Shisui suddenly appeared in his room. "Let's go, squirt."

"What do you want?" Sasuke asked in a short tone, sitting up in his bed.

"I let you brood for two days," Shisui answered, walking over and used a single finger to flick his forehead. "We're going on a trip."

"No," Sasuke denied, thinking about his brother who had just gotten cleared and arrived home this morning with Shisui. "Itachi just got home."

His brother finally explained everything. His mother was in tears when he told them that, if there was no way to counteract the disease, he would most likely die within two years- at best. His father had looked so thoroughly shocked and didn't seem to know what to say. Sasuke felt the same, especially when his brother said that it had started a little over two years ago.

His brother had kept a life threatening disease a secret for over two years. Sakura as well. And Izumi, but Sasuke didn't exactly count her. His brother was practically engaged to Izumi- it was natural he told her because they were trying to plan a future together. There would be no future if he didn't live long enough.

His mother and father seemed to have relaxed slightly when Itachi informed them that Sakura was the one taking care of him and, if he wasn't completely confused and exhausted when it came to her, he would share that feeling. Because Sakura was a genius. He's known it since they were genin and she aced a test she wasn't supposed to be able to complete without cheating.

He knew Sakura would find a way. That's just how stubborn she was.

"Sakura-chan discharged him and had Tsunade take him off the active missions lists," Shisui told him and Sasuke didn't hide his frown. "We've got something to do."

"Like what?" Sasuke asked and his cousin grinned wickedly.

"Power assessment time, squirt," He said, which got Sasuke up immediately. They haven't had one of those since the last week of their long mission. And if he was being honest with himself, punching Shisui sounded like the best way to get out all his frustration with everything that's been happening.

"Why now?"

"I've wanted to deck you in the face for a few days," Shisui shrugged. "Sakura-chan suggested a spar. I think a power assessment fits the bill a bit better."

Sasuke scowled. "What did I do?"

"Do you want the chance to punch me or not, squirt?" Shisui questioned and Sasuke held back any more comments and nodded. "Nice, the feeling is mutual. We're heading out to scout an Akatsuki movement, too."

"There's been activity?" Sasuke asked and his cousin nodded.

"There's a few teams heading out tomorrow to track down a member that's known to frequent the hit-man market," Shisui explained. "Jiraiya-san is heading to the Hidden Rain. We're going to try to track down Obito and his partner Kisame."

"Just us?"

Shisui grinned. "You should be honored. Not sending anyone with us to replace Tachi means they've acknowledged your skills."

"I'm surprised they didn't add Kakashi to the team," Sasuke said, thinking back to his reaction when he found out his old teammate was not only alive, but the one that had decimated Konoha's police force. Sasuke hadn't seen the silver-haired man look so devastated in his entire life-he honestly wasn't sure the man could feel emotions like that.

"Nah, Naruto got all jealous that you and the Nara kid were being sent out to track the Akatsuki," Shisui explained and shook his head in exasperation. "He's recruited Kakashi-senpai now that he's out of the hospital to help him create a powerful enough jutsu that'll convince the higher-ups that he'll be too strong for any of the Akatsuki members to capture him. Kakashi-senpai and Yamato-senpai are overseeing his training to ensure the Kyuubi doesn't make any unwanted appearances."

"Shikamaru?" Sasuke inferred and Shisui shrugged.

"He's not the most offensive player but he's brilliant," Shisui told him. "He did help Sakura-chan create that genjutsu. He's going with his sensei, Kotetsu, and Izumo."

Sasuke's expression darkened at the thought of that scroll. Shusui looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Sakura-chan has locked herself up in her office at the hospital, just so you know" Shisui informed him, with a hint of a knowing tone. He smiled innocently when Sasuke glared at him. "We're going to be gone for about a month, squirt. We meet at Tsunade-sama's office in an hour. Wear your Chūnin vest."

"Why?"

"Because you're not a genin," Shisui answered as if it were obvious, but Sasuke's eyes narrowed even further at his cousin.

"You want to match, don't you?"

"We won't be in the Land of Fire, twerp," Shisui rolled his eyes. "You're supposed to wear your vest."

Sasuke gave him a blank stare and Shisui conceded. "I already miss Tachi being my partner. You're no fun."

His cousin stepped back and saluted him with a grin that made Sasuke wish he could just punch him right then and there. "Hokage Tower in an hour, squirt. Don't be late."

With that, his cousin vanished from his room. Sasuke frowned at the spot where Shisui was just staying and then closed his eyes.

