OK. I'm pretty nervous about this chapter cuz there was a bit of romance in it...or at least my pathetic attempt at it haha. Read and hopefully enjoy!
The sky shone with the scarlet glow of twilight as the bright sun receded beneath the horizon. The avenues of Konoha grew sparse as most of the village’s citizens shuffled into their homes seeing that the day drew to an end. The Hokage was seated in his office, a long pipe puffing smoke at his wrinkled lips and his dimmed brown eyes looking outside his window, staring blankly at the yellow rim that grew smaller as it sunk further beneath the distant hills, and the reddish orange array of light that painted the sparsely clouded sky.
Kakashi and Tenzo stood ramrod straight before Hiruzen, hands folded at their backs as they gave their report. Kakashi did the bulk of the speaking while Tenzo merely added small details which the Copy Ninja overlooked. When both ANBU reached the part about a Root member spying on them, the Hokage’s eyes widened for the merest fraction of a second, then he sighed.
Kakashi wrapped up his report and then all was silent. Titling his hat upwards ever so slightly, Hiruzen cleared his throat before speaking, “So, Niidame-sama’s scroll remains in the hands of the enemy.”
“But, it seems they have been unable to bypass the protective seals on it.” said Tenzo.
“We should be thankful for that.” said the Hokage. “Also, for the fact that they were no casualties in your battle with this Tenkaku fellow.”
“Indeed.” said Kakashi with a warm smile.
“Now, you mentioned that Itachi managed some information from the enemy."
"Yes, Hokage-sama. We also obtained one of the enemy's special weapons; a peculiar sword."
"Submit the item for investigation and be sure to give a report to Ibiki but first, I’d like to hear what he said.”
“Of course, Hokage-sama.”
Standing ramrod straight with a commanding figure and grim expression on his drooping face was Shimura Danzo . His usual cane was aloft and his other hand remained stowed away beneath the dark cloth that cloaked his white robes. The white haired Root who had previously encountered Kakashi’s squad was crouched respectfully before him.
Both of them were at the gaping mouth of a large dark cave where the ceiling was decorated with pointed stalactites and the floor rose and fell in sharp stalagmites. Somewhere from within the black recesses of cavern echoed the distant gushing of water. Light from the setting sun fell on Konoha war hawk and subordinate, and their long dull shadows stretched upon the jagged floor of the grotto.
“So, what did this Tenkaku say.” came the cracked voice of the village elder.
“The one captured by Kakashi’s unit gave some information on the Hikari organization. According to him, Hikari is made up of a vast network of shinobi in every country, every village, ranging from Genin to Jonin. However, the organization has twelve key members and one leader. The twelve are divided into four teams of three. Each of the four teams is led by one of the three members and this Tenkaku is a member of one of these teams.”
“What about their leader?” questioned Danzo. Kabuto was silent for a minute and his lack of response wore the elder’s patience thin. “Well?”
Kabuto cleared his throat. “Itachi asked the captured criminal the same question but he was unable to give anything useful. According to him, no member of the Hikari organization has seen their leader’s face or has any knowledge on his abilities. The only thing Tenkaku said was that he is an immortal.”
“Immortal!?” blurted Hiruzen, his eyes widened.
“That was what Tenkaku said.” said Kakashi.
“Itachi asked him to elaborate but that was when he vanished.” added Tenzo.
Silence loomed over the three shinobi for a few moments. Hiruzen was the first to speak, “Well, like I said, give your report to Ibiki. We’re done here.”
Both Kakashi and Yamato nodded sharply then took their leave. As the door creaked shut on their exit, Hiruzen rose from his chair and turned towards one of the glass panes of his broad office window. The sun had vanished but the sky was still alight with its last orange rays. The dimmed brown eyes of the Hokage drifted downwards to the village. A trio of children were playing happily in a street corner, excitement and smiles all round as the village’s leader could see. A trail of smoke curled from Hiruzen’s lips as the old man sighed.
I must preserve this village for the next generation.
On the wooden ledge which stood at the bank of the Naka river sat Uchiha Itachi, his feet dangling in the cool water as dusk fell about him. He was dressed in darks pants and a long sleeved black shirt with a large red and white fan-the symbol of the Uchiha clan-emblazoned on his back. Black wisps of hair fell over his face as he peered down at the reflection in the crystal clear waters which lapped gently before him.
His mind drifted through the ever ebbing tides of time, back to happier times spent with his best friend Uchiha Shisui, the kindest and most noble person he had ever known. The boy reminisced on the days spent together, in pain and in joy, in good times and in bad times, when the future seemed dark and confusing and when the way forward seemed abundantly clear, always together.
Itachi recalled how both of them trained together with fiercest determination, their overwhelming desire to protect Konoha and the Uchiha fanning their inborn spark of incredible genius to produce a duo of fires roaring in a united conflagration which reduced every one of their adversaries to ash and cinders.
