Author's Note: Hey lovely readers! I am SO sorry for the loooooong wait! A lot of stuff has happened, like studying for my exams, working on my manga, making cosplays, blah blah blah. Again, I am terribly sorry for the wait ^^; but hey! New chapter is here and I truly do hope that you guys will enjoy it! Now I do warn you that this chapter may be a bit sad. Then again, the chapter is a dead give away XD ACK! Enough of me babbling! Enjoy the chapter guys!

Chapter Three – Tragic Turns

Darkness is all Ayame can see. Every turn that she faces is nothing but pitch black air. As panic takes over the frightened girl, she calls for the people that she knows. The only answer that she received is silence. Ayame cries as silence is driving her into madness. She doesn't understand why nobody is with her. Loneliness is her number one fear, a fear that she never shared with anyone. All of a sudden, she smells something awful. The smell is like something is rotting, but there is more to it. Something else smells like…burning.

"Fire?" Ayame thought out loudly.

Ayame decides to follow the smell to see what is going on. She hopes that it will lead her away from the drifting darkness.

After what it seemed like forever, Ayame sees a glint of light glowing from a far distant. She quickly rushes to the light. She embrace the joy of glorious light as she comes closer to the light, but her heart stops when she sees something horrific up ahead.

Corpses are being burned on the ground. Ayame covers her mouth to prevent herself from gasping. Her mind shouts for her to run, but her body disobeys the orders. Then again, a part of her is a bit curious to know the identity of the burning corpses. Because their faces are slowly decaying it is very hard to tell who it is, at least she hope she doesn't. Just as she got close enough to the corpses, she gasps horridly as she finally recognize one of the bodies. Right in front of her lies the burning body of Sota.

Ayame's knees couldn't support her anymore, so she falls on them as she stares at Sota's dead body. She doesn't want to believe what is going on. This couldn't possibly be happening, nor real.

"S…Sota?..." Ayame whispers, not really expecting from any reply.

She glance around the other bodies, and her stomach hurls horribly as she begins to recognize other bodies as well. These are the bodies of the orphan children.

Ayame's breath quickens as panic and agony combines together to attack her rapid beating heart. She tries to scream, but she finds herself weak in her voice. Madness is slowly consuming her mind. She covers her entire face with her own hands as she cries frantically. Then she hears a sinister whisper that seems to blend within the air, but she knows that voice anywhere. It was Sota's voice.

"Why?..." Sota's voice whispered. "Why did you betray us, Ayame?"

The word 'betray' sting Ayame's heart. "Betray you?... what are you talking about?... I didn't betray none of you!..."

"You've led the shinobies to our death… we are dead because of you!...why, Ayame?!...why did you do this to us?!" Sota's whisper has become angrier.

However, Ayame's anger is also increasing. "I am not a traitor!... and I didn't kill anyone!..." She release her face from her hands to confront Sota, but she gasps again as she sees the corpse of Sota hovering over her. His face is completely deformed and she can even see flesh and cheek bones. His body is still consumed in burning flames. As Sota is about to say something to Ayame, his body has been cut off in half.

"Sota!" Ayame screams in terror.

Ayame glance up to see the killer, but all she sees is a silhouette person. Because of that she can't make out who this person is…but then she sees the blood red eyes. The crimson eyes that she prayed that she'd never see them again. Her lip quivers in fear as does the rest of her body.

The silhouette glares down at Ayame. Its eyes crave for slaughter her. The figure steps in front of her while Ayame crawls back from it. She can see the figure creeping a grin, as if it enjoys seeing her reactions.

"P… please go away…"Ayame mumbled fearfully.

The figure chuckles diabolically as it take another step toward her. "You were lucky to escape…" the figure began to speak in a demonic tone. "But you won't be so lucky next time, Tsukiyo!"

Ayame's eyes widens further. The image of her parent's death flashes through her mind. She crunches down in a bowing position and hold her mouth closed to prevent herself from vomiting. Her head slams down on the ground from the figure's foot. She groans in pain as the foot slowly crushes her head.

