24

Sasuke clothes fit her like a loose kimono, but it was certainly better than remaining in her underwear, and most importantly, being cold. Sakura was just glad Sasuke's civilian clothes bore no symbol of his infamous clan, sparing her being accused of impersonation. Sasuke had, indeed, stopped wearing the infamous red crest for a few years now—out of shame or revenge against his father, nobody truly knew.

They arrived in the vicinity of Isen, after travelling for a few hours, but instead of going through the front gates of the outer walls, Sasuke led her to a secret path squeezed between bushes and trees—he seemed to know exactly where he was going.

The sight of massive gates soon stopped their progression.

Sasuke looked up, watching for the duo of guards walking nonchalantly on the wall. When the men stopped to gaze down at the forest, Sakura steeped back and took refuge being a large tree.

"Going through the front entrance would've been easier," Sakura commented in a hushed whisper.

The judgmental stare she received weighted more than a thousand words.

"Am I not allowed to voice my opinion anymore?"

"The Godaime shouldn't have sent you."

"I had him, Sasuke," she protested, recalling the shinobi shooting lightning bolts like a maniac. "Until I—saw them. The people we killed."

He grunted in disapproval. "Six years have passed. When will you get over it?"

Sakura felt a knot twist her insides, as her eyes, now full of uncertainty, gaze at the raw truth. If only she knew the answer. The truth stung more than expected, but giving up now wasn't an option. Not after involving herself this much in this mission.

She had to resist this mixture of pain and hunger, tormenting her guts. She had to forget about her humiliation and loss.

Nobody had any right to steal her secrets.

She felt suddenly paralyzed.

"Sakura."

But Sasuke was still here, she realized, as she looked up and meet his hand reaching to her, inviting her to fight back.

She wasn't alone.

And so, she took her chance and accepted the invitation, feeling courage filled her again, as his strength pulled her on her feet.

The way being cleared, they leaped over the wall and resumed the way through the large fields surrounding Isen. She wasn't certain why Sasuke wished to keep their arrival secret. Though she had one certitude: the less their enemy knew of their whereabouts, the better.

They had a mission to complete, and despite the recent complications, the plan hadn't changed.

"We must pay a visit to Tao," Sakura declared, as they approached the unguarded inner wall of the town.

"The mustached merchant."

"Yes," she confirmed, tilting her head in surprise. "Did you met him?"

"We went straight to his hideout after Inuzuka's return."

Sakura's eyes flared, as a flash of Yura's white companion laying still in the exposed clearing surged in her mind. "Tell me about Mei? Is she alright?"

"Likely. You'll have to ask Inuzuka. She chose to remain by her side while we set up to… save you."

She had a feeling the fierce kunoichi wouldn't be pleased to see her, considering the way they parted. I was tasked to protect you. Sakura saw herself flee recklessly into that forest, blindly believing she'd proved everyone wrong.

What a fool I was.

Sakura just felt ashamed now. "Some part of me hoped the bandits we were looking for were the Ashlanders," she revealed with bitterness. "But…I was wrong. So wrong."

"You fell upon one of the most wantedcriminal organization twice. You came out alive of each meeting with them, and you still obsess over those foreigners?"

"Everyone made clear they weren't my business."

"They're not," he said bluntly. "And so are the Ashlanders. If it wasn't for your little quest for retribution, you wouldn't be here, Sakura."

"I assume it wasn't guilt that made you overstay in the Sound," Sakura said with sarcasm.

"This is different. I had unfinished business to deal with."

"Why are you even here? Shun said he volunteered to replace you, since you were still away."

"I missed them by a few hours," he revealed. This would definitely make Kakashi proud. "Then I volunteered too, like your new follower."

She didn't miss the contempt in his voice. "He's a friend," she clarified.

"Naruto thinks otherwise."

"Tch," she hissed, unwilling to pursue their conversation anymore.

He guided her to a narrow street. "This way."

Sakura was more than content to stop arguing with him. He was back, and that was truly all that matter. If he didn't want to share his secret adventures in the Land of Sound, she just had to accept it.

We truly all have our own secrets.

She didn't question his motivation when they stopped in front of a small restaurant. Though the tenant seemed displeased to see them here—everyone knew who they were—he disappeared in his kitchen, and returned with more food than she could handle. Money was money, no matter whether it came from the Yashiro's pockets or foreigners.

"What were you doing with my brother?"

Sakura felt a cold sensation go through her, just a short instant, before her rationality overcame her fears. Living up to her reputation for recklessness, she didn't feel like beating around the bush for once. "He kindly invited me to spend the day with him," she grinned with exaggeration, "I suppose he must enjoy my company. I certainly started to see what a warm personality he has—"

"This doesn't amuse me, Sakura."

As their gazes meet, Sakura couldn't help but think of his brother's words.

Nobody will believe you.

Sakura groaned. "We were planning something for your birthday, alright?"

Seeing Sasuke's expression of astonishment instantly relieved the tension.

"My birthday— Whose idea was this?"

"His."

Which was the plain truth.

Sasuke remained quiet, seeming lost in his thoughts, which worried Sakura. He was one of the smartest people she knew. Even if there was no way he could figure out the truth, Sakura still felt she had to remove any doubts in his mind. "Your brother truly cares about you, doesn't he? Even Kakashi-sensei was…touched."

"What does he have to do with this?"

"Well, he was here. I mean— He invited himself. Briefly. Can't say your brother was pleased."

