A Light in Darkness (Uchiha Itachi)

[Stephanie]

It was a dark night, very peaceful, two women stand atop a tree for they have succeeded in attaining information on where the Kyuubi's current location is.

"Let's go, we have already finished our mission." A girl with short brown hair that was tied up in two little short low hanging ponytails said in a manner not to be messed with. Her name was Amber meaning the amber stone. She is a member of a clan that holds the Bloodline of the Devil: Shinjitsu. For now, she is a member of the Akatsuki. The Akatsuki is an organization and known as a Terrorist Group in most of the Shinobi villages. The said organization was known for they recrouted various Class S Criminals, the work they do is yet unknown.

As Amber and her teammate reach the Akatsuki, she senses eyes staring at her. Not because she's so gorgeous but most of the other members fear Amber because of her bloodline. Although she's considered beautiful, Amber's not treated as the girlfriend material, and it would be embarassing for anyone to date her..because she was an excellent shinobi and they were mere weaklings whom spouted from earth.

"Amber Miri!!" An annoying screech echoed through the dark hallways of the Organization. The voice belonged to Dianne Namura, from the Namura clan. Dianne has blonde hair , blue eyes, a perfect body, and every guy in the Akatsuki bow down to her. She became a criminal for giving private informations to raskals and was also the daughter of the leader and founder of the Akatsuki. Amber's teammate Nadeshiko Kirisawa cringed at her voice. Nadeshiko was a criminal because she assassinated the Raikage's son, which of course was the genius of the Lightning Village.

"Amber, did you see my love?" Dianne asked in her let's see, oh so venomous seductive words.

"You mean...Itachi? Like Nadeshiko and I, he and Kisame went off to find more information on the Kyuubi. Unlike you, doing it with everyman here in Akatsuki. How pathetic." Amber brushed her off, Nadeshiko followed them to there rooms. Amber's room was right next to Itachi's and Kisame's room.

"Oh God, if I ever hear her say she did it with Itachi and had a good time, I'm gonna barf!" Nadeshiko exclaimed. Her face red in anger, Amber however did nothing but remove the mask that covered her face. (like Kakashi's!) "It doesn't matter, obviously both of them like each other."

Nadeshiko gave Amber a weird glance, "I thought you cared for Itachi..."

"It doesn't matter, I know he will never return the way I feel for him."

Amber's guitar lied on her bed, its wooden features enlighten her. It was so simple but when she played it, it's like faith led her to this instrument. It was when Amber played it, that people will realize how she felt whenever she's not out there in bloodlust.

As Amber picked it up, and played some music that led Nadeshiko to her dream land. A tear slid down her face, for she knew, you can never be with the one she loves.

Same Ground

My love,
It's been a long time since I cried
and left you out of the blue.
It's hard leaving you that way <
when I never wanted to.

Amber's voice echoed through the halls, like it came from an angel. But that can never happen, for she knew that in her veins also flows the Devil's blood.

Self-denial is a game
so strange I never would've
wanted till there was you.

cause i have learned that love is
beyond what human can imagine,
the more it clears the more i have
to let you go.
[Chorus:]
thats why i don't understand why
im feeling so bad now when i know it was my idea.

I could've just denied the truth and lied.
Now why am i the only one standing stranded on the same ground?

My love,
Its been a long time since i cried
and left you out of the blue.
Its hard leaving you that way <<<
when I never wanted to.

Self-denial is a game
so strange i never would've wanted till there was you.
cause i'v learned that love is a
word just thrown a little bit too much.
The best excuse to fill the infinite abyss
I never have to if all else fail

[Chorus:]
thats why i don't understand why im feeling
So bad now when i know it was my idea.
I could've just denied the truth and
lied. now why am i the only one

standing stranded
on the same ground?
[Chorus:]
thats why i don't understand why
im feeling
so bad now when i know it was
my idea.
I could've just denied the truth
and lied. now why am i the only one
standing stranded
on the same ground?
is all else fail would you be there
to love me?
when all else fail, would you be <
brave to see right
through me?

After the mission, Itachi and Kisame returned to Akatsuki with seemingly satisfied expressions. As Itachi sees Dianne coming towards him, he just ignored her like he always did. Kisame stared at her chest as it bounced up and down. It was a truly disgusting sight.

