Sorry if it's late :P it was kinda rushed but here it is! Oh and I do like suggestions :) Thanks for the reviews! Lot's to come.
It's already been about two days. I took over Zetsu's post for a while then returned to keep an eye on the base. There was a point that Gaara's moaning got louder and I had to exit. Now I sit a few feet away while inside Deidara and the others finish up the extraction. At this rate we still have another day or so, I'll be too exhausted to feel this… this confusion. I kick some rocks into the river and look around slowly not sensing anyone's presence. Besides if there was anyone around Zetsu would find out first and let the others know. There's nothing I could do for Gaara… I just wish my conscious wasn't bothering me so much.
I suddenly feel a strange feeling. Unexplainable, but definitely nerve wrecking. I slowly get up and decide to enter the base again, though it stresses me out. I find it hard to believe that Zetsu or I haven't encountered anyone yet. You'd think someone would come after him right away since he was their Kazekage and it only being about two days. I also wonder if Sasori exterminated Gaara's brother. Once I enter I notice them chatting among themselves about something serious. I feel a cold shiver start from my toes all the way to the back of my neck as I hear Gaara's moaning again. I stare at his floating body, the same image I've been seeing for what seems like too long of a time. I try and pry my eyes off the sight and concentrate on what the others are talking about.
"One of them is might guy," Zetsu says. Kisame them puts out that he should be the one to go after him since they have an unsettled score. Someone suggests a special jutsu in which I have no idea what they're referring to.
"Why don't we sent the brat over there, Nayumei isn't doing anything special," Hidan spats.
"Shut up, un. She should stay here and help protect the base. Send someone else," Deidara adds. Kisame continues to pester Pain about it and he finally tells him he can since he has the most chakra available in order to perform the special jutsu.
"More intruders…" Zetsu cuts in.
"You didn't cover your tracks very well did you Deidara…" Pain says aggravated.
"Well… As I said the Jinchuuriki was more powerful than we thought un," Deidara adds desperately.
"You're a fool! You're methods aren't for any secret operation," Sasori snaps. Deidara snaps back at him continuing the bickering until Pain interrupts them, telling them to focus on the jutsu. He then questions who to send next and Hidan suggests himself and even Zetsu, but Pain makes up his mind for Itachi do use the same jutsu as Kisame. The room goes silent again and I stare up at Deidara who's looking down at me with a blank expression.
"Wait. I want to go too…." I add softly looking at the holograph figures. Pain especially whose focus is taken off again from the jutsu.
"Nay….?" Deidara says with a bit of confusion and worry in his voice.
"Very well then…" Pain adds. "Get going now." Deidara watches with frustration as Nayumei runs out of the hideout once again. She had no idea what enemies were up ahead and coming their way. Nor why she suddenly wanted to get into the action like this. What was she up to?
"It's about time she offers her help," Hidan adds. Nayumei's temper just about reaches its limit. She turns around with a glare and sends it towards Hidan who simply smirks.
"Focus on the jutsu now," Pain snaps.
Nayumei mumbles something under her breath and Hidan himself says a few curse words before closing his eyes again. Nayumei locks eyes with Deidara one last time before exiting.
~::.::.::.::.::~A few minutes later~::.::.::.::.::~
"What if one of them is the one that Gaara was talking about that one time he saved me… what if that person is the one attempting to come save Gaara…. Who could it have been?" I think to myself as I jump from tree branch to tree branch. I Stop and take a breath leaning against a tree and look up at the clouds for a moment. I realize I've never taken the time to just relax and live in the moment like this. Right now I don't want to do anything, I just want to stand here and watch the clouds go by. There's something about them that sends a calming sensation on my body, which is what I really need right now. Unfortunately my life doesn't work that way. My life is in the Akatsuki and that means fulfilling my duties. I should wait to see how the fighting goes with Itachi and Kisame. They probably won't need my assistance at all, but still it's better than staying in that cave.
"You'll only get in the way," Zetsu's voice calls from behind. I step away quickly from the tree trunk and turn around to face Zetsu. His presence still makes goose bumps form on my arms.
"Just be quiet and go keep watch. I'm sure more are coming and you should be aware of that Zetsu-kun," I snap angrily. But he was right. I always just get in the way; I drop the kunai knife from my hand, which I pulled out after Zetsu appeared. It falls down to the ground slowly, we just stay silent as it falls. "Can't you just let me be."
Zetsu smirks and disappears into the tree. The air is silent again except for the rustling of the leaves on the tree. I decide to just lay here since there's nothing I can do yet.
…...
"I'm here to look for someone," Gaara had replied. I just stared up at his face and looked around thinking we were lost.
"Look I think I can walk on my own," I had snapped. But he didn't listen to me and instead we kept walking through the thick mist.
"Wait here." Just like that he had left and I suddenly felt so defenseless. With my wounds I was barely able to move. But I sucked it up and struggled to stand, and began to limp away. Feeling a bit guilty for not thanking him properly, but Akatsuki members don't have manners. Instead of getting away I had run into him, losing my balance and going back into his embrace.
"I told you to wait…Now you've opened your wounds more."
"Why did he care?"
~::.::.::.::.~ Meanwhile~::.::.::.::.::~
The extraction continues with the red substance coming from Gaara's eyes and mouths lessening. It's been at least an hour or two since Nayumei left and same with Kisame and Itachi's battle starting. Though it only seemed like a few minutes. But time flies while you're busy on something. Gaara's life was fading. In just a bit he would fall to the ground lifeless and the Jinchuuriki would be sealed into the statue, with another Host extraction completed with a success.
