Hello everyone! I was thinking about putting this story up for adoption but decided against it. My apologies for the super short chapter. The original chapter that I wrote is a bit over 9,000 words but I decided to split it up to encourage a more regular update schedule. I'm still trying to figure out what direction I want this story to go. Please comment/review/leave suggestions and constructive criticisms. I hope you all are having a wonderful day and enjoy!

Outside of the Cottage

"Are you ready, Hinata? I'm almost done with the seal," The blonde shinobi calls from a crouched position.

It had been over two hours since the vigilante duo had been acquitted by the village council. The jinchuriki had spent that time meticously etching an intricate pattern of symbols into the forest clearing. The Hyuga heiress had cast a powerful genjutsu to camouflage their current task and had scanned the surrounding area for other shinobi using her bloodline limit.

"Hai – as ready as I'll ever be." The young woman takes in an expansive view of her partner's work. Naruto had designed the summoning jutsu a few years back after "borrowing" a sacred scroll from the Hokage Residence. A complex series of kanji fill in the lines of a neatly drawn vortex. A subtle smirk appears on her face as she looks at the setting with pride. "Damn – fuinjutsu is like a foreign language. Sometimes I forget how smart you are, Naruto. I can't tell if I should be freaked out or impressed." He playfully rolls his eyes at his companion as she jumps down from a tree branch. "Do you think he'll show up?"

"Oh, believe me – he'll come. Itachi never does anything without a plan. You remember the hand signs, right?"

This time, it's her turn to roll her eyes. "I may not be a seal expert, but I'm still a badass kunoichi. Let's get this show on the road."

They jump to opposite sides of the field. The pitch-dark night sky is illuminated by the off-white glow of the full moon. The soft, harmonious rhythm of animals are the only sounds that break the eerie quiet. They take a deep breath as they allow chakra to flow through their veins.

"Saru-Ne-Ushi-Tora-I!" Their hands move in perfect harmony as they complete the pattern. Their eyes and the carvings in the soil emit a bright, blue light. The ambient noise of the slumbering forest is drowned out by thunderous chirping. A murder of crows swirl across the midnight sky. They soar towards the center of the vortex. The amorphous cloud of birds slowly forms the shape of a human. As the dust settles, a tall man with crimson eyes and raven hair stands within the center. A brief period of silence is cut short by the sharp sound of a kunai. The newly appeared figure catches the weapon between his fingers – mere inches away from impaling his left temple.

"Well, that's one way to greet an old friend," the brooding figure flicks the kunai into a nearby tree. A ghost of a grin appears on his handsome face as he stares at the impassioned heiress. "It seems like you're as fiery as ever, Hinata." He tilts his head towards the ground as his eyes follow the path of kanji that facilitated his summoning. "And your calligraphy has improved greatly, Naruto."

"Cut the bullshit, Itachi," he barks. "I don't know if traveling with an international crime syndicate or abusing that goddamn sharingan has messed with your head, but this is ridiculous! How about giving us a heads up the next time you decide to spill our life-long secret to your self-control challenged brother?"

"You two didn't seem to mind the spectacle too much," he replies as he removes a red cloud embroidered robe from his shoulders. "The look on the audience's face after your passionate show of affection was especially entertaining."

The two teenagers attempt to hide their blushes at the reference to their public kiss. Somehow, their old mentor's teasing is one of the few things that can affect their mood. Despite the brutal trainings and secretive behavior, Itachi Uchiha is the only person that can still make the powerful pair feel their age.

"Let's go inside. We have a lot to talk about." He motions his hand towards his protégé – signaling them to follow his lead. Begrudgingly, they follow him into the cottage. They take a seat on the small sofa as the disgraced Uchiha explores the interior of the bungalow. His delicate fingers float across the collection of trinkets, paintings and decorative weapons adorning the wall. "I miss so much about this place. The forest. The cottage. The village." His perpetually stoic façade melts to reveal a sad smile as he turns his head towards the seated pair. "You two." Their previously smoldering anger melts away as they process his words. He grabs a chair from the dining area and positions it to face the couch. He sits down and meets the confused expressions of his students.

The hot-tempered bluenette breaks the silence. "Itachi, you still haven't answered our question. What's going on?"

He releases a heavy sigh as he calmly stares into their anxious eyes. "I'm dying."

