Naruto (c) Masashi Kishimoto

I want to feel alive again. So put that smile back on my face and mix it strong my friend! 'Cause I can't feel my face! I won't struggle long, in a world so cold, in a world so wrong! — Avenged Sevenfold

Deidara groaned as he woke up to the annoying sound of someone pounding on the door. His head hurt, his ears were still ringing and the pretty-pretty multicolored images kept flashing before his eyes. He was kinda nervous to look at the paintings he did last night, everything always seemed to look so dull when he wasn't high, so boring, and so lifeless. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." He pushed himself up and made his way to the door. He checked the chain lock before yanking the door open. The chain snapped taunt, allowing Deidara to stare at his unexpected visitor. "What do you want Uchiha, hm?" Deidara asked.

"Let me in Deidara," Itachi growled. Deidara narrowed his blue eyes.

"No, how do I know you aren't wearing a wire or have Daddy's little cops just outside my place, hm?" Deidara growled, noticing Itachi twitching more than normal. Heh, he's started using again. Wonder why? Deidara pondered.

Itachi pulled his shirt up passed his stomach. "See? No wire, not let me in," Itachi growled.

"Fuck off, Uchiha," Deidara spat.

"Deidara, I'm looking to buy," Itachi hissed. The blond artist froze for a half second before blinking.

"Got cash?" Deidara asked.

"Naturally," Itachi muttered.

"Fine." Deidara closed the door undid the chain and opened it again. "Come on in," he said. Itachi walked in and glanced at the paintings around the room.

"Impressive," he noted.

"Yeah, ecstasy is great for the art and psychedelic trance music helps. Still like that Metallic group?" Deidara asked.

"Its Metallica," Itachi muttered looking around at the paintings.

"Whatever, so what I can I hook you up with?" Deidara cracked his knuckles.

"Heroin," Itachi said. Deidara gave a low whistle.

"Straight for the hard stuff, after what? Seven years, I think I have some." Deidara went rummaging around his cluttered apartment. "Heard Hidan shot a cop which landed his sorry ass in jail. Wonder if that big shot banker Kakuzu will bail him out again," Deidara called, setting a brightly colored painting aside. Itachi's jaw clenched.

So, that's how the bastard got out, Itachi thought angrily.

"You are in luck my friend, I got about two months worth of the pure stuff." Deidara grinned.

"Why are you doing this?" Itachi asked.

"Just helping out a friend," Deidara replied, the grin on his face took on a sly quality to it. "That's all. We were once members of Akatsuki."

"You and I were never friends," Itachi growled. "How much?"

"Huh? Oh, for the drugs, meh," Deidara did a quick calculation, "about $10, 320."

"Twenty grand should do," Itachi slapped a wad of cash into Deidara's hand. The artist blinked.

"How didja get twenty G's in what? Twenty-four hours?" Deidara asked.

Itachi grabbed the drugs. "I have connections." He headed towards the door.

"Hey, Uchiha! I'm getting another shipment in about a month, I'll drop the price if you become a regular," Deidara informed him. Itachi left the apartment.

Itachi groaned as he ran his hand through his wet hair. Hana had came home earlier than planned and he was only able to shoot up twice. He winced as the warm water hit the fresh needle marks. Right now he was extremely glad Hana was in the kitchen. He felt tired, put passed if off as a lack of sleep. He finished his shower, dried and dressed himself before walking out into the kitchen.

"Hey," he called, clenching his hands to stop the shaking. Hana turned and grinned at him.

"Hey, sweetie," she replied. Itachi smiled, wondering, yet again, why he was trading this beautiful smiling creature for drugs. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"How was your day?" he asked, he began to sway side to side, holding her tightly to him.

"Fine, yours?" Hana tiled her head back, allowing Itachi to peck her lips.

"Boring," he grumbled.

"You should go back to work, I'm sure your father won't keep putting you down on sick leave for much longer," Hana said.

"He won't do anything to jeopardize my career, I'm his son after all, blood is thicker than water," he grumbled as he let go of her to sit at the table. Hana looked at him and noticed that he was holding himself more stiffly, almost as if he was afraid to relax all his muscles.

"Are you sure you're okay? You seem kinda tense," Hana commented. Itachi narrowed his eyes.

