I woke up tied to a wooden stake. The world around me was illuminated by a red moon. I thought I saw Itachi in the distance but everything was inverted.

"I-Itachi? W-where am I?" I muttered out, hoping for a response.

"Welcome Y/n. To my Tsukuyomi," he appeared before me.

My whole body ached with severe pain, and I felt myself slipping in and out of consciousness.

"Mm-mm, Y/n. Wake up," he called as kunai stabbed into my wrists and along my arms, causing me to let out a loud scream.

"How does it feel to finally experience my visual prowess firsthand?" he smirked as his hand trailed my face.

"W-why?" I cried out softly.

"Because, Y/n. You're mine, and you always will be. I can't let you forget that."

"Please Itachi," I whimpered.

"Don't worry, Y/n.... We'll have plenty of fun while you're here. Just like we always do."

I was already experiencing the worst pain of my life, so I took a deep breath and prepared for the worst.

I wasn't sure what had happened to make him do this, but whatever was between me and Itachi had officially ended. He made sure of that the moment he brought me here. Now all that was left to do what wait it out and hope I didn't die before I was set free.

•••••

"Y/n. Y/n, can you hear me?" Tsunade's voice called me back into consciousness.

"T-tsunade," I croaked out.

"Good, you're awake," she smiled as she brushed through my hair softly. "You had us all so worried."

"W-what happened?..." I mumbled out before it all came flooding back.

"Gaara!! Is he ok!?" I tried to sit up but my whole body screamed at me in resistance and I quickly fell back in my bed.

"Take it easy! You won't be getting out of bed anytime soon. But yes, Gaara is ok. The mission was completed successfully."

I closed my eyes as tears began to roll down my face, "That's good. Is everyone else safe?"

"Lady Chiyo didn't make it. She gave her life to bring back Gaara.. And Kakashi is on bed rest just like you, but otherwise, everyone is ok."

I sighed and shook my head, "I guess you should've kept me back after all."

"It's not your fault, Y/n. You've been through a lot... Almost anyone else would've died with the trauma Itachi put you through." She looked at me with sad eyes, "Do you remember anything?"

"I saw him, while I was trapped in his Tsukuyomi. He said he had to remind me that I would always be his," the tears returned as I remembered the time I spent in his trap.

"He lied, you know that? You're not his," a sweet voice called out to me.

"Kakashi!" I yelled as I saw him walking into the room. He hobbled slowly over to the empty bed, dragging along an IV with him.

"What are you doing out of bed?" Tsunade glared at him.

"I heard she was awake. I figured we could spend our time here in the hospital together, make it suck a little less," he smiled at me.

"You're lookin pretty beat up there, Kakashi," I teased.

"Yea, you're one to talk," he laughed as he laid back in the bed next to mine.

Tsunade sighed loudly as Jiraiya burst through the doors.

"Well look at these two sensei's... Aren't you both supposed to be top shinobi of the leaf!?" he laughed loudly.

"You both need to be resting. Not goofing around," Tsunade grumbled.

"Resting?" Jiraiya came and took a seat on the edge of my bed. "She's been passed out for like 4 days now! I think she should be done resting."

"4 days!?" I looked at him with wide eyes. "What the hell! Where is Team Kakashi!?"

"They're out on a mission," Tsunade finally gave up and sat on the edge of Kakashi's bed. "Tenzo is filling in for you guys, and a new member was added."

"Tenzo is a teacher!! You guys must be getting really desperate," Kakashi and I laughed. "So who's the new member?"

"His name is Sai. He's from the foundation."

"The Anbu foundation? That seems kind of strange, doesn't it?"

"It was Danzo's request," Tsunade huffed. "And the elders agreed."

"I hate him," I muttered out.

"Doesn't everyone," Kakashi teased.

"Respect your elders you two!" Tsunade called out, causing us to laugh like little kids.

"Y/n," Jiraiya looked at me. "I was glad to hear you didn't use your kekkei genkai."

I sighed, "Yea, but I've been out for 4 days... Maybe I should've."

"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked.

