A Perception of Reality

by knightchaser

There is a belief that states for every action taken, the alternative action is played out in another dimension. In one reality Itachi succeeded in killing his clan, in another, he failed. This is the story of what happened when he failed.

34. Chapter 34 Visitor From the Sky

Thanks for all the reviews and favs

Disclaimer: Someone owns Naruto, and it isn't me. Probably Kishimoto since he writes it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 34 – Visitor From the Sky

"Sand has surrendered. They found the corpse of the Kazekage and apparently he had been dead for several weeks. All evidence points to Orochimaru or perhaps Kabuto having taken his place, and then arranging the invasion." Fugaku summarized the contents of the scroll that had arrived not ten minutes earlier. The people in the room – about ten in all – looked at each other with surprise and concern. The idea that the wayward Sannin could pull off something that ambitious was quite alarming. "They are asking to renew the treaty and I see no reason to refuse."

"No. No reason at all." A short man in his late sixties, Wataru Hakuou, folded his hands across his lap and sighed. The new village elder council was composed of top Jounin who had distinguished themselves both on their missions and through later service to the village. It was hoped that they would show allegiance to the village instead of their personal agenda's.

Fugaku continued, "I will be leaving tomorrow then, and will return in two weeks. When I get back I will meet with Suna to work out any problems that may still remain and ratify the treaty."

"We will pass on your affirmative answer to Suna and begin preparations to draft up the treaty. A draft will be awaiting your approval when you return." Wataru bowed his head slightly, politely assenting to Fugaku's request. "And we look forward to the upcoming treaty with Mist."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Fugaku was in a bad mood as he walked alongside his son in the late hours of the morning. Four ox-carts, about four feet wide and six feet long, were behind them, carrying luggage and a few people who couldn't walk long distances. In the end only about a quarter of the clan had decided to come. The difficulty of the journey had put most of them off, as well as the fact that with the recent attack the police force needed to remain staffed and a few others who were skilled in building were helping out with the reconstruction of damaged buildings.

The idea that he was being forced to go to Mist by Madara was eating at his nerves, and a quick glance at Itachi told him the teen was feeling the same way. He had used Akatsuki information and personnel on a handful of missions over the last two or three years and each time he did he could feel Madara's noose tightening around his neck.

"Hey! Big brother!" Sasuke trotted up to them, a big smile on his face. At least one person was in a good mood. "How long until we get to the port? I've never travelled with ox carts before. It's pretty slow."

"You're just now asking?" Itachi mocked his brother.

"I… yeah…" Sasuke replied uncertainly.

"Is that… Tama?" Fugaku stared belligerently at the large orange can trotting happing next to his youngest son.

Sasuke pouted, "I told him to stay with Auntie but he has a mind of his own. I don't think he'll get in the way and he probably wouldn't go home anyway."

"You need to figure a way to sign a contract with him."

"I know. Itachi already told me that but I was training for the exams and didn't get around to it."

"Understandable." Fugaku sighed.

"It's strange not having Naruto around." Sasuke admitted after a couple minutes.

"It's finally quiet." Itachi added with a big smile on his face.

"Arrggg! That's mine Arata! Give it back!"

"Not yours! My turn!" Yori ran past the trio, his short legs travelling remarkably fast for a four-year-old. His brother followed a few feet behind before tripping over branch and falling forward on his knees. Letting out a wail loud enough to wake the dead he threw himself onto his back and began pumping his arms and legs in a full-blown temper-tantrum.

"Wanna go play!" A little girl's voice shrieked out over the crying. "Don't wanna sit!"

"Nagi! Stop that. You can get out and play when we stop for lunch." Nui scolded her daughter before jumping out of the wagon and running forward to scoop Yori up into her arms.

"I'm sorry about all this Lord Fugaku. Yori isn't as coordinated as his brother and is frustrates him to no end." Nui bowed slightly, rubbing the boys back as his sobs were quickly reduced to sniffles.

Fugaku gave a short laugh and stole a glance at Itachi, "What were you saying about it being quiet?"

"Hn." Itachi wasn't amused. In fact, he had been in the process of trying to convince Nui not to take Nagi when he had discovered that she was also going to be in charge of the twins as well, as their grandparents were staying behind. He still remembered the trip a couple years back and the difficulty of travelling with two toddlers was still fresh in his mind.

