A/N: What's good? I apologize for the quality of this chapter, I've only been able to proofread this chapter as opposed to actually editing, I've taken up another job and am still writing a web novel on the side. Any if any spelling mistakes you find, do point them out. If you're confused about this fic, don't worry, so am I and everyone else here.
A/N: FFN gets the chapter updated first, but AO3 will eventually have a collection of art I'd like to share with everyone. Do with that information whatever the hell you want.
Sick But Not Twisted
Chapter Five: Shinobi, Little More Than Weapons
All it would take was steel to flesh.
That was all it would be, a process Itachi had replicated and repeated many times.
But Juzo's cough, that haggard and strained cough…Itachi knew he must've been in pain and Itachi cursed herself for not being able to save herself faster…again that cough, it... made her freeze in her own footprints.
Some birds created lullabies.
A breeze brought her some relief.
Why wasn't she moving?
"Juzo!" She flipped on her heels, all bloodthirst gone as she jumped then slid to Juzo's side and getting level with him, putting her hands near his wound but never touching him, his blood across the grass, all over her sandals and at that moment soaking her robe. "Juzo…hold on, I'm going to apply pressure" and she did.
She was no medic, but anyone could see it was a fatal wound.
Juzo didn't even seem to feel it, staring off in a gaze "…for a second there…I thought you were going to kill the Mizukage. I appreciate the gesture, but had you done that..." while he was speaking, blood slowly fell down the side of his lip "hunter-nin would be on your ass for the rest of your existence. So, now, you should leave…there will be reinforcements."
"Conserve your energy."
"Bullshit—" he gasped "Look at me, I'm gone for… , I just thought that was cool—how you were about to avenge me—would've brought you major problems though. Itachi, I still can't figure you…your motives…the type of person you are."
"Juzo, I'm—I'm trying to save you."
"That's crazy, you're so— selfless i-it's weird! You know you can't save. Don't be a fool."
In response Itachi blinked, staring into red-covered forest growth, curling her hands in his blood as it went everywhere.
Damn it.
"I'm sorry." but she still kept trying
"Why apologize?…I put myself in harm's way…I wanted to preserve you. My choice alone." he said.
But again.
"I'm so sorry–I—Are there any words you'd like for me to relay to anyone?"
For a moment Juzo paused "No, you know I wouldn't have someone stupid like that. Though…I see you may have someone that fits that…maybe someones…." cough.
Itachi didn't even say anything, but through her silence, Juzo was able to decipher that answer.
"So go! Leave me to die here blood-soaked, half-dead in the bloody mist—the village that bred me. And for the longest— I figured my only partner would be this guy, thank you..." with his hand raised out desperately inching for his weapon, Itachi gave him the split sword, handing the hilt to Juzo so fast someone might have mistaken her for attacking him.
And Juzo grasped the hilt of the Kubikiribōchō, which proved to be this shinobi's final actions, with his weapon clenched safley his palm Juzo finally stopped breathing, ceased moving and was forever motionless.
She took her time to stare at him and collect the ring on his finger, but the shock of having her friend die in front of her was something she still couldn't get used to.
And when she left, Itachi found herself all alone.
No form of consolation or even someone's reaffirming presence.
Nobody.
Not that she needed someone.
But, having someone sure beat the hell out of having no one.
Maybe, she really should have just killed the Mizukage?
Another dead partner, another new technique. And still she was an empty shell of her former self. No family, no friends. Her brother hated her—and for good reason and it would be hard to try and preserve a relationship with Kakashi-senpai.
Things weren't looking too well.
It was really Itachi's fault he suddenly got this obsession, he couldn't keep her out of his noggin, and that fact subsequently resulted in Kakashi questioning everything he knew about the Uchiha massacre.
Itachi did not act as the reports say.
Which—fine, that wasn't evidence enough for him to question the official documents.
She just seemed to hold the same morals as previously. And—nothing made sense about the events leading up to that night—
Moving on though…
The shinobi historical records and library were particularly empty at 4 in the morning, though it made it that much easier for Kakashi to not only retrieve what he wanted but also admire the green decor and emerald lamps that lit the building on every floor.
Oh and the 12 foot tall bookshelf was a plus.
But enough focusing on the non essentials. What was important was what Kakashi was working on, what he was researching to be more precise.
Before him was an old newspaper from six years previous.
—
The Daily Leaf Fall
HORROR JUST AFTER SUPPER
—
ENTIRE UCHIHA CLAN MURDERED!
…
—
He remembered that day much too well, how mundane it had felt. Another routine day, followed by a quiet night only for Kakashi to be called away at some untimely hour to form a squad that could properly and swiftly apprehend Itachi Uchiha.
The squads chosen to do this couldn't and wouldn't comprehend the orders given by Danzo in the third's 'absence'. When Itachi did what she did, nobody wanted to accept it. He certainly didn't for the months following.
They never caught up to her—he never got to question her on it.
And only now was Kakashi acknowledging that there may have been something truly off about the entire Uchiha massacre. Without a doubt Itachi still committed the act, but the information here was only a cup's worth of ocean water, he could tell.
But all the records, reports, scholarly opinions of shinobi historians, aligned with his previous conceptions on that day of infamy.
-The Uchiha massacre was pulled off by a psychotic power-drunk teenage kunoichi, who decided to test the limits of her capabilities against her own family.
Yet, somewhere on the inside…he felt that Itchi was slighted and hurt that day too.
Sure, feelings and facts couldn't mix together—especially when the evidence staggered so much opposed to the prodigy
The consensus among most professionals on Itachi's motive was certainly that of a disturbed mind—a prodigy obsessed with power, so much so that she eliminated her entire clan as a 'flex' towards herself.
But Kakashi could never truly accept this.
This didn't sound like her—it never did…
There was more…
But there is no public information to be found to the contrary.
Perhaps that should have meant there was no evidence?
Perhaps he was just thinking too hard into that.
But instead of solving any puzzle, Kakashi found himself being called to gather with the other jounin, as a small monkey jumped on his desk and then whispered into his ear the sandaime's instructions.
In a small cavern, somewhere deep in the land of rain, it was raining outside, and Itachi sat down pretzel style, eyes closed and in deep concentration.
