Chapter 50: Infinite Tsukuyomi

'Inner thoughts'

°Mind Link°

Tsukiyomi/Writing

A/N: will include Kaguya's backstory from the anime.

・

Tsukiyomi's/Tsukimi's POV

I could feel it. The faint sounds of rapid footsteps contrasted with the usual sound of calm I was used to nowadays. Awakening I found myself at my shrine in the city named after me or was it named after the moon-viewing festival? Either way, it still bore my old name.

Moving around the quiet woods I made it to the edge witnessing a great number of people hurriedly making their way into the foggy forest. 'What's happening?' Asking myself that question I looked at everyone as they ran by who did not notice me or my ghostly appearance. They would have at one point but not anymore.

Sound of people running reminded me of a certain event I bore witness to. 'It's happening again…' Looking at the clear night sky I felt nothing out of the ordinary. Then again that's how that day started.

Clink, clink. The sounds of colliding metal rings thrust my mind and thoughts to the past as I relived a certain night. The night that I revealed my other form, the one resembling my deceased brother, to the young girl. It was that same night that she began to break.

Starting from the tip of the girl's hair I saw with my very eyes as her body began to break down. 'Did I miscalculate things? Her older sister broke down after I took her out of the lab. But this one has a small sliver of the kyūbi inside. It should have forced her body to change to become a proper vessel. Or is that same body unable to keep up with its power? With such a small piece the chance of rejection should have been low especially since I began training her. Or was the awakening of the Getsugan the cause?'

"Now that you are awake, I need to take you somewhere," I told her with a calm voice needing to take her to the shrine and use that. However, I should have known. After giving her that task she took it upon herself to see its completion as such she took the small detour before we could head to the one place I needed to take her immediately. Seeing her deliver the scroll brought joy to me as I witnessed her progress and realized that I couldn't let her die. She was the last made from the samples and the last one with my brother's genes. 'I cannot let her die.'

It took some time to get to the shrine as we almost came close to running into a couple of teens rendezvousing in the woods but eventually we reached it. Entering the old shrine I looked at the broken floorboards knowing what I was looking for was transported and hidden here after my death. Remembering the exact spot I kneeled moving one of the boards to find a wooden box. Feeling the little girl look over my shoulder I opened it seeing the two objects I needed.

Taking out one of the rings I hoped that this would help. Looking at my work within I recognized the seal. Before my death, I had carefully engraved the seal inside with the purpose of making shadow clones last even after the user had become exhausted. It worked of course but the after-effects it had on the user were too much so it was stored away in the shrine much to my displeasure when I was alive. How ironic it was that I would be grateful for their choice to do so.

Looking at the second ring I held in my breath wondering if I should even use it. With a simple glance inside I knew what it was. Shinigami's Candle. A complex and forbidden technique I had created among many and also the most tiresome to create. For this to work, it required large amounts of chakra, too much for me to provide at once. Knowing the problem of this jutsu I used the layline under the island to provide constant chakra to the two rings. Though one remained now, two rings were created in the past at the same time. One of which I gave to my younger brother.

"Here put these on your ankles," I handed her the two silver rings and got up to look for some scissors to cut off the bits of her hair that were still breaking down. Hearing her put them on I remembered how by the time I died the jutsu was completed and embedded on the rings. I remembered watching my brother ponder over what to do with both of them. Unable to appear before him like I do now I remember whispering to him in his sleep to put one on wanting nothing but for him to live longer than me.

Returning to Yukino I didn't want to take any chances and cut off more than just the bits that had fallen apart. But as I did I remembered the day my brother put one of the rings on his arm. "Listen," I cut off her laughter, "Make sure to always wear those rings," I ordered her. It wasn't long after that I found the other condition for this jutsu. Time. Just how much, I do not know. All I did know was that it took time for the seal to transfer from the ring and onto the body of the wearer. 'If she must she might have to wear it her whole life. How troublesome the life of a shinobi is short enough as it is.' Even with that in mind I still kept training her. If my clan was to survive they needed a pillar to hold them up. She was going to be that pillar and I was going to make sure she did with the limited time I had left.

The day I heard of the Uchiha massacre I was scared because I thought I had lost another. Knowing of her frequent visits to that area and her new acquisition of the Sharingan I knew it wouldn't be far-fetched to assume that the curiosity of her new eyes would draw her there even more. It would be reasonable to conclude for her to be there when it happened. It was then when I felt it, a signature within the temple. Going to see who it was I watched as her body slowly reformed from one of the seals used to infuse chakra into the ring long ago. It was then that I realized it. The time condition necessary for the seal to transfer. Twice the age since the time the wearer placed the ring on themselves. My brother had put on his bracelet in his late twenties and died in his early forties before it had transferred, making it nothing more than an ordinary arm bracelet. On the other hand, I put it on Yukino when she was four and it had completely transferred onto her body when she was eight.

She was lucky.

Lucky for her to have been killed that day when the seal had fully transferred. Lucky for her to begin breaking down all those years ago. If more time had passed she would be without a doubt dead. Lucky for the Getsugan to activate when it did.

Leaving the temple I returned to the shadows laughing at the irony. 'Lucky…' Considering how her Getsugan activated without my interference I chuckled knowing that her Getsugan awakened out of bad luck, luck bad enough to almost have a brush with death. After all, that is how mine awakened. 'Or was that good luck?' Thinking about it I heard a familiar voice from the present.

"Everybody please slow down once you reach the top. Hold onto the person in front of you and don't let go once you enter the fog." The black-haired girl said motioning everyone to get into a file. It didn't take long for me to recognize her when I saw her vibrant green eyes. Emi Ito.

