Chapter 36: Responsibilities of a Healer

Sound

'Inner Thoughts'

°Telepathic Communication°

Yukino's POV

Sigh… Sitting on the couch alone I could hear my own heart beating by how empty the base was. 'There's nothing to do in Konoha at the moment. Hinata is probably on some mission.' Hearing footsteps I bolted up wondering who it was. Seeing Konan enter the room I relaxed. "Hello, Konan." I smiled.

"No one is here is there?" She asked as she could probably see my face of boredom. Shaking my head she turned around. "Follow me then."

Following her like ordered, we went to a building I've never been to before. Not given a moment to stop and gaze we went up to the higher floors. About to ask what this was about I saw the hesitation in her eyes as if she would change her mind with the smallest word that I breathed out. Tightly forming my lips into a line I looked away from her and suppressed my chakra slowly. "Yuki." Flinching. I looked at her seeing two wide doors behind her. "Once you enter I want you to do a diagnosis of the person on the other side of this door."

Nodding once she opened the doors leading to a dark room with some machine-like thing with multiple rods. Sensing chakra somewhere in the room I squinted in an attempt to see the person I was supposed to see. Wanting to use my Getsugan to see in the dark I decided not to with Konan in the same room.

Click! The lights came on and I was greeted to an interesting sight. Sitting on said machinery was a red-haired man with multiple rods sticking out of his back. 'So this is her reason for making me the healer.' I put both pieces together as I saw the skinny skeleton of a man.

"Konan… what are you doing?" The man asked as I noticed his familiar purple ringed eyes.

"Bringing someone to check your health," Konan replied.

"Konan…"

"No." Standing to the side watching their interaction I smiled knowing that they knew each other and that they were on friendly terms. "Yuki do a diagnosis."

Without complaint, I walked up to the machine thing he was attached to and climbed it. Looking at the man I maneuvered around the rods not knowing where to start. "Do the rods hurt?" I asked.

"No."

Taking his word for it, I did a quick scan of his body. Sensing nothing off except for the huge amount of chakra consumption, which would explain his current appearance. "Sorry." Pinching him for any muscle or fat I barely pinched anything. "Well, he's fine internally. He'll probably need vitamins. For, you know the lack of sun." I moved around and informed Konan.

Leaning on one of the rods I felt a huge amount of chakra emanating from it. 'That explains it.' moving away from it the rod looked familiar. Returning my focus to the man in front of me I wanted answers. "He also seems to be consuming a lot of chakra which would explain why he looks like this. I could give him some of my chakra if you want?" I asked Konan.

"If that will help do so."

Mentally cheering I prepared to share my chakra and check into his memories to learn more about him and his relation to Konan. Moving around the rod I stood behind him, rubbing my hands to create some warmth I placed my hands on his back.

Slowly my surroundings muddled and faded away. Watching things from his perspective I saw the war that happened in the past. The death of his parents and his encounter with Konan and a boy with orange hair who looked like Pein. Sometime after that, I saw three people I recognized Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade. Curious as to what was happening I kept watching seeing the three orphans being trained by Jiraiya until the day it was time for him to leave. Once again I was pushed towards the most recent memories seeing the Akatsuki but with different members and a different method to achieve their goal.

"Yuki?" Gasping I let go, backing away from the man in front of me I felt a sudden drain of energy. Tipping back I fell to the ground feeling numb. Laying there I saw Konan run to me but before I could say anything my body gave up and shut down.

Laying down in a place I haven't been to for so long I felt at peace. My body didn't ache and I could breathe calmly. Wanting to stay there and just sleep I knew I couldn't. Sitting up, I looked behind me seeing the once sapling already big enough to be considered a tree.

Staring up at the branches for a while I stood up deciding to walk around the island of my subconscious. Aside from the tree, everything seemed the same, the still water, the blank sky, and the hatch were the only things that haven't changed. 'Hatch?' Stopping I walked back to the hatch hidden by the moss. Opening it I looked inside seeing a small drop to the floor below.

