He felt his heart breaking as he left the hide out. He got far enough away and he summoned himself to the island. He walked into the house and felt like just letting him go. He found Homura and Andrea in the parlor. They were playing shougi.
"Sasuke." Andrea jumped up. "See I told you he would be coming back."
He touched her face. She stopped. "What's wrong?"
"Madara summoned Andrea." He sighed and sat down. "He's even more evil than you." He threw at Homura.
"Oh." He seemed very resigned to his fate. "How is that?"
"He is keeping her as insurance to keep me from getting out of gathering Naruto." He didn't see any reason to lie to a dead man.
"You have been avoiding gathering Naruto. Why?" Sasuke closed his eyes.
"Because he's my friend damn it." He ran his hands through his hair. "I hate it and I have tried to break it but, I can't he's my friend and I just can't kill him. I can defeat him. I want to defeat him and prove I'm better than he is once and for all no holding back but, not so he can die." He frowned.
"This Andrea. She has changed you." Homura smiled. "You are not the boy I remember."
"No I guess not." He frowned. "Stop talking to me like you know me."
"Of course I know you, we all raised you." He sighed. "You aren't working for Madara at all are you." Sasuke frowned.
"I never was. Well sort of, when we tried to capture the eight tails but, that was only to see if I could do it." He shrugged. "He was the closest I could get to fighting Naruto. I wanted to defeat him but, it didn't work and he nearly killed me and we didn't even catch him." He stood.
"May I ask you a question." Homura stood but, Andrea growled low.
Sasuke looked at him his eyes were dark but, angry. "I wish you wouldn't talk to me like we're old friends."
"Why does this woman matter so much to you?" Sasuke looked at him and glared. "You love her don't you?"
He looked away. Homura shook his head and smiled. "She knows what's happening doesn't she. You don't want to hurt her. She likes Naruto." Sasuke looked at him and frowned.
"Are you just trying to get me to kill you again. You're getting close to getting your wish." He snapped and walked out the door slamming behind him.
Homura watched him and frowned. "Why didn't you tell him about the real reason his family died."
"He isn't ready to hear it yet." He sighed and turned around.
"I don't think he'd be so mad." She stood. "I'm going to see if he's okay."
"Leave him alone he needs some time." She frowned but, sat back down.
Sasuke walked to his room and sat in the chair where she had asked him to make love to her. He would lose her if he did this. She would still love him but, this she wouldn't be able to forgive. His revenge and crushing Naruto had been the most important thing in his life. How things had changed. He didn't regret it. He loved her.
He was in love. And, she was in love with him even knowing his dark heart. Never in his life had he thought he would be so lucky. And, now he would have to throw it all away and kill his friend just to keep Madara from hurting her.
He frowned. "Have you considered defying him."
"He would kill her. I can't defeat him not without dying myself. If I die…she will die too. I can't tell you how I know that but, I do. She wouldn't survive if I died. She barely survived the last year. She threw herself into dangerous life threatening situations because she wanted me to be proud of her. Then she almost lost her soul trying to be closer to me. Damn why am I telling you this?" He looked away.
"Sasuke, your family was angry. They felt oppressed and I suppose they may have been in a way they were strong frighteningly so when we heard of their agitation we were afraid of them. The Third was a good man and a friend of your father's. He would have never allowed that order. Your brother was so young and impressionable. He was a pacifist. He didn't want war. Danzou used him. But, that wasn't the reason. None of us knew the reason. Danzou had suddenly come up with a patch over his eye. I didn't know what the hell it was. I don't think Koharu knew either.
"Shisui's eye." Homura nodded.
"Yes and we had nothing to do with that." Sasuke frowned.
"No that was Madara I guess and Itachi himself. I don't judge my brother." He sighed.
"Well you do know then what his powers were. Now I am not making excuses. I did what I thought was best. I was younger and more foolish as well we all were but, I do believe he influenced us with that eye. If you think you will realize why Danzou wanted the death of your family so badly. You had to fight him…"
Sasuke looked at him and frowned. "You mean the eyes. No he wouldn't do that. I hated him I killed him but, I saw inside his soul and he really did want to protect the leaf."
"Yes and he was the kind of man that would think he was the only one that could do that the right way. He would do anything to be Hokage." He frowned. "I didn't think that he would do that but, he did. There was only one person alive that could have told him about that. About what would happen if he took those sharingan."
"Madara but he looked just as surprised as I was when he saw them."
"Was he. I am only telling you what I know. Orochimaru helped him do it." Sasuke nodded.
