animehamster: This is painful. (T_T)

Selina: -vein pops- Then go take a nap instead of updating!

All: -gapes- (She didn't tell her to update...)

Selina: What?

animehamster: -twitches-

Anyway, thanks to Niky for the quick translation edit and thanks to Amybell for beta reading the chapter!

Chapter 3: Decode ~ "How did we get here? When I used to know you so well..."

Sasuke's Point of View

I was running -- running to the point of exhaustion.

I knew I couldn't stop or else I'd be torn to shreds.

Bitten to death, some others would say.

It was from that moment that I heard the snarling. I looked back to see wolves panting and drooling as they chased after their prey. I forced my legs to pound the ground faster, anything to get away from my enemy, my predator, my death.

And I wasn't alone.

A girl no older then I, clad in the purest white, was looking at me with fearful eyes -- eyes that mirrored my own. Her hand was clasped in mine and the warmth radiating from that single touch gave me enough energy to keep moving.

That's when the clearing appeared.

I ran even harder with the girl in tow to reach the haven that was just beyond my grasp when I heard her scream. Ruby stains now marred her skin and clothes from the wound the wolf had inflicted on her leg. The beast was still clinging to her.

I couldn't move without leaving the girl behind.

Suddenly, the rest of the wolves lunged.

And I was buried among them all along with the girl clad in the purest of reds.

"Sarete preda dei lupi che cacciano chi proteggete."

When I opened my eyes after what seemed like an eternity, I flinched at how white the room was. And for a minute, I thought I was in Heaven. After all, wasn't Heaven supposed to be...white? That's when I realized that murdering people doesn't get you into Heaven.

Maybe that was why I was still in pain.

As my eyes adjusted to the light, I lifted my arm and noticed it connected to an I.V. Both arms, actually. I twitched. Ever since I was young, needles have been a sensitive spot to me. My one weakness, you would say... It was just pretty uncomfortable to see or feel needles in my skin. The memories made me shiver the slightest bit. That's when I remembered what the assassin had said.

"Sarete preda dei lupi che cacciano chi proteggete."

My teeth clenched together once again as I realized who exactly I was dealing with.

'Otou-san had told me that they had been exterminated years ago. After all, there's only one group that is said to be as organized as a pack of wolves... Why are they appearing now? What are they after?'

"Proteggete."

I froze.

Hinata. That's who they were after. I looked around for any sign of her and cursed myself for being unable to protect her. And that's when the door opened.

"Sasuke-kun?"

I turned to the direction of the source and instantly relaxed. Hinata was alright. I knew she had seen me relax because she did as well.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine, and you?"

She blinked before realizing the question was directed towards her.

"Oh, I-I'm fine," she said with hesitation.

I nodded and leaned back on the bed. Hinata quietly walked over and sat next to me. There were bags under her eyes, and I wondered if she was getting enough sleep. It was awkward for the next few minutes as neither of us said a word.

"A-Ano, everyone at school wishes you well."

"Hm."

...

I was about to tell her about the people that were now after us but the damn door had to open again.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in, right, otouto?"

My vein popped, and with my eye twitching, I risked a glance to validate whether or not the man I thought was at the door was truly him.

Fuck.

"Hello, nii-san" I greeted as stiffly as possible.

Itachi smirked, knowing fully well that I wasn't pleased to see him. Tch, that damn bastard. He always knew what I was truly thinking.

"What are you here for? I thought you were off somewhere el-"

"What? I can't visit my little brother while he's in the hospital?"

I sneered. "You know I've had worse."

He shook his head silently, but I caught his eye and suddenly, he got serious.

"So, what happened up there?"

I glanced at Hinata and saw that she was getting confused by what we were saying. I sighed, about to ask her to leave the ro-

"Hyuuga-san, would you mind leaving my little otouto and I alone for a bit?"

She looked startled and was about to retort when I took her hand.

"It's alright. You can go take a walk with Neji." Her eyes widened, and I knew she was going to ask how I knew he was here, when Neji himself came in. I mean, how could I not know? You could feel his distaste of me for miles.

