09 - Lost Treasure

Previously on Finding My Way:

"We're friends too, right, Chōji-nii?"

"LET GO OF ME! SHE'S HIS DAUGHTER! SHE SHOULDN'T EXIST!"

"Try and get him to see her in Yasuko."

"It won't be easy, Hokage-sama."

"There's more to life than revenge. Yasuko can help him if he'd just open his eyes."

Now [Chapter 9: Lost Treasure]

WARNING: Chapter contains explicit language by our very own Jashinist, Hidan.

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Itachi's POV

Three days. Three days since Yasuko has been taken from us. From me.

Kisame and I raced towards the base, ignoring the chakra fatigue. Usually, the trip back would take about three days, but we wasted time trying to infiltrate Konoha to get Yasuko back. We were forced to fall back when ANBU were sent to patrol and guard the village by nightfall the day Yasuko was captured.

We had to get back quickly, and because we didn't know what was happening to Yasuko, we used a teleportation jutsu that sent us a day away from the base. The jutsu was for emergencies only, to be used to escape a battle -which has never happened as of yet- or to avoid tails as it took up a vast amount of chakra. The chakra usage increased the farther you are from base.

Halting in front of the base's entrance, we formed the correct hand signs that would weaken the barrier for us to pass through. Kisame and I ignored the fact that our clothes were soaked from the time running through the rain of Amegakure and any propriety as we slammed our Leader's office doors open, almost causing it to fall off its hinges.

"Itachi! Kisame! What is the meaning of this?"

His Rinnegan eyes narrowed at us, his usually impassive face taking a dangerous stillness to it as he surveyed us.

"Mission report."

Kisame stepped up, reporting the ongoings of our mission, even placing the objective onto Pein's desk. My fist clenched as my partner hesitated to describe the end of our mission, but I kept my eyes ahead, ignoring the stinging pain as my nails dug into my palm.

"Mission completed," Pein nodded before he stared us down, "I will ask once. Where is Yasuko?"

Kisame gulped, while I stared ashamed at my feet. I could not blame the Leader for the deadly tone he had used against us. He was a strict man, but he punished us justly for our wrongdoings, but Yasuko was an exception, as she was for everyone. She was the Akatsuki's weakness, and no matter how much some would deny it, we would all die to protect her. It is one of the main reasons why Yasuko's training regime was so intense at such a young age. Everyone in the Akatsuki had trained her in some way so that she would be able to protect herself if none of us could.

"Yasuko was captured by the Konoha nin." Kisame blurted, hoping the faster it was said, the quicker it would be done with.

"Captured?! Explain!" Leader practically hissed.

"We had retreated once the mission objective was completed. Yasuko had sensed sixteen chakra signatures approaching; eight chūnin, four jōnin, and four ANBU levelled nin. Yasuko was safely hidden away in the foliage with Ru as a guard. While engaged in battle, we had not anticipated the ANBU to slip away to capture Yasuko as we believed her presence was not known to them.

We had not realized until the Konoha nin had retreated back to the village. We spent a day trying to infiltrate Konoha but had to return back to base to report this to you when ANBU began guarding, and patrols increased around the village. We used the teleportation jutsu to get here as quickly as possible." I reported monotonously, though I was internally crumbling at having my precious daughter so far from my protection.

The room was silent. I stared down in shame. When I had returned to the spot where Yasuko was supposed to be safely hidden, I knew my heart stopped when I saw she was nowhere in sight. I had nearly blown Kisame, and I's cover trying to enter the village had he not convinced me it was no use.

Kisame and I jumped startled at a sudden crash, and we stared up at our Leader with slightly wide and shocked eyes. His hand had punched a hole through his desk, his orange hair shadowed his eyes, and his body was tense. The anger radiating off of him was palpable in the air.

"Out."

That one word was enough for us to bolt out of the office and towards the base's common room. It was out of character for either of us to run in fear of what Leader-sama would do, but when Yasuko was involved, everyone's actions were unpredictable, and our anger strong if she were in danger.

