A/N: Thank you all so much for the amayzing reviews! Really. I know I always say that at the beginning of each chapter, my thankyous are so overrated, but really, I just want to let you know how much I always love reading them. They make me smile, and feel all happy inside. Just…the fact that a lot of you support me, is just great..can't explain it haha. Oh, and I'd also like to thank you flamers too cause it lets me know that you took the time to read my story, and opinions are your own.

I know my chapters may come out slow, and I have many excuses I can throw out, but I'm not going too, EVEN though there was a really good one for this one(chap on labtop, got lost in system restoration by someone who didn't tell me till after, chea, it was 8 pages finished, I totally freaked out) I just wanna say I won't stop working on this story until it is completely finished, so don't worry if I take a while to update! ;) I'll continue to try my best to prevent that.

Karma. I'm telling you guys now, its real, and it will get you, or free you if you use it right.

Disclaimer: If I owned the MANGA Naruto series…I would know what was going on…I would know if they manga writers were SERIOUSLY thinking of putting Sasuke and that what's her face girl together. …what happened to Sasuke Sakura forever? I'm bout to shank some mo fos (Kidding). LUCKILY I own the anime series so you don't have to worry about seeing any of that BS. -

Warnings:

Behind The Smile

Chapter 38: Reason for the Past

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--

--

His deep obsidian eyes had been fixated on his older for quite some time now; no emotions flickered in their depths, but observation and speculation directed them, bewilderment and wariness hid behind them. Something about Itachi had caught Sasuke's eye, and his serious gaze hadn't transitioned away from the older Uchiha, not once.

Itachi's own gaze was trained on Orochimaru, un-moving, just as his was.

He didn't make any movement, he didn't make any sound. The complete stillness that had become his way was unrivaled, unsurpassable. However, it was not what had stirred the younger Uchiha's attention. It was not what gave Sasuke's orbs the reflection of slight surprise, question. Passions that minutely twinkled past his emotionless façade- his stern, serious facial expression.

His older brother, Uchiha Itachi, always calm, always unemotional, highly tolerant, indifferent, was not.

Even through his emotionless demeanor, a deep writhing emotion flickered in the depths of his blood red Sharingan.

Fury.

It was the same fury that had transitioned Sasuke's gaze, its pulses of abhorrence emanating from his brother in very minuscule, hardly discernable waves. Through that same calm demeanor it would be almost impossible to make notice of the seething anger that seemed ever escalating inside the Uchiha. Ever unheard of.

There had never been a time, not one account, in all the years he had been both away and apart from his older brother that he had ever seen or heard of the older Uchiha angry or upset in any way. Some recent event had sparked this occurrence, some recent event must have finally started the chain of emotions that had been building up inside him; whether it had been sole in its effect, or merely the cessation of a long expanse of brooding. What could have made Itachi react in such a way? What had happened, what had slowly built up in the Uchiha to leave him uncaring as to control such an emotion, uncaring as to show such an emotion? Or did he even know he was letting the anger show amidst his gaze?

Flashback

"Itachi," Kisame's annoyed voice was barely discernable from the rumbling of the large waterfall spilling its contents into the rapid water mass below.

His own eyes were closed as he sat upon the large boulder, his shark-like partner occupying the boulder next to him.

"You need to stop playing around." It was then that the silent Uchiha let his calm eyes travel to his comrade, silent as he listened. "One day the carelessness you bring about in a battle will bring about an irreversible mistake. Trouble that could have been avoided."

End Flashback

"Everybody move, move!"

The riveting sound of the explosion and crashing buildings sounded the area, echoing to the point of deafness. The occurrence of many shinobi greatly lengthening their distance was evident, sign to the threat beyond; Clouds of dust and smoke, including that of appearance spread outwards, almost sizzling in its noises.

The ex-avenger kept his eyes on his brother, seemingly unbothered by the current threat that had just appeared, and more concerned with usually unemotional former Akatsuki member. He readjusted the unconscious pink-haired woman against him, holding her even tighter, protectively.

