Kakashi's Heart

by berry5tz

Minato and Kushina were leaving him behind. But he wasn't alone. The couple's newborn son, Naruto was now cradled in his arms. With a village that couldn't care for either of them, Kakashi takes his biggest gamble. A chance for a new life for the both of them. I own nothing.

36. Uchiha Will Always Rise with the Sun Pt2

A/N: Final Chapter.

I must begin by apologizing. I said that this would be up hopefully within a week and it's the end of the month. I really thought that I could get it done faster, but it didn't happen and for that I'm sorry. The chapter will end up being a three parter. I had the ending of the chapter started when I realized that there are three key parts or sections of the chapter that weren't included. I had allowed time constraints and worrying about how high the word count was getting to interfere with the writing of the second part. So I made a copy of the document and you are receiving the first half of it of course. I really wanted this to be just a two-parter but alas, it is not. So I now present to you Part 2. I hope you enjoy.

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Uchiha Will Always Rise with the Sun (pt2)

August 1st of the calendar year. 8:45am.

Three days has passed since Hirashi had been kicked out of clan and now was in hiding within the village. He was stalking Shisui everywhere trying to learn when and where would be the best place to ambush the young man. Hirashi loathed him every moment and knew that he would have to make his move soon before he ended up doing something very stupid like attacking the Uchiha in public. 'Calm down, Hirashi. You know for a successful strike. One must be patient and be willing to learn of his prey's habits. You go off halfcocked out here and you will find yourself fighting with Jounin and Anbu alike in these streets.' Hirashi would warn himself. He then made his way a long in the shadows still following Shisui. He was careful to not give off any of his charka to his prey. He needed to know where all of Shisui's haunts were and then he could choose the one location that was perfect for the ambush. Within a matter of hours now and sweet revenge will he his. He just knew this.

In Tranquility, Wraith had been doing some light training and resting up for his death match with his nemesis, Kakashi. He felt that he was ready now and that it was time to make the trip to the Leaf village one final time. He knew where his enemy was and what his enemy was up too, because his lackeys have done their jobs and reported to him everything that he needed to know. He learned from them not only about Kakashi's daily activities, but he also learned of something that was equally important. When to strike his enemy. All of his lackeys without fail said that the Enami had planned to attack the Uchiha District on the second of August. This was perfect timing. Wraith will leave tonight arrive in the village before morning and give Kakashi a message that he was back in Konoha, but first he needed to reward his men for their fine service. He called them all out to him today and told them to meet him just outside a restaurant called the Blue Crab. He promised them that they would have a fine meal on him and then they would all go to a hot spring to bathe and relax. All five men showed up more interested in pay than food, but they knew better than to anger their employer. So they showed up and ate with the man and went to the hot spring. All of them thinking that they would be paid when they had finished up.

"Hey, Eito do me a big one and go to private bath number six and tell those guys their time is up."

"Sure thing boss."

The young man made his way towards private bath number six and even before he walked through the sliding paper doors. He began to talk so that the men knew he was coming in.

"Hey, guys the boss says that time's up. You all need to get out of the bath now before you boil yourselves." He said good- humoredly.

Eito came on in and walked back towards the hot spring still talking as he hadn't got no response, but when he arrived and stood in the entrance way. Eito's voice stopped automatically as his eyes nearly popped out in horror. There before him were five men nude three of them were face down in the water. They had been in there so long that their skins were red blistered and burned. There was so much blood in the water that it looked like the men had taken a blood bath instead of getting into clean hot springs water. The other two men were disemboweled and decapitated on the stone floor of the bath. There was so much blood and Eito couldn't hold it in anymore. He bowed over letting everything that he just had for supper come up and onto the stone floor at his feet. Once he could finally stop he made his way back to his boss pronto and told him what happened. Thinking that the young man was trying pull a fast one on him. The boss ran to bath number six and nearly did what Eito had done. He ran back to call the police. The funny thing was that the boss knew who had to have done this. It had to be that weird bald guy. By the time police arrived the weird bald guy was well on his way back to the Leaf village and he had only one thought on his mind.

The Daimyo had spent the day putting the finishing touches on the official letter that stated Shisui was the chosen successor of the Third. This proclamation would have to be signed by Shisui and himself in the presence of the newly appointed advisors of the Hokage. He had been busy in Karma village. He had send out warnings to the other Daimyos that no further intrusion of other villages' ninja would be tolerated any longer, if the feudal lords refuse to stop this reckless endeavor. The Land of Fire's Daimyo would spill what he had on most of them to the public and cut trade with one of them if this didn't stop. This warning had been sent a week after the Third paid a final visit to him. He remembered that day well. He also remembered his friend bringing the young warrior that he had chosen as his next successor. Shisui.

The feudal lord had sent many messages back and forth to this new heir apparent and was always amazed at his commitment and love for his village. The Land of Fire's leader sat back in his chair and let out a deep sigh. The Daimyo wanted to come on into the Leaf. Now that Anonymous has been dealt with, but Shisui told him no. That there was yet one more round of dissidence that had to play out yet before it was safe enough to come to the Leaf.

The middle aged man sighed again while rubbing the back of his neck. A stiffness was starting to settle into it and he rubbed at it massaging the skin and the tight muscles underneath. 'I wonder what you would think of all of this Saratobi. What do you think about this?' He left rubbing his neck to standing up and walking over to his bed. He lay down on it feeling sleepiness creeping on in. One more thought went across his mind before he fell fast asleep. 'I hope you will be alright Shisui. Saratobi and I have worked hard together on this plan and of keeping the boy's title hidden until the time, but I feel that something may very well happen before he can come back to me.' The Daimyo closed his heavy eyes and was soon sound to sleep. All thoughts of Shisui and Konoha forgotten for more pleasant dreams.

At the Hokage Tower. 7:00pm.

Shisui kept looking out the large window of his office. He was standing there now after several failed attempts to read the reports that were lying scattered on top of his desk. He couldn't focus on them right now. His mind wouldn't let him and it was because of one person. 'I have to find Hirashi, but I think that he will come to me. I have taken everything that he cherished away from him. Of course, Hirashi would be angry and wanting revenge .' He thought as he watched a few children playing tag as they chased each other through the busy streets below.

He watched them absent-mindedly as they played and his thoughts chased each other. 'There will be a confrontation between us. I can sense that much and it will probably happen soon. The Anbu teams and the regular corps that have been scouring the village looking for him haven't found him at all. It's like the man up and vanished.' He frowned deeply at this thought. 'No, he didn't escape us. No. He is just biding his time until he gets an opening. I need to stay on my guard. Kakashi had better be doing the same thing. Wraith is still out there and even though there is no sign of him in the village. This could change at any time.' Shisui allowed himself a smirk as one of the three children tripped over his own feet and fell. He was tagged 'it' by his fellow companion and all three boys laughed and continued their game as they ran further down the street.

Shisui watched them until they were out of sight. Then he decided to move over to his chair. His thoughts still chasing each other just like the children outside. Wraith…'I have never thought that the lunatic would just go away and leave my cousin alone. I wish I could help him, but this feeling of urgency that I feel isn't going away and just like Wraith I believe that Hirashi will come. The Enami will be making their move soon. It didn't happen yet today, but it will. I can only hope that I am right about them attacking only my district first. This would mean that my forces can get them boxed in and arrested before they can even think of running anywhere to continue the violence.' Shisui closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened his eyes again. He got up and went to get his things. It was time for him to go home for now. His father wasn't there and even he had been. Shisui couldn't have been able to talk to him about any of things that were on his mind anyway. He left the office and headed for home. The nagging feeling that Hirashi, Wraith and the Enami were about to happen and they were going to be happening soon wouldn't leave Shisui alone that night.

Akita Michio's house at 7"00pm.

Akita's butler opened the front door to find a man that he hadn't seen in a while standing on the step. He recognized the man immediately as Hirashi Hyuuga. The servant was shocked at the untidy appearance of the man and wondered what had happened to him. Before he could say anything though, Hirashi spoke first.

"Are you just going to stand there and gawk at me all evening, or are you going to let me in?" He said angrily.

"I'm sorry sir, Please come in." The butler moved back while still holding the door. The door followed the servant further back allowing Hirashi entrance into the Michio home.

Hirashi was feeling annoyed with the man. He could just imagine what this servant was thinking of him right now and pissed him off. So he didn't bother to change his tone after the man had let him in.

"I want to see Akita. Where is he?"

"He is in his study sir."

"Bring him here now. I need to ask something of him."

The servant began to feel put off by this man. He was ordering him around, as if the servant wasn't Akita's but his own. Thus, knowing how the Hyuuga thought of and treated their servants. This certainly didn't sit to well with the man, but he knew that he could not say anything unsavory to a guest. Even if the 'guest' was an ass.

"Please wait here sir. I will fetch my master right away."

Hirashi didn't acknowledge the butler at all and just went and leaned against the wall to wait. The butler just turned and left without another word and headed to his master's study. A few moments later and a light knock was made on the study's door.

"Come in."

"Sir you have a guest this evening."

"Didn't I tell you that I didn't want to be disturbed tonight, Ryuu?" A perplexed Michio asked. His butler never allowed anyone to disturb him before, when he told him that he wanted privacy. So he was confused now.

"Yes sir, but this is Hirashi Hyuuga that has come calling."

This made Michio stop and he began to rise from his chair.

"I guess I had better go and see what he wants than." Akita answered.

Once both men came back out into the foyer. Akita gave the same reaction his servant had given. A look of shock. Hirashi glanced over and then the annoyance began to build again.

"What? Got something to say? Spit it out. I hate for people to waste my time."

Michio, if he were being honest right now. Didn't find the Hyuuga Head of Clan and leader of Anonymous to be all that appealing at the moment, but he overlooked it and asked what he wanted with him.

"So Mr. Hyuuga what has brought you here?

"I need a place to stay for just tonight."

Now Michio could have asked Hirashi, why do you need a place to stay? What happened at your compound? However, He wasn't stupid enough to do so. Whatever has happened was better off left alone. The less questions asked the better. Instead he said something else.

"Of course, you may stay. Ryuu, please escort our guest to the guest rooms." Than looking back at Hirashi he asked. "Have you eaten already?"

"Yes, I have. All I need from you tonight is a room. I will be out first thing in the morning. So don't bother making me a plate, because I will be long gone."

"Very well. If you do change your mind later, don't hesitate to call me."

Hirashi nodded and then followed Ryuu out into the sitting room and then down a long corridor that had several doors. Hirashi was led to the last one on the right. The butler opened the door and moved out of the way to give entrance to their guest. Hirashi walked in looked around quickly taking everything in and dismissed the butler.

He ambled over and sat on the opposite side of the bed. His back was facing the bedroom door as he stared out the window. 'Tomorrow.' He mused. 'Tomorrow, in twelve hours. You will die, Shisui Uchiha. I promise you this much.' Hirashi glared out the window thinking continually of his enemy. There was nothing else he thought of and he wasn't interested in sleep. He could only think of killing Shisui and how he would do that. Any thought of how he would escape afterwards or where he planned to go after that never entered his mind. For Hirashi couldn't see a tomorrow, after the one that was coming in just a few hours from now. There wouldn't be a need for anymore tomorrows after this one came.

The Uchiha home. 9:00pm.

The Uchiha men sat in the living room. They had eaten a late meal and where preparing for the evening. Fugaku was going to go out on patrol in his district. He had decided to take part in these patrols rather than just stand all night alone in the shrine giving an order here and there. He knew that the attack against his clan's district was coming. They all knew it, but no one could say when it would happen. Their allies had been staying with them throughout these nightly patrols and this was deeply appreciated by every member of the Uchiha that has stayed behind. The farms were being attended to through the day and the animals taken care of, while the patrols continued. They worked in shifts at the farms and in the patrols. A few trusted farmers from other districts volunteered to help with the animals and harvest some of the crops that were now coming in to season. This was also deeply appreciated. All of these farmers were known by their allies and could be trusted to only help and not steal or try to kill the Uchiha.

Fugaku was taking the last drink of his coffee before he would get up and put on his sandals and head out for the night. As for his sons, Kakashi and Itachi were going to head to their beds early tonight. They are working tomorrow and Commander Murai has given Kakashi's team and a few others the go ahead to help patrol in the district. For the brothers, this was good news. They wanted to help out anyway they could. So Fugaku hugged his sons and left and the boys did as they said they would and turned in early that evening.

August 2 of the calendar year at 7:00am.

Kakashi woke early that morning and after taking his usual morning shower and dressing into his uniform. He made his way to his brother's room and lightly knocked on the door.

"Yo, Itachi, hey bro. It is time to wake up and fight the world again." He said this sarcastically and got a sarcastic reply back.

"Screw the world. I need another hour."

"You got five and I mean minutes, Itachi. Don't make me come in after you." Kakashi half laughed as he said it. He was beginning to see why Sasuke so loved to torture their brother in the mornings.

Itachi hadn't returned a reply and Kakashi figured the kid was back to sleep already. It didn't matter though, Kakashi would go and get him up in five like he promised. He left Itachi's doorway and headed on down the hall towards the kitchen. Once he stepped into the living room and was about to make the turn into the kitchen he stopped. Something was wrong and whatever it was, was just outside the front door. Kakashi's fine hairs on the back of his neck stood up on end. His stomach slightly twisted in dread. Kakashi has long since learned never to ignore this feeling. This warning. There was something just outside the front door waiting for him. 'Could it be Wraith?' He thought. He slowly reached for his kunai from his pouch and moved slowly towards the door. He tried to sense Wraith's or anyone else's chakra that could be just outside their front door, but there was none. 'Careful, Kakashi. He maybe suppressing his chakra.' He thought again. He moved carefully and before he reached the door, Kakashi moved off to the side of it so that he wouldn't be in direct line of an attack through the door should it happen.

Carefully pushing the curtain back to peer through one of the three small diamond shape windows it had. Kakashi peered out and immediately jerked his body back and let go of the curtain.

"ITACHI, GET THE HELL UP NOW!" Kakashi shouted as he threw open the door and went out.

Itachi was up instantly. He knew that the tone his brother just used meant business. Something bad has just happened. Without even bothering to throw on a pair of pants. Itachi grabbed his ninja belt with his pouch attached and ran down the hall as he put it on. By the time he was at the front door, Itachi had his kunai in hand and ready. Public decency be damned this morning. He could see his brother just standing outside though doing nothing. There was no fighting with anyone. No one else seemed to be there.

"Kakashi, what's wrong brother? Why did you yell like that?" An uneasy stir began in Itachi's stomach. He didn't like it.

Kakashi didn't say anything. He simply moved out of the way for his brother to see what he has been staring at in shock and anger for the past ten seconds.

