**Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the quote below. I just own Sintary, and her children ^^ Also I do not own the other OC Kokuro or his children. They're my friend's.
Happy Anniversary guys! Five years ago this was just a meek little rp that turned into a full-fledged story. We have seen these characters on their various journeys, fight their demons (quite literally), and rise from the ashes. I know this has been a long process, and I want to thank everyone that has walked with us thus far. I invite you to continue just a little further. The end is closer than you think! We have gauged 7 parts of the epilogue that will be needed to adequately wrap up this beautiful story. This is part two, and we have up until part four written already. Once another part is pieced together, I will post another puzzle piece to this ending. Until then, please enjoy!
PS: I didn't make this explicitly clear last chapter, so I'm doing it now: THIS ENDING IS CANNON. Please read that again. Ko and I have made our own ending and our own tie into Boruto: The Next Generations. It DOES NOT line up with the events in Boruto. If that is not what you are expecting, please stop reading now for you will not be happy. For those who aren't bothered, please continue on!
With lots of love 3
'Throughout history, every period of enlightenment has been accompanied by darkness, pushing in opposition. Such are laws of nature and balance.' - Dan Brown
It had been a while since Sintary had woken up in a cold sheen of sweat. The last time was when a risen Shisui came to kill her and Itachi at the start of the fourth war. However, the world was at peace thanks to those who fought against Madara and Kaguya. There was no immediate threat that she had been aware of.
She sat up slowly, trying not to wake her husband as she brought her knees to her chest, resting her chin on top of them.
There was something wrong though, she could feel it.
A burning flame suddenly appeared to her side. Itachi pulled her to him on the other side, away from the fire. A cry emitted from the fire as feathered wings formed and cleared it, spreading a burning frost across their room.
"That's Yatagarasu," Sintary whispered as she pulled from Itachi, grasping at a message tied to the bird's opalescent bird landed, resting on the edge of their bed.
The Uchiha peered over his wife's shoulder as she read the message. His jaw tightened as his fears came true:
'The clan of the moon is coming for us all.'
"What about the kids?" He asked the large bird.
"They were heading to Shimogakure when I left. They appeared unharmed. They also had Princess Bridin with them."
"Yatagarasu, do you know what happened?" Sintary asked him worriedly.
"When I was summoned, Kokuro was in hiding. His chakra levels were low, which is odd for him, and he seemed distressed." The phoenix stated. "He was attacked before I took off. The creatures-they were not shinobi. Rather, they were more beasts. There was something wrong, Little Ko was scared, he asked me to tell you both something.
Right before I flew off, we were attacked by several of those creatures and a man shrouded in robes. He managed to get the jump on us and impale Ko-boy."
Sintary felt the air leave her lungs, and Itachi felt a cold sweat break out across the back of his neck.
'How could anyone get the jump on Kokuro, how could', thought Sintary, 'He is a Sage, he has the Byakugan. Is he ok? The twins. Kiba.'
Sintary moved to speak but her voice cracked.
Yatagarasu sighed looking haggard,
"He said...he said it was an Otsutsuki."
Itachi swore, running a hand down his face and neck, and rubbing the spot where the tension was already building. He took a few deep breaths as his brain quickly pieced together some key information. The Otsutsuki had been attacking the dimensions for some reason. The attack on Kokuro could be random, but also could be targeted. He was another Otsutsuki; maybe they wanted to recruit him? Maybe they wanted to punish him for Kaguya's crimes and defiance. Did that make him alive or dead already? While his best friend was the most powerful shinobi that they knew of, they didn't know the Otsutsuki, and given this was his own clan, the ancestors to shinobi, they might be the only ones who could potentially take Kokuro down.
Itachi shook his head. He had to believe Kokuro was still alive. He couldn't phantom if he wasn't.
Okay, so Kokuro was alive. The Otsutsuki mostly likely had him, and Kokuro sent a warning that the clan was coming for them all.
The dark-haired shinobi sighed, growing more restless with every passing moment. They had to get Kokuro back. They had to defend themselves against the Otsutsuki.
Both meant another war.
Itachi closed his eyes, a stinging sensation passing through briefly as his chest became heavy. His shoulders gave in to the tension. The thirty-seven-year-old suddenly felt like he was seventy-four; he was tired. The thought of going through another battle made him weak in the knee; made him feel defeated. How many more wars and battles would he have to fight to keep the damn peace?
A deep breath filled his lungs, the cool air suddenly filling him. For peace or not, he needed to save his best friend from impending doom.
His walls came back up as his mind wiped the anxieties away. "We need to wake Sasuke. He had worked with Kokuro on the Otsutsuki. We also need to head to the Hokage's office. Kazuki will have likely reached the kage to send a message and we'll need permission to head they're way."
"The Hokage was my next stop." Yatagarasu told them. "I can brief him with the information while you gather your team."
"We need to get Kiba and the twins as well." Sintary stated, sounding resigned.
Itachi's arms wrapped around her and she allowed herself to curl against his support. A burst of heat and the crackling sound behind them indicated the phoenix had left to finish his own mission. The same unsettling feeling her husband had experienced swirled through her now. It had taken Kokuro along with Naruto and Sasuke, who temporarily had the power of the Six Paths, just to take down Kaguya. How could they possibly take down a clan of Otsutsuki without Kokuro?
