Chapter 62

Lingering Questions: A Search for Truth

Kisame Hoshigaki sat in almost complete silence. Almost. Crackles of their campfire disturbed the air; his honed shinobi senses caught the skittering of wildlife beyond the shadows of the trees, hunting for their next meal or seeking shelter from their predators. Such was the way of all life. Hunters and hunted. Predators and prey. A constant struggle for survival.

The sky was overcast. The air still. Heat from the fire washed away the moderately cool temperature of the night. All in all, everything was about as peaceful as this eat or be eaten world could be.

Samehada lay behind him while his two trusted partners lingered within the nearby tent.

Two and a half weeks since that kid nearly killed Itachi, he thought with a sideways glance over to the tent. Those weird eyes always find new ways to surprise me. Such fascinating power. It's only too bad it comes at such a high cost.

He released a sigh and tossed a stick into the fire.

Frustration and fury ensnared his mood after their retreat. But he got over it. Tactically, retreating was the best option. There was no rush to capture the jinchūriki. Not yet, anyway.

Besides, sticking around any longer to battle Master Jiraiya guaranteed a morbid end. The Legendary Sannin was without a doubt a perverted fool; sort of underwhelming in that respect, especially for a shinobi of his widespread legend. But every legendary figure was just another human being in this undesirable world, just as flawed or full of undesirable vices as the average fool.

Only in pretty fairytales were heroes ever unflawed saints. Reality was far more caustic. Their world was painted by trails of blood, lies and betrayal. And it'd always be that way.

Shinobi were shinobi, regardless of Nation. They were soldiers. Killers. Assassins. Bloodshed was their life. Duplicity was their game.

Kisame despised this world of deceit. But he accepted its pointlessness. He accepted what he was. His hands were stained by the blood of those he was supposed to call comrades. Allies. Friends. Whatever "bond" he was meant to share with his fellow Mist shinobi ended with them lying dead at his feet.

Orders were orders. His duty was to protect the secrets of the Mist. By any means necessary. Even if that meant slaughtering his own people, he would fulfill his duty.

"What a sad existence you live."

That Mist kunoichi's words and peaceful smile as he killed her never left him.

What a sad existence indeed.

This cruel and sad world of lies. Hopeless and purposeless.

Yet, he was still here. Still existing. Barely. He'd be dead at the hands of Master Jiraiya's Toad Mouth Trap without Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan. What a sad end that would have been.

So, they survived to fight another day. It was the running gag of his life, it seemed. No matter how pointless this world of lies was, he always found a way to survive. A way to keep existing. Then again, he wasn't in any rush to die.

Patience was their ally now. Someday in the future they'd capture the Nine-Tails for their mission. It was only a matter of time. And unlike the girl, the jinchūriki brat didn't show the same cut-throat, fearless potential of a thrilling enemy. He was just another hopeless weakling.

But that girl… Intelligence. Reasoning. Intensity. Will. That kunoichi wasn't some average shinobi. She was still a rookie, far outclassed by the Akatsuki trio. But in time, if she ever woke up from that coma Itachi put her in, she'd make it into the Bingo Book. He'd stake his existence on it.

I wonder what Itachi's plan with her is.

He believed his partner when he said they couldn't risk stealing her eyes. After that strange space-time fūinjutsu he didn't want to even put his hands near that girl's eyes. Definitely if there were more traps waiting for them. Fūinjutsu of that level, in his experience, wasn't to be trifled with.

Still, he'd been mulling over the incident for the last two weeks and hadn't gotten around to asking his partner for a straight answer. Kisame wasn't an idiot. Itachi and Aimi spared that girl for one reason or another. A long-term plan. Or what seemed to be a long-term plan to his trained eyes.

Placing the genjutsu on her mind when he could have easily killed her too? No, that didn't add up. Itachi and Aimi always calculated every single move they made. They never cut loose without thinking through the next hundred steps ahead.

Did Itachi plan to awaken her Mangekyō Sharingan to give them to Aimi? Kisame pursed his lips and rolled the thought around in his mind. Aimi has both forms of Sharingan just like Itachi and that girl do, but her powers were different than Itachi's and Aimi's. Powerful too.

They obviously hadn't known about the fūinjutsu. Everyone was rendered stupefied by the experience, even Aimi and Itachi. For a brief moment their reserved disconnection faded for genuine shock—a rare sight on his two genius partners.

