It was now hard to keep up. The forest flew past in a blur - it was difficult to pinpoint one tree from the next as they all seemed to melt into one large organism. Sasuke was traveling far too quickly - he was too fast for you and the rest of Team Hebi to stay by his side.

Did Sasuke know something the rest of you didn't? Based on the map Jūgo drew, there was a suspected Akatsuki base, but it was still quite a distance away. Maybe Sasuke could sense Itachi in a way that nobody else could, because the Uchiha avenger couldn't help but gain speed as he jettisoned towards a meeting place unbeknownst to you.

A gut feeling told you the Uchiha brothers would battle soon and settle the bloody events that had occurred so long ago.

"There's an incredible amount of chakra! It's fast and it's coming our way!" Karin nearly screamed, due to the shock of suddenly sensing a shinobi so menacing.

There was no time to think as a dark shadow from the corner of your eye bounded to the front of Team Hebi, blocking your path. The group skidded to a halt and immediately you recognized the man. His white, pointed teeth gleamed as he grinned maliciously - contrasted by his amazingly blue skin. This was Itachi's ever present, battle crazed companion, Hoshigaki Kisame.

"Hoshigaki Kisame..." Suigetsu uttered out, unable to finish his sentence for the new arrival had cut him off.

"Sasuke, if you would, continue on by yourself." Kisame encouraged kindly, a sharp contrast to the evil glint shining brightly in his circular eyes. "Itachi would prefer if the rest of us waited here so there would be no interference."

"Good, this works out perfectly. I created this team to ensure that nobody would interfere once I found him." Sasuke stated nonchalantly, taking a small step forward. His Sharingan activated as he grew even more determined... if that was possible.

"What!? You're losing it, Sasuke. Let's just kick this guy's butt and beat Itachi as a team!" Karin interjected, piping up crossly. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at her statement.

"We could do this the hard way and battle if you won't abide by my partner's wishes." Kisame haughtily motioned towards his great sword. He sized up each and every one of Team Hebi's members carefully, evaluating your reactions.

"Forget that useless thought, Karin. This is my revenge. Wait here along with the others." Sasuke commanded icily, not even turning to look at Karin as he spoke to her harshly.

"No, I-I can't-" The red head was obviously concerned, but still, you slipped your hand over her mouth - muffling any further protestation.

"You're making this difficult, Karin-chan. If this is what Sasuke wanted from the start, there's nothing we can do." You murmured softly into her ear. She huffed in resentment, yet didn't struggle.

Sasuke turned back once he heard Karin's high-pitched voice diminish. He eyed you steadily, his Sharingan stare piercing. With a small nod, you wordlessly informed Sasuke that you'd keep the headstrong kunoichi from following and that he could continue on without worry.

Sasuke smirked ambitiously, adrenaline coursing through his veins. "This shouldn't take long." He said conceitedly, flitting past Kisame.

You watched him sprint alone down the path your team had been traveling - silently wishing him luck, silently wishing to see him again.

Once he was out of sight, your hand fell from Karin's mouth sluggishly, heavily swinging downwards. It was as if all energy had left your body.

"You're so stupid, Aiko-chan! Don't you care if Sasuke dies!? We should've gone as a team!" Karin growled once she was able to.

"I definitely care. I don't want anybody to die, but… you know what he's like. Nothing would've changed his mind."

Karin glared at you, but her anger withered as she realized how pale you were. Karin begrudgingly placed a hand on your shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. I'm going to monitor his chakra. And you're right, he would've never agreed to let anyone follow him."

"D-don't worry about what? I'm not worried." You said defensively.

Karin snorted, "We're all worried. You don't have to hide it."

"Suigetsu doesn't seem like he's worried."

Karin shrugged as your attention now shifted to Suigetsu who grinned widely - showing off his perfectly white, razor teeth.

"I'm rather lucky to be able to meet you again, Hoshigaki Kisame and Samehada." Suigetsu buoyantly mused, ensnaring the hilt of his executioner's blade firmly in his hand. "How at we kill some time while we're waiting?"

Kisame laughed deeply, a great rumbling erupting from his body.

