In rock and a hard place

7 - Change

Naruto pov: Several years have passed since I faked my death and joined the Akatsuki. Itachi has taken up the role of my mentor overseeing my training. I been on several raids destroying the village leaving them in a smoldering wrecked mess. Tons of people injured some killed and others just lost in agony their screams reaching the skies. I didn't know how easy it was to inflict death and suffering upon others until I realized just how long I had suffered at the hands of the villagers back home. It came so easily, carrying out all of Itachi's orders without hesitation. I had also befriended Kurama. Kurama helped reinforce Itachi's orders. When we weren't out on raids Itachi and the rest of the Akatsuki were like my family. Enjoying meals to together, listening to each other's problems. I knew eventually some of them would be defeated and die but I wanted to enjoy whatever time I had left with them.

Despite the destruction we caused, there were moments of tranquility that almost made me forget the chaos we sowed. Sitting around the fire with Itachi and the others, sharing stories and laughter, I felt a sense of belonging I had never experienced in Konoha. Kisame's booming laughter, Deidara's fiery passion for his art, and even the cold, calculating eyes of Pain—they all became familiar, comforting in a way. Itachi's guidance was relentless but fair. He pushed me to my limits, teaching me techniques and strategies that honed my skills to a razor's edge. Every mission, every battle, was a step further into the darkness, but Itachi was always there, a silent guardian watching over me. His presence was a constant reminder of my purpose and the path I had chosen. Kurama, too, was an unexpected ally. Our bond grew stronger with each passing day, his power flowing through me like a river of fire. He reveled in the destruction, his deep, rumbling voice a constant companion in my mind. But there was more to Kurama than just rage and power; there was an understanding, a shared history of pain and betrayal that bound us together. In those quiet moments, away from the bloodshed and screams, I reflected on my choices. The village that had once scorned me, the people who had turned their backs on me—they all seemed so distant, their faces blurred by time and hatred. I had found a new family, one that accepted me for who I was, not for what they wanted me to be. But the future was uncertain. The Akatsuki's goals were lofty, their ambitions vast. We were constantly pursued by those who sought to end our reign of terror. I knew that the peace we found in each other's company was fleeting, a fragile illusion that could shatter at any moment. Still, I cherished those moments. The laughter, the camaraderie, the shared understanding of a world that had rejected us all. As we stood on the brink of war, ready to unleash our wrath upon those who opposed us, I felt a strange sense of calm. Whatever lay ahead, I would face it with my newfound family, with Itachi by my side, and Kurama's power coursing through my veins. Together, we would carve our legacy into the annals of history, a legacy of pain, suffering, and, perhaps, redemption.