Fading Light

Chapter 1: Blood Hatred

I sat down in my sit beside Choji and Ino as Iruka started class. I zoned out as he started talking about creating clones. I had mastered that when I was six, my father had always been adamant on me being the best of the Uchiha. Like Itachi Uchiha...

A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about Sasuke's older brother. The murderer of our entire clan. I turned my gaze down one row to see Sasuke, he had his hands against his chin looking bored. I never knew why, but after what Itachi did, he never wanted to speak to me anymore. We had been really good friends when we had first started at the academy. But now...it was like I didn't exist. 

I sighed as I zoned back into the lesson. I watched as Naruto being the typical class clown created his sexy jutsu. I rolled my eyes and looked down at my notes. There was hardly anything on the page, I knew a vast majority of what we were learning now and since we were reaching the end of our academy time. I thought things would have been different when I graduated from the academy. 

"Alright class dismissed." Iruka said after a couple more hours of pointless rambling. "And remember the graduation exam is this Friday." He reminded us as I gathered my stuff and left. 

"Hey Amaya!" I turned slightly as I heard a small bark. Akamaru and Kiba rushed over, a wild grin across his face. 

"Hi Kiba, Akamaru." I gave them a small smile. I really wanted to be alone today. 

"Wanna go and do some training for the graduation exam?" He asked. I knew he was just trying to be nice. 

"Not today Kiba. Sorry, I have a lot on my mind. Maybe tomorrow." My sad smile made him and Akamaru frown. 

"Is everything alright?" I nodded. 

"Just want to be alone for a little bit." 

"Well if you need anything, you know where to find us." He muttered as I waved goodbye. I walked to the river that had overlooked the Uchiha Clan and sat down. I looked down at the water, my Sharingan coming into my eyes. The blood red stared back at me as if luring me into the waves below. 

Dad, I really wish you were here right now. I'm at the top of my class, I'm more advanced than a lot of people. But it doesn't matter if you aren't here to witness it. I know ever since mom died you were never the same, she was everything to you and I was a constant reminder of her. I miss you, even when you were pushing me to be the best I could be. I know it was out of love and pride for our clan. 

I don't know why Sasuke hates me so much now. Its like he thinks I'm the one that killed everyone. I thought it would have been nice to have someone who understood the pain, but yet...he avoids me every chance he gets. I don't get it...

"Amaya?" I turned my attention away from the river, the Sharingan fading away. I saw Shikamaru standing with Choji at his side, eating a bag of chips.

"Shikamaru, Choji...what are you doing here?" I asked, trying to not look as gloomy as I felt. 

"We were just coming back from eating, why are you out here alone?" I looked down. 

"Just had some things on my mind. Wanted somewhere quiet to get some peace." I muttered. 

"Well the sun is starting to set. Why don't you let us walk you home?" He stated. 

"I appreciate the offer, but I'll be okay getting home. Besides, we all have the graduation exam on our minds. We should all be well rested for it." I got to my feet and walked up the hill towards them. 

"Are you sure?" Choji asked with his mouth full. I chuckled a little. 

"I'm positive, thank you both though." I smiled, waving back at them as I walked away. I felt a little better after talking with them. By the time I got home I felt like myself again. I didn't even bother eating dinner, I wasn't that hungry anyways. I changed into my pjs and curled up underneath my comforter. 

Goodnight Dad, Mom...

I shut my eyes and listened to the nighttime sounds that sang me to sleep.

~

The next morning I did my morning routine of getting ready, eating breakfast and going off to school. I sat through the boring lessons, ate lunch with everyone and finished up the rest of school for the day. Kiba, Akamaru and I went to his house, which was surrounded by flowers and plenty of wildlife. His mother gave me a small hello before leaving. Akamaru chased around some butterflies as Kiba and I talked about what we wanted to do after we graduated from the academy.

"I hope we get paired up on the same squad." He stated as we watched Akamaru. 

"It would be nice to have someone I know. It would also help with the teamwork." I smiled. 

"So what's the deal with you and Sasuke?" Kiba suddenly asked. I felt the tension coming into my shoulders as I thought about trying to explain to someone else why he ignored me. 

"What do you mean?" I whispered.

"I mean you two come from the same Clan and yet, you don't speak to each other. I mean when we were kids you did, but ever since what happened..." He trailed off. 

"Exactly..." I whispered. 

"What?" 

"His brother killed everyone in our Clan. I feel like he thinks I blame him for it. I don't but..." I trailed off and looked up at the cloudless sky. 

"Amaya..." Kiba muttered. 

"Its okay, I just don't really like talking about it."

"I understand." I looked at him now. 

"No...you don't..." My voice turned icy. 

"What-?"

"You don't understand what its like to lose everything you care about. I lost my mother when I was three, my father when I was six along with my entire clan. You could never understand..." I turned away from him and started to walk away. 

"Amaya!" He called after me, but I didn't stop walking. I just went home and sat down in bed, curling up into a ball. 

"Why...? Why did you have to kill everyone, Itachi...?" I felt the tears as I sensed the Sharingan appear. "You were always so nice to Sasuke and I...why did you do this...?" I shook as the memories flooded my mind. 

"Itachi, why are you doing this...?" I whispered. 

"A test of my abilities..." His voice was emotionless. 

"But my dad...? Your family...? Why did they have to die for this?" I pleaded with him. 

"Amaya, grow stronger along with my brother. Let your hatred for me consume you until you're strong enough to master our blood trait." He turned away from me. 

"Itachi..." I muttered as he disappeared into the night sky, leaving me surrounded by the bodies of my Clan.

A scream rose from my lips as the shock of the event made me pass out. Waking up in the hospital the next day. The nurses talking in hushed tones about what had happened.