Author's Note (2021/05/27): Another new chapter! I figured having a separate aftermath chapter would be good to add in to show stuff that happened following the war, since with the editing I ended up writing too much to add to the next chapter - which ended up being split into two. This brings the word count over 400,000... oh boy. I never thought I would ever write something as long as this, yet here I am!

As always, thanks for reading and stay safe! xx

Chapter 39
War's End

Everything in her vision was white...

The snow continued to fall from the sky in her dream, her mind completely mesmerized by the falling snowflakes and the frigid winds that swayed against her. The warmth of her lover's hand kept her warm, while her heart fluttered with content. Her love, her wolf, her parents. Everything had fallen into its right place. But then she remembered - this was no reality.

As the winds turned harsh, her lover's hand that she held close turned into grains of sand, disappearing into the winds as all around her was coated in a blanket of frosted white. No one could hear her call for their names, not even a howl dared to sound against the winds.

And she was alone.

Her dream was just that – a dream...

"Nomasaki!"

Light scarcely entered, plaguing the darkness that she welcomed.

"Wake up, open your eyes!"

Slowly, Nomasaki's vision emerged once more from the whiteness of her mind, the infinite dream finally coming to an end. The warmth of the living suddenly returned to her, embracing her in its sunlight as she felt her muscles heave with energy once more.

Why did I wake up? Take me back… just for a moment.

To her surprise, the darkness and white fled as she awoke from her cocoon of the Infinite Tsukuyomi. The veil of the jutsu fell off her body as she regained her movement, crumbling into leaves and from leaves to dust. She felt as if her limbs were made from stone, taking near all her strength to move a mere breath.

"Dad…?" Her eyes flickered. "Is that… you?"

"She's waking up!" A familiar voice called. "Give her room."

It sounds like Shinto, she realized. When she came to, she soon saw the silhouettes of her teammates along with her father. Awakening as if from a bad dream, they returned to the realm of the living unscathed. "Shinto, Meiyumi,"

Her father was balancing on Shinto's side. "You're finally awake. Are you alright?"

Focusing her eyes, she seen Kyō looking over her, a smile of relief on his fatherly face. "Dad… It's you," She spoke, her voice exhausted. A twinge pulsed at the back of her head. Grasping it with her worn fingers, she winced. "Ouch... My head hurts." Once again my chakra works against me.

"Take it easy," Meiyumi chided. "The genjutsu took a massive toll on our bodies."

Slowly, Nomasaki sat up from her position. Her body felt as if all of her energy was suddenly drained. Surprising her, the sun was beaming and bright and the battlefield was quiet – the air around them filled with the voices of relieved ninja. All around them, there were ninja waking up from the strange cocoons, greeting their comrades with hugs and cheers, and the occasional sob of relief – happiness and peace echoing around them. Suddenly, her senses jolted as she could begin to sense chakra through her fuzzy mind.

"What happened?" She asked, as she scanned the area with tired and fuzzy eyes. "Where are we? I… I can't sense the enemy or the ten-tails! What's going on?"

"It appears the enemy was defeated," Kyō explained, glancing at the relieved ninja as Shinto let him down to sit. "The jutsu was released by Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke of Konoha. They saved the shinobi world! Well, according to the sweeping intel."

Shinto nodded. "And that fake Uchiha Madara with the mask surrendered. He's near death's doorstep but those Konoha-nin spared him. I think he may be earning a one-way ticket to the Blood Prison."

"He should." Meiyumi agreed. "He was the sole cause for all this… He deserves whatever he gets."

"What of the real Madara?" Nomasaki pressed, her eyes panicked. "Is he…?!"

"He's dead, don't worry." Shinto replied, his face showing calm. "When he was defeated by Naruto and that Uchiha, he had the all of the tailed-beasts extracted from his body. He died shortly after."

Relief washed over her. "So that means…!" Tears formed in her eyes as her glance fell to her lap. Gaara was able to save Naruto… Thank heavens. "That's a relief… No wonder they were able to stop the Infinite Tsukuyomi."

"You seemed to have been affected by this worse than us, Nomasaki." Meiyumi sighed. "We all waited for you to wake up, at least an hour after those trees collapsed."

Nomasaki was not surprised. "It's my chakra, don't worry. I have nature-energy in my blood, and this technique seemed to be based on the same energy. I'll be fine."

