Hey guys! Well this is it - the last part of the 'Betrayal' series and I admit I'm a bit sad as i've been working with this series for nearly two years now - and it's really grown on me! Ah well - gotta get it done sometime. (: Anyway, this fic is gonna be probably more darker and longer than the prequels.

At least ten reviews before I update again, please! I need to know you guys are still with me - my morale is wavering! :O

"... Blah ... " - Speech

" ... Blah ... " - Thoughts and flashbacks

" ... Blah ..." - Kyuubi and Haekeri

Betrayal 3: Destiny's Darkness

Chapter One: Began With A Farewell

Written by xFadingMoonx

-&-

Rain. Sheets of rain.

The bleak grey sky above contained huge droplets that thundered down hard onto the cold pavement of the quiet streets and hammered the tiled roofs of the silent houses. Puddles steadily grew bigger in size until a mini-flood looked as if it might form and threaten to drown anything it would come across. Still it wouldn't matter – the rain exactly matched the dire mood of the atmosphere like an old, dead goose.

Somewhere, deep in the faces of the previous rulers, the mountain had a fairly large chamber. In this particular chamber, gathered the huddling figures of the villagers. Their faces hid beneath the sea of black clothing and hushed tones. Almost everything had been drained of colour. Except for the mass of roses bundled clumsily up at the top of the room. As a figure in a cloak who was stood by the flowers, lowered his hands, the entire assembly gratefully lowered themselves into seats and again, diverted their attention to the front.

Sakura grimaced slightly as she rubbed her legs, still a little sore from her last major battle with Ashi not too long ago. To the left of her, was Naruto. His face solem and full of pain, she gently ran her fingers over his clenched fist and leaned her head on his tense shoulder.

"He's at peace now." She whispered, nuzzling into his neck. Naruto himself didn't say anything, but he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. Sasuke, who was on the other side of Sakura, leaned in and muttered something about 'stop talking'. Sakura had to stop herself from shrieking herself silly at him. But remembering where they were, she crossed her arms and scowled. Sending him a major death glare, she whispered. "I'll kick him later." A small smile tugged at the side of Naruto's lips, it didn't last too long however as he remembered the dark atmosphere and concentrated on not crying. He'd bite his lip all day if he needed to!

On the other side of Sasuke was Ashi was an incredibly bored expression on his face and swinging his legs carelessly under his chair. Sakura didn't know too much about teenagers and if they even had the decency to show a little respect or whatever .. She leaned across a stunned Sasuke and gently whacked the boy on the knee.

"Stop!" She hissed.

"Why?" He challenged.

"It's so disrespectful!" She could see the people around her glower at her as she struggled to keep her voice down. "This is a funeral not a damn school lecture, as you may think so, Ashi Uchiha - and there you are, acting as if nothing bothers you!"

"Then it's my loss isn't it?" Ashi shrugged. "I can respect the dead in my own little way without gathering in one place with hundreds of heated bodies pressing in on all sides and suffocating you. At least I'm here."

"Look you-.."

"I don't like to dwell on the past, that's all. Otherwise I'd still be sad over the loss of my mother." He pasted a lonely look on his face and she was cornered at a dead end. 'Dead end' - what an odd choice of words that so ironically suited the situation. She knew she had a point but yet she leaned over Sasuke's lap and whispered; "But, was my teacher." And resumed her seat.

"Look," Sasuke said quietly. "If you want to have a go at him - wait until after the ceremony. But for now, this is our time to say goodbye to Kakashi."