Being a genius isn't simple. It means being alone. Itachi knows this. No one was ever able to truly understand him, not his family, not his lover, not even his beloved little brother. Sure, sometimes he had managed to feel good but that was because he was forgetting himself. If he actually forgot himself he could have a glimpise of happiness. But that would mean being someone else and that was something that Itachi refused to do. He was himself. The bad and the good parts, the genius and the outcast.

Because that was what he was. An outcast.

Feared or respected by adults even at a young age, followed around by his brother who wanted to be like him, surrounded by so called friends that wanted nothing more than being noticed and understood that could happen if they sticked with him. He had a friend. One. Once.

But he had to kill him.

Too young, put in front of the horrible reality that war is, his mind was scarred. Nobody noticed this. Nobody saw just how desperately he wanted peace, how far he wuold come to get it and ensure his brother's safety.

Because he loved his little brother. Truly. And that never changed with the years. No matter how strong was the desire to turn back and go home, to make the new Hokage regognize what e did for the village under the Third's order. He had slaugtered his own clan wholly in the name of that peace that seems to be conquered only with brute force. That's not true.

But nobody ever told him. That was the only way he knew.

He should have killed his beloved little brother with everyone else but he couldn't. He left him alive, but he realized that he needed a reason not to fade. He gave it to him. He gave him the only thing he knew, he gave him hatred. But now he was tired. Oh so tired. His illness was eating him alive from the inside, his sight was fading and he spent his day in pure agony, feeling his body burn. He wanted it all to end.

Well, maybe that wound on his chest would grant his wish.

He chuckled.

"Fuuuuuk I'm lost!"

"... tell me you're kidding" a girl's voice said.

"Emm..no?"

"What the fuck Naruto! You told us you knew where we were!"

"Well, I did! I just don't know where we are NOW!"

"..."

"...forgive me?"

A snort.

"You. Shut up teme! Oh come ooooon!" whined Naruto.

Sasuke just snorted again.

"..."

"Pleeeeaase!"

"Argh! Ok, ok just stop giving me those puppy dog eyes!"

The girl just laughed.

Naruto grinned and looked at his female companion. There was no doubt, Eilan was beautiful. Her hair were cut really short on the left side while they grew long on the right, 'till her waist in a straight line. They where so green, she seemed to have emeralds on her head and her eyes where the exact same colour. She was tall and lean, and her red lips where always ready to crack a smile... or to start swearing. She did have a temper after all.

Naruto shivered. She had been in Konoha for two years now and she was his best friend, or better, the sister he had never had. She was the one that helped him bring Sasuke back, the one who made him realize that he had feelings for the raven haired boy and the one that helped them get together. Even Sasuke was fond of her. His eyes softened when they landed on his boyfriend. They had been together for nealy a year now and he couldn't be happier.

"What is it dobe?" There. Always the romantic one. He wondered why he put up with him.

"You know, I wonder why I put up with you"

"Hn"

"The great sex I think" said Eilan. Both males stared at her. "What? We live in the same house, you think I don't hear you have sex?"

"EILAN!" Naruto screamed while Sasuke just blushed and put an hand on his face.

"Emm.. sorry?" they all laughed. That little pest managed to be so terrible sometimes but they loved her. She made them realize how stupid they where being and gave her a second chance at life. A chance they had been using with great happiness.

"So, the problem remains. We still do not know where we are" she said. They were returning from a mission and had trusted Naruto to bring them back since -he knew the way home-. Sure. that was why they were in forest, in the middle of nowhere and without the slighest idea where to go. Perfect.

Sasuke looked around but even he couldn't recognize the place, nor he saw any sign that could lead them to a more secure road. With people. Where they could ask information to someone with some actual knowledge of geography.

"Hn, dobe".

"Will you stop with the insults teme?"

"Hn".

"...I hate you". Sasuke smirked.

"Oh, come on! You're both being such babies! I'll stay right here and wait for you to return and pick me up while you go and search for the way back home" Eilan said.

Sasuke and Naruto looked at her with worry on their faces "Are you sure that leaving you here all alone is a good idea?"

"Guys, as much as I love you and am touched by your concern, don't forget that I'm maybe the only ninja in our village that could beat you pretty asses so go! I can take care of myself" and with that she glared at them.

It was true. Not only was she a stong ninja that specialized in short rage combat, she was also the best medic-nin since Tsunade. The Godaime herself had decided to train her when she saw how much potential was in that girl.

Ruffling her head Naruto said "Don't be so cocky. We'll get going and come back soon ok?". She smiled at them and nodded. Before leaving Sasuke muttered under his breath "You'll be the death of us". Naruto and Sasuke departed followed by the sound of laughter.

A/N: There we go. A first attempt to a story, hope you like it. :)