Chapter 44:

'Inner thoughts'

°Telepathic communication°

Writing

Fumio's POV

Following behind Yukino-sensei I could feel the cool wind coming down from the town we were heading to. "Psst!" Looking beside me Kohaku pointed in the direction we were heading to. "We're heading to Kazahana right?"

"Yes…" I confirmed. "Ryota-san told us before we left the city." I reminded her of the obvious.

"Is it really as snowy as they say?" She asked with curiosity.

"I only stayed there for a while with my mom before we moved to the city." I closed my eyes momentarily as I remembered the place. "But I do remember it snowing near the end of autumn."

"So the Yuki clan does reside there?" Kiyoshi asked, joining in the conversation.

"Most do, which is why we were sent to live there when we first arrived." I looked up seeing the mountain come into view. "Only those with promise may receive my gift," I whispered the words told to me by the head upon my arrival.

"That is so ominous," Kohaku whispered over my shoulder.

"It really is," Kiyoshi echoed over my other shoulder.

Shrugging them off I looked ahead seeing Yukino-sensei talking with her previous students. "Do you think we'll meet the standard?"

"Oh, course we will," Kiyoshi said adjusting his glasses, "Look how Ryota-san turned out." He gestured to the long-haired Uzumaki who tripped over a small rock. "See? He is clumsy as the rest of us."

"Yeah, lighten up." Kohaku patted my back. "We have the basics down and a couple of other things under our belt." She patted her non-existent belt. "We'll be fine."

Yukino's POV

"They will definitely meet the standards," I told myself knowing very well that they were the best in their own different fields. "Whatever they are." Seeing Ryota trip from the corner of my eyes I saw him pinch the bridge of his nose. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah… my sight became blurry for a second." He sighed adjusting the tantō he had on his lower back that nearly slipped out during his close fall.

"Really?"

°We've arrived° Emi informed all of us suddenly as the gate came into view.

Crossing the gate I glanced around noticing how the town had a refined antique aura as if we were transported to the past. 'Wait… I hope we really didn't.' I glanced behind me still seeing my students following us. 'Oh, good.'

"We arrived early," Ryota said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Alright let's wait in that tea shop for now." I motioned towards the nearest shop. My students, eager for some warmth, ran inside.

・・・

Looking down at the warm tea in my hands I felt slightly drowsy. Taking a quick glance at my students I saw them happily eating and chatting with other students that were here before we arrived. 'It won't hurt to take a little nap.' I thought as I leaned back on my seat, closing my eyes.

Opening my eyes I jumped seeing tree branches above me. Feeling something warm in my hands I looked down seeing the teacup still warm with tea in it. 'Not again.' I sighed tilting my head up and seeing the sunset-colored sky through the leaves.

"Ugh…"

'That came from behind me.' Standing up I looked on the other side of the tree spotting Emi rubbing her eyes in confusion. "Emi? How did you end up here?"

"Where are we?" She asked just confused as I was my first time. "Weren't we in the teashop?"

"We were, but right now I think that we might be in the past. Where exactly I don't know." I answered, taking a sip from the teacup.

"Oh… but I thought only you could do it?"

"I thought so too," I sighed looking up at the tree before me. "But right now we need to know where we are." Handing her the teacup I climbed the tree with ease. Reaching the top I almost fell back when I clearly saw the Hokage monument thanks to the daylight that remained. Counting the number of heads, I only counted four. Guessing from where I stood I froze realizing where we were. Jumping down I looked at Emi, "We need to leave just in case." I told her with a sense of urgency.

・・・

Traveling through the forest away from the place where I believed the Uchiha compound was, I guided Emi through the forest heading for a certain abandoned shrine as it began to get dark. "Yukino?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't understand… How did they know it was you?"

Referring to my escape of the Akatsuki my free hand drifted to my shoulder where the injury had been. By now it had healed completely leaving behind no scars though that didn't mean I still couldn't remember the pain. "They were secretive and trusted no one, you know." I sighed. "Their techniques were a mystery to me even though I was sometimes tasked to accompany them. There isn't really much I can relay to Konoha except for Amegakure's layout but even going there is impossible if not for my portals."

"What did you do?"

"I tried looking into their ties, the people that provided the Akatsuki the money they needed to fund their organization. Some were dead and others provided me with no useful information. In the end, they caught wind of someone snooping around. That was such a rookie mistake." I sighed, raising my arms up and stretching. "I just hope that drew attention from him."

