Quietus

by Seraphina Scribes

When first he laid eyes upon her, he thought her the very personification of spring. He watches, from the depths of shadow; waiting to steal her away from the land of the living. Waiting to make her Queen of the Dead. Hades/Persephone retold. SasuSaku/AU.

57. Chapter 56

Thank you so much for all the feedback for the last two chapters. Really glad everyone's enjoying the plot. I'll be keeping it fast paced with lots of twists and surprises to pull us through the period that Sasuke and Sakura are apart and not (directly) interacting.

Make sure you check out the soundtrack links on my profile for links to hear what I listened to for inspiration when writing each scene.

Happy reading!

---

Chapter LVI

---

Strike a deal with a Devil,

And fall into vice and sin,

Where naught is as it seems,

Playing games you cannot win,

Beware of promises made in the dark,

The blade of betrayal leaves the deepest mark.

---

Candlelight glinted off the bronze embellished walls, illuminating the room in a warm, calming glow. Yet despite the hushed tranquillity of her surroundings, Kore's mind was in turmoil. She stared unseeingly ahead at the flames dancing in the fireplace, lost in the cyclone of her thoughts, as gentle hands braided her silky hair, lacing glimmering pearls through her rose-hued locks.

She felt nothing but numbness. Partly in denial of the situation into which she had so haplessly fallen – kidnapped by the very enemy who she had discovered meant to wage war against her loved ones and the surface deities. And beneath that, unspeakable heartbreak, and a mounting, mindless terror.

She was alone. In the very place reviled and feared by mortals and gods alike – the Underworld itself. Held hostage against her will, with no knowledge of why, or what was to become of her.

The hands weaving the ornaments in her hair paused, in response to the detection of fine tremors that Kore hadn't even realised were running through her body.

Then, a soft voice said, "Do not be afraid, sweet child. You are our guest, and no harm will befall you in our kingdom."

Kore released an unsteady breath. Tears she'd fought so hard to keep in check blurred her vision. She dared not turn around. She did not wish to look into the face of the beautiful goddess standing behind her. It bore too much stark resemblance to the very face that had discarded her love, betrayed her, hurt and used her in the worst way imaginable.

And it was all her fault. For never listening to her own mother. What hope then, did she have, of heeding Hades' mother's advice?

"Your hair is of a most striking hue," Nyx continued conversationally, seeking to soothe the younger goddess's nerves as best she could. "I am certain it will draw much appreciation at the ball."

Fresh fear quivered through Kore. She was being dressed and preened to perfection, to be put on display as the enemy's spoils of war, at a celebration she did not wish to attend.

"I do not want to go," she whispered shakily.

Once more, the hands adorning her tresses paused. There was a long, heavy silence.

Finally, Nyx replied quietly, "It is best not to defy Cronus. Obey – and you will surely be returned unharmed. I believe - no, I surely know this to be true."

The tears in her eyes overflowed, streamed down Kore's cheeks. The words did little to reassure her. Her panicked thoughts turned to the one person she knew would be there at the ball, the very person she could not stand to look upon anymore.

As if reading her thoughts, Nyx added, with a twinge of sadness in her voice, "I am sorry for your distress. Please; do not resent my youngest son. Cronus is our King, and we do as he bids."

Kore swallowed back the sick, bitter taste in her throat. There was so much she could say to that. So much she wanted to scream, to shout. To tell Nyx of the way her precious son had seduced her with his obsidian, bottomless eyes, whispered sweet-nothings in her ears, beguiled her, stolen her senses and better judgement, drawn her away from a path from which she ought to have never strayed – only to abandon her, to break her heart to pieces, and allow her to be taken by his family, to be held as collateral or whatever other horrors Cronus had in mind for her.

But she said nothing. Kept her anguish contained within the heaviness in her chest that made every drawn breath seem as though it were a struggle. She did not respond, and the remainder of the braiding was done in uncomfortable, stifling silence. Once complete, Nyx gave her shoulder a light squeeze, informed her that she would see her shortly at the ball – before taking her leave, leaving Kore alone with four servants who wiped at her tears and freshened her face. They then placed the final finishing touch to her outfit; a silver masquerade mask, glistening with pearls and sapphire gems.

"It is time, my Lady," one of the plain-clothed servant girls bowed her head respectfully.

Kore took a deep breath, steeling herself as she rose from her seat. She told herself she was her mother's daughter. Her mother, Demeter, who was fierce and strong and cowered before no deity. She knew her mother had to be searching frantically for her on the surface. Her mother, Aphrodite, Apollo. Zeus himself would leave no rock unturned in their hunt for her. All she needed to do was keep her composure, bide her time, and hope that her family and friends would soon find her.

She had no other choice.

Two of the servant girls slipped into position behind her, the other two in front her, preparing to escort her to the ballroom. Kore briefly entertained the idea of escaping her chaperones, of making a mad dash for freedom. In reality it was hopeless. She did not know her way around the huge expanse of the resplendent dark palace she had been stolen away to, and even if she did, by some unlikely stroke of good fortune, manage to find her way out the labyrinth of stretching hallways and endlessly extravagant rooms, there was no conceivable way for her to navigate successfully beyond it to the entrance of the Underworld.

It was a lost cause, and would be a waste of her energy; much needed energy she needed to conserve until she understood more about her situation. She would do her best to remain calm, observe her surroundings, and buy herself time as best she could.

All easier said than done when she had no idea of what her calculating host intended.

As she walked slowly toward the solid gold double doors that led out to the hallway beyond, Kore caught sight of her reflection in a full length, bronze-framed mirror. She was dressed like Underworld royalty in an off the shoulder, midnight dress. Gauzy semi-transparent material trailed from the sides of the sleeves, reaching the floor in its length. The gown boasted a figure flattering, pearl encrusted velvet corset and a flowing, lighter blue silk under skirt, over which fell a heavier tulle overskirt. It blended from midnight blue at the hips down to deep black and was stitched with silver thread and pearls, matching the glimmering jewels in her loosely braided tresses. At her brow was a flower shaped headpiece of silver and pearls, and at her feet, silver-heeled sandals.

It was a colour she had never worn on the surface. It made her look older. More a woman.

It made her look beautiful.

Why Cronus would choose to have her dressed in the finery of his realm was beyond her. It sickened Kore to her stomach. Filled her with a terrible sense of foreboding. Swallowing thickly, she turned away from the haunting, masked face in the mirror, and followed her guides out into the hallway.

Despite her fear, she couldn't deny the grandeur of her surroundings as she walked down the candlelit corridor. Everywhere her eyes turned, was majestic and glittering dark marble. Guards stood stationed at regular intervals down the sprawling passageways. The ceiling was constructed from towering arches. Her feet moved silently over the plush strip of dark blue velvet carpet that lined the hallway as she took in the impressive sight.

The servants led her down endless turns that Kore did her best to memorise – but it was impossible. The palace was simply too vast, too daunting to commit to memory. At last they took her up a wide set of stairs that bore to the left, leading to an extremely elaborate, enormous set of double doors manned by two guards who bowed as she stopped before them. From within, Kore could hear strong piano keys playing a chilling melody. Her pulse quickened.

The guards pulled the doors open, granting her entry – and Kore lost her breath as she stepped inside; momentarily entranced as she set foot on the plush landing of a magnificently carved staircase that led down to the most enchanting room she had ever seen.

The ballroom was immense, a dazzling masterpiece of unparalleled splendour. A floor of polished black that seemed to glint with twinkling stars captured the lights glittering from the huge crystal chandeliers hanging from the mirrored ceiling high above. Swathes of luxurious, heavy black and silver curtains adorned the multitude of balcony doors stationed along the side wings of the room, spaced between colossal starlit columns. Gleaming diamond candelabra illuminated the space with a bewitching pale blue firelight that Kore had never seen before. The lighting made the room appear as though it were bathed in pure moonlight. Everywhere Kore's eyes darted sparkled gold and silver and diamond decadence. Cronus clearly did not hold back on flaunting his riches.

Opposite her, at the very end of the room, was an identical staircase to the one on which she stood, that climbed up to another set of equally extravagant double doors.

The ballroom was packed with countless, alluringly masked immortals, all dark haired, all dressed in resplendent finery that showcased the wealth of the Underworld folk. This was the Uchiha clan in its entirety, Kore realised, her heart hammering against her ribcage as she watched them move with effortless grace, gliding across the centre of the spacious dance floor, above which sparkled a shimmering white orb, serving as a brightly illuminated, wide spotlight.

This was Hades' family.