The Akatsuki leader called Itachi to his office and asked if Amber would accompany him.

Itachi walked through the dark hallways and hears her voice. It was something that he always heard and never got tired of it. At night she would play, after missions she would play. But, she would never play when someone is watching. It was something a great shinobi like her always freared.

Hence, she never even got herself a boyfriend, because she would always try and kill them when they try and do a move on her.

Amber heard a knock on her door and widened her eyes as she sees Itachi.

"Tha Akatsuki leader called for you."

"Oh.." Amber says with a sad expression, she puts down her guitar and closed her door. It made a creaking sound, but it didn't seem to wake Nadeshiko.

"What did he want?" Amber asked Itachi.

As always, he never replied to her, it was the same, they would talk endlessly and he stays there listening.

'Well, atleast he listens, Kisame and Nadeshiko just zone me out.' Amber thought.

"You sing really good.." He replied. Amber blushed furiously, she had to kill herself for forgetting her mask and leaving it behind. That mask would always hide her feelings, so no one would notice.

"Heh, thank you!" Amber replyed almost in a whisper.

Itachi looks at her face,

He was a little surprised but did not show it. The other Akatsuki members always said that Amber never smiled and nothing could make her happy except seeing blood and pain.

But this, this was different. Itachi had finally figured out something that power can never have....

[Stephanie]

As Amber reached Akatsuki's main office, Itachi was still his cold self. While she was a bit red,

The door creaked open and Amber noticed the leader with a paper in hand.

"Ah, Itachi, Amber, you're here. I present you this mission. A New mission about the Kyuubi." He says with no emotion.

"What about it..?" Amber replyed.

"The Kyuubi spirit was reported to be inside a boy named Uzumaki Naruto. I want you to go there and protect him."

Amber looked at the leader, "Protect...?"

"Yes, Amber, I want you to secretly spy on the Kyuubi. Since Orochimaru is obviously planning on the destruction of Konoha." He tossed Amber the paper on some of the information.

"Let's go," Itachi says quietly.

"Wait. Let me get dressed first." Amber says shyly.

[Stephanie]

As Amber looked at the mirror, 'Once again, I'm alone with Itachi.' she thought.

Amber was wearing her mask now. tThe Akatsuki cloak she was wearing was a white turtle neck top and black pants. Amber's shoes were the normal Shinobi sandals. The Hitai-ate with the slash on it was in her forhead proudly. A ring was on her wedding finger with the symbol "Devil".

Amber walked out of her room and noticed Itachi's presence.

"Now we can go.." Amber said with her voice lacking it's normal happiness.

As the two of them reach the outside of the Akatsuki, the screeching voice of Dianne echoed through the silent trees.

'I guess, she's coming..'

Dianne squealed in delight and snaked her hand on Itachi's arm. Itachi didn't do anything about it at all.

Amber's eyes grow the Lavender Hue, meaning her bloodline is activated; Anyone who looked her in the eye will feel eternal pain.

[Stephanie]

Amber ignored the two and disappeared.

She heard Dianne mutter to Itachi.."She is such a show-off.."

Amber smirked a little bit, knowing Itachi would never reply to her.

Amber stopped when she notices she's only a few miles away from Konoha.

Itachi came at Amber's side a few mintes later.

"Where's Dianne..?" She asked coldly.

Itachi could feel the coldness in Amber's voice, not knowing why she's so mad at Dianne. Dianne was pure and kind, and Amber's the Antagonist.

"Somewhere.."Itachi replied in the same coldness of voice as Amber.
An hour passed and Dianne came out of the bushes.

"Itachi!" She squeals and hugs him.

Amber noticed Itachi's Sharingan glow darkly.

Itachi noticed Amber looking at him, so he looked at her, so Amber looked away.

Amber then looked at him and gave him a mischevious grin.

Amber then gave him another look, this time it was a secret glance.

The both of them disappear and left Dianne again. And appearing in the front gate of Konoha.

The guards stood infront of them, and a smirk appeared in Amber's lips as she looked at the man straight in the eye.

After one minute, he dropped dead on the ground.

