Chapter 37

A Night of Fading Stars

Konan stared up at the nightsky shining with so many stars. The horizon was clear and a healthy sea wind was hitting her body rejuvenating her even at midnight. Off in the distance, she could see the half moon bathing the lands with its light.

It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen.

She loved Amegakure and was a loyal ninja of her village, but even she couldn't deny that Uzu was far more beautiful. And why Naruto had fought so hard for his home.

"You asked me once about my legacy"

A faint smile arrived on her face as she heard his voice behind her. Seconds later, he joined her in sitting at the rooftop observing the vast sea in front of them.

"So did you find your answer?'' she asked gently,

"I did"

She looked into his eyes and for once found a serene peace existing in those deep blue orbs.

"Giving this village, my friends and my family a peaceful future will be my legacy" he confessed, and couldn't help but be mesmerized as a wild gush of wind blew her beautiful blue hair across her face.

"How much are you willing to sacrifice for that?" asked Konan,

"I want it more than you can imagine"

She looked back at the open sea and spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.

"Then I'm happy for you"

Konan felt something touch her hand and looking down she realized he had entwined his hand with hers. When she looked back at him, she was surprised.

"If it gets too dangerous, retreat and come back." he almost pleaded, his fears clearly visible in those blue eyes.

No, he was afraid for her. And she felt her chest tightening at that thought.

"Hanzo asked me to follow all your orders and I know how much the alliance between our villages is crucial for not just the survival but also the future of my village. I must do all I can for that, even..."

She couldn't finish that thought because his grip on her hand became rock solid and he was inches away from her face.

"I don't want to win a future on the deaths of my friends" he whispered fiercely, now truly afraid for her.

"Your best friends will be safe" she pointed calmly,

"I want all my friends to live and be happy. Including you, Konan"

She couldn't help but look at this redhead boy who was making her feel things she had never felt before. Yet, emotions for a ninja were dangerous especially in times of war.

"You don't truly know me" she protested, but he smiled.

"Then I'd like to know you"

She smiled amusedly even as she laid her forehead against his and gently touched his cheek. He leaned into her touch as she silently caressed his skin.

"You know nothing, Naruto Uzumaki"

Konan saw him grinning and couldn't stop herself from doing the same.

"Would you like to do something?" he asked, and she didn't fail to notice his hope in his voice.

"I have to be ready for tomorrow"

"Please"

The rational part of her mind knew she had to rest and knew he was making those puppy dog eyes to make her do what he wanted. She had met many men in her life, some good and some bad, few even horrible.

She could not even remember the dozens of men who wanted to be with her just so that they could get in her pants. At first, she had thought the same of him with his asshole like attitude.

But now she knew it was a mask to protect himself.

She had seen how dearly he loved Nagato and Akeno, how despite his original disdain he had helped change Yahiko to become a better ninja, how he had befriended Kyusuke and Daibutsu on her insistence.

They were all but small acts yet it showed her quite a lot about him. And that there was more to him than a cold blooded assassin.

These feelings had only been multiplied when she helped him win Uzu and saw the true extent of how he had been scorned all his life. How alone he had been until meeting Nagato and Akeno...

Yet he never gave up.

This boy kept on fighting against all the odds and did his duty towards his village and his clan. He remained loyal to them no matter what came his way, and she couldn't help but admire him for that.

It made her slightly regret not getting to know him better before. She couldn't help but be a little jealous of Akeno and Nagato for they had shared a long journey with him.

A journey she now wanted to be a part of, for this man intrigued her by evoking feelings she had never felt before.

So, for once she did what her heart wanted and said...

"Yes"

Konan curiously watched him take his boots off and seal them in a scroll. With a childlike smile, he turned towards her expectantly.

"Well?" he asked impatiently,

"I'm not taking off my sandals" she refused, making him pout a little.

"Just trust me"

She sighed and took off her sandals knowing he would not give up. Konan laughed when he took her sandals from her hands and gave her a small bow and sealed them into the scroll he had place his boots in. He then placed the sealing scroll in one of the pouches on his pants.

It was cold and she felt the skin of her feet shiver a little. In her haste to reach Ame, she had forgotten to pack her winter clothing not expecting to stay here for so long. And the village didn't have enough supplies for its own people, much less for a foreign kunoichi like her.

