IMPORTANT NOTE: Whole story is edited. Chapters are rewritten. Minor and major changes have been done. If you still feel this story deserves a second chance, then I hope you'll try to reread it. I started this story when I was 15. Now I'm 21 and I find myself reproaching the work of my younger self. I really had a difficult time continuing this seeing as my writing and my manner of thinking has changed greatly. But I did the best that I could. Thank you for not giving up on this.

Chapter 33: Gone

Tenten stirred for the umpteenth time as she glared at the beginning of dawn. She wasn't able to sleep at all. She couldn't take it anymore. The next medic who would ask her to lay still and rest would be the last medic who would ever enter her room. She was anxious, in complete and utter panic. Sasuke Uchiha knew her secret. How long would it be until everyone did as well?

Bolting up the bed, Tenten threw the covers on the floor. She'd be damned if she stayed one more second in bed.

"Ma'am?"

Tenten froze. "Damn it of all the time…" She whispered before giving the nurse a tight smile and lying back down the bed.

Picking up the fallen blanket and placing it over Tenten, the nurse smiled back in return. "You're getting really restless it seems."

Tenten bit the inside of her cheek to stop the sarcastic remark itching to claw its way out.

The nurse handed her a few pills and a glass of water. "But I believe I have some good news!"

Tenten simply raised her eyebrows in inquiry, unable to reply thanks to the bitterness of the drugs.

"You're getting discharged today."

Tenten bolted up once again. "For real?! You're not kidding, are you?"

The nurse laughed in reply. "No, I'm not lying. You're free to go by four in the afternoon after all the routine tests for discharge are finished."

"Four?" Tenten wined in protest as she glanced at the rising sun. "That's ten hours from now!"

"I believe that's how it is." The nurse smiled one more time as she jotted a few notes on the paper on her clipboard.

Tenten could only sigh as she flopped down on the bed. She nodded her head as the nurse voiced her leave. "It looks like I've got 10 more hours to think of a good story." She paused to massage her temples. "They're going to kill me."

"What are we going to tell her?"

Mifuyu glanced around for an answer. Everyone stayed silent, still in shock over last night's events. She stood up from the round dining table to gaze out the window. She stared at the broken pieces of wood, ashes, and burnt debris that reached her line of sight. That was all that was left of what was once a peaceful dojo. Everything seemed surreal. "Regardless of what we tell her, she still has to know her father is alive."

"That man." Lucas' gaze was scolding, his tone struggling to conceal anger. "Has no right to be called her father."

Mifuyu turned around and folded her arms in annoyance. "Then what do we call him then?" Her gaze locked on Lucas. "Whether we admit it or not, he is her father. And she has every right to know of what transpired here last night."

"We will do no such thing!" Lucas banged his fist on the table.

"Then what do you suggest we do!?" Mifuyu marched back to the table and slapped both her hands on the table. Her eyes never left Lucas. "Madara is here. He is alive and he wants to take her away! Do you want her to remain ignorant of the threats to her life, is that it!?"

Lucas stood up brashly, toppling his chair in the process. "I will not allow that monster to lay a single hand on her! He hasn't got the right to even look at her! We are here to protect her! And I will do whatever means necessary-"

"Providing her with information is protecting her!"

"And I'm telling you she doesn't have to deal with that filth!"

Yue felt an elbow on his rib. "What?" he replied through gritted teeth in annoyance.

"So this is how it feels for Mifuyu and Lucas when the two of us fight, huh?" Griselda whispered, her eyes never leaving the tension-filled exchanges. "But I really have to admit. This is strangely entertaining."

Yue fought the urge to roll his eyes. "And that's what you're thinking of in a situation like this?"

"Oh come on. As if you aren't entertained. You would have done something by now if you weren't."

Yue sighed. He hated to admit it but the sight of the two arguing was such a rare occurrence that he couldn't allow himself to butt in. They had opposite elements and often times they did have varying views but they were usually too mature to allow their emotions to get the better of them.

"See?" Griselda concluded, her tone superior and amused. "You're in the same boat as I am."

Yue folded his arms in silent acceptance. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Nothing. They'll realize we're both here eventually then they'll each ask our stand on the matter."

"And what if they completely forget we're here and eventually end up battling it out?"

Yue raised an eyebrow at the sadistic grin Griselda gave him. Her canines were abnormally sharper than the average human that Yue was beginning to question if she really was one or not.

"If they fight it out then that would definitely be a first! More entertainment for us!"

Yue sighed as he grew more anxious of the volatile situation. He really didn't want to be a referee between those two. They may be mature but in battle they could be pretty sadistic.