"Let's go," Amber gives the body a cold glare and enters Konoha.

As they stand on a rooftop in one of Konoha's buildings. They notice the Training Grounds and see oviously 4 Genins training with...
Amber's heart skipped a beat...

Because there stood, the man she had loved when she accepted that she and Itachi can never be together..there stood Kakashi.

[Stephanie]

As Dianne held tightly on Itachi's arm, he noticed Amber's eye grow that Lavender hue that killed the whole Shinjitsu clan.

She then disappeared, with Dianne mumbling..

"She's such a show-off,"

Itachi tried to wonder what was wrong with that. Amber was one of his childhood friends, and his best friend like Shisui. But after what Shisui almost did to her, even in death he wouldn't forgive him.

Itachi then disappeared and ran after Amber and stopped as he saw her standing on a tree branch looking over at Konoha.

"Where's Dianne..?" She asked coldly.

Itachi growled silently, that name Dianne irritated him.

"Somewhere..." Itachi replyed in the same cold voice.

Dianne came out of the bushes and jumped on the branch and hugged Itachi.

Her breasts preshing against his body, it disgusted him. So Itachi's Sharingan glowed a scarlet red.

Itachi then felt someone's eyes staring at him.

He looked at Amber, and noticed her look away.

As the three of them reach Konoha's Main gate, Itachi noticed Amber head to he guard and after a minute the guard dropped dead on the ground. It made him wonder, what did he see..?

While leaving Dianne behind, Amber and Itachi went to one of the rooftops in Konoha. As Itachi followed Amber's gaze, and noticed she was staring at the Training Grounds.

The sight of Itachi's foolish little brother training amazed him, a girl with pink hair was in a daze looking at Sasuke, the kyuubi was loud mouthing Itachi's brother, and one girl seemingly looked like Amber's child form was under a tree reading.

Itachi's eyes look back at Amber, for he knew the sight of the Masked Jounin had made her heart beat fast.

While somehow Itachi felt a sharp sword pierce through his heart..

"Itachi..I...."

[Stephanie]

Itachi woke up rather early, how early? Well, let's just say the sun wasn't even up yet. His eyes gazed upon the human that was beside him sleeping in the same bed. Amber's sleeping form was beside him, they had shared one room to budget the money the Akatsuki Leader gave them. Dianne being the spoiled one in the group had rented a room by herself, a grand room at that.

Amber looked really peaceful in her sleeping form, like an innocent child protected by those around her. She always resented that compliment, for her family has the Devil Genes flowing in their blood. And besides, Amber was the Captain of the Kage Shikyo Assassins. The Shadow Death Assassins.

They were famous for their Devil like attacks, and their use of the nutssunin .The eye that develops only when a person of the same blood as them will be killed by their own hands.

Itachi looked up from the sky, there wasn't anything to be done today, and they couldn't kill since they might lose their cover. There were no signs of Orochimaru's goons going round and about the village.

As he looked out the window, the sight of a Jounin with thick eyebrows intrigued him. He was the only one to be known to have the smarts to defeat the Sharingan. How? Well, he had to find out for his rival Hatake Kakashi was also a holder of the Sharingan Eye.

"What are we going to do today, Gai-sensei?!" asked a young Genin who looked like his teacher.

Itachi tore his eyes away from the sight, as Amber opened her eyes, and rubbed the sleepiness off.

"Hey, what time is it?" Amber asked.

"6:30 a.m.," Itachi replied shortly and exited the room to leave Amber as she got dressed.

As Amber stared at the Akatsuki cloak, thinking if she had to wear it or not. It didn't seem appropriate to go around Konoha in that outfit. Amber might look suspicious to the townspeople.

"Hengo no Jutsu!"

Amber's appearance changed to a young 13 year old girl with choppy black hair, lavender eyes, and looked really lazy.

[Stephanie]

Itachi soon entered the room and was surprised to see Amber in her old 13 year old self.

"You actually think that'll fool anyone?" He exclaimed, while Amber rolled her eyes.

Dianne entered the room, "Hey Itachi my love, who's the young girl? Don't tell me that is yours and Amber's kid, now huh? You know, our kids will be better."

Amber's 13 year old self wanted to mutilate her body and then chuck it up in a new litted furnace.