Hearing footsteps approach, Shinto turned and flinched at the sight. "You,"

"Shinto, what is it?" When Meiyumi stood and looked to his glance, she jolted. "K-Kazekage-sama!"

Relieved, Kyō smiled as they approached. "Kazekage-sama! Good to see you unharmed."

Nomasaki's chest fluttered.

Rubbing her eyes, she looked up to towards where her father was smiling. She could feel the familiar warm chakra approach closer, but her senses were still foggy due to her current state. No doubt her chakra was to blame. When her vision cleared, she seen him. Gazing down at her with ringed-eyes, she quickly realized that they held concern, grief, and even joy – and the emotions were all conveyed by his relieved expression.

"Gaara!" She stammered, surprised to see him so close. "You're alright –,"

A wind grew close.

A feeling of warmth enveloped her as she felt his arms wrap around her. Surprising her greatly, her lilac eyes widened from his careful embrace. His hold was strong, protective, and relieved. He closed his eyes tightly, containing all the emotions that swirled in the pits of his stomach. Seeing his assistant unharmed and alive after such an ordeal was true mercy.

"I'm glad you're safe…" He spoke, quietly, his face near buried by her gold hair. "I was worried about you…"

Smiling gently, she placed her hand on his shoulder, closing her eyes as she could feel tears of joy breaking through. In a way, it reminded her of when she saw him awaken after being resurrected by the Elder Chiyo. All the hurt was washed away by a new hope, and love was there to heal the wounds of the past. Unlike the hold of fierce protectiveness he gave her that night of the meteor, his hold on her that day was careful and soothing. His chakra was warm and enveloping, comforting even. Her senses took all of him in, accepting his calming presence.

"As was I with you…" She said, softly. "It's good to see you again… and this time, not in my dreams."

Fondly, her father watched them, smiling warmly as he witnessed the young Kazekage help her stand up with his sand. The grains gingerly lifted her up from the husk of her broken cocoon of vines, as if a gentle guiding hand. She stumbled slightly, the weakness in her knees buckling. Intently and with wide surprised eyes, the two gazed at each other with faint blushing evident on their cheeks from the close eye contact, both of them silent as the sand receded. Relieved, Kyo looked on at the two before him. As if looking back into the past, he swore he saw the same love and care he once shared with his late wife. It was marked within their eyes. The wolf-girl and the Kazekage, huh? Wouldn't that be ironic, Rasa? Your son and my daughter… it seems something had drawn them together, He thought, The world really is unpredictable.

A flicker of nervousness appeared in Gaara's eyes as he met her flustered expression. To him, she seemed alright, but she was covered in a film of dirt, dried blood was etched below her lips, and her forehead protector was scratched with its indents gleaming in the sun. War had certainly been cruel to both of them. Even as he stood straight, his legs pained with each breath and his ribs ached from battle. Being in the catatonic state from the genjutsu was no help either, the world seemingly sluggish around them.

"Can you stand? Are you... alright?"

"Yeah," She nodded, brushing aside her fluster. "I... think so." Examining herself, she looked over the back of her pants, straightened out her flak jacket and looked up to him with a relieved smile. "Well, one thing is for certain – your assistant survived the war. Now I just want to go home and take a hot bath."

Seeing her smile put him at ease. The war was indeed over with the enemy defeated, with the red hue over the moon no longer echoing its daunting presence in the skies. Returning back to Sunagakure was the first thing on his mind as well – only he wanted to sleep for as long time would permit.

"You managed to help stop this war after all," Shinto stepped between them. Drawing the Kazekage's glance, his dark eyes looked to him without the usual contempt – although suspicion still lingered. "I must admit… You didn't fail us as Kazekage, so thanks for that."

Gaara nodded, his expression slate-like. "Much obliged."

"How are you feeling with your wound?" Nomasaki asked. "What will you do?"

"It's fine for now, Meiyumi closed it up nicely." Shinto said, gesturing to his missing arm. "I think I'll be looking into getting a puppet-limb installed when we go home."

"Kankurō can help you with that." Gaara suggested. "He's been researching the works of Sasori of the Red Sands, although it won't be near as extreme. He can design one for you."

Shinto raised a brow, then averted his glance. "…Thanks, but I'm not -,"

"I can reattach it," Meiyumi interrupted with a smile. "I'm sure it will work as fine as your old one. Kazekage-sama, thank you."

