Summary
He'd never thought that a reminder of his past would hold her attention...
A/N: Just so everyone knows, as far as ANBU goes, males wear the symbol on their left shoulder; females on the right. I looked it up. Now, the only thing I'm not sure about is if the tattoo is used in all ANBU affiliations or just Konoha, so I'm assuming it's all. At least, that's what I'm going with.
Also, I'm having a lot of trouble with FF's alerts, hits, etc... So if you're having trouble viewing my updates, that's why, and I'm sorry. Hopefully they'll get that fixed soon.
Finally, I put a new poll up. So please be kind and participate in that.
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"Itachi." The Uchiha turned to face his brightly colored 'fearless leader'. Pein motioned for him to walk with him and they headed down the hall. Shortly after, they were alone in the leader's office.
"Please, take a seat," Pein said, sitting in his own cushy high-backed chair and reaching under the desk. Itachi glanced at the simple chair and sat, a single brow raised in a silent arrogant manner.
"Is there a specific reason for this, Leader-sama?" the younger male asked frostily. His superior nodded and placed a bag onto his desk.
"I have a solo mission for you, Itachi," Pein replied, pushing the bag towards the young man. Itachi blinked blankly and reached for the bag. He pulled out a sleeveless black shirt, already not liking the possibilities. Armor and a katana followed after, and the former Clan heir began to feel distinctly sick to his stomach. He recognized this uniform, as well as the armor. And he did not like where this conversation was going.
The orange-haired Akatsuki member continued, "I need you to infiltrate the deepest parts of Kirigakure. They seemed to have acquired some rather disturbing information. We need it to... disappear." He used terminology that the young Uchiha hadn't heard in a long time. Outwardly, he showed no reaction. It was the mark of a good ninja.
Inwardly, however, he just knew this was going to be one of his more difficult missions. Especially if Pein was hinting at what he thought he was hinting at.
"You want me to pose as an ANBU of Mist."
"Precisely." Itachi shot to his feet, teeth bared in annoyance.
"I want nothing to do with that organization!" he snarled, Sharingan bright red and features livid. Pein bore the temper tantrum with a stoic persona.
"I don't believe I was giving you an option, Itachi," the leader of the Akatsuki countered coldly, Rinnengan eyes darkening in challenge. Itachi knew better though, and backed down angrily. Pein was the leader for a very good reason.
It wouldn't bode well if the older man decided to kill him. The Uchiha sat back down and pulled the bag to him again.
"You will infiltrate Mist as one of their ANBU and gather the information I need," the Rinnengan user continued as though he hadn't been interrupted, "I'm counting on you to fulfill this mission to the best of your ability, Itachi."
"... I understand, Leader-sama."
"Very well. You may go now," Pein sighed, waving the young male out the door, "The details of your mission are in the bag. Once you're finished memorizing the details, burn them."
"Yes, Leader-sama." Itachi swirled out the door in a dark rage. This mission had Madara written all over it.
He hated when the older Uchiha interfered with his life.
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His mission had been a success, of course. He was the best, after all. He'd even dodged the several attempts that the true Mist ANBU had tried to use in order to capture, and most likely torture, him into giving what information he could about Konoha and the Akatsuki. The truth was, he wasn't sure if all the information he did possess of Konoha was even relevant anymore.
In a sneaky, silent way, he slid open the window to Kagome's kitchen and hopped inside. He'd rather be here than back at base anyway. When the priestess turned to acknowledge him, she dropped the spoon she was holding, the color draining from her face and her blue eyes wide in fear. That was a strange reaction. She was never afraid of him. At least, she never showed it if she was. It wasn't like he was... dressed up... strangely... and...
'Yeah, I forgot about that small part where she's never seen me in ANBU regalia before,' the Uchiha thought, leaning back against the window he'd come through. He then blinked. Huh... she had the oddest hair styles some days. Today, she was wearing her long hair in two braids, which were then rolled up into buns on either side of her head. Very odd.
The priestess warily eyed the masked ninja in her kitchen, fear gripping her throat and preventing her from screaming.
"I know it's not how I usually dress, but you don't have to look so terrified, Kagome," the masked ninja teased, lifting an armor-gloved hand to remove the porcelain mask. It was an interesting piece in that it had two thick dark red stripes down either side from top to bottom where the eyes were. The teeth, which wasn't a normal thing etched onto masks, were jagged and reminded him of a grinning monster right before it would devour your soul. He kind of liked it, in a way.
The priestess breathed a sigh of relief. She recognized that voice.
"Itachi. That was not funny! You scared me!" the dark-haired girl growled, glaring visciously at the preoccupied male. He carelessly set the creepy mask aside on the window sill and threw himself sulkily into one of the kitchen chairs. Though his mission had been successful, it had brought back too many memories.
"What's your problem anyway, dressing like that? Not to mention that creepy mask! And you could have used the door, you know!"
He just shrugged nonchalantly, not really willing to divulge that kind of information... yet. The Uchiha didn't want to go back when he felt so... vulnerable. Here would be the safest place for him. The priestess had shown remarkable control when it came to his temper. He inwardly winced at that particular idiotic move.
Leader would just have to wait for his stupid information. He was a paranoid bastard anyway.
Kagome finally sighed when he didn't respond, then turned back to the wok she'd disregarded and plugged it in to start cooking.
