Someone Screaming
Ayane Selznick
Power.
Shinobis were born to fight and defend the ones they love. They fight with power and honor as they represent their country, their clan. With strength and courage, they were able to survive and win against the battle amidst the trials of death.
Power is what they possess to show what they're made of.
Hate.
Most shinobis have hate in their hearts, may it be from the death of their loved ones or from people who betrayed them. Nevertheless, hatred was never an option to live.
…Nor an option to fight…
For hatred is the reason of one's downfall.
Revenge.
Though being denied, shinobis sealed their hearts once their loved ones died in whatever ways could be and revenge is their option to find justice.
They just thought that revenge will grant peace to those who died in the battle…or from murder…
Truth.
Shinobis do not head on without knowing what is true behind the lie. They should think beyond the normal. They were taught to be smart and intelligent in whatever situations may come at hand.
All these things might have been present to any one who lives in the shinobi world, however, the ones who think that hate and power can be one are the ones who do not understand the world of living. They are the ones who closed their doors just to attain the path they wanted from the beginning.
As the young Uchiha survivor let the demon inside him escape, his brother had finished eliminating the woman whom he thought was his little brother's woman. Listening to her lifeless body dropped to the ground, he noticed the undeniable evil Chakra that belonged to his brother.
There's no doubt Orochimaru's Cursed Seal could be this destructive and evil. Hatred, Sasuke… I proved to you that hatred is essential for you to kill me.
Casually turning to his brother's form, he couldn't believe that the one who also had the same blood that's been flowing in his veins would be a monster. Indeed, his brother had turned into a monster…
…For the sake of avenging his woman…
Itachi continued watching as Sasuke's tail destroyed what was behind him. There was an angry roar that echoed vehemently throughout the forest before Sasuke smashed his newly transformed arms towards Itachi.
From the impact that Sasuke created, smoke filled up his vision thus made an advantage for Itachi who happened to escape from his previous location. He was holding the side of his stomach as pain and blood seeping out of it.
He's out of control now. I assume that the Cursed Seal already corrupted his mind and the only objective that runs in his head is to kill me. Foolish little brother… this may be a challenge, but at the same time, you are a big disappointment for disobeying me.
The elder Uchiha gasped when he barely dodged another attack from below. He jumped backwards as he continuously evading all Sasuke's enhanced attacks. But what intrigued him greatly was the improved speed and reloaded Chakra. It's as if everything was just starting. It's like Sasuke was never tired in the first place.
"ITACHI!" Sasuke roared when he saw Itachi jumping from one branch to another. "I WILL KILL YOU! I WILL KILL YOU!"
He roared once again and chased his brother who had torn his huge black cloak seeing it as a hindrance for it was ruined by the claw of his brother. Quickly, Itachi executed a set of long hand seals while running.
Water Element: Water Dragon Blast Technique!
Up on the sky was a form of water dragon cast down on Uchiha Sasuke who wasn't even flinching while he focused his eyes to his brother. Keeping up the pace, the water dragon attacked Sasuke from above and exploded as it made contact to his body.
Itachi glanced behind when he heard the explosion. He didn't stop attacking his brother when his hands made another flurry of hand seals.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!
Upon summoning dozens of Itachis around the forest, all of them threw shurikens towards Sasuke's location. Itachi knew for a certain that Sasuke wasn't harmed from his previous attack so to make sure he'll be able to do some damage, he'll use what he think is useful.
As the shuriken flew towards the target, all Itachis pulled something in the air which directed all the shuriken. Seeing as all of it coiled around Sasuke's salamander form, the shadow clones tightened invisible Chakra strings to hold Sasuke before he thrashes.
The real Itachi jumped back twice while preparing for another powerful technique.
Triple windmill won't work that much so having this amount of clones around you…
Fire Element: Grand Fireball Technique!
Scorching fire met all the Chakra strings his clones held for quite time. The large ball of fire zoomed quickly towards the target passing all the trees and branches while burning them like blazing inferno.
When the tremendous ball of fire connected to the target, the monster roared louder indicating he was hit.
But his eyes grew wider when Sasuke emerged from the exploding elements and sprinted towards the clones that protect him. The real Itachi narrowed his eyes after recovering from the shock.
It may slow him down but the thing is he keeps on attacking recklessly.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAR!"
