Н‘¾Ð‘¯Ð‘¬Ð‘Μ Ð‘»Ð‘¯Ð‘¬ Н‘¾Ð‘°Ð‘Μ𝑫 Н‘©Ð‘³Ð‘¶Ð‘¾Ð‘º €¢Ð’Ƒ𝒙Н’Ƒ• Only a dream

The next morning.

_

Akashi was sitting on the window sill when he heard it. A familiar howl. A few moments later, Chrono jumped in through the open window. Pakkun arrived a few minutes later. The black wolf cast a look of distaste towards the little dog. “Chrono… don’t start”. Akashi warned and the wolf huffed, before stalking towards him. It nuzzled its snout against the redhead’s side and the boy gently scratched behind his ears.

“Now, what have you discovered?” The wolf separated from him and sat down.

“I, and this little pup, found the location”. His teeth barred a little when he said ‘little pup’. Akashi sighed at his behavior.

Pakkun didn’t look bothered. Kakashi took out a map and set it before the canines. “Could you show me where?” He tapped at the paper and the two of them jumped on the bed Kakashi was sitting on.

Pakkun placed his paw on a location. “This is where I picked up Gaara’s scent”. He said. Chrono moved closer and placed his paw on a different location.

“The rest of the wolves are spread out over this part”. He moved his paw across a wide arch. “The moment I send the signal, they will join us”. He sat back down and tilted his head. His molten gold eyes blinked at Akashi. The said boy reached forward and patted his head.

“Great job”. The wolf licked his hand in reply. “I’m gonna have to give you all a little treat after all of this is over”. Kakashi was quiet as he watched their exchange. He wondered for how long the boy had a contract with them… and how he came to hold one. The wolves were a fairly reclusive summon, he couldn’t remember ever seeing or hearing of a person who had them.

“As generous as ever”. Akashi grinned at him and stood up at the same time Naruto rolled over and fell off the bed.

“Ouch”. He exclaimed, grabbing his head.

“Oh, you’re finally up, Naruto”. Kakashi said from atop his own bed.

“Huh? Pakkun… and… Chrono?” He shifted on the ground.

“Well then, Pakkun, I’m counting on you”. Kakashi said Pakkun stood up.

“Well, see you later Naruto, Akashi… Chrono”. The wolf’s fang peeked out and Akashi immediately shushed him, making the wolf turn away.

Pakkun jumped out of the window and disappeared.

“Could it be… you’ve found Akatsuki’s trail?” Naruto had stood up and walked over to the window to watch Pakkun leaving, before he turned around to ask the question.

“Yeah… We’ll be departing immediately”. Kakashi replied and Naruto’s face hardened at his reply. Akashi grabbed his sword and sheathed it.

“Chrono? Will you be joining us or will you meet up with the pack?” The wolf stood up and shook its fur, before nuzzling at Akashi’s thigh.

“I’ll be going with you, so I can signal the rest of the pack”. The redhead scratched behind the wolf’s ear.

“Thank you for this”. The wolf said nothing as it looked at him.

“You’re a part of our pack… there’s no need to thank us”. Kakashi and Naruto silently watched their exchange and the former was suspicious about something. There was something else that bound them together, the wolf and the boy. Something, but he couldn’t figure out what.

_

Team 7 had met up at the gates of Suna and were waiting for the Suna ninjas that were going to join them.

“Well then, as soon as the Suna ninja’s have prepared themselves, we’ll go with them to retrieve Gaara”. Kakashi told them. “Got it?” He added after a moment.

“Sorry to make you wait”. Temari appeared behind Kakashi with four Suna ninja following her. Before they could make move to leave, Baki showed up. He said that Temari and the rest of the Suna ninja were assigned with protecting the village and that they can’t leave with Team 7.

They started arguing and Temari asked what they’re going to do if no one from Suna goes. It was then that a voice spoke up. “I’ll go”. Everyone looked in the direction from where the voice came. Atop a building.

The old lady, that mistook Kakashi for the White Fang, was there.

“The only ninja from Suna that needs to go is me”. She said.

“Chiyo-baasama!” Temari exclaimed. Akashi noted that that was here name. Chiyo.

