PLEASE READ!

This chappie will explain a butt load of stuff to you. Read it carefully and enjoy yourselves!

- - -

Scattered Clouds, Disappearing Mist

His Truth, Her Reason

- - -

Itachi Uchiha's blank eyes locked onto him as Sasuke desperately scooted backwards, ignoring the pain of rough and broken earth digging into his bare back. Naruto was unconscious a good few yards off, leaning against the thick trunk of a remaining tree, skin pale from his close encounter of falling into Itachi's Sharingan Hell. Sasuke had barely been able to knock the kitsune clear out before he fell into Tsukuyomi (1).

It had cost him valuable muscle power, and his present situation was proof. His weapons belt was empty, its contents scattered and broken over the brutalized battleground. His chakra was spent, his cursed seal somehow sealed even further into his body, leaving him unable to release its powers.

Itachi's invincible shield was keeping him safe, as it had been since only moments before. It had stopped all his strongest attacks, and now his brother, who was blind – blind! – was coming ever closer, hand outstretched, blood coated fingers seeking… seeking…

"My eyes…"Itachi rasped; his voice choked as it slid over blood-caked lips.

Unbidden, a flash of pink hair and emerald eyes clouded his mind. A flare of adrenaline coursed through his veins and he shouted and hurled his final kunai at the Eldest Uchiha, vowing to stay alive. He couldn't – wouldn't – die here!

But the kunai thudded into the ground between them. Itachi paused as his shield rippled from the impact. Sasuke drew Kusanagi with a cry, slamming it into the silky shadow. His brother's hand moved slightly to the right and the katana careened off the chakra shield, whistling violently away from the feuding brothers, screaming as it buried deep into solid rock.

No, no!

Sasuke retreated further back, his body shaking uncontrollably. Panic squeezed at his chest, clouding all rational thought from his mind.

"Mine…"

His back hit a solid surface, stopping his retreat. He spun in terror up at the rock wall before spinning back towards his brother, his mind screaming. Itachi's shield vanished from around him. Sasuke knew he should've attacked. Kami, he wanted to attack!

He stood, frozen, as Itachi's fingers drew closer, reaching for him.

Thunder clapped overhead, the promise of rain clouding the air.

This is it…

The voice echoed in the back of his mind as his brother stopped before him.

Itachi's bloody mouth turned up into a smile. Words whispered between them as his eyes closed in peace.

Confusion hit Sasuke's body, trying to decipher the familiar words before his gaze locked onto his aniki's fingers. They were headed straight for his eyes.

He pressed his back as far as it would go against the wall, shaking uncontrollably.

Closer… closer…

Sakura… I'm sorry…

Closer… closer…

I'm sorry -!

Poke.

And Sasuke stared in shock as Itachi's fingers pressed into his forehead before sliding down… down… down…

Thunder rolled as his brother fell to his knees, tilting to the left, falling… falling… falling…

A trail of blood slid down Sasuke's face in tempo to the cold, desolate rain that began to fall. Lightning danced across the skies above, highlighting the still form lying at his feet. Rain and blood swirled to together as the storm raged on. Sasuke blinked slowly as the thunder continued to roll staring into the emptiness before him, hardly daring to believe what was happening, that he was alive…

And that Itachi Uchiha, his older brother, the murderer of his clan, his reason for revenge was dead at last.

- - -

Akasuna no Sasori stared down at his army of ruined puppets, his body jerking in odd increments as the swords sticking through his heart slid in deeper, purple blood oozing out of is ruined puppet body.

Sasuke stood before him, deep gashes running down his arms and chest, the used vials of antidote on the ground near his feet and next to Chiyo. He sheathed Kusanagi with a frown on his face as Sasori began to quake, his life energy fading.

"I will soon die. Before that… I'll do something pointless for you. A… reward for defeating me."

His brown eyes caught the flicker of surprise in the other's onyx depths, and he sighed against the swords protruding from his chest.

"You wanted to know about Akatsuki no Sakura didn't you…?"

- - -

Akatsuki no Tobi laughed merrily as he squirmed in her grip, his rarely uncovered mouth smiling brightly as Sakura slowly pushed his mask up his head, eyeing the cracks she'd created from their sparring match. Deidara was eagerly watching from behind her, looking over her shoulder as they rested back to back, tense as the orange cover gradually went up.

Thunder rolled in the distance. The sky was beginning to darken with the promise of rain. She stared up at it, calculating how much time before the rain would fall.

