Disclaimer: I do not own 'em. However, all OC are mine.
Summary: Four-year time skip involving our favorite fox boy, courtesy of our resident bad guys, Kabuto and Orochimaru.
Rating: The rating is M for Mature, so for those who do not want their minds warped, please I encourage you not to read any further.
Pairings: You know the drill. See previous chapters for pairings.
' ' Are inner thoughts
" " Spoken
Bold is Kyuubi speaking
A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. My inspiration is nil at this point. However, this one will be fruitful! Maybe a hint of yaoi? Upcoming filler about how Itachi lost the "ultimate doujitusu." Part one to be exact. XD
Chapter 16: Lost Visions and Lone Uchihas part 1
Somewhere in between the Rock and Fire Country, Itachi is pacing back and forth in a nearby valley. Sure, he was usually the calm and collected of the two Uchiha.
Now, as he recapped his last run in with his foolish little brother. It was not going quite as well as he planned. For one, Sasuke actually got some hits in. Moreover, they hurt too. Two, he was becoming stronger and his hate was not lacking.
He stopped his pacing and seated himself on a fallen branch that happened to be near by. Unfastening his cloak and pulling off his hiti-ate, he ran his fingers through his hair.
Sighing outwardly, he hunched over his knees and closed his eyes. Just how was he going to get the Kyuubi? If it is not one thing, it is another. Leaning back on his hands, with a peaceful expression marring his features, Itachi tilted his face skyward and sighed again.
'I have lost the ultimate doujitusu, "Mangekyou Sharingan," what left is there? Ever since that day, 8 years ago. How could I forget?'
----Flashback----
"Deidara! Where the fucks are you?"
Sasori was pacing angrily about in the room he and Deidara shared at the Akatsuki hideout. The artist had scampered off before Sasori could bitch him out. Apparently, Leader had assigned both partners to a mission, a very important one. Sasori was fuming.
Unarmed with his puppet, Sasori stopped pacing long enough to throw on his red-clouded robe and step out the door. The hallway is illuminated with gas-like torches, casting haunting like shadows across the stone mortar. The layout of the Akatsuki hideout was relatively simple, many winding hallways, and damp, dark, and far underground as to not arouse suspicion.
Hearing hushed voices, he began to step quickly toward the mess hall.
One would think being a member of one of the most notorious organizations of S-ranked criminals that they would be angst-ridden bastards; with nothing but murder and destruction on the mind. It was true for most of its members, except for Deidara.
Sasori swore he was teamed up with a half-wit. Despite his blood lust and insane obsession with all things clay, he was a pretty down bastard. Nevertheless, like all people, he had his "quirks." He irks the hell out of Sasori.
Rounding the corner of the mess hall, Sasori was met with a remarkable sight.
There was Deidara in all his bad guy glory, clad in nothing but boxers and his opened Akatsuki robe, break dancing on top of one of the tables with his mp3 player plugged in his ears.
Surrounded by other members yelling, clapping, and egging him on. One of them was a very amused Kisame. Itachi was away from the group watching with red eyes taking in the spectacle.
Sasori let out a frustrated sigh and ran his hand through his shaggy red locks. Clearing his throat, startling the cheering fans, he began his trek over to retrieve his partner. Deidara, oblivious to everyone, kept on break dancing. The group cleared a path for Sasori as he walked over to the dancing moron.
"Deidara." Sasori said a little forcefully.
The ex-Stone Nin kept on going, not missing a beat. Kisame was sniggering quietly off to the side next to Itachi. The lone Uchiha kept watching impassively.
Finally, being fed up with Deidara's "lack of response," Sasori unfolded his arms from within his oversized coat and with his precision chakra control, he attached chakra strings to one of Deidara's feet.
Pulling his middle finger, ring finger and thumb, he pulled Deidara's foot right out from underneath him, causing him to fall off the table in a tangled mess. Blinking rapidly, Deidara got to his feet unceremoniously and turned around.
