As the morning sun rose over the leaf village, young students then began to make there way to the academy as the second week of classes begun.  Naruto dashed through the hallway’s trying to make it to class on time. As he ran through the doorway to class, he bumped into somebody and fell backwards to the ground. Shaking it off he looked up to see Itachi looking back at him with a frown on his face. Naruto got up to his feet and rubbed the back of his neck as the two stared at each other.

 

Naruto - “Well, if it isn’t Mr. top of the class.”

 

 Itachi closed his eyes and turned away. Itachi then walked to his desk in the front row, and sat down. Frustrated, Naruto walked over and slammed his fist on Itachi’s desk.

 

Naruto - “Hey buddy, I was talking to you there! You think you better than the rest of us or something.”

 

Itachi - “There’s a difference between thinking I am, and knowing I am. You should go learn the difference, due to the fact I don’t have time to teach you what true skill is.”

 

Naruto - “What? Why I ought a ………..”

 

????? - “Is there a problem here?”

 

 Naruto turned to the voice that came from behind him. As he did he saw Iruka  standing behind him, with his arms crossed. Naruto smiled and rubbed the back of his head, while sweat started to pour from his forehead. Naruto the frowned and looked at the floor, as he mumbled.

 

Naruto - “No Iruka-sensei…..”

 

Iruka - “Then, if you would kindly, find your seat so we may begin.”

 

 A young blonde haired girl, next to Itachi giggled as Naruto  stormed towards the back of the class to take his seat. As Naruto sat down, the class settled down, as Iruka began to teach the class. 

 

Iruka - “Now class, we will begin where we left off last week. We’ll start with continuing to discuss the importance of your squad members, and the tasks that will be set upon you while completing missions given to you …………………”

 

 As the day went on, the students went about their class tasks. The day came to an end and the students began to file out the academy.  As Itachi began to walk home, the young girl from class came running up to him.

 

Girl - “Hey, your Itachi right?”

 

Itachi - “Yea…”

 

Girl - “Hi, my name is Suika, I’m in class with you.”

 

Itachi - “So I’ve noticed…..”

 

Suika - “I know it’s a bit last minute, but was wondering if you could help me with my ninjutsu. I’m having a bit of trouble, and heard you were the one to go to for help.”

 

Itachi - “Sorry, but I’m a bit busy…..”

Suika - “Please, it would be a big help, and I don’t wish to fail.”

 

Itachi - “Hmm, very well. Meet me at the training grounds this weekend.”

 

Suika - “Awe, thanks. I’ll see you this weekend.”

 

 The young girl smiled, turned and took off down the road. Itachi stood there and watched as she ran off into the distance. As she turned the corner and was out of eye sight, Itachi looked up into the clear blue sky, while shaking his head.

 

Itachi - “It’s going to  rain soon……”

 

 

To Be Continued……………………

 

 The afternoon sky was dark and grey, as it was covered with clouds. Rain heavily poured down onto the village of Konoha.  As the villagers kept themselves inside to keep dry and warm. Three stayed out in the training grounds. Itachi stood, trying to learn transformation jutsu. While Neji was close by at a target dummy, developing his Byuakugan. Naruto sat up in the trees watching the two as they trained.

 

Naruto - “Man, these two are going all out. Even in this storm they don’t give up.  They’re liable to catch a cold they continue to stay out there.”

 

???? - “Shouldn’t you be training as well?”

 

 Naruto jumped as the voice came from behind him. Naruto looked and then noticed and Anbu ninja, sitting on the branch next to him.

 

Naruto - “Geez, what’s your problem scaring a guy like that!”

 

Anbu Ninja - “Sorry to frighten you. Thought you noticed me sitting here. I’ve been here for some time now.”

 

Naruto - “Huh, well yeah….. I noticed you…… just didn’t expect it that’s all.”

 

Anbu Ninja - “Uh-Huh…..”

 

Naruto - “Anyway that’s not the point, what are you doing here anyways?”

 

Anbu Ninja - “The Hokage sent me to get Itachi, he wishes to speak with him.”

 

Naruto - “The Hokage? What’s he want with Itachi?”

 

Anbu Ninja - “I believe that’s between them two and the elders.”

 

 The Anbu Ninja then leaped from the tree and landed by Itachi. Itachi stopped what he was doing and turned to the ninja.

 

Itachi - “Something I can help you with?”