Some stood by the buffet tables that lined the left side of the room. Delicious smells wafted through the air. Laughter and chatter mingled with the enchanting melodies of an orchestral band who were stationed upon a small raised stage by the base of the opposite staircase. And at the top of the staircase's landing, seated upon a dais that supported a mighty black throne, was none other than Cronus himself, unmasked, dressed in crimson and black finery. He was flanked by two of his soldiers, who stood at alert attention.

Kore felt her blood run cold at the sight of him again. A light touch at her left elbow drew her attention to Nyx, who briefly lowered the mask she was holding to reassure Kore of her company. Kore glanced behind her to see that the servant girls had not entered the ballroom. Her eyes moved back to Nyx. She was a vision of loveliness in flowing black silk stitched with silver, stars strewn in her long ebony hair, diamond droplets hanging from her ears.

"Come," the goddess said kindly. Kore avoided her gaze, and kept her eyes on the floor, as Nyx led her down the black marble staircase. She could feel gazes burning keenly into her as she descended and snuck a glance up, to see dancing Uchiha looking curiously upon her as she passed. With her fair rose hair, Kore knew she stood out like a sore thumb. But none spoke a word to her and Nyx thankfully came to a stop beside a table bearing golden liquid poured in lavish crystal goblets. Ambrosia, Kore immediately recognised. Her mother had let her try it a few times as a treat. But never so freely.

She gratefully accepted the glass the older goddess offered to her, gulping it down. Olympus knew that she needed to drink enough to calm her frayed nerves – but not too much, to ensure she retained her senses.

Cronus clapped his hands three times and rose from his dark throne. Immediately the orchestra ceased playing, and the dancing couples dispersed from the centre of the dancefloor. Kore's eyes flitted up, scanning the ballroom anxiously. Her heart raced, her entire body prickling with anticipation and dread.

He was here, she knew; somewhere in the throng, was Hades. But in a sea of masked faces, Kore could not identify him so easily. She was thankful for it. She desperately hoped that she would not encounter him. And so she stood in silence by his mother, listening as Cronus began to address his clan, his deep, deceptively calming voice echoing strongly despite the expanse of the room. A voice that sounded so reasonable. So wise. But Kore knew it to belong to an unfeeling, merciless monster.

"My friends. My family. My dearest of Kin," he began, raising a goblet in toast to the immortals who filled the room. "Tonight marks the beginning of a new era for our prestigious clan. For after tonight, the Uchiha will no longer be feared as the Clan of the Dead. No longer banished to the shadows, shunned by those on the Surface. No longer made to feel out of place or undeserving of the upper world's bounties. No more! We will be revered as the Clan of the Living!"

Shouts of approval and riotous applause filled the air. Startled, Kore looked around in dismay. His audience was enraptured, hung on every word. They didn't just follow and respect their King.

They clearly adored him.

As the ruckus died down, Cronus continued smoothly, "For too long we have allowed the usurper "King" Zeus and his followers to indoctrinate mortal minds with the belief that they are the ones alone who sustain all life. That they are the ones to whom mortals should be thankful, to whom mortals should pray and give their countless offerings. They had humans erect temples and statues in their likeness, stage great festivals in their honour, delighted in their homage and adoration, while we were consigned to the Underworld, cursed and feared by all on the surface. None pray to us. Our names are whispered in curses!" He paused, scanning the room with a gaze so bright and intense, Kore could feel its steady power even from the far distance at which she stood.

"Do not misconstrue me," he went on, his voice dropping to a softer tone. Almost hypnotic in its quality. "The Underworld is our home. A place of unparalleled beauty. There is no equal to the Elysian Fields, to the delights of Elysium itself. I do not ask any of you to give up our claim to this place, nor expect any of you to leave it behind forever once we take what is ours by right on the surface. This will remain our home. But we will know freedom, my Kin; the freedom to roam as we please on the surface, unbound by the accords of old signed by our forefathers that keep us restricted to the shades!" His voice rose once more, rousing, inspiring, "We will take what is ours! Olympus itself! The surface will belong to the great and noble Uchiha!"

"Hear, hear!" The crowd enthused.

"In every corner of the world we will be known and revered, feared and adored, worshipped without equal!" Cronus boomed, gesturing fervently at the throng, his eyes burning with a fervent light. Kore thought they seemed to glint crimson. "We will rid the surface of its blasphemy, of the lies fed to humans since their very creation! We will rewrite history, and drink of the surface's wine and taste of her honey and figs and bread, and every food we have been forced to trade our riches to acquire! Riches Zeus has used to secure his family's power! No more! We will answer to none. We will bow to no-one!"

His clan answered with thunderous applause, as Cronus finished, lifting his goblet high into the air, "Who will ride with me at dawn?! Who will ride with me to destroy Zeus and his band of heretics?! Who will ride with me to reclaim the surface and take back what is rightfully ours? There will be no more disorder. No more imbalance! Justice will be served. And justice will reign! All in favour say: Aye!"

A deafening roar filled the room, hands raised in agreement, in full support of the war Cronus was about to wage on her family and friends. Kore felt faint, smothered, stepped unthinkingly back until she pressed against one of the marble columns stationed like mighty giants along the flanks of the room.

Finally, she understood. This was Cronus's plan. To decimate Zeus and his family. To destroy Kore's home as she knew it. She felt sick to her stomach. Her head spun, heart pounding in her chest so hard and fast that she could physically feel it shaking her body.

"Oh…" she whispered weakly. Cronus had poisoned his family's minds. Fed nothing but lies about the nature of the surface gods. Did Zeus know he was coming? Or would it be an ambush?

Stupid, she cursed herself. She was nothing but a stupid, spoilt little goddess, who had been too self-centred and concerned with her own broken little heart, to take care or heed of something far greater. If she had only listened to her mother. If she had only paid more attention. But how could she have known? And now it was too late. Far, far too late.

He had kidnapped her for leverage. He would force Zeus's hand in this war. And it was all her fault, for being stupid and naïve enough to allow herself to be put in such a situation to begin with.

Tears pricked at her eyes behind the mask. No. No, she would not cry. Hadn't she already been useless enough?!

Her eyes slipped to her right, back to the staircase from which she had descended. She spied another door at its right base. Without turning her head, she slipped her gaze back to her left. The dancing had started again, and even Nyx was now preoccupied, drawn away from Kore's side by another smiling masked woman.

'Nobody is looking at me', thought Kore to herself. 'If I could just make it to that door-'

The thought was cut off as she felt a firm hand suddenly grip her by her elbow, guiding her away from the pillar.

"I see my guest was perhaps contemplating a hasty escape. How discourteous to leave your host's ball in such a way," a suave voice admonished, the words laced with mockery. Kore turned her head, hear heart leaping to her throat in horror. Cronus was standing at her side, towering over her.

How had he crossed over so fast? How had she not noticed?

He smiled deeply down at her.

"An enchanting sight you are to behold, my dear," he complimented sincerely, and Kore's skinned crawled.

"You…" she blurted unthinkingly, "you are the monster! Not Zeus!"

She did not know if the words would anger him. She was terrified of the ancient deity – he was so much older and wiser beyond her foolish youth. And she had seen the undeniable wickedness in his eyes as he'd spoken, the heartlessness, the malice and ruthlessness beneath that handsome façade. The cruelty in that smile.

But Cronus only laughed at that, and gestured nonchalantly around the room. "Do you see them, little petal? They all follow me. That is true power. The ability to lead an army to fight your cause. They believe in what I wish them to believe. They will fight who I instruct them to fight. Whatever I will, whatever I command, they obey."

Kore's thoughts raced. What was he implying? That he had made them believe what he wished, even if what he wished was a lie? That he had other ulterior intentions?

He turned back to her, his eyes lingering far too long on hers than Kore felt was comfortable.

"You need not concern yourself with this war. The part you will play… well. Let us just say, your pretty little eyes will not see any bloodshed. So be merry tonight, and do not fret."

Kore opened her mouth to reply, when Cronus snapped his fingers abruptly, and interjected before she could speak, "In fact, I have a treat for you. A gesture of my goodwill. How would you like to dance with an old… 'friend'?"

She looked up at him, momentarily confused. Cronus smiled, a smile full of gleeful malice, and pointed to the dance floor. The crowd had quietened and parted, forming a wide circle around the centre of the ballroom, and the music had changed. Kore's eyes followed the line of his index finger – and the air stilled in her lungs.

Hades stood in the middle of the dance floor. She knew it was him. She knew from the violent way her heart lurched in her chest. Even with his face half concealed, she would recognise him anywhere, from the way he carried himself, from the rolling, thunderous aura that was his chakra signature.