She felt warm again when he draped his winter cloak on her shoulders. When she glanced at him he just shrugged and said he was used to this weather and didn't need it.

After making sure she was properly wearing the cloak, he gently took her hand and she found it to be quite warm and soft.

They both walked in silence towards the shores of the beach. She felt a strange sensation when her bare feet touched the sand.

It was warm, soft and she felt her feet muscles relaxing.

"Thank you" she said now understanding why he had asked her to take off those sandals.

"I aim to please" he teased, as she rolled her eyes at that remark.

They walked across the sea shore and she leaned closer towards him as he placed her hands around her waist. She did the same for him which made him smile but he tried his best to hide it.

"Your village is quite beautiful" she praised, and if possible his smile broadened.

"You haven't see Uzu in its true glory. Given a year or two, I will raise it back to the beauty it was" he promised, and there was an unending determination in those eyes of his.

"Somehow I find myself believing it can be done now that Uzu has you for their leader" she commented, which made him blush lightly.

"I'm just doing my job"

She couldn't help but shake her head tiredly at his modesty. For someone so talented he sure had issues in accepting he was a good leader or when people praised him. And she knew it was due to his past.

Now that they were all alone, she asked him what was on her mind these past few days.

''How are you holding up?" questioned Konan worriedly,

For a moment she thought he would lie and said he was fine. But his shoulders sagged tiredly which made his head lean towards her shoulder.

"It's crazy. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we managed to save Uzu and my people. But I never wanted to be The Uzukage. It's tearing me apart, honestly I feel like I have to act like two different people now. It's hard" he admitted, frustration evident in his face.

"Being a leader is not easy. Even so, do your people have a better alternative than you at the moment?" she asked patiently,

"Not right now"

"Then that settles it. You have to be there for your people, if it means being the leader they want then become one. They need you now that they are surrounded by many enemies" she advised,

He sighed.

"I know. But I don't know if my decisions are right or wrong"

Konan blinked and saw for the first time something that most people including her had missed before. He was too young and inexperienced.

Leading a group of survivors was one thing, leading a band like the Akatsuki was another...

But running an entire village was a completely different challenge. One which he had never faced before, nor did he have any of his former Kages to guide him on the subject. He was doing things blindly hoping they turned out to be the best.

For a moment, she began to doubt her decision to make him the Uzukage. But then she also remembered the remaining Uzumaki leaders...

Lady Touka was a scared woman who wanted to isolate her nation hoping the world and their enemies would forget about them.

And Lord Arima while a better leader was neither willing to accept the leadership. Even if he was, the other houses would fight him fearing he would favor his own house over theirs.

Naruto was not a part of any noble house, he was just a commoner, a bastard with no ties to any influential individual and someone who could make decisions freely.

On the battlefield, he was a formidable warrior and a master tactician. But as Uzukage, he was a nervous boy who hided his fears well but they existed nonetheless.

"Then trust us, your friends. We will not let you fall" she promised, knowing how dangerous an indecisive leader could be for the people.

"Then was my decision to let Kushina stay the right one?"

She had hoped he would not ask her this but now it couldn't be avoided. His mother was a sensitive topic and from what she had seen he wanted to get close to that woman but also wary of where Kushina's true allegiances lay.

"Konoha will come to take her back, that is for sure. But if she wants to stay in Uzu then you have to let her be" warned Konan,

"My father said the same thing"

She didn't miss his regret as he mentioned his father. There was a faint hope in his eyes for things to have turned out differently, yet letting Minato go was the right decision. Even so, it wouldn't change the fact that he felt somewhat responsible for not stopping Minato from walking towards his death.

"What did Minato say to you?" she asked curiously,

"He knew I could never fully forgive Konoha so he asked me to punish only those responsible for my people's suffering. He was adamant in promising the Hokage had not intentionally betrayed us, that I should atleast give Hiruzen a chance to explain. Yet in the end he said that regardless of my decision, he would love me forever"

A small tear fell from his eyes as he looked away from her. She gripped his hand tightly and offered as much support she could as he recomposed himself.

"Even with all your resources you cannot fight a two front war with both Kumo and Konoha" said Konan honestly, earning a small nod from him.

