We Meet In Dreams.
Onyx and Ivory
11 years prior…
Itachi stood gazing over the barren wasteland, young eyes glancing over the dead bodies. Seeing the field littered with bloody kunai. He wiped away the tears that had built up. This was something he didn't want to see. He didn't like fighting. He hated wars. What was the point of a war? All it did was bring death and destruction to those around. Itachi vowed to himself that he would do everything in his power to stop a war from breaking out ever again. He never wanted to see another field like this filled with bodies. These people…no—shinobi, they would never go home again. They would never see their families again. They could be father's…mothers, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles. Grandparents even…
The world he lived in was a cruel one. There was so much sadness, so little hope. He wanted to change that.
"No, please!"
A male voice was caught in the wind as Itachi turned. He saw a gathering of Konoha shinobi, and before them was a family of three. A man, a woman and what appeared to be a young child. Itachi hurried over, wanting to know what was happening.
"You're part of the Ginyoru clan! Don't lie to us, we can tell by your eyes!" a Konoha shinobi bellowed at the man, pointing to his face.
Itachi paused, stopping at the edge of the group, as he looked the family over. The father was a tall man, with dark hair; his eyes were piercing pupil less silver. His wife was a small woman, with dark brown hair. She was currently holding onto her daughter. Itachi peered at the girl curiously. Her hair was already long and dark, matching her father. She was clinging tightly onto her mother, tears running down her round cheeks.
"Please!" Kisho begged to them. "We had no part in this war! We were ostracized many years ago! We bear no ill intent to Konoha or anyone else." The crowd parted suddenly as Uchiha Fugaku came storming to the front. Itachi watched his father furrow his brows at the family. Kisho stepped towards Fugaku, "Please, we only seek peace. Is that not what you want too?"
There was a long moment where Fugaku continued to stare down Kisho. Itachi stepped closer to his father, "Otou-san?" Fugaku turned his head to gaze down at his young son. Itachi was a good judge of character for one so young. He could tell that the man was being sincere.
Kisho saw the father and son. "Please…all I want is my daughter to grow up safe. Would you not do anything for your own child?" Kisho pointed down at Itachi. The child in her mother's arms moved, her watery silver eyes scanned over the crowd of shinobi fearfully, before they finally settled on Itachi.
And then she smiled.
"Bring them back to Konoha. Hokage-sama can deal with them," Fugaku ordered. Hiroka let out a cry of relief as Kisho embraced them tearfully. Hoshiko angled her head so that she could keep eye contact with Itachi; she raised her small hand and waved at him innocently.
"Itachi. Come." Fugaku ordered. The boy nodded and hurried after his father. They led the group up the front, but Itachi couldn't help but look over his shoulder and see the small family of three walking together. Hoshiko walking between them as both her mother and father held one hand each. Itachi was amazed that she was smiling, how could she smile after witnessing a war?
But one thing was for sure…Itachi would never forget what her smile looked like that day.
8 years prior…
"Hoshiko!"
The girl in question stopped her furious beating of the bully Kamano. The boy had been picking on her constantly all day, pulling her ponytail, tugging on her clothes, tripping her in the hallway…it wasn't like it was an odd occurrence. This happened most days in the academy, with the sensei's completely oblivious. Now was the time that Hoshiko had finally snapped and had turned on him, tackling him to the ground and punching the snot out of him.
A hand roughly grabbed her, she was jolted up and off of Kamano who had a bloody nose and black eye. "What do you think you're doing?" Inoue-sensei bellowed at her. Hoshiko turned her body away from Inoue and Kamano. "Go and wait in the class room for me." He said firmly as Hoshiko wrenched her arm out of his grip and stormed into the academy building.
She slammed the classroom door behind her and took a seat at her desk at the back of the room. She looked out the window, and was able to see Inoue-sensei helping up Kamano and talking him to the academy medic. Hoshiko flicked her hair out of her eyes and rested her head on her arms.
She didn't lift her head when she heard the classroom door open. She heard heavy footsteps approaching her. A loud sigh escaped Inoue's mouth as he leaned against the front of the desk so that he would be eye to eye with Hoshiko.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" Inoue asked her. His voice didn't hold the anger it had before.
"It wasn't my fault!" The seven year olds cry was muffled.
Inoue sighed once more; he reached out and tapped her on the shoulder. Hoshiko raised her head an inch, Inoue now able to see her watery eyes. "Is Kamano bullying you again?"
Hoshiko looked away. When Kamano had first bullied her back in her first year at the academy, the parents and sensei's had gotten involved. Kamano had stopped for a while, but once Itachi had left the academy…it had started up again.
"Why do you care?" Hoshiko snapped bitterly. Balling her small fists up on the table.
Inoue frowned at her in bewilderment, "Why do I—of course I care!"
"No you don't!" Hoshiko yelled. Tears started up again, "None of you do! Everyone hates me! The villagers, the other children, the sensei's! Everyone hates me!"
"Nobody hates you."
"Yes they do." Hoshiko glared. "I'm not stupid, sensei. I hear what they all say about my family and me. Kamano thinks its funny to pick on me because he knows that the other sensei's won't stop him."
Inoue looked stunned, "What are you talking about?"
Hoshiko wiped her eyes and leaned down on the desk again, "Kamano hit me last week. Roku-sensei saw it but he didn't do anything…don't try and tell me that people care about me…I know they don't…everyone wishes that I wasn't here."