Itachi jumped backwards while Sasuke pursued him. All his clones exploded the moment Sasuke went passed them. The explosion somehow harmed him due to the amount of heavy damaged he received from Itachi's earlier attacks.
To escape Sasuke's wrath for a moment, Itachi found a large trunk surrounded by the bushes below. Before he went down however, Sasuke had thrown him an arsenal of fire shurikens to which he easily evaded. He disappeared quickly and hid himself under the small shelter.
Sasuke roared wildly.
In Itachi's state, he regretted the time he used the Mangekyou Sharingan to Sakura. If he hadn't use it this chasing thing would've been easier for him. The previous advanced bloodline technique had put himself in great danger because of the used large amount of Chakra. Contradicting from what he was thinking he was able to prevent the woman's continuous infiltration.
He made this battle as one on one together with his brother.
To regain his Chakra even just for a short period of time, he deactivated his level 3 Sharingan. He increased his senses as to where Sasuke will start his attack. While resting, he heard Sasuke's continuous angry roars as he searched for his opponent.
As far as I remember, Kakashi-san had put a seal on it. Though I assume it was removed when Sasuke entered Orochimaru's lair.
Itachi narrowed his black eyes above him when Sasuke jumped on to the branch and destroyed the branch beside him. But still he continued to think of a plan.
His speed level is below mine but he's still catching up my pace. He couldn't be tricked by Genjutsu. I can't use Mangekyou yet… it eats up most of my Chakra. Hn… continuous attacking with speed is such an advantage for me but if he keeps on deflecting everything it would look like I'm wasting my Chakra.
When he looked above, Sasuke had sprinted towards the inner part of the forest.
The lone Akatsuki vanished from his hidden position and trailed at Sasuke. Noticing the presence behind, Sasuke immediately rotated. Using the momentum of rotation, he quickly dashed forward to claw the target again.
Itachi merely evaded his claws when he jumped sideways. Sasuke's speed somehow caught him and stabbed him on to his right limb.
Fool.
The one that Sasuke just hit was another Shadow Clone, and from Sasuke's left side was another set of clones, dashing towards him. The exploding shadow clone exploded in Sasuke's face.
The monster roared in frustration.
If my attacks can't stop you… this will do.
All his clones ducked from Sasuke's wild attacks. Quickly recovered, they chased after the younger Uchiha and held his form.
Binding Technique!
Sasuke stopped his tracks upon Itachi's techniques. Yet again, he was able to make an inhumane growl to which echoed everywhere.
By the looks of it, Itachi caught some wild beast in the forest.
Not far from the bounded Uchiha, Itachi took time to concentrate his reserved Chakra to perform a highly forbidden technique.
I will have to seal it again to prevent eroding your sanity, foolish little brother.
Then he brought his hands together as he executes a long flurry of hand seals.
I told you once that we're unique siblings… that I'll be the wall you should overcome… whether it's from hate or not…
Itachi closed his eyes as he concentrates even more.
You wished to surpassed me, right? Why sell your soul to him who didn't have the chance to attack me when we fought?
Then after four last seals… Itachi's eyes opened with spinning 3 wheels within the red orbs.
Purify Cursed Seal Technique!
Extending his right palm with blue flames that surrounding it, Sasuke screamed from too much pain.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!"
Itachi held his position while the black markings receded entirely from Sasuke's body. Gradually, the natural color of his skin returned normally. Soon his blue hair turned black and short again. Still Sasuke was experiencing too much pain. He couldn't handle the exact method of eliminating Cursed Seal. If he only fainted when Kakashi used the Evil Sealing Method, what more is to come when Itachi used the purification?
Meanwhile, Itachi could feel that he's about to give up. His Chakra was unable to contain the full power of the Cursed Seal thus didn't fully purified the Cursed Seal in Sasuke's body. Itachi narrowed his eyes.
He's fighting to stay awake as well as keeping the power to himself. If he didn't stop this… all that remains is…
"GAAAAAAAAHH!" The roar that Sasuke screamed was his own voice. He was struggling to get free from Itachi's agonizing way of depleting the entirety of the Cursed Seal's power.
Damn it… Itachi cursed inwardly when he withdrew his hands off his brother.