Itachi moved forward to go out and stopped just as he stepped onto the threshold. There before him was a clansman, but only the head. The head belonged to Yashiro of the military police. The man's eyes had been savagely removed from their sockets. The sockets themselves busted with some of the bone sticking out through the skin. The head was sitting on top of the flat top of banister post of the porch. Beside the head was a note stuck inside a clear freezer bag with a thumb tack pushed into it and the banister wood. There was only one word written on the paper.

Wraith.

Neither of the Uchiha brothers moved for several minutes. They just stared at the head of one of their clansman with an array of emotions swirling in a storm inside each of them. This was the final straw for Kakashi.

"Itachi…this ends today. I'm going to kill him or die trying."

"I will go with you, brother. I will not stop you, but I will be there to support you. This revenge is just as much mine as it is yours. I want in on this one."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Let's take this sick bastard down together."

Anbu Headquarters at 7:00am

Commander Murai was seated in his office waiting for his tea water to come to a boil. Shisui was also there in his office this morning. He was propped against the corner frame of the window with his arms folded over his chest. His mask was removed to the side of his head as he watched nothing in particular out the window. The small electric portable range had the tea pot singing a few minutes later, but neither man bothered with conversation until after the tea was poured.

"I want another thorough search of the village for Hirashi." Shisui commanded. Taking command was getting easier, but it still felt weird to Shisui.

"You still think that he is in the village?" Murai said as he stirred his tea.

"Yes, I do. The team of jounin that I sent again to the Hyuuga compound were told that Hirashi was disowned and thrown out of the compound. The head Elder was placed in lock-up temporarily until Hirashi is found."

"Temporarily?"

"Yes. I don't want to keep him there for long. I want Hirashi. Besides if I detain the head Elder for a long time it will just create more bad blood between us. Someone has to be the bigger man in this situation."

"I see… so you think Hirashi is waiting for a chance at revenge?"

"That's exactly what I'm betting on. He has lost everything and when a man looses everything. He then cares about nothing. Hirashi wants to go out of this world taking me with him. For him this is going to be payback to me for destroying his life."

"I'll never understand how these people come up with this twisted logic of theirs." Murai says with a shake of his head. "They created their own mess all by themselves, but forever see it as someone else that is responsible for the ruined outcome. They never take responsibility for their own actions."

The commander than took a sip of his tea and decided there wasn't enough sugar in it. Grabbing the spoon in one hand and the container holding the sugar, Murai dumped more sugar into the cup while stirring.

"I'm going to give you a couple of guards to stay with you until that bastard is caught or dead." He said getting ready to take another sip.

"Hey, thanks. It will sure feel weird to have someone guarding me instead of the other way around."

"Get used to it. It's the pride of the Anbu to be able to send their finest as members of the Hokage guard."

"Yeah." Shisui said as he pushed himself from the window. "I better get going now. I want to check in with my advisors at the tower. We have to finish setting up for the Enami and whoever else joins them in their little party with my clan."

"Ah yes the inevitable punishment that awaits the Enami. I still can't believe that this plan is what you want to go with, but if this is what you want than who am I to say anything?"

Shisui gave the commander a final nod and then left for the tower. He made sure to keep his guard up as he went and noticed the three chosen body guards were running along the rooftops just above him. Still, Shisui felt that this wouldn't be enough. He had to be ready for Hirashi.

The Hokage tower. 7:20am.

Hirashi was waiting across the street from the tower. He was taking up vigil on the rooftop of the same building that his former Rat operative, Hansuke, would hide while keeping vigil for the Third Hokage. He hadn't slept at all the night before and now he was getting irritated because his prey still hadn't arrived at the tower yet. Hirashi was certain that he would come here. He had too. The three advisors had arrived and it was a stab on his part to guess who these men were to Shisui, but it didn't take a genius to figure it out and if he was wrong about the men. It wouldn't matter in the end, for Hirashi was convinced that they were helping his nemesis.

Finally coming from his left was Shisui. The Anbu mask was firmly in place and it made Hirashi sick to think that all this time the Third had been playing him for a fool. IF Hirashi would have known that the Third had already chosen a successor. He would have sped things up exponentially to beat the old man to the finish line. Now he would have to content himself with killing the Third's successor.

He began to move into place, but he abruptly stopped and ducked back down behind cover suppressing his chakra greatly. He hadn't realized that the little coward would have his own body guards now. He swore under his breath and decided to wait for another opportunity.

The Uchiha brothers had left a short time after Itachi got properly dressed. Their father had to come home to the gory sight of his clansman's head and his two sons looking angry and sorry at the same time. He was angry himself, but he once again warned his two sons before they left.

"I know that you both want to get even with this monster." He said to them outside at the front gate. "I just want you to remember what I told you before about Wraith. He will probably lure you into a chase and try to frustrate the two of you. Especially you, Kakashi. Don't allow your emotions to over-ride your better judgment and discipline. He can't win if you keep your cool."

"Yes father. We will remember. I promise." Succored Itachi.

"I won't let him get the better of me, father. Besides I have my brother with me and I know I can count on Itachi to keep me from going off the deep end."

Fugaku's expression went from serious to slightly worried and then sad. He went forward and grabbed both of his sons into a hug.

"Be careful. Watch out for each other. Remember the promise you made with your younger brothers and their mother. Since we don't know when our enemies plan to attack us. I will be here all day. So you know where you can find me if you need me."

Both boys embraced their father tighter.

"We will father. I promise we will." Kakashi said. Itachi was feeling a little emotional and so he said nothing. They held the embrace for a few more moments and then without another word the two sons let their father go and headed out after the being that they wanted to bring down.

For most of the morning nothing really changed. Hirashi waited for Shisui to come out. So that he could follow him and find an opportunity to strike. While the Uchiha brothers went on a patrol of the village with their team mate Yamato. They informed him of what had happened and that they were looking for Wraith. Yamato was all in with his team and was eager to find the man.

They searched until lunch time and then decided to take a break and refuel. They wanted to be at their best when they found him. After lunch another team, Anko's, joined them in the hunt but for most of the day they would find no trace of the ghost that terrorized the Leaf.

Hirashi on the other hand, finally saw Shisui come out with the men, that Hirashi was positive now were his new council. He followed them and kept out of the guards' way. It soon became apparent that Hirashi was either going to have to create a diversion and lure away the guards or he would have to wait for Shisui to retire to his home in the Uchiha District for the evening. He thought that the latter would either make or break his chance since he knew that the Enami would be making their move soon. Hirashi didn't want any interference from anyone. He was the one that would kill the Uchiha. The fact that the Enami have delayed this long proves that they too were waiting for the right time to strike.

By lunch time, Hirashi had, had enough of waiting for his enemy to be alone. The new council had left him, but the guards as expected wouldn't budge. He would have to create a diversion. They were now in the heart of the Central District. There were a number of eateries established around them and Hirashi waited until Shisui had chosen a place to grab a bite to eat. He waited until the Uchiha was inside the building and then made his move.

He leaped off the back of the building, which he was currently on landing to the ground without a sound. He made three clones of himself. He knew the second that he made the clones the body guards would now detect him. Sure enough they did and moved in his direction immediately. Hirashi made no waste of time as he had his clones throw the shuriken they each held. The clones moved forward to engage the guards. While Hirashi made for the rooftop he had been on once more. He knew that Shisui would have his own senses on alert for him and sure enough Shisui came out swiftly looking around.

Hirashi threw the kunai he held straight for his enemy in an effort to gain his attention. The action worked. Shisui was blocking the thrown kunai and was now looking up at him. In the next second Shisui was on the rooftop chasing Hirashi. The clones of Hirashi knew that they needed to delay the guards for as long as possible and to do this they didn't hesitate to throw shuriken at innocent villagers who were everywhere in the streets. This forced the guards to try and protect the nearby villagers while trying to bring the clones down. People were wounded in the melee that ensued. The lead guard told the others to just follow him. They needed to get these reckless clones away from the public and then dispatch them quickly. Every minute that went by could spell disaster to their village should their new Hokage be killed on their watch.

Meanwhile Hirashi led his enemy away from the central part of the village and towards the training grounds. He needed room to work and the villagers though, they would make excellent shields from Shisui's attacks would ultimately get in his own way as well. Once they got to the nearest training ground the battle began.

Hirashi immediately threw three more shuriken at his arriving opponent, who blocked them all swiftly and then took up a defensive stance just outside of the Hyuuga's range for his sixty four trigrams attack. He spoke with anger but calmly.

"Why? Why kill your brother and then proceed to cause so much harm to the village?"

"You really want to ask that now?" Hirashi let out a laugh. "Alright. I'll entertain your curiosity for a moment. Consider it your final request before I kill you."

"My brother was a coward. He never could get a grasp of what true power was about. All the time we were growing up the idiot wanted to advocate equality among the Hyuuga. He was compassionate and fought to protect the weak and worthless. He deserved to die and when he made Anonymous. I saw that as my chance to have what I wanted. So I allowed my worthless brother to build it up and once he had. I took it from him in blood."

Shisui made no expression and this angered Hirashi, but he continued to speak with more anger in his voice.

"I wanted to rule the entire Land of Fire and this village would have been my capital city within it. I would have ruled everything from here and I would have raised all clans in this village to use their abilities to their fullest potential. There was only one problem though. The Uchiha were the only ones that could and would stand in my way. Fugaku and I have clashed so many times over so many things, that I have lost count. I wanted to enslave your clan and put them through worse things than my own lower branch members. You were getting so strong and I needed to break you now or my dreams of rule and power would be lost. So I needed to either bring your clan under submission to me or kill them all in one hell of a massacre."

Shisui stayed alert and still in his defensive stance. He knew that even though they were talking now, Hirashi, would end the conversation at any moment. He had heard in Hirashi's speech that he wanted to rule the Land of Fire. He needed to have him confirm it as what. A Hokage? A feudal lord? Or as something else maybe? He also wanted to make the Hyuuga realize just how stupid his dream of control of everything and everyone within the Leaf sounded.

"Even if you had gotten away with killing my clan, that wouldn't have been the end of your problems. You do realize that there are other capable clans living in this village. No one in this village wants to live under tyranny, especially under your rule. It's no secret of what goes on in the Hyuuga compound. They would have eventually learned of your treachery and killed you long before you even got the chance to submit a bid for the title of Hokage." Shisui countered.

"Maybe so, Uchiha, but I wasn't gunning for the Hokage title. I was going to become emperor once I brought down the feudal lord, but none of that matters now does it?"

"No, it doesn't."

Hirashi then charged at Shisui. He needed to distract him with a few more kunai or shuriken and then his enemy would be within his range and he would pummel his chakra network to death by using the ultimate Hyuuga attack known as Eight Trigrams Three Hundred Sixty One. This jutsu is considered the most powerful technique within the clan and is used as a last resort and Hirashi was going to use it now against the Uchiha. The technique allows the user to strike all three hundred and sixty-one chakra points of the opponent paralyzing him or her with each blow and instantly killing them upon the final hit.

Hirashi knew of Shisui's skills. When he had heard that the Third had chosen the Uchiha as his successor, Hirashi knew that the old man had chosen well. Hirashi was confident of his own abilities, but he feared the growing strength of the Uchiha. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that what Fugaku had tried to tell him time and time again in their many arguments was right.

The Hyuuga would benefit so much by disbanding of branch families and just having one clan and all of its members treated rightfully as Hyuuga as they were born. Fugaku had told him the importance of being united in equality. The sense of unity is what makes a clan improve and become recognized by their peers from other clans as strong. Hirashi dismissed Fugaku's reasons as bullshit and wouldn't listen to him anymore about it. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Hirashi realized that he was the reason that his own clan wasn't as strong as the Uchiha. He failed his clan. He also knew that right now being faced with one of the strongest members of his sworn enemy. He wouldn't be able to out fight him or outlast the Uchiha either. So he needed to take him down as quick as possible.

Shisui on the other hand, had his own ideas of what would happen in this fight. He swiftly backed away and using the phoenix flower technique shot out five fireballs at once making Hirashi stop and use rotation in order to block them. This was what Shisui was hoping for. The technique is a great technique, but it will burn through Hirashi's chakra in time. If he could keep making the Hyuuga use this particular technique. Shisui would be able to wear the Hyuuga down, but he had to be careful with this. Hirashi wasn't stupid. He would catch on soon enough. So Shisui would have to make use of something else that would work in his favor. The small blind spot that was directly behind the Hyuuga's back between his shoulder blades. He would have to wait for an opportunity to take advantage of it but in the meantime, Shisui would have to break up Hirashi's attempts of getting him in range of his attacks while making sure that his own attacks were hitting true at least some of the time.

Hirashi came out of the spin and was now throwing more shuriken. Shisui pulled his tanto out and blocked them all. Then firing off a huge fire ball back at Hirashi. This made the man dodge at the last minute and charging again at the Uchiha. Shisui used his body flicker technique making several after images of himself. They went in to attack while Shisui got directly behind the Hyuuga. Hirashi once more used rotation to block all incoming attacks.

Once more Hirashi came out of the spin and wasted no time in charging towards his enemy. He needed to get him in range. He decides to make two clones to aid him in this fight. The clones come out of the smoke running on the left and right of Hirashi throwing kunai at Shisui. Shisui uses his tanto to block and then uses the unique teleportation technique of his to allow his own clones to hit the other clones swiftly popping them instantly. Three more of his clones have Hirashi stopping and using rotation yet again to block their attacks, but this time Shisui is able to land a hit just before he begins the rotation. It wasn't clean, but it did graze Hirashi's left leg. The blood flowed freely from the wound. Hirashi was able to still perform the move but was now starting to slow a bit. The fight continued for some time like this and by now the three body guards had arrived from dealing with the first three clones of Hirashi.

"We're here sir. What are your orders?" The leader of the group yelled.

"Keep anyone else from interfering right now. Don't worry. If I get into trouble you can always jump in." Shisui said while never taking his eyes off of his enemy.

The body guards could see that their leader was not tired. His voice showed this much. He wasn't struggling to breathe or panting heavily. Shisui was calm and relaxed as if he had all the time in the world for this fight. He could see that Hirashi was beginning to tire. The wound was still bleeding. It was time to add to that one that the man had.

Hirashi was starting to get more frustrated. He was starting to tire and the wound was bleeding more heavily now. He needed to end this fight with the Uchiha, but he needed to rest. Buying some time was in order now. So Hirashi thought to have some intimidation talk to try to get inside the Uchiha's head, but it backfired.

"You think that you are fit to lead boy? I doubt very much that you can."

"I brought your organization down around you literally didn't I?" Shisui countered while sizing up his enemy.

