"You gotta be fucking crazy for still having the hots for Itachi," Hidan said. After Kokoa tried convincing the zombie duo to take her back to base instead of Danzo, Kakuzu tightened her restraints and started off with Hidan without telling the girl his plans. Having the nerve to track down Akatsuki and revealing she could read minds like Akihiko, was he really going to give her up just like that?
"So," Hidan continued, crouching down to Kokoa's level. She sat on the ground with her back against a medium sized boulder. "Did you dump him, or did he dump you?"
Kokoa kept quiet. Her head still ached. She didn't want to encourage Hidan. And she was still quite disturbed by her new abilities. She wondered if her father knew she would inherit his powers. Probably not. He would have told her when they met.
"Can you untie me?" she asked, holding up her wrists.
"Don't," Kakuzu said from a distance.
"Oh, come on, Kakuzu. It's not like she can do anything," Hidan said. "And if she does, I'll kill her. Duh. I wouldn't mind a sacrifice. It's been a while."
"We don't have time for your Jashin garbage. Let's keep moving."
"Where are we going?" Kokoa asked. Kakuzu gave her a look.
"I don't really have to say it out loud, do I?" he said.
"I'd turn it off if I could. It's the first time it's ever happened. You must believe me," Kokoa said. "I could read people's hearts, but never their thoughts."
"Now you can do both. We can't just let you walk away." He started off. "Bring her, Hidan."
"Hai, hai. So damn bossy." Hidan moved to pull her to her feet, but Kokoa scooched back. She managed to get up on her own and put a few feet between them.
"What are you doing, girl?" Kakuzu eyed her.
"How do I know you're not tricking me? That - that your aren't twisting your thoughts to throw me off? Huh?" she said. The fear, the migraines, the lack of sleep, were all evident in her face, in her eyes.
"You know what I'm planning. What's this paranoia?"
"If anyone could manipulate their own heart and thoughts to throw off an enemy, it'd be Akatsuki members. I will not let you lie to me. I've been lied to all my life."
"Oi, calm down. You're causing a scene," Hidan told her. "We don't need this dramatic shit. Kakuzu, just tell her."
"She's overreacting."
"She's crazy. Fucking tell her what she wants."
"Hidan, enough."
"I just…" Kokoa stepped forward, her vision suddenly fuzzy. "I just want…" She fell to her knees. "Itachi." Black.
When Kokoa opened her eyes, she was more confused than afraid. People moved around her, chatting and laughing without a care; the everyday hustle and bustle of Konohagakure.
"Konoha…" She turned to look around her. Suddenly, two ANBU moved through the crowd towards her. Kokoa was about to run but noticed they hadn't seen her. The walked right by.
"Am I invisible?" She grabbed a woman gently. "Excuse me?" But Kokoa slipped through her. "Am I dead?" That's when an old bar caught her eye. Something drew her to it. Something strong. And she soon realized why she was there.
Stepping passed the entrance curtains, Kokoa's eyes landed on a familiar face. She smiled at Akihiko.
"Outosan, it's me, Kokoa," she said. Akihiko never moved, too busy with the man on his other side. "Outosan?" Kokoa reached out to touch his hand, but like before, she moved through him. He could not see or hear her. Kokoa felt a weight on her chest, a sadness in her heart. But there was a reason she was there. It had to be Akihiko's doing. Another bit of the chakra he gave her long ago.
"It's not wise to be seen together in public," the man beside him said. Kokoa knew that voice. She peeked over her father's shoulder to see none other than Uchiha Fugaku.
"I know," Akihiko said, taking a sip of his drink. "I also know - I know about your people."
"Do you now?" Fugaku said. "Just what do you know?"
"Tired," Akihiko said. "You're tired." He nudged his empty glass away from him. Kokoa sat beside her father, surprised to see him in the real world with real people where his powers impaired his ability to communicate like others. He paused when he spoke and often blinked hard, as if to shut out the voices clamoring in his head.
