Chapter 14: Meeting the Family

Unknown

Fire was everywhere. It was behind her. Above her. The flames lapped at her sides. The only place where the fire did not spread was the path in front of her. There were figures in the flames that mocked her as they burned.

Witch. Monster. Witch. Monster. You will always be alone. No one will ever love you.

She covered her ears, hoping to block out the mocking noises. But their voices still reached her ears.

Witch. Monster. Witch. Monster. You will always be alone. No one will ever love you.

That there was something else in the flames. Chasing after her. A shadowy figure seemed unaffected by the searing heat of the fire. She had to get away from it before it caught her. Before it could torment her more.

Witch. Monster. Witch. Monster. You will always be alone. No one will ever love you.

A light shined in front of her. Hope filled her heart as she ran forward into the light. She closed her eyes, briefly blinded by the light. When she opened them again, the flames were gone.

She was in a forest clearing. She looked around, seeing that she was on a small hill overlooking a lone tree. Below that tree was a figure, a figure she knew.

She ran down the hill, a smile on her lips. Finally, someone that wouldn't treat her like a monster. Someone who cared for her. Someone to protect her from the monster. She reached out her hand and grabbed the figure by their shoulder.

"Sasuke." Yakumo said, turning the boy around. But no smile greeted her.

Instead, the boy had a sneer on his face. Her heart faltered, and the clearing was consumed by fire. "Witch."

Kurama Compound

Yakumo woke up with a start. She looked around to see that she was still in her bedroom. The forest clearing was nowhere in sight. The young girl let out a relieved breath, glade it had all been a dream. But the doubts still plagued her.

She sat up in her bed, not for the first time wishing that the dream would fade away from memory as it did with most people. Unfortunately, she always remembered what her dreams were like. She had a suspicion about what the cause was.

"I see that you are awake." A voice said.

With another start, Yakumo looked to the source of the voice. "Uncle Unkai?" She asked, seeing the man standing at the foot of her bed. "What are you doing here?"

The man walked to the side of her bed and stood at the curtains. "I thought I would be the one to wake you this morning. Instead of another clansman." He said, parting the curtains and letting in rays of early morning light.

Yakumo shielded her eyes briefly to let them adjust to the sudden change. A small smile parted her lips. With the morning, she didn't have to worry about any more nightmares plaguing her. "I had not realized morning had arrived."

Her uncle turned around and nodded. "You've only just woken up." He walked up to the side of her bed and stood over her. Yakumo gulped, suddenly feeling nervous. "You looked like you were dreaming when I came in." He said.

Yakumo didn't like the reminder of the nightmare so early in the day. She shook her. "It was nothing." She lied to the man.

Her uncle looked at her for a moment with an expression that said he didn't believe her. She silently hoped he would move past and that they would get on with the rest of the day. "I see." He said. "Then I hope it was a pleasant one."

"If only." Yakumo thought. "I think it was."

Her uncle nodded. "Good." He said in a tone of voice that told her he was thinking about something else. "Yakumo, how have you been?"

Yakumo held her head back in surprise. "Uncle, what do you mean?"

"I asked, how were you doing?" The man repeated. Yakumo stared at the man, silently asking for clarification. Her uncle sighed. "I was wondering if you've been good. If your new friends have been treating, you well."

So that was what this was about. Yakumo felt her body tensing slightly. About two weeks ago, she had come home with Kurenai-sensei and was greeted by a waiting Unkai. The man flat out said he knew about her secret gatherings with her friends, and they would discuss what would happen next.

The following conversation had understandably been very tense. Throughout the whole thing, she had been afraid. Terrified that he would forbid her from seeing her friends again, from seeing Sasuke. She was afraid that the discussion would end with her being locked in the compound for the rest of her life and that she would never see Kurenai again.

Two weeks later, she still couldn't wrap her mind around that her uncle had allowed her to keep and see her friends. Albite under some conditions. Mainly that at least one member of the clan be present as a chaperone, and she be back at the compound before her curfew. It certainly made the next few hangouts with Sasuke and his friends awkward, but the group had grown used to it.

'I've been good." Yakumo answered. "They've been good to me." She said, a smile tugging at the corners.

"That's good to hear." Her uncle said. Was that satisfaction she detected in his voice? "Tell me, what are they like?" He asked. "Are they good kids?"

Yakumo remained silent, wondering why her uncle was asking this suddenly. Fear gripped her heart. "You're not going keep me from seeing them? Are you?" She asked.

Uncle Unkai raised an eyebrow. "No, I won't." He said evenly. "Not unless you or they give me a reason to."

Yakumo was partially relieved by the man's stamen. She still felt like she was treading thin ice, but at least she didn't have to worry about being plunged into the water for the moment. She remained silent, wondering what she would tell her uncle about her friends. She had never had friends before, so she didn't know where to begin.

Before meeting Sasuke, before he introduced her to his friends, she only ever had one person that might qualify as a friend. Kurenai, and before her, Yakumo had been so alone. She had only ever known the confines of her clan's compound, rarely ever left. Even she had not strayed far from it.

She never laughed at bad jokes. Never got to play games with other children. She only ever had her clan and family. For most of her life, she had thought that would be enough. It was not. Meeting the others had shown her just how alone she had been. How much of life she had been missing.

Sasuke had been the first friend she made. He was so kind, sweet, and seemed to understand her better than anyone else. Naruto was bright and shining, always with a smile on his face, and ready to make others happy, even at his own expense. It was impossible not to be drawn to him. Hinata was perhaps the gentlest soul Yakumo had ever met. Kind and patient to a fault, the Kurama girl quickly found out the girl was a good listener. Those three alone might have been enough for her. A small collection of good friends. But then she met the others.

Ino was almost as lively as Naruto but with more of a fiery attitude. There was never a dull offer around her, and she always had a piece of gossip that would intrigue Yakumo about the inner workings of the village. Choji was so kind and sweet that she doubted he could harm a fly. Shikamaru was about as lazy as she expected a Nara to be. But underneath, she could see a sharp intellect and a kind heart. Sakura was almost as quiet as Hinata when she first met her. But once she got to know her, she was nearly as much of a spitfire as Ino was. Kiba almost as wild as some of the animals she encountered in the forest. But had a surprisingly sweet side when he wanted to show it and demonstrated the same loyalty his clan was known for. Shino, she still couldn't get a beat on that quiet boy, but she suspected that he had a kind nature.

They were all wonderful people, and Yakumo was happy to have met them and gotten to know them. She felt honored to be among their friend group. They had not been what she had expected. She had been afraid that they would reject her, even fear her as they learned more about her abilities. Instead, they were amazed by her talent with genjutsu and encouraged her to follow her dream of becoming a great Kunoichi through that art.

They did not fear as she expected, they embraced her. They did not reject her, they came to accept her. What words could she use to describe them? How could she tell her uncle about them without failing?

