A/N: Geeez, tbh didn't really think I'd get the positive response I got for a pairing I rarely even see written. The first two chapters are probably one-hit wonders, so hopefully, this one makes a good connection for the overall story. Characters have been aged up for obvious reasons.

Don't crucify me. I'm not good with fighting scenes or like…uh…really…ha..ha…anything in general. So if you think some characters are portrayed in an improper way, I apologize.

If anyone has suggestions for the progression of the story, or anything they think would enhance my writing, do post below.

Also, sorry manga-only readers, I also read the Boruto manga and somewhat understand.

*Forgive any grammar errors, in need of beta-reader.

Sick But Not Twisted

Chapter Three: The same... me

Itachi's black robe danced as she and her partner skipped across the slippery branches of snow consumed as tiny white flake slowly descended

"…I said I'd let you choose our method, didn't I?"

"Ah, I'm just surprised you're bringing it up."

"What? That's what I said…eh." Juzo looked over his shoulder at her, teeth parted agape in mock challenge.

"You said the same thing last time." Itachi politely reminded him.

"Huh?!.."

"At the drug lord's mansion. Deep in the land of grass, you remember."

The familiarity swept over his face like a rogue wave. The mission where they'd actually killed every witness in the household.

"When we killed the guy pushing those chakra enhancement pills. You opted to leave as few casualties as possible."

Itachi just nodded her head and Juzo took in a deep calm inhale.

"And…I did the opposite, after… agreeing to only kill those… that were necessary…" Juzo scratched the back of his head after saying it. "But Itachi, it was much more simple to kill all those present. You know sneaking around would've exhausted so much time we could have been spending on another mission. Plus the way you and I exterminated that house, left no room for error."

Stop.

For Itachi, it wasn't hard to bite her tongue—though, in the back of her head, there was the small urge to argue in favor of those they didn't have to slaughter.

It was something she had learned to do long ago in her younger years as the Uchiha clan's heiress.

Their sandals scraped against wet bark.

"Right. So, forgive me if I don't believe you this time."

"You know, you're a confusing Kuniochi?"

And So Itachi had heard her entire life.

But she didn't offer a rebuttal to that.

"When I was told I'd be showing the notorious clan killer Itachi Uchiha, the beginning ropes of our organization I didn't know what to expect. 'You hear me? One girl takes out the entirety of her clan in one night—shit, she must be some sort of sicko." He paused queuing for her to look at him with Juzo already staring "But no. You're not like that at all—actually, you're not what most people would expect of a murderous villain."

Villain?

That wasn't a common word she'd heard named for herself.

But it would be appropriate, she guessed

"So sorry..." On the surface, she showed no sign that his words had any effect.

But underneath she resented the period of her life.

And despite that, that still made her a villain, Juzo was absolutely right.

"So I wanna hear it? What are some of Itachi Uchiha's goals? What is at the forefront of your mind?"

At first, Itachi wasn't going to respond, instead choosing to look forward and admire the small snowflakes that melted when they landed on her nose. Or really whatever snow-covered branches they saw as they tread treetops.

"Huh, am I speaking to myself? What do you have in mind outside of the Akatsuki?"

…Sasuke…

That was the first person to appear in her head. How had he been all these years?

Then, as if someone had placed the intrusive thought, a particular gray-haired copy ninja busted his way in.

Intrusive…intrusive…

"Why are people so concerned with what I'm thinking?"

It was a question she didn't necessarily care to hear the answer for.

She already had a hunch.

He analyzed her from his position, up and down.

"I can't speak for anyone else, but I say it's because when people look at you—there's just this enigma. I don't particularly care what you want done or what you do, but it beats traveling in silence."

Fine.

Then she'd tell him what he wanted to hear.

With the flick of her sharingan, Itachi said her next words firmly "It's simple…my goal is to achieve the next state and obtain power."

Juzo looked at her, for a second she thought she saw the taller man taken aback with a stare that said 'oh, this chick is crazy!'

So at first, her intimidation worked.

But then there was another look, as if he didn't quite believe her.

"I see. Nice… You were a prodigy in your time–as was I. I can see where the desire to gain more of what you deserve stems from." Juzo held up his sword proudly analyzing it, perhaps romanticizing all the times he'd bloodied a battlefield "I can see how the proposition of power could drive a shinobi to wipe their family. But, if I was never told about your backstory, I would never guess the crime you're responsible for."

