Someone Screaming

The Alternate Story – Dim Light

Ayane Selznick

Deidara quickly evaded all kunais and shurikens.

He already knew that he's trap, that there will be more and more ambushes coming along if he did not get out of there in instant. Spewing more clay from his mouth, he created a shield to protect himself and to trick everybody when he leaves.

Hmm, this'll be all. I have to retreat! Mm!

Pivoting to the other side of this shield, he made a run towards the clear exit where no Shinobis standing by. With his unbelievable reflexes and speed, he was able to get out of the huge field trap when suddenly…

FLASH!

A gigantic flash waved his entire vision. Still he managed not to stop and continued dashing his way out of the battle field. However, something on his torso prevented him to move. Suddenly he realized that he could not budge.

SHIT! They just caught me! DAMN!

"Heh. You can run for as long as you want, but you can't escape from me." Shikamaru spoke as he walked towards his captured criminal. "You thought you've been underestimated; I say you're underestimating me."

Now that the blinding light has gone, Deidara was able to open his once tightly shut eyes to look at the person who caught him. Slowly, he raised his head and looked up on a man, hands closed in a hand seal.

"When there is a light, there is a shadow." The leader of the group said to him before he called his teammates to secure him then report to the tower.

Two Akatsuki members have been captured.

But there was only one left.

…The one whose level was powerful and higher than Deidara and Kisame…

Itachi casually avoided Sasuke's offensive moves. While in that status, he was able to observe Sasuke's movements. It changed surprisingly for a short time. For all he knew, Sasuke wouldn't hold back any longer. He honed himself for this moment, on a second thought; he's starting not to believe in his predictions.

And he started not to depend on his Sharingan too much.

Ever since he noticed Sasuke's incredible fast movements, his eyes were hardly predicting his next moves. With this, he allowed himself to sharpen his senses combining his eye technique then one mistake would result to his dreadful death.

Either he's becoming powerful or I'm suddenly getting weaker. Itachi concluded in his thoughts when he suddenly spewed out his own blood once Sasuke connected his fist at his abdomen.

From a distance, Naruto and Sakura were watching the brothers' fight.

"Did he just spurt out another blood?" Naruto commented yet still itching to get a brawling session with Sasuke's brother. How could he forget the time when Itachi and Kisame entered Konoha in search for him? The way Itachi horridly welcomed his brother by letting him taste his own blood. Naruto wouldn't forget such thing.

"He will use the Cursed Seal soon." Sakura suddenly said while analyzing Sasuke's actions.

Naruto glanced at her for a second then shared his thoughts. "Using the Cursed Seal will surely risk his life. Was he really thinking?"

"Natural strength does not satisfy him to win. He wanted to make sure that he can kill his own brother from which his only resort is to use the seal." She looked at him for a brief moment and added, "Just as you are using your Kyuubi Chakra."

Naruto's eyes twitched when the Kyuubi term was mentioned. Truthfully, he wasn't relying on his own strength but as well as relying from the Kyuubi's power. It enhanced his speed and strength just like Sasuke's Cursed Seal. The thing is, the transformation to which closes their consciousness, letting their evil desires take over their minds. Once in that state, foes or allies, everybody would be hurt.

He clutched his right hand and felt the heating power covering his fist.

"When he used his Cursed Seal then I have to be in Kyuubi state to stop him. Otherwise he will kill everyone that he sees."

Sakura sharply turned to him with a glare, "NO! You're not going to be in that state! You don't know how terrible it will be once you've become a Kyuubi! Having Sasuke in Cursed Seal is already worst, but you, tagging along with the same monstrous power, I will not allow it!"

Naruto was in great surprise to see how Sakura immediately reacted with his suggestion. Up until now, he didn't know what he was capable of doing when he's in Kyuubi state. Yamato-sensei didn't tell him, so as Sakura and Sai. But it troubled him especially when he saw Sakura's expression when he said he would risk taking in the Kyuubi state.

Leaving Sasuke in Cursed Seal state would be horrible, too. Nobody could stop him and he's certain that Sasuke can't return to his normal state once being controlled by his curse, just as he was during the Kyuubi state.