"I expected you to say that due to our last encounter. You're pretty similar to that other Hōzuki." The blue-skinned man stated zealously, unsheathing his blade. "Alright then, I'll gladly shave a few layers off of you".

"Wait… are you sure about this? You'd be going against Sasuke's orders." Jūgo interrupted, adding in a sensible warning.

"Hah, he won't even know. Besides, he didn't say anything about battling - all he said was that we should wait for him." Suigetsu chuckled, lunging forward with a deadly, swift strike. With nothing else to do, you watched your white haired companion try to claim Samehada as his own.

o-o-o-o-o-o

The depleted and jaded amethyst eyed shinobi slung his arm around your shoulders for support - dragging his legs with difficulty across the land. Suigetsu had been defeated by Kisame, but he certainly put up a good fight. Kisame had raw power and an abundance of chakra, but Suigetsu was lithe and cunning so Kisame really had to go all out. In the end though, Suigetsu lost.

"Man, Kisame and Samehada. Their relationship is stronger than my relationship with Kubikiribōchō… If I can bond more with Kubikiribōchō, I'm sure I'd win." Suigetsu muttered to himself.

All the while, you were busy looking for a safe location to rest. With a battered, limp ninja in tow, you didn't want to go far. Especially since you didn't want Sasuke to have difficulty finding Team Hebi.

Jūgo had already taken his turn carrying Suigetsu, so now it was your turn since Karin refused in any way to touch your worn comrade.

"Do you see a good place for camp yet, Jūgo?" You shouted at your teammate whom was scouting ahead.

"There's a clearing 1 km to the left." Jūgo pointed.

"Great! Come on, Suigetsu. I'll heal you once we get to camp." You mildly smiled, traveling at Suigetsu's slow, injured pace.

"Sounds good." He gave you a toothy, but weary grin.

That's when you suddenly realized how calm you were. You had been helping Suigetsu for a while, yet being so close to him and snaking your arm around his waist in support derived no response from your body. For some reason, your heart remained strong and constant, never wavering. Heat never arose to your face. Then why is it that you relished this same position so much with Sasuke? When you were this close to the Uchiha, you couldn't think clearly.

"Aiko, how is it? Is this place fine?" Jūgo was seeking your approval. You tore your attention away from the meaningless, mental queries you pondered over. He gestured to a small, quaint area in the woods that neighbored a river.

"Wow, this place is great." You answered abruptly after scanning the area.

"Hey, Aiko." Suigetsu called, looking up at you gratefully, "Thanks".

"It's nothing. You don't have to put on such a serious expression, it's unlike you." You laughed, setting him down gingerly against a tree. Jūgo, who was carrying the exhausted shinobi's blade, set it down beside him.

"Okay, where are your most serious injuries?" You sat down, activated Shinajii, and began to heal Suigetsu.

As he pointed out his nastier wounds, that annoying inquiry popped up in your mind yet again. Suigetsu was so close to your face as he thanked you. He was extremely close now that you think about it, but why didn't that faze you? If Sasuke had done the same thing and leaned in so close that you could feel his hot breath against your skin, then…

'No, now isn't the time to think about this.' You shook your head violently, your cheeks already turning red.

"Are you okay? If you're feeling bad, you don't have to heal me or anything." Suigetsu frowned, hoping he wasn't troubling you.

"N-no I'm fine, it's just- Um, never mind. For your gash, you'll need to take off your shirt so I can see the injury properly."

Suigetsu paused for a moment. His gaze slyly and playfully narrowed, "Ah, I see~"

"See what?"

"It's okay, froggy, you don't have to be shy. I don't mind you asking me to take my clothes off. I'll gladly do it."

Your mouth hung open at Suigetsu's sudden, flirtatious tone.

"Don't be so surprised. I wouldn't mind it if you saw me naked. I'm pretty sexy when I'm naked, you know? I consistently do muscle training."

"W-wait… I'm not asking you to get naked." You were a bit tongue tied so it took a while to respond intelligibly.

"But if you wanted me to, I would~" He sultrily ran his tongue along his upper lip.

Your face began to burn with embarrassment. You were already red before, but Suigetsu surprising you like this made it even worse.

"Just take off your shirt so I can heal you, you pervert!"

Karin, walking by, scowled. "If you're going to flirt with this disgusting kappa like that, I'm not giving Sasuke up to you!"

