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: 17-18

Shisui: 26

Kakashi: 31

"Ita…"

"Not listening." I was trapped against the wall of the hallway, Itachi kissing me hungrily. His hands were touching me everywhere.

"Not...not now…" I managed to say between two kisses. He just grabbed my thigh and lifted it to his hip.

I was wearing a black dress. It was a little bit shorter than what I was used to, but it was hot outside. Itachi had just come back from his day with his brother last night and slept in, saw me and decided to keep me from leaving the place.

"Where are you...going dressed like that?" he asked me, sucking on my collarbone.

"I'm supposed...to meet with...with Kakashi and…" He just ground against me, making me know he was already hard. "Come on…"

"All I'm hearing is that my sweet girlfriend is wearing such a sexy attire to see another man. It's cold sweetheart," he mumbled against my lips.

"Are you actually jealous or…" I bit back a moan as his hand slipped beneath my panties on my butt. "...or just want some action…" He stopped and moved back a little, blinking innocently. "I knew it, you just want to get some."

"I always want to get some with you. You wear a dress or show some skin and all kind of scenario start to play in my mind." I blushed and put my hand on his mouth as I looked up.

"There's no way to put your filter back on?" He licked my hand, making me remove it.

"You told me to tell you what I thought, there's no refund policy."

"I didn't know what I was getting myself into, and there's double the normal amount!" He shrugged, smirking. "I really have to go. You'll take off my dress tonight." He started to pout as he put my leg down. "It's a promise."

"It better be." He looked down. "So I have to take care of it now?" I snickered.

"Poor you." I left his embrace and grabbed my bag.

He sighed as I was done putting my shoes on.

"Aren't you supposed to train with Shisui today?" He just stared at me.

"I can train my stamina by other means."

"Well, not today." He averted his eyes. "Damn why are you so horny?"

"We didn't do anything in the past few days."

"Three days. We didn't have sex in three days, not three years." He shrugged.

"And we've both been busy."

"I know but…"

"I miss you." I sighed slightly and gestured at him to come closer. He did and I tip-toed to kiss him on the lips.

"Sorry my love," I whispered to him. "Look, I know you have a session with Inoichi-san around seven tonight, but maybe, when we're both home...we could try something from your list?" He blinked.

"Really?" he replied. I nodded and he smiled, his eyes sparkling. "You know it will be in my head all day long now?" I smiled and moved my lips closer to his ear.

"I know." I moved away, giggling at his kicked-puppy look. "See you tonight!"

I wanted to talk about the war with Kakashi. Sasuke turning eighteen and his party last week was the start of real preparations for Kakashi, me and all the higher-ups. August 1st was the start for everyone.

I picked up take-out on the way and quickly was at his door. He opened it, not entirely awake yet.

"Did everyone have a late night yesterday?"

"I was busy." I raised a brow. "I re-read the whole Icha Icha collection."

"I thought you were busy with a girl, never mind," I muttered to myself.

Kakashi's love life really was...a desert. I mean, I wouldn't try to meddle with it, it was his and his private life but...I knew he had one-night stands sometimes, but other than that…

"I brought sushis!" He took them and closed the door when I was not entirely in yet. I rubbed my nose with a glare.

We were quickly sitting down in his living-room.

"So, did you make a list of the people you want in your division?" Kakashi asked me, his mask lowered. I nodded.

"Sasuke, Shisui and Kou at least. Maybe Haku too, and the rest of Taka. Sasuke's pretty good at leading them. Dai will go to the medic corps first and foremost, so I won't have a say in which division he's sent in."

"You're not planning on asking for Itachi?" I shook my head. "Good, I'll take him. Mid and close-range, he'll do great, and I need a minion." I raised a brow.

"You're no longer his senpai and I'm a bad influence, he might just tell you to fuck off if he sees you're not doing it for good reasons."

"I know you're a bad influence, he used to be respectful." I smirked as I took a sushi. "But more seriously, I need someone to take over the leadership role if I fall too soon. Gai will be here too, and he's a great support, but I trust Itachi's vision more when it comes to leading people." I nodded.