"Meiyumi -,"

Before Shinto had the chance to speak, their conversation was halted by the appearance of a visitor. A shinobi clothed in the garbs of Sunagakure appeared before them, an expression of relieved urgency painted on their face. "Kazekage-sama! We were looking for you, there's an urgent matter that requires your attention!"

Gaara turned to him with his expression marked in his familiar sternness. "What do you have to report? Anything of Uchiha Madara and the ten-tails, or the other Uchiha?"

Nodding, the Suna-nin knelt. "We confirmed that the fake Madara known as Uchiha Obito has surrendered and is now in custody, and Uchiha Madara was defeated and has been killed from the extraction of the tailed-beasts…" He explained. "And the tailed-beasts returned to their original states!"

Nomasaki's eyes widened, surprised. "So it's true!"

"What of the tailed-beasts now?" Gaara questioned. "What is their status?"

The Suna-nin nodded. "The nine-tails and eight-tails have opted to return to their jinchuriki, but of the others… no decision has been made."

"Decision?"

"Yes," The Suna-nin nodded, meeting his narrowed ringed-eyes. "The other Kage wish to convene a summit in Konohagakure to decide the fate of the others. Are we to take Shukaku into custody, Kazekage-sama? We have the Sealing Corps awaiting for further commands."

Gaara shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Tell the Sealing Corps to leave Shukaku alone, we'll make the decision at a different time. Besides, a tailed-beast should be able to decide their own fate – let alone a jinchuriki. Don't you think?"

The Suna-nin flinched. "Yes, Kazekage-sama. I'll relay your orders."

Once the messenger was gone, Nomasaki gave him a concerned glance. The beasts were free. Shukaku was free - all of them. As she focused her mind to sense the beasts' chakra from afar, their looming energy danced on the fragile winds that stank with death. She could faintly feel Shukaku's presence from afar, its dense chakra not too far off from where they stood. Pondering to herself, a thought crossed her mind. And the messenger's words did little to deter her curiosity.

"What will you do about Shukaku?" She asked, her glance both relieved and concerned. "The one-tail is free from the enemy, so that means Shukaku is -!"

With a serious glance, he nodded to her words. "I know."

With the war finally over, Gaara pondered the thoughts that remained in his occupied mind. Shukaku the one-tailed beast. Thinking about the choice of becoming a jinchuriki once more, there was something he had to decide when he returned to Suna.

The incense burned Nomasaki's eyes as she stood with her teammates.

Clad in the traditional black funeral garbs, she remained as still as a mountain while the Sand Priests appeared and began the service. At least five hundred able-bodied shinobi came out to pay their respects to the fallen. As the village's first mass funeral since the Konoha Crush, it was a bleak affair for the cost of peace. There had to be hundreds of coffins laid out to be buried before their headstones, all of them adorned in desert lilies with the photographs of the deceased laying on top on their ornate resting places. The coffin of Hashira was covered in lilies, and his photograph appeared as if taken only days before his death. He was too young, Nomasaki thought. But that was the life of a shinobi. Shinobi enter the world to fight for their village and feudal lords from the time they are children and live lives as brief as candleflames in the wind. Some are lucky to see thirty, but Hashira was not one of those shinobi.

Meiyumi cried beside her, with her sobs breaking through the efforts of her cupped hands. Shinto placed his hand on her shoulder in comfort, while Nomasaki looked on at the service as the red and golden robe-clad priests finished their chants. Kyō attended in solidarity, resting the weight of his shattered leg on a bamboo-crafted cane. As the Kazekage, Gaara had to give the opening eulogy. This was his second, the first since the death of Chiyo the Elder. Calm and collected, he gave his brief speech for the fallen as everyone watched, and when he was finished, the Sand Priests returned for the closing chants.

The afternoon held a bitter emptiness to it.

When the service was finished, the surviving members of Team Hashira stood in front of their sensei's grave in a shared silence. Long ago everyone else had mourned their dead and moved on, but the three young shinobi remained at their sensei's side. Kyō asked Nomasaki to return before dark so they may have their first dinner as a family. Being he was a deserter that only just received a pardon, he had no place to go after being discharged from the hospital. Although he could walk with minimal assistance, it was suffice to say his days as a shinobi were done. Still, she knew that making him wait for a few more minutes would do no harm. She waited seventeen years, after all.

"Do you think he'd be proud of us?" Meiyumi sniffed. "Of what we've done?"

Shinto nodded. "Of course he would. He said so in his dying breath."