Inoue shut his eyes; he could feel a pain in his chest from Hoshiko's story. Roku was a man who had lost his brother in the war…to the Ginyoru clan…it was no wonder why he hadn't stepped in—but nonetheless it was no excuse. Hoshiko was an innocent child.
"Hoshiko…" Inoue whispered to her, reaching out and patting her head gently. The girl raised it slowly. "I'm sorry. I'll talk to Roku-sensei…and I want you to know—I care about all my students, especially you."
Hoshiko scoffed, "You're just saying that, Sensei."
Inoue cracked a smile, "It's true. You always have a way of giving me a sarcastic answer without sounding rude, a horrible trait that you're developing." Hoshiko smirked. "You're excelling in Taijutsu and you're picking up Ninjutsu like a true shinobi. I notice that when it rains you spend more time staring out the window then paying attention to me. You don't like big crowds which is why I tend to do individual or duo projects." Hoshiko wiped at her eyes, a smile forming on her face.
Inoue continued, "I believe you have the potential to be a great Kunoichi one day. You're strong, fearless and courageous. If you want to be great, you can't let what other people say get to you. There will always be people who are going to try and make you fail, but you have to be stronger and wiser then them."
Hoshiko grinned at Inoue, "Thank you, Sensei. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't. Now go on. I need to have a chat with Kamano…"
6 and a half years prior…
Hoshiko jumped when she heard the plate clatter to the floor. She sprung up from her bed, hurrying out into the kitchen. "Okaa-san?" She called in concern. Hoshiko swung around the corner. "Are you ok?" Hoshiko called as she halted in her tracks. In her kitchen was a man she had seen once or twice. He was tall, draped in a shiny black cloak with a bandana forehead protector. Two scars ran parallel on his face. His name was Morino Ibiki. He was her father's superior.
Hoshiko heard a horrible cry; she looked over at her mother. Hiroka had dropped to the floor, hugging her arms around her body as she cried on the floor. Hoshiko looked between Ibiki and her mother, wondering why the hell she was crying. It was then that Hoshiko saw the necklace in Ibiki's hands. It was a simple silver pendant that her father always wore. It had blood splatters on it.
"No!" Hoshiko screamed.
Hiroka gasped at Hoshiko's appearance, she had been so consumed in her own grief that she had failed to notice that Hoshiko was in the room. "Hoshiko!" Hiroka yelled, clambering to her feet and running to her daughter.
"It's not true!" Hoshiko cried, pleading with Ibiki to tell her otherwise. Hiroka grabbed Hoshiko by the arms. "He can't be dead! Where is he? I want to see Otou-san!"
"I'm so sorry," Hiroka cried, pulling the hysterical Hoshiko into her arms. "I'm so sorry."
"He died on a mission to gather Intel." Ibiki explained. Hiroka and Hoshiko stared at him. "I am sorry." Ibiki placed the necklace on the counter; he nodded to the two women and started to leave the house.
Hoshiko pushed herself out of her mother's arms and sprinted at Ibiki. She slammed her hands into his back, not doing much against the grown adult. Ibiki turned his head slightly to stare down at her.
"This is your fault! He never wanted to do this! You killed him!"
"Hoshiko," Hiroka scolded weakly. Hoshiko glared up at Ibiki. She broke eye contact, ducking her head and sprinting out of the open door and into the freezing rain.
X
It was nearing the end of winter in Konoha. It was still cold enough that the residents still wore thick coats outside, and today was no exception. Itachi walked through the street, his five and a half year old brother holding onto his hand as young Sasuke splashed in the puddles. Itachi pulled up the hood of Sasuke's blue raincoat once more as it had started to rain again.
"Nii-san, do you have to go on a mission again?" Sasuke asked, jumping into a puddle and giggling when the water splashed up at him.
"You know I do." Itachi replied with a weak smile. Sasuke sighed heavily.
Itachi lifted his gaze back up to the road ahead. He strolled through Konoha, lazily making his way back to their home when he saw a figure running towards them. He narrowed his eyes, seeing a girl with long dark hair, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and shirt. As she got closer Itachi was surprised to see that it was Ginyoru Hoshiko, a girl that had despised him in the academy. What was even more shocking was that she was crying. Itachi watched as Hoshiko sprinted passed him and Sasuke, her bare feet splashing in the water. Itachi followed her with his eyes, stopping in his tracks as Hoshiko carried on like she hadn't even noticed him. He wondered why she was crying?
"Did you know her, Nii-san?" Sasuke asked him.
Itachi glanced down at his brother, "No. Let's go home before okaa-san scolds me for keeping you out in the rain."
6 months prior…
"Itachi! Itachi!" Hoshiko yelled out as she ran into the clearing. The Uchiha in question turned at the sound of his name. Hoshiko sprinted up to Itachi.
"I did it! I passed!" Hoshiko exclaimed in delight. She launched herself at the older Uchiha, catching him off guard for once as she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Itachi stumbled under the force of her hug, as he froze, unable to comprehend what was happening right now.
Was Hoshiko…hugging him?
Hoshiko suddenly realized what she was doing as she leapt away from him like he was a hot potato. Her cheeks were flushed red as she held up a piece of paper in her hand. "I passed the theory test for ANBU."
A smirk danced across Itachi's face, "Congratulations."
Hoshiko crossed her arms and held her chin up proudly, "So this finally means we're going to be equal."
"Hn."
Hoshiko eyed him wearily, "Hey, you have got to say more than that. You always thought I'd never amount to anything!"
