Chapter 4
“So why are we all three going but you told us to leave the kids home???” Kakashi asked as they headed along in their boat, having not really had too much trouble with anything they ran into thus far, not in any meaningful way because Shisui had warned Kakashi properly beforehand…albeit, not very clearly and Kakashi still wasn’t sure what was going on.
Shisui rowed cheerfully humming “Well Itachi wanted a nice trip out” He explained.
“On this incredibly dangerous mission, you told me it was imperative we don’t bring the kids on where we’ve already been attacked more than once?” Kakashi cocked an eyebrow, casting a glance at Itachi.
Itachi had been giving a remarkable death glare to the person who’d given them this mission, the old man withering under the Uchiha’s gaze so he sank a little lower into his boat.
“Itachi hasn’t been out of the Hospital in years, If he wants to go somewhere so help me I am taking him somewhere, that’s what big cousins do!” Shisui insisted stubbornly pouting at Kakashi. Itachi glanced over at Kakashi who cast a false-lazy glance at Itachi.
“I guess you have a good point there…He’s been really quiet though.” Kakashi said. “Short of warning us before we were attacked. His senses are sharper than ever despite everything.”
“I think this little freak is trying to kill me with his eyes…” Muttered the man who’d hired them.
“If he was trying to do that you’d be dead” Kakashi and Shisui both said at once before turning their gaze back to the docks.
“What I'm more bothered by is the fact Itachi smiled the whole fight through-“ Shisui smirked. “If I didn’t know better I’d think he was excited to see all of this”
Itachi cast a glance at Shisui before cracking a slight smile.
“It’s amazing to see such powerful fighters…that’s all,” Itachi said. But the truth was, he was excited to meet Zabuza.
“So Itachi, your senses haven’t steered us wrong so far, what’s the next thing we do?” Shisui asked just as they finally reached their destination and could get out, helping the old man and Itachi out of the boat alongside Kakashi.
“Now we rest for a bit. I need to talk to Kakashi about his literature choices.” Itachi replied simply, looking as Kakashi withered in horror.
“…Itachi please-“ Kakashi said.
“Look I just want to know who your favorite ships are” Itachi sighed crossing his arms.
“…Itachi I am begging you-“ Kakashi pled.
“There's no shame in enjoying literature Kakashi, I’ve read far worse things on the internet” Itachi shrugged.
“What’s the internet?” Shisui tilted his head.
“…I don’t really remember” Itachi pursed his lips.
“I'm not sure I can answer that question” he placed a hand on his head with a sigh, legs wobbling under him as Shisui hauled him up onto his back so he could tote him.
“Can’t believe you brought someone who can’t even walk here when you knew it was dangerous-“ The old man began to complain “let alone one this out of it-“
“shuuuuuuuuuuut up” Shisui took his finger and pointed at the old man's face “I don’t like your face. Or your mouth. Or voice. Shuuuuuuuuuut up. You already screwed up. You almost put MY baby cousin in danger buddy, trust me, we can handle Zabuza just fine alone, you’ve got three former anbu with you. You’re safe.” He assured him.
“…Okay but ones like THAT” the old man pointed at Itachi.
“He’s the reason you have three anbu and not one anbu and three squabbling pre-teens on your team” Shisui rolled his eyes “sooooooooooo shuttup-“
“…okay fine” the old man rolled his eyes in defeat.
Itachi was more than pleased with the accommodations they received, and with Kakashi not exhausted or bedridden because Shisui was there to back him up, they were in better shape than ever.
Kakashi and Itachi did discuss ships over tea, and Kakashi eventually stopped being so mortified over being part of a fandom, and Kakashi couldn’t help but feel happy he could actually see Itachi grown up, alive, able to enjoy a good cup of tea and a good discussion and able to get around and do things again.
How could he not? He was there the very day Itachi got hurt, he thought he’d never get to see him like this ever again…
He was pleased to say that despite the rumors, Itachi didn’t seem any less sharp than before.
Kakashi felt a little broken part of himself heal a little that day, relieved, comforted, seeing something finally get better after a lifetime of horrors.
Something was finally okay that he thought never would be again.
And shortly after, it was getting a bit late, and Itachi went to sit on the porch, with some aid.
He rested there watching the sea birds drift through the air, the salt on the wind, the wooden deck underneath him, comfortable and considering tomorrow.
He’d long since informed Shisui of everything he’d need to do to be prepared, and he’d told Kakashi. They knew all the techniques and problems in advance.
Everything was going perfectly.
But Itachi wasn’t content with simply waiting patiently for everyone to solve the problems without him.
Shisui had been smart enough to pack Itachi’s wheelchair into a wrist wrap that Itachi wore, easily unwrapping it and summoning the wheelchair…then proceeding to do the incredibly difficult task of transferring to it.
