A/N: Hi I'm back. So, how do I do this...

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Exalted. Any character from Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. Exalted belongs to White Wolf publishing. (But they say it's okay to use terms from Exalted for works. XD)

WARNINGS: SLASH! (- three exclamation marks!) I've warned you. It's slash. This story will contain NaruSasu, KisaIta and ShiIta. More gay pairings might come up later and canon hetero pairings like Minato and Kushina. AND: Blood and mild gore. (Just can't write a story about fighters without blood.) Display of violence obviously and of course sex.

This story is mostly set in the Universe of Exalted. But I've tried to make it perfectly understandable for non Exalted player. I just borrowed the setting and some of the lore. Don't worry, it's very simple. (Explanation of some terms at the end of chapter.)
It's centered around Sasuke and Naruto, with Itachi playing a big part in the plot. I've wanted to write a story like this for a long time. And then the a new chapter with the fantasy cover came out and my motivation just exploded.

Now, I'll just shut up and let you read it. :-) Enjoy.

The longest night

01.

Hooves thundered over the steppe; grass was trampled in its wake as dust filled the air behind them. A wind blew from the east, sending his hair flying in the twilight sun. The metal surface of his armor had long heated up to rest uncomfortably against his tiring body. Even the rains of his trusted mount had cut deep into his hand through his leather gloves. But Sasuke would not slow down. He spurred, driving his heels into the flesh of his black stallion.

Before him, the silhouette of his best friend block out the setting sun. The dirt kicked up by those massive hooves of Naruto's legendary lion horse crashed into Sasuke's face, making him narrow his eyes. He pulled the blue scarf higher into his face, cursing his friend under his heavy breath. Despite the seemingly endless chase, he couldn't but take a moment to admire the unique view.

He rarely spent time with Naruto now. Seeing the sun shining through him, casting rays of light that enveloped him like a corona was something Sasuke cherished. He could even smell Naruto's scent in the dusty air, reminding him of summer and insouciance from a time he barely remembered. He wanted to call out to his friend but his throat was too dry. He didn't know how much longer he could ride at this speed but wouldn't even think of losing to this peasant turned hero.

"Keep up!" Naruto yelled without looking back. "We're losing them!"

"Slow down!" Sasuke called out, feeling his throat protest. "At this speed, you'll kill your horse!"

"Don't listen to him, Shishi!" Naruto's fingers dug deeper into the mane of his lion horse. "You can do this! We won't let them escape!"

Even without looking, Sasuke knew of the grim expression in his friend's face. Cursing Naruto for his blind determination, Sasuke padded his own horse. His black stallion Onyx was one of the best horses money could by, yet it still wasn't a Simhata and lacked the endurance those magical creatures possessed. The other two riders on their team had fallen behind some time ago. Neither Sakura nor Sai was able to keep up with Naruto's mount and his expert skill at handling it. Only Sasuke's own urge to rival his best friend had let him torture Onyx so harshly. He would apologize later. But for now, he had to stop the Idiot and his Simhata before man and beast could get into any trouble.

It was not an easy task to complete. When Sasuke was placed under Naruto's command five years ago, obeying the orders of an idiot was a humiliation he could barely endure. It became only worse as Sasuke noticed with time that his once foolish team-mate had grown into something resembling a good leader. Again, he gasped at the speed Naruto seemed to progress. He was not that clumsy little blond boy anymore Sasuke had met at the Academy. Having been from humble origins, Naruto was an outsider among offspring of the wealthy and powerful. Beside that, Naruto was just the worst student Sasuke had ever met.

He still couldn't fathom what really had changed that boy. His sunny and straightforward attitude that warmed the heart of whomever he met had dimmed down to a charisma he displayed with passionate words. The glint in his big blue eyes that screamed his childish naivety had turned into the righteousness of a honorable soldier. But above all, Sasuke had noticed that Naruto had stopped searching for each and everyone's acknowledgment. Now, he held the respect of his men and their undoubted loyalty, all of that he had paid with his own blood and never ending kindness.

He had felt terribly mortified when Kakashi had taken him to Naruto's camp. He had seen the gaze those men threw at Naruto and witnessed the deep deference in their honest bows. As he walked beside Naruto in that night, he had felt pride because of his friend for the first time. Even after all those years, he had still considered Naruto his comrade. From there, Sasuke had done what he could to reach the sun that was Uzumaki Naruto.

