Chapter 19
Akari made her way outside of the village. Once she found the trial she made her way up the Cliff. He was waiting at the top. He leaned casually against a tree and turned to her when she arrived. She stopped and stared at him before approaching.
"You're mad." He stated as she leaned on the tree next to his.
"Could you tell?" She said.
He didn't reply. Instead the two of them just stood there staring at Hokage Mountain. Akari tried to be patient but it was becoming unbearable! She pushed herself off the tree and stood in front of him.
"Well! Are you gonna explain why you were in the village? Or why you left Kakashi and Sasuke the way you did? The Tsukuyomi? Wasn't that a bit much? I haven't heard from you in weeks! What the hell are you up to?"
Slowly he brought his eyes to hers.
"What happened to Kakashi and my younger brother was unfortunate, but it was necessary. Kakashi was a tough opponent so I knew he wouldn't go down easy. As for Sasuke, well I needed him to see he is not yet ready to face me."
"Ok but why show yourself?" She pried.
"Because the leader of my organization felt it was time to make a move."
Akari stared blankly at him.
"I am a part of an organization call the Akatsuki. They are a group of rogue ninja after the tailed beasts. I joined to keep an eye on them."
"Tailed beasts? You mean like the Nine-tails that attacked the village?" Akari whispered.
"Yes. The Nine-tails is the one I was sent after. Naruto Uzumaki."
He watched her reaction. It was pure shock and dismay. Akari lowered herself to the ground unable to stand any longer.
"Im sure you wondered why the village resents him. This is why."
"Naruto…you went after Naruto!" She yelled at him.
Her shock was quickly replaced with anger. How could he go after her friend! Sasuke's Best Friend!
"I had to. The others would grow suspicious of me if I didn't."
"And what will they do with him if they catch him?"
"He will die for their cause."
This was too much for Akari. These past couple of days have been torture for her! It just one thing after another!
"Why haven't you stopped them? You could come back to the village and let the others know! We could keep Naruto safe" She pleaded.
"No. I joined not only to keep an eye their progress but to give Sasuke a reason to kill me. This way he will be deemed a hero and never know the truth of our clan."
"Killing Naruto will give him a damn good reason! It'll give me one as well! I won't let you or your stupid organization lay a hand on him!" She yelled at him.
"Good. Maybe you'll forget the stupid notion of saving both me and Sasuke." Itachi said coldly.
"How can you say that? Why don't you believe you can both make it out alive?" She sobbed.
"Because it was never part of the plan. I can't continue to live with all this blood on my hands Akari. Please understand." He whispered.
"No. You understand. I'm not losing either of you. And I'm sure as hell not losing Naruto. I'll find a way to stop the Akatsuki with or without your help. Once they're gone, you can come home."
"And then what? We all live like one big happy family? What makes you think Sasuke will forgive me?" He glared at her.
Silently she pushed herself up. She stared at Itachi for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"I can't say he will. I'm just hoping he does because I'm not sure he'll forgive me either. For keeping all of this from him. If he doesn't forgive you then there is no hope for me." She told him.
Itachi didn't say anything. He only watched her with unease.
"I'm leaving now. If you call I will come, but only because I need your training. Without it I can't save my friend."
She turned to walk away but before she got too far she stopped.
"Oh. And if you come after Naruto again I won't hesitate to kill you. I know that ill more than likely die but that's up to you isn't it?"
Akari continued on her way. She needed to go home. All that had happened had left her exhausted. She needed to think about things. Like the fact that her friend had a demonic fox inside of him! Or that he's being targeted by a stupid organization of rogue ninja! That his best friend's older brother happens to be in! Akari groaned and rubbed her temples. It was just too much!
"Akari?"
She stopped in her tracks. Outside her house stood a figure. Akari bit her lip as he began to approach her. Before he could reach her she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. Surprise crossed his face.
"Sasuke! You're okay! I was so worried!"
She felt his arms slowly wrap around her torso. He pulled her closer pressing his face in her shoulder and held her there.
"It was him Akari. It was Itachi! I thought I was stronger but he threw me around like a doll!" He told her.
She didn't know what to tell him. Instead she comforted him and the best she could.
"He was after Naruto! I tried to save him and could do nothing!"
"Sasuke…"
"Why him? Why go after Naruto? He just about ignored me trying to get to him! Why is he so special?"
Sasuke let her go and walked to a nearby bench. He sat and put his head in his hands. Akari followed and placed herself beside him. She could tell he was greatly affected by the recent events. Would telling him the truth even help at this point?
"Naruto has changed so much. Of all people he's the one getting stronger. While I…I was helpless."
"You can't compare yourself to him. Your two different people." She told him.
"I know but I can't help it! How am I supposed to kill Itachi like this?"
"You can't. Not like this. You need to bide your time. Wait until your positive you can't lose." She whispered.
He looked up at her curiously. Normally she would tell him to give up, but she was done with that. Maybe the sooner the two battle it out the sooner it will be over. If she's there with them she could stop it and the truth will come out. She just has to be strong enough to intervene.
"So…you're okay with me going after him? I thought you'd be angry with me for going to find him."
Akari stood and smacked him on the head. He winced and complained.
"Of course I'm upset with you! You nearly got yourself killed!"
She glared at him but it didn't last. Her eyes softened and she sat down again.
"But I'm just happy you're okay. I've also realized that no matter what I say you're not going to stop. So I might as well give you some advice."
"Thank you. I promise ill train more so that you won't have to worry about me again. Once he's dead ill one day return and restore my clan."
She smiled at him and nodded. He stood to go.
"Oh and I remember some of the things you told me."
