Someone Screaming

Alternate Story – Dim Light

Ayane Selznick

Another day had passed by. Another habitual task should be done every single minute of her life. While rushing towards the room of her patients she would bump to any nurses inside. They would smile on her and she'll do the same only she would show her smallest smile. She didn't have to mask the worry and anger she once did.

Once arrived, she noticed the patient struggling for something she wasn't able to pinpoint what.

"Don't worry I'm here." She stated calmly while narrowing her eyes at the girl's face.

She pressed her hands at the child's stomach. It started glowing, healing at the same time.

The child looked at the medical shinobi while beads of sweat drop down to her face.

"Sakura-san…" The child murmured.

When Sakura gazed briefly at the tormenting child, she couldn't help but be wretched at the look of the child's eyes. They were tired and longing.

"Yes my dear?" She asked sweetly while continuing her task.

The child hesitated to answer as she was waiting patiently for the medical Nin to completely heal the pain she has been feeling. After some moments later, the Nin name Sakura sighed in relief upon the completion of her task. She gazed at the child while waiting for her to say something.

"You were gonna say something sweety?" She asked once again while she wiped the sweat on the child's forehead.

This time the child didn't have to hesitate.

"Why do you mask your pain? Does it really hurt that much, Sakura-san?"

Of course, Sakura was taken aback from sudden inquiry. How could this child see everything through her? She looked down the bed and smiled in nostalgia.

"I keep telling to myself that I am not who I was before. That I've changed. I used to smile when I was a kid masking the hurtful emotion that has kept within me. Now matured, the way I mask this pain is quite different from before." She looked at the window and continued, "We hide our pain to show our loved ones that we're strong."

The young lady smiled at Sakura and said, "You don't need to pretend Sakura-san."

Said name glanced at the child she previously helped. Instead of glaring because she was stepping forward at personal matters, Sakura could only stay silent and listen.

"It will torment you more. Be who you are."

She didn't know why but this kid was some kind of… well an amazing one that is. It's like she's the only person who could understand the entirety of her behavior. With closed matters, Sakura began to leave and left a smile to the kid.

"You can leave after three hours. You're completely healed."

When she reached the door and went to the other side, a small crystal liquid dropped her cheek.

Be who you are eh? Easy for you to say…

There were hints of mixed emotions lingering in his eye. The way he narrowed his eyes forward seemed to be upset at one point. Who would be so upset after hearing the news of his ex-student who turned himself as a Missing Nin and now returned being interrogated and put inside the jail?

Who would be so proud of it?

However deep inside him, he was glad that his student was claimed back though even without talking to him yet, he knew what his purposes are…

Avenging the death of his clan by killing off his brother…

After briefing his mission in front of the Hokage she gave him the news of Uchiha Sasuke's return. At first he was shocked. It has been what… more than seven years and yet the young man was enjoying his years with another traitor. However, he wasn't as clueless as everybody else because he was also one of the first people who knew about the Sound's genocide. It had intrigued him as well as scared him thinking that one of the last Uchihas were part of Orochimaru's league. He thought Sasuke was also killed.

But no, the avenger was alive.

What happened?

—Was the first question inside his head. Tsunade gave him the smallest of details so he wasn't sure of what has gotten to his student. To know everything, he had trudged his way towards the cell to visit him.

He arrived for a short period of time and didn't even think of placing his things back from his home. He was eager to see his student, ex-student to be exact, and he wanted to know if the Sasuke he once knew would be the person he will see.

But… as soon as he stop his tracks and watched the lone figure standing with his back facing him, he knew that it wasn't the person he once knew.

This one was a stranger.

"You're back, Kakashi-san." One of the ANBU guards muttered and half bowed at him.

Said person acknowledged the greeting by doing the same thing and answered, "Aa. Just came back few minutes ago."

"Are you here to visit him?" The other asked while he looked at the sole revealed eyes of the renowned Copy-Ninja.

Kakashi glanced to the person asked and nodded slowly. His head went back towards the lone figure standing quietly. Moments later he asked the two ANBU guards to give him a moment to talk to the prisoner inside.

At first he hesitated nevertheless he felt guilty from all the things happened before… even though it was years ago.

"I heard you were escorted back here." He started. Knowing this kid, he knew that this one won't speak up…yet. So he tried again.

"So… what did they teach you? Have you become stronger?" He knew that he shouldn't ask straightforwardly but then again, he didn't want to go around in circles to force the once kid now a young man to speak up to him.

And it seems like its working for Sasuke turned his head to the side as if acknowledging his once teacher.

"I don't know." He looked back at the small window he once was looking before his visitor came. He continued his statements, "Knowing that he couldn't suffice what I wanted to have and the reason behind all the invitation… I stopped longing for his power."

"Ah so you knew?" Kakashi asked and saw a little jerking from Sasuke as he turned around giving the former teacher an inquisitive face.

"Knew what?" Sasuke asked while narrowing his eyes at the white haired shinobi.

