The composition of the human body is made up of various complex animatronics; each individual part making the intimate machine that remains under constant scrutiny by scientists and philosophers alike. The scientists of the world wish to know the anatomical mysteries like how can the body undergo such physical damage and still function at such a high standard as if nothing had happened. But the philosophers ponder another capability, the nature of humans; they question why they do the things they do or the reasoning and explanations behind their unusual emotions.
Emotions are as equally as strange and as complex the human body some which remain as enigmatic despite the many years that pass. Tomo knew something troubled her granddaughter even as she lay unconscious in the hospital bed. When Tomo has received the news of Reina's return her heart at leapt for joy but immediately sank when she seen the state in which Reina was in; all the weeks that had turned into months without knowing of her whereabouts had made her heart heavy and weary.
But now she had her back, her dearest and most precious granddaughter back and still she could help with what was troubling her. Tomo sat alone in the plain white hospital ward, the soft sunlight that peeked through the curtains casting a pale glow on Reina's unconscious form, it accentuating the bruising that made its presence known on her equally pallid skin. She had so many questions to ask Reina but knew she must hold her tongue when the time came for her to awaken; yet the bruises and lacerations that inhabited her body lay presence for many a question.
Had this been down to Itachi Uchiha? Tomo liked to think that he still possessed some human compassion despite the tragedy all them years ago however an event such as that was bound to change a person, she need only think of his brother, Sasuke, to know the impacts of such a misfortune.
"Such a waste of youth." Tomo sighed sadly to herself as she sat forward in the chair and adjusted the stray straggles of hair that had fallen into Reina's face, they clinging to the fine layer of sweat that also clung to her skin. The condensation would clear then fog up the clear oxygen mask that was strapped to Reina's face, her breathes stronger and more independent than what they were when she had first been brought in.
Tomo smiled and gently dabbed away the condensation from her skin only to freeze when a quiet groan passed Reina's lips. At first her mumbles and groans were incoherent, but which each passing moment they became more tangible and understandable; Tomo's chocolate orbs widened as her heart leapt with hope once more. "Reina-chan, I'm here my dearest, I'm here." Tomo murmured encouragingly, stroking her forehead carefully after calling for a doctor. Within moments her ebony lashes fluttered before they opened fully only to squint from the bright sunlight that blinded her fragile orbs. Tomo felt her chest fill with an overwhelming joy whilst her eyes began to flood with saline tears; Reina lolled her head to the side hearing that all but unfamiliar voice arouse her foggy senses.
"B-baa-chan?" Reina stuttered, her throat parched as no proper syllables had passed her lips in over a week; Tomo smiled and nodded silently, taking a hold of her bandaged palm and holding it to her cheek. Reina smiled ever so weakly glad to see her grandmother safe and sound; the reality of her situation was yet to strike her, and when it did it was going to strike hard.
Very hard.
A young girl watched from behind her curtained bed across the ward, her leafy orbs stuck on the scene that had been unravelling before her very eyes; her heart sunk as visitor after visitor came to honey eyes woman's side, each one obviously relieved to see her alive and well. She didn't know the woman's story and she doubted she ever would but to see her friends surround her bedside made her own bandaged stomach sink in pain. Yet it wasn't the pain that had been inflicted on her skin that made her feel the way she did, it was lack of taken seats at her own bed that made her ache.
She even watched as her own sensei's visited the young woman yet failed to even notice her forever forgotten presence; it wasn't until days later that she noticed the colour returning to the young woman's face and lips that she even realised she was speaking to her. Her pastel lips moving silently until she registered her words were aimed at her.
"You're Hikari Saito, am I right?" Reina asked softly, her lips upturned into her usual smile as she held a dainty china cup in her hands. Hikari blinked in shock, her stomach bubbling with tension and an unbridled anxiety; she hadn't even spoken or seen this woman before and yet she knew her name- it unnerved her. Reina watched the young girl silently noting the blood rush across her slender silhouette until it filled her pale face like ink upon parchment. Hikari opened her mouth yet no words seemed pass them, she paused and inhaled deeply remembering the coping techniques her counsellor had taught her.
