Your Lies | Itachi Uchiha x Reader

Chapter 28

POV – Y/n

We reached the border village just before sunset.

It was small—no more than a cluster of wooden buildings hugging the base of a dry hillside. The people were worn but kind. I saw kids chasing chickens through dust, someone cooking something oily near an open fire, old men playing cards beneath a tarp. No shinobi in sight.

The kind of place that stayed off maps and under the radar.

Exactly what we needed.

"It's neutral territory," Kisame said, stretching his arms. "They don't care who you are as long as you pay in coin and don't kill anybody in front of their kids."

He shot me a grin. "Could even stay here, if you wanted."

I blinked. "What?"

"You heard me." He shrugged. "You've been traveling with us almost a month now. You've played nice. You're not tied up. You could walk away."

I glanced at Itachi.

He wasn't looking at me. Just standing still, watching the sun disappear behind rooftops like it meant nothing to him.

"Would you stop me?" I asked.

He didn't answer.

Which, somehow, was an answer.

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The inn was quiet the next morning. Sunlight filtered through crooked blinds, casting pale lines across the tatami floor.

We met for breakfast like nothing had happened.

Like I hadn't spent the night with my boots laced, my bag packed, debating whether to disappear.

Like he hadn't stood there and let me.

I sat across from him at the small table. Kisame was already halfway through his fish and rice, grumbling about stale soy sauce.

Itachi poured me tea without asking.

I didn't thank him.

For a while, no one spoke.

Then Kisame broke the silence with his usual grace.

"You know," he said, between mouthfuls, "we've been dragging her around for a while now."

I glanced up.

Itachi didn't move.

"I mean, she's not bound. Not gagged. She could've run off six times by now. And yet..."

He trailed off with a smile.

Itachi's chopsticks stilled.

Kisame went on, tone lighter than it should've been. "Maybe it's time we admit something."

"What?" I asked, my voice quiet.

He grinned. "We're not really planning on selling you anymore."

I froze. "What?"

"You heard me," Kisame said, grabbing another rice ball. "Too much hassle. You're more useful like this. Besides, Itachi doesn't want to—"

"Kisame," Itachi said sharply.

Kisame looked very pleased with himself. "What? It's true. He keeps looking for excuses to keep you with us."

My heart thudded. I turned to Itachi, stunned. "Is that true?"

His face was unreadable. Flat. Impassive.

"No," he said.

"You—" I stared. "You were silent. You hesitated."

"I didn't."

I narrowed my eyes. "You didn't say anything when he offered to let me go."

"I was waiting for you to speak."

"Bullshit."

He looked down. "You've been useful. That's all."

"That's all?" I asked, voice getting tight.

He didn't respond.

Kisame sat back with a low whistle. "Damn. Cold."

"Alright, fine," I muttered, pushing back from the table. "So what, I can go now? You'll just wave goodbye?"

Kisame shrugged. "Won't stop you."

I stood up, heart hammering. "Right. Thanks for the clarity."

And I left—before either of them could say anything else.

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POV – Itachi

The door swung shut behind her.

Kisame slurped the rest of his soup. "You really are the worst at this."

"At what?" I asked.

"At pretending you don't care."

I said nothing.

He glanced at me. "You hesitated. That's all I'm saying."

"She's not—"

"Don't lie to me, Itachi."

I looked down into my untouched tea. Steam curled upward and disappeared into the air.

Kisame stood, slinging his sword over his shoulder. "She's not gonna wait forever for you to figure it out."

He didn't say it like a threat.

But it felt like one.

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POV – Y/n

I stood behind the inn, hidden in the alley, staring up at the sky.

They weren't going to stop me.

I could leave. Right now. No one would chase me.

But my legs wouldn't move.

It wasn't about my bounty anymore.

It hadn't been for a while.

I wasn't even sure what it was about.

All I knew was this:

I didn't want to walk away.

But I didn't know how to stay, either.