Mifuyu slammed her fist on the table. "For once why can't you just let go or your stupid heroic antics and just think for a moment! This isn't about you Lucas! This isn't about Nadeshiko! This is about her daughter Tenten who, in case you haven't noticed, has grown far stronger than all four of us combined!"

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?!"

"This isn't your chance to take revenge on the man who stole Nadeshiko away from you, Lucas!"

Yue and Griselda flinched as blue flames engulfed the entire room in a split second.

"Don't you dare." Lucas replied in a whisper, but his tone had never been that livid.

Mifuyu stared on, unaffected by the rising heat of the blue flames. Her tone was neutral now. "If you think single-handedly defeating Madara is your way of retribution, then I'm telling you it's not. You can't defeat him Lucas. None of us can."

Griselda yelped as the blue flames rose instantaneously before vanishing into thin air.

Lucas walked away without a reply.

"That…" Yue began. He remained seated on his partly burnt chair still unsure of what exactly happened.

"Wasn't as entertaining as I thought it would be." Griselda still stared at where Lucas once stood. She'd never seem him this angry.

Yue watched as Mifuyu headed for the sink, splashing her face with cold water. Standing up, Yue made his way to stand beside her. "You alright?"

Sighing, Mifuyu nodded her head in reply.

"This is the first time I've ever seen you two fight like this." Griselda stated as she placed both hands behind her neck. "And I thought Yue and I were oil and water."

"Was I wrong?" Mifuyu raised her head to look Yue and Griselda in the eye.

Yue sighed. "I've always known that Lucas regarded this as a personal agenda. He's loved the woman for as long as I can remember so I guess I can't blame him. But someone had to make him realize that no personal agenda should be greater than what we are called to do. Our duty is to protect the last heir of the Avatar clan, not take revenge on the man Nadeshiko fell in love with."

Griselda nodded. "There's just no other way of making him realize things. But in order for him to accept things as they are, he needs to let go of the past. And I don't think he's the type to do that."

Mifuyu sighed. "Then if I did the right thing, why do I feel… miserable?"

Yue chuckled as he patted Mifuyu's back in comfort. "That's usually how it feels when you tell people the truth about themselves when they're not ready to hear it yet."

Sasuke stood still, staring at his ancestral home indifferently. It's been years since he last visited this place. It brought too many memories. Good or bad it always made him feel something. And he hated feeling. Seeing his childhood come to life always reminded him he was once happy. But that happiness was nothing but a farce.

It was a game. Everything was. And they were the pawns whose lives could be sacrificed on a whim. It was for the greater good they say. But how could something be called good if it required human sacrifice? His father. Mother. Itachi. All of their lives were sacrificed on a whim. He was the only one who survived. Even if he didn't deserve to.

Sasuke closed his eyes and walked out into the deserted streets of the Uchiha compound. He remembered the old lady who used to sell bread a few blocks from his house. The shop looked worn and decaying. He could almost see the old woman and her husband weeping at how badly things have become. He liked that old lady. She used to give him bread every time she saw him pass by. She was a kind old woman.

Walking by the other shops and houses, Sasuke surprised himself to find he remembered every single one of the people who used to live in them. How he was capable of that he was unsure. But every face, tone of voice, article of clothing, he could recall. Turning around, it seemed he could almost see the smiling faces of all the people who were once family. Like he was in the middle of a dream, a dream too beautiful he prayed he would never wake up.

In the blink of an eye, everything vanished. He was alone again, in the middle of a ghost town no one even dared to approach. Turning to leave, his eyes caught sight of a lake. He could almost see his seven-year old self running along the wooden platform every day after school to practice his Katon. That was where his father first told him he made him proud.

Standing on the edge of the now rickety stand, Sasuke stared at his reflection on the water. It seemed there was one thing that remained untarnished by history. The lake was so clear that you could almost count the rocks beneath it. It seemed to breathe a sign of life when a koi fish jumped out gracefully. Sasuke crouched to scoop a handful of water. Even under the heat of the sun, it was cold. Nothing other than fish seemed to enjoy the beauty of the lake.

Sasuke spread his fingers apart, watching the droplets of water fall out of his hand. He sat down the platform crossing one leg over the other, ignoring the screeching of the tired wood. He never once dreamed he would be back to this place, recalling the things he thought he had long repressed. But he needed to. He had to. And now that he was done, he was sure.

There was no one named Tenten Uchiha. No one who even looked remotely close to her.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes in annoyance. Just where the hell did she come from?

"Am I free to go?"

The nurse chuckled at the incredibly enthusiastic tone of the girl who was currently putting her hair up in two high buns. "Yes, ma'am. All your test results have come up good. Although it is still strictly recommended that you refrain from strenuous activities for at least a week."

