The Reaper returned from his solo mission just before midnight, drifting into his quarters soundlessly with the shadows trailing after him like a shroud.

He sensed the other person in the room before he saw them, but he didn't say anything, simply letting his concealment fall and waiting for them to speak first.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you wear that mask," Tekla observed from her position in the armchair by his bedroom door, a faintly bemused expression on her olive-skinned features as she took in Itachi's current attire. "Why put it back on now, just to take out Deidara? And why only eliminate him alone?"

As usual, Itachi wasn't immediately forthcoming with a response, choosing to close his open window and remove the aforementioned mask first.

"Where's Sasuke?" he queried impassively, deliberately avoiding Tekla's query as he turned around to face her.

The brunette rolled her eyes at the predictable diversion; she knew Itachi would never make it that easy to get anything out of him. But she, unlike most people, wouldn't drop it.

"He's settling into his room-but you didn't answer my question," she pressed him forcefully, lifting her chin to meet his swirling black coals without blinking.

Itachi gazed at her, ivory features characteristically blank, for several seconds before finally giving her a real reply.

"This isn't meant to be an all-out war; we can't move against all of them at once. That would run contrary to what we're trying to do," he explained flatly, his black coals gleaming darkly. "We have to do this methodically, go after each of our targets individually. That is our best bet."

Tekla's forehead creased in a frown; not that that wasn't something Itachi might say, but she just hadn't expected him to say it in this context. She would have thought he'd want to get rid of all the Eidolons at once, and as soon as possible, so their control over the world would be gone; there had to be a reason why that wasn't the case.

"What are you not saying?" she asked shrewdly, getting out of her chair and closing of the distance between them so she could scrutinize him. "Is there something preventing us from just going after all of them at the same time? Dis Kisame or someone tell you that that was what they wanted or something?"

Itachi shook his head, his face remaining utterly inscrutable.

"That's just the way things have to play out," he stated in a low, fluid tone. "We're stronger than them-we'll still win this fight."

Instead of reassuring Tekla, his words only made her frown deepen.

"You sound so confident. Why?" she wondered with obvious confusion.

Itachi was silent for another beat, his gaze drifting to the still-uncovered window and focusing on the terrain outside.

"You know I've seen all of this play out already; I know all the twists and turns this fight is going to take; I know who survives-and I know everyone on their side dies."

It was Tekla's turn to stare at him for several minutes, still frowning as she digested that piece of information. She'd known Itachi could sense when someone was going to die-there was a reason he was known as the Reaper-but she hadn't known it could happen on this scale. He'd basically just said he had seen the future.

"Are we losing anyone from our side?" she asked after a pregnant pause, hands retreating into the pockets of her green coat.

Itachi's head swiveled slowly around to look at her again.

"You know I can't tell you that, Tekla."

Tekla exhaled softly. She'd been expecting that.

"Okay," she conceded without rancour, taking another step forward and leaning her arm against the wall beside him. "Then, who on their side is dying next? Can you tell me that?"

Itachi inclined his head, a single corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Since I think the panther currently isn't speaking to me, you can tell him that he shall be responsible for taking out the Noah of Dreams, Road Kamelot," he told her swiftly, once again looking out the window.

Tekla stared at him a second longer, waiting to see if he'd say more; when he didn't, she let out a tiny sigh, then nodded as well.

"All right, I'll just go do that," she consented, pushing herself off the wall and heading out of the room to go and find Kanda.

Kanda folded his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the wall in one of the compound's sitting rooms, letting his eyes slide shut. He could still feel the aftereffects of what had happened with the tiger; the images he'd seen in Kon's head were still swirling inside his own, and he didn't know what to do about it. If he was going to use this power to get the real answers he wanted, he needed to know how to control it.

What he really could use was someone to talk to about it; but he was pretty sure that the only one who could really help him was also the one he wanted to use these powers to investigate.

He let out a soundless breath, jaw tightening as he tried to assemble some options. He didn't really have any actual friends. Lavi wouldn't be of much help, and he hadn't really established much rapport with any of the people he was currently allied with-and he didn't think they could really offer much insight, either.