So, had that girl's family theorized their intentions to steal her power? Or was there more to it than taking her eyes?

Kisame wasn't sure it was even his business to ask. Itachi and Aimi didn't owe him an explanation. Partners or not, their past business with their Clan wasn't his to poke and prod at for answers. But his curiosity was getting the better of him.

He watched the dancing flames, blue features pulled into a thoughtful expression. I can't help but wonder what he plans to do with that girl. She has wells of potential to tap into. And that demonic chakra she exuded…

It excited Samehada. Purest darkness. Suffering. Hatred. Power. He'd felt and seen it all in that girl's expressive crimson eye.

Her killing intent was so volatile; even I felt the chill in the air. It was a mirror image of Zabuza's. Heh! He grinned. I wonder what he'd think to know a little girl can mirror his Demon Chakra.

The grin faded. In the orange flames, their tongues licking at the air and casting shadows to dance along the ground, he saw his own Shadow trying to kill him again. Talk about a dangerous technique. To be able to create and control a corporeal Shadow imitation of the person she looked at…

That's some jutsu. Once she started to focus, it began to mirror my technique and my strength perfectly. But it didn't seem able to mimic my ninjutsu, and it can only be maintained as long as she can keep her eye open.

With the strain the Mangekyō Sharingan put on the eye, plus the drain of her chakra, its weaknesses lessened the techniques effectiveness. At least against opponents of greater strength and experience than her. Average shinobi would die against it.

However, regardless of its weaknesses, that girl began adapting to the new power during a life or death battle. Adaptability and levelheadedness like that could only be commended.

Then there's that explosion of light…

Such raw power. That ability was power. Honestly, it left him wary of the girl. Itachi's incredible reaction time was all that saved him from death. But if she unleashed that power to start an ambush, no one would survive its epicenter. Instant death, guaranteed.

He saw no weaknesses in the technique itself. The weakness they could exploit was the personal weakness of the girl herself. She would never use it in a town or in any populated area—too much collateral damage for someone of her motivations. And she most certainly wouldn't unleash its power when her allies were nearby.

They could use that to their advantage if they ever fought her again. No, they needed to use her soft heart to their advantage if they had any hope of surviving.

The sound of the tent opening broke Kisame from his analysis to Itachi's exit. His stoic features greeted him, and though the Swordsman expected Aimi to follow, she did not.

"You two done getting frisky?" Kisame grinned.

Itachi shut his eyes and exhaled an annoyed sigh. He didn't bother with a verbal retort. The sigh was threat enough.

The Swordsman chuckled. Then he exhaled through his nose. Now seemed as good as ever to get some answers.

"I've been thinking about that girl," he started, voice low and serious.

"Don't you think you're a little too old for her?" Itachi replied dryly.

The dry remark tugged a wide, sharp grin onto Kisame's face. "I deserved that one."

Itachi snorted but nodded for him to continue.

"Anyway. Looking back on it, I can see why you spared her." A single eyebrow rose on Itachi's face. Kisame chuckled at the silent, calculated response. "Come on, Itachi. I may not be a genius like you and Aimi, but I'm not an idiot."

He turned his eyes back to the fire, features settling into a pensive expression. "You saw that girl's potential when you used to train her, didn't you?"

"Yes. The rest of the Uchiha Clan shunned her as a half-breed, seeing her as a sin to their supposed purity. But for those who looked beyond her heritage, her potential to become a formidable kunoichi was obvious." Itachi cast a look to his repaired arm, covered by a fresh Akatsuki cloak sleeve. "Her heritage has been and will continue to be a source of immense strength. Witnessing her power firsthand has retaught me that lesson."

Kisame hummed but said nothing. He honestly expected Itachi to evade the question, but maybe that was just his nihilistic view of the world setting his expectation too low. Blood Mist Village only ever showed him pointless deaths, lies and greed.

And they wonder why our Village became so weak. While we were so busy selling our own secrets and killing each other, the other Villages were growing in strength.

Not that he cared anymore. He harbored no intention of saving the Mist. What was even the point? The cycle of lies and greed leading to pointless death would only start over again somewhere else. What difference did it make if one Village rose above it while the rest of the world greased its wheels with blood?

