One Light In The Darkness
Chapter2
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I don't own Naurto. Masashi Kishimoto still does."NARUTO!" rang threw out the valley pulling everyone attention from the fight below. All eyes turned to the Pinked head girl on the statue. All eyes but sasuke's ,who used this distraction to strike home with his move.
Pain. Bone crushing pain and cold was all that Naruto felt. Looking down in shock, he noticed something sticking out of his chest. Following the object back to the source, he found it lead to the person he'd been trying to save. Sasuke had a manic grin on his face. Naruto, using the last of his strength, shoved his still spinning ball of chakra at Sasuke, Who at the last second turned, and took the blow on his left wing. Sasuke let out a shriek of pain as his wing was shreded. Being thrown back, his arm ripping out of Naruto, landing back in to Madara's leg. Utterly spent, Naruto collapsed onto his knees, drawing shallow breaths. His vision became fuzzy. He barely perceived the two people who landed in front of him. His eyes refocused. Standing in front of him was Ino Yamanaka, heiress to the Yamanaka clan, and Hinata Hyuga, heiress to the mighty Hyuga clan. Both glared in the direction he was sure Sasuke had been thrown. Concentrating harder, he was able to make out pink. Redoubling his efforts to fight off the blackness that threatened to claim him, he looked harder across the field. There, tending to Sasuke's wounds, was none other than his crush, Sakura Haruno. Naruto's spirits sank. 'She rushed to treat him first'. he thought. Naruto was about to let the blackness claim him, and let all this suffering fade. When he heard something that he thought was impossible to hear. Never did he think it was possible that Hinata would talk to someone like they were the lowest form of life alive.
"Haruno, if it were within my powers, and had I not been ordered to bring you back before the Hokage, I would end your life here, and now" spit Hinata with venom. Hinata grabbed a few kunai, and threw them between the two, forcing Sakura to stop bandaging Sasuke, and roll away or risk losing an eye.
"Sakura, what the hell are you thinking? leaving the village without permission, and becoming involved with someone attempting to feel his village, and attacking a member of that same village." asked Ino clearly note understanding what her fried was thinking.
Sakura snorted. " I would sacrifice him, and hundreds more like him, if it meant helping my Sasuke-kun gain more power."
"You did that on purpose?! Sakura, you fool that makes you an accomplice to attempted murder!" shouted Ino.
"Pfft. Didn't you just hear what I said? I would gladly see you all dead if it meant Sasuke accepted me!" retorted Sakura.
"Save your breath Ino-san. This trash isn't worth your breath. I'll keep those two separated while you bind Naruto-kun's wounds. You two are under arrest for the attempted murder of a Ninja of Konoha. Don't move," was Hinata curt reply.
Sakura leveled a glare at Hinata almost daring her to attempt to come at them.
Ino turned around and bent to Naruto's level to get a good look at his wounds. Ino sniffled a cry as she took in his eyes. There was no light in them, they stared straight ahead, almost dead. The only reason she knew he was alive was the struggled breaths he drew. She noticed the fist-sized hole in his chest. By all rights that should have killed him, or at the very least made him lose consciousness. Looking over the rest of his body, there was very dark bruising around his neck like a great trauma had happened there. Another fist-sized hole in his jacket made her do a double take. Pushing that bit of information to the back of her mind, she reached into her hip pocket, and brought out her first aid kit.
'Just what the hell happened here Naruto. I've never seen you this beat up' thought Ino.
'Just hold on Naruto-kun help will be her soon, and then we can get you to Tsunade-sama' were Hinata's thoughts.
As Ino worked she began to fear for Naruto. He hadn't moved at all. He was lucky that the electric current of the Chidori cauterized his major blood vessels, but he was still bleeding to much. she attempted to stem the bleeding with pressure and quickly soaked through all of her bandages, reaching into Hinata's pouch she quickly brought out a few more that most ninja carried on them. and it seemed to her that the hole was closing before her eyes, yes slowly almost painfully so the wound was getting smaller. If she wasn't such a life and death matter it would fascinate her slowly, but still it seemed that way. He should be dead she keep chanting in her head. all the time with her mother driving home all the first aid knowledge she knew. He needed blood badly and a full medical team, and they were miles away from home, it was all starting to become to much for the young women to handle, the betrales, the blood. she couldnt help but think that this was what life as a ninja would be, did she want this for herself? she heard Hinata's breath catch, Ino quickly looked up not stopping the pressure she was applying.
