Chapter 4

*1 year later*

*

On a tree branch next to a clearing meant for training, I stood there with my right hand upon the ruff tree bark. The Third Hokage standing next to me his long white and red Hokage robes fluttering in the wind, staring down at two young girls who were sparring against each other. Though what was strange was the black-haired girl had on a blindfold; mainly defending and dodging the attacks of the blonde. "So, these are the girls you were telling me about, Lord Hokage? The ones that will be in my class?" I speak quietly to The Third who nods and gives a sound of confirmation.

"Yes, it wasn't that long ago these girls had suddenly shown up in our village. Though it looks like Aphrodite the blonde, is actually teaching the other, when it was Kira that was trying to protect Aphrodite."

"I see. So you wish for me to keep an eye on their progress Lord Hokage?"

"Yes, they are clearly hiding something. What it is they are hiding is unclear to me."

"But, Lord Hokage. They look like normal girls who are trying their best just like any other child." I look from the girls to the man next to me in confusion.

"They may be, though they are far more mature than any normal child their age. At first, it seemed like they were normal innocent children but it seems they have gotten more control of themselves. Tell me Iruka. What do you see when you watch them? Their expressions, the look in their eyes, their movements."

Looking back towards the children I watch them closely. First, the blonde has a small smile appear on her features just before landing a kick on the other sending her into the air with strength she shouldn't yet possess in her small form. Her taijutsu though flawless was well beyond her age. Most children just coming into the academy do not fight like that nor… do they smile when landing a blow on someone else. They are usually nervous and unsure of themselves even rather unwilling to attempt hurting another. Her blue eyes shine in the sunlight with innocence and warmth, counteracting her physical actions which were smooth, and well-timed as if she has trained like this for more years than possible.

The black-haired girl landed on the ground silently by planting her hands on the grass below her and swinging her legs around so she was now standing, as if that kick had in fact done nothing to her. Raising her hands she pulls off the blindfold along with a shake of her hair making the tendrils fall back into place after having been mussed by the fabric of the blindfold. No emotion betraying her features, her charcoal eyes cold and knowing. She wasn't as skilled as the other yet but, who knows what could have happened to her to cause her heart to ice over like that. She has clearly seen more violence and bloodshed than any other kid in the village.

"The blonde has had an extended time of training in her taijutsu. The black-haired girl though is still a bit ruff around the edges is learning quickly from her counterpart. Yet, where the blond still has light twinkling her eyes, the other has been through so much more. I would have to say even though they are similar they had a far different upbringing than one another."

"hn. Yes. I think so too. They still do not trust me enough to give me more information about where they come from other than it being completely different than here. I feel however, that danger will be coming for them and, they need a true parental figure. Since it is quite possible that they haven't had much experience with family beyond contact with each other."

"I see. So the reason why you are requesting I keep an eye on them is so that I can protect them and ease your worry." I realize allowed achieving a nod from The Third Hokage.

"Yes, Iruka. You could say that I have taken a liking to them as if they were my own grandchildren."

"I understand Lord Hokage. I will do my best." With saying that I transport from the tree to the academy so I wouldn't be late for the faculty meeting.

*Kira*

"Class, being your first day here I say we should get to know each other. I am Iruka Umino and I am your Sensei. Now when I call your names stand up and introduce yourselves to the class. There is no need to come down here in front of everyone but be sure that you stand so the rest of the class can see you. And feel free to tell us as much about yourself as you like." The teacher at the front of the class explained. I was watching him smile up at us as if he had no care in the world. He is a kind and gentle soul who cares for the nurturing of others as if they were his own family. I remember Iruka from the anime. He can be strict to get students to listen to him and push them to reach their true potential. Even knowing this, why the hell would he have us introduce ourselves? "Aphrodite Damphire" Iruka's voice cuts through my thoughts as I notice Aphrodite standing from her assigned seat drawing the attention of the class. Taking a moment to brush her long blond hair from her eyes causes me to nearly roll my own hearing the gasps around me from the boys. She is such an attention whore. I thought silently to myself.

"Yes, I am Aphrodite Damphire. I enjoy warm sunny days, violets, animals, and the company of my cousin." Though she was smiling her voice lacked a bit of the emotion one would have expected to come with what she is saying. She then sat down leaving the class in silence. Nice going Aphrodite, now you are going to stink up the house from all the flowers you are going to get from the boys in this class.

"Thank you miss Damphire very well done. Now, Kira Lake." Iruka calls out causing me to sigh heavily. This was rather pointless. We were going to spend the next seven years in the same class as each other so we have plenty of time to.. -get to know- each other. Standing as he wished me to I allow some of my long black hair to flow over the front of my shoulders. I look straight towards Iruka before doing as he instructed us to, even though deep down I already know that this whole ordeal is unnecessary.