The Gentōshin no Jutsu taught by their 'leader' was an ability she had not quite fully understood yet. She would never forget Juzo, she would never allow his memory to die. And despite his nature and upbringing, he was a ninja Itachi respected and honored. She truly thought of him as a friend and thinking about him made her force the tears to stay within.
His last moments…
She had seen so many last moments…
But that would have to be addressed later…
It was active.
When the Akatsuki assembled, even through projection, it was only ever to discuss something deemed imperative by Pain-sama, and discussed his death she already had done.
"Juzo Bawa is dead—we're down two members." Pain started.
But Pain never stated a name. Perhaps, the shinobi was so forgettable Pain didn't recall a name, as he took a second pause.
"Kazuku, what will we do now? Surely, you and Itachi won't be a complementary pair!"
She agreed, Itachi wouldn't quite know how to keep Kazuku please.
"If she can dodge, she'll do fine…" came the oldest Akatsuki member's projection.
"Are we talking about finding someone to team up with Itachi? Oh! Allow me! After all, we'd have the best senergy, both of us coming from Konoha." That was Orochimaru's voice.
And Itachi silently voted NO to that one.
"What idiot stands in the way of a combustible attack?" Kazuku said.
And for some reason, Itachi didn't believe it was as simple as just him standing in front of the attack.
"You wanted to kill him didn't you?" Orochimaru chided.
"He couldn't get out of the way, he didn't belong in Akatsuki."
"Leaving us now negative two personnel." Pain reinforced, unblinking, clearly irritated.
"I'll begin scouting for the worst of the worst." Sasori said rather casually.
That seemed to bring Pain some reassurance, but his mind seemed elsewhere.
"This meeting is postponed and will be adjourned on a later date! Except…Orochimaru, report on mobilization efforts…" and then the projection abruptly ended, just like that.
-Just more information for her contact.
Nobody seemed to care about Juzo, his death, the circumstances behind it. It was just something that happened and was immediately accepted.
Death was just so normal and natural to shinobi, but Itachi knew damn well that their militaristic mindset was everything but natural.
Kakashi knew he would hear from her again.
He knew that through some way he would contact him and that it just so happened that her preferred way was through messenger crow.
Right. Crows were her thing.
But Kakashi had certainly slipped up somewhere…
Because not only did he receive a letter through his apartment window that cold morning, but before any of that someone had left a black scroll on his desk, sealed with some unfamiliar ancient dialect it laid there—certainly being there before the crow entered and thus before he woke up.
But that only left one question.
Who was skilled and sneaky enough to get in and out of Kakashi's dwelling unnoticed?
He immediately leaned forward and activated his sharingan, before dismissing the bird.
Okay…none of his traps had gone off.
No alarms.
Just a scroll that read: plasma in writing and then the rest was symbolism he was not familiar with.
Someone had somehow gone through all the trouble of getting past his defenses just to pass him a scroll that he couldn't even get open. There were only two handfuls of people within the entire land of fire that could do that…
But he couldn't place a face, name, or motive.
Shit.
What the hell was going on?
He dropped the scroll, his mind wandering to Itachi's letter and immediately he opened it.
Dear senpai,
It's been an interesting week particularly due to the loss of my partner in the line of duty. I am finding myself with more free time than usual and I wish to utilize this in the best way possible. Which is why I would like to invite you to dinner in the small village of Asura. I'll be there for a few weeks. Respond if interested. Excited to have your company
Sincerely,
–Itachi
Itachi was in the land of fire, that was pretty close.
Why would a criminal stay in such close proximity to Konoha without consequences or anyone noticing her?
Did she say she lost her partner?
He couldn't have been pleasant to be around. But perhaps there was an undertone in her words, something yearning for interaction, for all intents and purposes, it sounded like Itachi needed someone by her side–and Kakashi was aware that nobody else could answer that call.
And plus…there was this desire to see her again…it was just there and he couldn't try to ignore it anymore.
Strange happenings.
Perhaps she actually cared for Juzo? He had been her partner—they had exchanged many blows on the bridge.
Kakashi would see her again…with that thought, he picked up the sealed scroll. And for the next 2 hours, he went through every book he had on seals, yet it all ended with him chucking the scroll at the ball opposite his bed…not a single book on his shelf gave any information on the scroll or seal.
And Kakashi was left to wonder…
Should he tell someone? Guy wasn't particularly good with sealing jutsu. Jiraiya-sama or the Sandaime—but the latter could end up with minor reprimandations, of course, depending on what's in the scroll. Would the third believe that he found some random scroll in his apartment?
Kurenai was probably preoccupied with her private training lessons with Asuma—damn snuggy bastards.
Genma may have some knowledge of sealing jutsu, but both of their personalities combined wouldn't get much done.
Yamato…nope. If Kakashi didn't know, he doubted his former underling did.
And Anko…well, Anko was Anko. She definitely had major knowledge in sealing jutsu, but Kakashi didn't feel comfortable asking her, or even talking to her for that matter. Especially after the bull constrictor birthday incident. See Anko just needed to understand that not everyone was into …that…
So, who would know about sealing techniques?
Itachi?
Yes, why wasn't she the first person he brought up? She had been under his wing just a Yamato, however, she excelled in many of the ninja arts. Or maybe his mind was just trying to find any excuse to bring her up?
Itachi might definitely know about some weird ancient seals! Despite also being his former underlining, she was certainly a cut above the rest as far as skills as a ninja go.
Kill two birds with one stone.
Mainly, hopefully, he'd get to discover just what was on this scroll and hopefully, it would help him discover who broke into his home. But he also got to see Itachi…whose presence admittedly put him in a more relaxed mood.
Kakashi still didn't understand the nature of their relationship himself. And so, his first steps were to take out a pen and some ink and to begin writing her back, but he never finished.
His mind was too concerned with figuring out the mystery behind Itachi and the Uchiha massacre.
Itachi had lost a great lot of people in her short amount of time on Earth and admittedly Itachi had mourned for every single one of them in silence.
Water pelted her face, she loved the feeling of cold water. It felt refreshing—though it remained a reminder of her loneliness and solitude. The same loneliness that had accompanied her entire life.
Itachi was simply just meant to be alone. It had to have been some sort of divine punishment for her massive amount of sins.
