Hey everyone!

sigh...i love this chapter.

okay, sorry if i get some of the uchiha history stuff wrong, im not really a nerd in those areas. wish i was, but watever.

hope you guys like this chapter, and PLEASE REVIEW!

any predictions, people? haha enjoy!

Chapter 31

I felt my heart beating rapidly in my throat as I watched Sasuke's face slowly lean in. What the hell was going on here? Was he about to kiss me?

And if he was…shouldn't I be stopping him?

Wait, what was I saying? Why wouldn't I want Sasuke to kiss me?

His lips were a mere inch away; I could feel the warm heat of his breath on my lips. I couldn't look down to see if his mouth was indeed angling towards mine because his onyx eyes had me locked into place.

My hand was limp and submissive in his strong, calloused fingers, and I felt his grip tighten slightly as I let myself fall into the depths of those dark, surprisingly sexy – I had never really thought of dark eyes as very attractive before meeting Sasuke, but after seeing his eyes, I found myself seeing boys with lighter eyes as too innocent and cheery, while guys with dark eyes were mysterious and made me want to get up close and see if there was any flecks of color in them – eyes. I blinked rapidly to try and clear my head, but instead only succeeded in confusing myself even more.

What was my name again?

But then he was gone, and I was left standing there alone in the clearing, staring off into the distance where a dark blur that was Sasuke was headed.

What…the…hell?

I shook my head furiously as I heard the rest of Team Hebi approaching behind me. I turned to smile as Suigetsu ran up, his eyes relieved as he scanned my figure.

"You had me worried for a second there, beautiful…I thought that blonde was gonna get you for sure!"

I snorted. "Only for a second? Wow, glad to hear how important I am…"

Suigetsu laughed as Juugo approached from behind, smiling at me. "Are you alright?"

I smiled, touching his arm. "Yeah, thanks Juugo. You really kicked butt back there..."

Juugo smiled bashfully, and I glanced over at Karin, who was crossing her arms and glaring at the annoyingly cheery blue sky. I called, grinning.

"What are you so grumpy about, Red? Did you break a nail again?"

Karin flared angrily, flicking a lock of hair out of her eyes as she pouted. "Shut up, Blondie. At least I wasn't stupid enough to walk into their trap…"

I shrugged, turning away again. "I won't argue with you there…"

Suigetsu was looking at the figure on the rock with interest, and I found that once I started looking at the figure, I couldn't stop. He was like a shark in human form, with small gill-like things near the corners of his eyes and wicked sharp teeth. His eyes were shining and inhumanly bloodthirsty, and seeing them made me shiver instinctively.

The man caught me looking at him, and he grinned widely. "Take a picture, beautiful, it'll last longer."

I couldn't help but smile – he reminded me of Suigetsu immediately – at his comment, and Suigetsu rolled his eyes.

"Hey, Sempai…back off. Only I'm allowed to call her beautiful…"

The man snorted. "Still as cheeky as ever, kid."

I frowned. "Um…you two know each other?"

The man laughed. "I never introduced myself, beautiful. My name is Kisame Hoshigaki. Suigetsu was just a kid when we last met…but even so, he told me that he'd fight me one day. Imagine, a four year old telling you that in the future, he's gonna kick your ass!"

I laughed, and then caught myself. I was laughing…with a cruel, bloodthirsty murderer who could literally kill me before I had a chance to blink. And I was actually enjoying his company, however brief. Good god, what was wrong with me?

Suigetsu grinned, unashamed. "I was a pretty smart kid…how about we have a little battle to see how smart I really was?"

Kisame nodded curtly, grinning in anticipation as he slid off of the rock. "Sure, you're on. I warn you though; I won't go easy on a punk like you."

"I was about to say the same thing, Sempai."

I started laughing, and the two looked over at me in confusion. I tried to contain myself, but I ended up sitting on the ground, holding my head in my hands.

Finally, after what felt like an hour, I lifted my head again, and choked out. "I've always wondered…why does there have to be stupid little remarks exchanged before every battle? I mean, seriously, why didn't Suigetsu just say, Hey, let's fight, and Kisame reply, Okay, and then you guys just…go? Why the cheesy I won't go easy on you crap? I mean, come on!"

