Disclaimer: I own this plot, Akina, Akayuki and any other OCs! Unfortunately I was second in line for Itachi…damn it all to hell.
Hello again! I miss Itachi T_T so I have decided to bring him back as soon as possible…
Akina groaned in unhappiness. Why couldn't the sun just rise an hour later? Would that be so damn hard? Apparently so.
She went to sit up but stopped when she felt the small weight on her chest. Akayuki was curled up in a tiny little ball, sleeping soundly. The warmth radiating from the kit's body made Akina smile softly. She gently stroked his white fur and he blearily opened his red eyes, blinking when he saw her staring back. His mouth opened in a wide yawn, showing off adorable baby teeth and he stretched like a cat, letting out a quiet whine.
Akina had to physically restrain herself from crushing him to death in a cuddle.
"Good morning Aka-chan." She cooed, scratching lightly under his chin. The kit scampered up to her neck and nuzzled in with happy cry.
"I know, I don't want to get up either." She murmured. Akayuki chattered almost silently.
"Now, now. There's no use complaining." She said sternly, grinning sleepily. She held the small animal and sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"Time for breakfast huh Aka-chan?" She grabbed out a cup of pork ramen from the cupboard, separating out the meat and putting it on a plate for the young weasel.
"The things I sacrifice for you…"
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It wasn't here yet.
She had sent a letter to Itachi, being delivered by a Raven, and he hadn't replied yet. It had already been two days.
What if he was hurt? What if even the Ravens couldn't find him? What if he had decided to cut all ties with Konoha, her included? What if-
No. He wouldn't do that. It wouldn't be long now before a Raven flew through the window, she knew it.
She needed to stop stressing out. Itachi would be fine.
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Itachi had wandered around for a week or two before the Akatsuki contacted him. They had sent a large man with a shark skin sword to recruit the Uchiha. His appearance was also reminiscent of a great blue shark hybrid.
His name was Hoshigaki Kisame, former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, or the 'Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū'. He was also known as the 'Monster of the Mist.' He had become a missing-nin in Kiri because he had killed his own comrades on a mission in order to keep them from giving away information. Itachi had recently gone over the latest version of the Bingo Book thoroughly, in order to know the opponents he may face. Kisame was listed as a capture on sight S-class criminal.
The bloodthirsty Nin had three gill-like markings under small, beady white eyes, and a sharp grin promising violence. He had approached Itachi with little to no respect, informing him that, "I have no idea why Leader-sama would bother with a runt like you, but he extends his invitations to join us."
Itachi made sure he left with a different view. He brought the irritating man into his Tsukuyomi world, showing merely a fraction of his own strength. When asked shakily why he had left Konoha, he had simply replied, "I killed my clan. They were weak, too weak to fully test myself against." He said this while staring blankly into Kisame's eyes, without any inflection or emotion, as had become his specialty.
Kisame soon learned not to mess with the kid. Even if he was a lot younger, he was practically an unfeeling, uncaring demon.
And they called him the monster.
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Akina sat at her table, rereading the short letter again.
Misora,
After leaving I have travelled around the country before being taken to the dawn. It was not as lovely a sight as I had hoped; too many clouds.
I will write again when possible.
Kurome.
Akina held the note to her chest, wishing she did not have to burn it afterwards. She rolled her eyes -ignoring the gathering tears- at Itachi's code words. Misora meant beautiful sky. He had left out any specifics, for safety purposes of course. She knew that he was not talking about the scenery when he spoke of the 'dawn' and 'clouds'…he had reached the ranks of the Akatsuki. She smiled at his chosen codename. Kurome –Black eyes. How original, but it did suit.
She smiled at Akayuki, who was sitting somewhat unsteadily on his hind legs next to her hand, peering at what had stolen her attention. She stood, grabbed out a blank piece of scroll paper and began to write.
Kurome,
Mission is going well, chibi is back in routine. Kit is hyper as usual.
Remember, behind the clouds is always a sun, trying to shine through.
Wait for the sun to return.
Misora.
Akina finished with a flourish, but hesitated for a moment.
P.S. Be careful.
She bit her thumb and summoned a normal sized Raven –a larger one would attract attention- and gave it the note.
"Too Itachi." She told the black creature.
The mute bird nodded its head and flew out the open window.
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"Itachi-san, where are you going?" Kisame asked with slight alarm.
"The mission is completed. What I do in my spare time is no concern of yours." The Uchiha replied coldly.
