Shopping, no matter where it was done. It was something that was nothing that was liked amongst most men. Shopping was one of those things that were on the back of your mind. Feet dragging you along outside to face the reality of those imbeciles pushing and bumping others in the street. It was rather rude, and rather upsetting for Hitachi. Though it was not his nature to react, but to send his ominous glares about. That seemed to repel the people in the market place away. Anything to keep them from bumping into him.

One hand was holding the plastic bag. It made crinkling noises as the Uchiha paced about the market area. He held the bag up to check to see what he had. So far he had fruit, bread, and some vegetables. All that needed to be obtained as a carton of milk. Standing at a good height, he peered about the sea of people to look for a stand or a store that sold milk.

The hums of people talking, laughing, and screaming could be heard. All the babble about was causing Itachi's mind to pound. Always used to the solitude of his own room or the silence between him and Yuki.

His thought switched to Yuki for a moment. It's been a good hour or two since he's left the manor. The elder Uchiha brother knew that Yuki wasn't going to leave the manor. But wondered what could possibly be happening there. A slight disturbance caused his thoughts to think of possible intruders that could be there. Just thinking that, it caused him to furrow his eyebrows and those feminine lips to form into a frown. He shook his head from those thoughts and continued his search for a store which sold milk.

It hadn't taken him long to find what he needed. Only a few minutes later he was heading towards the small line. He was behind three or four other people. All seemingly to be buying the same thing, milk. Slightly surprising to see people buying milk. Most civilians bought junk, consisting of sugar and saturated fats. A lot of the stands sold organic fruits and vegetables thought. Nothing had seemed to be processed or sprayed with pesticides. This wasn't even a village that shinobi inhabited.

While Itachi was off in his own thoughts for a moment, he hadn't been paying attention. "Sir," the old man spoke sternly, "Sir!" his voice raised a bit louder.

Itachi heard him the second time and snapped out of his trance. He stepped up towards the counter and his hand slipped to his back pocket. For a moment, there was a single glance to the old man. His eyes were slanted as many wrinkles gathered about his bitty eyes. He had a full head of grey hair. Not to mention, he seemed rather tall. Itachi pulled his wallet out, and opened it up. He searched through it for a moment to pick out the right amount of money that needed to be displayed. Culling it out, he placed it on the counter. Before the old man placed the milk in the plastic bag, he had pulled the money into his wrinkled, boney hands. A smile that formed more folds crossed his decrepit looking face and said, "Thank you."

An expressionless look came from Itachi as he stared at him in his silence, "..."

The old man felt intimidated as Itachi grabbed the bag. The eldest Uchiha stepped off and walked away. His calming pace going down the cobblestone path of the small peaceful village. His sharingan eyes fixed on the path ahead of him. As he looked up, from above the gates a cloud of smoke was rising into the atmosphere. His facial expression dropped a bit. His fingers let lose of the bags. All the food dropping and rolling out of the bags. He made a furious dash towards that explosion.

That's where the manor is, thought Itachi with a serious look.

This meant that someone was there and obviously after Yuki for what ever reason. Itachi hurriedly passed the gates and deep into the sea of trees.

---

A deep, ominous stare at the man that stood before her. Yuki had been blown away and into the wall of the manor. A trickle of the crimson liquid flowed down the side of her mouth. "Tch..." and she spat to the side, blood coming with the salvia.

With those ocean blue eyes holding this high and mighty look. Yuudai was a special man. He was different from most shinobi. Other shinobi tended to get agitated and frisky during a battle. Often they miss judged the battle and that caused failure. Yuudai was a very temperate man. It took a lot to get to him. "I thought you said I was next, Yuki." He mocked the young girl.

"Hmph, you got lucky." She snapped at Yuudai.

Yuki pulled herself from the ground. Strands of her dark forest green hair flopped in front of her pale face. Her chest was rising and falling. The young female was gasping for oxygen. She could feel this heaviness within her lungs, making it hard for her to breathe.

Drip, drip...Yuki's blood plopped on to the green lush grass. Turning it a dark red. Those emerald eyes glanced down to her arm. Blood was seeping down her torn off sleeve of that complete black cloak of hers. As she stared down at it, her teeth went grit. Yuki grinded her teeth together in enmity. Slowly, with her good hand, she began to pull out the kunai that was held within her pouch. "This time..." and her eyebrows furrowed, "I'm going to asphyxiate you!!!"

