I don't own Naruto -
"speech"
"thought"
I was nervous, this was the day. The day Itachi killed everyone except Sasuke and hopefully me. Itachi had been acting weird for the past month or so and a few days again Shisui was found drowned. The memories of the series clear in my mind, what with the horrible events about to happen. Finishing off the last of my beef bowl I push the dish across the counter and pay the bill. I was on my way to the training ground me and Sasuke used partially to train but mostly to have an excuse to stay out of the Uchiha district for as long as possible. "Isane! Hey Isane!" I turn at the shout. "Oh it's just you Naruto." Pouting he replied. "What do you mean just me. I happen to be the next Hokage!" Cutting him off before he could get worked up."Is there something you wanted to ask me Naruto?" Nodding vigorously "I was wondering if you and Sasuke would train with me today?" I hesitate Naruto getting involved in what was going to happen tonight would be all sorts of bad, but keeping him out of the area would be simple. "Sure I suppose, I was going to meet Sasuke at the usual place so you can walk with me. But after we're done you won't be able to have dinner with us. Our Grandmother is coming over and she wants to have a 'family' dinner. Dad is upset, he hates her. Is that okay?" He has a puzzled look on his face, like he is trying to process to many words at once. "I guess so, I wasn't planing on going with you guy today anyway. Old Man Hokage wanted to talk to me and stuff." Letting out a mental sigh of relief I nod my head. Plastering a fake smile on I stick my foot out tripping him. "Last one there is a rotten egg!" "Hey! No fair!" The two of us run the rest of the way there.
-
"Sasuke we're here!" I yell into the clearing. I am always surprised by how happy he his compared to the series, but seeing everyone brutally murders over and over again, well that will change just about anyone. I shiver at the thought of getting zapped with Tsukuyomi. Even if I never really connected to any of the clan outside of Sasuke, watching something like that again and again would be pretty horrible for anyone. "Isane! Dead Last!" He greets us with a smile. That is one thing I have done is made friends between Naruto and Sasuke. They seem to have a fairly friendly rivalry. I smile as they start wrestling, not a very ninja sight at all. Clapping my hands to get their attention. "Alright listen up, I've got a new genjutsu that I want to try." Both of them shudder and step away from me. "I'm not that bad am I?" "Anyway this is something that is pretty nifty. I've been practicing on squirrels and stuff, so now is the time to take it to the next level." Naruto brave naruto steps forward. "All right! I'll do it. How bad could it be?" "The genjustu I made is incredible in it's simplicity. It is like a flash bang to the brain. By making the illusion of sound so loud they would deafen you. Colors that are too bright for your eyes to stand. And by strobing the effects you should end up on the ground vomiting and having a seizure." Looking much less brave than before Naruto gives a shaking nod. "I don't go back on my word. So go ahead and give it your best shot." I smile and activate my Sharingan, even after this time it is still amazing. Making eye contact I inject chakra into his brain through his eyes. Calling up memories of that horrible void I once found myself in. I battered his senses with impossible colors and deafening sounds all mixed in a horrible medley that worked exactly as I planned. Naruto dropped like a rock twitching and shivering for a few moments before vomiting all over the grass. "Holy crap! That was vicious! What did you do to him?" Sasuke always so supportive. "I told you I did something of a flash bang to the brain mixed with flashes of light. It can't be broken like a normal genjutsu because it takes effect immediately and only lasts a second. No one can resist it. It would be like training your liver to be stronger or something. But it only works with eye contact. Anyway naruto are you okay?" I lean down to check on him but he flashes me a thumb up and shakily pushes himself off the ground careful to avoid the vomit. "That was horrible but awesome Isane! I was like what? And you where like Pow! And then I was like Aaaruughhblargh! I didn't stand a chance. Do you think you could teach me that?" He looked so hopeful standing there covered in dirt and vomit, arms and legs still twitching. "Sorry Naruto that is going to be my personal justu. Besides you need the Sharingan to use it. That was why I could use it by making eye contact, instead of a bunch of hand seals I have to make eye contact." Put out at that he seemed to frown before bouncing back' "Alright now that that is over lets spar!' And with those words sprung at Sasuke who was caught completely flat footed. Watching the two of them trade blows I yell. "Watch out for the puke!" Distracting both of them I jump in. Taking advantage of surprise I land a pair of quick jabs to Sasuke's stomach sending him to the ground with a wheeze. Spinning around I snap a quick kick at Naruto's side which is quickly parried by his left arm. With my leg in the air Naruto uses his free hand to land a hard blow to my side. Groaning I back up only to fall on my ass as Sasuke trips me. Using the opening Naruto gives me a vicious kick to the face. Feeling something warm trickle out of my nose, I gather my feet under me and spring up with a wicked headbutt. The sound of our two heads connecting rings through the clearing. "Owww. Damn that hurt. You have a thick head Naruto" I complain but before he can respond Sasuke is on him. Using the opening to tackle naruto to the ground. Twisting around him Sasuke pulls one of his arms behind him in an arm bar, pushing it up Sasuke shouts. "Give up Dead Last!" "Never!" pushing the arm up farther naruto yelps in pain. "Give! Say Uncle!" Finally submitting. " Fine! OW owowowow Uncle! Uncle!" satisfied Sasuke lets go only to go flying from my vicious kick. Taking advantage of his stunned position I run over and land on top of him. Giving him a few quick blows to the sides and face I demand his surrender. "Give up little brother, you'll never beat me." Smiling I get off him. Walking over to your packs I withdraw three bottles full of water. Hand one to each of the others I relax and take stock of our injures. Naruto has a huge purple bruise on his forehead thanks to your headbutt. Sasuke is spotting a split lip and a black eye. I feel my nose and wince, definitely sore. I use some of the water to wash some of the blood from my nose off. Looking up I realize it is dark. Realizing it is time I tell the others. "Hey Naruto Sasuke it's time to head home. We should have left awhile ago. We will be late for dinner" Seeing the look of panic on Sasuke at that, almost breaks my heart. "Well in that case I should go and see the old man." With those words and a parting wave Naruto leave the clearing. Dreading what was coming but seeming no way to avoid it without being suspicious I reluctantly lead the two of us home.