Sasori was tapping his foot impatiently as his half-wit partner recognized him. Deidara's face split into a grin and glomped his partner, "Sasori-dana, yeah!"
Pushing him away from his person, "Get off me you idiot." Still smiling he unlatched himself from Sasori and began to follow him back to the room; no doubt to get dressed and leave for the mission assigned.
Itachi watched the display until both parties left the room and the crowd that was watching dispersed just as quickly. Kisame was still laughing commenting on how pissed Sasori looked. It was very amusing how well those other two got along, Itachi thought to him self.
"Come Kisame," Itachi rose to his feet, "we have worked to do."
Stifling his laughs, Kisame nodded to the other man and shouldered his Samehada. Walking down the many hallways, Kisame and Itachi walked silently not saying anything to each other.
Despite Kisame's appearance, he was not a half-bad guy; sure, he smelled a little fishy and had a face of a shark. He was loyal to Itachi, having been partners for the better part of two years. It was hard to find people to trust in the organization, especially consisting of hardened criminals. Itachi did not fully trust anyone, no offense to the shark man, but that was common sense in the ninja world. Well, it seemed obvious to the clan-murdering Uchiha.
"We're supposed to meet up with Sasori and Deidara for the joint mission. Think he's dressed now?" Stifling another laugh, Kisame glanced over at Itachi. Itachi unclasped the top of his robe and looked over at his partner, face remaining expressionless. Kisame cleared his throat and began to walk a little quicker.
Coming to their intended partner's door, some disturbing noises were being emitted by the duo. It caused Kisame to pause in mid-air knock; instead, he leaned in towards the door to listen better.
"I told you NO, Deidara!" Then it sounded like some shuffling.
"Sasori-dana, come on! Touch it, it feels so good! Yeah."
"I told you NO, that is the most creepy looking thing I've ever seen."
"Che. It will not hurt you, I think it likes you, look its smiling! Yeah."
Both Itachi and Kisame looked at each other wide-eyed.
In unison, 'smiling?'
Then heard some rustling noises, then a pop. Kisame looked back at the door and decided to go ahead and open it. He turned the doorknob and let the door swing open swiftly.
Both Itachi and Kisame sweat dropped.
Deidara was still in his boxers shoving a defective clay creation into Sasori's face, in turn; Sasori had his hand on Deidara's head holding him back. When the door swung open, both stopped immediately and looked at their guests. Sasori sweat dropped and Deidara blinked audibly.
"Yeah. Hi Itachi, Kisame. Yeah." Deidara turned on his heel and proceeded to go into the bathroom and put on the rest of his clothes. Sasori watched him go, then sat himself down on the closest chair and sighed audibly.
"Freak." The puppet master mumbled under his breath.
"Look who's talking, Sasori." Kisame smiled showing his mouth full of sharp teeth.
"Can it, tuna man." He shot the blue man a glare. The ex-Mist Nin snorted and smiled even wider. He could take a joke. Kisame has been the butt-end of many fish jokes; he just let it roll off his back.
Meanwhile, Itachi just watched expressionless, shifting his weight onto his right foot. He would learn to tolerate the other Akatsuki member's behavior. Knowing they were an "odd" bunch to begin with, he knew he was probably the one that people looked oddly at also.
Being an emotionless bastard, Itachi is. Cold and calculated, the perfect killing machine. Priceless.
Finally, Deidara emerged from the bathroom in a hurried rush. Blonde hair pulled up messily and his robe still open, he straightened his fishnet shirt and pulled at his pants. Itachi's brow rose at the ex-Stone Nin.
"Quite finished Deidara?" Grunted Sasori.
"Ah, yeah, Sasori-dana. Yeah, let me get my music, yeah." It annoyed Sasori to no end when Deidara said "yeah" too much. Another bothersome quirk.
Picking up his mp3 player, he plugged his ears, looked up at his comrades, and blinked owlishly. Sasori shook his head, picked up his scorpion-like puppet, and climbed inside, sealing him self off from the rest of the world.
"Let's go." Itachi said motionlessly.
