Hello...? Is anyone still out there...? No? YES!? Well, if you are: HAPPY FRICKIN' ANNIVERSARY! Well, to those of you central and pacific or island pacific time! 6/14/2016, I posted this roller coaster of a story, and now, one year later, I'm still going at it. Honestly, if school hadn't gotten in the way, I would have probably had the last chapter up by now, but luckily for you guys, it did get in the way! It also pushed my normal update span back, and you know what else did? Creating 17 pages worth of material that you guys will enjoy reading! While it's only 9,403 words, we have three different point of views going, love, drama (especially the family kind *wink*), battles, and those PREPARE TO SHED A TEAR MOMENTS. Like I said guys, final strength, I am pulling out all the stops just for all my lovely fans. (SIDE NOTE: SOME THINGS IN THIS CHAPTER ARE CANNON (more so than they sorta are) JUST BE ADVISED AS YOU READ, THANKS!)
Two more announcements before I let you read on (unless you're bypassing all this on me - though I don't blame you):
Ko has a collage of artwork that he says is almost finished. Since is weird with photos, please, please, please, keep your eyes peeled on the blog for the photos! He might get them up earlier than the next chapter posting, and well, you'll have to go on there anyway and see it!
Final announcement: I constantly reread this story because I do enjoy reading and writing it, but I've notice there are things I wish I would have elaborated or added to the chapters, or things got rushed because of school. So, during this summer, I will be revising chapters as well as writing new ones. These rewrites will only be released on the 14th of the month (so July and August 14th, maybe September depending on school). This is for you guys and me as well.
So once more, keep your eyes on the blog, again, latest updates on chapters, teasers, and pictures will be posted there!
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO~
"The past will always come back to haunt you. Whether it's to teach a lesson, remind you of forgotten feelings, or just to be a bitch."
-Rosen
Sintary gasped like she had woken up after being strangled or suffocated. She was cold from the sweat like cold water had been dumped over her. She was also cold on the inside. She felt the heavy, icy dread settle in her heart again as her world seem to slow down. Despites all the jumbled, scared thoughts in her mind, one thing was clear:
Get the kids.
"Itachi, wake up!" Sintary exclaimed reaching over to give him a quick zap of electricity as she leaped out of bed. As she rushed out of the bedroom, she grabbed hold of her katana and kunai set.
Sintary didn't make it two steps into the hallway when she was attacked by kunai. She deflected all of them with her katana and went to glare at her opponent, but nearly collapsed to her knees.
"No… you're… you're dead." Sintary whispered as Itachi joined behind her, stiffening as well.
"I am dead; technically." He said watching them with one, glowing red eye.
"Then, how are you here?" The black-haired female pressed on.
Their opponent frowned and flipped his own katana, which immediately caused both shinobi to flinch and go defensive.
"I haven't figured that out yet," he stated simply as he balanced the katana blade on his finger.
Sintary sighed looking down the hallway desperately at where her children were sleeping. "Why did you attack us?" She asked wondering what could possibly be going on.
"I'm being forced to, like a puppet." He said drawing his attention back to them. "I was sent to kill you in your sleep."
The kunoichi tightened her grip on her katana, watching him closely now. "Why didn't you? We all know you're the only one skilled enough to take us down."
His red eye rolled up as he pondered that. "Well, you see, I woke up completely mindless. Who's ever in control told me – like in my head – that I was assigned to kill the remaining Uchiha family. So, I headed over this way and saw the Uchiha compound – restored. Something about it struck somewhere dead in my soul and activated my remaining Sharingan; the one that was taken from me. I believe the Sharingan blocks the puppeteer's control for me to have a personality, but as to how long, I think I'm pushing my limits." He then looked past Sintary. "I need my other eye back, Itachi."
Said ninja was still frozen with shock. He had been jolted awake by his beloved from a deep sleep. He had been two steps behind her when he heard the clanking of metal hitting metal. He immediately realized they were under attack, but he hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected the dead to come back to life; for those who were killed long ago to come back. He hadn't expected his nightmares to come to haunt his day too.
But he was here in front of him.
"I don't have it, Shisui." Itachi finally responded.
His best friend frowned a bit. "I entrusted it to you to make sure it didn't fall into the wrong hands."
"It didn't," Itachi continued remaining calm on the outside. "I was dying, so I entrusted it to someone else I trusted."
Shisui's one eye glanced at Sintary in response.
"No, not her." The live Uchiha told him.
"Sasuke then?"
"Shisui, I am not telling you who I gave your eye too." Itachi told him flatly.
At this, the older Uchiha frowned. "I can't be of much use if I don't have my other eye."
"Exactly." The younger replied. "We have no knowledge of the this jutsu, and therefore, have no idea if or when the person who resurrected you will call you back. If said person gets both of your eyes back in motion, there will be little we can do to defeat you."
Shisui slowly nodded, understanding the reasoning now. "I want to be of assistance though."
"Do you know anything else about the jutsu?" Itachi asked. "Is there anything you can recall before coming here?"
The one-eyed Uchiha thought for a moment. "All I remember is there were a lot of us; the resurrected. And who came with me."
"You were sent with others?" Sintary spoke softly still eying behind Shisui at their children's bedrooms.
"Yes." Shisui replied. "Three others."
"Who are they?" Itachi asked tensing all over again.
The two relative locked eyes.
"Our family."
It was pretty late at night. Okay, night wasn't the accurate term – early morning was. It was 2:34 A.M to be precise.
Sasuke didn't mind though. He was used to sleeping lightly, having interrupted sleep, or just not sleeping at all. Years of living with a snake taught him that sleep was not a requirement, and certainly unnecessary for actually staying alive.
Besides – he had nightmares.
Messing with someone's mind – like Itachi did when using the Tsukuyomi – has that extra torment; the kind that sticks with the person forever. But his family dying wasn't his only baggage; the near-death experience with Zabuza, the original encounter with Orochimaru that had left him paralyzed with fear, and a combination of losing Sintary coupled with her screams from the… visits…. with Orochimaru.
All of the above only made him angrier for being weak, which made him too agitated to sleep, which made his frustration only grow, which made his desire to become stronger grow to the point that it consumed him.
But all of this stopped when he had been with Sintary. When he had laid next to her, he could sleep. He could rest at ease knowing she'd be there to soothe him. Even in his older age, he still found her presence comforting because she had been the only person he cared about to not perish all those years ago. She had been with him all the way.
