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

XVIII.

Her fingers cleaned the dust on the engraved metallic piece with a slow movement. It was so long ago that she almost forgot. Long ago but it still hurt. She still missed the feeling. That's why she was in no way to fail. Failing meant disappointing him. His sacrifice was not in vain. She just had to wait. Just a little more.

Their united power flowed through her veins and she was more than sure, that power was one of a kind and in her possession. There wasn't a living creature that had a power equal to her own. And that meant the world could be hers if she wanted to. But the world could wait. Her target was more concrete. First, she had to take care of the ones who had to pay for her suffering.

Uchiha's house officially became the favorite place in her world. The outer appearance was gripping and definitely unforgettable. The same applied to the interior. Jakushi would've been content with hours of silence spent in that place but the circumstances changed rapidly and the beauty of the place started to seem... of secondary importance. At least compared to the fascinating being that now laid next to her, sleeping calmly on her pillow.

The good fortune had woken her up early, giving her an opportunity to enjoy the view. The only problem was that if she moved, he was going to wake up. Even if she slipped away, the creak of the door was so loud that could wake up everyone in the house. In the end, after a thorough reflection, she decided to stay motionless and try not to react at what she sees, which was the hardest task.

Her first thought was rather unusual if she was to confess.

It's not fair.

It wasn't fair to be in a simultaneous possession of talent and beauty. It wasn't fair to have both. Some didn't even have one of these and had to deal with that dreadful world the way they are. Even more unfair was to be born a descendant of a noble clan and to have both of the previously said values. Having the combination of the three, in other words being the gods' favorite, was a supreme insolence.

Insolence that could irritate you, enrage you to your limits, then win you over, touch you and eventually melt you down. And all that, repeating a cycle within minutes or even seconds. Sounded like pure madness because it really was that.

Jakushi sighed.

Perhaps she was part of the gods' plans after all. What other power could possibly create a union of such absurdity? She laid beside the world's greatest fear bringer. Ebony locks fell down his forehead. His features were soft at the faint morning light, the dark circles around his eyes were still there but nevertheless, he had never looked as calm. The time, while he slept, was probably the only one he was at peace. Jakushi touched lightly the spot under her ear, her cheeks blushing at a memory.

Fear? Where was that merciless blaze that burned down a human's life within a split second? And that quick, strategic mind that had a potential to tyrannize everyone and everything that stood in its way? Because what she previously expected to be frightening or even grim turned out to be quite an ordinary human with untimely sorrow upon his shoulders. Well, almost ordinary.

A shiver ran down her spine yesterday as Sakura told her about a conversation in particular. Sasuke confirmed that unofficially, Itachi is the strongest shinobi in the world. No one said it out loud, though. The fact was like a nightmare that was kept in silence, in fear that it may become true should someone gives it a voice.

"What do you mean?" Jakushi raised a brow.

"Exactly what I said. It seems Itachi has no equal. Which means he can't be stopped by anyone... should he gets a weird idea." Sakura slightly tilted her head.

"Surely Sasuke can compare-"

"He said he doesn't stand a chance." Sakura cut her off, shrugging. " Well, maybe, if I join in with that moron, he said. It seems only our team's aware of Itachi's current domination. And you, now. We'd like to keep that to ourselves because it may cause unwanted panic. I'm sure you understand."

"You can't be serious." Jakushi exhaled sharply. "What about Madara's power? I know he's dead but... I'm trying to get a clearer picture here."

Sakura shook her head.

"I'm telling you. Stay. At a safe. Distance. I don't wanna worry about you but I do. A lot."

Anyway, she did not listen.

It was so long since she felt so frighteningly attracted to something or someone. So attracted that only watching him was enough to make her happy for the rest of the day. Only if she had power over time so that she could stop it and watch him for hours.

She tried to shift closer but bit her lip in the sensation of dull pain, forgetting that some muscles in her body will protest after what she put them through last night. Side effects. That part she was going to keep for herself. In the meantime, a smile bloomed on her lips with the realization that she had awakened him with her movement.

"I hope I'm as half as gorgeous when I wake up," Jakushi remarked thoughtfully and chuckled at his confused expression.

"I'll let you know the first time I wake up before you."

"Better not. I realized I don't want to know." She shook her head. " I'll be living in my ignorant bliss, with the thought that I'm surpassing you at least in something."

"You shouldn't envy me. It's not good for your health." Itachi pulled her close enough to paste their bodies to one another but Jakushi slightly shuddered at the motion, drawing his attention to another subject.

Matter-of-fact, his expression withered even before any of them spoke.

