YAY! I loved this chapter, and i hope that you all do to!

i started crying while writing the ghost scene, and don't you roll your eyes at me! Anyway, this is the chapter that decides the future of Sasuke and Team Hebi's role in the future as a whole...

drum roll!

haha anyway, hope you guys like it, and PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW!

I feel like i did a good job, but i need feedback! please tell me what you think, and if you have any suggestions for the way this story should go.

Thanks, and enjoy!

Chapter 33

Naruto stared at the rising run, his cerulean eyes serious and calculating. His hands were lightly resting on his knees, which were hanging over the edge of the tree branch. He heard a familiar voice speak quietly beside him.

"Yo."

The boy turned to see his sensei slowly ease himself down on the branch, and the blonde grinned half-heartedly.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi smiled, and the two of them sat silently for a moment before the older man sighed. "Naruto…everyone's worried about you. You haven't spoken to anyone since the meeting with Sasuke yesterday…"

"They're worried?" Naruto repeated to himself, his eyes dark as they flickered down to rest on his clenched hands. "I just…I can't believe what Hikari said. I made a promise to bring Sasuke back…"

"Naruto, she was right, in a way."

Naruto whirled in shock. "What?"

"If Sasuke is ever going to return to Konoha, he will do it of his own free will."

Naruto growled to himself, turning away from the silver haired man and glaring into the bright sunrise. "He's too stubborn to ever do that…"

Kakashi sighed, and stood. "Don't give up hope, Naruto. Just be patient…people can always find ways to surprise you."

Naruto snorted, and Kakashi put a hand on the blonde's head, ruffling his hair in a rare show of affection. "Kiba and I are still recovering…but we're set to leave for Konoha tonight. You should come back to camp…Sakura needs someone to lighten up her mood."

Naruto sighed, but nodded after seeing the look in Kakashi's eye, and Kakashi waited for the boy to get to his feet. Suddenly, both ninja were gone in a flash of silver and orange.

I sat on the rocky shore, staring out into the waves as I heard Sasuke shift beside me. I didn't turn towards him, keeping my focus on the way the water rasped and clawed at the rocks beneath my feet. It was a bit before dawn, the sun was still hidden behind the horizon.

What had I been thinking, so stupidly taking back to a man like Madara? I mean, I wanted to believe Itachi, but how could I be sure? And how could I just blindly assume that Konoha wasn't to blame? Did I do the right thing in trusting Itachi when he said that Madara was evil? He was…he had to be.

I sighed, sullenly throwing a rock into the frothy water, watching it sink to join the numerous others I had thrown.

What should I do?

After sleeping it off, Sasuke was more or less composed, his face calm and smooth as usual. But there was a constant pain to his eyes that would take even longer to heal.

There was also bitter anger to his features, and it scared me.

That was why I had taken him out here…to propose my plan. But now, as I watched Sasuke out of the corner of my eye…I didn't know if it was such a good idea anymore. I wanted Sasuke to be happy, but would he truly be happy if he agreed to go along with my plan?

Would he never be able to find that peace unless I let him walk his never-ending path of revenge?

I felt Sasuke's stare, and I slowly traced patterns in the sand, biting my lip as I struggled to find a way to approach the subject. I didn't want to seem like the bad-guy, I didn't want to force him into anything. Sasuke and I were partners, and he deserved the right to make his own choices.

I just…wanted him beside me, and though I would follow him into the depths of hell if I had to, I'd rather that not be the only option open to us.

Sasuke waited, not saying anything, as I turned to look at him.

"Sasuke…can I ask you something?"

"Hn."

"What are you going to do…now that you've gotten your revenge?"

Sasuke stared out into the waves, his eyes dark and indiscernible as the seconds ticked by in tense silence. His jaw was tight as he spoke curtly.

"To destroy Konoha…I want to kill every last person for the suffering of my clan. They deserve it…they brought about every type of suffering in my life. But…"

I swallowed, and whispered. "But…?"

"Why are you asking me this, Hikari?"

Sasuke turned to fix his intense onyx eyes on me, and I sighed, bending my knees so they were tucked against my chest, wrapping my arms around them.

