Line 2: Glimpses Of A Truer Reality
"I am never without it (anywhere
I go you go, my dear.."
-I Carry Your Heart,
Line 2, Stanza 1
by E.E Cummings
Wrist deep in mineral rich plant fertilizer, the pungent smell of organic matter temporarily stifles out every other outdoor scent present. With carefully cupped hands, Itachi leans over the gigantic bag of plant food and scopes out two large handfuls. He lets the overflow fall off the edges of his palms before slowly turning towards the garden arrangement. His hands tilts down and the rich deep brown dirt flows across his fingertips on top of the soil.
In the back garden of his and Sakura's home, during a slightly warmer winter's day, Itachi changes out the fall plants for winter succulents. He watches with expert eyes as he empties the last clumps of dirt in measured increments. When it seems like enough, he stops pouring and dumps the excess back into the burlap sack. Itachi precedes to mode the dirt like potter's clay, tucking and patting, smoothing and spreading until it shapes around the freshly planted kalanchoe. The succulent plant adds just a pop of red from its thick leaf tips to his otherwise green landscaping. Planting it around the edges of the sectioned off space creates a red halo around the entire thing, which he will later place a rock barrier around as the final touch.
Itachi licks sweat beads from his lip and pats down the dirt around the outermost part of the succulent plant cluster. Satisfied with his hand's work, he takes to using a spade to press and mold until the newly applied dirt lays flat enough to look somewhat uniform under the greenery. In the midst of him sculpting out excess dirt, a misplaced 'thud' catches his attention. For a moment he scrapes off too much dirt, distracted by the sound but Itachi wisely keep his gaze on his task and pushes it back in place. He may be without chakra but his instincts have not dulled in the years since his return. Itachi knows his house. He knows the noises associated with his backyard, especially at this time of day when gardening is most opportune. The soft patter that landed on his roof is not one of them.
Sakura would have made more noise and used the door. He discerns. Naruto would not sneak.
The Uchiha avoids overtly looking around for the intruder. Whoever it is, they do not wish to make immediate introductions. It lowers the list of suspects significantly. To not make assumptions, Itachi continues to listen for continued steps of someone just using his roof as a jumping post. It's not uncommon for shinobi to travel by rooftop, particularly returning shinobi or new genin. However, his home is not quite on the usual path that shinobi takes. That doesn't stop curious eyes from dropping by for a quick glimpse of the last living Uchiha.
With this in mind, he leans back on his heels and sighs, tilts his head towards the afternoon sun. Rolling his shoulders to release stress, he uses his arm to wipe perspiration on his forehead. Itachi discreetly scans the roof in the seconds his arm provides shade for his actions, and then catches the gleam of sunlight from shin guards.
Anbu. He thinks and quietly chides the recruit for lack of subtlety.
If he, a 'normal' citizen of Konoha heard the moment sandals made contact with the roof, enemy shinobi would have no problem finding and disposing of him.
My guard for the day? There were no Anbu this morning. Why so late in the afternoon?
Itachi knows that Kakashi knows Sakura is working. Usually, the moment she leaves the house another presence flocks the perimeters of their humble abode. There are never introductions and Itachi's not particularly bothered that they keep their distance. They're job is surveillance and nothing more.
But this is different.
Every Anbu that's tread near his front door has been on the force for years. Their skills speak for themselves and the only reason he's aware of them is because he's been trained to be aware.
This person's entry is so noisy by comparison that Itachi reasons him to be a new recruit. There is no way that Kakashi would send someone like that to guard such a dangerous suspect.
Or have you come on your own?
Shaking off his thoughts, Itachi shifts his bangs then eases to a stand. Choosing to ignore his visitor until addressed, he refocuses on the layout of the flower garden. It's a small section of the backyard quickly taking over the left corner of the house. There is more work to be done for it to be complete, but he contents himself to the kalanchoe today. His hands pause. He gives the garden another once over before tucking the spade under his arm.
"I should leave it for now," Itachi declares and turns on his heels to gather the rest of his garden tools.
As soon as his back is turned, the pricking feeling of being watched closely tickles at the back of his neck. Itachi keeps walking at a leisurely pace, giving the person time to say something at least. It takes a few seconds, enough for him to get close to the roe laying haphazardly in the dirt before an unnatural gentle breeze accompanied by a flutter of dirt against his calves alert him to his approaching visitor.
So he's worked up courage to approach...
"Anbu-san," he whispers loud enough to be heard and keeps his back to the man.
"Uchiha-san," the Anbu replies then walks around so they finally meet face to face.
The man is eye level height to him, burly and tan, obviously meant to be intimidating. Ironically, he wears the cat mask, something associated with leaner fighters. Or women.
Itachi assesses him automatically before deducing that he is not much of a threat. Nodding in acknowledgement, the Uchiha offers his full attention to his unwelcome guest should there be justifiable reasons for this visit. Cat slowly and dramatically lifts his head up and down, doing his own appraisal. Afterwards he turns his attention to the garden supplies scattered over the ground.
"New hobby, Uchiha-san?" Cat asks and circles the area.
"It passes the time." Itachi offers.
The shinobi behind the cat mask whistles. "Not something I can say would suit me. But you? A garden boy suits you, I think." Itachi feels more than he can see the grin on the man's face. "You've been keeping yourself busy these days, haven't you?"
He ignores the question and the jab to asks his own. It is obvious to him that the art of gathering information discreetly is lost during peace times. Or perhaps Cat simply lacks the skill altogether. He seems more of muscle than the thinking type, getting straight to the point would mean Itachi can return to the humdrum of his afternoons.
Itachi politely inquires, "Are you here on business of the Hokage?"
"Something like that" he replies allusively.
Cat crouches down and picks up a weed grabber. He twirls it in his hand before chucking it back on the ground. Then he picks up the roe, the closet tool to his feet and quickly tosses it behind his back. Itachi watches as the man repeats the same thing with several garden tools, picking them up then 'randomly' scattering them on the ground. For anyone who isn't privy to battle, they would miss the significance of his actions.
Does he think I will attack?Itachi slowly rolls his eyes. Ridiculous.
"If you are looking for Sakura-san, she's not here," Itachi offers and turns his attention to the less threatening looking tools, walking toward the water pot. "You are welcomed to leave a message and I will give it to her when she comes home."
"Nope," Cat grunts, dusts his hands and stands. "I have what I came for. Just checking up on you, Uchiha-san."
The words give him pause. Itachi looks over his shoulder as black brows raise minutely. "Checking up?"
"Heard from some genin and chunin that you were at the training grounds a couple of days ago tearing the place up."
The underlying accusation causes Itachi to turn slowly, brows creasing together in an obvious show of confusion and questioning. Cat laughs and passively waves a hand. "No need to get riled up, Uchiha-san. I told you, I'm just checking up."
"On an accusation proposed by genin and chunin?" Itachi questions flatly, hinting at suspicion.
"On an accusation proposed about Itachi Uchiha," Cat corrects and rocks on his heels.
I see.
Using his free hand, Itachi slowly gestures about their surroundings. "So you've checked and I found me gardening. Is your business finished here? I have matters to attend to."
Cat ignores him.
"Last I heard you were under some heavy restrictions. Now, if I recall...those were training restrictions as well, right?"
"I'm allotted five hours a week for training purposes. How I choose to utilize those hours is up to my discretion, Anbu-san."
"Mhm, not really," Cat clarifies and stalks around Itachi full circle to his face. "See, you are not allowed any shinobi style strength training, weapons training or jutsu training. In fact, the only thing you can do is the minimum to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Now, if I recall, tearing up the training grounds ain't necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle."
Itachi can't hold his scoff at the holes in his theory or means of justifying coming to his house unannounced. Kakashi makes sure that all high level ninja are aware of all of his movements, with Sakura being head of it all.
Poorly formulated excuses made by a poor Anbu for the sake of some personal vendetta. Itachi obliges this farce if only to see how far he will go, hoping that compliance will limit bloodshed. It would be troublesome to explain self-defense to Kakashi.
