A/N: Thank you every one for the reviews, favorites and follows! It really encourages me.
And BREAKING NEWS! I have a beta now. ALL THANKS to the wonderful wonderful Luxurien! She's absolutely awesome. She ships everything I ship and i'm so excited!
Now please enjoy.
The longest night
07.
Sasuke saw him.
In a dream more vivid than any reality, Sasuke saw him. The man that had betrayed him, scared and defined him was there - with a face as white as marble and skin cold as ice. The shadow, darker than the blackest night, had spoken with a whisper louder than any thunder. It all had burned into his brain, now chasing him through his fever.
The hooded man looked like his brother, but also not. It was nothing Sasuke remembered, nor anything he could have imagined. He was so real but not real at the same time. He seemed to consist of no real form, yet was material as the world around him. Sasuke had no way of knowing if what he saw was true, but he also couldn't believe that it was false.
The scream had escaped his lips involuntarily. It was the only expression he could muster as he lay unarmed and wounded under the unblinking eyes of the familiar stranger. The cold reached out for him as the man dissolved into shadows. The shadow transformed into nothingness until even the air bore no trace of the intruder.
Frustrated, the Lunar let out another scream. The pain in his shoulder pulsed, forcing him to whimper and moan again. An invisible claw was reaching out for him, its fangs already deeply embedded in his flesh. He could feel the venom in his blood, every bit of it twisted against his nature and drove him into delirium. He was hot and cold. He was sweating but also shivering. Everything was shrouded, dark and confusing. He saw his brother's face, the old and this new one. He saw images he had never seen before, like the dreams of a mad man in his mind.
It couldn't be, he told himself. It was only an infection. A minor wound that would heal soon. As he looked down on his battered body, an old fear roused in him. Sasuke had never suffered any wound his body couldn't heal. For a moment, he wondered if he would really die.
Words from a dream emerged to the surface of his mind. The whisper of the hooded man sounded suddenly loudly in his ears.
Now is not the time you die, little brother.
"No!" Sasuke screamed. He forced his mind close, trying to shield himself against the influence of a ghost. Itachi couldn't be here. Itachi couldn't have said that. Itachi desired only his demise, not for him to live. That couldn't have been Itachi. But at the same time, the primal instinct in him urged furiously that his senses were right. The hooded man that was his brother, the greatest mortal in Konoha history. It was Itachi.
Sasuke felt as if something inside him was tearing him apart. It had nothing to do with the infection caused by the disease of the Shadowland, it was something even deeper. Something that belonged only to Sasuke.
He was a child of two worlds, a victim of both. Sometimes, in his weaker days, the two parts of him collided, his animal instincts fighting his human senses. Two parts of him fought with each other, bringing the Lunar to a point where he didn't recognize himself. His human part was angry and afraid. It was screaming from an old pain while his animal part was calling for the only thing that could save him.
His human half, known as Uchiha Sasuke, had a life in the Konoha Military. It was furious, blaming his other half for the delay of their righteous vendetta. Uchiha Sasuke wanted blood for his murdered family. That man wanted honor for his forgotten house that was once so great. He wanted recognition for his achievements, for the wounds he had suffered for Konoha and the times he had risked his life for a place he was not allowed to enter. That man was beyond frustration. That man had enough of this meaningless existence and was for the first time in many years, afraid. Because his animal part was about to win.
The other half, the half that had awoken thirty-one years ago and was called the Son of Falcon, presented the perfect answer for all his problems. It was raging in its cage, its mighty wings destroying the chains of civilization. That part wanted nothing but to leave this behind and return to where he belonged. His home was the sky and the sea, it was in the forests and the lands. He missed the comforting weight of earth on his body as he slithered through rocks and tunnels. He longed for the smell of forests and the voices of the thousands of insects and birds. His home was in the deep forest in the Far East where the whole world sang. In a time long gone, the Son of Falcon could simply shed his cloth and jump in the water where he could dive so deep no light could follow him. There, in absolute solitude and peace, he could listen and meditate. In that time, he was as free as the wind on his face and the storm against his wings. He could spread them and take off into the endless sky. He could touch the clouds and rival the spirits. He could even reach for the stars if he wanted to.
