Chapter 21: Moonlit Night

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'Inner thoughts'

Writing

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Yukino's POV

Spring had come around again and I stood among the class of graduating students. I should have been happy to be graduating but I wasn't. This cheerful beautiful day instead filled me with dread for the future. 'Was this the right choice?' I asked myself as I kept a smile on for the rest of the ceremony. It was wrong for me to feel this way since it was my choice to go into that exam room. Looking at the other students that passed as well I looked at each of their smiles knowing that this was the first step into becoming an actual shinobi. I couldn't take it back so instead, I was going to face it head on no matter how scared I felt.

Being eight when I graduated I felt proud and so did everyone else as they came to congratulate me. But something happened that I didn't expect two people I didn't want to meet did, the Hokage and the Uchiha. Standing in between the two they seemed shocked for a moment but it quickly blew over. Looking between the two I was faced with the silent decision of who to choose. In the end, I chose the Uchiha they were the people closest to me and I just didn't have that kind of bond with the old man.

After waiting weeks for my team to be announced, I found out that I wouldn't be put on a team like all the others instead I would be on standby for some time until a team is found for me to join. 'Maybe I should've waited another year.' But something told me it was due to me being connected to the Uchiha and the possibility that I could be a spy for them.

Time Skip

"Sorry Sasuke," I heard from where I was. Peeking from around the corner I saw Itachi poke Sasuke's forehead. Knowing that he was leaving once again I turned around and walked out and around the house to meet up with Itachi before he exited.

Standing at the other side of the door I waited for the older boy to exit and close the door behind him, "You know… he really misses you." I told him as I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.

"I'm sorry, I have a mission." he apologized as I looked at him fully.

"I'm sorry too. I have to train all day," I told him as he caught on to what I meant.

"So we are both going to be busy today." He sighed looking up at the slow-moving clouds as if he was troubled by something.

'Maybe it's his mission?' I hesitantly pushed myself to move, choosing to ask him tomorrow in hopes that it would be better. "I'll probably see you tomorrow. Now, I have to leave before I'm punished." I laughed at the idea of having to stand upside down. Facing the boy I said what would become my final sentence with him in a long time, "Come back safe, okay?"

・・・

Running back to the Uchiha home I made it my goal to finish as early as possible to be able to entertain Sasuke and to keep his mind off his brother. I would have made it earlier if it weren't for the tag the siblings stuck on me to reduce my chakra use, which unfortunately would wear off in twelve hours. Making it to the house I fixed my white dress noticing that there was some dirt on it. 'I should've changed.' I thought to myself as I dusted it off while waiting for someone to open the door. Hearing someone approaching I stopped what I was doing and faced the door eagerly. "Yukino?" Mikoto-san asked surprised the moment she saw who was on the other side. "I thought you would come tomorrow? Is something wrong?"

"No, I just finished training early. Is Sasuke home?"

She shook her head and told me with her usual smile. "He's at the academy doing shuriken practice."

"He is?" I told her surprised since it was already starting to get dark. "I'll go see how he's doing, thank you," I said starting to turn around.

"Yukino." I heard Mikoto-san say quietly, turning around I saw how her eyebrows were furrowed slightly. "Would you like to come over for breakfast tomorrow?" She asked me as I could hear that silent wish of me saying yes. "You can invite your father as well if he's in the village." She added, my father that she spoke of was Kamen-san who had become like a parent to me rather than my guardian in the span of this year.

"Of course," I told her happily. Turning back around I ran and headed to the academy. On my way there I noticed something peculiar about the district, the military police force wasn't patrolling instead it seemed as if they were out early and not just a few it seemed like most of them. They were happy and calm as if it was normal but it wasn't. Shrugging this away I chose to push it aside as I continued on my way to the academy with one goal in mind.

・・・

Looking around the empty academy I finally found Sasuke and another person I've never seen before. "Sasuke!" I called to him as I saw him training his shuriken throwing as Mikoto-san told me he was.

He was about to throw one when he stopped and looked in my direction to see who it was. As he turned to face the teacher I could see him telling them something. The teacher nodded and walked away, they didn't go far they just moved away just enough to be within earshot. "Are you here to practice to?" the excited boy asked me with shining eyes.

"No," I answered simply. "I came for you, so let's go to your house I have something amazing to show you." from the corner of my eye I noticed how the first bit caused the teacher to turn his head slightly toward us. Pushing this to the side I just took it as a sign that the teacher was relieved to go home. 'Now that I think about it shouldn't he have let Sasuke go once the sun has begun to set?'

"Really?!" I heard Sasuke exclaim as I snapped out of my thoughts and saw a wide smile on his face.

"Hm," I told him as I clapped my hand together. "I know! You go home and I'll buy food for everyone!"

"Great! I just need to go inside for my bag! I'll see you at home!" He yelled and ran to the teacher who had been listening to us.

"I'll buy some sweets on the way there. I'll see you back home," I yelled as I headed into the village in the direction of Amaguriama: sweets shop. Looking around at each store I passed I began thinking of what I should buy other than sweets. Finally settling on buying meat I noticed that I have already arrived at the sweets shop. Not even entering the store I realized that I never asked Sasuke what he wanted from here since he didn't like sweets.