"Come on, Hinata-sama. Let's go," he took her hand and led her out, with Hinata nervously looking back at me. Her glances made my stomach churn, and I had no clue why. I looked back to Itachi and knew he was amused. He usually wore that expression when he saw something that I couldn't, and it annoyed me to no end.

"Well, you're right, nii-san, except for one thing. It was no cat that dragged me in here ... but a dirty, rotten wolf.."

His eyes narrowed, and I knew an interrogation was coming for me.

"Tell me everything you know."

Hinata's Point of View

"N-Neji-niisan! I'm fine now, so you can let me go!"

He spun around, startled that he was still grabbing my hand. "Ah, gomen, Hinata-sama. It's just..." his fists clenched, and I got nervous, "It's just I can't trust the Uchihas."

I stood there, bewildered. This was the first time I've heard Neji speak against the Uchihas. I knew he didn't like them ... but never before had I seen him so outraged. Then I remembered his father and everything fell into place.

"Neji-niisan, I know the Uchihas were placed as your father's bodyguards," He stiffened, but I continued "but that's not Sasuke-san. You have to let your grudges go," I said as soothingly as I could. It calmed him down but there was now a new fury in his eyes when he looked back up at me.

"Hinata-sama, there is something I have to tell you ... It's about your mother."

I looked up at him.

"It's about how she died."

Normal Point of View

Itachi's eyes closed, and he leaned back against the wall, almost as if in defeat. He suddenly looked much older then twenty-one, and Sasuke could understand why. After all, it wasn't everyday that the Wolves of Italy are after the one you're protecting.

"I don't understand," Sasuke started "Otou-san told me they were exterminated years ago after the massacre at Egypt. How could they have survived?" He was going to press for more when Itachi's blood-red eyes opened. Sasuke immediately shut up. You did not want to bother his nii-san when he became agitated.

"Sasuke, may I remind you that maybe -- just maybe -- a couple of those mafioso might have gotten away during the confusion?" Sasuke flinched at the tone of voice his brother used. "The man you fought against was an illusionist, which was why you thought men were coming up instead of one man. Mistakes like that can cost you, Sasuke. You should know by experience, right?"

Sasuke glared at Itachi. "I won't make the same mistake twice."

Itachi looked at him for a few more seconds, then sighed and his eyes reverted back to their normal color. "Well, you won't have to worry about making mistakes for a while."

Sasuke instantly stiffened. "What do you mean by that?"

"Until you fully recover, I'm supposed to guard Hinata-sama."

"WHAT!?" He shouted, then flinched and wished that he hadn't shouted like that. It could cause his wounds to open up again.

Itachi smirked, "What? Afraid that I'll get too close to Hinata-sama for your liking?" Sasuke's skin deepened three shades of red before gritting his teeth together.

"You wish," Sasuke spitted out before Itachi shook his head and attempted to stifle his laughter, but he was still shaking, and it only made Sasuke angrier than before. "Itachi-"

"Sasuke-kun? Uchiha-san?"

The pair looked to the source of the sound to find Hinata waiting anxiously. "Ano, did I interrupt something?"

Sasuke turned to glare at Itachi, daring him to tell her what conversation they had just a second ago. Itachi just smiled.

"Not at all, Hyuuga-san, we were just finishing up. I'll see you around then, otouto."

"Tch, as if I want you around."

"Sasuke-kun!" Hinata was, well, startled. Never before, had she seen two brothers act like the two Uchihas. She sighed and realized that there were lots of things she didn't know about the Uchihas... "Let's head out then, Uchiha-san. I'll be back to see you soon, Sasuke-kun."

Itachi noticed the sudden change in character in Hinata but decided not to say a word. He turned and smiled sweetly to Sasuke, who returned it with a glare so vicious that Itachi was glad that looks couldn't kill. Itachi just sweat dropped and continued on his way after Hinata.

Sasuke grimaced. Things were not progressing in the direction he wanted.

'This is such a pain...'

Itachi's Point of View

Well, this was kind of awkward.

Maybe Hinata-sama didn't want to talk, but something had changed in her during the period of time that I was speaking to otouto. I grimaced. Perhaps the other Hyuuga kid told her what happened seven years ago... That would definitely put a dent in our relationship if word of that got out.

Best to keep quiet about it for now.