He supposed he could call Allen-but something was stopping him. What Itachi had said about his partner not being someone he could trust, either, was still stuck in his brain. He didn't want to believe it, but, for some reason, he couldn't seem to bring himself to just discount it, either.

He exhaled deeply again, re-opening his eyes and fixing them on his burner phone as he withdrew it from his robes. If Allen was really playing him like Itachi had seemed to be suggesting, he knew he probably shouldn't tell him what he could do; but then again, that could also mean he already knew. Maybe that was Kanda's way of finding out if Uchiha's accusation had any credibility: seeing how Allen reacted to news of his new ability.

Satisfied with that plan, Kanda flipped his phone open and dialed Allen's number, preparing to put it into action.

The phone rang about six time before Allen picked up.

"Hey," he greeted the panther with a hint of concern, sounding strangely out of breath, like he'd been in the middle of some strenuous activity. "I thought we weren't going to call each other except in emergencies. Has something happened?"

"Yes," Kanda answered truthfully, forehead creasing. Allen's worry sounded genuine as it always did-but that didn't mean anything except-maybe-that he was a really good actor. "I was interrogating one of the Eidolons, and, somehow, I think I was able to read his mine."

Silence followed his pronouncement and he could just imagine the look on Allen's face as the wheels turned in his head; if he already knew, he'd probably be considering the best way to act like he didn't.

"Really?" Allen said, drawing the word out into two distinctly bemused syllables. "That's-wow, are you sure that was what you did?"

Kanda's frown deepened even further; his amazement was believable, too. If he was acting, Kanda really couldn't tell.

"I don't know what other explanation there could be: I asked him a question, and without torturing him or having to do any other verification, I knew the answer he gave me was the truth," the panther explained the experience in more detail, free hand flexing at his side. "It was like I could see into his thoughts; when he spoke, I could see what the truth was before he said it aloud."

"Huh," Allen exclaimed, tone turning thoughtful. "I mean, I know it's not an uncommon thing to be able to do-I know the Reaper can do it-but I didn't expect you to be able to. The fact that you can is…interesting."

Kanda pressed his lips together, debating what he wanted to say next. Allen was acting exactly like he thought he would; but there was something off. He didn't know if it was just because of what Itachi had said, but this whole interaction-it felt false. And then, there was the odd background noise: Allen didn't sound like he was alone.

He sighed.

"Do you think it could be the reason why Orochimaru was so desperate to get his hands on me that he had my family killed?" he questioned seriously, grip tightening on his phone.

Allen was silent for another, shorter pause-during which Kanda heard something that sounded like bedsprings creaking, and a soft laugh-before Allen responded.

"I don't think so-at least, it can't be the only reason," he stated in an honest tone. "Like I said, it's not an extremely rare ability; if Orochimaru wanted a mind-reader, he already had Uchiha, so why would he go after you as well? Why would Uchiha suggest he go after you?"

Allen had a point, Kanda conceded warily. So, that meant there was still more to this-and Uchiha had to know it.

"I guess it couldn't really be that simple," he grumbled, unable to keep the disheartened note out of his voice. "That's just not the kind of world we live in anymore."

Whatever Allen was able to say next was interrupted by a knock on the wall across from him, and Kanda looked up to see Tekla entering the room, a pointed look on her olive-skinned features; clearly, she wanted to talk.

Kanda's eyes narrowed at her slightly, but he capitulated.

"I have to go," he cut Allen off mid-sentence, a hint of apology in his Japanese accent. "I'll try and see you sometime soon."

He heard Allen inhale deeply.

"Okay," the younger said, strangely not sounding offended at being cut off. "Let me know if you need anything and stay safe. I love you."

He hung up before Kanda could say goodbye.

Kanda flipped the phone shut, the crease between his brows reappearing as he turned his attention to Tekla. "What do you want?"

