Hello! I hope you'll like this chapter!
Disclaimer: I own the OCs in this fic, the rest is Masashi Kishomoto's. Sorry for any spelling mistakes or any OCCness.
Character age:
Akane, Itachi: 23
Naruto, Sasuke: 17
Shisui: 26
Kakashi: 31
"Hey handsome," I whispered, slipping in bed behind him. I put my arms around his waist as he was petting Sushi, curled up against him.
"Hey," he replied quietly.
"There's breakfast if you want."
"Hn." I kissed him in the neck.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"...stay with me." I left the bed and crouched in front of him instead. His charcoal eyes found mine and he traced the lines of my face with one of his fingers. "You're beautiful." I blushed a little.
"So are you, very much so." It was small, but there was a tiny smile at the corner of his lips. "I meant, is there anything I can do for you regarding work? You stay here with the little one and I replace you." He pursed his lips, and I removed a lock of hair in front of his eyes.
"I just want you to stay with me." I smiled faintly.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, sadly. At least I need to check if there's anything I can bring back here to work on or something."
"...'m sorry." I kissed him on the cheek.
"Don't, if anything, I'm glad." He furrowed his brows in confusion. "I don't enjoy you being in a breakdown, don't get me wrong, but the fact you have one means you didn't entirely close yourself off to the world. That's reassuring, and a nice change." I gently stroke Sushi on the head. "I'm not leaving you alone, she's great at cuddles." He pursed his lips. "I can send a clone if you want." He shook his head.
"It's fine, I understand." He cupped my cheek. "Go to the Hokage first, then Shikaku-san if she has nothing for you." I nodded.
"I'll apologize on your behalf, don't worry." I leaned over him to kiss him lovingly. "I'm off then. Don't forget to eat and take a shower."
"I'll take one with you." I chuckled and got up.
"I'm not surprised."
I left, heading for the Hokage's office. She seemed surprised to see me.
"Can I do something for you?"
"It's...a delicate matter. Itachi is not available, will not be for a few days." She frowned. "He's having a nervous breakdown. I'm not sure what there's behind it, but the past year is just crashing down, hard." She pursed her lips. "I have a session scheduled tomorrow afternoon with Inoichi-san, I'll take him instead."
"Good idea." She sighed. "Itachi is an excellent shinobi, but even excellent shinobi won't be useful in this case." I nodded.
"Is there anything I can do in his place?" Two piles of papers were put in front of me.
"The left one needs to be given throughout the village. The other needs to be filled." I wasn't sure if it was Itachi's job or just hers. "And we'll have to talk about your part in the coming war as well once the Mizukage is in the village." I nodded. "You'll probably be in charge of one of the divisions."
"I'd like to say I'm surprised...but I'm not. I'm just not sure if it will be accepted as I was abducted by Obito not so long ago."
"That is not for you to be concerned about." She tapped her red nail against her desk. "There were talks, between Gaara, Mei and I, about the Akatsuki prisoners."
"Sasori and Dad?" She nodded. "You want them to talk or to fight?"
"Both. Especially Ushio, he would be useful to face Kabuto and his Edo Tensei."
"Kabuto?" She raised a brow.
"Yakushi Kabuto, he's the one behind this." I frowned. "I've read your report, and we had our archives checked. We don't know whose DNA he got exactly."
"He has too many from the Hidden Mist already, and at least one powerful Uchiha."
"I know. For now, we're putting everything in common. At least a third of the documents are for Shikaku, go there first, then the hospital, then you'll know it's written on the papers." I nodded and sealed the documents I'd fill later."
I left and started running around the village. I no longer wore my Konoha hitai-ate as, officially, I no longer was on an exchange here. It was over the moment there was war, and even without it, it would have ended in March anyway.
I went home around one in the afternoon. Itachi was up, well he moved from the bed to the couch. He was laying down in it, the cat on his chest as he was watching TV. He craned his neck to see me when I entered the living-room. The pile of documents I had to deal with made a loud sound when I unsealed it above the table.
"I'm pretty sure it's not your work but just hers."
"No, I do that too." I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"I'm not sure if I'm even allowed to see what's in it." I shook my head. "I won't bother you, I'm just getting some food, a cup of tea and I'm off to your old room for the afternoon."