"A final dance," Cronus, who had moved behind Kore, crooned smugly in her ear. "With the one who betrayed you so sweetly at my bidding…"

"No," Kore choked, her entire body shaking violently all at once. And yet she could not look away from Hades. Dressed in black and gold, his eyes concealed by an intricate gold mask, he had never looked as devastatingly handsome as he did at that moment, cloaked in his family's formal finery. A vision of darkness. Pure seduction and deadly night itself, into which her heart had been so hopelessly and foolishly swallowed.

Cronus chuckled softly, sending a chill up her spine. "Do not resist. The bracelets at your ankles bind you to my will. And it is my wish that you will dance."

She wanted to scream. She wanted to turn around and strike the demon behind her. But to her horror, her legs were already moving forward, forcing her to join Hades on the dance floor. She stopped before him, refusing to meet his gaze, fighting to keep her arms at her sides. But whatever dark magic Cronus had cast upon her limbs was irresistible. When Hades lifted a palm and began to sensually circle her in time to the seductive, dark waltz melody that reverberated around them, her body mirrored his movements in perfect synchronization, her palm pressing in turn to his as they gracefully side stepped around each another.

Her eyes, against her own wishes, lifted to meet his.

As if her subconscious was still pleading that somehow, this was still all a mistake, a terrible misunderstanding. Surely, if she could see a sign of something, anything in those grey-flecked depths, to offer her even a sliver of hope-

But Hades regarded her aloofly behind the barrier of his decorative mask. She saw no compassion, no kindness in that winter gaze. It was as though they were complete strangers, meeting for the first time at a haunting masquerade ball.

Kore's heart, already broken beyond repair, splintered into tinier fragments, as he slipped behind her, lightly grasping her hands in his, leading her to the right, before he spun her around for a twirl, then stepped back behind her to waltz to their left.

Kore caught sight of Cronus, standing by an oddly tense-looking Nyx. He held a crystal goblet in his hand, and upon catching Kore's gaze, raised it in mock-toast to her, his dark eyes glittering with cruel, self-satisfied amusement.

Hades drew her back around to face him, and reeled her into a closer, more intimate waltz. With elegant poise they swept across the ballroom floor. The mesmerising melody seeped into Kore's ears, compelled her to follow, though she knew her anguished mind was not familiar with this dance. It was as if her body had been possessed by another being, and she was locked away inside, her soul screaming.

Hades was so close, she could smell him; fresh, clean pine and wood spice, a scent she had cherished in the past – but now filled her with nausea and self-loathing.

There was no mistaking it. He had played her for a fool. This was the first time they had been afforded a moment in close proximity to each other, albeit with a whole audience watching their every move – and still he was remote and distant.

How had she ever thought he could possess a heart? How had she ever believed that it felt kindly toward her?

Kore thought that perhaps it would be the last chance they would ever get to speak. She did not know what Cronus had meant by her not witnessing any bloodshed. Perhaps he meant to end her existence as a goddess. Perhaps she would not live for much longer. If she didn't take the opportunity to speak her mind now, she knew she would regret it forever.

She wasn't sure if Hades could hear her if she spoke, above the crescendo of the symphony that played so beautifully. But she decided she would talk to him all the same. As he spun her out in another dizzying spin, her eyes flew back to Cronus. Nyx had left his side, replaced by a masked deity with long raven hair that was drawn back in a high ponytail above his head. He was dressed in black stitched with gold, just as Hades was – with raven feathers adorning the high collar of his tunic. A long black cloak trailed behind him.

Cronus was no longer watching them, but speaking to the god, laughing loudly as he clapped him animatedly on the back.

The god did not return his smile, his eyes remaining lowered beneath the mask.

She scanned the rest of the crowd. Most were still watching them, while others had turned to quiet conversation.

Nobody would hear her if she spoke.

As Hades pulled her back to him, Kore slid a hand up to his right shoulder, leaning closer into him again as they swayed, though it filled her with equal portions of grief and disgust. She tried not to focus on how his right hand felt resting on her left hip, how his opposite hand clasped her right, the skin to skin contact torment. Keeping close enough that her left cheek brushed against his left shoulder, she addressed him.

And when she began to speak, she thought he could hear her. For he let her remain in place there, closer than was necessary for them to dance.

"I know I am to blame," she exhaled. "I am the fool who let you lead me astray. I should have known better. I have been a child. Blind to the cruelty of the world. I…" she swallowed thickly. "I trusted you. I should have listened to my mother. Everything she told me about the Underworld and its folk, all of it was true."

Hades did not respond. Gave no sign that her words had any effect on him. The pain inside Kore's chest was crushing. Squeezing her eyes shut as the orchestra began to play the haunting melody anew, she went on, "I know you do not care. You have proven that I was nothing but a game to you. And tomorrow, your family will wage a war against mine. This… this may be the last words I ever say to you. But I want you to know. Whatever the outcome. Whatever happens…" she drew back, and looked Hades right in the eyes, before finishing, her voice trembling with the severity of her emotions, "Know this. I will never forgive you. For as long as I live, for as long as I draw breath, I will hate you, Hades. I will curse you, for every pain you have caused me, for the way you betrayed me. For the way you cast aside my love and trust, and showed me what monsters you and your people truly are."

She felt him tense, the hand holding hers briefly and involuntarily tightening. Saw a muscle clench in his jaw. His eyes, which had been coolly holding hers, slipped away.

But Kore was not yet done.

"I hope you will know nothing but guilt and grief and wretched loneliness until the end of your days. And until the end of mine, until the end of time, I will hate you, always, I will hate you forever!" Kore whispered harshly, before attempting to wrench herself violently from his hold. But Hades' grip was strong, unrelenting. He yanked her back close, so that their faces were momentarily mere inches apart. Kore felt her heart thundering, so hard she was sure he could feel it pounding against his chest as their bodies pressed together for a brief instant – and then he drew her into a dizzying sequence of consecutive spins. The room whirled out of focus, the crowd fading to a rushing blur around them, and all she could suddenly see were those very eyes she had fallen so deeply into-

Enraged at the continued pull she felt toward that fathomless, heartless gaze, she mentally screamed at her feet to stay rooted to the spot. To her shock, they did, causing their dance to come to an abrupt stop as the music drew to a close. Her chest heaving from overwhelming emotion and exertion, Kore snatched her hands away from him. Like he was a scalding flame. Hades blinked down at her. Opened his mouth, as if to finally say something – but she did not wish to hear the voice that had betrayed her. Curtsying stiffly in formality to signal that she was done with the waltz, she turned her back to him.

The crowd politely applauded, began to couple up and sweep back onto the dance floor.

Kore gingerly took a step, her entire body shaking. When she felt no resistance in her feet, relief flooded through her. It seemed the dark magic had worn off – or perhaps Cronus had taken enough amusement from their waltz. Gathering the skirts of her gown, she began to walk away, her vision blurred with tears. She had no direction or idea of where to stand, in a world where she did not belong.

Thankfully, Cronus was no longer in the same place where she had left him. But the tall masked deity with the long ponytail was still there, and beside him, stood another masked youth with wavy dark hair, cloaked in black and silver. The silver-masked god was looking at his companion. He leaned in close and uttered something.

Kore tore her eyes away from the attractive pair and returned to the drinks table, not too far from where they stood. Grabbing another goblet to soothe the tremors racking her body, she lifted her eyes to the dance floor again. Hades was now nowhere to be seen. She was glad of it. She hoped she never, ever saw him again.

Then she stiffened, as four loud claps erupted from her left side. She turned her head, to see Cronus had rejoined the younger gods. Dread formed tight knots in her belly. Gritting her teeth, she looked at him with unrestrained abhorrence. He gave Kore a predatory, pitiless smile. Took the goblet the wavy-haired god had been holding, and lifted it in another mocking toast to her.

"What a fine dance you performed for us, my dear. Almost bittersweet. Was it not, Hypnos?" He gripped the wavy-haired youth's shoulder, who merely bowed his head in response. "Thanatos?" He prompted the deity with the ponytail. "I know you both have a penchant for tragedy. Certainly leaving it in your wake."

"Quite…" Hypnos finally answered, looking at his King, who chuckled, ruffled his hair and drank the rest of his goblet, before handing it back to the nonplussed youth and turning away, calling for the orchestra to change to more cheerful music.

