The Village Hidden in the Rain.
Konan carried a small basket of fruit as she headed toward the hospital, just as she did every day.
But when she reached Itachi's hospital room, she froze in her tracks.
She had intended to sense whether anyone was inside and wait for them to leave before going in.
However, when she focused her senses, she realized something shocking: there was no one inside.
That's right—no one.
The room that should have held Uchiha Itachi was empty.
Konan hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open. The sight of the vacant room left her silent.
Not only was Itachi gone, but even the bedsheets, pillows, and medical supplies had disappeared.
---
"Lady Angel, we don't know where he went either. We've been discussing his treatment plan, and since the nutritional supplements could sustain him for a week, we didn't dare disturb his rest..."
The doctor in front of her was visibly nervous under Konan's sharp gaze and questioning tone.
Hearing the doctor's explanation, Konan waved her hand wearily, signaling them to leave.
"Where could you have gone, you little brat..."
After the doctors left, a figure appeared in Konan's mind, and she murmured softly to herself.
Although the missing supplies raised a slight suspicion, this was the Hidden Rain Village—no one would dare stir up trouble here.
This was their domain, their authority.
---
"Well, so be it. Live well. Enjoy the little time you have left…"
Konan stood in the empty room for a moment before vanishing. Her voice lingered in the silence.
When she reappeared, she was in Pain's office.
"Leader, Uchiha Itachi has defected," she said softly, looking at Pain, who was engrossed in paperwork.
Pain paused, his brows furrowing slightly. For a moment, a masked figure flashed through his mind.
"I see. Go back to your tasks…"
In the Hidden Rain Village, the idea of someone slipping away unnoticed under his watch was laughable. Pain immediately sensed something suspicious.
He even had a few suspects in mind.
But so what? Did the truth really matter that much?
Indeed… many times, the truth isn't what's important. What matters is whether you have value to be used.
---
Time flew by, and half a month passed.
Itachi's body had fully recovered after weeks of care.
Although he didn't seem much different outwardly, internally, his genes, DNA, and even his blood had undergone a complete transformation.
It was a quiet yet turbulent process.
"Itachi, it's time to eat."
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, refining his chakra, Itachi heard the voice of Ichikishima-hime.
He opened his eyes, gazing at the world in front of him. Though still imperfect, it was bright and clear.
His mood lifted.
As humans, we can't always dwell on the past or pin all our hopes on the future. Instead, we should cherish the present.
Now is what truly matters.
---
Itachi put on his cloak and saw Ichikishima-hime enter without knocking, as usual.
She placed the food on the table and sat nearby, playing with a crow.
"Little one, you're so much more enthusiastic than some people who don't even eat their meals promptly," she teased, holding a handful of grains and feeding the bird.
The crow busily pecked at the grains, its beak working tirelessly.
Itachi glanced at the table, where a bowl of rice and a plate of chicken were laid out. He hesitated, noticing the woman calmly feeding the crow.
This was Ryuchi Cave. Where did the food come from?
Most likely, she had gone out of her way to fetch it for him.
"You've gone through a lot of trouble," he said gently, feeling a rare sense of harmony.
---
"Hmph. Just eat it already, or it'll get cold," she replied with a hint of impatience.
Itachi nodded at Shichishima Hime's gesture of gratitude, though she turned her head away with a cold snort.
However, her tone was no longer as icy as before.
Instead, she gazed gently at the crow in her hands, occasionally stroking its feathers. She paid no attention to the crow's ominous symbolism or its somewhat unsightly, missing eye.
"I'm planning to leave soon. It'll be a while before I come back."
Itachi picked up a small bowl, took a bite of chicken, and placed the bowl and chopsticks on the table. He spoke softly as he looked at Shichishima Hime's back.
Hearing his words, Shichishima Hime froze in her movements…
The crow tried to lift its head and swallow the grain it held, but her hand pressed it down, almost choking it.
Realizing the crow's discomfort, she quickly lifted her delicate hand.
"Alright, I understand. I wish you all the best…"
After a brief silence, Shichishima Hime suppressed the urge to turn and look at Itachi. She stared blankly at the crow instead, speaking softly.
