"Then I should teach you, as a going away gift!" Itachi demanded, latching onto the idea. It wouldn't be hard. And he could easily kill her if he decided that he needed to.

Ashiko had a wonderful laugh, and Itachi didn't think she'd ever laughed so freely in front of him. It pleased him more than it should, but he wondered who her penpal was that she should laugh like that. Itachi was taking a bite of his rice when she said his cousin's name so carelessly. He almost choked.

Itachi felt suddenly cold. What did this new connection mean? Did she really write letters to his cousin, or was this a threat? Could she be a threat to Obito? Surely Obito would be careful about writing her letters, if he actually did. Itachi didn't know what to make of this, but it unnerved him even more.

He really should probably kill her.

"Ah, that's too bad Ashiko-san," Itachi sighed. "I was hoping that when I told people about you, I could give you a fairy-tale ending."