The Saviour Of The Uchiha

I don't know why I'm doing this.

Is it because of my brother or my previous treatment?

Is it because of the rest of my family and clan?

Is it because I found out who I really am?

I don't know. But I know what I'm doing is right. I can't shake that feeling.

Leaving felt right but was logically wrong. I don't know where I'm gonna end up. I don't know how I'm gonna end up. Without money? Without food? Without friends?

But I guess I am without friends now. I betrayed the ones that I had by leaving. As for money, I won't have to worry about that. My family is rich, it has money stored all over the Five Great Nations. I can access their bank accounts, and as long as I keep moving, they can't ding me.

As I am running away from the mighty gates of Konoha, I know I will have to take money out very soon. But now, where should I go to live? I don think I'm gonna have any problem becoming a citizen of a hidden village. So, which village should I go to?

The Hidden Rain?

Nah. It's a pain-in-the-butt to get in there, forget about becoming a citizen.

The Hidden Sand?

No way. I don't like the heat.

The Hidden Mist?

Maybe. But there are a lot of S- ranked criminals there, and getting into a fight will draw

attention. So no.

The Hidden Rock?

No.

The Hidden Cloud?

Hmm. Sounds perfect. That's where I'll go.

I looked back at the gates, and memories flooded my mind.

When I was younger, no one but the clan elders knew about me. Times were hard and rough. I was barely alive.

When I was 8-9 years old, I was introduced to the clan and allowed to socialise with them. I had a few friends and even a special group of people who I considered my family. But when I was 10, they turned on me and became the evilest people I had ever met. Beatings about ten times in a day were normal, sometimes I even considered myself lucky on those days. During those times, my friends were the only people keeping me alive. But then the old clan leader died, and the new one brought me out of my darkness. He let me join the ninja academy, and go and explore the land that lay beyond what the Harunos owned.

After that things were much better. I had a lot of friends, who truly cared about me, and all the boys were attracted to my black eyes and black hair with red streaks that I wore in a ponytail. Secretly, I enjoyed the attention even though it was annoying. The red streaks in my hair appeared after I mastered that jutsu. The one I'm not allowed to talk about to anyone because of the stupid prophecy that said I would be the strongest ninja in the Five Great Nations, rivaling only the jinjuriki and Kage's.

If people came to know about that jutsu, I would be dead within the hour. Shinobi from all the Nations will come to kill me. Sure, I'm strong, Sannin level even if I'm a chunnin, but I can't win against all the Five Nations.

I can win, but only if I perform that jutsu. But it will shorten my life. One month at least, six at most. Thank god my justsu isn't like the death reaper seal. You need to give your life to perform that jutsu. Whew.

The red streaks in my hair are marks of being the only person to perform that jutsu. It isn't a Kekkai Genkai, I'm the only one in the world who is able to do it. Yea yea, sounds amazing but isn't.

Even though I can do it, my clan leader told me never to use it. It would wreak havoc among the Five Nations, and trust me, you don't want to be the person who caused that. Not that they could afford havoc, of course. That Akatsuki was after the Jinjuriki, and if they knew about the power I possess, they would definitely try to include me in their group. Even without jutsu, I am extremely powerful. I possess four out of five chakra natures, which is almost unheard of. But the reason I decided to start a new life is this:

I am not Hana Haruno.

I an Hana Uchiha.

I am Hana Uchiha, from the Uchiha clan. I possess the Sharingan, Mangekyo Sharingan, Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, Susanoo, and Infinite Tyskyomi. Apart from Madara Uchiha, I am the strongest Uchiha.

The clan that I am originally from is the Uchihas. I was taken at birth by a rouge ninja who had orders to take me into the hands of evil. Fortunately, I was saved by some Leaf ninja coming back from a mission, but in the struggle, only one ninja survived. He was from the Haruno clan and saw fit to take me to the clan elders. He died shortly after on another mission. By the time I had returned to the village, news had spread about the great Uchiha prophecy and how the child was taken. There was also another part of the prophecy describing the great jutsu that I could perform, and how it would change the fate of the world, for good or evil. and here I am, the saviour or destroyer of the world, running away from the only home she had ever known.

I sighed and continued to run. I felt no signs of pursuit behind me, because I had masked my chakra and was extremely silent and fast, but people could still track me using Byakugan or tracking ninja dogs, like Kakashi Sensei had. I just hope the rain would come down soon and cover up my scent. The Byakugan could not be helped. If anyone from the Leaf came behind me, i did not want to hurt them. I guess I would just put them in a genjutsu. I just hope the Hokage would not send any of my friends to bring me back. I could never fight them. Putting them in a genjutsu would be hard for me , they are my friends. Once they find out I left, they won't stop looking. Naruto, Sakura, Hinata, Shikamaru, Neji, Choji, Ino, and Kiba. They won't stop. I don't know about Shino. He never seemed to like Urgh, whoever they send, just don't send Naruto.

Of course, that's exactly what happened.

I quickly blinked and activated my Sharingan. I blinked again and deactivated it. Then I groaned. I quickly darted behind a tree and said,"Camouflage Jutsu!" My body became almost one with the tree. Only my face was seen. 'Naruto!' I yelled. He froze behind a bush, knowing I had seen him. Then he yelled,' Hana! Come out! Where are you going?' I signed (again) and released the jutsu. then I stepped out from behind the tree. Naruto's eyes widened when he saw all my travelling gear and backpack. 'Hana?' I didn't look at him. 'HANA!' I jumped but looked at him. For the first time, I saw Naruto completely serious. 'Where are you going?' He asked me. Time to face the truth. ' I'm leaving, Naruto. I'm not coming back.'

He stared at me. Then he burst.

'NO! You can't do that! You can't leave us! Can't leave me! PLEASE!'

Tears came into my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. 'Naruto, I have to. I'm not who you think I am. Please, understand. You have to let me go.' He looked down. Tears fell from his eyes. 'No,' he said. 'But why?' I asked. 'Because...' he trailed off. 'Because?' I prompted. He remained silent, and I got irritated. ' Spit it out, Naruto!' i yelled. If this was our last conversation, I wanted to know everything he had to say. 'BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!' The words rang out through the forest. The tears in my eyes fell. In the next second, I was hugging Naruto. He hugged back tightly. I kissed his cheek, slipped a note in his pocket and pulled back.

'Naruto, you're my best friend, and I'll always love you that way. Tell everyone I said goodbye. Ariogatou for everything.'

Then I put him under the genjutsu.

I sat quietly in a tree and supervised the genjutsu I put Naruto in. I didn't hurt him in anyway, (mentally) and gave him the illusion that he was bringing me back to Konoha. Then I made him activate the glitch I made to the barrier jutsu, and knock out the guards. I was almost crying as I made him do this, I knew the people I made him knock out. But I also made sure they weren't critically injured, just knocked out. After all that was done, I released the genjutsu, hoping Naruto would remember the note in his pocket.

I turned and headed towards the Hidden Rain Village, the village the Akatuki originated from. Urgh. I would be going to that gloomy place after all. Hmph.

After travelling for about two more hours, I reached the water body that separated the Rain Village from the Land of Fire. Then I made a few hand signs and said,' Transformation jutsu!' I transformed into a fish, and leaped into the water, heading for the tall wall of barbed wire bordering the Hidden Rain.

PAIN'S POINT OF VIEW-

What is this? So strong chakra? And still in development? A chakra able to rival a jinjuriki? A chakra, if properly developed, able to rival me? I, who possess the rinnegan? How is this possible? This is not a tailed beast. Their chakra is more ... angry. More chaotic. This is a ninja. A ninja heading right for the Hidden rain. I sent Tendo Pain to face this person first, and sent the others behind him. This will be interesting.

END OF PAIN'S POINT OF VIEW.

I reached the shoreline, and said, 'Camouflage jutsu!' I quickly merged with the rocky and uninviting ground and released the transformation jutsu. Then I said,' Earth style!' the ground shifted and formed a hole, without causing too much disturbance. I quickly crawled in, only to find the barbed wire fence blocking my way. I scowled and said,' Rasengan!' The fence fell apart in my hole. I quickly crawled through avoiding the smoking bits and pieces and surfaced inside the hidden Rain village. Then I saw a figure in the Akatsuki robe standing on top of one of the tall buildings right next to me.

I figured it was obviously a member. So I channeled my chakra to the bottom of my feet and jumped. I landed on the same roof. He turned to face me. For a few seconds, we just stared at each other. When I realised he wasn't gonna say anything, I decided to speak. 'I am Hana, from the Hidden Leaf Village. I wish to join the Akatsuki.' There was silence. Then finally, he spoke. 'Very well. But you will have to prove yourself first.' I nodded. Actually, I was expecting something like this.

'You will be fighting Sasuke Uchiha.'

If I was drinking water, I would've choked. 'S-Sasuke Uchiha?' I stuttered. 'Yes. Do you fear him?' He asked, seeing my reaction. I laughed. 'Fear Sasuke?!' I giggled. 'No way. That's ridiculous!' I laughed again, but then sobered. 'Will it be a fight to the death?' I asked, hoping with all my heart that it was not.

'No. I am not. But the person who cannot fight anymore loses. And if that is you, then you will be personally killed by me.' Hearing this, I smirked. As if I could lose to Sasuke, even if he had grown much, much stronger. Ha. 'Go to the Akatsuki hideout in the east. Sasuke is there.' I grinned. 'Okay.'

I headed east.

After about one hour of travelling, I was standing in front of some kind of cave entrance with a skeleton of a dinosaur or something in front of it. Yeesh. That was creepy. Then suddenly out of nowhere, square pieces of paper came flying towards me. I prepared to dodge them. Had the fight already started?

Just before they could hit me, they changed direction and paused beside me. Then they began to form the shape of a woman in the Akatsuki robe. I was shocked. Never before had I seen a jutsu like this. Wow. After the last square of paper fit into the shape of the woman with purple hair, she gave a faint smile to my shocked reaction and explained,'That is my special jutsu,' I nodded. 'I'm Konan,' she continued. 'You must be Hana. Your fight with Sasuke will take place on that mountain.'

She pointed to a mountain not far away. I signed. I was tired of all this travelling. Not tired physically, just tired. hymph. I decided to just teleport to the mountain instead of going there on foot. 'I'll teleport there now,' I said. 'Will I see you there?' She nodded. I did a few hand signs and said,'Wind style: Teleportation jutsu!' With that, I teleported to the mountain. A few seconds later, Konan (in her paper form) came and lead me to a small clearing. There, I saw a bigger figure than the one I was used to; the figure of my old friend.

'Sasuke,' I called. 'Long time no see.' Sasuke lifted his head. 'Hana,' he said. oh. His voice sounded different. Grown up different. It really had been a long time. 'Never imagined we would be in this situation,' he continued. I smiled. 'I know, right? You joining the Akatsuki, and me trying to do the same after a while, only to find myself about to kick your butt.' He smirked. 'Still got spunk, I see.' My smile got even wider. 'Never lost it.' He just shook his head, knowing that he would just waste time in this conversation, he could never win. Ha ha.

'So let's begin, shall we?' I asked. I quickly blinked my Sharingan on and off. I then glared at the fake Sasuke. 'SASUKE!' I yelled, thoroughly annoyed. 'Stop being so overconfident, thinking you could beat me with a mere clone.' Then the real Sasuke stepped into the clearing. ' That's the oldest trick in the book,' I said. 'You should've known better than to try all these tricks with me.' He smirked. 'I see your sensory skills have improved,' He said. 'If I didn't know better, it was almost like you had the Sharingan.'

I froze, then shivered after he said that. I knew that I had blinked too fast for him to see my eyes, but I was still worried. I decided that I would tell him after our fight. He deserved to know. After all, we were from the same clan. But as far as I know, we were not related. I mean, we might be related a long, long way up the family line, so long that it hardly mattered now. Anyway, we started circling, each waiting for the other to attack first.

After a few more minutes of this boring circling, Konan yelled,' You guys better finish fast, or I might just knock you both out myself.' I smiled. ' You can try,' I yelled back at her. I was back to the point where I had first entered the clearing. Sasuke smirked, seeing me annoyed. Then finally, I gave him what he wanted. I attacked.

'Fire Style: Pheonix Flower Jutsu!' Fireballs shot from my mouth, I had done this jutsu specifically to test his speed. He dodged each fireball with ease, which was quite an accomplishment because my jutsu covered a wide area. He landed, and and turned to attack me. But I didn't give him a chance. 'Rasen-Shuriken!' I yelled and threw a Rasen-Shuriken a him. He dodged it easily, and then started to say,'Hana, you shouldn't wa-' and he got knocked out from behind by my clone.

That absolute idiot, he didn't even use his Sharingan. Urgh, I HATE being underestimated. I thought that at least Sasuke would have that much sense. If he had used his Sharingan, he might have seen the attack or even be able to dodge it in time. My clone had masked her chakra, it would be quite difficult to sense her. Hmph. I hadn't expected Sasuke to go down so easy. Hell, I even had another clone waiting to back up the first one, in case the attack failed. Loser.

I sent both my clones to check out of Sasuke was really unconscious, you could never be too careful in the ninja world. I blinked my Sharingan on and off again, just making sure he wasn't hidden anywhere. It seemed that Sasuke was really unconscious. Yipee. I was now part of the Akatsuki.

I turned to Konan. 'Am I part of the Akatsuki now?' She nodded. 'I will notify Pain immediately. If you want, you can come to the hideout with me now.' I shook my head. ' Thanks for the offer, but I need to talk to Sasuke. I'll see you later.' I said. ' Okay,' she answered. She turned to leave but then said,' I know you don't know how good you're fighting style really is, but I'll tell you this- even I didn't realise you had made clones, and I was beside you all most all the time.' I grinned, I kinda valued her judgment. 'Thanks. But you forgot the split second I was alone on the mountainside before you arrived.' She looked like she was at a loss of words. I turned. 'See ya later!' She quickly nodded and used that paper transportation jutsu of hers.

Once she was gone, my clones carried Sasuke to the top of the mountain. Then I released the clone jutsu and turned to Sasuke, who my clones had leaned against a tree. I quickly put my palm on his forehead and used my medical ninjutsu. He came to in an instant. He leaped up, thinking the fight was still going on. I took a step back. 'Woah, woah, boy. The fight's over.' He backed up at that statement. He leaned against the tree behind him and eyed me warily for a few seconds. Then he said,'How did you knock me out? I didn't even sense your clone.' I smirked. 'Way to be overconfident, Sasuke. If you had atleast used your Sharingan, you wouldn't have gone down that easy.' He glared at me. ' I asked you a question.' I signed, and said,' About that.I am gonna show you something, but I don't want you to freak out because... well, just don't freak out.'

He raised an eyebrow, indicating that he was waiting. I signed(again), and turned around. Then I faced him with my Sharingan activated.

I let him see my Sharingan, and then closed my eyes. I opened them again when I felt a thin line of cold metal at my throat. I deactivated my Sharingan when I opened my eyes; only to see a very, very pissed off Sasuke. 'Who are you?' he growled. 'How do you possess the Sharingan eye?'

I singed I was expecting this. 'Before I tell you anything, Sasuke, I need you to calm down. I am still ...' I paused, wondering what to call myself and then continued. 'I am still Hana, and if you would kindly take your sword off my throat, I would love to explain.' Hesitatingly and reluctantly, he lowered his sword. I swallowed. Man, that blade was sharp. 'Oookay, let's start from the beginning.' I said.

'Do you remember that old prophecy? The one about the strongest Uchiha who would change the tides of war? The prophecy that didn't apply to Madara Uchiha?' Sasuke nodded. I blew out my breath from my mouth. Here comes the hard part. 'So since you know that, I am very sad to tell you that I am the child from that prophecy' I closed my eyes and waited for his reaction. When none came, I looked up. He was just staring at me. 'I don't believe you,' he said. I huffed. 'Well, you don't believe me? Hear this, then.' I told him the whole story, but I skipped the part about that jutsu. Sasuke was my friend, but I haven't told anything to anyone yet, not even Naruto. Since we were from the same clan, I guess he has the right to know, but it has to wait for the right time.

After I finished telling him everything, up until the part about joining the Akatsuki, he was silent. It was like that for a few minutes. But the first name out of his mouth surprised me. 'Naruto knows everything? Everything that you just told me?' I gaped like a fish once, but regained my composure and then continued. 'No, not everything. But the Haruno clan leader will spill the beans after word gets out that I left. But I told Naruto that I am from the Uchiha clan and not from the Haruno's. Do I look like I could be a Haruno?' I joked, obviously referring to my black hair and almost black eyes. Sasuke raised an eyebrow and then said,' Apart from the red streaks in your otherwise black hair, you look just like an Uchiha. But I wonder where you got the streaks from. They aren't genetic, because no one from the Uchiha clan had any red hair. And if you are the child of the prophecy, then you are pure Uchiha. You shouldn't have those.' He pointed to my hair. 'Uhhh... Okay,' I stammered. 'Why are you so fixated on my hair?' He shifted his weight. 'I don't know, I just like it, I guess.'

I smiled slyly. 'Ohh... The great Sasuke Uchiha likes my hair,' I teased. He just looked at me with that blank expression. I frowned. 'Uh, come on, Sasuke, you used to be so much fun,' I whined. He continued to stare at me with that hostile, cool expression. 'Stop behaving like a child,' He told me. 'And I am not the person you thought I was.'

I clenched my fists, his words cut deep. But then I shivered, those words were similar to the ones I myself had told Naruto, not even a day ago. But I realised something. I realised that Sasuke was not the person he once was. He had killed Itachi, his older brother, and had joined the Akatsuki. And now he wasn't even sharing with me, his childhood best friend. Sasuke had changed.

'Oookay,' I said. Man, the truth hurts. But Sasuke... Really? This is how you behave with me? I was really itching to slap him across the face, but I know he would block it. URGHHHHHH! "Sasuke, I am Hana!" I was mentally screaming at him. "Tell me everything!'' I tried for a smile. Then as quick as lightning I had him bound against the tree with a string attached to a kunai and his arms were completely useless at his sides. I smiled smugly at him. 'Now do you remember this? I asked.

**FLASHBACK**

**THREE DAYS AFTER THE CHUNIN EXAM AND ALSO AFTER THE FIGHT WITH GAARA**

'Sasuke!' I called, angrily running after him. There was something wrong with him, he won't tell me what. For the past few days, he's been hiding his whole neck portion from me, as if he doesn't want me to see something. I pestered Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi sensei about it, but they kept their mouths zipped, which is quite an accomplishment from Naruto. Sasuke is always acting like he wants to tell me something, but changes his mind at the last moment. This has been happening for the past three days, so many conversations ending with him walking away and me totally confused. Shit, I'm tired of this. I'm ending this once and for all, I can't handle another conversation with a dead end.

As Sasuke saw me running after him, he quickly poofed (using teleportation jutsu) somewhere else. Huh, smart guy. But I'm smarter. I had used my Sharingan just a millisecond before he left, and I could see he had used less chakra. So he must be someplace lonely, which is close by. Considering that we were in the main market area, which is extremely busy, I knew only one spot. I decided to take a gamble and go to that spot.I poofed, and... JACKPOT! Sasauke was there, with his back to me, completely unaware that I was behind him. I quickly pulled out my kunai, with a string attached to it to act like a rope, and tied Sasuke to the tree he was standing on. He angrily glared at me.

'How did you find me?' he asked. 'I could've been anywhere.' He looked at me for an explanation, but I obviously can't tell him I had the Sharingan. I didn't know I was a pure blood Uchiha then, the clan elders didn't give me any explanations to why I had such eyes, or why I was able to master (yes, I was able, but I was also forced) to master that jutsu. So I just taunted him. 'Aww, Sasuke-kun, I know you can't bear being away from me. That's why I knew you would teleport somewhere close.' I waited for him to flip me off, but it never came. So... no, no wait. WHAT I JUST SAID WAS TRUE? SASUKE REALLY?

For a few seconds, I just stare at him wide eyed, but then came to my senses and continued. I cleared my throat uncomfortably. 'So, Sasuke, I want you to tell me what is bothering you since the chunin exams. And I'm not letting you go this time.' He just shifted uncomfortably and tried to teleport. How do I know this? Well, the string is infused with my chakra, and whenever he tries to do any kind of jutsu, I feel it. It doesn't hurt, I am simply aware of what he is going to do. And he can't do it. Cue the evil laughter.

If looks could kill, I would be dead. Man, Sasuke was scary when he was like this. No, I wasn't scared, but definitely not comfortable. He looked at me, and I saw defeat in his eyes. He couldn't win against me, ever. Not a chance. He signed. 'Fine,' he said. 'Recently, I've been getting these... um, cravings.' He paused. 'Okay,' I said. 'What cravings?' He squirmed. 'Cravings for blood,' he said finally. ' To kill-A certain someone. To obtain power, become powerful.' I shivered. uh-oh. 'Do you know what is making you think like this?' I asked. 'It happened during the chunin exams,' He said. ' Oorochimaru gave me the curse mark.'

'WHAT?' I shouted. I was just about to jump off the tree, track down Oorochimaru and kill him. Maybe he would put up a little bit of a challenge, him being a sannin, while I was using my eyes. But Sasuke's shout stopped me. 'Hana!' I had turned my back to him, ready to jump off the tree. 'Shut up, Sasuke,' I growled. 'I'm gonna kill Oorochimaru for what he did to you. I'm gonna wring his neck and pin it on a tree, marking my victory.' I could almost hear Sasuke smirk. 'Sure, you can,' Sasuke said. I heard no sarcasm in his voice, I almost smiled at his faith in me even without knowing about my special powers. 'But I need you here,' he said. 'You might be the only one to prevent me from going on a killing spree.'

I turned. His face was totally serious, all signs of joking gone. 'Or put up a little bit of a challenge.' I smirked, then laughed. ' Y-You really think you can defeat me?' I choked out. 'You couldn't even escape from me, or these bonds.' I continued laughing, but stopped when he smirked. 'Hana, Hana,' he said. 'You are a little too overconfident, not considering the possibility of... What if I didn't want to escape these bonds?' With that, he cut the strings with a kunai from behind.

Then suddenly I was pinned against the tree. Man, I hadn't seen that coming. Sasuke didn't hold the kunai against my throat, but had pinned my neck against the tree with his forearm. His face was dangerously close. 'What if I wanted to tell you everything from the beginning?' He continued. I figured he had rubbed it in my face enough. ' Then why didn't you?' I asked. 'Why didn't you tell me from the start, you know I could've helped you.' He smirked. ' Helped me how?' He asked. ' By killing Oorochimaru?' I quickly moved and pinned him against the tree again, this time me using my forearm.

'Yes,' I said.'If it meant helping you. And I would even find a way of curing the curse mark, and if there isn't any I will invent one.' He smiled, a real smile this time. I pulled my arm back, leaving him to stand free. 'You would do anything for me, wouldn't you?' He asked. ' Yes,' I replied 'But not as one of your stupid fangirls. As your friend.' I hugged him after he said that, and he hugged me back. 'Don't worry about the curse mark,' I continued, and pulled back, but he didn't let go. I giggled and put my arms around him again.' I mean that, Sasuke,' I said. 'If anything happens, I'm here.' He pulled back. Looking in my eyes he asked,' Promise?' I laughed, but then was serious. 'Promise,' I said. Then for the first time, I realised how late it was. Shit, I was in for a scolding. 'Um, Sasuke,' I said.'Yeah?' he asked, concerned. 'It's uh, very late,'I said. 'Oh shit,' he said, looking around. 'You should go home,' he said. 'Uh-huh,' I corrected him. 'I have to! I'm gonna die!' He laughed, but then said, 'You know I will never let you come to any harm, right? Not if I could help it.' I smiled. ' I know, Sasuke.' I said. 'But it will never come to that.' With that, I kissed his cheek and said, 'Goodnight, see you tomorrow!' And poofed back to the Haruno clan.

**PRESENT TIME**

'It feels familiar, doesn't it?' Sasuke said. 'Yeah,' I said.'The only difference is that you can't get out this time.' I smirked. 'Really?' He asked. 'Fine then, I'll take your word for it.' I smiled a faint smile. 'Now,' I said. 'You tell me everything. From the start, when you left.' He signed. 'Fine,' he snapped. Then he told me everything. From the time he went to Oorochimaru, till he killed Itachi. He even told me Itachi's secret, I gasped when I heard it, and then swallowed. I could only imagine Sasuke's pain. He told me how he had gathered a team of Karin, Jugo and Suigetsu, and how he was going to kill the village elders, and even destroy the village. After all, this was said, he waited for me to break.

But I didn't. During the story, I had to constantly remind myself that I was a rogue ninja too, a betrayer. I didn't have the right to tell Sasuke what was right and what was wrong, I was no better than him. Finally, Sasuke got bored of waiting for me to react. 'Aren't you gonna tell me not to attack the village, and not to kill the clan elders?' He asked. 'No,' I said. 'I can't tell you what to do and what not to. I don't have the right to that anymore, considering I'm a rogue shinobi too. And also because, according to you, I'm not your friend anymore.' I looked him in the eye then, and I was sure he could see how hurt I was with that accusation, and he hastily said,'Well, we still can be acquainted, since we're both parts of the Akatsuki now,' he said. He had still kept his cool indifferent behaviour, but being his close friend I could see through all of that. He didn't want to hurt my feelings. Not only because I could beat him to a pulp, but because he still cared about me, atleast a tiny bit. Even with all the changes, Sasuke would always be the one I knew, but only on the inside.

You just wait, Sasuke. I'll make you the person you once were, even if it's only towards me.

After I and Sasuke finished our very serious conversation, we decided to head back to the Akatsuki hideout. We traveled along in silence, jumping from one tree to the next. The Akatsuki hideout would take some time to reach, so I decided to talk a little during that time.

'So, Sasuke,' I said. I didn't even get a reply. Usually, he would say "Hn" if he didn't wanna talk much, but now I don't even get that. Looks like it's gonna take a while for him to get comfortable around me.

'Hello? I'm talking to you, Mr. I'm not going to Pay Attention to Hana,' I said, trying to get some response. His head snapped in my direction. 'What?' he asked he asked in a snappy tone, still maintaining that cold aura towards me. 'Mhm, you finally get it,' I said. He looked at me in confusion. I bit back a smile. 'When I talk to you, you reply.' He just shook his head, defeat in his eyes and disgust on his face. I smiled properly now. Maybe if I annoy him enough, he will respond, and I'll succeed in getting him back to his old self. But it's gonna be a rough going.

We traveled in silence again, until I decided that it was enough. 'Sasuke, I'm going to ask you a question, and you are gonna answer,' I stated. He just rolled his eyes, his face expressionless. I took that as a response and continued. 'Why are we travelling like this?' He looked at me. 'Do you know any other way?' he asked. 'Nah,' I said. 'No other way to travel on foot. But I do know something called a teleportation jutsu. Ever heard of it?' I grinned. 'I'll teleport us there now.'

I didn't wait for his answer, I was sure he would argue. I quickly made the handsigns and muttered,' Teleportation jutsu.' Seconds later we were standing outside the Akatsuki hideout's entrance. I did a double-take when I saw Sasuke's murderous expression. Then I cheekily smiled at him. 'This way was much faster, right?' I turned my back on him and started to walk inside. I heard him follow me.

I entered and gasped. The hideout was huge! It felt like you could fit a city in here. I quickly blinked my Sharingan on and off. I almost choked at what I sensed.

The First Hokage's Chakra.

What was it doing here? How was it here?

I knew it was the first Hokage's chakra because I had sensed it in Yamato taijo, he had the first Hokage's cells in him and was able to use his wood style. But I never imagined that I would be able to sense it this strongly, as if...

As if his body was here.

I shakily turned towards Sasuke, who was coming up behind me. 'Sasuke,' I said. 'He looked at me. 'What?' he asked. 'Um...' I hesitated, not knowing whether he would believe me or not. But the problem solved itself. 'You sense familiar chakra, don't you?' He asked. 'Yes,'I replied. 'The First Hokage's chakra, actually. I could make out that much.' His eyes widened. 'The first hokage,' he muttered. 'What's his body doing here?' I asked, rather softly.

'I don't know,' he stated. 'But there's something fishy about this.' I nodded. I turned on my Sharingan again and scanned the area. 'Sasuke,' I said. 'Turn on your Sharingan.' He did what I told him. I looked at him, my Sharingan still turned on. He was staring at me.

'Do you sense that?' I asked him. He looked confused. 'Sense what?' he asked. I stared at him in disbelief. 'You don't sense the clones?' I asked. He was even more confused. 'I only sense the First Hokage's Chakra under this floor. Apart from that, I think something is blocking my Sharingan's vision. I can't see clearly.' I shook my head. 'That just proves that my Sharingan is stronger than yours, the vision blocking jutsu does nothing to me.'

I smirked. Sasuke rolled his eyes, and then said,'So what do you want to do? Do you want to see what's under there, or just go back to the hidden Rain?' I shook my head, I didn't know what to do. 'Why don't you decide?' I asked Sasuke. 'Fine then,' he said. 'I think we should go back to the Hidden Rain.' I gave him a smirk. 'Why, Sasuke, chicken?' I taunted. 'No,' he replied curtly. 'If there are clones of a person, they might not welcome us and there might be a fight. So, it is better if we go to the Hidden Rain and ask questions.'

I nodded, Sasuke made sense. 'Fine then, we'll go to the Hidden Rain.' I said. 'I'm gonna teleport there now, and you're coming. Traveling by foot is boring.'

'Wasting your chakra is even more harmful than being bored.'

'See if I care.'

Big smirk flashed at me.

'Wind style: Teleportation Jutsu!'

I teleported both of us to the top of the tall building where I first met Pain. 'This way,' someone said behind us. I turned to find some weird guy in an orange mask and in the Akatsuki robe.

'Hello,' he said. 'You must be Hana.' I nodded, I wasn't completely sure of what to say. 'Well, then' he continues. 'As you're new, you must have some questions. I will be very glad to answer them.'

'Okay, then.' I said. 'Who are you?' He looked surprised. 'Me? Well I am Madara Uchiha, one of the most famous Uchiha's.'

I rolled my eyes. 'You wish.'

'You don't believe me? ' he asked, showing me his Sharingan. I smirked. 'Sorry, was that supposed to scare me? Because that was a real good attempt.'

I was sure he was scrawling under his mask, and I was also sure making this guy angry wasn't such a good idea. But, there was no turning back now.

'Okay, you know I am Hana,' I said. 'But do you know I'm also an Uchiha?' I showed him my Sharingan.

'The child of the prophecy, ' he muttered. 'I knew she wasn't dead.' I turned to Sasuke. 'Well atleast someone believes me, ' I said.

'Yes, I am the child of the prophecy, ' I confirmed. 'And I also have another question. What is underneath the hideout in the East? ' I heard a sharp inhaleation of breath. 'So you sensed that, huh? ' he asked. 'Sure I did, ' I said. 'WhaT is the First Hokage's body doing there?'

'Hmm. Are you worthy of knowing? ' he asked. 'Well, I'm one of the strongest members of the Akatsuki, not that they are many left.' I said, hoping to drive him over the edge. Bit he just shook his head.

'Well, I'll tell you later. As for now, I have some work for you.'

^^^^

'Work?' I questioned. 'What kind of work?' The man in the orange mask cooked his head to one side.

'Oh, you know,' he said. 'you need to capture the eight tails Jinjuriki without killing him along with team Taka.'

I glared at him, but I mentally kicked myself for not expecting this sooner. I was part of the Akatsuki now, of course, I would be told to capture a Jinjuriki.

'You can leave a week from now,' the man said. 'You will find him in the Hidden Cloud Village. I expect him here on this day, three weeks from now.'

With that he did some weird teleportation jutsu, he kinda rotated and disappeard. Yeesh. This was way too much for one day.

I signed an audible sign. I still had to meet team Taka, I was hoping they would be just a little powerful so that the members could take care of themselves and not be a burden while I caught the Jinjuruki. That guy didn't know who he was dealing with, sending me out with weaklings.

And if you're wondering, yes, I consider Sasuke a weakling.

It's kinda hard not to, when you have four types of chakra natures, Jinjuriki level chakra reserves, and have mastered one of the most powerful jutsus since the Sage of the Six Paths.

I could kill Sasuke in an instant, without even trying. If my life was at its worst in battle, I would have to use that jutsu, and the battle would be over.

The world within a thousand mile radius would be over.

Which is why I will take that jutsu with me to my grave.

^^^^

I snapped back to reality when Sasuke waved his hand in front of my face.

'What?' I snapped, why couldn't he just call me?

He raised an eyebrow.

'I called your name at least three times, and you didn't answer.'

'Fine, ' I huffed. ' What do you want?'

'I was thinking,' he continued. 'About going to a nice place I discovered not far from here.'

I was shocked. Frozen in place.

'Sorry, could you repeat what you said?'

This time he shifted, uncomfortably or impatiently I didn't know.

' I said,' he huffed. 'If you would come with me to a nice place not far from here.'

I blinked.

'Sure,' I said, still a little skeptical. How did this change in behaviour happen so suddenly?

'Come on,' he said and darted towards the border. I followed.

We traveled for some time, and i was just about to pester Sasuke about teleportation when he said, ' We're here.'

I did a double take.

In front of me was a huge meadow, filled with extremely long grass, grass almost as tall as me. I just gaped at it in wonder, it was huge. Huge. The grass was bright green, and the sky was orange. A perfect contrast. I loved the place instantly. It just had this feeling, you know?

A feeling of calm, a place where you could just escape from the world for a while. I envied Sasuke for finding it.

'So, ' he said, bringing me back to reality. 'what do you think?'

I smiled. ' I think it's beautiful, ' I reply. 'so,' I said, turning to more serious matters now.

'Why did you bring me here?'

He shrugged, not bothered in the least. ' I guess I just wanted to talk,' he said. I wasn't satisfied with that answer, but I didn't push him on the topic, according to me Sasuke was acting bipolar.

'Okay, ' I said slowly like I was talking to a child. 'What did you want to talk about that was so important you dragged me here all the way from the Rain?'