"The way he died… it was like Chiyo-sama, when she gave her life." Nomasaki spoke, her voice quiet. "He died protecting the village, the place he loved… and he died to protect us, his legacy. All for a better future."

"He did." Shinto agreed. "He died for us, his comrades… He lived the life of a true shinobi." Sadness gripped him. Holding back tears, he held a firm glance to the tombstone that had his sensei's name etched to it. "That's what I aspire to be… like him."

Drawing her glance, Nomasaki's saddened eyes saw the determination held within his eyes. They were dark and full of pride for his homeland – and the love of his comrades. He means it, every word.

A presence approached them from behind.

Turning, Nomasaki met Gaara's glance as he walked closer. His eyes were drained from coping, exhaustion from his injuries, and his insomnia. Although his face was as calm as water, his ringed tanuki-like eyes held the truth.

"I'm sorry for your loss." He spoke. "I didn't know Hashira that well, but I heard he was a great man. He will be missed."

Rubbing away the scarce tears that remained, Meiyumi nodded. "Thank you, Kazekage-sama." Before turning on her heel to return home, she glanced to Shinto with concern. "Shinto, we should go now. It's near dusk."

Reluctantly, Shinto pulled his eyes away from the headstone and started for his teammate. Turning on his heel, he placed his hand on Nomasaki's shoulder and shared a nod in understood grief and loss. "See you later."

Alone, the Kazekage and his assistant stood before the grave.

"Are you alright?" Gaara asked, breaking the long silence. "He was your sensei… I'm sorry for what happened."

Nomasaki nodded, her empty violet eyes drawn to the kanji etched onto the headstone that wrote her sensei's name. "…It's been surreal to process, to tell you the truth. It may sound naïve to you, but I never imagined seeing my sensei die. I've experienced enough loss… so I was hoping for once -,"

"It's not." He assured. "Loss is something we're conditioned to as shinobi, as cruel as it is in hindsight. Death follows all who bear the title of 'shinobi', either as those who cause death or those who are dealt it."

"And Hashira-sensei was dealt it…" Her voice suddenly caved under the pressure of her contained sobs. Distressed, her eyes widened at her feet while a shudder passed through her shoulders. "Hanone died and I couldn't even mourn him! I had to keep going, keep fighting… and he didn't even leave me a body to bury… And now he's gone, and here I am without him…"

The pain in her words struck him.

Turning to her, he saw the tears that fell from her reddened eyes. He could not help but feel grief for all that she had to endure. Sorrow flooded his eyes, as well as a shared understanding. "I'm sorry about Hanone. I know he meant a great deal to you… He was your guardian, your protector, and in a way, your ninjutsu master."

"Yes," She sniffled, rubbing her eyes with her sleeve. "He was all those things… but he was also in a way, my other sensei." A sob cracked through her shattered voice. "He… threw himself in the way of the jutsu that was meant to kill me, you know. The Edō Tensei resurrected my mother, only she was a fragment of herself… more demon than woman. We were forced to fight her, after all this time -!" Another choked back sob. "Hanone didn't hesitate to protect me… He said he was fulfilling his promise to her, my mother… to protect me at all costs -! And he did so… at the cost of his own life -!"

"He died a most befitting death, Nomasaki." He said. "He did it out of love for you and your mother."

She nodded, her sobs fading. "I know, and I understand why he did it." With tearstained violet eyes, she eyed the kanji of her sensei's headstone. "Both he and Hashira-sensei died like Chiyo-sama. They died protecting the ones most precious to them… as well as to ensure their legacy lives on. Hashira with his teachings to his students, and Hanone to myself and the rest of my clan." She turned to him, meeting his gaze. "I think I finally understand now firsthand about why they wanted to leave a legacy. They wanted to ensure the next generation can live in peace. I'll make sure to carry their memories with me… as I continue to live on in this world as a 'shinobi', whether I give death or dealt it."