"Surely, as Anbu you are able to verify claims made against me by genin and chunin who are liable to misunderstand for obvious reasons. The training grounds can attest. But if you are truly curious, the Hokage keeps tabs on my actions through my wife."
"I prefer to go directly to the source when I can, Uchiha-San. But you make it seem like you have something against ourgenin and chunin."
The immediate isolation of him from the village doesn't go unnoticed. Itachi tries not to be aggressive but he will not lie.
"Children exaggerate," he calmly explains, earning a snort return.
"Konoha shinobi aren't all geniuses or advanced enough to take down hundreds of people, but they aren't blind. If they say something, I'd believe them."
Over you.
Itachi fills in the rest and sighs, exacerbated with this conversation and all others like it. The overreach of power only makes him more frustrated. He has no expectation for all citizens of Konoha to see him in any saintly light. It is impossible, especially because his actions are still a well-guarded secret. Itachi sees no reason to change that just so people will be nice to him. He's above such things. That does not mean he will stand to be disrespected, however.
"Does the Hokage know you're here?" Itachi challenges.
Cat shrugs one shoulder. "Maybe. Maybe not. The Hokage has far too much to do than to keep constant tabs on those doing their jobs. And I'm just doing my job here, Uchiha."
"This is your specific task? The Hokage has you on duty to monitor my movements today? Question me if you find anything nefarious? Bring accusations against me about something that transpired almost three days ago?"
The Anbu chuckles darkly. "Well, it's not as if I wouldn't be justified in thinking you've done something heinous now would I?"
Dodging the questions is bad enough but Cat no longer tries to hide his nearly palatable dislike of Itachi. It's the truth the Uchiha picked up on the moment sandals hit his roof.
Feeling no further need to justify himself against this obvious abuse of authority, Itachi offers no rebuttal. He does narrow his eyes at the man; disgusted with the way he uses his position as some odd leverage, as if it dictates Itachi's actions. The reminiscent to clan habits is strong and an old bitterness threatens to wreck his emotions. There is no obligation for him to comply with this man or even offer any information. Itachi's willingness to indulge this folly is of his own volition and yet, Cat tilts his head in expectation.
With no real facial features for context clues, the bland whiteness of the cat mask decorated with twin magenta stripes on each side exudes both disinterest and mockery. Itachi can't see his face. He doesn't know if the man is grinning or glaring, smiling or frowning, teasing or testing. It's meant to invoke fear, disorienting and intimidating, a faceless phantom from Konoha's elite forces. Paired with bursting biceps and broaden war beaten shoulders, Cat must have been chosen from his squad to make him feel little, small, and useless in the presences of one so strong.
Had he been anyone else, Itachi would have been at least ill at ease, racking his brain to find his mistake. A spiked pulse instead of the steady drum of his heartbeat, fear and cowardice instead of annoyance and malevolence. Lesser men would cowered at this overtly obvious show of bravado that no doubt would not impose itself into his personal life had Itachi not been limited such as he is.
In his small backyard, surrounded by things that are familiar and homey, Itachi tries to defuse the situation quickly, keeping his mouth shut at the teasing nature of Cat's tone.
"Out of words, Uchiha-san?" the man laughs, "Cat got your tongue?"
Instead, he turns away and gives his attention to the water pot waiting to be picked up. If the Anbu wishes to continue talking, he will have to suffice with talking to himself or leave.
Preferably the latter.
The telltale scrap of unsheathing metal sends Itachi on high alert. "Didn't they teach you not to turn your back on a shinobi?"
Childishness, utter childishness.
Itachi suddenly becomes hyper aware of the metal spade pressed against his side by his arm, something that Cat unfortunately missed. He moves his arm slightly, letting the tool ease down until he catches it in his palm. For a flicker of a second, Itachi's lip twitches as his fingers tighten around the spade. Cat uncoils and springs on him with swiftness that rustles his black stained hair. Itachi offers no resistances to the meaty fist clutching his wrist in a vice grip, nor the tanto pressed against his jugular.
"I wouldn't do anything rash, Uchiha," Cat warns, and whispers, "Drop the weapon."
Itachi tilts his head away slightly from the face that's far too close for comfort, inflicting a small cut on himself. Dark eyes glance obliquely at his attacker as he calmly replies.
"Chastising me for your oversight? Since when was a simple garden spade in the hands of a civilian consider a weapon, Anbu-san?" Itachi calmly questions.
Cat hisses and presses the blade deeper. "Since you started violating the rules of your probation. Drop. It."
Itachi waits a moment then loosens his grip on the handle. But just to show that he is no helpless schmuck lets the spade twirl through his fingers like he would a kunai before releasing it head down into the dirt.
"Your accusation is without merit, as is your assault," the Uchiha rebukes. "The spade is down, why am I still being held at sword point?"
"You know goddamn well why. I'll decide when to lower my weapon and if my accusation is 'unmerited'. Answer the question, what the hell were you doing in Training Ground 4?"
Itachi huffs and slants his eyes away in boredom. "Training."
"For what?"
"It is as you said, to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you have questions with regards to my workout routine, take it up with my wife. She is my primary physician and appointed by the Hokage to ensure that my chakra seals remain intact. You are welcomed to go to the hospital and enquire about my file if you have doubts."
Though he cannot see the man's expression, the audible aggravation manifests in an impatient grunt that feels as if it's accompanied by a matching glare. Itachi's lips thin at the waves of malicious intent rolling from this guy and his obvious dissatisfaction with the response.
Cat tightens his fist around Itachi's wrist and sneers. "Oh I bet you'd just lovethat, wouldn't you? If I go check in with the traitor's cheerleader?"
For the briefest seconds, emotions win out over reason. It's a long enough time for Itachi to curl his fingers into a fist.
A long enough time for his actions to cause consequential reactions.
Cat moves immediately.
Using his weight to his advantage, the man hooks one of Itachi's ankles then pulls him down to the ground. It's hard not to struggle, but Itachi knows if he fights back, it will be enough incentive for the Anbu to justify neutralizing him.
So he falls gracefully on his back, wind vanishing from his lungs as a knee jams itself into his chest. He gasps just as Cat uses his free foot and press a worn sandal heel into his one arm, holding it down. Hovering over him with the tanto still pressed against his neck, Cat forces his restrained arm high above his head and away from the spade.
"Treading thin ice, Uchiha," Cat growls. "I didn't give you permission to make sudden movements."
This time, Itachi doesn't withhold his thoughts and snares. "Then maybe you should not insult a man's wife."
"That's funny coming from somebody that took pleasure in killing other men's wives from his own clan. You're talking about your wife like you know what it means to care about family and loyalty."
"If your gripe is with me, leave Sakura out of this," Itachi warns.
Cat snorts and leans in closer. "Or what? You're gonna kill me too? Put me under your oh so famous genjutsu?" He eases the blade over the first layer of skin on his throat, drawing blood. "Go ahead and do it. No need to pretend like you're some saint when we all know you're just a psycho. The only reason you're here is because you killed your even crazier brother. Fucking Uchiha, scum."
Itachi almost reacts.
His legs, free from Cat's horribly done restraints, twitch in reflex at his thoughts. Finding reasons to not draw from years of shinobi training is quickly becoming hard. More than just the insults to Sasuke, it's to him as a man. To have another man invade his home and attack him on the assumption that he is helpless does wonders to Itachi's pride.
It's hard to get those feelings under control, but he clenches his fist and bites his tongue. As much as he would love to reenact the death scene playing across his mind, Itachi calms himself. It wouldn't do for him to attack out of anger and sully the redemption granted to him by Kakashi. Even in the face of utter disrespect and ignorance and obvious taunting. This man is just one of many men that harbor hatred and distrust in their hearts for him, not understanding his standing in the village because of their ignorance of his sacrifice. He'd prepared himself for these types of encounters.
That doesn't make them less annoying.
