The aftermath of Loki's escape weighed heavily on the Avengers. The air inside the Quinjet was thick with tension, the silence only broken by the hum of the engines and the occasional uneasy glance exchanged between team members. Captain America sat rigidly, his gaze fixed out the window, grappling with the uneasy feeling that their unity was fracturing.
"Itachi," Steve began, his voice steady but wary, "how much of your past should we be worried about? You've kept your distance, but that doesn't mean your history won't catch up to us."
Itachi remained silent for a moment, the dim lighting of the Quinjet casting shadows across his face. "My past is... complicated," he said softly, eyes briefly flickering with the weight of memories. "But right now, my focus is here—with all of you."
Tony Stark leaned back, arms crossed, flashing his signature smirk. "Well, that's reassuring. But don't think for a second you're off the hook. This team runs on trust, and trust isn't built overnight."
Natasha Romanoff watched Itachi carefully, her eyes sharp and calculating. "Trust is a currency we can't afford to waste. Actions will speak louder than words."
Itachi nodded subtly, acknowledging the unspoken challenge. His presence, though mysterious, was starting to feel like an asset rather than a liability.
Suddenly, the Quinjet jolted violently. Bruce Banner's eyes widened as he scrambled to the control panel. "We've taken heavy fire! Something's attacking us—onboard!"
The team braced themselves as alarms blared. Hulk, overwhelmed by the surge of adrenaline and confusion, had caused structural damage to the ship in a recent burst of anger. Thor's heavy footsteps echoed as he rushed to calm his friend.
"Hulk, you must control yourself!" Thor's voice was commanding but gentle, trying to reach the giant within.
Clint Barton, just awakening from his recent unconsciousness, groaned and sat up. "Portal's nearby," he muttered, voice thick but determined. "We can't lose this fight."
As the Avengers regrouped, the fractures in their trust began to mend, at least temporarily, under the pressure of survival. Itachi, for the first time, felt a subtle shift inside himself—this was no longer just a team to him; it was becoming a family.
"Together," Steve said firmly, "we fight. Divided, we fall."
The resolve was clear. Despite the shadows of doubt and past betrayals, the Avengers prepared to face the coming storm united.
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If you want, I can continue with Chapter 10 now or adjust anything here!