Mirror, mirror.
"Is this her?"
"Hai, Leader-sama."
"Take her to the medical wing and heal her before taking her to the cells, but do not let her die we need her."
"Hai Leader-sama."
"I am counting you to keep her alive, your mission depends on her."
"Hai, Leader-sama."
"When she has recovered, bring her to me and I shall give you the details of your mission."
Pein disappeared into the shadows from whence he came leaving Itachi with a dying girl in the arms of his partner; Kisame held Reina in his arms with ease, she as limp as a rag doll in a toyshop. Itachi left the room silently with Kisame hot on his heels, the pair walking through the bare hallways of the base; the atmosphere was non-existent, no emotions filled the air, not even tension managed to lace the environment, everywhere was devoid.
"Ne Itachi-san, why do we need the girl anyway, I'm sure we could handle the mission alone I don't see why we need her." Kisame tilted his head, glancing down at the unconscious kunoichi occupying his arms, her snowy skin charred from the blast of Deidara's explosives along with her clothes, they torn and mud covered. Itachi continued walking without answering his partner, his charcoal and scarlet cloak swishing with his every step before he took a sharp turn into the medical wing of the lair, the small symmetrical room filled with the necessary supplies that inhabited a sturdy looking wooden cabinet.
"Place her down." Itachi ordered his voice low yet soft, not gruff as one would expect it to be; it was not a threatening tone and Kisame knew this, he knew the talented shinobi was a stern young man but was not a violent one. Kisame did as he was told, carefully laying Reina on the medical table, allowing his eyes to take her appearance in for a few moments before taking his leave, his thoughts roused as to whether his dark haired companion knew the girl in his former life.
The last thing he saw as he saw in the dark room was the Sharingan fade from the Uchiha prodigy's eyes.
Itachi unclipped the buttons of his cloak, the metal of his necklace glimmering in the faint light ever so slightly as he folded his cloak with extreme precision, not one crease occupying the dark durable fabric. He turned his attention to Reina, his eyes softening faintly, a rarity in itself; she didn't deserve to be here, she should be home and safe with her family, not fighting for her life inches away from death.
He reached into the cabinet, the hinges creaking painfully as the door swung open. The cabinet was filled with an array of bottles and conical shaped containers, each containing brightly coloured fluids, each one more foul smelling than the next. He reached for a shelved syringe, the tube containing a dark violet liquid; it was not often Sasori made an antidote for his poisons, but with the amount of times he had accidently poisoned Hidan or attempted to poison Deidara it was the clever thing to have about.
Lucky in Reina's case.
Normally Sasori's victims were dead within hours, a day at a push but not Reina, she was one of the exceptions; Itachi glanced at the barely breathing kunoichi noting how her veins had become darker and tainted as the poison flowed through her veins. Reina's chest hardly moved, her lungs contracted and struggling to gather oxygen; her heart was working overtime, pumping tainted blood around her body, the muscles almost screaming out in agony as the tainted incarnadine liquid came in contact with it.
Itachi stepped closer to Reina, carefully moving the fabric of her shirt away revealing ash and blood tinged skin; he removed the cover from the needle squeezing some of the liquid from its tube a little and flicking it before looking for an appropriate place to administer it.
"Gomenasai Reina-chan." Itachi murmured quietly, making sure no one heard his soft apologies as he administered the serum, the needle piercing her battered skin with ease; he watched carefully making he gave her the correct dosage, the level on the hypodermic scale falling down to zero as the dark liquid entered her body, beginning its job immediately.
Itachi watched silently as the veins that lay beneath Reina's skin began to pale down; her breaths were less ragged and becoming more even, inwardly Itachi sighed with relief knowing that she was going to be okay. Reina's head lolled to the side, intangible sighs and words passing her paler than usual lips; Itachi tilted his head curiously as he leaned in closer to her to hear what she was muttering.
"D-don't…" She whispered almost silently, her words filled with desperation and unbridled fear; Itachi leaned in even closer, her breath playing over his ear and exposed neck. Reina's breath hitched in her throat, her face scrunching up in pain as her back arched, her body all of a sudden writhing and contorting in pain. Itachi leaned back, his face not changing as she tried to catch her breath, a fine sweat enveloping her skin as her body pumped the antidote rapidly around her veins and arteries, her kekkai genkai flaring up and going into panic mode at all the foreign compounds in her body.