"You'll have to be more specific, Kuroki."
"Do you think I'm dumb, Uchiha? Like all the others think?" Akihiko tapped a finger on the counter. "I know more than you think I do. I've - I've heard."
"What?" Fugaku's eyes darkened.
"You want change. For the Uchiha," Akihiko said, "and soon, someone will act."
"You have no proof."
"I'm not on their side, Fugaku."
"Then who are you fighting for?"
"My family. And yours...if you help me." Akihiko gazed at his open palms. "You just had a child, no?"
"Ah. We named him Itachi."
"Itachi," Akihiko repeated softly. "Sakiko is - she's pregnant. We have a feeling it's going to be a girl."
"Yeah?" Fugaku stared into his empty cup.
"Wouldn't you do anything to protect Itachi, like I would for my daughter?" Akihiko said.
"Of course. My family is everything to me. You of all people should understand that, Kuroki."
"If we sit around and - and do nothing, they win," Akihiko said, facing Fugaku. But if we make a move, we can create a better village, change it, change the - the system so one day your son and my daughter can walk the streets side by side with their heads held high without ever having to worry about looking over their shoulder." Akihiko bit at his finger. "A life of oppression is not - is not a life I want for my child. Or yours. You know this village. You know who runs it."
"Akihiko…"
"Your people are good people, because they are willing to fight."
Fugaku said nothing for a while, digesting Akihiko's words. He looked up at him.
"We've talked before, about making a move," he said, "but nothing concrete. It was always too risky."
"I see," Akihiko said, disappointed.
"But in time, we will. Maybe not tomorrow, or even next year. But when it's right, it's right.
"What sort of move?"
"A coup d'état. And someone with your skill might come in handy," Fugaku said.
"Is that so?"
"Do I have your word, Kuroki Akihiko? For change. For your daughter."
"For Itachi."
Deidara swallowed the last of his dumpling and made a face when Tobi waltzed by.
"What's got you so happy, hm?"
"Me? I'm not happier than usual," Tobi said, setting his hands on his hips.
"Whatever." Deidara licked his fingers.
"Keep that attitude up, Senpai, and I won't tell you the news."
"News?"
"Mmmhmm." Tobi crossed the room.
"Oi, Tobi, spill. What's going on, hm?"
"Our zombie friends just brought someone in!" He giggled into his hands.
"What's the noise?" Itachi asked from the doorway. Deidara and Tobi glanced over.
"Tobi's saying Hidan and Kakuzu brought in a rat. Know anything about it, yeah?"
"This is the first I've heard of it," Itachi said.
"They just got back," Tobi said. "They're asking what to do with her. How exciting! I wonder if Leader will have her...killed." He held Itachi's gaze for a moment. "I guess we'll find out! What do you think, Deidara Senpai?"
"Knowing him, she's probably already dead, hm."
"That's too bad! I wanted to meet her. I heard she's special."
"Special?" Itachi couldn't help but ask, knowing Tobi deliberately teased around the subject.
"She can see things. Read things," Tobi said. Though Itachi couldn't see behind his mask, he was sure Tobi stood smirking at him.
"Shit," he swore to himself before marching off.
"What's got him so pissed off?" Deidara said and rolled his eyes.
"We'll find out soon enough, Sennnpai."
Itachi quickened his pace when he spotted Hidan and Kakuzu down the hall. Pein stood before them, so Itachi saw his back. He closed in with angry eyes, hoping to conceal the nerves churning in his gut. He stepped in, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, a figure swept across the room to keep him from the others.
"Konan?" he said.
"You were not invited to this meeting."
"I may know something about -"
"If Pein wanted you, he would have called for you, Uchiha Itachi."
"Don't be so quick to turn away the only person who knows what you're dealing with," he said.
"What makes you so sure we have something you know about?" she asked. "Are you expecting someone, Itachi?" She watched him. Itachi said nothing at first. They both looked up and over at Hidan's sudden laughter.