The current situation had left him with a predicament: he couldn't sleep near Sintary anymore. No, instead, his brother got to share the bed with her, leaving Sasuke to suffer in silence.
It hadn't been until the dobe noticed he hadn't slept in a couple days, and he nearly collapsed, that things started to change.
Naruto immediately took Sasuke to Sakura that night, where the pinkette forced the dark-haired shinobi to get some rest. She had shoved him into a room, onto a hospital bed and strapped him to it. While Sasuke struggled, he did not last very long, and his body forced him to sleep.
It hadn't last very long, maybe two hours at most.
He woke up with a bit more energy that allowed him to break the bonds and get up. However, he couldn't bring himself to leave.
He had been looking out the window when Sakura stumbled in. One look at his former – as he would not call her a current – teammate told him she was as exhausted as he was.
"You should go home and rest," Sasuke told her in his indifferent tone as he went back to looking out the window.
"I was just checking up on you. You're supposed to be sleeping." Sakura informed him.
"Hn." Sasuke sounded.
He heard a soft sigh as she approached him.
"Sasuke, get back into the bed." She told him before adding, "I won't ask you twice."
He had glanced back at her, sizing up her threat, before turning away.
"Hn."
Sakura made promise on her threat. She didn't ask twice.
Instead he felt a prick in the back of his neck, and his vision started to swim. He turned around and glared at the tired pinkette.
"What the fuck did you just do?" He snarled.
"I gave you a sedative. It should help you sleep." She replied shortly.
Sasuke glared harder at the pinkette as he felt his body start to give in.
"Damn you." He spat as he started to fall, but remained conscious.
"Mhm." She sounded tiredly as she caught his body and shoved it onto the cot. "I'm such a horrible person for trying to make sure you're taken care of."
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he felt her around him, but couldn't recall what she was doing. He had blacked out and hadn't woken until the early mornings of the next day.
With the smell of cherry blossoms greeting him.
At first, he had thought it had something to do with being around that stupid pink-headed girl last night, but then he felt something on his chest.
Sasuke lifted his head slightly and saw pink – pink hair to be exact. The sound of slow, deep breathing hit his keen ears as well.
The dark-haired ninja let his head fall back as he internally groaned.
Sakura had fallen asleep. On him.
Sasuke suppressed a sigh. He should just jerk so she would wake up and get her the hell away from him.
However, he didn't want to move her.
For the first time in a very – very – long time, Sasuke felt rather calm. He felt relaxed. He actually felt like he could fall back asleep and be just fine with her laying on his chest. He felt his breathing fall in tune with hers, and found himself drifting back to sleep.
And once more, his nightmares were absent from his mind.
Sasuke had originally thought it was a fluke; a random coincidence as a result of the drug that she gave him.
But the following evening had left his restless.
He got up and dressed before heading to the training grounds to work it out. However, he had been distracted by his thoughts and did not end up at the training grounds. Instead, he found himself in front of Sakura's apartment.
Why had he ended up there?
Sasuke felt the urge to go inside, and honestly, couldn't control his inner feelings with the little sleep he had gotten.
Suddenly, he found himself inside her dark home. He could feel her chakra, humming quietly in her bedroom. He felt immediately drawn to it as his feet carried him stealthily to her.
As previously noted, Sakura was asleep in her bed. It was neat and tidy, but extremely feminine. It made Sasuke's skin crawl a bit, but it was immediately smoothed when he breathed in.
Cherry blossoms.
No. His mind corrected. Sakura.
The room distinctly smelled of the person, Sakura Haruno.
Sasuke walked over to her bedside and gently looked down at her. She looked so peaceful sleeping. He felt his fist tightened as anger washed over him. How dare she sleep so soundly while he tossed and turned.
Another inhale, and his anger resolved.
If she could sleep well, so could he; and he would sleep better than her too.
But to prove he could sleep better than Sakura Haruno, he would have to keep everything constant; and that included sleeping where she slept.
At least; that's what he told himself.
He woke up at dawn that morning feeling much better. He hadn't been plagued by nightmares; hadn't been interrupted by his rage.
His dark eyes glanced down at the pink-haired kunoichi next to him. Her skin lighting up where the dull sunlight shown on it through her drapes. She remained undisturbed by his presence that night.
It was then, somewhere in Sasuke's mind – maybe even the selfish part – decided that he would not be sleeping without Sakura by his side.
But he'd be damned if she found out he actually needed her.
So, he had kept it a secret – or so he thought. Sakura had confronted him one morning during a practice session; claiming she knew he had been coming into her house and sleeping in her bed with her. He, of course, denied it and called her a crazy fangirl.
Kami, or whoever, must have been feeling extra cruel that night.
Because Sakura showed up at his doorstep with a change of clothes and some toiletries. She claimed it was her night off, so she'd thought she'd save him the trip and keep him company.
Sasuke, of course, told her once more that he didn't do that, and that he didn't need her. Sakura had glared at him and told him that he owed her dinner since she spent so much time saving his ass before marching past him.
He hadn't stopped her though.
Sakura Haruno had marched her way right into his life; and he let her stay.
Which is why he found himself awake at 2:34 AM – he was waiting for her to come to his place after her hospital shift. He sat on top of his roof top. He lived in the very back of the new compound; somehow finding peace knowing he could be alone if he chose, but could see all from a distance. He could see his brother's lights go out early in the night. He could see Kokuro's remain on sometimes all night. Most important, he could see a certain pinkette workaholic come home.
Sasuke paused.
Home.
While this specific area – the compound – was indeed his childhood home, and Konoha was his original village, he had never felt he belonged. He had always considered himself separate from the village, from team seven, even from his family.
But he had said Sakura coming home.
Home to him.
Maybe the loss of his nightmares wasn't the only thing Sakura Haruno was changing inside him.
Something darted in front of his vision. Four somethings to be exact. Two headed towards his brother's house, another towards Kokuro's. Sasuke's eyes narrowed; where was the last one?
Sasuke's skin prickled with a familiar sensation as chakra exploded from his body. His skilled body turned around swiftly as his lightning cladded arm lurched towards its victim like a snake. The other shinobi was foolish enough to grab hold of the Uchiha's arm. Lightning wildly surged forward and violently scorching the unfortunate shinobi.
