your decision, then?" Shisui asked after a few moments and stepped forward with a slight smirk.

The amusement playing in his eyes had me confused. My eyebrow lifted, "yes..." It sounded more like a question than a firm response. Shisui crossed his arms again and just looked at me with that smirk of his which only served to confuse me further. What the hell? I peered at my late team, "was that not clear?" They glanced around at one-another after I asked this, so I looked to Itachi for an answer. "Was I not clear?" The look he had on that handsome face of his plainly told me that he didn't take me seriously. It was frustrating because I totally am. Definitely, without a doubt, serious. "How did you assemble so quickly, by the way?"

Itachi now shared a similar smirk to Shisui, "we knew you would sacrifice your freedom for the sake of the village and were prepared at any given moment to act."

"I didn't come up with a definite decision until only a couple hours ago..." I muttered.

Itachi approached and stood before me, taking note of my obvious disappointment. "Did you think that clone had us fooled?"

I couldn't help but to grin up at him, "...no, not really."

"What was the point, then?" His eyes are gentle as he gazed down, meeting my own. There was no anger, nor hurt within them. He understood, more than the others why I chose this route.

"Maybe, subconsciously, I wanted you to see me off." My grin became a soft smile as I reached to touch his cheek. "I'm glad you came, actually." His eyes seemed to search mine to find some kind of understanding for my words. I would have to enlighten him. Standing up on my tippy toes I brushed my lips over his and once he returned the soft kiss, I released a large amount of light and dark chakra. I held Itachi close, but the others struggled to not be blinded and blown back.

...

In a split moment a mass amount of chakra burst from Shikara after she kissed Itachi. The look in her eyes just before closing them to do whatever she planned to was of sorrow, then of peace. When Shisui caught his balance and looked to see what had happened, Itachi lay upon the ground unconscious and Shikara was nowhere to be found. Shisui sprinted to Itachi's side, unable to believe Shikara could actually attack Itachi of all people.

"Hey," Shisui called to his friend as he checked for a pulse. Itachi suddenly sat up, coughing out a dark sludge. "What the...? Are you alright!?"

Itachi coughed a few more times before gaining control. After a few breaths he was able to respond, his whole team now surrounded them. "She...Shikara...I think she...healed me," he breathed. "Just as she...kissed...she went sage and surged power before...taking flight."

Shisui sat back to look up at the dark morning sky. "That woman..." he muttered.

S2, one of Itachi's main team stepped forward. "I caught the direction she went, just in time."

Shisui looked to him hopefully, "where did she go?"

The man plainly pointed in the direction, "towards the land of Ame."

Itachi sat up, peering at Shisui. "There's a hideout there, Madara must have met with her."

Shisui blinked, "why do you say so?"

"Shikara has never been there. During her brief employment with the Akatsuki, she had only been aware of one of the hideouts."

"In other words, we could be playing into a trap by following her there." Shisui murmured.

Katsuo rolled his eyes, "of course it's a trap." He stepped towards the northwest and sighed. "Even if she hands herself over, does she really expect that guy or that group to not harm the Leaf?"

Itachi stood, "she plans to confiscate the scroll."

Shisui's eyebrows creased, "if she tries, Madara will kill her." His teeth grit, "she's so stubborn...doing this by herself is suicide."

"She's confident in her ability," Yua quietly intervened. "Captain Shikara knows the risks... and don't you think it's strange?" Yua turned to Itachi, "she could have left as a Sage from the beginning and avoid us altogether. What if she truly wished for us to know where she's going, as if to request backup?"

"That's not it," Shisui chuckled. Everyone turned to him curiously as he continued to explain, "when Shikara worries for the people she cares about, she becomes senseless. She most likely forgot about her new abilities in a moment of panic..."

The Akimichi nodded with a gentle smile, "she's unbelievably strong and admirably intelligent, however her heart of gold cracks, revealing a delicate core."

Katsuo gave his comrade a bland look, "didn't think you were the deep type."

"Some say I can be pretty heavy." The Akimichi replied with a large grin.

"Hilarious..." Katsuo chuckled. "So are we going after her, or what?"

Yua folded her hands, "I'm willing. We must help her, captain."

Shisui glanced at Itachi and gave a smile, "why do you think, captain?"

"Hmph," Itachi smirked, closing his eyes, "it's clear what everyone wishes to do..." he then glanced around, "we've trained for this moment, if you're all willing to put it to use."

The group straightened, confidence radiating from each shinobi. They all appeared determined to aid Shikara. "We're ready, at your command, captain!" Yua called out, uncharacteristically excited. The half of the team which trained and did missions at Shikara's side seemed more passionate about saving her but everyone was on board. It caused the corner of Itachi's mouth to curl up.

Shisui leaned close to Itachi, "they seem to have taken a liking to her."

Itachi began to lead the group and in response said, "she has that effect on most, it seems."