Defective .:Yandere!Itachi x Fem!Reader:. AU

Defective: A Wandering Couple

Sasuke admits it. Karin is a better planner than him. When he escaped from Orochimaru's clutches, he had no plan further than that. He didn't think to bring money, nor anything to pawn off. His mind only set on escaping and going home. How he'd get home isn't something he really thought about until now.

So far, the past week, they've survived by sticking together, stealing together, and doing odd jobs for the elderly. They were dirty, stinky, and not many people would come near them in this apathetic city. Yet, the right people knew that they were desperate and either gave them money or offered them a task, a hot shower, and a meal.

The couple never said no.

...

In the dead of night, the air nips at Sasuke's skin. Karin sets up a tent near a thicket, far from the main roads, and far from where Orochimaru would search for them. Once finished with the tent, the two do their nightly routine of counting the money they earned, splitting it up equally, setting up their sleeping bags, and rationing their food. 

Today, their total earnings amounted to little. They sigh, splitting the thirty Ryo in half.

Karin climbs into the tent, and Sasuke follows. "If push comes to shove, I'll sell my body," she says, weary from the weeks of living like this.

"Don't." Sasuke moves beneath the sleeping bag, trying to keep himself warm. Heaven forbid if he catches hypothermia, it'll be an awful death to an awful life. "We can figure something out."

"Like what?!" Karin edges the brink of hysteria. Her life back with Orochimaru wasn't all bad, but it was better than this. She at least could shower. "At some point, the whole town will know us as the two bummy kids! And word will travel all the way up to Orochimaru cause I know he has spies everywhere!"

Sasuke shudders at the sound of his name. "Look, in all honesty," Sasuke mumbles, shifting around in his sleeping bag, "I just want to go back home. I've been saving up my money for it. I can take a bus or whatever."

"So you were going to ditch me? After all I've done for you!" Karin shoots up from her spot and glares down at Sasuke, who looks away meekly.

"No," Sasuke says. "I actually wanted to make sure you were, ya know, settled...before I split." He takes her hand into his, which makes her heart flutter in her chest. Despite her anger, she's still a 15-year-old girl with a crush on him. "I owe you my life Karin, but I also don't want to stay here any longer."

She ponders, allowing silence to grow between them as she enjoys the warmth of his hand. The night air shakes their tent gently. For a moment, she realizes the position they're both in. Two 15-year-olds, against the harshness of the world, sleeping in tents, all sticky, rancid, and tired. This is no place for either of them. A 15-year-old is supposed to be in their room, listening to music, brooding, and rebelling against their parents in the most mundane ways. Not this. Not whatever the fuck this is.

It's no wonder Sasuke wants to go home. And who is she to stop him from doing so?

Tears run down her face abruptly. Sasuke, becoming worried, grasps her hands harder, moving closer to her. He doesn't know exactly what to do. He wants to cry too.

"Take me with you," Karin says through her sobs. She embraces him, crying on his shoulder. "Please take me with you."

...

By morning, the two have already done their morning routine. With their backpacks on, they head towards the nearest bus stop. As they walk through the semi-crowded streets, Sasuke masters the art of pickpocketing thanks to Karin. For days they practiced. It was used as a last resort for cash.

They took whatever they could and pawned it off. A phone, a ring, a watch. Anything was up for grabs. And if they ever got caught, they would split up and meet at a different rendevous point every time.

But for now, they don't worry about pawning anything they stole until later. They have enough money to reach out of town. Their only worry is getting to the bus stop safely.

Together they walk, satisfied with what they've gathered from others. At the edge of the street sits the bus stop. Standing around are others either waiting or begging. For today, they're not the ones begging.

And one would think they'd have more empathy for the others who are also without shelter, but this city shifted their young, generous hearts into something monster-like. Not a passing glance is given to others.

An older man holds his hands out to both of them. They smell just as bad as him, minus the stench of piss and alcohol. "Please spare any change for an old beggar."

Sasuke raises his nose. "Piss off." He spits at the ground next to the old man, who glares and shuffles off to beg other passengers.

Sasuke offers Karin to sit on the bench, and he stands. Over time, he's grown protective of Karin. The debt he owes her sits on his shoulder like a chip. He'll never forget it. And although he feels the affection she has for him, he can't reciprocate it. There's another his heart belongs to.

She reaches for his pinky and holds it until a bus comes. They get on.

They head for Kohona.

...