Itachi closes his eyes, inhales through his nose and clears his mind, then repeats an earlier phrase. "Is your business finished here?"
"Don't change the subject!"
"On the contrary, I'm going back to theoriginal excuse for your intrusion." Itachi reminds him, "If you want to know whether I've violated my probation, speak with Sakura or inquire with the Hokage. There are no answers for you here. Kindly remove yourself from my person and my home."
"You're not exactly in the position to be making demands here. Not with a sword that with one little stroke by me could make sashimi of your throat." Cat sneers.
Itachi grunts dismissively and looks away at the grass. "Assumptions are easily made given the right conditions."
"The hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You come to my home on the nonsense excuse of 'checking up' on me with the assumption that I cannot defend myself. However, your continued survival is not a matter of can or cannot but will or will not."
"I'm sensing a threat," the man whistles. "Threatening Anbu can get you killed."
Itachi tilts his chin up, letting the blade cut deeper without so much as a flinch. The blood coils down his neck, into the dirt and his hair. Cat startles a little at his action and Itachi grunts, unimpressed.
"If I wanted to be a threat to you, you would not need to sense it. Remove yourself."
There is a moment; Itachi can sense it, where the man battles between his pride and his instincts. He seizes the opportunity and clarifies. "You've left my legs free, Anbu-san. If I truly desired to defend myself in this moment, I would have already. This is my last time saying so: remove yourself."
Cat holds him for a few more seconds before reluctantly easing away the tanto. "I'll check those records. In the meantime, try not to murder any plants. Uchiha-san."
The man stands and, just as quickly as he comes, leaves in a gust of unnatural wind. Itachi doesn't immediately get up. Warm blood still cascading down his neck is a reminder of the unpleasant event that's just unfolded. He watches gray winter clouds, hands at his side, physically still but mentally scattered.
People mistake his ability to control emotions as him having none at all. This is simply not the case and the last few minutes is a testament to range of things that flutter through his mind.
Resentment. Anger. Sadness. Annoyance. Frustration. Haughtiness. All come and go, sometimes together, sometimes separate and in cycles, Itachi allows himself to feel each and understand where they come from. As he does, his hands go to his side, nails dig into cold dirt and rips up fistfuls of muck. Impassively staring at the sky, he squeezes the gunk in his hands until his knuckles hurt and the dirt and grass and rock mash together into one long fist shaped log. He squeezes until the burning anger in his chest cools to something less murderous. It only takes about two minutes at best for him to settle himself down, resign to the fact of his reality.
I can't force people to see what they do not wish to see. I can be angry, but what good would it do for me to respond out of it?
None. It will only setback decades worth of work. Although he isn't looking for acceptance, peace would be a nice alternative.
It would be nice to garden without being attacked.
His thoughts turn slightly humorous, giving him some initiative to get up. Though still a touched agitated, he is no longer contemplating using a human target for kunai practice. Itachi drops the dirt and stands, dusts his hands and starts the process of returning his gardening supplies back to small closet inside the house.
He takes care not to make a mess on the floor from his wounds but it's hard when he needs to bend to pick things up. Still he takes his time with gathering everything. One tool at a time, he carries them inside of the house until the backyard is clear of clutter. Every so often a small drop of blood falls on the ground. Itachi ignores it and the sting against his skin to continue cleaning. Once he's done, he goes to the bathroom to shower instead of bath. No longer desiring to stay inside, Itachi decides on tea and dango. He cleans himself, dries and goes to the sink to further inspect of his wounds. He disinfects his neck, cleaning the taunt and oddly stretched skin as the water washes away excess. He will have to ask Sakura to heal him later. The thought pulls his lips into a frown, wondering for a moment if she will oblige him or agree with the Anbu.
He shakes his head and reaches for the faucet. "She will if she wants."
Itachi goes over scenarios of the conversation in his mind, idle background noise to him applying ointment to his neck then wrapping it in gauze. Tilting his head up, he traces the crooked line from the blade's mark from the top of his neck, across his jugular and nearly down to his shoulder. It's mostly a superficial wound, nothing life threatening at all. Maybe Sakura's vivacious sense of justice will tilt the odds in his favor. Despite their rocky start to this mission, these last few months have seen some changes, some shred of understanding. But he will not be so assuming. Most of the time, he has little expectation of her to be different from the Anbu with her thoughts of him. Even though she knows the circumstances surrounding the massacre, Itachi understands that it is still a hard pill to swallow. Even he struggles with his own convictions about his reasoning those years ago.
Perhaps because of that he knows the struggle of duty's necessity when faced with something undesirable. He, of all people, knows what it feels like to be forced to do something or act in a way that is against the consciousness of one's heart.
In this manner, he can't bring himself to resent her even if she decides against helping him.
Itachi eases away from the counter and takes his time with going to their room to change. Such a mundane tasks allows him to think critically while getting things done. He slips on his shoes and grabs a black cloak that will cover his bandages and shut out any chilly breezes. Just as he's prepared to continue inside of his own mind, a scratching sound at his front door sucks that opportunity away.
Itachi looks blandly at the door as the scratches continue, mixed with muffled thumps that are ultimately meant to be a knock. He weighs the consequences of not answering but dismisses it because he is not a child. So he opens the door with reluctance, just as the dog raises his paw for another knock.
"Pakkun," Itachi states as a greeting and looks out towards the street for the ninken's owner. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Pakkun tentatively sniffs the air then eyes Itachi's throat. "You're bleeding."
"I was," Itachi clarifies.
"Somebody else was here."
"They were."
"You smell faintly of dirt and plants. Care to tell me what the hell happened?"
The Uchiha offers nothing. "Not particularly. Did the Hokage send you to fetch me?"
The pug grunts and bares his teeth a little. "Don't get snappy with me, kid. Kakashi did send for you but are you in any condition to go there?"
A faint smirk dances at the man's lips. "Surely your nose is better than that, Pakkun. The wound is merely superficial. I will be fine."
Itachi takes a step forward in response, causing Pakkun to shuffle back and to the side as he closes the door. Wordlessly he changes the course of his day again and heads towards the Hokage Tower instead of the market. Pakkun trots alongside him through the light afternoon crowd. Itachi gives little attention to the intentionally clear path they have as people easy out of his way. Pakkun on the other hand grumbles under his breath loud enough for Itachi to hear. "Don't mind us, just a guy and a dog walking along the sidewalk."
"You don't appreciate being the center of attention, Pakkun?" he asks mildly.
The pug frowns. "Only if it's a pretty girl and belly rubs are involved."
"I am sure some would oblige if you asked," Itachi adds as he passes a mother pulling her young son closer towards her side.
The ninken chuckles a little. "And they said Uchiha's can't be funny."
"Hn"
Pakkun ensures that they get through the doors of the Hokage Tower with little fuss. Shinobi subtly take notice of him and his cloak. Itachi keeps his gaze ahead and allows Pakkun to lead the way to his old taichou's office. He knocks once against the large oak doors before pushing them open and letting the dog enter first before silently following.
"I brought the Uchiha, boss." Pakkun announces.
Itachi lingers by the doorframe. Across from him, neither Shizune nor Kakashi seem to give much attention to the rooms occupants. The two sort through a stack of haphazardly piled papers on the Hokage's desk. The silver haired shinobi briefly looks up, glancing between the approaching dog and the lone figure looming near the door. Itachi has no doubt that Kakashi was aware of their arrival the moment they stepped foot in the door but he manages to give off an air of pleasant surprise as he regards him with one eye.
"So you have. Good job."
"Yeah, well, I think we called him in at the right time." Pakkun announces as he jumps on the desk, circles the spot then folds his arms and lays down.
"Oh?" Kakashi regards him, perhaps looking for signs of his distress. Itachi keeps his face neutral during the stare off before the Copy Ninja turns toward the only female in the room. "Give us a moment, will you, Shizune?"
The brunette nods and neatly arranges the stack of papers on a nearby shelf before making her exit. She smiles a greeting as she leaves and Itachi takes the opportunity to step closer inside the office.