Nui looped one arm around Itachi and squeezed, "Guess what you have to look forward to in a few months?" She walked away, laughing loudly.

"Tachi?" Looking down, Itachi saw that Arata had stayed behind, clutching a wooden horse to his chest possessively. His shoulder-length black hair had come out of its tie and was blowing in his face.

"Yes Arata?"

"Don't wanna walk. Carry me."

"Wouldn't you rather Sasuke carry you?"

"No. Nui says you need practice with kids so I'm helping." He gazed up gleefully, showing all his perfectly straight, pearly white baby-teeth in a big grin.

"Wow. You're good." Sasuke complimented the boy, "There won't be a single girl in Konoha able to resist that smile in a few years." Itachi picked up the boy and rested him on his hip. Sometimes giving in was better than arguing, and he figured it would probably be quieter as well.

"Good thing he's a lot younger than you, Sasuke, or you'd be short a few of your girlfriends." Toshiro joked as he walked up.

"He can have them." Sasuke replied grumpily.

Toshiro smiled conspiratorially, "All of them?"

The boy blushed and mumbled something incomprehensible.

"Even Sakura? And Ino?" Toshiro was enjoying himself.

Sasuke muttered something else and got even redder.

"I think you might have to fight Naruto for Sakura," Itachi joined the teasing, "he has a huge crush on her. And Hinata as a huge crush on Naruto."

"Wow. That's pretty complicated." Toshiro commented. "No wonder you're blushing redder than a tomato."

"Yeah, well, dad said he's picking me out a girl-friend so maybe when I get married they'll leave me alone."

Fugaku laughed, "You are naïve Sasuke. First, you have a few years before you get married, and second, some girls love a challenge and stealing you away from your girlfriend – or wife - would entertain them to no end."

"Seriously? In that movie I watched with mom before she left it was the guys pulling that." Sasuke looked quickly at Toshiro who had started laughing again.

"My oldest brother did that. Ended up in the hospital for three weeks when the woman's husband tried to kill him. Served him right, too." Toshiro finally stopped laughing and ran a hand through his hair. "The woman wasn't even interested in him, he was just thinking with dick instead of his brain I guess."

"That's messed up." Sasuke commented.

Toshiro continued, "Yeah. Mother found him a wife after that and she kept him in line pretty good. It's sad, but some people need a babysitter or they wreak havoc all over. He was definitely one of those." An uncomfortable silence fell for a few minutes as everyone remembered that the man's brothers and nephews had been killed when the Kyuubi had been unleashed on Konoha twelve years earlier.

Itachi was distracted when he felt something wet on his shoulder. Looking down he saw that Arata was sound asleep and drooling. "I guess I'll take him back to Nui."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Nagi sure gets along well with the boys." Sheeta observed as she watched the three kids playing a modified version of tag where, apparently, everyone was "it". The group had stopped for lunch near a small lake and while it was now December and rather cool out, the bright sun almost made the area look summery.

"It's cute how they're careful not hurt her." Hinata added, smiling.

"Where's Hanabi?"

"Playing catch with Sasuke."

"Hmmm."

"Why aren't you hanging out with Itachi? I think he really wanted to talk to you earlier when he returned Arata. He walked behind the wagon for almost an hour." Hinata's ability to hold her face with an expression of serenity made Sheeta feel a little guilty. She had ignored her boyfriend, not so much out of ambivalence, but because she was unsure of how she felt about him.

"You're mad at him." Hinata added.

"Ye…yeah. I guess. He tricked me and I guess…" Her voice faded, not really sure if she should be discussing this with a twelve-year-old.

"But you love him. I can tell. Did he apologize?"

"Yeah. Right away, in fact. He's been really nice… well, he's always nice."

"That's what I thought. I'm the same way with my cousin. Except he'll never apologize. And he's never nice. And he calls me names all the time…" Hinata was quiet for a couple minutes. "That doesn't sound right does it?"

"No, it doesn't. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't keep trying. Since you are the clan chief you do need to have a good relationship with your family. Otherwise, I would tell you to leave him alone."

"I guess. But what about Itachi? He's sitting over there staring at you. Doesn't he look lonely?" Hinata smiled mischievously.

"He looks like he's half asleep." Sheeta glanced over at the teen who was lying on his side under a tree with his eyes half closed and his new glasses folded and placed safely next to his head.

