""Today we shall rest here and replenish our stock," said Itachi as the three reached a small village.
"Finally we can at least sleep in a proper bed," Kisame added. "I'll go and find us a lodging," he continued as he fixed his hat's position.
"I'll take care of the stocks," said Itachi as he walk ahead, passing Kisame.
"Wait," Kisame stopped Itachi on his track as he asked, "What should we do about her lodging? We haven't received our mission budget allocation yet."
"Ah, don't worry about me, I can sleep anywhere. I don't want to burden you guys more than I already have." Mitsuki quickly cut into the conversation.
"Hmm? You sure kid? This is a rare chance you know?" Kisame asked.
"If I need to be, I'll earn my own money for it," she added. Itachi can sense a little uncertainty in her tone. Well, how can she find proper work while they are constantly on the move? "Maybe I'll be able to find some odd jobs? That's the least I can do to repay you guys."
Itachi sighed. Considering how the girl had always lived her life, it's understandable for her to have such a narrow perspective of relation between people. Seems that it will take a while for her to break through that wall of hers.
"Get her additional futon," Itachi answered Kisame's question. He knew more than that would just make the girl more uncomfortable.
"But!" Mitsuki interrupted with a concerned expression on her face.
"You said you will be helping us, and it's for our benefit that we keep you close, didn't you?" Itachi said as he dropped her gaze down towards the girl. "We will take your word for it. But if you still feel bad, when you earned enough, feel free to get yourself your own room."
Mitsuki's eye widen in surprise. She didn't know how to retort to Itachi's statement. She is still uncomfortable with the situation, as it wasn't the transactional relationship that she is familiar with. She didn't feel like she had done anything to receive this treatment. She had never received this kind of kindness without having to manipulate her way over it or without making a proof-able deal beforehand. She knew that what she said during the meeting with Pain was a one sided, half bluff, and Itachi had never agreed to it. That's why she had tried her best to not burden the party even more with her selfishness than she already is. However he can feel Itachi's gentle intention and his considerate word, despite him trying to mask it with nonchalant behaviour and phrasing.
Looking at the speechless girl, Itachi realised that he had won this conversation, and he turned back to continue on his own quest.
"Kid, follow me. You don't know where the inn is right?" Kisame called as Mitsuki froze on her place.
"…." Mitsuki turned towards Kisame in silence. To tell the truth, she actually wanted to follow Itachi instead, but she found it awkward to follow him as of then, not knowing how to act around him. At least with Kisame, he wouldn't treat her with awkward inducing kindness, and his sarcasm felt more comfortably familiar for her.
"We're here, I'll settle the lodging. Wait here kid." Kisame said as he walked towards the counter, leaving Mitsuki sitting in the waiting area. Mitsuki nodded in silence.
Few minutes passed before Kisame appeared again while carrying a folded futon and called Mitsuki to follow him. Mitsuki followed him in silence, causing Kisame to glance back with confusion.
"Whats wrong with you, kiddo? You're awfully quiet today." Kisame asked, surprised at her lack of response. Somehow, he had already gotten used to the consistent banter they had ever since the girl joined their party.
Mitsuki looked up and saw Kisame glancing at her while leisurely walking and carrying the big bulk on his shoulder. "Nothing," she answered after considering her option for a while.
Kisame shrugged his shoulder in response to the girl's reluctance, and inserted the key to their ordered room. As they went inside, Kisame laid down the futon in between the two bed. Mitsuki sat down on one of the bed as she laid in wait, mind in turmoil if she should tell Kisame or not about the things that lingered on her mind. She then shook her head, and decided to ask a different question instead.
"Hmmm.. Kisame? You guys said that you two and your organization is comprised of criminals? What did you and Itachi did to get there?"
"Hoo, curious aren't you kid? I don't mind telling you mine, but about Itachi's, it's best for you to ask him directly later," Kisame responded, knowing it was not his place to divulge Itachi's past without his permission, especially knowing that must be the girl's true question seeing how attached she seemed to get with Itachi.
