Soaring Leaves
Chapter 2
Unsettled Business
Before I start, thank you to all readers who have read and reviewed! And many apologies for stopping this story, I'll get it going again. I'm going to try to pick up the pace of the stories from now on, which means ALL of them. That's a hopefully though, because I may find trouble in doing so. Enjoy, don't forget to review!
Itachi and Kisame were headed the opposite direction – straight towards Snake. Karin grinned and yelled out, "They're turning this way. What idiots… I would've expected them to have noticed us by now."
Sasuke lifted his right hand and pointed past Suigetsu and Jugo. "It would be better if we ambushed them. However, I warn you, lay a finger upon Itachi and you'll be as bloody and broken as he is when I'm through with you all."
Upon Sasuke's orders, Suigetsu and Karin split off from the group, heading west in hopes of catching the two of the Akatsuki.
And again, miles behind, four sand shinobi dashed through the fields.
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Meanwhile, Konoha had already crossed halfway the distance between its original location and the Whirlpool Village. Tsunade roared a command, and several shinobi soared off the sides of the flying city and used whatever jutsu they had to land safely on the ground. Among them were Lee, Shino, and Hinata.
Up above, Hiashi Hyuuga directed the mobile base with his Byakugan, watching out for anything in the sky or below.
Miles ahead, Ino crawled towards Naruto and aided Sakura in healing his wounds, both internal and external. "Sakura-chan, you came…"
"Ino, leave it to me! You're nowhere in good condition!" Sakura cried. Once their argument settled, they both proceeded to assist Naruto. Kakashi turned to see dark clouds forming in the distance.
"If I'm not mistaken, Naruto defeated the leader of Akatsuki," he whispered, stunning everyone around. "And it seems he absorbed his powers – I noticed Naruto now possesses the Rinnengan eyes!"
Before any commotion could occur, Kakashi continued. "That means only five members of Akatsuki remain – Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Konan, Zetsu, and the mysterious Tobi."
Clang! Konan blocked another of Tenten's weapons yet finally fell to her knees. "Damn you shinobi. Nothing that occurred should continue. I… I…" she hissed.
Suddenly she exploded into her demon form and lunged for Tenten. Izumo and Raido blocked her but were torn straight through and left suffering on the ground. "Death is all that you deserve!" Konan screamed.
A flurry of bugs surrounded her and pinned her down to the ground. Shino dived into the scene and proceeded with his torture. Unfortunately, Konan broke free quickly and let out flaming clumps of blood. Hinata dashed in and, with her Byakugan, she flashed past them and struck Konan directly on her head.
A quick defeat for such a threat. Gentle Fist's power is enough to do so. With that, Konan collapsed, hoping to be reunited with her love Pein.
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Out of nowhere, Itachi was confronted by a massive fireball jutsu. Kisame jumped in the way and batted it back with Samehada. "Well Itachi, here's the moment of your life."
Water enveloped around Kisame all of a sudden, and Suigetsu appeared binding him. Jugo jumped out from the forest and shot his fist forward, laying a big blow.
Itachi stepped back and focused for a moment. When Karin dived in from the side, he quickly caught her in his Mangekyo torture. Fortunately, she had the strength to push forward, and managed to dig a kunai into his shoulder before she fell into the true effects of the jutsu. "Die, Uchiha!" she screamed.
A blast of lightning shot through and struck Karin, breaking her free from the illusion yet frying her in the process. She landed weakly on the barren ground, shook her head for a moment, and then pushed herself up. Itachi stood where he had been, looking past her for some reason.
Flunk! She noticed the bird-flock sound too late. Sasuke dug his Chidori straight through her heart and kicked her back on the floor. Blood gashed out of her body and she screamed in pain. "Sasuke-kun!" she sobbed.
He glared at her with his vicious eyes. "I told you, Itachi… he's my opponent! You went for him, you laid a finger upon him. There's only one thing left – death for you!"
Itachi stared at his insane brother with quite some fear. "So this is what Orochimaru turned you into, Sasuke?" he muttered. "Destroying your own comrades." Then he began to chuckle. "You've finally shown me the path you followed – that of my own!"