I really thought my last chapter flopped but I'm glad everyone liked it. I have a lot more in store for you guys! I'm also taking in all suggestions and appreciate everyone reviewing so much. The next chapter is going to be long, I ended this one as so for obvious reasons. Anyways, hope you all enjoy. (:

Chapter 20

Itachis POV

I thought today was going to be normal but that obviously a lie. I wasn't expecting Kakashi to ask me questions about the night of the massacre, let alone informing me Sasuke knew too.

I knew I had to protect the person who helped me out. His identity were to remain a secret until I died. Not only did I need Sasuke to believe every piece of our family was gone but I needed Kakashi to think so too.

It was only the start of this conversation and the only resolve I had was an old defense mechanism, anger.

"Itachi, are you going to remain silent?" Hinata asked me, making my eyes wander to hers. Having her in front of me wasnt helping me emotional issues right now either. I wanted to yell at her to get out of my room but I couldn't because she didn't do anything. I also wanted to kiss her but I couldn't do that either. I couldn't do anything right now except for sit and contemplate everything.

"You know, they weren't trying to trigger anything. Just figure out things that happened that night" she spoke softly again.

"You want to know what happened? Murder. That happened. I, solely destroyed this clan, one home at a time. It's over and don't with!" I yelled harshly to her. Her face twisted with emotion, looking angry.

"I came here to make you feel better, not to be yelled at like a child. Enjoy sitting by yourself, Itachi" she hissed and pushed herself off the bed. She walked to my bedroom door, opening it. I watched her the entire time and before she left, she glared at me.

I actually open palmed my forehead, way to go. I always figured out a way to make things worse sometimes..

I needed to figure out a way to get rid of those files before they could dig into them anymore. I wasn't even sure who knew about it now but I needed to end it. I wanted that night to be left in the past. I couldn't forget something that tragic if someone brought it up once a year.

I know what I did was a nightmare for everyone, including myself. I would never get the images out of my head. I would never forget who helped me either… I swore that night his identity was better left unknown. It was stir up to many questions, heartache and cause drama.

I laid back in my bed some more. I could feel a headache coming on and sleeping sounded great and that's what I planned on doing.

*flashback* (incase it doesn't stay italicized)

The masked man and I stood on the tallest tree we could find right outside of the village gates. I was grateful to be wearing my anbu mask tonight, he couldn't see the tears being ready to fall.

"I too once lost something special to me, Itachi. It doesn't make you weak to cry you know" the man spoke again and my mood shifted, was a killing machine like himself just telling me it's okay to be sad?

"I know who you are, you know" I spoke, never looking at me and I wish I had.

The next thing I knew I was pinned against the tree, his hands wrapped around my throat. I was losing air and my vision was blurring.

"Then who am I, if you're so certain?" He asked, removing his grip so I could speak.

"I suggest before you speak that you remember one thing, if anyone ever found out about me, your little brother will be gone quicker than our beautiful eyes can see" he hissed, staring at me in the eyes.

All my thoughts vanished, I knew I had to be careful now. Sasukes life was in danger, again.

"You're not touch him" I choked out.

"You have no say. I just helped you murder our entire blood line. This village will burn one day for what they did to my love" he said, his fists curling from anger while he looked at the village again.

"You can burn an entire village down because of one life" I said, my voice a little stronger this time.

"Didn't we just do what you told me not to do? We took out an entire clan because you wanted to save Sasuke. What's the difference if the person we love is alive or dead, Itachi?" The man said, focusing his attention back onto me.

"That's the point. My loved one is alive, yours isn't.. Obito" I spat at me, lunging forward. I had to try and kill him now before he could live out his future fantasy of burning my home to the ground.

The man snapped his attention back to me, vanishing in front of me. Only to appear behind me. He grabbed me before I could move and I felt a cold metal of a kenai touching my throat.

"You will pay greatly if that name is ever said again. If anyone ever questions this night, you'll regret it. Let this be your first and only warnings, bigger things will come after me" he whispered in my ear and the man was gone. A let the chill out that wanted to run down my spine.

I then remember where I was and I took off like a bat out of hell, escaping this place once and for all. Being a dangerous missing was the best option I had and I was going to run with it, no matter where it took me.

*end flashback*

I sat up in bed quickly, looking around my room while I tried to slow my breathing down. What time was it? I looked out my window and it was already dark. How long did I actually sleep for?

The sweat of my body was making my shirt stick to me and I knew a shower was in order. I just hoped no one heard me so I didn't have to speak to anyone on today's early subject.

