Rubbing red eyes and tear stained cheeks, Kokoa pulled out her keys to lock the door once she left. She stepped outside, coming face to face with none other than,
"Shisui," she gasped, turning away to hide the fact she was crying.
"Come on, Kokoa. No use in hiding it," he said sadly. She sighed, locking the door before facing him.
"He's just as miserable, even more for hurting you," he explained.
"I see." She started to walk.
"Itachi is – well he's complicated. You of all people should know that, but that also means you know that he loves his friends and family, and he'd never want to hurt them. He'd never want to hurt you, Kokoa."
"All I want is to protect. To protect my village, my clan, my mother, father, and Sasuke, to protect you."
Itachi's words echoed.
"I know, Shisui. I know," she whispered. "I know he gets frustrated, and I don't blame him, but every time I try to make it a little better, he scolds me like some child."
"It's because he's seen the real terror in this world. He's seen war and death. He doesn't want you thinking that life is all happiness and flowers. That's just his way of making you stronger, Kokoa. It's strange, but…so is he."
"How come he isn't the one telling me all of this?" She shrugged.
"Work…mission…something."
"He's been odd lately…I can see it in his eyes. Something's up."
"Oh?"
"Mhm. I don't know what or why he won't come to me…I just…" She rubbed her face.
"You what?"
"I just want my Itachi. I just want to make him happy. I just want to love him."
"But you already have him. You do make him happy, and you do love him. And he knows it."
"What?" Her eyes widened.
"Relax. He doesn't know. I swore to you that I wouldn't tell. I'll take your secret to my grave, I promise." He placed a hand on her head.
"I just like teasing you is all. You're almost like a sister," he smiled. "What I meant is that I'm sure Itachi knows how much you care. He appreciates all that you do, and he needs you. He knows that. He won't throw you away over something trivial."
"Arigato, Shisui. You're as annoying as one, so I suppose you're a brother to me." She cracked a grin. He let out a laugh before his smile faded and he fell quiet. Staring to the side,
"Itachi is in a dark place. Don't leave him, Kokoa."
"I won't."
"You're a very special girl. He's lucky to have you. If it was anyone else but Itachi, I'd steal you away." He winked.
"Like I'd let you."
"I know he hasn't confessed, but no matter what, Kokoa, he really does love you."
"Yeah?" She looked up at him.
"He's my best friend, a brother. I'd like to think that I know a little of his secrets. Itachi never says much anyways. It's all about his behavior."
"I hope you're right, Shisui."
"I am. I'm always right."
"Hn, of course you are."
"Yup! Well I have to run. I'll see you. And Kokoa?"
"Hm?"
"Keep your head up. Things will get better." He flashed one last warm smile before turning on his heels and heading off.
Out for a few hours, she looked forward to crashing on the couch with a nice hot cup of tea. However, a figure came into view as she approached her home. There stood Itachi, waiting.
"Itachi-san…" she stated. He replied with a nod. "I'm sorry, Itachi, for overreacting," she confessed. He gave her a strange look.
"You needed space. I get that. I always push you, and I'm sorry –"
"Kokoa."
"Hm?"
"Why are you always apologizing?"
"B-because I…I was at fault."
"No…you weren't. I was."
"But…"
"Kokoa. Please. I am sorry. I was stressed, and took it out on you."
"I understand."
"You don't hate me?" he inquired.
"You came back, didn't you? You're here," she smiled. He looked away guilty. How had he managed to have the one girl who would always forgive him no matter what he did?"
"I'm sorry I keep hurting you, Kokoa."
"Things get in the way. I know. But you won't get rid of me that easily." She placed a hand on his arm.
"That's good," he whispered with a slight smile. "Very good." He folded his arms around her.
"I have one more mission tomorrow."
"One more mission? You make it sound like it's going to be your last, Itachi." She nuzzled her face into his chest.
"Oh…it came out strange. It's late." He tried easing the mood. Throwing his head back, he clenched his eyes shut, wishing more than anything the past few weeks of his life were a dream.
"Father, when are you going to teach me that new jutsu?"
"Not now, Sasuke," Fugaku mumbled.
"But you said…"
"There are more important things right now."
"That's always the case," he pouted.
"Your brother has been acting strange. He's losing focus. He's barely home. Others are beginning to question his behavior."
"Ni-san?" Sasuke fell silent. He had noticed Itachi's mood go from melancholy to agitated.
"What about that girl?" Fugaku said suddenly.
"Hu?"
"Has she been with him lately?"
"They've seen each other a few times, but recently Ni-san hasn't been with anyone. I've barely seen Kokoa-chan."
"Strange. It seems she's always here. Are you still training under her?"
"When we have time. I'm finally getting used to chakra control," he smiled.
"I see." He rubbed his chin. "Well, let me figure out what to do with your brother. I need to think."
"Hai." The child rose to his feet and left.
"There you are. Itachi is looking for you."
"Why?"