"H-Hai I am. But…how do you know who I am?" Hikari asked quietly feeling the once overbearing sensation that had washed over her gradually fade away to nothing more than a fleeting simmer. Reina placed the teacup down carefully, folding her hands in her lap before smiling reassuringly.
"I work with Iruka-sensei and your team sensei Kakashi. They speak fondly of you so there is no need to worry Hikari-san." Reina replied watching the young girl carefully, she was like a fledgling bird who was testing her wings before she fully left the nest but doubted her ability to fly. In a way her nervous disposition reminded her much of herself both in her younger years and current days, to have other believe in you is one thing but to believe their words and have the courage and self-worth to believe in yourself is another thing.
It was with that simple exchange of words that a bond was formed, it may have only been a small link in the chain, but it was a link no less. Over days that flew by Reina had come to know Hikari well, she was an enamoured young woman who was confused by her feelings that were forever trying to bring her down as she hid them behind a painted smile. Reina knew that feeling too well, each moment was equally as difficult as it was painful; all her thoughts swirled and floated with the idea of Itachi, where he was, if he were alright.
If he was still alive.
Leaning her head against the soft pillow Reina gazed out of the window that resided by her bed, despite the chill that hung in the air the sun shone brightly across the land. Her thoughts wandered back to events of the cave, how Itachi's stomach had bled red with mirrored wounds of her own injury before they switched instantly to moment she found out the truth about the infamous Uchiha clan masochist.
He was going to let Sasuke kill him so his revenge would finally be complete and his lifelong mission would finally be laid to rest. But what then? What would Sasuke do then? Would he feel the sensation of relief or will other horrors fill his ever calculative mind? And what would happen to her? Would the indenture mirror the wounds Sasuke would inflict upon Itachi upon her? Would she die alongside Itachi for the sake of a village that was too cowardly to sort out its own issues? Every answer would go unanswered, left to ferment and stir in her thoughts whilst she had to go on with her life like the events had never happened, like things were back to as they were beforehand.
But things would never be the same and she knew it.
•●•
The dingy medical cell was nothing like that of the hospital, light penetrated the room bar the lone candle that struggled to stay lit beside the cramped medical cot. The entire room radiated death, the fact that the stench of blood filled the air was a constant reminder of the forthcoming event. Piles of gauze resided near the bed, they stained crimson from the ordeals that occurred in Yomi. Itachi lay silent in the rickety cot, his eyes never straying from the dust ridden ceiling; he couldn't recall how long he had been there or even how he had come to be there. All that filled his thoughts was Reina and each moment that he spent with her; he knew things were never meant to be in the first place but he had had that small taste of what could have been.
And inwardly he admitted he wished he could pursue that specific route- but he knew he couldn't. All he could now was recall memories that would soon be lost to him, lost to the arduous void that is Yomi; for it were his memories that had kept him sane all the years that had passed before his dwindling sight without him realising.
The overall feeling was that of sadness, it oozed from every possible dwelling and person who resided in the room; osenko incense drifted and wandered about in between sympathising individuals before dispersing into nothingness. Stargazer lilies inhabited the space around the ceremonial ihai, they symbolising sympathy and restored purity of the recently deceased's soul; the ever smiling gaze of Hidekazu Hitori beamed from the glassed portrait on the spirit table, his gold orbs glinting as if he were still amongst the living.
Fugaku, Mikoto and Itachi entered the Hitori manner, their jet black kimonos crisply pressed for the sensitive occasion; they approached the ihai bowing reverently before they all lit a single stick of incense, paying their respects. The trio then paid their respects to Tomo, recently widowed thanks to the illness that had claimed her husband; they bowed once again and were met with smiling yet teary chocolate orbs.
"Our condolences Tomo-san, Hidekazu-san will be dearly missed by us all." Mikoto spoke softly, earning a grateful smile from Tomo.