Hospital

The blaring sound of shattered glass reverberates throughout the busy hospital. The nurses shake in horror at the sight of the onyx-eyed patient, whose response to their recommendation was to throw a metal tray through the window. "Maybe I wasn't clear the first time, so let me rephrase. I'm going home."

"U-Uchiha-san, we were given direct orders by your physician to keep you here for at least…EEK!" The vengeful ninja now glares into the terrified faces of the hospital staff. "I suggest you tell my physician that if I'm not out of this place in the next 10 minutes, there will be hell to pay." They nod furiously at his demand and scurry out of the room.

He tilts his head back and grits his teeth. He would never admit it, but his episode had aggravated his injuries. The throbbing pain in his right arm was excruciating. He doesn't even bat an eyelash as the door creaks open to reveal a familiar face.

"Shizune got a call from the on-duty medical director. You caused quite the scene with your little outburst," the silver-haired jonin closes his trusted orange novel and slides it into his vest. "Sasuke, a bit of self-restraint would do you good. I'm pretty sure that you opened up your stitches."

The Uchiha ignores his former sensei, even though he can sense the familiar texture of warm blood pooling beneath his bandages. "What are you doing here, Kakashi?"

"What kind of teacher would I be if I didn't pop in for a visit?" He kicks the doctor's stool towards the cot and sits near his former student. "You were out for a while, you know." Silence. "I'm guessing Sakura already gave you the run-down of your injuries. Healing muscle tissue is a hell of a lot easier than reforming bone, so that's the good news. The medical-nin did all that they could but your body still needs rest." A low growl forms in the back of the injured teen's throat. "Sasuke – you can't leave yet..."

"Shut up! Nothing you say can change my mind." He shouts as he bangs his fists on his lap. "I've been here for days. They know him, Kakashi! They've been playing me for years. I need to get answers. And I'm not gonna let you or anyone else in this village stop me." The copy nin's visible eye remains calm throughout the outburst.

"So what – you'll throw another temper tantrum until they bend at your will? Hinata was toying with you during that match. And I can't even imagine how strong Naruto really is. You can't solve everything with your fists." Sasuke tightly clutches the stark white linens. He turns his head towards the broken fragments of the window. A cool breeze flows through the gaping hole – breaking the deafening silence of former student and teacher.

Kakashi releases a soft sigh. "Let's make a deal. If you stop terrorizing the clinicians, I'll give you a rundown of the village council meeting and tell Shizune that you're cooperating. You'll get some of those answers that you're so desperately craving, and I'll protect the hospital's insurance premiums from getting any higher. It's a win-win."

Dammit - fighting my way out of here won't do me any good. I need to preserve my strength if I'm going to confront those two. "Deal."

Inside of the Cottage

I'm dying. Those two words drowned the cottage in a thick fog of despair. Hundreds of thoughts race through Naruto's head while Hinata struggles to control her breathing. "W-what do…what do you mean by 'dying'? She whispered.

"My blood vessels are inflamed and destroying my organs. It's called microscopic polyangiitis. I was diagnosed as a child, but it got worse as I aged."

"So we'll find a jutsu that can treat you! O-or we can tell Tsunade that you're undercover. She's the best medical-nin in the world…" The blonde shinobi rattled off suggestions at a break neck pace. This can't be happening. This can't be happening. This can't be happening.

"Medical ninjutsu treats injuries, not illnesses. Jiraiya tried looking for a cure for years. There's nothing that can be done," he leans forward, keeping uninterrupted eye contact with his two pupils It takes a few seconds for Naruto to register the unfamiliar feeling of warm tears rolling down his cheeks. He instinctively grabs for his partner's hand, lacing their fingers together in a passionate grip. He can feel her racing heartbeat through his palm. There's no use in denying it – their teacher is dying.

"How long?" She asks with a hoarse voice. "How long do you have left?"

"Six months, maybe a year if I don't overstrain myself."

The blonde shinobi can barely process this new development. Six months – in half a year, Itachi could be… "Itachi, why are you telling us this now?"

The Uchiha takes a deep breath and grasps their interlocked hands into his own. He gently strokes their skin with his fingers. His eyes express a complex range of emotions: sadness, guilt, remorse.

"I want you to train Sasuke to kill me."