But she had to try. If she didn't, she feared what her uncle would do. "They're good people." She began. "They've been so kind to me. Every day when I go to see them, I'm afraid that they'll reject me. That they'll find me weird or become afraid of my abilities. Be they accept me and encourage me to grow. I never knew how nice it was just to talk to someone else, Or play games like hiding and seek or tag. And they are all such amazing people." She then went into detail about what she thought of each of her friends. Their personalities, their interest, how they treated her as a person. When she got to Sasuke, she described him as being the most amazing of them all.

How he was the first friend she made outside of Kurenai-Sensei. How he had opened her world up in ways she had never imagined. By the time she was done, she was almost out of breath, and her throat felt dry. Her uncle had a strange expression on his face, one she had never seen before. It looks almost conflicted. "They sound like a good bunch of kids." He commented.

Yakumo had a gentle smile on. "They are. I'm glad I meet them. I'm glad they accepted me."

"That's only because you haven't told them about me?" A voice said in the back of her mind. "They won't be your friends when they find you're really a witch."

Yakumo hid her frown well. "No! They won't." Her mind said with finality. For once, it was the voice that remained silent.

"Especially this Uchiha boy." Her uncle continued, unaware of the brief mental conversation. "You spoke very highly of him."

Yakumo nodded. "He was my first friend. And he's" A small blush formed on her cheeks as she whispered the last part of her sentence.

"What was that?" Uncle Unkai said, leaning in closer.

Yakumo's checks felt hotter now. "I think he's cute."

A moment later, Yakumo was treated to another strange sight, her uncle smiling. It was the same knowing smile that Kurenai gave her sometimes. Almost as quickly as it came, it was gone. "He does sound like an interesting boy." He said, rubbing his chin. "I would like for you to pass an invitation when you see him later today."

Yakumo straighten up in her bed. "An invitation?" She asked.

"Yes." Her uncle confirmed. "I would like for him to attend a dinner here."

For a moment, Yakumo felt like her heart had stopped. "What?" She questioned, uncertain she had heard him right.

"I said I would like for you to invite him over for dinner. I want to meet this boy and get to know him," Her Uncle clarified. "Is there a problem with that?"

"No," Yakumo said quickly. She wanted to say something against it. She knew her uncle had ulterior motives beyond wishing to meet one of her friends. But she also knew this would be an excellent chance to prove to her uncle that having friends wouldn't hamper her training. Plus, it would be nice to have Sasuke over at her home. Trying to and failing to hide her blush, Yakumo spoke. "When should he come over?"

Her uncle thought about it for a moment. "Tomorrow night." He answered. "That way, he will have time to prepare. It also gave us the chance to make the necessary arrangements."

Yakumo nodded. That sounded reasonable to her. "Alright, I'll tell him when I meet him later." She said.

Her uncle stood up. "Then it is decided. I look forward to meeting your friend." He stepped away. "Perhaps this will even be a chance to strengthen relations with the Uchiha clan. I will see you at breakfast." Then he left the room.

Yakumo shot out of her bed and ran to her closet, with her heart racing. She had some preparations to make. Now, where did she put her nice Kimono?

Uchiha Compound

Sasuke gave himself one last look in the mirror. He checked to make sure his hair was combed properly. It still irked him that a part of his apparent duck tail refused to be flattened over. He then looked over the Yukata he wore. Making sure it was fastened properly around him. It was mostly black with gray lines that went down the body and a gray sash wrapped around the waist. On the back and the sleeves, the Uchiha crest could be seen.

He smiled, satisfied that everything appeared to be in place. Now, if only he could stop his heart from racing. He took a breath, reminding himself to stay calm. It wasn't like this was a huge event for him. He was just visiting a friend's home, even having dinner with them and their family.

He had done it before with Naruto and Hinata several times. A few times with the others as well. So, having dinner at Yakumo's home shouldn't be any different, right? He looked himself in the mirror one more time.

A small chuckle broke him out of his routine. "Little brother, if you continue to look into the mirror, people will start talking." Sasuke turned around to see that Itachi was standing in the door frame of his room.

Mother was behind him, giving her youngest a proud smile. "Oh, my precious little duck. You look so handsome in that Yukata." She gushed. "All the girls in the village are just going to fall hands over heels for you."

Itachi smiled. "Last, I check, that has already happened. Or have you forgotten about all the daily letters we get?"

Mother laughed. "I suppose that is true." She looked at a red-faced Sasuke. "But that Yakumo girl is certainly in for a treat tonight."

Sasuke suppresses a low moan. "Can you two stop embarrassing me?" He said, looking back into the mirror.

He heard his brother chuckle. "No," He answered flatly. "It is a part of what family does."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I think I can do without that part." He said, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his face.

He saw his mother walk up to him and wrap her arms around him. Both figures look into their reflection. "But you do look very handsome tonight, Sasuke." She said. "That girl will think you're the most handsome boy in the village." Despite that, his mother was smiling, a tear rolled down her cheek. "It feels like I was holding you in my arms just yesterday. Now I turn around, and you're going to girl's houses." She whipped away the tears. "You've grown so much and so fast."

Sasuke kept himself from rolling his eyes. "I've been to other girls' homes before." He said. "Hinata, Ino, and even Sakura's once."

His mother pursed her lips together. "I suppose that is true." She admitted. "But I feel this one will be different."

Sasuke looked up at his mother. "What do you mean?" He asked.

The Uchiha matriarch chuckled. "You'll understand when you're older." She said. She turned her son around and looked him over. Straitening his Yukata out in places Sasuke had missed and tightening the sash around his waist. With a satisfied smile, she nodded. "You'll have to tell me all about it when I get back."

"You're leaving?" Sasuke asked.

"I am." His mother confirmed. "I've given a mission. In fact, it's the first B-Rank mission since I rejoined the Shinobi Corp. So, I'll be gone for several weeks."

"Are you sure you're ready for that?" Itachi asked. "It's only been a year since you rejoined the Shinobi ranks."

Mother waved him off. "Try not to worry too much." She said. "I was known as the Red-Death before I had you, boys." She looked back at her youngest. "But enough talk about me. This is your day, Sasuke, and I hope it will be good for you." She said, planting a kiss on Sasuke's forehead.

"Mom," Sasuke said, red-faced and whipping the mark away. "Stop embarrassing me."

His mother chuckled. "No can do. It's a mother's job." She said, standing up and walking away from him. "You have a good Sasuke, and I'll see you when I get back." Then she left the room.

Sasuke let out a sigh. "Why must that woman insist on treating me like a child? I'm almost twelve, and she still embarrasses me."

His brother chuckled. "Try not to take it too hard. She used to do the same with me." He said, looking at the doorframe where their mother exited through. "Though maybe not as frequently or with as much enthusiasm. I think that might be because she knows that she doesn't have much time left before you're grown up. And," A frown formed on Itachi's face. "And because you're the last child she'll ever have."

Sasuke looked at his older brother, shocked by his statement. "What do you mean?"

Itachi looked down at him, giving the younger Uchiha sibling a grim look. "You remember the night that Yashiro's men attacked? How one of them stabbed mother through the stomach?" Sasuke shuddered and nodded. How could he ever forget that night? "That same injury ruptured her Uterus. Not even Tsunade-Sama could repair the damage. As such, mother can no longer have children."