Turning back around I made my way back knowing that he should already be close to his home, as I headed back I noticed how bright and clear the moon looked that night. Stopping I looked up at my bangs for the red streak that had become more visible as the year progressed. Holding the strand between my fingers I noted how it was white like the moon above my head. 'So today is a full moon.' I realized, remembering that I was supposed to catch up with Sasuke I picked up the pace and ran to the Uchiha district.

The moment I entered through the gates something felt out of place. The whole district was eerily silent, there should have been at least some noise coming from people walking around at this hour but there were none. 'It wasn't like this an hour ago. Maybe Izumi knows…' As this thought crossed my mind I began making my way to her house quietly while looking around carefully since her house was nearby. The more I walked the more I noticed how empty the streets and houses looked as I passed them. 'Something feels wrong.' Shaking the thought away I knocked on the door flinching at the sound. Silence. Placing my ear against the door to hear for anything inside I noticed how it was already open slightly. Reaching for the door I opened it and walked inside. "Izumi?" I called into the house hearing the sounds of my loud heartbeats pounding in my ears.

Passing the doorway I noticed how the lights across the hallway were on. Stepping inside the house my foot bumped into something as I looked down I saw that the garbage bin was tipped over. Putting it back in place I walked towards the room at the end of the hallway. Slowly reaching the light I peeked inside when I saw two women on the floor of the dining room one which had a clear injury on their body while the other had a peaceful smile. With a sense of relief, I ran to Izumi to wake her up and tell her about what happened to her mother when I froze the moment my hand touched her arm. Feeling her cold skin underneath my fingertips I felt my eyes start to burn, blinking rapidly I saw the soft smile on her face contradicting the scene before me. Reaching slowly for her neck I placed my fingers feeling for any heartbeat. There was none, reaching for her hand I squeezed it tightly and shut my eyes to prevent the tears from flowing out after a couple of seconds in this state I took a deep breath in and hesitantly I let go. No visible injuries were on her body to show how she died so I placed my hand on her head and focused as much chakra as I could to connect myself to her mind in hopes that she would still have some brain activity but found none. Focusing my chakra to the palm of my hand for the mystical palm technique I pulled away immediately feeling how her mind wasn't that of a young teenager but that of an old woman and I knew what that felt like since I often connected myself to Misa-san's mind.

Standing up I ran up the stairs opening the door to her balcony and jumping over into her neighbor's home. Pulling the door open I hopped inside when the scent of blood hit me immediately, stepping even deeper into the house it didn't take long for me to find the owners which lay sprawled out on the floor as if they had been struck down in their attempt to escape, their blood spilling on the walls were proof of the impact.

Stepping back I was about to open a portal to Sasuke's house but realized that could be a mistake. I had no way of knowing before I opened a portal whether or not someone was on the other side and if I were to jump through I would immediately be cut down. Looking outside I knew I couldn't take the shortcut either since I could be spotted jumping over the houses. Looking down I knew that my only choice was to run by foot. Jumping down I activated my eyes first and then the Sharingan so I could spot any movement around me, as I did this I silently thanked Izumi for it and ran.

The deeper I went into the compound the more wrong things I noticed with my eyes. I could spot stained windows and small drops of red liquid in the ground, as well as the difference in the amount of blood, spilled in different areas. Keeping my pace I looked away and focused instead on reaching the house hoping with everything within me that he was safe. 'Why did Itachi have to leave today?' I asked myself, 'If he was here then Sasuke would be safe,' Shaking the thoughts away I realized that I was close to the Military Police Force headquarters so I made a small detour in hopes that there would be someone there to contact the village. Not even reaching the Military Police Force headquarters I could tell it was futile. From where I stood I could see that the lights were flickering and there were splatters on the glass doors. Those that had stayed late were gone along with everyone else I had passed by.

Picking up the pace I finally reached the house, immediately running into it to look for the residents I checked room after room of nothing when I finally reached the last one. It was open slightly and something inside me told me what had occurred within. Closing my eyes tightly I hoped with everything inside me that it wasn't the case. As I thought this I slowly reached forward and opened the door. The scent of iron hit me the moment I did and I opened my eyes to see the people I had grown attached to lifeless and crumpled on the floor. Seeing their bodies like that caused a pang in my head as I stepped back shaking my head. Wiping my eyes once again with a sound nearly escaping my mouth I closed it tightly and looked away from what I saw.

Exiting the room and closing the door behind me I leaned against it feeling my legs start to shake. 'No. No. Don't sit. If you do you won't be able to stand up… Look for him.' Pushing myself away from the door I shook my head and looked ahead. 'Please be alive.'

The streets around the house had bodies littered around and with each body, my hopes for finding him diminished greatly when my eyes caught the familiar form of a young boy. 'Sasuke?' Running up to him I fell to my knees and placed my hand on his neck, there was steady but quick beat. 'He must've passed out.' I thought as a sense of coolness washed over me, immediately shaking myself of this relief I looked around and knew that it would be safer to leave him here, as long as he doesn't move the one doing this would think he was part of one of the victims. Placing him gently on the ground I moved his hair to cover his eyes before standing up and running. I began to run making sure to keep my steps silent resolving that I was the only one left alive in this district capable of warning the village.