He knew that feeling all too well. The sudden spouts of cold sweats, muscles tightening and then fits of painful spasms- he truly felt for her. Itachi quirked a brow as random pops and bangs filled the air, some were high pitched and others were more of a quiet hiss; he remembered this from his childhood. Reina jolted onto her side, clutching her stomach as she lay in a foetal position on the table, the pain plastered on her freckle speckled face.
Before it even happened Itachi had seized a small dish from the side of the cabinet and held it next to her as she leaned over the side of the table and vomited violently, soft cries passing her lips in the process. Instinctively he held her hair back from her face as her body continued to rid itself of the vicious poison; Itachi had lost count of the times he had done this for Sasuke as a child, the many nights that the younger brother had eaten too many tomatoes before training, it taking its toll later in the night.
Reina winced, a quiet cry trapped at the back of her throat as her body tried to accumulate whatever warmth it could. She had no clue where she was, whether what she was feeling now death or if it was a second chance at life, but she knew there was only one way to find out. With her breathing now at a more acceptable rate she urged her eyes to open, her lids fluttering ever so slightly expecting sunlight to immediately bombard them- but it was dark. Reina frowned in confusion, soft lines creasing in her brow; warily she lifted her aching body, the confusion continuing to puzzle her as she realised what she was laying on.
A medic slab.
"Konbanwa Reina-chan." Itachi said quietly, his face once again shadowed by the collar of his cloak, his eyes bleeding into their infamous scarlet shade once more. Reina flinched as her heart skipped a beat, her split lips parting in utter shock and slight fear; cautiously she turned her head, her eyes widening in the utmost disbelief as what she saw before her. Itachi leaned against the wall nonchalantly, his arm slung in the opening of his cloak casually.
They got me.
Her stomach fell instantly, all that effort of evading Sasori and Deidara to be scooped up effortlessly by Itachi Uchiha himself.
"Why does the Akatsuki want me Itachi-san? I'm no jinchuuriki and have no particular use so why?" Reina cringed at her almost pleading tone as Itachi pushed himself off the wall, taking a few steps toward her, she didn't dare move. This wasn't Sasuke she was dealing with now, this was the man who singlehandedly slaughtered his entire clan like they were game in hunting season. This was the man who had possibly brought her to her death.
"You are to aid us in a mission. If you cooperate and help us complete the mission? You're free to go…" He paused looking directly at her, his ruby gaze burning darkly, she cringed slightly beneath his scrutiny feeling her skin crawl. "Don't cooperate? You won't be seeing Konoha again, you'll rot in the cells along with the others before you." Reina felt herself quiver in pure fear, she had never felt so terrified from a few words, but this Itachi Uchiha , he wasn't the kind and compassionate boy she had once known.
"You know they'll come looking for me, have you not considered that? You could have ANBU out in swarms, crawling all over the place" She retorted, trying to keep her voice from breaking and making herself look defiant despite the terror curdling in her stomach; her golden orbs rekindling some of their fire.
Itachi moved directly in front of her, his chakra daunting and filling the room with a stifling presence. He grabbed her by the throat, forcing her to look at him, though his actions were surprisingly pacifistic compared to his words. Reina noted a slight cloudiness that inhabited his red dyed irises compared to that of her own clear orbs. She dared not move under his grip, simply remaining as still as a statue as he leaned in, their breaths mingling together briefly before leaning in further, his lips barely grazing her ear in an almost tantalising manner.
"They won't come looking for you Reina-chan, who would come? That Hyuuga boy? He could be easily taken care of." Itachi countered, his words dark and dripping with murky promises. Reina gasped feeling her entire body shaking in a mixture of anger and unease at his threat, she couldn't allow that to happen, not to Neji. Itachi glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, able to see the effect of his words written clearly on her face despite his clouded vision.
She would have to cooperate, and he knew that she knew that.
He felt her spirit break a little beneath his grip, satisfied he released her she not even flinching when he grasped her chin gently lifting it to face him once more. Her amber eyes filled with unshed tears, not those of sadness, but sorrow, sorrow for him- the murderer of the Uchiha clan.
He had fallen so far from grace…and he was dragging her with him.
"You've grown Reina-chan, prove your worth and it'll all be over."
