Declaration: I do not own Naruto, I am not a possessive person.

Dedication- This story was dedicated to Lily. Her amazing talent gave me a vision of the most beautiful Itachi I could ever hope for. This story is also dedicated to all of you PeinIta supporters out there.

Haven for lost souls

You first (epilogue)

At the Uchiha hideout, the battle between brothers was long gone. Dark clouds gathered above the rocky landscape. Rain poured on the two bodies lying on the ground. I was there, the whole time, watching the fight through Zetsu's eyes. Should I call it a fight? Because every move Itachi made was premeditated and orchestrated perfectly, to serve one purpose. It was to set Sasuke free, to make him stronger. How brave, my Itachi was, not to dodge plain attacks, to ignore the primal instinct of self-preservation. How much control did he have, over pain and aggression. None of his attacks ever endangered his beloved ototo. He took the all the contempt and the humiliation, he took all the hate and the loathing, and still he died with a smile.

The man with the orange mask arrived at the scene first "You are too slow." he said as Zetsu emerged from the muddy ground.

"Well, excuse me for not being able to move at the freaking speed of light…jackass" This last word was no more than a whisper. With all my bodies dead or unconscious, the remnant of my wandering mind was with Zetsu, but I knew I could not stay for much longer.

Madara stood on top of a rock, staring at a pool of blood that rain slowly washed away.

"Where is Master leader?" asked Zetsu.

"Don't call him that ever again." Madara pointed out coldly. "That stupid, arrogant man… He let his ego get in my way of catching the fox, such a worthless scum. I am your leader."

"Did you kill him?" Zetsu's voice could not hide his dismay.

"As if it was your business, you freaking cactus, but no. Don't worry; Pein is going to be an obedient little soldier from now on."

So he made up his mind, I thought grimly, I wondered how much control will I have on my remaining bodies as they wake up. Just do not get too comfortable, Madara-sama, what ever power left in me, I will use it to protect my lost souls and to give you hell.

"I will take this one and treat his wounds." The Sharingan master approached Sasuke. He lifted the boy's bleeding body with no effort, placing him over his left shoulder, like some kind of a slaughtered trophy. "Sasuke will finally surpass his aniki, ne, Zetsu?" Madara smirked "He will become a much better pawn than this pathetic martyr ever was."

Yes, Madara, I know you will try your best, poisoning his mind. I could only hope Sasuke will be as strong as his brother trusted him to be.

Zetsu turned his gaze to the other body on the ground. I dared to look too. Even in death, Itachi was the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes upon. "What will we do with Him?" asked the plant hybrid.

Madara must have snarled under his mask "That one? You can eat him, if you want to. Just keep the eyes for Sasuke; I am sure he will find a good use for them."

"But what if I don't want to?" asked Zetsu, miserably, but he had no one to talk to. Madara has already teleported himself away. Zetsu set down in the mud, letting the rain pour all over him. Helplessly, he petted Itachi's hair. There was no more use for me to linger on, so my mind left Zetsu to his private mourning.

oOOo

My wise Sensei once told me- 'if you want to keep something as a secret, don't tell it to yourself'. Her wise words saved my life many times, and this time was no different. I spent years and years training myself to suppress my most important secret. It paid off, for I nearly forgot about it all together, my real, original body, the seventh, and the one I never used. It could only be awakened when all the other six were disabled. And so, it was awakened today. As soon as my mind left Zetsu's, I was on my way.

At dusk, Zetsu was still at Itachi's side. He was crying without a sound. The rain has stopped, but big dark clouds still lingered on, and they were painted with orange pink and purple.

"Who goes there?" Zetsu sensed a presence and immediately took battle position.

"Look at my eyes, Zetsu."

"Don't you dare come near him!" He continued, confused. Then, his golden eyes widened and he gasped "Master leader?"

"No need calling me leader, Zuzu."

"But look at you…you have no piercing…. and your hair…"

"I know, you haven't seen this body before. You will also never see it again, so I would appreciate if you don't tell anyone about it."

"Yes, another secret….gods, will you stop doing this to me?"

"Last one, I promise."

Zetsu slowly overcame his amazement, and then he became sad again. "Itachi…" he sobbed softly "Itachi is dead, Sir!"

"I know, please don't cry, Zuzu."

"But I don't know what else to do... I won't eat him!"

"Go back to base. I will take it from here."

"Yes sir, I'm so sorry, I know how much you loved him."

"Please, leave now."

"Yes, Master leader." Zetsu submerged into the mucky land and disappeared. It became awfully quiet, only the wind whistle while passing through the rocks. I had to gather all my courage before I could move my legs.

"My Itachi…" I sighed and knelt at his side. I wiped the blood and the dirt off his beautiful face. I placed a hand on his chest, no pulse, only coldness welcomed me. "You stubborn, stubborn fool…" I whispered as tears clouded my vision. "I love you so much…"

Time came to perform my most powerful jutsu, the one I could only perform once, the one that will cost me my immortality.

I concentrated my healing chakra, and made the necessary hand seals. I placed my hand back on Itachi's chest, and it was glowed with dark purple aura. A seal was formed on the ground, encircling us both. I knew my eyes glowed with the same purple light. They began to hurt, as I used my most powerful eye technique, the resurrection technique. Itachi's wounds were beginning to close, all the bruises and the deep cuts slowly disappeared. My pain was almost unbearable, but I grinded my teeth and kept the chakra flow going. The purple light for the seal became brighter, almost blinding. Something warm and sticky came down from my eyes, I used my free arm to wipe it, and it was blood.

Just when I thought I could not continue anymore, something amazing happened. I felt it, as faint and weak as the flapping wings of a butterfly, but oh so real- a heartbeat. It was there. I gave thanks to all the gods that I knew, and all the gods I forgot. It worked! My Itachi came back to me! I ended the justu and collapsed on his chest.

For a while, I was content just listening to his heartbeat and feeling the warmth returning to his body, but the night came, and it was getting cold. Therefore, I forced myself to stand up, and then I lifted his lithe body. I placed him under my coat, to protect him from the cold wind. He sighed and snuggled on my chest, still too weak to wake up. A long walk was ahead of me. My secret, personal hideout was far away. However, I will get there, weak as I am, I will not let Itachi down. We will not stay there for long; we will seek a place where no one could ever find us. I will gladly live a mortal life, with my Itachi at my side.

I do not know what will happen when he wakes up. Will he still be ill? Will he be blind? Will he hate me for not letting him die?

My beautiful, selfless Itachi, I will take it all. I will take your rage and your grief; I will take your horrors and nightmares. I will take care of you. No one ever bothered doing this before. Even you placed everyone else's needs before yours. No more, my love, not this time. This time- you first.

oOOo

-THE END-

oOOo

A/N- So… It has been a long and joyful journey, at least for me. I hope you enjoyed it too .I would very much like to get your feedback. Constructive criticism is most welcomed. Do not be shy, even if it has been a while since this story was published. I will keep a watchful eye over this one. Thanks again for all your wonderful reviews. Be happy, and take care!