Having fallen into a well during the beach trip I found it to be the perfect opportunity to awaken the Getsugan gene dormant within her as did her friend who fell into a broken section of this shrine. Both of these two kids had that same bad luck as they could have died that day. The emerald-eyed girl saved herself when she nearly avoided the rock sticking out from within the well, the scarlet-eyed boy who missed a broken protruding pillar from the ground by an inch when he fell. What surprised me was how quickly they got a handle on its abilities. 'Yukino must have taught them well.'

"Tsu?"

Snapping out of it I looked over to see Haruko-san who stopped to look at me. Looking at her in turn I saw two kids stop as well as they wondered what she looked at. Recognizing the two as Yukino's students I sensed it clearly. Among her students, only one held the dormant gene. 'Maybe I should awaken it when the time comes. With the destruction, the number of those who held the gene has greatly decreased.'

"Silly girl, when you snap out of your thoughts for once, meet with me in Mt. Inari." Haruko-san huffed as she took hold of each child's hands leading them into the fog guiding them to safety.

Closing my eyes once more I felt nothing wrong within the island or its waters. However, that wasn't the case for the shrines on the outside. Needing to know the situation on the outside I entered into the fog going to the ones who would.

Currently somewhere

Yukino's POV

Staying close I heard how senjutsu was the only thing that could harm the enemy. 'I knew I should've learned it…' Glancing at my stomach I patted my side discreetly. 'It's not your fault.'

Feeling the ground shake both Ryota and I kneeled. Looking ahead we watched as the ten-tailed beast was expelled from the floating man. 'What is it doing?' As I thought that I wondered for a moment why it looked like it was taking root in the ground. Before I could even point this out to Ryota the barrier was dispelled.

It was then that the roots began to spread touching those that were closer to the barrier. "Ryota, run." I immediately told him after having seen the root drain someone by just touching them.

Without asking why he followed looking back and seeing for himself what I meant. "It's going for the guys with the chakra cloaks."

"Ryota everyone has that, except us." Glancing behind us for just a second I saw as a root dart towards us. Opening a portal off to the side I collided with Ryota knocking us both in. Closing it behind ourselves a piece of the root was cut off as well. "It was absorbing their chakra," I told Ryota as we backed away from it and avoided it.

"Then that means it was going after you." Ryota sighed as he tried to calm his rapidly beating heart. "You chakrani-something, your disease."

"Chakranimisia." I corrected him.

"Yeah, about that how are you? I noticed you were limiting your chakra use ever since we arrived." He said gesturing to my sword. "You haven't even used your reserves."

Yukino: Now that I think about it do you know what disease I'm talking about?

?: No, this is the first time I heard about it.

Yukino: Hm… makes sense from what the shrine found it is extremely rare. It develops in the early stages of childhood but due to a lack of proper training and chakra usage, very few reach adulthood. Normally people have a maximum amount of chakra. With chakra depleting to zero resulting in death but the opposite is true if too much chakra is absorbed it will result in death as well. The body itself of those born with the illness won't recognize the limit and keep producing more. If too much is produced the host will die. If caught early a routine can be developed to redirect the extra chakra produced. Though with proper chakra usage comes chakra efficiency meaning less chakra used leading to a need to increase chakra usage. It becomes a cycle of never-ending rest.

?: That explains why you look so tired.

Yukino: Hm? No, I'm actually tired from reorganizing my schedule for this month-long event. I won't be using enough chakra either. Oh, there's something I forgot to mention. Did you notice how every time I sleep the air around me becomes cold?

?: Wait, you were the cause? Are you saying that the living room was always cold because of you?

Yukino: Sorry about that it connects to the disease I was telling you about. In some cases, the body itself may develop a way to release a bit of that extra chakra. In my case whenever I sleep chakra seeps out in the form of frost.

?: I would've appreciated it if you told us in advance.

Yukino: You setting movie nights close to nine o'clock was on you. Now, where were we?

?: The part where the war ends and the trial begins.

Yukino: No skipping ahead. Now back to what I was saying.

Opening a portal further away from where the barrier was we both jumped out. "Chakra wise I'm fine and recovering what I used. My body, however…" Using my blade I pulled out the root piece throwing it to the ground before continuing. "Well let's just say that I will feel it all for the next few weeks." Looking ahead I noticed the roots slowing down but that wasn't as important as the thing that the roots belonged to.

"What the heck is that thing?" Ryota voiced my exact thoughts as we both looked up at the towering tree-like plant.

"What if Emi returns?" Realizing this I looked at Ryota and he understood so we both ran back to the tree that we just ran from. While running back I felt something trying to connect to me. Connecting myself to Ryota I reached out and connected ourselves hearing as the First Hokage told the Five Kage and everyone else about what had just happened. At this point, I wasn't even surprised as to why the First Hokage was here but I did wonder where the Five Kage were this whole time.

Stopping, both Ryota and I listened as we received information on what the tree was, finding out that we only had fifteen minutes to stop it before we all fell into a giant genjutsu. Two options were then given either to defeat the caster, Obito slash Tobi slash the masked man, as I found out became the ten tails jinchūriki, or to cut down the tree.

Turning to Ryota I whispered. "I mean if senjutsu is the only thing that works on Obito right now I guess we'll work on cutting down that tree." Nodding in agreement he took out a small rock from one of his pockets and began polishing his sword as he did that I heard all the negative thoughts people had about the situation. About to disconnect Ryota from all of this I stopped seeing a purple figure cut through one of the roots. It was then that I heard Naruto's voice as well as his memories. 'Wait this is…' Hearing his thoughts I closed my eyes watching the memories that followed including one of Neji. 'Don't tell me, is Neji…?' It was then that Naruto and Sasuke charged towards Obito.

"Let's go," Ryota told me, holding his hand out.