He rolled his eyes. ' I told you, just to talk.' I glared at him. 'About what? And why should I talk to you anyway, it's not like it's pleasant.'

I looked straight into his eyes, through the cold exterior and into the real Sasuke.

He was hurt.

I had hurt his feelings.

Well, who cares?! 

It's not like he thought so much about me.

' Whatever,' he said, but this time he forced himself not to express emotion.

Sasuke's P.O.V

Urgh, I thought bringing her here would open her up, I thought. Or Help her to.

Looks like it backfired, she could read me like an open book when we were younger.

'Sasuke? ' she asked, snapping me back to reality. ' I know there is a reason you bought me here, and I want you to tell me.'

I almost smiled. She thought I wouldn't tell her. Little did she know that she could pry everything out of me if only she pushed enough.

End of Sasuke's P.O.V.

Did I just see him bite back a smile? No, that isn't possible. I'm acting paranoid. I shook my head to dismiss the thought and then continued. 'Well, Sasuke? Are you going to tell me or not?'

He shook his head slowly from side to side.

'Impatient much?' he teased. I raised my eyebrows. I hadn't thought Sasuke was capable of teasing me right now.

He smirked at me and continued. 'I came here to talk to you about your jutsu,' he continued.

I swallowed. I was dreading this conversation.

'What about my jutsu?' I asked, in an "I'm not bothered in the least" tone.

'Hmm,' Sasuke said. 'I can see right through your fake behaviour, don't hide the fact that you dont want this conversation.'

This time, I gulped.

'Fine, whatever.' I said in a defeated tone. I saw victory flash in his eyes, his face remained expressionless.

'I need you to tell me about your jutsu,' he said. Again.

I folded my arms over my chest, and said, 'What jutsu, Sasuke? I possess four chakra natures. Just imagine how many jutsus I'm capable of, or how many I've mastered?'

He smirked. 'Exactly.'

I shook my head. 'You lost me,' I confirmed.

'As being a fellow clan member,' he carefully stated. 'and a member of the Akatsuki, I think I have the right to ask about the jutsu that the prophecy mentioned and the jutsu that you have mastered.'

Uh oh.

I can't wriggle out this time.

Help.

I singed. 'What about it do you want to know?' I asked. Mainly because I didn't know where to start.

'Well, first of all, what is it?' I signed. Time to face the truth.

'Its an explosion jutsu,' I said. 'if nurtured enough, capable of wiping out the whole continent.'

We just sat there in silence for a while, letting it sink in.

'How did you master it?' he asked after breathing our the words - 'A whole continent.'

I hung my head. 'I think that's enough for one day,' I stated. 'I'm tired, I traveled all the way from Konoha till here. Bye Sasuke.'

Just as I was about to complete the hand signs for the teleportation jutsu he grabbed my hand.

'Hana, if you teleport I sware I'm gonna kill you, child of the prophecy or not.'

I gave him a glare, I was so gonna kill him before the day was over.

'Sasuke,' I warned. 'You're walking on thin ice. I'm telling you all this only because i want to. And you know I could kill you in an instant if I wanted to.'

'But you won't,' he challenged.

'Why wouldn't I?' I threw it in his face.

'Because I'm your best friend,' he concluded.

I rolled my eyes.

'Sasuke, if you had said that a year and a half ago I would've believed it. Now I'm not so sure.'

I turned and headed back to the Hidden Rain, but then Sasuke did the thing I least expected him to do.

He hugged me.

^^^^

He pulled back immediately, almost like he was embarrassed about what he had done.

'Sasuke,' I murmured. If he had done this when we were in Konoha, I wouldn't have been surprised in the least, hugs were normal, we were best friends. But now...

'Um, sorry,' he muttered. I smirked, shaking off my inner feelings. 'Don't be. You were longing to do that anyway.'

I had meant it as a joke, but the look on Sasuke's face made me want to laugh.

He literally wanted to do it.

I couldn't help it, I burst into a fit of laughter. I laughed till there were tears running down my eyes, and my stomach was screaming. I was on the ground for around two minutes, it took me the same time to gather myself. Sasuke was glaring at me since the moment I started laughing.

'Okay,' I said. 'I think my stomach has recovered. Let's go back, I'm honestly very tired.'

I didn't look at him, just teleported both of us back to the Hidden Rain.

We land on the same building we met the orange masked guy and Pain. I turned to Sasuke, he was still glaring at me. I smirked. 'Get used to it.' I turned my back on him and looked around. It was raining, as usual, and the streets were mostly empty. I turned back to Sasuke.

'Do you have any idea where I will be sleeping tonight?' I asked. But the answer didn't come from him, it came from behind me.

'Since we are running short of rooms, I hope you don't mind sharing one with Sasuke.'

I turned to find the weird guy in the orange mask again.

I raised my eyebrows. 'Really? Are you sure I can't share a room with anyone else? And how are you running short of rooms?'

The guy cocked his head to one side.

'Don't question me if you are smart. I don't like my orders being questioned.'

I glared at him. 'And who are you, for me not being worthy of questioning you?' I asked, anger evident in my tone. 'I,' the man said, 'am Madara Uchiha.'

I gaped at him. 'Impossible,' I said. 'Madara Uchiha died years ago. I don't believe you.'

The man blinked and then turned on his Sharingan.

'Do you still not believe me?' he asked. I hesitated.

'We'll see,' I stated finally. I turned to Sasuke, who was ready to leave. Just before I left, looked over my shoulder and off-handedly way, said, 'Do you know who I am?' in a cool tone.

'No,' he answered. 'Then treat me with some respect.' I stated boldly, and then jumped off the side of the building, forty stories below.

Sasuke landed right after me. Then he said, 'This way.' and started to lead me through the village. I didn't pay attention to where I was going, and before I knew it, we were standing in front of a door.

Sasuke unlocked it and led us inside. I saw that it was a nice plain place if his, and only black and white colours stood out.

White walls, white floor, black curtains, back furniture. I liked it, this was sooooooooo Sasuke.

I sighed in relief when of saw the door that obviously led to the bathroom.

I headed towards it and then turned to Sasuke.

'Do you mind?' I asked, mostly out of politeness. I was gonna use it anyway.

'go ahead,' I heard him mutter. By that time I was already halfway through the door. 'Not that I could stop you.'

'I heard that!' I yelled and slammed the door shut.

I took a nice long hot shower and then changed into comfortable tracks and a tank top. I exited the bathroom and kept my bag on the floor, leaning on the wall. I peeked around a wall to see Sasuke lying on the bed wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I tiptoe into his kitchen, made a sandwich and ate it quickly. Then I entered the bedroom. I saw Sasuke was awake, so I asked, 'Sasuke, where do I sleep?'

He looked at me, his expression screamed, " duh! "

I gave up. 'Fine,' I said sulkily and climbed unto the bed. For the first few minutes I was tensed, but eventually, I relaxed. But I couldn't sleep. I kept turning this way and that, trying to find a comfortable position. But that just didn't happen.

After about what felt like an hour, I was really pissed. It never took me this long to sleep. Never.

After a few more minutes, and about fifty tosses and turns, I felt arms come around me.

I froze.

'Sasuke?' I asked. 'What are you doing?'

His arms didn't move, and my back was pressed to his chest.

'You're in unfamiliar and weary surroundings,' he explained. 'It's natural for you to feel uncomfortable and not be able to sleep.' My eyes were still wide, I was unsure of what to do.

'Okay,' I said. 'but what makes you think that you having your arms around me is more, Um, familiar?' I did a air quote on familiar with one hand.

I could practically see his smirk.

'I guess it is 'cause you've been in them before.'

I shook my head in defeat before resting it back on the pillow.

I fell asleep in Sasuke's arms.

~The next morning~

When I woke up, which was at around six in the morning, Sasuke wasn't next to me. I admit I was a little disappointed, but I shook it off and headed to the kitchen.

I looked around for something to eat. I spotted a cup of instant ramen on one of the shelves. I heated some water and poured it into the cup. While I waited for it to get ready, I peeked into the living room to see if Sasuke was there.

He was sitting on the couch, sharpening his katana. I admit my heart did a little dance routine when I saw him. I mentally slapped myself. Am I crazy?!

'Morning, Sasuke'

No answer.

'Sasuke, how many times have I told you that if I talk to you, you reply.'

Still no answer.

'So what did I do to deserve the silent treatment?'

Silence.

'Sasuke, I'm getting annoyed. How have you gone dumb all of a sudden?'

Swish. Swish. (of kunai on katana. He's sharpening his sword, remember!)

'What's your problem now?!' I bursted. 'Tell me Sasuke, what did I do wrong? Yesterday you were acting all goody-goody with me, and now you're acting like I'm not even here.'

He didn't even look up.

'That's it, Sasuke. I'm leaving. And nothing you say is going to change my mind.'

I swept into the bedroom, put on my usual outfit, and picked up my bag. I speed-walked into the kitchen, grabbed the cup of instant Ramen, and stormed out. just as I was walking past Sasuke, I grabbed his neck and threw him across the room. His katana flew in the other direction along with the kunai he was sharpening it with.

'That's what you get,' I spat. 'For disrespecting me. Be thankful it isn't more.'

The door banged behind me.

I took deep breaths to calm myself down.

My hands worked on their own accord, and before I knew it I had teleported to the clearing that Sasuke had shown me the day before.

I sat down and cried. I cried for hours, not caring about the time. When I ran out of tears, I cried some more. Just when I thought Sasuke had opened up to me.

I sat there for a long time, totally occupied with my own pity party. When I looked up, the sun was high in the sky. It was definitely past noon. I didn't know the exact time I had finished eating my ramen cup. It was sometime in the morning. Well, I wasn't hungry now, so it didn't matter.

I decided to train for a while, just so that I could get all my frustration out. I summoned some logs of wood from my scrolls and did only taijutsu on them. It helped get my anger out faster. Most of the time, I imagined the log was Sasuke. Then I punched it harder than before.

After destroying about 20 logs, I looked up.

All I saw was a gittery blanket of stars before teleporting back to the Hidden Rain.

The week passed by in a blur. I spent almost all day training. I had a new apartment for myself, thanks to Konan. Before I knew it, the day had come for us to leave for the Hidden Cloud.

You have no idea how much I had been dreading this.

Today, I had to face Sasuke again. I had to speak to him and sort this out. I had mentally practised every word that I would say on the way to the Hidden Cloud, and also how I would say it.

I hope it would go the way I planned.

I quickly put on my usual outfit. Then I teleported to the tall building where I had told team Taka to be, so that we could all set out together.

When I teleported, three people were already there.

A girl with red hair and spectacles, and two guys, one with bright orange hair and red eyes, the other with blue hair and purple eyes. The blue haired guy carried the executioner's blade. The one that belonged to Zabuza. I was not expecting that.

'Hi,' I said. I decided it was safer if I spoke first. I didn't want anyone to die before the mission even started. 'I'm Hana Uchiha, and I will be coming with you on this mission to capture the eight- tails jinjuriki.'

The blue hair guy spoke first.

'I'm Suigetsu. Part of team Taka.'

I nodded to Suigetsu. The orange hair spoke next.

'I'm Jugo.'

I could say he didn't trust me, but I had anticipated that feeling.

'I'm Karin Uzumaki.'

I raised my eyebrows.

'Uzumaki? Are you sure?'

She gave me a death glare.

'If I wasn't, why would I be telling you?' I raised my eyebrows even further at the hostility in her tone. I was sure I hadn't offended her in any way. 'Okay, okay.' I said, amused. This was going to be an amusing trip.

Just then I head someone land on the building, behind me. I didn't even turn.

'Sasuke,' I said. 'You're late.'

He didn't answer me, just spoke to his teammates.

'This is Hana, she will be coming with us on our mission.'

Team Taka nodded. I smiled a little at them.

'Let's go,' I heard Sasuke order.

All of them trailed after him like little kids. I was having trouble holding my laughter in.

I guess Sasuke heard some of my snikers 'cause he turned and gave me a blank look. I looked back all innocent-like. He turned back, and it didn't take a genius to figure out that he was rolling his eyes.

We all jumped down the building.

The rest of the trip was boring. Nobody talked, but I was almost crying because of laughter. That girl Karin, she's HILARIOUS!

She's just drooling over Sasuke, and thinks that he doesn't notice.

I kept count of how many times she blushed.

When I reached 500, I gave up.

I was mostly laughing over the thoughts she might be having that made her blush.

They weren't that hard to sort out.

A few days later, we reached the place where the eight- tails were staying. I complained a lot when we reached the last part, we had to climb like a THOUSAND stairs. I gave up and just teleported. The others followed suit.

We reached just as the eight-tails stepped outside. I gasped when I sensed the massive chakra. We're in for a loooooong day.

'Hana, next to me.' Sasuke stepped forward. I stood next to him.

'Suigetsu. To my right.'

'Jugo. To my left.'

'Karin. Behind me. Watch my back.'

I smirked. Karin was the weakest in the group, with not many offensive skills. Weakling.

'Eight- tails,' Sasuke said. 'We're here to capture you.'

The eight-taild cocked his head to one side.

'It's eight-tails sir to you, and it's "May we capture you please." '

I held back laughter.

Then the eight-tails did some really stupid rap that I cannot say.

I laughed the whole time, especially when Karin criticized his rapping talent. I have to say, if I wasn't laughing so hard, I would really have choked him.

He might make my ears bleed.

And he isn't even a Sound ninja.

Lol.

'Okay,okay that's enough, Eight-tails.' I intervened. Then Suigetsu took his chance and attacked him. Jugo followed. I shook my head.

Not two minutes later, they were thrown back. Then Sasuke stepped forward. 'I'll handle this.'

The fight started. Sasuke leaped at the jinjuriki with his katana. But the jinjuriki used Suigetsu's executioner's blade to block the attack. Sasuke had to drawback. But while his back was turned, he attacked.

Then I finally intervened and joined the fight.

I smirked.

There was a ton of power behind that attack, but I was able to block it with ease. Score for Hana.

The jinjuriki and I were now at a standstill.

'Sasuke,' I said. 'You need to get better at protecting your back. And as your weakings can't hold their own, I need to deal with this pain in the butt.'

I kicked the executioner's blade from his hands and threw it back to Suigetsu.

'Thanks,' he muttered. 'Anytime.' I replied.

I kicked him in the stomach and jumped back. It didn't look like the kick had affected him, and that was saying a lot because my kicks are really powerful. There was about three meters distance between him and me, but then he did something really weird.

He took out a note book, and started writing something. Judging by his mutters, it sounded like he was writing a rap. Seriously? He was in the middle of a fight with me, and he had the guts to take out a notebook and write his stupid rap. Didn't he know who I was?

no, he doesn't, an annoying voice said. Almost no one does.

I shook it off and focused. As he closed the book, I glared at him and said, 'Don't you know who your fighting?'

Instead of replying, he took out eight swords that were sheathed on his back, and held them all in a really weird stance. Like really, extremely weird.

I just stared at him.

'What is that stance?' I heard Suigetsu mutter in awe.

'We're about to find out,' I muttered back.

The jinjuriki said something I couldn't decipher because of the sword in his mouth.

Then we started to fight.

I had to turn my Sharingan on midway through the fight, because the swords were coming at me from eight different directions and I almost couldn't keep up with them. I had two cuts when Sasuke intervened. I let him fight he jinjuriki for a few seconds while I caught my breath.

Sasuke was thrown back not long after with various cuts. Man, dodging eight swords was hard. Sasuke activated his chidori and charged. Mid-charge, he grabbed his katana and cahnneled his chakra through that.

But then the eight-tails surprised everyone, even me, by blocking Sasuke's sword with his own sword, through which he channeled his own chakra, just like Sasuke.

'Seems like he is a lightning style shinobi too,' I said to Karin, Jugo and Suigetsu over their surprised cries of shock.

Just then, the jinjuriki smiled. Then suddenly, six swords had impailed Sasuke. 'What?' I gasped. But I recovered quickly. The jinjuruki charged at Sasuke again, but I blocked it. 'Karin!' I yelled. 'Heal Sasuke now!'

I didn't watch to see if she did or not. Suigetsu attacked from behind, but he dodged. Then Jugo got him from behind with his arm transformed with the curse mark. Then he activated his power boosters or something in his arm, and smashed him in the ground.

We all jumped back to avoid the debris. When the dust cleared, I expected to find the jinjuriki throughly squashed. But I couldn't see him anywhere. There was just a large hole in the ground. Just before I could scan the area using my Sharingan, Karin yelled, ' There!' and pointed to a huge boulder away from the ground.

The jinjuriki emerged from behind it. I would have preferred that he would not know that we had a sensory type ninja, we could use that to our advantage. But nothing could be done now.

Suddenly, red jinjuriki chakra starting forming around him. Great, he had the jinjuriki cloak now. Even without it he had been so powerful, with it... well, he could destroy us.

He flew at Sasuke, who was standing right in front. He did a really stupid thing.

He activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, and put him in a genjutsu. But I had noticed something when the tailed beast cloak appeared.

I tried to warn Sasuke, but it was too late.

'LATRIAT!' The eight tails flew at Sasuke with his arm extended, even before I could turn around. Sasuke flew back, and I could see the damage was severe to his neck portion. Shit.

'Jugo, Suigetsu, Karin,' I said. 'Keep him busy while I heal Sasuke.' I ran towards Sasuke, who was lying on the ground. 'Come on, Sasuke,' I muttered as I started medical ninjutsu. 'We need you. Don't worry, you'll be healed soon enough.'

He was having trouble breathing. I was near tears. I blinked them away and focused. The green glow of my medical ninjutsu became bigger and bigger and brighter and brighter as childhood memories flashed through my mind. I didn't stop until I felt a hand on my arm.

'You can stop now,' Sasuke said. 'I'm healed.' I swallowed and nodded. Then I helped him up, and we both joined the battle.

When I looked at Karin, Jugo and Suigetsu, I took a sharp breath.

Standing before them was none other than a fully transformed eight tailed beast.

The eight tails said some meaningless rap that I could make no sense of. Wait, he could still rap in tailed beast from? Weird. I thought tailed beasts were only supposed to growl and snare and stuff like that. Huh.

What I noticed when Sasuke tried to put him in a genjutsu is that the tailed beast inside the jinjuriki is not the enemy of the jinjuriki, like Naruto and the nine-tails. They are acquaintances or even friends. Since you need someone to wake you up from a genjutsu, they could wake each other up. So, genjutsu's won't work. I tried to warn Sasuke, but that idiot had to do it anyway, and he doesn't even have the eternal Mangekyo. He's ruining his eyes, he won't be able to see anymore if this continues.

Suigetsu was fighting the jinjuriki alone, Karin and Jugo had retreated. He had water surrounding him and holding him up in the air in the shape of a warrior. This was like my susanoo, but nowhere as powerful. The lower half of his body was water, welding perfectly with the water warrior. He was standing before the jinjuriki, who was gathering chakra. A huge amount of chakra.

It tilted its head up and started forming a large balck ball of chakra. I understood what he was trying to do immediately.

'Shit!'

I ran towards it, in hopes of containing his tailed beast bomb.

I stood in front of it, just as it was about to detonate its bomb. I leaped up in the air so that I was level with it and said, ' Forbidden jutsu: charka net capture!' I caught the explosion just as it happed with a net woven with my own chakra. I barely had time to do the handsigns and wasn't even sure if I'd got it right. This was only my second time using that forbidden jutsu.

'Phew!' I wiped my brow. I was standing at the jinjuriki's feet, I hoped it didn't squash me. 'You have talent, little girl,' said the tailed beast. 'No one, not even the raikage has been able to stop my tailed beast bomb.'

I jumped back, landed and did a little curtesy. 'Child of prophecy, here to kick ass.'

I gave Sasuke a side galnce. He gave me a side smile. Things weren't so bad. He still gave me a smile, even though we hadn't officially cleared everything. Okay. Ish.

Suddenly, the jinjuriki reared with a hand up in the "yo" sign. Then all of his eight tails charged at us. I quickly grabbed Sasuke's katana and got ready to strike, but I got a better idea. 'Mangekyo,' I muttered, and started Amaterasu. Apparently, that wasn't a good idea.

Sasuke also had started his Mangekyo Sharingan and done Amaterasu, so his black flames clashed with mine. Sure, the flames stayed the same, none ate away at the other as it just can't happen, but we did need to bring the jinjuriki back alive.

Just as I was going to turn on Mangekyo and put the flames off, two of the burning tails were about to fall on Jugo and Karin. I used Sasuke's katana to chop one off, and used my Mangekyo to extinguish the black flames, but could not stop it from crushing Karin. Urgh, there was something called dodging, did I have to do everything by myself?

Karin was crushed, I would have to heal her later. Sasuke and Jugo weren't that great, but were standing. I doubted they could fight; weaklings. I turned to the jinjuriki to take care of it by myself.

'That's enough fun for today,' I muttered, as I extinguished my flames. Sasuke had alderady undone his. I control with my left eye, cast with my right. I could feel a headache coming on, there were a LOT of flames to control. It was a good thing that Sasuke had only little to control, he would've died by now if he hadn't.

I saw the jinjuriki lying face down in the water. I had my Sharingan still on, not the Mangekyo, just the usual. One could never be too careful.

I picked up the jinjuriki and surveyed the damage my team had taken and the surroundings had taken too. Almost the whole area was flooded, the steps were destroyed, and so was half the temple. We should get out of here before any of the hidden Cloud noticed this if they hadn't aldready.

I stood in front of Sasuke and Jugo, also an unconcious Karin. 'Get up, you guys. We need to move. The hidden Cloud will notice this soon enough, then we're gonna be in trouble. I'll heal all of you once we're out of Cloud territory. I'll teleport us now.'

I didn't wait for an answer, just teleported all of us, jinjuriki included, to the borders of the Hidden Cloud. I couldn't teleport us all the way to the Hidden Rain, I didn't have enough energy. I didn't want to collapse once we reach. I needed chakra for healing team Taka anyway.

We had teleported to a green clearing. I made my way to Karin, and healed her. Then I healed Suigetsu, so I was basically wasting my chakra over a puddle of water with his face barely visible. But once I was done, he looked fairly solid. I made my way towards Jugo, and then Sasuke. When I reached him, I was completely drained.

'It's fine, you don't need to heal me,' he said. I glared at him. 'Yes I do, you idiot. Don't you have enough sense to leave everything to me when it comes to using the Sharingan? At this rate, you will lose sight in a couple of weeks. Whose eyes are you going to implant then, huh?'

I didn't wait for his answer, I just put my hand on his forehead and started healing him. He clased his eyes, it was like he was enjoying it. I had to resist the urge of asking him if it felt good. I felt like slapping myself for caring how he felt when I was using my medical ninjutsu on him. Urgh, get a life! I mentally chided myself. When I was done, I went a little away from Sasuke and had a nap.

I woke up when Karin was shaking me. 'Get up,' she said. 'We need to get going.'

I wanted to say "five more minutes" like a toddler, but that wasn't happening. I sat up groggily. 'Fine,' I grumbled. 'I'll just teleport us there in no time.' I was refreshed and was ready to take on a jinjuriki again, this time solo.

A few seconds later all of us were standing on the top of our usual meeting place.

I woke up to sunlight shining on my face. I had forgotten to close the curtains yesterday evening. I groaned and got out of bed.

I took a shower and Put on fresh clothes. I made breakfast and started eating.

A knock came on my door. I figured it was someone from the Akatsuki. I opened the door to find the orange masked guy waiting for me.

I figured this would happen.

I opened the door wide and leaned on the door frame.

'What do you want?'

'Why didn't you get the eight-tails?'

'I don't know what you're talking about.'

'Don't play dumb.'

That was exactly what I was doing, idiot.

'I'm not, I don't know what you're talking about.'

'I'm asking for the last time. Why didn't you got the eight tails?'

'I did! I got him to the Hidden Rain!'

'It was a clone.'

I pretended to be shocked.

'Impossible.'

'You let him escape.'

'How could I? I didn't even know it was a clone!'

Silence.

'Sasuke tells me that you had your Sharingan on the whole time.'

'No, I didn't have it on for the whole time, it was on only during the fight and I put it off towards the end after using Amaterasu.'

'Didn't you even notice that it was a clone? Didn't you put your Sharingan on even once after the fight?'

I looked at him in stubborn finality.

'No.'

'Very well, then. I have sent Pain to capture the nine-tails, and your failure has put us behind schedule. I will expect a better performance in the future. You have a Sharingan, use it.'

I was vaguely aware of the last two sentences. I didn't even see him leave.

PAIN HAD GONE TO CAPTURE NARUTO.

WHAT. THE. HELL.

I was a blur around the apartment as I packed my stuff. I had decided that enough was enough.

I was leaving the Akatsuki.

I shouldn't have joined in the first place.

I ran to the roof of my apartment and did the hand signs for my teleportation jutsu.

Just before I could finish the last handsign, someone caught my arm.

'Sasuke,' I growled. 'Where are you going?' he asked, all casual as if nothing was wrong. 'What do you mean?' I shouted. 'The Hidden Leaf is under attack by someone who possesses the Rinnegan! And you're asking me where I'm going?!'

He chuckled.

I pulled my arm from his grip. 'Don't make me fight you, you know who's going to win.' He smirked. 'That's what you think.'

'Oh really?' I asked. 'Playing it smug now? Thinking you can beat me with conversation, Sasuke?' He shook his head. 'I'm not here to prevent you from going,' he stated. 'I'm here to ask you something.' My eyes shot daggers at him. 'Just spit it out, then. I don't have time for any of this.' He shook his head slowly, like he was amused by my behavior. I just continued to glare at him, too frustrated to say anything.

'I'm here to ask you to join team Taka.'

I didn't process his words at first.

'Excuse me?'

'You heard me.'

I huffed. 'I'll consider it.' I had more important things to do right now. 'Bye, Sasuke.' For now. It was inevitable that we would meet again.

I was standing on the Hokage Mountain, looking down at what remained of Konoha, my home.

I was too late.

Too many of my friends were gone.

The battle was over.

I didn't even know if Naruto was alive.

I have failed.

In everything that I had wanted to accomplish.

With a strangled cry, I took a huge leap over the huge dome that once was a flat land containing the Village of Konoha, and ran into the forest.

By leaving, I had destroyed my home.

Suddenly, I spotted huge chunks of rock rising to the sky. I figured it was that Pain with he short spiky hair using his pulling/pushing thing around him jutsu. I ran towards it, (I didn't risk teleporting because I didn't know the exact location.)

At first, Pain would've sabotaged the borders without anyone noticing. Then all seven (yes I knew there were seven) would have initiated carnage across Konoha, trying to find out where Naruto was. They wouldn't stop until someone spilled the beans, and as far as I knew only Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi and a few other people knew his exact location. Those few "few other people" included me.

I figured the people would have known I hadn't said anything because Pain would be searching for Naruto. But I didn't know if he was here already, or was still at Mount Myoboku. But if he was still at Mount Myuboku, then why was Pain, or atleast one of them, in the forest?

A little spark of hope ignited inside me. I hope Kakashi, or Neji, or Tsunade was with the Pain, finishing him off while the others had already been destroyed. I knew this was too much to hope for, but I really wished with all my heart that Naruto was still at Mount Myuboku, safe, while the others took the hit of the battle.

I knew this was selfish, but come on, he can't just give himself in.

When I reached the scene, someone stomped on the spark inside me and put it out in a very rude way.

Naruto was fighting with the Pain with the spiky short hair, and he was alone.

What the hell?

Why wasn't anyone with him?

I sneaked up behind the Pain and decapitated him.

I felt a twinge of satisfaction when I did that.

But I should've paid more attention because when I killed the Sixth Pain, I had unleashed the Nine-Tailed beast on Konoha.

The Uchihas were the cause of another Nine-Tails attack.

Again.

Only later did I realize what had happened.

Naruto had transformed completely into the Nine-Tails inside the dome of rock the the Sixth Pain had formed around him.

By killing the Pain, the dome of rock fell apart.

And unleashed the Nine-Tails, completely transformed.

Yay.

I was in soooooo much trouble.

I raced towards the Nine-Tails, knowing the prophecy had come into effect at last.

I had a plan.

Sort of.

We powerful Sharingan users can get into someone's head.

Naruto had told me Sasuke had done that when they had met when he was still under Oorochimaru.

So if the weakling (maybe he isn't so weak after all) could do that, why couldn't I?

I had never tried before, but that didn't matter.

I had a talent for discovering hidden talents- of mine, in dire situations.

Make sense?

Guess not.

Anyway, I had to get on the Nine- tail's head.

That was the only way I could look into his eyes and control it.

I didn't risk putting it in a genjutsu, in case Naruto had willingly given in.

I know, the chances were slim, but you know what happened with the Eight-Tails.

On the way to the Nine- Tails, Yamato-taijo crossed my path.

Shit, I should've put my Sharingan on.

I waited for it.

It came.

'Hana? What are you doing here?'

I tried to smile, but I wasn't sure I pulled it off.

'Hello to you too, Yamato-taijo. I'm back. And I'm going to help you get Naruto under control, the way the prophecy said.'

'What prophecy?'

'Uhhh...' I had written the letter, didn't Naruto tell anyone?

It didn't matter now.

I tried to give him the short version as we moved.

'Okay, so I'm not a Haruno as you think I am, I am from the Uchiha clan. Get it? The Uchiha clan. And I was kidnapped at birth because of an ancient prophecy saying I would be the savior of the world, the strongest ninja, blah blah blah.

'So, as the rouge ninja were heading with me to the forest, they were ambushed with three ninja from the Hidden Leaf coming back from a mission. They saved me, but only one survived. That one was from the Haruno clan, and he entrusted me to the clan elders.

'The stupid clan elders did a stupid thing by keeping me with them, even though they had heard that the child of the prophecy had been kidnapped. But even so, I am glad they didn't return me, I might've been killed by Itachi. Then who would save the world now?'

I gave him a watery smile again.

'So I grew up in the Haruno the clan, not knowing who I was or where I had come from. Then finally, a month ago, the new clan leader told me who I really was, and I left the village, but not as Hana Haruno.'

I stared at him.

'As Hana Uchiha.'

He just stared back, open-mouthed.

I laughed, which cleared the air for me. I reached out and shut his mouth. The physical contact helped to bring him back to his senses.

'What? How? Why? When?'

I laughed again. 'There will be time for questions later. For now..' I looked up at the Nine-Tails, which was heading towards the village. 'Give me a boost.'

I sailed up in the air and landed on the head of the Nine-Tails. It reared and snapped, trying to throw me off.

Seriously? I thought. Child of the prophecy on your head, you don't consider it an honour, instead, try to throw me off like it's a bullfight. Urgh.

I held on, obviously.

I turned on my Sharingan, and turned its full force towards the beast's left eye.

Suddenly, I was inside Naruto's head, and he was floating up in the air next to the seal o the gates which the held the Taild- Beast back but I literally froze with dread.

He had almost removed the seal, it was barely hanging on the gated by a centimeter.

That saying a lot, that piece of paper was big.

I tried to leap up and pull Naruto away, but I was really frozen in place. I couldn't move forward or backword.

I played the last card.

I started talking.

'NARUTO!'

My yell didn't do any serious damage, but he stopped peeling off the seal.

'GIRL, GET OUT OF NARUTO'S HEAD!'

The Nine-Tail's deep voice echoed through the walls.

'NO!' I yelled back. This was a matter of wills, and Naruto had to win.

'Naruto! Listen to me! I am Hana! I'm back!'

NARUTO'S P.O.V.

Hana.

That one word echoed through my brain, now almost controlled by the beast.

She's back.

The love of my life had returned to me.

With an almighty push, I regained some control.

I became aware of my surroundings. I was floating in front of the gates which sealed the Nine-Tails, but the seal was almost off, I had removed it.

Why?

I tried to lift my hand to but it back, but voices whispered in my head, and my hand would not obey me.

Release. I want release. Carnage in my wake.

No, I wanted to reply.

Don't say that, the voice whispered. You want it too.

I-I want it too, I agreed, rather hesitantly.

'Naruto listen to me!'

I was so shocked that I had a little control of my body back.

My head snapped behind, to see who had spoken.

Hana.

Yes, she was back.

She would put things right.

I had total faith in her.

'Naruto!'

It felt like the hundredth time she had called out my name.

I nodded slightly for her to go on, I still couldn't speak.

She breathed a visible sigh of relief.

'This is not what you want. You know that, Naruto.'

It is what you want. Fear. Carnage. Freedom. the voice chanted.

'Remember who you are. What happened to the number one Knuckle-Headed ninja?'

She smiled a full smile.

You are a pawn of the nine-tailed beast. You will do as he says, and you will get what you want.

I stayed silent, not knowing whom to believe.

Then I spoke.

'I want my friends to return.'

She looked a little shocked like it wasn't the answer she was expecting. But I had answered the voice in my head.

'Okay then, Naruto.' she said. 'I have returned. This is what you want. Sasuke hasn't, but...' She looked for the words. Then she straightened and spoke in a strong voice.

'Sasuke hasn't returned, but together, we can get him back. We can bring him back, and it will be just like the old times.'

Happy memories flashed through my head, which included me, Hana, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and all the rookies. I remembered the time when we tried to find out what his face looked like under his mask, and how Hana had sneaked up to his bedroom at night and seen it (so she said) and didn't tell anyone what he looked like.

I also remembered the time when Guy sensei told us to find the Fourth Hokage's secret and led us through a wild goose chase through a forbidden area. It was us versus Shikamaru's team. In the end, we didn't get anything.

All this happened in a millisecond, just looking at her face.

'Naruto...' her voice was so beautiful. I could listen to it all day long.

'Please, come back. Come back to me. This is NOT you. We can solve this together, and you can get what you want. We'll bring Sasuke back. And we'll relive old memories. We will be happy again.'

Happy.

It was so long since I had been truly happy.

I regained enough control to speak.

'Really, Hana? You will simply leave again, once this is solved. I am sure of it.'

'Naruto, leaving was a mistake. A very big one. And I won't leave again, and I will never put you through anything like that again. I promise. ON MY LIFE.'

