The Unusual Uchiha

by makoto x chelia

Aspiring to be a great Ninja like his elder brother Shisui, Ryouta Uchiha embarks on a painful journey of discovery and to hone his skills in order to fight the darkness that plagues his clan and the world.

25. Chapter 25

Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!

Hellspam; Yeah, it is going to be something alright, I've got good plans for the future. And thats a good idea, I could see them together. Hmmm, you'll have to read and see how he survived. And yes, those are going to be good events to do in the future.

Ragna; Yeah, I can see many funny and good moments between the two, and having them both together would be good.

War sage; Thanks, and I'm glad that it was surprising. In this chapter, he'll find out about it. Hehe, cool, I could see them together. I haven't decided that yet.

Castor115; Hehe, he certainly is alive. Yeah, in the future, it will be explained as to why Obito seems so obsessed with him. Hmm, she did say that she liked canon Sasuke or at least found him handsome, so I could see her liking Shisui so maybe she could become apart of that pairing.

Harem Master123; Hehe, thanks~ Well, Ryou is forgiving, to a fault. Though he can't forgive everything in the world, that happens, though if he knew the reason, and it was valid, he would probably be able to forgive that way. Yup, Shisui is back and kicking ass! Hmmm, yeah maybe. He could be Inari's new dad, and Ryou would have a little brother figure. Yugao, I could see it as well. Cool suggestions! Hehe~

Jugar38; Hehe, yeah he's alive alright. I'm glad that you liked it. Yeah, Sai is going to be a fun character to do, and I have some pretty funny moments involving her in the future. Yes, Haku will be arriving back in the story soon. Yeah, with them on the same team, they'll soon be bonding quite abit. Hehe, that seems to be quite popular, and free ramen if he dates her~ And thank you!

Anime PJ; Hehe, I had to have the kid have some happiness. By the near end of this part of the story, if he didn't get one of them back, he'd be emotionally damaged and mentally as well, after everything Madara put him through, and losing many things like Izumi and Itachi as well as seeing the Uchiha dead, at least some of them and then getting stabbed, and seeing Mikoto in such a state, that would mess many people up. Hehe, yeah, Danzo better watch out in the future. You're right about that, I think it did as well. And really? I didn't know that I was good at writing dark themes, I suppose that's a good thing, isn't it?

Jeirin; Hehe, thanks~ Glad that ya liked it. Hmmm, yeah, I thought it would be good to show such things. Yeah, Shisui is alive and kicking alright. And yeah, Madara can't spam it indefinitely, and can only use it for 5 minutes before it has to be deactivated.

Skull Flame; Yes, many things happened last chapter. Yeah, Satsuki awakened her Sharingan and went to fight against Madara. and yup, Obito seems to be like that, though there is a reason, which will be revealed down the road. Hehe, don't forget that they are only 7-8 at this point, though then again, Sai wasn't really reading a book that she should be, then again maybe Sai did know, and just wanted to get into his pants? Hehe, he's gonna have some stalkers in the future. Karin being one of them. I've got many funny moments with Karin. Yeah, he's alive alright, and you're right about that scene, it was Shisui. Well, besides Ryou, you'll have to read and see who knew about it. Naori Uchiha is from a filler, isn't she? Those are some good ideas, and a Ninja from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen huh, that would be interesting. Erm, yes I believe Konan has been suggested before. Yeah, I'd agree there with her. Thanks! Yeah, she isn't going to defect to Orochimaru, as she doesn't really have much of a reason too. Hmm, I have a good idea for that part of the story. Yeah, I'm interested, please tell me. Hmmm, I dunno how he'd handle such a thing. I suppose he wouldn't judge her for her father. Hmm, doesn't have to be an oc per say, it could be Mitsuki as a girl or something hehe. Hey, maybe she could even be used as plot for Orochimaru, to try, and lure Ryou away from the Leaf, but turns out that she falls for him instead, the opposite to what Orochimaru wanted. Ust a random thought that came to me.

Naroku; Hehe, yeah it certainly does alright. I've got plenty of ideas for the future with Shisui. Yeah, okay? Hehe~ Cool suggestions!

Mr Beaver Buttington; Cant please everyone is all I can say in response. Sorry if that sounds rude but I genuinely can't say anything else.

Cloud4012; It isn't a problem, I have good ideas for him in the future. Ayame sounds good, that seems to be a popular opinion. Yugao is a good choice as well.

Linkonpark100; Hehem he certainly does need a woman alright, his little bro can't have some without him having one. Hell, even Itachi has a woman in arms with him.

ShadowUzumaki55; Hehehe, he certainly is alive alright. Well, he certainly does have something's to explain for. Hehe, even if brief, Madara got a beat down by Shisui. Yup, it had to be done, especially Izumi. She had to do it. And yeah, they deserve to be together, however brief. Ah, she certainly has proclaimed it, and i don't have any plans to change the name as it is pretty much used for either gender. Cool suggestions!

Guest 1; Hehe, I'm glad that I caught you by surprise. Hmm, you'll see what he was doing during his absence in this chapter, at least it will be told what he did. Ayame seems to be popular, I wonder why? Either way, it is a good idea. Hmm, could be could be. You'll see soon what happens~ And that's not a bad idea for it.

Guest 2; Yes, he does have Uchiha eyes. And you never know, he might have the Eternal Mangekyou. Yes, Shisui did have Susanoo in that game, a green one at that. Yeah, she seems to be the popular choice. Well, he'll be using it sometime in canon before the Shippuden part of the story, but I wont say when to not ruin the surprise. Though I have a good idea for that fight and how it is going to go down. Hmmm, that would be interesting alright~

Neonlight01; Hehe, didn't think you'd be that excited, but yeah he's back now! He certainly does, but it will be explained this chapter. Well, mostly everyone is going to be happy about it. Hehe, they had to do it~ Yup, they'll be going on a day or so vacation, but they deserve it, and yeah, they'll grow together. Hehe, yeah I could see that happening. Shisui all confident until Ayame comes along, and he turns all shy with her or something like that.

Lightwave; Haha, yeah he is certainly back and kicking Obito's ass for touching his little bro. Exactly, it works in a few peoples favours, not just Ryou's and Satsuki's, though they'll benefit the most, I think and true, Kakashi can focus on the other two as well as Satsuki now, since she has a true Uchiha to teach her the ways of the Sharingan and those are some good choices.

Jack; Thanks! Yes, Shisui is alive, and he has some Sharingan eyes and were they came from...well, you'll have to read and see.

Guest 3; Hehe, yeah you certainly did alright~ Yeah, it seems brutal now, but there is a reason, though it wont be told for sometime yet. Madara's granddaughter would be a funny idea to do. I wouldn't know how to do the last two, or explain where they have been unless Obito or whoever kidnapped Naruto's sister or something as a baby and Ryou rescues her. Shisui caught Obito by surprise with him appearing and using his speed, with Obito underestimating Shisui, something that Obito wont be doing again in the future. That's how Shisui got the upper hand on Obito, though in a straight up fight, Shisui would still be able to fight quite evenly with Obito. As for power levels, I wouldn't know where to start, though maybe I could do something like that in the future for some of the characters, like a stat profile for Ryou and some others based on the ones that were released from one of the data books. Hehe, that would be cool alright. Fallen Angel Ryou, I could see that or maybe Shisui as the Fallen Angel, and Ryou as the Arch Angel, just a random thought.

AlphaOmega; Yup, he is certainly back and better than ever. Exactly, I bet Tobi didn't expect that when visiting Ryouta. Yes, Sai came back, and is reading...things that she shouldn't be, and trying things that she shouldn't be trying lol. And yeah, that makes Sai, Sai. More of her in the future. Yeah, Ayame seems to be the popular choice. Hmmm, maybe she could, would shake up that arc a little.

With those reviews out of the way, it is time to start the next chapter!

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The return of the Uchiha!

"Ooh Shi-nii, you came back to me. You really came back to me. I prayed and prayed that this day would come...I prayed that it was because you were out there, I never gave up on you Shi-nii, I knew that you'd come back...I'm so glad, you came to me and now...you're back with me...back together with me..."

Ryouta couldn't believe it.

The elder brother he wanted came back to him. It wasn't an illusion, it wasn't anything other than the reality set before him. He never thought he would see Shisui again, but now that he has, he couldn't be more happier. He was too happy in fact. He could barely control his happiness that he had right now, and did the only thing he could, and that was latch onto his elder brother, never letting go, never allowing himself to let go of the man that he thought he had lost.

Shisui, on the bed, kissed the boys head on the top, and stroked the back of the boys head, while said boy put his head on the elders chest. Shisui looked down at the boy, and smiled softly, seeing the face that he had longed to see for such a long time now.

"Yes, of course I did. I'm so sorry that I left you. There were reasons...but none are good enough to explain the reasons I left you. I love you Ryou, I missed you so much. It broke my heart when I had to leave. You must think the worst of me right now, and I can't blame you either, even I feel bad things about it myself. So I don't blame you if you want to hate me."

He was sure that Ryou would hate him now, at least dislike him. And he accepted that, he accepted that with a grateful smile on his face. He could bear the burden of Ryou hating him, because he did leave, so he would have to face the consequences of his actions.

But to his happiness, Ryou gently shook his head.

"It doesn't matter. And I couldn't hate you Shi-nii, I'm glad that God or whoever gave me this chance to be with you again, so I am happy that you came back." Ryou began, nuzzling against his brothers chest while said man reveled in the fact that he had his younger brother back.. "Yo...You're, back to me...you came back to me Shi-nii...but what happened to you...? Why did you leave like this Shi-nii...everything bad happened when you left...I was so scared that I wanted to leave with you..."

Shisui hung his head down, and peered into his brothers eyes, and within a split second, he could tell that something was different about the eyes, something more...powerful than he thought he would see within the boys eyes, and could only bite his lip so he wouldn't say anything.

"So...my fears are confirmed. He has awakened such eyes and at such a young age as well...shit, Ryou...I didn't know that I caused this much pain to you...I swear that I wont be causing you pain anymore. I promise that I wont ever make you cry anymore, or I will really kill myself. I can't...I can't believe that I did this to you...my Ryou."

Shisui felt guilty about it, he felt guilty about what happened with Ryou, and how he is now, something Shisui couldn't forgive about himself. Especially with the fact that Ryou has now awakened the eyes that he shouldn't have to have, but he does, and was determined to make sure that Ryou, should he need it, will be able to use his eyes, and use them effectively...but not at the cost that using the eyes usually costs.

Ryou then looked up at his elder brother, and cooed slightly.

"Shi-nii...you know, many things happened since you went away...and most are bad, they were really bad, and I thought that it could only get worse...even people have gone away...and I ended up like this again...I tried my best to protect Satsuki-chan and the others, but I couldn't in the end. I was...weak, and I don't like the feeling of being weak...I hate the feeling of being weak, Shi-nii."

As Ryou explained, Shisui blinked back the tears he had within his eyes, and stroked his brothers face softly, wiping away the happy tears the boy had for the elder, something the elder didn't believe he deserved.

"Oh, look what happened to you. All of these injuries, how did this happen sweetheart? Please tell me. I'd like to know what happened with...everything that has happened to you. Anything, and everything that has happened, I would like to know."

Shisui pressed for information, wanting to know all he could before anything else happens, so he isn't as caught off guard than he thought he would be and didn't want to be blind-sided by anything else.

Ryou looked up at the elder, and his face dropped considerably.

"Many things have happened since you went away. So many bad things happened since you left, and I was afraid, everyday when people came after me...I was frightened that...I would die."

At the revelation he heard, Shisui couldn't help but hate himself even more for making Ryou feel such things, when it was never his intension at all.

"I'd like to hear them, so I can catch up with everything. And you don't have to fear, I am here now. I wont let that mask, or anyone hurt you...so please tell me what's been going on, and lets go from there, alright?"

Shisui asked at the same as he thumbed the boys hair, taking in the appearance of his little brother, mentally berating himself for this happening to him and then ran a hand down his back, to the middle of his back, and slowly rubbed his thumb there, knowing its a place on Ryou's body that made him feel all giddy and happy inside.

And indeed, it did make him feel good inside of his body. He was twitching and moaning softly at the touch on his face, the thumb Shisui used was slowly sending calming emotions within him, which Ryou suspected Shisui using chakra to help him calm the boy.

"Hehe, even after all this time, I know where to make you feel good, don't I?"

Shisui softly hummed into Ryou's ear who nodded as he collapsed onto the elders chest.

"Yeah...Shi-nii's love is the best...I love feeling Shi-nii's thumb on my back like this...I've missed it, and these emotions...the bond came back, didn't it Shi-nii? It came back between us, didn't it?"

Ryou couldn't be happier with the bond back. Ever since it went away, he was...empty, but now that it was back, he wasn't anything other than...happy. Pure, happiness was coming to come, and Shisui could feel it as well, feeling the love between the two was amazing.

"It is yeah. When I wasn't bonded to you, it felt like..."

""It felt like there was a piece of me missing, and only you had the key to fill that part back and now I feel complete, because you're with me now, sweetheart/Shi-nii.""

Both said at the same time, with Shisui chuckling as Ryou giggled at the same time.

Even though they spent time apart, it was as if they weren't apart at all. It was as if they had come together again, and everything went back to normal, though there was some tension between the two. The tension wasn't a dark one, it was...something that was remaining unsaid, and neither wanted to bring it up but eventually, it would be brought up, though the other didn't know how to bring it up, so they didn't say anything about it.

"That's exactly it sweetheart. Even if time passes, only you know me the most. Now, Ryou...you were going to tell me what has happened? I need...to know so I can protect you, from people like that mask."

Ryou nodded, and began thinking about it. As he did, Shisui waited patiently for him to speak, as he wasn't in a rush, at least for now anyway.

"Where to start...? Oh, okay. Since you died...the Uchiha blamed Itachi-nii for your death, and he was under heavy suspicion. He became so under suspicion that he couldn't do anything and he got attacked a couple of times, by Uchiha Ninja that blamed him for killing you and taking your eyes. Everyone in the clan, at least the Ninja side blamed him...and me for your death."

That caught Shisui's attention, not expecting that kind of answer, especially at the last part, that was something he didn't expect, and could only question the boy on it, wanting to know more.

"They blamed you? Why would they do that?"

Shisui was genuinely confused by that. He never expected them to blame Ryou for his 'death'. Sure, he thought that Itachi might, and knew he could handle it, but never did it cross his mind that Ryou would be blamed for his death.

He was also slightly angry that they would blame a child for such a thing. And from how he said it, it sounded as if something bad happened when Shisui was away, and Shisui didn't like that in the slightest.

"They said that I killed you so I could take your eyes for my evil deeds, and that I was cursed because of what happened with Kaa-chan, and Tou-san and I was going to use your special eyes to make people kill themselves for my own enjoyment. So they blamed me, and some attacked me with rocks, and said hurtful things like I should die, and I shouldn't be born, and everyone hates me and things like that and some even threatened to kill me so I would hand over your eyes." Shisui tightened his hand at what he learned but kept his composure as he continued listening to his little bro. "Then...not long after that, rumours came about that...something wasn't right with Itachi-nii, and how he was going to do something. And that thing happened...not long ago."

Shisui took in all of the information that he heard from Ryou and couldn't believe what was happening. Since he wasn't gone all that long, he didn't think things would get this messed up.

"I see...so you've been suffering since I left..."

Shisui felt down by it, not expecting this to happen. He thought that with certain people dealt with, Ryou would be safe until he came back, but he didn't expect this to happen in the slightest. In fact, he thought that Ryou would be safe and sound while he was away, so he wasn't as worried than he should've been.

"I was also kidnapped." Ryou confided in the elder who wore a surprised look on his face. "That mask...he...she, whatever it is, was also there that night, and was responsible for killing a number of Uchiha. I...challenged it to a fight, and protected some Uchiha, who hopefully escaped...but it was too strong, and it did this to me." Gesturing to himself and his wounds, Shisui growled in discontent. "It tortured me when I was in...some weird dimension...I don't know what it was...strange. But it let me go...and I witnessed people...dead Uchiha on the ground, it was scary, but I did it and I am glad...if I could help some people escape. This little girl, I remember her crying for her Okaa-san, and Otou-san, and I felt a kinship with her, as I had, at that point, lost everything, and couldn't stand it for the girl to loose everything as well. Thankfully, she found her Okaa-san, but...I don't know about her Otou-san. I hope that he got away as well."

