In the Shadow of the Crow {Itachi x Reader}

Chapter 3

"How? You two... you were the greatest."

"The Uchiha clan had other plans."

"What the fuck does that even mean?"

"It's complicated, Y/N," Itachi said, with a hint of shame.

"How did he die?"

"How do you even know about Shisui?"

"I saw him on the Other Side. He helped me get back here."

"The Other Side?"

"It's where I go when I die. A sort of limbo until I can return."

"And you saw him? You saw Shisui."

"You know what never mind. Where did that bastard go?" her tone was aggravated.

"Who?"

"The one with the dumb scythe."

"Hidan. I don't know."

"You do, Itachi. Why are you helping him?" she asked as she narrowed her eyes.

"Helping him?"

"Covering for him."

"Y/N, I'm not – why do you want to find him?"

Itachi stared at Y/N. She was being erratic in a way he had never witnessed. He was still exhausted from the teleportation jutsu, yet eager to speak with Y/N. He missed the Leaf Village so much and couldn't stand the thought of losing her now that they had been oddly reunited.

"Would you like to get dango? Or taiyaki? There was bath house in that last village. So tell me again why you're a rogue ninja."

"I have to get back to my partner. Would you like to come?"

"You're wearing the same robe as Hidan. Will he be there? You know he hurts women. We need to make sure he can't hurt anyone else."

Itachi had no idea what to do with her. Perhaps it was normal for her to act so erratically after coming back from the Other Side? He began to wonder how many times she had died since she left the village.

"Y/N. You don't seem entirely well. Maybe we can find a place to get some rest? Come on."

Itachi led Y/N back to where he had left Kisame. Hidan was nowhere to be seen. Kisame stood to his full height when he saw Itachi approach with the young woman. This mission was getting derailed quickly.

"Itachi, explain."

"She's an old comrade. I think Pain might have a use for her."

Kisame looked from Itachi to Y/N before letting out an irritated sigh, "Fine. Listen, I'm tired. Let's stop for the day and continue tomorrow."

~~~

The three had found an inn to stay overnight. The inn also had its own hot spring that immediately drew Y/N's attention. She had been drastically quiet on the trek to the inn compared to the hyperactive conversation she had earlier with Itachi.

After Kisame had gone to his room, Itachi led Y/N to their room.

"I think I'm going to relax in the hot spring for a bit, would you like to join?" she asked.

Itachi turned to her, his Sharingan activated. She sounded completely normal now, "Are you sure you don't just want to rest?"

"Well, lounging in a hot spring counts as rest in my opinion. I'll be there if you change your mind," Y/N was about to walk out of the room before she turned around, looking into Itachi's now dark eyes, "Thank you for saving me Itachi."