Ugh, it's Monday...but at least now you get to read the next part of Defining Innocence! And figure out just what lies within the scroll Itachi bequeathed to Hinata! *cue the dramatic music* I hope you all had lovely weekends (of course, some of you are still going thanks to Memorial Day, like me XD). Anyway, I hope this helps make all of your Mondays a bit better, my lovelies! ^_^

All right, one shout out for this chapter, which is apparently the same anonymous reviewer: Of course I replied, and I did the best I could to explain - I always take time to reply to reviews. I only recently turned on anon reviews, but each one is important to me ^_^ Shout outs aren't quite the same as a message reply, but this works XD I'm glad to hear you like it! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on the story with me, deary~

Anyway, that's enough out of me – hope you all enjoy, and I'll get out of your way! XD

~BlackRoseDragon13

*Disclaimer* I do not own, nor claim to own, any aspect of Naruto in any way, shape, or form. This is merely a fan work, and I receive no profit.

Chapter Six

Hinata cracked the seal holding the scroll together, and slowly unrolled it. Reading, she felt her eyes widen. It was a summoning contract!

Hinata had never made a summoning contract before. She knew about her teammate's partnerships with animals and insects, and about Naruto's bond with the toads, but she herself had never looked into it much. Scanning over it, she saw it was a temporary one, a branch of Itachi's own contract of ravens.

Further down, she read that the contract would allow her to summon one raven, which would be reversed summoned by the Uchiha, and vice versa. They could have it deliver any message back and forth nearly instantaneously. Impressive, she thought, smiling. And it says I can terminate it any time, so after we're finished, I can break it off.

She made her way back to the front of the scroll, where a text box was provided to writer her name in her own blood, as well as place her fingerprints. Gingerly, she bit down on her right forefinger and pushed the skin to well up blood. After a slight hesitation, she carefully inscribed the characters of her name. She then pushed out more blood, coating all five fingertips, and pressed her dominant against the paper.

A tingle ran up the girl's spine.

Satisfied, she read over the hand seals once more. Boar, dog, bird, monkey, ram. Hinata ran through them several times to make sure she did them correctly, before signing them once more and muttering, "Kuchiyose no jutsu!" as she pressed her hand against the rock.

A plume of smoke blossomed from the contact, and Hinata leaned back to avoid breathing it in. As it cleared, the outline of a raven emerged.

"Caw!"

With a ruffle of its feathers, the raven flapped its wings several times before settling, turning its head and looking at the Hyuuga with one beady eye.

Unsure what to do next, Hinata just stared for a moment. "Um...hello?"

With another squawk, the bird leaped at her, nearly making her fall over in surprise. But once she calmed, she saw it was merely sitting on her knee, its expression attentive, if she could actually determine its expression at all.

Most summoning animals talk, she thought to herself. Then again, Akamaru doesn't...but Kiba manages to understand him just fine. I guess I can only give it a try. Wanting to be polite, she began, "W-well...um...hello."

The bird just stared.

Feeling more and more awkward, Hinata tried to smile. "Um...I have news for Itachi san...if you wouldn't m-mind taking it to him."

Tilting its head, the bird cawed again as if to say, "Spit it out then!"

Swallowing her nerves, Hinata recounted the information she'd gleaned, including her plans to leave the next day and do her best to find the younger Uchiha. Once finished, she waited for the bird to leave.

It didn't.

"Now what?" she muttered, pouting slightly. "Isn't Itachi supposed to r-reverse summon you...or something?"

Hinata almost shrieked as the bird suddenly disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Heart hammering, she panted for a moment as she tried to collect her nerves. Should...should I wait to hear back? Or will he just receive my message and leave it at that?

She decided to wait ten minutes, and if nothing happened, she would go to bed. To occupy herself, she leaned back on her hands and stared upward, peering out the narrow ravine to the strip of stars visible beyond. She let her mind wander home, wondering what her friends were doing, and how they were handling her disappearance. As an S-Ranked mission, no one will know where I am but Tsunade...I wonder what my team is thinking. Her face turned sad. I wish I could have told them...but...I have to do this on my own. I won't have others get hurt because I failed! Determination rose again in her, and she made a promise. I'll explain everything when I get back, Kiba kun, Shino kun. After a moment, she added with a softer thought, Naruto kun...

