YUKI POV

Her mark burned in her neck, and she grit her teeth, ignoring the obvious discomfort the scar caused her. She immediately understood what Akira was doing, but couldn't counteract the effects. Her chest tightened and she felt fear grip her clone, as realization settled in. Akira was smart enough, to recognize the mark she had placed on her shoulder. Shaking off the pain, she was caught by surprise by as Kakashi wrapped her in a half nelson, removed her hood and jumped back in a relatively swift movement.

AKIRA POV

"Y-yuki! It can't be…you're dead! H-"

The girl removed the cloak, throwing aside all facades.

She lied? Or did she actually die?

Her heart rate increased as she stared into those emerald eyes before rage overcame reason.

"You bitch!"

"Akira-san. Forgive my deception."

Their eyes met, and held each other, as the younger girl closed the distance between them.

"How could you? How dare you show your face?" Akira growled, her entire being trembling with anger.

She watched the girl hang her head, droplets of water free falling from her face to the earth.

"I don't expect you to understand, but I have my reasons for returning."

Akira ground her teeth together, and grabbed the front of the girl's shirt, aiming to end her life here and now for the pain she caused her. Yet, among all that rage, some part of her was relieved that Yuki was still alive. She could have a chance to-

No! NEVER AGAIN! She's abused me time and time again. Rejected the love I had to offer. She's even denied that she loves me. So why bother? There's no point! I'll kill her here and now, and return to the battlefield to protect the others. I can't let Kazuyo die.

"Why? Why leave me? What reason could you possibly have for breaking my heart on the battlefield?"

"Because I do love you. I know it doesn't make sense, but remember what I told you before I left?"

Akira's mind searched for the words, confusion filling her mind.

She said….

"Akira. Losing me now, is better than to lose me on the battlefield. At least here, you have time to accept my decision and learn to live with it. That way, you won't fear for my safety."

Her grip tightened involuntarily, and she lifted the girl higher.

"Yes," she replied with a whisper.

"They weren't meant for you."

Akira's eyes snapped to the girls, and her claws dug into the Hazukashii's skin.

"I said them, to convince myself to leave. I'm human…weak, and nothing more than beating muscle and skin. I felt inadequate. Why would you love someone incapable of protecting you on the battlefield?"

Akira let her words sink in, taking a minute to digest the information.

"I would have loved you even if you couldn't defend me."

The girl shook her head in denial, further enraging the kitsune.

"HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE OR NOT HAVE LOVED IN YOU?" Akira snapped.

"My death would have ridden on your conscience no different than your last mate."

Akira avoided the girl's comment. It was true that her first mate's death had been at her hands, yet she was positive that Naruto and Yuki would be different. She loved them both with a heart that had learned from that pain.

"I won't forgive you. Not after you fooled me into believing you were…you were-"

"I understand, Akira," the girl spoke, tears flowing down her throat. Akira glared into her eyes, before squeezing harder, restraining herself. She had to know. Before the betrayal could be furthered, she needed to know one thing.

"Before I kill you, I have to know. Did you ever love me? Did any of my feelings get through to you? Or was it all just a game?" she demanded, squeezing harder. The girl grabbed at her hand, as her feet left the ground. She watched the girl struggle in her grasp, her feet kicking for earth.

"I…did."

The final word hit her ears and she fought to keep herself from snapping her neck like she had intended. Her hands grew clammy, and she felt her muscles slowly release their death grip from around her throat. She withdrew, taking care to move several steps away.

"What did you say?"Akira ordered, her gaze never steering away from her ex.

"I DO LOVE YOU."

Each word was stated with extreme emphasis and desire, to get a point across. The kitsune knew that she said it with the intention of softening her heart, but it would fail right now. The fox was furious and the fact that the girl had the audacity to say those very words was like a smack to her face.

"After all, you have done to me, you expect me to believe-"

"No."

Akira glared at her and her tails manifested themselves.

"No. I never did. If you want to kill me, then do it. I'm only a shadow clone, but I can take you to the real me, and let you settle your bloodlust. I died once, so I'm not afraid of what lies beyond it."

Akira ground her teeth in frustration, the next sentence, forcing a single tear down her eye, and finally breaking the defenses she had set up against the girl.

"I came back, with the hope that I might have another chance. My heart has changed. I never had you, but I fear losing you. So do what you have to," the Jounin stated.

Akira contemplated her choices. She could kill her ex, and protect her current mate. She could ignore the obvious care this girl felt. OR. The second option scared her because she feared another betrayal. Her heart would not be able to take the sting she felt at Yuki's traitorous lies.

"And if I let you back?" Akira asked.

"I love you and will walk alongside you," was the quiet response from Yuki.

