Author's note: Hello everyone. This is only my second fanfiction, and I'd really appreciate if you would read this and review so you can let me know what you think about it. If you like it, I'll write another chapter, but if not, then I'd like some suggestions on what to fix and how I can get better. Anyway, let's get started!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but I'd definitely like to.

1. Origin of the Hunter

There is a legend from long ago and far away...

It speaks of a demon hunter who fell deeply in love with a fox demon who he was supposed to kill. It is widely believed that the demon returned the hunter's feelings but the exact outcome of the relationship has been the cause of much speculation over the years...

Some say the demon grew tired of his human mate and killed him, bored. Others say that the demon hunter had never loved the demon and was only trying to satisfy his own physical desires, then killing him as planned. Some even have suggested that this tale was never real, while others firmly believe in it...

Nobody knew the truth of the story... Until now...

This is the full story of the legend that will be called simply, "The Relationship of Hunter and Prey."

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Fifteen-year-old Itachi Uchiha had a normal life. He had a younger brother named Sasuke who admired him. His father, Fugaku, was a wealthy merchant who always provided well for his family. His mother, Mikoto, was a gentle and beautiful woman who loved her husband and sons, and always made sure to remind them that they were loved.

The Uchiha family lived in a large home on the outskirts of the village of Konoha. Konoha was well-known around the country as being a strong village that specialized in the demon-hunting business. Many young men and women were part of the elite class of hunters, and children idolized them, wishing to grow up and be strong like them.

However, Itachi had never taken too much of an interest in being a hunter. Sasuke, on the other hand, couldn't wait to be one. He would often ask his brother to join the hunters so Itachi could learn from them, and then teach Sasuke himself.

The elder brother did eventually join as a potential member, only to please the younger. During training sessions, Itachi didn't try hard. Despite this, it was obvious that he was a naturally gifted fighter. He posessed skill, strength, and the know-how that made senior hunters envious of this new recruit. Yet, they still realized that he would make a fine addition the Hunters. Even the leader of Konoha, the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, offered a permanent place for Itachi among the Hunters.

To everyone's surprise, the eldest Uchiha son politely declined. The teen wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and wished to be a business man. During his encounters with the hunters, he had found that he had no real reason to even want to hunt demons, let alone kill them. Itachi decided that by being a merchant, he would be a better contribution to society.

He eventually told this to Sarutobi. Oddly enough, the old man had reacted well to the news, and informed Itachi that the offer to be a hunter would always be available. Itachi had bowed, smiled politely, and thanked him, although he didn't have any intention of learning the trade of killing.

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Sasuke was disappointed with Itachi for several days after declining the invitation. The youngest Uchiha believed that his brother was making a mistake. He had even tried to convince his mother and father to make Itachi change his mind, but his parents told him that they wouldn't interfere. Just to placate him, Itachi spoke to his brother, and told him that one day he would be a hunter, but not now.

"But the hunters are so cool! You should just join now!" Sasuke insisted. The older Uchiha had shook his head, then explained, "Not now, Sasuke. Tomorrow, I'm leaving to Suna on an errand for Father." The older boy smiled at his pouting sibling, "Cheer up. I'll buy you something from Suna. I hear they have all kinds of interesting things over there."

Dark eyes widened, looking up at Itachi, "Really?" The boy was excited about the prospect of receiving a present from his idolized sibling.

"Sure, but you have to promise me that you'll behave and stopping being a pest." Itachi poked his brother's forehead. This only made Sasuke pout more, and cross his arms, "Fine! But just so you know, I am not a pest." Sasuke grinned,"You better bring me back something cool, or I'll tell Mother you called me a pest."

Itachi smiled and ruffled his brother's hair,"Whatever you say, Sasuke."

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One Week Later...

