Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Naruto.

A/N: Wow, I can't believe I'm about to start writing this story... I've been saying I was going to for six months. I've never read a fanfic for Naruto like this, so I hope it is as original as I think it is. :)

Spoiler warning: yeah... it's a spoiler up to a certain point. I only follow the manga up to a certain point for the sake of being able to write this fanfic as a romance. lol.

Secondary A/N: I really hope this story is original. I have not read another like this, which made me want to write it even more. This one is going to be very difficult to write though... so I'm preparing to settle in for the difficulties ahead.

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Send Me An Angel

Chapter 1- Prayer

I stare down at Itachi's body as the rain begins to pour down around me. He lies there now, his body quickly cooling in the hot air, blood sliding down his face from his mouth to his chin. It seems almost like a dream, the fact that he just dropped there dead.

My eyes rest on his mouth, how it is curved up in an eternal smile, and it seems eerie to me, how he smiles in death... and I wonder why.

My eyes slide shut, the heat from his amaterasu surrounding us from the trees as they burn their dark desires consuming the forest life. A smile slides onto my face, as I let the exhaustion take me. It is over. I fall to the stone surface next to Itachi. It is all finally over.

'Itachi killed the clan on orders from Konoha in order to prevent a Uchiha coup d'etat' Madara Uchiha spoke to me matter of factly.

'What?... orders... from Konoha?... no' I speak in a shaky voice.

'Itachi was a spy. You had no idea what was really going on with the clan. You were still too young.'

'No... It is a lie. Itachi killed the clan for power. He tried to kill me in our battle... several times...'

'You saw what he wanted you to see. Nothing more, nothing less. None of the blows were lethal ones, and he protected you from the lethal attacks.'

'No... you are lying!!'

'And that is what you saw with you Sharingan.'

'He tried to steal my eyes! To achieve the ultimate power of the Sharingan!'

'Itachi had to push you farther than ever before... in order to seal away that cursed seal and Orochimaru for good.'

'Shut up! I don't want to hear this! You are lying!'

'Remember Itachi... remember your kind, older brother?'

An image of Itachi smiling kindly flashed through my mind. 'No...'

'Itachi loved you more than life itself. He agreed to be Konoha's scapegoat on the condition that you remained safe and protected inside of Konoha.'

'Liar! Itachi was a murderous, coldhearted killer! He didn't care about anyone but himself!'

'He wanted you to kill him and become a hero to Konoha.'

'...' I squeeze my eyes shut in pained denial.

'And to think he died with a smile on his face, and all because of how much he loved you.'

'What proof do you have.'

'I have no proof. It is up to you to choose what to believe.'

'I... I don't believe you..' I squeeze my eyes shut harder from the pain. I cannot believe you... I just can't...

Chapter 1-

"I have considered the recommendations from the two elders for your punishment." Tsunade spoke, her hands folded, watching me carefully from across her desk. The two elders stood on either side of her.

I stand calmly, my head tilted upward proudly. It didn't matter what punishment she gave me, because she could never strip me of the pride of my clan. Yes, the pride of a Uchiha, it is all I have left...

Tsunade closes her eyes furrowing her brows in tedious thought. "Your punishment is community service and the removal of your shinobi rank." Her voice is forceful, confident.

"What?! You're stripping me of being a ninja!" I shout, enraged. Disbelief fluttered through me at her words, and my mouth hung open in shock.

"You ungrateful brat!" Tsunade shouts back, her lips snarling in anger. All the while she keeps her hands knitted together almost calmly. "I should have you thrown in jail for your traitorous crimes! Understand?! You're getting off easy!"

I close my mouth, while my eyes trail to the two elders suspiciously. Now that the third is dead, only those two doting elders know the truth about Itachi... The Akatsuki leader's voice echoed through my mind. I shake my head, erasing his voice.

"Why are you punishing me lightly." I demand the knowledge more than request it.

The anger erases from Tsunade's youthful features, and her golden brown eyes hold me in an intense gaze. "That is none of your concern. Just be grateful, understand?"