"You don't bother me." I raised a brow. "You can work here sweetheart. Please do."
"I don't think me working is very interesting."
"I can look at you, I'm fine with that." I blushed a little and went to the kitchen.
"Fine then."
The afternoon went by quietly, Itachi looking at me more than the TV almost. Once I was done, I dropped my pen and stretched out, my back and shoulders cracking. I was surprised myself by the noise it made, Itachi blinking slowly at me.
"Hi?"
"Hi," he replied quietly. He sat up and gestured at me to join him.
I was done, so I did.
He embraced me the second my butt was on the couch, taking a deep breath once his nose was buried in my hair. I hugged him back.
"I was gone only this morning."
"Hn."
"I'm taking you out tomorrow."
"Do I have to?"
"Yes. I'm putting my foot down on this one. And…" I pulled back. "I'd like to train with you, when you're up for it." He tilted his head, curious. "I'm sure you want to know how I got that new moniker, and I think showing it to you and your sharingan will be better than me explaining. Overall...I just want to get ready against someone who can use a full Susanoo and I know you won't hold back against me."
"I won't send you to the hospital either." I rolled my eyes.
"I know that, but I figured for once I could give your brother a break. He already helped me a lot regarding balancing the Shinigami mark, for years. Changing partners should be good too, force me to think in a different way. I see Sasuke coming miles away, and the same goes for him."
"That's what makes you a great duo though," he muttered annoyingly under his breath. I chuckled. "You're very annoying when you're together."
"You should be happy we get along so well."
"Yes. I am." He had a blank face though and I chuckled.
"Hey, I'm all for you and Naru having some private jokes and spending time together."
"When do you want to do that?" I shrugged.
"Whenever you're ready. That reminds me, I saw Shisui when you were away." His gaze became distant. "He...wanted to know where you guys were at." He pursed his lips.
"He didn't try to kiss you this time?" I narrowed my eyes at him. He sighed. "It's just…"
"I know, I can't pretend I know what it must feel like for you but...try to have a talk, and if it...turns into a fight then...actually, I think it's what he's expecting in a way." He poked me in the forehead. "Just...try to consider it? We're heading to another war, so you guys should figure your relationship out before we all leave again."
"I know." He lifted my chin with a finger. "Where are you taking me tomorrow?"
"It is a surprise." He frowned.
"Will I like it?" I pursed my lips.
"I'm...not sure, but I'm not giving you a choice." He sighed with a blank stare. I smiled gently. "Please trust me."
"...alright." I blinked as he started to open my shorts.
"Itachi?"
"Bath," he mumbled under his breath. "Now."
"You could just say it instead of undressing me in the living-room." I got up and took his hand in mine.
Once in the bathroom, our clothes were quickly on the floor. However, I sat him down on the stool as the tub was filling and gently washed his hair. He breathed out, his body relaxing as my fingers massaged his scalp.
"Don't fall asleep on me though," I whispered in his ear.
"Hum…"
"You're dumping me for my brother?" Sasuke asked me, offended.
"...Well, he is my actual boyfriend so…" He averted his eyes, arms crossed. "Come on, you know it's good to have different training partners. You should ask Sakura for taijutsu sparring, that might be fun."
"What's the fun in being beaten up by her?"
"You provide her for medic training right after?" He rolled his eyes and took a bite of his rice.
We were having lunch together. I had paperwork from Tsunade-san again, by my side.
"Humph." He leaned his cheek in his hand. "How's Itachi?" I blinked. "I know he hasn't left your place for the last two days. Is he okay?"
"How do you know that?"
"I wanted to stop by but didn't when I saw you leave. You looked concerned and…" He pointed his finger at my work. "That's obviously not yours." I smiled sheepishly.
"He's...having a mental breakdown." He widened his eyes.
"...Itachi? My brother Itachi?" I sighed.
"He's not invincible, just annoyingly good at taking upon himself when he sees others struggling. We've had a rough year, then he comes back and I'm with Obito, then a coma then your clan...it's a lot. It had to happen at some point." I took a bite of my onigiri. "I'm doing what I can, and having a kitty who needs attention and affection is good. They're spending a lot of time together."
