Summary: Itachi interrogates Sakura and attempts to deal with his turmoil the following day.
Kotsue (aka the woman whose brother(Kentaro) got killed by Itachi earlier in the story) is now renamed Hyori.
14
No matter how much water ran over her skin, there would never be enough to wash out the blood she had on her hands. Being by herself again was a double-edged sword. Sakura was at the mercy of her anxiogenic thoughts and there were no longer any poisonous smog or wounded enemy to distract her mind with. Leaving the warm cocoon of the shower felt infinitely harder than everything she had done throughout the last few days. But when she faced her mirror, she saw the figure of a very exhausted woman, who after traveling for three days with a body on her back, just wished to rest at last. Tamaki's kin had survived the voyage back to Konoha in the end. She would have continued taking care of her at the hospital if her former colleague didn't have the sensitivity to remind her she was barred from going inside. In essence, the woman wasn't her responsibility anymore. Still, she intended to return there tomorrow, and nobody would stop her from asking how her patient was doing.
Sakura dried her shoulder-length hair with a towel while massaging her scalp. She then dressed up, putting on a loose white top and baggy shorts. She was combing her wet and tangled hair when she heard knocks coming from her door. She froze, as she made up thousands of scenarios in her mind. Who could possibly come this late to her house and have the courtesy to knock? It was beyond past midnight. She reckoned Sasuke and Naruto had followed the rest of their Team to the ANBU headquarters, while she and Zamaru had brought the wounded to the hospital. Depending on the content of Captain Hyuuga's report, they might be called back the following days to speak in front of officials or even the Godaime. There was, therefore, no reason for anyone to come here. Unless something happened at the hospital.
She dropped her comb and darted through her apartment till she reached the front door. All tension dropped from her figure when she came face to face with Itachi Uchiha. How foolish of her to fail considering the possibility that he would come to recover his due as soon as he could—not even an hour after arriving in Konoha. Perhaps getting this over with was for the best, and so, she made room for him to pass, allowing the wolf to enter her house.
As she led him to her dining room, she felt strangely serene, confident that she would clear all misconceptions tonight. This was the only alternative to the sick game he'd been playing with her.
He sat down on one of the zabutons, a thin brown cushion that was laid in front of a low squared table and on a large white tatami. A rather minimalist composition completed by one fading plant in the corner of the room. She didn't miss how he studied every inch of his surroundings, silently judging her modest home.
"I've moved here recently," she said while picking up the leftover instant ramen from the table. "But I have a feeling you know this already."
She disappeared in the adjacent kitchen and returned with a bottle of sake and two glasses, that she put right in front of her guest. That was the only courtesy he would get tonight.
"Before I start saying anything, I want to know if you're expecting something in return for what you did at the shrine. For...saving the woman."
"I retrieved her for the information she might have."
Liar.
"I see," she poured the bitter drink into his glass first, then hers, "I guess I don't need to thank you then."
As she took her first sip, she gazed upon her guest, who seemed less interested in drinking than she was. She certainly felt like she was going to need more than one small glass. However, she had no intention of getting drunk. Not while he was in here at least. Just like her, his tied black hair was somewhat shining, like they were slightly wet from a recent shower. Being dressed in civilian clothes, a grey haori paired with loose pants, she could only assume he had changed in the locker room of the Anbu Headquarters. After all, her home was closer to it than the Uchiha neighborhood. The thought that he had chosen to come here first, before going home, like everyone else would, made her uneasy.
She gathered her thoughts though, fighting not to finish her first glass, and raised her eyes to his with confidence, "I met Emi Nuzura a few weeks ago, right after our return from the mission. I had no idea who she was back then. I mean... her peculiar look couldn't fool anyone. I just didn't know how important she was – I'm still not quite sure. Anyway, she wished me to become her sensei, to learn medical ninjutsu. I refused, but she didn't accept it and kept...harassing me for days. One night, I went to the market and came across Emi. She was being followed by...men of your clan. So, I intervened and led her out of danger. She fainted on me at some point...turned out she had been poisoned. By sleeping drugs to be exact. It's harmless for adults, but it can kill a child!" she waited for a reaction, anything, but he remained impassive, "How...How could you allow your people to go after a little girl, to poison her?"
"I'm neither involved in my clan's actions," he revealed like it was evidence, "nor am I responsible for what they do."