Ryou shivered when he remembered about that dimension, and became fearful but Shisui gave him a kind look, and rubbed his back softly, then gave his forehead a small kiss.

"A strange dimension huh...and that thing did it...I should've snapped its neck when I had the chance." Shisui muttered to the confused Ryou, so he wore a small smile, and directed it downwards at the child. "You don't have to worry anymore, I am here now. And I wont leave you."

"Promise?"

He begged with a whine, with Shisui smiling down at him.

"I promise with all of my heart, and since I left you so alone, I owe you presents, don't I?"

"Hehe, many! Many, many, many presents!"

Ryou announced to the bemused Shisui.

"Okay, very many presents I will give you." Shisui chuckled out, and then faced Ryou with a serious face. "Ryou, tell me something. What happened to Izumi-san? She didn't die...as well did she? I couldn't find her when I looked around, and I am worried..."

He was worried for her. He hoped that Itachi didn't kill her like he did the others in the clan, and now this masked man, woman, he didn't know. Whatever it was, caused pain within the clan...and he was pissed.

"You don't know?"

Ryou said, more than asked to the elder while facing away from him.

Shisui cocked a brow upwards in confusion as he wrapped an arm around his little brother.

"Know what sweetheart?"

Ryou, while looking out of the window blinked away some tears before facing back towards Shisui, and instantly, the elder knew something was off for him to show such a face.

"Izumi-nee left with Itachi-nii after everything happened and most likely has gone with the mask somewhere. And I'm sure that her Okaa-san is dead as well, as I remember something about that mask...saying something about it."

Shisui blinked in shock at what Ryou had explained to him.

"Y...You aren't, kidding, are you?" The baffled Shisui had to ask, only for Ryou to give a single nod in agreement with what Shisui said. "Damn...I knew that she loved Itachi...but for her to leave Ryou like this...I didn't expect it. I thought that she'd stay with Ryou...that's what we promised one another, but she left with Itachi and to think that her Okaa-san is gone as well...she could've awakened the Mangekyou as well, damn it...if she's awakened that...just what kind of powers does she have now...?" While he wasn't angry with the girl, he was slightly mad at the fact that Ryou had to go through losing her as well as Itachi. "Ooh, I'm so sorry that she went and left you here. I didn't think she would do something like that and leave..."

Shisui trailed off, and looked out of the window himself, sadly thinking about Izumi and how she left Ryou alone, something that he didn't want the boy to be. Just something about Ryou being alone was...terrible to him.

"I don't think she had a choice." Ryou explained somberly. "I don't remember it well...because I think that the mask put me under some drugs, but I remember something happening with Izumi-nee, Itachi-nii and the mask, and it came down to some kind of choice...and she chose to go...to protect me...she saved me...she gave me the chance to see you again...I don't...know what to think about it...I wish she could've stayed...but that's no longer possible...Izumi-nee..."

Ryou finished off, and held his head down in sadness, a sadness that he didn't want to feel, but didn't have a choice as this was his elder sister figure, the one that he really loved, and had lost as well.

As Shisui heard it, he was overcome by many emotions, most of the confused him.

"I can't believe that I leave for a few months, and all of this happens...damn it, I didn't think everything would get this messed up by me leaving. I wish that I didn't have to leave...damn you Danzo." He thought bitterly, and then turned his neck back to Ryou. "I see, so this mask has been causing trouble then. I wonder...what it is?"

"I don't know what it is, but I believe it might be an Uchiha."

Shisui blinked a couple of times at the info that he heard from you, and looked directly at the young boy.

"An Uchiha? Why would you think that?"

Shisui had to ask, so he knows what he was dealing with.

If there was another Uchiha out there...then it would be problematic, so Shisui was glad that he was still alive so he could protect Ryou from this Uchiha, if the mask was an Uchiha in the first place.

"It's just...when we were fighting, the mask mentioned something about being a skilled user of the Sharingan, and only Uchiha have Sharingan, yes?" Shisui nodded absentmindedly, seemingly forgetting about a certain person for a moment, as Ryou continued on. "There were also little things that made it seem like he, she, was either an Uchiha, or closely related to Uchiha or someone who stole some Sharingan to acquire the power of Uchiha. Either way, it is a dangerous opponent. It has an ability that can allow things to phase through things, for...three minutes, though it could be longer."

As Shisui heard it, he was mulling it over in his mind what kind of opponent they were dealing with, and while he didn't doubt Ryou, he couldn't believe an Uchiha would kill others without some good reason like Itachi, but he couldn't come up with an answer as to why an Uchiha would do it.

"I see...so, we have a rouge Uchiha on the loose...that's dangerous alright. By the way, have you told anyone else about this?" Ryou denied it with a shake of his head to the relieved Uchiha. "Okay...then Ryou, I need to ask you to keep this little information between us. You can't tell anyone else about what you know, okay?"

That made Ryou feel confused and he didn't like being confused, especially when it has to do with something as serious as this.

"W-Why would we keep it a secret? Shouldn't everyone need to know about this?"

Shisui released a breath out of his nose, and answered the boy softly.

"Because, if people find out there's another Uchiha out there...it could be a problem. Like right now, the only capable Uchiha who aren't 'evil' are you, Mikoto-san, and Satsuki-san. Tomorrow, that will change with myself, so that's four Uchiha that are aligned with the Leaf. If people found out about this Uchiha...then it could be dangerous. And this Uchiha does worry me, being able to coerce both Izumi-san and Itachi to go along with him...her, whatever it was. Lets just keep it between us, for now. One day, I swear that this Uchiha will pay for what crimes that have been committed, until then we have to keep it between us, so nothing happens to the Leaf."

Upon hearing what he had heard, he could only nod at what the elder Uchiha, believing that Shisui would know best, and decided to keep quiet about it, at least for now he will.

"Okay...but, other people saw it as well. Satsuki-chan saw it...what do we say to her? I don't like lying about it to her."

Ryou thought it would be bad if he did it.

He didn't like the idea of lying to Satsuki, as he was sure that she wouldn't lie to him. So lying about someone they both were determined to get one day, he didn't know how to feel about it, however, he also believed in Shisui.

"I know, but if she thinks that this Uchiha has killed quite a number of her clan, what would she think? What would the remaining Uchiha believe in the fact that a fellow Uchiha, besides Itachi, has killed some of them, and attacked someone like you, a child no less. It would cause panic and alarm, something we can't have, Ryou. I mean, how do you feel about an Uchiha killing the clan besides Itachi? How do you feel about some unknown Uchiha out there that would drag our clan through the mud like this and do such deplorable acts like hurting you and kidnapping you and forcing Izumi-san to leave and cause this mess?"

"Yeah...I don't like it one bit." Ryou said with a nod of his head. "He...She...it, did many things that I cannot forgive, it was something terrible, and unless it had a good reason, I cannot forgive this person. I know that Satsuki-chan would be angry...but that doesn't mean people still know about the mask. What are you gonna do about that?"

"It'd be better if they think it was someone Itachi hired to take out the clan with him...at least for now. In the future, I will do anything I can, to help them return here, in the future. I don't know how, but we will, get them back. I swear that we will Ryou, you believe me, don't you?"

Ryou gave a small smile, and hugged his elder brother tightly, with both basking in the warmth they both had wanted for so long.

"Yes, I believe you Shi-nii. I've always believed in you Shi-nii."

Hearing that, Shisui felt relief wash over him as he looked at his little brother. Seeing his little bro's eyes shining while looking at him, made him feel good...but that wasn't to last.

As they looked at one another, a familiar discomfort came. A discomfort that neither Shisui, or Ryou would like. In fact, they didn't even want to think about what they were thinking about, and kept taking uncomfortable glances at the other one.

While neither wanted to talk about it, Ryou kept thinking about it, and was slowly beginning to wonder why Shisui actually left, as he didn't get an explanation. He didn't get a reason as to why he actually left him, and he couldn't keep thinking about it. He needed to voice his opinions, so that's exactly what he did.

"Shi-nii, where did you go when you faked your death?" Shisui tensed at the question, Ryou doing the same but for different reasons. "You know I was bound to ask it...so please tell me...why did you leave me?"

"I didn't mean to leave you, and hurt you."

Shisui explained to the young boy, who didn't accept the answer in the slightest.

"I understand that you're sorry, but I am also worried about what happened. Why don't you tell me what happened? With your eyes, what happened with your eyes Shi-nii? I felt...something happen with your eyes...but you have your eyes...yet they look different as well..."

Shisui's eyes changed to the Sharingan, and showed Ryouta the fully formed Sharingan, to his shock.

"These aren't my eyes, it's true." Shisui confided in the boy who blinked a few times. "These eyes, are of the Sharingan though, so I still have my powers with it. They are perfect for me, even. You see, my eyes, they were too dangerous to be allowed to fall into enemy hands, so I had to destroy them. It's better this way, to keep us together. My eyes, are not worth us being apart."

He lied to Ryou, it being better than the truth, as he didn't want to put Ryou at risk with everything, so he thought it would be better if he lied about it, even if he didn't like the idea of lying.

"You...destroyed them...because someone was after you, weren't they? Someone...attacked you, didn't they? Someone, within the Leaf...maybe?"

Ryou questioned, and looked outside at the Leaf, and for a second, he felt slight anger for the Leaf. Though he didn't have any evidence on such things, he couldn't see many people giving Shisui a challenge or that would have an opportunity.

Seeing his face, Shisui saw that the boy had some hate in his eyes, and he understood it. He could understand why Ryouta had some hate in his eyes, as Shisui hated Danzo for what he did, and what made him do as well. It was something that he didn't want to do, and now he has upset Ryouta a lot, evident by how the look was in his eyes.

"No, it wasn't anything like that." Again, Shisui lied, so he doesn't start resenting the Leaf for what Danzo did, though vowed to tell him when the day comes for it. "It was an enemy Ninja that wished to use my eyes to destroy Konoha, so I couldn't allow that to happen so I plucked them out of my eye sockets, and destroyed them. Then, I...did what I did."

What Shisui said to Ryou made sense to the young boy. He could see why Shisui would do that, as he knew how dangerous the eyes were, so what Shisui had said did make sense to him, and he could see why he did what he did, though he didn't like the idea that Shisui had to go through all of that because he unlocked something that could've been beneficial for the Leaf, and everyone good as well, so he hated it slightly, that he had to do something like that.

"But...you left..."

"Yeah...I left. I had to make sure that you and I would be safe. I had to collect evidence, and set up things that would make sure that we are safe. You could call it insurance. Insurance so no one could hurt us again. I did it all so I could keep you safe. So I could be with you, without having to worry about anything else. Just you and I, together."

Shisui gave a clarification to Ryou who was still in awe at everything that was happening around him.

"Keep me safe...? You...left though...without telling me...you let me believe you were dead..."

Many thoughts ran around his mind. The brother he thought was dead, isn't dead, and now is back, and saying things that are confusing to him. He was happy, too happy that Shisui was back. But still, something within him was...too stunned to do anything else.

Shisui hung his head low, hearing that, and mentally berated himself for everything that was happening.

"I know, and it was something that I didn't want to do. If you had known, it could've put you in more danger than you should be in. I didn't know you'd be there when I did it...I should've guessed that you would've felt it through our bond...but now, it's okay, isn't it?" Ryou remained quiet, something that visibly upset Shisui. "Ryou? Do you...not like me anymore?" Again, Ryou remained quiet and looked down at the sheets, without saying anything. "I see...yeah, I shouldn't of expected to come back, and have everything go back to normal. Ryou, I am so sorry I caused you so much pain...if there's anything I can do, and I will do it. I want us to get back to normal...I want us to be back together again. All of the months I was gone, I thought about you, and I cried because...I wasn't with you."

Shisui expressed towards Ryou his pain and sorrow, the boy having the same reaction, as said little boy burst into tears, something Shisui saw, and felt like doing the same.

"I cried, because I thought you were gone...I thought that you didn't want to be with me anymore...I tried my best to smile, but when alone...I couldn't help but think that I...did something that made you...jump. I had nightmares about you leaving, and how I was truly cursed..."

"Hey hey now." Shisui comforted, and hugged his little bro. "Don't worry about it, I'm the one that left...you, felt pain because of me. I will make it up to you, I promise you this. You can hate me if you-"

"I don't hate you." Ryou said to the everlasting joy to Shisui. "I just...I'm just overwhelmed by it all. But I am glad that you've come back to me, Shi-nii. I just wish that you didn't have to go. Or at least you could've told me about it."

Hearing what the boy said, he could only break down and hug Ryouta tightly. Ryouta also hugged Shisui back, and both brothers embraced one another, keeping one another closer and closer.

"I know, I wish that I didn't either. Ryou...I will make it up to you, however I need to do it. I will show you that it wasn't your fault that I left, and I wont be going anywhere now. When I heard you became injured, I rushed back to the village. I was on my way back anyway, but...hearing that you had been beaten in such a manner, I had to come as quickly as I could. I never imagined that this would happen."

"Shi-nii...you know, I wanted you to come back, and now that you have...I am so happy. Shi-nii, you'll help me become stronger, right? You'll help me gain strength, yes? I don't want to ever lose you again, so I have to become strong, stronger, than anyone else."

Shisui nodded and grazed the back of his head, his fingers running through the boys hair.

"Yes. I will help you get stronger. I'll do whatever it takes, so we can achieve our dream of being the strongest Uchiha brother combo."

Hearing that, Ryouta laid his head on his brothers chest, and cooed softly, igniting a warmth within Shisui's chest that he had longed forget, yet it felt like it was something as close as yesterday.

"Shi-nii...stay with me..."

The mutter came as quiet as a ghostly whisper, that was carried over to Shisui's ears, who allowed a smile to grace his face, a faint smile at that, but it was enough for Ryouta to catch it, and hold it within his heart.

"Yes, always from now on. I wont leave you again, I swear it."

The reassuring words he heard from Shisui was enough to make him complacent, and soon, his eyes began to turn heavy. With reassurance from Shisui, Ryouta slowly began closing his eyes, indicating that he was going to fall asleep soon.

Soon, Ryouta fell asleep, with Shisui laying on the bed. While the boy slept, Shisui kept stroking the boys face, pushing the hair out of his eyes, and out of his delicate face as well.

"I'm sorry, Ryou. Tomorrow, I will make my comeback known...and then we can make up for lost time...don't worry though, I was away for...things that you don't have to worry about, Danzo wont stop us being together again...and I'm sorry Itachi, I'm sorry that you and Izumi had to bear this burden together, but don't worry, I will look after your family now as well as my own."

As Shisui was thinking it, he caught the sight of the moonlight bathing the boy in such a radiance that he had forgotten such a sight until now, not having seen how...wonderful his little brother really was and how much he truly did miss Ryou, and everything about him, vowing to make it right.

Though he couldn't move much, due to Ryou clinging to him, he didn't want to move at all. He was content with laying down like this, as he hadn't had the chance of doing this since...he couldn't even remember when, but he was happy that he got the chance to do this again.

---

At a secret location...

"Hehe, you're really nice, I didn't expect to meet someone kind within the Akatsuki. You're a real gem~ Even though we've just come, you're already being nice to me~ So thank you!"

Izumi said to the person next to her as she walked down a large corridor with various carvings on the walls.

Next to her, was a blue haired girl in her 20's that had hair to her chin and it was straight, without any imperfections. Within the left side of her hair, a single flower made of what appears to be paper was placed there, and above her amber eyes, she wore lavender eye shadow. On her body, she wore a large cloak that had red clouds on it, the same thing Izumi was wearing, though her's was more...stylish, in the fact that it was shorter and showed some leg.

"Well, I have to admit, you're something else, Izumi-san. I've never met anyone within Akatsuki that is nice like you are. It is a pleasure having a...normal person around the Akatsuki for a change, though don't say anything to Pain-sama about that."

The woman said back to the girl who smiled happily.

"Yes, I suppose I am and I wont, don't worry. Itachi-kun has been a little busy with reading or something while we wait for whatever it is, I don't know, and you seem to be the only sane Akatsuki member that I've met, so I thought that we should become friends by talking about random things and having some girly bonding time. Don't you agree, Konan-chan?"

The newly identified Konan inclined her head in agreement as a gentle hand ran through her blue locks, strands coming between her fingers, which Izumi found to be rather exotic.

"Yes...while Pain-sama is my...I guess friend, it is good to have someone else to converse with, especially when conversations take good turns and is a girl as well. By the way, you were telling me about this Ryouta-san?"

