Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters in it.

VIII.

"Wasn't there any work at the hospital today?" Her father asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Day-off." She replied laconically, without even facing him.

Jakushi spent the whole morning and forenoon in cleaning the house. Without a second of rest. The work at home distracted her and was overall more pleasant. The atmosphere in the hospital was too oppressive for her mood at the moment and she was sure that it would only be better for the patients and the staff to not have her walking around like a storm cloud.

Not that she ran away from work, she'd never. Tsunade told her she and Sakura could take a few days off because they haven't done it in years. There were others to take care of the matters in the hospital anyway and it wasn't a problem.

She cleaned off her room, folded up her clothes, ironing some of them after that. Her own room wasn't enough, though. She ironed some of his father's clothes and went to help her brother with cleaning his own room. He growled every time she picked up something of his and started rearranging but she didn't mind him and that almost led to the next war between them. She managed to make him care about his well-being at the end and he took the cleaning task upon himself, forcing her out of his space.

He was such a thick-head. Annoying, she thought and headed to the kitchen, head shaking.

The three of them ate lunch quietly, everyone the way they were dressed currently. The eating was never strict with them and it never felt official. Jakushi was perfectly content with that. They didn't waste much time in talking useless things or anything like that. All the important matters were shared right away and discussed briefly. And no one pretended to be something he's not.

Her father didn't ask her why she was so quiet and into a cleaning and cooking mood but almost didn't take his eyes off his daughter, apparently concerned. The one babbling was Saizo, filling up the weird silence. He did feel excited about many things but never crossed the line.

"Otou-san, my friend asked me to out and train with him. Can I go?"

"It depends."

"But I really want to go. I'll beat his ass this time."

"Saizo. Watch your tongue." Hajikata scolded, making a pause between his son's unstoppable flow of words.

"I let him defeat me the last time. But I am stronger now. I wanna show you, otou-san!"

"Not now."

"Otou-san, our sensei told us that he might invite Uzumaki Naruto as a special guest in our next class. Everyone says he's the strongest shinobi in the world but me and my friend don't think so. What do you think, Otou-san?"

"I don't know. Kushi will know better." Hajikata hinted at his daughter but her eyes were pinned in her dish.

"My friend and I think Uchiha Sasuke is the strongest shinobi. I wish I was like him, he's so cool! But we're not sure anymore. Otou-san, is it true that his brother killed everyone from their clan?"

Jakushi took her plate and stood up sharply, leaving the room as fast as she could. Her movements were so sudden that Saizo and Hajikata startled.

"I believe it's true, Saizo." His father replied slowly, eyes following his daughter on her way into the kitchen. She washed her dish quickly and took the piece of cloth tucked in her apron, starting to dust off the shelves with hardly concealed fury. "You can go out with your friend but I want you home before six. It's getting dark quickly."

"But it's almost three o'clock now." Saizo frowned, realizing the amount of time he was given. One couldn't possibly have fun for three short hours.

Knocking on the front door reached their ears and Saizo jumped, ready to go and open it.

"Can I go, Otou-san?"

"You'll wash your own dish after that. No one's doing that instead of you." He gathered the remaining plates and cups while his son ran to the door.

Hajikata stood up and left them in the sink.

"Leave them to me, father," Jakushi said evenly, without taking her eyes off the plot she cleaned.

"Is everything alright?" Her father asked without meeting her eyes. He knew that these conversations have always been awkward between them. They never talked personally like that and if they did, it was to clear something up. Neither of them liked pouring feelings or small concerns to the other.

"Of course."

"Nee-san, Sakura is on the front door. Said she wants to talk with you."

Jakushi left the rag on the plot and dusted off her apron, glancing at her father before going to meet her friend.

"Put something on and get out of here." Were Sakura's first words when she saw her in a full household attire.

"I'm fine here, thanks." Jakushi shrugged.

"You don't like staying at home." Sakura raised a brow. "I want to talk to you. I worry about you from yesterday. You left really abruptly."

"I'm tired. That's all." Jakushi admitted.

"We both know you are. I can see from here that you haven't slept. If you don't tell me right now what's going on, I'll use brute force." Sakura folded hands.

"I think it's better to leave this conversation for another time. I have a lot more to clean up."