Surprised, Sakura frowned, "But, you're the heir."
"Precisely," he said. "This is a misconception many people seem to have. Even if I have a duty to my clan, my principal occupation is one of Captain within the ANBU, not as the right hand of my father."
His assertive tone and words made her confidence waver. She felt slightly embarrassed by her ignorance, all the while knowing she was not the only one disinterested in politics. She was positive all clans had different rules and traditions. So, someone like her, shouldn't be expected to know all of them.
"Keep going," he ordered.
His commanding tone made her tighten her hold on her cup. She remembered he was the one on enemy's ground, not her. And so, she took a sip of sake, taking her time, while noting that he still hadn't touched his drink.
"I...took care of her," she continued," and brought her back to her clan's neighborhood. That's how I met her people. Needless to say, they were quite...upset to see a stranger in her company. But I told them what happened, and that was it."
"What did you speak about with the matriarch at the Natsu's celebration?"
"They ambushed me so to say to...thank me and to discuss the girl's future under my teaching. I told them I had no intention of becoming anyone's sensei, and I left. I don't think I need to tell you what happened next..."
Sakura paused a short while before continuing, looking at him expectantly. But if he hadn't apologized before, it would be naïve to believe he would do it now.
She crossed her arms, "Then, the last interaction I had with a Soma was last week, at the ANBU headquarters. Emi's cousin. He too wanted to offer me his gratitude for helping the girl."
"Why did he lead you out of the ceremony room?"
"I've just told you. He wished to thank me—"
"No, there's something else."
She sighed, "There...there was someone watching me. A man of your clan. I bumped into him the night I saved Emi and...even though I don't think anyone noticed me helping her, maybe this man did. That's why Emi's cousin took me out of the room, he must have sensed my...uneasiness. That's actually something the Somas warned me for," she let out a nervous chuckle, "they claimed your people would go after me. Ridiculous, right? That's probably what the reports of them watching me are about. They want to...protect me."
"What did he look like?"
"He's got the typical white-silver hair of his clan, light-colored eyes—"
"Not him," he corrected, "The Uchiha."
Confused, Sakura stared at him for a moment, wondering if she had heard right. But he seemed dead serious. "He had brown mid-length hair, "she continued, "looked to be in his late thirties and was rather physically imposing."
"Do you have any paper?"
"I do...in my office. Why?"
"Go fetch some."
Despite being circumspect, Sakura got on her feet way too eagerly for someone who was being interrogated against her will. Just as he wished, she returned swiftly with a piece of beige paper. Her curiosity got the better of her when he pulled a pen out of his pocket. She observed him in silence for a while, noting the amplitude of his motions on the paper. Was he drawing something? Still standing, Sakura walked to his side to get a better look. She found that he was indeed drawing what seemed to look more and more like a portrait and he was executing this task with an unexpected proficiency.
"Didn't imagine someone like you could draw," she commented, her eyes still fixed on the portrait.
"You should not be proud of your ignorance."
She almost heard a flicker of annoyance in his voice, but his motions remained swift and controlled, unfazed by her words. Just as she regained her seat, he pushed the paper forward, "Do you recognize this man?"
Remaining cautious, she picked the drawing and studied the portrait carefully, "He looks like one of your people. But...no, I have never seen this man before."
He snatched the paper from her, and turned it over, letting his pen hit its blank side. Sakura was having the hardest time understanding where he was going with this. Her eyes darted to his focused expression, she then leaned forward just a bit, "You're rather good at this. Where did you learn how to draw?"
"Amekagure."
The great captain Uchiha had infiltrated the Akatsuki a few years ago to gather intel about despicable individuals and to sabotage the organization itself in the process. Although back then, only a few knew the truth to the point some people even suspected he might have defected, it was nowadays not a secret.
"I'm finding it hard to believe they had other purposes than causing...chaos."
"Hope thrives even in the darkest places," he answered absentmindedly.
"Perhaps," she said, convinced that the victims of the Akatsuki Leader's dreams would certainly disagree with his statement, "But in the end you're alive, not them."
He ended their conversation by handing Sakura the paper once again, and this time, there was no hesitation in her voice, "It's him."