"I never knew." Sasuke said quietly.

Itachi nodded. "I think mother didn't want to worry you."

Sasuke remained silent for a while as the implications settled into his mind. He had never thought about the possibility that his mother wanted to have another child. That he could become an older brother. Now that the possibility was gone, he felt sad.

"I wouldn't minded having a little brother." Sasuke said, then a small smile spread across his face. "Or even a little sister."

Itachi returned the smile. "You would have been a good older brother, Sasuke." Then he held his hand out. "Come now, as mother said, this is your day. It is best not to dwell on what could have been. Instead, we should look to what can be."

Sasuke silently nodded. "I guess." He said. What Itachi told him still lingered on in his mind for a moment. "Let's go." He took Itachi's hand, and both brothers walked out of his room.

Within moments they were at the front entrance of their home. They were about to walk out when a familiar voice stopped them. "Leaving so soon?" Both Uchiha siblings turned to face their father. The man was giving them a kind smile. He then looked directly at his youngest. "My son already going out to see a girl. Where has the time gone." He walked up and knelt before Sasuke.

"Father." Sasuke said curtly, keeping closely to Itachi. Why couldn't they leave the compound in peace?

His father's smile faltered for a moment but quickly regained its confidence. "Sasuke, please. I know we're not on the best of terms right now. But please permit me this one moment. Let me be a father."

Sasuke wanted to deny him that chance. He wanted to open his mouth and say that he had been no father to him for most of his life. Then he remembered his conversation with Yakumo, how she lost her parents. How she lost any chance to reconcile with them. He kept his mouth shut and pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind. He nodded slowly.

Father reached out his hand. For a moment, Sasuke flinched but quickly got control of himself, allowing his father to place his hand on his shoulder. The man looked over his son and used his other hand to straighten out his Yukata, or stray strand of hair. "You look very handsome, Sasuke. I'm sure that you'll have that girl blushing all night."

Sasuke turned his head away, trying to hide the slight taint on his checks. "Th-thanks." He said. Didn't he get enough of this with mother?

His father's smile took a more joking twist of the lip. "I'm sure that mother has embarrassed you enough for the both of us." He said. "So, I'll keep this short." He nodded to a clansman that Sasuke hadn't noticed standing close by. The man nodded and walked to Sasuke's father. He handed him something and was quickly dismissed. "When visiting another clan's compound for the first time, it is traditional that a gift is offered."

He handed Sasuke a small rectangle box wrapped in a red ribbon. The Uchiha crest was visible on the top of the grey box. "What is it?" He asked, curious about the contents.

"Just a little something from the vaults." His father said. "I know we may be jumping the Kunai here. But I'm glad that you meet this girl. You seem happier now."

"I am?" Sasuke questioned. He hadn't noticed any change in himself since meeting Yakumo. How had his father noticed, and did others notice as well?"

His father nodded. "You are. You're not quite the ray of sunshine that your blonde friend is." Sasuke rolled his eyes at the jab. "But you seem happier now, less withdrawn than you were a few months ago. You're more like what you used to be before." His father trailed off. "Before the incident."

Sasuke gave a curt nod knowing what his father was referring to. For a moment, he saw his father's face darken with grief and regret. Then he shook his head, seemingly throwing his thoughts off.

"Regardless of how your friendship turns out with this girl. She has mine and your mother's, thanks. Can you tell her that when you see her?" Father asked.

"I'll think about it." Sasuke said. He was uncertain if Yakumo really had that kind of effect on him.

"Good." His father said with a nod. Then his smile got mischievous, and Sasuke felt a bead of sweet roll down his neck. "Though come to think of it. I wouldn't mind having another addition to the family someday." He said. Sasuke was fairly certain that his face resembled his favorite food right now.

"F-f-father!" Sasuke sputtered out. "We're just friends."

His father chuckled. "Of course, you are." He said, standing up and looking at Itachi. "Speaking of. When are you going to get around to proposing to Izumi?" Sasuke was treated to the rare sight of seeing his older brother blushing. "You've been with her for a long time. Don't you think it's time you settled down with her? Maybe even start a family? I know that mother is dying to have grandkids to spoil."

"I do not think I am ready for that just yet." Itachi said. "Plus, aren't I a little young to be thinking about starting a family?"

Father shook his head. "You forget, we are Shinobi. Our lives are often too short. I wasn't much older than you were now when your mother and I had you."

Itachi nodded. "I understand that." He said. "But it is for that reason I want to take things slowly with Izumi. I want to have some semblance of normalcy in my life. Please understand father."

Father held his hand up to stop Itachi. "I understand, my son. Don't feel like you have to get into a rush on your parent's account. Take all the time you want, Izumi. Enjoy every moment with her. And when the day does come, I will be the happiest father in the world." He looked over at Sasuke. "The same thing goes for you, Sasuke. Now then, I believe I've held you up long enough. It would not reflect well on the clan if you were late for this special occasion. I hope you have a good night, Sasuke." He turned around. "If things do turn out well. Your mother and I would not mind if you invited this Yakumo over to the compound. We both would love to meet this girl."

"I'll think about it." Sasuke said. "And thank you."

He didn't need to see his father's face to see the smile. "You have a good night, Sasuke." Then he walked away.

Without another word, the brothers walked out of their home. Walking down the streets, they were occasionally greeted by a wondering clansman before they got to the gates and left the compound.

Sasuke didn't know how long they walked the streets of Konoha, minutes? Hours? He couldn't be sure. What he was sure of was the growing pit he felt in his stomach. Was it too early to be visiting a friend's house like this? Especially a girl's? When had he started to visit the Hyūga compound to see Naruto and Hinata? Was he dressed properly for this? Would Yakumo's clan like him? Would her uncle?

Wait. He looked around, seeing they were walking around an unfamiliar part of Konoha. Were they even going in the right direction? Yakumo had given him the directions to her clan's compound. But if he misheard her or didn't remember it, right? What would Yakumo think if she were left waiting for him all night because he didn't remember where she lived?

Sasuke shook his head. No, he shouldn't be thinking like he knew where Yakumo lived and how to get there. Besides, Sasuke looked at his older brother. Even if he somehow forgot, he was sure that Itachi knew and would have said something if they were going in the wrong direction.

"Just calm down, Sasuke." The young Uchiha thought to himself. "You're just visiting another friend's house. It's not different from hanging out with Naruto and Hinata at their place. Or even the others." He told himself. So why then did he feel like he was walking on molten rock?

Itachi seemed to notice his younger brother's nervous that matter, Sasuke was pretty sure that people over at Suna noticed. "Nervous little brother?" He asked.

Sasuke opened his mouth to say no. But then shut it. He knew he could never hide anything from his brother. He nodded. "I am." He answered.

Itachi gave him a soft smile. "Understandable." He said. "I was nervous too when I first visited Izumi's home. Kami above, I was scared out of my wits."

That surprised Sasuke. He had never known his brother to be afraid of anything. "You were afraid?" He inquired further.

