Prologue

Ba-bump. Ba-bump, ba-bamup, ba-bump.

"I need the medical team in here, now!"

"Multiple -juries to the che….possible bro…ribs. Check spinal…or supposed damage…stop…eeding, immediately!"

"Where…-sama?!"

Voices shouted over the constant beeping that flooded my ears. Each breath became a nearly unbearable task as my chest screamed at me, caving in on itself. The yells above me increased in their volume as my lungs ceased to fill with air and the beeping next to me became louder. A mask was placed over my face, its cold metal sides burning around my bleeding mouth and clean oxygen filled my deflated lungs. It was forcing me to breathe, forcing me to live a little bit longer. I strained my eyes wanting to open them, to convey my unwillingness for them to save my life.

I didn't deserve it.

Ba-bump, ba-bump…bump…bump…

Eyelids crusted with blood long dried, opened with reluctance. Instantly, light crashed over my vision blinding me with their intensity, the white radiance contrasting with my black soul. Every nerve screeched their messages that my body was hurt, drowning me in their feral cries. A yell tore from my throat as my brain registered the pain that was racking my body, understanding that it was broken.

Ba-bumpBa-bumpBa-bump.

A restraining hand caught my shoulder, holding me down onto the stretcher as I thrashed about, trying to find a moment of respite from the agony.

Stop! I wanted to shriek. Make it stop! It hurts, it hurts so much!

All that came from my feeble attempts was a hoarse exhale of air. Tight bands wrapped around my legs, keeping me in place as I struggled to break free. After a few moments, I could only stare at the streaming lights above me as the fight fled from my body. A face blurred before my eyes, a halo of light veiling their features. Fingertips feathered over my sweaty brow, brushing aside midnight strands from raven wing eyes. Bow shaped lips murmured what was supposed to be comforting assurances, but I could not hear them. I could only guess at their futile meaning.

"Alright…you…be…right…" she whispered, her words fading as blackness stained the edges of my world.

Ba-bump…Ba-bump…bump……..

The voice above me drowned in the pounding of my heart, her lies dying in the orchestra of white noise around me. Shadows spread like a disease across my dimming vision. Closer and closer, murky tendrils spread their reach, spidery fingers weaving their deadly web. Maybe I would get my wish. Maybe this is the end for me.

Bump…bu…mp...

A high pitched whine distantly echoed in my ear, its monotonous tone sounding far off in the distance. It wasn't hard to ignore as I relished in the release of the pain. It felt delicious, this numbness.

You are weak.

No! I'm just tired, so…so tired. I just want it to end, to let Kami-sama take me into his embrace so that my soul can rest.

Why are your weak?

Get out, I shrieked! Get out of my head! You're the reason why I'm dieing! I'm not weak; I just wasn't strong enough to kill you.

Because you lack hatred. That is why you are weak.

No, I could never lack hatred. I hate you. I hate you with every fiber of my being even though I had never met you until…today. Was it only this morning that Death left his mark upon my heart?

Foolish little girl…

I'm not foolish! I will kill you! I promised! I promised that I would and I can't betray the one person who is the most precious to me. It was in his eyes, his bottomless black eyes that I shared, before they became tainted with death's gray.

If you wish to kill me…yes, more than anything… despise me…you killed him…hate me…this raging fire burns at my very soul…and live in an unsightly way…if only to slide my father's sword between your ribs, I will…run, run and cling to life.

You told me to hate you, to despise you, and then come before you some day and kill you when I became stronger. I've killed before. I've felt a heart beat its last, eyes milky as the final breath leaves the body their accusing depths open. Blood drenched my hands; I couldn't wash it off for days. My stomach rejected the sin I had committed and rebelled against me, heaving until there was nothing left.

I hated killing. I hated fighting, yet there was nothing else I knew better. There are seven vulnerable places on a body that would lead to an instant death and I could strike at any of them without a split second of indecision. A shinobi was a tool. Nothing more. Father taught me that before I could walk. He made it clear to me that warriors of the night never showed their emotions. Father was especially good at that.

So, yes. I will become stronger. I will hunt you down. I am an avenger, a shinobi of no village, I am Amaya Uchiha, daughter of the rogue ninja Sasuke Uchiha, and I will kill you, Itachi. I swear it.

Bump…bump…Ba-bump, bump.