Itachi had needed to go to Suna to deliver an order to one of his father's rich customers. The journey had been harder than expected. Traveling through the desert required a large amount of stamina and luck. In addition to high temperatures, and scorpions lurking in the shifting sands, there was also random sandstorms that would occur without warning. But Itachi had avoided all of these perils and had successfully completed his assignment, and was currently on his way back home.

He sighed in relief upon reaching the single road that lead to the forest that surrounded Konoha. The road twisted through the tree-lined path and lead right to the main gates. After that, it was just a quick walk through the village, then home. The thought of seeing his family again cheered him up, and he quickened his steps through the forest. In minutes, he reached Konoha's main gates.

The gates were closed. Itachi frowned. Normally, the gates were always open. He couldn't help but worry and think something had happened. The boy stopped, focusing on the sounds around him.

Nothing, except leaves rustling in the wind. This only increased his worry. Why wasn't anybody around? Not even birds could be heard. Not hesitating a moment longer, he raced around the village walls.

Since his house was located on the edge of the village, he could enter the property by going around Konoha's perimeter. Panting, he finally reached the end. His dark eyes widened fearfully at what he saw.

His house was completely destroyed. Two people were lying in the grass, motionless. Itachi raced over to see who it was, and gasped. It was his mother and father, and they were dead. Blood darkened the grass around the corpses. They were killed by stab wounds through the chest.

Itachi touched his mother's hand, trying to not to panic, but her lifeless touch scared him more. He looked around, trying to make sense of things. Then, a thought occurred to him: Where's Sasuke?

Panicked, Itachi called his brother's name. He ran towards the demolished house, and froze when he saw a figure standing in the wreckage. An unnaturally pale man with long black hair was there, looking at his feet. A weak voice could be heard nearby.

"Sasuke!" Itachi yelled desperately. He could recognized his dear little brother's voice anywhere. Itachi sprinted towards the man. "Get away from him!"

The stranger merely smiled coldly, and lifted up Sasuke, who was nearly unconsciousness.

"Ah... So you're the boy called Itachi, the heir of the Uchiha clan. I must say, you look more impressive than this one." The man said, shaking Sasuke lightly. "But I suppose he'll have to do."

Horrified, Itachi watched as the man opened his jaws wide, and bit his captive brother's neck. Sasuke cried out in pain, screaming for help.

Itachi lunged at the man, trying to get to Sasuke, but the stranger removed his teeth from the younger boy, and threw him at Itachi. He stumbled back, but managed to catch Sasuke.

"What did you do to him?" Itachi yelled at the man. Sasuke's neck was bleeding, and an ugly black symbol was now present on his light skin.

"Nothing much. I just wanted to see if those rumors about the Uchiha clan are true." The man replied casually, as though nothing serious had happened. "I guess they aren't..." he added with a mocking smile.

Itachi put Sasuke down gently, and faced the stranger. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. When he exhaled, he opened his eyes. The normal obsidian shade was replaced by a bright crimson. "No. The rumors are true." Itachi declared. He inhaled another breath, and exhaled a blast of fire from his mouth.

The flames engulfed the stranger, burning his body. He man screamed and fell down, and tried to put out the fire. Itachi didn't offer any mercy to him. Instead, he blasted him with another fire ball, incinerating the man, turning his body to charred flesh.

Afterwards, it was quiet, until an eerie laugh was heard. Itachi's red eyes widened as he saw the stranger emerge from the burnt corpse. It reminded him of how a snake sheds it skin...

"Ha! What a show! I guess this wasn't a waste of time after all!" The stranger said, looking excited. The man smiled coldly at Itachi. "I picked the wrong boy. You have that power I want!"

"What are you?" Itachi asked in disbelief. He knew that this person was clearly not human.

"Not what, but who." The man's face was covered with a bestial snarl. Then his facial features and body began to transform until he became a massive snake. "I am Orochimaru, the Snake King!"

Itachi didn't waste any time. He blasted the demon again with a jet of flame, hitting him in the face, the heat scorching off his scales. The creature hissed savagely,"Insolent whelp! You burned my eye! You will pay!" With that, Orochimaru lunged toward Sasuke, who was lying in the grass, semi-conscious.

