Before It Ends (Itachi x Akatsuki x Reader)

***

You remembered running. The sound of the gravel road beneath you crunching. How did you always find yourself in bad situations with no hope of escape? 

You let out a loud yelp as you suddenly felt a hand grasp onto your hair, practically jerking you backwards. "Where do you think you're going?" You heard one of the men who'd been chasing you ask tauntingly. 

"L-Let go of me!" You screamed.

"Don't think so." The second man chimed in. "We're gonna have a lot of fun with you."

You were trying to claw the first man's hands off you, but it was no use. You were just a little girl, after all. He was much stronger than you. Despite your best efforts, you could feel your eyes stinging with tears. You could hardly take it. Just how many times would you have to go through this? Why did this always have to happen? You didn't understand it. With all the restraint you had left, you let out a scream for help, not even caring how pathetic it would make you seem. You figured something like that was pointless. No one had ever cared enough to stop and help you before…but that's why this moment would be so life changing for you…

Without warning, a giant snake suddenly appeared from out of nowhere, crashing into your harassers with insane force. The whip lash of it had actually knocked you to the ground, causing you to let out another yelp. When you finally recovered from the initial shock, you slowly lifted your head from the ground with wide eyes. Was that a fucking snake!?

You watched as said snake disappeared into a large cloud of smoke, revealing the remains of your harassers. You could feel yourself tremble at the sight of their bodies. One of them had been knocked into the wall so forcefully, it cracked their head open, while the other had quite literally been ripped in half by the snake's fangs. You just stared in horror with your mouth slightly agape. What just happened?

"How tragic…" You suddenly heard a deep voice from behind you. 

You instantly turn your head to see a man with pale skin and long raven hair. His snake-like eyes seemed to practically pierce into your soul. He was intimidating to say the least…and yet, there was also some sort of profound beauty to him. He was…

"A young girl like you shouldn't be out all on her own…" He began. "Run along home now." 

You could feel your lips part slightly, but no words come out. Run home…? You desperately wished that you could do just that.

Little did you know that this was all just a part of his disguised manipulation. Having been on the run for years himself, it wasn't hard for him to discern your situation. He already knew damn well you had no where to go…yes, he'd had his eyes on you for awhile now…

A soft chuckle escapes the Sannin. "I see…" He speaks up. "You know, I must say, I'm awfully curious what could have a young girl like you so desperate to run away."

You can feel your brows arch, a wave of humiliation washing over you. Was it really so obvious…? You let out a shaky breath, your head hung low. "…Please, sir, I don't wish to speak on such matters." You reply, your voice suddenly sounding so…small. "All I want is to get away. I want to forget…and move on…" 

"I understand. There are some memories that we would rather forget..." He agrees. "Just be aware...there are some things that you can never truly escape."

His words rang true, and it was a bitter pill to swallow. You would never outrun your past. It was a shadow that clung to you, no matter how far you ran.

If you hadn't been so distracted with your own thoughts, perhaps you would've caught the small, satisfied smirk tugging at his lips. "…Have you considered training to become stronger? That way, you can protect yourself from future dangers."

"…I've trained as much as I possibly can on my own." You admit. "But, it's not like I'm a real shinobi…"

His expression shifted—surprise? Interest? It was hard to tell. "Really...? So you're self-taught, yet you still managed to learn enough to get by? I must say, I'm quite impressed."

Your expression quickly softens, and to your shame, you swore your guard dropped entirely. He was…praising you? You'd never had a man praise you like this before…nor had a single person ever commended your hardships. It felt good, really good…and you hated that. It seemed he'd managed to break down your walls with just a few pretty words alone. God, you were such a fool. Behind that strategic and observant facade, there was nothing but a naive little girl.

You finally realized why you'd been avoiding his gaze all this time. The truth hit you, hard and unrelenting. Those hauntingly beautiful eyes of his held a darkness beyond comprehension. He reminded you of the man you loathed, yet held so dear…the one you could never truly escape. 

Yes…

He reminded you of your father… 

***

Your eyes shoot open as you jerk upwards, heaving out heavy breaths. Again with these dreams? Seriously? This was the last thing you needed right now. You glance around a moment, letting the surroundings settle. Pain had just helped you get settled in earlier. You'd left the guest room, now inhabiting your permanent quarters. It wasn't much right now, but you'd planned on decorating and making it more homey within the week. 