This brought back the memory of Tama, the head Elder of his clan. "This Anbu operative outsmarted you…he is Uchiha.' This memory sent the Hyuuga into a rage and then he shouted in anger. "YOU BASTARD! I'LL KILL YOU IF IT'S THE LAST THING I EVER DO!"

Shisui saw this as his opportunity. He allowed the Hyuuga to start his charge at him. The man was throwing kunai expertly at him, but Shisui as before blocked them all. Then he used his body flicker move and the after images appeared. The moment Hirashi was forced to stop his charge and begin the rotation. Shisui was directly behind him and this time he threw with perfect accuracy. The kunai impaled itself deep in the back of the Hyuuga's neck. The point of the blade coming out at his throat.

Hirashi saw the clones take form and he stopped instantly. He saw them begin to throw the shuriken they held at him. He smirked. 'The idiot learned nothing. I will just use rotation as I have done throughout this battle.' He was mentally preparing the move when he felt something hit him hard in the back of the neck. That was as far as Hirashi could process. The blade had cut through his neck bones killing him instantly. He dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. The clones dispersed immediately and the body guards came and bowed before their leader. Shisui was tired and relieved that it was now over. 'There is still two other scenarios that have yet to play out today. I can only hope that those scenarios play out as well as mine did.' He thought but outwardly.

"Let's get this body to the morgue and move on with what we need to do today."

"Yes, sir!" The men shouted.

Wraith watched his master fight and die against the Uchiha. He had been sitting within a group of trees at the training grounds that Hirashi had picked. He wasn't expecting to see this show and it amused him and something else too, but Wraith wouldn't even dare to think of what that was. Besides it didn't matter anymore anyway. He had severed his ties to his master. He was waiting for his own prey to come and play with him. He watched the Uchiha and his men leave the area with his master's body silently. There was no need to go anywhere for a while.

Wraith had attacked and killed an Uchiha last night. He needed to get his prey's attention and what better way to do this than by taking the head of a clansman of his. He was able to leave the head on the banister post just before dawn with the note of just his name. He knew that this would be the final push needed to get Kakashi stirred into action. However, Wraith also knew of the Enami coming to burn the Uchiha District to the ground and this would be the perfect time to strike. By waiting for this time to arrive, Wraith would ensure that none of the other Uchiha would be able to interfere. They would all be too busy trying to stop the destruction of their homes. He would wait until just before dusk when he knew that the Enami would then make their move and he would in turn make his just right before then.

Timing was everything in this endeavor. Do this too soon and you would be facing more than just Kakashi. Do this too late and you will probably end up dealing with more than just Kakashi, but this was what made the game so much fun. You never knew what would happen. Wraith let out a yawn. He might just as well take a short nap. In only four hours he would go out and make himself known to his playmate and let the fun begin. He smiled to himself and then carefully positioned himself within his tree so that he could sleep without falling out of it and soon was fast asleep.

The Uchiha District at 1:15pm.

Fugaku had sent men to find the rest of Yashiro's body. They would not find it that day. Fugaku was glad that he didn't have to go in person and tell Yashiro's family about his death. That was something that he hated doing and for obvious reasons. Instead he sent a messenger to the refugee camp of the clan. Yashiro's family had gone with the rest of their clan into hiding. Only Yashiro stayed behind. The family members felt obligated to go so that, they could protect the rest of the clan should the need arise.

Now Fugaku had to send to tell them that Yashiro didn't make it. It was hard, but Fugaku didn't have time to grieve over the loss of yet another clansman. 'There will be time for that later. When all of this is over. He thought. He had told the messenger to only tell the family that he had died by the hand of one of their enemies, but that the messenger didn't know who. He was also told to say that, 'it will all become family knowledge soon enough.' This phrase was always used by the Head of Clan when a death had not been of natural causes. The family knew then to hold their peace and that as soon as he could, Fugaku would see them in person and explain everything to them.

Now Fugaku was headed back from the farming areas to go to his home. He was still thinking of the senseless tragedy as he walked. Yashiro's head had been given to the morgue to be kept in cold storage for now. They hoped to find his body before evening. Once darkness fell all attempts of finding the body would have to stop. Their enemies were going to attack and probably at night and no one wanted to leave the district undefended.

Coming up to his house, Fugaku sees men waiting for him at the front gate. He tenses only for a second before he registers what his eyes are showing him. The men in question are from the allied clans. The Inuzuka, Nara, and Akimichi clans. The Inuzuka even have their dogs with them. Fugaku is relieved at seeing them. A small voice in the back of his mind spoke up and said. 'You are beginning to act like your youngest sons. Better watch that, Fugaku.' The voice was dismissed to the back of his mind once more, but Fugaku had to agree with himself that he was starting to get a little paranoid. It was becoming hard not to. Still it was good to see the people that where gathered here right now. It spoke volumes of their commitment to stand with the Uchiha and Fugaku would be forever grateful.

"Greetings, Inuzuka, Nara, and Akimichi clansmen." He said and bowed respectively.

The clans mentioned did the same and it was Nori Inuzuka, a tall lithely built man with an incredible husky/wolf mix standing by his side named River, who spoke up for the group.

"Greetings sir. We have come early to help with the farms or with anything else that needs done before our evening patrol here begins."

"Thank you all for coming." Fugaku began. "Right now the biggest help we could use would be with the farms harvesting rice. There are a number of confirmed farmers from other districts that are here helping with that, but what I would want you guys to do is over see them. Make sure that the harvest is being evenly divided between what my clan needs to live and what the rest of the village will need. The other job would be similar. I don't want to say that I don't trust these farmers, but to be honest I don't completely trust them. One person with ties to our enemies could come in unawares and set up something bad that we didn't see coming. I don't want us to be surprised with a string of paper bombs set to go off after they leave or anything like that."

After saying this, Fugaku wanted to slap himself, but he meant what he had just said. So he added.

"I'm sorry…I must sound very paranoid right now."

"No sir, not at all. I would be feeling the same way right now." Nori replied and then looking at his companions. "We all would feel the same wouldn't we?"

The rest of the group spoke and nodded their heads in agreement.

"Thank you. I will leave you to decide where you want to work for now. I do want to say that I am beginning to believe that the attack will most likely happen at night. Most of us living in this village are ninja after all. So be careful out here." Fugaku said with a bit of a smirk.

It struck him as a little bit funny and he wasn't sure why it should but it did. 'Maybe I need to take some time with my family on a vacation after this is all over. They most likely could use it as much as I seem too.' He thought again as he waved off the allies that went to do what they could to help out.

Fugaku walked on up to his porch and with his hand on the door knob. He sighed heavily before turning the knob and going inside. He began an internal monologue with himself as he shut the door and headed for the kitchen.

'I trust our allies. I have too. I am the Head of Clan. The man that has the job of protecting his clan, but this situation is making it difficult. The enemy is everywhere around us. I can't by myself alone watch over every individual. Neither does every member always listen when I warn them about something.' Fugaku frowned at this thought, but continued into the kitchen. He stood in front of a cupboard with his hand on the door getting ready to pull it open, but stopped as the internal dialogue became more intense.

'Such was the case with Kenzou and now Yashiro, who wasn't where he was supposed to be last night. Yashiro had thought that he could go to a bar with friends from the village. They left him after a while to go home leaving Yashiro to try to get back on his own. He never made it… well not alive anyway. It certainly doesn't help that he was drunk according to the people that were interviewed at the bar. He wasn't like Might Gai… hell come to think of it nobody is quite like Gai. Only Gai can use the drunken fist successfully.'

Fugaku let a small smile appear on his face as he reached up and stopped again in mid- reach for the new box of jasmine tea. Remembering the times when he had run into Gai on the street and at times here at his home. When the young shinobi came to visit his sons. Gai was warm and personable and was a very hard worker. Something that Fugaku personally admired in others.

Fugaku moved his hand again as if unfreezing it to reach for and grab the box of tea. The motion seemed to send his thoughts back to Yashiro once more.

'Yashiro, like all of us Uchiha, can't even hold his liquor in the first place. Which is why we never drink when we are away from our district and even then we have someone sober to be with us. So that they can protect us from the chance we would decide in our drunken state to go into the village. What the hell was he thinking? Now he has literally lost his head to our enemy.'

The teapot had been filled with water and was placed on the stove. Fugaku turned on the stove and adjusted the level of the flames under the pot and then went to sit down. He sat tiredly onto the chair sideways. He let his elbows rest on his thighs while his hands covered his face. His mind was starting to shift in its thought process to a more dark and destructive ones. He was beginning to blame himself for everything. He had to rely on others. He has lost so many lives to not being able to keep everything under control for his clan. It was impossible for him to even consider it. You can't be everywhere at once Fugaku. Any more than you can make your clan listen to your every warning either. There is no jutsu in the world that can give you that kind of power and even if there were. It doesn't mean that you should use it, or even that it is ethical.'

He got up when he heard the whistle of the teapot. The tea was poured and the man returned to his seat and as soon as, he had taken a sip. The troubling thoughts began to stop the incessant storming through his mind. The tea provided a calming effect and right now he needed to stay calm, as the feeling that tonight was the night of the enemy attack began weighing heavily on his mind once more. Maybe Yashiro's head being planted on his front porch has something to do with it. Or maybe it was the prediction that the attack from the Enami and those with them should have happened by now and yet they were still waiting for it. Fugaku didn't know but he knew one thing for certain. No matter what his family and his clan will survive this.

Anbu Headquarters 2 pm.

Hirashi's body had been delivered to the morgue and the report had been written up as to what had happened. Shisui had also gone to the hospital were many of the victims of the early onset of the fight had been taken. He couldn't believe the number of people that were there due to the Hyuuga's recklessness. 'There's no way he could have been leader. 'He thought as he walked down the corridors with Shukaku Nara. 'The man would be far too willing to sacrifice others to achieve his own goals.' The internal dialogue stopped as they reached their destination.

Once he had met with many of the victims, Shisui and his adviser left the hospital for a new destination. The Hokage tower and the office of Hokage in particular. Shisui didn't like to come often to the office without one of his advisers with him. Most people thought of him still as an Anbu operative and he would like it to stay that way for a while longer. Though, Shisui knew that some people already knew that weren't supposed too. The only reason they haven't come forward about it is most likely because he would shoot them down quick. They couldn't prove that he was the successor since the records were written and sent to the Daimyo by the Third Hokage. Still, Shisui preferred to have someone with him when he came here.

They walked into the room and Nara shut the door behind himself. Shisui went and sat down at the desk and began to open a drawer and threw in the report from the hospital.

"You think that the report will convince the Hyuuga to give in to your policy?"

"I believe that it will, or I will use everything else that we have been able to gather against Hirashi and his group Anonymous to make them back up."

"I have to end their notion that it is okay to keep half of their clan in like animals. I believe that it is this way of thinking that not only poisoned the clan's ability to grow as a clan, but it has also led some of them to believe that they are superior to everyone else as well. This path has only one outcome and that is to destroy us all as a village." Shisui said with confidence.'

He looked over at the pictures of the Hokage's before him with a slight frown.

"They were all great men Shukaku, but they should have never allowed this kind of behavior into or stay in our village."

Shukaku stared at Shisui for a moment without saying anything. Shisui turned to look back at him as he hadn't replied. He saw that the Nara was pensive not argumentative in his gaze and so he waited to see what the man would say. For his part, Shukaku, was thinking that the third had made a good choice after all. He liked that the young Anbu wasn't afraid to challenge the Hyuuga to not only end a policy that was clearly against what the founders of Konoha believed in, but he was also challenging them to improve and grow as one.

'I am pleased with your choice, Third Hokage sir.' He thought. 'This young man is the fire we need to make the Leaf a better stronger village. The Hyuuga main house is stubborn, but they aren't stupid. They will comply or they will have to leave. I don't believe that any of the main house wants to take their chances elsewhere.'

Shisui was about to say something when Nara finally answered him.

"I agree with you sir and I also agree with the Third that he did make an excellent choice. I have only one word of advice."

"Say on."

"Don't wavier. You are going up against age old traditions with the Hyuuga and you will have to be firm when dealing with them, or any other clan in this village sir. So don't wavier otherwise, you will get nowhere with these people."

"The advice is noted and will be taken." Shisui smiled back at him.

Shukaku decided that he had been heard and moved on to the next topic that needed to be discussed.

"The Enami… and those with them what will you do about them?"

"I'm thinking on it and I have some ideas, but I won't really know until after they attack us."

"They are late. I thought that they would have attacked by now."

"Yes so did I but apparently they want us to sweat it out and maybe lose our cool waiting for them."

"It is possible." Shukaku began as he made to sit down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. "They have to know that we would suspect them in doing something against the Uchiha as a group. So they would want to wait for an opportune time to attack, which will most likely be at night."

"I agree with you there. I believe that everyone involved knows that it will be at night, but only the Enami and their allies will know which night it will be."

Shisui took a moment to pull up another folder that he kept locked in the desk and not in the file cabinet. He rifled through the drawer looking for the folder while Nara looked on curiously. He didn't have to wait long as Shisui pulled out a folder with a name written on the tab. Wraith.

"I heard that this lunatic left a very crude message this morning at Fugaku's doorstep." Nara said as he pointed at the folder in disgust.

This wasn't completely new information that Shisui was hearing. He had been told by one of his own Anbu guard earlier that morning. However the guard didn't know who it was that died, neither did he know where the body had been found. Shisui wanted to get together with Fugaku to learn more, but he had been busy all morning and had decided that he would wait until this evening to see him and find out. Now it looked as though he wouldn't' have too. He leaned back and gave Shukaku a look of seriousness.

"Please continue."

"I take it you haven't heard about it then?"

"My guard learned that there had been a murder among my clan, but he didn't know where the body had been found or who the person was that passed. I believe that Fugaku is still busy with the details that he hasn't reported to me yet and it's not like I haven't been busy myself this morning."

Shukaku grimaced at those words. He didn't want to be the one to have to tell Shisui this, but fate seemed to have chosen him to be the bearer of bad news. He swallowed and began.

"I'm sorry, sir but this morning Kakashi woke and found Yashiro had been murdered. The man's head was left on the front porch banister without his eyes and with a note pined next to it with only one word…Wraith."

Anger began to brew within Shisui at hearing of this incident. He wanted to kill Wraith himself and maybe it will come down to that, but he knew that his cousins and particularly, Kakashi wants the right to kill the vile monster himself.

