Your Lies | Itachi Uchiha x Reader

Chapter 15

POV – Narrator:

Not far away, Itachi and Kisame wandered through an unclaimed land. Though it bordered the Land of Fire and sat just across the sea from the Land of Water, no nation laid claim to it.

The two Akatsuki members were hunting the Six-Tails' jinchūriki, who they believed was hiding somewhere in the area. With few inhabitants, this land made an ideal hideout for someone like him—isolated, quiet, and hard to track.

Their goal was to find the jinchūriki within the next eight days. Timing was everything.

"You really think we'll find him in eight days?" Kisame asked, clearly disheartened. "It took us three whole days to search one forest—"

But Itachi didn't respond.

"There you go again. Why are you never listening?" Kisame huffed, fake-pouting. When Itachi still didn't answer, Kisame narrowed his eyes. "You're still thinking about her, aren't you?"

"No, I'm not," Itachi replied quietly, turning his head.

Kisame grinned. "Oh? I didn't say who—so you were thinking about her."

Itachi stayed silent.

"Cold-hearted Itachi, caught slipping," Kisame teased, shrieking like a fangirl. "You like her, don't you?"

"She's just... fascinating," Itachi muttered. He told himself it was just interest. Curiosity. But the truth was more complicated. There was something magnetic about her—the way she carried herself, her burning resolve to protect others. Even with only a few shared words, he'd felt a pull.

"Fascinating, huh?" Kisame smirked. "You sure that's all it is?"

Itachi ignored him.

"We need to contact Pain," he said.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's find a shaded spot first," Kisame said, glancing around the forest.

They soon found a quiet area covered by trees and took seats beneath the shade, grateful for a break from the blazing heat.

Kisame cracked his neck, then closed his eyes and began transmitting thought waves. Itachi followed suit.

Moments later, they both appeared in a familiar illusion—an ethereal tower inside their minds. Their bodies were dark, glitching silhouettes, eyes the only visible detail. This was how Akatsuki members connected over long distances—via thought projection.

Pain stood near a window, overlooking the rain-soaked skyline of the Hidden Rain Village.

He turned when he sensed them. His face was calm but worn. Tear stains lined his cheeks. He quietly wiped them away.

"Finally," he said. "I have a few things to ask."

He didn't need to explain. Everyone knew why Pain had been crying. Hidan and Kakuzu had been killed by Hidden Leaf shinobi during a mission. Kisame had once said Pain was "a pretty depressing guy," but today the sadness felt heavy.

"Have you found the Six-Tails?" Pain asked.

They shook their heads.

"You still have eight days," Pain said, arms crossed. "If you can't find him, I'll handle it myself."

Behind him, paper rustled as Konan formed beside him, her body coming together from dozens of fluttering sheets.

"Hello," she said softly, standing by his side.

"Pain, I need to speak with you—urgently," she whispered.

"That's all," Pain said, waving Itachi and Kisame off. "You may leave."

"That's it?" Kisame blinked. "We came all the way to this mindscape for that?"

Pain nodded.

Kisame sighed. "Fine..."

They both broke the hand seals and returned to their physical bodies.

Itachi opened his eyes. A raindrop hit his face—and then the sky opened up in a downpour.

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POV – Y/n:

Training continued each day. Fuyu-san and I would return to the same clearing, and she'd teach me a new ice jutsu. Sometimes I'd master one in a single day. Other times, it took two. But I kept at it.

After ten days, I had learned every single jutsu Fuyu-san knew.

Seventeen in total.

Fuyu-san clapped as I finished executing Black Dragon Blizzard.

"You did it!" she beamed. "You've officially learned everything I know. I'm seriously impressed."

"Thank you..." I said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. A new confidence bloomed in me. I finally felt strong. Like I could actually protect those I cared about.

"You've done well, kid." Fuyu-san ruffled my hair proudly.

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POV – Mei:

The office door burst open.

Fuyumi entered with Y/n bouncing at her side, practically vibrating with excitement. Her eyes sparkled as she jumped up and down.

"I'm done! I finished learning ice release!" she exclaimed.

"That's amazing," I said, blinking. I was honestly shocked. Not just surprised—astonished.

Compared to other chakra natures like fire or water, ice release had fewer jutsus, sure—but still. To learn an entire release in eleven days?

That was insane.

"I know what you're thinking," Fuyumi murmured, stepping closer. She leaned in, whispering, "I didn't think it was possible either. Learning one jutsu a day? That's grueling. I don't know how she kept up."

I smiled to myself. This kind of training would break most students. But she hadn't just survived it—she'd thrived.

She really was gifted.

My little sister—no, this prodigy—was the pride of both the Terumi and Yuki clans. Her power was something the other villages feared. Her bounty made sense. People feared what she might become... and that fear turned into a desire to eliminate her.

"Your sister's going to be a powerful kunoichi," Fuyumi said, placing a warm hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah... I think she will."

We both looked over at Y/n, who was spinning in circles and shooting snowflakes from her fingertips in pure joy.

"But has she mastered ice release?" I asked, turning back to Fuyumi.

She shook her head. "Not yet. She knows all the techniques, but mastering it requires more than memorization. It's about control, creativity, strategy. She'll figure it out through battle experience."

I nodded in agreement.

"Thank you so much for training her," I said, shaking her hand.

"Of course," she smiled, then opened her palm and pointed to it expectantly.

"Right..." I rummaged through my drawer and pulled out an envelope stuffed with ryo. I handed it over.

"Thanks." Fuyumi bowed graciously.

"You heading back to the Hidden Snow now?"

"Not today. I think I'll spend the night here—then head out early tomorrow."

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