Okay, then. I finally get in another update. I had yet another project. About the Starkweather murders. Look it up sometime. It's rather interesting. Surprisingly.
Onward, ho!
Disclaimer:I don't own Naruto. If I did, Neji would have a secret obsession with red hair.
... Gaaaaaaaraaaa....
(coughs) What? I have no idea what you're talking about...
Warning:
Violence
Language
Sexual Content
Possible Spoilers
Yaoi
Key:
"talking"
thinking/talking to kyuubi
kyuubi talking in his mind
'writing'
Last Chapter of B r e a k i n g F r e e...
"Alright, guys! Our work here is done! Danzo is to be put under high-security detention until we are able to convict him in a trial and put him behind bars. Take him away!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Each of the shinobi chorused together.
It seems like things are finally starting to look up for Naruto...
I'm glad.
Chapter 14 - "the Lie" - Start.
Just when things had began looking up, just when he had triumphed over what he had been working against for all these years...
Things went up in flames again.
Everything back-fired and the red-hot confusion reared it's ugly head again.
How he despised the feeling of being confused.
Everything blew up in his face when his brother had uttered his last words. The very last words that had been said aloud, that had been addressed to him...
That had ridden on his last breath.
It had put a large crack in his world-in what he was confident was the real thing.
His brother had put a crack in his reality.
What was what?
What was it that he had worked for?
What had he toiled so hard for all these years?
...And now this.
A man whom had been behind the scenes for many years decides to take the stage and reveal the shocking and terrible truth.
His world-his reality-was no longer cracked.
No.
...His reality had shattered.
The effect was nearly immediate.
Sasuke's jaw had slackened, leaving his mouth open in a wide gape-a rare reaction from an Uchiha.
What in the seven hells is going on..? Sasuke thought. It was the best that he could put together in his head after being thrown for such a large loop.
"You seem... surprised." Madara's eyes twinkled in amusement. He threw the orange swirl mask to the side, running a hand through his short black spikes thoughtlessly. His eyes wandered past Sasuke, a haze filling their depths as he spoke.
"Although I suppose it's only natural. After all..." His eyes lost their fog and he met Sasuke's gaze head-on, Sasuke's jaw snapping shut as he met the intimidating Sharingan of the older Uchiha. "You did believe that you were to be the last Uchiha after the death of Itachi, no?"
Madara's mouth twitched ever so slightly with the tell-tale signs of a smirk at the corner of his lips.
"Too bad, eh? Sorry, but there's still more than one in this world with the Uchiha bloodline." Madara ended the sentence with a slight sneer.
Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed as he desperately fought the urge to snap back at him. He was no fool. This man, this Uchiha... he was strong. Much stronger than his current self.
And it was frustrating.
Madara gave a small scoff as he noticed Sasuke's wise decision to keep quiet.
"Well... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell you a little story about the past before I carry things on.." His eyes gave a sharp gleam. "After all, wouldn't it be best for the youngest, most unfortunate Uchiha to know about his lineage? About the lies surrounding his most beloved clan..?"
Sasuke's frown became more defined at these words, confusion etching itself onto his expression. Madara seemed pleased at the change in his attitude and was thoroughly enjoying the fact that he had peaked the younger's interest.
"Alright." Sasuke's voice came out deeper and more determined than he had thought possible at the moment. "So tell me this story. Tell me of this lie you speak of."
Madara's lips pulled up into a visible smirk.
"Very well, then. Considering how... anxious I am to continue with my plans, I'm going to give you a more... condensed version."
Sasuke stayed silent, stepping back and eagerly listening to what the elder Uchiha had to say. He relaxed his stance a bit but kept his senses on guard.
Madara stepped back a bit, leaning against a tree as his eyes gathered a hazy fog, his voice seeming far away as he was absorbed into the past of the Uchiha.
A little over 80 years ago, there was no such thing as ninja villages. Each group of ninjas fought either individually or in clans. During that time, there were two clans that dominated over the rest: The Senju and the Uchiha.
Within the clan of the Uchiha, there were two brothers by the name of Madara and Izuna. The two were close, but they also considered each other as rivals. They were equal to each other in every way.
