-Flashback. Location Unknown. Year Unknown-

-Akane Uchiha's POV-

"*Sigh*...I'm beat...carry me Eri."

I place my head on Eri's shoulder feeling like shit...it's been a rough month for us from doing missions and dealing with the Senju. When all of this is over, I'm going to retire and open a bakery.

"Come now Akane we have to return back to the compound and report back. We wouldn't want to upset our sensei now do we?"

My body acts like a noodle and I begin acting like a child. We just got back from a mission involving a deed to a land as we were escorting this creep that had been leering at our body. Honestly it was bothersome, luckily, I had Eri there to smooth things over. Speaking about her, she walking ahead of me letting her guard down. I grin as I saw an opportunity.

"Ehhhhh...But I want you to carry me."

I jump on Eri's back hugging her, she was surprise by my action... of course, I took a quick peek and see her face turn red. Seeing her like this made me grin.

"Hehe...say Eri why are you blushing?"

*BONK*

Eri knocked my head and there's a bump. Eri looks slightly annoyed while I have tears in my eyes while rubbing the bump.

"Ow...you know this is one of the reasons why you're still single." I said teasingly.

She raises her fist once more; I then instinctively dodge her fist.

"Oh, shut it! As if you're lucky in that department...Hey Akane, this escort mission was a lot easier than I thought..."

I placed my hand on my chin while looking around.

"Yea, it's rare to have mission this easy...despite that perv looking at our body like a piece of meat."

I said with an annoyed look on my face. Eri laughs and place her arm around my shoulder.

"Now all we have to do next is to evolve our Sharingan and with that, we can finally be strong enough to protect our clan."

I smile as I see her smiling widely.

"Yup with the two of us together we can beat anything."

As we walk, we see the village up ahead, we made our way to the gate to report in.

"We should head to sensei right away and continue our training." Eri said with vigor.

"But we just got back...can't we relax for a few hours. I get that training is important and all but what's the point in improving if we burn ourself out."

I said slightly disturb by my best friend. Where the hell does she keep this energy?

"LET'S GO!"

Eri grab hold of my hand and drag me to the dojo without giving me a chance to respond.

"Wai-"

-Few Minutes Later-

"I'm glad to see you girls back in one piece." Sensei said while smiling. The room is scented by the tea she's drinking.

Eri and I kneel before her awaiting her next order.

"For you, it would be best for you girls to rest and relax both mind and body. It would do no good for anyone within the clan to have two worthless ninja that can't keep their eyes open."

For some reason why does that sound like a direct hit to me. I catch sensei looking at me with the corner of her eye while drinking her tea. I smile wryly hoping not to annoyed her.

"But sensei, we were hoping that we could continue training our Sharingan."

Eri said with determined look. Sensei then let out a sigh before placing her cup down.

"Eri I told you, I've given you and Akane the necessary steps to prepare your body for the evolution. It's not time yet. Have patience and remember, there can never be any shortcuts. Am I clear?"

Eri bite her lips and nod.

"I understand."

"Leave and report back by morning, we'll continue your training so get your well deserve rest."

Eri and I bow and left the dojo. As we walk Eri stayed silent, I look around the village to see everyone cheerful and full of hope...ever since they had announced that Souma the boy, we went is the next Clan Head.

Eri and I was surprise when we met him again during our visit to the Clan Head's compound. They weren't lying when they said he's a prodigy. He jutsu and mastery over his Sharingan...he's a complete monster in that department.

Eri looks to Souma as a symbol...a symbol to what the Uchiha used to stand for...Power. She even told me she was prepared to die for him if it means getting everyone to revere the Uchiha once more.

(Gustav Mahler-Piano Quartet in A minor)

*WhisperWhisperWhisper*

While we were walking back, I started ti see her looking fidgety...

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She jumps slightly and as...she slowly looks at me her short bang covers her left eye, oh my she's slowly turning red.

"Say Akane...since we have the day off, do you want to...you know...have dinner together?"

I smile as I look at Eri who's blushing.

"As in what...a date?"

I grin as I look at her. She's cute...maybe after we obtain the evolve Sharingan...I'll confess.

