**Authors note:
So this is going to be a semi-long authors note. 1st thing to address is the poll for who Rin will end up with, I will be posting more information about that once Rin and Shikamaru's relationship get's rolling! Right now I want the focus to return to the battle.
Also I'm starting basically the same way the actual battle started and that's with Itachi's memories. I will be skipping a majority of the Genjutsu, even though I have written genjutsu before having to figure out how to layer three Uchiha's genjutsu and still have it make sense proved difficult. So Rin will be kind of barging in closer to end of the genjutsu and when the real fighting begins.
Also! Because three people are fighting and I want to focus on all of them some of the battle is going to be written in Zetsu's point of view! Cause after re-watching it all I realized he was there watching the whole time! We will still get Itachi, Sasuke and Rin POV too so don't worry. :)
Finally, that means yes, after this chapter the final battle of Itachi, Rin and Sasuke will begin. I'm not sure how many chapters it will take but these chapters will be a little longer than normal so my guess is 3-5 chapters.
I am very excited for what is to come, I hope you guys are too and I also hope you like the build up so far!
Anyways please comment, vote and of course enjoy!
**
Itachi
**Memories**
I knew they had been watching. Rin's chakra was hidden from me, not out of habit but from fear. The memories of her time with Atatsuki still fresh. Still no doubt she would be trailing behind Sasuke as always. I jumped into the air knowing that they had come to watch me train, the movement by now was easy. My sharingan was refined and I had no trouble hitting the targets. I landed back in the centre and glanced at each of the targets.
"Wow Itachi you nailed every target, even the one in the blindspot!" Sasuke praised and I smiled as he stepped from behind the trees, Rin, as predicted, right behind him. He released her hand and I could see her unease as Sasuke drew two kunai.
"Alright, now its my turn!" He declared.
"No Sasuke, it's time to go" I replied firmly and was slightly amused at his pout.
"What happened to the new shuriken jutsu you promised to teach me huh? You've already begun it with Rin" He objected but Rin remained unusually silent as she glanced at the targets.
"It'll have to wait; I have an important mission tomorrow that I must prepare for. Besides Father doesn't like Rin being outside of the compound walls for to long" I reminded and he rolled his eyes.
"She's just as safe here with me and you. We're her big brothers, we protect her too, better than anyone" He said firmly and I noticed a Rin's lips pull into a small smile. I motioned for Sasuke to come towards me and he followed my motions.
"Sorry Sasuke, maybe another time" I replied as I poked his forehead. He flinched as he stumbled back and shot me a glare.
"Okay fine but just watch this!" I raised an eyebrow in confusion as he ran for the targets.
"Sasuke wait, your footing is off!" Rin shouted, but he was already in the air. He managed to throw one kunai before dropping back to the ground. I heard a crack when he landed and Rin and I ran to him.
"You dummy" Rin scolded as she knelt down. I watched as she lifted his foot onto her lap as I helped Sasuke into a sitting position.
"Tell me if this hurts" She said as she pushed his foot back, but he shook his head.
"What about this?" She asked again and slowly turned his ankle from side to side. Sasuke kicked Rin's arm with his good leg causing her to fall over.
"That hurt!" He shouted. I managed to catch Rin when she launched at him, her little fists stretched out trying to reach his face and he stuck his tongue out in response.
"Rin enough" I scolded and she stopped struggling, her lips pulling into a pout.
"But he started it!" I sighed slightly but smiled at her as I set her on her feet.
"What's your diagnoses?" I asked and she rolled her eyes.
"It's just a twisted ankle, nothing broken just strained" She replied, recalling her training with Suki.
"Can't you heal it?" Sasuke asked and she shook her head.
"Suki hasn't let me practice on human injuries yet" I nodded then and knelt down.
"Looks like I'm carrying you home" I felt his hands on my shoulders and I took his wrists pulling him onto my back. I stood up and carefully hooked my arms under his knees.
"Come along Rin, walk ahead of us" She ran a few paces ahead before slowing as I followed. I kept my eyes trained on her back keeping wary of our surroundings. Rin pulled her hair over one of her shoulders and I could see the curse mark on the bend in her neck. After it had unleashed on Father it was agreed that her early entrance into the academy would prove beneficial in her abilities to control it.
"Not too far Rin" Sasuke called and she turned, walking backwards instead.
"You can't boss me around if Itachi's here, now he's the oldest" She shot back and I chuckled slightly.
"He is right Rin" I replied and heard Sasuke laugh.
"Told you so!" He shouted and she stuck her tongue out at him in response.
"One day I'll be strong enough to be my own boss, and then you two dummies will have to listen to me!"
"Never gunna happen!" He taunted. I smiled at their argument, the smile fading as soon as I saw Father waiting at the compound gates. Rin backed right into him and I notice the panic in her eyes as they faded to a blazing red and she drew a kunai. Father was quick to catch her wrist before she did any damage.
"It's just me Rin" He said calmly and she dropped the kunai immediately, tears welling in her eyes as she deactivated her Sharingan.
"I-I'm sorry, I-I thought it..." He lifted her into his arms and her trembling slowly subsided as she curled into his chest. I sighed lightly as I boosted up Sasuke, ever since her return she has been jumpy and any startling event sent her into a panic.
"Easy Rin" Father said gently as he rubbed her back.
