A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews!

Warning: OK! Remember back in the chapter when Sasuke and Itachi first fought? The cool music that I asked you all to play? WELL there's differen't versions to it. The one for that one was Guitar vs. Piano. Then there's another version, 1.2, and then 2. The one that I would like to ask that you guys play for this chapter, of course when directed to, is Guitar vs. Piano 2. I don't ever give a song title that can't be found on youtube. So find it! D Oh, you don't need to put this in to the search, but they're all by an artist named Goukisan.

Disclaimer: Uhm…the contents in this fan fiction greatly differ form the Naruto series? I think that's pretty self explanatory…and does the Naruto series use awesome smart words like explanatory? ;) I don't think so….yep..there it is.

Please Enjoy!

Behind The Smile

Chapter 27: Unforgotten

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The orange, multi-colored cover of a very familiar book did not obscure a certain silver-haired jounin's face from view as he walked the halls of Konoha Hospital. It wasn't hidden in the confines of his clothes either, instead it was discarded for the time being. His attire was completely different, not consisting of the usual jounin uniform. Threads of black laced his entire body; they were neat, professional, as if he had worn them for a purpose. His handsome face was melancholy; it stayed that way as he neared his destination.

As his hand reached for the door, his vision caught sight of the two people in the room through the small window. He let out a small sigh, pausing slightly before he would push it open. If this had been any other day, he would have come back at a later time. But this was a day he could not belate, a time he could not prolong. His head bowed for a second as he entered the room; he made sure to make noise as to alert the people inside of his arrival. Kakashi lifted up his head to meet the pairs of eyes that traveled in his direction. He did nothing to change his facial expression, there was no need to.

All of Konoha was weighed down by this unexplainable feeling right now.

"It's time." Was all that came from the lips of the usually enigmatic sensei. His eyes were trained on the two people in the room, who, like him, were adorned in the same opaque color.

One was in the confines of the bed, while the other was positioned on a stool nearby. Hinata's pearl eyes were trained on Naruto, portraying a look of sadness and worry. The said person's eyes lingered on his former sensei for a brief moment, his facial expression stoic; however, the small passing of time allowed this to change as his face slightly twisted. He let out a helpless noise between his gritted teeth, biting his lip to prevent any further obstruction. His troubled, disdainful cerulean orbs lowered to his fists, which were clenched tightly in the fabric of the sheet covering him.

..ooo000ooo000ooo..

Emerald eyes fluttered open, casting sight to the gloomy sky above her, its span covered in dark clouds, its sun out of sight. Exhaustion swept over her body as consciousness overwhelmed her. The temptation for bided sleep did not stop her from automatically flaring her senses out to find that she was alone. That same discovery motivated her into a sitting position, along with the distant sound of weapons clashing, and forceful body contact.

She bolted up onto her feet in correlation to the large cracking of thunder, waiting not one moment before she ran out of the forest clearing, and through the trees, using the battered trunks as a sense of direction- the destruction was clearly evident, lying theory to the battle that had started amidst the area.

Her heart was heavy, a gut-wrenching feeling tormented the pit of her stomach, her mind was in chaos, the tears were in the back of her wide, yearning eyes. Her thoughts were in mid wish, praying, hoping that she could get to her destination in time.

Before it was too late.

..ooo000ooo000ooo..

There was a brief silence as a lone leaf blew past the brothers. Before the stray leaf returned to the ground due to the dying of wind, a single raindrop rained from the sky, hitting the green object spot on, and ending its flight.The skies thundered as the following droplets of rain started to fall from the sky in a slight drizzle; the lightness of it created a soft, harmonious tapping among the trees and plants, providing a soothing background noise that was audible as the sounds created by battle had breifly paused.

Itachi stood in a position stationary, much like that of Sasuke's. His entire countenance was cold, unemotional, stern. He was serious. His deep red Sharingan eyes were fixated on that of his brother's, who held the same demeanor, the same lethal stare.

The heavyness of the situation weighed on both the Uchiha's mind, the seriousness of this moment kept them alert, silent. They were both aware, of the deep meaning to this battle, the repurcussions that were much greater than life or death, kill or be killed; this concerned more than that of the terrible past that was between them, the need to end whatever it was that had separated them. It wasn't just out of pride, the need to test a certain capacity, to come victorious over the other. To prove one's worth. There was something else stacked upon the reasons they used to justify this battle. They were also fighting for something else. Someone else. This reason, this person, was on both their minds, yet, as it was a secret kept from the other, it was also underlyingly known by the other, mutually accepted.

