PLANS

Two weeks prior.

Karin had always dreamed of being with Sasuke. At first she thought it might have been "love" but she soon realized that the Uchiha was more in love with revenge than anything else, and that she was wasting her time and energy pursuing him. The way his eyes grew deeper each moment he knew they were getting close to finding Itachi. The way his body suddenly burst into strength the night he had the chance to fight his brother. And the downfall of what's left in his humanity after he killed his brother… and learned of the truth. Something evil fully manifested in this man in ways that scared Karin, and therefore, it would take an angel to change this man.

This redhead had been on the sideline just like Suigetsu, studying Sasuke and the progression of his hatred that was actually eating him from inside. She didn't take notes like Suigetsu did, but she studied Sasuke nonetheless. The last one year had been a peculiar one because Sasuke was becoming harder to read. He would disappear for a day or even a week with no explanation at all. Not that the team needed it, to be frank. They've gotten used to his type of leadership that was fueled with silence and surprises, that they never really had a reason to complain. It was just unlike him.

Until one day, she found the Uchiha walking towards his bedroom with a girl in his arms. They were both naked. She had a collar on and a chain attached to it. Sasuke was too casual about Karin seeing them both, however, what struck Karin wasn't the fact that her crush brought a woman home. It was the overwhelming sense of power in both of his and the girl's chakra that caught Karin off guard. Karin soon realized that the woman was no ordinary human. That was the only time Karin saw her.

Now, she was standing at the sideline again with Suigetsu and Jūgo, watching Sasuke speak to Madara. For months they had been plotting war against Konoha with the help of Madara. Karin had loved the build up to this exact moment. If everything went as planned, they would be on the way to Konoha in two weeks. Karin noticed how Suigetsu didn't have his notebook out like he did other times. The white haired had been diligent in taking notes lately, but only when it involved that high-chakra woman. Karin wondered why.

"Are you still planning to declare war?" Sasuke asked the other Uchiha.

"I always am. And my time is coming." Madara answered. Sasuke's eyes were studying the man. Something about her leader changed drastically in the last months and Karin had a hunch that it was that woman's doing. She had seen Sasuke leave their base too often… and each time he comes back, he becomes stronger and more tender. Which was very unlike him.

"Tell me, Sasuke. How did you get very powerful?" The question was a trap, one Sasuke wasn't willing to fall under. Madara noticed the silent treatment and had to laugh. "At least you're not a snob for saying you pulled off the hard road in such a short time. You're cursed by the Locked Soul, aren't you?"

It seemed that Sasuke wasn't surprised Madara knew about the curse so well. At this point, it had been such a secret, so loud, that everyone knew about the curse, and tried to stay away from it. Somehow, Karin had never really dug deep about the curse, however, could it be that Sasuke was interested in it? Soon, she realized that Sasuke was plagued by it when he said;

"Might as well use it while I have it."

"I like that mentality." Madara said with a composure too calm that it could make everyone question his next move.

"I must say that your timing is almost pristine. Telling me the truth about Konoha right after I murdered my brother was a good stunt to make me go insane." Sasuke said, his eyes studying Madara. The villain laughed, finding it amusing that Sasuke finally realized. That laughter sent shivers down Karin's spine as she listened in, although she was still quite unsure what Sasuke meant.

"You used the Impure World Reincarnation jutsu to manipulate everything, and you are creating the Perfect World." Sasuke stated, reading Madara's cards out loud. However, the villain seemed unphased.

"Close, but not quite." Madara replied, crossing his arms on his chest. "Do you ever wonder why you're cursed, Sasuke? Do you know where that Locked Soul curse comes from?"

At this point, every single member of Sasuke's team were peering in, too interested and too invested, especially Suigetsu. The sidekick had taken out his notebook and began writing down what he was seeing.

"200 years ago, a strange meteor fell on a certain village. It didn't quite destroy the place… nobody died from its impact. However, that same meteor emanated endless strength of chakra, enough to be molded into whatever power a person would want. Once the Hokage of that village made a deal with the Fates to harness the power, it had a sacrificial element to it."

"... Sacrificial element? Did people have to die?" Sasuke asked.

Madara nodded. "In a peculiar way. The whole village was not plagued by any disease. Nor did they present a human sacrifice. That village prospered and many of them could master many powerful jutsu. The sacrifice would be all off the shinobis in this world who sought strength."

Sasuke remained quiet, and it seemed like he was connecting the dots in his head. Sasuke was one who went through great lengths for strength.

Madara continued. "Thus the Locked Soul was born. Why, you ask? Because it needed two souls to become one in order to make a vacancy in the spirit realm. Once that vacancy is activated, the Impure World Reincarnation can be made. It all came down to this one jutsu Tobirama Senju made, and because of this… I have all the power… to create the Perfect World, and to use it to destroy Konoha, rebuild that village, transport them into that perfect world, where nobody ever has to die. You see, Sasuke, I am eternally grateful for the Locked Soul curse."

"And so… you used my hatred… knowing I was cursed by the Locked Soul." Sasuke stated the obvious, analyzing Madara's reactions. "And then you told me the truth about my brother, and everything about Konoha."

"I know. I'm glad you followed the flow of hatred because nothing I said was a lie. And from sensing that immense power you have, I assume you've locked with someone?"

"I have."

"Who is she?"

"I'd rather not say."

"Well, whoever she is, she must come from a strong clan. Together, we can do this."

Sasuke didn't blink once. All he did was study the dangerous man. After a moment of silence, the Uchiha answered Madara, "I will not help you."

Karin's eyes widened in shock, so did Suigetsu and Jūgo. For so long, they have prepared themselves for this fated war, only to find their leader backing down?