"Of course, I was." Itachi said with a chuckle. "I wasn't just visiting Izumi's home for the first time. I was going to meet her family. With how scared I was, I think I would have rather faced Madara, Orochimaru, and the Kyūbi all at the same time. Better odds of survival that way. It didn't help that as soon as I walked in, the first thing I saw was Izumi's father sharpening his Katana." That was the first time Sasuke ever saw his brother shiver. Then a warm smile crossed his face. "But I quickly learned that my fears were unfounded, mostly. I had a good time that day, and her family liked me. Now I try to visit her home whenever I can. Her parents even keep a seat out for me." Itachi chuckled. "Though her father still keeps his Katana out whenever I visit. His own way of reminding me what would happen should I ever break her heart."

Sasuke winced in sympathy. No matter how much he loved his older brother. There was no way he was going to help Itachi out of that highly unlikely scenario.

"My point is," Itachi continued with his story. "It is okay to be nervous. But you shouldn't let it drive you. You're going to have a good time, and her family is going to love you. Try to treat this no different from your visits to your other friend's homes."

As strange as it sounded, that did make Sasuke feel a little better. Not much, but the younger Uchiha was a little less nervous now. "Thanks, Itachi." He said after a moment. "I needed that."

"Think nothing of it, Sasuke." Itachi responded. "You're my little brother. I'm supposed to help you in times like this." Then a devious smile formed on his lips, and Sasuke had to suppress a shudder. "Although, depending on how well this night goes. As father said, we may one day have another addition to our family."

Once more, Sasuke was sure his head could have been mistaken for his favorite food. "Itachi!" Sasuke whined.

Itachi was now openly laughing. "I'm sorry. Father and mother got their chance, and I couldn't pass up mine." He said between breaths. In a few moments, he got a hold of himself. "But in all seriousness, I hope your night goes well." Itachi looked ahead. "Looks like we arrived."

Briefly confused, Sasuke looked over in the same direction and felt his nervousness return tenfold. The left-winged crest of the Kurama clan was unmistakable to Sasuke now that he had known Yakumo for so long. The Kurama compound wasn't anything grand like the Uchiha and Hyūga clans had. It was a bit more in line with the other clan compounds Sasuke had seen. Like the Nara or the Inuzuka, in terms of size and scale. But it was no less impressive. At a single glance at its architecture, it showed that it was home to a clan while on the decline, was still respected and feared. For some reason to Sasuke, it projected an ominous aura. Sasuke gulped.

The two Uchiha brothers walked up to its front entrance and were greeted by a single guard. "Halt." The man said sternly. "State your names and business here. Otherwise, leave now."

Sasuke nervously nodded. "I'm Uchiha Sasuke." He said. "And this is my brother Uchiha Itachi. We were- I mean, I was invited here." He tried to explain, feeling his throat go dry. "To have dinner with Yaku- Kurama Yakumo and her family." He saw a flash of emotion in the guard's eyes for a moment. Something Sasuke couldn't quite understand. It almost looked like fear.

The man quickly composed himself. "Do you have an invitation?" He asked?

"An invitation?" Sasuke questioned. "Oh, right!" He said, realizing what the man meant. He searched around in his Yukata, looking for the letter Yakumo had given him. Where did he put that thing? He couldn't have forgotten to grab it? Did he? Sasuke felt his cheeks heat up in embarrassment as he continued to look.

A slight cough got his attention. He looked at Itachi. He was holding out the letter. Sasuke sent a silent thank to his brother, getting a knowing wink from him. Sasuke looked back at the guard and handed him the letter.

"Everything appears to check out." The guard said after his eyes finished scanning over the invitation. He handed the letter back to Sasuke. "I bid you welcome to Kurama Compound, and I apologize for the earlier rudeness."

Before Sasuke could respond, his brother waved the man off. "No need to apologize. You were just doing your job." Then he looked at Sasuke. "This is where I leave you. I hope you will have a good night."

"You're not coming in with me?" Sasuke asked.

Itachi shook his head. "This is your night, Sasuke. Not mine." He said, looking at the guard. "I trust that my brother will be safe under your clan's care?"

The guard almost looked incredulous at Itachi's question. "Of course, Uchiha-Sama." He said. "Your brother will be treated as an honored guest while at our compound."

Itachi nodded, seemingly satisfied by the answer. "Then I leave him in your care Kurama-San." He looked at Sasuke, giving the younger brother a fond smile. "Goodnight, Sasuke. I'll pick you up when two hours."

Sasuke nodded and returned the goodbye. When his brother was gone, he turned around to face the guard. "You may enter whenever you want." The man said.

Sasuke nodded. He took a deep breath to quell the growing pit of nervousness growing in his stomach. He could do this. He was just visiting a friend's house. He stepped past the gates, entering a large garden with a path that led to a large building, the main compound. Walking up to the front entrance, he saw a woman waiting for him. Another guard, perhaps?

He got his answer when the woman bowed to him. "Uchiha-Sama, we are honored that you accept our invitation." She said, rising up. 'Unkai-Sama and Yakumo-Sama are both waiting for you inside. Shall I escort you in?"

Sasuke nodded. "Yes." He said.

The woman nodded and opened the door as Sasuke stepped up to the entrance. He walked in and heard the door slide shut behind him. The woman stepped in front of him. "Come, I'll show you to the dining room where the others are waiting." She said.

Sasuke followed after her.

It didn't take them long to arrive at the dining room, though it felt like hours to Sasuke. "I'll inform Unkai-Sama that you have arrived. Would you mind waiting here for a moment?" His escort asked.

Sasuke nodded. He felt like he needed a moment to compose himself. The woman entered the dining hall leaving Sasuke alone for a moment. Sasuke took a deep breath, several deep breaths.

"Alright, Sasuke, just calm down. You're just having dinner at a friend's house." Sasuke told himself. "A friend who just so happens to be a pretty girl. Like Hinata or even Ino. Yea, it's like visiting their homes. Just. Just try not to embarrass yourself here." With that last bit of mental suggestion, Sasuke was invited into the dining hall.

Quickly mapping a route of escape just in case, Sasuke walked in. "May I introduce our guest. Uchiha Sasuke." His escort said.

Sasuke quickly bowed and recited the lines he had been told to say. "Greetings I am Uchiha Sasuke. I am honored that you invited me here for dinner. I hope this will be the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the Uchiha clan and the Kurama clan."

"You may rise Uchiha-Sama." He heard a man's voice. Sasuke did as the man said. He looked at the man that he guessed was Yakumo's Uncle. He did see some of the family resemblance in the brown hair, though it was a lighter shade.

He heard his escort introduce the man. "This is Kurama Unkai, the current head of the Kurama clan and Uncle to the girl next to him. You may already know her as Kurama Yakumo."

Sasuke turned his head slightly to look at his most recent friend. He felt the breath leave his mouth. "Beautiful." That was the only word that he could use to describe what he was seeing now. He always knew that Yakumo was a very pretty girl, but what he was seeing was something completely different.

Yakumo was dressed in a red Kimono with white flower designs. Wrapped around her waist was a similarly red sash. Her hair was braided into a single long ponytail that draped over her shoulder. Sasuke blinked was Yakumo wearing makeup? Because he had never seen the girl glow so much.