Kakashi continued gazing lazily at his former student when he answered, "That Orochimaru was weaker than your brother."

He didn't know exactly why Sasuke just smirked. It surprised him greatly.

"What's so funny about it? Aren't you even mad at it? You were seeking power from a person who's like an underling of your brother."

Sasuke snorted as he hid his hands in his side pockets. "I knew that already. That's the very first reason why I killed him."

That earned an obvious shock expression from Kakashi.

Uchiha Sasuke… the last of the Uchihas… killed one of the legendary Sannin?

That's too much power.

Kakashi was tempted to ask how Sasuke was able to defeat the snake-bastard, but then again, he would look like a nuisance inquiring about it. He stayed quiet and has his mind process everything. Maybe upon theorizing things, he would find the answer.

"Aa… and even after all this time your goal will never change right?"

"Of course."

"Then… are you willing to cooperate with us?"

Once again, Sasuke narrowed his eyes as if scrutinizing whatever his former teacher offered to him. Why would he offer cooperation? About what? What would be his job?

"You want me in the frontline to face my brother?"

"Yes."

Sasuke was about to smirk but this time he controlled himself. Being a prisoner who had been given a chance to stay with 24-hour surveillance from the ANBU team, why do these people even bother offering him to have a chance of facing off with his brother? Did they want him dead? Or they just want to finish this off very quickly? If they seem to think of eliminating the last of the Uchihas then they were certainly disrespecting the once pride of the clan.

"I don't accept something in return though." He reasoned out quite straightforwardly.

And Kakashi only nodded, "Aa."

Three weeks later, a brown messy haired clad with Konoha vest, rushed towards the Hokage tower. Most citizens stared at him with mixed thoughts. What's happening? Did something happen? What is it? Etc., are most of the questions inside their minds. But of course, the said ninja would go out and pull out a megaphone declaring the message he has to say only for the Hokage.

After some moments ago, this ninja arrived at the Hokage's office with uneven breathing due to jumping and running marathon just so he could give her the message. He knocked wildly at the Hokage's door.

"Hokage-sama! Hokage-sama!" He called out.

"What is this sudden interruption? What do you want!" The Hokage yelled from the other side, noticing how angry she was when this ninja knocked at her door roughly.

"I have urgent news!"

When the messenger came inside the Hokage was astounded when he mentioned the appearance of Akatsuki. Without thinking twice, she banged her table, which earned a fidget from the messenger, as she yelled…

"Call all the captains of each units and report at the hall in three minutes!"

"Hai!"

She added, "Shizune! Contact the elders then report them to me immediately!"

Shikamaru was playing Go with his former sensei, Sarutobi Asuma, when a Chuunin came over to them with so much nervousness and panic that has covered his entire face. Asuma took the cigarette at his lips and blew out the smoke.

"What's the matter?" He asked while eyeing the Chuunin.

"Please report to the Hokage-sama immediately. We have an urgent mission."

The cunning number one tactician of the Leafs narrowed his eyes at the Chuunin; he had a gut feeling about this urgent mission. Without asking so much information, he already knew what's happening.

"When did the report came?"

"Just minutes ago."

"Aa." He said and stood up rather quickly while he added, "we don't have the time to relax. Let's go and meet the Hokage."

"Hai." The Chuunin messenger answered and disappeared together with the Nara boy and Asuma.

Ino and Tenten were chatting at the Yamanaka Flower shop when Gai's former student noticed the figure coming towards the shop with rather undecided intention. She twirled up a kunai and ready to strike the figure when it rose up his hands in defeat. She looked at him suspiciously and found out that it was just Chouji.

"What's up Chouji?" Ino asked while fixing the flowers that Tenten picked up.

Chouji was practically gasping for air before he spoke. Tenten seemed understood what he's going to say but she didn't make an action to say it out loud.

Finally, Chouji had enough air to breathe in and out when he said, "Urgent news. Akatsuki was sighted just minutes ago. The Hokage was calling all entire troops to gather at the barracks. Each captain should report at the hall."

Both women didn't say anything. One of them had her mouth hanged open while the other with fear stricken eyes. Again, both of them had the same thinking inside their mind.

They were early.

ANBU members Shino and Kiba were sitting near the store waiting for the food to be cooked when an ANBU messenger came in. Shino was the first one to notice the presence.

"What's wrong?" Kiba asked as he glanced towards Shino and where he was, supposedly, looking at. "An ANBU messenger?"

Said person answered, "Hai. Please report to the hall immediately. It's an urgent mission."

Kiba stared in belief while Shino adjusted his shades with the tip of his index finger. "Akatsuki." He voiced out and in no time, the three of them disappeared quietly.

The cook happily set the dishes when he found out that his customers were gone.

Naruto and Lee were resting for some minute after their sparring session. In a while, an ANBU messenger came in their field in to which was almost killed by Naruto when he started throwing shurikens at him due to his reflexes. Skillfully, the ANBU deflected each kunai and called out Naruto's last name.