"Good choice." I pursed my lips. "Hey, if you were offered the Hokage job, would you take it?" He looked up for a second.

"Depends. If there is another candidate who actually wants the hat, then I'd let them take it if I thought they'd do a better job than me. Other than that...if that's what the village needs, then I'll take the hat I guess." He looked at me. "You know something maybe?" I shrugged.

"It's just that before, you were the Sixth but I had to make sure you'd be on time on the most important meetings. As I'll have that very same title in Kiri, I wouldn't be here to tell you what to do."

"I don't need a babysitter, I'm sure you're exaggerating." I looked away.

Let's not mention how old Kakashi wanted to be the "worst Hokage in History".

"It's just so that I know who to support if I ever was asked as the future Mizukage you know. I wouldn't want to betray you or anything." He waved me off.

"Don't worry about that." I pursed my lips. "Really Akane."

"Oh yeah, it's not...that anymore."

"What is it?"

"I'm just...nervous about facing Obito again I guess, and much more. I mean, the best we could do is catch Black Zetsu but...he won't come out for a while." His eye took a harsher glint. "You won't...freeze this time, right?"

"I won't," he said firmly.

"It would be better if we were together when fac…" He raised his hand.

"We're both given responsibilities, don't make this your prime focus. Focus on your troops."

"I know that, I know, it's just...I guess it's weird to think it's gonna end soon."

"I'm sure you'll enjoy some peace and quiet before something goes wrong again."

"I'll be stuck behind a desk." I shook my head. "But the war first."

"War first, politics later." I groaned. "Did you know we had to be in Kumo three days before everyone else minimum?"

"Yeah, yeah I know. And from what I was told by Mom, Naruto is supposed to leave in September around the same time as me to go train with Killer B."

When I got home, Itachi wasn't here. However, I barely started to make diner that someone knocked repeatedly on the front door. I rolled my eyes and left to open, Sasuke almost punching me in the face.

"I hope it's not gonna be long bec…"

"I'm in the middle of an emotional crisis here," he interrupted me with wide eyes. "Cancel whatever plans Itachi and you have, you can hook up tomorrow!"

"...Well, it's always nice to see you Sasuke." He just got in and headed straight for the living-room. I sighed a little and closed the door.

I barely sat on the couch that his head was on my lap.

"Alright, what's the emotional crisis?"

"Sakura is mad at me and I don't know why, but it's bad." I raised a brow at how upset he was at this.

"How do you know she's mad then?"

"She called me Sasuke." He glanced at me with confused eyes. "She never forgot the honorific before, but I was just 'Sasuke' all day long! She's mad at me and I don't know why!" I started to run my fingers through his raven locks. "And when I tried to ask her, she said she was in a hurry and left, she said she didn't have time for me!" I pursed my lips, secretly wanting to laugh.

"Well, she's a jounin, and a skilled medic, she's a busy bee now."

"I followed her, she met up with Itachi!" That was news. "He's training her in genjutsu! I could do that, I'm her teammate, so why is she training with him instead of me!?"

"It sounds like jealousy to me." He rose in a flash, his cheeks burning.

"Jealous of what!? That Sakura is spending time with Itachi of all people!? Shouldn't you be concerned your boyfriend is spending time with another girl!?" I shrugged.

"You know, they kind of became friends a while ago now with her being his medic when he was sick and all…" He was paling more and more at each of my words. "Sasuke, I'm sure it's nothing. Itachi's main fighting style is genjutsu, it makes sense to ask him, and maybe her dropping the honorific is her way to say she's your equal and you should see her as such and not the female teammate you have to protect all the time."

"I saw her punch a hole in a forest, I don't protect her all the time," he refuted with a frown.

"Sasuke, be honest, why are you reacting like this?" He pursed his lips and remained quiet for a while.

"I'm the only guy she uses an honorific with," he admitted quietly. "Because I was special, and now...what if I'm no longer special to her?"