"That makes sense any thing sick like that was right up his alley. Why are you telling me this you don't think I will spare you do you; I won't I have the patience and calculation to speak with you and then kill you don't worry. I'm just trying to figure out who I want to use you to kill."
"I have no illusions about my fate I knew that if you took me I would die it was only a matter of when." He nodded and turned away.
Andrea sat on the bed and held up her hands she pushed at the chakra seal and felt it give. She pushed harder and felt it pulled away from the room then it snapped back with force and she gasped and let go of her powers. She shook her head. "You are a strong little thing aren't you."
"What do you want?" She stood up and moved away to the window.
"You aren't from our world. Yet you are so comfortable here. I am curious how that is. You never did tell me about the bombs I wanted to know of." He sat on the bed. She looked out the window and frowned.
"That's because you are a bastard and I wouldn't tell you anything if I could. Which I can't I'm not a scientist I know absolutely nothing about the weapons in my world. I was using the weapons of this world to exact my revenge because I know more about that." She turned and looked at him.
"Why are you this way? You know where it leads. If what you said was true when you told him about your brother. How can you possibly be willing to let him walk the same path; are you actually happy. You want the moon's eye. So you can put the world in an illusion. What's the point?"
"So you know about that as well no wonder he kept you from me. He knows I would have killed you." He sighed.
She just waited. "I want to control the world. I want to be able to stop the ones that need to be stopped and fight the ones that need to be fought. I want to crush the five nations."
"Why?" She raised her hands. "What does that accomplish even if you rule the world, will that bring your brother back. You killed him no one else whether you murdered him or like you said he gave his eyes willingly. I really don't care. It won't solve anything. Do you really think you can do better at this than everybody else. I mean you have to realize how stupid this all seems to someone who can see the bigger picture. Let's say you get the nine and the eight tails. Kisame catches bee and brings him, Sasuke brings Naruto. You make the ten tailed beast and turn the moon into a sharingan and you suddenly control it all. What then…?"
He frowned and walked to the window looking out. She frowned and stepped farther away from him. He raised a brow and sighed. "I would be able to decide what happens its fairly simple."
"Okay and then what. What happens. You going to play that game all by your self for the rest of your life…" He looked at her and watched her for a while. "You sound like a little boy trying to play house with the world." She wanted to tell him how pathetic he was. But, she just watched the wind blow the trees. It was going to storm.
"You really are intriguing I can see what he likes about you." She frowned.
"I don't really want to be complimented by you." He cocked his head.
"You really do look at me like I'm a monster."
"You are a monster." She looked back out the window.
"Then what are you. I saw inside your mind when I brought you back here I know what you were about to do. How are we any different." She looked away.
"Maybe that's how I know what you are." She touched the window. He saw something in her eyes. Something of the horror she had lived through. He felt a twinge and suppressed it.
"Why do you care so much for him?" She smiled a little and thought of him for a moment. Her brow furrowed and she looked like she might just tell him to go to hell. He waited and she took a deep breath. She looked at him her eyes filled with determination.
"He's the only person that's ever understood me. The only person I've ever known that could." She looked at Madara and her eyes turned pleading. "Please don't make him do this. I'm begging you."
"Your pleas don't sway me child. I'm sorry, I am far too old to be changed." She looked back out the window. A sheen of tears pooled at the edges of her green eyes but, they never fell. She was a strong woman.
"This won't bring anyone anything but, pain. Even if you get what you want it won't make anything better." She touched the window. He was out there somewhere hunting. "You'll start a war and kill thousands of people and, you'll still be angry and miserable."
"I hate you for this. I would kill you if I could and save them all." He watched her and nodded.
"Yes I believe you would." He turned and walked to the door. He looked back at her standing at the window. She was beautiful. Her hair hung in rolling waves like a fire boiling around her. The long robe she had found in his drawers was too big but, it still couldn't take away from how very pretty she was. He should kill her now. She was dangerous he looked at her and sighed. If she ever realized what her true power was she could kill them all. He opened the door and walked out. He didn't engage the seal she could move through the house if she liked, he had a marker on her, he could find her if he needed.
Despite what Sasuke believed he would keep his word he did have some honor after all.
He told Zetsu he was going to check on Sasuke and left.
Sasuke moved through the forest. He didn't want to do this. He had no choice but, he didn't want to do this. It was the only way to save her and to save Naruto. He didn't know what he'd do after it was over. He didn't even know if he could do it at all.
"What are you doing Sasuke?" He sighed.
"I'm looking for Naruto. What do you want Madara is Andrea alright?" It had been a week since he'd seen her.