The older Uchiha's lips parted to speak only one word, one command.

"Come."

It replayed Sasuke's mind like a over and over again. And he obeyed. He dissapeared, instantly reapearing in front of Itachi with a fist poised to the strike.The former Akatsuki member met the strike with a fist of his own.

A combo of attacks initiated between the two-strong, relentless, unwavering; they fought with perfect strides and attacks and evasions, not in any way affected by the wounds they had sustained only hours ago; they showed exhaustion in no form, they showed none of the consequences to significant blood loss. No emotion flickered in the depths of their eyes or gandered their facial expressions; no pain clenched their jaws or limited their movements. The Uchihas were cold, ruthless, unemotional fighting machines. Their reactions were based on primal instinct-survival-defense, offense. The want, the need to end all the strife and grudges that ailed them seemed to be the only intent, driving them, fueling them. Giving them the strength and endurance they needed to kill the other. It was an Uchiha Massacre.

It was sudden, when they broke apart, halting in their attacking of the other. The cause had just entered the forest clearing, grabbing onto the nearby tree to stop her advancement; she almost fell forward from the jerking of her momentum. The silence that had ensued allowed for her raspy, forcingly calmed breathings to be heard clearly. Her wide emerald eyes were wildly dancing between the the two brothers who did not return her gaze; her chest was heaving up and down with each deep, ragged breath. Her mind frantically searched for words, courage to speak them, will to support them. She found none.

A breif silence ensued before a voice sounded throughout the clearing.

"Sakura. Do not interfere." His every word held command, enforced with seriousness, spoken with a patience that was counterbalanced with cold montone. It was stated slowly, as if by automatic reaction. His voice seemed to echo within her mind, replaying itself as her brain sought a means to comprehend it, accept it. Find qualites as to identify the man standing before her as Uchiha Sasuke. The way he had spoken the command, the way he was standing, the way his entire mind, body, and soul were focused on the man standing on the other side of the forest clearing; the lack of emotion that directed him - this complete indifference - it was unlike him. This man convinced her with the suspicion that she really didn't know Uchiha Sasuke after all.

This man was a stranger to her.

It brought her to all the times he would call her annoying, or speak other words that belayed just as much - to the times when she would assume things about him, tell him things that he already knew. When she thought that she knew him, knew what he wanted, knew what would make him better. When she was ignorant of everything. His wants, his needs, they were comepletley different. She was very wrong, stupid in believing that she knew what was truly important to him.

This, this right here was important to him. This was the most important thing to him. This was what he had spent most of his life waiting for, hurting for, hating for, suffering for. This moment. This battle. This Revenge. His revenge. It was what he wanted, what he needed. He didn't seek happiness from this, he knew that happiness would not be gained.

Peace?

They both knew that peace would not be gained from this.

But they couldn't stop now. They didn't want to stop. A strong resolution had been set before them. Once, just this once, they needed to something that they wanted to - not what someone else wanted to. They needed to figure out what they thought was best - not what something else thought was. This was their time to not waste with the wants and needs of others. This was their time to be selfish. Even if it would not bring a direct end to all the pain, all the hate, all the suffering, all the everything, it was a start. They both understood that. They both understood that only one would survive, or both would die.

Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke, sworn brothers, men she had grown to care for and love..seekers of an end to all their suffering. She could do nothing but let them have it. She could not deny them this.

She could feel her own heartbeat, hear her own breathing. It all seemed to halt as she let out a slow, long, shakey breath; her still wide, distraught emerald orbs remained trained on the two brothers as she let her knees buckle underneath her, hands still grasping the bark of the tree as she lowered down to the earth. She used the tree to suppport her as her view slightly blurred, and as she lowered her gaze to look at nothing in particular, eyes wavering greatly.

There was a calmness about her distraughtness, a serenity about her despair.

One of them was going to die. And she could do nothing about it.

..ooo000ooo000ooo..

The white color of the picture frame paled in comparison to the vibrant colors surrounding the woman captured in the picture. The glare of the sun had hit her face perfectly, lighting up her features - glimmering her chesnut eyes, sparkling her pure white smile, playing with her blond locks of hair that were situated in pig tails. Tsunade - fallen Hokage of Konohagakure, the Hidden Village of the Leaf.