"Umm… No. He's definitely lonely." Hinata stated confidently, hoping her friend took the bait.

"Fine." Sheeta stood up and straightened her blue waist-length jacket.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Itachi opened his eyes as a shadow fell over him. Sitting up he slipped on his glasses and smiled when he saw it was Sheeta. Grabbing her hand he pulled her down onto the ground next to him and looped on arm around her, kissing her firmly on the lips.

"Hinata was right, you were lonely." Sheeta smiled appreciatively.

"Less talk. More kissing." Itachi mumbled as he pushed the girl down onto her back.

Laughing, Sheeta looped her hands around his neck and pulled him closer, "I like the sound of that."

"Maybe when we stop at the inn tonight we can get our own room." Itachi offered, smiling hopefully.

Sheeta laughed again, "And maybe, when we stop at the inn tonight, you can share a room with Fugaku and Sasuke and I can share a room with Arata, Yori, and Nagi."

"Alas… I fear what you say is true." Itachi bent forward and kissed her passionately on the lips, before trailing more kisses down her neck. "How about we go hide in the woods then."

"And do what?" Sheeta asked conspiratorially.

"Well… I've been reading this book and there are quite a few things I would like to do with you." Itachi moved back up to her lips, placing his hand behind her back, pulling her closer to him.

Sheeta closed her eyes and sighed as the kiss ended, "You realize there are four kids watching us."

"Yeah. They've been there for a while. That's why I suggested a trip into the woods."

"Itachi!" Sheeta pulled herself away from him and sat up, laughing. "You're terrible. Come on. I think it's almost time to leave, they're hooking the oxen back up to the carts."

Standing up, Itachi grabbed the boys' hands while Sheeta picked up Nagi and Hanabi looped an arm around her waist. And that was when all hell broke loose. Or at least a small corner of it as a blond, teenage boy dive-bombed Itachi, forcing him to drop to the ground, throwing himself over the top of the two toddlers. Sheeta ran towards the woods, dragging Hanabi behind her.

"Hey Itachi! How are you doing?" The teen yelled, hovering about six feet over the ground on pure-white clay owl.

"Deidara!" Itachi yelled angrily as he activated his Sharingan, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Because jumping into the middle of a group of Uchiha's is definitely suicidal!"

"True. But hey, I was in the area and thought I would drop in." He jumped off the bird as it popped out of existence. Itachi shooed the boys toward the ox-carts and he waved Sheeta away as she emerged from the woods with a curious expression on her face.

"Where's your cloak?" Itachi noticed he was wearing regular civilian clothes – long faded blue jeans with a pale blue jacket and white sneakers.

"Humph." Deidara groaned with frustration and glanced warily at Fugaku who was now standing a couple feet behind him. "You're father?"

"Yeah. Answer the question."

"I don't take orders from you, you know. I'm off duty." He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his nemeses.

Itachi closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, "Did you come here just to bug me, because if you did it's working."

"Ha, ha, ha! Itachi wears glasses! Kekkai Genkai not as great as you thought it was huh?" that comment earned the teen a series of insults and challenges from the other Uchihas and a couple of the Hyuugas who were now forming a circle around them.

"I could always test it out on you."

"Ha!" Deidara smiled, "Hi Sasuke!"

"Hi Deidara." Sasuke was obviously confused. When he had met Deidara a couple months ago he had actually be under the impression that he and Itachi were friends. However, this conversation seemed to indicate otherwise.

"Well, I got an order from Leader to go to a wedding in Mist but I don't want to go. And it has occurred to me over the years that you are kind of like his favorite, so I thought you could tell him or ask him to let me off the hook."

The mood lightened considerably and everyone returned to what they were doing before they had been interrupted. They didn't understand exactly what the two teens were talking about, but it was obviously nothing to worry much about.

Fugaku shook his head in resignation, "Who else did he invite?"

"I… um…" Deidara look uncertainly at the elder Uchiha, who, he assumed, was probably more powerful than Itachi since he was his father.

"It's okay, go ahead and answer. He knows everything." Itachi assured him.

"Kisame is already there, I think, or will be shortly. I mean, he's from Mist so I guess that makes sense, but why me? I don't even know who's getting married and Leader told me not to kill or maim anyone so why should I go? You can get me off, right?"

