Chapter Thirty Six

Summit and Akutsuki's Plans

Tsunade sat at a huge round table, and sitting with her was the other Kages of the five elemental countries. The Tsuchikage sat right across from her, scowling his old and winkled face at her. The Mizukage sat to her right, He had orange hair and many piercings. Cloud's leader sat to her left, his darken skin made him stick out horribly with his blonde hair and huge gauntlets on his arms.

The substitute Kazekage sat next to the Raikage, Tsunade believed it was the one who trained Gaara and his siblings. Half his face was covered with a cloth. All the Kages hats were on the table, showing who they were or who they were filling in for.

The Mizukage stood first, and behind him appeared eight figures wearing white robes and sapphire clouds on them, each wearing umbrella hats. "This summit was called by me and my group. I believe you know us as the Akutsuki organization." The man said, he wasn't wearing the symbol of the Akutsuki, just a plain black cloak. The other Kages gasped at this information.

"I know what your thinking, but I haven't killed any Jinchuuriki at all. It was Madera's plan to combine all the Bijuu to create the most terrifying creature known to man. But luckily, I stopped him and the containers are safe. I actually brought them here with me today. You eight may return to your villages now." Pein said as he waved his hand to let them know they could leave.

All eight went back to their villages, except for one, who just stood their twitching. Her Kage hadn't shown up, due to some health problems. "Go home if you wish Fuu, I'm not stopping you." Pein continued and the figure nodded and took off, anxious to go home.

Tsunade watched as two went to the Raikage, two went to Earth and two stayed by Pein's side, one went to Baki's side, it seemed that was the shortest of all of them. She was the only one who didn't have one come to her, only because he was dead.

Pein watched for a minute before continuing. "I called this summit so we can talk. I want the fighting to stop, so I suggest we combine our villages and land into one country, we work together and bring peace to this ravaged land once and for all."

The room was quiet before a loud laugh came from the Raikage. "What do you think your talking about. That's impossible." The Raikage said as he looked at Pein, that was until he was smacked in the back of the head. "Brother, listen to the man, he can actually help." Killer Bee said from underneath his hat. Raikage glared at his brother before returning to the meeting.

"We can't really do this, it's unorthodox, and it could cause civil war." Tsuchikage said as he looked at the others. "I agree, if we combine our lands, rivals and enemies will start up and cause problems." Baki said as he looked at Pein in worry. Tsunade sat quietly, thinking about the whole deal, could she do it.

"We can't do this, it'll cause panic among our people, clans will argue constantly, and many will end up fighting with each other." Baki continued as he looked at the other Kages, one at a time. "He's right, my village won't get along with Konoha because we were accused of trying to steal their Byakugan doujutsu." The Raikage said with a snarl.

Finally Tsunade looked up, looking at Pein. All the Kages jaws dropped when they heard her say what she said next. "I agree with you Pein. This plan should work if we let by gones be by gones. I will become apart of this country of yours." Tsunade said as she turned to Raikage. "I will forgive any actions caused by our past feuds, if you agree with this, and our villages will be able to coexist with each other."

Raikage couldn't help but fall backwards and topple over his chair. He landed on his back with a loud thump. Tsunade continued on and looked at the Tsuchikage. "I will also forget our past wars and let our fights be gone. I will also let you mingle with my people as well. All I ask is that you and Raikage don't cause trouble." Tsuchikage almost had a heart attack at that. Tsunade continued.

"Baki, your village will be the same as will be the Mizukage. All I ask is that there will be no trouble." With that, Tsunade looked back down at the table, her hands crisscrossing in front of her with silent pride. All the Kages looked at her with surprise. All the others sighed and the others had to silently agree with the women. This was a once in a life time chance to end the blood shed as she had silently put the message, as she had given them the chance to enter her village as friends, instead of enemies.

Pein smiled at the woman as he thought of her bravery. "I will consent to this idea." Kazekage was the first to say so after Tsunade. The Raikage followed by nodding his head and then Tsuchikage by grumbling that he would as well. Pein smirked, it was to be a wonderful new life.

"Then it's agreed. We will still be in charge of our own villages but everyone can travel where they wish and be happy with who they want. Clans can create new bloodlines or mix with people from other villages. The Jinchuuriki are also given free reign, but please remember why I brought the eight of you together. Keep the peace between the countries and try to civilly figure arguments out." Pein said as he looked at the cloaked figures, who nodded in return.

Tsunade was glad the meeting was over as she stood to go and meet her guards and leave. That was until the Raikage had noticed something very important. "Wait, aren't there nine Bijuu, shouldn't there be a ninth Jinchuuriki?" Killer Bee smacked the man in the back of the head for that, and Tears fell from both Pein's and Tsunade's eyes as the ninth was mentioned.

"I hate to inform you Raikage, but the Nine tailed fox Jinchuuriki died a week ago, due to a seal mishap. The Bijuu died with him as well." Tsunade said as she took off, leaving all the Kages, except Pein, in stunned silence.