"There's a lot we wouldn't know of each other, solely dependent on mere appearance."

"Alright, fine. This mission we'll do it your way, the low casualty way. What I've been trying to figure out is why would someone with your reputation always cares to minimize casualties?"

That's when Itachi changed the subject, no longer feeling the need to answer Juzo's questions.

"It's a heavily used and populated bridge, it'll need to be evacuated before we blast it. Oh…there may be a good bit of resistance, except a few skilled ninja—I'm sure they'll be expecting us."

Juzo laughed, agreeing.

The resistance against the bridge, that both Juzo and Itachi agreed was better if they didn't remember's name, was much less of a threat than Pain's intel had led them on to believe.

When they landed on the white blanket-covered bridge, for added effect Juzo caused the entire structure to quake with the stomp of his foot.

Both Juzo and Itachi wiped out the first wave of assorted missing ninja guarding the cherry blossom-covered oak bridge within mere seconds.

Snow came down softly, but nobody seemed to notice the cold like Itachi, and Juzo didn't seem to shiver every so often as she did.

Not that the defending ninja weren't organized or prepared, but Juzo and Itachi worked multiple times faster than the blink of the human eye, and despite some being able to keep up momentarily, most of them were dead before their bodies even hit the ground.

When they had finished the second wave, one of the pedestrians who noticed the attack let out the most ear-piercing screech.

She shouldn't have done that.

It sent Juzo into a frenzy, he charged at the lady—a curly blonde-haired girl in a casual skirt, with his blade, raised on stopping inches from her throat, the girl blinked up at him.

"You're screaming so loud. You know—had this been a normal day you'd be my first civilian kill of the day? Yeah, a good way to get yourself killed."

Huh.

A little unnecessary, but she was just happy he didn't kill them.

For some odd reason, none of the civilians ran, they stood about swelling around Juzo in her—as if they had some sort of chance of saving someone if they banded together.

"Ple–please don't kill me shinobi-san, I'm terribly, terribly sorry. I–I was just so frightened—"

in her eyes laid absolute terror.

"Like I said, if this were a normal day, you'd be dead. But today, I promised a friend that I wouldn't kill you." He pointed a thumb at Itachi "Oye, yeah you get to go on with your useless lives or whatnot. So hurry, get the hell off the bridge already! Scram!"

The lady tripped as the rest of the crowd heeded Juzo's warnings.

The tall intimidating Akatsuki member just looked down at the blonde, who just cowered on the bridge floor in silence.

Juzo looked over to Itachi, his eyes almost begging her to just take out one, Itachi just glared at him and that was the answer to his plea.

The woman was clearly scared—only a few years older than the young Itachi herself.

One groan came from his throat.

"Lady, go! Now!" He pointed in the direction, complete off and away from the bridge with his sword.

And without further need for warning the woman took off running, the crowd swarming and escorting her away to safety, making sure Itachi and Juzo didn't try anything unexpected.

He didn't say anything to Itachi until their footsteps began to fade.

"A little slow there, that one."

"She was terrified. Surely, she thought she was going to die."

"Right! But…I didn't kill a single innocent soul, you should be happy."

The girl gave a soft grin and bowed "I am. Thank you, Juzo."

"Yeah, yeah. That was pretty unusual of them to band together like that. Guess—when you don't know the outcome—in highsight, it was a stupid decision. But this benevolent Uchiha lady spared them, defying fate. Right? Something like that."

Itachi nodded, though she didn't see the group banding together as stupid so much as it was compelling.

"Now, are you ready to blast this thing?"

"Yeah." She was just about to start unpacking a scroll and retrieving some explosive tags.

But then, the atmosphere was pinched and almost like the pair could sense the metal shooting through the air, they both ducked, before—

"Konoha Senpū!" It came with a backward high kick, which Itachi also had to duck before she realized that this was a coordinated attack on her when silver hair and a dazz of purple electricity shot her way, Kakashi attacking with a Kuna amplified by lightning.

His sharingan met hers.

Before either attack could touch her, she maneuvered out of the way with a flexible twist.

And her partner went on the offensive, flashing to their opponents in a blur and driving his weapon down at them only to miss and slash the bridge, causing another quake.

Snow became slush at their feet.

"My…what do we have here? Shinobi from your village, out here?"

