…Much to my regret I do Not own Naruto…
Chapter 10: The Final Showdown-Sasuke vs. Itachi
Sasuke braced himself as he slid back, the force of his own punch propelling him away from Itachi.
The oldest Uchiha's face was expressionless. He had known Sasuke's powers had developed strongly over the past three years. Orochimaru had kept him updated on his little brother but the sannin had obviously downplayed his achievements.
Not only was Sasuke keeping up with Itachi—he was forcing the sharingan master to plan ahead. It was something he was unaccustomed to. While every fight demanded strategic planning and anticipation, Sasuke was bringing Itachi to a whole new level of awareness. It was exhilarating.
Now that he couldn't release the Uchiha demon, this was all he had left. This last and ultimate battle with his own brother.
He side-stepped as Sasuke appeared at his side. The younger man kicked out, attempting to catch Itachi in the chest or abdomen.
But Itachi was prepared for it. It was slightly harder to visualize the moves coming his way. His sharingan saw Sasuke's moves just as Sasuke saw his. But in the end, they almost balanced each other, making it appear as if it were a normal battle simply sped up. By anticipating each others moves, they may as well have been fighting without the sharingan. Either way, they were on equal ground.
The brothers clashed again.
They punched and blocked; kicked and dodged. When one swung low, the other jumped over his leg and followed with a fresh attack.
The minutes passed by in a blur as the two Uchiha battled with everything they had.
Again, they broke apart, struggling to gain their breath as they stared each other down.
"You're doing well." Itachi said softly. "You are no longer my weak brother after all."
"You are no brother of mine." Sasuke growled.
"You're wrong, Sasuke. I am your brother and I have always been your brother. What has happened between us does not change that. Now, what you should be asking yourself, is—are you going to become me by killing your own brother? Will you become a killer of your own kin too?"
Sasuke's gaze did not leave Itachi as the words sank in. Part of him knew that his brother was trying to break his will again. But another part of him couldn't deny the truth of those words. He was an avenger—of that, there was no doubt.
But was he no better than Itachi?
The oldest Uchiha saw the struggle within Sasuke's eyes. He would have smiled if the expression wouldn't have ruined the vision he was trying to create. It was here where the truth was most apparent. Emotions didn't make a shinobi weak—they made a shinobi susceptible. Every emotion had a benefit in the fighting world as well as a detriment. Hate fueled some but caused recklessness. Love could temper bravery but it could be easily turned against its owner. That was the real danger in emotion. That was why a true ninja should be void of it. Because, while it gave certain strengths, it also gave definite weaknesses.
Itachi could see the emotions conflicting in his brother's eyes. And if he could break Sasuke's rage toward him—then the fierce thirst for revenge that had driven the young man would also be gone. Without a cause, Sasuke would easily fall.
And the memories threatened to drown Sasuke.
Memories of a kinder, more caring older brother. When everyone else had ignored him, Itachi had always seen to it, in some small way, to make Sasuke feel important. And even though his brother had claimed it was all just an act, Sasuke had a hard time believing it. If he had thought Itachi truly felt no brotherly love for him, it would have made killing him the easiest thing in the world.
But it wasn't that simple.
Itachi straightened and his breathing calmed once again. "Goodbye, Sasuke."
Itachi brought his hands up. His eyes closed briefly while he summoned the chakra he needed. He was vaguely aware of Sasuke rushing toward him—but it was too late. Suddenly, ring of black fire appeared around the youngest Uchiha, the heat of the flames causing him to fall backward into the center of the circle.
"Amateratsu." Itachi watched his brother struggle to shield himself against the heat. "A flame hotter than the sun. And a convenient prison for you for the moment. Eventually, the heat of it will kill you—if you are wise enough to avoid the flames themselves. But you should be conscious long enough to see me take care of your friends."
Sasuke's eyes squinted against the heat as he looked over to where Sakura lay…
…only…she wasn't there anymore…
It was a fact that Itachi had noted as well. He briefly glanced at Sai and Yamato. Too easy. Where has that girl gone to? Again, she surprised him. He was almost inclined to let her live if he found her. With Kisame presumably dead, it would be interesting to have another worthy companion around.