His admiration often was cursed with jealousy he couldn't explain. He still didn't know if it was because of his status, or his skills, or even the body that seemed to be shaped by an artist. The small scrawny boy from the Academy days who suffered from undernourishment had vanished. In the years Sasuke hadn't seen him, Naruto had grown into a man that roused every woman's desire with a wave of his golden head. Had he spared that lady a glance with his azure eyes, most undignified noises would arose from the shyest maiden. Had he graced the lady with his unmatched smile, the coldest heart would be conquered in that instant.

Even men were not immune to his presence. So often had Sasuke heard whispers about Naruto that boiled the jealousy inside him. Naruto's martial skills were unmatched by all but one. When he entered combat with his golden spear, his movements radiated ferocity mixed with unpredictable ingenuity. His stamina was legendary. Never before had he fallen previous to his opponent. Never before had Naruto surrendered before blood.

That all Sasuke remembered the instant he saw those twilight rays surrounding his captain. Swallowing his admiration that came at the strangest time, Sasuke focused solely on the moment. If there was one thing bad to say about the golden son, it would be that his hot-headed temper had more than once ruined the well developed plan. That was why Sasuke was so needed at Naruto's side. Unlike his spirited friend, Sasuke preferred the subtle approach.

That was why he had deemed this pursuit pointless from the beginning. After hours of gallop where men and beast had exhausted themselves, their targets still did not decrease in speed. The two men had appeared out of nowhere and kidnapped the newly crowned king of the City-state Suna. They had been fleeing their land for days before Naruto's team had caught up with them. The moment Sasuke laid eyes on the monstrous creature they rode in the sky, he had known that they were not petty criminals. Not only had he never seen such an ugly bird before, it didn't even seem natural. It was gigantic, carrying three men with ease. Its body was made of an indistinguishable material which Sasuke had suspected not to be of this world. He had dreaded the though of what magic would bring such an abomination to life.

Creation was vast and the human hunger from knowledge and power was insatiable. Too many would disturb the flow of essence to create perversion that defied the laws of nature. The simple thought revolted Sasuke. He bit down on his bottom lip and used his over-average brain to come up with a plan. One that consisted of more than just blindly going after them.

"Naruto!" He yelled at the top of his lung. "Slow down! It's uncharted land up ahead!"

"I don't care!" The commander roared. "They have Gaara!"

"Shit!" Cursing, Sasuke bent down to whisper in Onyx ears. "I'm counting on you, boy! Don't make me fall!" He hissed with fatigue. He needed Onyx ready for the final sprint. His stallion wasn't a normal horse, it was one bound to him by primal magic. He could feel Onyx as Onyx could feel him. Acknowledging the answer from his mount, Sasuke released the reins.

He reached for the silver bow attached to his saddle and quickly laid an arrow on its string. He pulled it up to his chin, his muscles remembering the familiar movements. Closing his eyes for just an instant, reinforcing his mastery aim with his personal essence. He let go of the string with a loud snap and felt the feather of his arrow cut into his cheek. Flying in a high arc, his missile headed for the blond kidnapper on his white bird.

Whoever they were, they were as good as him. Without anyone turning around, a metal tail resembling that of a scorpion shot out of the dark robes of the second figure on the beast's back. The metal construct took Sasuke's arrow out of the sky when sparks appeared at the contact. It angered Sasuke that his renowned skill could not even leave a scratch.

"Too slow, Son of Falcon!" Naruto shouted, head bent towards the darkening sky. "Now, shoot him down!"

"What an I doing?" This time, Sasuke laid three arrows on his string. Again, he charged his essence into his weapon, blessing them with celestial power. "Come on..." When he let go, those arrows pierced straight through the air, not needing the arc to reach their target. If only one of them hit, the damage would be dealt threefold. It might not kill them, but it certainly would deviate them from their course.

Again, the second man that seemed to be crouching moved to shield his partner. Sasuke's precious arrows were taken out of the air as if he was only a child throwing with pebble at the riverbank. The hooded figure didn't even look at him. Sasuke would have non of it. Drawing the string of his bow again, Sasuke watched his previous arrows fall from the height. The metal head caught the last ray of the day's light and vanished in the earth. That was concerning.

"Naruto, stop!" The urgency of his voice was reflected in his mood. Onyx felt it and drained the last strength from its muscles. "Naruto, there's a chasm up ahead! Slow down!"