So, this bridge would have proper defense.

"They're the backup." She informed him, then with the most unbother face she could muster address her former comrades "Guy-san, Kakashi-senpai."

…she didn't want to kill anyone…

The pair were beside one another, Guy already in an offensive stance, the taijutsu specialist would be quite the opponent for her to match.

She should have prepared for any unexpected taijutsu feats and go on the defensive—however, Itachi just couldn't pry her eyes from her former anbu captain, who noticeably was currently clad in a similar jounin vest to Guy.

"Look what the chef has put on our plate, Kakashi!" Guy was showing his pearly whites, absolutely ready to throw down. "Itachi, I cannot forgive you for a single thing you've done!"

"Yeah." Kakashi agreed.

Fair.

Against her better judgment, she couldn't hold herself from looking at Kakashi, but he didn't seem too interested in her so much as he looked concentrated.

But on what?

"Backup? Who are they?" Juzo looked at her, clearly picking up on the expressions both Itachi and Kakshi gave one another.

Something she had hoped to conceal, but it was hard to hide something to intense.

"That's Kakashi of the sharingan. And beside him—remember when you told me about the ninja known as Might Dai, that's Might Guy."

"Oh…what? Did he go and have a son now? Was that the kid from before?" Itachi nodded in answer "Might…Guy… Itachi, I plan on killing this man in honor of my fallen comrades."

"Sure. Don't underestimate them, or you'll die."

"Leave this bridge, and maybe I won't capture you two and put you both in shackles!" Kakashi played his typical nonchalant self, but he wasn't normal.

…at least, he wasn't acting normal.

"Now, there really isn't any way we can leave this place without a fight. Not when Might Dai's son sits before me."

Blinking, as if at first he had not remembered but for some reason in the very moment, everything clicked "You're one of the seven ninja swordsmen of the mist, Juzo—that day—with my team. I remember! " Guy gulped, but immediately his fist clenched and a fire burned across his face "So, it's a generational grudge match, huh? So be it!"

Guy charged Juzo and in a matter of seconds the two were exchanging heavy fists and sword blows, across the bridge they battled.

Leaving Kakashi and Itachi to be stuck in this weird trance.

He looked at her, and she stared at him.

Never had she wanted to pry into the mind of someone so much until that moment.

What was going through his head?

"Someone hired ninja from Konoha to defend this bridge. My… I wonder what the stakes are." she commented.

"Medicine…food, water, basic necessities. All things people need. And I hear that this group you've joined has been wreaking havoc in the criminal world. Did I hear correctly?"

Ah, another devious deed she'd need to accomplish in the name of Konoha.

"Hm, I'm impressed, yes. And we'll eliminate anyone in our way—did you yet let your allies on this bridge die? No, you wouldn't do that, would you? You were caught off guard and thus late. ", the last part she stated as a fact.

"Itachi, a lot of more people are going to die if you destroy this bridge. I will not let that happen."

There was no answer from Itachi, except the red of her sharingan.

Certainly, she had already known there would be a snowball effect from destroying the bridge.

Being directly responsible for so much innocent death in this world, why would she want to be responsible anymore?

The mission…but the mission called for it, and she meant her real mission.

Finally, she spoke "Senpai, the matter of whether people will die or not is irrelevant. My mission must be complete. And you're in the way."

It wasn't irrelevant, someone please…forgive her.

"So you can't be reasoned with—and don't think it'll be easy this time."

He went forward, kunai equipped and Itachi stood still until the very last instant to send a roundhouse his way, which to her surprise only left a mound of snow, before from only two feet away she caught Kakashi's location.

The jounin stood, switching through a few hand signs before a swarm of sharp icicles formed and rained down on her location like senbon.

She jumped back, maneuvered to the left and all over, she felt air pass as each needle barely missed before materializing in front of Kakashi, taking him by the shoulder and then slamming him over her own and into the ground.

However, this was replied with a purple electric blade impaled through her chest, immediately Itachi burst into a human-size mound of snow.

And Because that's where she ended up, Itachi silently walked to Kakashi from behind, tilting his head boredly.

He looked at her, unphased. But that didn't fool her.

There was so much on his mind.

So much she wanted to ask…

About Konoha….

About Sasuke….

About him…

If he was still holding up—if he still felt lonely.

Not that Kakashi ever admitted to being lonely, she just knew.