I would move as far away from this house to prevent Sasuke from being discovered and with that in mind, I gathered the strength needed to run. With the eyes still activated I ran into an alley for a shortcut while thinking of the route I will take back, the moment I exited the alleyway I spotted a person with long hair facing away from me. Time seemed to slow for a moment as I quickly turned around and ran back deciding to take another route.

Glancing behind me for a moment I saw no one but that mistake cost me as I tripped over something and fell on a puddle staining my white dress. Pulling myself up to a crawling position I looked back and saw that I tripped on one of the bodies littering the streets. Standing up slowly I turned around and continued to run not realizing that my dress had become heavy and was dripping the blood it had absorbed. Shaking at the sudden change in the atmosphere I looked around quickly with wide eyes as I started suffocating from the air around me. Spotting a small alleyway by a store I ran and hid behind the boxes as I sat there I noticed the dripping red liquid on my dress. Focusing on the water around me I used it to remove as much blood as I could to prevent leaving a trail. Dumping the bloody water I ran to the other end of the alleyway and tried once again to run but I was pulled back sharply. Feeling my heart stop I looked back immediately and saw how my hair had only become tangled between a nail sticking out on the wall. Frantically going back I pulled free the tangled mess and continued running.

Entering a clear street I began gathering my chakra to teleport when my body froze, I could feel a suffocating murderous intent near me. Attempting to look behind me I caught a glimpse of the person from before when they disappeared and became a blur that passed by me quickly. Stumbling back I felt a warm liquid flow down my right side, looking down I saw a slash on the right side of my abdomen as my blood began staining my dress once again. With the strength I still had I turned my head and saw a masked figure with the blade in his hand, the cut was so clean that not even blood was dripping from it.

Amazed for a moment I snapped out of it and reached for my pocket while trying to steady myself when I realized that I didn't have anything. "The Uchiha have changed a lot since I left." his deep voice said as I assumed he meant by my appearance. "That seems to be the last of it." I heard him say quietly to himself as I saw him walk away, 'That means that he's safe.' With that thought, I fell with my back to the ground relieved and with it my eyes deactivated returning to their original state. 'He's safe…' A smile crept onto my face as I finally let myself cry. 'He's safe.' With the bit of strength that I had, I tried looking at my killers mask once again to engrave it into my mind through my blurry vision but failed and closed my eyes instead.

I could hear his steps leave in a steady rhythm, as I was left alone waiting for death to take me I tried to speak to a certain someone, "I promised…" I coughed smelling the scent of my own blood. "to see you much later…" I softly whispered as I tried opening my eyes to glimpse at the stars a final time.

3rd POV

As the tears quickly flowed from the child's eyes in huge droplets she attempted to see the sky right above her. Blinking quickly trying to remove the tears as her blood slowly dyed her hair and painted the dirt around her red. She saw the man leave and shakily reached for her abdomen focusing her chakra on her hand to heal as much of the wound as possible but the blood kept pooling out. A whimper escaped her mouth as her hand became heavier and fell to her side. Trying to move her heavy hand she breath started to become shallow as the little warmth her body had begun to slowly slip away into the cool night while she struggled to hold on to her life. Her clear and bright eyes still staring at the night sky became dull and in the last moment the flashes of everyone she knew flashed as little flickering moments to her.

By the time her life left her the man had returned sensing some activity only to see that he had completed his job. At that moment the one working with him arrived to inform him that he had completed his part when he spotted the girl. "She doesn't belong to this clan." the man informed desperately trying to keep his emotions in control at seeing another one his friends dead.

"Either way she saw me." The man said glancing at the dead body through his single eye hole. Something about what the young man said before crossed his mind as he looked at him with suspicion. "She had the Sharingan."

"It's a Kekkei Genkai she possessed, it could copy other dōjutsu." The young man explained simply knowing that the man had already begun to suspect him for any signs of betrayal.

"It's too bad, it could have been useful for us." The man said turning to leave. "They will be here soon, I will wait for you in that place." With that, the air around the man began to waver as he was sucked into a hole. As the young man stayed behind he glanced at the girl. 'You weren't supposed to be here...' He thought as she shook his head looking away.

Not long after both men left the sounds of shinobi spreading out resounded through the silent district. Each of these Anbu were entering houses looking for survivors among the many cold bodies only to find one of a boy unconscious. Where the girl had laid before all that marked her existence was a pool of blood and water with glittering gems that were left there as proof along with the necklace she wore.

・・・

Somewhere around morning, the abandoned shrine outside of Konohagakure had a visitor. Forming a sealing circle across the broken floor the girl's body began to reform in the center from the blood that was on her dress.

