Itachi caught my sleeve as I was leaving the village. "You wouldn't..."
I smiled at him sadly. "She's right. Everyone would be happier if I wasn't here."
He grabbed my shoulders. "Kunoichi... she's upset. She doesn't realize what she sa-"
I shook him off. "Itachi, she was my other half, I would do mostly anything she asked of me. She wants this, and I will not refuse her this if it would make her happy."
He took a step forward, but I turned away from him. "It'll kill you... for real this time."
I lowered my gaze. "I can't do it now... it would fail."
I felt his arms around me and tensed. "Even at your strongest, Kunouchi... the amount of chakra alone would've killed you."
I fought the urge to lean into him. "What else can I do? I can't disappear and never return. It would kill Minato and the others."
He sighed. "We can figure it out. She's hurting."
I pulled his arms from around me. "It's not just her, Itachi. Izumi, and others in the village wish for the same as well. Maybe it really would be better i-"
He shook his head. "It wouldn't, I can assure you of that much."
He tried to take my hand, but I avoided him. "I need to think about it... alone." I bit my lip as I walked away, I could feel he was hurting again because of me. I walked quickly, and only when I was sure I was a safe distance did I start to cry.
I knew what this would mean for me and those who got caught in my mind jutsu. That's 17 years' worth of memories to erase... there's no way I can do that in this state...
I splashed water in my face when I reached the waterfall. Then, I continued to the others. They looked up curiously. "What?"
Ryo scratched his cheek. "Well, I lost the bet... I thought you'd stay with Itachi tonight."
I scowled at them. "Really?"
He shrugged. "When you two are bad, you're apart. When you're good, inseparable."
I thought for a moment and sighed. "We were good until we were interrupted. Anything interesting come up?" They all shook their heads, and I nodded. "Hey, Ryo, up for some nighttime sword play?"
He looked surprised. "It's kinda late, Kunoichi."
I shrugged. "I have energy to spare."
He smirked. "Not when I'm through with you... let's do it." We stood across from each other, waiting. He struck first I parried, and our fight began. I could tell he was holding back, so I pushed harder.
He responded in kind until he felt he was taking it too far. I frowned, I wanted something to make me forget everything, if only for a moment. I struck faster, pushing my limit, but he stopped, taking a knee.
My frown deepened. "Why?"
He looked at me concerned. "You can't push yourself so hard just yet, Kunoichi... look."
I looked down at my chest and saw blood. "A stitch must've pulled loose. It's fine, I'm sure."
He shook his head. "We stop here until Lady Tsunade looks at it."
I sighed in frustration. "Fine..." He threw a worried glance at the girls and rose. "You three go ahead. I want to enjoy the night air."
They didn't argue, but I felt their uncertainty. When they were gone, I lifted my shirt and assessed the damage. I sighed as I saw not one, but three stitches had come undone. "I'm sure I'll hear something about this."
I heard a whistle and dropped my shirt. "You did fill out nicely, Kunoichi. Just as I remember..."
I kept my face neutral as fear struck my chest. "Madara... I was wondering how long it would be before you came around."
I couldn't see his expression behind his mask. "You've been waiting for me."
I sneered at him. "You wish."
He clicked his tongue. "Insolent as ever."
I planted my feet, prepared to flee. "What do you want?"
He shrugged. "I was around. No need to run, I won't come closer."
I watched him. "You finally know boundaries?"
He chuckled darkly. "Don't be foolish... I will have you, but I always did enjoy when you put up a fight, and in your condition now..."
I raised my chin defiantly. "All in the very distant past, now only in your dreams, Madara."
I felt his smirk. "We shall see." Then he was gone, I didn't hesitate once I felt his presence leave and ran. I avoided the cabin, not wanting the others to be in danger, and went into the village.
I wandered for a bit. "Where to go..." The idea occurred to me, and I went to the other side of the village. I hesitated before knocking on the door. "Be here..."
I sighed in relief when I heard movement. "There better b-"
I smiled sheepishly up at my old teacher. "Ibiki-sensei..."
He scanned behind me and tilted his head in. "What's wrong, kid?"
I watched the door as he closed it. "This was the only place I was comfortable coming to... since you already know of my past."
His eyes shined with worry. "Must have had you spooked if that's the case."
I nodded. "He was here, Ibiki... Madara Uchiha."