A/N- Hey everyone, this story is getting really near the end, and it makes me sad and happy at the same time.

So, with no further introductions, let's get on with it!

Warning- violence.

Floating worlds

"If we fail…"

The Kumori lady nodded, her beautiful face slightly paled. "They will not have us alive, upon my honor, I pledge this to you."

"I'll give you one of my poisons." Madara offered the noble lady. "It will be fast and painless."

"You are so kind." She said bowing towards him.

"Yet, we will not fail!" Madara added in a sudden raise of voice and sent his fist into the ground; then slightly blushed as all eyes set upon him. "We will not fail, my lady." He repeated, murmuring.

A destiny to claim (part two)

Pein turned over yet another dead body clad in black, only to be able to breathe after he studied its unfamiliar face.

"We cannot check them all, my lord, we should get going." Kakashi urged him to get up, he was losing his patience and there were three more corpses lying on the ground nearby.

"Itachi will do just fine." Kakuzu added. "Remember how he took down the entire Kobayashi army all by himself."

Pein frown because this was not entirely true and definitely not the same situation, but they were right none the less, he should stop, if he sees Itachi's beautiful body dead on the ground, he'd lose his mind without a shred of doubt and then, there's just no telling of what he'd do.

He straightened up and clenched his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Let's go."

Kakashi nodded, relieved, and led the way forwarded.

They moved along winding alleys and narrow passageways of the city, there were no commoners outside; Danzo might have ordered a curfew to prevent an uprising while he was confined to the temple, or maybe people simply chose to hide from the war that suddenly came upon them.

The sound of gunfire echoed between the walls and evidences of battles left by Madara and Itachi were everywhere to find, bodies, discarded weapons, and pools of blood, all bad omens, all made Pein's rage surge.

This was not the way a coronation should come to be, those were not the sights belonging to the capitol. The holy city of the emperor should have been free of death and slaughter.

This was all Danzo's fault! Wherever that man went, a trail of blood was left behind, and Pein knew that Danzo would not mind drenching all the eight countries in it, that bloodthirsty demon!

"Watch out!" Kakashi let out a warning to tear Pein away from his dark thoughts.

He looked up to see a squad of imperial soldiers, storming at them with swords and spears. Reluctantly, he raised his sword to meet the attackers, he wished to try and talk some reason to them, but there was no time, so he drew on his anger and frustration and ran to engage them.

The three of them worked well together, Pein and Kakuzu were accustomed to each other moves since Pein's childhood, and Kakashi's shinobi skills had allowed his adaption to their style with ease, the battle was swift and merciless.

"Oh, shit!" Kakashi suddenly shouted.

"What is it?" Pein asked, withdrawing his sword from the chest of his last victim, and he turned over worried, because the ninja's voice was distressed even though they had just finished off all their enemies.

"A trap." Kakuzu said, staring upfront.

There were six men that stood before them now, creating a front under the cover of the battle's commotion, and they had their guns ready to use, waiting only for the last imperial soldier to collapse on the ground and out of the line of fire.

There was no way around them, as those soldiers blocked the ally, and no time either since their finger was already on the trigger.

Pein lowered his hood.

"Don't!" Kakashi shouted, recognizing his intentions.

"We have no other option." Pein answered and turned to the gun holders, trying to make an eye contact with each one of them. "Does anyone here recognize me?" He roared. "I am Kumori Pein of the Ame clan! Would you spill the blood of the royal heir?"

The soldiers that knelt in front of them blinked and lingered.

"I know him." One old soldier said, astounded. "I'd recognize this blazing hair anywhere…he is what he says…"

"Shoot or I'll have your head!" his commander barked at him.

It all happened at once, the soldiers fired their guns, Kakashi pounced on Pein and pulled him to the ground; arrows flew from above and took two shooters down followed by two figures landing off the rooftop to attack the rest of the soldiers.

One of them was aiming for the old man.

"No!" Pein freed himself from Kakashi's hold and ran to protect him.

