8. Away
"You wear a mask for so long, you forget who you were beneath it."
― Alan Moore, V for Vendetta
April 2, 7.05 AM
Despite having the hangover of the century, Naoko was up and fussing about. A cold shower was enough to clear her head and quench the lingering scent of whiskey that stubbornly clung to her breath that morning.
She swore never to drink again in the middle of the week before downing a glass of carbonated water and donning her perfectly ironed uniform that had just been returned from dry cleaning. To the untrained eye, Naoko looked pristine as she did every day. Thank god that headaches weren't visible.
A sense of dread overtook her as soon as Naoko's mind regained the ability of coherent thought.
Kakashi still had no idea what had transpired before they met up. He was still perched in the dark, and the more she postponed it the harder it became to share the truth and the knowledge made her anxious about facing him. No doubt he was somewhere in that tiny flat.
Unsurprisingly, Kakashi was still sound asleep, sprawled carelessly on the living room sofa, although Naoko didn't let the innocent scene lull her into ignorance. No doubt Kakashi was still somewhat alert, always ready to spring into action. It was his visual aloofness that had saved his skin more than once.
The man stirred, although Naoko seriously doubted that he was even truly asleep, when she started rattling around the kitchen. She laid out some breakfast items for a quick sandwich and found two identical cups, placing everything on the counter in a perfectly symmetrical shape in some weak effort to calm herself.
He sat up, taking notice of Naoko's nervous fidgeting before sighing, "There's something you wish to tell me."
The words made her movement halt, everything was still, save for the water coming to a boil in the kettle. How come her feelings were so transparent to the man, or perhaps Kakashi was just guessing.
Naoko smiled, casting her eyes downwards, "Indeed, yesterday was not really the time and place."
Perhaps her partner already assumed the significance of the information that she was keeping to herself intuitively, which made his apparent lack of irritation or disappointment surprising. Instead he got up, the face of tranquillity, and took a seat behind the counter, "Well, it can wait until after coffee."
That was all it took to defuse the tension. It never ceased to amaze her how…for the lack of a better word, easy it was to communicate with the man. She would need Kakashi to school her a bit, teach her to control her body language better, even when not painfully aware.
"Last night was fun." She said, in all honesty. The mishap with the club, the drinking and the people they met – it was exhilaratingly fun. Naoko dropped some coffee cubes to both of the cups before pouring hot water over them.
Kakashi nodded in agreement, accepting the steaming cup that Naoko offered him, "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think both of us needed that."
He pulled down his mask to sip the caffeinated bliss and Naoko's eyes were instantly drawn to him. Just why the soldier didn't dazzle the enemy with his looks was beyond her. Feature chiselled to perfection and a personality to make it too good to be true.
"Are you listening?"
Naoko jolted out of her daydreams, flustered, blinking rapidly a few times as if the gesture would clear her head, "Excuse me?" she asked with an innocent smile. If Kakashi knew what she was thinking about, which he usually did, then he was politely concealing his knowledge.
He took another sip before slathering some butter on a piece of toast and piling ham and tomatoes on top, "What did you wish to discuss?"
The redhead supressed the urge to wiggle in her chair and forced her hands to lie on her lap limply, "I got an offer of…cooperation of sorts from a source that's…Well he is a bit untraditional."
Kakashi seemed nonchalant about it, popping the pills Tsunade prescribed them one after another. His silence felt like a beckoning to continue. Level-headed as he was, Kakashi would not react before he knew every factor.
"The information broker that approached me at the ball found me again – short story short he wishes to cooperate. I think he used to sell intel to my father, his exact words were – So you could finish what Kino started…I think my father might've been investigating the Akatsuki."
Her partner studied Naoko with curiosity, "And what if he sells us out?" he asked, forcing her to analyse the situation.
"Well if those were his intentions then why go through the trouble of seeking me out in the first place? He could've just sold us both out without taking the risk of meeting me in person, not once but twice."
"Didn't it cross your mind that he was just confirming suspicions about your motives?" asked the man between bites. Naoko hadn't even touched her coffee, let alone prepare any breakfast. She made a mental note to do so later – skipping meals would affect her cognitive functions and she had to be in top shape.
Naoko crossed her arms across her chest defensively, "Of course it did, but what if this is the real deal? Do you know how much information he might have?" she barked, only solidifying her decision.
Kakashi raised his finger, "Exactly, might. I'm asking is it worth the risk?"
There was nothing to ask. Naoko had probably decided last night, this situation was merely confirming her feelings.
"I'd be an idiot to pass this up. I will at least meet with him and see what I can learn." The strength and determination that Kakashi had witnessed a little while ago returned to her eyes. No doubt the military uniform aided the 'iron lady' appearance. The silver haired man chuckled and grasped her shoulder, "'I'? You really think that I will let you walk into this on your own?"
Naoko's hand trailed upwards and her fingers curled around Kakashi's hand as she smiled, "Well, I was about to invite you anyway, but sure, you can crash the party this time. I mean…this course of action has so many loopholes and basically everything can go wrong, but this is a one in a million chance."
"Just tell me when and where."
Her heart was allowed to slow down to a healthy rhythm once more. Everything was fine, she had once again estimated Kakashi to overreact. Not to mention that his support meant the world to Naoko. To have a superior backing up her beliefs and course of action was momentous. For that brief idyllic morning, she felt safe. This man sitting across her made her feel protected, as if nothing could go wrong.
In fact the pair didn't have to hold their breath for too long. One week was all that Itachi needed to set up a few secure locations without the ambassador sniffing it out. Kisame's constant vigilance was the bane of his existence and the man could smell a lie like shark could sense blood in the water.