"Kakashi is the one he wants." He said pensively. "He has wanted Kakashi ever since the day when the first clan inspection came up. He hates Kakashi's defiance, but I think it goes deeper than that."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that Wraith knew of Kakashi's struggle with the village. It wasn't like what was happening to my cousin was a secret that was well kept. Everyone knew something of it especially once Kakashi's father and failed his mission. Wraith was probably watching Kakashi even then, but with amusement. I believe that, Wraith found my cousin not so amusing anymore. When he came to the first clan inspection. He tried to intimidate Kakashi and it didn't work. The look of my cousin must have clashed with what Wraith thought he would be like. He must have thought that Kakashi would be completely broken. Instead he found him able to stand his ground against him and that must have upset something within Wraith. I suspect that Wraith went through hell for Hirashi's benefit and probably for the rest of the Six Masks as well."

"You think that the motives for his obsession is envy and jealousy?"

"I do….think about it. Kakashi lost his parents early on in his life and therefore, he was seen in the eyes of the council as their property now. They abused him verbally when he was around and then the villagers got involved. The whole mess with his father's failed mission which kept Kakashi as a target for hate ever afterwards. Yet in the end, Kakashi was able to find people who cared about and needed him. He was able to persevere and become someone who is strong. Someone who doesn't live in fear of anyone."

"Wraith on the other hand, would have been taken by Hirashi early on. His parents were slaves and so was he. If they would have tried to beg or even fight to save their son. Hirashi would have used them as an example to Wraith to force him to comply with his will. He was tortured in training. When he showed defiance, Wraith would have been beaten for it and who knows what all else. He was probably left alone. I can't imagine someone like him being able to have any friends and no support coming from anywhere. He would have lost his mind eventually from the abuse and the need to please his masters so that they would end his suffering."

Both men sat and reflected on everything Shisui had just said. Nara had leaned back into his chair. Bringing his arms up and onto the armrests of the chair.

"I think I can see now why there is an obsession." Nara said thoughtfully. "Kakashi didn't give in and become what the village wanted of him. Which was to be a broken and obedient lapdog with no will. Instead because of the people he had in his life, Kakashi became strong. It is his love for them that helped him to overcome and grow. However in Wraith's case, he didn't have anyone to support and love him. Therefore he wasn't strong enough to endure his tormentors and gave in. Looking at Kakashi stand for so long and endure must have really hit a nerve. Wraith can't have Kakashi around. It's a constant reminder of his own failure and weakness."

"You hit the nail on the head my friend." Shisui said with a bit of sadness. "This is just one reason why the Hyuuga slavery policy must be brought to an end. We have no idea if there are other Wraiths living within that compound and as we can already see. This isn't healthy for either those that are suffering under the Hyuuga rule or for this village either. I can only hope that my cousin can overcome this latest challenge to himself and the Leaf, but I promise you this Shukaku, I won't tolerate any opposition from the Hyuuga main house on this issue."

Nara only nodded at his leader. He liked what he saw in his eyes. These were eyes that were showing defiance and Shisui would have to be defiant to the clan Elders of the Hyuuga if he wanted to do what he plans to do. 'Go for it, Shisui and know that I will be backing you all the way.' He thought, but outwardly he offered.

"I believe that you have many supporters to back you in this cause sir."

Shisui acknowledged Nara's words with a nod. They sat silent for a moment and then Shisui looked over at his advisor again.

"We should get on with the business of why we came here in the first place. We need to come with ideas of how the Enami and those with them will be dealt with once this is all over."

Somewhere in the Northern District at 3:05pm.

Kakashi and his team were frustrated. There has been no sign of their enemy. They knew that he was in the village. He wouldn't leave and go back out. He enjoyed the sick games he played. So they were sure that he was still in the village. They raced up and down streets and scoured rooftops, but they have come up with nothing. They were taking a break on the rooftop of a fast food business. All three men were sitting on the ledge of the building with their feet dangling over the side.

"I think we should call it quits soon." Yamato said wearily. The gun-ho attitude of this morning had long since left him.

"Yeah, we should probably start thinking about going home soon. Father will begin to worry, if he returns to the house and we still haven't arrived." Added Itachi as he stared out over the vastness of the village he called home.

"We will make one more sweep of this district just like we did all the others and then we will head for home." Supplied Kakashi tiredly. He needed to refuel and rest up. The encounter with Wraith was coming soon he knew it. 'Maybe he will just come back to our house to fight.' He mused for a second.

"Alright let's get this over with and then we can all head for home."

All three men got up and fanned out as they ran towards the edge of the building and leaped for the next one.

The Uchiha District 3:35pm.

Fugaku was once again waiting on the front porch. He was standing at the edge of the front steps looking out towards the gates for his sons. Every now and then he would glance down at his watch. The time piece told him, that it was still too soon to start worrying. Fugaku sighed and looked back up towards the road that led to the gates. Thoughts of his wife and younger sons began to occupy his mind. He wondered if Naruto has awaken yet, or was he still oblivious to the rest of the world around him. Then there was Sasuke. Sasuke had put on a brave face as they all left for a place he had never been to before. Both boys were still fearing going anywhere within the village even with family members. When leaving the village they were much calmer, but with the incident with Naruto being kidnapped. Fugaku knew that Sasuke would be more afraid for his vulnerable brother and would be more agitated than usual. Fugaku imagined that Mikoto and her brother Takeshi were having a tough time with the boy right now.

Another sigh escaped Fugaku as he decided that going in and getting supper ready wouldn't be such a bad idea. This thought though made him pause for a moment as a memory surfaced. One of a time when he had volunteered to cook and the looks of horror that spread across the faces of his family. Itachi going so far as to run out into the middle of the backyard just to summon his crow and send it to a pizza place. The memory made him laugh heartedly for a moment. 'Ah those were the days weren't they?' He mused. 'I long for days like that again with my family. Those times were far too short. Far too short.'

The smile left his face as the frown returned and with yet another sigh. Fugaku made his way into the house.

Uchiha refugee camp 4pm.

It has been five days since the Uchiha evacuated their village for the refugee camp deep in the woods of the Zaizen clan. Sasuke was still as protective and wary as the first day that they all had arrived. He stayed at his brother's side at nearly all times. Leaving Naruto only when he had to use the bathroom or being made to go and wash at the river. The other children stopped asking Sasuke to come and join them in play after two days, since his answer was always the same. His mother nor uncle could convince him to leave the tent while they watched over his brother, as Sasuke would always answer with the same reply.

"I need to be here when Naruto wakes up. I want him to know that, I have been here with him the whole time. I can't explain it any better than this so, please stop asking me to leave."

His mother did stop. Mikoto wanted her son to play and try to relax a little, while she watched over Naruto. He was a part of her family too and she would not let anything bad happen to him. She didn't understand at first why Sasuke was so adamant and then she remembered. It was the kidnapping that took place and how Sasuke felt so helpless to do anything. No one had ever told him that he was the one meant to be the target of the fake Anbu. On that day at their Uncle Teyaki's and Aunt Uruchi's place, but somehow Sasuke had figured it out all by himself.

Therefore Mikoto stopped and let Sasuke do what he needed to do. She told Takeshi to stop pestering the boy as well. Which he did and went out to talk to the other clansmen or train deep in the woods. When he was with them, Takeshi would praise Sasuke for being not only a loyal brother but also a loyal clansman. This would make Sasuke feel a little better but it would not completely suffice as long as Naruto lie unconscious on the ground.

The medic, Kin would come by himself when the Head of Clan's tent was involved. Nana never would come near the tent again after what had happened the last time. They would start the rounds together and then temporarily split up when they were coming up to the 'vicious little boy's tent' as Sasuke became known to Nana. She didn't hate him, but he did scare her. So Kin would come and check on Naruto alone. Sasuke still didn't trust him, but he tolerated his presence as unwanted but necessary.

Naruto was an unusual patient. This thought hit Kin the first time that he examined the boy. Moving someone who is comatose isn't easy and then there are the bed pans and things that are needed to make sure that the patient stays clean and doesn't soil themselves while they lie there. Yet Naruto has never needed these things and moving him wasn't difficult at all. Hell, his uncle carried him the entire trip to the camp bridle style without any mishaps along the way. It almost seemed to Kin as if the boy's body was in some kind of stasis. All Kin needed to give him was some food in the form of liquid nutrients and an IV solution and the little boy seemed to do well. Seemed too because until he opened his eyes back into consciousness, Kin wasn't sure just exactly how Naruto was doing.

Kin finished cleaning Naruto with a very suspicious little brother sitting only a mere foot away from him. Watching the medic like a hawk, Sasuke was going to make sure that this man did nothing bad to his brother. Naruto was going to wake up safe and with his family or Sasuke would die trying to keep him that way.

Uchiha District Fugaku's home 4:15pm.

Kakashi and Itachi had made it home without having encountering their nemesis. Both young shinobi were disappointed but not deterred in the least. They knew they would find him or he would come to them, either way it was going to happen. Coming on into the house they see their father getting up from the couch and coming around it to greet them home.

"Good to have you both home."

"It is good to be home father." They said in unison.

Fugaku hugged both of his sons and afterwards backed away saying.

"I was going to try and make supper, but then I remembered what happened the last time I volunteered and decided to wait until you boys came home. So… where would you like to get take-out from?"

"How about pizza? We haven't had that in a while." Suggested Itachi.

"I'm fine with it as long as I can get a meatball hoagie too." Kakashi added.

"Oh what an oinker you are big brother." Spoke a sarcastic Itachi.

This earned Itachi getting placed swiftly into a head lock. Kakashi wasn't angry, but merely rough housing with his brother for a moment.

"What did you call me? Vanity boy."

Itachi was laughing and trying to break free from his brother while trying to speak at the same time.

"You heard me and what is this? Vanity boy? I'm not vain. I just like looking good for my public."

Now it was Kakashi and their father who were laughing.

"Oh we aren't vain are we? Nah, we're not vain at all!" Teased Kakashi still laughing but letting his brother go.

Itachi stood up straight again. The blood had flowed nicely into his face giving him a well flustered look. He was still laughing and trying to straighten his hair and his shirt.

"Alright boys you go ahead and get into the showers and I will go and order the pizza."

"You got it, father."

"First one smelling clean and presentable gets the meatball hoagie!" Itachi said as he ran down the hall.

"Hey I'm not agreeing to this that hoagie is already mine. You want one get your own!" shouts Kakashi as he walks down the hall towards his own room.

Their father watches them both for a second or so and then shakes his head and gets his cell phone out of his pocket. "I better make that two meatball hoagies then." He says with a smile.

Ninja Academy grounds 4:30pm.

Two academy students were finishing up their training in taijutsu. Both boys were preparing for their academy's exam that was tomorrow. This was their last chance to train and get everything right before then. So they had stayed after classes to train against each other. One boy named Takumi was having trouble with the transformation jutsu. So they trained in this first because the other boy named Natsuke was good at it and could give a few pointers to help Takumi out. Then they trained in taijutsu for the same reason. Natsuke needed help with his taijutsu. Both boys were so focused on their training that neither of them noticed a stranger had come into their mist.

The man was tall and he was leaning against the tree watching the boys train. He had been there for the past five minutes watching with interest. Finally though the boys grew tired and it was only then that they decided to stop and both dropped onto the ground. The man pushed off of the tree with his shoulder and began to move towards them.

"Hey, nice session you two."

The boys looked over startled and then grew angry. They weren't angry at the man but more at themselves for not noticing the man much sooner.

Natsuke spoke up first.

"Thanks…I guess. Who are you mister?

"Yeah and what do you want from us?" Chimed in Takumi.

"Well…I was wondering if you two wouldn't mind doing me a favor." The tall man said cheerily.

The boys looked over the man before glancing at each other. The man was certainly tall. He was wearing a short sleeved black pull-over shirt and dark brown ninja pants. Where the pants cuffs fall short just below the knees. Began the white wrapping that covered all shinobi's legs followed by the regulation ninja sandals. The man had no face paint nor any markings that identified him with any clan of the leaf. He had dark brown hair that was short and the bangs were swept back over the crown. His eyes were also dark brown in color. The fact that they couldn't place the man with a clan was a bit unnerving especially since he was wearing the clothing of a ninja. Still the man's easy demeanor made the boys drop their guard somewhat.

"So what kind of favor do you need sir?" Asked Takumi curiously.

The man smiled and then turned to point at a white box that was next to the tree.

"I would like very much if you two would run that box there over to the Uchiha district for me."

"So we are going to make a delivery then?" Inquires Natsuke a little bored. "Who is the person that we are supposed to give the box too?"

"Oh I have a friend over there that has been wanting what's in that box for a long time and I finally got the job I needed to done and was able to get this present for him. I would be very appreciative if you two took that box to him. His name is Kakashi Uchiha. He lives with his father Fugaku. So what do you think boys? Are you willing to help me out here?"

"I don't mind, but why can't you deliver it yourself? Do you have mission or something?" Natsuke said.

"Yes…yes you could say that."

The boys again glance at each other and then make a decision.

"Will we get a reward for doing this errand for you sir?"

"Of course… how silly of me not to mention this sooner!" The man says as he pulls out two ten dollar bills from his pocket.

"I'll give you each a ten dollar bill for making this delivery for me."

The boys' eyes go wide at seeing the two ten dollar bills and immediately their all in.

"You got it mister! We will take that box to a Kakashi Uchiha, who lives with his father Fugaku in the Uchiha district." Natsuke reiterates.

The man starts to hand over the money to each boy's hand and stopped just before placing the money in their palms.

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you both. No peeking into the box. Okay? I don't want that box tampered with. You are to just deliver it and that's all."

"We got it sir. No tampering with the box!" An excited Takumi replied.

"Good. Now run along and make this delivery for me. If you do a good job I might just ask for your help in the near future."

The stranger placed the money firmly into both boy's palms and then walked away. The two watched the man leave and then went and grabbed the box. Which turned out to be a little heavier than either of them were expecting. The box also felt warm too, still the sooner they delivered this box. The sooner the boys' could be feasting at their favorite fast food joint. Natsuke led the way to the Uchiha district while his companion carried the box.

Uchiha district 4:45pm.

The gate keepers for the district were trying to stay alert at their posts. For the past five days they have tried to stay on top of things, but the constant state of readiness would were down the men guarding at times. One man was falling asleep at his post. The other was about to say something to him when he noticed to small children coming towards the gates and they were carrying a box with them.

"Hikaru, snap out of it man. We have a couple of kids carrying a box here!"

Hikaru snapped out of his stupor in a hurry. Both men watched as the children approached so innocent like. When they were no more than five feet away, Otsu leaped down from the perch on the gate. His companion did likewise from his.

"HALT! Who are you and what do you want?"

The boys looked frightened as both men looked angry.

"We were sent to give this package to a member of your clan, sirs." A timid Takumi answered.

"Who is the person's name son?" Hikaru asked.

"It is Kakashi Uchiha sirs."

