Cold

Callista Miralni

disclaimer: always

Good Lord. Chapter Twelve already?

I'm not gonna lie—I'm a little disappointed with the number of reviews last chapter. Then again, the Naruto fandom has been a little inactive as of late so what can I say?

To all my silent readers favoriting and watching Cold—thank you for your support!

Chapter Twelve: Mount Isolation

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don't be cruel sweetheart

you know I can never say no to you

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-The Real World-

Dressed in full ANBU gear, Sasuke clenched his jaw. His katana slid into its sheath with a resolved SHINNNKKK.

Yamanaka Ino stood at the door, face pale. Behind her, Sakura said nothing but her eyes, luminous emerald—ALIVE—eyes begged him over and over again.

Don't kill Itachi.

Don't kill Itachi.

don't kill itachi.

What would she know? Itachi robbed him of everything—including the opportunity to love this beautiful doll who pretends she loves him.

She doesn't know what love is.

Somewhere at the back of his mind, a small voice—not unlike his own—whispered he was wrong.

"Let's go."

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don't be naïve sweetheart

you know that every thing won't be alright because

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With false cheer, Ino turned around and herded Sakura inside the house.

"You should put on a robe or something before you get sick."

Sakura shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Sasuke-kun would kill me if anything happened to you."

It didn't matter where she was, Sasuke controlled every aspect of her life.

"Why does it matter?" She let out a bitter sigh. "Sasuke's opinion is the least of your concerns."

Ino stepped back. "How could you say that?" She asked in a low voice. "Has your coma damaged your brain more that we thought?"

"Just drop it Ino."

"He loves you," the blond boldly voiced. "Why can't you accept that?"

Old insecurities bubbled to the surface but like every other time, Sakura squashed the thoughts.

"No, he doesn't."

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there are just some things you'll never know

they will tear you apart inside

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Leaping from tree to tree, Sai eyed his teammate warily.

It would be foolish to speak to Uchiha Sasuke right now, but this mission, this latest manhunt down what would most likely be an empty road, sparked a fire in Sasuke's eyes rarely seen.

It fed the doubt creeping into Sai's heart.

As a part of ROOT, he was robbed of emotion at an early age. Being on Team Kakashi taught Sai many things, including how to feel, but the black disdain rolling off both Sasuke and Naruto threatened to swallow him whole.

"Sasuke," Sai called to him instead of the usual derogatory Emo Prince nickname.

The other teen did not stop but he slowed down enough for Sai to catch up with him.

"Why didn't you say anything to Sakura-san?"

The artist took note of Sasuke's clenched jaw.

"A mission is a mission. Civilians are not privy to classified information."

"Sakura-san is not any ordinary civilian. She is a trained kunoichi-"

"Was," Sasuke harshly corrected.

"It still does not change the fact that she understands."

The Sharingan swept through the landscape, searching for traps.

"Spit it out, Sai, that annoying question you've got on your mind."

Behind them, Naruto and Kakashi tensed.

"Who is Uchiha Itachi?"

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do you believe in happy endings,

in fairy tales and dreams come true?

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Naruto remembered a time when Sakura smiled and Sasuke smirked.

A time when Sakura knew love and Sasuke wasn't afraid of it.

He missed those carefree days. It was the beginning of them, the infallible, invincible Team Seven.

She was the sun who loved unconditionally. With her, it was easy to forget the stigma, the hatred, surrounding him at all times. Sakura was an easy person to fall in love with.

That didn't mean she was an easy person to love.

Sometimes, it was difficult to empathize with her. Her parents kept her away from the shinobi life and all Naruto wanted was to be Hokage. Sakura was versed in things like music and tea ceremony; the only thing Naruto knew how to cook was ramen. She possessed this gilded tongue for diplomacy and Naruto was so blunt, he was borderline rude.

Naruto loved her, but he wasn't in love with her.

Not the way Sasuke was.

When he was seven, it was easy to dismiss. Ten years later, Naruto knew better.

It was only ever her.

He pretends he doesn't love her to keep her safe. He pretends it's duty and obligation that keeps him at her side though she pushes him away. He pretends he's not breaking from the guilt and hurt.

Sasuke can pretend all he wants and fool the rest of the world, but he can't fool Naruto.

Never.

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"I need answers and he is the only one who has them."

Sai released the breath he unconsciously held.

"Answers to what?"

His eyes picked up on a familiar chakra signature on the woven genjutsu five hundred feet northwest.

"Everything."

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maybe I am just a cynic

because I've never been in love like you

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-The Shard-

He slept—restless.

Standing in a meadow, everything about his surroundings seemed so dull. The sky was a faded blue—the color of Sakura's worn out childhood play dress—and the grass was a poor imitation of the color green.