I silently moved towards my bedroom door, I opened it and stuck my head into the hallway. It didnt even sound like anyone was home. I felt relieved and moved towards the shower.

As I opened the bathroom door, it dawned on me. Why was I sneaking around my own house? If I didn't want to speak to anyone I could of just ignored them. I shook my head and started the process of becoming clean.

Once I was done, I wanted to sit in the garden, drink tea and read. It was the most relaxing thing I could possibly think of right now. Maybe even while I was down there I could think of a way to destroy evidence of that night.

"Itachi, you're finally awake" a loud voice spoke up when I landed on the bottom step, Kisame. He was single handedly the only person who knew about Obito. I had accidentally said his name in my sleep.

"We have a problem" I said nonchalantly as I grabbed a cup for my tea.

"I never like hearing that, especially from you" he said, sighing.

"Kakashi and Sasuke are asking me questions about that night. They know someone helped me and they know his has my clans eye gifts" I continued speaking casually.

"Do they know about him?" He asked me and I could feel my heart speed up just even at the thought of him and his so far, empty threat.

"No and I would like to keep it that way. I need your help gathering the files they have about everything so we can burn them" I continued talking, putting the kettle on the stove. I knew I could count on Kisame, I always could. Even when we part of the Akatsuki.

"Okay. Where do we start?" He asked, only focusing on the task at hand now.

"I believe they're in Kakashi's office but the only way into the house is by ringing the doorbell" I said, finally turning towards him.

"The simplest things always get in the way, don't they?" he laughed a bit, yes.. yes they did..

The sound of the front door opening only made me want my tea more so I could avoid whoever it was.

The sound of footsteps grew a little louder, they were coming into the kitchen. Wonderful. Then the last person I wanted to see walked in, Hinata. I felt weird, I knew I had to apologize to her but I needed to avoid her. I was doing a good job at it the past three days since Kakashi and I spoke.

"Little Hyuga, how are you?" Kisame asked her before she could even open her mouth. Did he sense something? He was always good about picking up on a person's emotions, even if they weren't said.

"I would be better if I knew a certain someone was done being angry" she spoke and cleared her throat while looking at me.

I turned my back towards her, ignoring her comment.

"Are you all of a sudden a child?" She spat and I wanted to speak but I knew keeping my mouth closed was a better idea.

"Itachi, speak to me. You cant ignore me forever" she demanded and I continued biting my tongue.

"I don't think hes going to budge. His arrogance and ego are showing" Kisame joked trying to lighten the mood. That was one thing he always said about me since day one. Kisames sense of humor was one thing that kept me going when we were in that organization. It was terrible but something to look forward too.

"Yeah and my stubbornness will outweigh all of this and I'll stand here all night" she scoffed. I smiled but neither of them said it. The kettle finally chimed, I took it off the burner to pour into my cup.

I turned around with my hot cup of tea and headed towards the garden. She was leaning against the doorway, making it a little difficult with my cup full but I managed and then I looked at her.

"Guess you're gonna be standing there for a while" I spoke and continued my journey toward my garden.

"Oh no you dont" she said, tailing behind me.

"Little Hyuga, give him some space" I heard Kisame shouted as I opened the door to go outside. I knew she didn't listen because I could still hear her behind me.

As I sat down I realized I never grabbed a book to read but then I looked over my garden. I guess weeding was what I was doing now. I placed my cup on the porch and headed straight toward the white lilies. I always tended to those first.

"We need to talk" Hinata said with a calm voice.

"There isn't anything to talk about" I deadpanned and started sifting the dirt around with my hands.

"Even if you don't want to speak of what happened with kakashi and your brother, I think you should talk to a professional. You had a panic attack today just at the thought of that night" she said gently, stopping my hands with hers. I stared blankly at both of our hands just sitting in the dirt.

What was I supposed to say? That wasnt something I could just talk about openly like I did with shizune about my suicide. It involved a lot of murder and not everyone was comfortable with that.

"Who would even talk to me about that? I committed a mass homicide" I sneered, I wanted to move my hands away from hers but I couldn't. It was keeping my thoughts on track.

"Ibiki has helped people like you before. A session with him might clear a lot of things you don't even realize you're holding back" she said and started rubbing circles on the tops of my hands with her thumbs.

"Ibiki isn't my biggest fan" I told her honestly.

"You're still a ninja and it's his job, all feelings aside" she said and she was right. I sighed, finally moving my hands. I sat cross legged on the ground, my hands in my lap and just stared at the ground in front of me. My hair fell around my face, hiding it somewhat.

Even if I wanted to talk to him about it, the biggest part of the story was Obito and I was actually scared of him. I couldn't take the chance of someone else even remotely knowing about him.