You let out a sigh before bringing your chin to your knees defeatedly. Perhaps it was just the stress of everything. Joining the Akatsuki. Meeting your teammates. Moving into a new area. Surely it all weighed heavily on your mind. Well, you knew one thing was for certain. You wouldn't be sleeping after that. Maybe you could take a small walk…clear your mind. 

—

You walked down the dimly lit halls of HQ. You weren't really sure where you were going. You were more or less just wandering wherever your feet were taking you. The place was huge…and literally inside a cave. There were plenty of options worth exploring. 

The air was cool and damp as you strolled through the dimly lit corridors of HQ. The cave's vastness stretched out around you, a labyrinth of secrets carved by time and shadow. You wondered just how deep they went, or if anyone had bothered to explore them all. Did Pain even know their extent? 

As you ventured deeper into the heart of the cavern, the walls began to change. They grew smoother, less jagged, almost as if they had been sculpted by an unseen hand. The faint scent of damp earth gave way to a hint of something fresher, something alive. A soft glow grew in the distance, hinting at an unexplored chamber. Your curiosity piqued, your feet mindlessly leading you forward. 

The corridor opened up to reveal a vast chamber. A pool of crystal-clear water lay before you, the surface shimmering with the light of hundreds of bioluminescent fungi that clung to the cavern walls. Their soft blue glow reflected off the water, casting a serene light across the space. The pool was fed by a gentle cascade of water that trickled down from a hidden spring, the sound of the waterfall a soothing melody in the quiet.

The water was so clear that you could see the pebbles at the bottom, each one a unique pattern of color and shape. The pool looked inviting, a tranquil oasis amidst the harshness of the cave. You approached the water's edge, your reflection shimmering in the still surface. The glow from the fungi painted your face with an ethereal light, emphasizing your delicate features. You were about to reach down to touch the water, when suddenly you heard a voice speak from above. 

"What are you doing here?" 

You let out a loud gasp as you turn, looking up to see Kisame quite literally hanging upside down from the ceiling. "Jesus…" You breathed out. "I could say the same about you, you know?"

"Well, the water's more my domain..."

Domain? As in territorial? His territory? Had you trespassed on a personal space of his? The last thing you wanted was to go at it with him again. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't know." You explained. "You see, sometimes when I can't sleep, I go for a walk to clear my head. My feet kinda just lead me here, you know? But, I'm really sorry for disturbing you, I'll go now."

He suddenly dropped down to the floor with a thud, making your heart pound. To your surprise, he gave you a toothy grin. "Why? I ain't kicking you out." He chuckled. "You're the new girl…Y/n, isn't it?"

You paused. Well, this was strange. You had half expected him to teach you a lesson for invading his space…but maybe he wasn't as scary as he looked. After all, he was your teammate now, so you supposed it wasn't unusual for him to be friendly with you. "Um, yes, and you're Kisame Hoshigaki? One of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist?" You would never admit it out loud, but you had done quite a bit research on your teammates before you'd settled in for bed earlier…

"My, my, you know so much about me, yet I know so little about you…"

You could feel your cheeks heat up slightly. "Right, well…as I said, It's L/n, Y/n." You repeat. "I'm a sensory type who specializes in medical ninjutsu. Nothing too exciting, really."

There was a short pause before his face seemed to light up. "Oh, that's right! How could I forget? I have heard about you. You're Orochimaru's little—

You snapped before he could even finish. "Excuse me!?" 

"…Relax, Angel, I meant nothing by it."

You crossed your arms. "Well, I'll have you know I'm nothing of the sort."

"Ah, that's too bad. But, you're right. It'd be a shame to waste yourself on a looney creep like him." 

You weren't sure why, but you felt obligated to disagree. "He's not— He's not…crazy." 

He raised a brow. "Oh? You still defend him even now?" A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "A woman's heart really is a funny thing."

You lowered your eyelids. "It's not like that."

"Not like what?"

"I'm not defending him…it's the truth."

"That so?"

"Yes. He's the same as me and you. Not crazy. Just another lost child…"

"Lost, huh?" 

You nodded. "He's the perfect example of how the trauma of witnessing death at such a young age, can profoundly affect your life. I mean, don't you agree?"

His smile seemed to fade. "Well, you're not wrong."

You glanced downwards, a dry chuckle escaping your lips. "It's funny, huh? We're the ones who lost everything. We're the ones in pain everyday. We're the broken ones, and yet, we're still labeled as the villains…"

He went silent a moment before his smile returned. "You really are just a foolish girl. But, I won't deny I find that innocence rather alluring. I knew I liked you. That's why I stopped you in the first place."

