Moonlight Shadow

Empty. Inside, it was completely empty. And somehow strangely hollow and quiet... She tried to tap into Chomei's chakra but felt nothing. His seals had vanished, and with them, his power.

"Ah yes... so the ritual was successful... I'll miss you, Chomei, as annoying as you were," she whispered into the void.

"Moth? Are you there?" she called out hopefully after a moment.

Silence. Yet, she could feel her presence. A cold, proud silhouette standing silently in the darkness. Waiting. Izumi tried to wave at her, approach her, provoke any reaction, but to no avail. Only silence answered.
Resigned, she collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. She felt utterly confused.
Soon, she was summoned for dinner.

Sasuke couldn't remember the last time Orochimaru had called them for a communal dinner. They usually ate alone, were busy with other matters and training, and were not really keen to spend too much time in each other's company anyway. Orochimaru's health had deteriorated significantly lately, so the Snake hardly left his room. This evening, however, he made an exception and invited him and Kabuto to the main dining hall. It was a special occasion, yet Izumi was running late. Sasuke sat tensely at the table in the corner next to Orochimaru. The servants had set the table and were just serving the first course when she walked timidly through the open doors.

Izumi swept her gaze across the room, carefully placing each step. Sasuke observed her from the corner of his eye, curious about her next moves. In this monotonous place filled with the same annoying faces and masculine energy, she was a breath of fresh air. Izumi noticed the only empty seat at the head of the table opposite from Orochimaru and took it hesitantly, sitting before a freshly filled bowl of soup. She stared at it intently, as if trying to remember what food was. After Orochimaru's introduction, they began eating, most of their attention focused on the nervous girl. Questions quickly began flowing in her direction.

"Everything is somehow blurry, as if behind a thick veil that I can't push aside... I don't remember," Izumi set down her spoon after a few sips of the warm broth. "I mainly remember the rain. That sickening, depressing, endless rain," she lifted her head, looking at Uchiha, "And Akira."

"Akira is alive. I've known this for several years..." Sasuke replied. He didn't hide that he'd hoped for a more detailed story, but perhaps that would have to wait.

"What do you mean?" Izumi suddenly raised her eyes, widening them in genuine surprise. Sasuke became flustered and turned away, slowly tearing off a piece of bread and rolling it between his fingers.

"When you died... in Konoha... Orochimaru wanted to recover you too. I followed him. Akira wouldn't let him; she defeated him."

"I was in poor condition if it hadn't been for the Third..." Orochimaru interjected, rolling his eyes.

"I went after her when she left with your body, but..." Sasuke continued.

"You were there?! Why didn't you stop her?!" Izumi tensed to everyone’s surprise, digging her fingers into the edge of the table.

"Izumi," Kabuto moved closer to her, speaking firmly, "Calm down." the girl brushed off his hand but obeyed.

"She said to stop pursuing if I wanted you to live. You looked..." Sasuke's voice broke, so he cleared his throat and put a bite of food in his mouth, looking away. Izumi lowered her head, clenching her fists.

"I can imagine how I looked..." she lowered her gaze to her plate. "How did you find me?" she added after a moment. The gathered companions looked at each other in anticipation.

"Let's say it's our turn for questions now," Kabuto replied slowly.

"Where is Itachi? Since Akira is alive, what else has he hidden from us? Were you also involved in this? What are the Akatsuki plotting..." the questions started pouring out of them again as they joined Orochimaru's interrogation.

"Even if I wanted to, I can't tell you," Izumi sighed and stuck out her tongue, showing them the seal of silence.

"Yes, I tried to remove it, but unsuccessfully," Kabuto replied, throwing up his hands. "So what can you tell us?"

"Chomei is gone... they took him," Izumi pondered again.

"We know," Orochimaru replied warmly, though with resignation in his voice. Nevertheless, as the Moth's heir, she was still powerful. And untouchable. She was still valuable to them.
They continue eating without any more words although Izumi barely touched her food, deeply lost in thoughts. "I want to see the sun,” she broke the silence tentatively “Where are we, is this one of your hideouts? I want to go outside, get some fresh air."

She didn't have to ask twice. After dinner, Kabuto took Izumi on a tour, showing her familiar places, telling stories. She felt his genuine joy in being reunited after all these years, although they’ve never cemented the real status of their relationship. Were they almost siblings? Friends? Enemies? Conflicting agendas or not, she also appreciated his familiar company, bringing her back to the times when he was like an older brother to her younger self.

