I wrote this whole chapter before reading the manga up to it's most recent release, and I'm like damn... I see Itachi in a whole new light! Yo, it's me Zerolr, you know got the chap 6 running here. After this, is alllllll Ichigo and his fight with the hollow-- read on peoples! Bai, bai!

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Chapter seven - A Decision, and Order and an Arrangement

The sky filled with colors as the brilliant mellow coloured sun begins it's decent over the horizon. Sasuke rested on his back on the cool grass that felt refreshing against the back of his head. Naruto laid next to him watching the same scene. He looked over Sasuke, and saw contentment written all over his face. He smiled too and turned his head over to watch the sky.

Tomorrow, he thought, we'll set off into a new world. Sure, we're not the first ones ever to do so, but it's a privilege to be legally allowed. It took more explanation from Sakura-chan and Kakashi-sensei for me to get the seriousness of entering the "other side". The world outside of us is actually the non-shinobi villages that our ancestors had worked for and protected. We are the shadows and as shadows we mustn't be seen, that is our way. The Akatsuki are no longer even considered ninjas—they have dropped our hidden way of living. After a time, for many years we lost connection to that world, but now that those doors are opened, we can't ignore it anymore, it doesn't matter how much it has changed throughout the years. And if any danger exists, we must do our best to protect them. That is why we exist…

"Naruto," Sasuke asked speaking up suddenly.

"Hmm?" he turned to face him.

"Truth is, I've always wanted to join the Akatsuki…"

Naruto's eyes widened, "Whaaat?! But Sasuke, why?"

"Because, their idea of freedom tempts me…" he sat up as well and looked straight into Naruto's bright blue eyes, "Don't you want to feel freedom? To know that you are doing what your heart truly desires, instead of walking that indicated red line?" Sasuke looked up into that warm coloured sky. "We Uchiha were known to become officers, rule makers—enforcers. Meant to be the best, absolutely perfect, skilled unnaturally talented… Perhaps that fucken weasel wanted to break out of that circle… Everything is that circle, everything spins…"

"Sasuke…"

"And maybe you, born to be the pot hole that everybody shits in, is going to spin to it's top… and maybe you are to end up as the Hokage, or maybe something more greater than that…"

"No! Come on Sasuke! You know that you're alwa—"

"So then, what about me?" His voice was steady calm, "Am I to resign myself to some petty missions and tasks…living a mundane life, telling myself that I am truly happy this way? Am I happy? I'm alone now, so, I … continue living like this? My family name is dead. So, what is my purpose?"

"Sasuke, are you really bent on joining them?" asked Naruto quietly. His eyes were lowered and his heart doubted to hear the answer.

"No."

Suddenly that instant, Naruto hugged him, embracing him tightly, "Thank goodness," he whispered, "Thank goodness…"

"Dumbass," he replied harshly wrenching him off feeling embarrassed, "I don't intend on joining any group that has my brother in it—not even associated to him!"

"That's good," sighed Naruto while contemplating the sunset.

"I plan to make my own…"

Rows and rows of candy lined the front part of Urahara's shelves. Large swirl pops, small mints, chocolates and itty bitty pastries worth a few cents. Deidara's large blue eye widened as he considered his options. Tobi was with him as well for he loved candy just as much as the next person. They both wore casual clothing, pants and sneakers and the shinobi headbands were not seen anywhere on them (Tobi never had one to start with). The savvy storeowner stood calmly and watched them just in case. He was well informed about the Akatsuki. Pein their leader, is actually a good friend of his.

Urahara, a shady character who, always extends his shady hand to other shady characters, that's the shady way…

"Can I have a bag?" squeaked Tobi happily.

"Oh sure, sure!" Urahara went behind the counter to retrieve one, when the phone in the wee background, rang.

Jinta, followed by Ururu paced urgently up to his boss with the phone in hand, "Here, he says it's important." He replied with a regular scowl on his face.

"Cute kid," grinned Tobi. He reached a hand to pet him, but Jinta bit his fingers.

"I'm not a fucken animal, Jackass!"

"Umm, Jinta…"stuttered Ururu.

"Heh, that's what you get," jeered Dei, taking the bag that Urahara handed over to them.

"Hey! That's mine, Senpai! No fair!" He wailed

"Shut up!"

"Moshi, moshiiiii," he sang over the receiver.

"It's me."

"Oh, Isshin-san, what's wrong it's not like you to call me…" Urahara walked towards the back and met up with Tessai, and cupping his hand over the receiver he addressed him, "Go. Take care of those customers for me…"

"Yes, Boss." He replied obediently.

"Sumi masen, Isshin-san,"

He spoke.

"Ooh, really? Well, he is an adolescent. That rebellious nature always kicks in every once an— Gomen nasai, gomen. Just a joke. Hmm… I see… you want me to find him? You know what? I'll send Rukia.