Leader-sama was one to have a calm disposition at all times, but when angered, he brought a new meaning to the phrase "hell on earth." It certainly was not helpful when he had several other bodies he could control to hunt his target.

Our rushed entrance into the common room curried confused stares from the rest of the Akatsuki, who was, unfortunately, all present at that moment.

"Ugh, you guys are back, yeah? Thought we'd be relieved of your ugly mugs 'till tomorrow, un?" Deidara scowled, fingers smoothing over the clay bird he was forming in his hands.

"We used the teleportation jutsu," Kisame confessed under his breath.

Eyes snapped back to us. It was a known fact that the jutsu was to be used for emergencies only. There was even a file for when and why it was used and a punishment for any misuse!

"Don't tell me you bastards fucking ran from a fight," Hidan laughed, "You fucking pussies!"

"We didn't run!" Kisame protested, "We had a report that Leader-sama needed to hear asap!"

"Itachi, where's the brat? We were to develop a new poison and antidote for my weapons upon her return. I don't like to be kept waiting." Sasori muttered as he moved one of his infiltrator puppets along with the coffee table with his chakra strings.

"TOBI WANTS TO PLAY WITH YASU-CHAN!" Sang the base's resident loli-head, also known as Tobi.

"Where is our meal, Itachi?" Black Zetsu asked, "Don't call Yasuko our meal!" White Zetsu scolded his literal other half.

At the reminder of what I had lost, I stared off blankly, face devoid of emotions, more so than usual. Kisame and I remained silent in the face of the questions in regards to the location of the Akatsuki's little sunshine.

"Itachi?" A soft voice caught my attention, and I winced as my eyes met the knowing ones of our second-in-command, though denial was apparent as well. Uncharacteristically, I gulped noticeably.

"Yasuko was captured."

The silence was deafening after my short explanation. Light footsteps sounded, rushing out of the room. It was Konan, who was no doubt on her way to confirm my words with Leader-sama.

Surprisingly, it was Hidan who broke the silence.

"What do you fuckers mean that the little bitch was captured?"

Pein's POV

The once pristine office was in shambles. Reports were scattered along with debris as holes caused by chakra infused punches were embedded through the desk and walls.

Anger coursed through my veins. Idiots! Complete idiots the both of them! They were warned to keep an eye on Yasuko, and where is she?! In the hands of Konoha Nin! Her well-being was unknown. Our only certainty is she's alive if the glowing chakra stone hidden in my desk was anything to go by.

I kicked my desk across the room using every ounce of control I had to not go on a rampage.

We are the fucking Akatsuki! S-Class Ninja! We do not let our treasure get captured by ninja of a puny village!

The feeling of feminine arms wrapped around my waist snapped me from my rage-induced thoughts.

"Nagato, is it true?" Konan's voice trembled, denial thick in her tone.

I tensed, shoulder hunched as I sighed. "It is true. Yasuko is in Konoha's possession."

Konan was shaking, hands clutching my cloak as she pressed closer against my back. From the near-silent whimpers, I knew she was crying. Yasuko was like a daughter to her, after all... and to me.

When Itachi first arrived with his daughter, I hesitated to allow him to bring a child in a criminal infested base, but I thank Kami every day that I agreed. The moment she entered our lives, it made everyday living in this cruel world just that much brighter, and every moment spent with her became a treasured memory. She reminded me so much of Yahiko. So bright and willing. She had a heart that only furthered my determination to bring peace to this world once and for all. For her to live in a world without fear or anger. No war for her to strain her hands in blood.

Yasuko is our heart. The heart we thought we had lost so long ago as we witnessed the bitter truth of the world and our jobs as shinobi. She is the only one to see our moments of weakness, for we knew she would never use them against us. It is with her that we can indeed be ourselves, for no judgment would be cast our way despite our pasts and actions. It is her acceptance and light that draws us to her like moths to a flame.

