Slight blood warning. There's lots of blood/violence in here. Oh, and lots of broken noses ;P
ENJOY!
- - -
Scattered Clouds, Disappearing Mist
Breath
- - -
North Entrance, Hokage Tower, 1700 hours, 3 minutes, 26 seconds.
Suigetsu smiled to himself as the first wave approached, their feet sending ripples scattering over the surface of his water. He assessed them as they drew closer; their weapons drawn and sharp and their minds unclear in their panic.
Well, not necessarily panic, the kappa mused as the ROOT members ran for the entrance, their faces expressionless save for the small frowns pulling down their lips. But can they feel pain?
The shinobi leading the group stepped into his puddle, not noticing as trails of water attached to his leg, wrapping firmly around his ankle.
Just before another could trod over him, Suigetsu shot off the ground, solidifying just as his shoulder knocked into the chest of the closest ninja in his way. His hands flew over the man's vest, slapping hard on the vital points, making the ROOT member drop in less than three seconds.
There was only about seven men so far – one down.
Six verses one. He liked those odds.
The water vine tautened and the leading ninja flew into the air, his legs pulled from under him. Suigetsu hefted his sword and slammed the flat of the blade against the man as the water released him, sending him flying into the row of shinobi.
Five verses one. He liked those odds even better.
A man ran his tanto through the kappa's body and Suigetsu liquefied instantly, his mighty sword sloshing out of his grip. He wrapped himself around the shinobi's neck, beating the point at the juncture just above the shoulders. The ROOT member folded underneath him, sending him spinning off, his foot meeting another's cheek just as his hands fastened themselves around his blade's hilt, mere inches from striking the ground.
Smiling like a maniac, he swung his sword like a baseball bat, striking two more of the men's heads with a flat wall of steel. He resisted the urge to laugh as they fell in boneless heaps to the earth, eying the remaining duo with interest. They were sizing him up, their eyes slipping from him to the door they needed to enter, then to their fallen comrades.
The transmitter on his belt began to screech a long whine, startling the ROOT members out of their reverie. Suigetsu merely smirked and hurled himself at them, blocking a tanto with a kunai, his massive blade bearing down on the head of the other just above him. He kicked outwards, knocking the unconscious man off of him and using the momentum to leap over the one underneath, his heel swiftly cracking the man's cheekbone with a sharp click.
The Council Room exploded, raining debris down on his position. He threw up a wall of water to shield himself and, consequently, the men he'd felled. Frowning at the unconscious show of mercy, he leaned on his sword with a defeated huff, waiting for the rocks to stop falling as a second blast shot the red bits of wall farther out.
Drops of water hit his face as fragments smashed onto his shield before rebounding off, thundering down in deadly chunks before the doorway.
The noise was so deafening, he almost didn't hear the reinforcements coming.
Almost.
- - -
North West Entrance, Hokage Tower, 1700 hours, 3 minutes, 48 seconds.
Hinata slammed her hand into the ROOT member's chest, a rush of chakra careening down her arm and into the man's sternum. His mouth opened in pain and shock as she spun away, a mere unconscious heap on the ground she had to leap over while she swung her leg out, tripping another.
Kunai sang next to her ear and she ducked under the volley, using the momentum to bring her body up next to one of the ninja's, her hands attacking the chakra points, halting the flow. He coughed blood as she brought him down with a blow to his side, her chakra snapping his ribs upon impact.
The remaining eight regarded her carefully, taking note of her Byakugan eyes. Her chakra pulsed and spiked strongly within her as she dropped into her stance, palms outward, brows furrowed in unspoken challenge.
A masked one drew his tanto, his beady black eyes peering at her over the small cutouts in his mask. He charged headfirst before feigning left, another shinobi taking the brief opening to launching himself at her, shuriken gleaming in-between his fingers, poised to strike.
In a blast of chakra, Hinata slapped down on the hilt of the tanto, sending it down and burying deep. She brought her knee up and under the man's chin, her elbow embedding itself into the shuriken-wielder at the same moment. Her body flushed with energy, the force of it leaving her hands blasting the men away from her. The masked man barely caught himself into a crouch while the other hit one of his comrades at the end of the line, bringing him down hard, knocking them both out.
Mask was most definitely the leader here, she asserted, dropping down into her crouch once again. Six more to go.
