Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Twilight ❯ New Discoveries ( Chapter 15 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter 9: New Discoveries

Konohamaru stood outside of the Med Nin tent, looking around. His trained eyes scouted and memorized the look of the enemyÕs base, scrutinizing every single minute detail even from a long distance away. He smirked. The nins really didnÕt know of their presence. They didnÕt even suspect a single thing about their sudden appearance! I guess weÕre really lucky with those Med Nins we killedÉ theyÕre not that famous at campÉ Or maybe their colleagues just doesnÕt pay attention to their comrades or something like thatÉ heck, these are mercenaries, theyÕll kill each other if they have toÉ ÒHey, you kid!Ó yelled a burly nin from the bonfire, apparently starting to get drunk from sake. ÒWhat are ya doinÕ there? Come Ôere Ôn have a good time!Ó he shouted, his speech slurred. Konohamaru smirked. Far too easyÉ ÒWhasher name?Ó asked the man, motioning him to sit on a log beside the drunken man. ÒHiroshi,Ó said Konohamaru, grinning carelessly like there was no tomorrow. ÒHiroshi-shi!Ó laughed the man, making fun of his fake name. ÒYeah, well, its hard to have such an ordinary nameÉÓ Konohamaru sighed, making the other men laugh. ÒSometimes I wish my mother didnÕt name me that.Ó ÒWell then letÕs give ya a new name!Ó said one of them, laughing loudly. ÒLetÕs name ya Raccoon!Ó

Konohamaru raised a brow. ÒRaccoon?Ó

ÒYÕknow, here in the veteran lot, we have names fer each other!Ó said another one, hiccupping.

ÒI see! But IÕm no veteran, IÕm a newbie,Ó said Konohamaru, feigning humbleness.

ÒAh, no matter! As long as ya kill and do ya work, yer in!Ó said the drunken man again, laughing loudly. ÒWe donÕ want bums fer nins, do we?Ó

ÒÕCourse we donÕt,Ó sighed Konohamaru.

One of the men handed him a bottle of sake.

ÒDrink up, boy! Ya need to be tough, to be in!Ó they laughed, and started banging their bottles on the logs, egging him on to drink. Konohamaru shrugged. When it comes to drinking, IÕm an expertÉ

He raised the bottle to his lips and chugged the alcoholic liquid quickly, taking about a cupful of it in one go. He put down the bottle, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand savagely. Good acting they want, good acting they getÉ

ÒYÕall, we got a tough young Ôun Ôere!Ó said one of them, grinning and patting the laughing Konohamaru by his back. ÒDamn good drinker!Ó

Konohamaru smirked. ÒA manÕs gotta do what a manÕs gotta do,Ó he grinned, taking another swig of sake. I wont get drunk with thisÉ last time I checked, I need about 7 bottles to get drunkÉ - a/n: chokes 7 bottles? Man, with just a bottle of it I think IÕll get drunk already! -

ÒSo Raccoon, whatcha think about these enemy nins, eh? The Konoha elite?Ó asked the drunken man, grinning at his face.

ÒHuh? Why ya ask?Ó asked Konohamaru.

ÒWe need to know ya opinion,Ó said one of them.

ÒWell, I suppose theyÕre pretty good, but not good enough,Ó shrugged Konohamaru. ÒThey donÕt even know about our presence here, soÉ if theyÕre really the elites, they should know. Right guys?Ó TheyÕre making it just too easy for meÉ damnÉ sighs mentally Cant they give me a littleÑjust a littleÑthing to give an effort on?

ÒDamn right, ya got it!Ó boomed the drunken man. ÒNo Konoha eliteÕs gonna bring us down!Ó he said, banging his sake again. The others banged their bottles in agreement, so Konohamaru just followed suit.

ÒOrochimaru-sama says weÕre gonna attack in 4 days time! WeÕre gonna show those elites!Ó laughed another man. ÒThey wont stand a chance against us!Ó

Ò4 days?Ó said Konohamaru. Then he laughed. ÒThatÕs good! I want some actionÉÓ he growled, acting like he really wanted to kill.