His mind was a complete blank as he took in the sight. Commenting every detail to memory, even the small blush that tainted Yakumo's cheeks. He didn't know how long he had been staring when he heard a cough. He looked over at Yakumo's Uncle seeing that man was giving him a smile that somehow felt both forced and genuine.

"If you're done gawking at my niece." The man said. "I think we should continue on with the proceedings."

Sasuke nodded, stealing one last look at Yakumo. "Right, sorry." He said. "I'm honored that you invited me over for dinner."

Unkai nodded. "And we are honored that you accepted." The man responded. "And it is my pleasure to have finally met you. My niece tells me a lot about you."

"She does?" Sasuke asked, wondering what Yakumo might have said about him.

"She has." The Kurama head confirmed. "She thinks highly of you. I will be interested to see if you live up to your reputation."

Sasuke nodded. "Oh, right." Sasuke held out the gift that his father gave him. "A gift from my clan."

The Kurama clan head eyed the box carefully before he took it. "The Kurama clan accepts this gift graciously." He said, then looked at Sasuke's escort. "Kanako-San, please take this to my quarters. I will examine it later."

The woman bowed. "Yes, Unkai-Sama. I hope your dinner goes well." She took the gift and left the dining hall.

Unkai looked at Sasuke and gestured to the prepared table. "Now then, I think it's time we got to our seats."

Sasuke nodded, eager to get on with the night. Unkai stepped ahead of a waiting Yakumo. "I'm glad that you came tonight." She said as Sasuke stepped beside her. Then she blushed as she looked him over. "You. You look very handsome."

"Thanks." Sasuke said, feeling his throat go dry. "You look pr-pretty in that Kimono. Did you pick it, or did you have help?"

Yakumo nodded. "Yea, Kurenai helped me pick it out when she learned of tonight's dinner." Both children seated themselves at the table.

Sasuke was sitting across from Yakumo, and her uncle sat next to her. Not a moment later, a few other Kurama clansmen started to layout plates of soup. "Indeed, she did." Her uncle, after taking the first mouthful of the soup. "Ended her training early and took her out shopping. I don't think I saw her until after she got back after seeing you."

Sasuke nodded, following along with the story. "She looks very pretty in it." He repeated his earlier compliment.

Unkai nodded. "I agree." He said. "Very fitting for this sitting. I may have to convince her to wear something like it when she starts to display her works."

"Uncle." Yakumo said. "You know I'm not ready for something like that. I'm not good enough."

"Non-sense." Her uncle waved her off. "Your paintings are some of the finest I have seen in my life. Any museum would be honored to display your works."

Sasuke agreed with the man. "He's right. They're very good."

Unkai gave Sasuke an appcieteive nod. "See, even your friend here agrees." He said. "So, you're a fan of niece's paintings?"

"I am." Sasuke answered, then scratched his cheek. "I don't know all that much about art." He admitted, inwardly cursing himself for not paying attention to his classes about the arts. He thought they were useless compared to some of the other stuff. Now he was kicking himself for that. "But I can see that they're very good. Good enough to be in any museum in the village. Maybe in the elemental nations."

Yakumo seemed to find her plate of soup to be very interesting. "You see, Yakumo, you are good enough. So maybe you should reconsider."

"I'll think about it." Yakumo said silently.

Unkai shook his head with a fond smile on his face. Then he seemed to realize something and steeled his features. That got a raised eyebrow from Sasuke. He was beginning to suspect there was more to this dinner.

For a moment, conversation ceased, and an awkward silence pervaded over the dinner. The group of three got through their soup and were handed the entrée. Sasuke wanted to say a thing, bring up a subject of interest, but it felt like it had become a taboo to break the silence. About half through the entrée, Yakumo's Uncle broke the silence.

"So, Yakumo tells me that you are attending the academy. "Unkai asked.

Sasuke nodded. "Yea, I'm at the top of my class. Along with my friends Naruto and Hinata." He explained.

"That is to be expected from someone like you." Unkai said. "Though it is a little unusual. Usually, clan children don't attend the academy until the final year and are trained by their clan."

"I think my parents wanted me to be able to make friends outside of the clan." Sasuke said. Though he also suspects it was because the other clan heirs were attending as well. Knowing his father at the time, he probably wanted Sasuke to demonstrate the superiority of the Uchiha clan while building and maintaining relations with the other clans.

Unkai nodded. "A reasonable decision." He said." Pending on how well her training goes. You may see Yakumo in the academy in your final year."

"That would be nice." Sasuke admitted truthfully. It would give him more chances to see her. He thinks she would excel at the academy, maybe beat out Hinata for top Kunoichi if she set her mind to it.

"Tell me, how did you meet my niece?" Yakumo's uncle then asked. They had gone through the entrees, and the main dishes were being served. "As I understand it, you met her some months ago, in the same forest clearing that you meet with her at every day."

"Yea, we did meet there." Sasuke wondered if he should tell them about the details of their first encounter. It felt like something that should be kept between Sasuke and Yakumo. But at the same time, it felt like such a small thing that it seemed pointless to keep quiet about. He decided to tell the man his side of the story, omitting some of the more embarrassing parts. In particular, the part where he fell trying to go after Yakumo.

The Kurama clan head was rubbing his chin at the end of the story. He had a faintly amused smile. "Doesn't sound much like a first encounter." He commented.

"I guess." Sasuke said, getting a nod from Yakumo. "But it did get us interested in seeing each other again."

"It was our second meeting where we learned more about each other." Yakumo spoke up. "I think it was because of that we were able to become friends. Since then, these past few months have been some of the happiest in my life."

"The same goes for me." Sasuke added. "Just before leaving, my father told me how I been different since meeting Yakumo. He said I was more like myself before the Incident with my clan a few years back."

Unkai seemed to ponder what the two children had said. He had a heavy frown on as he spoke his next question. "Tell me, Sasuke-San. What do you think of my niece?"

Sasuke blinked. "What?" He asked.

The Kurama clan head sat his eating utensils down on the table and stared fully at the Uchiha boy. "What do you think of Yakumo? What are your thoughts on her?"

"Uncle?" Yakumo said. Sasuke sensed the underline current of fear in her voice.

"Stay out of this Yakumo." Unkai said flatly.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the man. He laid his eating utensils on the table. "I think she's great and one of the nicest girls I have ever met." He said, carefully choosing his words.

Unkai remained silent for a moment, as though he was waiting for Sasuke to say something more. "I see." He said in a tone devoid of any emotion.

Sasuke felt a frown tugging at the corners of his lips. He didn't know why but ever since Yakumo had invited him over to tonight's dinner, he had felt like there was something more to it. He had the feeling that Yakumo's uncle had ulterior motives for inviting him over. Sitting here now, sitting in front of this man. Sasuke began to get a suspicion of what the motive was.

"Well, it is very good that you think of her that way." Unkai began. "I'm pleased to know that Yaku…"

'What do you think of her?"

The man blinked. "What?"

