[48] Encounters

"I'm going to meet with Sasuke. You are coming with me."

Kagami stares at her brother. She just got comfortable on her bed with a book, and here her brother is, standing in her doorway. She decided not to argue with him this time and just got up and followed him out, placing her book in her ninja pouch. He gives her a surprised look but continues on his way anyway. They stop at the door and slip their shoes on, almost in unison before heading out towards the restaurant district.

Kakashi shoves his hands into his pockets and looks up to the sky. Kagami takes the time to loop her arm through her brothers and shove her own hands into her pockets. The height difference made Kakashi slouch a little but he doesn't protest at all. They miss each other. Though only knowing each other for a brief time, they have a strong bond. The recent information revealed about Kagami has caused quite a lot of emotional stir within her brother. The two walk in silence towards the meeting spot.

"When were we supposed to be there?"

"An hour ago."

"Not bad."

The two turn the corner to see Sasuke leaning against the stall, his hands deep in his pockets and an arrogant look on his face. Kagami nods to her brother and slips away from him, going into the shop while the two talk. She walks up to the counter, nodding to the lady.

"Four dango sticks and three cups of green tea, take away." She places the money on the counter as she orders.

"It will only be a few minutes! Please take a seat while you are waiting, I'll bring your order to you!" The cheerful woman hurries off to the back room with Kagami's money and an order paper.

Kagami turns around and takes the only empty table in the place. The tables are crammed in on one another and most are almost touching each other. She immediately becomes aware of who is sitting on the table over. She is stuck between them and the wall. She had noticed them when she walked in, but now she is very aware of who they are.

She slyly watches as the blue male picks up his cup and slowly sips from in. She glances at her former teammate, who is sitting directly diagonal to her. She reaches into her pouch and watches their movement silently as she does. Kisame reaches back, itching to grab his sword. But he freezes as Kagami just pulls her book out and places it on the table, flipping through the pages and reading quietly.

"Ah Kakashi! You're here?

"Oh, Asuma, Kurenai."

"What are you doing down here?" Kagami hisses as she realises that her brother has indeed noticed the two as well, meaning she is safer.

"I'm here to buy offerings. . . I've made plans to meet here with Sasuke."

Kagami almost flinches as Itachi's grip on his cup twitches. She prays to Kami that whenever her brother says doesn't end up with her dead. Kagami may be strong, but she knows how strong Itachi is and has read all about Kisame and the other swordsmen. She isn't about to go through with anything alone. She gulps quietly and continues to read through her book, scanning over the words slowly.

"Is the offering to Obito?" Asuma's voice gives a little more reassurance to the girl.

"Obito?"

'Dear Kami, I'm coming to visit you today.'

"Well that's about right." Her brother's voice is a little more cheerful as he turns around to check from his sister.

His eyes widen when he sees where she is. It is obvious that she doesn't want to be there but she isn't about to move and cause trouble. Kakashi sighs and turns around again, once again facing his comrades.

Kagami freezes on a word, not recognising it. Another down of being brought up in an underground unit. She didn't receive a proper education. She pulls out a second book and pen, writing out the word to ask Kakashi about later. She notices Itachi's gaze on her hand and tries not to look up at him, she won't be starting a fight just after she got out of the hospital. Kisame also seems to notice his teammates' gaze and looks over at the two books. Kagami's worry spikes as she notices Asuma and Kurenai are no longer with them.

"Elegant. It means graceful, beautiful." His voice startles the girl but she doesn't show it.

She just simply rights down the meaning in the second book next to the word. She closes the book and places it back in her pouch.

"Thank you, Itachi."

Her heart races as she catches herself at the last moment.

'Focus, Kagami.'

"Here is your order, have a nice day!" The lady places down a small paper tray with the drinks and dango on it.

"Thank you," Kagami grabs it almost too quickly.

