"Are you sure he's the target?" Tsunade asked for what seemed to be the nth time today, the T&I's head director remaining patient and understanding of his Hokage's befuddlement.

        "Positive," Ibiki answered dutifully, for what also seemed to be the nth time. "Made him squeal and everything after chopping off a few fingers,"

        Ever since the confirmation of Uchiha's and Hatake's comatose state, Tsunade immediately sent hunter-nins to retrieve the target the two jounins failed to capture, so that she could figure out what jutsu he casted and somehow reverse-engineer it. Now that they captured the supposed culprit and is now within the depths of the T&I building, the answers they forced out of him only spurred more questions.

        "That... can't be right," Tsunade trailed off, processing every information Ibiki's interrogation reaped. "No Mokuton? Yin-based jutsus? Nothing at all?"

        "Nothing," Confirmed Ibiki. "He was just an ordinary jounin-level nin who's exceptional at stealth and blending in, not to mention his connection with visa and citizenship forgers, hence his unknown status,"

        If the target has no notable offensive jutsus, then Kakashi and (Y/n) would've-- should've been enough to capture him. The injuries, the coma-- none of it connects. It just didn't make any sense.

        As if sensing her inner turmoil, Ibiki added the key information that would change the Hokage's overall perspective to the situation.

        "The most interesting thing is that he never made contact with either Hatake or Uchiha,"

        That seals it, Tsunade despaired. This goes beyond than what they first estimated. Her hunch was right that Obito's sharingan had more connection with her two jounins' current state than she first thought.

        But why now?

        "Something else happened out there and it wasn't the captured rogue nin," She said in despondent acceptance.

        Damn it. To think she was just about to pass the hat to either of the two and finally retire, and the world suddenly decided to take out both of the candidates. Both! What even is her horrendous luck?

        The better question would be: who the hell did the two elite jounins fight to end up the way they are now?

        Kami, if she'll ever know at this point.

        However, the best question is: how many bottles of sake can she down today?

~*~*~

        You tried focusing back on the multiverse book's passage, when you realized that you haven't moved on from the line your eyes remained glued on. Your thoughts kept recalling your encounter with a certain hero earlier, and you can't help but overthink what his intentions were.

        What could he gain by gathering information about you? Why was he so subtle about it, unlike the other heroes (Eraserhead)? Why the different approach? What was his aim? His ulterior motive?

        If he was trying to learn your secret identity, he would've tried apprehending you to unmask you or maybe detain you, but instead, he tried being familiar with you. Befriend? Was he trying to befriend you? Of course you know the friendship he was trying to gain would be superficial, but still, was it an attempt? Or was he just playing his friendly personality?

        No matter; you just know he's trying to gain your trust. What good your trust was to him, you've yet to know. Plus, he was transparent when he showed interest in Team 7-- something you are not lenient of.

        Vigilante Team 7 would just have to be on hold for a while until you get to the bottom of this. You've informed your students of this as soon as you got back from your library visit. You can't risk that man nearing your students; he was better trained compared to the other heroes, and you're not talking about his combat prowess. His quirk was an entirely different story that you'd have to further observe.

        ... Maybe you should try inventing a Quirk Suppressant Seal. 

        "Ne, Kakashi-sensei, nee-chan! Wanna play Uno?!" Naruto asked across the living room, with Sasuke and Sakura sitting on the floor next to him. You see them holding a stack of colorful cards, and you wonder what Naruto discovered this time.

        "What's in it for us?" Kakashi inquired, his book now lowered to look at his students.

        "Uhh... To treasure moments of bonding with your teammates?" Naruto offered sheepishly with a huge grin.

        "Good try, but I want benefits,"

        "Fine. Winner gets to decide our outing tomorrow since we're on vigilante break, and gets to have the last place loser do whatever they want," Sakura bargained, and Kakashi perked up at this. He probably already has a place in mind (the bookstore; he needs new por--erotica literature). As for the dare, well, Kakashi could abuse that in a lot of ways.

        "I'm in." Your partner then looked at you expectantly, waiting for your response. You sighed, putting away your book. It's not like you were focused on it anyway.

        "It's a good way to pass time," You conceded, as you and Kakashi sat next to them to form a make-shift circle. "Explain the rules,"

        "Okay, so there are four colors with numbers in them--"

        And so the game begins.

...

        "Sakura, don't do this," Sasuke commanded but the pinkette was not swayed.

        "It's either you or me. My choice is clear," Sakura solemnly stated.

        "Don't," The Uchiha insisted. "I don't have any more plus cards,"

        "Then the plus-fourteen cards stack ends with you," Sakura then placed her plus-two card on the middle, forcing Sasuke to collect fourteen cards due to the continuous stacking of plus-twos from the rest of you. It was just unfortunate that Sasuke ended up running out of plus cards first.

        "Damn it,"

        "Look on the bright side, teme, you probably now have a plus card with all those cards you have," Naruto teased with a shit-eating grin, which Sasuke only grumbled at.

...

        "Uno!" Naruto exclaimed, now only having one card left.

        "Agh, I should've paid more attention to your cards," Sakura grouched.

        "This is supposed to be a strategy game. You're not supposed to win," Sasuke gave out a 'tch', before placing down a card, already accepting defeat despite the game having yet to end.

        "I mean, luck has a part in it," You reasoned, before placing your turn followed by Kakashi.

        "How is Naruto winning? I'm literally cheating," Kakashi stated honestly in disbelief, genuinely baffled by the blond's luck.

        "Wait, wha--" Before you could even comprehend what your fellow jounin just said, Naruto ended his turn, gaining first place.

        "That's my last card! I win, dattebayo!" The jinchuuriki exclaimed excitedly. "Tomorrow, we go to the arcade place-- all of us! Now, let's see who'll be the dead last loser!" Naruto looked at all your cards with eager amusement.

        "I shouldn't have joined," Kakashi lamented, as you only gave him a half-hearted glare.

        "You shouldn't have cheated," You clipped back.

...

        "Stop reading porn from now on or draw twenty five cards," You bargained, and at this Kakashi feigned offense.

        "We've been over this. I do not read 'porn'; it's a literature that have the protagonists explore their--"

        "Just pick up the twenty five cards." You deadpanned, knowing fully well that your partner was just stalling.