The clouds of dust and smoke were moving towards them steadfastly, yet the two did not move, even as the strong winds created by the exploding appearance greatly ruffled their clothes and locks of raven-colored hair. Sasuke's deep obsidian eyes were focused on his older brother as he continued to look ahead, his Sharingan eyes focused on Orochimaru, even as the snake sannin seemed to disappear into the smoke that had flared out. He needed no sight to know where the "man" was.

Naruto stopped in his tracks as he glanced back to the two Uchihas standing stationary. Even with the deafening sounds of crumbling buildings and earthquakes he attempted a calling, his own ears hardly picking up on the sound from himself hollering his former teammate's name; the background sound almost drowned his own out. His surprised cerulean eyes sparkled with anxiety as he called his former teammate's name.

Sasuke made no indignation as to hearing his call.

Though as if on queuing to Naruto's call, and only when the clouds began to enshroud the two did he slowly transition his gaze away from Itachi, to rest on the sightless area before him, as the older Uchiha did.

And the two brothers disappeared into the depths of the smoke and debris.

Letting out a silent curse, Naruto fully turned, moving his own two legs in a run towards the area where the two had disappeared.

"Naruto-kun!" He too, made no indignation as to hearing Hinata's worried call; he continued his travel towards the smoke and debris that was racing to him as well.

--

Their gazes were focused ahead, even as the dust, smoke, and debris allowed no sight from locations, allowed no sense of direction. Their attire and raven-colored hair continued to ruffle and sway from the strong winds being produced, even more so as they started their casual walk against it.

Moments had transpired without a single word between the two. It was in the last moment that Sasuke glanced the side at his brother before retreating his gaze to watch ahead.

"Orochimaru is known for his cowardice, it manages to keep him alive." His out-of-the-blue statement was what finally transitioned Itachi's gaze to his younger brother. Sasuke's tone, as always was void of emotion, yet there was a slight uncomfortable ness, as if he had contemplated his words, also had slight difficulty in speaking them. Even through his stoic demeanor it was discernable that he didn't seem pleased with the wording of his statement. And where one would sigh, he did not. But where one would try again, he did.

The two Uchiha's came to a halt, their gazes transitioning to look slightly upwards at something that was unperceivable through the mass. Sasuke's gaze had briefly traveled to Itachi, noticing that nothing about his demeanor had changed, that same abhorrence practically rolled of his calm features.

Almost uncomfortably Sasuke's gaze quickly transitioned towards the ground, to his older brother, and back upwards towards their previous sight. He put his hands in his pockets once again.

"It wasn't because of anything you failed to do." His words were solid, impassive, yet all the more abrupt, uncomfortably said. He didn't bring his gaze to look at Itachi, only kept it forward, his demeanor serious, unchanging due to the words he had spoken. Unchanging to the wave of brotherly emotion that had caused him to speak those words of reassurance.

Itachi slightly tilted his head down as he closed his eyes, letting out a barely audible yet amused release of breath. During that time a barely discernable grin directed his lips. However, he still said nothing.

He had stopped in simultaneous stride to the partly dissipating clouds of smoke and dust, revealing his Sharingan as he opened his eyes once again; Sasuke stopped with him in perfect rhythm, doing nothing to remove his hands from the confines of his pockets. Both their gazes had transitioned to an upwards angle of sight.

Just as soon another very large tremor trembled the earth, as a large burst of fire- its thinness resembling a whip lashed out towards them. Itachi calmly leaned his body to the left as Sasuke casually bent forward, hands still positioned in his pockets as they effortlessly avoided it, neither feet leaving the ground; the fire quickly thinned about before seeming to retreat. This transaction lasted not two seconds as the Uchihas were already back to their previous positions, standing tall, gazes focused at that same upwards angle.

"Sasuke."

"I know."

