A/N: I'm always apologizing … I am sorry about the long, long wait. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Warnings: As usual.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 21

Sasuke wasn't there when they came for her and Tenten wasn't surprised. A man like Ryuu would never have the courage to face Uchiha Sasuke head on. He wasn't stupid though – he sent guards in numbers designed to overwhelm her, and they demanded that she leave her scrolls behind. With guilt still rippling just below the surface, Tenten had gone with them without complaint. She'd simply walked out of her sunlit room with her head held high; though discomfort stirred when she left the safe proximity of her scrolls. Truthfully, Tenten was rather curious to see what the man would have to say to her. Much as she'd hated it, she'd gone along with Sasuke's half-baked story of feeling left out of the loop, but she'd been waiting for this confrontation. Because she didn't think that Ryuu was actually as stupid as he appeared and there was no way he'd bought that story. So she went quietly, trying to see the angle he would attack from and how she could counter.

All through the long walk down the sumptuously decorated hallways Tenten debated her course of action. This could be the strike she had been waiting for. Ryuu wasn't taking any chances with a kunoichi, of course, but that didn't mean their meeting wouldn't be of any value to her. One fact Tenten was certain of was that she would not be harmed – Ryuu wouldn't risk turning his greatest asset against him by hurting Tenten. She was slightly surprised when they led her past Ryuu's study and down a flight of stairs at the end of the hallway. The way was unfamiliar – she'd never had cause to come this way before. Stone steps wound down and down until Tenten was sure they must be miles below the building's foundations. It was dark and damp, and reminded her unpleasantly of Orochimaru's lair, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to appear unconcerned.

The steps levelled out and Tenten could just barely make out a long corridor, lined with heavily reinforced doors. For the first time she felt a flutter of fear – what was stopping the man from sealing her away down here and simply pretending he'd had nothing to do with her disappearance? She marched along obediently, clammy air clinging to her skin, her mind whirling as she tried to see a way out of the situation. Not for the first time, she roundly cursed herself for overlooking the cameras that had been hidden in Ryuu's study. Granted, they were very well hidden but she should have been more careful, shouldn't have let her distaste for the man lead her to underestimating him.

They walked her through the very last door at the end of the hallway and Tenten squinted through the flickering torchlight as she tried to take in every shadowy corner of the room all at once. There was nothing there. Only a chair in the middle, and Tenten turned her attention to the prone figure reclining on the hard-backed steel. The figure was small, wearing a white nightgown, and she was wrapped in chains; hooded and bound. Anguished fear flooded through Tenten's body so that she was frozen to the spot, her hands pressed involuntarily to her mouth. Her bones turned to water and she sank to her knees in horrified silence.

She would know that figure anywhere.

The guards had melted away, but a soft voice spoke behind her and Tenten had to bite her lower lip to ribbons to keep the tidal wave of searing rage locked inside when she heard Ryuu's voice whispering silkily through the darkness.

"An old punishment for traitors – wrapped in chains to signify their shame. Of course, Ami is only a child … but she is your sister and therefore carries the blood of traitors. It's never too early to stamp that out."

"What…" Tenten licked her lips, tasted blood and almost threw up, "what do you want?"

"I?" Ryuu practically purred into her ear, "I want nothing from you. There is nothing you could give me that I don't already have or could get in alternative ways. No, dear Tenten, it's not what I want."

Panic threatened to overwhelm her and Tenten nearly fell sideways in her haste to turn around and face him.

"Let her go. She knows nothing. She's done nothing!"

"Well, I certainly don't want to keep her, if that's what you're afraid of. Calm yourself, my dear. Except for the chains, and a sedative, your little sister has not been harmed – nor will she be harmed…"

Tenten waited tensely, expectantly.

"Since I've done you the favor of saving your little sister from the violence intended by a group of marauding thugs-"

"Thugs you sent!" Tenten couldn't keep the scream contained.

