Hello again! Well you've made it this far and have yet to voice to much disapproval! As you can see things are getting heated and some big things are gonna be happening.
Naruto was on cloud nine. He walked with a skip in his step which was noticed by Hinata and Kiba who were sitting at the tea house. Kiba watched the blond pass by and turned to Hinata with a little grin.
"Naruto looks happy." He noted and Hinata glanced at the blonde, smiling happily.
"Isn't he always?" She quipped and Kiba's grin grew.
"Fair point. What do you think it is this time?" He asked and Hinata took a sip of her tea, brows furrowed in contemplation.
"I'm not sure..." She admitted and caught Kiba still grinning. "Do you know?" Kiba nodded eagerly.
"It's either he received free ramen for life or he and the Uchiha bastard finally did the do." At this Hinata nearly choked on her tea and coughed into her arm while Kiba quickly apologized. She wiped the side of her mouth, smile dazzling and her blush fierce.
"I hope you're talking about Sasuke-kun." She managed and Kiba let out a loud laugh, earning scowls from nearby patrons.
"Hinata!" He admonished in awe of the Hyuuga. Hinata smiled at Kiba, blush subsiding as she went back to her tea, looking pleased with herself.
Down the street, Naruto continued on his stroll. He grinned when he spotted Jiraya leaning against a wall and glancing appreciatively at passing women. Naruto swiftly approached and startled the man.
"Damn kid, can't you see I'm busy?" He griped and Naruto beamed at him. Jiraya slowly smiled back and rolled his eyes.
"You look happy brat...well more than normal." He observed and Naruto shrugged, face still bright and smile still painful.
"I'm always happy you old pervert." He teased. Jiraya offered his student a fond smile and motioned towards a vending cart.
"How about some ramen?" He offered. "I have a task to do in a few days and won't be around for awhile." Naruto's eyes widened hungrily at the mention of ramen but surprisingly he shook his head.
"Neh, sorry pervy. Me and Sasuke are gonna go train in half an hour." Jiraya's brows waggled at this.
"Train? Is that what the kids call it these days?" He teased watching Naruto flush like an angry tomato.
"WHAT ELSE WOULD THEY CALL TRAINING!" He shouted, pointing at Jiraya and earning several stares from the civilians. Jiraya sighed and shook his head, shooing the blonde off.
"Go, go on your not make out session with your angsty not boyfriend. I'll just go cry of my woes to Tsunade." He jeered at this last part and Naruto covered his face.
"EWW!" He wailed and rushed off, away from Jiraya who smiled pleasantly at his back. A crow flew over his head, unnoticed and cawed as it approached the Uchiha compound.
Itachi sipped his tea and watched the crow circle around the compound. It had been doing that all day and Itachi wondered what it meant. He crossed his legs and turned his attention back to his tea, allowing his eyes to slip shut. His body ached from being tensed these last few days. He felt the same illness he had felt eight years ago. It felt no easier this time around. Even with the clan already dead, the foreboding of facing Sasuke once more was purely agonizing.
Reluctantly, he stood and took his cup with him. He glanced around the compound and took in his home. It was been so eerie and dead when he had first returned but slowly it had managed to gain life again. Itachi hoped that it would stay this time. Danzō had left him a note that wished Itachi a safe trip. The boy had promptly destroyed it after reading. The vile old man was always one to gloat. Itachi headed back into the house, smiling as Karin greeted him.
"Itachi-kun come try this!" She pleaded holding out a bowl of cookie dough. Itachi curiously eyed the concoction smelling something sugary in the mix. He allowed the young woman to lead him to the table where they sat on it and together the two began to devour the dough. Suigetsu heard the two and quickly entered the kitchen and swiped the bowl from Karin. Itachi watched in amusement as Karin rushed off after Suigetsu, Juugo standing at the door looking unimpressed.
The two glanced at each other and shared a slight smile. Juugo approached the table and sat in a chair. He ran a hand through his spiky hair and leaned into his seat, looking at ease with the world. Itachi envied him.
"Where's Sasuke gone off to?" Juugo asked.
"Training with Naruto-kun." Itachi replied, smile suddenly dimming slightly. Juugo nodded, eyes on Suigetsu and Karin who had the teen pinned against the wall and was trying to reach for the bowl.
Itachi glanced out the window, noting the sun was beginning to set. An ache filled his chest and he closed his eyes. He could feel his heart pounding in his head and wondered if Karin noticed. It seems she had because she released Suigetsu and turned to Itachi just as Juugo did both concerned.
"Are you okay, Itachi honey?" Karin asked approaching the boy and touching his forehead. Itachi smiled weakly and observed the three members of Sasuke' team. His time was up. He needed to play his cards now.
"You've all been incredibly kind to me," Itachi began, watching Juugo slowly stand, face severe, "I'm glad my brother had you to help him." Karin stared at Itachi, concerned. It had not hit her the shift in Itachi's tone. She was too blinded by her affection for the boy to see the danger he now posed. Suigetsu and Juugo however sensed it. Suigetsu slowly began to reach for his weapon while Juugo tensed to fight. Itachi's eyes activated and Karin fell back as Suigetsu rushed towards the Uchiha. It never came to blows however because Itachi turned his Sharingan on the group and one by one they collapsed unconscious. The Uchiha managed to catch Karin before she hit the ground and gently lowered her the rest of the way. He stood among their unconscious bodies sadly.
"I'm sorry." He stated, looking to each of them. "Please look after my brother." His gaze returned to the sun as it dipped below a nearby building. Itachi's eyes swirled and he straightened his back and breathed slowly. It was time to make his final flight.