At that moment, his shadow clones disappeared all at once. The elder Uchiha watched his younger brother thrashing and clawing the Cursed Seal on his neck.
He must be experiencing the same effect when Orochimaru first laid his Cursed Seal on him. Itachi narrowed his eyes and deactivated his Sharingan once again. It really ate up my Chakra…
"GAH!" Sasuke spewed some blood when the weakened Cursed Seal affected his system. He realized that he was back to his consciousness again. Shit… I didn't know that there's a counter seal for the Cursed Seal… if he did removed it completely… damn it!
Itachi stood meters away from his brother, watching how the young Uchiha put so much effort just so he could stand properly. However, in his own state, he could hear himself breathing hoarsely.
Noticing at one point… both of which had used most of their Chakras…
Equal fight would be a better term.
Sasuke coughed once again, noticing the amount of blood that he had been coughing out for after the short ritual.
Damn it… With ragged breathing, his eyes slowly turned to where Sakura was lying.
Her eyes were like his eyes when Itachi used Mangekyou Sharingan when he was small. It's like her eyes were imprisoned to something he couldn't reach. Held captive not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. But her lifeless soft jaded eyes look like it was looking back at him.
Then he felt his eyes burning with tears.
Sakura… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… He was surprised when a lone crystalline tear dropped from her left eye down to where she was lying. Sasuke forced his eyes to shut, not knowing what to feel about…her… I'm so sorry… for not having enough strength to protect you…
Suddenly, he found himself reminiscing the time when Gaara had his outburst and is out to kill him and Naruto.
"I already lost everything before…" He said while looking intently at the enemy across him, "I don't want to see those dear to me, die before my eyes. Never…"
Then he found himself looking at the young Sakura, the 12-year-old one, pinned against the trunk of a tree with Gaara's sand constricting her.
…Yet… I wasn't able to protect you…
A very fast flashback of Naruto and Gaara fighting with all their strength after they summoned their summoning animals.
He fought for you… you know that… and I was there, sitting like an idiot…watching him fight for you…
This time, Sasuke forced his eyes to open only to have tears sadly cascading down his dirtied face.
I will… avenge you… and my clan…
Itachi watched intently with deactivated Sharingan, when Sasuke fought to regain his balance. It was as if he found another reason to rise up and face him. Indeed, he is.
Slowly, he lifted his head to look at his brother.
His eyes burning with rage, showing the fire in his heart as his level 3 Sharingan glared towards his bastard of a brother.
"You killed everyone once… and I won't let you repeat the same mistake again." He threatened as he re-positioned himself. Bending slightly, he formed certain hand seals to execute the very last technique he'll be able to use while he still has Chakra. "I won't let you hurt my loved ones…ever…again…"
Itachi's eyes slowly widened when he suddenly heard wild birds chirping amidst of the rain.
BACHICHICHICHICHICHICHICHI!
"For murdering everyone to test your capacity… for hurting Sakura… and for making me live a miserable life…" The birds chirped louder in Sasuke's left hand when he said… "I WILL KILL YOU!" At the same time, Sasuke sped up with his Chidori hand being dragged to his side.
Everything seemed to play in slow motion…
Alarmed from Sasuke's sudden attack, Itachi has no choice but to defend himself by fanning his kunais towards Sasuke's direction. In his utmost shock, all kunais were easily deflected with the same weapon as if shielding Sasuke while he was on his straight path, ready to strike his brother.
When he re-activated his Sharingan, his eyes widened further.
The woman whom they both thought was dead… was actually up. Yet even then, she was struggling to keep her balance.
Resuming his focus towards his opponent, the wild chirping sound was close… too close, actually.
"RAAAAAAHHHHH!"
All was silent…
(Begin Flashback)
"Niisan, could you teach me some shuriken techniques?"
"Iie. I'm busy."
Little Sasuke pouted. "You liar!"
Young Itachi was amused at his little brother's antics, called him by his hand. When Sasuke was in range, he poked his forehead. "Forgive me, Sasuke. Next time…"
Sasuke pouted again, "There should be next time you liar."
Then there was a scene where they were seating close together, having a heart to heart talk about him and his brother.
"Dad only talks about you…"
"Do you hate me?"
Came another scene… where he was standing in front of his frightened brother… it was the day he murdered everyone but Sasuke.