"We'll be here for over a week," they stopped at the hideout's exit, which was located in a dense forest. Izumi, distracted by birdsong and the smell of warm summer, found it hard to focus on his further stories, so he moved on to summarizing the most important points. "You can go outside, but don't wander too far. Remember, always stay alert. Under no circumstances can anyone from the outside know where you are."

"Why?" she asked without looking at him.

"You know why... we don't want anyone to take interest in you,” he moved closer to her “Akatsuki surely isn't done with you yet, other countries have heard about you and..."

"So I'm simply your prisoner.” she pushed back “From one prison to another," muttered bitterly.

"I wouldn't put it that way!” Kabuto held his hands up chuckling nervously “Let's say, we're very concerned about your safety now. Soon, Sasuke will receive the highest honour, and Orochimaru-sama wants you to be with us when that happens."

Izumi glanced at the young Uchiha who seemed to have followed them from the corner of her eye, clenching her teeth.

"Kabuto. I don't owe you anything, I have the right to make my own decisions. And my decision is freedom."

"Be careful what you wish for." his energy suddenly changed.

Izumi hissed angrily and ran toward the forest.

"Izumi!" Kabuto shouted after her, but Sasuke held him back.

"Leave it with me."

The dense trees rustled as he wandered through the forest for a while, staying silent to avoid scaring her away. A familiar few moths swirled from behind the trees and danced before him. He followed them, finding Izumi sitting on a fallen tree by a ravine with one knee pulled up. She gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

The clothes Kabuto had prepared for her were simple and suited for summer weather. Regular ninja shoes, dark shorts, and a crop top similar to the one she wore several years ago. Her much longer and fuller hair now was tied loosely with her piece of red ribbon in a ponytail that fell loosely down her back. Longer unruly bangs fell on her left cheek, covering part of her eyebrow and the black tear. Her hands and wrists were wrapped in bandages hiding the Ga stigma. A branch broke with a crack under Sasuke's foot as he approached. He could have used chakra to approach silently, as any ordinary ninja can, but he didn't want to frighten her. Izumi flinched, raising her gaze.

"It's just me, I'm alone," he raised his hands in a defensive gesture.

This seemed to calm her; she watched him for a moment before relaxing her shoulders and returning to observing insects happily playing on grass blades and wildflowers in the warm July afternoon. Izumi's pale skin hungrily absorbed the sunlight, starved and thirsty for life.

"No. More. Rain." she muttered to break the silence as Sasuke sat on the log beside her.

"Uhm."

Millions of questions pressed against his lips; he didn't know where to start. He wanted to know everything, everything that would help him get closer to his goal, but also... the experience of three days spent in the Abyss wouldn't leave him in peace.

"We were close. Her and I, you know.” she started. “I felt like I had a semblance of family again, it gave me a sense of security despite... well, all that." She rubbed her forehead with her fist, squeezing her eyes shut. "I can't remember."

"Itachi is alive and you know where he is."

"That's true."

"Why didn't you kill him if you had the chance?" he pushed finding himself more impatient than he should be showing.

"Because... I didn't have... the opportunity. It was too... you wouldn't understand." He saw how internal conflict was tearing her apart.

"Try me."

"Well, I don't know. I tried but..." she pressed her lips together. It wasn't her place to reveal the truth. Not now. She shrugged and jumped off the log, stretching and changing her mood as she used to do when escaping awkward topics. "Anyway, we still have a lot to do ahead of us."

"Tell me what you know. As much as you can."

"Hmmm.... That will cost you." Her tone suddenly changed to light and playful. She’s been doing it again. Her typical act, a defence mechanism when pushed towards discomfort.

"I freed you, isn't that payment enough?" Sasuke stood behind her, irritated.

"Did I ask you to?" she turned to him, raising her hands.

"Well, you know..."

"Haha. Okay, listen - let's make a deal. Train with me! And every time you win, I'll answer one of your questions."

"I don't need a training partner, my own company is enough."

"I smell bullshit!" she approached him with an old spark in her eyes and lightly flicked his nose. Where did her old spirit suddenly come from? Was all of this just one big farce? She continued teasing until Sasuke got visibly annoyed.

"Forget it, I don't need this knowledge, I'll manage on my own." Sasuke frowned, annoyed, and turned on his heel, heading back toward the hideout.