With a shrug, I threw the hatch wide open and jumped down finding myself in a circular room with one door. Walking to it I opened it finding a large library on the other side. At least that was what it looked like. Walking down the aisles I found an aisle for every year I was alive. Some years took more rows of bookshelves and some were short with just one bookshelf that remained mostly empty.

Walking to the bookshelves marking my sixth birthday. I looked at the nameless book spines. Instead of titles or names, they had colored strips most were yellow, some were cream-colored and blue but only one was black. Curious as to why this one was marked differently I took the book out and opened it.

Inside was white quartz looking sphere on black velvet plush. Taking out the orb I turned it with curiosity seeing nothing. But the moment I held it between both of my hands the orb changed and it became a book. Staring at the book in my hands I opened it only to stare at blank pages. Sighing I flipped through it but everything was blank.

Going back to the beginning, I was about to close it when something told me to touch the page. With no one around to see me do something possibly dumb, I placed my pointer finger on the page. Slowly the page glowed and I saw an image form. 'Shisui.' Recognizing the young curly-haired shinobi I realized what day this was as it began to play. Closing the book I didn't want to see him throw himself off that cliff again.

Shaking my head I inhaled and exhaled. 'I had passed through this I can't be gloomy about this.' Looking down at the book I realized something. Hugging the book tightly with a smile I felt tears form in my eyes. I was now as old as he was the day he died. "Shisui I made it." Kissing the cover of the book I placed it on the velvet plush and it changed back into the white orb.

Placing the book back where I found it I lingered there for a while staring at it. He was like the sun to me. Clear, bright and warm something Tsukiyomi wasn't. I didn't want to become frigid and cold like her so I followed him hoping to learn how to be like that from him.

But now looking at myself now I realize I couldn't. Lies and deceit. Fake smiles and fake personalities. That's who I was. Maybe I couldn't be a sun, like him but I might as well try. With that in mind, I left the aisle and went to the ones before to reminisce about the old days.

Waking up. Or that's what I felt was happening I found myself still in the room and on the floor. Laying there I took a while for my mind to register what had happened.

"You're awake," Konan said making me jump up and regret it as I felt light-headed. "How are you feeling?" She asked placing a hand on my back and rubbing it.

"Lost." I laughed but soon stopped once I heard my own voice echoing in the room. "Konan don't worry. I'm an Uzumaki. I have enough life force and chakra to share." I sighed still too tired to stand up. "I just need to rest." I laid back down on the cold floor rolling to my side facing away from them trying to regain some strength. 'When was the last time I felt like this.' I wondered feeling my body struggle to breathe.

"Yuki, you were talking in your sleep."

"I see… what did you hear?" I whispered quietly feeling as if my cover of a harmless healer was about to shatter.

"Nothing much but you seemed upset."

"Oh," I sighed clutching my heart relieved that I wasn't discovered. "I dreamt about a friend of mine. He's long gone by now." Sitting up I sighed. "Can we talk about something else? I don't want to talk about it." I wanted to change the subject knowing that if she probed too much it could lead to them knowing about where I came from. 'They can't have access to Konoha's shinobi data. Or could they?'

"Well, what does the tattoo on your back mean?"

Remembering that I was wearing an open shoulder blouse I touched my exposed back realizing that it could be visible. The marking of the butterfly that I received after holding onto that stone from the land of iron. "This? Oh, it's my family's marking. Since I'm the only heir and all." I laughed pulling the front of the blouse to cover it up. "That's why otou-san is so worried." Trying to stand up I stretched feeling well enough to leave. "Wow." I froze noticing the guy I gave my chakra too. He was sleeping? But that wasn't the point he didn't look as thin as before, he was still thin just less bony.

"He fell asleep not long after you shared your chakra." I saw Konan smile as she looked at her friend. But of course, that smile faded as quickly as it appeared. "Thank you. If I need you again I'll look for you."

"Okay. I'll go back on my own." I headed to the door and slipped out.

Sometime later

"It's never enough." I laid down on the ground struggling to breathe even though this was my fifth time giving him chakra. "How are you still alive?" I asked glad to see that he didn't look like a skeleton.

"Determination."

