Naruto Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Author's Note: Why are time-jumps so interesting to do? In this Chap, there will of course be fights, but I want to use more dialogue for a change...

---

"So, we will be on our way again." Jiraiya looked up at two Jinchuurikis, he himself barely awake, having been forcefully awakened by Sakura. Naruto and Haiban had decided to leave early. The other Jinchuurikis were all still sleeping. "But before we do, we have something to tell you, Ero-Sennin."

Sakura's eyes widened at the way this young man addressed the great Jiraiya, even more so when Jiraiya didn't even get angry. 'Then again, this IS one of the Makkurayami we're talking about.'

Jiraiya tried to rub the sleep from his eyes. Sakura was listening in on the story, while Kakashi was reading one of his books again. Next to her, Shikamaru was simply staring at the small fire between all of them. "Yeah, say what's on your mind, Naruto."

Sakura looked from Jiraiya to Naruto, who had his mask back on again. 'So that's Naruto... he holds the Nine-tails. From his voice, I can tell he's about the same age as me. And he is originally from Konoha, but, I don't remember ever seeing a blonde Shinobi or... kid, the same age as me, in Konoha.'

"We have decided, all of us have decided to break our ties with Konoha."

"What?!" Jiraiya yelled. "You're turning your back on us? After all of this?!" He turned slightly angry as he towered above the two Jinchuurikis.

Haiban calmly shook his head. "No. The Akatsuki is after us. Whether we can defeat them or not is not important. What IS important is that you, Shinobis from Konoha, have helped us Jinchuuriki greatly, especially these last few weeks, with the Demon Sealing... However, Akatsuki might hurt the people around us in a fight between us and them. We do not want Konoha to suffer any damage because of our bonds with any of you."

Naruto sighed. "Therefore, we'll break the bonds. So Konoha is safe. We can not endanger Konoha after everything you've done for us."

"Surely, you understand, Jiraiya-sensei?" Haiban said.

Jiraiya shook his head with a grin on his face. "How considerate. So you don't need me around either? Who's going to travel with Kiara?"

Naruto and Haiban looked at each other. "She chose to keep Konoha safe as well. Neji-dono's going back to Konoha with you two, to stay there and keep both Konoha and us informed. Kiara-dono is going to pair with Kazuma-dono in his stead." Naruto explained.

Jiraiya nodded his head. "Very well then. I guess I am not tied to the likes of the Makkurayami anymore. You are sure this is what all of you want?"

Naruto nodded his head. "Very sure." He paused. "Also, we are in your debt. Should Konoha, or any Konoha-Nins, ever need us; we will come to your aid."

---

Gathering of Darkness

Chapter 2: Exchanging Blows

---

Few weeks passed since the Demon Divide Seal Ceremony had taken place. This is how Jiraiya had named the process. He called it that way, because of the way the Bijuu's Chakra and traits were divided on different parts of a Jinchuurikis' body after the great Jutsu.

The Makkurayami again walked in pairs of two, still, like Akatsuki, feared by many.

"Akiko-dono." Gaara pulled his Mask of a Tanuki off and let it drop to the ground. "We were right in taking this route."

Akiko repeated Gaara's movements and squinted her eyes a bit to see two figures in the distance. "Are you sure? For all we know, they could just be Suna Nins, taking a stroll."

Gaara shook his head. "A Suna Shinobi rarely emanates a powerful presence as those two. They are definitely... Akatsuki."

Akiko tensed a bit up. They had trained a lot, but were they ready for these killers?

"Don't bother using Genjutsu against them. You remembered what happened last time you did that against them. You lost a lot Chakra, they didn't." Gaara warned. "Akatsuki is best dealt with using Taijutsu and Ninjutsu."

Akiko nodded, already readying her arsenal. "Gaara-dono... We can't transform anymore."

Gaara grinned as he walked past Akiko and whispered. "Ah, but we are able to somewhat... summon our demons..."

With that, both Akiko and Gaara rushed forward.

---

He was a one of the more famous Jounins in Konoha these days. His own team had already become Chuunin, one of them even Jounin, but the Hokage decided to let them stay under his care. There were not many who would face him and be able to come out victorious.

There was one who would probably beat him, but other than that, he could very well be the most powerful Jounin.