"He's...going to be better though, right nee-san?" I looked down.
"I hope so, it can hide something worst after all. But I'm taking him to Inoichi-san later today, I had a session scheduled for myself but I'm giving it to him. Not that he knows yet." I took a sip of my water. "We'll be at your birthday though, don't worry about that."
"Huh, if it's to go away for a few minutes to have some 'fun' like last year, you can stay at home." I choked on my drink. "Oh yeah, I noticed."
"We didn't...we kissed, that's all, and it was your brother's doing!" He shrugged. "Not mine, his!"
"Takes two to tango nee-san." I flushed a deep red. "I doubt he was making out with the mirror."
"...more like pinned me to the door," I admitted quietly. He smirked.
"In any case...keep me updated. I can filter what's happening to my parents so my mother doesn't come banging on your door out of nowhere." I chuckled.
"That would be appreciated."
Itachi was not exactly happy when we stopped in front of the Yamanaka flower shop. He had a blank face, but his hand tensed in mine.
"Look Itachi…"
"Did you book an appointment for me or was it yours?" he asked me curtly, narrowed eyes now on me.
"It doesn't matter an…"
"It matters Akane, don't stop your own process for mine."
"She already made quite some progress, I can cut her some slack for today," Inoichi-san pipped in, at the door of his shop. I could see Ino shooting us curious glances in the back. "Now, if you're okay with following me. You already know the drill." The Yamanaka turned around. Itachi took a deep breath and shot me a look, but I walked in, taking him with me.
Once in Inoichi-san office, I gently pushed Itachi inside, gave him a small smile and closed the door behind him. I waited patiently in the library in front of it. However, it didn't last an hour, but two. When it was over, Itachi came in the room I was in. I stood up and put the book I was reading back in the bookshelf.
I wasn't ready for the crushing hug I was in a second later. I blinked and patted my boyfriend's back. My eyes fell on Inoichi-san. He seemed drained as well.
"Was it intense?" I mouthed to him, who nodded back.
"We'll see each other next Sunday then. Akane, you too." I nodded and he left, giving us some privacy.
"Hey there," I whispered to Itachi. "You okay?"
"Yes, it's just…" he started, straightening up. His hands remained on my shoulders. He wasn't crying, and was showing more emotions than in the past few days. "Inoichi-san helped me put words on what I'm feeling. It is really helpful." I smiled.
"Well then it's good!" I put my hands on my hips and puffed my chest. "See, all you had to do was trust me." He nodded and lowered his face to kiss my forehead. "And you've booked another appointment, that's good."
"We have forty-five minutes each." I furrowed my brows. "And thirty minutes for the both of us."
"Like...couple therapy? Do we need that?" He shrugged.
"I think it will be easier to talk if Inoichi-san is here...at least for me."
"Oh. If you think it's better then okay." I kissed his lips. "Wait, it doesn't mean we're bad at communicating, right? I think we're pretty good and…" He chuckled, which warmed my heart.
I had not heard him do that in the last couple days.
"No, we're good, but I know there are things I struggle with, even with you." I looked down. "Don't look like that, it's just...things I don't tell you about because I know you'd feel guilty."
"...like Shisui?" He nodded reluctantly. "Okay. I'm not taking it the wrong way then."
"Don't. If anything...my issues with him are deeper than just the topic of his feelings for you."
"As long as you work through them." I looked up at him. "Should we go home?" He shrugged.
"Or we could take a walk around the village." I grinned and nodded eagerly. "I've fed Sushi anyway."
"She'll meow at us when we're home," I giggled as we left, holding hands. "She might ask us for rent soon." It made him crack up a smile.
However, as we were walking, I felt a heavy stare on us. I looked around and met no one else's that Uchiha Izumi's gaze. She held up my eyes for a few seconds and turned around, leaving quickly as Itachi noticed my attention was elsewhere.
"What is it?"
"Izumi was staring," I replied honestly. He pursed his lips and looked at his arm around my waist. There was a crowd so he decided to keep me next to him like this.
"I never engaged in PDA with her," he whispered. Instead of letting go, he just tightened his hold on me. "But it's not much what I am doing, is it?"
"I'm not a fan of PDA either, so not really. It can't be helped anyway."