"Now, is that any way to treat your sister's saviour? You should be thanking me on bended knee." Ryuu smiled and reached down to pat Tenten on the head. "I see you've at least managed to get that part right."

Tenten threw one desperate look over her shoulder, to make sure her sister hadn't disappeared, before she turned back to the man waiting patiently for her response.

"I'll do anything."

"Ah, now we're getting somewhere. As I mentioned before, it isn't so much what I want as what you want."

Tenten frowned in confusion, her disoriented and panicked mind trying to sort through the subtext, because she could clearly feel that there was a hint in what the man was saying.

"I want …" Tenten began slowly, "…to help you as thanks for saving my sister?"

"Ah, no thanks necessary, but I do know how feeling indebted can sour one's life, so I will certainly allow you to try and repay me in any way you can think of."

Her thoughts whirled frantically but the solution was painfully simple - and obvious.

"Sasuke." Tenten stated his name dully. "I have to let Sasuke go."

"Have to?" Ryuu affected surprise, "far be it from me to stand in the way of true love, but if you feel that you can best repay me by allowing Sasuke the freedom to devote himself fully to the culmination of his life's work …"

Tenten dropped her head so Ryuu wouldn't see the tears fall, though he couldn't fail to notice the quaver in her voice.

"I'll – I'll leave as soon as my sister can travel." The words ended in a bitter whisper.

"Oh, we shall miss your company once you depart, but I do feel that you rather owe it to our young friend to allow him to make that decision."

Tenten waited in silent confusion, refusing to look up and allow Ryuu to see the pain he had caused.

"You see, my dear, while I do think that all will be best served by your departure, Sasuke is a young man still, for all he has suffered. And young men cling notoriously to their pride – our young Uchiha friend more so than most. If you simply disappear, he will search for you; if you tell him goodbye, he will naturally want to know why and you will tell him that I … saved … your little sister and no doubt that would end in tears for all parties involved. No, it is much simpler if Sasuke believes it was his choice."

She couldn't find her voice so she merely shook her head.

"Ah, I see you don't know … well, we have a Konoha spy in our midst – so your escapade with the stolen battle plans was all rather superfluous – and Sasuke has been negotiating for your return to your home village for a while now. I do believe he really cares about you and does not want you to suffer because of your links to our little adventure. All we have to do is wait for him to make his move."

"I can't lie to him."

"I'm sure you'll find a way to make it believable."

Tenten bowed her head in defeat. "My sister…"

"Will be fostered to a very nice family, until our assault on Konoha has begun. Insurance for your silence, you understand. You will have the address before you leave here, but be warned, Tenten, I do not suffer fools gladly - and you would be a fool if you went there before the battle has begun. My agents will remain in the area to ensure you do not renege on our bargain." Ryuu finished smoothly and turned to go. He'd only walked a few steps before he turned back to Tenten.

"I really must say, Tenten, you've surprised me – you've shown level-headed maturity instead of bewailing the inevitable. I must commend you for that."

"My grandparents…"

"Unfortunately, my men were unable to save anyone but Ami."

It was all Tenten could do to keep from reaching for the single kunai she'd hidden in her boot but luckily Ryuu swept out of the room without another word. The moment he'd gone, Tenten leapt to her feet and ran to her sister, swiping the hood off the fine, brown hair. Little Ami was unconscious, her head lolling into Tenten's hands. Tears blurred her vision as Tenten hugged the little girl to her and finally let the sobs echo emptily through the room.

It was dangerous to be a ninja – everyone knew that. But what Tenten had forgotten was that there was nothing more dangerous than being a ninja who had people she loved.

Sasuke was gone for most of the night. Tenten had waited with her sister for nearly an hour before another phalanx of guards had come to release Ami from her chains. When her sister had been settled in a room in the wing opposite hers – it had been the hardest thing Tenten had ever done to leave her there – with guards posted inside and outside the door, Tenten had returned to her own room. A nurse hired specifically for this, Tenten assumed, had assured her that her sister only needed to sleep and the sedative would work its way out of her system. She would stay with the young girl until morning, when Ami would be removed to the safehouse.