It was then that another puff of smoke appeared a few feet away. The raven was back, this time with a note around its leg. Carefully, Hinata took the note, the raven offering its foot obediently for her to grab. Giving the text a once over, Hinata saw that Itachi's handwriting was neat and slightly feminine.

Hinata,

Since you cannot communicate directly with the raven as I can, I shall write my replies.

It would appear that you've made much progress. I must say, I'm impressed. See what difference diligent research and following trails makes instead of just running around searching blindly? This is what will guarantee your success where Naruto and Sakura have failed. Naruto did the running, and Sakura did the reading, but they just didn't utilize their efforts properly.

I appreciate your update. The information you've given me includes data I did not know before. I believe this will soon bring you to Sasuke. I must also say I am impressed with your victory over Orochimaru's spy. I'm sure that the rebels will garner much from him. You've done much to get this far, and it's paying off. I have confidence in your success.

Contact me again once you've spoken to Sasuke, or if you need help. I am currently in limbo regarding my other obligations, so I will be much more available.

Itachi

Hinata read the note twice before allowing herself to smile. He...he believes in me...and...he complimented me... She knew Itachi was far from someone to be excited about receiving praise from, but a warm blush covered her face in spite of herself. His writing style is so...formal. He still sounds like the heir from a prestigious clan... The image of him in tears flashed through her mind along with a sharp pain. "Ah!" she hissed, holding her forehead as her teeth gritted together.

There were still so many questions unanswered about the Uchiha. Though she hadn't had time to puzzle over him the last few days, she hadn't forgotten her qualms about him. He had killed so many, but...when they had spoken, and when she looked into his eyes, something just didn't add up. And her foggy memory was frustrating. Something important had happened that night...she just couldn't quite remember!

Frustrated, she pounded her fist against the rock in a rare display of anger. I wish I knew what was really going on...!

But she knew things weren't about to clear up, so there wasn't much she could do. Sighing in defeat, she rolled up the note and tucked it into her jacket along with the summoning contract. Glancing at the bird, she murmured, "You can go...thank you."

Cawing once more, the raven dissipated one last time, leaving her alone.

She stared back up into the sky for a while longer, mind full of questions and empty of answers. But she needed her rest, and eventually she returned inside, crashing onto her bunk and slowly falling asleep.

.oOo.

Morning came quickly for Hinata. For quite some time, she just laid in the makeshift bed, gaze caught in the ceiling. If things went well, she could very well see Sasuke within the next twenty-four hours. Would he listen? Would he believe her? What would happen after he returned? Would the Uchiha brothers finally settle the revenge and hatred between them? And if they did...who would rise victorious?

The many variables and questions made Hinata's head hurt. The memory was still tugging at her, but she shoved it out of her head. She would need all of her skill and focus today. If she allowed anything to go wrong, everything could be lost, and who knew what Itachi would do if she ruined his plans.

The morning hours seemed to disappear as Hinata tried to do some last-minute studying of the rebels' notes. Most of her focus was on a map of the outlying area around Orochimaru's current location. With it, she determined where she would enter, and where she would exit. Iwao had approached her not long after she woke, making a request of her.

"No matter what happens – whether you find your friend or not, or whether you think you've been followed or not, I ask you not to return here after your attempt. Even the most remote possibility of our location being discovered, if someone follows you, is worth avoiding. I assume you understand?"

"I d-do," she replied. "Hopefully I'll m-make contact, and be able to head straight back to Hi no Kuni. Thank you again for a-all of your help."

At this, the man smirked. "Thank you, missy, for your help. That grunt you brought us has proven to be worth his weight in gold. If you ever need anything else, after all of this of course, don't hesitate to find us again."

"Thank you."

Soon, the sun was directly overhead. The brunette that had helped Hinata the day before recommended she leave soon, so the Hyuuga gathered her pack and left, giving her goodbyes to her new-found allies. Her stomach was churning, nerves making even walking a bit difficult. There was so much riding on this day. She could NOT fail.

Walking back through the tunnels made her even more nervous. The tight spaces seemed to close in on her, and she sprinted the last leg, feeling the tingle of chakra as she passed through the genjutsu. Looking back, she saw naught but a slick cliff side. Even after her stay, she had no idea who had conjured it. And despite Iwao's invitation to return, she doubted she could do so on her own.

Being unfamiliar with the area, she pulled out her map – copied by hand from the rebel's own print – often. She was paranoid that she would veer from her course. Her uptight nerves had her double, triple, quadruple checking her every move. After several hours of this, she knew she needed to relax. Being thorough was one thing, but being overly wound up could be devastating. Though the area was rather arid with few trees, she managed to find one to stop under.