With that, I found enough control to put the seal back in his place. I dropped to the ground, and suddenly, we were outside my head.

BACK TO YOUR P.O.V.

While talking to Naruto, I was barely aware of my physical self, being thrown around on the beast's head. But I held on.

Suddenly, still facing me, Naruto put the seal back.

Then we were suddenly pulled out of his head, and fell towards the ground.

The rush of air was like jumper cabled to my brain, it suddenly pushed away all the emotions and acted on instinct.

I pulled Naruto out of momentum, his body had taken enough strain. I landed lightly on a treetop and then jumped down, still catching Naruto.

Then I fell to my knees and cried, still holding Naruto.

I finished crying and started medical ninjutsu.

Finally, Naruto came to.

'H-Hana?'

'Shhh. I'm here. I'm back.'

'What happened?'

'I'm not sure, but stop talking. Relax. I still need to finish what you started.'

He gave me a confused expression.

I sighed.

'I need to kill the final Pain, Naruto. And end it. Once and for all.'

He nodded, too tired to argue.

I kissed his cheek and stopped my medical ninjutsu. I helped him to lean against a tree and stood up.

'I'll be right back.'

I smiled and left.

Suddenly, I spotted huge chunks of rock rising to the sky. I figured it was that Pain with he short spiky hair using his pulling/pushing thing around him jutsu. I ran towards it, (I didn't risk teleporting because I didn't know the exact location.)

At first, Pain would've sabotaged the borders without anyone noticing. Then all seven (yes I knew there were seven) would have initiated carnage across Konoha, trying to find out where Naruto was. They wouldn't stop until someone spilled the beans, and as far as I knew only Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi and a few other people knew his exact location. Those few "few other people" included me.

I figured the people would have known I hadn't said anything because Pain would be searching for Naruto. But I didn't know if he was here already, or was still at Mount Myoboku. But if he was still at Mount Myuboku, then why was Pain, or atleast one of them, in the forest?

A little spark of hope ignited inside me. I hope Kakashi, or Neji, or Tsunade was with the Pain, finishing him off while the others had already been destroyed. I knew this was too much to hope for, but I really wished with all my heart that Naruto was still at Mount Myuboku, safe, while the others took the hit of the battle.

I knew this was selfish, but come on, he can't just give himself in.

When I reached the scene, someone stomped on the spark inside me and put it out in a very rude way.

Naruto was fighting with the Pain with the spiky short hair, and he was alone.

What the hell?

Why wasn't anyone with him?

I sneaked up behind the Pain and decapitated him.

I felt a twinge of satisfaction when I did that.

But I should've paid more attention because when I killed the Sixth Pain, I had unleashed the Nine-Tailed beast on Konoha.

The Uchihas were the cause of another Nine-Tails attack.

Again.

Only later did I realize what had happened.

Naruto had transformed completely into the Nine-Tails inside the dome of rock the the Sixth Pain had formed around him.

By killing the Pain, the dome of rock fell apart.

And unleashed the Nine-Tails, completely transformed.

Yay.

I was in soooooo much trouble.

I raced towards the Nine-Tails, knowing the prophecy had come into effect at last.

I had a plan.

Sort of.

We powerful Sharingan users can get into someone's head.

Naruto had told me Sasuke had done that when they had met, when he was still under Oorochimaru.

So if the weakling (maybe he isn't so weak after all) could do that, why couldn't I?

I had never tried before, but that didn't matter.

I had a talent for discovering hidden talents- of mine, in dire situations.

Make sense?

Guess not.

Anyway, I had to get on the Nine- tail's head.

That was the only way I could look into is eyes and control it.

I didn't risk putting it in a genjutsu, in case Naruto had willingly given in.

I know, the chances were slim, but you know what happened with the Eight-Tails.

On the way to the Nine-Tails, Yamato-taijo crossed my path.

Shit, I should've put my Sharingan on.

I waited for it.

It came.

'Hana? What are you doing here?'

I tried to smile, but I wasn't sure I pulled it off.

'Hello to you too, Yamato-taijo. I'm back. And I'm going to help you get Naruto under control, the way the prophecy said.'

'What prophecy?'

'Uhhh...' I had written the letter, didn't Naruto tell anyone?

It didn't matter now.

I tried to give him the short version as we moved.

'Okay, so I'm not a Haruno as you think I am, I am from the Uchiha clan. Get it? The Uchiha clan. And I was kidnapped at birth because of an ancient prophecy saying I would be the savior of the world, the strongest ninja, blah blah blah.

'So, as the rouge ninja were heading with me to the forest, they were ambushed with three ninja from the Hidden Leaf coming back from a mission. They saved me, but only one survived. That one was from the Haruno clan, and he entrusted me to the clan elders.

'The stupid clan elders did a stupid thing by keeping me with them, even though they had heard that the child of the prophecy had been kidnapped. But even so, I am glad they didn't return me, I might've been killed by Itachi. Then who would save the world now?'

I gave him a watery smile again.

'So I grew up in the Haruno the clan, not knowing who I was or where I had come from. Then finally, a month ago, the new clan leader told me who I really was, and I left the village, but not as Hana Haruno.'

I stared at him.

'As Hana Uchiha.'

He just stared back, open-mouthed.

I laughed, which cleared the air for me. I reached out and shut his mouth. The physical contact helped to bring him back to his senses.

'What? How? Why? When?'

I laughed again. 'There will be time for questions later. For now..' I looked up at the Nine-Tails, which was heading towards the village. 'Give me a boost.'

I sailed up in the air, and landed on the head of the Nine-Tails. It reared and snapped, trying to throw me off.

Seriously? I thought. Child of the prophecy on your head, you don't consider it an honour, instead try to throw me off like it's a bull fight. Urgh.

I held on, obviously.

I turned on my Sharingan, and turned it's full force towards the beast's left eye.

Suddenly, I was inside Naruto's head, and he was floating up in the air next to the seal o the gates which the held the Taild- Beast back but I literally froze with dread.

He had almost removed the seal, it was barely hanging on the gated by a centimeter.

That saying a lot, that piece of paper was big.

I tried to leap up and pull Naruto away, but I was really frozen in place. I couldn't move forward or backword.

I played the last card.

I started talking.

'NARUTO!'

My yell didn't do any serious damage, but he stopped peeling off the seal.

'GIRL, GET OUT OF NARUTO'S HEAD!'

The Nine-Tail's deep voice echoed through the walls.

'NO!' I yelled back. This was a matter of wills, and Naruto had to win.

'Naruto! Listen to me! I am Hana! I'm back!'

NARUTO'S P.O.V.

Hana.

That one word echoed through my brain, now almost controlled by the beast.

She's back.

The love of my life had returned to me.

With an almighty push, I regained some control.

I became aware of my surroundings. I was floating in front of the gates which sealed the Nine-Tails, but the seal was almost off, I had removed it.

Why?

I tried to lift my hand to but it back, but voices whispered in my head, and my hand would not obey me.

Release. I want release. Carnage in my wake.

No, I wanted to reply.

Don't say that, the voice whispered. You want it too.

I-I want it too, I agreed, rather hesitantly.

'Naruto listen to me!'

I was so shocked that I had a little control of my body back.

My head snapped behind, to see who had spoken.

Hana.

Yes, she was back.

She would put things right.

I had total faith in her.

'Naruto!'

It felt like the hundredth time she had called out my name.

I nodded slightly for her to go on, I still couldn't speak.

She breathed a visible sigh of relief.

'This is not what you want. You know that, Naruto.'

It is what you want. Fear. Carnage. Freedom. the voice chanted.

'Remember who you are. What happened to the number one Knuckle-Headed ninja?'

She smiled a full smile.

You are a pawn of the nine-tailed beast. You will do as he says, and you will get what you want.

I stayed silent, not knowing whom to believe.

Then I spoke.

'I want my friends to return.'

She looked a little shocked, like it wasn't the answer she was expecting. But I had answered the voice in my head.

'Okay then, Naruto.' she said. 'I have returned. This is what you want. Sasuke hasn't, but...' She looked for the words. Then she straightened and spoke in a strong voice.

'Sasuke hasn't returned, but together, we can get him back. We can bring him back, and it will be just like the old times.'

Happy memories flashed through my head, which included me, Hana, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and all the rookies. I remembered the time when we tried to find out what his face looked like under his mask, and how Hana had sneaked up to his bedroom at night and seen it (so she said) and didn't tell anyone what he looked like.

I also remembered the time when Guy sensei told us to find the Fourth Hokage's secret and led us through a wild goose chase through a forbidden area. It was us versus Shikamaru's team. In the end, we didn't get anything.

All this happened in a millisecond, just looking at her face.

'Naruto...' her voice was so beautiful. I could listen to it all day long.

'Please, come back. Come back to me. This is NOT you. We can solve this together, and you can get what you want. We'll bring Sasuke back. And we'll relive old memories. We will be happy again.'

Happy.

It was so long since I had been truly happy.

I regained enough control to speak.

'Really, Hana? You will simply leave again, once this is solved. I am sure of it.'

'Naruto, leaving was a mistake. A very big one. And I won't leave again, and I will never put you through anything like that again. I promise. ON MY LIFE.'

With that, I found enough control to put the seal back in his place. I dropped to the ground, and suddenly, we were outside my head.

BACK TO YOUR P.O.V.

While talking to Naruto, I was barely aware of my physical self, being thrown around on the beast's head. But I held on.

Suddenly, still facing me, Naruto put the seal back.

Then we were suddenly pulled out of his head, and fell towards the ground.

The rush of air was like jumper cabled to my brain, it suddenly pushed away all the emotions and acted on instinct.

I pulled Naruto out of momentum, his body had taken enough strain. I landed lightly on a treetop, and then jumped down, still catching Naruto.

Then I fell to my knees and cried, still holding Naruto.

I finished crying and started medical ninjutsu.

Finally, Naruto came to.

'H-Hana?'

'Shhh. I'm here. I'm back.'

'What happened?'

'I'm not sure, but stop talking. Relax. I still need to finish what you started.'

He gave me a confused expression.

I signed.

'I need to kill the final Pain, Naruto. And end it. Once and for all.'

He nodded, too tired to argue.

I kissed his cheek and stopped my medical ninjutsu. I helped him to lean against a tree and stood up.

'I'll be right back.'

I smiled and left.

With my Sharingan turned on, I looked for signs of Pain's chakra. After running abut for a few minutes, I came to a huge tree almost halfway through the forest which seemed to be made of thousands of squares of paper.

I remembered the day I first met Konan and recalled her jutsu. She must have something to do with this. Not surprising, considering that she was a big part of the Akatsuki.

I was prepared to use my rasengan to blast through, but I tested the "bark" first by tying to push it aside.

To my surprise, I could move it quite easily.

I made a hole big enough for my body to go through and entered, not knowing what to expect.

I did a double.

In front of me was the real Pain, with Konan at his side.

My first thought was- yeesh.

Seriously, wasn't there a limit for a Rinnegan user?

At first I didn't even believe what I was seeing. I had to shake my head to clear it, and then decide what to do.

Because this is what I saw.

Pain, in some weird machine; with the lower half of his body god-knows-where, thin as a stick, and with metal rods sticking out of his back.

I guess this is how he was able to control all the six other Pains, with the machine and the rod and Rinnegan and whatnot.

I was glad I only possess the Sharingan eye. (mind you, I said eye, which includes Mangekyo, Susanoo, Amaterasu, putting people in genjutsu's and whatever I haven't awakened yet.)

Even though I was livid because this person, the one in the weird machine standing in front of me had destroyed my home, I chose the more diplomatic and noble (I guess) way to deal with the situation.

Talk-no-jutsu... begin!

'You are the real Pain,' I said. 'the original, who possesses the Rinnegan.'

'Yes,' he replied. His voice made me shiver, I hope he didn't notice.

'You are Uchiha Hana, looks like you have switched sides. Again.'

'I shouldn't have left in the first place,' I retorted. 'Back to the matter. Who are you?'

'My real name, was Nagato Uzumaki,' he mused.

'U-Uzumaki?' I stuttered, for the second time in three weeks. Looks like Uzumaki's were popping up everywhere. I wonder how Naruto would take the news.

Don't get distracted, my inner voice chided.

'Nagato Uzumaki, huh?' I said, again. 'Very well. Why did you attack Konoha?' I asked already knowing the answer.

'You know why I attacked Konoha,' he replied. 'But I will tell you anyway.'

'The main reason was to get the Nine-Tails jinjuriki, and extract the beast out of him.'

'Why is the Akatsuki hoarding the tailed beasts?'

'To attain world-wide peace.'

'What? You will attain peace by taking the life of nine innocent people? People, who are very important to their villages?'

'Nine lives is a small price to pay for peace.'

'Maybe,' I said. 'But what about the revenge that follows? With so much hatred in the hearts of people who love them, hundreds, thousands, will there truly be peace?'

'You are right,' he said. 'The cycle of hatred and revenge continues. But I will kill anyone who follows that path.'

'That is stupid. It will only result in more hatred and revenge. Maybe people will be too scared to follow it through, but we live in the world of shinobi. You will never get true, eternal peace if you kill other people, just more hatred.'

'Wise words, young girl. But if you criticize my solution, then what is yours?'

I remained silent; a tough question.

'I don't know,' I finally admitted. 'But killing others, making them live their whole lives in fear is NOT peace. I know that much.'

'Everyone wants true peace,' he said.

'Why do you? Why do you, who possesses the Rinnegan, someone so powerful, want peace instead of carnage?'

He sighed. 'I will tell you my story,' he decided.

I was practically crying before the end.

He told me his whole story, from the time he was a child until he devised the plan to capture the tailed-beasts.

Nagato Uzumaki lived in the Hidden Rain village with his parents at the time of the Second shinobi war.

One night, ninja from Konoha participating in the war sneaked inside his house in an attempt to find food. They were not aware that civilians were still living inside.

His parents, in an attempt to protect Nagato and let him escape attacked the shinobi. The ninja from the Hidden Leaf thought they were enemies and killed them. Only later did they realise that they were civilians, and had a child. They apologised to Nagato, but he was too scared and did something with the power of the Rinnegan.

The next thing he knew, the shinobi were dead.

He cried over the corpses of his parents and then left his house, knowing that there was nothing there for him anymore.

With no family left, he left his house and roamed the country, going from house to house asking for food. He met a dog named Chibi who followed him around and, later, on the verge of death by starvation, his new friends Konan and Yahiko, who saved him began traveling with him.

One day, Chibi was killed in the crossfire from Hanzou's fight with The soon-to-be Sannins as Hanzou would name them, Jairaiya, Tsunade and Oorochimaru. Nagato was very upset and buried him, promising him that he would end the war and make the world a better place.

When the war was going to end, the three orphans ran into the Sannins taking shelter in a cave. Jairaiya; rather than returning to Konoha with his team-mates,decided to teach the three how to look after themselves and be like their sensei.

Soon after Jiraya happened to live with the orphans, Nagato and Yahiko were attacked by an Hidden Mist ninja. Nagato used his Rinnegan to defend Yahiko, killing the ninja. When Jiraya found out about this, he decided to train them in ninjutsu, and also had many private talks with Nagato.

Nagato was very upset about killing the ninja, and asked Jiraiya for help so he could protect Konan and Yahiko from the same fate. Jiraiya's advice was for Nagato to grow up and to use his ocular jutsu to create a peaceful world they both wanted. Three years later the orphans had become true ninjas, so Jiraiya decided to go back to Konoha.

A few months later, Jairaiya-sensei received word that all of them had died, but in reality they had started a quest to end the war and attain peace. They started an organization and gathered followers who shared their beliefs.

Hanzou, the evil leader of the Hidden Mist viewed the group as a threat to his rule and schemed with Konoha's Root, led by Danzo, to eliminate them. Claiming to want to discuss strategies to peace, Hanzou lured Nagato, Yahiko and Konan into an ambush. There he forced Nagato to choose between killing Yahiko or Konan. Not wanting to force Nagato to make the choice, Yahiko impaled himself with a kunai that was placed in Nagato's hand.

With Yahiko's last breath, he told Nagato to live, because he believed in Jiraya's words that Nagato would become the key to the salvation of the world. Devastated, Nagato saved Konan who was being held hostage and Yahiko's body and launched an attack against Hanzou's and the Root.

With the Summoning: Demonic Statue of the Outer Path he was able to kill everyone except Hanzou. However, the technique left Nagato in ill-health, with numerous chakra rods in his back. He then decided to be a rogue ninja, by putting a strike across the symbol of the Hidden Rain on his headband. Later, he incorporated Yahiko's body into The Six Paths Of Pain as the Deva Path.

Upon adopting the alias Pain, Nagato led all the rebelling forces of the Hidden Rain in the civil war of the Rain, and took control of the village by assassinating Hanzou. Then he solidified his leadership by killing anyone who supported the former leader.

Almost everyone in their former group, now named the Akatsuki, was killed, so he recruited new members. People like Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Deidara, Sasori of the Red Sand, Oorochimaru (former member), Black and White Zetsu, and Hidan. Konan was already part of their group.

They were regularly hired for assassinations by various villages and became the most successful in that field. But Nagato never forgot his true quest.

He finally decided to capture all the tailed-beasts to make Biiju, the ultimate weapon of destruction, also known as the tailed beast bomb. He then would have the whole world under his control.

'But here I am,' he said. 'In front of you.'

I was speechless.

I blinked several times to process his story.

'W-Wow,'I said, finally. This was too much for one day.

'So...' I stopped, not knowing how to frame my question. 'The Pain I killed was Yahiko?'

'I do not consider him killed, but simply defeated. He had already died.'

I swallowed.

Let's go on a guilt trip.

I wasn't sure if I should apologise, this was the enemy after all, so I changed the topic.

'I see your point.'

I couldn't believe I was admitting it, but it was too late now.

'I understand why you did what you did. I see your reason, I even share a little of your pain.'

I winced, thinking of my dead friends lying on the streets of Konoha, my parents, most likely killed by Itachi, and Jairaiya sensei.

It gave me a surge of strength and a new feeling of purpose.

'But what you did still ISN'T RIGHT!' I shouted.

My words echoed around the paper-tree.

'If you see my reason and share my pain, how can you say that what I did ISN'T RIGHT?' He thundered.

'Because..' I stuttered. So much for what's right. 'Because killing people, taking innocent lives isn't right.' I said in a small voice.

'And also,' I continued. 'Not what Jairaiya sensei would want.'

Stunned silence.

'How would you know what Jairaiya sensei would want?'

'Because I'm his student too. I was with him during his travels with Naruto.'

I hope this explains how I know the Rasengan.

'I helped him develop the temporary seal which repelled the Nine Tail's chakra, when he got its cloak. I was there when he was critically injured because of Naruto's half transformation into the beast.'

Silence on his end.

'And as a fellow student, I am telling you that this is NOT what Jiaraiya sensei would want. We have had a lot of talks on the status of the world in terms of peace.'

'Then what is your solution to attaining peace, if you ridicule mine?'

I have made up my mind.

'I will follow Jairaiya sensei's path,' I stated. 'His motives, his ideas.'

'What will you do?'

'I will not kill you.'

'You see, Nagato,' I said. 'killing repeats the cycle of revenge and hatred. If I do not kill you, I prevent one such cycle.'

I looked at Konan, standing silently the whole time.

'I will leave you in peace, hoping my words have some effect and you will not continue killing. If you truly wish for world peace, you will think on my words, also knowing what I am capable of.'

I did not mean anything as a threat.

There was silence for a few minutes.

'Hana, you are something else...' he coughed loudly. I looked at Konan. She finally spoke, but it was in concern for Nagato.

'Nagato, you have spent too much chakra. We must go.'

'NO.'

I was taken aback, and so was Konan.

'I see what I have done wrong. And I have decided to correct it. I leave my quest for world peace to you, Hana. I also leave it to Naruto. You too fit perfectly together in this area.'

I nodded. 'Thank you, Nagato. What are you going to do now?'

'I will perform the jutsu of Rinne Rebirth.'

A strangled cry escaped Konan. 'NO!' She yelled. 'With the amount of chakra-'

'SAMASARA OF HEAVENLY LIFE: RINNE REBIRTH!'

I couldn't describe what happened next.

I only remember lots of green light.

It was like the dead came back to life, but not as zombies.

Maybe it felt like that, 'cause that's what happened.

By the time my mind had recovered from its numbness, it was over.

The paper tree fell apart.

It was me, Konan, Nagato and Yahiko (Tendo Pain/Deva Path) standing (or lying down), both the deceased now covered in shrouds that Konan had made.

It was over.

Finally.

I refused to cry.

Konan was quiet, we stood in silence, acknowledging the death of a great man.

Yes, he has a lot of my respect.

Konan finally came out of her freeze mode and put her hands on my shoulders.

'Hana,' she said. I just looked at her, not saying anything.

'You will turn out to be great. Do not forget Nagato, Yahiko, and my quest. We have faith in you.'

I finally realised what was happening.

'W-What will you do?' I asked.

'I'm leaving the so-called Akatsuki. They have forgotten their true purpose. Thank you for everything.'

She gave me a brief hug, and did her paper-teleportation thing. The shrouds also floated away with her.

For what felt like the millionth time today, I sat down and cried.

After I was done, I went to find Naruto and face the damage done to everything.

I walked slowly back to the clearing in which I had left Naruto. I found him sitting exactly where I left him, slumped over. I walked over, and he didn't seem to notice I was there.

'Hey,' I said. He immediately perked up, looks like he had been snoozing. Any sane ninja would've found a safer spot to rest, even when dead tired. That just proves my theory that Naruto is crack, or just extremely dumb.

No, transforming into the Nine-Tailed Beast is no excuse for not being safe.

'You're safe!' Naruto yelled, and staggered to his feet. 'None of that,' I warned, helping him sit down again, alarmed with his wobbling legs even with my healing and time to recover.

Thankfully Kakashi saved the day.

He appeared out of the trees, his headband pulled above his Sharingan eye, meaning he had seen some battles. He looked okay, just a little banged up. I hoped that like him, my other friends and sensei's weren't injured too.

'Hana? You're back? What are you doing here?'

I just smiled at him, even though I was sure he could make out that it was fake. 'I'm back and I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry I left, but you can ask me whatever you want later. Right now, Naruto needs to be escorted back to the village.' He nodded.

'Come on, Naruto. The village is buzzing to see the hero who saved them.' I grinned at Kakashi's words, I had no doubt that Naruto had defeated most of the Pains, if not all. As Kakashi hoisted Naruto on his back and started walking, I whispered to Kakashi, 'How many Pains did Naruto defeat?'

He smiled under his mask. 'The Pains' had some kind of reanimation jutsu, they could revive after they were defeated. When Naruto battled them, he battled all six.'

I gasped. 'Together?' Kakashi nodded.

I turned to Naruto, who was listening to our conversation but was too tired to join in. 'Wow, Naruto, you're something else. Even Jairaiya sensei couldn't defeat all six.' I swallowed the memories of my former sensei, and those of the conversation I finished minutes ago with Nagato and Konan.

Naruto just nodded at my compliment and gave me a faint smile.

'I didn't defeat all six, remember?' he whispered. I smiled at him, getting his reference to the one I had beheaded. We continued walking.

We reached the edge of the forest.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

ALL of Konoha's citizens, yes all, were gathered not too far. Standing in front were all the rookies (we got that pet-name during the chunin exams) I had graduated with along with my other friends and sensei's. The rest of Konoha's citizens fanned out behind them.

I was shocked to see so many, I had imagined a lot of casualties on our side; we were fighting Pain after all. Then I gasped as the truth hit me.

Nagato's jutsu.

I remembered his last words, the name of the jutsu he had performed.

That jutsu had brought the dead back to life.

The feeling I had got back there, like the dead were coming back to life was because my Sharingan was seeing everything, even though my brain was not processing it. Deep down, I knew what happened, I just hadn't accepted it.

All our friends swarmed us, and Kakashi set Naruto down on his feet, and he was still wobbly. Sakura came up to him and knocked him on the head. I felt my temper rise at her foolishness, but it immediately subsided when she caught him as he fell down and then she hugged him. No one had yet acknowledged my presence, and I didn't know if I liked it that way or not.

Once Sakura was done,all my other friends and citizens of Konoha lifted Naruto up in their arms and tossed him in the air they repeated this process for what felt like hours before they set him down, cheering all the time.

I felt like something- no, someone was missing.

It took me a second to realise who it was.

Sasuke.

I mentally slapped myself and focused on looked like he had gained enough strength to speak loudly.

I had been observing his expression all the time, looks like he was enjoying his victory at first, but was becoming uncomfortable by the second. He only went with the flow because he didn't have the energy to stop it. He started speaking, and everyone became quiet and the cheers also died down.

'Thank you for all that you have done. But I am not the one who should be given the credit of overpowering Pain.'

Everyone looked around, confused.

Uh-oh. Time to shrink slowly into the shadows.

'Hana Uchiha,' continued Naruto. 'Is the person who saved Konoha in the end. Who saved me. From another attack from the Nine-Tailed beast, and possibly from Pain also.'

Everyone looked in my direction. I was very interested in the shapes of the stones near my feet.

'All of us were brave today,' Naruto continued. 'All of us made sacrifices. But Hana was the bravest of us all, even me. She, alone, put the nine-tailed beast back in its cage, and faced the real Pain by herself too.'

I continued to stare at the ground by my feet.

'THREE CHEERS FOR HANA AND NARUTO!'

The whole crowd erupted in cheers.

Before I knew it, I was being flung in the air too, Naruto at my side, both of us laughing our heads off.

After people set us down, I dragged Naruto away from the crowd and towards one of the tents the citizens had put up. He didn't put up a fuss, guess he was more tired than I thought.

I grabbed a mattress, a blanket, and two pillows as I was walking. I and Naruto entered the tent. I unrolled the mattress, placed the pillows on it and commanded him to sleep. He took his shoes off and flopped down. I turned to leave, but Naruto caught my arm.

'What is it, Naruto? Do you need anything else?'

'I know this is kind of selfish, but can you please sleep beside me? You don't have to if you don't want to, I just wanted to ask...'

He looked at the ground, but then looked at me and gave me the puppy dog eyes.

Who was I to argue?

I smiled and took off my shoes, lying down next to Naruto. He immediately put his arms around me, and I almost shrinked away from him because of the memory that the action bought.

The memory of Sasuke.

I shooed it away and told my brain to shut up.

Then I fell asleep.

NARUTO'S P.O.V.

When I woke up, Hana wasn't next to me. I groaned and got up. I headed out of the tent, ready to see how much damage the battle had caused.

Tents were set up, and the wounded were being taken care of. I saw Sakura talking to someone in a large tent, which was unofficially the hospital. I walked her way.

'Hey Sakura.'

'Hey, Naruto. Are you feeling better now?'

'Yeah. What happened?'

'Well, do you want the good news or the bad news first?'

'Uh.. I'll take the good news.'

'Okay. The good news is that we have no casualties on our side. People had died but were reanimated. Hana knows what happened, and will give us an explanation with the village elders present at a meeting tomorrow morning.'

'Wow. Maybe I'll ask Hana what happened.'

'If she tells you.'

'Yeah, fair enough. What's the bad news?'

'Lady Tsunade is in a coma.'

'WHAT?'

'Yes. She opened her chakra reserves for the battle, and had quite a fight.'

'Oh. I hope she wakes up soon, the village needs its Hokage.'

'Yes. It does.'

Just then our conversation was interrupted by someone walking over for medical advice. I waved to Sakura, and set off to find Hana.

She had a lot of explaining to do.

YOUR P.O.V.

When I woke up, Naruto was still snoring. I decided not to wake him up and gently slipped out from his arms. I gave him my pillow as a replacement when he muttered something under his breath.

I strolled out of the tent and stretched. I had regained my energy, and the nap had made me fresh. My chakra levels weren't full yet, but who needs full chakra levels all the time?

Guess I do.

I had begun to stroll among the busy dirt path when I just happened to look up towards the forest.

And spot two glowing pairs of Sharingan eyes.

Oh, yay.

I jumped up and chased after Sasuke.

As soon as Sasuke saw me approaching, he took off into the forest. A million questions rushed into my head.

Why was he here? What did he want? He wasn't foolish enough to attack Konoha by himself, I alone could defeat him. But he was still in the forest by himself, why?

I had to find out.

But apparently, Sasuke has other ideas.

I finally decided to teleport.

I did the handsigns as fast as I could and poofed in front of him. Startled, he stopped and took a step back. Looks like he had forgotten that I love teleportation.

'Sasuke.' I tapped my foot impatiently. 'Why are you here?'

He gave his signature smirk.

'Just checking.'

'What?'

'To see if you were alive.'

Before I could stop him, he did the standard handsigns and vanished.

Great.

I hadn't even turned on my Sharingan to see where he could've been.

I sighed and headed back to Konoha.

'HANA!'

I jumped.

'WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?'

Naruto stormed towards me, smoke coming out of his ears.

Seriously.

'Uh...'

I couldn't possibly tell him that Sasuke was here, so I chose to lie instead. Mind you, I wasn't happy about it.

'I needed a walk to clear my head, I was just coming back now.'

He seemed to accept my reason. Thank god.

'Okay. But we need to talk.'

I turned rigid, then relaxed. Remember Hana, you were supposed to expect stuff like this.

I smiled and nodded, not wanting to show my discomfort.

Naruto started walking towards god-knows-where, and I followed reluctantly.

After a lot of jumping through trees, we reached our destination when it was almost evening.

I had started hearing a weird sound growing louder by the minute while we journeyed there, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was until I saw it.

I was standing on the cliff overlooking the Final Valley.

Thank you so much, Fate.

I am in such Big trouble.

'So,' Naruto said casually. 'Why did you leave?'

I gaped like a fish, still not processing where I was.

The sound was rushing water of the huge waterfall.

'Hana?'

The second-last time Naruto and Sasuke had fought, it was here.

'Are you okay?'

Naruto. Shikamaru. Neji. Choji. Kiba. Shino.

All of them had risked their lives to get Sasuke back.

Yet he had run away.

This was where he and Naruto had their worst battle.

A battle between two best friends.

'HANA!'

'Sorry, what?'

'I've been calling you for the past two minutes, you just spaced out.'

'Oh, sorry,' My voice held no tone of apology.

'What were you thinking about?'

I hesitated before answering. Did I really want him to know?

Well... Yes I do.

'I was thinking about Sasuke, the time after the chunin exams when Oorochimaru's goons came to take him. I was thinking about all of you who went to get him back, and you and Sasuke's fight here.'

He didn't answer me, he seemed to be lost in his own world.

I knew that had been a bad idea.

Especially before the conversation that was about to take place.

'Naruto?'

'Yeah?'

Wow, he answered on my first call.

'Let's just get this over with.'

'Oh. Yeah.'

He seemed to be shaking off memories.

I let him take his time and mentally prepared myself.

But there was nothing I could've done to prepare for the first question.

'Do you love me?'

'What?'

'You heard me.'

'Naruto... I love you, but not like that. You're my best friend.'

'Okay. I get that. Th point is that you love me.'

'I-I do.'

'Then why did you leave me?'

'Naruto, please understand,'I pleaded. 'I was scared, okay? I found out the reason behind all my strange powers, I found out that all of you could be in danger because of me, and that my life was ruined because of some stinking prophecy. I couldn't take it. I just couldn't. So I ran away.'

He stayed silent after my outburst, which was almost worse.

'Okay, Naruto, I admit it. I messed up. I should've stayed and tried to understand everything. But I really don't know what came over me. I just had to... Escape. Get away from everything.'

He still didn't say anything.

'Please say something. Yell at me for leaving you and manipulating you and putting you in a genjutsu. Please. I deserve all of it.'

Again, his answer surprised me.

'Do you have a Sharingan?'

'What?'

'I asked you if you had a Sharingan.'

I hesitated.

'Yes. Yes, I do. And you know that.'

'Show it to me.'

'No. Besides, you already saw it.'

'I want to see it again.'

'Why?'

'I just want to.'

I sighed. 'Fine.'

I blinked and turned on my Sharingan. I looked at him, and he smiled, then started laughing.

'I knew it!' He laughed. 'I knew it from the start. I just did!'

He continued laughing with me just standing there, totally confused.

'Knew what?' I prodded. He just continued laughing. Then I exploded too, but in a different way.

I put on my Mangekyo Sharingan and started Amaterasu just an inch away from him. He stopped laughing when it was almost on his skin.

'Inextinguishable black flames!' He yelled, and got up and started dancing around. Now it was my turn to laugh.

I wasn't careless though and spoke to Naruto.

'Naruto you idiot, that is MY Amaterasu!' I laughed. Then I put my Mangekyo on again and turned off Amaterasu. Half of Naruto's sleeve was burnt, and a little of his arm too. He didn't seem to care though.

My laughter was reduced to mere giggles. I wished I had recorded the moment when he started dancing with my Amaterasu on his sleeve. I put my Mangekyo off and looked at him.

'That's what you get for messing with me.' I giggled again. Naruto just looked back at me, something like shock etched on his face.

My smile subsided.

'What?' Did I hurt him too badly? Did I scare him? What did I do wrong? I was just having fun.

'You.. You have Amaterasu?'

This time, I was on the floor with laughter.

'That was what you're so shocked about? Oh my god!'

I continued laughing until I gained some control back.

'Okay.' I let the air in my lungs out with a loud whoosh. 'Okay. I'm fine now, you can ask what you want.'

'Since when do you have your Mangekyo Sharingan?' He yelled, startling me. But it wasn't his voice or tone. It was his question.

I remembered the day I got my Mangekyo Sharingan so vividly that I almost felt like the memory was planted in my head.

For those of you who don't know, you awaken you Mangekyo Sharingan when you kill your best friend.

So yes, I did kill my best friend.

Or I didn't, depending on the way you look at it.

So, when I was in the Haruno clan...

'Hana?'

'Yes?'

'How do you have that ocular jutsu?'

'Which one?'

'The one you just used.'

'The Sharingan?'

