I hope everyone enjoyed chapter one. Thanks to the reviewers who reviewed. Please forgive any misspellings- I just got an old version of Dragon Dictate and have been playing around with it. Sometimes it is just as bad as autocorrect…
Disclaimer I do not own InuYasha or Naruto
The former member of the seven swordsmen of the Mist stared at his Akatsuki partner as he eyed his oden with his normal stoic face. However something seemed …different about the young sharingan user's face or perhaps it was his stance, Kisame couldn't tell for certain.
Things like this happened from time-to-time, and only someone who had been with the young man for a long time would notice the difference. Kisame watched as Itachi slowly ate his oden, the blue man having finished his own a while ago.
Picking at imaginary dirt beneath his fingernails, Kisame mused over some of the strange mannerisms he had come to observe after several years of companionship with the Uchiha heir. It seemed as though there were specific stimuli that could cause the Uchiha to behave in certain manners.
Such as dango, surprisingly Itachi enjoyed the sweet treat and Kisame could have sworn there would be a ghost of a smile on his lips.
Another quirk he had noticed was that sometimes the man would stare into space when he believed no one to be watching, as well as play with the necklace he always wore. Itachi kept the unsophisticated circular necklace in pristine condition, regularly polishing it right along with his kunai.
The oddities continued Kisame realized as he thought of all the times he had seen strange behavior from his companion.
Once Kisame had picked up something that had fallen from Itachi's person. It had been a photograph of a little girl who wore an elaborate kimono and traditional hairdo, most likely for the girl's festival that honored ages three and five. The child stood in front of a traditional Shinto shrine.
She held an Uchiha fan as she smiled adorably for the photographer. When the shark man had returned the photo to its owner, Itachi had been livid and Kisame suspected it was only his partnership to the boy that had saved him from the tsukiyomi. Wisely the mist nin knew better than to ask about the child in the photo.
It was no secret that Itachi did not like people going through his personal belongings. Deidara had been a prime example of that. It was common knowledge that the clay bomber held animosity for the Uchiha and went out of his way to show it.
Kisame wasn't sure on all the details, but according to Sasori, Deidara had gone into Itachi's room at the Akatsuki hideout. A definite no-no when one lived with some of the most dangerous criminals in the shinobi world. He had taken a hairclip he had found in the Uchiha's rather sparse room.
That was another thing about Itachi, he never had 'stuff'- the little knickknacks that a person accumulates as time goes by. Even Kisame had stuff, the blue man had a weak spot for collecting souvenirs from all the various places they traveled to. He especially enjoyed collecting strange or unusual snow globes… Sometimes the only reason they went back to the base was to deposit Kisame's 'stuff'.
Back to the hairclip fiasco… When Itachi and himself had returned from a rather daunting mission, the Uchiha took note of his missing possession and had acted accordingly. Sasori had admitted it was slightly disturbing to see Itachi on his hands and knees, searching beneath couches, chairs, and other nooks and crannies.
Kisame wasn't sure if he believed the puppet's claim that the Uchiha had confronted Zetsu and forced the plant-man to vomit the contents of his stomach. Itachi would never do something that stupid! … Or at least he thought so…
Apparently Itachi had been preparing to search the ventilation shafts (another questionable statement in his opinion) when the clay bomber had shown up, wearing the missing clip in his long blond hair. Kisame didn't know whether or not he should have been thankful to have been asleep at the time or disappointed at having missed an enraged Uchiha take his vengeance.
He grudgingly decided it was probably for the best he had missed the fight, otherwise he might have been afraid of Itachi.
And this. The oden. Kisame gave a fixated glance at the bowl that Itachi was slowly eating out of.
Kisame had just realized an interesting fact only a few hours ago. Uchiha Itachi ate oden only once a year and always on the same day. This was the only time Kisame had observed Itachi to become truly motivated, it showed in the man's movements and voice.
For the young man there was an ultimatum: he would have his oden, no matter how far from civilizations or how important their mission. But the hell if he knew why!