For the second time, your jaw dropped open. "W-what are you talking about, Karin-chan!?"

"You know what I'm talking about, you loose woman." She sneered.

"I'm not loose." You denied, looking straight at Karin, "And I'm not going to ask you to get naked." You said pointedly towards Suigetsu.

Karin let out a 'hmph' and seemed done with the conversation - if random accusations could even be called a conversation. Suigetsu, on the other hand, pouted.

"When's Sasuke getting back?" You grumbled, healing a deep gash between the white haired shinobi's shoulder blades.

When night arrived, your mind was full of inquiries into Sasuke's wellbeing. About an hour ago, Karin informed you that she couldn't sense Sasuke anymore. Not because he was in peril or anything, but because he had traveled elsewhere - somewhere farther than she could track from this location.

It had been nightfall for quite some time now, and the moon shone brightly - lighting up the otherwise dreary, dark forest.

You forced your eyes closed, listening to the fire crackle. If you didn't sleep now, you'd be overly worried. Currently, Jūgo was standing watch, so you tried your best to force yourself to relax. Eventually light snores came from your teammates, but you were still wide awake.

It just didn't feel right - sleeping so soundly when Sasuke wasn't here. You sat up, groaning.

"What's wrong?" Jūgo quietly asked, his massive dark form shifting.

You gave him your best smile, "Nothing much. I can't sleep. Why don't we trade? I'll stand lookout and you get some rest."

Jūgo was quiet for a moment before conceding and lying near the fire for warmth. "If you don't mind. I'll sleep."

"Please do." You sat on the outskirts of Team Hebi's makeshift camp.

o-o-o-o-o-o

A few hours seemed like eternity when you sat there ardently hoping to see the Uchiha avenger, shrouded in shadows, come striding towards camp victoriously.

Rustling bushes a distance away startled you. Though half asleep, you pulled yourself up quickly and activated Shinajii. Hurtling a few sharpened water projectiles, you waited. More rustling ensued before an inky black, hunched over figure stood in a beam of moonlight. Only their silhouette was visible, but you could tell it was a man and that it wasn't Sasuke.

"Suiton: shunkan'idou." You became water and transported yourself discreetly into the trees behind the figure. You left a water clone in your original spot by the camp.

Your water clone straightforwardly attacked the shadowy man who deflected your projectiles. Well, he didn't deflect them so much as they went through him. You noticed the man wore an orange mask with only one eye hole.

Though the man defended himself, he didn't attack your clone. Instead, he went straight after you. He'd seen through your ruse. A glinting kunai was held at your throat. The masked man stood close by, his chest touching your shoulder. Your razor sharp water weapons surrounded him, ready to strike. The two of you were at an impasse.

"Your reflexes aren't bad." The masked man's voice was deep and commanding. He lowered his kunai. "I am Uchiha Madara."

At once, you jumped away - putting distance between your bodies - never lowering your threatening weapons.

"You don't have to be so on guard. I won't attack you. I'm here because I need you to come with me."

"And why would I do that?" You eyed this 'Uchiha Madara' carefully. He had to be lying about his clan name. Itachi and Sasuke should be the only Uchiha alive. Besides, wasn't Uchiha Madara the name of an old, famous ninja from back in the days of the first Hokage?

"You'll come with me because your leader is under my care."

"You can't mean… he's with you? Why would he be with you? How does he even know you?"

"How he knows me is not relevant. Suffice it to say that Sasuke was not aware of my existence before today. Nonetheless, he is currently under my care. His battle with Itachi was demanding. He won, but he's rather weak. I was easily able to tie him up so that we could have a conversation."

"You mean you kidnapped him?" You darkly uttered, dropping into a fighting stance.

"In a way, yes, but since I've told him what I wanted to already, he's free to go." Madara said carelessly, your anger humorous to him.

"Why would you tell me this?"

"I just mentioned it. I want you to come with me."

"How do I even know you're telling the truth?"

"It's up to you whether you want to believe me or not. I'm not the one who asked for you, so I don't really care if you come along. I'm simply fulfilling my end of the bargain by asking you to see Sasuke." Madara claimed dully. He seemed to be growing tired of this conversation.