''I know. That is why I must win Kumo as soon as possible" he said seriously,

"I won't fail you" she promised, making him smile at her.

''I know you won't"

They continued walking in silence for a while and Konan was happy she accepted his request to come here. It was oddly relaxing and made her forget about the big campaign she was in charge of.

"Say, when you get your revenge and make your enemies pay, what then? Where do you see yourself in the future after this revolution of yours?" she asked curiously, and saw a far away look present in those blue eyes.

"I'll return home"

Somehow, she had not expected such an answer and he saw that.

"What?''

"Nothing. I just thought you wanted to rule over other nations by conquering them? Like an Empire? Or something else..." said Konan curiously, but he shook his head with a smile.

"No such thing for me. I don't want to rule anyone, all I want is a transparent world at best. I'm attacking the Great Nations not just because they have hurt my people but also because they stand in the way of progress. They terrorize other smaller nations and it has to stop. I'm trying to create a world where all nations are interconnected through trade, diplomacy and cultures. Wars may and will always happen, but I am trying to reduce the scale and occurrence.

Today almost each nation is isolated which hampers development greatly, especially in cases of smaller nations like Uzu and Ame. The Great Five use this weakness to impose their dominance, it wouldn't have been so bad actually if they didn't war against each other so frequently bringing ruin to the entire world.

Akatsuki and my mission is to break this isolation and bring all the nations closer. It sounds easier said than done, but I have to try"

When he was done with his explanation, he saw her staring at him strangely which made him uncomfortable.

"Why are you looking at me like that?'' he asked, now a little angry and nervous for he had laid out his dream in front of her.

Was it mistake?

She touched his arm almost reassuringly and there was a gentleness in her eyes as she looked at him.

"It's a good future, I just didn't think one so young could think of such" she admitted, and this time that arrogant smirk returned on his face.

"You talk as of you've seen many decades, grandma" he teased,

His grin increased ten fold when she narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"I'm not" she protested, as he laughed.

''Yes you are, grandma"

He ran when she picked up a handful of sand from the ground and ran after him. He laughed as she tried to chase after him, he was faster and he knew it. A smirk appeared on her lips as she silently made a hand seal...

He yelped when a paper tag burst a few feet in front of him sending sand in his eyes. He lost his momentum and tumbled gracelessly across the sand, a snarky retort was on her lips until she felt some sand hitting her own eyes making her fall as well.

When her vision cleared, she saw her entire body married in beach sand from head to toe. Gods!

He was the same with his own red hair now a mess covered in beach sand. His clothes were not any better either, yet despite all that he laughed.

At first, she tried to stop it but he was a bad influence and soon Konan found herself laughing alongside him.

Here they were, two teenagers in a beautiful night away from all the worries of the world. Just enjoying life for the beauty it was with the person they liked.

She abruptly stopped at that last thought and her eyes shifted towards him. Of all the men she had seen in her life, Naruto Uzumaki was definitely the most frustrating and mysterious one. He was a dangerous ninja and an asshole most of the time, but now she had seen this new side of him.

And it was beautiful.

He caught her staring at him intently and she saw another snarky remark about to pass his lips. But at the last moment he stopped and pursed his lips deciding not to ruin the moment. Instead he lied flat on the sand and gazed up at the dark sky full of stars and that shining moon.

Konan followed him and felt herself relaxing under the sky.

He talked about the history of his village, some of his happy memories, the different festivals and customs. She at times asked him her questions and he gladly answered. Konan was surprised to discover that the Uzumaki followed multiple gods instead of just one great god.

There were noble houses who worshiped nature as their gods with the Trees, Rivers and Forests as their symbol.

One house worshiped some strange sea god.

Lady Touka and many other houses practiced a religion where multiple gods and goddesses represented different noble qualities a man must follow.

And Lord Arima's house was the only house that worshiped a deity known as the Old Gods.

"What about you? Whom do you worship?" asked Konan curiously,

"Everyone. I'm not too fanatic over which god is the true one. All I believe is that there is something out there greater than me so I gave this unknown entity some acknowledgment. My opinion would have been a problem if I had belonged to any noble house following a different god, but since I am a commoner bastard nobody bothers me too much" he admitted freely, with a carefree smile.

