The Darkness Within the Light
Chapter 11
Not Quite Over
I would like to announce that this is the end of part one…I hope you've enjoyed my slightly…strange story. Why you're still reading this I'm not sure…anyway after this…from Chapter 12 on will be part two…I had a random epiphany earlier of how I could keep this story going…so yup…part one is ending…part two is beginning. Oh and I'm sorry YakieChan I know I promised this would be sooner...but I got grounded --
-Sasuke-
He nodded at Sakura, his eyes blank. "It might just work…" he said slowly thinking it over. "When are we trying?"
"At dawn…" said Shikamaru sounding bored. "So everyone needs to rest up tonight!"
They all agreed. Sasuke sighed, and went to go look for something to eat…he found some raw fish Suigetsu had caught and started a fire. Soon he was eating cooked fish. After awhile he sat down, right next to Suigetsu…he was trying to avoid Karin…and Karin couldn't stand Suigetsu.
The man grinned at him. "You ready for tomorrow?"
Sasuke just stared at him. "I was born ready."
He wasn't sure when his eyes fluttered open…or why they even opened so early in the night. He sighed and stood up, and wandered into the forest. After awhile he came to the barrier. He glared at it. "Tomorrow…you will fall…"
Later the next morning Sasuke was still glaring at the wall, storing his chakra.
"Are you ready Sasuke?" asked Sakura, her eyes narrowed as rain plastered her pink hair to her face. By now everyone had gathered around and was preparing themselves.
He nodded and made his way through the all two familiar hand signs.
One by one the people around him, minus Lee grabbed his arm and transferred their chakra to him. The Chidori grew and began to glow multiple colors. The noise it usually made was multiplied until it was painful to hear. Then everyone let go and he darted forward, slamming it into the invisible wall. He heard a crack and knew it would crumble. He smirked despite himself…and started to think…that maybe he would complete his quest today.
-Sakura-
She turned to face Itachi, taking care to not meet his eye. She punched the ground, sending a shockwave to cripple the earth as it had during her fight with Sasuke. Itachi jumped up to dodge and stared down at her. She tore her gaze downward as she stepped to the side, dodging Itachi's foot. Suddenly she couldn't move.
She cursed as saw a limp form on the ground. Don't look at it…it's not real… she told herself staring at Itachi, knowing that she was trapped.
Unfortunately, she did look and even though she knew it was an illusion…her heart stopped. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the limp body…she couldn't tear them away from the blood and the horrible wounds. Somehow…he was still alive. Naruto lifted his head and smiled weakly. "Sakura-chan…"
"Stop it!" she whispered.
Itachi slammed his foot onto Naruto's head, shoving it into the ground.
"Stop it!" she said louder, unable to look away as Itachi stomped on his leg, causing a sickening crunch.
"STOP IT!" she screamed.
Then suddenly, it stopped.
She sighed in relief as Sasuke charged at Itachi; distracting him….the genjutsu was broken. She quickly made sure the other two members were distracted before bending down and kissing him. Before he could respond she freed him. Then she pulled him up into a standing position. "Don't you ever do that to me again!" she spat at him. Then she kissed him again.
"Um…"
"Oh…gomen!" said Sakura leaving a stunned Naruto to free Kiba. A large white dog…only halfway healed was instantly beside him. "Let's go boy!" he said joyfully. Kiba shot Naruto an I told you so look before jumping into the battle.
Sakura was instantly turning back to Naruto. "You are in trouble!" she said, crying.
"Oh Sakura-chan…wh…what!?" he said sounding worried. "Why are you crying!?"
"I thought I had lost you…" she whispered.
"Sakura…"
"Don't give me that…just promise me that next time you won't leave without me…" she whispered, burying her face into his chest.
"Sakura…I can't…"
"Promise!" she repeated.
He looked down at her for a moment, and then his pointed finger lifted her chin up so their eyes met. "I promise…"
His lips met hers with such passion she thought she might explode. She wanted him, every single part of him…and she wasn't about to share. He would be hers…always…just as she would always be his. Nothing can be compared to this passion she felt…nothing at all can describe it. Butterflies…the good kind…the kind that make you feel like your flying…fluttered in her stomach. "I love you…" she whispered when they broke apart.
"I love you too."
"But that doesn't mean you're not in trouble."
Naruto chuckled.
She felt joy pulse through her heart and the pain was healed…she felt totally right…even though she was in the middle of battle…if she had died now…she would die happy. She was complete…she was no longer an unwanted burden…she was loved and she was ready to fight to protect that.
Naruto looked up and glanced at the battle, and she instantly knew what he was thinking. "Oh no…you're not going out there!" she said pushing him to lie down on the grass. "You need medical attention first."
"But Sakura…"
"I'm not going to lose you again."
-Sasuke-
Sasuke glared at Itachi, who kept attacking him, again and again and again. All Sasuke could do was dodge. Sasuke felt depressed…he knew he wasn't strong enough…especially after using that huge Chidori…Sasuke was tired and weak…Itachi was not.
There was one thing he did notice that was different about his brother was that Itachi kept glancing at Naruto and Sakura…which he supposed was natural…considering how he was supposed to be guarding Naruto.