To be fair, they got along quite harmonically compared to some of the other members, but there was never any trust between the two.
In the Akatsuki every man was out for themselves, despite their cooperation – a betrayal could create a ripple effect that would be enough to wipe out the small leadership of ten.
Kisame valued only two things in life – his position and life, hence his caution towards Itachi. Much to his luck there hadn't been a need for them to meet this week, which allowed him to invite the Shimotsuki girl to meet with him.
It was midday, just in time for lunch, yet the blinds were closed. Itachi sat in total darkness, not that it made much difference in his eyes, waiting. His disguise was much more simplistic this time around as he was still contemplating whether or not to reveal his identity to the pair. He was so used to hiding and concealing that it felt foreign to have his natural features so visible to the naked eye.
Yes, he was aware that there was someone else coming with Naoko. A partner, a friend, perhaps even a lover based on his observations, but this was irrelevant to the situation. What Itachi did acknowledge was Kakashi's value as a resource and a soldier. The man was legendary after all, and had somehow managed to obtain an Uchiha bionic eye.
Explaining the situation, explaining himself and revealing his name might evoke trust or alternatively turn the pair against him. The latter was debatable. Itachi had all the necessary proof with him and he was betting his life on the possibility, that the two soldiers are as analytical as an Intel agent should be.
He checked the time, only to discover that they were running two minutes late. Only to be expected, but it made him uneasy the same. The possibility of betrayal was mutual, although there was a potential for symbiosis. They needed his intelligence, while Itachi was in dire need of allies, someone he could trust…and those two were fiercely loyal to Konoha. He could use that to garner some sympathy.
Two knives, one pistol and a bit of poison were currently on the man, he did a quick count just before a knock resonated through the apartment. After a pause, the person knocked another two times before opening the door.
Itachi didn't move from the stale armchair he was sitting in, his gaze flickering between the redhead and the false bionic. His eyes slid over the pair – Kakashi managed to appear relaxed, but there was some excess tension in Naoko's shoulders.
"Were you followed?" asked Itachi. Not that it mattered much. If they were followed, then the three of them would be dead anyway. Or the two of them, at least – he could lie his way out of this.
Kakashi shook his head, "No, we're alone."
Unless you brought someone.
Those words, while not uttered were hanging above their heads ominously. Naoko to Itachi's right, while Kakashi took his left – together they formed a front against him.
Itachi did his best to ignore the display of caution, trust was earned through time and he had to take a leap of faith. This representation of their apprehension and distrust was enough to convince Itachi that the possibility of allies was worth it. Those two would never trust a nameless stranger, but a comrade?
It had worked with Kunisada Kino, why not on his daughter? And it seemed that Naoko was the leading cause in this case.
"Excellent. Time is short and there is only one thing I wished to discuss today to ensure mutual trust."
Trust – what a foreign word it felt. Itachi wanted to roll it around just a little bit more, but there were more dire matters.
The corner of Naoko's mouth twitched in amusement, "Trust is a little far-fetched. I'd aim for 'Not about to stab in the back' for starters." She was more than happy that Kakashi was accompanying her. Alone it would've been harder to keep a constant watch on the broker.
Itachi glanced briefly in her direction before standing up, simultaneously aware of Kakashi's position. "Names are a sure way to ease mistrust. Mine, however, can't be revealed without certain evidence."
He walked around the armchair, never exposing himself to a direct assault and reaching into his bag. The movement caused Naoko to reach for her gun. Itachi straightened up slowly, his hands raised as a sign of peace and he stepped away from the bag, his back against the wall. A disadvantageous position to be in. Too many openings and nothing to use for cover.
Instead of Naoko he turned to Kakashi, "There is a file and I suggest you read it without bias. It's authentic."
Though Itachi would've preferred that no guns were pointed towards him at that crucial moment, but one can only hope. Kakashi moved with grace only animals possess – soundless, calculated and effortless. The silver haired man indeed found the brown envelope in question that held one of Konoha's most well-guarded secrets.
A physical copy of the orders was a stroke of genius from the third Hokage – paper materials are considered archaic and most would not even think to look for them.
Kakashi's brow furrowed as he flipped through the files, the expression drew Naoko's attention, "What is it?" she asked. Itachi remained impassive, listless, waiting for the situation to unfold and resolve itself.
"This can't be right…" he mumbled before chuckling, "No, this is as brilliant as it is stupid."
Naoko grew impatient and holstered her weapon, marching across the room and snatching the file from Kakashi, skimming through the pages just as her mentor had before her. These files were several years old, still from the third Hokage's era that ended quite recently with his death.
Infiltrate…destroy from the inside…obtain trust…gather intelligence about members, locations, branches…leadership…find the leader…discover the identity and exact location of leader…head base…
Signed by the third Hokage, with his seal right there to prove it. Infiltration orders signed to…
Uchiha Itachi.
The two intel agents exchanged a glance, filled with equal amounts of disbelief and shock. This was possibly the delicious scandal any reporter would die for.
"Oh…well, shit."
Thank you for your patience, dear reader and I hope you enjoyed this chapter (in its current form, no doubt I'll edit it again tomorrow...I'm so sleepy I must've missed something vital). To Davina – I am absolutely flattered that you are so invested into this and I promise you, I am not abandoning this story. I write whenever school and my hobbies allow me to.
Well, technically I should be studying right now, but I really wanted to update again. The feeling is right and I really wanted my golden trio to finally meet up and get something done! This is where the story will get tricky…Like always I know what it's about and I know how it ends. I just need to make it there :D
Until next time (which is hopefully soon)
Lilyholics