(2022/01/22) Author's Note:

Hey there!

I've been away from updating my fics for a bit because of some major life-event stuff that has been going on. I recently finished grad school and have started a new job in my field (yay!), and then the holidays started... so needless to say, I've been quite busy these last few months. I've written the outlines and dialogues for the next four chapters, so updates may be somewhat consistent within the next month or so. I'm aiming to get the next chapter out in a week or so, because I want to finish this fic and move on to completing the final fic in this series Red Iron so we can have a proper conclusion to this seemingly never-ending oc-centric fanfiction. This chapter is a Sasuke POV and was actually a pain to write, so I hope you like it despite my grievances. Next chapter is a Nomasaki POV, followed by a Gaara POV.

As always, thank you for reading! xx

Content advisory: smut (?), sexual themes

Chapter 21
Sasuke IV

Midsummer.

The leaves swayed and rustled in the winds flush of the sun's grasp. August arrived, and not a moment too soon. Sasuke had not spent a summer in the Land of Fire since he was a mere boy of thirteen when the draw of darkness and power was all too appealing. And like that summer, there was a crispness to the air that warned of an approaching ruthless winter.

Omens, Sasuke glared above, Damn them all.

If the journey to the colosseum proved anything, it was that a threat greater than he anticipated was only waiting beyond the horizon. Tenbu planned everything carefully, it seemed. Their leaders were beheaded and suffocated by the she-wolf and the Kazekage, but it was a false assurance. As the saying went, the piglets grunted when they heard how the old boar had suffered – and suffering would be what Tenbu intended to invoke upon the world.

Retaliation.

But to what end?

War seemed the likely answer. The chakra Sasuke detected from the black-garbed shinobi reeked of the she-wolf. They must have extracted a portion of her chakra from the attack in Sunagakure, he surmised, And are using it to invoke a treachery of sorts. No doubt the ambush on that village near the Earth and Mountain border was no coincidence… Tenbu is baiting the lands to a conflict. And they were framing the Yamamori as the aggressors. The only known person to use the blood-sealing is the she-wolf… Tenbu's spies and sleeper agents are passing the information to other lands as we're just piecing this together. What a mess.

Sakura had no objections to returning to Konoha – for now.

She voiced her discontent immediately but surrendered shortly after Sasuke firmed his decision. Her emerald eyes shone in hurt for what was to come, tearing him up inside for the little time they had with one another. "Will we ever see each other again? Your mission, and this war… if it…-," her tears choked back her words, "We need more time… we've only just… -,". Sasuke wiped her tears away, drawing her eyes to his – mismatched and shared in their hurt and warmth, "We have all the time in the world… Wait for me, Sakura. I will return to you, I promise".

They entered the village in the cover of darkness – and not a single shadow stirred.

Only silence.

In the abandoned Uchiha clan compound, only the faint summer winds and the odd stray cat dared to make their presence known to the two humans who walked down the empty road. It was a realm of ghosts, a place Sasuke never wanted to return to. But on this night, he felt he must. It was the right thing to do and to put his recurrent nightmares of the place to rest. Under the moonlight, they descended the winding steps deep into the resting place of the Naka Shrine. Hands intertwined, grasping with unconditional devotion. Sasuke carried the torch, lighting their way down the stone steps cracked with age.

The shrine was the same as when he last left it, the ruins above adorned in rubble and ash. The altar chamber below was immaculate – as if it were the first time someone had entered. Under the glow of braziers, the Uchiha clan stone tablet shone faintly as if carved from moonstone itself. Taking candles in their right hands, Sasuke and Sakura stood before one another as the ancients paid witness to their nuptials.

Sasuke began, saying the words smoothly as he beheld his beloved.

The Uchiha clan traditionally wed aboveground in the shrine itself, such as his own parents, long ago. But with the shrine now in ruins, the birthplace of the clan was the place Sasuke suggested. It was in total secret, with not a chakra close enough to detect their presence. Shielded from the world, from the ghosts who walked the old compound. But it was what they both wanted – intimacy, as they bore their souls to one another.

"With this candle, I light your way…" Sasuke said. "For life until death."

Sakura repeated, the embers of the braziers reflecting in her spring-green eyes. "With this candle, I light your way. For life until death."

Placing their candles on the altar dais, Sasuke took out a small bottle of sake from his satchel and poured a cup for him and his bride. The taste was bittersweet, resonating with the conflict that brewed in his heart. When he passed it to Sakura, she sipped without hesitation. The braziers crackled as the cup and bottle were placed before the stone tablet. Taking her hand in his, Sasuke tied a red sash over their intertwined palms – a handfasting of sorts. Then, gingerly, he weaved the fabric over and under their joined hands, signifying their union.

