Author's Note:

Hi lovely people!

I'm sorry this chapter took longer to get out, I've been super busy recently and haven't had as much time to write as I would like. Fair warning, it's been taking a little bit longer to get things back from my editor, so this chapter has only been edited by me. I might go insane if I look at it anymore and decided that I would post it now and upload the edited version when I get it back. I wanted to get the chapter out and got impatient... don't hate me lol.

This chapter has a little bit of everything and is a bit chunky... sorry squad.:/ But it was super fun to write and I really hope you all enjoy it!:) Please leave reviews and such if you like it!

SMUT IS COMING VERY SOON.

Thanks for reading! Stay safe out there.

Best,

J.E.

As always, I don't own Naruto.

The bright moonlight cast long, ominous shadows as I strode along the tree line, beside the rushing stream in search of Itachi. I concentrated, trying to hone in on the brooding Uchiha's chakra to no avail.

An uncomfortable sensation of eyes suddenly scrutinizing me curdled my blood. A shiver slithered up my spine, forcing my stomach to churn with apprehension.

Something felt… wrong.

Chakra radiated from behind me. Chakra that was not Kisame's, or Itachi's. My heart skipped a beat, the frigid grasp of fears cold fingers ensnared my being. I stopped dead in my tracks.

I knew that chakra signature all too well. The the sly voice grating against my ears confirmed it.

"Hello, Sora-chan. You finally aren't with your Uchiha guard dog and shark-friend, I see." Fucking Kabuto. And where Kabuto went, so did Orochimaru. This was not good.

Great… What does this fool want?

Sucking in a thick breathe, I turned to make shrewd eye contact with the man I hated second most in the world. His bright silver hair glinted like sharpened steel under the moonlight.

"Kabuto… I'll be kind. You have five seconds to turn around and leave unharmed—" I growled, feeling my fists tightening with rage. "Five."

"Aw, you don't even want to hear what I have to say? I think you'll be interested." He folded his arms across his chest, leaning on a hip. "And what will I say to Sasuke-kun when he asks why you aren't back?" He smirked, pushing his round glasses up the bridge of his nose.

My mind flashed to Sasuke's sweet face. How he would puff his cheeks in frustration when I'd ruffle his jet-black hair when training. Bringing him tomatoes and gawking every time he bit into them like he was munching on a fucking apple. Making him dango on his birthday.

Over a couple of years, Sasuke and I grew close. I adored him as if he were my own younger sibling. But since meeting Itachi, I refused to breathe a word about it. Not unless he miraculously happened to ask.

Sasuke despised Itachi. And the pain surrounding those wounds was something I was cautious not to pry into.

But one thing Sasuke had mentioned in the few times he elaborated on the massacre stuck out like a sore thumb ever since I'd met Itachi.

Sasuke had said he swore Itachi was crying after Sasuke hit off his elder brothers headband with a kunai.

Fucking hell. If Itachi hears this he's going to be pissed that I didn't tell him I knew about Sasuke...

"Four." He took a step to the side, almost as if to allow someone to pass by him. His movement made my body snap into action.

Dropping into a defensive stance, my left arm shot out towards Kabuto, effectively hacking into his circulatory system.

"My Sora-chan! There is no need for such hostility." I went rigid as pretrified stone. "I'm so pleased to see that you are well." A canny and devious voice said from the darkness between the trees behind Kabuto.

Out stepped Orochimaru, his white skin and long, inky black hair glowed under the moonlight as he slithered out of the trees and stood beside Kabuto. His yellow, snake-like eyes bore into the dark depths of my soul.

"Come, dear, it's time to go home." My hold on Kabuto vanished as my arm went limp, falling back to my side. Orochimaru's presence had my concentration crumbling like pillars of sand.

I knew the Snake Sannin would make an entrance, but the immense horror locking up my limbs was mind-numbing.

Red clouds shroud in black descending in front of me felt like a saving grace as Itachi suddenly landed, creating a barrier between me and Orochimaru.