"Because I want to know…I just…" I don't know why, but tears pricked in the corners of my eyes, and I hurriedly rubbed my hands against my face, erasing the tears while making it seem like I was rubbing my skin in frustration.

"Hikari…tell me."

"I think that you should stop trying to get your revenge. I think…that you should just…stop trying to find someone to blame."

I sucked in a deep breath after releasing the words in a rush. Sasuke stiffened, and I forced myself to remain calm as his hands clenched into fists.

"How can you say that? You heard what that man said…Konoha murdered my family, and made my brother's life a miserable one, all because of their mistake in placing blame." Sasuke stood angrily, and glared down at me. I stood my ground, getting to my feet and refusing to be intimidated by his eyes, which were flickering from black to deep crimson.

"I know that it's hard, Sasuke. Trust me, I know. I can't imagine what you've been through; I can't even begin to imagine the pain you feel. I know that I said back there, that Konoha was justified in blaming the Uchiha…but in truth…I hate the people who did this as much as you do. I want them to burn; I want them to bleed for their stupid decisions. But what would their death bring?"

Sasuke's eyes were cold as he took a step closer, his shoulders tight and tense. "You're right…you have no idea what it feels like. How could you know? You've never walked home from training, and seeing all those bodies on the streets…children, even! Innocent infants and children who had no hand in the so-called rebellion…all gone in an instant. You've never walked into your living room, to find your only brother standing over your parents dead bodies! How could you ever possibly understand what I feel? Don't scold me, Hikari; don't fucking tell me that I'm not entitled to my hatred!"

Sasuke's voice grew louder with every passing second, until he was screaming into the silence. His eyes were wide and full of bitterness, and his hands were shaking my shoulders violently, Sharingan unleashed and burning into my mind. I didn't say anything, and Sasuke hissed.

"If I burn Konoha to the ground, they will feel the pain I feel…they will know the suffering I have felt. They will be forced to watch their beloved village burn…and then, then…my revenge will be fulfilled. My family will be avenged…and it will all be over."

I stared at him, and he was breathing heavily, his fingers nearly crushing the bone in my shoulder.

"Sasuke…your clan is dead."

Sasuke's mouth twisted in a snarl, and his hand swung towards my face, but I reached up to deflect it, getting in his face and snarling right back at him. I was through with playing nice, through with letting him wrap his mind up in a ball of pity.

"Yeah, I said it. Your family is dead, and your revenge won't do shit. Why? Because they're gone, Sasuke! You acting like a pathetic emo-kid and trying to find someone else to blame for what happened to them won't bring them back, nothing will ever bring them back!"

"You think I don't know that?" Sasuke growled, and I ducked as he sent a flash of electricity through his arm, missing me by an inch. I danced away as his sword flashed, and I stood firm, watching him advance until the blade was an inch away from my chest.

"Then why are you trying so hard to hold onto them? If you know that they're gone…why are you still trying to keep the fact that they're dead alive?"

"Shut up…just shut up!" Sasuke shouted, and I shook my head, advancing until the tip of the sword was pressing against my shirt. Sasuke flinched at the contact, and I held up my hands.

"If you're so intent on destroying Konoha…kill me first."

"Hikari, what–"

"Because I am just like those children who are training to become ninja, I am those young teenagers so excited about getting their ninja headbands, I am that mother and father who are so happy when their children grow up to be successful and happy, I am the elderly person who has had a good life and is so happy when their grandchildren chatter about their school and about their friends. I am the dreams and hopes that you would murder if you tried to kill of Konoha. You would be sinking to the Council members' level if you killed all those innocent people. You would be just as evil as they are, you would be a monster."

Sasuke was silent, his eyes still murderous as he pressed the tip of his sword slightly. I felt a sharp prick as the blade pierced my skin. There was a sharp pang of panic as I caught the look in his eyes, but I forced my hands to remain still at my sides, closing my eyes as Sasuke spoke, so softly that it was almost nonexistent.

"I can't just let them live with the fact that my clan is dead…I can't let them get away with destroying Itachi's and my life…"

I didn't respond, and whispered. "It doesn't have to be that way, Sasuke. You can be happy again…if you'd only try. You could go back to Konoha…you could put everything behind you."