The piercing sound that accompanied the activation of Sasuke's Sharingan echoed throughout the streets of Konoha. The image of burning flames reflected in their depths, signaling to the anomaly in which his and Itachi's gazes were focused.

--

"Nekomata" Jiraiya's calm, informative voice was clearly heard, even through all the panicked noises coming from the shinobi still retreating even further back- the subsequent earthquakes to the collapsing buildings still continuously shook the ground before them, disgruntling them.

Kakashi took a step to stand by Jiraiya's side, his gaze focused to the same place as he. The wind had picked up as he did so, clearing the clouds of smoke and dust even more so. A flickering light reminiscent of flames reflected off their skin and clothing; the retreating clouds bringing sight to the source of the enormous foundation of fire.

Kakashi continued looking onwards, the reflection in his eyes showing the roaring flames; only after a few moments did his gaze transition slightly downwards, reflecting the image of Sasuke running towards the flames.

--

The large cloak adorning Itachi's body swayed greatly in the wind, his hair also ruffling and flowing in various directions; His Sharingan orbs slightly squinted as specs and embers of fire flew past him, the large winds threatening to push him back. The reflection of large, beaming red eyes flickered in the depths of his eyes simultaneous to the large cat-like roar that seemed to bellow from the center of the flames.

It was then that the older Uchiha started his sprint, following in the footsteps that his younger brother had taken moments earlier.

--

Sasuke continued to climb in elevation as he made his was towards the large beast- quick leaps delivering him to the tops of any rooftops that created a lesser height difference between him and the enemy he held in his sights. Sakura's light weight did nothing to hinder his speed; he continued to dodge bursts of fire that would come his way, effortless flips and turns directing his movements.

The large flickering flames reflected off every inch of him, the translucent blends of red and orange lighting up his skin.

Only when he reached the highest vantage point of the village did he briefly stop; it was the only building not completely engulfed by flames, though slowly becoming one as the fire started to spiral up its sides.

--

Itachi came to an abrupt halt, his hands already in the movement of performing hand seals.

"Suiton: Suigadan No Jutsu."

For the first few moments it had seemed that nothing had happened. Only when a slight rumbling shook the earth a large distance away, did the technique seem clear. The already broken up street in front of the older Uchiha created a large whole as high pressured water shot up from underneath- its speed and intensity reminiscent of a geyser as its deafening currents continued to echo. The large, seemingly never-ending sprouting of water curved from it's upwards explosion, bending to shoot rapidly towards the flames and its foundation: The Nekomata.

As it traveled towards the biju, its contents spilled into a sort of waterfall, its water rushing through the long street, filling the cracks and side passageways as well; this did nothing to hinder the amount as it tumbled towards the cat demon. The flames the large waves touched sizzled loudly, letting great amounts of steam travel into the air.

The large waves of water crashed around the buildings that Sasuke's position hovered over, filling the opening like a lake as the water thrashed about as it grew adjusted to the small area of space it was being pushed into. Each ripple caused a large portion of the water to splash up like a large wave to a height even higher than the building Sasuke stood upon.

"Hyoton: Haryu Moko No Jutsu."

Sasuke's stoic voice seemed to echo as he finished the hand seals; immediately the sky slightly darkened, aphotic clouds making themselves manifest above the opaque sky. Little particles of snowflakes fell from them, the air all around biting with a harsh coldness. Another thrash of water against the building he was on catapulted a large wave of water to tower above it; If it were to come crashing down, it would take the building with it. Slight cracking could be heard as the large wave slowly started to halt in its progress, liquid conforming to ice. This transformation continued along down the wave, shooting out as it reached its foundation, the large body of water below it freezing completely over in seconds.

Though, just as soon the large body of water had started to reverse in its frozen transformation, searing flames once again starting to crowd the area; the humidity and scorching moisture in the air manifesting itself once again. Sasuke wasted no time in his jump towards the temporarily frozen wave, a bluish light of chakra emitting from the soles of his sandals as he ran up its lengths. His Sharingan gaze was focused on ahead of him as he ascended the momentarily frozen wave, the flames continuing to reflect off his body, the clashing colors of red and orange and yellow lighting up his features under the darkened sky.

