Sorry for the long update, I was busy with stuff plus I'm busy writing my long forgotten story. Hahaha. It's been a while since I've written a new chapter for it. :D Anyway, I can't update that fast cause I rest for a day after I've updated. Haha.

So, how are you guys enjoying this story so far? If you ask me, I enjoy reading your long reviews and your excitement for the next chapter.

Chapter 9- Vendetta

"Your mission, to find and get Uchiha Itachi back here in the village."

The three jounnin could only look at Tsunade in shock. Isn't he a wanted criminal? If they do that then it will cause quite a stir not only in the Konoha but also in the other countries as well. Besides, there's still the thing about Sasuke. It can't be forgotten just like it was nothing.

Clearly seeing confused looks in them, she held out the letter from the west and started explaining. "I don't know the reason for it, but the leader of the Higurashi clan wants to give amnesty to Uchiha Itachi."

"Amnesty, but why?" Sakura asked.

"I don't know, but this letter doesn't seem fake or anything. Plus, it says that some countries have already agreed to this."

"Why? Why would the other countries allow this?"

Tsunade just sighed, "I'm sure but I think it has to do with the reputation the Higurashi clan has now. They sure don't want to be on their bad side, that's for sure. But…the elders still haven't agreed to this, but since I'm the Hokage, I'm saying yes. For Kagome's sake." The last sentence that Tsunade said shocked them; for a second there they forgot about her cause they were so caught up at what's Sasuke going to say about this. An image of a waiting Kagome suddenly flashed in Sasuke's head. It made him all confused as to what to do. He has to avenge his family but…

"Whatever the reason may be, I'm doing it. For Kagome," Naruto said as he looked at the ground with a serious look on his face.

"But Naruto, that's-"

"I'm going to find him whether you help me or not. I'm going to bring back the smile on Kagome's face.

Sasuke's eyes widened when he heard that, it truly has been a while since he has seen her smile. Ever since Itachi left, she's been so depressed lately.

"Looks like you need some help," an unknown voice spoke.

"Who are you?" Naruto asked, slowing taking in the features of this new person.

Tsunade then spared him the introductions, "His name is Byakuya, he's from the Higurashi clan and he was the one who delivered this message to me."

"How can we be sure that we can trust you?" Sasuke quickly asked.

"You have no other choice, because at the moment, I'm the only who knows where Itachi is at." Byakuya said with a smirk on his face. "So, are you guys going or not? We can still go after him, he's hasn't gone far from here."

"I'm going," Naruto said, as he walked towards Byakuya.

Byakuya looked at Naruto, then at the two remaining people standing there. He can see that the pink haired one is still hesitating, while Itachi's brother doesn't know what to do. Poor thing, he hates his bother so much to the point where he would sacrifice someone's happiness just for his sake. If only he knew his brothers reasons for this. "Anyone else?"

He got no response from the two, so he took it as a no. "Well, I guess it's just the two of us kid." Byakuya sighed, then his voice became serious when he said, "Pack your things, we're leaving in an hour."

…

While Naruto was packing his things, Sakura and Sasuke went their separate ways. He was about to go home, but his feet dragged him to the hospital and eventually found himself standing in front of Kagome's door. Not knowing what to do, he stood there like an idiot for almost a minute until he finally braced himself and knocked on the door.

After a few minutes, the door opened and standing there was a surprised Kagome. She was expecting it to be Shizune or Naruto, but she never expected it to be Sasuke, and he's alone. "Sasuke-kun…"

Without looking at her he asked, "Can I come in?"

Kagome was taken aback by his question, and it took her a while before she could respond. "Ah, sure." She said as she opened the door wider for him to get inside.

When Sasuke entered the room, he noticed that it was still the same as before but it had a gloomy aura surrounding it. It was too quiet; only the sound of Kagome preparing tea can be heard. He wondered how Kagome was doing during the days when she found out that Itachi left, did she felt like déjà vu all over again or not. But whatever it is, just by looking at her face you can tell that she took it hard. Why? They just met and they don't know each other that well. And the way that met wasn't in a friendly way, so why? Why is she sad?