Yuki went in for a full blown charge. Acrimony filled those glowing emerald oculus of hers. She jumped into the air and stabbed the kunai blade in his stomach. She twisted it to the side. Yuudai heaved causing blood to spill from his mouth and on to Yuki. A sadistic grin spread across her face then. She breathed in and out until his fist met with her gut. She stumbled back holding her stomach. Her head was weakly held up. She watched as Yuudai took the handle of the blade and pulled it out of him. The scarlet blood poured down on to the grass.

In an instant, Yuki's eyes suddenly widened in pain. "Uh..." and she held tighter on to her stomach.

The young girl collapsed to the ground, hunching over in agony. Her body began to tremble within the pain that shot through her body. It spread rapidly and she cried out in pain, "Wha-"

Yuki didn't have time to finish her sentence. She had slapped her hand over her mouth and began to cough. She could see her own blood seeping through her digits. Worry began to fill her emotions. How come I can't hold myself against these two...are they that...powerful... she thought in her mind.

She pulled herself from the ground wiping the blood away. "What the hell did you do to me..." she muttered harshly.

Yuudai let that smirk plaster across his face. He leaned to the side, adding more weight on his left leg. "You see Yuki, my taijutsu techniques are special. Not only do they affect you externally, they also affect you internally. With my strength I can affect the area I hit on the outside, plus with a chakra burst that will affect you on the inside. Really, it's quite simple."

Yuki's right eye twitched slightly from the pain that was going through out her body, "Neat...trick you have there then, huh?" Yuki's voice held this bitterness to it.

Yuudai started to make his way towards her. Rolling his neck to the side as it had let out this sickly popping noise. Yuki began to back up; she couldn't do this on her own. She knew it. "Where's...Itachi..." she whispered to herself as she glanced to the side.

"Yuudai..." a voice spoke.

Though, it wasn't the tone Yuki was hoping for. It was Ryuu; he had finally pulled himself from the rubble. "It seems I could count on you yet again."

His ocean blue sights caught over Ryuu's direction. The man was dusting himself off. Bits of leaves were attached random places upon his stature. Ryuu's fingers plucked some of the leaves away from his hair. "Only because you don't obtain the skill of tranquility during a battle. You get heated up with the passion of battle and destruction, not to mention you tend to let your ego run high, that... often you can misjudge your opponent." Yuudai spoke calmly towards Ryuu.

Ryuu rolled his shoulders back, "Hmph, real cute, Yuudai. And to think that I was the one who told you not to judge this little girl."

Yuki frown at the two who now stood right in front of her. She was backed up into the tree. These two had the look of a hungry beast in their eyes. Yuki here was just like the prey. Backed up into a dead end, eyes wide with fear of death. This is it, I'm gonna die...I-I...Yuki was thinking with a panic.

Something was boiling inside of her. She was aware of it, but she was trying her best to hold this monster back. Come on...e-end it now. I rather die than have- Her thoughts were interrupted by shuriken flying over and whisping by the two.

Ryuu's skin split open on his cheek, and Yuudai lost a few strands of hair. The three glanced over to see the man with intense scarlet eyes. His dark locks blew in the gusty wind. The Akatsuki cloak of black and decorated of red clouds flapped in the wind. The once down pour was into a calmer rain. "What are you doing here...?" Inquired the elder Uchiha with his monotone voice.

Ryuu walked closer to the dangerous Uchiha. He seemed very embittered, "Well, well, well, look who decides to show up neh, Uchiha Itachi?"

Itachi frowned; the man did not answer his question. He ignored it, and he mocked the elder Uchiha survivor. "I ask you, what are you doing here? Answer me, now." And his eyes narrowed into that malefic gaze.

Ryuu pulled his head up and smirked a bit, "I thought that was obvious. Then again, maybe the Uchiha Itachi isn't the genius he claims to be."

There was one thing when someone came around Itachi's territory and attacked someone who was to be potential Akatsuki material. But now this unknown person was here taunting him, and doubting his genius like abilities. It was not only Itachi who had felt this, but many of the Uchiha had felt this way. The clan, the Uchiha clan, was great and none could compare to their power. Everyone was under them, and no where near their level. "Get out." Itachi said strictly.

Uchiha Itachi wasn't the one who enjoyed fighting, or slaughtering people meaninglessly. So far, there was no point in doing so. Itachi would only strike if this man dare did so. "Awe, I'm afraid we can't." Ryuu said, smirking cockily and placing his head over to the side.