Her picture was placed in the center of a large setup, surrounded by numberous candles and flowers, centerized between a long line of pictures that held the images of other past Hokages. Not one had died of old age.

A few feet away stood a huge mass of people, neatly lined up in single files. It was silent, as all took the time to morn the loss of another great Hokage.All of them stood respectfully, not a single tear shedding onto their faces..

Why?

Why was no one allowed to cry? Why was no one allowed to mourn properly?

Simple rule. Simple code of conduct.

A ninja must not show emotion in any situation

A ninja must not cry, a ninja must not anger, a ninja must not cower. A ninja was a tool, a weapon of warfare, and nothing more. It was the code of the ninja, an idea that seemed so harsh.

Even so, the sniffling of the children and adolescents provided a background noise to the steady pattering of the rain that continued to fall from the sky in constant torrents. And as the skies continued to send pouring rain down upon them, it made up for the lack of tears. Made it seem that the sky was crying for them.

Uzumaki Naruto's eyebrows furrowed as his deep cerulean eyes squinted as he bowed his head down even further. His fists were clenched very tightly at his sides, his teeth nibbling at his lower lip in an attempt to muffle any frustrated sounds of greif. He looked to the side to see Shizune and a few others in their futile attempts to stop crying. He looked at them for a while longer before returning his gaze to the ground to stare at nothing in particular.

Why..?

The sound of beeping machines echoed in his mind, the feeling of chakra forced into him tingled his skin.

"Tsunade-sama!"

"Get other medical staff right now!"

"She's not breathing!"

"I can't find a pulse!"

He squeezed his eyes shut as he clenched his fists even tighter against him; his shoulders shook greatly as he tried to control the shaking of his body; however he wasn't able to stop the greif-stricken grunt that escaped through his grinded teeth.

Why?

Why did she have to throw away her life for him? Why did she adandon them all, abandon the village, just to save him?Why did she have to give all of Konoha another reason to hate him?

He glanced behind him on que to the hand that gently placed itself on his shoulder. Kakashi's solemn, empathetic look only served to fuel his guilt. And remind him of one of the people that weren't there.His former sensei seemed to act as a replacement to his current trainer, Jiraiya - he didn't show up today. The moment he got the news about Tsunades death he had left Konoha, even as he casually did so, it was obvious he couldn't stand the thought of finalizing Tsunade's death, seeing others mourn for her; perhaps he wouldn't have been able to follow the ninja code of conduct, hide emotion.

Flashback

"I need to get inspiration for a new book!" Jiraiya's cheerful, booming voice sounded his ears as his current sensei turned to face him, his usual cheesy grin and sparkling teeth framing his face. Jiraiya turned to continue walking out of the gates of Konoha.

"Oh," He stopped midwalk, this time not turning to face Naruto. "I already snuck in to visit her, said a few parting words. I had to chastize her for bailing out on quite a few of our bets." He let out a small chuckle. "Technically its the first time I've ever won any."

"Old man.." Naruto was about to say more but Jiraiya contined.

"So I don't plan on being back in time for her funeral. Do me a favor and make sure they don't bury her next to any sake wells will ya?" the tone to his voice was humorous, though he almost seemed to hesitate before continuing his next words. "Just cause she's dead doesn't mean she gets to cheat and start the habit of drinking again!"

End Flashback

Like he said he wasn't here. He wouldn't be surprised if Jiraiya showed up the next day, complaining about how he barely missed it..when really that was his very plan. He couldn't blame him. No one wanted to be reminded of the fact that she was dead, and that all this ceremony proved to do. Maybe Jiraiya wasn't even able to face him yet, face the one that took Tsunade's life.

Took away the one person that mattered tohim the most.

His cerulean eyes transitioned to watch in silence as Tsunade's name was engraved on the blue malagnite stone. Her name was solely put there to be remembered for all time, as the other names encrypted on that stone were. There were many names on that stone. Of brave shinobi, Hokages, names worth remembering. But for some reason, her name seemed to be the most important. The one they mourned the most. They would not forget.

Tsunade-sama, the fifth Hokage.

..ooo000ooo000ooo..

(Song: Guitar vs. Piano 2)

The rain was starting to pour down even harder now, muddying the earth underneath and between them and creating a solemn background noise as it pattered among the contents of the earth.The younger Uchiha did not flinch when the skies thundered and the heavens opened up, letting even more merciless rain beat down upon them. No shiver racked his body as the cold rain made contact with his skin. His cold Sharingan eyes remained locked on with the cold Sharingan eyes of his brother as the rain dripped off their chins in a constant stream.