"He has a treat for you," Shisui explained.
"Oh?"
"He's somewhere in town. He sent me to find you. I'm always doing his dirty work."
"You know you love him," she laughed.
"As do you." He winked.
"Shush!"
"Hai, hai." His smiled faded. "I…I'm leaving. There's something I need to do."
"I see. Is it big?"
"And important. I wanted to tell you…you might understand that Uchiha isn't just a name. It's a clan, an organization. We have a history, part of it dark. Sometimes that past can come back to haunt us," he started. She listened carefully to his words.
"Sometimes there are internal problems, things that others just won't get. Itachi deals with it as well, so if he's acting strange or keeping things from you…it's because of that. Family issues, things he can't talk about."
"I understand." She nodded. "I don't know much about the Uchiha, but everyone has a past."
"Politics, history, grudges…they can be a problem sometimes."
"I know."
"So my point is it isn't his fault." He leaned in, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"No matter what happens, or what he may do, be there for him. You're the only one whose ever seen him for him. The only one he'll ever want. He loves you so much, Kokoa. So very much. And he desperately wants to make things work. He wants to be with you more than anything. In this dark world, you are his light, love of the heart."
"You didn't have to, Itachi-san."
"I wanted to, for the way I treated you. Also, it was my turn to buy."
"Well thank you. It was delicious."
"I'm glad you liked it." They stood by the lake, enjoying the warmth of the sun.
"It's so nice." She closed her eyes. "So peaceful. So quiet." She let out a happy sigh. He silently took her hand in his, staring out at the water. Gently, he brought it to his lips.
"I never thought…" Fugaku gasped upon spotting his son kissing the girl's hand. He froze in his tracks, eyes never leaving the scene. What was he to do? Interrupt them? Scold Itachi and drag him home? Tell Kokoa to leave and never approach his son? The father slowly turned and made his way home. Itachi stiffened. He knew.
"I should head home," he stated.
"Is it because of your father?"
"Uh – well…" He stammered, afraid she had noticed Fugaku as well.
"Sasuke told me he's been on your case more than usual. You're right. You should head home before he gets suspicious again," she smiled.
"I'll try to see you soon. Take care." He kissed her forehead and was off. She watched him leave.
"Why are you becoming so…distant…"
"What! You know what day it is tomorrow!" Fugaku bellowed late in the night. Mikoto quietly sat beside him, her eyes never leaving Itachi who sat across from them. He listened to his father, hoping, praying he wouldn't mention the scene with Kokoa.
"You clearly don't understand the position you're in."
"I'm going on a mission tomorrow," the son replied, his voice hollow, face expressionless, his entire being detached.
"What kind of mission?"
"I can't say. It's a top secret mission." His bangs fell into his eyes as he sat there, hands clenched into fists, resting on his thighs.
"Itachi, your priority is to also serve as the connection between the clan and the village. You do understand that, right?" He narrowed his eyes.
"…Yes…" He exhaled. Mikoto's lips parted at how cold her child responded.
"Keep that thought in mind then, and come to the meeting tomorrow!"
His eyes fell shut. His heart ached. His mind raced. How much more of this could Uchiha Itachi take?
The two brothers sat out back, side by side, watching the sun fill the sky.
"Father only cares about you…" Sasuke confessed, avoiding his eyes. After a moment of silence, Itachi threw his head back with a smile.
"Do you hate me?"
"Eh?" Sasuke gasped, facing him with wide eyes. The shock slowly faded as he pondered the question. Surely he didn't hate his big brother. He hated how people compared the two, how Itachi was always praised, raised on a pedestal, but even if that was the case, he couldn't bring himself to answer the question.
"It doesn't matter," the elder whispered, lowering his head. "After all, being hated is just part of what it means to be a shinobi."
"That's not how…" Sasuke struggled for the right words.
"Being skilled isn't all that it's made out to be," he chuckled. "When you're strong, you become arrogant and isolated. Even if what you sought after was your dream." He gaze fell to the ground.
"You and I are unique brothers. And even if I end up just becoming an obstacle you need to overcome, I'll always be there for you…even if you do end up hating me. That's what big brothers are for." He flashed a warm smile. A door slammed.
"Is Itachi here?" a voice snapped. The brothers exchanged a look before heading off to see.
"Get out here. We need to have a talk."
"Why are all of you here?" he inquired, approaching Inabi, Tekka, and Yashiro.
"Only two people didn't show up to last night's meeting," Yashiro stated.
"Why didn't you show up?" Inabi hissed with a glare. "We get that you've been busy working with the ANBU, and your father keeps telling us the same thing, stating that he's watching over you –"
"But we don't plan on treating you differently because of that," Yashiro finished.
"I understand." Itachi nodded. "I'll be careful from now on. Now, I must ask you to leave."
"I guess that's fine, but…before that, there's something we'd like to ask you. It's regarding the suicide drowning of Uchiha Shisui in the Nakano River last night."