"Well, that's good to know." I rolled to my side trying to stand up. It was also the first time I remained conscious after sharing my chakra. "I'm going back to the base for now or do you want me to stay?" I asked him as I wobbly got up.

"Go rest." He told me.

・・・

Leaving the building I took out my umbrella and walked around the area, tilting the umbrella forward so my face wouldn't be seen. Keeping track of the roads I made sure to take the long way back to the base. "Tsukihime." I heard people whisper as I passed. 'Word has spread really fast.' Keeping my pace slow I walked into an alleyway.

On the full moon when I don't need rest I would leave the base and wander the empty streets of Ame in my white dress and shoes. To make sure no one would recognize me I would wear a straw hat similar to Haruko-sama's and use my water manipulation to prevent the rain from hitting me. Nothing much would happen on those nights but I would make flowers of all kinds out of ice to decorate the desolate playgrounds. It was nice hiding my practice like that. I should've expected it though that someone would see me and spread the word.

Stopping I extended my hand before me and tried to form the water gathering in my palm into something with no success. The chakra I had wasn't enough. I had given most of it to Nagato-san leaving me with only a little bit. If it weren't for my condition I would have probably died a couple of tries ago.

Zoning out I played back Nagato-san's memories. The healthy and hopeful man from back then was completely different from the husk I see today. To think that something like that could change someone so much. 'Itachi… how is Itachi?' I wondered seeing the parallel between the two. Both of their best friends killing themselves in front of their very eyes wishing for the other to continue their dream. Both turning to darkness soon after. 'That masked man. He's the one that killed me.' I remembered vividly. Everything matched hair color, hair length, mask, and even mannerisms. Though there were gaps in the years they saw him and when I saw him I knew it was him. 'He must be the one who recruited Itachi to the Akatsuki.'

Stopping for a while to catch my breath I closed my eyes. Konan and Nagato smiling flashed as I did along with their friend. 'Konan… is she really on board with all this?' I wondered. But thoughts were thoughts. There was no way I could ask her this without exposing what I had been doing.

・・・

Stumbling into the base I cheered internally finally arriving at a place I could rest. I had taken the wrong way and ended up someplace else making my way back longer than expected. Wanting to just throw myself on the couch to rest I froze as I looked into the lounge seeing the majority of the Akatsuki members there. 'Great. Now they are all present to witness a moment of weakness.' Sucking it up I tried walking past everyone in the lounge as if nothing was bothering me.

Successfully keeping up the facade for a solid second my legs gave up on me and I fell on the floor face first. Holding my nose I cupped my hands as blood gushed out.

"Ha!" I recognized Hidan's voice. 'I will make your next visit painful.' I vowed. Trying to stand up, I was reminded of the first time Ryota tried to do a pushup. It was hilarious watching his effort but now I felt just pathetic trying to do the same. Giving up, I closed my eyes hearing Deidara ask. "Are you okay, hm?"

"Just tired." I groaned finding the strength to stand up. Looking down at myself I saw a puddle of blood on the floor along with the trail of blood coming from my nose and staining my own clothes.

"Yuki did I ever tell you red looks great on you?" Hidan yelled laughing at my state.

Glancing in his direction I threw a shuriken but missed hitting Samehada instead. "Sorry." I groaned. Clutching my nose I walked out of the lounge room to the infirmary. With every step, I felt my legs shake ready to give up. 'It wasn't like this the last couple of times. But then again. I never bleed out and I stayed there to rest.' Leaning against the wall for the support I closed my eyes trying to breathe and regain some strength to walk a couple of more meters. Stopping I spotted Itachi just around the corner. "Hey–" Sighing I stopped and continued walking. 'Just one more corner.'

Feeling someone grab me by the shoulder they turned me around. About to thank the person I stopped as some blood went down my throat. Cough. Cough. Cough! I coughed up blood into my sleeves.

"What happened?" Itachi asked looking at my messy bloody self.

"I fell face first," I explained holding my nose again.

Hearing a sigh he grabbed my shoulders and began helping me walk. "You don't have to do this." Creating a mind link I added. °But I did spill some blood in the lounge. If you want to help can you clean up my blood? It's special.° Feeling a sharp pang in my head I cut the link and clutched my head as we finally arrived at the infirmary.

