"GAH!"

Mitsuki was woken up by a single peck on her head.

Hearing Mitsuki's surprised yelp, Kirika jumped out of her sleep as well and readied herself for battle, confused, "WHAT'S WRONG? ENEMY ATTACK!?"

Mitsuki grasped above her head, to find out who, or what had woken her from her sleep. Bringing the perpetrator down unto her sight, Mitsuki recognised the sparrow immediately. However, upon examining closer, she couldn't find any reply on her.

"Huh? Where's the reply?" said Mitsuki in confusion. Hearing Mitsuki's word, the sparrow struggled free from Mitsuki's hand and landed on her head once more before delivering another peck on top of her scalp.

"? OUCH!?"

Noticing that she had not yet noticed the meaning of her action, the sparrow pecked the girl's head again repeatedly, annoyed on how both the man and the woman that she helped were both too slow on the uptakes.

"OUCH, OUCH, STOP IT!" said Mitsuki as she tried to shoo the bird away from her head. Suddenly the memory hit her..

It was her second spar with Itachi, how she had fallen unto his trap and how it ended with Itachi's crow pecking the top of her head, declaring Itachi's winning.

Finally realising, Mitsuki let out a laugh.

"Hahaha, what does this even mean? Am I being reprimanded?" Mitsuki muttered softly with a happy, yet confused smile. Still not sure of what was going on, Mitsuki's sudden change of expression towards a gentler one surprised Kirika.

"A… Anego? What's wrong?" she asked hesitantly, caught off guard by the kind of expression that the lady in front of her suddenly wore. It was as if she was a different person from the cold, strict lady she met yesterday.

Realising the cause of Kirika's confusion, Mitsuki snapped herself back to the present and quickly put her serious expression back on while grasping the sparrow to bring her down to her view.

"Nothing, It's just a message from my 'friend'," said Mitsuki briefly, a faint smile escaped her lips as she explained, before she whispered a soft gratitude to the sparrow and let her go.

"Well then, shall we start the search?" Mitsuki offered Kirika with serious expression back on her face, as she quickly tied her hair up, preparing herself for the extensive search ahead.

"… Kirika.." Mitsuki sighed in frustration after she helped the young shinobi chase away their pursuer, during their 3rd encounter with chakra proficient predator that had made the rocky mountain area their home.

Hearing Mitsuki's call, Kirika who had just fell on her butt, turned her head up to look apologetically towards Mitsuki who looked like she was one second away from snapping.

"SERIOUSLY WHY DO YOU EVEN THINK YOU CAN TACKLE THIS MISSION ALONE!?" Mitsuki shouted lightly in frustration. She had never been one for combat either, at least compared to Itachi or Kisame, but the girl in front of her was on another level of non-combat proficient. Truthfully, instead of skill issue, it was more like something was holding the kunoichi back.

"Sorry, Anego.. I.." said Kirika as she put up her pleading expression with tears of guilt lodged in the corner of her eyes. But this time, Mitsuki didn't back down out of pity. It was the matter of life or death after all.

"Why were you hesitating? With your agility and movement I know you could have easily gone for a counter," Mitsuki asked with a harsh tone. It was not as if she was angry at the kunoichi's failure, but she was frustrated, to say the least, to see her waste her potential like that and in turn, endangering herself. "At first I thought it was because you were surprised and unprepared to engage in combat, but seeing that it was our 3rd encounter and you're still responding so slowly, I don't think that's the issue anymore," Mitsuki added with a scowl, unwilling to let the girl off without proper explanation.

Hearing Mitsuki's nagging, Kirika fell silent as she shifted her gaze downwards. Wondering if she had indeed sounded too harsh, Mitsuki then took care to switch her tone to a questioning one.

"Usually how do you deal with such situation?"

"I.. usually run when possible, or if it is within a team, I would have to stand back while my teammates deal with it," said Kirika, seemingly ashamed of her own incompetence.

