Goodbye

[6]

As they walked back towards Konoha after bidding Haku and Zabuza goodbye with the promise to someday meet again, Akari trailed behind everyone else. Watching everyone fondly, she was suddenly aware of every detail around her. The clear blue skies, The ripples on the river's surface as leaves drifted down onto them. The laughter and joy resonating from the Land of Waves, freed from the clutches of Gato, resonating throughout the area. The sun's warm, golden rays, shining down and seemingly bending to illuminate team 7, one that seemed more complete, far different than the fresh genin she had known what seemed so long ago. That had been a bunch of genin put together with no order whatsoever, in hopes that everything would balance out itself. 

The dead-last prankster of the class, an orphan, the legacy of the Fourth Hokage, the prison of the nine-tailed fox. The girl with nothing more than book smarts and deeply rooted self-esteem issues who cared for nothing more than boys. A revenge obsessed boy who knew nothing more than lies, not alone, and yet, still somewhat lonely. A teacher with a wound in his heart, mind, and soul that time has yet to heal. And an early graduate tossed into the mix for the hell of it, like an experiment. But they had found their own balance. They were nowhere near perfect, far from it, but it just worked. Sakura held herself with more confidence and admitted her flaws. Sasuke made bonds and realized just how important they were. Naruto found people who accepted him fully, other people's opinions are dammed. Kakashi's wounds had begun to heal into scars, seeing the light that could be reached.

So where did Akari fit in, in the middle of all this? She quickly came to the conclusion that the didn't. Noticing a flash of black to her right, she raised her arm. A crow landed on it, with a note attached to its leg. She took the note and let the bird fly off.

Leader-sama wishes for you to join the Akatsuki. Meet Sasori and Deidara at the bounty station northwest of Konoha one week from today at 2400 hours sharp if you're interested. Knowing you, you probably are.

-Itachi

A soft yet somewhat sad smile played on her lips. She wasn't needed here anymore. She had no place in their story, and she was aware of that fact all too well. All she would prove to be was a hindrance. She was needed, just not here. She sent a burst of chakra to her fingertips, setting the paper aflame, and watched the ashes drift to the ground. The heat lingered in her fingers but soon faded. She tilted her head up to the sky, the clear, seemingly endless sky, that seemed to be the realm of the blessed. She knew she probably wouldn't be going there. 

She would be leaving Konoha in one week's time.

°°°

That one week, she did nothing but wait and remember. Every detail, all the tea houses she'd ever gone to, the alleyways and shortcuts she always took, she made sure to engrave them into her mind. Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura -- she burned their images into her mind, lest she forgets them. And then midnight struck.

°°°

"Oh? You're here early." Sasori mused, wondering what her response would be. Deidara beat her to the chase.

"Of course she is un. She knows you don't like to be kept waiting." He snarked, a bit salty over missing valuable hours of sleep but still inwardly glad to see that Akari hadn't somehow managed to accidentally kill herself yet. Sasori shook his head, sighing.

"And here I was, hoping that you wouldn't turn out like the rest of us. No such luck, I suppose. Come on, let's go." He said, somewhat defeated.

And go they did.

°°°

Sasuke couldn't believe it. Rather, he wouldn't believe it. He woke up at 7:00 am sharp, then proceeded to head over to Akari's room to haul her ass out of her bed like usual. But all he found was an empty room devoid of any sign of life. On the plain sheets covering the mattress were three objects. He picked up the first one. It was a note.

I'm sorry. You would probably disagree with me, but you no longer need me around. I don't belong here. I have no place in your story. The rest of your life will play out depending on the choices you make, and I would only hinder you to make decisions that you yourself do not agree with. There are other people that need me. When the choice comes, do not despair. Power or bonds, that shall eventually come to be your crossroads. Do not let anyone sway your decision, and stay true to yourself. I'll see you again someday. Until then, I hope you can find it in you to forgive me. Use the chokuto well. It wasn't very affordable, you know. Don't go hacking at trees with it until you learn how to take care of the blade. It's known for being very compatible with the chakra flow technique.

-Akari

His hand shaking, he reached out for the second object. A chokuto. Gingerly, he drew the blade, and couldn't help but marvel at the effort put into it. The blade was polished and sharpened to the point where Sasuke touched a finger lightly to it and it drew blood. It was light and simple, easy to use. Then he saw the price tag and blinked. Once. Twice. A third time. He... he was seeing things, wasn't he? That was way too many zeroes to be real. At that moment, he instantly vowed to learn how to use it.

Finally, he reached for the third object.

It was a Konohagakure forehead protector. And it had a line carved through the center of its symbol.

Sasuke held it tightly, then dashed over to Kakashi's place. 

°°°

Amagakure's climate was different, but a welcome change. She felt every drop of water, every ripple they made in the puddles of water at her feet. No doubt the leader of the Akatsuki knew where she was already. There was no turning back now. She was a rogue ninja of Konohagakure, a traitor, and the newest member of the Akatsuki.