Izumi put her hands together, then she got out a picture of Ryou and her together while hugging, showing it to Konan.

"Yes, this boy is like my pride and joy. He's so skilled at such a young age, and he's adorable as well as cute. He's so adorable, isn't he?"

Konan looked at the picture, taking it in her hand at the same time and smiled slightly seeing the sight before her, and noted how happy her new friend seemed to be.

"Yes, he's something else alright. He's a real cutie, Izumi-san."

Agreeing with the girl, Izumi couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Yeah, he is...and I miss him very much as well." She said dejectedly and sighed. "You know, this Akatsuki thing...that Orochimaru person I saw when coming just before, is that thing a boy or a girl, because I could've sworn that he or she was speaking about little Uchiha boys just before to him or herself, depending on gender. And I swear that it had a girls face before, yet I heard it was a boy back in Konoha. I mean, I'm not against gay people or anything if he is a he...but speaking about little boys in such a dirty manner...and I can only assume that these boys are underage...it isn't good, is it? Isn't that like...you know?"

Konan's eyes opened a little in mild shock, before a small titter escaped her lips.

"I have no idea if he or she is a human at all. It's...weird, I've personally never liked Orochimaru that much myself. He's...She's, whatever it is, is just...creepy, and not in the good way Pain-sama is either. I'm glad that Orochimaru isn't here right now, it just gives me the creeps with the snake stuff, and other things like that, like when he sticks out his or her tongue in that weird way he or she does, though don't say anything about this to Pain-sama. Orochimaru is still an ally, no matter my personal feelings."

Konan shuddered, liking the fact that she can be open with Izumi, and her not judging her on anything either.

"Yeah, of course I wont...what is the leader like anyway? I haven't met Pain-sama yet since when we came, not many people were here. And what's with the name 'Pain-sama' anyway? Does this person like causing pain or something?"

Izumi questioned as they rounded a corner, wanting to know more about the leader, though she knew Madara was the true leader (at least that's what she believes), but didn't know if Konan knew this or not, so didn't say anything about it.

"Pain-sama is...different to what we would usually know. And yes, many Akatsuki aren't here yet, but they are coming so you'll meet them soon. Pain-sama doesn't really converse with anyone, besides myself and a few select others. But Pain-sama is trying to make this world a better place, so I take solace in that fact."

Konan spoke proudly, but a tinge of worry was within her, though that was soon dispelled when she saw the smiling face of Izumi's, something Konan quite liked within the girl if she was honest with herself.

"I see...so, you know...besides me, you, Itachi-kun and maybe this Pain-sama, are there any human looking Akatsuki members? I've seen whatever Orochimaru is, and I've seen this plant, flytrap like creature walking around, and then this guy that had tentacles for body parts when it stretched...it's weird, unlike you of course, I'm jealous of your beauty actually."

Izumi expressed with drool escaping her mouth, which was soon wiped away, though Konan caught it, and blushed with embarrassment.

"W-What? Me?" A flabbergasted Konan became bashful and waved a hand in front of her face. "N-No, it's I who's jealous of you. Your long hair, I'm envious of it. It's really pretty, I couldn't keep such lovely locks with my hair."

Konan pointed out, admiring the girls hair closely, even running a hand through some strands, something that Izumi didn't mind in the slightest.

"Hehe, seems like we're jealous of the other, huh~ Say, lets make it so we girls of the Akatsuki are like the cutest ones. As lets face it, I don't see many girls around in the Akatsuki...what is wrong with that anyway?"

"Hmmm, I suppose men tend to be more...evil than girls. We're just the exceptions, don't you agree?"

As Konan joked, the pair burst out laughing and while Konan's was more tamed, it could still be heard throughout the walls of the Akatsuki's hideout, but neither seemed to mind at all.

"Ooh yeah, we're the bad chicks of the Akatsuki, we can kick any mans ass~"

"You've got that right, women can be just as strong as men."

"If not stronger~ Girl power at its best!"

Izumi added with a giggle, genuinely enjoying her time with Konan as said woman returned the giggle, though it was softer than Izumi's belly laugh.

She didn't believe that she would be making any friends while in the Akatsuki, but despite just getting to know Konan, she could see that there wasn't any evil within her really, and seemed to have an alternative reason why she was within the Akatsuki.

Konan was the same.

She never thought she'd meet someone like Izumi within the Akatsuki, and thought that Izumi didn't fit with the Akatsuki, as she seemed to be a pure young girl, a girl that didn't seem to be evil in the slightest, and didn't know why she was in the Akatsuki in the first place.

"Say, Konan-chan. What kind of Jutsu do you use anyway? You don't have to tell me, I was just curious."

"My Jutsu?" Konan answered with a question, Izumi inclining her head in agreement. "I use paper for my Jutsu. I infuse chakra into paper, and use it for a variety of things like weapons, and other things as well. What about you, Izumi-san?"

"Me huh. Well, I don't have a particular fighting style I guess...uugh, as an Uchiha, I learned the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique when I was younger, and I have the Sharingan, so I suppose I have the average Uchiha battle prowess and I am good with weapons, at least Itachi-kun said that I am...ooh, I'm also a somewhat qualified Medical Ninja. I can do operations and such things like that. I've done some in Konoha and would like to continue my studies now, I suppose...maybe poisons are my thing? I can make a couple of different ones that do many different things. I'm always experimenting so, you know~"

Izumi finished off with a giggle, a nervous one at that, with Konan tilting her head to the side in wonder.

"Is that the case? Then there's someone like that within the Akatsuki. I suppose that it makes sense. The rest of us are fighting types, but none of us can perform complex operations. I'm sure combined with the Sharingan, you'll be an asset to Akatsuki."

"Hehe, thanks I think~ And I'm sure that you're one of the strongest Akatsuki members, if you work so closely with Pain-sama like the rumours say."

"Well...I guess I am, though I don't ever underestimate anyone. As even a cornered animal can destroy a stronger animal, if the right conditions are met."

Konan answered humbly, unable to do anything other than that.

"You've got a point about that."

Izumi agreed, and they continued walking together, talking about random things.

Though, a thought then came to the bluenette's mind, and she decided to state something towards Izumi.

"But have you noticed that most male Uchiha are always handsome? Sorry to just bring it up, but I was thinking about it before, and forgot to say anything. I've seen some images of Uchiha males, and they always appear to be handsome and or cute in the child's case that you showed me beforehand."

Konan stated, remembering the times she has seen male Uchiha before, and always thought that they were handsome, though they weren't her type, as she didn't really have a type.

"You are so right, Konan-chan. I mean, Itachi-kun is freaking adorable, and I love him, but that Uchiha gene makes them handsome as hell...however, I'm not with Itachi-kun for his looks, though they do give me a good treat if you know what I mean hehehe~"

She nudged and winked at Konan who's face remained neutral to the human eye, though if one looked closely, it was evident that she was smiling slightly with the tug of her lips.

"Yes, I can see why you like him. He's certainly got something about him."

Izumi of course agreed with her, but then she adopted a small frown as she thought about something, that soon turned into a small smile which made the corridor feel colder than it should.

"But he's mine, so please don't go for him. If so...then I don't know what's going to happen between us. Though, if you're interested in Uchiha boys, I could maybe set you up with Ryouta-kun in the future?"

Izumi warned with a slight smile, but some killing intent as well. Konan wasn't bothered by the killing intent, but knew that Izumi seemed to be protective over her boyfriend.

"Don't worry, I don't have plans to go after Itachi-san. And I'm not really into dating children."

Konan gave a little joke, though Izumi took it seriously and cocked an eyebrow upwards.

"Not now Konan-chan. When he's old enough. You see, me and...Shisui-san had this thing going on were we'd make sure that Ryouta-kun would get a harem. I don't know why, but I find it amusing when girls fight over him, and if you want him, I could get in a good word for you?"

Izumi winked to the bewildered Konan who didn't know how to respond.

"So...you're trying to set me up with your Otouto, like figure?" Izumi shrugged then nodded nonchalantly. "Well, thanks for the offer...I think, though right now, I don't think I need a relationship. No, I don't believe in going after any man anymore."

She said sadly, something Izumi picked up on and cocked her head to the side.

"Hmmm? Is something the matter Konan-chan?"

Konan looked at the girl, seeing the worry in her eyes, and smiled to herself.

"I still don't get it...this girl doesn't seem like she would be in the Akatsuki. There's no intent to kill within her eyes, she looks like she frowns upon something's like that, and I don't detect any evil within her. She's...a kind soul, something the Akatsuki do not know of now." Konan was absorbed in thought for a few seconds, then looked at the girl, shaking her head. "No, I'm fine, don't worry. It was something that happened ages ago now...besides, I've got Pain-sama to think about. And the goals of the Akatsuki as well."

Izumi nodded, expecting an answer like that from the elder female.

"I see, so you're partnered with Pain-sama, aren't you?"

Izumi guessed based on what she knew, with Konan nodding in agreement.

"Yes, that's right. I'm usually by Pain-sama's side. But right now Pain-sama is having a meeting with Mada...eeh..."

Konan stumbled on her words, and prayed that Izumi didn't catch on, as she slipped, and didn't want Madara to find out that she actually did slip like that, and didn't intend to do such things.

"Madara." Izumi finished off, earning a nod of surprise from Konan. "Don't worry, I know about it too. Actually Madara is the reason that both Itachi-kun and I are here. It's...what is Madara, is it a boy or a girl?"

"Eh?"

Konan let out a noise with some perplexity involved.

"Yeah, Itachi-kun and I don't know because of the gender neutral voice and all. So do you know what Madara is? Please let it be some kind of like gender confused person hehehe~"

Konan raised a finger to her lips, and then furrowed her brows.

"I...am not sure now that I think about it. Hmmm, I've never seen the full face before, and the part I did see, didn't tell me what was what, so I am unsure. Though Pain-sama might know...then again...Pain-sama might not know either...hmmm, this is strange..."

As Konan was mulling it over with Izumi, Izumi giggled at seeing such a serious face.

"Anyway, I prefer Tobi, at least Tobi isn't like all nasty like Madara is. I know they're the same person, but you can forget that when Tobi is being Tobi, can't you? Tobi is such a little freak, but funny as well."

"Hehe, yes, that's right. I do like Tobi as well, though there are moments when it gets annoying and you do wish to cause Tobi harm."

As the girls talked, they continued trekking through the halls of the hideout while talking with one another, taking in the conversation the other was providing.

Izumi looked up a few minutes later, and saw that she had reached her, and Itachi's, shared room.

"So, this is it for me. Say, wanna come inside? I'm gonna make some food now, for Itachi-kun and I. I swear, that boy would eat instant ramen or something if I wasn't around to cook for him. Gotta make sure he stays in good health and all."

Konan for a second was tempted to take the girl up on her offer, but soon she recoiled from that idea, and decided to shake her head.

"No, I have some duties to attend to. Though, thank you Izumi-san. No one has offered me a chance to dine before."

"Hehe, silly~ Next time, say you'll come?"

Konan was about to reject the offer again, but saw the pout on Izumi's face, so she inclined her head.

"Okay, when I am available, I will definitely join you for a meal. Though, if only I can make some of the meal as well."

"Hehe, you've got a deal Konan-chan~ See you later~"

Konan nodded with a serious face, and left. Though no one noticed, Konan's fingers laced with a picture of Ryouta and Izumi together, having forgotten to give the image back to the girl.

Izumi looked fondly at Konan's retreating form, and then turned her neck towards the door, and opened it softly. Entering the room, she saw Itachi was sat on the couches, a book in one hand, and some kind of liquid that Izumi didn't know about in the other.

"Hey baby." She greeted casually, coolly walking into the room, shutting the door behind her. "What are you doing Itachi-kun?"

She questioned as she walked closer. When she made it, she sat on his lap, and cuddled next to him.

Itachi looked into her face, and shook his head.

"Nothing, just killing time until you came back or the meeting was called, whichever happened first. Speaking of, where did you end up going?"

Itachi quizzed, putting his book down on the table beside him and the same with the drink.

Izumi gave a reply while yawning.

"Ah, I was just walking with Konan-chan and having a friendly discussion, is all. She's pretty cool, you know? She's nice, and kind, and to me at least, it looks like she shouldn't be in the Akatsuki. Though that's just my opinion."

Izumi gave her opinion on Konan, something Itachi couldn't refute, per-say, though still expressed a wish to her.

"Yeah, but still. Don't forget that this is the Akatsuki, someone like Konan is still a dangerous opponent. I believe she's an S ranked Ninja, in terms of ability and power and there is a reason she is in the Akatsuki. So, be cautious with her, and the others as well. They might seem harmless, but they are in Akatsuki for a reason."

Itachi warned, having Izumi's best interests at heart who gave a nod in acceptance.

"I know, I don't forget that these people aren't really good people and I know that they are most likely criminals. But I do feel like Konan-chan is a good person, but as you said, I will keep my guard up around them, especially the likes of Orochimaru. That thing gives me the creeps."

Itachi expressed her disgust of this Orochimaru, and turned her face downwards.

Itachi inclined his neck, stroking her back softly.

"Yes, definitely Orochimaru. Orochimaru could be after the Sharingan, from what I've seen and witnessed, even in the days before the defection from Konoha. So best be careful, and not go near." Izumi nodded again, and rested her head against Itachi's head. "Hm? Is something the matter Izumi?"

"No, it's nothing." She replied honestly, dipping her head low. "I just thought that it would be fun to make friends here. I know this isn't a trip, and this is life and death constantly...it's just, maybe some are misunderstood, and need a good friend themselves. I mean, we're misunderstood, and we could use good friends as well."

"You're right, it could be just as you said. And I won't discourage you if you wish to do that. I was only reminding you that this place was made for a reason, and the people that are apart of the Akatsuki are members because they aren't welcome anywhere else."

"Just like us, right?" Itachi could only dejectedly nod. "It's alright Itachi-kun, we're together, and that's all that matters. If you think it's too dangerous, then I wont interact with the other Akatsuki, but at least, I think some deserve a chance."

Izumi said with a kind smile.

Before Itachi could answer her, Madara/Tobi, came into the room while swinging the door harshly.

"Is there something you need?"

Izumi rudely asked as Madara approached the pair.

As the mask walked, both Izumi and Itachi watched with careful eyes and subconsciously activated the Sharingan, the pair having their tomoe's spinning when Madara made it to them.

"So, you intended to keep it secret from me, didn't you?"

Madara directed the question towards Itachi, the mans face frowning in perplexity.

"I have no idea what you're talking about in the slightest."

"Don't play games with me." The mask spat out with annoyance. "You know what I am referring too. Shisui Uchiha."

Itachi's eyes changed at that. While they remained with the normal Sharingan, they turned from normal, to angry. As for Izumi, she did her best to make sure that she kept a normal face on, not showing anything in the slightest.

"Don't mention Shisui around me."

Itachi threatened with raised killing intent.

"Why not?" The mask countered. "Don't you want me to know that he is alive and well?"

As soon as they heard that, Itachi and Izumi opened their eyes wide, though Izumi turned her face away so she had an unreadable expression on her face.

"Alive?" Itachi furrowed his brows. "Shisui died that day on the cliff. He isn't alive at all. I saw him go off that cliff, his chakra signature disappeared, he isn't alive at all. So don't bring him up again."

Itachi again gave a threat towards the elder who didn't bat an eyelid.

"Then, you're not good at reading the flow of chakra, Shisui Uchiha is very much alive. He's in Konoha right now." Madara explained to the stunned Itachi. "He's currently with Ryouta Uchiha, most likely. But he is very much alive and has some eyes, that I believe to be the Sharingan eyes. I saw him with my own eye. Are you saying that you have no knowledge of this?"

"Of course not." Itachi answered, and looked to the side, a small happy smile on his face at the fact his friend is back. "I had no idea. If I knew, I wouldn't of awakened the Mangekyou. Ryou felt the bond disappear, that reinforced my belief that he was dead...but he's alive." At that moment, his mind began working, and he looked towards Izumi secretly who avoided his gaze. "Did she know about this?" He thought to himself, and cast his eyes back to Madara. "I didn't know anything about this, I thought that he was dead, the same as you. But if he is alive, then isn't that a good thing? And how did you know? Why were you in Konoha in the first place?"

Itachi finalized the answer he wished to give, and folded his arms then asked the same question at the same time.

"Then...you don't seem to be lying...but yes, with Shisui back, the plans have changed again and it is none of your business of what I do. If I go to Konoha, then I go. With Ryou now having a teacher, it means that both he and Satsuki will become strong. You should be happy."