"Then, why didn't you do so?" Mitsuki questioned in frustration. Truthfully, Mitsuki would rather deal with any incoming attack alone, as compared to having to see another life depart in front of her once more. After all, she had her divinity to protect her from harm. But of course, there was no way that she would reveal that to Kirika directly. Hence, Mitsuki's question surprised Kirika.

"!? But you're helping me, how can I just turn around and have you deal with the threat alone?" she retorted quickly at Mitsuki's offer, as if her words were outrageous. Even if the mystery woman in front of her seemed to be capable of defending herself, she felt that as the one receiving help for her mission, it would be inappropriate for her to prioritize her own safety and abandoning her benefactor in turn. Noticing Kirika's reluctance, Mitsuki sighed and continued her words.

"But, hesitating like that and half-assing the fight, you'll only put yourself in danger, you know?"

"I.." Not knowing what else to say in response to Mitsuki's stern reprimand, Kirika could only dejectedly look down on the ground under her. Knowing that continuing their debate would probably lead them nowhere, Mitsuki changed her approach once more and sat down in front of her.

"Why were you hesitating, actually? Since we are here already, might as well we talk about it before we move on.. Else it would be hard for us to coordinate our movement next time too."

Hearing Mitsuki's question, Kirika hesitated for a bit. After all, she knew how unreasonable her excuse would have sounded. However being silent wouldn't help her as well, since it was not something that Mitsuki would let go, not when there were chances that it would endanger them if a more powerful threat were to come.

"I.. I don't like pain, or inflicting pain to others.." said Kirika hesitantly. She could already imagine the scorn that she would get. After all, what kind of shinobi would have such reservation, where their mission often would spell life or death, especially in higher difficulty ones. However, Kirika's expected scorn and reprimand never came.. Instead, Mitsuki's expression barely even changed. After all, hearing the reason straight from Kirika's mouth had only further confirmed Mitsuki's suspicion. During the previous encounter, she did felt a spark of sadness within the kunoichi's soul during her hesitation, even if it was soon replaced by fear as the situation turn sour.

"Amaterasu-sama, why do you keep letting me meet these kind of people.. Are you trying to tell me something?" Mitsuki uttered a prayer in her mind as she clenched her forehead, wondering if the coincidences could all be because of Amaterasu's divine intervention.

"What should I do, do I push her to prioritize logic, or.." In thinking so, Mitsuki called both Kisame's nagging, and Itachi's action on that painful night.. "Do I.. take the weight of it on my own if anything were ever to happen?" she thought, as she was reminded of Itachi's offer during the recent incident. Unsure of what path to take in that situation herself, Mitsuki switches her attention towards Kirika.

"I understand, you know, how you feel.."

Mitsuki's word surprised Kirika. She was expecting a lecture, like how her peers and superiors had always told her to woman up. Unsure of where the lady was going with her talk, Kirika continued to stare at her benefactor in confusion.

And, seeing how Kirika had turned her focus on her, awaiting for her continuation, Mitsuki smiled wryly as she shared with the kunoichi some of the struggles that she had been through. "I used to not care you know, about getting hurt, or hurting others. As long as it gets what I need done."

Kirika was confused hearing Mitsuki's word. After all, to her, it seemed like the lady in front of her was nothing like her weak willed self, and closer to how a shinobi was supposed to be, even though she was not sure if the lady in front of her was a shinobi or not. Then, again, Mitsuki continued..

".. but then, I got to know this friend." A smile surfaced at her lips as she continued. "He's a shinobi, but he's kind to a fault," she said as she recalled her times with Itachi. "One time, I killed someone who came to interfere with us in front of him, yet somehow he was sad for the enemy's sake, and also my sake.."

Not sure about where the girl's story was going, Kirika continued to listen patiently without a word, waiting for Mitsuki's statements to finally connect. However, instead of continuing to share about her experience, the lady asked the kunoichi a question instead.

