Ch13

Last time

"Mangekyou Sharingan!"

"Jiraiya, I'll send you to where Naruto is"

"he won…"

'Why…I've just accomplished what I've been trying to accomplish my entire life. I surpassed him. I fulfilled by ambition…so why do I still feel this way,

"I didn't kill the clan"

Itachi rubbed the back of his neck which ached from the hours of seating and focus from his meeting with the ANBU. He yawned and stretched as he walked out of the Hokage temple doors. A sudden chill crept up his back, brining him to a sudden stop as he looked around. "Something wrong?" a fellow ANBU asked.

Itachi looked both ways down the street. Nothing particularly stood out of the ordinary. The road was empty, lit by a few flickering street light that the third not yet bothered to get fixed. The corner of his lip twisted upward as he turned calmly, "No, it's nothing. Just some rat trying to act touch in front of a cat," he replied.

"Rat?" his comrade raised an eyebrow, "go home and get some rest Itachi, I think you're growing paranoid if you can't even tell the difference between a mouse and an enemy."

"Maybe you're right."

"Actually, we were about to go hit the bar for a few drinks, you wanna join us?"

"No, I'm fine. I haven't reached my age anyways," he laughed.

Another fellow ANBU laughed, "Your Uchiha genius amazes me. Once you reach your next birthday, we're dragging you out for a drink. If we can't beat you in a fight fairly, we'll just have to wear you down first," the man laughed.

Itachi returned the laughter weakly, "I'll see you all next meeting,"

"Later"

The group walked out into the dark street of the night. Even after their figures disappeared, Itachi could still hear sounds of chattering and laughter. 'Those guys drink after every meeting. I suppose I can't blame them, every day may be their last.' He sighed and raised a palm up his back slowly until it reached the back of his head with his palm facing behind. A fist landed heavily into his palm, pushing it against the sore spot on his neck, forcing out a "yelp" from the young ANBU's lips.

"You usually don't hit so damn hard," Itachi growled as he stumbled forward.

"That's for calling me a rat that's trying to act tough," came a reply.

Itachi turned and laughed, "You know I'm right, Shisui."

"I may not be as strong as you are but I'm…uhh…shut up!" Shisui folded his arm and pouted.

Itachi gave a light chuckle as he regained his stature. "So what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I just came back from a night mission. I looked at the time and thought maybe it was about time you came out from your meeting," he replied.

"I see…"

"We should get going,"

"To where?"

"You forgot it already Itachi? The Uchiha ceremony. You know how important it is for our clan, and especially your father!"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I suppose you're right."

"Of course I'm right. If we hurry, we might even make it just before the ceremony begins."

Shisui's dark hair, cut short in the back and spiked up at the front, swayed in the night breeze slightly as he bounced his steps along side his childhood friend "You're mession was a rough one I'm guessing?" Itachi chuckled.

"How did you know that?"

"Why else would your hair even move under such a light breeze as tonight. I know the hand full of gel that you put into it every morning."

"Yeah, the damn thieves ran pretty fast," Shisui replied. He was a fit young fellow, slightly shorter than Itachi. Though his size may have been to the slender side but his muscles were distinguished. He still wrapped his ningu belt around his waist and a few bandages wrapped onto his right leg can be seen under the shin guard.

"Geeze, you really did just get back. You look like you're ready to go to war," Itachi laughed.

"I'll change before I go to the ceremony," Shisui replied calmly.

They reached the small river that ran through the village. They could see the Milky Way reflecting brilliantly upon its surface, creating a silver aura upon the surface of the water with it's sparkles.

"Let's stop for a while," Shisui breezed in deeply.

"Won't we be late?" Itachi commented.

"We'll be fine. There's still 15minutes before everyone will even start gathering."

"Fine…"

"How's Sasuke?"

"His doing okay I suppose…"

"But…?"

"He sees me as his rival,"

"A little sibling rivalry never hurt anyone right?"