"Sasuke…. asked for me? Did he ask for the rest of Team Hebi too? Should I alert them?"

"Don't alert the others. That would be tiresome. He specifically asked for Mizushima Aiko - a water user. You fit the description and you're in the correct location. So, are you coming or not?"

"B-but why would Sasuke ask only for me?" You softly muttered. It didn't make sense why he wouldn't want the whole team to come along.

"I'm sure Sasuke has plans to return for the whole team." Madara shrugged. "For now, your presence is adequate. You are the soothing melody that will calm the beast."

Your eyebrows furrowed at Madara's last statement, but nonetheless you decided to follow this man. You might be walking into a trap, but if what he said was true, Sasuke was somewhere recuperating and probably in need of healing. Though you felt bad leaving the group without telling anyone, you sensed that Madara was an impatient man. There was no time to tell anybody that you were departing.

o-o-o-o-o-o

The forest, consumed in darkness, stretched on and on. It was hard to see despite the moon shining brightly. Large trees and deep recesses cast ominous, inky shadows. The night was alive with the sounds of primal animals. Of hisses, roars, and chittering.

Beneath a cliff overhead was a large rock face. Tucked beneath a throng of plant life was a moderate sized cavern opening. Madara led you underground. You were on high alert - keenly aware of the fact that you were with a strange shinobi - following him into his home turf.

A shattering echoed off the walls. It sounded distant, but Madara quickened his pace.

"Now he's breaking things, great…" Madara huffed under his breath. "I don't know where he finds the energy."

After passing a few tunnels, Madara stopped before a doorway. Inside, you could hear clattering and cussing. The swearing voice was familiar.

"Sasuke's inside. Do as you please." With that, Madara stalked off.

You paused for a moment, your hand slowly reaching for the door. Another shattering noise, like glass breaking, echoed in the corridor followed by a pained, enraged curse.

Flinching at the loud noise, you burst into the room. "Sasuke?!"

Sure enough, the raven haired shinobi was present in a messy, tattered room. The sparse bedding was in tangles, there were bits and pieces of rope lying around. Wooden and glass shards were littered about. Sasuke was in a corner, crouched over broken mirror shards. He wore a simple pair of pants and was shirtless - his torso and right shoulder wrapped in bandages. His fist was a bloody mess - bits of mirror jutted out from his knuckles.

Without another thought, you rushed up to him, clasping onto his bloody hand and enveloping it in water. You cleaned his wounds and picked out the pieces of mirror, your eyebrows furrowing. "Sasuke, what's wrong? What happened?"

For a while, Sasuke was dead silent and you didn't dare look up into his eyes. The aura about him was menacing and tormented. Sasuke yanked his hand away from you, the skin perfectly healed. He turned away and smashed his fist into solid rock, small rubble crumbling under the weight of his attack.

His head wilted. He leaned forward so that his forehead was propped up by the rocky wall. Even if the lighting was dim, from here, you could clearly see the tears glistening down his cheeks. Your breath hitched. You had never seen Sasuke cry. You didn't even think it was possible that he would allow himself to be seen in such vulnerable state…

Sasuke was quiet for a long while more, but finally his voice came out - rough and scornful, "I can't accept it… I can't accept it. The memories keep pouring out! I can't stop them!"

You were at a loss for what to do or say. Sasuke sounded as if he was in pure agony. Every word he spoke was twisted.

As unobtrusive and as calming as possible, you walked up to him and reached out a hand. He twitched away, like a wounded, frightened animal. Slowly, you rested your hand on his shoulder.

"Everything will be okay…. Why don't you tell me what you can't accept?"

After a long, ragged breath, Sasuke's shoulders slumped. "I didn't want to believe him. I thought everything he said was a lie, but the more I remember, the more I think he's not lying."

"I see…" You remembered Madara mentioning that he tied up Sasuke because he wanted to talk to him. Whatever it was they talked about had shaken the Uchiha to his core.

Without moving, hanging unnaturally still like a ragdoll, Sasuke hollowly went on to explain what he had learned from Madara. How Itachi had been sent on a mission to massacre the Uchiha clan by Konoha's top brass. That if Itachi didn't do this, the Uchiha clan was going to rebel and cause a civil war that might even trigger a 4th shinobi war.