"We can't wait for Emi then," Nodding once both Ryota and I ran towards the tree while everyone stood around. Hearing a pep speech by the First Hokage meant for everyone, Ryota and I stood close to each other cutting down the roots near us creating a noticeable path. A path Emi would be able to see even when she returned.

・・・

As we progressed we came across wooden dragons created by the tree. Stopping we both took in a deep breath and ran towards it matching each other's steps. In sync, we both conserved our stamina and chakra. Jumping at the same time we readied our blades and struck down simultaneously, splitting it. Landing on our feet I noticed a squishy white substance covering the ground where we stood. Sensing no danger from it we ignored it continuing to carve out our path.

While carving our path we froze sensing something from above. Looking up we saw ahead as the ten tails jinchūriki dove down while holding Naruto and Sasuke. When they crashed down the earth trembled and we were thrown into the air due to the force.

"Yukino!" Ryota yelled. Quickly looking over to him, I reached for his extended hand as he drifted away from me. Unable to reach him I created my chains and wrapped them around him pulling him close. Creating more thin chains I quickly wrapped them around those nearby providing them some balance as we fell back down. With the smoke clearing, we watched as we fell back down Naruto and Sasuke cutting Obito's side and drawing out the tailed beasts.

"Everyone! Grab onto my chakra!" The Fourth Hokage yelled. Letting go of the shinobi I held I let go of Ryota as well, aiming for the same chakra extension.

Grabbing hold of a chakra extension alongside everyone else I heard Naruto yell. "Everyone, we'll do it together on my mark! Pull!" Extending my chains I wrapped it around the chakra extension I held and pulled, as I did I felt others grab hold of my chains using it to get a better grip. While pulling I felt as if a long and sad conversation was happening far away yet close by. 'You really need to focus.' I sighed, pulling with all my might. I might've screamed but didn't realize as I was caught by surprise as the tailed beasts were pulled out of Obito.

It was then that I felt the chakra extension begin to dissipate, quickly loosening my grip I sighed retreating the chains back into me. "Is it over?'' I heard people ask around me as I wondered the same thing.

It was then that we all were reminded that Madara needed to be sealed. "Wait there's another reanimated being that remained?" I asked turning to someone near me but they didn't hear as they followed the flow of shinobi.

"I guess this is what happens when you miss half of the war." Ryota sighed. "They tell you jack when you're a medic." Agreeing with the sentiment a bright light from the corner of my eye caught my attention. At the top of the large plant, a bright star shines. Flying across the battlefield and towards our new target, I smiled knowing that Naruto was the source of it.

Emi's POV

Once everyone made it into the fog I waited outside the shrine. Creating a mind link I looked for anyone and when I felt no connection I was sure everyone had made it to .

Opening a portal to the mystic space, as Yukino and Ryota called it, I focused on the spot where I last left my two friends. Once opening it I quickly jumped out and closed it keeping my eyes shut so nobody would know it due to a dōjutsu, one that hadn't been recorded or known outside of the small island of Uzushiogakure. "Why?" I asked once to which Yukino sighed in response and said because the island spirit was overly cautious and protective of her works. I didn't understand what she meant and I still don't. The only thing I do understand is that these eyes are a secret to the outside world with a few being the exception.

Once I deactivated the Getsugan I opened my eyes shocked to see all of the tailed beasts on one side. Unable to analyze the situation for long I was grabbed from my waist and hoisted on someone's shoulder and moved to the side behind the tailed beasts. For some reason, I felt no need to squirm away since for an odd reason the shoulder felt familiar.

"Picking that spot for your return was the worst possible idea." The familiar person said with a small chuckle.

"No kidding," Yukino said as she slowed down enough for me to see her. Realizing it was her I looked down at the clothes the person wore recognizing the handmade material and red color instantly. 'Ryota.'

Once reaching a spot away from the tailed beasts I was placed down allowing me to properly put back on my fox mask. "What happened?" I asked.

"Well, the ten tails were broken back up into nine tailed beasts but one reanimated body remained and now it's alive somehow possibly, most likely, through the use of the Rinne Rebirth," Yukino explained, coming to the conclusion though not with that much certainty.

"Guys, can we continue this further away?" Ryota pointed at the battle behind us. With much reason, we all moved to where the rest of the shinobi alliance was. Then Yukino and Ryota were able to tell me what I had missed through the mind link but before I could tell them what had happened in Uzushio I saw Yukino's eyes widen with shock as she stared elsewhere.

Looking behind us we saw a huge wooden structure using all five nature releases. 'Why is she–?' Noticing Gaara land nearby on his sand I saw it, the familiar orange jacket. Carrying on his sand was Naruto Uzumaki though at first, I saw nothing wrong. I became worried when he went straight for Sakura. Knowing of her medic-nin status I could only assume the worst just as Yukino did. Before she could snap out of it they were gone heading elsewhere.

Turning back to see how she was, I saw that her blue eyes were replaced by pupilless lavender-colored ones. Slowly the veins bulged signaling their use. Her face turned from worry to horror as she looked a distance away from us seeing something we couldn't. "Naruto…"

Sensing someone run by us I looked on to see a red-haired girl run towards the wooden statue. Catching Yukino's attention she turned to see. From our view, we saw the girl Karin break the statue as she made her way to a point behind it but to Yukino, she saw beyond this seeing something else. "Sasuke…" Trembling she clenched her hands into fists and forced a smile. "They'll be ok. Right?" Looking at us expectantly her eyes returned to normal. "Right?" She asked again as her smile waved and tears began to overflow.

Ryota's POV

When her smile faltered she covered her eyes and swallowed back her emotions. Lifting her head she let out a long exhale. "C'mon, there is still a war going on." She looked ahead with tears flowing from her eyes and ran towards the wooden statue the Kage were fighting.