"Whatever, I'm going outside,"

As Amber walked out of the room, Dianne tries to grab Itachi's arm and lead him to her room. But Itachi disappeared, probably following Amber, to make sure she wasn't in any danger at all.

As Amber approached the stone where the names of all her friends were engraved, she goes down on her knees and sheds a few tears.

"Obito-kun, Rin-chan, and Anshi-sensei please forgive me," Amber whispered as every word comes out of her mouth, a new tear falls.

Another presence arrives shortly, "Amber-chan?" the person whispers in awe.

Amber goes back to her original form and now as she stares at her former teammate, Hatake Kakashi she felt her heart ready to come out from her chest.

Kakashi held out his hand to touch Amber's face, in fear she might disappear once again; Amber disappeared after the Shinjitsu massacre.

As he confirmed Amber wasn't a fragment of his imagination, he held out his hands and pulled her into a warm hug. Huge emotions had build up inside her subconscious, it was like; it was just like last time, when Itachi and Amber were just friends. Kakashi, Obito, Rin, and Amber was teammates, and her teacher was Uzumaki Anshi also knows as Yondaime-sama or "Yellow Flash".

Everything changed after the Chuunin Exams, for instance after the exam Amber lost her teacher to the Kyuubi.

It was also when Kakashi had confessed his feelings for Amber, but she knew, she knew inside that she was meant to be with him, since Itachi only considered her as his best friend.

Hey, Amber couldn't just say no to him, Rin and Amber had been in love with him since they met him at the Academy. When Amber became a Genin, Itachi was on the way to becoming a Chuunin. So, he was way ahead of her.

Back to the romantic moment:

As Amber stared up at Kakashi's masked face, she felt all her emotions built up again. Kakashi leaned in closing the gap between him and Amber, his hands laced around her waste as they stayed there traumatized. Amber had always desired to touch his lips, but his face was always hidden in that mask. Amber and Rin have tried countless times to see it, but Obito would ruin everything.

"Kakashi-sensei!" ranged a voice, it belonged to Uzumaki Naruto.
Kakashi turned back to Amber, just to catch a glimpse of her disappearing image, on his thoughts were.... Will I ever taste her bittersweet taste ever again, or will I have to wait for another eternity?

[Stephanie]

It was raining hard on the Hidden Leaf. Dianne was off somewhere, when she came to her room last night and drunk too. Amber was kind off irritated since Itachi had forbidden her to go out or hed kill Kakashi with Tsukiyomi. Slightly annoyed, Amber started to watch the little raindrops sliding down the window sill without her guitar there was nothing else to do. So Amber sang silently to herself waiting for the sun to come up the horizon and wash away the rain.

[Deliverance]

Here you are again. I can feel you breath down my neck. Whispering his name while whistling those killer melodies. You give me a face of an angel like you once had. And I am nothing but a creature of habit running away in circles, But I was found by gentleman that flew me up high. Now I see clearly, Im telling you to let go of me. Now that Ive found my way back home, where I belong. No longer a slave running away in circles Because Ive been found by this gentleman, who flew me high. Get out of my head. Get out of my soul. Get out my dreams. Get out of my house. Get out of my life. Get out. Get out. Get out. (Repeat) No longer a slave No longer a slave running away in circles Because Ive been found by this gentleman, who flew me high.


The song reminded Amber years back when she was on Anshi-senseis team. Amber and your best friend Rin were so happy to be with Kakashi, and her other friend Anko was with Gai, she could even imagine her annoyed face, when Gai would send her those heart thingies. Amber was also with Uchiha Obito; Amber was so impressed when he did the Katon Housenka no Jutsu she was greatly reminded of a certain someone.

[Flashback]

"C'mon Rin, Anko, I'm hungry let's eat!" A 13 year old Amber said happily, well she just passed the Chuunin exams, that's why she was so happy. Itachi was way ahead of her since well at age 13 he was already an ANBU leader. And Amber was stuck as a Chuunin.

Rin and Anko sighed, "Rin-chan! Anko-san! Amber-chan!" a hyper sound had passed there ears. It was Obito, he was holding a bag of Potato chips, behind him made Rin squeal in delight there stood Kakashi.