"Danzo, that bastard… How much pain can one man inflict?" Your fingernails dug into your palm. "So Itachi was a sacrifice… but why did he incite you to kill him?"

"Perhaps it was what he wanted… to die by my hand rather than by disease, if what Madara says is true. Or perhaps he wanted to make me a hero in the eyes of Konohagakure. Killing a defected, S-rank criminal is worthy of praise." Sasuke paused every once in a while, his dark voice cracking.

A flood of grief ran over you. Sasuke regrets killing Itachi now because of what Madara had told him… From what Sasuke learned, it actually appeared that Itachi was a noble, kind, and loving brother.

You stayed silent. There was nothing you could say that would do any good or make Sasuke feel better. There were no magick words, there was only regret and pain.

Tears welled up, distorting reality. "I'm sorry, Sasuke… I'm sorry…" Before you knew it, you were bawling, your breaths shallow and erratic. Your hand that was previously resting on Sasuke's shoulder slid down. As consolatory as possible, you rubbed his back soothingly. You must've looked pitiable and hilarious, but you didn't stop because it was the only way you could think of to comfort the tormented Uchiha.

Sasuke, who was previously a statue, moved. His head inclined towards you, his glistening, abyssal orbs sucked you in like yawning chasms. One side of his lips twitched up so that he was mirthlessly smirking. When he spoke, he sounded like he was both laughing and crying. "Baka Aiko… I'm the one that should be sad."

"B-but it's too much! If the same thing happened between me and Naomi, I'd- I-I don't know what I'd do, but… I might start to hate myself!"

Sasuke twisted his body towards you, his features dropped all emotion and became sinister. "You'd hate yourself…? Yes… yes… maybe what I'm feeling right now is hatred for myself."

Sasuke dropped heavily onto his knees, the sound of his bones knocking against hard stone reverberated.

"I hate myself because I killed Itachi. I remember the times we spent together and I hate myself." The more Sasuke said, the more fiery and hysterical his tone became. "I killed Itachi. I killed Itachi! I killed Itachi!" He screamed, clutching fistfuls of raven hair. Tears streamed down his cheeks ferociously.

Sasuke clung onto your torso burying his face in your lower abdomen. Tears drenched your shirt - the dark blue shirt he'd bought you so long ago. His screams and sobs were muffled by your body. He gripped you tightly, his arms twining around your waist, his hands clawing madly at your back.

You didn't mind that his fingernails dug into your flesh. That pain was nothing compared to his mental anguish. It was so miniscule that it was laughable. You ran your hands through his silky hair and down his neck in what you hoped was a comforting manner.

Sasuke clutched onto you tighter and tighter. It was hard to breath, but you didn't complain. You let him unleash the full brunt of his anguish on you. His tears kept coming as did yours.

Time slipped by. Minutes and then an hour. Maybe two hours. Maybe more… Your shirt was soaked through. When Sasuke's grasp finally weakened and he tore himself away from you, his irises were red and they contained an unfamiliar pattern - Sasuke had obtained the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Legs numb from standing in one position for so long, you grabbed Sasuke's discarded blanket and sat on the floor alongside him.

Sasuke, languidly cradling his head in his hands, queried in a strange manner, "What should I do? Should I kill myself like I killed my brother?"

Images of you killing Naomi and Hiromi flashed through your head. If you killed either one of them, wouldn't you feel so miserable that you'd consider taking your own life? You weren't sure, but it was possible.

"I don't think anyone should kill themselves. Not even after killing their loved one in error. If Itachi had a disease and it was incurable, then he was going to die early in life. If he wanted to die by your hand, then you should feel good that you fulfilled his wishes. I guess what I'm trying to say is: No, you shouldn't kill yourself."

Sasuke listened carefully, then tersely let out a little 'hn' from the back of his throat. "You might be right…"

You felt your eyelids droop. Suddenly it was so hard to stay awake. The whole room turned fuzzy. "I'm sure the right thing to do is stay alive. Besides, I want you stay alive. It would be too depressing if you killed yourself." Your words were a bit braver than you'd expected - probably because you were half asleep.

