❁𝐈𝐙𝐔𝐌𝐈'𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘- 𝘈 𝘕𝘌𝘞 𝘉𝘓𝘖𝘚𝘚𝘖𝘔 𝘖𝘍 𝘏𝘖𝘗𝘌 ✔︎

Chapter 3

Kuro stood in front of the dead bird. He had fired his lighting at it from one of the building's roofs.

He picked up the scroll that the bird was carrying and destroyed it. "They know about us, Lady Ayame," Kuro told himself.

"It appears that we underestimated those leaf ninja too much. To think their hokage is so eager to destroy us," Kuro thought to himself as he walked away from the dead bird.

Kuro's eyes welled up with rage as he felt they were losing.

Kuro has spent his entire life assisting Ayame in achieving her goals. destroying all remaining families of the Hoshizoro clan.

He has been by her side since the beginning.

When her clan was wiped out, she was the only one who could bring it back. Her eyes were a gift from the heavens. With her eyes, she was capable of achieving anything.

All those sacrifices are what he can get for her.

If Ayame told Kuro to leave, he would comply. If she told him to die, he would die. He has done everything and continues to do everything for Ayame.

She meant the world to him. And she was unaware of it.

—

Izumi sat on the edge of their new hiding place, waiting for the crow.

Itachi and Izumi were supposed to receive a message from Lord Sixth outlining their next steps in the mission. Or better yet, some information about the enemy.

She groaned and fell backwards onto the concrete. Itachi opened his eyes and stared at her with boredom. "The crow should have arrived by now. Do you think the enemies got to it before us?" Izumi asked as she looked up at the sky now feeling pity for the crow if it did die.

Itachi rose from his seat and sat next to Izumi. She stared at him in awe. "Possibly, but it is too dangerous for us to venture out. Better if we stay low and devise a strategy until sundown." He replied.

Izumi's cheeks turned red.

She always liked Itachi, even when they were at the academy. Something about him struck her the moment their gazes met in the park. She could not explain why she felt so drawn to him.

The perfect jawline, amazing skin, and beautiful nose. Everything about him made him appear beautiful.

"Izumi? Why are you looking at me like that?" Itachi asked with flushed cheeks.

Izumi quickly looked away, embarrassed, as Itachi looked over at her in surprise.

"O-Oh, nothing! We should just focus on the mission, okay!" She exclaimed while covering her red face.

They both sat silently as they searched for the crow.

Again, awkwardness permeated the air.

Aside from their unusual silence, they focused on the presence they both brought to each other. That strange comfort and familiar feelings.

Izumi closed her eyes, frustrated. She wanted to express all of her feelings, but she was holding back.

This mission has helped them overcome their awkward moments with one another, but it will never undo the damage they have done to each other in the past.

She fidgeted with her hands, trying to form and think of words to say to him. Itachi spotted this and was the first to speak.

"I am sorry about what I said to you on our first night. That I am not cut out for you. It appeared I was avoiding you, but that wasn't the case." Itachi spoke somewhat hesitantly.

Izumi looked at him, surprised. "I just.. After everything I had put you through, I decided it would be best if you stayed away from me. That every time you saw me, I would only hurt you." He carried on.

They both sat in silence for a while as Izumi tried to think of a response. "No. That was not the case for me. Itachi, I really wanted to be with you. I always made it a point to defend you against those who disagreed. I truly did and continue to..." Before Izumi could finish her sentence, she paused.

She feared that admitting how she truly felt would destroy what they had already accomplished. "I have always cared for you. You are my friend," she concluded.

They made eye contact. Itachi looked at her, surprised, while Izumi only looked at him with sympathy.

Itachi was not sure how to feel. He turned away, feeling guilty about everything he had put her through. All with the massacre, the Akatsuki. Her so desperate to bring him back.

He believed that he did not deserve Izumi's love and care. And yet, here he was accepting it to not hurt her anymore.