Kisame blinked, and Suigetsu snorted. "That kind of makes sense…in a strange way. Why not just cut the crap and get started?"

I smirked. "See? Even after I said that, you can't help but make a cheesy remark like that! Just…leap at each other already!"

Kisame barked out a short laugh, and hefted his sword.

Suddenly the two were clashing swords, their blades making huge sharp sounds as they collided. I cheered for Suigetsu, and something flickered out of the corner of my eye.

I turned to see a large crow perched on a tree branch just beyond where Kisame and Suigetsu were currently fighting. It was looking right at me, and something about it made me think twice. It was…filled with chakra!

I blinked, and the bird slowly moved its head in a beckoning gesture. It was drawing me in, and I had a strange feeling of need. I had to follow that bird…it was important.

I stood up, and without a word started walking towards the forest. Juugo asked where I was going, and I smiled and whispered.

"Bathroom break…I'll be back in a few."

I continued towards the trees, and I walked past the crow, walking until I was out of sight. The air was cool, the trees having a nice, sharp smell that reminded me of the forest outside the Sound base that had been my home for at least a year. It was a peaceful smell…and I always cherished it.

Suddenly, something solid touched my shoulder, and I felt the tug of teleportation. I tried to turn, but the object kept me in place. I started to panic when I realized that that object felt suspiciously like a hand.

Who…?

Sasuke felt the familiar anticipation building up in his body as he slowly walked through the dim halls of the old Uchiha base. There was a dim regret as he saw – in small rooms he passed – the dusty chairs that were situated around tables. The Uchiha clan was now unable to sit in those chairs, unable to speak, unable to feel…because of the bastard who was waiting for him somewhere in this base.

The rage that pulsed through him made his teeth grit together angrily, and his hands clenched into fists as he opened the door to the very last room. He felt a familiar chakra, and knew at once that he had come to the right place. He slipped into the room, and came face to face with his older brother.

Itachi was calm, sitting in the large throne that was set at the back of the room. Sasuke glanced around warily before slowly walking so he stood in the center of the room, staring up at the man who he had focused his hatred towards for the past eight years. Sasuke's eyes bled crimson into his Sharingan, and the two brothers stared at each other, seemingly relaxed.

Itachi's face was oddly peaceful as he scanned Sasuke slowly, and a small sigh escaped him.

"You've gotten taller than when I saw you last, Sasuke…"

Sasuke snarled. "And you haven't changed at all, you bastard…"

"Tell me, why do you come before me when you haven't gained the same eyes as I have? You haven't killed your best friend, Naruto Uzumaki. Unless…" Itachi's eyes gleamed. "…that boy is no longer the one most precious to you."

Sasuke's eyes widened for the shortest second, and then he composed himself once more. '

Itachi chuckled. "You're so easy to read, Sasuke…you always have been. Now tell me…how important is this girl to you? I haven't ever had the pleasure of meeting her, but my sources never lie."

Sasuke's heart clenched at the cruel smirk that crossed his brother's lips. How had Itachi found out that it was a girl?

"Is she a treasured friend…is she like a sister? Is she like…your lover?"

Sasuke's chakra flared dangerously, and Itachi nodded, leaning back with a small smile. "I supposed as much. Now, Sasuke…let me ask again, why haven't you killed her? Killing her would allow you to have the same eyes that I have…why did you choose not to better yourself?"

Sasuke smirked, tensing as he prepared to use his chakra. "I don't need to sink to your level…I can grow stronger than you with my hatred, with my years of honing my hatred and my vengeance!"

Itachi was silent, and a smile that was forced appeared on his lips. "I find…that hatred that is clung to over the years isn't quite as powerful as anger felt in the moment. I mean, what worse anger do you feel when you find out your most treasured person is now gone from this world?"

Sasuke felt his stomach twisting; he didn't like where Itachi's words were going. Hikari was still with the others…right? Suigetsu and Juugo would protect her with their lives; they wouldn't let anyone touch her. Right?