Over the past few days, she had grown accustomed to seeing this kid every day.
Itachi's presence had brightened the otherwise gloomy Dragon Earth Cave.
The once lifeless desolation was now filled with vitality.
…
But now, his words left her heart feeling barren again.
She realized that Itachi could not stay by her side forever. This young man's gaze was always set on the stars and the vast oceans beyond.
Of course, she had no romantic feelings for him. She had simply grown used to the company of this occasionally aloof, occasionally silly kid.
For someone who had been alone for so long, his presence was like a fleeting glimpse of new scenery in her unchanging life.
"Don't worry, I won't be gone for long. After all, I still need to continue my training in sage arts."
Itachi didn't notice the sadness in her voice.
He simply replied softly, picking up his bowl and chopsticks to resume eating.
The last time he mentioned wanting a meal, he hadn't expected Shichishima Hime to actually bring him food today.
But this bowl is so small…
He sighed inwardly, though his mood had greatly improved.
…
"You're so clever; I'm sure you'll learn quickly."
Noticing Itachi happily eating his rice, Shichishima Hime felt the sadness in her heart slowly dissolve. Still, a lingering melancholy swirled within her.
"Are you planning to take the little one with you?"
After a moment, Shichishima Hime turned slightly, stroking the crow's tiny head. She looked seriously at Itachi and asked.
"Of course. I need to help it find a new eye. Besides, it's my companion, so it must stay with me."
Itachi swallowed his food, his gaze soft as he looked at the crow.
"A companion, huh… Then does that make us companions too?"
Shichishima Hime looked at Itachi's gentle face and asked softly.
Her mind flashed back to the first time they met, recalling how his sharp tongue had annoyed her.
She remembered deliberately delaying bringing him food the next day, leaving him famished.
She remembered how he tried to curry favor with her, his provider, by telling her stories.
She remembered the beautiful tale of Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian…
She remembered crafting small chess pieces together…
She remembered the two of them building a little wooden house for the crow…
These memories filled the void in her once-empty life, leaving her feeling fulfilled. She truly enjoyed playing with this kid.
…
"Of course. We're comrades, after all."
Seeing Shichishima Hime's uncharacteristically shy demeanor, Itachi was momentarily stunned.
Then he responded seriously, giving her a reassuring affirmation.
"Then, after you finish eating, can you tell me what happens next in Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen's story?"
Hearing Itachi's confirmation, Shichishima Hime smiled faintly.
"I'm telling you, Xu Xian isn't as good a guy as you think. Don't let him fool you."
Noticing her interest in Xu Xian, Itachi replied teasingly.
"Hmph! Who asked for your opinion?"
…
**PS:**
A tired Itachi slumped over the table: "Why are you so late, fairy? I'm starving here..."
Shichishima Hime placed the food on the table: "Hmph! Serves you right for being so rude. Starve, then!"
A now full Itachi: "How about I tell you a story?"
Shichishima Hime feeding the crow: "Go ahead. But if it's boring, you'll regret it!"
Shichishima Hime, her eyes slightly red: "Itachi, do you think someone like Xu Xian exists in this world?"
Itachi, secretly amused: "This story is purely fictional. Any resemblance to real people is purely coincidental!"
Shichishima Hime placing food on the table: "Get up, lazybones. I've graciously brought you food…"
Itachi, lazily lying in bed: "One moment, fairy. I'm getting up…"
Shichishima Hime curiously observing him: "What are you making?"
Itachi carving wood: "This is a great little pastime."
Shichishima Hime trying to play chess: "This is too hard. I give up!"
Itachi, smugly: "See? I told you I was good at this."
Shichishima Hime, bored: "Little crow, are you laughing at me?"
Crow: "Caw caw caw…"
Itachi: "Caw caw caw?"
Shichishima Hime: "Shall we build the little one a home?"
Itachi, perking up: "Sure! I'm bored anyway…"
Shichishima Hime: "You're so clumsy. How will the crow fit through that tiny door?"
Crow: "Caw caw?"
Itachi rolled his eyes, spreading his hands: "Why don't you give it a try?"
---