But instead she was forced to play a part, to play a character.

"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!"

A flurry of mini fireballs shot at Kakashi, who jumped taking his opportunity to hop off of the bridge and descend 6 feet below.

It would seem that Kakashi was attempting to reduce as much damage to the bridge as possible, so Itachi followed the sounds of Juzo and Guy's battle intensifying as she was a hundred percent sure Guy just opened up one of the inner gates.

Meaning, things would get worse for them really fast if they didn't take him out before his body gave—or if he killed them first.

Though at the moment, Juzo could handle it.

Standing on water their battle went on, Itachi and Kakashi both ran at each other, he swiped, she ducked, and responded by kicking his jaw in with the bottom of her sandal. He recovered with a quick summersault and was rapidly slicing at Itachi, who had to concentrate in order to avoid each attack, slowly adjusting to his change in pace and attempts at catching her off.

Slice!

Though he caught her on the side of her face.

And for some time, their battle raged.

"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!" Kakashi yelled, being true to his name and using her jutsu against her.

Itach evaded, twirled her body mid-air, the heat just grazing her as she skipped across the waters, Kakashi kept up his attack forcing her to withdraw a kunai from within her sleeve.

CLANG!

Blades clashed with a yellow spark at least a hundred times before their blades crossed.

That's when the waters began quaking and a loud bang echoed from the bridge.

Itachi's eyes shot towards the bridge as a green glow lit up the area.

It looked like Juzo was in trouble…

…

Itachi broke off their engagement, got a good distance then sent three water clones after Kakashi, leaving the real Itachi to backflip back to the bridge, having her eyes looking back and forth.

The bridge shook and both Juzo and Guy had ended at one of the bridge entry points, there guy completely held Juzo on the offensive, his face a deep red and bulged with churning veins.

Yes—that looked like one of the eight inner gates, if she was a betting woman, she would bet that he was on gate 6 and Juzo could only block with his sword and every so often he took a blow to his face or chest. The man had definitely seen better fights, but his resolve—well, she had to commend his resolve.

So, he'd resorted to that?

Had the fight even been that long?

"Itachi! Formation C!"

Formation C?

Not exactly….but…

Understood.

In seconds Itachi leaped and propelled herself appearing above them, her eyes burning as she swapped through the correct hand signs in milliseconds

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" A ball of flames expelled from her lips, consuming Juzo but leaving Guy to stare, perfectly capable of dodging but instead the copy ninja himself touched down and from the ground, he went through the same hand signs.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Kakashi yelled, the two balls of flames hitting one another and increasing the surrounding temperature by at least six degrees.

But, just when Kakashi almost overwhelmed her, due to her holding back a little too much, Itachi kicked up her chakra and unleashed the full fledged force of her fireball.

Kakashi's eyes went wide, and with a quick kick of the ground, he propelled himself out of the way of the flame.

And that's when a silhouette loomed over Kakashi from behind. The copy ninja was caught by surprise, and only had seconds to jump away.

Itachi face off against a Guy who was much faster than she had first accounted for and pushed the slightly sick girl to exert more power than needed.

But for her keeping up just meant trying a bit harder.

She ducked a high flurry of kicks before hurling herself upwards when a downwards heel kick from Guy shattered the ground, shards and pellets of rock flinging everywhere like shards of propelled glass.

Guy kept attacking and all Itachi could do was maneuver and jump around, keeping away from the taijutsu master who'd resorted to such a last resort so early.

All she knew was that if he were to activate the 7th gate, and with that said Itachi knew what was needed.

And while she was evading and dodging herculean punches that could plow any mountain she figured it out.

Guy was so quick, and he wasn't repepative either.

No…

He was always thinking, always changing his attacks and attempting to knock her off her feet, both figuratively and literally.

Fast and unpredictable.

All she could rely on was shinobi instict.

Swish!

PUCH!

But what Guy just couldn't fight against was her genjutsu.

Not a sharingan induced genjutsu, no not when he refused to look into her eyes.

"Utakata." She whispered, and when he went for a punch and Itachi dodged with a shoulder stepback, she placed her index on his shoulder and cast the Ephemeral.

The birds began chirping again and Might Guy remained on his feet, ready to deliver another punch when Itachi placed him under the genjutsu.

He never fell to the ground.

Swoosh…

Leaves chattled against the ground.