Not everyone would admit it but was the one weakness we were all willing to keep.

My lips nearly formed a smile as I recalled my memories with Yasuko, but then I remembered that's all they'll ever be now. We won't be hearing the sound of her laughter echoing through the halls of the base, nor would we see her dancing around and brightening our days with her smile.

Our little princess was gone. Lost was our heart and our only light in this godforsaken world.

Twisting in Konan's hold, I hugged her back, burying my face in the crook of her neck. Tears that I've been holding back finally gave way, and my body shook with silent sobs as the tears flowed down my face.

"My baby..." Konan sobbed.

"Shh... I know, I know..." I whispered, running soothing fingers through her hair.

"Poor Itachi... she's his daughter. If it hurts this much for us... I can't imagine what he's going through."

I hummed in thought.

Konan was right. In my anger, I had forgotten that despite our familial like relationship with Yasuko, Itachi was her father. If it hurts for us... he must be dying.

Third Person's POV

The rest of the Akatsuki were all dealing with the news in their own way.

Deidara was throwing harmless explosives everywhere. Sasori had opted to mutilate the puppet in his hands. Kakuzu stopped counting his money, choosing to stare blankly at the pile in front of him. Tobi was sobbing in the corner. White Zetsu was wailing while Black Zetsu scolded his counterpart for crying over their meal, and Hidan was yelling at the two men who were last with Yasuko.

"THE BITCH WAS FUCKING KIDNAPPED?! WHAT IN THE NAME OF JASHIN WERE YOU BASTARDS DOING, HUH?! YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN FUCKING WATCHING HER! SHE COULD FUCKING BE BEING INTERROGATED RIGHT NOW FOR SOME FUCKING INFO ON THE AKATSUKI AND IT WILL BE YOUR FUCKING FAULT! SHE'S ONLY 8 YOU ASSHOLES! WHAT IS SHE'S DE-"

"SHUT UP, HIDAN!"

The room froze. It couldn't be; it just wasn't possible. He was the apathetic one. The unfeeling man. The kin slayer.

In their anger, they forgot. He was also the father.

Everyone turned to the voice, and the sight shook them to the core.

Uchiha Itachi... was crying.

This man who held his emotionless facade down to an art form. He never cried, now did he smile, even in the presence of his precious daughter. Yet here he was, the cold-blooded murderer of his own clan, Uchiha Itachi, crying.

"I know. I should have been there, watching her... saving her. She's my daughter. My little flower... and I lost her." Tears streamed down his face, as he stared shamefully down at his hands, "With my clan, I lost my family, pride, and honour. But I had her. She was everything I had left. Everything. You may hurt... but you can't possibly comprehend the torture I am feeling, not knowing the well being of my daughter. I had not just failed Yasuko as a father, but my duties as a husband to my wife. Now... now my little flower could be gone forever... and I know I will never forgive myself for ever letting this happen."

No-one stopped Itachi when he made a swift exit to his room. Hidan bowed his head in shame, in a rare moment of regret. Lost in their fury, they had failed to remember that even behind his facade, he had feelings. He was a father and was taking it a hundred times worse than they were. Yasuko was his daughter, after all, not to mention the only kin that acknowledges and loves him.

The members soon departed into their own rooms, quietly sulking as they recalled that they won't be seeing their little princess any time soon.

Itachi's POV

Damn it... damn it all!

My fist collided with the stone wall of my room, tears streaming down my face. The stone crumbled beneath my fist despite the lack of chakra, blood coated my hand and stained the wall as I removed it from the hole.

I could feel the sting from my knuckles as the blood dripped onto the cold stone floor, but I ignored it in favour of the harrowing numbness that had been creeping over me since I realized Yasuko was taken.

