I'm back! Thank you all for being so patient with me. I got major writer's block and then I kept getting distracted by different things. I knew what I wanted to have happen, but I wasn't sure how to have it happen. I am sorry that it's taken me almost two years to upload this. To compensate for the wait, I am already working on the next chapter and hope to have it up much sooner than I did this one. Now without further ado, please enjoy this next chapter.

Shadows on the Horizon

Episode 11: Will of Fire

Naruto raced through the trees, his eyes scanning every direction. Heero, where are you, dang it! he silently fumed. He couldn't believe his older sibling chose now of all times to pull a disappearing act! Naruto increased his speed as frustration and concern filled him. Gaara calmly kept pace with him. The Kazekage's aquamarine orbs took in every detail, searching for any hint as to Heero's whereabouts. After a while he sighed.

"Argh! I don't see him anywhere," Naruto growled in frustration.

"We should rendezvous with Kakashi and the others; perhaps they had more luck," the Kazekage called softly. He landed on a branch before launching back in the opposite direction.

Naruto did the same, now following Gaara as they made their way back to the meeting point just outside the village gate. Both boys still kept a look out for any sign of Heero, but they saw nothing that would help them determine which direction he'd have gone. When the boys arrived outside the village gate, Kakashi and Sasuke already stood waiting for them. Mud splashed from the boys' landing on the rain-soaked road. Naruto cursed the rain; it just complicated things.

"We didn't find him," Naruto told his sensei.

Kakashi sighed. "Neither did I. I've got Pakun and the rest of the pack on the hunt, but in this rain, I doubt they'll find much," he said truthfully.

Naruto growled. "What the heck could have happened! I mean, it's not like he could go train or anything; he's still too weak. Do you think someone might have nabbed him or something?"

"I honestly don't know, Naruto. With how easily Kabuto and Orochimaru managed to infiltrate to see Tzara, it wouldn't surprise me," Kakashi confessed.

"But they couldn't have gotten past the entire Hyuuga complex. And besides, we were there; don't you think we would have noticed something funny?" Naruto argued. "The only way they could have gotten him is if he left the complex, but there's no reason for him to do that."

"Not necessarily," Shikamaru quipped from where he landed with Ino and Choji. "He could be going after Riku like he did five years ago. Tzara said that he'd snuck out while she was asleep, without so much as leaving a note. Now that he's got the sharingan and better handle on his chakra, he might be trying to get rid of Riku once and for all."

"Heero's not the type to go wandering off for revenge though, not anymore at least," Sasuke interjected.

"Riku is the one who's been hurting your family for years now, and now Tzara's vulnerable with her pregnancy. Heero is doing what he thinks is best to protect his family," Gaara deduced. "That's why he never proposed to Temari. He knew he was leaving."

Naruto growled low in aggravation. "Yeah, but I thought he learned from the situation with Itachi that working together is better than going it alone."

"Maybe he thinks it's his responsibility," Sasuke suggested.

"But it's not!" Naruto exclaimed angrily. "Protecting the family isn't just his responsibility. We've all got to do our parts and that means it's all of our responsibility! That's what it means to be family!"

Naruto blinked when Kakashi plopped a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're right, Naruto, let's go find him so we can remind him of that."

"All right! No time to relax, I've got a brother to find," Naruto declared as he made the appropriate hand signs. "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A hundred clones suddenly poofed into existence, ready for action. "Fan out in every direction and find Heero."

"Right!" the clones consented in unison before speeding off in all directions.

Kakashi smirked. It never ceased to amaze him how many of those things Naruto could create. The kid's stamina was unparalleled. Kakashi had a feeling that the rest of the group felt the same as he did judging from the slightly gaping expressions of Team 10 as well as Gaara and Sasuke's smirks.

***new scene***

Tzara glanced up from her book as Kakashi entered her room. She could tell from his expression that he wasn't about to tell her good news. She sighed sadly.