But in all that, something was tiding him down to the ground beneath him. He had felt that bond in his heart without realizing what it was. He had heard that voice in the wind and rain. When he closed his eyes, it was the sensation of home that drew him back to Creation.
The wound on his shoulder burned with new-found anger, pulling him out of his precious memory. He winced, his eyes pressed shut. When he woke a few minute ago, Sasuke had noticed that he could no longer feel his right arm. Clenching his teeth together, the Lunar tried to move his fingers, only to be overwhelmed by a new wave of agony. He cursed mentally. For days, he had been in this bed, recovering from a wound that would not heal. He hated it, hated to be so weak and vulnerable. No herb was able to ease his pain, no tea could grand him a night's rest. In all that suffering, Sasuke held onto the only thing he knew could give him strength.
Sasuke...
The voice of his dreams resounded in his head, just like the time when he flew over the edge of the world. He whimpered and turned his face towards the origin of that smooth voice. It seemed to be coming from very far away, hidden by dust and distance.
"Sasuke!" The voice called out again. "Can you hear me?"
"Where are you?" the Lunar gasped, his voice faint and feeble.
"Come back to me." The voice was more appealing than any other. It pierced through the thick fog of his fever and reached deep into his core. "Open your eyes."
Until now, Sasuke had not realized that he had kept them shut, remaining blind to the world. Was all that he had seen only the reflection of his own memory, playing tricks on his venom indulged mind? As he opened his eyes, the colorful net overlaying everything was absent. Only one thing stood out against the rest of the dull world.
The young Solar's face was uncomfortably close to Sasuke's. It seem to glow with a comforting golden light. It was not his Anima, nor was it the nature shine of his magical armor. Shaking his head and pushing the Solar away, the Lunar convinced himself that it was the oil-lamp's fire. This had no meaning. It couldn't.
"Sasuke?" Naruto whispered.
No one spoke Sasuke's name like Naruto did. It was as if those words flowed off his tongue naturally and gave it hidden meaning. As the young captain started rambling about what he had perceived, Sasuke lost himself in the Solar's voice. It reminded him of one day when he was flying through the clouds. He followed the edge in Naruto's tone and sunk deeper into it. He missed the meaning and only took in the sound of something so unique.
"Sasuke?" This time, his name was called out with more force. "Are you okay?"
"He was here," he heard himself saying, not braced to shield himself away. He was not comfortable in the company of so many. Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi were all gathered around his bed. Green eyes, blue eyes and one gray one, they all rested on him and fixed him down with their different intentions. Some of them spoke of worries, others of confusion and one even with cold, distant calculation.
"Sasuke," Kakashi moved in closer, revealing his masked face to the light of fire. "Who was here?"
Realizing his mistake, the Lunar frowned. He tried to sit up but suffered another wave of weakness. His mortification grew deeper, bringing a flush to his pale cheeks. His shoulder screamed with pain as he forced his own body to more. By now, everything felt sore and exhausted. Still, Sasuke refused Sakura's help. He would kill himself without hesitance should the day come to pass when he couldn't move without help.
"Who was here?" Naruto urged, now almost sprawling over Sasuke's covered legs. "Come on, Bastard. Are you sure? I was standing guard outside. No one could get past me."
"You were asleep." Kakashi reminded with good nature.
Even in the dim light, Sasuke saw Naruto blush. A strange feeling roused inside him again. He had no time to analyze it right now. He needed to focus, to access.
"But I was awake for a while now, Master." Naruto muttered under his breath before turning back to Sasuke. The concern in the blond's eyes grew with the second, making him appear like a curious puppy. "Sasuke, who was here?"
How could Sasuke ever defy those eyes? He sighed heavily. "Itachi."
"Who?" Naruto wounded aloud and Sasuke twitched.
"Impossible!" Sakura gasped.
"I know what I saw!" The Lunar hissed back instantly. He never appreciated his judgment doubted. Now that he had voiced his worst fear, all the other dangers came into his mind. "He was here, just a moment ago. Commander, you need to seal off the camp. He must not escape!"