For a moment their eyes met, his and Itachi's, did he just saw a flash of red light in the youth's eyes? The young man froze, baffled.

"Not this one; let him go." Pein ordered.

Itachi nodded and removed his blade off the man's neck.

"We made it just in time." Madara said panting, after finishing the last of the gun holders.

Pein turned to the old man, who had let go of his gun and curled up at a corner, shaking with fright.

"You know me." He said, trying to calm the man down by placing his hand on his shivering shoulder.

"Yes, my lord." The man answered. "I have seen you when you were a little child; you visited the emperor with your father… We were told you were dead…"

Pein frowned upon yet another one of Danzo's lies "Go and spread the word among the soldiers, the rightful heir is alive and here, and he needs your help to get rid of that imposter, Danzo." Pein said with a warm smile. "Can you do that?"

"Yes, my lord!" the old man stopped shivering and straightened up.

"Here;" Pein took off a ring from his finger, although very old and dear to him, it had his household symbol impressed on it, so he gave it to the unknown soldier. "There's your proof, go."

The man bowed and left, first staggering and then running out of sight.

"I hope you were not too attached to that ring." Madara mumbled but Pein's attention was elsewhere.

He hurried towards Kakuzu, who knelt beside Kakashi and looked up to meet his eyes with a sad expression. "I'm sorry." He said. "The man is beyond help."

Pein frowned; Kakashi laid on the ground with a ghastly head wound caused by a bullet that was headed his way, there was no surviving that horrible injury, the bullet went through the head, crushing the skull in both entering and exiting.

Pein sighed and placed his hand on Kakashi blooded forehead, wiping away the muck off his face, and then he closed his eyes and whispered a short prayer for the gods to give the Hatake a safe passage to the land of the afterlife.

This man he only met few hours ago has given his life for him without hesitation, only because of his royal heritage; he hoped he was worthy of that sacrifice.

"It was quick and painless." Kakuzu tried to offer comfort.

"Let's hide the body and be on our way." Pein said, hoping that no one will plunder it so should they survive this day they'd be able to give him a proper burial.

"This changes our tactics again." Madara said to Itachi as they watched the others place the body in a safe corner of the street. "It would be best to join lord Kumari now."

Itachi nodded, letting Pein continue alone without Kakashi's protection was too risky indeed.

"Come on." Madara addressed them all. "The temple is not very far away."

oOOo

It was the end of spring, and the sakura grove surrounding the temple was covered in a blanket of pink-white petals. The pink blossom gently scattered on the gravel walkways, carried around with the soft breeze, it rolled on the soft green grass, and floated in the ponds, accumulating under the wooden bridges where lazy goldfish swam.

The dawn was almost upon the temple, its highest golden rooftop was glistering with the sun's first rays, and the early risen songbirds had sweetened the air with their melodic chirps. This was a holly place and damn be the ones to taint it with blood.

Madara returned from his short scouting trip to join the rest of the awaiting party.

"There are at least fifty soldiers on patrol, Danzo's men, half of them carry guns." He said. "Most of them are guarding the temple, but some cover the grove as well."

"And ninja?" Itachi asked, from his leaning place against a tree.

"I could not detect any." Madara admitted his failure. "They might be positioned inside the temple"

"What do you suggest we do?" Pein asked Madara.

Madara took out something out of a simple hemp sack he had recovered from his scouting trip, it was two dark-blue robes; the type of robes the Shinto monks of this temple used.

"I found these in a warehouse nearby; put it on, Pein-sama, Kakuzu-san. It will help you get near the temple with less chance of discovery. In the mean time I will create a diversion, and draw the attention to myself so you could get in, find Danzo and finish him. I have a few arrows left, and I think I can take down at least ten soldiers, it will create some commotion enough to let you enter…"

"Sensei, wait …" Itachi interrupted. "What do I do?"

"You stay here." Madara answered sternly. "Look at you; you are at your limit."

Pein frowned and Kakuzu approached the youth, which was seated against the tree trunk, he knelt near him and placed a hand on the boy's humid forehead.

