AKIRA POV

Akira walked slow to Nagisa's side, watching as she caressed the skin of her comatose daughter. Stopping beside her, she knelt down and faced her lover's parent.

"You called me a fool. Do you know her feelings more than I? Is there something you know that I don't?"

Nagisa paused her ministrations and cocked a head at the kitsune.

"Yuki's feelings concerning you are difficult to explain," the younger woman started.

"Well try to,"Akira snapped, her chest constricting with anger. Only after considering her request did she alter her statement by adding 'please'.

The woman removed her hands from the tangles of her oldest, and placed them on her knees before closing her eyes.

"Akira. My daughter is torn between innumerable choices when it comes to you. Perhaps the easiest choice would be to love you or not. Fortunate for you, she cannot stop loving-"

"So she wants me?"

"Want does not even begin to cover her hunger. No. She needs you. However, that need is supplanted by a single rule, Akira. One that you made yourself."

Confusion filled the bijuu's mind as she thought of everything she had ever said to the young girl.

"Naruto is my mate. Put out all ideas of us being together." Nagisa stated.

"H-how?" Akira asked, baffled.

"Yuki relives that moment constantly in her dreams, and my capability to see into other's dreams is rather strong."

Akira groaned, and sagged down onto the ground.

"I said that for a reason, Nagisa. I wanted to ensure that Naruto understood how I truly felt for him. Having a second mate would only make him doubt how I that he's married me, I have the free rein to show Yuki how deep my love goes," Akira stated.

"How far are you willing to go for her?"

"Death."

Nagisa shook her head, and returned to massaging Kazuyo's head.

"And that's why she ran the final time."

Akira waited patiently for the older Hazukashii to continue.

"Do you know why Kazuyo showed up where she did, when she did? Yuki sent her. My daughter knew where Naruto would be, and her intuition led her to believe that if his life was in danger, you'd be there, ready to die for him as well. My daughter left because your life was too precious for her to take a risk with. She'd rather break your heart than to see you die on the battlefield. Which is why we are all here. Every single shinobi, that girl protected and is throwing herself directly at Madara. I granted her power, because her sister wasn't there. I was right to give it to her, as right now, she's proving her worth."

Akira ran a finger down her thigh, irritated. It seemed as though Yuki just wanted to continue lying.

"And not that it matters, but when she returned, her shadow clone visited you. I had an inkling of why the light side pulled you away. Whatever she said, is true. Truer than what you may get out of her later."

Akira perked up at the statement, her attention drawn back to the woman. She was surprised to see her beaming widely.

"You said you could see into her dreams. Well...what else did you see?" Akira questioned, leaning onto her side.

"Hmmmm. I'd rather not go around talking about everything, but I did happen to see a little bit of the fight between you and her."

Akira growled, instinctively at the memory. It was not one she was particularly fond of.

"You held back, Akira-chan. You let her get away. You didn't want to kill her, and that was your mistake."

Akira's eyes narrowed.

"You mean I should have? Just like that? Offed her? I would have never forgiven myself. It would be the second time a lover-" Akira automatically flushed and put a hand over her mouth for being so bold.

"Don't be shy. I've already seen the two of you mate. That's probably the most recurring memory she has. Now then...my turn."

Akira braced herself as she prepared for the worst possible questioning she could receive.

The woman paused, and stared at Kazuyo for a minute, then seemingly satisfied, returned an angry gaze to Akira.

"My husband would warn you that if you break his and I quote "lil girl's jewel", he would be the end of their existence. Considering who you are and how you've treated her I do not feel that that statement is worth the time of day. However, I want you to think about something. Everything from the moment she left the village has been a chaotic mess, and I wonder what will come of the relationship if you choose to pursue her. So I leave you with this question. Do not answer it, but ponder it. "Where will Yuki be if you choose to enact punishment for her actions?"

Akira started to reply but silenced herself, considering the implications of what she thought. The pain the demon had endured was tough, but did it warrant an equal and opposite reaction?

