Mitsuki felt like crying. More than that, she'd like to scream. But there's no time for that, no time if she wanted to somehow save Itachi.
"Lungs… He is drowning in his own blood," Mitsuki thought as she analysed Itachi's condition. Using her power, she guided the liquid out of Itachi's lung, through his esophagus and out from his mouth. However, it doesn't stop the internal bleeding within him.
"Lymph is out of control, if I slow it down… No.. it might just rupture if I forcefully do it.. what do I do?"
"Heart beat is too frantic, at this rate, he might have heart attack, but how to slow it down?"
Countless thoughts popped up in Mitsuki's head, to no conclusion. She was still unprepared. Itachi's time came way earlier than she'd thought it would be. If only she was more dependable, Itachi wouldn't have to push himself so far, or so she thought. As bile rises from her stomach, Mitsuki gasped as she held back from vomiting. Meanwhile, the black fire continued to burn strong, but it was as if Itachi's soul is fighting back for its life.
And all she could do was watch.
Frustrated at her own helplessness, annoyed at her own inabilities, Mitsuki couldn't hold her tear in no longer. Her memory of Itachi resurfaced, one by one.
That night they met, and the sadness and uncertainty she felt in Itachi's heart. His sympathy, his gentle offer of painless death, and his baffled expression upon hearing her request of joining him in his journey.
Her departure from the Morning Dew Village, and his gentle consideration as he lent her his hat.
The day she started calling him Itachi-kun, her determination to be of use to him as a show of gratitude, and his light joke upon her silly mistake. The connection she felt between them, his guidance.
"Please work…" Mitsuki muttered as she bit her lips, trying her best to focus despite the anxiety in her heart.
Mitsuki remembered that day whence she met Akatsuki's leader, his wiseness and patience, the feeling of being in his cradle, his hair flowing with the wind as he carried her on his hands across the water. And then, his proud smile as she managed to execute her theory and stood on her own in front of their leader.
"Please, don't let him die…" Mitsuki muttered as she helplessly watched the black fire spreading through Itachi's soul, threatening to engulf him anytime. Without giving up, Mitsuki tried to tend to every part possible, to no avail, as his worst enemy was his own body. There was nothing she could do to stop it without harming him further. Panic and desperation slowly engulfed her heart, and she could feel her own breathing turning irregular as she tried to bury her anxiety and pain. Even so, she refused to give up..
Other memories flashed in her mind as she desperately attempted to prolong his life in futility.
The clothes he bought her, the first time she ever felt freedom in her movement because of them. Her insecurity. His kind, encouraging words. Their practices together, his mercilessness during training, his subtle hints for her as he challenged her to grow further.
And then, there's his awkward attempt on keeping the distance between them, the moment they shared, Itachi's guilty smile as she failed her revenge match. His expression as she made him bought a mountain of food. The moment he finally called her by her name for the first time.
"Wake up, Itachi-kun.. wake up!" Tears flowed down the corner of her eyes, and yet another memory flashed.
His curiosity that defeated even his own pride, his pure, unadulterated interest during their experimentation together, the subtle joy in his face as they discussed various knowledge and theories together that he himself didn't even realise. His subtle kindness, his overwhelming consideration even towards his enemies. His worrywart nature, His awkward nature, the secret they shared between them.
The bond between her, Itachi, and Kisame, the gap that closes slowly, his silent care.. There were countless memory, even as it had only been a few month.
Yet she.. had barely done anything to help him. The pain in Itachi's heart, his anger and suffering, the secret he hadn't yet shared, the sickness that he hid, his unnatural behaviour. Also, Itachi's last words.
"There are still things I must do.." she recalled his words, and his comforting smile.
Tears flowed from Mitsuki's eyes. She had wished that her abnormal existence would be provide her an answer on how to rid Itachi of her sickness, but there she was, once more.. Utterly and completely helpless.
"Gods, Goddesses, wherever you are.. Please, if you're there, answer me.." Mitsuki pleaded as the black flame within Itachi's soul spread in slow, but steady pace.
"Don't let me lose him.. I'll do anything, I'll give anything.. I.. I can't lose him.. Not now.."
"Whatever it takes?" A voice echoed within Mitsuki's head
"Whatever it takes…" Mitsuki repeated in agreement.
"Whatever the risk?" the voice asked once more.
"Whatever the risk," Mitsuki answered with determination, her heart in pain.
"Even if you will experience pain, enough that you'd want to disappear?"
"I don't care. I.. I want him to live.. If only to help him achieve whatever he wanted to do, I would do anything. Whatever cost I must pay," Mitsuki uttered internally.
"Then, break through the chain," said the voice, "break through it with your own will, remember.."
"Chain?" Mitsuki thought. Instinctively, she knew what the voice meant. The suffocation she felt as she climbed the stair towards the abandoned shrine. But.. did it meant she have to go back there?
"Just try to remember, recall the sensation,and let it guide you" the voice guided. Hearing it, Mitsuki tried her best to recall the unpleasant feeling of that day.
The overwhelming anxiety, the trembling in her hands, the blood draining away from her face, the dreadful sensation.
As she did so, Mitsuki had ended up picturing herself standing at the bottom of the abandoned shrine. With dread, Mitsuki clenched her hand, preparing herself to fight against her own fear. Then, she took a step past the Torii, and another, and another.. Each step growing heavier and heavier, she felt like giving up and running away, but..
"If it were to save you," Mitsuki braced herself, and took another step as she calmed her panicked breathing. And another, and another.
In her support, Itachi's dazed face during his fever flashed within Mitsuki's mind, along with a warm feeling within her. It gave her the strength to take another step, and another..
And then, the image of Itachi peacefully sleeping under the tree, lulled by her songs, unburdened. With the memories supporting her, Mitsuki took another step, and then another.
His anger upon her probing, his gratitude upon her understanding.
Mitsuki took another step, and then another.
CLACK! It was as if she can hear the chain started to snap. Mitsuki could feel the chain trying to hold her back, as if telling her not to proceed further. But, she must walk..
Itachi's excitement and happiness upon the mention of his brother flashed within her mind.
CLACK! The chain rattled. Determined, Mitsuki gave one last push.
Itachi's first request for her help, and his pride upon her flawless execution, the recent memories reverbate and warmed her heart, giving her the courage that she needed.
CLANGCLANG! Loud sounds of chain breaking one after another echoed in her head.
With the final push, Mitsuki arrived at the summit. And without hesitation, she dashed forward, into the shrine.
As she opened the shrine door, a familiar figure was waiting for her inside.
Mitsuki opened her eyes.
"Finally, You've awoken, Tsukino Inaba," The golden haired goddess smiled as she floated in front of Mitsuki, her hand holding unto Mitsuki's palm atop of Itachi's soul.
Author's note:
With the power of loveee~ (even tho she dunno it's love yet.. :'))
Regarding the song, I feel it fits Mitsuki's thought so much as well as this chapter's struggle. About the creator of the song, I know they had done some terrible thing surprisingly recently, but as an artist I feel like sometimes it's best to split the art from the artist, so just think of it as the song of Mitsuki's mental state for now, eheheh.
Also, bonus art cos I liked my other sketch for the seal breaking moment as well (actually rendered this more seriously, but the previous one is more dramatic so more appropriate) Check it up on my X for this fanfic ance_moondemon
"If it were to save you, I'll sacrifice anything"