When I could no longer support us both within the Kamui, I brought us back to the real world and instantly collapsed against the wall, gasping for air as I clutched at my heart, feeling the massive drain on my chakra affect my ability to move. "Yuki!" Despite the risk, Itachi's concern outweighed his reason and he immediately crouched down beside me, touching my face and examining my pulse. "You have pushed yourself too far, you need rest."
"Go…Tachi. It has only been a few minutes. You should go…" Reaching back I pulled up my hood in order to hide my face and hair so that if we were seen I would not be immediately recognised. My vision was throbbing and my eyes burned with heat, making me grasp a hand over my eyes in an attempt to cool them with my clammy skin.
"I cannot leave you here."
"You must."
"It is alright, Kisame is distracted and no one has seen us. I will take you somewhere to rest." Not allowing any argument on my part, Itachi lifted me up into his arms and flickered out of sight, going to the nearest inn so that he could rent a room for the night so that I could use it. He brought me inside and carried me to the futon, resting me upon it then turned to leave but I caught hold of his robe, clenching my fist with all my might to force him to stop.
"Next time. I will see you next time."
"I cannot guarantee…"
"Swear it!" Raising my voice a little, I tugged on Itachi's robe strongly enough to make him stagger towards me a little. "Swear on Sasuke's life, you will find a way." Our eyes bore into one another for a very long time, countless seconds of stubborn silence with an abundance of pressure and tension filling the entire room. Finally Itachi relented, knowing full well that I would not let him go unless he gave me his word for real this time.
"I swear on Sasuke's life, we will see each other again." Relieved I let go of his robe, smiling serenely as I rolled onto my back to rest, satisfied that this time Itachi would keep his word. He was gone by the next time I opened my eyes, leaving the room feeling painfully empty but I had a lifetime of moments both precious and warming to draw upon to keep me from feeling the lonely chill of isolation. He had promised, so I will see him again, I had to believe that. It was funny, even after decades of time spent together, it still was not enough for me. Perhaps I am greedier than I once thought, for even now I still wanted Itachi to be beside me, even though I knew it was an impossible desire. Still, I was willing to wait for as long as necessary.
Itachi kept his word about meeting one another again, and over the months we would send our birds to carry messages, informing the other of where we were going to be at a specific time and date so that we could see one another in secret. My doves became the wings that I relied on, and each time I saw a crow my heart would lift in hope that it was from Itachi. Always he would be waiting for me and we would disappear into my Kamui, where I would hide the negative effects that its use was beginning to have upon me just so that I could be with him, if only for a few minutes at a time. I carefully kept count of each time we met, our time spent together and every word spoken until more than two years had passed of us continuing in the same manner.
Our correspondences dwindled towards the end of those two years and several months for the Akatsuki were beginning to make their move against Konoha and against shinobi in general. All through the chaos, I was always by Sasuke's side. When Naruto and Sakura broke into Orochimaru's lair in an attempt to retrieve him, I went with him when we chose to retreat, openly showing that I was by his side willingly. We moved to an alternative hideout, where Sasuke continued his training, however when he reached the stage in his power that he could defeat over a hundred Otogakure ninja without killing them, and without suffering a wound, I knew that it was time.
Sasuke was quick to make his move before Orochimaru could, going to his room in order to kill him, and I waited back in ours, calmly reading a book. Even though Sasuke was nearly sixteen years of age, he had insisted on continuing to share a room with me all this time. I think it was partially because he was worried Orochimaru may have tried something when our guard was lowered, but also because Sasuke wanted to keep me close to him, both to protect me and not to lose me. Seeing as we were the last that the other had, I had no complaints about staying close to his side.
The door creaked open but I did not bother lifting my eyes from my book, scanning the pages as I quickly absorbed the information. "Sasuke. Is it time to go now?"
"That's right. Orochimaru is gone, so you don't have to worry about him trying to steal our eyes anymore." Sasuke told me calmly, one hand at his hip as he observed me from across the room. A hint of a smile touched my lips as I closed the book then looked up, feeling proud that he had done so well. It was a good thing that our room was not too large, for if Sasuke were standing even a foot or so further backwards, I would not have been able to see him with my poor eyesight.
"Thank you, Sasuke." Exuberating warmth as he did only for me, I sensed Sasuke's tender expression rather than saw it as the darkness of the lair contributed to my struggle to see. Gently taking my arm he helped me to my feet, one arm around my back until I was steady and balanced. "Are we going to get Suigetsu first?"
"Yes, then we'll get Jugo and Karin. Together we should be enough for my next plan." Nodding my head, I went over to our desk to pick up my specialised gloves and pulled them on, knowing that there will be plenty of fighting to be done before my time is up. I followed Sasuke down to the lower levels of the lair, my eyes able to see better depending on the light. Around us were hundreds of tanks, some of them empty but several contained the bodies of experiments. I pitied their existence, but there was nothing I could do for them, for almost all of them were dead and merely being preserved.