The gate keepers glanced at each quickly and then Hikaru was gone back over the wall and into the district. 'This was bad news it has to be bad news. Hikaru thought as he ran for the Head of Clan's home.

Fugaku's house 4:48pm.

The little family was busy eating their meals when they heard rushed footsteps coming up onto the porch. Fugaku was the first to drop his slice of pizza back onto his plate and get up followed by his sons. The knock was urgent and that was the second red flag for Fugaku, as he headed swiftly to the door with his sons behind him. Opening the door he saw one of the gate keepers standing there looking rather grave. 'This can't be good news.' The Head of Clan thought.

"What is it, Hikaru? Are we about to be under attack?"

"No sir, it's just that Otsu and I have stopped a couple of kids from wondering into the district. They are carrying a white box with them and said that the box was for Kakashi sir."

Now all of the men of the house were showing concerned faces.

"Come, let's get over there right now and find out what is going on." Fugaku commanded.

All of the Uchiha left and headed back to the gates.

The Uchiha District gates 5:00pm.

When they arrived back at the gates. They saw two little boys maybe no older than ten years old each standing with Otsu and looking very scared. The white box was sitting on the ground in front of them. Fugaku immediately asked of the situation.

"What is going on boys?

"Well, well sir it's like this…" Natsuke began to explain nervously. "You see my friend and I were asked by some stranger to deliver this box to a Kakashi Uchiha. He said that it was a present that Kakashi had been waiting for, for such a long time."

"Did this man give you a name?"

"No sir he never did. He just said that he would give us each ten dollars each if we would do the job."

"Yeah, and he also told us not to tamper with the box at all." Supplied Takumi.

"Can you describe this stranger to us?"

"Yes sir, he was a tall man with dark brown hair that he slicked the bangs back and he had dark brown eyes. He wore a short sleeved shirt that you pull over and-."

Natsuke was cut off by Takumi who was getting excited.

"It was black. The shirt was black you forgot that part Natsuke."

"Yeah, right the shirt was black and the ninja pants were brown."

"You guys did very well to tell us this. Is this everything?

"Yes sir."

"Good then you may leave then."

"Yes, sir."

Both boys were relieved to be allowed to go and they wasted no time getting the heck out of there. Grown-ups can very scary when they want to be.

Fugaku stood watching the boys run off and Kakashi looked over at his father and asked.

"Do you think that this box contains another of our clansman?"

Fugaku looked over at his eldest.

"Do you believe that this box was sent by Wraith?"

"I do. He probably henged to look like someone else before he approached those children."

"I agree that is why I sent the boys away. They don't need to see what is in here, if we are both correct."

"Sir, Do you want me to open the box?"

"Wait, Hikaru, what if there is a bomb inside?" Otsu shouted.

"Go ahead and open it, Hikaru. We believe that this is another calling card from Wraith."

Hikaru opened the box slowly using one of his kunai. Once the tape had been removed the flaps of the box were moved back slowly as well and inside sealed in plastic was another head. The two gate keepers moved away quickly from the opened box. Fugaku, on the other hand, reached in and grabbed the plastic bag and lifting it free from the box.

"It's Shiori! Shouted Otsu in shock and anger.

"Yes, it is unfortunately." Sighed Fugaku. "I need to send her head to the morgue. We don't have time now to go out looking for the rest of her remains. The Enami might attack tonight and night is soon to arrive. We must wait until tomorrow."

Kakashi stared in anger and grief at the young woman's head that just like Yashiro before her, was missing her eyes. The anger was growing by the second but was slowed to a simmer once again when his brother spoke up solemnly.

"Look there is a note inside the box."

He reached down in and pulled out a note that was sealed in another plastic bag. Itachi read the note out loud as this one had more than one word this time.

Hello, my friend. You know who it is.

Miss me much?

I sure hope so, because I missed you a lot. In fact you are all I think about

Anymore.

Don't disappoint me playmate.

Meet me at the training ground number ten at 8:00pm. This is where you will find me.

I want to play my favorite games with you.

Oh, and you can't bring your brother. He will just get in our way.

See you then playmate.

Itachi looked back up at his brother with a look of concern. He was worried that his brother would leave him behind and that was the last thing that he wanted. He knew that he needed to be there. Itachi would be the only voice of reason left to keep his brother from reaching over into the darkest of sides and never being able to return.

Kakashi was silently looking out into the distance were there was another stretch of woods. He knew. He knew that Wraith was there watching him right now. He knew it.

"Kakashi? What are we going to do?"

"Don't worry little brother. Everything is going to be alright. We should all go home for now."

"I agree, son. We should head back. I'll have send some of our allies to take Shiori's remains to the morgue for now."

The family went home and the gate keepers went back to their posts. Both men were more than energized now and yet grieved at yet another senseless loss.

Out in the wooded area just beyond the District, in a tall tree stood wraith. He was leaning against the tree itself and grinning. He could see Kakashi's face with his Byakugan and he was enjoying the expression he saw there. He was particularly excited because that look showed that Kakashi knew that he was in these woods watching him. Tonight the fight would be the most fun he would ever hope to have and in the end he would enjoy the spoils of war afterwards. For now Wraith decided to return to his hiding place until the appointed time. The Enami were making their move against the Uchiha tonight as soon as the sun goes down, which if he was right in his calculations would be at eight-fifteen sharp.

Anbu Headquarters Commander Murai's Office 5:20pm.

The commander was seated at his desk with Shisui and his advisors meeting there with him. It wasn't wise to constantly go to the Hokage Tower as of yet, as Shisui needed to still keep his status still hidden. The men had gathered to speak of preparations for the attack on the Uchiha District that they all knew was coming.

"I want the regular corps ready to assist the Uchiha and those that have allied themselves with them in the upcoming battle." Shisui informed.

"Yes, I agree." Inoichi said as he was getting ready to take a bite out of his sandwich.

"We will need to keep patrols up within the village however." Replied Shukaku while unwrapping his own supper.

"I have no intention of letting them drop." Replied Shisui who now was walking over to the large window behind the commander's desk. "As I have said before, I don't want a repeat of the Kitsune Festival tragedy. I want to keep the Enami and their allies contained within the Uchiha District. Letting them spread outward into the village isn't an option."

A Sudden knock at the door had all eyes on the door.

"Come in." Replied Murai.

The door opened cautiously and an officer came in and saluted the commander before speaking. Everyone had his full attention.

"Sirs, I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting, however it has been just reported that another Uchiha by the name of Shiori has lost her life."

Shisui turned around sharply and said in a tone much harsher than it was meant to be.

"How did it happen?"

The officer was taken aback a little at the tone, but he continued on with his report.

"We are still investigating that part of it sir. The only thing we can tell you for certain is that the incident began in the women's restroom at the Blue Oyster restaurant. The people she was with said that she had gotten up to use the restroom and never came back. Over forty minutes later the woman's head shows up at the gates of the Uchiha District in a box. Two small children was trying to deliver the box to Kakashi but were detained by the gate keepers."

Shisui grimaced as he turned back towards the window again. Staring out at the scene before him he asked.

"Tell me something, officer. Was her eyes removed?"

"Yes sir in the same gruesome manner as Yashiro's."

"I see." Shisui nearly whispered.

Nara then asked.

"What about the body?

"We haven't been able as of yet to locate it. We are still looking for Yashiro's."

Murai now added to the conversation as he could sense Shisui becoming quietly upset.

"Sergeant Kinta, good work that is all."

"Yes sir."

The sergeant bowed and left quietly. When he was out of ear-shot. The men in the room began to speak again.

The first voice to begin was one that had been silent up to now. Yoshimi Satomura, Shisui's financial advisor, now spoke.

"I'm sorry, Hokage sir. This must be incredibly hard right now."

"Thanks, but there will be time to grieve later. Right now we need to think of those that are left alive and how we can help them against their enemies now and after the battle takes place. Besides," Shisui turned back towards the group. "I'm trusting that my cousins will bring down the one responsible for the two deaths of our clansmen."

The men all agreed about the Uchiha brothers and decided that the discussion about the Enami was dealt with. They moved onto the aftermath of it. They settled back into discussion that pointedly followed along the lines of what to do with the clans that are involved in the battle afterwards.

Enami Clan shrine 6:30pm.

The Enami had several of their members gathered at their shrine. The Head of clan was now giving final orders for the strike that would be made this very night. Everyone that was a captain of a squad had been assembled here to learn what they were to do and where at the Uchiha District.

"We are about to rewrite history my brothers." The Head of Clan began. He stood on top of a table as their shrine didn't have a stage or auditorium. "Don't ever forget this night. We are about to bring to an end one of the most notoriously dangerous clans in the shinobi world. We the Enami along with our allies the Okazaki, the Minowa, the Teruya and Wakimoto clans will bring a new era of peace for our people. No more will we have to worry about the demon child and the clan that protects him. Tonight my brothers we will annihilate them all!" He raised his arm into the air for emphasis.

Shouts resounded within the walls of the shrine. Feeling encouraged the Head of Clan continued.

"Tonight we are going to meet up with our allies just outside of the district. It is important that we make our way their discreetly. For there will be patrols out and we can't afford to have them stop us. Know for certain that they will, if they see us moving as one large mass towards the Uchiha. So I want every squad to move independently in getting there. We will meet up with our allies who have already been told the same thing. Once we all arrive at the location. You will meet up with the squads from our allies that you have been paired with for the assault. We will storm the gates and spread out quickly. Get to your designated areas and begin to set everything within reach of you on fire. They love to use fire so much. Then we will give them fire. So much fire that it will burn down their damn district, but I caution all of you of one thing." The leader raised up an index finger pointedly into the air for emphasis. "You are not to set ablaze the farming areas. The food that grows there is food for all of our village. We want to harm the Uchiha not our village."

Many within the crowd began murmuring agreement. The leader beckoned to the crowd to silence once more as he said.

"I want you all to understand that I want you to kill as many of that wretched clan as you can, but make burning down the district your main priority. It is most likely that the regular corps and probably Anbu will show up and stop us. We won't be able to take on so many ninja at once. I can't stress this enough that burning down the district is your priority. If the bastards don't have a home. Then they can't very well stay and if we can manage to kill as many as we can in the process all the better."

The meeting was quickly adjourned and the Enami went about to wait out the time until they could begin their final mission.

Fugaku's home 7:15pm.

Fugaku had left only fifteen minutes ago leaving his sons home alone. He needed to take up his place in the evening patrols. He knew that both of his sons were determined to bring down their nemesis and there was a part of him that was scared for them, but they were young men now. He did all he could for Itachi in raising him to be a reliable, dependable and responsible young man. A fine shinobi that even though was only twelve, Itachi could stand toe to toe with most adult shinobi. Then there is, Kakashi. Fugaku had tried to just be there for him to encourage and guide him. He really didn't have to teach his eldest son how to fight or how to deal with dangerous situations. He didn't have to teach him how to be a man. Because Minato and Sakumo had already taught him before they ever met.

He was doing now what he knew was the right thing to do. He was letting them go. There was a part of Fugaku that as a father, he wanted to go with them and make sure that they would be okay against such an experienced killer as Wraith. He wanted to be the one to fight their hated enemy, but his sons wanted the honor and they were trained extremely well in the way of shinobi. They have been on dangerous missions in the past and have come home. Fugaku knew this well. He has watched them grow, but a part of him didn't want them to go on this particular mission alone. This was so personal and Wraith wasn't like any ninja that his boys had ever faced before. Still, He trusted them that they would be able to overcome this enemy. He needed to for their sakes as much as for his own. He had to be with their clan tonight doing what needed to be done here and they needed to do what they needed to do away from him. So he left them at home to plan what they needed to do. So he could do what he needed to do now.

Kakashi and Itachi were both seated on Itachi's bed talking about their clansmen that have died at the hand of their sworn enemy.

"I can't believe that they are gone. Both of them were capable ninja."

"They were Itachi, that's why you and I can't afford to under estimate the bastard."

There was silence for a time between them as each thought of the battle that was coming that very evening with Wraith. Neither of them were scared. They were both far too angry to be scared. However, both would have been lying, if they had said they weren't a little nervous. Itachi laid back on the bed letting his feet unfold from their current position of looking like a pretzel to straightening out and resting over the side of the bed. Kakashi, had been leaning forward while resting his arms bent at the elbows onto his thighs. His hands were dangling over the knees. He turned his head to the left and watched his brother's face as he went down and saw such sadness and anger illuminating off of it.

"Kakashi?" Itachi's voice sounded unsure.

The sound of it made Kakashi cringe a little inside. He never liked hearing his younger brother sound like this. Itachi was meant to be sure and always confident and usually was.

"Yeah?"

"We are still going after this guy together aren't we?" Itachi had turned his head from looking straight up at the ceiling to looking at his brother in seriousness.

Kakashi instantly felt relieve. 'So it wasn't fear of fighting Wraith. Good. I should have known better. Itachi would never back down from a challenge.' He mused. Kakashi didn't answer right away though. Instead he fell back onto the bed himself having folded his arms behind his head as he fell. Once he was relaxed he spoke.

"Itachi, I told you earlier that I wouldn't have it any other way and I meant it. You are my brother and we both shared the same pain from when this bastard was harming our family. When Hirashi and his group was harming our brothers and before that, Madara. You have shared the same pain and the same fear that I have when Naruto was kidnapped. You have struggled with our little brothers' nightmares for nights on end alongside me. No one has more of a right than you to help me bring down Wraith. It's as much your right as it is mine and I wouldn't dream of denying you that."

He then turned onto his side so that he was facing Itachi.

"I want you to pay close attention to what I tell you next." Kakashi paused for a moment. When he saw his brother also turn onto his side so, that he was also facing his brother.

"I want you to hide just before we arrive at the grounds. I don't want Wraith to know that you are there. So hide and suppress your chakra."

"-But I thought we were-." Itachi had cut in. Only to be cut off just as quickly by Kakashi.

"I know what I said little brother. Please just hear me out. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Let me begin the battle with Wraith. I want you to be close by so that you can watch our fight closely without the bastard knowing you are there. I will work on wearing him down. You are talented and strong, but I have more experience and because my body is grown I can endure his attacks longer than you could. Let me wear him down and when the time is right. I want you to take him down."

Itachi was sitting up in an instant.

"What?! You mean that you want me to make the killing blow?"

"Yes, I do, Itachi. I think you deserve this much. Besides, it's like I just told you. I will be busy wearing him down. I will take his chakra as low as I possibly can so, that Byakugan of his won't have enough power to do much of anything. In doing that however, I won't be able to do much myself. I'm probably going to be pretty torn up. You know how the Sharigan punishes my body for chakra not to mention, that the bastard is one hell of a fighter. I won't be in any shape to defend myself let alone produce the killing shot. I'm counting on you for that Itachi."