The thoughts whirled endlessly, down pathways and corridors that always ran into a blank wall. There was no way out that Tenten could see. Mechanically, she'd climbed into the shower stall, letting the water run over her head as if that could help her think clearly. For a brief while she'd allowed herself to wallow in sheer misery. Her grandparents were dead because of her. Because of her selfish decision to chase after grey eyes and half-made promises. Her sister had suffered, more than she'd ever needed to, because Tenten had been so giddily caught up in falling for Sasuke that she'd blocked everything else out.

When the tears had turned into hiccupping sobs, and the water had run cold, the white-hot anger had resurfaced. She'd nearly destroyed the bathroom in her fury, only stopping herself from smashing mirrors because then she'd have to explain the outpouring of rage to Sasuke.

Sasuke.

Finally, she'd allowed herself to think of the words Ryuu had spoken; to mull on the implications of Sasuke trying to arrange for her to return to Konoha. But the pain of that train of thought had been so unbearable that Tenten had pushed it to the very depths of her soul.

Then she waited.

And for the first time Tenten pretended to be asleep when Sasuke slipped silently into the room late that night. She didn't know what to say – knew her emotions were not stable enough to pretend that everything was exactly the same as it had been twelve hours ago. So she forced herself to breathe evenly, as Sasuke pulled her into his arms and sighed wearily. She was still awake when Sasuke's breathing fell into a deep rhythm, and she was still awake when the sun traced rosy fingers of light across the sky.

When Sasuke finally stirred, Tenten had almost succeeded in blocking the despair away completely. In her bones, she knew that this would be the last time they would be together like this, and she didn't want to waste their last precious hours on fruitless arguments.

The touch of his strong fingers, hands sweeping hungrily over her body, had Tenten turning into his embrace. She forced herself to ignore everything except Sasuke and the way he touched her, but despite her best efforts, her sadness seeped into the moment. Every kiss was underscored by bittersweet regret, even as the pleasure surged, and then ran rampant, the way it always did. Tenten closed her eyes against the onslaught and tried to fix everything indelibly into her memory. The way he felt and moved; the touch of his lips. When her fingers raked through his hair, she tried to focus on the feel and texture of the strands; when Sasuke buried his face in the crook of her neck she tried to burn the feeling of his panted breaths across her skin into her mind for all eternity.

As she crested the rise and fell mindlessly into the abyss, Tenten gave up the battle and allowed a single tear to slip from beneath her closed lids. She had been so sure they would have time; precious time to sort through everything between them, and all the external pressures that continually threatened to rip them apart … time for her to save Sasuke from himself. Instead there was just this unbearably poignant moment, emotion and pleasure resonating through them until Tenten was sure she wouldn't survive this … wouldn't be able to carry on with the façade; to allow Sasuke to let her go without protest, as she knew she must.

Goodbye, Sasuke. I love you.

If Sasuke had been as calm and collected as he pretended, he would have questioned Tenten's unthinking, and silent, compliance. It had been so much easier than he'd anticipated, though she couldn't have failed to guess that something was going on. For the first time since their arrival, Sasuke hadn't spent the day training and preparing for war. Instead, he'd lingered in bed with Tenten, enjoying the last moments he had to touch her freely.

Sai had succeeded in setting up the trade which was scheduled to take place that night.

Under the guise of taking Ryuu's "advice" in keeping Tenten in check, Sasuke had worked the men until late the night before, cancelling the usual training sessions that day. Selfishly, he wanted the last hours with Tenten to be more than just an ending to something neither of them had foreseen but for which, he at least, was grateful. Time was running out and Sasuke knew that, from here on, he couldn't even allow the memories to sustain him, lest they weaken his resolve. He wanted to take what he could get from these last hours, drown himself in Tenten, because it was all he would get.