"Just dare say anything about it," Jakushi warned, narrowing eyes. "Anything related to an apology of any kind."

"I-"

"Stop it!" She pulled away, looking him straight in the eye. "I said don't speak. I'm fine."

"Sorry." He announced after her tirade ended.

Jakushi glared at him and turned over to the other side. That didn't even look like a dispute. In the dispute, there was a conflict of two opinions. Her opinion always seemed to echo past him and her words apparently didn't mean a thing.

"Don't be mad at me." His voice was close, never as soft.

Nevertheless, she stood still and cross, paying him no attention. Even when his hand slipped down her stomach and dragged her into a hug. Jakushi didn't believe there was such thing as a destructive tenderness but from this day on she did. That man was an absolute classic.

She turned around so that she could peer into his eyes and he patiently waited out her silent inspection.

"I would never do that." She muttered and for his surprise, placed a kiss on his forehead.

Jakushi adored that half-confused, half-desolate expression he acquired whenever he was given proof someone cared for him. If she wasn't so partial, she'd most likely think he had a serious problem with receiving affection and with the acceptance of the fact that he was loved.

"I have to get dressed." She averted her eyes because the continuous observation of that expression threatened to bring tears to her eyes.

"Can't we just stay here?"

"No, we can't, Mr. Perfect Body, I'm hungry." Jakushi heaved up angrily. "Next time you're taking your shirt off, give a warning or something. I'm getting up."

Itachi looked at her and waited in silence, which, of course, worked flawlessly. She returned back down to him and sighed.

"I'm so easy." Jakushi furrowed at the great lack of tenacity that ensconced within her in the last week, along with the feeling of helplessness, enveloping her whenever a certain pair of eyes fixed on her in silence. That damned Uchiha knew exactly what to do and how to do it.

"Not arguing on that." He agreed with a smile.

"That's a crime. You can't manipulate me like that, I'm a human being with a free will." Jakushi kept frowning.

"You haven't seen what I can do with Genjutsu."

"Don't you dare!" She looked at him but averted her gaze back away, at lightning speed. "Now I'm scared to even look at you."

"You don't have to look at me," Itachi whispered in her ear, successful in making her tremble at the closeness.

She rested back when he bent over her and both sunk in a quiet contemplation, scrutinizing the other's features for a moment.

"There's this problem. It happens from time to time." He spoke carefully but she tensed, her expression changed drastically, not because the subject changed but because it was that calm, almost cold intonation that was perfected. Bad news. "Some days I wake up and can't see quite well."

Jakushi's face turned slightly pale.

"Itachi..."

"Please don't freak out." He laughed and caught her hand so that she calms down. "I'll be fine. You know I use the Sharingan all the time. Which is a terrible idea."

"What do you see now?"

"What you see at night. A little bit more than contours."

Jakushi took a breath with difficulty.

"I wish..." She started slowly, touching his face. "I was strong enough to cure you."

"Very easy to upset," Itachi noted thoughtfully, as if to himself.

Jakushi slightly furrowed. Very easy to upset about things that mattered to her, actually.

"It happens only from time to time. Are you breathing?" He asked and a hollow laughter wrested out of her.

"Trying."

"Jakushi, the breakfast is ready, won't you-" Sakura dashed into the room and froze. "Oh... sorry. Excuse me."

As dumbfounded as she was, her feet dragged her backward and she hurried to close the door with the same amount of force she used on the way in. Which highly amused both Itachi and Jakushi.

"She's gonna need tranquilizers." Jakushi shook her head but a sudden sharp pain pierced through her. "Oh, no. Not again."

In the moment Itachi felt the sharp change of her tone, his eyes met hers and she felt something resembling a push into a deep water. Everything acquired a rather blurred form.

Mangekyō.

Itachi?

What are you doing?

"Are these memories?" He asked, watching through her.

The realm they were in created some slight echo after his words.

"Memories? What memories?" Jakushi took a breath, realizing that the pain was gone. It was gone with the fall under the Genjutsu. "What did you do?"

"I entered your consciousness."

"The pain stopped. How did you stop it?"

"I didn't do anything else." He narrowed eyes. "I've seen this... before. The feeling is familiar. I know it as if I've spent hours..."

Before? Jakushi slightly backed away from him. Hours?

"Itachi, are you the one doing this to me?" She asked slowly, fixed on the star-like forms in his eyes. "The pain. It happens only when I'm near you. When we touch. Don't lie to me."

Itachi looked at her as if she slapped him.

"Why would you think that?" He asked, his tone a bit masterful than usual. "I wouldn't do anything of the sort and you know it."

"Get out of my mind. Now." She drew back a bit more, feeling even more helpless without anything to cover her body.