"I see…" She went quiet making me glance back to see if she was still following. "Wait!" She gasped. "Do you think Ryota is here as well?" Realizing this I froze because I hadn't considered it for even a second until she asked. He had the eyes so it could be that he was already here. Closing my eyes I could feel the multiple chakra readings coming from the village. However, there was no way I could mistake his chakra. "He's close, he's walking towards the Naka River."

"That's good." Emi sighed with relief knowing that we were all so close to each other. "Ryota must know where we are then." She said but I doubted it since he wasn't that good at sensing others from such a distance. Emi would be better than him. But if he's heading there he must have some clue as to where he is.

Ryota's POV

I was lost. But not really since I had a couple of guesses as to where I could be just by looking at the environment. Hearing the sounds of rushing water I picked up my pace and ran towards it. 'If I follow it downstream I will reach a town eventually!'

Running into a clearing I slid to a stop and approached the edge seeing the river down below. Not wanting to fall in I backed away slowly but froze the moment I felt the cold tip of a kunai pressed against my neck. "Yukino?" I asked uncertainly hoping that it was her.

The pressure lifted from my neck as I felt the person back up. Turning around I pointed at the young boy with short curly black hair. "Wait you're not Yukino!"

"How do you know her?" He asked, keeping his eyes on me as if I would try to run.

"Relax kid, I would've run already if I wanted to." Placing my hand on my hip I pointed at him. "I should be asking you that question. As far as I know, the only teenage boys Yukino interacts with are from…" that was when I noticed his forehead protector reflecting just enough moonlight for me to see the symbol, "Konoha." Turning around I gave the river one good look and immediately knew where I was. 'Naka river. Frick.'

"Uzumaki."

Hearing the familiar word I looked back at the boy who stared at my back with a mixture of shock and worry. Remembering the kimono I was wearing I silently gasped and turned around quickly to hide the Uzumaki crest embroidered on the back of my beautiful haori. "So you know that." Keeping our eyes on each other neither of us made a move until the presence of another caught both of our attention. Out from the shadows was a face I didn't expect to see this close to Konohagakure. "Itachi?" I said without thinking when I recognized the young boy's face. 'Wait young?!'

Coming to the realization of where I really was I swiped the Kunai from the boy's hand and used it to look at my eyes as I tried to use the Getsugan. When that familiar moonlight like glow didn't appear I let out a small whimper. I knew being thrown into the past was a possibility but I never expected it to happen to me. Yukino definitely, she told us about her past experiences after all. But me?

Raising my hand I covered my face with my sleeve in hopes that they would ignore me. Slowly backing away I bumped into something, glancing behind me I saw that there was nothing that should be preventing me from moving away. 'I am supposed to be here.' I realized.

"How do you know my name?"

"Yukino told me," I answered. "But not the current her." I took a few steps away from the cliff edge and sat down. "And you… you must be Shisui Uchiha right?" I asked, surprised at myself for not making the connection earlier.

"I am." He nodded, making his hair bounce slightly just like Yukino described.

'Man… to have hair with such volume…' I thought with slight jealousy. "She told me quite a lot about you." I handed back the kunai that I took from him.

"Shisui let's leave."

The other standing up agreed heading back towards the woods. An idea popped into my head making me smirk with mischief. "Aren't you curious to see how Yukino looks right now? Or who her boyfriend is~" Looking at my fingernails I glanced at them from the corner of my eyes seeing the curious looks in their eyes. 'Yes! Be nosy!'

"How can we be certain you really know her?" Shisui asked.

"Easy," I stood up abruptly, "Guessing by your looks I have to say she's in the academy right now. She's going to graduate earlier though so keep an eye on that." Closing my eyes I looked back on the earliest thing that I knew that she mentioned. "Oh right, she said that if she were to choose who to marry she would choose you." I pointed to Shisui as his face flushed slightly confirming that this conversation had happened. "But she was way off with that one," I smirked and sent a glance at Itachi.

Gasping I sensed Yukino's chakra and from the corner of my eyes, I could tell from their faces that they sensed her as well since they were looking in the same direction I was. In a couple of seconds, they both turned into crows leaving me in the clearing alone just as Yukino and Emi broke through the clearing.

"We're in the past," Yukino sipped from her teacup without missing a beat.

"Yukino thinks we're somewhere between the beginning of the Fourth Hokage's term or when Konoha is looking for the Fifth Hokage."

"It's pretty broad, and honestly I hope tonight isn't the night of the kyūbi attack," Yukino said, taking a long sip from her cup.

"But if it is we may see your birth," Emi added with a sprinkle of positivity. Which just caused Yukino to shake her head in disagreement.

"I have a good guess as to when we are," I spoke up, catching Yukino's interest.

"You do?" they both asked.

"Yeah, remember the boy you said you would marry? I happened to see him and well I am certain that you are currently in the academy."

