Okay, I know it's kinda late to be changing Itachi's story, but I like the actual version much better than the one I made up. Basically, he was following orders to kill the clan. However, he still accidentally gained the Mangekyou by killing Shisui because of the stress his father was putting on him. The Mangekyou manipulated him at times but he remained in control and kept tabs on Akatsuki. The fight between Sasuke and Itachi didn't happen because Sasuke was dragged back to the village before it could happen. So Itachi's trial in my story was a little different. People still didn't really trust him however because they doubted the truth. Itachi wasn't happy about betraying his clan and being seen as a traitor to the village so he keeps his Akatsuki ring as a reminder and punishment for his actions…regardless of the fact that he had no choice.

Chapter 19

Hideo was not in a good mood. The giggles coming from Kanae are hardly helping him either. Even Norio is snickering at him. He is fully aware of the stares he's receiving and the whispering among the residents of Konoha going on behind him. He'd been conscious of them ever since he left the compound. And the twenty year old knows just who to blame for this current situation.

"Akari." The Uchiha addresses the innocent looking young woman calmly.

"Oh. You're the one who did this to him?" Kanae manages to ask despite her wide grin as she gestures to the collar around the annoyed man's neck.

The Tsuki female nods with a sheepish smile.

"That's not all she did," the dark haired man growls. "She stole all my pants so I was forced to wear this pair."

With that said, Hideo turns around for them to see the words "Property of Tsuki Akari" stitched across his rear. The result is Kanae erupting in a fit of hysterical laughter and Hideo's eye twitching.

"That has got to be the best revenge you've ever gotten, Akari," Norio states. "Hideo always beats you in the little game you two play."

"Oh, this wasn't part of our game," the brunette replies. "I've just grown tired of the way fangirls ogle Hideo-kun. I decided to fix that problem by letting everyone know that he belongs to me."

Now, Hideo's old teammates have stopped laughing and blink in confusion. Then, something in Norio's mind clicks and the male snorts.

"Nice try. You two are trying to rope us into your game by pretending to be together," the purple haired man concludes. Norio then turns to his lover to explain what he believes is going on. "They've grown bored of seeking revenge on each other for their tricks so now they plan to mess with our heads. Hideo and Akari want to convince us that they've become an item so we freak out."

Kanae takes a moment to ponder this before determining that it's a reasonable explanation to her former teammate and Akari's behaviors.

"You hear that, Akari-chan?" Hideo asks smoothly. "They don't believe us. Perhaps we need to prove their accusations wrong and put an end to any doubts."

His sultry tone immediately has the brunette's heart pounding. Her cheeks are flushed as Hideo lightly holds her chin and her eyes become half-lidded.

This was it. The moment they finally go public. But that thought wasn't even crossing the couple's minds as they leaned in. Everything just seemed to slip away as their lips met. The world around them ceased to exist as they share a kiss.

Tingles travel down Akari's spine as Hideo's lips slowly move against her own. The Uchiha had originally been stiff with tension due to his awareness of the many eyes watching them, but as his lover's presence overwhelmed him, he quickly became at ease. Now, the medic can sense the love Hideo has for her in the tenderness of his actions. She feels like she's in a dream, but she hardly cares. She knows this is reality because her dreams are never this good.

When Hideo draws back, Akari's eyes open and lock with his obsidian pools. The warmth in his eyes leaves her breathless. She almost feels guilty when she clips a leash to the collar around the raven's neck and that warmth disappears behind Hideo's walls once more. Oddly enough, the emotion is replaced by amusement and a brief smile which just serves to increase Norio and Kanae's astonishment.

"No way," Norio utters in disbelief which the couple ignores.

"If you were anyone else," Hideo states as he brushes his lips against Akari's forehead. "There's no way you would get away with half the stuff you do to me."

With a sigh, Hideo straightens to allow the medic to rise from her seat. They bid their friends good-bye and Akari gives a gentle tug on the leash to guide the man attached to the end. Hands in his pockets, the sharingan wielder finds his place at Akari's side and the two venture through the village.