He'd done what he could for Tenten, and Sai had exceeded Sasuke's expectations. When the spy had slipped Sasuke a message the previous night, it had become apparent that the once-emotionless shinobi had been changed by his friendship with Naruto more than he'd let on. For the first time in years, Sasuke had allowed himself to think of Naruto as more than just the embodiment of his enemies. How strange that Naruto changed people, their worldviews, almost without trying, when the one person he had spent so much time trying to change seemed to be immune. The thought had brought a smirk to Sasuke's lips; he'd never been much good at doing what was expected of him, after all.

The terms of the agreement Sai had brokered made it seem as if Tenten was a prisoner being bartered for information. Sasuke hated that he owed Sai for that, but he was grateful nonetheless. If Tenten kept her wits about her, she should escape the stigma of association with Uchiha Sasuke.

All that remained was to let her go.

Truthfully, Sasuke was surprised she hadn't seen through his paper-thin disguise; everything was not as it should be. Every touch was filled with urgency and he couldn't seem to stop his eyes from raking over her from head to toe, as if she would disappear before he was ready for it. If he had been less focused on his own impending loss, on keeping his own composure, Sasuke would have noticed the way Tenten's lower lip trembled from time to time; the way she avoided his gaze more often than not. He did notice how quiet she was, though. Tenten was never quiet, or still, and the unnatural way she simply curled into him, clung to him, alerted him that he hadn't done as good a job of hiding the truth as he thought he had.

Finally, as the afternoon bled into evening, Sasuke couldn't delay any longer.

"You know," he stated softly, running his fingers through her long hair.

"Yes," Tenten's voice trembled only slightly, "you're sending me away."

"You can return home. It's all arranged," Sasuke spoke awkwardly, not really sure how to handle the situation because he'd never wanted to broach the subject so openly.

Tenten closed her eyes but when she answered her voice was steady, "I really wish you could have trusted me, Sasuke."

The single sentence was only mildly tinged with regret, but Sasuke winced involuntarily. If only she knew how close he had come … but, in the end, Sasuke had found that an avenger could have more than one, single goal. For weeks now, his secondary goal had been to save Tenten; to extricate her from this mess because, in such a short space of time, she'd become important enough that he had to. Ever since he'd been granted a glimpse of the future if Tenten stayed with him, Sasuke had been resolved that he would not harm Tenten; that he would do whatever necessary to stop that from happening. Much as he wanted to believe otherwise, to trust in the changes Tenten's presence had wrought in him, Sasuke knew that Mikoto was right – eventually being with him would kill Tenten, one way or another.

"If I hurt you … I never meant to."

As an apology it was woefully inadequate, Sasuke was well aware, but it was the best he could manage.

"Star-crossed, Sasuke," Tenten finally murmured, sadly, "living on borrowed time. I always knew that."

When the last rays of the setting sun finally disappeared below the horizon, they rose in silent agreement. Time seemed to be behaving most peculiarly for Sasuke. Seconds slowed into eons as he watched moonlight reflecting off of Tenten's eyes, gilding her skin; only to speed up so hours faded in minutes as the agreed upon time drew near. It was almost a relief when Tenten slipped silently out of the room shortly before they were due to make the trade. Some inconsequential excuse about a kunai or something had been thrown vaguely in his direction, but truthfully Sasuke was glad of the momentary reprieve.

He didn't know if he could do this. But, for once, the ghosts were in agreement; Itachi and Mikoto ranged firmly behind him and, crazy or not, Sasuke welcomed their support.

When Tenten returned, she collected her scrolls wordlessly and walked unresistingly into his arms; burying her face in his chest as her arms locked around his waist. He could feel the wetness of tears staining his shirt and he wondered frantically what he should do. He didn't know how to deal with her tears; not when everything inside of him was screaming to hold her close and protect her from everything.