'Kinda, but the other type.'

'Mangekyo?'

'Yes. That.'

'What about it?'

'Don't you have to kill your best friend to get it?'

I gulped.

'How do you know that?'

'Did you forget, Hana, the fight Sasuke and I had here was supposed to be a battle to death from his side, yet he didn't kill me, his best friend, to obtain Mangekyo, instead he said that he'll find another way.'

I bit my lip. Hard.

'Yeah,' I admitted. 'I did forget. But you must be wondering how I got my Mangekyo Sharingan. It's time I tell you.'

'A few years ago, when I was still with the Haruno can and their clan leader hadn't changed, I was treated very badly. They seemed to think I was an object to teach the jutsu of the prophecy to, not a real person.

'I was rarely given proper food and was trained very badly in the basics of ninjutsu and chakra control. Very badly. By the clan leader and the elders, themselves. If I didn't get something on the first try, they would almost whip me.

'But in order to master the jutsu of the prophecy, I needed good training in everything. So, they took me off their hands, and made me someone else's responsibility. They hired a jonin to be my trainer and to teach me all there is to learn.

'His name was Eisuke Hoshigaki. He agreed to train me but was a little skeptical at first because of what the elders had said about me, all the nasty comments and not to trust me and all of that.

'Our sessions always took place every twenty-four hours, always in the middle of the night. Sometimes in the Konoha forest, sometimes also in the forest of Death.'

Naruto gasped. 'That's why you were so good in the Chunin exams!' I smiled.

'Yep. Not even a month after I started training, I knew the forest of Death at the back of my hand. What creatures live there, where clean water is, and where to find edible fruit if you don't want to go fishing.'

I laughed at his expression. 'That is so unfair! We almost lost those three days!'

I laughed again. 'That's because you were weak. I remember the time you tried to learn the Summoning Jutsu. It felt like a decade.

'You wanted to summon a frog, so first came a teeny-weeny tadpole, barely visible. I got a fair-sized frog on my first try, a little bigger than normal, and got Gamakichi and Gamatatsu on my fifth try.'

I smiled evilly.

'And Gamabunta on my eighth, while you were still summoning tadpoles.' I laughed. 'They didn't even get tails till your 30th try!' I was rolling on the ground now. Watching Naruto try to master the Summoning Jutsu was something else. I had never laughed more in my life.

Naruto's face was beet red. Suddenly I felt bad for laughing at him.

'Aww, come on Naruto, you know I didn't mean it like that. And admit it, you thought it was pretty funny yourself. I mean, seriously! Look at it from my point of view and you'll get it.'

He remained silent for a moment and then burst out laughing. I laughed too, watching him. After a while, we quietened down.

'Okay,' Naruto said. 'Back to the actual topic. Eisuke Hoshigaki.'

'Oh. Okay. So, we trained in the forests, always in the middle of the night. I soon was very good at the basics, so we moved on to harder jutsus. He had two chakra natures, fire and wind. That was good, because I have four chakra natures, and they include those two.

'He also knew around six forbidden jutsus, making him one of the most powerful join in the village. I admired him, he was my role model. Do I have to remind you that all this happened before I came to the Academy?'

Naruto nodded, lost in thought. 'Yeah. You joined a year late, and all of us wondered why you were so good at everything.'

'Mhmm. It was because I was given training from one of the best jonin in the village. Anyway, after two months, me and Eisuke became very close. He was my best friend, in the sea of enemies. I didn't have any friends except him, no one cared about me.

'I soon mastered all the jutsus he taught me, including the Forbidden ones. So, with the permission of the clan elders, he started taking ten-year-old me to various missions outside the village. Tiny stuff, like taking out the rouge ninjas doing robberies and stuff. It was fun. I learnt more than I thought I could.

'Anyway, we had this thing we started every night. He would get me food, and I would happily eat it and in return, I would perform and learn whatever he had to teach me giving my best. After we finished training, we would spend almost the whole night talking until he shooed me back to the Haruno's.'

I smiled.

'And up to date, I haven't failed him in giving my best.'

Naruto's mouth hung open in shock or awe, I don't know. I just continued with my story.

'I soon became healthier, and much, much happier. I would forward to meeting Eisuke in the night. Yes, most of the people I knew still despised me, but you know, I now had atleast one person on my side.

'By now, he soon saw that whatever the clan elders had told him about me was wrong. I was dancing happily in my head because someone finally understood me. My best friend.

'Then suddenly, one night, Eisuke told me that he couldn't train me the next night. I was confused, this was the first night in five months that he had missed training.

'When I enquired about the reason, he just said that the Hokage was sending him out to a very dangerous mission, and I couldn't possibly come. I was sad, but I let him go. He was going to the Village Hidden in the Grass, somewhere near the famous Tenchi Bridge.'

I looked pointedly at Naruto.

'Which Mr. Uzumaki here destroyed.'

Naruto rolled his eyes. I didn't notice before, but sometime during my story, Naruto's hands had curled into fists. I decided not to give the full details of what happened, he knows all too well what it feels like to lose your best friend.

I cleared my throat. 'Anyway. He left the next night, and I was with the Haruno clan. I got a little fidgety just sitting there, so I made the decision to travel to the Tenchi Bridge and see their mission. I packed a little food, in case he was hungry, and set out.

'By the time I reached the Tenchi Bridge...' I choked up on this part. I tried again.

'When I reached the bridge...'

I couldn't help it. Tears started flowing freely.

'They were ambushed from behind!' I cried. 'Forty trained rouge ninjas, against a team of four jonins. That was not fair!'

Naruto hugged me, and I wet his whole jacket with tears. He let me take my time, and then gently prompted.

'What did you do then?'

I gulped. I wasn't exactly proud of this part, but I didn't regret it either.

'I chased after them, and killed them. All twenty-five of them.'

I continued crying, skipping the part when I piled their bodies and lit them on fire. Yes, I had gone a little crazy at that time.

I also skipped the part where I held Eisuke's body and cried for hours, and then buried him and the other three jonin in the forest of the Land Of Fire.

'I didn't know it at that time, but I had awakened my Mangekyo Sharingan. I was wondering after a few weeks, about how I magically dodged every weapon, every attack, and fought them all without even getting a scratch on me.

'I realised then, I had awakened my Mangekyo.'

I waited for his reaction. Even Sasuke didn't know the whole story. I had told him parts before he left Konoha, never the whole thing.

'Wow.'

That's it? I was expecting questions, maybe he started taking notes behind my back. I don't know.

'That's it? Wow?'

'Yep. I actually don't know what to say. I can't say that I know your pain. But I can say this.'

I sighed. Here comes Talk-No-Jutsu.

'Hana, you are one of the bravest and strongest people I have ever met. You went through so much at such a young age, and you still have become the person you are today.'

I just stared at him, not knowing what expression was on my face.

Wow. I was wrong, this jutsu really is powerful enough to make me feel good about myself.

I shook it off.

'Naruto, look at me,' I said. 'I joined the Akatsuki. The freaking Akatsuki. I helped them capture the eight-tailed jinjuriki.'

'You what?'

'I helped them capture the eight-tails jinjuriki, but let him escape.'

'Why?'

' I have to talk to the Hokage about this, but the plan includes you. That much I can say.'

'Please tell me!'

'Nuh-huh. I told you, only if the Hokage approves of my plan and my theory. Only then.'

He gave me his best "I'm not satisfied" look.

I gave him a blank one back.

'Fine,' he agreed. 'But I will find out eventually.'

I snorted. 'Yeah right. I bet Lady Tsunade will beat you to a pulp if you question her. Well, she has to talk to me too, since I betrayed the village and joined the Akatsuki.'

'Don't say that.'

'It's the bitter truth, you know it. If Eisuke was here...'

I smiled.

'He'd probably kill me.'

After our much needed talk, I and Naruto headed back to Konoha. It was almost midnight, and I was yawning my head off, and Naruto noticed.

'Hey, sleepy-head. Don't fall asleep now, I might not notice I left you behind for around for eight to nine miles.'

'We still have more eight to nine miles to go?' I moaned. 'No way. I'm just going to spend the night in the forest. You can go ahead if you want to.'

'No way, Hana. There might be a lot of rouges out there, even with our alliances with other villages. It's too dangerous.'

'Well, then let's rest, atleast.'

I dropped out of momentum and landed on a tree branch. I sat down, my feet hurting. Naruto landed next to me after a few seconds. I yawned and settled in for a nap. I blinked my Sharingan on and off just out of habit. I sensed nothing wrong. Trees, insects, animals. You know, whatever organism is dumb enough to be awake past midnight when they have an early start the next morning.

Including us and another person, apparently.

I just suddenly sensed another presence. I don't know who's. But I sensed no ill intentions. I decided it was safe to stay put and investigate later when Naruto was asleep.

Because I had a pretty good guess of who it was.

Fifteen minutes later, when Naruto was snoring away, I leaped lightly off the tree branch. I could still feel his eyes on me, now moving slowly away, not like before.

'Sasuke,' I growled, knowing he could hear me. 'Why are you stalking me?'

I moved towards him, my Sharingan turned on, two orbs glowing red in the dark of the night.

Suddenly, everything went black.

SASUKE'S P.O.V.

I quickly knocked out Hana. I didn't want Naruto to wake up. Hana didn't even see it coming. True, she had sensed my presence faster then I thought she would, but atleast I could knock her out before she could fight back, because if she did... I would definitely lose.

I carried her limp body towards team Taka's hideout. She was going to be part of my team, whether she wanted it or not. She was crucial for the attack on the Five Kage Summit, and killing the elders of the village.

She was oblivious towards the arrangements going on in the Hidden Leaf, and of Danzo being the new Hokage as Tsunade was in a coma after the fight. Naruto didn't mention anything about the new Hokage, and they didn't yet know about the Five Kage summit.

The Akatsuki get all the information before the decision is even made, thanks to White Zetsu, who's clones could even mimic chakra, making it impossible to distinguish between real and clone. Madara explained everything to me a few hours ago, and I made my plan to kill Danzo.

I landed in front of team Taka's hideout, entered, and dumped Hana in one of the rooms.

BACK TO HANA'S P.O.V.

I woke up in some kind of underground room. It took a minute before realization hit.

Sasuke had kidnapped me.

I now was back in the Akatsuki, even if I wanted it , or not.

They were going to use me in any way they wanted, if they put me in a genjutsu.

And... I was probably never returning to the Hidden Leaf.

Thanks a lot, Fate.

You are my absolute best friend.

I got up quietly and headed for the door. There was a possibility of escape without killing anyone. Of course, I was wrong.

'Don't even think about escape.'

'Sasuke,' I growled, for what felt like the millionth time. I turned to see him leaning against the wall in the shadows. 'I could kill you right now, and you know it,' I continued. My voice was cold, even to me, and for the first time, I wished I was as good at threatening someone as he was.

Trust me, I'd seen him threaten a lot of people.

'Huh,' he snorted. I rolled my eyes. 'Don't underestimate me, Hana. And don't judge my battle skills based on that one encounter for you to join the Akatsuki.' I raised my eyebrow. 'Really? I shouldn't judge you on the fact that you underestimated your ene-... opponent, and you couldn't even sense a mere clone without your Sharingan.'

'And also,' I continued. 'The fact that you don't know you're ruining your eyes and will become blind soon.'

He just stared at me, not knowing weather to believe me or not.

I sighed.

'Sasuke,' I continued. 'Have you ever read anything in the books that were kept in the secret meeting room of the Uchihas? The one you showed me? And very rightly so.' I kind of muttered the last part. Even with all the drama, in the end, I am an Uchiha.

Sasuke shook his head at my earlier question. 'Fine,' I huffed. 'But you will have to find out for yourself. I'm not giving information to the enemy.' He glared at me, knowing I had more knowledge in this area, but I just stared back stubbornly. He wasn't getting anything even if he tried.

'Fine,' he spat, and rushed towards me. He caught me by the throat. Even though I couldn't breathe, I kept my cool. Using the breath, I had, I laughed a true laugh.

I punched him in the stomach, hard; still laughing. He released his hand and stepped back. I breathed freely and didn't make it obvious that I needed air.

'Really, Sasuke? I know you did forget who I am.' I laughed again, then sobered. 'Though that was a bit disrespectful, for anyone.'

I rolled my eyes. 'Now, if you don't mind, I'm leaving. Thanks a lot for wasting my time. Goodbye, and if you pull a stunt like this one again, I assure you that you won't be standing when I'm done.'

I had spotted a door, but wanted to make more of a dramatic exit. I made the handsigns for my Fireball Jutsu, and put my hand to my mouth. I was about to blow fire when Sasuke pulled my hand away.

'Wait.'

Now I was really irritated. This was going from nowhere to nowhere.

'Sasuke.' I turned on my Mangekyo Sharingan and looked him straight in the eye. 'Didn't I make it clear? I said, leave me alone.'

He gave his signature smirk, 'I must say, your Mangekyo is impressive, but it does nothing to intimidate me.'

He was lying, I knew it. But I didn't call him on his bull.

'Just hear me out, okay? You can leave then if you want to.'

I gave him one more glare, then nodded.

'I need your help.' He stated. I opened my mouth to argue, but he shut me down before I could say anything. 'I know you want to refuse, but as I said before, hear me out.'

I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to slap him across the face.

'The Five Kage summit will convey the day after tomorrow. One of the village elders, Danzo of the Root will be there. He was one of the four, including the Third Hokage to order Itachi's death. I want to kill him. From the information that I have, he will have two guards with him. I want you to help me kill him, and disrupt the Kage summit.'

'And you think I will help you do that?'

'I know you will. Hana, you know why I want to kill him. He ordered Itachi's death. And besides,' he paused. 'He is the Hokage who will bring the downfall of Konoha before I do.'

I froze. 'What do you mean?'

'You don't know. Right.' Sasuke looked at me. 'Danzo of the root is the Fifth Hokage now.'

'WHAT?!'

'Yep. The original fifth, Tsunade, has been in a coma since after the fight. And you did not know this too.'

'No, I didn't.'

I began to pace up and down. 'Why didn't anyone tell me we had a new Hokage? Or that Lady Tsunade was in a coma? I was her freaking apprentice for a while, someone should've told me.'

Sasuke shook his head. 'You know why they didn't tell you.'

I stopped pacing for a second to clear my head. I finally sighed.

'Yes, I do know why they didn't tell me.'

'You're still a traitor to them.'

'Even if I saved t

heir butts from Nagato.'

'Who?'

'Pain,' I rectified. I didn't want everyone to know who he really was.

I suddenly thought back to Itachi, and how he had literally given up his life for the village. I imagined Sasuke's pain, after all those years of believing that Itachi was a murderer, and then killing him; only to find out he was a true hero.

I recalled all the rumours I had heard about the leader of Konoha's Root, Danzo, and how cruel he was. Hell, I had even met someone he had ruined. I recalled Sai, and how he was basically emotionless.

My expression hardened. I had made up my mind.

SASUKE'S P.O.V.

I watched emotions and expressions flicker across Hana's face. She was considering my proposal, all right. I just hope I got through to her.

Without her, the invasion would fail. I had denied Madara's reluctant offer to put her in a genjutsu, because no matter how powerful he was, Hana would break through. I was only a matter of time.

Guess it was the same case with me and her too. She would finally get to me, whether I wanted her to or not. But for now, I had to keep my walls up. If I broke down, I might just let her convince me to come back to Konoha.

And that wasn't an option, though it was a possibility.

'Okay,' she said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I smiled my half smile. 'Good. I'll give you the details tomorrow. Get some rest.'

BACK TO HANA'S P.O.V.

**the next morning**

'So,' I said. 'Tell me.'

'Each of the Five Kage's will be there. They will each have two guards. On seeing the chaos as it breaks out, Danzo and his men will leave and run away to a safer location. We intercept them there and kill him. It will be difficult, and let me warn you Hana, powerful as you are, we have no idea of the tricks this man has up his sleeve.

'No one has any record of fighting him from his younger days, so we have no idea of what he is capable of. Even Madara doesn't know. Even if he did, he didn't tell me. Anyway, that's the latter part. We first have to enter the Land Of Iron undetected and enter the fort in which the Kage summit will be held.

'This is where I need you the most. We will have to fight all the Kage's, their guards, and the samurai from the land of Iron. It will not be easy to track down and fight Danzo after that. Team Taka will be with us, even Madara has something to all Five of them, along with White Zetsu, who will be doing part of the snooping for us along with you and Karin.'

I snorted. 'you're getting your most useless team with you? I doubt they will do more than annoy the guards, and will die in about five seconds as the fighting begins.'

I smirked. 'Especially Karin. Apart from her sensory skills, she's useless, dead weight. And a very big disgrace to the Uzumaki line.'

I stopped breathing when I realised what I had just said.

'SHIT!'

'What?'

'Naruto!'

Sasuke smirked. I glared at him. 'You didn't remind me on purpose, didn't you?'

Sasuke barely hid a snicker. 'You need to be focused on the mission. You can head back to the Leaf later, and tell him what happened.'

I wanted to argue, but I knew if I left, I'd never come back.

'Fine.'

**THE NEXT DAY**

**ONE DAY BEFORE THE KAGE SUMMIT AND INVASION**

I yawned hugely. Downside of sleeping at two in the morning that day, and having to leave at three. I'd barely had forty-five minutes of good sleep. I had no idea how I was going to get through the next half hour, but I decided that I could hold out just for that long.

Subconsciously, I made the handsigns of the teleportation Jutsu, and after the white smoke floated away, I was standing in the clearing with team Taka in front of me. The forest around us was pitch black.

'Come on, let's get moving.' Sasuke said. Team Taka ran into the forest, Karin sparing me a murderous glare. I didn't even have the energy to smile cheekily back.

Enjoy your victory while you can, idiot.

I lagged behind, walking, yes, walking at my own pace while they sprinted into the forest and jumped into the trees. Sasuke noticed, gestured or the others to go on ahead, and stopped on a tree branch, waiting for me. I joined him a few minutes later.

'What are you doing?' he snapped. 'You will make us late.'

'Like I care,' I countered. 'You can't expect me to wake up before three in the morning and go at full sprint into the forest. I'm not one of your dolls that you can order around, Sasuke, nor one of your stupid fangirls who will fall at your feet like Karin.'

I glared at him.

'And you know once I get going, I'll reach before you guys anyway.'

'Fine,' he spat. 'Whatever you say. But you should be at the border of the Land of Iron when we reach it.'

'No prob. It's not that big of a distance anyway.' For an average ninja, it was three days' worth of travelling at full sprint. At my maximum range teleportation, I would reach the border in four jumps. Sure, I would use up 2/3 of my chakra reserves to reach it, but you know, whatever.

What can I say, I'm the laziest person I know.

And it will take me around three minutes to reach the border, then half an hour of rest and I will regain all my chakra.

I told you, I have jinjuriki level charka reserves.

I settled down for a nap under a tree after using the Forbidden Just of the chakra net to keep myself safe from almost every jutsu known to mankind, including genjutsu.

**THE DAY OF THE FIVE KAGE SUMMIT**

Okay, time to leave. I moped around for the whole of yesterday, mostly sleeping and regaining my energy. I put my Sharingan on to secure my landing, took a deep breath and made the handsigns, putting in a huge amount of chakra. I was standing at the border of the Hidden Rain, and let me inform you that I was standing almost in the middle of the Land of Fire. And the land of Fire is HUGE.

I took a deep breath and repeated the process for the next jump.

Then the one after that.

When I poofed, I was at the border of the Land of Iron.

I had about an hour until Team Taka arrived. No, I wasn't exactly tired, but I could feel the absence of most of my chakra.

I settled in for a nap.

I woke up exactly an hour later and was quite glad to find that no one had discovered my presence as I had masked my chakra.

With the chakra levels of a normal ninja, it was extremely easy to mask.

I was even happier to know that I was now at full strength, ready to take on an army.

I put my Sharingan on and scanned the area, searching for Team Taka. They weren't anywhere near the border, So I looked back, in the direction from which they would be arriving.

I sensed Sasuke's chakra first, since he had the strongest chakra in the group. They had stopped moving, so I just assumed that they were taking a break.

I was getting fidgety, so I decided that I will go meet them on the way.

A few minutes later-

I, Team Taka, and White Zetsu stood in front of the building in which the Five Kage summit was being held.

I forged ahead and ducked behind a pillar, eying the squad of guards guarding the door, and the ones patrolling on the roof. When no one was looking in our direction, I gestured for the others to come and join me. They silently came.

I looked around for a better hiding spot. We were behind a pillar, out of sight of the guards, but could be easily seen by someone approaching the building. I turned when Sasuke tapped my shoulder.

He pointed to a ledge in the entrance hall, which was full of patrolling Samurai, and filled with more pillars. Good. We could hide behind the pillars, or simply teleport, but the cloud of white smoke would draw attention. I leaned in close and whispered in Sasuke's ear, 'We can't teleport there, we need to go on foot. If any guard spots us, don't move in for the kill. I'll put him in a genjutsu.'

Sasuke nodded. I peeked around the pillar, and when no one was looking, made a dash for the closest one. I gestured for one person to join me, and oved on to the second pillar. I suddenly heard a loud shout. 'HEY! WHA' I quickly stepped out of my hiding spot and flashed my Mangekyo Sharingan to the samurai who had spotted one of us, erasing the memory. Thankfully, none of the others paid attention.

I shot Karin a dirty look. After I had moved on to the second pillar, Sasuke had come after me. Karin, being the idiot she was (and a disgrace to the Uzumaki's) had followed him without making sure no one was looking. Baka. I'll deal with her later.

We made it to the ledge without any further trouble. True, Sasuke had beheaded a samurai when he had spotted him even though I had told him not to, but that couldn't be helped.

I jumped up and landed softly, keeping an eye out for anyone watching. I gestured for the others to jump up. After they did, I asked Sasuke, 'What's the plan?' in a low voice. 'We wait until the meeting begins. When all the Kae's and the Samurai's leaders are at one spot, we'll make our move. We need to stay low until then, and attack after Madara has said what he wants to.'

We nodded. I had forgotten Madara had wanted to say something, but I had a pretty good guess of what it was.

We sat quietly for a long time, seeing each of the Kage's arrive. Jugo kept whispering, 'Mizkage,' and 'Tuchikage' and 'Raikage'. When Gaara, the Kazekage, and an old friend of mine arrived, I tried not to think about how he would take the news that I had gone over to the bad side again.

Still, this was for Itachi, and the life he could never have because of the village elders. Before killing his clan, Itachi had been a hero to Sasuke. When I had seen him in the distance, he looked so calm and collected. So sure of himself. Like he could never go wrong.

I couldn't imagine how Sasuke would've felt losing him, then killing him, and then finding out that he was a hero in the end, even after everything.

I shook my head to clear it, because the Hokage had arrived. Danzo, with his two guards, undoubtedly from the Root. I decided that the Five Kage Summit would commences in roughly about five minutes.

Now that all the Kage were present, the gates were shut. That means that the easy way out wasn't available. Yipee.

After seven minutes, I whispered to the others, 'The meeting should've started by now. Let's move.'

I turned my Sharingan on, and led the way, knocking out every guard we came across. I didn't want anymore blood on my hands, but Sasuke was killing each of them behind me, so they were dead anyway.

Suddenly, we hear shouts down the hallway. Shit. The Samurai ad spotted us. Now the Kage would be ready. Man, stuff just got harder.

I quickly tod Jugo and Suigetsu to put on the armour of the samurai and tell the others we had gone in a different direction. I told Karin to rendezvous with us all at the ledge and told them all to move their butts. I then teleported Sasuke to the meeting room, noticing White Zetsu had disappeared.

I teleported us up-side-down on the ceiling, so that no one could spot us and Sasuke could make whatever dumb epic entrance he wanted. Trust me, I would regret that decision later.

Sasuke cut down all the five posters with each of the Kage's symbols on it, and drew attention to himself. Then the fighting started.

Everyone present in the room prepared to attack Sasuke, except Danzo and his guards, who prepared to flee. Before anyone could do anything, Sasuke disappeared. Yay.

Now I was the target.

Only Gaara and his guards, whom I knew very well, Kankuro and Temari, stood down. I looked around frantically for Sasuke, but didn't see him, so I decided to do a cowardly thing.

Just before I could finish the handsigns of the teleportation jutsu and everyone else could gather enough chakra to do anything else, Sasuke tried to behead Danzo, but one of his guards parried the strike. All the attention was divided between Sasuke and me then.

The Raikage had a bone to pick with Sasuke because he attacked his brother, the eight-tails jinjuriki, though I did most of the work. Danzo quietly left, along with his guards.

The Tuschikage went to help the Raikage, so that meant only the Mizukage and her guards were attacking me at the moment. I spared a quick glance at Gaara, who was the only person still seated and found him staring at me, not making any threatening moves.

I gave him, Kankuro, and Temari and apologetic look before turning to face the Mizukge and her two guards. She partially turned and spoke to one of them. 'Aao, go after the Hkage and his guards, and stop them. Kill only if you have to.'

The guard tried to argue. 'But my Lady-' He was rudely interrupted. 'I SAID NOW!' The guard left with whatever dignity he had. The Mizukage turned all her attention to me.

'So, you are the famous Hana Uchiha, huh?' she said. 'I thought you returned to the Leaf. Looks like you chose to return to the wrong side again.'

I didn't show it, but I was hurt by the words. I really was on the wrong side, and according to the prophecy, just because I was, the world would be destroyed. I smiled smugly at her.

'I go wherever I want to, baka.'

I attacked, not wanting to hear anymore of her rant.

'Fire style: Pheonix Flower Jutsu!'

I used my wide ranged one. I knew who I was fighting, and unlike a certain someone, I didn't underestimate my opponent. I then said, 'Wind style: Wind Shards!'

An immediate attack after the fire jutsu, leaving no room to dodge. A shard was going to pierce her stomach, but her guard blocked it. I grit my teeth together when the weight of what could've happened crashed down on me.

I could've killed a Kage.

Then the whole Village of the Mist would be against me.

Sure, I was completely capable, but killing one Kage in one day was enough.

And that Kage had to be of my own village.

'I don't want to fight you!' I told the Mizukage. 'I am here only and only for the Hokage, and so is Sasuke!'

'And you think I would believe you!' she sneered. A shard had cut her shoulder. I tried not to look at the dripping blood, and clamped my mouth shut when I realized that I was going to offer to heal it.

She is the enemy, she is the enemy, I chanted in my head before I did something stupid. 'Fine then. I won't play around anymore.'

I knew she was intimidated by my words. I knew she knew I was the child of the prophecy. Sometimes it was a gift, but mostly a curse.

Just then her guard came at me. I think he liked the Mizukage or something, he finally lost it when I threatened her.

He charged with his sword, but as I prepared to dodge, changed direction and attacked me from the right. I barely had time to block it with a kunai. Man, this guy was fast. I had gotten myself some challenging opponents at last.

'Forbidden Jutsu: Chakra net!' I trapped them with my almost impenetrable chakra net, but I knew they would find a way out given time. I created three shadow clones to keep them busy when they escape and went to find Sasuke.

Seems like even the Mizukage isn't worthy after all.

A lot had been going on. I froze when I saw a purple Susanoo. SINCE WHEN DOES SASUKE HAVE SUSANOO?! WHY DIDN'T HE TELL ME?!

I shook off my shock and anger and went to help him. Both the Raikage and the Tuchikage were fighting him, and the Tuchikage had some sort of weird atomic dismembering Jutsu, which Sasuke had to dodge every time, and it had to wear him out. Blood was running down from his right eye, from when he had either activated Susanoo or Amaterasu, or both.

The Raikage had gathered his chakra all around him, like a cloak. It was a pretty good shield. I saw his severed right arm, and his speed. Man, there are a lot of fast people around here.

Their fight had moved to the main entrance hall where we had first hidden behind pillars, making our way to the ledge. Karin better be hiding there when we need to leave, or I will literally put her in a chakra net and leave the Kage to do whatever pleases them with her. What do you expect? She is annoying.

I hid behind one of the pillars and watched Sasuke. Well, maybe he isn't so weak after all. He was handling both the Raikage and the Tuchikage. Suddenly Jugo and Suigetsu joined the fight.

Jugo had gone completely off the hook, because he had released all the power of the curse mark and gone on a death spree. He aimed a punch to the Raikage's face but the Raikage easily dodged. Suigetsu tried to get him from behind but the Tsuchikage intercepted before he could.

The Raikage continuously tried to get to Sasuke and both Jugo and Suigetsu were always blocking him. Sasuke had a less than half formed Susanoo around him so when the Raikage finally got past Jugo and attacked, it struck the rib of the Susanoo and it cracked. I scoffed. It was extremely hard to get through a Susanoo even for a Kage. The idiot should've aimed for the space between the rib, not the rib. Huh!

Just then Sasuke started Amaterasu. He had tried to light it on the Raikage's body but he was too fast and it got on his arm instead. So the Raikage chopped off his arm till the elbow and called one of his guards to heal him (I know that might've been gross for you non-chakra users but ...you know...better feel gross than die)

The Raikage had retreated and so had the Tsuchikage. That means Sasuke could catch his breath for now but just then Gaara entered. Hooray! I know he wasn't so lucky. Gaara launched into this whole speech about how it was revenge blocking Sasuke's right judgement and how hatred was taking over his life. Sasuke replied in his usual smug way even though he had put his Susanoo off now. I knew he didn't stand a chance against Gaara's ultimate defense.

Sasuke must've known it too because as soon as Gaara attacked he shot a meaningful glare in my direction. Only then did I realise that I had been standing motionless for the whole fight. But I know I wasn't going to fight Gaara so I did the right thing.

I just teleported Sasuke and me outta there faster than Gaara's chakra-infused sand could even leave his gourd.

Sasuke collapsed under a tree panting. I looked around. We were at the outskirts of the land of the Samurai again. Ok well. I looked around and realised that Jugo, Karin and Suigetsu were not with us. Oh well. I was sure that Jugo and Suigetsu could manage but Karin definitely would be dead or captured. But for now, we had more important matters at hand.

'Come on, Sasuke' I said. 'Danzo, can't be far now. I'll heal you and then we should get going if you ever plan on killing him. If he reaches the borders of the Land of Fire, he's safe. So, we'd better move."

I quickly healed Sasuke and we got going. We couldn't risk teleporting in case we missed Danzo. Having Neji and his Byakugan would be really useful about now.

We soon came around a scene where a fight had occurred not long ago. Moving on, we found the dead bodies of Danzo's guards. Well, that guard of the Mizukage definitely knew his work.

Danzo must be all alone now but I still didn't underestimate him. Being the leader of the Leaf's Root had to count for something. We walked slowly now, careful for signs of an ambush.

We soon came across him hobnobbing over a long bridge and stopped. He stopped too when he sensed our presence. I turned my Sharingan on.

'Sasuke Uchiha' he called. 'I know you were coming for me'. Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Congrats on figuring that out". I looked at him in disbelief. Of all times, he had to behave so arrogant now?

'As for you, Hana', he said. 'You should really decide which side you're on. It gets confusing at times'. I gritted my teeth. Did this guy really want it so bad? Thankfully Sasuke intervened before I could smash him to a pulp. 'Danzo, you must be wondering why I've come to kill you', Sasuke said.

'I partially know why. I have two guesses. One is that you have come to get revenge on the elders for Hana's ill-treatment in the Haruno clan'. I was speechless. As if Sasuke even cared about that! Before I could say anything, he continued.

'The second guess is that you have come to avenge Itachi's death, which is ironic, because you were the one to kill him, in the end. And if you come to avenge Itachi's death, that means, someone told you the truth about him. It would most probably be that pathetic Madara Uchiha of yours.'

'Ahem'

Someone cleared their throat from the pillar above us. I looked up to see the guy in the orange mask, Madara Uchiha. Was he here all along?

'Sasuke', Madara said, 'I am here to watch the fight and the death better be painful because no one insults an Uchiha and gets away with it'. He gave both Sasuke and me a kind of steely look from under his mask with one eyehole. Yesh!

Sasuke spoke to Danzo again 'I have come to avenge Itachi's death. And rest assured Danzo,' he said his name in a sneer. 'You will not be leaving this bridge alive'.

Danzo chuckled. 'Brave words, Sasuke'. As he said this, he slowly removed the locks from around his right hand. They all fell down one by one. 'Brave words. But words don't save you in a battle, your actions do. We'll see if you're good enough to defeat me for the sake of avenging your brother.'

The last lock fell down. Then he started unwrapping the bandages. 'You will abandon your friends and destroy the only home you have ever known. All that is left of you is hatred. The worst kind of hatred in mankind. I will use it to my advantage today. You should be careful of what you say, Sasuke, because even with the help of the child of the prophecy, you might not make it out alive'.

Sasuke looked like he was about to say something but forgot, because all the bandages had fallen away and what I saw was truly gross. Even I admit it.

Danzo's right hand's skin colour was totally different from the rest of his body. It was like the kind of white you see on recycled paper. But that wasn't the gross part.

On his arm, forearm, back of the hand and palm were ...Sharingans. But not only plain Sharingans with three tomoe. They were different kinds. Mangekyo, Kamui, Eternal Mangekyo. Man, this was harder than I thought.

Danzo started unwrapping the bandages around his head. They fell away too. There was another Sharingan glowing there too. Was this guy a shop of Sharingans?!

I looked at Sasuke, my eyes as wide as saucers. This jutsu... with the Sharingans on his arms... I recognized it. I was about to say the name out loud, but Madara beat me to it.

'Izanagi.'

I looked up at Orange-Face with an annoyed expression on my face. 'I knew that,' I grumbled. 'Many people have tried to recreate Izanagi, not many have succeeded. But a person who has Izanagi ad is not an Uchiha, has an Izanagi far from perfect,' Orange-Face mused, totally ignoring me.

I silently fumed. He just continued talking.

'Since you have Izanagi and are clearly not an Uchiha-' I cut him off. 'You either read the Uchiha scriptures and made one of your own, or...' Sasuke continued for me. 'You're on of Oorochimaru's lab rats.'