Leaning against the rugged bark of the scrawny thing, she closed her eyes and tried to focus. She had gone over her plan so many times, it danced behind her eyes. She knew what she was doing, and she needed to have faith that she would do her best. But with so much riding on her success, she could barely think straight. Lifting her hands, she saw them tremble.

Ugh...I can't keep doing this. At this rate, I'm going to mess something up. Snap out of it! she ordered herself, pressing her hands to her scalp. Sighing through her nose, she opened her eyes and looked into the sky. It was mid-afternoon, the sun still high in the pale summer atmosphere. Hardly a cloud dotted the stretch of blue, but thankfully it wasn't too warm, being higher north than home in Konoha. In an attempt to steel herself, she thought back to the people there. Naruto was counting on her. Even Sakura had something to gain from the Uchiha returning. Surely the rest of the Rookie Nine, and even her cousin's team would be glad to have him back, if only to have a missing comrade home. Sure, some of them didn't really get along, but...he was still someone from their village. He still needed to come back.

There will always be a chance that I will fail, Hinata thought to herself. All that matters is that I make the best of what I'm given.

After a few more minutes of rest, she shifted her pack and continued on.

To her surprise, she made it to her destination a bit earlier than she anticipated. It was barely sunset when she breached the perimeter of Orochimaru's latest compound. Ducking into a well-hidden gap of vegetation – the hideout being near a river and quite overgrown – she set down her pack, hid her chakra, and – once more – went over her plans.

According to her intel from the rebels, Orochimaru kept Sasuke with him as often as possible. That included taking him outside to train. According to some reports, the Uchiha made a habit of remaining outside alone after their training to meditate. It was then that Hinata planned to approach him.

Fears of being killed on sight made her bite her lip. Witnesses said that Sasuke was cold, merciless, and efficient. If she didn't catch his interest before he made up his mind to kill her, odds were that she would certainly die. Sasuke was powerful, intelligent, and fast. She was no match for him.

Her qualms made her feel Itachi's scroll through her jacket as she sat upon the ground, legs crossed. Should she alert him? Perhaps tell him she was there, and if he didn't receive word in a few hours, assume she was dead? She didn't want to bother him...but he had said he wouldn't be busy now. Indecision pulled at her for a few moments before she bit her thumb, made the signs and muttered the words. With a whoosh, the raven returned, giving her a curious look.

"I have a small message..." she murmured, not wanting any possible patrols nearby to hear her. "Tell Itachi san that I'm at O-Orochimaru's base...and that...if he doesn't hear from me by sunup, that...I'm probably...d-dead."

Thankfully the bird made no noises, disappearing with another cloud of smoke and leaving the Hyuuga girl alone once more. She doubted he would bother replying, and began going over her speech in her head. She had planned every word she wanted to say to the younger brother, but had a feeling she wouldn't be able to stick to it. Closing her eyes, she began mouthing the words for the umpteenth time. But after only a few moments, she felt the world drop out from beneath her.

Any scream she could have uttered was lost as she felt the air rush from her lungs. She felt as though she was being compressed into the smallest of spaces, her head and organs screaming against the pressure. But after only a moment, the sensation was over.

Falling onto her back, she gasped for air with wide eyes. She felt as though she had barely escaped death! So shocked was she, that she had no presence of mind to wonder at her changed surroundings.

"We meet again, Hinata san."

Still panting, she laid her head to one side. Shinobi sandals met her gaze, and as she moved her eyes up, she took in the form of Uchiha Itachi. His normal cloak was gone, leaving him only in dark grey pants and a matching shirt, dipped low with mesh visible beneath it. He was sitting on a fallen log beside a raven, forearms braced against his knees as he looked down at her. But something wasn't right. He was...he was smiling.

Well, not a smile by normal human standards. It was just the barest of upturns in his lips, his eyes relaxed and purely black. It almost looked like he was amused at her situation. "Your first time being reverse-summoned, I assume?"

"Reverse...r-reverse summoned?" she managed to breathe back. "I...I don't understand."

"When one partakes in a summoning contract, they also enable the use of reverse summoning – meaning that the creature they normally call to them can do the same, bringing forth the shinobi they have bonded with. I found your message a bit...troubling, so I asked that you be brought here so we could speak in person."