"Hinata-sama, I take it you and my brother have a nice relationship?"

She was startled out of her stupor and replied very softly, "Not exactly, Uchiha-san. What makes you think that?"

"Well, my little brother was incredibly worried about your safety after he had regained conscious."

The young heiress merely looked at me, then directed her gaze to her feet.

"He's only worried because it's his job to protect me."

I narrowed my eyes at this. It seemed very peculiar to find a seventeen year old female that indifferent about another guy caring for her... I merely tucked this piece of information away for future research. Perhaps the Hyuuga girl was more then met the eye.

"Do you ever wonder why Sasuke is the way he is now?"

She blinked once .... twice ... then directed her gaze at me again.

"Excuse me?"

I smiled to myself but maybe she saw the pain I still held in my eyes. If she did, she hid it well.

"You mean ... he wasn't always this cold?"

I nodded solemnly.

"... That's kind of hard to believe."

Chuckling, I agreed silently.

"People usually change drastically after they lose someone important."

I saw her stiffen the slightest bit but perhaps that was due to her mother dying a few years ago. She opened her mouth to speak, but she closed it again after a few seconds. Hinata-sama then turned to look out of her right window and just barely, I heard her ask...

"Who did he lose?"

Maybe it wasn't my right to tell... No, it wasn't my right, and I knew that. But I don't entice someone to a question and then deny them their answer.

"His best friend, Naruto Uzumaki."

And she froze.

Sasuke's Point of View

"Where do you think you're going?"

He turned, apparently surprised that I was right there behind him. Then he stiffened, and I instantly knew that he was going to disobey orders.

"It's none of your business, Sasuke."

"You're going to waste your life on one girl?!"

I saw stars as I hit the ground. I was slammed into the wall and had my breath knocked right out of me.

"She's not just one girl! I love her and if you have a problem with that, then I don't give a fuck!"

I glared at him until he let me lose. I slumped down to the ground in defeat.

"You're going to die," I said very quietly.

His eyes softened.

"Most likely."

"She'll be sad."

"Yeah, I know."

"You're an asshole."

He smirked..

"And you're a fucking bastard, but we all knew that already."

I kept quiet.

He sighed, and I knew he was going to leave now. I raised my head.

"So what are you going to do about your girlfriend?"

He turned back to look at me.

"I'm leaving her to you."

He bent down to my eye level and bit his finger and held it out to me. I couldn't believe this.

"You're serious, aren't you?"

"Yeah. So I'll kill you again in the afterlife if you hurt her."

There was a long silence between us. I sighed and bit hard enough on my finger to make it bleed. I pressed it forward against his finger.

"There, our blood oath is now complete.."

I just sat there, silent.

He raised to his feet and started to walk away from me.

"I promise to take care of her."

He stopped in his tracks, turned to me, and grinned his stupid, carefree grin.

"You're not a bad person, Sasuke. No matter what anyone else says."

Naruto walked away from me.

And that was the last time I saw him alive.

I woke up feeling nostalgic. Hmm, maybe this is what happens when they give you too much medication... I groaned and ran a hand through my hair. Flashbacks don't happen that often but when they do, I would usually wake up in a cold sweat.

Today was different.

I shook my head of all thoughts for now and concentrated on finding the button to call the nurse. I was feeling kind of hungry....

I finally found the button after a good ten minutes of searching when my door opened. I automatically got wary of whoever was coming through that door until she peeked her head in the door.

"Okaa-san?"

"Hello, Sasuke."

She smiled at me, and I had no choice but to smile back. Her calm aura radiated through the room, and I immediately relaxed.

"How are you feeling, Sasuke? I would have been here sooner but your father has been busy, and I couldn't leave him all alone at home either..."

And she kept rambling on while I just nodded and smiled on cue. That was really all you had to do to please my mother. Either that, or go shopping with her.

"Sasuke," she started, and I knew that it was the time I had to pay attention, "After your brother told us what you told him, we think that this mission may be too difficult for you. We may have to put you in hiding because the wolves have already seen your face."

At that moment, three things passed through my mind.

The girl covered in red.

The man's last words to me before I killed him.

The blood oath I made with my best friend just hours before he died.