Nevertheless, Itachi answered his question with honesty. Maybe he'd answer the others he had. He turned his head away from the fire and back to his partner. "Why did you spare her and your brother in that last fight?"

Itachi stared at him for a moment then shut his eyes. "What you ask is complicated, Kisame."

Exhaling a deep sigh, Itachi strode over to the log to sit next to him. He rested his forearms on his thighs and leaned forward, locking his onyx eyes on the fire in front of them.

"I cannot explain it in full detail yet, though you are right to assume I have a plan for them."

"Recruitment?"

His stoic partner released a short chuckle at his question. "No, nothing of that sort. By the time they would be old and strong enough to aid the Akatsuki our goal will already be complete."

"Heh, good point," the former Mist ninja replied, chuckling. "So, what is it? An eye transplant? You're not planning on stopping the Akatsuki, are you?"

"No, I do not. The eye transplant is a fragment of it, but it is still too soon for me to go into detail." His partner turned his head and met his eyes. The sincerity in them actually surprised Kisame. "When the time comes, Aimi and I will give you the truth you seek."

Kisame nodded. "Thanks, Itachi."

Itachi gave him more than expected, and it came with a promise of truth later on when the time was right. That was more than anyone else had given him. It left him content.

The Swordsman released a sigh. "Well, I suppose we're never going to live down being delayed by a little girl when we tell the others what happened."

To his surprise, Itachi chuckled heartily. He could only stare at his partner as if he was the strangest person on the planet. "I don't think I've ever heard you laugh like that. What's so funny?"

"If you wish to die by telling the Leader a thirteen year old Genin prevented us from completing our goal, then be my guest. Aimi and I will be sure to carry on your memory," Itachi replied dryly.

That was…a really good point. Kisame considered what their leader would have to say about such a failure, and he was fairly certain that there wouldn't be a reprimanding.

Even if we explained her unlocking her Mangekyō Sharingan abilities, we'd still be killed.

He still wasn't in any rush to die.

"Let's just leave out the parts about the girl," he decided.

"That would be the wise course of action without an immediate death at the end. Unless that is what you desire?" Itachi said, a smirk forming on his face.

Kisame grinned at his partner. "Earning the ire of the Leader is definitely not my idea of a good time. Besides, you and Aimi would get distracted without me around."

Itachi rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"There'd certainly be more opportunities to get 'frisky' as you put it," Aimi's playful voice joined them. They turned to see the mischievous smirk playing at her lips. "However, your charm would be sorely missed, Kisame."

Aimi stood in a royal blue tank top, the sides of which were cut within a few inches of the hem to reveal the mesh short-sleeved shirt and black bra beneath it. She wore black shinobi pants with matching sandals and white leg warmers.

Kisame chuckled deep in his chest. "Aw, you're going to make me blush, Aimi. Here I thought you only had eyes for Itachi."

"He has his charms too, I suppose," the kunoichi jested.

Itachi frowned. Aimi approached, a playful smile on her lips and a light bounce in her step. She ran her finger along Itachi's jawline, lightly pushing his chin away. "Don't pout, 'Tachi. Your face will get stuck that way."

"I think it already has," Kisame grinned.

Itachi rolled his eyes. "I didn't realize the Akatsuki recruited comedians." His tone was dryer than the Land of Wind's deserts.

Kisame's wide grin didn't budge. Aimi hummed pleasantly then seated herself next to her fellow Uchiha. "We should recruit comedians. It would liven up the Akatsuki significantly," Aimi said.

"I agree," Kisame nodded. "Every time we gather together our so-called 'artists' or the Zombie Brothers end up arguing with each other. Otherwise everyone just broods." He turned to grin down at Aimi. "We need more members like you, Aimi. It'll breathe some energy into this organization."

"Mm. We're out of luck then, Kisame," Aimi replied.

"How so?"

She smirked. "Because I'm one-of-a-kind. We won't find another shinobi like me."

"Can't argue with that," he grinned.

Glancing down, Kisame noticed Itachi's hand resting on Aimi's. His grin grew wider. "Well, I suppose I'll go check the perimeter to give you two some alone time."

"Kisame," Itachi scolded tiredly.

"What?" He reached behind the log and picked up Samehada before standing up. "I'm just being a gentleman. Young love is so pure, I cannot come between it! Heh heh heh!" he chortled.

Itachi's glare was deadly even without Sharingan.