"Did you need me for something, Hokage-sama?"
Kakashi keeps his words to himself, favoring instead to give Itachi a cursory look. He glances to Pakkun. Some unspoken words pass between and before he's finally regarded again. Itachi catches the faintest smirk under Kakashi's mask as he leans back against his chair in a relaxed pose.
"You seem a bit…. agitated?" The man finally drawls.
Itachi stares, wondering if he should withhold the information from him. His reluctance to recount can backfire, as one can never tell with Kakashi. He tends to have layered meanings with his words.
"That would be a fair assessment," he answers vaguely. "I was on my way to the shop for tea and dango."
"He's bleeding too." Pakkun lazily supplies, not even offering an apology for interrupting his favorite pastime.
In an abrupt shift, Kakashi's single eye hardens, putting Itachi on edge immediately at the response. "What happened?"
So it seems that this is not about what happened earlier. Part of Itachi feels pleased but the other more than a tad concerned that the Hokage had such little knowledge of the whereabouts of those under him.
"I was visited by Anbu this morning." Itachi answers with as little inflection as possible, not wanting to stir up any more ill feelings than is already present.
Kakashi's single eyed gaze penetrates in its intensity as he takes to tapping his fingers against the wooden desk. It takes a few moments but his words come slow and calculating.
"There were no Anbu assigned to you today..."
"Hn,"
"Did they say why they came?" the drumming against the table increases.
"According to him, my training methods the other day did not match the guidelines of my probation."
"On what basis?"
"The testimony of a genin and a chunin."
Pakkun snorts and peaks open an eye to look at Kakashi. "That doesn't sound like a reason to go after someone's throat."
"Throat?" Kakashi repeats, brow rising significantly as he zeros in on Itachi's attire.
"A flesh wound," the man supplies and tilts his chin up just enough for white bandages to peek through.
The Hokage tuts and sags his shoulders. "Pakkun,"
"Already on it boss," the dog jumps down and trots towards the door. "He's not too far away from here. Should I bring him or let him stew for awhile?"
"Stewing works just fine. I have other business with Itachi right now. We'll address this situation afterwards. Actually, no, bring him to Sai and don't say anything. That should get enough of a raise out of him."
Itachi half expects Kakashi to enquire more about the events surrounding his wound when Pakkun leaves. The man rubs his chin thoughtfully, regarding the ceiling as if it holds some mystic secret of the earth. He eases his hands down and, immediately, Itachi notes the hand signs being woven that activate the privacy seal in the room. The fact that he does notice means the silver-haired man intentionally does it slow enough that his eyes can follow, meaning he wants to make him aware that what they are about to discuss is for only them.
Few topics fall into the 'privacy' category with regards to him in any case. Once the signs are finished, Kakashi lets his eye drift to meet Itachi and he nods faintly before lacing his fingers together and resting his elbows on the desk.
"So," his tone is unusually light considering the information just given him. "How are things at home?"
Itachi's brow twitch, the making of a frown tugging at the corner of his lips at at the unexpected question.
What is this about?He wonders suspiciously.
Senses on high alert, the former shinobi gauges the Hokage in the same way Kakashi stares him down, waiting. Itachi doesn't take too much time on appraisals keeps his guard and wits about him. There are always meanings under meanings under meanings. Seeing as Kakashi has not just come out with the question he's trying to find an answer to, Itachi errs on the side of caution.
"I would enjoy it much more if Anbu did not make unwelcome and unannounced visits."
Kakashi hums. "Noted. I can assure the matter will be dealt with accordingly, that's not exactly what I was referring to. "
Itachi makes a noncommittal sound and inclines his head. When it becomes clean he will not say more, Kakashi speaks up.
"I'm curious as to how are things between you and Sakura."
"Sakura has kept up with the details of her mission." Itachi offers while attempting not to unknowingly incriminate himself. "I followed the restrictions laid out to me upon my return. We...cooperate in that regard."
"And in other regards?"
Black brow rises minutely "Can you clarify, Lord Sixth?"
Kakashi's eye crinkles but he doesn't respond. Instead, the man lazily gestures towards the chair in front of his desk. He leans down to reach for something in a nearby draw, ducking slightly from view in the process. Itachi takes his time with sitting, keeping his eyes on the man's movements as he places one glass then another followed by a jug of sake between them.
"Have a drink with me." Kakashi offers.
Before Itachi can politely decline, Kakashi pours the both of them a glass and slides one across the table. A moment passes but eventually Itachi takes the cup and they both drink down the alcohol.
He pours them another glass. Itachi takes caution with his drink. It goes down with three tentative sips this time while Kakashi takes it one go again. Whether he is attempting to get drunk quickly or ease tension is unclear but when Kakashi sits the cup down and pours them a third glass, he leans towards the former.
However, the drink goes untouched this time by both of them as Itachi waits for Kakashi to answer his earlier question. It doesn't take long. The man sighs and slouches over folded hands, eyes slightly clouded and far off.
"I've been told Sakura's taken extra shifts at the hospital," grey eyes shift to black ones. "That in and of itself is not so bad…. except she's taking on triple and quadruple shifts."
Itachi quirks a brow in questions but offers nothing as the Copy-Ninja continues.
"Sakura tends to overwork herself when she is upset about something. Since this has been going on for, oh, the past three days, I'm curious."
I see, Itachi thinks.
It's no secret that Team 7 was and is still very close. Naruto is never too far from their home, Sai-the former root member, visits with his wife as well. He has no doubt that if his brother was still among the living, he too would be a part of this close-knit group. Over it all is Kakashi Hatake, current Hokage. While he will venture to say their attachment is both help and hindrance to their overall growth, Itachi knows better than interfering with their little family. The sake, the lazy but concerned and accusatory attitude currently being shown to him can only mean this is less a 'Hokage' meeting but something more personal.
That makes this meeting much harder.
Itachi's eyes drop to the liquid in his cup as he chooses his words carefully. "Perhaps...you should ask Sakura herself if something is bothering her."
"I've tried," Kakashi sighs and grabs his cup. "A few days ago, in fact, when she came in my office far later than I would have liked."
There's a pause before the man continues. "I'm concerned that this mission is taking an unhealthy toll on her."
The accusation is not thrown at me? Itachi wonders and furrows his brows as Kakashi lays bare his heart. "It's been four hard years for all of us, I think. Sakura especially. I thought the mission would help her heal some but I'm beginning to suspect it's making her a bit more unstable than normal."
Sakura was unstable beforethis mission. Itachi's frown deepens, and then he takes his sake cup and sips. I may have unknowingly perpetuated it.
Sakura's reasoning for take the mission is her own. But his, Itachi knows well. Guilt spawns him into compliance, penitence into submission. However, the encounter with Cat and the current undertones of his present conversation shines lights on his impatience...with Sakura.
I do have expectation for her to have moved on.
An unpleasant that leads to a sincere question. Itachi turns his contemplative gaze on his former captain "Hokage-sama, may I ask a question?"
"By all means."
"You said the mission would help her move on, but how? Considering its nature, it seemed above her skill level at the time. Why allow it?"
"Good question," Kakashi wagers and takes a drink. "Partly out of necessity. Sakura is the only one with the medical skills to be your physician. The elders were also quite adamant that she be the one assigned to you because she's privy to confidential information. And…no one else wanted to because they are not privy to confidential information."
Itachi sits back in his chair, crossing his hands over a knee that crosses over a leg. "And the other part?"
Kakashi looks to the ceiling once again. Itachi makes out the outline of downturned lips through the Copy Ninja mask. "Guilt probably."
"In what way?"
The Hokage exhales long and heavy, letting his shoulders sag even more in either reluctance to answer or disappointment. "It's very easy to fall into old habits. Sakura doesn't take too kindly to that and can be very...insistent."
Itachi takes the information and holds it; understand the man's perspective deeply. Perhaps all of them have been coddling her. The fact is, Sakura is a shinobi and an adult. No matter the reason, they cannot shield her from her reality.