Akira bit her lip and closed her eyes, raising a hand to her chest. Choices to be made. Love, or Hate. Trust, or doubt. Give in or resist. With one final thought, she moved forward, closing the distance step by step. Her stride was sure, and firm, speeding towards the kunoichi. She inhaled the scent of uncertainty which dripped off the Shadow Clone. When finally they were face to face, Akira leaned in, and grabbed the girl around her waist, and pulled her into a full on French kiss. She knew that the clone was not real, but the gesture would reach the real Yuki. As they broke the sensual gesture, the girl exhaled bated breath.

"You…forgive me?"

"I shouldn't. I could have killed you. I was so close to it. Naruto though, changed my heart. He would have given you another chance. And so will I."
The clone suddenly stiffened in her grasp, before slackening against her chest.

"Thank...you."

Akira stared down at the girl, noticing the feral and protective look on her face. Before she could ask, the world tilted, and Akira fell into slumber.

CLONE POV

The Masked Man's arrival was perfect as they separated, she was well aware of his impending attack, grabbing Naruto and absorbing him.

He intends to steal the nine tails. Unfortunately for him, I'm two steps ahead.

Placing a hand on the kitsune, she forced the demon asleep, and then forcing her kekki genkai to activate, she hid the kitsune from all but herself. She was now invisible to even Sharingan, as Yuki's chakra pulled the kitsune into her dreams.

"You sensed me before I even appeared. Very impressive. Give me the nine tails and the boy shall live."

Yuki considered her options. If she decided to act irrationally, it would lead to Naruto's death, and the loss of Akira's love which she had just re earned.

"If you think you can scare me with such a tactic, you are much slower than your Sharingan and Rinnegan make you appear to be," she stated.

She watched him step forward, his muscles tightening.

"Kill me and the Nine-Tails will be forever out of your reach," she stated, pulling a single kunai out of the ninja tool pouch strapped to her leg.

He's going to try to take me out, and from there force me with his Sharingan to reveal the location of Akira. That's what he would do to Dad, in the same instance. If that is the case, this fight will drag out which is not to my benefit. I need to dispatch of him now, so that I can return the rest of my remaining strength to the original.

Yuki dashed forward, her momentum leading her towards her opponent. As her feet propelled her, she watched his movements, awaiting his to counter her incoming assault. He turned slightly to the left, as she approached from her own right. She slid into his guard, turning to where they were face to face. Jumping she threw a turn kick towards his head, grabbing at his wrist. As her foot warped through his head, she completed her turn, landing on her off foot, as he grabbed her arm, pinning it to her back. She winced at the pressure, and stomped at his foot, watching as he shifted his weight and brought her to the ground, his knee in her back.

"It's over."

The shadow clone glanced over her shoulder, and waited patiently. Soon she felt the telltale signs of his jutsu, absorbing her into a special realm. As she floated downwards she noticed that the ceiling, walls and floor all rushed to meet her approach. Her senses reached out like radar, searching for Naruto in this world. Her eyes widened as she found him. Teleporting out of harm's way, she placed a hand on his shirt, and checked his vitals. To her relief he was pristine. She exhaled her pent up stress, and hid him in her dream world, alongside the sleeping Akira. They would be safe from harm as long as she herself didn't die. The jutsu would keep them safe, and strong. If she died, their bodies would vanish from existence, saving the ninja world. More importantly, they would be free to live their lives as they saw fit. The couple would be alive, yet dead. In a dream world, where all their needs could be met, and their love eternal. Teleporting again, she returned to the battlefield.

Glancing to Obito, she could sense his frustration.

"I underestimated your powers. You're only a clone, and yet you've prevented me from capturing the nine tails and the jinchuuriki. If it is a fight you want, you've earned my ire."

The clone moved a strand of hair, and motioned for him to make his move.

"You'll regret this," he threatened.

YUKI POV

She shrugged her father's grasp off of her, as her eyes looked up to the Ten Tails, her heartbeat speeding up. All three shinobi had vanished. As she started to turn, a windstorm rose, blinding her vision, and preventing her from seeing anything other than the sand in her eyes. Her hand moved quickly, grabbing at the shifting grains of sand.

I see.

Her ears picked up the sound of movement, as each enemy singled out her family members.

Too bad.

ONE

TWO

THREE!

Each shinobi couldn't even begin to comprehend her speed. Before any movement had actually been completed, Yuki had countered with two moves of her own. She vanished from view, grabbing each of her comrade's shirts, and shifting to the next one. After that she launched herself out of the smoke, dissipated the sand screen, and created a space between her and the enemy. As she landed, the only shinobi who had kept up with her speed was Madara, whose eyes had only caught sight of her, when she had grabbed her godfather. As her feet touched earth, a single tree erupted, missing her chest cavity by an inch. Letting go gently, five shinobi stared at her in awe, as time seemed to flow normally again.

Glancing down at her godfather, who knelt beside her, she gripped his shoulder gently. Ignoring the giant wooden she stood in front of Kakashi and faced her opponent.

"Too fast! But how-when did you-?"

She smiled at his reaction, before her face turned into a scowl. Her senses warned her of the incoming attack, watching as a blue disc split the tree in half. She quickly placed a single hand up, diverting the Yasaka beads, one by one. As the energy faded, she winced, the bones in her arm fractured. She ignored the pain, blood dripping off her arm.