"But-" The shark man began, halt when he caught sight of the threatening crimson in his recently appointed partner's eyes. He did the wise thing, and shut up immediately.
"Do not question me Kisame." Itachi warned. Kisame tried to snort, but it came out slightly choked.
"…Whatever. Just make sure you check in with Leader-sama when you return." He said, looking away. Itachi did not even glance back.
"Hai."
Itachi waited until he was at least three miles from Kisame before beckoning for the trailing Raven it was safe to approach. The bird swooped down and perched on his outstretched hand. He tried to ignore the smallest falter his heart gave as he held Akina's reply in his hands.
"Thank you." He said to the Raven, who poofed back into its own dimension. He read Akina's words and felt his lips twitch upwards. She always did know what to say. She just understood him that well.
He reached the last line. He held it in his hand as he used one handed signs to perform a relatively weak Katon jutsu, watching sadly as it crumpled and burnt to ashes. He looked up smoke stream as it dissipated into the sky.
'Be careful.'
"I will…" he whispered.
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Akina slumped against the desk in depression. There she was hoping that a test could take her mind off missing 'Tachi, and it was unbelievably easy. She was actually struggling to fail it! God, at this rate her Otouto's name would be tarnished beyond repair!
Naruto…I hope you can forgive me for this.
She sighed and answered C) The reason Ninja use Kunai is to make dinner.
This was ridiculous. She decided screw it, she would just follow the Nara kid's example and not answer any more then was necessary.
Her life had gone from ANBU Operative to failing Academy student. Fate was cruel.
Sometimes she wished she could just bang her head against the desk in frustration. Akina sighed irritably and decided to start planning an epic prank…if she was reliving her childhood she might as well have some fun with it.
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"Hokage-sama, come quickly! Somebody has vandalised your office!" A young ANBU upstart said in alarm, standing at the man's bedroom door.
The Sandaime rose steadily from his bed and sighed. He reached up and discarded his striped nightcap before slipping on his Hokage robes, over the top of his sleep wear.
"Let's go." He signalled the ANBU and they made their way to the Tower.
Oh Kami…this reeks of Namikaze…he mentally groaned. Akina-chan, not this faze again…his nerves were still recovering from the last time.
The Hokage's office looked as if a small tornado had blown through, devastating his neatened piles of paperwork and mixing them together on the ground. The light bulb was hanging from the roof and swinging slightly, not to mention the bright orange paint that covered every last surface. And then there were the charred remains of what was once his precious Icha Icha novel Jiraiya had given him. He would have to start all over again in the morning…The Sandaime cried anime tears at the thought of redoing all of his paperwork…
It seemed Akina needed a new hobby, and fast.
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"So you're the Uchiha huh? Bit on the short side." Zetsu said upon meeting the stoic boy. While he showed no outward signs, Itachi was slightly alarmed, this…plant-like man was just as odd looking as Kisame. They had just reached Ame and reported back to Leader-sama, but now it seemed the members present were curious about their youngest colleague.
"…" Sasori said nothing, while his partner chuckled and licked his lips. Itachi's eyes narrowed at the traitorous Sannin.
"Well well Itachi-kun, it has been a long time since I have laid eyes on the Uchiha's prodigy…and to think, you murdered them all yourself." He hissed smoothly, obviously trying to get a reaction from the young teen.
He got nothing.
"Zetsu-san, Tobi is here! Tobi is sorry he was late, Tobi found his lost shoe Zetsu-san!" the masked boy exclaimed ecstatically, running up and skidding to a stop before them.
Kisame groaned. "Shut up Tobi." He turned to the Uchiha. "This is Zetsu's useless as fuck subordinate."
Itachi still said nothing.
"Ooh ohh! This is Itachi-san, Zetsu-san? Tobi is happy to meet you Itachi-san! Tobi is a good boy."
"…I see."
Itachi was beginning to miss Maito Gai…almost.
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Misora,
It seems that where there is rain, there will undoubtedly be clouds.
I saw a peculiar cloud today, it was shaped like a snake, how curious. It almost looked like it was staring at me.
Perhaps it would be fruitful to alert the shadow?
Kurome.
P.S. There are evidently people stranger than you in the world. Who would have guessed?
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Kurome,
The shadow thanks for the warning, snakes can be devious. Watch your back, or it may strike.
The chibi is progressing well, but isolation is becoming the norm, despite efforts.
Kit scratched up my favourite pillow. I blame you.
