Itachi left the hospital with his mind in a haze. Hokage had forbidden him from leaving the village. He had to obey ' But how could he return home without Ryoko? The boy 's legs took him on autopilot. He opened the doors slowly and mechanically.

It was silent. He sensed that his mother was already asleep as well as Sasuke. Father ' he was in the living room. Itachi inhaled and stepped inside.

'Welcome back, ' Fugaku said, raising his eyes from the scroll he was reading. 'Where is your sister? ' he asked. Itachi was silent. His eyes stared down at the ground.

'Where is Ryoko? ' Fugaku repeated slowly.

'She ' is MIA. '

Father appeared before him with shinobi speed. 'You were on a mission together! '

'Yes, ' Itachi whispered even if it wasn 't a question.