If I punish her, will she run? Will she stay? If I reward her will she do the same? I don't...I just don't have the answers.

"How is she?"

A new voice drew the fox out of her reflection, and she immediately recognized the face.

"Mizukage-sama," Akira noted, bowing slightly in respect.

"Akira."

Nagisa sighed, and pulled on a length of hair before replying.

"I don't know when or if she will wake up anytime soon. Yuki put her in a coma like state so as to give her mind time to return from drifting between life and death."

The Mizukage stared at the exposed skin on Kazuyo's shoulder, and was about to comment, but all of a sudden the woman stirred.

Whatever happens, we will see. Until then, Yuki...please be safe!

KAZUYO POV

...

WHAT HAPPENED?

WHERE AM I?

I FEEL SO HEAVY...DID I...DIE?

open your eyes.

WHOSE THERE? SHOW YOURSELF!

wake up.

FROM WHAT?

it's okay, nii-chan.

YUKI?

"Ughhh..."

The older Hazukashii groaned, as her faculties came to her one by one. Death apparently had passed her over and she now had a second chance at life. Wincing, she opened a single eyelid, beating back the bright light which threatened her to close her eyes for good. A person assisted her, by shielding her face from the light which blinded her.

Where am I?

As Kazuyo felt her limbs regain some semblance of control, she sat up, strobing her eyelids. After a minute or two she came face to face with Akira Saito.

"Akira. Where am I?" she asked, rubbing her eyes blearily.

"You're safe," a voice whispered in her ear.

Her body reacted naturally, by grabbing a kunai and thrusting it backwards, stopping it an inch from the stranger.

"Who are you?" she whispered, her voice hurting from lack of use.

She whipped her body around, standing up in a fluid motion, before the wind was knocked out of her. She recognized the person, even though it had been over twenty years since their last encounter.

"Mo-mom?"

Glancing around at the white walls and thousands of shinobi standing around, she considered the possibility that she very well might have moved from plain of existence to the next. As her eyes stared into her parent's she noticed the difference, and threw a kunai, dashing forward, aiming to end her right here and now.

"K-kazuyo?"

"Shut it faker! You are not real!" Kazuyo claimed, pushing harder, watching as she managed to move the woman back a little further.

"Tch! You are strong. I'm impressed and happy to see that. Unfortunately, I'm as real as the flesh and blood which flows through your body."

Kazuyo threw a kick, spinning slowly, and keeping her eyes on her enemy.

"I can't be fooled. You're Edo -"

Before the young Hazukashii could complete her sentence, she was pulled into a full nelson which constricted her movements. Kazuyo started to counter, but noticed the person restraining her body.

"Kazuyo. She is not Edo Tensei. Stand down!" the red headed ninja stated.

Her natural instinct kicked in, and without intending to, she fell to a knee, head bowed in front of the village elder and protector.

"My apologies, Mizuk-Wait!" Before she could react to being tricked, her mother had paralyzed her body from the waist down.

"Sorry about this. I love you and all, but you're being unreasonable and that makes things a little more difficult for me. Let me explain..."

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER...

"I..I see. That's good to hear, but unfortunately, I wonder how much power she gained from such a boost," Kazuyo replied, her body relaxed. Her mother had done a very good job explaining what had transpired since her 'death', so right now her main concern was simply awaiting the results of the fight.

The jounin mulled over the information slowly and deliberately looking for any flaws, but was unable to find any. The facts were solid, and yet, something had been omitted. For a minute the information remained out of grasp, but when the revelation came, it sickened her. Focusing on the one detail, she tried hard to ride it off and disprove it, but unfortunately, it was fact.

"You bitch...How could you?"

Kazuyo fought her restraints, sickened by the woman who she called family.

"What did I do, Kazuyo?" Nagisa asked.