"I never said that." Itachi stated seriously. "I always new you would become a strong Kunoichi."
Hoshiko stared at him, wide-eyed. That was…the first proper compliment that she had ever received from Itachi. All too soon Hoshiko felt her cheeks redden bashfully as she faced away from the Uchiha. "Y-you're just teasing me!" A delicate smile graced Itachi's lips, and he said nothing to her. "Whatever, so my exam is in three weeks and you need to help me prepare." Hoshiko demanded.
"Do I now?" Itachi questioned jokingly.
Hoshiko spun around to face him, desperation on her face. "Of course you do! I'm never going to be able to pass if you don't help me!"
"I thought you said that we were equal?" he teased.
Hoshiko's face grew redder, "It doesn't matter! Help me!"
The clearing was suddenly filled with the deep baritone of Itachi's chuckle…
X
"The next time we meet, Uchiha, will be for the last time."
Itachi awoke slowly, the dream fading away as he sat up in his bed. His blanket slid down his bare chest as his heavy eyes lingered on his hands in his lap. Hands that tonight…would slaughter his clan.
Tonight was the night. The deal had been struck with Danzo to keep his little brother safe and out of harms way. He had requested Madara's help, a man who he had seen lurking around the village these past few weeks since Shisui's death. And during these weeks, he had not seen Hoshiko once. Her threat lingering in his mind, and he deserved it. He deserved her hatred. He would much rather Hoshiko be angry with him then pity him. He could handle the burning fury in her silver eyes, but to see her pity within her stormy orbs would be his undoing.
Itachi swung his legs over the side of his bed as his eyes glanced over to the picture frame that sat on his bedside table. His eyes settled on Shisui in the picture, the beaming boy standing in the middle with his arms thrown around his and Hoshiko's shoulders. It was still difficult from him to believe that Shisui was gone. Itachi's gaze slid over to the lone girl in the picture. Her arms were crossed loosely over her chest, a half smile on her face. The picture was only a year old, and yet to Itachi…it felt like decades had passed since they had all been that carefree. Even he was smirking in the photo, his body language completely relaxed around his two closest friends.
Itachi turned his face away from the picture; reaching out his hand he felt for the top of the frame and pulled it down. After today, he would never be able to look upon their faces again.
Itachi dressed casually, forgoing his armor, he wouldn't be needing it until tonight. Today he would be spending it around the village, drinking in all the sights one last time. It was still very early in the morning, the morning light barely breaking over the village. Itachi walked down his stairs, spotting his mother carrying a handful of clothing.
"Good morning, Itachi." Mikoto said with a smile.
"Hn," Itachi acknowledged with the nod of his head as he went straight to his shoes and strapped them on. Itachi stood up and reached for the door.
"Itachi…" Mikoto said gently from behind. Itachi paused and turned his face to glance over at her. "I love you." Itachi turned his face away, gritting his teeth he pulled open the door and stepped out into the early morning.
X
His feet flew over the roofs of Konoha; he wasn't quite sure where he was going. The crisp autumn air sent a shiver down his spine; before they knew it Konoha would be under a blanket of snow. Itachi paused on the roof, his gaze settled on a window that faced the street below. It was open slightly, easy for someone to sneak in if they wished to do so. He used his acute senses to try and pick up a familiar chakra presence, but he couldn't feel her. She had disappeared ever since Shisui's funeral. He came to her house every morning and night, just to see if she came home…but she never did. Itachi guessed that she was probably at Root headquarters. When he had met with Danzo he hadn't even let him step twenty feet near the building. They had conversed outside, probably to stop Hoshiko from sensing him.
Itachi crouched down on the roof, sitting on the tiles he titled his head back and started up at the lightening sky. Would it be so bad if he told her? If he came clean about everything…what would she do? Would she still be angry? Or worse, would she help him? Would Hoshiko help him rid Konoha of the Uchiha clan, could she live a life on the run with him, forever a traitor to the village that had taken her family in? Itachi shook his head. He could never ask her to do that…and yet, a small part of him wanted to.
His thoughts were interrupted when he sensed her. He immediately masked his chakra, his eyes honing in on her as she came walking around the corner. Her steps were silent, like she was walking on air. Her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail, the waves trailing down her back. She was garbed in her armor, her mask tied to her side as she played with her hand gloves. Her silver eyes were downcast. Her cheeks flushed lightly from the cold of the morning. She paused in her walk, her head tilted up to the roof Itachi was sitting on but he had already disappeared.
Hoshiko continued to stare at the roof. A frown came over her delicate features. She could have sworn…she shook her head at the thought. She walked the few steps to her half open widow and leapt gracefully up onto the sill and slipped inside her room. It felt unfamiliar to her as she paused for a second, taking her time to examine her surroundings. She had been away from home for a few weeks now, training with all her might in the hope that she would be able to defeat Itachi. She picked up the stray pieces of clothing and hung them up in her wardrobe. Hoshiko stared in the mirror on her wardrobe door.
"Return to your home. The Uchiha may be planning his attack in the next few days…you must be prepared."
Those were the parting words Danzo had left her with. Hoshiko glared at her reflection. She gripped the door and slammed it shut so hard the glass shattered. It was a few seconds later when Hoshiko heard a knock on the door.
"Hoshiko?" Her mother called out. "Is that you? Are you ok?"
Hoshiko shut her eyes for a second, reigning in her anger as she took a deep breath and looked at the mess she had made on the floor. "It's me. I'm sorry I'll be out in a second." Hoshiko didn't receive a reply so she assumed that her mother had walked off to leave her. Hoshiko quickly cleaned up the mess and then left the sanctuary of her room.