"I doubt that," I told him gently as he put his head back on my lap. "And if you're worried about this, maybe it's because she is special to you." He groaned. "Maybe you should make her realize that."

"...how?"

"You've been spending a lot of time with her since you were a kid, you should know."

The next thirty minutes was Sasuke telling me every single thing he had done that could have pushed her to drop the '-kun'. Apparently, I was not convincing enough to push him to make a move, and that was what Itachi found upon coming home, Sushi greeting him with alarmed meows.

I raised a brow at the bag in his hand as his face went from excited to annoyed when he saw Sasuke.

"That's not something I enjoy coming home to." Sasuke barely glanced at him.

"Shut up traitor." Itachi frowned.

"I'm sorry?" Sasuke turned, burying his face in my stomach. "I told you to stop that already and stop babying him."

"He just...happened really…" I muttered. He put the bag on the table before pulling his brother in a sitting position, taking his place between us.

"Why are you calling me a traitor?"

"Why are you training Sakura in genjutsu behind my back?" he retorted with a frown, a burning glare on his brother.

"She asked me. I said yes."

"Why did she ask you and not me?"

"It's not a big deal Sasuke."

"You could have directed her to me." I could feel Itachi rolling his eyes despite him having his back facing me.

"Look, it's...she's helping me too." I raised a brow.

Then, without a word, he lifted his hand and it glowed green. Sasuke and I shared a look and glanced at him.

"It's just minor, superficial wounds but…"

"That's awesome!" I said with a grin, hugging him around the waist to put my chin on his shoulder.

"...thanks. Anyway, why don't you just talk to her?"

"She's mad. She doesn't call me 'Sasuke-kun' anymore." Itachi sighed.

"Do you hear yourself? You sound like a petulant child who doesn't get what he wants." Sasuke glared at him. "Calm down and talk to her tomorrow. Now, go home."

"I'm not invited for dinner?" I opened my mouth, but Itachi put his hand on it.

"No you're not. Go home."

"Tch, whatever," he growled, standing up.

I stood up and walked him to the door.

"He's an asshole," Sasuke hissed under his breath.

"He's still...not at his best," I corrected him, trying to justify Itachi's behavior. "I don't think he wants drama or negativity in what he considers a safe space. But he's not wrong, talk to her." He was clearly still upset.

"Fine, I will. Just...good luck with that jerk." I smiled awkwardly as he left.

I closed the door and went back to the living-room, putting my hands on my hips in front of my boyfriend. I was frowning, waiting for an explanation.

"He can't run to you each time he has an issue in his personal life Akane, I'm serious about this," he told me, his arms crossed.

"Why not?"

"Because you can't baby him, or Naruto for that matter, forever. He's eighteen, he should know how to talk to his friend and not just vent to you at the slightest frustration."

"That's what friends are for."

"I know that, and I'm glad Sasuke and you are friends, but he has to understand that there are some boundaries now we are in a relationship." I pursed his lips. "And it's not much what's going on with Sakura, she's not comfortable not using the honorific either."

"What? She...Itachi, what did you do?"

"It's getting annoying to see Sasuke chicken out all the time, I'm just giving a little push."

"Wow, that's some...overbearing big brother move right here."

"Whatever makes him understand boundaries and privacy."

"Don't you think it's a little much?"

"For someone who claims he's responsible for us getting together? No." He sighed and got up. "Come on sweetheart, I know what I am doing so drop the disapproving look. Please?"

"I don't like that," I said quietly.

"Sasuke grew up well, he won't turn to the dark side if I get a little involved in his love life." He ran his hands up and down my arms. "Please don't cancel our plans, I ran around town to get red silk."

"...was it that hard to find?"

"I had a particular one in mind, very soft." I rolled my eyes fondly as he kissed my forehead.

"If you struggled so hard to find the good stuff, I can't possibly cancel our plans." He threw me on his shoulder. "Wait, dinner?"

"Later, we'll be hungry once we're done." I grabbed the bag and had no other choice than to let Itachi take me to our bedroom.

"I'm not sure about this."

