Night. The most silent and peaceful moment of the day. Also, the loneliest for those who are running away from their demons. For the third consecutive night, Hanako had avoided going back into the Uchiha Compound. Instead of patrolling, she decided to sleep on the roof of the Academy.

Nights were cold, but Hanako hugged her knees to her chest and focused on preserving as much body heat as she could.

This is boring, for how long are you going to starve me?

Hanako opened her eyes when she heard a voice in her head. She was completely alone in the roof, but she was certain she was going insane. She had eaten all of her meals. Maybe she was guilty about tending to her shower needs, but she had enough clothes in her locker room in the Anbu to survive two more days without needing to return home. Still, none of that explained why she was suddenly hearing voices.

Then, her wrist burned. "Ouch!" The cute bracelet she had been wearing ever since she woke up in the red yukata suddenly changed into a large sword bathed in fire, and spoke to her.

Don't play dumb with me! We haven't had fun in ages! I'm bored! I'm going to burn this entire building down!

"Hey, that's not nice!" Hanako frowned. "What in the world are you?"

What? Hanako could have bet the sword just had its feelings hurt. I'm the hitsurugi. I'm your ritual weapon.

The voice was that of a little girl, just wanting to have fun. Hanako thought maybe the sword had relation to her memory gap, but pretended to know it. "I'm sorry, I haven't been assigned on missions. I'm sure something will come up."

Ahh... these times are really peaceful compared to 100 years ago. We should have stayed there, it was more fun.

Something like a sigh left the weapon, but Hanako processed each word coming from it. Did it just say '100 years ago'? "What happened 100 years ago?"

Huh? Did you forget? The sword laughed. We were in the Warring Era. We battled almost every day. Those were fun times, not like these boring times. Where are Izuna and Madara? They are fun, let's go battle them!

"They're not here." Hanako frowned. She could understand the sword knew Madara. He must have been young in those times. But, who was Izuna?

What do you mean they're not here? Where are they? Oh... wait... I know. They must be dead. Sorry, I'm slow. The sword laughed again.

Hanako sighed loudly and pursed her lips. "It's time to sleep. You should do the same."

I've slept a long time! The sword nagged. Will we have fun tomorrow?

"Yeah, sure."

Yay!

Just like that, the sword morphed back into its bracelet form and remained silent. Hanako sighed again. She wished she could fall asleep as easily as the sword just did, but it was hard to sleep when you weren't in your comfort zone.

Even less if someone was watching you from the shadows. Hanako frowned and glanced towards the tree next to the Academy roof. A pair of red eyes stared back at her. Upon recognizing Itachi's signature chakra, her muscles immediately relaxed, releasing the air in her lungs as well. "Hey."

In a moment, Itachi was in front of her. "Have you been avoiding us?"

Suddenly, the stars in the sky became objects of fascination. Small little bright dots scattered along a dark endless mantle. "I've been avoiding everyone."

Itachi kneeled. His otherwise stoic face had a frown marking his factions. "You're not okay. You're hiding from something."

Hanako finally met his gaze. "I'm not hiding. I just don't want to get in trouble."

"Why would you get in trouble? Did you do anything?"

A small smile crept into her lips. "Maybe."

Something clicked in his head. "The cameras. Was it you?" Itachi's eyes widened a little. "Is that why Ibiki was angry at you?"

"He wasn't angry. I think he was concerned." Hanako looked away. "I might get in trouble with the higher-ups, so let's keep it a secret between us, okay?"

Getting rid of the cameras was probably the best thing she had done. While in the hospital, she made several clones of herself and had them cut all wiring at once. She knew the location of each after patrolling for years and carefully taking note of every lens she saw. It took long enough, but she finally disposed of them. She recovered at least some dignity for the Uchiha. Now that they were all aware, the Anbu wouldn't be able to restore them without being questioned about it. Still, they could observe them from the multiple towers shadowing the district. The problem wasn't anywhere solved.