She was again impressed by his drawing skills, the precision of his drawing, and his dedication, which brought to light another issue. Why did the knowledge of his kinsman's identity matter so much to him? And more importantly, why didn't he question her further about the Emi Nuzura situation? Whether he was involved or not, she basically admitted she was the reason why her kinsmen had failed their coup. Something just didn't fit and she feared that learning what lay beneath the surface wouldn't please her. Ignoring the knots of fear that were starting to grow in her stomach, she sat back quietly under the watchful gaze of her guest.
"Do you...do you even care about the Somas?" she inquired with a note of frustration, "You said you weren't involved in your clan's conflicts, and it looks like you didn't even know about the recent scandal involving your people and Emi Nuzura. I... I thought that was the main reason why you wanted answers from me, and as far as I know, no other Uchiha than you came up to me with any accusation whatsoever. So, tell me, what...what is this really about?"
"Your revenge."
"I've no idea what you're talking about."
"I see anger and resentment in your eyes."
"Yes, Uchiha-san," she hissed. "I've had anger issues my whole life, and lately, with the things you've put me through, controlling my emotions has become harder and harder. So, I am indeed very angry at you!"
"Hence why you seek revenge by associating yourself with the Somas."
She shook her head in resignation, "Is this your belief? This is...absurd. I refuse to believe someone like you, in your position, which I have no doubt requires more sharpness than others, could consider this to be true."
He reached for the untouched cup and sipped for the first time of the night some of her precious sake. This singular act betrayed his composure.
"Knowing is half the battle, Haruno."
"You act as if I knew something that could hurt you—" she stopped speaking, as an unpleasing thought crossed her mind, a harsh reality that she refused to acknowledge, "Could—could it be that you fear for your reputation?" she tentatively asked.
His silence confirmed her fears and suspicions, which somehow both baffled her and left her unsurprised.
"Do you think I'd tell them that I...that we..." she couldn't say it, "Kami-sama...Have you taken a real look at me? Why would I do this? This would cause more damage to my reputation than yours! Besides, you said people would never believe me, remember? So why would they now?"
"I don't trust you."
"Then trust my loyalty to your brother!" she said solemnly, ignoring how his straightforward words displeased her, "I'd never betray him. Not deliberately."
"You still refuse to take responsibility for your actions."
She narrowed her eyes, remembering with bitterness what he was alluding to, "I think we're done here, Uchiha-san. I told you the truth, if you persist in believing I'm a threat, then it's not my problem anymore. You can search my apartment if you wish, search for evil plans against your clan or you. I've nothing to hide. It's getting late, I'm heading to bed now if you don't mind."
She darted to her room without looking back, confident he would find his way back outside by himself. Her second floor, including three rooms and a bathroom, was as modest and unfurnished as the first floor. She barely had time to think of furniture to buy, plus the walls needed a fresh layer of paint. Of course, that was the least of her worries right now.
Her body fell like a dead weight on a thick mattress laid on a squared low frame made of pine—truly the only valuable piece of furniture she had. She pulled the thin sheet to cover herself and closed her eyes in the most determined attempt to seek respite from the chaos of her thoughts. A light breeze caressed her face, rocking her gently on the road to dreams, until an inevitable disturbance manifested itself.
The steps were lightweight, barely audible, just as the sound of shifting clothes was, but when the light wind ceased to cool down her face, she sat up in her bed, and watched the shadow standing between her bed and windows, feeling her blood boil from anger and exasperation. She remembered the euphoric times during which she had destroyed everything in her path, possessed by drunkenness and rage. She was tempted to do the very same thing right now. But her enemy might have foreseen such an outcome. By invading her home, he put her in a position where she could not defend herself. She certainly had no intention of destroying her new haven.
Somehow defeated, Sakura left her bed, not without hitting the switch from her bed lamp. Her eyes caught the murderous kunai on her dresser among other items from her bag, the weapon responsible for her first murder since the war. Yet, the sight of it only made her feel a bitterness that had nothing to do with her past war crimes.
Indeed, while unpacking her stuff earlier, she had had the great displeasure of noticing a small Uchiha fan inscribed on one side of the weapon. Only two skilled weaponsmiths belonged to the Uchiha Clan. Even if they also sold their craft to outsiders, she didn't have any doubts as to who this kunai belonged to. The Land of Rain abhorred everything about the Fire Country, especially the clans serving it, and thus such a kunai had no reason to exist within its border. Nonetheless, the implications of her finding had just left her disinterested. One or two virtuous acts didn't absolve nor invalidate one's wrongdoings.
