Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Naruto.
A/N: A gratious thank you to all who reviewed. I'm glad you guys like the story so much. I promise I'll try my best to keep it good and suspenseful to the very end. I know there isn't a lot of romance in these last couple of chapters, but I promise this story is still a romance and it is still about Sasu and Ita. :)
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"Sasuke, tell me what's going on." Naruto's stern voice interrupts my thoughts, and I blink myself back into reality, meeting his harsh sky blue eyes.
For a moment, my dark eyes trace his more mature features, filling in the slim face with the baby fat from my memories... And in the wasted years Naruto has grown, and I have grown as well, yet... I am now trapped beside my brother's dying corpse instead of my clans, forever locked in time.
"Nothing. It was just a simple question." I turn swiftly on my heels, placing my back to him. My voice is confident, despite my internal conflict. "Let's go."
A short pause. "You're not moving." Naruto answers, voice bitter, as he watches my stationary figure.
Idly, I twirl my brother's Akatsuki ring around my right ring finger, becoming aware for the first time how hard my heart is pounding, how severe I am trembling on the inside, despite my cool exterior, and how damp my yukata is becoming with cold sweat. The ring slides easily over my damp finger, twirling around and around, threatening to slip off the slick digit.
"I know you're lying." Naruto's voice cuts through me hard, as he laces my frayed nerves with his bitter voice...
"Tsumi told me what happened."
Chapter 7- A Twist of Fate
My heart skips a beat, before racing wildly through my chest spreading into a thready pulse throughout my body. With wide eyes, I take a tentative step forward, taken aback by Naruto's words. Tsumi, how dare he- But what did he tell Naruto? Staring hard at the dirt ground, the sheer surprise begins numbing my mind sending reality into a surreal plane. Get a grip, Sasuke... Naruto cannot know what's going on. Just stay calm.
While exhaling a slow, deep breath, my mind is concentrating on relaxing every muscle fiber in my body, and I am wiping my thoughts clean, recollecting them into a steady composure. Cautiously, I turn around and meet Naruto's fierce, indigo eyes weilding my stoic expression.
"What exactly did he tell you." I demand, keeping my voice steady.
"You know exactly what he told me..." Naruto growls passionately. "You were there!"
Studying Naruto's expression, I calmly run my eyes over his features. I've seen this expression before... His face is sturdy, harsh while his sky blue eyes are shimmering with a fierce determination, and yet... those eyes are laced with an agonizing sorrow. Where have I seen this face before...?
"I refuse to lose you again!" Naruto screams, his voice cracking from the force, while he slices the wind with a wild gesture of his resolution.
The realization hits me like a brick, and my lips part slightly releasing a gasp of astonishment. His tanned face becomes a phantom of my past, as images flash through my mind freely, testaments to what spurred my regrets. That is the same expression he wore when we fought... when he tried to stop me from leaving. Guilt gnaws viciously through my conscience, causing my features to soften.
What am I doing? I can't betray him again. I'll just end up losing him too... like I lost Itachi. "Naruto..." His forlorn name escapes my lips, one I have isolated far too long for the sake of pride and revenge, but silence quickly ensues... and the words are lost long before they are spoken.
So I stand bewildered, my eyes having seen full circle the beginning and ending to the loss of my love... Itachi. Must I lose my best friend, Naruto, as well?
"Tell me, Sasuke, I want to help you!" Naruto pleads.
"Mind your own business." I hiss, the guilt slowly melting into anguish and self pity. He wouldn't understand...
"Tell me why Akatsuki was in your room!" Naruto demands, a fierce intent burning his features.
"W-what-" The word stutters out my mouth, before the anxiety shuts the rest deep inside my throat. Unease claims my body, squeezing my muscles with a dull burn.
Sucking in a deep breath, I carefully form my words. "Tsumi told you this?"
Disappointment fills Naruto's eyes. "So its true... I refused to believe him." Hurt rattles Naruto's voice as he utters his question, his words barely a whisper, "You... told Kisame... you would capture me?"
My voice is defensive, and far too harsh for the situation. "I didn't have a choice! Their Leader wouldn't let me go! Joining was the only way I could leave!" Pausing, I breathe in calm breaths, gasping lightly from the force I had spoken with. "Kisame threatened to kill me if I didn't."
Relief lightens Naruto's features, and I cannot help but wonder why; afterall, I cannot mean that much to him. A wide, confident grin spreads across his features, and a stubby thumb pokes his orange chest. "Hey, don't worry about a thing! I'll make sure that overgrown fish never bothers you again! Believe it!"
A light frown claims my lips and I watch numbly at the promising smile shining at me from the orange ninja. My only thought is... He doesn't deserve this. My feet take a few steps forward, the weight of my burden giving them the feel of lead. Meeting his self assured cerulean eyes, an apology silently whispers to him from my dark ones, a testament for my future actions.
"Hey, I said don't worry. I'm not angry." Naruto grins happily, his usual liveliness returning to him.
Placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, I cautiously choose my words. "Naruto, I've decided what kind of person I want to be with my second chance."