“But, that’s…”. Baki started, but was interrupted.

“As I’m long since retired, I decide for myself where I go or what I do now”. She said and jumped down. “It’s been a while, so I want to show my darling grandson my love again”. Without further ado, they made their way out of the village.

_

While they were running through the forest, Sakura asked Naruto for how long Akatsuki was after him. Kakashi spoke up and answered that they came to Konoha three years ago in search of Naruto and Akashi, but that they’ve started their move again. When Sakura asked why they waited three years, Kakashi said that the Akatsuki probably couldn’t take action, because Jiraiya was always at Naruto’s side and Akashi was always surrounded by a squad of ANBU.

But, Chiyo interrupted them, saying how according to the information she had gathered, there was a more specific reason. When asked what the reason was, she answered and said that to extract a Tailed Beast, you need to be properly prepared and that it takes some time.

“This Tailed Beast that you’re talking about… what is it?” She asked and Akashi almost sighed at the stupidity of her question. How did she not know? One of them Konoha 16 years ago…

“What?” Chiyo answered with a question, as if she was confused. Akashi couldn’t agree more. “You’re Tsunade’s disciple, but you don’t know that?” The lady turned to Kakashi. “Doesn’t Konoha have the Nine-Tails?” Akashi felt everyone’s chakra spike at her question. Chiyo didn’t know who the carriers were, or that there were two of them, that was a given.

“In Konoha, the Nine-Tails is a confidential matter”. Kakashi answered.

“Well, I guess that’s true”. She glanced at Sakura and started her explanation of the Tailed Beasts.

She said that a Tailed Beast is a demon beast with tails and that, for a long time, Suna has had the One-Tails, the Shukaku that’s sealed inside Gaara.

“One Tails? Then that means that there are other demon beasts than the Nine-Tails?” Sakura asked.

“That’s right”. Chiyo answered and continued her explanation. She said that there are a total of nine Tailed Beasts in this world and that they are all different from one another. For example, the One-Tails has one tail, the Two-Tails has two tails and so on to the Nine-Tails which has nine tails. She said that a Tailed Beast is an enormous mass of chakra and that during the Great Ninja World Wars, they were used as weapons.

“They competed for control over them”. She said, making Sakura glance between Naruto and Akashi. “However, no one can control power which surpasses human comprehension”. Akashi’s face hardened under his mask. The Tailed Beasts cannot be controlled… they can only control you. “I don’t know why Akatsuki wants them, but… their power is too dangerous”. Chiyo continued. “Well, even in these peaceful days, times change… the Tailed Beasts still exist and are scattered among the world”. She finished.

Akashi glanced at Chrono who was running besides him and found him already looking at him. Akashi raised one finger and the wolf nodded, turning forward.

_

It was a little while after that, that Akashi sensed someone nearby. “Everyone! Stop!” They all listened to his order and halted their movements.

“Where?” Kakashi glanced back at him and Akashi gestured ahead of them.

“Right ahead… it’s Uchiha Itachi”. Everyone froze in their tracks.

“Sasuke’s brother?” Sakura was the first to speak up after the revelation.

“Yes”. That was all Akashi said as the signal came closer… until he appeared in front of them.

They all went into offensive stances, prepared to engage if needed. Chrono stepped closer to Akashi and bared his fangs, going into defensive mode. Akashi reached for the blade on his back and pulled it out of its sheath, extending it in front of himself.

“Itachi uses Genjutsu that activates through eye contact, so you should be good as long as your eyes don’t meet”. Kakashi explained.

“I understand”. Naruto said. “In that case… how do we fight him?” He asked.

“You have to judge his actions based on just the movement of his body and feet”. Kakashi replied and Akashi shifted on his feet.

“Great…”. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Itachi.

“That won’t be easy”. Sakura spoke up and Akashi nodded at that.

“Nothing is ever easy, you should get used to that”. She cast him an unnerving glance.

Chiyo started speaking and she explained that if you encounter a Sharingan user and you’re alone, you should run away and if there’s two people, one should take his back, because that’s where the blind spot of the Sharingan is; the back.