Tenten nodded nonchalantly, too focused on fixing her hair up.

"Please heed the orders." The nurse exhaled exasperated. "You wouldn't want to end up like one of the patients here the other day. He went back to training right after discharge and he almost ended up being admitted again."

Tenten chuckled. "Is that patient by any chance named Rock Lee?"

The nurse cleared her throat. "I can not divulge any personal information."

Tenten chuckled again. The expression on the nurse's face was enough affirmation. "At least he's not admitted again, that crazy idiot."

"You would be wise to heed the warning." The nurse reiterated.

"Of course. Of course!" Tenten placed the last of her bobby pins onto her hair before jumping up and down repeatedly. "There! Stay in place."

"Have you gathered all of your things?"

Tenten nodded as she walked towards the bed to retrieve a small black bag. "Here."

"Then please sign here and you are free to go."

Tenten breathed in deeply and smiled. Glancing back at the hospital, she gave a mocking salute. "Hopefully won't be back any time soon!" With that, she headed towards the busy market. She no longer felt like she was being watched, unlike when she was back in the hospital, but she could never be too sure. The best way for her to avoid any unwanted confrontations was to pass through the busiest area in Konoha. That way she could easily slip away through the crowd. She prayed to her lucky stars Sasuke wouldn't be here to pester her.

"Fresh tomatoes, just in season! Special prices!"

"Ramen sale! 50% off only today!"

"Apples! Get your apples!"

Tenten smiled. There was a strange beauty in being isolated in a crowd. It's really been years since she last walked through a busy market place. She thought all those years in the Avatar Temple would have made her aversive towards noise but she was wrong. She missed the anonymity of being in a crowd.

"Flowers for a beautiful lady?"

Tenten turned her head to look at a little boy only about eight years old. He was a bit skinny with olive skin and a buzz cut. But what Tenten noticed the most was the eye patch over one eye. She smiled. "How much for a rose?"

"Nothing!" The boy smiled cheekily. "It's free."

Tenten couldn't help but laugh. "But you won't make that much of a living it you give it out for free!"

"It's fine. It's only free for you."

Tenten stopped laughing, noting the meaningful way the little boy was looking at her. "Did someone ask you to give this to me?"

The little boy nodded.

"Who?"

"He wants to meet you." The little boy replied mysteriously as he handed her the single red rose. "He says it's been a while."

Tenten felt strange but she didn't know why. There was nothing peculiar about the little boy's chakra signature and she couldn't feel any notable chakra levels within the area. "Do you know his name?"

"No." The little boy shook his head. "But he did this to me." He pointed towards the eye patch.

Tenten felt her mouth fall open. "What?!"

"Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. It's fine." The little boy smiled as he brought a hand over the eye patch. "Here, see?"

The last thing Tenten saw was the swirl of red and black and everything vanished.

"Where is she?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes in annoyance. How could she have escaped his notice?

"Y-You mean the patient who used to occupy this room?" The nurse replied nervously, clutching the wooden clipboard to her chest in defense. He wasn't doing anything to her but the way he looked at her made her feel like he would kill her any moment.

Sasuke didn't answer. He continued to glare at the ignorant nurse before shifting his attention to another one. "Where is she?" He reiterated once again, this time with malice.

"S-She was discharged about an hour ago, s-sir. W-What business do you have with her?"

Clicking his tongue Sasuke stormed out of the hospital. He cursed his luck. He had no idea where she lived and for all he knew, she could have left Konoha by now. He was stomping his way around town before a sudden surge of electricity coursed through his body. The people around him panicked at the sight. He took a deep breath to calm down. He hadn't realized he walked right into the middle of the busiest area in Konoha. Turning around to leave, his gaze met the Hokage mountain. Realizing there was only one other person who could provide him with answers, he rushed out of the market place ignoring the way people moved to allow him passage.

"I want this mission to be assigned to Naruto."

Shizune sighed. "A C-rank parcel delivery mission? But Tsunade-sama, you know how stubborn Naruto can get when it comes to being given these types of missions."

Tsunade snorted. "Then let him be stubborn. It's either that or he finds another job to pay his bills."

Shizune sighed. "But every time he complains he always barges in here and causes a mess." Shizune refrained from saying any further. As usual, Naruto would barge in the office, call Tsunade names, be beaten into a pulp, then thrown out the window. And who would be left to clean the mess? She sighed.

Tsunade continued to sign the mission documents indifferently. "Then the next time he barges in here I'll flick his forehead and send him flying all the way to Suna."

Shizune could only nod as she jotted down Naruto's name for the mission.