"Interesting," Izumi called after him. "The Moth used to give me hints about this and that regarding different people, complaining, but now I feel like she's calm about you? Even, pleased. Interesting."

Sasuke paused, taking a deep breath, avoiding the response. Izumi watched him until he disappeared from her sight. A moth that landed on her shoulder fluttered its wings. The girl said something to the insect, but Sasuke couldn't hear her anymore.

"Izumi." Orochimaru's smooth voice stopped her mid-step as she returned to the hideout, walking aimlessly.

"What do you want?" the girl muttered, turning slowly.

"I see you're feeling much better. Your vital signs indicate you've returned to yourself. This pleases us greatly. You probably haven't forgotten how much. I'd like to test your abilities; I haven't seen you in so many years, though I'm sure you didn't spend your time with Akatsuki idly."

"We want to see what you're capable of without the demon's help," Kabuto joined in. "You're still powerful, I don't doubt that. Show us what you've learned."

"Does it have to be now?"

"Oh yes, as it happens, we've waited for you long enough, dear!"

Izumi sighed, then turned on her heel and followed Kabuto and Orochimaru.

They found themselves in a training hall with stands around a small arena. Izumi looked around the surroundings distrustfully, scanning. Orochimaru went to the elevated platform to observe the test from a safe place. Izumi followed him with her eyes, then Kabuto handed her a scroll, saying, "Your task will be to defend this scroll. In a moment, we'll release several opponents into the arena, let us know when you're ready."

Izumi held the scroll in her hand for a moment, considering the task. She felt back at full strength, and returning to a familiar place, though still not the home she would want, had nevertheless restored her energy, and with it, her confidence slowly began to return. She felt Huranaishi inside her; the Moth was free. She sat within her and gave strength. Izumi felt protected, maybe. Yes, perhaps she was ready to train again.

She nodded to Kabuto, tightening her grip on the scroll. He grinned at her and went to join Orochimaru. Izumi followed him with her eyes, soon noticing how Sasuke silently joined them in the stands. He looked at her in silence. She returned his gaze with a half-smile. She would show them what she was capable of.

What could be difficult about a few opponents? Several emerged into the arena, beginning the fight. They approached her less cautiously at first, rushing at her, but she was faster. They hadn't given her any weapons, so Izumi fought hand-to-hand before seizing a long staff from one of the opponents she knocked out. Initially, she was sluggish, taking several hits that served to wake her up. She spat blood. She began fighting harder, though still avoiding using jutsu.

Another large opponent entered the arena, a giant she couldn't face in close combat. The others pressed in from both sides. With quick hand signs, she momentarily knocked out two of them by throwing stakes. Though they fell, she howled, creating a tornado from her mouth that knocked down the others and slowed the giant.
She felt weirdly disconnected, incomplete, although back to herself. A significant part of her was missing, and now she had to learn how to do it all without Chomei’s presence and abundance of chakra. It hit her like the feeling of sudden walking in the dark, relearning steps.

She reached inside, and to her surprise, Huranaishi lifted her hand up more eagerly than ever before, offering her power instead of Chomei. Blood began to flow, and Izumi started experiencing flashes. Something caught her off guard. Sasuke tensed, gripping his knees. Something’s wrong.
Memories began hitting her, showing nothing specific yet reminding her of dark experiences the Moth had buried deep in her subconscious. What?? What happened, Where from...? Izumi was in shock, which threw her slightly off balance.

Several opponents got to her, almost reaching for the scroll behind her back. Izumi quickly made another sign, and a swarm of grey moths enveloped her. When they dispersed, she was gone—materialising behind the giant, her chakra-infused feet clung to the arena wall before she pushed off with momentum, striking him—driving both sticks into his shoulders, bringing him down. He jerked, grabbing her leg, catching her by surprise, and threw her toward the others, but Izumi recovered and weaved signs, the wind throwing her like a skipping board away from them. She shot to the other side of the arena.

“Come on, why is she holding back?” Orochimaru was getting impatient.

They released several men with curse marks; actually, all prisoners had them. They swarmed her, and Izumi reluctantly activated her seals. But something was wrong; she began to stumble, squeezing her eyes shut. Agh! The visions returned stronger with each strike, with each splash of blood. What are you hiding from me, Moth? She thought.

Someone overpowered her, grabbing her shoulders. Izumi only then felt the old fear creeping in. Her turquoise-infused hands surged with a larger wave of chakra as she grabbed the man above her and slit his throat with her claws. He looked into her eyes, terrified, before blood spurted onto her face. She choked and spat.