"No Heero," she whispered.

Kakashi shook his head. "Not a trace thanks to the rain. However, no one's given up yet. Teams 7 and 8 are still out looking. Guy, Lee, and Tenten are helping as well as the Kazekage and his siblings," he explained. He sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Neji and Hinata will return shortly to help with the sealing and Hanabi's offered to go out in their stead. Plus, Naruto just dispatched a hundred or more clones to scout the surrounding areas, so it's just a matter of time before we find Heero." He studied Tzara's face as she stared at the floor in worry. Kakashi removed his arm from her waist and took her head in both of his hands, turning her face so her gaze met his. "Let us worry about getting Heero back. You just focus on being here to welcome him home, got it?" he ordered gently yet firmly. Tzara nodded slowly, but Kakashi could still see the concern in her eyes. "Focus on you and the baby, nothing else."

Tzara nodded again as she reached up and gently gripped his wrist. "Okay," she whispered, leaning into his touch on the right side of her face. "Kakashi? Be careful."

Kakashi gently pressed his forehead to hers. "I will." He hesitated for a minute, simply allowing her to draw strength and comfort from him and to calm herself. Finally he asked, "Are you ready?"

Tzara exhaled steadily. "Yes."

Kakashi nodded as he released her head and took her hands before helping her to her feet. "Once you're settled, I'll join the others in the search. Will you be all right without me?"

"I think so. I'll have everyone Heero had and they did a good job looking after him, plus I think Shizune will be there as well just in case," she told him a little more cheerily. She seemed a bit more relaxed now and Kakashi was grateful for it. She smiled up at him. "I doubt anything major is going to happen. I mean, the baby's not due for another month."

"Just don't push yourself."

"Who me?"

Kakashi fixed her with a semi-flat look. "Yes, you."

Tzara laughed softly, making Kakashi's heart warm with joy at the sound. He was glad she wasn't so stressed now. She needed to be relaxed for the sealing to go well, and the last thing she needed was to be worrying about her brother. Kakashi had it in his mind to give Heero a sound lecture for putting Tzara through this at such a crucial time. Maybe more than a lecture. But Kakashi couldn't help feeling Heero knew all too well what he was doing. The kid was smart, and it wasn't like Heero to be so inconsiderate nowadays, especially with his sister. Kakashi paused in his musings when he and Tzara reached the Hyuuga dojo. Tsunade was waiting with the sealing group that helped Heero plus Shizune, like Tzara had said. Hinata and Sakura came to take Tzara from Kakashi and help the pregnant woman sit down on the floor in front of Tsunade. Kakashi met Jiraiya's gaze when the older man clapped a hand on the younger's shoulder in encouragement.

"I leave her in your hands," Kakashi told him a bit resignedly. Worry gnawed at him over leaving his fiancée.

"We'll take care of her, kiddo. You just make sure to bring her brother home in one piece."

Kakashi nodded to Jiraiya's comment before slipping out the door and heading off to join the others in the search for Heero. The kid couldn't have gotten too far; they would find him. It wasn't like they were lacking volunteers or anything.

***new scene-ish***

Tzara deepened her breathing as Neji, Hiashi, Hinata, and Tsunade gathered around her. The young woman now wore a turquoise halter-top maternity blouse with a very low back and maternity khaki pants. Tzara's skin crawled a little at the feeling of Tsunade drawing the blood characters on the younger woman's exposed back. Tzara continued breathing deeply as she worked to focus solely on the task at hand. Let the others worry about Heero for now, she told herself. Even as Tsunade and the Hyuugas prepared Tzara for the sealing, there were people out looking for her brother. Tzara cleared her mind, but she didn't empty it completely. She knew how dangerous that could be with the invisible forces about them. Tzara was no fool; she knew there were supernatural entities that affected the world, whether for good or ill. She believed in the Most High, the God of no name and yet many. He created the world and all that was in and around it. She believed in His Son, Jesus the Savior of souls. She believed in the Holy Spirit that resided in God's followers, like herself. Tzara believed in Them, and she knew that whatever happened during the sealing, God held her life and the life of her child in His all-powerful hands.

