"I am still learning how to go back and reread my own chapters without feeling like I want to set all of my pages on fire."
E.V. Rogina
The forest surrounding Konoha was rustling with unease. The afternoon sun cast over the trees was soon overturned into a balmy night. The strong winds caused the branches to sway angrily as if to warn away innocent wanderers from the dangers lurking within. As the forest darkened, several figures began to move in its wake. Protected by the shadows of the forest, they moved swiftly risking nothing. Soon enough they approached a small clearing, shrouded by high trees and large bushes. The air stilled as the numbers grew. One by one cloaked shinobi appeared beside one another. They didn't make a sound, nor moved from their desired branch. Instead, they waited patiently in silence.
As time quickly passed, six cloaked figures circled in the clearing below, but the rest stayed exactly where they were, opting to keenly observe the events with a maniacal gleam in their eyes.
"You've all come." A deep tone broke the silence.
There was a certain air of excitement mixed with anticipation in the deafening silence. A large tall man stepped out of the shadows with slowed steps and into the middle of the clearing. The leader. With a curt nod, various of the hidden figures begin to give their report.
"A few days ago, we raided Itachi's hideout. He was tracked to a cave on the outskirts of the Namikaze grounds but was quickly moved before we could intercept any further."
"Team 3 have yet to return. We're continuing on with the mission with the assumption they're no longer with us."
"Hatake and Shizune's surveillance is well underway. Hatake has made three visits to the Hokage tower this week alone."
"Sasuke's whereabouts are still unknown."
"Fugaku has tightened the security around the village and has cleaned out the force for any compromised members."
A few more updates went around the clearing, information bouncing off one another. It soon came to an end with the last report.
"Itachi's current location is…unknown."
Silence befell amongst them once again. They are all waiting for the man in the middle to fully stew in the new information. Fortunately for them, they did not have to wait long.
"Continue with your search for Sasuke. If we cannot kill Itachi, Sasuke must be used as bait. Do not meddle with the Konoha Police, triggering Fugaku's alarms will only hurt our people." He drawled lazily, but the slight tick of his jaw was anything but.
"Keep a closer eye on Kakashi and look out for anything unusual. Itachi must be eliminated before we can set our plans in motion."
They all hummed in agreement until one other hidden figure cleared his throat. Instantly all attention was diverted in his direction.
"There is one other thing…" The hidden figure began, tone so soft it was barely audible. "We have a new visitor."
"How is this information pertinent to our cause?" The leader inquired.
"Because the Hokage seems to treat this enigma in special regards." The figure retorted with a mocking scoff.
Interest piqued, the leader did not respond right away. Silence passed momentarily and everyone present held their breath awaiting further instructions.
"Watch her."
~o0o~
Looking up from her carefully placed herbs, Kagome let out an exhausted sigh. She picked at the dried flower petals and watched it crumble at the touch of her fingertips. As if a spell was spoken, a gentle huff shuffled the dried pieces across the table along with Kagome's memories to the vibrant flower fields of the feudal era.
It was a warm sunny day. The flowers gently danced to the breeze as it tickled her bare calves. She had gone to collect medicinal herbs for Kaede. Though they had survived and overcome Naraku's schemes, Kaede insisted Kagome take someone with her on this excursion. Enemies were always lurking about, Kaede would constantly chide. While her options of a chaperone were limited, she didn't seem to have much luck on picking any of them. Sango was on the verge of giving birth, Miroku was too busy hovering over his pregnant wife protectively, Inuyasha was most likely perched up on a tree wanting to be left alone, and Shippou was frolicking somewhere in the village with Rin.
Even so, despite Kaede's warnings, she armed herself with her bow and arrow, a small basket for her natural goods, and a pair of determined furrowed brows. One sneaky look towards the shuffling back of the older woman gave her the courage to quickly slip out of the hut and hurriedly scurry towards the village hills where flowers bloomed.