"She's fine I told you I wouldn't harm her though I should she knows far too much." Sasuke frowned. "No luck finding him then."
"I think I know where he is but, I'm not sure how to get him."
"Where?" Sasuke shook his head.
"No this is my fight stay the hell out of it." Madara shrugged. He looked at the young man and sighed. He just wasn't the same at all and there was no turning him around unless he killed the girl and if he did that he would sign his own death warrant. He could kill her but, he would die too. Sasuke would lose his mind but, Madara would never be there to see it.
"Come you are tired you need rest and she needs to see you and know you're okay she is frantic." Sasuke searched his eyes.
"Alright." He sighed unhappily as he let Madara take him to her. He learned a long time ago that when you traveled with him like this he could hear your thoughts so he thought of the weather as he moved with him. They landed and he walked to his room without a word. She wasn't there.
He let his eyes spin and felt for her. He turned on his heel and walked to the library she was already at the door when he got there and she threw herself into his arms. He held her close and smiled kissing her hair. "It was only a week." He murmured.
"It was an eternity." He turned and frowned. Madara stood at the door. Sasuke took a step back and slammed the door in his face.
"Well that was rude." Madara sighed and turned away. His library. Oh well. He heard a slam and a gasp then he just moved a little faster unfortunately he could still hear them up the hall and he sighed.
"Where are they?" He walked into the kitchen far enough away to avoid the reunion. He looked at Kisame who had returned recently. He had just arrived.
"The library." Kisame headed for the door. "I wouldn't do that. You should wait if you wish to speak to him."
"Why…" He frowned and then his eyes widened. "Oh." He laughed softly. "To be young again." He sighed. "Well senpai where are we with the plan?"
"He's looking for Naruto but, he's also looking for a way to beat this and not have to fight him to give him to us. He's more than willing to fight. And, he still wants his revenge he still has one of the elders hidden somewhere but, the fact that he isn't dead either means that he's not going to kill him or the man has booby trapped himself which is more likely." He handed him a cup and drank deeply.
"I can get Naruto." He offered.
"No you would die trying Bee is one thing he was a match for you. Naruto isn't his powers are the worst for you to try to deal with no it must be Sasuke. I don't even think I could capture him. In fact I would probably die trying. Even fifty years ago I couldn't have done it. His father had to sacrifice himself I couldn't have beat him." He looked at the hall and was quiet for a while. They walked by; she was resting her head on his shoulder they were headed for his room. He looked at Kisame who raised his brows.
"She asked me something I can't answer." Kisame looked at his old sensei and waited. Madara liked to talk but he was also one of the smartest men he'd ever known ruthless and sometimes cold blooded but, smart. "She asked me what I would do after I had what I wanted. What would I do then." "Why can't you answer it." Kisame frowned.
"Because I don't know." He set down the cup. "I don't know what I'll do then. I never thought about it. Just getting to the goal not reaping the benefits of it." He sighed. "I am old." He walked out and Kisame shrugged. It wasn't really his problem. He walked to the boys room and listened it was quiet.
Perhaps he wasn't…busy anymore. He reached up to knock but, the door opened. It was her. She smiled brightly at him. That's right she would know who he was. But, that smile looked genuine. He could see Sasuke sleeping his face so like his brother's. She covered her lips then closed the door and walked down the hall.
She walked into a large drawing room and turned. "What did you want Kisame?"
"Just to talk to Sasuke." She nodded.
"Well I'm sure he'll be up in a few hours he's pretty tired though." She looked out the window and he could watch her. Madara had said she was beautiful. He wasn't sure that was the right word. She was pretty sure but, she had a sureness about her that said she wasn't afraid of anything. He wasn't used to women like that. It was as if she had already seen all the horror the world had to offer and she had beaten it.
"I'm glad you're okay. I shouldn't be. You are not a good guy but, I can't help but, like you." He leaned against the wall after setting his sword against the door.
"So it's true you know all about me." She smiled.
"No I've learned there is very little I really know about any of you. But, I know who you are." She smiled. "I never saw you until you were with Itachi in the village."
"Ah yes that was not one of my finer moments. That man kicked me." She laughed softly.
"His name is Gai."
"I don't care if he can't remember my name I don't have any reason to remember his." She laughed harder.
"He was only protecting his comrade you do understand that." He nodded.
"You are right. Of course sometimes we get caught up in this land or that. But, we are all ninja." She smiled.
"See I knew I liked you. Are you hungry?" He shrugged.
"Come on I'll feed you. He'll be hungry when he wakes as well and I want to have some food for him. I'm sure Madara is hungry too." He followed her and frowned.
