It hadn't taken long before they reached their destination:in front of a small waterfall. The woman, who he was sure was not his, but a different one, turned to him, "Go with the girl, Uchiha Sasuke. Her wounds are fully healed by now, and her power returned."

Then she collapsed. He caught her by the waist, and found that when she raised her eyes to look at him, she was his once more.

She smiled at him and lifted a hand to his cheek, but before it could make contact, he took it and kissed the inside of her wrist.

Her smile widened, and she pulled him towards the falls. He was about to open his mouth to ask for explanations when she looked back at him and shook her head. Explanations would be for later.

Then they went through the waterfall.

At the other side was a forest lush with dewy leaves on trees, and golden fruits hanging from them. Birds could be heard chirping, but Sasuke couldn't see any people.

"I see. They want us to talk in private, then."

Sasuke turned to her in shock. She had actually spoken.

She laughed at his expression, and Sasuke couldn't help but compare it to the other woman's laugh; hers was devoid of any undercurrent. Not devious at all.

"Yes, Sasuke, I can speak. But only inside the Weaver."

"The weaver?"

She shook her head, "No, the Weaver." She lifted her face and smiled, and Sasuke had to catch his breath. "You were looking for explanations, right?"

She sat down on a patch of grass and patted the space next to hers. Sasuke followed.

"Perhaps let's begin with who I am. I am the Living Seamstress, the Goddess of the Earth. Who you met earlier was the Seamstress herself."

Sasuke nodded, despite not really knowing what she was saying.

"I was your brother's mate."

[tbc]

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! If it weren't for you, this fix would have withered away into...nothing. Hah.

In another note, have I shocked you?! Heh.