Especially…
Sintary looked up at the love of her life. Fine lines etched into his face like years of the wind howling at the mountain. Dark tints permanently stained the areas below his eyes. His obsidian eyes held the pain of a million souls. She gently brushed some of his hanging bangs away from his face. She couldn't see them now, but she knew there were strands of gray intermixing with his dark locks. Sintary had her own here and there, which she effectively tried to cover. While she didn't attempt to hide her laugh lines, or creases in the middle of her eyebrows, or even the faint crows-feet, her hair was precious to her. Her skin would always bear some wear and tear, but her hair had always been strong and resilient even after everything that had happened.
Even so, it didn't hide the facts behind their change.
It was all signs of their aging.
It wasn't like they were seventy or anything and completely incapable of kicking ass, but the fear was still there. What if they truly weren't as fast as they were ten years ago? A hair too slow could get them killed. Itachi was also chronically ill, what if that toll on his body finally consumed him? Sintary worked on him as Sakura had instructed, but it was still something he had to fight off continuously. He would never admit it, but his knowing wife could see the effects when it got bad. His breathing became more labored and often required him to pause to catch his breath. It made him dizzy if he pushed himself too hard; never mind if he used a fire jutsu.
Sintary breathed in a shaky breath. They could do this - together. They would free Kokuro and then the three of them could deal with the Otsutsuki.
Wordlessly, the couple parted and dressed. Their old ANBU uniforms pulled on like a second skin. Sintary tucked Itachi's necklace under her collar and then proceeded to pull on her shinobi headband. She turned to see if Itachi was ready, watching as he pulled on his own forehead protector. It was his very first one with the strike in the middle. He had been offered new ones, but Itachi had refused them every time. He was at peace with the fact that he used to be with the Akatsuki.
One glance and they vanished from each other, heading to their respective destinations. It didn't take long for the group of seven to appear at the Hokage's, Naruto and Hinata already present along with a very exhausted Shikamaru.
"I just got a call from the Shimokage," the blond explained to the assembled group. "Team Seven arrived with Meisa and Bridin. All are uninjured." He paused to let some relief settle over the parents before his eyes set on the Otsutsuk-Inuzuka family. "Kokuro was not among the group."
"What are we waiting for?" Kiba exclaimed, growing more worried. "We need to head to Moonflower and find him!"
"Kiba, we can't just march over to Moonflower. Whatever he was facing was enough to wear him down and make him vulnerable." Shikamaru started.
A clawed hand flexed. "It was the damn Otsutsuki - we already know that! We can't just let them slip through our fingers!"
"Kiba," Sintary said soothingly. "Yatagarasu said he was attacked before the Otsutsuki showed up. He said they weren't shinobi, but creatures. Those creatures could still be in Moonflower, and if we go in blind, we will kill ourselves before getting to Ko."
Akamaru whined, sitting back on his hind legs, his owner resigning for now.
"You will head to Shimogakure and coordinate with the Kage there along with the Raikage. Hold off on infiltrating Moonflower until you hear more from me." Their Hokage stated. "I will contact the other nations to prepare for any more attacks from the Otsutsuki."
The large group nodded before Arrekasu and Maikeru opened up a portal to Shimogakure. One by one they silently left until the twins went through themselves. Sasuke and Itachi were already approaching the guards as the rift was closed. They were escorted through the village, directly to the Kage's building where Team 7 awaited them. Sadara ran to her parents when she saw them, Sakura hugging her daughter in return while Sasuke stood by. Kiba checked on Boruto and Mitsuki while Sintary and Itachi joined their children.
Meisa stepped to the side after hugging her parents and embraced the twins. No words were necessary to understand the storm behind their oddly calm facade.
"We'll find him," she whispered, "and we will pass judgment on the Otsutsuki for their transgressions."
They offered her no response but took comfort in her promise.
"How are you feeling, Bridin?" Sintary asked the light-haired girl.
"A little tired and freaked out," the princess told her honestly. "I'd never seen anything like those creatures before."
"Those were people of the Moonflower village," Kazuki explained quietly. "They were being possessed though… they became inhumane, mindless beings with enormous strength and stamina."
"Not of our dimension." Kiba bluntly stated. "No one is able to possess anyone here unless you're a Yamanaka or Orochimaru." He winced looking at Mitsuki. "No offense."
"None taken. I understand my parent isn't the greatest person." The young boy replied with a shrug.
"It could be a clue as to where the Otsutsuki had been and where they could be going." Itachi piped, thinking aloud.
Sasuke shook his head. "Doesn't sound like a familiar dimension."
A large sigh filled the empty space. "Great, so how are we supposed to find Kokuro?" Kiba snapped.
Silence fell over the group. None of them knew how to find someone possibly in another dimension. None of their shinobi experience could ever prepare them for this.
The dark-haired man looked around. "We have to try something," he pleaded, the desperation etching in his voice.
The man had been woken up in the middle of the night to hear the love of his life was kidnapped by his supposed clansmen. That he was overwhelmed and stabbed nonetheless. Now he had no way to contact his soulmate to see if he was okay or even to track him to help him. If only Kiba and Kokuro had a seal like Meisa, Maikeru, and Arrekasu - at least he'd know if Kokuro was alive or not.
Sharp eyes narrowed on the mother of his children. "Sintary, your bond."
A realization passed over her blue eyes as she focused. "It's so weak," she commented quietly, frowning. "I can only make out that he's alive."
"But you said it's weak? Does that mean he's weak?" Kiba asked, grasping at the knowledge.
Sintary slowly shook her head. "It can, but it could also mean that he's far. Sometimes when he would travel to other dimensions, our bond was strained. It's like radio-waves, sometimes you hit the right frequency and sometimes you don't."
"It's still a connection to Kokuro." Itachi said, thinking. "Sintary, Arrekasu, Maikeru, you three will work on finding him that way. It's not the ideal or quickest, but we can open up the portals we know of and see if the bond gets stronger or weaker."