-She had written a letter to Kakashi little more than a week ago and she honestly was not surprised that she didn't get a response.
Real genius of her to think he wouldn't be weirded out by her persona of Itachi Uchiha, though she at least wanted to convey her every emotion to Kakashi—but Itachi just didn't know how.
Truly, Itachi vowed that would never just sit back and let an ally die for her, she would rather die herself than let anyone else lose their own life just for her sake.
She had discarded her blood-covered robe some days ago, hid her headband in the dirt, and instead exchanged the Akatsuki attire and the clothing beneath for an obsidian black shirt that looked similar to her old Uchiha crested one and black sweatpants that at least made her look slightly civilian.
–Amazing what you can just find laying on a clothesline.
And of course, the straw hat that hid the majority of her features—she still lingered in the shadows and never stayed in the same area whenever she felt someone's eyes staring directly at her.
The small village of Asura wasn't an official part of Konoha—actually, Asura wasn't even officially recognized as an official establishment by Konoha or any of the other five great nations.
Assura was at least self-sufficient and profited off of exports to Konoha, all legal and illegal.
Perfect to hide in plain sight, the ninja hired to protect the village were certainly not on the lookout for her.
She was alone, she should have known companionship was temporary.
Walking past a tavern and she was approached by a man offering her a drink, she politely apologized before continuing in her direction, and when she made it in front of a small park, she stopped when four children, three boys and one girl, stared into a tree, their small sandal bore feet hidden in the grass, and when she followed their direction of sight, she realized the issue. A red rubber ball was stuck in the tree.
They were only separated by like fifteen feet of grass.
Tiny, innocent, possibly the same age Sasuke had been on the night she sealed the Uchiha clan's fate. Civilian and harmless.
Itachi looked at it and them, and before anyone, there could even process what happened she jumped, grabbed the ball, brought it back to the children, and then continued on her merry way.
That was it.
They were just kids, let them enjoy a childhood she was given the opportunity of having.
Juzo probably would have revealed himself, stayed and played a little bit with the kids—typically until one of their parents shooed him away. It was the type of irresponsibility that always seemed to work out for him.
She had been certain nobody would have known it was her, well, that was until a childish voice shouted after her "Hey! Lady–hey!" Itachi kept walking, though only slowing down as she lowered her head and the straw hat.
"THAANK-YOOOUU!" They all said.
And it was really no issue at all. He probably assumed that she was just some kunoichi, after all.
Turning her head, Itachi gave them a slight nod, a tilt of her hat, and then kept it pushing.
A good deed, yes, but a single good deed could never make up for her sins. Sometimes she just did things, sometimes she just helped when she could.
but as she made her way to a far off tavern of which she hoped had an extra room for her to stay.
It was barely decorated, a picture framed and hung here and there, marble floors in need of sweeping and ceiling lights in need of changing.
And yet these types of taverns were always filled to the brim of competitive shinobi and Kunochi alike, there was always sometime trying to measure who's kunai was longer and to be honest, Itachi felt like she herself was above anything of that sort.
But typically, any shinobi skillful enough to notice her presence usually did a back-take—like it was impossible for Itachi to be there at that time. And she wasn't sure if it was out of fear or because they were genuinely shocked that such a high-value shinobi would be in said area, she really didn't know.
But, when she entered this particular tavern, the grand majority of ninja didn't flinch or move. They were completely oblivious as Itachi walked right out to the clerk and neatly sat on a stool.
Now, there was a particular shinobi who hailed from Kumogakure by the name of Darui, who's skin remained a reflective bronze, who immediately locked eyes with Itachi, from his seat way off to the corner.
What he was doing all the way out in the land of fire, Itachi couldn't tell you.
She looked away, the skinny bartender tapping the bar to grab her attention.
"You're having?"
"The most recent bingo book you have."
The bartender gave her the same stare a feline would give a reddot light "Oh, hunting shinobi? Or maybe you're like that, glasses-wearing nerdy dude, who likes to collect info." The bartender placed emphasis with his fingers.
"I'm just interested in reading up on all the: most wanted criminals, it's a hobby of mine. Plus, a room to stay for the bight." Itachi grinned just the right amount and the bartender nodded before handing her the book, printed only days prior and a brass key.
It wasn't completely a lie.
"Sure…Sixty ryo." He demanded.
Itachi placed the money in his hand, he mouthed "Room 124", and politely turned her attention to the book. But her main awareness remained on Darui, alone and visibly irritated at the fact that she'd be there. It looked like he was alone, but she knew better than to make that assumption.
What was he doing there?
Taking a break?
On a mission? Perhaps something undercover.
Maybe something he probably wasn't supposed to be doing.
He took a pull of a drink and leaned back, fingers crossed and seeming to ponder some subject foreign to Itachi.
She looked back at her book and observed the first person she found.
—
Wanted:
Dead or Alive
Haku _
Reward: $230,200
X_ Yagura Karatachi
(More details on the next page)
—
A young shinobi, one she didn't know quite much about, someone she actually hadn't heard of until today—and from what she was reading, he was only given such a bounty for simply being seen conversing with Zabuza of the bloody mist. Juzo had told him many stories of this particular man who thirsted after the Kubikiribōchō almost more than himself.
The bingo book didn't supply any more information than that, and it properly made her frown. Itachi liked to be thoroughly informed, especially in case of a surprise encounter.
Itachi left the stool without a word…
And she would have left, she really was seconds from leaving when some one-eyed shinobi, who she would have to guess had at least a decade on her in age, bumped into her with a wide expecting eye, he then cleared his throat after looking her over from head to toe.
"You just got here and you're already leaving? No drink, just a bingo book?" the man smiled, and she could smell the intense alcohol on his breath—well they were at a tavern after all.
The exit was right ahead and at first, didn't say anything, Itachi looked him over and just politely nodded while tilting her hat and moving to the exit. But he was persistent and as she moved her grabbed at her wrist—
Itachi stopped in her tracks, but didn't turn to face him, his grip tightened.
"You're a kunoichi right? Hi, fellow shinobi here. So anyway, you must know how hard and stressful this line of work gets. So how about this? For the rest of the night, your nice ass in my lap, you'll be my lap-girl? And later if I'm feeling generous, we can share a bed. How about it?" and the shinobi finished with a wink.