Thankfully he had no battle plans in mind, because this was not exactly a combat wheelchair, as thrilling of a concept as that would be…
He began rolling along in his wheelchair, pushing it the best he could with his injured worn-out hands, having to take breaks regularly…but it was made a bit easier as he had a pair of wraps around his hands as well.
It was noticeably difficult to pull all this off, of course, because there's no such thing as caring about wheelchair accessibility in the ninja world.
That’s why Itachi, instead of managing to make it to the forest to meet Haku, wound up trying to go up a rather difficult set of stairs by crawling because no one even bothered to try to help him.
At least not until he was at the top, miserable, and laying there an exhausted heap on the ground.
It was about then a gentle hand gently reached down to take his and a soft voice spoke.
“Sir? Are you alright?”
Haku.
Itachi lifted his head eyes widening.
A smile blossomed across his lips.
“Oh hello…no not really, I’m terribly lost, could you please help me…?” He asked.
Haku gently helped him back into his wheelchair after Itachi summoned it from his arm wrap. “You wouldn’t believe how little accessibility there is for wheelchair users in this town-“ Itachi sighed shaking his head. “Thank you for your help…I’m recovering from a coma you see and I’m rather weak and forgetful…” Itachi smiled pleasantly. “I don’t really recall how I got here. I just know I was being drawn by an important purpose…I need to meet a person called Zabuza. I’m scared for his life, and for his adoptive son Haku” Itachi explained settling back into his Wheelchair.
Haku froze up, looking down at him with icy cold eyes that studied him. Itachi felt some instinct he wasn’t familiar with scream at him to flee or attack, that there was danger in the air.
“A threat to…now why would he be under threat?” Haku asked gently, not denying that that was his adoptive father…he didn’t really want to deny it. It was the truth, after all.
“How do I explain. I know…certain things, about the future that is.” Itachi tilted his head “Like I know you’re Haku, and I knew that this wasn’t a normal mission to the waves. I know Zabuza is going to die in a few days, and I know that it’s going to be because of the person he’s working for. He’s going to be betrayed. I think that’s how it goes at least, if I remember correctly?” Itachi frowned “Um, I think. I can’t remember very clearly… Either way-“ Itachi said as he could already feel a sharp needle inches from his throat though Haku’s smile remained.
“…It’s okay if you don’t trust me. I know you should know by now that the people you work for aren't very trustworthy…” Itachi said, “But if you take me to Zabuza….I’ll confirm that I know the future, and I know far more about him and the seven swordsmen than he has any idea.” Itachi said “…please trust me Haku, if I wanted you both to die…I wouldn’t have come here myself. I’m not in any condition to hurt anyone, you can see that for yourself, can’t you?” Itachi asked.
“…That’s true, alright.” Haku frowned.
“…Let’s go then.” Haku took his wheelchair's handles and began pushing him along, Itachi grimaced at the lack of control that left him with, but he politely folded his hands into his lap and let himself get taken away.
He figured he probably wouldn’t die…
This is an anime after all, right? That wouldn’t be very thematically interesting.
And so soon he was dragged before Zabuza in that bizarre tree-suspend… cocoon-looking building they were staying in during this arc. Itachi had to admit, it was quite the marvel of a building.
Zabuza stared blankly at him, almost offended, utterly stunned.
Itachi had just finished reciting as much information as he possibly could about the seven swordsmen, but mostly Kisame.
“I get the impression you have some weird connection to Kisame”
“I just think he’s neat,” Itachi informed him, sipping at some herbal tea that relieves pain and reduces inflammation, a kind item from Haku.
“…There is something very weird and very wrong with you, Uchiha. And you’re telling me…I need to embrace the joys of fatherhood and quit this job if I don’t want to die?” Zabuza said. "are you actually serious right now"
Haku had long since vacated the room because he didn’t want his reactions to Itachi’s words to be noticed.
“…Yes pretty much.”
“And you know the future?” Zabuza asked.
“Well I know one version of the future” Itachi replied sipping at his tea.
He really hoped it wasn’t poisoned, it tasted minty, and refreshing, and pleasantly herbal in general… every breath felt cool and relaxing.
“…and you claim you know all this because we’re fictional characters”
“yeah, that’s why all the seven swordsmen are named after produce” He explained leaning back in his seat and enjoying the plush, comfortable cushions.
“I hate everything about this, absolutely everything. “ Zabuza replied. “…and how do you know we’re not still doomed by the narrative if you supposedly know the future?” He asked lowering his blade toward Itachi, at this point…convinced but not happy about it.
“Because If we were…Everyone in my family would be dead by now, the Uchiha clan was supposed to be massacred…by me” Itachi replied “Instead I …well I happened to get blown up instead. Thus how I wound up in a coma” Itachi said.