"My love, Anko!" Kakashi's rival Maito Gai buzzed in front of the three girls.

Rin chuckled, and held onto Kakashi's arm sending Amber a glance, Kakashi was trying to pry her off while Amber was to busy as she caught a glimpse of Itachi and his ANBU team.

Rin smirked at Amber; she was the only one to know, or to ever found out about her flame for Itachi. I guess it was because the two were the best of friends; Anko soon found out about it but didn't mention it to Amber or anyone else, saving her the embarrassment.

"Ei, Amber, don't freeze up now, but he's coming this way." Anko said, gesturing to Itachi who was making his way towards her. (Let's just say, Kakashi is 15 in this time, and he's a Jounin like Itachi while Amber, Rin, Anko, Gai, and Obito were Chuunins.)

Amber widen her eyes and mouth, 'Do I look like a dork?' Obito didn't get her point, Kakashi didn't as well, and Gai just mumbled that it was women talk, no men would get it unless they were gay.

"Hey Amber," Itachi greets her with a sly smile. (Hey! Itachi was kind back then! I know he was, he used to tease Sasuke and stuff.)

"Hey, Itachi-kun," Amber greeted with a blush, her friends were holding back their laughter, since Amber's 'the girl who can do anything' can't even talk to the man of her dreams.

Obito was chuckling lightly, Amber was talking to Itachi and his voice had made her lose all her nervousness and was able to talk to him like he was a normal person. Amber knew she had to be careful, she might let some clues slip and let Itachi find out about her feelings.

Some young women who were passing gave glares behind Amber's back as she was talking to Itachi. They were the 'Prince Itachi' fan club. Rin and Anko were ushering them to go away, Anko even threatened to use her Hidden Snake Hands technique if they won't go away.

"Hey Itachi! Let's go! We're late for the meeting!" Amber's other friend Shisui nudged Itachi.

"Let it go Lovebirds, I know, I know, I'm a nuisance to your little affair, but Amber, you have to understand your knight in Shining Armor and his loyal friend," he gestured to himself, "has to go and save Konoha. So, you two could just finish this later tonight.In bed."

Amber's friends made "oooohs" and the fan club glared daggers at her. Amber was red and mad at Shisui. He was trying to hook her up with Itachi, she glanced back at Itachi to see him look away but she saw a slight blush on his cheek as well.

'd**n Shisui, trying to make Amber fall in love with me! What a loser,' Itachi thought.

Not that Amber knew, Shisui had other plans, he may look trustful now, but maybe later he was the one who betrayed both her's and Itachi's trust.

[Stephanie]

After a long debate with her mind and herself, Amber had decided to leave the room, surely Itachi wouldn't come at the moment, probably on a killing spree or something, and besides how can he kill Kakashi?

Making decisions was rather hard, knowing the fact that Itachi had already surpassed the Hokage level. ( I don't know if it's really true, but since he was able to beat Kakashi, he is strong, and Orochimaru said Itachi was far more stronger than him, and Orochimaru killed the third so yeah, just a theory... ^^).

"Kakashi could defend himself anyway," Amber muttered to herself, hopefully reassuring her conscience that he will be alright.

So, Amber jumped off her window and changed her appearace, so no bounty hunter or hunter-nin would catch her, and no one would call her suspicious. I mean, Amber can't really trust people these days...

"Freedom!" Amber shouted, as several passerbys looked at her weirdly. Amber cast them a glance, and they turn their heads and minding their own bussiness.

Amber started to notice, that none of the young Genins are running around, due to the Chuunin Examinations, she heard from some people that they were in the 2nd Task located at the Forest of Death.

"So they changed the route huh? When we were tested we had to survive through Apogahara, the Genins got it easy now," Amber thinks to herself.

[Stephanie]

While Amber was walking, she felt her stomach growl in hunger, she remembered a while ago she had passed by a Raman Bar by the name of Ichiraku. So Amber headed there and ordered a cup of Miso Raman, beside her was a man with auburn brown hair and a scar across his nose, he was slurping his ramen, and he was a bit dirty...

"Hey miss, I don't see you much around here, and I know almost everybody in the village," He suddenly strikes a conversation.