The thought was dismissed as quickly as it had appeared. A captive companion was more trouble than he cared to take on. And once Sasuke was dead by his hand, Sakura would most likely be more interested in killing him.
At the exact moment that thought crossed his mind, a massive tree suddenly dropped toward him. He managed to jump out of the way as it crashed to the ground.
But even as he leapt back, he sensed danger coming from behind him as well.
Itachi dropped to the ground and rolled away—
--as Sakura aimed a power-punch at his chest.
He regained his feet and met the furious green gaze staring back at him.
Her hand was still raised in warning and he had no doubt that with that one punch she had intended to rip out his heart.
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The scene that greeted Naruto and Kakashi was confusing at best.
Sasuke knelt amid a circle of dancing black flames. Nearby, closer to the forest edge, Itachi stood across from a healed Sakura. Off to the side the bodies of Yamato and Sai lay quietly.
Oh shit! Naruto raced toward them. Are they dead?
But Yamato and Sai were far from dead, although when Kakashi released them from the jutsu, they more than likely wished that they were.
Both men were so incoherent and distraught that they barely recognized either Kakahi or Naruto. And Yamato almost did them physical harm before he realized that he was no longer trapped in the genjutsu.
Kakashi glanced at Naruto. "These guys are in no condition to fight and I've summoned chidori as much as I dare today. Let's get them to some cover."
"Sakura-chan needs us!" Naruto's blue eyes stared intensely across the clearing where the medic stood. "And Sasuke! We've got to help Sasuke!"
"Sasuke? Don't forget Naruto that Sasuke is gone…"
"No! No you don't understand! That's not Orochimaru! It was all just a lie! I know—Sasuke told me when he suppressed the Kyuubi!"
"What?" Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck. "And you didn't think of telling me this sooner?"
"Look, it doesn't matter now! We've got to help both of them!"
Kakashi nodded. "Alright. Let's get these guys behind the tree line first."
They helped their teammates hobble to safety.
But as the copy nin and the aspiring Hokage rushed to the aid of their other companions, Itachi stopped them in their tracks.
He had been anticipating them and since he no longer had to conserve his mangekyo power, another wall of intense flame rose up and blocked them from getting any closer.
Out in the clearing, the flames remained just that—flames. But once summoned so close to the tree-line, the heat off of them began to singe and eventually burn the vegetation.
Before Naruto and Kakashi realized it, a good portion of the forest was ablaze.
"Naruto!" Kakashi yelled over the roar. "Come on! We've got to get the others to higher ground! If we can find a source of water, I know some jutsus that will help put out this blaze!"
Naruto didn't reply right away, staring at the figures on the opposite side of the black flame. "I'm sorry, Sakura-chan." I can't help you right now.
It took Kakashi's firm hold to finally pull Naruto away.
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Itachi stared at the pink-haired woman before him.
He was becoming increasingly irritated. Not only had his plans for power been blown out of the water, but now any solace he might have found in his enemies' deaths was annoyingly being put on hold.
But the Uchiha could tell by Sakura's wide stance that she was far from completely healed. It was taking almost all of her energy to remain standing.
Sasuke also noticed her wobbly form.
"Sakura!" He yelled from within the circle of fire. "Sakura! Find a way to put out the flames! I need to get past the flames!"
But the look she shot him was enough to make him stagger back a foot.
"Orochimaru, that slow death is kinder than you deserve. I will not free you. You betrayed Sasuke and then betrayed Itachi. Why should I think you won't betray me? No, no, I will see to Sasuke's revenge—and that includes your death as well."
Both Uchihas' eyes went wide. Neither one had realized she didn't know the truth of the matter.
And Itachi instantly seized on the opportunity.
He sneered. "You know, Sakura-san, Orochimaru asked Sasuke if there was any reason for him not to go through with the body transfer. And do you know what my brother said? He told him no—that all annoyances had been left behind him; that I was the only thing of importance to him."
Sakura's gaze wavered slightly.
"And at one point in time, Orochimaru even said that Sasuke regretted not killing both you and Naruto those six months ago. He said your lives were so pitiful that he would have been doing you a favor."