Everyone gathered their gear together and set off leaving the hideout at once. Walking past rock structures. It was obvious they were near the Earth country, on the edge to be exact.
They were on a very important mission, though it did escape them why they needed two extra Akatsuki agents. As far as they knew, they were going to gather information on the jinchuurikis'.
The one-tail, Shukaku, currently sealed in the late Kazekage's son, Gaara of the Desert. Then the nine-tail, the most powerful of all the tailed beasts, also currently trapped in the Yondaime's legacy, Uzumaki Naruto. Who is currently being looked over by one of the Sannin, Jiraiya-sama.
During their first run-in with the Sannin, Itachi and Kisame were not very successful in capturing the Kyuubi vessel. Furthermore, Itachi was exhausted after the ordeal, seemingly have to use Tsukyomi and Amaterasu. Tsukyomi, courtesy of Itachi's foolish little brother, and Amaterasu to escape Jiraiya's frog stomach entrapment.
Since then, with much training, Itachi has unlocked the other skill of the Sharingan. With much deliberation, he now has Susanowo, the ultimate doujitusu, in conjunction with the Mangekyou Sharingan. Those who oppose him will meet their demise.
Only very, few of the Uchiha could unlock the Mangekyou Sharingan, but would eventually go mad with psychosis. Not many would go beyond that and retain their sanity. However, in the beginning of Konoha, when it was first built, some of the clan went to great lengths to expand their power. Many obtained Amaterasu and some eventually unlocked Susanowo.
Susanowo had the power to open a dimensional rift in time and space. In theory, it was possible, but the founders of the Uchiha clan had no clue of the immense power they possessed in their grasp. The elders would make reference of it, labeled as a forbidden technique, and locked it away under the temple tatami mats.
Itachi had stumbled onto the secret passageway by accident on day. Indulged in the information and made it a point to become stronger using the forbidden techniques.
Pulling back from the recesses of his mind, Itachi began taking in his surroundings as they just entered the fire country. Kisame gave a hand signal telling them to pick up the pace. Each shinobi took to the trees clearing the distance. Deidara had his eyes closed, head bobbing to the music. How he eluded the hidden tree branches was beyond Itachi. Must be a sixth sense or something, but he could not help thinking it was being wasted on shit-for-brains Deidara.
Sasori was taking the left side while Kisame held point. Deidara stationed off on the right and Itachi in the back to cover them selves. A good strategy for the people they posses, Deidara and Sasori, because they can cover that area in mere seconds. Explosive clay birds for the ex-Stone Nin, and Sasori's puppet ninjutsu. Despite Kisame's appearance, he can sense traps and chakra signatures just as well as any Anbu. In addition, of course Itachi, with his Sharingan, he can cover the sides and back, scanning for chakra signatures.
Traveling at high speeds, the four Akatsuki agents were making excellent time. Almost to Itachi's home village, since it was the closest, might as well, right?
As the group was leading up to the entrance of the village, they stumbled onto a rare sight. It seems as though the Kyuubi vessel is on a mission with a team. With a Hyuuga no less. Itachi could care less who the other two were. Nodding to his team, they all jumped high up into the trees and concealed their chakra signature, as not to alert the upcoming shinobi. With a hand sign, all four Akatsuki members convened on the same branch, facing inward.
"Itachi-san, the Kyuubi vessel is ours for the taking. I'll cut off his legs." Kisame sneered while reaching for his Samehada.
"Hold it, Kisame. We shall follow and see what their objective is." Itachi said emotionlessly.
Sasori and Deidara both nodded and flew off the branch to tail the Leaf Chuunin.
Itachi and Kisame began following the team but at a much slower pace. As to not offset the Konoha shinobi. The Akatsuki group would have Deidara and Sasori spy on them while the other two be backup. Quick and nimble as they were, Kisame was still a liability. Being almost seven feet tall, is likely to be spotted no matter how hard he would try to conceal himself. In addition, there's always the fishy smell.