Akari looked up at him puzzled.
"What things?"
"While I was unconscious. I could hear you voice and sometimes Sakura's. I recognized your voice. It's as if your words broke through the fog."
"What exactly do you remember?" She said nervously.
"I only understood bit and pieces. You mentioned Lee a lot and how I would get better. You also mentioned something about Neji."
She blushed scarlet and jumped to her feet. She gave a nervous laugh.
"Neji? What? I don't know what you're talking about!"
He rose an eyebrow. Then he smiled and shook his head.
"I better get going. See you later."
He then turned and left. Akari stood there for a moment. She was planning on going inside but he had reminded her of someone. Quickly she found Ino and bought some flowers before making her way to the hospital. She arrived at Lee's room but no one was there.
"He didn't get good news."
She turned to find Neji leaning on the wall behind her.
"What happened?"
"Lady Tsunade said he should give up on being a ninja. There is a surgery but there's a 50/50 chance he'll survive it."
Her face fell. This was the worst possible news. Neji watched her a moment before starting to walk away.
"Wait! Neji, are you angry with me? Is it because of what happened?" She muttered.
"No just disappointed. I was going to let it go but then I found out there was someone else. It hurt a lot more than I thought it would."
"What? Someone else? I don't…"
"There's no need to lie. I saw you go into his room last night. I waited for you to come out but you never did. Then I went to your house earlier but you seemed busy."
Sasuke! He saw her go through his window. That's why he seemed so cold that morning. And he saw them outside her house. He must have followed her here!
"Neji…I'm sorry. I'm confused."
She stared at her feet. She couldn't bring herself to face him. She had hurt him without realizing it.
"It's okay. I still wish to be friends even if that's all your willing to be. I just think it's best if we keep our distance for now. At least until I can let it go."
Neji left her there. She still didn't look up. Instead she stared at the flowers in her hand. Silently she caught them on fire and watched them burn. Her life was getting so complicated. It used to be fun and easygoing. That all changed once she became a ninja. Wiping the ashes on her pants she went home.
A few days later she was sitting on top of Hokage Mountain. Lady Tsunade's face was freshly carved beside the Fourth's. Since her inauguration Akari had kept to herself mostly. She trained with Itachi the night before but it wasn't the same anymore. She did it only to get stronger.
"Akari? Are you okay?"
Akari stood and patted herself clean. She glanced at Naruto but couldn't bring herself to smile. He looked at her with a worried expression.
"I'll be okay. Whats up?" She told him.
"Granny Tsunade wants to see you."
"Okay thanks."
He walked with her to the Hokage's office. He kept glancing at her still worried. She noticed he was wearing a backpack.
"Mission?" She asked him.
"Hmm? Oh. Yep. We're going to the Land of Tea." He grinned at her.
"But isn't Kakashi still recovering?"
"Yeah. Team 7 is going it alone. Granny Tsunade said it's not that hard of a mission so we should be okay on our own."
She nodded. They were now outside the building.
"Okay well I should get going. Are you sure you're okay?" He asked her.
Akari stared at him. Maybe it was time she got over her recent problems. She couldn't have her friends worried about her. She gave him the first smile she had in days.
"Yeah. I'll be okay."
He seemed relieved as he waved goodbye. Once he was out of sight she made her way up to the office. She knocked twice before being let in. She was surprised to find her siblings there as well. Lady Tsunade nodded a greeting as she entered.
"Okay. Now that the three of you are here we can begin."
The three of them stood together and listened.
"I have been gathering information about what happed during the Chunin Exams. Even though they were interrupted we shouldn't let them go to waste."
The sibling gave each other curious glances. Where was this headed?
"I've heard great things about the three of you from the ninja I've spoken to. So here is what I've decided. Mizuko and Riko will be moved up to Chunin. As for Akari, well Hayama has informed me you wish to be an A.N.B.U."
Shock crossed their faces. They were being promoted?
"I already have missions set up for the three of you. Separate ones of course. The outcome will determine whether or not I made the right choice."
She informed them of what they were and dismissed them. Akari chose to stay behind. Naruto really seemed to trust this woman. Enough to call her Granny even though she didn't look a day over 30. Maybe she could trust her too.
"Yes Akari?"
Akari glanced warily at the Hokage's assistant.
"You can trust Shizune." Lady Tsunade assured her.
"Do you mind if we close the shades?" She asked.
The Fifth stared at her curiously. She then nodded and Shizune proceeded to pull down the shades.
"Okay um. I have something I need to show you. The Third knew about this and I've been unsure of whether you should as well."
Akari took a deep breath.
"I have decided it's best if you did."
With that she closed her eyes. Biting her lip she opened them again. Shizune gasped in shock. Even Lady Tsunade looked taken aback. She stood and walked up to Akari.
"An Uchiha? But how?"
She grabbed her chin and took a closer look. Akari didn't budge. Instead she let the Hokage finish her observation. Once she finished Lady Tsunade sat on the edge of her desk.
"Explain."
Akari did. She told her everything. Including her rendezvous with Itachi. Even about the Akatsuki.
"Yes I've heard of them. Do you know what they plan to do with the Tailed Beast's?"
"No. Itachi wouldn't say." She answered.
"Okay. This is a lot to take in. Don't worry though. You trusted me with this information and I won't break that trust. Once you finish your mission you will work directly under me. Is that okay?"
"That will be fine my Lady. Thank you." Akari bowed.
"Good. Then go and prepare for your mission. You leave tonight."
Akari did as she was told. That night she left the front gate. Her mission: Go to the Hidden Sand alone and give them a response to their most recent message in person.