From the broken shrine floor the girl opened her eyes and sat up. The girl looked around and spotted the blood on her dress with curiosity, feeling for around for any opening she found none as she looked quizzically at it. Spotting black markings peeking from her underneath her dress she lifted it and saw three seals on her left leg resembling black ivy lines coiling around her ankle. Looking around something called out to her as if she had been there before, that feeling brought another telling her that she should be somewhere else so she stood up and began to wander around inside the shrine hoping that something will help her remember what she had to do. As she wandered in the bottom floors she opened a dresser and found clothing of all sizes. Looking down at her own bloody clothes she picked one of the Miko uniforms and began to take off her clothes and as she did she noticed a large scar on her left abdomen. With her fingers, she traced the line and wiped off the dried blood before putting on the uniform she found feeling cleaner than she was. Holding the bloody dress she placed it on the bed and continued looking around.

After hours of wandering around the memories of her early childhood slowly came to her until the events of the night prior came as well. Leaving the shrine she immediately began running in the direction of the village still unaware of how she ended up there as well that she had died.

Running into the village she continued running and didn't stop until she reached the hospital. She ran up the front desk and calmly asked to see Uchiha Sasuke even though she was anxious in the inside. The nurse glanced at her and told her the room that the boy was in. Hearing the news that he was awake she hesitated for a bit before opening the door and walking in. Shakily reaching for the divider she tried calming her heart from the worry. Finally, placing her hand on the divider she pulled it back and saw her friend staring outside at nothing in particular. Taping the metal with her nail the boy glanced at her with dull eyes as she approached the bed. "Sasuke…?" She reached slowly for his arm but he pulled it away. "How are you?" She asked trying to get the boy to talk but he stayed silent.

Looking the seat beside the bed she sat down and stared at him. "Who are you?" The boy finally said after a while.

"W-what do you mean? Sasuke it's me, Yukino." the girl pointed at herself. "You must've gotten a concussion." The girl murmured to herself as she stood up and reached for his head.

Seeing the hand approach him he flinched and slapped the hand away. "I don't know who you are, leave." He glared at her.

Backing away surprised she opened her mouth to say something before closing it and nodding slowly. In her mind, she reasoned that he was going through many emotions due to what happened and she didn't want to worsen things so she silently accepted his request and left the room.

Hours before her arrival at the hospital two Anbu sent by the Hokage stood in the boy's room preparing for their mission. Weaving a few signs one of the men placed his hand on the boy's head. Every memory that the girl had been in had been changed and she was removed as if she never existed in the boy's life. However it seemed like that but in reality, the technique only served as a lock to prevent the memories from surfacing and were replaced with fake ones. Unlike the original technique, the one afflicted with it would be able to regain memories if their will to have them back was strong enough.

・・・

After exiting the hospital the girl began to pick up speed and ran with no destination in mind.

After coming to a stop she fell to her knees and looked up terrified 'I died yet why am I still here?' She thought to herself as she noticed the seals where one of her anklets used to be. Beginning to shake she began crying as all of her memories finally returned. Leaning against something she wiped her eyes frantically trying to stop the tears.

・・・

Looking up the trees surrounding her she wiped her eyes finally calming down. 'It wasn't supposed to end up like this.' She thought as she hugged her legs tightly. 'We were supposed to eat together and have fun–' Suddenly she froze and clutched her head for the one being she was connected since youth but even they were gone. Unknown to her the woman with the name of the moon in her name locked away the tailed creature's memories so he would no longer have any association with her. Since he was just present by chance the day of the child's creation it created an opportunity she couldn't let her pass by. In sealing a portion of such a powerful creature it expanded the chakra reserves within the girl in order to keep the seal, now with the creature gone the chakra within her shifted and the girl could now have the potential to do more things.

But she didn't care about that all she cared about was her friend, 'They are all gone.' The little girl thought as she placed her head on her knees and started to cry into the dress that she had taken from the shrine. In her mind, she didn't think about every other member that had perished only about the people she knew and had lost. 'Why am I alive?' She asked herself as she dully looked at nothing in particular. Raising her hand she dug her nails into her arm ashamed of herself. 'No. I should be happy.' Taking her off her arm she began healing the small wound that had been created. 'Mikoto-san wouldn't like that…' she sighed heavily and looked up when she felt a chakra signature nearby and quickly began to wipe her eyes. Looking around she grabbed a stick and hid it in the folds of her clothes when a man in a fox mask came out from behind the tree. "You can put the stick away." He said with his hands in his pockets. Wiping her face with the sleeve again she looked at the stick before throwing it away recognizing the young man. "Lord third asked me to look for you he has something to tell you." He explained noticing the dried blood on the girl's skin as well as her tear stained face.

Yukino's POV

Being led to the office by the man I have come to recognize as Itachi's senpai in the Anbu I stood in his left so he wouldn't see my puffy red eyes and the tears trails on my face. I followed without question having a feeling that I was going to be told about what happened that night.

Right before arriving at the office he led me in a different direction and showed me the bathroom. Thanking him, I washed away the blood and my face. Once I exited clean and presentable he led me to the office and knocked. We didn't wait long as a response soon told us to enter. "I brought her." the man said simply as we entered the room.

