Ashes (A Naruto Fanfic Book 6)

Chapter 15

The sun was beginning to set when Chihiro found me.  "Finally, a moment alone with you."

I smiled up at her.  "It's rare, but it happens."

She looked around.  "Whe-"

"Say his name too loud, and he'll appear."

She smiled softly.  "He's sweet... and clearly loves you."

I looked back over the village.  "I know."

She sat beside me and sighed.  "I want... to discuss the contract."

I nodded.  "I know that as well."  She looked at me, surprised.  "You've been different since I came back... more at peace.  Considering what I did to your husband... needless to say that he's not the cause."

She lowered her gaze.  "I know... what it would mean."

I smiled at her softly.  "I no longer have need for it surprisingly, but even if I did, I would break the seal for you and your happiness."

She smiled at me, and then it faltered.  "But what will it do to you?"

I shrugged.  "The way it was written is anyone whose blood was signed onto it was effected.  After Yua's betrayal... I'm not so sure that I'll come out without a loss, but I'm not bothered by that in the least."

She hugged me.  "Thank you, Sister."

I smiled at her.  "If they can bring you this much peace after what the Uchiha put you through, Sister... I would do it several times over."

She smiled to herself softly.  "You won't ask?" I looked at her curiously.  "Who it is..."

I thought for a moment.  "I have a few guesses... will you tell me?"

She blushed.  "Uh... not quite yet."

The village began to turn red and orange hues, and I leaned forward to watch.  "Did you see him?  After..."

She nodded.  "I wanted... I wanted to kill him for what he'd done... for what he had allowed them to..."  I looked at her eyebrow raised, but she shook he head.  "No... not that, at least, but quite close..."

I nodded and turned back.  "Why didn't you?"

She spoke softly, I almost had to strain to hear.  "He... it was like every thought tormented him... every memory... when he saw me he screamed so terribly..."

I smiled.  "Good..."

She gasped.  "What you did, Kunoichi... it was terrible."

I shrugged.  "Why not put the poor man out of his misery then?"

She lowered her gaze again.  "At the time... I felt he deserved it, but now... but I also wondered why he didn't, I know he was restrained. He could barely move his arms and legs. His eyes were dead..."

The last rays of daylight disappeared beyond the horizon.  "Barely?  That means he may regain mobility one day. How disappointing.  And he didn't see you per se... he sensed you.  I ensured his eyes were useless to him unless Tsunade fixed them."

She looked at me, horrified.  "Why would you do such a thing?"

Her eyes widened when she met my gaze.  "We originally weren't... for what he did to us, we would've been satisfied with his death after Itachi's genjutsu.  However, he used his powers to have you kidnapped and tortured.  Regardless of what that entailed, I wanted him to suffer until his last dying breath."

Soon, Itachi appeared beside me and held his hand out.  She looked at him.  "You were there?"

He kissed my head as he pulled me close and helped her stand as well.  "I was..."

She looked between us, thinking.  "What did he do? Ryo wouldn't tell any of us, neither would Tsunade, and we all know that talking to Ibiki is like talking to a wall."

I looked her over.  "Do you really want to know?"  She nodded.  "He not only peeped in on but photographed us in our most intimate moments.  I've come to learn after speaking with Ryo he would crop Itachi out of those when he could..."

Her eyes widened.  "Intimate?"

I chuckled.  "No, not sex... haven't had the pleasure of that quite yet."  She sighed, relieved.  "Wow, apparently no one wants me to have any fun."

She giggled.  "You were always the naive, innocent one in those matters."

I rolled my eyes and smiled up at Itachi.  "Knowing he... intruded on our privacy in such a manner, after knowing part of my past... I wanted him dead.  Itachi didn't appreciate his actions either."

She nodded.  "I understand."

I pulled a scroll from my pouch.  "Accompany us to the music shop?"

She smiled.  "Definitely."

Itachi locked the door as we went to the back, and Chihiro looked around.  "Kunoichi... I'm sorry about..."

I shook my head.  "In the past..."

She smirked.  "You know... I remember something else about this place."

I scanned her thoughts and blushed.  "I need to focus."  She chuckled and glanced at Itachi.  I set it on the table and placed my palm on the surface, revealing the seal.  I frowned.  "Now to remember..."

I thought a moment, reaching into my memories of how to break the seal.  I sighed.  "Well, that's unfortunate..."  I channeled a large amount of chakra into my hands and placed my fingers accordingly.  "Itachi... get me to Tsunade after this."

He looked at me in surprise as I broke the seal.  It felt like my entire body was on fire, and I bit back a scream before the world faded to nothing.