"I know the price of your jutsu. One soul, and flesh sacrifice, for latent powers. So your soul, plus Yuki's eye equals her power. What doesn't add up is how you are here. It would mean another price was given and if I had to guess you bartered Yuki's soul for your return."

Kakashi and Anko had just joined the conversation, yet immediately the statement tore through every single person, like paper ripping in half.

"Kazuyo. It's not like that."

The younger Hazukashii ignored all logic, and fought her paralysis, her body responding and breaking through.

"You sent her to die? After all we talked about, your question doesn't even matter does it?" Akira cried out, turning away and leaving.

"Akira! She can-" Nagisa started, being interrupted by Anko.

"I'm more of a mother than you. I'd never sell her soul for my..."

"IT WAS HER CHOICE!" Nagisa screamed, letting her head hang in shame.

Kazuyo felt guilt fill her stomach, twisting and churning her.

"I tried to stop her, but I had nothing to offer the Shinigami," Nagisa stated, brokenly.

Kazuyo managed to free herself from the jutsu, and sat down, saddened.

"I-I'm sorry Mom."

Nagisa let out a low sigh. Kazuyo turned, following the horizon to see the dot that was Akira sitting away from everyone else.

This is all my fault. I'm sure she hadn't intended to reveal that tidbit to Yuki's Ex. It would only make things more difficult.

Kazuyo set off, following Akira, until she sat beside the fox five minutes later.

"Hey."

"I don't want to hear any excuses you have for your mother," Akira stated, her voice ice cold.

"It's not an excuse but the truth. Yuki chose to give he soul away," Kazuyo replied.

The duo sat in silence for a minute or two before Akira broke it.

"I have lived for seven hundred and eighty years. I don't have much experience when it comes to love, and I doubt your sister does either. It seems I've caused her as much pain as she has caused me. Yet, among all this guilt and pain I've been handed, she genuinely cares for me."

Kazuyo sighed and shook her head.

"I know she's my little sister but it seems she causes more problems than she solves."

Akira nodded in appreciation, before continuing.

"Naruto is so kind. I've done nothing but chase Yuki, and he's stood by me every step of the way. He believed me when I said I truly do love him. It's not a lie, yet sometimes I wonder if maybe he doesn't feel like I'd rather choose her over him. Either way, after she returned from the 5 Kage summit, she seemed sadder. As if something was weighing her down. I tried to ride it off, but then that fight happened. It was ugly. Claw against steel. Heart vs heart. My strength was brought to bear against my friend, and although I didn't intend to, I pulled no punch. I let her have it hoping to stop her. Unfortunately it seemed she wouldn't stay unless I killed her, and I couldn't bring myself to finish it. In the one moment where I could have kept her, I hesitated. And in doing so, she landed one underhanded blow. When I came to in Naruto's bed, I couldn't help but ask why. Why had she left me like this? And then my husband answered it for me. Family. She had gone to Kirigakure in search of answers for her family. So imagine my surprise when you...showed up. To find out that she had a living relative. That bore deeper than I expected. Yet, I still felt hurt that I wasn't enough for her to be satisifed. Now she's back, but if she dies on that battlefield, no jutsu can return her. And I'm stuck here helpless to assist," the fox ended.

Kazuyo sat quiet, shocked by the revelations that had been presented to her.

"I don't know what to say, Akira."

"I'd say don't worry about it. Yuki's gonna wipe the floor with that jerk, and come back to the village. Everything will be alright. You'll see!" Naruto exclaimed, right over her shoulder.

The yellow haired genin shocked Kazuyo who jumped up, stiff as a board.

"Hey. I didn't meant to scare ya. My bad. I just had to follow, since I was concerned about my wife."

Kazuyo nodded, heavily affected by his affection for his wife. It was very sweet that he would come to her aid in her moment of crisis.

"Don't worry about it,"Kazuyo stated. Turning around, she started back the way she had come, before halting mid step.

"Akira. My sister isn't going to lose. She'll do whatever she must. Just as you've stood by her, let her stand by you."