Itachi just stared at his brother for a time. 'He's trusting me. He's trusting my judgement on when to do this.' He thought. 'This is dangerous for him yet he is trusting me and not someone who has more experience.' Itachi felt a sense of pride and yet it was also a humbling feeling as well.

"I won't let you down, brother."

"I know you won't."

The two got up and made off to get ready. In thirty minutes they would be the fight of their lives.

Konoha at 7:55pm.

The village seemed so deceptively peaceful at the moment. Corps of regular ninja were busy with their usual patrols inside and outside of it and there were others gone off on missions that took them far from home. The civilians were busy doing what civilians do every day of every year at this time of day. Some were going out on the town. Others were turning in early this evening, as they had to get up early for another hard day's work ahead.

Clans were doing similar things as the villagers. All except a few hard hearted clans that wanted a piece of the Uchiha clan. Enami and their allies were getting ready to leave for the Uchiha District. They would wait until it was eight O' clock and then move out and within fifteen minutes they would reach their destination. The Head of Clan to the Enami looked at his watch impatiently. It was now five minutes to eight and the leader found his excitement growing. It wouldn't be much longer now and they would be rid of the enemy for good.

Wraith had moved around in the trees at the training ground. He was anxious to get started. He had waited for so long to have this happen, that now he couldn't keep himself still. The wounds he had sustained earlier when fighting his prey's little brothers have healed. His desire to kill was a happy all time high and for Wraith, this was the best news. Kakashi was an opponent he has wanted to fight for such a long time now. No one else gave him such a rush and thrill for battle. He made his way back to where he began and sat down on a high branch. Looking at his watch he could see that it was almost time for his prey to show up. He doubted that Kakashi would come alone, but Wraith wasn't worried about the young man's brother. He sat the rest of the time thinking of what he would do with Kakashi's younger brother once he had finished playing with Kakashi's dead body. Oh, there were so many possibilities.

The Training Grounds at 8 pm sharp.

Kakashi arrived at the training ground number ten at eight O'clock sharp. He usually wasn't this punctual for anything, but this was a date that he had to keep. He walked in slowly and cautiously. He let his senses reach out and try to sense where the coward was hiding. He was mildly surprised to find that the lunatic hadn't suppressed his chakra as he normally did. Wraith was just ahead of him in the line of trees on the fifth branch up in the tallest of the trees. Kakashi moved up until he was half way across the field and then stood still.

"I'm surprised that you wouldn't hide your chakra from me you coward."

"Well, you aren't a mission that requires me to hide my chakra so that I can approach my target." Wraith said as he leaped down from the tree. "You are my playmate tonight and I always do things differently with my playmates." Wraith let out a twisted laugh as he began to walk a little ways forward and then stopped. Both men were now only hundred feet apart.

Wraith looked his prey up and down and was pleased with what he saw. Kakashi was in peak condition for this fight. This was what Wraith was hoping for. He had been worried that all that running around on patrol and no real training would make him weak, but as Wraith could see, Kakashi was anything but weak. He grew more excited with each passing second. He wouldn't be able to contain himself much longer.

Kakashi was expecting Wraith to come dressed in his stolen Anbu uniform. In a way, Kakashi was disappointed. He wanted Wraith to come as the 'Pig Man.' Particularly since Kakashi thought of Wraith as a pig and because this was how he appeared to most of his victims.

"What? You couldn't be bothered to masquerade as the Anbu operative Pig?"

"No, no not really. You see you are very special to me Kakashi. You are a very special kill and I wanted to wear my best outfit for our fight and the Anbu don't have the best outfit. Anonymous did."

Kakashi grimaced as he heard the words and looked at the mad man before him. Wraith was dressed in all black with a red mantle or cape and a red sash around his waist. A militant type of shinobi uniform had been given to him. The man wore no mask and nothing covered his head. It was obvious to Kakashi that Wraith believed that he was going to be the last person that Kakashi ever saw and wanted to reveal to Kakashi what he looked like before he killed him.

"I didn't come here planning on talking fashion design with you. I came here to kill your insane ass." He spat out.

Wraith laughed good naturedly at that.

"Very well playmate I'm just as eager to let our fun begin. So let's bleed freely tonight."

Wraith produced his Byakugan and got into a stance. Kakashi pushed up his home made head band and revealed his Sharigan. Within seconds the battle was joined.

The Uchiha District 8:15pm.

The Enami and their allies were gathering swiftly near the gates of the Uchiha District. The gatekeepers hadn't sensed them yet. It was important to keep just out of sight of and chakra range of the gate keepers or else they would sound an alarm. The Head of the Enami had told everyone earlier to arrive discreetly. He was counting on the element of surprise to gain as much ground that they could before the Uchiha, their allies and the village ninja themselves came to stop them.

They waited eagerly for the remaining members to arrive. The sun had been steadily moving down over the horizon and now as the last of the members were making the scene. It was barely light out now and the clans swiftly moved to join up with their assigned teams and at a quarter after eight just as the sun dipped over the horizon. The Enami made their move.

They charged at the gates and using chakra in their feet they began to scale the walls and the gate itself. The gate keeper bravely sounded the alarm and began using their perfect fireball jutsu to try and repel as many of the invaders as possible. Many were caught in the blast of fire, but many more made it over the gate some took on the gate keepers while other pushed forward.

The Uchiha within the district heard the alarm and while some stayed put preparing to defend their given areas within the district. Others began running towards the gates and were quickly running into the enemy. The battle was joined and the struggle began.

The Training Grounds.

Wraith had charged at Kakashi using his Byakugan to guide his aim with the kunai that he threw at him. Five more were thrown in session as he went. Kakashi was able to repel the attacks and deftly dodged Wraith, throwing six shuriken back at him. The man was just as able to repel the attack and now was trying to get back into range again. The area had become mostly dark, but the moon was already out and giving its light to the scene. The Sharigan and the Byakugan each were able to zero in on that light making the surrounds perfectly viewable to their owners. Each could see the incoming attacks easily.

At first the two men danced around each other trying to test each other out and looking for an opening. Kakashi needed to get a direct hit, but knew that he couldn't afford to just walk in to range of Wraith's Byakugan. The strikes from the gentle fist would move faster than a viper's strike and be far more deadly. He needed to pace himself carefully. One wrong move and the battle would be over before it begun. He decided to use a couple of shadow clones to help him get the strike in that he needed. Swiftly dodging another attempt to get him into range. Kakashi made the signs and produced the clones. The clones fanned out and while one threw kunai at their target. The other one used phoenix flower at the same time. This made Wraith teleport out of the range of the attacks.

He ended up just standing right in front of Kakashi. The young Anbu didn't hesitate to take a swing with a kunai slashing at Wraith's palm as the man had pulled up his left hand to block the blade from cutting into his jugular. The next instant Wraith was several feet away from Kakashi using again teleportation. Kakashi hadn't even bothered with trying to get in another swing before the monster left. This was a warning from Kakashi to Wraith. The deranged man stopped and looked down at his raised palm. The cut was clean and went the full width of his left palm. He laughed at the sight of it.

"I messed up that time." He said joyfully. "I won't underestimate you again, but congratulations for making me be the first one to bleed."

Kakashi didn't say anything. Wraith may think of this as just a game, but Kakashi knew better. He was already calculating the lunatic's next moves. He didn't come here to talk. He was beyond and done with that. He needed to wear his enemy down, but he also needed Wraith to grow frustrated with not being able to get in close and if he did get close. Kakashi had to make him pay each time he did and then back out quickly.

Uchiha District.

Fugaku was leading his team forward to the farming district when he heard and saw the alarm.

"THIS IS IT! EVERYONE MOVE TOWARDS THE GATES."

They did so and turned back heading for the gates along with several other teams that were converging on the opening scene. Fire could be seen and Fugaku knew that the enemy was now in the process of burning down their homes.

"HURRY, THEY ARE GOING TO BURN DOWN THE DISTRICT! He shouted.

Everyone doubled their speed and soon were beginning to run into the enemy as they were charging forward. Fighting was already happening as you neared the gates. Fugaku and his team ended up fighting near his brother's bake shop. The Uchiha had made their teams to be with some of their allies on them. Rather than having just themselves on one team and the allies staying within their own teams. This proved to be effective as each team had more variety of attacks that they could use making each team stronger than they would have been.

The Enami and their allies were not overwhelmed by this show of force, but they were finding it difficult to defeat the teams they encountered. It also occurred to them that there weren't as many Uchiha here as there should be. Where are the children? Where are the elderly? As they ran down several streets the answer became obvious to them. There enemy had fled the district at some point prior to the Enami's arrival. This outcome was disappointing to many that had come to fight. They wanted to kill as many of the next generation as they could. This was the most important part to most that had come to the district. Destroying the future of the clan would mean the end of the clan. Burning down a bunch of houses wouldn't ensure anything, but more desperate conflict in the future with an increasingly stronger clan.

Still the boss had said to burn everything that they came into contact with and they were determined as hell to do just that. One team would light the fire and the others around it would fight the enemy. A lot of damage was being done to the nearby buildings and homes just from the fighting as the teams of the enemy didn't particularly care about being careful of not damaging their surroundings. Thus within the first twenty minutes of the fight. The enemy had set on fire or just damaged buildings in the first ten blocks of the district.

"They aren't here for just a fight." Fugaku said to his nearest companions. "Their primary goal is to burn our district to the ground! We must send a messenger to Anbu Headquarters for back-up."

Nori Inuzuka stood forth with his dog River.

"Fugaku, sir, let me send my dog, River. He is gifted with great speed and endurance. He will get there in no time."

Fugaku looked the dog over. The animal was ready and eager to go and with his wolf breeding. The wolf-dog mix would be able to keep up a heavy pace all the way to headquarters without the need for rest.

"Good." Fugaku nodded. "Please send him. We need help as fast as we can get it." He said urgently.

"Yes, sir." Nori then looked to his dog. "You heard him boy and be careful getting out of here."

"Right. I'll back soon and you better not die on me in the meantime, Nori."

"Don't worry I won't. Now go."

The dog was gone in a flash and the men moved on to quickly find another battle to fight.

The Training Grounds.

Itachi had never seen such a battle as he was witnessing now. He was quickly gaining a whole other level of respect for his brother. Kakashi had told him to hide and wait for the opportunity to strike. So Itachi had gone ahead of his brother to the training ground once they were getting close. He had been careful to suppress his chakra as low as it would go. He also moved silently to the number ten grounds. Fortunately there were plenty of woods that stretched alongside each of the grounds as you moved from one training area to the next. The woods ran along back of the training grounds making each of them have their own piece of the uncut swath of forest that ran alongside the grounds and between each area. This was intentionally done by those who created these training grounds to give each area the look of having the woods form a semi-circle around each training area.

Itachi went into the forest at the beginning of the ninth training area as it was the only way to gain access to the forest for any of the training areas. Once he made it across to the forest side, Itachi then began to run towards the tenth grounds through the forest. Arriving just before his brother, Itachi then opened up his senses to find their enemy. He hoped beyond hope to find him and was surprised that the man wasn't even trying to hide where he was at the moment.

Grateful for the man's arrogance, Itachi chose him out a spot that would be close enough to see everything and yet far enough that he wouldn't get caught hiding there. He squatted down and peered through some bushes that grew in front of the trees. Kakashi entered the tenth training grounds seconds after him and Itachi could see the cautious and serious nature of his brother. 'This battle is going to be heavy.' He mused as he watched his brother approach to the center of the field.

How true that thought was turning out to be. Kakashi was wearing down his opponent, but he also was paying a price. Itachi knew that the time to intervene was coming ever closer. He watched his brother make a charge with his Raikiri, the technique that he was finally able to get complete mastery of.

Kakashi had sent two clones ahead to distract his opponent. These clones were stronger than the first two that Kakashi had sent. It would take a lot more to make them disappear and Wraith was slowly beginning to lose patience with the fight. He made another mistake by allowing the second clone to distract him from the presence of his true opponent and as he closed in on the second clone to get rid of it. He realized that Kakashi was coming at him with a technique that looked like the chidori but was much more powerful. He grabbed hold of the clone's wrist and swung him around and into Kakashi. The clone immediately vanished in white smoke. Kakashi allowed the force of the blow to push him back. He let go of the Raikiri and back flipped repeatedly. He could hear Wraith running towards him. When Kakashi finished the next rotation and landed on his feet. He pushed off the ground using some chakra and sprung high into the air. He immediately let fly six shuriken at Wraith.

Wraith was forced to stop and defend himself from the incoming attack. This plan of his wasn't working. Kakashi was getting the better of him this way. The idea of using gentle fist against Kakashi was showing itself to be a joke. He wanted to destroy his opponent by destroying his chakra points. So far he hasn't been able to do this and what's worse. Wraith was beginning to wear down and he was doing it faster than Kakashi. All this running around and expending too much energy in an effort to nail the brat's chakra points was useless. Kakashi was far more cunning than Wraith had given him credit for.

He had been trying to get in close, but that didn't mean that Wraith couldn't fight at a distance. He could; but he wanted to get in close for this kill. The gift of his clan, the Byakugan, would clearly show him the look of agony on Kakashi's face from a great distance, but it wasn't the same as being right up close and personal. The Byakugan would show him when Kakashi's chakra network and his vitals began to fail, but that wasn't the same as being close to hear the labored breathing and the look of fear that would be there on his playmate's face. The spewing of blood coming from his mouth as, Kakashi struggled to keep his air passages clear of the red fluid as he lay dying.

No. Wraith needed to be close to see, hear, and experience the beauty of the death of Kakashi. The Byakugan could never and would never be able to show him such beauty and it was becoming more and more obvious to Wraith that he would have to change his tactics, if he wanted to have that experience he craved. It would mean that he himself would have to suffer in this fight, but Wraith was used to suffering. The difference was that back then and for a long time, Wraith suffered for the benefit of others. He suffered so that they could have more and be able to do more. The pain wasn't worth it to him, but he wanted to live and hope that a day would come when he would escape the pain and bondage of his masters.

This pain that he was experiencing now was different. This pain was liberating. This pain was making him live. This pain that Kakashi brought was beautiful and Wraith couldn't explain it any better than this. If someone would have asked him why he was letting go of his gift to fight in this manner. He knew they could never get it. They would thing Wraith was a pervert, a freak, or even a monster. He didn't mind. To himself, Wraith thought those same things more than once. He had no redeemable qualities and no one would ever want him around, but this was okay. It didn't matter anyway. Wraith was getting something for himself for the first time ever. Something he wanted and that was all that mattered in the end.

So in the middle of the fight, Wraith decided to reveal what was on his mind.