She leans forward and quickly catches one of the cups as it almost tips over, her eyes wide and heart racing. She missed the side of the tray by a fraction. Her eyesight may become a problem if she doesn't get it checked out soon. She takes a deep breath to calm herself before picking up the spare dango stick and tossing it at Itachi.

As he grabs it she stands and walks out, seemingly not able to move fast enough.

"Let's go now, let's eat when we get there." She doesn't stop moving, she just walks past the two.

"You okay, Kagami?" Her brother reaches out and picks up the swaying cups so they don't spill.

"Positive."

s.h.o.u.t.

"Who was that, Itachi?" Kisame downs the last of his tea as the said man munches on his new dango stick.

The Uchiha smiles lightly as they stand up and head out.

"Kagami Hatake," he drops the empty stick in the bin.

"How do you know her? You must know her well, to be on a first name basis." The man secures his hat as wind passes by lightly, causing the bells to ring lightly.

"We worked together, she was the youngest in our unit."

"When you were around? What was she, a fetus?" The blue man chuckles to himself as they walk their way along the lanes.

"She was six when I joined Anbu."

Kisame chokes on his own spit, his eyes widening, "what is she some kind of inbreeding experiment?"

"Orochimaru."

'Ah,'

Kisame stays silent, understanding the situation now.

The two stop suddenly as Kurenai and Asuma appear in front of them, glaring them down heavily. Itachi reaches up and lifts his straw hat slightly, his eyes glaring back with the same hatred.

"Huh?!"

"Huh?!"

The two jonin's eyes go wide, their stances no longer as strong as when they arrived.

"Y-You are. . . !" Asuma stutters in shock, suddenly aware of the graveness of the situation he is in.

Itachi starts unbuttoning his cloak, slowly and without any sudden movements.

"Humph, without a doubt," Asuma smirks, his cigarette burning between his lips, "Itachi Uchiha."

"I'll introduce myself as well." Kisame smirks under his hat before pulling it off and throwing it to the side. "I'm Kisame Hoshigaki. Hereafter, I hope to be familiar with you."

All four sinobi notice a sudden spike in chakra around them, but none of them notice where or who it is coming from.

"Asuma-san, Kurenai-san." Itachi doesn't break eye contact, "don't interfere with me. I don't intend to kill you."

Kisame, without breaking eye contact, reaches back and grabs the handle of his sword and swings it over his shoulder, bringing it down on the ground in front of them, causing a dust cloud to appear.

"This guy is pretty annoying. Should we kill him?"

s.h.o.u.t.

"Kagami, stop aggravating Sasuke."

"Why, what are you gonna do?"

"I will kill you."

"Go ahead."

"Kagami!" Kakashi separates the two before sighing.

"Sasuke, lets train tomorrow, something has come up."

"Hn."

The boy shoves his hands into his pockets and walks off, annoyance radiating off him. Kagami smiles in happiness. She had to listen to his arguments all day every day, so she will get him back.

"Kagami, I have something to deal with."

"I'll come capture Itachi with you." The girl starts walking ahead of her brother, causing him to sweat-drop.

'This girl.'

"Race you."

"Kagami!"

Kagami swallows thickly as she races ahead of her brother. She is still recovering and still hasn't figured out what is wrong with her eyes. Not to mention that there is a chance her facade might slip when it comes to Itachi. She doesn't trust many, but a flaw of hers seems to be once she trusts one, she can't break it.

Plus, she never liked injuring the innocent.

s.h.o.u.t.

"As expected of you Kurenai, but . . ."

Asuma and Kurenai are distracted for a second as a giggle rings out. They watch, eyes wide, as Kagami and Kakashi sprint towards them.

Kagami nods her head to her brother before disappearing, Kakashi just simply appears behind the two intruders, his expression neutral.

"But, this is as far as it goes . . . for you. But, I do feel a little uneasy."

"Shadow clones." Kurenai mumbles as she turns around to glance at her silver haired comrade.

