Kairos |An Itachi Uchiha Story|

vii.pointless to you

"Look at my little ducky!"

Sasuke's eyes widened at the voice that sounded across the field as an excited grin came to his face and it caused him to miss his target on his last kunai.

"Haha, not so perfect now are you Sasuke?!" A blonde haired boy shouted and it caused Aiko to smile apologetically at the Uchiha. He didn't seem to pay the blonde any mind but instead listened to his teacher dismiss the class for lunch. When Sasuke looked up completely at the girl, he realized that she was actually beside his teacher and his brother was nowhere to be seen.

He sighed but he was glad that at least Aiko made it. She waved him over with a small bag in her hand and an excited grin.

"I brought you some of your favorites and the old man Hokage said your brother went home for the day and so he is probably changing clothes." Aiko felt warm at the sight of the small boy's grin.

"Oh, and thank you Iruka, for leading me to ducky over here." She grinned and he gave a closed-eyed smile while rubbing the back of his head.

"Don't mention it." He assured before disappearing. Aiko looked down at Sasuke before ruffling his duck shaped hair.

"Let's go sit somewhere." Sasuke nodded before sprinting in a direction that a chuckling Aiko followed.

"Come on! We're almost there!" Sasuke called and the girl laughed at the excited boy. They came to what seemed to be a training spot in a clearing surrounded by trees and nature. There was a bench toward the edge and Aiko had sat the food down before taking her seat. "Can I train while I wait for my brother?" Sasuke asked and Aiko nodded with a smile and it caused him to dart off.

She stared into the distance as she gripped a bit of her hair, her thoughts consumed by the envelope she burned and caused her to smell ash on herself.

She knew who it was from, the moment she saw the symbol printed on the back near the seal. She knew that once she read it, she would have to burn it until it was dust.

She took a breath.

She had to go on an intelligence mission and collect information before assassinating a noble who planned to come to Konoha. It started as soon as possible and so she planned to leave early in the morning and tell the Hokage that it was a material run.

I should grab some materials so that I'm not entirely lying to the old man.

She hated the missions she got sent on and who sent her on them but she was aware that if she didn't cooperate with Danzo, she would be taken out of Konoha because he would find a way.

Like blackmailing...

"What are you thinking so hard on?" A bored tone came and caused her to tense before glancing beside her to see an expressionless Itachi.

"Nothing." She muttered softly as she gazed at the smaller boy who threw kunai and practiced his aim. He was unaware that his older brother was there and besides the girl who sat on the bench watching him. In fact, they both were.

"Shisui said that he will be at your house at about nine," Itachi informed the girl who gave a small bitter smile as she rested her face against the hand of her propped up elbow.

"I have a mission, he doesn't have to worry about it anymore." Itachi's eyes narrowed at the girl.

So she is a shinobi...

He could almost feel the dread that rolled off of her as she zoned out in her own thoughts. Itachi found himself staring at the wind blew by and brushed through her long dark waves that fell down her back. He found himself slowly starting to find her endearing and amusing rather than loathing her. He found himself growing used to her bright attitude and envious of her strength. He found himself witnessing her strong resolve crumble and chip off bit by bit.