"I knew that you would react this way," Suigetsu mused aloud. "You were always the paranoid, over reactive one,"

Sasuke said nothing.

"But maybe I shouldn't be saying anything. It's killing me, too, you know. This whole situation,"

"Doesn't look like it,"

"Doesn't look it, but it does. There's a difference,"

Again, Sasuke said absolutely nothing.

"Where is Itachi anyway?" Suigetsu gave Zanbatou a little swing that ended in the blade coming to a rest on his shoulder. "I would've thought he'd show up by now, that rat,"

Sasuke took a sharp breath at the mention of his older brother's name coming out of Suigetsu's mouth. That mouth—the person—had whispered many words into Sasuke's ears in the past. Words that didn't sound faked or forced as far as Sasuke thought. And apparently they weren't. It was just that he was never going to be as good at Itachi, but he was still, well, good.

Sasuke didn't get it. He didn't want to get it.

Once again, Itachi had ruined his fucking life.


Neji didn't say anything to Itachi during the first leg of the journey. Even so, Itachi could tell exactly what the younger guy was thinking. It was kind of hard not to know, especially since it was obvious the Hyuuga was still feeling sore after the incident two and a half years ago. He himself didn't know what to say. He half wanted to console the guy as some sort of peace offering, but the other half told him he shouldn't try to sympathise. Neji was the type who didn't enjoy being pitied.

"You know…," Itachi began. "If you have troubles on your mind…you should really let someone else know about them, lest you burden your own mind with too many thoughts,"

"I'll be fine," Neji replied quickly. He could tell Itachi was trying to be friendly, but he didn't need that right now. He didn't even know whether to be nice or angry at Itachi. The thought that he was, at present, practically "hanging out" with an Akatskui member hadn't even crossed his mind. He was initially unnerved by Itachi's presence in Konoha, but he'd gotten used to it after a while, especially after they left the village without a hitch. He had to admit, Itachi was pretty damn skilled. Not that he hadn't known that.

Anyway, he wasn't sure if he should berate the older Uchiha about him stealing his younger brother's boyfriend but, then, he didn't know the full story. Or the boyfriend…yet.

He decided to save his words for later…if they were necessary.


"So Sasuke…," Suigetsu said. "You ready?"
"For what?"

"Don't play clueless," the Mist nin half snapped. "I know as well as you do that your pride is your utmost priority. And I just snapped it in two. No one does that without getting it in the ass, right?"

Sasuke said nothing.

"For fuck's sake," Suigetsu turned around quickly and swung the giant blade of Zanbatou at Sasuke, who leapt away from its path adeptly. In one swift motion, he had his own katana in his hands and he swiped it once. Suigetsu didn't bother to dodge it. The part of his face which was threatened by the blade melted into water briefly.

"Oh please," Suigetsu smirked, putting a hand to his cheek. "Don't play dumb, either. You know that sword won't work on me,"

Sasuke dropped the katana and tried to calm himself down. He tried to think of soothing things, but nothing came to mind except a flowing river, and the river reminded him of Suigetsu.

He glanced around, feeling the air, trying to see if Itachi was in the close vicinity.

He wasn't.

That's it then Sasuke thought, his hand trembling in anticipation. Here we go…

"They've begun,"

Neji looked over at Itachi curiously. It was a short statement, too short for its gargantuan implications.

"Already?"

Itachi nodded, quickening his pace. His Akatsuki coat flew behind him, whipping in the air. It made him looking effortlessly dark and cool. Neji shook his head from the thought. He couldn't risk falling for Itachi too, not that he was even close to doing that—he only had eyes for the other Uchiha—but he was the type to take every precaution possible.

"So fast," he commented quietly.

They continued on, a little faster now, now that they knew they were close...and the stakes were higher.


Sasuke's first plan was to use Chidori. It was fast, efficient and simple. Suigetsu was, very literally, a body of water and the jutsu which Kakashi taught him many years ago made the verdict obvious and the victory fast. He activated his Sharingan and prepared himself. The wind was picking up, as if sensing the tense atmosphere.

Suigetsu saw—not to mention—heard the distinct Chidori before it came at him. He smiled a bit at Sasuke's extent, at the same time knowing he was doomed as far as that went. He wondered if he could counter it.

No he thought. It's beyond my ability to--

He stopped all his thoughts as Sasuke neared.

The Uchiha knew that Suigetsu wasn't even going to try and avoid the attack. It almost made him hesitate. Sasuke was, well, evil, but that didn't make him entirely immoral: this defenceless target, his ex boyfriend, made his heart ache as he thrust his hand forward and watched as the Mist nin was hit.

No!

Itachi swept into the clearing, Neji ahead of him. He had no idea what the Hyuuga was thinking now, but clearly he was thinking fast.

The Hyuuga had his Byakugan activated within seconds and was racing in what Itachi could assume was his full speed.

"Air palm!"

Sasuke had been too busy watching Suigetsu collapse to catch the ambush. He fell backwards from the force, his mind devoid of thought until he hit the grit hard.

Neji?!