"Playmate, I want to fight you without using the style of fight of my clan. I want to be up close and personal with you in this last fight. I want to fight in taijutsu and I want to see you bleed even more than me. Come and let us dance this dance of life and death. I want to see the beauty of your death up close and not far away. It would ruin the very reasons I wanted to fight you in the first place."

Wraith was relaxed and stood relaxed as well. Kakashi on the other hand, was in a defensive stance as he listened to his nemesis. He would not give the nut a verbal answer. He knew what he needed to do and he didn't trust Wraith at all no matter how honest he was trying to be right now. He knew what Wraith wanted and it made him a little sick to his stomach to even think of it, but he needed to stay calm and allow his Sharigan to keep seeing the true nature of this fight and what his part in it was. Kakashi also knew that his brother was nearby and would make the final blow that would end this sick monster's life. The words of his father came back to him once again that he didn't want to find his son naked and bloody on the forest floor because he got carried away with his rage. He had to keep a clear mind and besides, he had promised his father and the rest of his family that he would return home to them and he will.

Anbu Headquarters.

River had run as fast as he was capable of doing. He knew that every second counted and he gave everything he had in his run. The Uchiha District wasn't exactly next door to Anbu Headquarters which was deep in the heart of the Southern District. He reached the Anbu in record time and bounded through an open door. He was spotted immediately and seeing blood on his fur coat was enough for everyone to start coming closer and asking questions.

"Please keep quiet for a minute." The large dog commanded.

"I have been sent from the Uchiha District to tell you that they are under attack by the Enami and their allies. The enemy are currently in the process of burning down the District as I speak. The Uchiha need your assistance at once."

One of the Anbu operatives went as soon as he saw the dog, back to the commander's office to warn him that something was afoot.

"Commander!" He shouted as he opened the door without knocking.

"There is trouble happening in the Uchiha District, sir!" He shouted again.

Shisui was the first to answer.

"It's the Enami isn't it?" He said knowingly.

"Um, I'm not sure sir." The officer said sheepishly. "I assume so, but honestly I left as soon as I saw the blood on the dog messenger's fur coat. So I don't know what he said."

Commander Murai sighed and shook his head. Shisui wasn't concerned. He knew what this was about. They have been waiting for this event to take place for days now and it has finally happened. Without saying anything more, Shisui got up from his seat and headed out the door. He needed to get his regular corps on the move and six Anbu teams to go with them.

Making his way to the main entrance, Shisui could hear people rushing about. This was good. It meant that everyone that was already chosen to head to the District when the attack happened were now preparing to mobilize. He came out into the main area and saw the dog that was mentioned and knew that this must be River, Nori's ninken. As Shisui approached he could hear River telling a sergeant more details.

"There are five clans involved and they seemed at first to just want to kill as many Uchiha as they could, but upon arrival they quickly realized that there weren't many Uchiha around and deduced that the clan had been evacuated from the area. So they have set their sights on burning the district to the ground as fast as possible."

"What makes you say that they want to burn it quickly?"

"Sergeant, don't act like you were raised under a rock." River said indignantly. "These people know that the commander and Shisui would be on to them and had been waiting for the Enami to make their move. The moment it happened the Enami knew they only had so much time to burn as much as they can before the authorities arrive and shut them down."

"River, thank you for coming. Now you can return this message from me." Shisui said as he came to a stop beside the dog and human.

"I want you to tell them that the Anbu are already on their way and that ten teams of regular corps will be arriving shortly. I will also send six teams of medic Nins to the scene as well."

"Thank you sir." River bowed respectfully and then turned to go out. An Anbu team that was ready to go opened the door for the dog and themselves as they all headed to the Uchiha District.

Shisui left to head to the headquarters of the regular corps. The teams that he had chosen have been spending the past few days idling at the base. He knew that they would be glad to finally get out of there and see some action. A smirk made its way onto his face as he rushed the rooftops in the direction of the base.

Uchiha District.

The Head of Clan of the Enami was disappointed and angry. He hadn't known that the Uchiha would take most of their clan and hide them somewhere. He had come to realize this shortly after the fighting began. He and his team went to set a house on fire while two other teams kept the Uchiha busy. When they approached the house. The Enami head found it strange that there were no lights on. It was dark out and there should have been lights. This made him pause and look around him. This was when he noticed that none of the houses in the area had lights on. 'They could be just hiding inside and trying to make us think that they aren't home.' He thought. So he and his team went and burned the place and sure enough there was no one inside. For if there had been the family would have run out by now or would have been screaming as they burned alive.

This was the beginning of his frustration. Then there was the fighting itself. He knew that the Uchiha had gained allies due to the council stalling for so damn long. The fact that there were allies here with the Uchiha didn't surprise him as the missing clan members had. No. He knew that they would encounter resistance. However, he had been confident that they could overcome their enemy faster than this. They needed to burn the district down and they needed to do it in a very small time frame. The allies of the Uchiha were proving to be just as determined as the Uchiha themselves in stopping them and this was pissing the Enami leader off.

The fighting was becoming more desperate and more intense the longer it went on. He was wounded but not badly. Some of the others weren't so lucky. He needed to get more of this wretched district burned; but time wasn't on his side and there was still so much to destroy. He decides that he needs to go for something more than just fire. A few bombs were needed now.

"Hisao, Tsubasa, and Masuyo come with me." He commanded. "The rest of you keep the enemy busy here for as long as possible. We need for you to buy us time."

"Yes, sir." Several men and women shouted back.

The men named all followed their leader as he led them down some streets. He wanted to get into the heart of the district for this surprise. He hadn't been to the Uchiha District before now, as the people disgusted him and he wouldn't ever come here for any reason. Now he kind of regretted that decision as he had to guess just how far to go to get in the center of it. Once he found what he was looking for, a series of businesses and just a block in any direction was more resident neighborhoods. The leader stopped and made hand signs and placing his hand on the ground. A large scroll appeared. He swiftly unrolled the scroll and within it were several seals running the length of the scroll. He undid the first seal and several paper bombs were released. He handed these to one of the men.

"Hisao, I want you to take these bombs and head over to that block over there." He pointed to the right of him. "Once you get there string these bombs the length of the neighborhood and when I give a shout, blow it all to hell."

Hisao took the bombs and headed to Shisui's neighborhood. The leader than called the next man and gave him the same order; but for the neighborhood one block down the street. Then the last man was given his bombs and sent to do likewise. Once all three men were gone. The Enami leader turned and began placing bombs the length of the block he was on that was full of businesses. All four men were careful to not get caught by their enemy. Fighting was going on all around them as they worked. They moved quickly and when they came to the end of their block. The leader gave his shout and they all detonated the bombs at once. This killed all four of the men and leveled the blocks that they had targeted. It also sent shockwaves that brought down several other buildings in the area. None of the bombs were large enough nor powerful did enough to destroy more than two blocks each, but together with so many cluster in so close. The area of damage was much greater.

The blast also threw several ninja from both sides off their feet. Some were injured by falling debris. There was yelling as some were screaming from the pain of their wounds while others were trying to shout as loud as they could to be heard. Orders were being shouted as well as shouts for help rang up and down the affected area. Many ninja from both sides died as they were in range of the bombs.

Fugaku felt the blast more than he heard it. He was further away from the blast zone, but the tremors made their way all the way to the gates. Fortunately they were weak and wouldn't damage much of anything not that there was much at this point. Nonetheless, Fugaku ran the minute he realized what had happened. 'A bomb went off, but was it just one? Or were there many? I need to get over there now!' He thought urgently.

He began running and was followed by Togu and Nori Inuzuka. River had regrouped with the men as they ran and an Anbu team was with him. The captain of the team, an operative with a boar mask addressed the Head of Clan.

"Sir, we have been sent by Shisui to help. What the hell just happened?"

Fugaku looked over with a grimace as he kept running.

"I think it was obvious as to what it was Operative Boar. It was a blast. It was probably made by a string of paper bombs."

"Ah, right sir. I just find it hard to believe that these idiots would go this far."

"Believe it. The fighting has been getting more intense the longer it goes on. I want your team to start making arrests. The Enami, Okazaki, Wakimoto, Minowa, and the Teruya clans are where they shouldn't be. Get them."

"Yes sir!" Boar was eager to get going. He didn't mean to sound like an idiot himself, but he had never witnessed such violence against another within the gates and it was fueling his desire to bust a lot of people with enthusiasm.

Boar gave command and his team swerved to the right and literally tackled a squad of the enemy to the ground. They were in chakra restraints before they even knew what hit them. Another squad was moving several of the enemy in restraints to the entrance of the gates. Two horse drawn wagons were lined up just outside the gates and more were on their way. The wagons were carrying large cages in them. Big enough for a man to stand up in it without slamming his head into the ceiling of it. There were members of the Uchiha police standing near the wagons ready to assist getting the hooligans into the temporary cells.

The regular corps began flowing through the gates as well. Asuma's team was the first to go through. He was followed by Gai's team and then Kurenai's team. Raidou and Genma where on the same team and they arrived near the end of the line that came on the run through the gates. They had all heard the blast as they came to the district. Now they were filled with worry and urgency as they moved in.

Fugaku reached the devastated area and came to an abrupt stop. What he saw grieved him, but he was glad that he had evacuated his clan and family out or this would have been much worse. The sadness he felt came from the fact that these people were willing to kill themselves to get rid of his clan. 'Why? Why go this far?' He thought sorrowfully. He heard footsteps rushing up to him and turned to see who was coming.

Hisoto, his second in command, came up and stopped abruptly panting slightly from the effort of his run.

"Sir, Shisui has sent several members of the regular corps and Anbu teams. They are quickly getting the enemy under control."

"How many of the regular corps have arrived?"

"All ten units are here, but we sent for an additional ten. The enemy is losing their fervor that they had at the beginning of this farce. Still they continue to fight on."

"What about the damage?"

"It's pretty extensive sir it will take us several months to undo what these people have done in one night."

Fugaku sighed heavily. He looked up at the dark sky above him with its many stars and wondered why it couldn't be this peaceful on the ground he stood on. Then his mind drifted to his sons and worried on how they were doing. Another sigh escaped him for a moment before going back to the task at hand.

"We need to round up as many of the enemy as we can. Then we can use a genjutsu to force them to stop. Now that most of our district is gone and they are without their leaders. We should be able to do this now."

"Right. I'll send out the word immediately for all Sharigan users to prepare to use genjutsu."

Hisoto then left and spread the word around through several others and soon the Uchiha were ready to give their enemies a reason to stop and surrender. The additional reinforcements arrived just in time to help. The allies of the Uchiha and the regular corps and Anbu were also prepared to grab and restrain every single one of the enemy as soon as they fell under the jutsu.

Within thirty minutes all of the enemy clans had been restrained and in custody. The wagons that had begun with only two had now grown to over twenty were hauling away the clans to a large warehouse that had been used before when Root was being taken down.

Fugaku continued to give commands on putting out the fires. The wounded of the Uchiha and allies were all placed in a central area so that the medic Nins could work on them. Reports needed to be sent by mouth from messengers to Shisui, who was coordinating the mission from his end. Yet, in all of this, Fugaku could now only think of his two sons and the struggle that he knew that they were involved in. He wanted to rush over and help but there was too much to do here. He could only hope that they were still alive and fighting.

Training Ground #10.

The battle was getting more intense now. Each man was trading blow for blow as they had worn each other down to the point that neither could use any Nin jutsu at all. Wraith had been forced to continue to try and fight Kakashi with Nin jutsu even though he knew that it would drain him fast at this point. Kakashi wouldn't honor his request of fighting in just taijutsu style. Oh well, he had thought it was worth a try, but I'm still going to kill you Kakashi.' Wraith had mused.

Wraith swung hard and planted his fist into the side of Kakashi's face. The force of it sent Kakashi's head turning sharply to the left and making him stagger back. He recovered quickly enough to block Wraith's next punch and planting his own right fist below Wraith's jaw with a powerful uppercut. This sent wraith up in the air and backwards. He was literally flying above the ground by three feet before he managed to flip over and land on his feet a bit shakily.

Kakashi was upon him swiftly driving a left knee into the man's stomach. This forced Wraith to double over and spew blood from his mouth. Kakashi followed up before his enemy could recover by bringing both hands together and bringing them down on top of Wraith's still bent over form. He crumpled to the ground. Coughing up blood, Wraith looked up at his playmate and knew that he had one chance to get out of this and finish this fight. Wraith could tell that Kakashi had slowed down considerably during the course of the battle. So maybe this idea of Wraith's would work. He swiftly grabbed a kunai from his pouch and threw it as hard as he could. He intended to make a strike for Kakashi's heart.

The young shinobi saw the move and tried to react quickly. He only managed to move just enough in time to avoid the attack hitting its mark. Instead the blade struck lower and to the right. Kakashi could feel the blade digging into his flesh and then hitting bone. The strike was powerful enough even in Wraith's weaken condition to break the first rib cracking it instantly, but it could travel no further in. Kakashi winced at the pain but stayed focused. He swiftly moved away from Wraith. He pulled out the blade as he did so. He was now holding his side slightly bent over, as he panted heavily. He watched Wraith slowly rise from the ground. They were both fighting sloppy at this point due to fatigue and blood loss, neither of them would last much longer.

Wraith let out a grunt and then a shaky laugh as he got up. He was bleeding from everywhere it seemed and he had managed to get his nose broken at some point of the fight. He felt that his insides were feeling broken up as well. The Raikiri is nothing to mess with he realized. He had managed to avoid serious injury from it, but he could not completely escape it either. He kept getting grazed by it and now it was starting to catch up to him. Wraith was sure that he has probably burned some of his insides from the grazed attacks. He couldn't stop blood from coming out of his mouth and yet, Wraith felt so alive at this moment. He was beginning to realize that this would not go the way that he had originally planned and that was okay. Kakashi was a defiant opponent. A strong-willed individual that didn't give up easily. This is what Wraith loved most about Kakashi. He also liked that Kakashi hadn't lost his cool during this fight. That he had actually make Wraith lose his cool instead.

Unlike with so many others, Wraith was able to get under the skin of his playmates. Some boiled over with anger rather quickly with little provocation. While others took longer to give in and none of them could ever outsmart him or as he would say. 'Outplay him.' Wraith always controlled the fight from its very beginning until its very end. Yet here was a playmate that he couldn't get ahead of let alone unravel during the long drawn out course of their battle. Kakashi wasn't easily played. He paced himself well and was seemingly always three steps ahead of Wraith at least. Wraith smiled proudly as he stood looking over at his opponent. He turned his head to the side and spat out more blood. The killer's eyes never leaving Kakashi as he did so. The right forearm came up and swiped at his bloody mouth. Looking down at the accumulated blood there he snorted before again addressing his opponent.

