Naruto: A Red Eye Hidden by Shadow

by Tatanka4Life

On the fateful night of the Uchiha Massacre, a girl of Uchiha and Nara blood is spared and left with no memories of her past. Now she must walk on the path left by her family to help her build a new future for herself. Her path will be hard, full of struggles and pain, but as long as she has her friends and family at her side she will keep forging ahead, even if it was a drag.

54. Chapter 53: Tears of Pain, Tears of Love

Chapter 53

Tears of Pain, Tears of Love: Cousins Reunited

Mimi struggled to catch her breath, sharp exhales followed by shorter inhales as she plodded forward off the surface of the river towards the shore. Her steps were unsteady, almost tripping as the muscles beneath her flesh trembled, her limbs feeling as fragile as the glass of a lightbulb, but bones heavy as concrete.

Her appearance wasn't any better. Honestly, she looked like a dog in the middle of a bath after a long run. Her waterlogged outfit dripped a light rain, creating tiny little ripples in the river beneath her feet to cascade outwards. Smaller droplets slid down her arms and legs, tickling the nerve endings they touched on their paths off her fingertips or to her sandals.

Her untamed mane—damp originally by sweat but now drenched and straightened by river water—stuck to her face, the back of her neck and clothing.

Ow. Ow. Ow. Every step was accompanied by the same thought and complimented by the permanent grimace on her face. Talk about an internal body massacre.

Guy met her on the shoreline, joined by Tenten and Neji. The latter two were hunched over, bracing themselves on their knees as they too sucked in precious oxygen, eyes weary and wincing often enough to reveal their pain.

Their teacher, however, grinned so widely Mimi had to squint to avoid the sun glare reflecting off his pearly whites.

"Nice work, Mimi! I worked up a fantastic youthful sweat!" he congratulated, hands on hips and posture straight. He looked ready to take on an army of other shinobi for a morning warm-up before a real battle.

You really are a beast, Guy-sensei.

Mimi grinned weakly. "Glad…I could help."

She collapsed a second later. The solid ground greeted her butt without remorse to her tired and sore body. Couldn't it be a little gentler? Guy literally just put them all through the ringer. Surely even the ground felt his hot-blooded fury and could show a little remorse to the medic-nin.

Mimi tried to lean back onto her hands but stopped halfway. The gravity of Earth must have grown stronger since she last sat down, because she was pretty sure that little movement backwards shouldn't have nearly sent her drilling into the core of the Earth.

I think I'm more exhausted than I thought, she thought with a tired chuckle, slouching forward as she tried to right her breathing. No way could her arms support all of her weight. The slightest pressure and her limbs would collapse faster than a house held together by rotten, termite infested wood.

Breathing in deep from her diaphragm, the Inuzuka exhaled sharply, then inhaled too fast from her chest to receive adequate oxygen. Her heartbeat drummed along rapidly in her ears, vibrating her brain with its army march on every rapid pump of blood.

Few intelligent thoughts crossed her mind as she fought to breathe. A couple curses floated around. Well, more than a couple, and a lot more colorful than a child's art project. Some even made her laugh.

Where did that one even come from? Her Aunt Tsume would love it, and crack her in the back of the head for cursing in the house.

Chuckles—because cackles were impossible without more oxygen—interrupted her pattern of inhale and exhale. It felt good though. Made her curse again, but not without grinning.

"Never…never again," Tenten panted.

The sound of her defeated voice broke her focused pattern of breathing with another chuckle. Mimi didn't curse this time. She glanced up from her hunched seated position to her teammates, whose outfits were soaked and as disheveled as they looked. Between the two, though, Neji had the worst of it.

That's what you get for underestimating me.

An unlimited source of water plus her Water ninjutsu equaled a whole bunch of fun for Mimi Inuzuka. A real party!

Although Neji had started to lighten up a little since fighting the Goofball, she still had a few bones to pick with him. Forgiveness wasn't any Inuzukas strongest quality.

So, had she used Guy's insane training to even the score?

Oh hell yes.

The training had been a free-for-all spar. No teams, unless alliances were made in battle. Aoko offered the idea of aligning with Tenten; the three of them would make a good team and make it tougher for Neji and Guy to win. The selfish part of Mimi wanted to. She wanted to team up with her friend and kick ass together. But she hadn't forgotten the promise she made in the hospital.

"You're not giving up. I'll train with you by using long distance ninjutsu until you can beat me without a handicap. And I'm going to fix Lee too. I'm the kunoichi who's gonna surpass Lady Tsunade's Medical Ninjutsu prowess after all. So don't you quit on me. We're gonna get stronger and we're gonna get Lee back on his feet in no time. Trust me."

That hadn't been an empty promise. Not then, and not now. She would help Tenten become stronger, and she would fix Lee and surpass Lady Tsunade. But she couldn't fulfill her promise by taking it easy on her friend or buddying up in this training session.

Fighting by her side would be fun. Entertaining.

Helping her regain her confidence so she could become the legendary master of ninja tools she knew her friend could become would fulfill her soul. Tenten's happiness and joy would be her light, just as Lee's would be.

Throughout the battle she used long-range ninjutsu and close-range combat against the trio, tag-teaming with her faithful ninken to make her two teammates fight their hardest and at their best.

Guy, however, again proved why he held the title of sensei and they were students. If a winner had to be picked from this contest, he'd win unanimously.

Aoko rested in her hood, feeling and looking just as wiped out as the rest of Team Guy, panting heavily.

She earned a good rest.

When I get back home, it'll be back to researching how to fix Lee's injury, she thought, thoughts and heartbeat finally regaining a sense of calm. I promise I'll figure it out, Lee. You won't have to give up on your dream.

"I'm gonna make this right. I swear."

Another promise she vowed to keep.

Mimi turned her mind from her thoughts back to her fellow kunoichi. "What's wrong Tenten? I thought we were having fun," the Inuzuka teased.

"I…hate you…so much…right now."

Mimi grinned. "Ouch. That hurts my feelings." She stretched out her back, straightening her posture before forcing herself to stand up again.

The world spun a little, or more than it should, but she kept her head and mischief gleaming in her blue eyes and in her teasing grin. "I think I may have one Water Dragon left in me. Ready to run?" she asked.

Her brown eyed teammate found the energy to glare. "Don't. You. Dare!"

Angry Tenten was nothing short of adorable.

"I think…this training…was a bit much…Sensei," Neji tried to argue through labored breaths for his fellow kunoichi.

"Nonsense! Mimi gave us a perfect session of pure hot-blooded training! I know we all appreciate your work, Mimi!" He patted her shoulder, the slightest force causing her exhausted body to crumple again.

Guy didn't even appear to notice her collapse, determined eyes set on the horizon and sun gleaming off his teeth. "Now, for managing to land one blow on me I will run three hundred laps around the village, as promised!"

He seemed to grin wider at the thought of the challenge.

Mimi wanted to groan in unison with her teammates, but instead she chuckled. Still not enough air in her lungs to laugh.

I can't believe I managed to get him with that dragon.

During the battle, the Inuzuka had been dodging as fast as she could to avoid his focused taijutsu attacks. Her last desperate attempt to secure victory consisted of jumping up onto one of her Water Dragon's heads, hoping to create some distance and catch her breath while setting a trap.

Guy didn't give her much time to breathe. He chased after her, sprinting up the body with a big, triumphant grin splitting his lips as his arms pumped almost comically with every stride. He knew he had her on the ropes.

Right as he jumped up to Dynamic Entry her into the land of dreams, she sprang her last ditch effort trap. To his credit, he did sense it, but only at the last moment. She imprinted the amusing, horrified wide eyed and jaw dropped expression on his face as another Water Dragon charged from his side to collide into his body.

Mimi foolishly sighed of relief; a relief that soon ended when Guy launched back out of the river to land behind her on the dragon head.

It hadn't ended well for her, but at least she landed that blow.

She could be proud of that.

"Guy!"

All of Team Guy turned their tired attention to the sky. Mimi's ears twitched, recognizing the voice under exertion before her eyes locked onto Atsuko.

The Head of the Crows rolled in the air, launching a Wind Style ninjutsu that blasted several other crows chasing her into oblivion.

"Atsuko? What's Amari's crow doing here?" Aoko questioned. "Why is she attacking crows?"

"Crows fighting crows? That doesn't make any sense," Tenten said.

"This doesn't bode well," Neji muttered.

Atsuko rolled again into a nosedive, landing on the grassy training field and hopping to a stop. Her feathered body noticeably puffed up and shrunk with every deep breath. "What a cruel fate this is, fighting former comrades," she said to herself.

"Atsuko, what's going on?" Mimi asked. "Why are you fighting fellow crows?" Her heartbeat is off the charts, she noted quietly.

Guy's bushy eyebrows lowered in a stern expression. "What's the situation, Atsuko? What's happened?"

"Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma are currently in battle with three S-Rank criminals." Atsuko took a breath, calming her rapid breathing. "One of which is Itachi Uchiha."

Her sensei's features intensified. "Itachi, huh. There's a name I will never forget."

Mimi couldn't blame him. The name alone awoke her body from its state of exhaustion.

Adrenaline, the human body's natural reaction when fight-or-flight became an imminent reality. Medically speaking, it dilated the air-passageways so more oxygen could reach the muscles—that way the person could fight or flee—and redirected blood flow to the major organs.

A name did that to her.

Itachi Uchiha? He's back?

Mimi remembered the morning after the Uchiha Massacre. She remembered hearing her Aunt Tsume talk about Itachi killing men, women and children in the dead of night without mercy.

Hana had been heartbroken; friends of her had died in the massacre, and the one responsible for it had been a friend as well. A person she grew up with. It left her a mixed bag of confusion, hurt and anger.

