Uchiha Mana

CHAPTER 17

Mana woke on a soft bed. She got up but stopped when a painful headache stopped her. She ran her hand through her hair and tried to open her eyes.

“I see you’re awake.”

Mana opened her eyes and saw Juugo.

“What happened?” Mana asked. “Where’s Oniisan?”

Juugo nodded his head at someone beside her. Turning, Man saw Sasuke lying asleep on a futon, he was covered with bandages and from the looks of it, he just came from a battle.

“What happened?!” Mana asked. She tried to get up, but her body wouldn’t let her. “Why does my body hurt?”

Juugo made Mana lay down.

“After your battle, Sasuke gave you to me and slipt up. After a while, we were called by Suigetsu and we found Sasuke under Manda. He said that he was had a battle with an Akatsuki member called, Deidara. And here you are.”

“I see.” Mana said. “Arigatou, Juugo, for helping us…”

~*~

“That woman sure is late.” Suigetsu muttered.

Mana have been tending to Sasuke since the morning came, across her sat Suigetsu also looking down at Sasuke.

“How long does it take to get some supplies?” Suigetsu continued. “I’m gonna look for Karin.”

Just as Suigesu got up and went to the door, it was kicked down by Karin. Mana saw Suigetsu under Karin’s foot, cursing at the woman.

“Wake up, Sasuke!” Karin said. “We’ve been followed, what should we do?”

“How many?” Mana asked.

Karin’s blushing face disappeared when her eyes met the youngest Uchiha.

“A couple of few, they’re being accompanied by dogs.” Karin said.

“We’re leaving.” Sasuke said. “Juugo, mark all the Akatsuki hideouts we know of on the map.”

After giving his orders, Mana was left with Sasuke to help him with his bandages, whilst Suigetsu, Karin and Juugo left. She waited for her brother to get dressed before she entered his room with the supplies.

“You look like shit.” Mana muttered.

“Since when do you talk like that?” Sasuke asked.

“It doesn’t really matter. But you really do.” Mana said, she instructed Sasuke to sit down, he complied sat down before Mana and waited for her. She started wrapping his abdomen, where most of the damage was. “Are you really sure about leaving now?”

“If we don’t, then Konoha would catch us… knowing them, they’re probably close by now.” Sasuke said, he winced when Mana slightly tightened the bandage. She helped him with his shirt and then proceeded to finish her work. “Mana, I’ve noticed how you’re quite reserved for the past few days, is there something wrong?”

Mana stayed silent and continued on with her work. Sasuke grabbed her wrist and made her look at him.

“Mana.”

“I still don’t understand.” Mana began. “Why he did it… why Itachi-niisan did it.”

Sasuke’s grip tightened around her wrist, making her slightly wince.

“He’s no longer our brother, and you know why… he said so himself. It was to test his power.”

“I still don’t understand…” Mana said. “I want to… I want to look at him at the eye and ask him, and I want to hear it from him.”

“That’s not happening.” Sasuke said. “You’re not going anywhere near that battle… this is something that the both of us have to do alone –”

“Don’t you think I have every right to be there too?! You’re not the only one who lost Oto-san and Oka-san!” Mana yelled. “And he’s my brother too! And I need to know why!”

Mana tried to get her wrist from Sasuke when she felt his grip tighten even more.

“You don’t have to remind me… but I have to do this… I’m your older brother, so I have too!”

“Onii-san, you’re hurting me…” Mana said.

Sasuke’s eyes widened, he looked down at his hand that held down Mana’s wrist. He immediately released her, and Mana stepped back and rubbed where his grip was.

“Mana, gomen.” Sasuke said.

Mana said nothing.

“Mana…please,” Sasuke begged. “don’t be afraid…”

She still did not move.

“Mana, please… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to –”

“It’s fine.” Mana said. “It’s healed…”

Sasuke shook his head. “You’re not.”

“Gomen, Onii-san… if I pushed you.”

“You didn’t… Mana –”

“I’ll finish this now so we could go.” Mana said.

She took the fallen wrappings and went to Sasuke. But before she could start, Sasuke pulled her down to him and wrapped his arms around her.

“Gomen, Imouto… I promise, that will never happen again.”

Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Onii-san.

“I know.”

~*~

“What’s wrong, Kiba?” Naruto asked.

“This is bad, Sasuke’s on the move!” Kiba said.

Naruto doubled his speed to catch up to Kiba and Akamaru.

“We have to hurry. He’s probably going after Itachi!” Naruto said.

“Hold on, something’s not right.” Kiba said. “Sasuke’s scent is spitting up. He’s going in a lot of directions!”

“They must’ve noticed that we’re following them, so they’re using a diversion.” Kakashi said.

“Noticed us how?” Sakura asked.

“I’m not sure what their abilities are, but he must have a powerful chakra-sensing shinobi by his side.” Kakashi said.

“The distances are too great, so we can’t use the radios!” Kiba said. “I’m the only one who can track him, but I can only go after one scent!”

“I’ll look everywhere!” Naruto said. “I’ll do whatever it takes!” creating the seal, Naruto casted, “Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!”

Multiple Narutos were created, and each went on to different directions to look for Sasuke, while the real Naruto stuck with Kiba, Sakura and Kakashi.

“Kiba!” Sakura called out.

“What is it?” Kiba asked.

“Mana-chan is always by Sasuke-kun’s side, if you could track her, then maybe we could find them!” Sakura said.

“That’d help, but we don’t really have anything that could help with Mana’s scent, and Akamaru and I never really got a chance to meet the kid.”