Kisame shook his head trying to clear his thoughts, he would probably never learn why Itachi had to have oden on Septemper 24 of each and every year. So it was best not to dwell on such pointless musings.
/
"Bye Mama, I'm leaving now!" Kagome called out over her shoulder as she shifted her yellow backpack. The middle-aged woman walked into the hallway to say fare-well to her daughter. "Bye! Make sure to say hi to that dog-eared friend of yours! Be careful and good luck!"
The woman held out her arms gesturing that she wanted to give her daughter a hug and a kiss goodbye, "I love you Kagome."
Kagome smiled as she hugged the older woman giving her a peck on the cheek, "I know, I love you too Mama! Well I better go before a certain someone drags me back!"
It was funny how there had once been a time when Kagome would have protested giving her mother a hug and kiss good-bye, claiming she was 'too old' for such gestures or that it was embarrassing. But now Kagome welcomed the affectionate gestures.
What if it were the last time she would ever see her mother? Her status as a time-traveling-demon-fighting-miko made it a very real possibility that any time spent with her family could very well be the last time she'd ever see them. She would never be able to handle the guilt of not properly saying goodbye.
/!/!/!/
Kagome fought to keep her balance as she landed on the other side of the well. 'That's strange… I've never gotten dizzy before.'
She closed her eyes and leaned on the side of the well trying to steady herself. When the nausea subsided she let her self stand up mindful to keep a steadying hand upon the wall.
Kagome hefted herself out of the well panting slightly, was it just her imagination or did the well seem deeper?
Passing the speculation off as her imagination, Kagome set off in the direction of Kaede's village.
The miko grunted as she tugged her skirt free of yet another thorny bush.
'Were these always here?' She certainly couldn't recall there being so many plants that easily caught the material of her school uniform skirt.
She frowned, she should have reached the village by now.
Kagome had the oddest feeling that she was being watched right now, but she couldn't see anything when she looked around. It was probably just paranoia from feeling so vulnerable and lonely.
Making a slight 'hmm' sound she continued on her way. A few steps later she heard a twig snap spurring the girl to spin around. What she saw made her breath catch in her throat, bandits were in the tall trees. Impossibly tall trees now that she thought on it, how had those men gotten up there?
Shaking her head she cleared her mind of such nonsense- now was not the time! She could see only one but her gut told her that there were two more hidden away somewhere.
~!~!~
Kisame groused as he and Itachi walked back to the post they had abandoned a few days back in the name of Itachi's sudden ultimatum of oden.
"Man that Oden was pretty darn good, huh Itachi? Though I have to say that you can't beat Mizugakure's version of it. The clams and crab make it the best." He commented as he swatted through the boggy forest.
"Itachi?" Kisame turned to face his partner only to find the young man missing. Kisame's lips curled in disdain, "That wretch, running off…"
Well no matter, he would show up at their post, Kisame knew this. Sighing the man continued on his way, perhaps he shouldn't have mentioned oden?
/
He had had enough of Kisame's pathetic attempts at luring him into reveling his need for oden. It was obvious that the man had finally realized that Itachi only ate oden once a year.
It was her favorite dish after all.
He decided to take a detour to the post the Akatsuki had assigned to them, it would set him back by half a day but he knew Kisame could care less.
A scant few hours later he heard a scream echo through the forest.
Though the pitch of the scream had changed he instantly identified the unique pattern.
The scream that had haunted him for years, reminded him of his failure in his dreams.
He felt his legs burn as adrenaline coursed through them. Could it be? Didn't know if his heart could take disappointment once more should it turn out to not be his intended. But still he could not stop himself from investigating.
A young woman in a short green skirt stood surrounded by missing nin, a bow with no arrows within her grasp as she held the weapon. She looked ready to use it as a club should the men come any closer. It only took a single glance of the girl's blue eyes to convince the Uchiha that she was the one he had been searching for.