"Sasuke, no one was here." Sakura sat down on the other side of his bed. She placed a gentle hand on his forehead and frowned. Her other rested on one of his legs and stroke it softly. "It was just a dream. You were still sleeping when we arrived."
"It was not a dream!" He growled at her, bringing her to retrieve her hand. He shook his leg, gesturing her to let go either. If she kept appearing so intimate with him, what would Kakashi think of them? "I know that he was here, he spoke to me."
"It can't be!" Naruto shook his head. His tone suggested that Sasuke clearly was mad. The Solar slid closer and mirrored Sakura's movements. Naruto's hand was hotter than Sakura's and a lot bigger. As the Solar wasn't satisfied, he shrugged and exchanged his hand with his own forehead. "You're still running a high fever. Sakura was right, it must have been a bad dream."
"I was not dreaming!" Sasuke hissed, his eyes locked with Naruto's. "Now take your nose out of my face!"
"Come on, I was right outside. If anyone was here, I would have known. And if anyone spoke, even if it was a whisper, I would have heard." The captain crossed his arms over his chest like a proud guard of the royal palace. "I know who entered this place today and who left. No one could have slipped past my keen senses."
"You're an idiot!" Sasuke had enough of this. "Itachi could have fooled you even if you were looking with both of your eyes. You have no idea what he is capable of."
"Was." Kakashi added dryly.
"Excuse me?"
"Was." The Commander repeated. "Uchiha Itachi is dead."
"Really?" Sakura seemed more than just a little surprised.
"No, he certainly is not." Sasuke growled. "He was right here."
"What does he look like?" Kakashi lifted a brow.
"How is this important?"
"If a dead man walks the earth, it is important."
"My brother is not a walking dead!"
"You might not want to believe it, but..."
"Enough!" This time, Sasuke's voice was aided by the primal roar of a beast. He felt his own fangs extend and quickly put a stop to it. "No," he repeated with more restraint. "My brother would not fall prey to a necromancer."
"What makes you sure?" Kakashi took a step closer, clearly challenging Sasuke.
"Wait!" Naruto yelled, shaking his head and hands violently. "What's going on? What are you two talking about? Who is this Itachi? And who is Sasuke's brother? And you never told me that you have a brother, Bastard! And why would he not be a walking dead and by the name of Sol Invictus, who the hell is this he?" The Solar panted heavily when he ended his outburst. His face was red and getting darker as he looked around. "Please, help an idiot out here?"
"My brother," Sasuke started. He didn't want to talk about the man he hated the most, but something inside him just made him talk. "Uchiha Itachi. I saw my brother. He was here and he whispered to me before you came. He told me to live... to not die." His throat was suddenly very dry. An old, deep-buried hurt unearthed and took his words away. He had tried to forget what happened that night. He had tried for forty-three years and he failed.
"Sasuke?" Naruto's warm, comforting hand was on his again. "Are you okay?"
"He... he was a..." He couldn't continue.
"He was a traitor." Kakashi finished for him, his voice lacking any emotion. Standing at the end of Sasuke's bed, the Lunar could feel his old mentor's gaze on him. "Before he turned on us, he was one of the best. Though only human, he outmatched Elementalists by the dozens."
"Is that possible?" Sakura asked.
"He was enlightened by the essence at the age of twelve." The Commander nodded. "Very young even by Elementalist standard. He graduated from the Academy only a year later. At the age of fourteen, Itachi was accepted into the legion as the second youngest officer ever."
"You were the youngest, right?" Naruto muttered but Kakashi didn't answer.
"Master, I thought sixteen was the minimum age for the legion." Sakura sounded slightly unsure.
"It would be a waste of talent in Itachi's case. We all had high hopes for him. He would have been a legendary Elementalist." Kakashi sighed. "Some even believed that the Flame of Hesiesh would be reborn into him. But he did not exalt."
"He remained mortal?"
Sasuke twitched at the wonder in Sakura's voice. Of course it would be difficult for the prestigious Elementalists to accept that anyone could best them.
"No," Kakashi shook his head. "But it didn't stop him from being the best agent in ANBU."
"I thought you were the best." Naruto grinned at their commander.
"Officially," Kakashi waved with one hand. "I was chosen by Pasiap, the dragon of earth while Itachi was chosen by no one. The department would have suffered from many laughter should we allow a mortal to be the best."