"I have loved fighting you my equal. I would have loved to have played with you more after your death, but it is not meant to be." Wraith said with remorse. "I will instead take you with me so that we may fight forever in the afterlife."

"You're sadly mistaken if you think that I want to go anywhere with you, monster." Kakashi growled out. "I made a promise to my family that I will return home to them and I will keep it."

Wraith shook his head as he spoke.

"No, I don't think so. You are coming with me."

Wraith prepared for another attack. He didn't have much left. He couldn't go much further and he could sense that Kakashi couldn't either. He made to charge at him this would be it. The final blow and they would both take each other out instantly. Kakashi pulled the last three shuriken from his pouch and making hands signs he released the shuriken with each being covered in a small fireball. Wraith couldn't dodge them so he swatted at the ones aimed for his head. Brushing them aside he continue to charge at Kakashi. He threw his kunai at Kakashi at the same time that the young shinobi launched his shuriken at him. The shuriken that weren't caught up in Wraith's swipe of his hand imbedded themselves into the insane man's body. The fire catching in his clothes but he kept coming.

Kakashi was struck by the kunai in the left arm at the same time. He winced. His body was getting ready to give out, but he needed to guide his target over towards where his brother was in hiding. He hoped that Itachi was ready. Wraith chased Kakashi back towards a stand of trees with a few bushes in front of them. He was starting to burn but did not scream nor show any sign of pain. He was chasing his playmate. Wraith never chased a playmate. The playmate chased him. So he was elated at this turn of events; but he would get what he wanted from Kakashi. He would kill Kakashi and they would fight for all eternity as he has envisioned for them in the afterlife.

Itachi was getting ready to move in. He reached behind him for his tanto that was secured to his back. He was planning on ramming the damn blade through the sicko that was fighting his brother. 'It's almost time to act. I must make my aim be true because there won't be another chance. Timing is everything in this.' He told himself. 'Hang on big brother. I'm moving into position now.'

Kakashi could sense his brother beginning to move behind the bushes to his right. 'Good timing little brother.' He thought relieved. Wraith was beginning to catch up to him. He could smell the burning flesh and clothing as the man neared. Kakashi swung around still keeping his front facing his enemy as he moved. He needed to move just beyond the bushes so that his brother could get the bastard from behind. Kakashi made it past but wraith had gotten a hold of his throat in a final quick burst of energy. The fire was moving down the very arm that had attached itself to Kakashi. Kakashi reached for his own tanto that was on his back. 'This is it.' He thought.

Wraith let out a sadistic laugh with a bizarre expression to match it, but then he saw Wraith's eyes go from glee to going wide eyed in shock. Kakashi could see the tanto piercing through Wraith's own throat, but it wasn't his tanto that had done it. Itachi's blade was sticking out of the killer's throat and Itachi himself standing there behind Wraith. The look of pure shock morphed into confusion on Wraith's face. He wanted to say something but could not and seconds afterward his eyes rolled up into his head. He dropped down dead as his grip released on Kakashi giving way as he fell.

Kakashi could now see his brother standing behind the now prone killer. He had the expression of someone who had just killed vermin and not a man. Both watched for a few minutes as the body burned. Now that Wraith was no longer moving, the fire slowed in its spread as it took it time at spreading over and engulfing the body. Kakashi slowly pulled out the blade that was still imbedded into his left arm. The blade came out with a spurt of blood with it. The arm was useless now along with the rest of him Kakashi thought. He wanted to say something to his brother but wasn't able to and in the next moment he was staggering backwards and falling to the ground. His legs no longer able to support him. Itachi was there in an instant.

"Come on big brother. Let's get you to the hospital."

Kakashi wanted to say how proud he was of his brother, but could only give him a grateful smile. Itachi smiled back and then with one hand holding up his brother into a seated positon and the other making a set of signs. The two vanished from the training ground. Only a small pile of leaves swirled and then blew away where they had been only seconds ago.

Saturday, August 5th of the Calendar year.

Fugaku was making his way back to his district. He had just been over at the Hokage tower where the Daimyo and Shisui, as well as the newly appointed advisors were meeting. He had to give them the final report about the casualties and damage to his district. The amount of damage was overwhelming, but the loss of life made Fugaku feel a little bitter. As he walked along, many people acknowledged him. They all nodded their heads or they bowed slightly and some said a few kind words as they passed. Every one of them meant what they said and every gesture was true. This is what kept Fugaku from just taking what was left of his clan and leaving altogether. The people were all being sincere and this was the only thing that kept him from actually going on with the idea that he was playing around with in his mind. This and the fact that among the casualties were many of the men and women that came from the alliance that was made with the Uchiha. So many brave souls lost that day and Fugaku couldn't say nor do anything to ease the pain of those families that lost their loved ones in one huge and pointless battle. He felt the guilt like a heavy weight that was threatening to crush him with every step he took. No was blaming him. None of their allies blamed him for any deaths to their clansmen, but Fugaku couldn't help but carry this weight of guilt anyway.

He sighed heavily as he continued to walk. 'I better go visit my sons before going back to the district and setting up a tent near where my house used to be and taking a much needed nap. I'm more tired than I thought I was, but I really want to see my sons. Kakashi would have carried the brunt of the fight with that madman. He is probably out cold from chakra depletion.' He mused as he began to walk in the direction of Konoha General.

Shisui sat behind the desk in the Hokage's office. The Daimyo was busy pulling up the official papers that would tell the world that Shisui was now the fifth Hokage. The advisors were all gathered as well and seated around the room. They waited patiently for the feudal lord to get what he needed so that they could begin. For his part, Shisui couldn't stop thinking of the condition of his district and the people that caused it and the deaths of several of his clan and their ally's. 'They will need to be dealt with and the sooner the better. Keeping them holed up within the makeshift prison at the old fabrics warehouse isn't a permanent solution. I need to-.' His thoughts are cut off as the Daimyo begins to speak aloud.

"Sorry that took so long, but I wanted to go over it one more time. This won't be like standing out there on a balcony and giving the village the news of their new Hokage. At least with this, I can check these papers as many times as I want before they are submitted as the official and final documents on the matter."

"No worries, my lord. We are happy enough that you have come here in person to handle this matter." Answered Shukaku amicably.

"Thank you. Now Shisui, I need you to look over these papers for yourself and sign them if they are satisfactory to you."

The feudal lord hands over the documents to Shisui, who takes them with a small smile and begins to look them over. Everyone remains quiet while he reads over them and then signs them. When Shisui finishes he hands the documents back to the Daimyo.

"I was wondering how was it that you were able to get here sir in such record time from the capital." A curious Satomura asked.

The feudal lord placed the documents back in his satchel as he spoke.

"I have been in Karma village this whole time. The Third Hokage had told of the events that were leading up to what we felt would happen and so I decided to be close by in Karma. We then hatched out a plan of action. Saratobi had always believed that he would die through his repeated actions to protect the young shinobi by the name of Kakashi Hatake and the little Jinchurriki Naruto Uzumaki. He knew that once he permitted the Uchiha to adopt both young citizens. The threat of death would be even higher. So he wanted to name a successor as quickly as possible. This was only part of the plan though. Another part of the plan was for me to deal with the incursions that were taking place daily into our borders by enemy ninja from the other hidden villages. The rumors of those villages getting together to plan a military strike to destroy the Leaf weren't fabrication. They had really been planning such an event. Fortunately, I was aware of some underhanded schemes and behaviors of the feudal lords of those lands and was able to use those things to gain leverage to force them all to back down with their armies. Thus the reason there hasn't been any more enemy ninja seen in our borders in several weeks."

"Then we decided that we needed to be able to find out who was running Anonymous. We needed to find out what were there intentions and how far did those intentions go. We also needed to know who was backing them and we needed to know who was working with them outside the village if there were any. We also needed to know who was working for them within the village. The last part of the plan was left up to me to decide and the new Hokage. So I want to ask you Uchiha Shisui the Fifth Hokage what do you want to do with the sworn enemies of your clan?"

Shisui didn't hesitate to speak as he leaned forward in his chair.

"I have decided that their punishment will be banishment." He raised his right hand swiftly to stop the protests that were beginning to form on each of his four present advisors faces.

"-But with a twist mind you." He finished.

"What exactly do you mean sir?" asked a curious Inoichi.

"I want them to have all their memories of this village and their anger towards or even their knowledge of anyone in this village erased to start with."

"This is going to be difficult."

"Please, just here me out."

"I want to erase and if that's not possible I want to seal those memories. I would then have all of them given false memories of how they ended up here in the Leaf. They were coming from somewhere else and were attacked and were found and brought here for medical attention. I want the desire to be there for them to want to move on that there is another place that they wish to go and make a permanent residence."

"What happens if those seals placed over those memoires are undone?" A concerned Nara asked.

"I want it set up so that if that should happen by either someone else or by themselves the results would be death. The seals would have another designed to activate the moment those memories began to resurface causing an aneurism to grow and explode killing them instantly."

Everyone soaked in what their new Hokage was telling them. Shisui watched them closely. This was the first order he would be giving concerning punishment of prisoners.

"This plan of yours is possible.' Replied a pensive Inoichi.

"Good. I want them out of our village, but I want to give them a chance to live a new life elsewhere as another people. For not all of their clansmen came to the district becasue they were either very old or very young. I want to give them especially the young a chance to start a new life, but the day they remember who they really are is the day they die."

"I still think it would have been better to just kill them all." Nara replied a little upset. He had lost clansmen in the fight against these people, but he refrained from saying anything and besides it would just be the same thing all over again.

"Yes, we could do that, but it will more than likely never get the rest of the clans to fully back me as their new Hokage." Shisui contended. "New strife would start anew and many would suffer all over again. I want to show that I'm not unfair. Those who masterminded the attack that killed so many of my clan and our allies will still face trial and execution, but for the rest this is what I have decided."

Shukaku leaned back in his chair. There was a small smile on his face. The same could be said of the Daimyo.

"I like the way you think boy." The feudal lord said satisfied with this part of the meeting.

"Now we need to discuss the Uchiha District." The feudal lord said as he looked at his notes. "I have been over there myself and it needs a great amount of repair. The fires were bad enough, but the damn bombs could have wiped out the entire district if more would have been used in those few blocks they had been placed."

"I'm more grieved for the loss of lives. We can rebuild the district, but we can't bring back a single life that was lost that day." Shisui divulged sadly.

"Yes, the count was high. I believe that the number was over one hundred altogether. Man. That's just bad." The feudal lord said solemnly

Everyone sat quietly for some time after that. Each man thinking of the clan and those families that would learn that they have lost loved ones and most of all they thought about the Head of Clan. The man that had the heavy burden of telling them all of this and the loss of their district. No one would even dare try to guess what the man was feeling right now.

Fugaku made his way to the hospital. He knew that Kakashi would most likely be asleep right now. The exhaustion from the battle alone would be enough to guarantee it. Itachi though would feign being wide awake and keeping vigil. He would tell his father, that he wasn't tired at all. He would tell his father that he needed to stay so he could keep an eye on his brother. Making his way in the central floor lobby, Fugaku asked where his sons where and then proceeded to the second floor once he knew.

Room two-twelve was in the middle of the line of doors that stood to the right of Fugaku as he made his way to the center of the long corridor. He knocked once and waited. Itachi answered him immediately and Fugaku went inside.

"Hey, how's my boys doing?" He said softly so as not to disturb Kakashi.

"I'm fine, but Kakashi will be out for a while. The doctor said that he has chakra depletion and then there are several cuts some of which run pretty deep. He has broken a rib on his right side and has a gash just above his stomach and he has burned his right hand using the Raikiri too much. There is some internal bleeding that they had to stop as well"

Fugaku let out a low whistle after learning of the extent of his eldest son's injuries.

"It sounds rough but at least he doesn't have any permanent injury."

"Right. It's the chakra depletion that's the main thing, but the doc says that by the time next Saturday rolls around Kakashi will be able to leave." Itachi says gratefully; but then looks over at his brother. "However, I don't think that Kakashi will like the news that he has to spend a week in here."

"I agree son, but Kakashi will be the first to say that he figured as much."

The two sat in silence for what seemed like an hour when it had only been a few minutes. When Itachi begins to show worry and concern on his face, Fugaku, knows what's on the boy's mind without even needing to ask. So he decides to spare Itachi the trouble of asking and just tells him the news.

"The district is pretty much destroyed, Itachi. We fought hard, but we couldn't make much of a difference. Only the farming areas were spared and that wasn't due to our efforts either. The enemy knew all too well the importance of keeping that part of the district intact."

"I'm sorry father." Itachi said as he continued to look at his brother sleeping oblivious to this news.

"I'm sorry as well. Many of the homes were burnt to the ground. The ones that weren't destroyed by fire are unstable due to taking heavy volleys of attacks from just about everywhere. So they will have to come down due to safety issues. Several bombs went off in the business part of the district. Thus we don't have a business district anymore. The worst part of it all is…we lost several lives when those bombs went off. Up until then I could say that we had at least not lost any lives. Then the bombs went off and I knew…I just knew." Fugaku sighed deeply and to Itachi it sounded so tired as well.

"Father…you can sleep here with us if you want. I will watch over the both of you while you sleep."

Fugaku looked at his son with a tired but stoic expression. Itachi knew that his father was considering the offer. A part of him hoped that their father would accept. The man looked as if he needed to just be with the people that meant the most to him in this village right now. For his part, Fugaku was pondering the offer and decided that it was a good idea. 'Sleeping in this chair won't be the most comfortable right now and the only place I could sleep is in a tent near where my house used to be or take the Akimichi's up on their offer and crash with them for a few hours. Still, it would be more comfortable to my heart to remain hear with my sons.' Fugaku stopped thinking about it and just answered his son.

"Itachi that sounds like a great idea son."

Without another word, Fugaku made himself as comfortable as he could in his plastic chair and went to sleep. Itachi got up and got a blanket out of the nearby closet and covered his father with it and then returned to his own chair. 'We need to stay close and right now I can only hope that the rest of our family and clan are doing well where they are as well. Kami, I can't wait till we are all reunited again. I miss the rest of our family so much.' He sadly thought. Itachi imitated his father and let out a sigh and rubbed his hands across his face for good measure. He then got up from the chair deciding he would be keeping a better guard if he stayed over near the window instead. He made to stand in the space of wall between the windows. This way he could keep hidden from an outside attack while watching for such things, as well as being able to keep an eye on the door as kept vigil well through the day before his father woke up that evening with a stiff back but a relieved smile to see his sons were still there.

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A/N: The next part is it. I hope to have it up before the end of July, but you know it may not be up until the last week. Sigh...