"UZUMAKI! I dare you to do that again and I will report you to the Head captain of your squad." He said with utmost superiority complex even though they have the same rank in ANBU squads.

"It wasn't an intention. False alarm." Naruto stated calmly.

Lee butted in, "What's the buzz?"

"Mm. There has been a report a minute ago about the presence of the Akatsuki approaching the Fire Country. In that sense, the Hokage was calling all troops to gather at the barracks while they have to meet the captains of each squad."

Both Lee and Naruto narrowed their eyes upon hearing the name of the organization. Before anything else was said or thought in their minds, Naruto came in saying…

"Has anyone told Sasuke about this?"

The ANBU messenger shook his head sideways, "The Hokage didn't give us any permission to tell to the Uchiha about the situation. We must undergo a meeting first before deciding such matters."

The Leaf Jounin clad in green jumpsuit rolled his bandaged and leapt off first. Then he noticed Naruto's reactions and silence.

"Naruto-kun, aren't you coming?"

"I'm going to see the Hokage."

At the Hyuuga residence, the assistant Medic Nin was browsing a medical book while the captain of a troop was cleaning his arsenal of weapons that scattered beside him as he was sitting outside the room where Hinata was quietly reading. Moments later, a polite shinobi came at their territory in a genuflect position. Neji brought up his brow as Hinata did the same though she uttered…

"What happened?"

"A report came in implying the presence of the Akatsuki nearing the Fire Country border. Captain of ANBU squad Hyuuga Neji please report to the hall. Medic Nins are requested to meet the Hokage after the meeting. Please report at the hall immediately."

After the message, the shinobi left. Both the Hyuugas left what they were doing and fled quickly towards the Hokage tower.

The last member of their batch, the Head Medical Ninja, was too occupied with what she's doing since she's on duty at the Konoha hospital. Despite the busy day, she did recognize the lone ANBU eyeing her movements. She knew that something's up and that she must hurry with the healing session. In a while, she let her patient rest and contacted a nurse to check up with the poor old woman. She quickly went to her office where the ANBU was waiting for her.

"Something happened?" She asked rather quickly when she discarded her gloves and rearranged her long pink hair.

"There was an urgent message to the Hokage. It's about the sudden appearance of Akatsuki." He said and before he could continue with what he's going to say next, Sakura butted in.

"Are they within the Fire Country's border?"

The ANBU shook his head, "Nearing the border."

"Did someone approach Uchiha Sasuke regarding with this matter?" After she spoken up this statement she dangerously eyed the ANBU messenger.

Then again, the ANBU shook his head, "No one is permitted to neither approach nor report our situation towards the captive."

Sakura nodded slowly and got her hair fixed. When she looked at the ANBU again, they both disappeared when Sakura gave him the signal. Few moments later, a nurse came in her office only to see a short note written by their Head Medic.

"Urgent Mission. Leave data in my desk.

Sakura."

It was humid and sunny outside the Hidden village of Konoha. Within the Fire Country's border there stood three cloaked figures standing in each of the trees' branches while eyeing the next trails they have to step in to so to get what they have to do.

"Never been here…Mm." The short one said while standing proudly where he was located.

The larger one stared at the neither short nor tall one. They've been here years ago but their mission wasn't victorious. Hence this mission would be their very last mission as to get the last Jinchuuriki and start the final process inside their quarters.

Out of the blue he spoke, "Most likely they were gathered at the tower. They won't be moving until then. Let's start moving until we get the chance of evading their first line of offense."

The blue skin toned cloaked man butted in, "This is some major commotion. I'm guessing they won't let the Jinchuuriki fall in our hands."

"Of course they won't but we'll make them." The first person said and started trudging the trail forward with his two companions flaring up.

Before he started moving the person who spoke after the first muttered, "As much as possible, we shouldn't encounter their first line of defense."

That earned an inquiring expression from the blue skin toned man to which he answered quickly.

"I have a bad feeling."

They started moving towards their next pace leaving only the traces of dangling body parts of shinobis everywhere. To prove that they were in fact, ninjas, they have their forehead protectors landed on the ground, dirtied with mud and blood.

It was from Konoha.

To be continued…

Author's Note: Have you guessed who those Akatsuki's are? Now that everybody is alarmed for Akatsuki's arrival, what are the possible ways to counter them? They are after Naruto again but are they going to be victorious this time? Remember that Sasuke is still inside the cell and he was being talked by Kakashi about the mission, will he accept the offer and the unexpected team up which he would be working with?

Preview for the Next chapter:

She glanced at him momentarily and saw the fury in his eyes as if flaring up inside out. She noticed how he clenched his fists at his sides as though excitement was fast flowing in his veins. As all these things were seen, all she could do was look away, disappointed.

Truly, he turned himself into a hungry wolf.

P.S.You better not miss Final Fantasy: Advent Children. Cloud is sooooo (faints)