"Where do you want me to put you?" He asked.

"The spinning chair please." I pointed to the only spinning chair in the room. The moment he helped me onto the chair I immediately rolled to sink to not let any more blood spill. "Thanks," I yelled turning my head to the side slightly only to see that he was gone. Sighing I began to clean my face and hands just feeling the blood come off with every wipe of my face. Doing this a couple of times I rested there for a while seeing blood dropping into the sink creating little droplets. Trying to use the mystical hand technique I tried focusing but felt too tired for anything to happen. "Hah… So much of a healer." I sighed resorting to using my special reserve.

Healing my nose wound quickly I just hung my head on the sink thinking of random things. Closing my eyes for just a moment I instead ended up falling prey to sleep.

Waking up in my room I looked around finding myself in my white dress. Sitting up I saw my previous bloody clothes neatly folded and clean on my dresser. Along with that, I felt a familiar heavy weight on my chest. Looking down I saw the necklace back on my neck. Cupping the stone I closed my eyes feeling my chakra mixed into it. 'Yep. It's my old necklace.' Glad to have it back I twirled the cool stone between my fingers watching the light go through it reflecting blues and purples back to me.

Closing my eyes I slapped myself before opening them again. Still in my room, I knew this was reality. Someone had undressed me and someone had returned my necklace. Either a) Itachi returned my necklace after Konan changed me or b) Itachi changed my clothes and returned my necklace. Both options were possible I just had to find out who it was so I could thank them properly. Which was something I could focus on doing after I find a way to help Nagato-san.

Wandering to the lounge I saw no one there which brought some relief to me. Throwing myself on the couch I stared at the ceiling. 'His body is so thin and frail. His muscle mass and body fat mass are too low. My chakra is compensating for the fact that he uses so much.' Sigh. 'At this rate, I will be too tired to do anything or even leave the base.'

Extending my hands before me I felt something off. 'My arms were they always like that?' Wrapping my hand around my wrist I touched my middle finger and my thumb. Staring at the gap I jumped off the couch and ran to the tv seeing my own reflection.

'No…' I silently stared at my own reflection seeing some bones I've never seen before. Some I saw while operating but never like this. Having focused all this time on someone else I had forgotten to pay any attention to myself. 'I need to return to my original weight. This isn't healthy.' Walking to the kitchen flashes of Nagato-san's body kept popping into my mind. He couldn't move which is why he was attached to that machine if that happened to me then I would be stuck here with no way to return to Uzushio. 'I will end up like him if I'm not careful.' Ripping the fridge open I took out the salmon, white rice and some potatoes. 'These should help me with some protein.' I placed them to the side and made a large serving for myself.

・・・

Taking the food back to the infirmary I began creating something else other than poisons or medicine. Food pills. Gathering plants for their health benefits I separated those that would create poison if mixed. Noting down the plants I was going to use I started grinding them and making it into a paste to mix into the dough that would become the food pill.

Crash!

Flinching I looked down seeing my cup of water on the ground. Picking up the pieces I threw them out and went to the closet to take out the mop. The moment that I dragged the mop from the shadows of the closet and into the light of the infirmary I saw the usual white strands tinted red. Crouching down I picked up the red ends and sniffed recognizing the familiar scent of iron. 'Wait… did Itachi clean up the mess in the kitchen?' Clutching the necklace I cleaned my mess somehow gaining energy to work on the food pills.

Hours of grinding later

With my first food pills finished I ran to the lounge looking for anyone to test them. Finding the first subject I aimed my question at Kisame. "Can you help me with something?" I asked too late as I noticed Itachi when I entered the room completely.

"Oh, you're asking for help?" Kisame asked intrigued and walked over to me with Itachi following close behind him. "What is it?"1

Pulling out the plate of food pills I held it in front of him and requested one simple thing. "Please try them and be honest."

Without hesitation, Kisame took one and bit into it. Staring intently I waited only to see him spit it out. "It's horrible." I heard him gag.