That man was in the Leaf now. He stood within their walls against Kurenai, Asuma and Kakashi while in the company of two other S-Rank criminals.

How he got in wasn't even a question on the Inuzuka's mind. For someone of his skill, infiltration into their recovering village would be a cake walk. A light stroll without a single blade ever being drawn. The title S-Rank criminal wasn't for nothing. Only the deadliest shinobi could earn it.

But that left one very important question in the Inuzuka's mind. It kept the adrenaline pumping in her veins as she stared at the crow. Atsuko was here, alone, and Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma were fighting against these shinobi, so…

"Where's Amari?" she asked worriedly.

Atsuko sighed. "Young Amari was bringing Osamu to a medic when I last saw her. My agents are being attacked and put into disarray by Itachi's rogue crows, as you saw." The Crow shut her eyes. "But I know that stubborn child too well. Even though I've forbidden her from seeking them out, I fear Young Amari is likely where the battle is."

Mimi's nerves burned hotter with worry, the adrenaline pumping even faster into her body, dulling the aches and waking her from exhaustion. Damn it, Amari. I get why you'd go. I know what he stole from you.

She had seen glimpses of her past life. Her parents. Her cousin. Her happiness, untouched by the massacre, by the orphanage incident and the Land of Waves. She had seen those intimate memories without filter.

But there is no happy ending to that fight. You'll…

Mimi shook her head, trying to rid herself of that frighteningly real possibility.

"Then we don't have a lot of time," Guy said before turning to Mimi. "Take one of your food pills and use your All-Fours Jutsu, Mimi. Kakashi and the others may need your medical expertise."

She gave a nod and immediately fished into her back pouch for her food pills.

Guy turned to the others. "You two rest here. We'll be back in no time." Their sensei gave them a thumbs up and a smile. "That's a promise."

Neji and Tenten didn't argue. They knew this wasn't a battle for Genin, especially in their states. Mimi wouldn't have even been allowed to go if she wasn't a medic-nin, however the possibility her talents would be needed were too high for her teacher to ignore.

Mimi popped two food pills into her mouth, swallowed them and felt a sudden burst of life, greater than her previous fearful adrenaline. She moved onto all-fours. Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry: All-Fours Jutsu! Furious red chakra enveloped her body as the transformation took hold.

"Lead the way, Atsuko," she growled.

"Be careful, Mimi. You too Sensei," Tenten said to them, features distinctly worried.

"Don't act recklessly," Neji said.

"Right," Mimi nodded.

Hang on all of you. Help is on the way.

---

Meanwhile

---

"What is this? Why can't I move my body?" Kisame questioned, his voice full of frustration.

Itachi couldn't move either. Not his legs. Not his fingers. Not even a twitch of his toes was physically possible. From what he observed, none of them—not his allies nor his enemies—had any hope of moving under the influence of this jutsu.

What currently captured them wasn't a Shadow technique of the Nara Clan or even an advanced Paralysis Jutsu. This was fūinjutsu of the highest level, and it could have only been planted on Haya by Miyako Nara.

Haya's mother. The Fourth Hokage's trusted friend and personal guard.

You learned much from the Fourth Hokage and his wife. More than you ever let on.

To suspend them within a separate space and time while the outside world appeared to pause completely, Miyako Nara truly had been a force to be reckoned with. A legendary kunoichi worthy of fear and respect in equal measure.

What other secrets had she kept hidden from him? What other secrets on Haya were hidden beyond his sight? What knowledge did she leave behind for her to inherit in time?

Answers, he supposed, would come in time. When they did, he wondered how they might change the future of the ninja world. The Nara matriarch believed her greatest legacy would change this world for the better, bringing light and hope to a world shrouded in darkness and despair.

And Miyako Nara's self-proclaimed greatest legacy—the one she sacrificed her life for—was, after all, her daughter.

Back on the present, this fūinjutsu went beyond simple space and time manipulation, however. The ethereal being hugging the fūinjutsu covered frame of Haya proved that.

She sealed Shisui's chakra into her before his death.

A long-term plan, he realized, to keep Haya on the right path, even when the darkness consumed her. Quite the intricate plan.

"Stay calm, Kisame," he said. "The person to plant this fūinjutsu on Haya had no way of knowing if those captured within it would be friend or foe. It will not harm us, and the Leaf shinobi cannot move any more than we can."

Miyako would have thought of every possibility. A genius of her skill wouldn't risk the possibility of harming allied shinobi.

"It's likely time oriented," Aimi continued off his statement. "Or it's possibly feeding off the chakra used at the time of sealing. Regardless of how, it will end. It's only a matter of time."

Their voices were schooled and steady against the intense swell of emotion they both felt within their hearts at the sight of their old friend.

Shisui…

So much had changed for him and Aimi since Shisui's death. The two elder Uchiha had grown over the years.

Shisui hadn't.

He looked exactly as Itachi remembered him; unaged and unburdened by the events to take place following his death; full of life, bounding with energy and carrying the presence of the older, protective and wise sibling he spent years admiring.

Conflicting emotions of what Itachi wanted to feel and express and what he must express battled within the Akatsuki member. Aimi, he knew, faced the same struggle.

This wasn't here for them, though. This wasn't a fūinjutsu left behind for the three of them to catch up on old times or speak of the future they fought for—a future he and Aimi still fought for. Shisui wasn't here to save them from the Leaf shinobi or impart warm words of friendship and wisdom on them again.

Shisui was specifically here for Haya. His most precious person. The cousin he had been willing to sacrifice everything for. The girl he entrusted his Will and the future to.

This fūinjutsu had one purpose: Save Haya from the darkness of the Mangekyō.

Itachi was inwardly grateful. The demonic black chakra and the dragon within it lingered around Haya even in this place. Killing intent curled maliciously around them like invisible serpents exploring the heat source they stumbled upon. Only the intensity had faded.

For now she was contained.

The fault fell on him for the incident occurring. While the memories alone would have inevitably awakened the Mangekyō, he did not expect her uncontrolled and overwhelming hatred to keep her awake. He expected to be long gone already. Yet here they were.

"Shisui, you're…you're really here," Haya whimpered almost too quietly for him to hear.

"Of course I am," he replied softly. "I did promise you I'd always be with you, remember?"

Haya's head nodded into his chest, arms refusing to remove their vice grip on him. If only such an action could prevent his inevitable departure.

Shisui raised his eyes and turned his head to look between the other two Uchiha. He smiled the way he used to. "You two have gotten taller since I last saw you. But you shouldn't frown so much, Aimi, otherwise you're going to start looking as broody as Itachi. And honestly," he looked back to Itachi, mirth gleaming in his onyx eyes, "he looks even broodier than before."

"Shisui, you—" Itachi stopped his frustrated retort, choosing instead to glare at his old friend.

Shisui snickered. Behind him he could see Aimi's lips twitch ever so slightly in amusement, and her red eyes glisten with tears.

"By the looks of it, you forcefully triggered her memories of me earlier than I hoped," Shisui noted more seriously, head swiveling and eyes drifting around to take in the entire scene around them. "And it looks like you two have joined an organization of some kind, one with bad intentions if Kisame Hoshigaki of all people is a member of it. Akatsuki, according to Haya's memories."

"So you recognize me, huh?" Kisame grinned. "That's funny, because I can't say I've ever seen you before. I'd kill you for interfering if you weren't already dead."

"Any fight between us would have been over before it even began," Shisui replied evenly.

"Is that so?" Kisame's quick temper got the better of him.

"Yeah. It is." Shisui looked down at Haya. His expression changed from seriousness to warmth again. "I get the feeling he's going to be trouble. Let's go somewhere more private to talk."

---

The surrounding area didn't visibly change, not at first glance or when your eyes were buried in the ghostly visage of your dead family member.

If Haya were to look, she would have seen their original group captured in the fūinjutsu beneath her feet, upside down in a watery reflection, fully frozen in time. She would have seen the other three Leaf shinobi joining them, as well as the other two Uchiha.

But she did not see any of it. Her face remained buried in Shisui's shirt, sobs racking her small body as tears streamed like an endless river down her cheeks in happiness and grief. Her heart hurt with every beat.

"How?" she choked out, fingers curling into his shirt. "How are you here right now?"

Why hadn't he come any time before?

Could he stay forever?

"Remember the letter of mine you read? The one left with your tantō?" She nodded into him. "I was already dying at that time. Your father placed you under a genjutsu to keep you asleep so I could spend some of my final moments with you, and while I wrote those words, your mother created this Seal for us so we could see each other one more time in the future.

"She sealed my chakra into her Seal so, when a specific condition was met, I could be here for you to help you understand what was going to happen. By awakening your memories of me, that specific condition was triggered sooner than we hoped. Still, even though it is sooner, seeing you like this makes me glad they did."

"Seeing me…like this?" Haya questioned.

Shisui's secure arms released her, hands untying her hold on him so he could look her in the eye. "Look at yourself for a moment, Haya. Notice anything different?"

Anything different? Haya furrowed her brow and looked down at her arms. The sight of black chakra made her gasp. "My chakra, it's—"

Evil. Full of malice and hatred. Cold. So terrifyingly cold.

Frightened of herself, she spun her head to look up where the face of the demonic dragon loomed, bloodlust flooding its haunting crimson eyes.

All that remained of her essence was a shattered fortress and decimated forces, overrun by an army led by a hatred filled tyrant.

"I-…I didn't mean-…I-…" She tried to rein it in. It refused to go away. Finally, after all this time, she unleashed the darkness caged inside her. This ugliness she harbored. This vile hatred strangling her fire. It wouldn't give back control so easily. "Wh- why…"

Why couldn't she control it?