“Then, I’ll take the-“. Naruto started, but was interrupted.

“Wait!” Kakashi spoke up.

“What do you mean by ‘wait’?” Naruto asked him and Chiyo looked at Kakashi.

“Are you trying to tell me that my tactics for fighting against the Sharingan are wrong?” She inquired.

“That would work if it was only an ordinary Genjutsu, but… in this case… it’s a bit more troublesome”. He explained.

When Chiyo asked what he meant, he said that this wasn’t an ordinary Sharingan, but a Mangekyo Sharingan, and that this one uses a different technique. He told her about the time when he was caught in it and lost consciousness for a whole week.

“As expected of Kakashi… You understood all that after only being affected by my Tsukuyomi once”. Itachi spoke up. His voice sounded the same as three years ago. He hadn’t changed in appearance at all.

“That’s not the only thing I’ve discovered”. Kakashi told him. “After you use that technique, you become considerably tired and try to end the battle as soon as possible… Apart from using a large amount of chakra, it seems that it also carries a huge risk to your eyes, Itachi”. He added.

“Well analysed”. Itachi complimented.

Kakashi reached for his forehead protector and pulled it up. “Itachi… your eyesight… how bad has it gotten?” He asked and Akashi noticed Itachi’s eyes have widened. His chakra had also spiked at the question. His eyesight? Does it grow worse each time he uses it?

“Kakashi… you couldn’t have…”. He trailed off, not finishing his sentence.

“I let my guard the last time… It won’t happen again”. Kakashi told him.

“If you also think I’m the same as last time… you’re making a big mistake!” Naruto joined him and Akashi took a step forward, before he took off his mask and gave it to Chrono to hold.

“We meet again, Uchiha Itachi”. The said man glanced at Akashi and instantly remembered him. The Adamantine Sealing Chains user… The boy had grown up since the last time they met and it seems not only in appearance, but in skills, since he had the ANBU gear on. “Time had passed… we’ve all changed”. The boy added and a golden chain exited his back, before wrapping all the way down from his shoulder, to the wrist which held the blade.

Itachi observed the chain tighten around the boy’s arm. That was an interesting way of using it… He’s never heard about that way of utilizing it.

“I’ll need you guys to back me up this time… Even I can’t battle him alone”. Kakashi said and they all stepped up besides him.

They grew alarmed when Itachi raised his hand to point. “I’ll take you with me very soon, Naruto…”, he moved his hand until it pointed at Akashi, “…or you, Akashi, it doesn’t matter which one”. He added and Akashi tightened the grip he had on the blade.

“Kakashi, I’ll-“. He glanced besides himself to find no one there. He looked to the other side and neither Naruto, Sakura, nor Chiyo were there. He looked down to the side, but Chrono was also missing. The only thing left was the wolf mask on the ground.

He looked ahead to see Itachi still standing in the same spot.

“What the hell happened?” He pointed his blade at the dark-haired man and felt his teeth grit together. “What did you do?” This made no sense… How was he in a Genjutsu? He hadn’t looked Itachi in the eye! “Answer me!” He growled out at him.

“Eye contact isn’t the only way I can cast a Genjutsu… I can also do it…”, he raised his hand and pointed at Akashi, “…with a finger”. So that’s how he did it. Did that mean Naruto was also caught in one?

“Did you do the same to Naruto?” He asked as he took a step forward. Itachi remained silent and that was the only answer the redhead needed. Akashi raised one hand in a hand-seal.

“Dispel!” He released a big amount of chakra from his body and closed his eyes. That should do it. He opened them and found himself in the same position, with Itachi in front of him. “What?” What was going on? Why couldn’t he dispel the Genjutsu? He raised the hand again and released an even larger amount. The air around him shifted and the world spun for a moment, but nothing changed.

“It’s useless”. Itachi exploded into a flock of crows and they all descended upon Akashi. The said boy grit his teeth and forced more chakra out of his body. The crows were unbothered as they changed into shuriken. Akashi swung his blade at them and deflected most of them, but a few of them managed to impale him in the thighs. He let out a wince even though he knew this was all an illusion.

