-Same disclaimer-

Chapter 12- The Battle

'HELP!' Sasori yelled as ran into the fort 'they got Itachi' he gasped out.

'What?!' said Kakazu 'Where'd they take him?'

'They headed north; we've got to save him'

'Sasori's right we have to do something' agreed Hidan.

'And so we shall' said Madara stepping out of his tent 'I told you those savages couldn't be trusted, we will rescue our comrade, at daybreak we attack!', all of the men cheered while Sasori didn't look to sure.

Across in Konoha, the warriors were sharpening knifes and arrows, restringing bows and planning strategies, 'bring the prisoner' Minato ordered to Genma, and they set off, meanwhile Matsuri had run off to speak with Granny Chiyo.

'They're going to kill him at sunrise Granny' she said sadly.

'You have to stop them'

'I can't'

'Child remember your dream' Chiyo encouraged

'I was wrong, I followed the wrong path, I feel so lost' Naruto looked at her sadly but suddenly remembered the compass, running up the tree he retrieved it and slid down the vine in front of her to show her.

'The compass?' she said, taking it she looked down at it and arrow started to spin.

'Spinning arrow' she said softly.

'It's the arrow from your dream child'

'It was pointing to him' Matsuri said excitedly, she stood and the arrow stopped spinning, it was pointing towards the battle ground.

'Sunrise' said Matsuri starting to panic.

'It's not too late, let the spirits of the earth guide you' said Chiyo 'you know your path child, now follow it'.

Both armies marched quickly through the plains each determined to exterminate each other, Matsuri raced across the terrain desperately hoping she wasn't too late.

Minato pushed Itachi face down onto the rock and raised his knife, the men down below halted their advance and their hands went to their guns, Minato brought his knife down.

'NO!' cried Matsuri, she pushed her way through the crowd and threw herself over Itachi, stopping knifes decent.

'If you kill him, you'll have to kill me too'

'Daughter stand back' he commanded

'I won't, I love him father' she declared, Minato stepped back, shocked.

'Look around you' she continued 'this is where the path of hatred has brought us, this is the path I choose, what will yours be' Minato sighed and looked to the men and his warriors, he sheathed his knife.

'My daughter speaks with wisdom beyond her years, we have all come here with anger in our hearts, but she comes with courage and understanding, from this day forward if there is to be killing it will not start with me' he declared and he bent forwards to cut Itachi's bindings, Itachi and Matsuri threw their arms around each other happy that no one was hurt. All men alike lowered their weapons.

'What are you waiting for, shoot' said Madara

'No' said Sasori stepping forward.

'What?!'

'They let him go, they don't want to fight' said Kakazu coming to Sasori's aid.

'It's a trick, fire!'Madara yelled to the others, but they refused 'fine' he sneered and he snatched a gun from a nearby solider, aimed at it at Minato and fired, Itachi seeing this quickly pushed him out of the way, and the bullet pierced his shoulder.

'Itachi' cried Sasori 'you shot him'

'He got in the way' protested Madara.

'Get him' shouted Hidan, they ambushed him took the gun away.

'Tie him up' ordered Sasori

'I'll see you all hanged for this' Madara snarled

'And gag him as well'

'Father help him, please' begged Matsuri, Minato nodded 'we will take him to the village' Minato gestured to Zabuza and Gaara to take him back to Konoha.

Matsuri and Temari sat outside lord Minato's home waiting for any kind of news; Temari had Deidara in her arms after he reappeared from the forest, while Naruto and Sai sat with Matsuri, Minato finally emerged.

'He will make it, he just needs time to heal' he said smiling at Matsuri, she jumped up and ran inside

'Itachi' she said going to his side.

'Matsuri' he reached up to stroke her cheek

'I'm glad your okay' she whispered tearfully 'I thought I'd lost you'

'You'll never lose me, I love you' he said bringing her down into a gentle kiss.

A few weeks later Itachi was well enough to walk but not without support, Sasori, Hidan and Kakazu had all come to say their goodbyes as they were returning to Amegakure later that day, they were just loading up their last bit of cargo, Madara, who was tied up in rope.

Itachi and Matsuri were married a few months later.

The End

-OMG I FINSHED IT, I'm so proud of myself, I hope the ending was okay, REVIEW-