8
Once they breach the trees Shisui slowly makes his way toward the falls. "The foundation was involved. Unfortunately, it seems there's no way to stop the Uchiha coup d'etat." He explains as Itachi follows him to the edge of the ravine. "If internal warfare breaks out in the leaf, the neighboring countries will invade, and war will begin." Shisui pauses before looking away from the falls and towards Itachi. "I was planning on using Kotoamatsukami to stop it. But Danzo took my right eye. He didn't trust what I was trying to do. He'll resort to anything in order to protect the Leaf. They'll come after my left eye too." He then turns away and raises his left hand towards his eye, pressing his fingers around the socket. "Before that happens, I want you to have it." Shisui... Itachi thinks sadly watching him take his own eye from his head. "No matter how powerful Akari is, she is still too young. So you're really the only friend I can trust. Protect the village and the name Uchiha as well."
Itachi slowly reaches out as Shisui holds his hand containing his eye out for him. Taking Shisui's offered eye he looks down at his closed palm. "But I.." Itachi speaks sadly unable to form the words painfully swirling in his heart. "And also. That isn't the only thing that I need to give you. I'm going to give you a new power. The Mangekyo Sharingan." Itachi's eyes widen as he grunts in shock. "Shisui! You can't!" Itachi calls out loudly causing Shisui to frown. "It's not like I'm going to last long anyway. Besides, Danzo seen some of what Akari is capable of. You will need to protect her from him." He sighs a moment. "Take it... as my dying wish." Itachi frowns as the pain lingers in his gaze. "What's with that look of yours? Even blind I can see your face easily, you know." Shisui smiles slightly as he reaches out and sets his right hand on Itachi's shoulder. "A worried expression doesn't look good on you. You must always remain calm my friend. That's who Itachi Uchiha is. I'm positive you can do this. So don't worry, it'll be fine." Itachi's eyes widen before he bows his head and closes his eyes tightly shut. "I will carry on your will for the Uchiha." He speaks barely above a whisper. Feeling himself about to break.
"From now on. You may be forced to walk down a long dark path. One that's filled with pain and suffering. I have to apologize. That I can't be with you through it all. Still, I hope you don't falter from your path and continue forward as a leaf ninja. I believe in you." As he speaks Shisui grips ahold of Itachi's shoulder more firmly with his own emotions even though he is still fighting to smile. Silently Itachi grits his teeth, his demeanor wavering as he fights to keep his tears in check. "That is why I am able to ask you to carry my will. And the Mangekyo." Shisui turns around placing his back on Itachi. As Itachi looks up to the back of his head Shisui sighs. "Whew. Thank you... for everything." Itachi looks down again. "I guess this is the end of the road for me. But this will pave a new way for you... and give you new power." Shisui bows his head as he frowns. "Well, Itachi... the time.. has come. Make a new way for yourself with your own hands. You can do it... I know you can."
Shisui turns around and holds out his fist toward Itachi. "See you friend. Goodbye." Hesitantly Itachi reaches up and places his fist against Shisui's. Itachi slowly drops his hand watching Shisui fall until his body passes the edge of the ravine. Filling with pain Itachi closes his eyes mournfully. "Rest in peace... Shisui..." Itachi breathes quietly as tears of blood begin to slip down his cheeks from his eyes. "I will carry on your will. I will move forward believing in the path I choose for myself. That will lead to the future of the village. It will save Akari and my younger brother... and the Uchiha... I will walk in the darkness with these eyes." He utters out quietly, pain dripping in his words.
Beneath him, Akari skids over the rocky edge of the river from having been thrown off balance. Breathing heavily from the speeds she consecutively pushed her body to reach this day she practically drops Shisui onto the ground. "A. Akari? But.." Shisui begins causing her to shake her head even though he can no longer see that reaction. "Death... is never the answer. You need to live, Shisui. For Itachi. I will take you someplace where you will go unnoticed until Itachi can get to you."
"But, Akari. Without eyes, a ninja cannot survive." He all but snaps causing her to frown before she grabs his arm and pulls him over her shoulders. Situating him so his stomach is on both of them taking him as far off of the ground as she can. "No arguments. I told you, I will save you. Besides, you are a sensory ninja, right? So sense." She reiterates for him causing a grunt to escape from him before he could feel as she begins to run again. "Stubborn." He manages to utter causing her to smirk. "Learned it from the only two people I like."
Someone had dropped information into the Uchiha's awaiting laps. Clear and almost undeniable proof that Itachi has been spying for the Hokage. Officially causing a confrontation out front of the house where Itachi bad-mouthed the Uchiha and threw a kunai into the Uchiha crest painted on the yard wall. The night Shisui had died, Itachi searched the trees for Akari. When he had managed to find her he had begun to think that he had lost her too. But there she was completely unharmed, exhausted but unhurt. He told her about Shisui and to him, it seemed like she receded further into herself. Giving him the impression that while it may not have been Sasuke but she had indeed allowed another through her barriers.
Itachi told her his decision and what he feels is necessary to do, expecting her for some reason to yell at him. However, she once again took hold of his hand in hers gently. Telling him that it may just be the two of them now but they will still pull off the contingency. Informing him that she is still more than willing to take on the burden with him. He countered, at first disagreeing and telling her that she needed to be where it is safe because he couldn't bare to lose her too. Until he had finally agreed under the condition that when it was done, he would place her in a genjutsu to make it seem as if she had no hand in it. She unwillingly agreed and promised she would look after Sasuke so long as he obeys a note she will give him that night. This had confused him greatly but he agreed to follow the orders she gives him. Believing it will be something along the lines of him not forgetting who he truly is. Or something else sentimental for a change.