Itachi wanted to speak to her in person? Why? Sure, the message was a bit morbid, but it was the truth. And what did he care? If she died, there wasn't much he could do. Now that he knew Sasuke's location, surely he could find another way.

Sitting up, Hinata looked at him questioningly. "W-what's wrong?"

"You've done a good job up until this point, Hinata san. It would be a shame to lose you only halfway through. Given your success, I daresay I trust no one else to do what I have asked of you."

Despite the absurdity, Hinata allowed herself to blush. "I'm sure that anyone else could do it...since I m-managed to."

"I beg to differ. Few have the patience, presence of mind or manner that you have, which is what has allowed you to come this far. This mission isn't about physical strength, which is what you consider your weakness. It is about finesse and thought."

"O-oh..."

"Now, as I said, I wish to prevent your death, if possible," Itachi continued. "So, I thought I would take a moment to teach you something that just may save your life. Despite our time apart, I know my brother. His preferred style is quick and clean, but also straight on. With his speed and strength, this is normally enough to incapacitate any normal opponent. But it leaves him open for a split second, right before he strikes. It is then that you must counterstrike."

Hinata bowed her head. "But...I have neither speed...n-nor strength. How can I find that moment if I can't hope to match his speed?"

Itachi's smile grew by a hair. "I happen to know a space-time style jutsu. It lasts for only one second, but makes that second grow into three. With it, you can stretch that window three hundred percent. With the Jyuuken style, you will be able to maneuver around his attack, and stun him. That will then give you enough time to state your purpose, and show him the crest."

"But..."

"Stop doubting yourself for a moment," Itachi cut in, his tone firming into one nearing reprimand, but leaning toward patient teaching. "When he begins his attack, Sasuke will disappear from your view because of his speed. His average attack from one to twenty yards is one second. So, you merely have to react the moment he disappears. As long as you do that, you cannot fail. Now, watch closely, and I will show you the signs."

"What if it takes me more than a second to make the signs?" Hinata blurted, not wanting him to cut her off again. "Even if I react quickly, I s-still have to complete the technique!"

"There are only three: snake, monkey, ram. They flow smoothly, so it should not be a problem. It is referred to as nagai shunkan no jutsu – the long moment technique."

Hinata moved her hands through the motions, mouthing the words. After several minutes of silent practice, with Itachi watching patiently, she finally put it into practice.

"Nagai shunkan no jutsu!"

At first, Hinata thought nothing had changed. But then, she saw Itachi's hand rise as if to come at her. Reacting in reflex, she batted it away. Time then sped up, and his hand flew quicker.

"Good. Now, come try to block my attack." Standing, he moved away from the log into the grass, standing in a battle-ready stance.

Nervous, Hinata followed reluctantly. Taking a soothing breath, she too fell into a fighting pose.

Suddenly, the man disappeared. Caught off-guard, she fumbled through the signs, making it only halfway before being hit in the gut, knocked back off her feet.

"You cannot hesitate. A moment lost may cost you your life. Again."

As they practiced over and over, Hinata noted the setting sun. Nerves intensified, and her bumbles worsened.

"Stop," Itachi called, relaxing his stance. Hinata panted opposite him, already bruised a bit. "Hinata san, you must strengthen your resolve."

"I...I'm t-trying..." she mumbled. "I'm just...n-nervous."

Itachi considered this for a moment, and then a copy slid out from behind him. "Here, let me show you." Leaving his clone behind, Itachi approached her and took his place behind her. Taking her wrists in his hands, he murmured in a voice low and smooth, "Now, do not take your eyes from the clone. Tense your muscles, but only enough for a quick reaction – too much will make you stumble. Keep your knees bent," he added, knocking his own into her straight joints, causing them to fold slightly. "That will help your reaction time for your attack. Your arms should be slightly elevated, elbows bent to keep your hands in front of you. The moment you see me move, react. Don't think – thinking in a moment such as this will only hinder you. Your instincts and muscle memory will serve you much better. Now, prepare yourself."

Hinata heard his words, her brain absorbing them. But the moment he knocked her knees forward, she nearly collapsed. Her body was both tense and relaxed – she felt his breath on her ear, his chest pressed to her spine as he corrected her posture. Her mind began swimming, a strange heat causing her cheeks to flush and her chest to rise and fall rapidly, heartbeat accelerating. The surface of her throat became dry as paper, quickened breaths stealing its moisture. Her eyelids felt heavy, similar to when she was about to faint. And though she did feel as though she was on the verge of consciousness, she also felt incredibly alive.