ÒYeah, with our number, we can easily overpower Ôem!Ó grumbled the drunken man.

ÒWhatÕs our exact number anyways? I mean, the new recruits keep adding up,Ó Konohamaru asked innocently, taking another swig of sake.

ÒThe ones Ôere are about a thousand more or lessÉ the foot nins are gonna attack Konoha in 6 days timeÉ they exceed us in number, but most of Ôem are nuthinÕ compared to usÉ veterans are stationed ÔereÉÓ snorted the drunken man, opening a new bottle of sake from his side.

ÒI seeÉ well if thatÕs so, we can really win this!Ó Konohamaru smirked, downing the rest of his sake in one go. ÒCan I have another bottle?Ó

The drunken man patted his back, laughing, while handing him another container of sake.

ÒI heard theyÕre developing a new weapon,Ó said one of them, flailing his arms drunkenly. ÒBut those bastard high ranking nins are the only ones allowed to use it!Ó

ÒDamn those nins, just coz they rank high, doesnÕt mean they can hog everything!Ó growled the drunken man.

ÒYah, weÕre far more experienced than Ôem!Ó boomed another one, banging his bottle on the log, almost breaking it.

ÒNow, you, boy, shouldnÕt go around sticking to those nins, coz theyÕll rip ya throat off juz fer fun!Ó advised the drunken man, his eyes unfocused.

ÒSure,Ó shrugged Konohamaru, taking a small sip of sake. Then he heard a whistle.

ÒEh, damn curfew,Ó muttered the drunken man. ÒGet back to yer tent, boy, ya donÕ wanna be around fer the curfewÉÓ

Konohamaru nodded, downing his second bottle and leaving it by the other stacks of empty bottles by the bonfire. He walked straight to the tent, not even swaying a bit while his companions were close to toppling over. One collapsed on the soft grass, and crawled all the way to the tents of the veterans.

He smirked, and then sighed. He entered the tent and flopped down on his sleeping bag, resting his eyes.

ÒEw, you smell of sake, Konohamaru,Ó Akane whispered.

ÒWhaddya expect, IÕll smell like perfume? I havenÕt got any choice but to drink, ya knowÉÓ said Konohamaru.

ÒFound out about anything?Ó asked Mou.

ÒYeah, plenty, but better not discuss this hereÉÓ said Konohamaru, sighing.

ÒYouÕre not drunk are ya?Ó asked Mou, raising an apprehensive brow.

ÒNah, I take 7 bottles to get drunk. Only got twoÉÓ said Konohamaru. ÒMy eyes are just irritated from the flying ashes and the smokeÉÓ

ÒI seeÉ well, make sure of that, coz we need to get back to base by midnight,Ó Mou whispered in his ear.

ÒWhat!Ó Konohamaru snapped, his eyes fluttering open.

ÒWe need to report immediately. WeÕve only got several hours moreÉ theyÕll find out soon enough that we infiltrated their baseÉ But we need to get the samples back by midnight. We have no other choice. We cant stay here for long, its hard to keep a fa�ade. We donÕt know that much yet, and besides, Yami-sama said they needed reports by midnight, right?Ó Mou said. (a/n: YouÕll notice she said Yami-sama instead of Uchiha-sama, thatÕs because sheÕs from Tasogare.)

ÒYeah, but I thought weÕre gonna stay here longerÉ not that I want toÉ I think IÕve said enough lies for nowÉÓ muttered Konohamaru.

ÒLater, when we all get out, create bunshins and make them stay under the covers, while you get out,Ó Mou hissed, motioning for the others to listen. Okune arrived and got into the conversation as well. (a/n: Remember she talked with Kabuto?) ÒRendezvous point is the spot where we burned the nins we killed. Everybody needs to get there by 10:00 PM or earlier. We only wait 5 minutes. Clear?Ó

ÒCrystal,Ó smiled Akane, nodding.

