Someone Screaming

Alternate Story – Dim Light

Ayane Selznick

Determined to inflict wounds, Sasuke hurled Itachi his arsenal of weapons. Quickly, he lunged himself while Itachi is distracted with all his weapons. Delivering a failed spinning kick, Sasuke immediately reckoned his next movement to back fist strike and doubled over by another high kick, which was similar to the one he did to his former teacher during the survival training when he just reached Genin.

Itachi being as swift as always, blocked each attacked given by his brother. With his free hand, he gave his little brother a big blow to the gut, sending him away from his person. In a matter of split second of delivering his brother away came Naruto with his Chakra covered fist that suddenly attached at his chin to which blew him away as well.

Naruto descended on a branch, growling and glaring at Itachi's figure that flew past some bushes below. On the other plane was Sasuke who clutched his stomach as he was struggling to get up with his two feet.

Gah! I can match his nimbleness but his surprise attacks hurt!

When he's up, he noticed the sudden change of Naruto's Chakra. It was similar to that of what he felt during their battle at the Valley of the End. He watched the soaring red tremendous Chakra emitting Naruto's body.

How did that blockhead ever mastered controlling that amount of power? Sasuke thought incredulously as he prepared himself for another offense. Feh! No matter what, I have to kill Itachi right now.

With intense speed, Sasuke disappeared from his former location only to reappear to where his brother was and started attacking him with physical strikes.

Itachi, who was fully awake, tried to evade every single kick and punches that Sasuke inflicted on him. Yet some of Sasuke's attacks surprised him greatly because most of it touched him.

While Sasuke was busy striking his brother, Naruto on the other hand launches his Rasengan at great timing when Sasuke released his hold to his brother only to back flip in preparation of his next movement. When he saw Naruto lunges at his target, he began to enrage.

I'm the only one who can kill him!

Hungry for his brother's death, Sasuke sped up before Naruto could extend his hand that has the Rasengan. Itachi, who was like floating in mid-air, spun around and twisted Naruto's hand to prevent from getting hit.

Naruto growled loudly as Itachi twisted his wrist and threw him off of the battlefield, nose-diving towards the ground as he created a massive crater.

From the side of Itachi's eyes, Sasuke was angrily rocketing himself towards his brother. Itachi disappeared quickly before Sasuke could touch him. The young Uchiha was aghast as he was trying to sense his brother. It was too late when Itachi tugged his arm forcefully only to give him a knee-attack that hit his gut again.

"GAAAH!" Sasuke roared in pain but Itachi was not over with his attacks.

From the momentum that Itachi had when he pulled his brother's arm, he made sure that Sasuke would be facing away to lock Sasuke's arms behind him. Sasuke gritted his teeth in pain when he felt his wrist almost breaking from Itachi's vice grip. He tried to reach out at anything that he can hold from Itachi but his older brother has the upper hand so Sasuke was helpless. Itachi caught the other arm and locked it behind Sasuke. The Akatsuki leaned closely to his little brother's right ear.

"It is pointless to try something that you cannot do."

And with one swift movement, Itachi had his one hand locking both Sasuke's hands behind him and the other on Sasuke's head.

"I will make you regret yourself for being weak, Otouto."

Putting an intense pressure, Itachi pushed Sasuke to a sturdy wide branch. That move caused Sasuke to feel dizzy. His forehead bled and it seems that any minute he will faint.

"Ugh…"

Itachi retracted his hands from his brother to defend himself from the shooting kunais. He jumped from his former location to find a safer spot. Naruto surfaced from the sea of bushes below in an effort to deal physical damages to the elder Uchiha. He began delivering a fake punch to his face then twisted himself to attack below then jumped on the other side to face the Uchiha's back to give him a smooth kick that directed to the spinal cord.

He's learning fast huh. Itachi thought when he found himself driving away by Naruto's force. His speed matched mine. It seems like I was not able to follow his movements either because of the Kyuubi's Chakra. It deceived the pattern.

He narrowed his eyes as Naruto sped up and neared him. Immobilizing you from a high level Genjutsu will only result to your death.

Itachi repelled gravity to twist his body then reached the branch. He pulled himself up and performed hand seals that are familiar to Naruto.

Fire Element: Mythical Fire Ball Technique

Drawing air and chakra in his lungs, he put his fingers that include only his index, middle and thumb as if to form a "u" where its axis points to the right and the opening to the left. Itachi blew out the Chakra he put inside his lungs.

With only few seconds to react, Naruto immediately created two Kage Bunshins in front of him. The one on the left was supposedly shielding the clone in the right where in it gave the real Naruto a boost by throwing Naruto's body away from the blazing zone. Naruto looked over his shoulder only to see his Kage Bunshins disappeared from the smokes when the chakra touched them.

