Behold the Darkness
Rated M for language.
I still Do Not own Naruto. I never will.
Chapter 2
Naruto would go so far for Sasuke-teme. As far as to dig up a half-dead psychopath in a forest in the middle of the night. It was creepy enough just being out here, with the full moon glowing from behind a mask of clouds. But Naruto could also see little shining dots all around him. The deer in the woods were all silent and completely still as they watched him work. And then, it just got worse. About 3 feet in, Naruto's borrowed shovel hit something, and he could hear a muffled cry from under the dirt.
'Oh, God. Found him.'
Naruto's hand was shaking something awful as he reached down to start swiping dirt off the talking head. He could hear the guy spouting all kinds of colorful sentences, and Naruto started digging with his hands like a madman.
'I feel like a friggin' dog.'
Finally, his dirt in-crusted hand found silver hair. A violent shiver ran its way up Naruto's spine, and he felt like gagging. Taking a deep breath, he regained what little composure he had to begin with, and dug Hidan's head out of the ground.
"Finally! Took you fuckers long enough to get me out of this shit hole! Turn me around, goddamn it!"
On the verge of tears, Naruto picked up the cursing head and turned it to face him. The blonde was obviously the last person Hidan expected to see.
"The fuck?! Who the hell are you? Oh, wait. I know. You're the kyuubi jinchuuriki. What, wanted to interrogate me for the goods on Akatsuki?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. He had to deal with this guy? Why did the gods hate him so?
"Well, um, actually. It doesn't matter what you have to say about the Akatsuki anymore. Seeing as how they're pretty much all dead. And I know more about the members than you did."
"Ha. All dead, huh? Serves 'em right. Leaving me here. So what did you bring me to eat. It better be good. And I need my body put back together."
Hidan eyed the bag that was innocently sitting on the ground behind Naruto. This kid must know that he could die from lack of nutrients. Otherwise, why would he bring food? And how did this kid know, anyway? The demon must've known.
"I brought the only food I could. Ramen. But it's the world's best so, you can just eat it anyway. Do I really have to dig up the rest of your body? And how am I supposed to reassemble you anyway? Sew you back together or something?"
"That's exactly what you're gonna do, dumb ass! Now, chop-chop!"
'What. An. Ass.' Naruto got back to digging, and with Hidan's insightful commentary, found most of his torso, both arms (though one was missing the elbow), and one foot.
"Where the hell are you're damn legs! Legs cant's just disappear!"
"They probably walked off again…"
"Seriously?" Naruto nervously looked around. He did not want to be snuck up on by man-legs in a dark forest.
0-0
Naruto and Hidan ended up arguing back and forth for a good half hour about the Jashinist's body conundrum, until Naruto gave up and went to find some fishing wire and a large hook.
It was really gross sewing body parts together, but the blonde tried to make quick work of it. The last thing he needed was to be caught helping an ex-Akatsuki member who had killed Asuma-sensei. Shikamaru would never forgive him.
While he worked he told Hidan everything he knew so far about the fate of Akatsuki. Hidan actually freaked when he found out that Naruto defeated Pein, but calmed somewhat when Naruto assured him that Pein had not been the real leader. Hidan had already known a bit about Madara Uchiha, but nothing Naruto hadn't already heard before. No new information there. So he decided he would drop the bomb on the immortal.
"I got you out of that hole for a reason, and you probably already figured that by now. I need you're help in finding someone."
"I knew it. What makes you think I will help, or that I know who you're talking about?… Who the hell are you talking about?"
"Well… I have no idea either." Naruto grinned sheepishly. "I just know that this person is old, and knows a lot of old jutsus, and is most likely a Jashinist. I'm looking for this person because they have something that I want, but I can't find it because it's warded."
"…..Shit, kid. You had to ask me about her, didn't ya?"