"If you're asking my opinion," Itachi ventures, "I don't believe at the time this mission was commission that Sakura was mentally prepared for what it entailed. Even if she was the only qualified one, she was not ready."
"Fair enough," Kakashi concedes.
"However," Itachi continues, "If part of the goal was growth, she has grown as a shinobi. Difficult missions tend to push us beyond ourselves in a way that forces either growth or reversion. Sakura chose the former. In that since, to your earlier question, we are much better now."
Kakashi pours a fourth cup for the both of them and raises a brow. "Sakura can be a handful."
The Uchiha agrees and adds to her defense, "She had reason to be difficult."
"You were okay with that?"
"No," he answers without hesitation and adds his own confession, "I did not stop her either for my own reasons. Her reactions, I understand her rationale even if her way of dealing with things is...not akin to what shinobis are taught. Despite her growth, I think she needs a break from this. When things become overwhelming she will either work more or visit Sasuke's grave. In the past she chose the latter but has eased up on the practice."
"...So I've heard from Naruto…"
"Then you have a witness to her growth."
Kakashi slouches a bit in his chair and rests his cheek against his knuckle. "And I have your word. You seem well acquainted with Sakura's habits, Itachi."
This again.Itachi notes
The knowing look given to him only confirms his theories. If reassure is what Kakashi is after, he will gladly give it. But more important than the thing he's trying to get Itachi to say is why he wants him to say it.
Sakura reports to him everyday. He should be more than acquainted with our state of affairs. Why seek me out for clarity? Does Sakura withhold information? If so, why bring that up now? Unless my answer in turn affects the outcome of our later meeting?
He forgoes another cup of sake to keep his wits. Kakashi never seemed the type to stoop so low as to get a man drunk to make him talk. Itachi doubts his former squad leader assumes such a strategy wouldwork. Still, he's leery of both liquid and Lord, picking and choosing information while cataloging every twitch and stare and sound.
"Her skills as a shinobi are what they are, Lord Hatake." He offers.
A dry chuckle huffs out of his former captian. He finishes his drink. "True. Very true. I guess you could say, overall, you two are getting along?"
The same question just rephrases.
He must really want the answer.
Itachi nods. Kakashi sighs in what the Uchiha notes is relief.
"That's good to hear. I assumed that Sakura was the right fit for this. I had moments of doubt, admittedly. However, I trust your assessment, Itachi. If you say she is handling it well, then I believe you."
Kakashi drums his fingers on the table, as if to signal the conclusion of the conversation. Grey eyes drift to the door; linger for a second before he reaches in the desk for the jug again.
Is he trying to get drunk?
Itachi watches closer as his leader shivers when the fourth cup goes down, hiccups at the fifth and pulls himself together at the six. His eyes shift to the sake then up again to Kakashi who stretching, looking much more relieved than he had a moment again. Itachi's suspicions return two-fold. They hardly ever have pre-meetings together, no less about things like this. So if not the mission he is currently on, then perhaps the mission to come calls for some background on Sakura.
And alcohol...
Itachi clears his throat, prepared to lay his questions about their meeting. "Kaka-"
Just as he starts the doors to the Hokage's office flies open. Sakura comes rushing in, pushing hair out of her face as she apologizes.
"Sorry! I'm sorry I'm late." she says quickly, grinning and blushing and hurrying to the available seat next to him. "Oh. Itachi. You made it here before me? Am I that late?"
"No," Kakashi assures in a voice much kinder than early, "You're on time actually."
Why is she here now?
Itachi looks at the Hokage and questions. "Was not our meeting later today?"
The man nods and cracks his neck. "Yes, well, certain...circumstances called for it to be moved up a bit. Now then, shall we get started?"
"Looks to me like you already have," Sakura gripes and gestures at the sake. "Since when did drinking become a part of these meetings?"
Kakashi dismisses her concerns with a flick of his wrist. "Itachi and I were having a man to man conversation."
Sakura snorts, crossing both arms and leg in disbelief. "I highly doubt that. You suck at those."
"How would you know? Certain parts of your anatomy exclude you from having man to man conversations."
They descend into a playfully banter that doesn't leave Itachi any less concerned for the next turn of events. Kakashi speaks to Sakura in circles. It's truth but not truth. Not a lie but almost false. Kakashi says what happens without saying anything at all. They were having a conversation and it was about her and the very thing they are gathered here for. But the air is different.
Kakashi is never without motive. If he is trying to set her at ease, than there must be bad news.
His entire body tenses with anticipation, the only outward sign of his mental state is a refolding on his hands on his keens. When Kakashi settles in his seat and removes his Hokage hat, Itachi's eyes catch every jerk and movement.
"Well now, should we get started?"
Sakura nods, sitting on the edge of the seat. Itachi's eyes slide her way, noting the barely contained excitement making her leg bob. How devastated will she be if his assumption is correct?
An outcome I would rather not have to handle. The remind of earlier discontent tugs against his neck. If Sakura ends up being angry, he will be the first in her path of fury.
Perhaps more sake was wise.
"Uchiha Itachi. Haruno Sakura. Konoha would like to thank you for your services in this mission. S ranked missions are usually very taxing and to maintain such a mission for this extended period of time is commendable. You have my gratitude."
Grey eyes lock on black ones. "With formalities out of way, let's start with you, Itachi. As you know, by the end of next year the restrictions on your chakra will be lifted. The seals will be removed and you are welcomed to train as you like. The goal was never to make you a prisoner so the restoration of your civil and shinobi liberties is paramount."
Standard stuff, nothing worthy of concern. Kakashi starts their meeting on a reality mild note, stating facts that they all know. Itachi nods for lack of a better thing to do and continues the conversation with an inquiry of his own.
"With these new liberties, will I be able to join the shinobi ranks again?"
Kakashi reaches for a folder atop of stack of many. "Technically speaking, yes. You would be ranked as jounin or, if you prefer, joined to Anbu again as a captain. But...I was hoping for a simpler life that makes you more readily accessible. It's no secret that you are a highly skilled shinobi, talented in everything from weaponry to espionage. All the more reason why having those skills reserved for special missions seems like a better idea to me. Of course, you are free to decide that on your own."
The Hokage then slides the folder across the desk towards him. Itachi catches it before it flies to the floor.
"What is this?" he questions.
"A simpler life," Kakashi reiterates, "Konoha is in a state of transition. Going from a full-scaled world war to global peace doesn't come without making changes. We're undertaking several projects, some external with other Hidden Villages and some internal. This one seemed suited for you to head, Itachi. Take a glance at it and tell me what you think."
Sakura leans over her chair. Itachi angles the folder so as to offer her a better view.
It's unassuming at first. Papers decorated with several plans and ideas with a few circled in scattered areas. He flips through, skim reading the documents as he filters what's unimportant, there seems to be quite a lot of that. The way the information is organized, it doesn't immediately say what this is. There are plans and reworked plans all of which denoting a renovation. For a moment, Itachi is ready to dismiss it as nonsense, assuming the mission will be him sorting out whatever plans are trying to be formed here. While office work has never been something he actively disliked, for Kakashi to suggest such a thing seems like a waste of resources.
When his partner mumbles off scribbled words, and then mutters how she wishes it were clearer, Itachi relishes in the fact that he is not the only confused one. A quick glance at Kakashi who encourages him to flip further, Itachi shuffles through to the last few pages. Finally, at the very back, a blueprints for what looks like old Uchiha Compound makes him stop.
He pauses abruptly, eyes widening slightly at the sketch that loosens in his grip.
"Is that…?" Sakura questions as Itachi flips back through to the beginning.
"Yes," he curtly fills in the blanks for her.
The place where I lost everything...
The last time he ventured to this place, Itachi could hardly muster the strength to go a few feet. Not because of guilt. Yes. The Massacre was necessary. Yes. He was acting on orders. But he is no machine. Seeing it from his home's window is enough to recall old regrets and his mind likes to remind him of a million things he could have done differently. Knowing what he knows now, how Obito assisted only to achieve some convoluted end, how Sasuke could have helped him if given the chance. All of it was memory he prefers not to dredge through.