He did not know a lot of fear either but he did know what frightened most Jounins in Konoha. He had to admit; even he would feel nervous around members of the Akatsuki.

But now that he was on the way back to Konoha with his team and stood in front of two members of the Makkurayami, he was at loss on what to do. 'My eternal rival told me not to worry about the Makkurayami as much as Akatsuki, but didn't they almost defeat the entire Akatsuki years ago?'

"Ah, Konoha Shinobis." Gai narrowed his eyes as their attention focused from him to Hyuga Neji entirely, for a second. He immediately thought they were after Neji now. "You are on route to Konoha?"

Gai nodded his head.

A deafening silence fell as Gai was ready for anything. He didn't say anything, but his team followed his example.

"Be careful, then." The other Makkurayami Member said, this one feminine. "There are a lot of wild animals on the way." She broke the tension completely with that.

Gai dumbly nodded his head again, while the two Makkurayami Members turned and went on their way again.

'Who would have thought we would come across the likes of them so close to Konoha?' Gai thought as they were out of sight. 'Our team, although Chuunin, would not be ready for this.'

'Why is Gai-sensei so nervous?' Ten-Ten thought, gazing at her teacher. 'They looked just like ANBU, only with coloured cloaks.'

'Gai-sensei!' Lee thought. 'Something is wrong with those two for him to be so shaken up!'

Neji grinned. 'Kazuma-dono and Kiara-dono, it was good to see both of you again...'

---

"What do you think?"

"I'll look for one of them immediately." The other answered. "We can sense Gaara-dono and Akiko-dono fighting close to Sunagakure. I suppose I should go for Yugito-dono and Keiko-dono?"

Haiban rolled his eyes. "Are you sure? What about Kazuma-dono and Kiara-dono?"

Naruto closed his eyes, concentrating. "They're the furthest away, all the way in Konoha... I'll lose less Chakra if I go for Yugito-dono."

Haiban rolled his eyes again. "Use the Kyuubi's Chakra, then. It's never-ending anyway." He sighed, holding a hand to Naruto's face, who about to rant. "Yeah, I know that when we use the Bijuu's Chakra, our lifespan shortens, but... That's only when YOU go past your sixth tail now. For a little Hiraishin you don't need to go Six-tail now, do you?"

Naruto sighed. "You're always like this..." Shaking his head as he said it. "I suppose I should do it so I don't lose any Chakra of my own. But why don't you want me to just get Yugito-dono and Keiko-dono?"

Haiban narrowed his eyes at the cave a mile away from them. "There are four of them inside... From what I sense, I remember that Yugito-dono had trouble fighting one of them inside that cave. Her abilities just didn't work against that one. We can not afford any disadvantages against Akatsuki."

Naruto nodded his head. "You're right, I guess." Naruto liked fighting with a handicap, after all. "Well, I'll be right back."

Haiban nodded as his blonde companion teleported away.

---

"Hokage-sama!"

Tsunade and Sakura turned towards the door as Gai barged in, followed by a very calm Neji. "What is it now, Gai?"

Gai panted, having run quite a bit through the Village. Neji didn't seem one bit tired. "Two... Makkurayami... just outside of... Konoha!" He said between pants.

Tsunade sent Neji a questioning gaze, who merely shrugged. Gai continued. "They were walking in the opposite direction of Konoha, but I think we should dispatch a team to go after them!"

Tsunade frowned. "They attacked you, then, Gai?"

Gai shook his head. "No! They didn't do anything, but-"

Tsunade interrupted him. "Then we don't do anything either! The Makkurayami have never done us wrong in the past. As long as this stays that way, we will stay neutral about them." She then fixed Neji with a gaze. "I have some interesting news coming from Suna, though."

Neji frowned, while Gai didn't even notice Tsunade was looking at the Hyuga now.

"Two other Makkurayami Members are battling with Akatsuki Members in the Wind Country's biggest Desert." She laid out. "From what we understood from Suna's message is... Sabaku no Gaara is present."

Neji nodded his head, while Gai was frowning. "I don't understand why this is important for us, Hokage-sama! Akatsuki and Makkurayami are both evil forces! Those fighting each other can only give me hope that they will destroy one another!"

"Let me go." Neji said.

