Hi,hope you haven't missed me! I know I left you all in a real cliffhanger last time, sorry, but it couldn't be helped. Sorry I haven't been able to update for a while. School kept me quite busy, I've been ill, and I had to prioritise school before writing. Honestly, writing is so much more fun than any school project.

Speaking of school projects. I may not be able to read Japanese, but on the Chuunin Exam (Original, remember?) there was one of the questions written in English, completely readable.

1, What language is spoken in -?

2, What time is it when the little hand is on the 12 and the big on the 5?

3, How many commandments was Moses given?

4, Can you explain Einstein's Theory of Relativity?

5, What are coat hangers used for?

I wasn't able to see, what the last word in question one was, but I think this might seem a little funny. I watched that episode many times without realising it, until I nearly fell out from my chair. Especially since the first question I realised what it said, was the fifth. Now, all five are part of one of the nine written questions, I don't know why, perhaps it was to test their English abilities or something? I mean, you have to keep in mind these guys speaks Japanese.

Anyway, on to the update this time. Not much to add, except that one special uhm, pretty cruel part, is based upon a dream I had once, which really freaked me out even days after it. You don't seriously want to have the same nightmare.

Also, this chapter contains time skips in the events, and that is not because lack of imagination, for once, but it's since I can't go on rambling about every step they take, it would take ages doing so. I am thinking of jumping soon enough into a period of two years later or something. I am yet not thinking about jumping further, because 1, something I can't simply write good enough it's about elder people then myself (I lack the experience) and 2, I only need them to be around 2-3 years older, but 16 is a little too young in my opinion. Okay, 18 or 19 is still young, I think anyone older would agree with me here. But it feels more familiar to me.

Shitza

Ps: I can't understand how Kakashi can breath under his mask? I mean, he hardly ever takes it off, and a few days ago me and the school had some outdoor activities, which also involved dressing up in a special theme. Me, and my class chose playing thieves and polices. I was a thief, and wore a mask similar to his. I could hardly breath, less talk under it.

PPs: Going to Nirvana means dying. If you wonder what the Title meant. It's a Buddhism expression of death which doesn't mean darkness by any chance, it really means relief from all the bad things, such as hate, evil etc.

PPPs: This chapter took a while, mainly since the first part was slow to write. I really hate it when school takes uo so much time.

Chapter 24

Life is Fleeting,

On the Bridge to Nirvana

It was futile to struggle, it was without hope that they hoped. It was their end. It was their destiny. It was Akatsuki's wish. It was Akatsuki's dream. Yet far away from their dream.

Naruto could feel the anger boil within him as he passed a few familiar faces. Indeed, all of Akatsuki had assembled. It was a week since he and Kasshoku Itachi had been captured. The Moon shinobi was probably, or very soon, dead from the extraction Jutsu used upon him. A Jutsu only the leader of this strange and mysterious group used. It would soon be his turn, and he could do nothing to prevent it. So far his friends hadn't come after him, he wouldn't be too surprised if they did not. After all, the Akatsuki had taken him to a far away cave, hard to find and harder to enter. It was an orange faced member that brought him over. The leader, a man with dark hair, eyes so full of darkness he felt himself drown in them, soon however declared Itachi's process as finished. Naruto could feel the colour leave his face, knowing what would happen. But he was determined not to show his thoughts towards him. He wouldn't let them see how scared he really felt towards death. He could hear Kyuubi murmur within him, since he had been taken the pains had resurfaced again, this time stronger then ever. It was hard to move, with a demon clenching of fright within him.

The Akatsuki stood as a circle around him, each one making a seal. Dark winds raised around him. He couldn't see anymore.

"Don't worry, Naruto-kun. It will soon be over for you." Uchiha Itachi's sick voice said to him as he blackened out, a cold shiver running through him. Kyuubi was making frantic attempts escape, scratching the bars of his cage. Even though his senses slowly died, letting him lose his vision, hearing, touch, smell and taste, the pain within him lingered for a little while more.

