"You – we – this is the team?" she inquired.
"One of them. We're meeting another squad once we set out. They needed back up, and we were the easiest to gather," Itachi explained.
"You seem surprised. I thought you'd be thrilled to spend some time with your favorite Uchiha," Shisui grinned.
"I can see Itachi outside of missions."
"I meant myself, Kokoa," he chuckled. She rolled her eyes.
"While this is unexpected, and I have a feeling Shisui is going to screw around, I must say that we make a pretty badass team." She crossed her arms in approval.
"We'll see how badass we are when Shisui gets his ass kicked," Itachi snickered.
"Whoa there Itachi, we both know I'm the stronger one here."
"If you say so."
"Such arrogance from such a young guy."
"You know I respect you. I'm only joking."
"You better be." He punched him playfully. Itachi glanced at Kokoa with sad eyes, still feeling guilty.
"We should head out. Now."
"Who voted you leader?"
"Shisui…"
"Hai, hai. Come on Kokoa, before he lays an egg."
"You've been pretty quiet." Shisui walked over to Kokoa.
"When Itachi spoke about you, I had the impression you were very cool and quiet, but you're not," she said bluntly.
"Ouch?"
"You're sarcastic and sneaky." She poked his stomach.
"I'm just being playful. I'm serious when I need to be. Besides, being best friends with Mr. Serious over there, one of has to keep things interesting."
"True," she smiled. "He hasn't said much to me since my little incident…smashing the cup and all."
"He feels terrible."
"So we can't talk?"
"You guys just hit a bump in the road. It'll work out."
"Come on you two. The others should be up ahead," Itachi called out. Shisui gave her a look before following him.
Itachi stood to the side, going over the mission details with the other team leader. Shisui and another member went through the weapons. Kokoa finished her duties. She sat off to the side, drawing circles in the dirt. Her side throbbed. Her heart ached. She felt as low as the dirt she played with. She scrambled to her feet when Itachi passed by.
"Itachi-san," she whispered, pulling at his sleeve. He paused, turning to face her. The camp fire danced wildly beside them. Her eyes fell to her shoes.
"Did you need something?" he finally spoke. She looked up, wanting to speak, but nothing came out.
"I…"
"I have some things to take care of," he said. She looked away again. Nodding in understanding, she released his shirt, letting him leave. Shisui saw the two from a distance. He let out a sigh, annoyed at how Itachi always handled things.
Kokoa sat by the fire, knees to her chest. This was no time to be sulking. Not only was she a ninja, she was a ninja currently on a mission. She couldn't care less though. The only exciting thing that took place so far was meeting up with the other team. Aggressively rubbing her face, she silently screamed, frustrated and confused.
'Am I making a big deal out of this? I am. Why am I worrying? Why am I acting so childish? I've never done this before,' she scolded herself.
'It's because I didn't do anything wrong and Itachi is ignoring me. Even if he felt guilty, how would avoiding me solve anything? He's beyond complicated. I don't even know! It's because I can't stand acting this way around each other. It's because I love him.'
She stiffened, resting her hand over the kunai pouch strapped to her leg. Itachi and the others were already on their feet, weapons drawn, focused, prepared for battle.
"Where are they?" Hiroshi, the captain of the second team whispered. "I sense them. They're here alright, but where..."
"I really wasn't in the mood to fight. I was all nice and cozy by the fire," Shisui mumbled. Itachi glanced at him with a dull expression. His eyes then wandered to Kokoa who stood on her feet now.
"They might outnumber us, but it seems they also underestimate us," he warned. They all nodded in understanding, some smirking in confidence.
"Regardless, be on your guard." Sparks flashed. Shisui deflected a kunai launched from between the trees. The enemy was after a sealed scroll. They made sure none of the captains held it. They were usually the first targets. Nine shinobi descended from the trees. As always, the loudest and most arrogant one stood upfront.
"How about you give us what we want, and this whole thing will be over before it even starts, eh?"
"And what is it exactly that you want?" Hiroshi raised an eyebrow. The enemy narrowed his eyes.
"Don't test me…"
"Now I'm sure he truly has no idea what it is that you want. No need to get angry," Shisui cooed. Sick of their bullshit, Eita, the enemy leader, signaled his men to attack. It began, the fight for the scroll….the fight for their lives.
There were casualties on both sides. The Konoha shinobi grew tired, and the enemy continued to unleash unknown jutsu. It was only a matter of time before the victors claimed their prize. Three men surrounded Kokoa, each eyeing her in ways she didn't like.
"What's a pretty girl like you doing out here, eh?"
"Ninja work is too dangerous for women."
"Are you done?" she spat.