Arriving at the Uchiha district, even without knowing what was happening something was obviously wrong. The whole district was quite and dark. Usually there where lights on and a few people out. Police force patrolling the streets the last of the vendors closing up shop. Tugging on my sleeve Sasuke speaks. "Isane something weird is going on. Where is everyone?" "Dead" I think but instead " I don't know but we better get home." That gets a frightened nod out of him. Taking his hand because I am certainly not frightened. Nope not a bit. I am terrified almost beyond reason. The only reason I don't activate my Sharingan is because I don't want the memories forever etched into my brain. Walking hand in hand along the road to our house I notice several puddles of blood. "Oh no. We have to find mom and dad! Whoever did this could have gotten them." Jerking out of my hand Sasuke raced down the street to our house. "No, wait Sasuke!' Panic gripped me, what if Itachi kills him? What if Itachi kills me? What if Madara kills me? Shivering I race after him. Reaching the door just a step behind Sasuke, I grab him. "Hold on stupid. Whatever is going on we need to stay together, okay." Giving a teary nod we wake further into the darkened home. Reaching the living room door and finding it closed. Flashing back to that episode of the show I realize this is it. "Mom?Dad?" Sasuke calls out. "Don't come in Sasuke." Itachi's voice echoes through the door. Heedless of Itachi's warning Sasuke opens the door. And just like the show, Mikoto and Fugaku lying there bloody and dead. "Mom? Dad?" I am startled that the voice this time is my own. I feel tears well up in my eyes. Even if I tried so hard to distance myself from them. First saying that they weren't my real parents, then saying I didn't want to get hurt when they died. I realized that I couldn't help but love two people who took care of me. People who cared for me when I was sick. Or when I set my hair on fire. I feel a swell of anger bubble up inside me. "Itachi, you did this. Why?" I ask, already knowing the answer. "To test my capacity." "To protect the village and save the brother I love" Distantly I hear Sasuke shouting. "I have to do something" "Itachi why? Do you really hate us, the clan so much?" Shaking his head "No I feel nothing, nothing but contempt. It is always about the clan. They were arrogant and deluded." "So that's it then you kill everyone else and now us. Saving your family for last." Unable to stop myself. "You should kill us. If you don't I hunt you to the ends of the earth. You will never know peace, I'll dog your every step until I've brought you to justice." Anger overwhelming fear I grab the practice kunai in my pouch and throw two of them. Across from me Sasuke is mimicking my actions. I know it's pointless but dammit I cant help be be mad. Mad at Itachi for killing everyone. Mad at the clan for planning that stupid coup. Mad at the village for making the clan feel left out. Mad at Madara for fanning the resentment. But mostly mad at myself. "Maybe if I just had tried harder, thought more I could have figured something out to stop this. Now everyone is dead because I didn't try hard enough. I'll never eat Mikoto no mothers yakitori again. Father will never laugh at Sasuke's stupid jokes." Grabbing my last kunai I swing it at Itachi's face. Making eye contact I throw as much chakra as I can into my genjutsu. Itachi moans and vomits, staggering backwards he waves his sword wildly. But before Sasuke or I could take advantage of his lapse he recovers. Wiping his chin he smiles. "So you have some fight in you after all. Maybe in a few years you'll be worth killing." Before I could respond I feel a burning pain in my stomach. Looking down I see a bloody sword sticking out of my stomach. Numb I shakily reach for it but with a flick of his wrist he removes it. I hear a scream and distantly I realize that it was me. Slumping to the floor I can only watch as Itachi uses his Tsukuyomi on Sasuke. The screams are horrible, worse I can only watch as it happens. Once again I am helpless, trapped in a body that won't respond to my commands. Almost as quick as it began it ended. I notice one of my kunai deflected from my earlier attack. Shakily I reach for it. Steadying my arm I throw it as hard as I can at Itachi's back. The kunai sails through the air and strikes home in his shoulder. Spinning around he looks at me and smiles. Stepping forward he raises his sword. "This is it. I'm really going to die again. God dammit! Again I fail to make my mark on the world. I couldn't even save my family." I stare as he raises his sword determined to go with at least a little pride. But instead of the blade the pommel comes racing towards my face and everything goes black.