Sasuke squared his shoulders, and reminded himself that was she needed protecting from most was him. Luckily, Tenten had regained control before he needed to do anything and, as she pressed a last kiss to his mouth, Sasuke had to steel himself against the despair.

"I'm ready," Tenten sighed.

This time he was at full strength and Sasuke transported them to the edge of the clearing, miles to the west, without strain.

The world rematerialized around them and they quickly stepped apart, as the realization that everything was different now settled over them. Tenten glanced around, trying to see into the gathering darkness, and latched onto the first random thought that popped into her head. Anything to break the tense, awkward silence.

"What excuse did you use?"

"No excuse. Just the truth. I told them I had you and was willing to trade for the contents of the Uchiha shrine, whatever had survived." Sasuke's words were slow and measured.

Tenten shook her head incredulously, "Good to know I'm as valuable as all that," she muttered sarcastically, bitterly. But that wasn't fair to him, nor could she afford to wallow in the almost crippling sense of loss – not when her sister's life was at stake. She waved her hand at Sasuke when he opened his mouth to – what? Argue? It didn't matter. Her fingers closed convulsively around the scrap of paper containing her sister's whereabouts, she'd collected the information from one of the guards after briefly leaving Sasuke in their room earlier.

She'd been wrong in her conviction that this was right. Sasuke and Tenten hadn't been fated … they'd only been fighting the inevitable, and the last thing she wanted was to leave Sasuke with recriminations. There had been enough suffering as the result of their ill-fated meeting so long ago.

There was a slight rustle in the trees ahead of them. Tenten tensed before she drew a deep breath and tried to look like a prisoner.

They were here.

Neji cursed the clouds obscuring the moon roundly. The lack of light wasn't proof against the Byakugan but the rest of the rescue party didn't have his eyesight. Against Uchiha Sasuke he wanted every advantage he could get. Of course, he didn't really know what he expected to find. When Tsunade-sama had summoned him and Kiba earlier that day to brief them on the mission, he hadn't been able to still the frantic beating of his heart. After Kiba had overheard the Hokage talking to Sakura and Naruto about their duplicity, Neji had spent most of every day waiting for the axe to fall. Only it never had and, gradually, he'd begun to relax, to think that maybe Kiba had misunderstood.

But when they'd been ranged in front of Tsunade, Neji had been soundly reminded of why the Sannin had been made Hokage. Though she never addressed it directly, it was obvious that she knew the secret Neji had been so desperately trying to hide. What confused him was that she'd given them another chance. After the previous time, and all Tsunade now knew, he'd been sure the summons would end with himself and Kiba being court-martialled at the least. Instead Tsunade was sending them with the contents of a mysterious box, to rendezvous with Sasuke and make the trade for Tenten. Whatever the Hokage knew she seemed to have kept to herself, because only once she'd dismissed Kiba, Naruto and Sakura, did she speak frankly.

"I don't doubt your loyalty to your village, Hyuuga. And I understand the situation better than you think. The bond between teammates isn't something that can be easily severed. But I must ask you to place all personal considerations aside. It would probably have been better to send impartial parties but I couldn't sacrifice lives that way. Not now when we need every soldier. Naruto and Sakura together should be more than a match for Sasuke if he's planning anything underhanded. I'm relying on you to handle your teammate. We don't know in what state you'll find Tenten, and I judged it best that she be in the company of someone she trusts. Don't make me regret the decision."

He didn't quite know what to make of that, was gratified that Tsunade-sama wouldn't take her anger with him out on Kiba (because whatever she said, he was sure he hadn't heard the last of the matter) but he didn't know if he could do what she asked of him. They didn't know in what state they would find Tenten, that much was true. What Neji knew of her choices and actions since she'd been with Sasuke, didn't fill him with much hope that she would come quietly. Inwardly, he was glad that Naruto and Sakura were with them. Though he would much have preferred to spare Tenten such a big escort, he didn't know what they would find. The chance was always there that this was an ambush…

Abruptly the clouds cleared just as they reached the agreed upon clearing. Neji held up a hand in the signal for his team to stop and they melted silently into the trees, awaiting further instructions. He sharpened the chakra flowing through his eyes as much as he was able, scanning their surroundings for any sign of attack. But there was nothing out of place. Just ahead of him was Tenten and Sasuke, and just behind them Sai. That was all.

