So, another cliffhanger lol. I didn't get as many reviews as I would've liked, but I'm hoping that I get some for this one. I do understand that the last chapter was a bit confusing, but that's just how I wrote it lol. I want you to know, that I was hysterical writing this chapter. I feel like I've accomplished something great, if one, I can make myself cry, but two, if I can move some of you enough to tears as well. Please let me know what you feel about this chapter, it means a lot to me. We're very close to the end, I think there's only about 2 or 3 chapters left for this one. Not to worry, I've got another one in the works so it won't be long until a new one goes up after this is done. Thanks to everyone that's stuck around for the length of this. I know I fell off the face of the earth for a while, but it's reading the things you guys said that inspired me to get back to work. Hope you enjoy this one!
"You're never going to hurt us again. You're never going to get what you came here for Madara. I told Itachi he had my forgiveness because I knew he had sacrificed everything for me. All you've done is cause us suffering! You can die slowly in the misery of knowing that!" Sasuke said softly. Itachi grabbed his shoulders, using the shorter boy as a crutch. He coughed blood on Sasuke's face, and started to shake. Sakura watched in horror. It was like she was watching the scene from outside her body. Sasuke looked over to Sakura, realizing the shock she was feeling. "Don't worry Sakura, I know what I'm doing," he said, hoping to get through to her.
"Sakura…" Itachi whispered, looking over to the girl. His eyes fluttered and his vision blurred. He coughed up more blood and fell deeper on his brother's sword. His head felt heavy and he had to rest it on Sasuke's shoulder. "Sasuke…" he said, wondering how this could've happened.
"Trust me," he said as softly as he could, so soft only Itachi could hear. He slowly reclaimed his sword and let this Itachi fall to the floor. He went back to the injured Itachi and helped him up. Sakura looked at him finally, wondering if she'd been wrong. Sasuke would know which Itachi was the real one wouldn't he? "Quick Sakura, you need to heal him," Sasuke demanded, bringing the injured Itachi toward her. If she'd turned away, she would have missed how his eyes strayed a bit to the side, toward the Itachi he had attacked. Something bad was about to happen.
"Sasuke… I have to tell you something…" the injured Itachi said, turning his face toward his relative. Sasuke looked at this Itachi, searching deep in his eyes. "I'm-" He was cut off by a grunt. Pain danced across his features and he felt dizzy suddenly… His head lolled downward toward the ground to see a kunai had been plunged into his stomach, specifically where he could not easily heal. "You-" He was cut off by another involuntary grunt as Sasuke twisted the sharpened object to open the wound further.
"Even if you could survive the wound, which will eventually kill you from the loss of blood, you won't survive the poison that was on the kunai, dad," Sasuke said, watching the henge dissipate. He ripped the silver knife from Madara's gut and let him fall to his knees. "Or should I call you Danzo? Or Tobi? How many people have you been? How many times have you walked in and out of our lives?"
"How could you?" Madara managed, clutching his wound. He looked up at Sasuke, and over at Sakura who rushed over to Itachi.
"What was it you wanted? A weapon you could control and use for your own ends? That wasn't good enough though was it? Itachi would do what you asked of him, but he was never loyal to you. So you had to take everything away from him so he could die miserably with no hope of salvation. You're the great Madara Uchiha, and still there was something even you couldn't accomplish. You couldn't get Itachi to side with you and so you gave up on him, and turned to me instead. You knew Itachi's greatest punishment would be to die without ever knowing how much I cared about him, and forgave him for all the things he did to protect me from you. You are the monster," Sasuke revealed, pushing the man back into the dirt.
"Sasuke… Please listen..." Madara begged. He began to feel strange.
"I don't need to hear anything else from you," Sasuke said. He looked over at his brother, letting a hint of worry flash across his face.
"You're just like Izuna…" Madara said. "He was just as gifted… He was just too young to understand things the way I did… You and your brother… you'll be much better parents than I was… I did a lot of what I did because of my grudge, but also to watch you grow. You two were never the obedient type I suppose…Shouldn't surprise me…" he rambled.
"You have no right to insinuate you love us after everything you've done," Sasuke growled.
"Sasuke... I am still your father… and I'm so proud of you… You finally proved yourself to your brother… I hope he lives long enough to praise you," Madara said, laughing, but in pain.