ÒOkune, status report,Ó said Konohamaru.

ÒPerfect. I got some data out from him. But I hare KisumeÉ damn that bastardÉ I hate his hairstyle tooÉÓ

ÒOh yeah, Ichi, check out their new weaponsÉ they said thereÕs a new developmentÉÓ said Konohamaru.

ÒAkane, after you get the samples by talking, knock them out and check the 6th and 7th drawer, there are new potions there,Ó said Okune. ÒAnd Kichi, check the 3rd hatch inside the cave, all the files we need are in thereÉ make a copy of them. Be quick, though, the patrols check there. I suggest you go in after 9:00. the patrol rounds at 8:30, you seeÉÓ

ÒAkane, iku,Ó said Konohamaru. ÒIku. Now. ThereÕs still 20 minutes before the curfew proper startsÉ the whistle was just a signal.Ó

Akane walked out the flap of the tent, proceeding straight to the Lab tent. She intentionally broke the test tubes containing the poisons and potions earlier in the Med tent. She did it carefully, making sure that it looked like it was an accident. She even poured some of the poisons in the bag that held it for effect.

ÒUh, hello? Can I come in?Ó she called out. A voice of a lady answered.

ÒCome on in,Ó she said, opening the flap. It revealed a pretty lady of about 30. AkaneÕs alarms went off. This is a dangerous woman, but I think she wont suspect a stern nin like meÉ ÒMy name is Shizuku. What can I do for you?Ó

ÒYou see, my poison containers broke when we ran into a pack of wild wolves during patrol, and the contents spilled. I was hoping if I could get a refill,Ó Akane said, her face hardening into a stern look.

ÒI seeÉ come right over, IÕll prepare a new pack for you,Ó said Shizuku, unsuspecting of the girl.

ÒAlright,Ó said Akane, nodding and going into the tent. It was cool inside, probably the doing of a jutsu. After all, they needed a cold temperature to preserve the poisons. There were many drawers but in one corner stood a very weird looking one. It was a twin drawer, with number 6 and 7. Akane smirked.

She walked over to the desk where the poisons were being prepared, and dropped a ball containing sleeping gas on the floor. It went unnoticed by the workers, for they continued with their work. The air started gong misty, but they didnÕt notice it much. Shizuku approached her and handed a bag full of poisons.

ÒThanks, Shizuku-san,Ó she said, turning around. Just then, the ball exploded, releasing the sleeping gas.

Akane feigned a gasp, then started coughing, clutching the bag and putting it in her pocket. She acted as if she didnÕt know who put the ball, and she watched the others one by one slump to the ground, the last one being Shizuku. She feigned coughing and kneeling on the ground until she was sure the others were fully asleep, before raising a mask to her cover her face and rushing over to the drawer. She took two test tubes of each kind from drawer 6 and 7, and then rushed out of the place, creating a sleeping bunshin of her on the floor.

She got out of the Lab tent, patting the bag full of poison, and then lowering her mask. It revealed her face sporting a smug smile. She walked quickly to the forest before the guards saw her. Just as she slipped into the shadows, she heard the whistle signaling the curfew.

ÒChildÕs play,Ó she grinned, sprinting over to the spot where they burned the nin. She saw Konohamaru and Okune and gave a high five, grinning from ear to ear.

ÒAny difficulties?Ó

ÒNot one.Ó

OoOoOoOoO

Mou performed several seals and surrounded herself with a Silencing jutsu so she wont wake Fujiko, who was peacefully snoozing under the covers. She sneaked stealthily into the inner part of the tent and opened the drawers one by one, taking a sample of each antidote and putting it carefully into a bag. She made sure she got every single kind of it before turning back.

ÒWhoÕs there?Ó asked Fujiko. Apparently, she had awakened.

ÒDamn,Ó muttered Mou. She slipped into the shadows of the tent, using the ancient art of the ninja, shinobi-iri.

ÒIs anybody here?Ó Fujiko called out, cautiously walking towards Mou.