        Kakashi obeyed you immediately.

...

        Later on, Kakashi ended up in last place.

        You made sure of it. Sakura made sure of it. Sasuke especially made sure of it.

        Basically, you all mentally agreed to band together the moment Kakashi admitted he cheated, while keeping a sharp eye on his cards. And now your partner is at Naruto's mercy.

        Team 7 has never been more exhilarated with their victory.

~*~*~

        "-- and he has this quirk that's like genjutsu, except he can command people. He's a bit of a stubborn pessimist, but I'll beat that pessimism out of him and replace it with confidence! Anyway, yeah, that's my experience with being a teacher," Sakura finished, laying on her futon, while staring at the ceiling.

        They were supposed to be asleep, but their adrenaline from excitement earlier (from beating Kakashi) has yet to fade, so they all just conversed on their futons in the darkness of their bedroom. As usual, Sakura occupied the middle while Naruto was lying on his water mattress to her left, with Sasuke occupying a regular futon to her right.

        "Ne, why do you still call nee-chan sensei, even though she's your fellow teacher now?" Naruto inquired with innocent curiosity, not bothering to look at the pinkette's direction.

        "I mean, she's my first teacher, so that title has more significance than it seems," Sakura shrugged. "Besides, what else can I call her?"

        "Why not just refer to her as a sister figure like the rest of us?" Sasuke suggested, and like the other two, his singular eye remained staring at the ceiling.

        "Pfft, sister figure?" The blond snickered, now shifting to face their direction. "That'd be awkward since she used to have a girl-crush on nee-chan,"

        "It was a phase, Kami--" Sakura groaned, burying the bottom half of her face under her sheets in embarrassment. However, she immediately recovered and shot back. "I'm not taking this from the person who once declared to marry her!"

        "Damn it, I was six! Six!" The Uzumaki justified, holding out his six fingers at their way. "I had a different meaning of marriage back then 'ttebayo!"

        "Ah right, you thought 'wife' was just another term of 'mom'," Sakura recalled as a matter of fact, her head bobbing in fake understanding (nevertheless, she easily grasped how Naruto could make such a naive mistake).

        "It's not my fault that early Konoha's stigma of me being a jinchuuriki prevented me from learning about some basics," Naruto grumbled, as Sasuke and Sakura stared at him with what he observed to be as amazement. Confused, he uttered out a clueless: "What?"

        "... I'm surprised you know what stigma means," The pinkette stated honestly, as Naruto sputtered in indignation.

        "Of course I do!"

        "You probably just pulled that out of your ass," Sasuke smirked, obviously challenging the blond. "Define stigma, dobe,"

        "Its definition..." Naruto started with as much dignity he could muster in his pyjamas. "... Is to stig-ma dick up your arse, hah! Got him!" He guffawed, pointing a mocking finger at the noir, as the latter grumbled a faint 'damn it'.

        "Wait, what?" Sakura was lost, because evidently, something happened while she was away with her teaching session earlier.

        "It's revenge because I managed to rick-roll him earlier," Sasuke explained, a small smile forming on his lips at the memory. It may be petty, but deception is deception, the Uchiha justified to himself. He convinced himself that it's shinobi training.

        "Oh, that dancing guy!" The pinkette snapped her fingers at the recollection. This world's humor is weird, but somehow, they managed to enjoy it and easily clicked with some of the trends. "How'd you get him to look?"

        "I lulled him in a false sense of security and gained his trust--"

        "And the bastard broke it!" Naruto cut in angrily.

        "For the first two times, I showed him new ramen flavors. The third time was the rick-roll," A few chuckles escaped the noir's mouth, reminiscing the memory of how the blond cursed him for his 'betrayal' and that he 'never learned'.

        "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, dino-boy," Naruto teased back, and at this, Sasuke stopped smiling.

        "You saw the plushie just once and you never forget it," The Uchiha truly is amazed with Naruto's selective memory, only remembering the most inane things it could store in his pebble of a brain.

        "Where is it, by the way? I never saw it again," Naruto asked, and at this, Sasuke grew silent.

        "I burned it, since back then, I hated... y'know," He hesitatingly replied back, using the most of his willpower to not have his voice waver. "He gave it to me on my fourth birthday,"

        "Oh..."

        "Hn..."

        For a while, they were quiet, but eventually, Sakura broke the thin tension that was permeating in the room. She decided to open the proverbial can of worms and finally approach one of the things that's been eating up their souls a long time ago. She introduced the topic lightly and delicately-- starting with something superficial but not pointless.

        "Y'know, I find it grimly funny that all three men who had heavy influences in our lives had affections for (Y/n)-sensei," Sakura can always count on Naruto's EQ to be able to read her intentions. Without skipping a beat, the blond added:

        "Oh yeah! Sushi-nii had this really big crush on her, and the teme would just cockblock him every time,"

        "Nii-san breaks composure whenever she's around. He ends up having a loose tongue and then further embarrasses himself," Sasuke joined in, though with a bit of reluctance. Sakura was already proud of her boys for being willing to impart in such a sensitive conversation.

        "Kakashi-sensei is... probably in denial," The pinkette gave off a little laugh, knowing fully well that their former teacher is emotionally stunted. "He knows, but doesn't accept it,"

        "How do you know that, Sakura-chan?" Naruto wondered aloud.

        "Women's intuition, y'know?" Sakura simply said. "Also, if he did accept it, he'd ask her out already. I mean, they were already engaged once,"

        "It was arranged though," Sasuke rebutted. "It's a requirement, so it doesn't count as him asking her out. In fact, I distinctly remember that it was (Y/n)-nee who proposed,"

        "Right, but you can't tell me that Kakashi-sensei doesn't secretly enjoy it," The pinkette countered back, a smile still plastered on her lips. "It gave him a social pass to sleep under the same roof as her and everything, and then it just transitioned into their daily habits. The next thing you knew, them acting like a married couple became a norm,"

        Team 7 easily recalled the times Kakashi would retreat at his partner's home within the Uchiha compound, instead of his own apartment. With Sasuke and Naruto being under the older Uchiha's guardianship, they encountered the silver-haired man more times than they can count leeching off their kitchen's refrigerator.