Glancing at Emi we both shared the same concern and thoughts. 'Did something happen to them?' Wanting to make sure she was safe we followed after her.

Catching up to her I joined her side wielding my blade as Emi stood by hiding our presence using her genjutsu. If by any chance the worst occurred we knew that there was a chance that she would shut herself down like last time. When that occurs it will be up to us to withdraw her from this war.

・・・

No matter how many times we destroyed an arm it would repair itself undoing what we did. It seemed pointless to try and damage this large thing as much as possible in hopes that the user would run out of chakra. Which was absolutely correct. We've been at it for a while with no notable progress. The only thing to do would target the one controlling it but considering my weeping member I considered that as too much of a risk for her safety.

Suddenly Yukino stopped an action that caught my attention. She smiled and let out a small laugh. 'Did she snap?' Hesitantly looking at Emi for her opinion she shrugged and was just as confused as I was.

"Those two scared me for a sec." By her wording, I knew she meant those two boys. In a moment of silence, Yukino looked forward with a new fire in her eyes, and with her free hand she rubbed off the tear stains on her face. Quickly teleporting away I gasped quickly looking around to see where she went. Catching a glimpse of her white hair I saw as she used her chains to protect shinobi from an attack.

°Ryota above you!°

Hearing Emi's warning I glanced up and quickly teleported away from the area of impact. The moment the wooden hand slammed into the ground I exhaled quietly thankful for that warning. It was then that it hit me. Not a physical attack but an internal one. 'I'm not well equipped to be doing this.' Looking down at my swords my eyes went to Emi and then they landed on Yukino.

Steading my blade I focused wind release into it and ran towards the statue splitting the next arm before it made contact with the ground. While doing so I kept thinking. Having spent a few years as a shinobi, all that time has been spent developing skills for infiltration and stealth with me picking up the art of the blade by my own choice. The same thing applied to Emi with her focusing more on medical ninjutsu and genjutsu than kenjutsu like me. We both had a few offensive ninjutsu but not enough time to learn a new one to use efficiently. 'Yukino must've seen that. That's why we returned to the basics of chakra control the last few months. To strengthen what we already knew. Though it would've been useful to learn a flashy and powerful attack.'

Avoiding another attack I slid to a stop and exhaled. Wiping the sweat from my forehead I looked up watching as Yukino teleported high enough for what she was about to pull. With an extended leg, she slammed it down hard enough on the wooden statue's arm that I could hear the wood crack. 'What the fuck? I knew she had a strong kick but I never thought it was that strong.'

She was more prepared for this war than we were. But of course, she was, she's had years to dabble in all sorts of things. She had time to build upon her techniques. However, that wasn't an excuse for me to not do everything I could. What kind of student would I be if I didn't make an effort to match my sensei?

Aiming I threw my blade with all my might. Having focused wind release into the blade it penetrated the weak point Yukino created breaking the arm off but shattering my blade in the process. °That wasn't supposed to happen.° I thought just intending to create a foothold for her. °Once this is over I will catch up. That's a promise.°

°You better keep it.° Emi said. Turning to look at her she wore a smile and nodded. °It's a promise after all.°

"Let's do it together then!" I yelled, giving her a thumbs up. Unsheathing my second blade I knew that I would have to make it last. With my new goal in mind, I ran towards the thing hearing Emi give me warnings from the things I couldn't see.

Using the information she gave I knew what sides to avoid. Noticing others around me following my similar movements I realized that I wasn't the only one Emi shared intel with. °Ryota, move 20 meters to the right.° Getting out of the way of the Tsuchikage's Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling beam, I had a close run-in with the Raikage but I luckily ducked under him.

Stopping to take a breather I heard the sound of chains behind me. Taking a second to look back I saw as Yukino made another barrier. This time around the Mizukage before a large ball of fire reached them.

Hearing a sharp ringing noise in my head I shook my head. Realizing that it wasn't coming from my ears but inside my head, I looked back at Emi. Although far I noticed the red line that went down from Emi's nose. A sign that she had begun reaching her mental limit. Connecting to all those people her observations and warnings proved useful but the toll on managing all those mental connections simultaneously proved to be too much.

Even if it was a bit helpful I cut my connection with her giving her one less person to look at and worry about. Raising my blade in the air I hoped she saw it and realized that I cut the link that connected us on purpose. 'Hold on Emi. We'll get this over with soon.' Heading towards the wooden statue I quickly backed away once it began to rise. Hearing the wooden creaks I knew what it was going to do. Dropping to my knees I quickly formed my adamantine chains making a barrier around me and those lucky enough to have been nearby as the wooden statue began to launch an array of physical attacks.

Feeling the ground and air rumble I saw the wooden statue fall. But that wasn't the source of all the commotion. Above us, large meteorites began to fall towards the battlefield beside us. Catching a glimpse at Sasuke from afar I saw him stop mid-air and dive back down towards his team. Considering that odd I felt a bad feeling in my gut.

Acting upon that feeling I activated the Getsugan. Turning to look at Emi and Yukino I saw them together but a distance from me. Taking advantage of everyone's eyes looking to the sky I opened a portal behind them. Somehow sensing it they looked to see what it was. Undoing the barrier I used my adamantine chains to cover the distance between us. With a swift motion, I pushed them inside catching their look of surprise as I did. Once through I closed it hoping to create another closer to me since I couldn't open two at once. It was then that the darkness of night faded.

Confused, I turned to look up seeing the moon bear a red Sharingan-like appearance that cast a bright light on the world. Unable to look away I felt the Getsugan try to fight against it ultimately losing to its power as I succumbed to the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Ryota's POV

The smell of flowers surrounded me bringing comfort and familiarity. Sakura, ume, magnolias you name it. The sweet smell of all those flowers and the fresh scent of leaves calmed my mind enough to make me want to go to sleep where I sat. 'Where I sat?'