Mitsuki nodded at him while keep staring at Kisame in expectation, as if telling him to continue on.
"Not to get into gruesome detail, I'm wanted for my involvement in government overthrowing plot as well as several assassination charges. Are you scared now kid?" Kisame laughed as he divulged the answer as short as possible for the girl.
Mitsuki let out a small "hmmm" as she shrugged, before she continued, "Then what is this organization of yours, and why are you and Itachi-kun working together there?"
"Hmm, for now we are taking underground mercenary work or missions that are too dangerous for common shinobi to handle, I guess."
"For now?" Mitsuki scrunched her forehead from Kisame's vague answer.
"Hahaha, if you decided to stick with us long enough, you will find out, kid. Isn't that making it more fun?" Kisame chuckled lightly. There's no point to tell her if she would eventually change her mind, he thought to himself. Besides, if she knew too much, when time comes, he might even have to dispose of her himself, though he wonder if it was already too late for her to back off even then, knowing how she had already met their leader.
"Hmmm.." Mitsuki mumbled as she narrows her eye in disbelieve. She thought it will be easier to dig for more answer from Kisame, but apparently that's not exactly true. Sighing, she answered Kisame's previous question. "I still think that both you and Itachi-kun are good people despite what you said," answered Mitsuki. Indeed during their short time together, that's what her gut feeling and her observation so far told her, and she is confident in her special skill.
Kisame chuckled upon hearing her statement. "I told you, kid, I won't be so sure if I were you," he responded ad Mitsuki frowned in displeasure for being told off twice. Kisame sighed at her response, and continued with a serious tone. "Listen kid, while we are at it, know that the world outside isn't black or white. People lie, and betray. People can do bad thing for good reason, or do good thing for bad reason. Even with good reason some things can be deemed as crime, and sometimes criminals get away with what they did due to power and circumstance. Remember this as now you're going to see the world with us and step out from your peaceful village, or you'll earn your consequences later on."
Mitsuki frowned at Kisame's sudden speech. Somehow she still felt that he was still treating her like a kid. She understood that to an extent, as she was also a liar herself. And, witnessing Old Man Bocchon turned his back on her so fast, she thought she knew what a betrayal was. Kisame stared at the girl's frowned face and sighed.
"Heh, feels weird to talk so much about serious thing. I'll go out and take a relaxing walk outside. You wait here for Itachi-san to come back and hold the spare key."
"Understood." Mitsuki answered shortly
Kisame saw that Mitsuki is still in a horrible mood, and scratched his head. It would be annoying if this weird vibe continues on longer, he thought to himself.
"On second thought, kid, you should take a break and wash up too since the bath house is provided. It's a rare opportunity after all. Just make sure you'll be back before Itachi-san does."
Mitsuki's eyes widen in excitement. Bath house had always been a luxury for her. She would be lucky if she could even find a river or even time to wash out during their journey. However, reminded about her circumstances, her excitement quickly fades. As he observed her expression changes, Kisame recalled Itachi's word to her before they separated. He finally understood what was going on in the girl's mind and guessed why Itachi said the things he did to her. He chuckled silently. His partner had always been the sensitive one. Sometimes he felt that the partner of his have a soft spot, really something he couldn't believe coming from someone who was accused of massacring his whole clan. Kisame is reminded about himself, and wondered, if there's more than it appears too behind his partner's past. Deep inside, he wished that one day, Itachi would tell him about it, despite the fact about why he thought he got partnered with Itachi based on his own past "achievement". Kisame grinned as he decided to follow up on his partner's intention. "It's probably more of a waste if you don't go since it's included in the lodging fee," he added. Mitsuki frowned as she considered what she should do. Seeing the change, Kisame concluded that he already did what he could, and waved bye at her as he left the room.
Mitsuki sat in her futon for a while before deciding to take her chance and bathe. The bath house was empty as she entered. Mitsuki slowly put off her oversized clothes and bandage before rinsing her body and entering the giant bath. She couldn't help sighing in satisfaction as the warm water washed her body from and relaxes her nerve.
