Susurrus [Itachi x OC]

5: A Clear Lack of Consciousness On My Part

Walking through the forest around the Hidden Leaf, Itachi carries the unconscious body of Akatani Hikanari over his shoulder. Midafternoon light gently glints across the headband—once affixed to her forehead—tied loosely around her neck.

For a moment, he stares fixedly at the woman's closed eyelids, hoping that they'll open any minute.

Oh no...... She feels colder than she did earlier.

"What is she to you, Itachi?" Kisame pipes up, his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"She's something to me, Kisame," he all but growls in response. "Anything that involves her will be passed through me first. Am I understood?"

The shark-like man barks out a laugh, clearly amused. "Fine, but I want a piece of her—"

Itachi's Sharingan flashes at Kisame, the former's eyes angrier than the latter has ever seen.

"So help me, Kisame." Itachi stops walking to glare at his partner, his grip tightening on the petite body on his shoulder, his knuckles whiter than a ghost. "So help me fucking God, if you touch her..."

Kisame rolls his eyes, laughing at his partner's sudden rage. "Don't worry, Itachi. I'll make sure I leave you a piece of her when I'm done with her."

With a feather-light caress of her slowly getting colder face, Itachi places the woman on the ground, careful not to hurt her unconscious form. He turns his attention back to his partner, his hands forming a quick seal and his eyes shifting into a dangerous shape.

Mangekyo Sharingan!

Kisame sinks to the ground like a stone, his screams and cries echoing loudly throughout the forest.

"This is what will happen to you if you even think about touching Akatani. I would highly advise against it, Kisame."

"Itachi!" The shark-like man begs, his eyes widening with mortal terror. "Stop! Please stop! Let me out of this-this-this-this hellhole!"

"Do you swear?"

"Do I swear what?!"

"Do you swear that any harm that befalls her with be repaid thrice over onto you?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I swear! Now let me out of this!"

Itachi's Sharingan whirls and folds into itself as his signature black eyes make their appearance once again.

"Good." Itachi carefully picks up the lifeless body of his former best friend, gingerly slinging her over his shoulder. "Let's go. We have a leader we need to meet with."

~*~

My eyes slowly open, and I'm more than surprised I'm not dead.

The windowless room is cold, made of dark, rough stone, and lit by a single candle on a small, shoddy wooden table in the corner. Next to said table is an iron-framed bed with a mattress, and I wonder why I'm on the floor.

I slowly look down to find that I'm wearing nothing but an oversized Akatsuki cloak. My head is still in a daze, my thoughts clouded and muddled in confusion.

Where am I?

How long have I been out?

And how the hell am I gonna get outta here?

A heavy iron door to my right opens and in walks Itachi.

At first, I light up at seeing my former teammate, until I see an orange-haired man with chakra rods embedded in his face walk in behind him.