"Thank you." The old man said from his desk. The man that was standing in front of me nodded before turning to leave and as he did he gave me a quick glance with his single eye.

Staring at the old man in front of me I asked the question I wanted to know the answer to, "Does Itachi know? He left in the morning." I asked before he could say anything.

"I'm afraid he does."

Looking down I wrung my hands, 'How will he take it?' Looking up I asked the other question I had in my mind "Then… did you catch the one responsible for the massacre?" I asked hopefully.

"We didn't it seems that one of our Anbu went rogue."

"Who?" I asked wanting to know the one responsible for taking people I cared about.

"Uchiha Itachi."

It felt like I was slapped in the face as I heard him say it. "I-Itachi?" I shook my head, "no, no it can't be." I shook my head knowing that the man I saw wasn't Itachi.

"I'm afraid that it's true, he killed his whole clan leaving his little brother alive." The man said placing his pipe in the table. "And it seemed you were lucky to survive."

"But-" I wanted to ask why but the question couldn't really form into actual words. 'I know it wasn't him. So why is he saying that?!' I looked at the man in front of me analyzing his face for anything that I could probe on.

I must have shown something on my face since he turned away and walked back to his desk. "You will be sent to Sunagakure for safety in the time being–" as he said this I closed everything off as I noticed for the first time Itachi's Anbu picture on his desk. 'Itachi's going to be branded a criminal.' I realized, 'Why else would he need the picture?'

"You're putting him in the bingo book," I said out loud.

"Yes, which is why you will be leaving tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?! What about Sasuke?" I asked as I heard what he said not believing that he was sending me to another village after what just happened. "He's in the hospital and seems to have a concussion a-and the funeral at least give him some time to say goodbye." I tried grasping for something so I could stay here longer. 'No... Why is this happening.'

"We will watch over him here but your safety is important which is why I will be sending you to one of our closest allies."

"Why can't I just stay here?!" I asked desperately realizing it was just me who was being sent away.

"It's your parents-"

Blocking out everything else he said I just stared soullessly at him. 'He's still lying. Tsukiyomi-san told me about their deal.'

"—You will go to the Land of Wind for your safety and return when you're ten. As a shinobi of Konoha, it's an order." He said turning to face me when I heard the door open behind us. The same Anbu that brought me here was at the door waiting for me as he guided me out without protest.

Walking away from the building I looked behind me and at the huge round red building, I knew I couldn't say no to this decision. 'Tsukiyomi controls him through threats but she isn't telling him to do this… At least I don't think so if she did she would've told me…' I thought to myself as I continued looking at the red building hoping to spot a sign of my guardian before turning away, 'Ten… so I will be gone for more than a year.' Walking away from the building I took the less populated paths and headed to the first person that I would say my farewell to.

Standing in front of the door I reached for the door and knocked not knowing how I would bring it up. After knocking on the door I waited for a while and saw it's owner open it for me. "Yukino-chan!" the boy exclaimed happily as he opened the door wider.

"Naruto," I said looking at his excited face, "I—" I wanted to say my goodbye and be done with it but hesitated, "Have you eaten yet?" I asked instead, "If you haven't then let's go eat somewhere." I told him wanting to spend some time with him before telling him the news.

As he led the way to a store of his choice I followed close behind watching how excited he was. 'I need to tell him,' I thought as I saw him run into a shop. Stopping I read the sign, 'Ichiraku Ramen,' "Naruto! The usual I assume?" I heard a jovial voice say from inside so I entered and saw a man on the other side of the bar.

"Yeah!" Naruto told the man before turning to me. "The food here is great!" Naruto told me excitedly as he took one of the seats by the bar.

"I'll pay," I told the shop owner as I took a seat next to Naruto.

"Don't worry it's on the house." He said happily, "anything you have in mind?" He asked me which I responded by shaking my head. "Then I'll make the same for both of you." he turned around and started gathering ingredients to make the food.

After a while of just talking I tried to bring up my leave when the food was finally done and placed in front of us, "Thank you." We both said as we looked at the food before us.

"Let's eat!" Naruto said excitedly as I looked at the food before me questionably with my mouth starting to water, 'It smells incredibly good… How did I never run into this place?' I asked myself since I had never eaten the dish before me. Looking at my side I began copying what Naruto was doing.

"Mmm… I wish I could've found this place sooner…" I happily said out loud as my voice broke towards the end, placing my bowl down I saw both guys looking at me surprised, "What's wrong?" I asked surprised.

"Here," the man said handing me a couple of napkins.

Taking them hesitantly I felt something fall on my lap and looked down to see a watery liquid. Touching my face softly I realized that I had begun crying again. "I'm sorry," I apologized wiping my eyes. "It's… It's just… that I'll be leaving tomorrow." I finally confessed with a sad smile. "I won't be able to come back until I'm ten. I'm sorry… I'll be leaving you here alone…" I wiped my eyes feeling horrible about leaving.

"… Don't worry when you come back I'm going to be just as strong as you!" he said with a huge smile as he took one final gulp of his bowl. "And when I show you we will eat here again, you know!"