"Deidara, you are very close to begging. And no, I can't get you off." Itachi admitted quietly. "As for who is getting married… my cousin Aya is marrying the Mizukage."

Kicking a rock, Deidara scowled, "This sucks. I hate villages. I hate Water country. I hate Mist."

"And you hate being told what to do. Now, unless you have something original to say, leave." Itachi started walking away.

Deidara caught up to him and strode beside him, "No, I think I'll go with you guys. We're heading the same direction anyway."

"What? No way!" Itachi glared angrily, imagining all the horrible things that could happen if the mad bomber started blowing objects and people up. Not to mention their Akatsuki connections and the fact that most of the clan knew nothing about it.

"Hey Sasuke!" Deidara ran forward and caught up to the boy who was on his tip toes petting the forehead of a large, reddish brown ox, "How's the cat?"

"Oh God. What else is going to go wrong?" Itachi groaned.

Fugaku shrugged his shoulders, "It's okay, let him come. At least it's just him and Kisame. Although he's right, Kisame being invited is understandable, but Deidara… that's a mystery. He did help save Sasuke's life though, so we do owe him for that."

Itachi blinked his eyes a couple times, "That doesn't sound like you… What's going on, father?"

"Itachi," Fugaku waved for the others to start moving as he and his son followed the carts at a slower pace, "Something is going on here. My coup, somehow, put a chink in Madara's plans. That much is very clear to me now."

"If that was true, wouldn't he have just killed you to stop it from happening?"

"As manipulative as he is, I could see him as re-doing all his plans in order to watch the show."

Itachi stuck his hands in his pockets, "Perhaps that is why we haven't collected anymore tailed beasts, and why we're spending so much time chasing after Danzou. All that… the coup, the tailed beasts and Danzou… it's a puzzle with no connecting pieces. Originally he wanted to create war and then use Akatsuki to undermine the economy of the villages."

"He might be planning on keeping Mist and Konoha intact then. As well as Rain." Fugaku sighed, "So how far do I go to keep the village safe if it means the rest of the world falls apart?"

Itachi didn't know the answer to that and shook his head non-committally. Looking ahead of him he saw that Hinata and Sheeta had joined Deidara and Sasuke and were laughing happily at a story the blond was telling.

"I guess…" Itachi paused as he gazed at his girlfriend's still-flat stomach where his child was growing, unaware of the anarchy he or she would one day inherit, "I would go as far as it took to save them because… maybe one safe haven in a world of chaos is all we need for peace to someday flourish."

"Ha!" Fugaku clapped his son across the back, "That's my boy. Always ten steps ahead of everyone else." It was a rather defeatist attitude – but if a world of warfare was coming and Konoha could be that one safe oasis in a world of fear then maybe they could still fight back, retake what was to be lost. On the other hand, if all he had to worry about was Konoha, instead of what Madara was planning for the whole world, he could fortify that village and surely it would be safe.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"So you knocked up your girlfriend and you haven't married her yet? How did your dad let you get away with that?" Deidara asked, rather bluntly, that evening as he joined Itachi, Fugaku and Sasuke for dinner. The caravan had stopped in a medium sized village and rented several room in about three different inns.

"We are married." Itachi stated calmly. "We just haven't had the ceremony yet."

Fugaku spoke quietly, "I made them sign the paperwork a week ago. It's a formality for inheritance purposes. If Itachi would have died before his legal paperwork indicated a child and wife existed they would have legally gotten nothing."

"That sucks." Deidara mumbled. "You wouldn't have even helped?"

"Of course I would. But what if something happened to me? This way, Sheeta and the baby are covered. And in a couple months or so they can have a full wedding ceremony."

"Hope I don't have to go to that one too." Deidara said.

"It'll be fun though!" Sasuke spoke cheerfully, "Itachi hates being the center of attention and he'll have to dress up and because he's a prince he'll have to do the full Buddhist ceremony. It'll be two days of torturing my big brother."

"Don't call me a prince." Itachi sighed.

"Well, that's what you are, technically. And Hinata's a princess." Sasuke was having fun teasing his brother, especially with Deidara there to help. Usually Naruto would do the honors, but with him gone it had gotten a little lonely.