His words dripped with wrath as he spoke, "Sora isn't going anywhere. Unlike you, she is a member of the Akatsuki. I'd advise that you leave now, while I still have a shred of patience." The wrath clung like tar to each word.

"Itachi-kun! I am so glad you're here—your precious little brother is making outstanding progress." Orochimaru snickered, placing his hands on his hips.

So he's still with Orochimaru then...

"I don't care—Sasuke is your problem now." Itachi monotoned in response. Maybe he didn't care after all…

Or, maybe it was all an act. All part of some plan.

"Tsk, tsk. You Uchiha are so complicated… Itachi-kun, that girl is a weapon. She is the epitomy of everything you hate in the world. Her mere existence is a cause for war." Orochimaru tilted his head, directing his serpentine eyes to me.

Glowering, I stepped out from around Itachi, "Are you fucking delusional? I'd never allow that to happen. If it came down to the lives of thousands of innocent people's lives at stake, I would die happily, with a smile. And you know that, Orochimaru."

The weight of Itachi's eyes studying me wasn't enough to warrant tearing my menacing glare away from Orochimaru. I wasn't finished yet. "Isn't that why you told me I'm worthless? Because I'm the weapon that would rather self-destruct than destroy others?"

Rage danced in his yellow eyes as he narrowed them, forcing me to internally recoil while taking an uneasy, step back behind Itachi.

"Oh, but I know you would never be capable of that. Sasuke-kun made you promise that you wouldn't, isn't that right, Sora-chan? What will he do without his guardian angel?" Orochimaru grinned.

He was fucking gas-lighting me. And I was having none of it. The fear melted away like ice in the sun. "If you hurt little Sasuke, I swear, I will rip you to fucking pieces with my bare hands," I seethed, summoning a barrage of shuriken and readied myself to launch 3 from each hand.

My breath hitched as Itachi reached out to clasp my wrist. The bright red of his vermillion ring reflected the moon as he restrained my arm. He ignored my huff and bewildered glare, holding my arm firmly in place.

"Unless you would prefer to incite my wrath, you'll leave. And we both know how that went for you the last time." Itachi's low, menacing tone was enough to make what he said to me earlier seem like child's play. I wondered what terrible things happened "last time"…

"Oh, but she is," Orochimaru snickered, "and she always will be. The marks I've left on her body and soul are a permanent remin—" his mouth stopped moving.

His reptilian eyes widened as he went slack jawed, standing completely motionless—like he'd been frozen in place. Kabuto hurriedly grabbed Orochimaru just as his face began to writhe in horror, then disappeared in a white plume of smoke.

So, that's the Tsukuyomi, huh? Nifty. And equally scary.

Itachi faced me, his Sharingan still glowing under the moonlight. But it wasn't the normal three tomoe that orbited around his pupil. They had been replaced by what looked like a spinning, three sided shuriken.

My eyes fell to the trickle of blood running down his high cheek. My heart sank. Taking a step towards me, I fought the urge to run. It was time to face the music. He knew about my past with Sasuke. A past I'd kept from him. And it had all just came tumbling out of Orochimaru's nasty mouth.

"I am so sorry for not telling you about Sas—oof!" My stammering was quickly cut off by Itachi's strong arms wrapping around my torso, crushing my small frame into him. His chin rested on my head.

I fought off my brief daze and reciprocated his embrace, sliding my arms around his neck. It was the last thing I'd expected, and damn, the man gave good hugs.

The comforting scent of sandalwood and flames engulfed me as I squished my face into the crook of his neck. The magatama necklace that fell just above his collarbone was cold against the heat of my skin.

The deep, velvet tone returned as he spoke softly into my hair, "Thank you for taking care of Sasuke, Sora…"

My lips grazed the smooth skin along his collarbone as I lulled my head back to gaze up at him. Smiling in response, I used the sleeve of my cloak to wipe the blood from his cheek. His thickly lashed eyes fell shut.