Itachi frowned. With a sigh, he took a seat beside her. Hanako stared at him, feeling something tight in her stomach. "It's getting late, you should go home." She didn't want him to leave, but she should encourage him to be a good son and return to his family.

"I will, when you go back home as well."

Hanako's eyes grew wide. "But I plan to stay here."

"Then that's my plan, too." He glanced at her with a small smile.

"Sasuke must miss you."

"He will be okay." Itachi turned to her. "Besides, I think you need me more than he needs me right now. He's probably busy about beating me in his dream."

She had nothing to say to that. She had forgotten every single word in her vocabulary when she found his eyes piercing her own.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked. Itachi wasn't looking at her anymore, but at the ground. "If the Uchiha were to declare war against the village, whose side would you take?"

Hanako gulped. Should she be honest with him? He was the leader's son, of course he would be on the Uchiha's side, right? Even if he despised fighting, he would take his role as heir and defend the clan.

Not her. How could she take the side of those who treated her like trash. Of those who were idiotic to think they were superior to everyone else.

"Don't be mad, but... I would probably take the village's side. It's stupid to think the Uchiha could win."

There was a ghost of a smile in his face, but Hanako did not see it. Itachi didn't reply. She guessed she had just fucked up. There was no way even Itachi could forgive her for implying she would easily betray her own clan. "Maybe I should go. That was probably not the answer you were hoping for."

As soon as she stood, a hand grabbed her arm. Itachi poised himself onto his feet and stared at her. Hanako could feel him analyzing her, staring deeply into her eyes. Itachi knew about Hanako's abilities to read one's future, and knew what would happen if she were to stare into his Sharingan. He still decided to let his eyes merge into the red eyes. In resonance, hers did as well, and so the images began.

Even though he couldn't know what she saw, he recognized sadness and fear. A tear fell down her cheek, and that was enough to answer to his own suspicions. Things were not going to get better. What he and Shisui had been doing was all in vain.

Before Hanako could say anything, he rested his forehead on hers and pursed his lips. "I'm sorry," he said. "Please, forgive me."

"Itachi," Hanako's voice was a weak tremble. "It was you...the one who..." her mutters were so quiet, Itachi couldn't hear them. He didn't ask her about it, as he preferred to not know anything she might have seen.

"Hanako, look up at me." At first, she didn't want to. She didn't want to see anything else. Her eyes faded to black, and she still refused to glance up. Itachi forced her head by pulling her chin up with his fingers. His eyes had faded to black as well. They stayed like that for the longest seconds. Her eyes moving from his eyes, down his nose, until she saw his rose colored chipped lips. She gulped.

Her chin was still trapped between his fingers, she couldn't look away. Her eyes moved back up into his own, but his face had gotten closer. So close she couldn't even focus on him, so close she could feel his breath on her lips. So close, she had to close her eyes to stop trying to focus on anything. Warmth spread along her lips and the tight feeling in her stomach increased. Her chin was freed, but his hand moved down to her neck, slightly pulling her close to him.

Her mouth moved on its own accord, her hands wrapped around his torso. She felt like a puppet letting itself be controlled by strings, and Itachi being the puppeteer. For a moment, he pulled away. His half-lidded eyes watched her. She smiled slightly, and he mirrored her actions before kissing her again. 

Not far away enough, Shisui searched for his young friend. Itachi was not usually late to their late meetings, and much less one to not appear at all. But today he had something really important to tell him, something that might change the outcome of their next meeting. It was truly a matter of urgency.

Even though Itachi was an expert Anbu, Shisui could track him down to the Academy. Standing on the roof of a nearby building, he pinpointed Itachi's location; but refrained from calling him once he noticed he wasn't alone. His jaw dropped, and his eyes grew wide when he processed the images his eyes were seeing.

Itachi and Hanako were kissing on the roof of the Academy. No wonder he stood him up. As if noticing his presence, Itachi's eyes moved up and met his surprised gaze. Shisui blinked, almost panicking about being confused for a voyeur. Itachi simply grinned slightly and turned back to the girl with him. He seemed to mutter something to her ear and she hid her face on his neck.