Using his Sharingan, Itachi anticipated the snake demon's movements. He raced forward and jump-kicked the demon's jaw, hitting him hard enough to push him to the side of Sasuke, causing the demon to slam his face into the dirt. Blood leaked out of his mouth as he spit out a fang loosened from the impact.

"Damn child! You may be strong, but I will get you one day. I will have those eyes..." Orochimaru growled, and turned his face to look at the destruction he caused. Slitted-pupils scanned the area, pleased. "At least I don't need to worry about Konoha anymore." He looked back at Itachi, who was at Sasuke's side, trying to keep him conscious while he worked to stop the bleeding from Orochimaru's bite. The snake smiled evilly," That won't do any good. He can't handle the toxin. It's a shame. I would have loved to have a Sharingan earlier, but oh well... Enjoy the death I have caused to you and all you care about, boy." Once he was finished speaking, the Snake King burrowed into the earth and disappeared.

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Two Days Later...

Itachi was kneeling in the dirt, smoothing out his parent's graves. He had buried them himself, and even made a headstone by carving their names on a large stone and placing it at the top of the grave. The grave site was located behind the ruins of his former home. Itachi spoke a brief prayer and placed a bundle of wild flowers on the graves. Sighing, Itachi got up and went to check on his little brother's corpse to make sure no scavenger animal had attacked it.

After Orochimaru's attack, and before his death, Sasuke had told Itachi what happened while he was away. Apparently, the day had started off normal, then a horde of demons arrived with a strange man wearing a mask. The masked man had a powerful ability of his own and had been able to overwhelm Konoha's demon hunters, while his demon followers had killed the civilians and destroyed all the houses and other buildings. There were only a few survivors of the attack.

Orochimaru himself had attacked the Uchiha household. The snake demon had been searching for both Itachi and Sasuke, but had only found the youngest Uchiha and his parents. This caused him to become angry and attack. Sasuke had seen his parents get killed trying to protect him, and he nearly fainted from the shock, and couldn't recount anything after their deaths. After that, he had began to cry and Itachi had comforted his little brother and gently told him to stop talking about the tragedy.

The worst part of this whole situation was the fact that Sasuke had asked why this had to happen. The eleven-year old couldn't comprehend why all this death and destruction had to occur. Itachi had his suspicions, but didn't say anything because he didn't want Sasuke to worry in his final moments of life. Instead, Itachi had recounted stories from their childhood trying to remember the happier times. It had worked, and Sasuke had fallen asleep with a small smile of his face. A few hours afterward, he had quietly passed away from the snake's poison.

Now, Itachi was responsible for burying his brother's body. He dug a deep hole next to his parents' final resting place and carefully placed Sasuke's body inside.

"Good bye, little brother." Itachi said, eyes filling with tears as he began filling the grave with dirt. Inch by inch, the coffin was being obscured by the dirt, and the hole was soon filled. Once he was finished, he collapsed over the grave and cried for the first time in years. He cried himself to sleep on that grave, and woke up several hours later, face dirty and tear-streaked.

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The moon was full, illuminating Itachi as he placed the gift he had bought for Sasuke on his grave. The gift was a decorative dagger with a beautifully carved dragon on the handle. Sasuke had liked dragons. He had always said they were cool. Itachi had known this and had gotten the weapon, but now he would never see his brother's reaction. That realization was very upsetting, but Itachi had promised himself he wouldn't cry anymore.

"Hey. What happened here?" a female voice asked..

Itachi was startled, and activated his Sharingan out of reflex. "Who are you?" the boy said, sounding hostile.

A woman and a man approached him warily. The woman had shoulder-length blue hair and a flower of the same color in her hair. The man had spiked orange hair, and his eyes were concealed in the darkness. Both of them wore black cloaks with red cloud patterns on them. The woman spoke,"Are you okay?"