Madara was pleased with this. He/She was happy that Shisui was back so Ryou could become even stronger than he could without, so he/she was extremely happy with this result, though still didn't like the attack that Shisui gave Madara.

"Indeed, they will be. Now, if that's all?"

Madara scowled and turned face.

"You know, with Shisui alive, that means Uchiha have a competent Ninja, and that means another-"

"No." Itachi rejected. "Another coup wont happen. Shisui is the best Uchiha. If he is back as you claim he is, then he isn't going to allow Uchiha to be pushed around, and he isn't going to allow another coup to happen. Only the good Uchiha live now, and he isn't the exception. He's the one who taught me what I know and how I feel is based off his teaching's to me. And since he is alive, I don't have to worry about Satsuki or Ryou, he'll protect them both from harm."

"If thats what you believe."

Madara let out a breath and left the room, leaving the pair alone together.

As soon as he left, Itachi made a Shadow Clone, and ordered it to stay outside on guard, which it did without complaint. With that taken care of, Itachi faced the girl he loved, and raised a brow.

"You knew, didn't you?"

It was more of a statement than an actual question, though Izumi answered anyway.

"Yes, I knew...I was the one who helped fake his death, after all."

The news stunned Itachi.

He never thought that this would happen. He didn't suspect that Shisui was alive. Sure, they couldn't find a body, but he put that up to it being Shisui wanted his existence to be erased and didn't want anyone to use his body for anything.

"Izumi...how did this happen?"

Itachi was bewildered at best. He didn't know how to feel. Shisui was alive, and he was ecstatic, he was happy about it. But at the same time, he wish he knew that Shisui was alive. And with Izumi knowing, he felt out of the loop, something Itachi rarely was, and didn't want to be either.

Izumi hung her head downwards, and looked at the floor, an upset face appearing.

"It's...something Shisui-san wanted. He didn't want either you nor Ryouta-kun to know anything about it as he, and I, believed that you would act differently if you knew the truth, especially Ryouta-kun. It had to be believable Itachi-kun and it wouldn't of been if Ryouta-kun knew the truth. Even you would act differently to how you did, especially when you socked that one Uchiha, and yes I remember that as well. And lets face it, you're not the best at displaying emotions, so if they weren't genuine, then...you know?"

"Yes, that was a time where I grieved for Shisui...but Ryou, he didn't know..."

Itachi felt slightly bad for Ryouta, and didn't even know what he would be feeling right now. Hell, even he didn't know how to feel about this. His elder brother figure is back, and he can't see him and ask him things.

"It was hard, Itachi-kun. I knew from the beginning, and I almost broke each time I saw him cry about Shisui-san. I wanted to tell him, and you all of the time. But he told me to keep quiet about it, for everyone's good. He told me to keep quiet about the fact that he was alive so that he would be gone, and have time to do what he needed to do."

Itachi didn't know how to feel about it.

He obviously didn't blame Izumi for keeping it secret, finding it noble that she kept her promise, even from him. And it wasn't as if he had secrets from her, at least before the coup happened, so he couldn't blame her for this. He couldn't blame her for hiding things from her, as he was guilty of the same thing's.

"It was something that was unavoidable, after everything that went on with Danzo." Izumi began again. "I didn't want it to happen like this, but Shisui-san said it would be better if he left for awhile, to make things change within the Uchiha, and he wanted to give you a new power, something you wouldn't of been able to awaken any other way."

"So...you helped him...how? How did you help him do this?"

Izumi took a breath through her nose and released it through her mouth.

"Okay. Lets cast our minds back to that time, alright? Lets go back to the night that Shisui-san 'died' and you awoke the Mangekyou, then we'll take it to the place you didn't see, okay?"

Itachi nodded, and with that, Izumi began explaining the tale to him...

---

Flashback!

"Ryou...I'm so sorry...be strong...I love you...forever...bonded forever, always together..."

Shisui smiled as he disappeared from the side of the cliff, out of view of Ryouta, and Itachi himself who was too shocked for words, he couldn't even move an inch because of the overwhelming pain that filled him.

As Shisui fell off the cliff, he opened his eyeless sockets, but then his left eye socket changed. The area around it twisted and it slowly became the shape of the Sharingan, a normal Sharingan at that, with three tomoe's while his other eye remained the same with no eye being there.

"This should do it. Sorry for this, Itachi...Ryou, I'm sorry for about what you're going to go through...I love you so much. Itachi, you'll gain a new power for this, a power I hope you use to protect Ryou and your family."

Shisui quickly went through some hand signs, and just before he hit the raging rapids below him with pointy rocks shooting out of the harsh waters, he finished the hand signs and finished. That's when his body smashed against the rocks...

.

.

.

...But that was until the technique Shisui used activated at the moment of impact, and his body disappeared, as if it wasn't there in the first place. Though up on the cliff, it appeared that Shisui had just died, what the others didn't, or couldn't, see is that Shisui had in fact disappeared while mysterious fog filled the area.

With a wavy outline, Shisui appeared unharmed under the cliff, hanging upside down with using chakra to keep him on the ledge, and sighed in relief...though his eye had turned from blood red to pure white, indicating that it has lost its light forever, thus rendering him blind again.

While taking a breath, Shisui exhaled out of his nose.

"Okay, with this done, I have to get out of here, before anything makes me want to stay...Ryou..."

Shisui already felt like he couldn't go through with his plan.

He felt like he was going to break from being without his little brother, and even though he knew it was for a good reason, he still felt...almost destroyed within himself. His heart was breaking, his brow dripping from sweat.

"Shisui-san." Izumi appeared, whispering as Shisui looked on. "Come here quickly, it's time to erase your chakra existence so Itachi-kun doesn't get suspicious. The mist should help though, thanks to you."

Izumi explained as she hopped across the rocks near to the cliff, the waters raging below her, threatening to take anyone in the rapids. Fortunately, Izumi was able to keep away from the rapids.

At the same time, she took out a shirt that she had prepared beforehand, and was careful to make sure that she didn't get any of her dna on the shirt as she lowly placed it into the water, it being swept away instantly.

"I've done it Shisui-san, the shirt is in the river with your dna on it. With this, they can't deny that you were in the river so this will look like you're dead now, even without a copse."

Shisui cast his head upwards, and even though he couldn't see anything, his heart felt the breaking that was happening within Ryouta's heart, and he also felt like his heart was breaking as well.

"Right, I'm ready Izumi-san. And thanks for that, it was a good idea on your part."

Izumi waved him off as she watched the shirt disappear into the raging rapids.

"Don't worry about it, this is for my Ryouta-kun after all, and Itachi-kun as well."

"Yeah, with that done...I just need to cut the connection for this to work without Ryou...without Ryou knowing that I'm alive. Forgive me Ryou...forgive me for doing this. I didn't mean for you to witness this."

Shisui gave an inclination, and dropped downwards, using chakra to land on the water, and since he wasn't that high, it didn't bother him that much, though he couldn't see since now he had no eyes.

With a free hand, he ran a finger across his heart, and his finger glowed, and his heart as well. Then the glowing went away, and Shisui's heart beat went faster and faster, as if something devastating had just happened to him.

"Shisui-san, are you okay?"

Izumi, seeing that he appeared to be struggling to stand, quickly went over to him, careful to not go on the water, reaching from the side of the rocks and grabbed him by the hand, leading him away from the waters.

"I...I can't feel him beating with me anymore...this is so...heartbreaking...I don't know if I can do this to him..."

Shisui muttered in the girls ear, sending shivers down her spine.

"You mean, you've really cut the special connection between you two?"

Izumi stared with an incredulous look, something that she thought would never happen.

"Unfortunately, I had to do it. I had to make it look like I've gone...but this loneliness I'm experiencing...this is breaking my heart...I don't know if I can take this Izumi...I feel like my heart has been ripped out..."

Izumi could only look on with sad eyes, and saw how emotional Shisui was getting, and could only imagine what Ryouta was going through right now, though she prayed that Itachi would help him out of it.

While walking, she took something her pouch that appeared to be a pill, and gently placed it near Shisui's mouth.

"Here, swallow this. It will erase your chakra signature, though you wont be able to build up chakra until it is out of your system. I've already taken my one, so Itachi-kun and Ryouta-kun wont know I'm here."

"Great. Thanks Izumi."

Shisui thanked the girl who smiled kindly, and continued walking with the woman.

Once they were both off the water, and heading into the woods, Shisui swallowed the pill, and he could feel his chakra almost leaving him, allowing some to be left behind to keep his body going.

"So, this pill makes it so our chakra cannot be detected, yes?"

Izumi nodded, but then realized that Shisui is blind right now so slapped herself in the forehead, and turned towards the trees as they began moving away from the cliff, so they could get away without being seen.

"That's right, even people who are sensors, wont be able to see us. The downside is that we can't build much chakra ourselves. The most we could do is a small Jutsu, and even then it wouldn't be that effective. So...it's like a good method of escaping, but at the same time, if we're attacked, we'd be in trouble."

Izumi explained as she wrapped his arm around her shoulder, as they jumped up. Helping him, they hopped across the trees, aided by whatever chakra they had left, and since it was enough to help them, they made a speedy getaway.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

From behind them, Ryouta's scream rang out throughout the area, travelling towards Shisui's ears, and Izumi's as well, which caused them to stop in their movements, staying on a tree.

"Ryou...no..." Shisui turned back towards the scream, and reached out his arms. "I'm coming sweetheart, don't cry."

Shisui was about to move when Izumi got in front of him, and put out her arms and though he couldn't see her, he knew that she was getting in the way.

"What do you think you're doing Shisui-san? You said yourself that we have to go."

Izumi questioned, folding her arms sternly, seeing that he had stopped his advances.

"Cant you hear him?" Shisui cried out. "He's crying right now, and I caused that. If it continues, he could awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan. What if that happens? He could be tempted to use it...he might be sort after by someone stronger than Danzo. He's got the potential to become stronger than me, and his Sharingan is pure, it could be a powerful weapon and in the wrong hands, it could be disastrous for the Uchiha, the Leaf, and the world as well. I don't want him to be used against anyone, or his eyes be taken, like Danzo tried to do to me."

Even though he was trying to convince himself, more than Izumi, he knew he was wrong this time. He wanted to go back, but he knew he had to disappear, though it didn't make it any less heart aching. He wanted to go and make sure that Ryou is okay, so he doesn't have to suffer anymore than he already has.

"Even if that's the case, you asked me to take you away if this happened. Shisui-san, I already promised that I would look after Ryouta-kun, together with Itachi-kun. Right now, we need to leave, or this is all for nothing. I know that it is harsh, but both Itachi-kun and I will make sure he is safe while you go and do what you need to do. Don't worry, we'll protect him with our lives. But if you go back now, this would've been for nothing. And I know the rational part of your mind is agreeing with me right now."

Izumi made a compelling argument against Shisui, explaining everything that he had done to her before, and wanted Shisui to see reason, so that they could get away before anything could happen.

Even then, Shisui didn't want to accept it in the slightest, he wanted to go and make sure that Ryou was okay. And at that moment, he could feel the rain beat down from the heavens, something he found to be ironic.

"But...he's crying...for me Izumi-san like the sky is right now...he needs me...like I need him. I need him, and if he awakens the Mangekyou...it could become dangerous."

"Yes...but you'll come back to him, wont you? Just think about that. He'll be fine, he's tougher than you and anyone gives him credit for. Just trust me Shisui-san. Both Itachi-kun and I are going to look out for him, until you can come back."

Shisui felt reluctant, but knew the girl was right, and allowed himself to be carried away from the area, though he couldn't feel Ryou in his heart anymore...he knew that the boy was crying for him, something Shisui wished he could do right now.

---

Inside of a dark room, Shisui laid on a bed with bandages around his eyes and shirtless as well though thankfully had some pants on, with Izumi stood next to him with a clipboard in her hand, as she was going over something's with Shisui.

"Okay, Shisui-san. This should be it now. The eyes have been successfully transplanted into your sockets, just like the other one that has been transplanted into your eye. By the way, how did you even survive again? I'm kinda confused. It looked like a Genjutsu, but it looked real...eeeh, I'm so confused."

Shisui sat up on the bed, and turned his head towards the area Izumi's voice came from.

"I used the Izanagi to escape my death, at the cost of a friends eye." He told Izumi as his head hung low. "Yes...that gave me the chance to alter the outcome of my death, at the cost of that Sharingan's light. I am thankful to that guy...he gave me the eye to use should I need it, with the other being used to use the same technique as well to save our lives, that's why I had you implant it quick enough so I could use that technique. And Danzo thought that he'd get me with an Uchiha trick, such a funny farce. Though it was my first time doing it unlike the old hawk, so I was a little nervous. However, it worked, and I am glad. I am thankful to that guy, giving me a chance to be with Ryou again."

Shisui explained as fond memories filled his mind, of the friend that he lost, who was an Uchiha, and had entrusted him with such an eye to help protect the good of the Leaf, something that Shisui intends to do.

Izumi nodded, having a vague idea of it and what it could do, as she did remember reading about such a technique, though it was something that she didn't want to use, as she didn't want to become blind.

"I see...so, you used that Sharingan to save your life then? How did Itachi-kun not see it? The eye I mean. Surely, he would've noticed something, right? I just don't get it..."

Izumi was perplexed by it.

She didn't understand much about it, as all she knew was what Shisui told her, and he hadn't told her anything of it just yet, something Shisui himself was about to rectify.

"I cast a powerful Genjutsu to hide it from even Itachi's Sharingan. Yes, he might be known for good Genjutsu, and his Sharingan being something so good as well as to see through most Genjutsu, but not all. Though, sometimes even geniuses like Itachi don't see such things when in such situations, which made it more realistic when I gave both of my eyes to Itachi. So, after I went off the cliff, and took that pill, all of my existence had been completely deleted for a lack of a better word."

"I get it...yeah, they don't know you're alive now. But with those eyes, you have now. You didn't tell me where you got them from, where did you get them from exactly? Is there something about the eyes that I'm unaware of?"

Shisui hung his head low, not wanting to answer her, but he did so anyway.

"Lets just say a bastard is helping me this time." Izumi sensing the tone decided to not ask anymore about it, having a vague idea on who he was referring too. "Anyway, Izumi-san. I'm sorry to leave this task to you, but I have to go and get some insurance for both me and Ryou to be safe and...I have other things to deal with as well."

"But until then, what about Danzo? Wouldn't he come after Ryouta-kun now?"

Shisui cocked his head to the side, and exhaled.

"I gave Danzo the order "Protect Ryouta Uchiha at all costs" with my Mangekyou. Well, it was a little more complicated than that, but that was the gist of it. With that, Danzo wont know it, but everything he does when it concerns Ryou, will be so that boy is safe. He literally can't turn against Ryou, as he will believe that protecting Ryou will be the best way forth to a better future, so I don't have to worry about Danzo. I know he's effected as I saw it within his eyes myself. Don't worry about Danzo going for Ryou."

Shisui explained to the bewildered Izumi.

Izumi blinked in surprise at what he said, but then smiled happily.

"Good, I'm glad that it is something like that. Heh, bastard can't mess with Shisui-san and get away with it. I knew that you'd have a plan to protect Ryouta-kun like this. Yeah, I shouldn't of doubted you in the first place."

Izumi was glad that Shisui had done it. She was happy that Shisui used such a thing to protect Ryouta, so she wouldn't have to worry too much about Danzo...though, she was still going to be wary of the man.

"However, it doesn't have to work long, I just have to get some dirt on Danzo so when I do make my return, that bastard wont come for me again so I don't have to always be on complete guard. And I have to make sure that there aren't other threats as well. It's going to take awhile, but I will have to be away from my...from Ryou."

Hearing the sadness in his tone, Izumi knew that this was heartbreaking for him. She knew that Shisui didn't want to do this, but she also knew that she would keep Ryouta safe, so he wouldn't have to worry.

"Yes, that makes sense. But your eyes...why did you give them to Itachi-kun? Wont you need them in the future? For Danzo? Or anyone else that might come after you?"

Izumi couldn't figure it out.

Without his eyes, Shisui wouldn't be able to use his Mangekyou again. So, he would be down a power, and Izumi didn't like that fact, because Danzo got greedy, Shisui would have to give up something that he was given because he experienced a tragedy and now he wouldn't be able to use that power again to protect his family and friends.

However, Shisui waved the girl off who wore a concerned face.

