12 2/2

"That's it! Team 1 wins!" The chuunin called out, as Naruto, Ino, Sasuke, Ami, and Mumei came out of the trees. Naruto and Ino cheered, as Sasuke looked enraged, while Ami and Mumei were disappointed.

This was another of the training exercises for the students at the academy. It was a simple game of capture the flag, but it was used to train teamwork, as well as strategy and tactics. It also taught them about how some missions would involve capturing secret enemy documents or other items, or defending them from enemies.

The chuunin instructor nodded to them. "Team 1, you did very well. Not only did you capture the flag, but all your teammates returned alive and unharmed," he said. "Team 2, you did manage to hold onto the flag for close to twenty minutes, which is impressive. However, you allowed the enemy to capture the flag, and successfully return with it."

Sasuke seethed angrily, glaring at Naruto. He couldn't believe he lost. It had to have been his teammates. They just got in the way. He growled, glaring at Mumei and Ami.

The chuunin instructor glanced at the sun, and nodded. "That'll be it for today. We'll pick back up next Tuesday," he said. This had been the fifth round of capture the flag today and they needed to return for their last lesson of the day.

Ino sighed softly, stretching a bit. The last two years so far in the Academy had been a bit of an eye opener for her. Listening to her father's stories, she had thought it was all about heroic deeds, and how she'd get to meet some prince Charming who would rescue her in battle, and they would fall in love and get married. But the reality so far had been quite different.

The instructors put them through hard training. When they weren't inside listening to lectures, they were outside, training in taijutsu forms. Even after getting the moves down, they were told to constantly practice, to get what they called 'muscle memory'. When she asked her dad about it, he told him it was where you trained your body to the point where it could almost react on its own. Your muscles would be trained to move and react exactly the way you needed them to during a fight. And it could be very important during battle if your mind was tired and you couldn't entirely think straight.

They were also taught how to throw kunai and shuriken, and again it was constant practice and practice to get the movements and muscle memory down. And then there were all the various exercises and drills. The stealth exercises of hiding from each other, and occasionally hiding from the Chuunin Instructors. The teamwork exercises, like the D-ranked missions every other Friday. Or what they had just done, the simulated mission exercises.

Ino would admit, she disliked being dirty and sweaty. She really did. But her father said it would be important, as it could save her life. So for now, she would put up with it. Once she graduated, she hoped she'd have plenty of time to be more lady-like. Like her mother, who was very graceful and elegant.

Ahead of her, Naruto was grinning happily as he walked next to Hinata. "You did incredible Hinata-chan," he said, causing the girl to blush.

"B-But I just ran with the flag," she said, not thinking she did much.

"Are you kidding? You're the one who scouted them out! Plus you got away with the flag. You and Ino did all the hard work," Naruto said with a grin at her. "All I did was distract them."

Hinata smiled a little at his praise. "I-I think what you did was hard work too," she said.

"Naw, I just danced around a little. Like this," he said, doing a bit of a goofy dance as they walked, causing Hinata to giggle. Naruto grinned at that. "Your laugh is great," he said.

Hinata blinked, blushing. "W-what?" She squeaked out.

"When you laugh. It's great. You seem so happy," he said. Hinata just blushed more, scrunching her head down and raising her shoulders as if she could hide.

Behind them though, Sasuke growled angrily as he glared at the happy pair. How dare they humiliate him like this? He was an Uchiha! He couldn't let his father down like this! He would have to train harder, prove he was the best. And next time, he couldn't rely on teammates. They were worthless. That girl Ami did nothing helpful, and the idiot Mumei allowed the Yamanaka girl to possess him.

Sasuke looked over at Ino now, glaring at her as she was right in front of him. Decided to get a little payback, he walked a bit faster, bumping into her and knocking her over. Sneering, he just kept walking.

Ino let out a yelp as she hit the ground, before looking up and glaring at Sasuke's retreating back. She winced a bit as well, feeling some pain in her palm. She looked at it, seeing she had scraped a bit of skin on a rock. She suddenly found herself in a shadow, and looked up, seeing Chouji Akamichi there. She knew about him due to their father's being friends, but she hadn't really ever interacted with him before.

