Ch 158

I woke to the sound of soft footsteps. My eyes blinked open slowly, adjusting to the low light in the cave. The fire had long since died out, and the chill in the air told me it was still early. Too early. 

"It's time," Itachi said quietly. I sat up groggily, rubbing the sleep from my face. He was already dressed, standing a few paces away from me, his cloak draped over his shoulders, the familiar red clouds catching the dim light from outside. He had used the cloak as a blanket for us. 

"Kisame will be back soon," he added. "We're leaving." 

I didn't need to ask what he meant. We weren't coming back to this cave. Not for a while. Maybe not ever. 

The Four-Tails was next, and I knew what that meant, sealing, time at the hideout, more quiet days full of pressure and shadowy tension. 

The cave had become a strange little safehouse, a liminal space where I was just... breathing freely. But that part was over now. I didn't argue. I just nodded and met Itachi near the cave's entrance. 

The air outside was crisp, carrying the clean scent of yesterday's rain and early morning dew. It felt good in my lungs, cool and sharp, a now familiar smell. 

We didn't say much. We never did. I just followed him into the trees, the two of us moving quickly through the underbrush before launching ourselves into the branches. 

The world blurred past as we jumped from tree to tree, feet landing in perfect rhythm, weight shifting effortlessly. It was second nature. A dance we both knew well. And despite the heaviness of what lay ahead... I felt light. 

I picked up speed, falling into a rhythm just behind Itachi, letting my legs push harder, my chakra steady in the soles of my feet. The trees passed by in streaks of green and brown. 

My cloak, one Itachi brought me, flared on my shoulders as wind tangled my hair. It felt good. So good, in fact, that I started showing off. Just a little. 

I spun mid-air after one jump, twisting into a flip before landing on the next branch. Then another. I didn't stop moving, I just let my body do what it wanted, riding the momentum. 

I kicked off the next tree and twisted again, this time turning sideways and rebounding against a trunk with a clean push. My body hummed with energy, the ache from the last few days forgotten. 

I hadn't moved like this in so long. Not with joy. Not with control. I was fast, smooth, and steady. I was alive. I felt alive. 

I caught Itachi's eyes briefly when I passed him, upside down in a flip. He didn't stop, but I saw it. He was smiling. A real one. Subtle, but there. I let out a soft laugh. "Was that a smile, Itachi?" I teased, keeping pace beside him. "Better be careful, I think your cool persona is slipping." 

He gave a quiet exhale, just enough to count as a laugh, even if it was mostly through his nose. "You're in a good mood," he replied simply, tone not accusing, just observant. 

"I'm running through the woods doing ninja parkour," I replied with a grin. "Hard not to be." 

He glanced at me again, and something in his gaze softened. Like maybe he was glad to see it. The life coming back into me. The small pieces of light pushing through. I didn't let myself think too hard about what was coming next. 

For now, there was only the wind, and the trees, and the breathless freedom of movement. I felt like me again. Maybe not the old me, and maybe not a new me yet either, but something in between. 

It was an enjoyable run, but when Itachi started to slow down I knew it was over. Then, without turning, he said simply, "We're here." 

I slowed beside him as we broke through the last row of trees, and the world opened up around us. A clearing stretched wide before us, but what caught my breath wasn't the open space, it was the cliff that dropped suddenly ahead. 

Beyond it, the land fell away to a sheer drop, and far below, dark water shimmered beneath the sky like glass. Wind raced up from the ravine, catching the edges of our cloaks and hair. It was a long fall. A deadly one. Even a ninja wouldn't take that leap without a plan. 

Itachi walked calmly to the edge, stopping just short of it, his posture relaxed. He just stood there, staring out at the water below and the endless horizon beyond it. 

I joined him quietly, letting the silence stretch as I looked out too. The view was beautiful. The water, the sky, the sheer drop into the unknown, it was breathtaking. 

There was something grounding in it, invoking feelings from both of us. I felt it, barely there at first, the brush of his fingers against mine. 

I looked down in surprise, but I didn't pull away. Instead, I turned my hand and gently intertwined my fingers with his. 

We stood like that for a moment, hand in hand, warm skin against cool breeze. There was no declaration, but there never had been. 

Then, softly, Itachi lifted my hand to his mouth. He pressed his lips to my knuckles, a gentle kiss. My heart gave a small flutter of disbelief, and I let out a quiet breath, half-amused. 

But just as quickly as the moment came, it ended. He let go of my hand and turned back toward the trees, his expression slipping back into calm neutrality. 