Grimacing at the ignorant captain, Sasuke raised his bow to aim. This time, he could not care about taking them alive if that's the only way to stop Naruto from charging into unknown depth. The Moonsilver bow bent at his will, allowing him to use it with less strength. Making sure his aim was good, Sasuke drew on the power inside him. He felt the mark on his forehead burn as an arrow of pure light formed on his string. He let it fly and watched it pierce though air and realm without sound. It was faster than human eyes could see for this arrow carried the force of the moonlight itself. It would crash through whatever armor his opponent wore and rip his heart from his chest.

The bolt of light illuminated the sky and cast a clearer look to his targets. Sasuke smirked as his missile burned through the metal tail of that monster and headed towards the blond man who was obviously controlling the beast. Victory was so close when the blond man turned to face his doom, a terrified expression on his young face. But then, they were gone.

Bewildered, Sasuke blinked. He saw his arrow disappear in the distance, glowing like a signal flare. It would land somewhat 500 yards away, but that didn't matter. His target just vanished before his eyes. No bodies hit the ground, not even a single trace left. They just dissolved into the night as if they had never existed.

"The the hell happened?" Naruto screamed, his voice echoing through the empty plain.

Sasuke quickly took hold of his reins, making Onyx slow down before he crashed into the chasm only fifty yards away. His stallion reared up with loud neigh, bending his head in discomfort. With grass and sand crushing under the hooves, Saskue came to a stop next to Naruto who still gaped at the darkening sky. At least, his captain had stopped charging into danger he was not made for.

"What the hell did you do?" Naruto's eyes were narrowed in anger. He barked at Sasuke, his Simhata pacing up and down before him.

"I tried to take him down as you commanded!" The lieutenant hissed back.

"You made them disappear?" Those blue eyes went wide. "What the hell, Sasuke? Where is Gaara?"

"Of course not." He pushed the blue scarf down and panted at the heavy riding. He took the moment to wipe the sweat from his forehead and pushed the stray hair out of his face. "My arrow should have taken them down had they not just disappeared."

"What?" Naruto snapped and the lion horse roared. "We have to go after them! Come on, Sasuke! There might be a bridge along the edge."

"We can't!"

"What the hell are you saying? I promised Kankurou I'd bring Gaara back!" Of course Naruto wouldn't even think about giving up. He turned his Simhata around and started riding along the edge.

"Stop!" He instinctively reached out for Naruto, grabbing his robe. He almost lifted Naruto from the Simhata's back and out of the saddle if he was using one. The loyal lion horse Naruto called his friend jerked around, his massive jaws snapping at Sasuke. Feeling the serious intent from such a vicious best Onyx boggled back in wild fear, forcing Sasuke to release his hold on Naruto. He quickly strengthened his hold on the reins and padded his familiar with comforting words. Several yards away, Naruto was doing the same only that he had dismounted to pad Shishi's back.

"Hn," with a sign, Sasuke jumped off his horse as well. His legs felt shaky when he landed on the ground. After riding for so long without pause, it was a welcome sensation. Still, he was tired and agitated. Ever since he had seen the chasm in the land, an deep unease had started to spread in his belly.

The landscape in front of them didn't look natural in any way. Though he could not see it, he could hear the rushing water below. This river should not even exist let alone having been here long enough to cut earth to deep. After taking another look at the walls of the chasm, Sasuke realized that it couldn't have been nature. In truth, it appeared as if some higher entity had split the land into two halves, separating them through a gap of a hundred yards.

"We could jump over!" Naruto announced, coming to stand next to him.

"Don't be stupid!" Sasuke snorted. He was still fighting that urge inside him to get on Onyx' back and start riding. "Even if we could, our familiars can't follow. There's no way we can catch them by foot."

"No!" Naruto's knees connected with the ground with force. He hammered his gloved fists into the yellow earth and let out a desperate scream. "I can't just leave Gaara to them! Sasuke, we have to follow them, even if I have to build a bridge!"

"Do you use your eyes or are they solely for decoration?"

"That's no way to talk to your superior, Lieutenant Uchiha."

Sai's voice behind him made Sasuke grimace. He turned around to glower at pale man riding up to them, his face as blank as ever. He knew of the smiles Sai stored away only for Naruto and could only grind his teeth at the unhealthy obsession. With a snort worthy of an Uchiha, Sasuke turned from the Air Elementalist and addressed his captain anew.