Mou slipped deeper into the shadows, careful not to make a single brush with the tent. She performed more seals, and then engulfed the place with a Silencing jutsu, only excluding Fujiko. (a/n: See, if she put a Silencing jutsu on Fujiko, she would notice since she wont hear herself speaking.)

Mou slipped past Fujiko via the shadows, her footsteps unheard by the lady who kept on calling. She rushed out the tent, opening the flap carelessly.

FujikoÕs head whizzed around as she felt the soft brush of air from outside on her skin. She walked slowly over to the flap of the tent, and opened it a bit, looking outside.

Too late, though. Mou already slipped into the forest, leaving behind a doppelganger of herself, snoozing comfortably under the covers.

Fujiko sighed. ÒDamn, IÕm getting oldÉ maybe it was just my imaginationÉÓ she muttered, drinking a glass of water and then slipping back into her sleeping bag.

As soon as Mou receded into the cover of the forest, she sighed in utter relief. ÒThat was closeÉ too close for comfortÉÓ

She rushed into the forest, searching for the rendezvous point. As she landed lithely in front of Konohamaru, Okune and Akane, she checked her watch. 9:00 PM.

ÒThe twins should be in action right now,Ó she said, stuffing the bag of antidotes and medicine in her pocket.

ÒAny troubles, Mou?Ó asked Okune.

ÒYeahÉ a close oneÉÓ Mou sighed, shaking her head.

ÒDid anybody see you?Ó asked Konohamaru in worry.

ÒNo need to worry about that,Ó Mou smiled. ÒThough Fujiko almost got me, she didnÕt see me.Ó

ÒOh. Fujiko,Ó snorted Akane.

OoOoOoOoO

Kichi looked around. Nice OkuneÉ he thought, smirking. Just as Okune had said, the patrols stopped a respectable distance for the cave to rest, having finished the first round. He slipped into the cave, careful not to make any noise.

The caveÕs closed quarters produced echoes of his footsteps and his actions, thatÕs why he struggled to keep it down low.

AlrightÉ we need some light hereÉ But I cantÉ DamnÉ good thing I was trained to see in the darkÉ Kichi thought, sneaking stealthily deeper into the cave.

Then he reached an opening where the cave opened out to a vast round hall, with stacks of boxes standing in one corner, apparently food. There were several containers of sake, and some containers of fresh spring water. The floor was littered with bread crumbs, leading to one partially open crate. The crate was infested with rats.
Foolish guysÉ leaving a crate of food openÉ

Kichi hurried to the other side of the wall, seeing hatches through the dappled moonlight slithering through the cave opening. He brushed his fingers on the hatch openings, touching the kanji inscriptions on the wall.

1É 2É 3!

He found the third hatch, smiling. He tiptoed, careful not to make a sound with his sandals. Then he pulled the hatch open slowly and very carefully, so as not to make a single sound, even just a scratch.

As the hatch opened, it revealed several scrolls and documents stacked inside neatly. He smirked.
Now to make copiesÉ

Since he was from the Sand Village, he whipped up a secret copying jutsu, courtesy of the village of the sand. Grains of sand appeared in front of him, and then it clustered, and dove to the hatch, going through the documents and scrolls. He didnÕt even need to open it, since the sand will copy it for him. Who knows what jutsu awaits him when he opens a scroll, anywaysÉ

After several minutes, the sand receded from the scrolls and clustered in front of him. Then he performed several more seals. The sand slowly transformed into the exact copies of the scrolls and documents inside the hatch, one by one slipping into the open bag he placed in front of him. As the last of the scrolls pushed itself into the bag, he pushed the hatch to close it, and then fastened the latch of the bag, slinging it over his back.

He slowly made his way out of the cave, to be met by the face of his twin brother.

ÒAll through?Ó asked Kichi. Ichi nodded wordlessly, and both of them leapt into the night, hurriedly making their way to the rendezvous point.