Sasori and his partner were flying through the trees at ungodly speeds. Both Akatsuki members concluded something was going down. Moreover, it didn't look good.
It appeared the Konoha team was headed towards the Rice country. Home of the infamous ex-Akatsuki member, Orochimaru. Sure, the Snake Sannin defected from the group of S-ranked criminals, but that doesn't mean they were on good terms.
Leader always thought Orochimaru was a fruitcake with a God complex. In addition, Leader is homophobic, self-explanatory.
Sasori sweat dropped.
Suppressing their chakra even further, they began to pick up speed. Deidara noticed how short Hinata's shorts were and began picking up more speed. A pool of drool dribbled out of the corner of his mouth as his eyes grew wide. If he looked close enough, he could see the tip of her ass cheeks peeking out of said shorts.
Sasori looked to his right noticing his partner sped up, leaving a trail of drool in the wind as they jumped from treetop to treetop. The ex-Sand Nin rolled his eyes and matched his pace with Deidara's. He wasn't about to comment.
Meanwhile, Itachi and Kisame were taking a slower pace. Itachi noticed that they were heading in the direction of the Rice country. Knowing what lies ahead, Itachi turned his head to the side and caught Kisame's eye. The Uchiha nodded and pumped chakra into his legs, as he sailed into the air ahead of his partner.
As the trees were getting more scarce by the minute, the trailing group could see the outline of a small village. Rice patty fields littered the landscape, giving it an ethereal look. Itachi had no clue what possessed Orochimaru to take residence in such a remote area. Probably to do his weird human experiments, sick fuck.
Coming to an abrupt stop, both Kisame and Itachi landed in a silent crouch on the forest floor next to Sasori and Deidara. Peering over some random bushes, the Akatsuki group observed the Konoha shinobis resting by a rotted out log.
In a low voice, "Is that a fox with them?" Kisame asked.
Deidara perked up and looked over at Kisame, "Really? How cuuuute! Yeah." Cooed Deidara.
Sasori hit his partner on the head, "shut up will ya," Deidara rubbed his head. Kisame grinned at their display. Itachi looked on impassively. Annoying.
Itachi observed the Kyuubi furiously sharpening his kunai and the Hyuuga girl feeding the fox. The "lazy one" looked bored, they were referring to Shikamaru. In addition, the blonde was fidgeting nervously. You'd think they were sent to kill babies with the way the blonde was acting. Motioning his team closer to together, Itachi began piecing together a plan.
The Konoha team of Chuunin was making excellent time. Considering they left a day in advance, probably due to Ino's jitters. Still unknown of the dangers ahead of them and the ones lurking behind them. Gimpy sensed something of that caliber, but decided to keep it himself.
The Akatsuki group stopped behind a thicket before trailing after the Chuunin into town. It looked as though a festival was fast approaching. Itachi had planned for all of them to change clothing and ditch their hiti-ates.
Deactivating his Sharingan, Itachi was the first to pull off his shoulder pack and started to rummage through it. It's been awhile since they had to do spying missions. Usually, he didn't even have to change clothes, because no one usually hears about the Akatsuki. However, they were growing ever popular with the other hidden village's ANBU force. The lone Uchiha pulled out a black fishnet shirt, some old jeans, and a belt composed of bondage chains. Going off to the side, he began to strip and fold everything neatly placing the contents into his bag. Taking out a roll of red bandages, he started to wrap his hands and forearms. Taking off his shinobi sandals, he traded them for a black pair of steel-toed Docs.
Deidara, however, was so engrossed in watching Itachi dress himself; he left himself wide open for Sasori's punishment. Deidara didn't discriminate; he was an equal opportunity shinobi. Even if he wasn't, Itachi was always an exception; the man was gorgeous in all rights.
Itachi pulled his hair tie out and ran his fingers through his hair, then he pulled his hiti-ate off. Looking up, he saw Deidara sporting a nice shiner from our resident puppet user. He could still see the vein pop on his brow. The clan-murdering Uchiha's brow rose at the sight.