"I appreciate that you're trying."

Sakura just made an approving noise, feeling like she had just dodged a killing blow. Afraid that he'd see the guilt on her face, she kept her face down on her food. Sasuke praising her felt so wrong. If only she truly deserved it.

Now that her secret wasn't her own anymore, she feared what would befall her friendship with Sasuke if he ever learned of it. Unlike what her captor had suggested, she cared not about her reputation. People were already on her back, judging her and making up all sort of rumors, which more often than not, held no trues. This she could handle. Losing her friend's trust, on the other hand, was another matter.

She must have made a strange face, because the former traitor of Konoha was staring at her again like he was trying to read her mind.

Annoyed, she sets her chopsticks aside. "I'm tired, Sasuke. I spend hours blinded and held upside down while a maniac tried to gut me like a pig. But this isn't the worst of it. You and I have been through worse. Way worse. No, what truly is the hardest is…this humiliation, and neither you nor Naruto, can do anything about it. So, stop staring at me like you're afraid I'll stop breathing."

She resumed eating right away once she was done speaking. What else was there to say? Sasuke chose the wisest path and contented himself to finish his own drink.

"You should return to our accommodation and rest. I'll meet the merchant by myself."

Sakura rose her head again in affront. "I'll only rest once I'm sure we've actually done some progress," she snapped back. "I'm not staying behind, do you hear me?"

"Nobody will judge you for it."

"Kami-sama! " The force of her fist crashing down on the table made the patron jump-he had been watching them like a hawk. "Do you remember all those times you called me annoying? Now, you're being exactly that."

"It's your mistake to think I'd never return the favor," he said, before he took a sip of his drink to hide his smug smile.

"You. I'm not paying you back this meal," she announced with pettiness. "After all, had you not spend a whole day to save me, maybe those bastards wouldn't have left with my money."

"You never bring money with you on missions, Sakura."

"Absolutely untrue."

"Eight-thousand two hundreds twenty-four ryos," he said sternly. "That's how much you owe me."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I always seek Naruto when I need something—"

"Where do you think he got his money from?"


"Ah! The two partners in crime reunited!" Tao exclaimed, as he rose from his chair. He frowned at her. "You look pale, my dear."

"And it looks like a storm came in here," Sakura commented, eyeing the state of chaos of his cave of treasure.

"A yellow storm you're quite acquainted with, I recall."

"The bandits are gone," she said, not going around the bush.

"This…is fantastic news! I must admit, I had some doubts when I heard of your disappearance. Who wouldn't, hun? But I reminded myself of your…" he glanced at Sasuke for a second, before bringing back his attention to her, "reputation. Chaos brings chaos, doesn't it?"

"I expect you'll fulfill your promise."

"I will," he said while touching his brown mustache. "But not before obtaining guarantees. You chased them, you didn't get rid of them. How do I know they won't return?"

"Because a contingent of Anbus are on their way to get them."

"Sakura," her teammate warned.

She glared at Sasuke. "We need allies."

"This will either make my business flourish or chase away my clients. I gather those thieves were more dangerous than I thought. Which means my men were incredibly lucky, and so were you. When are they arriving?"

"Soon."

"How may I reward you for your services, then?"

Here came the tricky part where revealing too much to a man, who was neither an ally an enemy, might compromise their mission. "We need…records from the town. Anything about who lives here, who died, and who left."

He chuckled, "You didn't knock on the right door, shinobis. I'm sure you've noticed the large tower near the Ishikori Shrine. A temple of knowledge! That's where those quirky scholars spend their time, musing on the absurdity of our existence. What a waste of time."

"You said you knew people who'd be willing to cooperate!" Sakura was quick to remind him.

"Scholars are they own kind of specie, despising everything swaying their ways. They see your proportion to violence as primitive. They'll never betray their own to help strangers they see as lower-beings. Not that I share their opinions, don't look at me like that…"

Sakura started stretching her fingers, as she head towards the pile of crates full of expensive beverages, "Do you know how much force it would take to break those crates, Sasuke?"

"Not much."

"Wait!" Tao yelled, putting himself between Sakura and his precious goods. "You solved my little problem, which I'm grateful for. This is why I'm willing to sacrifice one of my precious card for your sake. It so happens one of those old stuck-up owes me a debt. How about that?"

Sakura smiled in victory, "Let's arrange a meeting today."

"Today? No, that's impossible—"

"We're violent people, Tao. But not only. We're also very impatient."

"You'll need to break into their territory," Tao revealed. "But before you go anywhere, you're going to need new clothes. Both of you."


It was with astonishment that they crossed the doors of the black tower, known as the Tower of Truth, without being stopped once. The white cotton robe, also known as Kesa, that Tao had provided, proved to be stronger than any illusion. Hair covered below a large hat, if someone saw through their disguise, she wouldn't be the first being flagged for once.

They progressed within the tower in search of Tao's contact. While shadows were typically the environment they had the most affinity, blending in a crowd in plain sight was another art in itself, which required different sets of skills. Both her and Sasuke weren't as comfortable with the latter approach. Thus, they wandered in this unknown territory with a certain wariness.

Beware! You may encounter chakra-wielders capable of sensing your presence, Tao had warned them.

Though she had rather not being caught after spending so much time getting in this constricting outfit, the worst that could happen here would involve being forcibly lead out of the tower—of course, it went without saying, that the Yashiros would be furious, quick to accuse them of serving their enemy's interests.

