The Red Flames
Chapter 22

Hotaru P. O. V

- Bookish types like me aren't used to being stared at. - Kabuto said trying not to look at us.

- Countermeasures for genjutsu, huh? - Sasuke said.

- Judging from their movements, those snakes can sense exactly what we're doing. - Itachi said.

- Snakes perceive their surroundings through body heat and smell through their tongues. - Sasuke said.

- You've studied a lot! You're like a snake expert now. - Itachi stated.

- Of course I did. In order to take down Orochimaru! - Sasuke explained.

- However... you can't beat me by just being a snake expert. This is my field, nature is on my side. - Kabuto said.

I narrowed my eyes... come on Hotaru think...

- Does this terrain give him an advantage? Be wary of traps Sasuke and Hotaru. - Itachi said.

- Traps? Oh, that's not what I meant! - Kabuto said.

GOT IT!

Suddenly Kabuto's snakes attacked us.

I smirked.

- Kage Bushin no Jutsu. - I said and a bunch of clones appeared.

I grabbed my sword and sent lightning through it and started to cut all the snakes.

- You were saying? - I said to Kabuto after finishing the snakes.

- H-How? Kabuto asked shocked.

- You forget I'm like my father in speed if not better, not to mention I have the sharingan now and that helps a lot. Anyway, like Sasuke said, snakes perceive their surroundings through body heat and smell through their tongues. Since I made a bunch of Kage Bushins they got confused since it was too many to deal with, so I took advantage of that to slice them. You should know me better, you trained me after all. - I explained.

- Well done Hotaru. - Itachi said coming to my side.

- You bastard! Take this! - Kabuto said taking off his cape.

....... His body... face...

Suddenly a great amount of wind came and Itachi got me before I got hit by it.

- Thanks. - I said.

- Sannin Art: White Extreme Attack! - Kabuto said.

A dragon came and it was making and awful sound so I made a chakra shield on my ears so I wouldn't be affected.

I saw Kabuto going towards Sasuke and since Itachi was being affected by the noise and couldn't move I made my Susanoo appear and protected Sasuke.

- Not bad Red Flames. Can you sense my chakra? - Kabuto said.

- You're marked, besides that sound didn't affect me. And... I know who your target is. - I said coldly and Sasuke looked at me surprised.

- If a man cautious and opportunistic as you wants Sasuke... you will go for him first. - Itachi said.

-Your best chance to capture Sasuke is now, before either of us figures out your jutsu. - I said.

- After that, you could use Sasuke to manipulate me and Hotaru. - Itachi concluded.

- Impressive. Both of you have true visual prowess. You and Hotaru have the ability to peer into and read people's souls and you use what you learn in battle. That is why you are good at deceiving people. - Kabuto said. Sasuke tried to attack Kabuto but he went to the ceiling.

- Do you think you 3 can outwit my perception skills?! - Kabuto said.

I started to think.

....... Come on.... there has to be a.......... I KNOW IT!

They're brothers so it might work just like it works with me and Naruto.

- Itachi... I'll deal with him first. You and Sasuke have to team up and work together without saying a word. Is it possible? - I said.

Itachi smirked.

- Yes, well thought. Sasuke... do you remember that time you tagged along with me on my mission? The wild boar? - Itachi said.

- Oh, that. I remember. - Sasuke said with a smirk.

- Let's go. Itachi said.

- Hai. Sasuke said.

- Very well then. Me first! I said.

I teleported behind Kabuto.

- Get out of the fucking ceiling! - I said kicking him.

- I'm not done yet! - I said and grabbed him with my Susanoo hand and threw him against the wall.

- NOW SASUKE, ITACHI! - I said.

They started fighting.

- Now it's on their hands.

- You did well kid, rest... I sense there's a bigger fight to come.

-You're right. Thanks.

*Meanwhile*

They were now done.

Itachi was able to put Kabuto under his control.

I got up and went to their side.

- When did you cast it? - Sasuke asked Itachi.

- The first time Kabuto stabbed him with that blade, right? - I said looking at Itachi.