Kisame came out from behind a tree sporting black trench coat and black leather pants. His jacket was partially closed, so no one could actually tell what he was wearing beneath it. Itachi suspected he did not wear a shirt. He also stashed his Samehada knowing he would receive unwanted attention with it.
Sasori had khaki cargo pants on with a pullover hoodie so he could easily conceal his red hair. It stood out a bit much.
Since the festival was fast approaching, Deidara chose to wear a red hakama and an intricately designed short kimono. The remaining Akatsuki members looked on with amazement. Deidara was officially labeled the "black sheep" of the group.
With a nod of his head, Itachi pulled his group around him and began to go over the plan again making sure no one forgot their part.
Itachi decided that they should split up into two's. Deidara and Sasori were paired together simply for the fact that they had always been partners and the puppet master could keep Deidara in line. He suspected Sasori secretly had a thing for his partner, but he claimed he was straight. Whatever. They were assigned to follow the Kyuubi and the Hyuuga, because it looked like the Konoha shinobi split them selves up, looking for a hotel room or something. Meanwhile, Itachi and Kisame were to follow the blonde-haired woman and the lazy one. How hard would it be to follow the Kyuubi brat?
Deidara ran his hands through his blonde hair and flipped it to the side. Sasori watched on intently. He would never outright admit his feelings for the moronic ex-Stone Nin. Probably afraid of rejection, he did not get much acceptance when he was younger, having turned his parents into puppets.
Pulling his hood up, Sasori grabbed a hold of Deidara's sleeve and pulled him away from Itachi. Drool was still evident on his chin. The artist dragged roughly towards the village with wide eyes. He knew Sasori was aggressive, but not this much. He was not a complete moron, but there had to be something stuck up the ex-Sand Nin's ass or something.
"Come on before we loose the Kyuubi vessel." Sasori said in a gruff voice.
He let go of his sleeve and jammed his hands into his pockets walking at a leisurely pace. Deidara grinned and jogged to catch up to his partner. Coming up to the red head's side, he looped his arm around Sasori's and looked over at him. Said person stopped abruptly turned his head with a slight blush. Deidara smiled even wider and rubbed his face on Sasori's shoulder for the added effect. The puppet master cleared his throat and started to walk with Deidara at his side.
"Look at those idiots." Kisame snorted.
Itachi looked up from the scroll he was reading and saw the other two Akatsuki slinking off together arm in arm. One of Itachi's brow rose. It was none of his business what they decided to do on their own time. However, he did not swing that way.
"Hmm." The Uchiha murmured.
After reading through some random jutsu scroll, Itachi rolled it up and secured it safely in his pack. Getting up from the squatting position, he repositioned his belts and wiped away invisible dirt from his pants.
"I'm going to gather information. You're on your own, Kisame." Itachi stated.
Kisame shrugged and looked towards the town as Itachi departed from his sight. Itachi was a lone wolf when it came to the company of others. He did not care for people too much actually, he did not care for people period. Growing up a genius in his own right, constantly separated from the other children his age. Rose with many expectations from his Clan. When his brother was born, he then took on the job of a role model for his younger sibling. He loved his little brother so much he took it upon himself to point him in the right direction. Enter—the Uchiha Tragedy. Growing up he did not have many friends. Only Uchiha Shisui and he became closer to him like a brother almost. Ever since finding the hidden scrolls under the temple tatami mats, he became even more eager to obtain this power.
Walking along dirt path, Itachi stuck his hands in his pockets and slowed his pace a bit. Looking around at his surroundings, he saw all the villagers out in their Festival best. The Uchiha murderer looked a bit out of place, but he did not care either way. Until he came across some commotion coming from a near-by alley, Itachi decided to look and see what was going on.
"Stop it, you monster!" A shrilly voice rose above the noise in the crowd.
'A woman, how convenient.' Itachi thought to him self.
The elder Uchiha was by no means gay, but he always thought women were troublesome creatures. Always too fragile, dainty, and of course weak. Deciding that he could at least do one favor for a stranger, which was not his style by far.