Gasping I jolted awake but what I saw confused me. Sitting in the square I faced the building Yukino worked in. Confused by how I could've ended up here I looked around. Standing up I walked around the tree as the petals fell from above and all around me. Something which I would see during the spring months, not the autumn ones. 'Wasn't I just in the middle of the war?' Feeling something collide with me from behind I fell to my knees with ease. After having been caught off guard and disoriented.

"I'm sorry." I heard a kid say as they pulled on my arm in an attempt to help me get back up.

"No, it's fine… I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings." I told the small black-haired kid as I stood up on my own.

"Ok!" They smiled in an odd and familiar way that I couldn't place. 'Where have I–?'

"-" Hearing that familiar voice the feeling of regret swept over me. Turning my head slowly I watched as the small black-haired kid ran over to the Uchiha man I once knew. He smiled softly as the kid talked to him but I wasn't listening to what they were saying. My mind blocked off the noise as my eyes scanned the man. As I did my eyes drifted to his face as he now wore glasses for the horrible vision he had. Noticing the bag of groceries he held a small glint of metal caught my eye. Looking closer I realized it was a ring.

"Otou-chan, I bumped into that man that looks a lot like oji-san."

'Dad?' My heart dropped upon hearing this singular word. Meeting his black eyes he looked back down at his kid. "That is your uncle Ryota."

"But he didn't recognize me." Confused, I looked around. 'This must be some dream or something.' Closing my eyes I counted down from ten hoping that by the time I opened them I would see something different. That this was nothing more but a trick of my guilt-ridden mind.

Opening them, Itachi stood before me. Catching me by surprise I took a step back. "Are you thinking of that day again?" He asked, surprising me as to what he meant. 'That day?' I wondered looking at him as he stared at his son who was waiting patiently in line in the sweet store. "It has been seven years already." He looked at me as he said it.

"Seven years?" I asked him more confused than anything hoping that he would clarify. For some reason, my mind became cloudier making it harder to remember.

"That day when I confronted Sasuke, you and Yukino arrived when our battle came to an end. That's when you two took me here for the second time. I still remember both of you scolding me though angry you both worked on finding a cure for me. Though I can't say the same about my sight." He chuckled, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry for scaring you like that."

"Scaring me?"

Nodding once he answered the question behind that single word. "Yukino told me how seeing me like that reminded you of your older sister."

'Is that what happened?' I closed my eyes trying to remember when a clear voice broke through my thoughts.

"Ryota!" I heard Yukino call out to me. Turning around I saw her and her full head of red hair. 'Wait… her hair wasn't like that… was it? Then again seven years passed her hair must've changed completely by now… seven years…'

"Ryota?" She asked with a worried expression written all over her face.

"Huh? Sorry," I apologized. "I-I couldn't sleep last night."

"Did you have another nightmare?"

"N-no. I just stayed up late reading a book." I lied, not knowing why. 'That's right I stayed up late… why was it again?'

"Mama!" I heard the kid yell startling me slightly. "Look, I bought dango all by myself!" He held up the bag proudly.

"You've become such a responsible big brother." She smiled, hugging the small kid with such joy.

"Brother?" I asked without meaning to.

Taking a twirl Yukino turned around pointing proudly at the baby who slept on her back thanks to the baby carrier. 'What the… how did I not see that?"

"Mama, can Ryota oji-san eat some dango with us?"

"Of course." She smiled deciding for me. "Come, standing here will just draw attention to you." Wrapping her arm around mine she began to pull taking me with her as I could only listen to her orders.

Her son took notice of her actions and did the same thing as his mother by pulling along his almost blind father. Watching as he bent slightly the further the kid got from him I laughed enjoying the comical scene. Turning to look ahead I saw the child on her back staring at me with the same bright eyes she had. Smiling I couldn't help but wave at this new small family member.

'Everything was the way it was supposed to be. But was it really? No, it was… I was able to intervene this time. That's why… that's why… What was it again?' Unable to complete the thought I found myself sitting on the veranda of a backyard. Holding Yukino's youngest child on my lap we watched with intrigue as she trained her first child.

"Look, that's your mom and big brother," I smiled pointing to the two as they spared. "You're going to grow big and strong like them one day."

"Bwa…" the baby said in response, putting its hand in its mouth.

"Well you don't necessarily have to be a good fighter but it's always good to know how to defend yourself."

"Bwa!"

"That's the spirit." I laughed, extending my arms and raising the baby. This brought out a laugh from them making them kick the air with enthusiasm. Looking elsewhere they extended their small little arms with joy.

Looking back I saw Itachi exit the house holding a tray of sweets. Walking over he placed a tray down before taking the child from my arms. With a soft smile, he held the baby close, calming the kid as they tried grabbing his glasses.

Hearing the back door open again I turned my head to see once again. "Hello," Emi smiled whilst carrying two bags, one with bread and another with fruit.

"Oh, let me help with that." Getting up I grabbed the heavier bag.

"Thank you. Greetings Itachi-san." She bowed slightly and waved at Yukino to let her know she arrived. "I hope I'm not late."

"We just got here. Oh!" Raising the bag and away from small grabby hands I kneeled and handed the fruit. "If you wanted all you needed to do was ask." I reminded them.

"I know, but you were flirting with Emi oba-san," speechless the kid laughed and ran behind their father using him as a shield. 'Yukino wasn't like this his age. Wait, no, she was.' I sighed remembering the stories that Kamen-san told me.

"They look happy don't they," Emi whispered as she gently pulled me down to sit beside her. She smiled as she looked at them and so did I.