"I don't have to worry about poison do I?" She looked at him and raised a brow.
"No, I wouldn't kill you or Sasuke and I couldn't find a way to just poison his, I'm not that skilled." He admired her honesty.
"You really are different aren't you." She smiled.
"You could call it that." She pulled out the food and started cooking. "I'm happier here than I've ever been even with the horrible things your leader is trying to do there is an honor here you don't really see in my world. The things that happen here are terrible sometimes but, there is honor in most of it." She tugged him forward. "Here peel these." She handed him a knife.
He looked at the potatoes for a few minutes then sighed and started peeling them. "I wonder what Itachi would have thought of you?"
She looked at him and her eyes were sad. "I wish he was here to tell us. He was a good man." Kisame liked her he decided. That had clenched it. Then he smelled the pot and knew she was an angel. It smelled like heaven. She was mixing something in a bowl and pouring it into a pan. She stuck it in the oven and turned away.
"What is all that?" She grinned.
"You'll see. Do you have much of a sweet tooth it will have to be you and Madara, Sasuke doesn't like sweets much." She turned back and stirred the pot.
She left and came back smiling her cheeks flushed. "He's taking a shower. The food will be ready soon. Could you get me some plates." He nodded and walked to the cabinet. He took the plates and listened to her hum to herself and dance to a song in her mind. She was beautiful.
He felt his heart actually speed up a little he hadn't given a damn about the opposite sex in years. He sighed and set the plates down as she dipped out the stew and poured it over the potatoes. Sasuke came in after a few minutes his hair still damp. He looked at her and his eyes instantly warmed and his lips twitched. He didn't think he'd ever seen him smile. She turned and the room lit up, he smiled fully and Kisame could see him stopping himself from crossing the room. It was very sweet to watch and Kisame was unaffected by most things anymore.
Sasuke looked at him and finally acknowledged his presence. He nodded. "You wanted to speak with me?"
"It can wait it's not something I want to talk about right now." She rolled her eyes.
"I could leave." He shook his head.
"I am not trying to be secretive it is simply a personal matter." She nodded and turned back to the food. She was cutting a loaf of bread. She looked at the door and frowned then, with a quiet grumble on her lips she walked out.
Kisame watched her leave and looked at Sasuke. "I have something I was supposed to give you but, I didn't get the chance to I apologize for it taking so long in the coming." He handed him a scroll. "I was asked to only give it to you and only if this happened and you were with Madara." Sasuke looked at his brother's hand writing and froze.
"I don't think its pleasant you should wait." Sasuke nodded and put it away.
They listened to the voices coming down the hall.
"You cooked and you want me to eat too?"
"Why wouldn't I?" She sounded exasperated.
"You would like me to die." She sighed.
"Not from poisoned brownies but, I could throw some in if you like." He laughed. "I came to get you because no matter how I feel about you or what you're doing you are the owner of this house and even evil overlords need to eat right?" She frowned. "Hell I don't know why if I think about it too much I'll just want to choke you with it so you should just leave it alone."
"Understood." They walked in and Sasuke and Kisame were putting tea in front of all the places.
They sat down and pulled up the chop sticks. Madara took off his mask hell everyone knew who he was here anyway it wasn't all that important. He sat down and looked at it. "What is it?" She sighed.
"It's beef stew and mashed potatoes with fresh bread and, I made brownies. You have cheese burgers how can you not have this. He frowned and took a tentative bite, he sighed contentedly.
"Oh this is good." Sasuke looked at him his eyes cold and unreadable.
Kisame took a bite. "Oh man is this great." Sasuke knew it would be good but, he had eaten her cooking before. If not this dish, he had yet to taste anything she cooked that did not make your mouth water. He watched her talk with Kisame as if they were old friends and to Madara she was respectful and polite. Even when she spoke of how much she wished he was dead. It was an odd combination.
After the food was done being eaten she pulled out a pan of brown cake she had made she called brownies. She cut them and gave one to each of them. He wasn't big on sweets but, it was good.
He watched them even Madara purposely praise her he wondered what was going on in his mind. She was nice to him to a point including him in this. What did that mean to someone so emotionless? He had already found out that there was no such thing as a lack of emotions really. Simply a suppression. We were human created with emotions and it wasn't something you could turn off.
The food was done and Madara snagged Kisame and drug him away to send him back to the cloud. He was only here to give a report.
She ran water for the dishes and he pulled them all and set them beside her. "That was very good." He kissed her ear and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you. Even if I don't understand you at all."