Kore stared after him, appalled, disgusted. Her eyes then turned back to the masked deities standing by the pillar next to hers. It was difficult not to look at them. Somehow, they stood out amongst everyone else. Not just in how they were dressed – but in the proud way they carried themselves, and the serious, imposing aura they emanated.

She'd seen them before, long ago. She remembered them.

The one Cronus had called Hypnos was once again looking at his companion.

"A penchant for tragedy," he mimicked sarcastically. "Do you think he's mocking us, too?"

Kore heard him. Confused by the statement, and why he would mock his own King, she watched as Hypnos turned to place his goblet back onto the table behind him.

"…" But his companion did not reply. He had turned his head slightly to the right, and Kore's breath caught in her lungs when her apple-green orbs were suddenly ensnared by the magnetic pull of intense crimson. Even behind the mask, those eyes were piercing, impaling. Pinning her in place.

Thanatos's heavy-lashed gaze was locked directly onto her.

Her entire body bristled under the weight of that indecipherable stare. She couldn't look away from those eyes. And yet she could no longer continue looking. They seemed to singe through her skull. Steal away her thoughts. As if possessing them. They seemed to see right into her very soul.

She felt exposed. Naked. Intimidated. Afraid – though he had spoken no word to her, nor made any other kind of movement toward her.

Feeling all at once smothered and trapped, Kore finally managed to drag her gaze back down to the ground with great difficulty. She couldn't stay in this room another minute, she told herself. She didn't care if she was caught, or stopped along the way. She just needed to get out. Away from all these strange, perfect faces, away from the sounds and sights and smells that overwhelmed her overloaded senses.

Gathering her skirts again, she walked back toward the staircase, and blocking everything and everyone out around her, hurried up it. She thought she heard a voice call her name through the crowd – but did not turn back to check, choosing to ignore it. The doors automatically parted for her, and she picked up pace as she exited the ballroom, until she was soon running down the hallway. Nobody stopped her. Nobody pursued. And she continued to run. Faster and faster, without direction, passing through endless passageways and spectacular, interconnected rooms, until her lungs burned from sucking in oxygen too fast, until her aching legs turned numb and her head ached from it all.

Running… running… into the unknown, the haunting music echoing far behind her.

---

Sakura woke up to the remnants of a phantom melody ringing in her ears. She blinked, staring groggily up at her bedroom ceiling. Early morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains. She could hear birds chirping outside.

The dream had been so vivid. There was a heavy feeling lodged in her chest. She had seen Kore in the Underworld. At a masquerade ball. Cronus. A dark waltz with Hades. Lifting a hand to her throbbing head, she groaned. Already the details were evading her, even as she tried to hang onto them.

In the past, she'd assumed the visions belonged to someone else. Now she knew they were her own memories, from her first life. And yet cruelly, she could not remember them as memories. Only dreams. She didn't see the visions in chronological order. Trying to remember all the ones she'd seen, to piece them all together, would be an impossible task. She could only go by what she had been told happened. And what visions she remembered, of things her past-self had seen.

Sitting up, she rubbed at her forehead. Glancing at her bedside table clock, she found that she'd woken up two hours before her alarm was scheduled to go off.

"Ugh," she picked up her pillow and buried her face into it resignedly. Well, she guessed she ought to make good use of the extra time, since her head hurt too much to make going back to sleep a viable option. She'd go find her mother, who always rose early, and spar with her. The thought of sparring made her feel better.

She was getting better and better at self-defence and utilising chakra to strengthen her skills. Kurenai had even dropped by the previous day to assist Tsunade in teaching Sakura about the basics of illusions, and how to break out of them. Sakura needed a lot of practice, but it was exciting to learn a new technique. Anything that made Sakura feel like she could protect herself better.

Anything that gave her a better chance of somehow breaking the cycle of rebirth that had been enforced on her soul, for the sake of maintaining the balance of life on the earth.

After sparring, showering and breakfast, she had a morning shift at the hospital to attend before afternoon lectures.

Wincing through the throbbing pain in her skull, she recalled the previous day's events. She'd seen Kenji again the morning after he'd asked her to the Winter Ball. He'd been so excited. Had asked her what colour dress she was planning on wearing, so he could get matching flowers.

The dress!

Sakura slapped a hand to her forehead. The ball was in just over a week's time. She still needed to find an outfit!

Ino. She'd definitely have to ask Ino for help.

Sighing deeply, she slipped out of bed, ready to start another day.

---

The deeply-hued liquid bubbled within the heavy iron cauldron, its consistency finally as desired. Satisfied, Chiyo gave it one final stir with a ladle, before scooping a boiling spoonful into a small glass container.

She'd worked tirelessly for two whole days to concoct this very special and particular brew. After all, there was no other deity alive that could rival her ancient knowledge and skill in the art of potion making.

Leaves rustled behind her as the curtain to her hut was pushed aside, alerting her to the arrival of her expected visitor. Like clockwork he ran his Kingdom, and he had arrived at the exact time he'd told her he would. She turned, a grim smile plastered on her time-worn face. It was a refreshing change that the routinely obstinate, proud little King would choose to purposefully visit her, and without any form of small-talk or insolence, request her services.

An odd request it had been indeed, but one she had already seen coming. After all, things were unravelling just as intended.

"Is it ready?" Sasuke questioned.

Chiyo held up the ampoule, and the King of the Dead extended his gloved hand to receive it.

The old crone deposited it into his waiting palm. He nodded, the closest thing she supposed she would ever get to a courteous thank you. The death deity then spun on his heel, making to leave in haste.

"Hold," she croaked after him, and he paused by the vined curtain, turning his head slightly to the right to signal he was listening. "You are certain, then? You are certain that this is the path you wish to pursue? To align yourself… with them?"

A tense, heavy silence hung in the air for a minute.

Finally, Sasuke answered, "I am."

---

"So," Kenji said, as he opened the door to the passenger seat of his car for Sakura to hop into, "what did you make of Asahi's case?"

They'd finished their shift together at the hospital. It had been a pretty unremarkable morning. Nothing too eventful had happened, and thankfully, Sakura hadn't witnessed any more patients dying right in front of her. Equally as thankfully, her headache from the morning had waned.

"Well," Sakura answered, securing her seat-belt as Kenji took his place behind the wheel, "I think she might have appendicitis. But it's hard to tell. Her symptoms could be a number of things, couldn't they?"

"Right," Kenji agreed, switching on the ignition. "Appendicitis is tricky. Can mask as other conditions. So keeping her overnight for observation, especially at her age, is the right call."

Sakura nodded. "Hey. Do we have time to grab a snack before my lecture? I'm starving."

Kenji chuckled. "Skipped lunch again? It's an easy habit for us medics to fall into!"

"I have a bad habit of forgetting to eat on the job," Sakura conceded sheepishly. She leant her head against the cool glass window as Kenji pulled out of the hospital car park.

The more time they spent together, the more she was growing to enjoy his company. She liked how comfortable things felt when they were together. There wasn't any awkwardness. There wasn't any tension. They got along so well. It was…

It was easy. He'd only asked her out as his date for the ball, Sakura knew. It didn't mean too much, even though Ino had now embarrassingly told their group of friends that Sakura had a boyfriend. But Kenji wasn't that. Not formally. Not officially. Not yet. They were just going to a ball together.

What happened after that night, well…

Sakura snuck a glance at him, looking over the attractive side-profile of his face. Definitely rocking boy-next-door vibes, she thought to herself. Well-mannered, sensible and stable. And a medic to boot.

No wonder her mother didn't mind him, as shocking as that fact still was for Sakura to digest.

Kenji flicked the radio on, and released a whoop of joy as loud music blared out through the speakers. "Alright! I love this song!"

Sakura burst out laughing in surprise. "Heavy metal? Really?"

"Oh yeah. I was a real raver, before medicine sucked the life out of me and forced me to choose studying over partying," Kenji grinned. "Not that I don't party anymore. Just, nowhere near what I used to."

"I would've never guessed you were a party animal," Sakura smiled teasingly, taking her phone out her pocket to catch up on any missed messages. "You seem so clean cut."

"I have my moments," Kenji waggled his eyebrows animatedly. "And like I said, I kind of had to calm down. My mother's health hasn't been great over the last year. My dad works long hours. I had to become a bit more responsible and help out."

"I'm sorry," Sakura offered sincerely, as they came to a stop by a set of traffic lights. "That she's not well."

"Hey, thanks, I appreciate that. She's getting treatment. Taking it one day at a time. But a long way to go," he paused, before adding, "I've met your mother. Maybe one day you can meet mine. She'd definitely like you."

"Do you think so?" Sakura wondered.