"I've used the power of both eyes before. One on Danzo, and the other...on someone else. Keeping them wouldn't do me any good. Even with threats, I know Danzo would still come after the eyes if I kept them, and I know that he'd be able to cut down the time to use them, unlike myself, and maybe enemies I don't know about would come for my eyes as well. Plus, with my eyes gone, Danzo has no real reason to come for me now after I issue my threats, I know he wants me to make Ryou stronger, so I don't see him coming for me. And Ryou will be strong enough to defend himself from Danzo, should the Genjutsu ever wear off or he somehow is able to break in the future. If necessary, I will kill Danzo myself, if the day should come. So giving those eyes to Itachi wasn't only convincing that I was going to commit 'suicide' but it also gives me hope that Itachi will give them to Ryou one day, especially since he's most likely unlocked the Mangekyou and if he needs my eyes, I will gladly give that child my eyes, even if I cannot use them anymore. I don't want anyone but my boy to have my eyes, such power cannot go to anyone else but Ryou. He's...the best kind of person to have those eyes, I know he'll make good use of them, unlike other people I know."

He ended while speaking about Danzo, and how that man was going to take something that didn't belong to him.

Izumi couldn't complain with what he said.

Everything was fitting into place. Why he gave Itachi the eyes, why he didn't keep them, and pretty much everything else as well. She didn't feel so much confused anymore, and was happy that Shisui had thought so far ahead.

"I see...yes, I get it now. When Ryouta-kun becomes older, you're going to have Ryouta-kun have your eyes, if he needs them. Okay Shisui-san, I get it...but now, you're going to disappear, aren't you?"

"Yes...I have to go now. I'm sorry Izumi-san, leaving this to you. It must be hard, knowing that you're going to be the only person who knows I'm alive within Uchiha, and that the others wont, and you have to lie about such things. I hope you're able to cope."

Shisui said with bated breath and a depressed breath escaping his lips.

Izumi's eyes cast to the side, and she answered honestly.

"It's going to be tough to see Ryouta-kun and Itachi-kun go through it when I know the truth, but this is for their own good, so I can't say anything about it. Don't worry, I will keep it quiet for you. I wont say anything about it, even if it kills me."

"Thank you...after you leave here, we wont be seeing one another again for awhile."

Shisui stated to the young girl the reality of what was happening around them, something that she knew about well, but didn't want to accept it, at least for now anyway.

"Yes, it would be too dangerous for me to return, I understand. And you'll be going as soon as you're ready to leave. But that means we wont have contact, and you wont know what's happening with Ryouta-kun. Is that okay with you?"

Shisui thought about what she said, and knew that she was right about it. But something inside of him knew that it was the right thing to do, even if it felt like he was abandoning Ryouta, he knew that he had to make sure that the boy is safe.

"I have to be okay with it. He thinks I'm dead, and until I'm ready, I can't have him think that I'm alive. I will be thinking about him the whole time, but this is for my Ryou, and since it is, I am going to be okay with going so I can protect him, and make sure that he doesn't suffer because of Danzo and whoever else wants him and his eyes. It must be hard for you Izumi-san, but I am counting on you."

Shisui placed his trust in Izumi, knowing that the girl would be able to handle it, since she wasn't Itachi's girlfriend for nothing, and could handle many things if she put her mind to it.

Izumi nodded, and winked even if he couldn't see it.

"Leave it to me Shisui-san. I will keep your boy safe until you're ready to come back. Until then, leave it all to me, and make sure that you come back Shisui-san. He needs you...and you need him as well."

"Yes...I do. Until then, thank you Izumi-san for everything you've done for me."

Izumi nodded and crossed the distance, giving the man a hug which he returned softly.

"Just stay safe and come back unharmed for that child."

"I will, I promise you. I'll be back, just keep yourself safe as well."

They continued to embrace one another tightly, taking a good hug between the other and gave each other promises, which they intended to keep, no matter what.

End Flashback!

---

"And that's what happened, Itachi-kun."

As Izumi finished off the tale, Itachi was filled with many emotions.

Joy, happiness, and many positive emotions. He couldn't contain his many emotions much, however he still did, and looked at Izumi with a kind smile, a smile that the girl hadn't seen before, at least not many times before.

Itachi didn't say anything to Izumi who became worried that she would be hated for keeping a secret, and she couldn't take it, so she stroked his arm, gaining his attention.

But then he turned from her, his expression unreadable. He was so overcome with emotion. He didn't even know what to feel. He wanted to be happy, but something was also nagging at him, something he didn't share with the girl.

"Itachi-kun, please talk to me."

He again didn't say anything, to the sadness of the girl, who couldn't take it. She was becoming more sad, as she didn't like the face that Itachi had on, much less any other facial feature's that he has on.

She attempted to get his attention again, but Itachi beat her to the punch, and looked into her eyes.

"I can't believe that you did all that. You transplanted eyes into him, he used such a Kinjutsu to escape death, and faked it so he could gain evidence to protect Ryou, and himself. I have to hand it to him, he has done a good job this time. But you Izumi...you were able to really do such a complex operation so quickly?"

Itachi had pride in his voice, more than anything else right now. He was pleased that his girl was able to do all of this, and to keep it hidden from him, when he believed that she was bad at keeping secrets...well, he wouldn't be underestimating her anymore.

"Well, I'm not just a pretty face, and I am a good actress, aren't I?" Itachi could only incline his neck in agreement with what she said, never expecting anything from her like this. "With Madara knowing that Shisui-san is alive that means things are going to get a little more complicated."

Itachi again inclined his neck, and stood up to the girls confusion. He cast his eyes towards the window of the room, and a small smile graced his face, a smile that could light up an entire room.

"Yes, but this is a good thing. Even without his Mangekyou, Shisui is a very talented Uchiha. Or maybe he does have the Eternal Mangekyou, depending on what eyes he used. Satsuki, Okaa-san, Ryou, and the others will be safe now. He'll protect the clan well. All we have to worry about is ourselves now which does take a load of my...our mind."

Izumi agreed with a single nod, and stood up, wrapping an arm around one of Itachi's, placing her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry I didn't say anything. It killed me not being able to tell you. I wanted to tell you so many times, that I lost count. I almost cracked when I saw the sadness Shisui-sans 'death' did to you. But Shisui-san told me that I shouldn't tell you. I really am sorry and I will do anything to make it up to you."

Itachi shook his head, and pulled her close.

"Don't worry, it's okay. I don't mind that you didn't tell me. Since Shisui asked you. He must've had his good reasons to do it. And I believe in Shisui. Hmph, I should've known that he wouldn't leave Ryou like that. Yes, it makes sense now, as to why he didn't show me taking his own eyes out, and I always thought that the body not being found was slightly suspicious...guess that it makes sense."

"Yeah, he wouldn't leave Ryouta-kun, and you're right, but it was enough to convince even you he was gone, wasn't it?"

Izumi stated rather than asked, and knew that he was effected by it, however she hoped that now with Shisui being revealed as alive, he would be able to forgive himself for many things.

"Yes...I did believe he was gone and he did stop the advances of the Uchiha for the moment, which in turn gave us time to breathe...I wish that I could see him one more time, it would be nice to speak with him."

"In the future, we'll see them all again, Shisui-san included. Whatever you have to say you can say it then."

Itachi gave a strong nod, but then he furrowed his brows as thoughts came to him about what Izumi explained to him.

"Say, Izumi. The new eyes Shisui got, who's were they anyway?"

"His eyes?" She questioned, gaining an inclination from Itachi. Seeing that, she raised her eyebrows curiously. "Eeh...now that you mention it, I don't think Shisui-san did mention anything about it...weird, I do wonder where the eyes came from...though he seemed bitter when talking about them within his eye sockets. All I knew was to move them to an underground bunker while he was under suspicion and since I could move without anyone paying attention to me, I did many things while he played innocent."

Hearing that, Itachi looked towards the window, and sighed softly while stroking his chin slowly.

"If Shisui had a bitter thought about the eyes, then maybe they came from...him."

"You think?"

Itachi shrugged his shoulders at the question.

"It's just a guess, and I could be wrong, and it could be someone completely different that Shisui had a distaste for. Though I do wonder, who he used the other eye on."

"The other eye? You mean the Mangekyou, don't you?"

Izumi inquired from Itachi, unsure of where the conversation was going.

"Yes. You mentioned he used one on Danzo, but you said that he mentioned using it on someone else as well...I wonder, who else he used his powers on?"

That question stumped Izumi, and Itachi. They couldn't figure out who he used the other eye on, though to Izumi, it didn't matter much. But to Itachi, he still had to wonder who the other person he used the eye on.

Itachi then shook his head, and continued the conversation.

"Either way, I suppose that it doesn't matter all that much. As long as Shisui is alive, and since I have his eyes, I will keep them safe, until the time either he, or Ryou, needs them again."

Izumi gave a single nod of her head, showing a dazzling smile.

"Yes, until then, we'll keep them safe and we'll...do what we can in this Akatsuki to make sure the Leaf is safe."

"Exactly...oh, I heard that tomorrow, we'll be meeting our partner and the rest of the Akatsuki."

Izumi cocked her head to the side with a wondering gaze.

"Partner? Who's that?"

"I don't know yet, but whoever it is, I will keep you safe if the person turns out to be...someone we can't trust. But yes, we'll have a partner, a sort of three way team we'll have."

"If it is a three way, then I vote for another cute sane boy hehehe~" Izumi nodded and joked at the same time which weren't appreciated by Itachi, so she wrapped her arms around the boy and went to his front, giving him a kiss on the lips. "Or...maybe not...maybe a girl...? If that's what you want...?"

Itachi didn't show any bemusement so Izumi whined and placed her head on his chest.

"Hmmm? Is something the matter Izumi?"

She shook her head, and gazed into his eyes.

"No, it's just sometimes, miracles can happen, can't they?"

"I'm not one for believing in such things, but in this instance, I think you might be right."

As they looked at one another, a loving gaze was being sent between them, a gaze that they reserved only for the other. Itachi was content now, he was okay with everything that had happened. Since Shisui was back, he knew that the man would keep his family safe. All he had to do right now is keep Izumi safe, to fulfil a little boys promise, the promise being to keep his elder sister safe, and he intended to make that promise one of his driving goals.

---

Konoha hospital.

The next day arrived, and Shisui was still laying in the bed with Ryou.

He couldn't get much sleep, for various reasons. But he did watch his little bro sleep well, and that was good for him. He liked watching Ryou sleep, as he looked peaceful when in dream world, he looked like nothing could bother him, and that's something Shisui missed about him. He missed the boys smile, his face, and the grace that he naturally gives off.

As Shisui laid on the bed, he contemplated what he was going to do with Danzo, and other people as well. He wanted to make sure that he would be safe with Ryouta, and had to remember what he was dealing with.

However, that musing he did soon came to an end when Ryou began to stir in his sleep, and his eyes opened up. He looked around for a few seconds, before his eyes landed on his elder brother, and he smiled happily.

"Shi-nii...it wasn't a dream after all."

"Yeah, that's right." Shisui confirmed and gave a gentle kiss to the top of Ryou's head. "It's all in the past now, I'm back for good." Shisui then rotated his shoulder, and lightly stroked Ryou's face. "I'm going to have to go and see Hokage-sama soon, so I can tell them that I am back and get something's sorted out."

Ryou looked down at the bed, and rubbed his head against Shisui's chest.

"Yes, I know...but stay a little longer, okay?"

Shisui gave his consent with a nod, and lightly stroked the boys hair, having missed doing this.

"Yes, I don't see why I can't. I'll stay for another couple of minutes. But then I really do have to go. As soon as I get it out of the way, the better that me and you can be, and we can...do whatever you want to do. After everything you've gone through, I'm so going to treat you to anything that you want."

"Okay Shi-nii, that's a good idea. But Shi-nii, can I ask you something about when you went away?"

Shisui nodded.

"Yes, what is it?"

"I just wondered, where did you go exactly?"

Ryouta had to wonder where Shisui was, and wanted to know what he did, and how he was able to get around without anyone knowing. It was, something that interested him.

Shisui chuckled and shifted position on the bed so he was more comfortable.

"Yeah, I went all over the nations. It was...something alright. I went to many places, it was a unique experience. I also had some business in other places to do, so I was always moving around. It was kind of exhausting to say the least. But it was well worth it, at least when it concerns many things, though not what counts."

Ryouta was content with that, and he continued to lay on his side with Shisui nearby. As time went on, Shisui attempted to move, but Ryouta stopped him from advancing, and kept Shisui still on the bed.

He didn't want Shisui to disappear, which was obvious since he didn't want to lose him again. Though he knew Shisui had things to do, he wasn't quite ready to let go of the man just yet.

As for Shisui, he didn't mind spending time with Ryou again, he liked the idea of spending time with his little bro. He hadn't done it in so long, so he wanted to soak up all the lost time that they had with one another. It was something that Shisui loved, and Ryou did as well. Just spending time together like this was enough, words didn't even need to be exchanged to show the other how much they loved one another.

However, they didn't have much time together as two people came into the room. Those two were Mikoto who walked with a hand on her side, where she was stabbed, and Satsuki herself.

"Ryouta-kun, how are you..." Mikoto began, but then stopped when she saw Shisui, gasping along with Satsuki. "S-S-Shisui-san!? S-Since when did...what? What's going on? You're, real, aren't you?"

Mikoto was baffled by the sudden appearance to the man and moved closer to see that it was Shisui himself and not some illusion, while Satsuki quickly rushed over to Ryou, and pointed accusingly at Shisui.

"Imposter! You've turned into Ryou's dead Onii-sama, you're twisted to do that! Hasn't he suffered enough you monster!? Stay away from him!"

Satsuki wasn't quite as convinced as Mikoto was, due to her being less trained than Mikoto when spotting such things, and held Ryou close, so he didn't get hurt again by this 'imposter' in her words.

Shisui put up innocent hands, and confirmed who he was.

"Heh, don't worry Satsuki-san. It's me, I'm not dead. I've come back now."

Shisui gently told the girl, with Ryou nodding at the same time Mikoto made it to the bed, and sat at the end of the bed, wincing when she felt some pain from her side, something Shisui caught, and could only mentally grimace at, wondering what she had been through.

"B-But you jumped off a cliff!" Satsuki countered. "You left Ryou alone...if you are Shisui-san, then prove it by telling us something that only Shisui-san would know about us!"

"Satsuki..."

Mikoto attempted to explain, but Shisui waved it off.

"Okay then. Satsuki-san, my name is Shisui Uchiha, I want Ryou to have a harem with you as the main as I support your relationship with Ryou as I find it adorable plus I'm sure that you wouldn't settle for anything less than main. You once told me confidentially that when you marry Ryou, you're going to have your first child as a girl, and was going to name her Sayoki after your, and Ryou's names together and make sure that she's not going to marry someone idiotic moron."

Satsuki blushed in embarrassment, and glanced at Ryou who smiled innocently at her. She then looked at Shisui, and blushed even more, unable to do anything else other than that, and she looked towards the ground.

"Okay...you're Shisui...but where have you been? Don't you know what's going on right now? With the clan, with everything? With...Itachi and the mask as well...everything has happened, and where were you exactly? You could've come back early and saved Ryou from this fate. You have things to answer for Shisui-san."

Mikoto looked down at the ground as she heard how her daughter spoke about her son, and could only sigh, hoping that Satsuki wont resent Itachi for his actions, aware of the truth, but couldn't say it to the child.

"I've got to agree with Satsuki on this, Shisui-san." Mikoto added, then looked towards Ryou, smiling at the boy. "He was really worried about you Shisui-san. I hope you have an explanation for it."

Mikoto ended with a slight displeased tone, as she saw what happened with Ryou, and hoped that Shisui wasn't around for very good reasons. If they weren't...she didn't know what she would think about it, as she was the one who saw the child literally be ripped apart from the inside out.

Shisui bowed his head apologetically.

"Yes, I do have an explanation, but I have to go and report to Hokage-sama, as well as other things. But before I go, I have to ask...how many Uchiha live now Mikoto-san?"

Shisui was interested, and so was the other two as well. Since it was their clan, they wanted to know about it.

Mikoto bowed her head sadly as the nights memories came back to her.

"Yes...including us four here, there are 49 Uchiha left. Though, most are nothing more than mere civilians. However there are some children that have the potential to become strong Ninja, but besides that and with the exception of us two, with Satsuki and Ryouta-kun training to be Shinobi, everyone else is a civilian."