"Madara-san is right, Itachi-kun, you are running a fever." The medical officer confirmed.

Itachi ignored him, staring angrily at Madara. "I am not going to stay idle, as you commit suicide, Sensei!"

"So you'd rather join me?" Madara asked with his own irritation. "I won't be able to protect you."

"I am not a child, I don't need protection."

"You stay here." Pein announced, with all intents to finish the argument and move on, but it only served to fume the youth even further.

Itachi couldn't believe his ears, those three arrogant, patronizing old men! As if Madara was not recovering from a severe injury and Pein was not tortured by the Toujou, as if Kakuzu had a minute's rest while fighting and tending to the wounded, they were all at their limit!

"No!" Itachi said with fury. "If you use your old age and… position to force this upon me, I will never forgive you!"

Kakuzu chuckled. "Look at the boy's eyes; he's going to set us all in flames with his rage."

Itachi threw a burning glare at the old officer that made him choke on his words and then he struggled to stand on his feet again. "Just try and stop me." He said, this time staring at Pein, and the tall warlord shrugged in defeat.

"Very well." Madara sighed. "You may join me, but if you drop on the ground, I'm not picking you up."

"Same goes to you." Itachi answered.

With the conclusion of the dispute, Pein and Kakuzu turned to put on the robes, and the Uchiha watched them prepare in silence, the robes were big enough to conceal the weapons, but by no means did the warriors resembled monks, that ability of total immersion was acquired only by the most skilful of shinobi, however this would have to do.

"Yosh, let's get going." Madara said and looked at Pein. "Get rid of Danzo for me, I'd rest easy knowing that he'd follow suit."

"I will." Pein promised and turned to Itachi. "See you in this life, or the next." He said to the youth, his voice drenched in emotion.

Itachi bowed, then turned and followed his sensei.

oOOo

"Six left." Madara whispered to himself as he released an arrow, aiming to the neck of a gun holding soldier.

The soldier collapsed, screaming, and his patrol partner who did not have a gun, knelt down to try and help him, Itachi snuck from behind him and stabbed him in the chest with his Katana and fled as the soldier fell on top of the other.

Both Uchiha met behind a huge flourishing wisteria bush and took cover as more soldiers ran into the scene, drawn by the others' shouts for help.

Madara counted them to be twelve, six gun holders and six carrying swords.

"Here, take it." He gave the bow and arrows to Itachi. "Six left, go to the temple and try to take down as many of the gun holders set watch on the roof. I'll take care of this lot."

"They too have guns."

"But they are foolish enough to huddle here, so unless they are willing to shoot each other, their guns are useless."

"I see." Itachi replied, in his heart he thanked Sasori for his battle at the southern wall, if not for him, there would be even more gun holders at the temple.

"If you make it, come back and help me here." Madara said, wiping the sweat and blood off his forehead and then reached for his sword.

Itachi nodded, Madara reached out his other hand and he took it, they looked at each other, bidding farewell without words, then Madara let go and ran towards the soldiers, screaming like a hungry ghost.

He watched as the fight started; noting that even more soldiers were on their way to the area, he knew that this may be the last time he sets eyes on his sensei, so he gave him this one last gaze and left.

He descend downhill and followed the pond's bank to reach the temple from the rear, where he could locate ten gun holders, five on the rooftops, and five on the ground. He knew he should take down as many from the roofs, so they'd lose their height advantage.

There was a tall cedar tree near the pond that drank its waters and had rich dark green foliage, it was in a perfect viewing position to climb and hide on. He settled in and tried to shut his mind to the noises coming from Madara's battle and the worry for Pein's well being, so he could make a good use of his few arrows.

Five, four, three…

Three soldiers from the rooftop fell down to the ground as Itachi's arrows hit them.

The first two had gone unnoticed; since the bow was far less noisy than a gun, but with the third the soldiers noted that they were under attack and started running around, trying to locate his hiding place.

With the soldiers alert and on the move, it was harder to aim at them, and riskier to step out of cover, Itachi took some deep breaths, fighting his acing body and gathering his strength, then he rose again.