"Genjutsu. Guess, it's to be expected."

The voice boomed from behind her, smooth and calm.

With no rush, Itachi did an about face, only to see Juzo down but from the look of it most certainly not out.

"If I allowed him to go on any further, he may have killed my comrade." Juzo was laid out, but it didn't look as if there was much physical harm done to him. "You also placed him under a genjutsu."

But the copy ninja snarled "This has to stop. This bridge is important to the people of this country, I can't—won't let you destroy it!"

She didn't want to.

But if that's what it took to complete her overall mission.

"Stop me." her voice came out much softer and feminine than she'd intended, but for some reason that happened.

So, Kakashi took up her challenge.

And so she would test his abilities.

Switching his hands through signs, the Earth beside Kakashi folded over before coming up and molding into two eight-foot-tall golems at his side. Their shadows loomed over her and—

Whoosh! Bang!

Itachi had to side jump with a grunt as a downward punch from the first golem before the second one also attacked, making her propel upwards this time and fire over a few flames from her lips.

The attacks dispersed the golems into tiny fragments just as Kakashi's body materialized in front of Itachi mid-air with his kunai and their blades slammed into each other like two colliding comets.

Bang!

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Itachi declared.

Kakashi had indeed improved…

"Suiton: Suijinheki!" Kakashi replied.

Splash!

Sizz!

Skin melting flames and icy water met, water vapor shot into the sky like smoke as the two attacks extinguishing one another.

Now, it looked like Kakashi wanted to go on the offensive after their attack, but Itachi beat him to it and that began a five-minute slugfest—straight melee combat as two elite ninja injured and cut one another. She nipped the side of his cheek.

He caught her lip with a good punch.

Her heel had been neaty planted into one of his ribs.

She could feel her right pinky, their fists had collided so much.

But the battle wasn't important.

Both Kakashi and Itachi Slashing their weapons at hundreds of miles per second at that moment wasn't important.

What was important were the expressions that Kakashi made, those expressions that she may or may not have been incorrectly deciphering—but perhaps the cold and supposedly heartless Kakashi did feel something for his former underling.

The longer the battle went on that something hard tugged on his chest.

And as she blocked an attack from an additional kunai, Itachi with a sudden jolt of energy disarmed the gray haired ninja of both weapons.

The kunai fell into the snow hailed ground.

Silence…the edge of a kunai ending upat the side of his throat.

"You've improved," she commented.

He was slow to respond "…You know my history, I'm never satisfied."

"Said like the true son of the white fang."

"I got better, but why stop? Why ever stop?"

Kakashi didn't appear to notice the blade on his throat—though his slightest movements notified her he knew she had the upper hand.

"Now that's something we both can agree upon. The need to achieve a stronger state."

"Except, I chose a more stable path."

Was he trying to feel morally superior?

"Your more stable path is less congruent than you'd like to believe. How easy everything we fight for can fall apart, taken into hindsight, it is disturbing."

Her actions on the day of the massacre were proof of this enough.

But he indeed did choose the stable path.

"My faith is with Konoha."

So was hers.

And with that, she challenged him, "Even if they asked you to complete a mission, say…something so unacceptable and outworldly that it went against all your morals and grain. Would your faith falter?"

The question wasn't something she chose to throw Kakashi off, no she was actually curious about his insight.

His eyes went up, she followed as a flock of crows circled overhead.

Slowly lowering his head to be aligned with hers he finally answered "No, but I have every right to disobey an immoral order—or one against the betterment of Konoha."

And certainly Itachi probably could have done the same, when Danzo ordered her to do the horrid deed.

It would have been war, had she declined—though sometimes she likes to think Danzo would have just hired someone else.

But who in the village would have been capable of accomplishing what she did that night?

"Right, the moral thing to do would be disobedience…" she said.

"Does this have something to do with your attack on the bridge? These orders, do they come from your leader?"

Of course, Kakashi didn't understand—he was by no means a mind reader, regardless of how much she wanted him to be in that regard.

"Are you saying this isn't what you want to do?" Kakashi asked, there usually wasn't desperation in the copy-ninja's voice, but in that moment, a desperate friend was attempting to pull a lost soul back.

But–the life of a double agent didn't have many positive perks, none that significantly impacted Itachi, atleast.

The wind splashed a flurry of ice-chilling snow into Itachi's face and winced a bit as she raised an arm to block.

