Contrition [Itachi Uchiha x Reader]

#3: Conclusion

"Hello, Itachi. My name is [Name] [Surname]. Do you know why I'm here?"

Itachi studied the woman in front of him before nodding. "You're here to determine if I'll go on another killing spree once I'm released."

"You're not entirely wrong," [Name] answered with a slight chuckle. "If you don't have any questions for me, shall we begin?"

Kisame Hoshigaki stood outside the room with his ear pressed to the door, seemingly more anxious than the Uchiha himself about his release. For reasons unknown to anyone else, Kisame didn't enjoy seeing Itachi behind bars. Thus was the result of their eight year long acquaintanceship.

You better not screw this up, Itachi! he thought to himself as he cupped his hands over his ear in order to hear better.

"It's just procedure," [Name] assured him, hoping to break the tension. Throughout her career, she had encountered many people who would get panicked at the very thought of being questioned.

"I know. Please proceed."

But Itachi Uchiha wasn't one of those people.

"You're surprisingly calm for someone whose freedom hangs in the balance." [Name] hadn't intended on saying that but by the time she stopped herself, the damage was already done.

Itachi found himself smiling. "And here I am thinking it's just procedure."

[Name] cleared her throat. "Let's begin. Where is it that you plan on living? Will you be living with anyone?"

"I'll be living alone in an apartment in the city. Officer Hoshigaki is welcome to join me if he wishes to."

"What are your thoughts on getting a job?"

"I plan on working for anyone who will hire me."

"Good. Talk to me about your experience in here. Was it troubling?"

This time, the man chuckled. "I suppose there isn't a feedback form that I could fill?"

[Name] tilted her head to the side. "Did you have a tough time here?"

"It's prison. There are bad days and worse days. But you survive."

"And what would you do if I were to declare that you couldn't be released?"

"I would ask what they're serving in the cafeteria for dinner tonight," muttered he, leaning back in his chair.

"So it doesn't matter to you either way?"

"Would I like to get out of this place? Yes. Who wouldn't? But I fully understand why everyone's worried. I would be worried too. But here's what you need to know. I have no intention of seeing any more bloodshed, much less be the cause of it. I plan on going to college and getting a degree and maybe even a job someday. I wish to lead a normal life that does not involve killing people. But for that, I need to first get out of here. And that, I'm afraid, is in your hands."

"Thank you for your time."

*

"So, what do you think? Is it safe to release him?" Nagato asked the minute [Name] walked into his office.

"Sure."

"Sure?"

"I don't see how he's a threat to anyone," she murmured, taking a seat.

"If you say so."

"But..."

Nagato groaned. "Yes?"

"I think there's a lot more to his story than just that. Why did he murder his parents? Why did he confess to it? Why not just run? I read somewhere that he has a brother. Why spare him? So many questions. He's a first-time offender but he was so calm today. Almost like he knew something that the rest of us didn't. It was unnerving. I don't think he's telling us the whole story. I believe there's so much more to Itachi Uchiha than he lets on."

"Okay?"

[Name] leaned forward on her elbows, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Nagato, if I were to ask you a huge favor, could you make it happen?"

The redhead hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I can't make any promises, but... what is it?"

"I would like to be his counsellor."

"What?"

"Don't ask me why. Just, please. I doubt Yamato would be able to get anywhere with him anyway. He's too... rigid, if I might call him that. Admit it, he's better off with me."

"But you haven't accepted a case since-"

[Name] cut him off with a wave of her hand. "I know. But this time it'll be different. Please make it happen?"

Nagato wanted nothing more than to refuse, but the fire in her eyes made him reconsider.

"Uh... I'll see what I can do."

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