Tekla walked further into the room, leaning her hip against the leather sofa in front of her and slipping her hands into her pockets before speaking.

"Well, I wanted to tell you something," he told him truthfully. "But then, I heard your conversation, and I heard you mentioning Itachi. Why are you discussing him behind his back?"

"Because that seems to be the only way I can get any information about him," Kanda retorted without an ounce of contrition. "I can't work with someone when I know hardly anything about them, and he won't answer any of my questions himself, so, I have to go elsewhere."

"Like to Allen walker?" Tekla said knowingly; before Kanda could get angry, she held up a hand. "Itachi told me about your little showdowns and how you came to him with a bunch of accusations after listening to Walker's tales of his time in the Eidolons. But his story had some serious holes in it, and if you're going to keep going off of it, I think I'm going to need to fill those holes in."

Kanda raised an eyebrow with obvious scepticism. "You're really willing to do that?"

"I'd rather you get the whole picture from someone who really knows him than whatever skewed version someone who doesn't would give you," Tekla replied reasonably, tilting her head forward. "So, what's your first question?"

Kanda wasn't immediately forthcoming with a response, taking a second to ponder; he had a lot of questions-but, at the moment, there was only one that stood out. "I heard you tell Hiwatari that Uchiha used to be a CIA agent: why do they think he's dead?"

"Because he wants them to," Tekla said, seating himself on the armrest of the chair next to her. "He fakes his own death about six months ago, because if he'd simply gone missing, the CIA would still be searching for him, even as we speak. Ironically, instead, they've proclaimed him a hero."

"Why did he decide to leave them?" Kanda wondered, brows furrowing.

"For the same reason he left the Eidolons three years ago: his brother, Sasuke."

"Why?" Kanda pressed for elaboration. "From I've heard, Uchiha enjoyed being an Eidolon, and didn't care about anyone else while he was one, so why would anything his brother did make him suddenly stop?"

Tekla stared at him a moment, then shook her head.

"None of that is true. Itachi did not enjoy being an Eidolon; he was simply better at it because of his unique abilities, and the training he received as a shinobi back in his home village. And the only reason he joined was to protect his village from their eventual plot to destroy it," the sorceress corrected matter-of-factly.

"The Eidolons were the ones who made him kill his family, and he crafted this whole plot to make Sasuke hate him enough to kill him for it; but he stopped it and quit when he found out that Sasuke was going to join the Eidolons as well in order to his revenge. Then, while he was in the CIA, he discovered something that put his brother in even worse danger, so he left them as well."

Kanda didn't know what to say to all of that. On the one hand, it was pretty fucked up how Itachi had wanted to drive own brother to kill him; but, on the other hand, it was kind of…touching, almost, how far he was willing to go to protect his home and the only family he had left. That made him like the complete opposite of the person Allen had described-it made him sound a lot more human. And Kanda was almost willing to believe in it-except for one thing.

"If he was only pretending to be a heartless monster, why did he send the snake after my family? Were they just not as important as his?"

"Orochimaru would have gone after you family with or without Itachi's influence; your parents would never have given you up to him, and he wanted you bad," Tekla argued bluntly.

"Why?" Kanda repeated.

Tekla sighed before revealing the reason.

"Because you are the Shifter, Kanda," she declared, meeting his eyes with a look he couldn't identify. "Your Innocence, the force that powers your sword, also allows you to change your shape, tap into a few other abilities as well-abilities that belong to those around you. Orochimaru wanted to experiment with those abilities, to enhance them and to see if he could transfer them to himself; he would have stopped at nothing to get them, and it's why he doesn't want you dead now-he just wants you back."

Kanda was uncharacteristically speechless at that revelation. He'd had no idea that sort of power had been sleeping inside him all this time; that explained why he'd suddenly been able to read Kon's mind-he'd probably been tapping into that ability through either him or Hiwatari. And, as Tekla had said, it also explained why Orochimaru wanted him back under his thumb so bad.

