Farther Away (Part II)
I see you there (still you are) farther away.
[Evanescence – Farther Away]
Why?
Why did they all leave me behind?
Was their training more important than I? Was it really so easy to abandon me? To forget me?
In retrospect I should have known. That I would never be enough to let them stay. Sooner or later they would have left. What could I have to offer them? Only a weak little girl, who didn't know anything about the cruel world. Who was only there to encourage them and to back them up. Was I only a burden after all? Was I dispensable enough for them to leave without looking back? Didn't I mean anything to them at all?
But what was left for me to do other than resign myself to it? Actually I should be happy, that they took advantage of this opportunity to become stronger.
But now I was all alone. The death of my parents made sure that I had no one in Konoha, who would care for me, who would really tend to me. At least no one who was in the village at the moment, but little by little I believed…. Not even then.
If I had been important to them, they would have taken me with them. If they had taken me with them, I wouldn't have to endure all this all alone. They could have comforted me.
But so?
I was at the mercy of my feelings.
I was at the mercy of everyone.
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"Pakkun found something!" Shouted Kakashi and dashed towards the east, while his team, Chiyo and Temari followed him. Kankuro's directions as well as the search of Kakashis' Ninken led them towards a densely wooded area, several miles away from Sunagakure.
Kakashi didn't know in which condition they would find the Kazekage. But he doubted, that they would retrieve him alive. Naruto might be as optimistic as always when approaching this situation, but he couldn't bring himself to be as positive. False hopes could prove to be devastating.
Suddenly he felt a strong chakra signature from a mile away. And it approached their group.
"Be ready, someone is about to approach us. Expect a potential enemy" Ordered Kakashi, but didn't pause. Despite everything they couldn't afford to waste time.
Kakashi felt his concerns vindicated, when a tall, blue-skinned man with the infamous Akatsuki cloak blocked their way. The group came to a stand still. Both sides examined each other closely and silently for a few moments before the Akatsuki member put on a large grin.
"Well well, who do we have here? The famous copy ninja Kakashi Hatake, the Kyuubi brat, one of the Uchiha princes and some substitute. And two Suna ladies. Isn't it an interesting team?"
Kakashi's tension increased further. That he recognized them immediately was not a good sign. If your foe knew you, you could expect them to know how to counter your attacks in advance. But Kakashi couldn't allow himself to show weakness, no matter in which shape or form.
"And I suppose you're Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the seven Shinobi Swordsmen."
But they were definitely well prepared.
Kisame's grin became wider. Without losing the group from his sight he took his with linen concealed sword from his holding and positioned himself properly.
"Now that we have already introduced ourselves, I would say that we come to the interesting part…"
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If Itachi weren't the gifted and highly talented ninja that he was, he wouldn't had noticed the small difference.
He was heading towards the west, hoping that he could meet up with his brother's team before they confronted Akatsuki. But now Itachi noticed that he walked right into someone's trap. He stood in the middle of a genjutsu. But even so he noticed it. The sudden change in the chakra concentration in his environment only took place in a fraction of a second, so that he could almost speak about a case of luck that he noticed at all. Almost. But he didn't let on that he knew about the genjutsu. His foe should further believe, that Itachi was at a disadvantage.
But then Itachi felt how the genjutsu dissolved. Even though Itachi was slightly confused (because nothing changed) he continued. His muscles however were still constricted, ready for a possible surprise attack. Itachi only ran a mile when he heard something. Only at the last second he evaded with a chakra enhanced jump to the right an incoming strike. The Uchiha clan heir landed on a higher up branch and turned to his attacker.
Who turned out to be a woman.
Unmistakable with her Akatsuki cloak and her pink hair Sakura Haruno stood, where he was but a moment ago. In a crater, which didn't exist before. Cautiously she raised her fist from the center of the crater and looked him square in the eye. Itachi was supposed to go, but he was quite certain, that Sakura wouldn't let him go. He did not have another choice than staying and fighting her. And if the crater was any indication their fight could last for a while. Soundlessly the Uchiha landed on the forest floor, a few meters away from Sakura.
"Sakura Haruno."
The slight grin, that she always seemed to have on vanished for a moment, before it returned.
"Itachi Uchiha, you remember me?"
Since a few years he wasn't really surprised if someone recognized him immediately. That is what you get when you are one of the most dangerous ninjas of his village. In an as evenly voice as always he continued.
"You were in the same Team as Sasuke."
Her grin became larger.