He used the Fire Ball to cover himself and corner me. So where the hell is he now?

When he resumed to the location he should be going to, he received a powerful kick directed to his right face shocking him at the moment he felt pain. Naruto's eyes widened.

POOF!

Itachi's eye glinted. That sound gave him a little irritation. You're quite an opponent, Naruto-kun. His lips curved into a small smile when he felt someone is behind him. Itachi quickly turned around to face Naruto with his open palm ready to attack. When his attack touched Naruto's chest…

POOF!

Is this what you can really do?

Five Kunais amazingly swooshed towards his spot rendering him almost immobile at utter surprise. Naruto surfaced behind the large tree trunk from the opposite direction of where the kunais where supposedly originated. He brought his complete Rasengan.

He yelled, "RASENGAN!"

With both speed and determination, Naruto was able to hit Itachi. However, Naruto was surprised when Itachi smiled back at him.

"Kaboom." He said.

KABOOOM!

Because of the explosion, Naruto was immediately sent flying back to where he was hiding. The Jinchuuriki was not able to move or react because he could not find his momentum and his whole body suddenly felt like burning. However, he did feel that Itachi was going to attack him.

Damn it, MOVE!

Naruto closed his eyes thinking that he cannot do anything but be prepared for whatever attack Itachi has to give to him. Unfortunately though, he only felt the sudden change of the wind that captured him and dropped him heavily at some area. It was then he realized that he was saved…

His rival and friend – Uchiha Sasuke, saved him.

Naruto's red eyes narrowed into slits, wondering why would his forever rival saved him from the grip of death where Itachi, his brother, delivers him. But then again, why would Sasuke let him die? They both knew that they see each other as rivals, friends, and brothers despite all that tragedy they had been to.

Above all, Sasuke did not want anybody to be sacrificed to Itachi again. He wanted this to end wherein it would be only him or his brother will die.

Naruto pushed himself up although struggling to regain his balance. He wiped off the trickling blood on his cheek and glared their opponent.

"Oi, Naruto." Sasuke started. He did not even look back him. He just plainly started a conversation. "Don't pry your goddamn stupid brain on this battle."

Naruto glared his back but did not make any comment.

Sasuke continued, "If you drop that dead brain of yours again, I won't get it for you."

Whatever Naruto did next was something Sasuke did not expect. Naruto simply walked a little near to where Sasuke was and when he got a better view of where Itachi was standing, sneering at them, he tapped Sasuke's shoulder.

"Thanks for reminding me." He then crackled his fist and recollected his red and creepy Chakra, "Not that I'm being kind to you and all, but…" Naruto chuckled, "I'm offering myself to be your back-up."

Sasuke lowered his head for a moment as Naruto waited for him to say something even though he thought he knew what this conversation would lead to. Finally, as Sasuke lifted again his face, there was this familiar smirk that plastered on his expression.

"Suits you. You've been following my shadow years ago, blockhead."

That earned a popping vein at Naruto's temple. Nevertheless, for him, this conversation led them back from their Genin days. Those days they started working as a team. From this moment on, these two shinobis believe that, they should not only rely on power but on each other. For those whom do not value their team is as low as a piece of trash.

And at that very moment, both young shinobis prepared their battle stance, standing back to back, both eyes laid at their opponent.

The opposite section however was Itachi's location wherein he was keenly observing both his brother and the Jinchuuriki that he must obtain for the organization. It seems like these two had gotten well.

What those two shinobis did not know that Itachi was actually done planning evil scheme in his devilish mind.

"Gah!"

A short cry from the medic Nin escaped her lips when she accidentally tripped from the branch that might have made her skid all the way to the next steps. Fortunately, she got her balance back and rest for seconds. She stooped a little, placing both her hands on her half bended knees to support and have herself to gain regular breathing. She wiped off the trickling sweat that mingled at some dirt at her chin.

I can't even hear nor contact them. How far are they?

She looked at the wide area of which trees and branches crossed creating a tunnel-like pathway. Sakura knew that beyond that tunnel-like pathway is where Sasuke and Naruto fighting with Itachi.

Naruto… Sasuke-kun… Be safe you two…

Sakura snaked her hand to her pouch to get a soldier pill to recover the strength and Chakra that had been depleted previously.

I'll be there in a minute.

After she took the pill, she breathed some air and prepared herself to launch off the ground. With lightning fast reflexes upon recovery, she zoomed out of her former location.

Sasuke did not get off his eyes on his brother. It was like they were glaring more and more to one another. Each intense glare gave the younger one much more hate towards his brother as he was digging out all his fury from all Itachi's past deeds, may it be good or the tormenting part to which he killed everyone in the clan. It hurt him deeply. It hurt him to face the kind of life that he should not be dealing with.