To put it short: it hurt.
One doesn't simply kill off their entire clan and live a mentally peaceful life. You never truly get over that lost because grief doesn't come with an expiration date. You deal. He's been dealing with in his own way for over a decade.
But now.
Itachi closes his eyes and the folder, mentally processing what he's seen long enough to compose more of a statement than a question. Because Kakashi doesn't just want to keep the Compound around, he wants to immortalize it.
"You want to change the Old Uchiha Compound into a museum." There's no malice but those who know little about him would miss the restrained tone of voice. "What would this have to do with me?"
If any notice his stiffened disposition, no one voices it. Instead the Hokage gestures to the file and lays bare its plans. "At first we were going to tear it down. Most of it was destroyed in the War and isn't in use. It's simply been abandoned. However, Shikamaru thought of the idea you have there."
"No offense, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura interrupts, green eyes flicker to Itachi and then away. "It's just...a museum? I find it a bit hard to believe that people would like this idea. I mean, by and large people seem okay with Itachi being around. But some people still see him as a killer and the Uchiha Compound is kinda seen as a place of mass murder."
"She has a point." Itachi agrees.
Sakura catches his eye once more and something like sympathy flickers across her face but it leaves before he can be sure. She looks away and he turns his gaze back to Kakashi who offers a slightly crinkled smile.
"All valid concerns," he concedes, "All things we thought about. I admit I was against the idea at first but Shikamaru made some good points. First and the most important is that Konoha's history is mostly recorded in books. The only structures we have to commemorate the start of our village is the Valley of the End. We don't have any buildings dedicated for this purpose and building one would be costly. By contrast, the old Uchiha Compound has enough buildings there to represent both prominent and lesser clans. Refurbishing that place is more economical, not that we are in financial straits but…. wars cost money. To that end, we need Itachi to agree…. considering he is currently the sole owner of all of that property, Itachi."
"Hold on. Pause." Sakura interrupts again, "Itachi actually owns the entire compound? Why wasn't that discoursed to us earlier?"
"Well," Kakashi drawls and leans back in his chair, "Certain circumstances made it a bit harder to do than just giving Itachi property."
"Because of the probation," Itachi supplies then turns his attention to Sakura to explain. "By law, I could not own the property because of that."
"But you weren't a prisoner!"
Itachi agrees, "Not in the traditional sense. Think, Sakura, it would be no different than allowing me to freely move around the village".
"Exactly," The Hokage agrees. "We needed to wait until the probation was over to give him the deeds and money considering he is also is the sole beneficiary of every will and testament, funds which were originally meant for Sasuke. Since Itachi is now the last Uchiha, it all goes to him."
Money?Itachi mentally questions. "I did not know there were funds as well."
"As I said, they were for Sasuke at first as per your agreement with the Third Hokage. Or, if we are being technical, for the last remaining Uchiha, which is you. Now that you have access to it…"
"You want me to use that money to fund this project," Itachi interjects.
Kakashi's eyes crinkle. "The village is willing to match the cost considering this will be a public museum. As I said, this is a simpler life for you. You won't lose too much in this investment. The account has enough that this project can be completed and you will have plenty left to live comfortably. The village will handle the maintenance fees and pay a salary to anyone employed so you are not coming out of pocket."
Itachi turns the idea over in his mind. Financing turning his old home into a museum is as easy as signing papers. The way Kakashi started this, Itachi doubts that's the end all be all.
"What else is there to this?" he questions, "If I choose to finance this, what other task will I be responsible for?"
"If you decide to take this project, I'm expecting you to also be curator. You can still be on the payroll as a shinobi much in the same way an Anbu would be. Being curator can be your primary job and specific missions will be allotted to maximize your skillset."
Itachi manages a mask of indifference but his mind is already fast at work.
To renovate is one thing but to work there everyday? Surely a test of sanity.
He almost snorts at the truth of his thoughts. He's come to terms with his decision many years ago. One cannot simply undo a mass slaughter. That is not the part that worries him. It's coming to terms with his new life that has him teetered off-balance.
I should be buried with the rest of them. Now I am being asked to commemorate them.
To be fair to Kakashi, the offer is not a bad one, just unexpected. He's never given much thought to what would happen to his old home. Turning it into something pleasant seems like a good idea. But who would come to the site of a massacre?
The irony of choosing me to facilitate. Did they not consider the adverse reaction that could cause?
It's almost laughable. The killer tells the story of the killing, evening honoring it.
He looks down at the incomplete blueprints, thinking of ways this can go right and ways this can go wrong.
Perhaps by honoring the village, my name will be cleared in the eyes of the people. This may be what they are hoping, people will associate this with a sign of loyalty. It will not happen overnight. Changing people's heart takes time…
"Itachi?" Sakura's soft call pulls him from his reverie. "You were staring a hole into the paper. Kakashi asked what did you think."
"I have concerns," he admits. "Sakura is right in saying people will shy away from the place because of its history."
The Hokage agrees in his own way and leans back. "People will come around. They may not know the true sacrifice that happened that night but for you and those of us made aware, there is no better place or person to represent the Will of Fire. In time, that aspect of the Uchiha Compound will only add to the history and allure."
Overly optimistic.Itachi mentally mutters, closing the folder and sitting it on the table. "My doubts still remain."
"Alright." Kakashi says. "Doubts are understandable. I also had doubts but I can see beyond it enough to recognize the potential."
The Uchiha makes a noncommittal grunt. There is potential. He is not blind. Nothing Kakashi said is without merit. Honoring the clans, refurbishing an abandoned complex, the idea is solid in theory. It hinges on people being able to see beyond. Itachi isn't some pessimist but he's seen how hatred corrupts the human heart.
This will take far more time than I believe he knows.
Years maybe, perhaps not until he dies will people appreciate all the museum encapsulates. "Can I consider it before answering now?"
"Considering is not a no," Kakashi amuses, folds his hands on the desk and nods in kind. "It's a start, at least. How about a month to think it through? Just in case you come up with…. other plans for the place."
"Other plans?"
"It was your former home at some point. Maybe you will use it like that again?"
Itachi blinks in shock but has no moment to voice his questions about that last state. Kakashi keeps going. "After all, Konoha is in a delicate spot right now. Peace is a fragile and circumstantial thing. It could last for five years or five decades but, eventually, someone will come along that doesn't know the sacrifices of people like Naruto. They will be too far removed from the horrors of this war to not wish it again. Greed. Revenge. Power. All of these can be the difference between cooperation and occupation. I want Konoha to be ready."
It's Sakura who speaks up and Itachi is glad for it. "I don't understand. What does this have to do with the museum?"
"Everything and nothing." Kakashi answers cryptically. "It's not the building...more the content being memorialized. Above everything, the Hidden Leaf Village and its shinobi's job is to protect those within its walls. As the Hokage, I would be remiss if I did nothing to ensure that we are protected in the future. Our greatest resource is our shinobi, within that, the skills specific to each clan within our borders."
As soon as the words come out, the conversation becomes muffled background noise. For Itachi is not slow. To have such a conversation here, in an official meeting now is no accident. As the Hokage cryptically lays out pieces of what this meeting is truly about, he can't help but feel used.
The meeting, the question, everything. Kakashi was fishing for information for this.
It all comes together in one rushed puzzle. Kakashi must have sensed when realization dawned. He will not make eye contact. It's just as well because Itachi's face tightens with furrowed and narrowed brows. Fist clench with nearly unrestrained discontent. He can't quite decide if his indignation is for himself...or for Sakura.
A quick glance her way reveals she's still bathe in confusion, waiting for Kakashi to feed her more verbal encouragement to 'defend' Konoha in such a way only a woman can.
Has she not caught on yet? The fact that she hasn't only means that when she does, things may end badly for all of them.