Sasuke's obsidian orbs fixated on you, "Tch, Baka Aiko… After considering it carefully, I can't die yet. There's more I have to accomplish. Stop fighting it and sleep."

Those words were like a spell, you sunk down and curled up on the blanket. You were fast asleep the moment you hit the ground.

o-o-o-o-o-o

When you awoke you felt disoriented, your inner clock disturbed. Inside this cavern day and night became blurred. All you could be certain of was that you felt heavy. There was a warm weight pressing onto your chest, making it difficult to breath.

You stirred, but the heaviness pressed you down. The chamber was dark. Last night's source of light - a wall torch and a candle - had long extinguished. Groping in the dark, you brought your hand up to rub your eyes. When you did so, your fingertips brushed past something silky - locks of spiky hair.

Frozen, you realized that you felt rhythmic, hot breath fanning across your left collar bone. A warm, lean arm stretched across your stomach. Sasuke's head was on your chest, resting just above your right breast. He was lying on his left side and… hugging you in his sleep?

Mentally, you turned into a panicky mess. Your entire body turned into scarlet flames. Unable to move, you remained motionless. Sasuke was still asleep. His breathing was even and deep. Every once in a while, he let out a little sigh. Hearing his soft moans in almost complete darkness while his head and arm rested atop you was too much. You were sweating now and it felt as if any second you could melt.

You squirmed, causing Sasuke to stir. His took in a long breath and shifted. "Aiko, are you awake?" Sasuke didn't care to move away as he asked this - his head still resting on your chest. He could probably hear your erratic heartbeat. However, even if you could've pushed him away, you didn't.

Maybe you didn't push him away because he was crying last night. The Uchiha Sasuke... crying. Or maybe you didn't push him away because it felt nice to feel him against your body - hugging you.

Your scrambled brain processed that you were being asked a question, so you responded quickly, "Yeah, but it's so dark in here…"

Sasuke raised his hand and an ember shot out. Soon, fire lit the cavern - the candle and wall torch had been relit.

That only made the situation worse. Now that you could actually see Sasuke laying on you - shirtless - you were all the more self-conscious.

"…How do you feel?" You uttered out the first thing that popped into your mind.

"Not bad. I know what I have to do. Where I go from here." Sasuke's velvety voice was filled with confidence, although he didn't elaborate.

"T-that's good. Maybe you should… get off of me now?"

Even though you'd finally mustered the courage to say something about your positioning, Sasuke merely wrapped his arm around you tighter.

"You don't sound sure. In that case, I should stay where I am." You couldn't see his face, but his tone was light and teasing.

Awkwardly nudging his head away, Sasuke finally gave in and propped himself up on his left elbow - leaving his right arm slung over your waist.

His face was hovering nearby. It was close… really close. The crimson eyed Uchiha only made things worse by gazing at you deeply.

"Sasuke, your… Mangekyō is activated…" You mumbled - trying to come up with anything to say to curb your embarrassment.

"Yes, it is." He stated curtly, his unwavering Sharingan orbs were penetrating - peering into your subconscious.

"...Why?"

"To study you. These eyes are powerful."

You broke eye contact, hiding behind your hands. "Don't stare at me like that. It feels like you're… invading my privacy."

"I am. Surely you know not to look into the eyes of a Sharingan user?"

"Yes, I know. If facing a Sharingan user alone, the best course of action is to run away. If you have backup, attack from behind." You stated the well-known mantra robotically.

"And yet you've looked directly into these eyes many times." Sasuke lowly murmured. "You trust me." It wasn't a question, it was a confident, albeit befuddled statement. As if Sasuke didn't understand why you trusted him.

But it was the truth. If you didn't trust him, how could you so fearlessly look into his Sharingan? In fact, you trusted all of Team Hebi.

It would be silly to hide it, so you agreed. "Yeah… I do. Is that weird?"

In reply, Sasuke stared back. Unwillingly, you found yourself once again lost in his red and onyx orbs. He leaned in and his arm that was loosely draped over you slid back across your waist so that his hand rested on your hip.

Sasuke's head tilted to the left. His messy raven hair fell over his forehead and right cheek. He didn't have to travel far, since he was so close already. Soon you felt a warmth on your neck, soft lips caressing your sensitive flesh.