A feeling of satisfaction settled over the young Uchiha, though he did not express his content for the other shinobi's death. That feeling disappeared immediately when the should-be-dead opponent's arm tightened around his arm.
Sasuke finally looked up at the darkened figured, and astonishment froze him in his place as he was met with Sharingan eyes.
"Lacking as always, my boy." A gruff, monotone voice commented distastefully before he flung Sasuke off the roof.
The Otsutsuki household was quiet. Kiba and Kokuro had finally decided on a place; it was on the inner edge of the Uchiha compound. Only a fifteen-minute walk from Itachi and Sintary's, and a twenty-five-minute walk from Sasuke's. The house itself was more upscale, fitting to be the start of the new Clan, when the couple's sons are born. The interior was sleek and inviting, simple furniture in warm reds and browns decorated the house. The back of the house looked out towards a small lake, fed by a river that ran through the village.
Kokuro had just gotten home. Kiba had made dinner, and the silveritte smiled at the plate of food and cute note fondly.
"I know you're working late, but I made salmon because I know it is your favorite.
I hope your day wasn't too long. I will probably be asleep, come on up when you're done with dinner.
No skimping on meals, you need to eat,
Love, your Wolf."
Kokuro smirked at the note; his husband the worrier. He ate his dinner in silence, and placed the dirty dishes in the sink for later that morning. As he was walking up the stairs, he could see the pictures he had on the wall; pictures of himself and Sintary from when they were children, pictures of his squad. There were pictures of Kiba and him as well, from when they were young and had just starting to date. Small self-taken polaroid pictures of precious moments, and stolen kisses. Reaching the second floor he could see that the light in their room was off and there was subtle snoring.
Kokuro paused as he passed the room before his own. Glancing inside he looked at the simple furnishing. The room was a pale blue with a bay window, flooding the room with hazy twilight. The walls were covered in pawprints in black and white paint, and the ceiling was painted with and intricate mural of the lunar cycle in glowing paint. Two cribs placed side by side, the symbols of the Inuzuka and the Otsutsuki carved into the wood, a gift from Sasuke, Itachi, and the rookie nine.
Kokuro smiled at this and then proceeded to his room. He stripped out of his clothes, discarding his Hokage cloak on the post of his bed. His fingers brushing over the tomoe that Sintary gave him; the stone giving off a faint blue glow in response to his chakra. He changed into simple white cotton pajama bottoms and laid in bed.
Akamaru glanced up from the foot of the bed, giving the shinobi a tired glare and small yawn.
"I know, I know, I am sorry it is late, go back to sleep ya big fur ball," Kokuro whispered playfully snuggling against Kiba.
The brunette startled for a moment, "Ko…do you realize how late you are working, or are you just trying to scare me?" Kiba started rubbing his husband's shoulders to ease his tension. "Ko, it's two in the morning. I'm tired, and you're exhausted."
"I know, I know, I'm sorry," grumbled the silveritte, kissing his husbands collar, "there has been a lot happening lately.
Kiba turned to him with a worried look, "Is everything okay?"
"Yes Kiba," murmured Ko, "everything is fine. I may finally get some vacation time with my husband, now that our grumpy grandmother is back where she belongs. Hey, I also see that the nursery is coming along, but it's not finished, not yet."
"It can wait another day or two," murmured the brunet.
The white-haired Otsutsuki sighed deeply. "That's what you say about everything, my love."
Kiba kissed his cheek lovingly. "That's because half the time we're up all night and morning trying to figure this out. I agree on the vacation time. You need to tell that old hag that you need a day off so I can have you all to myself."
The silveritte kissed Kiba, and the younger male groaned in his mouth.
"I can see someone had a long day," teased Kiba as he straddled Ko.
"Am I that easy to read," teased Kokuro, "you know asking Tsunade for time off is easier said than done, correct? Tsunade is not the easiest person to say no to."
The dark-haired shinobi kissed him deeply before pulling away. "Just walk up to her, and say, 'I'm taking the day off.'" He instructed quietly against his lover's now swollen lips. "That's all you gotta do. I mean, you could be detailed – but I highly doubt she'd want to knowexactly what we're up to."
Kokuro shivered at that. "I might need a day off from that day off." He said before kissing Kiba again.
"Mm. That means I get to have you all to myself for another day." Kiba replied in a low voice. "I kinda like this plan."
"Me too," Kokuro agreed breathily.
The two happily married couple went to kiss when they heard a disappointed sigh causing them to pause.
"Oh, my koi, when did you begin sleeping with dogs."
Kokuro froze, his purple-silver eyes widening hearing a very old and private nickname. He turned around slowly to face the figure lounging in the window. He was met with what appeared to be a normal ANBU Black Op, but he knew that mask. It was a simple rabbit mask. It was the same mask he had cried over when he buried it with his fallen comrade years ago.
Kokuro eyes flared up, silvery purple ripples spreading across his eyes. Kiba flipped out of bed crouching next to Akamaru, bearing his claws and fangs broadly. Both men noticing they are ill dressed for battle; Kiba in boxer shorts and a T-shirt and Kokuro in nothing but white cotton pajama pants.
"You, disgraceful grave thief!" He roared. "How dare you use that name! How dare you steal from the grave of a deceased Konoha shinobi and impersonate them!"
"Oh, koi," the masked man sighed. "I'm not impersonating anyone. It's really me."
Kokuro glared, his fists tightening even further. There was only one person who called him that, and that person was long dead. He had never, ever, mentioned being called that to anyone – even Sintary.
"Remove your mask!" The white-haired shinobi demanded.
"If you insist," The man said and lifted off the rabbit mask.
Kokuro felt his chest tightened as he looked over the familiar features; the wild, short, charcoal hair, the stormy blue eyes, the firm Uchiha features. He felt like he wanted to puke. It had to be a delusion, a genjutsu meant to torment him. However, his Rinnegan showed otherwise. This was no prank, no trap. He was solid, but he certainly wasn't natural.
"Ko, who is this douchebag?" Kiba growled next to him as Akamaru barked.
"Oh, koi, you didn't tell him about me? About us?" The unnamed ninja asked slyly.
The white-haired shinobi swallowed the lump in his throat. "He… he was my dojo partner…" He started quietly, unable to say more..