"Sorry about your mask Tobi-chan," Sakura said sheepishly, returning to her task and stopping the mask's ascent just as the bottom rim was about to catch on the younger boy's nose. Seeing how she wasn't going to remove the mask fully, Deidara sighed and turned away, slouching fully against her back with a grumble.

"It's ok Sakura-nee! Tobi doesn't mind at all!"

Sakura grabbed for the small bag of clay the bomb-specialist had lent her, colored an obnoxious shade of orange. She gripped the mask near the crack on his left cheek and smoothed a dollop of clay over the fracture, her eyes flickering over Tobi's half uncovered face as he started to hum a strange little tune, rocking slightly in her grasp.

Ugly scars pulled at the right corner of his lopsided smile, stretching in gruesome streaks across his cheek and down his neck, disappearing in the shadows of his high collared shirt and under the mask. The pinkette frowned as she worked the clay in.

"Tobi, may I ask… where'd you get those scars?"

The black-haired boy went still and he turned towards her, the movement lifting her fingers of the repaired crack.

"…Tobi… can't… remember," he admitted sadly, making her heart twist as she heard the twinge of truth on every word. "If Tobi did, Sakura-nee would be the first Tobi would tell. Sakura-nee makes Tobi feel safe. Tobi wishes he could tell Sakura-nee everything!"

Even Deidara was brought out of his gloom of disappointment and glanced at his partner as the words floated between them.

"Gomen, Tobi," Sakura whispered, fingering the edge of his mask. She was beginning to wonder how the scars were placed on his skin, and if they were the reason for his strange way of speaking, always referring to himself in the third person.

He shrugged, his pleasant smile brightening up the atmosphere once again.

"Tobi doesn't mind, Sakura-nee! Tobi is Tobi is Tobi!"

"Hopeless dobe," Deidara muttered against Sakura's back. He sounded irritated but she could read the tint of pride in the blonde's voice, as well as the grin he was hiding behind her shoulder. At least the boy didn't let his demons control him.

The pinkette giggled and pulled the mask down, working in some more clay into the shuriken welt over his forehead. His amber eye smiled over at her from the one eye-hole his mask projected, and she found herself returning the gesture, unable to keep her lips from lifting.

But no matter how hard she tried to keep the smile there, a quiet dread pooled in her stomach as Itachi's presence slowly left her consciousness.

So, this is really it…

As if in answer, the Uchiha seemed to be getting farther and farther away. She tried to reach out for him, to bring him back, not noticing she was really reaching forward towards Tobi. Her fingers brushed his cloak and the feeling slowly sputtered before finally winking out, enveloping her mind in darkness.

She gasped at the sensation, drawing her hand away and placing it over her mouth, the other gripping her cloak just over her heart. Tears burned in her eyes and she blinked them away as furiously as she could, her shoulders starting to quake.

Tobi was leaning towards her in an instant, just as Deidara gripped her trembling form from behind, steadying her.

"Are you alright Sakura-nee?"

She tried to speak but no words came forth. She blinked harder against the burning sensation pricking in her eyes.

The blonde sighed.

"It's finally happened huh?"

She managed to nod, a tear fighting its way out.

"Oh, Sakura-nee!" Tobi wailed before latching onto her middle, hugging her warmly. Deidara frowned as the action caused Sakura to choke on a sob, his lips furrowing farther as the tears refused to fall. Sakura's hands tenderly embraced the crying boy, ruffling his short black hair, gripping his cloak.

Trying so hard to be tough un?

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and she stiffened, gasping at the sudden contact. Ignoring that, he rested his chin on top of her head, breathing in deep as he pulled her into his chest, silently cursing the Uchiha for making her so unbreakable.

"It had to happen sooner or later Sakura-chan, un."

"I… I know… but-"

He tightened his embrace and she fell silent. Slowly, softly, Sakura raised a hand and gripped his arm, bowing her head.

"Dei-kun…"

"You can't run forever. The teme wouldn't want you to."

She squeezed his arm more firmly and buried her face into his skin, biting back a sob. Silent tears coursed down her cheeks and over his flesh. He smiled gently and remained still, silently absorbing the pinkette's cries as she finally gave in with all her might.

- - -

"What do you know?" Sasuke quipped, his grip tightening on Kusanagi's hilt. Sasori smiled.

"The onna joined Akatsuki while still with Orochimaru. Though she wasn't a full member, she had Leader-sama's respect, as well as the help of Uchiha Itachi. We allowed her completely into the organization once she defeated Orochimaru and claimed his ring. The way I heard it, she managed to seal Orochimaru into her own body."

