This one is my personal favorite :P It ties in not long after Shisui's body was found. I hope you enjoy the chapter :)

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Taryn leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes against the sun. It didn’t burn as much as it did at home and she was grateful for its warmth.

 When a shadow fell over her, she opened one eye but kept her posture.

“One more second and you could have been dead,” Itachi Uchiha said amused.

Taryn shrugged. “I knew it was you.” She closed her eye again.

“Doesn’t that worry you?” His voice sounded curious.

“Don’t be so conceited, Uchiha,” she answered, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.

“I’ve been assigned a mission,” Itachi said, ignoring her comment, “I’d like you to come with me.”

Now she did open her eyes, light surprise edged on her face. She studied him for a moment. “I… I’ll have to clear it with the Hokage,” she stuttered. She still wasn’t allowed to leave the village on her own.

“I already did,” Itachi told her, “he gave his permission. We have to leave now though.”

Taryn nodded. “Sure. No problem.” She had her weapons with her at all times, so she was good to go.

…

“Where are we going?” Taryn inquired while following Itachi out the gates.

“The Land of Hot Water,” Itachi answered, “we have to deliver a package and take back some scrolls.”

“Anything we need to look out for?”

Itachi kept his face emotionless. “Anything,” he said.

Taryn glanced at him and gave a  thoughtful nod.

They walked on in silence for a while, but it wasn’t wholly unpleasant. Taryn never had much need for talk and Itachi was glad to have a companion that wasn’t overly chatty. He had enough to think about and was grateful for the chance to escape the village’s machinations for a while, let along his clan’s vengeful plotting.

They were well on their way when Taryn finally broke the silence. “Why did you ask me to join you on this mission?” For as far as she knew, they weren’t friends. They hadn’t even done missions together before. No one had chosen her before. Most people still didn’t trust her.

Itachi didn’t answer right away. He studied her carefully. “Why did you accept?” he asked instead. Ever since Shisui’s death a week ago, the other shinobi had shunned him. Even the Uchiha only tolerated him because of his father.

Taryn scrunched her nose. He wanted to be vague? She could play that game too. “Curiosity,” she said.

 “About what?” Itachi asked surprised.

Taryn tried to keep her face casual. “Why you picked me,” she said.

A small smirk broke through on Itachi’s face, but he didn’t reply for another mile.

 “I know what you can do. Your fighting style is compatible with mine.”

She didn’t ask how he knew.

Perhaps he had been keeping tabs on her too.

***

“Do you know what’s in the package?” Taryn asked after they’d made camp for the night.

Itachi shook his head. “The Hokage didn’t say and I did not ask. If he thought it was mandatory for me to know, I’m sure he would have told me.”

Taryn nodded in understanding. She was starting to get the feeling Itachi could have easily done this mission on his own when a rustling in the bushes made her look up.

Itachi glanced at her and lifted one finger, his Sharingan turning for the slightest second.

Taryn slowly took out a dagger and loaded it with chakra. She threw it to her left to flush out whoever was hiding.

A ninja jumped up and landed in a crouch. He was wearing a Cloud symbol. He pointed a sword at her. “Give up the package.”

“I don’t think so,” Taryn said.

“Suit yourself,” the ninja answered and two more jumped down from the trees.

One man.

One woman.

The first ninja weaved a few signs. “Lightning Style: Thunder Claw!”

Taryn barely had time to dodge. She took out another dagger. “Wind Style: Silver Wind!” Somewhere close by, Itachi was performing the fireball jutsu.

She followed up on her jutsu by activating Byakugan and she ran at the ninja.

He gasped in surprise. She landed a few hits on him before he could counter, creating a large cut on Taryn’s upper leg.

Taryn gasped and pressed a hand against the wound.

Her attacker had dropped to one knee, panting. “What jutsu was that?”

“Byakugan,” Taryn answered calmly, “it shuts down the chakra stream as well as your internal organs.” She broke the eye jutsu. She knew he wouldn’t be any trouble now. Already there was blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

She focused on Itachi instead.

His genjutsu was still in place and the male and female shinobi were currently attacking each other.

“You’re bleeding,” Itachi commented when she had reached him.

“It’s just a minor cut,” Taryn answered, “nothing serious.” She looked at the two remaining shinobi. “How long are you going to play around with them? Just finish it already so we can get going.”

Something flickered in Itachi’s eyes. “Amaterasu,”he whispered.

Taryn flinched when she saw the damage the black flames could do and held her breath in sharp.

Itachi didn’t even spare the shinobi a second look when he walked away. “Coming or not?” he asked without glancing back.