The man pouted looking at him. "Aw, I was more to than that, koi. I was your first."
"You're first?" Kiba asked sounding more annoyed than anything.
"Awe, are you jealous that I was Kokuro's first?" The man asked. "I would be if I were in your shoes—I mean look at me." He said rather smug. "I must say, I'm rather upset, koi. I knew you'd move on, but you fell so far. However, I guess there's nowhere to go once you've tasted perfection."
Kiba curled his lip in disgust. "Such a self-absorbing, arrogant dick. How did you ever love this bastard?"
"Oh, I'm not normally like this. You've taken what's mine, and I don't share." The older Uchiha said, his red eyes blazing. "I'm going to have to put you down, dog boy. You're nothing but a distraction from me. I mean, look at us. Dark, wild hair, dark eyes, chiseled features. We look the same. You're probably loud, happy, and friendly too."
"ENOUGH!" Kokuro roared as a strong wind shoved the man back. "He is not you, Kai. He is not a replacement. He is my husband, and I love him. I have loved him since I laid eyes on him, and it certainly because of any resemblance to you!" The wind continued to swirl around him violently. "I loved you. You died. I moved on. That's life, and you would have done the same if I had died instead!"
Kai glared and shoved him back with wind laced with flames. Kokuro quickly pulled Akamaru and Kiba out of the way. Kokuro then used a counter water jutsu to neutralize the flames.
With a crash, the window was blown open, and the room was turned upside-down. Kai was thrown through the window, mostly the wall, and Kokuro and Kiba lunged after him. Both shinobi and the nin-ken charged the assailant.
"Man-beast transformation," roared Kiba, "Twin-headed wolf!" Akamaru and Kiba disappeared in a flourish of smoke revealing a giant two-headed wolf with red eyes. Its fur shagged and a snowy white. Thick rivulets of slobber running between its sharp, glistening fangs.
Kokuro volleyed a rain of shuriken down onto Kai, and the elder Uchiha spewed forth fire, melting the metal. Kiba took this as his cue to move, he lunged forward.
"Twin-Wolf: Fang Over Fang," roared the wolf as it charged forward, spiraling rapidly.
Kai dodged the first pass, while the main street of the compound shredded in the process. Kokuro flitted behind the wolf. His face cold as he drew a deep breath. The silveritte wove a string of signs ending in rabbit, "Ninja art of wind: Cyclone breath."
A tornado spilled from Kokuro's lips, syncing with the rotations of the wolf. Kiba charged, his body a lethal, fanged vortex of rage and wind blades. Kai faced the blow with a smirk, taking the brunt of it head on. The cyclone of claw tore into the would-be attacker, shredding him. Kiba felt his anger grow with each pass of his claws and fangs over Kai's ragged flesh. The pair crashed down the center street, smashing through the barrier wall of the village.
"Kuchiyose: Art of the Summoning," hissed Kokuro as he gathered all his chakra. A heavy smoke filled the area as a roar filled the area. The fog began to spiral, and horns pierced the smog as it settled.
"WHO DARES SUMMON ME!" thundered a raspy voice.
Kokuro stumbled for a moment, he was riding a serpent, no, not a serpent, a dragon. A brilliant silvery-white dragon coiled around a collection of trees. A pipe sat in his mouth, pouring forth a thick, sickly sweet smoke.
"I am Yomi, great dragon of Ryu-ken Forest, who has the gall to summon me—"
"Shut up, you pompous lizard, and send a message to Tsunade, and the other members of this compound," shouted Ko as he dashed towards the hole in the side of the village.
"We will have words later you little runt," rasped Yomi before he split into smaller versions of himself and darted off in different directions of the village.
Kokuro saw as Kiba and Akamaru had returned to their normal state, lashing out angrily at Kai.
"HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU STILL ALIVE," roared Kiba, stabbing Kai deep in the chest.
Kai grabbed onto Kiba's arm, forcing it deeper into his chest with an evil grin. "That the thing: I'm not." With a swift motion, he stabbed Kiba in the stomach, almost like he was hugging him. The dark-haired Uchiha almost tenderly holding Kiba.
"KIBA! NO!" roared Kokuro over the chirping of his next attack, "Chidori: One-Thousand Birds."
The ringing of metal filled the air as Sasuke ran across the roof of his house. A large plume of smoke exploded and the building shook. Sasuke's mind flitted only for a moment, then a pair of red eyes be before him.
"Come on. Prove yourself! Earn your name sake!" Fugaku barked watching his son with hard eyes as he launched a barrage of shuriken before spitting fire over them at the last minute.
Sasuke cussed under his breath, swirling lightning and snakes around himself. He leapt into the air. He pulled his blade from its sheath, imbuing it with his rage and burning flame. His eyes bleeding under the strain.
'Let's see if he can reform if I destroy every part of him'
Sasuke lunged after his father. Fugaku narrowly dodged the strikes of the blade. His body immortal, but the flames eternal. Sasuke leapt to the offensive. His blade poised in one hand, the other, lightning forming to different weapons. Senbons, kunai, shuriken, an extending blade. His fluidity a weapon in and of itself. Sasuke became a whirlwind of malice. His blades lashing out in sharp movements. Carving out deep gashes in the stone of the wall.
The two Uchiha danced in this assault across the wall of the leaf. Out of the corner of his eye, Sasuke noticed the flitting spiral of a serpent, coursing through the air. The serpent sped closer, revealing a small dragon.
"Sasuke," rang out Kokuro's voice from an orb in the dragon's hand, "These creatures are immortal. I have sent word to Itachi and the others. Seal their movements, and deal with them later."
Sasuke formed hand seals and created a set of shadow clones. He sent two of them to flank his father as he gathered his chakra.
'At least Orochimaru was good for something. One of his forbidden seals should keep father at bay.'
"They're here… all of them?" Itachi questioned.
"Just five of us." Shisui reiterated calmly.
"Which five?" Sintary asked still eyeing the door behind him.
"The people who could do the most damage… who are a match for you, Itachi, Kokuro, and Sasuke." Shisui continued cryptically.
"You for Itachi…" Sintary concluded looking between the two. "But who for me?"
"Who were you close to in the Uchiha clan other than Itachi and Sasuke?" The cunning Uchiha asked.
The black-haired kunoichi continued to look at him puzzled, but her partner stiffened.