        "Heh, yeah, Kakashi-sensei was kinda gloomy when obaa-chan allowed nee-chan to call the engagement off," Naruto snickered, remembering the subtle hints of disappointment from the dog summoner when he became an ex-fiance. The man acted like a jilted lover, when really, he could've kept his fiancee if only he had said something.

        "And Kakashi was a bit too happy when (Y/n)-nee allowed the developed habits to continue despite that," Sasuke remarked disdainfully, before scoffing. "The man's a goner,"

        The one fatal error that would soon become Kakashi's obstacle was that he managed to trick himself into believing that he was already contented with his relationship with his partner. He thinks that it would be just them; that he has no reason to risk the change of dynamic between the two of them.

        However, he fails to accept that life is not stagnant, especially for a shinobi. Eventually, things will change and they will keep meeting new people (he knows and knows, but he never faces facts). He will continue to live in his little bubble, until someone will (eventually) pop it.

        Infatuated he may be, but Hatake Kakashi had always been a coward (once again, he knows this but doesn't accept it). Confrontation (emotional, because it's always emotions for him, isn't it?) was a weakness he has yet to overcome. The man will only act if the things and people he values are threatened-- like how cornered animals behave: going for last resorts.

        The only way for Kakashi to admit his feelings is if someone else admit theirs for her (and even then, it might have been too late for him).

        "Hmm, do you think they're good for each other?" Sakura wondered aloud, and without missing a beat, Sasuke deadpanned:

        "(Y/n)-nee could do better,"

        "Pbbftt--" Naruto laughed unabashedly at Sasuke's lack of hesitation.

        "I mean, seriously, think about it," Sakura implored. "It's been just them for a long time now, and one would think that it would be like that for the rest of their lives. They might as well make it official,"

        "Have we ever seen nee-chan in love before?" Naruto asked, which prompted the noir to answer.

        "Either she never did, or she's really good at hiding it. I suspect the former,"

        "Uh, well..." Sakura thought for a while, before suddenly snapping her fingers. "Oh, wait! I remember this one time when I caught (Y/n)-sensei blushing and smiling to herself!"

        "... So?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow at Sakura's claim, seemingly not understanding what she was implying.

        "So?!" Sakura repeated incredulously at the boy's uncharacteristic denseness. "That's obviously a sign of being infatuated!"

        "Or she remembered something funny," Naruto countered.

        "Or she could be drunk," Sasuke added.

        "Maybe both," Naruto nodded to himself.

        "Besides, don't girls squeal when they're in love?" At this, Sakura looked at Sasuke's direction in disbelief.

        "No?? Not all girls are like that,"

        "Really..?" Now, Sakura snickered at the Uchiha's lost look.

        "... Oh my Kami, you actually think squealing is the only telling factor of girls being in love,"

        "... I didn't have good examples," He half-heartedly defended, and clearly, it was a fair justification.

        "Well anyway, no, she wasn't drunk," The pinkette clarified, before continuing. "Besides, she bought a flavored lip balm! She never uses lip balms, since she usually just peels off dry skin from her lips as a bad habit,"

        "Okay fine, we'll bite," Sasuke conceded at the seemingly inconceivable concept (because (Y/n)-nee? In love? The woman would sooner marry her own job). "Say she did fall in love; with whom, though?"

        "That's the thing," Sakura sighed wearily, her gaze shifting back to the ceiling. "I kept looking out for any unique interactions she has with anyone in Konoha, but I didn't get much luck,"

        "If that's the case, then that implies that it's probably someone outside the village," Sasuke concluded, and the pinkette easily agreed.

        "Now that you mention it, she acted different whenever she returned from her solo missions. Not only that, sensei never returns early and always arrive at the exact estimated time limit,"

        "Do you think she goes to... y'know?" Naruto suggested, the last word coming out as an embarrassed squeak. Nevertheless, both of them quickly picked up what the blond was trying to imply.

        "That's ridiculous!" Gasped Sakura, scandalized for her mentor's behalf. "(Y/n)-sensei is a very personal person. She doesn't do shallow relationships. She needs a deep personal connection that goes way back with someone before even thinking of doing, well, that,"

        "But she didn't have anyone like that outside the village at the time," Naruto reasoned, and this seemed to have sparked a realization within Sasuke.

        "Yes," The noir swallowed. "There... was,"

        Noticing Sasuke's reaction, Sakura was quick to discern who the boy has in mind.

        "No way..."

        "What? What? Who are you two thinking about?" Naruto questioned, and at this, the pinkette inwardly winced.

        "My brother," Sasuke finally answered, and the blond was then in solemn silence.

        "Oh..."

        And it made sense. Months after the Fourth War, Sakura observed that the older Uchiha barely accepted solo missions, and if she did, she'd finish it in record time. She didn't have that ethereal air around her anymore.

        "Damn, who would've thought? The could-have-beens," Sakura chuckled bitterly, remembering a distinct childhood memory that featured a certain thirteen-year-old boy who disclosed his feelings through silence. What a tragic love story, she couldn't help but think. She's starting to understand why Tsunade left Konoha back then.

        (All the village does is take and take, and the one time when you need them, their system fails you. Doing the easy thing and doing the right thing are two different things, and what Konoha did to the Uchiha was the former. The Sandaime didn't even try; he only relied on two teenagers and hoped for the best. And when they failed, he swept their efforts under a rug. Sakura knows the older Uchiha dislikes Hiruzen, but she doesn't know to what extent.)

        "If only things were different..."

        And at this, guilt crept within Sasuke's heart at the reminder that it was him who killed his brother and took away the future the man could've possibly had-- with her. Despite his superior eyesight, he was blind within his hatred, and it was the reason why he had done so many wrongs. By killing Itachi, he had wronged his sister-figure too, and she's done nothing but love him all the same.

        "I know I'm in no place to ask anything of you, but should you accept, please spare her from any more heartbreaks."

        Once again, Itachi's last request echoed within Sasuke's memory. I'm the reason for that particular heartbreak, Sasuke realized and never was he so thankful that he surrendered early, thus already giving himself a head start on redeeming himself for her (not Konoha; never Konoha because it was Konoha who failed them).

