Chapter 11

Uuuggghhh… my head. What the hell happened. My body feels like it was dumped into a pit of fire.

I try to shift an arm, then hiss in pain. My arm felt like boiling oil right now! I can barely move it. I try to shift my head to look, getting only partial success. I do manage to see my arm though, and it makes me gasp in surprise.

My whole arm was raw red, the skin burnt in some places. No wonder it hurt, my whole arm was practically burned off! I turn my head to the other side and notice the same thing. I groan, the sound coming out more like a pitiful, silent whine. Kami, I hate this.

I look up, my other senses slowly returning. A quick sniff of the air told me instantly where I was. Antibiotics and other medicines. I was in a hospital.

After that, I just stare into the air, not sure what to do. I couldn't move, so I can't read or even look out the window. What else is there?

I look back at my burnt arm, and my eyes narrow. I guess there was one thing. I close my eyes, easing myself into a comfortable mind. I feel a tug on my consciousness, and I am launched into my mind.

I open my eyes, finding myself back in that large, and now familiar, dojo. I knew what I was here for, but I never took the time to really explore this place. Now that I am be ridden, it seemed like a good time.

Looking at the different doorways, I decide on one in random. I walk over and slide the door open, looking past it. The hallway beyond was the same as the ones I've gone down before.

I was going to explore the others before deciding, when I feel… something. It was like a feeling, and instinct, that I shouldn't choose another. I turn to the door, then decide to just continue down that hallway.

I look around, trying to discern any differences in the hallway. There just didn't seem to be anything though. The same, traditional style walls were around me, with Kirin staring down the hallway. Finding my search fruitless, I just look into the darkness in front of me.

After a while of nothing but walls, I stumble upon a door. I stop in surprise, not expecting the change. I look forwards and notice more doors. I turn to the first one, wondering what this was. I bring my hand up and touch the door.

"Maybe another time Sasuke."

My hand recoils on instinct, my eyes wide. What the hell was that?! And… that voice. It sounded so familiar. I look at the door cautiously, then decide to try again.

"But why nii-san?!"

I frown and take my hand off the door. Something was odd about these doors, but there was only one way to check. I put my hand on the door, ignoring the voices intruding my head. I push the door open, and watch in shock as a scene unfolds before me.

A young Sasuke pouts childishly at his big brother's response. Itachi just smiles warmly, amused by the younger Uchiha's reaction. Sasuke looks at his brother angrily and yells "But I want to practice shuriken with you nii-san! Please, I want to do it before your mission!"

Itachi sighs in exasperation. He shakes his head, then says "My, you are certainly persistent today Sasuke"

Sasuke runs over and clings onto his brother's leg. "I won't let go until you practice with me!"

Itchi frowns, then shakes his leg a little. Sasuke just clings on tightly, not budging. Itachi's frown deepens, when a small, mischievous glint, a rarity for the prodigy, enters his eyes.

Itachi smiles, then says "If you want to practice with me, then you must hold on for ten minutes, ok Sasuke?"

Sasuke looks up in surprise and confusion. He sees nothing but his brother's kind face looking down at him, but there was a certain look in his eyes. Sasuke frowns, then nods, his eyes blazing with determination.

Itachi's smile widens slightly, then he says "OK, let's go." And with that, Itachi flies into the air.

Sasuke's eyes widen exponentially as he suddenly sees the ground fall beneath him. He grips onto his brother's leg tightly, not wanting to fall off.

Itachi bounds across rooftops, trying his best to get the little Uchiha off his leg. Itachi looks down and sees Sasuke still holding on tight, his eyes closed and his mouth set in a nervous line.

Itachi smiles, then says "We have five minutes left Sasuke. Ready to go faster?"

He doesn't hear anything, but he feels his brother nod. He smiles widely, a sense of excitement and joy he's never felt before rushing through his body.

Itachi puts more chakra into his legs and begins launching himself into the air, as high as he could. Sasuke's eyes snap open as he feels his grip slipping. He tightens his grip on Itachi's leg, watching with wide eyes as he sees him and his nii-san launch into the air continuously.

Sasuke grins widely as he feels Itachi launch them again. He laughs loudly, enjoying this exciting feeling. No wonder Itachi liked doing this, it was so much fun!

Itachi smiles as he hears his brother laugh. Soon after, the Uchiha district comes into view. He does one last jump, getting a startled yelp out of Sasuke, before slowly jumping his way down to the ground.

"You can let go now Sasuke." Sasuke does so gratefully, flapping his arms to get rid of the tingly feeling in them from the landings.

Itachi smiles and says "You held on for ten minutes Sasuke. I think I can help you practice your shuriken now."

Sasuke stops waving his arms and looks up at Itachi with wide eyes. His face breaks out into a big grin, and he hugs Itachi tightly. "Thank you nii-san!