"Oh well, you must not know everybody, if you haven't seen me yet," Amber joked a bit.

The man stares at her, and raises an eyebrow, "Well then, my name's Umino Iruka, it's a pleasure to meet you...Ms. -"

Amber stopped to think of a name, "Uhm..the name's Janie Hill, it's a pleasure to meet you Iruka,"

The two of them shake hands, and continue talking about things that interested them both, after eating Iruka shows her around Konoha, Amber was fascinated at how much it changed ever since she last saw it.

When they reached an isolated part of Konoha, Iruka suddenly speaks out something that caught her attention, "Amber...I know it's you,"

Amber widened her eyes, and changed back to her original form, "How'd you know?" She asked him.

Iruka smiles gleefully and slings his arm around her shoulder, somehow surprising her, "Well, first of all Janie Hill is a character you made up when you were still playing dollies with Anko and Rin, second of all I sensed that this isn't your real form." Iruka's smile beamed proudly as he explains all of this to Amber.

"Wow, didn't know you knew so much about me, so your teaching little brats now, how is the life?"

"Hey, Amber, remember you were a brat too, always trying to surpass Kakashi, being arrogant and obnoxious during class, and always a suck up to the Hokage."

"What? Me?" Amber pointed to herself, "I'm not like that!"

Iruka chuckled, and checked the time, "Sorry Amber, but I have to watch the brats on their Task, I was just on break you know, Ja Ne!"

As Amber watched him go, she smiled to herself, she didn't know how much a pleasant it is to be hanging out with her friends again, just like old times. When she was walking back to the apartment, someone grabbed her arm and dragged her to the alley, that someone whispered harshly in her ear, "I told you not to come out here!"

Amber returned the gaze back, "I'm not your slave, Itachi!"

[Stephanie]

"I'm not your slave, Itachi!" Amber hissed at him, Itachi's eyes narrow at her behavior and his lips curve slightly, as he frowned that she disobeyed him.

"What were you doing outside? You know you could blow our cover,"

"What?! I was alone, there's no other, it was just me!"

"Do you remember our deal? If you disobey me, I'll tear apart your precious Hatake Kakashi," Itachi clutches Amber's shoulder roughly; it caused her to wince in pain, but still kept her emotions intact.

"I'm sure Kakashi can defend himself, I've seen him fight before, he's good even without his Sharingan eye,"

"You defend Kakashi all the time, even though it's been years since you last saw him, and yet you still have feelings for him, I question why you even joined the Akatsuki, why you came with me, and your purpose for coming back to Konoha. Maybe it's true what Dianne says, you just hang around me for my power, I was always better than you, even from before, I taught you everything I knew, I considered you, dare I say it, one of my so called friends, Shisui perished because I chose to kill him and not you," Itachi noticed that Amber's head was down, a hot liquid fell into his arm, followed by another, her arms hung loosely on her sides, her muffled voice, barely audible, as the rain started to fall.

"Don't you see, even the almighty Sharingan cannot penetrate a powerful feeling that can make you truly human, and no Itachi, being human isn't made up of life or death, in between those, a human has to have feelings aswell to be considered alive."

Itachi kept quiet, his Sharingan grew a luminous scarlet, as Amber's lavender ones grew more snake like, and the power of to Doujutsu eye penetrated each other, "Tsukiyomi," "Hireki,"

After being with Itachi for a long time, Amber figured out how to block the Tsukiyomi attack for a short period of time, a second from now, she didn't know if it would actually work, but she couldn't imagine herself being killed by Itachi, a person she considered her most precious.

"If you loved him that much, why didn't you stay here in Konoha? Why did you choose to become a Class S criminal instead?" Itachi questions, as Amber looked down again, "Because. . . .because, I love you," she replyed, Itachi barely heard her but tightened his grip on her shoulder, after doing so, he released it and started walking away, leaving Amber drenched in her pain of rejection.

Amber knew this would happen, she knew all along she could never be with him, she knew that once she proclaimed her feelings he'd hate her, the closest she's become to Itachi was a friend, when that happened she could've swore that was the happiest moment of her life, but she took it for granted and wanted more than just friends as a relationship, and look now, she just ruined it.

