My Pain is Yours

Chapter 26: Return for Revenge

"Six days without moving…I am ready to rampage!"

Glancing quietly over at Hidan, Aiko made a poignant notation that Shinsei was saddened by their encounter; although, simply hearing the silver-haired immortal's voice lulled her into a comfortable state. She lowered her gaze, eyes boring into the small pebble lying between her feet. She couldn't stop staring at it.

The male Jashinist arched an eyebrow at Aiko as he wandered over to her.

Watching warily, Kakuzu kept an eye on Aiko and Hidan, ascertaining that they were prepared for a battle because he could feel one coming; he knew instinctively that something was going to happen. Their troubles with Konohagakure ninja had just begun, birthed by the death they caused during their first encounter. Kakuzu sighed heavily. This wasn't the highlight of his life.

Peering lifelessly, Aiko tuned out all of her surroundings, eyes inertly focused on the smooth stone reflecting little sunlight due to the presence of her shadow. She was thrown back to reality, however, when a vise-like grip closed in on her, two muscled arms crushing her.

Aiko gasped.

Hidan murmured sentiments into her ear, haughtiness muddled by confusion, "What's the matter? Did that bastard shark say some sort of stupid crap to you?" He constricted his hold, arms secured firmly around Aiko's tightening abdomen. "I swear, when this mess is over we're getting together and--," he broke off suddenly, hold loosening. "Oh shit!"

"Hidan?"

Perplexed, Aiko had only been half-aware of what was being said.

Now, she was simultaneously jerked back to the chilling reality amid Hidan's extrication.

"Aiko! Hidan! MOVE!" Kakuzu abruptly ordered.

Everything was moving utterly slowly for Aiko; she couldn't comprehend the rapidity of the occurring events. Her green orbs widened, overflowing with shock as she noticed the letter bombs flying in at her. Hidan's strong arms locked around her, caging Aiko's frame against his chest as they narrowly avoided the attack, Aiko leaping away from Hidan once they were safe.

Hidan hollered for Kakuzu. "Hey! Kakuzu!"

Kakuzu appeared beside him, expression contorted with burning rage. "I'm fine."

Aiko leapt between the two of them, awakened, fortitude to fight aroused. "You two ready?"

Quickly flicking her gaze above her, Aiko noticed the new letter bombs flying towards and leapt back, warning the other two with a delayed shout. Kakuzu yelled at his comrades to beware the shadows, establishing that it was their opponents from before. Aiko lodged herself in the safety of the trees, breath hitching when she found her companions trapped in Nara Shikamaru's shadow jutsu. Her eyes narrowed.

The earlier letter bombs were false; Hidan and Kakuzu had been deceived.

Shikamaru glowered at the two of them, stepping out. "Where's your third member?"

Scanning the landscape with her eyes, Aiko quietly observed where the other three Konoha Shinobi were located; Hatake Kakashi and then a boy and girl, Choji and Ino, were watching Shikamaru from behind. Aiko smirked, remembering her immortality. This was too easy.

The dark-haired Nara grimaced. "Where's the girl?"

Hidan scoffed, chuckling darkly. "What? You think we'll tell you? Eh?"

Shaking his head, Kakuzu easily deducted that even Hidan had no idea where Aiko was positioned; not that the Missing Waterfalls ninja did either, but still. Kakuzu snapped his eyes from tree to tree, but was interrupted in his searching when he found Hidan yelling, his three-bladed scythe flying at him.

"Kakuzu! Duck!" Hidan shouted, movements forcibly controlled by the shadow master.

Kakuzu's eyes flashed.

Just as Kakuzu revealed his hidden tactical maneuver that released him from the shadow's hold, Aiko jumped out from her spot to attack Shikamaru. No! I won't allow Kakuzu to be hurt! I have to put an end to this for the last time! She withdrew a kunai, but it was parried by another. Her emeralds amplified amid the ringing strike.

Kakashi was at her back in an instant.

Sharingan jewel swirling ominously, Kakashi struggled against Aiko's strength as she managed an upsurge of power, driving back his kunai and thrusting it out of his hands and onto the ground. She was fast. Before Kakashi got the chance to weave a single hand sign, Aiko pulled back her fist to release it, channeling chakra into her strike to increase its lethality.