"Go and dress up immediately. You're coming." Sakura insisted. "Come on, you'll clean up tomorrow. Look what a lovely afternoon. Plus, we almost never have days-off."

Jakushi hesitated, glancing up at the clear sky.

"You're gonna miss it." Sakura smiled, knowing that the victory was near.

"Alright." Jakushi sighed. "I'll go put something else on."

She went back to the kitchen where her father was already washing the dishes.

"Otou-san?"

"Go. It's fine." He looked back at her with a nod.

Jakushi smiled. She loved the way they always understood each other with so little words. He never asked. And he supported her in everything. That's why she loved him so much.

Jakushi dressed up with the first thing she saw and took her coat and scarf. And she left. Against her will. Actually, she made herself a promise she won't leave the house the whole day, doing chores. But here she was again, out and disappointed of herself. Good-for-nothing... she couldn't even keep her own promises to herself.

"So, are you okay?"

Jakushi looked down. They were three streets away from her house when she finally came out on top of her thoughts and spoke out.

"I don't know... You?"

Sakura kept her eyes on her most of the time, with no visible reaction but the late answer surprised her.

"I'm great. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"I am so awful."

"What? You? How are you awful?" Sakura furrowed.

"I acted awfully. And I owe an apology. But... I'm afraid." Jakushi slowly raised her head to her.

"Sakura." They heard a well-known voice behind them.

"Oh! I didn't know you'll go out too." A warm smile blossomed on her lips in the moment she turned around. That unambiguous smile she kept for only one person. "If I knew, I would've waited for you."

"It's fine." Sasuke replied to her and after a pause, added, "I hope Jakushi's not hungry."

"I think it's time for me to go back," Jakushi muttered and stepped away from Sakura, without even looking at the approaching newcomers. Looking at them sounded like a terrible idea.

"Jakushi?" Sakura almost ran, trying to reach her. "Aren't you coming?"

"Sakura, I can't." Jakushi met her friend's confused expression for a second, then turned her gaze away.

There was something that upset her grandly and it surely was written on her face.

"Itachi?" Sakura bent down, searching for her eyes. She tried to find the reason and found it on the first try.

"I..." Jakushi's eyes blurred and Sakura frowned again.

"I don't understand. You're safe with me and Sasuke-kun."

"Sakura," Sasuke called her persistently.

Jakushi wiped her tears, while Sakura retreated slowly, still watching her with general concern. It was time to face her problem. On her own. Why did it always have to be so hard?

"Stay with us."

"Very easy for you to say." Jakushi took a breath, noticing that she found it hard to breathe lately.

"You won't regret it." Itachi neared her. "At least that was what they told me."

"I am so sorry." She faced him, her stomach shrunk with uneasiness. "I messed up everything and said things that I now wish I haven't.

"It's alright. You don't need to cry."

"You say it is but it's not." She couldn't tell why he kept denying the obvious. "I know I offended you. And you haven't forgotten."

"You fulfilled your duty and I'm with my brother," Itachi replied calmly.

"Stop it." She raised her voice, only upsetting herself more.

"If you stop crying." He turned it into a deal.

Jakushi swallowed, losing every idea of how to fight this. There was so much strength in his calmness and it wasn't fair because this way she only appeared to be on the losing side.

"Why don't you hate me?"

"I hated enough."

"Will you forgive me?" Jakushi shot the next question immediately.

"I forgave you long ago. Besides- " He paused, his eyes went down for a second. "Everything you accused me in... I deserved it. Perhaps I could save myself a lot if I had told you the truth right after we met."

"Why didn't you?"

"Sasuke. You said he didn't share anything related to me. I had to wait."

"Even on the trial, you didn't look like you want to share the truth."

"People usually don't brag about mass murders."

Jakushi trembled. It was strange to talk about that so casually.

"Sorry." Her hand reached for her forehead, slightly caressing it. The movement helped her put up with all of her shame and uncouthness. She felt a constant source of both and it troubled her a lot.

"Nevermind." He sighed and after the brief pause added, "They're waiting for us."

"Is there a problem?" Sasuke fixed his eyes on Itachi when they approached.

"There isn't any problem," Itachi announced, but with a barely noticeable tinge of irony.

"Alright..." His brother caught it, of course, but asked no further. "Let's go then. I promised to take you to one place."