Nodding, I closed my eyes and sighed. "So they are." Looking down at my wrist I shook my head. "Thanks for the input. I will work on the taste." Picking up the plate. I noticed there was one missing. 'Did I drop one?' I looked down at the floor hoping that I didn't step on it.

"Is this medicinal?" Itachi asked.

"Hm?" Looking up he was chewing on the food pill frowning slightly.

"It's bitter." He added.

Grabbing one I held it up to my lips somehow feeling that I would regret it later. But even knowing that I took a bite out of it. Feeling my eyes tear up I coughed feeling my mouth water at how bitter it was. "I'm giving them to Sasori." I walked to the kitchen island and placed the plate there. 'Maybe he could put it to some use.' I coughed feeling my tears threatening to spill.

"You really don't like him," Kisame chuckled.

"No. He keeps taking herbs from the infirmary without permission."

"If he asked would you give them to him?" Itachi asked.

"Maybe. No, wait. They're my herbs if he wants them he should buy them himself." Wiping away the tears I walked back to the infirmary and stopped as I was about to leave the lounge. "Thank you for your honest opinions." I coughed running back to the infirmary to try again.

December 1st

"I will only be gone for a couple of days. Take care of Nagato in my place."

"Don't worry I will." I gave a slight bow. Seeing her leave the room I watched as the door slowly closed. With a click, I glanced back at the sleeping man. Sighing I walked to my stuff and set up my sleeping bag before crawling in.

・

Flashback

"Yuki pack enough for three days and come with me." Konan came into my room suddenly in the middle of the night just as I was waking up.

Never seeing her in a rush like this I quickly packed what she told me and followed her back to Nagato's place. Once I saw the man fine and well relief washed over me believing that something horrible had happened.

Flashback end

・

Seeing everything the two of them had gone through I really didn't want to cause any trouble. But I also knew that this organization was dangerous and I should be giving what I learned to the leaf. Remembering the masked man I began to mindlessly trace the scar as if it would reveal more answers the more I rubbed it.

"Does your stomach ache?"

Flinching I looked back seeing that he was now awake. "Huh? No. I just remembered how I got the scar…" I told him and sat up. 'It wouldn't hurt to show him.' Crawling out of my sleeping bag I walked up to him and lifted the skirt of my dress to show him the scar that wrapped around my left side.

"How did you get it?" He asked as I lowered the skirt back down.

"Someone tried to kill me," I answered rubbing my left side. "Can you believe that someone would try to kill a child of just 8 years of age?"

"Yes." He responded simply and I was reminded of how Orochimaru offered to kill him and his friends. 'Yep. Wrong thing to ask.'

"Oh, so it happened to you too?" I asked and laughed unintentionally. "Then I guess we're lucky to still be alive." Now that I was up I walked to his blood results and looked it over. "Are we both lucky though?" I whispered to myself.

"I wonder the same thing myself."

Nodding in agreement I looked through his information. "I have a question," I asked.

"What is it?"

"What is your name?" I asked writing down something down. 'He lacks vitamin d but that makes sense.' I glanced outside at the ever cloudy sky.

"Nagato."

"Nagato-san, I'm Yuki nice to meet you." I smiled before telling him the new vitamins he would be taking. Though he seemed to be disappointed he agreed to take them we both had goals in our minds and we weren't going to give them up anytime soon.

December 21st

Most people would be finishing their plans for Christmas eve or doing last-minute shopping during this day. But my responsibilities came first sadly.

Looking up at the cloudy sky I exhaled seeing my breath. 'I should've bought something for them.' I stared emptily at the sky. Wanting to have spent my time in Inari mountain with everyone during this time I was stuck instead on a mission with the two most reckless members of Akatsuki. 'Maybe that's why I told to go with them.'

"Yuki go already, hm." Deidara waved me towards the manor. Sending a glare at the boy around my age my hands twitched in the direction of the sword tied to my waist that the Akatsuki had given me for my own "safety". Smothering the urge I exhaled slowly and took the bag he gave me.

・・・

Sneaking into the manor I placed down the bag I was carrying. Quickly little white spiders crawled out. Picking one up I stared at the odd little thing and threw it away before shaking the bag to let all of them out so I could leave.