"Oto nin," Hinata whispered, getting into a defensive stance.
"Ku ku ku, looks like you got yourself injured Sasuke-kun. Orochimaru-sama has been expecting you for some time now." came a voice from the shadows.
Ino noticed Naruto flinch, and the light seemed to return to his eyes.
"Kabuto," Naruto wheezed out.
Ino turned to look at the new arrivals. Upon seeing the man, she remembered him from the Chuunin exams, she then noticed the ten men that soon joined them, all glaring at the three Genin.
"Seems that you're in much worse shape Naruto-kun," Kabuto smirked at Naruto.
"Sasuke-kun is injured because of that baka over there, please help him, they won't let me near him." Sakura all but yelled.
"Well we can't let that happen now can we." mocked Kabuto. With a simple hand motion, the men behind him started forward. "Kill them will you, have your way with the girls if you want. Return when you're done."
"Thank you Kabuto-sama," they replied in unison. lectures grins
" Come Sasuke-kun, Orochimaru-sama awaits," Kabato said.
"She comes with me, I have use for her yet," was all that Sasuke said before being helped up, and healed by Kabuto.
"Good-bye Ino. This is where the winner takes there place at his side." Sakura said smugly.
"Sakura. There is no winner here... only losers." Ino spoke getting into a defensive stance before Naruto.
The three disappeared down the road into rice country, and out of fire country. The retrieval team had failed. But that didn't matter much to the two kunochis that stared down the Oto nin with lust-filled eyes. Ino's survival instincts were screaming at her to turn, and run. That if she stayed, she would be raped multiple times, and then have her throat slit. She briefly shot Hinata a look. She saw the same fear in her eyes as well, but something else, Determination. She wouldn't run. Wouldn't leave her fellow ninja to death or worse. Looking at the half dead boy at her feet, she was shocked to see him glaring at the approaching men, willing them to ignite before him, and become dust in the wind.
"Hmm" spoke one of the men. "That's a Hyuga. I wounder how much that ape of a kage would be willing to pay for this prime, and not branded Hyuga ass."
The other men nodded. Reaching into their hip pouches, pulling out several kunai each, they threw them at the waiting genin. Ino and Hinata's eye grew wide at the sheer number of projectiles. They froze, their bodies telling them to run, their minds saying not to abandon a teammate. The kunai were almost upon them when out of nowhere Naruto kicked out Hinata's legs, and stepped in front of Ino, arms out to the side, embracing her.
The sound of metal embedding into flesh rang in Hinata's ears. Looking towards the sound, she saw a sight she hoped never to see. A bloody Naruto slumped over a crying Ino with several kunai sticking out of his back. She was unable to force down her tears, and they spilled over. Pulling away from Ino, Naruto staggered for a moment, his eyes rolling into the back of his head before he snapped forward. Looking at the two kunochi before he whispered, "Run."
"Naruto-kun, we're not leaving you here to die," said Hinata.
" If you don't leave now, and get as far away as you can, you will die here, but not before they violate you." rasped Naruto. "I've already lost two precious people today. I won't lose more."
Reaching behind him, Naruto grimaced as he ripped out two kunai, and stepped in front of the girls. He stood defiantly waiting for the charge that was to follow.
"GO! I won't hold them long. Get as far as you can!" yelled Naruto, his breath coming in shallower, faster breaths. Naruto staggered forward to meet the Oto-nin. The girls stared on, unable to move. Ino came to a somber realization. This boy who she had belittled all her life, much to the consternation of her parents, who wanted her to be his friend, was willing to give up everything for her. All his tomorrows. All his dreams gone so she might live. Hinata looked on in regret. Regret that she was unable to confront her crush. Regret that she was so weak that she had forced this, unable to defend herself. Where she froze, unable to move, he had moved for her and knocking her out of the way. Taking the blow meant for them, although he was already severely wounded. All this served to deepen her feeling to the blonde ninja.