"You two lead ahead," Sakura suggested in imperativeness that was supposed to sound like an innocent remark. She got next to her friend anyway.

"I think I've missed a lot," Sakura exclaimed quietly. "You're pale. White."

"Am I?" Jakushi mouthed absently.

The last conversation she had didn't help her to calm down much. Her thoughts started torturing her even more. There was no way she could find out what he was thinking about. And she still felt guilt inside of her, although he assured her there isn't a reason for it.

"Yes, you are."

"I just feel a little bit sick. I'll be fine."

"What exactly happened on that mission?" Sakura insisted.

"Doesn't matter."

Sakura remained silent for a while but her face took on a concerned expression.

"I'm afraid it does. Someone revived Itachi and we don't know how or why."

"Right."

"Is that all you have to say?" Sakura raised a brow.

"Look, I hate talking about the past." Jakushi took a breath. "I'm not discussing anything. In fact, I should talk less as a whole. Perhaps it'd help me get in less trouble."

Sakura was about to reply but Itachi's voice ceased their conversation.

"I should've guessed." Itachi smiled at the familiar view.

The Dango shop was standing in front of them, cute as ever, with its blue labels in the form of the sweet-balls they sold there for years. It was pleasantly warm inside, where usually the customers sat to enjoy them. That's what the four of them did, actually, sitting on a table at the corner of the small and bright restaurant-like room with their sweets in hand.

"Dango?" Jakushi asked, her eyes met Sasuke's.

"His favorite." Sasuke shrugged.

"You haven't forgotten."

Itachi's attention was upon a painting, hanging on the wall next to them. It was a small landscape in pale blue nuances and a few barely noticeable human figures.

"Of course I haven't." Sasuke glared at him.

"They're still good." Itachi noticed after taking a bite from one.

"And you still talk as if you're eighty." Sasuke murmured and laughed along with Sakura.

Itachi smiled again, of course. His supreme positive emotion was a desert silence accompanied with a faint smile as if the gesture was a brief but generous offer of a well-guarded treasure. Everyone focused on that smile because it was a rarity.

Jakushi didn't feel comfortable in Itachi's company, calm and collected as always, sitting across her on a table in Konoha. Like they didn't want to destroy each other just two days ago.

Somehow laughter didn't come naturally to her, she was far from amused. She forced herself to smile so that she won't make anyone suspicious or offend her companions. She'd never demonstrate foul mood just to attract attention. That was childish and inappropriate.

On the other side, she was amazed by Sasuke's uplifted behavior. And more specifically, she heard him laugh for the first time in her life. Perhaps Sakura had already heard him do it once or twice. But it was still a surprise for Jakushi, seeing his features lit up in such way. They've always been branded with dark emotions, whether it be hatred or grief.

He suddenly looked way younger. And Sakura... she tried her best to not give away how she felt, always keeping a straight face around him. But Jakushi often caught her looking at him while he talked. Her eyes became softer, turning into a melted celadon and betrayed her heart without her even knowing.

Sakura and he led most of the conversations and Itachi answered most of their unceasing questions comprehensively but somehow absent. Jakushi felt that his thoughts were farther.

The clock must've hit six because the sun outside was long gone and the street lamps lit up. They were just leaving the shop and heading down the alley in a brief silence when Sasuke asked her if she's feeling okay.

"I'm great." Jakushi put on her blinding smile again, a little surprised that he was the one asking. Was her silence suspicious?

"But?"

She met his eyes. Perhaps the Sharingan was a lie detector after all.

"Uh..." Her eyes went down, furrowing. "I don't want to bother you."

"You really should share with us, though." Sakura poked.

"Well." Jakushi started but a bad feeling rose inside of her and she didn't continue. She wouldn't ruin the nice evening with her worries. The shadow, moving behind the three of them, voiceless and colorless. She ruined a lot of things by now. Wasn't it time to quit pretending she belonged to this group? The words stuck in her throat but she had started talking and she had to think of a way to leave now. "I just thought about the events from my last mission. That's all."

"Actually, you never said how you stumbled across my brother." Sasuke reminded.

"Not interesting at all, I assure you." Itachi intervened unexpectedly. "In the middle of a forest, sunk in darkness. It was raining and cold."

"Sounds pretty interesting to me." Sakura chuckled.

