Chapter 10

It took a moment for Akari go grasp what the Hokage had just said. She let out a small laugh in disbelief. She obviously didn't hear him right. The Uchiha's were dead. Sasuke was all that was left. She looked up at the Third who was watching her carefully. He looked serious. That's when it hit her. He meant what he said! She stood up in shock.

"What are you saying? I can't be an Uchiha! If I am, then why am I still alive! Itachi would've killed me along with the rest of them!" She cried out.

"Akari. Please sit."

In that moment she had nearly walked out on the Hokage. This was just too much to process. What he was saying, well it was absurd. Her an Uchiha? She thought about it and realized it was a possibility. Her parents took her in years before the massacre. But Itachi must have known who she was. Why else would her parents have called him that day all those years ago? So why let her live? She still had questions and the Third had the answers. Slowly she did as he said.

"Akari, you were born and Uchiha. Years ago a few days after you were born, your parents were found dead a couple of miles outside the village. They had you with them. An A.N.B.U found you and brought you back. We were planning to return you to the Uchihas, but he didn't think it was a good idea. Instead he we chose the Yoshidas. They're good people and we knew they'd raise you well. They agreed to keep your secret and have done so ever since."

"But what were my…parents doing out there? And why have a family I wasn't born into raise me?"

"There was conflict at the time. We thought it best you grew up outside of it."

"We? You mean you and the A.N.B.U who found me? Who was he?" She asked.

"A friend. Now listen Akari, we would've of never let you know the truth had it not been for your sharingan."

"My what!"

"Kin and Hana were told to keep a look out for it. That's why they called for an Uchiha when you had your first incident." He continued.

"Itachi" She whispered.

"Yes. Once you told him what happened he knew you would one day receive your sharingan. No one else could know about your true origin so he told you how to hide it. Now you've had another incident. I saw it myself during the second exam. Had you not come I would've gone to you. You need to know the truth so that you can better hide it."

"And that's why my parents sent me to you. So that I don't give myself away."

"Yes"

"I still have questions! About my real parents and the conflict that kept me from the Uchihas! Also who was the A.N.B.U who found me and why trust him to give me to another family?"

"Go home for now. I will send word to the one who found you. He will explain things in more detail."

"Why can't you just tell me?" She didn't want to wait.

"I was only tasked with telling you the truth. Your parent's would like you to see him again."

"Again?"

The Hokage nodded and rose from his desk. This was her queue to leave. She knew he wouldn't say more so she rose and walked out. Once outside she hesitated. He had told her to go home but she wasn't ready to see her family. Instead she chose to walk the streets of the village. The sun was setting so there weren't many people out. This was fine with her. She needed to be alone.

"Man I love this ramen!"

Akari was startled and stopped. She was about to pass Ichiraku Ramen and of course Naruto was there! Did she not tell herself she wanted to be alone! She didn't want to see him! She didn't want to see anyone! Quickly she took to the roofs. She leaped a few blocks away until she was certain she wouldn't run into him. Silently she dropped to the ground and glanced at her surroundings. She was at the park. The sun had finally set so the street lights were on illuminating the playground.

Akari made her way to the swings and took a seat. Her hand grasped the chains firmly as she lightly began to swing. So she finally knew the truth. She was a part of clan who had been slaughtered by one their own. She was an Uchiha. She tried to feel some connection to them but she couldn't. She didn't know them. Sasuke and…Itachi were all she knew. Oh man! Sasuke! How would she face him again? Could she tell him the truth? For years he believed he was all that was left of his clan. He was wrong. Akari knew that now. If she told him, would he accept her? She thought back to their moment together at the infirmary. She had seen his sharingan. She had one too! Curiosity got the best of her and she tried bringing it out. Slowly her vision shifted but then…

She tensed. Someone was in the park with her. Watching her. She could feel their eyes on her back. Slowly she gripped her kunai and shut her eyes. She felt them going back to normal. She couldn't let anyone see them.

"Please put it away. It's only me. I should've known I couldn't sneak up on you."

Akari swore under her breath. Of all the people to find her it had to be him! A part of her didn't want to put away her kunai. A few cuts and bruises would do him good. She thought better of it though. Maiming Neji wouldn't do any good. Though it would make her feel slightly better. She put it away.

"What do you want" She said curtly.

"You're angry with me." He whispered.

"Gee! You think? You nearly killed Hinata!"

"She provoked me! She should've given up when she had the chance!"

She rose in anger and turned to face him. Her hand were clenched into fists at her sides. He was standing a few feet away watching her. She could tell he was getting angry as well.

"She's your cousin! I don't care what issues you have with her, but you don't try and kill your family!" She yelled.

"I'd hardly consider her family! My father…Oh forget it!"

Neji looked so…hurt. She had never seen him this way. Akari had never asked about his father but it seemed to be sore subject. One he was willing to elaborate on. Her anger slowly resided. No matter how mad at him she was, she didn't like seeing him in pain. She went to him. Hesitantly she put her arms around him and held her friend. He let her.

"I don't understand what is going on between the two of you Neji. But I do know that you are both good people. If you would only…"

"Akari. Please let it go." He interrupted her.