-End of Flashback-

-Souma Uchiha's POV-

ARGH! My head...my eyes start to hurt the more I read. I rub my eyes and peek to see if dad had notice. I see dad snoring away with his mouth open...he needs to fix that bad habit of his.

I look back at the book to see the letters being jumble up as if it's alive...what was that? What did I just see...Akane..Eri...for a brief moment I saw them for a split second...?

I look to the seat in front of me to see "It" looking at me with its' red eye.

"You!?"

"What's wrong? Can't read?"

"What was that? for a moment...for a moment there it was like I was there watching them."

"Ah that, well...this is an interesting development. Didn't expect you to actually go there. It bit too soon. Oh well." I see "It" grin.

"Go where?" I ask feeling confuse.

"Back in time...back when the Uchiha stood tall." "It" grin manically as "It" spoke.

"Huh?" I silently gulp, feeling restless.

"Take a good hard look...You'll know when you see it."

I slowly look down and see multiple eyes inside the book gazing at me...each of those eyes have the Sharingan...

Genjustu!...this book is a tra-

"The little boy just could not sleep, because his thoughts were way too deep, his mind had gone out for a stroll and fallen down a rabbit hole."

That was last thing I heard before...I lost sense of myself.

-Flashback. Year Unknown. Location Uchiha Compound-

-Souma's POV-

Where...where am I?

It's dark...I can't see a thing. Damn...the ringing won't stop.

*WhisperWhisperWhisper*

"I'm currently writing this journal in hope that someone within the Uchiha clan realize the cost in evolving the Sharingan...Gods...even now my hearts still break."

Who said that!? Suddenly I'm a room more specifically...a bedroom.

It can't be...Akane...I don't know how I was able to recognized her.

I look to see Akane sitting in front of her dresser...writing, she...she looked like she went through a lot. Her hair is a mess...and her eyes for some reason lost all light.

What's this? She currently writing in the journal as we speak...wasn't I reading this just then... Right...Genjutsu.

"There's a reason why they didn't tell us directly, who would have known the to obtain such eyes would be this...devastating. If they did, we would have completely destroyed ourselves...and all this restricting our emotions, rejecting the outside world, standing on top of the world...there is a price for that...there's always a price...they used us...'He' used us. It was all an experiment."

*Tears drop on pages*

All of a sudden, the scene in front me change into an unfamiliar environment...a lake?

"AKAAAAANEEEEEEEE!"

"ERRRRIIIIIIIII!"

I immediately turn my head and saw a frightening scene.

I see who appears to be Eri standing on top of a large rock looking down on Akane who's standing on top of a lake. Glaring at each other while holding a kunai in hand.

What's happening? Eri's covered in blood...Akane being injured...what happen? Why are they fighting!?

*WhisperWhisperWhisper*

"I'm not strong...for this world. I thought I was...I thought I was being strong for the clan...I thought I was strong for her...it was all a lie."

Again, the scene quickly changes...and now I see Eri laying on the ground bleeding out as she being held tightly by Akane...no..this can't be real...this is a genjutsu...I got to get out of here.

"I will...always love you...Akane." She said while trying desperately to breathe...tears begin to fall from her face.

I see Akane leaning close to her face while crying.

"Likewise...I'm so sorry...I'm sorry Eri...*Kiss*"

"I now realized...the only reason why I seek power in the first place was not simply to protect the clan...I seek power,so I would have the strength to protect her from this world..."

Akane now begin to as her best friend slowly losing the warmth in her body... As Eri slowly closes her eyes with tears in her eyes.

"Eri...Eri...oh gods...no... Help! Someone! Heeeeellllppp!"

"I'm writing this journal...because today...today I just killed someone I loved."

My pupils shrunk when I heard what she had just said.

What...Eri is dead? She's just sleeping...Stop...stop...make it stop.

"Sensei found out what I did and told me I passed the test and simply left me there, broken...did they now care for Eri? Was it all for the sake of the clan...it doesn't matter..."

I see Akane combing her hair...she then holds her kunai staring at it intently before placing down.

