A new wind was blowing. The sky seemed to shift, as if a great change had come across the landscape of both mind and earth. The very grass seemed to sigh in relief over some great change in fortune.

Sasuke had suddenly started having frequent dreams about Kari and Itachi. Even as the boy woke up, he heard whispers just audible enough to understand and vague enough to be explained away. Since he had come into the company of Orochimaru, Sasuke never felt too inclined to think about his siblings-or anyone else for that matter. But it was nearly impossible not to. The memories came rushing back like a torrential storm, all of them unwanted and bothersome.

He kicked off the blanket and sat up staing out of his small window to a diamond sky. It was so peaceful and yet he was anything but tranquil. The seal hurt like it had never hurt before. His eyes were often bloodshot from lack of sleep due to waking up constantly from the pain of his infamous scar. It was against his nature to embrace something so evil. He knew that even if he refused to admit the fact.

Suddenly, a searing pain sent him flying forward, coughing up blood and gagging. His face was contorted and his eyes bulged out. He heard screaming. Was it his? No, it was someone else's. A girl's screaming. Then a voice, shaking but calm. The man you hated is gone, Sasuke...

That voice...it was impossible.

The pain ebbed away and Sasuke looked again to his window. He almost screamed himself.

A black swan was flying by.

Sasuke leapt up so fast he knocked over a chair. He raced to the window and watched the swan slowly disappear into the darkness...

"What's wrong, Sasuke?"

The little boy turned to face his sister. "Kari, I'm worried about going back to school. The kids there...they'll be talking about what happened...to our family..."

Kari walked over and cradled the boy in her arms. "Sasuke, I'm going to make a deal with you."

Sasuke looked up expectantly to his sister's ebony eyes.

She met his gaze and grinned. "Just so you know I'm thinking about you, I'll send a white swan every day. It'll fly around your classroom windows until you see it and then it will fly off." She paused and frowned slightly. "And if something ever happens to me, you'll know because I will send you a black swan. You can then tell your sensei you must leave and I will try to send word to you. How about that?"

Sasuke smiled and nodded. "I hope you don't send any black swans..."

"It will probably never happen, Sasuke...but it never hurts to be safe."

No...he had not forgotten his sister's promise.

Something had happened to her. She was in trouble, she was hurt. What could have happened? Kari was so powerful. There wasn't a shinobi living who could stand up to her. Not even Itachi. She couldn't be killed by someone else. But the fact that this was paired with that horrible pain and Kari's voice...something had to be wrong.

Sasuke suddenly stopped. Why was he caring? He hadn't cared about a soul since that day he fought Naruto. This is silly! he thought. If she got herself into trouble, then it was her own fault.

Turning from the window, he collapsed on his bed and fell asleep...

"Sasuke..."

Sasuke found himself sitting on his old front porch. He turned to see Kari walking towards him.

"Why do you keep coming, Kari? It's too late. I told Naruto that...why can't you all just accept the fact that I'm gone?"

Kari sat down and ruffled his hair. "I could kill the man who is possessing you right now...and yet you tell me to give up on you? Besides, this is just a dream." Sasuke was silent. "Itachi is coming, Sasuke."

Sasuke started. "What do you mean? What does he want?"

The girl rested her head in her hands. "He's coming to save you."

"Itachi? Saving me? What are you talking about?"

"I've saved Itachi, and it's his turn to save you. It's quite simple, Sasuke."

"But I hate him. I'll kill him if he comes here."

"You can try. But remember that he is an Auralen. It won't be as easy as you think, no matter what scars you allowed Orochimaru to tatoo you with."

Sasuke snapped his eyes to her in venemous anger, "How dare you! You should have gone and killed him yourself! Don't blame me-"

Suddenly Kari's hand whipped out and smacked Sasuke's cheek so hard he fell over. He laid there for a second, stunned.

Kari looked at him with angry eyes. "It's nothing more than a dog leash, Uchiha Sasuke! He's simply channeling his power through your body. You really think you've gained anything? Real power doesn't just come after you've been bitten with some curse. Real power comes from hard work and practice. You understood that until a few months ago when you betrayed everyone who ever loved and cared about you including me!"

He found her hand pressed against his scar. A burning sensation swept from it throughout his entire body. He let out a cry of pain but she didn't release him until he had almost passed out. Finally, Kari removed her hand.

"I can only do so much from where I am, Sasuke. Itachi will be able to help you now. Please let him help..."

Her voice faded away.

Sasuke bolted upright in bed sweating and wide-eyed. He felt his neck.

The scar was gone!

It was impossible! He tried to activate its power enhancing effects.

Nothing happened.

Sasuke let out a shriek of despair. It couldn't be...there was no way...

Just as the boy was about to panic, his door banged open.

A very familiar voice whispered, "Hello, Sasuke."