"I was reckless enough to challenge him to a duel," Jakushi announced with a strange irony as if she wanted to laugh and cry simultaneously. It came out rather theatrical, tragic. Maybe the reason the other three remained silent in expectance of more. "I wanted to kill him."

Now the awkward silence spread through the four of them. No one dared speak after the severity of her last sentence, cutting across the lightness with which they all communicated with each other until a minute ago.

"Very interesting, isn't it?" Jakushi exclaimed. "Unforgettable."

And silence again.

"You didn't know a thing about me." Itachi tried to restore the conversation.

"Oh, and do you know what he did?" Jakushi ignored him, turned to Sasuke and Sakura, almost laughing. "That's the most interesting part. I almost forgot to tell you. He wished to take me to a shelter so that I don't freeze to death."

She sighed sharply and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"I'm going home." Jakushi suddenly stopped, realizing that it was going to be the best decision she makes this day. "Excuse me."

She walked away with a fast pace. There wasn't a thing that could stop her when she made a decision. Never has been such a thing. She was just like that.

She never believed that a will could be so easily altered and principles so easily forgotten. If they could, then her own would quite possibly find their submission in the sound of a single voice.

"Jakushi."

Itachi had caught up with her and she stopped right on the spot. Of course, she stopped. He somehow mysteriously succeeded in fusing a command with an entreaty.

"Don't go."

Jakushi slowly turned back.

"I've got something of yours in me." He took out a small kunai dagger out of his pocket and handed it to her. "It was about time I return it to you."

"I'm trying my best not to cry here." Jakushi sighed and shook her head. "You're not helping."

She took her mother's dagger and hid it in her coat. That was all she needed to stay upset until the end of the month.

"Will you come now?" He stepped back with a smile.

The movement kind of stung her. Why was he acting like she was a wild beast? Was that the impression he made himself for her? Could be. Knowing what she showed during their time together. She was truly monstrous.

"That dagger thing was a pure bribe, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

Jakushi smiled, her first sincere smile for the night.

"My place is not with you." She said, addressing the three of them but she realized it didn't sound much like it.

"It very much is."

She wasn't sure what she wanted. To go home would destroy her. To turn back with him - terrifying. God, that was hard. There was something about his voice that disarmed. And not only, his eyes- What?

Something of a fragment passed in front of her eyes in a split second, in a blink of an eye. An image? What was that? It was so bright and sudden. She furrowed.

Did he do something? His eyes, it happened when she met them. It seems he still waited for an answer so she hurried to reply.

"If you insist." She gave an awry smile and walked slowly in his direction. Whatever she saw seconds ago, it must've been only her because he gave no sign of seeing something weird. Anyway, could be a flash from the street lamp. Her vision was not the greatest.

She sighed and gave up on the thought. It was probably nothing.

Sasuke and Sakura had stopped further, in confusion. The alley was so bright that it was almost like a day. But it was quieter and calmer. It was ordinary. And beautiful with its ordinariness. Just like one dusty and messy home can be beautiful to the host. It was too cold and most of the people were at home, the work time was over and the sun was down for a couple of hours now.

But after all, these streets, these shops, they were her childhood and she felt grown enough to become aware that Konoha wasn't untouchable. Konoha needed protection. That was all Jakushi ever wanted, to protect her own childhood, her home, to preserve the beauty of it, the way it is and has always been.

"I ruined your whole evening," Jakushi said out loud, while they were still apart from the other two.

"I don't think they're offended, rather confused."

"And you?" She looked at him.

"I'm not sure you understand. I've dreamt about a night like this my whole life." Itachi raised his eyes to the lamps, lightening their way. "I'm home, thanks to you."

They really seemed to think about the same when they walked through Konoha's streets. Jakushi didn't expect such an answer and perhaps was going to reply if they didn't join Sasuke and Sakura.

"There isn't any problem?" Sasuke asked, perfectly even.

"Not anymore." Itachi calmed him.

"If it's so impossible for you to stay together-" Sakura was seriously concerned but Jakushi cut her off.

"I won't run away anymore." She looked at her and Sasuke apologetically. "I promise."

"It's getting late. We thought of turning back." Sakura offered slowly, careful not to break the fragile peace they established in the last minute.

"Of course." Itachi nodded.