As he heard it, he could tell that things had been made this way. Otherwise, it wouldn't make much sense to kill only the Ninja, and leave the innocents alive, unless something made it so, and he had a suspicion that Danzo was involved for some twisted reason.

"I see...that's a lot, considering there used to be...but that doesn't matter now. So Mikoto-san, are you going to return to the line of duty? Are you going to become a Ninja again?"

Mikoto thought about it for a few seconds, before she ultimately shook her head.

"Hmm, that's a good question. If the need arises, then I would perhaps return to the lines of duty. But for now, I have things to deal with. The aftermath of...the massacre and other things as well. Besides, I have to teach Satsuki how to become a good clan head in the future so...things don't turn out like they did this time."

Shisui inclined his neck, and took a glance at Satsuki who seemed to be unaware of what they were talking about, which he was thankful for, as he didn't want Satsuki nor Ryou to know about it.

"So, I take it you've been named clan head?"

Mikoto inclined her head in agreement, to the shock of both Ryouta, and Satsuki.

"You're right, until Satsuki is of age, I will be acting as the clan head and will make sure that nothing happens, like what happened with Fugaku...though, with you back, it would be more-"

"No, that's fine." Shisui stopped her, guessing what she was going to say. "It doesn't suit me, and I wasn't born into that family, so only Satsuki and whoever she chooses to marry will be eligible after she is old enough of course. No, I'm going to be a Jonin, or Anbu, whatever. Until then, I'm sure you'll make a great clan head, better than...well, you know."

Mikoto could only move her head in agreement with what he said, and she quickly took a glance at Ryouta, and Satsuki together, as she clung to his arm, and him to her hand, seeing the fires of love not being lost between the two.

"Yes, I know. And yes, I will make sure that the clan is all ready for when Satsuki takes her rightful place in the future, with whoever she decides to marry." She then looked at the children again, and allowed a titter to escape her mouth. "I'm sure I have an inkling on who she is going to marry in the future. And she best do it before he reaches Jonin, as that's when I agreed to make him my husband...hehe, how naughty of me, to consider such things as taking Ryouta-kun away from Satsuki. Though when he gets old enough...I bet he'll be so handsome, and I hope he stays the same sweet, and innocent boy that I know now."

She thought with a fond smile, with Shisui catching it and smirking to himself.

"I best add Mikoto-san to the harem list I've devised for my Ryou. Kukuku, I might have to get back to work on this, I wonder what's going to happen with his harem in the future, as he's captured the hearts of the Uchiha women, who else Ryou?" He chuckled internally, then smiled happy. "Anyway, since it is early, I'm sure I wont be long with the Hokage-sama, as I am sure that he has things to do as well. Say, why don't you three go to that Ichiraku's place, and get some ramen, then when I'm done, I will go and join you? I'll even pay for it all so you can get whatever you all want without worry."

At the idea of food and they could get whatever they wanted, all of them smiled happily. Though it wasn't Satsuki's favourite, it would be fun to get some food, and perhaps at least forget a little about what happened during that night. As for Mikoto, she wished to spend time with Ryouta-kun, so she could properly thank him for helping her, and as for Ryou, he was happy to even care of they ate or not, as long as Shisui came back again.

"Hmmm, yes. We could do with food, couldn't we Satsuki, Ryouta-kun?" The children nodded in agreement, so Mikoto faced Shisui again. "Yes, we'll go to this Ichiraku's and then maybe we can hear an explanation?" Again, Shisui nodded. "Then, we'll go and meet you there. Satsuki, you wouldn't mind pushing Ryouta-kun, right?"

Satsuki shook her head, and wrapped her arms around the boys neck.

"I don't mind doing that, but what about the hospital? Wont they frown about taking him out?"

"Don't worry, it will be fine." Mikoto stated, and inched closer to Ryou. "You'd want to get some food that's not this hospital food, right Ryouta-kun?"

"Y-Yes, I would hehe~"

Hearing the child's laughter, Mikoto's face lit up with happiness and gently brushed his face with her hand. Shisui then walked towards the window, and opened it softly.

"See you all soon." He began, only to stop when he saw Ryouta's crestfallen face. "Don't worry, I wont be long."

Ryouta nodded at that, and Shisui left via the window.

At the same time he did, Mikoto slowly moved to the left of him, and embraced the boy between her breasts, something that Satsuki frowned at, but didn't voice it as she realized that Mikoto would want to thank Ryouta for what he did.

"Ryouta-kun, what you did for me that day, was very...beautiful. You disregarded everything for me, and attempted to help me. You saved my life Ryouta-kun, so thank you very much. And you saved many Uchiha as well, that was a brave thing Ryouta-kun. If there's anything I can do for you, then I will do it."

The kind woman explained, then leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead...or that was the plan. Ryouta unintentionally cocked his head upwards so, Ryouta's and Mikoto's lips caught one another's for an instant, before Mikoto pulled away with a blush dusting her cheeks.

In that time, Mikoto's face turned red due to embarrassment from kissing someone so young, but still had to admit that his lips were a little soft. She felt slightly ashamed of kissing someone so young, but was glad that it was an accident and wished that she could do it when he is of the appropriate age.

Satsuki witnessed the kiss, and was stunned by it all. She didn't expect her mother to kiss what she believed to be her man, and she was seething at the sight of seeing the exchange...though she thought it would hurt more than it did, and she was surprisingly okay with it, for the most part.

"M-Mikoto-san Immmm!"

Ryouta's face turned red at the touch of her lips, but then Satsuki took him by the face, and kissed him on the lips, while sending her mother looks that said "He is mine." which Mikoto caught, and smiled softly at.

After the kiss, he remembered something, and he looked up at Mikoto with serious eyes, something that didn't escape the elder woman who inched backwards, a wondering gaze in her eyes, and smiled gently at him.

"There seems to be something on your mind sweetie, is something the matter?"

"Not wrong, but...Mikoto-san, when Fugaku-san died...I was with him."

That made both Satsuki and Mikoto pay attention, with Satsuki hugging from behind him, resting her head on his back, making sure not to hurt him, least of all it be something disastrous.

"I...see. So...did he...no, maybe I don't want to know about it. Ryouta-kun maybe it's best if you don't tell me...anything he could've said would make me angry at him...and I don't want you two to see me like that..."

"Mikoto-san...he was sorry." That caused Mikoto to look down at the ground with no emotion on her face. "He said that he was sorry for what he did and how he made you sad. He said other things about how he...loved my Kaa-chan, and tried to love you but he couldn't to the extent he did Kaa-chan, and then he left you and Satsuki-chan to me. To me at least, he sounded like he meant everything he said and he was deeply sorry with everything that happened. I hope that, you take comfort in the fact that he didn't die alone."

Mikoto didn't reply to Ryouta straight away, unsure of what to really say to him, and how he and Satsuki would take it to finding out that her husband, Satsuki's father wanted to marry Ryouta's mother, and not her.

Satsuki was of course stunned, but at the same time, she was glad. She was glad because Ryou was there when her father died. While he wasn't her favourite person in the world, she could take comfort in the fact that he wasn't alone when he died, and he gave his consent that Ryou and she could be together.

But she did eventually gather her thoughts, and was able to give him an answer, at least the best that she could.

"Ryouta-kun, thank you for telling me...yes, that does sound like Fugaku. In the end, he really did die with someone with him. Ryouta-kun, I am sorry that you heard about how Fugaku...wanted to be with your Kaa-chan. And Satsuki, it must be...hard hearing such things."

While Ryou didn't answer, Satsuki smiled softly, and kissed Ryou on the cheek, earning a happy smile from the boy.

"I don't feel so bad. I'm just glad that I'm here, and it seems that Tou-san and I share the same interests in certain people in the world. While he loved Ryou's Okaa-san, I love her son. So, at least...Tou-san can see that I got to have something that he didn't get, and hopefully he'll be happy wherever he is."

Mikoto giggled, and hugged both of the children, and though it was unintentional, her bust ended up being pushed against Ryou's face, though he didn't seem to care all that much as he thought that her breasts were really soft.

"Yes, that's a good way to think about it." Mikoto gently spoke, her voice carrying over to the children like a whisper. "Now, since it is early like Shisui-san said, it would be good if we left now so the doctors don't say anything about it. We'll be out of here and back before they realize anything."

Ryou, and Satsuki nodded, and got to work. Satsuki and Mikoto helped Ryou into a wheelchair, minding to keep his leg elevated so it doesn't drag on the ground, and made sure that he broken arm isn't left dangling on the side.

At the same time that was happening, five people were walking down the hospital corridor. These people were Lee, Sakura, Hanabi, Ino, and Tenten. All five of them looked a little exhausted (besides Lee who looked fresh as a daisy) as they walked together.

"You think he'll be up to visitors?"

Ino began the conversation with raised eyebrows.

"I'm sure that if he isn't, he'll just say something about it."

Tenten assured to the blonde who nodded in acceptance.

"Though...I wonder how he is from the stabbing and all. I can't imagine myself being stabbed, and I have no idea what it would feel like. Then again, I don't think I will ever be stabbed, if I can help it."

Hanabi mused to the others, all of them wondering the same thing, besides Lee again as he was determined to make sure that he wouldn't ever get stabbed by being the best.

"Say Ino-chan, you think that Satsuki is going to be there?"

Sakura questioned her friend who sighed sadly.

"Unfortunately, yes. But that doesn't mean we can't do anything that's fun with him. We'll just have to remember that she's the one in charge, apparently. At least, that's how I see...hmmm, it's going to be difficult to get close to him..."

Ino sweatdropped at the end, with Sakura doing the same. At the same time, Tenten could only look on curiously and shook her head, with Hanabi doing the same thing, though for different reasons.

"I hope that he's ready to fight!" Lee announced to the annoyance of Tenten and the others. "If he is, I am going to challenge him to a race around the village to settle the score!"

Most hearing what he said could only look on incredulously at the boy, unsure of how his mind actually worked when it came out with such things.

"Are you like brain dead or something?" Tenten argued with Lee, and moved closer. "He's got a broken leg, and arm. How is he supposed to run at all? Do you expect him to use his good arm and leg to crawl across the Leaf?"

Lee clicked his fingers and pointed at the bun haired girl with an appreciative and catlike smile.

"That's a great idea Tenten! I will challenge him to that! We'll both use only one arm and one leg to crawl across the Leaf! Then, I'll show him that I'm the one who's winning the competition we have with one another!"

Tenten could only sigh at the boy with a hyperactive imagination.

"I'm going to regret this, but what are you talking about?"

Ino had to ask, and as soon as she did, she regretted it, seeing Lee having sparkling eyes.

"Yes! Ryou and I have competitions one another all the time! He and I keep score as well! So far, he has 23 and I have 22 but today, is the day that we become on equal footing, then I'll surpass him!"

The girls could only sweatdrop at what was going on with Lee, and how determined he sounded right now.

"That's great and all Lee, but he is...STILL IN HOSPITAL!"

Sakura yelled at him, causing the boy to wince at the loudness, and bowed his head in sorrow.

"But...I wanted to settle the score..."

"And you can." Hanabi began kindly, but her face fell into a frown. "When he's better. You can't challenge someone who is on crutches or in this case, can't move that well at all. Someone like that, couldn't possibly take any challenges right now. So just wait until he's better."

Though he knew Hanabi was right, he didn't like the fact that his friend, rival was in hospital right now, and only wanted to make him better by doing whatever he could, and Lee only knew of training, so that's how he would try his best, but hearing that he couldn't do it, devastated him slightly.

But either way, they all continued on, hoping that they could see their friend, and in some cases, hero.

Back with Mikoto and the others, it appeared that they were ready to leave. She had a handbag around her shoulder, with Satsuki behind Ryou who was in the wheelchair, awaiting to be pushed.

"Okay, Ryouta-kun, Satsuki? Are you ready?"

Mikoto questioned the pair, with Satsuki answering.

"Yes, I'm ready, Kaa-san. You Ryou?"

The boy gave his consent by nodding upwards.

"Yes, I am ready Satsuki-chan."

Mikoto walked forward, and winked at the pair.

"Then lets go, shall we."

Once making sure that he was good, the trio went towards the door, with Satsuki pushing Ryouta slowly. Mikoto went first, and went to open the door, minding to walk slowly due to her injury.

When she did, she got a slight fright when she saw Sakura, Ino, Tenten, Lee and Hanabi standing at the door, with Hanabi in a knocking position with her hand.

"Ooh my, so many children."

Mikoto was stunned that so many people came to see him, at least she presumed that much.

"Excuse me ma'am, could you please excuse me while I look for Ryou so I could see if he is ready for a challenge?"

Lee said it with a polite tone, though what he said made Mikoto raise an eyebrow, with Tenten causally cutting in, muttering "Shut up Lee." in a dark tone which made Lee back away slowly and swiftly stepped to the side and Hanabi face palmed, having told Lee to not say that outside, yet he did it anyway, with the last two girls only shaking their heads with annoyance.

Tenten then faced the woman who had bemused eyes on by now.

"I'm sorry to disturb you and you can ignore Lee for saying something like that because he is an idiot, but this was Ryou-kun's room, yes?"

The other girls, and Lee leaned in, ready to listen to Mikoto words as they wanted to .

"Yes, that's right, he is here, and is ready to leave actually." Mikoto stepped aside to reveal the boy himself, who waved with his good hand. "You're all kind to visit him, but right now, were all going towards a ramen place...eeh, Ichi something..."

"Ichiraku's!" Ryou announced to the others as the girls entered the room, Lee following after and all crowded around the chair. He looked to the side, and saw Lee's face which was intense so he grimaced. "Is...something wrong?"

"No! I was hoping for a challenge...but you can't...it's too bad. I was hoping to settle our score."

Ryouta gave an uneven chuckle to the boy with bushy eyebrows.

"Y-You know, when I'm better, I will challenge you to...something, anything I suppose. For now, I can't do anything, I regret that."

Lee shook his head energetically and pumped his fists forward.

"No! Please don't concern yourself! I will challenge you when you're better! It will be the ultimate contest between Uchiha and me!"

Hearing that, Satsuki could only scowl with a disapproving gaze in her eyes.

"Hehe, then I look forward to it." Ryou said with a kind smile, then he looked at the others present. "Would you all like to come with us to Ichiraku's? Shi-nii said that he's going to pay so you don't have to worry about it!"

The ones that don't know about Shisui's return all looked at one another, wondering if Ryouta had taken a hit to the head, as they all thought and presently know that Shisui Uchiha is dead.

"..."

Tenten went to open her mouth, but she had to close it, seeing it as...hard to say anything. She didn't want to burst his bubble, and tell him that Shisui was gone, and hoped that he was either joking, or he'd remember on his own.

Sakura and Ino looked between the other, and didn't know how to respond either. They wanted to tell him, but they didn't know how else to say that Shisui was gone, and he wasn't coming back.

Lee was pretty much in the same situation right now. He wasn't sure on how to say it either. In fact, he didn't know what to say, as he didn't want to upset his rival, and make him feel any worse than he looked right now.

"Ryou-kun...Shisui-san isn't...he isn't alive...you know?"

Hanabi was the one brave enough to say it, but Ryouta looked at her, and shook his head.

"No, you're wrong. He is alive, and well. He's going to meet us at Ichiraku's where he's going to pay for our meal!"

They all looked down at the ground as Sakura bent down and took his hand in hers.

"It's okay, you want to think he's alive, so that's okay."

"But he is alive."

Ryouta stated to the girl who threw her arms around the boys neck, to the most annoyance of Ino.

"I'm so sorry, but he isn't alive. He's gone from this world...I'm so sorry Ryou-kun."

Ryou rolled his eyes at the hug, and could only smile weakly.

"No...he's alive Sakura-san. He came last night, and you can ask Satsuki-chan and Mikoto-san as well."

Hearing that, everyone turned towards the woman, seeing that she wouldn't lie to them. Said woman looked at all of the children, and gave a single nod of her head.

"It is true, he's alive, and well. And he will be joining us shortly."

...

[EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!?]

They all yelled, unable to believe what they had heard, it being too...shocking for words.

---

With Shisui and the Hokage...

"Thank you for seeing me this early sir."

That was the first thing that Shisui said as he entered the lone Hokage's office and bow his head respectfully. He took note that the others weren't here besides the standard Anbu, which he was thankful for.

"Yes, it isn't a problem." Hiruzen then made a hand sign with his hands, and shadows dashed around the office, leaving the room, leaving the pair alone now. "You are free to speak, the Anbu are guarding the outside so no one can listen into the conversation. So, you have returned to us, Shisui."

