Disclaimers: Naruto series is copyrighted to Kishimoto Masashi. I'm not making money off this. Just indulging the imagination.

A/N: This was supposed to be the last chapter. However, in order to include the last pairing, this fic will be extended by a 2-part bonus epilogue. Italics denote thoughts.

Catches up with the manga for now, and spoilers for 272 and 273 at the end of this chapter.

Seven for a secret, never to

Live.

Sasori-danna sometimes mumbled in his sleep, and that had been the oddest thing he'd ever said two weeks ago (apart from an unknown name). Geniuses had their unexplainable eccentricities, which somewhat justified why he gave the strangest orders at times. Destruction without reducing everything to dust, eh? Either way, it was time to test a small sample of this C2 prototype.

Detonation was the final step for confirmation.

Shrugging at the huge pile of smouldering rubble, a satisfied grin lingered, before vanishing as lone figure looked at the surroundings.

Bits of rock were mixed with sand on the ground. However, the explosion had caused a fair amount of greenery to be shed from the trees. Watching spiraling leaves fall to shroud grains of different sizes, he could not help pointless observation.

Gentle, as if caressing what was concealed, then stopping. Eventually they would wither into nothing, long before the more enduring elements. But art will never perish in the clay of memories, even if you've betrayed it. So die.

Anyway, it was time to head off to the meeting point. There was a little raccoon to snare. Mounting his giant owl, he left.

0o--------------------------------------------------------------------------o0

Seeing the ruins, she clutched the cloak tighter against her chest. It was the same one he had used to tenderly cover her nakedness as she fell asleep in his tight embrace. Getting it washed without being questioned had always been difficult. And it had been all for nothing…

This was his way of saying no. This was his way of bidding goodbye.

She should have expected an end. What she had not anticipated were the tears.

Anything is possible, if you want it enough. Hope was whispered into his ear, as his fingers languidly stroked the underside of her breast. Passionately acknowledging her suggestion, their kiss had been devoid of immediate greed but full of unspoken emotion before he broke it off. Poised over her, the melancholia in his voice had been painful.

There is no freedom in this world, Hinata. To be truly free… is to break off all ties. Could you let go of life? Could you give this up? Could you give me up?

No. She didn't know if it pertained to one or all three questions.

I… I want you to be safely free. You and I, we are polar opposites. And I am glad, to have been able to understand-

Understand what?

He wouldn't say.

She would never know.

Just like he might not have heard the answer to their question.

Staring at the pile of broken rock for what seemed like ages, she finally comprehended his real message. It was small consolation, but it was enough.

He was granting her as much as possible of the freedom he valued most. By letting her go, she would always be his, even as he gave himself to her, preserved by their terms. It was an eternal promise of sorts to each other, that when all earthbound ties had been broken… they would be free.

Together.

0o----------------------------------------------------0o

"Itachi-san, do you think Sasori can really capture the loud-mouthed brat?"

No response.

It was to be expected. After aiding in extracting Shukaku from its jinchuuriki, this was the last thing anyone expected. Being literally ordered to hand over his prey, when it was the most powerful of all the demons could be seen as a terrible insult. And Kisame knew his partner's personality was structured around pride that was difficult to injure, but should it occur… Orochimaru had paid the price before, and the end result had been one that none of the other members dared to forget.

Watching the expressionless enigma sitting there, chin resting on an arm that was supported by one knee as he stared out over endless sand dunes, the taller man decided not to pursue the question. Uchiha Itachi when provoked out of the final frontier of calmness… was a frightening event.

His Sharingan had stopped spinning, but the ominous shade of scarlet remained. One hand was closed tightly around a piece of rock. However, it wasn't the puppet master who was on his mind. He wanted nothing more than to forget and erase.

Deidara, please go after the Kyuubi. I've changed my mind. May Kakashi-san give you what I won't.

"Kisame, we're going."

Hefting up Samehada, his partner grinned.

o0------------------------------------------0o

This was… wonderful.

Accumulative peaking of exasperation and amusement was relished, just by watching his horde of mechanically preserved modifications attack a wounded hag whom he had severed ties with long ago.

He was unperturbed by the familiar insignia on the forehead protector of the pink-haired girl, or the brutal ferocity of her blows. Not even with the wrath he provoked, or grim determination in the resourceful child that had actually struck his body. Until she stopped his blade, and reminded him of another…

In that moment, as the aging sack of bones was definitely about to be skewered… she had realised his intent. Large green eyes had widened, lips parted as bruised features tensed, both fearful and pleading towards the old lady she was clearly worried for-

Mutely beseeching him for an understanding, her inquisitiveness rattled the bars of isolation and weakened his resolve. Fingers reached into his hair, caressing his ear as they bypassed to seek assurance. The time for questions was past. Eyes of a spring morning, whereby dawn had not yet broken and mist was thick above the ground... a word was shyly whispered that he didn't catch. No matter, this was the one who had offered him a priceless secret. He relented, refusal shattering as their lips met, freed instinct guiding him down into the warmth of her gentleness. Conflict was gone, meaning lost in the gift of her presence. All it had taken was totally unmasked concern, tender and forever denied to him now-

That. Look. Somehow reminded of the foolish secret that gave him no solace.

The girl he wouldn't break. Had she understood his parting message by Deidara- Such unwelcome thoughts were akin to being bludgeoned with a sledgehammer, blanketing his perception in vindictive scarlet. Her curse of humanity had chosen to return at the worst time. And he saw his grandmother through her eyes. And he knew the truth, along with their remembered promise and what must be done.

All reminders must be annihilated. His sanity could not attain needed relief until they were gone. Then he could live without haunting antagonism... Deidara, forgive me...

Sasori of the Red Sands readied himself for the final blow.

He'd finally understood what his Hinata had said. And the outcome was expected, a little too drawn-out for his tastes…but welcome. Or at least the meaning of it tying in with a cherished dream, in this familial embrace of his past.

Die.



A/N: And now, to every season that has an end…