"The Genjutsu ceased the pain. If I stop, it may return."

"Doesn't matter." Jakushi insisted and after a single blink, they were in her room once again, looking at each other in shock.

The odd tension wasn't gone, though.

"Is it possible-" Jakushi started but lowered her gaze, slightly blushed. Most definitely was she to cover herself with something before proceeding to speak. She dragged the blanket toward her and sighed. "Is it possible for you to hurt me without knowing it?"

That particular silence was something new to her. However, she'd seen Sasuke put the same demeanor once when a certain scene was enacted in front of her eyes. A scene where Sakura raised her voice and mentioned something that she shouldn't have. It was that look in Sasuke's eyes. He did not move, nor speak. He was just so deeply disappointed that he had nothing to say. Not disappointed, rather... hurt.

Itachi took a breath and exhaled slowly.

"I wanted to find out if I can sense another presence. I have no idea-" He paused for a moment. "Why did you even give me a choice?"

"A choice?"

"To get so close. Was that some kind of a trick? To check if I'm not the killing machine everyone thinks I am after all?"

"Of course not."

"I thought..." He gave up in the very beginning and remained silent for a while.

His eyes lowered in a search for something and he found it soon enough.

Jakushi felt a wave of regret wash through her as she watched how he gathered his hair aside and tied it with the red cord, the bitter resignation in his measured movements was so perfectly hidden that it was painful to observe. How much did it cost him to learn that? She knew people that had over six decades of experience and still had their composure lost over small things, their anger as destructive as it had always been.

The details, though, they never escaped her sight. His fingers trembled. And she was positive that her emotions were enough for both of them.

"I'm so sorry." Her voice broke off and she leaned to hug him but he pushed her away.

"We're fooling ourselves." He didn't look her in the eyes. "I... made a mistake."

"Don't say that. Please, don't."

"Thank you..." He spoke slowly as if estimating his words carefully, his eyes were still ignoring her form. "For what you did. Very kind of you."

"Don't act as if doesn't matter to you." Jakushi's eyes blurred as she fought through his attempt to stop her and finally succeeded in hugging him. His calm intonation was devastating. "I don't know what I'm talking about when I'm scared. What I know is that you wouldn't harm me. You wouldn't."

Itachi's inner battle continued for not more than a minute because he gave up, muscles relaxing under the softness of her embrace. His head rested on her shoulder.

"Perhaps it's difficult for everyone to acknowledge it... but I am capable of loving."

"You are. Of course, you are." Jakushi closed her eyes for a second, caressing his hair. "That's a fact."

She withdrew and smiled at him.

"Everything's fine. We'll deal with this."

"I shouldn't be so close." He offered a logical solution to the problem, whereat she startled.

"I'll pretend I hadn't heard that sentence."

Itachi didn't answer but judging from the distant look in his eyes, she knew he thought about at least three new ways to stop the latter scene from happening again.

"I owe an explanation to Sakura. Excuse me."

Jakushi licked her dry lips and parted from him, off the mattress. When she returned from the bathroom and gave it up to him, she used the time to tidy up her clothes a bit. Her thoughts, however, were busy finding a meaning behind I've seen this... before as well as trying to comprehend the fact that Itachi was a double-edged sword.

"You're still waiting for me." She heard Itachi's ironic note behind her and turned around right away.

He was in his training outfit, leaning on the door frame.

"What did you t-" Jakushi sighed, cutting off her own sentence. She paced to him and caught his hand in a tight grip. "Is that what you think? That I'll leave?"

"Everyone did. Can't be sure anymore." He admitted with a quiet chuckle, saddening her way more than he could imagine.

"I'm not one of these. The ones who leave. Do you hear me?" Jakushi swallowed her sadness and sighed. "I'm not leaving."

"Let's go." She offered and they left the room slowly.

As she predicted, Itachi had promised Sasuke that they'll train together and that's why they didn't stay long in the house. After Sakura took care of boxing them up some food, they left. Jakushi headed straight to the kitchen then and found her friend pouring tea in two cups. Sakura gave her one of them and they both sat on the kotatsu. After a few ridiculous minutes in ghastly silence, Sakura began staring at her friend across.

Jakushi caught her gaze and waited.

"What the hell happened last night?" Sakura raised a brow.

"Nothing."

"Jakushi." Sakura gaped at her. "Just don't give me that answer. Not this time."

"What should I answer you then?"

"I thought... you weren't that close. At least a few days ago, until I saw you at the wood. I thought you were acting friendly because of me and..."

Jakushi started laughing out loud and Sakura became even more confused.