"You piece of shit, what did you tell her?" Shisui narrowed his eyes.

Itachi wrapped his arms around her, and the next minute they were gone. Shisui let out a breath and turned around. He could leave Itachi alone that night, but tomorrow he needed to talk to him. He smiled slightly at how much he had grown. He never expected him to finally confess to Hanako—he was never good with social relationships—but he was happy he finally did. He believed they deserved each other.

* * *

Usually, Itachi would be thankful that Shisui would appear out of the blue and save him from an awkward moment, but today he silently cursed at his sudden appearance. He knew he had missed his late meeting with him, but he would understand. That night, Itachi didn't want to worry about anything or anyone. Not the clan, not the village, not his father, not their meetings, nothing. He found in Hanako the perfect excuse to simply forget about everything else.

At first, he was scared of how she would react. Scared of being pushed away. But if he didn't risk it now, he wouldn't have the chance later. It was his only opportunity to show her the emotions he had been hiding until now.

It had been selfish of him to convince her she needed him, when in reality it was the other way around. It was he who now, more than any other time, needed someone's comfort. Itachi had agreed to escort Hanako back to her place, and then after that, he would head back home. Everyone should be asleep, so they shouldn't bother him.

They hadn't even stepped outside the door, when Akira opened it silently. The look in her face was that of an angry woman ready to ground her children. "Where have you been?"

Hanako lowered her head. "Hi, mom."

Itachi, who had been holding her hand, softly tightened his grip to offer reassurance. Akira noticed and raised an eyebrow.

"I know there's a lot to talk about, but can we do this tomorrow?" The bags under her eyes had become noticeable. Wherever she had been, she hadn't been getting enough sleep.

"Of course." She stepped away from the door, waiting for Hanako to come in, but she didn't move.

Itachi looked at her with confusion, but Hanako tightened her grip on his hand. "Can Itachi stay?"

His eyes grew wide. Akira looked at them with curious eyes, but then smiled slightly. She knew they had gotten close lately, but never expected her daughter to be so bold. "As long as he doesn't go past the living room, I have nothing against it."

Hanako nodded. "We can sleep in the living room."

Akira frowned. "No, Hanako you sleep in your room. He sleeps down here."

"But you let Shisui into Hikari's room." Hanako frowned. "How is that any different?"

It was too late for Akira to be fighting with her daughter about where they were going to sleep. "He sleeps on the floor. Door open at all times."

"Yes ma'am."

With that said, Akira walked up the stairs. Hanako turned to the boy, refusing to make eye contact. "I didn't really ask you, but I haven't really been able to sleep lately. Maybe if you stay, it might be easier to fall asleep. You don't have to, of c—"

Itachi poked her in the forehead. He smiled slightly and nodded. "It's okay. I'll stay, but I have to leave early in the morning."

With a hidden smile, she dragged him upstairs into her room. She pulled an extra futon and placed it right next to her bed. As per request, the door was left wide open. She lay on the bed and patted the spot next to hers. Itachi raised an eyebrow, he was already preparing the covers on his futon when he saw her hand.

"Your mom said—"

"I know what she said," Hanako glanced up at him. "Can you switch to the futon once I'm asleep?"

Now, Itachi wasn't sure who was controlling who. At first, she had seemed to follow after him, but she was the one pulling the strings now. He took off all ninja gear and carefully let them rest on the floor. He rested on top of the sheets, right next to her, on the bed. Hanako rested on her side, looking up at him with careful, analytical eyes. Itachi was facing her, resting his head on his hand. With a playful smile, she pushed him back, rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. Itachi was speechless for a moment, but then he muttered softly. "If we stay like this, when I move, I will wake you."

Hanako simply shrugged. "Not my problem."

This managed a chuckle out of him. Of course, she didn't intend to let him move. With his free hand, the one not trapped beneath her, he caressed the side of her head. He ran his fingers through her chocolate hair, carefully combing through the knots. Soon enough, her breathing had slowed down, and she no longer responded to his touch. She was fast asleep.