"It isn't my desire to destroy the bridge nor is it to harm anyone. Senpai, I am in an organization that requires this of me—an organization that'll help me reach the next installment of power."

"I see…" when he said that for some reason it shattered her heart "You and Juzo are in that organization. Does this organization make you feel—better than you did in Konoha?"

Nowhere near.

It wasn't homely nor happy.

They didn't even cook breakfast.

She was around actual murderous criminals, many of which did so in the name of their own selfish desire.

She found Juzo calm and easy to co-exist with, Konan was pleasant when they quietly sat next to one another and read…

And that was particularly it for any bonding relationships, while in Konoha she had an abundant amount of personal and interactive relations, even if she was an emotional twig as some would say.

Then she answered like she had a sudden short breath "No."

For reasons unbeknown, she kept leaning in closer—

Kunai at his throat, though lowering it, the two were soul gazing—looking at one another, staring directly into the window of each other's soul.

There, all their battling and murderous intent, it all vanished.

And all that remained were feelings—unsatisfied feelings—feelings Itachi had been able to keep controlled up until recently.

And again, just like all the other times, Itachi spotted his mask covered lips and went down driving her own.

She knew it was wrong…

She knew she shouldn't do it.

But maybe she had truly gotten used to doing things she shouldn't?

His hand came up, his fingers coming to her lips and stopping her in her tracks.

No lips touched…

And the disappointment sat in her chest.

It made sense…

Kissing Itachi those other two times must've been a revolting experience for him.

"No, not this time." He said, before taking a pause and inhaling a huge drag of oxygen

"I'm sorry. We're enemies, it shouldn't be this weird. We should just be killing one another, I shouldn't indulge myself in such taboos—"

"Why is our dynamic like this? You could kill me easily, but instead you choose to hold onto this— I don't even know what this is between us."

"I—I know it's abnormal—it's just easier, much simpler to say these things to you now that I'm older, more mature. Not bound by childish insecurities—though it may be childish to still cling—"

"I didn't know then…it's just, learning how you fell and after everything—you still sound the same"

"I am the same."

Well, a bit more wise.

"You don't look the same—I mean you've matured, grown…." she caught his gaze, though it was so subtle it only went to her waist for a mere second.

"In wisdom, perhaps. But that's not what you mean."

Kakashi sweat a bit. "No I didn't mean it like that."

The girl smirked, "Senpai, I understand. You're not like those men who comment on the size or shape of my ass or any any sort."

Like she had any control over that.

With that said the silver-haired ninja changed the subject, kicking a soft amount of snow.

"Are you really the same Itachi? The one who loved dango-the one who could produce the most genius solutions?"

"Yeah, it's still me."

"Then if that's true if you're really speaking truth… and are the same kunoichi, then you'll leave this bridge alone."

When the snow ceased falling, Itachi made her decision.

She looked to the ice-covered extension over the frozen lake below, she exhaled allowing her breath to drift to the sky.

And Itachi swore her emotions were getting the better of her.

How could anyone consider her a genius?

"Only if you agree to speak to me again. With No one else, just you and I. Then I can give you more appropriate answers to any of your confusion, far from prying ears. And trust me, I will know if you brought a plus one."

Of course, that made her sound a bit crazy—and well, maybe it was crazy.

Kakashi even had the oh no this girl is psychotic, expression.

But there was this burning desire pushing her to engage with her former captain.

But to her surprise, the copy ninja gave a quick nod, clearly he was interested in learning more about criminal-Itachi "If you keep your word. I'll do the same. There are questions that you're due for answering."

Kakashi was one thing, but a dishonorable liar was not something she would associate with him. She closed her eyes and nodded.

"Then I will leave, this one time. But your part of the deal must be upheld, or else next time, I'll just kill you."

She didn't mean that…

The most she'd do is torture him in Tsukuyomi and there were endless possibilities too.

Or anything, Itachi departed, grabbing Juzo over her shoulder, making sure to keep his sword balanced between her arm and waist and with a final look she body flickered away.

And that was how Itachi and Juzo had their first and last mission failure ever…because Itachi allowed personal issues and emotions to impede her mission.

Okay.

Someone renowned and criminalized for the absolute annihilation of their own clan was probably an individual you wanted to stay far away from. And yes, that was precisely what his brain was telling him to do.