"You. You said you hate pain, whether inflicting or receiving any," asked Mitsuki in confirmation. ".. Then, what do you think of death? If.. you could deliver a painless death, will that help your conscience?"

Hearing the sudden question, Kirika didn't immediately answer. Instead, she gave Mitsuki's word a careful consideration. Then, after pondering for a while, Kirika shook her head.

"No.. I'm.. a mother after all. I know how precious a life is.. And, in the first place, I had always wondered why the higher a shinobi rised, the more we have to hurt and kill others, while also putting our life on the line. That's why I didn't want to become a shinobi back then.."

"That's right," Mitsuki thought to herself. After all, the same question had been haunting her lately, as he observed how much of a torture shinobi life was for Itachi, how he had always bear with it no matter how much pain it caused him.

"You know, I used to think, delivering painless death was enough. After all, I hate inflicting pain without reason as well, though in some cases I felt that it might be justified. But he..," Mitsuki paused for a while, her expression grew gentle as she continued, "He taught me the weight of life.."

A light smile escaped Mitsuki's lips, surprising Kirika. It was obvious to her how much her benefactor valued the guy she was talking about, just by looking at her expression.

"He, of all people, a strong shinobi, who have come across death for countless times before, taught me how heavy the weight of life is. Because of that, now I understand what it meant to take someone's life.."

"I'm.. so sorry.." said Kirika, aware of what Mitsuki was implying. Realising the meaning of life, only after taken so many.. Most people will not be able to accept such challenge that came with sudden changes in their perception, as the moment they were to become aware of their mistakes, that would also be the moment when the weight of their guilt would dawn upon them. Hearing her apology, Mitsuki let off a complicated smile.

".. and that's why, unlike what my other friend had previously told me, I won't tell you to just accept the necessity of it, to abandon your feelings, and drown it out with logic. After all, one day you might regret it.." Just like how Itachi didn't want Mitsuki to have more regret…

"Did.. that friend of yours, regret his decision? On becoming shinobi and all.." asked Kirika, before realising how she had broken her promise by doing so. "Ah, I'm sorry, I'm not supposed to ask, aren't I?" Panic filled her words as she realised she couldn't take back her words with her. Surprisingly, Mitsuki didn't show any sign of anger or disappointment upon her mistake. Instead, she smiled sadly.

"It's fine.. It's not about me after all," said Mitsuki, giving Kirika an excuse to let go of her guilt. "I believe, he is way past the point of regret. But I can tell, with that heart of his, he still carries the pain of every action that he took, even if it tortures him so."

Seeing how tender Mitsuki's face had become as she spoke about her "friend" affectionately, Kirika let another question slip. "You.. really loves him, don't you?"

Kirika's question surprised Mitsuki, wondering what had prompted Kirika to think that way, knowing how the kunoichi was more experienced than her in terms of such thing as love. Then, soon, her surprise turned into laughter, surprising Kirika in return.

"Does it seem so?" Mitsuki asked, "I don't know much yet about love, but.. If you think so, maybe it is true," she added with a smile, which prompted Kirika to return it with one of her own.

Slightly embarrassed over the sudden turn of topic, Mitsuki waved her thoughts away as she refocused the talk towards the initial issue, and said, "Anyway, back at the topic.. So I was thinking.. He knew the pain of guilt, he knew how hard it was to deal with it. So, why did he decide that it was best for me that I'd be made aware?"

Mitsuki's question caused Kirika to ponder for a while, even though she knew that more than anything, it was likely a rhetorical one.

".. then recently, I realized. It was either, he felt that if he had let me be, he would regret it, or he fear that I would regret it one day, sooner or later." Somehow, to Kirika, it sounded like Mitsuki was still trying to figure things out herself, especially when she continued her speech while cupping her chin with her hand.