Sakura approached the intruder carefully, unsure of his intentions. She got closer and closer, almost breaching his personal bubble, lifted her head, and found the courage to break the silence, "What are you still doing here?"
"You didn't fulfill your promise."
"Yes, I did," becoming more exasperated than ever, she pulled out the kunai she had been holding in her hand, "Take it and do it! That's what you wanted since the beginning, isn't it? You just wish to see me dead!"
"I've considered it," he answered while eying the kunai, "Though the consequences would weigh more than your very existence."
His words sounded wrong to her ears, yet she nodded with regret, "So following me around, saving me, and helping a defenseless woman were the better alternatives? I truly cannot make sense of your actions, Uchiha-san." She searched into his eyes for answers, being pulled just a bit closer towards him, enough to break her own boundary, "You're making this so much harder than it should be."
It was another acknowledgment of their very personal issue.
"Yet you refuse to be liable for your deeds."
Her fingers closed themselves on the kunai, holding it tighter, "I wish to forget, but you're not letting me. You want me to acknowledge it, don't you? So I'll do it. Just once," she took a deep breath, thinking carefully of what she was about to say, "I used you, just like you used me. See, I know what I did, I don't think I even regret it. If that makes me...promiscuous, then so be it."
While the fire country's society tended to frown upon anything related to sexual acts, it was no secret that shinobis, whose life expectancy was shorter than civilians, were more prone to engage in sexual intercourse than civilians. As long as nobody learned of it, no one really cared about it. Civilians were probably the most judgmental on par with clans, whose obsession with blood naturally made them condemn promiscuity. Someone like Itachi Uchiha had to share the same beliefs, even though he had broken his own rules with her too many times for it to be an accident.
"What I regret is all of this...That night in Ginza," she paused, as souvenirs of shame and humiliation went through her mind, "I... I thought we had an understanding in our shared...disappointment. But you... you broke our agreement by antagonizing me and accusing me of absurdities. And now you're here, inside my room in the middle of the night. As much as I am... inexperienced in these things, I fear that you've not been honest with me. So, unless you wish to say something meaningful to solve this for good, I'd like you to leave."
Her fearful eyes hung on his lips for answers, and the more seconds passed, the more Sakura noticed how the characteristics of his face looked similar to the man she had known at the onsen, almost blending in together. Was it just her mind tricking her? Or was it the memories of his scent, his tempered voice, and the familiarity between them? Alas, his lack of cooperation made her lower her eyes, prompting her to back away in defeat until she felt a firm hand on her shoulder. Her eyes were on his in a second, questioning him again while her breath became shorter. She didn't feel tired anymore, instead, she felt like she had never been more awake than right now, like she had just been awakened from a long slumber.
It all started with a swift shift of his cold fingers from her stiff shoulder to her neck. Her nemesis then pushed her forward and leaned against her, closer and closer until there was no longer any barrier between them. The sensation of firm lips meeting hers made her unexpectedly feel an instant relief. The knots in her muscles that had been wearing her down went away and so did the conflicting thoughts inside her mind. The sound of the kunai hitting the ground appeared distant as a whirlwind of sensation swept over her.
It was brusque and unforeseen, but it felt raw and more honest than any truth he had ever spoken. When she gasped for air, almost backing out while doing so, his arm slid behind her lower back and pushed her trembling body against his. He then kissed her again, making her groan in both surprise and contentment. An overwhelming and familiar craving started growing inside her, one she had sworn to forget forever. But it was very real, spreading quickly inside her like wildfire, and so was his desire. She felt him against her lower abdomen like a promise or a warning of what might unfold. But instead of fueling the flame even more, a mutual panic took hold of them, breaking them apart like a repulsive force was at work.
Jolted back into reality, her chest rising with the rhythm of her quickened heartbeat, she found herself unable to move, being just as petrified as the man in front of her. The more she looked at him, the more a feeling of dread intensified until only one explanation came to her, soothing her disoriented mind. It felt like a betrayal. He had tricked her once again. That had to be the only sensible way to make sense of his actions. Yet, the way he stood, his back partially shielding him from her sight, his head tilted toward the ground, it looked like he was ashamed. He just looked as confused as she was and it scared her more than anything else. To consider both of them might have been too much in denial, too deluded to foresee such an outcome. Unbeknownst to them, they had just been at one's arm's reach from another catastrophe.
