(Chapter 15) The Night of Shadows

Moonlight cast eerie shadows through the Uchiha compound as I, found myself drawn to the training grounds nearby where I had always trained at. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of excitement and anxiety flooding my veins. I couldn't help but feel that something was off, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I was sneaking about as it was already late, Though this did help me practice my body flicker. I had wanted to chat with Shusui but I couldn't find him for the last few days, Even Izumi seemed off.

"Late night training again, Ayumi?" Izumi's voice reached me from behind, causing me to jump slightly. She approached me with a soft smile on her face, her dark hair cascading down her back, and her eyes glowing a shade of red with two tomo. I had o admit she made me nervous but she was my mentor, my friend, and my confidant she wouldn't harm me, this probably was some type of prank.

"Couldn't sleep," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. "Figured I could use the extra practice." Inside, I knew there was more to it than just restlessness. The chakra within me felt like a wild beast, clawing at its cage, and I struggled to contain it. Sooner or later I would have to ask for help, Something was wrong and I know it.

"Alright," Izumi nodded, adjusting her ninja gear. "Let's see what you've got."

As we began our late-night sparring session, neither of us was aware of the tragedy unfolding within the Uchiha compound. The night of the Uchiha Massacre was upon us, and tensions were high. The air felt charged as if the very atmosphere was trying to warn us of the impending danger.

The streets of the compound were eerily quiet, the usual sounds of laughter and camaraderie replaced by whispers and hushed conversations. Shadows danced along the walls, their movements fueled by the flickering flames of lanterns and torches. The energy in the village was tense, like a rubber band stretched to its limit, threatening to snap at any moment.

As the night wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The darkness seemed to press in around us, and I found myself constantly glancing over my shoulder. That's when I noticed that Izumi was acting strange. Her movements were more rigid than usual, her eyes darting around as if searching for something, or someone.

"Hey, Izumi," I said, pausing our training session. "Is everything alright? You seem a bit... off tonight."

She hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the direction of Shisui's house before her expression softened, and she let out a deep sigh. "It's nothing, Ayumi. Just worried about Shisui, that's all. He seems to have vanished into thin air."

The mention of Shisui's absence sent a shiver down my spine. He was an extremely strong ninja at least from what I've heard and how we trained. I could never beat him, But for him to be missing like this was worrying.

"Let's take a break," I suggested my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to clear my head, and maybe we can find Shisui along the way."

Izumi hesitated for a moment before nodding her agreement. As we walked through the dimly lit streets, I couldn't help but think back on the history Izumi and I shared. And the friends I made caused me to grow at least a bit stronger.

We had become close over time, sharing secrets and insecurities that we dared not speak of with anyone else. Our bond went beyond that of teacher and student; we were friends, sisters, even. And because of that connection, I couldn't stand to see her so on edge.

"Hey, Izumi," I said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever is going on, we'll figure it out together. You don't have to carry this burden alone."

Her eyes softened as she glanced at me, and for a brief moment, I could see the gratitude in her gaze. But that moment was short-lived, Since pain took over for a bit her eyes, were then followed by guilt.

"Is it Shisui?" I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity any longer. "What's going on with him?"

Izumi hesitated before responding, her voice barely audible. "I don't know. He's been acting strange lately, and now he's disappeared. I'm worried, Ayumi."

"Maybe you should talk to Itachi about it," I suggested, trying to offer some comfort.

"Absolutely not!" Izumi snapped, her eyes filled with anger. "He has nothing to do with this, and I don't want him involved."

"Fine," I retorted, equally as frustrated. "But can you at least tell me what's really going on? We're supposed to be friends, Izumi! You don't have to keep secrets from me."

"Friends?" She scoffed, her expression cold and distant. "You don't understand, Ayumi. There are things happening that you can't possibly comprehend."

"Try me!" I shot back, feeling the familiar heat of anger boiling in my chest. "I'm tired of being kept in the dark!"

"Enough!" Izumi shouted, shoving me away. "You think you're so strong and brave, but you're just a child! You don't know the horrors of our world. You don't know what it's like to lose everything!"

Neither of us noticed my grandfather silently watching nearby, his expression a mixture of concern and sadness.

Our heated exchange was interrupted by a sudden, chilling presence. A figure emerged from the shadows, his tall and lean form covered in black Ninja armor. His hair was jet-black and swept back, framing his pale face. But it was his eyes that caught our attention, glowing red, with three black comma-shaped marks swirling within them. It was similar to the Sharingan but it was something more. But as i got a better look at his face I noticed It was Itachi Uchiha.

