Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

There is a large difference between genius and prodigy in the shinobi nations. To be a genius may mean that you are intellectually superior to others your age, or your body is naturally prepared for work as a ninja, or you have chakra control so precise that it could only be gifted by Kami themselves.

To be a prodigy, though, is very different. You not only must have amazing intelligence, an incredibly fit body, and chakra control so fine, you could spin spiderwebs with the threads, but you must be flawless. Make no mistakes. Excel at everything you do.

There is no true prodigy. There are geniuses. Geniuses can still make mistakes. Prodigy is only defined by how well a shinobi can hide their flaws, bury their mistakes, and flaunt their achievements. Yes, there is no true prodigy. But there are many fake ones.

Itachi is a prodigy.

Furthermore, prodigies cannot exist because they are inhuman. Prodigies are gods. They are worshipped, idolized, looked up to in a way that is not one being watching the other, but one human watching god.

And people wonder why so many are consumed by insanity.

It is impossible to be perfect. Mankind had already established the rule eras ago, yet somehow people are still deluded. Why has this idea lived on for so long?

Akane had come to the conclusion. People need prodigies to grip hope. People need something to aim for, a goal to grasp, and if it is to be a perfect human, well, prodigies are convenient dolls to pretty up. Layer after layer of expectations are painted over them, coats upon coats of ideas and hope covering the human and transforming them into gods.

No, not gods-demigods. Only in especially rare cases do people manage to elevate themselves past that level.

oOo

Akane studied Itachi as he steadily breathed in and out, no doubt aware of her presence, but remaining completely impassive. The stoic shinobi was perched on the edge of the couch, a vision of sophistication and propriety as he sat with a board-straight spine.

Akane slowly stepped out of the thin shadows to greet the missing-nin. "Hey. Wassup?"

"Hn,"the Uchiha seemed to stiffen up at her voice. "I am well."

The kunoichi spread her lips in a rabid grin before she flopped onto the open cushion beside him and slung her arm around his shoulders. "Loosen up, will you?"

Itachi seemed to freeze up, and the air around his black gaze became chilly, but the fellow missing-nin ignored the wary eyes watching the invading limb.

"Anyways, I heard you got the Mangekyō. What's it like?" She flashed her three tomoes at the boy. "I never got it. Don't have any best friends to kill, after all."

If possible, the Uchiha's chakra became increasingly icy as it swam dangerously through the damp air. "Is that so?"

"Yep," she said as she leaned back into the sofa, "but how was it for you?"

Itachi glared down at Akane, but she continued on. "I mean, how'd you do it? Was it hard? Did he know?" Her eyes glinted maliciously. "Did you even care?"

That was it. Itachi snapped his forearm back, catching her at the throat and pressing his weight upon her form. "Quiet."

Akane grinned toothily despite the missing-nin looming over her. "So you do care. You know, shinobi aren't supposed to have feelings."

Itachi's stony expression twitched in anger. "Well, how bad was it? Do you have nightmares? Is he stuck in your head, constantly reminding you of your sin? Does his desperate, dying face still haun-"

The shinobi thrust viciously into her throat, cutting off her air and making her mouth snap closed.

"Don't you dare speak of him," Itachi snarled, growling furiously into her ear. He looked into her deep black eyes, then barked again. "Don't you dare-"

Suddenly, the world reverted itself and the boy's face was shoved into the carpet, muffling his grunts as he twisted his shoulders to regain control.

"Now now, Itachi," the girl tsked in a deadly whisper, "you forgot something."

His struggling ceased for long enough that she could push his face harder into the floor.

"I am stronger than you. Mangekyō or no Mangekyō, I will always be stronger than you. You cannot beat me." Itachi felt a pinch in his thigh, and felt each of his muscles, one by one, cramp into painful paralysis until his body was completely immobile.

Akane stood up and brushed off her cloak. "Best you remember that."

It wouldn't be until their first partner mission would they speak to each other again.

Hi guys! Sorry for not updating this story for awhile, but I hope you enjoy the latest chappie!

I haven't had a ton of time to write lately because I had a lot of tests and finals for the end of school. I also have some stuff that's kept me busy, and I've been drawing a ton. And I don't know... writing is less exciting now 'cause I'm not getting very much feedback.

So yeah, when I checked my account and realized that some of you had un-favorited/alerted The Unknown Uchiha, I was like "Oh, crap! Totally forgot about it!" and updated right away. Sorry for being such a neglectful author. :(

But anyways, thanks to all the people that have been supporting my work. It's well appreciated. :)