A red thread of fate.

He gazed deeply into her glistening eyes by the firelight. "I, Sasuke of the Uchiha, take you, Sakura of the Haruno, as my wife."

Sakura lowered her head, the tears shining in her eyes. She shook them away and looked back up at him, a loving, gentle smile upon her lips. "I, Sakura, take you, Sasuke of the Uchiha, as my husband." His thumb moved over her hand soothingly. She met his eyes, devotion glimmering amongst the braziers. "…and I will join your clan as a token of our marriage bond."

Sasuke felt himself smile, emotion swelling up into his chest.

He blinked, remaining stoic as his mismatched eyes shone with emotion. Then, taking her hand in his palms, they turned together to face the ancient stone tablet. "We are joined forever in the ancient Naka Shrine… may the old golds witness this union."

And so they were wed.

Before the Uchiha clan and all its burdens.

The house was empty.

Clothes lay scattered across the bedroom floor, marking their path toward the bed. Sasuke decided to block any and all thoughts of his mission from his mind to not ruin his first night with his bride. Her lips were as soft and timid, and he could barely pull himself away from her in his hold. He never thought he could feel such love in his miserable life of burdens. But now they took on his burdens together. They whispered fragments of their love between breaths, standing in a tangle of arms and hands, eager and frantic to pull away all that shrouded their mortal bodies. Sakura's gentle hands timidly guided his black shirt over his shoulders, and he followed suit and pushed open her blouse while he kissed her. Her hair was so smooth and soft and smelled of freshly picked flowers.

Blossoms.

Hunger enticed him further, but his heart sank into the depths of his chest as Sakura's lips left him at last, as he sensed her fingertips gently graze his bicep on their descent. She flinched away. He saw the fear in her eyes and the shock that soon followed its silence. No one ever saw him this way, his cloak shrouding all weakness. And now he stood exposed for all the world and its judgement. He felt her widened stare cling to his phantom limb. His left arm from the elbow down was a void, his price for making a deal with the darkness that clung desperately to his fractured heart. His mark for all his worldly sins.

Silence broke.

"…Your arm," She whispered. "Is it… does it hurt?"

He shook his head, his black-night hair falling over his brow. "I don't feel anything."

Sakura held her hands into her breast but hesitantly reached out. With a touch as caring as her heart, she placed her hand on his bicep and smoothed over the skin. She met his eyes, her glance no longer fearful but empathetic. Sasuke thought he saw tears glistening in her gaze. "Then I'll take care to… make you comfortable."

His lips met hers under the fragments of moonlight.

With a hand upon her blushing cheek, they became lost in embrace. It was not long until they found the bed and the final scraps of clothing pooled on the hardwood floor. Sakura willingly fell into the pillows at her back, and Sasuke gently pressed her further with all the love he could fathom. Her nails began to graze against his muscled back, pulling him closer and begging for all his affection. Slowly, his lips pulled away from her, and he took all of her in under the scant light of the moon. Shyly, she gazed back lovingly. Her cheeks were reddened with fluster, her skin smoother than velvet, and her body fair and wisp as a flame. He kept his hand at her cheek, his fingers laced in her cherry blossom hair, but smoothed slowly down to her perked breasts. He sensed her heart beat faster as he lay his hand there, provoking his amusement. She was so soft and so beautiful. Delving further, his touch travelled down to her navel and grazed the curve of her hip. He could have combusted right then and there.

He felt a smile carve its way on his lips. "And now it's my turn to make you comfortable."

"Sasuke," Her voice was only a murmur, a silent breath.

The look in her emerald eyes was all he needed.

It was only them in the world, only them and the darkness of the night. As his lips met hers, he felt her position herself under him. Guiding him with gentle hands, Sakura whimpered as he slowly entered her spread legs and thrust into the wetness that was all for him. The sensation was unlike any he had ever felt. Warmth, love, lust. Her hips buckled from the feel of his manhood, but her passionate kiss of hunger assured him she was in no hurry to stop.

He thrust slowly at first, but their love soon turned carnal as she swung her legs over his backside to pull him closer. Hitched breathing escaped her lips, enticing him to thrust harder. Grasping the headboard, he moved against her with all the passion he could muster. He swore he might break it in his palm, clutching it tighter as he reached closer and closer to the end. Her nails dug into his back as her moans grew louder, pushing him to the point of no return. He grunted into her ear, damning himself. Endurance finally left him, spilling all of his seed into her as her moan cried out into the night.