The old man glanced over his book and said in a tired voice." The class takes place on the fifth stairs, today. Not here."

Sakura cleared her throat. "We're here on Tao's behalf."

The old man stiffened as he closed down his book hastily, like an evil spirit was about to escape from it. "I sensed something didn't fit with your funny faces. This vermin always manages to associate himself with the shadiest fellows, doesn't he? What does he want this time?"

"Access to records."

"I don't recall him being interested in our work."

"Repay your debt. Don't ask questions."

"Ah," the man looked unfazed by Sasuke's intimidating tone. He shifted his gaze to Sakura. "Be more specific, child. We keep thousands of archives here!"

"Population records."

"No," he shook his head vividly. "It won't do. We don't have these. Try something else!"

"You want to make us believe your leaders have no idea how many people live here? How do you even plan food reserves?"

"Each villager is responsible for his own needs, just like we all do here in this tower of knowledge and wisdom. You must be new to Isen to show such ignorance. I wonder why Tao always hires simpletons…"

"How many scholars live here?"

"Our order counts thirty-one heads, not including our students."

"So, you do know."

"If it is an estimation you need. I can provide you numbers, if you let me seek my colleague."

Sakura rose her hands in defeat, glaring at her teammate as he put some distance between her and the senile old man. The concoction of stress and frustration building in her insides was challenging her temper, menacing to make her do something she would soon regret—such as punching this man in the face.

"Fetch the records," her friend demanded with his sweetest voice.

But even the dark gloom constantly floating around the traitor of Konoha barely made the scholar flinch. Had this man ever heard of self-preservation?

"This town is the bastion of the Yashiro Clan, there's no reason for us to keep records of the common people."

Sakura, who had been trying her best to control herself, turned around with too much passion. "Show us what you have on the Yashiros then!"

A flash of recognition flared in his eyes. "I'm afraid that won't be possible."

"You owe a debt."

"To Tao," the old man hissed, his face scrunched up in disgust," not to barbaric people like you. Do you take me for a fool, shinobis? You may not be aware, but easterners have a slight inflection in the way they speak that sounds quite foreign to us. It is barely noticeable, but I have finer ears than most!"

"The secret business you entertain may be jeopardized if you refuse to help us."

The man laughed. "Prowess to blackmail in addition to murder. Are you proud of yourself, child?" He rose from his chair with a sudden fervor.

"Where are you going?"

"Looking for your treasure."

Sakura knew better than to trust him. "Don't try to play us."

"I wouldn't dare," he said, as he reached the doorway, "Especially since I'm leaving you in the company of this precious over here. Though, brutes like you wouldn't understand its worth!"

"You think he'll be back?"

"If he values his own life, he will."

The scholar didn't disappoint them when he returned with a dark-wooden book cart brimming with scrolls of all sizes. Sakura eyed the cart with circumspection, seeing the task ahead of them turning into a mountain.

"These are the archive of the last five years," he announced. She watched him sit back in silence and take the longest time to grab one of the many scroll sitting on the top of the cart.

Sakura moved to his side, imitating him.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"We don't need your assistance for this."

"Ah! Is that so? And how do you intend to understand them if you cannot read. These scrolls are written in ancient language, only a few can comprehend—"

Sakura eyes glinted with malice, "Don't worry about us, sir."

Offended, the old man back pushed the scroll aside, and returned to reading the book he'd been studying before they disturbed him. Sakura made a sign for Sasuke to join her. One of the few things they had in common was their passion for reading. She wasn't sure whether Sasuke still had time to indulge in it, but back when they were genin, it wasn't unusual to see him spend his evenings in the library.

As a matter of fact, it was because of him that she had become more acquainted with books and scrolls of all sorts—the upside of stalking and seeking approval from a prodigy.

Alas, not matter how skilled they were at this, there were still too many scrolls to count, and when Sakura fell upon the tenth chronicle of Lord Yamato's sister ruining a diplomatic meeting because of her runny-tongue, her patience took a hit.

The old scholar certainly took notice of her many sighs of frustration, for he glanced at her many times, until he spoke again. "If you were my student, I'd suggest you aren't looking at the right place."

"I'm not your student," Sakura retorted. "And you don't know what we're looking for!"

"Precisely. If I knew, you'd have be gone by now."

This elder was pushing his lucks. She despised how he was treating them like they were both rascals and children. But then again, from his perspective, a man four time older than they were, how could he not do so?

Sakura decided to take the bait. "And you'd been running to your masters."

"I value my time, child. I advise you to do the same."

Unflappable, Sasuke was concentrated on the task, seeming unaware of anything around him

"Aki." Sakura said. "Where can we find his achievements?"

"Aki? The illegitimate child?"

Sasuke jerked his chin up and said, "What do you mean, old man?" He had been listening after all.

"Lord Himura conceived Aki with his servant, not with his wife."

"Who else knows about this?" Sakura asked, utterly shocked to finally hear someone speak the true she had suspected since the beginning.

"Everyone, of course!"

Everyone but them.


The unending wait, the silence surrounding them, and the weights of the hostile guards watching them became too much for what was at stake. Sakura jumped on her feet, not missing the flinch of the guards, neither the curious glance of her team. But it wasn't the door behind which Naruto was furiously arguing with the masters of Isen, that she was heading for, but the freedom.

