Sasuke walked deeper into the forest, following the narrow trail up a slight incline. He clutched a piece of paper in his left hand as he trekked further from the village. It didn't take long for him to find the location specified in the note. A small clearing, crowned by a large intricate tree.
"I used to meet your brother here…before he defected." The deep voice of the masked man filled the space, sending chills down the teenager's spine.
"Was he a traitor or not?" Sasuke asked, not moving to face his would-be mentor. "Your intel is starting to conflict."
"Your brother loved his village, as much as he loved you. Things were more complex than you could know." The man clarified. "Besides, my intel on the old man was accurate, was it not?"
"It was." Sasuke nodded.
"And yet he lives."
"If you're going to kill me, let's get on with it." Sasuke chided. "No point in suffering through some grandiose speech."
"She emboldens you." The man's voice boomed.
"She has nothing to do with this." His voice was low, his tone acidic.
"Wrong." Madara chuckled. "You are here because you are afraid of the very real possibility that I will go down into that village and kill her should you betray me again."
"Why am I here?" Sasuke demanded, clenching his jaw.
"You made a deal with me." The elder explained. "I gave you everything you needed, and you didn't return the favor."
"You gave me half-truths and a dead man's eyes." Sasuke shook his head. "One thing is certain you'll never be able to touch Hinata. Not while she's in the village. This was a waste of time."
"Danzo took her quiet easily and we all know I am far more formidable." The masked man's words rang like warning bells in Sasuke's ears.
"I won't betray her out of fear." The boy remarked. "You don't fight, you run. I've seen it time and time again."
"Don't underestimate me boy." Madara warned. "Just because you haven't witnessed it, doesn't mean it isn't there."
"What do you want?" Sasuke turned to face the orange mask.
"I want the 9-tails." He answered. "And I want Danzo dead as a show of good faith. Proof that the spoils of that girl have not taken the edge you once had."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I'll kill them all. Starting with your girlfriend." The masked man promised. "You have till the end of the week to deliver."
"Hn." Sasuke turned his back to the masked man, any fear of danger evaporating. He wouldn't die today.
"Tell no one." Madara instructed before leaving the young man alone.
…
Hinata held her eyes closed, not ready to actually be awake yet. She reached out beside her, searching for Sasuke's warmth, instead she found the soft, empty sheets.
"Sasuke-kun?" She called out, clutching the blanket to her naked frame as she sat up slowly. She wasn't used to finding herself alone in the morning.
"I'm here." Sasuke's voice called her attention to the wall by the bathroom door. He was perched, motionless. His arms cross over his chest and his face somber.
"What's wrong?" She asked, concern immediately flooding her mind.
"Madara."
"The masked man?" She questioned, taking his shirt from the floor next to the bed and sliding it on. "I don't understand."
"He was here." Sasuke explained. "In the compound…in this room while we were sleeping."
"He's given you an assignment." Hinata stood up, moving across the room to join him. He nodded, handing her the note requesting a rendezvous.
"He wants Naruto." Sasuke announced. "And for me to kill Danzo."
"Why Danzo?" She asked, her eyes scanning the short message. "What significance does he have to the war?"
"None." He clarified. "It is a test to prove you haven't made me soft."
"I see." Hinata nodded. "You can't give him what he wants."
"Don't you think I know that?" He muttered. "Even if I was willing to betray the life I'm building here, it wouldn't be so easy to deliver Naruto."
"Or Danzo." She added. "He is very strong. It was through luck that I was able to strike him."
"No, Danzo is overplayed. Talked up by people who were groomed to fear him. It wasn't luck that allowed you to escape. It was skill. If you continue to underestimate yourself, so will everyone else." The two fell silent for a moment. Not sure what to do about the newfound obstacle.
"We spent so much time focusing on Danzo, we completely neglected the real enemy. We allowed him to get close." Hinata whispered, breaking the silence. "We were foolish."
"Revenge is blinding." Sasuke muttered.
"You should go to Naruto." She suggested. "Team 7 can help you. It isn't you and Taka alone anymore."
"It isn't so simple." Sasuke argued.
"It is." Hinata shook her head. "Naruto and Sakura spent four years training to be strong enough to bring you home. They will help you now and after the Pain Assault, everyone in this village will follow Naruto in aiding you."
"He's a real hero." Sasuke scoffed.
"So are you." She whispered. "You just don't see it yet."
…
Sasuke followed Danzo down the path out of the village, Suigetsu and Jugo flanking him. It had not been difficult to remove the elder from his cell, Tsunade had chosen foundation affiliated anbu to stand guard, per his request. They were all too willing to allow Danzo passage and the old man had underestimated the young men who had accompanied him to freedom.
"I suppose we are meant to fight now?" Danzo asked, halting abruptly once they were a safe enough distance from the village. Sasuke didn't speak, he stood stoically, watching the old man. "I've been waiting years for those eyes you possess. Foiled time and again by that brother of yours."
"Do not speak of Itachi." Sasuke warned, keeping his tone even.
"I figured it was about Itachi, since I hadn't done anything to the Hyuga when you first started tailing me."
"You don't deserve to talk about either of them." The Uchiha growled, his frustration reaching a head. "You die tonight."
"Three on one hardly seems fair." Danzo looked at Suigetsu and Jugo. "I'm merely an old man."
"I don't make it a habit of underestimating my opponents." Sasuke noted. "Nevertheless, they won't interfere unless absolutely necessary. I don't need seals and threats to harbor the loyalty of my men."