When he reached the pinnacle of the frozen wave, there was a brief pause as he lazily glanced at a burst of fire continuing on its course towards him. His calm gaze remained focused on the burst of fire, its lengths reaching his position at such a close range that the frozen solid underneath him had already began to liquefy. He only catapulted to the side as the water burst out from its shell, the liquid exploding to even higher lengths. That same bluish chakra remained on the soles of his feet as he jumped up with the crashing water, using it as leverage to jump to an even higher height. He automatically flipped to the side in a short of cartwheel - both of his arms occupied to the holding of the pink-haired kunoichi in his arms, guaranteeing her safety.

This movement seemed to go in slow motion as his calm, yet cold Sharingan gaze transitioned to the source of his excursion.

The Nekomata's cat-like body towered numerous times the height of any Konoha building, flames serving as the fur to its back, sprouting in every which direction, setting aflame any area near it. The large cat was hunched down on its four legs in a crouching position, its long tail whipping side to side as a low rumble of a growl vibrated its throat. Sasuke's ascension had allowed him momentary eye-level with the beast, his mid-flip leaving him in an upside down position.

Time seemed to stop completely as he reinforced his Sharingan, gaze never leaving the searing red, slitted eyes of the biju.

--

All eyes had been on the large biju that had appeared- the shinobi of the Leaf, Sand, and Sound. Though those long moments filled without action lead to a bold Sound who had thrown at kunai towards a Leaf. This had started the flurried battle in the streets adjacent to the flaming fires produced by the large biju. Though, they had slightly halted in their fighting, curious, surprised gazes peculiarly looking at the particles of sand that had immediately but slowly began to rise from the ground underneath them. For moments they floated around, un-acting. It was only when bursts of gravel-like sand shot from underneath them did they let out surprised grunts. The bursts of sand throughout the streets acted as sort of pillars, lifting up what seemed to be only the shinobi of the hidden village of the Leaf. Surprised, the emotion ending them up on their bottoms and hands and knees, the now levitating Konoha shinobi looked to the sand underneath them, and to the Sound shinobi below them.

A few moments of silence mingled with ushered noises of wonder and flabbergasted huffs passed, escalating with alarmed yells as what looked to be numerous puppets came sweeping into the partially filled streets. A few of them were halted by thrown kunai from the Sound, though most had filled themselves in their ranks, clutching on to the nearest being. As if on que, even more sand burst from the cracked earth below; immediately after a very strong wind, seemingly created, whirled around the sand, causing it to come crashing back down over the Sound shinobi left on the ground, blanketing the streets to even out with the tops of some of the lower buildings of eight feet.

A few seconds has passed before various portions and parts of the sand were momentarily uplifted as muffled explosions dented its interior. A few more sounded underneath the sand before all went still; the moments following were deafened with complete silence.

The Leaf shinobi still residing at the peaks of the still floating pillars of sand let out even more noises and huffs of surprise as they gazed down at the barren area. The sand supporting them had slowly started to disintegrate, leaving the shinobi on top to fall a few short feet to the blanket of sand below them.

Gaara lowered his hand down to rest at his side, his calm eyes not glancing to his brother and sister right next to him; all gazes were focused on even more of the Sound shinobi that had appeared, running atop the large blanket of sand towards the Leaf shinobi, and them. In retaliation, the shinobi of the sand started running from behind them to meet on the opposing force.

And so, even as a large biju towered over the large village, they continued to fight a distance away, not intending to stop until the other came down.

Not intending to stop unless given a reason to.

--

Inner Depths

With each of his casual footfalls, the barren, cracked and extremely arid earth beneath him would moan, result of the various cracks continuing to enlarge with each passing moment; there was no adjacent sound to this but the slight current of wind that lightly whistled in a continuous rhythm, its breezes slightly stirring his spiky raven-colored locks of hair. His hands were in his pockets as he calmly walked amidst the barren, nearly opaque space.