I nod slowly, the concern not leaving my ever stiffening muscles. He agreed to be Konoha's scapegoat on the condition that you remain safe and protected inside of Konoha. But it was a lie. I am sure to hell that it was a lie.

"Your community service is to be an escort for a refugee inside of Konoha. We do not have very many refugees, but I like to keep a close eye on them nonetheless. I will assign you one later." Tsunade's voice is powerful, commanding.

I scoff in offense. "So now I am a peon security guard?"

Tsunade growls low, her left eye twitching in agitation, as her fingers claw up the back of her hands that are still knit together in thought. "Yeah, I suppose you are." I glare in resentment to her. "This is a position that never has enough people to fill it. No one wants to do this. But look on the bright side, you'll be handed a paying job on a silver platter. You will work wherever your refugee works in order to keep close surveilance."

I roll my eyes sarcastically. "Whatever... am I done here?"

"Yeah... you're done." Tsunade glares in growing anger, and I turn and storm out of the door slamming it behind me.

The elders look to Tsunade questioningly. "Lady Tsunade, Itachi is dead. There is no reason to honor the agreement." One of them says.

Tsunade closes her eyes in unwavering insistence. "Itachi paid a heavy price to keep Konoha safe... I will not betray the third's promise."

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I wander aimlessly through Konoha's streets, my mind lost deep in thought. Why was the punishment so light?... She has no reason to... No, the leader was lying. I grit my teeth in frustration, my head beginning to hurt from the confusion.

"Sasuke! Saaaasukeeeee!" A shrill excited voice screeches through the streets paining my head further.

I turn in time to see Naruto bounding up to me from a side street. The blonde stops far too close in front of me, a bright grin threatening to consume his features. I shoot him an annoyed glare, frowning from his boisterousness.

"Oh, wow! I don't believe it! You really are back!" Sparkling tears glitter the corner of his eyes, and I feel my heart soften a bit and my frown lightens. "That is soooo great! I'm so happy to see you, Sasuke!"

Naruto grabs my hands and begins to lead me towards a ramen shop. I sigh and let him drag me inside, the smell of ramen hanging heavily in the air. Sakura and Kakashi look up from the table, and I watch as Sakura's expression fills with surprise and a light blush forms on her cheeks. Kakashi simply smiles beneath his dark blue mask.

Naruto tugs me down to sit next to him on the bench. I watch Naruto in a mixture of confusion and astonishment now, for Naruto is staring at me wide eyed with a large smile stretched across his face, and the disbelief and wonder is clearly evident on his features.

"Wow... I can't believe you are really back, Sasuke..." Naruto laughs merrily as he rubs his nose, his smile broadening further.

"I'm so happy you're back, too." Sakura smiles. I glance over to see Sakura blushing, her eyes searching for the right words.

"Right, we all are, but... what made you decide to come back exactly?" Kakashi speaks curiosly.

"What! Who cares? He's back!" Naruto laughs estaticly.

I remain quiet, listening to Naruto's joyful laughter and feeling more and more out of place in this lively environment. I gaze into Kakashi's single brown eye, concern and suspicion written in it, and I swallow the thick growing lump in my throat. The dark brown eye is so familiar, yet so alien to me now, and I feel as if a stranger is staring back at me. I shift uncomfortable beneath his gaze.

"Kakashi-sensei! Knock it off! We're suppose to be celebrating." Sakura lightly scolds Kakashi.

"Oh... sorry." Kakashi laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his head.

I silently thank Sakura in my head, because in truth, I could not have answered Kakashi's question. It could be read into a million different ways: He's hiding something, he's back for another purpose... but the reason is much simpler than that. I don't know why I returned to Konoha. I just did.

My mind lightly registers the chef passing us our bowls of ramen. I stare down absent mindedly at the thick noodles mixed with strips of barbecued beef in the broth. Naruto must have ordered for me before he came to drag me into this restuarant. The hot steam from the broth rose from the cup wafting over my face, and the sweet scent of the barbecued beef made my stomach ache in naseau.

