Blackened trees and splintered logs of massive proportions covered the landscape, attesting to the battle which had rendered the once beautiful forest into a catatonic wasteland. Sasuke took no note of the ash coated shadow world, his one track mindset concentrating solely on his goal; to find his brother and prevent tragedy before Madara tore from him the only family he had left.

The twing of damaged muscle in his side and back meant nothing to him, nor the trickle of fresh blood escaping the bandaging. He was the rogue shinobi once more, focused on a single target with no hinderance barring his way. He would not lose Itachi again, so he had sworn to himself. Sasuke would see to it that his brother returned to Konoha with the hero's welcome that he deserved, even if it cost him his own life.

. . .. . . . .. .. . . .

His Susanoo was flickering, the shield dissapating under the constant bombardment of the undying forces. Amaterasu flames consumed countless writhing bodies, their advancement hampered to an extent as black fire obliterated all traces of everything it touched. Blood was streaming in rivulets from Itachi's right eye, however, the jutsu losing its surpremecy as the trees on one side blurred into jagged lines across his vision.

The lashing tentacles of Killer Bee's eight tails collided with tens of white soldiers at every swipe, smashing the fragile bodies into pieces with seemingly little effort. Even a jinchuriki could not hold up forever, though, and with the added effects of fighting Uchiha, Uzamaki, and himself, Killer Bee was using up more chakra than he could afford.

Naruto was the only one who seemed to be making any progress - if one could say that the forty-some flaming clones rounding on a single burnished shinobi proved anything. Itachi could easily pick out Naruto among his countless look alikes by this time. The energy was growing wilder around the Uzamaki, a cruel, dark aura that only meant one thing; the nine tails was beginning to reveal its inner strength. Whether that boded good or ill for their efforts was yet undetermined.

Even so it was not enough. Killer Bee and Itachi were tiring quickly and Naruto would not stand for long without the full support of the nine tail's chakra. Madara regarded them with cold triumph, waiting for the opportune moment when they were too weak to fight so that he might complete his revenge.

A flash of deperation shot through Itachi; he was not prepared to lose this battle. He had given his life to protect Sasuke, and he would not allow that sacrifice to be wasted by Madara's tyranny. There was a way to defeat this army; he merely had to discover how.

.. .. ... .. .. .. .. ... .. ...

"Are you certain this plan will succeed?" one cloud general said gruffly, he and his troops giving Haru a wide berth as he assisted in the final measures of one putrescent, broiling concoction.

"Have I ever given you reason to doubt me?" the green haired ninja countered tersely. He winced, moving stiffly as the constant movement had aggravated his still healing wounds. Once the fog was activated he could rest, but until that time his assistance was required.

"Don't make me answer that," the general muttered, signalling to his troops for silence.

"Is everything ready?" Tsunade questioned briskly, her sharp jade eyes knifing through the communications shinobi as he waited for a reply.

"Squadrons six, three and seven are good to go," he nodded. "Five and two are right on their heels... Squadron four had an ambush; they already unleashed their poison."

"That's it then, no more waiting," Tsunade barked. "Haru, activate it. Cloud shinobi, wind techniques. Give the other squads the all clear and let's get this operation underway." She strode through the ash ridden clearing, continuing to snap out orders. "No holding back; I want this mist covering a square thousand miles in ten minutes."

The Raikage echoed her commands, gathering his own chakra as green fog spewed from the large cannister they had constructed for this very purpose. Across the land identical reactions took place, elemental users fanning the green poison towards Madara's advancing army.

Near Squadron four the ambush had already begun to fade, yellow eyes widening in terror as each white body sloughed away, burning with unrequited flame that consumed fauna cells and moved on to eat away at human flesh. Spores sizzled in midair, flecks of charred plant life raining down as the tiny life particles were suffocated before they could fully take form.

Across the land the deadly mist spread, the army melting away like a rain drenched mirage. Shinobi set on ambushing their "allies" cried out in dread as emerald fire licked at their flesh, their weapons dropping useless to the ground and their faces twisted grotesquely in throes of death. The shinobi allies could only stare in mingled horror and disgust as soldiers dissolved before their eyes, the murderous forces crumpling into blackened rags like burnt parchment.

For a long moment no sound was heard save the dying screams of the Zetsu clones. Then, as one voice the shinobi army raised a cry of triumph against their vanquished foes.

.. .. .. .. ... ..

Itachi smelled the putrescent acidic mist before he saw it. A great wave of evil incarnate, it crept across the horizon and spread rapidly in their direction. The Zetsu clones abruptly revertted to their original forms, their eyes wide in anguish as they fled from the oncoming threat.

Killer Bee began yet another unintelligable rap as a writhing amber shield spread to cover them, Naruto's now eight tailed form roaring in challenge at the promise of impending doom. Uncertain what to expect from the curse that had caused his enemies to flee, Itachi braced himself for what might possibly prove to be the ending blow.

To his astonishment the flood of mist cascaded over them like a light rainfall, drenching him in its pale green liquid yet leaving his body and chakra intact. In repulsive contrast the Zetsu forms writhed and wailed, attempting to flee underground yet unable even then to evade the veil of destruction.

Around them the forest moaned as though a living being, the remaining trees, flowers and everything green crumpling into dust as its life support was snuffed out and ravished by an inborn flame. Birds fled for their lives, insects taking off in droves as their refuge was devoured.

Within minutes utter silence reigned, the three shinobi turning to face Madara as the dark shinobi's gloved hands clenched into fists, an aura of power and malice errupting from him as he thundered,

"So be it, then. If I shall not have my vengeance, then I shall satisfy myself with the torturous end of those who vanquished me."

A single crimson eye focused on Itachi, the hatred and loathing almost tangible as Madara swore,

"I warned you eight years ago, Uchiha Itachi. Never cross me. Not if you treasure your life... or that of your precious otouto."

I can tell it's been a while since I updated this story. I named Itachi's dog "Touto" and then I wound up getting "otouto" mixed up with "aniki?" Oye.