The cell was dark and dingy, the smell of rot and decay clinging to every paving stone slab that inhabited the almost claustrophobic room. Reina leaned against the wall furthest away from the sturdy metal door, her kekkai genkai flaring up every time someone walked past, the occasional glance filled with curiosity appearing through the small barred window. By now the poison had left her system completely, her strength returning in leaps and bounds; she had lost track of time within this cell, days could have passed or mere hours- she simply didn't know.
Her ears pricked up a little at hearing a familiar set of footsteps echo down the hallway, she had come to recognise the pattern fairly well, but it was not only the rhythm of their footsteps she recognised. Reina knew that chakra all too well.
Itachi Uchiha .
Reina stood from her position on the cold ground, the moisture ridden cell adding to her already dirty and damp clothes; her shirt torn and ragged and her hair having straggled from its woven neatness. She glared at the door intently, her fire and determination having returned with an unbridled fury, the same fury burning in her golden orbs. In the small space of the past however long she had been here, Reina had amassed a great dislike for the elder Uchiha, it wasn't hate for hate was such a strong emotion, she would save the hating of Itachi for Sasuke.
She paused from her disarray of dislike as realisation struck her.
Itachi Uchiha saved her life. It might have been solely for the need of the Akatsuki, but he saved her none the less and she should show at least some gratitude even if it was a simple smidgen of appreciation.
Reina returned her ochre gaze to the cell door, it creaked open revealing the shadowy figure of Itachi - his Sharingan ablaze as per usual
"Itachi-san." Reina muttered with reluctant acknowledgement.
"Reina-chan." He replied with a slight informality which rued her. He stood at the side of the door, the light streaming into stuffy cell it catching her eyes and making them glisten softly. He hadn't seen her eyes like that before, the many shades of gold and amber blending into one another, in fact, the last time he had seen her eyes shine like that was many years ago- but back then, they were brown with gold flecks. This intrigued him but he would never say it aloud.
Reina left the cell, standing beside the exit patiently as Itachi closed the door and silently beckoned her after him; he led her through a maze of stone corridors, each turn leading deeper into wherever the base was. It was then a familiar scent laced the air, it metallic in its nature; Reina glanced at the elder Uchiha questioningly, assuming that only Akatsuki members, other than prisoners, were permitted within the walls of the base. Over the years her kekkai genkai had become a subconscious part of her day to day life, unknowingly logging compounds of the periodic table mentally.
And this time it was a substance had been logged too many times for her liking: blood.
Itachi returned the questionable glance and murmured quietly.
"Hidan follows Jashinism."
Reina's eyes widened slightly remembering back to Touzuku and the Jashin insignia in his cell, his blood acting as the ink of a writer's brush.
"He is the one that injured Touzuku isn't he? The Akatsuki are behind stealing and swapping the Kojiki…but why?" Reina pressed, determined to find out why a rebel organisation of ninjas would want a book of myths and legends. But it was not Itachi that answered her questions. From within the darkness of a nearby room Pein spoke, his tone oozing authority as he beckoned the pair in with a mere gesture of his hand.
"I can see we have the right person for the job." Pein susurrated, his rinnegan eyes entrancing to the more inferior eyes. Reina stood amongst the darkness, Itachi standing behind her whilst his own hypnotic orbs glowed entrancingly in the shadows. Pein sat at an oblong stone table, it rather grand for that of a group of ruthless shinobi, Reina noted the pale blue headed kunoichi to his right, her piercing catching the light that flickered from nearby candles.
"Now that you are awake I will give you the details of the mission that you are to aid Itachi and Kisame with." Pein paused briefly awaiting some sort of dismay from Reina, but no emotion at that time was expressed upon her pastel features. Reina kept her emotions under lock and key as not to get herself into more trouble, more than what she was in at the moment, she was in quicksand and the more she struggled the further and quicker it would consume her.
Pein observed her tattered form briefly before continuing to speak, as he did so, he placed the Kojiki on the table along with the rest of her belongings, the scabbard of her katana glimmering and calling out tantalisingly to her, as if begging her to take it.
"You are to retrieve the legendary Yata no Kagami…"
Reina blinked in utter confusion, having not seen that on the cards. Her lips parted unsure whether he had heard himself correctly, this was the legendary mirror that lured the goddess Amaterasu from her cave- it was the stuff of myth. Even the stone-faced Uchiha was unsure if he had heard correctly, but, it was a mission none the less so Itachi bowed from the waist, his dark locks falling over his shoulder.