Sakura understood it was time to acknowledge that they weren't strangers anymore. She picked up the kunai she had dropped, more resolute than ever in her calm motions, and grabbed his wrist, "Itachi-san," she said, almost in a whisper.
Released from the spell, he stared at her like she had just said the unfathomable, but he let her touch and handle his hand, as she put gently the kunai in his palm and made him close his fingers on it.
"You must leave," she ordered him solemnly while releasing his hand. "Please, don't ever come back here."
He didn't vanish into thin air or escape through her windows like most would do. Instead, he turned around and walked quietly through the door's frame, respecting her request. Filled with uncertainties, Sakura waited to hear the sound of her front door being closed, before she let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
It was over, at last.
He saw her pink hair falling on both sides of her face, her green weeping eyes staring at him, while her naked body stood still like a statue, right in front of her bed. Panic swept over him as he jerked off his bed in a sitting position, his sheet falling from his bare torso in the process.
"Itachi-sama," she pleaded, as she bowed in front of him. The pink hair was gone, replaced by a deep brown mane. The intruder was wearing a traditional yukata on which his clan's crest was depicted.
"You're not allowed to be here, Hyori-san," he stated, before he got off his bed.
Hyori was the daughter of Councilor Yuusei and the sister of Kentaro, both killed by his own hand for treason against the clan. She ignored what really happened to her father, who was mysteriously murdered during the Crimson Moon, amongst many other Uchihas. At least that was the official version since nobody ever found their murderer. The victim's family had a hard time finding peace without proper justice, but eventually, they did, except for Hyori's brother. There were still unknowns regarding Kentaro's doings, but as far as Itachi knew, his recent disappearance, along with his acolytes, had served its purpose.
"Forgive my audacity, but I had no choice."
Having shown her the truth about her brother's death, he expected Hyori to face him to avenge him. But since Kentaro's death, she had been locked inside her estate, moving further and further away from her promise to kill him.
"Have you come to fulfill your promise?" he asked while dressing himself. Her presence here was absolutely inappropriate, but Itachi couldn't care less. He felt like a fool already, and it had little to do with this lost woman.
"Don't mock me, Uchiha-sama. I...I seek your help. Leader-sama has made arrangements with Tokoro, my neighbor, and family's enemy. I am to be married to him."
"You should consider yourself lucky, then."
He didn't know Tokoro personally, only recalling the man was a successful jounin, which might help restore xx reputation.
He felt something pull on his sleeve, "I refuse to marry him," she said firmly.
"You had choices," he said coldly, as he removed forcefully her hand from his kimono, "instead of training to prove your worth, you chose to mope around in your family's estate."
"I tried, Uchiha-sama," she insisted, "but nobody would take me under their wings. They all avoid me like a disease."
"You didn't try hard enough then."
"Please, Itachi-sama, this would shame my family to see me bound to our worst enemy!"
"You still have options," he picked a short knife from a drawer, a black tanto, and pushed it forcefully into her hands, having less patience than ever. He then left the chamber under her blinking eyes.
Somehow, he had overslept, something that rarely happened. But the old clock in the corridor didn't lie, and he felt anything but replenished after his night of sleep. He joined the main dining hall, expecting to see his mother waiting for him like she usually did when he returned after a long mission. The hope of remaining in this pleasant quietness inhabited him for a moment, but soon enough his mother and her protégé appeared, just like they always did.
"Son! I was so pleased to learn of your return," she came with a plate full of food, a bowl of rice, salmon, and several pieces of tamagoyaki, "I sure hope your mission went well."
"It did," he said, as she put the plate down before him, "Thank you, Mother."
She sat down, indulging his non-tacit wish for quietude. Despite this, her insistent stare betrayed her, and soon she broke the silence again, "We received new tailor-made garments from Iranaya's shop yesterday. Look at Lady Asano's dress! Doesn't it look rich? The high-quality fabric came from a very skilled artisan of the Capital."
He glanced at Asano, whose face was unrecognizable under the thick layer of powder on her skin. A black yukata with red flowers covered her form, shining and revealing a unique craftsmanship. Yet all of it was just an illusion, for the woman under the fabric seemed to barely breathe, her empty gaze fixed on some invisible dot on the wall. She was a living corpse they would soon bury if this kept going.
"The weather seems clement today. I was thinking we should take a walk together this afternoon."