You can feel your brows furrow at his comment. "What are you talking about?"

"Uchiha Itachi." He replied. "You better watch your back. He killed his whole clan, y'know? I'd hate to see you drop your guard, only to be stabbed in the back after."

You couldn't help but give him a cocky smile of your own. "Can't the same be said about you?"

He let out a chuckle. "You're smarter than what I gave you credit for. But, for now, you don't have to worry about me. After all, I wouldn't want to harm such a lovely creature."

You exhaled before responding. "…Well, thank you, but I'm sure Itachi's not all bad. Everyone has some good in them, right?"

The male let out a breathy sigh. "Oh, you really are an angel. But, this is hell. You don't belong here…I wonder how long it'll be before that fragile little neck of yours is snapped."

You tried your best to not shutter at the thought. "…I can handle myself."

He shrugged. "Heh, whatever you say, Sweetheart. Don't say I didn't warn you." He concluded, turning to walk away.

You let out a breath you didn't even realize you were holding in as you watched his retreating figure. Like it or not, he was right. You couldn't drop your guard here. This was an organization full of S-rank criminals, Itachi included. Yet…in your mind, there was just something different about him…

For some reason, this particular interaction would always stick with you, no matter how hard you tried to tuck it away into the back of your head…

—

The next morning, Pain assigned you to your very first team mission. You, Itachi and Kisame were to infiltrate a high-security facility and retrieve a scroll containing a forbidden jutsu. What could go wrong?

…

You find yourself standing alongside your partners in front of a heavily guarded facility, its imposing structure standing silent under the cover of night. The air was thick with an unsettling quiet, save for the distant hum of crickets hidden among the grass and leaves. You could feel the weight of the task pressing on you. It'd been awhile since you'd worked with a partner. And now, it wasn't one, but two. 

"Alright," Itachi spoke, his voice low and measured as always. "Looks like there's some guards posted upfront," he informed. "We'll need to move quickly and quietly."

Kisame chuckled beside him, the sound of his blade scraping across his back almost mocking the stillness of the night. "Piece of cake, eh?"

Itachi cast him a sharp glance, his expression unreadable. "Don't get overexcited," he replied. "There's bound to be obstacles."

While your two partners conversed, you took the time to study the facility, your mind already mapping potential entry points and escape routes. "I can see it," You speak up, causing both men to turn their heads towards you. Your sensory skills pretty much allowed you to pinpoint where most the traps were laid out. "As long as we can get through the gates, I should be able to navigate us safely through the building." 

You watched as a smile tugged at Kisame's lips. "Ah, would you look at that? Guess bringing you came in handy after all." 

You lower your eyelids slightly in response. There'd always be some kind of backhanded response, wouldn't there? 

Itachi gives you a simple nod of approval. "Good work."

You blink once in response, almost as if waiting for him to make an ambiguous comment about your usefulness too…but it never came, to your surprise. 

"Let's get you past those gates then, hm?" Kisame hummed. 

…

The guards posted outside the gates had been a mere trifle. Kisame had been itching for a fight, but as usual, Itachi was there to keep him levelheaded. While Kisame was incredibly powerful, his technique was quite loud and noticeable…which was the opposite of what you were trying to do right now. So instead, Itachi quickly and quietly knocked them out with one single flash of his Sharingan. 

"Let's move, before we're spotted." Itachi says stoically as he turns to look at you. "We're counting on you."

You can feel the pressure weigh in on your shoulders. They were counting on you to lead the way…trusting you. While it was nerve racking, it also felt so…good. It'd been a long time since someone had complete confidence in you like this. You wouldn't let them down. "Right," You nod. "Leave it to me." 

You inhale deeply, closing your eyes as you focus your sensory skills once more. The tight corridors, the occasional tripwire buried deep beneath the floor, all sorts of defense mechanisms…every inch of this place seemed designed to keep people out. Yet, there was something missing. Something important.

No guards?

You tried to shake the feeling, but it gnawed at the back of your mind. You were trained to be aware of your surroundings, and something about this facility felt off. No patrols, no movement, just empty hallways. Too empty.

"It's strange," you commented, your voice barely above a whisper. "There don't seem to be any guards on the actual inside."

Itachi turned his gaze toward you, his expression calm but curious. "No guards?" His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of suspicion crossing his features. "That's unusual. Stay alert."

Kisame's grin only widened, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "Maybe they're all on break, huh?"