The three nodded as Sintary led them to a different room not knowing what type of environment would open up each time.
"Team Seven, Meisa and Bridin, you all are to rest for the evening. Sakura, see that they're chakra reservoirs are healing properly, and then head back here. Sasuke and Kiba, we will go over everything we have on the Otsutsuki."
It would be another two days before the group reassembled in its entirety. The two Uchiha and their brother-in-law pour through any information they had obtained on the Otsutsuki. The twins and Sintary had tirelessly opened portal after portal, but the bond never gave anything discrete. Team Seven worked around the village or trained. They were restless, but there wasn't anything to do until the Land of Lightning provided backup to go into Moonflower. As for Meisa, Bridin and Kazuki, the three flitted between the three groups, trying to be useful in some way.
The day they gathered, their Hokage called. The day had been exceptionally cold in Shimogakure, the snow falling at an alarming rate and the vicious wind whipping through it. The shinobi reported their lack of findings, tired from hours of fruitless work.
"Updates from your group Itachi," Naruto asked as the three nin stepped forward.
"Nothing, Lord Hokage." The eldest Uchiha reported.
"We can't explain it, Naruto," Kiba continued. "But every time we think of coming up with an answer, there's a straggling piece that doesn't fit. Like the rifts and kidnappings, the demons in Moonflower, none of that adds up to kidnapping Kokuro. Do they want the ten-tails? Do they want to create another Tsukuyomi-like world? Can they even do that?"
"They must be doing something," the blond sighed. "I've been getting reports from the leaders in these other dimensions in Kokuro's absence. In the past forty-eight hours, there has been an increase in disasters…. Tornadoes, tsunamis, ice melting and snow falling where it shouldn't, avalanches, floods, earthquakes, mountains crumbling, dormant volcanoes erupting spilling ashes everywhere… A famine where crops aren't growing and animals are dying, locusts, lice. The very nature of the connected dimensions seems to be faltering. Kokuro seemed to be a focus for a stable connection between the rifts, but since he disappeared the bridges between worlds seem to be collapsing.
In sibling dimensions there are more rifts forming; there have been sightings of these breaches opening in the middle of roads, cities, hell even homes. The dimensions are collapsing into one another; rifts will open in the middle of an ocean and spill out into a field, there is a rift in the center of Sunagakure that leads into the heart of an active volcano. Gaara has the village under lockdown and is managing the heat storms, but even he is concerned.
It seems that the stability is faltering. What's worse is that nature is imbalanced. I have used sage mode and talked with the tailed beasts. The very earth in our world is spiraling out of control, time and space seem to be changing based on where you are and if you are close to a rift. It can either slow down or accelerate rapidly. Even the space around these rifts can shift where a simple step could take days to cross.
Some dimensions have even been lost altogether. Six of our registered dimensions have disappeared without any sign, any of the portals to them closed.
The list can go on; it's overwhelming."
"That can't… all… be the Otsutsuki… can it?" Sintary asked quietly. "There are thirteen dimensions that we know of."
"There could be thirteen members," Sasuke stated. "Or more. All Kaguya hinted to was that there were potentially more, that is why she had the White Zetsu army formed. She was going to use them as the initial crash force for other Otsutsuki. Furthermore, we have no idea their capabilities."
"That's a helluva lot of destruction if it is them…" Kiba muttered and sighed, running a hair through his hair.
"Sintary, what does your group have to report?" Naruto asked, tiredly looking over to them.
"Searching for Kokuro this way has proven to be useless," she reported solemnly. "The bond neither weakens nor strengths as we pour through the dimensions… although, one of Kaguya's dimensions has… sealed up."
The blond Hokage perked up slightly at the information. "What do you mean?"
Sintary glanced at the twins before staring at the Hokage straight on. "We've been circling through the many planes, and everything seemed fine at first glance, but not even Kaguya's own rifts and worlds are free from the chaos. One such rift opened in one of Kaguya's realms and crumbled into nothingness before our eyes, collapsing in on itself, becoming consumed as if the chakra was drained away and then condensing into a truth-seeker orb. We tried opening it up again, but the twins have been unsuccessful. It's like the dimension doesn't exist anymore."
Naruto sighed, sinking deeper into his chair resting his face in his hands. "We have so many options to consider, not to mention how this will affect the areas of the surrounding nations."
The Hokage explained that the storm in Shimogakure is likely to go into Lightning, making the Raikage hesitate to send shinobi their way. Disheartened and lost, the group disassembled for now.
Kazuki groaned as he sat on top of his sleeping bag. He looked through his journal of notes, trying to figure out what the Otsutsuki wanted. He frowned quietly, he had documented every journey he went on with his uncle, and everything was a dead end. They had searched lead after lead between diplomatic meetings, all fruitless.
A low glow brought his dark eyes to his other journal. He picked up the old thing. His fingers traced over the old leather before grazing over the craved Greek lettering. While he had spent time studying the language, he didn't need any of it to know what it meant. Kazuki remembered the day she summoned fire, without chakra, to bind her name to the book so they could stay in contact across the dimensions.
Persephone.
The string came undone easily as he opened the worn paper. Her beautiful calligraphy appeared on the yellow pages.
'Kazuki,
The past days have been… hellish.
There has been an increase in our supernatural activity; a bad increase. One of the members of the family has come to town, unknowingly wreaking havoc because of his proximity to the host. Not only that but the little wolf has died to protect her daughter, rendering her will weak and her need for her father insatiable.
