Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, nor any places, things, characters, or ideas therein. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto, Viz Media, Shounen Jump, TV Tokyo, etc. I am writing this fic for entertainment purposes only, not monetary gain.

Summary: Prequel to "Shadows." When Uchiha Itachi leaves his village and everything he's ever known behind, it's to follow his duty to another village, which he's sure he can never call home. Sabaku Temari finds something familiar about Suna's newest ninja, but who is he - and why does he drive her crazy at every turn? :Itachi x Temari:

Rating: T

Warnings: Violence

Pairing(s): Itachi/Temari, future Gaara/Hinata

Sequel to: Sunshine Prequel to: Shadows

Dedication: To everyone who took the time to read, review, favorite, and follow Shadows. Your kind words and support made writing that fic one of the most fun fandom experiences I've ever had, and I can honestly say Light and Dark would not have happened without you. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Author's Note: I'm so excited to start this new adventure with you all! There are so many things I'm looking forward to exploring further in this story - more about the ninja world in general, Itachi's and Temari's individual stories and what brought them together as a couple, and the rest of the sequence of events which eventually led Hinata to Suna. Thank you all so much for checking out this story, and I hope you enjoy the prologue!

*~Light and Dark~*

.:fyd818:.

*~Prologue~*

Is this what it feels like, knowing one's going to die?

The thought floated into Sabaku Temari's mind like a wispy cloud, bringing with it a strange calm as she watched the golden glow far above her begin to recede. The play of sunlight on the surface of the water had been pretty from the bridge above it, but now, from below, it seemed somehow sinister.

Darkness crept insidiously inward from the corners of her eyes. An increasing pressure in her chest forced from her lips the quick gasp of air she'd managed to pull in before hitting the water. Bubbles exited her mouth, racing upwards to the surface in a motion she couldn't seem to emulate. She pushed feebly at the weight simultaneously pushing as well as pulling her down, flailing her arms and legs; but her movements were slow, her limbs hopelessly heavy.

I am going to die. Fear stabbed her in the chest, along with pain as the cold water hit her lungs. I'm only twelve years old, but I'm going to die.

A shadow appeared above her, blocking out the sunlight. It cut rapidly through the water, coming closer and closer until it materialized into a person, one who reached for her through the water.

Temari tried to reach out her hand to meet him halfway, but the darkness sucked her in before she could.

...sharp pain in her chest...

...hands touching her...

...an unfamiliar voice shouting...

She came back to life with a choking gasp, instinctively rolling onto her right side as she vomited a frightening amount of water all over the ground and the mostly bare legs of the person kneeling next to her.

"Ah, there you are." The hands, which had been cupping her face only a moment before, supported her as she weakly rolled onto her back again. "I was beginning to think I hadn't reached you in time."

Confused, Temari blinked the last of the wetness out of her eyes and stared up into the face of her rescuer. He looked about her age, twelve or thirteen, with pale skin, inky black eyes, and equally black hair which was dripping all over her (not that it mattered, since she was soaked to the bone anyway). "What happened?" she croaked. Her throat - much like the rest of her body - hurt.

Leaning back, the boy rested his hands on his knees. "Best I can figure from what I saw, you were standing on the bridge over the creek, just staring down into the water - thinking deep thoughts, I suppose." A grin tugged at the corners of his lips, briefly brightening his ebony eyes. "But then a group of kids came running through, one of them pushed another into you, and over you went." His expression darkened slightly, surprising after his earlier levity. "Might I take this opportunity to apologize for my little brother?"

She had a vague memory of the things he'd mentioned, but her mind felt fuzzy, like it had been packed in cotton. "Why?" She swallowed thickly, wincing at the pain. Each breath felt like a bellows fanning the flame in her chest, not to mention the one in her throat. "What does your little brother have to do with this?" She had two of her own. She knew what little brothers were capable of. But still, she had to ask the question.

"He's the one who pushed Naruto into you. Not deliberately, I'm sure. Sasuke's really a good kid." Pushing his wet hair away from his face, he smiled winsomely. "Uchiha Itachi at your service, my little mermaid."