The blow rammed into Kakashi's abdomen, breaking several of his ribs.

Aiko dropped to the ground in a crouch, perspiration sliding down her cheek.

Ino rushed towards Kakashi, screaming, "Kakashi-sensei! Are you okay?"

Pupils contracting, Aiko observed the blonde dashing to the injured Jonin and recognized something about her; there was a sort of familiarity inherit in her frantic blue sapphires. Hand lowering to the holster at her thigh, Aiko glanced guardedly at Hidan and Kakuzu who were joining her. A hand weighed down on Aiko's back and she felt Hidan's presence.

"How are you doing, Aiko?" Kakuzu remarked from behind.

"Well enough," the kunoichi stiffly countered, eyes probing at the girl healing the man.

She stared at Ino and Kakashi, curious, but her inquisitive expression morphed to that of alarm instantaneously when Kakashi's body suddenly exploded, making Ino flinch with surprise. Horror mingling among realization shook her to her core. That was the Kakashi she struck; he wasn't real.

It was a doppelganger.

Aiko whirled around, outwardly exclaiming, "Where's the real one?"

Her answer arrived in the form of blood gushing onto the ground before her.

The kunoichi's fluttering heart raced. That wound didn't belong to her. Fear flooding her eyes, she jerkily turned her head to Hidan and Kakuzu; but her movements were incredibly slowed, stalled by some other force. A sick nausea welled in her stomach. She was trapped in the shadow possession jutsu. Damn it! But…who was injured?

She verified Hidan's condition first; he was fine.

Nausea settled in her gut, inducing a feeling so vile she was tempted to vomit.

That left Kakuzu as the only other option.

Sure enough, staggering on one leg was Kakuzu, the color draining from his face. Anticipation. Aiko's eyes fell lower to his chest, Kakashi's hand protruding through where the Missing Waterfall ninja's heart was positioned. Fright. There was no way in which to describe the panic jolting through Aiko. The kunoichi felt her entire body go rigid at the sight of the blood bursting from the hole in Kakuzu's cloak, blood staining the black fabric scarlet.

Dryness obscured Aiko's mouth in a motionless scream. Her mind worked in overdrive. How did that happen?! I didn't even see Kakashi! I was so sure that I had hit the real one! How could I make such an obvious mistake?! I've never screwed up like this and now I'm trapped too! What the hell am I supposed to do?! Oh Jashin, what about Kakuzu?!

Kakuzu dithered weakly on his quivering legs, eyelids flickering. It was over.

"Kakuzu!" Aiko cried out, voice hoarse. She incoherently forced herself to look at Hidan.

The Jashinist's expression conveyed chaotic ignorance.

He smirked meekly. "Sucker punched right through the heart, eh? Can't believe you were done in like that!"

Ripping his hand from Kakuzu's body with a sickening squelch, Kakashi allowed the limp body to fall to the ground; the thud making Aiko's heart jump as well. Was that it? Had Kakashi done Kakuzu in? She pinched her eyes closed, eyebrows knitting together. No! She refused to believe it! Against Shikamaru's will, her fingers clenched, fear mixing dangerously in her veins to generate ire. Pure, bloodthirsty fury. Her deadly orbs flared open, lips emitting a growl.

Kakashi turned to Aiko and Hidan, Sharingan blood red. "You're next."

Aiko's eyes flashed, hissing, "Just try and kill me."

About to challenge her threat, Kakashi summoned more lightning chakra to his hand, electric glow raging and shrieking as he raised it to attack Aiko and Hidan. Instantly, Aiko was confirming that Hidan was all right, and Kakashi noticed the anxious exchange directed at Aiko from Hidan. There was something going on between them and the Copy Cat ninja halted.

Something about the girl simply didn't fit to begin with, but by then he was certain he had figured out why a kunoichi like Aiko had joined the organization; adoration. Despite his own lack of intimate relationships, Kakashi could tell; with an odd couple like them, it was obvious.

