Hey again! Enjoy and review if you like this;p


CH6

Itachi awoke slowly. The late night meeting with Danzo didn't help his health one bit. He was starting to suspect that whatever it was he had would only worsen. The pills Tobirama obtained for him would help but he doubted there was a cure. Perhaps however he was worrying needlessly and his condition was the result of stress. He was definitely having a lot of that lately. Tonight he would have to act.

How did he feel? How should one feel about killing their own clan for the sake of a greater good? Danzo had said that he should feel like a hero. A shinobi who operated in the dark for the sake of the village, he didn't feel one bit of a hero. Mostly he just felt guilt and hate. Yes he Itachi Uchiha hated himself. He had no doubt of weather he would carry out his mission. Rather a strange sense of nostalgia hit him. He had asked Tobirama once months ago weather the ends justified the means. Tobirama had said that he didn't know. The village, the village was what was important. It kept peace and nothing else mattered, killing someone for its sake did not make you good it made you human.

He had then asked Tobirama about his Sensei so as not too appear suspicious. How Orochimaru had used "volunteers" for the research, the very same research which allowed a breakthrough in medicine and now could regrow bones and organs. Something Itachi had always thought was near impossible to accomplish. Tobirama replied that he doubted his Sensei felt regret for his actions but if he himself had to hurt someone who was innocent for the sake of the village or a greater good he would try to make it up to them somehow.

The answer appalled Itachi, but perhaps it was because he didn't waste much time talking to people. In all honesty he had nothing to say. But he respected Tobirama and hoped that what he would do tonight would work out according to plan. But if this was the last day of the Uchiha perhaps he was obligated to make it a memorable day. His parents deserved a better son then him. Perhaps if just for one day he could give his brother, parents and lover the man they deserved.

He made his way to the open window and breathed in the fresh sunlit air. It was the kind of day that was warm with a chilly gust of wind now and then. Outside he saw children not old enough for the academy running around with a ball yelling happily. He closed the blinds with a snap allowing the pent up tears to fall. He heard the kettle whistle in the kitchen indicating that breakfast was ready. Washing off his face and taking in a deep breath he calmed himself. If this was his last day then he would cry later. Today he was Itachi Uchiha another thirteen year old who loved his little brother, was annoyed with his parents for always messing in his "teenage" affairs and was madly in love with his fiancé like every Uchiha who was betrothed was supposed to.

He made his way slowly downstairs.

"Oh Itachi! Will you have some breakfast?" His mother's bright smile faltered at his prolonged stare.

Then to her shock he smiled at her. "I don't have any missions today I don't see why not."

He sat down next to his brother giving him a shove "Hey! Stop that!" His brother playfully shoved him back. "So are you going to train me today?"

"And if I don't?" The grin on Itachi's face grew wider.

Sasuke smirked. "Then I'll go ask the white haired guy to train me!" Itachi poked his brother in the forehead. "He has a name you know."

His brothers hands rubbed away the poke but Sasuke's smirk widened in hope. His brother hadn't refused! Score one! Who knew his brother was the jealous type?

"Yes! If you don't train me he will!" Sasuke said as a matter of factly.

"Well," Itachi tapped his chin feeling like he was extremely going out of character, "If you put it that way fine. Eat up your breakfast." With a last poke at his little brother he dug into the omlet his mother made.

"This is good." The clinking of dishes being washed suddenly stopped. Crap why did he say that?

"You, think so?" Mikoto turned off the faucet and walked toward her son in surprise. He nodded. "Better than the ration bars we've been eating on all through the last mission." Mikoto's eyes widened nearly watering. She had never heard Itachi simply speak his mind like this! It was a dream come true! She didn't dare push her luck but then again you never got anywhere without risks.

"Do you want me to make anything in particular for lunch? You're rarely home." Itachi shook his head causing her smile to falter. "I was planning to take Guya out."

Itachi's heart clenched, Mikoto just kept staring at him like he wasn't real. He wanted to yell to her this wasn't real! He was lying! Couldn't she see right through him? He didn't know whether to be happy at how happy he made his mother or sad that she couldn't see what he really was. But instead to make the entire scenario more believable he frowned. "Yes, I might be sent on an extended mission again."