"You okay?" He asked kindly, offering her his hand. Ino blinked, before taking it and letting him help her up.

"Yeah, I'm alright. Hurt my hand a little," she said, wiping herself off, only to groan seeing some grass stains on her shorts.

Chouji smiled. "I'm glad you're okay then," he said a bit shyly, before turning and walking off, joining Shikamaru Nara.

Ino tilted her head, before calling out "Thank you!" to his retreating back. At that moment, her friend Sakura rushed over.

"Ino are you okay? I heard you yelp, and then that boy Chouji was helping you up. What happened?" She asked.

Ino smiled a bit at her. "It's cool Sakura. Just a little accident," she said with a smile. "Now c'mon, I feel like celebrating my being awesome!"

The girls giggled as they headed off.

Uchiha Compound, three days later

As evening fell over the village, Shisui Uchiha quietly watched over the Uchiha jounin Tekka, wondering how things had come to this. He had known that things were not as peaceful within the clan as he had wanted them to be when he had been asked to spy on Itachi by the clan head Fugaku, but what Itachi had told him seemed like pure madness. He knew though that he couldn't let the rest of the clan fall into this either, as it could lead to many people dying who didn't have to, and that was why he had agreed to help Itachi. The village came first, above all else. He had taught that to Itachi, much like it had been taught to him by his teammate, a civilian born kunoichi named Juku (lessons).

Shisui once had the arrogance that many in the clan had. It was an arrogance passed down from being descended from the Sage of Six Paths, the father of all ninjutsu. An arrogance further increased by the knowledge that their clan was one of the two founding clans of Konoha. As a young genin, Shisui had always believed that he was superior to those around him. Then he had been assigned to his genin team, and the kunoichi on the team stopped him dead in his tracks. Juku had been an orphan, the daughter of a prostitute and a shinobi. Neither had wanted her, and so she was dumped at the orphanage when she was four years old. The brown haired, blue eyed girl had grown strong, and had used her abandonment by her parents to push her in her quest to be a strong kunoichi, and a strong person who would be nothing like her selfish parents. When she met Shisui, Juku had been friendly to him, only for him to brush aside her greeting like it was nothing. In the weeks that followed though, Shisui found himself being pushed by her. She was constantly challenging him, sparring with him, and most surprisingly, winning several battles against him. The two formed an intense rivalry, pushing each other to become stronger. And before Shisui knew it, his arrogance was long gone, destroyed by this kunoichi who had challenged his beliefs, challenged his strength, and showed him that a clan name and bloodline alone wasn't enough to be strong. That as a shinobi, they're loyalty and pride should be in their village.

It wasn't surprising then that in perhaps one of their most intense spars ever, Shisui got inside her guard and ended up pinning her to a tree. And before either knew what they were doing, they were kissing, right in front of their teammate and sensei, to their chagrin. They had been unable to talk to each other or even look at each other without blushing for two whole days, until he had finally asked her out on a date.

Shisui looked down a bit sadly. Juku had been killed one year ago on a mission, mortally wounded by a rogue ninja from Kusa, who had then died at Shisui's hands. As Shisui held her in his arms, Juka confessed she had been too scared to confess how much she loved him. And Shisui confessed his own love to her, giving her one last kiss, before she passed on. In that moment, Shisui swore he would uphold her ideals, no matter what. And in that moment, his Sharingan morphed into the Mangekyou, something that was almost a myth in their clan.

Shisui watched as Tekka entered the house of the clan head, and he used a brief shunshin to slip into the yard of the house, sliding around the side. He soon stopped under a window outside the study, as he heard movement within.

"Fugaku-sama, you requested my presence?" Tekka's voice could be heard, since the window was open. Shisui went still to listen.

"Yes. Sarutobi has recently requested a meeting with me and a few select members of the clan. However, the people he's requested are part of our group," Fugaku said. "I fear he is planning to make a move against us, as it's apparent he knows we are planning something. You weren't one of the people he requested to the meeting, so I have a mission for you. Leverage to use against Sarutobi," he said. "When the others and I head to this meeting, you are to go to this apartment. It is the home of the Kyuubi brat, who I know Sarutobi is close to. You are to hold him hostage, and if you don't hear from us within three hours of the meeting, kill him," he said.

