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Thanks for all the reviews guys! -hugs reviewers- If you guys like NejiTen, check out my new fanfiction, Auspicious Obligations.
Music: Fallen - Sarah Mclachlan.
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B r o k e n T y p o g r a p h y
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Chapter 15 - Failure
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"78 degrees west of our current position. Two figures, one of them carrying a large sword. Both made up of powerful chakra. What is our situation?"
His eyes narrowed at the mention of two powerful figures by Hyuuga Neji.
It was his chance. Once again, to avenge his clan. But another thing to add to his list…
Her.
He would never forgive that man for killing her.
Whether it be in genjutsu, or reality.
However, if it was reality…
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
His heart clenched.
If it was reality, he would probably hurt so much that his heart would burst from sorrow.
He unconsciously gripped the receiver of the radio attached to his ear, unnecessarily straining his ears for the voice of Kakashi to reply to Neji's question.
"I don't think we should advance in an open-front attack. I've already dealt with Itachi too many times to know that it won't work. Neji, you have the advantage of the Byakugan, so you can look at Itachi directly in the eye, as long as you don't actually use your eyes to do it. Do you understand?"
"Of course."
He frowned slightly at what Kakashi had said, and at Neji's reply.
"Whaa? How can Neji look at teme's nii-san directly in the eye without actually using his eyes, Kakashi-sensei?"
He growled slightly in anger when the dobe referred to that man as "teme's nii-san".
"I am able to see his eyes out of the back of my head. I have near 360 degree vision. I do not have to actually look at him with my eyes in order for me to see him. As the Sharingan's doujutsu has to have direct visual contact with the eyes, it will not affect me if it makes indirect contact with my eyes."
His insides burned in frustration at the Hyuuga's apparent advantage over himself. He didn't care much about the rest of the team, but it frustrated him that someone else had, perhaps, a better chance of fighting the Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Sasuke."
He snapped to attention at his sensei's mentioning of his name.
"Yes?"
"Neji has the advantage, not you, as you very well know. I want you to refrain from hotheadedly attacking Itachi out of your personal feelings. Remember, we are a team, so don't act on your own. There'll be no chance of you defeating Itachi if you so much as look him in the eye and get caught by the Mangekyou Sharingan, so please remember."
He scowled, annoyed at Kakashi's apparent need of reminding him of minor, insignificant issues that he already knew himself.
"Hn."
"Ne, teme, can you stop saying 'hn' for once? What the heck is that supposed to mean anyway? We can't communicate properly if you keep saying something we don't know, eh, bastard?"
He deemed the dobe's comment too low for him to even consider answering.
"Alright. We will formulate a strategy before we attack. Everyone is currently separated and certain that they are hidden, correct?"
He replied in an affirmative, his voice joining the other three which responded.
"Good. Now, although I doubt that we will really be able to take Itachi by surprise, stealth is what we will begin with. Neji, you will attack first, as you will be able to see easily through any genjutsu that Itachi sets up. Naruto, you will engage Kisame in battle. Although you have large amounts of chakra, Kisame has just as much to rival yours, if not more. Be careful and don't make rash mistakes. Try not to contact his sword if possible. Sasuke, you will come and support Neji. Do not rush at Itachi. Do not try to kill him yourself. Do not get yourself caught within the Mangekyou Sharingan again. Am I clear?"
He grunted once more in reply, his annoyance increasing tenfold.
"Good. I will join Naruto in battling Kisame. He is a water type; nearly all his jutsu deal with the element of water. Lightning will be a good counter to that. As for Itachi, the best advice is try and keep out of any genjutsu he casts. Do not look him in the eyes. Itachi is best with genjutsu, and speed. If you can engage him in taijustu, that will be good. In fact, that will be your target area, Neji. Itachi is not as experienced in taijustu, so it will be one of his weaknesses. Unfortunately, few people ever get close enough to the actual person to even be able to fight with taijustu. You must all obey my commands during the battle, and after the battle. If I say to leave someone, leave them. If I say to retreat, we will retreat. It won't do us any good if someone got killed."
"Understood."
"Okay, Kakashi-sensei!"
He glowered at a tree when two male voices responded in affirmative to Kakashi's prep talk. He did not care to add his voice into the mix.
"Sasuke? Do you understand?"
He snarled uncooperatively, but muttered something in consent.