Now Shisui was dead, one of his powerful eyes taken by a distrustful Danzo, his stellar reputation tarnished by the dishonorable cowardice of the act of suicide. Now Itachi was left alone in the world, to deal with an enemy which seemed beyond him; his own beloved clan. As if that wasn’t bad enough, this Hikari organization has reared its ugly and sinister head. A secret group of shinobi of remarkable skills apparently led by an immortal.
The young man’s reflection was distorted as a small pebble fell with a thunk into the water. He felt a presence behind him and the dull morose look in his eyes turned into a searing flame burning in pools of crimson as his Sharingan spun into view. However, as the warm scent of white plum drifted into his nostrils, the Uchiha prodigy relaxed; It was not an enemy. Itachi was about to turn towards this person and offer a kind greeting when a sharp rap on the head sent him into the water with a splash.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were back?” a feminine voice squealed.
Itachi’s head popped out of the water, his face dripping and his bangs sopping. His Sharingan was deactivated there was a nervous smile on his face as he gazed at this newcomer. She looked about his age and height, with a shapely figure, dressed in a black sleeveless blouse, a red skirt which terminated above the knee and black sandals. She was pale skinned, round faced, with a small sharp nose, thin lips, an angry look in her deep set almond eyes which were a warm shade of gray, an long black hair reaching her waist. “Er, I’m sorry, Mitsuki.” said Itachi nervously.
She scoffed as Itachi pulled himself out of the river and onto the ledge, squeezing the water out of his clothes and his hair. “I wonder why I date a weirdo like you.” spat Mitsuki.
“It must be that there’s something wrong with you too.” said Itachi with a teasing smile.
She gasped, insulted, her palm already sweeping to deliver another smack on Itachi’s face. However, he wasn’t called genius of the Uchiha for nothing. The lad avoided the incoming slap with great ease but Mitsuki had swung so hard that she lost balance and was now tottering off the ledge into the river. She shut her eyes, preparing for the cold sting of the water but instead, her fall was broken by the warm and strong hands of the young Uchiha Itachi who proceeded to lift her up bridal style. Her eyes opened and the boy’s drenched and grinning face swam into view. Her cheeks were tinged slightly with scarlet as her eyes locked into his.
“I missed you.” said Itachi.
“I missed you too.” she purred, resting her head against his chest.
Shisui was gone but Itachi hadn’t lost it all.
The sky shone with the scarlet glow of twilight as the bright sun receded beneath the horizon. The avenues of Konoha grew sparse as most of the village’s citizens shuffled into their homes seeing that the day drew to an end. The Hokage was seated in his office, a long pipe puffing smoke at his wrinkled lips and his dimmed brown eyes looking outside his window, staring blankly at the yellow rim that grew smaller as it sunk further beneath the distant hills, and the reddish orange array of light that painted the sparsely clouded sky.
Kakashi and Tenzo stood ramrod straight before Hiruzen, hands folded at their backs as they gave their report. Kakashi did the bulk of the speaking while Tenzo merely added small details which the Copy Ninja overlooked. When both ANBU reached the part about a Root member spying on them, the Hokage’s eyes widened for the merest fraction of a second, then he sighed.
Kakashi wrapped up his report and then all was silent. Titling his hat upwards ever so slightly, Hiruzen cleared his throat before speaking, “So, Niidame-sama’s scroll remains in the hands of the enemy.”
“But, it seems they have been unable to bypass the protective seals on it.” said Tenzo.
“We should be thankful for that.” said the Hokage. “Also, for the fact that they were no casualties in your battle with this Tenkaku fellow.”
“Indeed.” said Kakashi with a warm smile.
“Now, you mentioned that Itachi managed some information from the enemy."
"Yes, Hokage-sama. We also obtained one of the enemy's special weapons; a peculiar sword."
"Submit the item for investigation and be sure to give a report to Ibiki but first, I’d like to hear what he said.”
“Of course, Hokage-sama.”
00000
Standing ramrod straight with a commanding figure and grim expression on his drooping face was Shimura Danzo . His usual cane was aloft and his other hand remained stowed away beneath the dark cloth that cloaked his white robes. The white haired Root who had previously encountered Kakashi’s squad was crouched respectfully before him.
Both of them were at the gaping mouth of a large dark cave where the ceiling was decorated with pointed stalactites and the floor rose and fell in sharp stalagmites. Somewhere from within the black recesses of cavern echoed the distant gushing of water. Light from the setting sun fell on Konoha war hawk and subordinate, and their long dull shadows stretched upon the jagged floor of the grotto.
“So, what did this Tenkaku say.” came the cracked voice of the village elder.