000

A leaf silently fell towards the ground, the wind came from south spreading some warmth to his chill skin. However, no matter what came embracing him with the heat to warm him yet again, nothing could heat the ice within his heart. His eyes were red, searching and trying to find traces of life, trying to find Him. Uchiha Sasuke hated to admit this, but he had fallen head over heel for his best friend. His heart was aching to hear his voice, his eyes were glazed as memory after memory hit him bearing that determined smirk. Naruto, where was Naruto? Time was quickly running away. He needed to find, Naruto!

Beside him Kakashi and Sakura ran with the same speed, both anxious to find him. All of Konoha's shinobi had scattered for this mission. To rescue Uzumaki Naruto before the Akatsuki managed to extract the Kyuubi from him. Allies this time turned out to be the Hidden Moon, who were anxious to find their precious Itachi. Or rather, the Getsukage was anxious to find him, since he saw Itachi like his own son.

Like Sasuke cared. He would be almost glad if the bastard had died, would serve him right for what he did to Lee. But, the very image of Naruto trapped with the Akatsuki, under the nose of his brother Itachi, it was much harder for him. He prayed: "Don't let Itachi ruin my life once more! Don't let him take away another of my precious persons."

There had been six units sent into different directions, because there weren't that many that could move out. All the Konoha shinobi, save Lee who was still at hospital and Gai, who guarded him, had moved out. The Chuunin who failed the Exam had been divided between the teams, which meant that with them at the moment two familiar faces had joined up. Etsuku was one of them, and she had said she was honoured to join as she had a deep respect for Naruto. As well had Hiroshi, who was silent yet doing his job.

Suddenly all stopped, seconds before a trap went of before them. It was by a hair that they had noticed it, as it had been expertedly hidden, and well... not everyone had noticed it really, yet stopped seeing the rest stop. Yet it only added to their anger and kept them thinking about this mission.

A sudden electric shock triggered through their spines, the feeling of an enormous amount of chakra used nearby. They didn't need to examine the trap to know what this meant. They were near, they were almost there.

Sasuke sped up, closely followed by Kakashi and Sakura at his heels. Kakashi snapped quick orders to Etsuku to send messages to the other units from their location, her job became to lead everyone else here. Hiroshi and she would stay behind to point out where they had headed.

As the two fellow Chuunin left the party, it really felt as if Team Seven was up for a new mission. Yet without Naruto's grinning face it was yet not the same. Their full concentration turned to saving their friend, and comrade. In a matter of minutes, they had reached the entrance to the cave, which was well hidden except for the fact that they could see strings of chakra leaking out. Akatsuki were unmistakeably in a hurry to finish, and Sasuke prayed once more that he wasn't too late.

000

Minutes passed, hours passed and the more the time passed the less he could remember of whom he were. Details, faces, memories were sucked away together with his strength. He could not feel, or see, or hear. He was floating in a pool of darkness, completely hidden by the fog in his dying mind. He subconsciously lifted his hand, yet it didn't make a difference.

He was Naruto... Naruto what?

The more the time trickled away, the more he lost. The more memories would be taken away. The more life he lost, the more he would forget of whom he was. The more he tried, the more hew would lose himself to darkness.

A brilliant light was fading.

He was... He was... He was...

A new wave of emptiness hit him, washed over him filling him with nothing but darkness. He tried to hold to his mind, tried to remember. He did not want to die, when he still had... had...

Had what?

He was... He was...

Tears fell from his eyes, yet he was unaware that with each memory being destroyed, a piece of his soul shattered. It wasn't his soul it was sucking, yet having been a jinchuuriki his memories was shared with the Kyuubi, and it was Kyuubi who really was in more trouble then him. No longer would he hear the voice in his mind. No more, would the red chakra save him. No more, would the pain and suffer continue. He was free from all that, he was no longer the Kyuubi holder.

He was...

He was...