Too much evil power fills our streets.
Not only that, but a fellow sister has uncovered a prophecy that will come from the darkness. There are seven steps to this fulfillment, and we've already had four within the past hours.
'The water of our land will turn to the blood of the innocent, and from the crimson rivers, vipers shall rise. Your fertile lands will decay, harboring the children of rot, maggots, and larvae. Ice will rain from the skies, stoning the damned.'
These have already happened, if this continues to follow the prophecy, then in the coming days;
'And the rivers of blood will brim with fire and brimstone, as hellish ichor seeps into the seas. The very oceans will quake and froth, as a flood of Phlegethon will crash waves upon the shore, swallowing all. In the last days of dying earth, those of firstborn blood will die.'
The witches and I cannot seem to contain the family despite the harm they see coming to the host. We have been building energy together to fortify a seal, but I fear it may not be enough for the ancient spirit that the girl and family still harbor.
While we handle the chaos here, I hope you have found your uncle by now. He is a strong and resourceful man, as I know you are.
Please update me when you can,
Persephone.'
Kazuki traced over the message again; all this started a few days ago… when his Uncle Ko had been taken. As did the other mentions of plagues and other strange things…
Scribbling his message as fast as he could, he spoke of the other apocalyptic disasters that occurred and how his uncle had disappeared from their grasp. It had to be more than a coincidence that all this started happening around the same time. But if they weren't able to reach Uncle Kokuro with their abilities, maybe… maybe Persephone could.
Anxiously, he waited for that golden glow to indicate he had received a message back from her. His heart fluttered when he saw it, and he gazed over the reply. His brain comprehended enough of it to have his feet racing down the hallway to his mother and cousins.
"Mom!" Kazuki called, skidding in front of the door. "Mom, I need the twins to open a portal. I know someone who might be able to help us."
Blue eyes skimmed over her son, the mother in her making sure he wasn't actually in distress. She then turned to the twins and gave a small nod. Kazuki explained where they were opening the rift. With a quick work of their chakra, another dimension materialized before them. Persephone's hazel eyes found him immediately as they stood on opposite sides. He stepped forward and held his hand out to her. Her long fingers encased his as she stepped through, fully entering his world. Kazuki felt a small tug at his lips as he glanced down at her beautiful face. Persephone smiled back, the tenderness reaching her soft eyes.
"And who have you brought here, Kazuki?"
His eyes left Persephone's and fell to his mother, and the twins. His mother had her hands on her hips, her tired eyes now sharpened and ready. The twins had their arms crossed, mirroring her defensiveness.
"This is Persephone, she's -"
"The goddess of spring!" Arrekasu exclaimed.
Maikeru followed, "Queen of the Underworld!"
Persephone made a sound of disapproval, shaking her head. "No boys, I'm a witch from a busy town."
"A witch?" Sintary asked, her eyes filling with confusion.
"She doesn't look like a witch." The dark-haired twin frowned, tilting his head.
"Where's her hat and broom?" His light-headed twin asked, mimicking his twin.
"Persephone!" Another voice joined the string as Kazuki watched his sister throw her arms around the woman next to him. "I didn't know you were coming. Has something happened in the city, too?"
"Meisa? How do you know this woman?" Their mother's voice rang out above all the noise.
Her daughter turned, not even realizing she had been there really. "Oh, Kazuki introduced me when we were with Uncle Ko and trying to figure out what was, um, wrong with my chakra a few years ago."
"Mom," her eldest drew her attention back to him. "We haven't been able to find Uncle Ko through your bond, through chakra. But what if Persephone can reach him with magic?"
The twins gasped at each side of Sintary, looking at her with hopeful eyes.
"What kind of magic can you do?"
The caramel-skinned woman spoke with ease, "I'm assuming a locator spell doesn't work inter-dimensionally, but we're all connected by one space: the dream world. I can enter that plane, and so long as Kokuro is asleep, I can contact him."
Sintary's eyes light up at the possibility. Hope filling her heavy steps once more. "What do you need to set up?"
"Candles," Persephone told her, "and a quiet space for me to lay down. I will also need lavender and valerian root to crush."
The twins pulled out a futon for her along with a slew of candles regarding in size for her. They also produced the herbs she requested and a mortar and pestle. The dark-skinned woman then started to grind the two together until it became a fine powder.
"Allume les bougies," her words, like a breath of wind that swept the room, echoed. The candles gently began to smoke before sparks took hold of the wicks.
It was strange to most in the room. This woman had the candles lit without hand signs, without even looking at them. There was no flare of chakra, no sense that she had even dispersed energy.
Persephone continued on, lining up a powder in a neat row. "Puis-je avoir le passage dans le monde des rêves et de beaux rêves." She ran her nose over the line before tilting her head back as her eyes closed and she took a deep breath. The witch sat back on the futon, the herbs taking their effects quickly. A moment longer and her hazel green eyes closed and her body slumped.
The group remained quiet besides the caramel woman, awaiting her return. Sintary pressed her hands together and rested her chin on top of them. She was a bit disturbed by the behavior she saw before her, but couldn't fully condone the act. Her son sat right by Persephone, watching over her body here. The twins fell around her as well, their double hope exposed to all. Meisa and Bridin hung to a corner, keeping quiet for the witch.
A sharp intake informed the highly alert group that Persephone had returned to their plane. She slowly shook her head as many shoulders slumped with loss.
"He could just not be asleep at the moment," she explained. "We don't know if he's being kept awake as torture, or if they're on a different schedule. It could be anything. I can try later."
Kazuki nodded softly, taking her hand. "Thank you." He said quietly.