As she laid her back on the wall, Mitsuki recalled the events that had transpired that day. She was at a loss. Despite what she said in front of Akatsuki's leader, she herself knew that there was little she could contribute to the duo as she was. It was true that finding out about her ability might benefit both her, Itachi, and Akatsuki as a whole, whether to sate Itachi's curiosity or for whatever purpose Akatsuki had. However, after arriving at the village, she felt that it's no longer enough and she owe them more and more than what she could give back. Not to mention, as she was, her skill will probably not be of much use for the team, and more of a baggage, and she didn't know yet whether or when will the situation change. "By then I might have have owed them more than my life, hahahah," Mitsuki thought to herself with a bitter chuckle.
"I should probably go back soon," Mitsuki thought as she snapped back to reality. She wouldn't want to inconvenience Itachi more if he had to wait for her, and disappoint Kisame for failing his instruction. Feeling pressed for time, Mitsuki quickly dried her body and wore back the oversized clothes, as she thought it will be best to put back the bandage while waiting in the room instead.
No one was there when Mitsuki got back to the room. She let out a relieved sigh, and unlocked the door to the room and entered. Inside she quickly slide out of her top kimono and start putting the bandage around her waist and chest area tightly. She gritted her teeth as she made sure to tie it super tight. As she did, she noticed how dirty her clothes and bandage has become. She laughed to herself as she thought that she's wasting the good bath that she had. "I should have brought some spare cloth back then, how stupid" she thought silently, disappointed in herself.
As she tugged her bandage tightly for one last time with more strength than needed to punish herself for being so unprepared, Mitsuki heard a knock on the door. Sharpening her sense, she noticed a familiar pattern of power.
"Come in," she called. Itachi opened the already unlocked door and entered to find Mitsuki putting her oversized kimono on top of her bandage. Itachi stood in silence as he noticed the dirt on Mitsuki's clothes. Noticing Itachi's gaze on her clothes, Mitsuki spoke, "Ah, I wanted to wash this clothes but I'm worried it won't be dry by the time you guys are back, and.." Mitsuki paused for a while before continuing her word, begrudgingly, "I didn't think of bringing any spare clothes." She let out a bitter chuckle.
Itachi stood still in silent for a while before he continued. "Why do you bandage yourself?"
Mitsuki tilted her head. Not sure what the problem is. "Oh, this? Old Man Bocchon taught me to. He said that it completes my disguise and I'm safer from mountain bandits too this way. I have to wear this when I'm outside the hut or going down to the village."
Itachi understood what the girl meant. Seems like the old man was caring for her in his own way, he thought to himself. Now he understand why sometimes the girl's movement during their training can be a little bit awkward as well as her visible discomfort from time to time. After considering for a while, Itachi turned towards the door once more as he said, "That won't be necessary anymore. Come with me for a while."
Still not sure what was going on, Mitsuki stood and followed Itachi quietly.
Not long after, the both of them arrived at a small clothing shop. As soon as they arrived, Itachi called to the female attendant and talked to her for a while as Mitsuki looked around curiously. After a while, the female attendant approached Mitsuki with a smile as Itachi sat down on a provided bench.
"Miss?" called the female attendant.
Mitsuki turned her head towards the voice. The female attendant that was speaking with Itachi was now bending down behind her and looking towards her with a smile.
"My name is Hazuki. Would you mind coming with me for a while?" she added. Mitsuki glanced towards Itachi, questioning. Itachi nodded towards her as he saw her questioning eye, signalling Mitsuki to follow the attendant. Mitsuki nodded, and turned her head back towards the attendant and gave her an OK before following her towards the back room.
"Are you travelling with your brother, miss?" Hazuki asked as she scoured through a pile of clothing.
"Hmmmm… no?" Mitsuki answered, uncertain about the intention behind the question.