"So you do know." It wasn't a question. Naruto felt hope now. Hidan knew who she was, and he was going to take Naruto to her. Even if Naruto had to shove a newly decapitated Hidan-head in a bag and carry it.
"Yeah. It's rumored that she is the first Jashinist to have achieved immortality. And you're right, she is old. And powerful. She's also my ex-sensei. She taught me the ways of Jashin. And the only reason I'm telling you anything, you little punk, is because you got my out of that hole! Don't think I'm gonna help you anymore for fuckin' nothing!"
The sudden outburst had scared the crap out of Naruto. He jumped, and the fishing hook he was using to sew the head to the torso got lodged through Hidan's cheek. The blonde froze. He had to purse his lips together to keep from bursting out in giggles at the look the other man gave him. The silver-haired ninja was pissed. Naruto had to keep his mouth clamped shut while trying to maneuver the metal out of Hidan's mouth. Though, after fifteen minutes of careful prodding and pulling, Naruto ended up having to pry Hidan's mouth open and shove his fingers inside. Though, he was tempted to gag the man with his fist, he thought twice about that after he suffered from a pretty nasty bite.
An hour and a half later, Naruto was pretty pleased with his work. He'd refused to look for anymore missing pieces, and the Jashinist looked like a cheap version of Frankenstein's monster. He had one full arm in use, but the other arm Naruto had to salvage into a stump. The blonde really didn't think Hidan could make use of a stump, but the immortal insisted. Hidan's torso was complete down to the hips, and Naruto was glad he hadn't found it in better shape. He really didn't want to have to handle any dirty private parts.
Hunger made itself known to Naruto now, as he watched Hidan eat the ramen, propped up against a tree. But after what he just went through, the blonde couldn't imagine ever eating again.
0-0
It was about midnight now, and Naruto was beyond tired already. He knew resting now would only be a bad thing. He could not be caught out here now. He had gone too far. Saving a member of Akatsuki when everyone in the village thought it best to leave him to die. Or just stay buried. He was probably the only person in the Land of Fire, besides Hidan of course, who knew that an immortal Jashinist can die. Most injuries can be dealt with, but they have to eat. Naruto didn't understand how that must work, and he didn't really care. He didn't have to worry about being immortal. And he never wanted to.
"So, Hidan. Will you lead me to this old woman? 'Cause we really need to get going. Otherwise, I have a lot more digging to do before I head back."
Hidan was eyeing Naruto with an odd look on his pale face. For a moment, Naruto just stared back. Naruto was getting really tired of people giving him these weird looks.
"Tch. After all this crappy sewing I had to go through, just to eat. And now I'm gonna have to deal with being a fucking head again."
The immortal seemed to be talking to himself. He was grumbling about cold ramen and disobedient legs. Naruto took this to mean Hidan had decided to help him, and that the Jashinist had to bitch about it. Naruto watched Hidan argue with himself for a while longer. Then, finally, Hidan addressed the blonde once again.
"Fine. Since I can't walk you'll have to carry my head. But you're not putting me in a fucking sack! You'll have to find a box or a crate or something. We'll go west. Through northern River country, then through the Land of Wind. We'll have to stick north, and just south of Rain country. Stay away from all the villages, and watch out for supply routes between Suna and Konoha. After we reach the eastern deserts of Wind country, we shouldn't have to worry about any ninja threats. Shouldn't anyway."
Naruto listened closely to Hidan's plans, but deep down he was starting to panic. He was actually leaving Konoha. He just hoped that they would understand why he had to go. He was the only one who could save Sasuke. If he couldn't even save one person, his best friend, then how could he ever become a reliable leader? Ever since he was young, all he wanted was to become a strong ninja, and surpass all the Hokages before him. He wanted the villagers to recognize him, not as a threat, but as a hero and leader. He wanted them to see him for who he was. But then, he found his first real friends. He found Iruka and Kakashi and Sakura. He found Sasuke. He understood pain like Sasuke did. He knew loneliness like Sasuke did. Naruto worked hard so that he could have Sasuke's attention, friendship, and faith. But all he did was drive his teme away.