A loud impatient knock was heard through the door.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me that idiot's a psychic now?"

Shizune chuckled as she headed for the door. She was willing to bet that was Naruto ready to demand a mission assignment. "Naru-oh."

"Is the Hokage here?"

Shizune nodded as she blinked in slight disbelief. What was Uchiha Sasuke doing here?

"May I speak to her?"

"Who is it?" Tsunade asked, her attention still on the mission forms.

"Tsunade-sama, Uchiha Sasuke is here." Shizune replied as she moved to the side to open the door fully.

Sasuke walked in and gave a respectful nod. "Godaime."

Tsunade paused from signing the mission forms to gaze at the Uchiha prodigy with a raised eye brow. This was definitely a surprise. He never came to her for anything. "What can I do for you?"

"May I speak to you?" He paused before glancing slightly towards Shizune. "In private?"

Tsunade leaned back on the chair as she folded her arms on her ample chest. "About?"

Sasuke exhaled slowly, preventing himself from replying sarcastically. What else was 'private' supposed to mean? "The matter is sensitive. I only require a few minutes of your time."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow again. What a way to speak to the Hokage indeed.

As if realizing his mistake, Sasuke corrected himself begrudgingly. "I have reason to believe that the topic I wish to discuss is… undisclosed. It would be better if only you and I are present for the exchange. A few minutes of your time would be appreciated, Godaime."

Tsunaded nodded, accepting the Sasuke's self-reproach. "Shizune."

With that, Shizune nodded and left the room in an instant.

"This room is tightly sealed. Not even the sound of an explosion could be heard from outside. Whatever is said in this room will be for both our ears only." Tsunade clarified as she leaned on the table, intertwining her fingers under her chin. "So, what is it that you want to talk about?"

"Tenten." Was all Sasuke needed to say to get a reaction out of Tsunade. He watched as her eyes widened in surprise before concealing it almost immediately into a look of amusement. She knew. He gritted his teeth. Of course she knew! Why else would she have accepted her back into Konoha without a single explanation?

"What about her?" Tsunade replied as she reached for her now stale tea, drinking nonchalantly from the porcelain cup.

"You know." Sasuke spat bitterly through clenched teeth.

Tsunade raised an eye brow. "About what?"

"Don't act like you don't know."

Tsunade sighed as she massaged her temples in annoyance. She really hated it when brats talked as if they were equal to her in standing. "There are a lot of things that I know about a lot of people, Sasuke. You're going to have to be more specific."

"Fine." Sasuke replied insolently. "Uchiha." He paused, his challenging gaze never leaving Tsunade. "She's an Uchiha."

Tsunade could only sigh. It seems he was still unaware of the other half of the story. "How did you find out?"

"She fucking stared at me with Sharingan eyes." He replied as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. "How else would I have believed it?"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Listen Sasuke." She began, her tone was neutral but a there was dangerous undertone to it. "I know you're upset. But remember that you are standing right in my office and that I am your damn Hokage." She paused again, her gaze never left Sasuke. "Don't talk to me as if I were Naruto."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes in response. "It's taking every ounce of my self-control right now to stop myself from ringing your throat for keeping this from me. How's that for an answer?"

Tsunade smirked conceitedly. "Why don't you try then?"

Sasuke felt something within him about to snap when loud knocks were heard from the door.

"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune burst in without warning. "A letter from Suna! It's an emergency! They've been attacked by the sound village. They've lost nearly half of their military power. They need immediate assistance to ward any future ambushes."

Tsunade grabbed the parchment from Shizune as she clicked her tongue in annoyance. "What the hell is going on? First the Hidden Mist gets attacked and now Suna?" Things weren't making any sense. After the war all five great nations were finally able to sign a peace treaty. There hasn't been any attack for almost a year and now all of a sudden two villages were ambushed by the Sound.

"Send in Kakashi and Gai's team as soon as possible. I'll discuss who to send from Anbu with Anko and Ibiki."

Shizune nodded in understanding before rushing out the room once again.

"The hell is wrong with the world." Tsunade muttered to herself as she pulled out a bottle of sake from the hidden stash under the table. "Care for some?" She motioned another bottle towards Sasuke who only stared at her indifferently.

Tsunade drank the entire bottle in one swing, exhaling in content afterwards. "Now where were we?" She paused in thought. "Ah, you wanted to ring my neck?"

Sasuke gritted his teeth as he took deep breaths to calm himself down. He was thankful for the distraction. He almost lost himself. Making an enemy of the Hokage would make him an enemy of Konoha. Being banished from the village and hunted as a missing nin once again would do nothing to help him in his pursuit of truth.