"I'm fine," he said. Damn it! He needed another hit! Anything to stop this damn shaking! He jumped when Hana hissed softly. "What?" he asked, a slight panic lacing his voice.

"Nothing, grease just spat and landed on my hand." She smiled, watching her boyfriend move from the table to the couch. Hana shook her head as she watch Itachi stretch out like a fat happy cat.

They ate dinner in silence, Hana eyeing him critically. "Do I have food on my face?" he asked.

"No, you just seemed different that's all," Hana said.

"I hope it's a good different." He gave her a quick smirk, even though he felt his heartbeat quicken. "Maybe I'm finally getting back to normal." Itachi shoved more pork into his mouth.

"Really? Because I'm so horny, I haven't had a good lay in a about a month." Hana gave him a wolfish grin.

"Has it been that long?" he asked, sex had been the furthest thing from his mind lately. All he'd been able to think about was eating, sleeping and the drugs; though eating was slowly but surely losing its importance. Goddamn food, stupid requirement for life.

"Just about." Hana gave him a devilish smirk. Itachi grunted and attacked his mash potatoes. "I have an idea. How bout I whip of some dango sauce and cover my naked body with it and you lick me clean." She smirked. Itachi didn't reply, just continued to eat. Hana frowned and she grabbed his elbow. "Itachi?" she asked.

"Ow," he gave a soft yelp of discomfort. Hana removed her hand.

"Itachi, I'm sorry, are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," he grumbled.

"No you aren't! Let me see your arm," Hana said.

"No, I'm fine, it's just a little sore," Itachi lied.

"From doing what?"

"Uhm…push-ups," he grinned at her.

"Liar, let me see your arm," she reached for his wrist.

He pulled his wrist away from her. "Hana, I'm hungry! Let me eat dammit!"

"You are positive that you are fine?" she asked.

"Completely and utterly fine." He grinned at her. She crossed her arms over her chest with a huff.

"I still don't believe you," she pointed out as she leaned against the back of the chair.

"You wound me so." He grinned, placing a hand over his heart with a chuckle. Hana smiled warmly.

"I'm so happy to see you smile again, and to hear you laugh." She cupped his cheek and he leaned into her touch. "I missed hearing you laugh," Hana breathed, stroking his cheek.

"Please…please don't ever leave me," he whispered desperately. Hana blinked, staring at him.

"I won't leave you Itachi," she assured him.

"Good, because I don't think I'll be able to…to go on without you." He grabbed her hand, pulling it away from his face and held it. "Just by being with me, you've helped me through this difficult time." He kissed the back of her hand. "And for that I'm forever in your debt." He smiled. He knew that if Hana left him he would fall into the black abyss he was teetering at the edge of and he'll never be able to crawl out and reach the light again. "Please, no matter what life throws at us, just don't leave me," he breathed.

Hana looked at him, saw such pain and fear in his eyes. "I won't Itachi, I won't leave you," she assured him.

"Thank you." He smiled, before shifting to the next seat over and pulling her into his lap. He hugged her tightly and she noticed that he was shivering.

"Itachi, you're shaking," she whispered.

"I'm fine," he assured her. "Just cold." He looked at her.

"Then let me warm you up." She grinned.

"No." He stood up and Hana slid off his lap. "I'm going to bed," he whispered. Hana stared at his back as she watched him disappear into his room.

"Itachi, I hope everything is okay," she whispered to herself before getting started on the kitchen.

Itachi jammed the ear buds into his ears and cranked the volume of his iPod up to full volume. He tied the tourniquet around his arm, found the vein and grabbed his needle, pulled the cap off with his teeth and tapped shuffle. He jumped slightly as the music blasted into his eardrums, before he smirked. "How ironic," he muttered as he recognized the song, he speared his vein with the needle and injected the heroin. He pulled the needle out and undid the tourniquet, seconds before the high hit. He closed his eyes allowing the music and the high to whisk him away from the pain.

Itachi grumbled as he grabbed the wrench. He was stuck fixing the sink and wondering why Hana wouldn't bother hiring a plumber. "Fucking sink," he grumbled, rolling up his sleeves so they wouldn't get wet. He hit play on his iPod, and began to battle with the plumbing.

Hana smirked as she followed the music. "Hey," she nudged his foot with her toe.

"Hn?" Itachi sat up slowly, making sure not to hit his head.

"How's it coming?" she asked.