As we rounded a pastry shop, I asked Itachi if he could get me something. He looked at the line, asked me if I didn't want something elsewhere and went nonetheless. My smile disappeared as I walked back, in the back alley. I crossed my arms and leaned my side against the wall.
"Are you going to follow us like this for a long time Izumi?" There was no anger in her eyes.
Just...plain heartbreak.
"Look, I don't know what you're looking for exactly, but I'm aware Itachi's been a jerk to you. I slapped him if it makes you feel any better." She seemed taken back a little.
"He told me in the eyes he was in love with you when we were dating." I bit the inside of my cheek. "When did you start having feelings for him?"
"During the time we lived together, when we were both twenty-one and single. Well, there was Sasuke but...he didn't cheat on you with me though."
"He did. Emotional cheating is a thing, and he did, even if you were not aware, or him." Well, she had a point here. "I thought it was a fling and I'd get him back later. I was there for him when you were all away and he still...why didn't he choose me?" I almost sighed.
I was glad he chose me but...she was legitimate to ask this.
"How come he always was...with you...you're not from here, yet he still talked to you more freely than to me!"
"I like to think I have a good understanding of what's going on in his mind, but I'm not in his head. I can't answer that, and I doubt a confrontation with him will do you any good right now. All I can say is that I've always tried to be me around most people, including him, and that I couldn't care less about him being an Uchiha or not. I thought he was a girl when we were kids and then I almost forgot him, he didn't leave me a big impression." She widened her eyes in shock. "I never put him on a pedestal or anything, knowing his situation maybe it was something he was more than happy with. I...don't think me calling him an idiot and making fun of him was necessarily a good time, but for some odd, weird reasons he started to fall in love." She looked down, her fists shaking. "So stop torturing yourself with looking for an explanation. It's just how it is."
"And you're going to tell me you didn't use Sasuke to…"
"Oh my God, I became friend with Sasuke when he was seven so what? Itachi was nothing but his older brother for a while until we became friends. If anything, if we ever break up, I'm scared of losing that little shit too. I didn't use him like you tried to." She looked at me in shock.
"I never…"
"That's what he told me, that you'd try to befriend him to get close to his brother and then stopped once you started dating. But that's another story you'll have to take to him. If you ever wondered why he didn't like you very much, then now you have the reason." She looked rightfully ashamed. "Now try to move on. Itachi was a jerk to you, you'll find someone who's right for you. It's just not him like you wanted to." I left the wall and put my hands in the pockets of my shorts. "Take care Izumi."
I almost bumped in Itachi when I turned the corner. He glanced at me with sharp eyes, our snacks in hands. Silently, he shook his head at me and turned around, almost whipping me with his hair before walking away. I caught up to him and we stopped on a bridge over the river crossing the village.
"Are you mad?"
"No." He took a bite of his snack. "I wish Sasuke had told me sooner the reason he didn't like her instead of hearing it now."
"Oh, he never told you?" He shook his head. "Sorry you had to learn about it like this."
"Better now than never." There was a short silence. "You did call me an idiot a lot."
"Well, in your personal life? Yeah, you can be, no one's perfect. And you used to have a hard time dissociating the shinobi life and personal life." He hummed.
"It's true. And it was nice to not be put on a 'pedestal'. I felt more...human." I smiled a little.
"I sadly can feel that." I leaned on the barrier, eating my snack almost in one go. "Marrying any member of your clan...you probably never would have been able to entirely...go home from work in a way."
"Precisely. When we'd go to the park, after therapy...I loved these moments." I blinked at him.
"Really? I never thought you really took my presence into account at these moments."
"I did, a lot. It's just...we were going through the same thing and we didn't have to talk or anything to know how the other was feeling...we were just there. I never would have been able to have this with anyone else, my clan would...just try to fix me so I'd keep going." I smiled faintly and squeezed his shoulder.
"Tough lives we have." He nodded in agreement. "Shall we go home now? I want to cuddle with the little one."
"The little one huh…" He just turned his head away when I tried to kiss his cheek.
"Come on, don't be jealous of a cat."
"A cat who tries to steal my spot in bed."
"She doesn't try, she did it." He pinched me in the ribs, which made me jump away from him. "Aouch!" He scoffed, eyeing me from the corner of his eyes.
