"I think he's right", Inoichi asserts, catching Shikaku's attention, "Danzo was prejudiced against the Uchiha, it'll only be fair if they were given the final say in what happens to him".
"That's a moot point", Shikaku affirms, then he looks back at me with his naturally narrowed eyes, "I'll make sure to make that happen, Itachi"
"I'll be very thankful", I slyly smile and breath out in relief.
Hanabi, where are you now and what are you doing? Will you come back now that everything has been settled?
"Shikaku", I suddenly say, earning his attention instantaneously.
"What?"
"What about the Hidden Rain? Hanzo of The Salamander has been dethroned by someone called Pain", a crease forms between my brows.
Shikaku exchanges a glance with Inoichi then responds, "we've been tackling that down as well, but in the meantime, we're trying to tackle down the Leaf's internal affairs, which massively revolves around Danzo and the Foundation".
"What'll happen to the Root Anbu?", I curiously ask, hoping he'd supply a satisfying answer.
"We're unsure of that, but that'll be taken care of as well", he adds, rubbing his temple.
"When will I get released?", I inquire.
"Soon...and remember, you'll have to deal with some hate from your clan when you get out, so keep a strong mindset", Inoichi advised, placing a firm grip on my shoulder.
"I-I'll be sure to do that", I assure, my heart clenching a bit at the thought.
Shikaku made sure to give me a final pat on the back with a small smile before he escorted me back to my cell alongside Inoichi.
The lock clicked shut, signifying my confinement.
As I sat down on the cold ground of my cell, my mind couldn't help but wonder about what'll happen next. Hanabi surely got her eyes back, but I'm unsure of what she plans to do now. I have risked my entire reputation by confessing that night and I don't regret it at all.
Humanity has to retrieve on itself to figure out how its action has lead to the annihilation of peace and goodwill.
I tip my head low and stare down at my palms. The Uchiha won't start another uprising hopefully. From what I recalled, they did jump to my defense before my father ordered them to stand down.
Maybe they've changed. Maybe they learned to cherish the peace that has been sustained these past four years. The threat of Madara and this Akatsuki Organization remains, but all that my mind can think about right now is Hanabi.
The girl who helped this peace to come into existence in the first place. Everything between us was going just about right.
It was supposed to end good for us from the moment the coup was prevented. We should've got our happy ending, then and there at the clearing we teleported to.
But clearly, fate had other plans for us. We were to be torn and tested before we could think of a happy ending to this tale.
Just what more could happen?
If it's all meant to be, then Hanabi and I are bound to meet again. Exactly how we met at the clearing that very fateful day. I certainly don't know how things will go from here on out, but I just hope that I'll be ready for whatever that it is to come.
I snuggle up against the wall and bury my face against my bent knees. I try recalling anything else else besides that horror she demonstrated that night.
Hanabi's hair had lost its bright yellow hue and swapped it with a more laid back color. Her figure was buried by the loose cloak she wore. I could vaguely tell if she'd grown a few inches taller, but she did seem to have heightened a bit.
I could remember when we were almost the same height, but I still had to look down at her even then.
I just hope that the next time I get to look down at her I'll get lost in that blue abyss, which has always been complimented with the lighter shade that crescents in her eyes.
Four Days later...
No one came to visit me. Not mother, father or Sasuke. Even Inoichi and Shikaku were out and about. Since being alone with my thoughts was dangerous, I have done the only thing that kept me busy these past four days.
I'd taken my shirt and long gloves off and tightly tied my hair back in my signature low ponytail.
"Two-hundred-and-fifty-seven...two-hundred-and-fifty-eight...two-hundred-and-fifty-nine..."
I panted loudly as I felt myself drenched in sweat. It was sure getting a bit smelly in here as my muscles flexed back and forth. My biceps kept aching along my shoulder blades and collarbones.
My core was clenched tight to the point where it began to physically hurt, making me wince.
I prefer doing push-ups over crunches anytime. It helps better with engaging the core and the entire body.
"...two-hundred-and-"
"Itachi"
I fell right on my side as I rolled on my back to catch a breath. I could smell the unpleasant smell from my stinky under arms as I felt the stench suffocating me.
"What?", I panted to the guard.
They better let me get a shower...
My entire body was drenched in sweat, including my scalp and long hair. As I forced myself up to greet the guard, I felt my thick strands being glued to my back muscles due to all the sweat. Which grossed me out a bit, but I somehow managed to overlook it.
I panted as I walked up to him, my entire body aching.
"Itachi, you are free to go", he announced.
"What?", I asked dumbfoundedly, making him flinch.
"Yeah, Shikaku issued your pardoning...", he says nonchalantly, before unlocking the door to my cell, "and make sure to get a hot shower...", he muttered under his breath and I could sense that he held his breath from my stinky smell.
"Did anyone come to pick me up or visit?", I ask with a bit of uncertainty.
"No"
"Oh..."
"I meant that no one came to visit, but this dark-haired girl".
Izumi...
I take my clothes and walk out of the cell, shirtless.
So much for protecting my modesty.
The guard ushered me out to where a few things needed to be dealt with before they let me go free again.
"None of your family members were notified about your release", the guard assured me.
I take a few steps out into the cool air and contemplate whether I should put on this sweat-drenched shirt.
Mid-way through my train of thought, I had instinctively covered up my nip-slips in a haste when Izumi appeared out of nowhere.
"Itachi!", she calls out as she appears right in front of me.
"I-Izumi", I nervously say, as I clench my sweaty shirt closer to my chest.
"I've been worried...", her brows were creased as she said those words, before her eyes trail down to my finessed body, "I..."
"Uh-ha..."
Her eyes were clearly roaming my core, were my packs clicked together. Our faces flushed with a crimson tint as we awkwardly stood there.
This is the first time I feel so violated.
"Y-you're built...", she remarked, her wide eyes making me feel embarrassed.
"A-and you're drooling...", I nervously laugh out, hoping to ease up the tension in the atmosphere.
"Oh, hahaha", she nervously laughed in return, making me swallow a lump in my throat as I rapidly unfolded my shirt to cover up my body.
Why does this feel so immodest?
"Well I guess you're the village's new bachelor", Izumi teases, nudging me suggestively in my exposed skin.
"God no", I nervously choke out a laugh, "that's Shisui's job".
"Let's get you dressed", she scoffs and gestures for me to walk with her.
She clearly knows nothing...
____________________________________
A/N:- So this chapter was out of boom and all, but I figured that I should give y'all something a bit satirical. Since starting next chapter, things well get transgressed again. So enjoy the humor in this chapter. Also, our mans was clearly saving himself up for Hanabi, but don't worry Izumi didn't get to see his nip-slips😂😂
Sincerely✨✨
The final arc is just about around the corner so buckle them seatbelts✨✨
And yes, for those wondering, I do know Arabic, fluently✨✨
~A