"I won't go, I'll deal with this on my own" I told her, looking up.

"You cant solve everything in life on your own. It isn't healthy" she said. Everyone at one point in time seemed help. I sought help once and it worked. I wouldn't do it again though, I've dealt with everyone on my own since I was little. It was just easier to me than getting someone else involved.

"I have to do this on my own, can you just trust me?" I asked her. That's all I wanted from everyone on the matter, trust. I wasn't getting any but I needed it.

"I'll trust you but if you have another black out panic attack, I'm dragging you to Ibiki" she said, sharply and seriously. I didn't want to comment on her statement because it would start an argument.

"Could you just leave me alone?" I asked nicely. The longer she was with me, the more I felt like I was betraying Kakashi somehow from what we talked about.

She didn't budge, only continued to look at me. It had been a long time since we just sat and held a gaze with one another.

"I believe there's something else I should tell you" she spoke, seriousness came back to her face. What now?

"If it's more bad news, I don't want it" I deadpanned. I was serious, too.

"Actually, I spoke with Kakashi yesterday about something" she told me and I listened. This sounded like the start to something I didn't want to hear either.

"I know I've been stringing you both along for some time now like puppets. But yesterday made me realize that you're the one I want. You're the one who has my heart, if you don't want me anymore. I understand.." she said cautiously. Did I hear that correctly? I finally could just have her and not worry anymore?

I lunged forward easily, grabbing the back of her neck with my hand so our faces were inches apart. Our foreheads were touching and my eyes were closed.

"You are my everything, Hinata. I will gladly accept your heart as whole" I whispered to her and waited for her to answer. She gave me a gentle kiss and it lingered. This kiss wasn't for lust this time but real love. I could feel it and I knew she could too.

I moved away from her so I could just look at her, she was actually mine. We could finally be together like we had planned on before I left the village. Then all happy feelings came to halt when I remembered the reason why I left… I was truly never going to escape that night. I guess I deserved it after what I did.

This internal battle was only starting with my emotions and I felt like I was reverting back to who I was when I was in therapy with Shizune and I didnt want to be back there.

"What's the matter?" Hinata asked, making me stop the thought the endless thought process of rambled questions.

"I don't think I'll ever had true happiness. No matter what I do, my past comes up" I said truthfully and she looked puzzled, not sure what to say.

"You've made some wrong choices in life but who hasn't?" She questioned me.

"Not like this Hinata.." I breathed out.

"Listen to me. Were ninjas and ninjas make choices that sometimes end with death. Take Kakashi for an example, because of his choices on his first mission his best friend Obito died" she used the worst example ever and she didn't even know.

My heart started to speed up, I could feel the cold sweat coming on and my throat went dry. Even the mention of his name coming from someone's mouth that I love made me shiver.

My breath started to shorten and my vision began to blur. What if he already knew about all of this? He could easily teleport in and out whenever he wanted to.

"Are you having another panic attack?" Hinata asked with worry. All I could do was shake my head. Why did I keep having panic attacks..

The last thing I felt were hands catching my body before my vision left..

Kakashis POV

"Get some rest, were leaving in the morning" I told Sasuke. We has finally finished packing what was needed and my bed was calling my name.

Buzz. Buzz.

Who the hell could that be at this hour? I finished signing my name and removed myself from the chair at my desk to answer the door.

I opened the door and was greeted with Hinata shoving her way past me rudely.

"A simple hello would have sufficed" I told her as I closed the front door.

"Itachi just had another panic attack. We were talking and I brought up your first jonin mission and he fainted" she said, getting right into things.

"Why were you discussing my first mission?" I questioned her.

"That's beside the point. I came here to ask if you and Sasuke could avoid the topic?" She asked nicely, dismissing my question right out.

"Well luckily for him we won't be here for about a week. We have a meeting at the summit" I informed her.

"I know he's hiding something but for now it's best not to bring it up so I think this weeks journey should be benefit him" she said and I nodded my head in agreement with her.

"If that's all you came here for, can you make sure Neji is ready for tomorrow?" I asked her.

"Hes been ready since yesterday" she informed me. Of course he is..

"So you also believe hes hiding something?" I asked her, returning to the original topic.

"Yes. I can't think of a logical explanation as to why hes so defensive about the topic.. unless.." she rambled on but then stopped, she was walking in circles now.

"Unless what, hinata?" I questioned her.

"Unless hes scared" she looked me right in the eyes when she said it.

"Itachi? Scared of something? Doubt it" I shot her idea down before even thinking about it myself. Itachi isn't scared of anything, not even death. I knew that from first hand experience of working with him and when Pein attacked the village. I saw him try and take the hit for Choiji before I sacrificed myself.