"Your time will soon come. You… will meet your end and join your clan in the depth of hell!" The figure continues to crush her head. "This… is your fate!"

Suddenly Ayame feels her body forming a pure chakra. It seems to hurt the figure as she hears him hiss in pain. She holds herself tightly as her chakra continues to build up intensely. It is becoming unbearable for her to handle. Her eyes shot open as she begins to scream out to the sky. Her eyes begin to glow in a beautiful silver color as her chakras overflows from her body. Her vision starts to blur, but she continues to scream in pain. Soon her world is covered in a blanket of darkness.

"Ayame!" Sota's voice rings in Ayame's dark world. She slowly opens her eyes to see the worried face of Sota. Her breathing hitched in relief and hugs him very tightly.

"Sota, thank goodness you're okay!" Ayame cried.

Sota blinks in confusion. "Why wouldn't I be alright? Nothing happened to me. You must've had some nightmare to make you freak out like that."

As soon as Ayame's sense of reality comes back to her, her breathing relaxed and lies back on the bed. "Yeah… it was a nightmare… although it felt too real to be just a nightmare." She shudders as she remembers the silhouette figure and the crimson eyes.

"It's just a nightmare, Ayame." Sota said. He takes her hand gently. "It can't hurt you. You're fine, I'm fine and everyone else is fine too."

"Yeah… I know. I'm still shaken up a bit." Ayame said.

"Do you want me to sleep with you tonight?"

Ayame search in Sota's eyes for any sign of comedy, but all she sees are sincerity and compassion. She can't help but notice how much he has changed. When she first met Sota, he was an arrogant brat who thought that he was better than anyone else and she always had to prove him wrong by beating him at his own game. Now he is more humble and helpful to the orphans and honestly, she wouldn't have it any other way. She curls her fingers his and smiles sweetly to him. "I'd actually like that. Thank you, Sota."

Sota replies with a gentle smile and hook his arms around Ayame's slender arms and lies down.

There is a moment of silence in the dark until Ayame begins to talk. "Sota… would you blame me if something were to happen to you and the rest?"

"Why on Earth would you ask that? You leave me to take care of the kids while you go gather some food for us to eat. You tell us stories of how life can be beautiful when we make the best of it. I think you are an amazing person for building a place where children can feel like family. How could I blame you for doing something amazing?" Sota replied with a question.

Ayame sighs. "I don't know… I guess I'm overthinking things."

"Well… if something does happen to us, which I'm not saying that it will, I don't want you to blame yourself. I'd want you to keep living and pursue your dream of peace." Sota then chuckles as he shakes his head. "But who's to say that something is going to happen to us, eh?"

Even when everything is completely dark, Ayame can still see the silly grin that always lifts her lip into a smile. Her head leans closer to his face and kissed his cheek. "Promise me something."

"Anything."

"Don't die. Whatever happens, please don't die." Ayame fights her tears that sting her eyes so that they can be released.

"Ayame-"

"Promise me!" She hisses desperately. "I wouldn't bare it if I lose you guys…"

Sota sighs and nods. "I promise that I will fight my hardest to stay alive for you, Ayame."

"Thank you…" Ayame whispers softly.

"Of course, Ayame. Now go to sleep, you said you are going to town tomorrow." Sota said as he shifts himself comfortably for him to sleep.

Ayame realize that she does plan to go to the village tomorrow to grab something really good. The village recently just purchased 100 chickens, which she is sure that they will not miss one or two bird. It has been a while since the children ate meat, so this is a perfect chance for her. Of course, she'll go to the village right after she meets Madara and Hashirama. With that in mind, she closes her eyes and finally gets good sleep.