Three at the end of the miniature formation broke off and bolted for her, one either side and directly in front. Byakugan eyed the door as she blocked a tanto with a kunai, her flat palm pulsing quickly with chakra as she forced the attack upwards, her chakra cracking through his chest. Hooking her feet under him as he fell forward, she barreled backwards, adrenaline lifting the man and shooting him at the one closest to the entrance, slamming hard into his back. They fell in a tangled heap at the door, their unconscious bodies lying at uncomfortable angles against the unforgiving red wall.
Make that four.
The third one knocked the back of her head hard. Hinata saw stars as she hit the ground, rolling as he struck at her again, tanto glinting in the failing light. He slammed the blade down and she moved her head to the left, the deafening ring of the steel burying deep next to her ear echoing fiercely in her mind, blocking out all noise for a few suspended moments in time.
She kicked upwards, catching the man's stomach and knocking the breath out of him. The Hyuuga forced herself upwards and her chakra slammed into his chest, blowing him across the paved way to the heap of his comrades at the door.
Her transmitter screamed urgently. Panting, she threw a protective jutsu over the fallen men just as the Council room exploded, shards of rock and debris raining fast in deadly hail towards her position.
Mask used this opportunity to strike, running for her at breakneck speed, hands flying into seals.
Hinata summoned her chakra to her defense, Byakugan now trained on the falling boulders crashing down. He kicked for her face, fire exploding over his hands. She dodged and rolled from underneath a falling piece of wall, the force of it hitting the earth rattling her clenched teeth.
Pain shot down her arm as flaming fingers fisted onto her shoulder, charring her jacket. Hinata bit back a cry and swept her palm at his face, nicking his nose. She harshly shoved as much chakra she could up into the cartilage, smiling just slightly in triumph as blood spurted down his chin, his grip on her loosening.
Her arm prickled like a hundred thousand needles were being pushed into her skin, but she found, with relief, she could still move it and her chakra flow was unimpeded. Rock fell around them in a steady, crumbling stream but she was ready for it. The blonde bomb-specialist had warned the North West side would get the brunt of the attack, hence why she was defending alone.
She caught one of his blazing fists in her own, barely feeling her flesh start to peel away, a silent prayer on her lips for her two comrades nearest the blast. Did they make it out in time? Was Naruto -?
A boulder screamed down between them, forcing her to let him go. The earth shook as it hit but she kept moving, concentrated chakra tearing into the rock for her opponent on the other side. Her supply was almost gone; she didn't have much longer before she was utterly helpless. She punched through the remaining stone and caught sight of Mask. Yelling in triumph, the Hyuuga slammed her hand down on his sternum, barreling her potent chakra into his system, snapping through bone.
He swiped for her face, blood pooling out of his mouth. She knocked his hand out of the way and punched him full in the nose, breaking it further, making him howl; it was a trick she'd learned from Naruto during one of their training matches, when he'd explained the finer points of 'Naruto-Taijutsu'.
"When nothing else works Hinata-chan, just punch the bastard right in the nose… You'll leave a lasting impression, believe it!"
Thinking of the blonde filled her with strength, and with chakra lacing her foot, she whirled and kicked him hard in the chest, where her previous attack had already done its work. Mask didn't stand a chance.
He hit the ground, already knocked clear out, his body bouncing just slightly on the ground like a rag doll.
She lowered herself down into her stance, eyeing the two still standing. Naruto's name whispered over her lips as the men charged, their footsteps drowned out by the remaining crashes of falling wall.
- - -
South East Wall, Konoha, 1700 hours, 6 minutes, 37 seconds.
Deidara pulled the red swirled mask over his face, his borrowed ANBU gear twisting tightly against his body as he pulled the tie out of his hair. The bomb-specialist quickly shook the long locks as they fell down his neck and fanned across his shoulders, golden blonde standing out against the black shirt underneath the white vest.
Fifteen seconds.
He clicked his transmitter, not bothering to speak to his partner. If the masked boy didn't know what the high-pitched ring was by now it wasn't his problem. Tobi had already told him he was out of the way. Deidara gave enough warnings to the brat anyways.
Ten… nine… eight… seven…
Once more, he made the necessary hand sign, his chakra connecting to the bombs resting within the walls of the Chambers. The rush was a familiar tug on his sanity; this would never get old. Not to him.