Gai's eyes widened as he sent Neji a look of confusion.

Tsunade nodded her head. "You are not from Konoha anymore. You don't need my permission, Hyuga Neji."

Gai fluttered. "Nuh-Not from Konoha!? What does she mean, Neji? Why would you want to go to Suna now?"

Neji smiled. "I am one of the Makkurayami, Gai-sensei." He bowed formally to his teacher. "I thank you for your tutorage, but I must make my departure now. They might need me. The hunt on Akatsuki began weeks ago. Now that they are found, I am needed in battle as well." He turned away from Gai to Tsunade and bowed again. "I thank you for your hospitality, Hokage-sama."

With that, he vanished.

Gai simply didn't understand as he dropped to his knees. "Noo!! My student!!"

Just then, Lee came in, followed by Ten-Ten. "Did you finish reporting already, Gai-sensei?" Ten-Ten said with a bit of impatience in her voice.

---

"You intend on summoning?" Kazuma asked, feeling unsure about Naruto's plan.

"It is true, while our Bijuus are summoned, that we only have one eye, but... Power-wise, without the Bijuu's Chakra, we're just as powerful." Naruto explained. "This is the reason Jiraiya did that whole Seal thing! Haiban said Hidan is in there, too! That immortal bastard is paired up with Kakuzu, also one tough bastard who can't be killed easily."

Kiara nodded. "True, I also remember that Keiko's poison did not work on them at all."

Haiban agreed. "With those two, ripping their bodies apart is the only thing we can do. The other two Akatsuki Members in there are Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame..."

"Heh, it must be too bad Zetsu isn't in there, huh? That guy really kicked your ass last time, Haiban-dono." Kazuma joked, while Haiban glared.

"Anyway, we'll try to sneak in first. If we can not try to kill them without them noticing... which is very likely, then the battle will begin." Naruto said. "So, once the fight is going on, we all summon our Bijuus to deal with them as well!"

Kiara nodded her head once, understanding it. "But, you do know that those guys can deal with Bijuus easier than Jinchuurikis, right?"

Haiban nodded. "Although small, it still will be a distraction. It's a shame that the Akatsuki have special skills to deal easily with our summoned versions of our Bijuus, though... But they still should have trouble with Kyuubi and Orochi."

Naruto suddenly fidgeted a bit. "Someone's used my special Kunai..." he managed to say just before he vanished.

---

Gaara and Akiko found themselves facing hundreds of Shinobis. "So, Gaara-dono, what do we do now?"

The red-haired Jinchuuriki looked at the black-haired Akiko, before glaring at Sasori's army. Deidara had chosen to attack from the air. "In this situation, I could deal with that flying one, but... the one on the ground is even more powerful."

"Summon?" Akiko asked.

Gaara shook his head. "No, it will do no good against these two. We'll have to unleash all of our Chakra to destroy that army of his. Be sure not to be hurt too many times. Our regenerative skills can only take so much poison out of our system, after all."

Akiko nodded, performing handseals to create a massive tornado out of water to deal with Sasori's army.

Obviously, Sasori is way too skilled to let even one of his puppets get hit by that...

Gaara rushed forward, Sand Clones and Sand Hands coming from everywhere, some launched upwards, attacking Deidara on his bird of Clay.

Akiko jumped backwards, avoiding four puppets at the same time, but a shadow dropped on her body, letting her know one of Deidara's explosive birds was coming right at her.

Te explosion definitely came, but Akiko looked puzzled why she saw that same explosion from a distance. She felt a strong hand on her shoulder and looked behind her to see Naruto and Neji. "Naruto-dono! Neji-dono!"

Naruto grinned at her and stared at the fighting Gaara. Neji was already running towards Gaara and Sasori, while Deidara was flying above them, wondering if he had hit Akiko or not.

"Akiko-dono." He greeted. "You three can handle these two, I hope. We are about to face off against four others." He handed Akiko another Kunai, marked by his Seal. "Be sure to use it when you need me again. Whether you're getting killed or are done, please." He then closed his eyes, concentrating on finding the seal he had made on the ground where Haiban and the others were at.

He opened his eyes, indication on having found it. "Akiko-dono. I'll be seeing you later!"