"Look, I need to know what happened down there Itachi. I know you're not looking forward to it but…" The couch and coffee table were pushed aside.

Itachi and I were sitting on the carpet, Sushi in the study. The blinds were closed, not helping Itachi's case as he was clearly nervous and not even trying to hide it.

"Look, you're just going to use your sharingan to show me those dreams of yours Itachi, it's...nothing, really."

"I can't help but think you're gonna try something," he muttered under his breath. "Please don't."

"I promise I won't do anything without telling you first." He deadpanned at me. "And that you don't want me to, of course. I wouldn't want to risk the little balance you got back in here," I said, poking his forehead.

"Jokes on you, if you mess up, I'm not letting you go outside until you have to leave for Kiri." He uncrossed his legs and grabbed mine.

He pulled me toward him, my legs on his as our bodies were basically touching.

"There's no need for such proximity," I reminded him sternly. He shrugged; his hands clasped behind my back.

"I'm the one with the final word in this."

"Who's the bossy one now?" I replied in a whisper. He just closed his eyes, ignoring me.

When he opened them, the charcoal color of his eyes had bled to red.

"If you pass out, I can catch you easily," he told me quietly. "Are you ready?" I nodded and hugged him, pressing my chest against him.

"Whenever you are," I said, ignoring the stress building inside of me.

Itachi leaned his forehead against mine without a word, his eyes not leaving mine. Then, my body stopped moving, completely paralyzed as I felt like I was falling backward. However, my back met something solid.

"Are you alright?" I looked up, meeting Itachi's eyes.

"So far, yes." Everything was black around us. "Is your mind really a big, black abyss? Doesn't seem fun." He rolled his eyes and turned me around.

"It's dreams, I barely remember them once awake so...I don't think it will be very clear."

"Let's see if what you have brings anything to the surface for me first and foremost."

They were flashes mainly, some words said quickly. However, as I saw golden eyes, I put my right hand on the left. I shot it a quick look. It was heating up again, not much but...it was.

"What are you doing?" I looked up at Itachi. He had a hand on his head, a frown on his face.

"Nothing, my mark is heating up but I'm not...doing it. I think it's reacting like muscle memory or something."

"It hurts," he hissed between clenched teeth.

"I'm...I'm sorry I'm not...I swear I'm not controlling it," I replied, my eyes staring at the mark slowly shining more and more purple, the heat becoming more intense.

In the blink of an eye, it went to Itachi's forehead. He growled in pain and I tried to remove my hand, even using my right one but it would not budge. Then, the Claw appeared and the markings went to Itachi's head and basically sunk in it in front of my horrified eyes.

"Stop it!" I yelled to no one in particular. Itachi clenched my wrist hard, muffling his own yell of pain. Then, in an instant, I managed to remove my hand and fell on my butt, Itachi doing the same.

I looked at my left hand in shock. It was back to normal, as if nothing had happened.

"Huh." I looked up at Itachi, who blinked with confusion, a hand on his head.

"I'm sor…"

"I'm fine." I raised my brows. "I'm...perfectly fine actually."

"...it doesn't hurt anymore?" He shook his head and his eyes found mine.

"I remember it clearly now."

"What?"

"It...I'll explain later, I think I know why your mark reacted." He stood up and walked to me.

I shook my head when he stretched out his hand. He sighed and pulled me on my feet anyway.

"I said I was fine." I didn't say anything, not even looking at him. "I know you didn't do anything."

"I shouldn't have pushed you, I'm sorry," I mumbled, tears prickling at my eyes. He cupped my cheeks and forced me to raise my head.

"Akane, don't cry for this, I've had worst. I had worst from you actually." He pecked my lips. "I'm sure you're going to be interested in this." I blinked and looked to my right when I heard my voice.

I was in limbo, with Itachi and we went in the pound. Then we fell to Yomi and ran through demons. Itachi sent me away with his Susanoo and I met Izanami. Itachi joined us, and we made a deal and…

I promised her I'd be the last Yuurei. Then...Hagoromo appeared and I said goodbye to Itachi.