Painfully obvious.

For whatever reason, Kakashi paused in that moment, disgust overwhelming him. Why couldn't he just carry out the mission? His sentimental pondering lasted only a second and he sprung back to life, frozen for a mere moment. He lunged at them, but was thrown back by a powerful kick to his gut; Kakuzu was alive. A gasp strangled Aiko, squeezed out as a squeak.

Getting to his feet just in time to rescue his comrades, Kakuzu sent Kakashi flying.

Aiko couldn't restrain her surprised outburst. "Kakuzu!"

Freedom overtook her as she felt the tug of Shikamaru's influence over her movements disappear completely. He had reached his limit. She immediately darted to Kakuzu's side, resisting the urge to throw her arms around him because she knew he wouldn't like that.

Hidan simpered cruelly at his liberation. "Finally! I can move again!"

The Jashinist turned to the brunette to say something more, but Aiko was absorbed in looking over Kakuzu wildly. "But how? I don't…I don't understand!"

Shrugging, Kakuzu tossed his cloak aside and Aiko automatically stepped aside, stunned but not stupefied. She observed Kakuzu in silence, taking immediate notice of the masks on his back that detached themselves to become large, intimidating black monsters. Aiko watched in awe as Kakuzu's back stitched itself back together, one of the black creatures whimpering and dying. That's when she understood.

Those were his hearts and the one that died sacrificed itself to keep Kakuzu alive. A chilling thrill coursed through Aiko's veins, making her tremble; it was no wonder Kakuzu was so powerful; in a sense, he was immortal like her and Hidan. She looked to the bewildered faces across from her and leered at their disorientation.

This time, they were going to win the battle.

Aiko barred her teeth, musing a prayer to Jashin.

This time, they would show absolutely no mercy; none.

Jashin-sama…I pray to you victory in this battle so that I may don the blood of my enemies in honor of your esteemed might and generous gifts. Give me the strength to obliterate my opponents until enough blood has been spilled to shed light upon the terrible beauty of carnage, death, and destruction. I pray to you, Jashin-sama…

I will crush them in your name.

Clutching her Jashin necklace, Aiko stared icily at her adversaries, able to hear Shikamaru fumble with new plans; what they had originally planned wasn't going to work due to some miscalculations. Listening closely, Aiko caught bits and pieces of their recently formulated strategy; Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru were going to attempt taking Aiko out first.

"Hidan, Aiko," Kakuzu murmured in a deadly monotone, "stay back, I've got this."

Hidan's reaction was too predictable. "No way! I want in on this action!" He threw back his head with a cruel simper. "Let's just go with "the usual"." Kakuzu grunted irritably and Aiko couldn't resist the smile of her face as Hidan seized his scythe, ready to fight. The kunoichi glanced at Kakashi, watching the man stagger to his feet.

It seemed Hidan and Kakuzu had claimed their target; she would take on the other three.

As she darted towards her embattled prey, Aiko could hear the shrieking wind behind her as Hidan and Kakuzu teamed up to eradicate Kakashi. The brunette didn't bother turning around; she had her own business to attend to.

Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji watched, horrified as Kakashi was thrown around like a rag doll.

Ino noticed the approaching Aiko first, but still, too late. "Oh my God! Look out!"

Aiko's fist was already flying as she drove it into the earth around Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru, each of them fleeing the newborn crater. Flicking her head up, ponytail falling apart, Aiko mercilessly sprung at the nearest person, a kunai in her hand. Suddenly, this wasn't so bad and she was actually revved into action by the bloodlust bursting through her.

She pinned her faceless victim to a tree, able to recognize them once the smoke dissipated.

It was Ino.

Choking, eyes strangled with sheer terror as tears leaked into her eyes, Ino writhed beneath the quelling hold Aiko had established on her chest. Her gaze darted frantically to the glinting kunai at her neck, helpless to do anything, paralyzed by fear. A sound burbled in her throat, a failed attempt at a scream, as she forced herself to look into the scrutinizing eyes.

Even more frightening was Aiko's voice, a curious hiss, "What is your name?"

