Well hello, my darlings.

In lou of me slacking with my other stories, I have a little... gift of sorts for you. This is a spin off of Reach, a very far-fetched, alternate universe version of Reach. It's focuses mostly around Madara and Tsuki's relationship.

Of course, I know Tobi is Obito, blah blah blah, but I wrote this with the initial premise that he wasn't at the time. So please, for the sake of this story, Madara is alive, and well, and is indeed the Leader of the Akatsuki. (that, for all intents and purposes, is a Japanese Mafia group, in modern day... well there really is not country premise for this so whatever your preference is, go on and choose.)

Hikari and Deidara's steamy relationship takes part here as well, only in the second part, however, and then minourly in the third.

So, without delaying any further, I give you the four part short story, Angel With A Shotgun.

p.s. I reviewed this a few times as I wrote it for a class (only with different names, naturally) but there may still be some minour gramatical mistakes.

~Mari Minxx

She liked to spend her time playing piano, singing softly to herself or a small audience of one. She liked the feel of the ivory against her fingers, the beautiful sound that each individual key made in the air. The calm, the peace... It was all so perfect, and to be honest, she couldn't ask for anything more fitting; anything more than what she had in those moments. Of course, things could have been better, but who was she to complain. She would leave it alone, and never touch the subject. It was one of those things best locked away.

Her lips often curled into a smile, a serene one, showing off her white teeth, scrunching her cheeks at the corners making her eyes squint, even if it was just slightly. He'd always noted the way she lightly tilted her head to the side, most often the right, and how her shoulders moved up and down in rhythm with her striking of the keys. It was a beautiful picture, always laid out so clearly for him, and he supposed that if he could do it all over again, he would. He'd make sure not to lose the one thing that he actually cared about. His fingers ran over the silky black piano in the empty dance hall, and visions of the black and blonde haired girl's smile flitted into his mind.

She always denied her talent. Always made note of the little flaws in her work that he could never even see, even with his Sharingan. She tried hard to make him understand what exactly it was that made her think so, but she was always at a loss. She was horrible at explaining things. A smile almost dared to touch his lips, but it shied away from the idea when bitter memories took over the sweet ones.

This same piano that brought her peace, tranquillity, and love had brought her pain, anguish and hatred. His eyes narrowed into slits at the glimpse of a dash of red against the white cashmere seat cover. Their first fight. A stupid one at that, but a fight none the less. In fact... It was more one-sided than anything. She never fought back...

He hadn't meant to hurt her the way he did, hadn't meant to strike her so hard, but it was his natural instinct. He had never felt so alone, and never dealt with such a situation. His first reaction. His first mistake.

His hands clenched into fists at the thought. Why was he so stupid? Surely there was a reason. But looking back, there really was no justification. She came home late, after going on a lunch date with one of her girlfriends, Hikari, but it was simply because they had lost track of time. They'd only gone an hour passed what they had originally planned, but she didn't think much of it. The fact that the Taxi cab driver was a n00b and had no idea how to drive in city traffic didn't help much either. But he didn't believe her. The one day that he had been able to stay home, she was gone longer than planned and he panicked. Others had spoken of working as much as he did, only to come home to any empty home, or worse. He didn't want that.

She'd finally arrived, right as he had gotten into the shower to calm his mind from fretting, and like clockwork, she made her way to the instrument that was positioned in the farthest corner of their studio apartment. She had mumbled something about inspiration from a sidewalk painter that she had seen on the walk from the cafe to the art studio where Hikari's boyfriend worked.

He'd heard her begin to play, and immediately, he stopped everything. He had jumped from the shower and thrown on a pair of boxers and lounge pants before darting to the girl. She was so calm...

His fingers curled against the frame of the piano tightly, as he tried to shove back the horrid thoughts. They wouldn't leave. He had to suffer like she did.

"Where the hell have you been?" He saw himself step beside her, he saw her small body tense for a moment before she turned and smiled brightly up at him. He shook his head. Why won't it go away...?

"I was with Hikari, Maddy. We visited Deidara and stopped to watch one of those painters that design on the sidewalk with chalk." Now she was straddling the bench, both of her hands pressed flat against the cushion as she leaned forward a bit on them to relay her day. She knew that he wouldn't really listen, and it'd be saved in his subconscious, but she didn't care. It was nice to have someone pretend. His eyes shut painfully tight. Please stop. "It was so magical! I wish you were there, love." She was smiling again, wider as her arms stretched above her head. She would always feign happiness for him...or maybe she was truly happy with him. She never had the chance to learn the difference.

"Why didn't you call me to tell me you were okay?" His teeth were clenched, and she could tell that something was bothering him. Her brows had furrowed, and she had reached one of her hands up to caress the side of his face comfortingly. His hand caught her wrist before it made it halfway. His grip was so tight. He remembered hearing her whimper in fear...in pain... but he was too blinded by his anger to stop.

"I...I was...so d-distracted...I..." He didn't wait for her response. He had thrown her against the piano's bench before towering over her fallen body. She had held firmly to the corner of the seat, to keep herself sitting up, and had he seen into her eyes, he'd know it was a makeshift barrier between her and the one who claimed he loved her. He moved so he was squatting in front of her. He took her quivering chin between his fingers and squeezed. Tears fell mercilessly from her eyes. She was begging for him to stop. Repeatedly telling him that she was sorry, for something that she shouldn't have apologised for.

He tried to tell himself that it was that very reason he let his hand make contact with the side of her face. The fact that he hated how she apologised when it was clearly his fault.

"Next time, don't get distracted." She was crying heavily. Her tears stung the cut on her cheek, but she ignored it. The pain was nothing compared to what she was about to feel. She tried to comprehend why he was so violent. He'd never hit her before. Never even so much as raised his voice at her without apologising right after and holding her to him.

