AN: Very OOC and all that but then again is that not why we do this? Lol, anyways here goes...

Disclamer - I do not own Naruto or any of the characters except OC.

CHAPTER 1

He had left Danzo's office in the heart of the Root foundation, as silently as he had arrived. His heart however was much heavier than his footfalls on the pavement this time. Hearing the choices given was just too much for him to bear, but he is a shinobi and he MUST endure, he will. If not for his own sake, then for that of his beloved and so very innocent Otouto.

He had been trying for so long with the help from his most trusted (if not only) friend, confidant and cousin Shisui to try and change the mind-set of the elders including his stubborn father. As head of the clan his father has more sway to convince and persuade but he has decided to be more in line with what the more radical of the clan thinks. Over throwing Konoha.

Itachi has been racking his mind with strategies to overt this at all costs without unnecessary bloodshed. It has not been easy playing both sides of the field even if the Hokage himself is doing everything within his power to protect both the village AND his foolish, prideful, power hungry clan.

His chest burns and breathing has become so laboured with the added strain of the current situation, his illness is becoming harder to hide. He knows it is something other than just a mere cold…just what, he does not know and apparently so does anybody else.

Perhaps… He thinks.

Perhaps it would be easier if he were to just bear this burden. At least his Otouto would be kept safe he thinks to himself.

It's at this moment when he hears her calling….

Spinning around all he sees is a blinding golden light not even his sharingan is able to let him see through. Although he had already readied himself in a battle stance, the aura that enveloped him in that moment held no promise of harm. It filled him and cloaked his senses but yet still broke through with such clarity….. as if he was under the surface of cloudy waters and for the first time he had broken through.

Above murky waters his thoughts are suddenly as clear as crystal, unmarred and untainted.

She speaks to him in a soft lulling voice and he can barely hear her. He strains to hear what she says and as his ears grows accustomed to the strangely calm deafening silence around, her voice becomes as clear as his thoughts in that moment.

"Please, please…do not carry out your orders to kill the clan. Find the other path, find the path of life…. of love….."

Itachi Uchiha shoots up from his slumber, drenched in his own sweat. The horror of that evening is still etched in his mind.

He hasn't dreamt or thought of that awful time in so long it nearly seems like a bad dream. Yet, he knows it is not…. but why now? Why does he now have this recurring memory plague his dreams for the past few weeks?

He knows it cannot be a good omen and this feeling sickens him to the core. He wonders…." will The Light save us all again? This time….?"

He has not told the Hokage and decides that he cannot keep this to himself anymore. If that time in his young life has taught him only one thing it is that when you trust in others, you can overcome even the most difficult barriers.

The Hokage has proven himself more than worthy and capable, he has even started to influence his father to be more lenient in many matters that pertain to the Clan especially when it involves the village.

This has proven to be beneficial to everybody. The Clan no longer seems ostracised from the rest of the village. The clan children have started to enjoy being friends with kids from other clans even the civilians started to be more receptive of them.

"And we only have you to thank for that my Light. I owe you much more than I gave you on that night."

Itachi rises as the sun has started to paint the morning sky with its rays. He looks at the darkness as it gets chased before the glory of the morning. It seems it will be a beautiful day again.

Dressed and ready he heads to the Hokage tower to discuss what he fears may be nearing. As he jumps from roof to roof silently admiring the beauty that is his home. He feels his heart skip a beat as he remembers what happened that night five very short years ago.

Itachi and Shisui both stand in front of the door to the Hokage's office. They knock and wait for permission to enter.

Shisui has a frown that creases his usually friendly face and his eyes betray the emotion and warring state of his mind.

"What if we can't convince the Hokage? What if he does not believe us?"

His voice sounds hoarse and raspy and for the first time in his short life he wishes he was somebody else and not himself.

Next to him is Itachi who wears his usual emotionless cool façade but Shisui knows it is not his cousin that is currently waiting for an audience with the Hokage.

"Enter"

…..

…

They open and both step inside and immediately bend on one knee bowing their heads in respect to the person seated behind the heavy desk as he looks wearily and tired from a long day at the two boys. Seated in the office on a seat to the side is the famous Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake. He also seems to be very weary and holds a scroll clasped in his hands.

"It would seem our time has run out if both of you are here together." The Hokage says with a heavy sigh that seems to age him even further in that moment.

"Itachi, I need to apologise for the injustice that is being forced on you. The choice you were given is cruel and inhumane. I will not pass the order for this to happen, I give you my word."

Itachi with his low ponytail rises but his head is still bowed and his bangs cover his eyes…

"Allow me to assist you to keep your promise then."

The voice that escapes from his lips is not his usual monotone drawl. Kakashi and Saratobi both watch in shock as Itachi raises his head and his eyes are not the blazing crimson of the sharingan but merely brilliant orbs of light as the voice that speaks to them rings like tiny bells made of crystal…..

His revelry is halted as he approaches the Hokage's office. Fore going the usual entrance, he jumps down from the roof onto the window of the office and waits for his entry permission which he knows will follow shortly. As an Anbu captain he has always preferred this to the usual door entry.

"Ah, Itachi…..please, enter. I do believe this is the fastest you have ever responded to my summons." Saratobi looks at the handsome young man and wrinkles the corners of his eyes in a smile. The humour of this action however does not reach his eyes and Itachi knows that something dire is on the wise old man's mind.

With an intrigued brow lift he communicates his lack of summons received. Itachi slips in through the window soundless and graceful, bows and bends his knee in respect.

'Bah! We are beyond such ceremonies by now Itachi. Please have a seat. We have much to discuss. I fear that the time to repay our debts may be upon us."

Itachi freezes for an instance but his eyes confirm to the old man what he just said.

"I've been dreaming of the Light and that night of late. It seems you are correct, but how did you know?"

Sipping on his morning tea he looks over the rim of the small cup in his hand at the young man that loves his village more than himself.

" I am a wise old man of course!" He smiles with animated humour; his demeanour changes a moment later.

"I need you to patrol the Forrest of Death today and the remainder of the exam for the Chunnin exams. Do not engage in any incidents but you will know when to intervene. Under NO circumstances should the exam be cancelled or interrupted, it is of great importance that it runs its course to completion….no matter what. Your discretion and assistance is required. Shisui shall accompany you"

AN: Okay...my first time doing this so yeah. Oh well, I hope some like it. Next Chapter up soon