Aimi spared him a thankful smile and bowed her head. "Thank you, Kisame."

He slung Samehada onto his shoulder. "Don't mention it. Just don't get too frisky. I'm only going for a short walk."

"I'll make no promises," she responded with a light laugh.

Kisame chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Careful, Aimi. You might make me blush if you keep this up."

"I must endeavor to be as 'frisky' as possible if you only might blush." Kisame snorted. "Be careful, Kisame."

"I know, I know." He waved his hand over his shoulder and continued his walk into the darkness of the forest. He stopped only once to spare a glance to his two teammates. Aimi's head rested on Itachi's shoulder, their fingers entwined as he slowly tilted his head to rest on hers.

Kisame let his lips quirk up in a small smile. Maybe I'll take a longer stroll than planned. It'd be nice to stretch my legs for a little while and it'd give them some time alone.

In this pointless world of death and lies, it was the least he could provide for the two people he actually trusted.

Itachi released a deep sigh as Kisame's footsteps faded away into the darkness of the forest. He was gone. For now, at least.

The warm hand entwined with his soothed Itachi into a place of peace he rarely found on this mission of theirs. However, just having these brief moments alone together saved him from drowning. Aimi kept him afloat when the anxiety and sorrow dug their claws into his flesh.

He provided the same relief to her. This wasn't how Shisui wanted it to be—it wasn't how any of them wanted it to be—but they stuck together and supported one another just like he asked them to as they bore this arduous burden.

Despite the tired scolding he gave Kisame, Itachi appreciated these private moments he offered them. When alone with Aimi, he could decompress and share in the quiet, soothing presence of the woman he loved. Missions or lack of privacy kept them from sharing the intimate gestures he wished to shower her with.

But now was not the time to dwell on such thoughts. He had missed opportunities such as this in the past because he had let his thoughts and feelings remain elsewhere. Doing so left him with a handful of regrets he could no more fix than a human could fly.

Still, he would forge ahead on this path he walked. For those he held precious, he would not falter.

"I'm sorry for allowing the situation with Haya to escalate so far," he apologized sincerely.

"Don't blame yourself, 'Tachi. Neither of us knew the fūinjutsu was there, or that Haya could succumb to such darkness," Aimi comforted. She gave his hand a soft squeeze and nuzzled into his shoulder. "Everything worked out in the end. Stop worrying."

He smiled softly and squeezed her hand back. Shutting his eyes, he honed in on the warmth of Aimi's hand in his and the sound of the crackling fire in front of them.

"She's grown much since last we saw her, don't you think?"

He hummed in agreement to Aimi's question. Haya's growth of skill and confidence overshadowed the young child he used to train. But there was still so much for her to improve on. Her reckless abandon for her own life was one of those things.

The genjutsu on her mind would see to that flaw first.

"My little sweet is no longer the cute little girl always asking us to train her. Still adorable, of course; nothing could ever change that. And my poor little sweet still hasn't hit her growth spurt." Itachi hummed amusedly, his heart warming at Aimi's precious laughter. "However, she has become a capable young kunoichi."

"Yes, she has."

Aimi removed her head from his shoulder and stared at him with a worried expression. Her eyes searched his for an answer to an unspoken question. Itachi could only focus on how beautiful she looked as the light and shadows created by the fire danced across her fair skin.

In her deep onyx eyes, he could see their history from the day they met to now playing before him. It was in those past moments where he could see her turn from cute child to capable young kunoichi to a striking S-rank shinobi.

These thoughts, however, led him to thoughts of Haya and his brother. Here he was with Aimi at the age of eighteen as S-rank criminals. How different his path turned out than what he once sought.

They had both grown from children to adults before they even hit fifteen. The reality of shinobi life destroyed the lives and dreams they once held without mercy.

So how much longer did the two young Uchiha have until they too grew from a boy and a girl to a man and a woman? One year? Two? Or could it be less than that because of what was set in motion?

It was impossible to say with any certainty. Even geniuses cannot predict the future, he thought.

"You're being distant, 'Tachi. What's wrong?" Aimi asked.

"It's nothing," he responded and turned his gaze back into the fire.

Aimi's gentle fingers trailed over his cheek, cupping it so she could turn his head to meet her eyes again. "Please don't lie to me, 'Tachi," she whispered. The kunoichi resumed caressing his cheek with a feather light touch that easily melted away all of his tension. "What's wrong?"