She smiled and glanced back at him. "What don't you understand?"
"You any of this. Why are you nice to him?" She frowned.
"It's hard to explain really." She started washing the dishes. He grabbed a towel and started drying them. It was a big kitchen the whole house was very large it was an old manor house for some lord that didn't exist anymore. He helped and just waited for her to collect her thoughts. "He's a horrible man he helped kill your family I hate him." She sighed. "But, at the same time I feel sorry for him. He has nothing to look forward to. Even if he wins what will he have in the end if he get's his moons eye. The problem with an illusion no matter how big or how realistic it is. It's still an illusion it isn't real." She shrugged. "He wants a future that isn't real. That is so sad. I understand that because I believed this wasn't real and I wanted it. I wanted this and now that I have it. I almost feel badly for him because no matter what he will never have anything that makes him happy." He put the last dish back in the cabinet and she let the water out. She turned around and looked at him. He smiled down at her his eyes warm and dark. "I am so happy." She touched his face. "Even with everything that's wrong. I'm so happy because you have given me something I never could have had. I have this bond with you, something that gives me peace and joy. I feel badly for anyone that has to live without that." She leaned forward and kissed his chin. He pulled her close and they stayed that way for a little while.
Madara stood in the hall a few more moments and then turned away. She was the oddest woman. He had never seen a woman so understanding. Of course it would have probably been the only thing that would have saved Sasuke from the darkness Madara had personally put him in. He should be angry with her and, was until she had been in his home he simply could not hate her after being alone with her for a week.
She was intelligent and kind her vibrant nature was infectious. That was exactly what she was, infectious, she was like a disease and she had infected him too. Kisame had been completely overtaken by her charm in one meeting.
He decided to go and check out the Leaf to see if there was any news on Naruto…
Naruto walked up to the small house and frowned.
"Who are you?" He turned around and saw a small man bent with age and standing on a cane.
"I am Naruto I thought I met you once but it was a trick of Madara's." He smiled. "I was hoping you could help me. You are Shinto right."
"Yes, I'm Shinto. But, I don't know you."
"No but, you know my friend Sasuke." He stopped and nodded.
"Yes, I know him…how do you know Sasuke?" Naruto grinned.
"He's my best friend." Shinto frowned.
Shinto sighed. "Well I don't know if I believe you but, tell me what you want and we'll see if I think you're lying or not." He turned and headed into the house slowly.
They got inside and he sat down. His eyes were shrewd. He may be old but, he was sharp. "So what do you want from me?"
"I want to summon Sasuke so we can talk." Shinto smiled.
"What do you want to talk to him about?"
"A way to stop what's coming. I know what's going to happen and I don't want it for him or me. We are supposed to fight and if we do he'll die…and so will I." Shinto frowned.
"I see." He sighed. "Alright." He took a scroll and handed it to him. "I made this so I could summon him if that bastard Madara came after me again." He smiled. "I guess you need it more than me."
"Thank you." He tucked it away.
"Wait." Naruto turned back. "Here this is something you will also need if you wish to stop Sasuke and change your destiny."
"What is it?" He looked at the strange scroll. "It doesn't look like the other one."
"It's not, it's my masterpiece." He smiled. "Just take it and, you will know when to use it. Now go and leave an old man in peace. I haven't had this much excitement in two decades." He shook his head. "I sure hope they can handle my jutsu." He laughed to himself.
Sasuke watched her where she sat on the edge of the bed. She had his arm band he had no idea what she was doing with it. He needed to leave he'd been here for two days. She smiled at her handy work and then put it back with the other one she had already doctored. "What did you do to them?" He watched her forest colored eyes. She smiled and him and crawled up the bed slowly holding his gaze her eyes intense.
I put a piece of myself in them. She reached his face and kissed his lips gently. He returned the kiss but pulled back and raised his brows holding her face. "What do you mean?"
She smiled. "You leave Andrea with Homura right?" He nodded.
"Well that means that you are all by yourself and since you won't let me help you I figured out a way to help you even if you won't let me be there." He cocked his head. "There are thousands of books and scrolls here all of them on different kinds of jutsu. There is even one on sensors. It told me that if I made the right seal I could give you my powers or at least a little of it anyway." She sighed as his thumb rubbed over her lips watching her eyes turn smoky.
"You learned that just to help me. Are you sure you want to help me?" She leaned up and watched him closely. She was silent for a long time.
