Inferno (A Naruto Fanfic Book 4)

Chapter 40

I looked down at my hands. "You don't understand, Itachi..." I allowed him to see my own memories, the darker parts of me. I looked down at a village of rogues, contemplating. Aya was among them, captured. He felt my rage... my bloodlust. I fast forwarded, Aya was safe, but the village was slaughtered. I moved to another memory, a man was sneering at me in chains. He felt my delight as I tortured him to madness, all while getting the information I needed.

I went to another memory, another village, another slaughter. I was appreciating my handiwork when a man put a hand on my shoulder, and I looked into his purple eyes. "Kunoichi..."

I shook him off. "Necessary, in my opinion anyway." I felt his despair as I walked away.

Then, they stopped, Itachi pulled himself from my mind. "It doesn't matter."

I looked into his eyes. "It does."

He sighed. "I knew... though most of the village didn't... I've known for a long time."

I paused. "Most..."

He smiled sadly. "When I was on missions or looking for you... I would ask... I knew you were Kunoichi outside of the village, I knew of the actions you'd taken. It never mattered because everything, whoever I asked... they always knew why you did it. You never killed in cold blood."

I blinked. "You spoke to someone about it. You said most."

He sighed. "I spoke to the only person who you allowed full access to your mind."

I looked down at my hands. "Ibiki... so you knew whe-"

He frowned. "No, he never told me more than I already knew. He keeps secrets well." I was thinking when he spoke again. "Why me?"

I tilted my head. "I don't know..."

He chuckled. "Is that so?"

I looked at him seriously. "I didn't really realize until 2 years ago... denied it until after the wedding, but no... I don't know."

He looked at me, curious. "Denied what?"

I searched his eyes. "That I love you..."

He looked shocked. "How..."

I looked out the window, remembering. "I was dying... and maybe as a comfort, I was remembering the people I cared for, but in every memory you were there and then vanished, it hurt every time until you didn't. You were always there, whether by my side or in the shadows... keeping me safe, keeping me from becoming the very monster they said I was."

He used his finger to make me face him. "I love you too."

I tilted my head. "I know." He chuckled before kissing me. I pulled back. "What's funny?"

He kissed the top of my head. "You say it as though it means nothing, but it couldn't make me happier."

I thought for a moment. "They're just words, Itachi..."

He sighed, smiling. "Well, I guess if you have access to someone's thoughts and feelings, it doesn't mean as much."

I frowned. "No, it's just... words mean nothing... your actions, those are what matter." He chuckled again, making me pout. "Stupid Uchiha."

I turned away from him again, crossing my arms, and he started to tickle me. "Not so stupid." I struggled from his grasp and turned on him, trying and failing to tickle him. So, I attempted to push his arms away, laughing.

He rolled, pinning me under him. "I... can't... breathe!" Wiggling under him, trying to swat his hands away. He caught my wrists and held them above my head with one hand. His face was inches from mine. We were both out of breath.

He leaned in and kissed me softly. I didn't resist and opened my mouth to him. I savored his taste and frowned when he stopped and kissed my neck. He trailed soft kisses to the spot behind my ear and suckled. I jerk beneath him and felt him smile. I tried to move my hands, but he held firm, using his free hand caress my side and reach under my shirt.

I moaned as he began to knead my breast. "Itachi..." It was a plea, and he heard it. He recaptured my lips, and I kissed him hard. He flicked my now erect nipple and I gasped. He was driving me insane. I couldn't move, I couldn't touch him, I tried to wiggle free, but he simply pulled back, teasing me.

He pulled my shirt up and kissed my stomach, then higher. "Itachi..." I struggled until I felt him latch onto my breast, then whimpered. He circled my nipple with his tongue and sucked. I was powerless until I thought of something. I captured his mind in mine, letting him feel what I felt. He jerked but recovered quickly.

It was enough, I felt him hard against my stomach and moved. He stilled, cursing under his breath. I smirked using the moment of weakness to roll on top of him. I kissed him lightly before removing his shirt, mildly surprised at the lack of scars. I traced the lines of his abdomen with my fingers, leaning kissed him again.

I bit his bottom lip as he removed my top. He traced the scars on my back, causing me to shiver. Itachi... I moved against him, and he gasped, so I deepened the kiss. I want you... I want this... He groaned, but I could feel his internal struggle. I pulled back, smiling softly before rolling off of him and cuddling into his side.

I felt his confusion. "Sleep, Uchiha."

He stroked my hair. "I'm sorry... it's just."

I nodded. "We both have things we want. We'll work through them, but also, the risk is just too great right now."

My words seemed to comfort him. "Hn."

I sighed. "Just sleep, Stupid Uchiha." Maybe, just maybe for him, I will compromise...