Across the field, the Angel of Death watched him.

"She needs to work fast if you are to meet me in this world."

Sasuke reached for Azrael at his hip but the chokuto in his hands lacked the finesse of his beloved katana.

"Do you know where you are?"

He sheathed the blade

—all at once familiar and deadly—

and took another glance at his surroundings.

konohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonohakonoha

Home.

The Angel moved across the meadow in the blink of an eye and cupped his face in her palms.

"You're running out of time!"

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don't pretend that everything will be alright

say goodbye and walk away

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Kicking off his blankets, Sasuke gasped for air. The Angel of Death repeatedly begged for him to hurry and find Sakura but why? As far as he knew, she was their enemy.

Why did she care so much then?

"We all have a Jack of Diamonds."

His head snapped up, only to find Itachi in his bedroom doorway. Eyes narrowed, Sasuke asked, "What are you talking about?"

Deliberately, Itachi crossed the room and took a seat beside him on the bed.

"It may not be today," he said softly. "It may not be tomorrow. It may not be this year. Sooner or later, we act out of self-interest, just like Jack of Diamonds."

"I will never serve the King of Hearts," Sasuke vowed.

Itachi smiled sadly. "Otouto, I hope you never find yourself in the position where you're forced to choose between Alyss and the King of Hearts in order to continue chasing after your dreams."

What are your dreams, Mad Hatter?

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we're finished for tonight

don't tell me

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Shikamaru sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"You're hiding something."

He straightened and gave his assistant a deadpan glance.

"What on earth would I be hiding?"

Hinata pursed her lips. "Your feelings for Ino, for one thing."

Mahogany eyes narrowed. "Why does everyone keep saying that? What proof do you have?"

Sinking gracefully into her chair, Hinata ticked off the reasons on her hand. "You're always looking out for her, more than anyone else, you do everything she asks without much complaint, and you can't take your eyes off her every time you two are in the same room."

"We grew up together—is that not unusual for me to care?"

Hinata smiled widely, like she knew something he didn't. "But I digress. You're hiding something else and I want to know what it is."

Shikamaru knew Hinata could keep a secret. At the same time, could he voice his suspicions aloud? It would threaten more than just Wonderland... his findings were guaranteed to tear apart their unity.

"Do you believe in fairy tales?"

She smiled wryly. "Do you? We live in one."

"I believe in the impossible, not the improbable. No matter how many times I run the analysis, it always comes up with the same result."

Her eyes followed his finger to the modified sample analyzer and widened at the sight of the familiar black fabric scrap laying inside.

"That's from the Academy attack..."

Shikamaru nodded curtly. "WONDERLAND runs on logic. It cannot lie. Human reason protests otherwise."

A human being cannot be made of mud and still posses DNA!

"You lied in your report to Sakura."

"I modified the results because I didn't know what they meant. Think about it, Dormouse—if the results say the attacker is one of our own Wonderlanders, the consequences would be disastrous. Even after I sampled every bloody nick and bruise the ANBU sustained for DNA fragments, it all came back identical to each other."

What man can make an army of millions from a single source?

Gasping in shock, Hinata was almost afraid to say it aloud.

Shikamaru had no such qualms.

"There's a traitor."

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are you looking right through me

to see another waiting on the side?

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Tenten left the throne room with her hands filled with documents to be filed away in Sakura's study. Despite her absence, life went on, as Tsunade often reminded her.

Sometimes, she hated her job as Alyss's personal assistant. The Eaglet shone in scouting missions—why restrict her to desk work? Tenten had a sneaking suspicion it had to do with a certain Caterpillar, not that she could ever prove it.

Speaking of Neji, where was he? In the aftermath of Sakura's disappearance, he was ordered to strengthen the Club armies. He should be within Heart Palace somewhere, training.

Automatically filing away papers, Tenten glanced outside the window and caught sight of Sai walking through the gardens with Sasuke. The two were in heated discussion about something, if the confused expression on Sai's face and the angry scowl on Sasuke's lips were anything to go by.

"Tenten."

She turned around. "Neji," she acknowledged. "What brings you here?"

"I thought I'd see how the Reagent was handling the Palace affairs."

Tenten chuckled. "Liar," she softly admonished. "You don't care about the petty politics of the Houses."

He allowed the faintest smirk to cross his lips before gazing out the window. Outside, Sasuke was now yelling something indistinguishable at Sai, the latter attempting to calm their hot-headed commander.

"Sasuke is dangerous."

"Not any more so than you. Why do you think Tsunade-sama ordered you to prepare the army and not the Mad Hatter?"

"It does not matter who leads the armies. Uchiha Sasuke is a dangerous individual because he lost the one person he loves."