He looked at her, the fire growing, she was sitting in his lap her robe loose. One tug and, she would be free of it. But, he wanted to hear her answer. Why was she willing to help him kill Naruto? "I love you." She shrugged. "I trust you with this. You are the smartest man I've ever known. And, the kindest." He raised his brows at that outlandish remark. She just smiled. "You will find a way to solve this. It's that simple. So I am going to believe in you and Naruto, there has never been anything you two couldn't do." He closed his eyes and dropped his head. She had so much faith and he was so undeserving. He opened his eyes. She was watching him, he remembered how terribly alone she looked when he met her. It was like a reflection of his own loneliness; but it was gone. He took her hand and pressed it to his heart.
His eyes were fierce. She searched them and waited. She could feel the tension pouring off of him. "You will never be alone again. Never."
"I know." She whispered but, her eyes burned with unshed tears. "I haven't felt alone since I met you." She took his hand and placed it against her breast. "I will give your oath back to you." She covered his hand with her own and he did the same. "You will never be alone as long as my soul is in this world I will be with you."
"Even if I have to give Naruto to Madara." He didn't look away. He just watched her.
"I never want that to happen." She whispered and looked down. He sighed. But, she looked back up and her fingers clenched over his. "But, I will never let you carry that burden alone either. If that happens we will carry that together too. And, we will find a way to avenge him and stop Madara together." He froze his eyes widening.
She was a wonder to the world and she was his. He had never done a thing in his life to be this lucky. But, he would never let her go. He would kill anyone risk anything to keep her. After a few moments he pulled her fingers to his lips kissing them slowly. She watched him but, pulled away. He raised a brow but, she was grinning. "If you keep that up I'm going to forget all about the arm bands. Do you want to try them?" She was so excited. He just nodded.
She jumped up and grabbed them. She slipped one on his right arm then the other. He watched her slowly slide the heavy material over his arm.
She sat back and pulled her hands together. He watched as she closed her eyes and focused her chakra the hand signs moving quickly he didn't recognize the seal. A blue light surrounded his arms and he felt her chakra flow into him. He stiffened at the intensity and amount. She let go and sat back her eyes soft and a little tired.
Suddenly she looked at him from the flat of her back a gasp on her lips. "That was not a little anything." He closed his eyes and felt the lives of the villagers in the over thirty kilometers away. "That is amazing I can see them. I can feel them. I can feel their emotions. Is this what you feel all the time. How long will this last?" She smiled and nodded.
"As long as you wear them." She watched him and smiled happily. "I'm glad you like it." Then she touched his face and he felt her emotions. He growled low and kissed her.
They spent the rest of the evening talking and she taught him to use his borrowed powers. Then a night in each others arms. She woke and helped him dress. She took the wrap he wore and pulled it around his waist. He watched her with quiet intensity as she tied the rope around his waist. By the time she was done he wanted to take it all off and rip her clothes off as well. He kissed her hair. "I will miss you." He smiled and touched her face. "I have to go."
She nodded neither of them spoke of where he was going or what he was doing. She may have to deal with that soon enough but, she wouldn't do it yet. She just kissed him deeply and then watched him walk away hoping for a miracle.
Naruto was walking and he smiled. He was far away from everything. He pulled out the scroll and the instructions. He opened it and rolled it out and then he dropped the blood on it.
Sasuke walked into Madara's study. "I'm ready." He stepped forward and felt a pull. "Holy…." Madara watched as he disappeared.
"What happened?" Zetsu blinked. Madara just stared at the thin air where Sasuke used to be.
Sasuke landed and stood his sword in one hand the chidori flared. He stood and looked at Naruto. "Shit…" He saw Naruto and frowned. "That wasn't the smartest thing you've ever done." It was a clone he was sure. It was still stupid. He could feel the real Naruto not far away.
"I wanted to talk to you and you aren't exactly easy to find." He shrugged.
"I am after you don't you get it. Every time we see each other you act as if that's not the case but, I am supposed to find you and beat you into a stupor so you can be part of Madara's plan why would you do something like this." He snarled.
"I don't want that. Why are you working for the man that helped your brother kill your family I don't understand. You hate the whole village but, he's okay." He looked at Sasuke and shook his head. "I don't get it."
Sasuke let go of the chidori and slid the sword back in place. He leapt into a low branch and hung a leg over it. He looked at his friend because as much as it irritated him that was what he was. "He has Andrea."
"That pretty little red head." He nodded. "I liked her what does he have her for?"
"Insurance." Naruto looked at him and frowned.
"Insurance?" He looked at Sasuke really looked at him. "Oh." He smiled. "That's great…wait." Sasuke raised a brow and frowned. "Damn what the hell do we do about that?"