Confusion claims Naruto's face, and his spirited eyes flash while trying to process my words. I only offer him a stoic expression as I gingerly raise my slender arm and slam it down deliberately on the bundle of nerves in the nook of his tanned neck. A brief moment of shock washes over his face, before he slumps to the ground like a rag doll, unconscious.
"Forgive me... Naruto." I whisper remorsefully, as I set my sights on my final decision.
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Itachi peers gingerly through the brush, keeping his body pressed firmly against the ground. Scooting closer for better observation, his frame slides over the dirt, lying flat. Midnight tresses catch in the brittle twigs of the bushes, splaying silky hairs over creme skin. Itachi's ears are alert, his eyes attentive as he scans the scene before him. Dark brows knit into a fine furrow, and suspicion fills his ebony eyes.
What is he doing here?
Uchiha Madara leans relaxed against the rough tree bark, arms folded across his chest. The orange swirl of his mask is immersing its interest in Kisame, whose tall stature is towering over Madara, the Samehada resting like a stake in the ground.
"For such a simple mission, he certainly is taking long..." Kisame chuckles knowingly.
"So it seems you were right... ha." Madara chides lightly. "Nice work, Kisame. You are no longer needed."
Fine eyebrows raise in interest, and Itachi rubs his chin thoughtfully smearing brown dirt across porcelain skin. Sharp ebony eyes analyze Madara's every movement, studying the short man carefully as he pushes himself lightly from the tree standing erect, the Akatsuki cloak hanging loosely from a frame which is far too petite for his age.
Kisame regards him with curious, pin point black eyes. "Are you sure, Madara?... Should I call you Madara or Tobi?"
"Haha. Madara is fine." Madara waves a gloved hand, brushing off the question. "Now go gather the hachibi."
Kisame nods, frowning in dismay over the loss of a battle. Gripping the hilt of Samehada, Kisame easily lifts the oversized sword into its sheathe on his broad back, before swiftly disappearing into the tree tops. Sighing, Madara slumps to the ground reclining limply against the tree, the rough bark digging into his small back. Fiddling with the edge of his Akatsuki cloak, Madara hums thoughtfully, spiky black hair falling slightly over the edges of his swirling orange mask.
He's planning something... Furrowing his brow in deep concentration, Itachi's dark eyes begin tearing the situation apart, dissecting every crevice, until his eyes spark with realization. Tediously, Itachi scoots out from beneath the bush backing cautiously away from the area for his retreat. Madara is far too strong... I need to get help.
Sasuke... I promise I'll protect you this time.
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Kakashi leaps through the trees skillfully, Neji and Gai close behind him. A chilling winter wind whistles through the dry branches, eliciting a shudder from the jonins.
"That was one hell of a S-rank mission... I can see why the Hokage put only jonin on it." Gai mutters in exhaustion.
"It would have been nice if we had a fourth man." Kakashi adds in agreement, his silver tuff of hair tossing in the breeze. A forlorn sigh escapes through his dark blue mask. I didn't even get to read Ichi Ichi Paradise...
As the silver Byakugan alerts Neji to a presence, Neji blinks in light surprise, focusing his gaze towards the racing stranger. "There's someone on the ground below us!"
The three jonin quickly leap from the branches, expertly encircling their prey, readying their bodies for combat. Stopping abruptly, Itachi takes a few steps back, surprised the conversing jonin had noticed him. Steadying his composure, the Uchiha calmly surveys each alert jonin, carefully gathering the words in his mind before speaking.
Kakashi lowers his arms, quirking a questioning eyebrow. "Tsumi? What are you doing outside Konoha?"
"You know this man?" Gai queries in astonishment.
"He's a refugee from the Rain." Kakashi explains quickly.
Weaving delicate fingers through fine dark locks, Itachi tucks the tresses from his face, considering his situation thoroughly. His words were spoken slowly, deliberately, while his face remained impassive. "I heard Sasuke speaking with a man named Kisame earlier today... inside his room. Kisame instructed him to meet outside Konoha... so I came to see for myself." I have to get them to help me... There isn't much time.
The three jonin's eyes widen in shock, and they exchange serious glances among themselves. Astonishment evident in his voice, Gai utters, "Sasuke... is out here with Akatsuki?"
Itachi furrows his brow in mock confusion, "Akatsuki?" Itachi barely shakes his head, returning to his calm state. "No, Sasuke never arrived, at least not yet. A new guy, dressed similar to Kisame, ordered Kisame to leave. I think he's planning something."
Kakashi casts a stern look to Neji, "See if you can find the Akatsuki."
Neji nods confidently, before activating Byakugan and leaping high above the tree tops. Twisting around in a full circle, Neji thoroughly scans the area, his eyes widening as the foreboading sight caught him offguard. Landing gingerly, Neji straightens himself, locking his silver eyes with Kakashi's dark ones.
"Did you see him?" Kakashi asks impatiently, eager for the news.
"No..." Neji answers, his tone grave, "But Sasuke headed from Konoha."
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A/N: Oi, I didn't really plan on ending the chapter there, but I gotta eat and go to work! And I really wanted to post what I have so far cause I won't be able again til around Monday.
Anyways, it seems Itachi has something up his sleeve. grins Til next time, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please review and let me know what you think. :)
Bye!