Naruto knew he had made Sasuke jealous. He had surpassed the Uchiha in strength, and had pushed him away. His Sasuke was gone now, because of him. Sasuke was shielding himself in darkness now, cutting away at all the ties he had in Konoha. But Naruto wanted Sasuke back. And if that meant giving up his life, then so be it. After all, the blonde felt stronger for Sasuke than for anyone else he had lost before.
With newfound confidence, Naruto agreed to everything Hidan had said. And, he also made a new vow.
'Sasuke Uchiha, I'll find you. I'll leave Konoha for you, for good. I'll free you from this war. I'll give you happiness again. We'll be together again. I promise.'
0-0
Another beautiful day blossomed over the rebuilding of Konoha. The sun was bright, birds were singing, and people were rising to work. Konohamaru was so proud. This village was going to be his one day. He would run it with pride and confidence, just like his grandfather had done. And, just like ojiisan, he would die for these people. Only if he had to, though.
He was looking for Naruto. Konohamaru had woken up and saw the boss was already gone, so he figured he'd join him at Ichiraku's. But Naruto wasn't there either. When he had asked the old man if Naruto had already eaten, the owner told him he hadn't seen Naruto since the night before. And that Naruto had seemed to be in a hurry.
Now, the young genin was worried. He had looked all around the village, looking for his boss. He even had Udon and Moegi helping. But none of them could find Naruto. Eventually, he decided the only place the blonde could be was the hospital tent. But on his way there, he ran into Naruto's creepy teammate. He couldn't remember the ninja's name, and he'd only actually seen him with the boss a couple of times. But maybe he knew something about Naruto's sudden disappearance.
"Hey guy! Have you seen Naruto today? I can't find him anywhere. It's like he's ignoring me or something."
Sai looked at the kid who'd just called him 'guy.' He was one of Naruto's good friends, even though he was a lot younger. And he was the grandson of the third Hokage. Sai figured he might as well tell the kid.
"Naruto's gone."
"W…what did you say? What do you mean gone?"
"Naruto left last night. He went after Sasuke. He didn't want anyone to follow, or to worry about him."
Konohamaru was shocked. Naruto left? How could he?
"But don't worry about him. He'll come back. And probably with the Uchiha. I don't believe he left for good. He just wants to save the world. I'll tell the elders. You just go back to work, alright?"
With a fake smile, Sai reconciled Konohamaru. But, even though he told the kid Naruto would come back, he himself didn't believe it. He knew Naruto was going to sacrifice himself for that Uchiha bastard. Sai felt so many emotions now. Why could Naruto of all people leave him so confused? He'd read so many books about people and feelings, but he'd never found anything that could answer his questions. He didn't want Naruto to die. He wanted Naruto to be happy, but he didn't want Sasuke to come back. Sai knew that if Sasuke were to come back, Naruto would be happy. And that thought left a sharp pain burning in his chest. Okay, so he was jealous of Sasuke. He got that. But why? Why did it matter to Sai who made Naruto happy? Just as long as the blonde smiled that bright, warm smile, Sai shouldn't care, right? But no, he did care. He wanted to be the one who made Naruto smile. He wanted that smile to be for him. Sai loved that smile, when it was real. Sai loved everything about Naruto. That beautiful smile, those bright, crystal clear blue eyes. That cute little blush on those lined cheeks. As Sai thought about the other boy, he felt a warmth envelope his chest, drowning out the pain. It was fleeting, but so strong. He had the same feeling when he was around Naruto. Pain, overwhelmed by….something else. Sai had never read anything that described that feeling. Nothing he'd ever found in writing could come close.
Sai made up his mind then. He'd go to Kakashi. He'd ask to follow Naruto and bring him back to the village. Or if he couldn't, he'd ask to go with Naruto, and help the sun bring back the moon.