"I hope you realize that you will be punished for this," the Uchiha mutters just loud enough for the woman to hear. The people of Konoha are fascinated by the sight before them and Hideo can only pray that his lover will show him some mercy. "This is just cruel."

"Perhaps," Akari replies nonchalantly. "But it's the only way I figured the point would get across that you are mine. I know public displays of affection make you uncomfortable especially after keeping your emotions under lock and key for so long. If you have another idea though, feel free to share it Hideo-kun."

Hearing the honorific that flows easily from her lips has Hideo realizing just how little control he really has over his brown-haired lover. That one term of endearment means so much to him. It makes him realize that the medic has a great deal of control over him. One look from those bright blue eyes could have him kneeling before her in an instant…and he couldn't care less.

Akari is caught off guard when a pair of arms wrap around her form and she's pulled tightly into Hideo's body.

"H-Hideo-kun?"

"Aishiteru Akari-koi," the ANBU states softly as he brushes his nose against her jaw. He can feel the heat of her resulting blush radiating from her cheek and he knows he has just as powerful an effect on her as she does him. "Why don't we go up to Hokage Mountain? Enjoy the view and spend some time together in peace until your shift at the hospital. Maybe we could even have lunch up there."

"Why do I get the feeling that my only option is to say yes?"

Hideo chuckles at the remark and a puff of smoke appears before them only to reveal Toshio carrying a bundle between his teeth.

"Well, I hope you won't say 'no' considering I packed us bentos," the raven replies leading Akari to understand that's what is wrapped in the cloth Toshi is holding.

Touched by the gesture, the brunette beams at her boyfriend and accepts the request for a date. There's a wicked glint in the Uchiha's eye before he lifts the young woman over his shoulder and proceeds to walk in the direction of the Uchiha compound in order to get a change of clothes from a family member. The blue canine quickly takes his place walking beside his partner.

"You know…normally, I would object to being in such a situation, but I find the view to be quite pleasant," the medic remarks as Hideo holds her steady on his shoulder. "You have a very nice ass."

The only response Hideo has is to roll his eyes.

"My father is considering retiring from the ANBU."

The sudden statement has Akari pausing mid-chew as she directs her gaze to the twenty year-old. The raven is staring out over the village with a contemplative expression playing on his face. The calm aura surrounding the Uchiha is welcoming and the brunette is pleased that her boyfriend's foul mood from earlier has completely disappeared.

"Did he say why?" Akari asks quietly, reluctant to disturb the peace.

"No. He won't explain his decision until he's made it," Hideo answers. "I have my own ideas though. My father has served in the ANBU since before I was born, over twenty years. It isn't like his skills are deteriorating so he has no choice but to give it up before it costs him his life. I think it's more that my father has grown tired of the missions. He isn't a cruel man…he would prefer to avoid conflict. He doesn't enjoy taking another's life. He tolerates it because it is his duty as a ninja and he is loyal to Konoha. But as a member of the ANBU, a majority of the missions involve assassination in some way. It's a dangerous life…and I think my father would like to spend more time with my mother and ease her mind despite how much confidence she has in him."

The young woman studies her lover as the silence stretches on. This isn't just about the prodigy of the Uchiha clan. She realizes that his father's current thoughts have Hideo questioning his own involvement in the ANBU.

"What will he do if he chooses to retire from ANBU?"

The Sharingan user shrugs. "Interrogation, code breaking, sensei, advisor. There are a number of options."

"There's no reason for you to doubt what you are doing, Hideo-kun," Akari states gently. "You're strong and intelligent. You are able to adapt and strategize. The combination of all those things allows you to execute the missions you receive."

"I know that," he responds tiredly. "It's just that this makes me wonder if the smart thing to do would be to leave the ANBU. Would it be better if I were to quit as well? We only just got together. I don't want you to worry about me not coming back."

A small hand grasps Hideo's larger one and squeezes it in reassurance. "I was worried before we became a couple, but also I know you're an incredible ninja. You are naturally gifted as an Uchiha and the Sharingan provides additional leverage should you ever need it. That's why I'm confident you'll come home alive."