"If we let him do what he wants, he'll be in terrible shape later. When that happens Itachi can kill him."

"That's why we're here." Sakura replied quickly.

Naruto stared at her with surprise.

What was she trying to say?

Sakura continued, "I won't allow Sasuke-kun to use the Cursed Seal nor do I want Itachi to win. The reason why we are here is to prevent all those things to happen. You, even without the power of the Kyuubi, are strong enough to fight against Itachi. As for me, I have faith in myself that I'll be able to control Sasuke-kun before he even uses it." She looked at the two of which was the moment when Itachi was giving offensive blows, "I only wish that Itachi won't trigger anything to make Sasuke-kun mad… or else…"

Naruto knew what will happen next.

And just like Sakura, he wouldn't want his comrade be in a psychological warfare under Orochimaru's Cursed Seal. Remembering their battle during the time Sasuke was about to leave his home village, the evolution of what he witnessed was horrible. Sasuke had been talkative and cranky, worst of all, his appearances made him more villainous.

He never questioned Sakura if she had seen that side back when she and Sasuke were in another village. But he had sworn to himself to never explain it in detail.

If only he knew.

If only he knew that Sakura already saw that side of Uchiha Sasuke.

The eldest of the Uchihas had connected his leg at the back of his younger brother's neck.

"GUH!" His body rocketed towards the hard ground making a loud reaction.

"SASUKE!"

"SASUKE-KUN!"

His comrades called out his name and even dashed towards him, but his older brother threw two kunais ahead, halting Sakura and Naruto in the process.

"Didn't my brother tell you to stay away?" Itachi coldly muttered while he was standing on a thick branch looming over their figures.

Naruto glared at the Akatsuki Uchiha with teeth gnawing in anger. Sakura, on the other hand, looked worriedly at her ex-teammate. She wanted to help him so badly but the rule he set prevented her from doing so. Even though she and Naruto agreed to help Sasuke in this fight, she knew that Sasuke would decline from being aided. Besides if she attempted another step forward, Itachi will attack them at once.

"I won't let you lay another single blow to Sasuke again." Naruto growled when he completely turned around, his Red Chakra already emitting its dark aura.

Sakura, though surprised, quickly grabbed Naruto's arm and begged him to stop. She knew what has to come. Naruto immediately stopped forming his Chakra upon Sakura's request and at this time his only resort was to glare unendingly at the eldest of the Uchihas.

Itachi on the other hand stared at the Kyuubi vessel. He has no interest of fighting him but if he needed to maim to keep him down, then he would without second thoughts. His mission was to take his body, dead or alive, to his organization and it was purely coincidence that his young brother has returned to Konoha, placed at the frontline to fight against him.

Tool…

Sasuke was like a tool.

They used Naruto-kun to lure me. Now they're using my brother's anger to fight me. Nuisance, they proved how much they have to learn for using emotions as weapons. Weak as ever…

He turned his eyes towards the pink haired kunoichi. He wasn't even in wonder when he notice her monstrous strength and the capability of healing his teammates because he's sure that only one person can teach her everything about prowess—

—The Hokage herself.

And just by looking at her and her actions towards his younger brother, he knew that she has feelings towards Sasuke. He does not need any proof, he could easily pinpoint it. From these observations and conclusions, he knew what he has to do next.

"Naruto-kun." He started, earning the three's attention to him, including his brother.

Called person glared angrily at him.

"If you really don't want Sasuke to be killed right here, surrender quietly and come with me."

Often times he would use force to get what he wants. It's very rare to use such words to lure his prey to get to him. He used this as alternative to reserve his Chakra before the last moments of the battle commence.

He could feel it. There is something within this area that made him feel discomfited. He was not afraid of the outcome of this fight, but he wanted to make sure to be alive and get his target back to the organization once and for all.

But he thought it will take a lot of effort to get all what he wanted since, first of all, his brother is in his way. He even said to his comrades to stay away from this battle which is an advantage for Itachi. He no longer needed to use every ounce of his Chakra to beat all these three youngsters.

Second of all, even with his brother's strength alone, he felt that there is something within Sasuke that he's yet to find out. He knew about him being trained under the tutelage of Orochimaru but he doesn't know anything about his brother's newly polished techniques. His brother doesn't show him everything yet.

