40. Gone For Good

"They're back."

I opened my sleepy eyes from surprise at what I had heard Zetsu say.

I looked over to my semi-opened door where Zetsu's head popped out. His black and white side both looked at me.

"Already?" I asked, throwing the blanket off me and quickly getting up.

"I brought them back as soon as they captured the five-tails, Madara was getting impatient" Zetsu's white side politely informed me. I quickly flung open my wardrobe and grabbed the first things I could see, which was a pair of black shorts and a white long-sleeved v neck shirt.

"I'll be there in a minute," I hurriedly told him before closing the bathroom door behind me. I quickly had a shower and got ready, excited that Itachi and Kisame were finally back. I hadn't expected them for at least another 2-3 days considering they only left two days ago.

I couldn't wait to tell Itachi about all the horrible things Madara had made me do while he was away. He probably won't be please about it, but I guess I'd have to wait and find out. Finally, I finished brushing out my long blonde hair so I quickly put down my brush and left my room.

As I walked into the training room, Pein had already summoned the Gedo statue and everyone was taking their places for sealing. I jumped up onto my designated finger besides Kisame and gave him a small grin.

"Glad you're back," I glanced at him, he chuckled and gave a nod.

"Let us begin," Madara's cold voice echoed around the room.

Kisame and I both closed our eyes.

___________________________

Sealing took two days per usual, I didn't feel as tired afterwards. Suppose I'd gotten used to it by now. After the sealing, I stood in the empty training room and watched as everyone left except for Itachi who walked towards me.

"Itachi, I'm guessing it went well then?" I asked, he stopped in front of me, then pushed my head into his chest as he hugged me.

"Everything went surprisingly well, Zetsu even brought us back," I felt the reverberation of his chest as he spoke on my cheek. Pulling away I gave him a playfully inquiring look, tilting my head to the side.

"That's a rare occasion, I've only ever been brought back by Zetsu once myself," I told him.

"Hm. Madara wants to get the sealing done as soon as possible" Itachi suggested. I sighed at the sound of his name.

"About Madara," I lowered my voice, Itachi blinked a few times. Then, leaned in a little closer so my lips were now only inches from his ear.

"He sent me on a mission... to go shopping for groceries" I told him in a hushed voice. Itachi paused for a moment, his ear still lingering beside my lips. Then, he pulled back and gave me a confused look.

"Madara sent you to go and get groceries?" He recited, as though in bewilderment as to why he would do such a trivial thing.

"Yeah, and when I got back... he used a Genjutsu on me Itachi" His facial expression shifted, as though deep in thought.

"He used Tsyukinomi on you?" He asked curiously, I slowly nod.

"Hm. Let's start your training now. I don't want Madara making a habit of this" He furrowed his brows, as though disturbed by what I had told him.

"Alright," I replied.

___________________________

"Tila, I want you to close your eyes and imagine a scenario," Itachi directed as he took a few steps away from me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath out, darkness surrounded me. I released my thoughts out to the empty space of my mind. Different landscapes flick through. I grasped on to one that drew me in.

It was the edge of a mountain cliff, the view was of a blue and purple-tinted night sky. Stars twinkling brightly, lightly illuminating the green trees down below the edge of the cliff. I see myself sitting, legs dangling off the edge, eyes grazing over the dream-like forest below.

Loneliness filled me, sitting upon the cold jagged rocks by myself.

The temperature dropped. A chill overcame my skin. Then, a presence behind me.

"So, you found me, did you?" A dark voice echoed.

Quickly, I stood. Turning to be met by someone I knew. Myself.

Silence loomed. The girl was identical, except for one feature.

Her hair was as black as the abyss I see behind the lids of my eyes.

"Unfortunately Tila, I cannot let you venture further than this," the dark-haired girl threatened.

"This is my body that you're in, You can't just do as you please!" I argued. A cool breeze rolled past. Blonde and black hair swept in the wind melodically. An uneasiness settled.

"No Tila, it's going to be mine." She giggled, quickly weaving hand signs. My stomach droped.

She's going to fight me for control of my body.

__________itachi POV_______

I watched carefully through my Sharingun as Tila stood in the centre of the training room with her eyes closed. As I analysed her Chakra flow I noticed a very small portion of her fifth inner gate was dark purple. That must be where the entity she mention was coming from.

The purple Chakra expanded and flowed into the neighbouring gates. Tila's blue Chakra rippled violently. Was she fighting this thing, perhaps? A small worry crept up. But, I continued to watch as the two colours fought for dominance. Seconds become minutes. As time ticked by, small cuts and contusions appeared over her skin. Her arms and legs. Suddenly, Tila's knees give in and she collapses. I move swiftly to catch her before she hits the ground.

"Tila? What happened?" She's shaking. No response.

"Itachi?" Her voice is weak but she opened her green eyes and gave me a ghostly smile.

"I did it," were her last words before she lost consciousness.

I graze the sight of her limp form in my arms, her hair slowly turns black.

Examining it closer I picked up a few strands and feel them between my fingers. I guess this colour does suit her better. I chuckled before letting out a sigh of relief.

She had frightened me for a moment. But, then again, I knew deep down she was a fighter. That she would push through no matter what obstacle presented itself before her. I knew this because I had witnessed her do it countless times. If anyone was able to find some peace in this world it would be her. The thought of leaving her so soon taunts me. Maybe, in the next life, we'll be delt a more fortunate hand.

___________Tila POV_________

My body aches badly. My mind flicked over the fleeting events that had just taken place, snippets of fighting desperately against myself, until, we both kneeled down in exhaustion.

"You need me Tila!" I'd ignored her.

Her words were meaningless. An all too familiar warmth was huddled beside me, Itachi must have taken me to bed again.

He truly was too good to me, there were no words that could describe my gratitude toward him. My eyes opened, I slung my arm around the heated body beside me and cuddled closely into it.

"Thank you Itachi, without you, I would never have been able to overcome this darkness," I whispered.

"It's fine Tila." He consoled, his hand brushing my hair over my shoulder.

I peered down, noticing ed the vast change in colour.

"My hair turned black?" I gasped, grabbing a handful to look at the strange dark colour.

"It changed after you fainted, I like it." He said, giving a cheekily gentle smile.

"Wait, my Chakra feels strange" I noticed the darkness flowing through me. It sent chills down my spine, the Chakra I was feeling was powerful - beyond the power of my own.

"This chakra-" I began to say, astonishment taking over but I stopped.

I slowly sat up in bed and pushed my black velvet sheets down to my ankles, crossing my legs. Multiple bruises and cuts covered my legs but ignored them for the time being.

"I need to check something," Itachi gave me a curious look.

"Mh."

With the weave of a few hand signs, a small Chidori formed in the palm of my hand. The lightning that had previously been a blue was now a deep purple.

"My chakra feels so much stronger now," I mumbled under my breath as I watched the lightning screech. Then, let it go.

A faint tingling inside of me waved calmly.

"Tila, your hair is changing colour again," Itachi mentioned. He pick up a strand and put it before my eyes. Confusion overtook as the black turned into a light blond again.

"That's so strange" I stammered. He let go of my hair, it fell beside my shoulder. I gave a sign and lay down in his arms. He pulled me closer, fingers brushing up against my arm.

"I'm exhausted, let's just figure it out in the morning" I yawned.

"Goodnight Tila" His voice resonated in the shell of my ear, the feeling rolling through me thumped hard. Swallowing my emotions hurt. I closed my weary eyes.

"I'll see you in the morning" I whispered into the warmth of his chest. Light faded. Sleep overtook.

But, when Tila awoke, Itachi was gone. In his place lay a note.