"But that's not all, I think. At first, knowing him, I thought that he'd feel responsible for my action on his behalf. After all, he is the leader of our group," said Mitsuki vaguely, as she processed her own thoughts while speaking it out loud to search for the answer within her interaction with Itachi and the memory that they had shared together. "But then, on another occasion, when it had to come for me to make a difficult choice, he offered to carry the burden for me, even though it would definitely pain him to do so.."

"Yes, that's right," Mitsuki thought to herself. As subtle as it was, Itachi cared about her, who had then understood the weight of life. He wanted to spare her from the pain of taking such a young, precious life, by taking it unto himself to bear it. "This man's life.. his whole life.. He had been doing this.. Taking on the sins of his clan, taking on the sins of his village..."

"It was never about how he feel, after all.. He had always been ready to take all the pain unto himself. I'm sure that one of the reason was that he didn't want me to pile up on more things to regret, but.. recently, there's also.."

"If it were you, what would you have done?"

"Then, aren't you becoming more human?"

Why did Itachi let her attempt to persuade the genins? Why did he waited until she, herself, had decided that it was a deadlock to intervene.. and.. why.. did he offered to take the weight of her hands when it had come to that?

"I.. see.."

More and more memories of Itachi flashed within Mitsuki's mind. The trust he had recently gave her, his confidence in her.. His questions..

"So, that's it.." Mitsuki uttered with a smile.

It came to her then, that maybe, Itachi wanted to see what she would do, and if she would ever find a way around it. He had then decided to place his trust in her, to be able to find a solution which he couldn't, and for that, he'd be willing to give her the time to find the answer herself. Realising that, Mitsuki chuckled as a wave of warmth washed over her heart.

"That's so unfair, Itachi-kun," she thought to herself as she could no longer contain her smile, now knowing how Itachi too, was seeking for his own answer within her, just like she did within him. It was quite a responsibility for her to bear, yet..

"But, somehow.. I'm really happy.."

Kirika was no less confused than ever as she saw Mitsuki's expression changes rapidly once more and brightened. Yet, before she knew on what to do or what to ask, Mitsuki laughed as she stood back up, baffling Kirika even more.

"Sorry, I babbled too much. Let us continue the search?" said Mitsuki immediately with cheerfulness lingering within her eyes, giving Kirika none of the explanation that she had been waiting for.

"? But then, what's the conclusion?"

"Heh, no questions, remember?" said Mitsuki mischievously, to Kirika's frustration over the girl's whimsical change in action. "For now, if we ever encounter an enemy, send them to me, or distract them if there's more than what I can handle until I'm finished with what would be on my hand." With a smile, she then added. "Don't worry about me. I have my methods."

Mitsuki's instruction surprised Kirika. It was as if she was telling her not to hesitate anymore, that she could trust the lady to deal with the situation by taking her ideals into consideration. And, for her, that was more than what she could ask for. To be understood and listened too, without judgement.. that was not something she had expected to receive from the coincidental companion of hers. However, Mitsuki's words didn't end just yet.

"If.. if ever.. situation forces," she added hesitantly, knowing how things could very well be outside of their control, "We'll deal with it then. But for now, the important thing is to fulfil our goal, isn't it? For your family," said Mitsuki. Of course, for her, it was for Itachi's sake as well. "I'm sure, when the time comes, we'll find our answer, as long as we hold those things true in our heart, don't you think?"

"Un.. Got it. Thank you, Anego!" said Kirika in response, as she gave Mitsuki an adorable salute, prompting her to laugh. The image of the strict, cold but smart lady that Kirika had familiarized herself with since the previous day had somehow, disappeared, and she found a newfound respect towards the lady in front of her. Wondering what could have triggered such sudden change in her attitude, Kirika kept the question within her as she vowed not to break her own promise anymore.