She could hear her mother in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Hoshiko slowly walked out into the open area, taking her time to examine the pictures hanging on the wall. Hoshiko breathed in the smell of her mothers cooking, feeling and hearing her stomach rumble. She emerged into the kitchen, staring at her mothers back as she cooked. Hiroka seemed to sense her presence as she turned slightly, "I'm glad you're home. You're always away now." Hoshiko could hear the slight pout.
"That's my duty."
"I know," Hiroka sighed. "I just miss you is all."
Suddenly Hiroka felt the thin arms of Hoshiko wrap around her stomach, her daughter pressing her face into her shoulder blade. Hoshiko held onto her tightly, her eyes clamped shut as she fought back the tears threatening to spill over.
"I'm sorry…" Hoshiko whispered.
Hiroka placed her hands over Hoshiko's. "Sorry for what? Are you ok?"
Hoshiko pulled away, walking backwards until she hit the wall, "It's nothing. I'm fine."
Hiroka continued to stare at Hoshiko, a worried look on her face. "I know it's only been a few weeks since Shisui's death." Hoshiko visibly winced at the mention of his name. "But you haven't been the same since then. I just want to know that you're ok."
"I'm fine." Hoshiko said, firmly. "I've been on missions, protecting the village. I'm just tired."
"I understand…" Hiroka sighed sadly, knowing that her daughter was lying to her.
They ate in silence; once they were finished Hoshiko excused herself, telling her mother that she would be in her room for a while. Once Hoshiko was alone in her room she immediately went to her desk and fished out some paper and a pen. She sat down at her chair and then began to write her letter.
Hoshiko had an ominous feeling in her gut as she stood atop the Hokage monument. The full moon was already half way up in the sky, lighting up the village of Konoha for her to see clearly with her sharp gaze. It was around eight at night; lights still flickered on for the most part in the village. The wind that blew around her was extremely chilly, but Hoshiko didn't feel anything through the long sleeves of her black shirt and armor. Her hair was bound tightly in a ponytail. Her Wakizashi was secured to her back and her weapon pouches stocked full.
Her gaze scanned over the village once more, and as they lingered over the Uchiha compound on the far right, something had her leaping off the monument and towards it. There weren't any lights on in the Uchiha compound…
X
Her heart was pounding in her chest; blood was pulsing through her veins as she ran as fast as she could, jumping over roofs and sprinting through the alleyways. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! She screamed to herself over and over again. She should've been paying more attention; she should've seen the signs sooner!
Hoshiko landed at the entrance to the Uchiha compound, she expanded her senses and her mouth dropped open in horror when she couldn't feel a single thing. Without thinking she sprinted under the archway and into the compound.
She skidded to a halt when she saw the first bodies. Her hand flew to her mouth to cover her shocked scream. Dark patches of blood were splattered all over the ground, pooling around the bodies. Faces were frozen in fear, silent screams lingering on their cold lips. Hoshiko couldn't believe her eyes, she shook her head, steeling her gaze ahead she took off running again. There was one place she needed to check.
Please! Please don't let him be dead! Hoshiko cried in her head as she neared the Uchiha mansion.
"Sasuke!" Hoshiko screamed at the top of her lungs. She wrenched the door open, flinging it off its hinges. "Sasuke!" She called again into the dark house. She used her senses once again to locate anyone alive. Hoshiko gasped when she felt a flicker of chakra deeper in the house. It wasn't enough to tell her who it was but she felt it nonetheless.
"Sasuke!"
Hoshiko ran through the house, running along the outside veranda as she came to the large wooden doors and pushed them open. "Sas—"
Her words died off as her silver gaze landed on the two bodies lying on the floor. Dark blood pooled around them, their bodies twisted together. "No!" Hoshiko cried, running forwards and dropping to her knees.
"Mikoto-san! Fugaku-san!" Hoshiko identified the flicker of chakra belonging to Mikoto as she pulled the woman onto her lap, holding her head in her hands.
"Mikoto-san!" Hoshiko cried. A tear rolled down her cheek, it dripped off and fell onto Mikoto's chin. Hoshiko tried to wipe the blood off of her cheek but it smeared even more. "Mikoto-san, please wake up…" Hoshiko begged. To her shock Mikoto's eyelids fluttered.
"Hoshi…ko…"
"I'm here, I'm going to help you. Just hang on!" Hoshiko sobbed, trying to think of anything that could help the woman. As Hoshiko's eyes glanced up and down her body, she saw a single stab wound to the chest. It was a wonder that she was still alive.
"Please…do not…hate…my son. Sasuke…tell him…" Her words died off, her eye's growing distant and glassy.
"Mikoto?" Hoshiko called, shaking her shoulders gently. "Mikoto!" Hoshiko bellowed. It was no use. The Uchiha matriarch had passed.
Hoshiko was running through the compound again, her destination was to find Sasuke. She could feel his chakra fluctuating up ahead. She was relieved that he was alive but scared as to what had happened to the clan. Hoshiko jumped up to the roof and dropped to the ground. She spotted Sasuke lying on the floor face down.
"Sasuke!" Hoshiko cried out. The child didn't stir as she fell to her knees and pulled him to her. "Sasuke, wake up."
"He will not wake." A voice said. "At least not for a while."