"As if." He started to walk away as I stuck my tongue at him.
He was talking more like himself, it was progress. Baby steps were progress.
He'd get better.
"I'll see him next week, before Sasuke's party," Itachi stated as we reached the training ground. "After the session we have planned."
"Okay, I believe you." He narrowed his eyes at me. "Come on, I just asked if you knew when, now you're convincing me you're gonna do it! You're convincing yourself here." He glared weakly. "Okay, I'll shut up." I summoned my nodachi. "Now, you're free to try to see what I'm doing with your regular eyes, but I think your sharingans will pick it up quicker."
"We'll see." I pulled my sword out of the sheath and dug it in the ground, coldness swallowing the area.
I took a deep breath, my body cooling down quickly. Itachi's sharingan appeared quickly in the end as he looked around him. He jumped away when he realized there was an explosive seal next to him just to have my kunai at the back of his neck.
"So, you saw?" I asked him, lowering my kunai. He turned around and nodded.
"You're using your Hyouton to manipulate the humidity in the air and use them as medium for fuinjutsu." I grinned, my left hand on my hip, my other hand in front of me making a 'V' with my fingers. "I understand the 'Frozen Flash of the Mist' better now."
"Yeah, I used that in Taki to finish the fight quickly with the Hiraishin." I stretched out my hand and gathered more chakra above it, the water molecules in the humidity turning into a visible Hiraishin marker. "It made me realize that was what Fubuki would do. I thought he was a genius of the Uzumaki clan, but he was a genius of the Yuki clan and mixed Fuinjutsu with it. I...kind of feel closer to him now." I clenched my hand into a fist, the marker turning back into water.
"How did you even figure that out?"
"By accident, really. When we were still in the Land of Water, Sasuke, Kakashi and I got caught in a snowstorm with Iwa nearby. I left before them to slow them down as it was my kind of weather. My body temperature lowered because of the cold and I had my nodachi. My temperature got so low my nodachi just synchronized me with...my surroundings and I could...feel like I could control everything, like I was one with the weather. I used it for real in Taki though."
"I see." He reached out his hand toward mine, but I retracted it. "Side effects?" I nodded.
"If I'm not careful enough, I'll freeze myself. The first time I used it, there was actual frost in my gloves, at the tip of my fingers, hence why Dai told me not to use it randomly."
"He's right," Itachi agreed with a small frown. "You'd be in a bad situation if your enemies suddenly had an ice cube in front of them." I rolled my eyes.
"I know, but they'd be dead before." I walked back to my nodachi and put it back in the sheath. The temperature went back to normal. "But I know how dangerous my kekkai genkai can get if I'm not careful enough. I'm just glad in a way...both my clans complete each other. I wouldn't be able to do that if it was not for my chakra control."
"I don't doubt that. How long does it take you to warm up though?"
"Depends on how long I was in negative mode for." He pulled a small paper tag from his back pouch and put it in front of me. I raised a brow, recognizing Sasuke's fuinjutsu. Then, Itachi used the Amaterasu on it. I sat down and put my hands above it, closing my eyes. "That's the stuff. Why do you have it?"
"Sasuke gave it to me, he told me it would be useful when you'd show me what you learned during the war. He said Amaterasu was burning the seal, which runs on its own with the chakra inside. It can last for a long time."
"It's great your Mangekyou and his both came with the Amaterasu." He smiled a little. "That's the main thing I learned during the war. My sensing abilities also grew a lot thanks to Tobirama and oji-chan, but they have more credits than I do."
"Did they help you a lot?"
"When they felt like I needed to only. They know I can handle myself. They were useful when Obito captured me, and to get in the Land of Earth, the Third knew what to do." I looked up at him. "So, doujutsu aren't the only kekkai genkais that are powerful, right?" He raised a brow.
"When did I say that?"
"You didn't bu…"
"I know by now how dangerous your Hyouton can be, and even more so now. I wouldn't want to fight you seriously. I already did in a way."
"Huh, it was a tie." I leaned on my hands. "There's no doubt you'd win though." He frowned.
"I'm not so sure."