Sasuke opened his mouth, wanting to voice the injustice he felt, but reminded himself that he should not fight for Itachi's honor. That man had none.
"That's not very honorable of you." Naruto pouted instead.
"It was for the best," Kakashi sighed. "Anyways, he was the best until he betrayed us. If it was known that the best ANBU went rogue, imagine the disaster."
"Wait, what?" Naruto interrupted again. "Sasuke's brother betrayed us? He didn't die in a heroic battle in service of his home? I though he was the best!"
"He was a manic!" Sasuke growled. "A traitor! A murderer! I saw him slay our parents with his own hands! He killed my family, my entire clan! He alone ended the mighty Uchiha clan in one single night!" Sasuke panted, the pain from the past caching up with him for a moment.
"And?" Sakura whispered. "What happened then?"
Sasuke wanted to let go of that old grudge and finally give voice to what had marked him so deeply. But his tongue was too heavy and couldn't move. He stared down at his own hands but saw nothing but the blood on his parents. He could still see their vacant eyes, their souls already gone from their mortal forms. Itachi had just stood there, shrouded in darkness and shadow. Only two demonic red eyes had stared down at him, burning him.
"Nothing," Kakashi released Sasuke from his vision. "Itachi fled the scene. He killed everyone in the Uchiha district, the entire Konoha Guard included. Sasuke was the only survivor."
"Oh," Naruto muttered. "I didn't know it was you brother, Sasuke. I'm sorry." After a small pause, the Solar asked again. "And? What happened then?"
Kakashi shook his head.
"Master," Sakura slowly started, her voice smaller than usual. She even relented to her old habit of speaking with one curled hand in front of her mouth. "You said that Itachi is dead. How do you know?"
"It's not important, just trust that I speak truth."
"I cannot..." Sasuke whispered. The rage inside him, the desire for revenge had driven him ever since that day. How could Kakashi simply take that away? Why wasn't he told sooner? Why had they all deceived him? No, Kakashi must be lying. "You're mistaken, Commander. I am neither mad nor senseless. He was here, as real as you and me." Sasuke closed his eyes and conjured up the appearance of his brother. He shivered at the mental sight and took a deep breath. "I saw him." Without leaving out any detail, Sasuke described everything he remembered. With every word he said, the room seemed to grow quieter until their breaths were the only ambient sound.
"So?" Naruto was the first to speak. He turned his head from Kakashi to Sasuke and then back to Kakashi again. "What does that mean?"
"It means nothing," Kakashi said, his expression hidden behind his mask. "Sasuke, I know what he meant to you."
How could you? Sasuke wanted to hiss but stopped himself.
"But I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do. Accept that your brother is no more. How I come by this knowledge is not important. Now, your recovery takes priority. You must concentrate on getting better."
"He is not dead!" Sasuke screamed. "I will not accept it! He cannot be dead! He must die by nothing but my hand! It is my right, my destiny, my mission!"
"Even if what you say is true, your most talented brother is probably long gone from our camp." Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "I cannot direct more forces away from Konoha, and certainly not for one rogue legionary who has not shown his face in half a century. Great evil is coming towards us and right now, we are needed in Konoha."
"That is not my concern!" Sasuke snapped.
"Bastard!" Naruto yelled suddenly, reminding the Lunar that he was still there. "How is Konoha not your concern? You have duties as a legionary! You've sworn an oath to defend it. For heaven's sake, it's your home!"
"How can a place that has forsaken me be my home?" Sasuke spat. "Have you forgotten that I am not allowed into its lands? Have you not noticed that for fucking ten years, I sleep in the field of eternal soldiers while you fuck around in the royal chambers? Do not lecture me about duty, Uzumaki! I have carried this collar you call duty for too long! This uniform you force on me is a prison and I am but a slave of your whim!"
After Sasuke had ended his monologue, Naruto looked like as if the Lunar had slapped him. Sasuke felt instant remorse mixed with a sense of achievement, making him feel suddenly excited and exhausted. Time seemed to stop as Sasuke watched Naruto's lower lip tremble. The young captain looked suddenly old and so, so sad. Sasuke wanted to place his own hand on that reddening cheek and calm him, but the pain in his shoulder stopped him from doing so. Words of apology were on Sasuke's tongue, but he swallowed it. He turned his face away and bit on his own flesh.