And he had stopped, almost casually, but too abrupt to be without question, too sudden to be without suspicion. The reason made itself manifest as his hand shot out before him, a clearly audible noise echoing as his hand clenched onto a the Nekomata's face, its nose denting in and twisting around his single-handed grasp. Only the head had appeared, its size almost tripling Sasuke's height, its fire-enflamed countenance flaring about the Uchiha, threatening to burn him, even as its enlarged eyes represented its surprise and dismay at Sasuke's awareness. The wind had severely picked up, leaving every stitch of his clothing and locks of hair to follow in the directing of the currents; the image of the Nekomata was almost ghost-like, its image appearing as a sort of mist, greatly declining and starting to flare out in all directions, greatly distorting the intact image it had appeared as.

The whole time this transpired, his cold Sharingan eyes never left the Nekomata's.

And the piercing sound of the Sharingan echoed throughout the space as the Uchiha reinforced his Sharingan.

--

Sasuke's landing provided no noise as the soles of his sandals gracefully asserted themselves among the earth. Casually he repositioned Sakura so that he held her bridal style, her head falling against his chest. He glanced at her for a moment before letting his eyes fall back to the beast that had once before occupied it.

No sound was made, except the large tremor caused by the Nekomata as it fell to the earth below it, its body leveling any of the buildings that had still been standing.

--

Naruto had stopped in his sprint when he had arrived a few feet away from Itachi's side, his wide cerulean eyes looking to the fallen biju, watching in surprise as the flames once adorning its back slowly retreated into the sky, disappearing like mist.

"What. The hell?"

Flashback

His deep cerulean orbs watched as Sasuke executed the side-flip, his height causing seconds to pass before his fall landed him on the ground.

The Biju fell to the ground the moment his sandals touched the ground.

End Flashback

--

Itachi's countenance was calm as always, he did not seem at all surprised by what had just happened, instead his flickering eyes were focused on Sasuke, though, they seemed honed in on a specific part of his younger brother; his Sharingan must have allowed him greater sight.

For some reason his gaze was focused on Sasuke's hand, slightly hidden beneath Sakura's cuddled arm.

--

Sasuke stood, deathly still, his eyes obscured by the bangs hanging in his face as his head had slightly tilted down.

The background noise of even more explosions and battle cries slightly sounded in the distance, result of the distant fighting between the various shinobis of the three villages involved in this dispute.

--

Instead of bringing two fingers to slightly push his fallen glasses back up the bridge of nose, Kabuto brought up both his hands, repositioning them as his wide eyes sought to answer as to what just happened.

In complete opposite to his apprentice, Orochimaru's eyes were wide with a twisted kind of excitement, his mouth slightly agape in a sick grin; the piece of skin that had slightly peeled off the side of the humanly flesh he was in fell off without reaction, revealing the pale skin of his original; he seemed unaffected by this, his excitement much more empowering.

"This power!" His voice was laced with excitement, perverted as his mouth twisted into a opened-grin. It opened wider as he let out laugh reminiscent of a crazed individual.

--

"Jiraiya?" Kakashi's voice was very grave, surprised, perplexed, almost in a sort of horror. Though it seemed to come from knowledge, remembrance. No change made itself manifest in his eyes, though the serious expression the tensed muscles in his face were causing were clear enough to the thought of something being wrong. As his gaze transitioned to Jiraiya, the sannin reflected these same facial expressions, demeanor.

"The similarities are uncanny" The older shinobi's drawling yet grave-sounding words slightly rumbled out of his throat.

--

All of the shinobi looked up in slight fear at the large biju by the name of Shukaku. Its one large tale was very slowly waving from side to side, its large mass most likely cause to the idleness. From a large overview of the countless shinobi lined up, it was perceivable that various inscriptions and symbols were engraved onto the headband protectors that each shinobi wore. They all represented different entities.