"Oho, here you are," Orochimaru felt the chilling, darkening atmosphere. Izumi froze.

"What's happening?" Sasuke asked though he knew deep inside.

"LET ME TAKE OVER" The Moth's smooth and sharp voice resonated in their ears, in the minds of those gathered—Kabuto, Orochimaru, and Sasuke—freezing the blood in their veins.

Izumi closed her eyes, opening them a second later, her expression dramatically changed. She licked her lips, bared her teeth, and howled wildly, tossing the body aside. She began laughing demonically, murdering one after another, her eyes covered in black tar. The terrified opponents began to retreat. Black claws, power pulsing through them, wrapped in turquoise chakra's aura.

She moved lightning-fast across the arena, blood-hungry, starved, thirsting. "FEED THEM TO ME, I’VE BEEN SO FAMISHED!"

Then she began attacking the staff, which made Kabuto spring into action—"Something's wrong again, Orochimaru-sama!" Sasuke also grew tense; Izumi couldn't stop. She slit another throat, drove her claws into the next one's eyes.

"Stop this!" Sasuke rushed down the stairs toward her, ignoring Orochimaru. One hand on his sword's hilt, but he activated the Sharingan first.

"Izumi!" She turned at his voice. She was breathing heavily, blood dripping from her face and arms. There was nothing familiar in her gaze—this was the most terrifying realisation. However, he knew who he faced.

"Give her back," he demanded with deadly frost in his voice.

Sasuke stood in the Abyss again. "Sasuke! Please, it's so dark! I'm drowning, I can't see anything!" The girl's scream made him rush toward the blood river that materialised before him. Izumi was drowning, and the strong current pulled her away from the shore. The wet ground slipped from under her feet. Sasuke shouted to her—"I'm here! Grab my hand!" Izumi moved closer, and he managed to pull her to shore. At that moment, they returned to reality—Sasuke opened his eyes to see Izumi sink to her knees, the demonic chakra evaporating like smoke from an extinguished fire. He caught her shoulders before she fell forward. She struggled to open her eyelids. Sasuke breathed heavily, disturbed.

"What did you do to her? She wasn't ready!" he shouted towards approaching Orochimaru.

Izumi sighed heavily and gasped upon noticing the blood on herself. She swept her gaze across the arena and the dead bodies. It was familiar, all too familiar. But now she felt no satisfaction. No control. Something was wrong; she didn't feel like herself. Was she slipping away… again?

Trembling, she stood, avoiding Sasuke as she moved toward Orochimaru and Kabuto. The Snake’s hideous grin disgusted her. She grimaced and threw the scroll at his feet, trying to block further shock and horror within her. What had she expected? It was obvious she would be forced into these things again, whether with Akatsuki or in Otogakure. The only home where she could be safe was far, far away. Although perhaps that wasn’t home anymore either.

Angry, she shouldered past Kabuto and left toward her room. Behind her, Orochimaru applauded, but Sasuke shared her sentiment.
"Too soon..." he growled towards his senpai, rushing after her.

The door to her room was ajar. Warm light spilled into the corridor. He found her standing in her room before a long mirror, staring at the reflection of her hands blackened with dried blood. Sasuke stood in the doorway for a moment before approaching her, not knowing what to say. He stood closer, wanting to be near, to comfort, but not knowing how.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," he cleared his throat, standing behind her. "I told them it might be too early. That jutsu seemed very powerful and uncontrolled. Orochimaru will surely focus on that with you now and help you refine it.” he tried to reason.

Izumi raised her eyes, meeting his dark ones in the mirror's reflection. She was still in shock and deeply confused; Sasuke could feel it. Her chakra was only slowly quieting down, still swirling restlessly.

She turned toward him, leaning in until she nearly touched him. Flustered, she pressed her lips together. They were breathing visibly, their faces so close. Sasuke didn't take his eyes off hers. After a moment, Izumi lifted her head and almost froze looking into his eyes. Sasuke was used to hundreds of girls sighing at his sight, making doe eyes and stumbling over words, all red-faced, squealing and embarrassed. He'd never been able to understand it, but perhaps he had taken it for granted until he began catching himself when his gaze would linger a moment longer on Izumi. When he was the one running out of words for her witty teasing, when she stood just too close like now, staring at him with those damn violet eyes...

