Haha, here it is. :3

I still feel that I'm OOCing Sasuke in this. xp Oh well, I guess.

Hope you like my version of him after the happenings of the oh-so brotherly fight in the manga. I cried when Itachi died. ;w;

I'm really gonna miss him. Perhaps I'll make a story later for him. . .

Any who! ENJOY! 8DDD

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, the characters in Naruto or the realm of Naruto. If I did. . .yeah. ;D

The solemn trudge around the outskirts of Konohagakure seemed much more longer than first assumed it would take to clear this shinobi's thoughts. Three, no, five days at the least since his searching walk had begun. Maybe even a week? To him, it hadn't felt that long; time had flown by him in a daze. You think he wouldn't feel as hollow and lost as he felt right now, the sinking and heavy weight in his chest almost seemed to make him walk slower than normal. But, it did feel exactly like that. This was opposite of what he believed would have happened, not thinking he would suffer this incredible pain nestled in his heart.

Since when did he have a heart? A low and empty chuckle tried pressing its way through his pale lips, like his body was attempting to lighten up that burdened load. It didn't go through. The soul within the body being much too stubborn to show emotion, not when he felt so drained and worn. He had killed many people in his young life, the cause to unbearable pain upon others, and he had severed ties to the only people who cared for him. What Goddamn right did he have to laugh now, of all times? He couldn't, it was impossible for him, the way he was now. If the younger him had been staring at him right now, he'd probably call him pathetic and turn his back on him.

Kakashi had been completely right, pointing out the end to him at day one. How ironic… One of his very first senseis had called him out before it even began.

Just barely, the two-ton package of pain lifted slightly, the faintest of smirk forming across his mouth. It was an odd expression, his black eyes void of feeling, and the only thing that gave him away was the tiny smirk painted on his lips. The thought alone was enough for him, to be able to remember what he had gone through before choosing to become a traitor. A traitor to his village and his friends. It was an unforgivable sin that nothing could ever make up for what he has done.

Briefly, his eyes closed in exhaustion and depression, the smirk fading altogether. He wondered how they were doing, the teammates he had dared to leave behind. Were they still the same as they had been on their last meeting? Was that dobe still as idiotic as ever? Would she fawn over him like she used to, claiming to "love" him? Was their sensei still arriving late whenever he ordered them to gather somewhere, making up the oddest excuses he's ever heard?

In all honesty, he simply wanted to go back to the way things were, to forget that these past three years were only a dream. Yes, a terrible, terrible dream… If anything, he wanted things to go back further than that. Ten or twelve years ago, to be more precise. Continuing to trudge warily over the plush grass he clearly remembered, his eyes slowly pulled their eyelids over them in reminiscence. He wanted the simpler times, his short-lived innocence as a little kid who had an older brother to look up to. He did have an older brother, and it took until his last dying breath to have him realize that. The blood drenched poke to his forehead had made something inside of him click.

A wave of sadness flooded over him, snapping his dark gaze open once more to dash away the thought. No, he had done the right thing. He was an Avenger, and he had done his duty to avenge his dead family and clan. He had done his duty…just like his brother had done. It hadn't been his choice to kill their clan, he had to. His ultimate mission; to save the shinobi world and the people of the Hidden Leaf Village.

That's what Madara had told him, practically having to force the information down his reluctant throat. He didn't want to know, he didn't want to know that what his brother had done was actually for the better of the village. His older brother had betrayed his trust; the bastard had killed his family. No way in hell was he going to think he actually did it to protect him. Even if his last ounces of life only showed that he-

No! Stop it! Under no circumstances will I think about that man…! Tightly, his jaws clutched together in anger and frustration, his pale hands at his sides balled into fists. His weak and tired body shook with the rage that boiled up within his veins, a normal reaction to whenever he thought about the man who claimed to train him some other time. Itachi never loved me! It was only an act, if he did, then he would have never left me alone like he did. He wouldn't have left me alone…

Slowly the intense burning sensation eased, replaced back with the cold and dead feeling in his spirits. The little child in him felt like crying his eyes out, anything to release the emotions he had kept inside of him since he had killed the one man he strived to kill all his young life. Wanting to scream out that he was sorry he hadn't realized it until it was too late, he just wanted his older brother back… But, no, he was dead now. And he was the one who had his blood on his hands. He killed the only family he had left in the world, and he now had to face the deep regret in his soul. If only there was a jutsu in existence that could turn back time. Everything would be different for him. Will it be any better reliving it though? Personally, he really didn't want to go through that kind of pain of being betrayed by the person he admired most. One was too many as it was. Look where it had gotten him.

Gradually, he could sense his slowing down actions, soon coming to a complete stop in the middle of an open clearing in the forest. The uncaring and soulless gaze drifted around him, drawing in a shallow breath of the strong smelling leafs. It even smelled the same as what he remembered. Though every part of his being would never admit it, he was extremely tired. Pier to what he wanted to do, he seriously needed to sit down somewhere and rest, unless he wanted to pass-out that is.