Haya lifted her hands up and stared wide eyed at the black flames dancing along her arms.

Was this…was this who she truly was?

Was this the truest manifestation of who Haya Uchiha was in her heart?

"Little one, it's okay," she heard her mother try to reassure.

"No! No it's not!" she cried, shaking her head fervently. "I could have…I might have…"

Hurt you. Injured you. Killed you for simply getting in my way.

She couldn't say it out loud. The darkness she could feel within herself consuming everything in its insatiable hunger…it couldn't even tell friend from foe. It couldn't see her precious people.

She couldn't see her precious people.

"What the hell is happening to me?" Her voice caught in her throat.

"Hey." Shisui's gentle hand rested on her shoulder. Her red eye, full of despair, met his gaze, hoping he could fix her. Fix the broken within by slaying this monster she harbored. "Nothing is happening to you. You're still my little cousin. Here. Let me help."

He removed his hand briefly to poke her forehead fondly. The small action replaced the cold, numb feeling in her chest with warmth. Life.

A green tsunami overtook the black flames, sending the darkness back to the very edges of her cloak, further away from her heart where they continued to flicker like tiny dark embers. The demonic dragon went away quietly, and then the cloak too vanished.

"There we go," Shisui smiled.

Her heart and mind felt clearer. Lighter. Even her vision seemed clearer, as if seeing Shisui for the first time. He looks exactly how I remember him.

Haya bit her lip and felt renewed sobs shaking her body. She dove back into his chest, letting out a strangled cry as her small frame crashed against his still so very solid and real ethereal body.

"You promised!" she cried, slamming her weak and trembling fist into his chest. "Yo- you promised! You promised you'd always come back!" She shook her head and felt the pain in her chest swell. "…and then you…you…died."

"Haya…"

"You, Mama, Papa, I lost all of you! I woke up not even knowing who or where I was! Do you- do you know how afraid I was?" She slammed another weak fist into his chest. "Do you understand what it's like to not know if you- if you-" She clenched her eyes shut. "To not know if you were just dumped like a piece of trash on someone else's doorstep!"

Those words were the hardest to get out. The feeling of being dumped at the orphanage like a piece of trash to be someone else's problem was a deep scar on her heart.

A scar that had never really healed.

"Do you know how many times I stared at the door of the orphanage waiting for whoever it was to come back?"

Too many times. Each time worse than the last.

She felt emotionally exhausted instead of angry as her voice dropped to one of quiet sadness. "I…I wanted someone to come and pick me up. To tell me that I ended up there on accident…" Her fingers curled into his ethereal shirt. "I just wanted to go home."

A home she couldn't go back to. A family she could never have back.

"I'm sorry, Haya," he apologized sincerely. "For all of the pain you've gone through without me. For breaking my promise. For everything. I'm sorry. I know it doesn't make it better, and I don't expect you to forgive me. Heh," he breathed out a sad laugh, "I don't think I can even forgive myself for the pain I've caused you."

"Do you have any idea…" Haya wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "How happy I am to see you right now? I've…I've missed you. So much." The crying girl buried her face into his shoulder. "I love you, Shisui. I love you so much."

His arms wrapped around her, and with those familiar arms securing her in an embrace once more, warmth and love enveloped her being. He was here. He was real.

"I love you too, Haya. Always."

---

Kurenai watched the emotional reunion with a heavy heart and sad eyes. They were all silently bearing witness to true heartbreak. The reality of how much the loss of someone dear could hurt someone. Not just anyone, though. A child. A child who's most precious person promised to always come home.

A promise he had been forced to break.

Her heart yearned to go over to them and wrap her daughter up in a hug. She wanted to help her put the pieces of her shattered heart back together, to reaffirm to her daughter that she was here for her no matter what. She wanted to chastise Amari for being so stubborn and tell her how proud she was of the courage her daughter showed.

Parental instincts demanded her body to move, yet her body refused to budge. This fūinjutsu was sublime. Likely an S-rank jutsu created by Miyako Nara, from what she learned of Amari's parents from Shikaku.

It pained her to be unable to be Amari's pillar of support. Yet Kurenai felt a great sense of comfort in knowing this boy, Shisui Uchiha, could be. Amari's cousin. The one who gifted her the bandana she wore everywhere. The one who sewed those precious and warm words into them that helped keep Amari going all those years without him.

When this fūinjutsu ended, Kurenai would still be here. He wouldn't. He knew that. Amari knew that, even if she didn't want to admit it. It'd be selfish of her to interrupt.

In the intense grief and hatred, Amari's barriers had crumbled and the fire in her heart faded into darkness. Shisui could help her reform those barriers and reignite her fire; and anything he wasn't able to do within the limited time she would gladly help finish.

In me, Team Seven and others she found solace from the pain. She was able to take our love and keep the pain far from her mind. But deep inside of her, hidden out of sight like the scars beneath her mesh sleeve, I always knew there was a young girl curled up in the darkness, crying in pain.

Amari never wanted to show it, never wanted anyone to worry about her because she saw it as a weakness. Because to her, it was that girl who had been too weak to save Ryu and Kasai.

The woman sighed internally. After seeing that black chakra and now seeing her like this, I wonder if there was more I could have done for her. Did I do enough as her mother? Did I fail her?

"You've done more than enough." Kurenai's eyes bulged and snapped to the two friendly Uchiha. Shisui's onyx eyes peered over his shoulder at her. His arms remained protectively around Amari in his effort to soothe her wounded soul. "This wasn't your fault, Kurenai. Or yours, Kakashi." He flicked his eyes momentarily over to the Copy Ninja.

Her eyes followed, seeing the same surprised expression she wore on his face.

Kakashi… Kurenai's heart went out to him. You were seeing this as your failure, weren't you?

Shisui leveled them both with a grateful stare. "You've all done so much for Haya, and I can see in her memories how much she cherishes all of you. Even if I was alive I don't think I could repay you. All I can offer is my gratitude for loving her like your own daughter. You've done a great job with this troublesome and stubborn girl," he added lightly.

"You're stubborn and troublesome," she heard Amari retort quietly.

"Well, I suppose it's hereditary then," he grinned. Amari giggled through her tears, and even Kurenai found it in her to breathe out a laugh. She liked this kid. He had a pure heart, just like his cousin.

Shisui's features turned serious again as he met her eyes specifically. "You've done right by our family." He bowed his head slightly. "Thank you. I know in my heart that our parents would approve of you. I know I do. But please, don't blame yourself for this. You're not responsible for any of it."

Pride and warmth soothed Kurenai's heart. Seeing how much he loved his cousin and how far Miyako had been willing to go for them to reunite in the future, the Uchiha's gratitude and approval meant a lot to her.

Shisui closed his eyes and began rubbing his hand gently in a circle pattern on Amari's back. "This is my fault. All of it. I'm the one who left this heavy burden for her to carry. I…I never wanted you to carry it alone, Haya. But it was the only way to keep you safe."

He cracked his eyes open a little and stared into the watery reflection below them, where mirror images of the current occupants stood frozen in time.

"I wish there had been another way. I never wanted to break my promise, please believe that. Things spiraled out of my control."

What had spiraled out of control? It was the question Kurenai wanted to ask. The curiosity of the question grew with the sudden flick of Aimi's eyes away from her.

Was that pain? Anger? Guilt?

"The genjutsu I created was meant as a last resort. I hoped your parents would survive; they would raise you and your memories of me would remain hidden until you were older and stronger. I guess things got worse after I died.

"I assume your memories were blocked so you could have a peaceful childhood. This situation was the worst possible conclusion, and if it were to happen, we wanted you to one day meet people like Kurenai and your team. People who would love, cherish and care for you just like we did."

"I found them," she whispered.

Shisui smiled. "I can see that. I'm proud of you, you know." She saw Amari's hands grip tightly into the back of his shirt. "You've endured so much. But you keep using it to get stronger instead of falling into despair. That's your truest spirit, little cousin."

"It's hereditary," she replied quietly.

"Heh, true," he agreed. For half a minute he held her in silence. Finally he broke the silence with a sigh. "If I had more time, I'd spend every second of it holding you, Haya. But we have a lot to talk about and not a lot of time to do it."

"Okay," her daughter replied quietly but didn't let go of him.

"Going to have to let me go for a little while, little cousin," Shisui chuckled fondly. "Don't worry. I'll give you a really big hug before I go."

---

Haya reluctantly let go of her cousin, her lips curling down in a sad frown. "I…I wish you didn't have to go."

Near on six years had passed since the last time she hugged him. Since she had known his name, his face, his love. But as she always feared, regaining her past connection meant severing it simultaneously, and replacing their love would be a greater burden of grief for her already wounded heart to carry.

The genjutsu hiding her memories sheltered her from the grief and pain of losing her precious family. It protected her. Reawakening those memories tore down her shelter, brick by brick.

Haya wiped the tears away and sniffled. "But I'll endure. I have to."

There was no other choice. She couldn't change the past. She couldn't pull Shisui from the afterlife to be at her side from this day forward, no matter how much she wanted to.

She could only keep moving forward. Keep fighting. Keep walking the path ahead of her.

"I'm sorry for venting all of that at you," she apologized, rubbing her mesh sleeve over her runny nose. "I have so many emotions running through me right now. I never thought I'd see you or hug you or know you again. And my mind is jumbled by all these new memories of us. Of the life I lost. It's like someone took a hundred different picture puzzles, dumped them into one giant pile and asked me to put it all back together in an hour."

"A hundred different puzzles in an hour? With the Shadow Clone Jutsu and your work ethic, you'd have it done in thirty minutes," Shisui replied lightly.

She giggled and nodded slightly. "Probably true."