Sasuke's birthday came and went as Fugaku decided it was time to teach him the great fireball jutsu. To Akari it felt like he wanted to do so in order to replace Itachi as his heir, but Sasuke was excited about it. She also noticed that with Itachi on the outs with the clan, the clansmen had pushed her away as well for her friendship with him. Even Fugaku became even more distant than he had been to her. At the academy nothing was wrong. She held herself the same way she always has and even Sasuke commented on how it is as if she didn't care that Itachi seems to be changing. At night, however, when Itachi was home, she would slip into his room and hold him. Easing the pain he was going through from how his family and clan are treating him.
It was during one of these times she found out that Danzo did survive but he didn't know who the girl was that stepped in to try and save Shisui. The very child who had nearly killed him. All he could really remember was her inverted Sharingan. This left both of them thankful that he couldn't seem to recall her hair or any of her other features. However, this had the man more than impatient for Itachi to complete his mission of eradicating the Uchiha. When Akari wasn't holding a broken Itachi they would refine their plans. To him, he needed someone else just as powerful as Shisui if not more so in order to enact the plan flawlessly. So he was biding his time, searching for someone to aid them. Only Akari knew who it would end up being.
When the night came for the massacre, Itachi had given her the signal she was waiting for. She downed some herbs that would run their course and be out of her system within hours and was allowed to stay home sick from the academy. By nightfall she took her place on a rooftop in the sector that should have been Shisui's, giving Itachi's coconspirator her section. She had chosen this way of enacting their plan to fulfill her ulterior motives. However, as the night went on and the more blood she spilled, she came face to face with something she never thought was possible. When she was an infant she had passed the thought off as improbable and actually rather hopeful. But as she stood there in a sealed-off room she couldn't believe what she was seeing even with it right in front of her. The moment they laid eyes on her they were riddled with just as much shock. Paralyzed by it for more than just a few heartbeats. "Akari." The woman breathed out in realization nearly causing her to drop her blade. "The Uchiha are being eradicated." Akari informed her coldly before narrowing her inverted eyes on the two of them. "Pity, you were kept alive this long only to die now. Though it is befitting that your lives end by my hand after what you did."
Just like that, Akari pushed away what emotions Itachi had been able to bring back and moved forward with purpose. Burying her blades within their throats one at a time ever before retrieving the only thing she desired to have from them. Their eyes. "Thank you for the momentos." She nearly smirked before forcing her feet to move away from them so she could complete her sector before members of the clan would get an idea as to what is going on. Playing out the map of the compound in her mind with her chosen section highlighted. She had chosen the direction she would take, and the steps to work through the buildings for one reason. Purposefully leaving Shisui's house for last. Right now, he is blind having no eyes within his sockets. If anyone needs a momento of their parents, it is him. Basically, his father.
With the moon nearing its apex, Akari found she had to bite back the bile in her throat. Women and children weren't even allowed to make it through the night. Civilians themselves had to fall so there wouldn't be anyone left to act against the Leaf, now or in the future. Sasuke's screams echo over the now silent compound ever before his voice is suddenly cut off as she waits at the decided-upon location. It took only moments for a shadow figure to appear before her. Drawing her to move away from the wall and turn towards him as he walks to her. "Mission, complete." She states quietly as if she would disturb the dead. The hand on her cheek though startled her was not an unwelcome touch as she closes her eyes and turns her face, pressing his palm more firmly against her. "You are the last and then it will be complete." He utters out in a tone that quivers with his pain and unshed tears. "How is it, even after what we've done this night you are as calm as you always are?"
With this question she nearly sighs and briefly diverts her eyes from him. "I do not feel as people should. You know that." She speaks quietly before looking back to him. "You do have times that your emotions flow as they should." He points out for her nearly causing her to frown. "Only when it comes to you, Itachi. You are the only one who can pull the emotions that elude my grasp." She admits and Itachi intakes a sharp breath, knowing full well what she means by that statement. "I will stay and look after your brother until you are before me again." She reiterates the promise she had made him. "I will follow the orders you are giving me until we face each other in the future."
She nods slightly before reaching into her pouch and retrieving a small satchel she had tucked away within it. Handing it to him she could see him frown as he handles it carefully taking in the odd feeling of something squishy within. She then holds out a small folded-up note. "Take this south of the village before you unfold it." She utters as she closes her eyes. When she doesn't get an answer she very nearly opens her eyes until she finds herself almost taking a step back feeling a pair of lips press against her forehead. "Watch your back, do not bring Danzo's attention to you." He orders her quietly as she could practically feel his body shake from his fight with his emotions. "Stay safe." She responds before opening her eyes as his lips leave her skin. Knowingly and purposefully looking up to meet his Sharingan. One second she could see the tears he had been fighting to hold in dampening his cheeks then the next she found herself plummeting into a black world with chalk white outlines. However, unlike what she knew he had done to his brother she was left alone to sit on the very dock he had taken her to a few months ago. Letting her watch the crimson moon above reflect off of the glassy surface of the water. Waiting to be woken up in the hospital. Do not fear Itachi. You do not have to walk alone from here. He will be at your side.