I was quickly back in our living-room and started to fall back, only for Itachi to catch me and pull me back against him.

We stayed like this, in silence, for a few minutes. Itachi was hugging me tightly, his face buried in my hair.

"Are you okay?" I asked him quietly.

"I'm great." He sighed softly. "She said you had a longer life expectancy." Oh, right, that…

It was weird to think about.

"I did...feel a difference, but I got so used to having less chakra and vitality than before that...I thought I was imagining things. I can't die randomly hoping I'd come back though."

"You better not." He pulled me back and cupped my face, my tired eyes glancing at him. "You're not passing out but it took a lot out of you." I nodded weakly. "You already had a lot of chakra though."

"Hum...yeah, and I fought more so I didn't know exactly what my limits would have been before with the same routine. It's good." I left a sloppy kiss on his jawline. "Thank you for saving my life Itachi."

"You're welcome sweetheart," he whispered in my ear. "You can go to sleep if you want."

"Hum...okay…"

I dozed off not long after, Itachi's running his fingers in my hair, his cheek on the crown of my head.

When I woke up, the sun still high in the sky, I blinked at the kitten curled up against me. I yawned and immediately, the sweet smell of pancakes hit my nose. I rose from my bed and looked toward the slightly opened door.

I got up and went to the kitchen. Itachi was making pancakes, quite a big pile already in the plate next to him.

"You're...in a good mood now." He was humming to himself, which was rare.

"You're up!" I blinked and was taken back at him grabbing me and kissing the life out of me.

When he let go, the both of us out of breath, I was confused.

"...okay?" I said, not knowing what was going on. "You're...happy." He nodded.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You're creeping me out." He kissed my cheek.

"Don't worry, it's just...it unlocked something."

"Wh…" He fixed me a plate and gave it to me. "I'm not that hun…" He took me to the table and sat me down.

I waited for him to join me and started to eat, not hiding the curious glances in his direction.

"It's the Shinigami, the Claw, when it was on my head it unlocked my memories. It reached my other self," he explained suddenly, turning his eyes to me. "It hurt, but once it was done it completely went away."

"Oh, the Claw felt it at the sight of your memories then…" I whispered, putting my fork in my mouth. "It makes more sense now."

"Everything that happened since I died is clear now." I blinked.

"Do you remember me punching you?" He pursed his lips.

"Yes, I remember my years in Limbo and...watching over you." I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Great, just...great. Are you going to tell me you also remember your time in the Pure Land?"

"Actually, I do." I widened my eyes. "It's weird, but I remember it without being able to get the image of it. I...I remember seeing the twins."

"You don't say," I mumbled, stunned.

Remembering his time in Limbo was one thing, remembering the Pure Land was...well, Izanami's magic, I guess.

"And...you're okay?"

"Weirdly so, yeah. It's...liberating." I raised a brow. "I can put a reason on what I was feeling that was not from this lifetime. It's liberating in that way."

"...If you're okay, it's all that matters." He stood up to crouch next to me, a small smile on his lips.

"I'm more than okay sweetheart." I looked down at him.

Without a word I cupped his face and pressed my lips firmly against his. It was deep, and intense. Itachi put his hands on mine, his lips following mine without any doubt.

"You better not die on me again," I warned him against his lips.

"Yes Ma'am." I straightened up. "I also remember Sarada." I froze. "And Boruto, and Himawari."

"...well, here goes my efforts to hide them. Don't…"

"No, of course not. I do want to meet my nieces and nephew this time around." I smiled softly.

"Yes...that would be nice."

A week later, as the Summer Festival was finally taking place after being delayed due to the post-war state of the village, Itachi's arm remained around my waist for the entire time. We watched the fireworks with Team Seven, Sasuke shooting Sakura side glances every once in a while.

Not that I was focused on his love struggle, or Naru grinning at the sight of Hinata. I was just focused on the fireworks, Itachi's warmth surrounding me as I was hugging his waist.

Hey! Thanks for reading and leave a review to tell me what you thought of this chapter!

Bye!