Thank you Panda-chan! You are the inspiration for this story!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto...How many times do I have to say that??!!

"Destiny is not set in stone and is forever changing. One must make their own destiny or it will pass you by. Now choose your path. Fight me and lose...or take my gift and win..."

That's what she told me as we stood there, facing each other, with the moonlight dancing in her darkened hair. Cold seeped slowly into my bones as my eyes began to burn. I found myself biting my bottom lip in uncertainty and frustration and tasted my own blood.

She moved slowly, elegantly, until she stood no more than four feet away from me and then raised her arm. My eyes widened slightly as two bloodstained, silver chains slipped from her long pale fingers like they were nothing more than weightless strips of silk. Dangling there before my eyes were two rectangular pictures, framed in the same fake-silver as the chains were made out of.

How did I know they were fake? Well, because the weres couldn't touch silver. I probably shouldn't have known that..but I did. It wasn't harmful to them, just...annoying...like an inch you couldn't scratch. I drew in a slow, shaky breath and forced myself to really see the pictures before me.

In the one was a picture of a redheaded boy who didn't look to be more than sixteen. empty jade eyes stared back at me and I felt a shiver run the length of my spine. I managed, somehow, to tear my eyes away from the hauntingly beautiful face and turn my attention to the other one. A picture of him.....

Golden hair, looking like he had just crawled out of bed, was spiked in every direction and falling over the most dazzling blue eyes I'd ever seen. He was wearing a cocky grin that made those eyes light up and sparkle.

My eyes burned with the intensity of the emotions that that face stirred in me, and with the unshed tears I felt gather there.

"You sound like him." I refused to admit that my voice was starting to shake. Or that there was a lump in my throat I just couldn't swallow. "I don't know...."

I couldn't look into her eyes. Couldn't face the raw power and strength that was reflected there.

She shrugged, her gaze never leaving my face. "I have the same beliefs as him, so I would sound something like him. No one can control you. Whether cursed or marked your mind is your own. Your choices are your own...You just have to choose..."

My chest tightened and if I had had a heart at that moment I was sure it would have broken. I felt my nails digging into my palms and the stinging sensation gave my mind something to center on. My chaotic thoughts slowed and I found myself straitening to face the creature before me as she spoke again.

"I have laid the paths before you. Choose now which one you will walk."

********* 3 yrs ago*****

"A penny for your thoughts."

Dark blue eyes slid closed as a shadowy figure settled himself on the branch above her. The hard edges of her mouth softened slightly as she pushed herself off the tree she was leaning against.

"My thoughts are worth more than that."

The man chuckled and dropped to the ground beside her. There was barely a whisper of sound as he landed in a crouch. "Maybe, Dearest. But that doesn't mean I'd pay more than that."

The woman smirked as she raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that right?" A shadow crossed her face as she stared out into the darkened forest and began to walk."Just what do you think your doing here anyway?"

"The king is dead, and his heir is soon to be king. You are one of the most powerful ancients and hold alot of sway with the council. Don't you think you'd serve His Highness better by standing beside the boy?"

The woman scowled as she waved off the man's words. " I won't serve anyone I do not approve of. I won't return to the castle until there is a worthy king on the throne. And Sasuke Uchiha is not that king."

And he wasn't. He was proud and prestigeous. He hated anything different or weaker than him. Preyed on them. Her gut twisted in disgust. He loved blood too much...her thoughts were cut off by the man following her.

"If this is because of Shino-" His words were cut off by the fist that connected with his face. The strength behind the punch sent him flying into the nearest tree.

Pure rage turned her blue eyes a complete black as she snarled. "You will never...never -"

A hand closed gently over her shoulder and pulled her back against a solid chest."Easy, Brittany. Don't kill him. He is still useful." Strong arms closed around her and she relaxed despite herself.

A chuckle sounded off to her right. "My foolish little brother doesn't know what he's up against."

Brittany turned her head to glare at him but a hand catching her chin stopped her. "Enough. If your going to go through with this then we need to move now."

"Pein's right....unfortunately...."

Brittany sighed. "Fine. But this isn't over Itachi."

"You'll get your turn to torture my brother...but only after I have had my turn."

A dark chuckle escaped the raven-haired vampire as he turned and walked away, fading into the shadows.

_____________________TO BE CONTINUED

ok! that's that! what did you think??? please R&R!!!!

reviews will be LOVED! flames will be tolerated....-_-