He exhaled. "I apologize for my impertinence." He bowed his head for emphasis but said nothing more.

Tsunade sighed. She knew he wasn't really sorry for his outburst. But he needed her information so he was playing his cards as best as he could. "It would do you good to not let it happen again."

Sasuke nodded in reply before staring back at Tsunade sternly once again. "She is an Uchiha. That much I have established. But…" Sasuke paused, trying hard to keep his tone neutral and unfeeling. "How is that possible? I know every single Uchiha in this village. Every family, every child." He paused again, ignoring the look of surprise Tsunade gave him. "And every single one of them died during the night of the massacre."

Sasuke took calculated steps towards Tsunade's table, stopping only a few inches away. "So just who the hell is she? How could there possibly be a living Uchiha I am not aware of?"

Tsunade let out a long sigh, unsure of what to say. "I can't answer that question." She felt the temperature of the room drop. Staring right into the eyes of the Uchiha avenger, she saw nothing but ruthlessness. She took a deep breath. "It is not a question I can answer. This information is classified. There are only two people aware of this situation. Me and herself. No one else."

"So you're saying you won't tell me anything?" Sasuke's gaze remained indifferently cold. Tsunade felt incredibly uneasy. She readied herself for battle.

"I can't tell you anything." She clarified. "Like I said, it's not a question I am entitled to answer. If you want an answer, then there's only one person who can give you that. And whether she agrees or refuses is not within my power."

Sasuke remained unmoving, staring the Hokage down, as if contemplating whether he would kill her or not.

Tsunade felt a bead of sweat drip down her temple. "If someone were to come in here and ask me to tell them the story of the Uchiha massacre…" She paused, noticing the way Sasuke's eyes widened with understanding. "How would you feel if I simply divulged information to anyone who asked me to?"

Sasuke finally looked away.

Tsunade felt the temperature of the room turn back to normal.

Without looking at Tsunade, Sasuke bowed his goodbye and left.

Tsunade let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She hated to admit it but the damn kid would have definitely been a challenge.

Lucas opened his eyes to see nothing but black. That was strange. He was just in his room a moment ago.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

Opening his hand, he called out a fire. But nothing came. He began to panic.

After several attempts, he remained engulfed within the darkness. Putting his arms out, he walked a few paces towards different directions but felt nothing.

"Hello!" He screamed. "Is anyone out there?!"

"Mifuyu!"

"Griselda!"

"Yue!"

"Ten-"

"Scary isn't it?"

Lucas froze. It couldn't be. "Madara!"

A deep chuckle was heard in response. "Strange isn't it? How the lack of vision can make you suffocate."

Lucas placed a hand on his chest, feeling the air around him grow thin. "Madara…" He choked out as he fell to his knees.

Madara continued, his tone amused and light. "And how darkness seems to amply the feeling of pain."

Lucas bit back a strangled scream as he felt his body burn up. He could feel something clawing deep within his chest, spreading fire throughout his body, as if he were burning from the inside.

"The fire isn't so fun now when you're the object of its torture, is it?" Madara added, a chuckle followed suit.

"Madara!" Lucas screamed in agony, but his tone promised nothing but vengeance.

Madara continued to chuckle in amusement. "I like you." He paused, as if in consideration. "Your spirit is hard to trample."

"Fuck you!" Lucas had his hand on his chest now, grasping desperately as he felt his consciousness slipping.

Madara laughed loudly this time. "I look forward to the day when your fire finally burns out."

"I'll kill you!"

"I'd very much like to see you try." Madara paused again. "Oh, it seems you're about to die. I may have taken longer than necessary to deliver a message.

As much as Lucas wanted to yell curses at him, he couldn't breathe anymore. His eyes were threatening to close.

"I have my daughter now."

Lucas' eyes snapped back open. "No…"

"She's become a lot stronger thanks to you and your friends."

Lucas struggled to push himself up on his knees only to fall flat back on the ground. "You can't…"

"Meet me at the valley of the end tonight. Defeat me, then maybe you can get her back."

"No…" Lucas could feel his eyes closing. The fear of the darkness that shrouded him failed in comparison to the fear he felt when his eyes finally gave in. He would never forgive himself for failing to protect the one thing that mattered in this world.

"Nadeshiko… Forgive me."

End of Chapter 33. Thank you for reading!

I have no excuse for abandoning this story three years ago. I will admit I have lost interest in it and have considered to erase it several times. I am an avid reader of the manga and as events occur in the canon, I found myself having great difficulty continuing this. But now I find myself picking it back up and this time I have planned it all the way till the end. I promise I will finish this. Thank you again!