Taking advantage of his acceptance of my help, my hand lowered to hover over his left temple. Bright green chakra poured from my palm as I let my own eyes close to examine the damage. and closed forced my lids shut.

I almost wish I hadn't looked. It was not good… His optic nerve was spasming, the blood pumping vigorously to numerous ruptured capillaries. All of this was no doubt from the extreme burst of chakra required for such a powerful genjutsu like the Tsukuyomi. The other troubling fact was how surprisingly depleted his chakra was from just a single use.

Wow… That is really taxing for him. Why did he go that far?

I calmed his sporadic nerve and mended the broken blood vessels quickly. He exhaled a subtle sigh of relief. With what I'd just seen, the pain of his overused eye must have been excruciating.

Opening my eyes I shot him a worried glance as my hand fell away from his temple. "You didn't need to do that—you totally depleted your chakra…"

When Itachi's eyes reopened, they were swirling with strife and grief. "Sora, I-I'm so sorry for earlier…" His dark brows knit together. Navy nailed fingers tucked a rogue strand of blonde hair behind my ear, his other arm still hugging my waist pulled me a bit closer. Like he was afraid to release me from his hold.

Unable to fight the blush from rising over my freckled cheeks, I gave him a coy smile. "You can make it up to me later—and if you try that shit again, I'll break your arms." I winked, loving the grin that pulled at his thin lips.

"You and I both know that if you broke my arms, you'd just heal them right after." He smirked.

A disbelieving a scoff slipped past my parted lips fell open, half smiling deeply amused while I chuckled a scoff unable to hold back the smile that pulled at the edges of my mouth.

Itachi let out a deep, rumbling chuckle. The sound made my stomach flutter and my heart stutter. I giggled and met his eyes, their sudden lustful yearning left my knees weak.

His rough thumbs brushed over my superheated cheeks before cupping them. I was melting into a puddle in his hands as his intense gaze dropped to scan my parted lips. That smoldering look could have been a genjutsu in its own right.

My mind went blank as his warm lips met mine in a soft, chaste kiss. He was kissing me. Holy shit… Itachi was kissing me… and I liked it. No, I loved it.

Not fully knowing what to do, I melted into his arms and pressed my lips gently against his.

His lips mingling with mine was intoxicating. And I savored every second of it. The subtle taste of green tea, the smoke from his Katon… his hands sliding to grip my hips as I swelled into him like the tide.

The boy had me wanting to do bad things. Very dirty things.

"Itachi-san, can you out up the rest of the tra—" Kisame's booming voice dropped off a cliff. "Oh, never mind. I see you two are clearly busy," Kisame chimed, smug as ever staring from the tree line. I pushed Itachi away so hard I nearly stumbled and fell in my panicked haste to create distance between us.

"We had a run in with Orochimaru," Itachi responded quickly. He was unfairly composed as usual—all except for the hint of dusky pink blush staining his pale cheeks. And, my, he wore it well.

"The fuck!? Seriously? I didn't even sense him! What did that slimy bastard want?" Kisame said agitatedly and folded his chiseled blue arms over his chest.

"He came for me..." I responded just as Itachi opened his mouth to speak.

"Fuck—Sora-chan… Why did he come after you?" Kisame worried, sheathing Samehada on his back. Itachi must have had the same question because he glanced down and cocked a brow questioningly.

"It could be for a couple of reasons—there could be something he can't figure out that he needs me for. He's exploited my medical abilities by forcing me to teach him jutsu, and by experimenting on me—my body heals rapidly which was… useful to him," I shuddered at the despicable memories.

"It's either that, or he's just mad you guys took me from him. You never fully know what Orochimaru's motives are…" I directed my gaze to the rushing, clear water flowing over the dark rocks beneath, unsure as to what accompanied them under the glimmering surface.

Kisame came to stand in front of me and rested a giant blue hand on my shoulder, "Sora-chan—we won't let anything happen to you, okay?" He smiled his sharp-toothed, cheeky grin as his large hand shook my shoulder endearingly. Breathing a laugh, I half-grinned back up at him.

