Broken Dreams

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 4: The Severing of Ties

Sasuke looked as the sun began to fall behind the hills in a patch of tangy orange and bright yellow. He then stared at the three former friends of his with his deep blood red Sharingan eyes. He raised his sharp kunai in the sunlight and it nearly blinded Sakura and Naruto. They shielded themselves from the light and Sasuke laughed softly. Itachi then looked at Kakashi with his murderous eyes allowing Kakashi to remember the fears that hid in the Mangekyou secrets.

"Do you really want to fight me?" asked Sasuke softly.

"No!" shouted Sakura. "I love you! I want you back where you belong, in Konoha! Away from him!"

"Sasuke, could you really forget all we've been through? For him?" asked Kakashi. "He killed your family, and if you are blinded by his lies-"

"I am not blinded by…Itachi doesn't lie!" Sasuke retorted.

"True Kakashi-san, you believe me to be a murderer and nothing else. But my brother has seen past that, and I never forced him to join me. I just wanted for him to truly understand. Kakashi, you stole those lines you told Sasuke from my scrolls I meant to give to Sasuke. Sasuke's decision to be in the Akatsuki was entirely within his own power. Not mine," said Itachi.

"No! You're lying!" shouted Sakura.

Naruto leaped up, not surprising anyone besides Sakura. Sasuke saw how reckless and impulsive he always was. Itachi saw no difference in Naruto since the last time he had seen him. The Uchiha brothers just looked boredly as he tried to pierce his own kunai through Itachi.

"Yarou…" breathed Naruto.

Itachi fell backwards with blood spurting everywhere. Sasuke looked in horror as his brother never even tried to dodge Naruto's attack. Itachi could have done it so easily, yet he stood there and took the blow given to him by a rash boy with mixed feelings about his friends.

"Itachi!" shouted Sasuke.

The older Sharingan master then fell backwards as Naruto landed standing and ready for a counter attack. A tear escaped Sasuke's eye and he reached out his hand to his older brother. Although Itachi's mouth widened into a smile. Then in a puff of black smoke, he disappeared. A dark kage bunshin! This type of bunshin was so real, that it was terrifying. You could not tell the difference even with the advanced Sharingan. The bunshin even had effects like blood… and emotions. Sasuke then looked around and knew Itachi had already planned all of his counter attacks.

"You see. Itachi cannot be easily defeated," sneered Sasuke.

Behind Naruto, Itachi suddenly appeared and stabbed a kunai through his back. Naruto let out a soft cry as Itachi then hit him to the ground. The impact caused the blonde boy to create a cracked crater in the tough ground. Sakura screamed and Kakashi quickly rushed over to see how Naruto was doing. His faint breaths were upsetting.

"He has broken ribs and if he doesn't get somewhere quick, he could bleed to death," confirmed Kakashi. "This kunai has hit a very crucial spot. Sakura! Use your medical ninjutsu to make him stable for the moment!" shouted Kakashi.

Sakura rushed over and began to try to heal her injured friend. Sasuke felt no remorse for his foolish rival. He only thought they were trying to achieve an impossible objective of 'saving' him. Itachi then looked at Kakashi.

"That was only a taste of my power Kakashi, I have grown rapidly since you last saw me in Konoha," said Itachi monotonously.

What? How powerful can the Sharingan master get? I haven't done anything to improve myself since he defeated me last time. This time will be different…more powerful as well. thought Kakashi…

"I'll see if I can take Kakashi," said Sasuke.

"You sure? He's very powerful," warned Itachi. "He is a Jounin also ANBU level."

"That's okay. Wouldn't you agree that I'm at that level already?" asked Sasuke. "Besides, you were an ANBU captain at the age of 13. You basically skipped the Jounin level as well. After all, you taught me a powerful summoning skill."

"That is only one tenth of the power that I will really teach you," said Itachi. "The whole hidden power of the swords can only be used three times in your life. Just don't underestimate him. Kakashi isn't weak, he also has the Sharingan."