Tenten took a step back. "So it's true," she murmured. "Sasuke loves the Princess."

"Only a fool would deny it."

"But isn't that what gives him strength?" Tenten argued. "Love for Alyss drives him to risk everything for her sake."

Neji's stare narrowed. "Love is a fatal weakness. You should know that better than anyone, Eaglet. It was love that drove your father to insanity after your mother died protecting you during an armed robbery-"

Her breath hitched. How dare he bring up her past so casually.

"-and it was love that prompted your father to try to kill you and himself so you would all be together in death again," he continued, oblivious to her rising temper. "Wonderland was right to forbid love."

The words left her lips before she could stop them. "And I thought you loved me."

Neji's eyes widened in surprise for just a moment before he crossed the study to leave. Tenten chuckled, bitter and low, "I knew it."

The statement made him stop.

"You mean nothing to me."

She moved so quickly across the room, Neji almost lost his balance when her clear—furious—mahogany eyes were centimeters away from his own. This was the Eaglet—quick-witted and reflexive, the most agile of Alyss's ANBU.

Their lips met for the briefest moment and then she was gone.

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maybe I am just unlucky

because love seems to keep passing me by

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"Why do rules exist?"

Hanabi looked up from her tablet.

"I beg your pardon, White Queen?"

The woman averted her honey-colored eyes from the scene below. People rushed into the throne room, desperate to see their Princess during this time of distress.

"Why do rules exist?" Tsunade repeated patiently. "Think about it, Hanabi-san, why does Wonderland have rules?"

The teenager hesitated. Did she dare answer? Was the Reagent looking for a serious response?

Why ask her? She wasn't even a member of the ANBU, just the only heir to the House of Clubs.

"I suppose it's to protect us, Tsunade-sama," Hanabi answered slowly. "A set of rules provides structure and order to the community."

Tsunade chuckled. "A wise response. I would expect no less from the heir of Clubs. But Hanabi-san, what is the point of having rules? Why on earth would we need protection from things like love and attachment?"

At this, Hanabi paused.

Love is a fatal weakness.

Her sister's gentle smile came to mind, merging with the only memory of their deceased mother.

Hana-chan, to love is to be strong. Above all things, always remember to love.

What a remarkably different philosophy her mother had from the rest of the Shard. Her mother believed in love, in making the best of every hopeless situation. It was what made Hyuuga Hikari a prized jewel among the suits.

"Why do we have rules?" Tsunade softly prompted.

She knew the answer now.

"So we can break them."

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don't pretend that everything will be alright

say goodbye and walk away

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Naruto plucked a dandelion from the ground, admiring the soft petals before the wind scattered them to the air.

"I've been meaning to say this for the longest time."

He turned, startled by the sudden declaration from his timid best friend.

Hinata's lips were set in a thin line, pearl eyes shining with determination. She took three sure steps towards him before planting her feet solidly into the ground.

Sometimes, Naruto wondered why everyone thought the Dormouse was weak. In LGW, the Mouse was a hero, the greatest partner anyone could have. The Dormouse was essential to winning against the Queen of Hearts and claiming the throne.

Some say Hyuuga Hinata was the very essence of the timid, spineless, weak Mouse they were always used to. The House of Clubs did not believe the firstborn of Hyuuga Hisashi could not stand up to the pressures of being their heir. She was too much like her mother, the eccentric Hikari, to be of any value.

Hinata's declaration was a blessing—Sasuke often said. Being initiated into the ANBU saved her from a fate worse than death.

The first time Naruto met her, she fainted in his arms after bumping into him coming out of the baths. He frantically screamed for anyone to come and revive her before taking it upon himself to perform CPR. Neji heard him and caught him with his lips slanted over his beloved cousin's, breathing life into her, before hauling him up by the scruff of his shirt and tossing him down the hall to give Hinata breathing space.

The next time they met, Naruto was on his way to the basement for his daily training session when he bumped into her on her mad dash upstairs to her room. Neji mocked her for her weaknesses, cruelly downplaying her importance as Shikamaru's right hand, and wished for her to run into the King of Hearts.

Naruto was never good at consoling crying girls so he did the next best thing: beat Neji black and blue until Sasuke had to pull him off of the Caterpillar.

They were separable ever since. Any moment not spent with Sakura and Sasuke, Naruto spent with Hinata.

The memory of her mangled, rotting corpse chilled him and he took the time to memorize the woman before him with her newfound confidence and quiet inner strength.

"What is it?" Naruto patted the ground beside him.

Hinata took a deep breath.

Take courage my child!

"I love you."

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I'm ending this tonight

don't tell me

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-The Real World-

She slept—restless.