***

Taryn sighed content as she lowered herself in the hot water. Immediately she felt her muscles relax and it soothed the pain caused by her injury.

The rest of their mission had been uneventful and they had reached the Land of Hot Water this afternoon.

Itachi had told her to take care of her injury while he delivered the package in exchange for the scrolls. They would stay the night in the inn next to the hot spring and return to Konoha tomorrow.

Taryn closed her eyes. It was nice to be away from the village for a while. Konoha was a lovely place and she was grateful the Hokage had offered her refugee, but being distrusted took a toll on her, even if she would never admit it.

It was nice to be with someone that didn’t judge her. She and Itachi might not be friends, she still felt comfortable around him. It had been like that ever since the Chuunin exams.

She dunked her head under water and submerged again. It had been a while that things had been so peaceful.

***

Dinner passed quietly, but neither minded. It had always been that way. It had been that way the day Shisui’s body had been found.

Itachi swirled the tea in his cup and stared at the hot liquid. He still missed his friend. Shisui had been like a brother to him.

He felt Taryn’s eyes on him, but she didn’t say anything, for which he was grateful.
“How’s your leg?” he asked.

She nodded at him. “Better. The hot spring did me good thank you.”

Itachi nodded. She had come a long way from that scrawny brat that had faced him at the Chuunin Exams. Being in ANBU had made it easy for him to keep tabs on her during the following years. What he had learned had been interesting.

She knew what it was like to make sacrifices. He knew she missed Suna.

Itachi let out a soft sigh. His own mission would be harder. He wished he could talk to her about it, but he had to keep silent.

He didn’t want another victim to the Uchiha’s plotting.

“I’m going upstairs,” he said, “I have some things to take care of in preparation for tomorrow.”

Taryn nodded. “Okay.” She quietly watched him leave. He seemed to be the same solitary person he had been in the Academy. She could respect that. She wasn’t the most social person herself.

She finished her dinner and decided to go for a walk. It wasn’t often that she had time to herself and she wanted to use every second of it.

Taryn sighed and leaned on the railing of a bridge. The stars were bright and it brought a sad smile to her face. It made her miss Suna all the more.

It had been a year already. Did her siblings miss her? Was Gaara still safe? Would her father let him attend the Academy?

She sighed again. There was nothing she could so about it now. If she were to return, she was certain her father would follow through on his threats.

She pushed away from the bridge and returned to the inn.

…

They shared a room. It was convenient for their mission and saved money.
When Taryn entered the room, she found Itachi on one of the beds, polishing his sword. She nodded at him and dropped down on the other bed, studying him for a while.

“Why did you take this mission?” she asked curiously

Itachi looked up from his job. “What do you mean?”

Taryn shrugged. “You seemed more like the type to take undercover missions, with your ANBU statue and all.”

Itachi looked back at his sword. “It’s nice to have a less intensive mission every once in a while.” There was a sadness in his eyes that kept Taryn from asking any further questions.

Did you pick up the scrolls?” she asked instead.

“No,” he answered while putting his word away, “we’ll do that in the morning.” He glanced at her briefly. “Go to sleep. I’ll keep first watch.”

“Here? In the inn?” Taryn questioned.

He let a smile slip. “Old habits die hard.”

Taryn smiled back. “Yeah. They do.”

***

The journey home was uneventful and they made quick progress. By tomorrow afternoon they’d be back in Konoha,

Itachi glanced at Taryn. It had only been a few days ago that he had caught her listening in on a conversation he’d had with his fellow clansmen, the day he had been accused of murder. She hadn’t asked him then, he had been sure she would ask now, away from the village.

She hadn’t.

It confused him.

“You still haven’t asked,” he said.

She looked up at him confused. “Asked what?”

“Whether I killed Shisui.”

Taryn looked at the road ahead. “Like I said, it doesn’t matter.”

“Why?” he asked. He hadn’t understood then and he didn’t understand now.

She didn’t answer at first and her eyes held that sad look again. When she did answerer, she didn’t look at him. “Because you grieve for him,” she said softly.

Her answer surprised him and almost his steps faltered. It shouldn’t have. He knew she noticed a lot.

Still, it was something no one else had bothered to see.

There was no answer to her comment. It would give everything away and he was sworn to secrecy twice over.

First to Shisui.

And second to the council of Konoha.

Two secrets he could never share with anyone.

But he was grateful nonetheless.

“Come,” he said and he took a left turn.

Taryn followed him confused. “Where are we going?” 

“I promised to teach you the fireball jutsu.”

“You really meant it?” Surprise sounded in her voice.

He looked at her calmly. “Yes,” he said, “I did.”

***

“Where are we?” Taryn asked when they entered the abandoned stone building.