"Wonderful. I hope that we will be able to come out of this alive. After all, I still need to finish my book-"
"Kakashi-sensei, can't you ever stop thinking about those perverted books for one moment?"
The dobe's annoyed screech did nothing to improve Sasuke's temper, nor did Kakashi's light humor. This was a serious matter. Today was the day that that man would die.
"The two figures are coming closer. It is clear that one is Uchiha Itachi, and the other is Kisame - both S-class missing nin."
He focused when Neji's voice confirmed the presence of the two criminals. There was a pause.
Silence.
"Team Kakashi, commence Operation Elimination!"
And they were off, heading towards the ever impending danger and doom.
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He crouched in the foliage, watching his target's every move. His eyes snapped along with every movement, his hackles raised, the tension showing with the drops of sweat that started to form on his forehead.
"Neji."
"Hai."
He heard the Hyuuga activate a genjutsu in response to Kakashi's command, and watched as that man and the other stopped. An amused, yet slightly annoyed expression appeared on the former of the S-class missing nin's face, the shinobi turning to look at the surroundings. His eyes narrowed as his enemy's hands were brought together to dispel the illusion.
Silence.
And that was when Hyuuga Neji struck.
He looked as a handful of kunai were thrown at the foes, and another handful were thrown all around the two, nearly invisible wires crisscrossing the forest space, complete with exploding tags. He heard a clap, and the tags detonated with a great force, shaking the ground slightly. However, a white blur had already shot from the trees into the fray, aiming to kill.
He peered through the smoke, his eyes already in Sharingan mode, trying to catch a glimpse of the fight.
He spotted Hyuuga Neji attacking the enemy, who was dodging.
"YAAAAA!"
He scowled slightly as he saw the dobe jump out from nowhere right at Kisame, yelling a battle cry before beginning to fight.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Copies of the dobe filled the clearing right before his eyes, saturating the area of the forest with yellow-haired, noisy blonds.
"Sasuke."
His lips curled into a smirk as Kakashi said his name, indicating that he was now allowed to participate in the fight. His muscles tensed as he gripped his kunai tightly.
He felt exhilarated and his heart beat quickened. It was it. Today, that man would die.
Today, his family would revenged.
Today, she would be revenged.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
And, with a flick of his wrist, he sent a barrage of shuriken into the mix, knowing full well that the Hyuuga could defend himself from them.
He leapt, his hands blurring in midair as he formed hand signs with quick precision.
"Katon: Goukyaku no Jutsu!"
With a flash, before his huge fireball could even near the fight, he disappeared and moved directly behind that man.
"Ah, little brother. I was wondering when you would quit hiding in the trees and show up."
He growled angrily, swiping at his foe in quick succession with two kunai.
"Shut up. Today is the day you die."
His temper increased tenfold when he saw a small, cynical smile appear on that man's face.
"Really now? Tell me, foolish little brother. How is she?"
Silence.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Bloodlust overtook him at the mention of her. He started attacking wildly, his actions holding no strategy.
Swipe.
Swipe.
Thud.
Thud.
And yet, he was getting no closer to touching that man than before.
"I see that she is a sensitive subject for you. Didn't I tell you before not to feel anything except for hate? Or else...you will never defeat me."
"SHUT UP!"
He roared with rage, and performed another series of rapid hand signs.
"KATON: HOUSENKA NO JUTSU! KATON: RYUUKA NO JUTSU!"
He watched angrily as the two fire jutsu enveloped his nemesis, but he already knew that they did absolutely nothing to him.
"Uchiha Sasuke. You are fighting a genjutsu."
He stiffened as Neji's voice reached his ears.
Pause.
He had...he had been fighting a genjutsu?
He spun on his heel, deflecting a barrage of murderous crows that came his way and spotted Hyuuga Neji fighting a couple yards away from him, with that man.
His eyes darkened quickly, and he felt furious.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
His chakra pulsed, gathering in his right hand.
A sound of a thousand chirping birds filled the air as lightening crackled violently in his palm.
That man would die to his Chidori.
The receiver attached to his ear filled with static for a moment, then a voice sounded urgently through it.
"Sasuke, no! Don't use the Chidori at this stage!"
But he completely ignored Kakashi's warning.
Silence.