"You should send Lady Asano back to her father."
"What—what nonsense are you saying, Son?" she exclaimed, her voice raising slightly.
"She looks sick."
"Sick?" she repeated, baffled by his words, "I spend all my time with her, I'd know if she was—"
"See for yourself, mother," he dropped his chopsticks, and reached unceremoniously for Asano's arm, uncovering her forearm. There were unmistakable marks of burns on her fair skin. "Look at her. Does it look healthy to you?"
At a loss for words and humiliated by the truth, his mother fled the room in haste. It was honest and brutal, but it had to be done. Lady Asano hadn't uttered a single word, nor moved a single muscle, keeping her composure like a lifeless doll.
She kept him company while he finished eating, but it was as if he was alone. However, when he rose from the tatami's cushion, her soul seemed to regain her body and made her speak to him for the first time in a long while, "Thank you," she just said.
Noisy eyes always listened behind walls, the same ones who found pleasure in fabricating entertaining lies. Even Uchihas enjoyed gossiping, especially when it made them feel superior. This time, however, they would speak about Itachi's mercifulness rather than blaming Lady Asano for her illness, fueling even more his reputation of being a honorable man.
In truth, his actions had little to do with Asano's well-being, and everything to do with his restless night of sleep. Moreover, though she was somewhat sick, there wasn't anything respectable in refusing to do one's duty.
Merciful or not, it would be a lie to say he would not be pleased to see her gone from his family's estate.
Lost in complete contemplation, Itachi's eyes were stuck on the flat pentagonal pieces on the Shogi board, which lay on the cold ground of the cell. The temperature inside the prison wasn't as warm as outside, mostly because the prisoners' cells were underground, a way to make sure nobody would ever get out. While the most dangerous prisoners were usually executed, there were still individuals powerful enough not to be underestimated, thus requiring strong walls and enough technology to make them unable to fight back. Kisame Hoshigaki happened to be one of them. Even though he had given up his precious sword, the infamous Samehada, in exchange for a sentence and the hope to be one day free to leave without fearing for his life—which included not being pursued by Konoha or the Water country.
After all, he had made a choice a long time ago by betraying the Akatsuki and choosing to trust Itachi. Konoha was rather clement with those who sought redemption, as long as they had something to give in return. Of course, it would be a lie to say having someone like Itachi vouching for him and his goodwill had not made things easier for him. Kisame remained a criminal and deserter, especially for the Land of Wate. Handing them Samehada had calmed their outrage, but he would nonetheless be barred from returning to his homeland forever.
Ever since Kisame was imprisoned, Itachi had been visiting him regularly, enjoying their discussions—reminiscent of his time within the Akatsuki—and lately their pleasant games of Shoji.
"No fucking way, I've won again!" Kisame exclaimed in astonishment. "Twice in a row after two years of defeats! Or is it three? Bwah! I can't tell anymore inside this can."
"Congratulations, Kisame."
"Nah, this feels off!" he said while making an abrupt motion with his arm, "You never lose. Something's off with you. What's on your mind?"
Under his rough appearance and manners, the former shinobi of the Mist had a sagacity and perceptiveness that had always amazed Itachi. Though he had rather not speak about his recent humiliation, he found himself tempted to share his concern with him.
"I told you everything worth saying, though I wish I had more exciting news to bring you."
"Itachi-kun..." Kisame smirked showing his animalistic teeth, "Every fucking word you say excites me. You could recite me Hidan's litanies, even if there were a damn pain in the ass, it'd still be more exciting than the sound of the guard walking past my cell every hour."
Itachi huffed from his nose, though his face remained unreadable. He hoped he wouldn't regret this.
"The woman became a problem," he said sternly while meeting his friend's inquisitive gaze.
"The woman from the onsen? Didn't you stop seeing her?"
He never gave Kisame much details about what exactly happened months ago at the onsen, having only mentioned sharing the bed of a woman, who ignored his true identity,
"I did, but she found out my identity," he revealed, "she's been meddling with my clan's enemy ever since, seeking...retribution."
"Get rid of her then."
"Impossible. She's too important."
Kisame's pragmatism didn't surprise him, alas the man had just no idea who he was dealing with.
"Now that's intriguing," Kisame said, thoughtful. "I think you're not telling me everything, Itachi-kun. If she's this important, why does she seek help from your foes?"