Morning arrived a little too early for Ayame's taste. She would've enjoyed the morning sun if it wasn't for the damn light beam blinding her for a mere second. She rubs her eyes tiredly and irritably as she gets up slowly. Then her nightmare flashes through her mind, which it made her frown in fear. Something about that dream is making her have a bad feeling. Ayame feels her stomach turn slightly turn just thinking about it

"It won't happen." Ayame convinced herself. "Nothing is going to happen to anyone. It's a dream and nothing else." She continues to talk to herself so that she can be convinced that what she say is true. But her gut is telling her a different story.

Ayame looks at her bed and notice that Sota is gone. "He… probably went out for a walk." She said to herself as she scans the whole place. He could've taken the children with him. Anything is better than thinking about the horrible truth. Why on Earth did she have that nightmare? She can't even walk straight because of her wobbling knee.

Then Ayame thought that maybe Madara and Hashirama will make her feel better. After all, training with them does help keep minds off things. She eagerly picks up her basket and leaves the house.

Ayame continues to convince herself that nothing is wrong and that she is just being paranoid, but the lingering feeling of catastrophe still clings on to her stomach.

During the walk to the lake, Ayame has a conflict between herself and her negative side. She must admit that she finds it rather odd and crazy that she is fighting against herself, but it is the only way to calm down. Ayame can hear her heart beat increase the pace as it gets louder. Finally, she reaches to the lake and takes a long breath before going ahead.

There is no one at the lake yet. Ayame finds that very odd, because Madara is usually early. Her grip on the basket tightens as she waits for one of them to show up.

Soon she hears footsteps coming to the lake. From what she can tell, she hears two fast footsteps. Ayame figures that it could be Madara and Hashirama, so she senses their chakras to confirm her theory. To her relief, it is them… but she also senses other chakras nearby. She debates whether to hide or face the other unknown chakras. In the end, she decides to face it. She has trained for quite some time and she is not going to let it go to waste.

Ayame finally sees the two boys coming across the lake from each other. Normally, she would be happy, but the atmosphere does not feel right at all. Madara and Hashirama give each other a blank stare. It is as if they are hiding something big from each other.

The silence is driving Ayame crazy, so she decides to be the first to speak. "Uh, hey guys! What's with the long face?"

The two shinobi looks at Ayame startled, like they were hoping that she wouldn't show up. It confuses Ayame, but decides to let that go and continues to smile. "What? Something in my face?"

Hashirama smiles weakly at Ayame. "H-Hey Ayame, how are you?"
"I'm alright. What about you guys? It looks like you two have seen a ghost."

"Hashirama." Madara calls out, completely ignoring Ayame's question. "I know it's brief, but let's skip our rock as a greeting."

Ayame observes Hashirama and it seems like he understands Madara's hidden message.

"Yeah." Hashirama said as he takes out his rock. "That sounds like a good idea." Then he glances at Ayame. "I'm going to send you a lily flower as a greeting."

"Oh… sure." Ayame said.

Before Hashirama skips his rock, he places the lily at the lake water and it flowed quickly to her.

Ayame quickly picks up the lily and notice something written on the flower stem. She takes a closer look at the message and it reads. "Leave. It's a trap."

She doesn't know how to react to the message. Her breathing has hitched a little high.

Ayame then hears two stone skip and sees the two boys exchanging their rocks. She wonders if they also receive the message. By the look of their shocked expression as they looked at their rock, they probably did.

"Hashirama." Madara calls out again. "I'm sorry, but I have to run some errands."

Hashirama looks at Madara intently. He is relieved that he notices the message. "Oh yeah? Then I'll just go home. You should go home too, Ayame."

"Heh… I might as well since you guys are leaving." Ayame said as she turns to leave. She thinks that it was very strange, but something big must've happened that they had to leave right away. Another war perhaps?

After a short distant of walking, she hears harsh clashing from the direction she came from. Ayame tries to calm herself as she continues to hear the clashing. Her mind screams for her to run and get away from the lake, but her feet runs back to it. She hides behind a bush and sees two older shinobies and two younger shinobies throwing harsh blows against each other. So far, there is no sign of Madara and Hashirama. She notice that they both come from two different clans. They pause the fighting for a moment.