He charged, his feet running faster and faster, gaining momentum, as he drew his arm back.
It was time for that man to pay.
And then, he struck.
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He stared at his hand.
The Chidori died down, and disappeared.
A gaping hole had appeared in his abdomen, the sound of sizzling flesh filling his ears.
He gazed at the hand that had twisted his arm at the last second so that he would hit himself with the Chidori.
That man stared down at him with a slightly amused smirk, looking unruffled.
"Did you really think that you could kill me so easily, my foolish little brother? With your mindset, you will never have your revenge. No wonder our parents died so easily. They must have been just as weak as you."
His temper flared to such a high extent that he saw sparks, his head spinning.
He was rapidly losing blood.
"I have something I would like you to see."
And he felt a hand push his chin up, so that his eyes met the eyes of his enemy.
The eyes of the Mangekyou Sharingan.
No...
Not again.
Silence.
"NO! TEME!"
All at once, his world went black, and the last thing he registered was the faint cry from the receiver attached to his ear.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The only thing he could hear now was the rapid beating of his heart, and he noticed that the gaping hole in his chest was gone.
His surroundings were black.
He scowled, feeling hesitant and confused. Where were the scenes of horror, of torture that he was usually forced to relieve?
Silence.
"...Sasuke-kun?"
He jumped, and turned around so quickly that he nearly twisted his neck.
He saw her, standing innocently in a spotlight, looking at him curiously.
He watched as a smile lightened her face, and she skipped towards him.
He backed away, wary and suspicious.
"Sasuke-kun?"
His heart beat a little faster as frown appeared on her sweet face.
"Why are you walking away from me, Sasuke-kun?"
He took a few more steps back as she continued to approach him.
His eyes hardened, and he glared at her.
"You're a genjutsu. You can't fool me again, you bastard."
Pause.
He watched her eyes fill with tears, and she stopped still, staring at him in hurt.
"What are you t-talking about? I'm not a g-g-genjutsu. W-why did you c-call me a bastard, S-Sasuke-kun...?"
He felt pain somewhere in his chest cavity, and he knew that it wasn't from a physical wound.
Damn.
He was so weak that even a mere image of her would trigger his feelings.
"Sasuke-kun."
He gazed at her as she began walking towards him again, getting closer...and closer...and closer...
Until she was right in front of him.
Mere inches away.
He stared into her viridian eyes as she stood on her tip-toes and put her face up to his.
"I love you."
His eyes widened, and he stumbled, falling down onto the dark ground.
He shut out the world as a memory flashed back to him.
"Don't leave me Sasuke-kun…onegai…onegai…onegai!"
He knew a split second before that she was going to embrace him, and he stepped backwards so that she was not able to touch him.
"Don't touch me, Sakura."
He watched her straighten, looking extremely hurt.
"Sasuke-kun…"
Her voice finally broke, and she bent over slightly, shaking her head wildly.
"Please…"
His heart started beating violently in his chest.
"Revenge….won't make anyone happy, Sasuke-kun. You…y-you won't be happy…"
"P-please, Sasuke-kun…I'll do anything to m-make you happy…anything!"
His heart beat faster.
"Onegai, Sasuke-kun…t-take me with you!"
"…"
He turned around and walked a few steps away.
"Sasuke-kun!"
He faced her one last time.
"…I love you."
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
His mind spun as the words repeated themselves over and over and over in his head.
Never stopping.
Never ending.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
"Sasuke-kun? Are...are you okay?"
Silence.
"...go away."
His voice was quiet, and slightly hoarse as he struggled to calm himself.
"You're annoying."
He gritted his teeth as her eyes began to water with tears again.
"I...I don't love you. I hate you. Go away!"
He turned away, refusing to look at her again.
His ears, however, picked up her sniffles, and her quick breaths.
She's not real.
She's not real.
He growled to himself as he tried to ignore her, but with no avail.
And then...
His body stiffened like a board when he felt her weight on top of him, her arms around him.
Hugging him.
Embracing him.
Touching him.
"Sasuke-kun! No...don't say that. I know you love me. I'm real, Sasuke-kun. The battle is over. You're back in Konohana."
He attempted to get away from her, his voice ringing out in anger.
"If I'm back in Konohana, why is it all dark?"
Pause.
He blinked as bright rays of sunshine shone through the window, illuminating the hospital room.