"Hai, Leader-sama." Itachi replied, pulling on Reina's arm and forcing her to mimic his action; she glanced back at him with pure distaste and aversion written clearly over her face. Pein smirked ever so slightly at the disgust on Reina's face, unused to seeing someone have the audacity to use such an expression around the Sharingan master.
"Prepare for the mission tonight and leave tomorrow…But first we need to ensure that you will co-operate. Itachi take her arms." Pein uttered curtly, standing from his seat at the opposite end of the room. Reina gasped inaudibly, instantly turning to fend the oncoming Uchiha off, but he was already on her like a hawk on its prey.
Itachi grabbed Reina, restraining her as she fought against his grip; he gazed at her silently as if urging her not to retaliate and make things worse for herself, but he in return he received a look of betrayal and borderline hatred from her, her eyes burning determinedly.
"What are you doing!? Let go of me!" Reina spat at Itachi, her words beginning to flood with panic hearing Pein come nearer and nearer. Once again the air began to fill with pops and bangs, this time on a louder and more vivid scale, Itachi tightened his grip, holding her against him as Pein stood a mere few paces away, a small metal bar like those inhabiting his face, and more than likely his entire body, occupying his hands.
It was a transmitter.
Reina strained her neck to try and keep the looming leader in her view, knowing what was to come - they were going to chip her like a common animal.
"Hold her still Itachi, this needs to be implanted as a failsafe if she should try anything." Pein glowered, his temper beginning to simmer. Reina's eyes widened at the imposing metal bar, quickly she concentrated on the small bar, ignoring the feeling of Itachi's breath play against the back of her neck , the molecular structure changing rapidly as the bar split into pea size marbles before continuing to shrink and condense as they evaporated into the air. Itachi watched on from behind, having not realised she possessed such grace over her bloodline, even in the heat of the moment.
"You test my patience Reina, if you do not cooperate then I'm afraid that the Hyuuga boy that crossed the border merely moments ago will be annihilated and all because of you." Pein glared, his rinnegan seeming more intimidating that before; Reina froze, her attempts of retaliation simpering away instantly.
"N-No please! I'll cooperate, please…just don't hurt him, he has nothing to do with this." Reina spoke, her voice cracking a little with fear for her best friend. Pein stood before her, briefly glancing at Itachi as he leaned in close tauntingly.
"Then how do you suggest we keep an eye on you little Reina? Because if you do not come up with something then Konoha will be minus one Hyuuga." Pein goaded brutishly.
Reina averted her eyes to the ground, subconsciously leaning into Itachi as if trying hide inside his cloak as so many ideas and thoughts raced through her mind in attempt to solve the situation at hand.
"No proposal? Well then, Itachi, go dispose of the Hyuuga." Itachi nodded, releasing Reina instantly as he turned swiftly on his heels.
"No! Wait!" Reina stammered, grabbing Itachi by the arm, the dark fabric bundled in her fist tightly as she tugged him back. Pein quirked a brow with curiosity, this kunoichi was proving to be rather interesting. Reina bit her lip as a woeful sigh passed her lips.
Forgive me Ojii-san.
"I'll pact a chakra indenture." She whispered, her voice barely audible, but the pair heard her loud and clear and were taken back by such a thing, even if they didn't show it. Itachi stayed where he was, an ephemeral flicker of inquisitiveness passing over his expression as Pein eyeballed her closely.
"You know how to perform such jutsu? They are forbidden and supposedly lost over time…my my Reina, what a find you are turning out to be." Pein cooed mockingly as she held on tighter to Itachi's cloak, her eyes squeezed together tightly in shame of her recent words. "Well then Reina, perform away." Pein urged on, slightly curious as to what it would entail. Reina's head shot up looking at the red-haired shinobi, unsure whether if he meant with him.
"I'll only make the pact with Itachi-san, if I am to cooperate with this mission, it makes sense that he is the one I make the indenture with…" she replied, dubious as to whether she was overstepping the mark further than she already had but surprising herself with how confident it sounded. Itachi blinked, inwardly taken back that she would make such a commitment to someone, let alone him.
Reina Hitori was indeed proving to be a fascinating young woman.
She was either wise or foolish, he was still undecided.