Ino gulped a pungent breath of air, sweat streaming down her body. "Y-Yamanaka…Ino…!"

The look of recognition flashing through the brunette's eyes terrified the blonde further. Aiko's mouth hinged open, lips ajar. Yamanaka Ino? She held back a gasp. She did recognize that name and she knew why in an instant; Shinsei. Yamanaka Shinsei. Probing her mind, Aiko thought back to when Shinsei was talking about her past.

Shinsei mentioned her cousin fondly; her cousin Ino.

Aiko whispered incredulously, "Then that makes you…Shinsei's cousin…"

The blonde only caught the name Shinsei and went rigid. Gazing solemnly into Ino's eyes, Aiko found herself unable to kill her. She couldn't and wouldn't. This was a person dear to Shinsei, and Aiko wasn't going to be the one held responsible for her death. She could see the confusion scrawled over Ino's blanched face as she leisurely stepped back, stare apologetic.

"I'm sorry," Aiko smiled softly, sadly. "Shinsei would be so disappointed if I killed you."

Ino was in shock. "Wait! You…you know about Shinsei?"

The brunette beamed ruefully. "Indeed."

Large tears accumulated in Ino's magnified eyes, reminding Aiko of Shinsei in a fraction of a heartbeat. Ino was overwhelmed with an agonizing blend of bliss and sorrow. "Then please! Please tell me where she is! I have to know! Everyone thinks that she's dead! Oh God, please tell me, please, please, please!"

Aiko walked calmly over to Ino, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "She's been with me."

Before Ino received that moment necessary to recover and reply, Choji attacked Aiko. The kunoichi sensed Choji rolling towards her, eyes darting to an escape. Her only option was up, but even the nearest tree was a stretch for her; she settled with taking the attack head on, bringing back her fist to ram it into Choji. When they collided, Aiko managed only enough strength to match Choji's, their power ending in a draw.

Choji returned to Ino, voice shaking, "Are you okay? She didn't hurt you, did she?"

Like a lost person, Ino pointed a feeble finger in Aiko's direction, "S-she knows where Shinsei is! She's been with Shinsei! Oh God, oh my God; Choji please don't hurt her! I need to talk to her and find out where my cousin is! I have to! I absolutely have to!" The earlier tears she welled up gushed forth, flowing down her flushed cheeks. "I have to save Shinsei!"

Weakly, Aiko crouched, clutching her shattered fist. Pain tore through her body as she summoned healing chakra to mend her excruciating wound. She winced with each biting moment, the pain unbearable as the bones in her knuckles had been driven up into her arm, hand completely snapped back, making her entire limb useless.

With great difficulty, however, she managed to put everything back into place.

This left her drained.

This is bad! Aiko massaged her formerly maimed fist. I can't use my right hand anymore…my punches will all have to be made with my left Jashin damn it! I ought to stick with kicks and medical ninjutsu then…but Jashin damn that was painful! It's at times like these when I'm glad I have my medical ninjutsu…otherwise, I'd be dead for sure.

Ignoring the sobbing Ino to the best of her ability, Aiko allowed her eyes to rove over to where Hidan and Kakuzu were, noticing with alarm that Hidan had once again been trapped in the shadow possession jutsu. The look of strained disdain blended with petulance was insufferably unmistakable on Hidan's face, even from the distance Aiko was standing.

She made her way towards her companions, concern for Hidan etched into her expression.

When Shikamaru began running away with the ensnared Hidan, however, Aiko's apprehension transformed into a deadly vehemence.

Looking jadedly at Aiko, Kakuzu discerned the kunoichi's infallible worry for Hidan, realizing how reckless she would become if left like that. For the first time in his entire, miserly life, Kakuzu cared enough to perform a favor for another. His brusque voice stopped Aiko in her tracks, though at first she mistook his awkward kindness for cruelty.

"Aiko!" Kakuzu barked. "Get over here!"

Aiko skidded to a halt, expression feral. "What do you mean Kakuzu? What about Hidan?"

