Naruto - Fork in the Road

"You're making a mistake."

Sharp and dangerous, he turned his eyes to her at the accusation. And already, the kunoichi could feel the crackle of lightning in the air itself from his contained fury. Because Uchihas were never wrong. Because Uchiha Sasuke never made a mistake. Years had been dedicated to this course for them to abandon things now. Too much planning had gone into his every move for things to turn out otherwise. But Tenten knew better. Tenten was more practical.

No one was perfect.

It had been a flawed plan to begin with, filled with uncertainties and unknown variables that they would be forced to deal with when the time came. But she had been prepared for it. These were the principles that the life was based on. This was the structure that had guided Tenten's life since entering into it. And the kunoichi had agreed, believing that all their planning - all their experiences - had prepared them for the hard decisions that were to come. After all, infiltrating an enemy organisation was difficult enough. Worming your way into two should have been nearly impossible.

But Sasuke had managed, with one driving force leading his every step: revenge for his fallen clan. Retribution for the massacre at Itachi's hands.

Neither one of them had ever expected for things to turn so wrong in a matter of months.

The latter had been achieved, easily enough, playing out like a drama with a hard struggle and a battle of Gods upon the earth. All while she had been back in the Leaf with barely a scrap of memory of their beautifully orchestrated opus. And it had certainly taken it's toll on the younger brother to know that Itachi died at his hands. That much, she could tell during their silent trek towards Hidden Rain. But the problem came with the realization that both objectives were far from connected. And by the time she'd come back to him, there was a new player to the game.

Looking to him, she kept her voice low. "How much do you know about this guy?"

"You mean how much can I trust of him."

His name was Madara; a man out of legend and history. A man everyone thought to be long dead. And truly, when she had seen the mask with the orange swirl, there had been doubt and hesitation. But for more reasons than simply the identity of their new associate, though it was a prominent concern that sat near the top of her list. And in looking on at his squared shoulders and rigid back, the young woman could tell that it was so for him as well.

Feeling the weight of it, he turned, meeting her gaze with a red swirl of his own. And with his Sharingan activated, it was difficult not to take the matter seriously. He had never been one to use his bloodline idly, only resorting its use during spars when it was the absolute last resort. So that he would call upon it so openly now...

A sharp clip of his cape made his decision final. There was no room - no time - left for doubt. "It doesn't matter. He's been able to give me what no one else has: answers."

"But are they the right answers?" she pressed. Which only earned her a look that was as piercing any weapon she possessed in her scrolls.

"Are you really worried about that?" Softly spoken, it was easy to think the words to be sympathetic. That he still possessed some kindness and empathy to keep him human beyond the ruthless actions of a man seeking retribution. But Tenten knew better. Sasuke was out for his own needs and goals. No one else's. "Or are more concerned about where this road will lead you?"

And there was the heart of the matter, cutting deep and laid bare for those special few to see - those few who knew her well enough to understand how she rationalized and theorized every move she made. As practical as she was - as cool and calculating as the kunoichi could be - Tenten was also a Leaf-ninja, raised on the principles of friendship and loyalties; of the Will of Fire that burned within all their hearts.

"...The Leaf was never a target, before." As much of a deserter and traitor as she was in her decision to leave, there was still a fine line that she'd promised never to cross.

Even for his sake. "And if it is, now?"