Chapter 13: The Elder Siblings
Sasuke developed a special fondness for Akira, who'd at times seem to be even more caring and gentle than their own mother. She'd sing the kids to sleep and very soon Sasuke would find himself curled up under the blanket in Izumi's room drifting off to dreamland to the soothing voice of the older Nanusake sister. He'd gladly run back to his room later when Izumi would wake up screaming from her nightmares.
Akira would always be there to soothe her little sister, although exhausted, she could hardly fall asleep afterwards. Going outside, to the beautiful Uchiha garden would calm her nerves, so she started to practice just that. She would either dance barefoot on the fresh grass or simply sit on the veranda and admire the night skies.
Itachi quickly noticed the girl's new habits and would sometimes join her, frequently in silence. Both of them were gentle and kind, quiet by nature, and would enjoy each other's company. Slowly, they started having conversations.
'I haven't seen Sasuke laugh and enjoy anyone's company as much as yours' Itachi broke the silence one night with a faint smile on his face.
'He's a cute little rascal. Just like Izumi, I'm glad they became friends' Akira nodded.
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The older Nanusake sister, although rather quiet, is extremely perceptive and the weight of the silent pressure she's been feeling on her shoulders begins to pull her down. She feels like she constantly needs to gain the praise and respect from the head of the family and excel every day to never let him down as if she and her sister had only one shot at the new life.
She's adamant that as soon as she turns 18 she'll take Izumi and move out, find a nice apartment and start an independent life, working hard towards paying off the debt, she believes they both owe to Uchiha. Itachi can't help but notice her stress, although the issues that build up within the clan overshadow that more often. He cares about Akira's well-being regardless and so he starts to take long walks with her after work, frequenting the beautiful paths by the local river and the forest.
Akira's inner turmoils overpower her at times, as she believes she bears the full responsibility for Nanusake's downfall, although she knows that was the only way out. The conversations with Itachi in a strange way bring her some form of solace and comfort. He listens to the girl, not judging, welcoming her as she comes.
Itachi feels a growing bond with the girl, that he can justify only through their similar struggles with their clans. He can't help but always see the comforting understanding in her eyes. The escalating hostility and conflict between Uchiha and the village take away his peace. Deep inside he wants to prevent bloodshed at all costs, with his best friend Shisui being gone over a year now, he can't let his death be in vain. With despair and rage, he realises more and more each day, that he will have to come up against his own kind, even if it means taking their lives.
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Akira has been feeling Itachi's strong internal conflict from the very beginning, observing his every step, trying to understand what he has been going through. Learn about the man, she couldn't resist the fascination. Itachi however, has been trying to do his best to keep her out of the family politics and issues, trying to mask his stress with gentle smiles.
Months would pass, but Akira still couldn't shake off the trauma of tragedy that sealed the fate of the Nanusake clan. Every day, feeling the silent pressure and high demands from the head of the family, she's been more desperate to achieve her goals and make herself worthy. She's been determined to train little Izumi to become a great shinobi. Mastering her own crafts would bring her closer to rebuilding the clan in the future and hopefully changing the narrative, rewriting Nanusake's story. She feels especially motivated by Itachi's hard work and tries to compete with him, equally supporting him in pursuing his goals of becoming a Hokage and reaching the ultimate world peace.
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'It's only a matter of time before news of our clan's fate spreads across the country. You have no idea how ashamed I feel every day. I don't want people to associate us with that family and make endless judgements… At the same time, I am adamant I want to rebuild Nanusake, start anew, rewrite the history.' Akira told Itachi one evening when they were both sitting on a stone bench, resting after the training. He knew what she is talking about completely. The events of the past months and years between him and the Uchiha conspirators had only cemented his rage against the clan.
'I want Izumi and myself to become strong kunoichi, truly worthy to carry the light of our mother and the Moth, the real Huranaichi. Only then will we be worthy and ready for it, you know… The jinchuriki in our clan has always held a high position, on par with the clan leaders, and that's what I ultimately want for Izumi. Now, do you see why I make her train so hard?' Akira asked furrowing her brows.
'You have no idea how much I understand it…' Itachi nodded after thinking, looking deep into the girl's eyes. 'If I may ask… will you tell me how it really was with the Nanusake clan?' Akira nodded slightly preparing for her answer.
'Moth's true mission and her values have been obliterated by the years of pride, desperation and the inherent greed that took root in the clan eventually. Blood money began to build our foundations. Fund lavish conception ceremonies, expensive extravagant clothes, weaponry, villas… Nanusake turned into a dark… sect, as they say… blinded by their fanatical ideas.' Akira spat the words out bitterly, ashamed, but slowly gaining more confidence, feeling she can finally truly let her rage out. Itachi's calm and composed aura would be so comforting…
'In fact, the Moth wasn't evil… she didn't want to hurt people, she would only show them their darkness to help them reach their light, connect and transcend. She wanted good for people, until the very end. She never asked for blood sacrifices. All this was added only by the lunatic priestesses over the years. Our mother, however, was the only one who called this nonsense and resisted the dark changes, even though she'd been rebuked for insurgence many times.' Akira paused for a moment, remembering Midori. A dreamy smile graced her beautiful freckled face. Itachi admired the sight from the corner of his eye.
'From the very beginning, she tried to sow goodness in our hearts. Spark in them the willingness to help rewrite our narrative. To give us a chance to start over… it was her dream.' she turned her gaze towards Itachi with a hopeful look. 'Izumi was the Moth's first reincarnation in over a hundred years. Considering that we were the first and last daughters, we've been treated in a special way… we had privileges.'
'What do you mean by reincarnation?'
'I suspect that you already know the principles of Otsutsuki's story… you must have heard of Indra and Ashura's sister, Huranaishi.' Itachi nodded his head in confirmation. Akira continued: 'Nanusake was founded by her first true follower, right after that girl was banished from the village where Takigakure currently is. Moth used to live there… people burned her at the stake, after locking her in special chakra-blocking shackles. The worst thing was that it was her beloved who ticked her into being captured and brought to "justice"', Akira spat on the ground with contempt, uttering the last word 'by ordinary, stupid humans. It is believed, that every 100 years, the reincarnation of Huranaishi is born in the Nanusake bloodline. A small part of her lives in each of us, but it is in the girl with turquoise luna moth chakra, that the full spirit of the Great Moth's is reborn.'
Itachi listened engrossed in the story. Akira continued, feeling encouraged by his silence 'A girl with such chakra is able to become a jinchuriki, which will have the potential not only to control the demon but also to use Moth's pure chakra. She will be capable of great things.'
'However, with great power comes great responsibility. It can have disastrous consequences in the wrong hands or under the wrong mentor.' Itachi commented.
'That's right.'
'So Izumi has luna moth chakra' Itachi added, Akira nodded again.
'Mom also said… our women in recent years have refused to acknowledge that the reason for the lack of fertility could be their actions and choosing the path of darkness.' Akira stood up straightening her skirt and taking a deep breath. She turned back to Itachi. 'The Moth finally decided to bless Midori with daughters, seeing potential in her, the last Nanusake with a pure Light in her heart. I will never let her down, Itachi. And neither will Izumi.'