What?!
Was there something that she was missing?
He couldn't have actually said that, Itachi was literally minding her own business—incognito and all.
She let his words sit there, giving him a moment to possibly apologize before Itachi finally answered, not turning and certainly not sparing him a gaze. "I have no interest in doing any of the sort with you." she broke her arm away and that probably made the man just stare with a mouth curled in confusion.
It was like he expected her to just be down with whatever he wanted, not that she would have ever been interested in anyone except her senpai, but this man had quite the vulgar and shitty introduction.
But what could he say?
She liked a ninja by the name of Kakashi Hatake, and he most definitely thought Itachi was absolutely insane. –Which he'd be right about, of course.
This guy had no shot.
She left with the tip of her hat and just as she made it past the door frame to the outside, hoping that he'd be gone later for when she needed to get to her room, a disturbance in the air hit her skin causing a deep shiver.
Itachi sighed, predicting what was about to happen.
"Fūton: Renkūdan!" she turned and instantly backflipped as a projectile of super-compressed air, fired her way, and replied by knocking the one-eyed shinobi straight unconscious by throwing three kunai and using their handles to cause trauma.
He fell with shock and a thud, her hat floated in the air like a feather.
What a child. Attacking Itachi over what? Rejection?
"Foolish." were the final words she'd spare the idiot. Sometimes Itachi attracted the worst and cringiest of attention sometimes.
The strawhat fell back on her head, but their antics and commission forced a crowd to form and all eyes remained on her as she stared at the creeper.
The entire bar and assortment of bystanders all seemed to take a second to process the very event. Then the crowd was a bustle of semi-panic and awe.
"Huh…Itachi?! That murderous child!?"
"I-Itachi?! Itachi Uchiha?!"
"Someone call the authorities!"
"Don't look her in the eye!"
"Shit! It's the clan killer!"
"She's gonna gut us like rabbits!"
"I-is that dude okay? He's like...twitching…"
And like that, hating all the sudden attention and scornful looks she just poofed away.
And that's how everyone learned that Itachi Uchiha had infiltrated the village of Asura. Inspiring every able body shinobi - with delusions of turning in her head, coming down on her throat.
Okay, something was off.
Twelve in the morning and on the outskirts of the land of fire, Kakashi, Genma, Raido, and Iwashi lead Kakashi with only the full moon lighting their way.
What they were about to do, nobody could or would know. What they were about to do wasn't particularly illegal, but he couldn't have anyone questioning where he was going.
He just wanted to see Itachi—to finally go ahead and ask her, just what happened that day all those years ago.
But for some odd reason, the three members of Minato-sensei's flying raijin squad were extra happy and in a good mood. Which to Kakashi was completely suspicious—one Genma barely smiled and was lazy. Even Iwashi seemed more humble than Kakashi remembered and Raido wouldn't stop shooting him a glance.
Now, Kakashi didn't have the slightest inkling as to what was going on. Why they were in a particularly good mood and patting his back every chance they got, but it was almost like they knew something he didn't. Or were told something he was unaware of.
"I think we're far enough," Genma'a sandals stopped moving as he proudly declared some random spot in the forest their destination "truthfully, we probably could have stopped fifteen minutes ago."
"Then why'd we keep going?" Raido seemed blankly curious.
And Genma just shrugged, "I saw an oak tree, it looked cool."
Raido looked all around then dumbly to the ground "There's like a hundred oak trees out here…"
"They don't all look the same."
Raido looked at Genma with concern "They most certainly do."
Genma removed his senbon then used it to smugly pick his teeth "Didn't know you were into botany, Raido."
"Didn't know you liked dominant woman, but, I have to admit Anko-san is pretty attractive."
That's when Genma's face went pale "What…I have no ide–"
"I saw you two making out in the cracks of the homage monument, no need to deny," Raido replied.
Genma held his chin to the sky "I'm just trying to figure out why you thought it was appropriate to put my private business out there like that.
"I'm just not trying to waste Kakashi-san's time—Kakashi-san! Tell him how important your mission is!"
"Why were you stalking me again, Raido?"
Kakashi wasn't one to care much fire people's personal lives, unless it was of course someone in need of advice or comfort. The copy-ninja sniffled against the mist and then beneath his mask grinned "Ah, no we're making excellent time actually."
Though he really wanted to see a certain Uchiha. The faster, the better. He had questions…he–also admittedly missed her presence.
With hands going to his pocket and senbon switching positions Genma glared at his teammate then did his best to change subjects "So here's fine, no one's around—your super-secret mission is good and safe." and for a moment Kakashi thought Genma winked or something.
But that was weird, Genma didn't wink, ever.
Was this a genjutsu? Had to have been.
Those three were acting weird.
Why were they so okay with teleporting Kakashi to one of Minato-sensei's strongholds? Wasn't it suspicious?
Iwashi, Raido and Genma all waited for Kakashi, and by the time he'd realized this, he had already made himself look woefully awkward. "Hm, ah? Yeah sure, this is perfect."
Perhaps he was just naturally awkward…
"So you're telling me that we wasted time strolling for no reason? And here I thought were looking for a specific spot or something…" Raido said with closed eyes.
"Yeah, I don't always have the time to enjoy scenery," Genma replied.
"Let's just do the formation, Kakashi, get between us please!" Iwashi said.
And so Kakashi did, the three ninja connecting and interlacing their fingers and forming a three armed star. He waited, always finding some sort of interest in watching an ability that his sensei was renowned for, be used by a few of his underlings—it almost felt like Minato-sensei was still there, it came with silence and a whole lot of concentration on their parts. Kakashi was left thinking over every decision that led him here.
Was Kakashi a mad man?
Yes.
But in his defense, he had never found any closure in the events of the Uchiha massacre. And of course in life, sometimes closure isn't something that you just have handed to you. Sometimes you don't get closure and sometimes you only have a small window of opportunity to grasp it.
"Now Kakashi, whatever mission that you're going on that's so high-grade that even hokage-sama didn't wish to share with us, must be super important. I really do wish you good luck." Genma raised a thumb and Kakashi was immediately alarmed.
Kakashi became like cotton "Hokage-sama?"