Shisui's eyes widened at this, as he heard Tekka accept the mission. Afterwards, he heard the clink of two sake cups, and the pair drinking to the future of the Uchiha clan.

Shisui stealthy moved away, knowing he had to warn Itachi or the Hokage about this. As he did though, he saw a figure quickly ducking into the shadows of a nearby house. Shisui slowly followed, worried it was an Uchiha who had seen him, or a spy from another village.

He soon saw his target disappearing around another corner, and he quickly followed, watching as his target was heading in a southerly direction. It was a smart move, as there was a thick heavy woodland in that direction, so it was an easy place to disappear to when one exited the Uchiha district of the village. Shisui continued to stealthily pursue his target, as they soon exited the districted, and took to the trees. As they did, Shisui analyzed his target. They were fairly proficient with stealth, having avoided everyone but him. And they were moving quickly and with great purpose. This was a highly skilled high chuunin or jounin level shinobi.

After about twenty minutes, Shisui watched as his target dropped to the ground near a clearing. He stopped, and slowly began to stealthily approach the area, seeing several shadows in the clearing. He stopped when he was close enough to hear them.

"I was rather surprised you contacted me, Danzou," spoke a person whose features he couldn't make out, due to the cloak and hood they were wearing. But now he could identify Danzou, flanked by two hooded and cloaked figures wearing blank masks. The shinobi he had trailed was a bit further back, waiting to report.

"I contacted you because I know you can help me. I know now that Sarutobi and those running our village will destroy it. While he has shown backbone in the previous two years, Sarutobi is still unwilling to do what must be done to protect this village. And his teachings have infected the village and shinobi as a whole," Danzou said. "His ruling regarding this incident with the Uchiha has made that abundantly clear. That is why I have come to you, as I know you hold little love for Sarutobi or this village."

"I see. But surely you know I am not exactly someone you can so readily trust. I was once part of your little training program, so you know me, just as I know you," the figure said, in a strangely snake like voice.

"True enough, but I can trust you to act a certain way. And that is why I wish to make this offer. That you help me in saving Konoha, from the cancer that is infecting it," Danzou said simply. "I will give you the chance of revenge, and you will help me clear out the sickness of the village."

The figure seemed to chuckle. "You always did have a way with words. Very well then Danzou. It'll be interesting working with you again. Though I must request a few things from you, when the time comes. Do we have an agreement?"

At Danzou's nod, the figure simply faded back into the shadows, seemingly disappearing. Danzou stared at the space the person had been in, before jerking his head slightly. And in an instant, Shisui felt himself being slammed from behind, and into the ground, with two figures holding him down.

"Shisui Uchiha, known as Shunshin no Shisui. Jounin of the Uchiha Clan. Holder of the Kotoamatsukami Mangekyou Sharingan," Danzou said, turning to face the pinned down Shisui. "I have to say, it is an honor to meet you. You are quite the skilled shinobi."

Shisui grunted softly, testing to see how much room he had to move. He was quickly pressed harder into the ground. "I would say thank you for the compliment, but coming from a traitor, that's not exactly high praise," he said.

Danzou stared down at him. "You may view it as treason, but I view it as being a patriot," he said calmly. "This village has become weak. We are diplomatic when we should fight. We concede when we should press. We are shinobi, killers, and mercenaries. We can't be weak, if we are to survive. What I do, I do for the sake of the village," he said.

Shisui chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Is that really what you think? You think what you're doing is for the village? How the hell can you say you're doing what's best for the village when you're planning to betray and kill the people? That is what makes the village. We serve the people of the village, not the stone and wood, not the power of the village."

"It is sad to see one so skilled could be so naïve," Danzou said, as he indicated for his two agents to hoist Shisui to his knees. "I would bring you into my organization, but it would cause too many problems. However, there is a way you can prove useful to me," he said as he produced a glass vial and a small knife. "Your eyes, and the Mangekyou Sharingan ability they possess. My agents have informed me about what they can do. The power to influence people will aid in my saving of the village."

Shisui glared at Danzou. "You're insane, you know that? You are absolutely deranged. I will never let you have my eyes," he said, deactivating his Sharingan, which he had active while tracking the ROOT agent.