It seemed to go in slow motion as the two took their first, silmutaneous running stride - they then dissapeared, immediately reapearing in the center of the forest clearing, the halfway mark of the distance that had seperated them. The force of the impact of their connecting fists created a powerful wind that greatly swayed the trees and plant life around them. The two retracted their fists, other parts of their bodies moving in for seperate attacks -while their other fists were still retracting they brought up their another fists. Their fists connected again.

Sasuke dropped into a crouching position as Itachi brought his leg up to kick him; Itachi did the same after, causing Sasuke's foot to move through the air. The two then swiftly took out a kunai, charging again.

It seemed to go in extremely slow motion as their bodies still moved from the momentum that had brought them together-Itachi retreated his kunai, a sharp slice-like noice sounding from their kunai's grinding in the process. Sparks flew all around them.The descent of each seperate raindrop could clearly be discerned, and their distinct splashes as they crashed upon the Uchihas' skin and clothing. Itachi leaned his head to the side, Sasuke's kunai moving in above his shoulder, the rain pounding on his kunai. Sharingan prounounced Itachi continued in his swirved motion, bringing his kunai back to him as he brought in in a straight thrust towards Sasuke's chest. Sasuke did not lean back as he brought up his kunai to meet Itachi's. Resultant was the very loud clanking noise that accompanied the clashing of their weapons.

They remained there, in a calm struggle to over power the other - the kunais made the accompanying noises as the two forces slightly moved them in a steady grinding motion against the other. Their emotionless gazes never left the other as the soles of their sandals started to sink into the muddy earth before them.

Itachi's lips parted, his calm, monotone voice seemed to echo throughout the whole forest.

"Hate me, foolish little brother, detest me, show me what it is that you have gained." Then, with excellent speed, he retracted his kunai, returning it to slash at Sasuke, who manuevered his kunai to block, this force caused Sasuke to jump back, and Itachi followed him as they continued to slash time and time again with their kunai. Sasuke continued to jump back with a swift gracefulness, meeting Itachi's kunai with his own time and time again. It was after another moment that the younger Uchiha dissapeared. Itachi followed suit, reapearing as he did, kunai already in a swinging motion.

And when Sasuke met the kunai with his own once again, Itachi did something different. With unimaginable speed, another kunai was already in his other hand, immediately starting its descent towards Sasuke.With amazing reflexes and speed, Sasuke's hand shot out, grasping the kunai before it could go any further. His eyes did not waver, his hand did not wince as the blood started to flow freely from his hand, mingling with the rain.

After brief eye contact, the younger Uchiha kneed his older brother in the gut, sending both of them falling towards the ground. Upon the thudded contact, Sasuke aimed another punch, only for his fist to meet the ground as Itachi disappeared from underneath him.

Sasuke had no time to stand up as Itachi came at him, kunai at hand. It seemed to go in slow motion as Sasuke leaned back, hands shooting out behind him as he prepared to execute a back-flip from his position on the ground in order to dodge the kunai. Time did not allow this to take place.As part of his cheek was in the motion of being cut, Sasuke's hand shot out grabbing Itachi's foot. He immediately brought his other hand on the older Uchiha's foot. Leaving no pause, he spun around once before throwing him towards a tree.

Itachi simply catapulted off the tree, landing on all fours. He went for Sasuke again, with a kunai still at hand. Sasuke ducked, causing Itachi to swipe at thin air. Yet just as quickly, Itachi bent down and aimed a powerful kick at Sasuke, who was only able to block. The blow sent him flying into a tree, back first. Upon contact with the tree, its splintered in half, the momentum driving Sasuke causing him to continue on to the next few trees in the same manner.

There was a silence as Itachi stood tall, waiting for his brother to return. A few moments of time allowed the sight of Sasuke casually walking out of the path of destruction his body had created. He walked slowly, menacingly, his entire countenance cold. He then came to a stop as he was back in the clearing - this seperated them to opposite sides of the clearing once again.

Sasuke said nothing, but as he pulled out out a kunai swiftly, throwing his arm out in front of his face in an unnecesary manner, it signified that he was not happy.For the first time, a cold glare took over Sasuke's gaze. However, his countenance still reflected calmness. Perhaps it was no longer the same way on the inside, if it ever had been.

He was the first to strike that time. Without a word.