“The one captured by Kakashi’s unit gave some information on the Hikari organization. According to him, Hikari is made up of a vast network of shinobi in every country, every village, ranging from Genin to Jonin. However, the organization has twelve key members and one leader. The twelve are divided into four teams of three. Each of the four teams is led by one of the three members and this Tenkaku is a member of one of these teams.”
“What about their leader?” questioned Danzo. Kabuto was silent for a minute and his lack of response wore the elder’s patience thin. “Well?”
Kabuto cleared his throat. “Itachi asked the captured criminal the same question but he was unable to give anything useful. According to him, no member of the Hikari organization has seen their leader’s face or has any knowledge on his abilities. The only thing Tenkaku said was that he is an immortal.”
00000
“Immortal!?” blurted Hiruzen, his eyes widened.
“That was what Tenkaku said.” said Kakashi.
“Itachi asked him to elaborate but that was when he vanished.” added Tenzo.
Silence loomed over the three shinobi for a few moments. Hiruzen was the first to speak, “Well, like I said, give your report to Ibiki. We’re done here.”
Both Kakashi and Yamato nodded sharply then took their leave. As the door creaked shut on their exit, Hiruzen rose from his chair and turned towards one of the glass panes of his broad office window. The sun had vanished but the sky was still alight with its last orange rays. The dimmed brown eyes of the Hokage drifted downwards to the village. A trio of children were playing happily in a street corner, excitement and smiles all round as the village’s leader could see. A trail of smoke curled from Hiruzen’s lips as the old man sighed.
I must preserve this village for the next generation.
00000
On the wooden ledge which stood at the bank of the Naka river sat Uchiha Itachi, his feet dangling in the cool water as dusk fell about him. He was dressed in darks pants and a long sleeved black shirt with a large red and white fan-the symbol of the Uchiha clan-emblazoned on his back. Black wisps of hair fell over his face as he peered down at the reflection in the crystal clear waters which lapped gently before him.
His mind drifted through the ever ebbing tides of time, back to happier times spent with his best friend Uchiha Shisui, the kindest and most noble person he had ever known. The boy reminisced on the days spent together, in pain and in joy, in good times and in bad times, when the future seemed dark and confusing and when the way forward seemed abundantly clear, always together.
Itachi recalled how both of them trained together with fiercest determination, their overwhelming desire to protect Konoha and the Uchiha fanning their inborn spark of incredible genius to produce a duo of fires roaring in a united conflagration which reduced every one of their adversaries to ash and cinders.
Now Shisui was dead, one of his powerful eyes taken by a distrustful Danzo, his stellar reputation tarnished by the dishonorable cowardice of the act of suicide. Now Itachi was left alone in the world, to deal with an enemy which seemed beyond him; his own beloved clan. As if that wasn’t bad enough, this Hikari organization has reared its ugly and sinister head. A secret group of shinobi of remarkable skills apparently led by an immortal.
The young man’s reflection was distorted as a small pebble fell with a thunk into the water. He felt a presence behind him and the dull morose look in his eyes turned into a searing flame burning in pools of crimson as his Sharingan spun into view. However, as the warm scent of white plum drifted into his nostrils, the Uchiha prodigy relaxed; It was not an enemy. Itachi was about to turn towards this person and offer a kind greeting when a sharp rap on the head sent him into the water with a splash.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were back?” a feminine voice squealed.
Itachi’s head popped out of the water, his face dripping and his bangs sopping. His Sharingan was deactivated there was a nervous smile on his face as he gazed at this newcomer. She looked about his age and height, with a shapely figure, dressed in a black sleeveless blouse, a red skirt which terminated above the knee and black sandals. She was pale skinned, round faced, with a small sharp nose, thin lips, an angry look in her deep set almond eyes which were a warm shade of gray, an long black hair reaching her waist. “Er, I’m sorry, Mitsuki.” said Itachi nervously.
She scoffed as Itachi pulled himself out of the river and onto the ledge, squeezing the water out of his clothes and his hair. “I wonder why I date a weirdo like you.” spat Mitsuki.
“It must be that there’s something wrong with you too.” said Itachi with a teasing smile.
She gasped, insulted, her palm already sweeping to deliver another smack on Itachi’s face. However, he wasn’t called genius of the Uchiha for nothing. The lad avoided the incoming slap with great ease but Mitsuki had swung so hard that she lost balance and was now tottering off the ledge into the river. She shut her eyes, preparing for the cold sting of the water but instead, her fall was broken by the warm and strong hands of the young Uchiha Itachi who proceeded to lift her up bridal style. Her eyes opened and the boy’s drenched and grinning face swam into view. Her cheeks were tinged slightly with scarlet as her eyes locked into his.
“I missed you.” said Itachi.
“I missed you too.” she purred, resting her head against his chest.
Shisui was gone but Itachi hadn’t lost it all.
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Commending your writing skills as always=D