Danzou simply nodded to one of the ROOT Agents. "I'm afraid you have no choice," he said, as the agent placed a seal on Shisui's neck. And Shisui let out a grunt of pain as he felt his chakra surge, activating his Sharingan and morphing it into the Mangekyou form. "It's really quite simple. That seal was designed to be used to counter prison seals that lock a person's chakra down, as well as medical instances where a person's chakra network needed to be jumpstarted. However, a colleague of mine found it most useful in forcing a person's bloodline to activate so he could take samples of their blood and study them. In this case, it will allow me to harvest your Mangekyou Sharingan," Danzou said, as he readied the knife, approaching Shisui.

Shisui growled angrily. "I'm afraid you've underestimated me," he said, as he felt the chakra surge throughout his body. With a roar he used it to strengthen his muscles, yanking free of one of the ROOT agents and punching the other one so hard it broke his neck, sending him flying. The ROOT agent he had broken free from tried to grab him again but Shisui swung his head backwards, breaking his mask and sending him stumbling back with a broken nose. He turned as the other three agents charged, tantos drawn, and he grabbed a tanto from the ROOT shinobi he had just head butted, drawing it and slashing the man's throat before parrying a thrust from one of the charging agents. He spun around him, punching the next one before trading blows with the last agent. Grinning, he flipped over the agent, appearing behind the agent and stabbing him through the back, only to curse as he felt the blade stick into wood, the ROOT agent disappearing in a substitution, leaving behind a log. Unable to retrieve the tanto Shisui let it go, ducking under a slash aimed at his head. He quickly struck the ROOT agent, knocking the air out of him, only to roll forward under a swing from the other ROOT Agent. The one he had thought he stabbed appeared from above; trying to stab down at him, But Shisui merely flickered away again, facing the three living ROOT agents. Sadly, he forgot there was a fourth person there. Shisui felt Danzou's cane strike the back of his knees, knocking him down. Shisui tried to roll to get back to his feet, only to find a tanto heading for his head. He tried to jerk out of the way, but was only partially successful. There was the sound of metal cutting flesh, and a splash of blood.

Shisui let out a scream, clutching the place where his left eye had been. Blood seeped form the wound, which now was a mess of destroyed ocular organ. Shisui panted in pain, backing away from the ROOT agents, who advanced on him.

"Fools, do not destroy his other eye!" Danzou growled out, as the ROOT Agents prepared to attack.

At that moment, Shisui felt his chakra start to settle down, as the seal's effect began to wear off. Feeling like his chakra was under control, Shisui grimly smiled at Danzou. "Sorry…but I don't think I can stick around," he panted out, before pouring as much chakra as he could into a shunshin, and disappearing.

Danzou merely glared at the spot Shisui had been in. With a snap of his fingers, the three Agents appeared in front of him. "Clean up this mess, and then return to the base for punishment," he said, as the three ROOT agents just nodded and moved to clean up the two bodies. Danzou merely turned and left, knowing he would have to let things die down before he could move again in the open.

Elsewhere, Itachi was quietly waiting at a pre-arranged spot for Shisui, where they would exchange notes on what they had observed. Though he appeared calm, Itachi was nervous, as Shisui was late. He heard a rustle, and turned, only for his eyes to widen in shock and horror.

Shisui stumbled out, clutching cloth ripped from his shirt over the wound of his left eye. "H-Hey there Itachi," he said weakly, before dropping to his knees.

Itachi rushed over to him. "Shisui, what happened?!" he said, trying to help Shisui to his feet.

Shisui shook his head. "There's no time. Itachi, you need to warn the Hokage. Fugaku is going to have Tekka kidnap Naruto and hold him for leverage. And Danzou is planning to eventually ally with a traitor of Konoha and wipe out the leadership of the village, replacing it with himself," he said.

Itachi nodded. "I will Shisui, after I get you to a hospital," he said, trying to help Shisui up, only to be pushed away.

"You can't Itachi," Shisui said, as he looked up at him with his one good eye. "If you take me to the hospital, Danzou can send someone after me there. He tried to take my eyes, Itachi. He wants the power of my Mangekyou. And he almost had it," he said.