        (In his grief, Sasuke forgets that it was Itachi who intentionally blinded him; who shrouded his eyes with detrimental secrets that orchestrated Itachi's own death, and consequently, (Y/n)'s grief. What Sasuke doesn't know, however, was that Itachi too was blinded-- in more ways than one.)

        Sasuke wonders what (Y/n)-nee's life would have been like with Itachi still alive.

        (If only he had let her handle Itachi; if only he had listened; if only he wasn't trapped in his past; if only he didn't nurture his hatred; if only he didn't succumb to darkness; if only he had moved on--)

        If only things were different, indeed.

        "... I miss everyone 'ttebayo." They all know that Naruto wasn't referring to Konoha.

        "Hn..."

        "We all miss them," Sakura mumbled somberly, and they all know she wasn't just referring to Shisui and Itachi. Their parents, their friends-- the people they've mourned for (too many of them, and the main root of it was a single man's grief. It was the Cycle of Hatred, and they hope it finally ends with them).

        It's funny now that Sakura realized that when Team 7 was first formed, they were a team of losers-- in every sense of the word. Naruto was a deadlast; Sakura lost to the unfairness of genetics; Sasuke always lost to his older brother, and now, they all have something in common with their team instructor, Kakashi. Losing their precious people is the worst kind of loss.

        "They may not be with us while we're growing up, but I think, they'd be proud of how we turned out despite everything that happened," Sakura continued with a sad smile, her view of the ceiling becoming a bit blurry. "We're cracked, a little bent, m-maybe a bit broken, but we're still us,"

        Though they're different now, they're still very much the same.

        They simply grew up.

        And they will continue doing so, because life goes on (even without each other).

        "With the three of us together, none of their sacrifices will be in vain," Sakura said assuredly, her voice cracking. "T-They can rest in peace now."

        Sakura heard Naruto sniff from her left, his arm moving to cover his eyes. At her right, Sasuke shifted from his futon and faced the opposite side of their direction; if she looked closely enough, she could see his shoulders shaking.

        At the moment of their collective vulnerability, she let a tear slip from her eyes. And then another followed. And another.

        Heh, Sakura humored to herself, letting her eyes close. Damn teenage hormones.

~*~*~

OMAKE: Engagement

Your age: 18

Kakashi's age: 22

Naruto's age: 11

        "Hokage-sama," You greeted, one knee already kneeling, after arriving at the Hokage office with a shunshin. You don't know why you were suddenly summoned, when you've yet to run out of your days off. However, whether you were inconvenienced or not, the displeasure you feel for this man's presence would not change. The only thing holding you off from disrespecting the village leader was your professionalism, but even with your restraint, you know that he knows of your subtle contempt.

        (The naive old man denied your request to put a certain elder under investigation, as you believed him to be involved with Shisui's death. However, Hiruzen complied to at least place Shisui's name within the memorial stone despite it being reserved for shinobi KIA. He knows that's why he easily agreed.)

        "Uchiha-san," A different voice greeted you back, and at this, you bowed your head even lower-- not out of deeper respect, but out of deeper anger.

        (You don't know how or why, but you know he's somehow involved with Shisui's 'suicide' if the latter's last thinly-veiled warning to you was any indication. Be wary of what anchors the great tree to the soil.)

        "Danzo-sama," You curtly replied back with a firm voice, before continuing. "I'm sure you're aware that I no longer associate with that name ever since my clan banishment,"

        "I am aware," The war hawk stated, and in a tone you don't like, he added, "Although, there no longer is a clan that can keep you exiled from your birth name,"

        Talk about rubbing salt on wounds, you gritted your teeth, your fist on the floor clenching tighter.

        "I apologize, but it would seem that I fail to see your point," You said, trying to keep your volume moderate. "I'm only respecting the will of the dead,"

         At this, Danzo tapped his cane as he walked across the room, nearing you.

        "The dead does not affect the living," Shisui's killer had the audacity to point out, and the only thing restraining you from attacking the council elder right there was the fact that you still have people (children) to look after. You cannot be suicidal.

        "May I ask what I was called for?" You addressed the Hokage this time (you don't want to hear the war hawk talk any longer), the Sarutobi snapping out of his daze when he observed such heavy tension from the brief exchange.

        "Due to the Uchiha clan's... demise," Tch, what a way to sugarcoat. "The Uchiha population has been reduced to just two members," Three, you wanted to correct him. Itachi is still alive. Don't talk as if he's dead, I'll bring him back. I just need to know and I'll fix it.

        "Even with my fuuinjutsu expertise, I can't exactly raise the dead, can I, Hokage-sama?" Ah, your tongue slipped.

        "No, but you can help raise the future generation," Danzo cut in sharply, and at this, you realize where the conversation is heading.

        "You want me to settle down and start a family," You concluded, your head finally raised to gouge for the two men's reactions. Hiruzen's face held the expression of remorse and contrite, while Danzo's remained expressionless (but if you look closely, opportunistic). Even if you haven't awakened your sharingan (and at this point, you probably never will), it would seem that the elders would take any chance they have.

        "Indeed, and this is non-negotiable as it is for the good of the village," The war hawk droned. "I have a list of selected candidates for you to choose from--"

        "That wouldn't be necessary, Danzo-sama," You interrupted, thinking that if they're going to control your life like this, you might as well, at the very least, have a say in it. "I already have a person in mind."

~*~*~

        Tenzo watched as the Head of the Seal Corps exit the Hokage's office with a shorter temper than he remembered. He doesn't know what was discussed inside the room, and he feels like he doesn't want to know if your face was any indication of how bad the meeting went.

        Oh no, that's not good news. Immediately, his survival instincts told him:

        I should leave before she can--

        "Tenzo; Training Ground 14, now." With those brief but stern words, you disappeared in a fluttering of leaves.

        -- call for me...

        This is it; this is how he dies. His ass is going to be kicked six ways to Sunday.

        Aagh, to think it was Kakashi-senpai's fault that started this routine. It started off with innocent intentions; the occasional sparring was supposed to be a bonding session of sorts for you to get used to him, and ever since then, he became your personal punching bag.