He fought on and on, not having time to draw his sword, or even make hand signs…not that he had much chakra left. If it was Itachi and him alone he could have used one technique…but then…he'd end up killing more people than just Itachi.
Sasuke glanced over at Sakura; her back was facing him, as she healed Naruto. A faint green glow was visible. He could tell that Itachi was okay with that…as long as Naruto survived. A fist grazed his jaw, so he ducked down and kicked upward. Itachi vanished in a puff of smoke.
Sasuke looked around confused, trying to find his brother.
"Behind you…"
Sasuke spun around as his sword's weight vanished. He glared at the sword in Itachi's hand…his own weapon was being used against him.
His own sword met his skin before he could pull out kunai. He used that kunai to block another blow from his blade.
Then suddenly, Itachi did something unexpected…he changed targets.
Itachi took Sasuke's sword and headed straight over to Sakura.
In a flash, Naruto switched places with Sakura, so she was lying on the ground and he was sitting up.
Sasuke stared at him and new what would happen…Itachi wouldn't be able to pull away in time.
-Naruto-
Naruto closed his eyes and waited for the blow…it never came. His eyes flew open and a sense of déjà vu came over him. "Oh Kami!" he whispered.
Sasuke stared down at the sword running through his chest blankly. Then he looked up at Itachi with hatred before falling.
Naruto caught him and was taken to another place and time. Taken to his team's first real mission…where Sasuke had almost died for him there. Only this time…there was a lot more blood.
"Sasuke…why?"
"My body always moves on its own…" said Sasuke weakly. "Every time."
Everything was dead silent as everybody stopped fighting…everybody stopped to stare at the scene. Naruto was shocked by the déjà vu.
"Sasuke…"
"Baka…you always…get in the way!"
Sasuke and Naruto both blinked as the same words echoed through their minds. When shinobi are truly connected…if there bonds are strong enough…they should be able to speak without opening their mouths. "Finish it."
Naruto stared down at his friend, understanding what he meant. "I swear I will…" he managed to choke out…this time it was aloud.
Then so soft Naruto could never be sure he had heard right and whisper came. "Goodbye…Naruto…"
Sasuke's body went limp and his eyes dulled and was last thought echoed throughout Naruto's head. Goodbye brother.
Naruto stared blankly at the cold, limp figure for awhile, letting the blood cover him and mix with the rain. Then it all came crashing down on him, a howl of pain escaped his throat as reality smashed into him. He had failed…he had lost his best friend…his brother was dead.
Naruto could feel the tears welling up as the memories came flooding back into his mind. Each and every memory that he had stored in his mind played before him like a broken record. He glanced up at Itachi, and at first…saw Haku…and was hit by another way of déjà vu. Then Haku melted into Itachi…whose face was totally emotionless. That total emptiness really pissed him off. He felt the rage flowing through him…he felt the undying and pure hatred for the man before him…and then…Naruto exploded.
-Sakura-
Her arms flew up at the burst of flame spread across the clearing. She cursed as she realized what was happening…but it was too late…when the flames died away…there was a creature in Naruto's place…with not four, not five, not six, but seven tails. He dropped Sasuke's body to the ground and launched himself at Itachi.
She instantly fell to her knees to examine Sasuke, but a low snarl rumbled from Naruto's throat when she reached out to touch him, so she backed away. Her arm, where he had first wounded her…suddenly began to burn painfully, and she tried to ignore it.
She watched Naruto in terror as he quickly broke Itachi's leg. Then as quickly as it had started…it was over…Itachi was just a dent in the ground…which Naruto's fist had made. Sakura was crying…she wasn't sure why…but she was sobbing like she'd never sobbed before.
Then suddenly a red arm was raised above her. She didn't even try to defend herself. "Naruto…" she whispered softly.
-Naruto-
Through pale blank eyes Naruto watched everything occur…but it wasn't until he saw the angel did he really see. He stared at her confused…why was the angel sad? Why was she crying? He paused, his claws upraised to bring her down…but it was like her tears extinguished his anger. Angel's weren't supposed to cry…this was wrong. He stopped as the angel whispered his name. His arm fell and his head cocked to the side in confusion. Was the angel crying because of him? If so…how could he make her stop?
Hen suddenly the angel's arms were around him, hugging him and her tears sizzled off his chakra incrusted skin. He blinked in confusion as the angel's skin began to burn. She didn't even cry out in pain. Then suddenly, everything was right.
He was in her arms…crying. "Gomen Sakura…"
She stared at him, shocked. "Why?" she whispered.
"I failed…I never brought him home for you…" said Naruto his voice strained.
He crying, staining her shirt, but there was nothing he could do…he was defeated…and all he could do about it…was cry.
Eventually he fell unconscious…into sweet, sweet darkness.
And eventually, he woke up…not that he remembered at first. Then he saw the body and dragged his weary, battered body over to his friend. Then he fell down, next to him, and stared into blank Sharingan eyes. He forced himself onto his knees and pressed his hands onto Sasuke's cold chest. Bursts of red chakra escaped him and pulsed into Sasuke. "Wake up!"