With a reluctant sigh, Itachi explained in short his use of the Tsukuyomi on Haya. The mistakes he made with Sasuke. Fears and hopes for them. His recent thoughts of how quickly they would grow up in this harsh and unforgiving world.

By the end of it, Aimi's head lay back on his shoulder, her fingers interlaced with his again. Their breathing remained even while Aimi mulled over the thoughts he presented her. Itachi was patient. He could wait for her to gather all her thoughts, content to merely sit here with her for as long as they could. Together.

"They will follow their path, 'Tachi," Aimi whispered. "Like us, they have each other to rely on to prevent the Curse of Hatred from obscuring their path with shadows. Shisui's wisdom will stay with Haya. She will heed his guidance and yours, and through her, Sasuke will learn to live for something more than hatred.

"Haya is meant to light the way, for the future generations and the Uchiha. It's in her blood. But she won't walk this path alone. She has others she can rely on; she has the Wills of her family in her heart, we saw that. And she has our faith, 'Tachi. That's all she needs from us. She'll make us all proud, I know it."

He hummed in agreement.

Her head began to shift on his shoulder, followed by warm lips pressing a butterfly kiss at his jawline. "Don't worry so much. Everything will be okay."

Itachi pivoted his head to meet her eyes. Again he found himself admiring the woman he loved.

So long as they had each other, they would be okay.

Itachi cupped her cheek, bringing forth the pretty smile that entranced him when they were children. The smile illuminated his world, no matter how bleak and dark it happened to be.

Aimi…words will never express how thankful I am to have you at my side on this path we must walk. For your undying trust, support and love, I will forever be in your debt.

He smiled genuinely and kissed the tip of her nose, earning a small giggle for his effort.

"My lips are here, 'Tachi. You prude."

Aimi leaned forward and met his lips in a slow, passionate kiss. One that revived his spirits and brushed away all thoughts not pertaining to this present moment.

His lover broke from the kiss first but only so she could switch positions. Aimi straddled him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she engaged him in a deeper, tender kiss.

Itachi's hands glided slowly up her thighs, up her hips and over the curves of her mesh covered sides. Hands roamed, threading into soft hair, meeting palm to palm as they rested foreheads together to breathe in the moment and each other; their lips and tongues danced together, unrestrained in their passion and tenderness.

Here there was no Akatsuki. No horrible past. No perilous future. There was only the present second. Here they could forget about their burdens and be. Be together. Be in love. Be safe and secure, even if it was only for a little while.

Here with Aimi he could feel warmth pierce through this dark, cold world they lived in.

Again they broke off their kiss but settled to rest their foreheads against one another. Affection and love brimmed in their eyes as they held each other's gaze.

"I love you, 'Tachi," Aimi exhaled.

"And I love you, Aimi."

They sat there for a few long minutes sharing in blissful kisses or simple touches, never encroaching on borders they kept when Kisame was around.

It was better this way for all involved. Kisame did not have to return to an awkward situation and the two Uchiha's would not have to listen to him tease them mercilessly the entire walk back to their base.

Eventually it came to an end.

"Didn't I ask you two not to get too frisky?" Kisame's teasing voice entered the camp with a chuckle following.

Itachi frowned in the darkness. He knew it was inevitable, but he wished the inevitable could have waited a little longer.

Aimi's smile remained on her face despite the interruption. She pressed a peck on Itachi's lips as reassurance that everything would be okay before pivoting her head to face their teammate.

"Come now, Kisame, you can hardly call this frisky. My top is still on," she quipped.

Even with the interruption, there was still one thing Itachi knew in his heart.

I will forever be yours, Aimi.

Review Response to ChillinInKonoha: Shippuden era Amari will probably have a few different outfits. One will consist of the purple high-collar tank top she found in the Uchiha District when she found her tanto, necklace, summoning contract and journals. The Clan crests are fused together on the back of that one.

Amari and Mimi are definitely more friends/sisters than rivals out of battle, but in battle they'll always be fighting each other to be the best.

Weapons Sage, Mistress of all Ninja Tools, I think Tenten would love that nickname.

Kosuke will show up later on. Yugao has a role to play in this story, I just can't go into detail yet.

Thank you for the review! Hope you enjoy the new update!