"I... I had no idea you felt that way," the blonde muttered, eyes averted from Sasuke. "And I... I didn't... I didn't fuck around..." He opened his palm and a stream of golden essence lifted his spear from the floor into his hand. With his eyes fixed on the carpet, the Solar dragged himself out of the tent.
Sasuke heard the flap open and close, leaving only a shocked looking Sakura and Kakashi, whose expression switched between exasperation and amusement.
"Better now?" The commander sighed.
"Ah." Sasuke nodded. He was too tired to burn Kakashi with his infamous glare. "If you don't mind, Sir, I would like some rest."
"Sure," Kakashi shrugged and turned to leave. "Sakura will tend to your wound later. Try to get some sleep. Sakura, can I talk to you?"
"Yes, Master." The Elementalist followed quickly. "Sasuke, please don't worry. I think I know a way to fix you now." She smiled at him fondly but Sasuke couldn't even muster enough courtesy to acknowledge it.
When Kakashi was at the flap, he turned around again. "Oh and Sasuke, I believe there is no need to remind you that the punishment for desertion is death."
"No, Sir." The Lunar muttered.
Death was a strange thing to an immortal. Around him, every one, the Elementalists included had the certainty in life that death would come one day. But as a Lunar Exalted, chosen by heaven, Sasuke would never die a natural death. He would live forever. Sometimes, he wondered what he should do with all that time and what eternity really meant. Though he was still at a young age, Sasuke had already witnessed much with the time at his disposal. He had listened to Orochimaru's lecture and greedily sucked in all the knowledge he could. Even though Orochimaru was only over two centuries old, the vast knowledge he could gather in that time had impressed the young Uchiha. At this moment, he pitied the mortals for their short life span.
Even in a city like Konoha where the lifespan was increased by modern medicine, a mortal seldom live past eighty. An enlightened mortal might have another twenty years more. But they all would wither into dust within a century. An Elementalist would live up to five-hundred years old, but compared to that of a Celestial Exalted, it was still but an instant. A strange thought occurred to him. He suddenly realized that in a thousand years, all the people he knew would be dead. Sakura, Kakashi, Karin, Juugo, Suigetsu, they all would be no more. Only Naruto would still be there.
For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine a world where only Naruto and him existed, two powerful Celestial Exalted ruling over the whole of Creation. He quickly shook his head, banishing the thought. Ruling would not suit him. He was not chosen to be a ruler, but a defender. Evil would always prevail. Even now, Sasuke could feel deeply in his bones that Kakashi was right.
Sucking breath through his teeth, Sasuke directed his thoughts towards more momentary matters. Death was rolling up to them from the east and he was not even strong enough to grip his sword. And what about Itachi? Should he now abandon his revenge and defend the mortals of Creation as Luna had chosen him for? But what if this conflict would demand his life? Or worse, what if this problem needed a century to solve? Should he just avert the gaze and wait until old age claimed his brother?
Muffled voices from outside the tent interrupted Sasuke's thoughts. He narrowed his eyes and concentrated for a moment. His cat ears twitched, straitening up to enhance his hearing. It soon became clear that it was Naruto and Sakura. Clenching his teeth together, Sasuke heaved his body from the comfort of Kakashi's bed. The pain rushed through his limbs anew, tossing Sasuke to the ground. He was glad no one could see him right now as the glorious Lunar Warrior dragged his weakened body towards the outer wall of the tent.
When he pressed his ear against the heavy fabric, Naruto's voice reached him as if the Solar was right next to him.
"Did you know it?" Naruto asked, sounding very sad.
"Of course not," Sakura replied.
"I thought he talks to you."
"Not about what happened to his family." Earth was being crushed under Sakura's boots. She apparently sat down on the water barrel Sasuke knew was there and kicked at a small rock before her feet. "I thought his brother died with his family. No, I mean, I didn't even know he had a brother."