"What do you think of her." Sasuke repeated his question. "What do you think, your niece. Of Yakumo? What do you really know of her?"

"She's, my niece." Unkai said. "Of course, I know her."

Sasuke chuckled. "Do you?" He asked. "Do you really, now? You've locked her up for so long. Kept her away from everyone. How much time do you actually spend time with her? Outside of watching her training and telling her to stay inside?"

"I know her." The man said, confidence in his voice. But his eyes betrayed him. As an Uchiha, Sasuke could see the hesitation in his eyes.

"I don't think you do." Sasuke said firmly. "You don't know what an amazing girl she is. How wonderful of a person she is. She is the nicest and most beautiful girl I have ever met." And this was coming from someone who had met Hyūga Hinata. "And smart too. She knows lots of things that I don't. Like Botany and how animals work. She even knows about the human antimony."

For once, the man's eyes widen in surprise. "You know botany?" He asked his niece. "You know antimony?"

Yakumo started to play with her hair. "It uhh." She stammered out with a slight blush. "It helps with my paintings and sketches. Knowing how the body works and how it moves."

Sasuke smiled, glad Yakumo had given him something else to talk about. "And her paintings." He said, almost at a loss for words. "They are some of the most amazing things I have ever seen. They're beautiful. You've seen them, haven't you?"

"Yes, I have." The man said. "She's very good at it." There it was. Very subtle, something that a civilian would have missed. A smile, a genuine smile. Not that fake one that he gave Sasuke when they introduced themselves. This one was real. It was only there for a second, maybe two, before the man ironed out his features.

Sasuke wanted to growl at the man. "Very good?" Sasuke said. Not believing what he heard. "She's more than good at it. Or even very good. She's amazing at it. The way she draws out the lines. How she painstakingly shades each and every color. It looks so real that I feel like I can reach in and feel whatever she is painting." If it were a tree or a plant, he could almost feel the rough bark of the wood, the smooth, cool edges of the leaves. If she were painting an animal, he would almost imagine himself feeling it breathe. "And she puts so much effort into them. Do you have any idea why she paints?"

Unkai looked like he was about to answer. But kept his mouth shut as he seemed to realize the answer to Sasuke's question. He shook his head.

"I think it's both an escaped and a way for her to express how she feels." Even as he answered his own question, Sasuke realized he had never put much thought into it until now. He always thought it was something that Yakumo simply liked to do and was very good at it. Now though, he realized it was something more than doing something she liked. "It's an escape from the loneliness that you imposed on her. Her paintings are an expression of the isolation she has to endure for years now. It's no wonder she feels so happy to be around me and my friends. If I had lived a life like that, I would be so happy to have someone to talk to. Someone who cared about me and would never leave me alone. Yakumo is the most amazing girl I have ever met, and you." Sasuke pointed an accusatory finger at the man. "And you have kept her lock-up here for most of her life. Away from anyone who would appreciate what a kind and sweet girl she is, and for what? Fear? Jealously?" He lowered his finger and looked over at Yakumo. The girl looked shocked and appeared to be on the verge of tears. He then looked back at her uncle. "I don't care what reasons you had for inviting me here. But if it is to tell me to stop seeing her. Then you already have my answer. I don't care if you do lock her up here in your compound. I'll find a way to get to her. I don't care how long it takes or what it takes. I'll find a way in and break her out. The same goes for my friends."

A long silence fell over the table at the end of Sasuke's speech. Long enough that the main course of the dinner was brought in. "I think I need to step out for a bit." Yakumo's uncle said as his plate was placed down. He stood up and bowed to the others at the table. "Please pardon my rudeness." Then he left the dining room.

The silence continued for a short while before Yakumo was the one to break it. "Did you mean it?" She asked.

"What?" Sasuke asked, blinking.

"What you said about me." The girl clarified. "Did you mean it?"

Sasuke blushed and scratched the back of his head. "Uhh, y-yea." He said nervously. Now that he realized it, it was embarrassing to say all those things in front of Yakumo like that. He hoped he didn't make her too uncomfortable. "You're my friend. I would do anything for you."

Yakumo's face went through a range of different emotions. It was hard to tell what she was feeling. But Sasuke got the impression she was grateful. "Thank you." She choked in a quiet whisper.

Sasuke nodded, smiling at the girl. "As I said, you're my friend, and I would do anything for you." He said. He looked over where her uncle had exited the room. He realized that there was something else he needed to do. "If you excuse me. I need to," Sasuke trailed off as he tried to think of an excuse. "I need to use the bathroom."

This night had not been what Unkai had expected.

The Kurama clan head stood outside his clan's home and stared at the starry night sky. To be truthful, he didn't know what to expect from this night. The boy had been right, he had gone into this dinner planning for a way to separate Yakumo from the boy. He wasn't going to act tonight.

That would have been too bold and rash. Something only a civilian would have done, as a Shinobi, he knew that all things required an element of subtly. Not to mention if he did act rashly, it could incur the wrath of the Uchiha. As weak as they were in the last couple of years, they were still one of the strongest clans in the village.

Unkai shook his head. No, the matter had to be resolved with a more delicate touch. That had been the plan. Invite the boy over and learn more about him. Find out about how he met his niece and what relation they had. Probe that relation for any weakness and exploit it to drive a wedge between them. It never occurred to him that in of itself was a fatal mistake.

He never thought in his wildest dreams that he would end up liking that boy. Sure, he had been expecting to smile and greet the young man warmly. Anything else would be tipping his hand over too early. So, he put on a fake smile, a skill he had mastered at a younger age than the children inside were now. But to his dismay, he found that smile had become genuine a few times over the course of their short but informative conversation.

The boy was undoubtedly intelligent and well-mannered. That was expected from the son of the Uchiha clan head. What he didn't expect was that boy would be so, dare he say, protective of Yakumo. He hadn't realized how strong a bond the two had formed. Or rather how much of an option the boy had formed of his niece.

He had expected their friendship to be a weak, tenuous thing that all early childhood friendships seem to be. The two had only known each other for a short while, a few months at most. How could he have expected them to have formed such a strong bond in so little time?

He wasn't so surprised about it from his niece. As much as he hated to admit it, that was his own fault. He had isolated his own flesh and blood for so long that the girl would have clung to anyone that showed her the slightest kindness. He did it to protect the clan, the village, and most of all, her.

Her abilities in the clan's arts and bloodline were powerful. The most powerful ever seen in the history of the Kurama clan. That alone would have ensured she would have become a great kunoichi. But there was a dark secret to the abilities of the Kurama clan. Something that was only known to the clan and a few trusted outsiders. Many in their clan's history had lost their lives to it or suffered worse fates. With how powerful Yakumo's abilities were, he feared the danger she posed to herself and everyone else around her if she lost control.

At the time, it felt like the best choice was to keep Yakumo away from others. At least until she had mastered her abilities. It was for her own good.

Unkai shook his head and sighed. "How many times has that excuse been used?" He thought bitterly. How many times had he used it? How many times had that been small comfort to him?

