Chapter 13: Kill

"Aki!"

I turned around, and there he was-Itachi, racing up the staircase with a bright smile that stretched from ear to ear, illuminating everything around him.

But I held my tongue, the warmth of his joy clashing painfully with the turmoil inside me.

"Look, I got the graduation certificate!" he exclaimed, quickly unrolling a scroll that bore his name, adorned with the word congratulations. "And, I finally received my headband just like Shisui!"

I couldn't help but smile, genuinely pleased to see him so happy. "Wow, that's amazing! I knew you were smart, but it still amazes me how you graduated in just one year."

Itachi walked over and placed the headband on the railing beside me, ensuring I could see it better.

"It's so new and shiny," I murmured in awe, captivated by the way the light caught the metal plate, glinting and blinding my eyes. Yet, beneath my admiration lurked a haunting thought-the image of that headband with a single scratch crossing out the Leaf symbol.

"Aki," he said, his voice suddenly serious, drawing me from my reverie.

I blinked, surprised by the shift in his tone.

"If you ever feel lonely, come hang out with me and play with Sasuke," he offered, worry clouding his dark eyes. "We're here for you."

I huffed and poked him playfully on the forehead. "You can't get rid of me that easily. I'll always be around, even when you don't want me."

He touched his forehead where I had tapped and smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through me. "Even if Shisui isn't here, I can still help you train... You're still coming every day, right?"

"Yup! Why wouldn't I be?" I exclaimed, my spirits lifting.

Grinning, he grabbed his headband and tucked it into his pocket along with the certificate.

"Come," he said, extending his arms toward me, a hopeful expression lighting up his face. "Let's go home, Aki."

I stared at him for a moment, my heart swelling with gratitude. It was as if he knew my thoughts just earlier today.

With a burst of energy, I leaped off the railing and into his arms, twisting around to settle comfortably as he turned and headed down the staircase.

As we stepped out into the evening sun, it broke through the clouds, casting a warm, golden glow over the village, and illuminating everything in its path. The vibrant colors of the buildings seemed to come alive, the reds and yellows glowing like embers against the darkening sky.

Itachi walked through the bustling streets, cradling me in his arms just like the first time we had met, an embrace that felt both comforting and familiar. The gentle rise and fall of his chest beneath me was steady, a reassuring rhythm that calmed the fluttering in my heart.

"Doesn't this remind you of the first time we met?" I asked, my eyes wandering over the villagers as they passed by, all heading home with their families. Their faces were a blur of everyday life, filled with laughter, conversations, and the mundane joys of routine.

"It does," he replied, a soft smile gracing his lips, his eyes sparkling with nostalgia. "It feels like it just happened yesterday. With you and Shisui, time seemed to fly by... I hope we can still be like this forever."

At that moment, the fear crept back, wrapping itself around my heart like a cold, insidious vine. It was the fear of the inevitable, the fear of what lay ahead on the path we were destined to walk. The unease that lingered just beneath the surface, always waiting to break through, was a reminder of the grim future that awaited us just beyond our fragile happiness.

The streets around us bustled with life, but a quiet tension wrapped itself around us like a veil. I could feel it in the way the villagers hurried past, their laughter fading into the background as if the very air was thick with apprehension. We were teetering on the edge of something monumental, a precipice that loomed just out of sight.

I knew it.

He knew it.

"Do you think things will change?" I asked softly, my voice barely rising above the ambient noise of the village.

Itachi glanced down at me, his expression thoughtful. "Change is unavoidable, Aki. But, that doesn't mean we have to lose what we have now. We can hold on to each other, no matter what comes our way."

His words were meant to reassure me, but they felt shallow. I wanted to believe him, to trust that we could weather any storm together.

But, I knew.

I had glimpsed it all...

Yet, I vowed silently that I would protect us, no matter the cost...even if it meant my life.

"Itachi, you went with that man—the one with the cane," I said hesitantly, fearing what he may say. "What did he say to you?"

"You saw?" Itachi asked, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he continued. "He didn't say much of importance. I got the feeling he was just..." he stopped to find the right word, "testing me."

"How?" I asked, my brow furrowing with concern.

He paused, a brief silence settling between us. Perhaps it was hesitancy I sensed from him, but after a moment, he responded. "He gave me a riddle regarding ten men. Nine of them are healthy, but one is too sick to save. He wanted to know what I would do in that situation..." He paused again, the gravity of his words hanging heavy in the air. "My answer was that I'd kill the sick man, since he would die anyway, to prevent him from infecting the others.... It would be a mercy."

