"Itachi cared deeply for you, (Name). One might even call it love." Madara frowned as he watched you. He could just tell by the guilty expression you had.

"That's..."

"What? You don't believe me? Think about it. Why else would he go out of his way to protect you or help you? He could've kept his facade and moved on. Yet he chose to be your confidant." Madara spoke as he watched the crows disappear. He should have figured as much that Itachi would also leave a safety measure on (Name) just like Sasuke.

"I cared for him as well... he was a real friend. Even if what you said is true, Itachi wouldn't act selfishly. If I ever did cause him pain then I hope that in the afterlife he will forgive me... but that just gives me even more motivation to protect Sasuke from your brainwashing." You yelled as one of the crows landed on your shoulder. Suddenly, white Zetsu's head appeared from the ground.

"Sasuke's in trouble, but he isn't backing down. What do you want to do?" Madara only chuckled before he grabbed your wrist and disappeared while dragging you along.

You found yourself surrounded by white Zetsus and beside Sasuke, who looked worn out. Sasuke stared at you with disgust and hatred in his expression, almost as if you were an eyesore. You were sad to see Sasuke this way, but you knew you couldn't let him fall any deeper into darkness.

"I told you to go home and rest, Sasuke." Madara sighed as he watched Sasuke struggling to catch his breath. He looked over to see Naruto and Kakashi with their eyes widened by the sight of (Name).

"Nee-chan!"

Your eyes widened, and your turned to find yourself facing Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi. Relief showered over you as you and Kakashi just stared at each other in what felt like time stopping.

"You're alive..." you whispered silently as a tear fell from your face. Your relieved expression only annoyed Madara, this wasn't the expression he expected to get from you. You winced in pain as you felt Madara's grip tighten, which made Kakashi frown in frustration.

"Let her go you bastard!" Naruto was about to charge towards Madara but was stopped when Kakashi grabbed his arm. He looked back at Kakashi, wondering why he stopped him but Kakashi only shook his head in response.

"We can't be rash right now, it could put (Name) and yourself in danger. For now, we just have to see where this goes." Kakashi spoke in a low voice to Naruto so only he could hear. Naruto frowned but he understood.

"Are you two done with your discussion? It seems you cannot resist the urge to fight when you two are near one another. I'll arrange a proper place for you to hunt the Kyuubi. For now, we retreat." Madara chuckled. Both Naruto and Kakashi returned their attention back to you and Madara.

"What do you want with (Name)? Haven't you already gotten what you wanted from her? Or do you just want revenge?" Kakashi spoke in a serious tone. Madara laughed in response.

"Trust me, I still have yet to get what I want from her. As for revenge, it'll come one way or another but I'll save it for the battlefield. If I don't get the Kyuubi and Juubi, then (Name) will be a good substitute." Madara smirked as he pulled you closer to his chest, which angered Kakashi.

Sasuke was only wondering why you were being kept alive. In his eyes, you equally made Itachi suffer like everyone else. He planned on getting some answers from you to see what your relationship with his older brother was.

"We won't let you have any of them!" Naruto yelled. Madara simply shook his head in response. You wouldn't take your eyes off from the water you stood on. You felt weak, and ashamed that Naruto had to see you in the position you were in. Naruto knew he wasn't going to save you now like he wanted to, but he trusted your strength. He knew you would fight to stay alive for your family. All that was left was for him to let Sasuke know how he felt.

"Let's go, Sasuke." Madara spoke as he extended his free hand to Sasuke. But Sasuke kept his attention towards Naruto as he walked close enough for Sasuke to hear him. You watched your younger brother and hoped he wouldn't start anything. You had to talk with Sasuke no matter what.

"Wait." Sasuke said as he stood up to focus on Naruto.

"Sasuke... do you remember what you said to me before in the Final Valley? The thing about high-level shinobi." Naruto spoke with a serious expression. Sasuke suddenly remembered his words from that day and only nodded his head in response.

"Just now, we learned things from just exchanging fists with each other. It means we've become high-level shinobi. You and me.... Were you able to see what was inside my heart?" Naruto said as he pointed to his heart.

"You saw it, right? If you and I fight... we will both die." Naruto said, catching everyone's attention with his words. Your eyes widened by Naruto's words. The last thing you wanted was for either of them to die.

"Sasuke... if you attack the Hidden Leaf, I will have to fight you. Save your hatred until then. When that time comes, throw all of your hatred at me. Only I can handle all that hatred and fulfill that duty. I'll bear that burden and die with you!" Naruto spoke confidently. His words caused Sasuke to become even more irritated then he was.