His brother, Itachi, decimated his life entirely. His brother destroyed his emotions and leaving only a few.

Fear and hate.

He tried to break down his own walls but it keeps on coming back, shielding him from those people who were trying to reach him. And these people are the ones who fought side by side with him. He could no longer do anything about it for he must stay focus for his selfish goal.

The goal without a future…

The goal he did not know if he would be alive later.

"If glares could kill, we could have died together, Otouto." Itachi muttered emotionlessly. He was scrutinizing his little brother.

It had been years since they had last seen each other and when it comes to battle, it seems that Sasuke has not gotten any stronger at all. However, Itachi knew that Sasuke was probably testing him. Trying to outwit him by reading his movements and predicting what he was thinking. It was such a clever thing to do, but would it be possible for Sasuke to do this sort of strategy? Itachi did not know but he doubted.

He noticed his little brother's brow that twitched at his sudden statement. Of course, he had insulted him…again.

"I'd rather kill you with my bare hands." Finally Sasuke countered, maintaining his battle stance.

Itachi thrust his palm to the upper portion of his cloak down to the level of his chest. He let his left arm rested at the last button of his cloak while roaming his eyes at the battlefield. He had a vision of this battle years ago but he neglected that message. He does not give a damn matter for his weakling of a brother over the mission that bestowed to him. It was coincidence that made these two boys came to him and fought him. If Sasuke does not have any bonds with Naruto, would he come with the Jinchuuriki?

Their eyes, even though they show how hateful they are to him, they bore the same emotion – Determination.

These boys share the sentiments because they are both orphans but they do have different goals of their own. Because one of them had strayed from his path and the other succeeding what is rightful for him, even though he did not know it yet.

Done from his observation and theories, Itachi brought his hand back to the sleeves of his cloak and started throwing kunais at the boys. When both of them disappeared, he quickly brought his hands together for hand seals in order to cover himself from Sasuke's shuriken. He knew that once Sasuke threw off his shurikens, he would perform the Uchiha's skill – Triple Windmill.

On the other hand, Naruto had jumped all the way to the top of a tree. With his hands set to perform a technique, he watched the back of the elder Uchiha and the person he's going to back up.

Uchiha techniques might not work on him bastard. He's an Uchiha all right.

Sasuke took a pair of kunais from his pouch. He jumped at a high level and when he found his momentum, he flipped his body and threw the kunai on an angle. Finding the perfect time, he threw the other kunai at fast speed as if to re-do Itachi's kunai throwing practice when they were younger.

Itachi, who had been anticipating this move, quickly rolled his body forward to dodge the attack. At the same momentum of when Sasuke threw his kunais together, Naruto had thrown his kunai with a small tag attached to it. It landed to where Itachi stopped his roll and was about to look at his brother when he heard the thud sound.

His eyes widened in surprise.

BOOM!

To corner the target further, Sasuke was done with his traps all around the radius. Naruto did not leave his position as he was spying the Akatsuki guy. He knew for certain that Itachi had fled at the moment the tag exploded. He kept his senses high.

Then suddenly, Itachi appeared behind Naruto's position in attempt to slash his neck. Naruto flipped backwards and stabbed Itachi's back.

"Got you there!" He yelled.

This earned Sasuke's attention and watched the scene above. Of course, no matter what he does, it would always be Naruto that Itachi will target.

"No, Naruto-kun, I got you." Itachi said.

Naruto took notice of blood that suddenly dripped at the Uchiha's back. He was sure that he wounded Itachi. All too sudden when Sasuke realized what was happening.

"NARUTO, RUN!" He yelled from below to alert his teammate.

But it was too late; when Itachi turned his face to Naruto… it exploded.

"NARUTO!"

Sasuke could not do anything but watch Naruto's smoking body flying across the field. He passed by several branches and bushes before he hit a trunk that stopped his momentum. He slid down from the high trunk down to the large branch. As far as Sasuke could see, Naruto fainted.

"You're next." A voice echoed inside his ears had sent shivers down his spine.

The young Uchiha knew it was Itachi provoking him to make a move and attack him once again. With burning fury, Sasuke descended towards the ground and immediately disappeared from the real Itachi's vision. As calm as ever, Itachi did not even activate his Sharingan in search for his brother. He was rather confident that no matter what happens, as long as his foolish little brother is under his own conscience, Itachi will never use Sharingan.

Come foolish little brother. Come and show me what you've learned from Orochimaru.

Of course, he knew for a fact that his brother betrayed Konoha years ago to get more power in order to defeat him. He learned that his brother had gone to Orochimaru and trained under his watchful eyes not knowing that the snake-bastard will not offer anything unless he wants something from you. At that moment, he concluded, that Sasuke, his little brother, is a complete idiot.