"I know. I just feel like he should find a different rival from me. The more he sees me as his rival, the more he hates me cause he feels like his not improving fast enough."

"Well is he improving?"

"Oh his improving fast, far faster than I thought he'd be able to improve."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Well…he hates me…"

Shisui chortled, "You're his older brother, he'll always hate you for one way or another. That's part of the description of siblinghood. If his improving fast cause he hates you than encourage that. You do want him to get stronger right?

"Well sure, I wish he can get better than me one day so I can give this troublesome position to him and retire,"

"Just don't worry about it. I'm have a feeling that that little runt would do something crazy one day," Shisui laughed.

"I suppose you're right," Itachi smiled back. The two smile diminished as they both slid their eyes back swiftly and jumped to the side. Two 12 pins stabbed into the wooden framework of the bridge, 6 on each of the spot they have just been standing on. "Who are you and what have you come here for!" Itachi glared as two figures appeared from above, landing in between the two Uchiha's. Their large sombrero covered their eyes but an amused smirk can be seen just above the collars of their blossom patterned garb.

"Itachi-kun, we came to invite you to join us," a low voice rung through the trickling of the river.

"and if I refuse?"

"I'm sure you won't be so rude as to deny an invitation by us," chuckled one of the men.

"I do what I want, and right now, I want you out of the village," Itachi looked up, revealing his Sharingan.

"So that is the famed sharingan of the Uchiha clan," the other man said in an impressed tone.

"To know about our clan and the sharingan and still dares to attack us, you two are just some idiots aren't you," Shisui laughed, revealing his sharingan as well.

"We may have to get our hands dirty on this one," the two men turned to each other. A shift in the positioning of their sombrero was the only indication of the motion.

Without a warning, the two lunged toward them.

"They're coming!" Itachi readied himself.

"I'll take the right, you take the left," Shisui called.

"Gotcha!" The two pulled out their Kunais and charged in.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Itachi landed heavily on his back. The cement ground ripped open his vest, grinding his flesh upon its rough surface. It was only after he had come to a stop did the full impact of the damage hit him. He cringed as the fresh wound burned him when he tried to get back on his feet, forcing him back down.

"Itachi!" Shisui turned to his fallen ally. He was about to run to his friend's aid when a hand caught him by his wrist. He turned his head and gave a disgusted look to the smirking face under the sombrero.

"Suirou no Jutsu (Water Prison)" The figure whispered calmly. Water orbed it self from the man's hand as it rapped itself around Shisui's body. Shisui took one last large breath as it confined him completely.

"How long will he last?" the figure chuckled lightly.

The second figure turned his eyes back to Itachi, "If you don't hurry and rescue him, he will surely drown."

"Release him!" shouted the young ANBU.

"We shall release him under one condition," two identical smirks crossed the faces of the two intruders.

"A Condition?" Itachi turned his focus from his friend to them.

"You must come with us," the an replied.

"For what purpose?"

The man glanced coldly through his sombrero and answered, "That is not for you to know. As long as you come with us and do as we ask, we shall release your friend."

"You must tell me what am I to do in order for me to decide whether I am willing to do it or not," Itachi pushed on. An aura of chakura swirled around the wound on his back.

"Ha, very well. We intend to collect the 9 legendary beasts, which are sealed into 9 different Jinchyurikis."

"For what?"

"For what every man want, POWER,"

"More power…" a grin sound itself to the young man's lips, "the talk of fools."

The man raised a brow.

"That ambition of yours will never come true…because…it will all end here tonight!"

The young lad calmly raised himself from the ground. The chakura that swam around his wound had now disappeared along with the damage.

"You should give victory speech after you win the battle," the man said with annoyance in his voice.

I've already won, "Itachi laughed."

The wind blew softly against the calm smile of the Uchiha nin as he stood smiling away as time ticked away. A smile that was so calm and carefree for the situation that it dominated his face. He did not move, he just stood with that same smile on his face as time chipped away.