The men that were attacking her ripped her kimono in random places, the sleeves, and a rip up the side that exposed her hipbone. She was a beautiful woman if you looked closely. At a glance, she looked a bit homely. Long red-brown hair pulled into a large bun with intricately carved chopsticks sticking out. Tendrils of curly hair hanging about the sides of head, framing her face delicately. She was a very short person, about 5'1". Her kimono was a satin texture, red and white lilies littered the said garment.
"Oh come on, girly. We want to have some fun!" A burlesque man whispered harshly in her face. The other men were laughing at the way their "leader" was speaking to the girl.
"I said no, go find a whore if you want some fun, asshole!" The girl lunged at him, but was held back by the other thugs.
"This one's feisty, huh boys?" The man said rather roughly. "I like 'em feisty," the thug said as he reached his hand out to touch her face. The girl held hostage snapped at his fingers almost biting one of them off. The man pulled his hand back quickly and backhanded her.
"Bitch, I'll break your spirit!" He got up from his knees and said, "hold her down, I'm gonna teach her a lesson." The girl looked up at the greasy thug, spit blood on his face, and gave him the meanest expression she could muster.
Itachi watched the exchange with one brow raised. The girl has some balls. She might be of some use after all. Walking out from behind the alley wall, he began to walk over to the group of men.
"Hey! What the fuck do you think your doing?" Yelled thug number three.
Itachi just walked past him ignoring everything he said, he had his eyes on the girl that was still staring defiantly back at the Leader. The Leader glanced to the side to see a young man approaching him and his intended victim.
"What do you want, boy?" The man said rather gruffly.
Itachi looked at him impassively, eyes bleeding red while keeping his hands in his pockets. "Let her go." He said evenly. The girl heard a new voice and looked in Itachi's direction. Her eyes went wide, 'Gorgeous.' Never had anyone ever stood up for her, surprising as it is.
The leader of the group openly gawked at the young man who had the gall to tell him what to do. "Get out of here before you get hurt, brat."
"Old man, let her go." Itachi's brow furrowed a bit, taking his hands out of his pockets and rest them on his belted chain.
Feeling someone approaching his backside, he ducked under the swing of one of the thugs emitted. He extended his right foot out and tripped him. Another charged his front and with one quick pull, he had his belt out of his loops. He threw a whip like movement and had the person by his neck, breaking it with a sickening crack. Itachi crouched and sprang up doing a back flip over the remaining two thugs. In mid air, he flung some shurikens he had stashed in his many pockets at the rest. Two in each of their necks and forehead effectively killing them.
Landing in a silent crouch, Itachi stood up and rearranged his belts back to its original place. The Leader of the thugs was the only one left. Itachi looked up and began walking back over to the burlesque looking man. Coming within two feet of him Itachi grabbed him by the neck and hoisted the man up into the air. The Uchiha murderer closed his eyes and bowed his head as he readied his signature jutsu.
The girl watched the whole scene unfold before her eyes as the strange man killed all of the common thugs. She could already tell he was a ninja, a very good ninja. She also concluded that he had some special eye doujitusu, because they bled into this beautiful red. A light breeze stirred the tendrils of her hair as her kimono swayed in the wind. Itachi's hair blew over his shoulder.
She picked herself off the ground where she landed and dusted her self off. The woman readjusted her kimono and looked down at the mess the thugs created. Deciding it was not all bad, she tore off the bottom to make it look shorter. She used the access material to wipe off the sweat and blood off her face and threw it on the ground.
Itachi let the man drop to the ground after he mind fucked his ass. Turning around he saw the girl tearing her kimono and trying to make the best with what she had. Raising both brows, he saw as she bent over giving him a free look down her kimono.
Clearing his throat, she stopped immediately what she was doing and looked over at her rescuer with wide eyes.
"What's your name?" Itachi asked unemotionally.
The girl blinked audibly a few times and stood up straighter, "Kaori. What's yours?"