        In your first spar with him, he was able to land equal hits with you, and you both barely ended up in a draw. It was good training, he naively thought at the time.

        However, the more spars passed, the more one-sided your spars became. At first, he thought that maybe he was growing weaker or that he was remaining stagnant, but no. Turns out: you have it out for his blood and were going all out with the intent to kill (but without the killing blow).

        ('Weaker Half' of the YinYang Duo his ass. You're just as ferocious as Kakashi-senpai if you want to be.)

        He tried fighting back, he really did, but it seemed like you supplied yourself with seals that's specialized for his skill sets. You have a counter for each move he can come up with, not to mention your speed is faster than he can summon his Mokuton (he'd rue the day you reinvent the Hiraishin). He can barely make it out alive after each match.

       "Maah, don't worry, she won't actually kill you." Kakashi assured him at some point, and this time, Tenzo is beginning to doubt that with how pissed you looked earlier.

        (He tried escaping one of your sparring sessions once, and he ended up confined in the hospital. It was his first and last attempt.)

        Sighing, Tenzo finally followed after you in defeated acceptance for his fate (but not before cursing Kakashi to hell and back).

~*~*~

        He was right.

        Kami, he was fucking right.

        ... Sort of.

        He's alive, isn't he? But that seemed to be the only silver-lining in his situation right now.

        He can barely move, much less stand from the dirt he was lying on. His muscles protest with every minute movement, so he settled to just... exist on the ground (he can't really call himself living at this point). Groaning, he tried to at least straighten his limbs before falling unconscious. He'll rid of the senbons still stuck on him after he takes a nap.

        Of course, that doesn't go as planned.

        "Ah, Tenzo, I see you've sparred with our resident seal mistress again this week," A certain silver-haired jounin greeted him with an eye smile. Tenzo could easily deduce how the man found him; it's not really hard to miss consistent fulminations and exploding wood pieces from beyond the training ground.

        "Kakashi-senpai, I would like to say that this is your fault," Murmured the Mokuton-user. "This is bullying,"

        "In our line of work, there's no such thing as bullying," Kakashi lectured sagely, before following it up with, "There's only fighting or psychological warfare,"

        Yeah, that's bullying but for shinobi, Tenzo thought snidely, attempting to sit up.

        "I don't get why I have to take the brunt of her temper tantrums," He uncharacteristically whined (at least, as much as an ex-ROOT shinobi could whine). "Why can't it be you?"

        "I actually confronted her about that, and my earlier suspicions were proven correct," Kakashi told him, closely eyeing the other shinobi's reaction. Kakashi's light tone shifted into his ANBU voice with what he apprised next. "It's simply because you used to be from ROOT,"

        "That's hardly my fault," Tenzo uttered out, his brows furrowed at the unjust reason.

        "Well, you know how grudges are," Kakashi's airy demeanor returned, his shoulders shrugging.

        "No. No, I do not," The brunet deadpanned. "What did ROOT even do to her for her to vent on an ex-member?"

        At this, the older shinobi looked away, his answer somehow coming off as solemn but unsure-- as if he, too, remained clueless of what it meant.

        "In her words, she said that the foundation made Shisui a liar."

~*~*~

        It's nights like these when Kakashi wishes he was still in ANBU. The lack of adrenaline was really weighing him down, due to how jounin missions were incomparable to ANBU ones.

        (He justifies that ANBU keeps him on his toes, his skills sharp. Truth is, because almost everyone he cares about is dead, he is closest to them when he dances with Death.)

        With nothing to do but to remain at home, he has to prepare his own dinner. With his ninken pack, he can't exactly eat a ration bar to get it over with, without them nagging about his unhealthy eating habits (in his defense, a ration bar contained every nutritional value an adult human male needs).

        So now he has to cook...

        ... He doesn't feel like it, but he doesn't feel like being scolded by his summons either. Maybe he can go for take-outs?

        But then, lo and behold, you arrive in his apartment via the open window.

        "Hey Kakashi," You greeted with a small smile, entering his abode with-- oh! You brought bentos!

        Ah, his personal savior for his lazy habits.

        "Yo," He greeted back, already up and setting the dining table. "Why the sudden visit?"

        "I need you to do me a favor," You said, pulling out a binder of unknown documents.

        "Mm, what is it?" Of course, as usual, he agrees to whatever you ask of him (none of your requests have been ridiculous so far, so you have a clean record).

        "You think you can sign these engagement papers for me?"

        "Ah, sur--" Kakashi automatically nodded, before almost snapping his neck at your direction at the realization of what you just asked. "Wait, what?"

~*~*~

BONUS OMAKE:

(After the Interlude: Uchiha Scuffle)

Your age: 20

Itachi's age: 19

        Ever since the disaster of Konoha Crush, genins, chuunins, and jounins have been sent to complete missions left and right to create an illusion that your village was not weakened, despite the destruction and the death of your Kage (good riddance).

        Just now, you were given a B-rank mission that should last for three days, however you managed to finish it in one. Delivery missions of important items seem to be your specialty, according to your track record of consistent successes with them (except for that one time when you were genin).

        You have two days left to spare-- enough for another confrontation with a certain Uchiha.

        What happened a week ago was an unplanned meet-up, but now...

        Offering your arm to the forest's canopies, a crow obediently landed on your outstretched appendage, cawing pleasurably when you gently rubbed its beak in wordless affection.

        "Tell your other summoner to meet me at these coordinates," Handing the black bird a rolled patch of paper, it then took off when you gave no more instructions.

        You'll confront him in a forest clearing near the south-eastern borders of Hi no Kuni; a remote area where no shinobi usually passes.

        If he refuses to show up, then you'll know for sure that he has something to hide; he knows that too. And if he does show up, well...

        You'll finally get your answers, and depending on whether you'd like what you'd hear or not will decide on what you'd do next to someone who you once called a friend.

~*~*~

        A crow flew repetitive circles above him, cawing to catch his attention. At first, he thought of just ignoring the bird, as he knew very well who the sender could possibly be. However, it eventually got impatient and swooped down to uninvitingly land itself on his shoulder, when he made no move to outstretch his arm.

        Itachi should've known better than to delay the inevitable.