Scowling at the teasing in his tone - and words - Temari pushed herself up onto her elbows, surprised at the shakiness in her usually rock-steady limbs. "I am not a mermaid!" she protested.

Itachi grinned again. "That is quite obvious."

Grinding her teeth furiously, she nearly spat out her next words with exacting care. "I am Sabaku Temari, daughter of the leader of Suna. And do not think your perceived rescue of me has earned you any favor in my eyes, or the eyes of my family!" She made to push herself to her feet, determined to march her way back to the Hyuuga estate - even in all her dripping, bedraggled glory - and never, ever lay eyes on Uchiha Itachi again.

Before the thought could travel from her brain to her still strangely heavy limbs, Itachi had scooped her up and started strolling off toward the bridge from which she'd tumbled (or, more accurately, been pushed). "Sabaku Temari from Suna? I've heard of you - or, more precisely, of your father. You're staying at the Hyuuga estate. I'll take you there and make sure you're in good hands, unless you think you need to go to the hospital instead...?"

Her momentary shock having passed, Temari curled her hands into fists. "Put. Me. Down." Who in the world did this boy think she was, some simpering little damsel in distress? She'd nearly drowned, yes, but she'd been through years of ninja training. She was strong. She'd shake it off and keep going - without help, thank you very much.

Ignoring her protestations - and the surprised stares of all the people they were passing - Itachi strolled on as if he had all the time in the world. Of course he didn't find this embarrassing at all, considering he probably thought himself some sort of hero or something. "I would, but considering you just nearly drowned back there, I don't really think that's a very good idea. No offense, but I doubt you'd be able to stand up, let alone walk, if I did."

Nobody likes a know-it-all, you know. Biting back the scathing remark, she glared daggers into the side of Itachi's thick head. "I'm stronger than you obviously think I'm not."

"Your strength, or lack thereof, is not the issue." He shifted his hold on her when her squirming caused her to slip slightly. "You'd be surprised how much being in the water sucks the strength out of you."

Temari didn't want to admit how much she could still feel the shakiness in her limbs attesting to the truth of his words. That would prove him right, and she couldn't allow that to happen. "I'm fine."

"I'm sure you are," Itachi replied as he turned a corner and the gates of the Hyuuga estate came into view. "However, fortunately for you, I enjoy rescuing damsels in distress and carrying them about, so you might as well just relax and enjoy the ride."

"You are incorrigible!" She kicked out her right leg uselessly. "And I am not a damsel in distress."

"Not any more, anyway," Itachi agreed, far too cheerfully.

The guards at the gate either recognized her or the boy carrying her, for they opened the gates for the pair without any protests. They did, however, stare openly as Itachi carried her through them and into the courtyard beyond, where Temari was relieved to spot her brother and the girl to whom he'd seemed to take a fancy: Hinata, or something like that.

"Gaara!" When she saw his bright red head turn to her, she slapped Itachi's shoulder and scowled. "Make him put me down!" She kicked out one foot to punctuate her point. Wait'll you tangle with my brother. See how heroic you seem then.

Scrambling to his feet, Gaara shifted his gaze from his wet sister to her equally soaked savior. "What happened?" he asked, ignoring his sister's protests. Temari felt her hopes sink as rapidly as she had in the water just a few minutes before.

"The lady here decided to take a swim," Itachi replied, shifting his grip on the still-squirming Temari. "After pulling her out of the water, I finally managed to get out of her where she was staying so I could bring her back here and make sure she's all right."

"I was perfectly fine!" Temari half-screeched, half-croaked. If he said one more word, she was going to grab a fistful of that (surprisingly beautiful, she grudgingly acknowledged) black hair and yank it out from the roots. See how self-superior he is then!

"You obviously can't swim," Itachi remarked. Fortunately for him, he didn't smile, or she very well might have followed through on her personal promise.

"That's not my fault! I'm from the desert - lakes aren't exactly around every corner where I live!" Humiliation - as well as realization of how close she'd really come to dying - was beginning to sink in. But her pride wouldn't allow her to admit he might be right. That would mean she would lose this little battle, and she hadn't lost a battle - whether verbal or physical - since she was five.