Naruto…he's gone…it's not going to work.
"Urusai!" spat Naruto and the chakra intensified. "Urusai! Urusai!"
He sat there for hours until he gave up, sobbing.
Then suddenly he stiffened and rose up, the body in his arms. He limped back over to the rest of them.
"Naruto…" whispered Sakura.
"Let's go home…"
-Konoha-
Tsuande sat at her desk, her head in her hands. Jiraiya was staring at her with worried eyes. "Tsuande…"
"What!" she snapped.
"Believe in them…we must have hope."
She glared at him.
"Don't you believe in Sakura…?"
Tsuande stared at him and opened her mouth to speak, but the door flew open.
Hinata burst in panting for breath, her hair in her face. "Hokage-sama!"
"What!?" she snapped.
"It's…Naruto!"
In a flash they were at the gate and Tsuande suddenly looked young, her eyes were filled with hope…if only a little. As the group approached the gate they noticed a small crowd. Tenten, Ino, Sai, Yamato, Shino, and Gai all waited, most of them looking worried…or just plain emotionless…in Shino's and Sai's cases. Tsuande made her way to the front with Jiraiya and Hinata. Hinata stayed back, but had a worried look on her face. Tsuande could see a group of figures in the distance. They arrived slowly, and first came Shikamaru.
He held his hand up in greeting but nothing more. Then Chouji, Lee and Neji appeared behind him, making no motions whatsoever. Then to Tsuande shock came one unfamiliar ninja. Juugo trail on sadly. He has chosen to remain with the Konoha shinobi, while Karin and Suigetsu had just simply disappeared.
Then came Kiba and Tsuande could feel Hinata relax. To her shock the kunoichi burst out from the group and ran toward them. As soon as she reached Kiba she hugged him tightly. Even from a distance Kiba looked shocked.
Then finally Akumaru came. On the large dogs back rode the two people she'd been waiting to see. Naruto held Sakura in one arm and a large bundle in the other. Everyone exchanged confused looks while Hinata eyed it curiously.
Finally when they were within hearing distance they stopped and stared at each other. Then Ino and Tenten burst out and ran over to Neji and Chouji. Tsuande sighed, surprised…especially at Ino. Time apart had certainly taught them something.
Then finally Tsuande broke the silence. "You all are in big trouble!" she said, her voice trembling in anger and relief.
Then in a blank voice the reply came. "Don't blame them…they came to find me…"
Naruto stumbled off of Akumaru and Sakura followed, worried. He looked about ready to pass out as he stumbled forward until he was right in front of her. "It's my fault…all of it is…" he said his voice filled with emotion.
"Naruto…" came Hinata's voice. Although she was holding Kiba as tight as she could…some of her old affection was still there.
He carefully unwrapped his bundle to reveal the pale face beneath. Silence filled the entire area as the village itself seemed to hold its breath.
Finally Tsuande whispered. "Naruto…"
"I'm fine…I'm not going to cry…Sasuke died for me…and I will not let that be in vain…" said Naruto stiffly not looking at anyone.
Everyone was silent and motionless as his words carried across the wind.
Then Sakura came up to him and hugged him to her comfortingly. Tsuande cleared her throat and looked at all of them. "Well I believe Sasuke's death is enough punishment for now…although the council may see it differently…but first of all we should focus on getting you some medical attention."
Naruto stared at her blankly. "There's something I need to do first…" he said dryly.
"Whatever it is it can wait…" said Tsuande stiffly.
"No…I don't think it can…"
-Naruto-
Naruto stood there, leaning against the crutch that Tsuande had given him. Despite his healing abilities…he still hadn't recovered. It had been three weeks since he had returned, and he was recovering quickly compared to the average human, but extremely slow for a Jinchuuriki.
He stared at the headstone…which had an all too familiar headband draped over it. It was unmarked…unmarked because the damn council still viewed him as a traitor. He sighed and pulled his body forward, it ached, but it was an ache he was now used to. He bent down, discarding the crutch and allowed the ever present chakra to flow to his pointed finger a claw sprouted and Naruto began his work.
When he was finished he leaned back to admire his crude work. There was little Naruto could do for his friend, but this, at least was something he knew he had to do.
UCHIHA SASUKE
A DEVOTED HERO AND A TREAURED FRIEND
Then he sighed and began to difficult task of picking himself up. His claws retracted and the chakra subsided. Naruto eventually got himself upright and stared at the headstone, feeling slightly better.
Then he turned to leave when he heard a voice. It's not over yet…
Naruto paused shocked, wondering what the words met. Then a chill ran down his spin when he realized her knew how true those words were…even though he had no idea what they would mean.
Then suddenly he heard footsteps and he was jolted out of his thoughts. "Naruto!"
Sakura ran toward him. When they met she kissed him before saying sternly. "You know you're supposed to be in the hospital!"
Naruto gave her a small nod and smiled softly. "Actually I think Tsuande said I can go home today…"
Sakura wrapped his hand in hers. "Well we better be sure about that…"
Naruto sighed. "Okay…I am you prisoner…do to me what you will!" his tone was a mock horror.
Sakura smiled impishly. "I'll have to remember that…"