"Kakashi," Itachi turns around, facing said man, "Hatake."

Their Sharingans clash against each other, Kakashi's one to Itachi's two, all three tome.

'Those eyes are exactly the same as they used to be in the past.' Despite this, Kakashi doesn't falter, he holds his ground and continues to stare. 'That being said, he is a true inheritor of the Sharingan. I have to assume the worst case scenario, just in case.'

"There they were, Itachi Uchiha and the Mystery Man of Hidden Mist Village, Kisame Hoshigaki." Kakashi glances around slightly, trying to focus on his sister.

"Well, well . . you know even my name. It's an honour." Kisame smirks to the three, hoping to get a good fight out of them.

Silence rings out between them all, no one faltering until Itachi turns his entire body around to face them.

"Came here to find something we are looking for."

"Something you're looking for?" Kakashi's eyes narrow, all of a sudden worried about the fact that his sister has not re appeared from the shadows.

Itachi pulls out shuriken just as Kakashi leaps back, aiming to harm the man. Kakashi doesn't falter, he immediately starts making hand signs, taking advantage of the water beneath them.

"Ninja Art: Water Style. Water Wall!"

It pulls up just in time for Kakashi to avoid attacks from below the water. The water falls back, washing back into the river, once again, no one is moving.

"That's what's to expect from you, Kakashi-san. Your power of analytical eye . . . is great."

Itachi appears behind Kakashi, aiming to stab him in the back with a kunai, but Kagami takes this chance to appear. She races forward, kicking the weapon out of his hand, while also aiming to land a blow on his head. Yet he ducks efficiently, avoiding the attack but also giving Kagami time to retreat to a safer distance.

"A shadow clone? His jutsu speed is too fast." Kurenai mumbles to herself, still crouched to the ground.

But Kagami smiles as her brother's body washes away into water, giving her another chance to attack the man. But this time, Kisame gets a hold of her. She curses as he interlocks his arms around her torso and holds her in place against his body.

"Nice, Kakashi."

'Dumb.'

Kakashi appears out of the water, grabbing Kurenai and lunging out of the way.

"It's a shadow clone." He mumbles to her as she gasps in shock.

Water erupts around them, covering them all from sight.

"Kakashi! Kurenai!" Asuma's voice rings out, causing Kagami to be a little less sure of herself.

"Itachi told me not to interfere, but that doesn't mean I can't stop you from doing it either." Kagami looks up at the blue man, making eye contact with him, "Kagami-chan."

The way he says her name causes her eyes to widen and adrenaline to pump through her body.

"You scared?"

She doesn't reply to him, she just turns back to concentrate on the fight. She can see her superiors now. All of them are safe, but the water is falling on top of them like rain. Kakashi turns sound just as Itachi re-appears.

"Don't underestimate him, He's the guy who became division chief of Anbu Black Ops. at age 13." Kakashi glares as he turns, fully aware that a fish has his hands on his sister.

"I didn't expect that you, who isn't a member of the Uchiha clan, would have mastered the Sharingan to that extent." Itachi also notices Kagami to the side, "But your body isn't the Uchiha clan body that comes with the eye."

Itachi looks back to them, opening his eyes slowly. Kakashi's eyes go wide and he steps back, pushing the other two back with him.

"Both of you! Don't look at his eyes!" He stares at his once subordinate in shock, "only people with Sharingan can have a go with that technique."

"Indeed with Sharingan, you can resist this Mangekyo Sharingan to a certain extent." Itachi looks at Kakashi, aiming to lock him within the Genjutsu.

But once again, too slow. Kagami snaps her head back, causing Kisame to grunt and loosen his hold on her. She takes his chance to slip out of his hands and rush forward, grabbing onto the back of her brother's Jonin vest and yanking him backwards. She pushes herself forward and replaces his eyes with her own.

"Kagami, no!"

s.h.o.u.t.

oh, kagami what are you doing?

~shadow