~Chapter 21~

Asuma, Guy, Kurenai and I all looked at Kakashi as he lay unconscious in his bed. That genjutsu of Kakashi’s had really knocked him out of it. Currently, Asuma was looked at me with furrowed eyebrows.

“Hokori, you’re stronger than Kakashi. Why weren’t you fighting Itachi and Kisame from the get go?” He asked. Everyone’s attention turned to me and I scowled, lowering the bottle of sake I had pressed to my lips.

“Because I’m not stupid.”

They all glared at me as I continued drinking. “What was that?” Asuma growled. I glared over at him.

“Don’t take that tone with me, dumbass. You’re shoulder would’ve been fucked up had I not knocked away Sharky’s blade.” He looked miffed while Guy looked at me in confusion.

“Sharky?”

“Kisame. Old nickname I had for the fish stick. I had met him a few times back in Kirigakure when I was dating Zaza.” I answered, picking up a dango from the bag on my lap. I bit into one, flashing back to the dock memory with Weasel-chan for a moment while the other Jonin in the room looked at me in shock.

“Zabuza Momochi?! When did you date him?!” Kurenai asked. I shrugged.

“I had two month long mission over at Kirigakure a long time ago.” I answered, shrugging.

The three of them shook their heads in surprise. Suddenly, I remembered something.

“By the way, Guy?” He glanced over at me.

“You would’ve been trapped in Itachi-chan’s jutsu even if you didn’t look in his eyes.” He blinked in surprise then furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

“What?”

“He can cast genjutsu with one finger.” I deadpanned. That was a shock for him, judging by the wide-eyed look on his face.

Guy sighed, rubbing his face. “Let’s talk about why they were here in the first place. From their behavior, it doesn’t seem like they’ve found Naruto yet….”

“But don’t you think that’s odd….they’ve already been here inside the village. It’s easy to find Naruto in the village….and Itachi knows Naruto’s face.”

“Sh!” Guy suddenly ordered as the door opened.

“Kakashi….” I looked over at Sasuke as he stopped, registering that Kakashi was asleep and that we were all here.

“….why’s Kakashi bedridden? And what are all you Jonin doing here….what the hell’s going on?!” Sasuke demanded.

“Oh….nothing really….” Guy said. Some dude suddenly burst in, yelling.

“Is it true that Itachi showed up in town….?! And that he’s after Naruto….” He stopped, seeing Sasuke. “….oh!”

“Gah….” Guy sighed, face-palming at the same time I did.

“Idiot….” Kurenai muttered.

Sasuke stared at the ninja wide-eyed before pushing past him and bolting out of the room.

“Why does it always have to be like this!!” Guy yelled before following after him.

My eye twitched before I walked over to the dude that had pretty much written the Duck-butt’s death warrant. He looked at me in confusion before he was thrown to the floor unconscious from a punch to the face.

Kurenai and Asuma sweatdropped as I brushed my hands together, huffing. “Damn idiot.”

~3RD Person POV~

Two figures adorned in black cloaks with red clouds were on top of a large rock. The one with a large sword strapped to his back stood, the wind making the cloak billow slightly. The other figure was sitting, one knee up with a arm resting on it.

“Even if you might be able to take him on, I’m not so sure about me. He’s in a different league.” The standing, blue-skinned man said.

“Yeah….if we faced off, we might end up killing each other. At the very least, we’d hurt each other badly. And even if I had more backup, it probably wouldn’t change the out-come.” The sitting one said, glaring out at the distance with blood-red eyes.

“It was great finally finding him at the ramen shop, but….his babysitter was one of the Three Great Shinobi of Konoha legend. With him as our enemy, even the titles Konoha’s Uchiha clan and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist pale in comparison.” Kisame stated, thinking back to the white-haired pervert as many know him.

“Yeah….however….even the strongest heroes have their weaknesses….” Itachi mumbled, thoughts swirling in his head.

“I’m going to go scout for a few minutes, let you think up that scheme of yours.” Kisame said, fixing to jump down from the rock but paused.

“Before I do, though. That Hokori girl told me to give you something.” Itachi looked over at him, hiding his shock.

Hokori? Why would she…. Itachi thought as Kisame fished around in his pockets.

