«Y/n-san?»

You stopped and turned to the masked Shinobi you couldn't recognize. The slightest ripple lined your forehead.

«Tobi, isn't it?»

«Yes! I'm glad I finally have the chance to meet you. I heard your healing feels great! Maybe it'll be my turn, some time. Although I really don't want to get hurt...»

The man offered his hand. Your eyes lowered on it, then you offered him a smile instead.

«It's nice to meet you, Tobi. Forgive me, I only willingly touch shinobi I know, or in need of treatment.»

«Oh.» he dropped his hand, a hint of disappointment entering his voice «I guess it's fair. Wow, talking to you really feels like talking to a grownup!»

You blinked, then chuckled.

«Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.»

«Uh-oh, no ma'm, you didn't!»

«Good. Well, I hope you don't get hurt either, Tobi-kun. In case you do, come to me.»

He nodded enthusiastically.

«Will do! Thanks!»

You tried, for one second, to focus on the sole hole on his mask and make out the glimpse in his eye. All you were met with was darkness.

And, above all, beware the ones I didn't mention.

With a last nod, you took your leave.

In the end, Pain didn't wait for you to carry out your tasks.

His dark projection materialized beside you as soon as you entered the depths of the forest.

It was hard to distinguish within the thick shadows of the trees, yet you could physically feel his violaceous Rinnegans on your skin.

«Aqua.»

He used your epithet to call you, and you stopped, immediately bowing your head.

«Pain-sama.»

There was a pause laden with reprimand and you let go of a long breath.

It was colder. Summer was coming to an end.

«You had orders not to make contact with the enemy. I don't think I need to remind you what it means to be a spy and how easily they become useless.»

You kept your eyes to the ground.

«You don't. I failed you, master. I will accept whatever punishment you'll find adequate.»

The black silhouette flickered.

«Why did you do that?»

«Deidara-kun was about to get killed.»

«It's not your responsibility, nor it's in your power to protect the Akatsuki members.»

«I know.»

«I thought you had better control over your emotions given your profession, Y/n.»

Your limpid irises flicked on his Rinnegans. There wasn't a trace of fear or regret in your gaze.

«I'm only human, Pain-sama.»

Hardly, he thought, eyeing your figure.

Of all the shinobi he had met in his vast experience, you were one of the most unsettling.

War, atrocities and unspeakable sins had deprived toughest warriors of their emotions. Others had shed their feelings in their path to greatness. Afterall, emotions were a hindrance and nothing more for a shinobi. Especially a spy, who moults and infiltrates new environments, gaining the trust of people just to kill them in return.

And then there was you.

The only person associated to Hanzo Pain hadn't eliminated.

He had slaughtered not only the ninja of the former Amegakure leader, but his women, children and servants as well. Anyone that could hold the faintest link to that man.

Except you.

That alone spoke on how dangerous you were.

Not because of your fighting abilities, no. You were a stealth master and an incredible healer, but not much of a fighter. And yet, if the enemy made the mistake to let you talk, the battle was over. Even for him.

It wasn't Genjutsu.

It was pure you.

«I have a new mission for you, Y/n.»

You nodded, listening.

«Infiltrate Konohagakure. Earn the trust of its shinobi, the higher the rank, the better. Memorise the map and all its defences. Grant me access to the village in two months or die.»

The calls of a crow echoed in the distance.

«As you wish, Pain-sama.»

«It's going to rain.»

Itachi glanced at the plumbeous sky.

«Not that I'm complaining.» Kisame added «I like rain. It's good for my skin.»

They moved forward, walking along the fringe of the woods. Now that the sealing of the Ichibi was completed, they had their next target to secure.

A rustle of wind slid through the tops of the trees and Itachi stopped.

«Go ahead.» he said «I'll re-join you later.»

«Itachi-san?»

But the Uchiha didn't bother to further explain himself, calmly crossing the line of vegetation and disappearing from sight.

Kisame shrugged. It wasn't the first time. In the last year or so, Itachi had taken the habit of lingering behind every couple of weeks and reappearing after a few hours, sometimes even an entire day.

Not that it bothered his companion. The raven was always there when necessary, did his job pretty damn well, and, more importantly, never annoyed him.

Yes, he was lucky to have him as a partner.

Without giving it more thought, Kisame resumed his path.

Itachi walked in the thick forest, following the feeble gusts of the wind. He halted in a small clearing, where the trees around were too dense and only darkness filtered through them.

«You can come.»

He just had to blink, and suddenly there you were, standing in front of him.

As a master spy, stealth was one of your major perks and you were only heard if you wanted to. Itachi vaguely wondered if you would even foul him, if it wasn't for the Sharingan.

You smiled, that faint, kind smile that so often graced your features.

«Itachi-san. I'm happy to see you safe.»

He leaned his head forward briefly, in his typical way of both greeting and agreeing, a small gesture that was reserved to few people, maybe none anymore.

A colder breeze blew from West across the foliage and your loose locks, carrying a promise of storm within. Dark nimbuses were sliding fast through the sky.

Itachi moved a lock of raven hair behind his ear and his ring shined in the shadows.

You took a few steps so you could stand right in front of him, inches apart, then raised your hands to his face.

«I'll be gentle.»

Always the same words.

Itachi closed his eyes.

«I know.»

Your fingers brushed against his transparent skin, your fresh touch covering his eyelids.

An imperceptible sigh left his chest when your chakra connected to his, slowly, vessel after vessel. You pushed your own perception inside his, down his channels, behind his eyes, easing the tension of his muscles, unclogging the stenosis, purifying his cells where you could.

Your light hands moved down his face, slowly, tracing the bags on his cheeks, the line of his jaw, the profile of his ears. A lazy glow followed your touch for a few seconds before disappearing.

Your digits proceeded to his nape, then down his neck.

Itachi was not a man to show any kind of emotion, but he couldn't avoid the vague goosebumps underneath your gentle tingling.

Finally, your hands came to a stop on his chest and the glow died off completely. He opened his eyes.

Your gaze was fixed to your nails.

«Tell me.»

You looked at him.

«A few months. It's all I can give you.»

The first, sparse drops of rain started hitting the leaves.

«It's more than enough.»

The backdrop of the rain rose, muffled by the undergrowth of the bush.

You stared into his deep, black eyes.

Not his Sharingans. Never his Sharingans, with you.

They were clear, firm, without an ounce of bitterness.

Are you tired, Itachi-san?

Has the burden inside you finally become too much for you to bear?

It was pouring now, drops bouncing over the vegetation, pattering your head and shoulders. The smell of damp soil fumed in the clearing.

Itachi's fingers came to trace your humid cheeks.

Then he leaned over and pressed his lips against yours.

Pain-sama, I made a mistake.

You wiped the wet locks away from his face and held him close.

No, my master knew this was going to happen. He was counting on it.

Nevertheless, I made a mistake.

Your lips answered with quiet desperation.

But it's too late now.