He ran his hand right through his hair. Every single strand fell back into place, his electric purple eyes staring intently towards the Uchiha's deep scarlet sharingan eyes, "Yuudai and I have some business to attend with you two."

Yuudai stepped right beside Ryuu. He kept his amiable expression upon his face. His own tone was as taunting as Ryuu, "But Ryuu, he doesn't look pleased."

From behind the two men, Yuki's deep emerald eyes just stared to the Uchiha's form. She was still in disbelief that he came so soon. She wasn't shocked that he didn't come though. After all, the only reason why he probably came was because the leader of the red dawn would be very upset with him if something happened to her. "Itachi..."

Itachi gazed over at Yuki, "Yuki go inside, now." he demanded of the younger girl.

She was speechless. Itachi wanted her to go inside, but why? "No, I'm not going inside. If you need help then I can..."

Itachi interrupted her with this strict look. The young girl stared down to the ground filled with that sticky crimson liquid. Which most of it that had been split was her own blood? Her lips pursed together and she stepped back, "Yes, Itachi..." her voice was in a gentle whisper.

Yuki retreated back inside the large home. Though she wasn't going to hide in a corner like a baby. She actually felt concerned for this man. So instead she scurried towards the window and peered out. Yuki was half hidden behind the wall. She kept her eyes firmly on the sight that was outside. Her fingers clenched tighter on to the white wall. Feeling the level of the wall, it had a smooth feel to it but it was as well uneven. If he thinks I'm not going to intervene... then he's wrong...Yuki thought.

Itachi hadn't been her favorite person from the beginning. After being with him for a while, he just sort of grew on her. Itachi was also the only people who hadn't been afraid of her, or point a finger at her and call her a freak. So that was different and it was comforting too. She watched the movements from outside, she only wish she knew what they were talking about.

"Give me a detailed answer; I want to know exactly why you're here." Itachi's monotone voice spoke with that icy venom dripping from it.

Ryuu had his hands on the side. Those electric purple eyes glanced to the corner to see the girl peeking out. Then, turned his head. "We're here to leave a little message to Akatsuki." Itachi arched an incredulous eyebrow at this, what sort of message? "You're leader...Rei, he needs to learn his place. He thinks he can hold the world in the palm of his hands? Then he's wrong."

Itachi still gave them this look which was like; I don't care what the hell does this have to do with you attacking Yuki? "Before you speak, Itachi, I haven't finished talking yet. It's rude to speak when someone else is talking," Ryuu smirked and the elder Uchiha scowled, "By slaughtering you and Yuki, it will leave a little message to Rei. Saying that we're coming."

They could sense something stirring from inside of the Uchiha. The anger had been boiling up inside of him. Though as Yuudai studied Itachi's expression, it didn't change. It still held this calming look to it. "Ryuu, watch out." Yuudai spoke.

Right after he said that, Itachi charged towards him. Ryuu didn't see anything. No punching gestures, nothing. All of a sudden the elder Uchiha slashed out that kunai blade. Both Yuudai and Ryuu jumped back to dodge the Uchiha's attack. He had barely nicked their cloaks. He furrowed his eyebrows with slight frustration. Never before has he met someone who could match up to his own abilities. How though... how.

What ever, Itachi wasn't going to let this bother him. He knew a clouded mind only made things worse when fighting the enemy. Ryuu balled up his fists tightly and charged at the Uchiha. Itachi moved swiftly to the side, avoiding Ryuu's attack. Then Ryuu had his elbow jab to the side. Itachi jumped back to dodge that as well. Yuudai had crept up behind the elder Uchiha, he was ready to send a blow into his spine, but within a flash of an eye Itachi was gone. Ryuu smirk at this, "Itachi, you are what you live up for. You alone performed a homicide against your clan. Obtaining the mangekyo sharingan, causing you to make the ultimate sacrifice."

"Tch..." Itachi spat to the side.

He was only getting warmed up. He rolled his neck over to the side and it had let out a soft cracking sound. Itachi had rolled his neck to the other side and snapped loudly as well. Itachi didn't enjoy people talking about what he had done. He knew what he did and he didn't need to be reminded about it. He clenched his fists a little bit and began to form a couple hand seals as he charged towards Ryuu. His lips puckered up and performed the grand fire ball technique. The smoke cleared and Ryuu was gone. Something was amiss in the air, he stared down towards the ground and he jumped back away from the erupting earth. Those deep crimson sharingan eyes bared witness to the chunks of earth that began to sink in. An able force was coming from the hole. He could feel it wanting to suck him right in. Itachi was up in the tree, hands preserved on the branch. He made sure to not let go.