His mother left shortly after, most likely to talk to his father and uncles about the recent events. The twins went to their room to rest, growing more depressed with each failed attempt. That left the two siblings and their partners gathered in the candlelit room.
Meisa was the first to break the silence with a loud sigh. "I know this situation is serious, but I think all the stress is getting to us. Like we've been searching constantly, and when we're not searching, we're worrying, and it's just tiring us out. Maybe that's why nothing's working."
"My mom traveled through snow and ice all night for my aunt. Then my dad traveled to his family and back to the castle for her. All of this apparently happened over like two days, maybe. They didn't sleep until everything went back to normal - well, as normal as it could be." Bridin reminded her.
"Meisa's right though," Kazuki added. "Opening portals, trying to solve the mystery of the Otsutsuki, it all requires a clear head, and no one has that with the past few days."
"And you want to tell those two boys to sleep while their daddy's missing?" Persephone asked her man.
"I think we're missing something because we're all tired."
"Y'all can be missing something because you don't have all the information, too." She shook her head. "What's your god saying about all this?" She directed the question to Meisa.
The young girl slowly lifted her shoulders as her hand shifted to her hip. "He hasn't. He doesn't really talk to me. It's all about action with him. I feel a draw to do this or that, and when I'm in a battle, he passes judgment through me. But he doesn't tell me what to do."
"Did you try asking him?" Persephone asked.
"No… I don't even know how I would get in contact with him."
"He's a god, Meisa! You just pray to him." Responded the witch. "You got a totem already, so just get down on your knees and pray."
"Meisa," Bridin rested a hand on her knee. "Do you feel comfortable with this?"
Green-blue eyes met aqua. "I don't really know… But what if he could help? Maybe he has some insight."
"Meisa, you don't have to contact him if you don't want to." Kazuki supported her.
She looked up at her older brother. "I haven't been able to do anything to help since this all started. I feel like this is my opportunity."
"There will be other ways you can participate." He told her.
The dark-headed girl took a deep, steady breath. She had felt hopeless just like she told Kazuki. She was not one to wait around, she did what she felt like in the moment. Which is what she was about to do anyway. Her mind was already made up when Persephone mentioned it, she just needed the courage to do it.
She started to tell them her decision, "I'm going-" Her breath hitched as her eyes rolled into the back of her head. Her skin blackened as she partially transformed in front of her friends and family.
"Shit, Meisa!" Kazuki yelled, reaching over to shake her.
Her body vigorously tremored but remained stiff to move as it fell over into Bridin's lap.
Persephone placed her hands over the trembling form as she chanted, "Par les cieux et la lune, libérez cette pauvre âme de la divinité perverse," the flame on the candles spiking in height at her command.
Meisa's eyes shot open, her Sharingan twisting, spiking out, the tomoe straightening out into an interconnected triangle, the edges piercing through her pupil, a Mangekyo Sharingan. Her eyelids fluttered before screwing shut.
'Power, witchcraft,' A menacing voice cut through the darkness.
Meisa looked around, her vision trying to focus. With her Mangekyo, she could see through the endless darkness, through the blackness of the area around her.
'Jashin?' Meisa called out trying to find the avatar she had seen last time.
Pain erupted in her form as she resisted the urge to cry out, her body falling to her knees instead, panting.
'That is Lord Jashin to you.' The voice continued.
Meisa breathed deeply, pushing the pain away with her bloodline. She rose before the god with refinement. 'Then tell me, my lord,' Meisa stated sarcastically. 'Where is my uncle?'
'I cannot tell you that, my champion.'
'Why not?' She ground out, flexing her fists.
'It doesn't concern our mission,' the god replied dryly.
Meisa's teeth ground together as she stared into the black surrounding. 'It is our mission! I will kill those who took my uncle!' She growled, her body thriving on anger.
A noise echoed around her; a sound she usually associated with her male relatives giving their versions of a smile. He was amused at her outburst.
'I have no doubt you will, Meisa. You will have plenty of opportunities to exercise our will in the upcoming war. You will need everything you have to survive it.'
Meisa looked confused, her anger dissolving as it was replaced. 'War…? What do you mean by surviving? You grant me immortality to complete your bidding.'
'There is more than one way of surviving.'
'The war,' the young girl redirected. 'What is going to happen?'
'The Otsutsuki are coming, young one. They are nothing you've seen before, and everything that you heard… well, they are beyond you and your ken, they are gods, whereas mortals are mere ants beneath them. They are ancient beings; they are wise and cunning. Their power surpasses your beloved uncle's by ten-fold.'
Meisa's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. 'People are… are going to get hurt, aren't they?'
'It happens, Meisa. It is war. You will carry out the duties that I have assigned you regardless of what happens.'
'You have to protect my family!' She cried out, the pain leaking through her cracking armor. The gripe had never bothered her before; kunai stabs, shuriken scratches, Katon release burns-all those rarely registered in her brain as she matured. But this… the gnawing pit she felt, the ache in her heart, the bash at her head… It was exhausting to bear against it. She could collapse right there, tears gliding down her cheeks, and let it consume her.
'It is a weakness, Meisa.' Jashin's voice rang like an arrow at her. 'You are a vessel of me, something stronger than mere humans. You must understand there will be casualties that will be close to you.'
'You… you are to swear… no one will get hurt.' She whispered, her small frame shaking and desperate.
'No, my champion. You must be strong enough to protect them. You must be strong enough to pass judgment.'