I lean over the cup, my reflection staring back at me from the broth, and carefully remove the chopsticks from the ramen. Tiny ripples filter through the broth distorting my reflection, and I watch in horror as my face morphes into the late face of dead brother. My terrified eyes traced over the bruised skin, the trails of blood running down the curve of his pale face to his smooth chin, and those identical ebony eyes staring back at me with that unreadable, lifeless gaze. And I watch, with bated breath, as the lips contorted, twisting upwards in a bloody smile.

I grip my stomach, knots twisting over in writhing discontent, and the naseau washes violently throughout me in a tidal wave. I turn away from the table and vomit onto the floor, my body convulsing with each shock wave.

"Sasuke, are you okay!" Sakura gasps in shock.

My body trembles lightly, the last of the shock waves leaving me. I wipe my mouth, my body continuing to tremble from the cold sweat that now clings to my skin. "I'm fine... I just don't feel well." The words come out harsher than I wanted them to.

"Why don't you go home and rest." Kakashi suggests, concern tinting his voice. "We can always visit another day, right?"

I nod my head, barely hearing his words, and I rise from the bench stepping carefully around my vomit. As I move in a daze towards the door, I think I hear Naruto's voice calling out to me, and I turn to view the energetic blonde standing from the bench watching me leave with worry consuming his features.

"Take care of yourself, got it! We still have a rematch to settle!" A forced toothy grin washes over the blondes youthful face.

I nod carelessly, disregarding his claim to a rematch, and calmly slide through the door.

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"Aniki! Aniki, it's my birthday!" Tiny feet pad across the floor energetically towards the older Uchiha. I must've only been five.

Itachi turns calmly, his expression content as I fist his pants in the tiny balls of my hands. He gently rubs the top of my head, tussling my spiky hair. My large, dark eyes glisten brightly, and I stare up at my much adored aniki.

"What did you get me, aniki?" I asky coily, burying my head into the soft fabric of his pants.

"What would you like, Otouto." Itachi's smooth voice flows through me, sending chills up my spine the way only his voice could.

Itachi's hand threads through my hair and grips it gently, and he lightly tugs my head back from his leg. I reluctantly pull backwards, my lip jutting out in a pout, and a metallic taste tinges my mouth. I furrow my brow in confusion, and realize a warm sticky liquid is snaking down my face from... aniki's hand?

I turn my head upwards to see aniki's hollow, black eyes staring down blankly at me with all the knowledge of my crime. His face, white with pallor, appears to almost shine its ghostly color in contrast to the dark, ruby liquid that seeps from his ebony eyes down his smooth cheeks in silent, bloody tears.

My throat tightens in silent horror, choking down screams that threaten to rip from my chest. My heart beats violently against my ribs as a violent tremble drops me to my knees. My mouth lips the words 'aniki' and I imagine I must look like a fish with my mouth flopping open like this.

More thick, scarlet blood pours from his mouth, twisting like sinister vines down his chin only to dribble to the dirt which so greedily drinks his life away. And as the blood pours from his lips, like silent tainted accusations, and then his mouth snakes upwards into a bloody smile...

and the clear, resounding 'why'? Why was he smiling?...

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I shoot up in my bed, sweat clinging to my body drenching the sheets. I gasp for air, sucking it in greedily, and my hot body begins to cool rapidly from the wetness. I run my fingers through my sticky hair knocking more sweat onto the sheets. A dream... it was only a dream...

I glance to the clock, and read it is already almost one in the morning. I sigh in exhaustion, knowing I will never be able to get back to sleep, and climb out of the bed throwing on a pair of shorts and a shirt off the floor. A walk... that will clear my mind. I convince myself briskly leaving my small apartment.

The night air further chills my body, and I shiver violently momentarily wondering if I should turn back for a coat. I dismiss the idea, knowing I am strong enough to not need an extra layer. I sigh in discontent, thinking about Itachi and how I should be thrilled at his death, like I was when he first died. I was so... proud... to spill his wicked blood on my hands. I had avenged my clan, and finally given my family the peace in death they deserved.

But now... I glance up to see snow flakes falling from the sky burying the village in its white purity. I wonder in silent prayer if the white could hide the blood on my hands and wash away my sins. My feet carry me silently, purposefully down the pier over the lake until I arrived at its end, where I sat all alone, like so many times in my childhood.

