The lesson learned the hard way
Kioko turned to Sasuke, "This is what I've been keeping from you Sasuke. I've only wanted to protect you from the horrible truth but I guess in the end it only ended up hurting you."
Kioko's attention turned to the old meeting place of her clan. "That place, changed everything for Itachi and I."
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Over the long years Kioko had become a splendid ninja and slowly the attacks on her became less and less but her hatred for the clan began to grow slowly over time. Sasuke was growing up rather quickly and he idolized his older siblings and one of his deepest desires was to be just like them. In order for him to do this he knew he would have to become stronger and he followed them to their training grounds. Sasuke watched as both his siblings hit every target even those in a blind spot. The younger boy was excited as he picked up his own kunai and tried to copy his older brother's technique. The smaller Uchiha came close but didn't quite get it. He sighed as he looked over at Kioko. "What am I doing wrong?"
"Don't sweat it so much Sasuke, you'll get it sooner or later." Sasuke sighs as he walks home between his older siblings.
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As Sasuke grew older he began to notice a change in both Itachi and Kioko's behavior. They always seemed in a bad mood or seemed to be preoccupied with something else. There were days when Sasuke even thought someone was after Kioko since a lot of the time she would come home with many cuts and burses. His fears started to become reality when he overheard a conversation between Kioko and Itachi.
"Itachi I can't stand it anymore… the way our people look at me every day I just can't put up with it anymore…"
"I have to agree with you, our clan… they have become pathetic over the years.."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
"I found something out a few days ago… it's a new type of Sharingan. It so happens that only one person has ever been able to obtain it and I think we should get it for ourselves."
"Wait I think I know what you are talking about… it was in that scroll right? I think that would be perfect for the two of us… lets do it."
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"That night will forever haunt me… the night when I killed Akako."
Kakashi was shocked, "So the suspicions were true weren't they. You killed Akako in order to obtain the Mangekyou Sharingan. What possessed you to do such a thing?"
"I don't understand sister, you say that you wanted to end all the torment that the villagers were putting you through but why… why did you have to kill Akako-san!"
"Sasuke has a point… I don't think it was necessary for you to go as far as killing your own best friend… why didn't you go to old man Hokage."
"The Hokage… I didn't trust him either… but then again I was foolish back then, I didn't trust anyone and I thought my only way out was to obtain what people thought was unobtainable."
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Akako had received a message late that afternoon to meet Kioko at the same place they had meet late at night. Unknowing it was a trap she decided to go and waited for Kioko to show up. With her knowledge she had obtained from her training to become an Anbu she quickly paralyzed the unsuspecting Akako. Kioko appeared and looked at a scared Akako, "What are you doing Kioko!? We are best friends… why would you…"
"I'm sorry Akako, but in order to obtain power, I have to do this… I thank you for all you have done for me and every time I use those eyes I will remember you."
Kioko began to walk closer to Akako, who started to cry. "Doesn't anything we did together mean anything to you! Why throw it away for power Kioko…"
Kioko looked deep into her eyes. "It's for their atonement…. And for my future." At that moment Kioko struck Akako's vital organs, tearing the muscles of her heart apart, leaving an untraceable trail. Her closest best friend was gone and in its wake Kioko had received the awesome powers of the Mangekyou Sharingan.
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After Kioko had killed her best friend her behavior became totally different. The Mangekyou Sharingan had destroyed any and all hope for Kioko to find peace in her village. That night Kioko and Itachi once again had a talk.
"Itachi, i don't belong here among our clan.. My path is taking me somewhere else, so I'm leaving our clan. I can no longer tolerate there stupidity…"
"I understand your decision. In fact I have decided that our clan has no business being around any longer. I need to test the limits of my container…rest assured I won't stand in your way Kioko."
"I see what your planning.. if your intension is killing the whole clan, do me one favor, spare Sasuke…"
"Don't concern yourself Kioko… Sasuke has the potential to beat me, at this point he isn't worth for me to kill…"
As she was about to leave, she turned to him and said, "Don't tell Sasuke I'm still alive" Itachi nodded as he watched his sister vanish.
That night, she decided she was going to leave the Uchiha, she gathered up her belongings and entered Sasuke's room.. She looked over his peaceful form and gave him a kiss goodbye, 'grow up to be a splendid ninja Sasuke…,"she whispered and she disappeared into the darkness.
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" Of course the rest is history." Kioko stated.
Sasuke shook his fist in anger. "Why Kioko… why did you have to leave…"
"Our village was suffocating me… I could see it in their eyes. They only wanted to destroy me. I hated them for all they put me through… I needed to find the place I truly belonged even if that meant leaving behind everyone I ever knew. It took me a long time but I finally found the place I belong and that is with Itachi and the other Akatsuki members."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "That doesn't mean you should take it out on the innocent people in Konoha…"
"Innocent people! They all deserve to die for their actions… I didn't deserve any of that Kakashi and you know it!"
Naruto growled and stared at Kioko with anger. "All you're doing is making you sound like a little victim. I don't care if you were treated like that, the fact of the matter is people who will do that. You don't see me trying to destroy our village because of the way they treat me! It won't give you the satisfaction you are looking for, all you will do is cause even more pain and that won't leave you with anything! And if you don't see that I feel sorry for you!"
Kioko eyes widened as Naruto's words drove through her. She looked down, feeling rather ashamed for what she was planning on doing.
"I wanna be there for you sister, I want to show you that you really are accepted and these people don't see you like you say. They see you as a Konoha ninja…. I… I want you to stay here with me Kioko." Sasuke stated.
"Naruto and Sasuke are right… please try to let go of the past and come back with us…you are after all part of our village." Sakura pleaded.
"No one will have to know about your past Kioko… it could be like the old days…. Besides now we could use as much help as ever…. So what do you say?"
Kioko fell to her knees, "All these years I felt as though they forgotten I even existed… I became the forgotten Uchiha. Even after Orochimaru had attacked Konoha i felt nothing, even though I thought it would bring me relief and take away my hatred. It appears I haven't grown up, I didn't see how foolish I was…. But if you are willing…. I will return home, to my only home…."
Sasuke smiled and gave his sister a big hug. "Welcome home Sister."
As they walked the streets together, Kioko was surprised to see the pleasant faces of all those around her. She felt accepted once again a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. Kioko saw her fellow Jounin and they two welcomed her back to the village.
The only question was, would she be allowed to stay in the village. Kioko and Squad seven walked up toward the Hokage mansion and had a meeting with Tsunade. The fifth Hokage began to look over her notes and then looked back at Kioko. "It is true that you have committed a criminal offence by taking the life of a fellow ninja as well as taking part in the Akatsuki organization, however, it was the wish of my late sensei to welcome you back without question if you should decide to return on your own accord. Therefore, I shall leave you to join with Kakashi as part of squad 7. Let us leave such unpleasant things in the past and lets look forward to future."
Kioko was overjoyed with the fact that she was welcomed back into the village. "Thank you very much Tsunade-sama… I promise I shall not disappoint you." A pleasant smile appeared on her face as she whispered, "I'm finally home…."
Kioko finally found the peace she was looking for. Now she has a new dream, a dream to beat Naruto and become Hokage someday, to prove to everyone who ever doubted her that she was no monster but a person they would all look up too.
The end….
I hope you all enjoyed reading this story as much as I liked working on it.
Trunks and goten