He opened his eyes again, but her bleeding figure was still there. Her translucent tears falling against fake tiled floors. He thought they stained, but he reminded himself that she wasn't there anymore.

He wished that he had come back to hold her. To say sorry. Maybe then things wouldn't have escalated further. He would never know. Not unless by some miracle she came back to him. He wanted to rest. Wanted to remember nothing but the good times they shared. He just wished it was that simple.

Madara stepped away from the piano, and out into the forever empty room that was to be their dance hall...He recalled how she wanted everyone to live together, like a family. She knew most of them hadn't really had the sort of loving family that she believed everyone ought to have. He had tried to convince her that not everyone deserved kindness, and love, but she had always shaken her head at him, and laughed.

God that laugh...It was always so soft, somewhere between a giggle and an actual laugh, but he never really cared. It was beautiful regardless of what it was.

His footsteps echoed across empty walls, the room laced with a sorrow that he doubted he'd ever be able to live with. If only she knew how sorry he was...How much he wished that he had changed his reactions.

Madara had waltzed his way to his bedroom, passing the large four poster bed, and too his walk-in closet. So far, he hadn't slept in the bed since she left him, and he had the intentions of grabbing some other girl to fill the void in his heart. Even if it was for one night. Anything that would make him forget...

He shuffled through rows of button down shirts in various colours, shelves of straight leg, skinny, and boot cut jeans, all chosen by the object of his previous affections. It was hard to figure out the perfect outfit to impress other woman with, mostly because Tsuki had always been the one to dress him. He settled for a pair of dark boot cut jeans, and a deep maroon polo. The shirt hugged his muscular figure, and from his times at the bar with Tsuki, he knew that it was exactly what the easy girls liked.

In the back of his mind, he reminded himself to drive his Bugati to the club to show off his money, for the girls of course.

It'd taken him some time to get used to the idea of clubbing alone...Maybe he'd bring along a friend...as a wingman. No. It was something he'd rather do alone.

"Maddy..." Her voice followed him all the way into the bathroom, and for a second, he did a double take, staring at his bed where the girl laid, propped up on her arm like some sort of display for him. He remembered how much she hated it when he left her alone in the large bed... How one night in particular he'd lost his sanity and hurt her even more, for no particular reason...Just to prove he was the man.

He watched her raise herself from the bed and walk towards him. His eyes shut painfully again as he tried to push the hallucinations aside. He didn't want to remember any of it. The coolest touch brushed passed his shoulder, and he couldn't keep himself from glancing in her direction. She was wearing her summertime pyjamas, consisting of a pair of short girl boxers, and a tank top that showed off her stomach. Somewhere in the back of his mind the word Aerie came to his thoughts... That's where she got them...

"Maddy, I want to go look at the stars tonight. Can we go to the rooftop please?" Her silvery magenta eyes were glittering with childish fervour. Oh how she loved the stars...

He recalled being in the middle of brushing his teeth, a furious look plastered across his face. He had rejected her request. Told her that it was a foolish idea and that she should just go to bed. He shoved passed her and into the closet where his overnight bag was. An unexpected business trip had him in a bad mood, a violent mood.

"Now honestly isn't the time for your childish games, Tsuki. I'm in no mood. Just go back to bed." His words bit at her heart, but she wasn't about to let him get away with it, not after he had been home for only two days. She leaned her body against the frame of their walk in closet, and watched him pack. That tingling in her body started again, the feeling she got when she was going to be alone.

"But Madara! You've only been home for two days! All I want is one night under the stars with you, please, it's all I ask!" She always pleaded with him, and of course, He would give her what she wanted. Not that time...
His fist made contact with the wall next to him. Why did it burn so much? All he wanted to do was move on, but no matter what he tried, it wouldn't go away. Sometimes, he wished that it was as easy as 1...2...3...

"Tsuki, you need to grow up and understand that in my business, I can't always be fucking home. I can't always be there to do all the stupid shit you want me to fucking do. In all honesty, I couldn't give two fucks if you wanted to go and watch the stars or not. I'd prefer it if you stayed inside, but do whatever the fuck it is you want. Now please, let me be so I can leave." He glared at her, but the sight of her tears did nothing for him, it only fuelled his anger. Those tears that had been caused by him made him hate them all the much more, but he didn't register it as his fault. Not when he was so blinded by his rage. "Will you stop crying already?" He'd finished packing his bag, and whipped around to the girl who was holding her hands together, giving him one of the most pathetic looks she had ever given. Her face was red and puffy, from the heat of her anger turned sadness, and her tears left streaks on her face. He'd never seen her so upset, but it was all he had not to hit her.

"Mad-dara...I...I d-didn't mean to upset you...I'm sorry..." She turned away, biting back the urge to sob. All she had wanted was for him to be happy, and if that meant keeping from crying hysterically in his presence, she would hold it in until he was gone.

Madara stepped towards her, and took her chin roughly into his hands, squeezing a little too tightly. She let a small whimper leave her lips, bringing a small smirk onto his lips. He hadn't realised that his parting kiss, a none to tender one at that, was what killed her that night. He'd never know how she had cut her body in places he would never see unless hidden in the dark, or how she had bawled so shamelessly until her eyes burned, and she was left gasping for air.

He hadn't even whispered he loved her like every other time.

I'm sorry Tsuki. I wish I could take it all back. He pushed himself to finish getting ready. He was going to arrive at the club, he was going to find himself a girl, and he was going to get laid. Madara's plans always went well, especially when they were so concrete and to the point.

Please review, and thank you for reading!

Song: You Bring Me Down- Leona Lewis