"I'm sure Sakura will see to it that he lives. If your plan was to have me kill him it's failed," Sasuke said.
"Sasuke!" Sakura yelled, pointing into the forest. Someone else was coming, and they were travelling very fast. Sasuke looked at his father, who suddenly held… fear in his eyes? What could be coming that could scare a man like Madara Uchiha? He ran with his sword toward the exit this person was coming toward.
"No!" Madara screamed. It was so loud that it echoed miles away and reverberated through the clearing. His tone was of panic and ferocity. Sasuke barely had enough time to react. He moved so quickly that none of them were sure how it happened, that Sasuke was behind this mysterious person holding her in a choke hold with his sword to her throat right above his arm.
"Who are you?" he growled.
"Let her go. She has nothing to do with this," Madara pleaded. Sasuke furrowed his brows at Madara's sudden change in demeanor.
"Please Madara," she said, barely above a whisper.
"No! They don't need to know! Think about what's already been done!" Madara shouted at her, grasping his chest.
"Please, Sasuke. Let me help your brother," she said.
"Why would I let you go? What don't we know? What are you planning?" Sasuke demanded.
"Things didn't go exactly the way they were supposed to. Sakura's abilities will not be sufficient," the woman said.
"Sakura?" Sasuke questioned. Her eyes were blurred by tears. She didn't have the right tools, or nearly enough chakra to help Itachi. She was able to heal some of it, but she couldn't stop the bleeding, and he was turning pale. She looked up to Sasuke fear relevant in her eyes as well. Itachi managed to lift his hand, so he could cup Sakura's face and smiled.
"I love you. Everything will be ok now," Itachi whispered.
"No it won't! How could it be ok? It wasn't supposed to happen this way. You're not going to die damn it! Don't you even think about giving up!" Sakura shouted at him. She forced her tears away and looked up at the woman Sasuke held captive. She rubbed her eyes when she looked at her. It was the same feeling she got the first time she'd seen Madara. She had a feeling there were quite a lot of things still left unsaid. "Let her go Sasuke," Sakura said.
"What? If you can't heal Itachi, why do you think she can? And if she could, she could heal Madara too!" Sasuke objected.
"You need to trust me," Sakura said. Sasuke waited a moment, but complied with her request. The woman came over to Itachi, and Sakura moved out of her way. She formed seals above his wound and pressed down. Itachi cried out in pain and struggled against her.
"Hold him," the woman instructed. Sasuke rushed over and helped Sakura hold his brother down. Sakura watched her fiancée contort in pain, whimpering pathetically. His eyes fluttered closed and he stopped breathing.
"What are you doing to him?" Sasuke demanded. He grabbed her shoulder, but quickly pulled it away when she turned her head to look at him. "Who are you?" he whispered.
"I don't expect you to understand Sasuke, but this is the way things must be done in order to bring him back. He must die before I can help him live," the woman said. She made different seals and the wound started to close and heal, leaving a scar behind.
"Koumu…" Madara whispered, obviously short of breath. "Don't… tell… them…"
"You don't get to decide when you die Madara. That has always been my decision," the woman snapped back at him. She formed another set of seals and used something on herself. Sakura and Sasuke were taken aback when the woman sitting here suddenly became younger, a little girl…
"What's going on?" Sasuke asked. Sakura clutched Itachi's hand. The girl leaned over Itachi, and kissed him on the lips. Itachi suddenly started breathing.
"How did you do that?" Sakura asked. Just as she had just become a little girl, she suddenly changed back into the woman she was.
"What's going on?" Sasuke demanded again.
"Allow me to revive Madara and I will tell you everything," Koumu requested.
"No! You're not going to let him live," Sasuke yelled at her.
"I know why you feel this way, but your father and I had to make certain decisions to reach this point. I know I wasn't supposed to interfere but I can't let it end this way… It wasn't until I was coming here that I realized Itachi's life was in danger," Koumu said cryptically.
"Itachi!" Sakura cried out, tearing up as he suddenly opened his eyes. He sat up and stared at Koumu.
"You…" he whispered.
"Hello Itachi," she said. She put a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezed it.
"You know her?" Sasuke asked.