Kenji glanced at her briefly. "I know so," he smiled.

Sakura smiled back. The traffic lights changed, and Kenji continued to drive on.

"So you said you have a younger brother?" she said conversationally, frowning slightly as Ino replied to one of her texts.

'Have you kissed him yet? ;)' She had sent. Sakura resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Ino could be so mortifying.

"Yeah. Kojin. He's fourteen and thinks he knows the meaning of life," Kenji snorted.

"Don't we all at that age?" Sakura mused, as the heavy metal song came to an end. Another began to play, that she wasn't familiar with.

"Yeah but he's next level annoying. He literally has a smart-ass answer to everything. He loves gadgets and building things too. Seems to think he's some kind of future genius inventor. Except not in the future. Like right now."

Sakura giggled at that. "He sounds like a cute kid."

"He's alright, when he isn't being a know-it-all," Kenji relented. But Sakura could hear the affection laced in his voice.

"I wish I had siblings growing up," she said.

"Really? I think it must be awesome being the only child."

"It has its perks…" Sakura shrugged. They drifted into a comfortable silence then. Absentmindedly she listened to the track that was playing.

'I know what you're thinking. I know what you're needing.'

Sakura felt her cheeks redden slightly. What an embarrassing song to play in a moment of silence…

'I know your dreams and desires. Take a bite, I'll possess you… for an eternity.'

A light frown danced on her brow as she paid closer attention to the words. Suddenly she couldn't stop listening. Riveted by the lyrics, her attention fully caught.

'When you least expect it, I'll own your existence. You'll be my prisoner, helpless.'

Her eyes widened. Prisoner. She couldn't help but think about-

'Your life will be mine. Just take a bite. You'll have everything you could ever want. I'll capture you, and we'll live in paradise.'

She jabbed aggressively at the radio button, abruptly cutting the song off, wanting to hear no more. Her heart was all at once racing. Her skin prickling.

It was just a crazy coincidence, she fiercely told herself, that the lyrics were so relatable, and-

And she didn't want to think about them. She didn't want to think-

"Huh?" Kenji looked over at her, confused. "You okay, Sakura?"

"I-" she faltered, before regaining her composure and answering, "I'm fine. Sorry. Just got a headache. Must have been the heavy metal," she attempted to joke.

"You sure?" Kenji gave her an odd, concerned look.

"Yeah." Sakura forced a bright smile onto her face, feeling a pang of regret for lying. "I probably just need some food."

She hoped he would buy it. Relief flooded through her as she saw his expression relax back into a smile, and the conversation moved onto late lunch options, her strange reaction all but forgotten by the time they reached the university campus.

---

Cerberus growled as the black being materialised at the Underworld's entrance, grinning its strange, sharp-toothed smile, its yellow eyes hollow, unblinking. Sasuke petted his loyal hound's side once, both in quiet reassurance and command. Cerberus dutifully stilled.

"Sasuke," Madara's voice greeted him through the vessel he had once again possessed to communicate with the Underworld's King. It was a voice that only a few days prior, Sasuke had never envisaged he'd have the displeasure of hearing ever again – much less strike bargains with.

And yet. And yet, here they both were.

"I trust you have had ample time to consider my offer?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He was silent for a long moment. Then he stated, "I have questions."

"Of course," Madara's voice echoed. "Whatever you require clarification about, I am all ears."

"The Rinnegan," Sasuke cut straight to the chase, in no mood to engage in meaningless small talk, least of all with Cronus, of all deities. "You said it needed to be awakened. I know that in theory, it can be acquired by merging Uchiha and Senju DNA. But that isn't enough to activate it. Not anymore, with the Senju bloodline so diluted. So how long does the process take?"

"You are right," Madara agreed. "Injecting Senju DNA alone is not enough to awaken it immediately. Not unless the cells came directly from Gaia or her immediate sons. It is a similar principle with our Sharingan; we Uchiha feel emotions acutely. And when we experience great pain, loss or any other intense emotion - that is how our ocular powers are triggered. It can take years. We are not all born with our Sharingan awakened. The Rinnegan is the same. It also requires time to develop and manifest itself and for the DNAs to assimilate together. A great influx of pure, active Senju chakra can quicken its activation – or a catastrophic emotional event."

One corner of Sasuke's lips pulled back in a disdainful sneer. "I already knew that. Which is how I know that even with the Senju DNA, there's no guarantee the Rinnegan will be activated anytime soon. It could take decades. Centuries," slinking forward toward the shadowy creature, he added condescendingly, "you haven't even activated yours. How long has it been since you transplanted their DNA into your body? So tell me. Why would I agree to such a trade? Where do I benefit, when it could be years until I achieve the Rinnegan, if it ever activates at all?"

Madara was silent. Then he released a soft, echoing chuckle. "You are perceptive, Sasuke. It has indeed been a lengthy wait for me. That is due to my confinement, and the cursed binding seal placed upon me that severely limits my chakra usage. Also, the lack of active Senju chakra at my disposal. I possess only their basic DNA – still, the further up the bloodline you go, the stronger and more pure the lineage becomes. That is what makes cells from Hera and Zeus a more viable option to obtain Rinnegan than that of their descendant's. It may take time. But we are immortals. What is time for us but a mere blink of an eye? With my own powers restored, I could manipulate time itself, so that both our Rinnegans would be unlocked at will."

Sasuke stared at the shadowy entity. He doubted the integrity of that statement. If he knew one thing for certain about Cronus, it was that he never shared power. Perhaps he did intend to allow Sasuke to activate Rinnegan – but only because it furthered his own designs. Maybe it would help remove the binding seal on Madara. Or maybe Madara meant to harvest a spare eye in him, which he later intended to take for himself. The God of Death had painstakingly gone over every possibility in his mind. Every conceivable motive Madara could have for offering him the Rinnegan. He knew that Madara was only sharing the part of his plans he wanted Sasuke to know about. But he allowed the elder Uchiha to continue speaking.

"Even without time manipulation, it is still highly likely that your Rinnegan would activate much more quickly. Remember; you have inherited all our clan's gifts as my last surviving heir. And unlike me, your abilities are not restricted by any seal, nor are you confined to a prison, unable to roam where you please." Bitterness dripped like acid from his voice. "Right now, your bloodline is the purest and strongest of the Uchiha. And you recall that the Rinnegan was a gift of the original, founding god Gaia – it is possible that her powers, and those of her sons, are reborn and reincarnated in chosen descendants. Dormant, but capable of being activated, under the right conditions."

"That's an unproven old myth," Sasuke countered. "The Rinnegan has only been awoken by a handful of deities since, and hasn't been seen in generations."

"Yes," Madara nodded. "But it is interesting to note that it has skipped many generations before, and not all of Kaguya's direct descendants were able to activate it – more often than not, it was only obtained by being stolen from a felled deity who happened to possess it. The distribution of power does not always seem to be equal, or fair, even for us immortals."

Sasuke's lips thinned in distaste. The thought of a god carving out another's eyeball to achieve the power of Rinnegan was a macabre one. And one he did not put past Cronus to attempt. It made him remember the gruesome collection of eyeballs he had witnessed in Orochimaru's experimentation base.

"Still," the death deity dismissed "all this doesn't guarantee a quick activation without active Senju chakra to speed up the process. And it's no coincidence that you wanted to offer the Curse Seal of Heaven as part of the deal."

"I am not sure what you-" Madara began, but Sasuke was swift to interrupt.

"Cut the bullshit. You were hoping my Rinnegan would be activated quickly, and then the Curse Seal would give you a chance of influencing my actions. I know you. I know Orochimaru. Still looking for pawns to play in your war games. You haven't changed."

Madara was again silent. Sasuke could tell he had caught him by surprise. He was probably thinking that Sasuke had gotten a whole lot smarter since the war. And it was true. He had.

"The moment you stop treating me like I'm the same naïve god I was back at the war, the better," Sasuke added threateningly. "Don't think I'm stupid or desperate enough to be trapped in a bargain where my freedom of will is compromised."

"It was a means to track your whereabouts. Nothing else. As I said, it is not in my interests to allow the Serpent to possess you when you have a Kingdom to run, and you hold more than enough power to have no need to call on his chakra to boost your own. Without activating the Curse seal and calling on his chakra, there is no danger of your body being compromised," Madara attempted to reason. "You must appreciate that I have my misgivings on your sincerity, also."