"Jiraiya!" Tsunade yelled. "Could she have freed herself from the Tsukuyomi!?"

"Uhhhh," a sweat drop came to his forehead as he wore a look of nervousness.

"I-it's ok!" I quickly interjected after seeing Tsunade's face. "It was for the best! I may need it more next time."

"Could you really have broken free?" Kakashi asked again.

"Look, none of you should even know this!" Jiraiya called. "Let's focus on something else."

"She was in his genjutsu for a full day. She should be dead!" Tsunade yelled. "That's almost a month with the way he is able to warp time within that jutsu!!"

"How?..." Kakashi trailed off when someone else came into the room.

"Y/n!" he yelled as he rushed up to give me a hug.

"Hey, Asuma," I smiled as I hugged him back.

"Seriously Asuma? No smoking around the patients," Tsunade huffed.

He chuckled a bit, "Sorry about that Lady Hokage." He put out the cigarette and turned his attention back to me, "You had me worried."

"Yea, that's what I keep hearing..." I laughed awkwardly as everyone stared at me. Kakashi included.

"She's going to be okay. I was able to heal her physical and psychological damages," Tsunade added. "What she really needs is to rest."

"Right, well, I just came to see you real quick. We're actually headed out on a mission."

"Oh, good luck! Thanks for coming Asuma," I smiled at him.

"Of course," he bent down and kissed my forehead, leaving me a blushing mess. I didn't exactly want people to think we were together. Plus, I didn't want Kakashi to see that.

"I'm glad to see you're doing better too, Kakashi," he called out before leaving the room. "I'll come visit when we get back!"

Jiraiya looked at me, "You still doin that?"

My eyes widened as my face turned bright red, and he just laughed loudly.

"Jiraiya!!!" Tsunade yelled trying not to laugh herself.

"You two are ones to talk," I huffed as I crossed my arms. "And no. We are not still doing that. I talked to him before the mission, actually."

I glanced over at Kakashi. It was dumb considering I had no idea what his thoughts were towards me, but I still wanted him to know that I had ended everything with Asuma.

I saw him try to hide it, but he definitely glanced over at me when I said that, making me think maybe I did have a chance after all.

"Ok, ok. We'll let you both rest. Someone will be by to check on you," Tsunade smiled.

"Thanks for keeping the kid safe," Jiraiya smiled at me. "You're the right one for the job, Y/n. He loves you a lot."

"He calls her big sis," Kakashi smiled at me.

"Thanks Jiraiya. I love him too," I smiled as I gave him a quick hug.

"Feel better!" he called before he disappeared with Tsunade, finally leaving me and Kakashi alone.

I looked over at him, "So, how're you feeling?"

"Like shit, honestly. I have no control of my Mangekyo Sharingan yet. It takes everything out of me."

"I'm sorry, Kakashi. I'm really glad you made it back safely. I'm sorry I wasn't more help."

He smiled, "Yea, we had to carry your lifeless body everywhere as you were caught in that trap. It was a pretty big inconvenience."

"Hey! That's not my fault!!" I laughed. "I am sorry, though... I feel like I let everyone down."

"You didn't. You were amazing," he smiled softly at me. "Black lightning. Being able to break free of that genjutsu. Your mysterious kekkei genkai... you're just full of surprises."

I smirked, "You don't know the half of it..."

I slowly started to sit up, my body being more open to the idea now.

"What are you doing? You should really lay down," he called out as he picked up his book.

I sat on the edge of my bed, and stared at him, "Scoot over."

"Hmm?" he looked over at me as I struggled to stand up and walk the few feet over to his bed.

I slowly sat down on his bed as he inched over to the other side. I got underneath the covers and cuddled up against him.

"Sorry," I mumbled. "I just don't want to be alone."

"It's ok," he whispered as he put his arm around me and I put my head on his chest. He began to lightly rub my back and stroke my hair.

"You really make everything better, Kakashi," I said softly as my eyes grow heavy.

I felt his fabric-covered lips press against my forehead, "So do you, Y/n."

I drifted off to sleep, safe in Kakashi's arms.