Itachi cocked his head as if listening, and a satisfied smile crossed his lips. "Ah, finally done. They often put up so much of a struggle when dying, don't they?"

Sasuke's eyes widened as Itachi leaned back more comfortably. "Now that that's out of the way…"

Sasuke felt his hands shaking slightly. "What…are you talking about?"

"It's quite simple, actually. I killed her. This way you'll have no distractions in our fight…"

Sasuke's mind went blank for a moment, and he snarled furiously. "You're lying."

"Are you sure? Hm…how can I prove it to you? Let's see." Itachi stared up at the ceiling in thought, while Sasuke struggled to contain his emotions. Hikari wasn't dead…she couldn't be. Itachi was trying to rile him up…it was all a part of his plan to–

"The girl's name is Hikari, isn't it? Lovely blue-gray eyes, tan skin, long blonde hair?"

Sasuke's vision went white as the reality of his situation sunk in. Itachi…had taken away everything from him. First his family, then his chance at a life without hatred, then…her.

The one person that Sasuke felt truly reliant on. She kept him from toppling over into insanity…she kept his heart safe from those evil acts of darkness.

And now, because of his selfishness, because of his inability to leave her behind as he had done Naruto and Sakura…she was gone. Because of him…her life was over. No more smiles, no more witty remarks as she ran ahead of him, turning to grin at him, her hair billowing around her shoulders and lower back like a shining cloud of gold.

Only a dark, burning regret. And a poor, cold corpse of a friend…a corpse of a…a corpse of his…

"You loved her…didn't you? A foolish mistake in the ninja world, Sasuke, you should know that better than anyone. Loving someone makes them ten times more vulnerable…ten times harder to let go of."

"Shut up!" Sasuke yelled, and suddenly he whipped his hand out, and a blue-white flash of lightning filled the air before Itachi was stabbed on his throne, Sasuke holding a long line of chakra infused lightning.

Sasuke felt the presence of a genjutsu, and saw that the Itachi he had just stabbed was indeed a fake. The real Itachi was behind him, and Sasuke subtly cast a genjutsu so that the real him could sneak around the podium.

"You have gotten stronger Sasuke…but is that strength just a result of my killing of Hikari, or is it real power?"

As he made his clone reply, Sasuke felt the pain claw at him once more at the sound of her name, and her face flashed before his eyes, her smiling face that was so close…so familiar. He knew her face better than she did…he knew her almost as well as he knew himself.

Never would those eyes smile at him again.

Sasuke had his sword unsheathed in an instant, and he stabbed through the stone to bite through Itachi's chest. Sasuke pressed harder, making Itachi cough harshly, blood dripping down the edge of the sword.

"Clever…Sasuke."

Sasuke pushed aside his emotions and coldly spoke. "You told me that you weren't the only one involved in the Uchiha massacre…who is that other person?"

Sasuke felt his heart beating painfully in his chest, and he sent a silent apology to Hikari as he stabbed the sword deeper. He would find her after this was all over…he would deal with it all after her murderer was killed.

"It is someone who is thought to be long dead…his name is Madara Uchiha."

The moment I felt the teleportation cease, I whipped around to swing a kunai at the enemy's head. The figure ducked, and I found myself face to face with a man who I instinctively recognized as Sasuke's brother.

The two were very similar, the differences being the eyes. Sasuke's eyes were less worn and the skin around them was smooth. This man had a weathered look to his eyes – they were as black as night, which was surprising because I expected his Sharingan to be activated – and there were two lines that ran from the inner corner of his eyes to just below his nose on either side. The man had a long cloak patterned with red clouds, and his dark hair was pulled back in a short ponytail.

Itachi Uchiha.

I forced myself to remain still, and slowly backed away so there was ten feet between us. I glanced around to see that we were still in a forest, but the trees were more spaced apart. I knew that I was far away from the others, because I couldn't sense any chakras besides the man's.

The man was calm, and there was a desolate look to his face that made me frown. Wasn't this guy supposed to be a ruthless murderer? Why did he look like…he wanted it all to end? Why was I feeling…sorry for him?