Tzara placed her hands in a meditate pose to aid in focusing her chakra as she sent a silent prayer to Heaven for God's strength and guidance in the task at hand. She also prayed for her brother and those searching for him. Unlike Heero, Tzara remained steadfast when Tsunade's hands pressed to the young woman's back while Hiashi and Neji pressed their hands to Tzara's shoulders. Remaining deep in her prayers and concentration, Tzara stayed calm as the three ninja channeled their chakra into her. Hinata's hands gently pressed against Tzara's bulging stomach, and Tzara felt the younger woman's chakra surround her baby and organs to protect them from the strenuous process.

Though she showed little discomfort, Tzara felt the same pain as Heero had. The white hot agony roiling along her skin in the wake of the blood characters seared her nerve receptors, but Tzara refused to flinch, her eyes closed and her mind determined. Once the seal set into a tattoo on her back, Tzara flared her chakra, much to the surprise of the Hyuugas. Tsunade seemed unfazed by the spike as her amber eyes studied the kunoichi beneath her hands. Nothing betrayed her worry for the younger woman, but this chakra spike seemed different. Tzara trusted the others not to overreact and her trust was not betrayed. They stayed calm and focused. Tzara allowed her chakra to flare enough that it stayed loose and moldable, not rigid and compact like a taut spring. This allowed the sealing jutsu to intertwine with her chakra more easily and reign it in. Everything seemed to be going well, but then Tzara felt it. The curse mark chakra filtered into her own, disrupting the flow and causing the sealing jutsu to falter. With two opposing forces struggling for dominancy, Tzara's chakra found release the only way it could. Her chakra suddenly flared outward and all hands left her body taking their chakra with them.

Tzara remained still, but her face contorted in a grimace as she now fought alone for control over the three warring forces inside her. Pain increased a hundredfold throughout her body, jarring her consciousness but not breaking it. Perspiration slicked her skin as Tzara continued to fight for control over her chakra, the curse mark, and the sealing jutsu as well as protecting her child. She sensed the others trying to get near her again; but Tzara's chakra continued to rage about her body like a tempest, tousling her hair and clothes. Gritting her teeth, Tzara focused first on reigning in the curse mark. Hands suddenly returned to press against Tzara's stomach, more than before.

"We're here, Tzara," Sakura's voice spoke directly in front of her. "We've got the baby; you worry about the rest."

Tzara's only response was to turn her full attention on the opposing forces inside her. She felt a pair of hands pry hers uncurled and grasp them. Tzara clung to the hands but not tightly. She continued forcing herself to breath steadily and remained relaxed despite the pain wracking her. She ignored the couple of tears that slipped down her cheeks.

"Don't you give up," Hinata's soft voice suddenly demanded firmly.

Tzara shook her head sternly. No way was she giving up, not with her child's life on the line. She felt Hiashi and Neji's hands return to her shoulders and their chakra channeled into her, aiding her in wresting control over her chakra and the curse mark. Tsunade's chakra returned to the struggle when the older woman's hands pressed to Tzara's sweaty back once more. More chakra poured from the Hokage than last time so Tzara guessed Jiraiya was helping her. Another pair of hands gently touched Tzara's chest, Shizune concentrating her chakra around Tzara's organs to protect them. Even with everyone's help Tzara felt her skin grow clammy from exhaustion and a metallic taste filled her mouth. Blood trickled from the corners of her mouth and down either side of her chin before dripping onto her shirt and arms. Finally, she and one of the others managed to force back the curse mark enough for the sealing jutsu to latch onto her chakra. The jutsu smoothed Tzara's chakra and calmed it, pulling it back into a neutral state. Once her chakra was under control again, the curse mark receded.