His next two arrows missed, and as he was left with the last one, a blast of a gun disturbed his concentration and made him send it up the air on a useless path.

Another blast missed him by a sliver, and he knew he had been discovered, he had to leave, or they will have him surrounded and hunted down like an animal, so he climbed down to the ground again. Should he get into the temple or run back to help Madara? Did he have enough energy left in him to make the run?

His dilemma was solved as two ninja came to face him, members of Toujou, by the look of their robes. "Stop the shooting!" One of them shouted to the soldiers. "This one is ours!"

The gun shoots halted at once.

Itachi studied his opponents, one was old with a long black hair, and the other was young with a silvery short hair, both had emerald green eyes, and both looked incredibly skillful.

"Are you the Uchiha's perfect weapon, young one?" the older Toujou asked, he had a strange husky voice that sounded like a snake's hiss.

"I am Uchiha Itachi." He answered, ridding himself of the bow and drawing his Katana again. "And you may judge me as you please."

The black haired Toujou smiled with delight "It is the perfect weapon, although, shame that we got you in such a tattered state."

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"Not at all…." The older Toujou smiled and turned to the younger one. "Oh, Mitsuki-kun, this should be interesting."

The younger smiled back and they both charged at once.

oOOo

Pein and Kakuzu walked undisturbed towards the center of the sakura grove and reached the temple's main entrance unnoted. From the corner of his eye, Pein could locate the Uchiha fight off Danzo's guards, and for some reason there was no one awaiting them at the front doors or watching from the rooftop; seems like their disguise although feeble was effective.

Pein took down the robes before stepping in, he would not die or kill while dressed as a holly man; he also removed his shoes, because he could not bear the thought of entering this holly place with his boots on, smearing dirt and blood on the soft tatami floor. Kakuzu did the same, and they both drew their swords and walked inside.

There was no one awaiting them at the spacious entrance hall, it had greeted them with silence and darkness. Had they time, Pein would linger to appreciate the beautiful silk paintings hanging on almost every fusuma, admire the elaborated carvings of the wooden pillars, or read some of the old scrolls that the monks kept by the alters, but time was not on their side, if they fail to kill Danzo now, centuries might weep thereafter.

"Upstairs." Pein said softly as they finished surveying the floor.

Kakuzu nodded.

They both shared the same worry- what if there was no one here? What if Danzo's total disrespect of tradition had allowed him to forsake the holly ceremony and this temple, degrading it into mere bait? What if only ninja awaited them inside? What if they were going to die in vain?"

But there was no way of knowing, and so they had no choice but move upwards in the stillness and the dark.

oOOo

Dawn was breaking; the sun's first rays appeared in the east, red as blood. Madara had been fighting all night, and he was grateful to witness the light of day even if for the last time.

There were just too many of them, Danzo's men just came pouring in, as the fight continued, and he was wounded, hurting and out of breath, yet just to make it worst, ninja seemed to be joining the fight as well.

He put himself in a meditative state, separating his worn out mind from his exhausted body. While his body acted on its own; his soul was preparing for its departure, he just hoped that he had gained enough time for Pein to kill Danzo, so at least his death won't be wasted.

His tired eyes must have been deceiving him, he wondered if his desperate spirit had cast an illusion on itself, because the ninja than had joined the battle seemed to be attacking Danzo's men, four of them, striving to create a circle of protection around him, defending him as he knelt down, weak, panting and bleeding.

"Master Madara, are you well?" one asked.

That voice, he recognized it, such an elaborated illusion.

This dream was sure a lively one, because the ninja that defended him managed to eliminate every one of Danzo's men, and now they were just standing there, watching his with concern as he waited patiently for this delusion to end.

"Master Madara!" The man said again, this time grabbing his shoulder and shaking his body violently.

Madara looked up, blinking; that face, so familiar. "Obito-kun?" he asked with dismay.

The young man smiled at him, and an older Uchiha came to kneel down beside him, that he recognized as well.