He took a step forward, but his knees buckled under his weight and he fell down. The chains from around his arm disappeared and the sword flew out of his hand, hitting the ground. He felt his legs throb in pain, but he ignored it, trying to get to his feet. “Damn it”. He mumbled as the strength left his body and he was on the ground again.

“Why do you keep trying?” Itachi’s voice rang from in front of him and Akashi looked up. The man was looking down at him.

“Because I have to… I promised”. He whispered with a lowered head. A moment later, he was harshly grabbed by the hair and pulled up.

“You promised? Promises are meant to be broken… don’t you know that?” His Sharingan stared right through Akashi.

“Not this one…”. He grabbed Itachi by the wrist and tightened his grip. “I’ll never break this one!” He glared at the man in front of him, but he remained emotionless.

The hold Itachi had on his disappeared along with the man and he reappeared a few feet away from the boy. Akashi fell back to the ground. The right side of his face started stinging and he touched his hand to the spot. He felt warm liquid on his skin and it started dripping without stop.

Dripping… Dripping… Dripping…

Dripping…

There was so much blood on and around him, he felt like he couldn’t breathe. He could no longer see out of his right eye because of the amount. He tried to stand up again, but as soon as he got to his knees, the blood made him slip and he fell into the puddle under him.

“Akashi?” He froze when he heard the voice. He slowly looked around himself, but he found no one there. “Akashi?” It asked again, but this time, he looked under himself, at the puddle of blood.

He wished he didn’t.

There, instead of his own reflection, was his.

“Akashi?” He asked again, voice trembling in fear. “Where am I?” Akashi didn’t know how to answer… His lips wouldn’t open. He clenched his eyes shut and shook his head. This is an illusion. This is an illusion. This is an illusion.

This was only an illusion.

He opened his eyes and glanced into the puddle just in time to see his worried face. His eyes were wildly looking around, confused as to why he was there. “Akashi? What’s going on?” His hands reached closer to Akashi, but he couldn’t move away. They slowly came closer and closer to the surface, before, finally, one blood covered finger breached it.

Soon, the whole arm followed after. The palm of his hand touched Akashi’s cheek, smearing even more blood across his face. “You’re here…”. He whispered. “You’re finally here”. His other hand followed the first one and settled on Akashi’s other cheek. His whole torso was out of the puddle, blood dripping down his naked form. His ebony hair was stuck to his forehead because of the blood, moss eyes shinning with an unknown emotion at the sight of the other boy.

When Akashi felt the arms wrap around his shoulders and pull, it was too late.

He breached the surface of the puddle and was pulled under. He couldn’t breathe. Everything that he could see was blood… blood… blood…

He tried to struggle, but it proved futile. The grip he had around him was too strong and he just kept on pulling and pulling.

“We’re together now…”. He moved closer and his whole body wrapped around Akashi’s own. He leaned his face closer through the thick blood. “Always… and forever… I promise…”. He sealed the promise with a press of his lips on Akashi’s own.

His body felt like it was on fire. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. This felt too real. He felt his eyes sting and as soon as the tears left his eyes, they disappeared in the blood around him. He couldn’t breathe. He pulled away and felt the blood enter through his lips.

This isn’t real. This can’t be happening.

His grip grew stronger and stronger and Akashi could feel his bones cracking. “You can’t leave… We’re here together…”. He whispered, nuzzling his face into his neck. “You’re here…”, he licked a long stripe from Akashi’s neck to his jaw.

“… and I’ll always be here”. His ears started ringing at those words.

His skin burned and his heart hammered inside his chest. He could feel his muscles spasm inside his body.

He couldn’t take this.

This was too much.

This is a dream… please… someone tell him this is a dream…

“This is not a dream”. Something cracked inside of him. “This is not a dream”. The fox repeated and Akashi closed his eyes. “This is not a dream”. It said once more and Akashi let go.

The blood around him sizzled as his body grew hotter and hotter. An orange layer bubbled to the surface across his skin.

One tail burst out from his lower back…

Two tails followed after…

Three tails…

Four tails…

… and he opened his eyes…

Crimson red, glowing through the thick blood.