Author's note : Hey, hope y'all are having a good day. Here's the new chapter, sorry for taking so long!

Disclaimer : Joker-chan no own Naruto desu~ See how bad my Japanese is? There you have it, I don't own Naruto. Just the plot of this story, ne?

Inherited Will of Fire

'Don't acknowledge them. Pretend they're not there.' Inner murmured to Sakura

Sakura didn't even risk nodding as she continued walking forward with a blank expression. Although outside she was stoic, inside she was a scared mess.

"My children!"

"Mommy, daddy? Where are you?"

"He killed us!"

"His Sharingan was different..."

"A masked man!"

"He was responsible for the attack"

"Save us!"

"Please, don't kill me!"

"That man took our eyes!"

Sakura was sure she would go mad from these cries, filled with so much sorrow, hatred and hopelessness. The cries of the fallen clan. The once famed clan, the Uchiha clan.

She hated taking this route to Shisui's spot. She hated hearing the cries and pleads of the dead Uchiha members. Those cries made her mad, tore at her sanity and made her feel their despair.

It was hard pretending not to hear them. She wanted to help them, but what could she do? She wasn't strong enough to do anything.

With frustrated tears welling up in her eyes she sped up.

She didn't acknowledged the stray tear that slid off her face when she heard a baby's cry. It was just too much for her to bear.

Because contrary to the popular belief, Sakura did have a compassionate and kind side. Sure, she could be mean, selfish at times, overbearing, whiny, has a complex about perfection, has a tendency to snark and sometimes blunt. But at her core she has a heart of gold, or more specifically a bleeding heart.

So hearing the cries of a mere baby? A dead baby? How could she not feel some empathy towards the young soul?

Just imagining how Itachi killed the baby made her sick. Made her angry, she was disgusted at the rogue prodigy for doing such an inhuman action for no justified reason.

She couldn't believe that someone as kind, sweet, funny, and an overall good person like Shisui would defend that monstrous weasel. It just didn't make any sense. Even if she didn't know Shisui for long she could tell the teenager wouldn't make up a story of Itachi being a good guy. He wouldn't gain anything by making her believe a lie.

And Sakura wasn't dumb. Before she met Shisui she was an honor student for her scholastic intelligence in the Academy after all. Shisui just made her realize that appearances and fantasy romances weren't important. So she was smart enough to realize that there was something missing from the story. The way Shisui spoke of Itachi, the way Sasuke views Itachi and the actions Itachi took. She knew she was missing something that would let everything make sense.

And she definitely knew that Shisui knew. But the teenager didn't even give her a hint or anything. Sakura wasn't a pushy person, she understood that it was none of her business despite her need to know the truth.

Her question was...

What is the true story behind the Uchiha massacre?

Both she and Inner had a feeling that they wouldn't find out anytime soon. Well, at least not from Shisui. But they didn't want to betray him by putting matters into their own hands.

"Shisui" Sakura called out softly as she finally reached her destination

Said person turned around to face her. A contemplative look was on his face as he looked at her from the bottom to the top.

Sakura couldn't help the nervous blush she had. She didn't like anyone staring at her, it made her feel insecure.

"Hey Sakura, remember Duy-san?" It was a random question

Yet the girl nodded, "Former Eternal Gennin, defeated some mem-"

Shisui placed a finger in front of his own mouth effectively silencing Sakura before she goes on a rant. "Aside from Duy-san, how many other ghosts, for lack of better terms, have you seen?"

Sakura took a moment to think, "Civilians and ninjas?"

"Just ninjas"

"Mn, no more than twenty. Though I tend to purposely avoid spotting them in public"

"Did you talk to them?"

Odd question..."No. Aside from Duy-san you're the only ghost I talk to"

"I see, there's something I've been meaning to try out. I'll need to control your body and ask Inner to make sure you two don't see what I'm going to do next"

Sakura nodded closing her eyes, 'Inner, you hear that?'

'Of course, though I am curious, we owe Shisui-sama too much to betray his trust'

°•○●●○•°Shisui°•○●●○•°

If Shisui had a chance to go back into the past he would take it in a heart beat. He would have told his family that he loved them everyday, he'd give every cat some milk, he'd stop teasing Sasuke, he'd be a better friend to Itachi and he would prevent the massacre.

Sadly, life isn't a game. He doesn't get any do-overs. But he wished it was like that, now he could only be stuck in the present without any means of fixing things.

Except...no, he couldn't do it. He couldn't ruin Sakura's life for his own sake. Shisui could never do something like that, and yet he wavered, perhaps he could nudge things.