Rage flooded his mind as he stepped out onto the tree branch looming over the scene. One of the bumbling shinobi flung a shuriken at her, slicing the sleeve of her shirt. It had only grazed her thankfully, not even piercing her flesh. The men repeated the demand for money while the second ninja made to grab Kagome's arms.
No one would ever lay a finger on her.
There was hardly much of a fight; he had ensnared the lot in a simple genjutsu and proceeded to slit their throats with utmost ease. The young woman had collapsed onto the ground in shock when he had materialized behind the missing nin.
The infamous murderer began to slowly step towards the young woman scarcely believing his eyes.
After so long, she had returned.
To him.
He had been right all along, she was not dead. And no force would ever take her from him again. He had been nothing but a weak child when she had been kidnapped but now, now he was vastly more powerful.
"I- … I-.." The girl began to stutter as her blue eyes widened. She stared up at him in utter shock.
Could it be? She remembered him? Itachi felt an indescribable emotion bubble within his ribcage as he anxiously waited to hear his name uttered from her lips.
'That man… he just killed them! Oh, God! What if he's some sort of sick psycho killer? Where is Inu-Yasha?' Was all the frightened girl could think as the man came closer.
"I-I-… INU-YASHA!" Kagome screamed desperately for her dog-eared companion. This was no time to sit and gawk! She had to get away! The Miko gracelessly scuttled backwards in a 'crab walk' until she hit a tree. Back against the tree the miko slowly stood assessing her foe.
Itatchi's eyes flashed in rage. Who was this 'dog demon' his intended screamed for? He was here now so any other protector was now void.
He watched as he heard her heart beginning to beat erratically as fear flooded her eyes, she was…afraid?
She glared at him in an attempt to intimidate him as she stated bravely, "Come any closer and I will hit you!" her grip on the bow tightened.
Calling her bluff he calmly came closer until their bodies nearly touched.
Catching the bow within his grasp he tore the weapon from her, flinging it deep into the forest underbrush. Unarmed, the girl's bravery flickered for a moment before she brought her fists up in a defensive stance. Only it was clear that she had little to no training in hand-to-hand combat when she tried to throw a rather weak punch that was easily sidestepped.
Nervousness blossomed across her face the moment her punch failed to connect. Hesitating only a moment she let out another scream and tried to kick him in the legs. The moment her foot connected with his shin she tried to flee to his left.
Itachi yanked the girl from her panicked flight. Holding her small wrist in his rough hand he pulled her close to him.
"Kagome." Itatchi said simply as he looked over her assessing if she was injured. Aside from the damage to her shirtsleeve he could find nothing.
Kagome froze in shock as she heard her name. How did he know her name? If he knew her name, he was probably after the jewel.
Worrying her lip with her teeth Kagome tried to fight the rising panic that was building, this man was very strong. There was no doubt that this man would kill her just as he had slaughtered those bandits. She couldn't let this man get ahold of the Shikon no tama. She had to get away! She scanned the foliage desperately searching for a flash of red and silver.
Itachi watched as Kagome scanned the area around them, searching for something. Perhaps there had been another rouge ninja that attacked her. Critically observing the forest Itachi could sense no danger. But if she had seen another man it was possible that he should expect more.
He needed to get her to safety.
"OWW! LET GO OF ME!" She began to thrash around violently like a wild creature as she tried to wriggle her wrist from the stranger's iron grip.
Itachi felt his lips thin in displeasure as she continued to struggle. A sharp tug nearly sent her to the ground and he felt a tinge of remorse.
"Cease this childish display."
Kagome whimpered as the man tugged her along. Who knew how much time had passed? It certainly felt like hours!
She was positive she would have a black-and-blue wrist by the end of the day! It was usually best to play along with the crazys before she could make a break for it. Or when Inu-Yasha rescued her. Where on earth was he?
She was officially terrified now. This young man acted as if he owned her! He hadn't once released his grip even when she had begged him to slow down some. It was like his mind was set on taking her somewhere.