Two fingers prodded her forehead, drawing her attention to her smiling cousin. "Don't be too hard on yourself. I know this isn't easy for you. You are allowed to be angry with me, you know. I left you a heavy burden."

The Uchiha girl shook her head. "I'm not angry with you or my parents." She sniffled again. "In the beginning, at the orphanage, I did harbor some bitterness. But I was bitter because I didn't know anything about myself, about my past, about anything at all. Not knowing made me afraid. Who was I? Why was I here? Who were these people? Was I safe? What about my family?

"Ryu and Kasai laid strong stones of foundation for me. First with a name, then with a home and finally the stability of a family. I…I always knew, though." She held her cousin's gaze. "Even if you weren't there with me physically, I knew I had a family who loved me. I knew it because of the words you sewed into my bandana."

She grabbed her bandana and pulled it up to reveal her left eye. Then she met Shisui's eyes again with a heartfelt smile on her fūinjutsu marked face. "The burden may be heavy, but I'm not carrying it alone. As long as I have my bandana and your tantō we'll always be fighting side by side through the challenges ahead."

Pride irradiated from Shisui's grin. Then she noticed a change. A dangerous change that promised embarrassment for her.

I'm going to end up red as a tomato, she realized in horror.

Deep down, Haya didn't care. She missed him and his troublesome teasing.

"You're growing up too fast. Which does pose a big problem: Boys," he said, wagging his finger and grinning like an evil villain. For good reason, too. Her cheeks were aflame already.

Were they really about to have that conversation here? Now?! Haya felt ready to combust, and he hadn't even really started yet.

"Or girls," Shisui added with mischief.

An addition that left her a smoking heap of embarrassment.

"As you start getting older—"

"Please stop."

"You may start to notice others noticing you."

"Shisui…" she begged. Why did he have to make this super embarrassing?

"And you may start noticing others, which is perfectly natural as you get older. But I must warn you, my little cousin, beware!" he continued dramatically, wrapping an arm around the back of her neck and pulling her in close to his side.

He was enjoying her flustered state way too much.

"Heartbreakers are everywhere!" Shisui made a wide encompassing motion with his free hand. "They snatch up pure hearts like yours and crush them without mercy; to them it's a little game, but heartbreak is no game, my little cousin. You must defend your heart from these cruel heartbreakers at all costs!"

"Shisui!" Haya whined.

"And when you finally find that special person to be in a relationship with, I want you to remember this piece of wisdom your mother gave me."

He let silence settle for a moment. In that silence her terror increased.

Her mother gave him this advice? The person everyone she spoke to said had a unique sense of humor?

"If and when things begin to progress towards intimacy—"

Oh no.

"Make sure protection is used and that both of you are one hundred percent sure you want to share in such an intimate act."

Her head may have exploded.

"Consent is very important," he continued sagely. "And it can change as you two are progressing towards romantic intimacy. As your wise mother once told me, 'The word no means no regardless of how heated the moment is.'"

Somewhere in the afterlife, her mother was crying from hysterical laughter at the paralytic embarrassment her thirteen year old daughter experienced. Not even the Tsukuyomi could deal this level of devastating damage.

Could this conversation never happen again?

"So, if you have to use a genjutsu on a boy or girl to teach them how to treat you properly, you have my blessing," Shisui finished. "And if Kurenai learns you've been breaking hearts and taking advantage of people, she has my blessing to have you placed on a years' worth of D-rank missions, after strapping you in a genjutsu."

"I- I would never!" she argued in embarrassment, cheeks burning. "I- I wouldn't hurt people or take advantage of their feelings! Or- or-" Oh kami, these next words were even harder to say than she thought. She lowered her voice to a whisper, as if that could lessen her awkwardness. "Or…take advantage of their intimacy. People's hearts are sacred, and intimacy is…"

Totally out of her realm of skills right now. Totally awkward to talk about. Especially since she did feel…stirrings of adolescence occasionally.

"Speaking of sacred hearts and intimacy…"

Haya's eyes widened in horror. Was there no end to this conversation?!

"Any crushes? Any individuals you might consider capable of handling your pure heart? Or someone you might want to have fun with? That's okay too, you know? It's okay to have a little fun."

Oh kami. This was it. She was going to die today via Shisui's teasing. What a way to die. What a tragedy! She wouldn't even get to experience said fun or true love!

Shisui took on the expression of adorable puppy dog eyes. "You'd tell your favorite cousin if you were in love already, right?" He leaned in close to conspire. "I can't tell from your memories. You have such sweet and affectionate thoughts for people. Come on! Tell me!" he pestered excitedly.

"Your secret will be safe with me! Is it someone on your team? Oho, or is it the Suna girl, or that Mist boy, or what about Lord Hiashi's daughter! Maybe even one of your peers from Might Guy's team or our cousin's team? Huh? Spill it!"

No, her head hadn't exploded before. Now it exploded.

"Shisui! You- I- This is- Troublesome boy! I'm not…"

Attracted to anyone in that list? A lie. Carrying affectionate feelings for some of those people? Another lie.

Damn this fūinjutsu! Or the genjutsu! Whichever one gave him access to her memories and all the sweet and affectionate thoughts she kept safe in her mind!

Speaking wouldn't end well for her. Silence wouldn't either. This conversation was firmly gripped in his troublesome hands, his quick wit able to read and react to her verbal reactions as keenly as the Sharingan.

Haya could only resort to one dirty tactic: Poking him in the side with her finger.

"Troublesome boy! Take this!"

"Ah! Hey! Haya!" Shisui flinched away and laughed.

"Concede to defeat, you troublesome boy! I'll poke you until you do!"

Shisui quickly snatched her hands, pulling them together to clutch them with one hand while she struggled to break free. Tugging, pulling, squirming, her counters were remarkably ineffective.

"It'll be hard for you to poke me if I hold you here," he quipped.

"I refuse to lose!"

She wiggled around more, cheeks puffed out in a pout. He raised his free hand and prodded her forehead with two fingers, snickering as he released her hands. "You're too adorable for your own good."

Haya lifted up a dangerous finger, matched with narrowed eyes and pursed lips. Her cousin raised both hands in amused surrender. "All right, all right, I'll stop. I just didn't want you getting all broody like…" he trailed off and looked conspicuously over his shoulder at Itachi. He leaned in closer to her. "Someone we know," he whispered.

The tight frown to pull onto Itachi's face proved he heard him.

"See! Don't get broody, Haya. You don't want your face to get stuck like that."

She couldn't stop the light giggle to bubble out of her or the smile on her face. Kami, she missed him.

Her giggle coaxed Shisui to pump his fist into the air with a victorious cheer. "Woo! Yes! I got you to laugh. Another victory for the great Shisui Uchiha!"

Haya lifted her hand up and jabbed his forehead with her pointer and middle finger. "You are such a troublesome boy, cousin." But I missed you so much.

"Still your favorite cousin though," he replied with a cheerful grin.

Haya cocked an eyebrow up, a teasing smirk gracing her lips. "Maybe Shika took your title."

"Huh?!" Shisui gasped dramatically, clutching his hands over his heart. "Haya, you wound me!"

"Hehe!" she giggled. "That's what you get for teasing, troublesome boy."

"An Uchiha beaten by a Nara, I don't think my pride will ever recover from this critical defeat!"

She snorted at his dramatics, which quickly devolved into a fit of giggles, and soon they were both fully ensnared by the clutches of laughter. Haya savored every joyful second of it, failing to see the smallest of smiles forming on Itachi's and Aimi's faces at their interaction.

After they regained control of their laughter, Shisui sat down in front of her cross-legged, lips turning down in a dejected frown. "I don't want to ruin the mood, but it's time we talk about my purpose here." He sighed deeply. "I just didn't want all of our time together to be heavy talks about darkness and hatred."

Neither did Haya. She wanted to forget the ache in her heart. She wanted to forget this was a temporary reunion, where the end meant he wouldn't be around to console her, make her feel embarrassed or laugh ever again. She wanted Shisui back, permanently.

But this was her reality, and duty called. Her mother set this up for her safety. She sent Haya's shining knight in one last time to rescue her from the monsters. In that limited time he had to pass the wisdom to keep her on the right path.

For giving her even a temporary reunion, Haya could only be grateful to her mother and Shisui.

Haya sat cross-legged in front of her cousin then said, "You said nothing is happening to me, but I get the feeling that was only a half-truth. I heard Kisame. He said my chakra was mirror image of Zabuza Momochi. I've seen his Demon chakra, I felt it. And I know I have darkness within me."

She brought her hand to her heart and clutched the fabric of her purple tank top. "It's in my heart. I can feel it even now. The darkness consumed even my chakra, changing its color and its essence completely. Whatever happened triggered Mama's Seal and you. Do you know why?"

Her cousin nodded. "Yes. You're right, it was a half-truth. I'm sorry for that, but I didn't lie when I said you're still you. You're still my little cousin, pure as star light."

Haya blushed. "Troublesome boy."

Shisui smiled briefly before frowning again. He lifted his ethereal hand up and looked at his palm. "As I said before, though, there's a lot to talk about and not much time to do it. I can feel myself fading away, little by little."

Haya's mood and eyes fell at his words. Grateful as she was for this temporary reunion, it didn't replace the yearning in her heart for him to stay forever. It wouldn't ever go away, she knew. Time might make it easier, but her wish for him to be alive wouldn't ever pass.

Why? Why did things have to be this way?

A hand moved under her chin, lightly lifting her head to level her sorrowful eyes with Shisui's gentle and kind onyx eyes. "Everything will be okay, I promise."

She nodded. "Okay."