So it's like that huh?

Her eyes narrowed, as Madara watched her movements with steady eyes. Lowering her guard, the skin and bone mended itself, her wounds gone with small wisps of smoke.

"Impressive healing," the old Uchiha taunted. She shrugged his comment off, and glanced at her family. They would be in no condition to fight these three. From the looks of things, they were incapable of defending themselves. They had exhausted more chakra than they had in their bodies and were extremely tired from combat.

"Are you alive? Is it really you?"

Her god mother's concern was sweet, but unfortunately, now was not the time to speak about it. She had to focus on the fight ahead. Her chakra was rapidly running out, and she wanted to at least kill one of them before it ran out. Her main focus was on Madara Uchiha who was currently resurrected. She shifted her weight forward, and started walking.

"You are from the Hazukashii clan, aren't you child?" Madara asked. Yuki nodded her head in affirmation, and dusted her clothes off.

"You're not even on the battlefield. You must be a shadow clone. Which means if I visit your real body, I can kill the real you."

"You'd have to get past me, to kill me. And I promise you that such an attempt would be futile and end with disastrous results for you," she replied.

"You cannot stop three shinobi. I'm all eight gates and…"

Yuki stared at Sakura, her eyes glimmering with hatred and disdain for the kunoichi.

"You have no right to speak to me," she replied, her eyes returning to Madara.

Her senses exploded with warning, as the girl attempted to counter her retort with an actual attack. As her fist came an inch from her face, Yuki phased the attack through, and countered lobbing the girl's head off, with a kunai in a single movement. As the body fell to the ground lifeless, her eyes narrowed as Madara moved quickly, his Susano'o grabbing the girl and throwing a punch towards her. She jumped over the appendage, landing on top, her eyes meeting Sasuke's. She could sense the confusion and the anger which lay in his heart, and she felt her compassion swell, at such emotions. She jumped off, and flipped again landing several feet away. As she stood up, she studied Madara, her eyes drawn to his eyes. Several seconds passed, as Madara held the girl to him. Her eyes watched with curiosity as the spinal column of the girl was mended, and the wounds were healed.

Her eyes flicked left and right with annoyance, before she reached down to the ground. Exerting her chakra into the ground, an explosion ruptured under the real Madara Uchiha's position, forcing him out of hiding. As he landed, her hidden landmine went off. She watched his eyes widen in realization, the explosion cutting off her view from the Uchiha. Her kekki genkai warned her of incoming danger way before the attack, could land on her. She dodged the tree spike as it flew past her, and grabbed it, wincing as the branch cut into her skin. Ignoring the pain, she returned the attack, and launched a barrage of shuriken. Her eyes watched as Susano'o quickly slapped away her feeble attempt, contemptuously.

"I bore of your interference. Just die," Madara stated.

Yuki ignored his taunt, and glanced towards Sasuke, her eyes sensing the chakra which was being moulded behind his right Sharingan.

"Ama-"

Her eye immediately tracked his vision to Kakashi and Anko, and she smiled, her chakra moulded as he launched his black flames at his family. She countered with the genjutsu version, her eye bleeding from the effort, obscuring her vision, as Sakura attempted to attack from her blind spot. She sensed the incoming danger, and countered with an inverted neck snap. As she landed Susano'o's sword aimed at her landing. She blocked the incoming attack with the limp body of the girl, watching it cleave her into two.

This is much faster than I can react. I'm having trouble keeping up with everyone.

She pushed off; noticing Sasuke had slipped behind her, intending to cut through her defenses before she could counter. Flexing a single toe, she avoided the fatal blow, her speed fast enough that it seemed as if she hadn't even moved. A single afterimage appeared which made it appear as though the attack had phased. As her body returned to a halt, she grabbed the sword, making it her own. Countering with a punch to his face, she slid out of harm's way as Madara launched several Yasaka Magatama at point blank, wasting little effort. As she came to a stop her hand warded off his kick, wincing as it attempted to break through her guard.

So strong!

She slid her wrist to the ankle, and applied a single push, breaking free of the immense power he exerted. As his foot left her side, she ducked, the fan he had launched behind her, missing the back of her neck by an inch. She stood up, and launched herself away from Susano'o attempted to crush her in his hand. She exhaled a bated breath as her senses reached far and wide, examining every single detail, to warn of her incoming danger.

"You're fast and dance well."

The compliment rolled off her back, as she stopped Susano'o's blade from stabbing her with a single kunai.

"Forgive my emotionless expression, but you do not interest me," she replied, splitting the ethereal blade in half, before kicking it straight at Madara, who swatted the attack away with Susano'os hand.

"Hmph. Learn your pl-"

An explosion rocked the ground, smoke filling the air like an atomic cloud. The smoke created a smokescreen that filled the air, creating chaos and confusion among all, as they waited to see what had caused such commotion.