She had grown familiar with the courtyard outside, especially its large fountain. At least, she could breathe, even if some guards were still outside, wary of her. The sound of water flowing down was a sweet melody that soothe her anxiousness.

For now.

"Haruno," a familiar voice called behind her.

Sakura hadn't had the opportunity to speak with her alone. When she returned to their accommodations earlier, Yura didn't look like herself, as she stood by Mei's beside. Though she was no veterinarian, she still offered to check on Mei. Rest would surely bring her back to health, but even though her life wasn't threatened, Yura didn't join them to the castle.

"I failed you," she said, setting her pride aside. "All of this wouldn't have happened if I had not let my personal feelings interfere with our mission."

Sakura shook her head upon hearing the words she so herself always was quick to say. "This is all on me, Yura. I tried to lure him away from you. From Mei."

"I should've known you'd try to chase them! When I realized you didn't return to Isen—"

"Arguing about this is pointless, Yura." Sakura insisted firmly. "These men blame me for their brother's capture. It was just a matter of time before they learn of our presence," she pointed her pink hair, "This always ends up betraying me."

"Cannot imagine how," Yura commented, a faint grin appearing on her face. "When I returned to Isen, Mei was in great suffering. I still ignore what he did, but as soon as Shun Nuzura entered the room, she stopped whipping. I understood then why you choose him, and I understood even more that for how long we are on this mission, what we are in Konoha should remain there."

Sakura had no heart to contradict her, not when she just admitted Shun Nuzura wasn't as bad as she was told.

They spend the following minutes in quietness, both contemplating the water, as if they'd find a true within in. The hurried steps coming their way both took them out of their musings.

The hero of Konoha was leading the march, followed closely by the rest of the team. Their blanks expressions didn't give away any information of value, even the blond was unreadable, if not for the tiredness accentuating his whisks marks.

"They accepted the deal," he announced, relieving everyone's tension.

Sakura couldn't help but exchanged hopeful smiles with her team. The mission's purpose was untouched. Now that they had proved their loyalty, they'd been treated as heroes, not as vermin. Perhaps not by the Yashiro clan. But the common people would welcome the men and women coming to the rescue of the kidnapped villagers.

With all the clues they had found in the facilities—belongings and trinkets of the worshiped gods—the Yashiros had no choice but to acknowledge the truth.

"They had one condition, though," Naruto continued, visibly not sharing's everyone's relief. "They want you gone."

Everyone frowned at this, even the imperturbable Sai.

"Just me?"

"Now that we found the foreigners, the search for Aki must resume. Since you're the one responsible for his capture, you must go retrieve him in their enemy's territory. Their words, not mine."

"We're not letting Sakura-san travel there by herself, are we?" Shun asked.

"You're not going with her, Shun. The bastard and I will go."

Sakura cleared her throat, "Sasuke is on to something at the tower. He'll be more useful here. And you… You're the only one they trust, Naruto. It'd be stupid to lose our only asset here when there's still so much we don't know about the Yashiros."

"Alright, Sakura-chan," he rose his hands in surrender. "You didn't have to make me sound like an idiot."

"I never said—"

"Mah, mah! All this back and forth talk with Lord Yama made me hungry!" he roared. " Are you hungry, Yura?"

"Not in the mood to celebrate. I'm going back to Mei's side," she said, after giving Sakura a quick nod.

Naruto grabbed Shun by the shoulder, "You're coming with me, then." Shun sacrificed himself for them, and didn't resist the blond's enthusiast.

"Is the plan still in motion?" Sai asked, when their teammate were far away.

Sakura acquiescedabsentmindedly.

"Do you require assistance?"

"The fewer of us he sees, the better."

"In all the history of the shinobi word, I've never heard of anyone trusting a samurai."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "And whose clue helped us the most here?"

"The kid helped us more than that Samurai."

"Speaking of him," Sakura started in a disapproving tone. "You should've kept your mouth shut, like I instructed, instead of scaring him away. To tell him we're working for the Yashiros, he must think we're responsible for his brother's death now!"

"Yes," Said replied, "His despair will make him run back to his masters. I expect this will dramatically increase the odds of finding the Ishin Brotherhood—even if the Brotherhood kills him first. They know how to hide their tracks. But by the time it happens, enough people may have seen where he went,especially with the monster by his side."

"You scare me sometimes, Sai," the clinking sounds of the samurai's katana caught Sakura attention.

"I don't like the way your companion is looking at me, kunoichi," the Samurai declared, frowning at Sakura, like she was the mother of a troublesome child.

"Trust me, I hate it as much as you do! But it's really not personal, he's not trying to insult you, it's just the way he stares at people."

" If I dislike his kind, isn't it personal?" Sai said with a smile.

The samurai groaned.

"Sai!" Sakura shouted, as she pushed him on the chest. She didn't have the patience to deal with millennia of rivalry. "Just go!" Sakura shifted her attention to her new ally, "My teammates are idiots—"

"I'm starting to second-guess my benevolence."

"You're doing this for your own interest," she reminded him, the panic in her voice betraying her. "To return to your own people and leave this place you despite—"

"Don't be presumptuous into assuming what I think. My reasons are my own."

"I… I apologize. I had a long day," Sakura exhaled deeply. "Just tell me if Lord Himura has accepted to meet me?"

"Tomorrow at daybreak. Head to the northern cornfield."


