I know it's been ages. This semester was a lot more work than I thought it'd be, but most of it is behind me! Here's a new Itachi chapter with an ending that might make you hate me more than you already do for messing with you so much haha. Thanks for reading ^^
They stood ready, discussing a few last minute things. Team 7. Kokoa. Chiyo.
"Listen," Temari said, stepping close to Kokoa, "thank you for doing this. For going after Gaara."
"He's important to me too, Temari. I lost important people before. I can't let it happen again. Not while I can fight."
"Ah." She placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing reassuringly. Chiyo noticed the emotional exchange. "Kokoa...I know you have your own goal, and I'm fine with that. We all do. We all have that one thing we want more than anything. It's just…" Temari sighed deeply. "Yours isn't so easy. I trust you, but don't risk your life out there. Don't throw it all away for him."
"I said I would bring Gaara back. That's my main goal."
"But you can't pretend like you might not run into him, Kokoa. There's a chance you will."
"And if it happens, then it happens."
"I'm not telling you not to go after him. Just be careful."
"I will. I will."
"Come on, let's go save Gaara!" Naruto dashed off. The others followed. Kokoa took one long, deep breath, nodded once to Temari and once to Baki, and raced out after them. And so it began.
"We don't have time to sit around," Naruto said, leaning against a tree, arms crossed. "We have to save Gaara, not make camp."
"That's what we're doing, Naruto," Kakashi said, counting the tools in his pouch. "We haven't had a good chance to rest since leaving Konoha, Kokoa just got back from her own mission, and we don't want to push Chiyo-baasama."
"Nonsense, I'm fine," the old woman said with a wave of her hand.
"If we rest for a little, we'll have more energy, and then we can get to Gaara faster. If we have to fight, we'll need all our strength. This is Akatsuki. We'll have to be wise about this."
"Yeah, yeah." He climbed up into the trees to get away from the others.
"Sit, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura said.
"I will later. You rest. I'll scan the area for now." He disappeared. Sakura took a swig of water. Chiyo watched Kokoa. The girl sat across from them, back against a tree, fiddling with Itachi's necklace. She had taken it off for a quick inspection.
"While I'm sure your feelings for the Kazekage are true, I can't ignore what everyone's been saying about your other motives," Chiyo broke the silence. Kokoa never looked up. Sakura nodded to the old woman, happy someone else opened the subject. "You should look at others when being spoken to, girl."
"I'm not obliged to do anything," Kokoa said. "but I'm not rude either, so…" She faced them.
"What's in your hand?"
"What? This?" She loosened her fingers, letting the necklace dangle. Sakura's eyes widened at the Uchiha crest.
"Itachi then?" she said. Kokoa licked her bottom lip.
"I told you never to speak his name," she warned. "More than once, I warned you."
"There are rumors about you, everywhere," Chiyo said. "About you helping him. You come to Suna and now Akatsuki has the Kazekage -"
"Like you care," Kokoa snapped. "You hate Gaara. I know that. The whole council hates him. He's still a monster to you. Don't try and make it seem like you're torn up about it. The only reason you're concerned is because you don't want other villages knowing and attacking. Politics. Your own interest."
"Why I'm here doesn't matter."
"I left Konoha because there was nothing left for me. If I had stayed they would have surely killed me. I only wanted a fresh start."
"Why our Suna?"
"My clan had good ties with the village."
"Hn."
"I did not lead Akatsuki here, if that's what you're implying, Chiyo-baasama. Why would I, especially after three years? What is there for me?"
"So let's say you're not the reason they came this time. So why are you so eager to find them?" Sakura added.
"I told you, to save Gaara. He's my Kaze -"
"I overheard Temari telling you to be careful before we left," Chiyo said.
"And I know you're after Itachi just like Sasuke-kun is."
"Why does it matter?" Kokoa looked away, returning to the pendant in her hand.
"You wear his necklace. You hate it when I mention him. You told me years ago you still love him. If you find him this time, are you going to turn on us -"
"I'm not turning on anyone."
"Then what are you planning!" Sakura jumped to her feet. "He hurt Sasuke-kun! He's the reason he's gone, and you're sitting here wearing his necklace and hoping to see him again! He's a monster. I read about what he did. I know. I'm going to kill him for Sasuke-kun's sake. I'll make him pay for everything!"