"How do you know this?" the raven spat, distrustful.

The red head smirked.

"Since before the onna joined Orochimaru, I've had a spy within his forces. He updated me on everything, including the onna. Especially the onna..."

- - -

Sasuke Uchiha slowly stood from his spot next to the fireplace, wincing as his bruised muscles screamed with the effort. From across the fire, Hinata stared over at him, sympathetic eyes on his shaking form as he blankly stared at the blonde resting against her lap.

His world was silent. His body felt empty.

It was over. It was finally over…

Naruto moved a little in his sleep, gaining the Hyuuga's attention once again. She affectionately ran her fingers through his blonde spikes and over the creases in his forehead, smoothing them away. He smiled slightly and snuggled down further, making her blush but continue with her ministrations.

Team Taka had found them on their daily reconnaissance rounds. Suigetsu, Sai, Kiba, and Shino had long since left to report to the Hokage. Juugo and Tsubaki remained with his little group, resting against a tree, curled together by their own fire. Sasuke stared at them but didn't comprehend their presence. His mind was shut off and blank.

All he could register was that behind the first row of trees, nestled in the center of a large broken battle ground, his brother lay beaten and lifeless. He should feel proud, relieved, anything.

Nothing.

He turned away and walked off. Hinata followed him with her gaze in silence until he disappeared from sight.

Ducking under a low hanging branch, Sasuke forced himself to step out onto the battle field. The sun was beginning to set and stars were starting to appear in the waves of colors stretching across. All traces of the storm had disappeared from the night, which said nothing about his own mind.

Stepping closer and closer to the end of his past made his body suddenly come alive, like it was trying to go everywhere at once. His skin tingled, his blood pounded in his ears, his chest constricted with fire.

It only got worse when his brother came into view, as well as a person he did not expect.

Sakura did not seem to notice his presence from her position at Itachi's side, kneeling over him with a tired and somber smile kissing her lips. Her eyes were as blank as his own, and shown with tears.

The way she was breathing rather harshly led Sasuke to assume she had just gotten there only moments before. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead; her shoulders rose and fell in deep succession.

He didn't know why, but he had never wanted to run so badly in his life. Run, away from Itachi and Sakura and the messed up jumble his mind had turned into.

His feet kept moving, much surer than their owner. He was powerless, unable to look away from Sakura's face.

She was whispering a few words to her fallen comrade, her hand gently pulling his eyelids closed over his milky eyes. Bowing her head in respect, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his forehead, tears dripping down her nose and onto his face. Sasuke watched as she wiped them off his bloody skin then folded his hands over his chest, resting her fingers over his and closing her eyes.

His feet stopped him a few breaths away. She didn't look up to acknowledge him, but spoke before he could even open his mouth.

"Hard to believe it's over, isn't it?"

It was no more than a whisper, but he heard every word, and they beat down on him from all angles, sharp and direct like a slap to the face.

"Yeah," was the only reply he could form.

"Hm."

Sakura stood and stared up at the skies, keeping her back to him.

"…you think you've won, even though you've suffered so much damage. I doubt you're over it."

Her words struck him again, but on a different chord. He scowled.

"I don't think I've won Sakura. I know I've won."

She still refused to look at him. His hands balled into fists from pure frustration.

"Yet, you did not land a finishing blow. That would mean you didn't win."

He was stung by the truth of her words, but held his ground, stubborn.

"I'm not dead am I? That bastard is, and I'm still standing."

"You are not dead because he wanted you to live."

He frowned at her words, eyebrows furrowing together.

"I don't understand."

A mocking smile cut into him as she turned to face him, eyes hard and steely, voice terse.

"You will."

She stepped for him and he immediately moved away, suddenly distrusting.

"I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to explain a few things."

He tiredly looked away. She laughed humorlessly.

"Is that your way of saying… you're not interested?"

Her hand fisted into his net shirt and pulled him to face her. He struggled against her hold, but she held firm, all pretenses gone.

"What if I told you it was about your brother?"

"My brother is dead!" Sasuke snarled, trying to twist out of her grip. She was not deterred, however, and yanked down hard, forcing him in place. "Dammit, let go of me Sakura!"

"You're so damn blind," she admonished, pulling tighter, completely ignoring his biting command. "You think you know everything about Itachi-sensei but you don't! You never have, and he died for it!"

Her voice began to rise. Fire bled into her eyes, trapping him.

