.23
"Unfortunately, in reality there is no situation where one can win merely by following the rules. There will be knights that break the rules, and even chess pieces that betray him." ~Kuroshistuji
….
He watched her, careful to keep his distances. The others with her need not know of his presence here. But he knew he needed to speak with her. They had many things to discuss. Most importantly her last comment to him more than a year and a half ago.
She had been right. Of course he always had suspected, but to hear it confirmed. Well that was another matter entirely. So he waits, for the right time to reveal himself. He does not have to wait long.
"Uchiha Madara is a lie." This time the words are spoken softly, barely a whisper. But she speaks them with such certainty that it only reiterates the fact she knows. That she's always known.
Itachi nods his head in response to her words, confirming them. Allowing them justification. Her eyes soften, her lips fall into a frown, and she ever so briefly allows him to see a glimpse of her humanity. He knows that he is one of the few to see her like this.
He realizes that they are cut from a similar cloth, it's why he picked her brother. Because he knew she'd do whatever it took to save him. No matter the personal cost. Just like him, with what lengths he was willing to go to keep Sasuke safe.
"You knew." He draws the conclusion easily. She knew about him, about why he had to do what he did.
She nods her head. He watches her for a moment, she's smaller than he remembers, there are dark circles embedded under her eyes, and she altogether looks to be a completely different person. The look that lingers painfully in her eyes tells him that she's lost someone. Someone she cared about. He knows that feeling all too well.
"I do." Present tense, not past. Which means there is more to tell, more to what she knows. His eyes narrow slightly at her. She makes no move to be effected by it either, to her she has no reason to be afraid. As if her own life meant nothing to her.
Interesting. He wonders briefly what else she knows, how vast is the knowing of hers. A part of him could not wait to find out, the other part the more reasonable part never wanted to know. It is at that moment he realizes he does not have anything more to say to her, all his questions answered by her actions alone. His business here is finished.
As he begins to leave, she tilts her head to the side watching him, calculating what to do next, it's only when he's almost too far to hear does she offer her next piece. "He's a dead man, his days are numbered." Itachi almost turns back to ask her who exactly this 'he' is but he doesn't. The Uchiha already knows, a smirk dances across his lips then.
Interesting indeed.
..
Life is a bit like chess, for those new to the game you start by moving the pieces and praying. Praying for an outcome that will favor them, help them, and even teach them more. The more skilled, the champions, can calculate several different strategies for each move. They can predict the move of their opponent, and can come up with at least two different moves to help ensure their own victory.
When I had started down this path I always knew which type of player I was going to be. Neither. Chess was a game of playing fair, you play people usually at the same level as you. It gives better odds. The game is more enjoyable that way.
That's where life and chess are two very different entities. Life wasn't fair, there was no even playing field. Your opponent was always going to be bigger than you, better than you, and smarted than you. It was a good thing that I never believed in playing fair anyhow or else this would have been even more difficult.
If I had been given the same mentality as those my age, as my own brother. Everything would have been simpler. I'd never really like simple. Because I think I always knew how difficult my path would be. I always knew that slowly it was going to take everything from me, until the person I once was no longer remained. So I had accepted that darkness long ago, I made my peace with it and life went on.
At the end of the day we all had our demons, I of course chose to feed mine.
Silence washed over me as I watched Itachi walk away. My thoughts consumed me a bit and I had to remind myself then there was still work to do. But I remained for a moment longer just watching. Longer than need be. You could learn a lot by observing people as they walked away from you. I appreciated the lesson each time.
It also meant they put enough trust in me not to try and kill them. Interesting. Someday the right person was going to turn their back on me and I'll kill them.
The dawn is slowly cresting over the hills, a sign to move on. There was one more task to be completed before dusk. Time was of the essence. I had very specific instruction.
I'd promised Asuma my business here would be concluded at days end, and for what's it's worth I intended to keep my word. Always.
I turned my head from the now empty spot, it was time to go. There was no more need to linger here.
Luckily my destination was close and my target still asleep. I was a hunter and this was an easy target. Carefully I slipped into the house, taking stock. If this somehow went south I would be prepared.
It never did. Perhaps it was almost too easy. But at that moment I really didn't care.
He never saw it coming. They never did. Looking back at the now corpse I almost felt sorry for the man. But then I remember he was one of the people I hated most, someone who would try to hurt me or those I care about. There was never any client here for me.
There never had been.
It had all be a poor attempt of a trap. As if he thought I'd fall for it again.
Never again. A promised, no a vow.
I kept my promises, especially the ones I made to myself.
As I gathered the files and scrolls that were deemed useful or even interesting, I gave one last look to the man I had just killed. He looked like many of the people I had killed, well-educated and wealthy. Everyone looked the same when the light had been taken out of their eyes. They became nothing, a hollow of who they once had been. We all bleed the same. So I know that I should feel something, remorse, or shame, or anything at all. But to be honest that only thing I felt was hatred.
Maybe I truly was a demon. Perhaps the words spoken behind my back were true, that at the end of the day that's just how things are.
But.
I really hated politicians.
I hated people who thought they were somehow better than everyone else, as if the worlds was made only for them. If there monetary value somehow increased their worth as a human. It's those types of humans who get innocent people and even shinobi killed. Villages go to war for those types of people, or in some cases they are even run by those types of people.
These people were too easily controlled, a promise of power or money and you had them. Anybody had the capability to be bought. All you needed was the right price.
It's because of people like this man, people who crave power and influence that my Haku is dead.
That mission had been orchestrated to fail from the start, orchestrated by a person who wanted all the power he could get. Anyone who worked for him, who did his bidding, well there days just like his were numbered.
When the time is right, when I can finally get my hands around his throat. Well he's a dead man walking.
As long as he breathed, as long as I let him keep breathing he was a threat. To everything and one I held dear. He's already taken three people from me, my parents, Haku, I am not about to let him have anyone else.
No, he won't get that chance.
Not again. Never again.
As I told Itachi, this man, this vile human being well he is a dead man. I am going to kill him.
But unfortunately the time is not yet right, the board still shifted just slightly in his favor. So I wait. For the pieces to move into their carefully picked places, readying them for a fall. Waiting until just the right moment to strike.
Check.
I watch from a good distance as the entire house catches on fire, a faulty heating unit. A small smirk dances its way across my lips. The smell of smoke permeates the air and the fire only grows bigger. It is truly a beautiful sight.
Such satisfaction, getting to watch the labors of your hard work. To see just what all your effort was going to get you.
Even if it meant killing people to get there.
I never claimed to be a good person, I am not kind, I know that. I don't play by the rules nor do I care too. Of course I know I can never be like the rest of them. That what I have to do to ensure that Naruto has a good life is dark, and dirty.
I am alright with the revelation, I accepted it long ago because it means that I will do anything. No matter the personal cost. Even if I lose him, if Naruto comes to hate me, he'll be alive, he'll be safe and that's the only thing that matters.
That makes me a powerful player.
Checkmate.
XOXOX
Mitomi is starting to return back to herself! Yay! This chapter was a lot of fun to write, I really had a blast with it. I haven't proof read this, I will eventually go back and do so but for now I am okay with it:D
You guys thank you so much for reviewing the last chapter! It means so much to me how much you all think of this story. I am so glad that there are you who like it. You guys are so awesome!
Please continue to let me know what you think! Once again thank you so much for all your kind words!
Sincerely, La'Rae