・・・

After parting ways with Naruto we hugged tightly and parted ways feeling that if we stayed together any longer one of us would break. Heading to the place where someone that didn't want to see me was currently residing. "Excuse me?" I asked the nurse at the main desk.

"Yes, how may I help you?" she asked with a smile that most nurses used.

"I came to visit Uchiha Sasuke, can I?" I asked her knowing that I couldn't just waltz in without a nurse chasing after me.

"I'm sorry but he has requested to not have any visitors."

"R-really? It's just that… Can you pass a message then?" I asked her to which she nodded. "My name is Yukino and I will be leaving tomorrow so I wanted to say goodbye. That's all." I told her as I saw her write what I said down.

"I will make sure to pass the message. Anything else?"

"Yes, is Hyuga Satomi here?" I asked since I wanted help in knowing what was up with my body.

Hyuga Household

After leaving the hospital with no new information I headed to the Hyuga household. Knocking twice on the huge doors I waited patiently knowing that the person I was looking could be busy. Seeing the door open the person at the other side already knew who I was and led me to a where Hinata was. As he showed me the room that Hinata was in he knocked and said: "Hinata-sama you have a visitor, Yukino-sama."

Hearing from the other side of the door someone approaching I could feel my eyes start to burn. As I saw the door open I heard a soft voice come from the other side, "Yukino-chan?"

"Hinata…" I tried telling her the moment I saw her but I began to break into tears once again.

"Yukino-chan, what's wrong?" she asked rushing to me to check what was wrong.

Somehow finding myself on the ground being consoled by my friend I apologized for crying on her clothes and pulled myself away. "I'm leaving," I said hoarsely from all the crying. "I don't want to I want to stay here…"

"Why are you leaving?" I heard her ask worriedly.

"For my safety. I don't know.." I told her as I saw the door open slightly and saw a tray with two cups of tea being slid in. As I saw her stand up and go for it I spoke up, "Can you watch… Sasuke and Naruto while I'm gone?" I asked her knowing this would be too much to ask of her.

"M-me?! Why?" she asked surprised as she almost spilled the hot liquid.

"You're my friend," I told her softly.

Her face went red as she handed me one of the cups, "Thank you, umm… Where are you going then?" She asked as she sat down next to me.

"Sunagakure," I answered simply before bringing the cup with my shaking hands up to my lips. "I'll return when I'm ten," I told her laughing slightly. "Who knows how much I'll miss."

The quiet girl sat next to me and looked at my cup. "I-I will be here…" she said drifting off, "I'll make sure to keep watch over everything that happens and tell you everything once you return!" She told me loud and clearly, looking up at her eyes I saw her determination for keeping the promise she just made.

Silently I looked at her and felt once again tears falling from my eyes. "Thank you," I said to her grateful to have her as a friend. "You will be the first I visit and I'll tell you everything that happened to me when I return as well…" I wanted to say more but my voice began cracking again so I stopped and sipped the tea in my hands to prevent myself from crying again.

・・・

After saying my final goodbye to her I headed home to pack up everything I would need for my year-plus stay in a place so distant in my past. Placing everything of importance that I couldn't take into the storage room outside the veranda I headed to my room and began packing my stuff. Hearing a soft knock behind me I looked back and saw my father holding the dress I had left in the shrine, now clean and neatly folded in his hands. Silently he walked up to where I was and kneeled down next to me. "Don't forget this it will never wear out and it will always fit you," he said placing it within my satchel with the rest of my stuff. Lifting his half mask I saw how the sun illuminated his sad hazel eyes as the black mask that he wore underneath covered his mouth as it began to move, "Remember that if you ever need any of us you could summon us." he looked at me softly and pulled me into a tight hug. Returning the hug I felt like crying once more but by then my eyes were dry and I had no more tears to spill.

"I know," I told him as I felt him pat my hair softly and reluctantly let go.

"There is still more to pack," he told me as he helped me stand up, "Make sure to eat well at least once a week, don't force yourself to be awake for three days straight, be careful of strangers and boys. Do you know why?" he asked me.

"Because I can last without food for more than three weeks, I become grumpy when I don't sleep and because boys are wolves but you are okay since you are a fox," I repeated faintly knowing that he was trying to cheer me up with things he told me in the distant past.

"Yes, and don't take risks," placing his hand on my shoulder, "please." he worriedly told me as I nodded taking his wisdom to heart. Ruffling my hair he put his mask back on before grabbing my bag and heading downstairs where everyone else was.

After looking around the room I noticed the picture frame on my desk. Walking up to it I looked at it carefully tracing my finger over the smile I had back then before placing it in my personal pocket space. With a heavy sigh, I stepped out of the room and closed it behind me knowing that I will not be entering for some time.

Walking down the steps I saw that the lights in the kitchen were on and headed inside. Upon stepping in I immediately tackled as I saw white crossed my vision. "No! Why do you have to leave!" The loud girl exclaimed suffocating me in her crushing hug.

"So you plan on killing her before she leaves?" the loud girl's twin explained noticing my struggle.

"Yes!" the girl turned her head sticking out her tongue and loosened her grip slightly understanding what her brother meant. As I saw her go back to her brother who looked sadly at me he immediately looked away before I could see properly.