"Then we are on the same page," Sasuke uttered coldly, before moving onto his next question. "How is it you still have their physical forms preserved?" he demanded, referring to the two deities he had seen cocooned within crystal in the throne room of Olympus. What he really wanted to know was what had happened when the battle reached the peak of Olympus. It was common knowledge that Cronus, who had been controlling the Nine Tailed Demon Fox Kyubi, had been forced to the summit by Zeus and his Queen, Hera.

Nobody knew exactly what had happened there. The tailed beast had vanished – and Cronus trapped on Olympus.

Zeus and Hera had been presumed dead. Except they apparently weren't lost forever. Or at least, their physical bodies weren't.

"The Kyubi, as you recall, was under my command. Zeus and Hera performed a forbidden Senju jutsu to immobilise the creature and seal the Kyubi away," Madara responded. "But before the creature was sealed, it attacked them one final time at my command. They were grievously wounded, but despite that, managed to complete the sealing, and simultaneously used another sealing jutsu to restrict my chakra and bind me to Olympus. Then, their lives began to perish. The trade for the successful execution of their jutsus were their immortal souls. Which they sacrificed, so nobly, for their cause…" Now he sounded purely patronising. His voice fuelled with nothing but disgust.

Sasuke waited, his pulse picking up pace. What forbidden jutsu? Which seal? Why did it seem like Madara, who he'd always believed was well-versed in all jutsu, knew nothing about those techniques?

"The Kyubi would have been sealed in a vessel," Madara continued. "Either they sealed it away within their departing spirits, or they directed it elsewhere. Unfortunately, I had no knowledge of this particular sealing jutsu. I believed all manner of death related seals were exclusively under the command of the Uchiha. But you see. Even the wisest of gods can miscalculate… and I have never been able to track the possible whereabouts of the creature."

"A death seal?" Sasuke repeated. How was that possible, with no assistance from the Uchiha themselves?

"It is the only explanation for how their light began to perish immediately after casting both jutsus. By that time, everyone in the clan except you had passed over. Nobody else could have interfered or assisted. And yet, I have always wondered how they achieved it. I came to the conclusion that the Senju clearly have their own secret jutsus. Ones they guarded extremely well."

It was no wonder then that Zeus and Hera had been the respective King and Queen of the surface gods, thought Sasuke.

Cronus explained further, "But before they completed the binding seal on me, I used the last of my chakra to cast my own. Remember, I can manipulate time and space itself. I used that power to seal their bodies in turn within the crystals – though their souls had already passed on. Time does not flow within their confinement. And so their physical forms endured. But I will reverse even that. With the Rinnegan, I can bring any soul back from the void. Until then, they are merely shells. Looking at them renews my purpose and desire to crush everything they ever held dear."

Realisation slammed into Sasuke. He meant to achieve the ultimate revenge – by enslaving Minato and Kushina to his will. He meant to use them and their revived abilities to destroy the surface gods once and for all.

Keeping his face neutral, he clipped, "I see."

"Of course, the surface deities have no idea of this." Madara stated pointedly. "Not yet. Not until the timing is right. And if they do discover it, well. Then we shall know which pretty little bird sang to them, won't we…?"

Sasuke ignored the mockery and thinly-veiled menace in his voice. "You asked me to accept the Cursed Seal of Heaven in return for the Senju DNA. I have no bonds, no family left," he said cuttingly, deliberately disowning Madara with his words. "The only way I could activate it, is to wait for the DNA to fully merge. Again. I have no guarantees that'll happen anytime soon. So tell me," his eyes glittered dangerously in the dark. "Why would I permit the Snake's bite?"

The creature tilted its head. "Likewise, I have no way of guaranteeing your cooperation or your loyalty. Let us be frank. Neither of us trust the other. But we can certainly help one another. We both want the same thing, do we not? You wish to restore our family, do you not?"

"The phial, for the senju DNA." Sasuke said. "Those are my terms."

"That is no fair trade, young Sasuke," Madara's vessel shook its head. "The Rinnegan, in exchange for a mere phial-"

"This is no ordinary phial," Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He slipped his right hand into the satchel attached to his belt, and drew out the small container.

"Aaah…" Madara exhaled. "So quickly, you have located it."

"Where did you get this?" Sasuke interrogated next. "And how is it when it is spilled, it has the ability to make things grow?"

He wanted to know precisely how much Madara knew.

"Hmmm," Madara's voice rumbled. "I see you have been doing a little of your own research. As expected of my descendent. It is true. The phial has extraordinary properties. They mimic the power of a goddess who had the ability to infuse life into nature. Kabuto, a gifted mortal scientist who works closely with Orochimaru, tried to replicate copies of the original DNA as closely as he could, but of course the result is imperfect without the goddess's original blood samples. We had acquired two phials of blood from Tsunade, after the serpent spent months tracking her movements. One, she was able to take back, though it had been contaminated after experimentation. The other pure sample is the one you hold. We require the original in order to continue with our plans."

"Your 'plans'," Sasuke reiterated, raising a dark eyebrow. "You mean, building these freak creatures?" he gestured at the androgynous form Madara's consciousness inhabited.

"You have figured out that much for yourself already," Madara acknowledged.

"And," Sasuke pressed, "why not spill this goddess's blood directly? Why the need to steal anything away from Tsunade?"

There was a long pause. Then Madara answered, "Because the goddess in question is dead. She was Tsunade's offspring and perished in the war. After she died, I assume Tsunade extracted some of the girl's blood, in order to be able to take on the role of her deceased child and maintain the growth of plant life on earth. Without the goddess's chakra and spirit, the blood alone is not enough to birth life on the scale and capacity as it did before – but it is clearly enough to maintain the cycle of the seasons. Yet that is all that is left of her legacy – other than a sentimental reincarnation that lives and dies as a mortal, nothing more than a physical manifestation of Tsunade's eternal grief at losing her only child."

Sasuke's face was perfectly impassive.

"Why Tsunade chooses to waste her efforts on an existence she cannot sustain or keep from dying, is a peculiar thing. But I have no interest in such sentimentalities. I do, however, have a keen interest in your recent actions. Because I think you already know of whom I speak."

That was when Madara said something unexpected, and it took every last inch of willpower for Sasuke's face to remain blank, to register not even the slightest hint of surprise.

"It has not escaped my attention that you kidnapped the latest incarnation of the girl in question to our Kingdom. You knew that was Tsunade's child. What business did you have taking a human to the Underworld? Why keep her there?"

"I did not know at first," Sasuke answered, "that she was Tsunade's daughter. I only saw her with Naruto," he spat out the name. "He was my target. I saw how much Naruto cared for her. And when I found out who she was, I took her."

There was no sense in lying about Sakura being in his realm. Even though he urgently needed to figure out how the news had reached Cronus – had it been Suigetsu? If the idiotic ruler of the oceans had indeed spoken to Cronus, then Sasuke made a mental note to decapitate him the next time he saw him. "I took her on a whim. To lure Naruto to me."

"You have harboured resentment for Naruto for generations," Madara remarked. "Why would you choose to antagonise him now?"

"Because I have had a Kingdom to run," Sasuke snapped back. "One I was unprepared to inherit."

"That is fair," Madara returned. "I forget how young you were when you ascended, when the burden of an entire clan fell onto your shoulders alone. Of course, you have been occupied."

"And I couldn't target the surface gods," Sasuke followed. "When I noticed Naruto's foolish care for a human, I found the leverage I needed."

"I see. Yet you kept her a remarkably long time to do that," Madara remarked, and Sasuke could sense the suspicion in his voice. "My sources tell me, it was several months at least."

"I knew it would hurt him and the surface gods. The longer I held her, the more desperate they would become."

Madara released a reverberating laugh at that. "Just as heartless as I had hoped. And? I assume Naruto found you because I see the girl has since been released back. What happened then? And why did you not just kill her?"

"Because it is forbidden to terminate lives on a whim," Sasuke reminded him icily. "You are the one who enforced that order, to ensure the balance of life and death."

"So I did. But you could have hurt Naruto a great deal more by ending her existence."

"Why do that, when I had him agreeing to any terms I wanted, in order to get the girl back?"

"What terms?" Madara was all curiosity. And genuinely impressed by Sasuke's scheming.

"I would let the girl live, and in return, he would give me something of far greater value than a meaningless mortal's life."

"And what is that…?" Madara probed. "What could Naruto possibly have to offer you in his current state?"

Sasuke met the black creature's yellow gaze head on, and half-smirked. A dark, smug, sinister smirk, the kind one gave when they knew more about a matter than someone else.