Her cousin lowered his hand back into his lap, features turning serious once more. "Before today you've only felt the tug in your heart between the dormant hatred and your Will of Fire. Today you learned how it feels when you lose all control.

"It's blinding, isn't it? It devours the joy and love and warm colors of life around you, and then all you see is the single-minded goal you set yourself on. Damn whatever the consequences are. Doesn't matter who gets hurt or sacrificed along the way.

"And deep down, deep in a part of yourself you didn't even know you had, it feels good to let it loose. It almost feels like righteous retribution for all the past pain you've experienced."

"Ye- yes!" she nodded. He described it perfectly; the tugging of wills, the devouring darkness, the good feeling of letting loose in rage, she felt all of it. "What is it? Why won't it just go away?" she asked desperately.

"That feeling is the Curse of Hatred," he explained.

"Curse…of Hatred?"

"Right," Shisui nodded. "If the Will of Fire is a physical fire, the Curse of Hatred is the darkness cast by its shadow. It's the opposing ideal to the Will of Fire. Selflessness, friendship, love, peace, self-sacrifice, these are the beliefs of Will of Fire.

"Selfishness, isolationism, sacrificing the many for the few, misplaced arrogance and superiority, hatred, this is what the Curse of Hatred encourages. They are polar opposites in every way.

"We of the Uchiha Clan are so susceptible to it because of how strong we feel our love and affection for others. When we love someone, we love with unmatched fierceness. It's one of the Uchiha's greatest qualities, yet it can be our greatest drawback too."

"Because if someone steals what we love from us, our intense love becomes intense hatred instantaneously," Haya concluded. "That's what happened to me. And when love becomes hatred, only darkness remains. Only the need to destroy the people who stole what we love, as well as anything that steps between us and our goal."

"Exactly."

"So…does that mean I'll be stuck with it forever?"

Shisui's shoulder shook with a light laugh, head shaking. "Far from it. The Curse of Hatred is an ideal, and like any ideal you can choose to follow it or to follow a different path. As long as you keep the principles of the Will of Fire close to your heart, even in the darkest moments you'll stay true to yourself."

She hoped to prove him right.

"Kasai," Haya muttered quietly. "He sparked this hatred within me when he killed Ryu. He helped create this…ugliness in my heart."

"You're right," Shisui agreed. "He's the root of it all. He's the reason you have this scar on your face." His hand cupped her cheek, thumb running up the scar she couldn't escape. "And like this scar, that hatred has been with you since he killed Ryu. Kurenai is the reason you didn't embrace it after you lost him."

"I know," she admitted quietly.

"You have to resolve this conflict within yourself, Haya," Shisui spoke in softer tones. "You've pushed yourself hard to become stronger. You've lived solely for others, to see their dreams come true without ever trying to live your own. You know what that path leads you to."

She squeezed her eyes shut and nodded silently. She did know. She saw in Haku what living only for Zabuza turned him into, and she saw in Hikari what it meant to have nothing left except a desperate need to regain her only bond.

"I'm partially to blame. I've left you a heavy burden and a path you didn't ask for. But I don't want you to live without dreams. I want you to live, Haya. I want you to chase your dream, not a dream or goal given to you by someone else. I want you to live a long and happy life.

"This path I left behind, the path Ryu left you, its final destination isn't your death. Never think that way again." He placed his pointer finger between her eyes. "Use these eyes of yours to see a better future. Chase your dream. Live. That's what your parents and I wanted most."

Haya swallowed the heavy and obtuse emotions down. "I…I'm trying. Uncle Shikaku says I inherited Mama's work ethic."

"You mean being a troublesome workaholic?" he asked with a grin.

She breathed out a laugh. "Yeah."

"It's okay to work hard. But even Mama Nara chased a dream despite how much she worked. You're proof of that."

Haya's entire body shuddered as if punched square in the sternum. Teeth grit, she shut her eyes against the sting of warm tears. "Damn it, you troublesome boy," she whimpered, tears cascading down her cheeks.

Her emotions were running high anyways, but those sincere words struck her heart hard.

His thumb brushed away the tears. "I'm not saying abandon your comrades and embrace selfishness. Your heart is in the right place, and with the threats ahead of you you'll need to train hard. Still, even I was a little selfish. I used to sneak out after you fell asleep to spend time with my girlfriend."

"You had a girlfriend?" Haya's eyes went wide in awe. "Is she…is she still alive? Did you love her?"

"She should be alive. She was a civilian from outside of the Clan. As for love, it was too soon in our relationship to call it that. Could it have been if we had more time? I think so."

His eyes drifted away as a different kind of fond smile formed on his lips. Nothing like their sibling-like fondness. Instead it looked a lot like how her mom and Asuma smiled at each other. "She was a rare gem. Kind. Vibrant. Her eyes sparkled with life, always marveling at the world around us. I hope she hasn't lost that."

If Shisui found time to have a girlfriend, then maybe I…

Shisui returned his attention to her. "Life as a shinobi moves fast. Make the time to enjoy yourself as you walk your path, Haya. And if things ever feel like they're getting too dark, look to the people you care for most. They will always be with you to pull you back towards the light." Shisui winked and smiled. "Me included."

His wise words provided perspective she needed, as well as an answer to the fate of their Clan.

"Our Clan embraced the Curse of Hatred, didn't they?"

Shisui's eyes slid shut, a smirk gracing his lips as he snorted. "I should have known you'd pick up on that."

The smirk faded for a frown. He sat silently for at least half a minute before he spoke again. "The Uchiha Clan lost their way. I had a plan to stop it, but there were two shadows moving in the darkness I didn't see until it was too late."

"You mean them?" she gestured to Itachi and Aimi.

To her surprise, Shisui shook his head. "No. Itachi and Aimi were true friends, even when I was dying."

Again he sat silently. Longer this time. He crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. His lips creased in a deep frown as he seemed to gauge how much information he should divulge.

"Orochimaru isn't yours or the Leaf's worst threat," he finally spoke. "Before I died, I was approached by a man in a mask who claimed to be Madara Uchiha."

Haya furrowed her brow. "One of the Leaf founders, but…shouldn't he be dead already?"

"By natural age alone he should be a frail old man or dead. By history he should be dead after his final battle against the First Hokage." Shisui shook his head. "This man wasn't frail or dead. I have my doubts about his true identity, as did your father. However, his power and his knowledge was enough to make me believe he could really be Madara.

"He tried to coax me onto his side, twisting his words to sound righteous as he talked about destroying the Uchiha Clan and the Leaf. I let him talk to gather Intel, but I could see through his lies, half-truths and manipulations. He just wanted the power of my Mangekyō Sharingan for himself. When I refused to let him destroy our home and our Clan, he tried to take my eyes by force."

Shisui scratched at his neck. "It was one of the toughest fights of my life. He wielded the Mangekyō Sharingan with such mastery; it made him intangible at times while also giving him the ability to teleport into a different space-time. I've never seen anything like it."

Haya didn't like this masked Madara person at all. Apparently he was of the Uchiha Clan and yet wanted to destroy it? He even attacked her cousin to steal his eyes.

"So, if Aimi and Itachi weren't the ones to take your eyes, was it this masked man then?" she asked.

And why did they kill her parents if they were loyal friends even when Shisui was dying?

What changed?

Shisui shook his head. "No. I was able to dissect his techniques quick enough to turn them against him. With his power and his goal, I had no choice but to kill him when I had the opportunity. Yet he cheated death with a forbidden Uchiha jutsu, and because of that I was forced to manifest my Susanoo to draw attention to our battle. Your father and mother were there within seconds.

"Rather than fight all three of us, he chose to retreat with his space-time jutsu, vowing to one day return to destroy the Uchiha Clan and the Leaf."

"Do you think he helped kill the Uchiha and my parents?" she asked in shock.

"Yeah. I do. Make sure you ask Atsuko about his techniques, that way you can be prepared if he ever tries to approach you." His stare became severe. "And don't listen to his honeyed words. He'll tell you everything you want to hear, and it may even sound tempting when he does, but it's all lies. Nothing he offers will bring peace to this world."

Haya nodded. "I won't listen to him. But what about the other shadow?"

Shisui looked away from her to Kakashi. "Beware of the Foundation."

He said nothing more. The kunoichi furrowed her brow. Beware of the Foundation? What did that even mean? What was this Foundation? Another organization like the Akatsuki, perhaps?

She may have been ignorant, but her sensei wasn't. Kakashi's eyes widened a fragment in a sudden realization, but then they hardened dangerously. "I should have known," he muttered under his breath. "I was there that night, and I never even suspected that he…"

"That he what? What night? What are you two even talking about? What's this Foundation thing?" Haya interrogated.

Were they the ones responsible for Shisui's death?

"You couldn't have known," Shisui assured Kakashi. "They may not know of her heritage yet, but the more Haya excels, the more attention she draws to herself. She'll follow in her parents' footsteps and become one of the Leaf's greatest shinobi, I truly believe that, but this group and their leader won't be above killing her to steal her power."

Suddenly incensed, Haya narrowed her eyes. "This is the bastard who stole your eyes, isn't it?"

Shisui nodded. "The Foundation's leader has a skewed view of peace. He believes in peace through force, and he'd sacrifice countless lives to reach his ends." His eyes sharpened at the thought of the man. "Maintaining peace through force isn't real peace. It's imprisonment. He doesn't see that though. An old war monger like him will never see it."

He refocused on the blue-haired kunoichi, who felt the urge to find and kill this man. "The eye he stole from me wields a power greater than the Tsukuyomi. It is called Kotoamatsukami."

"It's stronger than the Tsukuyomi? How? The Tsukuyomi allowed Itachi to torture Kakashi-sensei for two days within a second. A blink."