"Then what am I supposed to do Shisui?! I can't let you die!" Itachi said, allowing emotions to break through his usually calm mask.

Shisui smiled weakly at Itachi. "I'm afraid there's no other real choice Itachi," he said, before slowly reaching up. Itachi's eyes widened in horror, and he tried to stop Shisui, but it was too late. The Uchiha, without making a single sound of pain, removed his remaining eye, gently holding it in his hand. "I can't be left alive Itachi. Danzou will get to me, and the clan would never allow it. It would be a stain on their honor," he said, spitting out the word honor.

Itachi trembled in horror and despair. "Why Shisui? Why are you doing this?"

"For the sake of the village," Shisui said. "I won't let my eyes be used against this village. Not by Danzou, and not by the clan. I entrust it to you," he whispered softly, holding out the eye. "Please…do this for me Itachi. I beg you."

Itachi gently took the eye from Shisui's hand. "I will Shisui. I'll protect this eye, and find a way to use it to help the village," he said.

Shisui shakily and sadly smiled. "I must ask one more thing of you, my brother. Help me…help me to go join Juku?"

Itachi trembled, eyes closed, as a few tears fell from them. "…if that is your wish, my friend," he said softly. "I will help you join your beloved," he whispered.

Shisui gave Itachi a serene smile, as he felt himself being helped to his feet, and guided away, into the darkness.

That Sunday evening

Kiseki was a bit nervous as she travelled with her father Yashiro, as well as Fugaku and Inabi Uchiha, all of whom were top ranked jounin of the Uchiha clan. With them as well was Teyaki Uchiha, one of the civilian members of the clan and Fugaku's brother (1).

The entire clan had been on edge when the body of Shisui Uchiha had been found washed up against the bank of the river that flowed through the Uchiha district, feeding into the lake near the clan head's house. An autopsy showed that he had died of drowning, after apparently cutting his eyes and destroying them. An examination of the river led them to finding a bloody kunai with his blood and fingerprints on it further upstream. And at his home, there was a suicide note clearly written in his hand. In it, he stated how he could no longer live without his beloved Juku, and that he wished to join her in the afterlife.

While the evidence pointed clearly to suicide, many wondered how this could be, considering that while Shisui seemed to still mourn the loss of his teammate, he seemed to be living his life happily otherwise. Some wondered if foul play was involved, but it seemed preposterous, as only someone with a Sharingan could have copied Shisui's handwriting. Still, an investigation began, while the corpse of Shisui was cremated and the ashes were then sprinkled over the water of the lake, to dissipate. This was Uchiha tradition, to ensure no one could steal secrets or DNA from the dead of the clan.

Kiseki glanced at her father. "Dad, why am I here?" She asked. "All she knew was that they were currently heading to a meeting with the Hokage, and her father had requested she come along.

Yashiro looked at her, smiling softly. "I suggested that you come along sweetie, to act as a guard to make sure no one interferes with the meeting. You should be honored, to guard the head of the clan."

Kiseki smiled a bit weakly in return, not sure why they needed a guard. And if they did, why her? She shook her head, accepting it all, as they continued on their way.

Back at the Uchiha district, two shadows slipped into the area, and then with nods to each other, separated to take care of their targets.

At the meeting point, Itachi stood in full ANBU gear, wearing the traditional ANBU armor and his Weasel Mask. Sitting next to him was Sarutobi, who was quietly puffing on his pipe. And crouched in the rafters, not making a sound or movement, was Raphael, his lower face covered by a crimson face mask.

Itachi glanced at Sarutobi, as they waited for the arrival of the Uchiha members. In the aftermath of Shisui's death, Itachi had reported everything to the Hokage, concerning Shisui's warning regarding Danzou and Fugaku. Sarutobi had assigned an ANBU to watch over Naruto, but sadly, there was nothing he could do about Danzou, without hard evidence to accuse him with. Trying to take Danzou out black ops style would more than likely fail, so for now, Danzou would have to be left alone. Though Sarutobi swore that he would find a way to end Danzou for good.

At that moment, the door opened, and in entered Fugaku, followed by Teyaki, Inabi, and Yashiro. Itachi's eyes widened as he saw a flash of Kiseki through the open door, before it closed.

