Vision of Truth II: Shield and Sharingan (Naruto)

Stumbling Close

Chapter 18: Stumbling Close

Itachi did not force me to train the following morning. He said I should take the day to relax and get used to my new memories. While he was gone, I pondered his recent actions with Kiku. Did he help me through everything because he was trying to bond with me? And if so, did he do it because he was following orders? I was inclined to believe so, but I could not ignore that Kiku was right; I had instinctively trusted him when I was afraid, and that had to mean something.

I decided to seek out an alternative source of information. Kiku was not fond of Kisame due to his water chakra nature, so she found Deidara while I knocked on his door. Fortunately, the large blue man was inside, and he gave me a toothy grin when he saw me. "Katsumi!" he said. "What a surprise. Come on in."

I stepped inside and gazed around the room. It was not as matriculate as Itachi and Sasori's but much cleaner than Deidara and Tobi's. "I wanted to talk to you about Itachi."

"What about him? You two are getting along now, aren't?"

"Yes. Well, I think so." I looked at him with a serious expression. "What do you know about him? What is he like?"

Kisame shrugged. "Not much, I'm afraid. He's not exactly the most open person, as you know. Even I can't get him to crack. But I do like him. He's good and efficient at his work. I couldn't ask for a more reliable partner."

I nodded. "Thank you, Kisame. I think that helps." I turned towards the door.

"He seems to like you though. I can't say how I know, but I do."

I paused with my hand on the doorknob. "He's doing what he's supposed to in this situation. It's just another mission."

"Maybe, but it's a mission you want to complete too, isn't it?"

When he put it that way, it did not sound as bad. Still, something about it bothered me. It seemed the only way I would get anything out of Itachi was to dig deeper myself. So, I started talking to him once he returned to his room.

After engaging in some small talk, I pulled out the picture of my team from my bag. "You don't mind if I put this up, do you?"

Itachi barely glanced at me. "No."

I set the picture on the small end table near my end table. "Do you ever think of your old team?"

"Not at all."

I wondered if any of them were alive but decided it best not to ask. "I think of mine all the time. I know, in this line of work, it's probably typical to go through several teams, but they were the first real family I ever had." I gazed fondly at the photo. "All of us but Sakura have deep-rooted problems, and that itself makes her unique. I think that's why we bonded." I paused. "We'll get back to that someday. Naruto and I will return to the Leaf, and then we'll rescue Sasuke. We won't leave anyone behind."

I faintly felt something from the bracelet at the mention of his brother's name. I could not figure out what it was, but it was definitely there. When I glanced at Itachi, he was not even looking at me. I smiled softly to myself. I would get through to him eventually.

***

I resumed training with Itachi the following day. Something felt different about this session, but I could not put my finger on it. Afterwards, I retired to the couch and worked on a new drawing. This one consisted of a cat and lion watching a shark in the water who stared back at them. Soon, I felt someone approach.

"Hi, Deidara," Kiku said from her spot on the armrest.

I looked up to see Deidara watching me from a fair distance away. "You can sit down if you want." He hesitated before sitting on the far end of the couch. "Want to see?" I showed him the half-finished drawing.