Scroll 4: The Third Uchiha [Naruto]

Chapter 25: Rin Uchiha [Shippuden]

**Authors Note:

Finally updated! We will be returning to the main story after this chapter (the main story as in the rest of the war etc.).

I wouldn't call this a filler but it doesn't touch base on what else is going on. Right now we're just focusing on our Uchiha peeps :)

Please comment, vote, and enjoy!

**

Rin

My body felt like it was on fire, my blood was searing through my veins as if it were boiling beneath my skin. I stared at Itachi across from me laying on the ground. Had it worked? I heard someone call my name. A faint whisper in the distance, but from this world or the next, I couldn't tell. Itachi's body faded along with everything else. I felt myself falling, falling, falling, and suddenly floating. Water or something similar cooled the fire beneath my skin as I sunk deeper and deeper into the darkness. I reached towards it, finally able to move. A voice laughed, but another yelled, one beckoning me closer and the other crying to fight back. I reached out, and it reached for me. It's touch burned cold like ice. It was a relief.

"Have you really come this far to give up now?" This voice I recognized. It made me open my eyes. My hand stretched out meeting the void, but the other rose upwards.

"No," I whispered. 

"I never give up," I felt a warm hand take mine, and it pulled me upwards. I landed hard on the cold ground, coughing up everything I inhaled.

"I didn't think you had it in you," I released a staggered breath as I pushed myself to sit. I recognized this place, the dock, the trees, the compound walls, and the lake we would practice fire jutsu over. I peered over the edge. It was the one difference, the beckoning darkness.

"So, what did you sacrifice young one?" I glanced over my shoulder, surprised to meet Madara's gaze.

"You've done this before" I realized and I took his hand when he offered it, he pulled me to my feet supporting my weight when I slumped into him. He chuckled slightly.

"I asked for my brother, but I could not go through with what death asked of me. As a result, a part of me will be trapped here for eternity."

"And where is here exactly?" I asked, clutching to his arm when he started to walk. My steps were a little shaky as I followed. 

"The in-between, purgatory, whatever you want to call it it's all the same."

"Then why are you here?" I questioned.

"I can never pass on. That is my punishment for summoning a God, and not going through with the contract," He explained.

"And why am I here?"

"Your final test," He said, as he paused halfway down the dock.

"You can choose to die here, or you can live with your sacrifice. This way will lead you to your peaceful end, the other to your life. Whatever life you've now made for yourself" He explained first motioning to the side of the dock that lead to the compound, then to the end that lead to the water.

"You know what I sacrificed?" I asked cautiously, and he smiled slightly.

"It is interesting to see something that many would consider a privilege is your greatest fear. It is even more interesting to see that you didn't hesitate."

"He's my brother, he deserved a second chance" I replied and he chuckled. 

"If only I had your convictions when I faced them, maybe things would have faired differently."