Hearing someone else approaching I turned and saw Misa-san bend down slightly and pulled me into a comforting embrace. Feeling her hand brush away my hair from my ear I heard a voice I never heard before, "Don't let grief drown you." She pulled away slowly and fixed my hair before giving me a soft smile as she placed her finger over her mouth.

Still stunned over Misa-san's voice I failed to notice the two women walking to me at the same time. "Remember us," Kuzunoha-san said crossing her arms appearing stern. But as I looked up I saw her eyes water and she looked away.

The other more elderly vixen looked at her and shook her head slightly. "Don't slack off and keep us informed as to what you are doing." She told me, "Also make sure to learn how to control your emotions it is something essential that could save you in this world," she told me. She went silent and nodded to herself, even with that veil covering her face I couldn't tell how she was feeling which is what I guessed was her point for the advice she just gave me. "There are no forests in Sunagakure so we can't visit you as we frequently do here." She added finally to clear any questions that I may have had. As she turned to the others I could see Misa-san looking at me before comforting Kuzunoha-san.

・・・

After that, they all stayed for a while telling stories and laughing trying to cheer me up making a promise to be there for me if I ever needed them. Waving each of them goodbye I saw them wander into the forest one by one until I was left alone. After seeing them all leave my hand reached instinctively for my chest when I felt something missing. The necklace I had forgotten about was gone and without thinking I ran to the Uchiha district not thinking about its significance.

Rushing to the last place I remember I saw something sparkling under the light of the setting sun. Looking over the spot I found many big sparkling gems, cracked and broken metal, and a single necklace lying in a small pool of water the size of a shuriken. Bending over I grabbed the necklace and shook the water off in hopes that it wasn't ruined when I remembered who it was that gave me the necklace. 'I only saw one person…' I told myself as I looked up at the sky, 'Why would Itachi do this… to stop the coup? This wasn't something Shisui would have done.' I told myself as I began walking letting my feet take me where they wanted to go, 'Then again, you aren't Shisui…' Holding the necklace tightly I looked down pensively, 'Why didn't you ask me to help you find an answer if you were going to do this?'

Suddenly stopping I looked up and realized I had walked to Izumi's home. Entering the house I walked to the dining room where I remember finding Izumi's body. Focusing chakra to my eyes I did the ram sign for the jutsu I was about to use. Revelation! Spreading my chakra in the surrounding area where I found Izumi. Focusing on the time before I found her, I looked at the scene before me, Izumi and her mother were talking when they looked toward the hallway hearing the bin fall over. Izumi stood and left to see what it was when not long after I saw from where I was standing the woman's face about to scream when she passed out. Looking behind me I saw Itachi with his eyes activated and not long after that, I saw Izumi enter and I could hear her utter his name when I heard Itachi say the name of a jutsu I never heard before making Izumi freeze. Not long after that Izumi collapsed on the floor and Itachi slid to her side with his eyes still activated, "Thank you," I heard the voice of an old woman coming from the lips of Izumi as she smiled softly at Itachi who replied with a "Me, too. Thank you." As I saw him stand up shakily I undid the jutsu. 'But why?' I asked myself as I looked at the room and then down at the necklace, twirling the gem between my fingers I walked outside and headed to Mikoto-san's home in hopes that I could find a more clearer answer.

Making a slight detour to the place of my "death" I decided to pick up the gems I had created leaving no proof that I was there. 'I will have to pick the ones in the forest as well…' I remembered. Noticing the broken silver on the ground I grabbed the pieces and realized that they were my anklets. Grabbing each piece I looked around and found a place to hide them since they were no longer useful.

・・・

Standing in front of the house I took a deep breath in before deciding to enter. Opening the doors to the room where I saw the bodies I entered still seeing the bloodstains on the floorboards. Standing in front of the blood stains I did the jutsu again and saw Fugaku and Mikoto-san sitting on their knees facing away from Itachi holding a sword right behind them. I could see Fugaku-san uttering a couple of words but I couldn't hear clearly so I focused more chakra into the technique when I heard Fugaku-san say, "You're actually such a gentle child," Looking at the sword pointed at both of them I could see it start shaking and looked up at the holder whose head was tipped down. Seeing glittering droplets fall from his face for a moment I could see the tears falling from his face before the scene was covered up by the blood spilling onto the room. Undoing the jutsu I deactivated my eyes and stood in that room questioning what I just saw, "Why did you do this?" I asked the empty room. Looking down at the necklace I had been holding tightly in my hand I opened the clasp and put it on. 'I'm going to find you and ask you myself.' I swore holding it tightly in my hand. 'Even if you don't recognize me… I hope you will remember this.' I told myself determined to keep this promise.