And they had become one.

"Are you going to leave in the morning?"

Sasuke turned to meet her concerned glance as they lay together in bed. Guilt swam behind his stone expression, and he looked back to the ceiling. "I must."

Sakura glanced down, pondering her thoughts. She ran a gentle hand over his chest and touched his cheek. Once his mismatched eyes met hers, she smiled warmly despite the tears that shone in her gaze. "Then let's make the most of our time… since we can't have a honeymoon."

He felt a smirk curve on his lips. "What are you proposing?"

She climbed on top of him, her palms resting timidly on his shoulders. "A second wind."

Sasuke sat up and held her close as her lips tenderly met his.

He cursed himself for having only one arm. He could embrace his wife as close and tight as he wanted with two. His wife. The words were new to him and nearly drove him to the edge. Before long, the second wind approached and not a moment too soon. Her lips were smooth and begged for hunger, and he could feel the wetness seeping onto his lap.

I might never leave this bed, he was convinced.

Sakura's lips broke from his as she felt his hardened cock slide in between her thighs, entering her once again. Just the moan that escaped her breath was enough to set him off. Taking charge, she grasped onto his shoulders and began to gently rock herself smoothly against his hips. He could sense her subtle shyness in her movements, her green eyes closed as if in focus and bliss. Smoothly, he moved his hand from her hip to her breast, massaging the perked nub as he planted lingering kisses on her neck. His face grew buried in her pink strands, his lips moving from her collarbone, jaw, and to the nape of her neck.

"Sasuke," She breathed. "I love you…"

He only broke away to answer. "I love you… Sakura,"

His lips descended down to the breast he held, taking the perked nipple in his mouth. His tongue flicked against it lustfully, his teeth gently grazing her skin. Sakura near cried out, pleasure building up inside her core. When Sasuke made his way to the other one, she let out a moan that near made him combust. He felt her hips clench onto his member as she rode him, her breathing hitching with every movement on his lap. His lips leaving her, he placed a hand on her cheek and stared lovingly into her eyes. Spring met the night, and their lips met under the moon's faint glow and its influence.

And they had spent their first night together as husband and wife.

The streets were as silent as they were earlier in the night.

Sasuke kept the hood of his cloak pulled over his head, trudging down the stone path toward the village gates. Dawn would be approaching soon, and he had no time to spare. His heart ached for leaving his wife after the love they made together, and every fibre wished to return to that same bed to carry on what they had started. But Sakura understood and accepted the risks. A small fragment of him was warmed by what she whispered to him before they slept, "If I become pregnant, I will remain in Konoha, and I will wait for you. This child will be the one to carry on the Uchiha clan legacy… but it will be a new legacy, not one of hatred or loss," her green eyes shone to him under the moonlight, "It will be a different world for them… and you will make that world a better place. I know it". He had never felt such an emotion as he had heard her say those words. It was more than love. It was more than protection. He wanted to tell her how much it meant to him deep in his heart. Tenderly, he kissed her and caressed her cheek in his palm, "Nothing would make me happier… Sakura, I love you".

And now he walked alone towards his burden once more.

The sun crept slowly over the horizon, taunting him. And now I must return to the Land of Earth to convince them not to start a war… Of all damned things.

He wondered if speaking with the Tsuchikage would be better than speaking with a brick wall. Iwagakure was no stranger to conflict with the Land of Mountains. Kyō of the Wind Blade told Sasuke all he needed to know about that. At their last meeting before the birth of the Kazekage's child, Kyō revealed Iwa's hatred for the people of Yamagakure and the Yamamori. The hatred spanned centuries, beginning with small squabbles over land and eventually spreading to other facets. The iron and gold mines of the Land of Mountains were of particular interest to Iwa – and may have still been. They tried to capture the mines during the Third Shinobi War, where Kyō was stationed along the Yama border during his days as a Suna-nin. As long as it took for peace to emerge between the shinobi nations, it only took a matter of a few years to spur the lands into conflict again.

And there was no telling what the trigger might be.

Sasuke was convinced the wolf-people would play a role, but he was unsure how. That would be a discussion to have with Tenbu themselves. It seemed his mission might have to wait, as Tenbu appeared to have more pressing plans for the shinobi world.

His Rinnegan detected a presence.