 

Anbu Ninja - “The Hokage has requested that you come to his office.”

 

Itachi - “Any reason to why?”

 

Anbu Ninja - “He did say, just to bring you to him.”

 

Itachi - “Very well, lead the way.”

 

 Itachi and the Anbu Ninja then leaped away and headed towards the village, while Naruto looked on puzzled at what just happened.  Meanwhile Itachi and the Anbu ninja, leaped from building to building on their way towards the administration building. Along the way Itachi thought to himself.

 

Itachi - “So the day has finally come.”

 

 Moments later, after reaching the administration building, Itachi opened the door to the Hokage’s office. As he walked in, he noticed the Hokage sitting behind his desk, while the two village stood in front of him. Itachi then stood before them with his eyes closed.

 

Itachi - “You called for me?”

 

Hokage - “Yes, there is a matter that we must speak on. Word has it your about to partake in the next semester of the ninja academy.”

 

Itachi - “It would seems so….”

 

Hokage - “Well, before we speak on that, lets speak about your past. Five years ago to be exact. We gave you a mission, and much to my surprise, you succeeded in that mission. Now, as we know I do not approve of what happened. But something had to be done. We’ve done what we could to cover these events up. The villagers believe it to be some outside attack, focused on Uchiha. But since you left your brother alive, he’s the only one that knows the truth, and the consequences of your actions are something you will have to deal with on your own.”

 

Itachi - “Very well…”

 

Hokage - “So, you will kill your own brother, and make you the last of the Uchiha……’

 

Itachi - “I will do what I must, but we are not the last……”

 

Hokage - “What do you mean by that?”

 

Itachi - “There is another…..”

 

Hokage - “Then you know what needs to be done..”

 

Itachi - “Seems so…”

 

Hokage - “So be it, upon completion of the academy you will be given your own personal mission. I’ll leave the details up to you on how you complete it, just make sure you do.”

 

Itachi - “Very well….”

 

Hokage - “Dismissed……”

Meanwhile in the hidden Sand Village……………….

 As night falls over the village, Gaara stands atop a building. As he watches the village from above, a kunai shoots at him from behind. As the kunai draws close, a wall of sand shoots up and engulfs the kunai. With a surprised look on his face, Gaara turned and noticed a cloaked sand ninja stood there with more kunai floating in front of him. As Gaara becomes enraged, the cloaked ninja fires all the kunai at him. As the kunai come close, another wall of sand shoots up from the ground and engulfs all the blades. Gaara then reaches his hand outward, as he does sand then surrounds the cloaked ninja. Gaara closed his hand and the sand wrapped around the body of the ninja, and started to squeeze his body. As the sand started to crush the ninjas body, the ninja screamed out in pain. Blood  started to mix with the sand, as Gaara released him. The ninja’s body fell to the ground. The impact of hitting the ground knocked off the ninjas helmet. As Gaara walked over to finish him of, his eyes widened in shock as he realized it was his uncle Yashamaru. Gaara then knelt down beside him.

 

Gaara - “Yashamaru …… why?’

 

Yashamaru - “Isn’t.. it obvious….. You’re …. a monster. You’re death means the safety of our village. Please Gaara, do me a favor and die….. Die for the village…….”

 

 As tears rolled down Gaara’s face, Yashamaru  unzipped his flak jacket, revealing a bunch of exploding notes attached to his chest. The notes took light, and an explosion occurred, engulfing the rooftop. As the smoke settled, a ball of sand sat on the roof. As the sand crumpled and feel to the ground. Gaara sat there on the his knees,, as tears ran down his face.

 

????? - “It really is a shame, how they treat you. Someone of your capabilities should be treated with respect.”

 

 Gaara looked up as a pale man, with long black hair sat atop of the roof access doorway.  The man smiled as Gaara looked on, puzzled.

 

Gaara - “Who are you??”

 

?????? - “Who I am is not the question. But more of what I can offer you.”

 

Gaara - “And what’s that?”

 

????? - “Power, my dear boy. Power. A power that would make those around fear and respect you. A power to crush those who get in your way. But, now’s not the time to discuss this. I’ll return to you after you have given it some thought. Oh and

Gaara, I’ll be watching.”

 

 The man then disappeared in front of Gaara’s eyes. Gaara then looked on puzzled and confused, as the night went by.

 

To be continued………………….