Author's Note: Shamelessly changed the trial here, because moving a bunch of people around to find the magic pattern to make the bridge would just be boring. This was more fun for me (and hopefully you!)

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When Sasuke returns to himself, he is surprised to find Kakashi standing over him. More astonishing, when the older man offers him his hand, Sasuke accepts it, allowing him to drag him to his feet.

"This is the only aid I can offer now," Kakashi explains tiredly. "I have hit my limit, it seems."

Sasuke's eyes travel across the room, carefully ignoring the familiar corpses on the floor, seeking Sakura. Though he knows the facsimile he killed was not her, he discovers a childish need to make sure she is all right.

She is, albeit in a harried condition. Naruto is bleeding from an arm that has been hacked to pieces by a rogue's switchblade. She is digging frantically through her healing kit to help him while he tries to hold his wounds closed. The human has had worse injuries, but Sasuke suspects her guilt over killing Naruto's double has her on edge. She will help him now or die trying.

"I hope there are no more challenges like this," Kakashi goes on. "Responsibility for the demise of a loved one, even given the pretence of this...it is an experience that should be avoided if possible."

There is a meaningful undertone there that seems like it's directed at him. Kakashi may not know the details of Sasuke's past, but it is clear he has suspicions.

Sasuke doesn't reply, instead pulling away from the mage and heading for the giant door of the chamber. It should be open now, but it remains stubbornly warded, forbidding blue energy radiating from it.

"I don't get it," Naruto wonders through gritted teeth as Sakura stitches the wound on his right arm together. "Why didn't it open? We defeated...uh...us."

"Once I finish here, we'll spread out," Sakura says, eyes focussed on her work. "There might be something that our...that those clones were guarding, or perhaps dropped."

"I will start looking," Kakashi volunteers, clearly intending to spare them the experience of looting the corpses of friends.

Everyone is avoiding each other's eyes, but still trying to work together. In time, perhaps the skittishness will fade. This experience will seem like a momentary dark spot, something faced and overcome. It might fuel nightmares for a few nights or offer an image that comes back to them in moments of reflection to make them shudder. But all three of them can go on knowing what they did was a matter in which they had no choice. Deeds that were more symbolism than anything else.

But to Sasuke, this trial is a reminder.

Of how easy it was for him to return to that state of mind. Of what he needs to do if he intends to return to his path and find Itachi.

This is what he must become once more.

Sakura's twin still gazes up at him in sad, silent accusation, and his throat closes again.

It is as if a switch inside of him clicks.

I will find another way, brother, Sasuke decides with a harsh certainty. I will not become this again to carry out what is right. I will find another path, my own way. I will not follow in your footsteps.

There is a loud creaking grind of stone on stone, and the door that barred them from moving forward slides open.

"Huh," Naruto says, staring at it. "I guess it needed a minute to kick in."

"Doesn't surprise me," Sakura says. "Spells or not, I doubt anyone has ever been far enough in this way. The mechanisms are rusty."

"It iss as good an explanation as any," Kakashi says, but he sounds like he doubts it.

Not wanting to give him a chance to analyse the situation further, Sasuke gets up and heads into the next section of the temple. He hears the others scrambling after him, perhaps fearing the door might close again before they can.

This place is larger than the other rooms, if only because of the giant, gaping chasm that makes up the most of it. Twenty yards away, and with no bridge in sight, he can see the next door.

"Maybe it's an invisible bridge," Naruto suggests.

"If you want to try that out, be my guest," Sasuke mumbles.

Naruto begins to reply, but his response gets lost in his throat. When Sasuke turns to find out what has distracted him, he discovers he cannot move.

"I imagine there is a puzzle or test we have to complete to make the bridge appear," Kakashi muses, striding past him without noticing. "What do you think, Sakura?" The only response he gets is a muffled, strangled squeak. Out of the corner of his eye, Sasuke sees that she, too, has been rendered paralysed. "Sakura?"

The mage turns now and sees the three members of his party immobilised.

"Ah. So, I am the one to be tested this time," the mage mumbles. "Do your worst, then."

"Do you really mean that?"

The voice is Naruto's, but not.

When Sasuke strains to look, he finds the human has turned to face Kakashi now, but his eyes are blank.

"Or do you say it because they expect you to?" he continues. "You have always been so careful of keeping up appearances. It is exhausting. And you so hate effort. You have always been one to evade the hard decisions," 'Naruto' intones drowsily. "Avoiding attention, refusing to get involved. Battling darkspawn was a convenient excuse to escape the Circle and following this motley crew protects you from Templars...you hope."

Kakashi frowns.

"So, I wonder...why bother with this silly quest? It is so much effort...wasted in the end, really. You fight for a world that does not want you. You would be safer and more content if you let it pass you by."

"That is debateable."

"I will offer you an alternative: return the way you came. I will open the doors and you can escape this place. Find somewhere safe and warm. Settle down."

