二十二
lair of the snake

The black crow Itachi had sent to find the Fragrance returned to him shortly, and once he learnt of what Orochimaru was doing to the Fragrance, an incomprehensible emotion churned in him.

It felt terribly suffocating, and momentarily, his mind went blank. He couldn't think straight. He couldn't even understand why he was feeling that way. But if the Fragrance could stir such emotion from within him, then could it mean that he cared for her?

Thinking it through, he wouldn't deny that he did. He cared a lot for her, but it was all because of duty. If it were not because of duty, he wouldn't spare a single thought whether she lived or died.

He took a deep breath, completely convinced that he would save the Fragrance for the purpose of fulfilling his duty as an Akatsuki member.

His face darkened, and with that, he leapt down the cliff, and into the forest below, following the lead of his crow. However, the more he travelled through the thick woods, the more his heart weighed down.

The Fragrance was far too weak that he even feared his touch would break her. But now, she was in the hands of Orochimaru, a person who lacked morals. Even if he travelled at full speed, by the time he got there, it might have already been too late.

He wondered how he would tell his superiors that he allowed the Fragrance to be snatched away right from their nest under his very watch. How would he tell them that the last valuable member of the Kaori Clan was dead because of his own carelessness?

How would he feel if he had to see her dead body right before his eyes, knowing he could have done better to take care of her?

He rushed through the forest, keeping his face calm and collected. However, when he almost reached the lair of Orochimaru, he suddenly sensed presences ahead.

His eyes darkened, not in the mood to let little distractions stray him from reaching her fast. If he counted, there were three Shinobi - two with strong Chakra. He clenched his jaw as he activated his Sharingan.

Before him was a small clearing, and he jumped down from the tree, sensing that the enemies were hiding somewhere within the area.

"Show yourself," Itachi declared, his voice deep and threatening.

The bushes rattled and advancing from within the shadow of the trees were familiar faces he knew too well of. He stiffened but he forced himself to look calm and relaxed. "Kakashi-san," Itachi greeted.

"Long time no see, Itachi," Kakashi walked over to him with a kunai in his hand. He beckoned the two other presences to come forward. One of them was the nine tail Jinjuriki and the other was a pink-haired girl he didn't recognise potential.

Itachi knew that he could take them down, but he condemned wasting his energy and time. Besides, he didn't want to hurt them since they were comrades of the Leaf, and they did take good care of Sasuke.

"I have no time to spare a chat, Kakashi-san. Please do not hinder my course, and I will not hinder yours," Itachi spoke as the wind rattled the grass below his feet.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes as his soles dug into the ground in a fighting stance. "Where is the Fragrance? Hand her over to the Leaf and I will let you live."

Itachi took a deep breath to restrain himself from falling into the pit of his rage. He kept his face placid as he lifted his chin, staring at them with his Sharingan. "I will not let you get your hands on her."

Kakashi pulled up his headband to reveal the eyes that mirrored his. "I ask you one more time, where are you keeping her?"

The time was ticking, and Itachi was beginning to feel anxious, wasting his time chatting with them. "I do not have time for you," he said resolutely. "We may talk if we do meet again." With that. he cast them a glance and activated his Mangekyou Sharingan.

"Close your eyes!" Kakashi yelled for Naruto and the pink-haired girl to close their eyes as he snapped his own shut.

They all did so, and as Itachi watched them, he found it amusingly ridiculous that they believed they could close their eyes faster than he could cast his Genjutsu. The reason they weren't caught under one was only because he didn't cast anything at all.

Seeing as they were busy closing their eyes, Itachi jumped back onto the tree branch as he began to rush through the woods once more at full speed. But even then, a while later, he found them running after him once again

"Don't you dare run away, Sasuke's brother!" The nine tail's voice echoed throughout the woods as he made several shadow clones.

The clones lunged at Itachi from behind. He did a quick hand sign as he turned to them and breathed out fire, burning them to ashes. He didn't want to hurt them, but if they insisted on interfering with him, he might run out of patience. He was already too anxious to save the Fragrance, and these people just had the audacity to waste his time.

He jumped onto one of the trees. Blood seeped out from his eyes. "Amaterasu," he breathed and black flames ignited the trees before him, creating a barrier between him and Sasuke's old teammates.

They all paused before the burning fire, unable to advance towards Itachi.

Itachi deactivated his Mangekyou and turned away from them without sparing another glance.

In front of him was a hideout, small on the surface but looked as if it led deep into the underground. His crow perched atop it, indicating that that was the place.

He jumped down from the tree and stood by the entrance of the hideout. With his middle finger, he wiped off the blood by his eyes. What a hindrance the Leaf was, and he was also as hasty as to use Amaterasu.

He kicked the door of the hideout open and walked into the dark corridor. And as the door closed behind him, the realisation hit him that Sasuke was probably somewhere under this roof. A sense of longing filled him and he deeply wanted to see his precious little brother, the cutest and most lovable person on earth.

He clenched his jaw, and his face hardened.

No, he couldn't do that. Of course seeing his little brother would be a better use of time than spending it saving a troublesome and fragile little Fragrance. She wasn't even half as cute and lovable as Sasuke. But alas, he was here for her. As much as it discontented him, he couldn't stray from his course.

With that, he continued walking, ignoring his urge to see Sasuke.

The walk felt endless before he arrived at an opening. A throne made of stone was situated in the middle of the large hall and sitting on it was Orochimaru.

"Hello, my dear boy, Itachi. Long time no see, how have you been?" Orochimaru spoke as he gave Itachi the timeless smile of a snake.

*

𝐹𝑅𝐴𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑁𝐶𝐸
うちはイタチ