Itachi was not expecting that one. He looked at her with a bored expression, "Itachi."
A small smile appeared on her bloodied lips, "Thank you, Itachi."
Kaori was not the type of person to stick around a murder scene for too long. Story of her life really. She pulled out the chopsticks keeping her hair in place and ran her fingers through her shoulder length hair. Itachi watched intently. She walked up to the unconscious leader of the thugs and straddled him.
Rearing back, she plunged each chopstick into each eye, permanently blinding him. "That's for touching my ass, bastard." Then she spit on him for a second time. For the third time that night, Itachi raised both brows. This woman is intriguing.
Kaori stood up and dusted her hands off, wiping the pieces of eyeball off her dirty kimono. She turned on her heel and strolled out the alley back to enjoy what was left of the festival. From the rooftop where Kisame was perched, watching the whole exchange. He smiled, 'Itachi-san is smitten so easily.' He grinned even wider showing his teeth.
Itachi stood stock still watching her walk away from him; usually any woman would fawn all over him. Another reason why he hated females. However, this one acted as if he did not even exist, it was captivating. Soon he found himself tailing her from afar. He observed her as she went to a booth and bought some cotton candy. It's like seeing someone killed right before her did not bother her in the least. She smiled at the vendor and walked off towards where the fireworks were being set off. After that whole exchange, Itachi lost sight of his original objective and followed the mysterious woman into the crowd.
Kaori walked with a hop in her step, she got the chance to get her revenge on the molester asshole and she met a hot guy. Coming to bench, she sat herself down roughly and continued eating her cotton candy. She tilted her head skyward watching the fireworks, if only her little sister could see this too.
Itachi saw his chance and strolled over to the bench occupied by Kaori. He sat himself down silently and watched the fireworks with her. Itachi is a man of few words; his actions always spoke louder and didn't require any questions. However, idly sitting beside the unique beauty, he stole glances at her appearance. She didn't seem like anything special, or it was the fact that she blatantly ignored him.
A woman of subtle beauty, he lips were thin but not too thin. Her hair was thick, long and wavy. Her complexion wasn't as quite as pale as his. Her almond color eyes lit up with every firework display. She had a small build, but looked like she was more speed than strength, as most kunoichis are. Kaori had small hands and feet, when seated on the bench, her feet were off the ground swaying back and forth. Itachi could see the torn material on her left hipbone exposing soft delicate skin.
Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't know he was staring, hard. Itachi felt a small hand reach out and touch his chin as his face forced upwards. His eyes focused on her face, a small smile gracing her delicate features, still having a bit of dried blood and dirt on her face.
"Didn't your parents ever tell you that staring isn't polite?" She asked in a low voice.
Itachi schooled his features as he always did and said nothing. Kaori pulled her hand away from his chin and gently ran her fingers through his hair. The Uchiha heir watched her play with his hair with a scowl on his face, but he didn't pull away.
"If you keep making that face, it will freeze like that one day." She laughed softly to herself.
"Why are you following me, Itachi?" She asked in a gentle voice. The mysterious woman pulled her hand from his black locks and put her arms around herself.
Itachi couldn't really answer her question, because he really didn't know why himself. So he gave her the only he could, he shrugged. Kaori smiled a little wider and put her arms behind her head stretching; then she scooted closer to dark-haired shinobi. Itachi sat back as she got closer to his personal little bubble. He wasn't used to all the contact, so it startled him a bit.
"Where are you from?" She asked. Itachi craned his head down to look into those brown eyes, "Konoha." She didn't look surprised; Kaori figured he was from a hidden village, just like her.
"Where are you from, Kaori?" Itachi curiously asked. She looked up at him, into his large black eyes.
"It's not important where I come from, I can never go back." She said in a voice so small that Itachi barely heard it. 'Exiled.' He nodded and placed his arm around her shoulders as she was shivering from the cold.
Out of the corner of his eye, Itachi thought he saw something small and red zip past them.
To be continued.
Crimsonails