Taking in her words with the emerging sunset, Gaara felt a small smile form on his lips. Looking down, he found himself in thought. "You've become a strong shinobi, Nomasaki. I don't think you even realize it, how far you've come. You see the good in people, and you're truly kind… and fierce." Guilt entered his expression. "Still… I can't help but feel partially responsible for all that's happened to you. I was the one who brought you to Suna, when I found you that day… before the sands swallowed you -," He closed his eyes, trying to forget the bruises he saw on her cheeks and the thought of red lashes sprawled upon her back. And the curse seal that lay upon her tongue. "If I never brought you here… -,"

"I would be dead." Nomasaki spoke without hesitation. Sensing the surprise in his chakra, she met his eyes as he looked to her with guilt written upon his face. "What you did was save my life, Gaara. There's no harm from that… You had nothing to do with the pain that was inflicted upon me. That was all… predetermined by some cruel fate and dissidents who wanted my Kekkei Genkai, not you." Turning back to the headstone, she felt the warm rays of the setting orange sun touch her hair in its warmth. "Gaara, I have to ask… When you found me in the desert just barely hanging onto life those four years ago, did you think things would turn out the way they did?"

"No," He breathed, a half-hearted smile in shame. "Not at all."

"I never held it against you, you know." She revealed, her voice calm and as crisp as the autumn winds. "You saved my life, what you did then… and in more ways than one. I may have never thought I was meant to live as a shinobi in Suna, but I accepted my fate and made do with what I had. And now fate is somehow back in my hands."

Accepting her answer, he turned. "What will you do now, with that fate?"

A wind passed them by, swaying her hair of gold and his of blood-red crimson. "I will speak at the trial… when the time comes. And I will accompany you to Konoha tomorrow as you requested." Her heart pushing her, she turned to him with strength deep in her tearstained violet eyes. Even her draining sorrow could not mask their vibrance in the sunset, appearing near nightshade. "But from this day onward, I will be a free shinobi. This is the path I choose… my own fate."

The path. "I see," He spoke, giving a light smile. "Then in that case, I stand by you."

And the orange of the sunset eclipsed them.

The autumn air felt smooth and warm as they entered the Land of Fire.

Despite the season being the last saving grace before winter, there was no way to tell with the sprawling hills of green that stretched on into forever. Sentinel, oak, and cedar dominated the forest path up to the village gates, all of them decorated in strong leaves of green – without a single glimpse of orange, yellow, or red. Nomasaki was nervous to venture to Konohagakure at first, knowing her father would be left behind alone. Meiyumi offered to watch over him, her due diligence as a medical-nin promising her to check in as he recovered from his incapacitating injury. Even so, entering a foreign land was exciting to her and yet terrifying. And the war did nothing to ease her fears.

At least a hundred people were gathered around the gates, all of them wanting a glimpse of the hero who saved the world. Nomasaki sensed it miles away, directing the Kazekage entourage to avoid the mass attention. Covertly, the entered Konoha and were ushered in by two diligent guardsmen. Following him to the courtyard gardens of the Konoha Hospital, the Suna-nin saw the Uzumaki sitting on a wooden bench dressed in bandages and hospital clothes as if ready for surgery. Conversing, the Raikage and his entourage from Kumogakure stood nearby the nine-tails jinchuriki. It appeared as if the Kazekage was surprisingly early for once.

Sensing the foreigners approach, Naruto stood and greeted them with a wide smile. "Hey, Gaara!"

As a smooth wind blew past, Gaara reach out and shook his hand. A genuine, heartfelt smile formed on his lips, provoking Naruto to smile back. "You saved me, Naruto… yet again." He spoke. "I'm honoured to call you my friend."

A approached, with Killer B at his side. "And us."

Concerned, Temari watched the gentle wind flow against the empty sleeve at his side. "What will you do about your arm?"

"Oh, yeah…" Naruto chuckled, eyeing his phantom limb. "Well, Granny Tsunade said something about harvesting cells from Hashirama-sama the First Hokage, or whatever. I'm actually here today so they can check if I'm compatible."

A loud booming voice sounded from the Kumo entourage. Flexing his hands, Killer B began rapping verses and playfully punched the air near Naruto's chest. "Naruto is the ninja-world's sun / his right hand's a special companion / losing it is devastation! YEAH!"

"A comrade of ours lost an arm, too." Kankurō entered. "I've actually taken the liberty of designing one myself with my puppeteer ninjutsu. It should be ready in a week's time… if I can get all the supplies, that is." He looked to Nomasaki as he saw her draw her glance to him. "Shinto's a stubborn guy, but he'll adjust to it no problem."

"That's a relief to hear." She nodded, smiling lightly. "Thanks again, Kankurō."

"Oh?" Naruto peered closer at the five Suna-nin. His mind jolting from a memory, he beamed as he remembered her distant face. The wolf-girl. "Ah, it's you! Nomasaki, right?"