The Oto-nin sneered at Naruto's approach. "Look out boys! The dead are still walking around these parts," one of them said, earning a laugh from the group.
Naruto stumbled, and fell. He laid there for a minute before pulling himself up. "You're right, I'll be dead before you lay a hand on them!"
Naruto continued his sluggish stumbling approach. He was greeted by a back hand, and a kick to the stomach. Coughing up blood, he was struck from the side, opening the hole in his chest. that had just finished healing. Naruto managed to muffle his scream. He was kicked in the back of the head and stumbled forward. He slashed around wildly with his kunai. His sight starting to fail him. The girls watched on, helpless. Tears soon found their way to their eyes. Ino, unable to watch, turned away.
"Keep watching. It's the least we can do for one fighting for us," Hinata said through tears.
Ino swallowed hard and turned back to the beating. The sound of breaking bones filled their ears. They felt each punch, each kick. They were soon spared any more as another presence made itself known in the valley. Killing intent filled the valley, making everyone freeze. The sound of chirping birds soon drowned out the crash of the falls. A blur out of the corner signified the new person joining the melee. One of the attackers screamed in pain briefly before he was silent once more. There, standing with the man's body still hanging on his arm, was Kakashi Hatake. He wasted very little time before moving on to the next man, ending his life with a kunai to the eye. Soon, all ten were dead at his feet.
Kakashi walked over to Naruto, who was still standing nearby, Kakashi kneeled to Naruto's level.
"The girls?" Naruto asked weakly.
"They're safe, Naruto, thanks to you."
"Good...Sasuke, got away, sensei."
" I know Naruto, it's okay. Just rest."
"Hai" was his reply before his eyes rolled into the back of his head, and let the darkness claim him.
"NARUTO!" came the unified cry.
The two girls came crashing to a stop next to the passed out blonde, and his sensei.
"How is he, Kakashi-sensei?" asked Ino.
"Not good. I don't dare move him until we get some help first. The mobile medical teams were sent out shortly after you. I'll need you Hinata to go to the rim of the valley and guide the team hear when they arrive." Kakashi said.
Silence filled the valley that was recently a battle field where innocence died. Hinata let a small smile graced her lips. This moment of serenity was not meant to last forever. She turned to follow her orders when Naruto's breathing started to become sporadic. He turned paste-white, and his skin looked clammy to the touch. Activating her bloodline, Hinata shrieked. "His hearts failing!"
" I've heard from Asuma that you've been taking medical lessens from your mother, Ino?" Kakashi asked. "I need you to start chest compressions, I'm going to go find the medical teams and rush them here."
"I..I..cc..can't!" stuttered Ino.
"If you don't , Ino, he will die. He won't make it until the medical teams arrive," replied Kakashi bluntly. "I have faith in you, Ino, as I'm sure Naruto would as well."
Ino looked at the boy that was dying in front of her. This same boy risked everything for her, and all she could do was cry and duck behind him. She was sick at herself, She had forsaken training for manicures, and fashion in hopes of gaining the attention of a boy that didn't want her anyways. All she could do now was shake, and watch the life fade from his innocent face. He had shown his true mettle today. To stand bravely in front of overwhelming odds. To look defeat in the eyes, and not flinch. Her resolve was so easily broken.
Ino took a deep breath, her eyes refocusing solely on the blonde in desperate need of aid. Crawling to him, pulling out a kuni she started to rip open his already battered coat and under shirt, her eyes went wide as the large hole he sported not more than thirty minutes ago was gone leaving just a scare and bloody smears in its place. The bandages that she had applied falling to the ground with the tattered remains of the shirt. Swallowing hard, she focused, and brought her hands to his chest. Her breath hitched for a moments before she pushed down on his chest, the sound of cracking ribs almost made her lose her stomach. Ino persevered and kept pumping Naruto's chest. She slowed her breathing, and began to count out her compressions. she blocked out the world around her, Only minutes seemed to have passed when a hand on her shoulder brought her back. Refocusing on the world around her, she noticed Kakashi's hand on her shoulder with an eye smile for her. Her arms felt like there were on fire, and she was covered in sweat the fatigue of what she had been doing came crashing down on her.