"I see," I replied, though the words felt inadequate.

The solution sounded harsh, especially coming from Itachi's lips, someone I knew to be compassionate and kind. Yet, who was I to judge? This was the reality of the lives of shinobis—a truth that was often hard to swallow. Shinobis were taught to make difficult choices, to weigh the lives of many against the few, and sometimes even to sacrifice their own humanity for the greater good.

That was why I could never be a shinobi.

No, I don't want to be a shinobi.

"Is something bothering you?" he asked, his gaze shifting down to meet mine.

"That man," I considered my words carefully, "I have a... bad feeling about him. You need to be wary of him. Don't trust anything he says, do you hear me?"

He nodded slowly, seriousness filling his eyes. "Yes, I hear you. I will do as you say."

Suddenly, Itachi came to a stop, and I glanced ahead to see that we had arrived at his home—the stone wall and double doors flanked by two trees.

"Well, I guess it's time," I said, jumping out of his arms and landing lightly on the ground.

"Come by tomorrow, Aki," he said, a hint of eagerness in his voice. "Father won't be home and Sasuke has been asking for you."

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I laughed softly, trying to mask the weight in my chest. "I will."

"See you soon."

~~~

When I opened my eyes, I was met with an overwhelming blur, a thick veil of darkness that obscured my surroundings. My vision struggled to adjust, and my mind felt shrouded in a dense fog as if I were submerged in a nightmare from which I couldn't quite awaken.

From a distance, I heard the caws of crows. No. I heard them as if they were right beside me. The sound was sharp and insistent, piercing through the shroud of my thoughts.

I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze that clouded my sight, but the shadows lingered, swirling and shifting like a restless mist. Shapes began to emerge, but they were indistinct and elusive, flickering at the edges of my perception. I strained to make sense of my environment, but everything remained frustratingly unclear, like an unfinished painting whose details had yet to be revealed.

The caws seemed to scream at me but I was immobilized.

I was cold.

Wet.

Water?

The sensation of icy water enveloped me, seeping into my clothes and sending shivers coursing through my body. It was shockingly frigid, the kind of cold that bites at the skin and penetrates deep into the bones.

I realized I was lying in shallow water, the liquid lapping gently around me as the caws of crows screamed louder in my ear like a blaring siren, filling me with a strong sense of urgency. Panic gripped me as I shifted my gaze downward, forcing myself to look at my arms stretched out in front of me. They appeared pale and ghostly in the dim light, the skin glistening with droplets that reflected the faintest glimmers of light. I attempted to move them, to push myself up, but my body felt heavy as if weighed down by an invisible force pressing against me, holding me captive.

This time, a single caw pierced the air, distinct and commanding. My eyes were immediately drawn to the source-a crow had emerged from a blur of shadows to stand before me. Its presence was almost surreal as if it had materialized from the very air itself. The crow fixed me with its dark, beady eyes, an unwavering stare that seemed to peer into my very soul.

With a graceful, almost deliberate motion, it twisted its head to look back over its shoulder. The gesture was unmistakable, beckoning me to follow its gaze.

It was at that moment that I froze as a sharp intake of breath caught in my throat, terror seized my heart like a vice.

Just a few feet away, I spotted a figure lying motionless in the water. Who? My mind raced, but the darkness enveloping the scene rendered everything indistinct and blurry, blurring the edges of reality. The ache in my chest intensified an unbearable weight that threatened to crush me from within. How could I endure this heartache without collapsing under its crushing force?

"Shi-Shisui..."

No.

The name escaped my lips like a desperate whisper, a prayer to the universe that I could somehow awaken from this nightmare. Tears streamed down my face, warm trails against the cold, clammy skin of my cheeks as the horrifying realization settled in.

"P-please...no."

With sheer willpower, I summoned every ounce of strength I had left, every fiber of my being ignited by the urgency to reach him. I lifted my upper body, dragging myself toward him with trembling hands, each movement feeling like it took an eternity.

He lay on his back in the frigid water, his eyes shut tight, shrouded in an eerie stillness. Blood still seeped from his closed eyes flowing down on his face, mingling with the water around him, creating black swirls that twisted and danced in the shadows. His head was bleeding profusely-an injury I couldn't see through the blood that surrounded us. His clothes, once clean, were tattered and torn, clinging to his body like remnants of a battle fought and...lost.

"No-."

The word escaped me, a choked sob that echoed in the silence of the night. I hadn't even registered the pain coursing through my leg, twisted and pinned beneath me; all I knew was that I had to reach him, had to help him.

I placed my trembling hands together, desperately trying to concentrate on using medical ninjutsu to heal him. My heart raced as I focused like never before, willing the chakra to flow through me, but all I could feel was the weight of grief and despair pressing down on me.

Concentrate!

Concentrate!

Concentrate!

However, no matter how long I performed the jutsu or tried to revive him with desperate chest compressions, he didn't stir...

He never stirs...

His lips parted slightly, as if caught mid-breath, frozen in a moment that should have been filled with life and vitality. Instead, his body lay before me, lifeless and unmoving, a reminder of the fragility of life. The sight was a jarring contrast to the vibrant spirit I had known, now reduced to stillness and silence.

The horror of my failure manifested before me as an insidious heartache gripped me tighter with each passing second. There was a coldness that crept through my veins-colder than any winter storm, settling heavily in my chest and weighing down my very soul.

I looked down at my hands, now stained with his blood-black blood? The stark darkness was a haunting contrast against my pale skin. It felt like a cruel joke, the evidence of my helplessness-of my uselessness glaring back at me.

Shisui lay lifeless in my lap.

Itachi lay lifeless in my lap.

The vision flickered violently between my two dearest friends, a haunting montage of despair and loss, like a broken record skipping through the most painful moments of my life. Each image tore at my heart, and I could no longer contain the anguish that surged within me. I screamed out in absolute horror, the sound ripping through the silence, a raw expression of my grief and terror!