The old Hokage wrapped his fingers around a cup, and took a swig of what was inside of it as Shisui gave an inclination of his head.

"Yes, though it was difficult, I got the mission done for you, sir." The Hokage raised his head in joy as he gestured for Shisui to stand, which he did. "It was difficult, as I said, but I assassinated the ones who infiltrated the village that escaped the Anbu who were going secrets of the Leaf to enemy nations and I took care of any potential threat that they brought with them as well. It took sometime to track them down, but I was able to find them, and they have been swiftly dealt with."

Hiruzen nodded his old head with an appreciative smile on his wrinkled face.

"Yes, that is most appreciated, and I am glad that you've returned now. It gives me a good feeling that they have been dealt with, though I do wish that it didn't have to come to bloodshed. It would be terrible if word got out about this, so this mission is to be kept between us two."

Shisui gave a serious look, and consented with a nod.

"I as well and of course sir, there wasn't anything that could be connected back to me, or the Leaf, I assure you this. I attempted to take them into custody to stand before you like you asked, but they resisted and I had no choice but to use the last option and...take them out after they almost took my life."

Shisui ended with a sad sigh, as he never liked killing people, but he knew that he would have to do things like this, if it is for the village.

"It's reassuring that you're so thorough in your duties. You do live up to your moniker, Shisui. And I appreciate it. If you hadn't of taken the mission to track down these individuals, then the Leaf could've been at stake, though the price of leaving behind the others, like your Otouto must've been hard."

Shisui's eyes cast downwards as he remembered the sight on his little bro's face when he saw him again.

"I can't say that it was easy and it wasn't something I would like to do to him, though it was necessary that I had to leave for awhile. And sir about what happened-"

"I know, your 'death' stopped the coup from advancing that day." Hiruzen began, and looked down out of the window, towards the village. "It couldn't of been easy, with everything that happened, but with you doing that sacrifice, you were able to stop the Uchiha from advancing further and it also worked out that you disappeared for awhile, so you could work behind the scenes for me. Also, I regret that you had to destroy your eyes Shisui."

Hiruzen felt sorrow for Shisui, and what he had to do, and how brave he was to leave it all behind, even if he shouldn't of had to, but knew that it was for the best, so the Uchiha didn't revolt before Itachi stepped in.

Shisui faked a sad smile, and looked towards the ground.

"Yes, though they had no more uses for me. I couldn't allow them to fall into enemy hands, and these eyes are fine for me. They have the Sharingan, that's all I need to become a fighting force for you, and this village, Hokage-sama. I can do what I need to do with these eyes. I can teach Ryou, and Satsuki if she awakens it, how to use the eyes of the Uchiha. "

"I am glad that you have returned, Shisui. You're one of the most outstanding Ninja in this village, with everything that you have done, and I hope that we can continue to work together for the peace of Konoha."

Hiruzen hoped since what happened with the Uchiha that he and Shisui could still work together and having no resentment between the two of them, something that would devastate Hiruzen, since Shisui is a trusted Ninja.

Shisui nodded with a small smile.

"That I will, sir. I will always protect this village, and thank you for watching over Ryou while I was away and giving him some leeway with his Academy studies and other things like that."

Hiruzen wore a small frown and opposed what Shisui said.

"About that...for a day or so, he couldn't be located. We don't know what happened to him. Though you should be proud, he saved many Uchiha that night. He is a hero and you should be proud. But with what happened in those days he was gone, I cannot be sure."

Shisui shook his head slowly.

"It's okay, he's fine now, and I will protect him from now on."

Hiruzen nodded, knowing he could leave Ryouta to Shisui now, but then his eyes lowered considerably.

"Though the circumstances of your return are...less than what I wanted. I had hoped that the Uchiha incident would be resolved without violence. However, it seems that Danzo had a hand in the massacre with asking Itachi to do it, and for that, I can only be sorry. I know how much you believed in the clan and how close you were with Itachi."

Shisui shook his head, hearing the genuine sorrow in the old mans voice.

"Please do not be concerned Hokage-sama. I know the narrow-mindedness of the old Uchiha, but this new Uchiha will be one that works with the village, I will make sure that Ninja like Ryou, and Satsuki will work to make this village peaceful and will always be loyal to this village." Shisui replied with a calming smile to the relief of Hiruzen. "Also, I know that Itachi is someone who believes in peace, and he can handle himself. I know that he'll be protected. He's...almost as good as I am, almost."

Shisui was confident in this matter. He knew that Itachi could take care of himself, and while he was worried, he also believed in Itachi's skills, and his intelligence as well.

"Yes...also, Izumi Uchiha defected. I am sure that you are partly aware that she left. Well, Itachi said that he didn't have a choice but to take her. He didn't disclose the actual reason, but from what I could figure out, it seems that he didn't have another way out of the situation, which he is in. Though I did promise that should it ever happen, the reason Izumi defected would be seen as she had to or something...terrible could happen to Ryouta Uchiha, as in he could've been killed and since it was known of the relationship between her, and Ryouta-kun, it does seem plausible so she could return to the village again without worry. Since Itachi did a service to this village, a most painful one at that, I could only respect his wishes in this. And with Itachi...he's gone to the group known as Akatsuki."

Hiruzen informed Shisui as said man released a sigh from his nose.

"Also, speaking of that, while I was away, I had heard rumours of a group known as Akatsuki so I decided to see what they were doing, and I heard that someone you knew personally is within this group as well."

That caught Hiruzen's attention as eyebrows were raised.

"Someone I knew?"

Shisui could only nod his head at what Hiruzen said.

"Your old student, Orochimaru is also apart of this group, the Akatsuki. It seems that he became apart of this group after the defect from the village and some other power Ninja are also apart of this group, though some are unconfirmed as of yet."

Hearing that, Hiruzen didn't know how to respond. He didn't like the idea of Orochimaru being in this group, and had mixed emotions on the whole subject, though he didn't like it.

"I see...so, Orochimaru has fallen to such a state, has he? I...shouldn't of expected anything different, but when hearing it, it brings a pang of guilt into my heart."

"Unfortunately, and yes, it must be tough to hear but please don't blame yourself, I understand that Orochimaru held a special place within your heart, it was the same for...Otou-san." Shisui grimaced when he remembered the events of that day, though he soon waved off those thoughts, and got back to the main problem. "However, there's also pressing issues Hokage-sama. The Akatsuki, have been gathering powerful Ninja. Though I know one of their goals and it is...something disastrous to us, sir."

"Goals? What are these?"

Shisui took a breath, and began explaining to the old Hokage what he had learned during the time he was gone from the village. As he explained to the Hokage, he could only be silent, and sit with a heavy heart.

After Shisui finished off, Hiruzen hung his head low.

"To think that they'd want to captured such beasts. Which means, Naruto would be in danger as well."

"Yes, but first, from what I could gather, they are using themselves as Ninja's for hire, collecting money and then are going to go for the Tailed Beasts. For the immediate future, I believe that Naruto-kun should be okay."

"Yes, but we must keep vigilant. I'll have Anbu I trust to learn more about this now. You must be wanting to spend time with your Otouto, so you can catch me up on the full details later. For now, please go and be with Ryouta-kun. Also, about the circumstances of your, return, I will handle all the necessary details and you'll be able to return to your old life without issue."

Shisui bowed his head respectfully and stood up.

"Thank you sir. I will leave now, good day."

"Ah, and good day to you Shisui. I'm glad you have returned."

Shisui couldn't help but allow a small smile to grace his face.

"And I'm glad that I am back Hokage-sama."

With that, Shisui left the Hokage's room, leaving the old man behind with his thoughts, as a fond smile appeared on his lips.

---

Outside the office, Shisui looked out into the village, then turned his eyes towards the right.

"Right, I have to go and see Danzo, to make sure that he doesn't try anything."

Shisui quickly hurried towards the hawks residence, running as fast as he could.

He wanted to show that bastard what...a ghost looked like. He wanted to see the fear in Danzo's eye that he hadn't known before. He wanted to look Danzo in the eye, and make him see the seriousness of the situation.

As he ran, he saw many people, but he was a blur, a blur that couldn't be seen by even the most trained Shinobi, so civilians couldn't see him either, which he was glad at, as he didn't want to draw too much attention to himself.

When he made it to Danzo's residence, he didn't bothet knocking, as he wasn't in the mood to deal with Danzo, but he had to. He walked into the home by avoiding the Anbu around quite easily due to his expertise, and went towards were he heard noises.

When making it to said noises, he opened the door, and saw Danzo sitting down with a drink in his hand, mumbling to himself about Hiruzen and the Uchiha clan and other things as well.

"Hello Danzo, it has been awhile, hasn't it?"

Danzo, not expecting it, spat out his drink, and looked upwards, and met an eye with Shisui, who locked both eyes onto the hawk. Said hawk sweated nervously at the sight of Shisui and was tempted to run away straight away.

"S-Shisui...?"

To say that he was slightly scared would be a huge understatement. He was downright frightened by seeing Shisui, believing him to be dead, and he knew instantly that it wasn't a transformation as he could see the coldness within Shisui's eyes.

"Yes, thought that you could steal my eyes, did you?" Danzo didn't respond so Shisui edged closer. "Sorry to burst the bubble, but you are never getting my eyes. I've destroyed them, no one will ever have that power, least of all someone like you."

"Y-You have done...what? D-Destroyed the eyes? Are you insane!?"

Danzo was quite speechless. He didn't know how else to act. Having the eyes destroyed, Danzo was sure Shisui was lying and was about to stand up, when Shisui cocked a hand to the side, stopping him.

"Sorry, but you are not getting them. You can't anyway, because they are gone from this world. I realized something Danzo. I've realized how dirty you are, with all of the things you've done to not only this village, but the others as well. Even if it is in the name of Konoha, your actions are too dirty and you sully the name of Konoha."

Shisui said with a straight voice, showing no emotions at all.

But by saying that, he made Danzo nervous, a feeling that he didn't want to feel right now, afraid of what Shisui could actually know about it. And he was angry that he'd never get Shisui's famed Sharingan, something he desperately wanted.

"I don't..."

"Hanzo." Danzo flinched at the name. "I know of your dealing's with Hanzo and your involvement with the Akatsuki, Danzo. Or, should I call you Kanzo the Ame Shinobi?" Danzo became nervous at the name, as he used that name in the past when dealing with the Akatsuki. "And I know of your involvement with the Uchiha. I didn't even need to be in the village to know you'd do something like this, besides Hokage-sama told me anyway. I also know about your deals with Orochimaru, and others as well like how you tried to assassinate the Hokage-sama and how you tried to steal Kakashi Hatake's Sharingan eye to replace the one that you stole from another poor Uchiha and your arm...I wonder what people would think about that? You've got many secrets Danzo, it would be a shame if they got aired out, wouldn't it?"

Danzo was seething right now. He never expected Shisui to find out all of these secrets, and suspected that he knew more than he was letting on, which only made him feel more fear. Fear that he could potentially lose his life.

"Are you threatening me child? If you do, you're going to regret it."

Shisui shook his head with a smirk to the mans confusion.

"Ooh no, I wouldn't threaten an elder of the village. I'm just stating facts. And I'm stating the facts because, you attempted to take my eyes, and use them for your own benefit, not Konoha's. If you were going to use them for the good of Konoha, I would have been at least slightly understanding. But what you did, and attempted to do was out of order, and to now know of what you've been doing behind the scenes. Frankly, you're nothing more than someone with a big ego, and an inferiority complex towards Hiruzen-sama and believe your actions are for the right reasons, but you're going about it, the wrong way and cause more harm than you actually do good. I don't doubt that you do care about the village, but the way you do your actions actually hinder the village, more than they help."

Danzo tightened his hand, placing it on the table as sweat dripped down his chin, something Shisui noted, and mentally smirked at, seeing it as some kind of justice as for what he's done in the past.

"So, what now Shisui? Going to tell Hiruzen of my actions?"

Danzo was confident. Even so that he wore a smirk.

Even if Hiruzen knew, he'd know he wouldn't be executed. He might have it rough for awhile, but he knew that he would be safe from any true punishment. Even now, with the punishment to do with the Uchiha incident, he knew it wouldn't last long, therefore he had won again.

However, Shisui also knew this, and gently shook his head.

"Oh, no. I wont be doing that." Danzo blinked in confusion, only for Shisui to elaborate. "You see, Hiruzen-sama wouldn't do much to you, because even when you tried to assassinate him, he didn't want your head and merely said to keep quiet about it if you do good for the village. While I respect Hiruzen-sama, I also see the weakness he has for people like you, and Orochimaru. It is a shame, but this is the reality."

Shisui sighed at the nativity of Hiruzen, though he could understand why he was, at least a little.

"So, you've got no hands-"

"To play?" Shisui finished for Danzo who narrowed his eye. "I have hands to play. I knew that before I came back to this village, I had to make sure that both myself, and Ryou are safe from your greedy hands and my eyes being gone for good as well. That's why, if anything happens to me, or Ryou, then your secrets are sent to all of the other villages. Not Konoha's secrets, your secrets and how to get close to you, and how to assassinate you. I'm not playing games with you either Danzo. If anything happens to me, or Ryou, then you're going to be assassinated sooner or later. Hiruzen-sama might tolerate you, but I doubt people from other villages would when they found out how you've caused harm to their village as well. I don't have to remind you again, do I?"

As he gave Danzo that threat, said man was infuriated. He couldn't believe his ears, he never expected Shisui to be alive, much less be this on the ball, and have so much evidence against him, that could threaten his existence.

"Tch, you think you can threaten me like this? You're pretty cocky, aren't you little Uchiha child? I will just have the information-"

"You can try, but I haven't a clue on where the information is so extracting it from me isn't going to be your best idea. I left it with a trusted person, someone who has instructions to send the info in the case of my death, or Ryou's, and he knows as he is always watching, even if you cannot see him and is someone that you don't know." Shisui cryptically said, then continued after taking a breath through his nose. "Now Danzo, here is where I am going to give you the warning fully. Either stay away from me and Ryou, and let us live our lives peacefully, or your secrets are aired, should you come after us. I know this is blackmail, but it's a lot better than what you've done in your life, for someone who has proclaimed to protect the village, you've caused quite abit of harm to it, for your own greed and ambitions."

Danzo took very sharp breaths through his nose, and if one would hear it, they would swear that Danzo was hyperventilating. Though he wasn't, with the amount of air he was exhaling, it could be mistaken for such a thing. His brow sweated, and his heart went insane inside of his chest. He was...angry, and scared at the same time. He didn't want to be like this, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't help but be like this, and he was slowly getting to see that Shisui Uchiha was someone who couldn't be underestimated.

"So...if you really want me to leave you alone, why don't you just kill me? And what was the point of having your eyes destroyed? If you had this failsafe, why bother with the destruction of your eyes?"

Danzo had to know.

He had to be sure, so if there was even a remote chance that the eyes existed, he would be able to get his hands on the eyes. If there was even a slight chance, he was going to take it.

However, Shisui smirked at him, a smirk that sent chills down the spine of the old man.

"Even with this 'failsafe' as you put it, you'd still come after my eyes, because you're that greedy that you'd take my eyes, kill me, and manipulate others to protect yourself, using my eyes to do it and then take Ryou and do God knows what to him. So, I had them destroyed, and replaced with these normal Uchiha eyes so I could come back and secure our safety. And as for the killing you one...well, I don't feel like becoming a Missing Ninja."

"Missing Ninja, huh. Like Itachi? And to think that he'd even take Izumi Uchiha as well, how dark that child must be."

Danzo only said it to rub it in Shisui's face, and he knew it worked when Shisui narrowed his eyes dangerously at the old hawk.

"That was because of your manipulation, and you know it. Besides, I know who you are Danzo. I might not like it, but you are still important in Konoha, at least as far as certain people are concerned, specifically Hiruzen-sama, and the two council members. If you are killed by me, or someone I hired, and the Hokage-sama found out, he'd have no choice but to make me a Missing Ninja. And I can't become one, as I need to protect my Otouto. So, take comfort that in the only reason you live, is because of your status and your connections to Hiruzen-sama. But make a move against us, and I will kill you Danzo, and it will be painful. You fooled me once with your Sharingan, but not again. I don't fall for the same trick twice. So stay away from us, or you die. Your choice."

Danzo was caught and he didn't know how to get out.