Misora.
P.S. There are? Would that include yourself?
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Misora,
Of course. Do you think so little of me?
That is unfortunate, but not a total surprise.
How, pray tell, it that relevant? Or even distantly related to me?
Kurome.
P.S. Please.
P.P.S. Kit, be nice to your Kaa-chan. No scratching her things.
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Akina burst out laughing after reading the final line of Itachi's latest letter. His life as a Missing-nin certainly hadn't affected his sense of humour, however rarely seen by others. It was the letter before this that had worried her.
Akatsuki apparently resided in Amegakure, the hidden village of Rain. And the snake Sannin Orochimaru was with them. His interest in Itachi raised alarm bells instantly, in both herself and the Hokage. She pushed aside her worries, because she knew Itachi could take care of himself.
"Well Aka-chan, you heard him. No more using claws on my pillows, ok?" she asked the kit in a mock stern voice. The weasel sat up on his hind legs and tilted his head, chirping in what Akina took as agreement.
"Good boy!" she grinned, stroking his head.
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"Tobi is a good boy!" he yelled, but was soon hit over the head. Tobi whipped around to face the culprit, and found a smirking Kisame, and to the left of him, an emotionless Itachi.
"Oh, Kisame-san and Itachi-san! It is good Tobi has found you, Tobi needs to talk to Itachi-san!" he informed them with excitement. Kisame snorted.
"It's your funeral." He said, stalking away from them. Tobi grinned under the mask.
"Itachi-san, come to Tobi's room! Tobi has something to show you!"
"…"
"Pretty please? It is important!" Tobi begged.
"…Hn." Itachi replied, following silently behind the hyper boy. Tobi shut the door after him, and turned to Itachi with a newly discovered air of seriousness. Itachi sensed a privacy just in place, a very powerful one at that. He was suddenly wary.
"Uchiha Itachi, it is a pleasure to finally meet." Tobi said in a whole new tone, and Itachi struggled not to show his surprise. Apparently 'Tobi' was not the fool people thought him to be.
"And who would you be?" he asked calmly. The man reached up and moved his spiral mask to the side, enjoying the shock in the young boy's eyes. His Sharingan spun lazily, reacting to Itachi's own.
"…I am Uchiha Madara. I am the real leader of the Akatsuki-Pein is merely a figurehead-, and the only man alive to have fully controlled the strongest of the Biju."
Itachi said nothing, but his mind was in chaos. It couldn't-
"You remind me of myself in my own youth, Itachi. A ruthless prodigy. However you have not yet mastered the Mangekyo Sharingan."
It couldn't be him…what was the likelihood of ending up with the one Akina had sworn revenge on? He knew he would have to get as much information about the man as possible.
"You will become my apprentice, and I suggest you learn to follow my orders. You now work for me."
…Well that could work.
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Akina was startled awake by the tapping on her bedroom window. She had fallen asleep after class without undoing the Henge, she was too tired from staying up the previous night training. She opened the window and stood aside to let the Raven inside. Eager, but slightly nervous, she read the short note. She hadn't been expecting one so soon.
Misora,
Behind the mask are red eyes capable of controlling the demons themselves.
It is he who leads the clouds.
Kurome.
The paper fell from limp hands and Akina slid to the ground. She looked in the mirror and found her brother's reflection staring back at her with watering eyes.
Otouto…is Itachi really with That Man? And red eyes-most likely an Uchiha…it was possible, but I never expected…she took a deep breath to calm herself. I swear, he will not get away with what he did to our family.
Akina hastily wiped her eyes and left the apartment. If it really was That Man, she would need every extra moment of training she could get before confronting him.
Thank Kami she had experience fighting against the Sharingan, but it wasn't enough. Not yet.
Not just yet…but soon. As soon as I am strong enough.
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Akayuki watched Akina pick up another piece of paper from a bird and then slide to the floor. He squeaked to get her attention, but it seems she didn't hear him. Her eyes were distant.
The young weasel didn't like that.
He watched her curiously as she turned to look at herself in that thing that reflects like water, even though it wasn't her real body. Akayuki wasn't sure how that happened, but she still smelt the same, so he knew she still meant safety. The kit had adopted her as his mother and relied on her presence above anything else.
He slinked over to her cautiously, trying to understand what was wrong. She smelled of bad emotions. He climbed up into her baggy clothes and nuzzled into the heat trapped between the layers in contentment.