"She would sneak into the village to meet with our mother for a few months before and after your birth. As a child he had thought nothing of it, but looking at her now, and thinking back to his mother's pregnancy he felt something was off.
"The wheels in your head are always turning. I bet you always wondered how you could anticipate every action and reaction that could happen. You always knew where they'd be, what they'd do, as long as you were completely focused, you could never lose. That's why you haven't been able to see anything lately," Koumu said. Itachi felt a tingle crawl across his skin.
"Who are you really?" Itachi asked, suspicious that he already knew the answer.
"I'll tell you everything you desire, but please let me help your father. I swear to you that he will not be a threat," Koumu pleaded. Itachi gave a slight nod, noticing the same look on her face, as he had had on when he first met Sakura.
"Itachi, what are you doing?" Sakura asked.
"I'm not sure, but I don't think we have anything to worry about," he replied.
"Itachi, you can't be serious! That isn't a risk we can afford to take," Sasuke yelled.
"She didn't have to save me Sasuke…" Itachi said. Koumu looked to Sasuke before she kneeled over Madara. Sasuke stared at her, feeling suddenly at ease. He looked away from her. It soon became relevant she wasn't using the same technique she'd used on Itachi. She shook her head and put a hand on his face.
"It's too late," she whispered.
"Why?" Sakura asked.
"With most poisons, there is a specific rate of deterioration, focused on one or two key points. This poison, it's an extremely accelerated and detrimental version of what Madara administered to Itachi when he was a boy. I suppose that should be accredited to Rin, as per your suggestion Sakura?" Koumu questioned.
"Aa…" Sakura said.
"There's too much damage done. I've extracted what I could, and repaired as much damage as I could after Itachi," Koumu said.
"You promised me you wouldn't do this," Madara said.
"I hadn't planned on it, but I had another vision," Koumu said.
"About what?" Madara asked.
"It changed when you went to see Sasuke as Itachi. This shifted the original plan, and ensured Itachi would die," Koumu said. "So you didn't exactly do as you promised either."
"Can you please explain what's going on?" Sakura asked.
"Everything started a long, long time ago. When I was a little girl my mother told me that I would be the one to bring peace or ensure war for this world. Not the kind of peace we have now with secret plots to overthrow each other's countries and cities and shinobi. The kind of peace where we no longer needed shinobi," she began.
"You know you're not supposed to tell them this!" Madara growled, wincing in pain when he tried to move.
"I don't care. I want them to know the truth," Koumu replied. "She told me I would meet a man, and when I met him, I would have a vision. A vision of a man who was pure in his heart and mind, and fighting for all the right reasons to protect those he loved. I asked her what he would look like and she would not tell me. She only told me that I would have to make a choice then, to live with him, bear a child, and grow old in as much peace as we could…" Koumu said, looking letting her gaze fall upon Madara, who had tears in his eyes. "Or I could love him, bear a child, and suffer the rest of my life so he could bring peace to our child's generation and all those to come thereafter," she added. She knew Itachi was starting to understand what she was saying.
"Why would you suffer the rest of your life?" Sakura asked.
"My name means 'vision of peace.' My mother had already decided I would make the right choice and not the selfish one when I was born. She was a great oracle, the greatest there was, and ever would be. My people were not large in number, and so I suppose I should be grateful they did not suffer more… My older sister made a mistake a free will when I was 6 years old, to use our ability to save a ninja who was badly injured. My mother and father took me and my sister, and a few close relatives and we left the village. They tried to warn our clan that people would be coming for them, but they paid no heed, and as such, they were all captured. This ability is very unique and it needs to be nurtured with love in order to blossom. I can't remember what clan it was that took them, but it was horrible.
They were used to revive the almost dead, and those that had died. They didn't realize the way this technique worked. You must summon a great deal of chakra to bring you back as many years as needed to heal whoever is being healed. You bring them back with the kiss of life, which takes your own life energy to do. Some people take years to recuperate, while others take months, and others take weeks. It all depends on age and skill and gender. The technique develops quicker, and stronger in females. If you don't have enough time to rest the skill takes its toll on your life and starts to age you, or in some cases, creates a constant and terrible pain inside of you that you must suffer with until you willingly let go.