The blade shifted slightly, and I could tell that Sasuke's arm was shaking.

"I chose my path a long time ago, Hikari. I can't…I can't go back."

The blade dropped suddenly, and I let out a breath as I saw Sasuke's face. It was stricken as he saw the blood that had been drawn as a result of his actions, and I moved closer to him, speaking softly and slowly.

"Yes…you can, Sasuke."

Sasuke didn't speak, and I saw his eyes slowly fade back to black, his hands clenched and his lips tight. His pulse was pounding against the vein in his neck, and I saw his Adam's apple bob unsteadily, nervously.

He was afraid. Truly, absolutely, and utterly afraid.

I was so close now, so close that I could see the slight inner shades of gray within his dark eyes, so close that I could practically hear his racing heartbeat.

I touched his arms with my fingers, and he flinched.

"Let it go."

Sasuke's breath hitched, and his eyes closed tightly as he struggled to contain himself. I cupped his face in between my hands, ignoring the way my heart leapt in my chest, ignoring everything except for the sound of my voice, and the sound of his fearful breathing.

"Sasuke, look at me." Sasuke slowly opened his eyes, and I smiled gently at him, letting my thumbs caress his cheekbones. "You've done all you can do for your family…now it's time to let them go. Let them rest, Sasuke."

Sasuke's eyes were torn, and he choked out. "If…if they leave, I'll have nothing left."

I couldn't help but laugh at that, and Sasuke looked at me in confusion as I grinned.

"What am I, chopped liver?"

Sasuke's eyes widened, and I leaned forward to slowly wrap my arms around him. I let my arms go under to press against his upper back, pressing myself against him, resting my cheek against his neck. It was an automatic gesture, and felt so right in that moment that there was no room for embarrassment or hesitation.

I whispered. "I promised you…I would be beside you every step of the way. I will walk every step of the way with you, whether you like it or not." Sasuke's breathing faltered, and I hugged him tighter. "It's okay to be scared, heck, I'm scared too. I don't know what's going to happen if we return to Konoha…but as long as I'm with you…I'll be okay. We'll both be okay."

Sasuke sighed, a heavy, ancient sound that made my chest ache painfully. His arms came around me, tightly pulling me to him, his face burying into my hair and his breath hot against my skin. It felt like if he didn't pull me in, he himself would fall apart.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" Sasuke breathed, his throat tight and strained. I had a feeling that he wasn't talking to me anymore…instead trying in some shape or form to communicate his sorrow to his clan. If I tried, I could almost see them, all crowded here on the beach, their pale faces warm and shining as they looked at Sasuke with familiar dark eyes. Sasuke's back was to them, so he couldn't see. But I could, and I stared in awe.

I could see children there, with large dark eyes and unruly black hair, seemingly bored with the scene before them, much more interested in running across the water and into the rising sun. What adventure lay before them, everything had some kind of purpose, and everything was new and bright to them. Their laughter intermixed with the roar of the waves, their figures quickly fading into the light. Teenagers followed them, so self-conscious, their smirks seemingly confident and without a care in the world. They chased each other out onto the lapping waves, competing to see who could run the fastest and pushing each other into the water playfully. They were soon lost to the light as well, and I turned to watch the adults smile at each other knowingly. They met my gaze and, smiling, stuck their hands in their pockets, and slowly followed the younger generation. Husbands had their arms around their wives shoulders, single men and women were flirting and dancing around each other, those who had lost their loved ones hurrying to see those precious people in the world beyond, their eyes shining in the light of the sun. Elderly people were next, and they huffed to themselves and grumbled at the quick pace the others were setting. They leaned on each other as they went, smiling at the bright youth present in their numbers. Canes met the spray of the ocean, and wise eyes surrounded by saggy wrinkles shone as bright and as lively as those of children as they beheld the warmth of the light. And then…they too were gone.

I felt a wave of remorse fill me as they left, and realized that they were not the last ones. I saw Itachi standing before me, and looked slightly beyond him to see a man and a woman standing, waiting for him.