Lastly, there would be tendencies wherein the kunoichi and Naruto will suddenly come in their battle, rushing towards him. If that's the case, he would surely use every single horrid illusion using his very own Chakra to kill them… but that will exhaust him greatly. He never planned using anything for this battle. All he ever wanted was to get the Kyuubi vessel. Obviously there would always be a chance for him to get in to a fight.

A fight that he will never escape.

Naruto and Sakura looked at him aghast.

Did he just ask Naruto to surrender? Sakura asked herself; wide eyed scanning the tall Uchiha Itachi along with his calculating eyes narrowed towards them.

He who was pressed in this matter had gritted his teeth. Clenched fist shook when he got confused from Itachi's offer. What was going on with Sasuke's brother? What was that sudden offer?

Sasuke has not used his over all power yet nor did Itachi. They have yet to see each others' strength after years of their blood dripping reunion. There was no doubt that Itachi was trying to play them in his game.

There was no given condition if he joins him right? Well, aside from sparing Sasuke's life, which was unconscious yet able to fight for another round. He was sure that nobody's safe in this offer. That's why… he had this unyielding glare of red fiery eyes as he looked up at Itachi.

"Do you really think I'll surrender to you?" The blonde Jounin seethed.

Immune to whatever blazing emotions these youngsters showed, Itachi gave him another option.

"You've caused too much trouble in Konohagakure. It's about time you set them free."

"What makes you think I do? I was born here to protect the village! Not long will they have to acknowledge me when I become a Hokage. Did you really think I'll simply throw that away? I did create troubles but I'm compensating all those things by protecting the ones I love – by protecting this village!"

Sakura sadly looked at him, softly whispering his name, "Naruto…"

Eyes that turn red glared furiously at the last of the Akatsukis in their village. He was not finished with his speech.

"I won't let you have the power of the Kyuubi!" Out of nowhere he released a red orange Chakra to which instantaneously covered his entire body.

Sakura was about to retaliate when she remembered his words echoed during their meeting.

(Flashback)

Naruto stood up impatiently and said out loud, "I won't hide behind your back nor refuse to fight them. I will and shall fight them at all cost."

(End of Flashback)

Even though most of them doubted him and his loyalty for the village, Naruto stood outright with face looking ever so serious.

Even before then she believed in his strength. She believed that he's going to prove to her again that it was the way of him as a ninja that no matter how the circumstances dictate it, he will and shall show her that he's neither coward nor a demon vessel vulnerable at any aspect of his whole being.

She simply believed in him.

He's like a brother to him and she won't lose him.

They've been bonded for years, explored different fields at the same time, but even at great distance and time the maturity of relationship from teammates now friends, sisters and brothers at war; they're both willing to take risk, believe each other, give power to each other and sacrifice their own life for the other.

She knew that his words are not for him alone, it's for her and for the other, Sasuke.

He would always keep his promise no matter how long or how difficult it would be. That's the way of being a ninja.

Watching him fight alongside with her and Sasuke, she felt hope suddenly soared in to the sky. He was not the childish prankster of their past; no longer the kid who showed immaturity and stupidity. His once miserable life had turned him maturely. Despite his ignorance exterior, he knew what pain is. He knew how it dug in deeply. And he knew, from pain, a person can soar from darkness; fighting for whatever what is to fight for.

Sasuke-kun…

She shifted her inner topic from Naruto to the injured comrade, Sasuke.

Rushing to his aid, she gently sat above his head and pulled him gently. She healed her neck then the wounds he just received from his brother. While in that position, she noticed how ragged his breathing was. The way he urged himself to wake up, open his eyes stand up and kill his brother. He never wanted this chance to easily let go.

"Ugh…" He opened his one eye first while his hand forcibly pushing his body away from her.

"I'm still healing you, please wait." She thought she just stopped him but it was his hand that prevented him from going further.

She nurtured that hand as Chakra filled energy enveloped it with her warm hands. With brows knitting in either pain from the previous battle or pain of getting his tissues and muscles back, Sasuke grunted when he felt she's getting all the healing done.

