Disclaimer: Again, I do not own Naruto or anything related to it. All rights are reserved to Shonen Jump manga and Masashi Kishimoto.


Chapter 2: Darkness


Darkness filled the small, wooden room. The last of the torchlight burnt out, disappearing in a cloud of smoke. Pale, dim lights glowered through the windows, but even that was fading, blackness gaining its ground.

Three shadows were casted on the floorboards, two kneeling, one standing behind. Darkness almost swallowed the shadows, its shape losing its integrity. But there was something that even darkness cannot overcome, something powerful. It was death.

"I see…so you've chosen their side," said one of the figures kneeling down, a fine, experienced shinobi. His dark hair dropped to his shoulder, hovering over his neck. His eyes were gentle and kind, despite the shaky blade pointed at his back.

The black haired shinobi, being the one wielding the blade, gripped the sword handle tightly, hesitation running down his arms. Emotions tried to force its way out, but he held them back. The familiar red glow lost its shine, becoming dull.

"Father…mother…I-" he began.

"We know, Itachi," said the other figure, a beautiful middle-aged woman. Long, silky hair stringed down her back. Her voice was tinged, not with sadness or anger, but with pride, with no signs of regrets.

"Itachi," said the man, his voice piercing through the shinobi's heart. "Promise me…"

The pause was all-consuming, all-powerful. It slashed deep into the shinobi. "You will take care of Sasuke."

He could hold it in no longer. Emotions burst out from the shinobi's heart. Two streams flowed down from his eyes. He tried to blink it back, but to no avail. It was too much for him.

"I…I know…" he miraculously managed to say.

"Don't hesitate," continued the man, his voice not showing any signs of fear or sadness. "It's the path you choose. Our pain will only last a moment, unlike yours…"

The shinobi wished he could shut his ears, to move away, to do anything to avoid the overwhelming feelings pouring out. But instead, he was rooted to the ground, hands shaking, heart pounding.

"The way we think is different, but I'm still proud of you…as you father."

The shinobi gripped the blade handle with two hands, but it grew no steadier. Strong, thick streams flowed from his eyes, escaping his eyelids, dropping down to the ground. He thrust the metal through the man, then quickly killed the other woman. It all happened in a few moments.

The blade dropped noisily on the ground, clashing with the wooden floorboards. The shinobi dropped to his knee, howling at the heavens, into the darkness above.


Author's note: Thank you for all those who have read Chapter 1. I will try my best to pump out these chapters out daily, but no guarantees. Again, reviews will be greatly appreciated. More will be coming soon.

Also, on a side note, this is a message for my friend, Bill, who doubted my identity when I told him I am the author of my fanfictions:
"It's me, dammit!"

Peace.