Hoshiko jumped at the presence. In her emotional state she had let her senses slip, causing the man who had spoken to sneak up on her. Hoshiko lifted her head to see him. His red gleaming eyes bearing down on her. His forehead protector glinted in the moonlight as Hoshiko's eyes wondered to his Wakizashi hanging by his side, stained with blood.
"Itachi…" Hoshiko whispered. The Uchiha remained stoic as the two teens continued to hold each other's gazes. Hoshiko was the one to break the connection; her eyes darted around the street. She saw the hacked bodies, lying in pools of their own tears and blood. She turned her gaze back to Itachi. Her eyes narrowed into slits. Her hands began to shake in fury. "What have you done?"
"I am no longer bound by the chains of a clan and village. I have proved my power tonight," Itachi replied monotonously.
"So you decided to murder you entire clan?" Hoshiko screeched.
The corner of Itachi's lips quirked into a smirk, "I had to test the limits of my power."
Hoshiko placed Sasuke back down onto the ground carefully and she rose to her feet. In a second she had a Raikiri formed in her hand as she launched herself at Itachi. She was inches from the Uchiha when he started to disappear in a flock of crows. Hoshiko expected this.
"If you wish to compete against me, Ginyoru Hoshiko. I am sure you can find me." Itachi's voice echoed around her as the crows disappeared from her sight. Hoshiko let the jutsu go as she expanded her senses. She could feel his chakra; it was near the edge of the village. If Hoshiko was right, he was waiting for her in the clearing where they used to train.
Hoshiko took a step, and then stopped herself as she looked over her shoulder at the unconscious Sasuke. From her position she could see the tears that streamed down his face, even though he was still out. His little chest was heaving, suffering from the attack his beloved elder brother had put him through. Her heart was torn. Should she stay with Sasuke and care for him? Help him through this. Or should she avenge him, take revenge for his clan. Kill the murderer that did this to him?
She felt Itachi's chakra signature in the back of her mind, it was like a glowing beacon. It was like he was taunting her. Hoshiko faced her back to Sasuke as she slammed her eyes shut. "Forgive me, Sasuke." She whispered to herself. Even though her body was screaming at her to stay behind, to let the traitor go…she couldn't. She would not let Itachi walk away after this. First it was Shisui, and now his clan. He needed to be stopped, and she was going to do it.
X
It didn't take her long to reach the clearing. There was no reason for Itachi to set off any traps or run from her, he wanted her to come. She walked calmly into the clearing; she had to keep telling herself to remain calm. She would never be able to defeat Itachi if she rushed in there. She had to be cool and calculating. She thought back on her lessons she had with him, Kakashi and the training Danzo had given her. She could do this. She had to.
The first thing she noticed was that Itachi was leaning casually against the boulder, his eyes dark. His arms crossed as he stared at her, watching her walk into the clearing. "I didn't think you would come." He commented.
Hoshiko hardened her gaze, coming to a stop as she reached for her Wakizashi, "I promised you that the next time we met, it would be your last."
"Hn." Itachi smirked. He pushed off the boulder. "It cannot be helped. You always were a nuisance."
Hoshiko grit her teeth. She couldn't let his words get to her; he was just trying to antagonize her. "Tell me Itachi. When did you forsake yourself? When did you turn your back on your Will of Fire?"
Itachi remained silent.
"Was it before or after you murdered Shisui? Or before that, when you turned your back on this village and everyone in it?"
Itachi drew his now clean Wakizashi; he twisted it in his hand as the metal reflected the moonlight. "The goals of this village and my own are two different things. I cannot be tied down to a place that will not help me further my own goals."
"And what about Sasuke?" Hoshiko demanded. Her heart ached for the child, witnessing his brother slaughter his family was gut wrenching. "He is your brother. He idolized you."
"He is a foolish child." Itachi stated. "He is nothing. The weak cannot survive in this world."
"And me?" Hoshiko asked sternly. Her grip was painfully tight on her weapon. She was ready for this. She needed to end this.
Itachi regarded her with an impassive stare, "You were…" He said slowly, as if thinking on his next choice of words, but Hoshiko knew that he was just wasting time. "Merely a well placed distraction, but you served your purpose as did the clan."
"You're a sick bastard, you know that?" Hoshiko spat at him, a swirling storm behind her eyes.
Itachi clutched his sword by his face as he crouched slightly into a defensive stance, his Sharingan whirling to life. Hoshiko copied him, bending her knees as she stared the Uchiha down. And like an internal timer had gone off in both of their heads, Itachi and Hoshiko rushed at each other.
Their swords clashed, sparks flying into the air. Hoshiko spun her sword, using a different angle as she brought it down but Itachi blocked it and kicked at her legs. Hoshiko twisted out of the way and tried to roundhouse kick him in the side but he flashed out of the way. Hoshiko felt his chakra behind her as she blocked his sword with her own. She turned sharply and advanced towards him. Her blade sliced through the air, the only sounds in the forest were that of their swords meeting in a deadly dance. Hoshiko weaved and jumped, avoiding his attacks quickly and effortlessly. She was inwardly pleased with herself.
Finally, I'm holding my own against him! She smiled in delight as their swords met once again. Her eyes were focused on his hands and body movements, she knew the second she looked into his Sharingan that it would be over for her.
"You've improved." Itachi stated.
"Didn't think you'd notice," Hoshiko remarked, smirking as she back-flipped out of the way, Itachi's kunai skimming her neck. Hoshiko ran at him again and while he was distracted with her, her clone made her move. Before Hoshiko had stepped into the clearing she had prepared herself. She had made four clones without being detected and hid them far enough away that Itachi wouldn't sense them until the last second. Her clone came leaping out from the trees, a Raikiri in her hand.