Gaara glanced back toward the mansion, his green eyes full of - wait, was that concern? For her? "Thank you for the help," he said, returning his gaze to his sister and the boy holding her. Whatever had been in his gaze before had vanished. "If you could just bring her into the house...?"

"I am perfectly capable of walking on my own two feet," Temari said icily. Her limbs were feeling a bit steadier, and though her head still felt a bit fuzzy, and her throat and chest tight and painful, she determined she would stand on her own two feet even if it killed her.

Without warning, Itachi dropped the arm holding her legs, allowing her to stand upright. Feeling as if the world had just dropped out from beneath her, Temari's feet landed on the grass with a squishy thud. Success! Before she could make a smug remark, however, her knees buckled, and she felt herself falling frighteningly fast. Fortunately, Itachi still had his arm around her. He swung her back up into his arms again with little fuss. "You were saying?" he asked blithely.

Temari scowled but said nothing, subdued and humiliated beyond measure. I am weak.

Gaara turned and started toward the house, Hinata walking alongside him on silent, slippered feet. "Thank you for saving my sister,...?" He tilted his head toward Itachi questioningly.

"Itachi. Uchiha Itachi." He nodded once, briefly, then slipped off his wet shoes when they reached the front porch of the house. Temari thought about kicking hers off - preferably on a trajectory that would make them impact Itachi's head - but decided not to at the last moment. "And I didn't really mind. I'm always willing to help-" he paused as if considering his words; Temari thought fiercely, Don't say it again! Don't say it! - "a damsel in distress."

At this, Temari let out a low growling sound. "Why, you little-" She allowed her voice to drop as she spit out every vile curse she could think of. Hinata's already big eyes rounded; but that was the only reaction she got, the two boys apparently ignoring her.

"I'm Sabaku Gaara," her brother offered, raising his voice slightly to be heard over her tirade. "That's my sister, Temari. And this is Hyuuga Hinata, my friend."

Hinata curtsied slightly, then turned to head deeper into the house. Before she could call out, however, her mother appeared in the doorway, looking surprised to see the group in the entryway - then appalled at Temari and her rescuer's bedraggled state. She hurried over, her pale eyes wide with concern.

"Are you all right, dear?" she asked Temari, placing one hand against the blonde's forehead to feel for fever.

Temari resisted the urge to jerk away from the woman's touch. "I'm fine," she stressed. "This guy-" she slapped her hand against Itachi's shoulder "-overreacted." And is making a big deal out of something I'd really rather wish we would all forget. Quickly.

Itachi looked unfazed. "She fell into the creek," he said. "I - ah - fished her out." The corner of his mouth tugged upwards in an only partially repressed smile. Temari curled her hand into a fist to repress the urge slap it off his face. Like it or not, he had saved her, and she knew the stance her father would take on the issue. Undoubtedly she'd be made to thank the smug jerk before they left Konoha. Oh joy, oh fun, oh happiness. Can't we all just forgive and forget and move on like this never even happened?

Lady Hoshi turned, at the same time motioning for Itachi to follow her. "Thank goodness it's warm," she said. "Please follow me. Don't worry, Temari, we'll have you dried out in no time."

The thought of dry clothes appealed so much Temari didn't protest as Itachi carried her through the house toward her quarters. But she refused to say anything to him, even after he laid her down on her pallet and backed away, murmuring a, "I hope you suffer no ill effects from your accident, Lady Temari," as he bowed.

The door closed behind him, and Temari prayed she would never, ever, have to see him again.

If she did, it would be far too soon - and she would most certainly not be responsible for her actions.

*~Ten Years Later~*

Uchiha Itachi woke with the sunrise, lost somewhere between fragile hope and crushing despair.

Moving woodenly, he completed his morning ablutions and finished packing away his few belongings. Ironic - the sum total of my life, tucked away in a single pack. Lips curling lopsidedly at the thought, Itachi shouldered the pack and left the room in which he'd been all but confined for the past five long years.