"Me neither," Naruto plumped down on the ground next to Sakura. "I feel bad since I never thought about who killed his clan. I always imagined it to be a demon or something, not a mortal. And certainly not a traitor."
"Me, too." Sakura sighed heavily. "What do we do, now? Sasuke always said that he has business to deal with. What if this is the business and he leaves? You heard him there..."
"He will not leave." Kakashi's voice added to the dialogue and Sasuke instinctively held his breath.
"How can you be so sure, Master?"
"He knows that if he leaves again, he is no better than Itachi."
"Don't say that!" Naruto had apparently jumped up. "Sasuke is not a traitor."
"He left us before."
"Well, he was still young! And he came back!"
"He's the same age as you!"
"But I am a Solar! I have the collective knowledge of my past lives."
Sasuke's eyes widened. How is that possible? He had never remembered anything from his past lives and Naruto knew everything? How much was that? How many past lives did he have? How much knowledge was stored inside the brain of that moron?
"Just stop," Sakura sighed. "You don't know a thing about your past lives."
"But I'm still a Solar!" Naruto almost yelled. "And that's not the point! I know Sasuke wouldn't leave us. He won't leave me again!"
"Is there anything I should be aware of?" Their Commander asked.
"No? Not really?" After a moment, Naruto started again. Apparently, words weren't needed to communicate. "So, how much do you know about this Itachi? I mean, there is a detail that keeps bugging me."
"Oh?"
"What is it, Naruto?"
"I mean, if Itachi is or was mortal, shouldn't he be an old man by now?" Naruto wondered, bringing Sasuke suddenly realization. "I know that Sasuke and I were fifteen, when his family was murdered. I don't know how old Itachi was, but assuming he was older, he must be at least sixty!"
"About sixty-four," Kakashi corrected. "And that's why what Sasuke described to me does not sound like a mortal senile."
"Are you suggesting..." Sakura gasped. "That Itachi exalted later on?"
"No. I believe that Itachi was chosen before he betrayed us." Sasuke pressed a hand over his mouth, smothering his loud gasp. "Itachi was too good for a mortal. He tried to hide it, but I am not a fool. Though whatever he was, he conceived perfectly. Until the night of the massacre, none of us knew the full extent of his power."
"I can't believe it." Sakura gasped.
"Master Kakashi," Naruto muttered. "Have you seen him fight? Wouldn't it be obvious?"
"He was a genius and he made no mistake. Until that night, none of his comrades or his commanders ever suspected anything." Kakashi suddenly sounded defeated. "I have never witnessed him manipulate any elemental essence. And unlike Sasuke, my blood-eye is not powerful enough to see the essence inside a person. The Uchiha clan might have known. That also could be the reason why they had to die."
"Why didn't you tell Sasuke?" Naruto hissed.
"That would have conjured more questions than answers."
"What questions?"
"Like what chose Itachi?" Kakashi replied instantly. Sasuke had the suspicion that the Commander had often thought about this.
"What?"
"No enlightened mortal, genius or not, could defeat the whole Uchiha clan single-handedly. And if he was really that good, then why wouldn't an element chose him? And if it wasn't the elements, what god has become his patron? Who was he, what was he and why did he kill his clan. There are hundreds of questions around Uchiha Itachi and every answer leads to more questions."
"So you think he might be something else."
"Only suspicions." Kakashi said. "But that's not important. Itachi is dead."
"But you said he is Exalted."
"Exalted can be slain."
"How the hell do you know?" Naruto yelled.
"Master, please, tell us. We won't tell Sasuke."
With a heavy sigh, Kakashi gave into his former students. "There is a ritual in ANBU. When we enter, we write our names on an enchanted parchment with our own blood. From there, the script is tied to our fate. Should one ANBU die, the name turns black and the spot shows sign of damage."
"And Itachi's name is black?" Sakura asked, her voice trembling.
"For almost forty-three years."
Sasuke gasped and his hand came up to smother his outburst again. No, this couldn't be! His brother couldn't be dead the entire time. If Kakashi had certainty that Itachi was gone, why didn't he tell him? Why didn't he reveal the truth and set Sasuke's mind to rest? Why would he hold that secret and keep Sasuke in the dark?