When most of my clan had died, they started forcing them to try and get pregnant with each other. They had just the clan trying to have children at first, afraid to dilute the genes, but after only some got pregnant, they raped the women and forced the men to have sex with their women, desperate not to lose this skill… I overheard my parents telling this to my sister, and she was overcome with grief. This happened when I was eight. She could not bear the burden. She had contemplated killing herself at first, but she instead willed her life to me, and weeks later when someone mentioned we were still alive my parents did the same. They sent me wandering through the forest toward a village of ninja they knew would protect me. They never got their hands on me and eventually I was the only one left. Six years went by with relative peace. When everyone else panicked that the Uchiha clan was moving in our direction and that they had conquered all in their path thus far I did not. I had a vision while wide awake, of a man with very long black hair, that laid his eyes upon me and stood in shock," Koumu said, beginning a story that promised to be filled with more pain…
"You were 14 when you met Madara?" Itachi asked. She nodded.
"He was 19 and in constant rivalry with his brother. He had an edge to him, something that got him elected as the leader. When they attacked he was the one to find me in my home, and I could feel something inside me. I told him he was going to be mine. He left without ever saying a word, but for his part he never forgot me. Six months passed after he called off the attack and let all of us live. I knew another attack was coming, and in the midst of the fires burning our village, I waited for him to rescue me. Once again, everyone around me was killed, while I still managed to survive. I had had my vision of our life the night before. He saved me and brought us to the river. It was then he asked me how I knew already the feelings he had upon just looking at me," Koumu said, lost in her memory.
"There's something you need to know. I cannot force you to do any of the things I've seen in my vision, so I leave the decision of our future up to you Madara," Koumu said.
"You are an oracle," Madara said, not asked. She nodded.
"You will be betrayed by your people in favor of peace. They will turn against you because when you come upon the Senju clan they will want to finally settle down. Even though you have their best interests in mind, they will say you lust for blood, and only wish to fight because of your greed and jealousy for not being picked leader of the village you're going to form. If you choose, we can live a relatively peaceful life with that ends with our son growing up and participating in countless wars thereafter…"
"And what is the other option?" Madara asked.
"When this generation's children are grown we will have a boy who will change the world forever by defeating the most evil person ever to live. We will not be the ones to raise him, and he will find out you are his father, but not that I am his mother. In defeating this man, he will bring an everlasting peace to our world, for our four grandchildren," she said. Madara was already on to who she was talking about, but asked anyway.
"This evil man that exists in our son's time, it's me isn't it?"
"You're not evil at heart Madara, but in order to accomplish this goal… you must become a monster. I will tell you of all the deeds you need to carry out in order to ensure this future, but it is your choice. He can never know of the events surrounding your past, lest he feel that you deserve to be remembered as a hero, and disrupt this peace," Koumu said.
"Which is the future you believe in?" Madara asked.
"I want you to know my suffering will be as great as yours… You will die four times in this life, each time being revived by a technique exclusive to my bloodline. Each time I revive you, I will be holding more and more pain inside me. When our son has killed you, I'll will the both us to the afterlife where we will be able to spend the rest of eternity together, watching over our child and his family," Koumu explained.
"And we shall live in misery for how long?"
"We shall be close to our nineties but we will still appear to be in our thirties with another technique associated with my bloodline. It will cause me more pain to keep you young," Koumu said.
"So after nearly a century on this Earth, we will finally be able to die and be happy?" Madara asked.
"It is up to you," Koumu said.
"I can be who you ask me to be, for the sake of future generations, but it is you who will carry a constant burden upon you, starting from the first time I die… It is your decision to make," Madara replied.
"My parents and sister gave their lives to ensure this future. I will not let them have died in vain for my selfish wants," Koumu said.
"Then I will do what you ask of me," Madara said.
"So then I'm not your child?" Sasuke asked.
"This isn't the first time we've broken the rules. While it's true I was only supposed to have one child, we followed a path that brought us two. It was because of this that we feared everything would fall apart…" Koumu admitted.
"Why?" Sasuke asked.