Hyuugas were different from Uchihas. Whereas his kinsmen were proud to be represented in every division of Konoha's military, regardless of their personal opinion of each other, Hyuugas were quick to oust their own, if they judge they didn't deserve their rank.

Anbus Captains were expected to be totems of impartiality. Yet, two of his otherwise honorable colleagues were cornering their junior, forgetting they weren't representing the Hyuuga clan here.

Anbus, regardless of ranks and blood, were all serving Konoha.

Without exception.

Itachi's arrival interrupted their gathering. The Captains offered him a polite smile, before they flee with their head height, like they had not just been caught threatening the newly reinstated Captain Chiho.

Witnessing the most impatient and bossy woman he knew became as meek as a deer, was a surreal sight.

"Saved by my enemy," she muttered, reverting to her normal self. "What would our ancestors say?"

"That we became wiser."

"Only a few of us, I fear. What did you say to the Commander?"

"Nothing different from what I said at the Council. The Commander overruled unfavorable votes, because we need you. We need your competences and your experience."

He could tell she was holding back her true emotions. The coordinated attack against her candidature had affected her more than he had thought. But now that she was reinstated, nobody would question her purpose here anymore.

"C—congratulations, Captain," some recruits said, as they passed by them.

However much everyone feared being at the wit's end of Captain Chiho, they still respected her for her leadership and skills. Another group stopped by to congratulate her, this time, veterans shinobis who had joined her team in the past.

Itachi took this opportunity to leave discreetly.

On his way back to his clan neighborhood, a colorful dangos restaurant caught his attention. Lack of clients outside the terrace was enough to prompt him to stop. But as luck would have it, spending more than ten minutes alone was simply not possible for someone like him.

Two black-haired kids had stopped in front of his table.

"Itachi-sama!" they yelled with excitement, frozen to the spot— as one would be when meeting their leaders.

He only recognized the face of Nobura's nephew. Kaito. A kid who seemed prone to gratuitous cruelty. All in the name of fame.

"I apologize for his behavior, Captain," a woman said in a hushed voice. The anbu outfit she was wearing made Itachi pause. She was Kaito's sister.

She bowed apologetically, "They didn't mean to bother you."

Misaki was a member of Yamato's team. As far as he knew, she was a talented anbu, who understood ranks, and her duties. But above all, she was a member of the Uchiha clan.

The complete opposite background of a certain troublesomewoman who disturbed his thoughts.

She won't do.

Their voices were luckily already far away—they had enough wisdom to disappear inside the restaurant.

The shadow behind him, however, had not flinched.

"Itachi-sama."

Unlike his family, as one of the most loyal man of their clan-leader, Nobura believed himself to be more important than he truly was. He had grown ever more daring since the start of the unfortunate conflict with the Soma clan.

Nobura sat abruptly in front of him. "I need your assistance."

Even though Itachi had lost his appetite, not being the kind to waste food, he took a bite of dango, barely paying attention to Nobura.

"Leader-sama's fears are jeopardizing our security."

What a bold statement.

The last time the clan's peacefulness was disturbed, he had to kill one of his own.

"Are you conspiring against my father, Nobura?"

"C-conspiring? Leader-sama knows of my feelings," Nobura said, frowning at his statement. "It is my role to let him know when the path he chooses is wrong."

"Which path?"

"One of fear. We shouldn't bend the knees to the Godaime, when we're at war with an enemy. By Inazami-sama, they killed one of our own!"

"That still remains to be proven."

"But I have proof of individuals acting against our interest. Sergeant Ozo and Sakura Haruno. They both serve the Somas, yet your father refused to let my men interrogate them."

"Why do you come to me? My father must have told his closest men no to trust me."

Nobura paused, "He did. Yet, despite his words, he listens to you."

"Lieutenant Ozo is systematically protecting Somas when they start a fight in public. She is but a pawn obeying to the Godaime," He complained angrily. "As for Haruno, she spends her days chaperoning Emi Nuzuka. She also went inside their territory, which is telling in itself!."

"So did Naruto Uzumaki."

"Uzumaki has never shown animosity towards us," Nobura said firmly. "He doesn't sleep with our enemy either, and he's not been seen discriminating against us."

Itachi inwardly paused at his ludicrous statement. Was this how he had sounded himself when he had accused Sakura of all evils?

"You're making a lot of accusation on a woman who means nothing to us."

"She's a noumin," he spat out. "She'll always envy our blood. I have more than enough evidence against her. My men have been watching her long enough to know for a fact that she's involved with Shun Nuzura. He visits her almost daily!"

Itachi rose to his feet abruptly, though they were still dangos on his sticks, he abandoned them on the bowl-shape wooden plate.

"Itachi-sama!" Nobura called after him, bowing politely. "Please, consider my request."

Nobura's concerns had escaped his mind.

He walked fast, the furthest away from the disturbance, all the while recalling a discussion he had with Captain Chiho. She had made a comment about Shun Nuzura, who, despite not being part of her team, had volunteered to join the mission in the Land of Glens.

Sakura's mission.

This wasn't a coincidence.

He recalled the few times he had seen her spend time in the company of Emi Nuzura and her cousin—in one of the many restaurants of the busy Kage Tower's street.

Rumors were but whispers of naysayers and bored villagers. But sometimes, they were just a step away from the truth.

Sakura was obviously way ahead in this game, having found a way to deal with their plague sooner than he had.

The chaos you wish to control, you may find it with someone else. Why could her words not leave his mind?


