Itachi's Redemption (ItaSaku)

5. Daedal

Daedal- adj.

skillful, artistic, intricate

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO, Kishimoto-san does. Because if I did, I would show more of Shizune as a ninja. She is skilled right?

A.N. I sincerely apologize for taking too long to update. It is a mixture of writer's block, laziness, sudden career change, deaths of relatives (not Covid-related) and other problems brought by the Pandemic and laziness, laziness, laziness!

Also, the words that are defined at the beginning of each chapter will give you a general idea of what this chapter is about.

I am also editing the next chapter along with this so I will try to update it sooner than scheduled.

Enjoy!
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Itachi lay awake. Sleep eluded him.  Even when he was still an Akatsuki member, going to sleep was difficult for him.  His dreams consisted of cries from his clansmen who begged him to spare their lives; shouts from frantic children roused from their slumber to look at their lifeless parents; shocked faces of his uncles who only need to look at his blazing mangekyou sharingan for them to be submitted to a sudden and painless demise. The look on his mother's eyes- which spoke of so much love and acceptance.  His father Fugaku - who said that he was proud of him even at the mercy of his blade. At times it was of Shisui.  His dearest, best friend Shisui.

'You're the only one I can count on, my best friend. Protect the Village and the Uchiha name - both of them.'
His words echoed on his mind like it was just spoken yesterday. Shisui's last words before he stepped backwards into the Nakano river and fall to his death.

It had been weeks since he was found by Kakashi and his team. Up until now everything still feels so surreal. He is now back in Konoha, his sins being pardoned, albeit still a secret- his wounds, and especially his eyes are now healed. It is like being born once again. Also, he never thought his last genjutsu will work. Perhaps it was a reflexive action by his brain to preserve his life- an action that for once, was beyond his control and without careful consideration.  It only took a single hand sign, a tiger sign - to activate said genjutsu.

A genjutsu to appear lifeless. it is actually like a chakra suppression technique. Instead of disappearing completely, one can mask chakra until it is untraceable, thus appearing dead.  He was so weakened by the time the jutsu took effect, making it easier to conceal an already weak chakra. He had to thank whoever it was that saw him last for if he were that keen in observing him, he would have known that he wasn't dead, after all.  It is a coward's way out, he realized- but it cannot be helped for his mind was the one in control.

He got up to get some water.and exited the room with careful steps to avoid making some noise, To his surprise, he found the light to the kitchen was turned on. Entering, he saw Sakura seated with a pot of tea and a thick-volumed book.  She raised her head as she heard his soft footsteps.

"Can't sleep?" She asked.

"Hn"

"Tea?"

"Yes, thank you." She got up but was stopped by his hand on her wrist.

"Let me get the cup."

She nodded as she inserted a bookmark on the page and closed the book. Still surprised if how fast he moved.  When Itachi returned, he grabs the pot, pouring himself a cup and seated hinself across from her.

"Studying?" He asked as he sipped his tea. She pushed the book aside and held her cup as well.

"Just browsing on some complicated symptoms." She replied.