You shot him a look, but quickly averted your gaze back to the matter at hand. No guards, besides the ones outside…? That was peculiar, especially since the security systems were still very much active. This wasn't adding up. You let out a quiet sigh. Well, you couldn't just stay here forever. You needed to get moving. You'd take extra precautions though...

You took a deep breath and signaled to your team, your fingers moving in a silent code. Itachi nodded, his eyes scanning the area with renewed vigilance. Kisame's grip tightened on his weapon, his playful demeanor replaced by a steely determination.

As you moved forward, every shadow seemed to hold a potential threat, every corner a possible ambush. The silence was deafening, broken only by the soft footsteps of your team. Your heart pounded in your chest, each beat a reminder of the stakes at hand.

…

Eventually, the three of you reached a long corridor. The vault room awaited at the end, its entrance looming in the distance.

You kept your senses sharp, the familiar hum of security systems becoming a constant drone in the back of your mind as you stepped into the large, open space. The room stretched wide, high ceilings and control panels lining the walls.

"Alright," you spoke up. "We just need to open the vault, then—"

You froze mid-sentence, a jolt of chakra rushing through your body, so strong it almost knocked you off balance.

"…What's the matter?" Itachi asked.

"Someone's here...!"

Before you could react further, the unmistakable sound of slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the room, breaking the eerie silence.

A man stepped out from the shadows, clad in earth-colored robes. His smirk was unnerving and his eyes gleamed with too much confidence. "Well, I was hoping to take you all out quickly and quietly, but I guess it can't be helped," he mused. "And here I thought I'd been compressing my chakra so well…that little girl there must be a skilled sensory, huh?"

You can feel your eyes narrow slightly in response, your partners taking a defensive stance beside you as well. 

Kisame's hand twitched toward Samehada, eager for action. "Can I kill him?" he asked nonchalantly. 

Itachi let out a quiet sigh in response. "I'll cover you."

Kisame grinned, drawing his sword in a single fluid motion. "That's more like it! I've been waiting to have a little fun all night!" he exclaimed, leaping into battle without a moment's notice. 

The air hummed with power as the two shinobi collided, the ground shaking beneath their blows. You watched, spellbound, as they fought with a speed and ferocity that left no room for hesitation. The battle was beautiful in its brutality—every movement a testament to their strength. You'd never been able to see a fight like this up close. Amazing…

You can feel your cheeks flush as you quickly shake your head to yourself. Get it together, Y/n. You can't be acting like some amateur. You scold yourself internally. You needed to focus on the real goal here. You tear your eyes away from the fight, shifting your focus back to the vault. The scroll was in there, just behind that door.

Kneeling down, your fingers brush the cool, etched surface of the vault. The vibrations of the security system hummed beneath your touch, guiding you as you mapped the lock's mechanisms with precision. The door was complex, but nothing you couldn't handle. Maybe you could…

The fight behind you roared with power, but you kept your head down, ignoring the chaos. Kisame's grunts and the sound of Samehada slicing through the air were punctuated by the earth-type shinobi's booming voice. "You think you can just walk in here and steal from me?" His voice carried a venomous edge. "I'll bury you all in this place!"

Despite his words, you didn't feel his presence closing in. He was preoccupied with Kisame's onslaught. The earth jutsu in his control remained at a distance, the energy swirling but not yet threatening to crush you. Focus on the vault.

The door's lock mechanism clicked as you aligned the final sequence. A moment of stillness passed—then, with a soft hiss of air, the heavy door swung open, revealing the scroll you'd been sent to retrieve.

"Got it," you murmured under your breath, relieved but far from complacent. You swiftly grabbed the scroll, tucking it safely into your pouch, your mind already turning toward the next task: getting out of here in one piece.

But before you could stand, a massive tremor shook the ground, sending a shockwave through the room. You looked up just in time to see the earth-type shinobi slam his hands into the ground, his chakra flaring dangerously. The vibrations beneath you grew violent, as if the very foundation of the facility was being ripped apart.

"You've overstayed your welcome," the shinobi snarled, his voice dripping with malice.

The walls around you began to crack open, and the floor buckled as thorned roots shot up from the ground, twisting like serpents in every direction. The air grew heavy with an oppressive force as the ground itself turned against you.

Not good. Not good at all.

You leapt back as thick vines erupted from the floor, their barbed tips reaching for your legs. Kisame and Itachi were already moving, engaged in their own battle, but this threat was different. The earth shinobi wasn't just manipulating the land—he was turning the entire facility into a deadly trap.