“Don’t worry, I have something.” Sakura took out a small ribbon from her pouch. “This was Mana-chan’s, she would always wear it at her head before, if you could track her scent, then we could find Sasuke-kun and her!”

“Good idea, Sakura!” Naruto smirked.

Mana-chan, Sakura thought, I have faith that you could still stop Sasuke-kun! Please, come home you two!

~*~

After meeting with one of Itachi’s clones at one of the Akatsuki hideouts, Sasuke had Hebi on the move once more and were headed to the place where Itachi told him to meet. Mana have been following after Sasuke from behind, her mind going on about the possibilities of the battle’s outcome.

“We’re being surrounded by a bunch people with the same chakra!” Karin said. “What do we do?”

“We ignore it, we can’t change out route.” Sasuke said.

Ahead of them, Mana saw the most unexpected person.

“Naruto-kun?” She gasped.

Naruto came charging at them, yelling after Sasuke, but before he could reach them, Sasuke eliminated him with a Chidori, and Naruto disappeared with a puff of smoke.

“A Shadow Clone?” Suigetsu said.

“Sasuke, who is that?” Karin asked.

“Naruto, huh?” Sasuke said.

What a nuisance.

“Shadow Clones, huh. The chakra that I’m sensing all over the place is coming from him.” Karin said.

Not long, they came to a place of ruins. They were all running on the stoned roof.

“There’s an enormous amount of chakra heading towards us!” Karin said.

Landing on the post was none other than Itachi’s partner, Kisame. He had his sword on his hand, ready to be used. They stopped before the Akatsuki man, waiting for his attack.

“Sasuke-kun, if you would, please continue by yourself.” Kisame said. “That’s Itachi’s orders. The rest of you, please wait here.”

“Fine.” Sasuke said. “The only reason I formed this team in the first place was to make sure that no one would interfere with me. This will work.”

“Sasuke, you can’t. let’s just kick this guy’s ass and go together.” Karin said.

“I’m not really in a mood to fight, but if you insist on going together, I won’t go easy on you.” Kisame said.

“Karin, stay out of this. This is my revenge. I’ll go alone.” Sasuke said.

“Matte!” Mana grabbed Sasuke’s cloak. “Onii-san!”

“Mana, we talked about this.” Sasuke said.

“But… I need to know.” Mana said.

“The only thing you need to know is Itachi killed our family for power. I made a promise that day that I would protect you and kill him for doing this to us… I know that you have your doubts.” Sasuke turned to her. Mana felt her breath hitched at his statement. “But you must know, that Itachi planned on killing you the day he went to Konoha…”

“Onii-san…” Mana slowly let’s go of his cloak.

“Juugo, Suigetsu, make sure to look after Mana, and not anything or anyone hurt her, understand?” Sasuke said.

“Hai, hai…” Suigetsu said. “How hard is it to babysit?”

“Onii-san, one last thing.” Mana said. “Please, don’t die.”

“I won’t.” Sasuke said and left.

Once he was gone, Suigetsu finally thought of completing his goal as well.

“Hoshigaku Kisame, the Great Sword, the Samehada.” Suigetsu said. “I’m Houzuki Mangetsu’s little brother, Houzuki Suigetsu.”

“I didn’t recognize you, Suigetsu. You have grown.” Kisame said.

“I don’t really feel like sitting around here waiting for Sasuke to return. Why don’t we kill some time and have some fun, Kisame-senpai?”

“Unlick your brother, you’re quite arrogant… but Itachi made it clear that Sasuke was the only one to pass… and he specifically told me to watch out for the youngest Uchiha. He said that his Imouto was a slippery one.” Kisame said.

“It’s not like I have a choice.” Mana said. “If I even try to get pass you, your Samehada would just suck off my chakra and you’d probably rip me to shreds… I don’t really have much of a choice but to stay.”

Kisame smirked.

This kid’s a smart-ass like Itachi.

“Alright, I’ll cut some layers off of you.”

“Suigetsu, are you sure it’s okay to go against Sasuke’s orders?” Juugo said.

“It’s fine, besides, Chibi is here, she doesn’t mind.” Suigetsu said. “Right, Chibi?”

Their battle began. The whole time, Mana felt the weight of their swords. She took note how they swung it, it wasn’t the same as how she, her brother and Shuuya would use their katanas. They’re movements were to chop off each other’s limbs, an intent to kill in one swing.

“’Have some fun’ my ass. They’re trying to kill each other. Juugo, tell them to –” Karin said.

“Don’t worry, the birds tell me that there’s no one nearby that will interrupt their battle.” Juugo said.

“It’s begun.” Mana said, her eyes at the distance.

~*~

Itachi was dying, and he knew it. After casting out Orochimaru from Sasuke, and defeating the snake, protecting himself from Sasuke’ ultimate attack, he knew that his time has come. He didn’t regret it though, it all went according to plan… the only thing was, he never got to see their little sister for the last time. But he will forever have the memory of the first time he saw her.

“Mana-chan,” Sasuke began, “I promise that I’ll protect you, and I’ll always be by your side.”

“So will I.” Itachi added. “I promise, Mana-chan. Imouto.”

He forced himself to make his way to Sasuke. He saw his little brother be cornered by the standing wall. He could see how helpless Sasuke was, and didn’t know where to go or what to do. He held out his hand, two fingers pointed out, and as he neared Sasuke, he could see the young boy, his little brother, that he loved.

His fingers touched Sasuke’s forehead.

I’m sorry, Sasuke, but there won’t be a next time…