Inside, Yuki was just watching the battle unfold from the safe distance she was at. It didn't feel right to her. Something on the inside was harrowing away. She bit her bottom lip roughly. Her nails scratched at the wall. The white paint began to peel away from her constant, erosive abrading against the wall. Her teeth grinded against each other, "God why the hell am I standing in here. I can't stand... seeing Itachi fight against these two people." she sneered to herself.

Though she understood why Itachi wanted her to stay in here. It was her anger, her personality. If she would have lost it... then for sure something was going to go spurious. Yuki pressed her forehead against the corner of the wall. Her hands formed into a tight balled up fist and she was about ready to blast a whole through the wall, but Yuki calmed herself down. She told herself, all she could do was stand back and watch the battle.

A large blast of mormon rain began to scatter about the grass. Ryuu had caused an explosion to go off. The elder Uchiha took refugee behind a large boulder. Itachi knew better than to lose his cool. But he was very disturbed at the moment. Why was he exerting himself for the very fist time? Ryuu and Yuudai were about leveled with him when it came to fighting. The fact might have been that he didn't know their fighting styles and he needed to take precaution. That was it, that had to be the very reason. Still, it caused that confusion to go about him. Yuudai frowned and noted, "This is taking too long, Ryuu. Don't you think?"

Ryuu was standing from a distance dusting himself off, "Yeah. Something gives me a feeling the Uchiha isn't entirely showing his full potential to us. How boring." he stated rolling his neck to the side as it had let out a sickly pop, "Even Yuki gave me a better fight than him. She at least attempted to kill me. I don't know what's up with Itachi though."

Yuudai's eyebrows furrowed a bit and he let his tongue slick his dry chapped lips. He let his deep ocean blue optic peer towards the boulder Itachi was behind. I know the very reason why he isn't trying to his fullest though he is exerting himself more than he usually does. Itachi is studying our moves with his sharingan. So then he'll be able to turn this battle around…

Those lips of his pursed together. It was too soon for him to learn all of their techniques. "Ryuu... we have to head back now…" Yuudai stated calmly.

Ryuu's electric purple oculus stared over towards his partner. He had this look on his face like he had been kidding or something. "Why?" enquired the young man.

Yuudai ran his digits through his dark silky locks of hair, "For various of reasons I cannot state in front of them."

Itachi slowly stepped out from behind the rock. His serious stare was kept on them, what was going on? Were these cowards retreating? The elder Uchiha was keeping his silence as Ryuu retreated to the side of Yuudai, "Well, I guess are fun is done over here. We must leave now, until next time."

Yuki's eyes widened when she saw this. Her fists balled up tightly and she ran outside, screaming at them. "You cowards," Yuki caught her breath as flew out the door and landed on her knees, "You're running because your petrified what Itachi will do to you!"

"Yuki…" Came the stern salvo of the elder Uchiha brother.

Her emerald eyes caught on over towards Itachi. Her eyebrows fluted with her emotion of being upset. Her fingers dug into the moist soil of the ground. The dirt gathering under her nails. She exhaled trying her best to compose herself. It was so easy for her to lose her temper, to go insane. Her lips thinned out and then her gaze shifted to the ground. Ryuu and Yuudai had already left. Yuki brought herself up from the ground and she began to rub her arm up and down, "I'm sorry…" she whispered, "You're okay, right Itachi?"

Yuki tried her best to show concern for this man. At the moment she had found it difficult to do so. Her stomach began to churn with this uneasiness. It felt like she had done something out of line. Itachi shot a single glance her way, and just by his expression it said that it didn't matter if he was injured or not. He could regard it less.

From up above… something shadowed over Yuki. Her gaze turned to the sky to see what had been above. Though she couldn't quite tell with the fog still looming over the area from the rain that occurred only moments ago. The soft drizzle was still beating down on to the earth. Who was that soaring in the sky… it looked like a enormous bird from the silhouette that Yuki could spot.


AN: Alright I finally got this chapter done. I think I'm doing a tiny bit better with my updating. The next chapter of this should be out then less than a month. : kay?

Also, please review! thanks:D