At face value, he didn't have a reason to distrust what Shisui was saying, and knew that if he made a move now, or in the immediate future, he would be killed, and he couldn't have that. He still needed to be around, at least that's how he felt in his mind. He needed to protect the village, in his way.

"Then, I have no choice. My hands, are tied. I'll leave you alone, Shisui. Though, how can I believe the eyes you have now aren't that of your original?"

Danzo wouldn't let it go, and needed to know for certain.

"Because, I'm not stupid enough to come back to this village with those eyes. Like I explained, you'd do anything to get them and use them to your own needs and desires and any decent Medical Ninja can tell when someone's eyes have been removed and replaced so have one check on my condition if you like? These eyes will do me, and they aren't something that you'd be interested in, as I'm sure that you've also taken some of the Uchiha who died eyes as well. Believe me or not Danzo, but one move against me, and you know what's going to happen." Danzo growled a little at that, but he couldn't deny Shisui's words either. "Now, I have to go Danzo, because of you and what you did that forced me to be away from Ryou. I have to make up for lost time."

With that, Shisui began walking to the exit of the house, with Danzo seething as he walked away. But a sudden thought came to him, and he exhaled happily for reasons only known to him.

"I am glad you're back Shisui, you'll make sure that Ryouta Uchiha is strong, and protected as well."

Shisui paused, and smirked to himself, seeing how his plan worked with Danzo, and then washed the smirk off and glanced backwards at Danzo with an emotionless expression in his eyes.

"Don't forget this Danzo, I am watching you. One step out of line, and I will be on you like a kunai on its target. Suffice to say, one move against the village or my family, then I will stop you myself."

With that, Shisui left the area, as fast as lightning, leaving Danzo alone with his own thoughts.

Said man sat down and his fingers interlocked with a glass on the table.

"Yes...even if his eyes are no more, at least he is back. He can train Ryouta Uchiha, so he can truly become protected, and keep this village safe...yes, keep Ryouta Uchiha protected...it's the way forward...for the future...he's the future...he's the future...of this village..."

While Danzo was contemplating such things, Shisui headed towards Ichiraku's for a good meal with his little brother, something that he has been wanting to do for awhile now.

On his way, walking through the village, he heard some people talking about him, and was questioning it, though he decided to leave it to Hiruzen to explain about such things.

As he made it half way through the village, he saw Naruto and Hinata walking together, with her having a nervous face, and him a happy face. To him, it looked like they were going to go on a date or something.

"S-So, you're visiting Ryouta-san l-later?"

"Yeah dattebayo! It's too early, so I thought that I would get some training in! Wanna come along Hinata?"

Hinata's face turned a little red and she inclined her neck slowly as Naruto's face broke out into a wide grin.

"Y-Yes, it s-sounds fun."

"Hehe, of course! Lets go Hinata dattebayo!"

With that, the two continued walking together, unaware that Shisui was watching the pair walk together.

As he watched them, he could only allow a smile to grace his face.

"Don't worry Naruto-kun, I'm sure that Ryou will also defend you with his life, as you are his best friend, even if you both don't realize it yet, you two...are going to do amazing things together, I am sure of this. It's the same as Itachi and I, you both don't know it, but you have a bond together, that's unbreakable. I, also wont allow the Akatsuki to take you, for Kushina-sama and Minato-sama as well."

With those thoughts, he disappeared towards the ramen shop, leaving the young couple alone and could only smile at the fact that it seemed that Naruto was happy, knowing that Kushina and Minato would want the same thing as well.

"Hehe, this is lovely ramen, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's good Ryou."

"I have to agree, it is good."

"Well, I don't usually like getting up at this time, but for this, it is worth it."

"Yes, the youth of this day is good Tenten!"

"Hmmm, it's early, but this is good food."

"I can't believe that we get this free meal~"

"Oh, you children have such good manners. You all should thank Shisui-san when he gets here, okay?"

[Yes Mikoto-san!]

When he made it to the ramen stand, he saw Ryouta, Satsuki, Hanabi, Tenten, Lee, Sakura, and Ino sat together, with Mikoto nearby, all eating ramen, and he mentally sighed at the sight at the same time that they talked with one another happily.

"He's going to make me pay for all of them...and damn, he's got the girls, hasn't he? Heh, well he is my Otouto after all."

Shisui wore a proud smile and was about to move when he saw a young girl with red glasses coming along, that seemed to be an Uchiha, based on the hair and eye colour as well.

"Onii-chan! Onii-chan! Onii-chan!"

The young girl said a couple of times, and ran all the way to Ryouta, embracing him around his front as the others looked on with keen eyes.

"Ryou, you know this girl?"

Satsuki questioned with a raised eyebrow, with Ryou nodding as a response.

"Yes, that's right, she's one of the people that I helped run away from the Compound when the...thing happened." Everyone, including Shisui listened intently and was slightly stunned by the fact that he did that, as Ryouta looked at the girl. "So, what happened with your Otou-san? Did you find him?"

"Yes!" The girl happily announced. "He's one of the people you saved from the masked-" At that the girl stopped and then smiled. "F-From the bad person. He's ever so grateful."

She finished as Mikoto looked on with incredulous eyes.

"Yes...it's better if she doesn't say anything about it. It's best to forget that night, if it can be helped."

Mikoto thought to herself as she watched the girl hugged Ryouta tightly.

The others all smiled as they heard what the girl said, believing it to be wonderful that Ryou was able to help this little girl and her family, just a testament to what he did that night. With Shisui, he just looked on with a proud smile.

Hearing what the girl said, Ryou smiled happily.

"Well, I am glad that you found your Otou-san, I was worried about you."

"Hehe, I need to thank you Onii-chan for helping my Papa and Mama and me as well. And when I grow up, I'm going to be a Ninja just like you Onii-chan! And maybe become Hokage-sama one day as well!"

Ryouta chuckled slightly at the girls dream, smiling happily whole patting her head.

"That's a good dream to have. You'd be the first of two things." The little girl became confused so Ryou elaborated. "You'd be the first Uchiha, and female Hokage-sama. That is a good dream to have."

The girl pushed her glasses up her nose and smiled a catlike smile.

"Then that's my dream! I'm going to become the greatest Hokage-sama in this village! But Onii-chan, it's going to be difficult...so when I'm old enough, Onii-chan, you have to teach me how to be brave as well as strong! Say you'll train me one day Onii-chan!"

Ryouta developed a nervous face as the eyes of everyone's fell onto him, all bemused and bewildered at the same time. With the eyes on him, he had no choice but to relent and give his consent with a nod.

"Yes, maybe I could become your Sensei one day, who knows. But work hard, and you'll achieve your dreams, I know that you will. Say, do you want to join us for some breakfast?"

The girl gently shook her head, and pointed forwards.

"I'm going to go and train Nii-chan! But thank you for the offer, next time I will!" The girl let go of Ryou, and began running away in the opposite direction Shisui was in so they didn't see him. But then she paused, and turned towards Ryou again. "Nii-chan, when I'm old enough, I'm definitely going to become your bride! So please wait until I'm old enough! Then I'm definitely marrying Nii-chan!"

Everyone did a spit take as the little girl flushed and ran away at top speeds, leaving behind shocked people.

"Wow...did I just get a proposal of marriage?"

Though he didn't expect an answer, he had to question it, and could only blush slightly as Satsuki beside him had twitching eyebrows at what she had just heard and was slightly peeved by that fact.

Seeing it, Ino giggled slightly, finding it quite funny to see.

"God, you can't be jealous of a little girl, can you Satsuki?"

Lacing her words with a mocking tone, Satsuki shot the girl a glare, a glare that was harsh and cruel as well.

"If you want to keep living, I suggest you keep your mouth shut."

Ino recoiled away from Satsuki and surprisingly hid behind Sakura, who sweatdropped at the sight, but Tenten only could giggle at hearing what Satsuki said, and what the little girl said as well. As for Lee, he was outright laughing at what was happening.

"Satsuki, don't be cruel to your friends."

Mikoto sternly stated, to the frustrated Satsuki who turned away, and hugged onto Ryouta's arm, who did the only thing he could, and pet the girls head softly, sending calming waves into her.

Shisui, with bemused eyes, looked on with a happy gaze. Happy that he could see such a sight again.

Shisui, after the girl left and the conversation stopped, then walked into the ramen stand, the others unaware of his actual location.

"Hey, can I get a..."

He trailed off and looked to see a young girl that's around his age standing there with long brown hair that was tied up into a bun behind her head, and had large black eyes that seemed to shine in the sunlight and with a smile on her face, Shisui was taken back by her beauty, something he had noted before, but never mentioned, for reasons he didn't disclose to anyone.

"Ooh my, it's you Shisui-kun. Where have you been hiding yourself?"

Shisui was slightly confused by how she greeted him casually, when he thought that everyone would know he was 'dead'.

"Eeh...aren't you surprised to see me back?"

The young girl shook her head, and gestured outside to Ryou and company.

"Your Otouto has been telling people that you were alive. I was shocked when he said that, and didn't quite believe it, until I saw your face. So, you are alive after all. That's wonderful Shisui-kun! Poor Ryouta-san had to go through bad times." Shisui's face turned glum, however the young woman merely smiled at him. "So, what can I get you Shisui-kun?"

Shisui blinked a couple of times, before adopting a small smile.

"O-Oh, just some miso ramen would be good."

"Hehe, then one miso coming up."

The young woman got to work making the ramen while Shisui waited, admiring her beauty. He didn't know what it was, but something about her was...different to usual, and he liked it.

After she finished, she handed the bowl to him with a smile.

"Here, one miso ramen, with something extra inside as well just for your enjoyment."

The girl winked with Shisui being slightly perplexed by it, but went along with it regardless and happily took the bowl.

"Aah, so how much does that come too? Oh, I will also be paying-"

"For nothing." The girl finished to the stunned Shisui. "Don't worry, you don't have to pay for it this time. Think of it as a welcome back to the village, Shisui-kun. I hope that you enjoy it. You, your Otouto, and his friends, it's on the house this once."

"A-Ah, thanks and if you're sure...eeh..."

Shisui looked for a name, since he didn't know it, only for the young girl to dip her head to the side cutely.

"Ayame. And yes I am sure, please enjoy."

The newly revealed Ayame said with a small smile, something Shisui returned.

"Then thanks Ayame-chan!"

Shisui took the bowl of ramen and dashed outside to meet up with the others, while Ayame looked on with fond eyes, and a kind smile to match her kind face and sunny disposition.

Shisui made it to the others outside, and wrapped his arms around Ryouta's neck from behind, surprising the youth slightly, and surprising the others that didn't believe he was back fully immensely.

"Shi-nii, you came back."

"Well, duh. Of course." Shisui grinned and then put his ramen down on the table, and unlinked his arms from the young boy, producing some papers that had 'Harem Plan' written on the front. "Now, while all of the girls are here, I think it's time to get down to business."

"Business? What..."

Ino began to question, but Shisui waved her off.

"Don't worry about it little Yamanaka-san. You'll like it, trust me. It is the Harem Plan."

Shisui said with a smile.

"Ooh no, not the harem plan..."

"H-He's brought it out again...the harem plan..."

Ryouta paled when he saw what was in Shisui's hand, with Satsuki scowling as well, knowing what the Harem Plan was and didn't like the idea of it either.

"What is a harem exactly? I've...heard of it before, but I'm not sure on what it is exactly. Could you please tell us what it is?"

Hanabi decided to question the elder male with Sakura and Tenten nodding in agreement, and Lee not really caring that much as it didn't sound like training, only for Shisui to click his fingers with a wink.

"I'm glad that you asked little Hyuga-san. You see, the Harem Plan is..."

"S-Shi-nii!" Ryou cried and reached for him. "D-Don't do it Shi-nii! C-Can I at least see it please before you start talking about it?"

Shisui looked unsure but handed him the papers, only for Ryouta to use his fingers to mercilessly rip it apart instantly, destroying it forever, something that devastated Shisui immensely and he shed some soft tears at the sight.

"W-What did you do that for Ryou!? I've been working on that for ages now! You've destroyed my life's work..." Shisui's frown then turned upside down and he beamed away as he produced more papers with the exactly same thing on it that Ryou ripped up to the everlasting shock of the child. "...is what I would usually say. Fortunately, I predicted this, so I made copies in advance. Here everyone, I've made enough for you all. So please take a read, and let me know what you think."

"W-Wait-"

Before Ryouta could say anything, Shisui disappeared in a burst of speed.

With his quick speed, papers appeared in front of Sakura, Hanabi, Ino, Mikoto and Tenten and then Shisui did the peace sign towards both Ryouta and Satsuki with a sly smile on his face.

Sakura and Ino both picked it up, and began reading it, with the same thing happening with Hanabi and Tenten, while Mikoto could only roll her eyes at the sight, but found it good that Shisui hadn't lost his sense of humour.

"I see, so this is what a harem is..."

"Then, if it is legal, I don't see why I couldn't..."

"W-Well...this is different to what I thought it would be..."

"Hehe, Shisui-san sure has an overactive imagination."

"Ooh Shisui-san, you are a strange man, aren't you?"

Sakura said with a smile, the same with Ino. Hanabi was bewildered by it, Tenten didn't really know how to react to it, and Mikoto couldn't focus on it that much, due to the fact that she's seen this before.

"Hahaha, Uchiha-san sure has such a funny imagination! And he's so fast as well! I hope I can reach that level in the future!"

Lee, raised his brows, and could only laugh again, but at the same time, admired Shisui for his speed and skills as well, having somewhat known about them before, but seeing them now, only confirmed what he thought.

But as that was happening, Satsuki had a dark aura around her body, and she quickly got to her feet, and dated eyes towards Shisui's face, a complex appearance being there.

"Shisui-san...y-you can't give them that...they'll get ideas..."

Satsuki was slowly becoming more and more pissed at the sight of Shisui's plan and her eyes kept twitching, the same with her body.

"Yes, good ideas Satsuki-san." Shisui replied as he saw the smiling faces of the girls he gave the papers too, happy that they're doing that. "Seems to me that they are receptive to the idea."

"Well I'm not!"

"Yeah Shi-nii, you can't give that out! I-It's bad!"

Satsuki and Ryouta barked, and Satsuki went for Shisui in a comedic way, flailing her arms around dangerously, attempting to get Shisui, with Ryou right behind her, pushing his wheelchair with his one good hand, chasing down the Uchiha Ninja.

"Hehehehe! You'll never get me! The Harem Plan will flourish! It has too! I want Ryou to have children and give me many many many many little nieces and nephews for me to spoil! Mwuahahahahahaha! I wont give up until it happens! Ryou will be Harem King! Mwahahahahahahaha!"

Shisui declared proudly and with determination as well, sure that his plan was going to happen one way or another.

"GET BACK HERE SHISUI-SAN! RYOU IS NOT HAVING A HAREM! I REFUSE IT! HE CANT HAVE A HAREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEM!"

With that, Satsuki and Ryouta chased Shisui through the village of Konoha. The streets lit up that day, with Satsuki and Ryou both chasing down the newly back Shisui.

Though, Ryouta was just happy that Shisui was back, and was glad that he was the same as he remembered, even if he is still going on about his 'harem plan'. All in all, Ryouta was glad that Shisui was back, and was more determined than ever to make sure that he was strong, so he didn't have to lose any of his family ever again.

---

End chapter!

So many things happened in this chapter, the main being how Shisui survived, and what Izumi did to him (even if she felt really bad about doing it) and how he made his return and whatnot and how he had a mission from the Hokage that allowed him to escape the village for awhile, while changing the circumstances in the Uchiha (explaining his absence, along with the information gathering he did), and then giving Danzo a threat with evidence to back up his threat (at least having it secure so Danzo can't touch him) so for now, Danzo can't do anything but this isn't the last of the hawk and it was explained in the chapter why Shisui didn't tell Hiruzen as it was evident in canon that Danzo did many things and got away with a lot of them when it was Hiruzen. Though some examples are anime only, it isn't that far a stretch.

Finally, this chapter officially marks the end of the childhood part of the story. With Shisui back, things are going to be okay for awhile. And it seems many people want the Shisui/Ayame pairing, and I can see it working, so that's what it will be!

So, until next time where canon begins! That's going to be a good ride to do, so look forward to it!

Ryouta; Satsuki, Haku (fem), Karin, Sakura, Hanabi, Tsunade, Anko, Mikoto, Ino, Gaara (fem), Kurotsuchi, Samui, Fu, Sai (fem), Tsume, Hana, Yukimaru (fem). (WIP)