Madara was the first to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan, Izuna following behind him shortly. Together the two ruled over the clan, Madara taking the position as clan leader. As time pushed on, however, an unfavorable effect became apparent.
Madara had began to go blind, the effects of overuse of the Mangekyou Sharingan causing permanent damage on his eyes. He continued to lead the clan, keeping his fading sight a secret.
Finally, after many years, Madara lost his sight altogether. He continued to act as the leader, keeping his secret silent. But when a war with another clan was threatening the existence of the Uchiha clan, his brother confronted him. Izuna had found out about his fading sight and offered his own eyes as compensation.
He received the eyes from his brother, gaining his sight back, although is was a rather hazy sight. Izuna's body couldn't handle the shock of losing such an important part of the body, and thus passed away.
Madara fought fiercely in the war, winning against the opposing clan and guaranteeing his own clan's safety.
Later on during his period of leadership, Madara developed an alliance with the leader of the Senju clan, Hashirama. Together they created Konohagakure, Hashirama taking leadership as the first Hokage.
Over time, however, Madara grew worried. With Hashirama as Hokage, the chances of the Uchiha clan losing supremacy grew increasingly high. Madara consulted the people of his clan, asking for their aid in getting him to become the Hokage.
His clan, however, disagreed. They were content with the current status of the clan and the joint clans village. They believed that Madara was greedy, and only wanted to usurp power.
Feeling betrayed by his beloved clan, to whom he had devoted everything, he became enraged and grew to hate that of his people and Hashirama. He decided to leave the village, his feelings of anger and hatred growing over the years.
He finally returned, wanting revenge, leading to a large-scale battle at the Valley of End against Hashirama. During the battle, Madara used his Mangekyou Sharingan to ensnare the Kyuubi no Kitsune, enslaving the demon and using it in a desperate attempt to defeat the first Hokage.
Madara was ultimately defeated and presumed dead.
Nobody noticed, however, that he was very much alive, and fled, gathering his strength for another future attack.
He built up his status under many different alias', a noteworthy one being that of Mizukage. After ending his reign over that particular country, he fled yet again, gathering more knowledge and more strength, pressing forward until the day that he was to attack Konoha.
After many years, he built up a small rogue organization, consisting of a small amount of s-class missing-nins.
The organization was officially granted the name of Akatsuki.
Pain was placed as the faux leader of the group, controlled by Madara in the shadows. Pain was virtually free to use the Akatsuki for his own personal gain, but Akatsuki as a whole was firmly geared toward gathering power to destroy Konoha.
When Madara alone returned to Konoha for his revenge, he came across a young man from his previous clan.
Uchiha Itachi.
Madara and Itachi began to become closer, Madara teaching Itachi ways in perfecting his Mangekyou Sharingan. Itachi gained more control over the Mangekyou Sharingan, but in turn learned of Madara's plan for revenge.
The younger Uchiha was shocked. He couldn't let his most precious village, most precious home be destroyed. Itachi pleaded, finally admitting that he had been charged with the mission of the destruction of the Uchiha clan.
The Uchiha clan had, in fact, been planning a coup de'tat against the village of Konoha. They had been planning an uprising to attribute to the downfall of Konohagakure and the rise of the Uchiha clan. The Hokage had learned of this and given Itachi the task of obliterating the clan.
Itachi's last request to the Hokage was to keep the planned uprising a secret and instill the knowledge all around the village that the Uchiha clan was that of the most prestigious, the best of the best.
Madara was convinced to only commit damage to the Uchiha clan, and thus killed off the clan's members one by one, leaving behind only the brother of Itachi at the request of the young man himself.
The night of the assassination, Itachi convinced his most beloved family member, his youngest brother Sasuke, that he was, in all actuality, the cause for all his losses and pushed Sasuke into hating him. It was the only way to ensure that Sasuke would not see the truth behind the brutal killing.
Itachi then left Konoha and became a missing-nin, joining Madara's ranks and became a well-known member of the Akatsuki.
Sasuke was rendered speechless.
No.
It just wasn't possible.
This man was lying to him.
He was feeding him a horrible lie.
It was all nothing but a horrible, horrible lie.
..Right?
Itachi... Itachi was the one who killed his family.