"And yet this power is greater," he replied. "Kotoamatsukami is a mind-controlling genjutsu, so subtle you don't even realize you're under its influence. Eye contact isn't a requirement either; as long as you were within my field of view, I could cast it on you, giving you false experiences while you fully believed you were acting on your will."

"That's…really scary," Haya admitted. And some war monger controlled this power? Scary might have been an understatement. "Can a Sharingan, a Byakugan or a strong enough Sensory Type notice it?"

Could they counter it? Could they stop this man?

"Fortunately, yes." Shisui turned his attention to Kakashi again. "All of you need to be careful and alert. Atsuko is monitoring his movements at all times, waiting for him to try to make another move. I'd like to ask you to tell our Uncle Shikaku to monitor his movements as well—covertly.

"Acting now, especially with the Leaf in its current shape, won't do anyone any good. In time, though, what you need to deal with him will become available. Don't rush. Be patient and create the illusion of ignorance to draw out their true motives. And most of all don't act alone. That was my mistake."

"Got it," Kakashi nodded.

Shisui looked back to her, fingers poking her square in the forehead. "That goes double for you, you stubborn girl. My greatest mistake was trying to do too much on my own, even when I had friends and family who were trying to help. It cost me my life. Don't repeat my mistake."

Haya covered her forehead and puffed her cheeks in a pout. "But how can I be prepared if I don't even know what this Foundation thing is?"

Another poke, this time on the tip of her nose. "You'll learn the truth in time. Atsuko will tell you. First and foremost I want you to remember that you're not bound to the Curse of Hatred. You are not bound to our Clan's downfall. Walk the path you're on and remember what I said about living, all right?"

Haya lowered her hands, frowned and nodded once. "I will. You don't have to go yet, do you?"

"No, not yet, but it's almost time." He smiled in regret. "There's so much I wish we could talk about. Things I wish we could do beyond this fūinjutsu." Shisui raised his eyes to the sky, or water. She couldn't tell which way was which anymore. "Talk and be together, that's something I wish we could do more than anything else."

She wanted it too. She wished they had more time. All those years as a child, what she'd give to have just a few more as a teenager now that she understood the importance of time.

Their bond was maybe not special in the vast world of people. Yet it was their bond.

That's what made it special.

"I know. I do too," she whispered softly. "Can you…tell them I love them and miss them? And tell them I won't be early this time. I'll be fashionably late."

Shisui reached forward and squeezed her hands affectionately. "They know, but I will." He lifted an eyebrow up to tease. "Fashionably late? No such thing."

She giggled. "Tell that to Kakashi-sensei."

For a few moments they remained in comfortable silence, soaking in the small contact and close proximity to one another. Savoring these little moments they were given the chance to share.

One sentence ended it.

"You're going to unlock the Mangekyō Sharingan," he said, reluctance weighing down his voice.

She remembered the stabbing pains in her eyes at that moment. Both eyes.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan, that was the specific condition, wasn't it?" she asked.

"Yeah. If you look into the water you'll see them frozen halfway in their transformation by the fūinjutsu. It'll only delay it for a little while longer."

Haya didn't want to see it. She didn't want to look into her own eyes and see the inner turmoil…yet she forced herself to look down into the water anyway.

In her reflection she could see black points expanding out from her pupil in her right eye, and the Byakugan lavender was changing, replaced by a fuchsia flood and black marks within. And in those same eyes she saw raw pain.

Her raw pain.

"When…when I think back on my life thus far, I can't remember if there was ever a time when my eyes didn't show me the suffering I've been through. These eyes are like mirrors into my soul. Every time I see them I remember every scar, every tear, every loss, and every failure I've had."

She poked her reflection. Ripples cascaded along the water. "Yet, at the same time, I see more than the pain in them. I see every laugh, every smile, every joyful tear, every triumph. The total amount of happiness I have been able to experience, all the moments and people that gave me that happiness, I can see those too. I wonder if the Sharingan is more than just a show of pain then. I wonder…I wonder if it can be more."

"Those are questions I hope you seek the answer to, little cousin." She met his proud gaze shyly. "You've inherited the wisdom of your parents, and maybe learned a thing or two from me."

"I've heard the word so much today, yet I still have no idea what it even is. What is the Mangekyō Sharingan exactly?"

"An advanced form of the Sharingan. It will grant you brand new abilities and increase your visual prowess, but it comes with a cost: The more you use it, the more your vision will deteriorate. Eventually you'll go blind, and no amount of Medial Ninjutsu can fix it."

So don't use it often or I'll go blind. What a drag.

She pursed her lips and furrowed her brow. "But what about my left eye? It's Ryu's eye, not mine."

"Your original retina is still intact and fused to the Byakugan eye. Even if it wasn't, the Sharingan doesn't come from the eyeball itself. That's where the power resides, yes, but only after our brain releases the special chakra we of the Uchiha Clan possess."

"But no tomoes ever showed up before. If it is the special chakra released from our brain, I should already have a fusion of Sharingan and Byakugan, right?" she pointed out.

He smirked. "Interesting, wouldn't you say? Almost as if you unlocked it before that day."

Her eyes bulged. "I…unlocked the Sharingan before Ryu died."

"Yep. Sift through your memories later, you'll find it."

She had even more questions now, yet Haya knew there wasn't nearly enough time for all of them. After a moment of deliberation, she picked the most important and asked, "How did you unlock yours, Shisui? I'm unlocking my Mangekyō because I saw you die. Does that mean you saw someone important to you die too?"

"Ah…well, yeah," he said. She could see in his eyes that the event still affected him. "As you know I was already a shinobi as a child. I had a very good friend who…I wasn't able to save during an intense battle. He died in front of me, and I was overcome with a swell of emotions that unlocked my Mangekyō.

"My new visual prowess allowed me to save others, yet the chakra I expended knocked me out. Pops, your dad, explained its power and its cost to me when I woke up. I had no real recollection of activating the power, though. During the fight I gained a concussion," he explained.

Her cousin smiled warmly. "However, the first time I ever activated it consciously was through my desire to protect you and our family. I wasn't even in a battle, but my love for all of you acted as a sort of retrigger of it. I decided that night I would only ever use my new power as Pops did: To protect my comrades, my family and the Leaf when my skill alone wasn't enough."

When his skill alone wasn't enough…

"…Can you show me that memory?" she asked. "I…I want to feel that way too. I don't want it to become my crutch."

Shisui nodded. "Of course. Who knows, maybe your eyes will be as powerful as mine or your father's."

"Shisui…" Itachi cut himself off.

Shisui looked over towards the other Uchiha with a severe stare. "I get what you were trying to do Itachi, but you should have just gone for a physical blow to get her out of the way." His stare softened, a smile forming on his lips. "Still, even if it is sooner than I hoped, it's because of you we got to see each other again. I guess I should thank you for your moment of impatience."

Thank him? He was the one who took her family away from her. He didn't deserve thanks. He deserved a punch to the face and an unending fireball.

"You shouldn't. He helped kill Mama and Papa," she growled.

Shisui turned back to her, smile still in place. "And I warned you not to get broody like Itachi over there." He pointed his thumb to the frozen Uchiha. "When you have time, make sure you look at your memory of my death again. What you saw was an incomplete glimpse of the truth I left for you."

"Incompl—"

She was silenced by a forehead poke. "We have other priorities and dealing with a broody Uchiha isn't one of them. Come here."

He pulled her into a warm embrace. No words were spoken yet Haya felt her heart become constricted by fear. "Is it…is it going to hurt?"

"Yes, it will." His voice was weighed down by guilt and sadness. "But no matter what I'm going to be here with you." The blue-haired Uchiha nodded into him. "Now close your eyes. You're about to see and feel everything I did."

Haya shut her eyes and her senses faded.

---

Years Ago

---

Twinkling stars dotted the black canvas over the Leaf Village, joined by the glow of a crescent moon looming in the peaceful night sky.

Most of the citizens slept soundly after another day of hard work. Few meandered around on the streets, at least few in the districts Shisui passed over rooftop by rooftop; elsewhere, where night life activities were more abundant, plenty of civilians and off duty shinobi had their raucous fun.

Shisui took no detours on his way home. His mission had been long—a few days in length to be exact—and took him from Konoha, taking him and his team on a journey through the Land of Fire, past abundant forests, little towns and farmland to the port of entry closest to the Land of Waves.

They completed their objective without a real battle breaking out; he preferred it that way. Less fighting meant less chance of any comrade getting injured. His genjutsu left a few of their enemies screaming in frightened horror, and their leader made the wise decision to retreat back beyond the border.

The Hokage kept the debrief short once he was assured there were no complications on the mission. Now a shower, a warm meal and his family were mere moments away.

I wonder if Haya is still up at this hour? He pushed off a building, landed on the bark of a branch and Body Flickered through the trees.

Midnight hadn't crept up on them yet, but he couldn't deny that it was late. Late enough his kid cousin should be already tucked away beneath the warmth of her blankets, seeking out a land of dreams where she could ride on the backs of dragons to her hearts content.

The thought of her riding on dragons made Shisui smile affectionately.

He missed her.

On arrival he hopped up to the window of his cousin's bedroom to peek in. Was she asleep? Or was she—

"Shisui Uchiha, get your butt in this house right now. Don't be a drag."

The scolding and lazy drawl from the opposite side of the wall froze him for a moment. Then he exhaled a short laugh. She must have sensed me coming once I entered the district. He slid the window open and jumped in, grinning sheepishly at the adult woman waiting for him.

"Hey, Mama Nara! I was jus—"

"Shisui!"

And there she was.

The Uchiha caught the joy filled child about to tackle him, picking her up in a hug and spinning her around. Her small arms wrapped around his neck as she giggled, bare heels lifting towards the ceiling.