"The only way to obtain the Mangekyō Sharingan is kill someone close to you." (Author: Yes, I know there are other ways to obtained it. It will be explained later.)

...Akane...what have you done? She was your friend...what push you to this point?

"My hands still shakes...I can still see her blood on my hand...this is maddening...the whispers...I feel like I'm being watched...eyes all around me. I don't feel safe even in my own room. Is this punishment for the sin I've committed?"

She turns to face me as her Sharingan slowly spin and transform into the Mangekyō Sharingan...then she spoke to me with a calm voice.

"I can't live in a world without her. You are to blame."

I see her grab the kunai and slit her throat...her blood splatter on her mirror and her wall...on my face.

WAIT!

It was too late...she fell to the floor and bleed out...all I could do was watch

"With this, I place a genjustu on this journal and let this be a reminder...power comes with a price...always."

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

My Sharingan spun madly for what I had saw...breathe...I need to breathe...someone...

*SLAP*

I felt a sharp slap on my cheek...I turn to see dad looking at me worryingly everyone on board the ship looks at me weirdly.

"Souma! Are you alright!? You had quite a nightmare...you didn't wake up no matter how many times I call out nor shake you."

Tai felt confused, from his perspective he saw me reading the book but felt immediately worried when I turn to the next page...there he saw me sleep talking and begin sweating profusely.

Tears starts streaming down my eyes...I immediate leap and hug dad crying loudly...Akane...that was the first time I've seen something so horrific.

"Sou-...there...there...it was all a nightmare...you're safe now. I'm here...let's go home."

My eyes...grew heavily...for some reason...I'm exhausted.

I... fell asleep...and for the first time in my life...I felt genuine fear.

-Evening. Home.-

-Tai Xiao Long's POV-

I'm currently walking back home carrying Souma on my back...even when he's asleep I can hear him sobbing...what the hell happen? Was it the book?

Damn it...Summer's going to kill me.

I see my house at the distance as I walk closer, I can see Qrow sitting on a log drinking himself away yet again. He spotted us and wave looking slightly annoyed..

"Yo! You're finally back! boy do I have a bone to pic-...what's wrong with the kid?"

He notices Souma on my back...I sigh and answer him.

"Stuff happen...is Summer back?"

Qrow nods and put his flask away.

"Yea, she just got back...I told her that you left for Signal with Souma. She was upset that you didn't tell her."

I chuckle lightly.

"Yea I expect that from her." Argh...perhaps I should have left her a message.

"So, what's wrong with the kid?"

Qrow asks again as he points to Souma who's still sobbing on my back...suffering from the nightmare. I purse my lips thinking how helpless I am.

"I'm guessing he saw something he wish he never had."

Qrow was feeling confuse and so was I.

"What...as in memories?"

"Probably...let's head in we'll discuss this with Summer...if I survive her wrath."

"I'll pray for you..."

As I enter my house, I see Yang and Ruby watching television they quickly turn their head smiling when they saw me.

"DAD!" "DADDY!"

Yang and Ruby immediately jump from their sofa and ran towards me...but stop when they saw Souma. Summer step out of the kitchen and saw me...

"Tai." She saw her son on my back sobbing...

"Let me put him in bed...we need to talk."

She nods and I then hear Qrow enters the house. I look at the girls, they can't stop staring at Souma...especially Ruby. She looks worry with slight tears in her eyes.

"I need you girls to do daddy a favor...Uncle Qrow and I need to talk with mommy in private so Yang can you bring your sister into your room and play with her."

Yang didn't rebel against him and nod quietly...she knows something is wrong.

"Dad...what's wrong with Souma?"

Ruby ask me with a worry look as she see Souma suffering from his nightmare.

"Bad dreams honey...he'll be fine after he rest up."

"Come Ruby let's play in my room."

Yang grab hold of Ruby's hand and lead her to her room. As she's being led away, she still looks at Souma with worryingly look.

I walk up stair and open the door to his room as I walk in, I place him on the bed and take off his shoes. I rub his head gently and swipe his hair...I see tears streaming down his cheek.

'What happen to you?'

I wonder as I cover his body with his blanket and slowly close the door.