"Fine." He stuck his head back into the cabinet. "I think I found the problem," he called to her. It would be so damn easy to fix if my hands would just stop shaking! He thought angrily. "Hand me the wrench please." He held his hand out for the wrench, exposing his arm. Hana grabbed the wrench and froze, staring at the angry red marks on her boyfriend's arm. They weren't the white scars irritated by something. No. They were fresh.

He's… he's using again? Hana felt her body grow cold. He can't be using again! No, what about me? Doesn't he care about me? What about—

"Hana! Wrench!" Itachi shouted, snapping his fingers.

"Oh." Hana fell back to earth. "Here." Hana handed him the wrench and stood up, walking off. "I'll be right back," she muttered.

"Okay… hey! I may need you help!" Itachi called from beneath the sink. "Aw, fuck it," he grumbled.

Hana puked into the toilet, moaning softly. She sat back on her heels, fingering her own needle scars. She did everything and anything, whatever the drug of the week was she did, whatever Orochimaru wanted her to do, she did, whatever Orochimaru's clients' wanted her to do, she did. She's surprise she hadn't killed herself with mixing so many drugs together. She shivered. "He can't be using again," Hana shook her head in denial. "Its impossible, he got clean! He doesn't have a stash anymore… he's clean!" Hana whispered furiously to herself. She felt tears cascade down her face as she thought about the needle marks. "That explains the shaking," Hana muttered as she placed a hand on her stomach, before sobbing. She jumped when someone knocked on the door.

"Hana? Hana, sweetheart, the sink's fixed, it's not leaking anymore," Itachi called through the door.

"Oh, good," Hana said, cursing her luck for her voice cracking.

"Hey, are you okay?" Itachi called. "Are you crying?"

"No, I'm fine." Hana stood up and opened the door. "See?" she smiled brightly at him. Itachi frowned and reached for her tear stained cheeks, only to jump and cock his head in the direction of whatever he heard.

"What was that?" he asked. "Better not be the damn sink," he marched off towards the kitchen. Hana followed him and impassively watched him pack up and put away his toolbox.

"Itachi, we need to talk," she said.

"About what?" Itachi grabbed a glass from the cupboard. Is she catching on? D-did she… is she leaving me? Itachi poured himself a glass of water, trying to appear innocent.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine; I've been telling you that for the past two weeks now." Itachi sipped his water.

Hana narrowed her eyes as she noticed his arm tremble as he brought the glass to his lips. "Are you really?" she asked.

"Uh-huh," he nodded.

"Then explain the fresh needle marks on your arm?" Hana folded her arms over her chest.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Hana," Itachi said.

"Yes, you do! The needle marks on your arms are new!"

"Hana, I have scars, my skin probably doesn't like how the cotton is treated or something." Itachi dumped the rest of the water down the sink.

"No! There are fresh ones with the old ones! Damn it, Itachi! Tell me the truth! Are you using again, yes or no?" Hana screamed.

"And if I say no?" he raised an eyebrow.

"I'll tear the bedroom apart until I find your stash!" Hana threatened.

"Heh, good luck, only Sasuke knows where I kept my stash." Itachi smirked.

"Then I'll call him and ask him!"

"He wouldn't tell you, he's too loyal to betray a secret of mine," Itachi sneered. "Why do you care if I'm using again anyways, its not hurting you," he pointed out.

"Yes it is! I see you, and now that I realize it, you are losing weight; you are extremely distant and touchy! At first I put it off as depression because of Shisui's death, but now it all makes sense!" Hana said.

"I'm not using," Itachi stated.

"Like hell you are! You can't stop blaming yourself for Shisui's death! You're dwelling in the past! Stop it!"

"If I was dwelling in the past I wouldn't be using again, like you claim I am! I still remember my brother's screams when he found me high in my room and the hate in his eyes. My own mother was terrified of me between hits, she was afraid I would hurt her because I would always lash out at everyone; the tiniest thing would set me off! Do you honestly think I would want to go back to that?" Itachi shouted. Hana remain silent. "No, I didn't think so!"

"Shisui," Hana whispered. Itachi paused.

"He's dead I know," Itachi muttered.

"You're still thinking about his death aren't you? Still blaming yourself!"

"Fuck." He turned around and glared at her. "You are absolutely fucking right, Hana! I can't stop thinking about my poor dead cousin, so I'm shooting heroin again! Brilliant! Real smart of me, especially after being clean for seven years!" Itachi growled.