"My tone is not of concern here. This place is." He gestured to the other side of the deep canyon where the earth seemed black and the few trees as pale as the moon. "That over there is a Shadowland. No living shall set foot in it recklessly."

At Sasuke's explanation, Naruto's eyes widened. He looked up to stare at Sasuke with obvious horror before rising to his feet. He turned back to look at Sai, his mouth still hanging open.

"I'm not scared, Captain," Sai said with that nauseously fake smile in his face. He swiftly dismounted from his white mare and bowed before Naruto. "I'll always be with you, Captain."

Sasuke wanted to roll his eyes at the empty phrase but restrained himself. "It's not a question of courage, Agent Sai." He just couldn't like this pale assassin, even if he tried. "Strange things happen in the Shadowlands. We should avoid it, especially at night."

"I agree with Sasuke." Sakura had finally caught up with them. She panted heavily and swiftly dismounted from her horse which looked about to collapse. "Naruto, we should act with the highest caution."

"Oi, it's Gaara we're talking about here!" Naruto's hands clenched into fists as he visibly struggled with himself. "We can't just leave him! He wouldn't leave us either!"

"I know he's your friend, Naruto," Sakura always was the voice of reason here in this group. Sasuke prayed she wouldn't let herself be persuaded instead. "I know how you feel and that you don't want to leave him, but Shadowland must not be taken lightly."

"I'm not abandoning him because of some rotten dirt!" Naruto brushed Sakura's hand off his shoulder and turned towards the chasm.

"At least try to access your useless brain, Idiot!" Sasuke snapped. "It's not just black earth over there. It's the home of the hungry ghosts and the walking dead. You don't know what you're up against. Those creatures are not of this world. Naruto, heed my words. We're heading back and make report of this place. We can return once a plan is in order."

"You're not in charge, Uchiha." Sai stepped up to him, blocking his view from Naruto's back. "And I'd like to remind you to refrain from further disrespect for your acting commander."

"Back off, Sai! We're not going into a Shadowland at night!" Sasuke hissed, simply repulsed by Sai's pure presence.

"That's for the Captain to decide. And you will do as he commands."

"I'm not his servant!" Sasuke's hand moved to grasp the handle of his sword. It would be so easy to blow him into the chasm and stop him and his thrice dammed order.

"Well, in a sense, you are, Uchiha." Sai smiled politely. "Or have you forgotten your vows yet again, Trickster?"

"What did you say to me?" Sasuke's left hand was at Sai's collar in one quick motion. His right steadily moved to his silver Daiklave. When he spoke, his voice was a deep hiss. "I should end you right here for your insolence."

"Stop, please, both of you!" Sakura begged. "Sasuke, release him!"

"You're taking his side?"

"No, I'm not taking his side, Sasuke. I just want you to stop fighting. Here's not the place for it."

"I don't mind showing him his place, Lady Sakura." Sai smiled at her kindly.

The anger Sasuke had been holding back rose with the moon. He drew his lips back as long fangs started to grow. He opened his mouth, allowing a primal snarl escaped his throat. His body started to shift, growing in height and built. Hair spouted from his head, growing to fall down till his waist. The mark on his forehead cast light into Sai's face as the Agent's expression slipped.

"Enough!" Naruto's hand came down to land heavily on Sasuke's shoulder, preventing him from snapping Sai's little neck.

Reluctantly, he let go of the assassin with a final snarl. His transformation stopped and reversed as Sasuke tried to calm his breathing. He had not lost control like this for many years now. Having it happen so close to a Shadowland deeply unsettled him. Though Sai's insult was unforgivable, Sasuke knew that it wouldn't justify his murder.

Turning on his heals, Sasuke headed towards Onyx who waited patiently for him. He swung himself on its back and took the reins tightly into his hand. Glancing down at the three who had been in a team for so long, Sasuke felt painfully excluded. Those three had fought alongside each other for decades while he was marked a traitor. He reminded himself mentally that he didn't need to bother with the assassin he hated with all his heart. He knew his place and his birthright. A petty cutthroat like Sai would not lure him out of his reserve again.

"Naruto," He spoke down at the blond, hiding his emotions behind cold indifference. He had his dignity as an Uchiha to uphold. "Make your decision, Captain. I will venture into that forsaken land if you wish so. But Sakura and Sai should not follow. Unlike me, they cannot see in the dark."