'Definitely a lab rat,' I muttered. 'Yes,' Danzo agreed. 'I was indeed one of Oorochimaru's test subjects. But thanks to that experiment, I am now invincible.'

I snorted. A non-Uchiha possessing so many Sharingans. It was beyond disgraceful. 'Sasuke,' I said softly. 'The Izanagi allows you to bend time and dimension so that you can cheat death.' He gave a sight nod. I continued.

'For him to actually die we need to kill him about...' I paused, calculating. 'Seven to eight times.' Sasuke cursed under his breath. Killing a powerful shinobi that many times wasn't a cakewalk.

Yes, I was powerful (and I hate to admit it) so was Sasuke. Make no mistake, never as powerful as me, but you get the picture.

The fact remains the same, we didn't know the capabilities of our opponent. We didn't even know his chakra nature! And I also had a feeling that Sasuke would not like it if I fought the whole thing. So... Priorities, priorities.

'Come on, Uchihas,' Danzo taunted. 'Let us see if you live up to your name.' I scowled. He was definitely gonna die painfully. 'Come on, Sasuke,' I said. 'I'm not gonna let this slimeball walk out alive.'

We charged. Danzo just stood there, waiting for us. That wasn't gonna be for long, though. 'Fire style: Fireball jutsu!' Sasuke cast the jutsu. A huge fireball headed towards Danzo. He dodged to one side. I took my chance and came at him with a kunai, and my shadow clone came at him from behind, with Sasuke at her side.

While Danzo was busy dodging the fireball, I had aimed for his neck with my kunai. He turned just in time, so that the slash came across his right arm instead, but didn't hit any Sharingans. I mentally kicked myself for wasting a move.

It wasn't all in vain, though. Sasuke and my shadow clone impaled him from behind with katanas. I dodged as they went straight through, almost grazing my stomach.

Three of us jumped back, and that was me, Sasuke, and my trusty clone. Danzo just stood hunched over where he was. This was a test attack, to test the power of Izanagi.

Just then Danzo dissolved into thin air, and reappeared, this time with both the katanas in his hands. His wounds were gone. No blood. It's like it never happened. Of course, I was expecting something like this, and well, that was the power of Izanagi. Cheating death. Huh.

But then I noticed something else. Of of the Sharingan eyes on his arm was fluttering its eyelid (if that is even the correct word) and slowly, as I watched, closed. 'Sasuke,' I said. He, as usual, was not noticing anything. 'Each time he dies and uses Izanagi, one of the eyes on his arms closes. That means one less Izanagi that he can use. So now, we need to kill him...' I paused, calculating again. 'Around seven times.' Sasuke glanced at Danzo's arm to be sure, and then nodded.

'So I guess if he's injured, the eye will just close partially. Geddit?' Sasuke looked at me with a death glare. 'Iraiya seru.' I laughed. ' I know I'm annoying, Sasuke. But I'm also the reason you're alive.' Sasuke rolled his eyes. I smiled in the most annoying way possible. 'Whatever,' Sasuke said. 'I don't want to waste my time. Enjoy your victory while you can,' he continued. 'Let's kill this slimeball, and we'll enjoy that victory together.' said.

We charged again, cris-cossing each other's paths. Sasuke attacked Danzo from below. I leaped into the air, and decided to cast a jutsu at the last second. 'WInd Style: Wind Bullets!' It was a wide ranged jutsu, but unfortunately, one bullet caught Sasuke on the back. Danzo wasn't that lucky. He tried to dodge, and did dodge some. But he was still peppered with bullets.

I landed. When I looked up, all his wind bullet wounds had disappeared. Now, I noticed that another one of his Sharingans on his hands had closed. He had used Izanagi again. Good. We'll wear him out, and then kill him. I tended to Sasuke, who was bleeding because of my wind bullet.

'Kureiiji!' he barked when I came near. 'Didn't you see where I was before you cast that jutsu?!' I smiled apologetically. 'Sorry.' I healed him, and then we both got up. I analysed the situation again.

'Okay. We need to kill him more six times now. Ready?' Sasuke nodded. 'Only, next time, remember to cast a jutsu when I'm not in range of getting hurt.' I smiled mischievously. 'Maybe I'll do it again. On purpose.' Sasuke gave me the death glare again.

All the time we were talking, Danzo wasn't just sitting around. He ran at us, brandishing his katanas. I was able to make out I was in a genjutsu, and immediately released myself.

But that idiot Sasuke didn't realise he was in a genjutsu, and went to attack the imaginary Danzo.

But Danzo was smart. He had made Sasuke think that I was the imaginary Danzo, and he was supposed to attack me, while he prepared a sneak attack from behind.

And... he fell for it.

Dumbass.

Sasuke came at me with chidori. I jumped back, butt he extended it with what Kakashi sensei called lightning blade. I ducked, and yelled,' Sasuke!' He looked behind him as if I was there. I tried again. 'Sasuke! This is a genjutsu! Release it!' But I guess Danzo must've been twisting my words (which of course he was) because Sasuke came at me with renewed force. And really renewed force, like really, cause that baka used Amaterasu.

"URGH!" I wanted to yell. Did he really want to go blind?! Like seriously!

I sent the Amaterasu to another dimension with Kamui. Just as it went into another dimension, Sasuke came at me with his katana, which he had magically recovered. I blocked the attack with my kunai, and just before he could jump back, I made the handsign with my other hand and shouted, 'Release!'

Sasuke blinked many times, wondering why he had attacked me while in his head, he was soooo clearly attacking Danzo. 'Baka! I snapped at him. 'Can't you even realise you're in a genjutsu?!' Sasuke lowered his katana, and then snorted in disgust.

'EARTH STYLE: MUD WAVE!'

Here comes the sneak attack.

A huge mud wall (of semi-solid mud) came at us. We had no time to dodge, and it was such a wide range jutsu that the only option we had was to jump off the bridge.

But it was too late for that. I and Sasuke were carried away by the mud wall (like a very sticky tsunami) and slammed into pillars. Ouch.

I staggered out of the hole I had made in the pillar, and shook off my dizziness. I blinked many times to make the spots dancing in my eyes go away. Then I scowled. This was taking much more time than I thought, and was getting more annoying by the second.

Danzo stood in front of us, a smug smile on his face. Sasuke was already standing, and my scowl deepened at the thought of him recovering before me. But then I saw that his katana was splattered with mud, so he must've cut through to have some protection. Urgh.

I turned my attention back to Danzo. So, he was an Earth style user, huh ... I could counter it pretty well, since I was a water style user myself, even though I prefered my other chakra natures.

'Fire style: Fireball Jutsu!' Sasuke hurled a Fireball towards Danzo. I leaped to the other side. 'Rasen Shuriken!' I threw at him.

Thanks, Naruto.

Danzo dodged Sasuke's Fireball, and the Rasen Shuriken sliced him down the back, and then boomer-ranged back to my hand. I held on to it.

Just then another Rasen Shuriken (which my clones further down the bridge had made) hit him. It would've killed anyone else, but since that baka had Izanagi, he simply appeared atop a puller again, with one eye on his arm fluttering close.

Death to him only 5 more times.

But anyway...

JUST DIE ALREADY!

'Come on, Danzo,' I taunted. 'Is this all you've got?'

Danzo replied with a Pheonix Flower Jutsu. I blocked it with a mud wall. Sasuke, as usual, did nothing.

My clones Rasenganed Danzo from behind. He fell off his pillar, that stupid old man. Height was about the only advantage he had. This idiot never learned. He appeared further down the bridge. One more eye fluttering close. Four more times to go...

Danzo was panting now. Sasuke stepped forward. 'Let me kill him this once,' he said. I nodded.

Then... I immediately regretted that decision, when I saw blood trickle down his cheek. That idiot was using Mangekyo Sharingan... again.

'Sasuke,' I warned. 'Don't use that visual prowess too much, or you'll go blind. Trust me.' Sasuke partially activated his Susanoo, so he was now wreathed in purple chakra, the color of his Susanoo.

Not this time, Sasuke.

I partially activated my Susanoo too, and I, wreathed in gold chakra, stepped forward to face him. 'Don't use your Susanoo, Sasuke. Do you want to go blind on your first day using Susanoo? At this rate, you'll go blind before the end of this fight.'

Sasuke upgraded his Susanoo to a skeleton then, totally ignoring my warning. A skeletal hand wrapped around me and put me on top of a pillar. 'Fine then!' I yelled. 'Go blind! I don't care.' I stood fuming. Sasuke assumed the full form of his Susanoo. Yep. Definitely blind within the hour.

Sasuke shot an arrow at Danzo, via his Susanoo. Danzo dodged. He seemed to know that no jutsu was going to get through all the armor of Susanoo.

Sasuke laughed maniacally. I decided that I would let his kill Danzo, but just this once. Then I would step in. Sasuke (in Susanoo form) tried to smash Danzo under his fist. Danzo dodged yet again. I could see that he was trying to wear Sasuke out, and when he couldn't keep up Susanoo any longer, he would attack.

'Earth Style: Sticky Mud!' I said and did the handsigns. The ground at Danzo's fet instantly became sticky. His feet sank into the ground. I smiled. He couldn't move his legs now.

Sasuke's Susanoo shot an arrow straight through Danzo. After the arrow went through, he disappeared and appeared right next to the arrow.

Sasuke's Susanoo deactivated. He went down to his knees. That last arrow must've taken a lot outta him. I jumped down from my pillar, and put a hand on Sasuke's back, immediately starting medical ninjutsu. 'That was the last of your Mangekyo Sharingan. I won't be surprised if your eyesight's decreasing right now. Leave Danzo to me.'

I moved Sasuke under a pillar, and then walked in front of Danzo, a murderous expression on my face. 'Now,' I stated. 'This will be a fair fight.'

I activated my Mangekyo Sharingan again, and this time, it was glowing red. I prepared to dramatically state the name of the jutsu I was going to use, but Orange-Face beat me to it.

Again.

'So you have Izanami, huh?'

'You're stealing all of my dramatic dialogues!' I growled at him. 'Can't you take a hint? Shut. Up!'

Orange-Face chuckled. 'I must say, Hana; you are indeed a powerful shinobi. I was not expecting you to have Izanami.' I got into a ready stance. 'There's a lot about me that you don't know,' I replied. He chucked again. 'We'll see, Hana, we'll see.'

'Wind style: Hurricane!' I made the handsigns and casted the jutsu. 'Earth Style: Trench!' I cast another jutsu. Then using Izanami, I silently willed Danzo to die in the trench filled with traps.

Unlike other people, I do no lose an eye while using Izanami, I still don't know why. But... it's a nice knack.

Danzo appeared again, this time behind me, attacking Sasuke. Sasuke dodged some jutsu I didn't see. I didn't waste any more time, and decided to overwhelm him in a tidal wave of jutsus, one after the other.

'Fire Style: Fire Dragon!' my dragon curled around him, burning him. 'Earth Style: Rock Ambush!' Huge rocks flew at Danzo and crushed him. I deactivated Izanami. Danzo didn't deserve it being used on him. Danzo had disappeared and appeared again on top of a pillar.

I was waiting for this. Since the first two appearances, I was just waiting for this one. I had turned the tops of all the pillars into sticky mud, and as soon as he appeared, he was in; thigh deep. I smiled smugly. He fell face first into my trap. Now I just had to kill him two more times.

And then suddenly, I had Amaterasu on me.

'Kamui!' I yelled in panic, activating my Mangekyo Sharingan and sending it to another dimension. I didn't want to lose an arm, unlike the Raikage. But who had started it in the first place?

I glanced at Sasuke, but he didn't have his Sharingan activated, forget about Mangekyo. But anyway, why will he target me?

I glared at Orange-Face, who was sitting on top of a pillar that I had not turned into Sticky Mud. He raised his hands in innocence. This guy had a really twisted sense of humor.

Finally, I directed my attention to Danzo. But his one eye had just normal Sharingan, not Mangekyo.

THEN WHO IN THE WORLD HAD STARTED AMATERASU?!

I glanced at Danzo's right hand, which had Izanagi Sahringan's. I fixed my glare at a Mangekyo Sharingan on his arm, fully open. Can they too, cast jutsus? There was nothing written about this in the Uchiha scriptures, but then again, none of the Uchiha's had more than two eyes. No one else could've casted the jutsu, so that had to be it.

I put my right hand on my left forearm, which had gotten singed because of the Amaterasu. I started my medical ninjutsu to heal myself. What can I say? I like being in perfect condition, and during fights, I usually am.

'You surprised me, Danzo,'I said. 'I wasn't expecting Amaterasu.' Danzo replied with poor grace, casting a Pheonix Flower jutsu. I rolled my eyes and blocked it with a Mud Wall. 'You've irritated me, Danzo, I stated. 'So I'm going to finish you off with much more pain and drama than necessary.'

I glared at him for a second more, and then fully activated my Susanoo.

I sighed and opened my eyes. I was floating around 30 feet off the ground, completely encased in my golden warrior. I smiled at the awed gazes I felt on me, even Orange-Face's. Now I must tell you why.

First of all, I am the first female Uchiha to have Susanoo in all of history. My warrior was a shimmering gold color, and was atleast 32 feet tall. It was clad in armor, as usual. But it held four weapons, unlike any Susanoo. After all, I had built it for war. It had a katana, a whip, a spear strapped to my back, and plenty of shuriken. Oi, don't forget the wings too.

'Now,' I said. My voice echoed all around us. 'You will die.' I impaled my Susanoo's huge katana through him, and pulled it out again. Death to him one more time with his Izanagi, and then the next time we kill him, he'll die for real.

Danzo seemed to know this too, and appeared at the other side of the bridge, prepared to run. But I started Amaterasu on both sides, erasing the possibility. Then he started acting like a desperate fool.

He jumped off the bridge, landed on the water, and started running. I too jumped off the bridge, in full Susanoo form. For those of you who don't know, a Susanoo is as agile and nimble as its owner.

Again, I started Amaterasu in front of him. Apparently, Danzo did not have Kamui as a counter measure, so he was blocked in.

'Face it, Danzo,' I said. 'For all your big talk, you're just a big coward, and a sore loser. And you will die, right here, right now.'

I threw my Susanoo Shuriken at him, and he dodged. But he had jumped out of tthe frying pan and into the fire. Seriously. He had jumped straight into my Amaterasu.

Now, he had spent all of his Izanagi Sharingans. Finally, he would die. I picked him up (still in Susanoo form) and threw him on the bridge. Then I leaped up myself, and deactivated Susanoo. I also extinguished my Amaterasu.

'No cheating death this time, Danzo,' Sasuke said as he unsheathed his katana. 'You will die this time. At the hands of two Uchihas, members of the clan you wanted to wipe out from the Hidden Leaf. Your punishment for causing so much pain and torment to Itachi is to die at the hands of his brother, and his best friend.' Sasuke looked at me. 'As well as the child of the prophecy, Hana Uchiha. It will be good to see that troublemakers like you will not be around to cause even more trouble during the upcoming war.'

Sasuke sliced off Danzo's right arm, which had Izanagi. Danzo howled in pain. I was barely processing anything. Sasuke had called me his best friend.

Two years ago, it would be no surprise. Now? I refused to answer the question, but it kept on nagging. Sasuke said he had cut all ties. But he still calls me his best friend. What sense does that make? I shook it off and focused on the happenings in front of me.

Sasuke was giving Danzo multiple cuts, keeping in mind Orange-Face's and my request. Finally, he plunged his katana straight through Danzo's heart took it out, and then beheaded him.

We looked around to see if he appeared again.

He didn't, which means he was dead.

Finally!

I sighed and opened my eyes. Never had I met an opponent more annoying than Danzo. No, wait. Maybe I had. And he was standing right in front of me, examining his fresh beheaded and one-arm-missing sculpture.

Orange-Face jumped down from his pillar. 'Good work, Sasuke,' he said. I glowered. Yeah. Good work Sasuke. Not that I wanted any appreciation from this guy, but dude; I wasn't just standing there doing nothing. 'As for you, Hana,' Orange-Face turned to me.

'That was remarkable. A female Uchiha with Susanoo... It has not been for several centuries. Nevertheless, you are the child of the prophecy. It was expected. But not losing an eye after using Izanami... that is something worth seeing again. But you have a decision approaching, young Uchiha. We will meet when you have chosen.'

Then he did that weird Kamui teleportation thing, and before I could say a word, he was gone. Fantastic. There he goes. I'm gonna find a way to kill him, you see if I don't. He's gonna die for sure, by my hands. Most probably.

I know you doubt it, but I was still on Konoha's side. Even though I had betrayed twice now. You see, I had no intention of causing harm. I could've, if I'd wanted to. But I didn't. True, I had just killed (damn right, I'm taking the credit for that kill) the wannabe Hokage, a village Elder, but after all, I had done the village a service. And it was worth it, because I'd also helped the village along with Sasuke's revenge.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I saw a figure approaching the mostly destroyed bridge from the forest. A figure with pink hair cut short. A figure with a fully pink outfit, and a Konoha headband. A figure whose name I surely knew, that figure had been my friend for the past four years, constantly annoyed by my friendship with Sasuke.

An idiot named Sakura Haruno.

I turned my Sharingan on and off to double-check. Yep. No doubt about it. Uh-Oh. Things are about to get ugly.

'Sasuke,' she called when she was within earshot. He turned. Sakura eyed the destruction of the bridge, and then Danzo's dead body, head still rolling, with friction doing its work on it. Realisation dawned, but that didn't seem to discourage her.

If anything, it made her more determined.

Heights of fangirling.

'I have betrayed Konoha,' she announced. 'I want to join you, Sasuke. I'm tired of being all goody-goody, and...' she paused. 'I miss you, Sasuke. I know I couldn't stop you when I met you in the village the day you were leaving, and I also couldn't stop you in Orochimaru's lair. So instead of stopping you, I've come to join you, Sasuke, instead of killing you.'

I was looking at Sakura the whole time, mouth open. I quickly shut it, but then opened it to say something. But Sakura gave me such a look that I shut it again. Great accomplishment, that. Almost no one can stop me when I want to say something. But I understood that this was between Sakura and Sasuke. I left them at it and started to move away.

'Wait, Hana,' Sasuke said. I turned and raised my eyebrows at him, but shifted back to my original position, beside Sasuke. He looked at Sakura. 'If you really want to join me, prove it. I have a task for you.' I rolled my eyes. Sasuke looked smug for a second, but then returned to his usual mask of indifference. Then Sasuke said-

'I want you to try killing Hana.'

I looked at Sasuke like he suddenly grew horns on his head (which wouldn't be surprising). Sakura! Kill me! The words just didn't sound right together. And anyway, Sasuke himself couldn't kill me, forget about Sakura. I could kill her with just one wide ranged jutsu. But as I always say... don't underestimate anybody.

I learnt that the hard way. It was hard not to, when your opponent looked like she might bolt any second. I smacked Sasuke on the head, and then turned my whole body towards Saura, not moving my position next to him. I might just be beginning to understand what she wanted to do.

Of course, I could be wrong, resulting in her most probable death. But even if she was going to do what I thought she was, the plan would fail. No, it wasn't expected, but he wasn't that bad of a shinobi.

Sakura shakily said, 'Yes, Sasuke.' I smacked him on the head again, and I hoped the smacks would help increase blindness when it all played out because... yes, I sensed another familiar figure, who knew I could sense him. The other two on the bridge weren't aware yet.

I scanned our surroundings. I couldn't see him. Good. He was staying hidden until it was time. Waiting. Good job!

Looking around, I had gotten distracted. Sakura used this opportunity to charge, making me doubt my plan slash theory just a little. I didn't move. Her plan better be what I thought it was, or else she was getting it. I was sticking to Sasuke like glue just because of my suspicions of her well-thought -out, sure-to-fail plan.

Sakura was almost on me when she turned her body towards Sasuke and instead of attacking me, attacked him. Perfect! The plan was executed!

And... it failed like I thought it would. Baka.

Sasuke was surprised, but his reflexes saved him. He bought his katana up instinctively to protect himself. Sasuke held Sakura in check, and then pushed her back with full force, off the side of the bridge. Sakura went almost willingly, she could've stopped herself if she wanted to.

Sasuke knew that too. He jumped off the bridge, and just then the man who was waiting in the shadows made an appearance.

Kakashi Sensei stood before Sasuke, Chidori activated. I wanted to clap and shout 'Yay!' but I didn't. Too embarrassing.

I immediately shifted my position and plonked myself on the waters near the bank of the river. But this was a fight between two Sharingan users, teacher and student, and even though I was one myself, I was smart enough not to interfere.

But unfortunately, not everyone here is smart, or should I say, only one person.

I don't know what got into her head. Her plan had failed, so get outta here! But as I said before, not a smart person. Or powerful, for the matter. You'll see.

Just as Kakashi extended Chidori with Lightning Blade, Sakura ran on the underside of the bridge, upside-down (yes, shinobi can run upside down by channelling chakra to the bottoms of their feet. Oh, you non-chakra people. No common knowledge at all.) towards Sasuke.

Just as Sasuke dodged Lightning Blade, Sakura made a wide arc with her kunai. But she had underestimated Sasuke. Even without his Sharingan on and half-blind, he could sense an attack coming from behind. He dodged the kunai also, grabbed her arm, pried the kunai from it, and then viciously slashed at her.

That would certainly have killed her, but someone else intervened. Someone I knew would come, sooner or later.

Someone named, of course, Naruto Uzumaki.

How did I know?

Well, it was only natural that Naruto would be here, after all. His whole team was here, and don't underestimate team spirit. I know, I know, t wasn't a logical reason, but... chakra works in mysterious ways. I bet he was drawn here very strongly, even if he wasn't chasing us from the start.

Think about it. I was here, Kakashi was here, Sasuke was here. And Sakura too (not really an anchor point). Anyway, with his will and everything, he would be drawn here. He just would. Anyway, back to the fight.

Naruto tackled Sakura, saving her life, and in return getting cut with a kunai. Sakura's kunai. That dumb **clears throat**.

Naruto placed Sakura next to me. He gave me a look only he could give, promising me trouble later. Well, nothing out of the ordinary. Naruto went to stand beside Kakashi sensei. I knew what was going to happen, and didn't want to take any part in it. Jut to have something to do, I knelt beside Sakura.

'Sakura, are you okay?' I asked. She didn't answer, her eyes fixed on Sasuke. I swallowed my anger. 'Sakura!' I snapped my fingers in front of her face. She looked startled, and then looked at me. 'What, Hana?' I glared at her, then I softened my expression. After all, I was a betrayer, I had no right to glare.

'Sorry, but I asked if you're ok.' She shook her head. 'I'm fine, Hana. Don't worry about me'. I rolled my eyes. ' Very well'. I plonked myself on the water besides her and let talk-no-jutsu begin.

And...it did.

I was too bored and tired to pay attention to the exact words being said but I knew Naruto, as usual, was pleading with Sasuke and Sasuke, as usual, was replying in his smug, self-centered way, like he was the best of the lot, which he was certainly not.

After a minute of two, they started fighting. Sasuke activated his Mangekyo and started Susanoo. I shook my head. No amount of grilling was going to get through his thick skull. He'll understand when he is as blind as a bat.

Anyway, the look on Kakashi's face was priceless when he saw Sasuke's Susanoo. Well, I had a similar reaction but whatever ! Naruto and Sakura didn't know what a Susanoo was. Pity, Kakashi didn't see the fight with Danzo. That was one worth watching if I may say so, myself.

The reason I sat and watched the fight was because, yes, I was too bored and another reason. Using Izanami had been a mistake. I had a splitting headache now. Yes, I didn't lose an eye but it tired me out. This was the first time I used Izanami in an actual battle.

Before, it had all been practice with my former trainer, Eisuke. We went through the Uchiha scriptures together and I mastered almost every Uchiha Justsu. The only thing that I absolutely couldn't master was...

The Ultimate Susanoo.

It was said that the only person in history to have Ultimate Susanoo was Madara Uchiha. That's what makes me second greatest. I just can't do it. just can't.

But to make up for that, I do have the forbidden justsu of the prophecy. In the Uchiha scriptures, it was written what power the Child of the prophecy was to possess and how it would bring out great destruction or infinite peace.

But no pressure!

The reason I was siding with the Konoha was because, one thing was for sure, the Akatsuki were evil. They wanted to rule the Shinobi world.

And I was going to stop them.

Look, I didn't want praise or worship. That would only make it worse. I don't want any of that. I just want a normal life, you know? A life without prophecies to fulfil, a life without war. I just want to be free. I want to travel and explore. I want something and someone to make me happy. I don't want the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Do I get what I want?

Nope.

But this if my life, and I can't run away from it. Instead, I can make it better. And to make it better we needed to win this war. To win this war...

I needed to talk to the Hokage.

I had become distracted again, and missed a lot of things. Mooching over your life isn't a polite thing to do when your comrades are fighting.

Well, they had stopped fighting now, and talk-no-jutsu was in motion again. Something like "we understand each other through exchanging blows". This was of course Naruto boring Sasuke. Sometimes Naruto's talk-no-jutsu makes his enemy his friend, sometimes it just makes them more annoyed.

That guy is... really something.

Anyway, talk-no-jutsu was rudely interrupted (thank god!) with the arrival of Orange face and then other guy... um, who was it? Yeah. Zetsu. They materialised behind Sasuke. I quickly got up and joined Naruto and Kakashi.

Kakashi seemed on his guard against me too. He raised a kunai when I got near, but I just shook my head. I wasn't the enemy, never truly was. Kakashi seemed to take my word for it and got into a ready stance, facing the new arrivals.

I could see that Sasuke was more than half-blind now, and most probably had the worst headache he had ever experienced. That dumb person was probably the only Uchiha in history to become blind on the first day of using Susanoo. I myself took... three weeks.

Orange-Face turned to Sasuke. 'We will leave now, Sasuke. You need rest.' He turned to me. 'Coming, Hana?' I gave him a death glare. 'Sorry, Orange-Face. I've caused enough trouble. I have done what I wanted. And don't think for one second,' I activated my Mangekyo, 'That you can trick me into coming with you. I know your tactics now.'

He cocked his head to one side. 'Ver

After a few moments of silence, I finally decided to speak up. 'I'm sorry, guys. I know I've lost your trust. And I know you're confused about who I'm loyal to. But believe me when I say that this time,' I looked Naruto straight in the eye, 'I will not leave again.' I looked at Kakashi too. 'You can count on it.

'Sorry for not joining the fight. I have a headache. And I'm tired. I haven't used my Mangekyo Sharingan for so long. But you know I would've joined the fight if Orange-Face decided to cha-cha.' Kakashi gave a faint smile under his mask. 'I know, Hana. But why did you leave in the first place?' I shook my head. 'Now is not the time to discuss all of this. We need to get back to the Village now. And I have to meet Lady Tsunade.'

Kakashi nodded. Just then, Naruto collapsed. I ran to him, immediately in a panic. 'Where is he hurt?!' I yelled at Kakashi. He looked confused. 'Nowhere,' he muttered. Sakura had joined us, and she looked guilty. 'Spit it out!' I hissed at her. 'Poison on the kunai,' she muttered.

I snorted in disgust, and healed Naruto's cheek, where Sasuke had made the cut with his fan-girl's kunai.

After Naruto was up again, we headed back to Konoha. It was a long journey on foot, but I didn't complain. On the way, small talk was going on.

'Hey, Kakashi,' I said. He looked at me. 'Um... what made you guys come to the Land of Samurai?' Kakashi gestured for Naruto to speak. Naruto took a deep breath.

'The Raikage ordered your and Sasuke's execution all across the Five nations. I went to beg him not to declare it at the Five Kage meet.'

My foot slipped and I fell off my branch.

I landed on the ground and immediately leapt up again. 'What?!' I shouted, livid. 'That... That...' I couldn't find a suitable word. I started pacing around furiously, breaking my branch. Before I fell off again, I channelled my chakra to my feet and started pacing horizontally on the bark.

Seconds later, I had made up my mind.

'As much as I would like to go to the Hidden Cloud right now and give the Raikage a piece of my mind,' Kakashi visibly shuddered at the statement. I could tell he was imagining the destruction of the Hidden Cloud.

'As much as I would like to,' I continued. 'We need to head back to Konoha. We have some work to do and matters to discuss. Come on, you guys.'

A day and a half later, we reached.

'Hey, guys!' Shizune, Lady Tsunade's apprentice, greeted us as we neared the gate. 'You won't believe what has happened!' she exclaimed. 'Lady Tsunade's woken up!'

'She has?!' Sakura exclaimed. 'What?' I asked. 'Tsunade-sama got so fed up of you guys that she decided to go to sleep and not wake up?' Naruto laughed. 'No, Hana,' he explained. 'After the fight with Pain, Lady Tsunade went into a coma.'

'Oh,' I said. I was wondering why they were going to appoint Danzo as the Hokage. At timed like this, a Hokage was crucial. But not a wuss like Danzo. Seriously, even Kiba would make a better Hokage.

'Good that she's up,' I said. 'I need to talk to her. Immediately.' Shizune looked uncomfortable. 'Um... Hana...' she started saying. But I was already gone.

The village was still undergoing reconstruction, but there were a lot more houses now. The Hokage monument was fully reconstructed, towering proudly over the village. The Hokage's office wasn't constructed yet, so I asked around for the Hokage. I was directed to a tent with two chunin standing guard.

I nodded to them and stepped inside.

Tsunade-sama was wolfing down food like it was the last time she was going to eat. There were stacks of bowls on the table. She didn't look up when I came in or acknowledge me. I just stood there awkwardly, waiting for her to finish.

After a few minutes of wolfing, she finished the last bowl. She looked around on the floor, sighed when she couldn't find any more, and then looked up with an expectant expression on

her face.

And... The table flipped over.

Stacks of bowls were thrown in the air. I watched all of them with my Sharingan activated, automatically. I caught all of them, stack by stack as they fell. That scene kinda looked outta a movie. I know, cool, right?

The scene after that was not.

'What are you doing here?!' Tsunade-Sama yelled. I wobbled a little on my leg, helplessly looking at the bowl over my mouth. 'mrrfff, mmmhhmmm,' I said, looking at her and then at the bowl. She sighed and removed it. She then righted the table and removed the stack of bowls on my head.

I carefully kept all the stacks of bowls I had balanced on my body down. After I was done, I felt much lighter.

'Hello, Tsunade-Sama!' I chirped, momentarily forgetting everything. I remembered all of it too, when she gave me that murderous expression. 'Sorry,' I mumbled. 'I guess I have to explain my actions. Sasuke and I killed Danzo, the person who was going to take your place as the Fifth Hokage.'

Just then a jonin busted in. 'Lady Tsunade!' she panted. 'We have just received word that Lord Danzo has been killed! After the Kage meeting, the chose to evac, but were ambushed on the bridge by-' she stopped short, noticing me there for the first time. 'By her and Sasuke Uchiha,' she sneered. She got into a ready stance with a kunai.

Tsunade-sama looked at her. 'Thank you for the update, but you are a bit late with your news. Hana has already told me what she has done, and I will see to it. Thank you again, you may leave.' The jonin looked like she was about to argue, but thought better of it. She bowed respectfully and left, giving me one last dirty look.

I looked away, and then looked back at Tsunade-sama. 'Explain. Now.' She said. I nodded meekly, and then explained how Sasuke had knocked me out and bought me to explain the plan, and how I had agreed. I told her how we invaded the summit, and how Danzo had fled the moment he was in trouble.

I told her how the Raikage lost his arm, and Sasuke's Susanoo.

I told her about catching up to Danzo on the bridge, and then the battle. I told her about Izanagi and Izanami, along with my Susanoo. I told her about how Sakura came, and her plan. I then told her about Kakashi and Naruto. It was a good half-hour before I was done.

Tsunade-sama nodded, and then repeated everything I said in brief. I nodded too, then continued. 'The main reason I came to you was because...' I paused, not knowing how to continue. 'Well, I kind of had this idea...' I trailed off. Tsunade-sama tapped her foot impatiently. 'Tell, me Hana,' she barked.

At that point, I had no option. 'Oh-kay...' I said. 'Well, when I was fighting Killer-B, the eight-tails jinjuriki, I noticed something. Him and the eight-tails... well... they're... friends. There's no other word for it.' Tsunade cocked her head to one side.

'What do you mean?' I got ready for another long explanation of how they were friends while the tailed-beast was still in his body. After that, I proceeded to telling her my plan. She looked thoughtful after I was done. 'That might just work,' she mused.

'Well, Hana,' she said. 'Give me some time, and I'll let you know. So much work. The defences have to be shored up. We need maximum security. The village's jonin have to go to missions to other villages... The genin have to-' I bowed respectfully and left her.

I knew her musing mood would take sometime to wear off, and then she would get down to business. I walked around, sensing a familiar presence approaching.

'Hana.'

I turned to find Naruto.

'Come with me. Now.'

I slumped my posture and walked to face my judgement.

Was Naruto taking me to the Final Valley again for our (no doubt) "talk"? We just passed it on our way back, there was no way I was travelling again today. But... I was wrong. Instead of taking me towards the Main Gate, he took me in the opposite direction, towards the Hokage monument. I trudged along to face the inevitable.

On our way through the Village, a lot of people were pointing and staring at me. I felt a little uncomfortable. Normally, Naruto would stand up for me, even offer to punch some faces, but this time; he just ignored it.

I tried my best to ignore it too. I knew Naruto had sometimes received the same treatment when he was younger, and wouldn't want anyone else to go through it.

But after all, I was a rouge, and I hate to admit it, but I deserve it. Yes, I do. I had killed Danzo. No regrets comes with no complaining.

After a long (not really, but felt like it) and uncomfortable walk, we reached the base of the Hokage monument. I gulped when I saw what waited for me.

All the rookies, along with their sensei.

Uh-oh. Can't wriggle outta this one.

'Hana!' Kiba exploded. 'Are you serious?!' I winced as I walked towards them. Shino sighed. 'Leave it to Kiba t ruin the show.' Tenten glared at him. 'You call this a show?!' Guy sensei cocked his head to one side. 'The best show is the might of youth!'