"You see my dilemma." He leaned his head back. "Either I take you back or even though I think he likes her he'll kill her." He looked at Naruto and his eyes grew hard. "I will admit you are my friend but, I will take you to him wrapped like a gift if I have to, to keep her safe."
Naruto nodded. "I understand." He sat down on a rock and sighed. He wasn't sure what to do now. "Where's Homura?"
"Somewhere safe. He's put a trap on himself so when he dies the person that kills him will have any jutsu they have sealed. It would be just like Orochimaru." Naruto nodded.
"I see why he's still alive." He stood. "Well Shinto gave me another scroll I guess it's for you he said it should change your destiny. I don't really know what that means but, since everyone thinks your destiny is to either kill me or die by me I am all for changing it. I would love to fight you. I have never beaten you. Not once. I would like to do that just once but, not under these circumstances I would like it to be on our terms not because Madara would hurt the woman you love."
Sasuke nodded. "I agree. I would love to beat you to a bloody pulp and beat you fair and square without you holding back. So I could prove to myself that I'm better than you. But, I want to be able to do it and know that was the reason not because I hated you or I was afraid for Andrea's life." He sighed.
Naruto took the scroll and threw it at him. "I think it has directions but, I knew it wouldn't make any sense to me. So I just figured I would give it to you. I will be waiting at the final valley if it doesn't work out. You can find me there." He pulled up his hands and was gone.
He took the scroll and broke the seal. He frowned as a clone appeared of Shinto he sat down and looked at Sasuke.
"I am here to tell you what this will do then I will disappear. This scroll was created to keep you and your little red head safe and away from Madara. You use it by mixing your blood together and placing one hand of each of you in the seal. When you think you are in a dire situation you can use this and go where it is safe. If you wish to return you simply unroll the small scroll the only problem is it will summon you to the Leaf. To your clan home it is the only place I have a permanent summoning. You will end up in the shrine. So be careful Sasuke good luck and you're welcome. Your father would be proud of you." The clone was gone and Sasuke stood. This would be his way out thank god for Naruto he had saved himself and Sasuke. He moved to the island.
"Homura. I want you to sacrifice yourself for the Leaf." Homura frowned.
"I was already doing that wasn't I?" He asked dryly.
"I want you to die in front of Madara." Homura nodded.
"I see." He sat down. "You are hoping to seal his power so you can defeat him." Sasuke just looked at him it was almost as if he needed his permission which he knew wasn't the least bit necessary.
"Shouldn't you be happy to give your life." He frowned.
"Of course I am, I am not a coward." He stood. "You do not see it like this but, I did what I believed was right at the time. If I could go back I would like to think I would make a better choice but, I can not say that." Talking so calmly about the death of his family as if it was nothing but, another mission.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "You honestly believe that don't you. I despise this code you live by. It makes me sick. What if it was your clan?" He snarled. "I'm done talking to you if I were you I would start asking for forgiveness from a higher power because you are going to help me and I don't give a damn if you like it or not." He turned and walked away.
"What did you say to him?" Homura glanced at Andrea the big cat was standing beside him her eyes on her master's back. "You really are dumb sometimes."
"I was honest, he is a sentimental creature, he doesn't belong in this world. Or maybe it is me that doesn't belong. I don't really know anymore." He sighed and turned away. "I think I will take his advice and pray though. He walked away and Andrea followed she was pretty sure he wouldn't try to escape but, just in case.
Andrea was walking the grounds, she liked the flowers even if everything was wild. She had never taken much time to look at the world it was too frightening but here she could relax.
"Are you enjoying the day?" It had rained for the last few days in a row and she had been stuck inside the house without Sasuke that was maddening. He was right being around Madara was hard on her. It was worse now too because he had become fascinated with her. He would watch her like a scientist observing a rat in a cage.
"Yes I am." She answered softly.
"He should return soon. What will you do when he brings me Naruto will you hate him?" She looked at Madara and sighed.
"No." She frowned. "I will try to convince him to let Naruto help him defeat you. If they worked together you would die. That's their real destiny; to stop you. Even if he gives you Naruto I will find a way to avenge them both." Madara watched her and nodded. Did she know what she was capable of after all. Hmm.
"Perhaps." She walked back to the house. He just watched her walk away. He had lived a very long life he had, had his share of lovers. He had never known a woman like that one. He had never known someone he couldn't influence. Not until now….
Sasuke looked at the house and sighed. He was going to do this. He hated it just because he had no idea what it really meant. He didn't like the unknown.