"I guess you already told your brother about our little meeting, didn't you? Are they missing me already?" He expected her to feel bitter and resentful. But again it appeared that Itachi wasn't really an expert in the matters of human interaction. Sakura sounded rather… mocking.
"But that was enough chatting."
Without further delays she attacked. While her fists charged at him Itachi endeavors to avoid any hit. The crater showed that one successful, well placed hit could prove to be fatally injured. But with the help of the Sharingan he was able to elude every strike. But this couldn't go on any longer. With a jump behind Itachi found himself in the safety of the forest. He positioned himself in a way which provided him with a clear view of Sakura's back. It was one of the biggest mistakes to leave her back so unprotected. Swiftly he formed the needed hand signs.
"Katon: Fire Ball!"
However, before his jutsu could reach Sakura she turned and formed a shield from earth.
It appeared to be that her element was earth.
Before he could think about another approach on this situation she disappeared. He retreated towards the forest, waiting for the opportunity of his foe being inattentive and showing herself.
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"Everyone get down!" Kakashi shouted while jumping on a branch of a large tree to escape the great wave. The momentum of the impact shook the tree and left him with no other choice than to hold onto the branch and to wait. When the world became slowly still again Kakashi had to block the next direct attack already. He ordered his comrades to continue with their search without losing his opponent from his sight. But Kisame laughed.
"Do you really think that I will let you go so easily?"
He brought distance between himself and Kakashi and formed hand signs, whereon appeared several clones, who already ran to intercept his teammates.
He had to finish his opponent off, and fast. Every minute, even every second mattered.
Bit by bit he gathered chakra in his hands, the charge increased. A crackle, which resembled the tweeting of birds, was gradually heard. The charge increased further, until it reached his maximum capacity.
"Reikiri!"
Like the lightning which Kakashi held in his hands he lunged at Kisame. Kisame raised his sword to block the incoming attack, but than Kakashi disappeared before his eyes. Kisame turned around, but it was too late: Kakashi pierced his right shoulder with his lightning. The pain overpowered everything else, and he let go of Samehada. Kakashi didn't waste this moment and pierced Kisame's back with his other hand, where he hit the heart.
Abruptly he withdraw his arms before the weight of the falling body could take him down too.
It was way too easy.
He looked around searching his teammates. Few moments later they appeared before him.
"Did you own him, Sensei?" Naruto asked eagerly.
"He should be dead by now."
To everyone's surprise Chiyo, who kneeled beside the corpse and examined it, spoke next.
"That's definitely not the one we fought earlier."
Sasuke started to frown slightly.
"Are you really sure…?"
"DO YOU THINK I AM SENILE, YOU LITTLE BRAT?"
I approached the dead figure and indeed: instead of the big, blue-skinned Kisame the carcass belonged to a small, brunette but unknown man.
"We don't have the time to figure out what exactly happened here. No other enemies are in the immediate area, so we should continue with our search."
Again they ran, looking for the missing Kazekage.
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In a few minutes we would be ready.
After the long process they would be finally own their first Bijuu. We finally would be a step closer to achieving our goals.
At last the last Chakra sparks were deprived from Gaara's body.
Relieved that the long and tiring process came to an end I lowered the arms of my projection. I took a glance at Pain, who seemed to be in a conversation with Zetsu. I stifled a sigh. Would he dismiss us earlier?
Pain afterwards dismissed the humanoid flytrap and turned to all members.
"Good job. All members will meet in four days in Amegakure. Everyone except Deidara and Sasori are therefore dismissed."
Now he faced Kisame and me.
"You can let the Konoha shinobi pass now."
I frowned.
"Should I at least distract Itachi Uchiha further? He could pose a problem if you want to capture the Kyuubi now."
I had this oppressing feeling that Pain tried to pierce me with his eerie eyes.
"It would be unnecessary to further fight him. The Kyuubi is not needed right now, we have time."
I nodded, wherein I didn't show my relief. To fight with only a small part of my Chakra against Itachi and to prevent him from meeting with his comrades… was definitely not easy. As an generally recognized genius of the shinobi arts Itachi was a scary opponent, and impossible to win against.
I shared a glance with Kisame, and our projections dissolved in the same second.
Relief flooded my being from returning my spirit into my body. I felt how Kisame stretched beside me.
"Princess, it's high time that you end your fight. You heard our leader."
I smiled. "But we are not fighting anymore… on the contrary, we are holding quite an interesting conversation."
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His hand enclosed her neck while pressing her against a tree bark.
"Why?" Itachi asked her.