"I know that. He was my teacher after all," said Sasuke. "I want him to see how much I have improved."

With a quick flash, Sasuke jumped up also with Kakashi as well. Kakashi looked into his blood red eyes while they were forcing each other's kunais at each other. Neither was overpowering each other, but still intended to release pain. Kakashi saw that Sasuke had already gained both of his eyes with the most advanced Sharingan.

"You aren't pressing as hard as you could…" confirmed Sasuke.

"Still, I have trained you, and you-" started Kakashi.

"I'm with Itachi now, why can't you accept that?" asked Sasuke.

"Because you are a Leaf Genin-" started the sensei.

Within a moment, Sasuke overpowered Kakashi and then Kakashi was forced to release the peaked kunai. Kakashi was forced to bend inwards and Sasuke knew he had left an opening. A second later, Sasuke kneed his teacher in the stomach. Sasuke saw his eyes widen and then close gently. Kakashi was released and he fell to the ground on his knees.

How…his blows…are so powerful. What had happened to him during these few days? What kind of training did Itachi make Sasuke go through? Sasuke has reached to a lot of potential… I can't last fighting like this. thought Kakashi.

"Stop it Sasuke-kun!" shouted Sakura. The pink haired girl screamed as she ran over to Kakashi glaring at Sasuke and his brother.

"You'll let them finish," said Itachi.

"No! I won't let him hurt my teacher!" she shouted again.

"Lower your voice," said Itachi calmly.

"I hate you!" she shouted again and ran towards the mysterious man. "I know you have great speed… I know that I don't… But I will stop you with everything I have!"

Itachi then allowed her to come close to him running with anger in her eyes. She was about to punch him with her inhuman strength she had learned from Tsunade through a few lessons. Her teeth were clenched and her jade eyes looked angry for the first time. Although, Itachi just closed his eyes and stopped her punch with his right hand. He felt it gently and she felt his pain for the first time…his need to be strong and powerful.

"You lack…power and hatred," said Itachi and Sasuke in unison.

Itachi then kicked her stomach and the girl flew far into a tree. The tree was greatly cracked and dented. A trickle of blood fell down from Sakura's mouth as she looked up faraway to the two brothers. Naruto needed medical help and Kakashi was unconscious for the time being. She felt useless and powerless against these new enemies.

"Sasuke, I have underestimated you, but not for long," said Kakashi.

With a few seals, Kakashi managed to make an electrical ball of energy chirping from the palm of his hand. The jutsu consumed huge amounts of chakra, and Kakashi was already tired from the powerful kick and the usage of his Sharingan. It took much of his energy to sustain his eye, but he knew he needed it against foes this powerful.

"Chidori!" shouted Kakashi and Sasuke in unison.

The silver haired Jounin never noticed his young student to be using the same exact jutsu that he had taught him… This never occurred before…the battle of the Raikiri was about to begin. Itachi was astounded that Sasuke was able to improve so much in a short amount of time. Even Kakashi was beginning to fear him.

The two clashed with the horrible sound of birds that frightened almost everyone. Although Sasuke was able to pour more of his chakra through the palm of his hand while Kakashi was only able to collect the chakra he had stored inside the chidori before. With a blinding blue flash, Kakashi was thrown back unconscious with his hand all bloodied and burned. Destroyed…

"I'll kill you!" shouted Naruto.

"Naruto, I'll take care of them," said Sakura finally.

The kunoichi stood up and then looked firmly at the boys she had cared so much about. She drew her kunai and ran up to Itachi. Itachi closed his eyes and then performed a few seals. Then with a new one handed seal, he was able to summon something really powerful…

"The Leaf Sword…" said Itachi softly.