You yelped in surprise, a shiver running up your spine. Then you felt a sultry, wet tongue slide upwards beneath your jaw. Your chin automatically tilted back. A heat unlike your previous embarrassment flooded your body with pleasant tingles. It sweetly centered around your lower abdomen.

That's when reality distorted. It cracked and fell away like pieces of a puzzle. You realized that Sasuke hadn't moved an inch, his crimson orbs fixated on you.

"Genjutsu!?" Incredibly red and short of breath, you pushed against his chest roughly to move him farther away.

Amused, he faintly chuckled, "What did you see?"

"W-why would you show me that!?" You scrambled up to your feet, dizzy with pleasure and chagrin.

"I only chose to show you something you'd find favorable. What was it?" He asked again, his eyes probing your mind invasively.

"Don't look through my memories!" Too late, you shut your eyes and looked away. Sasuke had already gotten his answer.

He arrogantly smirked, "So that's what you'd find favorable in a situation such as this? How bold."

"No, I wouldn't find that favorable at all!" you blatantly lied and of course Sasuke saw through it.

"I wonder what would have happened if I had kept you in my genjutsu any longer?" He mused before chiding, "You can be a very dishonest person."

"Using the Sharingan isn't fair! Itachi did the same thing. You both aren't fair." You grumbled, and then stopped short. It was an accident to mention Itachi. You didn't want to cause Sasuke more grief by bringing him up.

"Itachi did the same thing?" More than sad, Sasuke seemed curious.

"Yeah… that time when you protected me from him… He was asking me all kinds of weird things. Like where my allegiances lie and why I was helping you."

Sasuke shook his head remorsefully. "I see…"

The door suddenly creaked open. An orange mask appeared from the inky darkness. "You've certainly calmed down." Madara nodded to himself approvingly. "What are you going to do now, Sasuke?"

"Knock first." Sasuke grouchily snapped at Madara.

Madara's visible eye rolled, but still he waited patiently for Sasuke's answer.

"Right now I'm going to gather the rest of my team. Let's go, Aiko."

All business, Sasuke abruptly stood up, coldly pushing past Madara.

o-o-o-o-o-o

The day was breezy and warm - a stark contrast to the cold, clammy cavern.

Team Hebi was easily located. Jūgo passively sat on a tree branch, staring up at the afternoon sky littered with birds. Suigetsu was relaxing, sprawled out in tall, soft grass.

Karin was eagerly waiting. She'd sensed Sasuke long before any of the others. "Sasuke, you're back! I-I mean, you're an idiot getting so beat up that you took so long to recuperate!"

Despite her words, Karin charged up to Sasuke - ready to tackle him. He simply side stepped her and she missed her target completely.

"Good timing, I was about to give up hope." Suigetsu facetiously grinned. "But you, Aiko, what happened? You disappeared last night."

"You completely abandoned us!" Karin added angrily. "If you were going to meet up with Sasuke, why didn't you tell anybody!?"

"I'm sorry. At the time I wasn't allowed to. Madara was being strict."

"Madara?" Jūgo ruminated.

"He's an important person. We're going to meet up with him somewhere, let's go." Sasuke dispassionately beckoned Team Hebi to follow.

Ever since you'd left the cavern, Sasuke had an odd disposition about him. But that was probably because he was mourning Itachi, so you didn't say anything. Though you were curious what he planned to do next.

Technically, your verbal agreement about mutually benefiting each other had been completed. Sasuke had helped you investigate your clan and you had aided him as a member of Team Hebi while he got revenge on his brother.

You felt a bit aimless now. It was surreal how everything you had set out to do had come to a conclusion.

"Psh, not even a 'Hi. Don't worry, I'm alive, guys.' Sasuke is so serious..." Suigetsu randomly remarked, scoffing at the silent Uchiha.

It didn't seem like you had been traveling for long, yet your surroundings changed drastically. Team Hebi wound up on a steep cliff overlooking the untamed ocean - its wild beauty was fascinating. Waves pounded against gigantic, jagged boulders jutting from the sea. Sasuke stood on a ledge comprised of sharp rocks - the mist of the salt-water spraying his lone form.