His thoughts were interrupted when she heard Kagome, "Here's your tea."

He slowly took the cup from her hands and looked at it for a while. Kagome forced a smile when Sasuke accepted it, he was different from the first time they met. She thought that maybe, the guy is warming up to him. She then went by the window and sat on the chair near it. Sasuke noticed this action of hers, and suddenly felt guilt stab him straight in his chest. She was still waiting for him…but is it to the Itachi she just met or the Itachi from before.

"He never told me…"

Sasuke looked up at Kagome; who was still staring out the window.

"Itachi never told me why he left Konoha."

He didn't say anything, for he knows that one wrong word and it could hurt her again. And it wasn't his position to talk about this.

"He's your brother right, why do you hate him so much?"

Wait, did Itachi say something about their relationship? Does she know anything else.

And as if hearing his thoughts she said, "He didn't say anything to me. But everything you see him, there's so much hate in your eyes."

"He's a murderer,"

"But I've also killed a lot of people in the past, so doesn't that make me a murderer too?"

He doesn't get it, why was Kagome still defending him. Sure they've been friends but that was before and she doesn't have any memories of him. It made him angrier when the thought of her having feelings for him still after all he's done. Only her memories were erased, not her feelings. And because of anger, words spilled from his mouth; revealing the truth from her. "He killed our family, he killed everyone."

Kagome was taken back a little by his answer, but fortunately it didn't trigger anything from her memory. "I see."

"That's all you can say, 'I see'? He killed his own flesh and blood, Kagome w-"

"Everybody has their own reasons Sasuke. I know and feel that he didn't do it because he didn't want to. He's not like that…" Kagome trailed off.

"You don't even know him well!" Sasuke was already losing his temper with this conversation, why can't she just forget about him like what the jewel made her do.

"Everybody deserves a second chance Sasuke, even I..."

This made Sasuke stop and think as to what made her say that. "I'm sorry for yelling at you like that…"

"It's fine, I'm not thinking clearly. I don't have a family, but I know what it feels like to lose a loved one. I'm sorry."

"I should go now," those were his final words as he stood up and walked out her room, but before he closed the door he caught a glimpse of Kagome's face. Then, he saw something slid down from Kagome's face.

Her tears…

…

Right now, all he could think about is Kagome. He's confused as to what to do; he wants to make Kagome happy again but at the same time he can't. He just can't. All of his efforts to get stronger would be wasted if he would help Kagome. Going home wouldn't do him any good so he decided to just sit by the river; the same place where he would always sit at when he's down or confused. The same place where he would see Kagome waiting for his brother whenever he's out.

"He never knew how she would always stay up all night waiting for him…" a familiar voice spoke out of nowhere.

When he looked at his side, he saw the white haired brat; Inuyasha standing next to him while looking straight into the river. It was clear in his eyes that he was reminiscing and his thoughts are deep. True he took the form of a five and he shouldn't be taken seriously but he has known Kagome ever since she was born.

"She would wait for him all night, and sometimes cry all night until her eyes are dry and raw. He didn't know how people treated her while he was gone; beating her up and saying nasty things just because she's with him. But even so, she didn't let go because she knew that your brother needed her. The hate those people fostered unto him was also spread unto her. But she still smiled…for him. Some may call her foolish,"

His brother needed her? It made him even more confused, during those times his brother never showed any signs of weaknesses so how…

"I've known Itachi for a long time now, he never liked war as much as she hated it." He paused, "He was attracted to her innocence…innocence from the shinobi world. He fought to preserve that innocence. She was his escape from all those things…least to say her innocence is from escape from the ruthlessness of reality."