You needed to get out of here…now!

"We gotta go!" You yell, your voice nearly drowned out by the overwhelming noise of the earth-shattering force around you. 

Kisame's voice cut through the tension, full of adrenaline. "It'll take more than vines to stop me!"

"No," Itachi spoke up, his Sharingan glowing red as he observed the chaos. "She's right. This isn't just a normal jutsu. We're leaving. Kisame, come."

You could hear said male let out an annoyed grunt as a vine wrapped around his leg. "Easier said than done…" he retorted, going to slice the vine with his blade.

"Hah! As if I'd let you leave!" the enemy shinobi sneered, his voice dripping with dark satisfaction. "You've all fallen right into my trap! Did you find it odd that there were no guards posted in the halls? Well, that's because, this entire building is my domain…and now, your graves!" 

The vines were everywhere now, snaking up the walls and across the ceiling, turning every corridor into a living maze of thorns. You could feel the enemy's chakra growing stronger with every second. The earth-shaking tremors beneath your feet were intensifying, like a countdown to something worse. You had no time…

"Once the signs are woven there's no going back!" The earth-type shinobi continued to taunt. "Even if I were to die, it'd continue—

"Well that's good to hear, because you're dead where you stand!" Kisame yelled, swinging Samehada with lethal precision, his blade slicing through the shinobi's side, sending his upper half flying in one clean strike.

Itachi's eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion as the enemy fell. "Kisame," he called again, his voice firm.

Kisame, undeterred, nodded and quickly made his way over to you two. At this point, the entire facility was collapsing, the walls closing in, the vines advancing with no escape.

"Y/n, come," Itachi instructs, gesturing for you to follow as he runs down the corridor, his Sharingan tracking the safest route through the chaos.

Heart racing, you sprinted alongside your two partners, your breaths ragged and labored as you navigated the treacherous path before you. Behind you, a massive wall of sharp thorns advanced with menacing speed, its deadly edges closing in with every passing moment. You internally cursed yourself for wearing these stilettos today. They were super cute, but definitely not suited for a life-threatening chase sequence. You couldn't seem to keep up with your partners. Despair flashed in your chest as you looked back, the reality setting in: You were done for…

Just as you thought you'd be shredded to bits, Kisame jumped back, slicing the incoming vines. His strike had saved you, but only for a moment. More vines shot forward, regenerating with terrifying speed, rushing toward you once more.

You continue to run. Itachi was up front, the path ahead illuminated by his keen eyes. You glanced behind you to see Kisame hot on your heels too. You could make it! You just had to be positive…! "We can make it!" You shout over the loud sound of your impending doom. 

"…Hey, don't look now, but there's a wall of giant thorns coming for us." You could hear Kisame answer dryly from behind.

Despite the dire circumstance, that little sarcastic remark of his had caught you completely off guard, and a burst of laughter escaped your lips. It was a strange reaction, considering the danger you were all in, but there was something strangely exhilarating about the situation. Maybe it was the thrill of working with new partners…or perhaps just the absurdity of running for your life in high heels, but something in you clicked. 

You'd been cooped up for far too long. But this, this was exciting…this is what it was to be a shinobi. To fight, to run, to be alive in the madness. 

You were mid-giggle when you suddenly felt a hand grab the back of your shirt, lifting you off your feet. "Whoa!" you squealed as you found yourself tucked effortlessly under Kisame's muscular arm. He was running with you as if you weighed nothing at all, swiftly catching up to Itachi. While you appreciated the help, you still had your pride. "H-Hey, I can—

"Just shut up and sit tight, unless you wanna get impaled by those thorns." 

You could feel your expression blank out. Well, suppose there was no arguing with that…

The wall of thorns was closing in fast, the jagged vines pressing forward like a beast ready to swallow you whole. You could hear the harsh scraping sound of them dragging across the stone, the air growing denser with every second. You were so close, but…

"The wall is faster…!" Kisame exclaimed, glancing over his shoulder, then back at Itachi. "At this rate…" 

You watched as Itachi closed his eyes, the air around him shifting. You could sense a chakra even stronger than that of the one the enemy shinobi had used. Way, way stronger. Was this…

Itachi's eyes suddenly shot open, his Sharingan glowing with deadly intent. It all happened so fast, you hardly even had the time to process it. He exhaled, a soft breath that barely escaped his lips…

"Amaterasu."

In an instant, his Sharingan flared to full brilliance, and the dark flames of Amaterasu erupted from his eyes, searing through the air with an unnatural intensity.

