...

Okay I get it. I fucking suck.

I do. But I didn't mean it like that.

Unexpected hiatus sucks, right? But I have my reasons. I broke my laptop and it took forever to get it fixed and this really isn't something I do outside the comfort zone of my bedroom.

I know it's been a couple of months but, hey, I follow fics that update twice a year at best and they DESTROY ME.

Nevertheless, I'm not going to make promises anymore, this is all a big show of how I can't keep them.

Anyway, since I was away from Wrath for that long and couldn't even access the word document I've kind of lost my flow, so this chapter ain't that big on account of how I forgot all my plans. Maybe I should write them down.

Lol no.

I don't know why I'm apologizing, it's not like you all haven't forgotten this existed. FanFiction is full of ingenious writings they just don't sell on the bookshelf of Waterstones.

Shoutout to all my fabulous babies I talk to on PM - you know who you are.

I'll try update more now I'm back, and I really want to finish this by summer ideally so, here goes nothing.

DISCLAIMER: Kishimoto thought I'd lost interest and so I took him by surprise and stole Naruto for like a whole two hours before I was caught. :D

Kakashi lay impaled on a spike. Damn... that Pein was good. He looked up into the sky, his eyes glazed over. Naruto... Kakashi felt somewhat sure he'd succeed. Breathing became more difficult.

"Itachi..." whispered Kakashi.

His energy lost out.

Sasuke turned a corner, keeping to the shadows. The fighting was a while away and all the civilians had already been evacuated. He was looking, searching. As if answering his silent beckon, a cry broke through the air. Onyx eyes fell onto a sobbing girl on the ground before him, the limp body of a young child in her arms. The girl was slightly younger than himself, with long, bloodstained honey blonde hair, that fell in intricate waves over the dead boy, shielding her face from him. She wore a white summer dress. She was no ninja.

"Miss?" called Sasuke gently.

The girl gasped and raised her tear-ridden face to Sasuke, her sapphire eyes wide with fear and anguish. For a moment, he admired the girl's beauty. Misery suited her.

"It's okay," he soothed, "I'm here to help. We need to get out of here... was he family?"

"My brother..." she said softly, "His name was Gou..."

Sasuke offered up a sad, yet charming smile, and as predicted a certain look glazed her eyes. A look filled with trust and admiration. Sasuke had that effect on people.

"He was too young to die," agreed Sasuke, "... If you'd like... I know someone who can bring him back."

"I'm not stupid," she laughed, "No one can live again once they have departed from this world."
"It was a jutsu invented by the second Hokage," he pressed on, "It's forbidden but I know of someone who can do it. Can reanimate your brother."

She gave him an incredulous and suspicious look.

"Forgive me," he said expertly, "I just can't seem to come to terms with this... I knew your brother. Not well of course, but he was always such a kind boy, always smiling and being friendly."
"That was Gou alright," she said, a tear escaping once more, he arms cradling the boy tighter.

"It was wrong of me to suggest such a thing," said Sasuke, "I've had many loved ones return to me that way and I suppose I jumped to the conclusion you'd want that too."

Her eyes grew hopeful and she tilted her head.

"How does it work?" she asked curiously.

Bingo.

"Leave Gou-kun here," said Sasuke, "We will go and get my master, the jutsu caster, and bring him directly to your brother. Gou's essence lingers here so it's best we don't move him."
With that, the gullible girl lay the boy gently at the side of the street and took Sasuke's outstretched hand as if he were some sort of saint.

"What's your name?" asked Sasuke.

"Shinju," she whispered, a light blush spreading across her cheeks. Alas, it was true – an Uchiha could seduce a widow at her own husband's funeral if the situation called for it.

He knew Naruto would hate him for this. Hell, even he didn't want to do this. Least of all to this girl who seemed more innocent than his eight year old self. But he didn't have time to find a better candidate.

He refused to go any longer without his brother. He had to have him back. He didn't care if both Naruto and Itachi despised the ground he walked on. He just had to have them exist. To have the knowledge that somewhere, they stood, flesh and blood and breath.

"I'm scared," she admitted honestly, as she walked along, her slender arm looped through his.

"Don't worry," he promised, "I'll have you reunited with Gou soon enough."

How true, he thought, how true.

Orochimaru lounged lazily in Tsunade's chair, sifting through her paperwork.

Fuck, she made an awful Hokage.

Had he stayed in the village he had no doubt the position would have been his. Tsunade was incompetent – she only got the position because they were desperate.

He sighed in relish of the memory. Ha. Hiruzen Sarutobi, of course.

Even Jiraiya would have made a better Hokage, at least he had some semblance of logic in his head. Then again, Jiraiya was dead and gone now... A strange concept. Orochimaru had never had any interest in killing Jiraiya and things felt different now he was gone.

Ah, but no matter. He was a nuisance anyway.

The doors swung open, and Sasuke re-entered – a beautiful, blonde and undoubtedly virtuous teenager on his arm. How poetic.

"I said anyone would do," laughed Orochimaru, "And you had to be theatrical."
"She was the only one there," said Sasuke impatiently, "Now get on with it."

Orochimaru smirked fondly at Sasuke. Despite their rocky relationship, Orochimaru perceived Sasuke has his personal prodigy. He was magnificent, and he would have him one day even if it killed him. Which it wouldn't.

"Sasuke?" asked the pretty blonde, "Is this him? The man who will bring back Gou?"

"So you want to be reunited with the dead, hm?" taunted Orochimaru.

The girl set her jaw.

"Yes," she replied firmly, "I want to see my brother again. What will it take to have you bring him back?"

"Not much," said Orochimaru, "Just assist me in a small ritual for a moment and then we'll get down to business."

The blonde girl moved trustingly towards him, and Orochimaru could practically smell the trust radiating from her.

Stupid girl, he inwardly laughed.

Let the fun begin.

Shinju is actually a friend of mine. Her name ain't really Shinju but whatever. She's just a little OC.

Inspire me my Muses. May the bright-eyed Athene bless me with inspiration and thought so that I can shower you with goodness.

Would that I could, my darlings, would that I could.

Everyone keeps saying Queen Lizzie will die on March 19th and I'm frightened. Oh god no. Long to reign over us, God save the Queen.

Anyways... I missed you guys. I've been able to read and review FanFics elsewhere but it's like I died here. Welcome me back with open arms and open legs.

That was weird.

I'm sorry.

Lol.