It is quiet for a while until the medic scoots closer to the male so that their sides are pressed against one another.

"But if your head isn't in your job, you might as well retire. It won't end well if you aren't completely focused."

She can practically hear him smirking arrogantly. "No need. I was just wondering what your thoughts were. I like the challenge each mission brings with it. They aren't as mundane as the lower rank missions."

"You don't have to follow in your father's footsteps you know," Akari murmurs. "Your life does not need to be a copy of his. You are whoever you choose to be."

"If I was living the same life as my father, my actions would have been quite different and our current situation would change drastically," the young man replies bitterly.

The two fall quiet as Akari brushes her fingers over the back of Hideo's hand in a comforting gesture. The raven releases a sigh.

"I suppose I am influenced by my father's actions more than what is normal," the sharingan user remarks. "I can't help it though. The man is my hero. He is everything I ever hoped to become. He's also been my guide, preventing me from making the same mistakes he did."

"I know what you mean," the medic admits quietly. Her tone has Hideo peer in her direction. "I try so hard to advance my medical jutsu, but I just can't seem to get it like my brother. And I have yet to perfect the summoning jutsu. I so badly wish that I could do what my family members do."

"I think that's the problem though."

Hideo's sudden revelation makes Akari's head snap in his direction. Their eyes lock as she eagerly awaits his explanation.

"We try desperately to be like our family or friends because it's working so well for them. But we aren't them. Our calling is different and we won't find ourselves if we constantly look to others. In the end, my path is my own that I must determine for myself and the same goes for you. They may intertwine or be similar to the paths of others, but each is unique."

Akari smiles at her lover as his words become stored in her memory. "So what do you suggest we do?"

Hideo rises and stretches his muscles which became a little stiff after sitting so long. "Perhaps we need to take the time to really think about what is right for us. Spend some time alone with our thoughts. Not surround ourselves with our family all the time so we can get a better idea of who we are and not what others try to make us."

"If the solution is temporary solitude, does that mean you won't be coming over for dinner tomorrow?" Akari asks with a knowing grin.

"Hmph." The disgruntled noise that escapes Hideo serves to increase the young medic's smirk. "You are perfectly aware of what I meant. We don't need to completely shut the world out. I will be joining you for dinner tomorrow and nothing will prevent that."

The doctor gives a brief giggle in amusement before turning her gaze toward the village below. There is silence for a few moments until Akari senses Hideo watching her and glances over her shoulder at him. The ninja's eyes quickly shift to avoid meeting hers and the embarrassment of being caught staring appears as a faint tinge upon the Uchiha's cheeks. This behavior is something Akari can't help but find adorable.

The raven peeks at her from the corner of his eyes only to find the medic smiling knowingly up at him. His obsidian orbs flick upward to scan the sky before determining that it's about time for Akari to be getting to the hospital. The younger of the two is momentarily stunned to find a hand before her face and she glances up in confusion at her lover.

"I'll accompany you to work," Hideo explains when he doesn't feel her grasping his hand.

Nodding, Akari takes the hand that is still waiting in front of her and Hideo helps pull her up. Hands intertwined, the two make their way down the mountain, to the village below.

Yeah, I kinda forgot where I was planning to go with this fanfic so as of right now, this one is done. I've honestly been sitting on this chapter for months trying to come up with things to add, but I've come up with nothing useful. I mean I legit couldn't even come up with a decent title for this chapter! If I can think of stuff to add, then I will. So I suppose this story is more on a hiatus. It's possible that it ends here, but then again, there's still places I can go with this fanfic. I just don't know where at the moment.

Plus, my mind is very strange in the fact that when an idea comes along, it stays on it and doesn't let me get back to my original work. Right now, my brain really wants me to get to work on Hoshi's story before I lose my motivation. And I also have new poll up so please vote. It'll hopefully help me get the new story written faster.

I dunno. Let me know what you think in a review or PM. They really make my day and make me want to write. Your opinion matters to me and I take what the readers want into account so let me know.