Itachi moved closer, and his face was so different then the face I had seen just a day ago. This face was kind and gentle, and his dark eyes shone in happiness as he took in the image of his brother. There were no words spoken, but the love that was exuded from the teen made the air around me seem so much brighter. I could feel the peace that filled Itachi's soul, I could feel it all.

Itachi smiled, and bowed his head slightly to me, making me smile. I tried to reach out to him, and the man let his ghostly fingers slowly reach up to touch mine. We stood there for a moment, and Itachi's eyes were bright enough to light up the entire sky.

Goodbye.

And then Itachi pulled away, still smiling, to join his father and mother in the shallow waters of the shore. The sun was so bright that I couldn't see them disappear, but when I finally could look again, the ocean waters were empty. The mystical light was gone, replaced by the comparatively ordinary light of the new day.

I let the tears fall, and held Sasuke more tightly, smiling when the boy did the same. I stared out into the deep blue of the ocean.

"Goodbye."

It was nearing dusk. The air was cooling, and the sun was nearly hidden by the dark horizon.

Sasuke and I met the rest of the team at the rocky ledge, and Karin scowled at me, obviously imagining that I had jumped Sasuke in the time we had been gone. Oh please. I have a bit more tact than that.

Suigetsu was silent, his eyes flickering towards me before settling on Sasuke. "You two have been gone awhile…have you decided our next move?"

Juugo glanced around nervously. "That man hasn't shown himself since yesterday…why do you think that is?"

Karin scoffed. "Who cares?"

I sighed, ignoring Karin for the moment as Sasuke cleared his throat. "Team Hebi is officially disbanded. Our mission is complete, and there is no reason to stay together any longer."

I piped up. "I mean, you're welcome to travel with us, but there might be some possible risks."

"Risks?" Karin asked, raising a single eyebrow in confusion.

Sasuke spoke curtly. "Hikari and I will be handing ourselves over to the Konoha squad camped in the forest a few miles from here."

Suigetsu blinked, shocked. "Wait…so instead of getting together with the Akatsuki gang that Madara guy is hosting and get a chance to destroy Konoha…you're choosing to get captured and possibly executed by the goody-two-shoes?"

I rolled my eyes. "In essence, yes. Though I fervently hope that we won't get executed…that would suck."

Karin growled. "It wouldn't suck, you'd be dead!"

"Well no freaking duh." I crossed my arms over my chest, and appealed to Juugo. "Juugo, if you come with us, I'm sure that the medics there will be able to find a way to help you with your illness."

"Really?"

"Yeah!"

Juugo smiled, and slowly came to stand by my side. "I'll come with you."

Suigetsu groaned, leaning his head back against the rock. "Ugh, this is so lame! Sasuke's gone all soft, Hikari's pulling her puppy-dog eyes…what the hell, man!"

But even with that, Suigetsu slowly walked over to stand beside Sasuke, grinning wolfishly at me.

"But I can't just let beautiful spend time alone with those Konoha guys…someone's gotta protect her virtue here!"

"Uh, thank you for the wonderful act of chivalry, Suigetsu…really charming." I snorted at his pleased expression, and Karin growled before stomping over to stand by Suigetsu.

"You'll be able to find them a lot faster if I'm around…and besides, I've got nothing better to do."

Suigetsu smirked. "Oh, are you sure you're not just traveling in the same direction as us?"

"Shut up!"

"Make me!"

"Argh!"

I cringed as Karin slammed her fist through Suigetsu's head, which exploded into a shower of water. I moaned in self-pity, and put my head in my hands.

"Oh yeah, I forgot the whole annoying-as-hell part when I asked them to come with us…darn, it's too late now…"

Sasuke smirked, and I grinned back at him. He and I led the group towards the endless forest of trees that lay to the east, away from the lapping waves and the hiss of the tide, away from all the pain and the suffering of the past.

Every step we took led us father and father away from the path of the avenger. That path was quickly fading…and a new one was taking its place.

Where would this new path take us, you ask?

How the hell am I supposed to know? I'm not the captain of this boat…I'm just along for the ride. For better or for worse.

Hopefully for better…but you can never tell. Life liked to screw with you that way.

Trust me, I would know.