"Sakura's original affection lay with Itachi, and he looked after her in secret. The Uchiha did not threaten to rebel until right before the Sandaime was killed by Orochimaru, who had only left Akatsuki because he desired to steal Itachi's body after he acted on orders from Danzo to kill off his clan. Madara approached him as Madara then, put Itachi turned him down and attacked him. Madara left, only saying he would be back for Itachi again, and not too long after, Orochimaru and Kabuto were found dead, for betraying the Akatsuki. As young as Itachi was, they thought back to what the Yondaime had accomplished, and elected that Itachi be placed in charge of the city temporarily until Jiraya was found to take his place. Tsunade was elected instead when Jiraya was asked and declined. Sakura started training under the Tsunade when she took over as the Godaime. She quickly moved up the ranks, hoping to run into Itachi this way, to make him notice her, though he already did.
They became a couple, married and had a child within two years. They were extremely happy together and it was when she was seven months pregnant with her second child that Madara came back. He told her that he was Itachi's real father, and that he would have him one way or another. If he refused again, Madara threatened to kill her and her children. She panicked and Naruto found her stumbling around in the street, having gone into premature labor. Itachi was on his way back from a mission when he heard what had happened. He was able to save her life because he willed some of his own to her, but he could never explain why that was. A few months later Akatsuki attacked, and a great deal of people were killed. Tsunade had to give her life to save all those who were dying by sharing her chakra with Katsuyu. Itachi was bloody and exhausted in the field, as was Madara. Madara made Itachi believe he didn't find him to be a threat and turned his back to him, but really, he was letting him deliver the final blow in what Itachi called a, "Grave error in judgment."
He refused to give up and he went searching for his family, trying to help those he saw on the way. Though the village was a bit worse for wear, it was still standing, and word spread quickly through the world. After hearing that Itachi was the son of Madara Uchiha and he managed to kill the most dangerous criminal that had ever been known, other countries started laying down their weapons. A meeting was arranged to discuss a truce that would be upheld for the rest of… well as far into the future as I can see… Itachi was named Rokudaime and negotiated the elements of the treaty," Koumu explained.
"When you were born, the vision drastically changed," Madara voiced, looking toward his younger son.
"There were very few plans that worked out in our favor. Itachi destroyed the clan to spare you from Madara. You grew up to fall under Orochimaru's control. In one future he took over your body, in another you killed Itachi without him ever seeing Sakura, and then you joined your father to destroy Konoha for forcing Itachi into his lie, and for the emotional damage it had caused you. In one future you…" Koumu began, afraid to even say what it was that had happened.
"You raped Sakura and killed her and her child when you found out she'd gone looking for Itachi, and you found out she loved him," Madara said for her. Sasuke's mouth fell open in horror at the thought. Could he really have lost his mind like that?
"Everything in this future has been determined by the choices Sakura has made. She followed her heart straight through to the right conclusions and we were finally able to see the same future we knew we'd have from the beginning, just with another set of four grandchildren. Madara couldn't stand knowing he was living his life the same way Itachi was, but we swore to each other we would never tell you… It wasn't until last night, when Madara wasn't sure you would be able to tell the difference between them, and approached you as Itachi did things change. When Itachi returned with Sakura the three of you were going to form a plan on how to administer the poison, and Sakura was going to tell Madara she had outwitted him after all. I wasn't sure I was going to make it in time to save Itachi…" Koumu finished.
"How do we know this is really true?" Sakura asked.
"Kakashi is going to be the first one to find you here, quickly followed by Naruto. Hinata will come next, to tell Sakura she needs to come to the hospital right away. While Tsunade is not dead, and will make enough of a recovery to get around, she will no longer be able to fulfill her duties as Hokage. She will ask Itachi to protect the village for her, since he has done nothing but sacrifice for Konoha. Her exact words will be, "All you ever wanted in this world was peace, with the world, with your family, and with your brother. I leave it in your hands to ensure this peace will last. You are the Rokudaime, and I believe if anyone can handle this responsibility it is you." Pain will die after openly speaking about everything he was a part of. He won't die of his wounds however. Once he finds out Danzo was Madara, and he realizes he was working for the person who was essentially responsible for the deaths of all those he cared about, he dies in shame of his actions. A team is assembled for one last mission, to go and destroy the King of Hell Statue, effectively making Naruto the only jinchūriki left. This is another reason no one dares to go against Konoha," Koumu answered.