It was exactly this thought that made him take a risk that could possibly endanger whatever bond he and Sakura shared. (Something that he still hasn't figured out)

He bit Sakura's thumb drawing a bit of blood.

A risk that could either fix things or make things worse. Although Sakura's body didn't have the speed he would want, Shisui weaved through the hand seals as quick as Sakura's body could.

Boar → Dog → Bird → Monkey → Ram

"Summoning Jutsu!" He called out quietly slamming Sakura's hand on the ground.

He held his breath as a cloud of smoke appeared.

The breath he held was released in relief as he saw his signature summon. A crow.

A small victorious smile escaped him at the sight, he still had his summon! Quickly, he fumbled in Sakura's bag before producing a blank scroll and pencil.

He let out a small surprised gasped once the crow turned to face him revealing

"My Sharingan..." he muttered in surprise before shaking his head

He needed to concentrate on what he was going to write. He couldn't afford to screw up.

°•○●●○•°Sakura°•○●●○•°

"Ne, Shisui? You seem happier than usual" Sakura noted

She wasn't exactly wrong, Shisui did seem to have a slight bounce in his steps after all. Perhaps it had something to do with him taking over her body?

"Because I am, and it's all thanks to you~!"

Yeah, he was definitely happier than usual. Shrugging in a try to seem indifferent, Sakura couldn't help the small satisfied smile blooming on her face.

"Anytime" and that was a promise. Seeing Shisui happy like that made her happy as well.

The two fell into a comfortable silence as they walked through the streets of Konoha.

"Monster!"

"It's his fault we're dead!"

"He killed me!"

"He'll kill all of you!"

"Kill him!"

"I wish he would just die!"

Sakura tensed at the amount of hatred she felt in the air. It was almost enough to make her choke and die.

"S-Shisui..." she mumbled, her voice filled with fear as she stared at a crowd of both dead ninjas and civilians gathering around someone.

"Sakura, I think it's time for me to give you a piece of advice. Don't let other people's opinions influence your choices."

Before Sakura could ask for the meaning behind those words a mop of blond hair coupled with a pair of bright blue eyes covered her vision.

Her eyes widened seeing Naruto run through the screeching crowd of dead people towards her.

"No way..." she mumbled to herself

The dead people's words were directed at Naruto, she realized. But why? How could Naruto kill so many people when he's only her age? It had to all be a lie right?

"Sakura-chan!"

Sakura didn't even have the time to process what Naruto did before she found herself laying on the ground staring at the sky in a daze.

For the sake of herself, Sakura decided, she would ignore the spirits' words. She noted to ask Shisui more about the topic later. She needed to know what was wrong.

"Ouch..." she mumbled just for the sake of it, after all the pain was numb compared to her training.

°•○●●○•°Naruto°•○●●○•°

Naruto grinned offering Sakura his hand, his grin only widening when Sakura took it without much thought.

"Hey Naruto"

Naruto wasn't an idiot, well except when it came to studying or books, so he immediately realized that Sakura was a bit troubled by her greeting that was filled with little enthusiasm.

"Anything wrong Sakura-chan?" he asked

"There's just a lot of people here, it's kinda suffocating..."

Naruto blinked finally realizing that people were staring at him and Sakura, some were even whispering things. Naruto could guess what they were whispering, but his attention was focused on Sakura. He didn't want Sakura to stop being his friend for something like this, "I know the perfect spot!" he exclaimed loudly before dragging Sakura away.

He almost lost his balance when Sakura dug her heels on the ground preventing him from running further, he glanced back with a questioning look on his face to see Sakura frowning at him.

"Where are we going?" she curiously asked

"It's a surprise!"

He could see Sakura's hesitant look as she bit her lips, "Can't you tell me now?"

"Don't you trust me?" Naruto asked

Sakura's eyes snapped to him, "Eh?"

"Trust me, okay?" he asked 'Don't leave me, please?'

He could feel Sakura's hands relaxing allowing him to grip her wrist better, "Okay..."

If possible Naruto's grin grew wider, reminding Sakura of the blazing sun

°•○●●○•°Itachi°•○●●○•°

Itachi has always been a self-sacrificing individual, always willing to do whatever it takes for the greater good. Perhaps this was a fatal flaw of his, he's always concentrating on the greater good that he forgets that he's only one man. That he should have relied on others, but now it's too late. There wasn't anything he could do about it, and the only one he would rely on is dead.