"I don't need you to exact revenge, Madara. I have no limitations. The only reason I haven't yet killed Naruto, or any of the others, is because I am bound to my role as King of the Dead. I can't upset the balance of life and death on the surface, without risking my own existence. A position I never would have been in, had you not led our clan to their demise," his eyes flashed crimson, the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan bleeding ominously into existence in his irises. "You need me on your side to gain your revenge. Agree to my terms. The Senju DNA, in exchange for the phial. And in return, you'll have what was promised to me by Naruto at your disposal."

"And what is it he promised you?" Madara asked impatiently. "It would have to be a significant thing in order to make me-"

"I know where the Kyubi is," Sasuke interjected. "I know where it's sealed. And he will grant me the power to command it," he stepped forward, so that he was toe to toe with the shadowy creature. Leaning in, he repeated emphatically, "you need me. And if you want to know where its vessel is, you will agree to my terms."

Shock rippled through Madara's voice. "Naruto told you this? How could he know? And what need have you of this knowledge, boy? Why would you wish to wield its powers?"

"As I said," Sasuke repeated coldly. "I do not need your help getting revenge. Only in obtaining the Rinnegan."

"I see. And why would Naruto reveal such a powerful secret, for the sake of returning a mere slip of a human girl? You are certain there is nothing more to her?"

"Aaah," Sasuke affirmed. "I wondered the same thing. But her soul is mortal. She lives and breathes and bleeds as a mortal."

"I see," Madara murmured. "And… the High Council? Did they learn of this?"

"Another reason I returned her alive," Sasuke conceded. "In agreement that I would not be summoned before them. This was resolved between Naruto and I. Because my business is with him."

"I see," Madara repeated. "How noble of Zeus's son to act the saviour."

"Naruto is an idiot," Sasuke answered, speaking the name as if it offended him. "He is ruled by his emotions, and has always been willing to sacrifice himself for others. I do not know why a mortal is so important to him," the death deity's tone was indifferent. "And I do not care. But Naruto has always been foolishly sentimental. He'll do anything to protect his precious 'bonds'. Even at a personal cost to himself."

"I suppose," Madara remarked. "Still, it is a big trade for a girl who will die in time like all the others. But given the lengths he has gone to in the past to try to save y-" he broke off, as if catching himself from revealing something he did not wish to be common knowledge. "Nevermind. That is all I wished to clarify."

"Make no mistake. If he breaks his word – I will kill her," Sasuke finished simply, slipping the phial back in its sachet.

"How do I know you are not bluffing, boy? What assurances do I have that your information is reliable? And that you will share the knowledge of the Kyubi's whereabouts with me?" Madara demanded.

"Remove the Curse Seal of Heaven from our agreement," Sasuke instructed. "And I'll bring you Naruto himself. In chains. I'm sure you and your Serpent can find some use for him."

Madara exhaled. Then he laughed, the sound booming off the cavern walls, full of glee.

"My descendant indeed. A true King of the Shadows you have become, Sasuke. Just as heartless as I had hoped…"

"…" Sasuke was silent. Then he pointed out, "Naruto has the protection of The High Council and all the surface gods. I'll need some time to execute it – but it'll be done."

"I will grant you time to do this. I also require time to harvest the Senju DNA. We will sign a binding accord, in blood, that you will deliver on this."

"Fine," Sasuke conceded after a moment. "But I want one more thing in return."

"A master negotiator you turned out to be. What is it?" Madara conceded.

"Keep your Serpent in check." Sasuke said warningly. "Or I'll finish the job my brother started. If he so much as moves or attempts to interfere in any way, all deals are off."

"Blackmail is a powerful tool, when you hold the right leverage…" Madara sounded pleased. "Very well. Bring the phial and Naruto to me. You will have your senju DNA. Come to Olympus. A day hence. You are able to ascend unseen. We will sign our contract then."

With that, the shadowy creature blinked abruptly out of sight.

Sasuke waited, counting four full minutes in his head. When all traces of the creature's chakra had vanished, and he was sure he was once again alone, he spoke into the mist.

"Well," he said, angling his head marginally to the left. "You heard him."

There was a pause. Then came the rasping response, full of warning, "Yes. Tread carefully, Young King. The Serpent is not the only one who wishes to take possession of your body."

Sasuke blinked, his eyes narrowing briefly. Then he slowly smirked, a dark, shrewd smirk.

Naruto had no idea of the little game they were about to play. But he was soon unpleasantly going to find out that the King of the Dead would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

---

"Sooo," Ino's voice chirped from the other side of the phone. "Shopping date. You, me, Hinata, Tenten. This weekend. We're not stopping until we find you the perfect dress!"

"Thanks, Ino," Sakura smiled gratefully. "I've been so caught up with exam prep, training, just trying to get my head around everything and-"

"And Kenji," Ino supplied teasingly.

"And working at the hospital to find the time to go looking for one," Sakura finished.

"Don't worry! I'll make you look exquisite. Kenji will follow you like a lovesick puppy all day and night afterwards."

Sakura settled onto her bed, comfortable in soft-cream lounge wear. She'd spent the rest of the day attending lectures, visiting the library to grab some books for an assignment, before grabbing a lazy fast-food dinner afterwards with Kenji, who'd then dropped her home, made pleasant small talk with her mother, before wishing them goodnight and departing.

"So, you said you lost your powers. Does that mean you can't make anyone fall in love anymore?"

"Well," Ino sighed wistfully. "Not in the same way I could before. I mean, I still know all the secrets and short-cuts to a person's heart. And I can tell when two people are compatible. You and Ken totally are, by the way. But, I do miss snapping my fingers and making people fall in love just like that. It was fun," she giggled. Her voice then turned serious. "I'd give it all up again in a heartbeat for you though, you know."

Sakura picked up her journal, ready to write in it once she got off the phone to Ino. She felt a surge of fondness and warmth at Ino's unexpectedly sweet words.

"Thanks, Ino."

"Who has the bestest friend in the whole wide world?" Ino sang. Sakura laughed.

Twenty minutes later, the girls wished each other goodnight, and Sakura tossed her phone to the side, picking up her journal. Unlocking it, she turned to a new page, and began to pen her thoughts.

Wednesday 9th December 2015

Dear Diary,

Today was a pretty regular day. Started off with some more genjutsu training with mother. I'm finding it so interesting, because it's a completely different kind of technique to physical fighting. I like the mental and emotional aspects tied to it, and how it needs absolute discipline and sound mind control to master.

Mother says genjutsu can be broken by disrupting chakra flow. If you're trained in genjutsu, you can break it yourself, or otherwise someone else can break you out of it by giving you a chakra shot.

I still need to ask Kakashi-sensei about genjutsu and his Sharingan. I remember the illusions Sasuke cast on me. They felt way too real to break out of. Or maybe it was just because I just didn't know how to get out of them. If I learned how to do it now, could I break out of even a Sharingan's illusion?

She pursed her lips in thought, before tucking an unruly lock of pink hair back behind her ear, and continued scrawling.

I had lunch and dinner with Ken which was nice. He's a really sweet guy. He's cute, smart, and funny and thoughtful. He's attentive and kind. He treats me with respect. I don't feel frustrated, or confused, or edgy around him. It's just easy. I don't need to second guess things all the time.

I guess he's the kind of guy any girl would love to date. Even mother seems to like him. And that's saying something, because she dislikes every guy generally who isn't outside our immediate social circle. I'm happy getting to know more about him.

The faint smile that had been playing on her lips faded, as her thoughts turned to darker musings.

I woke up with a headache. It's been happening a lot lately. I've been having visions again. Visions I now know are from my past life – not a stranger's dreams.

It scares me. I don't know if they'll lead to attacks or not. The last one happened in my sleep. I don't even remember it – but mother says it was a bad one. It terrifies me. What if I go to sleep one day, and not wake up? What if the seeds I ate, can't stop it after all? I'll lose myself all over again. Everything from this life, I'll forget.

It's cruel, and I hate it. I just want to live. I want to remember. But thinking too hard makes my head hurt. Like I can almost remember something… and then it's gone if I try to catch the thought.

I'm trying not to think about it all too much. But I still have trouble sleeping. And sometimes, out of nowhere, I'll just remember things about the Underworld, when I don't even want to…

Like today, in Ken's car. A totally innocent song played, but the lyrics made me think of my time there, and him, and I don't even know why my thoughts would go there.

I feel so frustrated. I know it's because I had no closure. Because I've learned so much more since I left the Underworld, and I wonder if he knows it all too. I can't help but feel, even despite what Ino tells me about the part he played in Ko- my original passing that something's happened to his memories, too. The more I think about it, the more sure I am. But he never wanted to hear it before. I doubt he'd change his mind, even if I could somehow talk to him about it. And it doesn't answer the question of why he doesn't remember at all.