Akiko nodded her head and ran off towards Gaara and Neji. "Good luck, Naruto-dono!" She then narrowed her eyes as she saw Neji rocketing away from Sasori and his army, towards Deidara. 'Damn it, I should have told Naruto to send for Kazuma! He can fly, too!'

She then decided to pummel the shit out of as many puppets as she could. Fuelled with Bijuu Chakra, she destroyed puppet after puppet. 'So many of them..'

Gaara used sand to guard himself from the many attacks, but knew that Sasori had many powerful ones up his sleeve and decided to attack the Puppet Master from a distance. Neji landed next to him again. "Let's switch opponents, I can deal with this many thanks to my Byakugan and you... you can make yourself levitate thanks to the sand. That other guy should be your opponent."

Gaara nodded his head. "Keep your eyes open." Gaara used his sand to make him rise and meet with Deidara.

Neji looked behind him to see Akiko dealing with many Puppets. He let her know to move out of the way, before he performed. "Hakkeshou: Kaiten!!"

Many puppets were demolished after that. "Sasori, why don't you show us your true self already? We all know that this army of yours isn't strong enough to deal with us."

The remaining puppets all ceased with movements as Sasori stared at Neji. "Ah, you are the Three-Tailed Jinchuuriki, right? The other one is... The Five-tails?" He said as he saw Fire and Water attacks flying around. Sasori then pulled off his cloak and revealed his real body. "Although my army is my final Puppet Jutsu, I suppose against Jinchuurikis, it doesn't mean much. One on One, with many Techniques, is how to defeat you..."

Neji smirked. "But this time, it's two against one..." He said as Akiko landed next to him.

---

A week later...

"Hokage-sama."

Tsunade looked up from the papers on her desk, to find she was still looking at papers. Rising from her chair and walking around her desk, she saw Kakashi and Sakura.

"We've received word of Orochimaru's hiding place. We don't have enough time left to save Sasuke-kun..." Sakura uttered. "Please, let us go to save him!"

Kakashi nodded his head as the remaining member of Team 7 stumbled in. "From what I've gathered, there are only few able to go with us."

Tsunade nodded her head. "Only one is able to join you." Behind Shikamaru, another young man stepped in. "Sai will join you."

She then stared at Kakashi. "Do you find this sufficient, Kakashi?"

Kakashi shrugged. "You know. For things like this, I might want to take that offer..." He sent Tsunade a very serious gaze as he grabbed a special Kunai out of one of his pockets. "I hope he doesn't mind, I didn't expect the Yondaime's prized technique to be in his possession... But it will be useful."

Tsunade smirked. "As expected from the genius Copy-nin, hm? Don't use that thing carelessly; I don't want them on Konoha's bad side."

Kakashi shrugged again. "They owe us, right?"

---

"Get on with it. These meetings are so pointless..." Kankurou grumbled as he sat down on the round table. He stared at his former sensei as his sister came in the room.

"The battle between the Makkurayami and the Akatsuki Members a few days ago... It scarred our Village." One of the Council Members said. "We can not just let them do as they please!"

"What do you suggest? Taking care of one of them?" Another countered. "As if our entire Country can even take care of one member! We are lucky Konoha is our ally in these times."

"Bunch of cowards." Kankurou snorted. "One of those of the Makkurayami, is our brother."

"Sabaku no Gaara. Are you saying you have the power to take that monster down?"

"He's no monster!" Temari countered.

"Miserable little old man." Kankurou rose from his seat. "I have seen the battle of Gaara and two other Makkurayami, against two Akatsuki. I've seen Sasori of the Red Sands get defeated by my brother. Sasori is a far better Puppeteer than I am, of course I can not defeat my brother!" Kankurou paused, glaring at the old member of the council.

"But this doesn't mean I will be afraid of them!"

"On the contrary." Baki interjected. "Perhaps we can have Gaara on our side. Allow him entrance to Sunagakure."

"Are you insane!?" Many Council Members yelled.

"Hold it." Temari suddenly rose from her seat. "There's a disturbance at the Gates..."

Kankurou rose as well. "You feel it in the wind?"

---

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura yelled from behind the Sharingan user. "We're being followed!"

Kakashi shrugged. "Perhaps you didn't notice, but Sai is already taking care of that."