"Just think about it. He won't talk about it and when we were talking about your mission. I said his name and he just lost control" she started rambling again.

Why would Itachi have a panic attack over him? Even after all these years, it was hard to speak his name sometimes.

"I saw the look on his face, he instantly went pale when I said Obito" Hinata said gently, she knew the story and she knew how I felt but it didn't make sense.

"Are you sure his name triggered it?" I asked her, a thousand questions started running in my mind.

"I'm positive. I just don't understand why the name of a dead man would trigger a panic attack" she said out loud, questioning herself.

"Way to say that lightly" I joked with her, I knew she meant no harm but still.. she was right.

"I'm sorry" she said and I shrugged it off.

"I think this is enough talk about this topic for the day" I told her, trying to end it. I needed to do some research.

"Be safe on your journey" she said, giving me a quick hug and headed toward the front door

"Will do, I promise" I said and she left. All the questions that had been running in my head started to come out now..

Why would Itachi be scared of my best friend who's been gone this entire time? I knew for a fact Obito was dead.. Rin and I basically watched him take his last breath after she implanted his eye into my socket. Did he somehow live though? Not possible.

I shoved all memories of my dear friends away, it was bringing up memories I didn't exactly want to relive before tomorrow morning but something isn't adding up here and I needed to find out. I did want to test something but it would have to wait until I came back from the meeting.

I took a deep breath and headed back toward my room. This was a problem for future me, not present me. Even though I knew all the Kages, this was the first time I was one.

I opened the door to my bedroom, stripping as I walked towards my bed. A habit I probably wouldn't ever grow out of.

I laid my head on my pillow and blankly stared at the ceiling hoping sleep would come for me soon and it didn't feel like it was going to.

Obito came back mind and out of habit I touched my left eye, his eye. Out of everything he could of gave me for making Jonin, he gave me a powerful eye. I missed both of them and then I wondered what life would be like if they were here.

I physically shook my head trying to stop thinking about them and I could feel tears brimming my eyes. I hadn't cried over them in a long time and I didn't want to start now.

I took a deep breath and the silent hot tears rolled out. Why did it have to be them? Rin would of made an excellent medical ninja and Obito would of found strength eventually to becoming one of the best around. It wasn't fair and I wish I could go back in time.

A sudden small pain started to throb in my sharingan and I never felt it before. It was strange but the pain remained. It made me sit up in bed and hold my hand over my eye. Would Sasuke know? I only knew so much about it and he was born into the real bloodline, being taught from a young age about it.

I removed myself out of bed and tried to see through my eye, everything was fuzzy like I had over used it. I made my way toward the bedroom door and across the hallway to Sasuke's room. I knocked and waited.

While waiting I had moved my hand from my eye again, this time I could see a little blood on the palm of my hand.

"What's the matter Kak- kami why is your eye bleeding?" Sasuke asked immediately right after he opened the door.

"I was hoping you would know, the vision in my eye is also blurry" I said, covering it again.

"Did you overuse it?" He asked seriously.

"I've been with you every single day, did it look like I needed to use it?" I retorted with sarcasm.

"For all I know you use it speed read to consume knowledge faster" he swiftly said.

"You're hilarious" I deadpanned not finding this amusing at all. In all the years of having this eye, this has never happened.

"I suggest ignoring it for now. It's probably nothing" sasuke said, changing the subject.

"So you have no idea why this is happening?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"Go ask Itachi, hell know more" he suggested to me. To bad I couldn't since he was probably still faint.

"I will if it happens again" I told him to turn back toward my bedroom, thanks for the help Sasuke. He was probably right though. I'm sure if the issue was severe enough I would know. Maybe my body was finally rejecting the eye. because I wasn't born with it..

I was comfortable enough with my own lie and tried to force sleep this time even though the full throb was driving me crazy.

Sleep started to overcome me and I was grateful..

*next morning*

"Are you feeling okay, Kakashi? You're actually on time" Neji joked, I smirked at him. I didn't feel okay though. I didnt sleep very well because of my eye but at least it didnt hurt anymore.

"You can thank me for that, I rushed him this morning" Sasuke said as we headed out of the village.

"I like it" Neji stated and I ignored the both of them. I wasn't always late, time was irrelevant anyways.

"The walk to the summit should take until about sunset, enough time for us to get settled in, sleep and then start the torcher that awaits us" I said not so joyfully.

"It can't be that bad, stop being over dramatic" Sasuke said. I looked at him and he rolled his eyes.