"Does it bother you? Being still regarded by that term despite all you've done?" she asked sadly, and saw him somber a little.

"I don't know, Konan. Despite all the different gods, my whole clan believes truly in the tradition of marriage. The union of a man and woman is sacred to them, when I was sent to Uzu my mother never revealed the name of my father. Neither was there any proof that she had me after marriage which made me a bastard born of lust and not love" he explained,

"That's stupid! she said a little angrily, which made him smile.

"It is what it is. Maybe one day when all this madness is over, I'll do something about it" he said hopefully, but she shook her head.

"Now is the time. Your clan is weakened greatly and the noble houses have lost much of their power. How many there are of your kind?" she asked hesitantly, not wanting to say that dreaded word.

"Maybe around 100" he answered skeptically,

"And they are not considered Uzumaki?" she asked, truly disgusted now which made him flinch a little.

"No"

"Not even you?" asked Konan in shock,

"Well, I am considered one for I am the Uzukage. But legally I am not, nor can I own any lands or titles. If I have children someday from a marriage, they will be welcomed as true born members of the clan. But I will be a bastard all my life" he said bitterly,

"Then abolish this stupid practice altogether"

"What? Do you even know the unrest it will cause? The noble houses will have my head!" he said aghast, which made her growl in frustration.

"You're The Uzukage, damn it! Say you need to legitimize all of your kind to bring your clan back to its full strength over the years. Appeal to their rationalism and if they still oppose, cut off a few heads and the rest will fall in line." she argued fiercely, making him glare at her.

"I will not kill my own people, Konan" he said icily,

"I've said this before and I will say it again for your sake : Show too much kindness and people won't fear you, they don't fear you then they don't follow you" she warned harshly, and wanted to hit something for she saw he was still not accepting of the harsh truth.

"I'll think about it" he finally said, but she knew he would probably not do it.

Silence reigned between them for long, neither willing to speak for they both had opposite opinions. For all his talents, Naruto Uzumaki was truly naive and innocent when it came to his clan. It was his biggest weakness and might just cost him dearly someday.

The good mood had vanished but he didn't leave her. Instead, he started talking about her mission and told her Daibutsu would be going with her and Yahiko would stay with him. He told her all about the soldiers under her command and while she was not much impressed, she was glad to have so many of them.

One thing which she protested was the presence of almost all the Jashinist cult members that he wanted to send with her. She made clear that those monsters who had killed her people had no place under her command. But he insisted that they were the best fighters for this mission and he had not offered them opportunities for quite some time to kill and plunder in their god's name. To keep them in line and loyal, he had to give them this mission.

She relented finally, but not before making him agree not to let Hidan come with her. That crazy bastard would stay with him for Konan would not suffer Hidan for he was the worst of the entire cult.

Konan was actually surprised to hear Naruto had decided to give her nearly 2000 barrels of Hell Fire liquid. It could wreck havoc if not handled carefully, and he warned her to be extremely careful in its use.

They talked about Naval Warfare and Siege Tactics, and he again surprised her with his knowledge which was far greater and craftier than hers. He suggested her many different tactics but also advised her to use her own instincts on the battlefield.

When asked how he knew so much, he simply said Lord Third had trained him in ways of war all his life.

"Then it would seem I am a better Politician than you. And you the better Warlord" she joked, which made him finally smile after the previous tension.

"Can't argue against that, my lady" he said with a laugh, making her smile as well.

"You plan to invade Kumo from land while they chase after me?" she asked,

"Yes. By the time they realize their mistake it would all be over" he promised, a hint of bloodlust evident in his eyes.

"I hope so. Because you're late, then I'll die" she said frankly, as he grasped her hand.

"I won't let that happen. I promise"

She smiled at his innocence.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Naruto Uzumaki"

(Konoha)

Hiruzen briskly walked into the bowels of Danzo's base. It was midnight when he received the important summons of a development that could drastically derail his plans for peace.