An entire month out of the village. That- that felt like the perfect thing for him at this point. Maybe he'd be able to really think everything through. Itachi. Sakura. Maybe he could get Shisui to tell him whatever got him so worked up- though now he got the impression it was him that pissed Shisui off.

But what did he do? Nothing. At least, nothing that he could think of.

Sasuke let out an exasperated sigh, before he started packing his bag and put on his vest. He had people to see before he left, after all.

His mother wasn't happy with the news that he and Shisui were leaving. Of course, she didn't say she was unhappy that he was leaving for a month, but he saw through her forced smile. And Sasuke felt absolutely horrible leaving right now. He knew his mother was already terrified for Itachi's life- the added stress of him not being home for a month didn't help her. But then she handed him a bento and said it was for Sakura- apparently she was getting Shisui to deliver bentos to Naruto's entire group.

Sasuke saw right through his mother's meddling but took the boxed lunch without complaint.

His father was home and told him to come back safely, which is how Sasuke knew his father was feeling something similar to his mother's emotions.

"Itachi," Sasuke called out and was surprised when his door slid out of the way almost immediately.

Seeing his reaction, Itachi let out a breath of air. "I can still open doors, Sasuke. I'm not bedridden."

"You were two days ago," Sasuke pointed out, but Itachi didn't seem phased.

"Sakura-chan only discharges me if she doesn't fear I'll collapse if I try to move about my day," Itachi told him, moving past him to sit on the wooden ledge. "Shisui told me you two are going after Obito. It won't be an easy task."

"Eyes and ears everywhere," Sasuke remembered grimly. He sat down next to his brother. "I know."

"Be smart, Sasuke," Itachi said seriously. "Obito is a dangerous enemy."

"I'll be careful," Sasuke promised and his brother smiled.

"You're going to see Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan before you leave, right?" Itachi asked and when Sasuke glanced up at the sky, his brother sighed. "Do not be upset with Sakura-chan because she is doing her duty."

"I'm not upset," Sasuke immediately countered, looking at his brother.

Itachi merely raised an eyebrow. "If this is how you behave normally, I'd be a bit afraid to see you upset."

Sasuke took a deep breath. "I'm not thrilled, okay? Would you expect me to be?"

"No, perhaps not," Itachi said thoughtfully. "But you shouldn't be unhappy with her because she didn't reveal my secret."

Sasuke frowned and looked up at the sky once again. "I'm not really mad about that anymore. Sakura. . . I saw how devastated she was after she healed you. It's just. . . She keeps other things under wraps too. And she's just piling everything on her shoulders and refuses to let me help her."

"Are you upset she won't tell you or that it's hurting her and you don't know how to help?" Itachi asked in a soft tone and Sasuke's features scrunched together.

"I don't know," Sasuke admitted. "I just don't understand. You and Shisui know- don't even bother trying to say you don't. I'm not a genius like you three, but I'm not an idiot. You three always seem to be in tune with each other."

"I had no intention of denying it," Itachi said calmly. "Sakura-chan just needs you to be there for her, Sasuke. Let her do her duty."

"I already said that I wasn't mad about-" Sasuke paused and really thought about his brother's words. "She's on a mission?"

"A life mission, it seems," Itachi responded with a small smile. "To keep you and Naruto-kun safe. You'll understand when she inevitably explains it all to you."

Sasuke shook his head and looked at his brother. "Itachi, you just made everything so much more confusing."

"Did I?" He asked innocently, his smile growing before he raised two fingers and tapped his forehead. "Say hello to both of them for me."

Sasuke grumbled and rubbed his forehead but eventually got up. "I'll see you when I get back. Don't strain yourself."

"As if Mother would allow me to," Itachi responded with a small wave. Sasuke smiled at the thought- at least his mother would be too busy fussing over Itachi to worry herself to death over him.

Sasuke saw Naruto first. Or, well, he was met with hundreds of clones in a field. Sasuke didn't really care to find the original, so he walked up to the nearest copy of his idiotic best friend.

"This is training?" Sasuke questioned when he saw the leaf in his idiot best friend's hands.

"I'm learning Wind style," Naruto's clone informed in a matter-of-fact tone. He glared at the leaf in his hands. "It just won't tear! I swear, if Kaka-sensei is messing with me- whatever. You're leaving already?"

"I have to see Tsunade in twenty minutes," Sasuke answered with a nod. "Figured I'd come by and make sure you were actually training."