"Mother." He breathed and pushed passed his cousin into the door that held their treasure.
He opened the door, nearly knocking the door off its hinges. He was met with a surprisingly quiet, calm sight. In the corner, Kazuki was curled up in his own bed, sleeping contently. In the other corner, laid his little sister. She slept peacefully in her wooden crib, which rocked slowly. It was the figure standing next to Meisa that sent a shiver of discomfort down Itachi's spin.
Her back was to him, but he didn't need her to turn around to know who it was. She was dressed in a simple, black dress, like the one she wore when he slaughtered her. Her navy bluish black hair was as full and long as he remembered—even though it should be brittle and thin from years of decay.
His breath hitched as she turned slightly to glance back at him. Her face, round and soft like a mother's should be, full of life, though it shouldn't be. Her eyes, normally onyx in color, blazed red with something Itachi had never seen: her Sharingan. She looks so alive, so like the last time he "saw" her in the bardo, so like the last time he saw her alive…
"Mother…" he whispered as emotions pulsed through him.
He felt shock for her being here, anger for whomever disturbing his mother's grave, an overwhelming, powerful sadness that brought prickles of tears to his eyes, heavy remorse for what he put her through, and such strong disbelief of her really being in front of him that he trembled before her.
"Shush…" Mikoto told him softly; her voice still as sweet and soft as he remembered. "I just got the little one back to bed."
"Get away from my children." Sintary said standing besides Itachi.
The older female's red eyes shifted towards the younger. Despite all her soft features, the blazing Sharingan created a menacing look reminding Itachi once again that his mother was dead. His hand gripped into a tight fist as he tried to call his emotions so that he could think clearly.
"I'm not going to hurt them," Mikoto said quietly. "Not anymore at least."
"Aunt Mikoto, I think it's best if we all exit the children's room to discuss things." Shisui piped up noticing tension still rising from the parents.
The mother nodded without response. Her red eyes softened as she glanced at the little girl sleeping soundly in the crib she was rocking. She stepped away from her and turned her attention to the sleeping boy on the other side. She smiled contently before looking at the group before her. Shisui lead the way to the main room, while Mikoto followed, and Itachi and Sintary followed behind them.
"How did you break free, Aunt Mikoto?" Shisui inquired.
"I saw my grandchildren." The Uchiha matriarch explained. "It was actually my grandson that broke me free. I actually almost mistook him for… for you, Itachi," she glanced at him softly. "I couldn't bear to hurt my son. It shook me free from the current command. I am not sure if there will be more or not… but I can still feel someone else there… inside me…"
Shisui nodded, understanding what she was describing. "Who's ever summoned us is somehow linked to us, and us to them. The shinobi is bound to know that we've defected."
"But no one knows what this jutsu is, how it works, or who started all this." Sintary stated looking between the two. She still wasn't sure whether they were feigning on being released or not.
"It seems familiar… in a sense that I've heard of a jutsu being used to reanimate people." Mikoto recalled, thinking hard.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. All the occupants tensed upon hearing it, not knowing whether it was a friend or foe. Itachi was the one who stepped forward.
"It's Kisame…" He informed them as he opened the door.
"What are you doing back here?" Sintary asked coming forth as well to greet the blue giant.
"Something didn't feel right with these past couple of days. Samehada felt restless; making me restless." Kisame tried to explain.
"What would make your sword so restless?" She inquired.
"A large batch of chakra…" Itachi explained.' Samehada feeds off chakra. So, if it senses a large batch, it will want to find it to feast on it."
The Mist nin nodded in agreement. "So, I set out to find this chakra from Kirigakure. It lead me through the Land of Whirlpools to the Uzumaki shrine outside the borders of Konoha."
"The Uzumaki shrine…" Itachi muttered thinking.
Besides him though, Sintary stiffened in terror. "The Shinigami's mask rests in there…"
Kisame nodded. "That's exactly what this little punk was after. When I walked in, the kid already this mask on. He was just oozing massive amounts malevolent chakra. His back was to me, and I said something to him, but he didn't seem to hear me. So, I swiped at him with Samehada, just enough to zap him of a bit of his chakra though. He didn't waver, though. He just kept standing there, and his chakra reservoirs didn't seem to take a hit either." Kisame recalled seeming a bit annoyed by being ignored by whoever. "Then, I saw his arms move, and prepared for an attack, but he didn't attack. Instead, his chakra seemed to get even more dark…" he sighed shaking his head. "It was like there was another being there because his chakra tripled in size. I couldn't see anyone there though."
"It was the Shinigami there. He must have allowed it to possess him." Itachi filled in. "But what would he want with the Shinigami?"
"Have no clue," his old partner replied, "but he then draws a katana and cuts his stomach. So, now the bastard's bleeding, but Samehada feels more chakra being released – only this chakra basically dissipates as soon as it is released. Next, the sense of another being disappears, and it's just the kid. He lifts of the mask and turns around finally. He smirks at me with this crazy look with his insane looking eyes, and says, 'Well, that was invigorating,' and poofs away like I wasn't a threat."
"What did he look like?" Sintary asked.
Kisame frowned, feeling she missed the point of his little story. "Well, wild, shaggy black… no… probably like dark gray hair. Not black, but not gray like an old guy either. And…" his beady eyes got wide. "His eyes were like Pein's! Only they had a bit of silver to them."
The distraught kunoichi placed her face in her hands in horror.
"It's Tsuki…. There's no one else that matches that description." She cried out feeling awful for causing that mess.
"And where there's Tsuki, there's Madara." Itachi said frowning.
"Itachi—" Shisui called out, but he was left unanswered.
"Sintary! Itachi!" Kokuro's voice rang out from an orb that was carried by a small, white dragon. "We've been attack – Kiba, Sasuke, and I – by immortal beings. Kiba's hurt. We need back up down here!"
Both comrades nodded, hearing their friend loud and clear.
"We'll be there shortly." Sintary told him as the lizard carried the orb off to the next destination.
Itachi grabbed hold of his fiancé's arm. "Sintary, you can't go."
She looked down at her arm, and then back at him. "I have to help Kokuro."
"I can help Kokuro. We can put an end to whoever's behind this attack. You need to take care of the children – ours and his." He tried to persuade her.