Fugaku bowed to Sarutobi once they all were in. "You summoned us Hokage-sama?" He asked.

Sarutobi nodded quietly. "I did, Fugaku. I think it is about time we dispensed with the charade. I know that you're planning a coup against the leadership of Konoha. I brought you out here for one final attempt at diplomacy, and to prevent an incident from occurring. What you are doing, Fugaku, is madness. It will push the village into civil war, and could lead to the village's destruction at the hands of the other villages."

Fugaku just sneered at him. "Do you think I honestly care about this village, Sarutobi? Our clan was one of the founding members. We are descended from the Rikudou Sennin himself. And yet our clan has continually been pushed aside, denied what should be our right. Our founder was denied the chance to be Hokage. Our clan was and still is kept separate from the rest of the village. It is time the Uchiha took their rightful birthright and control this village," he said, with nods of confirmation coming from those with him. "And do not think that having my traitorous son on your side will prevent us from succeeding," he said as he glared at Itachi, as he and the two shinobi drew kunai from their pockets, ready to fight.

Sarutobi looked at Fugaku with disappointment. "Is that your final answer then?" He asked quietly, lowering his pipe to the small table in front of him and quietly tapping it out into the ash tray.

"It is, Sarutobi. And before you think to try and kill me, just know that-" Fugaku said, only to be interrupted.

"Tekka Uchiha is on his way to capture Naruto Uzumaki. Should you not report back in time, Tekka is to slay Naruto. A rather foolish mistake, as it will lead to the destruction of this village and clan," Sarutobi said coldly, standing up. "I've already set an ANBU guard for Naruto."

Teyaki stepped back, as the three Uchiha shinobi prepared to fight. "It doesn't matter, Sarutobi. Tonight ends your reign, and begins the reign of the Uchiha!"

Sarutobi shook his head. "Then I have my answer. You are hereby guilty of treason. Your sentence? Execution," he said simply, as a smoke bomb dropped from the ceiling and exploded amongst the Uchiha.

Kiseki blinked, hearing muffled raised voices, but thought it was merely a heated discussion. But then she heard the dull explosion of a smoke bomb, its noise one that any well trained shinobi would be familiar with it. In an instant she threw open the door, drawing her swords, only to find her vision blinded by smoke. She coughed, stumbling back, eyes watering slightly as something in the smoke made it hard for her to breath and irritated her eyes. Her vision soon cleared, and she looked up, only for her eyes to widen in horror.

Teyaki Uchiha was pinned to a wall, a sword through his chest keeping him upright, as a crimson robed figure held Ibana Uchiha by the throat, with a blade protruding through his neck. Fugaku was staring blankly at the kunai that Hiruzen Sarutobi had buried through his throat, before his legs buckled and he began to fall. But worse, far worse, was the sight of her father's headless corpse slumping to the ground, his head having rolled a few feet away. And the man standing over her dead father was none other than Itachi, his sword dripping with her father's blood.

Kiseki stood there, her weapons clattering to the ground as they fell from her nerveless hands, before she sunk to her knees. She just kept staring at where her father had stood, as the crimson robed figure turned to the Hokage, saying "I'm going to go check on Naruto," before disappearing.

Sarutobi sighed as he looked at Kiseki's shocked form. "Itachi, please take care of her," he said, as he retrieved his pipe and quietly left.

Itachi just numbly nodded, as he sheathed his still bloody sword, and slowly removed his mask, looking down at Kiseki. She slowly looked up, her eyes lifeless, as tears fell from them. "Why?" She whispered.

Itachi felt his heart shatter, seeing her like this. "I'm sorry," he whispered, as his Sharingan began to morph into the Mangekyou Sharingan, the three tomoes becoming a pinwheel. "Tsukuyomi."

Naruto's Apartment

Naruto trembled in fear as he watched Tekka Uchiha approach him. He didn't know what was going on. One minute he was getting ready for bed, and then the next he heard the sound of glass shattering outside his bedroom. He had rushed to the door, only for his eyes to widen in fear as he saw an unknown man stabbing one of those masked ninjas he had sometimes seen around the Hokage. The masked man slumped to the ground, blood pooling around his body as he weakly tried to cover the hole in his throat, before falling still.