His deep voice vibrated throughout her mind as the area seemed to change around her. Her thoughts twisted and knotted as she tried to sort through what he had said to her. War was coming… she had never been in a war since they stopped when she was a babe. Her relatives had all mentioned how awful the last one had been, grimacing at the thought of those events.
Then there was surviving?
The pain she had felt… she couldn't breathe… it had been unbearable. No physical pain would be able to cause such a feat. He… he had also mentioned casualties close to her. Was that foreshadowing that a loved one will die in this war? Or was it just a general statement?
Meisa slowly opened her hazel eyes as her field was filled with faces.
Kazuki… her mother… her father… all gathered in the center.
The twins peeking over her parents' shoulders.
Bridin and Persephone in the outer corners.
'It could be any of them,' Meisa concluded. Her breath came quicker and shallow as she had reflected on the pain Jashin had inflicted on her. She looked at all the faces once more before she burst into tears.
Kazuki closed the door after taking one last glance. Meisa hadn't stopped crying since she had met with Jashin. All she had kept mumbling was, "the war with the Otsutsuki was coming," but that's the only words they were able to get out of her. It had been an odd moment for his parents to gather around her. Their baby girl who was so fiercely headstrong and independent; who didn't cry until the burden inside became too much to bear alone.
She was a sixteen-year-old kunoichi who had both parents to nurture and soothe her. The older boy's eyes became sorrowful as he thought about his mother. She was the same age as Meisa when the Uchiha Massacre had occurred. Who had consoled her then with his father gone? It left a bitter taste in the young man's mouth as a round of hopelessness surrounded him again.
He ran a hand through his ebony locks, looking much like his father did at his age, minus the stress lines. He turned to his room, Persephone waiting for him. Sapphire orbs roamed her deep sun-kissed skin. Even a projection of her didn't do her justice. His keen eyes could see the grooves and small bumps on her face, the flecks of grey in her earthy eyes, the fine lines around the edges of her frosted pink lips, and the small indent in her chin. All the coiled fibers of her hair, the way the light captured the dark, lush coils, and full russets.
"How is she?" Her light voice called to him.
Kazuki focused on her words, taking a step towards her. "Hysteric," he sighed. "Mom and Dad are still with her."
Her hazel eyes cast downward. "I'm sorry for even suggesting her contact him."
"We couldn't have known about this reaction."
"It was still my suggestion; it certainly didn't help anyone." He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her close to him.
They sat together against the wall. Persephone's head resting upon his shoulder as he stroked the length of her arm. He could feel her breathing start to even out, drifting into a light sleep. Kazuki wished he could fall asleep like that, but his mind was too active and filled to relax. Instead, he stared out the window across from them. The moon was high and full surrounded by a million stars. The tops of buildings were covered in layers of glistening snow. A gentle breeze deposits flurries from one place to another.
Kazuki was drawn back to the moon; its glowing, white light seemed captivating. He stared at it for a while, losing track of time. He blinked to clear his vision and suddenly it seemed like he was looking down upon a floating rock - multiple, massive floating rocks. Each seemed to be different than the next, but all beaming with life; he could feel the energy radiating off of them.
But he also felt his energy draining; he felt pain. It made him want to curl up and cry. He had no strength to even think about lifting his limbs and his muscles felt lifeless. Aunt Sakura had talked about them being made up of millions of individualized cells - and he felt like every single one of them was dying and releasing pain as a result.
Then he heard a noise; a groan that seemed to vibrate and echo around him. He tried looking around, but his view was limited. He heard the moan of pain again; a tone that resonated with him - his Uncle Ko.
"Uncle!" he tried calling, but he couldn't hear himself voice it.
"Kazuki?" He heard Persephone's voice.
"Kazuki…" his uncle groaned.
The young Uchiha watched as Persephone's form materialized in front of him. She was kneeling in front of him, her face full of concern.
"No Kokuro," Persephone told him. "You… you are asleep right now. I was able to join you in this space though."
"There is… isn't time…" The sage managed to breathe. "They… keep… me awake…"
"Who are they?" Persephone asked urgently now. "Where are you?"
"O-O-tsu-tsuki…."
Persephone watched on as branches seemed to coil around him. The timber was almost alive as they restrained the sage, the sharpest edges keeping to burrow into his skin.
"F-find the tree… at the end of stars. Th-the… moon… it… is… flora… pale… run…"
Kokuro strained against the branches, blood dripping from his wounds, floating around him as if they were a halo.
"Use your Tarot… and be ready… Kami be ready."
Persephone reached out and cradled Kokuro's face. His gilded eyes were heavy and swollen. Blood dripped from them staining his pallid cheeks. She could feel his pain, and then suddenly she felt as if she was being consumed, drawn into the tree. She pulled away and woke with a gasp.
The shadow mistress pushed off her lover, running to her bag with her Tarot cards.
"Lonbray, montre mwen verite ou," Persephone whispered, feeling Kazuki come behind her.
The cards lifted from her hands and shuffled themselves. Nine cards shooting out into the air, face down. Kazuki gently tried to place a hand on Persephone's shoulder, but she shrugged him off, shooting him a look that was foreign to him. Her green eyes were dark, almost black with flecks of emerald.
"Get the others." Her voice was an octave deeper and distorted. "There are eight others."
The shadows, Kazuki concluded as he darted off.
"Mom! Dad!" The young man yelled, opening the door to his sister's room. "I need you to move Meisa into my room by Persephone. I'll explain in a minute." He told them before moving on. "Bridin! Bridin, head to my room!" He banged on the door.
That's four, Kazuki thought as his eyes roamed the hallways.
Landing on a particular door, the shinobi ran and opened it. "Uncle Sasuke!"