Almost disgusted to the point where he wanted to puke just to think of something other than how much Aiko loved the vulgar Jashinist, Kakuzu angrily yelled, "Just get over here already!" Shaken by Kakuzu's threatening, commandingly lethal tone, Aiko slowly obeyed, warily joining him with an acidic grimace.

Aiko was at Kakuzu's side in a second, lowering her voice to hide her sharp pitch. "Yes?"

Kakuzu glowered, unimpressed, at her. "You need to calm down; if you go rushing after him like that I'm going to be the one saving both of your sorry asses."

Blinking, Aiko's breath caught in her throat, heart sputtering. Kakuzu wasn't angry with her; he was trying to warn her, trying to protect her. A guilty pang brushed against her conscience. She should not have been so needlessly angry with him, but still; her first priority was Hidan. Aiko parted her lips, voice calm. "I'll assist you in subduing these three then I'll be off; fair?"

Kakuzu shifted his gaze to her, then the waiting Kakashi. He nodded. "Fine."

Aiko smiled half-heartedly, "Then let's get this over with."

Kakuzu closed his eyes, lips curling upward beneath his mask. "That's the plan."

Bracing herself, Aiko stared knowingly at Kakuzu; he really wasn't so bad. Though her gaze couldn't help but wander in the direction where Shikamaru had dragged the unwilling Hidan away to. Her heart tightened in her chest. Hidan…I'm coming for you…I promise!


Seated stiffly on the edge of her bed, mind absorbed in thoughts of Aiko, Shinsei rocked herself back and forth. She missed her more than anything, wishing that they could see each other sooner; she had a bad feeling about what was going on with Aiko, worrying nonstop until there was an interruptive knock on her door.

The redhead flinched. "Come in."

Clicking open, the door revealed Itachi, narrowing his eyes upon seeing Shinsei. Why did she look so sad? Glancing around Shinsei's sullen room, Itachi noted that it was darker than he remembered, silently closing the door behind him to beckon more blackness, but when he and Shinsei participated in naughty acts, she preferred it that way. He strolled towards her, gait leisurely, crimson orbs devoid of conflict.

Shinsei glanced up at him, sapphires portraying loneliness, betraying her broken smile.

Itachi settled himself on the bed, positioned beside her. "What's wrong?"

Shinsei evaded his gaze, voice cracked. "I…Aiko…" She lifted her hands to burying her face in their warm confinement. "Aiko…has changed…too much…I don't…I can't…recognize her anymore! She's so different!" The trembling of her shoulders conveyed to Itachi the message that she was crying. He pulled her into his arms, securing her against his chest.

The Uchiha nested his nose in her hair. "People change."

Shinsei winced; clearly that wasn't what she wanted to hear.

Itachi hesitated. "It's something that happens."

The atmosphere of the room bore down heavily on Shinsei, a cold, pricking realization awakening her to the fact that there was something he wanted to tell her. She shakily whispered, "Itachi? W-what's the matter? You didn't come here to talk to me about Aiko, did you?" Her fingers groped for his chest, balling the fabric of his cloak into a fist. "Tell me."

Shinsei was aware that he had something to say; Itachi vacillated.

The young woman moved closer to him, wanting to know. "Itachi?"

His answer flowed like a calm stream prepared to feed into a raging river. "I'm losing my eyesight."

Jolting, Shinsei's eyes snapped open, rivulets cascading as she threw herself away from Itachi. What did he mean he was losing his eyesight? Her heart plummeted to the bottom of her stomach, nausea sloshing up against the sides of her ribs. He meant the Mangekyo, didn't he? But if he lost his eyesight because of his Sharingan, he would die.

Shinsei's head shook incoherently, face wrought with terror. "No! Please, no!"

Itachi quieted her with a finger to her lip. "Shinsei, it's okay."

This made the redhead snap. "No it isn't!"

Lips forming a quivering line, Shinsei refused to look at his silhouette in the darkness. If she lost Itachi, she would lose everything. Her eyes clouded with more tears, though these ones froze in place as Itachi started speaking again. "Shinsei, I love you…you know I do." He paused, granting her the chance to reply.