"If you wish to kill me, hate me, detest me and live a loathsome life… run away, run away…"
"Don't kill me!"
(End of Flashback)
At present, Itachi was looking straight to Sasuke's red eyes. They were filled with an amount of rage. No… Hate… it should be the right term…
He clamped his hand over Sasuke's extended arm.
"Little brother… even without… Mangekyou…" His voice hoarse and ragged, yet he was keeping himself steady and alive… even for one or more than one second.
He only received a cold glare from Sasuke and then he retorted, "I don't need to obey every single thing you say… I don't want to kill my best friend."
Surprisingly, Itachi smirked. "Truly… you are…" He coughed… blood dripping down from his mouth. "Foolish… little…"
The younger brother pulled his arm from his brother and listened to his lifeless body dropped loudly on the floor.
End…
This is it…
He lifted his hand, the one he used for his Chidori. It was covered with Itachi's blood. As he watched it being washed by the rain, he forced himself to feel something for this battle. The battle he had won.
Shouldn't he feel victorious now that he had succeeded with his first goal?
No…
He felt nothing. He felt nothing more but emptiness.
Slowly, he lowered his head. He stared blankly at his brother's corpse covered with dust, dirt and blood. But because of the rain, everything… everything that covers his body has been washed away by the cold rain.
Drenched as well, he slowly looked up to the sky. He watched the rain continuously pouring down on them. He wished that it could purify him again. He wished it could wash away all the things he wished to be removed.
He wished that it could wash away the confusion, hatred, pain, loneliness… everything… everything that settled in his mixed emotions.
Frustrated with hopeless dreams, he shut his eyes and let himself drenched under the cold crying sky.
"Sasuke…kun…"
Shocked, he opened his dark orbs and searched for the voice. He couldn't believe what he just saw.
There she was, crouching slightly at the trunk to steady her balance. Even while she was gasping for air, she beamed her brightest smile to him.
"Sasuke-kun… you did it…" She said between her breathing.
Not knowing how to react, he whole-heartedly smiled at her. He just couldn't fathom the feeling if he lost her right there and then now that he noticed her and somehow…in the future, would help him restore what has been lost.
"C'mon Sasuke-kun, I'll have to close your wounds." She staggered slightly but regained her balance again.
Sparing one last look to his brother, his eyes showed nothing but pity… pity for his brother.
"Niisan… Father and Mother would never forgive you… so I'll do the same." He angled his foot towards Sakura's position. "I just did our Father a favor…"
"Do not follow your brother's path…" Sasuke recalled his Father saying after he showed to him the Grand Fireball.
Turning his back from the past, he looked at the person of his future. Bright and lovely… he knew that his life would change dramatically. He put himself, his trust, his heart to her… and she… she will do anything for him.
…For their happiness…
While walking towards her, he watched her and somehow felt a small piece of victory being dug out inside him. However at the moment he looked into her eyes, he watched it slowly widened in both fear and shock.
What now?
Shockingly, though, he felt a very dark Chakra reviving slowly. This time, it was his eyes that widened slowly… his heart beat faster.
"I never… asked… for your… forgiveness!"
Thud thud…
Thud thud…
Thud thud…
Drip…
He waited patiently. He waited if the person behind him is dead. He waited for his Chakra to fade away completely.
He gulped nervously.
"Sasuke…kun…"
His heart never stopped beating faster and his eyes remained shocked and still. When he nervously looked at Sakura's previous location...
She wasn't there.
"Sasuke…"
He tensed up. Her voice wasn't in front of him… it was behind him.
Gathering up all his courage, he commanded his body to turn around at the same time wished that it wouldn't be some scene that suddenly entered his mind.
As he completely turned around, he didn't stop his eyes from forming tears because right in front of him was the long pink haired ANBU who had her back to him. Then in front of her was his brother's body, limping slowly.
Sasuke waited. He didn't know what to do…
Sooner, it was Itachi's body that gave up from standing and surrendered its life form when he dropped himself to the ground.
Now, it was Sakura who was fighting to keep her balance and still Sasuke was rooted to where he was.
…Until she broke down…
"Sakura!" He screamed her name as he caught her in his arms. They both met the ground because of Sakura's sudden heaviness.
