A/N: Day twenty-nine. One of those 'dead inside' chapters, which is a shame.


The other villages, of course, demand compensation for all the trouble that the Akatsuki have caused. After reporting to Tsunade, dodging a dodging a dozen sake bottles and watching the well-endowed woman down the other dozen; Team Yamaneko have completed their mission with a few added bonuses.

They've all been paid at least two times the usual amount for S-ranks, but she supposes that it makes sense considering all the nonsense that has happened. Not that the slug Sannin really wanted to, but she's sort of obligated to since there's a whole lot of unintended benefits from this mission.

A lot of trauma as well, perhaps.

She glances over to Konan and Sai, whom are conversing before the elder woman's escorted to some kind of lodging. Sai's smile is a relaxed one, which is surprising considering how long it took him to direct a smile like that to Neji. Even now, it's rather rare.

"What are we waiting for again?" her more ill-tempered brother snaps, his arms folded and his foot twitching almost as if he wants to tap it in irritation. It would amusing to witness, in her opinion, but that's probably why he doesn't do it. "I want to go home already."

So he can use his personal and most favoured brush… Or so she can use it on him, since he likes to be a pampered puppy.

"Sai." she replies, then tilts her head in consideration. "And if Shion will burst through the window to make a grand entrance, just to piss Tsunade-san off."

It seems like something Shion would do, especially if she has Shisui on her side. Except that theory's thrown out of the window when the woman herself strides into the waiting area, leading the blinded Uchiha by the hand with Orochimaru and Kabuto almost flanking her.

Something in her mind conjures the image of them walking in slow motion, their hair billowing in the wind as sparkles surround them. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation isn't all that pleasant and amusing.

Everyone that's not used to the absurdity are rather alarmed by Itachi's appearance. The anxiety and tension in the atmosphere rises, even though the group of highly dangerous ninja are unperturbed and continue on their way. She supposes that they don't do anything because Orochimaru's there and he's a trusted and valued shinobi of Konohagakure.

"I'm going home." Neji announces, decisive as he takes a sharp turn around to grab his brother. They disappear in a swirl of smoke, and Sakura gives Konan a polite smile that's almost immediately returned.

When Shion stops before her, she feels a little sick because of their oppressive auras. "She might flip the desk once she sees you." Sakura says in a way of greeting, before glancing to the side. "Then again, she already did when she heard you were alive."

The deranged Uzumaki grins at her, as Itachi shifts closer. He's wearing that simple black cloak of his, the bandages around his eyes replaced with a cloth of the same colour. His hair is back to its usual luscious shine and he doesn't smell like blood and sweat anymore.

He smirks at her in greeting, and she frowns up at him. He gives a silent chuckle, apparently at ease with his situation and adjusting well. What a bastard.

"As expected." Shion nods, then glances around. "It feels strange being back here, yeah. I have the strangest urge to destroy everything and become an international criminal, you know?" she cackles, like it's some joke even though they all know it's possible that she could and probably would.

"That'd just be undoing a lot of things…" Sakura sighs, though with a slight smile. "Also, I need you to go into my mind at some point. I have a… guest that wants to see you."

The Uzumaki woman raises a brow at her, before waving a hand in dismissal. "Sure, whatever. Weird shit's happened before, yeah."


Shion and Itachi burst out of the Hokage's office, with the former laughing as a desk slams against the walls and destroys the entrance. Sakura is swept up in the momentum, finding herself running away with the two insane Sharingan wielders.

"What did you say to her?" Sakura queries, jumping from roof to roof with them. She takes notes of the way that the two move in sync, their hands still joined and their movements graceful. It's rather annoying, though she's not quite sure why. Perhaps it's because she wishes for Itachi to be a little less proficient what with his lack of eyesight.

That might be bad of her, but she doesn't feel all that guilty for thinking it.

"Quite a few things, but I'm just naturally aggravating to her." Shion laughs, stopping on a random roof and prompting both Sakura and Itachi to mimic her. "But it's her way of showing affection, the squishy melon drunkard."