"Sasuke," Naruto breathed, his blue eyes full of compassion. "What would you have me do? Gaara is my friend."

"And I'm your..." He pressed his lips tightly together before the word could slip. He breathed out his anger before lifting his gaze to challenge his commander again. "You do not know what lies beyond that border. Shadowlands are realms between life and death. It's not for the living to enter."

"Naruto, listen to Sasuke!" The only female on the team urged. She sounded so frightened Sasuke almost wanted to comfort her. "We should head back to report, like Sasuke suggested. Shadowlands are bad news, especially so close to Konoha. Kakashi-sensei needs to hear about this."

"But Gaara..." Naruto winced.

"He's a king," Sasuke interrupted. "They won't kill him so easily. He was probably abducted for ransom or as leverage. Without knowing who they are or what they want, charging into a Shadowland is a foolishness you cannot afford."

Naruto eyed him for a moment before turning back to Sakura. She nodded silently, allowing Sasuke finally to let out the breath he'd been holding. Without a word, Naruto turned towards his Simhata. He padded the lion horse' head before swinging onto its back, riding bareback. He threw Sasuke one last accusing glance before turning Shishi around and started heading for camp with sagging shoulders.

Sasuke followed and returned to his position at the right flank. As they rode, he ignored the jealousy inside him that spread like wild fire. He'd always known that Naruto and Gaara were close. He tried to tell himself that it was because they both knew the agony of solitude and what it meant to be hated for what they were. Even someone as stupid as Naruto would not allow himself to get involved with a king. Not that Naruto wasn't good enough for Gaara. If Sasuke had a say in it, he would deem the king unworthy. Still, it was mentally torturing to see Naruto so defeated. He wanted to ride alongside the blond captain and simply comfort him by being there, just like they used to when they were still children. But today was not the day Sasuke would be needed at Naruto's side. He reminded himself that he had gladly traded Naruto's kind gaze for his safety.

For hours as it seemed, the four of them rode over the steppe with only the moon as their guidance. Sasuke could feel her touch on his face. The mark on his forehead was still glistening and burning. It tickled and drew his gaze upon the full moon against the dark canopy. Seeing her smiling down at him, the unease that clenched his being slowly faded away as they brought more distance between them and the land of darkness. It allowed him to regain somewhat of his usually composed state, though in a night of full moon it was lesser than he was used to.

The light of the full moon always had this effect on him. It was just something in the back of his mind, driving him towards the untouched nature. He had felt this for decades now. Ever since the most beautiful woman in existence had come to him at the brink of death, offering him the power to survive and protect, Sasuke had felt the power of the moon flowing through his body. From that night on, he had been the Chosen of the Moon. The demilune on his forehead that still functioned as a torch was the prove of it.

He had never regretted accepting her benevolent touch. With that one kiss on his head, Luna herself had elevated him into the heaven, granting him more power than any mortal could dream of. That gift came with a prize, though. The hardship Sasuke had to endure the years after that was only a test. So Sasuke had suffered as Lunar told him to. He had hated his master with more fury than the man who had murdered his family. As great as his mentor had been in his own time, when Sasuke returned with the touch of Luna, Orochimaru had already been driven mad by his urge to transform. As his quest for immortality remained fruitless, jealousy at Sasuke's young body made his days unbearable. Had he not doubted Orochimaru's intention from the start, he might had become a victim himself. Instead, he studied night and day, banishing all thoughts of his home from his heart. When he had learned everything Orochimaru had to teach, Sasuke murdered for the first time. Sending the mad soul of the snake back to the wheel of reincarnation was a kindness he did not deserve.

Still, sadness clutched his heart when he came to think of his old mentor. He was the only Lunar Sasuke had ever met. After all these years, he still wondered if he was the only one of his kind left. Gazing at the moon above, Sasuke prayed that he was wrong.

"Sasuke?" Sakura's soft voice returned him to the present. "Are you alright?"

"Ah." They had slowed down to a pace that allowed conversation and Sasuke was grateful for it. If they went any faster, he would start worrying about Onyx.

"The mark on your head," she sounded shy. "It's still burning."

"Does it bother you?"

"Ehm, no. Of course not!" She turned her gaze from him and Sasuke knew that she was lying.