"No. My whole family was killed by a demon. Why would I be okay?" Itachi said, crimson eyes blazing.

The newcomers noticed the eye color and exchanged looks. The man nodded once, and stepped closer to the boy. "Don't worry, child. I'm like you." Then he revealed his own eyes. They were circular patterns of blue and purple that started at the pupil and made their way across the entire eye surface. "Like you, I am a human with a special power."

Itachi's eyes returned to their normal dark shade. The man smiled faintly,"But unlike you, I cannot turn my power off when I feel like it."

The woman looked around at the destruction and said, "This looks like Orochimaru's handiwork. Wouldn't you agree, Pein-sama?"

The man, Pein, nodded."Yes, it does." He addressed Itachi,"Tell me child, do you know why this happened?"

The last Uchiha shook his head. He wanted to know what these people had to say.

"That demon that attacked was known as Orochimaru. He seeks rare powers that should be only present in demons, but for some reason, humans have them. The powers are usually clan-specific. Those eyes you possess are clear indicators of this. He came for your power."

Itachi nodded in understanding. His father used to tell him stories about the Uchiha clan and their legendary abilities. The Sharingan was the most notable and could be used in a number of different ways when properly mastered. Using fire element attacks was also an Uchiha trait. However, not all clan members have the abilities mentioned. So far, Itachi and Sasuke only had both. Since Itachi was older, he had more time to use his skills, while Sasuke had only recently developed the Sharingan and didn't know how to use it very well.

"I had guessed as much, but that still doesn't tell me who you are." Itachi said.

"My name is Konan, and I am a member of the Akatsuki." she gestured to Pein,"He is called Pein, and he is in charge of the Akatsuki. Our organization deals with demons; we hunt all of them, no matter how dangerous they are."

"And?" questioned the teen. Konan looked like she had more to say.

"We are currently looking for new members. Since you survived an attack from a demon and have obvious skill, you would be a good recruit."

Itachi didn't reply. He just looked around at the ruined land and the graves of his family. He had nothing here; not a single thing worth sticking around for. If the snake demon was to be believed, then staying here would just make Itachi an easier target, but leaving with these strangers could be dangerous too...

Pein interrupted Itachi's considerations,"Think about it like this, what do you have left to lose?"

"Nothing." Itachi replied, "Fine, I'll join. I don't see any other options for myself. "

"A wise choice. You do realize that we do not hunt for the sake of revenge, right? We hunt to achieve a better world, free from the horrors that demons cause. Do you agree to support this cause?" Pein asked, his voice reflecting the graveness of the topic.

"Yes. That's fine with me. I know exactly what demons are capable of."

"Excellent. Now gather your things. We will depart immediately." Pein said, then began to walk away from Konan and Itachi. The woman glanced at Itachi, who was checking over the graves once more, making sure they would be safe against the weather. "Is this what you really want?" she asked him.

He nodded, remembering the Konoha demon hunters and their invitation to him. "Before, I didn't have a reason to kill demons, but now I do. If I can kill them to save someone else, then it'll make my life more meaningful. If I stay here, I'll probably just waste away from my grief. I'd rather leave and have a fresh start. After all, there is nothing to keep me here." Itachi said, grabbing the backpack he had brought with him on his trip to Suna.

Konan listened to him, and felt bad to see such a young person dealing with such an event, although she did know that death was just a part of living, especially in a world of both humans and demons. "What's your name, boy?" she asked him as they left towards the road out of Konoha, following Pein's lead.

"Itachi Uchiha."

She smiled faintly,"Welcome to the Akatsuki, Itachi."

"Hn." was his reply. As they reached the pathway into the heart of the forest, Itachi looked behind him one last time, at his old life. Goodbye, everyone, he thought. Itachi sighed once, but quickly turned around. There was no point in looking back, especially when a new life greeted him...

The life of a hunter.