"I need to take care of the village. You heard Shisui – there's more than just them. Tsuki's involved somehow meaning this is Madara's plot against the villages. It will take all of us to take him down permanently; no matter what." Sintary told him.
Itachi glanced away before looking at her. "No matter if it leaves your children orphaned like your parents did?"
Sintary's flashed angrily. "Like you did Sasuke?" She spat back yanking. "My parents took the same oath you and I both did: Protect the village at all costs. They died protecting this village, you're willing to do just the same, and I'd be damned if I didn't as well. So, yes, I will die alongside you if it comes to it to protect and defend."
Itachi breathed heavily out his nose, calming himself a bit. He could see the strong will that resided in his lovely fiancé; that fire he loved so dearly.
"What are you going to do about the children?" He asked her after a few long minutes.
It was Sintary's turn to look away and sigh. "They're going to the Hokage's Mountain," she told him quietly. "They'll be safe there with the other children…"
"I'll help you take them." Mikoto offered.
The younger mother nodded knowing it would be easier to transfer them with two people.
"Kisame, I need you to go with them." Itachi told his friend. "I can't be with them, so I'd rather you go with then, them on their own." He then glanced back at Shisui. "You are joining me while we help Sasuke and Kokuro."
Shisui nodded, while Kisame sighed. He had wanted to join the battle as well, but at last, he was playing a body guard.
With the plans decided, the group split off. Itachi and Shisui running off to their comrades' aid while Sintary woke her children up.
"Mommy, what's going on?" Kazuki asked. "Why is Kisame here?"
"We're under attack," Sintary told him honestly. "He's going to help me bring you and your sister to the Hokage's Mountain where you'll be safe."
"Who's that?" The curious son asked as his mother picked up Meisa.
"That's your grandmother." She told him knowing he was referring to Mikoto.
"I thought you said our family was dead." He commented as blunt as his father would have.
Sintary sighed quietly taking his hand. "They are." She said softly.
Kazuki frowned, puzzled. He looked up at the woman, who had to be related to his father and uncle because she had the Sharingan.
"How can someone who's dead come back to life?" He asked as they began walking.
"Very dark jutsu. They defy the laws of nature, which is very bad." The mother explained to her son.
The young boy glanced back at his supposed grandmother. "Soooo…. Is she evil?"
The older Uchiha laughed a bit. "No, sweetie. I truly am not."
"She was just created for evil purposes." Sintary reworded. "She, herself, is not a bad person."
Kisame sighed inwardly as the conversation continued. Why on Earth did he agree to such a mind-numbing job? He really hoped those battles were truly "easy," because he was missing them.
"Chidori: One-Thousand Birds."
The blazing, blue chakra dove towards the two shinobi with its wielder quickly behind it. At the last minute, the foe separated.
Kokuro set Kiba on the ground, his husband sputtering and coughing streams of blood. His eyes hazy and wide; his body already growing weak do to the blood loss.
"Shit…I was careless," swore the brunette, "Fuck; this hurts..."
"Akamaru," whispered a shaking Kokuro, "rest your paw here and work with my clone." The silveritte stood with stiff shoulders. His chakra rolling off him in violent, blood lusting, waves. "I have someone I have to kill," he muttered; the hate clear in his voice.
Kokuro shifted his body disappearing in a black tear as a clone appeared next to Akamaru.
"Listen up Akamaru, Kiba, if things get to wild, you need to get back into the village as soon as you can. I am officially too dangerous at this moment." The clone instructed. "Now, let's heal this wound," breathed the clone with a worried expression.
Elsewhere, the silver-haired shinobi stepped out into the center of a small lake; the water silver in the light of the crescent moon, everything at bliss. Kokuro began rippling the water's surface with his chakra. All the noise had stopped; no birds singing, no crickets chirping in the air, the clouds swirled, the clouds forming heavily in the sky.
Kokuro gathered lightning, the color was a deep amethyst. It was poisonous and malice was pouring from it. Water and wind began to form in spirals coiling in vortices around him, sentient as they grew into the sky.
"KAI, THIS ENDS HERE," roared Kokuro, his eyes burning, blood dripping from them under the strain. 'AMATERASU!'
Black fire formed in his hand, and opaque crystals formed on the edge of the lake, lightning arcing from them to Kokuro. The water of the lake began to boil as the storm raged.
Kai landed on the edge of the lake and charged towards Kokuro. His face a sneer, malevolent and possessive.
"Kokuro, when I incapacitate you, I will kill that dog boy, and then, I will take you to Madara. Once they take your willful chakra, then we can be together forever. You and me."
Water formed into the shape of multiple dragons, lashing out toward Kokuro. Their jaws gaping and hungry. Kokuro leapt in the air dodging the dragons, gathering the elements around his hand. Lightning flourished, vortices of wind and water coiled, the black flame wrapped it around his hand, and the crystals coalesced, covering his arm in a glimmering shard.
Kokuro glared at Kai, his eyes burning, focusing on a single chakra point. Suddenly, flashes of memories flooded his mind. Kokuro jetted forward, and then, there was a flash. Negative light; blacks and whites becoming inverted. The water of the lake rained down, burning hot as steam rose.
When the steam cleared, Kokuro had tears pouring from his eyes.
"Kai, I loved you, you know that I loved you," the silveritte sobbed, his hand pierced through where Kai's heart should have been.
"I know," murmured Kai, "I didn't want to fight you back then… Danzo made me."
"Danzo."
"Yes, that traitorous snake bound me under a seal and ordered me, he wanted to take your eyes after you awakened your Mangekyo, then you were more useful." He explained as Kokuro kept him immobilized. "And now… someone else is forcing me to attack you."
"You had no choice," choked back Kokuro watching his first love.
"Yes, I am so sorry Ko," sobbed Kai, his face creased with grief and happiness. "I wanted to tell you that for so long, and… I wanted to say that: I love you and I am sorry."
The pair stood embraced in the smoking crater of the lake. Kai leaned forward and kissed Kokuro, his lips barely even dusting Ko's. He smiled, as streams of tears rolled down his face as he felt the burden lift of his soul. Then, the shell he had been forced to inhabit began to crumble away, disintegrating into ashes. Kokuro was once more left kneeling in a crater. Kai's spirit stood before him in a white glow.
"Kokuro," he called out.
Said shinobi looked up at him with tears streaming down his face.