"Oh, don't be worried, he didn't share any details, just that we had to get you to your destination," Raido assured.
And Genma didn't sound bothered at all, "Minato-sama would have wanted us to help you, Hiruzen-sama agrees, we don't even care about mission details just that we helped!"
He knew Kakashi was using Minato's flying raijin squad? Immediately, a trail of sweat fell off his face.
—Perhaps he was foolish to think he could hide his disappearances, no matter how far and in between they were.
People. Talked.
Why was Hiruzen-sama allowing this? Did he know what Kakashi was doing? Who Kakashi was seeing?
But no, there was no way.
If that were the case, Genma would be currently ordered to eliminate Kakashi, not help him. But why would the sandaime help him here?
And before Kakashi could ask any more questions, his body was hoisted through space and time and in moments the four ninja were in a dusty small dwelling, unlit and a small tri-pronged kunai hanging from the ceiling.
"Good luck!" the three of Minato-sensei's former bodyguards said all at once.
Kakashi was left standing there and before he knew it the three of them left him in the dark unlit room to again contemplate his decisions.
Kakashi brought the scroll he could unseal too:
He would ask Itachi what was going on, hopefully he would figure out what he needed to know.
Unfortunately, Itachi had to conceal herself, selecting an abandoned theater as her place of refuge, yes, among the audience. Dark and lightless.
When this grey puppy first found Itachi, she was partially surprised. For one she didn't expect Kakashi to continue their little weird company exchanges—she half expected him to ghost her and either report her or to leave Itachi alone entirely. But when the puppy sniffed her out, it left her with one short message.
Itachi,
I'm currently in the village of Asura, I hear you've been busy. At the time I am unable to locate your signature, my pup instead will sniff you out. Flare your chakra when you get this message and make everything easier, looking forward to talking.
Sincerely,
–Kakashi
Typically, Itachi didn't feel any weird bursts of anxiety or nervousness, but when she read that Kakashi wanted to speak her heart skipped multiple beats.
He wanted to see her!
It was in his exact handwriting. And she wanted to see him. They wanted to see each other! Even after everything, he still cared for her and that thought was the most reassuring thing she'd come to realize in the past days.
Oh, she wished the massacre could have never happened, she wished she could have stayed in Konoha and maintain the normal life of an Anbu captain or regular jounin. Then maybe, maybe Itachi wouldn't have to dream about a certain relationship with Kakashi. Things—should have been different.
She waited, then flared her chakra.
Itachi felt good, slightly better than normal, at least this was something in particular that she personally cared to look forward to—something other than Sasuke and his well-being.
And when she heard a door open, Itachi couldn't help but admit that she was excited, that even scum like her can have at least one person that cared to know how she felt—even if he didn't quite understand.
And she was about to greet him with a smile, something she had read in a romance novel—regardless, she would have done this, but the footsteps didn't quite sound Kakashi's walk pattern—actually, those footsteps were inherently foreign.
Not Kakashi? The disappointment hit her like a cinder block falling from the sky.
And before she knew it they were in the same auditorium as her and that's when Itachi unleashed a kunai from her sleeve, activated her sharingan, and lunged directly at whoever had crept close enough to her.
For a single moment, her sharingan reflected off of glasses.
"Hold on, it's just me, it's just me!" the ninja said, his hands up, and immediately Itach recognized this ninja as one of Orochimaru's henchmen, Kabuto.
Her blade was dangerously close to his jugular, but perhaps this was just a clone because despite surrendering he didn't show a single ounce of fear or even a wince.
"Why're you here? You work for Orochimaru, that doesn't make us allies or give you free rein you to follow me."
This seemed to have been the question Kabuto expected, he grinned and said "Well, Orochimaru-sama said he was worried about you—he said he understands how hard it is to lose a partner and he sends his best regards."
What would've been a kind gesture, came off completely vain coming from Orochimaru.
Why was he looking out for her? There was always something shady going on.
"Tell him I appreciate his concerns."
But that wasn't his real reason for being there.
"Of course, he considers you a valued teammate, after all."
"Ah."
"Listen there's something else—an offer my lord wishes your ears hear and consider."
Of course, there was.
"I'm not interested in any of the snake's offers."
He frowned and fixed his glasses, "Wait now, Itachi, Orochimaru-sama has something wonderfully-beautiful planned—something that will benefit all of us."
She wasn't in the mood to listen to any schemish bullshit. This Kabuto man gave her a horrible feeling.
"Okay. Go on. For your own wellbeing, I hope this isn't a trick."
"Orochimaru simply wishes for a partnership—one that ascends the brethrenship of the Akatsuki. You and him, his entire army larger than any currently mobilized on Earth. Think of the challenges you two could conquer."
That sounded like the snake was up to some no good planning yet again, and as said before Itachi wanted nothing to do with him. Was she just supposed to trust that he wouldn't betray her the first chance he had?
"No thank-you, my loyalty remains with the Akatsuki and with my own endeavors."
"Ah…" Kabuto rubbed the back of his head "Sorry to hear you make that decision. Look I understand the skepticism, but don't make choices you'll regret…" he said as if he knew better. Then he scratched the back of his head and smirked "Ah, that blank look is so intimidating..."
But his stature betrayed his words.
"Will that be all?" But Itachi still had no interest.
Kabuto gave a devil-like smile and a dismissive wave of his hands "It's the only reason I'm here, ' promise. I know who not to pick a fight with."
That was the thing about people who work with Orochimaru, they couldn't be trusted and Itachi saw right through their friendly-heinous smiles
"Then leave, there's nothing more you need from me."
It was meant to come off hostile, but she was always wary around their type.
And of course, that just made Kabuto face an even creepier expression, he shook his head "We'll be seeing each other real soon, Itachi Uchiha", and then poofed out of existence.
Good.
She slumped into the nearest seat.
And as fast as a snap, Itachi was alone again. And maybe it was just her paranoia, but for the next hour—she kept her sharingan activated in case he returned. Itachi wanted nothing to do with snake-1 or snake-2, Orochimaru was a horrible ninja who committed a multitude of heinous child experiments, Kabuto was his right-hand man. See, Itachi was scum, this was true, and that might have meant she was nobody to judge, but they were on an entirely different spectrum of malevolent.