"It's good to see you again, Naruto." Nomasaki smiled. "You truly saved us… all of us."

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head modestly. "No problem!"

Looking to Nomasaki at his side, Gaara gestured towards the Kumo-nin. "Nomasaki, this is the Raikage-sama, A. This is his brother Killer B, the jinchuriki of the eight-tails Gyūki."

Sensing their eyes on her, Nomasaki turned to them. "It's nice to meet you." She bowed her head lightly. She gave a light smile. "I was wondering why it felt as if there were two Kurama's around. I'm a sensory-nin, so my detection is hard to tune out."

"Yo!" Killer B flexed. "Sensory-nin can sense the strength / of what makes Gyūki and I so great! YEAH!"

Catching her off guard, Nomasaki could not help but feel strangely awkward. She leaned in towards Gaara's ear, cupping her hand over her whisper. "Does he always rap…?"

Gaara gave a subtle nod. "Yes…"

Naruto smiled at them. "It's good to see you! I gotta say, you really helped us out there when we were fighting Madara – I mean, the real one." A chuckle passed through his lips. "You found the tailed-beasts and even gave Gaara some of your chakra to fight that bastard, and even dared to shout at him… that takes guts, ya know!"

I did do that, didn't I? She nodded, giving a humble smile. "Thanks."

It appeared as if Naruto was holding back a fit of laughter, clutching his pained ribcage to prevent himself from hurting further. "You even called that plant-guy a prick… That was great!"

"What of Zetsu?" Kankurō asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Is he… still around?"

Naruto shook his head. "When the Infinite Tsukuyomi happened, he merged with Madara to strengthen his Sage powers, but when Sasuke and I defeated him… he crumbled up as if nothing! Shriveled like a weed, ya know?"

Gaara's face of calm turned to one of slate. "And… what of Sasuke?"

A silence befell them.

Guilt entering his eyes, Naruto averted his gaze. "He's… I can't really say much because of, ya know… laws. I promised I wouldn't… but summed up, he's serving his sentence and paying the price for his crimes."

Temari pressed. "The same goes for Uchiha Obito?"

"…Yes." Naruto nodded, meeting her glance. "Kakashi-sensei is closely monitoring the intel as it comes in. A trial is scheduled soon, but that's all I can say about that."

"That's fine." Gaara assured. "Thank you, Naruto."

"Kazekage-sama," The guardsmen returned. "The Hokage requests your presence before the summit is to take place. Please, come with me."

Gaara nodded. "Very well."

Watching the Suna-nin begin to mobilize, the guard paused. "Only one bodyguard, sir. Hokage's orders."

When Gaara looked back to his siblings, Kankurō spoke first. "Take Nomasaki with you, she's a sensory-type for what it's worth. I'll stay behind. Besides, I want to talk with the Raikage and relax before the summit." Folding his arms against his chest, he shot his sister a grin. "Temari, you should go see that Nara guy. What's his name again…? Shikamaru -?"

"It's none of your business where I go!" She fumed, her face beginning to redden. "I-I'll just… go wherever!"

Confused, Gaara brushed off the outburst and looked to his assistant. "Nomasaki?"

"R-Right." She fumbled, rushing to meet up with him. "Sorry, Gaara-sama."

Watching the two leave with the Konoha guard with a look of suspicion, Naruto stood at Kankurō's side. "By the way…" He leaned in. "What's going on with them…? Are they a couple or what…?"

Kankurō shrugged. "Beats me… and I'm his brother…!"

Silence followed them.

They descended down a fleet of staircases that bled from the darkest corridors of the Konohagakure Intelligence Division. Walking at Gaara's side, Nomasaki scanned her surroundings with an eerie feeling of familiarity. It seemed as though she was returning to the same place where she was detained as a child upon entering the village of the desert. This place had the same cracked walls, the same damp air, and the same darkness that swallowed all except for the scarce lighted tiles on the ceiling. Masked shinobi lurked at every corner, irking her senses. ANBU, she thought. It took a moment's focus to remind herself that the masked-nin were not of Kenzō's loyalty. These are Konoha ANBU, relax. They are not after you – Kenzō is imprisoned. He can't touch you. But the mental scars he left followed like the shadows that loomed behind her in the corridor.

The guard stopped before the door to the final chamber. It was marked by a plethora of scattered sealing tags. Forming a series of hand-signs, the guard released them and gestured the two inside. "This way, Kazekage-sama."