Sasuke bolted from his position, moving at a faster speed than he had before. Itachi matched his speed, blocking and aiming a few of his own attacks. The Uchiha brother's started exchanging blows to one another, dissapearing and reapearing in various parts of the clearing. They kept dealing blows to the other, drawing more blood on both sides. Neither one stopped. Neither one held mercy.

Rain continued to fall down upon her greiving countenance, the drops of water blending with the salty tears that traveled down her face as well - the combination of the two steadily dripping down her chin an a nearly constant stream. Her emerald orbs were no longer wide, holding a greatly dazed look as she continued to watch the two brothers fight.

They collided at the center of the clearing again, each struggling to overpower the other's kunai. Their Sharingan eyes met in an icy stare.

"Not enough hate, Sasuke. What have you been doing all these years? Playing ninja?" There was no mocking tone to his voice; he was completley serious.

It was then that both Uchiha's glanced to the pink-haired kunoichi soaking on the ground for the first time.

"Lusting over Sakura-san?"

"I'll kill you!" Sasuke harshly whispered as their kunai's continued to grind together.It was obvious the growing abhorrence, ever escalating. In a burst of speed Sasuke's free hand shot out, grasping the hand of Itachi's that held the kunai. Holding that hand stationary he ended contact with the kunais, bringing his to stab at Itachi's abdomen. With surprising swiftness and with his wrist still in Sasuke's grasp, Itachi moved his lower body to the side, just in time for Sasuke to jab into the rain-covered air. Without stopping movement Itachi used the momentum of his held fist to bring his legs up in a backflip - as his legs came up, the kunai was kicked out of Sasuke's hand, flying into the air above them. When his feet returned to the ground, Itachi's used his freehand in a continuing burst of speed to slam into Sasuke's chest.

This sent the avenger flying into a large boulder that rested behind him; his body greatly indented the large boulder, though it did not crumble. Sasuke slid to the ground, catching himself with one knee on the earth, his other leg bent up to allow his foot hold on the ground, his hands supported him on both sides. He remained there a moment, his chest heaving as he coughed out blood onto the blades of wet grass; the rain immediately washed it away into the soil. He then slowly brought his upper body slighlty up, moving the arm on the same side as his upraised leg, to rest on his knee, preparing to lift himself up. His face remained obscured from view.

Itachi spoke once again, the tone of his voice slightly louder as to reach Sasuke's ears across the clearing, and sound over the noise of the pounding rain.

"This is the shinobi our parents brought into this world?" Sasuke's head snapped up as Itachi said this. "The little boy then had more potential than the man before me now." However cold and emotionless his voice was, the former Akatsuki member let disgust and dissapointment seep into his words. "A disgrace to the Uchiha clan name."

Sasuke bowed his head once again.

"However one thing is the same," Itachi continued. "You still remain a coward..you still remain weak."A small silence ensued after Itachi's cold words, the pounding of the merciless rain served as the only steady source of sound.

As if on que, the lone kunai that had been kicked into the air moments earlier fell to the earth, clanking into the earth.

"You know nothing about me.." Sasuke's words came abrupt, cold, harsh - barely above a whisper but at a tone high enough for Itachi to hear. His voice was menacing, laced with venom.

He slowly pushed himself off the ground, the accumulated water from the rain falling off his body as he did so. Itachi eyed him as he raised into a standing posistion.The younger Uchiha's fists clenched, even as the mud remained; the rain soon washed it away. His face still remained obscured from view.

"You know nothing of my suffering.." He slowly reached into his clothing behind to him to pull out a kunai. "You know nothing of what I've done, what I've endured to get here..all that I have sacrificed." He slowly positioned the kunai in front of his face, holding it out before him in the standard way a shinobi would in battle stance. Upon closer look to his body, the water continuously washing down his body was diluted red, signaling to the open wounds underneath his clothing, deep wounds, constantly bleeding. "You know nothing of who I am.." The kunai he held in front of him started to shake uncontrollably as a small silence ensued, signaling to the abhorrence, the emotion that was reaching its peak.Just as soon, it stopped completley. He released the hold on the kunai, letting it fall out of his grasp. It seemed to go in slow motion as the kunai fell to the ground. It produced a small thud as it did so.

It was then that his head shot up, his Sharingan more prominent than ever.

