Chapter 11: Bleed Like Me

Enter: Uchiha Itachi

This author is completely idiotic. Completely innaccurate and dense. I am afraid you all are handicapped by her misinterpretation of my character and actions. Though I believe it is not entirely her fault... maybe.

She has been crippled, unfortunately by her typical american impulse to declare me 'crazy' without knowing all the information about my situation. I was and am outraged, but now I will set the record for you all.

The story of Vinco as you well know, is actually Haku's story. Haku is Vinco. Vinco's story of course is edited and much of it is put into metaphor and vague description to conceal the rest of the tale, which I will now tell.

My father and Haku were brothers, yes that is true. But half brothers. Haku's mother killed herself. Now if you remember correctly, Haku's mother was the only true heir of the Fire Kingdom, which made Haku the rightful king over my father.

Like Haku said, he did not want the throne and loved my father and was thrilled when he was king. He is a threat no more to my throne and never revealed the truth. But this is not the end of the story.

My grandfather made my father, Prince Noji, marry his cousin. It was a repulsive act in my father's eyes to sire me, and he viewed me inbred, though he cared for his wife like a sister.

Now remember, Noji was Haku's half brother, his wife, Princess Motoko, was his cousin on his mother's side. Motoko and Haku fell in love, but never consumated it until Noji found out.

Noji was not outraged at all, in fact, it overjoyed him. This joy is the reason he had to die. He wanted another heir, but could not stand to have another incestual child. He told Haku, not knowing of their relation, to lie with his wife, and Noji would claim the child. This would be done in utmost secrecy, no one else would know.

Nine months later, when I was a child of four, Sasuke was born.

He is by birth, directly related to the original royal house and technically the true prince. By blood, only Haku is ahead of him as king and father. This also makes him not only my brother, but my cousin.

The prophecy said that Haku would wipe away the evil inhabiting the house and overcome his father's brood. He will do this. It will be done through Sasuke.

Or so he thinks.

Grandfather did put a little of himself into me, and that is a wondrous advantage. That's how I know so much.

There is Tsunade-san. She is completely real. She rules the land of the clouds. She knows Haku's true lineage, as well as Sasuke's. She has them under her protection, which is the reason I cannot kill them. But she can not expose their bloodline, for I have found a way to keep her quiet. Oh, you want to know how? Well, I am afraid I can not tell you. You see, this author does need you to discover some things later on in the story.

On the subject of Haku and Sasuke's power; on its own, that is terrifying. Two advanced bloodlines run through them, something only they have survived. Another reason that I spare their lives.

Sasuke's greatest power is his heart, as well as his greatest weakness. So this little princess is a great tool. I won't hurt her much, but I will hurt her enough to hurt him. I also would very much like to fuck her.

In the meantime, I'll watch and wait. Thank you for reading.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Enter: Sasuke

Neji-kun is gone. He is off with his darling little Tenten-chan. Both Sakura and I are missing someone again.

She sits across from me, her eyes fixed upon the outside zipping by. I am not looking at her, instead my head is down, my eyes on the scroll in my hand. But I know what she is doing. She has no choice really. In this little carriage, she can either look outside, look at the giant figure sitting against the front of the carriage, or look at me. The sight of him is unsettling, and looking at me could be interpreted as a gesture of affection.

She wants me to read this through again. Why? Yes, it is the story Haku told, but I fail to see why she thinks it so important. True, I am fond of the story, but her attentions toward it seem more than a comforting action. It is merely some myth. How does it concern me?

She isn't completely sure what it has to do with me exactly, she told me last night, but it does have a big impact on everything else. Father Damien told her it could mean everything. Even he doesn't know completely, there is that feeling, but the magic surrounding it blocks him from knowing what it is. And as Sakura pointed out, anything that powerfully protected must be of importance. She has a point, but it is useless if we can not figure the story out.

Haku said it was not only his story but everyone else's. Sure, Vinco could be him in a way, but the story does not go along well enough with his life, and besides, there is no proof. This story could be an old legend he found that he found useful, or the story of someone else. No, there is nothing in that story that is accurate.

She is upset, that I know. Father Damien has truly gone, we are forced to move and be put under surveillance, and Hinata might leave us soon. It is sad, and I do feel some pity for her, but mostly I'm pissed that these things had to happen to her. She does not deserve all this pain.

That last sentence was probably the most compassionate thing you've read so far in this story coming from me. Well, I really can't hold back inside my own mind, can I? I am truly fond of her, and despite this, I can still hold back because I hate her for it. I am using her, she knows it, and I am determined to keep her as a tool until Itachi is gone. Feelings can wait. I have revenge to take. She is willing to help me with it. She is willing to be a pawn. She loves me, and I think I will love her someday, perhaps. But until the dirt is swept away, I will not love.

