"I can't." he shook his head. "But I hold truth and knowledge, and I will take death before sharing any." this was as much as he could say.

As soon as they were out of range, he ordered her aside -just in case- and used a strange, never-seen jutsu, black flames launching themselves at the stone door and sealing it... or had they? They burned and burned even as they headed up the stairs, even after they were out of sight...

Surprisingly, as they emerged, Sasuke knelt before what may have been the sacred gate, if this wasn't rubble, and for all it appeared had started praying, eyes closed.