As I walk downstairs, I see Qrow sitting on the settee while drinking in the living room, Summer is there as well and she's glaring at me.

"Talk...What happen when I left?"

With that I explain everything that had transpired today.

Summer and Qrow listen to me attentively...well most of the time Qrow would doze out...but when I start talking about the book Souma read, they got curious.

"Wait...so after reading that book. He's started having nightmare."

Qrow said as he picked the book, I placed on the table he flips through the pages trying to make sense but couldn't understand a single letter.

"Yes." I nod while Summer took the book from Qrow's hand.

"He then told both you and James that he couldn't read the rest of it...and you believe him."

I glare at Qrow for some reason I got annoyed when he said that.

"OF COURSE NOT! Both James and I realized he was lying but we didn't want to push it because we couldn't understand what he had read for all we he could have read how his clan died."

"The Senju...The Uchiha and 3 other clans...a war, he also said that the book is about a death of a family...whose?"

Summer tries to understand as she gazes at the book intensely.

"All of this and we know nothing of them...not a single record or text about these clans."

I shook my head.

"James was worried about that as well...he's currently on his way to Oz to discuss privately about this."

"I wish you had waited for me...poor child he must read something traumatic...maybe he had read how his clan died out."

Summer have tears in her eyes as she holds the book

"Yea...I know...I wish I waited too, but I went ahead thinking finally a clue for Souma to know more about his clan or family maybe he'll remember something...Gods...I failed him...I saw his eyes Summer...in the ship...He was afraid...I've never seen him so scared."

Summer then holds my hand to calm me down.

"All we can do now is be there when he wakes up."

I nod to her words; she then leans and kiss my forehead.

"Qrow, are you staying for dinner?"

"Yea...sure. I'll stay for dinner."

"You can stay for the night Qrow, the couch is always available." She said with a smile

"Hahaha thanks Summer...I'll leave you two alone." He left the room probably trying to process everything.

(Daft Punk - Something About Us)

-Ruby Rose's POV-

After I sneak out of Yang's room saying I wanted to go to the toilet, I overheard what my parents had said...

I then see Uncle Qrow walking out of the living room. He stops to see me.

"Hey kiddo...shouldn't you be in Yang's room."

"To-toilet...I wanted to go to the toilet." I nervously responded.

"Ah I see...did you...did you heard what your dad had said?"

I nod while looking down...I then see him sighing while scratching the back of his head.

"Look kid...your big brother is fine...he just fell ill is all...despite what he's going through I'm sure he'll bounce back."

"How...how sure are you?"

I look at him as I ask him that...he then smile and points at me.

"He has you, Yang and your parents...whatever he's going through he'll be fine because he has a family that looks out for him."

I start smiling when he said that...he's right! He has us.

"Thanks Uncle Qrow."

I quickly ran upstairs and stop in front of Yang's door...I turn to see Souma's room behind me...I slowly walk towards it and open the door quietly...

"Souma..."

I call out to him quietly...I look around to see no one on the hallway. I enter the room and close the door behind me.

As I look at him...he has tears streaming down his cheeks...I look around and found tissues. I move closer to his face and wipe his cheeks.

Seeing him like this makes me sad. I remove the blanket and sit next to him...I then lay on his bed; I lift his arm and place it around me. I hug him so he knows I'm here.

"Souma...if you can hear me, I just wanna say I'm here for you just like how you've always been for me. You always play with me without complaining and when I mess up like the time, I disturb you cooking...you didn't get mad instead we had a food fight...I still remember Yang's face when we threw a cheese at her..."

I then hug him tightly.

"You're always there for me when mom and dad are not around...Yang will always be there for me but you always show me love when I needed it."

Without me realizing it...Souma's tears stop streaming.

"Thank you, Souma...for being my brother."

"No Ruby...thank you for letting me be your brother."

As I hear his voice, I felt his hand gently rubbing my head and a kiss on my forehead...after that...We simply drift asleep.

I didn't notice Yang peeking into the room watching us...she gently closes the door and went into her room.

I kiss Souma's cheek and wish him goodnight.

TO BE CONTINUE.