When he looked at her, her face was filled with cold sweat, dirt and mixture of blood. Her eyes were shut as he could easily see the pain that she's into. Her breathing was more ragged than before.
"Sakura… Sakura!" He called out once again, trying hard not to cry in front of her nor be helpless now that she's clamping to the slim line of keeping awake and… slipping away.
He forced not to look down from her face. He felt that there's something in that chest of hers that he didn't wish to look at. Placing her head closer to his face, he called out her name.
"Sakura…" He started with much softer tone, "Sakura…"
She could feel that he's trembling. He's afraid.
Is he afraid that… he might lose me… here?
"Sakura… wake up… wake up damn it!"
She coughed and he noticed her blood gushing out of her once lovely lips. She breathed in again but she was having an agonizing state of breathing as if her lungs would have surrender taking in and out of oxygen. But still, she fought her condition to talk to him.
With her trembling right hand, she took out something from her vest and placed it on to her stomach.
"Sasuke…" She began as she slowly and painfully opening her eyes to see him. "Sasuke… if-if any Konoha shinobis found you… give this… to them…"
The hurtful eyes of Sasuke were laid down to the scroll on her stomach, still avoiding the thing that stuck in her chest. He took it from her and looked at her face again.
This time she was smiling…painfully.
"Sasuke-kun… I never felt so much joy when I met you…"
"Sakura—" He did wish her to stop talking like this would be the last time he'll ever listen to her voice.
"I'm so glad when you… accepted me… you just didn't know… how much I appreciate it…"
Sasuke shook his head and tightened his embrace to her. "Sakura we're going back to that village. I'll have them treat you. Stay still."
Her face softened despite the long gash in her chest. "No… just stay here with me…"
No matter how many times he denied it… he knew that she's slipping away… slowly and painfully…
No matter how many times he avoided the source of her pain, his eyes will accidentally fall on to it.
Itachi was determined to kill his brother so that they would be seeing each other in hell but Sakura jumped in between them and stopped him. He used a katana in attempt to stab Sasuke from behind and Sakura used her own katana to stab Itachi through his chest directly to the heart.
Unfortunately though, Itachi slashed her upper torso.
And Sasuke was there…
He didn't do anything.
"Sasuke…" She called yet her voice held so much softness. Said person looked at her, still preventing his tears to fall down but it kept coming anyways. She reached out to his face and caressed his left cheek. "Now… that he's gone… you don't have to imprison yourself in…darkness… You're free… from the shackles of your dark fate…"
Sasuke put his hand over hers; he didn't know what to say.
With clouded eyes, she looked directly to his. "Do good things while… you're alive… try to move on…"
"I'm moving on with you so don't leave me." He replied sternly, grasping her tiny soft hand around his strong ones.
She smiled bitterly, "I'm sorry... perhaps I'll just be there… to watch over you…"
Sasuke shook his head wildly. "NO! I don't want you to leave!" Then he choked out his sobs and uttered, "Don't leave me…Sakura…"
Slowly she closed her eyes, not wanting to see Sasuke cry before her for it would surely hurt her even more.
"Go back to Konoha… and…" She coughed once again, panicking Sasuke. "And… be happy…"
At her final breathing…
Her hands dropped heavily from his cheek…
Her face being washed by the cold rain…
But her smile… it remained in her face…
He who couldn't take this pain anymore had opened his eyes and glared at the woman before him. Yet his eyes, for the past years… his eyes were able to shed tears…
He was crying for her.
"Sakura… wake up!" He yelled and shook her slightly but the woman won't budge. "SAKURA! DAMN IT!" With trembling hands and body, he grabbed her person and embraced her tightly.
It was raining heavily.
The clouds have its gloomy presentation in the sky. Rainy days had depressed so many lives, so many people and so many days. The heavy drops of liquid from the clouds could be heard. It comes after the other like an endless notes being played by a musician.
Birds have fled somewhere else to find shelter. So did the other land creatures. Just when did this rain come pouring down the earth? It wasn't even a blessing.
Or maybe the tears from the heaven…
Then why is the sky crying? Where are the ones who have been shedding these tears? They might have been so sad…
No…
That's not it…
They were crying for the misfortune, for every misery, that these people had experienced.