He looked up at the sky. It would be so much easier if the girl wasn't his niece. He heard the door slide open behind him. He glanced over and was surprised when he saw the boy that had thrown a shiuken into his plans.

"There you are." Uchiha Sasuke said.

Unkai turned to face the boy. "What are you doing out here?" He asked

"Looking for you." The boy said, closing the door behind him. "I wanted to talk to you. In private."

Now Unkai was curious, though he suspected what the boy wanted to talk about. "About what?" He asked, starting up the conversation.

The young Uchiha remained silent for a moment. "Why?" He asked. "Why do you keep her here? Why do you insist on keeping her away from other people?"

"It is for her own good." He said, giving the boy the same reason, he had told himself for the past few years.

"For her own good?" Sasuke asked, barely hiding the anger in his voice. "How can keeping her locked and away from others be for her own good? Do you have any idea how much it hurts her to be alone for so long? She has no friends and, as far as I'm concerned, no family."

The anger Unkai felt at the boy's statement was quickly overshadowed by another feeling. Guilt. The boy's statement wasn't inaccurate. Yakumo had a clan, but at that moment, it would hardly qualify as a family with how they were treating her. "What do you know of her life?" He said in denial.

The boy scoffed. "More than you." He said. "she's told me about her life here. How you all treat her. No matter how much she tells me that you treat her well or care about her. I can read between the lines. Whenever she talks about her life here, I get this feeling." He paused. "Do you know who Uzumaki Naruto is?"

"The Jinchūriki boy?" What could that boy have to do with anything here? "Yes, I believe he was an orphan boy taken in by the Hyūga. Something about saving the heiress and awakening a new Genkai Kekkei." He answered.

"That's more or less the story." Sasuke responded. "He's a friend of mine. He's a dope, but he's helped me through some stuff over the years. Especially when it comes to my family. "The boy had a small smile on his lips. Then he shook his head and waved a thought off. "But that's not important right now. What is, is when he talks about his past before he was taken in by the Hyūga. When Yakumo talks about her life, I get the same feeling from Naruto when he tells me about his past. A strong sense of loneliness."

"I see." Unkai said, uncertain how he should feel.

Sasuke shook his head. "No, you don't." He said. "You've had her isolated for so long that she feels alone even when she is with others. She had never had someone else to talk to. Never had anyone been around to comfort her when she feels down. Never had anyone to share the good moments with. Or simply just to be there." Sasuke's voice was cracking a little now. "If you are her uncle, why do you keep doing this to her? Can't you see how much it's hurting her? Don't you care about her? She's your niece."

For the life of him, Unkai could not answer the boy's question. Not in any good way. Looking back at the moments he had with his niece, he realized there was always a shadow of something under her face. Something he had always missed or ignored.

"I do care about her." Did he?

He saw the boy ball his hands into fists. "Then why? Tell me, why must she be kept away from others? What reason could justify isolating her from the rest of the village? Keep her from having friends and having a good life? Tell me."

For a moment, Unkai debated what he should tell the boy next and how he would answer his queries. Should he tell him that it was none of his concern? That the reasoning was clan business alone. That was liable to make the boy even more angry than he was now.

Or should he tell him about the secret of the Kurama clan? The reason behind their talent for Genjutsu and the reason behind their decline in power and status. "It might even be enough to drive him and his friends away from Yakumo." He thought darkly. It would accomplish his goal.

He mentally shook the thought off as he realized that it may not work and could even backfire on him. To his astonishment, a part of him didn't want to go through with that plan. He looked at the boy. This night had not been what he expected. He had hoped that by the end of this night, he would have devised a plan for separating Yakumo from her friend. No matter how much it hurt her, it was for the best.

Now he wasn't sure what to expect. Over the course of a single brief conversation, so much had been thrown into doubt. Unkai was a steadfast man. When he took an action, he stuck to it through its end. Years ago, soon after the death of her parents, he had made a decision regarding Yakumo. If he ever had any doubt, it was quickly shoved aside. But the last few weeks had brought them all to the forefront of his mind. And tonight forced him to concede that he could no longer ignore them or push them to the side.

He came to a compromise in his decision. "That is a clan secret." He said. The boy looked like he was about to explode on him for that excuse. Unkai cut him off before the boy could say a single word. "But if you truly wish to know. You must ask Yakumo herself. But will tell you this, our clan's abilities in genjutsu are powerful. While we may be on the decline, they are still widely feared throughout the elemental nations. However, there is a dark secret to our powers, something that has caused the lives and sanity of many Kurama Clansmen. My niece is no different than the rest of her clansmen. With her powers, I fear what may happen if she ever losses control."

He saw the boy gulp. "What could be so dangerous about your clan's secret that you have to keep her away from everyone else?" He asked.

"As I said, that is something for Yakumo to tell you yourself." Unkai said. "But when she does tell you and you are still willing to be her friend. Then I will allow you to stay with her." There he had thrown down his challenge to the boy. Now it was up to him to decide if he was going to accept it, and to determine if he'd stay with Yakumo after she had told him about the secret of the Kurama clan. If he did, perhaps there was hope for his niece.

The boy stood up straight and glared at him. "I meant what I said before." He said in a sharp tone. "I'm her friend, and I'll be there for her no matter. I don't care what kind of secret your clan has, I will always be her friend, and if you keep her locked up, I'll find a way to break her free. Even if it means I'll have to fight my way in."

Unkai felt a smile tug at his lips but kept his features ironed out. "Then, for her sake, I hope your statement is more than bluster." He turned and looked up at the night sky. His mind wandered off to a conversation with another Uchiha he had a few weeks ago. "The Will of Fire applies more than just in combat or on a mission. It can be found in all aspects of our lives. By having those we care about and cherish, there grows the motivation for us to better. Not just as shinobi, but as people as well. With that motivation, he can grow stronger and faster. We would be more determined to accomplish our goals in life. We would have a resolve that we would have never had without our loved ones."

Perhaps that young man had been right. Maybe this is what Yakumo needs. "The Will of Fire." He muttered softly enough so that the boy wouldn't hear him. Yes, perhaps that is what they all needed. A fire bright enough to burn the darkest Shadow away.

Unkai smiled. "Fugaku-San, you have raised two fine young men. Either of them will make for a fine clan head one day." He turned to face the boy. "Come, we mustn't keep my niece waiting too long."

Later that night

Sasuke had left a short while ago. But Yakumo still felt nervous? Tripitaition? She didn't know what she felt. But she did know that this night had been so much better than she thought it would have gone.

"You still have that smile on." Her uncle said. He elected to help her to bed. That was rare, he hadn't done that frequently since her parents passed away. "That boy's words really did affect you? Didn't they?"

Yakumo nodded, feeling a blush creeping on her cheeks. "No one's ever said that about me." She said. Well, to be more accurate, no one's ever had the chance to say that about her. Until now, she had some small nagging doubt in her mind. That the two of them weren't really friends. That he was just pretending to be her friend and was waiting for the right moment to betray her.

"Witch. Demon."

"No one will ever want to be with you."

"How can I be friends with a witch like you?"