"No!" Sasuke shouted. "No! Sakura! Don't listen to him! I'm not Orochimaru! The sannin is dead and I was just playing a part! You have to believe me!"
"Believe him?" Itachi shook his head. "Has he given you any reason to believe him? You'd let Orochimaru—the man who took Sasuke's body—live just to see him fight me some more?"
"Shut up!" She screamed at them. "Shut up!"
Itachi could see the rage in Sakura. He knew there were no more words that could stop her. She was going to attack him and she was going to give it everything she had. He took a few steps backward and picked up Sasuke's sword.
Even though her body was still weak, Sakura clenched her fists and steadied herself. Her life as a shinobi had led her to this point and there was no reason to let the fear of death hold her back.
She sent some of her meager chakra amount to her feet and raced toward Itachi.
She ducked low when she reached him, aiming for his knees and the vulnerable points in the leg.
He spun away from her, flipping back onto his hands to keep his legs out of her range. She wasn't strong enough to use any jutsus on him, but her strength was still present. It was another strangely equal battle for Itachi. He couldn't use his genjutsu one her. She had already shown him the risk of using the mangekyo on her and she was unsusceptible to a regular illusion. That left him with taijutsu and basic fire jutsus. He was more skilled than her but she was much stronger.
Sasuke watched from the oven of black fire, feeling the heat beginning to take its toll on his body. It was all he could do to keep his eyes open and on the fight.
"Sakura!" He called out. "Sakura…I…I…thank you."
The words froze her. They were the same words she had heard before but the meaning behind them felt completely different. Instead of an expression of appreciation, they felt like an admission of regret. And Sakura knew that it was something Orochimaru would not have been capable of.
"Sasuke-kun…" She turned slightly, giving Itachi the opening he wanted.
Hitting her with the hilt of the sword he made her fall to her knees. With his other hand he hit her hard enough to send her sprawling toward the ring of flames. She stopped just short of the fire.
Sakura had one glimmer of strength left.
She smiled gently, looking up at Sasuke from where she lay on the ground.
He watched as she made a fist and glanced around at his dungeon of flames. Strategically slamming her hand into the ground, she watched as the fire-weakened ground collapsed inward.
The flames still flickered, but at least they were buried in a three-foot pit.
She closed her eyes in triumph as Sasuke shakily stood—now free from where he had been held.
Now Itachi's rage had reached its peak. Now he was at his most dangerous point. With a snarl, he lunged at Sasuke, sword held high, taking advantage of the weakened state of his younger brother.
As he saw Itachi barreling down on him, Sasuke quickly summoned his chidori. The ball of lightning sputtered at first as Sasuke's strength faltered. He dove under the form of Itachi, hoping to catch him with the jutsu as he landed, but the older Uchiha was too fast.
He reached under, grabbing Sasuke as he somersaulted in the air, ending with him pinned beneath him. One of Itachi's feet pinned down the arm still holding chidori as his other knee pressed cruelly into Sasuke's chest.
Itachi held the sword at Sasuke's throat. "This is the end Sasuke. But your death was an honorable one."
Both brothers were surprised as a pair of strong hands grabbed a hold of them.
Sakura looked from one to the other, her face a mask of calm.
She leaned down next to Sasuke and whispered, "You know what to do next."
And then she clasped his hand that held chidori within her own. Instantly, Sakura's form went rigid as the current raced through her. But by the time Itachi realized the danger he was in—it was too late.
As he tried to back away, Sakura grabbed the blade of the sword.
Lightning current raced up the metal and into the sharingan master.
Itachi's eyes went wide with pain and shock. They mirrored Sasuke's.
Through clenched teeth, Sakura forced out the words, "Now, Sasuke! Increase the jutsu now!"
For a moment, Sasuke fought with himself. The chidori he had created was small—enough to paralyze but not kill. It was not of the same caliber as the current he used in unison with the sword. That current would kill if he wanted it to.
He would kill Itachi by increasing the power.
But that would mean using Sakura as a living conductor. She was his connection to the blade and to Itachi.