Leaning against the towering gate, Kakashi lazily stood with his arms crossed against his chest. "I take it you're not coming back anytime soon."

"I can't," Sasuke said, coming to a stop. "There remains too much that needs to be done… which can't be left at bay."

Kakashi sighed, placing his hands into his pockets. "You've certainly taken responsibility. I must admire that. However," He glanced at him, understanding his guilt. "Don't burden yourself with all this. Do only what is necessary for the cause. Send a hawk to either myself or your comrades, and pass off the Tenbu mission to Suna and Yama. They've asserted their need to take things from here. Konoha doesn't need to get involved. Not yet, anyway. We can certainly aid in intel, but anything more may be overstepping our bounds."

Sasuke narrowed his gaze. His Rinnegan and Sharingan flashed under the faint morning light. "They can't see what I see. This is just the beginning… in the grand scheme of things."

Kakashi met his glance in shared urgency. "You suspect a revival of Uchiha Madara?"

"No," Sasuke firmed. "But I suspect they're trying to birth something more insidious. Planting the seeds of war is their first step. What comes after… I need to stop before it takes root."

Kakashi's glance softened. "And Sakura?"

"I leave her in your hands. Not that she'll need protection."

Sasuke could see the outline of a smile under Kakashi's mask. "A considerate husband. Congratulations."

A small sliver of pride swelled into his chest. Sasuke gave a small and brief smile at his former sensei, genuinely warmed. "Thanks." He turned back towards his path, nodding once. "Kakashi, I'll be seeing you."

And he walked off into the looming forest that warned of an approaching autumn.

The journey to the Land of Earth was a long one.

It had taken him nearly a year to reach the plateaus on his last trek, but the added urgency spurred him to travel hastily. He made it to the border within a matter of days and swiftly passed by the defences and guards who stood before the burgeoning palace walls. Before meeting with the Tsuchikage, Sasuke figured he should best meet with the daimyo before the lord grew hungry for war if the deceit was easy enough for them to believe. Kage was at the mercy of their daimyo, so whether the old fence-sitter was keen on invading Yamagakure or not, was not his decision. There would be blood, no matter the outcome.

And now the peace was bound to end.

"Halt!" A guard drew their spear, blocking the entryway. "Only those with clearance may proceed to speak with the daimyo! State your purpose."

"Wait! I know you," The other guard gasped, their spear flinching in their hold. "You're the Uchiha, the one with the Rinnegan! Uchiha Sasuke."

News travels fast. Sasuke eyed them both coldly. "I must speak with your daimyo. It's of the utmost urgency."

"Were you summoned by our lord?"

Sasuke glared back. "Does it matter?"

"You're not permitted entry." The guard stomped the foot of their spear upon the ornate mosaic tiles at their feet. "When our lord sends a hawk your way, feel free to return the courtesy and arrive when wanted."

Sasuke's mismatched eyes narrowed, annoyed. You fools. Your own blood is being shed as we speak… stay ignorant if you will, I'll speak with the daimyo myself. Within a flicker, Sasuke leapt above them and landed upon the gates. As the guards yelled for reinforcements, he jumped into the courtyard's centre and waited to be surrounded. Before long, he was encircled by at least fifty men at arms. Boldness emanated from his chakra. In a single glance of his Sharingan eye, the spear-wielding guards became trapped in a sleep genjutsu. Spears clattered to the tiled floor as their bodies slumped in a stupor. As the Sharingan quelled, a wave of pain throbbed in his eye. Sasuke clasped his head, gritting his teeth to smoulder the fire that swelled.

Damn it, it seems my Sharingan is bent on betraying me.

It was the second time his visual prowess reacted in such a way. He was growing impatient, wielding his chakra carelessly. Ignoring the migraine, Sasuke proceeded toward the unguarded grand chamber doors. Clangor sounded off his interruption while scattered orders from the finely-robed councillors demanded guards be summoned to rid of the intruder. Sasuke entered and stood before the tremendous elongated table, eyeing them all with his narrowed, mismatched eyes. Fear, shock, and rage marked all their old faces – save for the one in the middle.

The daimyo of the Land of Earth.

His face was marred in old scars with dark eyes that held discontent towards the unexpected guest. Grey-bearded and clad in the exquisite robes of a lord, the daimyo stood out amongst the rest of the lords at the table. His hands gripped the armrests of his chair with rage. "How dare you intrude on a meeting with my councillors!"

One of the lords stood, pointing a shaking finger toward Sasuke. "My lord, his eyes! It's the Uchiha!"