He was sitting upright in a bed, her arms still around him.
He looked into her smiling face, his gaze traveling down to her parted lips as they formed words.
"See, Sasuke-kun? You're here. You were in a coma for a week, but you're alright now."
He gazed warily at her. Her image was so real. It looked so real.
"Never ban me from a mission again, Sasuke-kun! Do you know how much you worried me? And it's not fair! I wanted to be there when you succeeded in your goal."
He frowned at this. His...goal?
"You killed Itachi, Sasuke-kun. You killed him, but you became unconscious after that, so they brought you back here. It wasn't fair that I wasn't there to see that important moment in your life!"
He was still, unable to take it all in. He had killed Itachi? Impossible. This...this was an illusion.
"You're an illusion."
He directed his sight somewhere else as her eyes widened at this, and tears began to form again.
"S-Sasuke-kun...I'm not an illusion. You really did kill him...it's not a genjutsu. I don't understand why you keep saying I am...I've been waiting here, in Konohana, all this time..."
He could hear her sniffling.
"...congratulations, Sasuke-kun..."
Silence.
"TEME, did you make Sakura-chan cry again?"
Suddenly, the door burst open to admit the dobe, who rushed to the bed and glared at him.
"Geez, I can't even leave you two alone without you making her cry! Try harder, why doncha, bastard?"
"I-it's okay, N-Naruto...I'm f-fine..."
Her voice were hurting his heart.
"Teme! If you weren't hurt right now, I'd beat ya to a pulp! Why do you always make Sakura-chan cry? Why?"
He stayed silent.
Was this really...real?
Wasn't it all an illusion?
But...everything...seemed so right.
She was acting like she always did.
The dobe was as loud as ever, and as protective of her.
Nothing, not a single detail, was out of place.
Pause.
"...gomen."
He felt her head snap up and could imagine her mouth opening in slight shock.
"...S-Sasuke-kun...?"
"Hn."
He looked around at her, his mouth set in a straight line, but his eyes softening.
If this was really real...if such a thing was true...it wouldn't be worth anything to upset her.
He watched as a smile graced her face, and was tackled by her again.
"Sasuke-kun!"
He made no move to push her away as she buried her head into his bandaged chest.
"Sasuke-kun...it doesn't hurt, right?"
He gazed down as she poked his chest.
He shook his head.
"You had such a big hole in your chest...but it healed a lot while you were in the coma. Tsunade-sama injected painkillers into you so that it wouldn't hurt when you woke up."
He nodded.
"Yaaata! I think we should go to Ichiraku Ramen to celebrate once Sasuke-teme's healed! What do ya say, Sakura-chan?"
He scowled slightly at the dobe's suggestion, but his scowl faded as she nodded her head.
"Aa, we should! You've finally come up with a good idea for once, Naruto."
"Whaaat? Sakura-chan! Ne ne, Sakura-chan! What do ya mean, 'for once'? I always come up with good ideas! Sakuraaaa-chaaaaaaan!"
He sat silently as she giggled and hugged him again.
"Ne, Sasuke-kun...I'm so glad you're here."
He patted her on the head.
After all, if this really was reality...
It would be the best moment in his entire life.
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He walked along the path to Ichiraku Ramen with her and the dobe.
"Yeaaaaaaah! Ramen! We get to go to Ichiraku again, yaaaay!"
"Naruto, you're so annoying!"
He watched as the dobe skipped ahead to the upcoming ramen stand, instantly claiming three seats.
"Hurry up Sakura-chan and teme!"
He felt her shake her head slightly in frustration, but allowed her to grab his hand and drag him to the stand.
"Hai, two bowls of miso ramen, onegai!"
He raised an eyebrow at her order.
"How did you know that I would order miso ramen?"
Pause.
He looked curiously at her as she giggled.
"You always order miso ramen, Sasuke-kun. I assumed that this time, it wouldn't be anything different."
"Hn."
He merely grunted at her logic.
The day was so beautiful.
The sun shone with all its might, lighting up the clear blue sky. A soft, cool breeze swept through the peaceful village, and birds chirped happily in the trees.
He had come to accept that this was indeed, reality.
Everything was too real...too right to be an illusion.
He had killed that man.
Of course, he did not remember doing so...but he had gone on a crazed rampage after the chidori burned a hole in his chest, according to the dobe, and eventually defeated his enemy.