"Master Madara…" the man said with a stern expression."Word of Fugaku's passing has reached us, so we halted our cooperation with Danzo and the Toujou and searched the city to find you. You are the next Uchiha clan leader; we await your guidance, Master."

"Kagami-san, is that you?"

"Hai!" the man bowed.

The other three knelt and bowed as well, he recognized them all, besides Obito and Kagami were another young man named Shisui and a young woman named Izumi.

"What are you doing here?" Madara asked, trying to withhold his astonishment.

"Master Madara." Kagami tried again. "We have come to the capitol under Fugaku's orders to assist at the coronation, but we also have been there when he brought Orochimaru to our sacred village, and we witnessed your protest against the alliance with the Toujou. Not all of us heartily obeyed Fugaku and as soon as he was killed we transferred our loyalty to you."

Madara's worn out mind struggled with this information, but it made some sort of sense, had he had not become rogue, he would have been the next in line of succession.

"How many Uchiha stand with you?"

"Those three here, and I have sent Naori and Hikaku to protect the old Emperor at the palace, the rest, however, remained loyal to Danzo and were dealt with." Kagami said, lowering his head with those last few words.

"I see…" Madara sighed, between Itachi and himself; they had killed about twelve Uchiha on their way to the temple, he wondered how many had died by Kagami's hands.

"Your orders, master?"

"Help me up."

"Hai."

oOOo

Itachi knew that this battle was hopeless, his rivals were very skillful, the most skillful ninja he had ever faced, his body was slowly giving up, the blood pounded in his head, his lunges burned with every breath he drew, his hands felt heavy as lead, and then it happened, with no further warning, he just came crumbling down on the ground as a neglected ragdoll.

The Toujou cease their attack at once, and watched him fall, the older one laughed softly. "Poor dear…" he said. "You over did it, and now look at you…"

The black haired snake sheathed his sword and waited for a moment, as he realized the Uchiha posed no further threat, he drew near and knelt down besides the helpless youth.

"Oh, young one..." He hummed with unhidden admiration. "Beautiful and deadly, and mine… all mine."

The man's pale hands caressed Itachi's face, and cleaned the blood off, and then he raised his tainted fingers to lick them, moaning with pleasure.

Itachi could only watched, terrified, unable to move or even talk, his body had betrayed him completely and left him at the mercy of that demon snake, he knew he should prepare for the worst, although he could not imagine what the worst might be.

"What do we do with him, master Orochimaru?" the younger, Mitsuki, asked, alert still and his blade yet drawn.

"Look at those eyes." Orochimaru said, patting Itachi's delicate features like a favorite pet. "Those beautiful, enchanting Uchiha eyes." He turned to the youth, strange desire burning in his emerald gaze. "Do you know how to use those lovely eyes of yours? No? You know nothing of their power, poor dear. Well, that's no surprise, considering your lewd upbringing… such a shame…"

"Master, we should get going."

"Yes, indeed… we will take you to my workshop, young one, and there, I'll take you apart." Orochimaru promised with a gleeful chuckle.

Itachi could not reply, could not move, was even unable to bring tears into his eyes, he could only glare at the Toujou and the darkening world that surrounded him.

"Take your filthy, slithering hands off the boy!" someone said.

Orochimaru looked up to see five Uchiha surrounding him, and frowned. Mitsuki turned his blade towards them calmly assessing the situation; it was not in their favor.

"My my, the stirring of the wind..." Orochimaru hissed.

"Indeed, Master Toujou." Madara said. "The Uchiha support Danzo no more!"

"Stand down, or die." Kagami added.

"What do we do?" Mitsuki asked and peeked at Orochimaru who rose up to stand beside him.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed with irritation and he struggled with his response. "The Toujou will stand down." He said at the end.

Mistuki glanced at him, surprised "And break our contract with Danzo? What would future clients say?"

"We aided Danzo becoming an emperor, as he requested." Orochimaru stated with a cold glare "Our obligation to him has ended. It is no concern of us if his regime might last less than a day. Spread the word."