"I ignore what she's planning to do," he admitted, "I'm not even certain whether she's planning anything at all. I can...no longer trust my judgment when she's involved."
"So, is she or she not a threat?" he asked, with impatience in his voice.
Itachi wished he could answer this question.
After the events of the last night, everything had become uncertain. He couldn't comprehend what had made him act against his own judgment, what had let him to...touch and kiss her, something he had never done before. He just recalled her coming closer to him, her scent being more perceivable than ever, her striking green eyes begging for something forbidden. When she lowered her face, ready to get away from him, he just had to reach for her, and after that, he could not recollect having any coherent thoughts. Everything got blurred by the feeling of her lips, the curves and warmness of her body against him, all converging into a strong longing.
Itachi felt like he had walked into this trap willingly, which could have been avoided.
It seemed now indisputable that he should have never interacted with her when he and Hyuuga had to assist Team Seven during that escort mission. Maybe he should have even left that day and kept his distance from her, just like he had been doing successfully ever since his last visit to the onsen. Regardless of her suspicious behavior and her affiliation with the Somas, staying away from her might have prevented this outcome.
"From where I'm from, we neither play games," Kisame stated darkly, interrupting his thoughts, "Nor do we ask for our elders' approval. What we want, we take. Maybe that's your solution."
"The depraved ways of your people won't resolve this matter," he replied while gathering the wooden pieces of the shoji board.
"Is that so?" he stood up from the cold ground as if he was offended, "Hn! I'd never taken you for a coward."
He heard the guard's voice shout behind the thick wall, always right on time, "Five minutes!"
Itachi opened the hidden drawer inside the dark shoji board and started meticulously pilling up the flat pieces on each other, all the while being aware of his former partner staring at him.
"You've never been easy to read, Itachi," he spoke with an ounce of bitterness, "Hell, otherwise I'd known that you were a traitor. I might even have killed you, though we both know who would have won? I'm still not sure what made me enjoy more your company than the Akatsuki's, hah!" he sat back down, exhaling deeply with his nose. "In all the years I've known you, I can't say I've ever seen you look twice at a woman. You...you want her, don't you?"
"You're not listening, Kisame."
He chuckled, "I think you've lost already, or else you'd have never brought up this topic."
Ignoring his foolish words, he piled up the last piece, before closing the small compartment. Once on his feet, he met the inquisitive gaze of the former swordsman of the mist. He looked old, way older than he was. That was what spending a life inside these walls did to a man. Still, it didn't mean the man got wiser.
"You can either control it or let it make a fool of you," he continued, "So, forget about your people's ways and take her. Soon enough, you'll get tired of her. Just don't come back here with a clouded mind. You insulted me with this poor excuse of a game!"
"I was indeed a poor opponent," he bowed in front of him, hoping to ease its anger. Kisame had grown more and more irritable over the years—for obvious reasons. Though Kisame's over-interpretations displeased him, Itachi chose not to acknowledge them and turned to the closed steel door.
"Uchiha-san, time's up!" a guard yelled.
Once a partner, then a friend, and now a prisoner, Kisame's situation didn't weigh on his conscience. After all, the man was the only one left alive from the Akatsuki. Having committed many crimes, leaving victims in his wake, he deserved his sentence. And even if he had killed fewer people than Itachi had in his lifetime, someone always had to pay the price for someone's else evil.
XXX
Expecting his father would demand to see him, Itachi went straight for the Kaicho, a structure built next to his family estate, where meetings were held. Just as he climbed the stairs' step, a limping Tokoro—Hyori's soon-to-be husband—and his men burst the door open in haste, muttering curses and barely noticing his presence. How odd. He discreetly entered the building and hid behind a pillar to listen to the ongoing conversation between his father and his henchmen.
"...the Somas started the fire, Leader-sama! A kid couldn't burn down an entire warehouse, not without anyone noticing."
The man speaking was named Hoga. A broad-shouldered and muscular fellow who was a loyal henchman of his father among a few others. He also matched the description that Sakura Haruno had given him last night.
"Some of our kids are capable enough," Fugaku reminded him, "Before jumping to premature conclusions, I'd rather have all the kids that were out on the farm field interrogated first."
"As you wish."
Fugaku looked at the five men in front of him, "Anything else?"
"Hai, Fugaku-sama," Tokoro continued, "I wish you to reconsider our talk from last week."
