An Itachi Fanfiction [EDITING]

Naruto vs Itachi

I landed beside Naruto and Killer Bee and immediately froze.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

Standing beside Nagato was a man I had mourned for months. A man I had watched die. A man I had loved more than anyone else in the world.

Itachi.

His eyes widened the instant they found mine.

"(Y/N)..."

The way he said my name almost broke me.

A thousand emotions crashed through me at once. Relief. Grief. Joy. Anger. Longing.

I took a step forward.

Then stopped.

Because I remembered Shisui.

I remembered how hard he had fought against Kabuto's control.

I remembered the way his body had moved against his will.

The way he had begged me to seal him away.

My hands clenched into fists.

Everything inside me screamed at me to run to Itachi.

Instead, I forced myself to stay where I was.

A flash of understanding crossed his face.

He knew exactly why.

I gave him a sad smile.

"Hello, Itachi."

He took a small step toward me.

Instinctively, I stepped back.

The movement seemed to hurt him for a moment before understanding replaced it.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "As long as Kabuto controls you, I can't risk getting close."

Silence settled between us.

Not awkward.

Not uncomfortable.

Just heavy.

The weight of everything that had happened since we'd last seen each other.

To my surprise, Itachi smiled.

Not sadly.

Proudly.

And somehow that hurt even more.

Because he understood.

Because he approved.

Because the girl who once would have thrown herself into danger without hesitation was gone.

I wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

Naruto looked between us.

"Uh..."

Neither of us answered.

We simply stared at one another.

Trying to fit months of loss into a few precious seconds.

Eventually Itachi looked away first.

"Naruto," he said quietly. "There is something I must ask you."

Naruto straightened.

"That reminds me. I've got questions for you too."

"So do I," I muttered.

Unfortunately, fate wasn't interested in giving us our reunion.

Both Itachi and Nagato suddenly stiffened.