Itachi nodded and explained us how it worked and what Izanami was.

- I see... interesting. - I said.

- I'll stop Edo Tensei jutsu now. And... all the Edo Tensei will fade away. - Itachi said.

Me and Sasuke widened our eyes.

- That should end the war. - Itachi stated.

- But... I started.

-You'll be gone too... Nii-san. - Sasuke said.

- I'll have protected my village as Uchiha Itachi of Konoha once again. I have no more regrets. - Itachi said.

I looked down fighting back tears.

- Why?! Why the very village that put you where you are now? You may be able to forgive, but I cannot! You have no more regrets?! What about what you've made me become?! - Sasuke said. ..............Sasuke..............

- I'm not the one who can change you, Sasuke. - Itachi said.

I widened my eyes and looked at him.

He means...

-But I can stop this jutsu. That will fulfill my promise to Naruto and Hotaru, at least. - Itachi said.

Sasuke looked at me surprised.

- I will stop Edo Tensei. Tell me the signs. Tsukuyomi! - Itachi said looking into Kabuto's eyes.

We waited a bit and then Itachi said.

- All right... rat... ox... monkey...

- I guess... it won't matter what I say, will it? - Sasuke said.

I looked at him.

- When I saw you... I followed you in order to confirm whether Tobi and Danzo spoke the truth. But that wasn't all I confirmed. When I'm with you the past comes flooding back. The feelings I had as a child of adoration for you. That's why... the closer I get to you and how we used to be back then, the more I hate Konoha for causing you so much pain! I hate it more than ever! I know what you want me to do. And because you're my big brother you'll disapprove. It's because I'm your brother that, no matter what you say, you're not going to stop me! Even if you protect the village now... I will destroy it someday. - Sasuke said.

I look down sad... I... I can't do it... how can I?

- Tiger... dragon... - Itachi continued.

- Goodbye... Nii-san. - Sasuke said sad..

- Boar... Edo Tensei... Kai! - Itachi said.

I looked at Itachi and let my tears fall.

- There's still time... - Itachi said going towards Sasuke.

- I feel my consciousness is slowly fading

- I feel my consciousness is slowly fading... I need to tell you everything before we part. There's no need to lie anymore. The night I left you, I did everything Danzo and Tobi told you. I'll show you... the whole truth. - Itachi said. Sasuke was now seeing everything and I was still crying when Itachi pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back immediately.

- I'm sorry Hotaru. - Itachi said.

- W-Why? - I asked confused.

- For everything you went through. - Itachi answered.

- I...

- Hotaru... don't doubt yourself, you are my pupil and you are a strong shinobi. I'm proud of you, you always manage to impress me. - Itachi said.

I stopped hugging him and cleaned my tears.

- T-Thank you.

- I'm sorry but this is the last time. - Itachi said and then kissed my forehead.

Sasuke P. O. V

After seeing the whole truth, Itachi appeared but we were no in the real world yet.

- What you said to Hotaru back in the forest hurt her a lot. She thinks that you don't care. - he said.

- I do care for her... always.

- You should see this as well. - Itachi said.

The scenario changed... wait... that's Hotaru when she was younger.

*Scenario*

- Let's continue tomorrow. It's enough for today. - Itachi said.

- N-No... I... I still... can... - Hotaru said panting hard.

- You're panting hard and you're clearly tired. - Itachi said.

- I... I... I WON'T GIVE UP! - Hotaru said determined.

*End of Scenario*

- She was 10 years old that time. She wanted to train so when she turned 12 years old she could go to Konoha, meet her brother and become the best shinobi ever seen. - Itachi explained.

I widened my eyes.

Suddenly the scenario changed again.

- Where are we now? - I asked.

- This was when she came to the Akatsuki for 3 years to train, after you left Konoha. - Itachi said.

I started to see what happened during that time.

I widened my eyes.

- She... SHE ALMOST GOT KILLED IN THE TRAININGS! I said shocked.

- But she never gave up. Do you know why? - Itachi said.

- N-No... - I answered.

