An Itachi Fanfiction [EDITING]

Welcome to the Akatsuki

Itachi led me deep into the Akatsuki hideout to meet their leader.

The further we walked, the colder the air became. The cave walls were dark and damp, illuminated only by scattered torches that cast distorted shadows across the stone. Every footstep echoed.

Still, I kept my head high.

Even as fear twisted violently in my stomach.

Even as the weight of what I had done settled heavier onto my shoulders with every step.

There was no turning back now.

Eventually, we stopped in front of a man with bright orange hair and countless piercings lining his face. His ripple-patterned eyes settled on me with unsettling intensity.

"So," he said calmly, "you are Orochimaru's daughter."

I met his gaze without flinching.

"So they tell me."

For a moment, silence stretched between us.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

"I have heard interesting things about your abilities. Show me."

I activated my snake eyes immediately, my pupils thinning into slits.

The leader studied me carefully.

"And the mark on your neck?"

Instinctively, my fingers brushed against the seal hidden beneath my collar.

"It's sealed."

"And you cannot break the seal?"

I stayed silent.

That alone answered his question.

He tilted his head slightly.

"Can you control it?"

A bitter laugh almost escaped me.

"Not anymore."

That seemed to interest him.

"Explain."

I forced myself to remain calm.

"I learned to control it years ago. But I stopped using those abilities, so they went dormant." My voice softened slightly. "When my father returned to the village... it awakened again. But now it feels unfamiliar. Like trying to control something wild with bare hands."

"And who taught you to control it?"

For the first time since entering the room, hesitation crept into me.

I could feel Itachi standing silently behind me.

Watching.

Listening.

Remembering.

"...Itachi."

The room went still.

Pain's eyes shifted toward him for the briefest moment before returning to me.

Interesting.

"So the Uchiha trained Orochimaru's daughter."

I ignored the strange heaviness in my chest at hearing it spoken aloud.

Pain continued, "I also hear you have been searching for Orochimaru."

I nodded once.

"You will assist Sasori in tracking him down. As for your other duties..." His gaze sharpened. "You will accompany Itachi and Kisame in collecting the Tailed Beasts. You will also assist in the sealing process itself."