Sakura jumps over to the same roof as them, looking around and realising how out of place the two of them feel. The general serenity of the village seems unfitting to two ninja that drown in chaos and self-destruction.

She tilts her head, looking at them and realising that they look like villains from one of the many novels she's read. But she thinks that their roles are little more complicated than that. Not villains, not heroes… They're just monsters who don't know how to be human.

That makes her wonder if being human is such a good thing, although she's not sure why she's suddenly feeling so contemplative and deep.

"We should probably go visit my nephew and the other little shits at his house, huh?" Shion remarks, with a slight frown of contemplation. Her expression doesn't seem to be all that pleased. "Mm… Nah, fuck it. I don't want to deal with Gaara, Haku and the likelihood that sunshine lollipop will want to bond via family stories, yeah."

Itachi's lips tilt upwards into a smile, and Sakura wonders if they're able to communicate telepathically like the Yamanaka can. She doubts it though, since Shion would be having Itachi's voice whispering sweet nothings in her head. Sakura's stomach clenches in distaste at the mere thought of having Itachi in her head, like how Shion was.

"Ah, are you allowed to be out and about with Itachi trailing behind you?" she queries, suddenly realising that there's been no announcement to quell the worries of an international criminal roaming around their village.

Shion blinks at her, then chuckles. "No, likely not. But whatever, yeah. Wouldn't it be fun if someone does come around to pick a fight? It might start some kind of political situation, but it's not like I give that much of a shit, yeah."

Sakura hums, conjuring a few theories as to why Tsunade threw the desk at Shion. The slug Sannin likely would've thrown more crap if she could.


Although reluctant to register Itachi's signature into the seal that protects the house, she does it anyway since there's not much point in arguing. Shion's fine, since they essentially have the same chakra and the seal recognises her.

Sakura feels a little bad for her temperamental brother though, whom likely feels like even his safe space has been invaded by despicable people. It does feel a little weird having them in the house, together and expecting them to be cordial in some manner.

Half of her expects Shion to just start throwing explosive tags everywhere because she felt like it would be fun. Except she knows that Shion wouldn't do that to a place that's precious to Sakura, even if she wanted to.

Neji growls at the sight of the two mentally ill ninja, his fingers twitching like he's about to go for his kunai pouch. He doesn't, maturely huffing and stomping up the stairs in an attempt to get some peace from psychopaths.

Sai gives a polite smile, then follows his brother up the stairs to likely keep him company. Perhaps they'll talk about typical boy things, although it's unlikely. The thought bring a smile to her face, though.

"Are you going to be staying in Konoha long?" she inquires as she leads them into the kitchen, only to pause when she sees a summoning contract on the dining table. Walking towards it, she picks it up to examine it. Her attention soon falls onto the note that had been underneath it.

Take care of them…

Her heart clenches, as she realises that she won't be seeing Kakashi around anymore. She looks up, scouring the room and noting all the little details that said Kakashi lived here. There's a mild sting in her eyes, but it's not enough to make her eyes water.

For some reason, she feels a little devastated to know that she can't even cry for him.

"Not long…" Shion murmurs, releasing Itachi's hand to lean against the edge of the table. She's surprisingly more solemn than before, probably reminded as well that the man standing in the room with them sent their man-child-dog to his death. "We don't like Konoha all that much, yeah."

"We'll have a funeral for him." Sakura states, placing the summoning contract back onto the table. "Will you stay until then?" she asks, turning towards her former mental companion.

Shion gives a slight smile, one that's more human than anything else Sakura's seen before on her face. "Yeah, obviously. They're not my thing, but it's the least I can do."

She's so very glad Itachi can't talk at this moment, because he surely would've ruined the moment.


For the sake of convenience and because there's no way in hell that she'd be comfortable having Itachi in her mind, it's only Shion whom arrives to meet with the mysterious figure. Sakura can only think of terrible things happening if that particular Uchiha went roaming about her mind. Even if Shion appears to have him under control, he's just the kind of person one can't trust.