“Ah ha!” He exclaimed, pulling out a small folded note wrapped with wire. He handed it to the Uchiha before jumping down from the rock. Itachi stared at the note for a moment, thinking back to the many encounters he’s had with the Hinome woman.

He sighed, having a slight craving for dango before untying the wire. He unfolded the note, blinking in surprise when he saw a necklace. He picked it up, examining it.

It was a simple black metal chain with a transparent Konoha symbol charm hanging from it with a small fire burning inside. Instantly a memory was brought to the forefront of his mind.

“Itachi-chan~!” I paused, looking over my shoulder. Hokori was running through the streets before stopping by my side. She had just gotten back from a mission with Hiashi Hyuga, considering she had ranted to me before she had left.

“Back already?” I questioned, continuing to walk as she followed at my side. Hokori has been my….friend, I believe, ever since she had came to Konohagakure, back when I was eight. That’s why I didn’t find the fact the sixteen year old was constantly around a ten year old weird.

“’Already’?! it’s been two weeks that I’ve had to deal with that bastard!” She growled. I looked over at her calmly and she simply rolled her eyes.

“Whatever. Here, Weasel-chan.” I felt my eye twitch slightly but still grabbed the bag of dango from her hands. She started eating from her own bag at the same time as I. it had become a habit of ours, really. After Hokori returned from a mission, or any time she came around me really, she brought a bag of dango.

“What’s that?” I asked, glancing at the necklace she was wearing when the sun reflected off it and caught my attention.

She blinked, looking down at her neck before smiling. “It’s a Will of Fire necklace. The Hokage gave it to me before the mission. Haven’t you seen one?”

I nodded. “Yes, but no one has ever explained to me what it is.”

“It’s pretty much just a symbolic necklace. For those that believe completely in the Will of Fire. They’re only in the Leaf and there isn’t a lot. People actually pass it down through generations of their families.” Hokori explained, looking at me.

“….I wish I had one.” I admitted.

“Really?” I nodded and she grinned.

“Alright, Weasel-chan. I’m gonna make a promise.” She said, stopping and turning to me as we got to the dock in the Uchiha compound. I raised an eyebrow, turning to face her.

“Which is?”

“I promise you, when I get my hands on another one of these necklaces, I’ll give it to you. No matter where we are in the future or the circumstances. Deal?” I looked at her face, showing only seriousness and….happiness?

She stuck out her hand and I looked at it for a moment before shaking it, smiling naturally for once. Her eyes widened then she grinned. “You actually smiled, Itachi!”

We both paused when we realized she didn’t add a –chan or anything after and looked at each other in surprise. After that we dissolved into laughter. Or, in my case, small chuckles.

Itachi came out from his memories, staring at the necklace. He gripped it in his hand before looking down at the note.

Dear Weasel-chan,

     I’m guessing you just remembered that promise I made to you when you were ten and I was sixteen, right? Well, you better have. If you don’t remember, I’ll hunt you down and bitch-slap you. Anyway, I told you I promised, didn’t I? Well, I finally came across another one of these necklaces. Actually, it was from a few years ago when I returned to the Hinome Village. So you better take care of that damn thing. It was one of my relatives.

    Anyway, I’m giving this note to Kisame to give to you, so let’s just hope the fish stick don’t forget it in his pocket and then opens it later by accident (By the way, if that is the case: I’M GONNA KILL YOU FISH BOY!).

    But back to why I’m writing this letter. I miss you Itachi. And yeah, I did just write your name without any –chan used afterwards. I miss having you around to hang around with after missions. I miss having you around to tease. I miss randomly showing up in your room at your old house and scaring the shit out of you (I know you were surprised when I jumped in your window, don’t deny it.). I miss you, alright? I try to shove it to the back of my mind most of the time but now you’ve showed up here in Konoha. As I’m writing this you’re fighting Kakashi and I can’t even stand watching. I wish the world wasn’t so fucked up. I wish the fucking Uchiha’s weren’t scheming bastards. Is peace too much to ask for?

    I’m the co-sensei for Sasuke’s team, you know? It pisses him off when I insult the Uchiha clan name. Or whenever I bring up you. Day after I met him he tried to kill me (Failed by the way. I shoved his face in the dirt.). Yeah, he ain’t that brother you described that I always wanted to meet. He’s emo. Like, completely. Really hot-headed though. Stupid duckbutt. Oops, I’m probably annoying you talking about the cockatoo like that. Oh well, deal with it Weasel-chan.