Itachi's Sharingan quickly focused on the clone, he feinted surprise but slammed his foot into the real Hoshiko's chest as she went flying back. He faced the clone head on. With the advantage of his Sharingan he managed to dodge at the last second. The Raikiri grazed the side of his face, drawing blood. The clone quickly recovered as she lunged for Itachi, the two were locked in a battle. Itachi dodged all of her attacks as the clone tried to land a hit on the Uchiha.
All of a sudden Itachi felt another presence, he turned just in time to see another clone appear from the trees. He watched as the clone made the hand seals for a Katon jutsu. His Sharingan instantly recognized it as he thought of an escape. The first clone was running for him again, the Raikiri still in her hand. When the clone was near him Itachi dodged, kicking his foot into her side the clone stumbled into the blazing fire of the Katon and disappeared in a burst of electricity. Itachi then performed his own Katon with milliseconds to spare. Both Katon's connected, burning the trees and surrounding grass with their intensity.
X
Hoshiko groaned, wiping the side of her mouth with the back of her hand. Itachi's kick had sent her flying into the nearest tree. The force of it had snapped the trunk in half. Her back killed and her hair had come loose from the impact. She could sense her clone and Itachi still locked in a Katon battle. Good, things were going according to her plan. Her two other clones were in position now that he was fully distracted. Hoshiko picked up her Wakizashi that was lying a few feet away from her as she stumbled to her feet.
Taking a deep breath and preparing herself for the next attack she rushed back into the fight. Itachi and her clone released their jutsu's as they jumped away from each other, the clone positioning herself correctly. Itachi glanced over his shoulder at Hoshiko, who gripped her sword and then it suddenly lit up in blue and yellow electricity. Hoshiko flung the sword, aiming directly for Itachi's head as the Uchiha titled his head to the side and dodged it effortlessly.
"Pathetic." He said softly.
The smirk that Hoshiko gave him unnerved him.
"Now!" She yelled. Hoshiko made quick hand seals as two clones suddenly popped up unexpectedly from the earth. Itachi's Sharingan couldn't focus on the three at once which made it possible for them to implement their jutsu. "Raiton: Shichū Shibari!" All three slammed their hands down onto the ground as three pillars rose up from the ground. A net of lightning encased Itachi in as the Uchiha stared in awe of the jutsu. He had never seen something like this before.
"Still think that throw was pathetic?" Hoshiko questioned. Grinning at Itachi maliciously as the Uchiha tossed a look over his shoulder. His eyes widened a fraction when he saw the clone that had been standing behind him holding the lightning Wakizashi in her hand. The clone grinned and plunged the sword into the ground while yelling, "Raiton: Shōgekiha!"
Lightning ran from the sword and across the ground, it hit the pillars and the electric netting as Itachi was electrocuted.
Hoshiko's smile dropped from her face, as her jutsu neared its end. As she stood there she couldn't help but feel like that had been all too easy. This was Itachi; she hadn't really expected to be able to capture him in the jutsu. Hoshiko and her clones watched as the electricity faded away, and at the same time the three pillars shattered into pieces, reflecting the moonlight. Looking like tiny cherry blossom petals.
In the middle, Itachi was on all fours. He was breathing heavily; burns dotted his skin with his clothes singed in most places. Hoshiko didn't feel satisfaction.
"Itachi…" Hoshiko sighed sadly.
In a split second Itachi was on his feet. A kunai was drawn and he was in front of her within a second. His Sharingan morphed into Mangekyō, "Tsukuyomi!"
Hoshiko's eyes suddenly went wide, and then they went vacant. She dropped to her knees. Itachi stared down at her; "You always did drop your guard at the most critical points."
Hoshiko unexpectedly disappeared in a burst of electricity. Itachi cursed in his head, the Hoshiko he had just put under his Genjutsu was a clone. A moment later he felt the cool metal of a kunai press up against his jugular.
"And you never could tell the difference between me and a clone." Hoshiko growled, pressing the weapon slightly harder. Looking down Hoshiko saw the tip of Itachi's kunai placed at a critical point at her abdomen. "Looks like we're at an impasse."
She saw the corner of Itachi's mouth pull up into a smile, "Do you think me a fool?"
Hoshiko smirked, "Is that a trick question?"
There was a beat of silence before Itachi's form began to morph and disappear into a flock of crows.
"What?" Hoshiko gasped in disbelief. "No! That's impossible!" Hoshiko dropped the kunai as she watched as her surroundings began to fade away into a stark white. "I didn't look into your eyes!"
"You did…" Itachi's voice echoed. "When you first stepped into the clearing. You do it unintentionally but you always seek out my eyes. It probably doesn't even register to you that you're doing it."
Hoshiko gripped the sides of her head. No! No no no no! She had played right into his hands.
"Itachi!"
She spotted him standing a few meters away. His back was to her as he faced the village from atop the Hokage monument. Hoshiko glanced down at herself. She was no longer in her ANBU clothes, but dressed simply in her short-sleeved shirt and navy trousers. She felt her head for her Hitai-ate, but was surprised when it wasn't there. She looked over at Itachi, who seemed to be frozen to the ground. He wasn't wearing his ANBU gear and from what she could tell his own protector was gone.