"Out of every memory I've shared you remember that one?" Her face flushed as she looked down, twisting the platinum 'promise' ring with her thumb. "You could've just said pre or post anklets. It would've still narrowed it down."

"But where's the fun in that?" I chuckled when I remembered how fondly she spoke of Shisui. "Hey… did you ever like… you know… like him romantically?"

"Huh? Uh…" she fell silent and looked at the cliff. "No. He was more like an older brother to me. But not really… I think that you fill that role better." She looked up at me with a soft smile.

Feeling my heart squeeze slightly I blinked rapidly as that smile brought back personal memories of mine. "Ugh. You're so sappy. Unlike the anklet wearing shrimp you were back then." I huffed feeling my lips form a smile.

Scoffing she punched me lightly with the empty cup. "Those anklets are why I am here today."

"Indeed," Emi confirmed pulling both of us together. "Without those anklets, Yukino wouldn't be alive and we wouldn't be here sharing this embrace."

"I love you guys." Yukino sighed, hugging us tightly. "If anything happens to you guys I would kill everyone in this land and then myself."

"Please don't," Emi and I echoed each other's thoughts. Laughing we pulled away.

"But no on a serious note life is crazy…" Yukino sighed. "To think that everything that has happened to me has led to us meeting." Pulling her bangs back I noticed a small glow coming from her fingertips. Emi being the quicker one to speak up pointed it out. "Yours are glowing too."

Holding up both her hands Emi yelped making me jump since she never went above the average noise of an inside voice. "W-what is happening?" She asked as her body began to glow and fade into small glowing orbs. Surprised, I stared at her speechless.

"It's fine we're just returning." Yukino placed her hand on her shoulder comforting her for just a moment before she completely disappeared in a puff of light orbs.

Staring at the glowing orbs Emi glanced at me with uncertainty. Not knowing anything about this but from what I've already heard I repeated her words. "We'll return soon," I said leaving out the uncertain remark I wanted to add. With a nod, she closed her eyes, disappearing completely as well.

Standing there I sighed looking down at my body realizing it was still the same. 'Why am I not returning?' Lowering my hands I raised my gaze and rapidly created adamantine chains blocking two certain eavesdroppers from leaving. "Don't think I didn't notice you two."

Jumping down from the tree Shisui laughed sheepishly. "So you noticed."

"I did. Yukino probably did too…" I said looking away and towards the waterfall where a certain event was to occur in the near future. 'Can I tell them?'

Before I could speak Shisui asked something that caught me by surprise. "Why did she refer to me in the past tense?"

But without missing a beat I answered, putting on a coy smile. "I can't say much but she found a place she really likes. It's really far so traveling between the two places is tiresome. Oh, but don't worry. It won't happen anytime soon." Sighing I turned around and nearly pissed myself when I saw a black-haired woman in the woods behind Itachi and Shisui staring directly at me. When it was certain that I could see her she turned away and disappeared among the shadows. 'That must be Tsukiyomi.'

"Mister?" I heard Shisui say as my vision became blurred.

Knowing that I was returning I warned them of something important. "Remember. Don't remove those anklets." When those words left my mouth my vision began to turn white, "Don't tell her she can't know. Not yet." I said before they completely disappeared from sight and everything was replaced by a bright white. My world became quiet and a sense of weightlessness surrounded me before everything sort of turned off and I began to fall.

Gasping I opened my eyes. The first thing I noticed was the absence of noise and that was when I realized that everyone in the room was gone. 'Where is everyone?' I asked myself noticing that Yukino and Emi weren't here either. The only clue to their presence were the empty dishes they left behind.

"Your friends paid and left." The shop keeper said as they picked up the empty plates.

"Thanks." Leaving the shop I took one step outside and shivered lightly as a cool gust of wind brushed past me. Running to the meeting hall I hoped I wasn't late for the evaluation.

Seeing the building in sight I noticed Yukino and the rest standing by the entrance as they were greeted by the Yuki clan's head. "–Fumio-kun return when winter comes." She patted his head softly while wearing a smile. Moving away from the door she walked away humming happily.

"What was that about?" I asked when I got closer.

"Fumio is going to learn some new moves!" Kohaku shrieked excitedly.

"The Yuki clan head is going to teach him some clan techniques," Yukino said with sparkles in her eyes. "How amazing is that?" She beamed, swooping the boy in a bear hug.

"Fuyuko-sama is going to teach me some kekkei genkai." Fumio beamed as he was seen worthy by the clan head.

"We're going to be late!" Yukino gasped. With that, she ran inside. Following her example, we all rushed to the doors entering in a hurry.