He.. ... ... was... ... ...

He couldn't remember anymore, who he was.

He was dying, he was a goner... he was...

000

Meanwhile, team seven (the rest of them) went down and hurried to make business short with the Akatsuki. Of course, it was like running towards the fire, but they did not care. Their feelings for Naruto went deeply rooted, and they gave everything they had. And because Akatsuki were now bound to the unsealing method, they were now weaker then normal. In fury confused emotions, sometimes we grow stronger sometimes we become weaker and they certainly became stronger within themselves as the fought back. Sakura sent rocks slide from the wall landing her punches, Kakashi was fighting Kisame, his Sharingan letting him avoid taking any hits. Yet the one who fought with the most fury and anger was Sasuke, who you could see, his eyes were burning of hate. They burned so brightly red his Sharingan changed form for the Second time, the Mangekyo forming sending Hidan and Kakuzu in a most painful illusion. In a few moments more people arrived, joining into the fight. The Akatsuki became outnumbered by far, in count, and to everyone's amazement, retreated back. Sakura broke the unsealing Jutsu aiming a well earned punch at the demon, sending it back. The connection was broken, and the Konoha shinobi, who couldn't believe what really had happened in so few minutes, all hurried to see what had happened to Naruto. Sakura, being a medical ninja, quickly examined him and could relievedly tell everyone that Naruto was far from dead, yet the sad news nor was he with them.

An eerie silence fell over them as the Konoha shinobi left the cave. Sasuke, took Naruto carefully, hurrying like everyone, back to the village for hopefully better treatments. Thankfully he had only been in this lethal jutsu for a day, not long enough for the worst effects to take place, his heart was still beating, his lungs still drew air. But it wasn't his body they worried about. It was his mind.

Could it be so, because of the connection with Kyuubi, that a part of him had died as well?

Sasuke quickly disposed of the conclusion within his head. He didn't want to think, he couldn't think about it. He wouldn't allow it to happen, he wouldn't allow this to happen. Naruto was not allowed to die out, like everyone else around him.

Yet, it was still a two days travel from the cave back to Konoha, in full speed, straight line, without rest travel. It would probably take three days for them to get there if they were lucky. Yet every rest, every break, every new turn and every time he knew they would have to delay the arrival the Uchiha grew more and more anxious. If they did not make it in time? If they did not arrive? If something happened on the way? If the Akatsuki would come after them? If... ?

Sasuke would never forgive himself if something happened to Naruto.

000

-Time skip-

-4 days later

000

The gates of Konoha felt like the sunrise for him, a new beginning and higher promises. During their hurry, Naruto's conditions seemed to have worsened gradually. The blond teen had gotten paler, skinnier and his breath shifted between even breaths to short gasps. Once it even became a nightmare enough that he suddenly stopped breathing, and it wasn't because his lungs were damaged, it was because for around 30 seconds, his mind had forgotten how you drew breaths. During that period, Sasuke had to become his lungs instructed by Sakura doing CPR while the medic nin examined the other organs ready to do anything within her power to save him.

Sasuke headed immediately for the hospital, talked with a few nurses and carried the blond boy protectedly through the hospital to a quiet peaceful room. A team of doctors hurried, on behalf of the Uchiha's orders, to see what they could do. Many had not come, many of them still saw him as a monster.

Soon Tsunade joined up with the treatment as well, the news spread quickly through the village. She had to attend both Naruto and Lee's treatment, Lee who had been safe enough to bring home that is. The ex-shinobi looked sulken indeed when the news when even Gai told him that he couldn't strain himself, that he would not be allowed training. Ever again. It took many days and nights before everyone managed to persuade him to find another lifestyle, and it took even longer to make him stop commit suicide, in some ways in the most ridiculous styles.