"I heard you, Kazuki," came his uncle's calm voice. "I'm on my way."
He nodded, giving a knowing glance as he took off again.
Three more… my team! Kazuki realized as he went to their door. He was blocked though, thick shadows coated the doorway, preventing him from entering. Not my team… Puzzled, Kazuki thought hard. He rolled his eyes when he put it together; How could I forget?
He opened the last door. "Guys," he said, waking the sleeping Inuzuka's. "You need to come with me."
"Did you find Dad?" Maikeru yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah, did you find Dad?" Arrekasu echoed, mimicking his brother.
"I think so," Kazuki told them gently. "Come on, get up."
The twins groaned quietly, hesitant to move. They were so tired and had actually fallen asleep.
"Maikeru…" His twin grumbled
"What?" He grunted back.
"Get up."
"No, you get up." Arrekasu semi-shouted, annoyed.
"You get up first!" Maikeru whined.
"Boys!" Kiba scolded in a whisper. "Stop squabbling and get up."
"Yes Dad," the twin boys deadpanned.
The Inuzuka then turned towards his nephew. "Do you really have a lead?"
Kazuki slowly nodded. "Persephone managed to dream walk with him. I managed to see it."
"How did you - never mind. How is he?" Kiba asked worriedly.
"Not good," the young man grimaced openly. "But he said for Persephone to use her tarot cards, and she needs all of us present."
Kiba slowly nodded. "Come on boys," he barked back and headed out with Kazuki.
Once back in his room, Kazuki nudged forward through everyone. It made the room so much smaller with ten people in it. From what he could see, Persephone hadn't moved an inch since he left. He glanced around, taking a headcount. Meisa and Bridin had taken up residence on his bed, his younger sister resting her head on her lover's chest. His mother and father stood nearby, alert but weary. Uncle Sasuke stood in the middle, but rested up against the wall, able to see all. The twins and Uncle Kiba rounded the group, closest to the door.
"All here," Kazuki told Persephone, or rather, the shadows possessing her.
A nod of her dark helm was the only response as her eyes closed. The tarots dissipated one by one, leaving tendrils of black smoke behind. The group tensed as the cards reappeared in front of each member.
Kazuki stared at his card, reaching out and taking hold of it. C.H.A.R.I.O.T. It was a picture of an old hag with white, unkempt hair complete with saggy skin and sodden robes. She had a single appendage coming out of her forehead. It was thin and had a bulb-like end that was illustrated to glow. She rode a glittering chariot that appeared to be in the water and pulled by two carp.
"That's not right…" The young shinobi muttered confused. "The Chariot card is usually a male being pulled by two sphinxes."
"Yeah, the devil is usually a goat." Meisa piped up.
"I think it's actually called a Baphomet," Maikeru told her.
"Well, it's the Horned Goat of Mendes, so she's technically right." Arrekasu opposed.
"Shut up," his brother rolled his eyes. "Why do we have a card that says 'Lovers' but has two twin boys?"
"It appears all our tarot cards have been altered," Sasuke stated with a frown.
"But why?" Sintary asked.
"Never mind that, how does this relate to finding my husband?" Kiba questioned, growing irritated. He then blinked. "Wait, there's still a card up there."
Kazuki looked at it, perplexed. "I grabbed everyone though." He counted everyone again. "Everyone's here. She said there were eight others, and there were nine cards."
"We only got one," Arrekasu replied, pointing to the card that floated between the twins.
"That one has to be my own then. The shadows probably messed up." Maikeru said, going up to reach the card.
His hand was slapped by a black whip when he got too close.
"Ow!" He yelped, holding his struck hand.
"The shadows do not make mistakes, boy," Persephone spoke once more. "The card is for the one you seek."
"How do we find them?" Sintary shouted out.
The blackened eyes fell on her, seeing all without actually seeing. "The witch has made contact. You may use the energy within her to find the Fool."
"Listen here you slithering absence of light! My husband is not a fool!" Kiba snarled, ready to pounce.
Itachi raised a hand in front to stop him. "It's not an adjective to describe Kokuro, Kiba," he went on to explain.
"Well… it could be." Sintary coughed and looked away.
Black orbs glanced down at his wife briefly. "At least in this context it doesn't. It refers to the tarot card, the Fool, which alludes to Kokuro's journey in life."
"Yeah, and when did you become an expert in tarot cards?!" Kiba shouted, still worked up.
Itachi's gaze fell to his son. "Over some fatherly bonding."
Kazuki gave him a small, crooked grin. It was a small, prideful moment in all the darkness.
"He's right though." Persephone's normal voice suddenly slipped through.
"You're back," Kazuki breathed as he fell to his knees, giving her a hug that made his parents look at each other with knowing glances.
"It's almost dawn. The shadows had to return," she told him, gently caressing his face before turning determined eyes to the group. "But they left me their wisdom. I can't read all your cards because time is of the essence, but they're all the same. Each card relates to you and your battle in the upcoming war."
"So then there is going to be a war…" Sintary whispered, resigned.
"Why are the cards different from previous illustrations?" Sasuke asked from the back.
The prophetess looked at him levelly. "I don't know. The shadows only allow me to see so much. More information will come into play with each step forward. Each of you has a place in this battle, and therefore, your fates intertwine. Your decision affects others."
"So you're coming with us to a ninja battle?" Sasuke questioned.
Persephone shook her head. "I am to stay behind with the young ones. I am only a shadow mistress, I work in the background. Something you should understand." She told him.
"How do we communicate with you then?" Itachi picked up where his brother left off.
