Kairos |An Itachi Uchiha Story|

xiv.as I witness

"Did you get it?!" Aiko grinned brightly and the Uchiha rose an eyebrow. Just a moment ago, she was throwing up some strange dark liquid and was rather pale. But now she grinned and acted as if it never happened, not only that, she glowed slightly and it all seemed genuine.

Her bright ambers shining at him with an unspoken content air around her.

"Why did you-"

"I can explain it after! Did you get it?" Itachi rolled his eyes, unimpressed that she would dodge such a topic. He handed the girl the book and watched her start to wrap her arms around him.

He kept his expression blank when her eyes dimmed and she pulled her hands to her sides once more.

"I got the top Anbu under the Hokage to do my bidding. I'm amazing, I know." She grinned teasingly before sticking her tongue out. The Uchiha stared flatly at the girl though he felt conflicted within.

Something has changed...

She seems different...

"The book is on Uchiha and Konoha history." He stated and the girl knew that by the way, he said it, he was looking for an explanation.

She smiled before focusing her chakra in her eyes, watching Itachi's soul appear before her. She used a finger and pulled down her lower eyelid before sticking out her tongue teasingly.

"Do you know what they call my abilities, weasel?" She questioned, a playful air around her as if she couldn't see or feel his soul's presence.

Itachi only watched her eyes grow brighter, the amber bordering a slightly browned gold before it faded into a soft hazed pink, much like they were during her demonstration in the Hokage's office. He activated his Sharingan and saw her vine-like chakra breathe into a sapphire blue.

"I have what is known as the Eye of God, Kami no me. It's my job to endure the agony of the world until the moment I die." She offered a small smile, releasing her eye. "Weasel butt, the Uchiha clan may be fueled with a deep hatred but at the center of all that hatred," She glanced up and watched his onyx eyes give away his emotions. For once they weren't blank or hiding in her presence. "Is a pain so deep and agony itself has built it." She smiled warmly.

"I want to research this pattern because from what I've heard, it seems similar to what seems to your future along with Sasuke." Aiko smiled softly as she took her seat once more in the room, knowing the dark liquid was gone now after it crumbled.

"You should go home, 'Tachi." She grinned. "Have fun with your family while you can, I'm not gonna be leaving for the rest of the day." Itachi eyed her, he was curious about what changed her.

But he didn't question her as he opened the door to leave.

"Hey, Itachi?" He stopped to listen. "Will you miss me while I'm gone?" Her voice came soft and almost curious.

Itachi tensed at the question.

It seemed everyone was beginning to question whether Itachi really cared. He admitted to her already that he did not hate her but why could he not admit he would care that she was gone, was weighing on him.

I can't care for someone who lies with her face.

But I do the same...

I obviously do care for her if I stood up so blindly before my father, against his wishes...

... maybe I care for her because I can see through the happiness that hides her pain.