I narrowed my eyes slightly as I felt chakra and when I heard the heavy footsteps approaching. Kisame appeared between the trees a moment later, Samehada slung over his back with a body and his usual grin creeping across his face. 

"Well, well," he said, tilting his head. "Hope I'm not interrupting." 

I cleared my throat and stepped forward, not wanting to make Kisame any more suspicious than he was. He didn't witness what happened and he won't ever.

Itachi isn't surprised by his arrival but nonetheless acknowledged it, "Kisame, you're back." Kisame had his usual smile back on his face, which only grew wider when he saw I did not look terrible. 

"That's right. But having to bring him back without killing him was quite a bother, I'll tell you." Kisame dropped his sword, which in turn, dropped the four-tailed jinchuriki to the ground in a sickening thud. 

He was an older man, maybe in his 50s with pink hair and a beard, he was twitching on the ground and appeared to be in pain, though he was knocked out. 

A rather violent fight it must've been, Kisame must be pleased. When the first few drops of rain started, I frowned lightly at the poor man on the ground. 

But when it fully started to rain and a puddle grew beneath him did my mood turn foul. "He comes that rain we were expecting." Kisame commented. 

"It looks like a big storm," Itachi added. 

"Come on, let's go find some cover. Otherwise, we'll catch a chill." Kisame, though he was dressing both Itachi and I, probably meant it more for me. 

The last time I was in the rain, the only reason I didn't get sick was probably because the fire kept me warm when I immediately took cover. This time it would take a moment to make. 

But Itachi had his mask back on, which meant his objective was back. "Our leader's waiting for word that we captured him. Immediately after we secure him and bring him in, the sealing of both the three tails, and the four tails is to take place." 

Kisame, who was also tired, wasn't so giddy about everything, "So we make him wait a little before the sealing begins. I mean, it's not like it's really going to make a difference." 

Regardless of everything, top priority is getting out of the rain. Kisame used Samehada to pick the man up, slinging the sword, and the man on his back. "The sealing takes a long time anyway." 

Kisame gave me a smirk as I rolled my eyes at the comment. It wasn't my fault I was kidnapped to make the sealing faster, but I'd rather not help those who have threatened me. 

Itachi finally glanced at the jinchuriki, walking past Kisame towards the forest, "It looks like he's dying, you should handle the elderly with care." 

Kisame chuckled in response, walking with me as Itachi led us somewhere. "You only say that because you don't know this guy. Nabbing a jinchuriki, who uses the Corrosion-style jutsu of the 4 tails, is way harder than you think. But you probably can't understand my pain, not having battled the fellow directly." 

Itachi hummed, acknowledging his words but not leaving a comment. 

That reaction amused Kisame, "Well, I suppose it's really my own fault since I insisted on going alone. Shall I take care of your objective as well?" 

It seemed those few days in the cave made him mad with bloodlust. Thankfully he knew how to control it. Itachi shared my sentiment, "You need to try and settle down, Kisame." 

That did not discourage Kisame, but he understood what Itachi was saying, "Sorry, I'm just a little tired. I want to get this hunt for the tailed beasts over with already." 

Itachi shook his head lightly, "There isn't any need to be so impatient. This is going to take some time and that just can't be helped." 

Kisame disagreed with that statement. "Well, I'm not so sure about that. There are only a few more to find, right? And don't forget, it's been decided that we're going to seal the nine tails last of all. Or else it'll disrupt the balance and the sealing statue will come crashing to the ground. At least that's what our leader said. We all have to capture the Jinchuriki alive anyway, so why can't we trap him now and just keep him imprisoned?" 

Itachi sat on the ground, leaning against a large tree that sheltered us from the rain. His expression is unbothered, a calm smile resting on his face. "Fine with me, but it won't be easy. Don't forget that Deidara failed. If we're to seal the nine tails last, then we might as well hunt him down last." 

He was avoiding eye contact with me.

Kisame dropped the body to the ground, letting it crash without any care. Itachi added more to his point, "Besides, the Akatsuki's been too conspicuous lately. If we take the nine tails jinchuriki right now, it will only rile the hidden leaf village all the more." 

Kisame wanted Itachi to further explain, "Do you really believe that?" 

Itachi kept his aloof expression yet still refused to look my way. "Not only is the hidden leaf village strong, they have deep connections with other villages. If word gets around, then it will only make our jobs that much harder. It's wiser to collect everything up to the eight tails with as little commotion as possible." 