"You need to know I'm so proud of the both of you… I wish I could've seen my grandchildren, at least once just been able to hold them as I so briefly was able to hold onto you both. For almost a century we have sacrificed our desires so that you would be able to live in peace. I'm sorry you had to suffer the way I've suffered Itachi, but I'm not sorry it's because we had another son. I love you both," Madara said, tears leaking down the sides of his face as his vision blurred. Itachi rushed over to him and helped him sit up.
"I understand… I… I love you too father," Itachi whispered. He looked at Sasuke with empathy. Sasuke had just been through so much with him, and now to find out their father was doing the same thing… He knew it had to be a lot for his brother to handle.
"You don't have to forgive us Sasuke, but I know it would mean so much-" Koumu began, teary eyed. She was interrupted by Sasuke's arms around her.
"This just isn't right," Sasuke whispered. "How can we live the rest of our lives knowing you suffered for the entirety of your own?" He clenched his jaw as he too began to cry. Koumu was in shock, but she quickly wrapped her arms around her son. A son she hadn't held since he was born. She managed to hide her tears, but inhaled shakily, never wanting to let go.
"I'm so sorry Sasuke… Having you has caused you nothing but suffering… I didn't think you would have to face all of this pain…" Koumu whispered, petting his hair. He sobbed into her chest.
"Sasuke, look how strong you've become because of all you've endured. You outsmarted me, and I was supposed to have all the answers," Madara said to try and make him feel better. Itachi stood up and went over to put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "You have to think about what this will bring to your nieces, and nephews and your own sons and daughters. It's the only way you'll be able to bear it."
"Mitsuki will have this gift, as will your first daughter. You may still feel hurt inside, but sooner than you think, you'll find in Karin, what you believed you had with Sakura. You will find solace in her, and she will help you through all of this without judgment," Koumu said.
"How can she if no one else is supposed to know?" Sasuke asked.
"You'll tell her. She will share in your pain, but she will know when you tell her, it is for the good of your child," Koumu replied. "Your life is only just beginning. Don't let the past stop you from having a future Sasuke. The Uchiha name can be passed on with honor now, because you two have saved this world from a war that would have killed thousands of people," Koumu said. She forced herself away from Sasuke, to cup his face with both hands, to make sure he was listening to her. "We must all make sacrifices in life, be glad that your sacrifices have been worth something."
"And you," Madara said to Itachi, "You can be glad your sacrifices weren't forced upon you. You willingly did what you believed was going to keep your brother safe. I have never thought ill of you, you are not a villain." Itachi kneeled beside his father and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry I had to make you feel the way you did. I know you began to feel crazy and question yourself and your motives and it was killing you inside. I always thought that you were doing what was right."
"It's nearly time… Kakashi is only a few minutes away…" Koumu said. Itachi went over and hugged her tightly, while Sasuke hugged his father.
"I know there's nothing you can do for dad… but why do you have to go too? Don't you want to die surrounded by grandchildren and great grandchildren?" Sasuke asked his mother. The look on his face made her almost reconsider the plan once again.
"Sasuke… How could she keep living, knowing Madara is waiting for her? She would never be truly happy without him here with her… She loves him that much, that the thought of being without him, would make her lose the will to live…" Sakura said softly. Koumu took Sakura's hand and smiled at her.
"I'm glad that you can understand that Sakura. I know that your wedding will be beautiful. You'll get married very soon. When you have your son, Sasuke, will be having his second son, and when you have your last girl, Sasuke will have his only girl, who will be a twin. All your children will grow up protecting each other and will do great things for the advancement of this world. After Itachi steps down in a few years, after all the children are born, he will let Naruto take his place, because he will have become a mature adult. After Naruto steps down, your youngest daughter will take over the care for this village. Promise me you'll never let them go… Promise me you'll enjoy every second of being a mother and an aunt," Koumu requested.
"I promise," Sakura promised.
"There's one other thing you should know Sakura," Koumu said.
"What is it?" Sakura asked.
"I recently found out I was not the only person in my clan that survived. If you speak to your father, he'll be able to tell you the truth about where you come from. You are also adopted… It's how you were able to have visions as well…" Koumu said, almost regretfully. Sakura stared in shock for a moment, before accepting what she'd been told. It wasn't like it didn't make sense. She was very gifted for someone born of normal blood. She made a note to ask her father about it in a few weeks.
"I want to apologize for forcing you to see all those things," Madara said, obviously in a lot of pain trying to breathe.
