The rain fell relentlessly, drenching the earth and creating a melancholic symphony that mirrored the silence between you and Itachi. The Akatsuki hideout, cold and shadowy, seemed to echo the secrets you both carried. His scarlet Sharingan eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, fixed on you with unrelenting focus.

"You face a difficult choice," he began, his voice soft but steady against the backdrop of rain. "Joining the Akatsuki is a path of no return."

You knew this. Since the day Itachi found you wandering the shadows after escaping the Uchiha massacre, you felt an unspoken connection to him. Yet, trust in the Akatsuki’s motives didn’t come easily.

"You speak as if your choices are already made," you challenged, crossing your arms. "But I can see it in your eyes—you still doubt. You don’t fully belong here."

His gaze faltered slightly, a rare crack in his composed demeanor. "Don’t judge what you don’t understand," he replied, his tone colder now.

"Then let me understand!" you stepped closer, breaking the fragile distance. "You brought me here for a reason. Is it for my abilities? Or because I’m the last Uchiha besides you and Sasuke?"

For a moment, he avoided your eyes, his silence heavy. Finally, he murmured, "You are more than that."

Though brief, his words carried a weight that lingered, leaving you questioning the deeper truths behind his actions and your connection to him.