Itachi smiles warmly, wrapping his arms around Sasuke tightly. "You are welcome Sasuke. And remember, I love you, no matter what happens."

I step away from the door, my heart heavy and my hands shaking. I feel something roll down my cheek, and I notice the tears. If I was my younger self, I would've been disappointed by this weakness. But now, now I can let the tears flow freely.

I knew exactly why I was crying. That memory, it was the last one I had of Itachi before he murdered the clan. To have such a heart-warming memory right before the darkest of my life, it was incredible I didn't lose it then and there. I was torn, but not gone. My stubbornness made it hard to recover though.

I look at the next door, knowing exactly what it was. The dark, ominous aura around it helped with that. That was my memory of the Uchiha clan massacre. My darkest and most hated memory.

With what I just witnessed, I did not want to ruin the moment. I turn around and walk back the way I came. I wanted to keep that memory fresh for now.

I smile, my tears still falling, as I remember the memory. It was surreal, almost as if I was reliving it. No matter why though, it was amazing. To see Itachi again, it was something my tired and burdened heart needed.

It took only a short while before I was back in the main area of my mindscape. I whip my tears away and continue to the door I was more familiar with. I open it and walk into the hallway.

After another short and eventless walk, I found myself back in the seal. Staring down at me with an unreadable expression, was Kurama.

Kurama raises an eyebrow, then says "I would ask about your wild emotions and why it took so long for you to come here, but that is of little importance. So, why have you come Uchiha?"

I stand straighter, then say "Kurama-sama, I need to know, what happened to my body back at the training ground?"

Kurama just closes his eyes and says "Your body was unable to handle the chakra I put into your system. You were burned, inside and out, because you were unused to it."

I frown, thinking on it. Bijuu chakra was incredibly corrosive, so this made sense. I look back at the massive fox and say "Will this be fixed?"

Kurama nods slowly. "Yes, it will be fixed eventually. Given time, your body will adjust and be able to use my chakra like Naruto could before you."

I nod, sighing in relief. Having Kurama on my side, but the fox unable to do anything, would have been a great let down. Now though, I don't have to worry.

I bow respectfully, saying "Thank you Kurama-sama. Your help has been very appreciated."

Kurama just nods, laying down to nap. "Yes, yes. Now then, if nothing else, leave me be Uchiha. I wish to nap."

I nod, then close my eyes. Using my same exit technique, I feel myself pulled out of the mindscape. With a sudden thrust, I sent flying back into my 'real' body.

I open my eyes, then blink in surprise. Kakashi and Hiruzen were in the room, talking to each other.

"Yes, but it is too volatile for him Hokage-sama."

"Give it time Kakashi-kun. Naruto is the son of… you know who, so he would be a sealing expert. He would be able to let Sasuke-kun adjust. Also, I believe our young Uchiha just woke up."

My eyes widen in surprise, not expecting Hiruzen to notice me awake. I guess I couldn't be TOO surprised though. He was the Hokage after all.

Hiruzen and Kakashi look at me, Hiruzen smiling warmly. "Hello Sasuke-kun. I must say, it is quite strange to see you and Naruto so similar, yet so different."

I raise my eyebrow in surprise, the Hokage just chuckling warmly. I push myself up, and my eyes widen. What was just an unbearable pain was now just a dull throb. I look at my arm, my surprise growing. My arm was almost back to normal, only a few small splotches of red on it.

I look at it in disbelief, mumbling "What the hell…"

Hiruzen notices my disbelief and says "Yes, I too was quite surprised by this. Despite the sensitivity your body had to the Kyuubi's chakra, you seemed to gain its rather impressive healing abilities."

I just nod dumbly, not expecting this. Although, I guess I'd have no reason not too. Having a bijuu doesn't just result in your gut becoming a prison. Other things always happen.

I look up, then say "Why are you in here?"

Hiruzen nods, as if expecting this question. "Well Sasuke-kun, it seems we have entered the next phase of your quest."

I raise an eyebrow, wondering what he meant. Kakashi then steps in and says "Tazuna, the bridge builder, arrived while you were out. I took the mission for Team 7, but this means the Land of Waves is next."

My eyes widen in surprise. Has that much time really passes already? I guess I couldn't complain though. It meant I was one step closer to my goal.

I nod my thanks to them, and Hiruzen says "I suggest getting ready Sasuke-kun. This will be a long journey, correct?" I nod once more.

With that, the Hokage decides to make his leave, leaving me with Kakashi. Kakashi sighs, then says "I'm going to inform Sakura and Naruto. See at home Sasuke." I nod, and Kakashi body flickers away.

I look at the covers on my bed in slight shock. The Wave mission was now coming. I take my covers off, then walk to the door. I exit my room, continuing out of the hospital without any issues. Good, because I have a mission to plan for.