    ….Itachi, I really do miss you. I wish things didn’t pan out like they had. Even though it’s been six years since you left, I still think about you every day. I don’t let it affect me. I’ve learned to block it out so much that I’ve been able to forget you ever existed….but there are some of the bad days where I’m suddenly overcome with memories of all the times down by the dock or around the village and I’m drinking until I pass out on my couch. A few times I’ve gone to the dock and sat there and just cried. I want you back so bad it hurts, deep down in my heart.

    This sounds like I’m confessing my love to you, doesn’t it? Truthfully, I just want my friend back. Even if he tries to cover up all of his emotions. And right now, I’m trying to poor everything that’s been bottled up these past six years onto this one piece of paper and conceal my emotions so Kisame doesn’t become suspicious. Truthfully, I feel like I’m about to break apart into little bitty pieces. I wish you could come back. But we both know that, unfortunately, can’t happen. So all I have is this one note. I’ll probably never see you again after this. And if I do, it’ll probably be with my team or something so I can’t run up to you and hug you like I wish.

    Maybe when I’m out on a mission I’ll see you and Kisame. Then we could catch up? Ha, look at me. Thinking luck’s on my side. Luck fucking hates me. Besides, I don’t even know if you still think of me of a friend (don’t deny it, bitch. You admitted we were friends once). You could’ve turned into a cold hearted bastard being around those fucking S-ranked criminals. By the way, while we’re on this subject, I will beat you into a bloody pulp if you touch my Foxy. Naruto is like a little brother to me, just like you. So, if you hurt him, you will pay. You can beat up anybody else just not Naruto.

    Now, back onto what most of this letter is about. Me missing you like a little puppy. I’m not the only one missing you. There are some nights that when I can’t sleep, I watch Chi. He talks in his sleep, ya know? He calls out for you sometimes. He’s told me I’ve done the same thing, but ignoring that. Even Chi misses you, Itachi. We miss you so fucking bad! I know I keep repeating the same thing over and over again but I just can’t get over that fact. I miss you Itachi because I love you. You’re a brother to me. And I want you back. When I came to Konoha I tried to make a family of my own, even if we weren’t related by blood. The old man turned into my grandpa and you became my brother. Tsume became like an aunt to me from all the times she helped me out with Chi, Shikaku became that one uncle you can spend hours playing Shogi with and never get bored and there are countless others. But only you, and now Naruto, were ever like a sibling to me. And you know how precious a spot siblings are to me. After Chi died, I was heartbroken. All I had was my dog and the few supplies I had taken with me. I had no one except the dog my sister named after her in her dying moments. And then you came along.

     I still remember the first day we met, Itachi. I still think of it every time I think of you. Back when you were just an eight-year old in the Academy and I was the new girl that was given the spot of a Jonin the first day she comes to the village. I remember being given a tour on my second day and the old man showing me the Academy. I had asked to explore and he let me. I’d never seen an actual Academy before. And then those bitches that were your classmates came past and started picking on me, calling me a half-blind demon. I was holding back from killing them. I was an experienced killer by that point, I knew how to do it quickly. Then you came strolling down the hall and in one look understood the situation. I still remember what you said to them: ‘If you girls value your lives, you’d walk away now before she kills you’. That’s when they finally noticed that my chakra was visible from the rage I was feeling. They scampered along like little weaklings while you came over and just stood in front of me, staring at me emotionlessly.

    And you know what the little douchebag eight year old did? Do you remember what you did? You looked me straight in the eye and told me to control myself and that I should be embarrassed that I let their petty selves anger me so much. I had burst out laughing. An eight year old, six years my junior, was ordering me what to do. That’s when I started to become your friend. From that moment on. As soon as I learned that you liked dango, I made sure that I bought it every time I even thought about going near you.

    You know why? Because I thought I owed you. You saved me, Itachi. If you hadn’t of sent those girls away….if you hadn’t of said those words to calm me down….I would’ve been kicked out of Konoha that very second.

    The next five years were the best out of all the years after my clan’s slaughter. I looked forward to teasing you. I looked forward to the look on your face when you saw the bag that always held dango. I looked forward to talking with you. I looked forward to just seeing you. I was in a dark place, Itachi. After my clan had been slaughtered, I wasn’t in the right mind. I used to kill anybody who even talked to me. You pulled me out of that dark abyss. You rescued me, Itachi.