"Is the prisoner alive?" asked Hiruzen to his loyal Anbu, Owl.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. On patrol, Fugaku Uchiha and his clansmen caught an intruder trying to enter our village. He had no markings or insignia, but Danzo-sama discovered him to be an Uzumaki after Fugaku questioned him with the sharingan" reported Owl,

"This is grave news. I need to talk with the prisoner and discover what Uzu is upto. We cannot have anymore war" said Hirzuen gravely,

"No, we cannot. But Hokage-sama most of the clans especially the Uchiha are not happy over your decision to have negotiations with the Uzumaki. Even some of our Anbu comrades have expressed resentment" warned Eagle, his other loyal female Anbu who had been Hiruzen's guards for the past five years.

The weary Kage nodded for he knew they were speaking the truth.

"Both of you, a leader must sometimes make decisions that does not make one's people happy but are necessary for their future. I will perhaps be hated for my decisions of peace by future generations, but if I do not make them there won't be any future generations. Konoha cannot wage war against the entire world no matter how strong we are, for even the strongest tree cannot stand alone in a violent storm" advised Hiruzen,

"We understand, Hokage-sama" replied both his Anbu guards, they were loyal just like Tsunade and Jiraiya and knew how important it was to make peace and not wage wars.

They walked in silence down the corridors and couldn't help but notice how dull and lifeless this base was. There was a sense of darkness within these walls that held many of Konoha's secrets.

Hiruzen frowned when he saw a group of people, mostly Uchiha's, few Anbu's, even Orochimaru standing circle around someone.

The Hokage saw the silhouette of a person with bright red hair restrained in a chair. The Prisoner.

"We have the prisoner secured, Hokage" said Danzo curtly, not giving the respect which made Hiruzen's guards tense.

Deciding to let go his friend's rudeness, Hiruzen walked forward making the group of Konoha shinobi part ways for him.

He passed by Orochimaru's side who actually avoided looking at him for a change. His student had clearly expressed his opposition to Hiruzen's desire for peace and they had been at odds for the past few days. No matter, he would get over it soon enough.

Hiruzen grasped the face of the prisoner and lifted it up.

He was cold, his eyes lifeless, his throat slashed apart.

"What-"

SLASH

He gasped as the cold metal pierced through his chest close to his heart. Yet it was not the pain but the shock that was overwhelming Hiruzen for the person who had stabbed him was none other than.

"Orochimaru" rasped the old man,

His two Anbu's unleashed their swords but were cut down courtesy of Danzo's blade.

Hiruzen spat blood from his mouth and saw the liquid was red mixed with white. A poison sword.

''For Konoha" said Orochimaru flatly, as he wrenched his blade free from Hiruzen's bloodied chest.

Two Anbu's stepped forward with both wearing the faceless masks of Root.

"For Konoha"

They buried their swords again in Hiruzen's chest, the Hokage's body too paralyzed to move or defend courtesy of the poison spreading in his veins.

One by one all the Uchiha's and remaining Anbu's stepped forward and buried their blades into the body of their leader in the name of Konoha.

Finally, the old man collapsed to his knees with his chest and stomach full of wounds. Blood oozed out of his body like a river, yet he stared at his own people with silent tears in his eyes.

Why?

He wanted to ask but he couldn't speak for he was going numb from the poison. As if to answer his question, his oldest friend and comrade Danzo walked forward and there was pity and disappointment in those eyes.

''Tobirama-sensei entrusted us to protect Konoha but your peaceful delusions will destroy our village. You served Konoha but it is time for you to rest. The people will know an Assassin killed you, and in this time of war there will be no more questions. Die gracefully knowing that we shall destroy Konoha's enemies once and for all" revealed Danzo coldly, no hint of emotion now visible in his old eyes.

As the Root Commander knelt before his dying friend, Hiruzen desperately placed his bloodied hand on Danzo's shoulder.

"Do...not...destroy...the...leaf...my...friend" pleaded Hiruzen, hoping to gods these people would not do what he thought they were going to do.

He got his answer in the form of Danzo burying a blade in his heart.

Hiruzen collapsed to the ground in a pool of his own blood as Danzo and the other conspirators started walking away. He stared at his two Anbu and saw they were dead as well.

Alone and broken, he stared at the ceilings of this dark base.

He rasped three broken and painful breaths before white liquid burst from his mouth.

He felt his body going cold and the small sounds around him vanishing.

His blank gaze staring in the darkness...

Forever