"Urahara-san," Renji appeared, "Rukia's no longer in her room. She left through the window… Don't you sense it? Some strange ass reiatsu, it's mad irregular. Rising and falling, as if it's got no pattern."

Urahara nodded and returned his attention to the phone, "I'll have this taken care of, I'm sending Renji," he closed the phone and lifted his gaze towards the confused red head.

"Free loader-san, go and find Ichigo. It seems something has gone wrong."

"Wrong? A Hollow?"

Urahara smirked mused by the sick coincidence, "Yes, actually it is a Hollow."

Neji and Hinata walked down the dirt road towards the Hyuuga estate. There was an awkward silence between them. Neji admired how the wind blew through her navy blue hair. Her cheeks slightly flushed from the cold evening breeze, it made him blush.

The crickets play their symphony that matched with the rest of the rhythms that beat within the night. She had told him prior, that Hisashi urgently needed to speak to him.

About what? He wondered.

The servants opened the main gates and allowed them in. Another pair of servants opened the ones that lead to the head house.

"Konbawa, Hinata-sama, Neji-kun" spoke the elderly maid that pulled open the door on the right.

Neji knew her. He knew many of the servants that were all part of the branch family.

"Konbawa," replied Hinata politely, Neji just nodded to them. The old maid winked at him. Eh? He thought. That could only mean, that I don't have to worry about anything. That whatever Oji-sama had to say to me is not going to be anything bad…

As they walked in Hinata turned to Neji and tried to take his bag from him so she can put it away, but Neji wouldn't let go. She stopped and looked up.

"No, there is no need, I can put it away—" he began, but then he remembered Tenten's whack on the head, "Not that I don't appreciate what you…" he stopped not knowing how he should act anymore.

"Um, it's okay, remember you need to bathe and dress in some fresh clothes before you meet with Otosan," Father She left him with his bag in his hand as she walked off. For that moment Neji felt like the biggest jerk.

The door ahead of him slid open and Hisashi stepped out. Spotting Neji his face animated and quickly motioned for him to come.

"Welcome Neji," he spoke, "Come in here, I've been waiting."

"My deepest apologies, Oji-sama, but my clothes are muddled and wet from training if you can only give me a minute to—"

"Never mind that, come in."

"Uh, yes sir," Neji followed without a second thought.

He settled and sat in front of him. Neji felt uncomfortable to be facing him in this state. His clothes had mud and grass stains, not to mention he was well aware of the strong stench of body other. As he settled down on his knees, he kept his arms properly closed tightly on his sides.

"Neji," Hisashi began as soon as he settled down, "I intend to very soon make you part of the Head Family,"

His eyes widened. He feared that over these few years Hisashi had shown him much more favoritism for him over Hinata, but to take her place—that's too much! He couldn't change the fact that Hinata was his offspring not Neji.

"I cannot accept—"

"Of course you can, and you will."

Neji dropped his gaze. Inside, he boiled knowing how much Hinata has been working. Now she's much like his maid packing him lunch and brewing tea for him and Hisashi. "Hinata, with all due respect, is your daughter—you cannot deny her existence."

"I'm not," Hisashi replied calmly, "Hinata is my first born daughter and you alongside her, shall become heirs to the Hyuuga family name," he smiled, anxious for his reaction.

Well, Neji's face paled tremendously, the tried to speak but no words came.

"I am preparing a miai (arranged marriage) between you and my daughter," added Hisashi when he saw when Neji was at a loss for words.

"I am not worthy," he bowed. His mind was still at shock. Here I am, shitty and stinky as hell with an uncle whom I once constantly wished for a most horrible death. How is this happening?! His mind afterwards blanked unable to think anymore, he just kept listening and accepting.

"I don't want you to tell her…"

Neji slowly lifted his head and saw that look in his eyes, He knew about her infatuation with Naruto.

"The date has not been set. For now, I want you to drop your guard a little, open yourself more to her and when you are around us. You are a part of us now.

It sounded so strange those words. But does he know? I suppose there is nothing that rests unseen by his eyes. He is years older than I, recognizing easily the patterns and gestures of the people around him. I have admitted to myself and there is no doubt that hearing this gladdens me. Deep inside I posses strong feelings for her. But is this truly okay? Feeling happy for her misfortune? Because of me, she won't be able to be with the person she truly cares about…

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Notes

I am highly aware that Neji is acting wayyyy to mushy compared to the way he usually acts, but he's like this with his family but to the world outside he is the Neji we all know and love... (I'm HUGE fan of him by the way) Oh and if you dislike the pairing of Neji/Hinata, I'm sorry but that's my fave pairing so you don't have to read on if it disturbs you so... (you'll be missing good story though...)