It was in these moments that Kagome would find herself some peace among the chaos of demons and humans. There was always something to be done. Whether it be entertaining the village children, someone to heal, or rejecting the endless proposals with Inuyasha's glare burning a hole through her back, the life of a village priestess was too overwhelming. Sometimes Kagome caught herself thinking how nice it would have been to go back on the hunt for jewel shards. Without another Naraku, that is.
But like all good things, her little moment of peace never lasted long.
In reality or in her trip down memory lane.
Familiar jingles of laughter could be heard far into the horizon. Kagome' eyes squinted to see who it was. The inkling feeling that she knew whose laugh this belonged to bothered her. She held out her arms towards it, wanting to pull herself closer to it.
One foot forward, the other following after, she took a step. Eventually those steps turned into a jog, and then suddenly she was leaping through the flowery field towards that familiar feeling. Her breath hitched, shortening between each stride, while her chest gripped with anxiety as she ran towards the horizon. But the horizon never seemed to come any close. Instead it was getting further and further away from her.
Quickening her pace, soundless cries escaped her lips.
Kagome called out a name desperately. Whose name though, she did not know. She just knew couldn't stop. She had to push through until whoever it was heard her cry.
But there was a sudden shift. Fear coursed through her veins. Everything around her began to melt away, but her eyes zeroed in on an object that was flying towards her. The flowers dripped down to a thick pool by her feet. Time seemed to have slowed with every drip, and the object continued its way to her.
She didn't have time to think. She barely had time to stop running. Her limbs were not hers and all she could do was watch the once bright fields of the feudal era turn into a grotesque scene while she helplessly held onto this sense of familiarity she did not recognize.
And then it pierced through her heart.
"Kagome!"
Screaming uncontrollably, Kagome pushed away from the hands that grabbed her. She fell back on her bottom, her elbows dislodging as soon as it hit the ground. It felt as if the air was knocked out of her when her back hit the ground with a loud thud.
Choking onto whatever sense of reality she could, the same hands appeared before her eyes. Faced with a momentary weakness, she flinched.
The impact never came.
Instead she felt a hand wrap itself gently around her fist that was clutching at her chest. Eyes slowly opening, Kagome gasped.
Red eyes. The tear black tear drops.
"Are you okay?"
Gulping loudly, Kagome tried to look beyond the red eyes staring deep into her while her thoughts tried to catch up with the current situation. The emotions, the pain, everything she felt in that moment felt all to real. But it was something Itachi didn't need to know. The least she could do was guide his curiosity towards a different, yet satisfactory, path.
With steeled resolved, she skillfully chose to divert Itachi's attention.
Jumping up, Kagome gently pushed Itachi behind her. The sun had only begun to set and she wondered how much time had passed before Itachi had to force himself out of the bedroom to come tend to her. It took two long strides to cross the room before she grabbed the thick curtains and quickly pulled it in.
Resting her forehead against the shut curtains, she heaved in a deep sigh.
"That was dangerous," Kagome muttered. "You could have been seen."
She didn't dare look back. Not when she knew those demonic eyes of his were trying to pry into her soul. It was only a matter of time before he would start interrogating her. Though she had already prepared some answers beforehand, she couldn't help but feel cautious. Her instinct told her not to underestimate the intelligence of the prodigy behind her.
Itachi's clothes rustled behind her. She could feel his presence grow closer before it stopped right behind her.
"I was careful."
Not knowing what else to say, Kagome nodded in reply. Hesitant to make a move, she eventually threw caution to the wind. Feet pivoted, she turned towards the door and proceeded to leave the room.
Kagome never made it too far.
She could feel all the questions Itachi wanted to ask burning her wrist as he gripped her none too gently.
"Whatever it is you want to ask, let's do it after all the curtains are shut."
It has been a while!
I hope you all enjoy the latest chapter. Please let me know of your thoughts, there's always room for improvement.
BlossomBlues xx