Sasuke rubbed his eyes in amazement, for his brother could summon the legendary Leaf Sword that had only been able to be summoned by the First Hokage. The Leaf Sword was amazing, gleaming with a long leaf surrounded with floating green vines. The energy around the sword and Itachi began to grow a distant and vibrant green. The handle of the sword was bright yellow mixed with a sweet brown color. Itachi held it straight at Sakura at then opened his eyes.

"Konoha's Secret Sword Move: Emerald dagger of Fire!" shouted Itachi.

Then with a swift move, Itachi motioned the sword from right to left…from left to top…from top to bottom… The green traces had left a impenetrable ultimate defense around Itachi and Sasuke shielding Sakura. The girl was thrown back into the grass harshly and paralyzed by the power of the sword.

Itachi then did those motions again, and backwards this time. The green traces zoomed past her giving her deep cuts everywhere. Sasuke looked amazed at how Itachi decided to let her live. Those were the weakest attacks that had ever came from that sword. The eldest Sharingan master knew that she would never be able to survive the ultimate level of the sword and he knew that Sasuke would never have wanted her to die.

"Let's leave now," said Itachi.

"Wait…" said Sasuke.

They both looked up in the sky and saw three more dots coming in and appearing. Sasuke and Itachi sighed, for they didn't want to waste anymore energy on petty battles. The people arrived and both brothers were amazed and astounded at who they were.

"Jiraiya?" asked Itachi.

"Orochimaru?" asked Sasuke.

"Tsu…nade?" asked a distant kunoichi's voice.

The three sannins went over to the wounded ninjas. Kakashi was in bad condition, seeing as he never really recovered from the Mangekyou Sharingan attack…Naruto was unconscious because the kunai in his back had paralyzed him temporarily but was about to die from blood loss. Sakura was in the worst condition…deep cuts all over her body and paralyzed as well. She would only shake and shiver as Tsunade touched her face.

"Itachi? Why did you do this?" asked Tsunade through distant tears.

"Because they were fools and they tried to stop us," said Itachi relentlessly.

"Why is Orochimaru with you guys?" asked Sasuke. "I thought you all hated him."

"We only ran into him because he was trying to find you. We sense something horrible and knew that Team Seven was involve," explained Jiraiya.

"Sasuke-kun, have you given up your hopes in joining me?" asked Orochimaru.

"Orochimaru, you were after my body once. Don't think that I don't know what you plan to do with Sasuke," said Itachi shielding his younger brother behind his back. "I am watching you. Sasuke will be more powerful than you once I have trained him enough."

"Then time is all that I don't have," said Orochimaru. "I'm leaving…"

The snake lord had disappeared leaving Jiraiya and Tsunade left with the three unconscious people. The wind blew into their faces and Sasuke just looked at them with pity and scorn. He was able to gain power without the use of pills and the curse seal. Tsunade and Jiraiya just looked evilly at the two brothers as they disappeared into the evening.

"Should we go after them?" asked Tsunade.

"No," was the reply. "They are out of our league now. With Sasuke in the Akatsuki, we can only predict so much for what they are going to do. If we chase after them now, we will most certainly die."

"You're right. I have seen similar cuts to these before. What I wonder is…why they won't heal. I'm pouring all I know of medical ninjutsu into this! Sakura's cuts won't heal! I don't know why!" screamed Tsunade. Her fear was taking over her.

"Relax…I know Itachi would never kill them…it's not in his nature if Sasuke is with him…" said Jiraiya.

"I've seen this before!" shouted Tsunade as she closely examined her apprentice's skin. "There is a green coat of leaf that is outlining the dangerous cuts. It allows blood to flow out and infections to come in. But it won't allow medical ninjutsu to work!" shouted Tsunade.

"Then what happens to Sakura?" asked the white haired man.

"We will have to heal her slowly without any jutsus, make her get bed rest and maybe a couple months of recovery. She will have to battle a long fight with infection and diseases that may come to hurt her. It can only be healed naturally and if they are strong. After all, I didn't expect any less when we encounter the Leaf Sword of the First Hokage…" breathed Tsunade.