The only thing left for the pacifist to do was bid his time in the Akatsuki waiting for Sasuke to one day kill him while discreetly giving out valuable information to the Leaf Village. A very self-sacrificing individual indeed.

So there he was, sparring against various clones in order to kill time as he waited for his partner Kisame Hoshigake. Though his partner believed that they had a lot in common, Itachi couldn't see himself having anything in common with Kisame. But perhaps in due time he would see what the shark like man meant.

As he cut down the last of his clone without any hesitation he noticed a cloud a smoke in the corner of his eyes. Immediately tensing he turned to face one of his crow summons. Specifically the one that had his late best friend's eye. Itachi immediately knew that something was going on, because no one apart from him could be able to use crows as message summons, well Shisui...no, he was dead so that wasn't possible.

Warily Itachi took the scroll from the summon, he inspected it closely, and after making sure there wasn't any traps he opened it. A poem about being a shinobi greeted him and Itachi realized that the true content was hidden with Genjutsu. A tactic that he and Shisui once used to hide their messages from prying eyes during missions, the only one who could read the scroll would be an Uchiha with the Sharingan.

The pacifist activated his dojutsu without a second thought in order to read the contents,

Ehh, what should I write? Man, this is hard. Hey Itachi! Yeah, that's a good start. Now what next? If you're reading this then it means I had enough chakra or rather good enough chakra control to make sure you get this message. I can't explain everything right now, since even I'm still confused about what's going on. And I know for a fact that you won't believe who I am until I manage to prove myself. I am Shisui Uchiha. I know that you want some proof, which is exactly why I want you to wait for a week. I'll send some proof to you.

Well, aside from that, how have you been? I hope you're not killing yourself over what happened. There was nothing else you could have done to prevent the coup, I regret not being there with you Itachi. Oh, and Sasuke's doing physically well. Emotionally and mentally he's a mess. He want to kill you, but that's your plan isn't it? Although I don't approve I won't dissuade you.

-A nameless Shinobi

Itachi didn't acknowledge the slight trembling of his hands. A part of him wanted to believe that this was really Shisui and another part of him knew it wasn't possible, he witnessed Shisui's death after all. Regardless, he had to wait. A part of him promising to make the person who wrote this letter of sorts pay if it turns out to all be a trap. He might be a pacifist, but he couldn't stand seeing someone tarnish his best friend's name.

Absently he used a small fireball to burn the scroll

"Itachi-san!"

Turning around, his face was almost more blank than usual "Yes?"

His partner, Kisame, gave him an almost too eager grin "We have a mission!"

°•○●●○•°Sakura°•○●●○•°

Sakura could honestly say, that this is the best spot in Konoha, but..."Are you sure we're allowed to be up here?" she asked glancing at Naruto from the corner of her eyes

"Yeah, gramps doesn't mind when I come up here" Naruto informed, "Besides, we're not doing anything bad"

"Just loosen up Sakura" Shisui agreed with a grin

Sakura relaxed as she sat down on the edge of the First Hokage's head, her eyes looking down on the village with awe. Despite what she thought, she didn't feel the least bit afraid as she looked down on the high grounds she was at.

"So? Do ya like it Sakura-chan?" she heard Naruto asking

She nodded with a genuine smile, "It's amazing..." she breathed turning to look at Naruto who looked at her in surprise, "Thank you..." for some reason Naruto's cheeks became a bit pink

But that was probably just her imagination.

"You're welcome, Sakura-chan" Naruto assured rubbing his neck in an almost sheepish smile, for some reason he really liked seeing Sakura smile.

!~Chapter End~!

A/N : The plot goes on~! Next chapter - "Weather for Sale"

Questions :

1. Favorite Tailed Beast and why?

2. Which chakra nature would you want and why?

3. Who would you want to be reincarnated as? And why?

(They "why's" doesn't have to be answered if ya don't want to)

My answers :

1. Isobu or commonly known as The Three Tails (Sanbi), simply because I think that aside from Kurama he goes through a lot of crap thanks to both Madara and Obito. Poor Tailed Beast looks like a young!Naruto or young!Gaara to me. I just wanna shrink him to a stuffed toy size and squeeze him in a hug!

2. Water, aside from the fact that I like water element best, I think about the various uses for water. Water comes in different forms and think about the possibilities!

3. Hinata or Temari. Simply because I'm not a very selfless person, I fall into the anti-hero category. So I would want a high position in my village in order to manipulate things to my liking. Of course I'd probably help the main characters, but I'd do it on my terms. Being the heiress of the Hyuga clan or the daughter of the Kazekage ensures that I have the means and power to do so.