"Was it your idea?"

"Of course it was mine." Jakushi still laughed. "I thought I've seen everything from Uchiha but I haven't."

Sakura shook her head.

"Trust me, you haven't seen a thing." She slightly pulled the collar of her sweater, revealing two hickeys. "You have no idea."

Jakushi looked at her, full of amusement.

"Are you two on a battlefield or something?"

"It's not funny." Sakura snapped and looked down at her cup. "My whole body is like that."

"Don't tell me you don't like it." Jakushi narrowed eyes inquisitively. "Is it possible, I found something Sasuke does and you don't like?"

"I haven't said I don't like it." Sakura raised her voice angrily but her whole face had acquired the color of her hair. "Just..."

"It hurts," Jakushi concluded. "You get used to it. I suppose."

Sakura's gaze remained fixed on her friend for a longer time.

"Itachi Uchiha. Do you even understand..."

"I do." Jakushi ceased her sentence. "I felt it."

Sakura slightly tilted her head.

"I don't know." Jakushi looked down. "How is it with Sasuke. I'm sure it's not... quite normal. But Itachi is..."

She couldn't describe it. Perhaps because it was beyond words. How was she to describe that she caught a glimpse of a truly broken human being? Getting that close allowed her to feel only a small piece and it was awful. Too much for him to bear, for sure. But he somehow did bear it and it absolutely amazed her. There were beauty and pain in that at the same time and she didn't think there were actual words for it.

"I didn't understand what happened last night. You didn't make him do it by force, did you?"

"Goodness, Sakura." Jakushi was astounded. "Am I truly that monstrous in your eyes?"

"It seems I know neither of you." Sakura smiled faintly. "Do enlighten me, please."

"There's nothing to enlighten you about. I was just sick of watching him agonize. And you two just didn't help."

Sakura furrowed.

"Is it a problem that we're together in his house? Which is as much as Sasuke's, anyway. I didn't think..."

"No. But-" Jakushi sighed gloomily after the next conclusion filled her head. "Look, I'm not sure you'll understand."

"Understand what? Itachi always said it makes him happy to see us together."

"Didn't it cross your mind that he might not tell you the truth?"

"But Sasuke's happiness... is everything for him." Sakura tried again, shrugging.

"Yes. Most certainly." Jakushi exhaled sharply. "What an elegant liar. Someone's happiness isn't your happiness, even if that someone is precious to you. He would never share the struggle of being all alone, with thoughts that rip you from the inside. And you two-"

Jakushi took a breath, trying to calm herself down for a moment.

"I don't care what the others think of me. If I can offer him a solace of any kind, I would give it without a second thought."

Sakura had sunk in dead silence.

"Sakura..." Jakushi moaned, taken aback with the realization that she was upset once again. "I haven't met someone that has gone through such a hell, with such submission and has made it out on the other side. He is a hero. Do you understand now?"

"I'm sorry," Sakura spoke quietly, holding her cup tightly. "I didn't know we'd hurt him like that."

"I didn't want it to sound like an accusation." Jakushi kept on with the quiet tone. "Just that he takes every punishment as deserved."

"Sounds like a serious case." Sakura smiled at her and finally succeeded in making her friend do it too.

They drank their tea for one long moment in silence. Jakushi let out another sigh and leaned on her hand.

"At least you're not bruised," Sakura commented and made her laugh.

"What a tragedy."

"Why? You're alive."

"Don't make conclusions only from what you know." Jakushi sipped from the tea.

"Oh?" Sakura smiled.

"I think..." Jakushi bit her lower lip, focused on the light blue figures on the cup. "I won't be seeing bruises anytime soon."

"You sure? You've been together only once." Sakura gave her a meaning look and stood up to wash her cup and Jakushi followed her.

"Sakura, since the moment I met him he's acting as if he's scared not to break me."

"There's still time." Sakura answered carelessly.

"There's no point in waiting."

"I'm tempted to make a bet."

"I'm not betting with you on such stupid things." Jakushi snapped. "Take your sadistic boyfriend and teach him some manners."

"And you take yours and remind him what violence is." Sakura turned around with folded hands.

"What now, implying that Sasuke's stronger than Itachi?" Jakushi raised her intonation, placing the cup on the countertop.

"I'm not implying," Sakura smirked and opened the refrigerator.

"I lived to see us arguing about this. I can't believe it." Jakushi took on with washing her cup abruptly. "Sasuke is on the losing side this time."

"Mmm, not so sure about that."

"You're kidding me. How about the things you said to me yesterday?"

"I've thought on the subject. Sasuke is Sasuke." Sakura made a dramatic pause, taking the products in her hands to the table. "But also an Uchiha."