Kaoru lived in a house near the eastern gate of their sheltered neighborhood, thus, every time he returned home, he passed by her door. Sometimes he spotted her, just as she was herself returning from a mission. She always offered him a gentle smile.

Itachi didn't ignore his clanmates indulge themselves in carnal pleasure behind closed doors—else the clan future would be compromised. He just never realized how easy this enterprise could be. Kaoru was quick to offer him food after she informed him of her family's absence for the night. There didn't need words for her to understand why he had entered her home.

She just knew.

Naked, and eager to receive him, Kaoru inspired little madness in Itachi. She was, but a body, like the many he had seen on missions when there was no room for privacy. But above all, she was a matter of duty. This, he had known all his life. This he understood more than anyone else, for his life had never been about anything else.

Duty.

He was trained to become a tool of death, a tool devoid of emotions, whose purpose was greater than his own life. Than freedom. But his brother's birth had changed everything.

Itachi remembered the first time he had met Sasuke. Sasuke's tiny fingers held onto his own tightly, holding and trusting him instinctively. He knew then that he'd do anything to protect him from their chaotic world. Years later, Itachi watched the horror in his father's eyes, as he learned the fate awaiting their clan. It was only because of his bond with his little brother that he disobeyed orders. By offering his father the opportunity to turn in all the men who were conspiring against Konoha, the clan survived, including Sasuke.

Only the culprits paid the price with their lives. The sickness had to be cut from the roots, after all. Itachi witnessed his father curse Danzo of all names then. He accused his mentor of stealing and corrupting him. "To make my son turns against his own blood!" He yelled. "I pray the evilness you spread in our children will someday turn against you!"

After the crimson moon, his father spent months mourning, but it wasn't the loss of his clanmates that weighted him down the most, but the loss of his son. Kneeled on the cold floor of their shrine, Fugaku prayed alone before the goddess Inazami, confiding the woes and burden he couldn't share with anyone else. My ambitions took my son away from me. I failed him! Though Itachi was a prodigy, he didn't understand the grieves only a parent could. He was barely thirteen years old back then and every time he spied on his father, it was only because he had been ordered to. Needless to say, Fugaku never looked at Itachi the same after this, though he had never done anything else but his duty.

Kaoru was no different.

Yet, as determined as he was, so close to fulfill his silent promise to Sakura, his body chose to betray him in the worst way possible for a man. Kaoru's hands felt foreign when they reach for him, trying to rouse what would never be.

There was a wrongness to it, that he had never felt with Sakura.

But he remembered experiencing it once.

A long time ago.

Itachi jerked away from Kaoru's body.

"Don't leave, Itachi-sama!" she protested.

While he dressed in haste,he sensed the heavy stare of Kaoru on him. "Your condition can be taken care of. I've heard of medicines that may—"

"I didn't come here tonight."

From the moment he spoke the words, he knew he had made a terrible mistake by coming here. Kaoru wouldn't keep her mouth shut. She would betray him—she had every reason to. It was a shame that she had to take this path, for he was the most ruthless with those who choose treachery.


Crimson blood pooled around the girl's body, as she succumbed to her wounds in a strangled cry of agony. The commotion brought visitors into his room—the men who were supposed to be the adults here. Like proud parents, they stared at the scene with a morbid fascination.

"I underestimated you, kid," Hidan said, with a grin.

He had been traveling with them for a few months now, but they never stopped bullying him, as he was the new recruit, but also the youngest. They pushed a girl into his room one day. "We must make a man out of him", they claimed. Itachi didn't understand any of it. But as the girl trapped him within her body, a foreign sensation rose within him, one that felt wrong. A ghost blinded his sight, and before he knew it, he stabbed her.

This event made him withdraw into himself, even more than he already had been. Some days later, Konan sat down next to him, and started drawing birds.

She offered him her sketchbook."Try it."

"Why?"

"There are things we cannot put into words."

He stared at the empty paper for days, until one morning, his hand moved on his own to trace the shape of a long-forgotten comrade. His friend Izumi. Konan didn't congratulate him when he handed her his sketch. "Is she a friend you left behind?"

"I killed her."

Days turn into months, during which, he killed without second thoughts, innocents and wicked people alike. "Bend in with them, think like them, until we take their power as our own, for the sake of our village."

In truth, there was no need to pretend, for there was little difference with their crimes and what he had done in the past. The only remnant of humanity left in him came in the form of the sketches he shared with Konan. He succeeded drawing properly Izumi after more some time, under Konan's guidance, but he never realized his sketch looked nothing like her. He had forgotten her face.

"I'm your new partner, kiddo." Half-man, half beast, Kisame stared at him with his piercing eyes and a smile full of troublesome perspectives. His first impression of his new travelling companion didn't fail him, for the man turned out to be an incessant rambler. There wasn't a day throughout which he didn't insult his former nation or fall into philosophical musing about existence.

"All their promises are flat out lies, all they do is using as they see fit. Nothing else. Were you used too, kiddo?" His mind wasn't mature enough to connect Kisame's words with his own story. He was following orders. He was doing his duty. But unbeknownst to him, the seed had taken roots in his mind.

Everything truly began to change the day he learned of his brother's desertion. He never gave many thoughts to him, somehow believing the gentle and shy kid he had known was still playing by the river, in the safety of Konoha. But Sasuke was now thirteen years old, the same age at which Itachi had left his village. The thought of Sasuke being at the mercy of a man like Orochimaru revived the promise he'd made to him. To protect him from the chaos of their world. But he had a mission to fulfill—a duty.