"I was wondering when you'd get here, Uchiha! Right on time," he said. Itachi slipped passed a distracted Konan.
"She's fucking crazy, that girlfriend of yours."
"Hidan…" Kakuzu rubbed his face, irritated as always. Itachi turned to Pein, his brow furrowed, hoping he had an answer, any other answer.
"Hidan and Kakuzu ran into someone on their way back," Pein said.
"Is that so?" Itachi kept his cool.
"Someone who tracked down Akatsuki and gave herself up in order to reach you, Itachi."
"I know nothing of this, if that's what you're implying."
"I'm not. Kakuzu was going to turn her in for a bounty, but she presented an offer he simply was too curious about to deny."
"An offer?"
"Call it a revelation," Kakuzu said. "I found Akihiko's child. And it seems she can read minds like he could."
"So she can…" Itachi took in his words, still keeping his cool. Kokoa was there and there was a chance she was still alive and now she could read minds. She had backed Itachi into a corner.
"Kuroki Kokoa is now in our hands. Alive." Pein told him. "I've said before, that'd I'd kill her if she kept getting in the way, but her abilities and her dedication to you, Itachi, have changed my mind...for now."
"I didn't ask her to come. I thought she gave up. Everyone thought she was dead just the other day," he said. "I don't want her here. I have no use for her."
"That's not your call. She's able to track us and has connections to Konoha and Suna. She either stays in our custody until we figure something out, or I kill her. In front of you."
"Tch."
"Drama, drama." Hidan tapped his chin. "She misses you. Try to be a little excited when you see her."
"Is this funny to you?" Itachi said, sharingan snapping over to Hidan.
"Obviously. I didn't think I'd get to see any romance while here. Pretty damn entertaining. Especially because it's you of all people."
"Enough," Pein said. "You're all dismissed."
"Finally." Hidan strolled out. Kakuzu followed. Itachi stayed in place, staring at the ground.
"I need you to speak to her, Itachi."
"I won't," he said.
"Itachi, I know about your past. You told me. I spared her for your sake. The least you can do is obey my order."
"What do you need from her? She's delusional."
"I can't just let her go. Not now," Pein said. "Go see why she's here. If you really are the reason. See where her loyalties lie. Just what does she expect to do now that she's found you?"
"She won't tell me. She's stubborn," Itachi said.
"Then I'll have Konan break a few of her walls. You'll go in later tonight. It's settled."
"Hai," Konan said. Itachi watched the pair disappear.
Kokoa pulled at the chains around her wrists. She sat up on her knees, cold and afraid and exhausted. She froze when the door opened just enough and a figure slipped in. Konan stood before her, the collar of her cloak high, gazing down at Kokoa.
"Kuroki Kokoa."
"Hai."
"This isn't a place people want to find themselves in," Konan said. "But you're here because you chose to be."
"I chose Itachi."
"Where is he now?"
"Here, somewhere. You just saw him," Kokoa said.
"So you can read minds after all. Hm."
"They told you?"
"Of course."
"Who are you?" Kokoa asked. "You're not like the others I've met. Not like Hidan or the man with the explosives."
"I am Konan, our leader's support and a companion of Uchiha Itachi's."
"Companion?" Kokoa sat up. "How?"
"It's not something I discuss. Private matters stay private."
"Private?" Kokoa's heart quickened. Fear struck her.
"If you're here to rekindle the false love you two had as children, you're too late, Kuroki Kokoa. Itachi said he had no use for you, no desire, because he's turned his lusts towards someone else."
"What are you -"
"He never loved you. Not when he kissed you. Not when he held you. Not even when you cried for him after all he had done. You were never enough."
"You think I'll fall for your game? I see right through you." Kokoa tugged hard at her chains.
"You've thrown your life away. Do you even remember the sound of his laughter? You were children, Kokoa. Have you felt his hands on your skin? His lips? A man's kiss -"
"You can stop."
"Your relationship with him is rooted in the past. The past he turned away from. You mean nothing. Why would he go back when he has me?"