"What is it with the both of you?! Just what the hell do you want?! Why are you so fixated on me?!" Sasuke yelled in annoyance. You shook your head as if he didn't understand. You made eye contact with Naruto and both smiled at each other before he spoke.

"Because you're my friend."

Naruto's words caused a moment of silence to fall upon the group. Sasuke's eyes were widened as he was in shock. You smiled because you knew better than anyone how much Naruto wanted his best friend back.

"From the moment I met you, I knew it was going to take a lot to understand you. Exchanging fists is how we understand each other. No doubt. It's like I said, we've become high-level shinobi. I'm taking you back to the Hidden Leaf Village. That's something I'll never give up on." Naruto continued to lecture Sasuke. You started chuckling, you were proud of Naruto for holding onto his resolve. Madara was annoyed and continued to tighten his grip on you. You winced in pain, which only angered Kakashi even more.

"A poor talker like me scolding you, it's not my style. If we both end up dying... we'll be free from our burdens and finally understand each other in the next world!" Naruto smiled. Sasuke remained serious listening to Naruto's words.

"I don't plan on changing, nor am I interested in understanding you. And I don't plan on dying. You're the one that's going to die." Sasuke said with a smirk on his face.

"If I die, we both die, Sasuke." Naruto's smile started to fade a little from Sasuke's denial. Sasuke chuckled as he finally gave in.

"Fine, I'll kill you first."

"It's clear that you haven't acknowledged me yet." Naruto frowned. Kakashi soon stepped in. He didn't want Naruto to waste his life when he still had to achieve his dream.

"Enough, Naruto. Leave Sasuke to me. You still have your dream of becoming Hokage. I can't let Sasuke take you down with him-"

"How can I become Hokage when I can't even save one friend?! I'll fight Sasuke." Naruto spoke through his two shadow clones and himself. Sakura wiped her tears as she took Naruto's words to heart.

"Alright, Naruto. I'll leave Sasuke to you. However, Sakura... watch over my body. I'll save (Name)." Kakashi spoke as he activated his Mangekyou Sharingan to use Kamui. You shook your head no to Kakashi. He was confused until you nudged your head towards Sasuke's direction. Kakashi understood that you were trying to get close to Sasuke but he still didn't know why.

"Forget it, Kakashi. A jutsu like that won't work on me. Besides, you don't want to risk (Name)'s safety." Madara said while holding his hand out towards Kakashi.

"Let's go, Sasuke." Madara said before you suddenly used your strength against Madara's to take a step forward and yell.

"Kakashi! Is he safe?! Did he make it back?! Please tell me!" You yelled in desperation. Madara and Sasuke were confused about what you were talking about. Kakashi's eyes widened for a moment until he nodded and smiled.

"Don't worry. He's completely safe. He's healthy and strong, just like you." Kakashi knew he couldn't save you now, but he wanted to at least ease your worries about your son. You exhaled sharply as tears fell from your eyes. Rai was safe in the village, and that's what matters most. Madara yanked you back and teleported everyone away. The last thing you saw was Naruto and Kakashi's frustrated expressions.

"Hold on for a little longer, Nee-chan... I'll be ready anytime, Sasuke." Naruto thought to himself. Kakashi sighed as he frowned. He couldn't save you.

~ Secret Hideout ~

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Madara spoke as he was carrying your unconscious body back inside the hideout.

"I want Itachi's eyes." Sasuke said with a serious tone. He seemed determined to go against Naruto's words, even when another reason was trying to influence him.

"So you finally made up your mind. You overused Susano'o. I know you can barely see. It's perfect timing." Madara said as he watched Sasuke flinch in pain.

"Transplant them immediately."

"You're in a hurry. What's going on?" Madara questioned Sasuke.

"I'm going to use every ounce of my strength to crush Naruto! I'll eradicate him completely. That's all." Sasuke spoke as he tried to look at you from the corner of his eye.

'As soon as you wake up, you will tell me everything I want to know about Itachi.' Sasuke thought to himself.

~ Time Skip ~

You slowly woke up back inside the room you were in before. You sighed as the feeling of dread washed over you. How you longed to just be with your friends, your family, and go back to your home.

'I have to stay strong and be patient. Sooner or later, I will return home to you. Kakashi... Rai...' you thought to yourself and smiled. As soon as you sat up on your bed, you looked over to see Sasuke with bandages covering his eyes. He was sitting in a chair across from your bed.

"You're going to tell me the truth, (Name)."