"Okay. But just know that if you try to hurt her again, I won't stand idly by." She whispered.

"I understand why you wouldn't. Are you still angry with me?" He asked.

"Not at the moment"

She felt him smile. Akari let him go and took a step back. He frowned slightly. She gave him a small smile and after a moment he returned it.

"I should get home. I'll sleep better knowing you're no longer upset with me" He told her.

"Okay. See you later Neji."

Then he was gone. She stood there staring at the space he left behind. Slowly her smile faded. Now that Neji wasn't there her other problem resurfaced. Finally she turned to head home only to find someone else watching her. This person stood under the trees and was covered head to toe in a black cloak. All she saw was a silhouette. How had she not noticed their arrival? How long had they been there? She was so startled she just stared at the person.

"Akari Yoshida. The Hokage has summoned me. Come this way."

It was a man's voice. It sounded slightly familiar. The man turned and disappeared into the trees. Akari quickly followed. She walked a few feet away unsure of whether to trust him. He led her to the outside the village and kept going. Finally when they arrived at a cliff a few miles away from the village. It overlooked Konoha so she could see all the houses and faces of the previous Hokage.

"Why did you bring me out here Itachi?" She muttered. She kept her eyes on the village.

"I'm here to give you the answers you seek." He didn't seem surprised she knew who he was.

"So the man who murdered the Uchihas is the one who gave me to my parents."

"Yes. Listen carefully."

Akari turned to him. He had removed his hood and was staring at her. She inhaled sharply and tears ran down her face. She couldn't help it. She thought she could handle seeing him but she was wrong. Itachi looked the same as he did those years ago. Same long black hair and piercing onyx eyes. He seemed startled at her reaction and took a step back.

"What's the matter?"

"What's the matter? I haven't seen you in years and the last I heard was you murdered innocent people! Now you're here in front of me! How am I supposed to feel! I should hate you and try my hardest to kill you but I can't! It's what I was planning to do when I knew it was you but I just can't!"

She let the tears fall freely now. He stayed where he was just watching her. After a moment she calmed down. Slowly she wiped her cheeks and walked over to tree. She sat down and leaned her back against it facing the village.

"I'm sorry. I should've eased you into it. I didn't think you'd react like this. I didn't think I meant that much to you." He whispered.

"Yeah well neither did I. I barely saw you but somehow I grew to care for you. Maybe it was how much Sasuke used to talk about you. He made you come off as the greatest ninja in the world. Guess he was wrong." She muttered.

"Akari. Its time I explain. "

Of course he'd change the subject. He wasn't planning to talk about Sasuke just yet. Itachi glanced around him before hesitantly sitting across from her. She met his eyes and waited for him to begin.

"First, you must know why I did what I did. All those years ago my father was planning a coup on the village. He felt that the Uchiha would lead it into greatness. My father expected me to side with them but I couldn't. I vowed to protect the village and I did so in secret. A few years before I made the fatal decision I found your parents. They were also a part of the plan and were planning to train you to fight alongside them. A couple of days after you were born they were taking a walk outside the village with you. Unfortunately they ran into trouble with a few ninja from the Hidden Stone. A group of A. with me included were pursuing them but arrived too late. I got there first and found you hidden in the bushes. The Hidden Stone must have missed you. When the others arrived I was tasked with getting you home. By then I had decided not to. You were young and innocent and I didn't want you to follow in your parents footsteps. It would only lead to pain. So I spoke with the Hokage and we found a new family for you. Years later I would commit massive homicide. I had to. For the sake of the village."

He watched me carefully. She stared back at him in shock.

"You mean to tell me that the Uchiha were trying to take over the village so you killed them all? My real parents were a part of it? Then why leave Sasuke alive? Or me for that matter? We have Uchiha blood coursing through us!"

"Because I knew you could be raised to love the village and protect it. As for Sasuke, well I want him to one day rebuild our clan and make it better than it was before. Together the two of you will lead a new clan of Uchihas that dedicate their lives to Konoha." He said.

"So I should tell him about me?"

"Not yet. Give yourself time to adjust first."

"How? I don't know any other Uchiha to help me with this besides you and Sasuke!" She told him.

"I will help you. On certain days I will send word to you and you will meet me here. I'll show you how to use your sharingan and much more. I'll leave it up to you to decide when to tell Sasuke." He replied.

"Okay. Sounds good. I'll be trained by the man who singlehandedly annihilated a clan. Fun." Akari muttered.

"It won't be easy."

"Yeah, I figured." She stood and wiped away the dirt.

"You're taking this awfully well. You believed me quite easily." He stood as well.

"I guess a part of me still trusts you. But if even for a second you give me the impression that you have other intentions I'll kill you." She said nonchalantly.

"Sounds fair."

"Well then good night Itachi. I'll see you soon I guess."

She turned away and headed back to the village. When she was at the entrance she looked back at the cliff but the man was no longer there. She wasn't sure why she was taking this all so calmly but she didn't think it would last. Maybe because it was late and she was tired. She would probably freak out in the morning once she's had time to sleep on it.