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Scissors, Paper, Stone	By : LilMonk Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 6221 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
Eventually, divides are bridged, for the first and last time.
Disclaimers: Masashi Kishimoto owns Naruto. I only own this piece of fanfiction.
A/N: I have chosen a theme song befitting Itachi & Hinata: "Behind the Dream" by Taro
Iwashiro, from the movie "Azumi". It is all I can do for the couple, in light of this final chapter, wrapping up this story.
Italics denotes primary thoughts.

The Pattern breaks
The ugly sound of lightning-fortified metal slicing through flesh was underscored with a spray of ghastly red finality.
Sasuke was sprawled on the ground. Itachi stared.
Polished steel was now dark red, crimson liquid dripping from the fatal blade to dot trampled grass.
Both brothers were paralysed by the outcome.
Even the vocal chords of the wind were severed, emphasizing the jarring silence.
Savoury contents of two bento boxes were strewn across scorched earth.
The older Uchiha moved first, lunging forward to catch the staggering figure. The daito that had killed a clan lay abandoned on the ground, as black folds embraced the mortally wounded woman. The dull ache in his chest was replaced by a sharp, stabbing pain.
Feather-soft tendrils brushed his chin, as he looked down into an upturned face lined with pain, feeling her withdraw slightly from him, to reveal fingers curled around the protruding blackened handle of a kunai. Not that he cared.
The other man was stunned, gigantic leathery bat-hand wings shrinking and grotesque markings disappearing from his body, as he watched the criminal holding his wife ease her to the ground.
She must not cry. Hinata could only see one person. Even through gradually blurring vision, she could read the question vividly evident in no-longer-spinning Sharingan wheels. It hurt to breathe, let alone speak. Not that the agony mattered. Neither did her questions that came and went in an instant, not even that one. Never again would she have to stay behind, and see him leave her.
"Couldn't allow you- or him- Please die- for our son..."
Mildly trembling digits pulled a gold wedding band off the left hand and dropped it. A tender smile graced her blood-flecked lips as she coughed, giving life to a pale face turning chalky too fast. Bare fingers, slick with cooling redness, slowly reached for a treasured visage no longer clear to her. Encroaching darkness was a familiarity she did not fear, because of- Him.
"To live- without- yourlove- pain- ful.."
Seeking fingertips faltered before establishing contact, falling as the last almost-inaudible syllable was uttered, to lie on a thoroughly ruined kimono.
Left arm curled about limp shoulders, the kneeling man slid a ruby-red ring off his right ring finger and let it go.
Seeing tanned fingers----marred with gory red----intertwining with lifeless fingers roused Sasuke out of his daze. No. No! You should have killed him without trying to-Why did you push me away?! Why couldn't you stop caring?!!

Guilt and anger buried the hurt. Noticing the particular smile on her face, it was one he had never seen in all these years, even with Rinji. So serene, as if... Content? Pulling himself to his feet, he took a step forward and snarled.
"Let her go!"
There was a brief odd look on the face so identical to his, save for a world-weary line etched beneath each socket. The man on one knee was holding a slender bloodstained hand against his cheek. Jet-black eyes flickered towards the enraged ANBU captain, before returning to their original focus. For
a moment, he reminded Sasuke of the gentle, concerned twelve-year-old that had piggybacked a younger brother for a twisted ankle all those years ago. His soft answer was heartbreakingly gentle.
"You've kept Hinata from me all this while. I want her back now."
As that wistful reply was uttered, fixed impassiveness on a face relaxed, while looking down at the lifeless body he cradled. This rare softening made Sasuke feel- Something oddly sorrowful for his brother. Implications leading to unavoidable questions would arise much later.
The preoccupied missing-nin ignored the mild burning sensation of poison running though his veins, or the skill of using his own chakra to contain it, until a healer could be found. He finally had a reason to rest, and stop running. Bringing interlaced fingers together about burnished metal, a swift tug yanked out the offending weapon, which was tossed carelessly aside. The temporary feeling of light-headedness passed.
Her long damp lashes contrasted so starkly against the soft whiteness of wan cheeks. Supported in the crook of his elbow, her peaceful countenance reminded him of their first time together, sleeping in his arms after exhaustion from indulging him. Were it not for prevailing blood-soaked reality tainting his chest, hands and her gown, he almost expected her to wake up. Thick-fringed lashes would shyly open like the wings of a newly emerged butterfly, before whispering a greeting he remembered too well. And those eyes of elusive twilight- The only way you and I could preserve what we have, isn't it, Hinata?
Everything had quietened down. It was getting harder to keep his eyes open. So drowsy� Time for a nap.
Gazing intensely at delicate tranquillity and lowering his head, he gifted a kiss to her unblemished brow before touching his forehead to hers. Nose to nose, warm breath caressed slack lips, even as a thickening rivulet of blood trailed from the corner of his mouth. Gossamer wisps, so black they were tinged blue, randomly grazed his hands and cheeks. Their intertwined fingers rested between blood-soaked chests. Watching perpetually closed eyelids with unwavering sorrow, all his wishes were rendered futile, but he was finally contented. If his sole defeat had been able to hear, the absolute gentleness in his voice would have told her, without a doubt, what she had always wanted to know.
"I left you for the first time years ago, but you took the best part of me with you. And you never tell me what I want to hear from you. Damn you for no longer waiting, so now I'll stay with you. Always..."
He was watching his brother die.
Weak rays of lingering warmth no longer illuminated vermilion on white. A breeze ruffled long grass delineating the borders of this field.
Sasuke could not hear what the other man was murmuring, but that did not stop the unexpected effect of watching such a scene from showing, as a solitary drop of emotion wound its way down his cheek to the hard-set jaw.
"I can watch the stars with you at last..."
"Kaa-san!"
Raw anguish in that high-pitched cry made Sasuke look up. Their child was running towards the couple, small face waxen with restrained fear. A flabbergasted Neji was about to sprint after him, when he saw the standing Uchiha shake his head, and hesitated.
Stumbling to a halt to look down at his mother, the little boy got the confirmation that made him weak at the knees. Breathing noisily and trying not to cry, he saw the grown-up hugging her look at him. There was such- Rinji felt as if he'd known this man his whole life from somewhere. Tou-san, why does he look like you? Why does my body feel funny�
A cool hand reached out and brushed the round cheek. The look he gave the soon-to-be-four-year-old, reminded Sasuke of the time his father had proudly proclaimed Itachi was fit to be his heir. The ghost of a smile appeared on the kneeling man's face, recalling memories of the quiet boy with a
gentle laugh, comforting his little brother with a hug, before ANBU changed everything. Contented melancholia met turbulently spinning Sharingan.
"Take care of Rinji-"
Then the Uchiha holding Rinji's mother was no longer touching the boy, leaving a red smear on a chubby cheek as he toppled to the side and back. Three pairs of riveted eyes were glazed with a variety of emotions. Before the distraught child could react further, he was restrained.
"Neji-san! Would you take him home and get an ANBU squad to come? I�ll
keep watch here."
It was not a request. His cousin-in-law could not refuse him. Advancing, the Hyuuga scooped up a trembling boy and after a backwards glance at the unmoving figure, left. Evaporating hysterical shouts of uncomprehending innocence were conveyed by the wind.