Madara laughed, almost mocking Sasuke. There was a hint of disbelief in his eyes as he continued to laugh at Sasuke. "You are in love with that woman you're locked with, aren't you?" Sasuke didn't respond… He kept his gaze on Madara, knowing that his decision was final, and there was no turning back.

"That's why it is called a curse. It ends up tragically when love gets involved, Sasuke." Madara continued.

"Boss–" Suigetsu tried to interrupt, but stopped when Sasuke nodded at the sidekick as if to tell him not to join in the conversation. Suigetsu stayed silent, writing down the scene unfolding before them. Karin could see how even Suigetsu was confused. The redhead knew about the curse, but was so curious about who the woman was. If she had this effect on Sasuke, then this woman was an angel for sure and the Locked Soul curse was the most powerful thing ever to exist.

"How ridiculous. I had high hopes for you. And yet, you're just like everyone else who's cursed." Madara said, turning around to walk away from the Uchiha. "Well, in that case, I have no reason to fight you now."

As Madara took his steps to leave, Sasuke asked a question, "What if this thing you call a curse will turn against you?" The question was good enough to make Madara stop his journey, turning his head to stare at Sasuke. His expression was unreadable because of his mask, but his aura was deep in darkness as it radiated off him. "What makes you say that?" He asked Sasuke.

"What if once I'm wholly unified with my partner, it will destroy you?" Sasuke asked again. Madara scoffed at him, "There's no such thing. Throughout history, it has always benefitted me. I will not fail."

"Hm. And how will you know?"

Madara turned his body, maintaining distance from Sasuke. "Once you guys are wholly interlocked, you will lose every bond you ever had. You will suck her chakra dry. She will die. And there's no unison when one person dies. Vacancy is needed for this curse to always function. It is like a virus that will continue to find a host. As long as there is vacancy in the spiritual realm, I am powerful. I will not fail."

"We will see." Sasuke responded. "I will see you in two weeks."

Madara scoffed as he turned to walk away once more. "Good luck convincing Tsunade."

Once Madara was out of sight, Sasuke's teammate walked closer to their leader. It was clear for them that the decision was to side with Konoha, once and for all. To Karin, it was full circle. It made sense. The Fates could do that to anyone and change the most bitter man to a hero. And the Fates can only do that when love is involved. She was silent the whole time, trying to process the abrupt change.

"So, boss, what's our next move?" Jūgo asked Sasuke.

The Uchiha turned his head to look at his teammates. "We make our way to Konoha."

—

Two weeks later.

Seeing how Sasuke was gentle to the Hyūga didn't shock Karin any longer. After knowing what it all meant, what the curse entailed, and what it could do to change a person… could it really be called a curse? Wouldn't a blessing look somewhat like this? However tragic the outcome, Karin had never seen Sasuke so human before. Not until he met Hinata.

The way he caressed her with his hand, and how kind his eyes were when he looked at her. Hinata didn't hesitate to lean into his touch, as if her soul could find rest in his embrace. Karin was aware that the bond they had didn't take long to bloom. The curse somehow elevated the process, giving Hinata migraines and more deadly effects if she didn't have Sasuke's presence with her. They were like a drug to each other. Hinata's devoted eyes never once doubted Sasuke, even though the Uchiha wasn't entirely honest with her.

Sure. Protecting Konoha was the truth. He had made that decision and he didn't lie to Hinata about that. What the Hyūga doesn't know was something that made this whole story tragic. Even Sasuke himself wouldn't know the time of their ultimate chakra unison. But under the layer of unspoken conclusions, they all knew it would be soon… the moment Sasuke fights alongside Konoha.

Why? Because he had always belonged there. Even if he had to lose the only person that made him human. The Fates really were cruel…

"Hey, boss, I'm curious." Suigetsu said to Sasuke after Hinata left everyone to go back to the village.

"How do you know you won't forget each other by siding with Konoha?"

Sasuke remained quiet, and resumed his journey towards the village, careful not to chase after the Hyūga. "I don't."

Suigetsu exchanged glances with the rest of the team as they followed their leader. "You're saying that you'll leave it up to fate? You're not going to try to find a way not to forget her?"

It took a while for Sasuke to answer. What was to be done? "I don't need more people dying for the sake of my love life. I need to focus on helping Konoha win the war."

For the rest of the trip, there was only silence. Anyone could celebrate the fact that the vengeful Uchiha Sasuke became human again, all because of a curse and a girl. But not just any girl, apparently. One wouldn't associate the Uchiha with a woman… ever. But it is the truth. And wouldn't it be an absolute letdown to know that the only person that can make you feel human will be taken away from you?

Karin wasn't able to process such depth of agony. How much more does this Uchiha need to lose? He had already lost his brother. And now he will lose another one he had given his life to. What happens after they forget each other? Will one of them die? Will the rest of the world forget, too?

The moment they arrived at the gates of Konoha, Tsunade and her team of Shinobis were ready. Sasuke scanned the army, and it didn't take him too long to spot a certain Hyūga. He nodded at Hinata… a small little acknowledgement… before addressing the Hokage. Nobody had thought that it would finally come to this. Everyone had prepared for Sasuke's attack only to be met with kindness and repentance.

"You do realize that even though you are helping us, it does not mean you can get away from all the pain and affliction you have caused this village, right?" Tsunade stated to the Uchiha.

"I am well aware. I will atone for every single one of my sins." Sasuke said, firmness decorated his voice.

Hinata seemed tense, possibly worried about what that might look like. Poor girl must have a million things going on in her head. The possibility of dying, forgetting, or having to see Sasuke be humbled so much to atone for everything. But when unity is pursued by the body, nothing is left unfixed.

"Very well. Uchiha Sasuke, welcome home."