As I approached the hill that I contemplated suicide on a little over a week ago, I wondered why I changed my mind. Was it really because Itachi asked me not to? Or something more?
I saw him sitting there, cloak-less, staring into nothingness. "Well, here I am," I said, sitting next to him, my feet extended and my hands behind me, supporting me.
He didn't even look at me when he whispered quietly, "Why do you interest me...?" I was shocked at him rhetorical question. "Why did I prefer you to live? ...And why did you change your mind...?"
I looked off into space, too, and thought aloud, "I don't know. Was I too scared to go through with it, and just needed an excuse not to? Or maybe I, too, took an interest in you. I do know what you've done, but..." I looked at him, and he at me, "...I think there's more to it. You're not the murderer the 3rd Hokage passes you off as. There's something more... another reason..." I noted his uncomfortableness. "But that is for another time."
"Don't you have... erm... work?" His cheeks flushed, and I shook my head.
"Speaking of which," I whispered quietly, "is what he assumed true? Y'know, the virgin thing?" He nodded. "Me, too. I don't do the work that everyone else does. I'm... not a whore like them."
"Women who exploit themselves like that irritate me. Though my partner goes to these brothels at least once a week, I can't stand even being inside a building like that." I saw his angry face.
"But... you went in one yesterday, didn't you?"
"I didn't like being there at all. Especially with that guy touching you in such a way," he said slowly.
"Who was he anyways? You partner?"
"A missing-nin of Kirigakure. He seems to put a happy tone on everything."
We talked about our interests for a couple hours, then about the sunset, then later about the sunrise. I felt no need to return to the brothel attic, and it didn't seem that he was in much of a rush, either. All of what we talked about ended up being about his little brother. Not good things, not bad things... just things. He didn't appear to like the 3rd Hokage, nor did he appear to like the elders. He didn't want to remember his life there, and my life there was a blur now. I mentioned wanting to just leave life behind, and he said, "But remember your promise."
Soon I couldn't stand it anymore, and asked, "Why did you want me to live? I was just a poor girl watching the sun set, and you were just a man that just told me not to end my life. Why do I spark your interest?"
He looked me in the eyes, "Your eyes are beautiful. I haven't seen eyes that colour in a long time... It's very refreshing." Was he talking about my dirt-coloured eyes? Or was there a pretty woman sitting behind me? Why would normal, deep brown eyes be 'refreshing' to him?
"I rarely see such a colour anymore... the world is always black and red," he acted as if he read my mind.
"Black and red?" I asked.
He just nodded, and looked out into the distance. "Look, the sun has already fully risen. You should probably get back home."
I felt tears build up in my eyes, "Home? I have no home. I live in a brothel attic, paying rent by greeting disgusting men politely and allowing my boss to feel me up whenever he likes."
He looked like he understood, "Then don't go back. Live out here, where you seem to enjoy being."
I didn't even think about it, but nodded anyway. I felt safe by going with what he said. When he got up, I stayed seated on the grass. When he reached the trees, he turned to me, "I chose to live the life you had been forced to. That is why I am interested in you." And then he left.