And I knew that I had no choice to make but one.

"I ... I can't do that, okaa-san."

Startled by my response, she tried to interrupt before I could explain.

"I made a promise to Naruto to protect the one most important to him. I'm not going to break it now."

Okaa-san just sat there for a moment and sighed, "I knew you would say that. That's why your father told me to give this to you." She took out a beautifully sheathed katana from the bag she brought in. I stiffened, knowing what she was about to give me.

"Okaa-san, I can't take Tsukiyomi. I just can't-"

Okaa-san shushed me and scolded me lightly.. "Your father said that this would be your inheritance, just like Amaterasu is Itachi's. You know what this means, right?"

"Yes, I do." It meant that father has accepted me as a capable assassin and bodyguard.

"You know the whole story about the twin swords, right?"

"Only a bit," I admitted.

Okaa-san laughed lightly and smiled at me again.

"There is a legend about the twins swords of the Uchiha, and this story goes right along with our sharingan, which as you know only appears when we're extremely agitated or in deep stress. The twin swords are called Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi, named after the sun goddess and the moon god. They are the strongest and the most beautiful pair of all swords.

It's said that they were made by the gods themselves and were given to Uchiha Madara, our ancestor, as a reward for being loyal to them and carrying out their requests.

Carved along the sheaths are intricate patterns that have taken months to engrave. Once unsheathed, Amaterasu would gleam an unnatural yellow hue and Tsukiyomi an unnatural blue hue. Markings along the edge of the sword would state, 'I am the darkness of the night to the brightness of the day, the Ying to Yang, the moon to the sun' for Tsukiyomi and 'I am the brightness of the day to the darkness of the night, the Yang to Ying, the sun to the moon' for Amaterasu. These swords have been passed down the Uchiha for generations.

It is only when you acquire one of these swords and use it along with your sharingan that you cannot be defeated."

I sat there in awe of my mother's tale when common sense finally hit me. "You're trusting me with something as important as this!?"

Okaa-san smiled. "We trust you, Sasuke. That means your father, your brother, and myself as well."

There was no doubt of my family's trust in her eyes.

"I won't fail you, okaa-san. I swear it."

"I know you won't, Sasuke. I know you won't."

Hinata's Point of View

It was two in the morning, and I still couldn't sleep. There were just too many things on my mind.

Sasuke's best friend ... was Naruto?

What was this supposed to mean? That Sasuke is in my position as well since he lost someone close to him?

Why didn't Sasuke ever mention this either?

But ... why was I so upset by this?

'Is it because you're falling in love with your boyfriend's best friend?'

That's completely out of the question!

I curled up into a ball and felt tears prickle my eyes. I just found out how my mother died as well. I had blamed Sasuke for being cold without finding out why. I was just too ignorant of everything.

"Onee-sama?"

I jumped at the sound of Hanabi's voice at the door.

"Hanabi, you can come in."

She timidly opened the door, stepped in, and closed the door behind her.

"Can I sleep with you tonight, onee-sama?"

I blinked before realizing that I was making my little sister uncomfortable.

"Oh! Uh, sure, Hanabi, but you're already ten. Aren't you a bit embarrassed?"

Hanabi crawled onto my bed and curled up next to me. "I had a dream about okaa-sama, and it was scary."

"Scary?" What did she dream?

"I saw her shot, and then she died. It was really scary." And she began to sob.

I swallowed hard and hugged her to me. "It's okay, Hanabi, I'm still here, okay?"

She nodded as her tears seeped into my shirt and soaked it.

A few minutes later, she was fast asleep, but I was still awake. I knew Hanabi had been traumatized ever since she had watched mom die to protect her. I closed my eyes and shivered.

It was getting cold, and I knew it was only going to get colder.

animehamster: This has to be the longest chapter I've ever written. Hmm... Anyway, sorry for the late update guys!

Selina: Now if only people would read An Alternative Ending.

Hinata: If you like the book, Twilight, go and read animehamster's fanfics, “An Alternative Ending” and “Death Day.” She would really like the reviews!

animehamster: Updates will be even slower from this point on- -dodges a flying projectile- because of school, but I promise that they will be longer chapters to make up for that!