Making it to the window I jumped onto the roof when Boom! The room I was in exploded. 'That bastard!' I thought as I tightly clung onto the roof. Hissing I felt my back burn as cold air brushed against my now open shirt. 'He could've blown me up.' Brushing off the debris I jumped down when another explosion erupted from the building sending a door crashing into me. Groaning from the pain I heard the screams of people inside. 'There are people here!' Hiding behind the door I made a shadow clone sending it to someplace safe.

Tightening my jaw I felt the anger build up again. Taking off the sword I stashed it away in my portal and took out a set of clothes some shinobi would recognize. Changing my clothes into a blue kimono blouse and black pants I put on a black face mask putting my fox mask with a sapphire over it. Placing the necessary seals on the masks I was ready.

The mission, of course, was to destroy the property of this lord for screwing over another lord. Petty stuff I didn't care about or wanted to be involved in. I didn't expect it to be this disastrous though. Running out from under the door I ran into the collapsing manor. Seeing the situation I saw no other choice but to use that.

Creating chains I held planks up and pulled people out from the rubble. Leading the servants who were inside I pulled one to the side. Deepening my voice I asked if there was anyone missing. "In the west wing, there were three cleaning the lord's heirlooms."

Pointing to the forest for them to run and hide in I ran to the west wing hoping to get there before Hidan and Deidara. "Where the hell is everyone!" I heard Hidan yell.

Ignoring him I jumped around looking through the rubble saying. "Pst. Pst!" to get the servants' attention if they were even in the area. Feeling the heat rise due to the fires from the explosions finding them was a question of time.

Boom!

"Kyaa!" I heard someone scream as did someone else. Creating a water whip I put out the fire from where I heard the screams and removed some large pieces of rubble finding the last three servants. "Out quickly." I hissed pulling them out.

Feeling a shiver run down my spine I created my adamantine chains to protect my turned back. Hearing something collide with it I glanced back seeing the scythe that hit the chains. Creating a separate chain I swiped it against the ground shoving the debris away and clearing a path out. Glancing back I pointed to the exit behind us and without hesitation, they ran out.

"You'll make a great offering to Jashin-sama." I heard Hidan laugh as he ran to me trying to close the distance between us. Using three chains to create a barrier around me I kept my calm knowing that I would be fine as long as he didn't consume my blood.

Hearing another explosion Hidan looked behind himself for a small moment. Using the distraction I used my chains to break down the wooden beams supporting the building above us. Running out of the building through the exit I created. I coughed in relief having some fresh air to breathe. "Fuck! Come back here!" I heard him yell as I spotted Deidara on his clay bird approaching from the sky. Going into the shadows of the crumbling building I opened a small portal and jumped through. Rolling into my library I coughed removing the masks from my face and to breathe in the fresh air.

Running to the doors of the library I imagined my storage room and opened it. Entering the space I closed the doors behind me and looked for my clothes ignoring the disappearing doors. Dressing up quickly I opened another portal and returned my shadow clone taking their place.

With the faint smell of smoke, I looked behind me seeing the rising smoke in the distance. But that wasn't what I smelled. The scent of the fire was still on me. Looking around I found a pine tree and began to climb it. No matter how rough the little needles felt on my skin I climbed getting its scent on me. With sticky hands due to the sap, I clung onto that tree and waited until they found me.

I should've expected less, of course, since they never went looking for me in the 12 hours I spent waiting in the cold. So before morning could even arrive I crawled down from that tree and headed to another town before mercenaries from the lord could arrive to investigate.

・・・

December 22, I have arrived at the town looking for them only to see them nowhere. Just in case they actually found me I couldn't spend my own money to stay at an inn because Deidara was the one who had the money on him. So instead of staying at an inn, I stayed at an abandoned fox burrow which I surprisingly I fit in. I also healed the burn on my back from the explosion. Finishing the mental update as I curled up in the burrow feeling other emotions other than anger build up within me. Annoyance and impatience seemed to be emotions I began to feel a lot lately.

・・・

December 23, they found me and laughed saying that they were halfway back when they realized I wasn't with them. My body has never felt so cold yet so hot from the building up fury within me. 'I'm killing them when I have the chance.' They didn't see the anger I hid with a smile as we headed back to the base. I will give them a chance though.