The suicides really ended when Tsunade offered him the job of becoming Konoha's first ever Academy Instructor, who didn't have shinobi ranks. Since his rank had been removed when the diagnosis saw daylight, he had been removed from the shinobi list, as well as the current bounty had dropped t zero. Yet his abilities were nearly as good as Gai's, and he had the same insight in the art of close combat, which made him become what he became. It took a while, but after a few weeks he was slowly adapting to his new life. His injuries did not stop him from demonstrating kicks and punches, even so he would never be able to show the same sparkle as before.

Yet for Naruto, nothing really changed. The doctors told him he was sleeping in a coma, and they could not tell when he would wake up. All they could say was that it could take a long time, perhaps years. They were all pretty sure he would awake, but not when. His friends often came to visit, each day a new flower found itself beside him on the nightstand. Sasuke was there every day, each day he brought a single fresh rose that he put in water. He most often came before his missions started, and when he was finished. All three of them had been given Jounin ranks, Naruto would be given his as soon as they would be certain that Akatsuki's ceremony hadn't given him any significant injuries to the brain. There was even a letter by his side now, which said:

Dear Uzumaki Naruto, son of Kazama Tsukiko, daughter of Kazama Kikyo and Kazama Ringo, sister to Kazama Arashi "Konoha's Yellow Flash" , Yondaime, and Uzumaki Kouji, son of Uzumaki Rei, daughter of the White Flower, and Uzumaki Kouichi "Konoha's Flame Fan". We feel deeply sorry for your terrible experience and though we may have misjudged your true self for long, we can only wish you well in your future battles. For showing of great ability shown in combat, survival skills and nerves of steel we are proud to give you the ,ost deserved rank of Jounin. Congratulations! Uzumaki Naruto, Konoha's Yellow Tornado.

Utatane Koharu

Secretary of the Konoha Shinobi Council

000

Sasuke was currently sitting beside the blond, staring at the peaceful face that yet didn't move an inch. He and Sakura had received a letter like that as well, though his said more about his work with Orochimaru, and that he really owed his life to the village. He didn't owe them anything. He simply stayed because he knew his heart was here. The same heart that had been ripped from him the day his brother killed his clan, his happier memories all stayed with this boy.

Sakura had left minutes ago, going back to help Tsunade-sama with some antidotes for a decease spread in the south regions of the Fire Country. He letter had been like theirs, congratulating her for making it to Jounin, and admiring her work with Tsunade. Sasuke lifted his head to look out through the window. Outside, the leaves were slowly falling. It had been months since Naruto had last spoken really...

Tomorrow Sasuke planned upon staying with his friend a little longer. It would be Naruto's 17th Birthday then. Yes, time passed, and they grew older. News travelled from Jiraya that the Akatsuki were moving on new plans, that the old ones had changed out of some reason and yet, he could not understand what their new plan was. Kurenai hadn't been on any mission for ages, but was visiting some far away relatives to discuss what could be the reason for this strange rumour.

Sasuke slowly got up from the chair he had been sitting in. Sighing he put on the green vest, which also bore the Uchiha symbol on the back. He didn't want to leave, but as it was Konoha needed every able-bodied force they had. They were still at this silent war, a war no one saw an end to. The fear, the constant darkness in their minds and the knowledge that something horrible was about to happen. It pained them all.

000

-On the Bridge Between Nirvana and Life-

Misty fogs lay around him, only two gates could be found. One was shining brightly with light, the other was dimmer, less inviting, painful, harsh and slow. Yet, he felt more drawn to the dim light then the bright light. However, his body was tired, so tired it felt drawn to the light. It moved there, against his will. He could see it, the pure light that overwhelmed the suffocating darkness. And then...

"Don't go there!" a woman's voice said. His body turned thankfully, and he took a few steps away from it. The fogs around him cleared, to reveal a group of three women sitting on what looked like a stone bench. All three wore white kimonos, and all three had let their hair hung loose. One had dark bluish hair, the second had bright red flaming hair and the third shorter blond, very much alike his own."