As they arrived, Konohamaru stood up from his sitting position. ÒEverything alright?Ó

ÒYeah,Ó said Ichi, patting the bag behind him containing the weapons. Kichi motioned to the bag containing the scrolls.

ÒGood. NowÉ we need to get going,Ó said Konohamaru. The six of them sped out into the night, leaping from branch to branch.

Halfway to the mountains, Konohamaru motioned for them to stop.

ÒCan you feel them?Ó he asked, his eyes sharpening as he felt the presence of some ninjas.

ÒThereÕs 3 of them. I can trace the chakra patternsÉÓ said Okune.

ÒA team of ninjas?Ó Mou said. ÒThey can be the patrolÉ I mean, no Sound nins have wandered this far offÉÓ

ÒHey, they stopped too,Ó said Ichi, snapping his head to the left. Ò3 ninjasÉ 2 oÕclock.Ó

ÒAbout a several meters away from usÉÓ said Kichi.

ÒLetÕs approach. I have a strong feeling theyÕre our patrolsÉÓ said Mou. Konohamaru hesitated a bit before nodding. They jumped off into the direction of the ninjas they sensed.

As they got nearer and nearer, they caught sight of the ninjas. Konohamaru was about to attack when he saw the Konoha insignia on the shirt of one of them.

The 6 of them landed smoothly on another branch parallel to that of the other patrol team. Konohamaru lowered his weapon, as well as the others.

ÒInari,Ó Konohamaru said, grinning.

ÒKonohamaru! What a surprise!Ó Inari said, leaping over to them and hugging his best friend.

ÒBack so soon, nee-chan?Ó smiled Asamegi Shita, a girl from the OFB. She is MouÕs younger sister.

ÒOur mission was childÕs play,Ó smirked Mou.

ÒWell, youÕd better get back to baseÉ Yami-samaÕs waiting for your arrival,Ó said Shita, smiling.

ÒAlright then,Ó nodded Konohamaru. ÒSee ya later, Inari!Ó

ÒYah, bye!Ó said Inari. He motioned for his team, and they took off to their left while Konohamaru went straight ahead.

OoOoOoOoO

ÒWHAT!Ó yelled Rei, toppling over the other books he stacked on the table. He slammed the book he was reading on the table loudly; reading and rereading the phrase he was just looking at. ÒI-I donÕt believe itÉÓ

SasukeÕs head snapped to Rei, as well as the others. ÒNani ka? What is it?Ó he asked, rushing to ReiÕs side. SasukeÕs eyes widened as he saw the picture in the book.

ÒWhat is it, Sasuke?Ó

Images started running through SasukeÕs head again. Sakura looked at the book when Sasuke didnÕt answer. She gasped. It was a picture of the Uchiha Massacre. The book page was filled with different pictures taken from the massacre, including SasukeÕs parents.

ÒS-sasuke-kunÉÓ Sakrua whispered, looking at SasukeÕs face. His eyes hardened and he grabbed the book and turned it over.

ÒKusoÉÓ he swore as he saw the spine.

It read ÔThe Uchiha ClanÕs HistoryÕ written by Uchiha Ruriko and anonymously edited after the Uchiha MassacreÕ.

ÒAnonymously editedÉÓ muttered Sasuke. ÒOf courseÉÓ

ÒSasuke?Ó said Naruto, refusing to look at the pictures.

ÒI often saw this book in display in the library hall of the Uchiha mansionÉ it was always there, I always saw it as a childÉ but I never thought of reading it! ThatÕs why it was familiarÉÓ said Sasuke.

ÒWho is Uchiha Ruriko?Ó asked Hinata.

ÒRuriko-nee-chan,Ó smiled Sasuke, reminiscing the memories. ÒShe wrote this book. When I was about 4 or so, she would always teach me how to read and write. I took private lessons from her, since my mom told me to. She was killed in the massacre. She was my closest cousin.Ó

ÒBut if the book was written before the massacre, how come it contains picture of the massacre?Ó said Naruto.