"I've already told you both more than once, Rin isn't to be outside the gates"
"But it was only for a few hours, and she was with me and Itachi the whole time" Sasuke objected, but Father was already walking back into the compound. Rin glanced up over his shoulder towards us, but she quickly buried her face in the crook of Father's neck as he continued walking.
"Why doesn't Father trust us with Rin? I know what happened was bad, and Rin's scared but I can protect her too Itachi!" I smiled slightly as I started walking again.
"I know Sasuke, but it's not only Rin who's afraid" I replied.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Well aren't you afraid?" I asked and he was silent for a moment.
"I guess I'm afraid Rin will be taken again and that she won't come back. I don't like being separated from her for too long" He admitted and I nodded in agreement.
"Well Father feels the same, he trusts us both to care for Rin but he wouldn't be able to live with himself if she ended up with the Akatsuki again" I explained.
"Rin will be okay, she's stronger than you and Father think" Sasuke replied confidently and I smiled at his response.
"You're right" I replied.
"She's the light in the Uchiha darkness"
**End Memories**
I could hear Sasuke approaching the main area of the hideout. I kept my eyes closed, holding onto those memories as I rested back in my seat. They had both been so young. Sasuke so determined to protect Rin and Rin, innocent and afraid always trailing behind one of us. In a way she still did that now, but this time, maybe for the first time she wasn't with either of us. Right now that was beneficial, but in the end Sasuke would need Rin's light to guide him back. Just like I would need her to repair the damage I had created in our brother. So much always on her small shoulders. I opened my eyes when Sasuke stepped into the room. In a way it pained me to see him at this age. I had the opportunity to watch Rin grow-up but I had given up that same privilege when it came to Sasuke.
"Tell me, how much can you see with that sharingan of yours?" I questioned, allowing the memories to fade.
"How much can I see?" He replied as he walked closer.
"What I see right now Itachi, is you dead at my feet" He shot back finally meeting my gaze.
"You see me dead do you?" I made myself seem bored, his glare remained focus as I glanced at the ceiling.
"Well then" I continued.
"Make it happen"
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Kisame
Fighting Suigetsu wasn't really fighting, it was more like playing. Just a way to kill the time while Itachi and Sasuke settled things. I mean the kid could barely lift Zabuza's blade, it was almost laugh-worthy. He was like a child, a child with a giant sword flailing it around. Our training may have been a waste with this one. As much as I wanted to finish him off I knew this was the only thing keeping these three away from Sasuke. I was allowed to let only one person pass and even that was under strict circumstances.
"Shouldn't we be obeying Sasuke's orders!" The orange haired one managed to shout over our fighting.
"He's not here to give orders!" Suigetsu responded.
"I'm just having a little fun with an old Master, Jugo no big deal besides Sasuke's only order was to stay put. He said nothing about fighting" He finished and just barely dodged my strike.
"You know most people aren't idiotic enough to take their attention off a much stronger opponent!" The red head shouted and Suigetsu scoffed.
"Shut up Karin, you're..." I ignored his shouting at his teammate the moment I sensed a fourth chakra. This one though was powerful, cold and all to familiar. Samehada's least favourite chakra type.
"Dropped your guard Master Kisame!" I scoffed, dodging his blow and using his head for a boost in my jump. I swung Samehada just as the figure shot from the forest. I heard her curse as she managed to avoid the swing, and the both of us landed on the roof at the same time.
"What the hell Kisame?" I chuckled as she pushed back her hood, her other hand on her hip and her dark eyes in a disapproving stare. Almost like she was about to scold me.
"R-Rin, how did you..." She pushed aside Karin as she stepped forward.
"We've already discussed how bad you are at the only thing you're good at so let's not start that discussion again." She said simply.
"So, where are my brothers?" She demanded, her eyes on me.
"They're here, but I'm curious as to how you found them so quickly."
"It's all in the shadows Kisame, now where are they?" She repeated.
"You're too late, the battle has already begun" I replied.
"Besides only Sasuke is allowed to pass, it's a family matter" Karin added and Rin glanced at her.
"I'm their sister you idiot" She replied shortly. I heard her sigh, and her hand moved to the hilt of her katana.
"Look are you going to let me pass or are we going to have a problem?" She asked her attention back on me and I smirked slightly.
"Depends who's side you've chosen" I replied and met her gaze.
"So what? I can only pass if I've chosen Itachi's side is that it?" She asked.
"And if you have we wont' let you through" Karin added but Rin didn't seem to hear her.
"Something like that" I finally responded.
"Well jokes on all of you I haven't chosen either of my idiotic brothers" I raised my eyebrow and the others seemed confused.
"I've chosen myself, and I'm fighting for myself and I'm going to stop this" She said confidently. I smirked again and lowered Samehada.
"You better get going then" She looked up me, obviously startled and confused about my actions.
"But I didn't chose Itachi"
"His orders were clear; Rin can only pass if she is here of her own accord. Itachi never wanted you to choose him or Sasuke, he wanted you too..."
"Choose my self" She breathed.
"He wanted the decision to be mine and mine alone, h-he planned this all along" She realized and I nodded. It was silent then, until Rin smirked.
"I'm going kick their asses" I chuckled slightly as she pulled off her cloak and tossed it on top of Karin. Suigetsu stifled a laugh and I managed to slip behind Rin when Karin attempted to launch at her. I looked at Rin who was already at the high point of the roof.
"Thanks Kisame" I smirked as I pushed back Karin.
"Get going brat"