With a heavy sigh, he forced his legs to carry him to a tree that was deemed safe enough to take refuge under. A soft grunt came out of his lips as he crouched down to sit, his sore muscles finally putting in their two cent for the non-stop walking these past days. He was more tired than he thought he was, warily resting the back of his jet-black hair against the rough trunk. Even if it wasn't the best thing he's ever put his head against, it sure as hell beat just walking by a long shot. The pure onyx eyes closed shut after a few more glances to ensure a peaceful nap, drifting off into a state of light slumber moments after closing his eyes. The ex-Konohagakure kept his guard up even in sleep; he didn't exactly want to wake up only to find himself dead by some low-life rogue ninja.

Rustle…thud…thud…rustle…tap…
Although the sound was faint yet it was enough to awake the Avenger from his sleep. The dark brow twitched ever so slightly, letting the world know the orbs below them would open soon. Flashing those crimson Sharigan eyes, he glared at whoever was unlucky enough to have woken him at a time like this. This Uchiha defiantly wasn't anything close to even being in a good mood or as good as Uchiha, Sasuke got. Which wasn't very grand to start with.

His piercing stare darted to his right side, remaining absolutely still besides the movement of turning his neck. Shoulders tensed at the possible threat of being jumped in a weaken state like he was currently in. With barely anything in his stomach for the past week, the odds weren't exactly in his favor. Lately, everything felt like it was just going down hill for him, including his shitty luck.

Any previous noise had died down, a pretty musical sound filling in the momentary silence. As if breaking the intensity that he could feel so well, drifting in the air like a harsh breeze that wouldn't subside until now. Sasuke found himself curious to see who, or what, caused such a lovingly calm sound. His shoulders visibly relaxed after tuning into the soft noise alone, a close to a peaceful sense flowing over him. How long had it been since he felt this way about anything? This was how he thought it would be like after killing his brother. Oh, how wrong he had been to make that assumption.

Surprising him enough to look back up in the general direction he presumed it would be coming from, the slow humming turned into singing words. The Uchiha knew instantly whoever it was hadn't even realized that he was listening, but it had turned into a she.

"Little child, be not afraid," the words were sung so sweetly that it made the stone-hearted missing-nin wonder about his dislike to anything sugary. "The rain pounds harsh against the glass, like a unwanted stranger, there is no danger. I am here tonight…"

That's it; he had just about enough of just sitting there and listening to the gentle melody. If all went well, the mysterious woman wouldn't even know he was there at all, and he would be able to get away without any troubles. Pushing himself off the ground, his mouth let out an unheard grunt, not liking the suddenly decided move on his part. Sasuke stood up, not putting too much weight on his right leg, having it been injured in either the fight with Itachi or simply from walking too long. Honestly, at the moment, he really didn't give it much thought. Having the slightest of limps in his steps, the curious and cautious male weaved silently through the trees. The singing getting louder and louder as he drew nearer.

"Little child, be not afraid. Though thunder explodes and lightening flash, illuminates your tear stain face. I am here tonight." Just around this tree, he was sure his crimson optics would find the person responsible for the almost sad lullaby.

Unsure of where the woman was looking at, his bangs tickled the sides of his face, peeking just around the very edge of the trunk. He almost reeled back, prying his hard stare away from her in one swift movement. Somehow, Sasuke couldn't pull his eyes off of her, completely engrossed in just watching her. Instead of turning and walking away like he had originally planned on doing, the black-designed eyes remained fixed on the scene before him.

Following the soothing song had taken him to a small clearing, one that he could easily point out at least several rare flowers. (Now, Sasuke was no expert on flowers, but being around Ino enough had gotten him to catch onto a few things she had said.) A little off to the side, under the safety of the green tree's shadow, was where the young Uchiha's attention was. There she was, probably no older than he, judging by her appearance. She just sat there among the many flowers, just letting the relaxation filling her through every pore in her body. Her face was round with in a cutely innocent fashion, a relaxed smile spread over her still moving lips. Was she still singing? Why hadn't he noticed it until now?

"For you know, once even I was a little child and I was afraid. But a gentle someone always came to dry all my tears, trade sweet sleep for fears and give a kiss goodnight." The genuine smile wavered at the pause in the song, causing him to scowl in returned. Even through that, she picked up right where she left off, "Well, now I have grown and these years have shown that the rain is part of how life goes. But it's dark and it's late, so I'll hold you and wait, 'til your frightened eyes do close."

Reaching up, her nimble fingers ran through the long, mid-night blue strands of hair. The smile from when he first laid eyes on her surfaced once more. All this time her eyes had stayed covered and un-viewable to him. By an inch or two, Sasuke leaned over the side of the rough trunk, expectedly waiting to see what color eyes this beautiful woman held. She seemed so familiar to him. It was strange; he was so sure they had never spoken to each other before.

A soft and nearly unheard gasp broke the calm melody; all tension had been brought back up upon the noise. His shoulders tensed, but his feet remained planted on the grass. Black pools met endless white-tinted orbs, both staring and unmoving.

Shit…
Shit.
Shit!
He had been caught.

Looking over this for the thousandth time, I'm still not happy with it. D: It seems so short for my tastes, especially for a opening chapter. I don't think it's possible for me to make it any longer than it is. u.u

The song Hinata is singing is "Lullaby for a Stormy Night" by Vienna Teng. I really love this song. :3 It's preeetty

REVIEW! You totally know you wanna ;DDD They make Kiwa a happy camper. o wo