"I don't know why, I tried to be everything he wanted, I became a ninja, because he was, I accepted my clan's power to be just like him, I don't understand how this happened," Amber dropped on her knees and pounded her fist on the wet ground cement, "I don't understand why?!"

"It's most important to find a world that belongs to us, Life is meaningful only when we can find this world, Itachi, I think for you this world is a shinobi's,"

Another tear trickled down Amber's cheeks, as she sat on the alley ground, staring at nothingness. Amber was sure that, there weren't many tears that would fall now, because they were falling for three hours straight.

"If the tears keep falling, try standing on your hands, and they'll go back from where they came from," Her sensei advised her, when he saw her crying her tears out one day, the day before the Chuunin Examinations.

But, Amber couldn't force herself to stop them from falling, they just fell on their own, even when she tried to smile, they still fall, a forced smile made her look like a rejected lover, forced to thinking that everything would be alright, but it won't. No matter how much she crys, she can't change the past, she can't change what already happened.

"I'm such a fool," Amber whispered to herself, an aura of melancholy surrounded her and followed her everywhere.

Amber reached a hand on her neck, and trace a fingered down a tattoo embedded on it, it was a little memory that reminded her, that she was still a cursed being, a spawn of the devil, a killing machine.

It was late at night now, the stars twinkled in the night sky after the rain stopped, Amber decided to go back to the horrid apartment, even if it means that she'll see him there, she just had to take her chances. As Amber stood up, in her hands, was the mask she used during assassinations. (Kind of like Kakashis ^^)

Deciding to put it on so she could keep your emotions hidden, Amber stood up from the ground and started walking back, looking around Konoha, while trying to keep a straight face, but it was hard, because lovers were everywhere, holding hands, handing flowers, flirting, hugging, cuddling, something Amber could never do, with the person she loved.

[Stephanie]

"My daughter, always remember that love is a weakness, it will do nothing, but cause you pain and let you do foolish things."

'Love is a weakness,' Amber silently thought to herself, 'but if it is, then I'm weak, for I became a shinobi because of it.'

The Apartment Amber was staying at suddenly came to view; she entered the front door and continued on to the stairs. As Amber opened the door, fear overcame her, 'What if he was there? What would you do?'

The door silently creaked; Amber could only imagine the awkwardness that suddenly surrounded her as she saw Itachi there, looking out the window.

Not in the mood to talk to him, Amber entered the bathroom and checked her appearance.

'd**n, I look like the crypt keeper,'

Amber took a shower that somehow comforted her, just a little bit, the warm drops of water made her forget about the recent happenings of today.

As Amber finished, she changed her clothes and put on her Akatsuki uniform.

Amber exited the bathroom and heard Itachi speak, "Amber, we have a new mission, our back ups will arrive shortly, I want you to be ready before they come here," he spoke shortly.

"Yeah, whatever," Amber replied, stifly, trying to hold back the tears from falling again.

She walked to the door and opened it, "I'll walk around for a while,"

[Stephanie]

Amber was walking around Konoha once again, this time she didn't have an upbeat mood like she did a while ago.

'Why'd I become a shinobi anyway?'

A hurl of thoughts filled her mind.

An eight year old Amber was giggling around happily around her circle of friends. Rin was announcing out how Kakashi was the hottest guy in school, Anko just rolled her eyes annoyed, and Amber wasn't really listening at all.

"What about you, Amber? Why did you become a shinobi?"

"Huh? I thought our topic was on Kakashi?"

"Anko changed it," Rin replies, "So why...?"

"I don't know," Amber pondered for a while, "I think..it's because.."

Her eyes catch a glimpse of Itachi with his friend Shisui near a Ramen Bar, she giggled silently in her mind.

"I became a shinobi, so I could be like the person I care about the most,"



"I became a shinobi because of him, I wanted to be like him, I wanted to share my dreams with his,"

"I called your house last night, but you were sleeping, so..I talked with your father, you know...he's very fond of you," Amber smiled up at Itachi, this time she was 13 years old, and so was he.

"How so..?" Itachi replied, and linked arms with Amber, it was only friendly though.

