We fall for what feels like hours, clinging to each other. Then we hit a slope, and we slid down that like a slide until we collapsed into a pile. I covered Itachi's mouth from where I landed on top of him, and very quietly whispered, "Pretend to be unconscious."

He moved his lips against my hand in what felt like a mouthed "ok." I go slack again.

"You imbecile!" I hear a deep voice yell, "I told you to get the Uchiha, not the Uchiha and some random girl!"

"Madara-Sama, I just thought we could use her to release the boy's Mangekyo," a simpering voice responds. I feel Itachi tense underneath me.

The first voice... Madara? Hums in thought. "You're right for once, Zetsu. That could work. The boy will need his Mangekyo for our plan to work. Now, I know you two are awake, so why don't you stop pretending."

I heave a sigh and get off of Itachi who sits up with a snarl. And... wow, that the most emotion I've actually seen expressed my Itachi. "I'm not killing Yoruka," he growls.

I freeze, "Wait, you want loyal to a fault Itachi to kill me? Honestly, that's hilarious. I don't know who you think you are, but you should probably do a more thorough personality check before you decide to make my teammate an accessory to whatever evil plot you think is a good idea," I snarl at an old man in a chair. His hair is bushy and vaguely familiar.

I need to buy time for Hana to find us. She knows our scent, and there's nowhere in the Elemental Nations we can go where she can't find us. Itachi nods his agreement.

The old man laughs, "Oh, how spirited the younger generations have become. Zetsu, possess the boy." A shadowed figure steps away from the chair. Half of its body colored black as pitch, the other side white as snow.

Shit, Kaguya. How did I forget about Kaguya? "Hang on a second old man. How do you know that thing is loyal to you?" I decide to do what I do best and buy some fucking time. "If it's wily enough to be able to fucking possess people, how do you know it's not manipulating you?" Even if Madara doesn't believe me now, I'm still planting the seeds.

Hah, plant pun about the plant person. Fuck you, Zetsu. Zetsu stills at my accusation. "The brat is obviously just trying to sow discord, Madara-sama," the same voice says, but it's somehow different.

Itachi smirks, catching on. "While normally I would agree with the assessment of Yoruka solely existing to sow chaos, your friend does seem a bit suspicious," he drawls.

I shoot Itachi an offended glare, "Wow, I came out here to kick Kumo's ass in the Chunin Exams, and honestly, I'm feeling so attacked right now."

He gives me a deadpan look, "Good." I let out an injured gasp.

Madara interrupts us with a cough, "I believe I'll be inclined to believe Zetsu-"

"Hang on," I return the favor by interrupting him, "I heard you be called Madara. If you're really Uchiha Madara, why are you attacking Konoha Genin? Especially since Itachi himself is an Uchiha," I question. Let him question his reasoning. Also, let him start monologuing.

I feel Itachi sending me an amused glance. He knows the habits of his clan more than anyone, and boy, are they all fucking dramatic

Madara's laugh is booming and sends me an amused look, "I know what you're doing, child. You're trying to buy time. Regardless, I shall humor you, considering no one will find you here." He either doesn't know how strong Hana and her ninkin's nose is, or he's underestimating them.

"You see, it all started when my brothers died," Zetsu looked like her was about to have a stroke. "I started dreaming about changing the world for the better, which is what led me to helping Hashirama create Konohagakure. I soon realized that a village would not create the perfect world I dreamed of. That's when I found a stone tablet detailing a way for a perfect world to come into existence, the Eternal Tsukuyomi!" Madara finished his monologue very dramatically.

Itachi choked, "The Tsukuyomi is a genjutsu. You want to place the entire Elemental Nations under a genjutsu?"

Madara nodded as I sputtered. "People can only survive a max of three days without water, Madara. Placing everyone under a genjutsu would just lead to everyone dying of dehydration!" My voice increased in volume. I think I just now realized how idiotic Madara's plan was in Canon.

Madara blinked, as if that was just now occurring to him. He then turned to Zetsu, "You assured me it would work," Madara growled.

Zetsu snarled, "I won't let a couple of brats ruin everything," he leaps at us until he suddenly freezes. I hold my hands up in the Shadow Imitation Jutsu ending handsign, smirking.

Madara watches on impassively as a surge of chakra is produced and overpowers my jutsu. Itachi and I leap to opposite sides as the ground erupts under us with plants. I pant and shoot off Lighting Release: Discharge. Zetsu dodges, but he dodges right into Itachi's Grand Fireball Jutsu.

Zetsu blocks it, and sinks into the earth. My eyes shift, looking for him. I feel a presence behind me and I block an attack from a white Zetsu with my arm guards. I summon my Shadow Blade and behead the white Zetsu, but more just take its place. "Itachi, duck!" I yell as I extend my Shadow Blade to create a wide, sweeping attack that takes out at least 20 Zetsu at once.

My breath comes quicker as my chakra levels slowly deplete. The Zetsu begin reforming, and I'm standing in the middle of a large group of them. I pale, and move clear.

Then I- I'm clutching my stomach, sinking to my knees. A deep burning, pain blooms from my abdomen as Zetsu laughs behind me. I cough, and there's blood flowing. I look down in shock to see a spear of wood springing forth from my stomach. Oh, I'm falling foreword now. I lose feeling in in my arms and legs.

The world goes hazy, and I hear Itachi scream in rage. The last thing I feel is a spike in Itachi's chakra as a blast of dirt sprinkles onto my body. I hear Hana's voice, though I can't make out what she's saying. And then the world goes black.