With both of us coming from sour familial relationships, especially Emi, it was nice to take a break from the fighting. At least mine was slowly healing unlike Emi's who will forever remain shattered. It was nice to be considered family by someone who cared more than our actual family would. Turning to Emi I smiled, talking about the things we've seen around the island and things that were to come. In this peaceful spring backyard, time seemed to stop as we all talked of things with no purpose or direction. I bit into this fruit I held and enjoyed the sweetness provided ignoring the nagging feeling deep within my mind.

Everything was the way it was supposed to be.

Yukino's POV

Knocked into my garden by Ryota I was able to catch the expression of urgency on his face. Noticing Emi losing consciousness I quickly hugged her keeping her head to my chest before we hit the moss. Rolling to a stop I carefully sat up seeing the dried blood stain coming from her nose.

Carefully placing Emi's head on my lap I began to heal the burst blood vessels in her nose. From there I moved my hand to her head relieving the tension in her head. Whilst healing her I noticed how Ryota was taking a while to return. 'Please don't tell me–'

Before I could open a portal I felt cold air on my neck. "Do not do it."

Recognizing the voice I turned to see Tsukiyomi holding onto my shoulder. "Tsukiyomi…"

"If you go out now you will fall into the infinite dream." She explained glancing down at Emi. "Consider yourselves lucky. That boy saved both."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Those who fall into the infinite dream will die over time." Feeling my heart drop I finished healing Emi. "He won't be the only one. Every single person outside right now is under that jutsu's influence."

"Everyone? Wait what about–?"

"Go to , Haruko-san can explain this better than I will." She ordered me. "You must learn about the woman who cast this jutsu long ago if you want any hope of rescuing your scarlet-eyed friend." Giving a slight nod I opened a portal anyways to make sure of the state of things outside. Sucking in my breath I stared at the imposing figure floating over the battlefield slowly and towards Naruto and Sasuke she spoke softly making it hard to hear from this distance. Before I could enhance my hearing Tsukiyomi closed the portal. "Now! Head to now." The fear in her voice was noticeable giving me a feeling that she knew or had an idea as to who the woman was.

Gently removing Emi from my lap I placed her down and opened a portal to the place that I knew led to an entrance to . Entering the fog I could hear my heart pound loudly as I slowly made my way to the place I was ordered to go. Once the fog began to thin I called out my older guardian's name. "Haruko-sama?" Making it out of the fog I saw the empty land as no one walked around. An odd sight to me since this place always had some activity no matter the time of day. Spotting the roof of the sage's manor I ran to it. 'Ryota, you saved me once again at the cost of your life. I will get you back.'

Reaching the manor I saw everyone from the fox village sitting around watching the sky waiting for news. Seeing me they pointed me in the right direction. Quickly thanking them as I passed by I arrived at one of the banquet halls. Hesitantly I opened the doors seeing a portion of those from Uzushiogakure inside. Filled with relief I smiled knowing that Emi was able to guide them to safety.

"Yukino!" I heard Kaito-san yell my name as he made his way to me. "What happened outside? The foxes suddenly came and told us to come here."

"Everyone outside fell into a large-scale genjutsu. You guys are the only ones left." Feeling tears well up I held them in. "I'm going to talk to Haruko-sama. She's old and knows more about what's happening than anyone right now." Looking at him I kept my voice as steady as possible not wanting to scare those who stood around us. Before I could say anything more the sound of the creaking door alerted all of us drawing our attention to it.

Standing in her human appearance Kuzunoha-san slowly scanned the room until her red eyes landed on me. "Yukino, come with me." She motioned me over with her clawed hands. Doing as told she led me to the main hall. The moment we entered she closed the doors behind me.

"Are you aware of what's happening outside?" I heard Haruko-sama ask from somewhere deeper within the hall.

"The Infinite Tsukuyomi has been cast," I answered going deeper inside. "Tsukiyomi told me you would know more. That Ryota may die if I wait too long. That isn't all once the jutsu subsided I saw someone else on the battlefield. A woman. She had pale skin and horns like Tsukiyomi. Her hair is white and she has the Byakugan." I explained finally reaching the old veiled fox.

"The woman you saw. There is no mistaking it, that was Kaguya Ōtsutsuki." She sighed, bringing her long sleeve to her chin.

"Tsukiyomi never had horns," Kuzunoha-san said as she guided me to the seats to the side. "At least not until her obsessions killed her turning her into a hannya." She spoke softly of the woman she once trained.

"For now though you must know of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki." Standing up, Haruko-sama went to the large throne-like chair and pulled out a crystal ball. "When I was 's sage the divine tree had already fallen to earth as a meteor." Holding out the crystal ball she showed the large tree. "Many revered it as a sign of good fortune and fertility but they were wrong. My predecessor was the first to see it for what it was. A leech that slowly sucked out the life of this planet. It wasn't long that something else fell from above." She explained pointing to the bright light that fell from the sky. "This being from above was Kaguya Ōtsutsuki the Progenitor of Chakra and the Rabbit Goddess. Landing in the Land of Sou she was taken in by the lord and remained there waiting for time to consume the chakra fruit that the divine tree would produce."

"Ah… I remember this." Kuzunoha-san said, continuing with the history lesson. "The neighboring land, the Land of Ka were greedy, using war as a threat to get their way. While the lord of Sou preached peace he was, in reality, nothing more than a coward."

"An incident occurred not long after that led to the birth of the Rabbit Goddess." Haruko-sama continued. "In self-defense, Kaguya killed men from the Land of Ka but the land of Ka used this to their advantage. Demanding for her head or war will be waged the lord of Sou chose to kill Kaguya who was under his care. On the run, Kaguya ate the fruit of the divine tree gaining extraordinary abilities."