I really hope so…

"We'll have to be cautious of anything he may try at the Coliseum." Itachi monotoned, folding his arms over his chest.

"Let's just get the information and get out as quickly as possible—I don't want to spend a minute longer there than is absolutely necessary…" I said agitatedly before spinning around to head back towards our encampment. I made out the faint footfalls of my companions a short way behind me. With each thought of Itachi's lips pressed against mine, I internally died.

It was wonderful. But what the hell did he mean by it? Literally, why?

The hurricane of emotions, memories, and anxiety gnawed at my chaotic brain.

I really wanted to believe that they would be able to keep Orochimaru away, but the horrible pit in my stomach gnawed unrelentingly at my conscious. I knew Orochimaru, he was crafty and cunning. But I'd come to realize that Itachi may have been more so. Combined with Kisame, they were quite the formidable team.

Would it be enough?

Later that evening, Kisame asked me to train and test out my new sword. After sitting to try and relax, the toiling and cycling of thought was unrelenting. Easing my busy mind proved to be harder than I'd expected.

And after being unable to eat, it was time to work off the anxiety. And if cutting some things to baby bits, then so be it. I'd deal with the soreness I knew awaited me when it came.

I had known learning swordsmanship would be more difficult learning from one of the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Hidden Mist Village—I was woefully unprepared for just how difficult it was. Laughing at my exhaustion after another sparring match, he deemed it time to stop. Sweat dripping down my forehead blinded me, stinging my eyes as I huffed and keeled over.

I can't feel my fucking arms, yikes... A bit out of shape, aren't we?

Kisame didn't bring up what happened earlier, thankfully. He probably knew I needed to let off a little steam. His ability to sense emotion was next level. It was a blessing and a curse, at times. But in the moment, it was an absolute blessing.

We got back to our camp, I tried to look at everything and anything except at the Itachi resting his back against a tree while polishing his own chokuto leisurely.

Sucking another fatigued breathe, I laid the red and black sheathed sword against a tree and crawled onto my bed roll, wading up my cloak as as make-shift pillow. The fabric of my red qipao clung to me. Groaning in annoyance, my head lulled over to Kisame, "Kisame… you said you would 'take it easy'" I quoted him, "was that seriously what you consider easy?"

Itachi's breath a laugh from his spot sharpening his chokuto was drowned out by Kisame's snickering, "That was maybe a shot above easy. How are your arms doing?" Kisame poking the soft flesh of my almost numb bicep caused me to simply grumble a reply, pulling my arm away.

After another poke, I heaved an irritated groan, taking my sweet, slow time rolling onto my side to see why Kisame was still poking me. Grinning, he held out an onigiri.

With a smile, I took the food from the enormous blue hand and chugged some water. "You might just have to carry me tomorrow. " Glancing up at him with a lazy blink, I pouted my lip.

Smirking, Kisame patted my head. "It's good for you to work your sore muscles, Sora-chan." Rolling my eyes at him, I began munching on the onigiri.

Kisame's husky, "All right, I'm beat—I'm going to bed. Good job, Sora-chan, I'm glad your puny little arms can wield that sword." he said through a grin as he laid down and took a big breath. "Just keep practicing following through with each strike and you might almost get to be as good as me."

I rolled my eyes and swallowed my last bite of rice, "Thanks Kisame-sensei. I am so eternally grateful to be lucky enough to have one of the legendary Seven Swordsman training with me." I half-sassed, pressing my palms together and bowed nearly all the way to the ground from my cross-legged position. Itachi snorted a chuckle from his spot while he continued to sharpen the gleaming silver of his blade.

"Ah, so she wants to be a smart-ass when I didn't mention anything about how you two were sucking faces earlier?" My confident smirk dissipated instantly as my lips pulled into a tight line. "That's what I thought." He directed his smug expression to his partner who was ignoring his jeers.

