The Memory Keeper (Naruto Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty Four- Erosion of Sanity

Hey, Hi, Hello.

Welcome to chapter twenty four of 'The Memory Keeper'. There will be, at most, six or seven chapters left before I finish with this story. The end is drawing much, much closer than I ever thought it would be. I was under the impression that I would never finish this story, 'cause I drag so much on some unimportant things. I have a question for you guys- do I describe the wrong moments and skip description on the events I shouldn't (Example: how I skipped around in the latter part of the Chunin exams, and the Invasion of Konoha arc)? Please, let me know. I do know I will be going back and doing a lot of editing to the entire story. I feel like I've been failing you guys in regards to the quality of this story. So I'm sorry T/.\T Anyway, on with the chapter! Please enjoy it (: I tried to make it long. I hope I succeeded! The song is 'Paige and 14th' by Avion Roe. I know there's a lot of them (the lyrics) but I love this song oh so very much <3

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto or Avion Roe T/.\T
WARNINGS: Cussing, drama, a surprise.  

Anything in bold is important or with emphasis.
This is what memories look like.
This is what thoughts look like.
'This is what song lyrics look like.'

--

'I'm set being on my own
Til I harm myself, til my legs unfold.
I could never leave my mind.
The memories are all behind and you
you know I tried.
You could never change my mind.
The air was cold when I lost myself.
I'm just like you, but I'm
someone else and I know
(No matter what)
I know
(No matter what)
And all the bright light I've been in was
The worth, I'd do it all again. And I know
(No matter what)
I know
(No matter what)
I've set everything away
And we harm ourselves, we throw away.
Well if I ever leave my mind
The memories will fade away in time
You know I try, know I tried
Don't change my mind.' 

--

   I can only describe waking from Tsukuyomi as the following.

   Like drowning. Like being pulled from an exorcism. Like dying a hundred times over. Like having my heart pulled from my chest. Like swallowing broken glass. Like the thundering feeling in my head when Zaku was holding me down, choking me, fully intent upon killing me right then and there. One moment I'm wandering over the broken black plains, drifting aimlessly around. The next it feels as if there's a cable chord attached to my heart, pulling me up with all of its force. But I wasn't moving- at least, not physically. I could feel liquid bubbling up my throat, pooling in my mouth and spilling down over my cheeks. Blood? No, it felt more like water. Or was it something else? I wasn't sure. It could have been blood for all I knew, or maybe something impossible like my soul. It didn't matter much, either. The chord's pull only intensifies, dragging up further and further. Pulling my soul up through my throat, out of my mouth, into the blood sky.

   I can't breathe. The world goes black, and I finally believe that I am dying. I am dead, gone, dying inside of Tsukuyomi, the nightmare realm. The enemies were finally ending it all for me- or maybe it was someone on my side. They realized there was no way in hell I'd be fixed, and I was far from breaking out myself. So it was game over. I would be traveling to heaven, or maybe hell if my suspicions were right and it was the kid face-down in the crackling, smoking water who died at my hands. Because that made sense, didn't it? Why else would that image be burned into my brain if it wasn't important, and if it wasn't me who killed them?

   So that sealed it. Great, just fucking great. I would be burning in hell for all eternity. At least it would be better than being caught in Tsu- "What the fuck?!" My brain is flooded with memories. All the times before. Massacre of the clan, meeting my team, the first real mission, the Chunin exams, talking with Ibiki, the invasion of Konoha, and then, finally-- Tsukuyomi. With Itachi. His words, spoken so easily with that Kami damned expression on his face. The blank, entirely disinterested look.