After reaching a certain age, tattoos of soul mates appeared on people's wrists. Each tattoo had a unique design that only matched the one possessed by your soul mate. And you knew that yours was the complement of Itachi's. Even if circumstances had forced you to separate, you were certain that you shared your tattoo with no one in the village - only him. That's how you felt.

And when you were sent on a mission outside the village you confirmed it. Even behind the cold, forlorn look Itachi pretended to have before the world, you could tell how much it hurt him to be your soul mate and not be able to give you what you wanted. And what he wanted as well.

Itachi had a duty, a promise he had made to Konoha, and if he was a good ninja he would keep it until death. Even if it cost him not being able to have you in this life.

His eyes focused on you across the valley where you had located him. You both knew very well that your mission had nothing to do with Akatsuki or him, but you couldn't miss the chance to look for him if you were outside the village. You had to see him again, and of course, confirm that your theory about the tattoo was true.

"You should leave. This is no place for you." Itachi's voice echoed between the few feet of distance you kept from each other.

But you couldn't leave him. If you betrayed Konoha, you betrayed your village. But if you betrayed Itachi, you betrayed yourself.