"You know absolutely nothing Sasuke-kun, but I do. I know everything!"

Sasuke winced as she tugged ever harder, but refused to back down, despite the confusion that pooled in his stomach.

With a growl, Sakura leaned forward until their noses were almost touching, glaring spitefully at him with contempt in her eyes.

"And you're gonna listen very well, Uchiha Sasuke."

- - -

Sasori jerked as his body began to still. Sasuke's hand constricted around his sword's hilt until his knuckles turned white at the sudden movement.

"Why was your spy so interested?"

"Oh he wasn't… not really. Not like Itachi-san was."

Raven eyebrows furrowed.

"Just what are you saying? Why would Itachi be interested in Sakura?!"

Sasori merely chuckled, his life force leaving him for good.

Ironic, he thought, for these to be his last words:

"Why do you think he sought her out… in the first place… Konohaga… kure… no… Sasu…ke…?"

- - -

Konohagakure no sato's Western Forest suddenly went very still as Sakura's words floated between them. Sasuke blinked, trying to form coherent words, pulling against the pinkette's firm grasp.

"You're lying. That doesn't make since. Why would Itachi try to protect me?"

"You will understand if you allow me to finish," she spat, yanking hard.

She was getting no where with him, Sakura mused darkly as she readjusted her grip, pushing chakra into her fingertips to assure it would hold.

"He murdered my clan, my family! Have you forgotten that Sakura?!"

"As I've said before, you do not understand your brother."

"Like hell I don-!"

"Do you know why I left Sasuke? Huh?! Do you know why I kept you as far away from Orochimaru as I possibly could?!"

A glare was all she got in answer. She took it as a sign to continue, seeing how he was at least listening.

"I wanted to protect you, yes, because I learned something – something not even you would know. Something about your clan!"

"What about my clan?"

"Just shut the hell up and let me finish. A few weeks after the Chunnin Exams, you, Naruto, and Kakashi-sensei were on a mission together. I went on an errand for Tsunade to find a few legal documents from the Uchiha manor. She didn't know where they were so I had to look around – yes, I broke into your house. Stop glaring at me like that – and I found a stairway hidden under a few loose floorboards in, what I would assume, was your parent's room. Near the corner there was a large chest and when I opened it, there were stacks of papers. I read every single one. Do you know what I found out that day?"

She took a deep breath, not bothering to see if he would answer.

"Your father was plotting a coup d'état, and the rest of your clan was willing to follow. They were going to take over Konoha in anger that the Uchiha's might and superiority in the village were being suppressed. And the more I thought about that, the more it made sense. Just look at Konoha's Police force – a play of power for the almighty Uchiha clan, who fought for centuries against the Senju clan, our First and Second Hokage! Look at the Uchiha compound! One corner of the village. That was an isolation tactic, and your clan resented that! They wanted to take over the village!"

Onyx eyes went wide with shock.

"You're… you're-"

"-telling the truth," Sakura insisted, glaring. "I too found the information incredible so I took it back to the Tower and accessed the council's classified documents with Tsunade's permission. Everything was confirmed in a meeting report that the council had. Apparently, the Elders had heard of this coup and sent in a spy to watch the Uchiha clan closely. I'm sure you have a good guess at who that spy was."

Sasuke remained mute, staring down at her like she'd grown a second head.

"Your brother, Uchiha Itachi. And I'm just getting started."

He blinked a few times, trying to process what she was saying. He'd been still in her grip for a while now, but she maintained the firm contact, knowing he could get violent as she progressed. It was definitely only going to get worse for him.

"A coup? And Itachi… a spy?"

Sakura nodded once, catching his attention.

"You were brought up Uchiha but you were too young to be told anything. How do you think you'd react if you learned your own father was planning something so horrid?"

Sasuke tried to look away, not wanting to admit she was right. But she pulled him towards her again, forcing him still.

"Itachi worked as a double agent. He spied for the council and joined ANBU for your father, in an effort to keep an eye on the Elders. Itachi supplied information on Uchiha to the Elders while doing whatever your father bade him, putting up the guise as an obedient son, a true heir, when in truth, it was the opposite."

She gripped her chest with her free hand, squeezing her cloak with a somber smile.

"I understand how he must've felt. Betraying those you see as family for the sake of the village is a heavy burden to bear."

Sasuke jumped out of his reverie, growling fiercely down at her face.

"So why then? Why did Itachi betray Uchiha?!"

