Voice of an Angel (Itachi Story)

Chapter 13.

Itachi had had no answer to Hyomei's words, having never thought about it like that. True, it had been the motivation for a lot of the actions he had taken in his life. Situations had been occurring that would only end up negatively and hurt numerous people in the process. He had to stop that from happening, even though it would mean shouldering a burden. But it had been his choice, and Itachi knew what would come with it. However, it was hard to find a truly positive outlook through all of it, especially when Itachi understood the effect it had had on...certain people. Regardless, it still amazed Itachi how Hyomei managed to hit the nail on the head every time. When she communicated, it was as if you knew what she wanted to say without her having to open her mouth, but simultaneously, it was as if she knew what Itachi was thinking. Even though he had gotten to know Hyomei a bit, there were still moments he considered she could read his mind, though he always ended up dismissing them.

Though that wasn't to say he didn't think Hyomei was incapable of doing so.

Hyomei hadn't revealed much of what she could do as a ninja, having never been placed in a situation where the Akatsuki could have seen it occur. Itachi had debated asking her outright to show—or at least, tell—him her abilities, but he was torn. Hyomei had been nervous about making contact with him, and aside from that first meeting, Itachi had never heard her speak again, instead only communicating mentally. With that in mind, it was evident Hyomei was hesitant to reveal what she could do—she had somewhat told Itachi about her issues concerning it. It didn't take a genius to see that whatever had happened before couldn't have been positive, effectively causing Hyomei to be extremely wary of showing too much. But Itachi also couldn't hide his interest in knowing more, leaving him silent as he wondered where to go from here.

Ultimately, Hyomei took care of that, turning away from Itachi to face the shrine once again, stepping forward to look around. She felt the same way she always did within the walls of the shrine; it was so familiar in so many ways, being able to recognise every inch of the building, yet at the same time it was strange and alien, as if it was her first time seeing it. Just like always, Hyomei had to debate whether she felt a connection to it or not but struggled to come up with an answer. Instead, she focused on the reason why she was there. Itachi had asked to bring her here to see if she could recognise if anything was different or out of place, and so Hyomei walked around, taking in everything around her and running it through her memory.

Eventually her eyes landed on the dais and the box on top. Approaching it, Itachi noted Hyomei was slower this time, not knowing several memories were flashing through her mind as she did so. It had been different back then, of course—the scroll had been dissimilar—but people had still talked about it. Kept watch over it. Treated it carefully. That had been part of her purpose, really—to protect the scroll. Even back then. Not that it had ever meant anything to Hyomei. It was another piece of paper. It wasn't as if anyone had explained to her why exactly it was so special in the first place. So, when Hyomei reached the box, she didn't hesitate to open it. It had been the memories that had held her back, not emotions.

Naturally, it was empty after everything that had happened, and as such Hyomei turned back round to look at the rest of the shrine. As she stood facing the entrance, however, she halted and couldn't look away. There were glimpses of the estate from where she stood, but not a full view. That was all too familiar—a metaphor for her life. That was why she couldn't figure out whether or not she had a connection to the shrine; the connection she had was a dissociative one, where she had struggled to feel at home to begin with. Itachi had kept silent the entire time this had been going on, but remembering what Hyomei had said and the way she was exploring—her body language—he eventually spoke up quietly,

"Do you miss it? The estate must be a world away from how it had been before with your clan. Living here with the others."

For a moment there was silence as Hyomei stared towards the entrance of the shrine and the estate that lay beyond it. Itachi wasn't sure if she was planning on responding or not, when she replied softly, hesitantly,

I don't...I don't know. I don't think so. It was what I knew. The only thing I'd ever known. I suppose in that sense I miss it.

Itachi narrowed his eyes at the way Hyomei was speaking. So unsure of herself and insecure. It caught him off guard and he wasn't sure how to respond. This wasn't like her. Hyomei was always focused, always centred—now she just appeared confused. In the end, all Itachi found himself doing was staying silent, continuing to listen as Hyomei absentmindedly mumbled, barely even recognising Itachi was there anymore,

I suppose I miss the beginning. I lived with them then. They were always my family. But...they weren't...I wasn't...I couldn't be one of them.

Those words resounded with Itachi harder than he would have liked but hearing them come from someone else...knowing someone else understood that...Itachi couldn't take his eyes off of Hyomei. She was strong in so many ways, but right now she seemed small and fragile. Even with the placid expression on her face, there was a swirl of emotion behind her eyes that revealed what she was really feeling. A sudden urge to walk up to her and envelop her in a hug washed over Itachi, but he shook it off quickly. He just...wanted to protect her. He barely knew anything about her story, though it felt like he did. He wanted to know. It was what prompted Itachi to finally find the resolve to move, walking over to place a gentle hand on her shoulder and state simply,

"Let's go for a walk."

Nodding distractedly, Hyomei followed on behind Itachi as he left the shrine and turned towards the forest, disappearing into the trees and away from prying eyes. As the light faded due to the foliage and the silence grew, Hyomei felt the trance that had come over her in the shrine dissipate, almost as if she had literally been placed in a genjutsu. Shaking it off, Hyomei glanced to the side to see Itachi walking with her, realising he was silent with a thoughtful look on his face. Feeling guilty all of a sudden, Hyomei slowed to a halt and tugged on Itachi's sleeve to make him do the same, speaking up remorsefully,

I'm sorry, Itachi-san. I didn't mean to act like that. It's just been a long time since I've really been in the shrine like that. It brought back more memories than I thought it would.

Sheepishly smiling as she finished speaking, Itachi automatically found himself replying with a smile of his own. At first Hyomei had caught him off guard with her uncertain and almost bewildered behaviour in the shrine, and now she was catching Itachi off guard again with a smile. It had been concern for Hyomei that had caused Itachi to feel like protecting her and keeping her safe, but even though she was back to normal now, that feeling hadn't faded. If anything, seeing Hyomei smiling like she was simply heightened it. It warmed Itachi in a way that was familiar—like when he had been with Sasuke—but with something else as well. Something Itachi wasn't quite sure of. But regardless of what it was, Itachi finally replied gently,

"Don't apologise, Hyomei-chan. I know the feeling. But outside the shrine...I said what I did for a reason. Maybe I don't know what happened to you. But I know at the moment you're living in a place where you are ignored and dismissed. And I know you have the power to change all that."

Itachi's mind flickering once again to that protective instinct towards Hyomei, he added, firmer than before,

"And believe me, Hyomei-chan...things will change."