Kisame's smirk grew all the more cunning. "Itachi, remember our rule—no fucking in the same room," Itachi's slate grey eyes whipped up to glare at Kisame through a veil of jet-black bangs. "Okay, good night!" Kisame chimed, stifling the laugh threatening to explode from Itachi's glower as he rolled over to get some sleep.

"Goodnight, you fucking goof." I snorted, smiling when a faint chuckle from Kisame hit my ears. Closing my eyes, I took a cleansing breath, trying to fall asleep quickly enough to try and avoid any conversation with Itachi. I desperately wanted to ask him why he had done what he did... what it meant... but it wasn't the time. I'd delve into that later, preferably when I was less exhausted.

But the light noise of grass smushing beneath his feet as he came to lay on the bed roll directly to my side had my heart racing. Curiosity of some kind left me peeking open a lid to watch Itachi. The other lid slipped open by mistake.

Sora, stop staring for crying out loud. Aren't you trying to avoid talking to him?

Shutting my eyes again, I hoped he hadn't noticed my staring.

The sixth sense of eyes studying me crept up my spine. Damn observant Uchiha. He'd noticed...

Internally kicking myself, I put on my best, "could give a fuck' face and glanced over at Itachi. He sat propped up on an elbow, half-smirking down at me with amusement.

I couldn't fight the dusky pink that bloomed over my cheeks. I cocked a brow back at him, "What? Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?" In a sudden panic that I did, in fact, have something stuck on my face, I brushed my fingers over my face.

Chuckling to himself, he closed his eyes, letting his head hang and shook it subtly side to side. "No, you don't have anything on your face—foolish girl."

Did he really just call me that?

"Hey," I started, narrowing my gaze and pointing a finger at him. "I am not a girl—I am a grown-ass woman," I sassed, puffing my cheeks out and folding my arms over my chest to accentuate my point. It apparently only accentuated my chest, rather than my point as I watched Itachi's eyes fall for a split second to my breasts.

"Your body and talent are the only indicators that you aren't a lovestruck 12-year-old girl. At least, with how you act around me—it's quite amusing." He proclaimed, with that stupid trademark Uchiha smirk still painted across his face as he rolled onto his back, resting his hands behind his head.

Yikes, he definitely just called you the fuck out.

Finding some semblance of composure, I cleared my throat. "That's rich coming from the guy who kissed the 'lovestruck 12-year-old girl'." I tried to sound more irritated, but my lack of confidence in the words manifested by it sounding a lot more... sultry than I'd anticipated. I fought back the urge to facepalm.

A trace of red tinged his pale cheeks as his thickly lashed eyes opened a bit wider. He muttered something under his breath before finally speaking up, "I was simply appreciative of you being kind to Sasuke—I didn't mean anything by it." While he confirmed my own thoughts, there was something in his words that hit me like a punch to the gut.

But, this wasn't anything new. I knew deep down it meant nothing... "I figured," Upon hearing the faint sound of Kisame snoring, I lowered my voice and wrangled the disappointment. I gave him a small smile, hoping it might hide any sadness that shown through my words, "Don't worry about it."

His brow knit tighter before his lids closed gently and spoke low, "Sora… Look, I just—" I cut him off, not wanting to hear what potentially hurtful thing may follow.

"Itachi, stop—it's fine. Let's just forget it even happened, okay? Goodnight—" Fatigue shut my eyes as a chilly breeze blew across my damp body, triggering a violent shiver to make my teeth chatter. Shaking, I sat up and shrugged on my cloak. Using an arm as a pillow, I lay there for a few minutes trying to quell the violent shivering and annoying clattering of my teeth, trying to let the warm spot I'd created against my bed roll and the fire be my salvation.

I gasped as two terribly warm, inviting arms wrapped pulled my shaking body against something solid. Another body. Itachi's body.

He squished me against his hot skin, "You'll get sick if you shiver all night like that." He muttered, clasping his hands together to lock me in place.

Damn, why does he feel like home?