"Hai." The younger Toujou nodded.

They both sheathed their blades, bowed and left without further ado.

Madara and Kagami hurried to Itachi's side.

"He is alive and mostly unharmed." Kagami said. "He's just worn out."

"Thank the gods." Madara panted, seating near the boy. "Go to the temple and aid Pein-sama." He ordered the Uchiha and let himself lay near the boy, gathering him into his embrace. "I'll… I'll join you soon." He said although he could not help but close his eyes.

Kagami watched the two slumbering ninja for a moment. "Obito, stay with them." He commanded "Izumi, Shisui, let's go."

oOOo

They reached the second floor, which was smaller than the first and made entirely out of wood, and then at last, Pein laid his eyes upon the enemy he had been chasing for almost a year. He crossed the main sea and two lands, fought against three massive armies and the forces of nature in hope to meet this day.

All he wanted to do was to raise his sword and kill the man who almost destroyed his entire family, he could hardly contain his rage, but he knew that he'll need to approach carefully and study the situation, if he wishes to avoid making any hastened mistakes.

Danzo seemed a little bit older than Pein expected, a little shorter and even scrawny, yet his dark black eyes shone with inner vigor, and a restless smile quivered on his lips. He seemed a bit surprised as he watched Pein as if he was a ghost, but he overcame his initial confusion quite quickly.

"Kumori Pein!" he said, voice full with disdain.

"Shimura Danzo." Pein answered with a similar manner.

Danzo had a smaller guard than Pein had anticipated, just a group of six well armed officers, and no ninja in sight. It made him wonder, did his plan worked out so well to spread Danzo's forces this thin, or did Danzo had such little faith in his man to appoint only a pitiful few as his bodyguards?

"You just keep on disappointing me, Pein-sama." Danzo reproached him, smiling still.

"How so?"

"By not dying! I've set up the finest opportunities for you, the Kuroyama battle, the Kobayashi ambush, the Toujou trap… and yet, here you are!"

"Here I am, to end your pathetic charade. You have no right to inherit the emperor, you blood-thirsty, lowlife thief."

Danzo chuckled as if he just heard the most amusing of jokes, so confident, what did he know that Pein had missed?

Pein dared to glance around him, enemy ninja could infiltrate from many directions; they could come down from the third floor, or climb up the walls, jump in from the rooftop or even use the staircase from the first floor. This was a poor position to be in.

"And who will inherit the land once the old feeble emperor's gone, you?" Danzo asked, once he was done laughing.

"I am of Senju's blood."

"Senju's blood, you say?" Danzo snarled, eyes burning with contempt. "This old bloodline is degenerate and decayed! The main branch lost its power, the two heirs died at young age of bloodline illness, leaving the emperor mad with sorrow. The side branch was made up of cowards! You would not believe the amount of provocation I needed to create in order to push the Sarutobi into rebellion! And now you? Such a remote wretched twig, so far removed and forgotten?"

"The Kumori clan is of Senju decent none the less."

"You view yourself as the rightful heir? Pein son of Ise? The savage of the north? The brutal thug? The boy-lover? You have no idea whatsoever of how to be an emperor! You don't have the slightest idea what the future holds for this land, of what is going on outside the eight countries! There's a hopeless gap of power we must overcome!"

"We won't overcome any gap while drenching in bloodshed."

"Rightfully said! So why are you here? Go home, you weak simpleton! Leave this country in my capable hands!"

"Your hands are only capable of murder and torture! What hope you offer our land? A hope for endless war! A hope for civil uprising! Yes, civil uprising! For once you lay your hand on the royal family you open up the floodgate for every power-hungry Daimyo to try his hand at a coup! And they will do it, Danzo, have no illusion about it! Once the holly royal family is royal and holly no more!"

"Is that so, Pein-sama? Bring her forth."

They pushed a woman in front of Danzo, forcing her to kneel before him. Pein noted her presence before but did not pay much attention, but now he studied her with puzzlement. She was a noble woman dressed in a splendid imperial styled kimono, and her face stroke a chord in him, so familiar.

