So, I've had this idea in my head for a while and decided to try it out. Not sure if I'll continue the story, but might as well post what I get, huh?
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of it's characters, I'm just writing for enjoyment!
-NARUTO-
"Jiji!"
Hiruzen's eyes widened at the voice, his hand signs slowing, but he could not falter. He had already sealed the two reanimated Hokages. He just had one last thing to do. He could not fail at this. His old student sneered at him, an expression forming that Hiruzen did not like. He had to finish this.
Quickly.
His eyes locked onto his student's, even while ignoring the child that had cried out to him. It would be impossible for the child to interfere anyway with the barrier in place. His hands flashed faster, finding himself in an impromptu race against the man that was facing him. Orochimaru's hands flashed through several signs as well, a combination that Hiruzen didn't recognize. The boy on the other side of the barrier shouted again and Hiruzen felt the barrier falter and fall even as he finished his last seal.
He slammed his hand against the ground even as Orochimaru copied the movement, having finished his own set of hand seals. Except his student wasn't directing his attention towards him anymore. No, he was directing it towards the child that was now rushing towards them, determination clear on his face.
"Naruto!" Hiruzen called out as light flared around Orochimaru and Naruto.
"Jiji!" Naruto cried out. He stumbled to a halt as he was surrounded by the light, fear evident in his voice. Orochimaru began laughing, even as his arms fell to his sides, useless.
"No!" Hiruzen shouted. He tried to reach out to the blonde child, hand grasping for the smaller one that reached back towards him. And then the light was gone, Naruto was gone, and Orochimaru stood there. His arms were sealed, but he was laughing. Hiruzen turned on his student, eyes flashing darkly.
"What have you done?" he demanded.
Orochimaru grinned, stepping back, chakra gathering around him. "Sent that brat exactly where you tried to send me." And with that he disappeared in a swirl of leaves as shinobi flooded into the room.
"No," Hiruzen whispered, falling to his knees in disbelief. It couldn't be. He was supposed to be the sacrifice, not Naruto. Hiruzen barely paid attention to the shinobi and ANBU surrounding him, asking him questions, and checking him over. His eyes were locked on the spot that had held the blonde child mere moments before, his heart squeezing in anguish.
"Hokage-sama! Hokage-sama! Tou-san!"
Hiruzen jerked and blinked at the shinobi standing before him, the one that had been calling out to him. His son.
"Asuma," Hiruzen whispered, blinking his eyes.
"What happened? Is Orochimaru?"
"He escaped," Hiruzen said. He felt bile rise in his throat; was unable to believe he had let his student go once again. "He's gone."
Asuma nodded, opening his mouth to ask another question when someone else burst into the room.
"Where is he?"
Hiruzen felt his heart clench in agony as Kakashi burst into the room, looking around.
"Orochimaru's gone," Asuma said. "He escaped."
Kakashi shook his head, his eye travelling around the room once more and Hiruzen knew exactly who he was looking for.
"He's gone," Hiruzen spoke, pulling Kakashi's gaze to him. Hiruzen realized he was still on his knees and he pushed himself to his feet, locking his emotions away as he met that blue-gray eye.
Kakashi blinked at him, looking afraid of what Hiruzen meant. "Naruto?" Kakashi's voice was hesitant.
"What?" Asuma looked from his father to his friend, confusion evident on his face. "The jinchuriki? What does he-"
"He's gone," Hiruzen repeated, cutting his son off. He wasn't sure he could say it again, wasn't sure he could keep his emotions in check for any longer, but he had to. He was the Hokage; it was his job. He couldn't fall apart.
Kakashi was shaking his head, eye wide and pleading. He wanted Hiruzen to deny his statement, but Hiruzen couldn't.
"I'm sorry," Hiruzen said, meeting Kakashi's gaze steadily, taking in the anguish blossoming there and trying to ignore his own. "I'm sorry."