~~~

"Aaahhhhhh!!!!"

I jolted awake, shooting straight up in bed, my heart racing like a wild animal desperate to escape. My body trembled uncontrollably, drenched in cold sweat that clung to my skin like a second layer, chilling me to the bones.

Suddenly, an overwhelming wave of nausea crashed over me, churning in my stomach like a storm threatening to erupt. The sense of sickness clawed at my throat, and before I could think twice, I leaned over the edge of my bed and heaved, the contents of my stomach spilling forth in a violent rush. Each retch felt like it was tearing me apart, the remnants of my nightmare flooding back in chilling clarity.

Relentless and unforgiving.

"No. No. No," I muttered to myself, my voice a frantic whisper that barely escaped my lips. My heart raced as I crawled into the corner of my bed, curling up into a tight ball, shaking like a leaf caught in a tempest. The world around me felt distant, muffled as if I were still trapped in that awful nightmare where only my fears existed.

Grandpa stormed into my room, his footsteps heavy with concern. When he saw me-trembling and pale, the state I was in-terror flashed in his eyes. He fumbled almost tripping on his way as he reached for me.

That day, Grandpa stayed by my side, holding me tightly in his warm embrace. I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against mine, but it offered little comfort. I stared out at nothing in particular, my eyes wide and unblinking, unable and unwilling to find solace in sleep. The shadows of my nightmare loomed over me, refusing to fade. It played in my mind over and over constantly. Mercilessly.

That day, I couldn't make it out of bed.

I didn't go to see Itachi like I had promised.

Nor the day after that. And the day after.

I did not eat or sleep. I couldn't.

"Aki! Please stop!"

Grandpa's voice rang out from the front door of our small cottage, filled with desperation and concern, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

Still clad in my pajamas, the freezing temperature wrapped around me like a shroud, yet I felt nothing-no chill, no discomfort-just an overwhelming numbness that dulled all my senses. The biting wind whipped around me, sending flurries of snow swirling through the air, yet I stood rooted in place, unwavering as I faced a dark figure looming before me amid the winter storm.

I held out my kunai, the metal gleaming dully in the dim light, and pointed it directly at Danzo Shimura, the name echoing ominously in my mind.

"Fight! Fight like you've got nothing to lose," I declared, my voice steady despite the chaos swirling around us. I flicked my wrist, showcasing the kunai as a weapon, the motion both defiant and desperate, a challenge thrown down at his feet.

His eyes met mine-cold, calculating, the gaze of a killer that sent an electric jolt through me. Those eyes held no warmth, only a steely resolve that sent shivers down my spine. Despite the power I felt coursing through me, a flicker of doubt whispered in the back of my mind. I didn't understand how my clone, combined with the transformation jutsu, was able to mimic him with such precision, creating a perfect copy that mirrored his every detail.

It was absolutely terrifying. But at that moment, I didn't question it; all that mattered was the confrontation unfolding before me.

Without a second thought, I charged at fake Danzo, propelled by an adrenaline-fueled rage and a singular belief that he was my enemy, the embodiment of everything I feared.

I needed to kill him!