Itachi smiled slightly. "Sasuke taught you well, Hikari-san."

I didn't reply, and the ninja went on. "Why don't you attack me again? I kidnapped you against your will…and yet you don't make a sound."

I smirked. "I'm not that stupid. You're just a clone…I'm not going to waste my energy trying to kill you when the person who deserves to kill you is Sasuke. And how do you know my name?"

"I have my ways…but that's not important. There is something I need to tell you."

I took another step back. "Why in the hell should I listen?"

Itachi sighed, and slowly sat down on one of the boulders that ringed the small cluster of trees. I was shocked by the way the older teen looked up at me, smiling slightly.

"I promise that I won't hurt you…I just want to talk."

"Again, why should I listen to a word you have to say? You killed your entire family, you're a monster!" I growled, tensing as Itachi looked down at his hands once more.

"If you love Sasuke at all, you'll listen. There is someone that seeks to manipulate my brother for their own purposes, and I know that you are the only person who has a chance of convincing my brother to steer clear of this person."

I blinked, and the man looked up. "Before I tell you anything about this man…I have to tell you something about Konoha. You have heard that I massacred my entire clan…and this is true." I gasped in disgust, and the ninja held up a hand to stop me from speaking. "But the reason for this massacre wasn't for the reason that everyone believes. You see, Hikari-san…I wanted nothing more than for my clan and I to live in peace…but my clan had other ideas. Sixteen years ago, when the Nine Tailed Fox–"

"Uh, what the heck is that?"

Itachi smiled slightly, and shook his head. "Ah, forgive me. I forgot that you were not born in this world. The Nine Tailed Fox is one of nine beasts of enormous power, creatures made almost entirely of evil chakra. The Nine Tailed Fox is currently sealed inside your friend, the host Naruto Uzumaki."

"Naruto has a demon inside him?"

"Yes…the Fourth Hokage sealed it inside of him when he was born. But the reason that the Nine Tailed Fox was there in the first place…that was a mystery to everyone. They chose to blame the Uchiha clan, because our Sharingan is the only ability capable of containing such a monstrous force. We were isolated…and the seeds of rebellion began to grow within the clan. So, Konoha sent me as a spy to report the inner workings of the rebellion, and it got to a point that…the only way to prevent another war was to eliminate the threat. The Council members agreed that the Uchiha clan should die…and I was the one they chose to complete that task. As a result, my mission also included abandoning my village and never returning. I was willing to accept that…but there was another who wouldn't be so agreeable."

I sank down onto the ground, staring at the man before me. I could tell that he wasn't lying; there was a toneless, blunt way of speaking that showed his pain and revealed his sadness. Itachi had been forced to betray the village; he had been forced to murder his entire clan. It made me want to take the throats of the Council members between my hands and crush the air out of them. Their actions…were so inhumane that it was to the point that I wanted to throw up.

"What do you mean? There was someone else who wanted to kill the Uchiha?" I asked after swallowing hard a few times, and Itachi nodded.

"His name is Madara Uchiha…and he has had a grudge against the Uchiha for many years. This grudge was formed because in the time when the village was created, he wanted the Uchiha to fight against the other clan – known as the Senju – for supremacy. But the Uchiha wanted peace, and banished him from the clan."

"And so he wanted a hand in their death…to get his revenge."

Itachi nodded. "Yes. I found out that Madara was still alive, and went to find him. I couldn't possibly kill the entire clan alone, so I enlisted his help. He would get his revenge…but in return I made him swear that he would leave the rest of Konoha alone. He agreed…and…" Itachi trailed off, and I felt my throat choking up in horror.

"But I knew that Madara would find a way to destroy Konoha without breaking his promise to me, and that is the reason he formed the group Akatsuki. I joined so that I could keep an eye on him, to make sure that he didn't go after my brother when I left him alive."

"Why did you leave Sasuke alive? Wasn't that your mission…to kill every member of the Uchiha?" I asked quietly, and the Uchiha turned to me with a small smile.