"Okay so," the medical ninja presses, unfolding her arms to sit a bit taller, "You want to make sure the village is protected from future threats by reminding us of mistakes we've made in the past."
Kakashi straightens in his chair then looks intently at Sakura. "What I want and what the elders want is to protect the village from threats and to protect its heritage."
"With a museum?"
"Withshinobi."
"Eh?" Sakura questions, "...how's that gonna...?"
"By preservation."
"And restoration," Itachi supplies through gritted teeth, unable to continue this guessing game. "Be plain with her, Hokage-sama."
Much to his surprise, Kakashi does just that.
"We want to see the Uchiha Clan restored."
The conversation comes to a deafening halt, shadowed by a dense restless energy coming from the only female in the room. The Hokage's office shrouds in silence as both men watch and wait. For the longest time Sakura sits completely still, lips pursed, hands hanging loose at her side. There's a twitch, then a blink, she uncrosses one leg and brings her hands to her knees. Itachi watches with batted breath as the news unfolds in her mind. He can see it on her face. They way her eyes shift, pupils dilating gradually, the slight flare of her nostrils and growing flush creeping up the back of her neck. All a sign of barely contained emotions trying to push through.
The next time she speaks, Sakura's voice is dangerously low, eyes glued to the floor. "Restored...how?"
The Hokage is not unaffected by this either. He's already unlaced his fingers and pushes back slightly from the desk. His mouth opens and closes, eyes shifting to the ceiling as if it will give him words.
"Well," Kakashi hesitates. "In theory...Itachi needs to have children in order to properly restore the clan."
"With who?" Sakura's words cut like a knife as she growls. For a moment an odd feeling of vindication fills him when she glares at their superior.
"Ahh…" the caution in his voice is wise, Itachi thinks. Whatever he is about to say could be the spark or diffuser of a Sakura bomb. "Such a thing is a delicate matter."
Her fists clenched to white knuckles as she avidly demands, "With who!"
"Ideally?" Kakashi tells her. "You."
The chair under her flies across to the back of the room, crashing against the wall. One doesn't have to been a sensory ninja; he can feel the crackles of her chakra all over his skin. Itachi reacts quickly, getting up and stepping aside. Her entire body trembles, face red and absolutely furious. The source of her fury stands as well. Kakashi's stance is no less defense but he doesn't back down from her either.
"Who's idea was this?" she demands through gritted teeth.
Kakashi manages to answer calmly. "It was a joint proposal. The elders and I have been tossing this idea around for awhile."
At that, Itachi speaks up, getting between Sakura and Kakashi to raise his own concerns. "How long has this been under consideration?"
"Since the moment you stepped back in the village...But…" Kakashi cautions, "It was not something we wanted to make a mission out of, rather...something that happened naturally."
"With me?" Sakura's voice carries over both of theirs. "Is that the reason for this faux marriage? Were you guys trying to play matchmaker and just assumed that because I loved Sasuke I would be willing to pop-out Uchiha babies!"
"You were considered for reasons that have nothing to do with your relationship with Sasuke. There are many factors at play here, the integrity of the village being one of them."
"I'm a citizen in this village too! What about me? What about my integrity!"
The Hokage's tone shifts as his jaw clenches under his mask. "You are a citizen and a shinobi."
Kakashi quickly cuts Sakura off just as she opens her mouth to rebuttal. " The well-being of Konoha is my number one priority, Sakura. If that means ensuring that one of our greatest dojutsu survives long enough to protect us from another Otsuki Clan threat, than I will do what must be done. These missions are not uncommon in any village. They are no different from any other seduction mission kunoichi are trained for, what you are trained for."
"Seduction!" Sakura nearly pushes Itachi out of the way and, if not for the desk he is sure Kakashi would have been sent through the wall. But she bangs her fist against it, sending fissures all throughout the sensitive wood.
"Yes, seduction. You are a kunoichi, Sakura. This shouldn't surprise you. Do you think you're the first to have something like this presented? The Uchiha were not the only clan on the edge of extinction. Konoha's done things like this since the village was formed."
Sakura lets out a choking gasps, physically reeling at the information. Scrubbing a hand through her hair, she takes a defensive step back.
"This is my life!" she pleads with frantic desperation, "What you're asking isn't just a mission. It won't go away in two months or five months or even five years. I can't just give babies back once they're born. I'm stuck with them until the day I die, Kakashi!"
"How many shinobi have given their life to a cause?" Kakashi raises his voice, stilling all movement with the sharpness of his voice. "Are you a kunoichi or are you not?"
Sakura whimpers, clenching her fist as tears build. "Don't try to make this about patriotism and duty."
"It is about duty." The Hokage reiterates. "Would you leave the village vulnerable?"
"That's not fair." Sakura insists, "You can't guilt me into...into…"
She can't say the words and bites down hard on her lower lip. Itachi mentally teeters between comforting her and confronting Kakashi. But the Hokage does not relent, going as far as to come around the desk that's shielded him from her fury.
"Sakura, I'm not trying to guilt you into anything but truth is truth. This is a mission that exists. I am considering it for reasons."
"What reasons?" Itachi challenges. "This mission, it's purpose, does this not seem like an extreme solution?"
"Haven't the elders learned how crappy the results are when they meddle?" Sakura opines.
Kakashi's gray brow raises and he folds his arms, turning his attention away from his student a moment. "Those possessing the Sharingan have the potential to develop a Rinnegan, an inaugural part of defeating the Otsuki Clan. To lose such a valuable jutsu is unthinkable and irresponsible, especially when something can be done. My question remains, would you live the village vulnerable to such an attack?"
"This isn't right!" Sakura jumps in, "You can't make me be a mother."
"I'll agree with you on that point. I can't make you be a mother but you have made yourself the most qualified shinobi for this task. The mission,"
"...No…"
"... Allows you two months to consider accepting…"
"My answer is no!" Sakura raises her voice over his.
"Your mission." Kakashi presses, "As of now is to take two months to consider the unique situation our village is in, Sakura, I wouldn't ask this from you if it wasn't paramount. Accept the two month mission and we will revisit this then."
"I said I won't do it!" When Sakura's hand goes up, Itachi moves with quickest. He hardly sees the two shadow clones until they pop at the magnitude of chakra emanating from her right arm. He instantly goes to the left, getting an arm around her throat and pressing his free finger against pressure point behind her ear just as she swings towards the wall.
In seconds her body goes limp against his at the same time concrete and steel and metal shatter, leaving a sizeable hole in the wall and several cracks surrounding it. He pulls her in close and with his free hand scoops her up bridal style just as Kakashi groans. Shoulders hunched, Kakashi falls weighted into his chair, shaking his head. The bravado from early simmers away and Itachi sees the gravity and strain etched into his forehead.
The sake makes more sense. The meeting early becomes clearer but even still it was not enough to prepare them for her reaction. Itachi would have felt more sympathy if not for his own reservations about what may be Sakura's next mission.
"Did it not go as you expected?" Itachi wagers with a hint of sarcasm because how the hell Kakashi thought this was a good idea is beyond him.
Kakashi actually shakes his head. "From Sakura? Yes. But with more casualties to my office."
"You could not have assumed she would accept this."
The Hokage lets his head drop back against the chair and regards the ceiling. "I imagined she would be against it but I am more interested in your reaction."
"Mine? The mission wasn't given to me."
"No." Kakashi concedes then grimaces, " Well, we can't really...do it without you. I want to know your thoughts."
True enough.
"Very well," Itachi says. He walks back to his chair, an unconscious Sakura in tow and sits with her cradled like a child in his lap. Then reveals his thoughts.
"This mission is, for lack of better words, insulting. You assume that I am incapable of finding someone to bear children. Creating this into a mission in order to get it done is beyond degrading. You presume this is something that I want. Perhaps rebuilding the clan is not what I planned for the future. Regardless of if it was or was not, this question was not posed to me, rather I was indirectly told this was the next trajectory of my life. To commission Sakura, who's dedicated the last few years of her life to a trying mission while battling the grief of losing the man she loved at the hands of the man she was commissioned to watch over is careless and heartless. My opinion is that I disapprove."