He knew for a fact that Sasuke had been so blind for revenge that motivated him to seek more power so as to accomplish his goals. But the idiot was not thinking.

Or maybe he did think…

Itachi heard that Otto's soldier, slaves, and Orochimaru himself was killed months ago. And the only person, who survived rather, remained alive was his foolish little brother. It is evident from his perspective that his idiot of a brother had butchered everybody in that country so no one would follow him. And maybe, he killed them all because he finally found out Orochimaru's true intention for his body.

Still, what a fool…

It was rather fortunate for Sasuke to know Orochimaru's agenda to him before it was too late. Because if he did not know it at that time then by now Sasuke's body which could have been Orochimaru's container, will plan to take the world. He will destroy powerful nations and their organization.

Another fool…

What's good in taking a nation? Of learning all techniques; may it be forbidden or not? Such obsession he possesses. Orochimaru and Sasuke are both fools.

WHOOSH!

Even if Itachi's mind is wandering elsewhere, he is always alert. He evaded the attempted shot of Sasuke's kunai and took notice of attached tag with it. Itachi jumped high on time when the tag exploded. He had felt the incoming presence behind him but Itachi held his ground and did not attempt to escape.

Behind him was his little brother who kicked his back and lost his balance. At great timing, Sasuke gave him a kick on the stomach to add force to drive him down. Then Sasuke's arm hit Itachi's neck so as to give more force when driving down his head first on the ground. And Sasuke's finale was the spinning heel that connected to Itachi's abdomen. Itachi did spit blood from his mouth.

Alert as ever, Sasuke jumped high to prevent an explosion… if the Itachi he attacked was a clone.

"You're not confident, are you?"

The fallen Akatsuki watched his brother who was staring back at him from some distance.

"You don't know if I'm a clone or not. Are you not just as pathetic as you were before?"

Sasuke did not say anything. He remained quiet and waited for his brother to stand up and attack him. He gave Naruto a quick look and observation before his brother notices his lack of full attention to the battle.

Slowly and gracefully, Itachi stood up from his fall and dusted off the dirt from his cloak as if to insult his brother. Also he wiped the trickling blood from his lips using his right back hand.

"Why…" One word that suddenly came out from Sasuke's mouth that earned a raised eyebrow from his brother.

Sasuke stood from his position and stared at his brother, showing no emotions when he continued asking…

"Why did you kill them?"

When Sasuke completed his inquiry, Itachi tilted his head to the side as if mocking his little brother. However, just like Sasuke, he showed no emotion.

"Up until now you still don't know why I did that, do you?" The elder Uchiha lowered his head and chuckled. This earned another level of fury for his brother. "Try finding the answer, foolish little brother. Try it to me."

Before Sasuke could react, Itachi already completed an Earth Element technique that submerged from the ground and had started swooning towards Sasuke's position. With no time to react, Sasuke prepared himself from the blow…

But did not feel any…

The young Uchiha opened both his eyes and was surprised when he saw an elemental shield that might destroyed Itachi's technique.

"Finally found you two."

Sasuke turned around to look at the person who came just in time.

"Sakura." He mumbled to himself as he watched the young kunoichi finished healing Naruto.

The pink haired ninja stood up and crackled her knuckles.

"Sorry I was late." She started and looked at their opponent who was staring at her. "It was long before I destroyed that shark-man's sword."

Sasuke smirked at her antics and watched the shield banished in front of him. Soon after, Sakura jumped at a branch between Naruto's location and Sasuke's spot.

"When Naruto wakes up, let's make a plan."

Sasuke did not dare to look at her when he replied, "We don't need a plan."

"Of course we do. Or else he'll kill us all."

"…Whatever."

To be continued…

Author's Note: I am very sorry for not updating soon (and for this short chapter after months of absence). I've been very busy and I almost felt like I had writer's block after the convention. What convention you asked? I attended the Otakuzine Fest last December 18 where I cosplayed as Tifa Lockhart of Final Fantasy Advent Children. You may want to see the pics so please go to my profile and check it out.

As for the plot of this chapter more and more battle scene awaits. I'm trying to improve my writing skills so as to let you fully visualize what scenario they are into. And I'm thinking if I really have to put Yamato and Sai in the story since they just appeared in the manga. However, they were not part of the plan. Hmm... new ideas doesn't hurt so I might try to change something in the future (and to think that you really don't have any ideas as to where this story will lead you to). I'm also trying not to focus so much on love story. I would like to focus more on serious matters, serious than the heart/love. Oh well, please do have more patience for the next installment. Happy Holidays to all of you!