    Then when I learned about your illness….I was so mad. You were in a bad place. You were suffering. And I couldn’t help. Shit, I can’t help now. I know you’ll die soon. What do you have? Three, four years? It makes me so angry. I can’t save you, Itachi. No matter what I do. Even if I’m able to make a cure for your illness, you’re body has deteriorated too much for it to be of any help. I’ll only make your pain last longer. I’ll give you maybe a few more years full of suffering in a rotted body.

    Itachi, I wish I had been able to say this all face to face. But, I can’t. If anyone even figures out I wrote this letter, I’ll be taken in for questioning. Ibiki won’t go soft on me because we’re friends. He puts information before anything else. And I can’t tell him the truth. You know I can’t. There’s too many secrets we’ve been entrusted with and told that we can’t tell.

    ….I hope I can see you one last time, Itachi. I really do. Just remember one thing. You will always be my Weasel-chan, no matter if you’re in the Akatsuki or not. You’ll always be my brother, Itachi. And you’ll always be my best friend.

I love you,

~Hokori Hinome

Itachi stared down at the letter. At the small, neat handwriting of Hokori. Of his friend. Memories were flashing at lightning speed through his head. All the secrets, all the things he shouldn’t have ever told her.

Of that first day they met.

Of when she figured out he was sick.

Of when she first figured out he liked dango.

Of when she had discovered he liked to sit at the Uchiha compound lake dock.

Of when she had seen him with his hair down and added –chan to his name ever since.

Of when she had told him he was her best friend.

Of when she had told him of the Hinome massacre.

Of when she had first shown him her kekkei genkai.

Of everything else that had happened in just five short years of their life. Of a time neither of them would forget. That’s when Itachi finally realized something: He felt the same. He missed Hokori. It hurt. He wanted her back. He wanted things to be normal again. He wanted to have his biggest worry as Hokori somehow breaking into his bathroom while he was showering. He wanted his sister. Not by blood. No, blood didn’t make a family. A family was made by love, trust and experience. The things you experience, the overwhelming love you felt, the trust you had. Sasuke and Hokori were his only family in Konoha. Maybe even the Third. His father wasn’t his family. He was just a power-crazy man who wanted to cause war within the peaceful walls of the Leaf.

Itachi carefully folded the note, sticking it in his pocket. He carefully picked up the necklace and latched it on to his neck. He found that the chain was new. Hokori had bought a long chain, one long enough that the necklace could be placed under his shirt and stay hidden. That way no one knew of his deceit. That no one knew he was still loyal to Konoha.

That no one knew he was still the Konoha Itachi Uchiha.

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Authors Note

TT-TT

THAT WAS THE SADDEST THING I’VE EVER WROTE! If you’re crying, don’t feel bad. My pillow is completely soaked from tears constantly traveling down my face. Oh my Kami I can’t believe that I even wrote that! Alright, you wanna know the inspiration for this chapter? Facebook, Wikipedia and DeidarArt. First off Facebook. I liked the Naruto page so I get updates when there’s a new chapter. Normally, I don’t read it. You know why? ‘Cause I ruined it for myself. I read what’s happening in a fanfic so I don’t have to actually read the manga. Next, I read Wikipedia. I read Itachi’s thing for Shippuden. Now I feel all sad. Next, DeidarArt. I saw the link on her message bored so I was like, why not? And saw the last page of chapter 590 where Itachi’s says: ‘You don’t have to forgive me. No matter what you decide from now on, I will love you forever’. And I also read how they teamed up and everything and killed Kabuto (Kabuto is dead, right? That bastard better be -.-). So, since I couldn’t sleep, I’ve been up since 2 in the morning writing this and chapter 20 which I uploaded a while ago. It just turned 9 AM.

AND I’M FUCKING BAWLING MY EYES OUT DX

Itachi is now my favorite character. Fuck Kiba, fuck Deidara, fuck Sasori, fuck Naruto, fuck Gaara, and fuck Kakashi. All them are now downgraded in my favorites. Itachi is forever number one TT-TT

Peace! I’m gonna go find a tissue v.v

~Mew