In a few weeks, it'll be January. A new year already. Just a year ago, I was an entirely different person, living a life that was a lie. Now, everything has changed. Time seems to be moving so fast. I have until the summer ends. It makes me so nervous, even thinking about it. Maybe it was all a bad dream. Maybe the seeds won't activate somehow, or there's some way to stop them after all.

Or maybe I'm just waiting for them to do whatever it is they do when they activate, so I can try and get the closure I need. I'm really tired of thinking about…

She put her pen down, sighing deeply. She wasn't even in the mood to sign off properly, or finish her sentence. Locking her diary shut again, she hid it away, checked her phone one last time, and then rubbed tiredly at her eyes.

A knock on her door alerted her to her mother's presence. Leaning against the door-frame, Tsunade nodded at her.

"Still up? Don't you have an early morning lecture tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Sakura sighed again. "These lectures are pretty full on. I just need Winter break to come around so I can catch up on everything. Sleep included."

"Not long now," her mother commented. "You said the ball is when?"

"A week Friday," Sakura stifled a yawn. "I need to get a dress. Ino's more excited at taking me shopping than I am."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at that, unsurprised.

"Mother?" Sakura said, a sudden thought occurring to her. "Can I ask you something?"

Tsunade pushed herself away from the door-frame and took a seat beside her daughter on the bed, signalling that she was listening.

"You said that each time, I'm reborn in a pool that has water from my original temple."

Tsunade nodded.

"Could we go and see it? I mean, I'd like to."

Tsunade gave her a look. "Sakura. You are only taken to that basin when…" a wave of pain flickered in her mother's eyes, "when you pass."

"But I can go now, can't I? Maybe… I don't know. Maybe it might help, somehow."

"Well. We've tried that before. The water has no effect on you while you are living."

"But maybe this time is different," Sakura insisted. "I just feel like… I want to see it."

Her mother gave her a long, searching look. "I can take you," she replied slowly. "But it must be at nightfall. And we can't go there by ordinary means of travel. There's only one way to get to it."

"How?" Sakura was bemused.

"Teleportation points. Precise hand seals will take you there. For your protection, only four of us know the seals."

"You, and…?"

"Shizune. Naruto. Kakashi."

"What about Ino?"

"She has accompanied us. But she can't replicate seals without borrowed chakra."

Sakura nodded in understanding. "When can we go?"

Tsunade looked thoughtful. "I'll speak to the others. And let you know in the morning." Her expression softened as Sakura leaned over and placed a kiss on her mother's smooth, perfumed cheek. "Get some rest," Tsunade said gently, briefly touching her daughter's hair in a moment of fleeting affection, before she rose from the bed and took her leave.

After brushing her teeth and braiding her hair, Sakura climbed into bed and grabbed a novel for some light reading before sleep. She'd just finished the first page of her book, when a voice suddenly echoed in her mind, causing her to jump so suddenly that she banged her elbow painfully against the bedside table, causing the lamp there to wobble precariously.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed, her head whipping around to the right, seeking out the source of the voice whilst rubbing at her sore elbow.

Suigetsu's face floated in the glass of water on her nightstand. Her heart jumped into her throat, as she glared at the sea king's image. His ability to do that was so infuriating!

'Suigetsu,' she telepathically hissed. 'What in the world-?'

For once, he didn't smile at her. He didn't flirt, nor did he exchange any of his goofy jokes. In fact, he looked irritable. Impatient, even, as he glowered at her.

'Alright. Game's up. Fuck this shit. You're telling me what the story is with you.'

Sakura glanced nervously at her door. It was still slightly ajar, and light from the hallway streamed in through the open space. She'd hoped that after the last time and her clear unwillingness to talk, he'd leave her alone and get the message.

Evidently he had either not gotten the message, or didn't care and was determined to hound her about who she truly was.

'I already told you before- just leave me alone. Our business is done, Suigetsu!'

'If you dare spill the water out the glass now like last time, so help me Pinky, I'm gonna do something really reckless, and by that, I mean talking to some shady people who would find this reincarnated goddess stuff really interesting.'

Sakura stared at the glass in horror. He couldn't. He wouldn't!

'Do you know how quickly I can get to Cronus, if I need to?' Suigetsu went on aggressively. 'Now I'm being a nice guy. I'm giving you the chance to explain this shit to me, instead of running off to share what I know aren't mere rumours. You call your mother, I go and tell. In fact, if you tell anyone that I'm asking, I'll go and tell. Got it?'

'You…' Sakura was incensed. Her whole body shook. 'You bastard-'

'Insulting me isn't exactly in your favour right now. And I'm done being the god they all never take seriously,' Suigetsu's eyes narrowed at her. 'I've got the scoop of the century here with you. Don't take it personally, Pinky. I've got plans to get to high places, and a seat I need to win back on the Pantheon. Do you know I was once part of Zeus's Council? Was a long-ass time ago, but I was on it… until I got bored out of my mind playing politics, and decided being a wild card was much more entertaining… point is, I know my way around, and can get back up to that Counsel room in a flash, if I needed to.'

'You can't tell him!' Sakura grabbed the glass, accidentally spilling some water in the process as she held it up to eye-level. Her heart thundered. How could she ask for help from her mother and others, if Suigetsu was promising to give away the truth about her to their enemies the moment she opened her mouth? He didn't look like he was bluffing. It wasn't a chance Sakura wanted to take.

'Why?' Suigetsu demanded. 'Why can't I tell him, Sakura? I'm done playing cute games with you and waiting around for you to make up your mind about things. Come clean with what you know right now. So. Spill it!'

Feeling desperate and trapped, Sakura whispered aloud, "If I tell you, you give me your word you won't tell Cronus!"

Suigetsu flashed a familiar, toothy grin at that. 'You're in no position to make demands. You tell me, and I decide what I'm doing with the intel.'

'Then I may as well be signing my own death warrant!' Sakura telepathically snapped back, frustrated.

'Oooh. Feisty. I definitely see what he sees in you,' Suigetsu smirked. Then he shook his head, rolling his eyes sarcastically. 'Don't worry. I'm sure your emotionally constipated boyfriend will be quick to bail you out of any life-threatening situations. I'm not talking about your cute little mortal boyfriend, either.'

'Shut up!' Sakura's eyes stung with tears and lowered in misery. Why couldn't the world just cut her some slack for once? It wasn't fair. Suigetsu was utterly selfish and clearly only thought about advancing his own personal interests. And here he was, taunting her, when her very continued survival and well-being depended on Cronus not finding out about her.

What was she meant to do? When Suigetsu had made it clear he wanted an answer right then and there? Her mind raced. This was so sudden. She hadn't thought to prepare for such hostility – she knew Suigetsu was nosy, but she'd never taken him for someone who had no qualms over going to the enemy and sharing information that would jeopardise her life.

Unexpectedly, Suigetsu's smile waned. He seemed to realise he had pushed too far. For when he spoke again, it was in a quieter tone, and his expression was all seriousness.

'Tell me the truth, Sakura. Because you know me. I hear a lot. I see a lot. I know things. Don't make me go straight to Cronus right away with what I already know. Maybe I won't go to him at all, depending on what you tell me. But if you're really not gonna talk, then I will go to him. In an hour, he'll know. And he'd pay me shitloads for the info, too. I'm not asking again. This is your last chance.'

Sakura met Suigetsu's lavender gaze once more and swallowed thickly. She couldn't win either way. If she didn't tell him, he'd go straight to Cronus. If she did, then he could still reveal her secret.

Or maybe… just maybe… she could persuade him otherwise, and get him on side.

He liked to make bargains, right?

'Alright,' Sakura finally relented. 'Alright, I'll tell you.'

---

Author's note

---

OMG Suigetsu! Such a pesky trouble-maker! What will Sakura do? Will Sasuke really go ahead with the trade? Poor Naruto being strung into all of this. How does Sasuke know about Kyubi? Will Madara keep his word about Oro-creep not biting Sasuke? Whose voice spoke to Sasuke at the end? What will happen next? The dramaaaa.

I'd really appreciate it if you could leave some feedback, as I'd love to know your thoughts on this. I know the plot is intricate and crazy. Believe me, I've had to think very hard about it and I need to keep noting things down because everything is linked to everything else. Thank you so much for sticking with the story and for everybody's support. I hope this was a welcome little escape from the horrible reality we're living in now. Stay safe everybody and see you soon next update!