But the jounin still kept his word.

Maybe he still had those feelings for her that he'd bottled away eons ago.

Why had she allowed him to win?

Could what she is saying even be true?

After the bridge had been successfully defended, Kakashi had the responsibility of both releasing Guy from the genjutsu and informing him of the details of their victory.

Out of sheer luck, Kakashi had defeated Itachi and sent her running.

Well, that was the official statement that he was going with and when he returned home, that only helped to amplify his already exaggerated name.

So, when he snuck away from Konoha for some time to go and find Itachi at a location they'd agreed upon via summoning animals, somehow they ended up in a prosperous town on the edge of the land of Earth.

Do you know how far he traveled?

He told not a soul.

Not even Guy or Hiruzen-sama.

It very much could have been a fatal mistake.

Stupid-stupid Kakashi.

-Well, that's what Obito would say.

North-west of the land of fire, in an abandoned barn that had its doors torn from its hinges, Kakashi entered the twilight of the interior, his senses on high alert as his mind kept telling him that whatever Itachi was doing was most certainly a trap.

When he reached the end of the barn, only to find himself facing a wall, only then did the girl walk out of the shadows absent her weird black robes and sporting a casual civilian shirt with the Uchiha symbol on it.

She turned to him, looking deeply into his eye.

"You're late." her face was blank as a piece of paper, but in her voice, it sounded like she was going to laugh "Some things don't ever change."

But Kakashi wasn't as amused "Except when they do. Funny, it's been a week since you let Guy and I go back there, and I still can't figure out what this weird obsession with me is all about."

"Senpai, you don't recall all the missions we went on. How we used to sit under the sky and you'd help me memorize the position of each constellation in the night sky. And—I've never enjoyed being in the presence of someone quite like you."

"Itachi…"

"I don't say much and this is certainly a turn of personality for me. But Kakashi, believe me when I say I truly do have feelings for you—and, now, well I have the bravery to say it!"

The barn was dark, so he could barely see her face, but he seemed quite conflicted.

"I—" he stopped and pushed air between the gaps in his teeth "What do you want?"

"What do I want?"

"What do you want to happen next? I'm a ninja of Konoha and you're a missing ninja, wanted criminal considered guilty of mass murder. It wouldn't work out—not for either of us—regardless of if that's what we both want."

"I wanted to confess my feelings—admittedly, I didn't think that far."

Right, in this instance, it sounded like Itachi Uchiha did not have any countermeasures.

"Your feelings…why did you wait so long? Why after—"

"I've never seen you without your mask." she interrupted.

"Huh? So what?"

"Take it off."

"Uh, wow, the way you said it, I almost took it right off."

"Then I'm doing something right."

"Well, you're trying. Though, I'm 50 percent sure this is some sort of highly elaborate trap."

"You will be fine…"

A gust of wind found itself pushing itself into the abandoned barn.

The conflict withinin him was light night and day, total opposites, total different feelings. He wanted to trust her, it felt like his heart was on a trampoline and he wanted to know that this wasn't a trick. That, she had a reason for killing her clan, that this was all some sort of elaborate lie.

That would have made things easier.

"Why…why did you do it? You left everyone, including me."

"I had no choice. The clan…the Uchiha were extremely close to making a horrendous mistake."

Kakashi wasn't sure what she meant by that.

"Was it worth the slaughter, Itachi?"

See, when he asked the question there was a pause on the play button. Itachi seemed to roll over everything in her mind before answering "Yes." in the most desperate tone he'd ever heard from her.

It made him uneasy like there was something she was purposely omitting from him.

Like she knew something.

Something that was currently beyond his comprehension or—maybe it would blow his entire mind.

Then he saw the curiosity in her charcoal orbs.

"Hiruzen-sama, how is he?"

A gray eyebrow rose and Kakashi immediately began seeing her differently. Though he couldn't explain how "Perfect health… and he doesn't show any signs of slowing down either."

More questions, she inched closer, it looked as if she wasn't done yet "Genma, Anko, Kurenai-san, Yamato. Sasuke. Are they well, as well?"

"They're fine. Stricken and hurt by your betrayal, but you know, fine nonetheless. Oh, especially Sasuke…"

Itachi wasn't pleased hear about Sasuke's mental state being hurt

"What about you?"

"Mh..sorry I don't understand the question."