The feeling that this man might be some sort of serial killer had not yet left her. He was displaying so many signs! He was avoiding talking to her in more than one or two words and seemed to ignore anything she said completely.
Her mind supplied her with the dark thought, 'He's trying to remain distant. The more he is able to not think of me as an individual, the easier it will be to kill me… Why did I watch that serial killer marathon on the history channel?'
/~/~/~/
Itachi entered the small roadside inn. This place should be suitable for them to stay the night. Kisame could simply suck it up and wait.
Once they got a room he could assess just how badly her mind had been fractured and what he could do to repair it. He would be able to speak freely after he secured their room. He hadn't dared to start a conversation with her whilst they were traveling, too many risks of prying ears overhearing a very private discussion.
He rented a room from the innkeeper and did not miss Kagome's behavior during the brief exchange.
Desperate for help she was sending pleading glances at the innkeeper leaving no doubt that there was something very wrong and that she was terrified. It upset him far more than he would admit to see her in such a state, she would only need to bear her uncertainties a little while longer.
Itachi gave the man a hard look and pleased when the man turned his head away from Kagome. He didn't miss the piteous look the innkeeper had sent his fiancé.
The innkeeper for his part ignored those pleading blue eyes. It wasn't the first time a missing nin had dragged some poor unfortunate and unwilling woman (sometimes even men) into his inn. Nor would it be the last time.
He had no power to stop missing nin and so did not attempt to get involved.
The way he saw it at least the shinobi had a shred of decency to rent a room for their unwilling partner. It was much cheaper to simply take what they wanted in the forest or in a dark alleyway.
That was how he justified his actions as he watched the poor girl's struggle.
/~/~~~~/
Kagome felt an icy panic as the man her continued to tug her down the hall to 'their' room.
She eyed him warily as he released her arm finally before he made some strange gestures with his hands. Opening those freaky red and black eyes of his he stared at Kagome with some sort of emotion she couldn't place.
Taking a few steps backwards towards the door Kagome was unprepared when he grabbed her in a fierce embrace.
"Oh, Kagome…" She heard him mutter into her ear as he buried his face in her hair.
He was hurt when she stiffened in his embrace. He asked her in a low voice, "What did they do to you?"
Taking a step back he could read her emotions, "You fear me."
Indeed her eyes were wide with fright as she trembled in his touch. Her arms lashed out to push him away and strike him. Her attempts were pitiful. He couldn't fathom why she was rejecting him.
Perhaps she despised him now for being unable to save her all those years ago?
No, there was an explanation for her outlandish behavior. His mind could not accept that is intended could ever truly hate him, not when she had been such a sweet and caring girl.
She had been kidnapped at such a young age, who knew what sort of mental trauma she had endured?
The enemy had most likely brainwashed her. Perhaps even to fear him specifically. They had striped her of everything it meant to be an Uchiha. He wondered how many times Kagome had pleaded for him to come to her rescue before the enemy had broken her mind.
"Please, let me go! There has been some mistake, I don't know you." Kagome pleaded trying to get him to see reason as she struggled in the man's grip. She wanted Inuyasha to show up!
His eyes flashed in slight anger, she dared to deny him? "I won't ever let you go Kagome, not again!"
Kagome gaped at him, unable to comprehend the young man's actions, "Who are you anyway? What right do you have to drag me around like I'm some sort of doll?!"
Itachi felt disheartened at the thought of having to reintroduce himself to her, "Truly you have forgotten me?"
The man was silent for a moment and she felt his arms relax slightly granting her the chance to escape his hold.
In an instant she was at the door struggling to open it. The door would not yield due to the locking jutsu he had placed to help ensure both safety and privacy. After her futile attempt she began pacing like a trapped animal and he could tell that she would soon resort to drastic measures if he could not calm her down.
He looked up at her with those strange red eyes, "I am Uchiha Itachi. I am unsure what you remember, but be assured in the knowledge that I am your intended husband."
