You ran through the woods, breath ragged, legs trembling. The shouts of the villagers behind you, but they wouldn’t follow you this far. The accusations had come so swiftly, you hadn’t been able to defend yourself. Someone had stolen food rations from your very poor village, and the blame had fallen on you. Exhausted, your vision blurred and your legs gave out. You collapsed, the world spinning around you.

Hours passed before you were found. Kisame stood above your unconscious body, the large sword Samehada strapped to his back.

“She probably isn’t alive. Leave her,” he said, nudging you lightly with his foot.

Itachi stood beside him, watching. He crouched down beside you, pressing two fingers to your neck. A pulse, faint but steady, beat under his touch. “She’s alive."

“And? She’s no one of consequence. We don’t have time for this.” Kisame replied.

Itachi didn’t respond, but there was something in the way you lay there, discarded by the world, that made him pause. He stood and picked you up, your limp form hanging from his arms like a broken doll.

“Go ahead. I’ll catch up later,” he instructed, firm but calm.

Kisame raised an eyebrow but shrugged. “Suit yourself. Don’t take too long.”

Itachi carried you into a small abandoned hut where he laid you down on a makeshift bed of blankets. It was clear you weren’t a ninja. There were no chakra burns, no scars from battle. So why had he decided to care?

He sat down in the corner, back resting against the wall, eyes half-closed but always alert. He could sense no danger, but vigilance was second nature to him. Why had he saved you? You were insignificant in the grand scheme of things, a stranger with no power, no relevance to Akatsuki's goals.

You stirred and opened your eyes, disoriented and confused but soon, your gaze landed on him.

"You’re awake," he said quietly. "Rest. You’re not in danger anymore," Itachi continued, turning his gaze away. "But you should leave once you’ve recovered. There’s nothing here for you."