"Welcome Naruto!" the red haired woman said. She had light brown eyes, which seemed to want to gaze into his very soul. "I can say I had hoped to meet you at a more happier time then this, but I am afraid due to the circumstances I guess I shall not complain. After all, I've been wanting to meet you for a long time."

Naruto felt a tug to his heart. Even though she had not spoken much, especially not said her name, he felt as if he knew her. He felt connected to her, to all three of them.

"O... Obaasan?" (Grandmother) he said stuttering.

The red haired woman smiled, a smile not completely unalike his own.

"Yes, I am Uzumaki Ryo, mother of your father. Sadly, your father could not join us today, even though all of his heart desired to, he sent me in his place."

Naruto fell to his knees. Tears of joy sparkled behind his eyes. He looked at the blond woman, he recognised her from a picture he had in his apartment.

"Kaa-san?"

Uzumaki Tsukiko fell before her son, hugging him close. Naruto felt even more tears drop to the ground as he, for the first time, stood face to face with his mother.

"Little one..." Tsukiko said through her own tears. A reunion was seldom without emotions, and only true blockheads would not feel them. His mother was constantly holding his hand as well.

Naruto looked up at the third woman, whom he didn't recognise at all. Yet, he felt as if he had seen that hair and he kind of knew her.

"Uchiha Mikoto!" The woman presented herself as. "I am Sasuke's mother."

Once he felt like he could break the hug he and his mother shared for a moment, he walked and hugged Mikoto as well, though not in the same kind of mother-son hug he had shared previously. The three women sat down again, and the four of them started to talk. They talked long, for hours, for days, perhaps weeks. Everything the blond had never been told in his life, the love they gave him, the bonds between them and the unmistakeable proud the whole Uzumaki and Kazama Clan had for him. Within this, for Naruto too brief meeting, he was told about the two clan's he came offspring from, about the power that the Uzumaki and Kazama once had been feared about, though neither had possessed any bloodline or special treat, it was something frightening about that that made their enemies respect them and let them live on. All this, had been passed down to him, something they already knew he was showing. Something that had always been with him. What scared everyone about both clans was that both of them...

Had hearts.

It was against everything a shinobi was taught, to lay your heart aside while battling. However, this was something neither had been able to do, and the openly showed their feelings. It was their greatest weapon as well, a heart full of emotions.

Naruto listened quietly to these tales, about his ancestors brave battles, about the legendary Konoha's Flame Fan, his grandfather who was married with his grandmother Rei, and Rei herself that had been known as Konoha's White Flower, due to her beauty and her way of always wearing white. Only white, not colours whatsoever.

Yet, as time passed, so did also time in the living world, and reluctantly Rei suddenly stood, telling him it was time to go home, to go back and live for them all. His mother gave him one last hug, kissing his cheek as the tears streamed down her face, for the greatest pain for a mother was to see her son or daughter go. With a deep sigh, she had to let his hand go.

Even Mikoto hugged him, asking him to give Sasuke her wishes. Naruto nodded, saying his last goodbyes. Before waking up, in white sheets, something warm pressed against him. The boy sighed contently before falling asleep again. A sleep, filled with dreams filled with the decision of one single thing.

The decision, to once and for all dig up the courage to tell a certain someone about his love.

TBC

Hmm... okay, last part was kind of speedy, and I had thought of a different end, but changed it before I came there. More like, the real confession, But I wills save that for the next time. Next chapter will probably contain the confession, as well as some information about the Mangekyo Sharingan, almost all fan made.

Sigh... this sure took a hell of a time writing, and it's short. Bleh... but it was quite fun writing the Nirvana part. Okay, perhaps it's kind of dramatic, but what can you ask of me? I said, in a very small amount of review, Naruto would die in this chapter, yet i said nothing more. Well, there is your answer for that. Yes, this was deliberately planned, hope I didn't cause you guys too much of a fright. It would not be a real story without him and...

WAH!

WAAH!

WAAAH!

I am babbling again. (zips her mouth)

Shitza