"It took less time than expected… "Pain says breaking the silence. Deidara closes his eyes again just wanting to finish it up as quickly as possible. The others return their focus as well.
...…
"They should be done by now…." I whisper softly and slowly rise up from the spot on the tree. I look at the darkening sky quite surprised at how fast time went by. I start to head towards a random direction, somewhere I heard noise earlier. I'm sure the others would be irritated if they found out I was taking a nap, but I haven't slept in like three days with the Gaara situation. My body just gave out and I had to. Besides Zetsu said it was smarter to just wait here so I did. But now I'm curious to what jutsu they were referring to earlier. A special jutsu and possibly only Itachi and Kisame knew.
…...
"Zetsu go deal with the substitutes for Kisame and Itachi…" Pain orders.
"Yes sir." He replies.
"We're now entering the final stages so be prepared," Pain adds. He then asks Itachi of a mini summary of who the enemies were. Also adding that they have bought them enough time to finish up. By the time they arrive Deidara and Sasori will give them a warm welcome. All Deidara wants to do is fight, not even thinking of what Nayumei is currently doing.
…...
"So this is the jutsu huh?" I whisper softly looking down at an unfamiliar body in an Akatsuki cloak. He has brown hair and his eyes are open wide along with his mouth. Judging by the destruction around this area the opponents must be very strong indeed. And this one must have impersonated either Kisame or Itachi. But by the surroundings I'm guessing Kisame was this one. I feel a cold shiver and look up feeling a presence standing right behind me.
"You again. What jutsu is this?" I add bitterly.
"I don't know what to call it," Zetsu says in a monotone.
"I see…"
"So this one's Kisame's… it definitely needs to be disposed of. Then dispose of it," Zetsu says. Both sides of him talking amongst themselves.
"Go ahead…" I mumble and walk past him with a blank look in my eye and slightly bumping his shoulder. Whenever he does this I tend to get far away as possible for the sounds are just disgusting. Especially his method of disposing.
"Aren't you going to be heading back to the base now? The host is just about dead."
I stop in my tracks and look down at the ground as it goes quiet. I hear him smirk and I tighten my fist. Could he know what I'm thinking? How does he know about it? Has he been spying on me…? I fight back the urge to turn around and attempt to kill him and start to walk off again as I hear the sound he makes, engulf the air.
"Oh and Zetsu…" I add breaking the silence. "Which way did they go?"
He smirks again before saying they haven't traveled off far and if I keep going the direction I'm headed, I'll run into one of them.
"So I see," I reply.
"He's gone now…."I think to myself and look at the dark sky. " Only a few hours left and it'll all be over."
~::.::.::.::.~ The next morning~::.::.::.::.::~
I sensed people's presence indeed and followed my instinct. I made a clone to follow the other group and decided to watch this one myself. Though as soon as I got there they decided to head off again. So I followed keeping my distance, and it was working for they hadn't detected me yet. I lean against a tree and see them coming towards my direction, but too focused on their route ahead. I prepare my weapon until I over hear one of them say something that makes me feel a strange feeling.
"Hang on Gaara! We're coming!" Shouts a blonde boy with whiskers on his face. I let go of my necklace and stare after him with a shocked look.
"Because if it was him… He wouldn't just leave someone in need die…"
I allow myself to fall on my butt and stare at the group as they disappear out of my sight. I was about to attack them while they had their guard down. What kind of person am I? That boy… there's something about that boy. I must know his name… He sounded like he really cared for Gaara. Could he be the one that Gaara was talking about? He was trying to be like him. He didn't look like much. Just an average boy (except the whiskers). He sounded so confident yet sad. But by the time they'd make it… it'll be too late. But at least they were giving it a try. I know by the time they get there the others will be done and most likely kill them all. All this just for one person, Gaara.
"But it's too late…" I gasp and put my hands on my face. "That boy… I must know his name."
I quickly jump up and with full speed start to head towards the cave taking a shorter route. My heart begins to race and it sounds like it's going to fall out of my ear. That annoying thumping sound becomes the only thing I hear besides my feet hitting hard against the tree branches. Each branch I push myself even harder not paying attention to my surroundings.
"Gaara…"
"Gaara!" I shout suddenly feeling a sickening feeling from my chest.
I finally see the cave in the clearing and do the same sign as Deidara entering the cave. When I enter I only see three figures. Everything else has disappeared. I feel my stomach drop and I nearly vomit as I see Deidara sitting on Gaara's lifeless body. By the surroundings it's been confirmed it's definitely done. And the holograms have disappeared leaving these two to handle the ones on their way. But that blonde boy was just a kid… that looked like my age.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything… I couldn't save you… "I think to myself and hold back the urge to charge at Deidara. I try and regain my composure and walk slowly towards them.
"Nay you're late…. But I want you to get out of here ok, un?" Deidara says standing up and putting his hands on my shoulder looking a bit annoyed of my presence. Not even aware of the dead look on my face. Still panting from the rush over here. The only thing I can look at is him, Gaara. Deidara finally notices that my eyes are glued on the lifeless corpse and takes one of his hands off.
"Oh yeah… We finished, didn't take as long as we expected, pretty awesome I must say." Deidara says. "They'll be here any minute… you should get going, un."
"Alright…" I add barely audible.
"I'll meet up with you in a bit; in the meantime go to the base," Deidara says.
"No."