"You're smarter than me, and have the Susanoo, and genjutsu, the one field I'm terrible at. Maybe I'd be a challenge, but you'd beat m...Hey, don't kick me!" He just kicked me in the leg with a frown.
"Then stop belittling yourself Akane. It's very, very annoying." I looked away. "Look at me." I sighed and did.
"Look, I know okay? It's just that no matter what, there are people I'll never feel like I can come close to, and you're one of them. I've been told too many times I wasn't good enough as a kunoichi for me to...be sure of myself regarding some people."
"You beat Yagura." I shrugged. "In Kiri, you were tortured, exhausted yet still fought Obito, survived then beat Yagura and the Sanbi." I pursed my lips. "Didn't you tell me you beat Shisui too when you ran into him after the Chuunin Exams?" I nodded. "He's not an opponent many can claim they won against."
"It's true. Still, I…" He sighed.
"I don't have Sage Mode Akane. I have the Eternal Mangekyou, and the Susanoo, the Totsuka Sword and the Yata Mirror, but you have senjutsu from the goddess Izanami herself. You told me the Claw could get through chakra, and you can summon the four Hokage."
"So, you throw me in a Tsukuyomi and…"
"Yes, you, not them. If I send you in a genjutsu, they'd just take over your body." I blinked.
"I never thought about it this way."
"Obviously." I pouted.
"Well deep down I'm still used to having people on God level around I guess." I took my chin between my fingers. "Huh."
"What?"
"Just remembering some of the things Rokudaime Kakashi would ask me. Maybe he...had something in mind after all."
"It wouldn't surprise me. Anyway, I've told you already I wouldn't want to face you. You're way smarter than you give yourself credit for."
"Really?" He nodded.
"I know you've been trained from a young age, but you never...were stated to be a prodigy or anything?" I heard Minato clearing his throat.
"Well...Mom did say oji-chan wanted to take me as his apprentice and not just because I was his god daughter, but I thought it was just fuinjutsu." Oji-chan cleared his throat harder.
"Itachi is right actually." I raised my finger at Itachi when he opened his mouth. "Fubuki was a prodigy. I'm not sure if you are one too or just a fast learner, but in any case, because of what happened in Kiri, your parents tended to...extinguish anything that would make you seem out of an ordinary child to protect you. Akiko must have continued after."
"And you're telling me this now?" I growled out loud.
"It's not my place to tell you this. It's not as if you had a normal growth either as a kunoichi. You learned how to stay out of people's radar and...possibly obstructed your own growth at some point."
"Huh." I looked at Itachi. "Do you think I could have obstructed my own growth to stay out of people's radar?"
"It does sound very much like you, especially with what happened to your brother." I pursed my lips.
"Am I an actual genius?" I asked with sarcasm.
"I think so."
"I didn't mean it seriously."
"I say it seriously. Anyone who can keep up with my train of thoughts is not normal per say."
"Modest as always." He smirked smugly, which made me shake my head. "Can you get your Susanoo out for me please? The full one? I want to try something."
"You said you wanted to train but you want to show off." I shrugged with a small smile.
We both stood up and I watched in awe as Itachi was suddenly in the air, in the head of his Susanoo. I had never seen him like this, even his regular one...it was rare.
The Sword of Totsuka...my eyes sparkled at it. The ultimate sealing weapon...on par with my Claw. And the Yata Mirror, that can repel any attack...it was not only powerful but...but glorious. Itachi was glorious.
I walked to the leg and put my hand on it. I just wanted to check if I could still...yes.
I removed my hand and grinned at the Hiraishin marker in the Susanoo. I could still put seals in chakra directly. It was harder than regular, of course, and I had not done it in a while but…I still could.
I took a few steps back and threw a marker toward the Yata Mirror. I teleported to it, summoned the Claw and dug it inside. I went through it, Itachi's stunned expression getting closer and closer to me.
"Oh shit!" I yelled as I started to fall. He caught me and I found myself next to him.
"What the hell did you do?"
"It's said to repel any attack...not mine!" He blinked. "Can you still use it?"
"Yes, it doesn't feel any different...it's like you made a hole for a second to go through it and then it was back to...what did you do to the leg?"
"Hiraishin marker inside. I wanted to see if I could still do it."