34

Sakura sat on the couch in Sasuke's mansion's living room. Her eyes were still blank and she was unresponsive. Sasuke sat in a chair across from her, in a the same state. Kakashi looked at both his students. Both in pajamas, Sakura's pink stripes and Sasuke in blue stripes. Sakura's had been torn up by the girl when she saw them, so Kakashi went and bought a simple pair. That had been the only time the girl reacted to anything.

Sasuke was a little better then that. He'd answer some of Kakashi's questions, but only monosyllable. otherwise Sasuke didn't really answer his questions. Sakura only moved to get food or water, other wise, she just sat in the same spot. Hardly moving at all. She had her hair down now, chopped off brutally by the girl once she got back from the funeral.

Now it was down to her shoulders, chopped ruggedly, since she wouldn't let Kakashi touch it to fix it up. Her once emerald sparkling eyes were now dull and dark. She would only let Sasuke touch her and Kakashi would only be able to touch her head or shoulder in comfort, otherwise, she tossed the person away with awesome strength.

Kakashi sighed as he sat down two bowls of Chicken soup in front of the teens. They moved towards them and ate them slowly, Kakashi went back to the kitchen and brought back two glasses of water. The two Chuunins ate and drank slowly. Kakashi went back to the kitchen again and ate his soup in there, he couldn't stand watching his two students suffer as they were.

'I guess Naruto meant a lot to them, especially Itachi, now that the man has been allowed back into the village.' Kakashi thought and as he thought that, Itachi walked into the kitchen. The man had his hair in it's usual ponytail and wore a high collar black shirt with the Uchiha fan and black shorts.

"How they doing?" Itachi asked sadly as he scooped himself some soup. "Not so good, I can't seem to snap them out of this funk, especially Sakura. She's in deep. Sasuke's improving so I guess only time can help them now." Kakashi said as he ate lightning fast, Itachi never saw his face.

Itachi nodded and looked down in his soup. "Looks like I actually did lose a brother. But I still have Sasuke, I can help him with his Sharingan." Itachi said determinedly. Kakashi shook his head again sadly. "Never told you, but Sasuke doesn't have the Sharingan. We believe it was destroyed when you used Tsukuyomi on him when he was little." Kakashi said and Itachi's eyes widened slightly.

"I destroyed his eyes, I didn't mean to." Itachi said as he looked at the door leading to the living room. Kakashi patted the man on the shoulder, finished his soup and then left Itachi thinking to himself.

34

Team ten walked to Sasuke's house, intent on checking up on the three of them. Ino was worried about her pink haired friend and was carrying a yellow lily in her arms. "I hope their doing okay." Ino said as she moved to knock on the door as Shikamaru muttered Troublesome, but his eyes said he was worried to. Choji wasn't even munching on a bag of chips and Asuma wasn't smoking at the moment.

"I don't know Ino, Sakura looked absolutely heart broken at the fact that Naruto died." Asuma said as he watched Ino knock on the door and then step back. Asuma was surprised when Itachi opened the door for them. The man looked at Asuma with a blank look and then beckoned them in. "Sorry but if you're here to see Sakura and Sasuke, then your going to have one hell of a time getting them to talk." Itachi said as he led them to a room with a couch and several comfy looking chairs. On one of them was Sasuke, sitting comfortably, staring into nothing, wearing blue striped pajamas. Sakura sat across from him in a relaxed state, her once beautiful long hair, now cut to her shoulders, it looked uneven, and was in pink striped pajamas.

Ino went to Sakura's side and tried to rub a shoulder, but was instantly shot through a wall. Ino climbed out of the wall and went storming over to the pink haired girl. "What the hell was that for Bill-board-brow!" Ino shouted, but got no reply. Itachi sighed and Team ten looked at him. "They haven't been very responsive since the funeral. It's like the off switch has been switched down permanently." Itachi explained.

Ino looked back to Sakura and almost sobbed. Her friend/ rival wasn't going to be much of one now. She was broken into something that no one could fix. Ino again slowly sat next to Sakura. Sakura didn't react and Ino then slowly faced the girl, one leg folding onto the couch.

"Sakura, listen, you have to snap out of this, he wouldn't want you to be like this. You have to come back to us. Don't be like this." Ino begged and she noticed tears fall from Sasuke's eyes. Why was he crying when she was talking to Sakura. "Sakura, please, listen. Let us help you carry your burden. Don't carry this by yourself." Ino said as she laid a hand on Sakura's shoulder.

This time Sakura didn't punch her through a wall. Ino went a step further and embraced the girl in her arms. "It's okay to cry Sakura, but don't' lock your emotions away. I know it hurts now, but it'll get better." Ino said and was happy when she saw Sasuke go over to his older brother and Itachi hugged him, she was especially happy when she felt Sakura wrap her arms around her, and then Ino felt her shoulder get wet.

The sound of two Chuunins, who had just lost family, filled the room, and Team Ten did their best to help them mourn. Kakashi watched with Asuma though, reading his perverted book. Everything would be fine once Sasuke and Sakura mourned their lost. Kakashi was sure of it.

Okay, well, this is the last for now. I won't be home for a week so be patient. I will be back by Sunday. Enjoy your spring break you guys, I'm hitting the road!