“One of the old Uchiha hide-outs,” Itachi answered, “it’s not in use anymore, but it’s perfect for training.” He dropped his bag on the floor and inspected the room.

“Impressive,” Taryn said while glancing around. She turned her attention towards Itachi. “You really think I could learn the fireball jutsu?”

“I have seen you use Ryoki,” he said, “the jutsu is a combination of wind and fire elements, isn’t it? You just need to learn how to separate the two. You already know how to perform wind-based attacks. Fire is not so different.”

Taryn took a deep breath. In theory he was right. She should be able to use fire-based jutsu. 

But...
She had never tried that before.

“I’ll show you the signs first.” Itachi lifted his hands. “Snake, ram, monkey, boar, horse, tiger.” 

Taryn repeated the signs and Itachi nodded. “Good.”

He took a step closer. “To perform the fireball jutsu, you need to gather the chakra to your mouth and then release it after performing the seals I just showed you.”

Tayn nodded and did as he had said. She gathered her chakra, but when she released it, she was thrown back. 

She gasped as she skit across the floor.

“Remember Taryn, fire. Not wind,” Itachi said calmly.

Taryn groaned and sat up. “Sorry. Automatic reaction.”

“You need to focus.”

Taryn crawled to her feet and tried again. This time she felt a burning in her chest and she fell to her knees, gasping and coughing. A small cloud of smoke escaped her lips.

She drew a few raspy breaths and stood up. “Again,” she said hoarsely.

“You’re using too much chakra. You’ll want to crate a short spark, not a tornado.”

“I’ll get it right,” Taryn growled.

Itachi shook his head amused. “You’re still as hot-headed as you were as a child.”

“I’m not,” Taryn glared at him.

Itachi sighed and moved behind her. “Here,” he said and placed a hand over her stomach, just below her heart. “You need to learn how to regulate your breath. Focus. You’re used to wind, which comes out as a storm. Fire is more delicate. It needs to be controlled.”

Taryn closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths.

Itachi nodded when he felt the tension leaving her and stepped away from her. “Now try again.”

Taryn opened here eyes and weaved the signs, moulding her chakra.

A steamy gust of wind escaped her lips, lingering for a moment and leaving a hazy imprint behind.

“Better,” Itachi said approvingly.

“It’s still no flame,” Taryn said. She sighed. The exercise had drained her energy.

“Take a break,” Itachi said, “there’s no hurry.” He seated himself on the floor, against the wall. It wasn’t long before Taryn sat down next to him.

“Why did you offer to teach me” Taryn asked.

Itachi stared ahead. “I don’t know,” he said, discovering it to be true. 

Why had he offered?
Perhaps just to defy his arrogant clansmen.
But he had seen something in her.
Because you grieve for him, she had said.

He wasn’t sure what it was, but he enjoyed her company. It had a calming effect on him. She always seemed to know what to do. She didn’t ask pointless questions and she didn’t fawn over him like most girls in the village.

She didn’t care what people thought of her.
He could be himself with her.

It was nice to be with someone that didn’t judge him. He had missed that simple comradery. Ever since Shisui had died, the village had looked at him with suspicion. Even his own clan shunned him. His own girlfriend didn’t trust him and he had the suspicion she only stayed with him because of his position in the ANBU.

Taryn was different.

She knew what it was like to be shunned.

Taryn sat quietly next to Itachi. He didn’t seem very willing to end this mission and go back home. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she didn’t object. It turned out he was good company.

Carefully she stood up.

Itachi eyed her curiously. “Where are you going?”

Taryn smiled faintly. “If you’re not ready to go home, I might as well train some more.”

Itachi stared at her for a moment, but then let a smile slip through.

He stood up. “Well, show me what you’ve learned then.”

***

“They’ve been spending a lot of time together.” Danzou was watching the young Uchiha prodigy as he walked down the street to met up with the Suna girl

Sarutobi peeked out of the window and smiled calmly. “Indeed. How nice.”

“You cannot be serious, Hiruzen. This needs to stop. Itachi needs to focus on his mission. This girl, that you allowed to stay in Konoha, is a distraction.” 

“Don’t be so hard on the boy, Danzou. We have burdened him too much already. Will you deny him one friend?” Secretly, Sarutobi was glad of this development. Both children had lead hard lives, pressured by their fathers. There was a bond between them. He had seen it long ago when they had faced each other in the arena. Despite of what Danzou believed, the friendship between the two was not new.

He smiled to himself and left the room content.

Danzou narrowed his eyes. “I don’t care what you say, Hiruzen. This can’t go on. She will ruin my plans. She has to go.”