He sighed and loosened the blue scarf around his neck. Though his Caste Mark had dimmed down to a shimmer against his skin, it still emitted too much light. He liked it but knew too well that everybody else was afraid of it. To reassure her and not wanting anyone to recognize his true form, Sasuke tied the blue scarf around his forehead. In a few hours when they reached camp, the mark would be gone.

"I... I wasn't suggesting..."

"What do you want, my Lady?" He cut her off. Even now, she was still fidgeting in his presence.

"Can I ask you something?"

"As you please, Lady Sakura."

"You don't have to be formal with me, Sasuke." She threw a glance back at Sai who covered their rear, probably to make she he couldn't hear them. "I just worry about you," she started. "You've not been yourself since we were near that Shadowland."

"I'm master of myself, don't worry." He retorted. She wouldn't even understand if Sasuke tried to tell her what's wrong. "And your question?"

"What did Sai say to you to make you so angry?"

"You were there, have you forgotten already?"

"No!" She sounded hurt. "He called you a servant, but there's no shame in it. We've all sworn to serve Konoha, so what's wrong with that?"

"It's not that." Again, he had to clench his teeth as anger flashed through him. "He called me a Trickster. It's a name of great insult for my kind."

"The Uchihas?"

He rolled his eyes at her. Today, she was really trying to rival Naruto's idiocy. "No, my kind, the Changing Moon Caste of the Lunar Exalted. What I am. It's an ancient insult. Trickster, that's how they called us the last time we existed, before they drove us from Creation."

"What?" She gasped. "Who's they? And where did you go?"

"So ignorant, yet you claim to be a student of lore." He snorted. He knew that his anger wasn't directed at her but couldn't stop his own harsh words. With a sigh, he explained. "It was your kind, the Elementalists. You grew weary of our power and feared us for what you didn't understand. Though we outmatch you one to thousand, you outnumbered us ten thousand to one. In the end, those who were not slain were driven from Creation."

"Where did you go?" She sunk her head in shame and whispered.

"Beyond the edge of the world, into the Wyld." Sasuke swallowed, remembering the wonders and horrors he had seen out there.

"You're kidding!" She sounded sincere. "No one can endure the Wyld. It's the Wyld."

"We did," Saskue almost smirked. "And now we've returned. Better to say, I've returned." The demise of his kind was not her doing. She was too young to know what happened in another age. Sasuke himself of course wasn't there to witness it, but he had seen it in his dreams and read about it in ancient writings. It was another time. It was her ancestors who drove the Lunar from the world and murdered their Solar-mates. It was them who had branded the lunar with names of shame to forever humiliate them for their defeat. It was her ancestors who had allowed the world he called home to be haunted by darkness.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes," Sasuke hissed. "Do not speak about it again."

She nodded and went back to riding silently. After a long pause, she cleared her throat and Sasuke knew that conversation was about to begin again. "You know," she threw a compassionate glance at him which he caught in his peripheral sight. "That's not the reason he... dislikes you."

"I don't need his affection," Sasuke would live happily without having anything to do with Sai ever again. "He's one of root. I won't befriend such murderers."

"That's not fair, Sasuke."

That's because you don't know what they did. Sasuke thought but didn't voice it. Though Sai probably couldn't hear them clearly, Sasuke wouldn't be so careless to let on how much he really knew. Instead, he turned to face Sakura casually. "Say, Sakura, how much do you know about the Shadowland?"

"Are you afraid of it, Sasuke?" She asked instead, her voice growing deeper with the breach of this serious topic.

"Only a fool would not be," he answered. "How much do you know?"

"Not much."

"Humor me."

"Well, it's a place between life and death." She started. Ranting about knowledge was one of her hobbies. Sasuke knew that he should never interrupt her and that she wouldn't stop until interrupted. At least, he didn't have to talk anymore. "It's where the Underworld and Creation touch. It's the home of the creatures of darkness. They live there, however that works. I read somewhere that Shadowland are created through great sorrow and large amount of death, bringing that part of Creation closer to the Underworld. Live can't really exist inside a Shadowland."

"What else?" Sasuke already knew this much. Orochimaru had made sure he knew more than his enemies did.

"There's a theory that says a Shadowland grows steadily. If not stopped, it would grow until it devoured Creation." Her voice gained an edge when she spoke again. "But no one knows how to stop a Shadowland or even if it could be stopped. So, what do you think? You seem to know more about them than I do."