The Land of Fire

The Land of Water

The Land of Sound

The Land of Earth

The Land of Rain

The Land of Grass

The Land of the Waterfall

The Land of Lightning

The Land of Wind

They were all brought together as one, and they were fighting, signifying the threat to which had caused this anomaly was great.

In front of these countless crowds of Shinobi stood nine separate figures, each adorned in the separate symbol of their province, all eyes grave, worried, yet determined, much more knowledgeable that their counterparts behind them. In each other their grasps rest one child, all sound asleep.

The figure adorned in the forehead protector engraved with the insignia of the Sand stepped forward, placing the sleeping baby and the weaved basket it lay in on the broken earth before them. He stepped back, almost hesitantly.

In front of these nine figures stood one lone shinobi, his hands swiftly moving about in a long series of handseals. His long spikes of blonde hair slightly hung around his face, his deep cerulean eyes trained on the very large beast towering above them. The insignia of the leaf engraved in the forehead protector he wore slightly glistened in the glare of the setting sun.

The large, piercing shriek of the Shukaku sounded simultaneously with nearly drowned out cries of a single baby.

--

Gaara briefly transitioned his gaze from the clashing shinobi to look at the event that had unfolded between Sasuke and the biju. He didn't seem surprised, though his emotionless orbs slightly squinted in speculation as he noticed the lifeless body of the Nekomata. He depicted no dismissal through body movement, only let his eyes travel back to his Sound shinobi, he brought up his hand in a seal.

--

"Only he's killing them."

"How is it possible?"

"I don't know." Jiraiya's almost aggravated, yet worried voice uttered his reply. Both his and Kakashi's gazes focused on Sasuke, they both seemed to be looking for something, something having to do with Sasuke.

--

The flickering sound of burning flames echoed throughout the village, creating clashes of bright colors to the once opaque village, bereft of much light due to the night that had fallen upon them. Deep red, glaring, cat-like eyes calmly looked on from the Kyuubi's towering position over the village; its nine tails were traveling harmoniously from side to side, though the speed would present it as abrupt snapping as they shot back and forth elegantly.

In all the panicking and distressed calls of the Konoha shinobi below rallying defense and greatly retreating due to many injuries and casualties, one lone shinobi stood atop a very large toad, fully facing the demon.

From the distance it was perceivable that his hand was brought up in a seal.

--

"When that technique was used his chakra supply had been completely depleted…Do you remember, Kakashi?"

The former sensei's eyes slightly glossed over, memories reflecting in their depths.

"Yet he continued to use that technique over and over again…" The silver-haired jounin started. "And because of his lack of chakra it slowly started to take his life…and he knew it"

--

Sasuke slowly, menacingly lifted his head up to reveal his burning Sharingan gaze.

The up and down heavings of his chest signified that he might have been under a much significant amount of strain, recovering from a much strenuous action. Though his breaths were hardly discernable as he breathed in and out calmly, his releases of breath slightly inaudible to those far away.

There was slight perspiration dotting his forehead in very minuscule specs. They glistened as the last ember from the post flames had sparked before ceasing to exist.

--

"We have to stop it before it gets to the village!"

"Hold it till the fourth gets here!"

All there panicked hollers and commands to one another were almost deafened out by the grunt of pain coming from the shinobi who had fallen back, seemingly from various attacks.

The large demon fox continued to rampage against them, only stopping when it halted to let its eyes transition the very bright light being emitted from a distance, its bluish colors rivaling white as its glow grew bigger and bigger.

--

"Despite his power, his body couldn't take it…all the stress it was going under, the complete chakra depletion." Jiraiya's solemn, yet strong, informative voice needlessly reiterated the past. "He used that technique to seal every single one of the demon beasts that had plagued the country. The Kyuubi was the last, and the most difficult."