"Leaf Sword! I thought that was a myth," Jiraiya exclaimed.

"I hope it is… If it is in the hands of an Akatsuki member… Sakura only experienced its weakest level. The Itachi of the Uchiha clan I know for a fact that he is powerful and can do more than just the weakest level. More powerful than you and me combined…especially with Sasuke near him. I don't know if Konoha can survive another attack…" the healing nin said.

"We must be prepared…First let's bring everyone back to Konoha for treatment…" he suggested.

"Un," was the reply.

The two sannins disappeared with the three wounded ninjas. The sun had set for their day and the sannins were not sure if it would ever rise again. The Akatsuki…it was the dawn of something more new and powerful…

-----

"Sasuke you are ready. Today you showed me that you are completely loyal to me," said Itachi.

"Of course Nii-san. We are brothers. I would protect you and I'm sure you would for me if any threat was upon us. I just wanted a brother back…" said Sasuke. "I'd have done anything for that."

Itachi led Sasuke back to his room. Sasuke then realized that he had lost his head protector. He never noticed it being off his head in the morning after he went to wash his face…he never put it back on. Now it was missing. The hard cabinet showed no trace of where the head guard had been. But Sasuke wasn't so worried. He just went over to the sink again and washed his face.

The cool water again splashed up against his face and he felt the immense pain and suffering leave him for the moment. He looked into the mirror and saw who he had wanted to be. A powerful shinobi and a part of a forceful organization.

"The dream…" breathed Sasuke.

The young dark haired shinobi felt the flashes of Itachi going through his mind. He couldn't bear for that to really happen. He feared for his brother's life and he knew these dreams really had meanings. Sasuke just hoped that he wouldn't have to revisit the dream tonight. He closed his eyes and felt his hands on his own face.

"Sasuke, it's time for dinner and I have a surprise for you," said Itachi.

Sasuke opened the door with the towel wiping his face and saw his older brother standing before him with a smile on his face. The young boy couldn't help grinning himself as his older brother brought out his hand and gave back Sasuke's head protector. The cool cloth and metal felt good against Sasuke's skin and he could feel himself feeling like a shinobi again.

"Why'd you take it?" asked Sasuke. "And do you always come back with gifts?"

"Haha, I have made it so you are allowed to wear it here," said Itachi.

The young boy then looked at a mirror and saw that it had a huge streak through it. Sasuke was never so happy in his life…feeling that he was needed and was important to this organization. He jumped up and hugged Itachi tightly. Itachi could feel that his childhood memories flowing back to him. Sasuke had become a bit more childish and lost his dark attitude towards his brother. The young shinobi had changed his ways and had become more open in years…

"C'mon, time for dinner," said Itachi.

Sasuke followed his older brother down a flight of stairs and then into a dimly lit room. There were five round tables and chefs with servants coming in and out delivering food to the Akatsuki members. Sasuke was suddenly frightened looking at several dark eyes as he entered the room. Suddenly he noticed that only his eyes were showing as well. He activated his Sharingan and held tightly onto his brother.

"What'll it be?" asked the servant.

"The usual," Itachi said plainly.

"Yes, sire," he said as he walked away into the kitchen.

"Itachi? Are we really going to eat here?" asked Sasuke. "It's so dark, I can't even see where my chopsticks will go. Can we eat upstairs in your room?"

"Sasuke, you're so funny. Of course we eat in our room. This place is only a place to order and they deliver it up to you. The most we eat here is snacks. This room is the place where we all socialize. Sasuke, I want you to meet the other members of this organization."

"Cool," was the reply.

Itachi's eyes lightened and Sasuke was actually excited to see the other members. He would soon be like them…might as well meet them. He has only heard of Sasori and Kisame…no one more. But Sasuke didn't see any more eyes than Itachi's. Then Itachi led his little brother through another door and into a place with a waterfall. It was still dark and their eyes were still only visible, but the fall was a magical sight.

"Nii-san?" asked Sasuke.