"You did great, Ino-san, The medical Nins will take over now. Please rest."
Ino looked around, and noticed that, indeed, four Med nins were just arriving. Standing, Ino started to move away, her world spun. Everything went black. Kakashi, expecting this, reacted instantly, catching the exhausted young girl. Hinata was at his side in a heart beat
"Ano. Is Ino-san all right, Kakashi-sensei?" asked the worried girl.
"Just a case of exhaustion. Don't worry too much, Hinata, you both did a great job today. You should be proud of yourselves," Kakashi's eye smiled.
"No N..N..Naruto-kun did all the work, and Ino-ss..san helped him I..I.I to anything." stuttered Hinata.
"You really shouldn't sell yourself short, Hinata. You tracked Sakura, threw some inventive traps and misleads. You stood your ground beside a fellow nin. That's not an easy thing. To look one's own death in the eyes, and show no fear. You will find your courage, Hinata. Of that I have no doubts," he said. "Seems the medics are ready to move. Let's go. You lead, and I'll follow. Get us home the fastest way."
"Hai" she said before running up the cliff.
Kakashi had to smile to himself. ' This generation will be one to watch. I hope I live long enough to see it take over .' Adjusting his grip on Ino, he followed the medics with Naruto between them on a stretcher.
Hours later
A few hours later found the group of Ninjas in Konoha hospital. Three sat outside an operating room. All were lost in their thoughts. No one dared to break the silence that laid on them like a blanket. Noticeably absent from the masked man was his little orange book. Lost in contemplation, he'd find no solace in his smut tonight. The young brunette across from him held her head down, eyes shadowed by her hair, a constant cycle of self-loathing running through her mind. She was too weak to protect him. Too slow to be of use. She vowed if he...No when he pulled through, she would never be a burden for him again.
It was the blonde sitting on the floor with her knees pulled to her chest whose thoughts were the most chaotic. She couldn't comprehend that the boy she had admired for years had tried to kill the teammate sent to retrieve him. That same boy's other teammate distracted him so her crush could kill him. That girl had been willing to turn her back on home, family and friends to be with a boy craving nothing but darkness. Revenge, her father had told her, was a powerful motivator. How true those words rung out in her head now.
Her thoughts turned to her fellow blonde, now in surgery, fighting for his life. Ino had a hard time believing that the boy she had saw fight earlier today was the dobe of their class, the boy that barely graduated had gone toe to toe with the rookie of the year. It was a sobering note to realize that he had passed her in skill, that to look down on him any longer would hypocritical of her, and she herself had to look within to find the path she wished to walk. Gone was her crush, with him her best friend. 'I've already lost two precious people, I won't lose more'. those words he spoke half dead came to the front of her mind. When had she become someone worthy of such care? What had she done other then throw cold words at him, belittle him in front of their peers, regard him as a failure that would die on their first real mission, how wrong she was.
The three were broken out of their internal monologues by the door to the operating room opening. Stepping out was the blonde Hokage. Kakashi was the first to speak.
"How is he, Tsunade-sama?"
Tsunade took a few moments to compose he thoughts.
"He's in stable but, critical condition. Numerous broken bones, and sprains. Counted at least fifteen puncture wounds," Taking a moment to breath, she continued. " Those were the nice ones. Our diagnostic showed what appeared to be a broken neck, and two large punctures to the left side of his body. The neck, and one of the holes seems to have been healed at a rapid rate of speed. We can credit that to his... unique condition."
This caused the two genin to look on in confusion.
"Ano. Hokage-sama W-what do you mean his u...unique condition?" stuttered Hinata.
" Do you mean a Kekkei Genkai?" piped in Ino.
Tsunade shot Kakashi a look before replying.
"It's an emerging blood line. It provides a high level of regeneration under harsh conditions, and a small boost normally. "
"Thank you, Hokage-sama" the two genin spoke in unison.
"When can we see him Tsunade-sama?" asked kakashi.