"That day was the day she cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi." Kuzunoha-san sighed, closing her eyes as she looked back to the past. "The White Zetsu you saw during the war? Those are the remains of those trapped in that technique all those years ago."

"I'm sorry but that doesn't tell me how to undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi."

"You can't," Kuzunoha-san said, removing all hope I had. "Only the Sage of Six Paths can. When he undid the infinite Tsukuyomi he had the Rinnegan along with the chakra of all tailed beasts."

"If those are the requirements then I just have to find shinobi that meet them right?" I stood up happily when I remembered that the Gedo Statue captured all of the tailed beasts. 'Dammit. Then the Rinnegan…' Snapping my fingers Nagato came to mind. 'Alright one down.'

"Yukino, sit down there is still more we have to tell you." Haruko-sama gestured to the seat. "It connects to the fourth DNA sample used." Holding the crystal ball she showed me. "Kaguya had two children, Hagoromo and Hamura. One who became the Sage of Six Paths and the other who the Hyuga descended from. Over time Kaguya continued to place people under the Infinite Tsukuyomi rumors of course spread of people going missing with her being the one behind it. Eventually, her son's found out. When they tried to stop their mother and the infinite Tsukuyomi they sealed her." Showing the memories it showed Catastrophic Planetary Devastation, a technique that Pein used on the village, not long ago. "Once the fight was over Hamura left Earth to guard his mother and the Gedo statue. At some point, his familial line split one which became the Hyuga." She sighed standing up and taking the crystal ball back to its original spot. "Decades ago a meteorite from the moon fell near the waters of Uzushiogakure around the time the Tsukiyomi began to manifest more frequently to people's eyes. When the meteor was examined they found traces of DNA."

"You're saying that some random sample was found and the first thought that came to mind was to make it into a living breathing organism?"

"Yes." Kuzunoha-san nodded. "Pretty much."

"That sample could've been from some moon worm or something."

"No, it had human origins," Haruko-sama added. "Tsukiyomi remembered the stories I told her and knew it had to be from Hamura's line that remained on the moon. Using a sample from her brother she planned on creating an artificial human as a way to strengthen Uzushiogakure's noble line whose skills had begun to deteriorate over generations."

"She probably hoped to bring forth unknown skills and to arrange a marriage with whoever was next in line. Who knows what abilities Hamura's line had you never seemed to show anything new though over generations his line would mingle with humans to live so it might have become diluted as well." Kuzunoha-san poked my head. "And the copying abilities is nothing new either; the notes we found showed that that was Tskukimi's goal in the first place. Yes, the Byakugan you copied is strong but that was because it was already from someone strong so it's not impressive. If anything we thought you copying it would make it stronger. The Sharingan on the other hand is weak; you barely use it for anything even though it has the third tomoe. Such a letdown, at least your Getsugan is stronger than what Tsukimi's Getsugan was in the past."

"Stop poking me." I gently moved her hand and fixed my hair. "I know I haven't used the other dōjutsu properly but still that doesn't change the fact that you guys knew what Tsukiyomi was doing."

"We didn't know she would actually put it into action. I mean how ridiculous does that sound. Creating a human out of a womb?" Kuzunoha-san shrugged.

Sighing I let it go. "Also, why are we still here? We should be out there trying to find the requirements that would break the Infinite Tsukuyomi."

Sitting quietly Haruko-sama and Kuzunoha-san glanced at each other. "I'll go," Haruko-sama said, stopping Kuzunoha-san from standing up. Getting up she headed towards the doors. "Make sure Uzushio's citizens are safe while I'm gone."

Battlefield

Returning to the battlefield I knew what I had to do. 'First, I have to find the second Hokage and learn Edo Tensei from him. Then I have to find a White Zetsu to use as the sacrifice to reanimate Nagato. As for the chakra of the tailed beasts, I'll deal with that later.'

Too focused on my thoughts I jumped when I felt Haruko-sama nudge me slightly. Looking up I saw her gesture towards something somewhere on the battlefield. "That's the Sage of Six Paths."

Knowing what she was telling me to do I immediately teleported both of us there to ask how to undo this. The moment I arrived the Third Hokage recognized me. "Yukino?" I heard him say. When he uttered my name I felt something bubbling inside me, sensing this Haruko-sama held onto my shoulder and squeezed lightly. Breathing in I ignored the question.

"Young lady how were you able to escape the Infinite Tsukuyomi," The First Hokage asked.

Unable to hear the question I had my entire focus entirely on the ghostly figure before me. "Are those eyes of yours by any chance the Rinnegan?" Feeling Haruko-sama's surprise when I asked that question I stood there waiting for an answer.

"They are."

"Thank you." Knowing that these were the same type of eyes that Nagato had I knew that if I were to copy them the pain would be unbearable compared to any that I have copied so far. 'If it's for him I will do it.' I looked up knowing approximately where he would be. As for my other friend I didn't know, having been on different areas of the battlefield when this happened I lost track of her. 'Meeting the conditions might take some time but I'll do it.'

Pulling me away from curious eyes, Haruko-sama lowered her voice and whispered close to my ear. "Yukino don't tell me you are going to attempt that."

"Haruko-sama I've asked a lot from you already but when I do this please make sure I live. I don't want to lose it." Trembling slightly I closed my eyes, activating my Getsugan.

"Yukino, have you ever considered that maybe your eyes may not be able to copy every dōjutsu?" Those words washed away every ounce of nerves I had as a part of me wished that to be true. "Maybe you are only able to copy the eyes associated with the bloodlines you descend from." She said, showing the wisdom of her many years of life. Something I have never considered.