"Don't despair… keep fighting for happiness and love… and know… that I will always love you from the heavens." Kai told him as his soul started going back to the Pure Land.
Kai became more translucent with each passing second until he stood before Kokuro no longer. The white light started to wrap itself up as well. It grazed over the white-haired shinobi for a bit longer before disappearing into the morning. It was replaced by the new sun; orange and full of warmth for a new day.
Kokuro remained crying quietly, alone, with Kai finally gone, but this time…this time, tears were caused by, peace and closing.
"Dammit," Sasuke muttered as he jumped off a set of land mines.
He flung away from the exploding wall and debris. He didn't have time to respond to a fist flying into his face though. His body plummeted towards the ground. He tried to break his fall by grabbing hold of something, but he was put on defense from the barrage of punches and kicks.
Sasuke twisted his body, trying to land a kick to knock his opponent – his father – away from him. When he turned around, he noticed just how close he was to the ground. He braced himself for impact, but a hand laced itself into his hair forcefully. Sasuke was slammed face first into the ground, the force of the fall driving him across the ground. He finally managed to twist his shoulder enough to turn his body and knock his father off him. He tumbled across the flatten ground until the momentum of it died. Sasuke tried to get up, but his body refused to move. He couldn't find strength in his arms to get him up.
"You've definitely grown, Sasuke," Fugaku said looking down at his son. "But you're still no match for me."
The younger Uchiha watched his father pull out his katana. The older man didn't make it a step further though.
"NO ONE BEATS HIM TO A PULP BUT ME! CHA!" Screamed an angry, feminine voice.
Sasuke's black eyes widened as he had the pleasure of watching his father's face was engulfed by shock as this little, pink-haired kunoichi punched him square in the chest with a chakra-infused, breaking his sternum as well as everything around and beneath it. Sasuke saw his father disappear in the forest, and heard trees fall from being crushed.
Sakura stood there for a good minute to make sure her target was done before patting her gloves of dust and heading over to Sasuke. She knelt beside him and rolled him onto his back so she could assess the damage.
"Wow, he did a number to you." The infuriating kunoichi commented.
"Shut up," Sasuke snarled not happy with that.
"Who was he anyway?" Sakura asked as she started to heal him.
Sasuke looked around frowning. "My father."
Green eyes blinked, confused. "Your… your father? Oh my god, I just punched your father. Wait, I… I thought he was dead."
The younger Uchiha sighed, turning his head to look at her. "He is."
"Wait—" She started.
"Sakura." Sasuke said.
"Don't, Sasuke." She continued as she healed him. "So… that doesn't even make sense. How can your father be alive? Itachi… he… he killed all of them; he killed your parents personally."
"Sakura." Sasuke said again.
"Sasuke, I'm not going to stop talking." She said, sighing as she shook her head. "It has to be someone disguised as your father. Or maybe it's Genjutsu… no that doesn't make sense, you'd see through it."
The dark-haired shinobi grabbed hold of Sakura's arm to halt her now that he had the strength. He rolled her under him in a protective hold. She was about to yell and shove him off when she looked backed him to the sky. She saw a barrage of weapons quickly followed by a fire ball coming towards them.
"Sasuke!" Sakura screeched and closed her eyes.
"Susanoo."
After a couple seconds, Sakura opened her green eyes to see that they were not being cremated by an inferno, but instead, were surrounded by what looked like one.
"Well, well," they heard Fugaku say, "if it isn't my first born."
Sakura's eyes widened as she looked over in front of them. Itachi stood before them, in a protective stance.
"Sasuke," she whispered glancing at the man on top of him. "Itachi's here."
"Sakura, finish healing him, and then head towards Kokuro's house. Kiba got struck and needs your help." Itachi directed her. "My Susanoo will provide protection from attacks in the meantime."
The pinkette nodded obediently as she got Sasuke off her. She began to patch the worse of the damage knowing there would certainly be more to come.
"Sasuke, roll your shoulders." She ordered as he did so. "Now make fists." She watched his movements, trying to find any weak points. "All set."
The two stood while another joined them.
"Howdy. Miss Sakura, I'll be escorting you to the wounded." The messy haired Uchiha told her, grabbing hold of her arm.
"Now, Shisui!" They heard Itachi yell and before the two had a chance to say another word, Sakura was gone.
Fugaku glanced at his two sons before him. His eldest, now a ripe age of twenty-two, and his youngest, a tender age of seventeen. As he looked between the two of them, all he could think of is what a difference six years did to them. Both were fierce and strong, just like he had always hoped. He had personally been against Sasuke's fighting skills, and he knew, firsthand, that the strength of his family continued.
"Father, we don't have to fight," his eldest called him.
He couldn't help but to smirk a bit. One son was so pacifistic, while the other was so violent.
"I have to. I can't stop myself." Fugaku told him.
"Yes, you can. Find peace and let go." Itachi explained remembering Kokuro's words on the way over. "If you do, your spirit will release itself from this world."
The wicked-eyed man scoffed. "Find peace? Find peace?! How am I supposed to find peace in a world so full of hate? A war brat who ran his clan into the ground and almost taking his sons with him. How can I find peace in that!?"
"Because despite all that, your dream came true," a soft voice spoke coming out of the shadows.
Fugaku's felt his shoulders slump slightly seeing his wife come towards him. His soul called to her deep down, while his face remained empty of emotion. "Mikoto…" He whispered.
She smiled at him gently as she joined his side. "Look at our sons." She said gesturing to them. "You already knew Itachi would be legendary, but from what I've heard, Sasuke is too. Both your sons have grown into deadly shinobi who are feared and revered for their prowess. Itachi even stepped in as Hokage while the Fifth was down, and Sasuke has been considered legendary along with his team; each one have trained with a Sannin." Mikoto looked at her husband, taking his hands, as tears swelled in her eyes. "And Itachi has two children, a boy and a girl." She whispered so happy.
Suddenly, Mikoto was engulfed in light. She had found peace within herself, and her spirit reached out for the Pure Lands. She held her husband's hand with one while the other hand wiped her tears away.
"Fugaku, we're not meant to be here. This is not our place anymore." She told him as her body turned to stone and ash. "Please, find it in yourself to make peace and join me." The mother then turned towards her sons. She walked towards them even though her spirit began to disappear. "My sons…" She whispered placing her arms around them in a hug even though they were much taller than her now. "My babies… know that no matter what you do in your lives, I will always love you…" She placed a kiss on each of their foreheads before she was replaced by nothing by white light.