He watched her come out of the house. Since he had hadn't come back with Madara he'd had to travel here alone. It had taken nearly two weeks because this hide out was truly in the middle of no where it was outside the five nations in an ancient forest. He watched her and stood silently at the edge of the trees. She watched him from the steps. They just gazed at each other for a moment. Then she started walking forward. "You didn't do it." She smiled.
"I didn't." He said softly. He had gone to the final valley…
"Well you came." Naruto stood from his spot on Madara's head.
"I did." He watched Naruto leap to his side. "I may lose her with this." Naruto nodded.
"Did the scroll not work." Sasuke looked out over the river and shook his head.
"I haven't used it yet. I don't know what will happen. What if it takes her away from me, that's the safest place for her. Away from me.." His eyes met Naruto's. "I don't know if I could do that."
"I don't think Shinto would take her from you." Sasuke frowned.
"It is the first time in a long time I have actually been afraid, truly afraid." He shook his head. "I can't do it."
"So we're going to do this then?" Sasuke nodded.
"I guess so." He smiled a little. "I really do want to know." Naruto nodded.
"Me too but, I already know which of us is stronger I always knew." He smiled.
Sasuke frowned. "Me too." They hit each other with everything they had. No holding back no quitting. He looked at Naruto across the water his hands shaking his body ready to give out. Naruto slowly pulled himself back to his feet.
"I wanted to beat you with my own power." Naruto sighed. "I can't…" Sasuke shook his head.
"If you're holding back the fight ends now. That power may be something inside you but, it is your power. If you could just embrace that you could be a million times stronger." He took a deep breath and heaved. "I have my brother's power it's not mine not really so what does it matter. He gave it to me. Your father gave you the fox. Use it." Naruto's eyes changed and he nodded.
"Maybe you're right but, the same goes for you." Sasuke nodded. He hadn't been using his eyes because like Naruto he wanted to beat him with his power his skills. They nodded to one another and the fight began again.
By the end of it they lay on the bank beside the river the monument that had stood for almost eighty years was in a pile and the landscape would never be the same. Sasuke sat up slowly and looked at Naruto. He couldn't beat him. But, Naruto couldn't beat him either. Sasuke sighed. He smiled a little. Naruto was trying to get up. "Stop you can rest. I'm out of chakra anyway." Naruto fell over and looked at him.
"Oh good." He rasped. "I'm done too." He smiled. "It was a good fight." Sasuke nodded.
"Yes it was and you didn't hold back. That was incredible to see." He stood on shaky legs. "The Leaf will be coming I have to go. I can see Kakashi. Lady Tsunade must have sent him to save you from me." He looked at Naruto.
"So do we go to Madara now?" Sasuke looked at him and shook his head slowly.
"I go, you stay. Go home Naruto. You belong in the Leaf." Naruto frowned.
"So do you." Sasuke shook his head.
"You know I heard a kid once say that home was a place where someone thought of you." He smiled. Naruto dropped his head.
"Yeah?" He frowned.
"Whoever said that was pretty smart." He held out a hand and, pulled him to his feet. "I have my place. I'll deal with this my way you know I'm too stubborn to accept help from anyone even you, so don't worry I will be fine." He smiled. "Friend."
He met his eyes. Naruto frowned. "They're coming, you better go I can feel them now too. Even without my eyes." Sasuke nodded.
He turned and Kakashi landed beside him with a kunai. Sasuke turned and looked at him slowly. He had tried to kill him the last time he had seen him. What would he do now? Sasuke held his gaze for a moment. "Take Naruto home." He was just gone.
Kakashi sighed and dropped his head. Naruto looked at him and smiled. "I'm tired sensei and no body makes good ramen out here." He fell and passed out. Kakashi looked at him and smiled. He was peaceful. They had, had their fight. It was over.
Pakkun looked at him and frowned. "Do we go after Sasuke."
"No he didn't take Naruto he's on his own now." He picked Naruto up and started walking, the rest of the Leaf landed on the scene.
Kiba and Shikamaru landed and looked around. "My God look at this place it won't even be a river anymore It's going to make a lake here by next year." Shikamaru shook his head. "Where is…"
"He's gone. He told me to take Naruto home." Shikamaru frowned.
Kiba growled. "Then we need to go after him."
"No, we need to get Naruto home. You couldn't beat Sasuke and neither could I the only one that could have is right here. He didn't hurt Naruto. He didn't take him to Madara. It's up to him now what he does with his life."
"But, the elder." Kakashi shrugged.
"Ninja die." He took Naruto and leapt away. Kiba frowned but, followed…