There is a jolt, and the carriage stops. I look outside and shout. The wheelsare broken. All four. Weirdest fucking thing, they can not explain it. The big oaf jumps out of the carriage and begins to shout. Sakura winks at me and I understand. Damien. But why now?

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The smiling face always brought the same feeling: sorrow. That handsome face, grinning in that crazed way, those blue eyes, golden spikes, that smooth skin. Those arms carrying that white bundle.

Yondaime.

They had been so happy, so content, so furfilled. Why did this have to happen? Oh well, she could not exactly dwell on the past, could she? She could only think of the future, if there was one. Damn Itachi. How could that little runtbe able to do this to her? She was the queen of clouds!

No, this was no time to become distracted. Haku had been dissmissed. Fucking Itachi. Well, at least now she had a good reason to be mad at him right now.

She had told Haku to get out, to take Sasuke and get out when she had learned of Itachi's deed. But no, he would not take his son from his true life. Now Itachi had sent him away from the boy. What had been the reason? Oh yes, Haku had been sneaking books to Itachi's betrothed. Typical of her boy to be so kind-hearted.

It was ridiculous, really. Haku had left his son at the mercy of that depraved sociopath and all he left was that innaccurate story. How was Sasuke ever going to assume his destiny now? She could not tell him. She could not even see him, thanks to Itachi.

But if she could, she would tell him everything, if she only got the chance. If only Itachi did not possess this hold on her. If only she had never fallen in love.

Now Haku was working at the palace, and most likely in shock and sorrow. She'd do anything to see him. But that could not happen for another two weeks when he returned for his visit. What would she do until then? She needed a miracle.

But miracles did not happen for her anymore. She needed to stop believing that it was still forty years ago, when everything happened by luck and magic. Now her powers were merely for maintaining her country's limited stability. That was why she lived. It was the only thing keeping her from killing herself. No, she had no heir other than her son. And he would not be returnedto her until Itachi was dead, Sasuke was king,or no longer a threat. Her husband was dead, and she was too old to bear any more children. The only way to help her people was to live. That was all she had, but she could not leave her country in disarray over inheritance. Wars would break out if she died without an heir.

She looked out the open doorway that lead to her balcony and sighed. She needed some fresh air and adventure to clear her mind. "Shizune-chan!" She called. The Kunoichi answered the summons instantly. "Yes, Tsunade-dono?"

"Bring me my special robe and basket, I wish to go into town."

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"Well, this is no good."

Sakura sighed as she watched the new caretaker, Zabuza, strain to fix the wheels. It was no use. Damien would not let them be repaired until whatever needed to be done was done. And by the way the wind was blowing downhill, it looked like he wanted someone to go down into the village.

"Perhaps," she said softly, "It would be best if-"

"Princess!" Zabuza said sharply. "Do not concern yourself in these types of matters, they are unfit for your words."

"Meaning what, Zabuza-san?" Sasuke asked sharply, eyeing him with dislike.

"A woman trying to help in repairs always produces the opposite effect, surely you know that, Your Higness?"

"No, I do not. Sakura-san, please tell us what you were going to say."

"I think it best that we send someone down to the village for help."

Zabuza rolled his eyes. "With all do respect, Your Highness, what help could they give us? We can fix this."

"You may have a spare wheel," Sasuke replied sharply, "But you do not have four. I agree."

Zabuza huffed, defeated. "Fine I'll send a couple guards down there."

A heavy pressure bore down on Sakura's chest. "No!" She cried involuntarily. They all looked at her.

"I mean... There might be robbers there. They will notice royal guards in a second and will follow them up here and kill us all!" She cried, trying her best to sound like a stupid, paranoid little girl.

"Your Highness, we are trained well to protect you-"

"No," she insisted stubbornly, "We will have someone else go."

"Who do you suggest, Your Highness?"

She looked around at the large party, begging for a sign. Who was it that needed to go there? She waited and begged for guidance. None came.

"I-I w-will g-go," said a trembling voice, "if I wear a p-peasent robe and take N-naruto-san with me, there should b-be no d-danger."

Taking it as a sign, Sakura smiled. "Very well Hinata-chan, go with Naruto-san to the village. If you are not back in three hours, we will send for help." She turned to an enraged Zabuza. "Does that satisfy you, Zabuza-san?"

"Sakura-dono, it is not your place to issue orders under my command." He hissed, looking her in the eye threateningly. Sakura stared back defiantly.

"Zabuza-san, I am to be your ruling monarch, your queen, do not question my authority."

Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "You are not my Queen yet, Your Highness, and in any case, you are a woman and you are placed under my command, my authority is backed by the Uchiha Royal Family, and only they can command me."

"Then I suppose this is the part where I cut in."

Zabuza turned to Sasuke, looking deadly. "Your Highness, please consider the princess's circumstances that make her incapable-"

"The only circumstances that you have mentioned so far is the fact she does not have the authority of the Uchiha royal family and that she is a woman. Gender has absolutely nothing to do with leadership skills or intelligence, Zabuza-san, as history and our location proves."

Zabuza's eyes became pinpricks. "Oh really, how so?"

Sasuke stared at him stonily. "You have no doubt heard of the great Queen Elizabeth I of England? And may I remind you that this country we are in is new, starting out only as a mountain town until its current Queen took control."

Zabuza stepped back. "That may be so, but she still is not an Uchiha, nor is she granted any authority by the royal family."

Sasuke wave his hand. "Then as Prince of Fire, Junior Prime Minister of The Council, and Parliament Minister, I grant Princess Sakura authority over you and your men."

Zabuza smirked. "You seem rather affectionate, Lord Uchiha. You are awful quick to take her side, why is that?"

Sasuke smirked back, "The Princess's feelings and honor are no concern of mine, I just despise you. Hinata-san, go down with Naruto."

"Y-yes, Your Highness," Hinata said, backing away as Zabuza stared at Sasuke with a deep loathing and shock.

Sakura looked around timidly. What had just happened? She was in charge of Zabuza now? Good God, this was confusing. She just wanted to go sit down and think for a while, she was feeling rather sick.

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Tsunade smiled as she passed unnoticed through the crowds. It was a beautiful day, and she felt so free in this disguise. No one recognized their queen in this coarse wool. She was just another woman doing her shopping. Nothing could ruin this day. Thoughts of her painful past were impossible when there were so many distractions in the marketplace. Here it was possible to have a chicken fall on your head, or some sweet-talking guy to try and charm and fondle you, or for you to find a stray cat on the road.

Tsunade had taken in a huge amount of stray cats to the Castle. They were always everywhere, and a wonderful amusement. But now, she could not wait for something odd to happen to her here.

Boom!

It happened.

Tsunade was suddenly lying on her back in the mud, basket spilled, and everybody, including herself, laughing.

"I'm sorry Miss!" An anxious voice said, grabbing her hand and pulling her up roughly.

"It is qui-" Tsunade started to say before the boy had handed her her basket and run off in a hurry.

Tsunade rolled her eyes and started walking again. Odd boy. But nice looking--------

Tsunade froze and turned back around. She could see the back of his head hurrying through the crowd. No. It could not be.

Before she knew it, she was running after him. A fast runner and talented witch, she was soon only a short distance away, close enough to follow him into the forest.

Two young men were standing over a young girl curled up on the ground and kicking her. The girl screamed and cried.

"Hey You!" The boy who knocked Tsunade down yelled out to them. "Leave my friend alone!"

"What are you going to do about it if we don't?" One of the men challenged. The boy growled and rantowards them. The two men were three times his size, he didn't have a chance.

Tsunade closed her eyes, said a couple of choice words, and instantly, the men were on their backs.

The boy stopped short and looked down at them confused for a second. He bent down to the girl and helped her up. "Are you all right, Hinata-chan?"

"Y-yes." She stammered before seeing Tsunade standing there. "Wh-who are you?"

Tsunade smiled. "My name is Tsunade. I was knocked down by your companion there, and followed him here."

"You knocked them out?" The boy asked.

Tsunade nodded. "Magic. Boy, you look rather familiar. What is your name?"

His blue eyes widened, and Tsunade's heart soared. "Uzumaki Naruto, and this is my Mistress, Lady Hyuuga Hinata."

Naruto. "Naruto," she said calmly, "That is a nice name. Who are your parents?"

Naruto's left eyebrow shot up. "My parents are dead, but I was adopted. They found me by the side of the road when I was a baby. Why do you want to know so much, anyways?"

Tsunade thrusted her hand out, and a jet of dark blew light shot out at him. It flew towards him, but suddenly dissolved right in front of him.

Tsunade started to cry. "That's why."

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AN: Well, I think this should clear a few things up. Rather revealing, huh? It makes things rather deliciously interesting. Is it still as complicated? Yeah, still complicated, but I think it all becomes clear. I just love that idea of Itachi and Sasuke being both brothers and cousins, it's kind of gross, but in reality, the circumstances are not. I've already written two endings for this story, one happy, one sad. I also would really really like some more reviews. Oh, and Tainted Angels will be updated soon, and Heart Shaped Box will be finished. Also my new story is coming along great. I am thrilled. Anyways, love you all.