・・・

The meeting was a disappointment in my opinion. The sensei all introduced themselves and their area of specialty along with the areas that they taught their students. Those with fighting capabilities were pitted against each other with wooden weapons and those with medical knowledge were told to revive octopus and do other medical-nin things that impressed me.

Thus the whole day passed by quickly. Standing behind with the other students as the sensei sat down for their own evaluation one of them was the first to speak up. "I don't want to be a sensei anymore." Which caught his students off guard. Raising their hand to silence them, he continued. "I may be a Wolf but I've come to the realization that I prefer to stay here on the island and as such I don't believe that I'm fit to be a sensei."

"Then why not be a teacher?" I said meaning to whisper it to Emi but it came out louder than I thought in this small room.

"That is a good idea," Yukino snapped her fingers as something hit her. "The school is currently…well… it's understaffed." She shrank embarrassed. "With your experience as a Wolf, you can teach new students how to track as part of their classes. Or maybe something else you're going to have to talk to the principal about that."

"Huh… I never thought of that. I'll check it out." He said, giving a slight bow. "Thank you."

With that out of the way, the sensei evaluation started which wasn't any different from the student evaluations, to be honest. The only difference however was the talk of ranks that started to form when a difference of skill became apparent. Yukino's brows furrowed slightly when those words and worries were uttered.

"We'll need to make our own chūnin exams, it seems." She said under her breath. Those words caused me to sigh since it meant that she would have to figure out the requirements for each rank along with a test. Which also meant that everyone will have an opinion on the matter. 'She can't catch a break, can she. Good thing I'm not in her shoes.' I thought slightly relieved for a moment. 'I should still help though.'

Yukino's POV

Some time had passed since the meeting and since then I've been plagued with thoughts but it wasn't from the test. I could just use other nations and their chūnin exams as a model and make changes to certain parts to make it less life-threatening. Especially the second part. Closing my eyes I remembered that sudden trip to the past. Even though I couldn't see them I could feel Shisui and Itachi hiding close by, our being there might've disrupted their meeting. Still, it felt nice to sense them together once again. But that wasn't what caused the questions to surface and bother me. Emi's mention of my birth brought back things I had pushed to the side.

Knowing that I wouldn't be able to focus on my task properly I placed the papers down and stood up from my desk. As I did I was able to get a good glance at the tree I planted in the square. Like that tree, I was a combination of various things that someone carefully put together. Remembering that I would need to leave a note of where I was going for those looking for me I returned to my desk. As I placed the pencil back down I noticed that the scroll I had written for Itachi was gone. 'I must've misplaced it.' I shrugged thinking nothing of it. 'I can't give it to him anyways.' I sighed remembering the very scarce opportunities I had to talk to him after my leave.

Shaking my head I opened a portal to the cursed forest and entered heading to the library. Counting my steps I found the library as I last saw it and entered wondering how I would find what Tsukiyomi told me to look for a while back. Creating adamantine chains I raised myself to the highest floor deciding to start from the top and make my way down. Glancing around I sighed seeing that even the highest floor was packed. Moving my legs I began to walk around hoping that something would catch my eye. Doing that wouldn't usually work but it did. At my eye level, tucked in between two large books was a thin book I remember seeing years ago. 'No, it couldn't be.' I thought as I pulled it out. Opening the book I saw the same words.

To my dear sister Tsukimi, a little something to add to your library.

There was no mistaking it this was the same book that went missing from my library all those years ago. 'Tsukiyomi must've put it here.'

Sitting down I flipped to the second page noticing that the seal was gone. Shakily I flipped to the next page hearing my heart pound in my ears as the words I wanted to learn back then we're right in my hands once again. Seeing the familiar old language I was relieved that I still understood it even though I haven't seen it in a long time. When a Hyūga and Uchiha have a child, the child will be born with both eyes, a singular lavender eye for the Byakugan, and a single black eye for the Sharingan. This is where I believe the reason behind my eyes begins. A couple of generations ago two people from these clans bore a child with such eyes. Their clans however did not accept such a union and cast away the child. Both parents left their respective clans deciding to live together elsewhere.

I'm not certain about what happened next. I never received the details of the events and those that do know won't speak of it. But the Uzumaki clan took them in and things were peaceful. That was until the Hyuga demanded the return of their branch member. The Hyuga didn't want to return so an agreement was made. A curse for the branch family to protect their eyes in exchange for her freedom. But that isn't what I'm focusing on. The child of the two, my father, grew up and married the daughter of the daimyo (If I may be honest the only reason he was able to marry her was because of his unique abilities) who in turn was special even for her clan. Mother's special chakra and father's eyes, I believe were what caused my eyes to become the Getsugan and my brother's hair to be red. Why wasn't he born with them even though we share the same parents? That has always bothered me, maybe a certain catalyst must occur in order for the eyes to appear like strong emotions bring out the Sharingan in an Uchiha.