"Pft, you came by because you know you'll miss me," Naruto laughed. "When you do get back, I want a spar. A real one."

"You're on," Sasuke replied immediately. "That is, if you can beat a simple leaf. If you can't, I'm not going to waste my time."

Naruto's clone stuck his tongue out and mumbled that tearing a leaf wasn't all that easy. Sasuke moved to leave but was stopped when the blonde continued to speak.

"Are you going to see Sakura-chan before you go?" Naruto asked and when Sasuke's eyes dropped to the ground, his best friend punched his shoulder.

"Don't punch me back yet," Naruto held up his hands in defense, the leaf falling from his grasp. "I'm a clone so I'm not invincible. Man, you're usually smarter than this, so I guess you're still brooding about Sakura-chan. See her so you aren't all whacked in the head before you leave."

"Can I punch you now?" Sasuke asked and Naruto put a hand underneath his chin.

"Hm, I can't think of anything else I wanted to say," He thought aloud and then pulled his hand away and stood up straight. "Yeah, you can punch me. I give you permission."

"I don't need your permission."

"You just asked-"

Sasuke punched his clone in the face and watched it dissipate midair from the hit. While it wasn't nearly as fulfilling as actually hitting his idiotic best friend during a spar, it was rather satisfying. He looked at the sea of clones and rolled his eyes when he heard a victorious shout that there was a tear in his leaf.

"Idiot," Sasuke muttered and then disappeared from the field.

Sasuke didn't really know what he'd say to Sakura. He-He just didn't know how to act right now.

Because he was upset with her. More so than he was when he first appeared atop the Hokage Stone Faces. But then he saw her face and she really did look devastated- how was he supposed to be upset with her if she was clearly more upset with herself? His entire plan of confronting Sakura about everything went sideways when she broke down. He was more upset at the fact that she was obviously struggling and refusing to let anyone besides Shisui and Itachi support her.

Sasuke wasn't a genius on the scale of his brother and cousin- honestly no one besides Shikamaru could even be considered at their level. Sakura was a genius too, and he's known that she was smarter on the field since they were kids. She strategized as if she had been through a war herself, though he figured that was a result of her playing shogi with three of the smartest shinobi in the village.

Sasuke didn't like shogi- he preferred the learning experience to be on the field. But he couldn't argue against using the game as a strategy training method. If anyone were to question it, there were four extremely capable strategists to assuage their concerns.

And how was he supposed to respond to the fact that she apparently loves him- he didn't even think she was interested in him let alone feeling emotions she could label as love. Sakura has always worn her heart out on her sleeve. And he didn't even think that she returned his feelings. Sasuke should have talked to his mother. He didn't know what to say to her. This was entirely out of his realm of expertise.

When he arrived in her office, not even bothering to knock, he was greeted with a sight of Sakura sitting cross legged on the ground, scrolls and textbooks strewn across the ground. She had a vial in hand and seemed to be reading something next to the open scroll in front of her.

"Shisui-nii, I already told you that I'm going to be fine," Sakura grumbled, not even bothering to look up as she squinted at the scroll. But when he didn't say anything, he saw her eyes widen and she quickly looked up at him.

"Sasuke-kun," She whispered and for a few moments there was just silence between them. Then she looked around and managed a nervous smile. "You're getting better at that. Though, Shisui-nii is the only one was has the audacity to come into my office without knocking."

Sasuke didn't seem to have the energy to smile back, so he carefully walked over and set the bento down on her desk.

"I know you're leaving for about a month," She continued, looking down at the vial in her hand. "Be safe."

Sasuke nodded and actually took in her appearance. She looked utterly exhausted and there were bags under her eyes as she inspected the vials in her hand. He knew from past experiences that she would overwork herself, but he was normally there to drag her to the compound for dinner.

He hasn't seen her for two days. And he doubted Naruto has come to check up on her if he was training- the idiot had a one track mind like that. Both of his teammates did.

"Get some sleep," Sasuke finally said. "You look exhausted."

"Shisui-nii said the same thing," Sakura replied in a light tone. "But I've got an idea and I'm trying to work out the kinks before I bring it to the lab."

"You look terrible, Sakura," Sasuke told her, watching her as she fought to keep the small smile off her features. "Get some sleep."

"You always did have such a way with words," She said quietly, her gaze falling from him and to the scrolls around her. "Naruto is coming by later tonight. We made a pact to just crash together when Yamato-taichou needs a break."