"Now what is my favorite little cousin doing up at this hour? Rebelling against the machine called parental guidance already, eh Haya?" he quipped.

Her sweet giggle left him grinning from ear to ear. Kami, she was too adorable for her own good. Haya released his neck and backed away in his arms. "Nope! Mama said she sensed you coming so she let me stay up to see you."

Shisui turned to look at the mother of his cousin, who leaned against the wall next to him, arms crossed with a loving smile at the mini-reunion.

"Did she now?" He leaned in closer to his cousin. "I think she's hiding something," he whispered conspicuously. "Waiting like this should have been too troublesome."

"No!" Haya pretended to be shocked at the notion.

"Yes! I'm telling you, we may be in for a big lecture tonight if we're not careful."

Miyako shook her head and rolled her eyes, amused by the little banter. Her smile slowly transformed into a terrifying smirk. Terrifying for him, at least. He wasn't the one dressed in pajamas about to go to bed, unlike Haya.

"The only lecture I have is for you, Shisui."

Uh-oh. He may have felt a little bit of a chill dance down his spine at that innocent and threatening promise. Maybe.

"You're in trouble!" Haya sang childishly.

He poked her in the forehead, causing her to puff her cheeks out in a pout as she tried to cover the point of attack. "I guess I'm just a troublesome boy." He set her back down and stood up back to his full height, eyes glancing down at the standard Konoha gear he wore. "Mind if I wash up and get changed first? I've been in these for a few days."

Haya's mother dipped her head in the direction of the door. "Shower and clothes are already waiting for you." She shifted her weight off the wall, stepping forward and picking her daughter up. "Okay, my little shadow, it's time to get ready for bed."

"Aw, but I wanted to talk to Shisui a little more," the girl pouted cutely.

"We will see, my little shadow. We will see. At the least you will be in your bed. Now, did you…"

Mother and daughter recounted everything his little cousin had done before now— brushing teeth, picking out her clothes for the morning, that sort of stuff. Shisui smiled at the pair.

It's great to be home.

Leaving behind the room, he sauntered down the quiet hall towards the shower calling his name. Getting out of his uniform felt good. So did the warm water.

After washing up and drying off, he got dressed in a black high collared shirt with the Uchiha crest on the back and past knee-length black shorts. Finished with the bathroom, he flicked the switch off for the light and headed down the stairs to the kitchen in search of food.

He found Haya's father sitting at the table, eyes focused on the scroll laid out on the table, his expression thoughtful as he mulled over whatever information it contained.

"Hey Pops! Interesting stuff?"

The man raised his onyx eyes from the scroll, smiled and dipped his head in greeting to the younger Uchiha. "Welcome home, Shisui." He glanced back down at the scroll. "Just an intelligence scroll for a future operation. Important, but as stale as an Aburame's sense of humor."

"Uh-oh. That sounds like a story," he laughed.

"Hmhm," the man chuckled deep in his chest. "Yes. Not even Miyako's sense of humor can break a stoic Aburame. Nevertheless, her attempts have made for amusing diversions."

Shisui snickered at the thought.

"How was your mission?"

A breath of cool air greeted him as he pulled the fridge door open. He scanned the shelves, looking for something to fill his hungry stomach when his eyes fell upon a wrapped plate of leftovers. A little name card sat on it, his name written in Miyako's neat penmanship.

Ah, Atsuko must have informed Mama Nara I'd be back tonight. He'd need to thank her for that later. For now, food, visiting with Haya and sleep stood as his top three priorities.

He grabbed the plate, unwrapped the food and set it in the microwave to cook it. The machines hum was oddly soothing.

"The reports were right," he answered, eyes watching the plate spin slowly on the artificially illuminated turntable. "A small squad of Kiri shinobi did enter the Land of Fire, and they were traveling towards the Leaf. I only recognized one of them as a veteran shinobi—Ao. You don't send a man like him on a do nothing mission.

"I confirmed to Lord Third the rumor of his Byakugan eye; I sensed the chakra there, and he wore Sealing Tags from his ears like earrings. My guess is to protect it. At this point, I don't think anyone except a Sealing Master will be able to get it from him."

"Ao's still alive, huh," the elder Uchiha hummed. "It's no wonder they made it within the Land of Fire then. Did you face his team in battle?"

"No," Shisui shook his head. "Before they even sensed our presence, I strapped two of his comrades in a powerful genjutsu in an effort to end the battle before it could begin. At the sight of me and my team, Ao called a full retreat." He snorted humorously. "I guess you could say we escorted them out of the Land of Fire."

He could have killed them. He chose not to. If they killed Mist shinobi, even when they were the ones infiltrating, it risked creating a ripple effect of confrontations between their nations. Friends or family of theirs would seek to kill him or other Leaf shinobi in revenge. Then those who lost loved ones in the retaliation would seek their righteous retribution.

And so the bloody wheel of war, violence and hatred would keep spinning.

The chime of the microwave woke him from his somber thoughts. Pulling the warm plate from it, he shut the microwave with a light push, retrieved his utensils and sat down to eat.

"Good work, Shisui," Haya's father praised with a small nod. "Many shinobi, even those not of our Clan, would have confronted them verbally or physically for their infiltration. Any wounds or death in the following combat would heighten tension between our Nations, breeding further hatred between our people."

He rolled his scroll up. "You attained a peaceful solution without a single blade being drawn, and that single genjutsu sent a clear message to these infiltrators: The Leaf is watching. And since one of their veterans couldn't reach the Leaf, Kiri will be less inclined to send any squad to infiltrate for a long while." The elder Uchiha smiled proudly at him. "You bring honor to our Village and Clan."

"All in the days work, right?" he grinned.

Haya's father, Kiyoshi, gave him an approving nod and smile. Although the man was an uncle by blood, he was more like a father to Shisui. He hadn't ever known his real father or mother, though not for ill reasons. He'd barely been a year old when they died, so the only parents he had any memory of were Kiyoshi and Miyako.

They were precious parents he was glad to have.

Of present day Uchiha, Kiyoshi stood as the strongest and wisest. Those who held no ill-intentions for the Village, the Clan or his family had nothing to fear, though. At his heart and foundation he was a peaceful man.

Kiyoshi had seen war. Witnessed death. Watched people he cared for die at the hands of enemy ninjas, unable to save them in their time of need. Those events changed him and, in Shisui's eyes, built the foundation to the wisdom he now possessed.

He sought peaceful resolutions. Hoped to make positive changes within the Village and their Clan for the sake of a better future. But even Shisui knew the elder Uchiha would fight with every ounce of his spirit to protect what was precious to him.

It was one of the reasons why Shisui looked up to the man and trusted him implicitly.

"Your mother and I are proud of you, Shisui. We couldn't ask for a better son."

Shisui bowed his head. "Thank you, Pops."

"I will never grow weary of watching my little shadow brighten at the sight of you." Miyako's hands gently rested on his shoulders. "Haya looks up to you as if you walk on water."

"Well you know, I can do that," he quipped, glancing up and back at the Nara with a grin.

"It was a figure of speech, troublesome boy," she chuckled. Then she gave him a small peck on the cheek. "Welcome home, Shisui."

"I'm glad to be back."

Miyako meandered around the table to stand behind her husband, resting her hands on his shoulders before engaging him in an intimate kiss. Respectfully, Shisui turned his attention back to his food and far away from the display of affection.

Eventually—a long eventually—they stopped.

"She's waiting for you to say goodnight, my love. After that, her attention will belong to Shisui."

Kiyoshi nodded and stood up, ruffling Shisui's hair a little as he walked by. With the elder Uchiha out of the room, Shisui found himself alone with Miyako, who wore a knowing smile.

Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like where this is going?

"Ah, the lecture," he realized out loud.

Internally he winced. I almost forgot about that.

Almost, but not quite.

His mother granted him the courtesy of finishing his meal in peace. When he finished his meal, the Uchiha stood up and moved to the sink to wash off his dish, every step like walking the plank of a pirate ship about to cast him overboard or keelhaul him.

Miyako's eyes never once left him, neither did that terrifying smile of hers. His heart beat a little faster in nerves.

"All right, hit me Mama Nara. What'd I do?" he addressed the issue head-on, unable to stand the anticipation.

She leveled him with a scolding motherly stare. "First off, you continue to use the window instead of the door to enter our home. While I usually have no issue with it, I would prefer you didn't use it to leave the house and sneak back in late at night."

Uh-oh. The hint of knowledge paralyzed him briefly. So, that's where this conversation was going. He quickly restarted washing his dish. Sooner he finished, sooner he could bolt to the sanctuary of Haya's room.

His embarrassing doom was barreling towards him like stampeding bulls.

"That brings me to my real lecture." He finished up washing his plate and began drying it, trying hard to ignore the eyes on him and the knowing smile that returned to Haya's mother's lips. "I do not expect you to report every hour of your life to me. It'd be troublesome to ask of you and you're an adult in my eyes. I trust you to make good judgments."

Well, that was nice to know at least.

"However, I would like to know who she is."

Shisui put his plate away and let out a sigh of defeat. There was no use running. For starters, he couldn't lie to his family willingly, not unless he was spinning a story for the purposes of entertainment.

Secondly, Miyako was a Hokage Guard and one of the best intelligence gatherers in the village.

She already knew the answers to all of her questions. She just wanted to hear it from him, and to make him squirm a little in awkwardness.

"How long have you known?" he asked curiously.

"Since you started."

Heh, not as sneaky as I thought I was. Guess that's why she's on the Hokage Guard though.