ÒAnonymously edited, Naruto,Ó said Sasuke. ÒSomebody edited this after the massacre. And I hope he never shows his face because heÕll need to rearrange it after I get through with him. He has no rights to meddle in my family business.Ó

ÒBut why did you shout, Rei?Ó asked Shikamaru. ÒI mean, the Uchiha Massacre isnÕt a mystery, you knowÉÓ

Rei got the book from Sasuke and turned it over again, pointing to a certain paragraph. ÒRead it. IÉ I just cantÉ understandÉÓ

Shikamaru read it. ÒIt is said that Uchiha Itachi had other motives for killing the whole of his own clan and leaving behind his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke. It is common fact that Itachi left Sasuke to suffer, but the Uchiha genius clearly didnÕt have a motive to make Sasuke suffer, considering the younger oneÕs adoration for the elder. Itachi is said to have held a grudge against the family elders and the other members of the family, especially the heads.Ó

ÒGrudge?Ó Naruto muttered. ÒYou remember any ÔgrudgeÕ, Sasuke?Ó

ÒIts still not clearÉ go ahead, Shikamaru,Ó Sasuke said, sinking back into the soft and squishy sofa, with Sakura squeezing his hand in a comforting gesture.

ÒApparently the Uchiha elders feared the genius Uchiha Itachi because of his continuously growing powers. At first, they just consented to put Itachi on a stricter training basis and to leash him at home, apart from the times when he went on his missions. But when the next incident happened, everything changed. The 6-year-old Uchiha Sasuke accidentally activated his Sharingan and released a huge amount of chakra during an argument in the elders hall about ItachiÕs freedom. Incidentally, Sasuke released it two weeks earlier than ItachiÕs record, breaking it. This alarmed the elders, apparently terrified that they had two geniuses in their hands.Ó

ÒI thought you first used the Sharingan in our battle with Haku and Zabuza!Ó exclaimed Naruto.

ÒDo you recall this, Sasuke?Ó asked Shikamaru. ÒThough you probably wont coz 6 years of ageÉ the brain still has a lot of processing to do, and very few memories retain during this spanÉ try to remember.Ó

Sasuke screwed his eyes shut as he forced his mind to recall old memories from his past. Blurry images flashed past his closed eyes, until he found the proper memory.

Flashback---

6-year-old Sasuke stood in the council hall, looking around, a little bewildered. The elders looked as if they were bothered about something, and that it was something big. His older brother Itachi held his small hand around his big, calloused ones, worn out from handling kunais and other weapons.

He looked around the council. Everyone seemed to be tense, and everyone seemed to throw glares at his favorite brotherÑnot that he had any other ones, that is. Even his daddy seemed angry at his brother. Only his mommy was worried.

ÒItachi. DidnÕt we tell you that you must not bring along Sasuke?Ó his mom said.

ÒHe wanted to come along on his own will,Ó said Itachi calmly, unfazed by the glares. ÒIÕve already broken many promises to the kid, so I want to get back on one thingÉÓ

ÒVery well, just let Sasuke remain,Ó said the Head Council. ÒWe need to proceed. Are you ready, Itachi?Ó

ÒGo ahead,Ó said Itachi. SasukeÕs head cocked to the side cutely, his innocent eyes shooting silent questions at his elder brother. Itachi saw this and smiled a rare smile at the kid. ÒLater, kiddo.Ó Sasuke grinned, nodding vigorously. He clutched his onii-chanÕs hand tighter, his other hand unconsciously flying to his brotherÕs arm. He didnÕt really understand why his older brother was suddenly so kind, but he wasnÕt one to ask questions. He just wanted to enjoy the much-wanted attention.

The elders looked indeterminate at SasukeÕs course of action. The Head started to speak. ÒYou know very well that you have already broken several laws in the Uchiha council by accepting the ANBU captain position without our consent,Ó started the elder. ÒYou should have told us firstÑÒ

ÒIf I told you, would you let me join?Ó interjected Itachi, glaring at the elder. ÒOf course not. So, in that case, there is absolutely no sense to tell you.Ó

ÒItachi! Speak with respect!Ó glowered his father, reprimanding his once favorite son. (a/n: People tend to fear those whom they cannot understand. Typical Itachi, a rule-breaker.)