"No you won't," Kokoa said, still on the ground, eyeing the crest. Chiyo furrowed her brow. How cold the Kuroki was.
"Huh?" Sakura fell quiet.
"You won't kill Itachi-san."
"Oh yeah? Why not?"
"Well for one, you can't. He's on a completely different level. Even Kakashi-san doesn't stand a chance, with all due respect. The likes of you challenging the Uchiha Itachi? Funny."
"I'm not the crybaby I used to be. I've trained. And I have Naruto by my side."
"You won't kill Itachi-san. You even think about it, you're dead. You raise a hand against him, I'll put your head on a stake." Kokoa now rose to her feet, approaching Sakura. "Speak ill of him again and I'll read your darkest secrets, bring them to surface. I'll expose you for what you really are. If you try anything against Uchiha Itachi, you will die at my hand. It's simple." She stepped back, clipping the chain around her neck.
"If - if Sasuke-kun was so important to you...how can you do this?" Sakura managed.
"Sasuke needs revenge. I need answers. He's precious to me, but so is Itachi-san, so like Sasuke, I am doing what I have to do. You couldn't possibly understand."
"He's a rogue ninja, a wanted criminal. If I see him, I can't hold back."
"If you want to get yourself killed, fine. If Itachi-san doesn't kill you, remember, I will." Kokoa left it at that, and walked away from them. She found another tree, pressing back against it with a sigh.
"Need something?" She opened an eye to see Naruto hanging upside down from a branch.
"I heard you over there," he said.
"Sorry for threatening your girlfriend - well I'm really not sorry - but you know what I mean."
"She's - she's not - we're not together," he stammered.
"Hai, hai."
"Would you really?"
"Really what, Naruto?"
"If she tried anything, would you kill her?" He jumped off and stood up to face her. Kokoa said nothing for a moment, chewing at her tongue.
"Yes."
"Konoha would come after you."
"They're already after me. Danzo wants me dead."
"But -"
"Itachi-san is all I have. He's all I've ever had. If she gets in my way, I will do what I must to make sure he's ok."
"Kokoa-chan…"
"I'm not on Akatsuki's side, Naruto."
"I know."
"But I am on Uchiha Itachi's." She adjusted one of the hoops in her ear. "Saving Gaara is what's most important right now, but all anyone seems to care about is whether or not I'm going to betray you guys."
"I know your story, Kokoa-chan. I know you're not the bad guy, but I can't blame them either."
"If anything happens, I only want to talk to him. I won't fight you. I won't try to kill you. He's my target."
"Kokoa…"
"Depressing, I know." She sighed deeply.
"Have you ever tried...you know...getting over him?"
"Tried to? No. Thought about it? Yeah." She wrapped her arms around herself, guilt stricken. "In the past I used to wish I could just move on like he did. That I could turn my back and live my life. I still had Sasuke, so I wasn't completely alone, but...it was too hard. It hurt too much. And Sasuke never forgot. Why did I have to?"
"I see."
"There was that one Ryuuji guy who was interested in me - before I realized he was an asshole. I guess I could have tried to find someone, but just the thought of doing so feels so wrong, like I'm betraying him."
"Even though he left you?"
"It's messed up, I know."
"What about Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto teased. Kokoa shook her head with a smirk.
"That old man? Heh, if things were different, maybe."
"Eh! Seriously? I was joking. He's a grandpa!"
"He's not that old, Naruto. He's still got some fight in him."
"You and Sensei?" He scratched his head, trying to wrap his brain around the idea.
"He's a good friend, Naruto. He's really one of the only people I've been able to trust from the very start," she explained. Kakashi had wandered back, but kept hidden, too interested in the gossip to reveal himself just yet. "I'm glad to have him in my life. Don't worry though, I won't date your sensei."
"Good. He's always late and makes excuses. He tries to get out of hard work too."
"I'll cross him off my list. No dating Hatake Kakashi."
"Yosh." He nodded in approval. "Ne, Kokoa-chan. What about Sasuke?"
"Hm?"
"Sasuke. And you. Together."
"Nani?" She let her arms fall to her sides.