“…and you’re saying I was almost named Momotaro?” He asked, visibly offended.
“I never once said Kishimoto was good at naming people…my name is Weasel, Sir” Itachi finished his tea smiling apologetically.
“…I hate that the naming conventions are so…consistently awful. You’re telling me the main character isn't even Haku or someone like me? It's some Bright orange idiot?” Zabuza questioned, increasingly offended.
“He’s a very kind idiot, for what it’s worth. And he really did have a strong effect on you before…besides the main theme of this story is about healing and self-growth” Itachi said.
“…I see. If what you’re telling me is true- about my last words…” Zabuza trailed off, shutting his eyes, trying to process the fact that his life, as awful and foul as it was, was somehow a part of a world meant to convey such a tender idea.
The thought his suffering was always meant to end in a changed heart, let alone a death he could be proud of, as a person who considered themselves a human instead of a demon, was strange, and profound, but also a bit frustrating, disgusting, and offensive to him all at once.
He didn't know how to feel about it. He wasn't sure how much he believed about it. His head was frankly starting to hurt.
“I have a lot to think about…Leave.” Zabuza pointed to the door, effortlessly with his massive blade.
“…Thank you…Keep this a secret, please. I’ve told my cousin some but not much. He doesn’t know…everything like you do. I just didn’t think there was any other way…” Itachi sighed, transferring over to his wheelchair and rolling to the door before stopping.
“………Can I please have some help getting down this building is absolutely terrifying.” Itachi looked over at Zabuza.
“I could decapitate you right now if you’re that scared,” Zabuza snapped in frustration, his eyes snapping open.
“…I’ll take care of him-“Haku stepped into the room clearly having been spying on them, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing, a stressed smile on his face as he seemed desperate almost to get Itachi out of there.
“Did you enjoy your tea?” Haku asked as he decided that was the best way to check in on Itachi without saying wow that was a horribly weird conversation and I'm having a reality crisis right now.
“Yes actually- it was quite soothing…” Itachi replied as Haku, after asking politely first if he could, took the handles of Itachi’s wheelchair in hand and began pushing him along out the door.
“Well good, I’m glad there was something soothing about that conversation…to someone,” He said a bit quieter under his breath like he wasn’t sure if he wanted Itachi to hear.
“…Sorry.” Itachi smiled weakly looking up at the poor young lad.
“For what it’s worth…because of you, Zabuza died not as a demon, but as a human…and because of you, I felt it was worth it to try to save him.” He said.
Haku silently clutched the handles a little tighter.
It wouldn’t be long before Haku arrived, smiling patiently as he rolled Itachi up to the house and left him there, where Shisui was sobbing and shaking Kakashi like he was a piece of wobbly metal that goes woowowoowowowowoo.
Kakashi emanated such a noise as he was wobbled, for reasons Itachi could only chalk up to comical sound design decisions.
“Pardon me are you looking for your lost grandpa?” Haku asked. Itachi blinked in confusion, grandpa?
“Grandpa?” Shisui looked over in confusion alongside Kakashi.
They stopped and stared for a moment processing the fact Itachi was okay before both gave a deflating breath of relief.
“Itachi don’t scare us like that again…you were gone for hours…honestly what would Sasuke do to me if I came back home without you!?” Shisui huffed immediately getting to work and scolding Itachi who pouted at him.
“That’s….how you speak to your grandfather?” Haku blinked in shock as Shisui spoke so casually to him, with no honorifics or anything.
Rude???
“That’s his younger cousin, actually” Kakashi informed Haku who’s eyes widened more.
“Younger?” Haku looked quite troubled.
“…are these people taking proper care of you, Itachi-san?” Haku asked politely looking down in concern.
“Sorry- yes, they are don’t worry” Itachi smiled in amusement, touched that Haku cared despite the psychological distress he’d put him through throughout the day.
“Yeah, we only accidentally dropped him into a significant amount of water *once* on the way here” Shisui confirmed. Haku slightly pulled back the wheelchair looking alarmed.
“…Are you sure you do not wish to remain with us instead?” Haku whispered a bit quieter visibly troubled.
“Yes yes it’s alright, really, they’re clowns, but they’re harmless clowns” Itachi chuckled fondly, they were his clowns, and he could accept no substitute.
“Alright…” Haku said letting go of the handles.
“Thank you for bringing him back home safely by the way is there any way we can thank you?” Shisui asked with a warm smile.
“Hm…” Haku tilted his head furrowing his brow slightly in thought, before giving a simple pleasant, and peaceful smile.
“Just go home as soon as you can, my…father and I intend to free this village and we don’t want you three to get hurt in the ensuing bloodshed,” Haku replied.
“What?! Alone?” Shisui asked.
“Wait but I thought you were going to leave-?” Itachi looked over his shoulder with widening eyes.