He'd made his decisions, cast his lots, and considered the consequences a long time ago. He knew how this would play out, and though he'd always hoped differently, he was ready to accept things as being the way they were, and move on.

Literally.

Itachi swung by the kitchen just long enough to eat a healthy, filling breakfast he didn't taste. Ignoring the mingled curious and caustic stares focused on him, he slipped out the side door, around the house, to the courtyard where a woman, three horses and two escorts waited for him.

Senju Tsunade crossed her arms over her buxom chest and pinned Itachi with her intense amber eyes. Itachi stared back calmly, feeling numb in the face of her knowing look. Even though she knew the truth - the only one besides himself who did - he felt nothing past the respect she deserved.

His loyalties had changed now. The fact they'd been forced to do so through necessity, not choice, had nothing to do with his apathy. It was simply the way things were. He'd decided he would follow the course of things and merely hope for anonymity. Most particularly, the ability to walk down the street without feeling every suspicious glare prickling at the back of his neck. Without the ability to look at someone and know exactly what they were thinking about him.

I am a shadow. I am invisible. I have chosen this life. It is my duty. It is my honor. The words did not hold the same meaning, the same pride, as they had six years ago. His dead family had seen to that.

Tsunade's hard gaze drifted from his face, to the mount waiting for him, and then back. "You understand once you exit Konoha's gates, there's no coming back. If you are found within this village's walls once again, you will face imprisonment beyond that from which you were just released. Perhaps worse." Her threat needed no further description. Itachi's nightmares had done a perfectly fine job filling in the blank themselves.

"I understand." Bending at the waist, he bowed deeply to Lady Tsunade, only straightening when he heard her clear her throat. "It has been an honor to serve Konoha," he said, for her ears only. "Thank you for everything you have done for me."

Konoha's leader nodded her blonde head, the brief hint of softness in her eyes the response she couldn't verbalize. "Have a safe journey, Uchiha Itachi, and I wish you good fortune in your new village."

Itachi tilted his head in acknowledgement before swinging up into his saddle. The chestnut gelding he'd been granted leave to use nodded his head, eager to get moving. He couldn't work up the enthusiasm to match his mount's sentiment.

Due to the early hour, most of Konoha was still steeped in its daily wake-up routine, leaving the streets mercifully empty. The few people out and about, however, scurried to the sidelines and stared until Itachi, Hatake Kakashi, and Yamato Tenzou were far past. Keeping his gaze focused forward, Itachi kept his gelding reined in to a sedate walk and tried not to let the stares - or his own frightful anticipation - bother him.

His mind briefly flashed back to the dream from which he'd woken less than a half hour past. Strange, him remembering the day he'd saved Sabaku Temari from the creek. It had been a flashback to a brief window of time in his childhood, but a memory he jealously guarded nonetheless. He'd not spared a thought to the ungrateful little mermaid in years. Perhaps it was the fact he was soon to call her village his own home that made him dream of their one short encounter now.

The trio was almost to the massive wooden gates leading out of the village when Itachi finally saw him. Perched on a well-shaded branch high in a tree, Uchiha Sasuke stared with undisguised hatred as his older brother rode past, pretending not to see him.

Take care of him. Itachi breathed the unspoken plea into the early-morning stillness, addressed to the village in general. He'd given up the right to do so himself five years ago, on the night he'd lost his brother's respect and love.

And yet...

Shaking his head, Itachi passed beneath the arch marking Konoha's boundary, not daring to look back. No matter what you think of me, how much you hate me, I will always love you. It applied as much to the village of his birth as to his beloved little brother.

Behind him, the gates thudded shut, never to be opened to him again.

*~To Be Continued~*

Author's Ending Notes: Those of you who have read Sunshine will recognize the first scene - I was excited to be able to write it from Temari's point of view! I'm also excited to have this opportunity to delve deeper into several things I was only able to allude to in Shadows - the ninja world in general, Itachi and Temari's individual stories and their road to marriage, and the rest of the sequence of events which brought Hinata to Suna. Thank you again, so much, for reading Light and Dark, and I hope you enjoyed the prologue! I hope to see you again for the next update!