As I closed the distance, I swung my kunai in a wide arc, aiming for his midsection. But with a swift movement, he pivoted on his cane, using it to deflect my strike with surprising agility. The impact reverberated through my arm, a jarring shock that caught me off guard. I hadn't expected him to be this strong, even though he was just my clone.

"Is that all you've got?" he taunted, his voice dripping with condescension.

Enrage, all thoughts dissipated in that instant as I quickly regained my footing and shifted my weight, spinning around to deliver a kick aimed at his side. But he anticipated my move, sidestepping just in time, his cane sweeping low to trip me into the snow.

I stumbled but caught myself, rolling back to my feet in a fluid motion then feinted to the left, drawing his attention, then quickly darted to the right, aiming for his unguarded side. With precision, I lunged, thrusting the kunai forward.

Fake Danzo reacted with remarkable speed, using his cane to parry my strike, the metal scraping against wood in a sharp clash. He countered by thrusting the cane toward my stomach, but I twisted away just in time, feeling the rush of air as it grazed me.

Quickly, I countered with a swift upward slice, aiming for his throat, but he was relentless. He pivoted, bringing his cane down in a sweeping arc that caught me off guard. I barely managed to sidestep, feeling the rush of wind as it passed dangerously close.

"You're weak," fake Danzo sneered, his confidence infuriating me.

Fueled by anger, I pressed forward again, my movements becoming a blur as I unleashed a flurry of strikes. I aimed high, low, and everywhere in between, weaving in and out of his reach. He blocked and deflected all my attacks with his cane, but I could see the slightest hint of frustration beginning to creep into his demeanor.

In a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand, I feigned a strike to his right before pivoting and launching myself into the air, flipping over his head. I landed behind him, spinning around to drive my kunai toward him from behind.

Caught off guard, he barely had time to react. He swung his cane around, but I was quicker, ducking low and sweeping in close. I slashed at his legs, determined to bring him down.

But he anticipated my move, using his cane to catch my wrist just as the kunai grazed his pant leg. He twisted my arm, forcing me to drop the weapon, and in one swift motion, he turned and brought the cane crashing down toward me.

"Gah-!"

"Aki!" I heard Grandpa shouting my name from a distance.

"How can you protect anyone if you can't even defeat yourself," he taunted, his voice low and dangerous. "You had failed, Aki. And, you will continue to fail because you are uselessly weak."

I'd always known the truth: I was weak. But hearing that harsh reality echo from the mouth of my enemy, even if he was just my transformed clone, felt far more real and cutting than I could have anticipated. It was a blunt, unyielding truth that hung in the air like a heavy fog, suffocating and undeniable.

"The world of shinobis is a constant battlefield," he sneered. "If you are not prepared to throw in everything and give your life at a moment's notice, you will fail." The words struck me like a physical blow, resonating deep within my core as the visions of my dearest friends lying lifeless in my arms flickered in my mind. Unrelenting.

Tears gushed from my eyes, blurring my sight as my breath came in heavy, ragged gasps. I felt the sting of weakness wash over me time and time again, but I refused to yield, even as I squirmed in pain. "N-no, I'm not d-done," I stammered, the fire of defiance burning strong within me.

"Do you think crying will save them?" He asked but it felt more like a taunt, his voice laced with disgust.

Frustrated by my own weakness, I clenched the snow between my bare hands, the cold biting into my skin, but it paled in comparison to the deeper wound of self-loathing that festered within me. I was painfully aware of how truly powerless I was, even with all the foresight and determination I possessed. The weight of that truth was undeniable, threatening to crush me with each breath that I took.

Screaming in sheer indignation, I summoned all my strength and pushed myself back up onto my feet. I sprinted for the kunai lying just a few feet away, my heart racing as adrenaline coursed through my veins. Grabbing it with a fierce determination, I charged at my enemy once more.

Time and time again, I fought with everything I had, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't land a single hit. Each swing felt futile, the gap between us an insurmountable rift that mocked my efforts. Still, I stood tall, even as my hands hung loosely on my sides from the pressure points he had inflicted on me. I held the kunai tightly in my mouth, the metal cold against my teeth, and ran at him again and again, refusing to back down.

Just as I felt the edges of consciousness begin to blur, teetering on the brink of fainting from exhaustion, I sensed a familiar presence. Grandpa stepped in, wrapping his arms around me, gathering me up like a fragile bundle as I sagged against him, my body finally succumbing to the toll of the battle.

Before I lose myself to the abyss, I catch a glimpse through the blur, fake Danzo Shimura staring intensely at me as if he were looking at nothing more than a pesky little bug that dared to cross his path.