"I. Am Kira Lake. Aphrodite's cousin." Fighting to hold back a smirk I set back down officially achieving. 'Awe is that all she's going to say?' sort of whines from around the room. Glancing back towards Aphrodite I see her smirking in such a way she had to of been trying to keep herself from bursting out laughing. Yes, I did what I was supposed to. I introduced myself. As for what I like. Well, they can just figure that out can't they?

The rest of the day at school was rather mundane. All of our classes were only informing us as to what we will learn throughout the years so that we can prepare ourselves. I did, however, get to go to the school library and check out the books not only needed for our first year but I was able to further delve into the topics that they deemed 'advanced'. Either way, all of this would be far easier if they had just put everything on computers so that I didn't need to carry such a heavy load of books. After our introductory classes, we were to have the entrance ceremony which would conclude our first day.

As we all lined up in front of The Third Hokage I was able to blend in enough to glance around at everyone who had shown up. There seems to be a lot of parents that come to see their children into the academy as the front yard was taken up with adult bodies. However, my eyes found one body and lingered. My coal eyes meeting his own as I watch his brow raise when he realized I was staring. Standing there with long black hair pulled back in a loose ponytail with his bangs framing his face. Which was already etched with stress lines from fulfilling his duties as firstborn heir, a blue high collared shirt, and grey pants.

I felt my heart give a thud in my chest as our eyes lingered on one another's. I was officially looking at Itachi Uchiha for the first time, the very character in the entire anime that I feel I resonate with far beyond any of the others anymore. The pain his future has in store for him almost makes me want to cry and try to do anything possible in order to prevent it. But in doing so I would change the course of the anime beyond repair. Why does the Uchiha part of the story have to be so sad? Just thinking about it I could cry if I haven't had already shed more than enough tears to last me several human lifetimes. Aphrodite's elbow in my ribs pulled my gaze away from the eldest Uchiha to inform me that my name had been called.

*

Laying on my bed so my head was hanging just above the floor with my legs propped up against the wall. I open my eyes to look first towards Aphrodite who was laying on the floor in the moonlight looking peaceful. Then moving my gaze to the window itself to see the moon. Its bright warm glow suddenly reminding me of how my world will forever be in darkness. No longer having a moon so brilliant to break through the shadows. "Tomorrow is the night isn't it?" I ask successfully breaking the silence in my bedroom. Causing Aphrodite to open her eyes and look in my general direction before looking up to the ceiling.

"Yeah. Tomorrow the scent of blood will coat the air so thick it will be intoxicating. Look at it this way. With us being kids again it's before you grow your fangs."

"Yeah, guess that's a plus. I won't be going mad in a blood haze."

"So what are you planning?" She asks as she sets up enough to prop herself up on her elbows.

I give a shrug closing my eyes once again. "I'll probably go see it myself."

"Just don't interfere. You don't want to change the story before it's even begun right?"

"No, it needs to happen anyway. It's why Sasuke becomes strong enough to kill pedo snake. Also why Naruto goes with the frogman to train and why Sakura trains under the slug queen."

"Yeah... It's a very important part, isn't it? No matter how sad it is.."

"True but what if somehow, someone could convince let's say.. Key people to leave the village and go into hiding long enough for the important parts to take place?"

"Haha! Like you could ever get Fugaku to listen to you. Mikoto maybe but Fugaku is the leader of the Uchiha clan. He would be more apt to stay to die by his son's hand rather than go live."

"Yeah... But what if I time it correctly? So that Itachi knows there is another option rather than killing them. He could still make Sasuke hate him and leave the very village that turns their back on him."

"So you are saying…."

"Yes."

*Just before nightfall the next night.*

Having decided to skip school to plan for today I had Aphrodite tell Iruka that I was feeling rather under the weather and I was staying home so I may take the day and the weakened to rest and get better. She had strict orders to not make it seem like I need hospital attention so I could feel confident she wouldn't overact my illness. I hope. Running through the alleyways staying out of view of others I suck in a slow breath. I decided to wear all black to coat my body in darkness. To make it easier for me to meld into the shadows. My long black hair is left down in a way that half of my face was annoyingly covered so that my pale skin was less likely to stand out so much. Even still, tonight Itachi very well could kill me. I highly doubt it but it's still a possibility. He doesn't actually loath his parents and he loves his brother. He is only doing this because he has to. With that in mind, I slip into the Uchiha compound and make my way towards Sasuke's house. Which was quite easy to find since it's the only one with a lovely yard and pond and is actually the largest house in the compound.