"That sounds like a horrible idea," Sasuke responded, wondering which of his idiotic teammates brought up that idea.

Sakura shrugged. "It works for us."

Sasuke rolled his eyes and remained silent. Before he could even think of an adequate way to say goodbye, because the word itself no longer seemed to be appropriate, he was saved by knocking on her door. Sakura called for them to come in and smiled when the Nara heir walked in.

"Someone who uses doors," Sakura greeted cheerfully, glancing at Sasuke before smiling at Shikamaru. "What do you need, Shikamaru?"

"Have to run things by you," He replied, sending a pointed look Sasuke's way. "It's a drag but I'm heading out tomorrow and have to finalize everything today."

Sakura nodded and turned her attention back to him. "We'll be fine, Sasuke-kun. Don't worry about any of us."

Sasuke gave her one last look before he gave a curt nod in Shikamaru's direction.

"Good luck to you, too." Shikamaru said and Sasuke disappeared from the room. He headed for the Hokage's Tower and vaguely noticed that while he was still irked, he felt a bit better. Almost like everything had leveled itself out to a point where he could manage it. For a month, at the very least.

To his horror, Sasuke wondered if Naruto was right. Maybe his head was whacked. And maybe seeing Sakura and not leaving with the emotional mess as their last encounter did help. Sasuke felt sick at the thought.

Emotions, he thought scathingly, were easier when I didn't understand them.

But then he thought to the moment when Sakura said that she loved him. And maybe, just maybe, emotions weren't all that bad either. And maybe when he came back she would tell him everything that's been going on. Maybe.

"I heard the scroll worked from Tsunade-sama," Shikarmaru said after he activated a seal around the office.

"Mhm," Sakura hummed, pouring a small bit of the blood from the vile onto the scroll. She then took a dropper and carefully let a drop or two of the mixture fall onto the blood.

When it just sat there atop of it, the two substances not even reacting, Sakura groaned and frowned.

"What are you doing?" Shikamaru asked and she waved him off.

"Just trying to rewrite the laws of human anatomy, it seems," She said bitterly and took this as a moment to get up. She'd need to prepare the next batch of the serum she was working on anyway. "I assume you've figured it out?"

"There's no reason your blood would be needed specifically unless there was something in it," Shikamaru said in a bored tone, scratching the back of his head. "I don't really know how it's possible but apparently it is."

"If it helps, it's because of my chakra's structure impact on my blood," Sakura explained, thinking back to the revelation Itachi had.

He had pointed out the very thing Sakura was hoping to manipulate with the genjutsu. And since it was past memories they were hoping to see through a person's chakra system, Itachi concluded that her's could serve as the link between it. Once he made that connection, Sakura figured out the parameters needed for the genjutsu and thus, the prototype was created.

"I guess that makes more sense," Shikamaru admitted . "I probably shouldn't ask, but how different is it?"

"Not at all, yet completely," Sakura answered honestly. "I'm sort of stuck right now."

"A lot you could change?" Shikamaru inquired and she nodded.

"But without any sound reasoning as to how I know. . . " Sakura trailed off, stretching her arms.

"If anyone figures it out, you'll be a target," Shikamaru concluded and she nodded.

"As of right now, there's only four people who know and it's because you all figured it out on your own," Sakura told him, holding up fingers as she counted them. "You, Tsunade-sama, Itachi-nii, and Shisui-nii."

Shikamaru looked marginally shocked. "Sasuke and Naruto don't know?"

She shook her head. "No. And I want to keep it that way until, until time isn't so delicate."

"No wonder I've always thought your team was odd," Shikamaru sighed. "I just came here to see if I was insane, but I have to go get packed."

"You're not insane yet," Sakura said playfully and watched as he turned to leave. "Shikamaru-"

"Don't say anything," He warned, turning back just enough to look at her. "To Naruto and Sasuke. They're too attached to you to properly act. And for me. . . You don't have to change everyone's fates, Sakura."

"That's why I'm here," She argued, thinking back to how devastated Shikamaru was when Asuma died. "I'm here to change the outcome of this world."

"Knowing the future is a dangerous game, Sakura," Shikamaru told her seriously. "You aren't just here to change the outcome of the world. This is your life-- remember to live it too." He shrugged then and gave her a half smile. "Besides, knowing what move the other player makes is troublesome. Sure, you can play the right strategy and everyone goes home but it's more likely that you'll make things worst."