"And what would happen to my companions?"

"They would stay here. I will offer them peaceful sleep—blissful dreams until their skin and bones fade to dust. A moment in time for them, instead of a long-drawn-out death in search of something which may not exist."

Kakashi shakes his head. "No. None of them would thank me for doing them that favour. Naruto would sacrifice himself in a heartbeat if it meant one of us carrying the cure to Arl Hiruzen..."

"Would he?" the being inquires and then takes a step toward the chasm.

Sakura makes a panicked noise in her throat, unable to speak, and Kakashi steps forward as well. "Stop! He is not the one you intend to test, I am. I will take his place if a life is what is required. And it would suit you better, would it not? Demons such as yourself prefer mages anyhow."

Naruto's chuckle is dry and dozy. "So, you know what I am. Well. Why should I argue when a mage offers himself so willingly?

There is a sound like wind rushing and Naruto's eyes become less hazy. He remains frozen in place but is now aware enough to watch Kakashi's eyes go blank as the demon takes possession.

Sasuke mentally curses, damning the mage for putting them all at risk by allowing a demon to enter his body, but then he sees Kakashi's body tense. He staggers, then takes a laborious step forward, heading for the edge of the chasm.

He is going to throw himself off, Sasuke realises. Sakura and Naruto make noises as if they were screaming if their mouths could unclench.

To their horror, Kakashi takes the last step into the abyss—

Only for his foot to come down on solid stone as a giant column materialises before him. Kakashi's body relaxes, loose like an unwound puppet, and a voice whispers in the dark.

"In sacrifice, you have defeated Sloth and found Valour. Carry it with you always when cowardice and complacence would reign."

And then silence permeates the cavern once more.

Kakashi takes a laborious breath and glances back at them where they are frozen.

"Do not worry," he says. "I understand what this is. I faced something similar in my Harrowing."

"Yes, but this time it's not your own life on the line, is it, mage?" Sasuke sneers, momentarily startled that he can speak again.

Except it is not his voice.

It is lower and sharper, filled with a simmering fury that appears to suffuse every part of him. Literally. He is burning hot. He can see the surrounding air vibrating as if he stands within a pyre.

"That's the way it always is, though," he continues, or rather, the thing using his mouth does. "Stand in the background, the one that causes the pain and misery and destruction, and then act like a victim when it's done."

"Ah, this would be Rage, then?" Kakashi wonders, a vein near his temple twitching.

"You know it well, don't you?" the raging force within Sasuke says. "It boils inside you whenever anyone like this one opens his mouth. When they speak of the sins of your kind, the truths. Because deep down, you know it's true."

There is a poisonous certainty in his words that makes Sasuke's blood boil, each syllable making his heartrate increase. He longs to move so he could grab his bow, wants to lash out.

"I do not, because it is not," Kakashi says. "And whatever people distrust about mages, I believe they can learn anew."

"But why would they bother taking such a risk? The moment they're free, mages'll make themselves magisters. They face demons and accept their offers, killing children to show off at parties. They should all be made tranquil slaves, sent to towers to be beaten and starved and r—"

"Enough!" Kakashi barks, and though his eyes spark, his tone remains measured. "You believe his anger is something to latch on to? I bid you, direct it at me and see how you fare."

"Gladly," the demon snarls, and something punches out of Sasuke, the violent heat vanishing as quickly as it came. He suspects his knees might give out if whatever magical force keeps him standing were not in place.

The demon enters Kakashi, who screams in pain and something else. Veins radiate outward from his eyes, and cracks seem to burst out beneath his skin, as if light were trying to push its way through. His eyes burn a bright, scarlet red.

"I will not...punish others...for their fears," he grunts. "Otherwise...I become what they think...I am!" He throws himself back, away from his immobilised companions, clutching at his head as he battles the demon there. "And you forget...demon. I am not...in here...with you. You...are in here...with me!"

He falls forward on all fours, red tongues of flame exuding from his body, and then with a final scream, the surrounding air explodes into light. Another section of the path forms before him as he does so.

Once more, the ethereal voice whispers in the dark.

"You have overcome Rage, and in doing so, discovered the path to Justice. Do not lose sight of the enemy or you will become it."

"Two down," Kakashi pants, pulling himself to his feet and once more facing his companions. His attention falls on Sakura. "And what is it you would try to offer, demon?"

"Nothing you don't want more than anything," Sakura replies, but in a lower, breathier voice than Sasuke has ever heard. It makes his mouth go dry and his palms sweat even though the sheer unnaturalness of it sends a chill up his spine. It eradicates any of the leftover fire within him. "What every mage secretly wants, more than any bit of power."

"And that is?"

"Not to be alone," the creature wearing Sakura's face purrs. "And that is something easily rectified."

Kakashi seems to recoil. "If that is what you offer, you have gravely misread the situation."