        As if to reprimand him for his uncharacteristic impoliteness, the crow lightly nipped his ear, before finally handing him the small parchment with its foot and flying away.

        Luckily, he was alone at his inn room's balcony, where his partner cannot question the weird behavior of his summon.

        Unrolling the message, what greeted him were coordinates written in a familiar code that only three people could decipher (Itachi remembers a bittersweet memory that all the ciphers were related to an inside joke, unique only to them).

        His meeting with you is within the timeframe of when the sun sets to give way to the moon's light. Naturally, the darkness and inactivity of the night would serve to make your secret meet-up more discreet.

        He can't decline, knowing well that it would just raise your suspicions that he has something to hide. Besides, he needs to play the new obsessive lover role he painted his psychopath persona with, and what zealous lover would reject an invitation from his supposed beloved?

        Speaking of which, after the stunt he pulled with you in front of Kisame, the ex Kiri-nin now knows you're off-limits. And knowing his blunt partner, the shark summoner would just suddenly mention something about it casually in a meeting if the topic was relevant enough for him to bring it up. If Kisame does just that (like Itachi knows he would), it's a clear message to the rest of the Akatsuki members: whoever misplaces a strand of your hair would have to deal with Uchiha Itachi. Fortunately (most of the time), all members mind their own business.

        The Akatsuki are rather lenient with each of their member's personal business, as long as they get the job done.

        However, letting them know of you being part of his personal business would make things... complicated.

        He could've prevented this, Itachi knows. The solution was simple.

        He could've made you forget; alter your memories and have you live a life without Uchiha Itachi. He'd let you retain some memories for you to know about him-- enough just to not raise suspicion, but you will not know him as a person. To you, he would have just been another missing nin who went insane and slaughtered his clansmen in cold blood. All it takes was just one Tsukuyomi genjutsu at the time when he had you beneath him, and his Mangekyou eye strain would recover after a day's sleep.

        (It would spare you the heartbreak of when he is gone from your life for good.)

        Of course, he hesitated and never went through with it.

        Consequently, because of his inaction, he'd risk of you knowing the whole truth about the massacre (he will cave, he just knows it).

        So, why didn't I make her forget? He asked himself constantly for the past week. The answer?

        It's because Itachi wouldn't want to use the eyes Shisui gifted him with against you; it would be like breaking a wordless oath that he shared with his brother in any but blood-- something they just promised to themselves without having to verbally communicate: protect Konoha, protect Sasuke, protect Naruto, protect her.

        (Liar! Lying, lying, lying-- that's all he seems to ever do. Lie to his comrades, lie to his his brother, lie to you, and now lie to himself. He knows the truth and it's not that. The truth is that he's selfish; he doesn't want the one person who still believes he's good to forget him. Despite being the epitome of the perfect shinobi, people often forget that he's still human. But not you. Never you, and he'll be damned if he, himself, made you forget that.)

        Itachi sighs as he waits for dusk to come, biding his time for a conversation long overdue.

~*~*~

        Only Konoha shinobi are confident enough to set campfires at night without being detected, due to your seal invention that functions to smother light and smoke within a certain radius. However, dojutsu-users could see through the invisible chakra-construct, but with majority of dojutsu-users living in Konoha, it's not really a major problem. Your pride for your handiwork preens every time a comrade sets it within the camping perimeter.

        But for now, it's just you.

        Sitting on a well-placed log, you basked on the heat provided by the small fire. You watched as the flames dance and crackle, slowly disintegrating its wooden fuel into embers and ashes. Your eyes didn't bother to look away from the campfire, even when you're addressing your newcomer.

        "Seriously? An obsessed lover, Itachi?" You chuckled half-heartedly. "Even when you're trying to fit that role, you were too much of a gentleman. I've been through many missions, so I've seen my fair share of fanatical lovers. You don't fit the description,"

        (Itachi internally scolds himself for trying to play a role he has no experience with.)

        "... You're too stubborn to fool," Itachi relented, choosing to sit on the same log you're occupying. It didn't escape your notice that he sat a considerable distance away from you.

        "Damn right," You humorlessly smiled, tiredly glad that he no longer continued to play the useless facade he was trying to impose on you.

        Looking away from the fire, you eyed your companion whose appearance was illuminated by the crackling flames. His usual ramrod-straight posture was slumped, letting his elbows rest on his parted knees, as he unfocusedly gazed at the campfire. Other than his half-done Akatsuki cloak and slashed hitai-ate, he still looked the same before the massacre; of course, other than his taller height and longer hair but that's expected of anyone growing up.

        Standing up from your make-shift bench, you walked towards your childhood friend who tensed at your approach. You then crouched down in front of him, making it harder for him to avoid eye contact with you, without seeming evasive. Granted with a closer look, you observed that his remaining baby fat was long gone, and was replaced with sharper and more mature features that highlighted his masculinity, despite his androgynous appearance. His stress lines looked worryingly deeper than before.

        You gave Itachi a smile, and he knows that the smile was anything but happy.

        "Now that we're on the same page that you're not an insane psychopath--" With a speed comparable to Shisui's specialty, you suddenly slapped his left cheek with a force that almost knocked him off his seat. "Please do enlighten me of your thought process when you decided to trap Sasuke in a Tsukuyomi twice,"

        Itachi blinked once, then twice, slowly comprehending the stinging sensation of where your handprint is located. And then, he comprehended what you just said, baffled by the fact that that's the first thing you're angry about.

        "What were you thinking? He's just a kid! You deserve another slap for that, but I think you already got my point," You huffed, now standing upright with your fake smile no longer found on your face. "Seriously, do you want your brother to hate you?"

        The missing nin did not look at you, and resorted to just looking at your feet, using his prickling pain as a distraction from the guilt that was twisting his guts. When he didn't reply after a few moments of silence, you sighed, letting your dominant hand glow the familiar emerald of iryo-ninjutsu.

        "You, at the very least, deserve this for choosing to fail your mission to abduct Naruto,"

        You know, Itachi thought, before internally scoffing. Of course you know. Uchiha Itachi does not simply fail a mission; not unless he wants to.