The daimyo peered, dismayed yet curious. "The Uchiha?"

"The one who aided in stopping the war, along with the Uzumaki from Konoha…" Another lord whispered, although loud enough for all to hear. "He's an S-class missing-nin given political immunity by the Hokage…"

Something struck the daimyo's interest. He narrowed his glance at Sasuke, suspicious and intrigued. "Immunity, you say? That indeed complicates things…"

"I'm here to request an audience," Sasuke spoke aloud, summoning their attention. "I have gathered intel you may be interested in, my lord. Intel that concerns your people and their settlements."

"Hm?" The daimyo peered. Upon meeting his expression, the lord glared in distaste. "Out with it. Councillors, this meeting is adjourned until we hear what the Uchiha says."

The standing councillor bowed and then took his seat. "My lord…"

And now the floor belonged to the intruder.

"What is it you want?" The daimyo demanded. "You certainly took the liberty of using your foul genjutsu on my guards. So why should I allow you to speak in the first? This better not be a waste of my time…"

"It's Tenbu, sir," Sasuke answered, trying his best not to appear angered. "A cultist terrorist faction that spread across the Land of Claws, Wind, and now your land of Earth."

The daimyo raised a brow, folding his hands under his bearded chin. "Tenbu?" He scoffed. "But they've been defeated and silenced by Sunagakure, was it? The Kazekage and that wolf-woman he married… surely they'd been enough to stop the threat."

Sasuke shook his head. "Stragglers and sympathizers have survived the purge. They've been lying low since the defeat of their masters, Kenzō and Kōga, but in recent months they've felt the need to start making their existence known." He eyed the council, meeting the stares of all the lords. "Your settlements along the eastern border – the border you share with the Land of Mountains, are targeted. I came across a village destroyed by Tenbu single-handedly, by blood-sealing."

"Blood-sealing?" The daimyo sneered, amused. "That forbidden art was lost for centuries! Surely, you can't be telling the truth."

"I sent a scroll by hawk to you when this transpired nearly a year ago."

The daimyo glared back. "I never received such a scroll."

Sasuke was not in the least surprised.

Suspicion fueled his thoughts, sending his chakra spurring on guard. Then it's clear Tenbu has its agents here under your very nose. "The Shinobi Alliance is aware of this and is trying to stop it as quietly as possible. But Tenbu's latest attack in Sunagakure provokes some urgency in the matter. They attempted to assassinate the wife of the Kazekage and her child, so it's clearly far from over. Your lands are of particular interest to Tenbu, but for that, I don't know why." He eyed the elderly council again, meeting their disgruntled stares with a glance marked with a steely cold. "I'm here to inform you of these crimes and advise you to stay your hand from invading your neighbours. No one country is responsible. Tenbu works from the shadows where the Alliance can't reach. This is an espionage-only task for which the Shinobi Alliance must take responsibility."

"Interesting…" The daimyo stroked his beard, his dark eyes glaring back. "Because according to my intel, the culprit behind these attacks is one of them – the wolf-people of those foul mountains! It was a mistake that they returned to their homeland. The Land of Mountains best be on their guard, or they shall face my fury. At least in the Land of Frost, there is nothing of value therein. I have bounties for their pelts should they dare cross into my lands. Best that you remember and tell those dogs yourself."

Things were worse than he thought.

Then you're a lost cause, Sasuke thought bitterly. "My lord, do you wish to start a war so soon after the last one near destroyed the very world as we speak?"

The daimyo sighed. "War is sometimes necessary. If slaying those foul beasts keeps my villages safe, so be it." He grumbled, glaring at him with anger clearly beheld in his eyes. "Anything else on your mind, Uchiha? Or are we done now? In case you haven't noticed, I was in the middle of discussions with my council. So be a good Konoha-dog and leave!"

Frustration bubbled into his throat, but Sasuke stayed the rage and turned on his heel to exit. "The knowledge is now in your hands." He paused, glancing back at the council a final time. "I'd hold off if I were you. War isn't as glorious as it seems… I'm sure you know."

And the chamber doors slammed behind his path.

The courtyard was removed of the sleeping guards, but a few stood idly by and watched his back cautiously. They made no moves toward him as they saw the Uchiha walk to the exit of the palace grounds. A relief to them, it must have been. As the entryway doors closed at his back, Sasuke saw a man clothed in garbs that reminded him of the desert. Another attempt at speaking with the daimyo, it seemed. He wore a beige cloak, a finely woven tunic, and carried a dagger at his hip. Light leather plating was on his arms and shins, with small embroidered designs along the stitching. Whoever the man was, he was no stranger to coin. His face was sharp and as clean as a fresh slate of stone. A scar was marked under his right eye, provoking his curiosity. It was a thick scar, as if from a claw of some beast.