"You wanna stay for lunch?"
"... Yes."
"Then get changed out of... that, and meet me down here in 10 minutes," the priestess replied primly, picking out a new sponn and stirring in the vegitables a little violently. She heard what sounded like a laugh and turned to the Uchiha to give him a piece of her mind.
He was already gone.
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She was glad he was back in the normal clothes he wore, but the odd uniform was still very curious to her. She had a feeling, though, if she asked, that he wouldn't say anything. Still...
"Itachi?"
"Hmm." Kagome fidgeted in her seat, glancing at him then away again. The Uchiha raised a brow at the odd behaviour. Usually, the priestess would just plow right in and ask a random question that never ceased to catch him somewhat off guard. He set his chopsticks down and reached across the table. His fingers caught her chin and he turned her face towards him.
"What is it, Kagome?"
"Well... I... don't want to press into details but..."
"I know. But you will probably ask again in the future anyway."
"I..." the dark-haired girl trailed off again, looking anywhere but at the Sharingan user's eyes. Something dark caught her attention and she immediately latched onto it.
"When did you get a tattoo?" She wanted to smack herself for that. But then, it was the first thing that had popped into her head.
Itachi stiffened, not expecting that question. Of all the one's she could have asked, Kagome had to ask the one he didn't have an answer for!
"... A long time ago."
"Really? I thought you could only get a tattoo when you were 18?"
"I... I've never heard of that."
"Ohh... Maybe I'm... wrong?" The priestess wanted to wince at the unconvincing tone. She barely stopped herself.
Just barely.
"Maybe." She stood suddenly and came around to his side. Hestitantly, she traced the bottom edge until it disappeared under the sleeve. Itachi felt very light-headed, for some strange reason. Why did the feel of her fingers on the constant reminder of his past feel... good?
'What is wrong with me?'
"Can I... Can I see it?" Kagome whispered, mesmerized by the black ink stained on his arm. She really wanted to see it.
Itachi swallowed delicately, then nodded and pushed the rest of his sleeve up. Her finger started at the bottom again and slowly dragged upward, following the swirl of the symbol and up to the top. He was sure he was breathing harder than normal. 'Damn stupid hormones!'
"It's beautiful." Well, he'd never thought of it that way, but if she wanted to believe that, he wasn't going to stop her. "What does it mean?"
"It... means that I was part of an... elite force at my village," he replied, carefully editing his words in order to not give anything away. He'd done it for so long that it was almost second nature at this point.
"You were part of an elite organization?" Kagome asked, eyes wide with awe. It was a look he hadn't received in a long time. It was... refreshing. "You must have been a very good ninja."
"I was a Captain by the time I was 13."
"N-No way! For real?" She then proceeded to goggle at him in shock," So... You're not that old, are you?"
"I'm 18. Did you expect older?"
"W-Well I-! How was I supposed to know, Itachi?" He smirked, leaning over to muss her ridiculous hair up in amusment. Her dark bangs and loose strands fell into her face, which was red in embarrassment. 'He acts so much more mature than any eighteen year old I've ever met or known.'
"That must have been hard for you, though," Kagome countered once she'd gotten a hold of herself, "Being so young and in such a high position."
"It was... the wish of my family to be a part of it."
"Yeah... But was that what you wanted?"
"Yes. Everything else was... very boring. There was no challenge in being a regular ninja." His response was immediate, and though he sounded like it was what he wanted, it also felt as though he'd been raised to answer in such a way. Kagome found it to be... disconcerting. Had someone drilled those thoughts into his head? She didn't like the thought of someone, anyone, telling her friend how to live his life.
"There's nothing wrong with choosing something you want to do, Itachi," the priestess countered quietly, standing and clearing away their empty dishes. It left him to himself, and he re-analyzed the conversation, suddenly realizing he'd given a lot more of himself away than he would have liked.
Kagome was a smart girl. She would catch on to things sooner of later if he wasn't more careful.
"I have done things for myself," the Sharingan user countered just as quietly, the challenge in his tone evident. Kagome turned back and looked him straight in the eye without flinching.
"Oh yeah? Like what?" But how could she not see it? The proof was right in front of her!
"I'm here. That is of my own choosing."
And for some reason, he was pleased when she smiled happily at him in agreement.
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A/N: Another small but significant step in the right direction for Itachi and Kagome. They're coming to understand each other a little more; bit by bit. Thanks for all the support and being so patient, everyone!
Okay, so the mask that I attempted to describe looks like Ichigo's Bankai Hollow mask in Bleach when he fights with Ulquiorra. With the stripes down the front. And the teeth. Can't forget the teeth. Minus the crazy horns. Please imagine that face when you turn around in your kitchen and there's a random ninja sitting there watching you. Now, you can understand why Kagome was scared.
So the poll has officially closed! The winner is... -drumroll- Hot For Teacher! There must be a lot of people out there that wanna see me attempt something on the smutty lines. You guys are absolutely nuts, but I'll get to work on that... after I get the final chapter done for The Red Sin. I don't want too much on my plate, after all. Thanks for voting!
Speaking of The Red Sin, I'll be taking a small break from Something Blue in order to get that final chapter out. That way I can concentrate more fully on this story! Thank you all and I hope for your amazing patience.
As always, please review!