Her blue eyes flashed dangerously as her hands turned into clenched fists at her side, "Intended? Well I've got news for you buddy, take a number and get in line!"
Surely it couldn't be another kidnapper obsessed with the thought of marrying the miko who held the shards! Mentally she counted the number of times she been kidnapped in such a manner letting her anger grow with each recollection. This jerk would be number six or was it seven now?
It didn't matter- she was just plain pissed off at this point! She conceded reluctantly that violence would do very little to help her at this point as he is been able to fend off all her attacks so far.
Taking a deep breath she tried calming herself as she decided to try the road of rational reasoning. Reluctantly she made her way back over to him and stood tall before him.
With irritation barely concealed in her voice she began, "Look you've got the wrong person, Uchiha-san, was it? Let me introduce myself: my name is Higurashi Kagome. I would greatly appreciate it if you would let me go."
He couldn't help the glare that settled upon his face, placing his hands back on her arms he spoke calmly, "That is not your name."
Scoffing she met his glare with one of her own, "Is that so? Then what, pray tell is it?"
The scathing tone was unnecessary, "You are Uchiha Kagome."
"… You are completely delusional…" Kagome sighed, "Look my name is Higurashi! Hi-gura-shi!"
Suppressing a sigh of his own, he knew that he would get nowhere at this point in time. He led her to some cushions on the floor and gestured for her to sit down. Stubbornly she remained standing until he placed pressure upon her shoulders. She sat stiffly.
Several moments of silence passed as he tried to collect his thoughts. There were so many burning questions he wanted to know. Where had she been? Who had taken her? Had she been treated well by her captors?
Taking her hand in what he thought with a comforting manner, couldn't help but marvel at how tiny they were in his own. The tips of her fingers were hard indicating that she was either proficient in playing a musical instrument or had some skill with that bow that he had thrown away.
He greatly wished that it was the first case; the very thought of her handling weapons made him nearly ill.
It was her birthright to live a life of comfort and safety. Because of his own shortcomings in his youth she had been denied such a life.
Reluctantly he began to ask his questions, "Where did you disappear to?"
Kagome turned her face from him, indicating she refused to answer his questions. He applied a bit of pressure to her hands.
"First off, stop touching me! It is very uncomfortable!" She growled out before answering smartly, "I've been at home."
Tough luck he thought to himself, they were to be married soon so she'd best get used to his physical affection.
Half an hour passed with him asking questions and her not giving him answers. It was only his respect for her that he did not use his Sharingan to pry the answers he sought from her mind. Unable to tolerate her silence any longer that evening he decided it was time to retire for the night.
"Prepare yourself for bed." He commanded as he took away her yellow backpack, eyeing it curiously.
Thinking that the man had just demanded that she sleep with him her anger came back full force.
"You… Pervert!" Kagome felt her powers rise as she automatically slapped across the face.
Shocked that she been able to strike him she almost instantly regretted her actions when he raised his hand. But a blow did not come, instead he placed his hands on her shoulders and she passed out.
/~/~/
Itachi applied pressure to the girl's external carotid artery on her neck, rendering her unconscious in a matter of seconds. He held her limp form close for a moment, relishing the feel of simply holding her in his embrace.
Her slap still stung interestingly enough and he was surprised that he had been unable to sense or predict it. He would reflect upon it later.
Carefully he lowered her to the futon before preparing himself for bed. Shedding his thick Akatsuki cloak Itachi removed a few of his hidden weapons. He didn't want to accidentally hurt her as they slept. With utmost tenderness the Uchiha slipped into the futon with Kagome gathering her petite body in his protective arms. Spooning her to his side, Itachi let out a content moan as he burrowed his face in her hair.
Well I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I'm at a bit of a loss on how to write Itachi without making him a complete possessive asshole. I never expected Kisame would be the most fun to write at the beginning of the chapter. Please leave reviews as it really helps me figure out where I should go with this story.