"Oh." His mother's face fell but only a little. Itachi hadn't been spending enough time socializing according to her so this was still great! Maybe having a friend was finally rubbing off on Itachi.

He bowed after finishing his breakfast and thanking his mother. Sasuke followed him out. "What are you going to teach me today?"

Itachi smirked. "A very difficult Jutsu, try and keep up."

oooo

After a quick stop for groceries and a quick breakfast Tobirama made his way toward the Dango shop. Asuma was already their leaning against the wooden banister of the shop. Next to him was Kurenai her arms folded across her chest looking rather bored.

"Oi Tobirama!" Asuma's eyes lit up as he greeted his friend.

"So Anko said you guys were planning something?" Kurenai stole another quick look at Tobirama after the greetings. Those abs! She shook her head absently; she was a Jonin for crying out loud! Besides wouldn't it be awkward if he was already interested in Anko? The woman practically lived in his house!

"Well actually." Asuma rubbed his neck sheepishly "It was Gai's idea. He wanted us all to have another mini tournament."

"Oh where is he?"

"Probably off to drag Kakashi here." Kurenai stated smirking to try to cover up her blush. When did she become so easily affected by his presence?

Asuma frowned. "Too early in the morning doubt it will happen."

"Really?" Kurenai looked confused. "Why does he insist on being late?"

Tobirama shrugged. "His business I suppose."

"Well actually." Asuma ventured. "Never mind." His eyes settled on the running form of Gai.

"Yosh! Now that everyone's here we can start!"

"Well Kakashi's still not here." Kurenai stated.

"My eternal rival will join us in but a moment! Let us not allow his absence to dampen our youthful spirits!" All four of them made their way to training field eleven which had a vast expense of grass.

"So how do we determine the fights? Ballots?" Asuma asked lighting a cigar for a smoke.

"I don't think it matters we can just have winner play winner." Tobirama offered when it was evident that they had no paper on them. Tobirama sensed a chakra presence to his right as Kakashi poofed in.

"Sorry guys!" He smiled his one eyed curved smile. "A black cat crossed my path and then an old man wanted to know where I bought this book so I naturally I had to be a good citizen and help him out." Four hungry eyes eyes suddenly rested on the book.

Kakashi's eye widened realizing that it was the paper they were staring at. "Wha! No! You can't desecrate this!"

"Well, then we'll just all go up against each other." Asuma stated taking another puff of his cigar. "Any preferences?"

There was a pause of silence. "We can have that rematch if you want Kakashi…."

"Maaa Tobirama I don't want to use up too much chakra I have a mission tonight."

"We can keep it strictly Taijutsu?" Gai announced.

"I would actually love to see that." Kurenai offered.

Kakashi and Tobirama sized each other up as they circled. "Maaa lets make this more fun!" Kakashi lifted his forehead protractor. "I won't use it for anything but to assist me in Taijutsu." He elaborated when Tobirama raised an eyebrow.

"Yosh! First three hits to chest wins. Begin!"

Tobirama ran at Kakashi throwing three quick punches to the side. Kakashi easily anticipated his moves evading the blocks only to be nearly swept off his feet by a round kick followed by a kick punch and kick, which were blocked with difficulty. Both Asuma and Kurenai watched opened mouth as the Jonin fight quickly turned into a fight between Anbu captains. Two off duty Anbu members were already visible on different parts of a tree as they observed the fight of their superiors.

Tobirama got the first round, he did have an Uchiha on his squad after all, with Kakashi decisively recovering and taking the second round. Both Jonin with similar in build and in strength leaving the deciding point on pure skill. Kakashi threw three quick kicks and a punch. Tobirama dodged away nearly nocking Kakashi down forcing him to jump back. The next three minutes went by so fast that all the Jonin could see was a blur. The decisive moment came when Tobirama slowed mid-block. Kakashi's sharingan widened, being the only one to catch the weakness, he realized the opening and pushed in his punch.

"Winner, Kakashi!" Gai proudly announced. Both stood opposite each other panting and sweating profusely. "Good fight." Tobirama cracked a grin. Kakashi smiled back giving no indication of his awareness. "You are much better at Taijutsu then me you know?" They were both Anbu after all.

The rest of the afternoon went quickly as it was obvious that Gai was the superior when it came to Taijutsu. The Jonin then all decided to call it a day as they each headed to wherever it was they needed to be next.