"It's also a very dangerous capability when you don't know how to control it, which is why Itachi has had the King keeping an eye on you," his companion continued. "As I'm sure Itachi told you, if you're left unchecked, your power could turn inward and destroy you."

Kanda's lips pursed.

"He might have mentioned that. But, if he's so concerned about me destroying myself, why did he threaten to kill me when I tried to ask him about it?" he retorted, frown returning.

Tekla's expression turned distinctly reproachful.

"Itachi doesn't like it when people question him-and, for the record, neither do I-but he wouldn't have actually killed you. We need you-and you need him on your side, so I suggest you let go of whatever beef you have. When it comes down to it, he's the one you're going to want beside you, and you won't have that if you keep pushing him."

Time to make a choice

Kanda swallowed, letting out a low exhale as he took that in. As much as he hated to admit it, Tekla was right-about everything. He knew she was telling him the truth, and, as such, this vendetta he'd had against Uchiha no longer had any basis. He had to trust him; it was the right move.

He shifted slightly, then changed the subject.

"You said you had something else to tell me?"

Tekla seemed to take that as an agreement, because her features softened as she nodded.

"Itachi wanted me to let you know that you're to take out Road Kamelot; she is the next logical target for elimination."

Kanda was silent again for a second, then he consented with a faint smile. "Gladly."

~flashback~

Lights flashed blindingly throughout the abandoned hall. But, the second the lights went out completely, candles flicked to life, and two distinctive shapes materialized, each carrying a torch in one of their gloved hands.

The two shapes crossed simultaneously to the center of the hall from opposite sides, the feeble copper glow emitting from the candles allowing them a minimal view of one another's faces.

"You wanna tell me why we're meeting here, of all places, Mikk?" the younger between them was the first to speak, a single silver eyebrow cocked in bemusement as he surveyed the familiar surroundings.

The other, the Noah's dark mouth quirked into a mirthless smile.

"I thought it fitting to propose your next mission in the setting of your first," he responded in that fluid, melodious voice of his.

Allen's other eyebrow rose to join the first.

"And why is that?" he asked shrewdly, lowering his torch so he could see his partner's face more clearly.

Tyki took another step forward, gold eyes eerily reflecting the firelight.

"Lord Orochimaru wishes you to start tailing your lover now that he is no longer one of us," he stated smoothly, tone betraying nothing.

"He doesn't want me to just re-capture him?" Allen quipped, confused now.

Tyki shook his head, as if Allen should already know the answer to that.

"The snake wants Kanda to come back to him on his own; but he wants you to keep watch, for there may come a time when the panther becomes dissatisfied with his restricted freedom and decides to take action against the one who put those restrictions on him. And you wouldn't want that, would you?"

Those golden eyes caught and held Allen's steel-gray ones almost challengingly, daring him to speak his mind.

The white-haired teen let out a quiet scoff.

"Of course not. I know where my loyalties lie. Why would I want Lord Orochimaru to be taken by one of his most prized pawns?"

"You tell me," Tyki retorted silkily, smile widening to show his vaguely pointed teeth.

Allen waved his free hand, dismissing that subject and returning to their previous one. "Do I have a choice in the matter?"

His partner shook his head again, once again in a manner that suggested Allen shouldn't even need to ask.

"Do you ever?" he countered, his dark-skinned features alight with unconcealed malice as he replaced the top hat he usually wore on top of his head.

Allen's eyes flashed slightly.

"Very well," he surrendered with an exaggerated roll of his eyes. "I suppose I must accept, then."

Tyki's grin turned indulgent at his partner's feigned resignation.

"Now, Walker, don't tell me you don't enjoy the scope and deception of it all," he chided mockingly, gold sliding into charcoal almost imperceptibly as he leaned forward, fingers covering underneath Allen's chin. "Personally, it's the lies and espionage that I find so…exhilarating about what we do."

Allen couldn't hide his agreement this time. Tyki's excitement was, as ever, contagious, and it filled him with renewed fervour for this new upcoming mission. He'd been playing the panther pretty well up until now, but this was going to be a true test of his acting abilities.