"Now."

The fake Itachi disappeared, along with the real one. No longer held up, Hinata's body reacted to its lack of foundation. Her hands moved without thought, power surging through her as the technique finally released. Time slowed, and Hinata crouched as the clone flew at her from above, one hand clenched around a kunai about to slice her skin. But her right hand flattened as her left swatted the offending appendage away, chakra surging through her dominant hand to strike against the clone's heart. With a shudder, it vanished from existence with a cloud of smoke. Time then returned to normal, and she stopped, still in her family's fighting style posture.

She released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. With a sigh, she collapsed to her knees, sitting with a thump.

Itachi came and squatted before her, taking her chin in his fingers. "Good."

Hinata gazed at him with heavy pearl eyes. She felt tired, but awake; dead, yet alive. Confusion engulfed her – what on earth was going on?

"Time grows short – you should return." Standing, Itachi offered a hand, pulling her to her feet when she accepted. "I'm sure you will do fine," he added. "Just react."

"O...okay." Her legs felt as though she had just sailed an ocean and returned to land. Wobbly, she tried to step forward, only to stumble.

Itachi, reflexes taut as a drum, caught her before she fell. His brow furrowed in concern. "Are you all right?"

Turning her head to look at him, she saw that his face was only inches from hers. White eyes met black, and though she had finished her training, time seemed to once again slow. They stared, unblinking, as though drinking up each others' image. Emotions tore through the Hyuuga girl – panic, peace, uncertainty, confusion, right, wrong. Something seemed to grasp her spine, as though both pushing and pulling – one urging her forward, the other pleading she stay back. She lingered in indecision, unable to move.

Then time returned to normal.

Itachi set her back upon her feet, releasing his grip and stepping back from her, as though she had suddenly become contagious. He stared a moment longer, and then turned to return to his seat. The raven cawed, flapping its wings, and then the feeling of free fall overtook her once more. Next thing Hinata knew, she was back in her clearing, the sun just dipping behind the horizon.

Her legs once again failed her, and she collapsed to the ground.

What...happened?

Her brain was suddenly empty, the only thing there the image of Itachi's face so close to hers. The feeling of him standing behind her lingered, the warmth of his breath still tickling her ear. Never before had she felt this way. Not even close. It both terrified her, and made her wonder. It was several minutes before she remembered where she was, and why she was there. Shaking her head, she stood and moved forward to look through the foliage. A half moon was lighting the sky, and Fate finally smiled on her.

Uchiha Sasuke was out in the open, staring up into the sky. He was standing, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His posture wasn't aggressive, however, his stature more out of familiarity and comfort than a planned attack. And he was alone, back to her.

Still feeling as though she was floating, Hinata no longer felt her fear or reservation. Some sort of confidence, though she wasn't sure if real or imagined, made her step forward through the trees and grasses, naturally quiet through shinobi instinct.

Sasuke, however, was far above par. Hearing her, he slowly turned halfway around to look at her. His eyes were relaxed, gaze neutral as he beheld her walking closer. She stopped a mere five paces from him, posture relaxed.

"Sasuke san," she murmured.

He didn't reply, just staring, as though trying to place who she was in his memory. After a moment, he said only, "Hyuuga."

"I have a message," she continued, now that she knew she had his attention. "From your brother."

The passive face finally moved into an emotion. An amused disbelief turned his mouth into a smirk. "And why should I believe that you spoke to my brother and escaped unscathed?"

Moving slowly, as to not encourage a defensive reaction, Hinata grasped her right sleeve, hitching it up to reveal her upturned wrist. "He said to show you this."

The boy's gaze fell to her pale skin, illuminated in the moonlight. His smirk slowly melted into a frown, brow furrowed in thought. Several moments passed in silence before he asked, "And what was this message?"

Letting her sleeve fall, Hinata clasped her hands before reciting, "He wishes to offer you a chance to f-fight him. His terms are that you first return to Konoha."

"Why?"

"I don't know. All I know is what he t-told me, which wasn't much."

Sasuke regarded the quiet girl coolly. He remembered her, the silent female that was never strong, always following Naruto around and blushing. He couldn't believe that she was in contact with his brother – a mass murderer consorting with someone like her. But he recognized his family's crest – she wouldn't be here, displaying it, claiming what she claimed unless it was the truth – it was just too outlandish to be a lie. "Hn...fine. I'm more than ready to kill him anyway. If he wishes to end it now, then I have no reason to deny him. Why Konoha, though..." he muttered, looking off into the distance.