As Tzara started to cough up some more blood someone pressed a rag to her mouth to catch the crimson liquid. Everyone except Sakura and Shizune's chakra slowly ebbed out of Tzara's body. Hinata still held one of Tzara's hands while the other must be the one holding the cloth to Tzara's mouth. Tzara's breathing came in quiet pants now, her body slouching and shaking with fatigue.

"The baby's fine, restless but unharmed," Sakura told her. The pink-haired kunoichi sounded as relieved as Tzara felt.

Tzara offered her a weak smile but kept her eyes closed. She knew after all that the chakra film on her eyes was most likely gone, leaving her sharingan active. She frowned when her pants suddenly felt wet. Risking her sharingan, Tzara opened her eyes only to have them widen as she watched a puddle of water slowly pool out beneath her.

"Tzara," Hinata gasped softly when she saw the water.

Sakura glanced down and startled at the sight. "Milady! Tzara's water broke!"

"We need to get her to the hospital now. Sakura go ahead of us and have the medics ready stat!" the Hokage ordered even as Jiraiya quickly gathered Tzara in his arms bridal style.

Sakura snapped to action, dashing ahead of the others and making for the hospital as swiftly as she could. Tzara gritted her teeth once more as her contractions started. Jiraiya ran for the hospital with the others right on his heels. He spoke encouragingly to the young woman in his arms, knowing she was worn out from the sealing. Despite Jiraiya's words, Tzara felt her panic rising. She didn't have the strength to go into labor now, but there wasn't really any stopping it either. She silently prayed for God to give her strength and get her and the baby through this.

***new scene***

Heero dashed through the trees. Even with a day's start ahead of the others he knew they would catch up to him sooner or later, especially knowing Naruto and Sasuke. Those two had enough determination to best the most stubborn mule. He had pushed himself the day before as well as that night to get as far as possible. The rain helped. Kakashi's hounds and the Inuzukas wouldn't be able to pick up his scent now. He knew that didn't mean they wouldn't still try.

Heero's muscles stretched and sparked with sharp pain as he forced his body through fatigue. He knew as soon as he stepped across the border he'd be declared a rogue ninja. However, he was more than willing to bear the title if it ensured keeping his family safe. He would stop Orochimaru and Riku even if it meant losing his own life in the process.

Heero frowned when he sensed someone approaching. His suspicions were confirmed when a few orange blurs sped past him. He didn't need to look to know it was Naruto's clones, but he wasn't sure if the original was among them or not. Heero gripped a tree branch and swung upward to dodge the clones when they doubled back. He launched himself across the canopy once more, increasing his speed as much as possible.

"Heero!" he heard Naruto call after him. "Where are you going? Do you have any idea where you're headed?" Naruto growled when Heero ignored him. "Dang it, stop!"

With that he had his two clones boost him forward so he past Heero. Naruto launched back towards his brother, but Heero dropped to the ground just as Naruto reached him. Naruto did a back flip and landed on the ground in front of his brother while the other two clones dropped behind and to either side of Heero. Naruto frowned at Heero, emitting a soft growl of annoyance.

"Did you forget today is Tzara's sealing? She's probably worried sick about you, especially with Riku and Orochimaru around. What are you thinking?" Naruto demanded angrily.

Heero sighed. "I don't have time for this," he replied monotonously.

"What?" Naruto glared at him. What was with his brother?

Heero performed a few hand signs as his chakra concentrated around him. "Fire style: Cyclone Blaze." Fire suddenly wrapped around Heero before blasting outwards in a flaming whirlwind. The fire hit all three Narutos with such force they popped out of existence. Heero had managed to figure out that none of them had been the real Naruto, so the older boy hadn't been afraid to unleash such a powerful attack. He knew though that now Naruto had information about Heero's location. Heero would have to move even faster. He started to move but suddenly grunted in pain before doubling over and dropping to a knee. No, he had to move. However, Heero found that just twitching proved difficult. He growled in annoyance and determination.

