The Trouble With Itachi [On Hold]

30; A Chance for Hope?

A/N- Apologies for the delay in posting. Its been such a stressful time. And I’ve REALLY wanted to write. This is by far my favourite story out of everything I’ve written.

Hope you guys enjoy the chapter J

More to come soon!

*     *     *

Chapter 30- A Chance for Hope?

Kisame lounged under the shade of a leafy tree, his wide- brimmed straw hat sitting low on his head. He appeared relaxed and it looked like he was fast asleep, but I knew better. He was very much alert.

I still didn’t understand how he could do that and still feel rested.

We were en-route to meet up with an Akatsuki spy coming from the Hidden Sand village. It was frustrating that Rain sent me out just after finding out about Ami no Teishijin no Jutsu. I would need time to practise. But he sent me with Kisame, and he encouraged me to use the time to practise the handseals. There were over one hundred in all.

The trek would take us three days to get to the rendezvous point, and two and half days back.

So far, it was the start of day two and I had memorized up to seventy-five or so handseals before my memory started to fail and I was starting to get worked up.

While Kisame rested, I was practising. The more I did it, the more I remembered. But I had to constantly go over them so that I didn’t let any slip from my mind.

I looked over the scroll I had sprawled out in front of me. It had all the handseals I needed, plus the ritual afterwards.

I growled in frustration after my last failed attempt; dragged my foot back and then booting a boulder that was nearby. It flew a few metres in to the air before losing momentum, and then gravity took over as it smashed back to the ground- fragmenting into many pieces.

“You should rest little one,” Kisame drawled, “Take a break. You’ll be useless if you wear yourself out. Don’t worry, you’ll get there.”

I took a deep breath and sighed, “You’re right. I’m just impatient that’s all.”

Kisame took in a sharp intake of breath, “Actually there’s something important I need to tell you.”

I looked at him, “What is it?”

“I was so wrapped up with this new jutsu, it slipped my mind.”

“Kisame, what is it?!” I pushed.

He sighed, “Well, I don’t really know if this will help or harm your plan. But you remember those missing shinobi? The nine tails Jinchuuriki, the pink haired shinobi and those other ones I can never remember their names.”

I nodded. I knew who he was referring to, “Rock Lee and Shikamaru. I remembered hearing that Tsunade sent them away on a mission just before we took over. And no one has heard from them since.”

“Yeah, well I know where they are now. But I haven’t told anyone as yet.”

“So where are they?”

“Believe it or not, they broke into the dungeon.”

My mouth fell in disbelief, “Wait, what? They broke INTO the dungeon? Without Rain knowing? That’s impossible.”

“That’s what I thought. But they’ve made contact with Itachi and other shinobi and are hiding from the other Akatsuki members in the catacombs. You know how confusing that place is. It’s not hard to hide.”