Inferno (A Naruto Fanfic Book 4)

Chapter 39

That was refreshing... When I returned to the room, Itachi was reading at the window. "How are you feeling, Itachi?"

He looked up from his reading. "Fine."

I pulled the book from his hands. "Then we sleep." I pulled him to the bed and turned away from him.

He flipped me, so I was on his chest. "You're worried. "

I sighed. "Yes."

He began to play with my hair. "It'll work out."

I blinked up at him. "Why me, Itachi?"

He continued to look at the ceiling. "What do you mean?"

I sat up, looking into his face. "You could've any girl in the village... they would happily give you marriage and had your children... but me..."

He looked at me seriously. "I don't want that with any girl." I tilted my head. "You're different, Kunoichi."

I scoffed. "No kidding."

He sat up, pulling me into his lap. "You've challenged me since we first met. Not just my strength or speed, but my mind and ideals as well. You fought me in my darkest moments, making me believe that there was more to live for. Those other girls I never saw them... I never really saw anyone in the village until you..."

I sighed. "You make me out to be more than I am..."

He pulled my chin to face him. "No, I don't." I felt a nudge in my mind and allowed him in. I watched his memories in wonder. Before me was a battlefield full of bodies, his father at his side. Death... Then, he was talking to Orochimaru at the following funeral. Then we were at that godforsaken cliff when he determined he didn't want to die. Then everything was a blur, training, eating with his parents, more training. We came to a memory I recognized. It was me on the ground unconscious, and a fleeting memory of me running in the village passed before he spoke.

Then I was running a devilish look about my face, and I was gone. I appeared again in the dango shop, I looked like I was struggling to keep a neutral face while doing something... until I fainted. Minato rushed me out, and I was gone again, but Shisui was determined to find out what had happened. Itachi trailed behind curious as well.

I was conundrum, and he couldn't figure out why. At the hospital, I still wouldn't give him answers, but he was at ease enough to stay and read, so he did. When I fell asleep, he placed me back in bed and left with more questions than answers. I watched as we saw each other again, and he began to follow me around for answers, still finding none. I was normal... aside from my appearance and I was constantly in trouble for one thing or another.

Then I saw me on the Hyuuga training ground. Itachi was impressed with my skill but noticed Hiashi's disapproval. He became angry when I was struck, but I did nothing to defend myself. He was there at the entrance to the compound waiting as I stumbled out. He learned my secrets and yet still had questions, slowly but surely being drawn to this short, fiery, curly haired girl with no family.

Then my birthday came, he watched me the entire time interacting with others until I slipped unto the roof. He followed, and we sat peacefully until we had to return. He learned some new things that night, including that I could play the flute. That night, he pondered why he couldn't just walk away and let it go.

Soon, Sasuke was born, and he was elated. He swore to be the best brother he could for this little boy. Then, I was there again bearing gifts for his family. He was disappointed that Sasuke calmed as soon as I had him, though he had been trying for a while, but he felt warm at the sight of us together. He knew with me that Sasuke would be safe.

He walked me home and asked me what I thought about life and death. My answer perplexed him... the moments in between. I didn't seem to fear death. I just accepted it as part of life. I seemed so certain in my answer that he didn't feel the need to question it, but to try to understand it further. So, he continued to watch and try to enjoy the good times.

We came to the night of the Nine Tails attack. He was being strong for his brother, he met Izumi, who he helped to the shelter, but I wasn't there, and he began to worry. What if... His doubts were washed away when he heard I was in the hospital. He was relieved, but how had I, a girl at the age of four, get in harms way during the attack. That was when the rumors that I had become the Nine Tails surfaced.

He came to see me noticing my eye was bandaged, but otherwise, I was okay. He noticed my fear before I relaxed when it was him. Then the nurse came in and moved to hit me. He had to get me out right then. When we got to Minato's office, I wasn't concerned about myself, but my little brother. He saw me take care of him all while looking over Minato's shoulder, concerned.

We watched our brothers as they grew, me constantly in trouble for taking Naruto from the babysitter only to be at his house with the boys when he returned from school. Where I was mischief followed, and it kept life for us interesting. Until... I was kidnapped, but when I was found, I was training with the leaders of the village. He was confused when I said I would follow, but as soon as they exited the village, it was engulfed in rain.

I came back with them, but he noticed my sadness. As time went on, I eventually looked forward to leaving the village that I saved. It made him sad, but he understood that as long as I came back, he would keep his promise. He watched the boys grow all while ensuring they knew I loved them. Then, I was found collapsed at the village gates. No one knew if I would pull through. He was afraid and by my side every moment he could be, but when I woke up, I was different. No longer the lighthearted, carefree child I was when I left, he was heartbroken. I was distant, and it hurt, but he didn't give up.

I slowly became more like myself after the first year, and he felt a sense of relief. It was far too short lived, I refused to become a Leaf nin.  When Shisui jumped from a cliff, I was there, urging him to give me the eye Shisui had trusted him with. He trusted me and gave it to me, only for me to disappear. The next thing he knew, he had an urgent summons from the Hokage, Chihiro killed Danzo, and she was going to confess. He needed Anbu he could trust. He watched as I confessed but also brought incriminating evidence to the council only to be exiled.

His heart broken again, and now I would not be coming back as I always had. Of course, I had a plan, I always had one, but it wasn't enough. All who loved her resigned from their positions. If they could, we wouldn't stand with the judgment that was passed. He wanted to come with me, but I asked him to stay for the boys and somehow convinced him. He almost broke that promise, but again, I was there... fighting for his life. Even as I had come to the decision to marry someone I hated... I still fought for him. Protecting him from himself.

The memories stopped, and I was in tears. He hugged me tighter. "You see, even now, as we sit here... you're fighting for me, you give me hope that maybe, just maybe I can beat this too."