Hinata didn't answer.

"Whatever. Perhaps he's being...sentimental." Scoffing lightly, he brought his gaze back to Hinata. "Very well. Are you to escort me like a child, or can I return on my own?"

"He didn't give me any instructions about that."

"Well I'm in no hurry – a few more days won't make much difference. And I'm assuming you'll be traveling home. I'll leave in the morning. Do what you want." Leaving it at that, Sasuke turned to go back into the compound. "I'll just have to kill the snake tonight," he mused to himself, outside Hinata's range of hearing, descending down into the underground lair.

Once the boy disappeared, reality seemed to crash back down upon Hinata. Panicking slightly, she hurried back to her hiding place, taking a seat upon the ground, her brain trying to wrap itself around too much information at once.

She did it.

She had succeeded. Sasuke was returning, which meant that Itachi would soon release his hold on her. It meant that her friends were safe – she had completed her end of the bargain, and she had no reason to think that Itachi would not hold up his. A shuddering sigh of relief coursed through her, and she collapsed onto her back, eyes closed as a weight lifted from her shoulders. She hadn't even needed the technique Itachi had taught her.

Oh...she'd almost forgotten about that.

Her eyes opened to stare up into the trees, her brow furrowed in thought. What had happened between them? It was like some sort of energy had engulfed them. Her body had been trying to do something, but if it was what she believed it was...she wasn't sure if she wanted to admit it.

She was attracted -physically, at least – to Uchiha Itachi.

A shudder passed through her. Uchiha Itachi was a murderer, a traitor! He had threatened her into doing his bidding, risking her life and threatening those of her comrades! How could she ever begin to admit to such a thing?

But...something didn't add up. He was supposed to be a notorious killer, not offering mercy or kindness. Yet all he had done was utter threats. He hadn't hurt anyone, despite having the opportunity. He didn't hurt her, and actually treated her with a kind of respect and cordiality, complimenting her and assisting her with protecting herself. Despite not actually needing her specifically like he claimed, he took time to teach her to guard her life, caring if she lived or died.

The Itachi she had gotten to know was not the Itachi she had known before.

Again the memory, broken and fragmented, tried to worm its way into her mind. Pain coursed through her, and she grunted, cramming her eyes shut and pressing it back. It didn't matter. She was almost free from him, and then she would likely never have to deal with him again. There was even the possibility that he would soon die at his brother's hand.

The thought, in spite of herself, made her heart sink.

Shaking her head once more, she grabbed her bag and fled, moving further out from the snake Sannin's territory. Once she found a more suitable hiding place, she unrolled her bedroll and buried herself, shutting out her thoughts and passing out from emotional exhaustion.

So...please don't kill me for making this blunt! We've got both our first taste of ItaHina (which will take much more time than just that little bit to develop, but that was definitely what really sets the relationship in motion) and Sasuke is now on his way back to Konoha!

Now, before anyone berates me for being a bit rushed in this part, let me only say this: yes, Sasuke seemed a bit easy to negotiate with. But that was due to a combination of circumstances: This is supposed to be right before Sasuke was planning on killing Orochimaru anyway, so he was about to prepare to face his brother. Suddenly a girl with definite ties to Itachi says that he is ready on his end, and Sasuke figures, 'well, here we go'! That, and Hinata is in a bit of a daze, and doesn't let her usual unsure demeanor get in the way. Add in that Sasuke was doing a bit of meditation after training, so he's feeling pretty chill.

That, and the Sasuke retrieval arc in this fic was only supposed to be the first PART. Not the entire plot.

And now for Itachi. We as readers know that he has a connection to her through their pasts, and we also know the truth behind the massacre. Given his true nature, as well as the bond he has with her, the morbid message he received from her prompted him to take action. He did his best to still remain distant and seemingly uncaring, giving reasons as to why he would bother to protect her, but in the end he couldn't help himself – he allowed for that little 'moment', and now things are open to begin changing and developing!

I hope that's enough justification for you all ;) I really do my best to not rush anything, but if you still have questions or thoughts you'd like to share, I'm more than open to discuss – it helps me grow as a writer, not to mention connect a bit with my readers :)

Wow, that was long...anyway, I hope you enjoyed! As always, reviews = love! See you all on Friday! ^_^

~BlackRoseDragon13