Your Lies | Itachi Uchiha x Reader

Chapter 21

POV - Itachi:

The figure who interrupted had a distinctly feminine build. My eyes locked on her immediately, noting the tattoo of fire etched into her upper arm and the long flow of auburn hair.

I knew her instantly.

Y/n.

The girl who had invaded my thoughts over and over. The three kekkei genkai user. The one who had potential unlike any I'd ever seen. And the one I couldn't stop thinking about no matter how hard I tried.

My mind went blank. My heartbeat didn't.

"We meet again, you bastards," she said, lowering Hangetsu to the ground with care, brushing the dirt from his face. Then she stood.

My heart pounded louder.

Stop. What is this feeling?

"You have a lot of nerve... attacking Hidden Mist shinobi again."

"As the Akatsuki, nerve comes with the job," Kisame replied smugly. He winked at me like his quip was clever.

I rolled my eyes.

"What happened to the others? Why is Han the only one here?" she demanded.

POV - Y/n:

Something was wrong.

Team C had only just fallen. How had Team B been found so quickly?

"Isn't it obvious?" Kisame gestured around us.

I looked. Closer.

Bodies. Torn apart. Some missing limbs. Bloodied ANBU masks lay scattered. The air stank of fresh death.

Too late.

I was too late.

"You killed them all?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"Yes," Itachi said calmly. "Once we kill Han, our task here is complete."

No. Not again. Not him.

"Like hell you will." I armed myself with five kunai—two in each hand, one in my mouth.

Han lay helpless behind me. I wouldn't let them hurt him. I couldn't.

"You should've stayed away," Itachi said, moving into position. "You do realize the bounty on your head, don't you?"

"I don't care," I snapped. "I'm done being defined by it. I'm not a prize. I'm a powerful kunoichi."

"Is this an invitation to fight?" Kisame asked, baring his teeth.

"If it means getting rid of you—yes."

He lunged. Samehada whirled through the air. I ducked low, kunai flying in his direction as I evaded.

They wouldn't act first with jutsu. They knew better. They wanted to see my hand.

I didn't wait anymore.

"Yōton: Yōkai no Jutsu!"

Acidic lava spewed from my mouth—but it only hit a water clone.

Behind me, Kisame laughed.

Samehada came down fast. I twisted—but not fast enough. Pain seared through my forearm. Blood burst from the gash.

"Finally," he said. "I knew you'd slip."

I bit down my scream.

"I'm not done!" I slammed my hands together.

"Doton: Go Doryūheki!"

A stone cube erupted around us. Then:

"Fūton: Komu no Jutsu!"

Acid mist filled the space.

Kisame collapsed, choking.

I approached, immune to my own jutsu. "Taking me seriously now?"

He chuckled. "You forgot something..."

The stone walls cracked. Collapsed.

Rubble buried me.

"I'm here too, sweetheart," Itachi said softly, brushing rock from my cheek.

His voice was calm. Deep. Disarming.

My heart thundered.

No. Not now. Not like this.

I was with Han. This feeling was wrong. I couldn't control it. Couldn't stop it.

He leaned closer. "What happened to your promise to protect him?"

His red eyes bored into mine. They saw too much.

I couldn't breathe.

"Itachi..."

POV - Itachi:

She said my name.

Soft. Serious.

It hit me harder than it should have.

"This isn't over," she growled.

"Hyōro no Jutsu!"

Ice burst from the rocks, shattering them. Shards swirled around like a storm.

"Hyōton: Senpū!"

A whirlwind of ice wrapped around us. It was sharp. Controlled.

"She's not holding back anymore!" Kisame barked.

"There's more!"

"Fūton: Komu no—"

"Block your nose!" I warned.

The mist came. It burned.

Even Susanoo would be too late.

"Amaterasu."

The whirlwind disintegrated into flame.

Through the smoke, I saw her.

Running.

Carrying him.

POV - Y/n:

We had to run.

Han needed help. I needed time. Chakra depleted, muscles screaming—I kept going.

Until Kisame appeared in front of me.

No.

"Lava Release!"

Weak. Too weak. Barely fazed him.

I turned.

Itachi blocked the path.

"There's no reason to run," he said, walking toward me.

I froze.

Why?

He brushed my hair back.

No. Don't blush.

He touched my chin. Tilted my gaze to meet his.

Those eyes.

So deep.

My body wavered. I was falling down.

I let go of Han. He hit the ground.

I collapsed into Itachi's chest.

"I have to do this..." he whispered.

Kisame lifted me onto Itachi's back.

"Let's go, Kisame."

That was the last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me.

"Please... don't kill Hangetsu, Itachi..."