"W-why what?" Sakura gasped. She got just enough air to speak.
Itachi tightened his hold.
"Why did you make everybody believe you were dead?"
"If y-you want an actual answer you should stop to hold me so tight."
Itachi loosened his hold on her neck. Before she could escape he grabbed her wrists and pinned them over her head on the bark.
"Now speak."
She smiled mockingly.
"I don't know how you see this, but Konoha never made an afford to confirm or disconfirm my death, don't you think so?"
He examined her for a moment, but then carried on.
"Why did you never return? Do you know how much your team suffered from your death, believing they were at fault?"
Itachi only now noticed how his hands strengthened their hold on her. He had to be careful. His emotions are about to get out of control.
Her smile changed into a grin.
"Well, are they not?"
Surprised he looked into her eyes, even though he didn't let the surprise be shown. She looked him straight in the eye, but then she spoke again.
"Are you really sure, that I'm welcome in Konoha?"
Again surprise flooded Itachi's mind, but in the next moment he controlled his expressions. But this moment was enough for Sakura. She raised a pink brow.
"Did you never ask the Yondaime why I left the village those years ago?"
She stretched her head out, whereby her face was only inches from Itachi's away.
"I will never return to this goddamned village of yours. At least not in this life."
She bent her head, with the result that her lips almost touched his ear. Itachi didn't move.
"But if I were you I would go on instead of wasting your time with me. Naruto is the next."
With that said she dissolved the genjutsu. In Sakura's place appeared a man with the headband of Sunagakure. With a well-placed hit he incapacitated him.
Itachi continued on his way.
He met Kakashi and his team few miles later. Additionally Team 7 got temporary members; one older lady with the name Chiyo, who belonged to the circle of the Elders of Sunagakure, and a young Suna kunoichi, maybe two years younger than himself. He didn't appreciate the way in which she stared at him.
"Were you also delayed by Akatsuki?" Itachi asked.
"We confronted Kisame on our way" Kakashi answered.
"Who did you meet, Itachi?" Sasuke inquired.
Itachi glanced for a moment towards his brother, but immediately turned around.
"We don't have the time for this. If I understood my opponent correctly we could be already too late."
They continued their search.
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Finally, after many days, I was able to open my eyes and stretch my muscles. Which I took advantage of, obviously. While I stretched my back to the point of it making disturbing click noises I watched how Kisame put his things together for the journey. I turned my head slightly to the side, which also got me some clicks. Kisame turned around to face me.
"Don't wring your own pretty neck, princess."
I rolled my eyes.
"You only say that because you can't afford to lose your personal healer."
I stood up and stretched for the last time. While I packed up my own belongings I had to think about my confrontation with Itachi. What did he think he would achieve with his questions? That I would return? That I would feel guilty, because I left my team behind? A grimace made from anger and disgust took my expressions over.
As if he would know about anything.
But then I remembered something, and my anger left as if it were never there.
I sighed inwardly. Instead of focusing on Itachi I should wonder how to confront my former teammates.
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At the end of day they all stood and encircled Chiyo, who kneeled beside Gaara and did everything to save her Kage. Even though it was in exchange of her own life.
Itachi could not help it he felt the upmost respect for her. He himself was always ready to die for his family, his village and his Hokage.
He thought about the older Suna kunoichi, and the last fight of her long live. He was highly impressed by her abilities. He had to admit that without Chiyo their fight against Sasori could have ended with much more injuries than they actually got. He owned her Sasuke's life.
But despite the tense and serious situation he could not help but think about Sasori's last words.
"I will reward you, because you managed to defeat me." Sasori gasped.
"I give you information about a meeting which could prove to be interesting for you."
Sasuke raised a brow.
"And why are you so sure of this?"
"I'm sure because you are Konoha shinobi. But see for yourselves."
In one week a meeting would take place on a bridge, in which Sasori should have participated. What the purpose of this meeting was? Maybe they could gather important information for their village.
His line of thought was disturbed when he heard a cry. Temari and Naruto leaped at the now living Kazekage, while Chiyo slowly collapsed and took her last breath.
An endless circle which would never end. For someone to live another had to die.
Itachi looked up and towards the sky, turning away from the group to remain distant to the happenings.
What the future would bring?
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Для меня оно не важно, Для тебя оно не ново
[t.A.T.u. – Belijh Plashik (White Robe)]
(For me it's not important, for you it's not new)
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Actually I wanted to update a few weeks earlier BUT of course, the evil, evil internet….
Please leave a review behind, constructive critic is always welcomed ^^