He felt entirely unapproachable. Team Hebi backed away from their leader - giving him space – as if everyone subconsciously felt it wasn't wise to go near him. The Uchiha had his back to everyone. Madara hadn't arrived, so we were waiting idly.

Madara approached stealthily. One moment he wasn't there, the next he stood on a nearby boulder.

Team Hebi was immediately on guard.

"How is it possible that I didn't sense him?" Karin whispered to herself, aghast.

Jūgo stood by, cautiously.

"You've kept me waiting." Sasuke aimed his words at Madara. His tone was strange and choked up. There was a lot on his mind - memories, affirmations, and new ambitions.

What struck you as odd was that when you met him, Madara was wearing a solid black cloak. Now, he donned an Akatsuki cloak and you noticed he had his Sharingan activated. Seeing his new attire, you rose your guard even more than before.

Uchiha Madara was part of Akatsuki? Did Sasuke know that previously? If he did, why would he want to meet with him? Out of gratitude for this man telling him the truth about Itachi? On top of all that, what motives did Uchiha Madara have for telling Sasuke anything about Itachi in the first place? He was entirely suspicious.

Akatsuki was a band of S-ranked criminals whom were gathering people with unique chakra... shinobi with tailed-beasts residing in their body. The Akatsuki was against Konoha and all established nations alike. Therefore, you detested them. They were an organization that sought power and authority for their own greed. As Itachi had wisely stated, no matter what, your loyalties remained with the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

"This is who we're supposed to meet? An Uchiha who shouldn't exist?" Suigetsu eagerly grasped his executioner's blade, already wanting to slice up the newcomer.

Sasuke was completely reticent and Madara didn't move or make a sound, so the atmosphere was awkward. Warily, you sat along the cliff - waves churning and slamming into the rocks beneath your feet.

The ocean spray wet your clothes. Similar to last night, you were hesitant to look up at Sasuke's expression.

Out of the corner of your eye, there was a sparkle. No, not just one, multiple. They fell onto the rocky cliff and into the ocean below. Sasuke was crying again… Itachi's death was fresh on his mind. His face was twisted in torment and his obsidian orbs were blank - far away - gazing into the past. Witnessing such a scene shouldn't be surprising after yesterday's events, but you still felt uncomfortable since you didn't know what to do.

Distracting yourself with the breathtaking view below, you waited until Sasuke broke the silence.

"Our group will no longer be known as 'Hebi', from now on, we'll refer to ourselves as 'Taka'." He stated firmly. No more was his voice tinged with turmoil. It was strong and sure.

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke's pained expression gradually faded until it disappeared completely. His eyes and cheeks were still wet, making him appear slightly vulnerable and childish. You felt like hugging him again, but now wasn't the place for that. Instead, you settled for gently lifting the tears off his face and drying his clothes - moistened by the raging sea below.

Mildly surprised at his tears floating away, Sasuke peered at you. His hard gaze softened for a brief moment, causing your heart to skip a beat. The raven haired shinobi suddenly appeared somewhat guilty, before his gaze fell flat and apathetic once more.

Team Taka's leader, cool and composed, slowly closed his onyx eyes.

"Taka has only one purpose. One goal." Sasuke articulated lowly, his voice darkening sinisterly. "The complete and utter destruction of the Leaf." His eyes snapped open, his Mangekyō activated.

A small gasp unwillingly escaped you, though you collected yourself swiftly.

'Where is this coming from? …I can understand why Sasuke might target Danzo and Konoha's elder advisors since they were in on Itachi's demise, but he wants to completely destroy Konoha!?' Your brain was jumbled.

'This... can't be happening. How can I be part of a group that wishes to harm Konoha? All my life, I've been working to protect the village. Ever since I was a child in Root...'

Your old life, prior to Orochimaru, flashed before your vision like a clip reel. Sometimes it was a harsh existence and you may hate Danzo, but you could never hate Konoha.

"What the hell are you talking about?" You bitingly spoke up, your eyes narrowing.

Sasuke stood malevolently over the raging body of water. "We can talk later." He nonchalantly commented. He turned away from the sea promptly, gracefully walking away to have a conversation with that damned Madara.

You shook your head. It just wasn't possible... you could never see Konohagakure as an enemy, much less destroy the place.