The Lunar felt the urge to storm out of the tent and close his claw around Kakashi's throat and squeeze until the Commander told him everything he wanted to know about Itachi. He suddenly felt cheated, betrayed. His oath to Konoha was based on a lie. He was promised the full support of Kakashi's legion should Itachi ever appear again. And the entire time, those decadent, disgusting Elementalists were lying to him, manipulating him into risking his life for their petty, mortal lives. Sasuke felt the anger rising in him, his fangs growing past his lips. A snarl left his lips and his hands turned into claws.
He felt the venom tingling in his shoulder, the pain suddenly became meaningless. He had been deceived. He had been lied to. He had lost ten years of time, living the life of a servant because he had trusted the lies those Konoha legionary had told him. He had actually believed that Kakashi was on his side.
Just as Sasuke was about the rip the heavy fabric apart and demand the duel of honor from his commander, Naruto's voice reached him, halting him in his charge.
"Why don't you tell him then?" Naruto asked. "If Sasuke knows that his brother is dead, then everything is good, right? He wouldn't want to leave and he can come back home with us. And why didn't you tell Sasuke before he left us the last time? Why... Wait a moment, that means Sasuke has lost it. Itachi couldn't have been there, could he?"
"It's not that simple." Kakashi added. "He could be a walking dead, or some other foul creature. I don't think that Itachi killed his family, deserted and simply dropped dead. He might not be alive, but there are other beings beyond our imagination."
"Creatures of Darkness?" Sakura asked.
"Possibly. Sasuke gave me the crucial detail." Kakashi sounded excited. "He said that the Creatures of Darkness are called so because they existed outside the Loom of Fate."
"The what of what?" Naruto moaned.
"The Loom of fate is a legend. An artifact that supposedly records the fate of all living beings. What if our ANBU parchment is somehow tied to that Loom of Fate? That would mean that Itachi can somehow still exist but does not live."
"You lost me." Naruto said.
"I must admit that I am still confused. Is Itachi alive or not?"
Sasuke took in a deep breath. Kakashi was a lot smarter than he thought. He let his fangs and claws disappear and listened carefully to the assumption of his former mentor. The duel with Kakashi for the lies he had told would come, but only when Sasuke could perform to his best. That much he owned his old mentor.
"It is very deep and ancient lore. Only senior agents of the ANBU may study it." Kakashi explained. "I spent many years trying to comprehend the concept of life and death and came to conclusion that life can exist in death."
"That is blasphemy, Master!" Sakura squeaked. "There is no life after death."
"That's why you must not speak about it to anyone. Not even your friends. And especially not to Sai. As for now, we have more urgent matters to attend to. Sakura, can you go and prepare Sasuke's medicine? I'm afraid we must not linger here for long."
"But, Sasuke is still not fit for a ride."
"He has to be. Now, go."
Sasuke let his heavy body sink back down to the floor. Could it be true what Kakashi had said? It was possible. Sasuke had long ago stopped believing in the religion of the Elementalist. He knew for sure that there was life in death, the existence of ghosts proved it. But could Itachi be a ghost? No, what he saw was not a ghost. Itachi was too real, too human to be the material form of a soul. His brother was more. But what was he?
Shaking his head, Sasuke convinced himself that it didn't matter. Regardless of what Itachi was, Sasuke would find him and send him to the afterworld, no, to the void. He would find a way to stop his brother from reincarnating and should he fail that, well he had all of eternity to find Itachi's reincarnations and kill it again and again.
"Are you alright?" Kakashi's voice again carried through the wall of the tent.
"Who? Me?" Naruto sounded falsely surprised. "Of course!"
"I know when you lie."
"I think Sasuke will die."
"Why?"
"Because Sakura has absolutely no idea what she is doing," Naruto said, his voice carried more worry than blame. "His wound is too severe for her."
"She'll do it."
"Please, we can't let him stay in the field when we are home. That's not fair. You said that we'll see after this cycle. Sasuke has stayed with me for fucking five years now! The cycle is over. I know he won't betray us. He has proven his loyalty many times!"
"The Queen's verdict is final."