Aside from the cry of the sky, there was the sound of a crying human. Uchiha Sasuke was crying for Haruno Sakura…
Out of nowhere, he screamed…
"Don't leave!"
There were unending tears flowing in his eyes.
To be continued…
Author's Note: What's good in a tragedy if nobody died? If nobody sacrificed?
Yes, I know a very sad, mournful tragedy for Sasuke. And before you bash me with everything concerning Sakura's death, READ my previous warnings from all previous chapters. I promised to work with another ending for this story. So if you didn't like the tragedy, then wait for that SS alternate story. I do hope you pictured all events.
As for an important note, I have a feeling that one of you would ask about Sakura surviving the Mangekyou. It's true that whoever received that attack would die unless they have Sharingan. So how did Sakura survive? Have you forgotten that she has an inner persona? Her inner persona stood in her place the moment they both received Mangekyou. So in a way, Itachi killed her inner self not the Sakura who was in front. I didn't have to elaborate it in the story because I can't find a scene where I should put it.
Another thing, though. Since Itachi was killed, Sasuke was stubborn not to believe in Itachi's statements: the thing that makes him a goody-goody image. So in short, the young Uchiha believed that the only reason Itachi killed everyone was to test his capacity. That's true right?
If you want to feel the emotions here, try listening to Sadness and Sorrow or with Grief and Sorrow (yeah, isn't it obvious that I implied that name in this chapter?) I guess 1 or 2 more chapters before I end this story and move on with the alternate ending.
Oh yeah, have you noticed that slight (very slight) changes of my writing? Less paragraphs no? Unlike my previous chapters, there are always long paragraphs. Well that's because I'm making them focus in major thinking and reminiscing. And the difference in this one is kind of obvious no? Didn't have to prolong the paragraphs because everything is at present, meaning they should focus in their battle, but still… one tragic chapter no?
Author's Response:
nixxie1430 – It's a pleasure that you liked my story n-n (this is a smiley hehehe)
evil-mittens – here's the update and I hope I didn't disappoint you in terms of Tragedy category. There would be another chapter so watch out okay?
Akira-kun – You have classes now? I wish you good luck! Thanks for the comment!
Tenshi no Hana-chan – Uchiha brothers fan ka no? If so, parehas tayo. Ayoko ngang patayin si Itachi dito pero kelangan (para sa plot). Laking pasasalamat ko sayo at pinaalala mo yung effect ng Mangekyou kay Sakura. Buti na lang may naisip akong palusot :P joke lang, hindi palusot yung nangyari. Ayokong mamatay si Sakura ng dahil sa Mangekyou. I do hope to see you reviewing for this chapter as well as the rest.
E-chan Hidaka – which site? Yep almost at the end for Book 1. Like I said there would be another ending for this story. It's like an RPG no? If you failed to get a certain scene one of their friends would die, but if they got everything, everybody will survive. Thank you!
Yuugi-chan – I'm guessing you haven't read the manga nor watched the episode yet. Sasuke had transformed exactly the way I pictured from the previous chapter, but the salamander-form is my own idea. So there.
cocoa-latte – Errr happy ending you say? I do hope you read this chapter… and I do hope I didn't disappoint you considering I'm working with the alternate ending for this story.
Crystalgail – Yeah I have to imply the brotherly scenes right there and then. But this chapter… (Cries) this chapter… waaah!
aPpLecHeRrY – you're confused from the previous chapter? Well I do hope na malinawan ka dito sa chapter na to although napaka-tragic. By the way, what's PMSing? Iba kasi yung pumapasok sa isip ko eh. At salamat kay Lord naovercome ko ang writer's block nung mapikon ako sa ff kasi ayaw magbukas tuloy pati tong chapter na to natapos ko after kong ma-upload yung previous chapter. Bilis no? Nabasa ko na rin pala yung Dahil sa Alak. Tawa ako ng tawa!
Slytherin Prince – wow you did review! Thanks!
hopeless-girl – Unfortunately I can't do that to our dear Sakura. There are impossible things that I've listed in my notes so there. I can't let her die a tormenting death other than having herself as a human wall. Thanks for everything!
Emeralde – Unfortunately, though… we don't know yet if she died or not.
Hey people how about an R&R? I'll appreciate it so much ('coz I'm beginning to think that everybody left. Sniffsniff…)