ÒI will speak in any way I want to,Ó said Itachi. ÒThis is a free country, and I am a free citizen and a free, high-ranking nin. I can do as I please.Ó

ÒItachi, you have greatly displeased the Uchiha Council with your aggressive and unallowable acts. You have been disobeying direct orders recently, and you have been making decisions without the councilÕs consent,Ó said the Head Council, struggling to keep his temper with the aggressive boy. ÒAnd one thing you have done that greatly displeased us is that you accepted and developed a monstrous power without our consent and our supervision!Ó

ÒHe is right, Itachi. You had better explain how you got such a terrifying amount of chakra and power, Itachi,Ó growled his father menacingly.

ÒHuh? I donÕt know what youÕre saying,Ó said Itachi. ÒI found out about my inner power, I activated the Mangekyou, and I developed the ability, thatÕs all.Ó

Apprehensive murmurs and chatters arose around the crowd of indirect Uchihas, or in other words, their cousins and other relatives. The young Sasuke, having a keen sense of hearing, caught several bits of conversation from the crowd.

ÒWhat a dismay, heÕs been such a good boy.Ó

ÒHeÕs a monster! A disgrace to the family!Ó

ÒI wonder how he got so much power.Ó

ÒProbably a fruit from the devil.Ó

ÒYes, maybe he performed a jutsu and placed a seal to himself or something.Ó

ÒHeÕs a juvenile delinquent! He ignores and disobeys orders!Ó

ÒHe doesnÕt respect the council!Ó

Sasuke gritted his teeth. He couldnÕt bear to hear his older brother being insulted so openly, and by relatives, nonetheless.

ÒItachi, there are rumors that you performed an advanced forbidden jutsu and placed a seal upon yourself to give you much more power. Is this true?Ó

ÒNo,Ó said Itachi, arousing more murmurs from the crowd. ÒJust say it, will you, youÕre just afraid that I might overpower you and take away your highest position. Honestly, its useless to have a family head if the council decides everything,Ó Itachi snorted, pushing back his hair from his eyes.

ÒYouÕre a disgrace!Ó yelled somebody from the crowd.

ÒSpeak with respect, will you!Ó

ÒYouÕre nothing but a rule-breaker!Ó

ÒYouÕre a monster!Ó

Itachi sighed, shaking his head.

Just then, something inside Sasuke snapped as the barrage of insults ensued. He growled and gripped his older brothers hand in a death grip, starting to emanate a dark, menacing aura just like his brotherÕs. Itachi noticed it right away, though the others apparently didnÕt, since the insults continued.

Then suddenly, SasukeÕs voice broke through the noise. ÒMy brother is NOT A MONSTER!Ó he yelled, silencing the others and startling the elders. His chakra broke out and exploded, crashing around him and flowing out in ferocious dark blue waves. He growled menacingly, raising his eyes.

They gasped as they saw his pearly onyx eyes shift and transform into the blood red Sharingan. He glared fiercely at the Head Council.

ÒI donÕt care what you say, I donÕt care what you do! I know that my brother is NOT a monster!Ó he yelled, his knuckles turning deathly white.

Itachi smirked. ÒDamn, you outdid my record two weeks ahead, otouto. I always knew you had a large potential,Ó Itachi said, crouching down and looking his brother in the face, ruffling his brotherÕs hair.

ÒOnii-chan, what theyÕre saying isnÕt true, is it?Ó asked Sasuke, frowning.

ÒNo, it isnÕt, Sasuke,Ó smirked Itachi. ÒIf you believe that IÕm a monsterÉÓ said Itachi, releasing his own chakra. Sasuke gasped as he felt the connection between their chaka patterns. ÒÉthen youÕll have to believe that youÕre a monster yourself.Ó

Sasuke nodded slowly, comprehending the difficult matter. Well, difficult for a 6-year-old, that is.