・・・

With the whole day of traveling that we had on the way back to the base, not one single apology was uttered by the two. Their teasing and remarks seemed so distant and before I knew it, I took out my sword and sliced Hidan's head clean off. With a twirl, I lowered myself to the ground and created a deep cut on Deidara's leg. "Don't you utter another word!" I yelled plunging the sword into the ground as I left the room. Hearing their screams of both pain and anger I went back into my room and shut my door.

Hearing their screams through the closed doors I smiled. It felt so nice letting my anger out like that. But I knew it was wrong. Habits like those could end up making me violent towards others. 'I will need to apologize.'

Taking off my ruined civilian clothes I touched the burnt areas knowing that there was no reversing something lost. With a huff, I threw the clothes on the bed. 'I just bought them too.' Putting on another set of clothes I tied my hair up knowing that sooner or later someone is going to come for me and tell me to operate on Hidan and Deidara once Kakuzu asks for pay to sew them back together. Shivering I remembered the black strings on my stomach. 'Good thing I removed all of it once I woke up.'

Knock. Knock.

'There it is.' I snapped my fingers pointing at the door. "Come in." I sighed looking for my hat to cover my head.

"Yukino."

Sighing I made a mind link and continued looking. °Itachi. Thanks for returning my necklace. But before you can say it I will go and put Hidan and Deidara back together.°

"I'm not here for that."

Surprised I turned and looked back seeing him pat the bed. °Are you going to talk about that?°

With a nod from him, I quickly sat on the bed and listened quietly to what he was telling me through the mind link.

・

Flashback to when Yukino was six

Having the food ready I headed calmly to the lake hoping Shisui would enjoy it. I received some help in making the food inside and I was overjoyed to share it with my friend. Staying close to the shadows I reached an interception and bumped into something that sent me to the ground.

"Yukino-chan?"

Looking up I saw Itachi in his Anbu clothes. 'He's going on another mission.' I realized. Without saying a word he pulled me up. "Thank you. Hey, Itachi are you going on another mission?" I asked quickly wanting to be sure.

"I am."

"Then here have this." I took out the seaweed onigiri and some sweets from my small bag and handed to him. "So you don't starve in your mission." I held them up to him remembering how Shisui once said how all he had to eat for days was food pills.

With a laugh he took them. "Thank you, Yukino." He smiled ruffling my hair.

'Its been a while since he smiled.' Balancing back and forth on my feet I smiled back. "No problem just come back safe." Turning away I waved goodbye and ran back home. 'I'll visit Shisui next time.' I thought stopping in my tracks. 'Wait, we agreed to meet up today.' Turning back around I ran towards Itachi seeing his look of confusion for a moment before I passed him as I headed to the lake.

Flashback end

・

Wondering why I thought of that memory I sighed hiding my smile. Remembering what we were talking about I put it with what I knew and shook my head knowing what he was saying was the truth. I also knew that I had to tell him what Shisui told me. "Shisui gave me an assignment before he died." I sighed laying down on my bed and closed my eyes remembering the day that seemed like every other day.

"What was it?"

"That if he failed that I would protect Naruto and flee before Fugaku-san and the others could get him."

"He told you that?"

"Yeah… I secretly hoped to never do that. I wouldn't know where to go. I guess in the end that I never had to." I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. "I wonder what he would think of us now." I chuckled imagining his shocked expression and long lecture if he was here.

"He would be extremely disappointed with me." Itachi sighed letting a small laugh out.

"He wouldn't be extremely happy with me either." I stood up and stood in front of him. Holding his face with both of my hands I planted a kiss on his forehead. "Thank you." I bowed slightly and just stared at the crossed-out leaf symbol. °I never marked you like I did Shisui because I was afraid of sharing your pain.° Letting go I grabbed the hat that was behind him. Activating my eyes for just a moment I took out a small marble and placed it on his hand. "This should explain. Don't lose it." Quickly leaving the room I headed to the infirmary to prepare for the surgery I was in for. 'What a way to spend my Christmas.'