"Well let's test it then." Opening my eyes I looked at the Sage of Six Paths right in the eyes. Feeling nothing relief washed over me as I returned my eyes to normal. "Hah… you're right…" Remembering my old diary I realized that although it was telling the truth it had hidden that fact from me. "Then back to plan A." I perked up snapping my fingers. "Second Hokage please teach me Edo Tensei. I want to reanimate someone if for just a couple of minutes an old associate with the Rinnegan. I will find a White Zetsu as a sacrifice." I bowed.

Haruko-sama sighed, slapping me gently with her sleeve. "Hagoromo-san, I am the previous sage of . I assume you know of a way to undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi?"

"Indeed, I already explained to the Hokage here of my plan. The two boys whom I shared my Chakra with will be able to do it." He calmly answered describing the two boys.

"Really?" I raised my head sure that the two boys he was talking about were Naruto and Sasuke. 'Wait…' Looking up my eyes blurred out people as I scanned the area for Naruto and Sasuke. 'It's not just them Sakura and Kakashi are gone as well. Wait… if everything stemmed from Kaguya then that means the Getsugan's abilities…' Realizing that fact I asked. "By any chance is Kaguya Ōtsutsuki capable of dimensional travel?"

"My mother is capable of that, how did you know?"

Narrowing my eyes I pressed my lips together and shrugged "Just a guess." Saying that I could feel Haruko-sama's eyes on me as she watched with interest. "Have you ever been to her dimensions?" Shaking his head in response I knew I couldn't use the Getsugan to get them. 'With no memory of the place, it's futile.'

"I have given most of my chakra to them. Right now we are waiting for the battle to come to an end when they have sealed my mother once more."

・・・

Hearing the whole plan I sighed still wanting to learn the Edo Tensei. The plan was good but the fact that Sasuke played such an important role in all this especially towards the end worried me. "Sasuke huh…"

"Do you not trust your fellow shinobi?" The Sage of Six Paths asked.

"Yukino don't ignore someone who is talking to you." I heard the Third Hokage say, causing something inside me to crack. 'Huh? Ignore him, really?'

Haruko-sama leaned close and shook me gently. "He is right, they have been trying to talk to you for a while now. But you have been so focused on this that your mind has blocked out their voices." She whispered patting my head as she did. "You have a bad habit of doing that sometimes. Since we have time, why don't you talk to the Third Hokage? I'm sure you have some things to settle." Finished with what she said she pushed me towards him as she stood by, watching what would unfold.

Turning my attention to the Hokage I specifically locked eyes with the Third Hokage. "Why didn't you do anything?" I asked him with a fake smile on my face.

"Excuse me?"

"One year, that's how much time you had." I held up a finger. "Time that could've been spent rebuilding the trust lost. Time that you could've used to grow a backbone and actually do something right instead of playing into Danzō's hand. You had a year since Shisui's death, someone you knew didn't like the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha and you did nothing." I told him remembering that day from long ago. The one day I would never forget the feeling of. "No, not just one year you had it since Naruto's birth. The Uchiha were doubted even though they were a part of the village. They were punished for your inability to talk back to Danzō. You had so much time and you did nothing."

"Young lady…" I heard the Second Hokage warn.

"Are you really going to be angry about me for saying that? Shouldn't you be angry about him and Danzō? If I'm not wrong Second Hokage, which I'm not I looked into it, after all, you were the sensei of Konoha's current two elders. They have just as much blame for all this as Danzō, agreeing to everything he says." Going silent, I turned my attention to the First. "You know you should be happy your granddaughter was chosen as Hokage at least she isn't afraid to fight back against their decisions. Did you know they placed partial blame for the destruction of Konoha on her while she was in a coma? A coma that resulted from her draining herself while trying to save everyone in the village I might add. I know this because I gave her my chakra once everything was done."

"And you!" I pointed to the Fourth Hokage. "You left Naruto in the care of this man." I pointed to the Third once more. 'You know how many nights he had to go without eating? Sustaining himself with just ramen because it was cheap.' I wanted to say it but I held it in knowing that there was no way he would know the Third would do all that. Holding in the tears I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Nevermind you died that day I can't blame you for something you didn't think would happen."

"I apologize for being unable to–"

Holding up my hand I didn't want to hear his regrets. He was dead and there was no fixing what he did. "Because of you Third, it was too late to fix anything. Because of you, Itachi Uchiha took it upon himself to stop the coup. He killed his own family and clan because you were too late." I sighed finally venting out. "I'm glad Danzō is dead, he literally caused everything bad that occurred to Konoha."

"My intel is never wrong." Haruko-sama chipped in walking over and pulling me back.

Patting my back softly I exhaled. "My seventeenth birthday is tomorrow. October 10 not 11 like you guys had me believe." I reminded him watching the look of surprise on his face. "As per the agreement you formed with Tsukiyomi I will choose whether or not to stay in Konoha. But you already know what I will choose, don't you?" I cocked my head and smiled. Closing my eyes I turned to the Sage of Six Paths once more briefly apologizing for showing such anger in front of him.

"So to answer your question do I trust Sasuke. The answer is that I do but do I expect him to undo the jutsu once this is all over? I don't. With the two elders under the genjutsu as well as the current Kage this would be a perfect opportunity to eliminate anyone that caused so much misfortune." Remembering an event that happened when both Naruto and Sasuke were twelve I groaned. "Those two idiots will fight again if that happens." Thinking of that I just felt my headache from just thinking about it. 'With how strong they've gotten they'll kill each other at this point.'

Looking up at the night sky I wondered how the fight was going. "I'm angry at most of you here," I pointed at the small crowd, "but that doesn't mean I will interfere with your plans. You need chakra to bring them back right? I'll offer most of what I have. I promise." I told the Sage of Six Paths.

・

A/N: College is hard but doable. I'll keep with the updates as they are.