"Never liked war? That's preposterous. And her protecting her innocence? I think it was clear that he already failed in that department, just look at what Kagome have become. He failed when he left her six years ago,"

"It's true that he left her, but she still believed and tried to understand him even if it hurts. She just wanted the pain to go away, she just wanted to happy Sasuke. And you won't even give her a chance."

Everybody deserves a second chance Sasuke, even I…

He was going to say something in protest but stopped when Kagome's exact words flashed through his head. It was then that realized what he meant by that. True, her memories were erased but her feelings are still there and is still searching for happiness.

"I have a theory…" Inuyasha started off again.

"A what?"

"A theory, as to why the jewel chose Kagome's life as a back fire for her wish."

And with that, it made Sasuke rethink the situation all over again. True, she would be happy if Itachi returned but there was still the case of her ordeal with the jewel. He has lived his life as a murderer, even if he was given amnesty, there was still the case with how people will treat her with him, and how it will also endanger her life. Sasuke was now more confused than before.

"Why then?"

"The jewel knew right then and there that the cause of all her pain was her memories of Itachi, so it erased it. But somehow it knew that upon knowing this, someone would eventually bring her memories back; thinking it was easy because of her feelings for him. So to prevent this from happening, it chose her life as the consequence. So that everyone who cared for her wouldn't even try and think of returning her memories back to her, thus making her suffer even more."

"Did you figure that out by yourself?"

Inuyasha stiffed; thinking he was just like his brother, always seeing the tricks up his sleeve. "Nah, my brother's friend said that to me," Inuyasha said; referring to Byakuya.

"Brother?"

"Yea, I have a brother. Half brother to be exact. We don't get along that well, but we live and we can still stand each other once in a while. Like you, I detest my brother before as he to detest me, but that soon changed because of Kagome. She made me understand certain things. Who knows, maybe she'll do the same to you and work her magic like she did on me." Inuyasha said with a reassuring tone in his voice, even though he said 'maybe'."

"That'll never happen." Sasuke said out bitterly.

Inuyasha just sighed, finally giving up on trying to talk some sense into him. Besides, he's not a good speaker about these kinds of things, this is Kagome's field. It's not his forte. "Say what you want Sasuke, believe what you want. And you could say that I'm here to convince you into going after your brother for Kagome's sake. It's up to you what you want to do. But I want you to look things through…"

"About what?" Sasuke snapped.

Inuyasha stood up and looked up at the sky, "Don't you think Kagome has suffered and lost enough compared to you. Itachi is Kagome's only chance at happiness. Don't you think your vendetta has reached its peak." There was a moment of silence after this and Inuyasha thought that he still has a lot of thinking to do so he might as well leave.

Sasuke didn't even notice Inuyasha leave as he was taken aback by this; his vendetta towards his brother. He can't just forget about it, his whole clan is gone because of his brother and that brat came here just to say to forget about it. He lost everyone because of-. He stopped as Inuyasha's exact words were repeated through his head.

Don't you think Kagome has suffered and lost enough compared to you…

As much as he hated to admit it, Inuyasha was right; his brother is Kagome's only chance at happiness. And he took it away from her just because of his vendetta. But it's not only a vendetta, it was a big thing. He was to avenge his family and revive back his clan. It's not just a trivial thing that can be forgotten just because of some girl.

"But she's not just some girl…" he muttered under his breath as his memories of her were refreshing into his mind. He remembered clearly how she would always follow his brother around, or how she would always try to hide her pain.

He also remembered how Kagome was always there for him. During the time where she would comfort him when everybody compared him to his brother with her warm smile and childish antics, the time where she would keep him company with her stories, the time where she would always cook something for him even there's no occasion, and the time where she would always train with him.

She was always there for him. No matter what happened. How about him?

Is he going to do the same by setting aside his vendetta? Or is he going to let this thing go as it is?

Sorry for the short chapter. I have to cut this one short. Anyway, don't forget the review if you have any questions of suggestions. Sorry for the grammar or spelling errors. :D

Have fun Reading and tune in for the next chapter!