"But you can change that!" Naruto begged. "You can put in a good word for him. Please, Master, I know that Sasuke will die if he stays in the field. That place is complete slum and almost barbaric! He needs medical attention in the hospital! Granny-Tsunade can save him!"
"So, that's what you're playing at. You want the Queen to save him."
"Yeah, of course! I don't want him to die! No, I can't let him die!" Naruto yelled. "Please, Kakashi, he's my friend. And yours too! You said you would always protect your friends!"
"That's a low blow, Naruto."
"You taught me to use every weapon I have." The Solar replied and the Lunar inside the tent chuckled. "Please, I need him!"
Silence. Inside and outside. Sasuke didn't dare move, afraid he might charge outside after all. Those words were spoken hastily, but the tone carried more truth than anything Sasuke could remember.
"Specify that," Kakashi teased.
"I... I don't know! I just need him! Kakashi, he's like my counterpart, another half of me. When I with him, I know who I am! He completes me! And I... I..." The Solar let out a frustrated scream. "I don't know! I just can't be without him. Please, I lost him once, don't make me lose him again!"
Something hot fell onto Sasuke's hand. He blinked and more of the hot liquid gathered in his palm. Bewildered, the Lunar touched his own face and realized that it was tears. Hot, fresh, salty tears. As he wondered what had moved him to this state, more of the tears gathered in his eyes. His throat grew tide and an ache caught his heart.
"Please," Naruto begged. "Don't take him away."
Sasuke closed his eyes, preventing more from spreading. Naruto's voice sounded so honest, so hurt and afraid. As if Sasuke was only a dream that would vaporize should he whisper too loudly. The Lunar shook his head violently. He wanted to deny the feeling in his chest but couldn't. Simply hearing Naruto's voice confirmed what was in his heart, something Sasuke had always feared and hoped for.
"What would you do for it?" Kakashi asked. "If I should revoke the banishment."
"Anything!"
"Good," clothing rushed and Sasuke heard Naruto gasp. "Go to the Kitchen and fetch a bow for me. And then, you can give this verdict to Sasuke."
What verdict? Sasuke wanted to scream.
"Don't look at me like this," Kakashi chuckled. "I have sent word to Konoha already. Sasuke's banishment has been revoked. He is now a fully recognized citizen of Konoha and officer of the legion. Tell him that he may and is expected to represent his clan on the council, like his father had done. Stop gawking at me, go fetch my soup!"
"Master Kakashi!" Naruto screamed and Kakashi grunted. "You're the best."
Sasuke still couldn't believe what he had heard until Naruto's steps faded in the distance. He pressed his one good arm over half of his face and allowed his tears to flow freely for the first time since he left home. He was going home. He was going to see Konoha again, the place he was born in and grew up in. He was...
"Sasuke," Kakashi's voice dragged him of his emotional outburst. "At least try to appear surprised when he comes for you, alright?"
Sasuke quickly gathered his voice and forced it to be even. "Yes, Sir."
When Naruto finally burst into his room, Sasuke had heaved himself into bed. He pretended to be irritated by the intrusion but quickly failed his act seeing Naruto's happy face shining like a sun. When the blonde placed the verdict scroll into his hand and told Sasuke what Kakashi had said barely fifteen minute ago, Sasuke only gave him a cold hum and a controlled nod.
He then turned in his bed and waited patiently for Naruto to go. Only then, did Sasuke allowed his tears to flow until his pillow was soaked. His grinned into his cover until his face hurt and cried some more. Eventually, Sasuke fell asleep and dreamed of his family. Among all the blurred and faded silhouette, Sasuke saw him again.
The familiar stranger with white skin and black hair who carried his brother's face.
This Chapter came out rather quick was because I was so inspired by the positive reviews.
And I hope you're not overwhelmed by the the "Exalted knowledge". But actually, it's not that different from Naruto. Only greater in scale I think. And somehow the mystery about what Itachi is is a part of the plot.
I first wanted to write this chapter from Naruto's POV, but that was a little too much angst. (If you remember what Itachi did to him last chap.) And I think, it's somehow comfirmed now that Sasuke is Naruto'S Lunar-mate. And just btw, this story will faeture some HashiMada later on^^
Thank you so much for reading and please leave a comment and tell me how you liked it. :-)