He barely managed to stagger to his feet while supporting himself on a tree. He forced his body to muster the needed strength, dragging his feet forward one step at a time. He finally managed to at least walk without staggering. He knew he needed to conserve his chakra in case more shinobi came to stop him. He had a feeling Naruto was hightailing it to Heero's position already, and the older boy couldn't afford an all-out battle right now. He considered summoning his phoenix but decided against it since the jutsu would use too much chakra. The sight of the Valley of the End drawing closer boosted Heero's spirit a bit. He was almost out the Land of Fire. And then his spirits crashed to six feet under when he suddenly sensed several chakra signatures catch up to him. Heero surged forward in a burst of energy to escape. However, his heart suddenly pulsed painfully and his legs gave out. As he pitched forward and fell sand coiled around his waist and arms at the shoulders, breaking his fall and holding him up. Great, they brought Gaara. Several light taps alerted him to the others' presences as well. They had him surrounded, and Heero didn't have enough energy to fight them on his own. He doubted telling them what he was doing would work either, and Orochimaru had threatened to hurt his family if Heero told anyone what was going on.

"Are you trying to kill yourself?" Sasuke growled near Heero's ear as the younger shinobi came and supported his older brother.

Sasuke wrapped Heero's arm around the younger's shoulders and slid an arm around Heero's waist. The sand receded once Sasuke had gotten Heero to lean on him.

"Man, you look like a wreck," Naruto commented from behind. "What were you thinking trying to move around this much already?"

"He wasn't," Sasuke remarked dryly.

Kakashi spoke, his voice sounding calm but tense, "Let's get him home, and then he can explain. Right now though, he's barely standing."

Heero tuned out their other comments as he surveyed the situation. Sasuke stood to his right supporting him on that side. Kakashi was ahead of him and did not look too happy with him. Naruto he guessed was behind. The blonde's lapse into silence attested to Naruto's anger. Gaara approached Heero from the left, also looking rather unhappy. Before Gaara could get his other arm Heero reached into his pouch and pulled out a small handful of food pills. He knew this could kill him, but he had to risk it. For his family's sake. He noticed Kakashi and Gaara's eyes widen when they saw what he had. Gaara quickly reached to restrain Heero's wrist, but the older boy shoved the pills into his mouth and swallowed, not even bothering to chew. A bitter taste filled his mouth as the edibles squeezed down his throat.

"What are you doing?" Kakashi demanded, concern lacing his panicked voice. He knew all too well what that stunt could cost, and he couldn't believe Heero was that desperate.

Heero felt the surge of energy fill his body and rejuvenate his strength. Heero pulled away from Sasuke, kicking his brother in the side to gain some distance between them. Sasuke grunted as he staggered. Heero leapt into the trees just in time to dodge Gaara's sand. Naruto met him in the trees, but Heero blocked the blonde's attempts to restrain him. At one point Heero slipped through his brother's guard, delivering a powerful kick to Naruto's abdomen and sending the boy crashing to the ground. Heero regained his footing on a branch before launching away from the group. A blur intercepted him and made Heero duck as Kakashi tried to take a swipe at him. Heero dodged the older Jounin as he continued to make his way through the trees. At last Heero landed on the plateau outside the forest…and right in the open.

He spun around to face the numerous clones heading his way. Heero used another flaming whirlwind to take them out, careful not to hurt the real Naruto too badly. He then found himself going hand to hand with Sasuke and Kakashi in a team up against him.

"Heero, why are you doing this? What are you trying to prove?" Kakashi demanded, narrowing his eyes. He'd actually had to uncover his sharingan in this battle. Even in his weakened state Heero proved to be formidable. Kakashi frowned when Heero ignored his questions.

"Are you trying to take revenge on Riku?" Sasuke interjected. "You're the one that told me not to waste my life on revenge, so why are you going after him?"