"Heh. I knew you'd show up. I take it then you've killed that old snake?" The voice of Suigetsu echoed slightly from the water solution he was inside, form shifting in and out of focus, though he was completely naked regardless.
"Yeah. Here, let's get you out of that thing." Drawing his sword Sasuke cracked it open and immediately the solution came pouring out like a fountain, gushing onto the floor until the water level receded below the point of the breakage.
"I'm free at last, my regards to you, Sasuke. I see you have Miyuki-san with you, what a sight for sore eyes." Making no comment or movement, I simply observed as Suigetsu reformed himself.
"Suigetsu, you are the first. Come with me."
"I'm the first? Who else are you planning on taking?"
"Two more. I'm taking Jugo of the northern hideout and Karin of the southern." Suigetsu was not pleased to hear these names, I suspect particularly concerning Karin for the two of them did not get along very well. "You don't need to be friends, just cooperate."
"Sure, sure, of course after all you did save me. If that's what you want, I've no objections. Still Sasuke, I can't believe you'd go for them." I was politely looking away since Suigetsu was rather lacking in apparel, but this only seemed to make him laugh. "Hey Miyuki-san, not used to seeing a guy naked? Take a good look if you want, maybe you'll see something you like." Grinning at me, I deigned to glance his way, however after a quick scan of his body, I lifted my head up higher and once more took to looking elsewhere.
"I see nothing appealing." Suigetsu choked, his pride hurt by my curt words but he took them well, laughing them off as he rubbed his head.
"You sure are cold, Miyuki."
"Just shut up and put some clothes on." Sasuke scowled, his patience quickly wearing thin. Grinning with a sharp, shark like teeth, Suigetsu moved extremely quickly in order to place himself behind Sasuke, pointing a single finger against his temple.
"First, let's clarify our relationship. Shall we? You may have defeated Orochimaru, but that alone doesn't make you my leader. We were all aiming for it. Sooner or later, someone was bound to kill him. You were his favourite, he let you stay by his side whilst the rest of us slept in cages. You had all the advantage you needed."
"Your point?" I kept a partial eye on the pair of them, ready to step in if things became too out of hand, but I did not anticipate this happening. I was more worried about Kabuto, for he was just as dangerous as Orochimaru for his particular skills and abilities.
"Look at us two. Right now, I have the advantage." For all of Suigetsu's confidence, it took a mere glance from Sasuke for it all to disappear before he quickly pulled his arm back, grinning. "Just testing. That was a pretty bad spot I put you in, and you didn't even blink. So it wasn't luck then, that's reassuring. I've heard how strong you are, it was your platoon wasn't it, that too down my predecessor, Zabuza Momochi?" Ah, that was the time Sasuke came back covered in injuries and blood, and I had washed his back for him as to keep him from aggravating his rooms. "Sure, I'll come with you, but before we go and fetch the others, there's a place I want to swing by."
"You desire the executioner's blade." I noted, already guessing Suigetsu's intention and he once more grinned at me, still totally naked.
"That's right! Pretty and smart, you're everything a guy could ask for Miyuki-san." I will admit, his attempts at charm were amusing, and I felt somewhat endeared towards him for his efforts. In addition, he seemed very happy when I even smiled a little at him, his toothy grin spreading even further. "If Miyuki-san is going with you, then you can count me in too Sasuke."
"Whatever, but don't be getting any ideas." He warned him, giving him a cold stare before moving off. We found Suigetsu some clothing then together we went to the place where Zabuza had been buried, even passing the Great Naruto Bridge. I see, the village must have named it after him for his efforts to protect them. Quite a reverent gesture. After collecting the sword for Suigetsu, we proceeded to the southern hideout to collect Karin, who greeted us with a certain aloofness as we met each other in the middle of the hallway.
"So it was you guys. I thought so." Her eyes never once wavered from Sasuke, and although I could no longer see the vibrant red of her hair, I could see that her infatuation with Sasuke was still as strong as it was when I had first noticed it. "Sasuke without a chaperone, so it wasn't just a rumour. Unless you count that old hag as a chaperone. Still lingering over your shoulder." Old hag? Was she referring to me?
"Hey, what am I? A hunk of meat? And don't call Miyuki-san and old hag, she's beautiful!" Suigetsu defended me, his own infatuation with me also still clear as day. I have no idea what I had done to trigger this rather incessant investment of his attentions, but I did not find it troublesome, so I did not comment on it.
"Whatever. What do you want?"
"Sasuke wants to talk to you, show us to a room where we can sit down and chat. I'm bushed, not used to walking so far." Irked at being bossed around so openly, Karin obliged in taking us to a room in order to talk. I remained standing as Sasuke sat down and spread his arms over the top of the couch, getting straight to the point.