"Stay back, Ayumi," Izumi warned, her voice dripping with fear, anger and sadness. Her eyes looked at the blood that was on his clothes.

"Hello, Izumi," Itachi said coldly but i could hear a hit of sadness. his eyes locked on hers. "I see you still have a soft spot for your little student."

"Leave her out of this," she demanded, positioning herself between me and the menacing figure.

"Very well," he replied, "But I have no intention of letting either of you leave here unscathed."

With those chilling words, Itachi lunged toward us, his speed nearly impossible to follow. Izumi quickly countered, as her eyes turned red again with an extra tomo this time. her expert reflexes barely keeping us out of harm's way. But I could tell she was struggling, the weight of her emotions and the suddenness of the attack had left her vulnerable. As for me, my heart raced with a mixture of fear but I knew I couldn't stand idly by while Izumi fought alone.

"Stay behind me, Ayumi," Izumi ordered, her eyes never leaving Itachi's.

"Sorry, but I can't do that," I whispered, my body tensing as I prepared to join the fight.

I took a deep breath and focused on my chakra, feeling its energy surge through my veins. I activated my body flicker technique and dashed toward Itachi, as well as my family's kekkei genkai determined to catch him off guard.

"Take this!" I shouted, throwing a punch at his face. But Itachi's Sharingan easily tracked my movements, and he dodged my attack with infuriating ease.

"Too slow," he taunted as he landed a strong swift kick to my head. The force sent me flying, my vision blurred, and darkness threatened to overtake me.

"AYUMI!" Izumi screamed, her voice filled with desperation. As I spiraled through the air. And crashed hard into the ground. As I witness the battle between Izumi and him, even I could tell she was way over her head. The sad look in his eyes was weird for me to see as he easily kicked her ass.

As I stared at Itachi, my tears mixed with anger and fear, and I felt a sudden surge of energy within me. The single tomoe in both of my eyes was like an indicator of the power that now coursed through my veins. Though unlike its normal color mines was grey for what would normally be black and for the red mine was white.

"Leave her alone!" I screamed, gathering every ounce of strength I had to stand up. My legs trembled, but I couldn't let him hurt her anymore. Itachi eyed me cautiously.

"Interesting," he murmured, his red eyes glinting with intrigue. "But you're still no match for me."

Before I could react, a blur of speed appeared between us. My grandfather, Hayai, appeared ready to defend us. He moved so quickly that it seemed as if he was teleporting, launching a barrage of attacks against Itachi.

"Run, Ayumi!" Grandfather shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "Take Izumi and get out of here!"

I hesitated for a moment, torn between wanting to fight alongside my grandfather and obeying his command. But when I glanced at Izumi's lifeless body on the ground, I knew what I had to do.

"Okay Grandpa," I whispered, grabbing Izumi and managing to hoist her over my shoulder. As I fled from the scene, I couldn't help but look back to see the fierce battle unfolding.

Itachi and Hayai traded blows, their techniques almost too fast to follow. Itachi unleashed torrents of fire from his mouth, while Grandfather countered with a torrent of water creating a mist.

As the dust settled, silence fell over the battlefield. I could feel my heart pounding in my ears, echoing through the still night air. My gaze darted from Itachi's retreating figure to Grandfather, who was now standing over Izumi.

"Forgive me," he whispered, raising his hand and striking her quickly at the base of her neck. Izumi's eyes rolled back as she crumpled to the ground, limp as a ragdoll. I watched in shock, unable to comprehend why Grandfather had knocked her out as well.

"Grandfather, why…?" I stammered, my voice barely audible.

"Her mind has been tampered with," he explained, his tone heavy with regret. "Izumi was under a genjutsu. I had to break the connection before something bad happened.

My chest tightened, and I clenched my fists. And then I felt darkness take over as I fell to the ground as well.

I found myself in a dark void where I could see a light walking towards me, something in me wanted to reach it and so I began to walk towards it. There I saw an older girl who looked at me and offered her hand, and as I reached for it I finally felt complete. A rush of memories rolled through my mind of my past life, on how I was ignorant of so many things. It was a shame I couldn't save Shushi but even with my memories missing I had managed to save Izumi.

Pov Hayai

The moon cast an eerie glow on the devastation that surrounded me smoldering buildings, bodies strewn about like discarded toys. A bitter taste filled my mouth as I surveyed the destruction. This wasn't just a battle; it was a massacre. And It was like being back in the war again.

As I lifted Izumi and Ayumi into my arms. I moved by the rooftop making my way out of the compound.

The Uchiha clan was no more, their legacy was reduced to ashes and blood. As I sensed out I could feel one signature, it seemed someone was alive.