"What about you? Are you alright? Are you still….lonely?"

Lonely?

He had no memories of telling her he was lonely.

"Still? Itachi, I was never lonely."

Itachi tilted her head to the side in question, "In the past, you were always in your head, thinking and in worry. Much like myself. You lost a lot, and admittedly maybe I've added to that sorry. I'm sorry."

He looked into black eyes, almost finding himself lost in what he'd call a void—her face was a light tan, clean and symmetrical.

The small amount of light highlighted her curves and wait. The S-class ninja in normal civilian attire made his heart whistle.

He could lean in, he could steal a peck on her lips and Itachi would be more than happy to accept, right?

When he realized the trail of which his thoughts were going down, he purged any of those emotions.

"Its-its, fine. Just—" subconsciously he raised his hand and at the same time so did she. They both touched and that caused the two to look at each other, with a bright spark in each of their eyes.

"You like me," Itachi confirmed.

Shit...shit...

Why did he suddenly feel like a cringe school girl

Damn, he was Kakashi of the sharingan!

There was no denial "I do."

"But there's no easy solution for us. "

Kakashi hated that she could say something so true, yet controversial about himself.

"I—" he then pulled her in with a sudden urge and movement, Itachi caught by surprise let out a squeak just as his hands slid to her skinny waist. "Just come here." And with a swift motion, gently taking her cute face with his hand, looking her in the eye before lining her lips up seemed to leave Itachi wide-eyed, and so they kissed, he put his hand through her hair and they made out.

This was nowhere near anything they were supposed to do.

It was wrong in every way of the word—it was treasonous at the highest level.

But even so, he couldn't keep himself away.

It felt good.

He didn't want it to end.

For, it was true, she was the only person alive who understood him—

They pulled away with a trail of saliva.

He looked at her, his single eye unblinking and she looked up to him with a small grin, which is about as much as you'd get out of Itachi.

Her face seemed peaceful, and satisfied, not the typical impassive shell she usually had, it was more vibrant and happy.

"What are we doing?" Itachi questioned, as she got that look that meant she was thinking over a million things in one second.

So, he embraced her.

"Well, I just made out with you," Kakashi said.

His words were Lame, and yet still, he felt not an ounce of shame.

"I know, and usually you're the one questioning me…" Itachi lightly slapped herself in jest.

His hand came up and scratched his head "Funny…guess the roles have flipped. Or maybe, I'm only now realizing how much—how much I've wanted to speak with you—to, well, be on another level with you."

It was weird to say.

So, weird.

And he was conflicted.

Always, so conflicted.

She was a criminal! He had to think about Obito's parents, right?

After losing their only son…

The barn swayed a bit.

"Really?" she blinked a bit, even this genius of a shinobi needed reassurance.

Yes.

He did.

But…should he feel this way?

"Really."

"Then we should continue to see each other."

As much as he wanted to…

"That would never work."

"I'll make it work." She retorted immediately. "I always do…"

"How? We're both on two different spectrums. Our goals tend to conflict."

"There is a way, senpai."

Yeah, there was.

But what did it cost?

"Well, I'm glad you think that, it still doesn't give us a solution."

"Give me time to think it over, I will have a solution."

He didn't think there was really any solution.

He just wished he didn't have these feelings.

It made him do irrational things like come here of all places.

But the last time she said that…

"Land of iron, escorting the Raikage as a part of Konoha and Kumoagkure's trade agreements. When the Raikage lost his mind after Tsuande-sama beat him in another arm-wrestling match…and we couldn't figure out a way to calm him down, you said the same thing."

"Back then I came up with a solution on the spot."

"You can't just do that now?"

"With this one, I'll need more time."

"I do want to see you again."

"Then I'll see you again…"

"I don't want to fight."

"That's what I've been trying to avoid all this time." She admitted looking away.

"No, more fighting. I won't hunt you anymore, I think—you're… yeah, you're still important to me."

Oh, Kakashi didn't believe what he was saying either.

But in the darkness, where only mere itty bitty rays managed to flash into the barn, for the first time in his life, Kakashi witnessed Itachi's face rush a bright red.

Maybe he was just too negative?

Maye things could work out?

If they played their cards right, maybe nothing could go wrong.

A/N: That's it, and this chapter was really annoying to write and I don't even think it's as good as the other two despite being longer.

Well, let me know if you'd like to see more.