"Yes, and technically you are a member of the side branch and shouldn't even be eating at the same table as me. Either of you." He glared at both his brother and Deidara.

Deidara pretended to take offense. "I'll have you know I am not a member of the side branch of my clan. Although since my dad kicked me out of the house maybe I am anyway…" He waved his hand in front of him, "Doesn't matter. I for one am not going back."

"Kicked you out? You pissed him off that badly?" Fugaku asked.

"I guess. I was really young and his new wife didn't want someone else's kid, so father kicked me out. Then this guy found me living on the street and took me to Iwa and enrolled me in the Academy. I was pretty lucky in that regard, at least. A lot of kids end up dead… or worse."

Fugaku sighed, knowing what the "or worse" could mean. Deidara was a good looking kid after all. "Luck comes in all sorts of flavors. But sometimes we have to make our own."

Deidara nodded in agreement and looked sideways at Sasuke, who also seemed to have grasped the meaning of his words. "Sure wish I knew why I had to go to this wedding. I can't stand walking into a situation without knowing all or at least most of the facts."

"Hmm. So that's why you joined us." Itachi smiled, "You're pretty smart."

"Yeah… well… I know how to stay alive if that's what you mean."

"What?" Sasuke asked, confused.

"Safety in numbers." Fugaku explained, "Ninja don't like walking into ambushes and to Deidara this definitely has all the signs of an ambush. Often, a good defense against such a situation is a full team or perhaps two or three teams. So in joining us he effectively hides without running away."

"And if there is an ambush I can fight and everyone can see my magnificent art!" Deidara finished, flashing everyone a big smile.

"There's still so much I don't know." Sasuke pouted.

"Consider yourself lucky." Deidara nudged him playfully. "The life a ninja has to lead to get to 'S' rank isn't one I would wish on too many people."

"I know it's a lot of hard work."

"That's only about twenty-five percent of it." Deidara explained, "The rest… it's hard to explain… the rest is just kind of like the life you lead and the things you see and… stuff like that."

"So I need to get out of Konoha and see more of the world. Well hopefully my team will get more missions when we get back."

"You actually want to be 'S' rank even though you don't have to?" Deidara sounded incredulous, making Itachi and Fugaku look at him in surprise.

"Well, yeah. I have to protect my brother and Sheeta and their baby."

"I'm pretty sure Itachi is capable of doing that on his own. I know… first hand… how powerful he is." Deidara gave Itachi a curious look that quickly downgraded to confusion at the dark expression that crossed the teen's face.

"Sasuke worries too much." Fugaku suddenly realized how close they were to discussing Itachi's illness and was about to say something else to try to diffuse the situation when his son interrupted.

"You'll probably hear other's talking about it… so I might as well be up front." Itachi paused, he really didn't want to tell Deidara anything about himself, but he also knew how exaggerated rumors could get and he was the subject of many rumors. "I… sort of have an illness that could… kill me in a few years when I'm in my twenties. Sasuke is worried about that." He looked closely at Deidara who had laid his chopsticks down on the table and stared at him with his eyes wide open.

"You aren't kidding me, are you?"

"No."

"Well… I… I wanted to fight you again. Because you beat me. But I can't do it if you're not full strength."

"That's sporting of you." Itachi mumbled sarcastically.

"Believe me, it has nothing to do with fair play. I'm a ninja, remember? It's just… you beat me and you didn't even break a sweat. If you become so weak that you can't fight at that level anymore… well… it's hardly worth it. I wanted to beat that Itachi… the one from four or five years ago. Not the sick Itachi who's so weak he can't even stand up."

"Humph. A rematch, huh? I should have guessed." Itachi gave a short laugh, "There was someone else who wanted a rematch… my teammate Yota Hyuuga. He died in a fight before that could happen. He got arrogant and even though the Byakugan could see all around him, he forgot to look underground. Deidara, if you want to fight me again, then look for your weaknesses. Don't do what Yota did."

"Should you be giving me advice on how to beat you?" Deidara was a little confused.

"If we have a rematch and I beat you like I did last time I will be very disappointed and probably get mad. You don't want to see me mad."

Deidara laughed and picked his chopsticks up so he could continue eating his beef strips, "Already taken care of, Itachi."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Next week they arrive in Mist.

Sorry this chapter is so short, this week sort of sucked. Next week will be longer.

Please review

Updates on Fridays