Tekka grinned as he approached Naruto. "Well, well, well. Looks like it's just you and me now, brat," Tekka said maliciously. He suddenly appeared in front of Naruto, kicking him in the chest and knocking him back into the bedroom. Naruto slammed into the wall, the air knocked out of him, before he fell to the floor, crying and panting for air as he held his chest and stomach.

Tekka smirked as he approached. "What's the matter fox brat? Don't like being hurt?" He asked, as he grabbed Naruto by his hair and threw him against another wall, making Naruto cry out again. "Well it doesn't matter now. Cuz after tonight, you'll either be dead, or you'll be the Uchiha Clan's little pet," he said. "And personally, I'm hoping for the former."

Naruto sobbed, looking up at the man who grinned, raising his leg to kick Naruto, only for him to yell in pain as little Tomo rushed out from under the bed and clamped his teeth into Tekka's ankle, his claws digging into the man's leg as he tried to do as much damage as he could.

Naruto weakly scrambled back into the living room, when he heard Tomo yelp in pain and the thud of something hitting a wall. He managed to reach the dead ANBU when he heard footsteps behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a very pissed off Tekka limping towards him. "Forget what Fugaku said! I'm going to kill you and that damn rat!" he said, raising his kunai.

Naruto scrambled madly, managing to grab the hilt of the dead ANBU's tanto, as Tekka lunged. Naruto pulled the sword out and stabbed upward on blind instinct.

Raphael rushed up the stairs to Naruto's apartment, only for his eyes to widen in horror as he saw the broken window. He immediately rushed inside, only to stop at what he saw. The ANBU Sarutobi had assigned to guard Naruto lay dead on the floor, stabbed through the throat. Next to him lay Tekka on his side, his face forever locked in surprise as he held the tanto in his chest that had ended his life.

Raphael quickly scanned the room for any sign of Naruto. "NARUTO! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Raphael shouted, only to hear sobbing coming from the bedroom. He rushed in, where he found Naruto.

The boy was covered in blood, and was huddled in a corner, sobbing and crying. Tomo was resting in his lap, whimpering softly and trying to comfort him, even though one of his legs was bent at a funny angle. Raphael immediately rushed over and knelt down, touching Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto, speak to me! Are you okay?"

Naruto just looked up, trembling as he stared blankly at Raphael. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out for several minutes. Finally, he spoke. "I-I really am a monster…aren't I?" He choked out.

Raphael pulled him into a hug, shaking his head. "No Naruto. You're not a monster. You never could be," he whispered, as he held the boy close, letting him sob into his chest, as he held him. It would be this scene that a full squad of ANBU would come across when they arrived.

Outside the village, Itachi quietly stared at his former home. He now bore a slash through his headband, the universal symbol of a missing nin. His face was lined with tear trails, though his eyes were dry. He slowly turned and began to run. His life in Konoha was over, and his life with Akatsuki was about to begin.

So, finally completed this chapter! I actually had this one going on a roll for a while, but then I got caught up in this really awesome StarCraft fanfic, written by Ragnarok666. If you're interested, check it out. It's called Aftermath and Revelations.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed it, including my twist on the Uchiha Massacre. And don't jump to any conclusions yet about some things. The next chapter might shock you.

Now, for those of you wondering why on earth would Fugaku be dumb enough to walk into what was clearly a trap, please remember these two things:

A. I made Fugaku quite arrogant in this fanfic, in fact in this chapter. He would probably feel that he and the two ninja with him could handle any problems, and he was going to hold Naruto for leverage. So he felt they could handle it.

B. Considering how Sarutobi tended to be more diplomatic in his solutions, and until recently had shown signs of being weak, he would feel that Sarutobi wouldn't dare try something like this. Which would further his view that he and the Uchiha could and should rule the village

So that's why Fugaku walked into that trap there.

Again, please go to my profile, scroll to the bottom, and sign the petition regarding SOPA. We need to stop this menace, here and now.

The aftermath of what happened will be coming next chapter, so I hope you'll all be patient, and I'll get to it as soon as I can.

So until then, you epically awesome readers!

1. This is a canon character, and yes he is Fugaku's brother, making him Itachi and Sasuke's Uncle.