For a brief moment, Itachi felt at peace. He wanted this short moments to last for eternity, but he dreaded the rays of sunlight would cut it short. He longed for this useless revolt to stop. He wanted the Uchiha to stop their foolishness of trying to take control of the village. It did no good for anyone. How could they control the village when they couldn't even please their own people?

Knowing that Hanako felt the same as him lifted some weight off his shoulders. But if no one else shared the same thoughts, they couldn't form a faction seeking peace, like Shisui had suggested. No one would listen to him, as much as he pleaded to be heard.

His relationship with his father was hanging by a thread. He didn't understand him, he was only using him for his own needs. Was he really just a spy for them?

His mother would be on Fugaku's side no matter what. And making her choose between husband and son was not fair.

Hanako nudged him in her sleep. She was frowning deeply, clutching her hands into his clothes. "A bad dream?" he thought. He tightened his grip around her and muttered into her ear.

"I'm here. Don't worry," his voice was low. Hanako soon relaxed and released her hold. After a deep breath, Itachi closed his eyes, and soon let himself be taken over by peaceful sleep.

* * *

Even though she was awake, Hanako didn't want to open her eyes. Itachi should've left hours ago, her mom was probably making something for breakfast, Hikari had still not been discharged from the hospital, and she had agreed with Tanaka to begin their search for the strange operatives until nighttime—meaning, she had the day off.

Hanako cuddled into the warmth of her pillow, stifling a yawn. A weird scent of cologne dragged her back into a conscious state, and she finally opened her eyes. A black shirt came into view, dark messy hair and a familiar face. Heat rose into her cheeks and she sat up and got off the bed before one could count to three.

The sudden movement woke him up, and his eyes grew wide once he caught sight of the brightness in the room. "Oh... guess I fell asleep," he muttered silently.

Hanako burst into laughter and opened the curtains. "I'm sorry, I guess it was my fault. I shouldn't have forced you to stay."

Straightening himself, he simply shrugged. "I slept too well, I don't regret it. I didn't have missions today, it was simply routine training."

Hanako bit her lip once the memories of last night resurfaced in her mind. "What did Shisui want? His chakra was slightly disturbed, maybe it was important."

His eyebrows lifted in unison. "You noticed?"

She grinned. "Sometimes you forget I'm quite a sensitive chakra sensor. I just played dumb, wanted to see your reaction."

He clicked his tongue. He didn't think of that at the moment. "Maybe something related to the meetings."

"You guys have been meeting in secret. Am I right?" Hanako questioned.

Itachi met her gaze. "Yeah."

"How serious are they about the uprising?"

He pursed his lips. "Very."

Huffing, Hanako turned to the door of her room. Her mother was in the kitchen. Ryusuke and Hayato were still asleep. Carefully, she closed the door without emitting the slightest sound. "What are you guys planning to do?"

Itachi stood up and paced towards her. "I don't want you to get involved."

"Why?" She frowned. Itachi was already in front of her, softly pushing her away from the door.

"Because I don't want anything happening to you. We'll take care of it." With that said, Itachi opened the door and left the room. Hanako let out a breath and clenched her fists.

"Fine, I'll just have to involve myself without you," she muttered with her voice down, following after him down the stairs.

* * *

Midnight slipped in. Hanako and Tanaka had returned to Akagahara, this time to observe what was really going on. After two hours of waiting, Hanako finally sensed someone's presence.

Silently, she nudged Tanaka and they both skipped to the location where she pinpointed their presences. The closer they moved, the more Hanako recognized their signatures. She gritted her teeth, stopping at the highest branch to watch what was going on ground.

Weapon trafficking. Inabi and Yashiro were buying weaponry from a man in a hood. As much as the weapons were already concerning, Hanako's eyes were set on the hooded man. What are you doing...?

The man glanced up at her. His face behind an orange mask. Hanako gulped.

Obito.