Kisame accepted that answer, "I see. I guess you're right about that, Itachi."

It went silent for a moment before Itachi spoke up, "And there's the summons." 

Kisame looked amused, "Guess we got caught dawdling." 

Kisame turned towards me, "will you be alright?" I glanced at the jinchuriki before looking at him, raising a brow. 

"What do you expect me to do?" 

Kisame chuckled, shaking his head, "nevermind." before they both made a handsign and closed their eyes, going to the summons.

They both sat still, eyes closed, bodies rigid, already slipping into that strange suspended state for the summoning. I was left standing there, soaked from the drizzle, the air heavy with damp earth and something else. 

Tension, maybe. Or dread. Or just the low hum of chakra hanging in the clearing. I shifted slightly and looked down at the jinchūriki, his body limp and lifeless in appearance. 

I exhaled slowly through my nose. Would they tell the others about me? It was something I hadn't been able to stop wondering. Surely the Akatsuki would want to know about me tagging along with two of their own. 

Especially since I escaped them once and it was known to the public. But if that were the case... wouldn't they have already dragged me to that cave where the statue loomed? Presented me like some sort of asset? 

But no. They hadn't. They didn't even ask me to help. They'd just... let me exist. Freely. Not as a prisoner. Not as a weapon. That stung, in an odd way. 

Because I could still hurt them. Right now, if I really wanted to. I had the means. I had enough skill to cause real damage. 

I narrowed my eyes and stared at the tree we were all under. If I struck now, caught them mid-summon, I could escape. I could grab the jinchūriki, take off into the woods, vanish before they reawakened. If they did. 

They wouldn't be expecting it. Maybe I could make it. But... then what? I'd have two new enemies if they survived. Ones who had saved me. Ones who didn't treat me like some ticking time bomb. 

I groaned quietly and dragged a hand through my wet hair, irritated with myself. Again, I was thinking in circles. Selfish. Useless. Damn! Caught in the middle of conviction and cowardice. 

I walked slowly over to the jinchūriki and knelt beside him. His face was pale, not at all peaceful. I wasn't sure if he was unaware of what was coming, but I had a feeling he knew. 

"I'm sorry," I whispered, barely audible over the rain. "I can't help you. Not you... not the one inside. I hope you both don't suffer too long." 

I stood and walked back to where I'd been. When I looked up, Itachi and Kisame were still motionless, deep in the seal. They hadn't noticed a thing.

When they did open their eyes, they glanced around. When nothing seemed amiss, no alarms went off. 

"Well that's just great. I thought we'd get a chance to rest a little bit at least." Kisame sighed, already picking up the jinchuriki. 

Itachi stood up as well, "We have no choice. Let's hurry."

We started walking again, deeper into the forest. The rain had lightened into a fine mist, but it still clung to the trees, weighing down the leaves and turning the earth soft beneath our feet. 

Kisame hoisted the jinchūriki over his shoulder like it was nothing, and I trailed just behind them, hugging my cloak closer to my body. 

"By the way," Kisame said casually, glancing at me with that sharp grin of his. "You were right. About Orochimaru." 

I blinked, not looking at him. "He's dead?" 

He gave a short nod, adjusting Samehada on his back. "We got word at the summons. Apparently Sasuke finally went through with it." 

A slow, bitter smile crept onto my face. "I told you he'd die at the hands of him." 

Kisame chuckled. "You did. I'll give you that one." 

I stayed quiet for a moment, letting that news settle in. Orochimaru being dead didn't really change much for me, he wasn't really dead, but it didn't help me to say that information out loud.

"Still, funny how things work out," Kisame mused, then seemed like he had more to say, but Itachi interrupted. 

"There's a small village to the east," he said, his voice even. "About two hours from here." I turned my head to look at him. "You should go there and rest," he continued, glancing at me briefly. "We'll return in less than four days." 

My brows lifted slightly. "You're... leaving me?" 

"Temporarily," he replied, then reached into his cloak and pulled out a small pouch. He handed it to me. "Enough ryo to cover food and lodging. Keep your head down. Don't draw attention." 

I hesitated as I took the pouch. He was trusting me again. To be on my own. To not disappear. Both versions. 

"You sure?" I asked softly, too shocked to just take the money and go. 

He nodded once. "We'll find you when it's done." I looked between the two of them, Itachi, already looking ahead, and Kisame, still grinning lazily. "Alright," I responded, slipping the pouch into my cloak. "I'll go."

A/n I gave you a long one! Damn! It took a moment to write this! Yikes! Enjoy~