The man paused, his lips curving into a snide smile. "Ah, Uchiha," He sighed. "I've heard a great deal of you. What brings you here in your travels?"

"That I can't say." Sasuke said flatly. "Who are you? A lord?"

"Genji of the Kurogane family," He inclined his grey head. "We haven't met before, rest assured. Formalities aren't expected."

Genji… Where have I heard that name? And then he remembered. His eyes narrowed slightly at noble. So this is the lord Gaara and the she-wolf mentioned… Genji of the Kurogane, of the Land of Wind. He eased his expression, pretending as if he never knew anything. "You're of Sunagakure, not of the Land of Earth. Why so interested in their political squabbling?"

Genji guffawed, folding his arms behind his back. "I could ask you the same thing, you being of Konoha. But for me, it's trade. As head of the Kurogane family, I oversee our exports to the other lands in our market."

"What sort?"

"I'm sure you know our family is among the best traders within the shinobi nations." Genji went on. "Oasis water, pristine as the tears of a god. Among other things… minerals, copper, silver, and malachite. Things shinobi nations use for homesteading and warfare. Strange creatures, we are."

Sasuke narrowed his glance slightly. "Have you sold wine?"

"Only in Suna if you ever wish a taste."

If I ever wish to poison myself, you lying bastard. Sasuke said nothing.

"Genji-sama, it's been dealt with."

Sasuke's Rinnegan whirled towards the approaching shinobi. A young man of tall and strong stature clothed in a desert tunic, hunting leathers, and a beige cloak on his broad shoulders. Sasuke noticed an ebony war-axe strapped to his hip. An odd choice of weapon, he remarked.

His skin was fair, and his expression was enigmatic as he appeared. He was no older than twenty, possibly nineteen at the youngest. Something irked him about his presence, in how they exchanged glances. Unease crept about, reminiscent of annoyance. Golden-haired, strong-jawed, and a glance that was iron-firm and stubborn in conviction. His eyes were purple, a peculiar hue of nightshade.

Violet-eyed.

The Rinnegan could sense the chakra that emanated from the man's body, reeking of the scent of a beast. Sasuke tensed his guard, his suspicions rising. The she-wolf… their chakra is the same. His thoughts raced towards the snake. No, it's impossible, he realized, But it's the same as the she-wolf. Down to the very fibre itself. Sasuke's glance grew mired in suspicion. Could Orochimaru have something to do with this? But that would mean he would have a DNA sample… But how? His mind went blank. Unless he somehow got to Yama twenty years ago. That bastard…

"Good. Let's be off." Genji turned back to Sasuke, his lips curled into a smirk. "Pardon my manners… Uchiha Sasuke, this is my son – Temujin. Adopted, that is. He is an emissary to the Land of Earth in my stead, as I'm retiring from the position given my age."

It was not until Genji spoke again that Sasuke realized he had not said anything.

"Something troubles you, Uchiha?"

Temujin ignored Sasuke completely. "Genji-sama, let's not waste time."

With a nod, Genji led the way. As they got to the final gates, the lord paused and kept his glance ahead. All Sasuke saw was his cloaked back. "I'll be watching you closely… Those eyes can't see through everything. Even if you were blessed by the Sage himself." He glanced back, his dark eyes narrowed. "Give my regards to Kakashi."

As the two resumed their path, Sasuke noticed Temujin glancing back from the corner of his eye. His vile purple stare bore through him as if he could sense Sasuke's chakra in the air between them. Detecting it, scenting it. Every sliver of being from the young man reeked of wolf. A hand was gripped firmly on the handle of his axe as if he was ready to spring into action immediately to defend his adopted father. And the stare of hatred had not left until they were mere shadows under the gates.

And then the gates closed behind them.

I must go to Sunagakure, Sasuke thought, Before things grow out of hand… and to confirm my suspicions.

And the journey south would take three days.

Notes: Temujin (テムジン, Temūjin), Genji's adopted son, is named after the birthname of the legendary founder and emperor of the Mongol Empire - Genghis Khan, from the 12th century.

For clarification, he is NOT the same character as the one from the Stone of Gelel movie. This character is an OC I created for this fic.