My rigid body slowly relaxed after a minute. I did my best to embrace the feeling by shoving the logic of what was happening to the back burner. No, this wasn't the time for logic.

"Hey… um, I—I'm sorry I didn't tell you about knowing Sasuke…" I confessed, letting my arm slide over his torso. Glancing up at him from my place against his chest, he cocked a brow. "I just didn't want to force you to talk about anything that you were uncomfortable with."

The beautifully authentic smile that I loved returned, "Don't apologize. It sounds like he liked you—that's all I care about."

"He's a sweet kid. Cocky as all hell. But a quick learner—and smart. I trained with him for a little while," Itachi's eyes held the sweetest, doting expression had a smile pulling at my lips. But, sadly, the softness was fleeting. A hint of anguish flashed before returning to their impassive state. It was that look, rather the changing of it, that was the puddle piece I needed.

Everything made sense. And the truth ripped my heart to shreds. "He hates you... he's power hungry. Hell-bent on getting powerful enough to get his revenge... against you. But that's exactly what you wanted—isn't it, Itachi?" My eyes narrowed slightly as I searched his charcoal irises for emotion to no avail.

It was time to use my last piece of ammunition. "That night, when Sasuke ran after you, he saw you crying, Itachi. He knew that you that hated doing what you did to your clan. Hatred convinced him otherwise..." I sat up a little to look him dead in the eye. "But you can't lie to me. I know you didn't want to do it. So, why? Why scar him like that? Why not be honest with him?"

"I need him to hate me, Sora… it will inevitably make him stronger—strong enough to survive." He responded low, a cavernous pain clouding his charming face.

Yep, that's what I figured...

The reality of what he had done finally made sense. And it made my heart ache, for him. He needed Sasuke to be strong enough to survive in the world alone as on of the last two Uchiha's. Itachi had made himself the motivating force to accomplish that, so long as Sasuke hated him for betraying their parents and clan, he would fight tooth and nail to be as powerful as possible. To beat Itachi. He became the object of all of the hate to ensure that Sasuke would be able to survive in a world that treated him like it did me, a commodity to be used and taken advantage of.

It was something only a truly loving older brother would be capable of. I'd realized quickly that Itachi and Sasuke were so much softer than the hard exteriors. But in being around so many different, truly evil people allowed me to see the lack of darkness in their hearts. The hard exterior was a wall of protection, keeping them from getting attached and potentially hurt. A lot like I'd done… Given that, I had begun to wonder about the real reason for destroying the clan... and who may have been involved. But, I couldn't bring that up yet, at least not now, truthfully, I was relieved that he hadn't been angry at me for not telling him about my connection with Sasuke.

"Thanks for not being angry with for for not saying something sooner," I muttered low into his chest, then readjusted and layer a hand gently over his heart, "I just didn't want to upset you by bringing it up."

"It's alright, I understand. Try to get some rest, okay?" He soothed, holding me a bit tighter. His arms pulling me closer made me realize just how long I'd been there. I'd stopped shivering ages ago…

Okay, go back to your own bed now. He doesn't expect you to stay here.

"Okay, goodnight Itachi—" the words tumbled from my lips while I shot upright. "Sleep well!" I patted his chest a couple of times before starting to move to my own bed roll.

A tiny squeak escaped my lips as I was suddenly tugged back down.

"Where do you think you're going?" Itachi whispered, his lips grazing my ear prompted an obvious shiver to ripple down my spine.

My heart thundered in my chest as I fought to make words. "Uh…" I chuckled nervously, "to my bed? I'm not cold anymore…"

"You'll just get cold again," he nearly purred. "I don't mind sharing."

"O-okay," I murmured, taking the oppertunity to bury my head into his silky, warm skin. The scent of sandalwood and fire was becoming more and more homey. The soft drumming of his heartbeat a siren singing sweet songs of sleep.

"Goodnight, Sora." He whispered through his lips on the top of my head, squeezing me a little bit tighter.

"Night, Itachi." I mumbled into the fabric of his shirt before drifting off.