"You're insane." Jakushi faced her with a thunderous expression.

Sakura burst into laughter.

"And you are in deep." She announced after calming herself and a sudden flash of worry passed her joyful expression.

"I may be in deep but that doesn't change the fact Itachi can't be defeated as simply as you think."

"Stop defending him, I know that. Everyone knows that." Sakura scoffed, still amused by the psychological experiment she exerted upon Jakushi. "On the other side..."

"No. No, no."

"If his opponent knows him as himself... the chances increase vastly." Sakura continued slowly, meeting Jakushi's eyes.

Jakushi didn't answer because her friend was somehow right. Perhaps Sasuke wasn't to be taken lightly after all. She went to the kotatsu and sat on her previous place.

"What do you mean with everyone knows that?"

Sakura carefully tore off a piece of the bread in her hands.

"I hear from many places..."

"What?"

"The people are slightly... scared." Sakura didn't dare to raise her eyes. "The dead don't come back so easily."

Jakushi leaned back, surprised by Sakura's words.

"What are you saying, that this might not be Itachi?"

Sakura glanced up at her quickly.

"That's not true, for sure. Y-you can confirm it. But the problem remains. He's too dangerous to-"

"Sakura, he bears no ill will."

"That's what he tells you." Sakura rested both her hands on the table. "That's what he tells you, Jakushi. How much actually does he share with you?"

Jakushi had frozen in place, refusing to believe. That was the other counter-fact that bothered her for quite some time.

"Does he share anything at all with you? Even if he did, would you discern the truth from the lie?"

"He wouldn't."

"How can we be sure that his intentions are good? I have a bad feeling, Jakushi." Sakura lowered her voice.

Silence spread between them as both looked down. The air was so tensed that in could be felt on one's very skin. Heavy silence that weighed upon the mind.

"And what does Sasuke share with you?" Jakushi suddenly stood up, the wrath in her voice so much that she couldn't remain in her place. "Tell me. What does Sasuke share with you?"

"Not much." Sakura looked at her with concern.

"Oh, yes. Maybe I should start to suspect him that he plans to destroy the village." Jakushi fumed. "It's not like he hadn't done it before."

"Jakushi, that has nothing to do with-" Sakura tried to stop her, slightly stung by the accusation.

"He won't... he won't hurt anyone!" Jakushi's voice failed and she tried to swallow the tears.

The words that came from her mouth... were they true? Or she said them just because she was fond of him. What if all of it was really a trap and she was a pawn in Itachi's game. Why not? Her affection made her blind for everything else. Affection was her greatest weakness.

"Kushi." Sakura stood up too and neared, taking a hold of her hand. "I know it's hard for you to see it that way. But we don't know the truth. Trusting him fully may cause you some serious pain. You know his history."

"I don't believe it. Last night..." Jakushi narrowed eyes at her, angry at herself. "I've always tried to not attach to anyone. And now I did and I have to let it go. What do you all want from me?"

Sakura's features twisted into a sad grimace.

"I don't want to separate you from him. I haven't seen you happier. I was so glad to see you like that in the last week. Because I am your friend and want you to be happy."

"Of course. Everyone wants me to be happy." Jakushi smiled bitterly. "Then come and destroy my sandcastle."

"I'm sorry, Jakushi. It may be dangerous."

"Thank you for the warning." Jakushi nodded and recoiled from Sakura. "It's time for me to go home. Hospitality is on the level in Uchiha's house. First, they invite you, then they throw you out."

"Jakushi!" Sakura furrowed. "I'm not throwing you out. I want you to be safe!"

But Jakushi didn't hear her, dashing back to her room so that she could gather all of her things, as much as she didn't want to. One question remained, ringing out loud in her mind above all others. Why, by the names of all gods, everything connected with that clan had to be an agony?

A/N: Thank you for reading! I have some problems and that's why I'm delaying everything like that but I tend to be one of these people that are almost OCD about starting and finishing their tasks no matter what. Unfinished tasks drive me crazy, so that may be your small hope every time you think to yourself It's been a year, is this story still going on or that girl completely forgot about it? Also, FF didn't allow me to upload in the last 3 days due to an error... I was kinda mad.

For anyone that didn't know that, (I doubt there's such a person though but still) Kishimoto himself said that should a battle between Madara and Itachi occurs, Madara would lose.

Anyway, I hope you like it. See you next time.

P.S. I named my chapter after one of my Linkin Park favorites. I think the lyrics truly cover Itachi's mindset throughout this chapter. Rest in peace, Chester Bennington, a great talent and a voice that will be missed.