No one deserves to lose parents that are actually there for them. With that thought, I felt my chest tighten and feel as if my heart was going to burst free.. Or explode whichever came first. My parents were never around. Never told me they loved me. All I could ever hope for was a smile when they were actually home to visit. I may now know they had done what they did for my own safety but still. I'm selfish. I don't… or didn't... want to be alone even if it meant my life would have ended sooner at least… I would have been happy.

Stepping into the house I walk as quietly as I could through the building. Keeping an eye on my surroundings as I pass so I knew approximately where I was within the building. Coming to a stop I slip into the shadows as the heavy scent of blood reached my nose. The killing was well underway. From the mission he is on, they must be quick and precise. Otherwise, the clan will form together and fight back. One-on-one is much easier to win rather than let's say fifteen on one even with him having help. It would cause too much of a ruckus and become known to the ninja of the village and he would be prevented from completing his top-secret mission. For this scent to be so strong I would have to guess he was already nearly at the end destination… Here.

Keeping my breathing silent and steady, I wish I could control my heart rate as I heard footsteps walking in my direction. Itachi… was finally walking to his parents' bedroom. Not too far from where I am now. Closing my eyes I listen closely to each step. Trying to catch if he turns or continues going straight. They were growing louder with each passing second until I could hear him pass right by me. Yes, so I was correct his parent's room is just down a little further. But I should wait. It needs to be perfect timing.

Hearing the distant murmurings coming from the next room I push out of my hiding spot and walk towards Fugaku's and Mikoto's bedroom door. "Proud?" I heard Itachi respond to his parents disbelievingly. "You're proud of me?"

"Yes, we are proud of you for standing up for what you believe is right. Like a man should."

"We love you Itachi and I would have it no other way than to die by your hands my son. Just promise me. Promise me one thing. Please take care of Sasuke." Mikoto's voice was filled with pain at the thought of leaving her sons behind. But, her tone never wavered. She was truly accepting the fact that she was leaving her little boy behind to live a life without a family.

"Very well... I promise." My heart gave a shuttering thud with the pain in Itachi's voice. Though I had my own reason to be here so I couldn't let myself become caught up in the moment any more than I already had. Opening the door just enough to let myself in and shut it behind me. I let them take notice of me first, seeing Itachi's Katana in the air and ready to end his own parents' lives.

"There is another option. For all three of you." I state calmly walking further into the room stopping just out of the moonlight's touch.

"Who are you?" Itachi questions as my charcoal eyes lock with his crimson ones. Hmm, I wonder if this is how people feel when they see my red eyes? I nearly smirk at my thought but I manage to keep myself under control.

"You can let your father and mother go. They can leave the village this night letting everyone believe them to be dead. You will technically fulfill your mission and continue with your plans. You would not have to kill your parents and whenever you have spare time you can visit them. Leave Sasuke here in the village under the Third Hokage's care."

"Why do you care?" He asks as his parents watch me closely.

"Every child needs their family. I know what it's like to live in loneliness; in isolation. My option for the three of you will give the four of you a chance to one day live as a family again…" I pause glancing at his parents before meeting Itachi's gaze again. "Or since you already plan to make Sasuke hate you so he can kill you and become a hero to this village, see that he will be able to see his parents again. A chance for him to be happy after living in darkness for so long."

"Wha… what is she talking about?" Mikoto questions causing me to raise my hand to silence her. I could see Itachi contemplating my suggestion before looking out the window.

"Worried that Tobi will catch on?" I ask him successfully catching his attention again. "You are strong Itachi, I am sure you know of a way to fake your parent's bodies while I lead them out of the village. All before your little brother gets here. Which. If I am not mistaken will be in a couple of minutes. He should be making his way through the corpses right now."

"Father, do you agree with her? To leave this village as if you were dead. Finding a new life somewhere away from the ninja villages; away from anything Uchiha?" Itachi suddenly asks his father looking down at him as his eyes harden. Preparing to kill them if he must.

"I will not run away from death." Fugaku states closing his eyes momentarily. "But to leave for the future of my family, I will."

"I will too. For Sasuke… and for you Itachi." Mikoto quietly whispers. Itachi lowers his Katana and looks back at me.

"Get them out of the village. I will handle things from here." Giving him a nod I look to his parents and lead them out of the room. Knowing once I get them out without being seen I will come back and retrieve what they will need. Getting them out unseen though will be tricky. I have a plan that will work but only if all of the variables match perfectly into place. I just may end up killing someone tonight… Sadly, I know that if I do, Itachi will take the blame for it as well. Itachi… Don't be too hard on your brother. Be at peace for saving your family.