If only I had been more careful. If I just disagreed with Leader-sama's request, maybe Yasuko would be here. She was far too young to be on a mission, even for surveillance. She should be here, dancing around in a new kimono she bought with Konan or concoct a new poison and antidote with Sasori. She should be pranking with Tobi, modelling with clay with Deidara, or gardening with Zetsu. She should be practicing medical ninjutsu with Kakuzu in return for counting his money or training with Leader-sama.

I would even take her screams for help as she tried to escape Hidan's sacrifices as long as she was here by my side.

Instead, I'm stuck like this. Number than I have ever been in my life. Number than when I killed my own clan. Numb and alone, without a daughter to hold and ground me.

I sat hunched on my bed before I collapsed back, staring blankly up at the ceiling. I turned my head towards the top of the bed, the three photos on the nightstand, gaining my attention. Sitting up slowly, I gazed upon the images with both sadness and longing.

The first was of my late wife Haruka and I, a few weeks after we discovered her pregnancy. It was the day my family had gone out on a rare outing, and my mother had invited her to come along. It was my mother who had also taken the photo explaining it was so precious to find us both so relaxed and unguarded.

The photo found us resting in the shade of the trees, my back against the trunk of a large oak tree and Haruka's own against my chest. Staring at the photo made me relive that moment so long ago. I had rested my chin on Haruka's shoulder, taking in her soothing scent, a smile teasing itself across my lips as I held Haruka in a protective embrace. One of her own arms, laid atop my own while the other soothed across her lower stomach as if he gently lull her unborn child to sleep. Her eyes were filled with love, much like my own, and her lips held a soft, blissful smile.

Haruka... My flower, I have failed you. I couldn't protect our daughter. I'm sorry I lost our daughter. Your little blossom. I have failed. Please... please forgive me.

The second frame was empty, merely a memento set for display. It was supposed to hold a picture of Haruka, Yasuko and I, but it could never be with Haruka's death only a few short minutes after Yasuko's birth. Haruka had made the frame herself in hopes of finally having a family of her own, having grown up an orphan after her family's death in the third shinobi war.

It was a simple frame made of dark stained wood, with an Uchiha emblem painted on the bottom right corner. It was simple but was made from Haruka's greatest desire to have a family, a child of her own. On the back was a small quote inscribed into the wood:

FAMILY

Where life begins

and

love never ends

My eyes drifted to the final frame of the set.

In it laid a photo of Yasuko and me on her fourth birthday, months before the massacre. She had been ecstatic to receive a katana, having taken lessons with a tanto from Shisui and had treasured the weapon, especially when she learned that it was forged from her mother's old katana which had been destroyed during the nine-tails attack.

In the frozen memory, Yasuko sat upon my left shoulder, smiling brightly as she hoisted her katana in the air, her other arm wrapped around my head for support. I had a rare smile on my face as I held Yasuko's legs to prevent her from falling, my eyes filled with pride at the sight of my daughter.

I chuckled sadly as I caught sight of the unkempt raven hair that tried to get into the photo but was seconds too late. Shisui was the only one to know the truth of Yasuko, and he took that secret to the grave.

Staring longingly at the photo, a spark of determination lit within me as I placed a hand on top of Yasuko's smiling form.

I'll find you, Yasuko... I'll find you and bring you home... back to your family and in my arms. I promise you, my little flower.

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Amegakure – village hidden by rain

Nagato – long-lasting gate

Zetsu – tongue

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Thought you guys would want to see how the Akatsuki were handling things. This chapter is dedicated to @You_r_Awesome as it was in the original storyline. I hope you liked the chapter. Rather depressing for the holidays, sorry.

Thanks for everyone's support and understanding. Please vote, comment, or follow if you want. Till next time, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays~

UPDATED: 24/12/19

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Next time on Finding My Way:

"Uzumaki?"

"That's my name, dattebayo!"

"You don't look like an Uzumaki..."

".... what's that supposed to mean?"

[Chapter 10: Maelstorm's Hidden Waves]