"Well…? I'm waiting, the man returned his stance," The boy never moved nor give any sign that the words had entered his ear. "If you don't hurry, your friend there will die." Still no reply came, "If you will not come to me then I shall come to you," he growled with agitation.

He took a step forward. His foot came down firmly but it felt hollow. "What!" he gasped as a ripple erupted from under his foot. A chocking gas shot up as a blade of a sword pierced his throat from the inside. Blood rushed out of his mouth each time he tried to gasp for a new breath of air. His cries for pain came out in gurgles as he dropped on is knees. Then, the pain disappeared. He quickly placed his hand to his neck but no signs of any wound could be detected by his touch.

He stood back up slowly, rubbing his throat where the after taste of blood still remained. The teen's smiling face faded before his eyes, "Konbanwa," he waved with his right hand. The man squinted his eyes, 'Genjutsu!' he thought.

"Correct," the teen replied still smiling. Then without even a change in appearance, he stabbed the knife he held in his left.

Another round of pain shot through the Akatsuki's nerves. He wanted to pull back but his body would not move. Itachi began to slide the knife up slowly, still holding the innocent smile on his face. Then, with his waving hand, he grasped it tightly around his opponent's neck just as a scream was about to spill.

Then everything stopped. The man's attempts at struggling out of Itachi's grasp and his shaking from the knife that continued up toward his heart. Itachi's smile remained on his lips but his eyes turned to curiosity.

"Gotcha," the man laughed and grabbed the young man's hand swiftly. Slowly, he pushed it away from his throat.

"Impossible!" Itachi swallowed.

"Who's laughing now?" the man chuckled. Then with a quick suck of his stomach, he shot Itachi's other hand along with the knife out of him. Not a trace of the wound remained. "You continue to underestimate me, that is not a good thing to do in battle," he explained, tightening his grasp on the teen's hand. Itachi tried to pull out but as hard as he tried, it wouldn't budge. "You were already under my genjutsu the moment I turned my focus upon you. That was an impressive little trick you pulled. If I hadn't put you under my Genjutsu first just in case, I'm sure the damage of it on my mind would have been substantial," he congratulated, "but…" he narrowed his to a serious expression as blue flames erupted from his hand. The fire quickly spread up the sleeve of the young confused teen. The man gave his hand one tug and the moment he did so, Itachi felt heat beginning to build up around him. Slowly it became warmer, and warmer, and hotter. Itachi struggled desperately against the man's hold. The heat built up even higher. Itachi screamed as he struggled harder against the man's firm grasp.

"80…90…100," the man chanted. Itachi's legs buckled beneath him. In the corner of his eye, he could see his skin swelling. "150 degrees Celsius 200…250…300…400…600..800…1000!"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

A loud cry rang through the air as Itachi fell to the ground. His entire body was quivering as though the pain he had experienced was still there. Shisui released a chortle as he held his hand to his mouth.

"This one's almost done," laughed the man holding the Jutsu.

The other remained quiet, watching the fallen ninja intensely. "This is your last chance, come with us and we shall spare your friend's life."

Itachi raised his head from the ground and looked to his trapped friend who was shaking his head.

"Shisui…let him go," Itachi glared at the two. He hated himself, he hated himself for not having the capability of defeating the two foes. He hated himself, for having to watch his friend die before him. 'Why…' he wondered to himself, 'I can't beat them…' he clentched his shaking hands into a fist. 'Shisui…' he thought, looking back at his friend.

Shisui continued to shake his head, then just as another chortle released some last bit of air from his lungs, he released his hand from his lips and smiled. A smile that said, "good bye"

"Shisui!" Itachi shouted.

Shisui's body relaxed as he took a large inhale of water. With one last glance to his childhood friend, he closed his eyes.

"Shisui…" Itachi mumbled. His quivering stopped as he forced him up from the ground.