"I had already murdered my parents, and countless other people precious to me…I just…couldn't do the same to my only brother. It was for him that I did it, not for my clan, not for Konoha. I did what I did for Sasuke. I can tell without asking that the bond between you is very strong…wouldn't you do the same if you knew that he was in danger?"

I didn't have to answer…because we both knew that I would.

Itachi sighed, turning back to stare out into the trees. "Madara Uchiha wants to use my brother to destroy Konoha, because of that grudge held toward the Senju clan. Madara wants complete control…he is a creature that feeds off of war and suffering. He will most likely try and start the Forth Great Ninja war. He will try and trick Sasuke into believing that the only way to have his revenge is to burn all of Konoha to the ground…but that's where you come in."

"Me?"

"Like I said before…you're the only person he will listen to. You care for Konoha as much as I do…you understand why Sasuke cannot be allowed to destroy it. It would be sinking to their level, killing thousands of innocents for the wrongdoings of just a few. Madara will try and use my true reasons for killing my clan to convince Sasuke to blame Konoha. But I need you to convince him otherwise. I will be dead soon enough and…don't tell him that we spoke. Just…promise me that you'll take care of him when I'm gone. Promise me that you'll get him back to Konoha."

I stared at the man before me, and felt tears welling up in my eyes. "If you're just a clone…that means that the real you is–"

"Fighting Sasuke, yes. We are both nearing the end of our chakra…so I will only be able to keep up this clone for another minute or so."

"Oh…" I breathed, quickly turning away to wipe my tears away. "I'm so sorry, Itachi. It isn't fair…it isn't fair!"

"It's alright. It is nice to know that someone cares…after all these years. No one has said 'sorry' to me since…I don't know when. Thank you, Hikari-san."

I looked up to see Itachi kneeling in front of me, and he pressed his hand to my forehead. I froze, unable to move. I felt something lodge in my chest, something hot. I flinched as the man pulled away, a small smile on his face as he began to melt away.

"I have given you a bit of my power…which will help you when you need chakra the most. Goodbye, Hikari-san. Take care of Sasuke for me…he needs someone to love."

I jumped to my feet, but before I could speak the man was gone, and the area around me melted into its original state. A genjutsu…Itachi had put me into a genjutsu. It had blocked out the sounds of their fight…

The air was filled with ash and something else that made my skin crawl, and I realized with a jolt that it was raining. I looked up at the sound of thunder, and saw that there was a building next to me. I peered up, and saw two figures approaching each other.

It was the end.

Sasuke felt Itachi poke him on the forehead, and the gut-wrenching panic faded suddenly at the small smile that crossed his brother's face.

"Sorry, Sasuke. This is the last time…"

And with a shudder, the older man fell forward, and slid down the wall to fall backwards on his back. His pale, milky eyes were unseeing and lifeless, and Sasuke realized with a jolt that Itachi was dead.

Dead. Finally dead.

Sasuke felt his heart pounding in his chest as he looked up at the dismal gray sky that was crying tears of ice cold rain…and he couldn't find the words to say. He had planned for this moment, in his mind it had been a much more fitting end. In his mind, he had been happy when seeing those lifeless eyes.

Now…all he felt was numbness. A chilling regret that settled in his heart and made him sway unsteadily on his feet.

There was something in his mind…that had just snapped. There was nothing that could be felt, no sound that could reach him.

"Sasuke!"

Except for that. The sound of that familiar voice. That voice that was always playful, always teasing. That light voice that always made it seem like she was sharing a private joke with him.

Now, that voice was panicked, and the Uchiha felt his vision blur as he forced his head to turn.

He was dreaming. Itachi had killed her…this image of her was just wishful thinking. Why else would she be here? Sasuke felt regret panging through him at the sight of her, her hair wet and sticking to her cheeks and arms, her blue-gray eyes seeming even bluer in the gray light.

Sasuke sighed, letting himself fall into the blackness.

He couldn't think of a more fitting end to his time in this world…having Hikari running towards him in the rain, her eyes bright as usual, her mouth forming the sounds to his name.

His mouth opened, and one word fell from his lips before he felt his head hit the ground.

Hikari.