"Just getting started!" One charged, another close behind. Forming a series of seals, she slammed her palms into the dirt. The ground trembled, splitting open. A gaping hole devoured them, trapping the men beneath the earth. Then it hit her…only two attacked.
'Where's the third-'
"Never let your guard down!" He leapt from the trees, kunai in hand, ready to slice through her. She aimed to move, but a sharp pain erupted in her side, paralyzing her.
"Die!" The kunai came down hard and fast, only…it never struck her.
"Itachi…" escaped her lips. His back in front of her, he held on to the man's arm.
"You've got a pair of fancy eyes, but even so, I won't let you stop me," he spat in the Uchiha's face. Itachi being Itachi, he stood there with that expressionless face.
"I don't even need to use them," he said calmly, his grip tightening. Then it sounded, the snapping of the man's wrist. Releasing a spine-chilling scream, the kunai fell from his hand. Itachi and the rest of the Konoha shinobi finished eradicating the foes.
"Here take these," Shisui said softly, handing Kokoa two pills. "It'll help ease the pain."
"Thank you."
"I thought you were better?"
"So did I…I guess the cut healed, but it still feels fresh," she sighed, rubbing her face. She scanned the camp.
"Looking for Itachi?" He raised an eyebrow.
"He interfered."
"Kokoa, he saved you. You'd be dead if he didn't "interfere." Besides, that's not why you're upset."
"I'm upset because he's treating me like a little girl, ignoring me, pretending he has other things to do," she snapped.
"So stop whining, and go confront him. Force him to listen. Hold him down. Sitting here won't solve anything." He shrugged, warming his hands by the fire. She gave him an irritated look before leaving.
"Itachi-san," she called. He stood with his back to her, watching the moon. "I-we need to talk, and I'm not leaving until we do. I don't care how against it you are. You're not running away." She crossed her arms. No reply.
"Itachi…kun…" Her arms fell. "Oi! Itachi, listen to me!" She spun him around. She met his blank expression, unaware that her sudden outburst surprised him.
"Why won't you talk to me? You won't even acknowledge me. We didn't fight. I didn't hurt you. You didn't hurt me. Why are you being so – so cold?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Kokoa. You should be resting," he replied calmly.
"You don't know? Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I'm oblivious? I know a lot about you Itachi, but I still have trouble reading you sometimes. I have no idea what's going on in your head. You suddenly stopped seeing me, stopped talking to me. You ignore me completely, then you risk your life to save me. I'm confused!"
"Of course I saved you. I wasn't going to let you die."
"Itachi…" she sighed.
"What is it…Kokoa?" he inquired, still completely calm. She clenched her fists.
"Shisui told me you feel guilty! He said you heard me break down, and that you feel terrible about it. Is that why you can't, why you won't face me!?" He remained silent.
"You feel bad? Responsible? You don't want to hurt me anymore? Well, what is it Itachi?"
"I don't know what you're getting at."
"You're killing me!" She pointed a finger at him. "The day you left for a mission, you stopped by to say farewell. That was the day. You left, and I smashed a cup against the door! That's what he said, that's what I'm talking about! How can you not know?"
"Why did you smash the cup, Kokoa?"
"I was angry – not angry – sad!"
"Why?"
"Because I thought you came over to spend time together, but you had to leave instead."
"So you smashed a cup?"
"You always leave. You always push things aside. You're always overwhelmed. I barely see you, and when I do, you're exhausted! I knew this relationship would be hard. I knew we would have to make sacrifices for each other, but sometimes – sometimes it's hard Itachi! It gets so hard. All I want is to see you, to–to look after you, and hold you, but you always have to leave! You always have to leave…" She took a step back, rubbing away the tears.
"Thank you, Kokoa," he said with a smile. She looked up, bewildered.
"What…what were…what are you thinking?" she snapped in frustration.
"I always walk away from you, leave you with excuses, and all you ever do is smile and take it. You tell me you understand, and then I'm gone. Hearing you cry, the smashing of the cup…I know it's difficult, I know it hurts, and if I could make all that pain go away, Kokoa, I would. You've been so strong, for the both of us, and it isn't fair for you to have to keep it all in. I want you to tell me when you're sad, when you miss me, when you're angry. I want you to speak your mind, to have some input, to be honest and real. No more fake smiles, no more blindly agreeing to whatever I say. I want you to talk to me. That's why I've been ignoring you. I wanted you to open up. I wanted you to tell me the truth without me having to force it out of you."
"Itachi." She closed her eyes. She opened them, only to see him standing before her. He lowered himself slightly.
"You also owe me a "thank you" for saving your life," he smiled warmly, tenderly kissing her forehead. She stared in awe.
"You should really rest." And with that, he walked off to discuss some matters with Hiroshi.
"Itachi…"