But after she heard what Sasuke said, those doubts were simply gone. "He really cares about me." She said more to herself than her uncle.

The man nodded. "Perhaps he does." He said, rubbing his chin. "He asked me why I have kept you away from the village. Why I insist that you must master your abilities before I can let that happen."

A pang of worry welled up inside of Yakumo. "What did you tell him?" She asked, her voice coming out harsher than she intended.

Uncle Unkai raised an eyebrow. "Only that it has to do with our clan's darkest secret. And that if he wants to find out, he must ask you."

Yakumo couldn't mask the shock she felt at her uncle's answer. "You want me to him?" She asked.

Her uncle nodded. "Yes, I did. I want to see if he would still be willing to befriend you after hearing about the darkness of the Kurama clan.

"And when does?" It surprised her when she said "When" and not "if" Sasuke would accept her.

"If he is still willing to be your friend." Her uncle iterated. "Then I will have no choice but accept it. I will allow your friendship to continue. Though do not take this as permission to slake in your training. If anything, you should work harder for their own safety."

Yakumo nodded that she could accept. The thought of losing control and hurting her friends, especially Sasuke, frightens her. "I won't, uncle. I don't want to lose them." She said.

"Then I suggest you get some rest." Uncle Unkai said, pulling the cover over her. "Regardless of what happens tomorrow, we have much to discuss when you get back."

Before her uncle left the room, Yakumo spoke. "Thank you." She said. The man stood inside the doorframe. He looked back at her and nodded. Then he left.

All alone, Yakumo closed her eyes with a smile on her lips. That was when the nightmares began.

Dream

The flames surrounded her; the tongues of heat lashed against her skin. The taunting voices were present as they always were.

"Witch. Demon."

"Witch. Demon."

"No will ever love you. Always alone."

"Who would want to be friends with a witch?"

But this time, the girl wasn't running. She stood her ground and stared defiantly at the distorted image of Sasuke Uchiha. "How can I ever be a friend with a witch like you?" It said with a sneer.

"You're not him." She said in a small forceful voice.

"What was that?" The image said." Witch."

The frown on Yakumo's face deepened. "I said." She began taking a step forward. "You're not Sasuke. He would never say such things."

The Sasuke thing frowned and gritted its teeth. "But I am." It said. "I am what he truly thinks of you."

Yakumo's hands balled into fists. "No, you're not. You're just showing me my fears and doubts. Fears and doubts I no longer have. Sasuke is my friend, and he would never do anything to hurt me." She said. "Nor would any of his friends." She added.

The Sasuke thing glared hatefully at her for several seconds. Then its sneer twisted into a smile. "My, my." It began to say as a shadow emerged from its back.

"You really do care about this boy." The Shadow said as it fully emerged from the back of the Sasuke thing. It let out a deep laugh that seemed to resonate through the air. "And even convinced yourself that he cares about you." It placed a clawed hand under Sasuke's chin.

"She does." The Sasuke thing chirped happily. "And as she said, I'm her friend." It shot her a bright and warm smile. But it came off as hallow to Yakumo. What was the Shadow playing at now? "And I would never hurt her. Isn't that right, Yakumo-Chan?"

"Indeed," The Shadow agreed. "I guess I can't use you anymore to hurt her." The Shadow seemed to ponder its own words. The claw hand wrapped around Sasuke's neck. "Or can I?" It left the Sasuke thing up into the air.

The Sasuke thing yelped and struggled against the Shadow's death grip. "Ya-yakumo, ple-ealse." The Sasuke thing said through struggle breaths, reaching out to her. H-help m." There was a sickening snap, and the Sasuke thing went limp.

With little more than a casual glance, the Shadow threw the corpses. Where it lands at Yakumo's feet. She looked down in horror at the dead image of Sasuke, his head angled in an unnatural position. Fear and something else gripped her heart. She mumbled something.

The Shadow did not hear her. "That's the problem with having friends." It began. "It is simply heartbreaking when something happens to them. Don't you agree, Yakumo-Chan?" It turned to face her.

She repeated her statement. Again, the Shadow didn't hear her, not fully.

The Shadow frowned. "What was that. I didn't quite hear you." It said.

Yakumo looked up at Shadow, her eyes a mix of fear, horror, and defiance. "No," She said, this time loud enough for her tormentor to hear. "I won't let you."

The Shadow's frown deepened. "Oh, and what are you going to do." Two more Sasuke things appeared and were picked up into the air by the Shadow. "Stop me?"

"Yakumo, please." Sasuke 1 said, reaching out to her.

"Help me." Sasuke 2 said.

Then both of their necks were snapped and tossed to her feet. "I could keep this up all day." The Shadow said, summoning more Sasuke's, snapping their necks, and throwing them to the side. "Or I could kill them in other ways." It said, ripping the heart out of one the Sasuke with one hand, and beheading another with the other. "Really, all of the different ways I could kill this boy in front of you are endless." Some of the Sasuke things began to jump into flames laughing."

Yakumo's fists tighten, and her teeth clench together. For the first time in her life, something else other than fear was taking over. "Stop it." She said. "I won't let you."

The Shadow thing killed another Sasuke image. By now, their corpses littered the burning hallway like leaves in autumn. "Sorry, I didn't hear you. Could you speak up?" It said with a wide grin.

Yakumo's fear was but a shadow compared to what she was feeling now. "I said." She began. She never noticed that the Shadow took a step back as a puzzled expression morphed across her face. "I WON'T LET HURT SASUKE!" Yakumo slammed her foot down.

In her rage and anger, she never noticed several things happening at once. Firstly, the Sasuke images all vanished, but before that, they shared a single knowing, hateful glance at the Shadow. Secondly, the flames around her flicked in and out of existence more a moment. And thirdly and most importantly, Yakumo never noticed the expression that appeared on the Shadow's face as it took another step back. Fear.

For a moment, there was silence between the two. Even the flames that had been cracking around them seemed to have lost its voice. Finally, the Shadow spoke up. "I think I've had my fill for the day." It said. Then it pointed one of its clawed hands at her. "But always remember this, Yakumo. No matter how far you think you might have run or what safe place you might have found. I will always be here."

Then the dream ended.

Reality

Yakumo was tossing and turning in her bed. A pained and frightened expression plastered across her face. Then suddenly, she stopped, and her expression melted away. Had anyone been in the room, they would have seen a content smile on her lips. And for the first, for as long as Yakumo could remember, she had a good night's sleep.

Elsewhere

The plans were set. They knew who their target was and her daily routine. They had mapped out their escape route and had planned out several contingencies. They had the resources they needed and even help from within the village. Most importantly, they had the element of surprise.

Daichi smirked to himself. So Konoha would not know what hit them. It was too bad he wouldn't be there to see the looks on their faces. "So, when do we begin, boss?" One of his men asked.

Now that was the question. Just like any other mission, the timing would be critical. As much he would like to make a continued mockery of the Konoha's security by staying longer. That runs the risk of getting them discovered. No, it was best to get this job done sooner rather than later. Then he would bask in the glory of having pulled one over the tree huggers.

"We strike tomorrow."