It makes me curious if another can be born with my eyes if it is repeated. Or if something new can be created by mixing different bloodlines. Now that interests me.

Flipping to the next page I was instead met with blank pages. Hoping to find more I flipped through the book finding in neat writing directions to a certain area of the library. Flipping to the earlier pages I noticed the color difference of the writing knowing that the message was recent. Closing the book I opened a portal placing the book back in its original shelf.

Standing up I made my way to where Tsukiyomi directed me to. When I did it was obvious what she wanted to show me. On a stand sat one large book with the same butterfly symbol on my back. Opening said book it was clear what it was about. It contained a detailed family tree that focused on the main branch of the feudal lords of the land of whirlpools. Flipping through each page carefully I stopped when my eyes saw two familiar faces.

Two siblings. Two faces that I've seen growing up depending on moon phases. The unmistakable long black hair and silver eyes as well as the man with silver hair and black eyes. The only difference was in the brother's appearance who had blood red hair like mine. Staring at the page I looked at Tsukiyomi, no Tsukimi Uzumaki, and her status. Status: Dead. Children none.

'So her brother is the one responsible for our red hair.' I thought as I glanced at the portrait of the first red-haired Uzumaki. 'Although you may have hated it, thank you for giving it to me.'

Flipping the page I saw the rest of the feudal lords and their spouses as well as their children who inherited the red hair. As each page passed only the children who became daimyo remained in the book. Reaching a page with just words that seemed to have been written fairly recently, I read it out loud. "Due to an unfortunate event, the main branch of the feudal lords of the land of whirlpools has, with great tragedy, ended. Though that seemed to be the case for a while one survivor of this noble bloodline remains." Slowly flipping to the next page I froze seeing my name written on the side of the page as it had in all of the others. Though my image was missing there was a short bio that confirmed it was me. Born in Konohagakure she is closely related to Hoshi Uzumaki and therefore the only surviving member of the main branch of the noble family.

Shutting the book closed I sighed as multiple things throughout the past started to make sense. From small little things that Tsukiyomi and Kuzunoha-sama said to the way they acted around me. Having that small question answered I jumped down to the first floor and exited the library.

Entering the fog once again I kept my arms crossed as I let the silence of the forest organize my thoughts. Which is something I shouldn't have done in this particular forest. Crunch! Jumping slightly I glanced to my side wondering what that was. Slowly taking out a kunai from a seal on my arm I held it at the ready when a boar jumped out and ran past me, shocked I stood there hearing the boar squeal for a moment before I no longer heard it.

"Pff." Stifling the small laugh I sealed the kunai and continued walking towards the edge of this forest. At least that was what I tried to do, seeing something up ahead I walked closer finding a metal door. Looking around it I noted that it was an entrance leading to something underneath. Curious I grabbed the wheel and turned it, hearing the metal creak making me cringe as I opened the door.

Pulling the door wide open I looked down at the dark staircase leading down. Remembering the shrine in Konoha I touched the wall. Instead of torches lighting up, chakra from the layline flowed through the subterranean building bringing it back to life.

Cautiously I went down a step at a time until I reached the end. Following the short hallway, I came to a room with three doors. Opening one I entered the room with empty desks. Nothing stood out so I closed the door. Opening another I found shattered glass from what would appear to be vials. Whatever they contained seemed to have evaporated or dried up long ago. Closing the door to that room I opened the final door in the center of the room.

On the other side was another hallway leading to a door. Twisting the handle I pushed feeling something blocking it on the other side. Taking a step back I created chakra chains and pushed the door open once again, this time successful. Squeezing through the gap I entered the room noticing a broken glass tube towards the side of the room as well as a monitor that wouldn't turn on.

Kneeling down I picked up a broken piece of paper, whose words had faded leaving only a few readable words. Picking as many pages as I could I read the faded and blurred words as best as I could realizing what this place was.

With the few pieces, I reread the most important bits. Experiment #1 DNA EDIT. Restoration of lost genes. Test theory. Experiment #XXX Embryo. Success. Stable growth… short time. Then it ended but the main idea that I got was that this was the place that made what created me.