Hazuki seems to be surprised at her answer and looked towards Mitsuki with concern. "Are you ok?" she asked. She didn't feel any malicious intent from the man she talked to, but she felt the need to ask just to be safe.
Mitsuki thought for a while before deducing the reason behind Hazuki's concerned look. To be honest, she didn't know what this relationship between her, Itachi, and Kisame is supposed to be labelled. Friends? She thought it felt different. Senior? Not exactly. Comrades? She felt like their relationship hadn't reached that stage yet.
"We're just travelling together due to circumstances," Mitsuki answered after deciding her words carefully. "Besides, I'm not a kid, despite how I look," she added, knowing Hazuki's concern was partially because of how she looked outwardly. Hazuki then prompted Mitsuki to stand as she helped Mitsuki taking her dirty clothes off.
"Pardon me," Hazuki said as she took off Mitsuki's awfully tight bandage. Mitsuki took a deep breath as the pressure around her chest loosened.
"Ara, that was rude of me." Hazuki giggled as she saw Mitsuki shyly covered up her now revealed curve. She can only imagine how uncomfortable it was for her with how tight the bandage was tied on. Hazuki quickly pulled out her measuring tape as she measured Mitsuki's features.
More than half an hour has passed, or so she thought, it could be more or could be less. Still wearing guest yukata provided by Hazuki, Mitsuki is starting to worry about making Itachi wait some more, when Hazuki finally exclaimed in victory and stopped fiddling with the pile of clothes. "It's done!" Hazuki said cheerfully. "Now these should fit you perfectly," she said as seh turned and bring a pile of clothes towards Mitsuki. "Would you like to try it now?" she added. "Ah let's not, I would like to hurry back," Mitsuki shook her head as she felt like she has been taking too much time there. "Hmm, then how about you choose one of them to wear them back? I'll help fold your old clothes for you too." Hazuki offered. Mitsuki looked towards the pile of clothes on Hazuki's hand. Immediately a cutely patterned kimono caught her eye. She had never been able to wear such clothes before. Without thinking, Mitsuki picked it up to have a closer look.
"Ah, that, I picked that one for you since I think it will suit you. Come, I'll teach you how to put it on," Hazuki said as she took the kimono and prompted Mitsuki to stand up.
With quick and precise movement, Hazuki helped Mitsuki put the kimono on while explaining. "..and done! It fits you perfectly! Wait here a bit more," Hazuki said as she went out of the room. Mitsuki took a look at her reflection in the mirror. The clothes looks good on her, and well fitted to her size as well. It's the first time she ever have the chance to wear something that is not an oversized hand me down or a makeshift clothes. Mitsuki doesn't understand why would Itachi even bought her such kimono tho. If she remember correctly, those item should cost him quite a bit of money. Among the clothes, she spotted a few others as well. Training clothes, easy to move clothes, innerwear, some shorts, pants, skirts, yukata… Mitsuki can feel blood drained from her face. "How much will all of this cost?" she thought to herself with horror plastered on her face.
Not long after, Hazuki came back to the room Mitsuki was on with several things on her hand. Before Mitsuki managed to say anything, Hazuki guided Mitsuki to sit. She quickly comb Mitsuki's hair and tied part of it into a half ponytail, then slipped a hair decoration on her hair. "Now close your eye," said Hazuki as she turned Mitsuki's face towards her. Mitsuki obediently followed as Hazuki quickly tap around the girl's face gently with some kind of puff and lather something on her lips. "Just a bit here, and done!" Hazuki said as she turned Mitsuki towards the mirror. Mitsuki opened her eyes, and saw that Hazuki had given her a quick makeover. It's something simple, but she was surprised how much it made her look more mature.
Hazuki smiled as she packed everything into a cloth bag. "I'll give these as bonus for you too!" she said as she packed Mitsuki a comb and some sort of makeup filled make up pouch made from the leftover alteration cloths as well. "Now let's bring you back!" she said as she push the girl softly out of the room.