"You know NOTHING of my hatred for you!" This belowed out of the pit of his stomach with every part of his being, his words echoing through the forest clearing. One que the skies roared with thunder as Sasuke charged Itachi. Mid running stride he dissapeared, no moment passing before he reapeared in front of Itachi, fist poised and ready to strike. He caught his older brother off guard, jabbing his fist into Itachi's face. He left no moment after his feet touched the ground before he kneed Itachi in the gut before shoving his fist upwards into his chin.

He dealt blow after blow, not stopping, letting a blind fury haze him. He left no opportunity for Itachi to protect himself. However, it was undeterminable if Itachi would have even done so if given the chance. He seemed stunned at Sasuke's words. At the same time he seemed accomplished, as if, until now, that's what he had been striving for, trying to bring out. Those words.

Sasuke's hate.

As if that had been his major goal all these years. An end to his own suffering, such a thing that would only suffice at his death, not the killing of his little brother. He was through fighting.

Sasuke landed a powerful kick to Itachi's gut, sending him on a path towards the ground. Splashing in the mud until he came to a halt in his momentum, Itachi slowly stood up, waiting for Sasuke to come to him again. The water washing off his body and onto the ground from the rain was diluted the same red color as Sasuke's.

The process was repeated a few more times as Sasuke continuously punched Itachi to the ground, as the older Uchiha kept picking himself up, staring back at Sasuke with the same calm stare, with the same releived countenance. He let the Sharingan fade from his eyes.

"Fight me, Itachi!" Sasuke aimed another punch, sending Itachi to the ground yet again. The avenger followed his punch through, staying in that same position with his body slightly hunched over; deep, slow, ragged breaths heaved his chest. His sharingan eyes were trained on Itachi as the older Uchiha struggled to get up. For a breif, very subtle moment, something sparkled, twinkled in the corners of his eyes. The anomally was blinked away just as soon as they had threatened to come. That watery substance.Tears.

Sasuke quickly walked towards Itachi, letting his older brother stand up fully before punching him again. Only this time he rode down to the ground with the former Akatsuki member, assuming a position on top of him as he continued to punch him time and time again.

"Fight me damnit!" The words seemed to tear from deep inside of him, rumbling out of his throat in a furious frenzy. He was trying to get a reaction, anything from Itachi. Though he got nothing from his older brother, not even a hint as to the amount of physical pain he was possibly in, emotional pain. The only movement made my him at all whatsoever was to move his head back into position after each punch, and to occasionaly spit accumulating blood out to the side. His calm, yet solemn eyes peirced through Sasuke's core.

"Why?" This was the first subtle note in which the younger Uchiha's voice cracked. His inquiry was genuine, confused, upset. He continued to punch his older brother as if doing so would provide him with the answer. It was clearly obvious that he was becoming more breathless by the second, hopeless by the second. His punches were becoming slower, less powerful. His anger slowly abading, and distraughtness ever growing.

"Why wont you..fight me!" He could hear Sakura's loud sobs echoing inside his mind, the merciless rain was starting to retreat into a slight drizzle, the pattering of it hitting the surface of the earth more soft -almost soundless, allowing for the pink-haired kunouchi's cries to become clearly audible. The watery substance sparkled in his eyes once again.

The sun was starting to peak out of the dissapating clouds, shining down a few rays of light upon the forest clearing; as the blue sky fought for prominence, the small rainbow still hidden partly behind the clouds started to appear.

The sharp blade of the kunai flickered in the rays of the peaking sun as Sasuke quickly brought it above his head.

It was then that hesitation took over his body. He had also looked into Itachi's eyes for the first time since his rampage, and what he saw suprised him, upset him, confused him. Like always the older Uchiha's expression was calm, but there was also a flicker of sadness, releif. Could it have been releif at the thought of his own death?

The younger Uchiha was shaking considerably, his face twisting uncontrollably.

His deep obsidian eyes opened wide when Itachi swiftly brought his hand up towards his little brother's face. It seemed to go in slow motion as he did so; he paused a few inches from his face.

Itachi then flicked Sasuke on the forehead.

Sasuke recoiled, squeezing his eyes shut from the stinging of the skin on his forhead. This lasted momentarily as his eyes opened again, wider than before, wavering as they transitioned down to Itachi, who had long since retreated his hand. The older Uchiha gave him a small smirk before slowly, calmly closing his eyes in preperation for the killing blow.Sasuke's arms were still held up high, kunai grasped tightly as his arms began to shake uncontrollably.

