Outside the 3rd division camp

After a quick chat with Kyo outside the main Raikage building, An peddled towards the 3rd division camp while Kyo headed oppositely, towards the Takaoka Castle. His masked assistants followed closely. The shinobi in the camp stared at the three curiously, while some were looking at the men cautiously, but none dared to question their presence.

Kakashi sensed their presences since they appeared by the main Raikage building. He stood by the opening of his tent. "An-nii," he addressed smoothly. He knew the blue haired man was the man's assistant, Kazuhiko, but he was not certain who the black haired man was, though he guessed the man was, well, at least the clan that he previously belonged to, was familiar. "Kazuhiko- kun, and this must be Sasaki-san."

An smiled but said nothing. He set up a kekkai once everyone was inside Kakashi's temporary office. Kazuhiko took off his mask, but the black haired man did not follow, which triggered Kakashi's anxiety. Although he has only been a Sasaki for a short period, he knew the significant of the porcelain mask. The mask must be removed for their leader when there were only members of Sasaki presence. As it was obvious that this man was not a member of the elders, he wondered why the man was bold enough to keep his mask on.

Even Kakashi placed his focus on the man steadily, but he was caught unexpectedly as the man griped his chin tightly and lifted up. As his head was forced upwards, he opened his sharingan and looked into the black eyes behind the mask dangerously.

"It's thwarting to see Minoru's brat has better control of the eye than some of my clan members," the man spoke nonchalantly with his magnetic voice.

An smirked as he stepped right next to the man in a split second. He snatched the man's wrist and so the man released his grasp. "Don't scare our young Kashi-kun."

The man obeyed and took one step back. From this distance, Kakashi could see the man's eyes. He inhaled sharply, as he saw a violet right eye as well as a crimson left eye. This man looked like the main enemy that they were fighting against, Tobi.

The man took off his mask slowly as An spoke, "Kashi- kun, may I introduce Sasaki, Uchiha Madara."

"Ma…dara?" Kakashi gasp as he thought the orange masked man, Tobi, claimed himself as the legendary head of Uchiha. If Madara was standing right in front of him, who the masked man was then?

An leered, "I guess you can figure out the reason for me to bring him along then, Kashi-kun." He pulled Kakashi to his side and placed his head on Kakashi's right shoulder. "Just call him Sasaki –kun for the time being, as he will be your associate during this complex period."

"Hai," Kakashi replied softly, "yoroshikune, Madara-san."

Madara nodded quietly, "it's interesting to work with another Hatake again."

All men in the tent smiled and Kakashi turned his attention to his close aniki. "So An-nii, are you going to stay?"

"Unfortunately, no," An replied as he dropped himself in one of the chair. "I will be in and out all the time as I have placed 2 of my units in Takaoka while Kaoru and Kyouhei are addressing the issues in Gosutobare with Kyo-chan and Akira san."

"I see." Kakashi murmured as he analysed the situation, "how's Hiroshi-kun?"

"He's fine, though I have not seen him for awhile, as he was busy with the council business."

Madara smirked secretly as from the letters than An wrote, he wondered why the man felt that he has fallen in love. If he has to say, he did not think that was love. But then, who was he to judge? He was part of the reason of today's war. If they did not swing the unwanted direction, the situation would not be the same. He sat next to An, while Kazuhiko approached the side table to make some tea.

"So, my An-nii, are you going to tell me a story then?" Kakashi sat opposite of the men, across the tea table that was covered by scrolls.

"Maybe next time…" An answered apologetically, as he felt two men were approaching the tent. "I believe you have matters to attend to. We'll see you tonight." Within a split second, the kekkai was withdrawn and the men were gone.

Kakashi sighed softly, as he was really curious to know the truth behind Madara's fake death. But nonetheless, he pulled the curtain and welcomed Gai and Ensui.

Madara and An reappeared by one of the cliff while Kazuhiko off to the main gate of the Alliance Force, waiting for the messenger from Takaoka. Madara looked at the sun set by the end of the sea. "You are going to tell him as far as you know, aren't you?

"Why not?" An bounced, "he's a Hatake. He knows where he stands." He brushed Madara's long black threads. "Besides, you are the two that I have chosen to blood."

"To me, seems it was only happened yesterday," Madara murmured, "his granddaughter has hit her 50 already."

"Life for us, the immortal is like that. You're still young, Madara-kun," An answered, while placing his head on Madara's shoulder. "I still remembered the first encounter that we have. You and Harashima –kun were still boys."

"We were already head of clan by then, An."

"I know, but I was also head of clan for years. It's kind of like how you see Kashi- kun now, still a brat. Anyway," An spoke tenderly, "please take care of him when I am away. His progress on conversion was not as hasty as I have hoped, and I trust your decisions, you will be the representative for the Sasaki."

"You're going to Takaoka, aren't you?" Madara lifted one of his eyebrows, "to see Hiroshi?"

"No. He's already in Gosutobare," An replied as if nothing was going wrong.

"You know you simply don't love him anymore," Madara stated softly, "don't let your perfectionism taint your memory. I am already a bad example."

An beamed, "I don't need a brat to tell me about emotions. Save it for yourself."

Madara said nothing but sighed. Suddenly, both of them remained frozen as they were deeply in thoughts. It was not a quiet night, as other people were busy, gathering their last minute supplies and preparation for the war. Both men have been away from the battlefield for a while, as the Sasaki decided not to involve and Madara was faking his own death.

After a few moments, Madara stood up smoothly. "I want to have some rest. Think the boy is free now."

An nodded in unison. He understood the hidden meaning, as he has promised the younger man the story that was not heard anywhere; and that he knew the man needed the time alone. It has been a long while since the man made his existence amongst the mortal.

O o o o o O o o o o O

Author's Note

A quick update for this story. I hope after this chapter, the story line would be slightly clear and that I hope you have enjoyed.

Looking forwards to see your reviews.

VI