He found himself less quick to kill innocentsthe more he learned of his little brother's exploits. There was a nagging question that kept haunting his mind: why? Why did his brother become the very thing he was told to destroy?

Itachi began to listen more attentively to Kisame's rants then, but not just him, also the people they encounter in their travels. He had seen brothers and sisters betraying each other, weeping mothers mourn their children, hungry farmers sharing meals with strangers, despicable beings showing mercy and kind souls murdering their own. Itachi was but an agent of disruption, but whether under his master or Pein's orders, he only ever needed to manipulate information, not to understand it.

Books and dusty scrolls were the next thing that became to obsess him. Though he had read hundreds of books in Konoha, they were only works about the way of shinobis and the art of war. If there were any wisdom in them, he couldn't see it. Again, he read to memorize back then, not to understand.

He discovered there were way more topics and knowledge in this world that he could have ever imagined, stories of forgotten leaders, of political conflicts and war. Sometimes even the voices of the gods. The world that he believed to only be a matter of life and death became infinitely more complex.

Eventually, when Kisame was lost in one of his many monologues, Itachi was able to voice his opinion for the first time in his life. "I think the world you wish to build is a utopia."

A lot of conversation and debates ensued, delighting his chatty partner. Paradoxically, the more Itachi develop his mind, the weaker his body became. It started with a burning sensation in his chest, and before he knew it, he was coughing as often as he breathed. "You must be cut opened, Sir. Travel to the biggest town and search for a hospital," a village's healer said. But the walls were closing it for the Akatsuki and Itachi couldn't risk his cover when he was so close to fulfill his purpose.

Despite everything, he still believed in his duty.

One rainy night, a group of anbus from Konoha cornered Kisame. Itachi always avoided them like a plague—by fear of being recognized. He waited for the fight to end, his condition and inability to fight justifying his reluctance to involve himself. But when he inspected the carnage Kisame had done, a voice from his past called his name.

"Itachi-sama! ?How can it be?" the dying anbu spoke. "How can you be alive?"

Itachi went on his knee quicker than he ever had. It had been years since he received any instructions for Danzo, and the man on the ground, both a kinmate and a member of the Root, was the only one who could provide him answers. "Are you still part of the Root?"

"The Root? It—it's been years since it was ter—terminated," he revealed.

Itachi felt his body tremor for the first time in his life. He seized the man, refusing to let him succumb just yet. "Danzo tasked me to infiltrate the Akatsuki. Do you know anything about this? What of Danzo? What has become of him? Speak!"

"No, I never…knew. Four years ago, he— he was executed for his crimes against Ko—Konoha and for—" he coughed In his blood, "for murdering you."

Four year ago.

His words echoed endlessly in his mind.

"Please, do it."

Kisame ended the man suffering before he could. Itachi thought his partner intended to target him next, seeing as he had heard everything. But the sharkman just glared at him with disgust. "If you weren't already dying, I'd have ended you right here. I feel pity for you, kiddo. What you thought was your purpose was just a lie. You really thought you were different than us, that you weren't used and manipulated by those you serve with so much loyalty. Bwah!" Kisame put back his sword on his back. "I intend to bring Pein's plan to fruition for this reason. To end this world of lies and create a world of truths."

Kisame abandoned him that night. After wandering aimlessly through the cold foreign land they often visited for the secret meeting of the Akatsuki, Itachi found himself in the care of a family, who lived in isolation from anything. It didn't make sense to take care of a dying man, yet they did.

Fools.

And against all odd, Kisame returned after a month.

"We lost," he admitted. " Pain was beaten by our prey. To think there are bigger dreamers than him, fucking Jinchuriki…"

"S—sasuke."

"He's alive. It turns out your brother is smarter than you ever were. He killed his master, and then he started hunting us, can you believe it?Last I've heard, he surrendered himself to Konoha."

His little brother had returned where he belonged.

This new brought Itachi closer to what felt like peace.

All those years he had sensed the heaviness growth within him upon hearing his brother's name, he never understood it until now.

Regrets.

Itachi struggled to reach for the necklace and scroll in his vest. "Give him."

"Hun! You found the strength to survive just so I could tell your brother you let yourself die like a piece of shit in the middle of nowhere? How cold. Do you know why you truly never fitted with us, kiddo? 'cause you were never a dreamer!"

Itachi's eyes fluttered opened, the light blinding him at first, before he got used to the sunny rays shooting through the window and warming his body. The heaviness in his chest had disappeared. He moved his fingers tentatively, curving them into a fist like a newborn. He felt his chest, only to meet thick bandages.

The sickness.

It was gone.

But where was he?

The room felt somehow familiar. As he sat up, he noticed a woman with long black-hair, who was gazing at the garden outside, while holding a small cup in her hands. It broke in pieces when she turned to him. How strange. Seeing her face felt as if he was somehow looking at his own reflection. She knelt by his side, and slowly, her trembling hand hovered over his cheek in disbelief, until her soft palm laid gently on his skin. He never flinched once, his instinct unable to overcome what couldn't be denied.

"My child," she whispered in a muffled cry. She collapsed onto him, weeping and embracing him, like he had witnessed mothers do over their deceased children.