The black flames shot forward, engulfing the huge wall of vines blocking the exit, and within seconds, the entire mass was consumed by the inextinguishable fire. The vines shrieked as they were burned away, their thick, thorned bodies disintegrating into ash.

You couldn't tear your eyes away from the terrifying beauty of the Amaterasu flames, the darkness twisting and consuming everything in its path. The heat was almost unbearable, but the destruction was necessary, and you could feel the walls of the facility begin to tremble under the force of the attack.

"Move!" Itachi's voice snapped you back to reality. The fire had done its job—it had cleared the path.

Kisame raced toward the now-burned section of the corridor with you still tucked tightly under his arm, the flames continuing to rage behind you. Itachi was already several paces ahead, his steps unwavering, as if the destruction around him was nothing more than a passing breeze.

You didn't look back.

You could feel the cool air hit your face as Kisame leaped out the makeshift exit Itachi provided, hitting the ground below. The night sky above you was a relief, the stars shining bright and untouched by the destruction behind you. But you weren't safe yet. The entire structure was coming down in a violent cascade of earth and debris, but you didn't have time to look. You were out. You were free.

The three of you dashed away from the collapse, the rumbling of the destruction echoing behind you. A few moments later, the dust and smoke began to settle, and the once-imposing facility was nothing more than a pile of rubble and ash, the last remains of the earth-type shinobi's jutsu.

Kisame let out a relieved breath as he looked back. "Well," he muttered, finally placing you back on the ground, your legs wobbling slightly. "Nothing like a little fire to clear the way, eh, Itachi-san?"

Itachi, however, remained silent, his posture unchanged. His Sharingan was already fading from its activated state, his gaze distant as he surveyed the ruin behind you. You could feel the weight of his presence, his mind clearly running through the events of the mission, already moving on to the next step. For a moment, it felt like he was a world apart from the two of you.

You drew in a steadying breath, the adrenaline of the mission still pounding through your veins. Your heart was slowing, the erratic thud of it finally giving way to a more rhythmic beat. You leaned back against a tree, its bark rough against your skin as you replayed the events of the mission in your mind. You had actually done it. The realization almost seemed impossible, but the victory was yours.

A small giggle slipped past your lips, breaking the silence like a crack of thunder in a storm. Both men turned toward you, their gazes flicking between each other before landing on you, puzzled.

"What's funny?" Kisame asked. 

You couldn't suppress the grin that tugged at your lips. "We did it," you said, the words sounding almost disbelieving as they left your mouth. "Our first team mission, a success."

Kisame's mouth twisted into a dry smile. "Success?" he repeated, an eyebrow arching in mock incredulity. "Sweetheart, did you forget we're leaving empty handed? We didn't even get what we came for…"

You met his skeptical gaze, a playful glint in your own eyes. "Actually," you said, voice smooth as silk, "we did."

His brow furrowed in response, eyes narrowing. "Hm?"

You pushed yourself off the tree, placing your hands behind your back as you sauntered over to him. Your steps were slow and deliberate, watching as his eyes followed you. The teasing grin on your face was impossible to miss. "Well, I wasn't exactly just standing around waiting." you cooed, batting your eyelashes in exaggerated innocence as you stopped just in front of him. "While you were busy having your fun, I went ahead and got some real work done.~"

Kisame blinked at you, a bemused expression crossing his face. He was about to make a retort when you reached into your pouch and pulled out the scroll. The sound of the paper unfurling seemed impossibly loud in the stillness, and for a moment, everything seemed to stop.

Kisame's eyes widened, his grin faltering. "You actually got the scroll?" His voice was a mixture of disbelief and grudging admiration. His usual cocky demeanor was momentarily shaken, though he quickly masked it with a forced chuckle. "Well, I'll be damned. Looks like you've got more tricks up your sleeve than I gave you credit for."

Itachi's gaze flicked over to the scroll for the briefest of moments, his features as unreadable as ever. But even with his usual stoic expression, there was something in the way he appraised you—a quiet acknowledgment of your success. His voice, when it came, was as calm and distant as always. "Impressive,"

You allowed yourself a small moment of satisfaction. This certainly wasn't how you'd originally planned for this mission to go…but it was something. It was success.

"Let's head back," Itachi said, his voice cutting through the moment. "Pain's waiting on us."

You give a nod of acknowledgment as you delicately place the scroll back in your pack. "Right, let's go." you conclude, looking forward to a calm walk back to HQ.