Itachi sat quietly with a book on his hand as he waited for Mitsuki to finish. "It's taking a while," he thought to himself as he took a glance towards the door. The sun has started setting outside. As he wondered about what might took the two of them so long, Itachi heard Hazuki calling from across the waiting room.
"We're done!" she said. Mitsuki glances towards Itachi's sitting figure as he turned, somehow curious about his reaction. Calmly Itachi stood and nodded quietly as he walked towards the counter. Mitsuki was somehow a bit disappointed with Itachi's boring reaction. As Itachi settled the payment for the clothes, Hazuki gave Mitsuki a smile and waved to her goodbye. Mitsuki nodded back at her, smiling awkwardly while mouthing a thank you, as she followed Itachi outside the store.
The pair walked away in silence for a while. Mitsuki struggled inside her thought for a while before deciding to ask Itachi the question that had lingered in her mind for a while. "Why are you doing so much for me?" Mitsuki asked as she stopped on her track. It was an empty path besides the farmland, and all of the farmers were already gone. She figured that it would be a good time for her to have some private conversation with Itachi.
Itachi turned to face the girl. The pair of them stared at each other's eyes for a while, before Mitsuki continued. "I haven't even done anything to contribute to the team yet. Moreover, I'm aware of how limited is my capability right now, of the things I can't ever do…" she paused, before forcing herself to continue, ".. because, I'm not like other human.." Mitsuki said as she lowered her gaze in humiliation.
Seeing the girl's humility and her vulnerable state, Itachi wondered how he should respond to the girl's word. The girl who came to his world like a storm and forced herself in between the duo, had always been putting on a strong front and playing her weakness off. However, she surprisingly had been showing him such wide range of emotion during the few days they have journeyed together. It was as if she was the ever changing season. Was it youth? Itachi thought to himself, internally chuckling at the notion considering how his life has never been "normal". Itachi stopped himself from wondering about what kind of person Sasuke had become now, faced with adolescence as well as the baggage that he had left him with. With conviction, Itachi decided to respond to her humility that she had shown in a rare vulnerable moment with sincerity.
"But you did overcome your weakness by your own strength, didn't you?" Itachi said in a calm tone.
Mitsuki lifted her gaze and met Itachi's, her eyebrow still folded in an unconvinced frown. She would barely call that overcoming. She basically collapsed after that display, after all the big words that she said. Before Mitsuki could send out a word of retort, Itachi continued.
"Nothing in this world is perfect. Every person, every ninjutsu, every item, is bound to have a weakness."
Seeing the girl's lack of response and questioning, observing eye, Itachi turned his back against the girl once more as he spoke.
"You might have an unusual weakness because of how you are, but you also have an extraordinary strength. You learned about your weakness, faced them directly, and despite the difficulty, overcome it by your own notion instead of running from it. Be proud of yourself," Itachi said as he continued his stride.
Mitsuki could feel tears start to brim over her eyes, but she stopped herself from crying. Itachi's word had given her the strength and the assurance that she needed, and she felt that she had shown enough of her weakness of the day. She didn't want to disappoint the man in front of her and waste his earnest word.
"Then!" Mitsuki pushed her voice out in her pretence of strength, causing it to come out louder than she expected and stopping Itachi on his track. Mitsuki could feel her face flushed with embarrassment about how the words came out as she continued, trying her best to hide it.
"Then teach me all about shinobis too, so I can stand side by side with you guys. So I can understand myself better, and improve more beyond what I can do, and.." Mitsuki paused for a while, bracing herself for rejection. "I want to know more about you and Kisame too.."
Itachi glanced back as he heard the last sentence. He could clearly see Mitsuki's chaotic mix of expression, and her desperate attempt to cover her embarrassment despite her reddened face.
"You know, despite what you said about yourself, you are surprisingly honest."
Mitsuki could swore she saw a smile on Itachi's face.
"Fine then. From today on training won't be easy, prepare yourself," said Itachi as he continued his steps.