"Karin, join me. I need you."
"What?!" Her jaw dropped at Sasuke's bluntness, raising her voice in disbelief. "Why on earth should I? Listen, I'm in charge here! I've got responsibilities! What about the prisoners?" Sasuke easily solved that problem by asking both Suigetsu and myself to free all of the prisoners and let them go free. I moved immediately to comply with his wishes, though Suigetsu grumbled about only having just sat down.
"Suigetsu, will you please assist me?" That got him up on his feet.
"Sure thing Miyuki-san!" Hurrying after me I glanced back over my shoulder towards Sasuke, hoping that he will find a way to persuade Karin, though with her infatuation with him I do not think it will be too difficult. I moved slowly as to ensure that I did not trip or lose my balance, carefully finding my way back to where I had heard the prisoners from within their cages. "Hey, you okay Miyuki-san? You don't look too well."
"I am going blind."
"WHAT?!" Obviously not expected such a response, I turned around the corner, reversing my steps which I had memorised on our way inside. Having stopped to stare blankly at my back, Suigetsu hurried to catch up. "For real? You're really going blind? Then what are you doing here with Sasuke? If you're losing your sight then you shouldn't be getting yourself involved in something dangerous. What if you get hurt? Wait, don't worry about that. I'll be sure to protect you Miyuki-san." Grinning at me with a thumb's up, I hummed softly.
"You are a good person, Suigetsu-kun." Bubbling happily, Suigetsu practically floated at my side as we reached the prisoners and he used the key to let them go. My head remained turned back in the direction where Sasuke was with Karin, always constantly aware of his location and surveying our surroundings to ensure that we were safe. Sighing softly, I took a moment to adjust my clothing as the prisoners hurried to escape, running for their freedom as Suigetsu opened all the doors. Underneath everything I wore a full length mesh shirt, the sleeves going all the way down my hands with an opening for my thumb and little finger to fit through, keeping them in place with my gloves pulled over the top. Around my chest I wore a chest guard with the strap over my left shoulder which was covered by the single sleeve of the greyish blue outer robe I wore, the kimono sleeve reminiscent of my old style. The Uchiha crest was proudly displayed upon my back, and with a navy blue obi fastened around my waist, I wore the open toe shoes of a shinobi and lightweight leggings.
Overall I had not changed much myself. My hair was still long and milky white, my eyes the colour of holly berries or red currents, and I was still very slim and slight with a tall build, though Sasuke was now more or less the same height as I was. Within the next year he'll be taller than me, just like his brother. A pang of sadness rippled through me as I unwittingly thought of Itachi, missing him sorely. I wonder how far his illness has progressed, if he was still able to manage day to day without too much discomfort and pain.
"Hey, Miyuki-san, we're all done here."
"Hm." Nodding my head once, I turned around and returned to Sasuke, Suigetsu faithfully following behind me with a cheery expression, however when I tried the door to go back to Sasuke's side, I found it locked.
"Urgh, that damn Karin. Locking us out." Suigetsu reached up to grasp hold of the giant sword on his back, however I frowned at the door and tried it again, trying a little harder and rattled it strongly. "Uh…Miyuki-san? That door won't open. It's locked." We shall see about that. Letting go of the doorknob, I closed my fist and took a step back.
Whirling around I powered my foot against the lock of the door and it burst off its hinges entirely, shattering into splinters with enough force that the sound caused Karin to shriek, staring at me as she hurried to put her glasses back on. My flat foot remained poised in the air, fists closed and raised, however when I sensed Sasuke was sitting exactly in the same place as before, unperturbed and indifferent, I settled and allowed myself to resume a normal stance. "It is open." Suigetsu balked, staring at me as I walked through before he cleared his throat, recovering.
"Well, let's get going then Sasuke. I take it Karin is staying here?"
"Actually, looks like she's coming after all." Squeaking indignantly, Karin insisted that this was not the case, rather that we just so happened to be going in the same direction as she was so it was convenient for her to travel with us. I see, it is convenient for her. It is better if she comes with us. Walking over to her, Karin straightened and sucked in her lips, staring at me with what appeared to be fear, however I merely patted her on the head.
"Don't worry. We will protect you Karin." Satisfied I had effectively conveyed a warm welcome, I took the lead in leaving, not wanting to stay in this place any longer than I had to. Our next target was Jugo of the northern hideout, and if my premonitions were correct, then he would be the most dangerous of them all. Still, if Sasuke wanted him, I will help him succeed in recruiting him. I had promised Itachi that I would assist Sasuke on his road to strength and power, and I cannot stop now. There is still much more to do, so I will press forwards, no matter how much of my eyesight it has cost me.