He stayed there, although she did not realise, because he needed to make sure she didn't leave him. He depended on her care to survive.
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Akina huffed and scowled at the mass destruction in front of her. Her chakra control was still shaky because of Kyuubi, but had improved exponentially. But that wasn't enough, she needed perfect control! Her Fuuton Jutsus were effective sure, but without Itachi there to back her up she needed a trump card, several in fact.
It was time to get serious.
Itachi was out there among S-class criminals while she sat at home eating her ramen. Not anymore. She would not be left behind again, at least figuratively this time. She was prepared to push herself past the limit in order to achieve this, no matter the consequences. She had to prove to herself and to Itachi that she was strong enough to survive out there. It was this moment that Akayuki decided to pop his head out of the creases of 'Naruto's shirt and yelp to be noticed. Akina looked down at him with obvious surprise.
"Aka-chan, what are you doing here? You could have gotten hurt!" she admonished, more to distract herself than anything else. The kit skillfully ran up to her shoulder and settled down with a tiny sigh, closing his red eyes sleepily. He rubbed his small face against her neck, tickling her with his whiskers.
"Ok, ok, I get it. I guess it is pretty late…time for bed now kit." She whispered, before heading back towards home.
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"Kabuto…I have some interesting news."
"Yes my lord?" the fifteen year old boy asked the pale man, bowing low.
"It seems Uchiha Itachi has joined the Akatsuki…this is perfect you see Kabuto, as once I gain the Sharingan, I will be able copy any jutsu I so much as see!" The Sannin told his subordinate excitedly.
"That is wonderful Orochimaru-sama, but how do you plan to obtain it? Will you require me to transplant the boy's eyes?" The young Medic-nin asked curiously.
"No Kabuto…I have chosen Uchiha Itachi to become my first vessel, once the soul transfer jutsu is perfected. I am not taking any chances this time." He hissed, recalling the mutated results of his failed experiments. That would be far too wasteful for the last of the Uchiha. Well, the last of reasonable age for possession at least. The snake Sannin had no desire to possess a child who did not yet even have the Doujutsu.
"Hai Orochimaru-sama, but how can I be of assistance?"
"You are currently a Genin of Konoha, I would like you to manipulate things in such a way that next year you will take the Chunin Exams. Your objective is not to win, but to gather as such information as possible before dropping out. Knowledge is power Kabuto, and that alone is the reason the fool Sarutobi-sensei still lives."
"Hai my lord, I will do all in my power to be of use to you." The grey haired boy said humbly as he stood, leaving the room to make the journey back to Konoha, before his absence was noted. Orochimaru's yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"Uchiha Itachi…soon, you will be mine! Ku ku ku ku ku…"
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"Sasuke! Hey Sasuke!" Naruto called as he left the Academy, running up to walk next to the boy.
"…"
"Oh come on Sasuke, talk to me! Or are you a mute now?" the blonde pouted at being ignored.
"Hn." Sasuke grunted. Naruto glared.
"You really suck, you know that?" he asked rhetorically. Sasuke still didn't look at him.
"…Hn."
Naruto turned his eyes away. "…Tch, what a cold teme."
Sasuke glared. "Shut up and stop following me baka."
"He speaks!" Naruto cried in amazement.
"Useless dobe. Leave me alone." The Uchiha scowled. The orange-clad boy grinned.
"No way!"
"Why?" Sasuke growled, struggling to keep his composure.
"Because nobody should be alone, even horrible icy temes." Naruto spoke with conviction. Sasuke whipped his face around.
"I want to be alone. Now go away." He said, quickening his pace. Naruto did the same.
"Damn Uchiha, you think you're so cool? I'm going to become an even better Ninja than you!"
"Doubtful." He snorted. Naruto growled in annoyance.
"What would you know? I'm going to be so strong, I'll be the Hokage! You are lucky to even be considered as my rival."
"Whatever." Sasuke mumbled, stalking away with his hands deep in his pockets. His steps however were lighter than before.
Akina smiled. Maybe there was still hope for Itachi's Otouto yet.
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A figure disappeared from within a shadow, its non-descript dark clothing giving away nothing. It considered the target carefully, categorising the information it had gained by relevance and importance.
The mission report was going to be quite interesting. Danzou-sama would be pleased.
Time skip next chapter! Oh yeah!
Ok, now for a question. What would be the best special technique for Akina? Yes, she has Wind affinity like her father, but that may or may not affect her best moves…
-TITM