Leaving that room I closed it behind me and headed inside to look around the rest of the home. Searching through the home I found photo albums which I opened and sat down looking through. After reaching the end of the final album I closed it and placed it back to continue looking around. Wandering into Mikoto-san's bedroom I spotted a box poking from underneath the bed, kneeling down I pulled it out and noticed a note attached to it. Yukino, Happy birthday! I hope it fits you by the time you wear this. Lifting the cover from of the box I saw a tan colored kimono blouse with black embroidering. Lifting it I saw a black obi and a dark skirt underneath as well as black stockings. Placing the cover back on top I smiled and stayed silent for a while. 'You still worry even when you're gone…' Opening a portal to my personal space I placed the box inside since it would be difficult for me to carry around.

Standing up I looked around and began placing the important stuff in an empty box I found, albums, books, scrolls anything which I could think of being sentimental or important. Dragging the box I left it at the doorway where I thought Sasuke would find it if he ever came by since with such a tragedy it was possible that this place would be demolished. 'If he doesn't come for these items in the next three days I will.' I told myself as I looked at the place before leaving.

Heading to the last place of the night I looked up at the stairs leading to the shrine that once held the Uchiha when they planned their coup. As I went up to the steps I looked around to make sure no one was watching me as I planned to investigate the secret meeting place. Entering the shrine I walked over to the seventh tatami mat from the far right and lifted it to find the seal covering the entrance like I remember Shisui once telling me. Doing the snake seal to remove the giant rock slab from the entrance I walked down and was surprised at how spacious it was. In the center, there was a stone monument with writing at the end of the room.

Walking up to it I sat in front of it and looked at the rest of the room. 'Just how many knew about the coup? Did Fugaku-san really want to do it or did his clan pressure him to?' I asked myself knowing that I wouldn't receive an answer if I asked out loud. Looking behind me at the stone tablet I was able to read a couple of words without the Sharingan but I sighed feeling too tired to activate it and decipher the rest so instead, I opened a portal and took out a pencil and piece of paper to write down what was on the stone. Finishing I wrote Naka-Stone tablet at the top to be able to find it later on in the library. Opening a portal again I placed the piece of paper inside the library and stood up giving the room one final glance before going up the stairs and locking the room once again.

3rd POV

With the sun just rising a small girl with a satchel at her side looked at her house and headed out. With it being so early she looked around as she headed to the cemetery.

Touching the flowers she looked at the grave and sighed. "Itachi stopped the coup but not the way you hoped to… h-he… he killed everyone." She shakily told the grave as she sniffed and tried to hold in the tears. "I don't know why he did it and I want to know so I… no. Nevermind if I say it you will worry." She stood up and wiped her eyes. "I won't be able to talk with you for a while so… goodbye."

As she got further away her bag got heavier with every step she took the closer she got to the gate. Looking down for the rest of the way the warmth of the light that washed over her was swallowed up by darkness, lifting her head she saw the huge gate looming over her. "I'm ready," she told the old man before glancing at the two men she guessed would be her guides.

"That's good." The elderly man said as he gestured to the two men behind him. "This is Hagane, Kotetsu," He motioned to a spiky-haired man with a bandage strip across the bridge of his nose. "And this is Kamizuki, Izumo." he motioned to another man with long dark brown hair covering his right eye. "They will be your guides to Sunagakure." The elderly man finished but then remembered something. Turning around he walked toward a stand by the gates and pulled out a black notebook with her name written on the cover. "When you come back or leave you will write your name here. In your return, you will be assigned missions and you will continue to write your name here including any and all injuries. In the case that you have filled this book, you will ask the current Hokage for another one and you will be forbidden from exiting until you have it." He explained carefully so she understood.

Somewhere in the village at the same time, there was a blond boy sleeping peacefully in his home when the same shinobi from the hospital entered his room and prepared to repeat the technique from the day prior. From the gates, the girl looked back at her home with a fond look before turning away to leave.

Yukino's POV

Seeing how one of the two shinobi looked around from his place above the tree I glanced at his partner already fast asleep on the ground. Pretending to fall asleep I waited for the moment that the man looked away. When he did I stood up quietly and puffed up my cloak quickly to give it the illusion as if I was there curled up. I quietly walked away from sight and left somewhere to clear my head. Hearing the trickling sound of water nearby caught my attention as I followed it to its source. Standing in front of the water I kneeled down and looked at my reflection and as I did my hair draped over my shoulders and fell into the water becoming heavy and wet. Pulling myself back up I reached into my pocket and pulled out the kunai with a green ribbon that was given to me years ago, the same kunai that I never used before. Without thinking I grabbed the wet strands and began cutting my hair until it reached my shoulders as it did years ago. Holding the strands that I cut I felt them slip away as they began to slowly turn to snow, by now I knew enough to know that it wasn't normal. 'So this is what happened to me.' I thought to myself as I looked at the snow already beginning to melt.

'I don't want to be me…' I thought as I opened a portal and grabbed the first natural dye I could grab. With the light coming from the moon I did my best to dye every single strand of hair. Placing the dye away I looked at my hair in the water hoping that it looked as normal as possible. Placing the dye away I touched my hair surprised and upset before shaking my head at my own foolishness 'It will grow back.' Standing up I headed slowly back to the campsite before the two shinobi realized I was gone.

・

Itachi midnight novel pg. 168 for Izumi's death, and pg. 184 for Sasuke's and Itachi's interaction.