"You and I have never experienced war. He witnessed it at the age of four. He told me himself, 'War is Hell'. The sight made him into a peace loving man, a shinobi dedicated to the wellbeing of the village. He loved Konoha, regardless of clan identity or history." Sakura glared savagely. "The Elders used that. They assigned him an S-Ranked mission… an eye for an eye. They knew only another Sharingan could face a clan of Uchiha."

The raven gazed at her. She nodded, reading his thoughts through his troubled eyes.

"You're right Sasuke-kun. That mission was the total annihilation of the Uchiha clan. I can't even begin to imagine how he felt after hearing that order. He was faced with a terrible choice – stand with his clan or destroy them all. He knew if the caliber of shinobi like Uchiha were to revolt, Konoha would be destroyed, and the Land of Fire would be shaken. Enemy nations would take that opportunity and attack, throwing the world into a Fourth Great Shinobi War. Being the peace-loving man Itachi was, is it so incredible he did what he could to keep that from happening?"

Sasuke opened his mouth as though to speak, suddenly angry. Sakura cut across, not wanting his anger, which would only cloud his reason.

"If you were Itachi, what would you have done?"

She stared hard at him, daring him to answer. He looked away, unable to.

"So he made his choice. You see, Sasuke-kun… he didn't betray Uchiha out of hatred; he just didn't have any other choice in the matter. He sacrificed himself and took the blame… for all of it. The Third Hokage tried to negotiate last second, but his efforts were thwarted by the council. Time ran out, leading to that night…"

Sakura could almost feel the ghosts that haunted Sasuke's eyes, the screams that filled the night, the blood on the floor…

"It was a mission – to become a murderer, an S-class criminal, all of it was planned, and he pulled it off flawlessly… except for one little detail."

She cupped his cheek, forcing his eyes to hers. He flinched.

"He couldn't kill you Sasuke-kun. He couldn't kill his little brother."

The shock on his face made her smile weakly, knowing he was taking it in.

"He appealed to the Third Hokage to keep the mission secret from you. He wanted you safe. He even threatened Danzo and the other Elders to leave you alone. If you need proof, then think back to when the Third died. He suddenly showed up out of the blue. It wasn't a coincidence. He was reminding the Elders that he was still alive, and remembered their promises to keep you unharmed.

"Itachi wanted you to believe Uchiha was a proud and noble clan. He wanted you to avenge Uchiha and become stronger because of it, and someday become the Avenger of the Uchiha clan, a hero of Konoha. That was his plan, because your life, to him, was more precious than even the village."

A sad smile tilted her lips.

"He approached me when I was under Orochimaru, offering to make a deal. He had contracted an illness that ravaged his body after the massacre. He knew I could create medications for him. In exchange, he would train me in the ways of Sharingan and Unsan Musho, teaching me how to defeat Orochimaru. He promised my protection and introduced me to Akatsuki. I didn't understand his actions until a few months ago, when he told me he'd made a promise to keep me safe in a marriage contract set up by our mothers. And, judging by the look on your face, my mother told you about it."

Sakura breathed deeply, gripping onto his shirt more firmly for balance.

"I agreed to his offer because we had the same goals. We wanted to keep both you and Konoha safe. He fed information to Konoha while in Akatsuki as did I. Tsunade-sama knows a lot more than you could ever know, and it's because we – Itachi and I both – told her through his ravens.

"I made him medications. I kept him alive so he could fight you. And by battling him, you allowed him to see your skills, your cursed mark. He was able to seal it away, leaving you unable to call upon its power so you could dwell on your own truest power, your own strength. By dying in front of you, he took away a person close to you, and bestowed you with his eyes and the Mangekyo Sharingan. He wanted you to rebuild the Uchiha clan with its power, your rightful power.

"If you had known this after being trained by Orochimaru, I didn't know what you'd do, so I went in your place. I had to keep you save, and in Konoha, Itachi and I could keep an eye on you. You were – are – our most precious person. We wanted you to be protected, at all costs. And that, Sasuke-kun, is Itachi's truth."

There was a deep silence between them after her words settled, then –

"What are you saying. What are you saying?"

A pained growl erupted from his throat, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Protect me? 'Protect…?' and 'Truth'…?"

His anger came back full force, rounding on her.

"What the fuck are you saying?!"

He backhanded her as hard as he could, anything to make her stop, to make her see that she was tricked, that she'd just wasted her life on a worthless bastard. Sasuke didn't want to hear anymore.

But Sakura didn't want to stop. Far from it in fact.

Her free hand snapped into his ribs, her grip on his shirt releasing as he stumbled back, breathless.