"He said you wanted to be a powerful shinobi, much more powerful than any of us,"

"Hn, I don't know if that's true,"

"Oh come on, you know you're powerful already, you just need to find a person that you'd protect, you know, an uncle once told me that, when a person has someone precious to protect, that is when they become truly strong."

"Which uncle?" Itachi turned to Amber, his face as serious as always.

"My uncle, well, my stepfather now that is," Amber smiled brightly at him.

"Oh, I thought it was my father, I knew he couldn't be that deep,"

The two of them stared at the tranquil river infront of them, the two of them at peace, the Nakano river was a beautiful sight during twilight.

"It's most important to find a world that belongs to us, Life is meaningful only when we can find this world, Itachi, I think for you this world is a shinobi's," Amber whispered silently, Itachi clutched her hand tighter, as he started at what's infront of him,

"I know, because I have you to be my most precious person,"

Itachi kept staring at the river, while Amber was scarlet, 'I just hope, it'll be more than that, Itachi-san,' she thought.

[Stephanie]

"Come on, Amber, tell me what's wrong, you haven't been in the top of your game lately. Usually, when it comes to shinobi fighting,
you're always so serious." Nadeshiko complains slightly, quirking her eyebrow at Amber.

Amber's eyes just glaze on the melting ice in her drink, not really replying to her outburst.

"I guess, you're still bummed about the Itachi thing."

"I guess, it's just, I don't understand," Amber finally replyed, twirling the straw in her drink.

"Maybe, it was just a misunderstanding, I mean, he didn't even reply to you,"

"Pfft..I've been crying there for three hours, he didn't even come back to comfort me, yeah he cares alright," Nadeshiko rolled her eyes at how negative Amber was being.

"And...I don't know, I really like him, you know..how it is, when you really like somebody you try your best to improve yourself so he'll like you back,"

"Yeah, what'd you see in Itachi anyway? He's so...quiet, mysterious, freaky, and..weird," It was now Amber's time to quirk an eyebrow at her.

"I...love him," she replyed, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Nadeshiko gagged and scoffed at her drink, "You love him?! Since when did you get so emotional?"

"I don't know, but I read this one quote from this book while I was walking around...

"It would be the loneliest feeling standing cold under the rain all alone. But if you were there hugging me tight, just right there by my side, then I hope it rains for the rest of my life.""

"You know Amber, you don't strike me as the romantic type, you're just so boyish sometimes, it's weird seeing you all girly like this."

"So, you're saying I should act more like a boy?!"

"If you wanted to learn more about how to be a woman, you should've consulted me." The voice came from one of the most annoying bimbos in the Ninja Countries..

"Hello pregnant dog,"

Haha..you wish Amber said that but no she didn't..^^

"Hello..Dianne," Amber said with the most scorn flowed in her voice, she could've wished to strangle her, cremate her body and throw the ash in another fire to cremate her even more..okay back to story..^^

"Itachi called for us, Amber, but I doubt he wanted you, I mean, of course, he likes me.." Dianne sad overconfidently, Amber and Nadeshiko continued to sip on there drinks ignoring her.

"Pfft..I doubt he even notices you," Amber replyed to her...the scorn started all over again, this time it was antagonism, abomination, execration, as Amber's and Dianne's eyes met.

[Stephanie]

And now, after all that antagonism with Dianne, the three of them were standing infront of a mansion like habitat, ready for the assassination of the Raikage, for he and his pitiful minions had found out about the Akatsuki Headquarters. Apparently, the ninjas bodyguarding him are too strong for the other Akatsuki members to handle, and so Itachi and Amber was sent to finish the job. and Dianne as well...

"I don't get why you're here, Amber?!"Dianne shouted at Amber, stirring up another arguement, which she hadn't really been paying attention to. Amber was trying hard not to let any single water to fall from her eyes. But, unfortunately, it was hard to ignore Dianne's outburst.

"Will you shut the hell up, woman! I can't stand you and your little fits anymore, bimbos like you should get their heads rip off!" After a long pause, Dianne uttered out a sob, "Itachi, Amber's harassing me again,"

"Oh come off it, loser," Amber replyed, as she continued to taunt her and her childish issues.

"Amber, Dianne, both of you stop now, before we attract attention," Came Itachi's serious voice, the last time he warned the two about this was just a warning, now it was a threat.