He had seen it. He had watched it through Itachi's Sharingan.
He had seen his brother's memories and watched as every single member of his clan was slaughtered one right after the other.
Killed, killed, killed all by the same person's hand.
By the hand of his one and only brother.
By the one person who he felt he could trust.
By the one person who had betrayed his trust.
... By the one person who had caused his faith in all of mankind to shatter.
That was what really happened.
It had to be.
Because he had seen it with his own eyes.
Watched the blood spill from each fatal wound inflicted.
Watched as the glimmer of life left the eyes of his clan
one
by
one.
He could no longer think straight.
His mind was warring over the possibilities. One side vehemently declared that Madara was mad. That he was lying and trying to fuck around with his head.
The opposite side whispered tenderly, telling him that it would all make sense. That the pieces fit perfectly. That Itachi's Sharingan had deceived him.
That he had just killed his own brother whom had done him no wrong.
A scream ripped from Sasuke's mouth, feelings of torment, guilt and disbelief making themselves clear and evident in the crushing sound.
Madara watched the younger Uchiha with amusement, his smirk growing. This had to be the most entertaining thing that he had done in decades. You didn't get to see a stuck-up, obnoxious, haughty Uchiha lose their composure very often.
Especially when there is only one other than yourself, that other being closed off to almost all emotions.
Madara continued to watch the young man as hot tears ran down his alabaster cheeks. He could just hear the thoughts darting through his head. See the emotions war in his eyes.
It was very amusing.
Everything seemed to come to a halt for Sasuke. His rage had finally built up to the point where he could no longer contain it. He looked up, his eyes focusing on the elder Uchiha.
His eyes flashed from obsidian to red and back again as he slowly stood up. He stood tall, giving as menacing a look as he could produce with tear-stained cheeks.
His eyes slid closed as Madara's smirk widened further, preparing for what was to come.
Sasuke reached his hand back to the hilt of his Kusanagi, clutching the handle and sliding the thin blade out from the scabbard a few inches.
His eyes finally slid open, revealing the three spinning tomoes of a blood red Sharingan. Sasuke pulled the sword out of its casing, the eerie sound of scraping steel sounding loudly.
He held the blade in front of himself in an offensive position, his muscles taut and ready for action.
Sasuke opened his mouth slowly, enunciating his words carefully and clearly.
"This fight... is going to have to end with your death."
Naruto leaped from branch to branch anxiously, his feet itching to increase the speed by ten-fold.
"Oi! Sunshine-boy! Slow your ass down!"
Naruto turned his head to see Suigetsu rolling his eyes, following him a few meters behind.
He growled underneath his breath.
He couldn't wait. He had to get to Sasuke now.
He was terrified at what was happening. First he had felt Sasuke's chakra flaring up and then it died down again. Now, it was steadily building up into something terrifying, laced with the intent to kill.
Kyuubi's voice rumbled in his head.
Chill, kit. The Uchiha will be fine. He's a capable shinobi and will be able to hold his own until we get there.
Naruto wanted to believe him, but...
No he won't.
He could feel Kyuubi's puzzled expression.
Naruto proceeded to explain.
He won't be able to. We have to get to him now. He will die if he doesn't have help. He is up against something that can't be handled alone.
Kyuubi stayed silent before asking, What makes you think that?
Naruto clutched the fabric above his heart, his face twisting into an expression of fear and anxiousness.
It's just a really powerful feeling. Something bad is going to happen. And it's going to be something devastating.
Kyuubi remained silent, his own fear for what Naruto was insinuating growing bit by bit.
He trusted Naruto's instinct. Him and Naruto had been bonded for such a long time that his own natural instincts had begun to wear off on the young boy.
Naruto's instincts were up to par even against his own. Not to mention the boy already had rather good instincts to begin with.
Kyuubi retreated into the back of his mind, contemplating on the possibilities.
A shock of fear ran through the kitsune. He had never really stopped and felt around, but... that chakra... he didn't like it.
It brought back bad memories.
Kit.
Naruto slowed down, turning to check that the other ninjas were following him.
What's wrong? Why do you sound so panicked?
That bad feeling you had..