The formation set out again but judging from the way Sakura held Sasuke's hand, walking terrifically close to him and he, on the other side, allowing the phenomenon to happen spoke enough to the ones behind them. They slowed down their pace, completely sure that their near presence was unnecessary. But when the two started exchanging silent looks, Jakushi and Itachi compelled to back away even more.

"How is your chakra?" Jakushi asked.

"There's no change," Itachi replied thoughtfully.

"There must be a way to restore it."

"The technique is not known to us." He shook his head and a brief pause followed.

Jakushi felt how chilly the air had become.

"When we were in the forest," Itachi started again but didn't continue, as if uncertain whether to do it or not.

"Yes?" Jakushi couldn't help it.

That was the one thing he had in common with his brother from the perspective of the character. Silence. It really maddened her sometimes. But then scolded herself thoughtfully. Goodness, she wondered what kind of a torture was to have his mind and thoughts. Not ones she'd want to offend, for one. He was at least twice as intelligent for his age. The knowledge brought sadness and pain. And humility. He was just the type.

"Someone followed us. My Sharingan let me recognize another source chakra but... without having one myself I couldn't be sure."

"I'm afraid you're right." Jakushi murmured. "The morning before we left the fire. I saw a pair of green eyes staring at me."

"Green eyes," Itachi repeated slowly. "I don't like it."

"Whoever it is, we'll find him. And we'll find out what's going on."

Jakushi stopped walking right after looking around. Her house was in another direction and she had just started to go astray when she noticed she'd missed the turn on her right.

"Sakura!" She called and her friend turned around along with Sasuke. "We'll see each other tomorrow."

"Of course!" Sakura waved at her and went back to walking.

"Well, I'm on the other side." Jakushi shrugged. "You better keep an eye on them."

Itachi looked at the couple in the distance.

"I think I'll give them some freedom. Just for today."

"It's rather uncomfortable... with a third person around." She smiled.

"It is." He looked at her as she smiled, his head slightly awry.

She took a step back in order to break that static feeling he created with his posture. Was that some kind of a weird habit of his, standing perfectly still?

"It's cold." He said, his eyes fixed on her.

She didn't even try to understand his movements, they were either intimidating or with a purpose. And impenetrable every time. Was that the feeling of falling under a Genjutsu, she wondered. It started with a nice conversation and it suddenly turned into a merciless hypnosis.

It was horrible because the permanent Sharingan in his eyes was like a cell with iron bars. Invisible bars that allowed him to see through her without her being able to object. That part was not to her liking. She didn't like being transparent and... weak.

Was she imagining or it was different now?

Jakushi didn't feel locked up under a pressing inspection. More of a fragile object in a museum. He scrutinized her from every angle with the full knowledge that he could break her whenever he wants.

"Yes." Jakushi managed to say, tangled in her own thoughts, probably the most dangerous thing at the moment. "Cold."

"I'll go." He smiled, finally shifting his eyes away from her.

"Me too." Jakushi turned around. She made a step but her figure nailed in place, covering her eyes with a hand; not being able to figure out her own behavior. For the second time, she did it for the second time. Forgot what she was about to say. Damned Sharingan.

"Itachi?" She caught herself calling him again.

"What is it?"

"Thank you. For, uh... forgiving me." She faced him, wearing a serious expression. "And by the way, we never introduced each other officially."

Jakushi went to him and offered a hand.

"Katoka Jakushi. Nice to meet you."

"Uchiha Itachi. Pleasure is all mine."

He must've found her gesture rather amusing judging from that rare smile that lightened his features again. Nevertheless, he shook her hand.

After the end of this strange exchange of chivalry they split up and Jakushi went home with a lighter heart than the one she left with that evening.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading! Love you! I could've cut this one in a half but it felt like a whole and I didn't want to. Hope you didn't mind 4,600 words at once.

Also, I wondered about this last scene and I know I'm messing up the cultures. The way of introducing is really a Western type of introducing, the hands and all. As far as I know, the Japanese say their name, greet the person with something like Hajimemashite. (Nice to meet you.) and also use the particularly awesome phrase Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu, which literally means Please be nice to me.

Now, I apologize for not describing a genuine Japanese atmosphere. My only intentions were for Jakushi to use the comical form of formality to start anew.

Until next time!