Steeling herself Hoshiko walked quietly up to him. She cast her gaze over the village, seeing the setting sun cast shadows over it. Sunset was her favorite time of day, and this was also her favorite place to come. Hoshiko came to a stop, side by side with Itachi as she turned to look at him.
"Are you going to kill me?"
Itachi turned his face slowly, hesitant to meet her gaze but he did nonetheless. He was entirely captivated by how she looked. In his Genjutsu, there were no marks of their battle. Her hair was shining against the sunlight, her eyes twinkling.
Itachi shook his head at her, answering her question. Hoshiko frowned at him, shrugging her shoulders, "Then what is this?"
Itachi turned away from her, looking out over the village. "A chance." He said softly. "To say goodbye."
Hoshiko swallowed the large lump in her throat. She was at a loss for words. "Will I remember any of this?" She asked hesitantly. It took him a moment but Itachi shook his head. "Then why…"
Itachi faced her, turning his whole body. "Because I am selfish. Or better yet…you make me selfish, Hoshiko. You are the only person who has made me question my decisions, who could take away the burden of what I had to do. You made me feel like a human again. Because of that, I tried to distance myself from you, to keep you out of harms way. And I inadvertently drove you into the arms of the person I should've been protecting you from. For that, forgive me."
Hoshiko didn't notice the tears that had started to leak down her cheeks. "I didn't need your protection. I wanted your friendship." Itachi bowed his head in remorse. Hoshiko wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "So…everything that's happened…"
"What Danzo told you were fabricated lies. To turn you against me."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hoshiko exclaimed, stepping closer to him. "I could've helped you!"
"Danzo would've had you killed." Itachi stated sternly. "Innocent blood had already been spilt by him. I would not let him hurt you."
It all suddenly clicked for her. Hoshiko's eyes widened, her mouth parted in shock, "Shisui…" If Itachi's silence was anything to go by, Hoshiko knew that she was right. Her shock morphed into anger as she lashed out and shoved Itachi hard, the Uchiha stumbled under the force of it. "You bastard! You let me believe…" She paused, remembering the horrible things she had accused him of weeks ago. Her vision became blurry as tears built up again. "Why did you let me believe that you had killed him?"
Itachi sighed, "It was easier to have you hate me."
Hoshiko pressed her lips into a firm line; she wanted to smack Itachi so hard his teeth would fall out. "What about your clan? What do they have to do with this?" She pressed.
Itachi looked away, "I cannot say. But know that what I have done was for the safety of this village. For Sasuke. For you."
"For me?" Hoshiko was surprised.
Itachi smirked at her, "Can you not understand why I pushed you away? Why I let you believe I had killed my best friend. Why, even though I warned you to stay away from me, I always found myself gravitating back to you?"
Hoshiko felt her heart race; her cheeks began to redden as she took one step back. But Itachi closed it with a step of his own. "I-I don't know."
"I think you do." Itachi challenged.
Hoshiko took another step back and felt her foot slip slightly. Glancing over her shoulder she saw that she was standing on the edge of the stone, another step and she would plunge off the Thirds face. She looked Itachi dead in the eyes, grateful that he was staring at her with his onyx eyes and not the cursed Sharingan.
"Why me? I was horrible to you as a child. Even now, I said terrible and hurtful things. How could you feel that way about me?" Hoshiko asked. Noticing how Itachi was creeping closer.
Hoshiko held her breath as she watched Itachi's hand slowly reach out to caress the side of her face. His fingers brushed over her cheek gently. The touch was new to both of them, neither having ever been this intimate with one another…or anyone in general. Itachi felt the smoothness of her skin under his fingertips, putting it to memory. He was so close to her now. So close that he knew if he listened carefully, he could probably hear the loud beating of her heart. He could see faint flecks of blue in her silver eyes. He could see the few freckles that she had over her nose and chin.
"Because…" Itachi said, his hand creeping back to her neck as he felt goosebumps appear under his hand from Hoshiko's skin. "You were the only one to see me as Itachi, the boy. Not Uchiha Itachi the clan heir and prodigy."
Hoshiko lost all coherent thought. Her anger at Itachi was gone. She had known, deep down that he could never have killed Shisui, that everything had been a lie. Danzo had used and manipulated her. She felt guilty. But all that was gone as she watched Itachi lean down to her. He used little force on the back of her neck to pull her to him as his lips met hers.
It was a simple kiss. A goodbye kiss. Their lips molded against each other. Hoshiko lost herself in her feelings. His lips were soft and gentle, exactly as she had once or twice imagined them to be. She had never really thought about her feelings towards Itachi. She always thought it was because he was her closest friend, but now that she thought back on it. Maybe she had always cared for him, it was only now that they were older that those feelings could develop into something more. She had always imagined her feelings towards him to be unrequited. Itachi wasn't exactly the easiest person to read, but now she could see it. Over the years, they had both unknowingly fallen in love.
A single tear slipped out from under Hoshiko's lid. The thing that pained her most was that Itachi told her she wouldn't remember this. This was an illusion, a Genjutsu that he had placed her under to stop their fight. This was their goodbye…
Itachi pulled away from her, his hand moving back to cup her cheek. He leaned into her ear; "If I have one left…I leave my heart with you, Hoshiko…"
Hoshiko jerked her head up to meet his onyx gaze one last time. Itachi gave her a sad smile.
And then he pushed her off the monument.
Hoshiko's body jolted awake. She was lying on the grass in the clearing she had encountered Itachi. She winced as a sharp pain rang out in her head. All her senses were overloaded, especially her chakra network.
