DISCLAIMER:
Naruto is copyrighted to the creator, Masashi Kimimoto. This story is purely fan-made and is in no way associated with the anime company or the artist who created it.
(Author's Note)
First off, I APOLOGIZE!!! Please don't kill me!!
Life has been a total trainwreck, and I've just completely lost my passion to write. I hope this is good enough. Personally, I think I could have done better, but hey, this was as best as I could come up with in my writer's block era.
For a change, I'm gonna do Review Replies BEFORE the chapter, for the sole sake of preserving the mood at the end of the story. You'll see why...
Parade: Thanks for reviewing! Luv ya!
Shadow of Darkness 22: Sorry for taking so long, and I'm glad you think my writing is descriptive!
YamiTenshi: I agree, murder is no longer the simple task it used to be. That's why I gave up being an assassin. Now I'm an author! XD
hamfoot: Aww! I'm so sorry I took so long to update! Send your laptop my apologies!!!
EruLawliet: (can't spoil story) : P
frogger666: Thanks so much for the review! I'll be lucky if you're still reading after a whole month of not updating! (I cant believe it's been that long!) : D
Det.L Yagami: ...O.O OMFG You're the writer of touch!!! I cant believe you actaully read my story! wow. Thank you sooooo much!!!
XxX-Torturedsoul-XxX: Sorry to keep you waiting! Glad you're liking the story though!
Bakuras Pet: Thank you so much for the review!!!
Vimuku: Hey, you only started reading this story a little while ago. At least you didn't have to wait a whole month like my poor other readers! TT
DONT FORGET TO REVIEW!!!!
ESPECIALLY SINCE I WONT BE REMINDING YOU AT THE END!!!
P.S.
No this is not the end of the story. I have one more chapter to go!
Hayate Smirked. "So… you think you can kill me huh?" he challenged.
"Don't look so confident Hayate." I spat, glaring at him with hate-filled eyes. "You're in no position to be threatening anyone." He smiled, taking in my bed-ridden figure. But before he could say anything, I tore out the IVs, ripping the wires from their machines. I jumped angrily onto the cool laminate flooring, taking my usual stance.
He chuckled darkly, shaking his head from side to side; mocking me. As if this whole situation were… amusing to him. My eyes narrowed. How disgusting.
He locked eyes with me suddenly, and slowly, he whispered. "Go ahead and try me."
Growling, I wrenched my hand in a sweeping motion, sending sand rocketing towards him. He made some hand seals that I couldn't see, and mentally, I prepared myself for the worst.
But to my surprise, no jutsu came. Instead, right before my eyes, my sand was demolished. The waves receded, if only for an instant, and then the sand returned, crashing down on him with unbearable force. He raised his katana, slicing through it easily, interrupting its powerful movements. But the sand paused only for a moment before returning the attack with full force. My face remained blank as I threw my arms around in twists and turns, guiding the sand around the blade, leading it closer and closer to its prey.
Hayate was panting; he could barely keep up. Even for a ninja of his level, I was a tough opponent, and he couldn't take much more. I smirked, a dangerous glint in my sky blue eyes. Such an innocent color; how misleading.
He continued slashing, loosing speed with every swipe. Then, I saw my opening. The sand charged in, wrapping tightly around his body like a deadly cobra. He dropped his katana, gasping for air. I watched for an instant as he slowly realized that this was the end; that his life would end staring into the blood-thirsty eyes of the Demon of the Sand.
A look of triumph colored my face as I closed in for the kill, stepping just close enough to look him right in the eyes. It sent a chill down my spine, and I got slightly excited. I had always loved the kill. I grinned uncontrollably, and in a dramatic sweeping motion, I clenched my fist. It was over.
I felt no sympathy for him. After all, it had been his own decision to face me like that. And yet, I felt a slight sense of regret. A part of me almost wished… that it had ended differently. But I shook off the thought. After all, I had more important things to worry about. Number one being finding my Naruto.
And this time, I didn't argue with myself when I called him "my Naruto." I don't know why… but I had an uncontrollable urge to protect him. I couldn't explain it, and I didn't think anyone would ever understand, but I knew. He was my Naruto, and I had to find him, so I could see his face again, and know that he's safe.
With a wave of my hand, the sand shot straight at the brick to my right, shattering the wall and sending shards of red flying around the room. An ominous dust cloud arose, shielding me from view as a flurry of nurses and doctors rushed into the room. But I was already gone.
The one thing I loved about Konoha; forest everywhere. It was only a matter of seconds before I was out of the village and into the woods. I tried to focus on the sound of my footsteps, pushing silently off of the frail branches. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep my mind off him. They knew he was a Jinchuuriki. They would be telling the other villages. They would be after him. He would never be allowed in Konoha again.
I tried to grasp the reality, but I just couldn't. My mind kept shoving the truth at me, but my heart kept pushing it away. If he couldn't come back to Konoha, what would happen? I couldn't leave Temari or Kankuro. But I couldn't leave Naruto either…
What am I supposed to do?
I stopped in mid stride, gripping the tree branch for support. What was going to happen when I found him anyways? I couldn't bring him back to Konoha. But I couldn't leave him either. My heart gave a sudden jolt, and I bent over, grabbing my sides. Looking down at my chest, I almost screamed. The whole thing was soaked in blood.
That was when I remembered; I never got those stitches. Damn.
My vision slowly began to blur.
No! I screamed in my head, forcing myself to my feet again, pushing myself forward. I've come to far... I have to find Naruto!
I leapt through the trees, focusing all my attention on keeping my feet moving. If I stopped, even for one instant, I might never get going again. Naruto… I promise, I'll find you. I can't die now. I won't! I never even got to see if you were okay…
I could tell the blood-loss was starting to take its toll, and after that battle with Hayate, I was running low on Chakra. But I drove myself forward, refusing to give up. I had to keep going. But my vision was getting increasingly worse, and my coordination was going along with it. That was when it happened. My foot missed the branch.
Instantly, I started falling. The sand rushed around me, cradling me into a quiet landing on the soft forest floor. I lay there, begging my legs to get up. Praying, hoping that I could just find the strength… Come on! Get up! No! I have to keep moving! Silent tears slowly began falling as I realized that I couldn't move. I just didn't have the strength. No, please, not yet…
My eyelids fell closed slowly, and I tried to open them desperately, but they wouldn't obey. And even though I fought with all my strength, I slowly slipped into unconsciousness, with only one thing on my mind…
Naruto… I'm sorry…