Omake:

That night, an answer came from the messenger bird which Mitsuki had sent to Aida. At the moment Mitsuki saw the long answer, she felt like chuckling. She was glad she had decided to ask for a bigger bird to be the messenger between her and her long separated friend, as a sparrow would likely not be able to fly with such a weight on its body.

Dear Mitchan,

I miss you too! How are you? It really has been a while, hasn't it? Everyday, I think about you and wondered how you are doing now. Even Mom would mention you once in a while, saying how it would be nice to have you around again to help! Speaking of your teammate, he really is a serious one, isn't he? I'm sure he have his reasons for not letting you off, though, after all he seemed to be genuinely worried about you even back then!

Reading your letter, I really wondered what had happened during the time we were apart. When you get the chance, can you tell me more? Only if it's not too troubling, of course! Remembering how innocent and clueless you were when we first talked about love, I couldn't help but think how you've come so far, to finally be able to question your feelings like this! I'm happy for you, but in a way, I'm slightly saddened that I couldn't talk about this in person with you. Honestly, it seems a lot more fun like that :)

About holding hand, hugging, and kissing, I think it will come to you in time. As for holding hand, you are right, I think it is the feeling of comfort and safety and support that are conveyed during such moment which is the main point of it, however so does holding hands within friendship would feel like. Love is a complicated thing after all, and only you can tell if it's a different kind of "like" that you have for me or your other friends. About hugs, could it be that you are embarrassed, or nervous? After all, hugging the one you're attracted to can be quite nerve-wracking, isn't it? With all the closeness that comes with it.

About what had happened, I don't know your teammate, so.. I couldn't be sure. It might be that he was jealous, but it was also likely that he was genuinely worried for your safety. After all, strangers can be dangerous, and he was right that being a woman is not the safest sometimes! Take care of yourself more, Mitchan. About what happened between you two afterwards..

Gosh, he's so daring, isn't he? (owo") Hahahaa

To be honest I'm not sure why he did that to you also. But, if what he said was true, it seemed that at the very least, he is physically attracted to you. That's what lust means, after all. My parents told me that it came from something like living being's reproductive instinct? I'm not married, so I'm not sure yet, but somehow, I get it.. but it is so hard to explain!

Of course, I want to believe that he cares for you beyond that as well, after all you are more than just your physical look, and he does seem to care about you. That is also the difference between pure lust and romantic love. My mother say, that lust is self-serving, while love is self-giving. I'm not sure if I can convey this correctly, but.. like he said, lust alone can harm others, indeed. It comes from a primordial needs that exists within all sentient living being, and acting solely from it doesn't make us different from animals. I.. I'm sorry if I sound too textbook! I'm not sure how else to explain it better to you! We can talk more about it in detail next time, but I wonder, if it's still too fast for you? You've just recently learned about love after all (v") Maybe another time?

I think that is all I can say for now! I'll wait for more stories in your reply! Also, those are very expressive faces you drew there; it makes me miss you even more! I wish we can meet each other again too, and I like, like, like you too!

Best regards, your friend, Aida

Mitsuki was happy with Aida's reply even though she was slightly annoyed at the fact that Aida thought that it was still too early for her to learn about some of the things. Even though she was not sure herself, she could almost tell for certain that for her, Itachi meant a lot more for her than just a friend. Pocketing Aida's answer inside her obi, unable to give her reply immediately with what was available on her that time, Mitsuki thought about the long reply that she would give Aida the next time she had the chance. In the meantime..

"Hm.. maybe I should test it next time," Mitsuki thought with a playful smile on her face, as she was determined to find out more about her feelings for Itachi.

Author's note:

About time!

I think I might have uh.. overworked myself lately.. my energy to draw is dwindling, but also possibly cos lately work has been more stressful with more frustration, but i'll be fine! Just that i don't have any inspiration to draw for this chapter this time~ so instead uhh

I finished Itachi's plushie's uchiha clothes, at least there's that to make up for the lack of illustration xD! Photoes on my tumblr tsuki-no-yomi-project!