        Cupping his throbbing cheek with your glowing hand, you let the shosen jutsu heal the swelling skin, reducing the redness back to its usual pale color. After you were done mending the damage, your hand subconsciously lingered on his face for a few more seconds, before eventually pulling away (you briefly noticed that Itachi's head minutely leaned towards the lost skin contact, but caught himself).

        "... You learned iryo-ninjutsu," Itachi awkwardly acknowledged, his eyes still not meeting yours.

        "Yeah, I thought that if I learned it, it could be... useful," You simply said, your hesitance to your answer not escaping Itachi's notice.

        (You didn't need it in your arsenal back then, because you naively thought that it's a waste of effort. As long as you're around, you wouldn't let any of your precious people be lethally injured in the first place. However, you failed to account the possibility of them inflicting self-harm, and now you learned too late, because you're alwaystoolate--)

        "I can't tell you what you want to know," Itachi broke the silence, as your brows furrowed when you realized what he just declared.

        (Shisui told you the same, because he cares about you more than he trusts you.)

        "Why not?"

        "Because then, you'll inform others just to get me home," He said this in fond exasperation, with a bit of thinly-veiled exhaustion. You were just too... stubbornly loyal, and it's exactly why he can't tell you his secrets.

        "Don't... Don't you want to go back home?" You asked, worry evident from your tone.

        What kind of question is that? Of course he does. He wants to go home with Naruto, with his brother, with you, but--

        "No," He couldn't. Not without consequences; not without clan heads being aware that their Hokage just authorized a clan's extinction; that the leader they serve can very much do the same to them, for Itachi is the living proof that loyalty can be used against the shinobi themselves. His pardoned presence in the village will incite distrust and paranoia, and it will ruin his home.

        (Especially of all, he couldn't return without the guilt following him like his proverbial footsteps on the ashes of the lives he burned. Konoha will haunt him even if his brother somehow miraculously forgives him, because Itachi will never forgive himself if he continues living as if he did nothing wrong.)

        "Why?" You asked again, and this time, Itachi did not reply immediately.

        When he gave no indication to reply at all, you concluded that the answer is related to what he can't tell you. According to him, the reason why he won't tell you is because you'll tell others. Whatever he's keeping secret is the key to getting him home, and he wants you to keep quiet about it.

        Once again, the question you want to ask him is 'why?', but you knew it'd end up as a fruitless endeavor. Instead, you resolved with:

        "If you tell me what actually happened that night, I promise not to tell anyone," You proclaimed, stomping down your reluctance to secrecy when you added, "I-I swear it on Shisui's grave,"

        At this, Itachi finally looked up at you, his onyx pairs meeting yours, and it felt like an eternity as you waited with bated breath for his decision.

        He wanted to deny you answers and then disappear-- to carry this secret to his grave, but he always did have a hard time telling you 'no'. After all, how could he, if your eyes were burning with determination and hope he had lost a long time ago?

        Finally, he responded.

        "You might want to sit down for this." You easily complied and sat closely beside him, waiting patiently.

        And then, he told you the events that led to that night.

~*~*~

        If Minato were still Hokage, he wouldn't have let this happen.

        If Minato were still here, he wouldn't have let things escalate to this.

        If Minato were still alive, he wouldn't have just let children solve a decade of bridled animosity by themselves without a higher authority's aid or whatsoever.

        Minato wouldn't have made the same mistakes as Hiruzen did. And now, because of that senile old man's mistakes, Danzo got away with Shisui's death scot-free and had Itachi carry the burden of his irresponsibility.

        Indeed, no love was lost to you when the Sandaime was finally put six feet under.

        But, this isn't about your loathing for the recently deceased Hokage. This isn't the time for you to dwell on toxic thoughts about a man who could no longer influence you.

        (As Danzo once said, you bitterly remembered, the dead does not affect the living.)

        For tonight, your attention and thoughts are reserved only for Itachi, your friend who needs you when he currently has no one else. He only has you now, and like you've sworn to do, you can't tell others of the truth. You may have given your oath of secrecy, but that did not stop you from feeling appalled and horrified of what he just confessed.

        With wide and glassy eyes, you looked at Itachi in a new light. In that new light, you saw thin cracks and fissures that's slowly but surely revealing his broken psyche, and it's only because of years of perfecting his stoic mask the reason why he still seemed sane.

        "Why does it have to be you?" The question you uttered out was rhetorical, but even still, Itachi gave you a knowing look-- as if you should know.

       Because I'm a slave to the village; a slave to the clan; a slave to my love; and a slave to my guilt. Despite all those reasons he could've told you, he settled with:

        "Because I am Uchiha Itachi," He said, as if stating the most devastating fact there is-- like the fact how in a world without peace, the colors of war would continue to paint the world with a monochrome of hate and grief; the fact how everyone will eventually die, and heartbreak would be inevitable; and the fact how his name was an omen for a tragedy that's currently ruling his life. "And I will never be free."

        Because he knew his freedom only lies in death.

        At that time, he thought he had no choice; he was pressured and grieving and running out of time.

        If he did nothing, the clan would continue on with the rebellion. The night of the massacre was the night when the Uchiha would finally decide when they will stage their coup. What he did was not the best option, but it was the most immediate for his time-restrained deadline.

        (Itachi has no political sway; he cannot win against Danzo in his game.)

        Itachi thought it was poetic of fate to partner him with Hoshigaki Kisame-- he who has the moniker of the Tailless Beast. And now Uchiha Itachi, the Bijuu-less Jinchuuriki-- the power of human sacrifice.

        "But... Why torture your brother? Why cast him in a traumatizing genjutsu?" You asked, this time, it was a genuine question. Now that you were let in on the secret, Itachi should be able to answer you this time.

        "Because to Sasuke, I'm an obstacle," He can't tell you about Madara without potentially endangering you.

        "Your brother wants to kill you," You stated heatedly, eyes narrowing in disapproval.

        Contrary to his seemingly aloof personality, Itachi had always been a sensitive and emotional boy. After all, an Uchiha's kekkai genkai is based on emotions, and for him to master the sharingan at a young age says a lot about his emotional disposition.

        Seeing his first battlefield at the age of four was what drove him to the S-rank shinobi he is known for today.