Activating my eyes a light blue glow engulfed the room as I focused on the rewinding time to show the past. It took a couple of minutes but I could tell by the lack of sound that this must've taken more than a decade ago. Seeing the original state of the room I looked behind me seeing the glass tube empty speeding time a bit forward I saw people wearing medical-nin clothes pointing to their papers in hand and talking. At one point a drawing board was brought in showing a DNA strand pointed towards the drawing of a zygote which was labeled. Speeding time more I saw at one point someone flip over a table in frustration before putting it back in its place. Confused, I didn't stop and kept watching. At another moment someone came in holding two closed testing tubes with something inside. As time kept moving forward I slowed down when Tsukiyomi appeared in her usual appearance looking down at two vials. Turning her head to the door she nodded as she was informed of something and the vials were taken. When that happened she disappeared and the room wasn't used for a while. Eventually, she returned standing next to the giant glass tube in intrigue. Coming into the room two devices were presented to her pointing to one they took it and a drop of blood was inserted.

Placing the device into the glass tube they watched in a mixture of awe and shock as the device released the zygote that began cell division. Turning their attention to the monitor they hounded it all day and night as time continued.

Watching with curiosity as it grew I was caught off guard when the room seemed to shake which caught everyone in the past by surprise. Someone rushed in bearing certain news causing those in the room to hurriedly tear their papers and run out until one person was left. Typing frantically into the monitor they glanced at the glass tube at the embryo without a heartbeat. Turning it off they prayed silently for a while before rushing off to join the others.

Time continued and more rumbles shook the underground building telling me that this wasn't an earthquake. Tsukiyomi, appearing once again stared at the embryo hands passing through the glass as she reached for it, unable to touch it. Eyes glowing, she cupped the small embryo as it began to rapidly grow. Once it reached a certain size she disappeared once again.

Time continued to move forward and there was no sign of her as the building began to shake dangerously. Suddenly right before my eyes, the glass was shattered as a piece of the ceiling fell down, water spread everywhere wetting the pieces of ripped paper left behind. Unable to tell how much time had passed, the rumbling subsided by the time Tsukiyomi returned. The door swung open and she ran, staring in horror at the broken glass tube. Walking towards the broken container she kneeled on the broken glass, picking up the child she had tried to save amid the chaos above. But she was too late hiding her face with her long hair, she cradled the baby bringing it with her outside like she intended to. Knowing the fate of my predecessor I stopped, returning to the present.

Leaning against the wall I closed my eyes as the room tilted to the side. Planting my feet firmly on the ground I counted down slowly waiting for the feeling to go away. Once it did I picked up the pieces of paper I found and burned them hoping that no one else would find out what had transpired in this once lively space. But if someone ever came to learn of what had happened there would be no way to replicate it.

Leaving the lab I turned the hatch and closed it as tightly as possible. Taking a few steps forward I crouched down finally understanding the reason for Tsukiyomi's obsessive need for me to live. With the knowledge of what had happened to my predecessor that fear I felt towards Tsukiyomi in youth was gone, replaced now by quiet regret.

"Frick!"

Raising my head I looked up seeing Ryota looking around in confusion. "Ryota?" I asked as I stood up wondering why he was all the way out here.

"Oh, Yukino! I found you!" He skipped over and hugged me. "I got lost. Oh right, Itachi told me to give you this." He said handing me two items, an azalea and black rose. Confused as to the odd gifts I dropped both items and quickly opened a portal going through without waiting for Ryota.

Some time ago…

Ryota's POV

Finishing teaching Emi on how to use the Getsugan we split and went our own ways from the training grounds. Deciding to give Yukino a quick visit I was stopped and given a pile of paperwork to pass to her since I was on my way.

Entering Yukino's office I was surprised that she wasn't there like she had been the past few days. 'Lunch break.' I concluded. Going up to her desk I placed the requests from the school on the pile of things she needed to look over. But as I did I knocked over a scroll that sat by the edge. "Oops." Bending down to pick it up, a name caught my attention.

Itachi regarding what happened last time I think it would be better if we take a break. Just for a while– Hearing Yukino's voice outside I quickly rolled up the scroll and tucked it into my sleeve. 'I don't think she's going to send it to him anytime soon so I should send it for her.'

"Yes, I have already looked at those papers– Ryota?" She asked mid-conversation with someone.

"Hi! I came to drop off some papers for you to look over."

"There's more?" She sighed but quickly clapped her hands switching her mood. "Thank you for giving them to me. I'll get right to it." She said with a forced smile, turning around she whispered to whoever was talking to her she entered the room heading for the desk.

"Oh yeah, I remembered there was something I had to do so I will be leaving the island."

"Mhm." She nodded as her eyes quickly read the words on the paper she held. Getting her permission I skipped out of the office before she could process what I just said.

