Forgotten

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Naruto (Shippuden). This is a story inspired by the original made up for entertainment purposes only. - Krystal

Chapter 53: Time to leave

It wasn't that Yuki was unable to grasp the concept properly. It was the fact that she had three days to be able to master senjutsu. Her normally calm composure couldn't be maintained, because her mind kept thinking about other things. It was a lot harder than she had anticipated it to be. Sometimes, she would even turn part rabbit because of her lack of focus. Nonetheless, she did make quite a bit of progress of her first day.

"Yuki, you are already progressing a lot quicker than most people that have trained in this art." Kiku told her. "You don't have to..."

"Kiku-san... There are things that I cannot say that I need to do before it's too late. Call it an instinct, but I just know if I don't make it in three days, I'm going to regret it." Yuki said as she took a sip of water. "Let's get back to it."

By the end of day two, Yuki finally managed to gather the nature energy on her own, staying still. However, it would only last for three minutes as soon as she moved. It was one of the disadvantages of relying on the sage mode. She, now, had to learn how to be in sync with Kiku who could fit in her palm so that during fights, Kiku would be gathering the sage energy for Yuki. Despite usually getting along, this was a complete new experience. Not only did they have to be in sync chakra level wise, but they also had to synchronize their heartbeat and their breathing perfectly. Progressing, but slower than anticipated, Yuki slowly started feeling rushed again despite managing for the last two days to maintain her composure.

"I keep hearing the clock ticking inside my head." She told Kiku.

"You're going to have to ignore it." Kiku said. "Focus on the task at hand."

"I'm trying... It's not that easy, you know that." Yuki replied, slightly irritated.

They immediately got back into it. Slowly, they managed to extend the period of time that Yuki stayed in the sage mode. Yuki wasn't completely immune to physical changes that occurred when entering the sage mode. Her eyes turned red, which wasn't really different to when she used her sharingan. Her eyelashes turned white, matching with her hair, looking like they were frosted. Her hair also grew longer. It almost touched the floor. It made it look like she was wearing a cape. It wasn't an ugly sight.

Day three came to an end. Exhausted, Yuki and Kiku both laid on the grass, looking up to the sky where the stars were shining brightly and the moon was even brighter. It wasn't supposed to be a full moon that night, but where they were, it was always a full moon night.

"I'm late." Yuki said.

"But you finally did it. Rest and leave tomorrow morning."

"I should probably leave now."

"I'll take you back tomorrow morning." Kiku replied. "Tell me. Why is it that you must rush to Itachi and Sasuke?"

"Promise not to tell anyone?" Yuki asked. "And promise to take me back right after?"

"Sure." Kiku said hesitantly.

"Itachi... He's simply misunderstood. Sasuke will most likely fight him until death and Itachi will simply let it happen. Everything he does is for Sasuke's sake. Yet, no one is to know about it. I simply figured it out because I knew Itachi well enough. I want to stop him from dying. I can't..."

"Gotcha." Kiku simply said. "Let's send you back before it's too late."

With those words, Yuki was now in the middle of the forest outside of Konohagakure. She closed her eyes and began gathering chakra to enter her sage mode. It would allow for her to sense chakra better than her normal sensory skills. She could locate Itachi much quicker in this manner. She sensed it after a little while. There was no mistake possible. She quickly made her way there. He was seemingly by himself. As she approached the location, she saw two towers coming out of the mountain. If she wasn't mistaken, it was the infamous Uchiha hideout she had read about. It truly was in the middle of nowhere, looking like it was deserted for centuries as the vines climbed the towers and intertwined with one another. She took her time to get inside as she was uncertain of what to say to Itachi. She didn't know what it was that he was planning. She only knew that he didn't fear death nor being cursed at by the whole entire world. He could bear everything on his own.

She made her way to the main room. Itachi was sitting on what looked like a throne. He looked at her as she bit her lip, still unsure of what to say. It had been a while since she last saw him. The feelings of kinship remained. She wasn't certain how he felt. Perhaps he couldn't even recognize her.

"You found me quickly, Yuki." He then said, confirming that he knew who she was. "I knew if people were to start looking for me, you would be the first one to find me."

"I'm guessing you were waiting for Sasuke?"

"You both, actually." He said. "There are a few things that are easier to share with you."

He stood up and walked over to her. He looked at her in the eyes and asked her:

"How far along are your eyes?"

"The mangekyo awakened when the Third passed away." She told him.

"Have you been using them?"

"No. I've recently started training with them."

"Good. Don't overuse them. They start losing their light after a while."

"You mean... Itachi!" Yuki said as she realized he was slowly losing his sight. "Let me have a look at them!"

"It's too late now." Itachi said as he looked away. "Everything is already pretty much a blur. It's time for me to close my eyes and hand myself over to Sasuke."

Yuki shook her head as her eyes began filling up with tears. Itachi smiled. He was grateful for her trust after all these years. It was the first genuine smile he managed after all this time. He thought he had forgotten.

"I'll finally be able to let down all this weight I've been carrying on my shoulders." He said. "Thank you for coming to see me one last time and thank you for all these years."