Hana slammed her hands down on the countertop. "Damn it, Itachi! You were so depressed after his death! You tried to kill yourself! I… I was scared I was going to lose you!" Hana pointed out, angry and hurt.

I'm hurting he;, I'm causing her pain! It's all my fault she's in this much pain. It's my fault that Hana is hurting, just like it's my fault that Shisui is dead. "So? You tried to kill yourself, and according to the Bible that is the ultimate sin," Itachi sneered.

"I wanted the pain to end! I wanted drugs! I thought death was the only way out! But you came and saved me and opened my eyes! I wish I had never done it! It was stupid and was wrong and a bit selfishly arrogant. Please Itachi, tell me, are you using again? Because if you are, I know a really good rehab—"

Itachi slapped her across the face. "Shut up, I'm not using, stop acting like you care about me," he growled. Hana felt her heart break.

"Fine," she muttered dangerously. "Fine be a fucking asshole! Go ahead and OD, I don't care! Get mad at me! Do whatever the fucking hell you want! I'm not sticking around. I'll come back when you get your head on straight," Hana shouted.

"Fine! Run away, you fucking bitch! I don't care! I don't need you! I never needed you!" Itachi shouted as Hana slammed the door. Itachi opened and closed the cupboard. "Fuck," he muttered as the odd funk of the lack of Hana fell over the apartment. He headed towards his room. He shot up again, losing himself to the high.

Hana came back to a dark apartment. "Itachi? Itachi are you still here?" she called out slowly walking in and turning on the lights. She opened the bedroom door; the room was black as ink and she gasped at the shadow-shrouded figure before her.

Itachi squinted against the hallway light. Didn't anyone know he liked to shoot up in the dark? "Sasuke?" he called.

"Itachi, what… no." Hana walked up to him, kneeling before her boyfriend. Itachi snorted in apathetic amusement, an insane grin on his face.

"Hello Ha-na," he drawled laughing slightly.

"Itachi, how could you do this?" Hana asked.

"What? It makes me feel good," he laughed.

"You're high!" She stated.

"Coming down actually," he held an unused needle. "Now go, I like to be alone when I shoot up," he grunted. Hana furrowed her brow, before slapping him several times as hard as she could. She panted, looking at him, tears of pain, betrayal and rage cascading down her cheeks. Itachi stared at her stupidly.

"Why… why do you want to destroy everything you worked so hard to rebuild?" Hana asked. He blinked before going back to shooting up, but Hana grabbed his wrist. "Answer me Itachi, damn it!" Hana shouted.

"Lemme go," Itachi grumbled.

"No! Answer my fucking question!"

"I need to Hana, I need this hit," he muttered.

"No, you don't! It's just the drug talking!"

Itachi closed his eyes and groaned. "Let me go," he stated.

"I don't want you to ruin your life," Hana shot back.

"It's already ruined. Now go," Itachi growled.

Hana stared at him. "Why do you want to throw away your life? Itachi don't you see that you're hurting me?" Hana breathed.

"Lemme go." He tugged feebly at her grip.

"No," Hana growled. "You are going to listen to me and listen to me good."

Itachi glanced up at her.

Good, he's not so stoned as to forget this when he comes to. "Right now you have a choice to make Uchiha Itachi. Choice A: Get cleaned up and keep me in your life. Choice B: Go back to drugs and watch everyone, and I mean everyone, slip away from you," Hana said. "So just make your choice, I'll only speak with you when you're clean," Hana said as she stood up, gathered her things and left. Itachi stared at the spot she was in for a long moment before shooting up.

And so ends Act VI.

Is Hana pregnant or is she not? That is the question. And there really is no answer. At the time I originally wrote this I was debating whether or not to have her pregnant during this part of the story or not. Thus there are moments that imply she's pregnant. It's up to you, the reader to decide if she is or not. Also, the song Itachi is listening to as he shoots up is Master of Puppets by Metallica. Apparently, that was an issue of confusion in the original posting. Just thought I'd clear that up.

I would like to say to my readers that if you or anyone you are know are struggling with the problems depicted within this story, please seek help or get them help. Nobody should have to suffer through this. Nobody.

Now… I have homework to do. Ick. -_-

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Cheers!

-Nemo