Neji carefully stepped into the clearing, making sure to approach slowly. He'd agreed with Tsunade's order that Naruto and Sakura remain hidden unless they were needed, but he could feel their tension building and he suddenly wondered at the wisdom of their presence. Sasuke stepped forward as Neji came totally into view, and waited expressionlessly.

After one glance to assure him that she was unharmed, Neji focused totally on the Uchiha. Not a word was spoken, no sound broke through the stillness of the night, and eventually Neji signalled Kiba forward.

The Inuzuka also moved slowly, as he made his way to the middle of the clearing to deposit the box of scrolls and stone tablets the Uchiha had asked for.

"Everything that survived is there," Neji stated blandly into the silence, as Kiba retreated.

Sasuke inclined his head but remained exactly where he was. Sai stepped into the clearing, smiling his absurd, insincere smile as he strode towards Neji and held out a thick scroll.

"For Tsunade-sama," Sai said, bowing slightly as he offered the scroll to the Hyuuga.

Never taking his eyes of off Sasuke's still figure, Neji took the scroll and handed Sai one in return.

"Your orders. Read and burn it."

Sai nodded and disappeared in a whirl of ink, but Neji paid him no mind. He ached desperately to go to Tenten, to reassure her or whatever else she may need, but he had his orders, too.

"Uchiha. You've identified Sai and used him for this trade. We have no guarantee of his continued safety. As part of this bargain, you will let him disappear from your ranks."

This time Neji received a small glare in reaction but then Sasuke spoke into the trees, firmly ignoring the emissary once again. Neji tensed as Sasuke walked towards the box containing the Uchiha shrine contents; supremely unconcerned that he was surrounded.

"Naruto," Sasuke called, "when we were genin you told me that we were connected by bonds stronger than mere teammates share. The next time we meet, that bond will finally be severed one way or the other."

Neji blinked in surprise, and in that split second the Uchiha had disappeared in swirl of ash that drifted sluggishly to the ground. He could only watch helplessly as Tenten closed her eyes, a single tear slipping silver down her cheek.

Sasuke couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this out of control. His chakra raged; lightning crackled from his fingertips and mingled with the flames that enveloped his body like a cloak. It was all without his control.

The darkness was lit with flickering flames as the trees burned when he passed, but Sasuke barely noticed. He walked silently, slowly, back towards the main house; oblivious to the shouts and the frantic effort as the other inhabitants attempted to put out the flames, to dodge the random strikes of lightning.

He had always known that this day would come; there was no use in allowing the crushing despair to take hold of his mind, but Sasuke seemed to be completely powerless against it. After his family had been murdered, Sasuke had been sure that nothing could ever compare – that he would never again be brought to his knees by sorrow, because the worst was already past. After all, what could be worse than losing your family?

All his life he'd feared death. When he was eight years old and running for his life amidst the dead Uchiha, he'd felt the first stirrings of fear. Later encounters with Itachi and Orochimaru had only cemented the subconscious demons and Sasuke had spent his life trying to outrun it.

Now, he welcomed it. Now, he realized that there were things far worse than death.

Her hazel eyes, shining with unshed tears; the growing realization that it was really happening …

It would have been so much easier if Tenten had been angry; if she'd hated him as he hated himself. Part of him had always known that it would not be easy to let her go … In that moment, with moonlight playing across her features, Sasuke had known that it wouldn't be damn near impossible. Only by clinging to the knowledge that he was hurting her to save her life, had he been able to remain in control.