Smile forms on Mitsuki's lips with the kind of joy and anticipation that she had never felt before. She quickly paced herself to catch up with the man in front of her. "Understood!" she answered in a cheerful tone.
"Ah, and don't worry about the clothes. Consider it business expense and your early payment for your undercover work." Itachi added slightly after the two of them walked in silence for a while.
"Heh, I know," Mitsuki answered playfully, teased him as she smirked and took a peek at Itachi's face from his side.
"…." Itachi felt that he had been caught red handed somehow as he responded in silence, avoiding her gaze.
"Oh you two are back," Kisame said from his bed as she heard the lock click and the door opened.
As Mitsuki followed in behind Itachi, Kisame's eye immediately land on her.
"Oho? Are you having makeover? Congratulations kid, you do look more mature now. Like a malnourished teenager, perhaps?" Kisame chuckled as Mitsuki narrowed her eye and glared towards him. Kisame could swear he can even felt the atmosphere shift as the girl glared at him, before calming down soon after. Mitsuki resisted the urge to kick Kisame. Not that it will do him any damage anyway, she thought to herself begrudgingly.
"Tch, don't worry, I'll go take another bath and change to a more comfortable clothes soon. Bye then, Baka-Same (stupid shark)!" Mitsuki said as she quickly grab her towel and clothes bag out of the door, and slam it shut.
"…." Both Itachi and Kisame stayed in silence for a while as Mitsuki stormed away.
"That kimono looks expensive, are you OK?" Kisame asked Itachi, breaking the silence.
"…." Itachi didn't answer, as she walked towards the room desk and sit on the chair, taking out his wallet to his front.
As Mitsuki took out the clothes from her new pouch, she noticed that her old clothes has been folded nicely. As she took the clothes out, she was reminded about what Itachi and Kisame told her that day. "No one is perfect," "It isn't black and white," huh? She thought to herself. Despite how it turned out, and how strange their relationship was, Mitsuki couldn't help but remember Old Man Bocchon. "Was he caring for me in his own way?" Mitsuki thought as she glanced towards the bandage that she had been wearing. There's no way for her to tell by then, all she could do was just to remember him in her heart. In silence, Mitsuki went and washed the old, oversized clothes, her only memento of that time in her life. "Maybe I might need this next time, best to keep it," she thought to herself, as she tried to find an excuse for her melancholy.
Omake:
Itachi was still sitting on the chair facing the desk. In front of him, his wallet laid open in front of him. His personal savings are lined up neatly on the desk as he counted it for the second time that day.
How did it come to this? He thought to himself. All he requested was for the attendant to prepare any clothes that the girl might need for a long term journey. He didn't expect it will come out to be that much.
"I've overdid it.." Itachi thought to himself as he covered his face with his left palm.
"Oh well, I guess I'll have to scrunch for a while." He said softly as he scoop back his savings into his wallet.
Author's note:
Gosh this chapter is so long and took me very long to write too. How are you guys dealing with Mitsuki's mood swing? I want to lay a foundation to help her grow to be on par with Itachi and Kisame, enough for her to stand for herself and not just be damsel in distress hehe. But first, she has to learn a lot of new thing outside of her small world and mature both ability and emotional aspect of hers! Next time there will be more to explore about her ability as well as weakness during the trainings as well! TBH I can't wait for it to reach the story's midpoint!
Oh yea, also update, after rethinking a lot of stuff, I'm aligning a lot of stuff with the canon. The events in this story will flow in the same time as the canon without interfering/changing things in an obvious way. Occassionally I'm thinking to either do a episode/manga chapter retelling with additional commentary from the trio's side, but we'll see when we reach that! The first will be the Kyuubi mission, I think!
Oh also the built AU, it will not interfere with the canon so those who enjoy the canon can still enjoy this! I just want to give Itachi a sweeter ending that he deserve and closure!
BTW I changed the rating to M, cos eventually, far in the future, there will be slight smut and lemons, but of course with plot importance! heheheh