Sakura looked behind her to see that Sai was not with them anymore. "Ah."

"He's good." Shikamaru said. "Faster than me and probably far more experienced."

Kakashi nodded his head. "He's been in ANBU for several years now. It should be expected he's more experienced after all."

Sakura looked in between Kakashi and Shikamaru before she felt several Chakra Signatures behind her fall down completely. "He's... done it, already."

"Stop." Kakashi suddenly said. "We're close by, but something's wrong."

Sakura and Shikamaru landed on the branch on his left and right. "That's..." Shikamaru started as they saw a person walking through the darkened woods. It was night already, after all.

"Kabuto." Sakura whispered.

Kakashi nodded as Sai had softly appeared next to Shikamaru. "Yakushi Kabuto. He was from Konoha and has been classified a S-Ranked Missing-nin. I will take care of him."

Suddenly, all four of them felt a signature behind them. Or signatures. "You will do no such thing, Konoha Shinobi."

---

Kankurou and Temari were on their way with their own Squads backing them up. "So tell me why are we taking our Teams with us again?"

Temari held a groan back. "The Wind Barrier I set up isn't easily broken down. Even if it is, it'll take half a day for one Jounin. From what I sensed, it was done in seconds. They're not normal, whoever they are."

Kankurou nodded his head. "Alright."

Arriving at the Gates, they saw all guards knocked out. Between all the unconscious bodies, they saw two Cloaked Shinobis. "So, you're the best Suna has to offer?"

Kankurou narrowed his eyes. "You are... Makkurayami?"

"In the flesh!" One of them answered. "Now, mind telling me what's with all this hostility. It's not like we did anything." She looked at her companion. "Right?"

The other shrugged. "We are interested in your Country." Kankurou and Temari flinched at how easy she started. "You two, who are you? You're obviously the two leaders of the teams behind you."

"Sabaku no Kankurou. I don't know what your true intentions are, but we can't simply let you pass!"

"Ah! Then you must be Temari!" The other Makkurayami Member said as she pointed at Temari. "Gaara-dono told us to contact the two of you... in a normal way. But your guards didn't let us enter."

---

"Uchiha Itachi." Sai calmly stated. "Another S-Ranked Missing-nin." Sai rushed forward, but found his leg grabbed from underneath and then a second later he was on top of the trees, tied by Chakra courtesy of Itachi.

"ANBU?" Itachi let out. "You will remain silent." In a matter of seconds, Kakashi, Sakura and Shikamaru were up there as well, frightened at how easy Sai was dealt with.

Kisame chuckled from behind Itachi. "You guys really are idiots. Best not to interfere until the time calls for it. Right now, Itachi's little brother is fighting Orochimaru. That other guy, with the glasses, he knows it, too, but isn't doing anything."

Itachi simply stared at a hole in the ground, half a mile away from them. The entrance to Orochimaru's lair. "We will approach them now."

Kisame nodded. "Consider yourselves lucky, but Itachi has to deal with something... personal, for a change." He ended with a chuckle as he and Itachi jumped away.

"Kakashi-sensei! Itachi... is he after Sasuke-kun?!" Sakura yelled, in panic.

Kakashi nodded. "Obviously." He released Sai. "We'll wait and observe." He touched the special Kunai in his pocket. 'Things might go very wrong today... With Orochimaru, Itachi and Kisame here... along with Kabuto and possible a hostile Sasuke as well... Us four might not be enough.' He threw the Kunai...

Shikamaru's and Sakura's eyes widened as one of the Makkurayami suddenly appeared before them.

---

"Damn, where did he go now?" Haiban grumbled as he was walking in the middle of nowhere. "I hate his Hiraishin..." He spoke to himself. "What now, if two Akatsuki attack me? I alone won't be enough for that!"

Haiban sighed as he continued walking. "Damn Naruto... Always disappearing like that..."

---

"You are allied with Konoha. We are allied with Konoha... at the moment, as well." The woman with the Cat Mask said. "Keiko-dono, be sure you don't have your Chakra running around..."

Keiko sighed. "Yeah, yeah... Temari-san! Kankurou-san!" She bowed. "We ask for a temporary alliance between Sand and Makkurayami, until all of Akatsuki is beaten down."