-
I awoke to the feeling of sun on my face. Bolting up I immediately groan as my stiff muscles protest. "Oohh that hurts. Wait! I'm alive? Really alive?" Disbelieving my luck I quickly pat myself down. Yup still a girl with all the girl pieces. Getting up out of the bed I make my way to the bathroom. After taking care of things you strip and look in the mirror. Short black hair frames a pale face. A short pert nose sits between two bright green eyes on a round face. "I really do look like Sasuke except for the eyes." Looking where I was stabbed you don't see a scar. Craning my neck I check my back but there is no scar there ether. "Did I dream the whole thing? Am I crazy? Is this all just a dream?" Shaking the pointless thoughts away I don the hospital gown again. Opening the bathroom door I shriek. Standing there hat, pipe, robe and all is the third Hokage himself. Giving a hasty bow. "I am sorry Lord Hokage I didn't know you would be here." He laughs and waves it off with a smile. "There is nothing to forgive. You have been asleep for two days. Unfortunately I am here for some unpleasant business. Please sit." "Oh God he's here to finish the job, after all Itachi was suppose to kill Sasuke too." Doing my best to not run screaming I instead sit on the hospital bed. I say one word "Itachi" the Hokage nods grimly. "Yes, I need to know what happened. Itachi had been under an enormous amount of pressure in ANBU. But to do this." he shakes his head. I have to give it to the old man, if I didn't know the truth I would be convinced by his act. Of course he did regret it in the show so I can't hold too much against him. Giving my account of what happened the Hokage nods at all the right spots. He does seem impressed about my genjutsu. "That is an impressive thing you did. Itachi was one of the best, the fact that you, an Academy student managed to successfully use a genjustu and then wound him speaks well of your skills. Despite myself I blush. It's not everyday you get praise from the God of Shinobi after all. " I was thinking of calling it Overload. It is simple and direct just like the justu." He nods and speaks. "You and your brother were the sole survivors of Itachi's rampage. After he was driven off the place was sealed. I have taken the liberty of having the place cleaned up. The funeral will be in three days. You and Sasuke should be released tomorrow. Nodding I rise as he leaves. Laying back down on the bed I sigh. "Well that went as well as could be. I'm alive, Sasuke's alive. I should be happy I managed that much. And as screwed as this is now I have to worry about Orochimaru." The thought sends an ice cold jolt of fear through me. The thought of having the pale skinned pedo after my body fills me with fear. Taking a breath. "One thing at a time Isane, you have five years to train and that is if he doesn't choose Sasuke anyway. Ether way it sucks." A knock at the door brings me out of my introspection. A nurse enters with a tray of food. Smiling at that I thank her and eat. "I wonder if it is something in the water. Because I have yet to see an ugly woman" Shrugging I finish eating and with a satisfied burp I lay back. Sleep comes immediately.
-The funeral was a large affair. Despite everything the Uchiha clan was popular with the civilians. Many people came to offer their condolences. Sasuke is completely different, he seems aimless, drifting. Understandable considering his big brother murdered his entire family except you. The two of you stand apart from everyone looking at all of the pictures. As the last of the mourners departs, the two of you make for an apartment the Hokage has loaned you. The caretaker is an older woman maybe forty who shows up three times a day to help cook meals and clean. The Hokage has given you both a month reprieve from the Academy something that Sasuke eagerly accepted, unlike me. I demand to go back. I know what is wait for us in five years and I need every bit of training to survive. I just lived through one crisis and I have to plan for the next one. I will take what joy I can but with the threat of Orochimaru, the invasion, Akatsuki, and the Fourth Shinobi World War in near future, joy looks to be in short supply. Grabbing Sasuke. "Come on Sasuke lets go back to the house." "House not Home" I think as we make our way to the apartment. I wonder if it will be easier if I am stronger."This is not how I envisioned life as a shinobi, but really I should have expected it. I can't cry. I won't cry. I will be strong. Stronger than Itachi, stronger than Pein, stronger than Madara. I won't cry ever." Arriving at the apartment I guided Sasuke to his room. I helped him out of his clothes and put him to bed. Moving on to my room I removed my own clothes before climbing under the covers. The last though I had before sleep claimed me was. "I can't cry. I won't cry, ever."