Fugaku sighed, "Is this about the culprits again? I've told you already that this case was closed. This is the time to lay low, not to bring more unwanted attention on us."
"Sir, I've had proof of Haruno's involvement!" Hoga's voice raised, betraying his composure. "I found a couple that saw her in that restaurant. They confided to me that she was acting in a very suspicious way. She asked them to watch Emi Nuzura without explaining why."
"Nobody will interrogate the Godaime's protegee."
It was widely known that the Godaime had no love for the Uchiha Clan or its leader. She more often than not, sided with other Clans and opposed his father's interests. Thus, Fugaku wasn't stupid enough to provoke her wrath and make her change her mind on past and future compromises.
"She was sitting beside a Soma at your son's graduation ceremony. I caught her watching us! How many other proofs do I need! It's obvious she's involved with them!"
"Hoga, you're out of line," Fugaku warned, "I value dedication, but not for the sake of vanity. Do not make me regret forgiving your failure."
"I apologize, Fugaku-sama, I merely wish to identify our enemy's allies."
"Do not test my patience again," Fugaku warned him, "Involved or not, Haruno is insignificant. She simply grew weak at the sight of a lone child. There's nothing else to it. You may leave now."
Hoga bowed in front of his father, before leaving the Kaisho followed by the rest of his men. As the door closed, Itachi left the darkness, making his light footsteps echo through the large room.
"Son, I wish you hadn't witnessed the incompetency of Hoga. To think a man of his quality could utter such nonsense. I almost expected him to accuse the Jinchuriiki of treason for looking in their way."
Itachi was grateful his father would never know that he had made the very same mistake—although for different reasons. Fugaku stood from his seat and muttered while rearranging his attire, "As if the golden child and his pink-hair companion haven't done enough already by weakening and corrupting your brother."
"Father."
Like he had suddenly been struck by lights, he turned to him with a grave expression, "What have you done to your mother, son? She's been locked inside our room all afternoon!"
"I had to send Lady Asano away," he explained. "She's sick, and Mother was blind to it."
He frowned, "She was healthy enough when she arrived."
"She would have broken down sooner or later."
"Ah...losing the deal with her father will cost us," he stopped in front of the gate leading to their estate, "And your mother...she really liked the girl."
"She'll get over it."
"There's another matter we need to discuss. I unexpectedly found a husband for Hiyori, someone willing to mix their blood with a traitor. She seemed to accept her fate, and played the part, until today."
"What happened?" he inquired, waiting to learn of her passing.
"The girl snapped and started attacking her soon-to-be husband and his family with a tanto. I had to give him compensation for his trouble by offering Hyori's estate to his family. Now she's without a home, and the news of her lunacy will soon spread."
There was perhaps still hope for Hyori after all.
"Are you banishing her?"
"I wish. Aside from her brother's shenanigans, there are not enough reasons to do so yet. How simpler things would be if she hadn't behaved like a coward that night," he paused, like he was considering his next words, "Since you... took it upon yourself to kill her brother, I'll let you do as you see fit with her. She's your problem from now on."
"I had no personal desire to do it," he reminded his father, "Kentaro took the life of one our own, there was no reckoning for him after this."
"And you did the very same thing in return. For the Clan's sake or Konoha's, I wonder..."
"We are Konoha, Father," he said while heading to the gates, regretting to hear such words.
"Don't leave yet, Itachi " Fugaku warned him. "I merely wish you were more involved in our clan's affair. Maybe we'd have found what happened to our missing man already."
He turned around, "You won't find him by going after their children."
"Our people are getting more impatient the more time passed without any progress being made regarding Souta's disappearance. I had to give them something... As for Emi Nuzuka, there was never any question of causing her harm."
"He's young, he might have simply defected."
Fugaku shook his head, "No, a promising young man like him just doesn't give up on his privileges," he walked past the gates, like he had enough of their conversation, and said firmly, "Hyori is at her former estate. Deal with her tonight, before something unfortunate happens."
Next chapter: Sakura meets Emi Nuzura, visits the ANBU headquarter and more.
As you can see, this chapter is a bit of a pivotal point for Itachi and Sakura. There's one more scene missing with Hyori and Itachi, I'll probably add it as a flashback or at the beginning of chapter 15. I'll do my best to publish the next chapter by the end of the month.
Thanks for reading!
Let me know if you enjoyed this chapter!