Itachi didn't move to dry his eyes from the small stream of tears that fell down his face. He had cried that night he killed his mother, he cried when he left her in the bardo, and he would cry for her final moments once more. He had said his goodbyes to her before, but it was no easier this time than the last two. His mother did not deserve the death she was dealt, but he was glad she had made peace with what had happened, and could rest happily.
Sasuke collapsed to his knees as her words resonated in his heart. Itachi had gotten not one, but two goodbyes from their mother, the younger brother had not been given a chance for one. So, to finally hear her final words, and see her move on… the feeling was indescribable. He leaned over, placing his fists on the ground and let his own tears rolled. Sasuke had not cried since that faithful day when he first lost his mother; the one who showered him in affection from the very day he was born. She always praised him openly and wouldn't hide her joy from him. No one could ever fill her place in his heart because she had been his "first" love – like all mothers and their son. Losing her had permanently scarred him, not enabling him to love again. However, knowing she was okay after all this time, would allow him to love another once more.
Lastly, was Fugaku. He suddenly felt lost in this world without Mikoto. They had known each other their whole lives, gotten married, had two children, and died together. She had always been by his side – no matter what. But now, she was officially gone. Fugaku turned towards where the light had come from in the sky, suddenly having a burning desire to be wherever she was.
"Mikoto… I am coming…" he whispered to the sky. He turned back to his grieving sons. "Hey, you two!" He yelled. They tensed and immediately looked at their father. "Uchiha do not cry." He reminded them firmly. "On your feet, Sasuke. Itachi, you know better." In truth, Fugaku felt the urge to shed a tear too. His wife was right – as usual – they had two boys who grew up and made their marks on the shinobi world. "Listen up because I will not repeat myself twice," Fugaku ordered as he, too, was surrounded by the light. "I may have almost never shown it, or said it, but I want you two to know:" his face softened as he looked them over, "that I am prove of you, both." He watched Sasuke's eyes get wide at those words of recognition. "As head of the clan, I must pass the duties of the clan on to a son. While it is usually to the first born, you both have proven to be worthy of the title. Considering there are so few of you, I leave it up to you to decide who will become the next Uchiha Patriarch."
Both sons were shocked to hear their father speak. First, he was proud of them, then he was leaving the duties of the clan up to them to decide. Sasuke's body shook from finally hearing that he was good enough for his father, and Itachi felt the weight lifted off knowing that the burden of being exceptional was gone. They watched as their father joined their mother in the Pure Lands. While it was unclear to anyone who was watching, both would tell you that they saw their parents embrace there and walk off together…
But that wasn't it for the two Uchiha brothers… no… while they're parents rest in peace, they still had duties to uphold; to the village, to the clan, to themselves.
"That was touching," Shisui said stepping out of the forest.
Itachi looked down at the ground, and then, at his undead friend. "Did Sakura save Kiba?"
Shisui nodded. "For now."
Sasuke blinked looking at him. "For now?"
The oldest Uchiha nodded very gently. "There are more; much more than just those of us selected."
"Madara Uchiha has launched his war on us, and these reanimations are a part of his ploy." Itachi told him.
"That's what I was trying to tell you earlier, Itachi." Shisui butt in.
"Tell me what?" He asked glancing at him.
"There were four of us sent to kill you guys, but there were five Uchiha reanimated." He continued.
"Five? Who could possibly be the fifth?" Itachi asked not liking where this was going.
Shisui looked at him with his one eye. "Itachi, Madara Uchiha is not plotting this attack; he was the fifth Uchiha to be brought back from the dead."
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ONE YEAR DEDICATION TO THIS STORY; IT DOES REALLY MEAN A LOT TO ME (and Ko). THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THIS ROLLER COASTER AND FOR THIS BEING THE LARGEST FAN-BASE OF MY STORIES. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!
Thank you to KnightsRoses, Sweet Petit, arigarciar, Ijustdon'tcare132, KyuubiNoPuma, pika-78, Rose 23527, ILurveManyAnimeBoys, xxRyuu-himexx, nathy13, HonestxxEyes, NinjaChipmunk, PityThoseWhoLiveWithoutLove-95, animefangirl0219, creven16, randomindividual467, darkxion, OrangeBeanGamer, terriblecupcakes732, Integral16, MickyLove, Elizabethcica, KHB123, FailingErin, MaidMaliya, Johana-98, ElephantLover220, Bananarock509, nacheell, LadyLunaTwilight, slowbro0609, CommanderCats, juury, Katelynn Snow Fox, sierra halle, Crazedstill99, Ne Ne Papa Ne Ne Mama, scarlet-angle-13, kyoko minion, To'M'L Kuran, 123kittycat1000, PunkRock DancerChick, Luna-Zeta, licialowoke1, jamal douglas, HulkIsHappy, teamstarlight, Littlevbigdreams, Rileyyheartt, rosaruna3713, AroraHybrid, misslindh, Good-Fellow, Aerishime, RamsFan7, MarieSeleneArroyo, Just-An-Average-Dude, LunarOdyssey, Devious Cherub, adamekevin23, Pein's Kid, MiniKitsuneChan, CHARA ATE MY SOUL,SociallyAwkwardHumanBeing, jmgarcia996, PurplePineapples56, Darkdaydreamer17, CLM-FFN, xTsuizuru, Miyoko-tan, buddykilla, midnightabyss23, ShadoweAxe, Arianna Le Fay, insanityle, lilith dracul, FainaFox, Crusader King, mchurch1992, officialmr, Reign, sarana154, Sexy Vampire Girl, 13dragon13fires, lisareme0 , , PureBloodSakura, Dreamy-Girl2016, Hermeigna, ronnieangell, Stellato, Caboosse137, Nikoonezhad, MyInvincibleStory, and xComet4 for following/favorite-ing the story!
A special thanks to ILurveManyAnimeBoys, Rose23527, HonestxxEyes, bunnyguest, an unknown Guest, nacheel, FailingErin, Viktor2040, AnimeBunnyLover, craziedstill99, AroraHybrid, Toreh, and Gilyflower for their reviews and requests for updates!