"No," He whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. "No…"
"Sasuke!" Sakura's voice was pained. "Now! Finish it! Please!" Her own tears fell freely. "Please…"
Closing his eyes, Sasuke sent the rest of his chakra into the palm of his hand—the palm of his hand that Sakura clung to.
The power surged in a brilliant flash of blue. It traveled through Sakura, up to where her bloody hand clutched the sword blade. And then it pitched through the hilt and into Itachi.
There were sparks and a blinding flash of light.
Sasuke felt a huge, crushing, outward blast of power and felt Sakura's hand ripped from his grasp.
He lay there, too weak at first to do anything other than blink against the black spots in his vision. As the dust around him settled, the truth of what had happened hit him and he sat up. His gaze briefly touched on the smoking form of Itachi. But he quickly passed his brother over, instead, focusing on where a different body lay.
No! Sasuke crawled over to her. No!
No, no no!
He rolled her over gently, unable to detect a heart beat. But his sharingan could see the faint ebb of her chakra. She was still alive—but barely.
Sasuke began to notice what was going on around them. Smoke billowed in from where fire raged through the forest. And there was no sign of any of his other comrades. Perhaps…Naruto got them all to safety.
Their initial point of entry into the clearing was blocked by a wall of black flame. And where amateratsu ended, normal fire ate away at the landscape. Their options of exit were swiftly vanishing.
Sasuke stood, picking Sakura up gently. He stood over Itachi for a moment and he knew beyond a doubt that his brother was dead.
Sasuke felt strangely at peace. He hadn't killed his brother in cold blood. It had been an honorable fight and he had done what he had to do in order to protect himself and those he cared about.
He glanced down at Sakura. She needs medical attention and soon.
Looking through the smoke, he spotted an area of untouched trees. It was the opposite direction he wanted to go, but it was his only chance.
He held Sakura tightly and headed for the forest.
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On the hill, Naruto watched as Kakashi summoned large waves of water from a nearby creek.
Humph .Must be handy to have all those copied jutsus.
But the blond was anxious to get back through the scorched land and to his friends. As much as Kakashi was slowly stopping the fire, the area where they had left Sasuke and Sakura was still hidden from view by the orange flames.
"Kakashi-sensei! Come on! We need to get back!"
"Naruto, I can't quench amateratsu flames. They will continue to burn for seven days and seven nights. It would take Jiraiya-sama's fire sealing to break through them."
"We can't just leave them there! They could be—"
--a soot-covered form dropped in between them.
Sasuke hit his knees, barely hanging on to Sakura.
Naruto's blue eyes were huge but he sprung into action, lifting the limp form from the Uchiha's arms.
"Sakura-chan!" He shook her. "Sakura-chan!"
There was no response.
Naruto's unbelieving gaze misted over. "S-Sakura-chan?"
He looked at Sasuke and the other young man sadly shook his head.
Kakashi took a deep breath. Sakura needed care—and fast. And he still had Yamato and Sai to worry about. Those two were still unable to travel on their own and Sasuke didn't look much better for wear.
"Naruto," He felt for Sakura's pulse. "You need to get her awake. Find a way to bring her back. If she's conscious, she can borrow our chakra to heal herself."
"But…"
"Just do it!"
Naruto leaned in closer to the medic. "Sakura-chan? Sakura-chan! Are you going to give up this easily!?! Well!?! You're going to leave Sasuke here…"
He smiled slightly.
"…for Ino to look after?"
Sakura's eyes opened slightly but there was no other reaction.
Seeing that she was conscious, Kakashi grabbed her hand, motioning for Naruto to do the same. "Sakura… listen to me… heal yourself, just like you normally would. Naruto and I will provide the chakra."
The medic shook her head slightly. "No…no more…strength….left…can't heal…too much….damage…anyway…"
"Yes you can!" Kakashi said sternly. "Now do it!"
Her eyes closed and they could feel her body tense slightly with the effort.
No one knew how long they sat there like that. They only knew that it had been hours.
And then, the sensation of chakra use stopped. Sakura's body went limp once again and her eyes remained closed.
Kakashi pulled his hand away and shook his head.
The darkness of the night was offset by the orange backdrop of a still-burning forest.
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Coming soon: Chapter 11: (Title to be announced) hehe