Looks like I'm gonna be here all day.

I folded my arms and waited patiently while Lee also said something about the "Might of Youth", and then Guy sensei suggested that they should do push-ups to prove their dedication.

'100!'

'200'

'500!'

'700!'

'1000!'

'Guy sensei, isn't that a bit much?'

'Nothing is impossible with the power of youth!'

'Right!'

And they started, right then and there.

There were sighs of defeat all around.

'Anyway,' Kakashi sensei said. 'Guy and Lee can listen while they do push-ups. Now that they have started, there's no stopping them.' Shikamaru face-palmed. 'what a drag. Let's just get this over with. The sooner we start, the sooner we finish.'

'Right.'

'Hana, we need to know why you left, what you did, why you came back and why you left yet again,' Kurenai sensei said. I nodded grimly.

Fifteen minutes later, we were done.

I poured my heart and soul out, and they listened. After I was done, I thanked them for listening, and told them it was their choice about whether I should be treated as an outcast or not. I then turned and walked away, holding back tears.

After I was out of sight, I broke into a full sprint, heading into the forest. After I was a good distance inside, I jumped up on a branch, tears flowing down my face. I just sat there for a while, before Naruto came. He hugged me, and I made his jacket wet with saltwater.

When it got dark, Naruto carried me, bridal style, towards his apartment. I fell asleep on the way.

I opened my eyes to see Naruto's ceiling the next morning, woken up by his snores. It was six o'clock. Naruto was on the couch, almost falling off. Mouth open, drool pooling on his pillow. Limbs in all awkward directions. The sheets were a tangled mess. I could swear he mouthed "Ramen", and then I couldn't hold back my laughter. I quickly teleported somewhere, anywhere, before I burst out laughing.

The previous day's events hung over my head like a sword. I chose to ignore it, and focused on my surroundings. I looked around only to discover where I had teleported to.

My old bedroom in the Haruno clan.

I stood frozen in shock for a few seconds, then mouthed "oh shit" and decided to make use of my visit. I was shocked, not stuck dumb. I ran around the room, grabbing everything of importance, including clothes, weapons, books and pictures.

I had a lot of bad memories in this place, and since I hadn't been here for almost 6 months, the feelings only intensified. I thought all of this while collecting my stuff, and a few minutes later, I was done.

I teleported back to Naruto's, and kept my stuff neatly in a corner. I knew he wouldn't mind. I took another look at him. He was in the same position as before, but I didn't laugh this time.

Before I broke anything, I went to train. It always calmed me down.

I was busy taking all my anger and frustration out on a piece of wood by practising taijutsu when Naruto came to find me. It was around nine in the morning. The sun was beating down, and I was drenched in sweat.

'Hey, Hana,' Naruto said. 'I wasn't you to come with me for a while. It's important.' I looked at him, breathing heavily. 'Sure,' I panted. 'Just lemme clean up, and we'll go. Meet you in five.' With that I teleported back to his house and freshened up, mentally preparing myself for what might come.

They might tell me to get out of the Village in the politest way possible. They might beat me up for information on the Akatsuki. I might even be walking towards my execution. I took a deep breath. "If I die, what will happen to Sasuke?" I thought to myself. I shook my head.

"I can't die today. Sasuke needs me. And... I need him. I think we can still relive old times. I will not die today." With that strong parting thought, I teleported back to the training area where Naruto was waiting.

'Come on, Hana,' Naruto said. We walked in silence towards the forest. After a few minutes, I said, 'Naruto.' He hummed in response. He was totally relaxed, his hands behind his neck.

'I just wanted to say...' I continued. 'That you're one of my best friends, and always will be. And even if all of you grow up and I'm not there...' I gave a faint smile. 'Remember me, won't you?' Naruto spun on his heel, an expression of extreme confusion on his face.

'What do you mean, Hana?' I looked at the ground and continued walking. 'I mean that,' I said, 'If I die in this war, remember me.' Naruto put his hands on my shoulders and spun me around. 'Hana,' he said softly, leaning forward so that our foreheads touch.

'You are not going to die in this war. I won't let that happen. And you have to believe in your own strength, and the strength of your comrades.' I stayed quiet. He probably didn't know I was possibly walking to my execution right now.

I stepped back. 'Let's go, Naruto,' I said. 'To wherever you are taking me.' I started walking again. Naruto came behind me and hugged me, my back against his chest. He rested his chin on my shoulder.

'Hana,' he said softly. 'I know you don't think that this war will be without casualties. It won't. But we have to protect the ones we love. We will fight this war for theirs, as well as our freedom. I know you believe in freedom, Hana. Fight for it. Fight for all your friends.

'Even if you have betrayed the Village, your friends haven't lost their trust in you. Use that as your motivation, and move on. We all are supporting you, Hana. We all have faith in you. But its more important for you to have faith in yourself.'

I closed my eyes, and let the tears fall. I quickly wiped them away, and then turned and hugged Naruto. He hugged me back tightly. As we walked along, with his hand around my waist, we reached one of the many clearings in the forest. We stopped there.

'Now, Hana,' Naruto said. 'Close your eyes. And don't use your Sharingan, please. It will totally ruin the moment, ya know.' I huffed but agreed. Naruto put his hand over my eyes, and we walked into the trees.

A few seconds later, we stopped. Naruto removed his hand from my eyes.

'Surprise!' several voices shouted. The clearing next to the one I had covered my eyes in was all set for a party. A huge banner that stretched across the length of it read "Welcome back, Hana!". My mouth dropped open. All my friends and sensei along with a few acquaintances and even the Hokage were present.

'W-what?' I stammered. 'Why?' Shhikamaru stepped out of the large group of people, along with Ino and Choji. 'For the first time since I saw her, Hana is speechless,' he mused. I didn't even have the presence of mind to flip him off. He gave me a small box, ad a side hug. I hugged him back.

Naruto took the box from my hands and put it on a table nearby. 'You can open them later,' he said. Shikamaru was followed by Ino and Choji, who also gave me their presents and welcomed me back. The next half an hour was spent in everyone giving me a present, welcoming me back, and wishing me well.

Finally (it felt like days), everyone had met me personally. I was left alone with Naruto for a few seconds, and that was enough time to quickly pull him to a lonely corner.

'Naruto!' I hissed. 'What is this? I betrayed the Village, and they throw me a party when I return?! What had happened to everyone?! I thought I was walking towards my execution!' I snapped my mouth shut, but it was too late. 'WHAT?' Naruto shouted. Fortunately, no one paid attention.

'What do you mean, Hana? As if anyone in the Village would ever dream of executing you!' Without waiting for a response, he continued. 'So all that talk on the walk here was because you thought you thought you were walking to your execution!' He snorted in disgust.

I gaped like a goldfish, realised what I was doing, and then snapped my mouth shut again. 'B-but I-I..' Naruto shook his head. 'Enough, Hana. All of us know what you did. And we have forgiven you. Now you have to forgive yourself.' He got a mischievous look on his face.

'And you know secretly, you enjoyed yourself.'

My eyes got wider( I didn't think that was possible). 'No, I didn't!' I said. 'I just... I just...' Naruto chuckled. 'Yeesh, Hana. I was just kidding. But you reaction made me doubt that my previous statement was not true.'

I went white. 'No!' I said, not being able to think of anything else to say. He laughed. 'Okay, okay.' I sighed a sigh of relief.

'Anyway,' Naruto said. 'You need to make a thank you speech.' I went whiter. 'Please tell me I really don't have to do that,' I whined. 'Yes, you do,' Naruto said. 'Now come.'

With that, Naruto put one hand around my waist and led me (more like dragged) me through the crowd. Then he took a glass and tapped a spoon on it. Who knew Naruto could be so smart. I thought he was going to yell his throat out for everyone's attention.

Everyone went silent. I cleared my throat and stepped up. 'Um... Hello, everyone,' I said. 'I just... wanted to thank you. For everything. You friendship, your support, your acceptance...' I trailed off. 'Without all of you, I don't think I could've come back.' I looked down. 'I'm back all thanks to you. And you can believe me when I say that this time,' I looked up again.

'I will not leave. We will win this war. And we will show the Akatsuki the power of the shinobi of Konoha...' I paused. 'And the power of our comradeship.'

The crowd erupted in cheers.

I grinned broadly.

I headed towards a refreshment table to get everyone's attention off me. Mind you, I bowed respectfully first. The rookies came over and crowded around me.

'Awesome speech, Hana,' Choji said. I smiled. 'Thanks. I was kinda nervous about that. You can't just tell me to give a speech out of the blue, Naruto!' I yelled at him. 'Gomen,' he apologised (Gomen nasai/ gomen means "sorry" in Japanese. Remember that.) 'But you know it was necessary.' He gave me that smile of his and I just couldn't stay angry any longer.

'Come on, people!' I said. 'Let's Paaaaaaaartyyyyyyy!' The rest of the party went awesome, except for the time when Lee drank three full glasses of sake thinking it was water. Then he went crazy with his drunken fist and destroyed everything. Finally, he fell asleep, and Guy sensei dragged him off.

I laughed my head off.

War was around the corner, but I was happy again.

But I was missing someone, and I could tell the others could feel it too.

That afternoon, I was summoned to the Hokage's office. I knocked at Tsunade-sama's office door, and then entered when she gave me permission. ''morning, Tsunade-sama,' I said. 'Any news?' I asked. She nodded. 'The Raikage has agreed. We will put the plan in action immediately.'

I gulped. 'Immediately?' I asked. 'With me too?' She glared at me. 'It was your plan, and now you decide to change it?' The death glare was too much to bear. 'No, no, Tsunade-sama, of course not,' I said. 'I just wasn't expecting everything to be decided so fast. That's all.' She nodded in satisfaction, and I sighed in relief.

You do not want to get her angry.

Have pity on the building, people. It was just built a few days ago, think about how the workers would feel it was already destroyed.

'Should I tell Naruto?' I said. She nodded. 'Yes. That would be best. Go now, you leave at sunset. I will send a team of chunin and jonin to keep guard, but Naruto must not know about them until there's an emergency.'

I cocked my head on one side. 'But what if Naruto uses Sage mode?' She sighed. 'I didn't think of that. I leave that up to you, Hana,' she said. I felt like screaming "WHAT?" but didn't. Well, how could I? She was daring me to with her eyes.

'Yes, Tsunade-sama.' I bowed and left. I'm tired of this, and it's not even started yet.

'Naruto,' I called. 'You here?' I was in his apartment. 'Mrfhmm,' I heard from the kitchen. I went inside, and found him eating a late breakfast. Of ramen. Obviously.

'Naruto,' I scolded. 'You should eat something besides ramen.' He shook his head vigorously, and with some difficulty swallowed. 'But this flavour's so good,' he protested. I sighed. I teleported to the store, and bought some stuff.

I teleported back to Naruto's and got to work. 'What are you doing?' Naruto asked, between chews. I smirked. 'Just wait and see.' I said.

After Naruto and I had a amazing breakfast of rice cakes, I decided to break the news to him.

'Naruto, Tsunade-sama's arranged some special training for you, with someone special. I need you to go, you need as many tips and practise with your jutsu's before the war starts.' Naruto frowned. 'But I want to stay here,' he said. 'With everyone.' I sighed. 'I will be coming with you.' He cheered up immediately.

'Okay!' he said. 'We leave today, at sunset,' I said. 'We should reach the land of clouds by tomorrow evening. After that we will take a boat, and reach our destination. Okay?' he smiled. 'Okay! I'm all set for this special training!'

*The next evening*

'Urgh,' Naruto threw up for the fifth time over the edge of the boat. 'We're almost there, Naruto.' I said. 'I can see the island.' He nodded meekly before throwing up again. I facepalmed. This had been a bad idea.

After a torturous fifteen minutes, we reached the island. 'Just go ahead, Naruto,' I said. 'I have somewhere to be. I'll be back tomorrow morning.'

He frowned. 'But I only agreed to come here because you were here!' he whined. I ruffled his hair. 'I'll be back before you know it. Go ahead, and you'll meet your coach. You'll like him. He's your type of guy. Jana!'

I teleported to the mainland, standing atop a cliff.

'The leader of the Third Division, Hana Uchiha!'

I let out an audible gasp at the sheer power of the presence of the allied shinobi forces. I was the leader of the Fourth company, and I had over a thousand shinobi under me. I felt honoured.

Cheers erupted. They were deafening. But I still smiled and waved.

I finally believed that we could win this war when my brain could fully process the scene in front of me.

After all the introductions were done, I spotted Shikamaru in the crowd. I went up to him and discussed my problem, and he said that we'd better tell his dad. So, we went around to find Shikamaru's dad, Shikaku, the chief strategist.

We finally found him deep in conversation with the Five Kage. It would be rude to interrupt, so we just stood there. After a tensed few minutes, the Kage seemed to be satisfied, and dispersed. Tsunade-sama and the Raikage inquired about Naruto's training, and then left. We could finally speak to Shikaku.

'Dad,' Shikamaru said. 'Hana wants to speak to you.' Shikaku looked at me. 'The thing is,' I said. 'I'm the leader of the third company. I need to be there to fight. But I also need to be on the island to oversee Naruto's training. He'll go berserk if I'm not there. How can I fight on the frontlines and be there for Naruto?'

Shikaku sighed. He thought for a second, and said, 'Sorry, Hana, but the only solution I can come up with is for you to appoint an assistant to lead the third company when you are not there. It will be very difficult for you to handle both situations simultaneously.'

I looked around, rummaging through my brain. A good leader for the third company? Hmm...

The perfect person finally caught my eye.

'Kakashi sensei!' I called. He looked. I gestured for him to join our group. 'Yes, Hana?' he enquired, clearly confused. 'Kakashi sensei,' I said. 'You're in the third company, right?' he still looked baffled. 'Yes,' He said.

'How would you like leading the company while I babysit Naruto?'

So that is how Kakashi sensei became the leader of the fourth company.

'Fwahh...' I yawned, once I had teleported back to the island. It was almost three in the morning. I was like a zombie. I summoned a sleeping bag from a scroll and crashed, not thinking twice about finding Naruto.

I woke up staring at the blue sky.

A nice way to wake up, right?

Not.

Let me complete the sentence.

I woke up staring at the blue sky, trying to control the urge to punch the person who was shaking me like a rat and yelling my name in my ear, repeatedly.

He apparently didn't know I was awake.

'Earth style: Earth Coffin,' I muttered under my breath, making two hand-signs. The earth immediately rose up and covered Naruto, burying him six feet underground.

He should be happy I was such a nice person. If I was anyone like Sakura, he would have at least fifteen broken bones by now. To prove my point, I also left some space for him to breathe in the coffin.

Muffled yells came from six feet underground. I ignored them, and stretched. I looked up. The sun was high in the sky. It was almost noon. No wonder Naruto was so worked up.

'Release,' I said. The earth softened into sand and fell inward. Naruto climbed out, spitting mud clods out of his mouth. 'I hoped you learnt your lesson about how to wake a person up. Next time, I won't release the jutsu. Got it?'

Naruto looked so crestfallen I just couldn't help it. I ran up to him, and tickled him. He fell to the ground in laughter. He then held my wrists together, and them tickled me. I wriggled helplessly on the ground. Being extremely ticklish was one of my weaknesses, and Naruto knew that.

He was extremely mean in these cases.

'S-stop,' I giggled. 'Say you're sorry,' he said. 'For burying me.' I raised my eyebrows. 'Oh, now I'm the person who's done wrong? You woke me up in such a rude way.' He tickled me without mercy, making tears roll out of my eyes.

'Say you're sorry,' he repeated. 'O-okay, okay,' I said. 'I'm sorry, Naruto. But...' I paused. 'Only in your dreams.' With that I pushed him upwards, making him lose balance and fall. I then got up and ran away, crackling with evil laughter.

After we had sorted everything out, Naruto said that Killer B had told him to meet up at a waterfall.

Hold up, hold up, let me explain. My plan with Tsunade-sama was to let Naruto got some personal training with Killer B, the eight-tails jinjuriki. So after all the discussions, the training took place on an island, which the Raikage had suggested, in the Land of the Clouds.

Okay, back to the conversation. Naruto made up a really weird name for Killer B, and was stuck to calling him by that. 'Octopops told me to meet him at the waterfall at noon. Are you coming?' he asked. 'Naruto,' I said. 'Do you mind waiting here for a while? I need to talk to Killer B.' He frowned. 'But-' I shook my head.

'No, Naruto. I'll teleport back here when I'm done. Jana!' I started walking. Then I turned on my heel. 'Oh, I almost forgot,' I said, rather sheepishly. 'Where is this waterfall?'

I reached the waterfall after walking for a few minutes. Killer B was standing there with his back turned to me. As soon as I entered the clearing, he tuned. Then he jumped ten feet. He even forgot to rap. 'You! Come to capture me again, yo?' I shook my head.

'No, Bee. I'm an ally now. Please trust me.' He made weird "yo" hand-signs as he talked. 'How can I trust you, ya fool? Don't you know my brother almost used Latriat on me because of you, fool, ya fool?' I blinked. 'Gomen, I didn't know that. But please trust me.' Wrong thing to say.

He began covering himself with the chakra of the right tails, bubbling red. 'What have you done to Naruto, ya fool?!' he thundered. 'No, wait!' I said. 'Naruto is perfectly fine. He's waiting in a clearing a little away from here. Just wait. I can prove I'm not you're enemy.'

He cocked his head to one side. 'How, fool, ya fool? You left me half dead with your black fire, yo!' I sighed. 'At least I left you alive, didn't I? I let you escape. Doesn't that count for something? If I hadn't, you would be dead by now.' He looked deep in thought, probably talking to the Eight-tailed beast.

'Okay,' he said. The red chakra cloak subsided. 'I'll only believe you when you get Naruto here safe and sound, yo.' I grinned and said, 'I'll be right back.'

I teleported to the clearing, and teleported Naruto and me back to the waterfall. Bee seemed satisfied with that. 'Hey, Octopops!' Naruto yelled. 'What special training am I doing today?'

Killer B gestured to the waterfall and told Naruto to walk to the middle of the pond that surrounded it. I'm telling you what he said in this way because the rap is really annoying. I'm omitting it for now.

Naruto did as he was told and stepped to the middle of the pond. Once there, he just froze, staring at the waterfall. 'What's happening?' I whispered to Bee.

He explained how the waterfall shows your true self, and how you need to accept it or fight it to pass. He said that Naruto has to accept both sides of himself before confronting Kurama, the nine-tailed beast. I nodded. 'I think I should do this too,' I said. 'I'm the child of the prophecy, after all.' Bee looked confused, so I explained the whole thing to him.

I also explained the reason I had to capture him, but did not, in the end.

Bee nodded. 'Eight-o says it will be best if you do this too. You are an Uchiha after all.' I nodded again. After that we just stared at Naruto, who was still staring at the waterfall. I now understood why the Raikage had selected this island for Naruto's training.

About fifteen minutes later, Naruto unfroze. When he turned, he looked sullen. But then he grinned, and tried to hide it. He stepped onto dry land. 'I did it!' he said. 'I've finally accepted myself!' I gave him a high-five. 'Great, Naruto!' I said. 'It's my turn now.' Naruto started to argue. 'But why do you-' I gave him the death glare. He shut up. 'I'll see you in a while,' I said, stepping into the pond.

I was prepared for the worst.

I had a lot of hard times in my life, and the dark part of me was sure to reflect all of that. So, I needed to be ready for anything.

What happened was waaaaaay more than I could handle.

A small child stepped out from under the waterfall. It was crying. It ran to me. On instinct, I bent down to comfort it. It hugged me, and I hugged it back. 'Hey there,' I said. 'It's okay.' The figure looked up at me.

'Is it, really?' I froze in shock. I recognized the child in my arms. It was me, when I was three or four. When I used to cry because I was treated badly by the Haruno clan elders. The child I was comforting was a younger version of myself. My arms fell limp at my side in shock. The child ran back to the waterfall.

'No, wait-' I started to say, but it was already gone. Now a new figure stepped out. It was a mirror image of the current me, but there was one huge difference. This image had completely black eyes, with no whites, unlike mine. My eyes are perfectly, normal, thank you.

'Who- who are you?' I know, I know. Stupid question. It was like I was looking in a freaking mirror! 'I am you,' I figure replied. 'But I am the part of you that you don't want to face. The part you keep hidden in your heart.'

'I don't have any such part,' I said. 'Everyone knows my story now. I have nothing to hide.' The figure tsk-tsked. I hate it when someone does that. 'No, Hana. This is the broken part of you, that you never show anyone, except a special person.'

Was I hallucinating?

'That special person, namely Sasuke, has left you,' the figure continued. 'So, how're you going to live now? You say you have nothing to hide, but are hiding your true self, letting others see a fake mask.'

Goosebumps rose on my arms when I realised the truth. This was the part of me that was tortured by the Haruno clan, the part that saw only pain. The true part.

'You think I'm fake? Look inside your heart, and you'll find me. You realise that, don't you? I am real. I am ever present. You will never get rid of me. Why don't you just surrender? You can go back to the Akatsuki, they will accept you.

'Let the Infinite Tsukuyomi be activated. You will be trapped in a world where your dreams will come true. Sasuke will be there, and you can live happily together. You can be free of the pain. I'm begging you, Hana. Give up. So that this hidden part of you can finally be free.'

Sweat trickled down my back. My mind was going a million miles per hour. Would it just be easier to give up than to fight? I could be free. I could be with Sasuke. I bet Naruto would be there too. I would be living the dream I wanted the most. But then I recalled one word that the dark part of me had said.

'Even if I give up, and let the Infinite Tsukuyomi be activated, what good will it do? The world will be living a lie. Even if all their dreams come true, it will be a lie. And... Against their own free will. They will be trapped, as you said. Trapped in a false genjutsu induced life that has no meaning.'

She looked stumped for a second. 'At least it will be a world where there will be no pain,' she protested. 'A free world. And even if you don't let the Infinite Tsukuyomi include you, with you on the Akatsuki's side, the war will move faster. There will be less casualties. The war will end with both sides victorious.'

I glowered. 'You're wrong!' I said. 'Madara is evil! He attacked Konoha! What makes you think he's going to save the world now?! He wants to rule it! I can't believe a part of me even thinks this!'

'Oh yeah?'

'You're stupid! I don't fight for myself! I fight for all the innocent lives of the people of Konoha and for my friends! I fight for...' I charged and started punching her. 'Naruto! Hinata! Sasuke! Sakura! Kakashi!' Between each word, I punched her. Then I realised what I was doing, and retreated.

By punching her, I was basically fighting with myself. I needed to find a better solution. 'I can't believe you're so dumb!' the dark part said. 'Don't you see?! This is what the prophecy means!' I froze. 'What do you mean?' I shook her head in a way that said, "I can't believe you don't know this".

That made me even angrier. 'Are you going to tell me or not?!' I yelled. 'Acting all smug just standing there, you...' She looked up. 'The prophecy isn't saying that you will kill Madara, or even Orange-Face,' She said

'It's talking about someone else entirely. Don't you realise that? The prophecy isn't due now. I don't even think it's going to come to pass in this war.

'So why fight? You can just sit and relax. You don't need to do anything. Just chill.' I was livid now. 'Just chill?! Do you even realise what you're saying? Just chill when all my friends are fighting on the frontlines, risking their lives?! Just chill?!' She nodded, unsure of what she had said.

I charged again. She braced for an attack. But instead of attacking, I put my hands on both her shoulders. 'Listen to me,' I said. 'I know we've been wronged many times. We've almost taken the wrong path too many times. In fact, we have.'

I sighed. 'But we've always turned back. Back to the correct path. Do you know why? Because I just realised it.' I smiled. 'All our friends. No, our family. They call out to us. It's their open arms we step into each time. It's because of their love that we feel accepted.

'Do you really think we can abandon such friends?' I asked her. 'Friends that don't care what we've done as long as we're safe? Friends who risk their lives, their reputation, to protect us? Do you really think Eisuke would want this?' I asked. Yep, I just hit a nerve.

'So, no. I will not give up. I will fight for my family. They are everything I have. And as for Sasuke,' I paused. 'I will bring him back. One way or another. And even if the prophecy is not due, this war will end with us victorious. I swear on my life, that even if I die in this war, I will die protecting all my friends, my family, and the Five Great nations!'

I took a deep breath. 'But how can I do that, if I can't even accept myself?' I asked her. 'So, I accept you. This waterfall shows us our true self. If this is my true self, I will accept it. And I will not change my path, because I have decided.' I looked at her. 'Okay?' She grinned. 'I am truly something.' I smirked. 'Don't go feeling all high and mighty.' She started to fade away. 'You know you're basically giving advice to yourself, right?'

I smiled and wiped the tears on my cheeks. I then turned around.

'I DID IT!'

'Yay!' Naruto said. 'I couldn't actually believe I thought some things, deep in my heart,' I admitted. 'It was kinda creepy, but I'm all good now.' He nodded. He must've had a similar experience, but Naruto is Naruto. Even if he was scared out of his mind, he would put on a brave face for his friends.

I hugged him. 'Now that we've accepted ourselves, we can finally show our true colours to the world, without shame. Even though everyone knows my story, no one knew how much pain I bore, except Sasuke. Now that I've accepted all the experiences I've had, good or bad, I can learn form them. You can too, Naruto.'

He nodded. I pulled back. 'Anyway,' I said. 'How long was I frozen?' Killer B replied. 'Around half an hour.' My eyes widened. 'Half an hour?!' I said. 'Sure didn't feel that way.' Naruto smiled. 'Now,' Killer B said. 'We will go for the tug of war, yo!' I looked at Naruto.

'What does he mean?' I asked. Naruto shrugged. 'I guess jinjuriki stuff.' I sighed. 'Okay. I'm leaving the island for a while, you do all your "jinjuriki stuff". I have some work that needs to be finished. Jana!' I teleported before he could argue.

'So where are we heading?' I asked Kakashi. 'We are going to the northern forest, where sensors are detecting a lot of movement. Now that you're here, I guess I can stay on the sidelines.' I stopped adjusting my weapons. 'No, you don't. I need your advice, Kakashi sensei. You have more battle experience than me.' He nodded. 'Okay.'

I finished adjusting my weapons and looked at the map, memorizing it. It was afternoon. I needed to get to Naruto latest by tomorrow morning. I felt like using Shikamaru's signature line.

'What a drag.'

I stepped out of the tent. 'Everyone ready?' I yelled to the third company. They cheered. 'Let's move!' I started running ninja style, with Kakashi sensei at my side. It would take sometime to reach the Northern forest.

**Sometime later**

I gritted my teeth. I knew they were made for a purpose. We were facing an army of those white Zetsu clones. They were not completely like Zetsu, as Zetsu was both black and white. But there was enough resemblance.

They looked extremely creepy. 'Come on, everyone!' I yelled. 'They're no match for us. Attack!' They cheered and charged around either sides of me. I stayed where I was, Kakashi at my side. 'What are those?' he asked me. 'I don't know for sure,' I replied. 'But I've seen them before. Under an Akatsuki hideout in the east.'

He nodded. 'Any idea how they were made? No one can make so many clones at one go, not even Naruto. And they don't burst into smoke or any other element that they may be made of. They just... stay there.' I looked at the defeated bodies of the clones.

They just lay on the ground, like how the dead body of an actual person would, only without the blood. 'They were made from the cells of Hashirama Senju,' I said. 'The first Hokage. It's a hunch, but it is the only possibility. How they got so many bodies, I have no idea.' Kakashi looked shocked. 'The first Hokage?' he asked. I nodded.

'Well, we'll discuss all that later, with Shikaku. For now, we need to join the fight.' Kakashi nodded, still deep in thought. But I knew he wouldn't get distracted during battle. He was too good for that.

I charged, summoning a katana. I waded through a horde of clones, cutting down two with each swipe. I killed so many, I lost count. I waded deeper into the army. It was kind of foolish on my part, because around fifty of them came at me at once. But of course I wasn't overwhelmed.

All fifty of them came at me, an then jumped on me. The weight was too much, all of them were on top of me.

"Wait a second," a voice said in my head. "You're Hana Uchiha. Uchiha. They don't go down that easily, so move your butt!" With a yell, I pushed them all off me. They fell to the ground. 'Amaterasu!' I said. Ah, they satisfaction you feel when you see of a bunch of evil clones getting burnt with your black magical fire.

After a while, I started enjoying myself. The battle was almost too easy. I helped all my comrades who were cornered, and wiped out almost a whole legion of clones. They were so weak, it was fun!

I then decided I was being too overconfident and drew back a little, katana still in hand. I put my Sharingan on. With a shock, I realised my chakra levels were low. I wasn't in fatal danger, but they were still low. How was that possible? According to me, I had used Amaterasu only once, and then put my Sharingan off.

I hadn't even used Susanoo. Then why was my chakra so low? I observed a comrade from the Sand fighting with multiple clones at once. I saw that one of them held his hands back, and the other opened it's mouth and started eating the comrade's chakra.

I threw two kunai, and they impaled both the clones in the head. The comrade looked at me thankfully, and then got up and started fighting. I observed his movements. They were slower than before, and didn't have that much power.

Since I had literally walked into a ton of clones, a lot of them would've gotten a chance to eat my chakra before I struck them down. No wonder my chakra was so low, at least a hundred clones had got a bite at it.

'Be careful, everyone!' I shouted. 'These clones eat your chakra! Do not engage many at once, or your chakra levels will be completely depleted!' All the people of the Third company were fighting more cautiously now. They were engaging the clones in groups, finding the best way to kill them without any loss themselves.

After a few minutes, all that remained of the thousands of clones that had come at us were their bodies, littered on the ground.

The Third Company cheered. Just as everyone, including me, was about to sit and rest, an earth-shaking roar sounded.

A little distance away, trees were being uprooted. The roar sounded again. 'Everybody be alert!' I shouted. 'Something's coming!'

Just then Orange-Face stepped into the clearing. 'Hana Uchiha,' he said. But the name "orange-face" didn't fit him anymore, because he had changed his mask. Before you could see only one eye, which had the Sharingan. Like this-

But now...

'You bastard!' I shouted. 'How did you get Nagato's Rinnegan?!' He chuckled. 'It was a near death encounter,' he said. 'That friend of yours, Konan...' He paused. 'She's smart. But not smart enough.' My eyes widened. 'You... You killed Konan?!' I shouted. 'Argh!' I wanted to attack him right then and there, but I knew better. The Rinnegan was no joke.

'What was that roar?' I asked. 'I know you're a beast, but even you can't make a roar that hideous.' He tsk-tsked. 'Brave words, Hana. But as I said before, words will not help you in battle, especially not with the Gedo statue.' With that he shrunk back into the trees.

'Where are you going, you...' I was rudely interrupted by the roar again. This time, we could see the object making it.

It was so hideous, the Third Company shrunk back. 'Hold your ground!' I commanded. 'I will attack it. All of you will second my charge. Got it?' I looked back, and they nodded. 'Kakashi sensei,' I said. 'I'm going to use Susanoo. I need you to attack it with me as soon as we're within range.'

For around the second time today, he looked completely taken aback. 'Susanoo? You mean you have it too?' I smiled. 'I've had it for a long time, Kakashi sensei. Now come on. There's no time to waste.'

I closed my eyes, and then opened them, Mangekyo fully activated. I stepped forward, wreathed in golden chakra. I slowly went through the stages of Susanoo, from skeleton to flesh to full armour and weapons. Show off? Who, me?

Kakashi sensei was floating next to me in my golden warrior, as I had included him. I heard the Third company cheering, and I charged, fast as a bullet.

I pulled my huge katana out mid-charge. As soon as I was within slicing range, I shouted, 'Sensei, go!' Kakashi sensei jumped out of the protection of my Susanoo, Chidori activated, Sharingan on. I hoped he had enough chakra.

The Gedo statue swiped at me. I dodged. I didn't want to take a hit from that thing. It would give me too much damage. I swiped at it, my katana taking it's arm cleanly off. It aimed a kick, and this time, I couldn't dodge. It hit me in the stomach and I fell. The ground shook. I gritted my teeth and got up.

This stupid thing was making me angry.

I sheathed my katana, and took out my spear, spreading my wings. I flew in the air, aimed, and threw the spear. It impaled it on its head, and black blood spilled out.

Gross.

The statue fell to its knees. Just then, the rest of the Third Company launched a volley of attacks from the ground. The statue was completely overwhelmed. I smirked. I would love to see Orange-Face's face about now. (yes, I was still going to call him that.)

Just before I could finish it off with Amaterasu, Orange-Face did that weird Kamui teleportation thing and it swirled and disappeared. 'Unfair!' I shouted, still in the sky. 'You coward! Can't you accept defeat? And can't you fight us yourself?'

I landed, shaking the ground. 'Show yourself!' I commanded. Orange-face stepped out of the shadows. 'Very good, Hana,' he said. 'You took down the Gedo statue.' I scowled. 'I didn't come here for your compliments. Now, fight me. Or are you too much of a coward?'

He chuckled again. 'Ah, Hana. How I would love to stop and play with you. But unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to. We will meet again.' Before I could even say the "c" of coward, he disappeared. I stomped my foot in annoyance and sighed. I put my Susanoo off and turned to the shinobi of the third company.

'Is anyone here who's is from the Yamanaka clan?'

I contacted HQ from the Yamanaka clan's infamous telepathic jutsus. All our discussions had no conclusions, and at the end of it I finally decided to go back to the island.

'I need to remember the legends,' I said to Kakashi sensei when he asked why. It was late, probably past midnight when I teleported back to the island. I sat and thought hard for a while.

Gedo statue. The name felt familiar. I decided to start from the start.

According to legend, the Sage of the Six Paths (who possessed the Rinnegan) sealed away the Ten-Tailed beast into nine other tailed beasts, in fear of his combined power and what it might do to the world. The body of the Ten-Tails was sealed away in space, creating the moon. Or it was sealed away on the moon, it was not clear.

Wait a second.

