Uchiha Avenger

Chapter 26

Ayame sat up slowly, sitting up in her bed. She looked around, yawning softly as the cool breeze hit her neck from the open window.

"Good morning." An old woman stepped into her room and smiled, leaning against the wall. "Or should I say good evening? Our medical unit was able to recover your wounds from the last battle. We're really thankful for your presence these past four months, it truly means a lot."

"No problem." Ayame sat up, wincing.

"Ayame!" She looked down as a pair of twins ran in. They leapt up onto her bed. "You're up!"

"Hey Zylus, Mason." She smiled, looking down.

"Are you okay?" Mason fretted, looking deep into her green gaze. She blinked slowly, managing to nod.

"I think." She replied.

Ayame walked outside, inhaling faintly. She walked towards the forest, crouching down infront of a waterfall. She looked at her reflections, feeling a gaze burn into her. She turned, looking around slowly.

She returned to her reflection, a face peering over her shoulder. She turned, lashing out with her fist although she merely swiped air. She looked around in panic, noticing the familiar gaze.

"Itachi!" She yelled as she turned. He peered down at her with a calm gaze, Ayame drawing her katana.

"You're hurt." He acknowledged as she gritted her teeth.

"Go to hell." She spat, his face twisting. Ayame ran forward, her attacks being easily deflected. He caught the blade, pulling her towards him.

"Let me explain." He whispered as she slammed her fist into his chin and leapt back. He wiped his jaw and turned, looking at her.

"I've watched you improve. And grow stronger." He walked forward. "Ayame, Let me explain."

"No explanation can excuse for what you've done. You're a murderer!" She roared.

"I was protecting my village, I was protecting you." She curled her lip up.

"You were going to kill Sayakah."

"I had to." He whispered. "I've taken all the hatred of the village ever since that night. I'm telling you all this, knowing the jutsu your under will force this into a lost memory until I die, but I want to be able to speak with you. Just once more."

"Why would I want to talk to you?" She demanded as he sighed. Itachi sat down and began to explain his purpose and service to the village. Ayame listened, her katana slowly dropping to the ground.

"Why are you telling me all this?" She whispered. Itachi stepped forward, resting the palm of his hand against her cheek.

"There's never a day in my life where I don't regret telling you. I knew how hard your life was and I...I took the life of your parents. I didn't want you to live in hurt anymore."

"You can't take away my pain."

"But I can help it." He took her hand, intwining their fingers. He pressed his forehead against her's, pulling her waist against his.

"Itachi..." she whispered.

"Ayame, please. Spend this day with me before we have to go our separate ways. Let's just pretend...we're numb. To everything in this world that separates us."

Ayame rested her cheek against his chest, blinking slowly.

"Please." She whispered, looking up at him. For the first time in ages, she looked like a small child, begging weakly. Itachi looked down at her and moved his hand to latch onto her.

They spent the day, laughing and joking with one another. Ayame told him things about Sayakah and the village, laughing to Itachi about old friends.

They sat laid against a tree root, Itachi's hands wrapped around her waist loosely.

"Have you made new friends since your return to the village?" He asked. Ayame squirmed into a more comfortable position, humming.

"Somewhat. Akiko talks to me like I️ never left and Guy's really nice. A lot of jonin tend to hang around me."

"Have you met Kakashi?" Itachi asked. Ayame fell silent, Itachi looking down at her.

"Ayame?"

"I met him when I first returned and after my stay, I started to...like him. Just before I left, I found out he actually was...seeing someone." She shrugged sadly, sighing. "It's cool though, I guess. I wouldn't be good for Kakashi."

"What makes you say that?" Itachi asked as she fiddled with her thumb.

"There's a demon inside of me." She mumbled. "There's Nothing about me that deserves love from anyone." She looked up at him. "You would know."

"What do you mean?-"

"Itachi I loved you through my entire childhood yet you still chose Izuma over me." She looked up. "I realized why and...kept quiet. I fell for Obito but he loved Rin. I vowed to never love again but I couldn't stop myself from falling in love with Kakashi. And he loves someone else." She shrugged. "Maybe I wasn't meant for love."

"Izuma was merely a friend." He argued, Ayame tilting her head back to peer at him.

"She loved you and you knew it."

Itachi paused, peering down at her. A blush crept over her cheeks as she sat up, crossing her arms.

"Stop that!" She whined, feeling his arms slink around her. He kissed on her neck gently, Ayame turning in alarm.

"Itachi-"

He paused in between kisses, creeping up her neck. "We're numb."

His words seemed to pacify her as she leaned forward, Itachi gradually climbing up her neck.

His lips met with her's, grasping ahold of Ayame's cheek. As the kiss became more heated, Itachi moved atop of her. He lifted her waist, her legs bending upward slightly as he pulled her body closer and closed his eyes, the kiss continuing to heat up.