Itachi pointed and I looked to see what it was.

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*Scenario*

- I'll get stronger! I'll bring Sasuke back and I'll protect EVERYONE I love! I PROMISE... and I ALWAYS keep my promises! Even if it kills me. - Hotaru said to Itachi in a training session. *End of scenario*

I widened my eyes.

- She...

- She always cared for you... she really loves you, Sasuke. - Itachi said.

I smiled and he smirked.

- You should put to use what you have been keeping on that pocket of yours. - Itachi said amused.

- H-How did you know?! - I asked surprised and embarrassed.

- I know you, you're my brother after all.

- I don't know... besides... it's war and she's - I started but Itachi said.

- She loves you... I'm happy you chose her and she chose you. You're perfect for each other.

Then we came back to reality.

Hotaru P. O. V

Sasuke had now seen all the truth.

- There's nothing more to say. - Itachi said going towards Sasuke.

-

I have told you the whole truth. I won't have to ever again... I always lied to you and asked you to forgive me. Deliberately keeping you at a distance by my own hand. All because I didn't want you to get caught up in any of this. But now, I believe... that perhaps you could have changed Chichi, Haha and the rest of the Uchiha. If I had been open with you from the start... and looked you straight in the eyes and told you the truth, then I wouldn't have had to stand before you, from above, as a failure, telling you all of this. So this time, I want to impart this truth to you... - Itachi said.

His and Sasuke's foreheads were touching.

His and Sasuke's foreheads were touching

- You don't have to forgive me. And no matter what you do from here on out, know this... I will love you, always. - Itachi said to Sasuke.

I started crying even harder.

After that Itachi disappeared.

- I... what is a clan? What is a village? What is a shinobi? What am I? - Sasuke said.

I cleaned my tears and went to his side and putted my hand on his shoulder.

He looked at me and suddenly hugged me.

- I'm sorry... for what I said in the forest.

- It's okay... I love you. - I said hugging him tight.

- I love you too. - he said.

Suddenly part of the hideout was destroyed.

Sasuke took me bridal style to get me out of the way.

He putted me down and we were now in a fighting position.

- Found you! - we heard.

- Heee!.... SUIGETSU! JUUGO! - I said.

I run towards them and hugged both.

- Are you guys okay? Are you hurt? I'm so sorry that Sasuke left you behind! - I said.

- We're fine! - Suigetsu said grinning.

- Don't worry. - Juugo said.

I smiled and nodded.

- What are you guys doing here? - Suigetsu asked.

- Stopping Edo Tensei. - Sasuke answered.

- Huh? You've always been like that you never explain things to people. You better tell us! - Suigetsu said irritated.

Sasuke pointed behind Suigetsu and Juugo.

- What? - Suigetsu said.

- It's Kabuto. Kabuto was using Edo Tensei. - Sasuke said.

- This is Kabuto? He's kind of gross, huh? This one coming out of his gut looks like a huge - Suigetsu started but was interrupted.

- Just leave him be. - Sasuke said.

I slapped Sasuke's head.

- Don't need to be mean to him, baka! Now stay still so I can heal you. - I said.

Sasuke glared at me a bit.

- What do you want with me at this point? - Sasuke asked Suigetsu.

- Oh yeah! That's right. See... we found something incredible in one of the hideouts. - Suigetsu said.

- You said Itachi stopped Edo Tensei, right? But I don't think it worked on Madara. - Juugo said.

- Madara is a different story... - I said thinking on how we could fight him and win.

- I'm talking to Sasuke! Don't interrupt me! - Suigetsu said irritated.

I sweat dropped.

- Here. Look, look, look! - Suigetsu said.

I stopped healing Sasuke after Suigetsu handing him a scroll.

Me and Sasuke started reading and we widened our eyes.

- This is it... the human who's all-knowing. I have to meet up with someone. I'm leaving. - Sasuke said getting up.

- Huh? Who? - Suigetsu asked confused.

- Sasuke, please tell me that you are not getting that creep back. - I said.