"Soon. He's being moved to the secured wing at the moment. Follow me, I'll lead you to him."
The three followed behind their village leader, the two young girls deep in thought about the little bit of information they had learnt about the blonde enigma that was Naruto. Ino thought of something, so she voiced her concerns.
"Shouldn't his guardian be the first to see him?"
The temperature in the hallway fell 20 degrees. Tsunade turned to regard the girl who spoke. Ino felt as if she was looking into her soul. Drilling, digging for any information she could. Not finding what she was looking for, she turned, and continued on her way, the temperature returning to normal.
"He doesn't have anyone. He's been alone for years now," was all she spoke on the subject.
Both girls froze in their tracks. One unable to fathom how a young child could take care of himself, the other realizing his life was even harder then she had first thought. They shook their heads, and raced to catch up. They came to a door a few more feet down the hall way, Tsunade asked them to wait out in the hall while she and Kakashi went in first. The two stood in silence for what seemed like forever before the door opened up, revealing the Hokage.
"You two may enter now."
They entered a dimly light room, the mechanical noise of breathing, and the faint beep of a heart monitor were the only sounds. The two slowly approached the bed. Hinata burst into tears, Ino stood rooted in place. There before them was Naruto, doing his best impression of a mummy they had studied in ancient history. Blotches of red dotted the white cloth. Tubes feeding him air ran out of his mouth over to a machine to help him breathe. Several IVs hung from a pole running into his arm.
"He's in a coma right now. His body was shutting down when the medics arrived," Tsunade finally spoke. "He's lucky to be alive right now. He owes his life to you. Ino, if you hadn't kept his heart beating he would have died in that valley. You should be proud, Ino, You saved another Konoha nin."
"T-thank you, Hokage-sama" sniffled Ino.
Tears had started down Ino's face during the Hokage's run-down of his injuries. She was surprised that they had started, but found she couldn't stop them, found, she didn't want to stop them.
"I'll return in a few hours. I'll leave you two here to watch over him. Try talking to him... they say that helps..." spoke the Hokage as Kakashi left the room ahead of her, Tsunade looked back for a moment before leaving the room with a soft click.
The beating of the monitor and the hissing of the life support machine made for a sad crescendo . Hinata, sitting in a chair near Naruto's head calmly stroking his hair, humming a lullaby her mother once sang to her at night. It told the story of young love, driven apart by need, reunited through chance. Completed by a third. Disappearing into the mist until the world is unmade.
"Why"
Startled from the sudden outburst, Hinata glanced over to the kunochi next to her.
"Why," Ino repeated.
"Why what, Ino-san" came Hinata's low reply.
"Why would he do something so reckless, so hare brained, so...so...so incredible brave, and selfless for someone who has shown nothing but contempt to him," cried Ino. " I saw his eyes before he let go of me." Ino hugged herself. "They were so lifeless, so cold. They were everything but his eyes. His eyes had warmth to them."
"M-my m-mother use to tell me, the eyes are like a mirror. They mirror the soul of the person," Hinata paused to collect her thoughts. "His teammates just tried to kill him. I think it broke him. I think you saw the pain of his soul, Ino."
Silence once again filled the empty space. The methodical beeping filled their ears. Hours passed, and the Hokage returned. Quietly, she entered the room. Stopping a minute by the door, she took in what she saw. Hinata Hyuga was asleep, with her head next to Naruto's. On the other side, sleeping in the chair next to the bed, was Ino Yamanaka. Tsunade woke both girls up, corralling them into the hallway. Regarding both girls for a moment she told them to go home, and sleep, raising her hand to stop any argument. She told them that they could come by tomorrow and see Naruto. Bidding their Hokage a good night, the two left. Returning to the room, she took the seat vacated by Ino, and brushed a few hairs out of the blondes face.
"Rest easy now, Naruto" she whispered. "I have a feeling there'll be the devil to pay when you wake."
Standing, she nodded to the two hidden ANBU in the room before walking away. Closing the door, the light faded until a small sliver rested on the boys face. She lingered there for a moment, staring through the crack. With a deep sigh, she closed it completely.