"I thank you for your empathy and your attendance today, it would have meant a lot to him to see you all here." Tomo replied from her seat near the ihai, her eyes fleeting lovingly over the nearby portrait. Whilst the adults continued to converse Itachi wandered through the sea of black; the lowly chatter eventually grew to halt before it was soon replaced with that of chirping birds and the gentle hush of the spring breeze that danced and dislodged the petals of the recently bloomed wisteria trees.
His own cocoa orbs drank in the sight of the fully bloomed garden, the colours all bleeding into one another like that of an artist's palette; shutting the shoji screen door behind him he inhaled the sweet scent that laced the air finding it calming and a welcomed change to the scent of blood that usually accompanied him wherever he went. Slipping off the elevated walkway he ventured into the colourful garden, his obsidian kimono dull in comparison to the natural flora around him.
Before long he found himself beneath the shade of the wisteria tree that inhabited the centre of the grassy area, its waterfall of petals swaying rhythmically; but it wasn't merely the ocean of lavender petals that stole his attention, there poking between the buds were a pair of dainty feet. Pulling the cascading flowers aside like a silk curtain Itachi peered up into tree, he finally putting a face to the doll sized feet.
"Reina-chan?" Itachi called out gently, despite his mere eleven years in the world, his voice was filled with a maturity and serenity; Reina glanced down to the curious eyed boy her own expression impassive but not cold. Tilting his head briefly Itachi kept his eyes locked on her before climbing the winding branches with considerable ease and planting himself silently beside her. They were not friends like many expected, in fact he barely knew her at all; when he actually gave it some thought it became apparent to him that he only really knew her name and that her parents were the first to tragically depart from the world then her grandfather.
"It would seem the last time we spoke was that at my parent's funeral." Reina stated almost silently, it unnerved him a little to think her train of thought was so closely rigged to that of his own. Itachi nodded and folded his hands into the sleeve of his kimono sleeves, he instantly looking like a younger version of his father. Reina glanced at the silent Uchiha from the corner of her eyes noting the bags that lay beneath his already dark orbs, he was working nonstop and if he didn't stop it would be the death of him one day. The boy was an enigma to her, they had only shared brief encounters with the other, occasional acknowledgements and even briefer conversations- but it was never awkward.
"I am sorry for your loss; I can only imagine how it must feel to lose your loved ones." Itachi murmured quietly looking up to meet Reina's inquisitive gaze; it was then he noticed something that had previously escaped his attention in their prior meetings. Looking directly back at him were not the normally coffee inked orbs, this time Reina looked at him with dual coloured eyes, one of her irises a dark chocolate whilst the other gleamed like molten gold in the speckled light that pierced the thick foliage. For a moment he didn't realise she was speaking to him, he was entranced by her orbs he sort of understanding how people are engrossed by his own sharingan eyes.
"Itachi-san? Are you alright?" Reina asked softly, turning slightly on the wide branch to face him more; Itachi shaking away the trance nodded and cleared his throat, murmuring a quiet 'gomenasai' before speaking.
"What were you saying sorry, I was distracted." An honest flush of blood filled his cheeks, a rare sight as well as rare experience; he was a proficient and skilled ninja, distraction was not a commodity he could afford to have. Reina smiled, her rosy lips twisting upwards a little as she noted the faint colour that inked his own pale skin.
"I was simply saying that I have not lost my loved ones; they've merely moved on to Yomi where they await me." She continued, a look of reassurance painted on her own face; Itachi furrowed his brows in confusion not quite understanding her ideology; noting the expression on the young raven's features Reina's smile widened before she continued. "Yomi is the land of the dead yes, but it is not how we imagine death to be; it's an extension of the world we live in with both places beautiful and aberrant. But that is where they are and where they shall wander whilst they wait for the rest of us to join them. We all visit Yomi at one point in our lives, that is inevitable Itachi-san."
He had never quite imagined that she would be right, that the pair of them would venture into the land of the dead, let alone that they would travel together and manage to escape in one piece. Itachi never realised all them years ago, that the eleven year old former selves would experience such loss or pain; but it was this raw emotion that would drive them forward and aid them in overcoming the upcoming obstacles that were intended for them.