        Hatred was Itachi's greatest motivator; hatred for unnecessary bloodshed, hatred for endless violence, and hatred for ruthless wars. Thus, his (supposed) pacifism.

        (He didn't want to kill; didn't want to be a shinobi. So why was he so damn good at it?)

        He thought that by giving the same motivation to Sasuke, it would guide his younger brother to a strength that could help him defend himself from Madara. Itachi has long since passed his prime due to his developing illness; this is the only protection he could lend to his precious otouto.

        (But his fatal mistake was not realizing that his love for his precious people triumphed over his abhorrence for violence.

        He was blind to what really mattered.)

        "That, he does," Was Itachi's blase reply, and at this, you now know of his hidden intentions-- your eyes widening and lips parting in alarm when you realized just how heavily his guilt was machinating his life. He was staging Sasuke for his--

        (Suicide, your mind screamed at you. Just like how Shisui--)

        "Then, why not have me kill you?"

        At that sudden question, Itachi paused as he was rather caught off-guard.

        Funny, he thought humorlessly to himself. He asked himself that years ago, thus already having an answer for it.

        "Because I'm not an obstacle to you," He answered, giving you a gentle smile that gave his eyes a soft glow that was further illuminated by the campfire. "To you, I'm only a human who made irredeemable mistakes."

        Peaceful silence reigned, as you comprehended his response with a pondering look on your face.

        "... What am I to you?"

        Itachi paused once again, and this time, his heart jumped to his throat at the implication of where this conversation was going. Trying to subtly calm his rapidly beating pulse, he answered with another question.

        "Why are you asking me that?" He ignored the pink of his ears.

        "The... kiss, last week," You reluctantly replied, your cheeks reddening at the memory. Despite the embarrassment, you maintained your eye contact with him. "I know it meant something,"

        (You know because it was not your first time to be kissed like that.)

        "It..." Itachi hesitated, before dejectedly looking down as he sighed in defeat. "It doesn't matter," He dismissed.

        I don't know how to solve his problems, you honestly thought to yourself. You don't even know if it's possible to solve them. However, the very least you could do to help him is to remind him that there's more to his life than just his guilt and regrets. You'll have him learn how to live again, and you'll start by teaching him how to enjoy his life.

        "Would you like to try?" You persisted, and he knew what you were indirectly asking of him. Itachi was baffled by how fervent you are with this, but even still, he met your stubbornness head-on with equal ardor.

        "We have no future," He countered, his lips thinly pressed.

        "There doesn't have to be a future," You leaned a few more inches forward to his face, your eyes not losing its intensity as you glared at his eyes. Itachi's resolve waned when he glanced down and caught the sight of your lips, making him reminisce the phantom feeling of it on his.

        "I can't do that to you," He insisted, doing his best to remain ignorant of the fluttering in his stomach.

        "I'm doing this to myself," Once again, your face neared his with another few inches, and he can already feel the warmth of your breath near his lips.

        "Y-you'll regret it," He felt his blood rushing to his face at the close proximity, even with his willpower doing its best to tame his reactions. Despite his resistance, his eyes were threatening to flutter shut as his body slightly shivered in anticipation.

        "No, I won't." And with you having the final say, you tilted your head and leaned forward, finally connecting your lips to his. When he easily melted to your initiation, you let your eyes close and savor the exact same feeling you had when you-- he first kissed you a week ago.

        Like last time, his was full of love.

        (You don't love him. But maybe, you'll learn.)

        Just like that, the man fell into temptation with as much grace as a shinobi of his calibre can.

        And that was the first of many kisses shared between the two of you, with only the moon and stars as witnesses.

~*~*~

BONUS:

(Itachi and (Y/n) being kinky in bed)

Itachi (being a masochist): Hurt me.

(Y/n): Your relationship with your brother failed when you chose not to be honest and open with him. While Sasuke is ready to share his burdens no matter how insignificant, you don't reciprocate, as it's not of your nature to ask for help. You fear you would only dampen Sasuke's innocence at the thought of the person he idolizes is being weighed down by problems made by the very clan he was taught to be proud of--

Itachi: W-what--

(Y/n): And ever since the massacre, instead of tying loose ends and eventually claiming your own life, you wanted Sasuke to go after you and kill you himself-- a kinslayer slayed by another kinslayer, as a sense of poetic irony. While you claim that it's for him to become stronger and to give him closure, the underlying truth is that you want him to obsess over you like you do for him until your very end, no matter if it's positive or negative, as long as you are part of his love-- even if that passion is for the thought of eliminating you because you want to have a part in his future even as his personal villain--

Itachi (already sobbing and having an existential crisis): Please stop.

extra:

Kisame (outside the door being the ultimate third wheel, eavesdropping): No, continue please.

...

(Y/n): *slaps Itachi*

Itachi: What did I do?

(Y/n) (angrily holding and pointing at a picture of a brooding Sasuke): You fucked up a perfectly good child, that's what you did! Look at it! It's got anxiety!

...

Writing about Itachi in the Akatsuki inspired this out of me lmao

(If (Y/n) and Pein had a casual conversation)

(Y/n): How are you so sure you're a god?

Pein: Easy. Every time I pray, I realize that I'm talking to myself.

(Y/n):

...

Ngl, I love doing character dissection, especially with a character as broken as Itachi's. Itachi's intentions were clear but his thought process was left to be desired. So, naturally, I took charge lmao

asdfghjk I like how Team 7 figured out who MC's friend with benefits was in one sitting, while Kakashi is still lost on who it was lmaooo

Also once again, I'm reminding yall that Otsutsuki aliens don't exist adfhhjkl Sasuke and Naruto lost their arm, not from each other but from Madara, himself. I already mentioned that Sasuke surrendered easily so he did NOT have a final duel with Naruto at the Valley of The End.

Fun fact: The chapter was supposed to be longer, but I thought of just putting the 'next day' events on the next chapter so that i dont further confuse you guys of the time frame (like whether if it's day or night, or if it's already tomorrow). The next chapter is fun, it wont be sad, I promise!!

ASDFGHJJKKL QUOTEV DID ME DIRTY BY DELETING A HUGE CHUNK OF MY PROGRESS AND I HAD TO REWRITE 2K+ WORDS OHMYGOD