"...you can put seals in chakra?" I nodded.
"I figured it out with Mangetsu back then. Because of his liquefying ability, my markers didn't stay on him, but his chakra system was the same. It's...like I insert my chakra in another one, mix it with the other one enough for me to get my seal in without them noticing." He sighed. "What?"
"How can you doubt being a prodigy after pulling off something like that? It's insane." He dispelled his Susanoo. "Really insane."
"..I'm working on using my nodachi as a medium to use attacks without moving?" He frowned. "Like, I have a marker on the blade, right? Then if I have a marker on, let's say your Susanoo's leg, then without moving it would be slashed. Oh, and I could try to incorporate senjutsu in it, use a seal to filter it an…" He grabbed my arms gently.
"Akane, breathe." I did, I took a deep breath. "I know how enthusiastic you can be, and I wouldn't be surprised if you did all of this, but slow down a minute."
"We don't have a minute, we have your fucking great-grandpa to deal with, and Obito, and Juubi!" I was out of breath. "Sorry, I know it's not the time but…"
"When you get up in the middle of the night, you go in the study to do that, don't you?" I blinked. "I noticed. You leave the bed and come back around five." I rocked back and forth on my feet. "I know I'm not well at the moment, but don't...keep your own troubles to yourself."
"I know, it's just...Madara is not no one, you know? I'm...Tsunade-san told me I would probably be leading a division."
"...congratulations?" I shook my head.
"No, not that. I hate it. They may think I'm good at it or whatever, it doesn't mean that…" He kissed me gently.
"I believe in you sweetheart."
"And I believe in you too," I whispered against his lips. He smiled softly as I leaned my forehead against his. "We can take care of each other but not ourselves, it's an issue."
"You don't say."
"Akane!" I moved back and turned to my right.
"Sensei?" She grinned at me, and Itachi, and how close we were. "We're...huh…"
"In a relationship? I know. For more than a year now. You really were obvious last year in Kiri, literally undressing each other when you thought no one was lo…" I blushed.
"Okay, sensei, I get it, he gets it." He tried to put on a blank face, but I knew he was embarrassed to have been caught by the Mizukage.
She just giggled and opened her arms to me. I lowered my shoulders, beaten, and walked into her embrace.
"You made us really worried," she whispered in my ear.
"I know, I'm sorry sensei."
"Don't be, I'm just glad you're here." She pulled me back. "I can give you until September, after that…"
"Thank you." I looked at Itachi above my shoulder. "You heard that? September!" He smiled at sensei, thankful.
"And you'll take your functions after the war." I nodded. "It wouldn't make sense to change now, even if it was revealed to the villagers when we heard you were back in Konoha."
"How are the reactions?"
"Good overall. Your reputation no longer is what it used to be." She gave me a pat on the head. "I didn't come alone."
"I heard. Who did you bring?"
"Ao and Chojuro were my bodyguards but...your father." I froze.
"Huh?"
"Actually...there was an assassination attempt against him, by Tobi." I widened my eyes in shock. "Around the time we received news you were okay in here, he tried to kill him. Ushio...clearly got rid of our jutsu on his own before and fought back."
"And you thought getting him out of jail would be good because…"
"Clearly our defense is a joke to both him and Tobi, and he's going to be useful."
"...right…"
"He was taken by Uchiha Fugaku to the Hokage." Itachi frowned at that. We shared a look.
Our fathers? Together? Huh, that could be fun to watch.
"Should we go?" she asked us with a smile.
"Yeah...I kind of want to see this."
Itachi quietly took my hand as we were walking behind sensei. Her hat was tied to her lower back, not on her head. She shot us a quick look and crossed her hands in front of her.
"You are so cute, and you look so perfect together!"
"Sensei…" I muttered, knowing how excited she could be.
"Thank you Mizukage-sama," Itachi thanked her with a real smile.
"Don't encourage her," I whispered to him.
"Even when you think of your skills, water and fire, her ice and your Amaterasu, it's a perfect match!" His smile grew as he nodded.
"I thought the same earlier today."
"Huh?"
"Now Akane, we're not talking to you!"
"Bu...urgh, whatever."
Sensei would always make me feel like an embarrassed twelve-year-old, no matter my age.
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