Naruto caught Kakashi's eyes and gave a strained smile before turning back around and focusing on his steps.
What? What is it?
Kyuubi gave a frustrated sigh.
I believe things are going to get... complicated.
Naruto's brow furrowed. Why are you saying that now?
Because that chakra, the one that is opposing the Uchiha's. I have a past with that man.
A... past?
He could feel Kyuubi's discomfort growing.
Yes. He has an amazing ability, an amazing power.
Naruto's limbs became heavy, terror dropping in his stomach.
What... what is it?
Kyuubi hesitated before deciding to give Naruto the blunt truth.
He has the ability to control me against my will.
Naruto could feel all of his former confidence and determination crumble.
The blonde boy choked his words out aloud.
"Oh god."
Sasuke shot forward, deciding to kill off all of his hesitation.
Hesitation is deadly and could cause your death within an instant.
Especially around a man as powerful as this.
"Kusanagi Sword: Chidori Katana!" Lightning chakra ran down the sword to the tip, quickly engulfing the blade and flashing off of it erratically.
Sasuke swung, missing as Madara disappeared from his view. He swung around, pulling the blade around in a circle, putting his weight into the swing to increase the force and damage done.
Madara jumped away, flipping and landing gracefully on his feet. He sent Sasuke an amused smile before glancing down at his arm.
"Huh. It seems as though you've gotten faster." He reached over and swiped up a small amount of blood from the trickle running down his arm from his bicep. A small, clean cut tore the fabric to show the skin of the older man.
Sasuke got back into position before throwing himself forward. He held the chakra-laced blade in his right hand as he collected and forced a ball of chakra in the left.
He swiped at the man as he dodged backwards, making erratic steps but only making as much movement as necessary. The sound of chirping birds grew louder and louder, producing an unintelligible screech from the condensed sphere of chakra in his palm.
He continued to let it grow, kicking his leg out and forcing the elder Uchiha into the air. He brought the sword down onto Madara, forcing the man to pull out a kunai and block it, eventually forcing him to use both hands to block it.
Sasuke used the opening as a major chance, forcing his left hand into the stomach of Madara, the lightning chakra singeing the fabric of the Akatsuki robe.
Madara flew back a few meters, landing on his feet and crouching forward a bit. He let out a heavy breath as he reached down and grabbed his stomach.
His stomach was visible. But what was surprising and absolutely horrifying was the fact that it only had a small tinge of black to it, the charged-up chidori having done very little damage.
Sasuke breathed out heavily. He was already running majorly low on chakra from the previous battle with Itachi. He wouldn't be able to hold out much longer. And with the way things were looking...
He was going to end up losing for sure.
He shook his head, berating himself. He couldn't just give up. He had to defeat this man. This man who had killed his family, who had caused much suffering for both himself and his innocent brother.
The man who was threatening the very existence of the one he loved.
The thought of losing Naruto to this man pushed him forward, pushing him to his very limits and forcing him to keep going.
He had to protect Naruto.
He had to ensure that Naruto would be able to continue living without people hunting him down.
Even if it costed him his life.
Sasuke's chakra sky-rocketed. He had to try to give Naruto the chance at a normal life.
He dropped his blade with a clatter. He held both palms up, sweat rolling down the side of his face.
He began collecting chakra in both hands, one of fire nature and the other of lightning. His eyes slipped shut.
He had never tried to use his fire chakra in this manner before, but...
Now was the time to try.
He poured all of his chakra reserves into these two attacks.
This would be his last chance.
If this failed then he was a goner.
His eyes shot open as he felt his opponent moving. Madara was heading straight for him, his steps gaining more and more momentum.
He could feel chakra being gathered in the throat of his oppresor, instantly knowing the technique that he was about to use.
And it was too powerful for what he was trying to use.
Why? Sasuke thought. Why does it end like this? After so many mistakes and troubles, whenever I try to correct the problems and take my happiness for myself...
Why is it I am rendered unable to?
His eyes slid shut as he continued to collect chakra in his hands, desperately making the best attempt he could to at least give Madara major damage. The lightning chakras chirping grew in intensity as the roar of the fire's crackling increased.
Madara's hands formed multiple seals.
Snake, ram, monkey, boar, horse, tiger.