Kankurou and Temari looked at each other. "Look, this is as far as you two will go. We can not let you two enter our Village." Kankurou said, although these two could rip right through them and enter anyway. "We don't trust you."

"Understandable." Yugito responded. "We'll be back in seven days. Please consider our offer, Kankurou-san." She bowed shortly. "The Akatsuki is looking for a Village to act from, so it's best for you to heighten security."

With that, the two Makkurayami Members were gone.

---

"Konoha... Shinobi?" Naruto let out, slightly surprised that they used one of his Kunais. "I don't remember giving any of you, except for Jiraiya-sensei, one of my Kunai."

Kakashi grinned behind his mask. "I got one from my former sensei, the Yondaime. It was a wild guess, but I figured you would react to this one as well."

Naruto nodded his head. "Are you... in need of my help, then?" He said rather awkwardly. "I sense... Akatsuki..." Kakashi then felt the grin behind Naruto's mask. "I'll be right back."

In less than a second, actually.

This time, another from the Makkurayami was standing next to him. Naruto sniffed the air. "Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame were here just a while ago."

Shikamaru was analyzing both of them immediately. 'We're at a major advantage now. If Orochimaru and Sasuke are fighting, they both will be exhausted and will pose no real threat. The only real threats will be Yakushi Kabuto and those Akatsuki.'

"You... could've warned me before you just plucked me out of the air, you know?" Haiban let out, in contrast to the serious situation. "I'll deal with Kisame. I know he's the better opponent for you, but last time you two fought it took too damn long."

Naruto sighed as Haiban looked towards the hole in the ground where they smelled several Shinobis inside. "Uchiha Itachi is my opponent, then. Is he good? I've never fought that one before..."

"Of course he's good, he's Akatsuki after all. Just don't look into that bastard's eyes. I saw Kazuma faint once after he looked into that Sharingan of his..." Haiban warned on which Naruto nodded.

"You will deal with the one who's heading towards us..." Naruto said as he and Haiban disappeared and Kabuto appeared in their place.

"Kakashi... and his precious team." All of a sudden, Team 7 found themselves surrounded by many Sound Shinobis. "Time to take care of you..." Kabuto said with a grin.

---

"You sense that?" Neji said to his companions. "It's not close at all, but a lot of power is being used. Most likely it's Naruto-dono."

Gaara and Akiko looked at the Shark Mask carrying Hyuga. "He'll be fine." Gaara let out. "You need not worry about his safety."

Akiko sighed. "Man... I can't help but feel so lucky being with the two of you being so serious all the time..." She said, dragging her voice. "I still feel bad that that damn Sasori escaped from us..." She remembered how Gaara had beaten the Puppet Master, but Sasori managed to run away, as he had moved his 'heart' to another puppet, which was already long gone.

"He was last sighted in the Rain Country." Neji replied. "It might be possible he's hiding there. Be glad that we managed to kill Deidara. In total, we've dealt with three of them so far."

Gaara nodded his head. "Kakuzu and Hidan are dead as well. But in that battle, Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame managed to escape as well."

"... I smell blood... Lots of it." Akiko suddenly said. They all turned quiet and moved as stealthily as they could. Jumping over the Gates of the Rain Country, they saw people standing still everywhere.

And indeed, the ground was covered with blood. 'What happened here? Why aren't any of them moving?'

'Byakugan!' Neji observed the entire Village, and saw that not a single Shinobi was moving... He turned to Gaara and Akiko. "They're all dead, but they're standing..." He whispered. "It's strange..."

"Use Senshin." Gaara suggested.

"Senshin-Byakugan." Neji whispered. The Senshin-Byakugan is the Advanced version of the Byakugan, and allows zooming in on even cells. "All of them... are connected..." His eyes widened. "By Chakra threads..."

"Sasori did this..." Akiko let out.

And then, every human in the Village turned towards the three Jinchuurikis.

Behind the hundreds of Shinobis, Sasori stood proudly, controlling every single one of them. "It was easy, really, killing these pitiful humans..." He whispered as the Jinchuurikis were evading every attack thrown at them. "Now, I've made them all my puppets. And they will all kill you!"

Behind Sasori, Zetsu submerged from the ground...

---

TBC