"It's not about revenge, at least not completely," Heero finally answered.

"Then what is it about?"

Heero leapt back and landed a little ways from them, facing off with the group. He studied each one in turn before briefly closing his eyes. He wanted to tell them, but…

"I can't tell you that."

"Why not? What's so important that you're willing to take so many risks? You're going to kill yourself!" Naruto spouted.

The blonde glared daggers at his brother, but worry gnawed at him. Something wasn't right about this. Why was Heero fighting them? Why was he trying to leave? Naruto knew Heero cared about their sister and the rest of their family. Anyone could see how much the older boy cared for Temari. It just didn't make sense!

"I won't die," Heero stated quietly, "not yet."

Naruto growled in frustration. Heero felt the effects of the food pills starting to wear off and knew he needed to get away before he collapsed completely. Heero moved to make hand seals but stopped abruptly when his heart pulsed painfully again, shooting pain through his chest. Before he could recover, sand coiled around his body and pinned his arms to his sides tightly. Heero struggled to break free even as a metallic taste filled his mouth. A firm hand gripped his chin and forced him to lock gazes with Kakashi's twirling sharingan. Heero's world slid into darkness in the wake of that bloody gaze.

Once Heero's eyes closed in unconsciousness, Kakashi released the boy's chin and gently lowered the young man's still form while Gaara's sand receded once more. Kakashi frowned at the blood now trickling down Heero's chin from the corner of his mouth. He positioned Heero on his back before launching into the trees and towards Konoha. The other boys quickly followed, knowing that time was not on their side. No doubt the food pills were wreaking havoc on Heero's body, and Heero's exertion with his chakra had put a lot of strain on him as well. Naruto remained silent as they hurried back to the village. Rage boiled in him at his brother, rage and concern. What had put it into Heero's mind that he needed so desperately to leave?

***New scene***

Tzara's cries pierced through the ER's door and walls. Pain wracked her body in excruciating waves as she worked to follow Tsunade and Shizune's instructions. Gripping the bed rails until her knuckles turned white and the metal caved, Tzara forced her lungs to fill with air in a steady rhythm. Her hair plastered to her sweat slicked face and neck, the moisture dampening the white hospital gown now clinging to her shaking form. After every contraction, Tzara slumped back against the pillows, breathing heavily from the exertion. Dark bags haunted her eyes from the exhaustion plaguing her body. Tzara felt her consciousness wavering dangerously, but she refused to sleep, not that she could with the pain anyway. She barely noticed Tsunade and Shizune hovering over her with a few other medics. Tzara's focus remained on mustering the needed strength when the times came. Things seemed to be going fairly well if a little painful. However, as the baby came Tzara felt the curse mark chakra activate, trying to leave her body with the child. Screaming in pain and then gritting her teeth, Tzara forced her chakra to cooperate and surround the curse mark chakra. She strained as she pulled the cursed chakra back into her own body and held it there. The seal on her back activated to keep her own chakra from spiking out of control and managed to actually help her hold the cursed chakra away from her baby.

Pain swallowed her senses until agony was all she comprehended. Agony and desperation. Determination began to fail her. Her resolve started to crumble with exhaustion blurring her vision. Tzara's heart filled with despair as her strength started to lose its grip on the cursed chakra. Tzara collapsed on the pillows but her body remained as tense as a taut spring. She knew Tsunade was speaking to her, but Tzara heard nothing in her world of agony. She was alone, fighting a losing battle. Tzara tossed her head to the side, and her gaze just made out the shimmering ring on her left hand. She shakily unclenched her hand from the rail and lifted it to look at the ring. Then she let her hand flop by her head on the pillow. She couldn't do this on her own. She wanted him there. She wanted to know that if anything happened to her, he would be there to look after the baby. When another wave of pain crashed through her, Tzara gave a desperate, agonized cry as loud as she could muster with her failing strength.

"Kakashi!"