"None of that matters anymore," Sakura assured him. She looked at Sasuke, and then Itachi. "You two need to say your goodbyes so that he doesn't have to suffer any longer," Sakura whispered. Both boys held their respective parent's hands, stifling their emotions as they had been trained to do so that Kakashi would not see their pain. Koumu placed a kiss on their foreheads, and then leaned down by Madara. She put a hand over her heart, and over his.
"We love you," Madara whispered. Both boys nodded.
"We love you too," Sasuke replied. Madara smiled, and then looked up at his wife.
"I love you Koumu," he whispered, breathing getting more and more shallow.
"I love you Madara," she whispered back. She leaned down to place a kiss on his lips and they both closed their eyes. Sakura placed a hand on each neck to confirm their deaths. She bit her lip. Itachi walked a few feet away. Sasuke stared down at his parents and then turned to Sakura.
"This just isn't right… How many people have sacrificed themselves for this future?" Sasuke asked.
"It's best not to think of it that way. Think about what this means for the future," Sakura said.
"Think about how our children will live their lives free of this pain," Itachi said. He wrapped his arms around Sakura, feeling hollow inside. He too, could find no joy in their newfound peace. They all looked up toward the direction they heard Kakashi approaching from. He looked at the scene with uncertainty. He was followed very closely by Naruto.
"What happened here?" Naruto asked.
"It doesn't matter…" Sakura said, praying they would leave the issue alone for now.
"Who is the woman?" Kakashi asked.
"She was working with him. Not even I knew about her…" Itachi admitted.
"She's been in Konoha before…" Kakashi said.
"Aa… She was a friend of my mother's… I remember her from around when Sasuke was born, and I saw her a few times over the years thereafter, but I could never imagine she was a spy for Madara," Itachi confessed.
"Did you kill them both?" Naruto asked.
"Sasuke fatally wounded Madara. She appeared and formed some seals and then the both of them were dead…" Sakura said.
"Why aren't you celebrating? You can go get your kids from Suna now and bring them home!" Naruto exclaimed.
"There was just something about him as he was dying… If he could keep this woman secret from me all these years… It makes me question if I ever really knew what he wanted…" Itachi said softly.
"You'll need to fill out a report on what occurred here," Kakashi said.
"Sakura!" they heard in the distance.
"Hinata?" Naruto said, as the girl appeared in the clearing.
"Sakura, Tsunade is in the hospital, we need you to come help us right away," Hinata said urgently. Sakura nodded and took off after the Hyuuga. After hours and hours, Tsunade briefly woke up. Sakura, Hinata and Rin needed a break to recover themselves, but Shizune would not stop. When the Godaime was finally fully awake and Shizune explained what had happened, she requested Itachi be brought to her, along with the elders.
"Are you feeling alright?" Sakura asked, holding her mentor's hand. She noted that the diamond had disappeared from her forehead, and she suddenly looked very much her own age.
"Not particularly… I need to tell you something Itachi…" she said, obviously exhausted.
"Can't this wait Tsunade?" Homura asked.
"You are not well, and we have things we desperately need to discuss about the village," Koharu said.
"Itachi… I don't know if I'm going to make it… I know that… All you ever wanted in this world was peace, with the world, with your family, and with your brother. I leave it in your hands to ensure this peace will last. You are the Rokudaime, and I believe if anyone can handle this responsibility it is you," Tsunade declared. The elders were taken aback at her decision, and enraged she had not consulted them first.
"We cannot allow you to make a decision like this in haste Tsunade," Koharu objected.
"You are not in the right frame of mind to make a decision like this," Homura agreed.
"And what excuse do you two offer for your behavior in your right mind, listening to Danzo while all along he was Madara?" Sasuke demanded.
"How dare you… No one knew," Koharu said.
"If you in your right mind could not see through his façade then what right do you have to question the Godaime?" Sasuke questioned again.
"It was your choice to put Tsunade in charge when the Sandaime passed without leaving a successor. Tsunade has not passed, and it is her right to decide who will take her place. This is law, unless it can be proven she has an error in judgment," Shizune commented.
"Tell me, how there can be any reason you would object to my brother being appointed? Who else is there?" Sasuke asked.
"There are many that are older and more experienced, such as Kakashi," Koharu answered.