Again she wasn't one to complain, she didn't spare any Uchiha children with the exception of her own brother—but she liked to think that at least her reasoning wasn't primarily selfish.
Itachi sighed, sat back in an old raggedy auditorium chair—had Juzo been there, he at least would have some sort of quick joke about gutting someone or he'd talk about some way to try and collect on the Akatsuki's (and their own personal) financial status.
How dare Orochimaru try and pretend he even had an inkling of care for Juzo. Itachi liked following the majority of his plans, even if she didn't always agree with him.
If only she could have saved him.
If only she could have saved anyone.
But her mind was just wandering again, and almost with the perfect time a particular ninja appeared as silent as a cloud.
She didn't blink when she spotted her favorite jounin from Konoha sitting in the seat next to her "Senpai." her heart rate increased tenfold.
Kakashi was there, hands at his side and free eye bored but filled with some sort of ambivalence and if she knew better that meant something was on his mind. And it didn't give her a good feeling, it felt like he'd come out and finally tell her that he had no interest in visiting her anymore.
"Oye, Itachi." he looked around the area "Was someone just here?"
It took her a second to formulate the words, it was like seeing a movie star every time. The man who had imprinted on her simply by his actions alone.
"Yes, a contact for my organization." Itachi then quietly turned and observed him, his frame and the tension in all of his exposed muscles—he must've had a change in training "Are you hungry? I have bread and leftover honeycombs in one of my scrolls." she was just about to spawn one of her scrolls—
"Oh no thank-you, I helped the owner of a bakery make a delivery, back on my way and he gave me a life supply of bread."
She couldn't tell if that was a joke…
"You know, you always claim to have helped some random stranger in the most convenient of times."
"I wouldn't say it's convenient, if needed, then I need to be a good samaritan, simple. I'm sure you still do the same. I mean now, it must be near-impossible for you, look what happened, I hear people discovered you were in the area."
Oh, maybe that wasn't a joke.
"From time to time. But, I don't go out looking to be hero."
That wasn't true.
"Neither do I."
"It's always just that something—"
Itachi finished for him "–Lands right in front of you."
"Exactly."
Itachi tipped her hat and hid her face.
Pause.
She didn't really know what to say, rarely in her life had she ever been in a social interaction where she wanted the person to keep talking and didn't know how to keep the conversation going.
She needed to read up more on keep conversations rolling.
"I'm sorry about Juzo."
"Hm, he was aware of the work he signed up for. I'm sorry I wasn't faster." Itachi said, because truthfully if she had been, he'd be here today.
And he had even went as far as to thank Itachi. But what for?
Allowing him to die?
"It still doesn't make it easier, I know there was a… mutual respect between you two."
"Quite, he was good at his work, we've completed every mission thus far…he was a complicated individual, I'd like to think he saw me as a friend."
"I'm sure he did."
"He died, and I don't think there's anyone who really cared—I was the only one in my organization."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, not particularly… he saved me against the Mizukage. That's all."
"Oh, well, then maybe I should be thanking
Juzo."
"Who knows, it might've been better had that attack obliterated me."
"Then we could never have reconnected and I was looking forward to hearing all the stories of a mercenary and what goes about in her daily life. Maybe we could go out do something…"
"Yeah, we should." she sighed and rested her head on the side of his chair "But I was reckless and now local shinobi are trying to make a buck out of my head." she shrugged, it really was a normal day for her.
"I heard about that—a lot of people locking their doors, seems they don't appreciate what you're doing here," Kakashi said.
"I was minding my business." And Itachi frowned, thinking about it made her really cringe too..
"Really?" a genuine question.
"Yes, I was. I'm not on call and am effectively waiting for a new partner."
"I hope they're nice…well, I mean nice enough for you to work with. Let me know if they're trouble for you."
"It doesn't matter, as long as we can complete our work." she said before silently humming and that's when she asked "How's Sasuke?"
This of course made Kakashi uneasy, but her former captain answered "When Sasuke graduates, he will be under my tutelage."
"Good, he needs to be strong. And I know you'll make that happen." she half-smiled
Kakashi was quiet, something was on his mind, he looked like he had a good bundle of questions.
"Itachi— you–won't go after Sasuke, right? You'll leave him and Konoha alone, right?"
Leave him and Konoha alone? No she wouldn't leave her beloved brother alone, she needed to make sure he achieved his revenge. And Konoha needed to have as much information about the Akatsuki as possible.
"Hm. You still think my interest in gaining power involves Sasuke?"
It had everything to do with Sasuke, but the power would be transferred over to him.
"I don't know… you said you want to get stronger, to obtain the 'next state'—WhateverThatMeans." The last part he mumbled, but she heard him.
"I have a different plan, it doesn't involve Sasuke or Konoha. It is of my own creation…"
And Kakashi then answered "The interests of that organization..."
She was momentarily a rock, "Yes…partially..."
"And that means, what? You know that's not all that convincing…"
"My organization has no interest in Sasuke or Konoha, and as such, neither do I." And as of yet, truthfully, Itachi didn't even fully know what the Akatsuki's plans were.
Even so, Kakashi seemed to believe her but that didn't seem to completely calm his suspicions. But that wasn't what Itachi found strange about him at that time, what she found strange was the fact that he suddenly laid a scroll in her lap. Itachi looked at it dumbly before noting the inscriptions of some uncanny dialect sealed around it.
"A scroll. Is this a gift? I don't get excited over being able to dispel seals like Jiraiya-sama." Itachi said.
"It appeared in my apartment. A few days ago, can't get it to open, don't know where it came from. Could have cool knowledge hidden inside…" Kakashi then put his feet up on the chair in front of him and leaned back.
"Could be a fluke, or some sort of explosive trap." she warned, but with a quick flicker of her sharingan, she could see that this scroll didn't actually seem to pose any threat. She rested her eyes, and gave a gentle cough.
"You think your old captain can't spot a fluke? Buuut an explosive trap—yeah, not too sure about that yet. Was hoping you would be able to work some magic."
Of course, Itachi looked at it for the briefest of milliseconds. "It isn't a dialect that I'm too familiar with, Uchiha seals are completely different. Actually, this looks like ancient Uzumaki."