"The shadows have connected Kazuki and me."
"They did?" Sintary and Kazuki echoed, in slightly different tones.
The dark woman turned to the man by her side. "You were there when I met with Kokuro. You were there for a reason. You saw it for a reason. That connection will follow you to the Otsutsuki planet. I will be in deep meditation, and that is why the young ones must stay with me for protection."
"You said Otsutsuki planet…" Sintary spoke up. "The shadows said we could find Kokuro through you."
Persephone nodded in response. "Yes. But you must prepare. You are all going to need it," she glanced around at each one of them. "Leave your cards with me so I may use them to aid you." She took down Kokuro's card first, before collecting Kazuki's. "Go wake your team, baby. Tell them what's going on and get ready." She instructed tenderly as they stood.
Kazuki nodded, hugging Persephone tightly before leaving. Kiba went next, followed by the twins who pushed and shoved at who got to hand her the card. Sintary gave her card up next followed by Sasuke. Bridin and Meisa climbed off the bed and handed in their cards respectively.
Then there was one.
Itachi hung in the back, having watched everyone hand in their cards first and file out. As the leader of this mission, it was only right he went last to make sure everyone complied. He waited a moment more before walking over to the shadow mistress. He turned in his card to her and started walking away.
"Itachi-"
"Persephone," he spoke with ease as he stopped in the doorway. "What are your intentions for my son?"
Her green eyes stared at his back in confusion. "I," she stuttered, lost for words.
"Let me assure you,"
Persephone gasped, feeling his breath on the side of her cheek. She was frozen - paralyzed in fear because he had just been at the door.
"While you may be a shadow mistress," his low, lethal voice purred. "I am the dark side, and there will be no shadow that you hide in that I won't find you if you hurt him."
The room flashed red and black causing Persephone to flinch. When her eyes opened again, Itachi was standing in the doorway like he had been, the presence behind her missing. She looked over her shoulder, shaking from fright.
"Do I make myself clear, Persephone?" Itachi's calm voice cut through her scare.
The woman in question stared at Itachi's back. His form was so relaxed, so nonchalant. Was this really the same man that just threatened her like…. Like an overprotective father…
"Crystal." She answered, her voice still quivering a tad. But understanding was starting to overcome her.
Persephone watched Itachi leave the doorway to prep. She glanced down at the card fate had dealt him. Her face twitched, unable to settle on a small smile or a mournful grimace.
They were so ordinary… this family she had unknowingly stepped into. They loved each other deeply and would do anything to protect their own - even die.
Only… that part was literal.
They were shinobi.
They would fight, kill, and die for each other without question.
Persephone took a deep breath and looked out the window towards the full moon.
"May the gods have mercy on whoever threatened this family… for hell hath no fury…."
Sintary looked back as she felt Itachi come into the room. She didn't speak, a paralyzing melancholy rooting deep within her. She continued packing, looking around for the scroll she had just used. Sintary sighed, frustrated that she couldn't find it… and everything else. She knew she had to do this; she knew they had to battle again, but she simply didn't have the energy anymore.
A hand rested on her shoulder. In a comforting motion, she turned her face towards it, resting her cheek against the knuckles of his hand. Her hand gently held his fingers in hers.
"I hate these missions." She whispered.
There was a slight pause. "Every shinobi hates these missions."
Sintary sniffled as she blinked back tears. "Shut up," she muttered, "and hand me-"
A scroll with their supplies sealed away was held out in front of her. Misty blue eyes slowly trailed up the item to the person holding the item. Her husband stared down at her. His facial expression was overall neutral, but she could see under his mask. His obsidian eyes were mournful. He didn't want this any more than she did.
Itachi fell to his knees, gently cupping her face with both hands now. One glided up and pushed the ruly pieces of hair out of the way. "You're so beautiful…." he whispered, a thumb sliding over her cheekbone. "If anything were to happen…." Itachi started. He saw her mask crack as she gripped his shirt, mouthing the word 'no.' Itachi supported her chin, making her look at him again. "If anything were to happen, I want your face to be the last I see… and your touch to be the last I feel."
Sintary breathed deeply through her mouth, trying to pull back her emotions. She could do this. It was just another battle. Her lips twitched as she thought of a reply. "Itachi," her voice came out calmer than she anticipated, "calm… calm down." She reached up and stroked his face with the back of her fingers. She smiled at him softly, love through the sadness. "We will be able to do this mission, and we will come back just fine."
Itachi gave a small smile in return. He ran his hand through her soft, black tresses. He always loved her hair. He then trailed down to her beautiful, light blue eyes. They always reminded him of a clear stream even when iced over with deadly intent. Her skin was fair, but he remembered the countless times she had to paint it white for missions. She was trained to be an assassin, just as he was, but in different ways. They both despised it.
But there, before him sat a deadly Konoha kunoichi, a true master of deception and stealth. The sole survivor of the Sacuna clan. And his wife.
Sintary Uchiha.
Itachi wouldn't have it any other way. She was his other half; no other would have completed him such as she. Her strength didn't lie in physical prowess or even in her kekkei genkai. No, those were his. Sintary's rested in her unwavering love and resilience. That is what drew him to her and why he loved her so dearly.
Itachi pushed her closer to him, crashing his lips against her as he clutched the back of her head. His other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him. Sintary returned his fervor, burying her fingers in his own locks. They couldn't get enough of each other after all these years, yet Sintary pulled away.
Her breath fell on his swollen lips in short pants. "It'll be dawn soon…" she whispered. "We have to get ready to save Kokuro."
"Then we have until dawn," Itachi replied in a low murmur.
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