The older Uchiha's hand formed a circle with the thumb and forefinger, pulling it toward his mouth.
"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu(1)!"
He inhaled deeply before exhaling, fire-based chakra rushing out to create a large sphere of flame.
The heat was intense as it rushed for Sasuke. He pulled back his arms, the chakra in both hands spinning faster and faster out of control. He was about to thrust the chakra forward when he heard a loud cry across the clearing.
"Futon: Rasengan(2)!"
A loud whirring sounded, forcing the flames to separate and diminish, Sasuke's own chakra cutting off in surprise.
He opened his eyes, glancing upward. The back of an orange-lined black vest met his eyes. His eyes traveled further up, focusing on a small ponytail with blonde hair at the base of a tan neck.
He nearly choked.
"Naruto..."
Naruto turned around and faced him, eyes filled with worry. His eyes darted across Sasuke's form, checking for injuries. Finding nothing fatal or life-threatening, he gave a large smile.
"Thank kami. I thought you were a goner."
Nine more shinobi darted out from where Naruto had entered, landing around them protectively.
"Yo. It looks like you're still alive, eh boss?" Suigetsu smirked at Sasuke devilishly.
"I guess you were rather lucky that Naruto-san arrived when he did.." Juugo gave Sasuke a small smile as he pulled Sasuke up to his feet.
Sasuke looked around him in wonder.
Kakashi, his old team leader, was watching him quietly before his eyes scrunched into small half moons. "I'm glad you're okay."
Sakura nodded along happily at Kakashi's comment. Sai just smiled.
Karin huffed and stepped back a bit, crossing her arms.
Kiba gave a devilish smile in Sasuke's direction. "Yep. There's so much that you owe 'lil Naruto here.." He wriggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Naruto squeaked, his cheeks flushing. "Kiba!"
Kiba barked out a laugh and moved to Naruto's side. Kakashi, Shikamaru, Neji and Sai followed suit.
Suigetsu sighed and stepped up next to them along with Juugo as Karin and Sakura pulled Sasuke back.
Sakura prodded the stunned Sasuke in the arm before smiling delicately.
"Don't worry. You don't have to fight alone." She nodded to the small group of defensively stanced shinobi. "You have nakama."
Karin snorted and rolled her eyes, forcing Sasuke to sit down uncharacteristically. "Yeah. Nakama. We need to heal your wounds."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the change in Karin's attitude.
Sakura just smiled knowingly as she set to work on healing Sasuke's wounds.
Across the clearing Madara was becoming giddy. Not only did he have clear access to his new pair of eyes but...
His eyes flashed.
The Kyuubi vessel conveniently landed into his waiting hands.
He smirked maliciously.
This day is proving to be much better than I thought it would be...
-Chapter End-
(1) - Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu - Fire release: Great Fireball technique
(2) - Futon: Rasengan - Wind release: Rasengan (Spiraling sphere); Naruto's advanced rasengan technique. Not fully complete but increased in power.
XxXxXxXxX
Sorry for the shorter chapter. I had this chapter planned out but it turned out shorter than I thought. And Madara's story of the past isn't totally the same as what it really is in the series; I changed it up ever so slightly. But it still has the same, overall, basic idea. I believe the major fight should be next chapter. Unless I feel like I've forgotten something...
Speaking of:
Oh. My. God. I think it was like, manga-climax week. Did you guys read the new Naruto chapter?
Dear god. I had a flippin' squealing fit. No joke. I scared the little girl who was sitting next to me.
And then there was a huge climax in Bleach. A hole! A fucking hole in his chest! And he twitches!!!
D. Gray Man recently began its updates again. Hurrah! I am so glad Hoshino-sensei has healed her injury!
And Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn... I love those damned motorcycles. I never would have thought I was going to see Tsuna on a motorcycle.
(Shudders) I had goosebumps after reading all of those chapters. Haha. Hmmm..
Oh yeah! I'm starting a new fanfiction already. It's an AU Bleach fanfic. (Grimmichi, of course) I already have the prologue and I'm fixing to start on the first chapter. Check it out if you're interested. It should be up sometime this week.
Thanks for reading!
Review,
Review,
Review!