"It seems we had the same idea, Betsuma Senju." A man with short black hair and navy blue long shirt spoke out.

"And Tobirama, I believe?" The younger boy that stands next to the man that just spoke said.

"So it seems, Tajima Uchiha." The man named that is called Betsuma said. He wears a white headband and red armor.

"Yeah, Izuna Uchiha." The boy named Tobirama said. His hair is of a white snow. His eyes are a piercing red.

Ayame tries desperately to control her breathing as she continues to watch the fight. She watch as the shinobies resumes the fight. With every blow they send, the air begins to feel completely dense and unbearable. Her mind continues to scream for her to leave, but her body also continues to disobey her and stays. Oddly enough, she becomes entranced at the movement of fighting, like it is slowly becoming a dance and the battlefield is a stage. After realizing what she was thinking, she yells in fear. With her luck, it is the same time that the two familiar voices yell at the fighting shinobies to stop.

Ayame watch quickly look at the boys throwing rocks at the weapons that were about to plunge at the younger boys, Tobirama and Izuna.

Everyone paused and stares at the weapons and rocks falling swiftly into the water. Madara and Hashirama join at the sides of their clan. Those shinobies must be the family of those two boys. Things are starting to make sense to Ayame and her body suddenly pauses shaking for the moment. This new information is becoming intense. She is not sure if the boys are really her friend, and that all of this was an act just to get some information from each other.

"I won't forgive anyone who harms my brother, no matter who they are!" Madara said as he stares dangerously at Hashirama.

Hashirama returns the stare. "Same goes with me!"

Ayame waits intently and fearfully of what is about to happen. It is not like the friendly sparring match that they usually do. No, this is far worse. They have the eyes that are willing to kill anyone just to protect their loved ones. Were they really going to kill each other, after all this time they have gone through together?

"Hashirama…" Madara said. This time his tone of voice is softer, but still has a hint of danger in it.

"What is it?" Hashirama asks as his tone also seems soft, but deadly as well. The only difference is his tone sounds more reluctant than Madara's.

"Maybe it just isn't possible… to reach our dream. It's just not possible to show our guts…" Madara said in a cold tone.

"Madara…you…" Hashirama said as he becomes speechless.

Ayame too, is becoming speechless of what Madara is saying.

"It's been brief, but I had a lot of fun… with you and Ayame." Madara said.

"Three against three. Do you think we can take them on, Madara?" The man named Tajima asks.

"No. Hashirama is stronger than me. If we fight them now, we'll lose." Madara replied, this time with more affirmative tone.

This is the first that Madara has admitted to being weaker than anyone, let alone Hashirama. This is a big turn of events. Ayame is surprised that an adult is asking a mere boy if they could win. That can only mean one thing. Madara must be strong enough for his clan to respect him. Just how much secrets has he kept from Hashirama and herself?

"No way! Someone is stronger than big bro?" The little boy, Izuna, asks flabbergasted.

"I see. Then we better retreat for now. Let's go you two." Tajima said as he is about to take his leave.

Madara takes a long glance at Hashirama one last time before he leaves. "See ya."

Before Hashirama could protest and try to stop Madara, they hear a rushing footstep coming at them. They turn to see Ayame running towards them. "Madara! Don't do this!"

"What are you doing here?" Madara asked irritably. "Shouldn't you be home by now?"

Ayame ignores Madara's question. "You're not seriously going to forget about everything that we've been through, are you?"

Madara's expression changes to disgust, but in that expression she can see a hint of regret in his eyes. "He's a Senju. My brothers were killed by the Senjus and his by the Uchihas. And your family was killed by the Uchihas as well. I wish it wasn't so… but the next time we meet, it will be on the battlefield…Hashirama Senju…Ayame Tsukiyo…" He slowly glance back at the two, revealing his red glowing eyes. "I… am Madara Uchiha!"

