Reborn

Chapter 7 : Death is cruel

"The foundation is involved. There seems to be no way of stopping the Uchiha's coup. If internal warfare breaks out in the Leaf, the neighboring villages will invade and war will begin."

Itachi stands behind Shisui, trying to process all the information that Shisui was giving him. Shisui watches the waterfall in front of him, how smooth and slow the water fall. It seems very peaceful.

"I was planning to use Kotoamatsukami to stop the coup but Danzo took my right eye. He didn't trust what I was trying to do. He will by any means protect the Leaf village. They'll probably come back for my left eye too." Shisui solemnly says before turning to face Itachi.

"Before that happens, I want you to have it." Shisui takes his remaining eye out.

"Shisui," Itachi whispers as he is afraid of what Shisui will do.

"You're the only friend that I can trust. Please, protect the village and the Uchiha's name."

"But I-" Shisui interrupts him.

"Also, I'm going to give you a new power. The Mangekyo Sharingan."

"Shisui, you can't," Itachi whispers staring at his best friend.

"The coup is planning to use Hanako soon, Itachi! Please, you must stop them from using her." Shisui grits his teeth at the thought of his own family using Hanako as a weapon.

"But she is still young," Itachi says.

"She is but you know the powers that she possesses is not like any other Uchiha before her. She will always be this trapped bird in the cage of her birth, you must set her free. For her wings may never spread and her eyes will be used to the darkness." Shisui says with anger surging through him.

"Shisui-"

"I'm not going to last long, Itachi. Just take it as my dying gift for looking after the Uchiha Clan and Hanako." Shisui says with a closed eye smile causing Itachi to feel very depressed.

"What's the look on your face? Even in this state, I can still see you easily. I worried expression just doesn't look good on your face. You must always remain calm, my friend. That's what Itachi Uchiha is, I'm positive you can do this. So don't worry. It'll be fine." Shisui reassures Itachi will a gentle touch on the shoulder.

"I will carry on your will, for the Uchiha." Itachi mumbled looking down, afraid that Shisui will notice he was trying his best not to cry. His best friend is dying.

"You'll be forced to walk a very long and dark road, my friend. I must apologize, for I can't go through that with you. Still, I hope you will not falter from your path and keep moving forward as a Leaf ninja. I believe in you." Shisui gives one last comforting grip on Itachi's shoulder before moving towards the cliff.

Shisui takes a breath, wondering the things that he has accomplished so far and the things he wishes he could do. He wishes he could live longer, that he could protect her.

'Hanako, I'm sorry that I could not keep my promise to you as a protector and as a brother. I wish I could see your expression when you see the beauty that this world has to offer. I'm sorry for not protecting you, little sis. Although, I know you will grow up to be a very strong and beautiful woman. I'm always going to be proud of you.' Shisui thought to himself.

Itachi watch as his friend starts walking towards the edge of the cliff, there is some part of him that wishes to pull him back so he will never leave him and Hanako behind. He wishes he too could leave with him to a peaceful place where they can all live in happiness.

"I leave the rest and Hanako to you, my friend," Shisui whispers as he falls off the cliff.

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Itachi wipes the silent tears that are unconsciously streaming down the side of his face before stepping up the stairs of the old library. The soft, warm light still flicker inside as an untouched soul is going to wither away.

His steps echo the room as Hanako comes into his line of view.

"Hanako," Itachi whispers causing Hanako to look up from her books.

Her gaze follows him as he takes a seat next to her. His torn and solemn expression made her begin to worry. Her anticipation grows every second that Itachi takes his sweet time sitting next to her. She silently watches him breathe in and out.

"Shisui is dead," Itachi mumbles leaning his hand against the bookshelf.

The book that is in Hanako's hands fell onto the floor, leaving just an echo of its fall. The sound of rain starts to pound the grounds outside like the sounds of Hanako's heartbeat. Her fringe covers her eyes so Itachi can't see the emotional torment going on.

"I'm sorry, Hanako."

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For the past few weeks, the whole Leaf village have been experiencing the heaviest season of rain in years. Hanako didn't leave the hidden room in the library nor touch any of the books she had plan to read.

Every day, Itachi will quietly enter her room when he thought she was sleeping but she never slept after that day. He would drop off breakfast and dinner but it always remains untouched. She never spoke again.

One day, Itachi enters her room to see her staring out of the window. She is lost in deep thought, it didn't seem like she slept that day either. She just kept watching people come and go.

"Hanako, you need to eat," Itachi whispers as he set her food at the table.

Hanako didn't respond to Itachi, she never seems to respond in any way.

"Hanako." He says causing her to turn at the change of tone.

Hanako stares as Itachi bows before her with his head on the floor, she didn't respond but inside she is nervous.

"I'm so sorry, I wish I did more. I wish that he is still alive to give you one last goodbye. I wish I had protected him. I'm so sorry, Hanako. My only will is to get back at those people who treated you and brother wrongly and grant his final wish." Itachi whispers.

There is a long silence in the room and just as Itachi is about to move Hanako responses.

"I do not seek vengeance, Itachi," Hanako whispers looking away from him.

Itachi looks up to stare at Hanako.

"Nothing good ever comes from hate, you should know that. So let my brother die in peace, if not you, his best friend, will end up at the same level as all of them and end up using me too. My brother wouldn't want that." Hanako whispers before curling into her bed.

Itachi gets up from the floor, he wanted to ask further on what she meant but it seems like she is done talking, for today. He opens the door and stares back at her. She pretends to go back to sleep but she wasn't.

"Of course Hanako." Itachi whispers, closing the door.

I wish you never left me