"And what of the Yondaime? How old was he? You accepted him when the Sandaime selected him, because of what he did for this village during the last ninja war," Shizune argued.
"You have no authority to question us," Homura said.
"We have every right to question why you will not abide by our Hokage. You must present evidence to support your denial," Sakura argued. "If you do not, you are considered insubordinate and as such can be banished from our land, or killed for such treason."
"We don't trust him," Koharu said.
"And how can we trust you? Itachi did not know Madara was Danzo, but he did exactly what was asked of him in joining Akatsuki. There's no way to prove you were not working with Danzo, as Madara in order to deliver his son to him," Sasuke said.
"I'm sure if we could come to that conclusion, then so could Ibiki. So you can either accept her decision, or we could take the issue of your possible treason to the interrogators," Sakura threatened.
"We have always had this village's best interests at heart," Koharu said, irritated at such an accusation.
"If that were true, you would know Itachi is the best choice…" Tsunade managed.
"Please, rest Godaime… You mustn't use all your strength," Shizune pleaded, putting a hand on her shoulder. Tsunade brushed her hand away and sat up, to prove how serious she was.
"He killed Madara Uchiha. Who else but Itachi himself will the other countries listen to? After all the sacrifices he's made to ensure the safety of our home, how dare you question my authority? Kakashi will be put in charge temporarily while Itachi leads one last mission to destroy the statue all the tailed beasts are sealed into, leaving us with the last surviving jinchūriki. This is a chance to finally end all this fighting, and have a real chance at peace. There is no one else but Itachi," Tsunade said. She stared at the two of them for a long time before they finally realized that she was right. There was no real evidence to back up their claims. It was just outrageous to think he would be in charge…
"Then we will make Kakashi aware of this and leave you to recover," Homura replied. The pair bowed to her and left her. Tsunade sighed heavily and lay back down.
"You don't have to worry Tsunade, I will make sure peace is brought to this land," Itachi promised. He had Sasuke and Sakura go to assemble a team and supplies for the mission, and went to visit Pain.
"What did you know about that woman?" he asked Pain.
"I overheard him call her Koumu once. She appeared every now and again when you were away. I thought at first she was just coming to report of events in Konoha since she was watching Sasuke's development. He acted differently around her, not the cold, callous, manipulative person he always was. She tried to hide the way she looked at him as well but I think they were in love," Pain explained.
"How long was she a contact of his?" Itachi asked.
"Since I knew him. He approached me not long after Yahiko and Konan were killed. It seems like they knew each other for quite some time…" Pain revealed.
"Did you ever hear what they were discussing?" Itachi asked.
"Just that plans were occurring accordingly. Sometimes it seems like she was the one who was giving the orders to him instead of vice versa. He was very mysterious, as you very well know. I didn't know he was your father until recently," Pain said.
"I want you to know… Danzo is dead…" Itachi said, diverting his gaze.
"Why do you say it that way?" Pain asked.
"You know Madara was Tobi, to hide his identity but to come out of the shadows," Itachi began.
"No… Please don't tell me that…" Pain begged, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry Nagato… Madara was Danzo as well," Itachi revealed. He could feel the air in the room change. Nagato started screaming and thrashing about, knocking things around until he collapsed on the ground. He blinked away tears and shook his head again.
"Please… kill me…" Nagato whispered.
"It is not my place," Itachi replied mournfully.
"I've answered all your questions! Will you let me die in slow agony when you could just end things?" Nagato yelled, making pathetic, helpless sounds.
"Is there anything else you can tell me about Koumu?" Itachi asked.
"No, I've told you…" Nagato began, pausing as a memory came back to him. "I can't be sure, but I think I heard him address her as Mimoto Koumu..." Itachi thought for a moment. The characters for such a name meant truth and origin. That name seemed so familiar to him, as if told to him in a story long ago as a child, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Please Nagato… there must be something else… I have to know…" Itachi said, looking upon the man, who seemed as though he would die any moment. He shook his head back and forth, still in denial about Danzo. He looked up at Itachi, seeing for once, something other than indifference in his eyes. He was so stricken with grief that he was pretty much useless to Itachi, but he suddenly got a look of contemplation on his face.
"There was one other thing…" Nagato said, staring intently at the Uchiha towering above him.