ÒSasuke, try to stop your chakra. Try to contain it,Ó instructed Itachi. ÒJust think hard about what you want to achieve.Ó

Sasuke nodded, screwing his eyes close. He gritted his teeth and repeated in his mind that he wanted to stop his chakra from flowing out. His chakra slowly receded from around him, going back inside his body. As he finished with his concentration, he opened his eyes to find the blue glow of his chakra gone. His body felt as if it was brand new and powerful.

ÒNii-chan, can we train?Ó asked Sasuke eagerly. He evidently wanted to master the new power.

ÒOf course,Ó Itachi said, ruffling his brotherÕs hair again. ÒJust promise me one thing.Ó

ÒAnything!Ó

Itachi leaned over and whispered into SasukeÕs ear. ÒDonÕt ever believe in anything that the Council says. DonÕt follow their orders, okay?Ó

ÒBut why?Ó

ÒJust do it, okay?Ó

ÒOkay!Ó

ÒAlright then,Ó said Itachi, straightening up and pulling on his brotherÕs hand. ÒCÕmon, twerp.Ó

The Head Council looked astounded with the new discovery. Now they had TWO ÔmonstersÕ in their hands. He buried his face in his hands. ÒWhere did we go wrong with them?Ó

End of Flashback---

ÒWell? Do you recall it?Ó asked Shikamaru as SasukeÕs eyes suddenly snapped open after a couple of minutes.

ÒYeah,Ó sighed Sasuke, rubbing his temples roughly. Sakura pushed his hands away and did it herself, laying his head on her lap gently.

ÒWell?Ó Naruto said expectantly, picking out a cracker and taking a bite.

ÒThe Council branded him as a monster because of his powerÉÓ said Sasuke. ÒNow I think the pieces are starting to fall in place.Ó

ÒIt says here that your brother was probably protecting you,Ó said Shikamaru. ÒHe was protecting you fromÉ from the eldersÉ of course! Both of you have been branded monsters, right?Ó

ÒYeah,Ó said Sasuke.

ÒSo Itachi killed them because they wanted to kill both of you! ThatÕs why he left you alive!Ó Shikamaru said.

ÒBut why leave Sasuke-kun alone if he really cared for him?Ó asked Sakura.

ÒHe wanted me to develop my talents alone,Ó answered Sasuke, suddenly sitting up in realization. ÒHe developed every single one of his talents on his own, so he wanted me to do the same! To live aloneÉ so I could make use of the power inside me properly! Why didnÕt I think of that before?Ó

ÒProbably because you were too muddled in revenge?Ó suggested Shikamaru silently.

ÒHe was protecting meÉ I remember that time when he always slept beside me at night. He probably thought the council would kill me. And once he told me that when we meet again, heÕll tell me all about the secret behind the clanÕs death!Ó

ÒYou have such a sweet brother, Sasuke-kun,Ó smiled Sakura.

Sasuke glared. ÒDonÕt fall in love with him,Ó he growled. (a/n: NO, no, no, no, noÉ NO ITASAKU! I HATE PAIRINGS WHO BREAK UP SASUSAKU! No offense, guysÉ )

ÒI wont, donÕt worryÉÓ giggled Sakura.

ÒI need to talk with himÉÓ sighed Sasuke. ÒI need to find a way to talk with him.Ó

ÒWhy dontcha send out a message to him? Via portal, I mean,Ó said Shikamaru.

ÒIts personal. The matter needs to be dealt with in person,Ó muttered Sasuke, relaxing back into SakuraÕs embrace.

ÒWell why donÕt you meet with him?Ó suggested Naruto.

ÒI cant meet with him without starting an all-out war, yÕknow,Ó snorted Sasuke. ÒIÕm not stupid enough to get myself killed so easily.Ó

ÒWell what are you gonna do?Ó asked Rei.

ÒI donÕt knowÉÓ