"That can't be…no one has ever stood back after taking that Jutsu. The fact that he was conscious afterwards was amazing as it is," the man took a step back and admired the strong will of the young man.

"I'll never go with you," Itachi growled, "I would die before you can make me become one of you," his voice slowly regaining volume. The tremors in his legs stopped. The three pupils in his eyes fused as he raised his head at the man before him.

"Those are…" the man gasped.

"Die!" Itachi jumped, landing a heavy blow into the man's stomach.

Spit flew from his mouth as he sunk from the blow. He caught the second shot that came down from above and blocked it quickly with his arm, "Don't get too caught up!" the he spat and returned a punch to the boy's stomach.

His partner released the ninja in captivity and watched the lifeless body fall to the ground. The forehead protector untied from his head and plopped beside him with a clear "tink." His captor looked at the body with certain dissatisfaction, "damn fool ended his own life," he spoke angrily, then reached down, grabbed the corpse by it's collar and threw it into the river.

"Itachi-san, you will come with us, we have ways in getting what we want and sometimes, that may not be pretty,"

With that, the two disappeared into the wind.

Itachi crawled his way to the forehead protector that still lay on the floor. He took it to his hand and folded it neatly in his hand. Another shot of pain came to his abdomen, causing him to drop the small headgear back onto the floor. He looked upon it with sorrow in his eyes. Biting his lips, he slammed his fist against the ledge of the bridge, sending another jolt of pain through his muscles.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"You expect me to believe that?" Sasuke responded coldly.

"That is the truth, whether to believe the truth or not is up to you," Itachi laughed as a few coughs broke his laughter.

"Bull shit! Then why did you leave! How did you get the Mangekyou Sharingan! Why did you have to put me through all this!" Sasuke blunted with rage as he was about to lunge himself at the fallen figure when Kakashi stopped him.

"Like I told you, they have ways in getting what they wanted. Naruto-kun," Itachi turned his attention to the blond boy who sat dumbfounded on his side.

"Huh, me?" Naruto jumped.

"The Akatsuki already possess the sword,"

"What!" the blond ninja snapped his eyes wide.

"Yes,"

"But then…"

"No, the sword was just an old blade formed from crystallized bedrock that lay under the ocean a few miles out into sea from it where a volcano had been active hundreds of years ago, perhaps even thousands," Another surge of pain squeezed Itachi as blood began to spill faster from the hole in his abdomen.

"Move aside!" Sakura said, pushing the blond boy as she placed her hands upon Itachi's wound.

"What are you doing!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Standard procedure. We need to extract information from a captured enemy right? But at this rate, he'll die before we can get the information we need. Besides, if his telling the truth, his worth saving." Sakura began to focus her chakura to her hands.

"But what if his lying!" Naruto spat.

"Don't worry, I'll treat him enough that he'll live but nothing more," Sakura smiled.

"Wait if they managed to find the sword then…" Naruto's heart felt as though it had skipped a beat.

Calmness returned to Itachi's face in short time and his bleeding stopped. "I also have some news that would probably be unwelcoming to your ears, it's about…your mother."

End…

Reviews

Iiiris: Sorry for the confusion, I'll try to wrap everything up nice and neatly with these up coming chapters before going on

Destiny: Glad you like it, and keep those reviews coming, I appreciate your support!

Mad Narutofan: Who knows, maybe, maybe not. Maybe I'll through in something unexpected…(looks to both sides with a smirk)

Kawaiinezumi: Haha sorry, but the chapters would become too long if I didn't end it with a cliffy. Besides, cliffy's are fun, haha.

Melanie Star: You think Itachi should live or die? I could go either way right, still haven't really decided on that yet haha. I'm sort of leaning toward die cause I don't like stories where everyone lives. Call me dark lol.

Thanks to all who reviewed, and all who are enjoying this fanfic as much as I enjoy writing it. I hope to continue to get your support! Also, ideas for future minor events (Things that won't change the general direction my story is going) or constructive criticisms are welcomed and very much appreciated.