When Naruto had gone to rescue Gaara, the Kazekage, he described something like the Gedo statue in the cavern. Gaara said that the chakra of the one-tailed beast (sealed within him, he was a jinjurki) was extracted via that statue. So...

What would they use that statue in particular?

And where did the chakra go?

And if they did that for Gaara, all the chakra of the other deceased jinjuriki would also be extracted via that statue. So...

Why were they collecting the chakra in the statue?

Think, Hana, think.

Why would they store all of that massive chakra of the ten-tails, divided into nine-

That's it.

The Ten-Tails.

They were going to revive the Ten-Tails.

Then they would use it to put everyone in a genjutsu, somehow.

I was getting close to revealing their plan.

I teleported to HQ, pushing everyone out of my way to get to the Kage's.

'LISTEN!' I yelled once I entered the conference room. 'I think I just figured out the Akatsuki's takeover plan!' The whole room stilled in shock. 'What are you saying, Hana?' Shikaku asked. I sighed impatiently and explained all the deep thinking I had done on the island.

Once I was done, Shikaku nodded. 'That might just be their plan,' he said. I grinned. 'One more thing,' I said. I explained the time when I had used my Sharingan and looked underground in the Akatsuki hideout in the east. Shikaku nodded. 'Any thoughts on that, Lady Tsunade?' he asked. She shook her head.

'Give me some time to think,' she said. 'Doing such a thing is possible, but...' Shikaku sighed. 'Very well. What are your thoughts, Raikage, Kazekage, Tsuchikage, Mizukage?'

Gaara looked deep in thought. 'Give us some time,' he said. 'I think we should call it a night.' The others nodded and left. Shikaku pulled me aside. 'Does Naruto know the war has started?' he asked me. 'No, I didn't tell him anything like that,' I said.

'Good,' he said. 'Don't let him know his friends are fighting, Hana. Then he will want to join too. He is the key to winning this war, along with you. If he fights, he might get captured by the Akatsuki. And then we lose the war.'

I sighed. 'But it's not right.' He looked away. 'I know. But it's necessary.' I nodded. 'Well,' I said. 'I should get going. Jana!' I teleported back to the island and fell asleep immediately.

'Hana,' a raspy voice whispered in my ear. 'Hana. Wake up.' I shivered and got goosebumps. That was seriously creepy. I decided to use... 'Fire Style: Fire Dragon Jutsu!'

It was good that Naruto was a great fighter, or he might've been chargrilled.

'Hey!' he shouted. 'What was that for?!' I sighed. 'You seriously need lessons on how to wake people up, Naruto.' He shook his head. 'I did it right this time!' he protested. 'I didn't yell, or shake you!' I facepalmed. 'Just forget it. I felt like I was being woken up by a ghost.'

He pouted. 'Sorry.' I laughed. 'It's okay. What happened now?' His face lit up. 'Oh yeah! I wanted to show you something, a-baayo.' (Naruto's famous dialogue is "Dattebaayo", remember!) He clapped his hands together and focused. He suddenly got lit up in Gloden chakra (more like neon yellow).

'Wow, Naruto!' I said. 'That's amazing! How are you doing that?!' He grinned. 'This is what happens when I use Kurama's chakra now,' he said. 'So...' I said. 'No bubbly cloak, no talons, no going crazy?' He shook his head. 'Nope.'

'Yay!' I said. 'On a more serious note,' Naruto said. 'I've been thinking about it, and...' I grew concerned. 'What, Naruto?' He looked uncomfortable. 'Oh, well...' I gave him the death glare. 'Spit it out. Now.' He gulped.

'Well, I was thinking that the reason you go off so much when you're on the island is because you're fighting the war, and that means that the war has started, and if the war has started, then why am I stuck on this island?'

My eyes grew wide. 'Um, actually...' I said. I stopped. What could I say?

'It doesn't matter anyway,' he said. 'I'm leaving the island, I need to fight.'

'Wait, Naruto.'

'What?'

'You don't need to fight. All the Allied Shinobi Forces, including me, can do that for you. What you need to do, is to be safe. We cannot let the Akatsuki get you or Kurama. If you promise to be safe, I will let you fight.'

He turned and gave that smile of his. 'I promise,' he said. I smiled back. 'I believe you. Now let's get Bee and go.'

'What do you mean, get me? You're going to capture me again, yo?'

I turned. 'No, no, Bee, that's not what I meant,' I said. He narrowed his eyes. He then told us that the guarding shinobi had put up a barrier around the island, and that we needed to break through. And you know the reason I'm telling you thins in indirect speech is because I just hate his rap.

'Okay,' I said. Bee said that he would use Tailed Beast Bomb to break through the strongest barrier, and then we will have to follow that with attacks to break through the two weaker barriers.

We nodded. 'Let's do this,' Naruto said.

'TAILED BEAST BOMB!' Bee launched the bomb. It broke through. 'Rasen Shuriken!' Naruto said. It broke through the second one. 'Water, Earth and Fire Combination: Elemental Dragons!' My beauties broke through the last barrier like it was paper. I grinned.

They roared, they wanted a more challenging task. 'Next time for sure,' I assured them. They dissolved into their respective elements. 'Wow, Hana,' Naruto said. 'I didn't know you could do that.' I winked. 'Just something I came up with recently. Now, let's go!' I teleported them to mainland, and we headed towards the frontlines.

After about an hour of running, I got bored. 'This is so boring,' I complained.

'Then let me make this interesting for you, Hana.'

Orange-Face's voice came from behind me. All of us stopped running and turned to face him. 'Back again, coward?' I asked. 'Got more puppets to hide behind?' he chuckled. 'In a way.'

When I saw which people landed behind him, I almost fell off my branch.

'Behold,' Orange-Face said. 'The Six Jinjuriki.' (He excluded Naruto, Bee, and Gaara)

I almost fell off my branch.

Standing before me were the six dead Jinjuriki of various tailed beasts, now alive and kicking, with one eye possessing the Rinnegan.

'What?' I asked. 'Reanimation? Rinnegan? How is this possible?' Orange-Face chuckled again. 'Don't underestimate Madara Uchiha.'

I grit my teeth. 'Pick on someone your own size. Like me, for example. Leave these Jinjuriki to rest in peace. After all, it was your organization that captured and killed them, and now you want to use them again, even after their death? Bastard.'

He cocked his head to one side. 'They and their tailed beasts are the key elements to winning his war.' Naruto was getting riled up. 'The tailed beasts don't belong to them!' he said. 'They didn't want to be sealed. And they definitely didn't want to be used by you.'

'It doesn't matter,' Orange-Face said. 'I will crush you, one way or the other.' I smirked. 'If you're confident, we'll see.' I teleported Naruto Bee and myself to a huge clearing. The Jinjuriki appeared there too.

'Go,' Orange-Face said. 'Bee,' I said. 'Any advice from Eight-tails?' Bee concentrated. 'He's telling us to take on two beasts each, yo. He's also saying that you should use those eyes of yours, fool, ya fool.' I nodded. 'Are you going to transform?' I asked him. 'Of course, fool, ya fool.'

I sighed. 'Naruto,' I said. 'Will you be okay handling two beasts?' he nodded. 'Let's go.'

We spread out, and I activated Susanoo. That was the only way to fight them. I faced the Two-Tails and the Four-Tails jinjuriki. Naruto faced the One and Seven Tails. Bee transformed into the Eight-tails and faced the Three-tails and the Six-tailed beast. The battle has begun.

All the jinjuriki transformed into their respective tailed beasts at the same time. It was amazing to watch, but not so amazing knowing that they were doing that just to kill you. I wondered if I needed to use the jutsu of the prophecy with Naruto and Bee teleported at a safe distance, but decided against it.

It would just kill everyone.

And I didn't want to do that, because if I did so, then how was I any different than the Akatsuki?

I mostly defended, because I didn't want to hurt the tailed-beasts. Then I remembered I could look into their minds with my Sharingan, and so I did.

I entered the mind-space of the Two-Tails. 'Welcome, Hana Uchiha,' she said. I stared in shock. There were chains binding her, stretching into oblivion. 'I am Matatabi,' she said. 'The Two-tails, as you say.'

I blinked. 'Matatabi?' I asked. She nodded. 'I am bound by these chains, and forced to do what he tells me. I'm sorry I am hurting you right now.' This all was happening in my mind. If I concentrated, I could see the fight. I was still fighting. I felt like I was multitasking.

Matatabi had just landed a hit on me. My armour had protected me, but it still stung. 'It's okay, Matatabi, I said. 'How do I release you?' I asked. She cocked her head to one side. 'Do you really want to set a tailed beast free?' she asked.

I was stumped for a second. 'Why would you ask that?' I said. 'Sure, tailed beasts are used as weapons. Their constant abusing and overusing have made them bitter. But that doesn't mean that they're bad. They never were. You're not bad, and even though we just met, I trust you and your jinjuriki to not spread carnage once you're free. So yes. I want to free you, and I will.'

Matatabi purred. At least, that's what I thought she was doing. 'Good answer, Hana,' she said. 'He's controlling us using chakra rods at the base of our necks. If you pull them out, we should be free again. But be careful, the rod binds everything it touches, and you too could become his puppet.'

I nodded. 'Thank you. I will free you for sure, Matatabi.' She purred again. 'One more thing, Hana,' she said. 'How are you so passionate towards tailed beasts and their jinjuriki?' I smiled. 'One of my best friends is the jinjuriki of Kurama. He wants to befriend him, and make him less bitter. He hasn't succeeded yet, but he's trying.'

I turned. 'See you when you're free! Jana!' I came back to the fight. I had cut off one of the tails of the Four-Tails. 'Sorry!' I said. I retreated for a few seconds. 'Naruto!' I said. He came closer to me.

'Orange-Face is controlling the tailed beasts by chakra rods at the base of their necks,' I shouted. 'Pull them out, and they should be free.' He nodded. 'But be careful not to let the chakra rod bind you. You promised to be safe, remember?'

He smiled and ran up one of the arms of the One-Tails, Sukaku, heading for his neck. 'Time to go small,' I murmured, deactivating Susanoo. I sprinted up Matatabi's arm too.

As I sprinted up Matatabi's arm, and she swiped at me with her other hand. I ducked. Can't afford to be swatted off now.

I jumped on her head, and the six-tails tried to smack me, but only succeeded in swatting Matatabi. She got angry, and attacked him too. Then they both started fighting, trying to fight me at the same time. This was a good distraction, and I made a shadow clone to pull the six-tail's controlling rod out. I scrambled up Matatabi's shoulder, and stood beside her neck.

Six-tails tried to scratch me but scratched Matatabi instead. They started fighting again. I got ahold of Matatabi's chakra rod. I pulled at it, but purple chains shooted out and chained my wrists. I could hear Orange-face's maniacal laugh. 'You see, Hana?' he yelled. 'It's not as easy as it looks!' I grit my teeth, not bothering to answer.

With some difficulty, I made the hand-sign for the shadow clone jutsu. A clone appeared. It summoned a katana, and tried to cut the chains. But they didn't break. I didn't know what to do. Orange-Face laughed again.

'They're not ordinary rods, Hana. They bind everything they touch,' he said. I smirked. 'Thanks for the solution,' I said. I just left the rod, as in, just left it, and the chains automatically went back.

'They bind everything they touch,' I reminded Orange-Face. 'So, if they don't touch me, I'm free.' Orange-Face just glared, and I would've loved to see the expression under that mask.

'Welcome!' I shouted. 'Have your fill of tailed-beasts!' I dodged a swipe from six-tails. Matatabi started fighting him in my place. 'Thank you,' I said. 'It's the least I can do,' she replied. 'You freed me.' I smiled and headed towards the newcomers who I had just welcomed.

'Kakashi sensei,' I said. 'And Guy sensei. I assume you are our backup?' They nodded. Guy sensei gave his signature smile and thumbs up. 'With this power of youth, we can win this war!' he proclaimed.

Kakashi sensei just sighed. 'Leave that for later, Guy. Now, Hana. Explain the situation. I did. After I was done, Kakashi sensei took charge. 'Guy,' he said. 'Go help Killer B with his two beasts. I will help Naruto. Hana, I assume you can hold your own?' I rolled my eyes. 'Of course, sensei. Iksou!' (Let's go!)

I ran back to Matatabi. She seemed to be having problems. Just as I was about to charge in, Matatabi and the six-tails came at a standstill. 'Go, Hana!' Matatabi growled. I ran and jumped. Mid-air, I made a shadow clone which threw me forward. I landed a belly-flop (I hope no one saw that) and then channelled my chakra to my palms and feet to stay stable. I then pulled out the chakra rod.

Matatabi and six-tails immediately let go of each other. Just then, the ground trembled, and then a full-scale earthquake started.

I just had enough time to observe Orange-Face standing with his arms wide open and laughing.

Then the earth swept me away.

**A few minutes later**

Urgh, I thought. It stinks. And I have a limited air supply. Which way is up? I tried to move my head. No luck. Guess I'll have to take my chances then, I thought again. Earth style: Earth Dampening! The ground above my head became soft and fell on me. I dug through and could finally breathe again.

When I looked around, I wished I hadn't come out of my hole.

I stood straight, only to find Orange-Face standing beside someone in a cloak. When that someone saw me, he took off his hood. I couldn't believe it.

'Kabuto Yakushi.'

He smiled. 'Long time no see, Hana,' he said. 'Wait, you know this guy, fool, ya fool?' I jumped as Eight-o (why am I calling him that?) landed beside me. In full beast form. Nearly burying me under the earth again. 'Not really,' I said. 'He's just another enemy I defeated.'

Kabuto chuckled. 'Oh, are you sure about that?' he asked. 'I'm the most wanted person here. Even more than Madara.' I scowled. 'shut up,' I said. 'Earth style: Earth dampening!' The ground under me became soft. Naruto, Kakashi and Guy dug their way out. Naruto joined me.

'Yeah!' he said. 'I'm all free! Now the fight'll be even!' I rolled my eyes and turned back to kabuto. 'Why are you here?' I asked him. 'Oorochimaru's dead. What more do you want?'

He chuckled again 'You and Sasuke dead, of course. Along with the Hidden Leaf.' My eyes widened when I saw him doing the hand-signs for the summoning justu, and widened even more when I saw what he summoned.

Closed coffins.

Hundreds of them.

My mouth dropped open.

'Here's ensuring I reach my goal!' he shouted in glee. He than began doing hand-signs. I was so stunned I could only stand and watch.

The coffin lids fell open with a sound that might've rendered me deaf. And inside...

Were lot's of dead people.

But right in front...

'No,' I whispered. 'Why?' Tears started falling. Standing in front of me in his coffin, dead and lifeless was...

Eisuke.

Eisuke Hoshigaki. My former trainer. My first friend.

'Yes, Hana!' Kabuto yelled. 'Feel the pain! You killed him!' I froze. 'What?' I whispered again. 'YOU KILLED HIM!' Kabuto yelled again. 'Shut up!' Naruto yelled back. He charged, and began bombarding Kabuto with punches. I wasn't even paying attention.

Eisuke was right in front of me. He was... here, even if not alive. Seeing him made a million feelings rush through my head at once. I just stood there, not answering even when Kakashi sensei yelled my name over and over. I couldn't hear, feel or see anything except Eisuke. Standing right there. So close, yet so far.

Involuntarily, I moved towards him. I didn't even know what I was doing until he was out of the coffin and in my arms. My tears were flowing like a river. He couldn't even rest in peace. He was right here, forced to awaken, forced to fight on the opposite side. Against the Leaf, not for. I know he would do anything in his power to stop this if he could.

Then why are you not? The annoying voice in my head said. I froze. The tears stopped coming. What was I doing? Eisuke was dead! Crying over his corpse wasn't going to solve anything. I took a deep breath and placed Eisuke's head, which was in my lap, gently on the ground.

'I will end this war,' I promised him. 'I will defeat them all. I promise. And...' Tears started coming again. 'Gomen-nasai, senpai!' I cried. 'I wasn't able to save you. But I will let you rest in peace.'

With that, I stood up. I took a deep breath to steady myself. I took a step back. 'Fire style: Fireball jutsu!' Because of the emotions coursing through me, the fireball was huge, and white hot. Good. That was exactly what I needed to destroy Eisuke's body. Nothing else would do.

'NO!' I could hear Kabuto's cry across the field. He had lost his most important hostage. Not only being a powerful shinobi, doubly powerful when reanimated, Eisuke also had a lot of emotional ties with people. No one would have the heart to attack him. So that's why...

I had to destroy his body. Before he could be reanimated. If I didn't, then the whole war would go sideways. That's how powerful my teacher was.

My heart cried out in pain when I cast that justu. But I had to do it. There was no way around. I turned away immediately. I didn't want to see the damage I had caused. I was in enough pain already.

I teleported behind Eisuke's coffin. I looked straight ahead, towards the battle. 'It's time to play,' I snarled.

Then I charged, summoning katanas out of thin air.

The next hour was a blur. I fought with everything I had. I didn't even realize when the dead shinobi in the coffin got reanimated, and when a sealing team joined us. My mind was on full auto-pilot. Swing, block, attack, cast a justu... it all happened on it's own. I didn't even realize I was alternating between Susanoo, Izanagi, Izanami and Amaterasu. I didn't even realize my chakra levels were not depleting.

But I had enough presence of mind to realize when the whole of the Allied shinobi forces joined our battle. A united front. War cries sounded throughout the area. I could hear the anger and pain resounding through the field when the shinobi saw someone they loved and cared for, being used as a tool for the war.

Can't the deceased rest in peace? I thought. You're going to pay for this, Kabuto. I finally spotted Kabuto. He was battling someone I couldn't see. No, wait. There were two people. I came closer, only to kind of regret that I did. Kabuto was fighting...

Itachi Uchiha.

And Sasuke.

What. The. Hell.

Then, because my brain was on auto-pilot, I did something I was not proud of.

I turned on my heel and walked away.

Only later did I realize what I thought.

Oh, it's Sasuke, was what I was thinking. He can handle it. Especially if Itachi's helping him.

Dumb.

Baka, baka, baka.

What were you thinking?!

Well, you know what you were thinking.

As soon as I realized this, which was about half an hour later (and I came out of shock) I slashed through a reanimated shinobi, and turned around.

And just then, a blinding light came from where Sasuke and Itachi were standing. I looked away, covering my eyes. Was this a justu? I didn't know.

As soon as the light vanished, and my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I realized that the reanimated shinobi had disappeared. Everyone looked around, completely bewildered. I blinked, and observed a figure running down the West side of the field, where no one was present, and towards the forest with my Sharingan.

I clapped Naruto on the back as I passed.

'I'll be right back,' I said. 'Hold the fort. And stay safe.'

I sprinted towards Sasuke.

I finally caught up with him in the forest, halfway back to Konoha. 'Sasuke!' I yelled. He stopped. 'Leave me alone,' he said quietly. 'No,' I said. 'Don't push me away. Where are you going?' He looked at me, and I observed tear streaks under his eyes. 'To Konoha,' he said. 'Why?' I asked. 'Do you want to destroy it when it's defenceless?' He looked forward again, away from me.

'No,' he said. 'I have some business there. Leave.' I raised my eyebrows. 'Are you serious, Sasuke? I'm coming with you.' He looked at me again. 'No. Or, have you changed sides again?' I swallowed my rage. 'No, I'm still on the side you should be,' I said chidingly. I then raised my head and walked forward.

'But I'm coming with you because Konoha needs a someone to protect it when everyone's at war, and the bad guys are invading.'

He sighed in defeat, and started towards Konoha again. I smirked a half hearted smirk and followed him.

'Look Sasuke,' I said. 'I know you just lost Itachi. But you're not alone in that case. I lost Eisuke too.' Sasuke stopped jumping from one branch to the next. 'Eisuke was there too?' he asked, in his normal bored voice. But I detected a hint of concern behind the wall.

'Yes,' I confirmed. 'But I destroyed his body before he could get reanimated.' Sasuke kept on moving. I couldn't see his face, he was in front of me. And of course, he didn't look back.

'Eisuke was Itachi's good friend,' he said, after a while of silence. 'His mother was from the Uchiha clan.' I blinked. How come Eisuke hadn't told me? But after all, at that time, I wasn't supposed to know I was from the Uchiha clan.

Before I could say anything, Sasuke stopped. 'We're here,' he said. 'Took you long enough,' someone commented from the bushes. I was immediately in a ready stance. 'Enough, Suigetsu,' Sasuke said. I relaxed when I realised it was only Suigetsu, one of Sasuke's friends and Oorochimaru's former lackeys.

'Nice to see you again, Hana,' he continued, ignoring Sasuke. 'I suppose you're supporting the rebirth of Oorochimaru?' I froze. 'WHAT?!' I yelled at Sasuke. He sighed. 'What I am doing is none of your business.' I gave him one of my famous death glares.

He just glared back.

Sasuke is Sasuke.

'Fine,' I gave in. 'As long as it doesn't harm the village and I know the valid reason.'

'Look,' Sasuke said. 'Itachi told me the only way to win this war is by reanimating the former Hokage. And I will do it, because... I need to ask them something. And, we're up against Madara. We need all the help we can get.'

I raised my eyebrows.

'I'm sorry, we? We're up against Madara? Aren't you part of the Akatsuki?'

He locked eyes with me.

'Not anymore.'

I wanted to argue, but I didn't. I knew exactly what he was going to ask the Former Hokage's, and that had to happen. So, I was letting him go. Just this once.

'Fine then. And I assume you are going to resurrect Oorochimaru to reanimate them?'

'Yes.'

'How?'

'None of your business.'

'Sasuke, if you don't tell me, nothing is happening.'

He glared and then told me that they would be resurrecting Oorochimaru using one of the people who had received his curse mark. I will spare you the details of the process, and since the person will not be harmed, I let them go.

'Better make it quick,' I said. 'We need to go back there.'

They nodded and left. I patrolled the boundaries for a while and didn't sense any danger. So, I did something I hadn't done for a long time.

I went down to the place where the homes of the Uchiha clan once stood. It was all destroyed now, of course (because of Nagato's attack) but the basement containing the sacred Uchiha scriptures was intact. I went down there, with a goal in mind.

I lit the torches with my fire jutsus. I then glanced at the stone tablet. It was right in the centre of the chamber, with something inscribed on it. I didn't know what it was, and I always wondered. It was written in some old, forgotten language. I wondered who could decipher it.

I stood in front of the chest, placed beside the stone tablet. I opened it. Inside were loads of old books, filled with information and history. I settled down with my Sharingan on, ready to find what I was looking for.

I found way more than I hoped.

The child of the prophecy would be born of the strongest of the Uchihas, the book said. She would bring great peace, or great destruction. Her eye would be the strongest combined eye, and it would sweep across the nations, missing nothing. She would rule the world, one way or another. This scripture will be fulfilled. The day she turns seventeen, the world will either be completely obliterated, or completely calm.

She will not be the strongest, but will defeat the strongest. She will rid the world of the she-demon. She will defeat her ancestor. But in the end, she will not have a peaceful demise, for that is not her destiny.

I blinked.

Combined eye?

Ruler?

My seventeenth birthday?

I will defeat a demon?

I will not die a peaceful death?

My mind was going a hundred miles an hour. I didn't understand anything of what the book said. As far as I knew, there was nothing related to my seventeenth birthday or a demon. This was... something else.

I had no words.

I stared at the page for a little longer, before shutting my mind down. This wasn't what I came here for. I needed to search for something else.

I flipped through a few more books, and about half and hour later I was reaching in and removing out the last book from the bottom of the chest.

The Greatest Uchiha.

Finally!

I had gotten what I wanted.

Information on Madara Uchiha.

Just then I heard footsteps.

Does someone always have to spoil my plans?!

'Who's there?!' I yelled. No one knew about this place, except for the Uchihas. And that means...

'Sasuke,' I said. 'I hope you've finished the... ritual.'

Sasuke entered the room. 'Yes,' he said. 'My, my,' a voice said from behind him. 'How much you've grown, Hana. The last time I saw you, you were so young. So inexperienced. And even before that, you were merely a newborn. I had chosen you to be my vessel since the day you came into this world, but alas my assistants failed to bring you to me.'

My mouth dropped open.

'It was you?' I asked in disbelief. 'You kidnapped me? You destroyed my life?'

Oorochimaru chuckled. 'Do you really think you might've been treated better in the Uchiha clan than the Haruno's?'

'You...' I charged, ready to kick his butt, but Sasuke caught my arm. 'Not now, Hana.' I glared at him, and then wrenched my arm out of his grasp.

'Shut up!' I yelled at him. 'He-' I pointed to Oorochimaru. 'destroyed my life. How would you feel if Itachi was standing here right now, and you didn't know he had killed the clan for the sake of the village? Huh?'

Sasuke clenched his fists and looked at me with barely controlled anger. 'It doesn't matter now. You want to save the village, don't you? Then keep this fight for later.'

I glared at him, and then Oorochimaru. Then I sighed, letting all my anger out. 'Fine, then.' I could never say no to Sasuke.

'Start the reanimation jutsu,' Sasuke commanded. Oorochimaru raised his eyebrows. 'Really?' I couldn't control it anymore.

I charged, but I punched the wall next to his face, my fist going right through it. 'Yes,' I growled. 'And unless you don't want your face broken, you better get started. Now.'

'Very well.'

I didn't pay attention to the process. The next thing I knew, four dead Hokage were standing in front of me.

I bowed. 'Hokage-sama. It's an honour.'

'Wait, who are you?' the Fourth Hokage questioned. 'I am Hana Uchiha,' I said. 'The child of the Uchiha prophecy.' The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, raised his eyebrows. 'Wait, you're Madara's great- grankid?'

I swallowed.

'Excuse me?'

'Only one of Madara's blood could be the child of the prophecy.'

Sasuke stared at me.

'Um... I didn't know that.'

'Sure, sure,' the second Hokage said. 'Anyway, it's a disgrace to have an Uchiha bear such an important role.'

Sasuke glared at him. 'Shut up.'

Lord Second glared back.

'What's it to you?'

'I'm an Uchiha too.'

'I don't care.'

'Tobirama!' Lord First said. 'How many times have I told you not to discriminate between Uchiha's and Senju's?'

'But ni-saan, you don't understand-'

**After a lot of arguing**

'Ahem,'

That was Lord Third.

'Lord First and Second, if you don't mind my interruption, but I think we have been summoned for a reason.'

They shut up.

'Yes,' I butt in, taking my chance. 'We needed to clarify something.'

Sasuke took his hint.

'I wanted to ask,' he said. 'About my elder brother, Itachi Uchiha. Is it true that he was ordered to massacre the whole clan?'

Lord Second's face lit up.

'What? The Uchiha clan was massacred?'

This time, Lord First punched him for me. 'Is that something to be happy about?'

**After a lot of fighting**

'Ahem,' Lord Third cleared his throat again. 'Lord First and Lord Second, I assume their patience is running thin.'

Damn right.

'I will answer your question, Sasuke, as I was Hokage at that time,' Lord Third continued. I nodded. We were finally getting somewhere!

But, yet again, I had something to do.

I pulled Lord Fourth aside.

'Lord Fourth,' I said. 'I assume you are Naruto's father?' He blinked, and then nodded. Then he smiled. 'And you are Hana Uchiha, right? Naruto's told me a lot about you, as my chakra was sealed within him.' I blinked. Now I know where Naruto got his good looks from.

'Um, okay,' I said. 'Anyway, I just wanted to ask you if there's a possibility that Naruto and Kurama could fully cooperate.' Lord Fourth thought for a second. 'Maybe,' he said. 'Kurama's really fussy, though.' I smiled. 'Naruto is Naruto. If anyone can convince Kurama to help, he can.' Lord Fourth grinned. 'How is he?' he asked me. 'Right now?'

I looked at the ground. 'Actually,' I said. 'There's a war going on. Madara Uchiha has been reanimated, and possesses the Rinnegan. All the tailed beasts and jinjuriki are under his control, except for Naruto and eight-tails. They both are on the frontlines right now. I came here to make sure the village is safe with people such as Oorochimaru around.'

The Fourth Hokage stared at me with a blank expression, and then came to his senses. 'We need to go to the frontlines,' he said. 'Immediately.' I shook my head. 'Unless Sasuke is satisfied with the answers he gets, he will not let you go. If you don't agree, Oorochimaru will break the reanimation jutsu. Just go along with it for a while.'

He sighed, and then nodded. After a few minutes, he asked me, 'Are you his girlfriend?' My eyes widened. 'Um... No,' I stuttered. 'I just... well, you see... um...' He laughed, and I relaxed. 'I was just kidding,' he said. 'I didn't expect an answer. It's okay.' I nodded. 'There are a lot of people in the village who love him, though,' I said. 'He's our hero.'

Lord Fourth sighed. 'That's my boy.' I sighed. 'You know, he looks exactly like you, but his attitude's nothing like yours. I wish it was, though. It would be a lot nicer. But Naruto's not Naruto without his attitude.'

Lord Fourth chuckled. 'He probably gets his attitude from Kushina.' I looked at him. 'His mother?' He nodded. 'She was Kurama's jinjuriki before him.' I looked down again. 'What happened?' I asked, softly. 'How did you die?' Lord Fourth sighed. 'It was like this...'

I blinked, and my tears fell. I couldn't believe it. Lord Fourth, along with Naruto's mother, had sacrificed their lives to save the village from Kurama. And they had to, because...

'I'm going to kill him,' I said. 'That man you met, in the mask... that was Madara Uchiha.'

Lord Fourth was shocked.

'He set Kurama on the village?'

I nodded.

Lord Fourth glared at the floor with a murderous expression in his eyes.

'He's going to pay.'

'Yes,' I agreed. 'But not by your hands. By mine. I will take full responsibility.'

'How? You weren't even born.'

'No. But he is my great-grandfather. It is my duty to kill him and make him pay for all the pain and suffering he's caused. Especially yours, Kushina-san's and Naruto's. You just wait.'

Lord Fourth smiled at me.

'No wonder Naruto likes you so much.'

I blushed. 'Um, Lord Fourth, that's not the case...' He smiled again. 'Please,' he said. 'Call me Minato.' I smiled. 'Okay, Minato.'

We headed back to the others. Minato had to introduce himself as the Fourth Hokage, and then we headed back up and out, towards the frontlines.

All throughout the hour-long journey, I was thinking about the fact that I was Madara Uchiha, my sworn enemy's, great granddaughter. I couldn't believe it. Was this karma? Or fate? I just didn't know. The other thing that was bothering me was that page in the old Uchiha scripture. I didn't know anything about my seventeenth birthday or about a she-demon.

I was just blank.

I yanked my thoughts towards the battlefield, hoping it wasn't too late.

It was too late.

Looking around, I saw the ten-tails was revived. All the Allied Shinobi Forces were either dead or too injured to move. The only people standing were-

Naruto, Sakura, Kiba, Hinata, Kakashi-sensei and the Hokage's.

Out of thousands, only ten remained.

Excluding us, the reinforcements.

That made sixteen standing, as Oorochimaru, Suigetsu, Jugo and Karin had made it pretty clear they would not be joining in.

Kuneyaru.

That made sixteen against the most powerful being in existence, along with one of the most powerful shinobi in history.

Easy-peasy.

Not.

We joined ranks.

There were many shocked expressions, seeing the revived Hokage. Naruto breathed a sigh of relief when he saw me, but that turned to shock when he saw his dad. I smiled at the reunion, as well as Lady Tsunade's with her grandfathers, Hashirama and Tobirama Senju. The other Kage nodded thankfully at us. We would need all the help we could get.

Naruto was out of tailed-beast chakra. Sakura couldn't heal anyone anymore. Akamaru was limping, so Kiba couldn't do much. Hinata had exhausted her Byakugan. Kakashi-sensei was out of chakra. The other Kage didn't look so good either.

'Come on, guys,' I said. 'We have to win this. For the sake of our villages.' They nodded. I stepped forward. 'Great Grandfather!' I called out. The ten-tails rolled it's one giant eye to look at me. 'Child,' a voice called out. 'Show yourself!' I yelled. Someone stepped off the ten-tails' head. I could see them clearly in the light of the blood moon.

'Madara Uchiha,' I said. 'You are reanimated.' He chuckled. 'That Kabuto doesn't know how to do a reanimation jutsu. I could easily break the seal. Now I am eternal.' I grit my teeth. 'Not if we beat you,' I said. 'You see, grandfather, no can love more than the Uchiha's. And I love certain people in the village, as well as the village itself.'

I glared at him. 'You will never touch it.'

He laughed like a maniac. 'Says the girl, my pathetic grandchild, who cannot even do the Ultimate Susanoo! How can you even dream of defeating me?!' My eyes widened. It clicked.

'I've got it,' I said. 'Thank you, grandfather!' I yelled. 'You just gave me the key to defeating you!' He smirked. 'Really?' he shouted. 'Are you going to conjure up the Ultimate Susanoo with magic?' I bit my tongue, stopping myself. I spoke to Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura instead.

'Do you guys have enough chakra to do a summoning jutsu?' they nodded. 'Naruto,' I said. 'Can you do tailed-beat form?' He frowned. 'Yes,' he said, after a few seconds. 'But I need a while.' I nodded.

'Kakashi sensei, and the Kage's,' I said. 'Hear me out.'

A few minutes later, we were ready.

'Naruto, can you assume the full form now?' He nodded. 'Sasuke,' I said. 'You know what you have to do.' He sighed. 'I don't think it will work.' I scowled. 'We have no choice. Kage's. On my mark. 3,2,1... Iksou!'

'QUADRUPLE SUMMONING JUTSU!'

'SUSANOO!'

'FLYING RAIJIN!'

'WATER GORGON!'

'SAND PRISON!'

'ATOMIC DISMEMBERING!'

'SUMMON: MONKEY BAR!'

'WOOD STYLE: BRINGER OF DARKNESS TECHNIQUE!'

'HUNDRED HANDS OF HEALING!'

'AMATERASU!'

'LIGHTNING RELEASE CHAKRA MODE: LATRIAT!'

'BYAKUGAN!'

'FANG OVER FANG!'