"You stupid bastard!"

Sakura slammed her fist into his cheek with all the strength she could muster without killing him. He hit the ground, spitting blood. Before he could breathe, she was right above him, straddling his waist, hands blazing as they pinned down his wrists.

"Recall it! Recall your kind and gentle brother you arrogant prick!"

Tears were forming in emerald depths. Despite his growing anger, he saw what she wanted him to see in her eyes, his smiling brother… his smiling… brother…

"Dammit, Sakura! He… he tried to kill me! He tried to take my eyes!"

He coughed beneath her, his wounds pulling painfully. Blood swirled on his tongue and spat it at her face, snarling like a caged wolf.

"He was despicable! He killed my family!"

"I know you asshat! Why do you think I stole your revenge away?! He wasn't your true target!"

"Stop this! You're lying!"

He bucked his hips beneath her, lifting her smaller frame clear off the ground. Sasuke succeeded in making her body fly off, but instead of freeing himself, she came down hard on him, using her grip on his wrists as leverage. Her knee bore down into his stomach. He coughed blood.

"Open your eyes for once in your life!" Sakura screamed. Tears coursed freely down her face, trailing down her cheeks and nose as she leaned over him, mixing with his blood.

"You… you have to be lying! He… he tried to kill me!"

He was beginning to panic. She glared, unruffled.

"You're alive aren't you?!" she spat down on him.

He stilled at her proclamation. She began to shake.

"Your eyes couldn't see through him at all. He killed everyone close to him, we know he could've killed you anytime. But here you are, still playing the damned fool!"

"…no. No! Lies!"

"Dammit Sasuke! Look at me! Look at me!"

Onyx clashed with emerald. Sasuke immediately regretted the action.

Sakura's eyes were pained with such agony, he was sure she was bearing it for both of them. tears fell free and unashamedly down onto his face, running with the last of his blood, kissing his skin.

"Why would I lie?" she demanded, her voice choking and breaking. "Look into my eyes and tell me I'm lying!"

And he couldn't. Time stopped and shattered. The fading light flickered out like a candle.

There was only Sakura and her truth. She was laying herself, her beliefs, her reasons at his feet. She wasn't lying.

"Why would I lie?" she asked again, her anger giving way to a faint tremble as comprehension slowly dawned in his mind. "I love you Sasuke. I don't know why but I do… I have no reason to lie."

Her tears hit his flesh, mingling with his own. He didn't want it to be true, but it was. Everything he believed… everything he strived to achieve was a lie. What was worse, he'd killed his brother out of hate. His brother had let him out of love. His brother had loved him all along.

"Kami…"

Sakura was shaking above him. Her knee eased out of his stomach and her hands pulled away from his wrists. She grabbed onto the front of his shirt and buried her face into his chest. Her tears made quick work of the netted fabric, quickly soaking his skin. His arms wrapped around her, his own body beginning to shake.

And there, in the darkness of the sunset, holding Sakura to his heart, Sasuke cried into pink strands of hair – because his world was fucked up and was crashing and crumbling around him – until the ghosts that haunted his every waking moments finally released their death grip on him and there was only peace.

There was only Sakura.

That fact alone gave him the strength to smile before succumbing to darkness.

- - -

Dammit, I'm crying. Just give me a sec.

*15 minutes later*

(1) Tsukuyomi = For those of you who don't know, this is a special world that Itachi created with his Mangekyo Sharingan. It's considered to be the most powerful genjutsu in existence. It generally lasts 3 seconds real time, but for the victim, it's continuous torture for as long as Itachi wants to keep you there. When he trapped Kakashi in it, he held him for 72 hours nonstop. When Kakashi was released, only 3 seconds had gone by. It destroys you mentally, weakening your mental stability. Some people never recover. To date, only Sasuke was able to counteract Tsukuyomi, in his final fight with Itachi.

- - -

(A/N: I hope Unsan Musho makes just a little more sense to you now. I'm aware not everything was covered, but I hope almost everything was. If you have any questions, well, you know the protocol. Just drop them in your review. I'll replay as soon as I'm able. Oh! Important note here: college is starting up for me very soon. I'm gonna be very busy so I'm not sure when I'll be able to update. I can promise you guys that I'm am most certainly NOT giving up on this story. It's too close to completion. You also may have noticed how freaking long this chappie was. I have a sinking feeling in my gut this will be a regular occurrence for the final chappies. I really hope you all enjoyed! Until next time! R&R plz!)