" I was the bodyguard to the fourth Hokage and it dragged on for what seemed like forever" I informed them with a piece of my past.

"Yeah but you're the Hokage now. You can tell this time. Neji is going to be the bored one this time around" sasuke poked some fun at him. I snickered a little bit.

"Standing in silence and holding my tongue won't bother me. You've never met my uncle, Uchiha" Neji poked right back and he was right. Hisashi was devious.

The entire day walk was pretty much silent for the most part, none of us felt like talking and we were also listening to our surroundings. Between the three of us, nothing would even come close even if it tried.

"Neji" I spoke up, breaking the quiet and he looked at me.

"Yes, Hoka-Kakashi.." he caught himself before I had the opportunity to poke fun at him.

"Before Tsunsde rendered unconscious. Her and I had a conversation about you" I began my story and I knew I had his attention now. He looked nervous though.

"Nothing bad, it's great actually. She wanted to make you head of anbu black ops, as captain. But, since I'm now Hokage is my duty to ask you. Will you take the position?" I asked him. I watched the expression on his face change a few times.

"You both seem me fit to lead such an organization?" Neji asked, sounding confused.

"I knew you would question yourself" I told him and here came the time where I made him feel great. It was finally my turn to be there for him, not the other way around.

"You have a vibe you put off, it's a leader vibe. You've always taken charge of problems head on with logical thinking behind it. Every mission you've ever reported back to me when I was captain was beyond succeeding expectations. You don't realize how talented you are as a shinobi" I told him before he could even speak and he remained quiet.

"Your uncle might be rude and hard on your clan but its dont nothing to benefit you. He did a great job raising you. I'm telling you this as your Hokage, friend and superior. You would make the anbu better ninja" I told him and now I knew I had to stop. I could of kept going, Tsunade would be doing the same thing if she were here.

"If you really mean all of that then yes, I will take the position" he cheerfully responded back to me.

"Way to kiss ass, Kakashi" Sasuke said, interrupting my conversation.

"You know damn well it's all true, don't get bent out of shape" I joked back.

"How come you told me now though?" Neji asked.

"It would only be us and it's basically your last week of freedom. Being anbu captain is hard work. You'll be leading shinobi, it's like the shadow Hokage. I depend on you to have our top ninjas in line all the time" I told him with all seriousness. I remember when I was captain. I only had time to myself at night for maybe three hours and that's because I was sleeping.

I wasn't trying to work Neji to death or anything but I knew we needed to pick another captain and his mentality was a perfect fit.

"Thank you for this opportunity," he said to me and vowed. I let it slide because I knew it was only his way of saying thank you.

"We should be arriving at the hotel before the summit soon. It's another mile away" Sasuke said, giving us good news. Walking all day long sucked and I wanted to stop.

"Neji, one last thing but this time it's a request" I said to him and he glanced over at me letting me know he was listening.

"Don't you ever tell your uncle I was speaking nicely about him. It'll only go to his head" I said seriously. Neji and Sasuke bursted out laughing. I didn't think what I said was funny but they did. I just didn't Hiashi's head growing even bigger knowing I said what I said.

"Your secret is safe with me," Neji said calming down.

"I didn't think you cared so much about his uncles opinion" Sasuke added onto what Neji just said.

"The mans ego is the size of the village itself. Hearing a compliment might make it pop" I told them, trying to defend myself and they chuckled a little bit more.

As we got to the top of the hill, we could see the hotel at the bottom of it. The feeling of relief washed over me.

"Thank kami" I said out loud.

"You know for someone who is held in such high regard in the ninja world you sure are lazy" Sasuke sneered at me.

"Absolutely" I couldn't agree more with him.

Once in front of the hotel, we all traveled inside. We booked the biggest room. It was safer to all share a room. We weren't in the leaf village anymore and we needed every ounce of caution we could hold.

We were lead to the second floor, she woman opened our door for us. Neji walked in first, his eyes activated.

"No threats" he said and his bloodline vanished. I always wondered what it was like to be able to see everything around you in one sitting.

"Let's order some food and get our rest. The meeting starts at eight in the morning" I informed them and traveled into the bathroom. I wanted to check my eye before we settled for the night. I didn't want it to act up again.

I moved my headband off my eye and looked deep into it. Everything looked normal and I could see everything out of it still. Even the little dust particles floating in front of my face that I would've missed with my regular eye.

I figured I was in the bathroom long enough and I needed to exit in case either of them needed to use it.

"I ordered the usual" Sasuke said. I nodded my head in appreciation and sat on the couch. I learned my head back and decided a cat nap would be beneficial for me before dinner came.