She knew that if she tried stopping him, he will never listen to her again. It's quite obvious that he's stubborn in every angle of his being, but that stubbornness might lead him to somewhere else. They didn't want him to go down at that path of idiocy again.

Now that he's here, with them, fighting against his brother… this might be the last time that they'll let him do what he wants.

They will not let him go away ever again.

"You're brother just engaged a fight with Naruto." She told him with a tone similar to a whisper.

However it did reach Sasuke's ears. Lifting up his head, he watched as his brother and friend defended himself from his traitor brother. Eyes slightly widening from the emotions that suddenly stirred up inside his heart, he immediately pushed himself to stand and force his wickedly torturous brother to fight him instead… but her hand stopped him from doing so.

He glared at her hand then straight to her eyes. "Get off me."

"Why won't you let us help you?" The way she asked him this question with eyes fiercely set on his, he knew that she's longing for a reasonable answer. "No matter how hard you try to fight your brother, it's not enough. If you use the Cursed Seal then you're letting Orochimaru kill him for you." Her tone was grave and attacking yet she spoke of the truth. Even if that man was dead, the Cursed Seal remains. As long as that seal is on his neck then that man still owns him. Sasuke was still borrowing Orochimaru's strength.

Abruptly pulling his wrist away from her touch, he simply looked away. He didn't know what to say to her. Her words acting like an inflicting dagger creating holes inside his mind. It made him chose not to rely on that man's power instead using his own…

But… which one is it?

What was his true strength?

He started craving for strength when his brother's name echoed from every Uchiha clan's mouth. He longed to get that power to surpass him. Then after the massacre, his brother told him to live a miserable life only bearing hatred and vengeance within. Till then he wondered if he even got stronger when he followed his words. Somehow he really did, not by means of clinging to his own life and survived the horrid days, but because of the courage and strength that his companions showed to him. Even as ninjas, they give significance to emotions but emotions for him are nothing but a weak spot for every people.

How someone could possibly became powerful when emotions are on its peak?

He didn't know.

But what he really didn't know was… he was clinging to one emotion— emotion that held hatred.

It wasn't his weak spot; it was his spot that drives himself to gain more power; to seek more strength; to easily plunge himself into dark abyss— the place where Orochimaru can give him what he wanted.

…Power…

Sakura didn't say anything afterwards. She stood beside him almost in reflexes when Naruto landed on the ground just in front of the two. The eldest Uchiha followed, landing on the opposite direction of the same ground level, eying the three with his bloody red eyes.

The three of them glared at him one by one.

"I said it once and I'm saying it again. I won't allow you to get the Kyuubi inside me." Naruto growled while his Chakra flowed freely around his form.

It seems that he can easily call the Kyuubi's Chakra… Itachi contemplated while he observed the newly strange aura that suddenly seeped out from each of them.

I will not let these two use any monstrous Chakra within them but I will not let you kill them. Sakura balled her hands into a fist at the same time she started molding her Chakra.

All three men noticed her first move when she emitted strong Chakra from her body, aiming only to her balled fist. While Itachi was thinking that the blow she's preparing is for him, Sasuke delivered a spinning kick. Gravity suddenly froze as he propelled himself in mid-air. Fast as always, Itachi raised his forearm to shield his head from the kick. Then Naruto recklessly got Itachi into his Taijutsu combo only to have it stopped and forced him to meet the forest floor once again.

But…

BOOM!

Itachi almost lost his balance from the impact of which was created by the pink haired kunoichi. With all those damn dirt smoke covering the other two, he activated his eyes to look for them… only to have himself meet a strong fist that made contact to the side of his face.

He flew away with dangerous force and speed.

Before his face crash near the base of the tree, he rotated his body so that his foot will land on the base. It minimized the danger of crashing his entire body towards the hard tree. However, before he completely concluded this fight, he knew that somehow all their lives are at stake. These young people are willing to sacrifice their lives for this battle; for his young brother.

Itachi's eyes turned to the right when he felt a presence beside him.

An attempt of another monstrous punch was evaded by the Akatsuki. He noticed that the woman was not that fast enough to make an attack with her Chakra packed fist. In order to pull that trick, the user must be trained highly at Taijutsu. Speed and power are essential in battle, of course, intellect as the major key.