He had avenged his clan.
There was nothing more to worry about, now.
He had never felt so content before.
And, if there was no longer a threat to her...
"Ne, Sasuke-kun, how're you feeling now?"
Then...
"I'm fine."
He could finally accept her love.
Silence.
"Sakura."
"Hai, Sasuke-kun?"
He turned to look at her, silent for a moment.
"I need to talk to you."
He got up. She paused for a second, before understanding, and also got up.
"Eh? Sakura-chan? Sasuke-teme? What are you guys doing? Where're you guys going?"
"You can't come, Naruto."
He smirked slightly at her threatening voice.
He turned and walked along the path, away from the whining of the dobe, with her following.
Step.
Step.
Step.
They walked in silence, all the way until they got to the bridge. The bridge that Team Seven always met at for training.
He stopped in the middle of the bridge.
"Sasuke-kun? What do you need to talk to me about? Why are we here?"
He gazed down at her, into her eyes.
Now was as good a time as ever.
"Sakura."
He watched her straighten at the sound of her name on his lips.
"Hai, Sasuke-kun?"
Silence.
He could do this.
"I..."
He paused.
"I..."
He knew that she was confused by the look on her face.
"Sasuke-kun?"
He could do this.
He gathered his all his courage.
It...was time.
"Sakura, I..."
A soft breeze passed by him, calming his nerves.
He opened his mouth again.
"Sakura, I love-"
Silence.
A shrill, piercing scream had interrupted his speech, chilling him to the bone with its intensity.
His brain stopped for a moment, numbed by the loudness of the scream, before realizing something.
The terrible, terrible scream was coming directly from...
Her.
He stood, rooted to the spot in shock, at the sight of a kunai sticking out from her stomach.
He watched in horror as her blood pooled around her feet.
Her eyes were wide, her mouth parted, although sound was no longer coming out from it.
And what he saw next was the most horrendous sight he had ever seen in his entire life.
For, the kunai...
The kunai that was sticking out of her stomach...
The kunai that was dripping with her blood...
The kunai that was responsible for the paling of her skin...
That horrible, horrible kunai...
Silence.
Was grasped in his hands.
Her blood, that was pouring out from the wound, flowed onto the kunai, onto his hands.
His hands were soaked in her blood.
He was unable to comprehend the scene.
She was gazing at him with hurt that was simply unimaginable.
He was unable to move, his body still frozen, and watched as she dropped slowly onto the ground, coming to lie in her pool of blood.
However, her eyes never left his face.
He stared fixedly as her blood-stained lips parted slightly, to form words.
"...why, Sasuke-kun.? Why...?"
Her eyes were clouding over.
He could only watch, his brain completely motionless.
"Why...Sasuke-kun...?"
And finally, he was able to drop down onto the ground next to her, unable to take his eyes off of her, as she whispered her last.
"...why...?"
He gazed at her as her body went limp and her eyes closed.
No...
No...
It couldn't be...
It was impossible!
Silence.
She was dead.
And he had killed her.
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Foolish little brother.
You were so immersed in your pathetic dreams.
Nothing is what it seems, foolish little brother.
Remember that.
Nothing is what it seems.
Or...
You will suffer forever.
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The Byakugan's advantage over the Sharingan is not canon. Therefore, it is not true (or perhaps it may be true - I don't know), so please do not make any comments about how the Sharingan will prevail over all other doujutsu, or something, just in case anyone is feeling like making this type of comment. Thank you.
OHMYFRICKINGOD, I am pissed off beyond measure. I had written the PERFECT ending for this chapter, but didn't have time to upload it yesterday. Today, when I open up this document, what did I see? My ending all freaking erased. NOTHING. NONE of those 2000 words I had typed remained. WTF? GOD am I pissed off. So excuse me if the bottom part of the story sucks.
This isn't the end of the story for anyone that may think so. The end is nowhere near yet (although I wish it was because I desperately want to write it). Sorry for not updating for nearly a month. This chapter is one thousand words longer than the others, to make up for it. Anyways, I hope that I can get a lot of input for this chapter! I got a lot for my new fanfiction, Auspicious Obligations, and I hope that I can get just as many in this chapter as I got for my most recent chapter of that fanfiction.
So, please, review.