"Over here," said an unfamiliar voice.

"Itachi-san," said Kisame.

They're figures were dark, but Sasuke could see more eyes now. Sasuke sat on a stone near Itachi and listened to the others. He was interested in who they were. They seemed murderous…but that was for everyone… The fall began to splash more water gently and Sasuke could even see fish in the clear waters.

"Whose that?" asked a voice.

"Uchiha Sasuke, Itachi's younger brother and the only survivor of their tragic clan," said Sasori.

"Uh huh…" the sentence was murmured throughout the place. Then someone burst out, "how come he didn't have to prove himself! Itachi only gave him a ring!"

"Because that is what I did, and if you have a problem with it, you are more than welcome to challenge me to a ninja fight," spat Itachi venomously.

"Hello, Sasuke. I am the leader of the Akatsuki, we have met before, but I will introduce myself once again. I am the rule here you will obey me if you would like to stay."

"Wakari masu I understand," Sasuke replied.

"Oh, he's so obedient…" said another.

"Deidara?" asked Itachi.

"Oh, yes. The leader decided to see if I was worthy enough, so I battled Ayame for her spot. I won and received my place in the Akatsuki," said Deidara boastfully.

"Itachi, Sasuke. You have a mission tomorrow," said the leader.

"Kisame, Sasori. You also have one too."

"What will we do?" asked Sasori.

"You will find the Hidden Sand boy. Son of the Kazekage that Orochimaru has killed. He possess a tailed beast. The One Tail,"

"Wakari mashita, Understood," said Kisame. "When do we leave?"

"Now," was Sasori's reply.

The two shadows left the area without much effort as the leader turned around and faced Sasuke and Itachi. He saw immense potential within both Uchiha brothers and knew that they would be one day, the greatest Akatsuki members ever. It would be horrible if they were used by enemy hands. He was glad that Itachi had brought Sasuke over to the Akatsuki…

"Now, you're mission is to bring a girl from the Hidden Village of the Leaf. Her name is Haruno Saiyuki (A/N: My character. ) She is also your age, Itachi. She lives near the center of the village. She is also a powerful shinobi, so be on your guard. Here is a picture of her."

Itachi reached over and took the picture out of the leader's hands. He felt his hands grow cold as he remembered her face from the Academy. His eyes grew larger as he looked over at the leader.

"Why do we need her?" asked Sasuke.

"She has the knowledge of where a mystical orb lies. This will allow us to contain the tailed beasts we have," was the reply.

"Doesn't anyone else know it?" asked Itachi pleadingly.

A few laughs were heard as Itachi and Sasuke disappeared into their own rooms. Sasuke turned on the light and looked at his brother. He was tired and his eyes showed him that he was seriously exhausted more than he allowed his body to show.

"Why do you care about this Saiyuki….girl?" asked Sasuke.

"She's like Haruno Sakura to you…" whispered Itachi. "Except to me."

"Haha," laughed Sasuke.

Sasuke was finally content now. He was being a family with his brother and he is having the time of his life doing dangerous and not petty missions. He was doing something that had really benefited himself, and it made him feel powerful and trustworthy. Itachi left his room with a slight blush on his face… Probably thinking of that Saiyuki…haha.

He yawned and waited until the sun would come up again. They needed to start their mission and he knew that everyone would be waiting for him if he ever returned to that village. At last, he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer and drifted off into a deep slumber. The only hope…was that he didn't have that dream again.

But he did… and things grew worse as he stayed asleep longer feeling Itachi's pain… And it continued for hours… The dream wouldn't end… It never would.

Author's Note: totally loved writing that! Yay! Another chapter in and completed! I hope all of you who read it enjoyed it and hope to read more. Sasuke's dream won't end and he wants to figure out why. The new mission is going to bring new challenges to Sasuke and Itachi as well. You know the drill! REVIEW! Thanks! (Did anyone notice? Saiyuki is Sakura's older sister.)