"I'm not a student of the dark art," Sasuke shrugged.

"Well, I'm studying medicine!" She retorted. "I told you what I know, now's your turn."

"We agreed on no such thing," he smirked. Teasing Sakura was always amusing. Also, he just wanted her to stop worrying so much. From the corner of his eyes, he believed that Sakura was pouting. "Fine," he smiled to himself. "I know a little more. At night, Shadowland can be a portal between this world and the Underworld. Ghosts and other foul creatures can past through and sometimes even interact with the living."

"Like in the ghost stories?" Her eyes grew wide.

"It would seem so."

"Have you ever seen a ghost? How does a ghost look like?"

"I heard the Uchiha Shrine is haunted," he smirked, glancing at her with a lifted brow. "I want to visit it, the next time I'm home."

"How long has it been?" She wondered. "Maybe I'll come with you."

"Somethings I must do alone," Sasuke nodded at her in gratitude. He hesitated for a brief instant, wondering if he should tell her. "It's been 35 years since I've been home." At Sakura's aghast expression, he added. "I understand the reasons to keep me from Konoha. I'll returned one day. Then, I'll tell you how a ghost looks like."

"I really don't mind coming with you." She offered with a glint of hope in her eyes.

Sasuke suspected that either she still held dear feelings for him or she just really wanted to see a ghost. Coming to think about it, this sounded increasingly like a nightly adventure children would do. Even their tone matched the immature desire to venture into a haunted house. He smirked, allowing the familiar feeling of having a friend envelop him for a moment.

"When the time comes, I'd like to have some company," he added, conjuring a bright smile on Sakura's face. He wanted to add that maybe they should invite Naruto too before their moody blond friend found it out by himself and accuse them of going on a secret date. The that exact moment the said blond's voice broke through the predawn air.

"Oi!" He waved violently with his arms, maneuvering his Simhata with his thighs. "What are you two whispering about? We're almost at camp, hurry up!" He padded Shishi's head and the Simhata started to run. Before the familiar went to far, Naruto turned around and locked his gaze with Sasuke. "And back off, Bastard! Stop stealing my lady!"

"What?" Sakura shrieked. She dug her heels into her brown horse and chased after the Captain, yelling. "Naruto, I'm gonna kill you! I'm not your lady."

Wild jealousy almost painted Sasuke's vision red. He felt dizzy at the sudden rush of blood through his body and the heat spreading through his limps. Without thought, Sasuke hissed under his breath, feeling his fangs growing. He breathed in sharply to stop his transformation, suppressing his urge to sank his venomous teeth into Sakura's tender flesh. He wanted to rip her throat out and taste her blood. Or to change into the form of a cobra and sneak under the silken cover of her bed. One small bite to the ankle and she would be dead before sunrise. No one would know for no one knew his true power. When Sakura lined her horse against Naruto and smacked him loudly on his beautiful blond head, Sasuke gasped. He shivered, feeling the lust to hunt down his prey burning hotly inside him.

The moment of his madness came to a sudden stop as a cold hand landed on his shoulder. He tensed and opened his eyes to find the resented pale face before his. Maybe, he should direct his anger at this worm instead.

"If harm comes to Lady Sakura, I would know it was you." Sai said with his fake smile. "One word from my lips and your road of redemption would meet a sudden end."

Sasuke hissed at him.

"Do you want to see Konoha again?" The assassin asked.

"Remove your filthy fingers or I will show you why your precious Wyld hunt parties never came back alive."

With that as his final words, Sasuke drove his mount towards the camp that blocked the rays of dawn. When the time was right, when he was finally allowed to go home, he would claim his birthright so no one would dare lay a finger on what was his. When the time comes, the Sun and the Moon will be reunited. This he vowed with the moonlight as his witness.

Creation = the world of the living, the main world in Exalted. (And the world is a plane)
Simhata = lion horse. A mount with a lion head and claws, but horse back.
Elementalist = people using essence to manipulate elements. Dragon-Blooded in Exalted.
Moonsilver = magical material for the Lunars. Specially made silver.
Familiar = animal companion, sometimes sharing a mind with the owner.
Wyld = the world beyond and around Creation consisting of powerful creative energy, changing everything constantly.

Also note: Enlightened beings and Elementalists live very long. Commonly about 500 years.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for reading! If you liked this, please leave a comment. :-)

I'll be back soon.