Will Of Fire ~KakashixOc (Editing)

Ch. 1 The Beginning

I stand in front of a mirror in my bedroom, angling my hips slightly so I can see my back. I bite my bottom lip slightly, seeing the intricate network of scars that were carved into my back. Some of them were old, pale colored and barely visable, but others were more recent and shades of pink. I run a shaky finger along one, my most recent scar than across my lower back. My eyes slowly lift to meet my own gaze in the mirror, empty green orbs that I don't recognize as my own half the time. The was a sharpness to my eyes and jaw, my appearance looking older and more serious. These past three years have changed me in ways that I never knew was possible. Itachi had warned me, if course, what I was getting into, but... I never fully exspected this.

I'm still in contact with Konohagakure, The Hidden Leaf Village. I send letters directly to Tsunade to communicate with her about what was going on here in the lion's den. I can't keep in touch with her all of the time, so our letters are often weeks old or vague in information. Sometimes I send messages to give to my family and friends, for Sakura and Naruto. I even visit Sasuke from time to time, to check on how he is doing and everything. Asuma tries to get messages to me every time Tsunade sends something, so I know how much he misses me and everything. Naruto has been out training with Jiraiya, so Tsunade sends my letters for him to Jiraiya in order for Naruto to receive them. Sakura has been training under Tsunade, and Sakura tells me how strong she is getting under Tsunade's watch. Even Kakashi sent me a letter, which had been folded neatly and hidden behind Gai's huge letter.
My chest tightens whenever I remember the raw words that he had written, like he was speaking directly to my heart. He spoke of how everyone was changing, even my little Konohamaru was all grown up now. He said that he felt as if he were the only on who stayed the same, how he felt like he would be giving up on me if he changed. I smile slightly, a pathetic half smile that made me feel worse.
"Maybe he should..." I close my eyes, sliding my shirt over my head and finishing my thought in my head. I didn't want to hear it aloud, didn't want to imagine him moving on from me. I couldn't bring myself to picture him with another woman, even though I wanted him to be happy. It hurt to picture him walking side by side with someone that wasn't me, or waking up beside someone new. I tell myself that he should give up on me, but I can't bring myself to actually believe it.

"Mai-chan! Are you up?"
"Yeah, give me a second!" I call back, grabbing my mask from my nightstand and pulling my Akatsuki cloak over my shorts and long sleeve white shirt. I strap my mask on and slide out of my room, almost running into the person waiting for me in the hallway.
"Sorry, Kisame-kun!" I tell him, smiling brightly as he rolls his eyes. "I didn't see you there!"
"That's okay, Mai-chan!" He says, smiling back with pointed teeth. "We all make mistakes."
"I will learn from my mistake quickly, Kisame-kun!" I say, posing with a cute peace sign. "Just for you!"
"You two scare me when you get like this..." Itachi sighs, rubbing his temples as Kisame and I laugh. "Why can't you be normal?"
"I'm just practicing!" I say defensively, pushing Kisame playfully as he walks too close to me in the hallway. "I'm supposed to go on a mission today with the new guy. I haven't met him yet."
"He... He's something special." Kisame laughs, walking even closer to me as I glare at him. I push him again and he just keeps getting closer, with his smile getting wider.
"Just make sure to keep your mask on at all times. Be careful about sleeping arrangements and everything." Itachi warns, looking at me seriously. "Eat by yourself and make sure to stick to your alias."
"Hai." I nod, giving him a smile and a nudge to his side. "Don't worry, Tachi. I can handle it."
"I know." He gives me a small smile, dropping me off at Nagato's doors. "But be careful."
"I will." I give him a hug and Kisame a pat on his shoulder. "I see you guys in a week or so, however long this'll take."
"Yeah, see ya!" Kisame says, grinning at me. "Don't die or anything."
"..." I roll my eyes at him before I walk into the room.

"I am here, Nagato-san." I announce my arrival, walking into the poorly lit room. I approach him with me hands at my side and my chin held high. "You wished to see me?"
"Ah, Mai-san..." Nagato smiles at me, sitting in his chair as he looks me over. "Have you recovered from your last mission?"
"Hai, I am perfectly fine." I nod, but still feel a small ache where I broke my ribs a little while ago.
"Good, good..." He nods, lifting his hand to signal to someone. I hear footsteps behind me and I kept my eyes on Nagato, letting him now that he had my full attention. He smiles softly, knowing what I was doing.
"This is Tobi, Mai. He will be your partner for this mission." Nagato exsplains, making my eyes widen under my mask. My eyes snap to 'Tobi', my heart in my throat as I recognized the name. Tobi... It couldn't be him, could it? I've kept in contact with him, visiting him in my dreams every other night or so. We'd grown closer over these years and I'd easily say that he was one of my closest friends. Even though I still haven't seen him, I trust him with my life... But he never said anything about joining the Akatsuki...