・・・

Going to the cove I entered the Wolf base looking over the information of the recent Akatsuki sightings or dangerous people courtesy of Inari mountain. Going over the map I looked at each thumbtack with a little paper stabbed into the board looking for keywords noticing Uchiha first. Uchiha S. sighted, explosion, Deidara: dead. 'That must be Sasuke.' I realized as I looked over the map once more. Finding the place I was looking for I opened another portal there grateful for those travels that Yukino made me go.

Arriving I closed my eyes thinking back on the map and remembering any significant detail and that's when I remembered the little thumbtacks. The ones with Sasuke were going towards something within the forest and so were Itachi's. Deciding to check that place first I began making my way to it. After a while, I was able to sense Itachi making my search come to an end. Stopping mid-walk I dug into my sleeve and took out the scroll slightly curious as to the contents of it. 'What if there's something bad in it?' I worried hoping that delivering this would ruin their relationship.

Unrolling the scroll I quickly read through it finding some rather interesting things I wasn't aware of. Though the details were vague I now knew that she had met him more than once since her escape. Rolling it back up I was sure that the contents inside weren't bad, all it contained were her worries. Taking in a deep breath I quickly ran towards Itachi to finally deliver what I had.

"You-hoo!" I waved trying to catch Itachi's attention as the fight between him and Hoshigaki man concluded.

"Who is he?" The man from the Hoshigake clan asked.

Ignoring him I brought my attention to Itachi only. °Itachi, a message from Yukino.° I held up the scroll as proof. "The information you requested." I kneeled down lowering my head.

°Thank you for coming this far.° He took the scroll, gesturing for me to stand up in the process.

"What does it say?" His partner asked from a distance as I watched Itachi's stoic face the whole time for any reaction which he didn't show.

"Sasuke is close." He lied but not really, tucking the letter away somewhere in his cloak. "Your payment." He said, stopping me as I was about to turn around and leave. Curious I watched eagerly as he rummaged through his cloak.

Holding my hand out I received a white rose dyed black with the number fifteen written on the only leaf. Hiding my confusion and disappointment, I received another flower, an azalea. 'Oh, this one is slightly poisonous. Maybe Yukino asked for it?' Pocketing the items I thanked him and skipped away not stopping for a moment until I was safe. Not even activating the Getsugan for a moment knowing that that plant creature Yukino spoke of could be watching.

・・・

Returning to Uzushio I headed to Yukino's office at my own pace knowing that she would be busy working on it until the sun rose again. But to my surprise, she wasn't there. The stack from earlier was taller with her nowhere in sight. 'Wait… there's no way she would leave this amount of paperwork like this if there wasn't an emergency.' Running to the window I scanned the area outside seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

Knock! Knock! Flinching I turned around seeing someone from the mission center holding in hand even more papers. "I have the summary of completed missions from the Koi and Wolf." They said.

"Oh, just leave it here." I pointed to the stack and as I did I noticed a small note on the desk. Picking it up I read the place that she went to. 'I hope it's nothing serious.' Placing the note back down I left the office going to the cursed forest in search of her.

Entering the foggy forest I was sure I took the right steps but even with that I still haven't found the library. Trying to keep calm I kept walking hoping that eventually, I would come across it as I've done before.

・・・

I was wrong. I don't know how long I spent lost in the fog but it felt like hours but if I'm being honest it was probably just minutes. "Frick!" I yelled as I almost fell over due to the dip in the ground.

"Ryota?" I heard a familiar voice ask.

Turning my head I squinted slightly seeing the familiar face of the person I was looking for. "Oh, Yukino! I found you!" I skipped over hugging her in relief. "I got lost. Oh right, Itachi told me to give you this." I pulled away, reaching into the pockets of my sleeves.

Handing over both flowers she looked at them with furrowed brows before dropping them, opening a portal quicker than I could process she crossed through leaving me confused and worried. Kneeling down I picked up the rose and attempted to do so with the azalea when suddenly, in a puff of smoke, it turned into a letter. Picking up both items I ran wanting to get out only to see the library towering in front of me. Taken by surprise I accepted this answer. This weird forest was trying to tell me something and I wasn't going to ignore it.

Finding a book I read the meaning of the azalea finding multiple meanings, knowing that guessing would be pointless I looked up on the meaning of the color black for a rose. Finding it I froze going back to see the meaning for the azalea I found a common connection. "The bastard!" I bolted up placing the rose and letter in my sleeves as I opened a portal to where I last saw him.

3rd POV

Finding where he was, Yukino opened a portal seeing the raging black flames blocking her path. As the flames flickered she was able to see the other side for a moment giving her the opportunity to create a new portal to the other side.