Upon entering the chamber, they were greeted by the presence of the Sixth Hokage standing and reading a novel of some sort. Since the ending of the war, Tsunade of the Senju had taken it upon herself to retire. Although reluctant at first, Kakashi proved to be a worthy successor. Meeting the Hokage before a great barred cell with hundreds of sealing tags adorning it, Nomasaki flinched at the discovery. Inside was a young man wrapped and bound by sealing tags, with a tag placed over both of his eyes.

It's him… the Uchiha.

Even when bound, she could still sense the powerful and dark chakra that lurked beneath him – but a sense of pain and loss was also there as well. Naruto managed to defeat him, but even defeat could not reverse the damage he had done onto others.

Gaara understood. "This is him?"

Kakashi closed his book. "Yes… We've placed seals onto his eyes to prevent his Sharingan from activating. He will stand trial following the summit for his crimes against the Five Shinobi Nations." He sighed, folding his arms over his chest. "Obito is sealed at the Blood Prison under maximum security. He no longer has the Rinnegan, but even with one eye… there's no telling what his Sharingan can do. Konoha wanted to take precautions before he too has to answer for what he's done… and the sentence may be of more gravity than of Sasuke, when all is settled."

Gaara nodded, his expression blank. "I see."

"Hokage-sama," The guard returned. "One of the ANBU commanders needs to speak with you."

Bowing his head lightly to his guests, Kakashi took his leave. When they were alone with the traitor, Nomasaki stared at the Uchiha in a heavy shame. "So… this is where a path of vengeance takes you… How despairing."

"You don't need to fear him," Gaara assured. "He's sealed and bound by fūinjutsu."

"I don't." She said, her voice quiet. She met his glance with teary purple eyes. "It's just… That could've been me if went into the darkness, instead of choosing mercy." She looked away. "It wouldn't have been… the dissident that was imprisoned. That could've been me."

Gaara placed a hand on her shoulder. "You would've chosen right in the end. It's not your cross to bear, Nomasaki."

"As long as I have my curse seal on my tongue, it is." She affirmed, turning away. "I may be called as a witness to the trial, but I am someone who should be equally charged for treason… in either way you look at it." She let a brief chuckle pass her lips in self-pity. "My father's a deserter and I'm a traitor… my family doesn't have the best luck when it comes to politics, it seems."

Understanding her strife, he gave a sympathetic nod. "It'll be over and done with soon, don't worry about it any longer." Taking his hand away from her shoulder, he eyed the Uchiha with a narrowed glance. "Sasuke, you chose the path to darkness. I want to know… was it all worth it, in your eyes?"

The Uchiha slowly moved his head in their direction but spoke nothing.

"When we last met, you were in the darkness… choosing solitude and revenge over the bonds of your friends and village." Gaara's glare eased. "As someone who was once in the darkness myself, I want to ask… do you have any regrets?"

"My regrets have left me… and the darkness swallowed it all." Sasuke answered, flatly. "If there is anything left of me… regrets aren't among them. I'm empty… just as my vision is right now with this seal."

"Naruto calls you his friend, still… and it was your cooperation with him that led to the genjutsu being released." Gaara said. "Have you renounced your ways, now that you and your ambitions have been defeated?"

Sasuke scoffed. "When a tree falls and no one is able to hear it, does it make a sound?"

The room stilled.

Watching the Uchiha carefully, Nomasaki hesitated to speak. Although he was bound and sealed, his presence evoked a nervousness and shame she could not shake. Anger resided in her, too. All she saw as she stared at him was what she could have become if not for Gaara, her teammates, and her encounter with Pakura. Before she could form her lips to speak, the Uchiha sensed her fear and turned.

"And you… you're the last of your clan, or at least you were. What do you see of me?"

His chakra felt defeated, but the dark aura remained. It's full of resentment and regret, she realized. Her lips trembled at first, but she swallowed her fear and stood strong. "Nothing."

"Nothing," Sasuke repeated. "I envy to be nothing."

"Kazekage-sama," The guard returned. "The other Kage have arrived, so the summit will begin shortly. Hokage-sama requested I retrieve you."

Gaara nodded. "Very well." Looking to Nomasaki at his side, he saw that her glance was locked onto the Uchiha in caution. "Nomasaki, we should leave."

Following his path out of the blackened cells, her eyes lingered on the prisoner as she stepped through the door painted in the red sealing tags.

And she left the darkness behind.