"Do you ever not talk in shogi terms?" Sakura teased and Shikamaru grunted, though it sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

"Maybe it'll help you get better at it," Shikamaru said. "Because you suck at shogi."

Sakura breathed in sharply-- his words in this voice and that tone were far, far too reminiscent of her old life. And for a moment, she saw it before her.

"You suck at shogi," Shikamaru told her, taking yet another one of her pieces.

"I'm above average," She defended, moving a piece and when Shikamaru acted immediately, she groaned. "You're just ridiculously good at this."

"You last longer than Asuma does, at least," He said, watching her cautiously move a piece. He had to wait a few moments before acting. "And you're at least patient enough to play the game."

"How many times have you bought a new board because Temari blew away all the pieces?" She asked, holding back her laughter when Shikamaru's frown deepened. She moved another piece, knowing she was totally done for.

"This is my fifth board this year," He admitted, ending the game with his next move. "Check mate."

The scene before her was torn away, and she watched Temari force Madara back with her wind, making him land exactly where Shikamaru's shadow was waiting for him.

It locked on, creating a single beat of relief before Madara grinned wickedly.

"You think this can hold me?" He asked mockingly, shooting upwards as the shadow strangle possession failed. He went directly for Temari, who was too slow on her own to evade Madara's attack.

Shadows wrapped around her body, tugging her to the side and just barely escaped a hit that would have probably killed her.

Shikamaru pulled Temari behind him, standing with such a strong conviction, Sakura almost didn't recognize him.

She wasn't fast enough to get to them, though she was desperately trying. Naruto and Sasuke were dealing with another Madara-- whatever that meant-- and she busied herself transporting their forces and healing them when she saw who Madara was targeting now.

She saw Madara appear behind Temari and she started to yell out the girls name, though she knew it was in vain. That's when she saw her friends switch places, the sword driving itself through Shikamaru's heart instead of Temari's.

Sakura screamed his name and Temari stood numbly as Madara took his sword back. Shikamaru fell to the ground.

"His death won't be in vain," Madara told Temari, flicking his sword to the side, causing a red splatter to decorate the ground below them. "For today, at least."

Madara disappeared and that's when she heard a deep voice whisper the name of their fallen friend. Sakura's heart went out for him when she processed that he was the only one left from Team 10.

Choji broke out of his shock, running towards the pair. "Shikamaru!"

Sakura ran too, dropping to her knees as Temari's legs gave out from underneath her.

"Why did he choose now to stop being lazy?" Temari asked, her gaze never leaving Shikamaru. "The idiot."

"He chose to save someone he loves," Sakura managed to say, both Temari and Choji looking up at her. "It's what any of us would have done, right?"

There were tears streaming down all of their faces at this point, none of them caring that this was war and they were mourning their friend. There would be no other time to do so. At this point, they all understand that.

There was no future for their world. But they'd fight until their last breath. Not for themselves or even for everyone else. They'd fight to keep their loved ones alive.

"Did you suck at shogi then, too?" Shikamaru asked, watching her in concern.

She laughed then, a bit forced as she tried not to let the tears build in her eyes. It was a weak reassurance, but she tried anyway. "You're just ridiculously good at it."

Shikamaru smiled, before he went to leave the second time.

Sakura couldn't resist stopping him once again. "A hint, at least?"

"That's playing dirty," Shikamaru said, his back facing her. She could see him tossing the idea in his head before he continued. "Something obvious that I can conclude within thirty seconds of battling them. That's it."

"They won't die easily," Sakura responded immediately, hoping this prior knowledge would at least help their chances.

Shikamaru shook his head and held up a hand as he opened his door. "We'll play a game when I get back."

Sakura wished him luck and once she was alone again, she looked at the scrolls around her.

She tilted her head and looked around her. Sakura knew it was theoretically possible to rewrite someone's cells-- after all, it happened with hers. While she didn't want to change them so drastically, she just wanted to erase the misfires in Itachi's system altogether at this point.

She hadn't been able to stop them in the moment and she wouldn't be able to unless she awakened her seal and used Katsuyu to heal him constantly.

So she could try her hand at rewriting his cells-- as slim of a chance that it would be successful. Her other alternative was to let Itachi die-- which was not an option.

Sakura didn't care that this was a fatal disease in her old life. She would be damned if she didn't save Itachi.

She could figure this out. She had to.

"Maybe," She said to herself. "Maybe not."

Then she sighed and looked at her clock. She wondered when time started to speed up again before she ultimately immersed herself back into the theory of genetic and neural editing.