Her lips trembled, blood smeared across her cheeks, freshly mixed with tears she tried to wipe away. She looked so clumsy, so... He froze in terror at the thought that he very much wanted to hug her right then. Just now, before a second later he felt Izumi's lips on his own. Was this really happening?

He felt an incredible heat flooding his insides, his heart wanting to burst from his chest. Sasuke lost his breath and, confused, stepped back, then wordlessly rushed out of the room. He couldn't collect his thoughts, but with each moment, rushing toward his room, he felt growing embarrassment at his behaviour, and regret—why had he pulled back, why had he pushed her away? He endlessly replayed the kiss in his head, her warm lips and that desire, so completely overwhelmed by fear. How stupid he was.

That night he couldn't sleep, the first sleepless night since Izumi had awakened. He tossed and turned until he finally dozed off. Only to be woken up by a scream.

Her scream woke him up.
He jumped out of bed, clumsily tying his robe around his waist. He rubbed his eyes with his fingers and summoned fire to light the candle he hastily grabbed while running into the corridor.
The heart-wrenching howl came from Izumi's room. No one was around. Her room was next to his, so he reached her door in a second. He activated his Sharingan, standing beside the door to assess the situation—how many potential opponents might be there; he was ready. However, he sensed no one except her turbulent chakra.

He burst into the room without waiting any longer. The weak candlelight illuminated a shaking, sweating girl thrashing in her bedding. 'Izumi!'

Her eyes were closed; she seemed to still be sleeping, unresponsive to his calls. Sasuke rushed to her bed, placing the candle on the candelabra by the side. “Hey, Izumi, wake up.” He was afraid to touch her, but overcoming it, he pressed his lips together and grabbed her wrist. Her howling stopped, replaced by quiet whimpering. The girl turned to her side toward him, curling up, and trembling, began massaging her aching face. She opened her eyes.

"Sasuke...?" she rasped. "What are you doing here?" After a moment, more alert, she awoke, sitting up. Sweat was drying on her slick skin. She pressed the sheet to herself, trying to cover up, embarrassed. Sasuke also turned away, flustered.

"You were screaming. So I came. I thought that..."

"Something terrible sits in my head, deep down," she began in a trembling voice. "The blackout I had yesterday during..." she broke off; they both remembered her terrifying murder rage, the blood, screams, and that wild laughter... Huranaishi.

"Hm..." Sasuke grunted, not really knowing what to say, as usual. What did they do to you... it wouldn't leave him in peace. Those few years with Akatsuki, another ton of secrets. Perhaps solutions to his puzzles.

"Man of many words, I see." she murmured forcing a smile. Sasuke had never been able to understand her inappropriate sense of humour, but he'd grown used to it, eventually. "I'm sorry for earlier, I don't know what came over me. It was stupid," she continued, trying to explain the awkward kiss.

"It's okay now." Sasuke tried to stand, a bit confused, not knowing what to do, his instinct suggesting withdrawal. He turned toward the door.

"Wait." Her bitter voice, in which he heard not that old strength and spunk but the cry for help of a delicate girl who this time was truly afraid, stopped him in place. "Please don't go," she said, almost in a whisper.

"I..." he began but gave up. Something pulled him to stay. He was tired. So he gave in to it. Sasuke crouched by her bed, still resting one elbow on her mattress. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Izumi begin to stare at his forearm—his piece of red ribbon wrapped around his wrist, now visible without the gauntlets on.

"You kept it." She seemed to calm down, and warmth gently returned to her face as she smiled at him slightly before he lowered his gaze again. She dropped her head to the pillow while Sasuke sat turned toward her on the floor. Izumi stared at his forearm resting on the edge of her bed with glassy eyes. His wrist was much more built up through years of training and maturity, so the ribbon was tied almost at the ends, barely fitting around his hand. It showed signs of wear, and looking longer, Izumi noticed old marks where the knot had been earlier. Sasuke had worn it from the beginning. The boy settled more comfortably, removing his arm from the bed and resting his head on its edge, closing his eyes. The warm candlelight outlined the shapes of his face. Izumi stared at him in silence as her eyelids grew heavier until she drifted off into this time peaceful sleep.

The next morning, he was no longer by her bed. The candle had burned out, leaving remnants of wax spilt over the candlestick. Izumi could still smell Sasuke's faint scent lingering by her bed, providing the only confirmation that he had indeed been with her that night, though she couldn't trust her hazy memories and dreams. She closed her eyes, longingly hugging the pillow.