Kakashi's eyes went wide "Ancient Uzumaki?"
It must've made him think of Kushina-sama.
"That's what it looks like, I used to help father de-encrypt stolen items from the Senju archives—they're very much similar, though words and their meanings can be completely different... And this looks like some foreign ancient piece, making translating it even more difficult." Itachi pointed to the scroll and she could see Kakashi's brain calculating and absorbing the information through his very eyes.
"So, you can dispel it."
No, but she could figure out a way to read it or find someone who could. Or someone who could teach her to.
"I'm mediocre at sealing jutsu. But senpai, this is rather alarming. Where did you get it? Why so eager to open it?"
From his seat he just shrugged, "…it was a gift…from a secret admirer or whoever. My sharingan hasn't found any traces of poison or explosives."
"Whoever gave this to you intends on you going through fire and mud to figure this one out. In short, they want you to go find something for them— it could be something they're much too lazy to do themselves…" a finger went to her lips with a pause, then a sudden anger rushed heat through her body"…but what I'm more interested in is who's trying to swindle you."
"Or trying to help."
"You can't possibly be that trusting."
Kakashi winked and Itachi sighed when she realized he was only joking.
"Whatever it is, I can handle." And despite Kakashi being an exceptional shinobi of the highest caliber, she didn't care, anyone who tried to take full advantage of Kakashi-senpai was an enemy of Itachi.
What was in that scroll? If what Kakashi had said was true, why did someone want him to have it?
It was all a little suspicious to her, but at the moment there weren't many leads on what was actually going on. Hopefully, it would just turn out to be nothing or some new innocent technique that they all weren't at that moment privy to.
"Let me destroy it. Sometimes, it's better that secrets remain secrets."
"And give up the opportunity to master another technique. Also, also—" he proudly stuck up his index "figuring out whether the person who gave me this is trying to help, or if he has it out for me. The challenge sounds like it's good for me."
"I don't like your idea, if this person hasn't engaged you it's very likely he either doesn't think he can defeat you in combat or their identity is that of someone you know. Possibly a close friend. Senpai, this person does not want to be caught."
Then Kakashi looked at his hands and then lightly clenched them and Itachi bit her tongue wondering if her words may have upset him.
"None of my friends would stoop so low…if they have an issue with me or want to show me something new, they'd come right to me."
And for some reason, when he talked about his friends and the trust he had in them, even for such a brief moment, she couldn't help but grin. Maybe in another existence, Itachi would have b been an Anbu captain, a multitude of friends if not the same ones from before,criminal record, no disdain between village and clan. She was never good at socializing, but maybe she would have been able to learn.
So she affirmed, "No you're right, we wouldn't stoop to that level."
Kakashi Pushed his mask further on his nose. "So you'll help me."
"I don't want to..."'
But she did want to please him.
"You know I'd do it myself…"
"That's why I'll help and save you the trouble. We'll very likely have to begin by comparing symbols to the particular clans that's dialects we are familiar with. Maybe we can match phrasing and figure out a way to expel it in no time—there's a few people we could learn this information from."
She was considering her options—all three of the sannin could be some of the only people who could even remotely read the thing coherently—Hiruzen-sama most definitely too. Maybe someone out there knew something.
"Ah, 'knew you were the perfect person to come to. And here I thought this was going to be a hassle."
Psst…
"It will be. There's a lot to talk about if you really wish to go through with this."
Then Kakashi nodded his head and gently took the black scroll back "Maybe we can talk about this somewhere that doesn't smell like mildew and rotten wood?"
With a quick whiff, Itachi agreed.
"Well, I had a room in a local tavern before the I caused a panic and everyone just figured I was going to kill them all."
Worrying him with details would only prove to stress him more.
"It's fine, 'place is messing up the roof of my nose anyway. We'll go somewhere shinobi aren't brewing through the sewers for you. Come on.", he stood up and left his hand dangling in for her to take.
Why did that gesture make her stomach suddenly feel empty?
Traveling with her favorite person, something she longed for since her exile, something she'd desired evermore since she realized that these would be her final few years.
"I'm hungry." She then stood up and immediately grabbed his hand and they body-flickered away.
'Hey Itachi, why did you commit the Uchiha massacre, I know it isn't what everyone thinks, let me hear it from you.'
No, Kakashi couldn't say that to her, not now that he looked at her so much differently than he had when he'd just seen her as a traitor. There were layers on top of the surface that was Itachi.
Fire country was cold at this time of the year and despite getting a good distance away from Asura, Kakashi wanted to make sure they were completely out of the area and so they sought to find some spot on the border of the land of Earth and the land of Fire.
And although they walked past many coat-covered and winter layer civilians, the straw hat and short sleeve shirt didn't seem to be aiding Itachi in the warmth department, not that she'd show that she was bothered. But she was weird when he offered to but her another all-black robe, one that resembled her one with the red clouds, yeah she denied every single offer, insisting that she didn't even feel anything and the chill felt good.
He knew it was a lie and rushed them to the nearest tavern regardless, where when they entered it was apparent that someone was telling a story, and as both Itachi and Kakashi politely greeted the working tavern girls, took their seats in a private booth ordered food, along with requesting if there were any rooms left before, aimlessly they began listening, from their corner.
A group of ninja sat center the room, all around a large oak table.
"…you can't tell me I'm not great." One of them said.
"You're not great." Another voice replied, which a few mumbles from some of their friends followed.
"But the legendary sannin are. And I'm going to join a sannin's army."
"Yeah, you'll probably die in that army too, Orochimaru ain't known for his benevolence, you know why he left his village."
Yeah, everyone should have known why.
Orochimaru…
"That doesn't matter! We're getting paid!"
Kakashi moved uneasy, Itachi didn't even seem to be all that interested in the conversation, the mention of an army was news to Kakashi, something he could probably relay to Hiruzen-sama, though he was sure the Sandaime and his anbu had to have already been aware of this.
Was Itachi aware of this? Maybe the grapevine of the criminal underworld had reached her own ears?
His attention went to Itachi.
"Have you—" he whispered.
"Heard about Orochimaru's mobilization? Yes." she replied in the same tone.
"Really?…"
"Word spreads." but to Kakashi, the frown she had that would go unnoticed by most, want to share more with, but for any reason refused to share.