�Kaa-san! I want kaa-san!�

When certain of being alone once more, a thoroughly drained
jounin collapsed to the ground, knees brushing wind-blown hair. In the shade of
that shadow, soft tresses stained with darker blotches mingled with velvety
strands of pure blackness. Her head tucked snugly into the hollow beneath his
chin, woollen folds enclosed cream-coloured cotton as the pool of scarlet
widened beneath the Akatsuki member.
There was the hint of a smile on similarly bloodless features, as if they were cuddling affectionately in slumber, sharing a secret while protecting each other against the onset of the unknown. It frustrated Sasuke, who wanted nothing more than to separate the two corpses but he knew it was meaningless jealousy.
He'd achieved his goal; it brought sweet satisfaction, and excruciating sorrow. Hatred had been extinguished. Free to pursue Naruto, but alone and desolate without two people who�d understood him well in different ways. For them, he would bring up Rinji as his own son... Which he�d knowingly done so for the last four years. What the events of the last hour had really meant,
Sasuke could not bear to fully evaluate at the moment. However, he could finally understand the connection that bound the dead together. Pressing two fingers to his older brother's lips, a choked swallow was accompanied by
saltwater streaming quietly down his cheeks. The surviving Uchiha was glad that
it was all over. Itachi had gained forgiveness and relief with his death.
"Nii-sama, she was never mine to begin with- Be happy, Hinata..."

Owari.

Detailed background of the title/story focus: If you�ve played the game �scissors, paper, stone� before, you�ll know how the different combinations defeat each other. This was basically about the type of strength(s) each of the three main characters 'defeated' each other with, to form the pattern befitting this title.
Scissors cuts Paper: Sasuke defeats Hinata with kindness, his willingness to change selfishness into selflessness and ultimately, the developed bond of painstakingly established and maintained respect alongside friendship. His changes prompt her to make the final choice for Rinji�s sake� to save the Uchiha who would bring up her son.

Paper wraps Stone: Hinata defeats Itachi by her flexibility, loving through actions rather than words and thus induces the one emotion being his greatest weakness. He gladly concedes to in the end.
Stone crushes Scissors:Itachi defeats Sasuke through
greater craftiness and power, as seen in their fight.

These strengths can also be weaknesses; it depends on the user and
circumstances.

In trying to keep it as realistic as possible, none
of the 3 can cast aside what defines them eg. Itachi and his dedication to
Akatsuki/ goals, Sasuke and his beliefs in honor/ duty, Hinata and her
responsibilities/perceptive caring� and all this sets up an inevitable ending.
1/9/2005---After discussing with some RL muses, the final consensus was to leave this fic as it is. However, there is now a continuation of sorts for Sasuke & Naruto under the M/M category, due to a challenge from the same pesky RL friends. Regarding any possible Gaara confusion, he died and came back to life by chapter 279. The continuation of sorts gives an explanation. To the readers who got this far, I hope you enjoyed it. Edited for smoothness.
FIN
- 4
- 5
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Scissors, Paper, Stone