It was then that the first tear traveled down his face, rolling the farthest it could under his chin before falling onto Itachi's face. The contact caused Itachi's eyes to open as he looked at his little brother peculiarly, solemnly. He slightly parted his lips to speak.

"Do it, Sasuke." His command was spoken firmly, his tone emotionless, yet urging. Tempting Sasuke to obey. Another moment passed, and the sound of the shaking kunai accompanied the distressed grunts that Sasuke tried to hold in.

"Damn you!" He squeezed his eyes shut, letting out agitated cry as he brought the kunai down with all the force he could muster.

It missed Itachi's head by a few centimeters.

There was a breif moment of silence as the realization of what just happened sunk into everybody's minds.

"..Foolish little brother.." Was all Itachi replied in a whisper; his eyes were closed now.

"Chikuso!" Sasuke started striking the older Uchiha again, cursing with every punch. He was considerably exhausted by now, and tears started to drop from his face at a rapid pace.

The tears only fell from her emerald eyes in greater amounts as she watched the emotional Sasuke continue to try and pummel Itachi.

He couldn't kill him. After all the years of training, suffering, sacrifice; after all the years of swearing, after everything, he couldn't kill his older brother.His revenge, his personal vendetta..it was no more. The bond that connected the two Uchihas, the love that ran between that, it could never be broken. And it was something neither had realized until this moment.

Sasuke had tried to aim another punch, but instead his fist fell to the ground on the side of Itachi's head. He lowered his own head, squeezing his eyes shut as a helpless grunt escaped through his gritted teeth, resultant of him trying to hold in his sobs. Itachi had slowly opened his eyes to look at his younger brother for a few moments with a calm, yet unreadable expression across his face. With another moment he closed his eyes once again. The lone tear that traveled down the side of his face went unnoticed.

Sakura made her way next to Sasuke, and she stood over him,her yearning, sympathetic eyes contemplating action. Without looking at her or speaking a word, all the while keeping his face hidden from view, Sasuke removed his fist from the side of Itachi's head, retreated his body from his brother's side. He was turned away from Sakura, on his hands and knees; he attempted to rise, but wasn't able to, rather from emotion or physical exhaustion.Realizing this, his figure slightly slumped as he lowered his head to rest in the mud between his hands.

He seemed to sense her walk towards him again.

"Please.." She had pausedas he said this, realizing thathe was asking her to stay away, he was trying to keep his emotions under control.

Staying silent as more tears fell from her face, she continued making her way towards him, placing her hands on his hunched shoulders. She could feel him shaking terribly. "I..I couldn't do it.." His voice was quiet as he spoke this just above a whisper, his tone slightly high with frustration.

"Oh Sasuke.."She immediately sunk down next to him, pulling him into her arms;he automatically wrapped his arms tightly around her waist as he buried his head into her thighs.It was then that the first muffled sob was heard. She brushed her hands through his wet hair in an attempt to comfort him - she couldn't do anything else, just like she couldn't stop herself from crying with him.

"..It's over Sasuke." She couldn't help it as a smile started to curve her lips, even as her face was twisted with greif. Even as the tears continued to fall down her face; however, they seemed to be that of joy.They were both alive. They would be ok. Sasuke's revenge was done. Everything was finally over.

She couldn't help it as she let out a small laugh, hugging Sasuke even tighter as she continued to cry.

..ooo000ooo000ooo..

The room was dark and very musty. The old, stained walls had a brown rusty look to them, seemingly from water. Droplets of water were dripping from the ceiling all throughout the passageways. Single swaying lamps dimly lit up the hallways that lead to a room. The door was metal, and rusted to the max. Muffled voices could be heard inside.

The room itself was even more gloomier than the hallways, yet, a sort of bluish light eliminated throughout the room. The sound of beeping, like that of a heart monitor could be heard. There were round tanks suspended to very high tech looking machines. Inside was a strange jell blueish substance.

He was looking at another figure in front of him. The figure brought a single hand up to push his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, as he smirked at the figure in the chair in the corner of the room.

In the shadows a bright, golden eye was glowing.. The rest of the figures head was wrapped tightly in bandages; a few peices of hair sticking out. Evil just seemed to be eminating everywhere from that one person. Or could it possibly not be a person at all?

A very amused,wicked sounding voice could be heard throughout the whole room.

"No..things have just begun."


Thanks for Reading!

Hope ya enjoyed it! I know I enjoyed writing it. Idea after Idea just popped in my head this chapter, it was soooo exciting!

Ja ne!