"I don't deserve your thank yous. I've let you down. I failed to keep Sasuke in Konoha. I stopped believing in him."

"You did your best. It was meant to happen." He said to comfort her.

"It wasn't my best. Others have done better. Naruto..."

"I just had a talk with him. He's quite something, isn't he? He called Sasuke a brother. He truly treats him like one."

He smiled as he was reminded by Naruto's answer. He then looked at Yuki with a serious face:

"I've entrusted Naruto with Shisui's mangekyo sharingan. He isn't aware of this. If Sasuke ever decides to attack Konohagakure, the sharingan will manifest itself in reaction to my own and he would be ordered to protect the village."

"That's only if Sasuke decides to take your eyes."

"He will. His desire of power will push him to do so. Furthermore, someone will definitely push him to do so."

"Someone?"

"Uchiha Madara. He's still alive. He wants to wage war against the world."

Yuki stood there in shock. Madara was supposed to be dead a long time ago. It made no sense for him to still be alive. Itachi didn't say anymore as he knew he had to give her time to process what she had just heard. Madara, the only shinobi who could rival the first Hokage, was still alive and wanted to destroy humanity as they knew it. Yuki really didn't know what to make of that. She already felt helpless when she was faced with the dangers of the Akatsuki, adding, now, on top of that Madara. It was a fight they were putting up that was already lost.

"Yuki. Are you scared?" Itachi asked. "It's unlike you to fear such things."

"I don't fear many things, but this is Uchiha Madara who we are talking about, someone who rivaled the one we call the god of shinobi. That God isn't alive anymore. How are we... There are currently many talented shinobis out there, but they aren't ready yet."

"Nor is he. There are a few more things he needs before he can truly wage war against the world. He isn't quite the man he used to be, but he isn't weak either. Just remember one thing, don't let Naruto fall into his hands."

"I figured that much. The Uchihas are known for their ability to control the tailed beast. Now that I know who is behind all of this, it makes sense as to why the Akatsukis were collecting the tailed beast." Yuki said. "If he gained control of all of them, there's really nothing much we could do. Sealing all of them at once isn't exactly an option, is it?"

"As long as Naruto is protected, the world should be fine." Itachi simply replied.

That was the reason why Yuki trained so hard for the past few days. It wasn't just for Itachi or Sasuke. It was for Naruto. It was for this world she grew to love. It was for the people who surrounded her. Hearing those words from Itachi gave her hope once again despite knowing the mountain they had to climb in order to ensure peace in the world.

"Are you going to tell Sasuke everything too?"

"No. I told you. Things are easier explained to you since you already knew so much."

"He deserves to know how great of a man you are."

"He doesn't need to know. It will just make things harder for him. Which reminds me... Don't intervene when he comes. It's a fight that must happen and he must live."

"But you don't have to die." Yuki murmured.

"And don't tell him anything." Itachi continued ignoring her comment. "Also, leave my body there so that they can use my eyes for Sasuke."

"Itachi!"

"He's here" Itachi then said. "Sorry Yuki, I think your time with me is up. I'm going to give my full attention to my younger brother now, for one last time. It's also the only time. I'm such a terrible brother, am I not?"

He walked past her and tap gently on her forehead. He went back to sit on the throne-like chair. Yuki began to cry silently. It was truly a goodbye. Deep inside, she had wished that someday Sasuke would understand Itachi and that he would forgive his older brother. The village would also pardon his crimes and welcome him back. They could be a family once again. It was impossible now that Itachi has chosen death and that, with his death, he brought everything with him to the underworld. With his death, he ensured peace in Konohagakure. She hated the fact that he sacrificed so much for a peace that wouldn't even be long lasting. Her heart was wrenching as she pictured his life throughout the last few years. She never forgot him, but, in the moments of joy she had, she forgot the pain he must had felt constantly.

"You don't have to feel sad for me. I chose this life. I'm going to die feeling fulfilled." He then said. "I don't want you to witness my death though... so please, leave before you have to see anything."

"I..." Yuki began.

She then heard footsteps from the staircase that lead to the room they were in. She quickly turned around with teary eyes and looked at Itachi one last time. She mouthed the word goodbye as no sound could come out of her mouth and disappeared. She had flashed herself outside the Uchiha hideout. She was far enough so that she didn't have to see anything, but close enough so that she remained aware of what was happening. She even closed her eyes as to respect Itachi's final wish of not wanting her to witness his death. She could only hear the loud noises from their fight. From where she was, she could feel the air getting warmer from the flames of their battle. She smelled the smoke coming from the pine trees that were burning down. She felt against her skin the dusts that rose up from the ground. Her fists were clenched tightly and her nails dug deep into her skin and flesh. She felt no pain from that as her heart was feeling an immense amount of pain. She tried enduring it, but she finally had to let out a cry that she stopped quickly as soon as the sound made it out of her throat. Soon enough, she heard nothing else but the sound of a dying fire. His chakra was slowly fading as well. It was time for him to leave already. Now, all she could feel were the warm tears rolling down her cheeks.

End of Chapter 53

Thank you reading this story.

Every follow, favorite and review mean so much to me, so thank you a million times for that. Please, do keep them coming!

xox

Krystal