What the hell happened? Hoshiko thought to herself. She looked around. There were no scorch marks. No broken trees. Hoshiko remembered, Itachi had placed her under a Genjutsu from the very beginning…and now he was gone. Hoshiko tried to use her chakra senses but was hit with a blinding pain as she curled in on herself from the pain.
It settled down after a minute as she pushed herself up onto her shaky feet. She scanned the area in front of her, she felt naked without the use of her chakra senses to see if anyone was nearby. She had to find Itachi. Their fight wasn't over yet. She didn't care if it took her ten years to locate him.
"I will find—"
Her words were lost as she felt an excruciating pain erupt from her chest. Blood bubbled out of her mouth as she cast her gaze down, seeing metal protruding out of her chest. She couldn't even form a scream as her body suddenly lost all strength as she collapsed to the floor. She didn't even feel her body hitting the ground. All she could feel was her blood draining quickly from her body. Each limb felt like it was weighed down with stones. Her eyes were shutting; it was getting harder to breath. The last thing she saw before falling into darkness was a white and grey robe.
X
Danzo stood above Hoshiko's motionless body, "Useless child. You had one job, and you couldn't even complete it."
Danzo's Root agent stood beside him, hands held behind his back, "Should I take her body back to Headquarters, Danzo-sama?"
He shook his head, "No, leave it here. We'll wait for someone to find her. It won't be hard to say the Uchiha did this as he left the village. Besides, maybe feeding the wildlife will be the only thing that girl was useful for."
"Of course." His agent bowed.
Danzo turned on his heel, his robe sweeping out as he walked away from the scene, "There are many things we must attend to. Now that Hiruzen has formally disbanded Root we must work even harder to achieve our goals."
Once the two had faded from sight, a figure moved out from behind a large tree. They had witnessed Hoshiko's demise. They quickly and quietly moved to her limp body and began to drag her away. Noticing that her chest was still rising and falling.
Okaa-san,
If you're reading this then it means that I'm no longer around to stop you from finding it. I'm sure by now you must have heard the news...there are many things I wish to say to you right now, but I'm afraid if I put it into words I won't have the strength to do what I have to do. I can imagine the pain you must be feeling right now, and for that I am truly sorry. I wish things could have been different. I wish I could tell you everything, but I know that if I did it would put you in harms way. You are the last person I ever wanted to hurt.
Please don't cry too much. You can cry though, it's ok to cry...you taught me that. Know that I will forever be by your side. And know that this was entirely my decision. I knew what I was getting myself into when I stepped out of our home for the last time. I knew that there was a chance that I would never see you again. That was my duty as a Leaf Kunoichi. I never really understood that until now...growing up with everyone hating me. I never thought that I would come to love the village as much as I do now. As I write this letter to you, I'm thinking back on learning about the Will of Fire. All children are taught about it in the academy. It's what drives us to protect the things we love.
Okaa-san, you taught me what it was to be a strong person. You taught me how to accept everyone and their flaws. You are an amazing person, you never held any resentment towards this village for treating us cruelly. You put up with so much from me, but I guess that is the love of a mother. And I am eternally grateful knowing that when I die, I know that your love for me with carry me to the afterlife.
If you ever need help, or feel unsafe...go to Kakashi-senpai. He will protect you as I'm no longer around to do it. Everyone has enemies, and I'm afraid that I still have some lingering in the shadows.
Above all else, Okaa-san, I love you. I love you so much and again I am so sorry for doing this to you...but if anything good can come out of this...hopefully with my death I helped protect this village...and now, finally, I can tell Otou-san everything that I've been able to do.
-Hoshiko
Well guys it finally happened. The Massacre finally came and destroyed me. I put off writing this chapter so much which is why it took me forever to get it out, just because of the fact that I knew it was going to be hard but I am extremely pleased with how I pulled it off.
I know some people thought that I might have Hoshiko pull off the massacre but I stuck with the canon, but this isn't the end. We still have a lotttttttt more to happen with these two. Oh and yeah...they kissed...but she won't remember. Sadface. I wonder if she'll ever find out in the future? wink wink.
Also I wish I could draw...sigh I have so many image ideas in my head that I wish I could draw of these two..if you guys no anyone who does fanart or stuff like that let me know because it would be my utmost dream to have art of these two and some iconic scenes between them. Other then that I think my heart is pretty much broken for these two so I'm going to go and eat copius amounts of chocolate and watch the royal wedding.
Also I did some perusing on Youtube and I found a song that I feel represents Itachi and Hoshiko. Check out 's cover of ZAYN and Sia's song Dusk Till Dawn. It's pretty amazing and reminds me of them so much!
Let me know what you guys thought of this chapter!
REPLIES
lizyeah2000 - I feel horrible for writing them into these situations :(
Dark Rose Charm - I know these last few chapters have been so hard to write because I've been thoroughly upset about everything :( I just want the happy ending already...but we're going to have to wait a while for that I'm afraid.
Me And Not You 1001 - Poor Itachi is correct. Poor everyone involved pretty much. Fuck Danzo. Can't wait to kill him off xd xd xd
DoctorBoo24 - Omgosh thank youu! Sorry it took me a lil longer to get this chapter out I wanted it perfect!
AugustRush - Thank you so much! Honestly that means everything to me to hear you say that! I promise to you all that in the end there will be a happy ending, we've just got to carry on through!
Davina - The part I teared up the most was the letter to her mother. Just because I can relate to it so much...it hit me hard right in the feels. And you'know, thier kiss and everything