Her hand rested on his shoulder, bringing his attention to the comforting eyes of his mother to him. "I'm not upset, Shisui, nor is your father. We understand it's the only time your schedules align. We're happy you found someone worth sneaking out late at night to go see."

He chuckled. "You make it sound like I'm held prisoner here at home."

He met the girl a few months back on his way home from a mission. Her hands had been full of books, papers, folders—medicine based he would soon realize—when a stranger accidently bumped into her, causing her little tower to collapse.

Seeing a person in need, Shisui ran over to help her pick them all up. No ulterior motives. Just an act of kindness.

By the time they went their separate ways they had both been laughing and smiling. Her eyes were special, from his view anyway. Unlike the Uchiha Clan and Hyūga Clan, her eyes weren't special due to a dōjutsu. Her eyes were special because they sparkled with wonderful life, and they followed his thoughts for a long time.

Then he started noticing her more often. In the market, at restaurants, working as a nurse at the hospital. Aimi noticed his lingering gazes; Itachi had been around when he dropped a task to quickly say hello when they started to run into each other more often.

Both of his friends teased him relentlessly about it. Revenge, he supposed, for all the teasing he gave them, yet they also encouraged him to ask her out.

She was gentle, generous, kind and warm. Quiet as a mouse, but vibrant when she wanted to be. And her eyes allured him like no other.

Comfortable, she was comfortable. Around her he could forget about the divide forming between the Leaf and Uchiha. They weren't deeply in love, and they hadn't done anything intimate beyond holding hands, giving flowers, hugs and a few small pecks on the cheeks. Nothing crazy.

"She's a civilian, a nurse, but not of the Uchiha Clan," he explained. "We're…I don't know. Calling us friends doesn't really cut it, yet we're not lovers or anything."

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Talking about it was really strange. Most of his Clan would frown upon it and demand him to take someone from within the Clan. As one of their most prodigious talents, and with his heritage, they'd want him to sire pure-blooded Uchiha.

Shisui just wanted to be happy regardless of Clan origin, like Kiyoshi and Miyako were.

"Does she make you happy?"

"Well, yeah. Wouldn't be too fun if she made me miserable, would it?" Shisui tried to lighten the mood with a joke and start the process of getting out of this conversation. The danger hadn't passed yet. A very uncomfortable lecture was waiting for him.

Miyako smirked and let her hand fall from his shoulder. "Just remember, if and when things start to progress further then be sure you are both using protection. I'm too young to be a grandma. Also make sure you both are comfortable with taking that intimate step."

Yeah, this was exactly the lecture he didn't want.

"Consent is very important, Shisui. Sexual intimacy is a wonderful thing; it is meant to be fun, passionate and satisfying," she continued against his internal pleas of mercy.

Could someone please strike him down right now? Just end it before he died of embarrassment.

"However, without consent it is none of these things. Be aware of your partners wants. Pay attention to their true feelings, not just the words or actions they may feel obligated to say or do for your sake. And always remember this: The word no means no regardless of how heated things get."

Shisui flushed red. This was not a topic he wanted to discuss right now, or ever. Especially ever.

"Mama Nara!" he whined.

He was a half a second away from Body Flickering up the stairs and out of this awkward conversation. Half a second too late. Miyako's Shadow Possession already had him within its grasps.

"If I ever catch hear tell of you being anything less than respectful to this girl in or out of the bedroom, I will ensure the Hokage sticks you on a years' worth of D-Rank missions as punishment."

A years' worth of D-Rank missions? Shisui shuddered at the thought of it.

"Although I do not believe you have to fear such a consequence. We did raise you to know better than that."

Her Shadow retracted from him and she smiled kindly. Thank Kami the terrifying smirk had vanished.

"Lecture's over. All I have left to say is that I am happy you are home safe and sound."

Phew. Shisui let his smile return. "What? You were worried about me, Mama Nara?"

Her two fingers jabbed him in the forehead. "Of course I was, you troublesome boy. You are, and always will be, a son to us and a brother to Haya, Shisui. Never forget that."

Those words warmed his heart. Shisui acted on instinct and embraced the Nara matriarch in a tight hug, receiving one in return. With all the things going on—the Clan, missions, etc.—it was amazing to come home to the stability and unconditional love of a family he was blessed to have.

At the sound of the footsteps of Kiyoshi returning from Haya's room, Miyako smiled to him and lifted her chin to motion him to go. "Go on. She's missed you dearly."

Just as I have missed her. "Thanks, Mama Nara." He made his way from the kitchen to his cousin's bedroom, finding her lying back with her hands behind her head. "Looks like it wasn't too troublesome for me to come see you before you went to sleep."

Her onyx eyes met his with a smile, and as soon as he was sitting on the bed Haya wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "I missed you."

She always found a way to fill him with more love than he knew what to do with.

Haya released him and gave him a closed eyed smile before continuing. "You have to tell me about how your mission went. Did you do anything exciting?"

"Exciting?" He brought his hand to his chin to feign contemplation. "Well, you see… There was this princess we had to escort across the Land of Fire to her kingdom," Shisui grinned and pointed to himself, "and I had to fight off these giant serpents!"

"Ew!" Haya made a fearful face at the thought of snakes.

"I know! They weren't a match for your awesome cousin though!"

For the next few minutes he spun his tale about protecting the princess from the snakes and his triumphant victory over them. Haya knew better, yet she enjoyed the story and reacted like a captivated audience. She even partook in recreating his falsehoods, keeping a smile on his face long enough to hurt his cheeks.

By the end of it they were lying on the bed staring up at the ceiling, soaking in the comfort of being together again.

While he did have feelings for the girl he was sneaking out to see, his cousin would never come second for her. Haya would always be the most important person in his life, along with his family.

When he was around his cousin, nothing—not the Clan, not the stress of missions or any outside forces—had any effect on him. Even if his mind would be weighed down by any kind of stress, having his cousin with him made it all disappear.

She was his anchor of unconditional love. His lifeline when out in high seas full of rogue waves that always pulled him back to safety and shelter.

Miyako was right: Haya did look up to him like he walked on water. She looked up to him like he was the greatest person to ever exist. Like an invincible hero. Her big heart filled him with so much love.

She was truly amazing.

Haya turned onto her side and laid one of her arms over him as she nuzzled her head into his chest. "I love you, Shisui," she whispered softly.

"I love you too, Haya."

He would do anything to protect her. It was for her safety and future he continued to work as hard as he could to prevent their Clan from treading on the path they were on. Their shortsightedness would lead to a bleak future, where the Uchiha Clan no longer existed and the people he loved were dead.

Shisui wrapped his arm around her and held her closely. I won't let the Clan continue on this path. He looked down at the peaceful face of his cousin. I will protect her, our family and everything precious to me, no matter what it takes.

The thought of losing Haya and their family was almost too much to bear. I promise Haya, no matter what I'll always be here to protect you. I won't ever allow anyone to harm you and take away the love in your heart.

"Shisui?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think I'll ever be as strong as you?"

Shisui smiled down at her and ruffled her hair gently. "Of course. I know for a fact that one day you'll do great things for our village and our Clan." Haya's hand clenched his shirt tightly. "You'll be strong and wise, like a dragon. I know it."

"Thank you…big brother."

"Your mother and I are proud of you, Shisui. We couldn't ask for a better son," Kiyoshi's voice echoed in his mind.

"You are, and always will be, a son to us and a brother to Haya, Shisui. Never forget that," Miyako's words came next.

Over the years he had never once doubted the love between himself and his family. He always knew he loved them more than anything and it was reciprocated…yet hearing the pride in Kiyoshi's voice, the motherly love in Miyako's and the gentle loving voice of his cousin one after another hit him in a way he hadn't been prepared for.

"Sleep tight, little sis. I love you."

"I love you. Thank you for coming home safely."

Shisui shut his eyes against the swell of emotion. Haya was his anchor, but he was hers as well.

He pressed a kiss on the top of her head. "I'll always come home safely for you," he whispered gently.

"Promise?"

"I promise." Haya hugged him tighter before sleep finally claimed her. Shisui smiled at her sleeping form one last time then laid his head back. "I'll always be with you."

He could have sworn he heard a barely audible "Me too" from his cousin, yet he wasn't sure.

I'll always be here for you Haya, no matter what. I'll stop the Clan and keep you, Mama Nara and Pops safe. I swear it.

Chakra pooled into his eyes. Whatever it takes.

Full pinwheels formed in his eyes.

I'll protect everything I hold dear.

---

Back in the Present

---

Amari's senses came flooding back. Through this strange fūinjutsu she felt the entirety of her cousin's love for her coursing through her body. She held him tightly as tears streamed down her cheeks and an ache built up in her heart.

The stabbing pains returned. Scratching, clawing at her eyes, growing more intense with every second. "Cousin…it—" she whimpered in pain.

"I know. Just hold onto me. You'll be okay, I promise."

Her body began to shake, small whimpers escaping her as chakra pooled into her eyes.

After many long agonizing seconds with her eyes closed the final stab plunged through her eyes, forcing her eyes open.

Full pinwheels took shape.

The awakening was complete.

---

Review Response to ChillinInKonoha: Thank you for the praise. I'm not arrogant enough to say my story is in anyway better than the original anime, but I appreciate your words all the same. I'm glad it's immersive enough to make you feel like you're watching the anime.

The old lady wasn't that cat lady. She was just a random woman I created for the purposes of making Amari/Haya late to her meeting.

I like the OST scores you picked for those particular moments. Hope you enjoyed the new update and thank you for the review!

Review Response to SuperKaiokenGoku: Yep, she's following in the steps of the one and only Shisui of Teleportation. Based on everyone's reactions to the last chapter, I think its safe to say the feels are strong with that last entry. Hope you enjoyed the new update and thanks for the review!