He'd done what he could to save her reputation; she wasn't stupid and she had friends that would support her. Tenten would have a home to go to but that was all pointless if she wallowed in what could have been if he had been different – if their lives had been different. So he'd left without a word, taking the useless pieces of the past that could never live up to Tenten's flesh and blood presence with him. It was all he had left of her now. He could only hope that she would remember more than just the callous moment of parting; that she would remember the past day and how he'd tried to infuse everything she made him feel into those hours, so she would have her goodbye. Somewhere along the way he'd convinced himself that it would be enough; that it would allow her to move on and let the past go. Kami knew, it was something Sasuke had never been able to do.

Uchiha Sasuke could outrun fate no more.

The wind was somehow colder than it had ever been in this horror world. The light, tinged red, layered shadows over the barren landscape; empty red dust as far as the eye could see. For the first time Sasuke wondered if this was a reflection of the life he'd led.

Empty.

Stained with blood.

It was never easy to come here. After the last time, he hadn't wanted to come here ever again. But sometimes fate was inherited and for the first time he truly accepted his place.

As if the legions of dead Uchiha sensed his final surrender, they were no longer advancing towards him as they always did. Instead they were ranged behind him, lines of dead eyes and rotting faces turned expressionlessly towards their leader.

And Sasuke knew, in his heart of hearts, despite spending the better part of his life denying it …

He had been born for this.

War was in his blood; DNA tailored for maximum destruction.

"I'm so proud of you, Sasuke."

His mother's cold touch was barely noticed; it was as if his body had turned to ice the moment he had left Tenten in that clearing.

"Finally, you've realized your true destiny. You're finally accepting who you are."

Sasuke barely heard Mikoto, just saw the shadow of a smile crossing her features as her hand settled on his shoulder.

They were ranged behind him; all of them. With the full might of the warrior Uchiha behind him, how could he lose?

Sasuke squared his shoulders, staring straight ahead at the blood-red suns that were slowly sinking below the desolate horizon. Absently, he wondered at that. Every time he had been here the suns had hovered just above the horizon, never moving. It was somehow fitting.

The sun setting on the final day; the final battle.

He tried to shake the dream off, because deep down inside, he knew he was dreaming. He started to walk towards the sunset, because he needed to return to reality.

Itachi appeared out of nowhere and Sasuke almost reared back in surprise, catching himself only at the very last moment. The sadness in his brother's eyes seemed more piercing than usual. The disappointment in Sasuke was so acute it almost seemed to radiate from Itachi. For a long moment they merely stared at each other.

Then pain Sasuke thought had died with Tenten's leaving suddenly sparked through him in crippling waves. His vision rippled and the words, the emotions, hidden for so long burst from his lips.

"All my life I lived in your shadow. I was always just a step behind. I pushed myself harder than anyone but it was never enough to catch up to you. I've lived with the guilt of your death. No more. You're dead because you wanted to die – you let me win. I refuse to carry that burden anymore. You're disappointed in me; fine. It's your own fault. I am what you made me."

A bitter laugh ended Sasuke's tirade.

"I've never denied that I placed unfair burdens on your shoulders when you were too young to bear them, Sasuke. But I wouldn't have done it if there had been any other way; if I hadn't thought you would rise to the challenge. Your own decisions led you down this path. Much of the tragedy of your life can be laid at my door, yes. But neither of us reckoned with your nature. You are what you've chosen to be. The choices are not always good but you've never been one for the path of least resistance. It's not too late. You always have a choice."

Typical Itachi. Disapproval blanketed by encouraging words – always trying to steer him where Itachi thought he should go. There were so many recriminations that Sasuke wanted to throw at Itachi, so many years of pain and fear and loss that he wanted to give back to his brother, but Itachi was right – in some ways.

Then it was just too much effort; none of it mattered anymore. Sasuke fully accepted that all this was merely a product of his own disturbed mind, and he was tired of fighting against himself.

He smiled crookedly at his brother, the ancient words springing to his lips almost without thought.

"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war, brother."

Behind him, Mikoto laughed.