It was fine, the information would come out eventually.
But that did confirm one thing…
"That's what I thought, so there won't be much peace after all."
The way she looked at him, like there was so much more to say "You think there might be war?"
"If he's recruiting an army, I'd say there's a good chance."
Itachi seemed to agree just as the two were served their refreshments by a tavern girl before she walked off.
"He's amassed quite a number—so I've heard," Itachi said, but even Kakashi could see she was withholding a certain amount of information. And that was okay, he didn't expect her to tell him everything.
"If you don't want to hear about this stuff, we can leave," Kakashi said.
Itachi raised an eyebrow "The topic doesn't bother me."
"Just figured we just go somewhere, try to relax and forget about our…particular differences."
"I am relaxed, they're just talking about finer points in our world. It doesn't bother me."
"You would call criminal activity a finer point?"
"They hold him in such high esteem–yes, sure." she looked away, like for that mere second she was nervous or that she had to think over her words "But maybe my choice of wording wasn't …proper?"
"They admire a power-hungry madman."
"Many Kage have been the same exact way—power-hungry and mad, I see no difference—but someone who's publicly branded a criminal will have much more critical backlash, than say, a kage who's committed similar crimes."
He understood, completely.
"Most kage serve their people."
"And to many shinobi, Orochimaru has served them in the same way. Actually, he appeals a lot to the average rogue—the lost and in need of protection types."
"I see. Though I think the kage comparison is a bit of a stretch."
"Well, are you aware of the inexcusable crimes some of the kage have committed?"
"I know a few, I've been around."
"Then you know what I'm saying is true. The five great nations do not hold the moral high ground, and certainly not the five kage."
"I can't speak for the five nations, but I can certainly speak for Konoha." Kakashi said. "We stand for what's right and all that is the will of fire, even through the dirty work back in Anbu."
"They're not always for what's right, senpai, even today we can question the moral foundations of Konoha."
He frowned….this was a particular point that they would never agree on; Itachi Was set in her ways, he had to remember that she was in fact still an S-Class rogue. Though—that thought made his mind backtrack, returning to his thoughts on the Uchiha massacre.
Why did Itachi Uchiha kill her entire clan that evening? What really transpired or inticied a prodigy and genius to commit such an atrocity.
And why was Kakashi crazy enough to actually….befriend her again? And even though they were in disagreement, sometimes it was good to talk with someone with conflicting ideologies. At least, when they were being cordial and respectful, at least he thought so.
But on that note, he then asked a question he probably shouldn't have "And can we question your morals?"
At that, the Uchiha heiress was silent.
He probably shouldn't have asked it like that, no, he definitely should advise nobody to ask anyone with similar circumstances as her like that.
But despite her ten seconds of silence, she answered "Of course. I have never claimed any of my actions were moral." Then weirdly Itachi looked off to the side "I'm no good."
Kakashi laughed at that, he didn't particularly think he was good either—he just thought that it made sense to fight selflessly opposed to selfishly.
But maybe that wasn't the right way to look at Itachi, she was changing the way he thought about her—more back to how he used to see her. Selfless. Kind. Just maybe…some horrible choices or…just something was off and he couldn't get this itch about it out of his head.
"And I like that about you." Kakashi said.
"That I'm no good?" she said, almost like that would be taboo.
"No, you're real. Despite what you think about yourself, I can still see that you're still that kind-hearted girl. But you're not selfish or self righteous…"
"Really? You don't think any of what I'm doing is selfish. Unusual."
With a hand raised to his chin, he thought for a moment and replied "No."
And Itachi was immediately stomped for words.
"No? That's strange, I didn't expect that response. Weird…maybe you do like me."
Kakashi shrugged "Perhaps."
He wanted to help her too.
And just then, he got a glimpse of the tightest amount of red cross her cheeks from under her hat, she looked away, then instantly back to him with those beautiful charcoal eyes that seemed to glow with desire…
She slightly leaned forward and Kakashi immediately took this as a queue to kiss her, to indulge in whatever fantasies he's allowed to pop in his head while away at Konoha.
This beautiful silk hair woman's soft and full lips were there, calling for him and before he could so much as lean in and capture them. For him to keep going with whatever this taboo relationship was and to just enjoy himself and worry about consequences later.
But, that unfortunately didn't happen.
"You bastard, stop looking at me with that ugly lazy eye!"
Drunken ninja…The only explanation needed.
"Who the hell?"
"Don't let him talk to you like that!"
"I'll box with anyone, for any reason! Lets go!"
What did they miss?
The entire tavern erupted, yeah the ones who had been drinking and chatting about Orochimaru, at some point they began brawling! It was chaos, these idiots began really boxing with themselves, they jumped against walls, kunai began flying and thankfully one big guy kept sending his mud clones to protect the tavern girls. One ninja formerly from Konoha, but not a familiar face kept firing off water bullets that were shooting right through the bar walls.
The bartenders began freaking out and heading for any exit. There were flames and just as fast as the battles summons of every sort of animal all in the tavern.
Itachi and Kakashi's table was split precisely down the middle and the two just sat in their seats motionlessly. Observing the situation in all its drunken ridiculousness and then the two caught one another's eyes.
Itachi looked just as perplexed as him, looked around, did an effortless head movement to dodge a flurry of shuriken and then gave Kakashi a smile.
Which ultimately made Kakashi's heart sigh.
What the hell, why not?
He removed a portion of his mask and pecked her on the lips before leaning back into his seat, mayhem, and blood still all around.
But, with no table in front, Itachi took Kakashi's hands and clasped them together.
And despite the crazy ninja and battle all around them, Kakashi felt as if everything would be okay.
Itachi had no interests with Konoha and as such he had no worries of fighting her any longer.
He could find a way to continue seeing her.
And hopefully, she'd tell him her story of the massacre. The true story.
And the jounin from Konoha and the criminal formerly from Konoha, remained holding hands in that tavern filled with flying ninjutsu projectiles and they remained there until the entire building collapsed into its own foundations.
A/N: I'd say a lot has happened but not really that much, we're going to start touching the beginning of the OG Naruto series and I'm starting to get excited! Leave a review below, let me know if it has been enjoyable or not.