"Father! Look at big brother's eyes!" Izuna said astonished as he points at Madara's eyes.

Tajima chuckles lowly, pleased that his older son's achievement. "We may not have the information that we've been looking for, but at least we bring back something even more valuable."

Betsuma becomes astonished at how a little boy has activated a sharingan. "He got the sharingan… just now?"

The eyes… Ayame can't stop staring at Madara's blood eyes. Those are the eyes that her parent's killer had on that horrific night. Her lip trembles in shock and betrayal. The scene of her parent's death flashes through her mind. It's not just her parent's death, but everything that she went through for the past two years has plummeted into her mind. There is no doubt. Madara Uchiha belongs to a clan that has killed her clan and her family.

Ayame opens her mouth to scream at Madara, but darkness quickly consumes her. Before she falls into darkness, however, she glimpses at Madara having an apologetic look right at her and silently mouths her 'I'm sorry.' After that, she falls into water and sink to the bottom.

Ayame swears that she is dead because the last thing that she knew is that she was sinking to the bottom of the lake. She could've drowned, but she didn't. Instead she finds herself somewhere else when she regains consciousness. The bottom of her back is dry and lumpy. She must be outside of the water. Even though her eyes are closed and refuse to open them, the sound of the rippling water tickles her ear. Soon a drop of rain fall on her cheek forces her to quickly wake up.

She glance around her surrounding, seeing that she is still at the lake. Ayame notice that it is night and she is completely alone.

As she thinks more, Ayame slowly remembers what happened earlier today. Her heart sinks when she realized that Madara decided to forget about them, but she also remembers something before she fainted. Madara whispered something to her… but what was it? She doesn't know. At the moment, she is trying to forget about him or other shinobies. In fact, her mind dwells on Sota.

"…Sota!" Ayame said as she realizes that she has been away from home all day. They must be completely worried about her.

Ayame hurries, but slowly gets up and waste no time to reach to the orphan children.

She runs fast and her heart beats faster not just because of the running, but the fear that is telling her that something is not right. Ayame prays to the heavens that her hunch is wrong and that they are home waiting for her. Hell, she is even looking forward to Sota's scolding for worrying him. She continues to run as she tries to have a positive mind and assures herself that everything is fine, but that hope has died as she reached over the house. The house is completely dark.

"No…" Ayame hears herself whisper. "This can't be…" She quickly runs inside the house, unprepared of what she is about to see. All of the orphan children were lying on the floor dead.

"No… oh please no! This can't be happening!"

"A… Ayame?..." Sota weakly calls for her.

"Sota?!" Ayame calls back as she rush toward Sota's limp body. His wounds are deep and untreatable. "Hang in there, Sota! You'll be okay!"

Sota chuckles weakly. "It's… too much blood loss, Ayame. I struggled to stay alive… just to see you one last time."

Ayame tries to think of something to say positive things, but nothing is coming out of her mouth. Deep down, she knows that even if she tries to save Sota he would still die.

"Sota… I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry…" Ayame repeats those words over and over again.

Sota chuckles weakly again and holds her hand gently. "What are you sorry about?... I'm glad that you are okay, Ayame. I'm… the one who should be sorry… I tried… to protect the children, but I failed… I failed them… I failed you… I'm sorry, Ayame… please forgive me…"

Ayame watch Sota's tears rolling down the sides of his eyes. Her grip on Sota's hand slightly tightens as she speaks softly "I forgive you… but… you fought your hardest to fight the enemies… and that's all I ever asked of you…"

"Damn Uchihas… they truly are demons…"

Her heart tightens in disgust. "Are you saying… that the Uchihas did this to you guys?..."

"Yes… they came here… and demanded information about a Tsukiyo… we refused to tell them…so they slaughtered us all, like animals… those bastards…" Sota coughs out in hatred. "Ayame… before I go… there is something that I wanted to tell you for a very long time…"

"What is it, Sota?..." Ayame asks intently, willing to grant any desires that he wants.