- Who?! - Suigetsu asked frustrated.

- Orochimaru. - Sasuke answered.

I sighed.

- What are you talking about? You killed him! - Suigetsu said.

- Are you really surprised someone as tenacious as Orochimaru might not be killed so easily? And even if I do replace him vile... I need him to do something for me. It's time to see the all-knowing. - Sasuke said.

- What do you mean by "see" Orochimaru? Who is this all-knowing person? - Suigetsu said confused.

- You don't need to know. - Sasuke answered.

- Stop being rude Sasuke! - I said.

- I don't get it. In any case, Orochimaru must never be resurrected! You probably want to ask Orochimaru for help in using the power of the scroll, right? Just give it time and you'll figure it out. That's why we looked for you and... - Suigetsu

said.

- There are still things only Orochimaru can do. - Sasuke said.

- Nee... Sasuke tell me. You were Orochimaru favorite pupil, right? So why can't you? - Suigetsu asked.

- Suigetsu! Listen! - Sasuke said assertive.

- Huh? What? - Suigetsu said.

- Don't underestimate Orochimaru. - Sasuke said.

- BAKA! I don't underestimate him! It's the exact opposite! You were able to bring Orochimaru down only because both of this arms were useless, that's all. You're the one underestimating him! - Suigetsu said while Juugo putted Anko on the ground, I went to Sasuke's side.

- If I knew you were going to do this I would have not healed you and knocked you out. - I said mad.

- Hn. Sasuke said.

I glared at him and bonked his head.

- OW! HEY! - Sasuke said.

- BAKA! - I said.

We glared at each other.

- Who'd want to see Orochimaru now? - Suigetsu said.

- I actually agree with Suigetsu. - I said.

-Shut up, Suigetsu. Cut out and bring me a piece of Kabuto's flesh. - Sasuke said.

And because Suigetsu didn't want to and I refused to, Juugo did it which made me sigh.

- Curse Unsealing! - Sasuke said.

Then a snake came out and so did Orochimaru.

- Who could have imagined... that it would be you who facilitate my return! - Orochimaru said.

- Disgusting as always! Sasuke give me one good reason for me not to break every bone you have right now! - I said.

- You love me. - Sasuke said.

I blushed a bit and he smirked.

Stupid Uchiha.

- H-Hello there! Long time no see

- H-Hello there! Long time no see. - Suigetsu said.

I sweat dropped.

Poor Suigetsu.

- Orochimaru, there's something I want you to do for me. - Sasuke said.

- Don't other explaining. I've been watching from inside Anko. And Suigetsu, I have absolutely no interest in this war. - Orochimaru said.

- Oi, oi. You're scaring him - I said sweat dropping.

- It's someone else's war. The only thing I'm interested now... Sasuke-kun... is your body! - Orochimaru said.

I narrowed my eyes.

-

I don't currently have the power to steal it. - Orochimaru said.

Then Sasuke gave him the scroll.

- What is you intent in meeting with them? - Orochimaru asked.

-

I was wondering the same thing. - I said.

- There's too much that I don't know. So I plan to ask them everything. I want to know what started it all. What I'm supposed to be and to do. - Sasuke said.

- Are you questioning your vengeance? - Orochimaru asked Sasuke.

- No... I want to understand how even in death Itachi could still consider himself a Konoha Shinobi and care about and try protect the village that dishonored his name.

Then Orochimaru went to Kabuto and Suigetsu came to our side.

- He's going to absorb all of Kabuto's power and then kill him. - Suigetsu said.

-

I don't really care if he kills him, I never liked him anyway! - I stated.

- DIDN'T I TELL YOU?! HE ABSORBED HIS POWER!!! - Suigetsu said scared.

- No, you're wrong. He undid the Sannin Transformation. He's taken back his own chakra. - Juugo said.

- What a shame. - I said.

- Fine, I'll help you. Come along. - Orochimaru said.

- Where are we going? - Sasuke asked Orochimaru.

- Some place you're very familiar with. Let's be on our way. - Orochimaru said.

With that we followed him.