Chapter sixteen: Live or Dead

Disclaimer: I haven't done this in a while and thought it was obvious, but I do not own Naruto or the characters. In fact, thanks to freakin Disney, I don't even own my name. Fuck Mickey Mouse.

Author's note: Sorry for the wait, but I was at camp.

Naruto and Hinata thought about what they were going to say to Hinata's father about how far their relationship had gotten. Naruto was sure that the head of the Hyuuga clan was probably going to place a bounty on his head so big, he wouldn't be able to come within ten feet of a civilized village. What could he really say? That thing's had gotten out of hand or that the need for each other led them to that dreaded place that put them on skid row?

"I think we should just come out and say it," said Naruto. "Trying to cover it up will probably just make things worse."

"I'm just afraid what my father might do to you if he finds out about us," said Hinata.

"Find out about what," said a voice from behind. The couple stared back into the eyes of Hyuuga Hiashi, who surprisingly had a smile on his face. "Neiji keeps me informed through birds every day, so when he finds out something new, he contacts me. I've heard everything that has happened to the both of you good and bad. Now, I was angry, but when Keiji introduced me to good reason, I found that what you do in bed only brings you closer together."

"Thank you, sir," said Naruto.

"Oh, yes and Naruto," said Hiashi.

"Yes, sir."

"Congratulations on your promotion. I look forward to hearing good things from you and your team."

As soon as Hiashi left the cabin, Anko looked at Keiji and asked, "So what is this good reason that you introduced to him?"

"My right fist," said Keiji, taking a sip of his sake. He picked up his kunai pouch and shuriken holder as he went to the door. "I got to go meet with a contact for a few minutes so I'll see you at the film festival."

"Alright," said Anko, as she kissed him on the lips. Secrets were their life and could never hurt their marriage. Naruto, however, was curious and felt that he should try to shadow Keiji to find out what he knew. He and Hinata trailed Keiji to a spot under the pier where the film festival was to take place. It was wet and damp from the hollow cave like way the pier was built. Keiji didn't seem to notice them, instead focusing more on the contact, who wore a hooded black coat with red flowers on them.

"I was surprised that you came down here," said the contact, his voice sounded familiar, like a ghost rising from the sea of Naruto's memories and nightmares. "I wonder what your wife would think about me being here. She is very beautiful, so much to the point that I've felt like raping her."

"You have officially worn out your welcome," said Keiji with the intent to kill driving his words. "Give me your message and leave, Itachi."

"I see the Kyuubi is watching us as we speak," said Itachi, who had removed his hood to reveal his cold face. It was handsome and majestic, like Keiji's, but with a softer coldness to it.

"Yes I know, but what information do you have for me," asked Keiji. "If those goons who you have waiting in the shadows is you message then by all means send them in. Your nothing compared to me Itachi, you're just some resurrected corpse that's used as a puppet, nothing more."

Naruto stepped towards Keiji to back him up and to get a closer look at Itachi's face. He saw the mark on Itachi's forehead that Sasuke's chidori had left when he was killed. It was like having déjà vu from some nightmare. There he was, the man his best friend had ran away to kill, but he should already be dead a long with the rest of the Akatsuki. Other ninja's were with him, coming out from behind the ocean's mist. Each one carried a kodachi or a dao, and was dressed in camouflage.

"Well I guess I should just go ahead and give you the message the Mizukage wanted me to give you," said Itachi as he motioned for the shinobi to attack.

"WATER STYLE! WATER DRAGON MISSLE," shouted Keiji as he performed the hand signs in record quickness with one hand.

Half the ninja were wiped out and the rest were hit with a barrage of shuriken from Naruto. It was over as quickly as it began leaving Itachi standing there wide eyed. Realization had slipped into his mind, the same realization he had when he saw Sasuke with the chidori so close to his forehead. He realized that his master had underestimated the power of the two shinobi. He then realized that his little brother was right behind him alongside the boy's sensei, Hatake Kakashi. Things weren't going well for him and his resurrection was now becoming a cruel joke as he saw a sight so similar to the events leading up to his death that it was déjà vu.

"Why did you come back," asked Sasuke, staring at his brother. "Why do you continue to cling to this world that you have nothing, but hatred for? Have you decided to tell me why you killed our clan?"

"Our clan died because they sought to break their pledge to the village," said Itachi.

"What are you talking about," asked Sasuke with a growl of rage in his voice.

"You may know of certain events that led to that night, but not the whole story. Like, I bet you don't know that the investigation and signs of my dissent after Shissui's death was all just a ploy thought up by the head members of the Uchiha clan. I was ordered to kill Shissui to gain the Mangekyo Sharingan to be used against the Third Hokage himself. Father didn't know anything about it though, and after I had stained my hands with the blood of one clan member, I felt like doing it again. I killed them all because the Mangekyo craved it, needed it, and called for it. The person I had been was dead and is still dead, but his body will not rest in peace. It exists to be used as a puppet. Even when you killed me then, I was still a puppet on the Akatsuki's string. Now, enough with the small talk, let's get to the conversation shall we?"

Itachi moved with his trademark quickness which was still enough to overcome Sasuke, but to Itachi's surprise, Kakashi had trained himself to move faster. It immediately became a battle of the eyes as Kakashi and Itachi both called upon their Sharingan's, but Kakashi had the ace up his sleeve this time. How can this be, thought Itachi. This eye isn't a regular Sharingan it's like Keiji's eyes, wolf eyes. Itachi found himself nearing his limit first and tried to retreat, but found his entrance blocked by his brother, sword in hand. Without a word, Sasuke ran the tip through Itachi and the two brothers stared into each other's eyes for one last, both with tears in their eyes. Itachi mouthed the words, "my brother," as he collapsed on the floor. Sasuke kneeled down over his brother's body and cried his name out into the horizon. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder and knew who it was as he turned around. There was Sakura, who held out her arms with a promise of comfort. Everyone was a little bit closer to heaven.

"So the Mizukage is planning to start here," asked Tsunade. She had invited Gaara to her private box in the grand theatre to discuss the next course of action against the mist.

"His ship will be in tomorrow," said Gaara. "I myself will be dealing with the Mizukage with Keiji and I was wondering if you could give us some support."

"I'll have two teams prepared by tomorrow morning."

"Yes, GrannyTsunade, you wanted to see me," asked Naruto.

"I have a mission for you and your team," said the Godaime Hokage. "The Mizukage is planning on starting a war and he plans to start here. The Godaime Kazekage will be leading a squad to assassinate the Mizukage. Your team and a team formed by Kakashi, will offer assistance. This mission is to be handled with the utmost care. This will prevent a war so don't screw it up. Your dismissed."