Sota smiles warmly to her one last time. "…I love you, Ayame… I always have…"

Those words have placed guilt in her heart. How could she be so stupid? Now that she thinks about it, Sota have given her hints of how he truly felt for her. More and more tears falls down from her chin to Sota's cheek. "Please don't leave me, Sota… please…"

All the reply that Sota gives her is a continuation of his smile and whispers. "I love you, Ayame…" With his final breath, Sota dies in her arms.

Ayame stops breathing for a brief moment. Everything that she ever knew and love is gone. All of the peace and happiness that she has created for the past two years has slipped out of her fingers. She slowly place Sota away from her and steps out of the house. She stares at the night sky and for the first time in two years, Ayame screams in agony and despair.

Over the night, Ayame buries the orphan children at the backyard of the house. Her tears continue to escape from her eyes. The feeling of sorrow, agony, anger and betrayal all mix together and fills the atmosphere. All she can think is how much she wants to kill. Ayame…wants blood in her hands.

'Blood?!' Ayame thought and gasps at the thought of wanting blood.

How could she even think about something like that? After everything she had experienced and learned, she is close to surrendering to the darkness. Is revenge really okay? Will it truly bring justice to the orphans and herself? More important, will it bring her peace. At the moment, she doesn't know. All she knew is that she feels like a monster for even thinking about it. Blood is what caused war.

Ayame glance back at the sky and notice that it stopped raining. How long did it stop? She doesn't recall, but her sadness is preventing her to even care. She is completely lost and alone. It seems darkness will win this battle and Ayame will embrace it. She closed her eyes to accept her fate in hatred.

Then suddenly her body is covered in bright light. Her heart mysteriously becomes more relaxed in a steady beat, like it found tranquility and peace. Ayame slowly opens her eyes and sees the moon shining down on her. She stares in awe. The moon is full and shining so beautifully. A gentle breeze passes through her body and finally feels her soul in deep tranquil. It is as if the heavens are telling her that everything is going to be alright.

Ayame is not quite sure, but for some reason something is telling her to trust this feeling.

Somehow she finds herself smiling. "If I want blood… then I would break my vow for peace. I know there will be peace… it's hard to see, but it is there…" Ayame glance at the grave she dug for the orphans. "I will find peace… for you guys. You guys are great family to me. Rest easy guys… we will meet again someday…"

With that, light has won the darkest hour. Not only will she bring peace, but she will show everyone that there is hope no matter how grim things are. Ayame knows that it will not be easy and will be hard, but she will find a way. If she decides to kill, then she would be just as evil as the shinobies.

Soon the sun begins to rise and Ayame sees it as a new beginning. She place flowers on the grave and pray for their safe journey to the afterlife. Once again, she assures them that they will be reunited someday.

Right after that, she packs her things for traveling and readies herself on her new journey. As soon as she steps out of the house, she glance at it one last time.

Ayame smiles as her eyes give out one more tears. She gently wipes her eyes and hums a lullaby that she hasn't sung in a long time:

"Moonlight hear me cry
Hear me plea with sorrow
Ease my pain of cry
Let me smile
So I can shine with glee and love
Return the light that once was mine"

The Tsukiyo girl feels satisfied as her soul is now ready on her journey for peace. She is not sure what lies ahead, but no matter what happens she will not stop reaching for it. Determination has given her the strength to smile again.

Author's Note: Phew! That was long, but totally worth it. Now I know things may seem to be a lost hope, BUT FEAR NOT! Good thing will happen to Ayame soon. In fact, I have a very good idea... but you all will have to wait for the next chapter. For some reason, I find the ending of this chapter very inspiring. What do you guys think? Please read and review! I really do appreciate the love and support I get from you awesome readers. You are the very reason why I keep writing this story! So thank you! 3 Until next time lovely readers! Love ya! X3