Kakashi doesn't miss a beat, dropping an elbow on the desk to hold two fingers. "All fair points that have reasonable explanations. But let's be honest, can you blame me at this point? Trust me when I say the last thing I want to consider is what my ex student does with men. But four years spent living with a woman and….nothing?"
Itachi nearly glares, clenching Sakura tighter at Kakashi's insinuation.
"I am on duty," he stresses.
A hand scrubs through gray hair. When Kakashi avoids eye contact, Itachi knows he's made his point. The man across from his takes a moment to gather his thoughts, a long enough time for Itachi to lose the small puff of steam he built a moment ago.
Kakashi's words come slow, careful with a hint of what the Uchiha picks up as genuine concern.
"Nothing about this situation is comfortable for any of us. But hear me out, Itachi," the man pleads and lays his hands out on the table. " Danzo's goal may have been to keep the powers of your dojutsu to himself but Lord Third never wanted to annihilate the Uchiha completely. It's why Sasuke was left alive and why one of your brother's missions was to rebuild his clan. As much as I don't want to consider this aspect of your life, the fact is that I'm obligated. Konoha cannot afford to lose the Sharingan."
"But to keep it by force? If neither Sakura nor I want to have children, what will you do then? There are other ways to reach this goal without inflicting unnecessary trauma on Sakura or the child."
"Yes. I've thought of that. We tossed around the idea of simply keeping your DNA stored and…. using it at a later time."
Kakashi pauses long enough to scratch his chin, gaze still elsewhere but now settled firmly on the desk between them. "The problem with that is timing."
"Time for what?"
"Well...babies take time to grow up. They take time to make. Time is not something we can afford to play with."
Black brows furrowed in confusion. "Explain."
"We wouldn't impregnate a woman with your sperm now. That would just be...insulting to her and the child. It would have to be after you died. Can you see the problem with that option?"
Kakashi pauses to give him time to answer. Itachi is sure they reached the same conclusion. If the purpose is rebuilding the clan, one can't do that from nothing.
"The child needs to be trained," he supplies.
Something like relief washes over the Hokage. He props his head on his hands and continues. "There are only two people alive who've wielded the Sharingan and one who knows its true intricacies. I'd hardly call myself an expert on the dojutsu enough to teach another. Plus I'd be old. More than that, there are secrets about the clan that only you are privy to that any Uchiha coming after needs to know."
His point is fair.Itachi thinks and looks at the table as well. Kakashi may have learned a great deal from having Obito's eye but there were things even he didn't know.
To entrust someone else to share the secrets of the Uchiha would be irresponsible. They will not understand all of the nuances and complexities that make up the clan and its customs.
To that end, Itachi understands the Council's need to have him alive but that didn't answer the question of why Sakura.
"I'll agree to your point that I should properly father and teach any Uchiha that come after, " Itachi concedes. "I understand the village's concern about losing such a jutsu. In terms of manpower, Konoha would not be at a sever disadvantage but a disadvantage nonetheless. I have no doubt that Sasuke would have eventually started the process of restoration in his own time. Which begs the question of why am I being rushed and Sakura being forced?"
"Because time," Kakashi answers cryptically.
Vague answers as usually. Itachi fights an irritated growl and presses the Hokage to tell him. "We've already established this and fixed the time issue."
"Not exactly. Partially would be more accurate. As I said before, babies take time. Time is something we don't have, or more correctly said, time is something youdon't have right now. Particularly because of your...resurrection. The fact remains that we don't know if or when this will have an adverse effect. The sooner you have a child, the more time you will have to train that child and any that come after. Medically speaking, until your disease is cured, we can't rule out you dying young like before. You've been brought back on what could be borrowed time. Every year that passes raises the risk."
Itachi follows Kakashi's logic and comes to the conclusion Sakura did earlier.
"Our first mission was your insurance." He accuses in no pleasant tone.
The older man huffs. "Yes and no. The primary reason for your current mission was and is what it has always been. But...we wouldn't have looked down on you if something more came from it. To put it plainly, it would have made things easier for three reasons. The first, having a strong mother not only assures the health of the child but also the capabilities as a shinobi. Both of you are adept in different ways, Sakura being book smart and you filling in the practically skills. You balance each other in that way. The second, you and Sakura already have a foundation. A rocky one but it exists, versus you having to hunt for a kunoichi willing to be in the same space with you without wanting to kill you...or passing out. Finally, for Konoha's sake, Sakura knows all of your secrets. It eliminates the risks of sensitive information getting out."
"Even with that, why was this kept a secret until now? Why press the issue at this moment?"
"Because," Kakashi stresses, "Your mission will be over in a year's time. And we're a little desperate. Honestly, these missions are normally kept secret from the clan member we are targeting. Face it; no one wants to be forced into love. The elders wanted it to be that way but I gave you two more credit. If I tell both of you the mission we are considering, you would reach a conclusion on your own."
Itachi says nothing to this, taking a moment to process all Kakashi says. Clan politics is something that he understands but sometimes disagrees with. When it comes to Clan versus the Village, his inclination is to protect the village for without it, the Clan has nowhere to go. While he did and will question any Clan decisions that put Konoha at risk, he is the Clan Head now. He is the one making those decisions. What the Uchiha become or don't become rests solely on him. Any precedents he set sticks because no one else is alive to contest.
I can them teach how to love ones clan and ones village at the same time.
Something he knows the Council will agree with and be happy about. No doubt this is something they've debated and concluded that Itachi could ensure loyalty.
Their trust is not misplaced…but the method could ruin it.
Itachi frowns, thinking of his brother. "These…methods are lacking. Your plan forgets something important."
Kakashi sits up. "Which is?"
"The mindset of an Uchiha. If the goal is to create a more loyal Uchiha, forcing a reluctant woman to give birth to a child will only foster hatred. Sakura may grow to resent you. Uchiha are vulnerable to strong emotions. You risk the child growing to resent the position of the Hokage and ultimately the village."
The Copy Ninja nods in agreement. "All the more reason I wanted you to be aware of our concerns and what this mission entails. I need your help with this, Itachi. The two months are not just for Sakura but you as well.
"You want me to convince her?"
"I want you two to work together and come to an agreement. I trust that you will find the best solution possible."
The meeting ends with Itachi offering his willingness to consider the idea of bearing children with Sakura. Kakashi encourages him to think wisely, something that did not need to be said but Itachi says nothing to the other's concerns, leaving the office with a still sleeping Sakura. He takes her the back way home to avoid suspicions and leaves her on the sofa to visit the teahouse. The aftermath of this conversation will echo through the walls of his house for days. Itachi has no desires of dealing with an infuriated Sakura when she wakes. Not for fear. Itachi is more than capable of dealing with her when she gets that way. He simply does not have the wherewithal to do so now.
His mind is too full with filtering information. The museum. The clan. The mission. The latter may have been proposed to Sakura but Kakashi expected both of them to cooperate. After all, there are no babies without him.
So he takes refuge in his favorite teahouse with dango. He's hardly in the mood to cater to her emotions when he is still trying to sort his own.
"Your oolong tea," the server announces, setting up the drink and pouring his first cup.
"Thank you." Itachi accepts and cradles the warm cup in both hands.
Its watery depths won't give him answers.
I simply need time to think of a solution.
And, according to Kakashi, time is something he has very little of.
A/N: And so the story really begins! The first mission is coming to an end and the next two are going to unfold throughout the story. Don't worry, this won't be your standard 'let's make babies' story. After all, this is only a glimpse of what a true realty for them could look like.
As always, leave your thoughts and comments! Look for the next Line in the song of Itachi and Sakura's life!
-CeCe ^^
Word Count: 13,751
Musical Inspiration: 'Hi-Lo'- Evanescence (Synthesis Album), 'Hurricane'- 30 Seconds to Mars (feat. Kanye West), 'Big God'- Florence and the Machines