She remained silent for a transcending moment. "I know, Itachi…I do, but…do you love me enough to choose me over everything else?" Her eyes finally reconnected with his. Her full, red mouth disappeared in the darkness, voice disappearing into a whimper. "I love you enough to do anything."

Itachi remained silent, but not unheard. "Anything? Even assist me in restoring my clan?"

The answer to that was too obvious. Shinsei felt the tears overflowing, whispering, "Of course I would!" Throwing herself against Itachi, Shinsei became determined to erase the heartache away from his mind and hers, lips avidly connecting with his. There was no way she was going let that happen. She was going to show him how much she loved him. "Itachi I just want you to be happy; I want to be with you forever, I want to love you; I want to bear your children!"

Itachi drew in a sharp breath. "Really?" His tone grew huskier. "Do you truly mean that?"

The redhead hugged him tightly, their chests pressed so close she could feel his heart beating.

Itachi closed his eyes, able to feel the thumping of Shinsei's heart.

When they were together, they could do anything; Shinsei firmly believed that. Her mouth cracked open, words slipping from her lips, "I mean it more than I've ever meant anything else! And I know a little medical ninjutsu that Aiko taught me; God, I wish she was here, she'd know exactly what to do. But still, I might be able to…to heal your eyes."

Itachi stiffened. "But at what price?"

Shinsei's voice backed into the corner of her throat. "I wouldn't be a ninja anymore."

Guilt. Itachi felt it from the inside of his stomach, reaching up his throat in the tangible form of nausea. He heaved out a sigh, gaze perturbed. How could he allow Shinsei to do such a thing for him? She loved him; wasn't that enough? Selfish feelings arose and Itachi found himself blundering through mental obstacles that made him want to die in his spot.

But Shinsei loved him.

She loved him enough to sacrifice herself.

She loved him more sincerely than anyone else did.

Shinsei was more precious to him than anything.

Precious enough that he would lay his fate in her hands.

Closing his eyes, Itachi embraced Shinsei tighter, whispering, "I love you" repeatedly until tears were rolling nonstop down Shinsei's cheeks. She didn't want power, she didn't want to be sad, and she didn't want constant pain. She wanted love. The tears must have grown twice as large because her eyes were bulging with wetness. She wanted Itachi.

Then, as she sobbed mirthfully, Shinsei suddenly felt a wave of angst drown her in blackness.

A vision.

Adjusting to the apparition her mind's eye was displaying, Shinsei found a girl walking towards her. A girl with hair darkened until it was nearly a shade of ebony in the onyx void. The redhead peered harder at her until she recognized the familiar smile linked with soft, hazel eyes. Aiko. Shinsei gasped. What was going on?

"Shinsei," Aiko was whispering, "what are you doing here?"

The area enveloped in obsidian anguish encircled them, growing colder.

Aiko was slowly drifting away. Shinsei cried out. "Aiko! Where are you going? Come back!"

Something wasn't right. Shinsei stared harder at Aiko, noticing how unnaturally pale she was; if anything, she appeared to be nothing but a soul. This vision was lasting longer than usual, frightening Shinsei to the point where she could hear her heartbeat resonating in her mind.

What was going on?

Shinsei began screaming, but Aiko held up a hand and whispered, "This is the end."

Paralysis struck Shinsei until she was as rigid as stone, realizing what the vision was saying as Aiko disintegrated into the dark. She was dying, leaving her behind. There was less and less of the brunette with each wave of nausea. Shinsei opened her eyes, caterwauling into the snaring abyss threatening to take her friend away. Her cries did nothing.

Aiko spoke one last time, smiling forlornly. "Goodbye, Shinsei."

Shinsei's eyes snapped open and she was screaming.

Aiko was going to die.


Author's Note: Ah! How melodramatic! Poor Shinsei…I apologize for taking forever and a year to update; school's back. T/.\T I hope you enjoyed this chapter anyway; it was the longest one yet! ^/.\- But that's okay! I had wonderful reviews for the last chapter! Thank you to cheeky half-demon, iLoveThisStory, IcedPhoenix54, Cold Fyre, and Hurog Walker; thank you, thank you, thank you!

Please review! =D

-Aiko of the Akatsuki