The woman who failed to deliver the punch pulled her fist. Strength alone won't help that much if she didn't have the speed to match their opponent. It's hard to admit but in this position, she has disadvantage. Successfully pulling her fist, her left leg then aimed for Itachi's side, above his stomach. Unfortunately, he was able to dodge her attack. It was as though he had predicted her moves.

Her eyes turned wide. Sharingan can predict moves through Chakra!

With her leg in mid-air she continued the rotation and used her other leg to break away from a Taijutsu basic combo. Itachi pulled himself away while she landed half bent knee on the ground. She went back on her thoughts along with glaring daggers at the eldest Uchiha.

He's good in both short and long range combat. He can take anyone one from us if we take him one on one. Even with Sasuke's persistent efforts to kill his brother, none of it will work if he's going all out by himself.

She heard a zooming sound from her back. Following where it will go, she noticed that it was Naruto, and it appears that his claws have come out.

His two tails are out! I told him not to rely on the Kyuubi! Why do they have to be so hard headed!

Begrudgingly watching her teammates dashing on their opponent, Sakura concentrated on her body while her Chakra continued flowing inside and out. Concentrating her Chakra to her palms, she revealed her green eyes that reflect the light coming out from her hands.

I have to slow him down.

And she disappeared from her position.

Sasuke almost received all Itachi's critical attacks. With his activated Sharingan and inhumane speed, he was able to prevent serious blows but it seems like Itachi's catching up. He's like a shadow.

Tch! I have to slow him down or else he'll get me in no time.

Seeing as his mind was drifting for a moment, Itachi took that opportunity and landed a fierce blow at Sasuke's side, hurling the younger brother's body to the direction of what his force led him to. Upon hearing the sound of crashing, Itachi coolly straightened up.

It seems like my foolish brother allowed these two to enter the fight. It's no use holding back.

He immediately disappeared when Naruto's kick almost connected to his jaw. Reappearing at some high branch above his previous position, he noticed that another Chakra is aiming on his back. He just stayed there as if allowing the blow. With utmost timing, Itachi ducked and counterattacked using an uppercut towards her abdomen.

"GUAHH!" Sakura spewed out blood from her mouth.

Hearing her cry, Naruto and Sasuke immediately shot up their head to see their female teammate being outdone by their opponent. Gnashing his teeth, Naruto threw himself in the middle of fight only to be thrown back to where he was. He, too, choked out some mixed saliva and blood from his mouth.

His attacks are now strong! What's he going to do?

Hurting from the recent blow he received, Naruto pushed himself up to watch the fight. He easily noticed that Sasuke's on the move to get back his brother's attention and away from Sakura. On the contrary, it was like Sasuke was provoking his brother to beat her up more seeing that his brother found out his motive.

Itachi was about to inflict another major damage at the back of his younger brother's neck when Sakura came in and pushed out Sasuke out of his range. Sakura and Sasuke landed painfully on the ground floor. Impulsively, she altered her killing Chakra to healing Chakra. She quickly healed Sasuke's injuries and prayed that Naruto would buy some time.

She was wrong.

She was not quite aware that Naruto is still struggling to get himself up; given that his legs would only wobble from the throbbing pain he received from Itachi's blows. And she was also not aware that Itachi is slowly walking towards her position.

"Sasuke! Sakura-chan!"

Alerted from the call, Sakura whipped her head only to look at Itachi's activated Mangekyou Sharingan.

"For the next 72 hours, you will see your own death."

"SAKURA-CHAN!"

Naruto's calls were futile.

To be continued…

Author's Note: It's been a while my friends! Hope you're not mad at me for having a very long rest for this story. It's hard to abandon the original plot of whatever took in during Sasuke and Itachi's fight. No, it's not the action scenes; it's about the main issue concerning Uchiha's history, the massacre. In any case, I'm very much dispirited knowing that some of my frequent readers/reviewers have left me (sobs hysterically) am I not that good at all? (Sobs) (Sneeze) Okay I have to calm down first. Please Read and Review!

p.s. If you're interested to read an MA rated fic you can go to my profile and find the URL going to my webpage – Daydreamer. You can give your reviews through here or to my guestbook.