“…yes,” Haku said. “…It won’t be difficult, since they won’t even know we’re doing it. Please entrust the rest of your mission to me, Itachi-san, and friends”
“…are you sure you can handle this?” Kakashi asked.
“Oh certainly…” Haku replied “Please, don’t worry yourselves further”
“….I can confirm, they have …abnormal skills and abilities that would naturally grant them the advantage here given the element of surprise” Itachi looked to his companions.
They blinked curiously.
“Alright but you'll have to explain on the way home…kay?” Shisui huffed crossing his arms.
“That can be done” Itachi smiled pleasantly.
“Are you sure about this?” Kakashi frowns “After what happened with Zabuza-“ He began.
“We don’t need to worry about someone who’s now on our side” Itachi replied simply as Haku left.
“…What” Kakashi blinked.
“Well if you say so” Shisui shrugged, ready to believe anything Itachi said, after all the strange things Itachi insisted were true up till now…
Kakashi seemed far less sure, but he agreed at the other two's insistence.
Little did they know that in the following days, That village would soon belong to Haku and Zabuza, be freed from its current troubling situation, and experience an unprecedented safety and power under their reign, becoming a new hidden ninja village of its very own.
The Village hidden in its reflection, as a reference to both Zabuza’s shiny and deadly blade, and Haku’s mirror technique… a small, and very independent little miniature-country of sorts determined to carve out a name for itself, one that would be distinctly less bloody than anything its heroes ever grew up knowing.
Little did Itachi know Shisui would relay this information to him over lunch at the Uchiha clan residence on a day when everyone else was out of the house, busy with errands and meetings and other important things, looking over the newspaper before slapping it down on the table.
“Itachi do you have ANY idea how this is going to affect the timeline? Are we going to be okay? This seems like something that would have- I don’t know- INCREDIBLY huge sweeping effects??? A new hidden village? One that just declared it's like, its own country now? What-!?” Shisui gestured wildly in the general direction of where the new village probably was in relation to them.
“I can’t think of anything too big it might affect, they shouldn’t have any students ready for the chuunin exams any time soon after all” Itachi replied casually sipping at his tea and glancing up from a coded message Shisui had been fussing with that he’d asked Itachi for help solving, Itachi, Having previously had an incredibly deep love of any and all sorts of puzzles, was solving it with a surprising amount of grace and patience that Shisui could not currently possess.
The tea was pleasantly hot and herbal in his mouth as he watched Shissui keep freaking out.
“That’s NOT something you think is going to DRASTICALLY affect the next several years!? It's a NEW COUNTRY” Shisui fell back into his chair pressing his hand dramatically against his forehead protector.
“Well if I can stop the eye of the moon plan…” Itachi trailed off between sips.
“Then no it shouldn’t be very relevant, though they would have been revived from the dead and fighting for the other side, so we should actually have more impressive fighters on our team now” Itachi replied. “And less on theirs”
“I'm sorry Revived from the DEAD!?” Shisui choked sitting up straight, eyes looking buggish.
“… yeah, frankly I'm not even sure if things will go that smoothly already- Orochimaru is living here peacefully in the village instead of experimenting on babies after all…” Itachi said. “This is nothing compared to that change” Itachi confessed.
“I’m sorry- experimenting on…..?” Shisui looked sick.
“…I shouldn’t go into details, Orochimaru is a much better person in this timeline… this world is already so different from the one I knew, it's frankly a shock that more hasn’t changed..it makes me wonder what the Akatsuki looks like…not only without Orochimaru in it…but without me…”
He finished off his tea.
“… That’s something I need to find out though, isn't it…” he shut his eyes.
“And before I do that I think I need to visit the hidden sand village…the one-tailed beast’s host is going through a lot and frankly I think he might kill me if I’m not careful but -“
“Not happening. Nope. No. No. “ Shisui said sternly.
“But-“ Itachi began.
“I would sooner let you run off and join the Akatsuki than I would let you go mess with the jinjuriki of the one tails do you have ANY idea how dangerous that little gremlin is?” He asked.
“…well in that case, I know what I’ll have to do next instead…” itachi shrugged.
“Itachi no” Shisui huffed.
“But shisui you suggested it-“
“THAT WAS NOT A SUGGESTION”
“and yet- such a very good one…” Itachi chuckled.
“Terrible- terrible. No” Shisui squinted “Absolutely not.”
“Hmm. Absolutely you say-?”
“that was followed by a not-“ Shisui argued.
“I definitely heard an absolutely”
“Itachi please”
“of course If you insist” Itachi smiled setting his cup down. “Also finished this” he slid the scroll that he had been working on back over to Shisui who huffed.
“Unbelievable-“
“thank you” Itachi smiled.
“NOT a compliment-“
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