Attracted by the commotion, a man had joined their reunion. As soon, as Itachi looked at him, the man looked away, seeming strangled by distress. Though Itachi was unable to share the warm a son should feel towards his parents, he was now mature enough to recognize their pain and to respect their feelings.

"I'm back, father."


Itachi cursed himself as his eyes flicked to the clock.

He had overslept. Again.

It was the second night in a row that strange dreams had disturbed his rest.

He rarely dreamed.

Even less of the past.

"Itachi-sama," a voice called behind his door. "Your father wish to see you."

Two days. That was how much it took for them to spill their bill of vengeance. Alas for her, Kaoru's inquiries would have to wait.

"This is an urgent matter!" Shiro insisted, understanding by the pace of his motion, that he had no intention of stopping by his father's study room. "Please, Itachi-sama."

He recalled the first month of his rebirth as one of the most challenging of his existence. His overbearing parents and the incessant attention from hundreds of zealous clanmates firmly recognizing him as divine, as a miracle brought back by the goddess of Inazami herself, had suffocated the lone wolf he was. But he allowed it. He understood what he represented to them.

Itachi mind shifted back to the present. Fugaku was dressed in a high quality garment, a black kimono adorned with patterns of the clan's crest. Itachi recalled there was a celebration today. Was it the marriage of one councilman's son?

"An upsetting demand was brought to me by the carpenter living near the south gates," he said, not leaving his eyes from the unfold scrolls on his desk. "Something involving you and his daughter, Kaoru."

"They lied."

Fugaku jerked his head up in anger. "He and his wife would come before me, and lie to my face?"

Though his father had regained a son, almost six years ago now. Itachi wasn't the mindless and obedient child he used to be. He had returned as a twenty-years old man. One with thoughts and opinions. One who couldn't be manipulated anymore, even by his own father.

It inevitably led to heated discussions.

"Despair often conquers fear."

"Is it despair that made you enter their home and seek their daughter's company?"

"Hunger," he replied. "Kaoru-san kindly invited me to eat, and she simply misunderstood my intentions."

"This isn't like you, son," Fugaku remarked, staring at him with a dire expression. "But they said something more troubling— a bold claim regarding your…health."

The idea that she could use this information against him, somehow, didn't cross Itachi's mind. "Just a defense to cope with their humiliation."

"I won't tolerate anyone spreading false rumors about our family!"

"I suggest you return the favor," no matter unfair it might be, nobody forced Kaoru to open her mouth. He just regretted not being more persuasive with her. "I must leave, father."

"Itachi," his father said, stopping him. "Do I have reasons to worry about our legacy? If you are impaired in some way, I must know it."

Itachi held his stare, understanding his unfortunate mistake would cost him more than he expected. Until all doubts were wiped from his father's thoughts, he wouldn't let this go. The faint sound of Shiro's voice asking for permission to enter provided him just enough momentum to flee.

If there was any defect in him, he knew only one person was truly to blame.

The one who had started this mess.


The outlaw was still grinning maniacally after days of unrelenting torture. Specialists of the Intelligence Division were the ones nobody wished to find themselves alone with. Once you were inside this room, you never got without losing some part of yourself.

"I've never witnessed someone resist their art so easily," the masked man by his side commented. "Have you?"

"Not that I remember. They have a former member of the Suna Intelligence Division at their service. He must have trained him to resist."

"We caught one single rare fish, and we have no other choice but to kill it to get its eggs. "

"They may taste better than the fish itself, Commander."

One would expect the Commander to just give the order. The impatient interrogators were starting to get sick of being insulted by the prisoner. If they were allowed to use more damaging techniques-some that would permanently damage the prisoner- they might be able to extract one information. But the Commander did nothing of the sort, instructing them to try breaking his resistances again.

There was a reason this man convinced him to join back the Anbu.

The big strolls of Captain Chiho heading their way made the two anbus, who had been guarding the interrogation room, straightened their back.

Why were her eyes shining with excitement?

"Commander. Captain Itachi," she spoke, bowing slightly her head. Her lavender eyes shifted to him. "I need a favor. Everyone will soon come see you to ask for your training grounds access. I want them for my men. For three weeks."

"And where will my men train?"

The corner of her mouth extended into a cunning smile, as she handed him a small scroll. "Training will be the last thing on their mind."

He recognized Sasuke's writing right away.

"One member of the Ishin Brotherhood encountered in the Land of Glens.
Likely more.
One teammate missing.
Requesting reinforcements."

"So, what do you say?"

"Granted."


I hope you enjoyed my take on Itachi's backstory.
It was time to delve more into the character.
Sometimes you experience a feeling, you hear a sound, or you taste something, that make past events come alive again, sometimes traumatic events. It's a bit what's happening here for Itachi.

I was inspired by the story of Hiro Onoda, a japanese soldier, from WWII, who kept defending an island in Philippines during almost 30 years after the war ended. He was set on doing his duty, refusing to believe the truth. There's a movie you can watch about his story (Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle).

Anyway, Itachi spent 7 years of his life away from Konoha, thinking he was serving his village, when he was in fact serving just one man. Everyone thought he was dead. He went from a mindless child soldier to a grown-up man with self-determination. Yet he seems to still hold onto this idea of duty, except this time it's towards his clan and his village. Is it his way to redeem himself?

Next chapter, the story leads both Sakura's team and Itachi's men deep into the territory of the Clan Tenma.
Thanks for reading!