Eyes still active, they began to glow red as her uncertainty rose. Making it to the top of the ruined Uchiha hideout, she could spot two familiar raven-haired boys bloodied as the rain poured on them. Without wasting a beat, she ran to both. Reaching Sasuke first, she placed her hand on him, feeling his faint heartbeat and low chakra. Placing her hand on his chest, she pumped chakra into him while trying to check on the other raven-haired man. Able to grasp the others hand, her breath hitched as she felt the quickly fading heat.

Glancing back between the brothers, her eyes teared up as she closed her eyes tightly and let go of the younger Uchiha. "Itachi." She whispered his name as she pressed her hands to his chest, emanating a light green glow. Gasping at the severity of his organs, she knew what had happened. The fight had only sped up what would happen. Shaking, she glanced around and shook her head, fighting back the tears. Hearing no heartbeat aside from her own, she bit her lips, hopelessly looking around for anyone to help even though it was useless. "Itachi… wake up. Please." Leaning her head over his cold chest, she heard nothing but the pounding rain against her ear. Placing her hands over his chest, she began chest compressions.

Her Sharingan still active, she repeated the process over and over again even though it was useless with how ruined his insides were. "Why? Why, did you never tell me!" She shakily whispered, stopping what she was doing.

Remembering the life transfer technique, she stopped. Even if she gave one of her lives for him, he would still die because of the disease. Screaming, she hit the ground. Feeling a sudden drain in strength, she nearly fell forward with one thought running through her head. 'Useless…'

Leaning over his body, she closed his eyes and stared at the soft smile on his face. Noticing the necklace laying cold on his neck, she turned it, finding the ring she had given him on the back of it. Glancing at the ring, she clenched it in her hand for a moment before placing it on her thumb. Hesitantly she stood up and went to the younger brother who was still alive. Kneeling beside him she gave the chakra she tapped into her reserves sharing the chakra she could give him. Standing up she grabbed one of his arms ready to lift him when a hand appeared in front of her grasping her neck forcing her to let go.

Slowly Tobi appeared from the warping space holding her neck tightly as he suspended her off the ground. "To think you survived that night." He said no longer hiding behind the childlike voice.

"So you remembered." She croakily said as she grasped the arm holding her up as tightly as she could unable to cause any serious harm. Before she could even attempt to kick him he threw her on to the ground. Nearly falling off the edge of the building she felt a jolt in her stomach from the impact. Holding in the pain she glared at him.

"Your eyes, they're as red as they were that night." He said as she noticed she was now further away from Sasuke and Itachi. Placing her hand on her stomach, she pulled out her sword. Standing up, she got into her stance, knowing that it was pointless to fight him head-on. He was in great health and condition while she was sore and drained.

Feeling close to her limit, she knew of that one thing she could resort to, but if she did, the ending would remain the same. Death without escape. Not for her and neither for the boy she considered family. "You didn't do a good job then what makes you think you can do it now?" She taunted, hoping that it would stall enough for a plan to form.

"You were smarter back then." He walked closer to Sasuke. "At least you tried to survive."

Before he could get any closer, she did a quick teleportation to close the gap between them only to fail. Instead of getting to Sasuke first, she could only just get a foot from Tobi.

Feeling her heart drop, she watched as he drew out his sword. Quickly blocking it with hers, she screamed, finding the strength for one push to send him just a step back. Suddenly golden chains slammed down in the gap she created as someone else joined the scene. In a matter of moments, the owner of those chains swooped in and grabbed the girl before quickly entering a portal out of the masked man's sight.

Out of the rain and away from the scene, the girl stared at the blank world, eyes returning to their blue color she reached out in an attempt to create another portal to try once again.

"I know how it feels." Ryota grasped her hands and shook with anger of his own. "I should have known… I saw him just moments ago, he was fine… he was fine. I'm sorry." He shook, unable to hold in the tears.

"He's dead.'' She shook, hugging him as her tears flowed. "I left them."

"I know…" He sighed, hugging her close and rubbing her back. "But you can't fight him! I can't lose you like I lost her." He shakily exhaled as his own tears flowed out. "I don't want you to die like my sister did. So please. Don't fight, we will save him together another day."

Sobbing into his clothes he cried as well recounting the disappearance of his beloved sister. A fact that he had kept hidden the whole time. One that his family no longer spoke of. Slowly he recounted the events of her departure to her failure to return home; he shared his despair knowing that he didn't stop her from leaving. "If only. I kept telling myself. But it was pointless it had already happened and there was nothing I could've done." He said repeating the one thing he had come to learn. As time passed their tears ran dry and they fell asleep in each other's arms consoling each other remembering the ones they had lost.