It is said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link; that, that one singular, miniscule connection can be the catalytic downfall of the entire chain. The smallest links are often overlooked, their importance discounted and disfavoured to that of the larger, more robust links. However it is often the smaller links that bear the most tension, often silently and ungrudgingly whilst the larger links act as flag bearer allowing the world to think that it is they who bear the world upon their shoulders so honourably.
As time passed it was becoming more and more apparent that it was Reina Hitori who was holding the newly reformed Uchiha chain together. Acknowledged by few and overlooked by many she had come too far to admit defeat and turn back; she was on the brink of achieving her goal yet she was not naïvely blinded by sentiments, she knew that life could pull everything from beneath her like it had done before in the blink of an eye.
But she wasn't about to back down now.
Inhaling deeply Reina momentarily closed her eyes and settled her unruly nerves; her palms were clammy as her fingers fiddled with the cuff of her sleeves, her fingertips methodically brushing over the woven fabric. Holding the breath that filled her now fully expanded lungs Reina paused before exhaling and allowing the words that had been on repeat in her mind to pass her lips, they firm but soft.
"Itachi, you don't belong here, you belong back in the real world, in Konoha."
With me. She inwardly added, prohibiting her selfishness to intervene at such a delicate time. She could feel his eyes burning into her skin, every hair follicle stood on edge as if on their tip toes like the foreign dancers she had read about from lands afar. Despite being fully clothed she felt so naked and exposed under his ever watching gaze, he was reading her like an open book despite her attempts to keep the contents hidden.
Itachi watched from the other side of the table, his arms folded neatly upon his lap whilst his face retained its aloofness, but it was not the impassiveness of his former days, this time around his expression was softer; the true nature of his past actions had come to light- and it was a relief to say the least. His cocoa orbs lingered on the golden eyed heiress, noting every minute movement that merely echoed and confirmed her nervousness. As the last of Reina's words passed her lips and her own personal feelings had voiced themselves mentally Itachi caught Reina's avoidant gaze with his own inquisitive one.
Do you wish for me to come back?
Upon hearing his voice echo in her mind Reina jumped slightly, startled by the growing strength that the indenture had compared to their past experiences; Shisui and Sasuke watched in silence as the linked pair exchanged their views in muteness. Shisui had heard stories of chakra indentures in his years on earth, they were a rare and dangerous occurrence; if the balance between the two entering individuals was off then the contract would crumble and the two would perish almost instantaneously. Due to the nature of the jutsu it was not the most successful given that many had attempted it to simply strengthen themselves for solely selfish purposes; but in this instance neither Itachi nor Reina lusted for power.
In this instance both were driven by love.
Of course I do, I wouldn't be here if I didn't. But…the question is do you wish to come back?
Reina, having finally torn her eyes from the grain of the table met Itachi's gaze, her expression hesitantly firm as she awaited his answer. The simple answer was of course he wanted to go back, but things were never as simple as they seemed. So many questions raced through his mind. How would he return alive? What would await him on the other side, back in the real world? Itachi calmed his contesting thoughts, exhaling deeply and breaking the almost deafening silence knowing that if he did not leap now then the chance may never present itself again.
"I'll come back with you, both of you." Itachi murmured softly catching the surprised gaze of Shisui, whose lips twisted into a Cheshire cat like smile as he folded his arms in an almost smug manner. Sasuke too exhaled having not realised he had been holding his breath, a sense of relief flooded over his body knowing that he had a second chance with his brother, a chance to set things right once and for all. Reina hung her head, her hair falling like a curtain in front of her face hiding the relief that had washed over her expression; but that feeling of relief didn't last long as she knew what lay ahead, a road equally as fearful as the last.
"If we're to get out of here then we have to leave now, there is no time to waste." Reina spoke, standing from her place opposite Itachi who had mirrored her movements in sync. Sasuke nodded, he too standing whilst adjusting his scabbard. Shisui was the only one who remained silent the smile having faded from his pale features, his eyes now locked with an avoidant Reina.
"Surely you have something else to mention Reina-chan?" Shisui murmured from his place on the stained floor cushion; Reina froze, her entire being on a cliff edge that was ready to crumble beneath her. Itachi stared at the pair, his gaze altering between them unsure as to what Shisui was on about. Pleadingly Reina stared at Shisui silently asking 'Not now, please not now'; she did not want the knowledge of her pregnant state hindering the journey ahead of them. She could feel her pulse pound away against her ribcage like an amateur drummer at their first music recital. Finally Itachi broke the constricting silence, his face wrinkled into a frown making him look so much like that of his father.
"What is going on? What else is there to mention? Reina?" Itachi paused before speaking her name, directing his questions directly to her; this made the young heiress panic, a sudden sweat enveloped her whilst her heart continued to palpitate away at a speedy pace. Her lips formed numerous syllables yet nothing audible passed them; Sasuke watched everything unfold in front of him, too long had secrets ruined his family, too long had secrets kept him from his brother and he would not take another step with secrets present.
"She is pregnant Itachi, the child is yours." Sasuke muttered lowly, his face devoid of expression whilst Reina's resembled a doe caught in the direct tracks of a hunter. Itachi's eyes widened to a point where Shisui thought they may pop from their sockets; never had he seen Itachi struck from left field before and if he was honest it amused him despite the situation they were in.
"Is this true?" Itachi uttered gently as not to stir the already startled golden orbed female; acting defensively Reina looked away and replied curtly.
"Yes. What type of woman do you take me for?" Shisui glanced over to the youngest raven haired male inkling to him to give them a moment of privacy; Sasuke nodded silently exiting the room, Shisui following behind him, the door closing leaving the pair to discuss the cat that had been let out the bag. Itachi's face softened as he closed the gap between them, carefully cupping her cheek like he had done so many times before. Initially Reina leaned away from his touch only to warm to it like a moth to flame; she closed her eyes, small glittery tears leaving trails down her porcelain cheeks.
"Why were you going to keep this from me? Of all people Reina?" Itachi whispered gently, his thumb wiping away the stray tears on her cheeks; Reina chewed on her lower lip in guilt her stomach stirring with emotions as the events of the past few days replayed in her mind.
"Because I wanted you to make a decision based on what you wanted for a change, not because of what your duty told you to. You've made far too many choices in life based on duty and honour and for once I wanted you to choose what you wanted to do simply because it was what you wanted." Reina breathed out, her usual soft voice coarse and crackled from a build-up of tears as she finally met his hesitant gaze. Itachi was speechless even now she was thinking of him and his needs rather than that of her own- she really did amaze him.
In one fell swoop Itachi pressed his lips to hers, his hands cupping her freckled face; Reina's breath hitched at the back of her throat as sparks flew across her skin once more with every moment his lips remained against hers. The two parted from one another, yet remained entangled, their foreheads touching in a quiet, private moment that belonged solely to them and no one else.
They opened their eyes staring at one another silently a small smile on each of their lips; wordlessly Itachi sank to his knees, his arms wrapped firmly around Reina as he came face to face with the small bump of her lower abdomen. Reina looked down bashfully, her lips agape and a blush dancing on her snowy cheeks; Itachi leant his cheek to her stomach and closed his eyes peacefully as he held her close. Reina smiled, wrapping her arms around his shoulders lovingly, idly toying with his hair; Itachi breathed in the familiar scent once more, his cheek growing warmer the longer he held it there as the individual chakra grew stronger and more determined in the kunoichi's stomach.
She was his second chance in the world and he would be damned for a second time should he allow her to slip through his hands again.