Shion's expression is somewhat disgusted upon looking at the hooded being, even though said hooded being looks delighted to see her. They almost go in for a hug, she thinks, until Shion's narrows her eyes in warning.

"The fuck is this?" is the cursed woman's elegant query, directing her gaze over to Sakura.

"Apparently," she starts, her nerves beginning to tingle from mild concern, "this one's from your original world, where you were bestowed the status of a monster because of some shady prophecy. The people there banished and cursed you, and whoever this is has been looking for you ever since. They couldn't find you until you attached yourself to me."

Both of Shion's brows are raised, although her expression is more disbelieving than anything. "Wow, that's some shit. Why has this mystical being been looking for my condemned soul, yeah?"

"To bring you back… So that you may reveal to them what they have done by casting you out." they answer for her, stepping forward to fully take Shion's attention. "You were once a gentle soul, but their fear has since created this cause of effect where you have become warped and broken. Though you can never truly be fixed, I have managed to allow you the ability to regain your memories of all your past lives."

Shion squints at this, folding her arms and appearing to be rather unimpressed with it all. "That sounds fucking horrible, yeah. Why would I want to remember everything? That just sounds troublesome and tormenting." and it does, because that's multiple lifetime's worth of memories.

They tilt their head, acknowledging the skepticism. "It is a mere choice to remember. You were previously unable to connect with your past lives, but I have ensured that you will be able to if you so wish. It has been a difficult and complicated process, but I wish to bring you back to where you originally belong with your memories intact."

Shion is still wearing a skeptical expression as she stares at the figure, who waits patiently for a reply. Then, the woman sighs in annoyance. "So you want me to remember all the terrible shit they've done to me, so that I can be motivated to get revenge on all the fuckers that kicked me out, yeah?" she summarises, which sounds a lot simpler and a little… well, lacking.

They nod, although somewhat unsurely. "Not just that, but being able to reconnect with past lives will allow you to remember important information that will certainly help you. It is a simple bonus to what I wished to achieve, though."

"Right, I'm confused as all hell but fuck it, whatever." Shion waves her hand in dismissal. "I'm down with fucking up a bunch of cunts, yeah. Seems like fun, if that's what you want me to do. Do I have to die to be reborn there?"

Another nod from the ethereal figure. "You are prophesised to become the destroyer of that world. Once you die here, you will be reborn there as you truly are." which, in Sakura's opinion, sounds a little terrifying.

Shion frowns in thought. "I'll come, if you bring two more souls to be my precious companions." her grin is devious, and Sakura feels like she knows where there is going. "Being alone gets boring, you know?"

The figure's silent for a moment before, "That can be arranged. Specify them to me and I will bind them to you." they don't sound very pleased.

"Fuck yeah." Shion chuckles, before turning to face Sakura. "I guess that means that I'll be leaving a lot sooner than I planned, because I think I'm about done here anyway." she states, cracking her neck and then her fingers.

Sakura tilts her head, before smiling. "You're going to bring a scarecrow and a weasel with you? Shisui-taichou will be disappointed." she replies, feeling a strange sense of ease. She's neither happy nor upset at the prospect of Shion leaving. It'll take some time getting used to the fact that Shion won't be occasionally commenting on something in her head, but that's not worrying.

"He'll always be one of my favourites, but I really just want to see how those two interact together in another dimension." Shion throws her head back and cackles, which is relieving for reasons Sakura's not all that sure of. "That'll be a riot, yeah."

"You still have to come to the funeral, though." she says, otherwise Shion will probably blow herself up as soon as they're out of her mindscape.

Shion nods once she's done laughing, leaving an amused smile to form on her lips. "Yeah, don't worry. I will."


Chapter Word Count: 2,437

Total Word Count: 92,395

Targeted Word Count: 0


A/N: This is basically the end, since the last chapter will be someone else's POV and it's likely to be like the epilogue thing. Maybe, I doubt it will tie up loose ends. I'm not happy with this chapter, but ah well. It's one of many. I'll try to do better on the last chapter. See you then.

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