"You're lying!" Kokoa shut her eyes, her head spinning again. She tried reading Konan's thoughts, but it wasn't working. She still had no control. She tried reading her heart, but Kokoa's own emotions interfered. Her fear.
"Why are you here, Kokoa?"
"For Itachi."
"Is that so?"
"Everything I have done, from the moment we met, has been for Itachi. Every step, every word, bruise, breath, for Itachi. You can stand there and lie, tell me he loves you, and my God, maybe he really does, but he's guilty, and I swore I'd see his truth even if it killed me! Because I love him. As sick and as twisted as I am for it, I never stopped."
Konan moved to the door without another word.
"Wait," Kokoa called. "Where is he? Bring him!"
"You don't call the orders here, Kuroki Kokoa. Know your place." She shut the door.
That night, Itachi paced the hall outside Kokoa's cell. She had found him. There was no escaping. All he could do was continue to lie and hope it would be enough to break her. He managed to hide the secrets of his heart from her, using gen-jutsu and her own emotions against her. Now he had to keep her out of his head.
He opened the door. Kokoa, sitting on the floor, her legs to the side, slowly raised her head. Itachi furrowed his brow when she didn't smile or laugh or yell or snarl. He stood before her, silent. She sat, staring up at him, silent. Shadows danced across his face, accenting red sharingan.
"Always hiding behind those fancy eyes of yours," Kokoa said with a sad laugh.
"I'm not hiding."
"Enough lies, Itachi," she said. He blinked, surprised by her sharp words, the bitterness, the lack of honorifics. She had changed since they last met.
"Lies?"
"Everything you've said, everything you've done, all a lie."
"Then why keep coming after me? You do know where you are, right? You know who this is, right? You've got yourself trapped by Akatsuki, people who will kill you if you don't give them what they want."
"Why do you care?" she said. He fell quiet. "If you hate me, if I'm nothing to you, why do you care what they do? Why warn me? Why come here? To taunt me?"
"I had no choice. Our leader made me come because of our history in Konoha."
"I see," she said, eyeing the ground. Neither said anything for a moment. "She's beautiful," she said.
"Who?"
"Konan. She said you two were seeing each other. That I don't stand a chance."
"There was never anything real between you and I, Kokoa."
"Yeah? She's scary. In a good way."
"What are you getting at?"
"She's also a bad liar."
"Tch." Itachi clenched his fists at his sides. Konan tried playing them off as a couple? It might have worked, had it been against someone else.
"She doesn't love you, Itachi."
"There isn't always love in sex," he said, cold. "No strings attached."
"You've never been the type to run around like that."
"I'm not that little boy you went to school with, Kokoa."
"Hn, she lies to me, and you're desperate to cover it up. You say you'll kill me, but you never can. You want me to believe you and your motives and that you never cared for me, but I see you crack more each time we meet!" She lunged forward, her chains pulled tight. Itachi stepped closer to her. He crouched low to meet her eyes.
"And?"
"You're not fooling anyone, Itachi."
"I'm telling Pein you have no information, and that you're too unstable, your powers too out of control. You're a waste of time." He stood up.
"You won't do that, Itachi."
"And why not, Kokoa?"
"Because he'll kill me."
"So?"
"And you don't want him to kill me."
"Why is that?"
"Because when you were after the Kazekage, you had me in your Tsukuyomi."
"How is that related?"
"I jumped in front of you then to intercept the attack from my teammate. I did it on my own. My choice. To protect you."
"Oh?" Itachi tilted his head. Where was she going?
"And when you broke the jutsu...:"
"Get to the point, Kokoa."
"You had me in the grass on my knees. You had a hand in my hair. Tight. You told them you controlled me from the start. That it was gen-jutsu all along! That you made me do and say all of those things!"
"You…" Itachi stepped back, careful not to break character.
"I heard you, Itachi. I was awake," she said, staring into deep sharingan. "You lied that day, for my sake."