As if one que, Kakashi's and Jiraiya's gazes transitioned to the blonde-haired shinobi standing a distance away. Just glancing at him screamed the great resemblance to the deceased Hokage

--

Naruto's deep cerulean eyes were no longer wide, yet speculative as he watched Sasuke, his fists clenched. There was a small ine of perspiration dotting his forehead, it became evident as a small drop traveled down the side of his forehead. It could possibly be from the large amount of heat that had been created by the now deceased demon cat, or from the frustration and foreboding that seemed to down to his thoughts. The suprise, that anticipation.

Though he stood tall, strong, he seemed ready for anything that would happen; he was ready to fight, the time was now. He clenched his fists, finally releasing his eyes from Sasuke to look at Orochimaru and his suboordinate.

--

"Minato Namikaze…"Kakashi slightly drawled off in thought as the memory of the Yellow Flash brought more memories.

"Minato..he had talent once seen in a decade at best. He was a genius, and no one like him had been born before. " Jiraiya started. "He was a nice kid, but his desire to be above everyone else was the fiercest i had ever seen. And in the blink of an eye, he was the Fourth Hokage."

"Naruto really is like his father in a lot of ways." Kakashi pondered.Even as they both talked on a light subject, their voices were no where near light, instead almost melancholy, wary, laced with the seriousness of the situation they were in. But right now they were merely standbyers, watching the events unfold before them knowing they would do nothing. Not yet. "It really was great having him as a sensei, and then being his son's sensei..their resemblence is undeniable...Though i think he's more like his mother.."

"Uzumaki Kashina" Jiraiya interupted. He let out a small grunt of amusement. "She grew to be so beautiful, but she was just like all the guys. Constant Jabbering, insanely noisy, hollaring voice." He let out a small grin. "That's why Naruto's her son."

"That's why I see him in Naruto. Everything else. His strength, his courage. His insane determination." Kakashi paused after his words as he seemed to contemplate something further, deeper, something that never seemed to have left his mind, but found its time to pop into inquiry."Is he ever going to be told?"

There was a slight pause between the two.

"He would be furious at the fact that we kept it from him for so long..that we had kept the maiden name of his mother to insure that."

"Though, don't you think that if at any time, now would be best? There should never have been a reason to keep it from him in the fist place." Kakashi replied.

--

Naruto slowly brought his lone hand up into a seal, his burning cerulean orbs never leaving Orochimaru.

It seems inevitable..that he will find out )(Kakashi)

--

"Well then tell me.."Jiraiya started once again. "What reaction would you take at having found that your father sealed such a beast inside you, condemned you to a life of solitude and attacking hatred? Finding that he died doing so..that he became a part of the-"Jiraiya paused in his words, sighing in a way of dismissal.

Kakashi let out a sigh before their gazes simultaneously traveled back to Sasuke.Now both their thoughts were focused on Sasuke, focused on what the past memories meant for him. What it meant for the whole future of this village, the whole Fire country.

"He's going to lose his life if this continues.." Jiraiya started. "Die for a village that shunned him. For a village that he couldn't stand to be a part of." Kakashi let his eyes focus on the unconscious Kunoichi in the Uchiha's arms. "For the people he grew to care about."

A sort of confirmation flickered in the depths of their gazes as something caught their eyes, something located on Sasuke's hand.

--

Itachi's eyes seemed to flicker with even more anger as his head slightly tiled up, gaze continuing to focus on Sasuke's hand, something had caught his eye, and he could perceive it clearly. They only lingered a moment longer before snapping to Orochimaru.

The intricate markings detailing the younger Uchiha's hand were uncannily similar to the designs of the curse seal, the substance that hadn't covered his body for years, yet still remained, hidden in the depths of that single curse seal, located at the base of his neck.

Though its miniscule amount covered his entire right hand, its fabrications were unique yet unpleasant to look at. As well was the very tight, abrupt clenching of that fist before it hid itself completely behind Sakura.

Something was wrong.


Thanks for Reading!

Sorry, I contemplated making it longer because of the delay, but I really just wanted to get it out, so here it is!