"He always seemed so happy around you, a sort of happiness I only saw in him when you were there."
"We were - we've been close since he was a child. He made me happy too."
"But this was different. He…" Naruto struggled for the right words. He didn't want to boldly announce Sasuke's love for her, not that Kokoa would believe him, but still. "I think if you tried -"
"He's family. I mean yeah we - I guess we care about each other, but it's never been like that. He'd think I was crazy if I brought it up." She gazed off to the side, remembering Itachi's words:
Good, Sasuke. Knowing you'd have each other...I just want you to look out for her if I'm not here anymore. Whether that relationship turns into something more when you're older, well that's up to you.
"What is it?" Naruto pushed.
"Nothing. It's nothing. Just funny, how you want me to hook up with your sensei and best friend. Classy, Naruto."
"Oi! I'm just trying to help you!" He pouted, cheeks red.
"I'm fine, Naruto," she said softly, combing fingers through his hair. "I made my choice long ago. Uchiha Itachi. There's no going back."
"There are enemies closing in on the base."
"Oh?" Pein eyed Zetsu.
"Enemies?" Deidara glanced around.
"Ah, and they seem to be pretty powerful. One of them is called Maito Gai."
"Who is that?" Pein asked with narrowed eyes.
"A skilled Konoha jonin who uses tai-jutsu," Itachi said. "Don't take him lightly."
"That wild animal again, huh?" Kisame chuckled to himself. "We'll use that technique then."
"All right, then let me go. I've had a hell of a time trying to find my jinchuuriki and it's starting to piss me off," Hidan said with a frustrated sigh.
"No, I'll go. I have a bit of a score to settle with him."
"That's fine," Pein said. "The technique suits you better anyway, Kisame, considering you have the most chakra of anyone here in Akatsuki."
"Hai, hai."
"Still, I'll need about thirty percent of your chakra."
"My, my, it looks like I can finally get even with him for kicking me." The swordsman grinned, remembering their little encounter in Konoha. He shut his eyes, opening them slowly to see himself seated beside Itachi who focused on the Gentōshin no Jutsu.
"This will be interesting, no? Itachi-san."
"Be careful."
"I know. You don't have to tell me. Still, I can't help but feel excited. Time to get back at that beast. I wonder who else he brought with him - oh you don't think -"
"It matters not." Itachi cut him off. Kokoa was supposed to leave Konoha years ago. He heard it from her own mouth. There was no way she was with Gai. She couldn't be. Besides, even if she hadn't left, Konoha would never let her leave to help retrieve the Kazekage. She had no business in doing so. "The longer this takes, the longer the extractions takes."
"Hai, hai. Always so responsible, Itachi-san." Pein cast the Shōten no Jutsu, the Shapeshifting technique, using Kisame's chakra to turn a human sacrifice into his clone to face Gai.
They moved swiftly through the trees, Naruto determined to do whatever necessary to save Gaara, Kokoa also determined but just as anxious about confronting Akatsuki, wondering if she'd set eyes on her beloved. She lowered, pushing herself off a tree branch, when a sudden sensation rippled through her. She came to halt, landing heavily on another branch. Kakashi noticed and moved to her side, letting the others continue.
"Kokoa?" he said softly. She met his eyes.
"I felt something. Someone - someone's evil intent...I think."
"Your ability?"
"Maybe. There's just this awful feeling." She scanned the area. "And whoever it is, is close." She straightened the pouch on her leg. Zetsu eyed the two.
"There are more coming," he said.
"It's been a bit crazier this time around, Deidara," Pein said.
"W - well this jinchuuriki turned out to be stronger than the other two, hm," the blonde stammered.
"I tried telling you. Your techniques aren't good for stealth missions," Sasori said.
"Hn, call me crazy, but I remember your traps being pretty excessive too, Sasori no Danna."
"What did you say?"
"Shut up. Both of you. Focus on the jutsu," Pein spat. "Now, who else is going?"
"Can I go this time?" Hidan jumped at the opportunity, itching for a fight.
"It's more Konoha shinobi," Zetsu said. Itachi glanced over, heart sinking to his stomach. "And one of them is good enough to sense me."
"It's decided then." Pein turned his gaze to the Uchiha, rinnegan boring into sharingan.