It was hard to recognize his older sister in that royal fitting outfit, her elaborate hairdo and heavy makeup, her hollow eyes did not help in doing so either, but there she was none the less, his beloved older sister, alive!

"Onee-sama?! What have they done to you?" Pein could hardly conceal his horror.

She did not answer, she did not even look at him, and her gaze was fixed upon a distant point in space, as if she was submerged in a deep meditation.

"Meet my wife." Danzo answered instead, grabbing her under the chin, forcing her to lean against his loin, like some obedient pet. "I have saved her from death by poison, after she had killed her two children. In gratitude, she had accepted my hand in marriage, and now carries my son, my heir, so rest assured, Pein-sama, the royal blood will prevail."

"How dare you? How dare you treat my sister in such manner?"

"Now, now… Pein-sama, I feel generous today, and why shouldn't I? This is a happy day for our land, as I step out of this temple as the new emperor. I'd let you and yours leave the capitol and go back north to where you belong. No harm will come to you. Refusing me however…"

And with saying so, Danzo pulled his short sword and pressed the blade into Kurenai's throat.

Tempting, so tempting to believe those words and leave, take Konan and the kids, along with Sasori and what was left of his army, take Itachi and go back home. He never wanted to be an emperor, he was never raised as such; he had no idea how to become one.

And Kurenai, she's alive! This changes everything! What if Danzo is right? What if Kurenai is a loyal wife? What if she loves Danzo so much, she is willing to die in order to insure his succession? Sacrifice herself along with her unborn child!

Pein glanced at his old friend for advice, but the stern look on Kakuzu's face showed he was just as baffled, and could not aid.

"What would it be?" Danzo asked impatiently. "Remember that my forces outnumber yours, and it is only a matter of minutes before a backup team would arrive, I might not feel as gracious by then."

Pein tried to catch his older sister's eyes, while fighting his tears. "Tell me that this is what you want, Onee-sama, tell me in your own voice that this is your wish and I will stand down." His voice trembled, and the sword seemed so heavy in his hand. " Onee-sama, please…"

Danzo sighed, rolling up his eyes, his officers smirked at Pein's pleading voice, there were sounds of a striding squad marching towards the temple, but then Kurenai finally woke up from her dreamlike state and her dark sorrowful eyes locked on to her brother's.

"Dear Otouto …" she whispered, smiling faintly "One cannot seek advice from the dead." And while saying so, she raised her hand to her hair to pull out a concealed kogai from her heir ornaments, and then she twisted in Danzo's hold and stabbed him in his upper abdomen, aiming exactly to his liver.

The astounded daimyo managed to slit her throat before collapsing, in a puddle of his blood.

Kakuzu leaped towards Kurenai, and grabbed her as she fell down, pressing his hands on her throat in a stubborn effort to stop the bleeding, leaving Pein to deal with the officers.

Pein's rage led him into savagery; he butchered the officers, one by one, cutting limbs and crushing bones, clearing his way to where Danzo fell. No one could stand in his way to him, and when he reached him, their eyes met for the last time, as Pein severed his head with just one stoke.

"Kurenai!" he shouted, facing the stairway, as the new squad climbed up.

"Gone." Kakuzu answered with unhidden sorrow, and then he rose up to stand by Pein, his blooded hands slippery on his sword.

They both braced themselves for their last battle in silence and greeted the newcomers.

It was a squad of imperial soldiers led by the old officer Pein had saved earlier from Itachi's deadly attack, he and two black haired women were supporting an elderly man as he wobbled upstairs.

The elder laid eyes on the warlord and studied him for a while, and then he lifted up his skinny hand and pointed out. ""It is truly him, that Kumori boy… I choose you as my heir." He stated with a trembling voice.

Pein threw his swords to the ground with disgust and fell on the floor, face down, bowing.

oOOo

A/N- And here we are, I hope you enjoyed. Thank you and take care. I hope to update again soon J