"What you hide in your heart, appears in your eyes."
Imam Ali
"You may be a priestess, or you could be something entirely different, but you are not from the Land of Tea…and most definitely not from this world."
Not from this world.
Not from this world.
Not from this world.
It was jarring how four simple words erased the sixty dreadful years Kagome endured up until that moment. It replayed again and again in her head. Taunting her efforts of keeping a low profile up, evading suspicions, and isolating in the forests. Who knew that all it took was a maddening prodigy who hailed from an incestuous clan to bring down her deceit.
And yet somehow the whole situation made so much sense to her. Of course, it would be some key figure in their political squabble to call her out on her ruse. If her past experiences have taught her anything, it's that she would always find herself in the middle of that be her own or someone else's, she had already grown accustomed to this curse. In the sixty years she's remained behind the scenes, she felt herself being relieved of the burden she carried.
Would she finally be judged?
Kagome didn't move. She allowed Itachi's fingers to remain in her hair as she stared back at him with as much curiosity that he gave her.
After a moment, she decided to break the silence. "So, this is it. What gave it away?" She asked nonchalantly, making no indication to move out of his arms.
Itachi frowned, his brown only slightly furrowed. "You're not denying it." He simply stated, expecting her to at least weave her way out of only he could freely express himself, stupefied would be an understatement.
She could have feigned innocence - A herbalist enthusiast that's stumbled herself into special circumstances is now being accused of not belonging to this world. Even that would sound outrageous if said out loud.
But she didn't. It would have bothered him that she seemed unbothered by her predicament. She was caught red-handed by him of all people. But the earlier feeling of danger reminded him that she may be a lot more dangerous than anyone or anything he's faced before.
Suddenly he felt an overwhelming amount of pressure. His sharingan flickered before receding back to its dormant state. His blood burned through his veins, and he found himself paralyzed
Kagome effortlessly slipped out of his towering figure and shifted back further into her bed. She leaned back against the headboard, knees propped up and moved slightly forward so she could rest her arms and head on her knees.
There was a grave gleam in her eyes.
"You truly are the prodigy they praise and fear." She cocked her head to the side. "I see no point in hiding it, not from you at least." She scoffed. "Sometimes you lie so much you end up drowning it, and then one day you start to question yourself, when did I stop living and start existing? The lines become blurred, and nothing can prepare you for that reality."
Wanting to claw at his eyes to sedate the burning sensation, Itachi would only grunt back in reply.
Waving her hand lazily as if to disregard his grunts of pain, Kagome continued. "I wasn't lying when I said I'm a priestess. Your people," She paused, and then dryly added, " Shinobi…they're quite dull. Easy to fool. Civilians are uncomplicated. Hokages are no problem either, but I must admit, Tsunade did propose a challenge. She's got an impeccable memory." Looking away, Kagome hid her face between her knees.
"Memories are terrifying." It was a vulnerable whisper. Her breath shuddered.
Fingers twitching, Itachi struggled unsuccessfully. He had so many questions passing through his mind. Kagome had said a lot but answered nothing. As if hearing his struggles, he suddenly lurched forward and toppled on the bed, free from the pressure that held him hostage.
His instincts screamed at him to flee. The shinobi in him told him to fight back. But his inquisitiveness held him in place.
"I won't hurt you." Kagome softly whispered, not bothering to spare him a glance.
Itachi would be lying if he said his pride didn't hurt a little. He's never had anyone tell him that, because they never had the opportunity to. He would sooner slit their throat before anyone felt an ounce of superiority over him.
"What did you do to me?"
Kagome eyed him silently. No matter how strong willed he was, the glint of fear was clear as day. He was weary, alert, and yet instead of taking the opportunity to create some distance between them, he chose to stay and question her.
Was he just as mad as her?
"Do I scare you?" She countered softly. His eyes twitched at the question. She tilted her head and corrected, "Ah, not me, you fear how my mere existence will impact your plans…perhaps your little brother?"
And just like that, he did exactly as she predicted. Not a second later she was flat on her back, arms stretched above her forcefully, as he straddled her thighs to lock her in place. His hands tightened around her wrists and all she could muster up was a laugh.
Frustrated and confused, Itachi let out a low growl. "What do you know of Sasuke?" When he didn't get a straight answer, he pulled her up only to slam her back down.
He repeated through clenched teeth, "What do you know of Sasuke?"
Amused, Kagome didn't do anything to fight back. She knew she wasn't in real danger. She knew that he knew there wasn't much he could do to restrain her. But she played along because it has been too long since there was a change of pace.
"Absolutely nothing." She said, stifling a giggle. "Those eyes you use to intimidate and kill, they don't hide as well as you think they do."
As the seconds grew, Itachi found himself at a disadvantage. She had evaded answering any of his questions, instead she added onto it. He wondered if it was too much for him to handle, and that inflamed his frustration more. Not being one to back down from a challenge, he pushed further.
"You speak as though you know me. Who brought you here?"
"Not who, but what."
Again, she was doing it again.
"You haven't answered any of my questions."
"You're not asking the right ones."
He paused for a moment. What does that even mean? He thought back to their time together. There was no value or ambition in her actions. Everything she did was to get by. There was no need or want for more other than fulfilling their agreement - he gets healed in exchange for her stay in Konoha.
Kagome shuffled slightly. "When you look into my eyes, what do you see?"
Her question baffled him. He continued to peer down at her with absolute scrutiny, and he saw nothing good.
"Death."
She smiled in return. A genuine smile which made him uncomfortable. The need to free was not lost on him, but he did not let up.
"I'll make you a deal," she said. "I will heal you so you can continue to fight your war. In return, keep me out of your dispute and I'll let you ask me the right questions."
He opened his mouth to reply, but she cut him off.
"Before you agree, this stays between us. Your healing will be delayed at a reasonable pace so as not to draw too much attention. I'd like to stay here for a while. But know this, I won't humour all your questions."
It was not like Itachi to grumble but grumble he did.
"There is no advantage for me."
"You are not in control, so don't expect one. Sate your curiosity, or we call it quits right here, right now."
Perturbed, Itachi conceded. But he did not move off of her.
He knew her answer before he even asked. "Are you a danger to Konoha?"
Smirking, Kagome laughed yet again. Sobering up, her smile dropped.
"That depends on you."