The world around her glimmered like a jewel, reflecting the truest shades of blue and green possible. Across the field, Uchiha Itachi rose from his seated position and approached.

"You're running out of time."

Sakura hung her head. "I know, Itachi-nii," she whispered. "Help me bring it all together."

Itachi rested his hand on her head, caressing the pale locks fondly. "We all have a Jack of Diamonds."

"Please don't leave me," Sakura begged. "Don't leave me to do this by myself."

"We all have a Jack of Diamonds."

From the wood, the familiar silver glint of Azrael's blade caught the light before Sasuke charged from the shade.

"STOP!" Sakura screamed. "SASUKE-KUN, STOP!"

His Sharingan seemed to look straight through her.

"DON'T KILL MY KITTY!"

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hold me together

keep me from tearing myself apart

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Pale, Ino tried to rouse her from slumber but the open palm against her cheek and the sting of Sakura's nails biting into her skin forced her to step back. Her eyes finally snapped open, olivine desperately searching for some piece of reality to anchor onto.

"Oh my God," Sakura breathed. She cradled her head in her hands. "Oh my God, it's just a dream. It's just a dream. The Hatter would never kill the Cheshire Cat."

Ino bit her lip. Just as Kakashi warned her before they left, Sakura started to rave about Mad Hatters, White Rabbits, and shattered glass.

"Sakura?" She tentatively called. "Are you okay?"

The question brought her back from insanity.

"Bring me paper and ink."

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I can't remember

what it feels like to be numb to my heart

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The scent of cedar filled the air.

Sasuke raised a fist and the team stopped their advance. He signaled for Naruto and Sai to stay behind before taking a few cautious steps forward.

The man stood with his back facing him, watching the rising sun. The black cloak billowed in the breeze, the sunlight reflecting off the red satin clouds.

"A Konoha ANBU," Uchiha Itachi softly acknowledged. "A pleasure to meet you."

The casual greeting set off his temper.

"Uchiha Itachi," he snarled. "You are hereby charged with treason against Konohagakure no Sato and sentenced to execution."

His Sharingan caught the barely noticeable tightening of his back.

"And so they send my little brother to be the Angel of Death," Itachi commented with a wry smile. "Come Sasuke. Show me what you fight for."

And with a heathen roar, he charged.

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don't be cruel sweetheart

I told you some things will tear you apart inside

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-WEEKS LATER-

Tsunade folded her hands.

"You brought me your brother's head."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"A mission is a mission."

The Hokage leaned back in her chair. "And of the Massacre? What did you learn?"

His gaze darkened.

"Nothing," he replied. "Absolutely nothing."

She exhaled and closed her eyes in frustration.

"I'm sorry Sasuke."

I wish I could give you the answers.

For the briefest moment, the raw hurt cross his features as his memories replayed.

"I'm going home."

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When he crossed the threshold to their home, the warm Uchiha house made of cedar and pine, Sasuke had to stop the nausea from rising up his throat.

No one said anything as he took his seat at the end of table across from Sai. They ate in silence, the ceramic dishware quietly clinking together as they shuffled food around.

For the first time since Ino pulled her out of the lake, Sakura seemed back to her withdrawn self. She was distracted and unresponsive to most questions. The life in her eyes was still there though, reminding him of the life he stole weeks before.

Aniki.

Sasuke could still feel the warm blood, the same blood running through his veins, on his hands as he demanded for answers to Itachi's heinous crime nine years before.

Instead, his brother smiled, the same damning soft smile that haunted his childhood recollections, and whispered, "I'm glad they chose you."

The lights were out and the full moon rose high in the sky. He nursed a cup of tea in the dark, attempting to exorcise Itachi's last ghost from his head.

A stack of papers bound by scarlet thread landed by his hand. Sasuke looked up and nearly jumped upon seeing glimmering olivine in the darkness of the kitchen.

"What is this?"

Sakura gave him an impassive stare.

"The truth behind the Massacre."

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Author's Note:

Yeah, so much for that NYR. I never wrote more of Cold after that January update last year.

To be honest though, I never really gave up on it. Real life happened. I graduated from university, went to Japan, suffered a cruel betrayal from a close friend, resolved that problem, got sick for three weeks, and started graduate school. The entire time, I kept thinking, reading, and writing.

In order to finish Cold the way I always envisioned, I'm writing backwards. This way, I tie up loose ends, the millions of threads I've left to fray, and answer all your questions. So yes, it will take me a while to write because I've got this, a couple other works, presentations, and a thesis to pen in the next year.

Thank you always for your support. It really drives me to continue working and I can't thank you enough for sharing a little piece of this sanctuary.

Ja ne-

Callista Miralni