"Itachi-san, it's time." Kisame murmured from the dim doorway; Itachi nodded and rose silently donning his Akatsuki cloak for what would be the last time. The obstacles that were intended for him were approaching swifter than he had anticipated but he was prepared for them none the less. For his cards had been dealt and there was no second chance, the only thing to do now was to say his final farewells.
•●•
The welcome home had been a mixed reception, on one hand Tomo made Reina feel like she had never left in the first place, whilst Atsushi greeted her with such iciness and disregard it was like being back in the gloominess of Yomi. The first time she slept in her bed since everything was such a strange experience, no matter which way she laid she couldn't sleep. Each time she closed her eyes a familiar face haunted her mind, she was never going to escape him and she would never admit aloud that she never wanted to.
It was one of them night again, Itachi's face and intrusive gaze appeared each and every time her lids closed. A thin layer of sweat enveloped Reina's skin as she tossed and turned amongst the array of multi-coloured pillows on the bed, but even they brought no comfort to her. Sitting up abruptly Reina sighed and ran her fingers through her hair, it no longer matted with dried blood; she glanced around the room an eerie and uncomfortable feeling filling her stomach. Suddenly feeling nauseous Reina scrambled to the bathroom, hugging the toilet like a faithful companion whilst her stomach emptied its imaginary contents.
Groaning lowly Reina stood feeling her legs threatening to buckle from beneath her; she managed to hold on to the edge of the sink her palms clammy against the cool ceramic. Twisting the tap she savoured the cool water as it washed over her moist skin and trailed down between her breasts. Wearily Reina peered into the mirror anticipating it attack her, but nothing did; the only thing that happened was that she shocked herself with her wasted appearance. Since her visit to the ryokan her cheeks had lost their rosiness and had become more defined and angular due to malnutrition.
Reina stared at her pallid reflection, her gold orbs no longer vivacious, instead they looked dull and lifeless; occasionally her vision would blur and fade, she knew it was the doing of the indenture. But in this instance her vision was as clear as day she simply thought it was a cruel genjutsu; there, staring back at her was Itachi, his dark orbs gazing at her softly. A quiet gasp passed her lips as once again her legs threatened to fall; Reina instinctively turned to check behind her but no one was there.
"This can't be real. You left, you, you went." Reina mumbled inaudibly, her eyes automatically welling up despite her inner disapproval; Itachi smiled a rare smile, he taking in her weathered yet still beautiful form from the other side of the glass. Reina reached forward and pressed her hand to the mirror, it sinking in slowly until it grazed soft, warm flesh; upon feeling her hand upon his cheek an instant spark ignited once again between the pair.
"Reina, I came to say goodbye. It's time for me to complete my goal." Itachi replied allowing himself to relish her soft touches for what would be the last time; gently he placed his hand over her own before tenderly kissing her palm. Reina felt her chest twist, his words stinging like a kunai on her bare skin; it felt like she was losing him all over again and she couldn't cope.
"Please don't do this, we can sort things out and~"
"Reina, someone once told me to stop torturing myself as what is eating away at you won't disappear until you make it disappear. I am eating away at you so I am going to disappear and you can stop torturing yourself and live." Itachi interjected squeezing her hand gently before backing away from the mirror; with tear stained cheeks Reina stared at the mirror, her hand once again placed upon the cool reflection. Stunned and heartbroken her legs finally gave way and she fell to the floor in an emotional mess; sob after sob passed her lips as the finality of their relationship came to an end.
Hearing the muffled sobs Tomo rushed to the bathroom, her grey locks sprawled everywhere as she entered the room, her eyes immediately softening upon seeing her granddaughter finally allowing her feeling to brim over the surface. Closing the door behind her Tomo nestled herself on the floor next to Reina, she instantly flopping into her chest and letting her tears to continue to fall and soak the fabric of her yukata.
"Let it out my dearest, let it all out." Tomo whispered softly, stroking Reina's hair like she was a child again.
That night the tale of the raven haired Uchiha and golden orbed Hitori came to light. And Tomo couldn't believe what she was hearing; both had been so much on their separate paths and fate would not permit them to walk along the same road anymore.
But all roads lead to Yomi.