The office was eerie when unoccupied. Not that it was welcoming when Danzō was present but still... Kakashi managed to effectively mask his chakra and Pakkun padded around the dark office nervously.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Kakashi?" He questioned for the third time. He sat near the desk and sniffed the air, nose wrinkling at the odor. It smelled like a brothel in this place. Pakkun shook his head, wondering who would possibly sleep with Danzō. The Copy nin waltzed around the office and glanced at the bookshelves which held a layer of dust. With a majority of the ROOT agents on some mission it had been easy to sneak in. Kakashi wasn't called a genius for nothing. He waited until he was certain there would be no interference. Pakkun worried too much! Kakashi waved his hand.
"Sasuke and I agree there's something wrong with Itachi and no doubt Danzō is the problem." Kakashi began to glance around for something. Pakkun sighed.
"Not that I disagree with you but breaking into his office? Kakashi, you have to know how bad this is." He did not doubt Kakashi was having an internal struggle about all of this, but for Kakashi to forgo his orders for a boy who broke his heart and would do it again...it was madness. Kakashi shuffled silently around the desk, leaving no mark. His eyes landed on a small raven figurine and he itched to pick it up.
Sasuke had once again approached him, asking about Itachi. They had agreed they would look into the situation and if had been Sasuke's idea to do some snooping. Kakashi had of course at first been heavily against the idea of spying on the old man but the heavy feeling in his chest would not go away. Danzō had seemed to pleased with himself after each meeting with Itachi, even if his expression was its usual stern self, Kakashi knew the man enough to understand that something was not right. Itachi should not be in this office. The office was too silent during the sessions as if Danzō had put a silencing jutsu upon it. Why would Danzō need to do that? The only time they were used in this office were for war or sensitive related issues. Not an old man having a meeting with a boy about his aging.
Kakashi could find nothing to incriminate the old man. He knew that Danzō was guilty of something. It was obvious in his smugness and Itachi's timid steps. The old man had never been a fan of the Uchiha and Kakashi wondered if he was beating Itachi? But that didn't seem right. It had to be something! Was Kakashi losing it? Was Itachi taking away any drop of sense left in the Copy nin? He was breaking into Danzō's office. Kakashi let out a low sigh and turned away when he spotted movement outside the office window. A single crow was sitting on the sill, seemingly staring at Kakashi. It cawed once before vanishing in the night air.
Kakashi stared after it, eyes narrowed. Pakkun cocked his head and looked from the window to Kakashi who stood very still as if listening for something in this empty office. Finally the man took a step back, eye clenched shut. He lifted in hand and exposed his Sharingan.
"There's something wrong..." Kakashi muttered while Pakkun stared at him apprehensively. Without hesitation, Kakashi vanished from the office with a puff of smoke, leaving the room and its secrets untouched.
The air was bitterly cold tonight. Each breath he took wafted in the darkened sky like smoke. Sasuke approached the compound, rubbing his hands together to gain warmth. He walked through the gate and felt that a sort of heaviness had fallen over the place. He stood very still for a moment, contemplating on what it could be. His feet began to pull him forward and he walked ahead. The compound was silent as it was every night.
The Uchiha walked along the dusty road, his feet making no sound as he moved. He was startled by how bright the moon was tonight. It set the whole compound aglow in an eerie silvery light. Sasuke had not expected anyone to be out this late so when he sensed the chakra ahead he fought down an eye roll. What was Itachi doing out this late? Not that Sasuke doubted him or anything but with the Akatsuki about, he should be in the house, not going out for a late night stroll. The raven walked ahead and soon spotted the familiar petite form standing in the middle of the road, his back to Sasuke. Sasuke could not help the smile that appeared on his lips when he realized Itachi was watching the moon.
Itachi had always been fascinated with the stars. Sasuke remembered as a child Itachi would sneak out to lay on the roof and watch the sky. Sometimes Shisui joined him, sometimes Kakashi. Even Sasuke joined him once or twice when the curiosity got to him. He however could never find the same contentment that Itachi felt watching the sky and often fell asleep beside Itachi while the older boy would gaze at the vastness of stars.
"Can't sleep, Aniki?" Sasuke called out, voice echoing through the compound, his lips curled into a teasing smirk. Itachi did not turn.
"Not on this night, Otouto." He responded, voice monotone. Sasuke's smirk slowly faded at the cold tone and he slowly frowned taking a step towards his sibling.
"Itachi? Are you alright?"
"The moon is beautiful tonight." Itachi stated in the same tone. "I did not wish to miss it."
"So you came to stand in the cold to watch it?" Sasuke questioned, once again amused.
"It was of great importance." Itachi replied and the other Uchiha's eyes widened slightly at those words. He took another step forward, hand lifted to reach for his sibling.
"Nii-san?"
Itachi slowly turned and Sasuke's heart skipped a beat when he was met with Itachi's blood streaked face. It ran down his face like morbid tears, shining in the moonlight. The Mangekyou Sharingan stared back at him and with an ominous tone Itachi spoke and Sasuke's world shattered once more.
"It appears I remember everything, foolish little brother."
Yep, I left it there! So cruel of me! This is so much fun to write! I've got it bad for the Naruto fandom right now! I've been reading so many Itachi-uke stories that I'm running out of new material T_T So we're nearly at the climax...well the first climax because we are not even close to done yet! I'll be writing a SasuIta fanfic per request of the lovely I-Love-Trunks1, and honestly I'm in such an Itachi craze right now I'll even take more requests. They're likely to be one or two shots like my story What Happens When You're Pretty, but if anyone is interested... just PM me and I'll see what I can do!