Me, Naruto, Sasuke, as well as Sakura summoned our... summoning. Gamakichi, a toad from mount Myoboku for Naurto, Manga, a snake, for Sasuke, Lady Katsuyu (who was also Tsunade-sama's summoning), a slug, for Sakura and finally, my blue and golden Dragon, Taskuyo, for me. I smiled proudly at him.

Me and Sasuke had activated Susanoo. Lord Second and Minato used Flying Raijin. Then the Kage's, Kakashi-sensei, as well as my friends attacked together.

For a second, the ten-tails was overwhelmed, and Lord Second and Minato teleported Orange-Face, who's face wasn't really Orange, and Madara to face my friends. Me, Sasuke, Naruto and our four summoning's turned to face the ten-tails, who was completely out of control. I realised he was being controlled by Madara and Orange-Face before, but now he was just going to go on a rampage. Sasuke and I locked eyes.

Naruto assumed full tailed beast form. Let the show begin.

'IKSOU!' I yelled. Sasuke, Naruto, our summoning's and I charged the ten-tails. Mid-charge, Sasuke looked at me and I looked at him. Now, I mouthed. We came closer. And then...

We merged our Susanoo's.

Creating the Ultimate Susanoo.

A warrior, a hundred feet tall, with shiny golden armour and an interior purple skin, stood before the beast. When it took a step, the ground shook. Sasuke and I were holding hands inside our Ultimate Susanoo, as we took flight.

The purple and golden warrior soared into the air, going high up, while it's friends attacked the beast from below. My dragon's triumphant roar was heard even in the skies.

Once we had gained enough height, we stopped, suspended in mid-air. We were among the clouds. 'Shall we?' asked Sasuke. I smiled. 'Let's show 'em what we've got.' We swooped down, katanas flashing, cutting off five of the ten tails. The beast gave a hideous roar. The ground shook.

'No, you don't,' I muttered, sheathing one of the katanas and taking out my bow and arrow. It worked perfectly, as Sasuke was left handed, and I was a rightie. The bow and arrow were his Susanoo's weapon, but was included in our Ultimate Susanoo, just like my weapons.

'Amaterasu!' I said, igniting the tip with black fire. We shot. It hit the hideous thing right in its eye. I roared again, and the Nine-tails, aka Naruto, pounced on it, ripping and clawing. My dragon, Taskuyo, blew fire, Katsuyu divided herself into thousands of pieces and sucked it's chakra out, Manga spit poison, and Gamakichi kicked and used Sage Jutsus.

I say we were doing pretty well.

Then the ten-tails finally decided to attack.

It opened its mouth wide, wider than I thought possible. I made a face. Then it started making a tailed beast bomb. 'ATTACK!' I shouted. 'DO NOT LET IT FORM!' Our summoning's were closer than we were, and they attacked. This distracted the ten-tails, and it stopped forming the Tailed beast bomb. The Ultimate Susanoo and the Nine-tails attacked the next instant.

'How do we defeat it?' Sasuke asked me. I frowned. 'I don't know,' I said. 'Wait. I'll try to peek into it's mind. Control the Susanoo.' Without waiting for his reply, I looked into it's mind.

Once inside, I gasped.

All the tailed beasts were inside, from the one-tails to the nine-tails. They were all chained next to each other, similar to how Matatabi had been chained.

'Um, hello,' I said. 'I'm here to get you out. Can you please tell me how?' I looked like Kurama was going to pass a nasty comment, but Matatabi stopped him. 'You can trust her,' she said. 'You need to harness our chakra and pull it out,' she said. 'How?' I asked. 'Use chakra chains,' Kurama grunted. 'That pest can do it.'

'Do you mean Naruto?'

'Yes.'

'Okay,' I said. 'Thank you. I promise I will get you out of here.' Matatabi nodded. 'We trust you.' I pulled out of the ten-tails' head. 'Success?' Sasuke asked, as I came to. 'Kind of,' I admitted. 'Kurama said Naruto has to use chakra chains to pull them out.' He raised his eyebrows. 'Can that baka do it?' I sighed. 'I'm not sure. He will have to master it like, this instant.'

Sasuke snorted. 'Like that's possible.' I rolled my eyes, and walked towards Naruto. 'Hey,' I said. 'The only way to defeat ten-tails is by...' Naruto cut me off. 'By chakra chains.' My eyes widened. 'How do you know?' I asked. He rolled his eyes. 'I have Kurama inside me, ya know.'

I felt kind of silly. 'Right,' I said. 'Can you do it?' He frowned. 'Not sure where to harness it, though,' he said. I thought for a moment. 'Me.' He looked shocked. 'Harness it to me,' I repeated. 'Sasuke, you will have to do with normal Susanoo for a while. Because...' I took a deep breath. '...I'm going inside ten-tails.'

They stared at me in shock. 'Don't give me that look,' I snapped. 'Move it!' Naruto nodded hastily and closed his eyes, giving Kurama free reign to attack the ten-tails. I deactivated my Susanoo. I was now standing inside Sasuke's purple warrior.

'Hana,' he warned. 'Don't take too long there. I will not be able to sustain Susanoo for much longer.' I nodded. 'If I don't come out in time, use Manga to attack. Activate Susanoo again when I'm back.' He nodded.

'Naruto,' I called. 'You ready?' he nodded, opening his eyes. I took another deep breath.

Golden chains shot out from Naruto's back. I caught them. 'Keep it going!' I yelled. 'When I shake them, pull!'

With that, I dived into the mouth of the Ten-Tails.

One word for it.

Gross.

Stinky.

Overall disgusting.

That's four words, but who cares?

I closed my eyes and tried to focus. I clasped the chains tightly. I could feel myself moving downwards. I opened my eyes to see the exact same scene as I had seen before. All the tailed-beasts, chained. 'Okay,' I said. 'Should I break the chains?'

'Yes,' Matatabi said. 'Then tie the golden chains to us, and let us get pulled out. The ten-tails should dissolve then.' I frowned. 'Not even the... Gedo statue will remain?' I asked. 'No,' she said. 'It will be gone, forever, unless you or Naruto decide to join us back again.' I was wide-eyed. 'Why me?' I asked. Kurama snapped. 'Now is not the time for questions, child! I want to go back. Free me this instant!'

I raised my eyebrows at him. 'relax,' I said. I began destroying the chains of the tailed-beasts, nine-tails onwards. I tied the golden chains to them as soon as I was done. I reached Matatabi. She gave me her wolfish smile. 'You've done well,' she said. I smiled back. 'I'm not finished yet,' I said. I tied the golden chains to her too.

I finally reached the One-tails, Shukaku. I destroyed his chains too. He chuckled. I felt sorry for Gaara, carrying that clown inside him for so long.

After I was done, I walked to a point where all the chains met. I caught them and shook them vigorously and held on. I waited to be yanked back out. But no yank came. I started to get nervous. I shook it even harder, and the tailed-beasts helped by shaking themselves too. We waited. Still no yank.

'You should go up,' Matatabi suggested. ' The ten-tails' mouth must be stopping the vibrations from reaching Naruto.' I nodded, and started climbing up the chains. I soon found out that Matatabi was right. The ten-tails' mouth was stopping the vibrations from going to Naruto.

He must be having a hard time, because the ten-tails was aware that the chains were inside his mouth, and was trying to yank them and chew them. I couldn't find a way to open his mouth without breaking the chins, so...

I decided to break some teeth instead.

'Urgh!' I punched a tooth. It broke. But then I observed at least ten more rows of teeth in front of it. Seriously, what did this creature eat?

I decided that I would just have to be patient. I broke all the teeth, one by one. Finally, I could see the outside world and breath stink-free air. 'NARUTO!' I yelled. 'NOW!'

I held onto the chains as he pulled. I was pulled out, and when I looked behind me, the ten-tail's mouth was stretched open, wider than before. It was a sight I would shield kid's eyes from. Just plain disgusting. Then I felt triumphant as all the tailed beasts were pulled out, one by one, and...

The ten-tail's husk reduced to a pile of ashes.

All the standing cheered. The Akatsuki had just lost their greatest weapon. There was nothing they could do now. We just had to defeat them, and the war would be over. I grinned, and the tailed beasts roared.

We turned to face Orange-Face and Madara. With the tailed beasts on our side, this would be as easy as blinking.

'You can still surrender,' Hashirama said. We could hear his voice clearly. 'You can spend the rest of your life atoning for your sins.' I turned and saw that Orange-Face's new mask had broken. I could see his um... damaged face clearly. I also saw that Kakashi-sensei was staring at him, a little shaken.

I jumped on Taskuyo and rode towards them. The others followed, even the tailed beasts. 'You think you've won?' a voice said, which belonged to neither Madara nor Obito. 'Did you really think the Great Mistress would have let you off so easily?' A half-formed, black figure stepped into our line of vision. 'Black Zetsu,' Madara said. 'What are you doing here?' asked Obito. 'You were supposed to attack the Feudal Lords.' Black Zetsu chuckled. 'As if I would take orders from you, little scum.' He came closer.

'Don't move,' I commanded. 'Or my very trusty friend will rip your head off.' Zetsu made a sound like he was clicking his tongue. 'Dear Hana,' he said. 'So brave and powerful, yet so naïve. Come join me in welcoming our true Queen.' I was stumped for a second there. 'What... Queen?' I asked. Zetsu suddenly lunged at Madara, and merged with his body. Madara trashed and squirmed, all the while saying one sentence he couldn't complete.

'Why... are... you... I... created... help...grand-daughter...'

I froze when I heard him say "grand-daughter". I made no move to help him. I just glared and watched what was happening. 'Obito,' Kakashi-sensei said. 'What's going on?'

He was apparently talking to orange-face. He made no move to answer. He was too busy staring at his superior being... incapacitated.

'Obito!' Sensei said more urgently. 'What's happening?' Obito, aka Orange-Face, finally opened his mouth.

'I... don't know.'

Everyone was in shock. 'Do you mean to say,' I said. 'This is not part of your master plan?' He nodded. I grit my teeth. 'Shit.' Hashirama sighed. 'All we can do is wait now,' he said. We all stood tense, waiting. Naruto finally spoke. 'Kurama,' he said. 'Do you know what's happening?' Kurama grunted. 'No. I've never seen anything like it before.'

I raised my eyebrows. If Kurama, the meanest, strongest and the most knowledgeable of the tailed beasts hadn't seen it, no one had. 'I think it's taking over his body, though,' I said. 'Yes, seems like it,' Kurama agreed. Suddenly, Madara arched upwards, like in the horror movies. And then...

In a flash of light, this creature was standing in front of us.

Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. We were all just staring at her, mouths open. I had never seen anything like her before. Taskuyo grunted, and I petted him.

'Who- who are you?' I asked. She looked straight at me. 'I am your Queen,' she said. 'Bow down before me.' Kiba glared at her. 'Like hell,' he said. 'What do you want?' I asked a little more confidently. 'I want my people back,' she said. 'You are all my people.' Everyone just stared.

I edged a little closer to Naruto. 'Talk-no-jutsu?' I asked. 'Maybe,' he replied. 'I tried it with Madara, didn't work.' I bit my lip. 'This is a whole different person,' I said. 'There's no harm in trying.' He shrugged.

'Look,' I said. 'I don't know which century you're from. And looking at your hair...' I paused, shaking my head. 'I guess you're pretty old, grandma. Times have changed, wee don't have a queen anymore.' She cocked her head to one side. 'You will soon think differently, child,' she said. 'For once I assume my rightful place, you will be my successor. The heir to the throne.'

I took a deep breath. I was so done with the "ruling the world" situation. 'No, I won't be anyone's heir,' I said. 'And we don't even know who you are.' She raised imaginary eyebrows. 'I am your Queen.' I rolled my eyes. 'Right,' I said. 'We got that the first twenty times.'

'I AM KAGUYA OTSUTSUKI.'

Silence.

'QUEEN OF THIS EARTH. THE FIRST TO HAVE CHAKRA. BOW DOWN BEFORE ME!'

Her tone was so commanding, I really felt like bowing down. But I fought it. 'Shut up,' I said. But in my head, I was recalling old legends.

Kaguya had been the first person alive to have chakra. She ate the chakra fruit from the chakra tree. She ruled the world as it's queen. She had two sons, Hagomoro and Hamura. Hagomoro was the Sage of the Six Paths, the one who originally possessed the Rinnegan. Once Kaguya saw all was well, she went to sleep, leaving her sons to rule.

And now she was back.

She was one of the most powerful beings in the known universe. She and her clan. Oh, wait. She was the Princess of her clan too! And that means...

Beeeeeeeeeeeep.

Game over.

No, I thought. There must be some way. We can defeat her. I must have hope. She's alone, and we have the tailed beasts. We can do this. I started putting the pieces together.

'We have no other choice,' I told everyone. 'Kaguya is evil. She will kill everyone. And...' I hesitated. 'She was the one manipulating Madara, via Black Zetsu. I'm sure of it.' Obito looked like he wanted to argue but thought better of it.

'We have to defeat her,' I said. 'That's the only way to save the earth.' Everyone looked grim. They nodded. 'We will need your Rinnegan,' I told Obito. 'This isn't about the Akatsuki and the Allied Shinobi Forces anymore. We must work as one. That's the only way we'll win.'

He was hesitant, but he agreed. I then turned to the tailed beasts. 'This is a fight for your freedom, too,' I told them. 'Please help us.' I sensed their consent. Finally, I turned to Kaguya. 'Please,' I said. 'Don't make us fight you. Return to your realm in peace.'

Kaguya laughed. 'How can I not take what is rightfully mine?' she said. 'This plant is not yours,' I said. 'You came here by force. You plucked the chakra fruit for your own gain. Geddit? Nothing. Here. Belongs. To. You.' Kaguya grit her teeth.

Great. I had just pissed off the most powerful being in the known universe.

'Iksou!' I said. We charged. She shot out rods at us. It was like Pain's rods. We all cast various jutsus, but nothing seemed to touch her. She seemed invisible, she was so fast I didn't even see it coming.

'HANA!' Sasuke and Naruto yelled together. I turned, and saw a rod heading straight towards me. I braced for it to hit me, but it never came. I opened my eyes, to see Naruto fall, the rod impaled in his chest. 'NO!' I screamed. I ran down Taskuyo's back, and caught him before he fell. Taskuyo moved us away from the battle, and got us airborne. 'Naruto,' I cried. I pulled the rod out, and started medical ninjutsu.

'Come on, come on,' I said. The green glow lit up the clouds. I whipped my head towards Taskuyo. 'Get us back down,' I said. 'They need me in the fight. I'll have Lord First heal him.' Taskuyo took us back down. Hashirama was engaging Kaguya. 'Lord First!' I yelled. He backed off carefully. 'Please,' I said, landing before him. 'Heal him.' He nodded and did. In a few minutes, his eyes opened.

He tried to sit up. 'No, Naruto,' I said. 'Stay down.' I shook his head. 'Hana,' he said. 'I met the Sage of the Six Paths.' My eyes widened. 'What do you mean?' I said. 'HANA!' Sasuke shouted. 'Come on!' I sighed. 'Stay here, Naruto,' I said. 'Tell me about it later. Don't join the fight until absolutely needed.' He tried to argue.

'But-' I glared at him. 'Shut it,' I said. He scowled and showed me his hand. There was a white circle on it. 'What is that?' I asked. 'HANA!'Sasuke shouted. 'NOW!' I sighed. 'Later,' I said.

I jumped of Taskuyo again and charged at Kaguya. She was going to pay.

But I had underestimated her.

I charged, but then she disappeared. And this time, Naruto wasn't there to save my back.

'HANA!' Sasuke yelled again. I didn't even have time to turn this time. A rod went straight through. My blood splattered on Taskuyo's back. I fell to my knees. For the first time in my life, my opponent had got the better of me.

I tried to stay conscious, but it was getting difficult to breathe. I could register Sasuke's presence beside me before I blacked out.

When I came to, I found it difficult to recognize where I was. It looked like I was in Naruto's head, but without Kurama and the huge seal gates. I blinked, and suddenly, I wasn't alone.

A being, much like Kaguya with the white skin and white cloak, was floating before me. Yes, floating. I got up, surprised to see that I could, and without any pain or difficulty.

'Who are you?' I asked, in a steady voice. Oh. I was getting better at questioning strange beings with awesome powers which I knew nothing about.

'I am Hagomoro,' the being replied. If I would be drinking water, I would've choked. 'You mean...' I said. 'The Sage of the Six Paths?' He nodded. 'Yes. And we need to talk.' I blinked. 'About what? Look, it's nice meeting you, but I have a battle to get to.' He shook his head. 'There are some things you should know, if you want to defeat Mother.'

That got my attention. 'How can I defeat Kaguya?' I asked. 'You and your friends, Naruto and Sasuke, will have to work together to defeat her,' he said. 'But first, you need to know about the past, and the full prophecy.' I half-frowned.

'I'm listening.'

'You will ultimately be the one to defeat Mother. Have you ever wondered why your Sharingan is so powerful?'

'Maybe...'

'It is not a pure Sharingan.'

'WHAT?!'

'Your mother was from the Hyuga clan, your father from the Uchiha.'

'So, your saying...'

'Your Sharingan has Byakugan properties. That makes it very powerful.'

'So... how will that help in defeating Kaguya?'

'It won't. But this will. Extend your dominant arm. I will bestow upon you a gift, a gift to defeat the strongest. You will defeat the She-Demon, and be this world's saviour. Come before me.'

In a trance, I walked to stand in front of him. I extended my right arm. He extended his arm to meet my right.

'I bestow upon you,' he continued. 'The Eclipse. The time when the Sun and Moon are together. The time when darkness and light work as one. I bestow upon you...

'The Tenseigan.'

I woke up with a start. Naruto was beside me, and so was Sasuke. 'Hana,' Naruto said in an awed voice. 'What?' I asked, suddenly conscious. 'Your-your eyes,' Sasuke said.

'They're glowing blue.'

'What?' I said. 'You're kidding, right?'

But even as I said it, I knew it was true. There was unimaginable power surging inside me. But it was different from my normal Sharingan eye. Or hybrid Sharingan eye. Or the... Byasharingan. You know what? Just forget it. The power was just different.

I felt like I could send planets crashing. I sat up slowly. 'You said you met the Sage of the Six Paths?' I asked Naruto. He nodded. 'So did Sasuke,' he said. They both turned their palms up. I could see a white circle on Naruto's palm, and a black crescent on Sasuke's. Reluctantly, I turned my palm up, too.

If Naruto's sun and Sasuke's moon were combined, the picture it would form would be my Eclipse. Yes. Naruto, the reincarnation of Ashura, possessed the Sun. Sasuke, the reincarnation of Indra, possessed the moon. I had subconsciously registered this, I don't know-how. But I possessed both. The Sun and Moon. Creating the Eclipse.

Sasuke and Naruto were staring at my eyes, and then my palm. This continued for a few seconds. 'Stop it!' I commanded. They immediately looked at my eyes. 'What power is that?' Sasuke questioned. 'The- the Tenseigan,' I said. His eyes widened. 'What is that?' He asked. 'I don't know,' I answered irritably. I then sighed. 'But I'll find out soon enough,' I said. 'Iksou.'

We joined the battle again. The others were having a hard time. 'Guess we'll have to thank Kaguya for sending us to Hagomoro,' I called out to Sasuke, who was on Manga. He gave his signature smirk. We charged, Naruto, Sasuke and I together. We could beat her. We had the tailed beasts to intervene when we were desperate, and my new visual prowess t rely on. We can really win.

''Sup, Obito?' I asked, as I landed next to him. 'Been using your wrongly obtained Rinnegan?' If he hadn't been so stiff, he might've pouted. 'It seems to have no effect,' he replied. Now I pouted. 'Well then,' I said, calling on my visual prowess. 'Time to use this.' He had the same reaction Naruto and Sasuke had. I ignored him.

'Kaguya!' I said. 'Surrender! You are no match for all of us, Princess or not!' She grit her teeth. 'As much as I would like to say otherwise,' she said. 'you are right. And that is why, I will need help.' She backed away and looked at the skies. Then she shouted-

'COME, MY BRETHERN! COME AND JOIN ME IN TAKING WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS! WE WILL GUIDE THIS ANNOYING WORLD TO IT'S REVOLUTION!'

Thunder crashed. And then...

The skies opened.

Literally.

People rode down on chariots, and if I hadn't known better, they might've been mistaken for gods. All of them were wearing white and were white-skinned, just like Kaguya. As they landed, they confirmed their presence.

'Mother, I am here,' said one guy, as he landed next to Kaguya. 'Very well, Hamura,' Kaguya replied. 'I am here too,' another voice said. From the darkness approached another figure, and I recognized him.

'You-' I started to say, but Sasuke clamped his hand over my mouth I looked at him angrily, and flung his arm away. 'What are you doing?' he hissed. 'Even that baka has the sense to keep his mouth shut!' I looked at Naruto, who was glowering, fists clenched. It as pretty clear Hagomoro, the Sage of the Six Paths, did not want to be here, but he didn't say anything. I scowled but accepted defeat.

'We are present, grandmother.'

Someone else had arrived. Great. Kaguya alone was able to injure me, Sasuke and Naruto, what will happen if more show up?

Two figures approached. At least these looked a little human. But my hope and faith of winning was diminishing, a little by little.

'Very well, everyone is present,' Kaguya said. She turned to us. 'Meet my sons, Hagomoro and Hamura. Along with their sons, Indra and Ashura.'

I gulped. Even the tailed beasts weren't going to be much help. We were up against the most powerful beings of the universe!

'Come, my children! Let the Final battle begin!'

The Otsutsuki clan members charged.

The real battle had just begun.

'Everyone, it's 26 against 5, including the tailed beasts,' I yelled. 'Everybody will divide in teams of 5, taking on each member. The ones taking on Kaguya will have a team of six!' Everyone nodded and divided. We had to be quick, they were charging towards us.

In my team, which was taking on Kaguya, the most powerful, were- Naruto, Hinata, Kakashi-sensei, Gaara (the Kazekage), Minato and myself. We charged towards Kaguya, but her son, Hamura, got in our way. 'Elemental Dragons!' I shouted. My dragons sprang towards Hamura. But as soon as they reached them, they dissolved into nothing. 'Minato,' I breathed. 'Can you use Flying Raijin and teleport him far away?'

He nodded and disappeared. The next millisecond, Hamura disappeared too. 'Come on, guys!' I said. We moved forward again. This time, no one got in our way. 'Hit her with all you've got!' Naruto yelled. 'We have one shot before she puts her guard up!'

I didn't have time to process this, I just did a useful jutsu, which held her down and let the others attack.

'FORBIDDEN JUTSU: CHAKRA NET!'

'SANDSTROM!'

'LIGHTNING BLADE!'

'RASENGAN!'

'EIGHT TRIGRAMS MOUNTAIN CRUSHER!'

We all jumped back, panting. 'Handy chakra net you got there,' said Minato, who had just arrived. I grinned. 'Ashura?' I asked. 'He's in a deserted forest, about 300 kilometres away,' he replied. 'Even so,' I said. 'I hope he doesn't cause damage to anything.' Minato nodded. 'And now that I've teleported him once, I can't do it again,' he said.

'I know.' I sighed.

Just then, we heard Kaguya roar- 'YOU WILL PAY!' Then she started to fight back, and the smoothness of my battle got disrupted even more.

After an hour of dodging, attacking and threats, I finally backed off. My chakra levels were low. I couldn't use my Mangekyo Sharingan now. Naruto and the others also backed off for a minute, getting a breather.

We had put up a good fight, but we couldn't sustain it. All f us were tired, our chakra levels low. If I could do the forbidden jutsu of the prophecy, I could at least kill them all in one shot, but I couldn't do it here. There were too many people, almost all of them my friends.

But what if your friends didn't have to be here? A tiny voice inside my head said. Then a light bulb went off inside my head, but the strategy wasn't fully formed yet. I needed to get somewhere else, anywhere but here. But I couldn't do it, I needed Kaguya to.

'Kaguya!' I shouted. 'Stop!' She looked at me in confusion. I beckoned silently to Sasuke. 'I'm their queen!' I continued. 'Defeat me, and they all will bow down at your feet!' In a whisper, I added to Sasuke, 'You have the Rinnegan. You and Obito will come and get me. We're going to another dimension.' Then I looked back at Kaguya. 'Well?' I demanded. 'Take me somewhere else and take all your family members along with you. You, me, and your family can finish this. There's no need for others to get involved.'

She cocked her head to one side. 'Very well,' she said. 'If that means less fighting is involved. I will crush you, and then all the others can enjoy, as their dreams come true.' I took a deep breath and looked at Sasuke. 'I'm counting on you,' I said. 'But don't come for a while, I need to kill them first.'

Realization dawned on his features, but I was already gone.

When all the whirling was over, I opened my eyes. We were standing somewhere completely different than before. This place was covered in ice and snow. There was no one and nothing for as far as I could see. For all I knew, I was in a deserted dimension.

I did the first hand-sign, and hesitated. Am I doing the right thing by killing all these people? I thought. Even Hagomoro, the founder of the Shinobi? I shook my head. They're here to cause carnage and destruction, and to rule over the people. That can't happen. So, yes. I am doing the right thing, if I am saving all my comrades.

With new resolution, I continued making the hand-signs, extremely fast. They were a long series of hand-signs, and I couldn't protect myself while doing them. I had to be fast, or I wouldn't make it out of here alive.

Fortunately, the Otsutsuki clan members were having some sort of meeting. Stupid thing to do, I was doing one of the most destructive jutsus in the history of the world. Nah, cool Kaguya says. Just let her destroy us, that's what she was born for anyway. Thanks! I reply. I'll be done quickly, you know, once I finish the hand-signs.

Really? How long will that take?

About two minutes.

My hands were moving so fast they were a blur. Finally, when I was halfway through the hand-signs, the Otsutsuki clan members concluded their meeting on the best ways to kill me. After that the next minute was spent dodging attacks, and almost getting myself killed. Finally, I had the upper hand. I closed my eyes as I did the final hand-sign. It had been so long, my friend.

'FORBIDDEN JUTSU OF THE PROPHECY: I SUMMON THEE, DEMON SHAAZIT!'

My voice boomed across the fields. Did I mention the forbidden jutsu of the prophecy was actually a summoning justu? No? Well, it was a very complicated one, anyway. I banged my hand, palms facing down, on the ground. The black circles of text spread out for miles. From behind the centre (aka from behind me) rose a giant figure, even bigger than an Ultimate Susanoo.

'WHO DARES SUMMON ME?' I shivered. Again, just like the first time, I was uncertain of what to say. 'Hi, Shaazit!' I went with cool and casual. 'HUH?' He looked down, trying to spot me. 'Um, I'm here,' I said, waving my arms. He finally spotted me. 'Little girl, how many times have I told you not to summon me?' he growled but carried me and but me on his head anyway. I smiled.

'Nice seeing you too, Shaazit.' I could almost feel him roll his eyes. 'Whatever.' I raised my eyebrows, but let it go. 'Look,' I said. 'See those people over there? They tried to kill me and all my friends. So, could you please kill them? Please?' I repeated. He grunted and moved towards the Otsutsuki family. 'SHAAZIT!' I froze. Kaguya had just shouted the demon's name. 'It is me, Kaguya!' she continued. 'Your queen!' I was horror-struck.

Kaguya and Shaazit knew each other?! Please, please tell me I'm not doomed. 'Shaazit, don't listen to her,' I said. 'She will try to manipulate you. Just destroy her.' Shaazit pawed the ground. He was in the form of a huge stallion this time. He could appear in any form he wanted, I don't know why he chose this one.

'Wait, girl,' he commanded. 'And how are you my queen?' he questioned Kaguya. 'I am the queen of this universe,' Kaguya said. 'Everyone and everything will bow down before me.' I smirked. Was this woman really so dumb?! 'Look, Kaguya,' I started to say, but Shaazit interrupted. 'Woman,' he said to Kaguya. 'I bow down to no one. And, this girl here would not have summoned me to take down her queen, and that means you are not her queen. Lastly, I am not of this universe, so you have no power over me.' I giggled, but Kaguya growled. 'Very well, then,' she said. 'My children, attack!'

They charged once again. 'You ready for this?' Shaazit asked. 'Ready as I'll ever be,' I said. 'Especially with this new visual prowess.' He turned his head 360 degrees to look at my Tenseigan. 'Impressive,' he said. 'I know,' I replied. 'Iksou!' I charged too, on my mega-stallion. The Otsutsuki's were just tiny dots on the ground. I was so high up that oxygen levels were low.

'Hey, Shaazit,' I said. 'Can you assume a form that's not so tall? It's getting difficult to breathe.' I could feel his consent, and he shifted to the biggest white tiger in the history of the world. Like, a thousand times bigger than a regular big one. Geddit? It was BIG. The pace of the horse changed into the smooth one of a tiger.

'Hey,' I said. 'Can you just do your master jutsu and finish them off in one go?' He raised an eyebrow. 'Are you sure? It takes a lot out of you.' I nodded. 'But give me a little of your chakra first.' He did nothing. 'Please?' I added. He sighed, and I could feel all my strength coming back. 'Thanks,' I said. 'Now let's get them.' I took a deep breath.

'MASTER JUTSU: AN ETERNITY OF DEVASTATION!'

After I said this, I laid down flat on Shaazit's head. I didn't want to be caught up in the blast, too. Shaazit's whole body was glowing. I closed my eyes and braced for impact. I didn't even know when it started or when it ended. I just opened my eyes a few minutes later and looked around. 'Wow,' I said. 'It's more powerful than the last time I did it.' He grunted. 'You mean I did.' I shook my head, smiling. 'Yeah, whatever.' I slid down. All the ice and the mountains had vanished for as far as the eye could see. The Otsutsuki clan members were nowhere to be seen. I sighed. We had won.

'Thanks, Shaazit,' I said. Then I fainted.

When I opened my eyes, I was staring at the faces of the people I loved most.

'Hey,' Naruto said. 'Are you feeling all right?'

I nodded. Well, I had a migraine, but that could be ignored. I noticed I was back on the battlefield.

'Who bought me back?' I asked. 'I did,' Sasuke said, quietly. I realized he didn't want to draw attention to himself, now that the war was over. But a second later, he dismissed the thought.

'What happened?' he asked, curious. 'All I could see was barren land.'

I rolled my eyes. 'Even with the Rinnegan the Sage of the Six Paths gave you?'

He looked sheepish under his mask of indifference, but anyone else wouldn't have noticed.

'No,' he replied.

'Well,' I said. 'You just saw the aftermath of the Forbidden Jutsu of the Prophecy.'

Wide eyes everywhere.

'It did that?' Sasuke asked, impressed.

'What about the Otsutsuki clan members?' Kakashi-sensei questioned.

'Shaazit wiped them out,' I replied.

'Who?' everyone asked together.

'I mean,' I said. 'the jutsu wiped them out.'

'Oh.'

I smiled. 'We can celebrate now! The war is over!'

Naruto smiled brightly. 'And, look!' he said. 'I can revive everyone with the power Old Man Six Paths gave me!'

I raised my eyebrows. 'Seriously?'

He didn't seem to notice my scorn at the nickname. He just continued grinning happily. Well, Naruto will be Naruto.

I stood up and glanced around. Everyone looked well, well, at least not critical. There were many injuries, but that could be taken care of. I spied all the Kage talking in a group, and Obito being hustled off by jonin.

'I'll be right back,' I told the others. I jogged up to Obito.

'I can negotiate your release, you know,' I said. 'You can be free and atone for your sins.'

He shook his head. 'My sins are too great to atone for. And that is why... there is no other option.'

He fell to his knees. 'Hey!' one of the jonins said irritably. 'Wait,' I told them. 'What do you mean, there's no other option?'

He shook his head. 'I need to die. That's the only way.'

My eyes widened. 'No!' I said. 'Dying is not a punishment, it's escape!'

'I have nothing to live for!'

'That's not true! You need to atone for your sins! And besides, you have Kakashi-sensei! He was your team-mate, wasn't he?'

'Kakashi doesn't need to be burdened with my presence. I need to leave.'

'No!'

'Rin... I'll finally see her again...'

'OBITO!'

But he was gone.

'He died a hero,' I said. 'It doesn't matter what he did, he died a hero.'

Nobody disagreed. The silence was defaning.

Obito's funeral was being held right there on the battlefield. He died as a hero, his crimes buried six feet underground. We all paid our respects, and quietly retreated to the edge of the forest.

I pulled Sasuke away from everyone else.

'What are you going to do now?' I asked. I was worried, even though I didn't show it. 'I'm...' Sasuke paused.

'You can come home,' I suggested, hopefully. He shook his head.

'It's not home anymore.'

'Do you even hear what you're saying?'

'Have you been paying attention, Hana? I'm not wanted anymore.'

I laughed. 'Do you know how much the others would give to have you back?!' I said. 'Did you know how many tears were shed when you were lost? All those people hoping you would come home?'

My maniacal tone died away. 'How about me, Sasuke?' I asked. 'Did you ever think abut me when you left?'

'I didn't think about anything but you!' he growled. 'Then why did you leave?!' I shouted. 'How could you leave me alone, Sasuke?!'

Silence.

'I'm sorry, Hana.'

'Is vengeance more important than family? I know you think you lost your family to Itachi, but that's not true! We-' I pointed to all of the Allied Shinobi Forces. 'are your family.'

I pushed him away. 'So if you're going to leave-'

'I'm not going to leave, Hana.'

The tears fell. He pulled me closer.

'I'm sorry,' he said. 'for everything that I've done. But I promise,' he put his hands in mine. 'that I will do everything in my power to make it right.'

His hands around my waist, my hands around his neck.

'I love you, Hana,' he said. 'And I promise, we'll stay together forever.'

'Sasuke, I-'

I didn't get to complete my sentence, because finally...

He kissed me.

Cheers all around.

A few seconds later, we broke apart.

'And...' he added, kissing my forehead...

'You saved me from the darkness, Hana. You're my saviour.'

Another kiss.

'And...'

He smirked.

'Happy birthday.'