I stare blankly down at the frozen lake, my reflection staring back at me. I can see Itachi in my features, and the image sickens me further. Why does his death haunt me so vividly? The question taunts me with no answer, and perhaps I will never no, because with as much satisfaction his death provides me, just thinking of how I made him feel how I felt,... his death torments me all the same. I begin to twirl Itachi's Akatsuki ring around my right ring finger, the smooth metal coursing across my finger, and I imagine him being that much closer to me.

My eyes begin to shrink, and I bite my bottom lip timidly. I can feel another wave wash through me, but this time there is no naseau in it, only wretched sorrow. Small, white flakes begin to dot my reflection, slowly blinking it out of view from existence. Alone... I am all alone now, the last of my clan... Tears burn the corner of my eyes, trickling down my pale cheeks only to grip my skin in frozen rivelets tracing from my eyes. I choke back my sobs, and run my now numb hand through my hair. I hiss, the frozen sweat clinging in my hair screaming my agony.

It is then the familiar sound of patter reaches my ears. I scan my surroundings to discover frozen rain clanging against the iced over lake. I bitterly think to myself, the bitterness lined with comforting hope and sentiment, These tears are those of my clan... they are crying for me. I chuckle darkly. All except Itachi, of course.

I turn my head hopefully up towards the sky, allowing the frozen tears to wash over my skin, their icy kisses trailing down my face, and a sharp pain of resentment tears through me, because they are all together up there and I am down here all alone. These frozen kisses are the closest I can get to their love.

If you are ever alone and scared Sasuke, sweetie, Mother's voice echoes through my head like a dream, her bright smiling face shining down at me while she knowingly holds up one finger, just pray for God to send you an angel, and one will come down to protect you.

I laugh on the inside in a mocking manner. How foolish. I bite my lip harder, as more tears stream from my eyes further gripping my cheek painfully in their frozen grip. My body begins to numb, a thousand teeth biting at my sensitive skin. God, please send me an angel, and heal my shattered heart. Terror gripped him as the next words passed through his head. Don't leave me alone, God.

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Itachi stares down regretfully from his crouched position, his tears rolling down his soft cheeks and then falling from the heavens down over Sasuke. A powerful presence fills the area, and Itachi dries his cheeks with his hand before turning gracefully to face the Being.

A strong Lion stalks towards Itachi, the muscles contracting beneath the skin in rivelets and the mane rising in flames from the face. Itachi calmly watches the being, his relaxed face betraying not a single strand of emotion. The analytical eyes moved over the Lion, inspecting every fiber of the Being, before calmly meeting the Beast's firey eyes in interest from his respectful kneeling position.

"Your brother prayed for an angel." The Being spoke, His powerful voice resonating throughout the area consuming it.

"I heard." Itachi replied calmly, his smooth voice flowing like silk in the wind. In truth, Itachi had been watching his little brother carefully since his death. "I never intended him to mourn my death." He was suppose to be happy... a proud hero.

"You played god with the heart of your brother, and now you reap the consequences you've sown." The Voice boomed throughout, the force almost crushing.

Itachi blinked once, slowly, purposefully, before he spoke his answer carefully, evenly. "Are you implying that you are sending me to my brother?"

The Lion nodded his firey head, the mane twisting its flames wildly around the powerful being. "You will be sent in the form of a human, and you will uproot the rotten weeds you've allowed to choke your brother's heart." The Being paused, the scarlet eyes burning its flames deep into Itachi. "However, Sasuke cannot know you are Itachi, or your true purpose. If he finds out, you will be called home immediately."

Itachi's eyes turned thoughtful as he mulled over the words. "Then my return to Otouto is permanent."

The Lion confirmed the statement with a nod. "Your brother was never meant to be alone."

Itachi's features remained complacent, as a small smile threaded through his lips and barely registered on his face. He dipped his head in an elegant bow, his midnight tresses falling across his shoulder.

"It would be my pleasure, God."

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A/N: Please review and let me know what you think. Should I continue or not?