"Oh, come now, Kakashi-sensei," 'Sakura' hums. "We both know who you see whenever you look at me. I make you remember...make you wish..." She trails off with a coy giggle here. "I can give her to you, you know. Or...I can be her." She licks her lips. "Let me give you what you seek, Kakashi-sensei. What you long for."

Sasuke's eyes fly toward Kakashi, expecting to see his usual impassive expression, or casual denial.

But for a moment, there is a flicker in his eyes. As if he is—briefly—considering the ramifications.

It is gone just as quick, so fast Sasuke is sure he imagined it, and then Kakashi takes a step forward.

"There are others who need what you offer more than I," Kakashi says stiffly. "The woman you speak of, she held the heart of a man who, without her, would be more lost and dangerous than anything imaginable. More than that, he would be broken. I could not live knowing I had done that to my best friend." He pauses, eyes flitting to Sasuke as if his next words meant for him, and goes on, "I will not take from others only to benefit myself. And neither would the one you inhabit. She makes a poor host, I think."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," the demon runs her hands down Sakura's body, and brushing against the curves hidden by armour. "There's so much yearning stewing here. It would keep me entertained for years."

"Then just imagine what a longing that can never be requited might offer you," Kakashi suggests. "It would prove a more enticing challenge, do you not agree?"

"Oh, you're amusing. I shall enjoy playing with your mind," the demon murmurs. She gives a low, uncharacteristic giggle, and then Sakura's entire body jolts, as if she was hit by electricity.

The purple haze surrounding her rushes at Kakashi, who shudders as it enters his body. He remains still for the longest time, head and shoulders thrown back as if he is being hung by his rib cage, and then he crumples to his feet again.

"The thing is..." Kakashi mumbles. "I...made my peace with this...a long time ago...In case I forgot to...mention..."

His body emits yet another burst of light and goes still.

"In the face of Desire and what she might offer, you cling to Compassion. Guard this in times of pain and hardship."

The third part of the path materialises, and in the same moment, Sasuke senses his invisible bonds sever. He, Naruto and Sakura stagger, suddenly expected to hold up their weight.

"What the hell was that?" Naruto demands, shaking out his arms and legs.

"Demons," Sasuke growls, his voice raw. "Spirits meant to test the mage."

"Ugh, I feel so violated. And my throat tastes like I drank a vat of molasses or...animal fat. What about you, Sakura? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she says—rather abruptly, too, and in a higher voice than normal. "What about Sasuke? I mean, he was on fire."

"Yeah, but he's always so angry anyway, it was hard to even tell..."

Sasuke studies her, confused at her behaviour and wondering if the change is a remnant of the demon which had her. But when he catches her eye, she turns pink and looks away.

Embarrassment, he realises, though he does not understand why. They were each of them possessed, and yet they are fine, barring a few lingering side-effects. Sasuke still feels like he has sustained burns inside his skin from the Rage demon. And Sakura, she was possessed by a Desire demon, so it would stand to reason she might feel a little—

The penny drops.

Oh.

"So that's it?" Naruto is asking, wandering toward the edge of the bridge; the others follow, with Sakura maintaining a conspicuous distance for Sasuke and refusing to look Kakashi in the eye. "What a cheat! Those demons took us over and didn't even finish the damn bridge when they left!"

"This distance isn't much," Sakura observes. "You could cross easily, Kakashi. Or build a bridge of ice." She peeks at him, looking guilty and apologetic, but he offers a small shake of the head; she had no control over the words spoken by the demon. "Perhaps even conjure a blast of magic to send one of us over?"

Kakashi turns his attention back to the bridge.

"I could," he muses. Then he blinks, and a slow smile appears on his face, "but I will not."

"Huh? How come?" Naruto asks.

"Because of the cost if I were to fail and lose one of you."

"That is an unusual remark for someone usually so confident in their skills," Sasuke points out.

"Perhaps. But I think it better to retrace our steps and see what we can do together rather than sacrifice what has already been gained on the overestimation of my abilities."

He has barely finished the sentence when there is a thunderous crack, and the final part of the path locks into place.

"Many a man falls prey to Pride, but only one who knows Wisdom can defeat it."

"Are you kidding?" Naruto demands. "That was the last test?"

"Mages are notorious for their pride," Kakashi explains. "Most who succumb to demons and become abominations? It is Pride which fells them. I learned this the hard way when I was young. I pity myself the day I fall for it again."

He considers them each, and he might be smiling at them beneath his mask. Sasuke shifts, a strange, not-quiet comfortable sensation welling within him; he hesitates to call it relief.

"Come on," he says out loud instead. "Let us cross the rest of this damn thing before it disappears again."

"And get ready," Sakura agrees as they head for the door, "because there's one test left. And I think we know who it's for."

"Aw, damn it..." Naruto complains.

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Translation:

Harrowing – Ritual which mages undergo in the Fade to ensure they can control their magic; those who can't are executed by the Templars

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