Bastards had better not be in the way of my art, un –
Five… four… three…
– stupid Uchiha's anyways.
One…
"KATSU!"
The Council Room detonated, collapsing the entire top of Hokage Tower. Deidara watched in satisfaction as more tags exploded just underneath the Chambers, blowing falling pieces of rubble outwards, saving the lower rooms from collapse. Smoke billowed out like a monster and he smiled at it, dropping from his position on the wall to within a block of the Tower.
"Where are you Tobi, un?" he asked wearily into the transmitter, slinking like a cat around thick briar bushes, careful not to let the thorns stick to him. He immersed himself in the shadows cast by the setting sun against the wall, moving swiftly with relative ease as he made it across a small garden, heading for the outer buildings of the village.
"Position B senpai! Tobi listened well to what senpai told him! Tobi is a good boy right?"
Sighing, he leaned against the cool wall of the first house he found.
I shouldn'thave said that…
"Yes Tobi. Nice work, un."
His partner squealed into the earphone; Deidara winced, rolling the volume to its lowest setting.
"Wait for my signal, un."
"Tobi will not let senpai down!"
Smirking at the mental image of the masked boy saluting the transmitter, the bomb specialist leapt onto the roof of the nearest house, crouching low, eyeing the Tower. Sounds of fighting were evident even this far away. A manic grin grew over his lips.
He turned his head up to the smoking mess left behind from his second masterpiece. Only two of the walls remained firm; the others no more than rubble still crumbling to the ground far below. Nodding once, he gazed down at the road leading directly to the front of the tower.
About twenty shinobi charged down the cobblestone path, weapons drawn.
Deidara laughed behind his mask, the mouths on his hands already forming lethal bombs as he sprinted towards the group. Flipping off the roof, he landed hard on the shoulders of the leading ninjas, screaming his partner's name as he literally threw himself into the battle.
- - -
Southern Forest, Konoha Outskirts, 1700 hours, 32 minutes, 48 seconds.
Danzo nonchalantly wiped the blood off his nose, his uncovered eye locked on the pinkette before him. His previous words hang in the air but she made no response, her emerald eyes blazing with hatred. The sight made him smirk as he pulled her kunai out of the tree trunk, sizing her up.
"It's a shame you chose to betray us and join Akatsuki. You would've flourished well within ROOT."
Sakura huffed, knowing he was buying time. He side was aching and the blood was still flowing, though he could feel his skin beginning to close over the gouge.
"I'd rather die than join your Foundation."
"Too bad."
He hurled the kunai at her face. She stepped sideways at the last minute, barely blinking as it sliced the skin over her cheekbone, tricking blood. Danzo's smirk only grew.
"Hypocrite," he admonished, his hands loosening on his sword's hilt. The dull thud of the kunai once more embedding itself into a tree trunk resonated around them. "My soldiers are trained to be emotionless. You claim you'd prefer to die than join, yet you chose the aid of an emotionless Uchiha, and here you stand, no different than one of my ROOT members."
He didn't even hear her move. Sparks flashed in front of his face as her kunai bore down into the flat of his katana, her eyes murderous as they leapt to his own.
"You're no better than an Uchiha you know?" he sneered down at her face.
She met glare for glare, as though his words were a compliment. Maybe they were by the way she suddenly smirked, the wicked upturn of her lips sending unbidden chills down his spine.
"Better than you."
He swung his blade in a deadly arc, forcing her off. The tip sliced cleanly across her stomach, ripping the scarlet cloud on her cloak in half. Unperturbed, she attacked again the moment her feet hit the earth, her chakra-enhanced strength behind her hand blade. His katana began to creek under the strain.
Danzo raised his elbow and cracked it against her skull, sending her sideways. She managed to deflect a blow to her side from his katana, sending teeth-rattling vibrations up his arms as the kunai rebounded off the bloodstained steel.
"You'll have to do better than that, Akatsuki no Sakura, if you wish to make it out of this alive."
Sakura stood, hands balling into fists. That unsettling grin of hers only grew, a mocking chuckle bubbling its way past her now bleeding lips.
"Who says I want to make it out of this alive, Danzo?" she spat. "What if I planned on dying here? I'd have to wonder… what would you do then?"
Her words slithered under his skin like serpents, just like the Uchiha's had just minutes before, in the Council Chambers. With a shake of his head, he said nothing and readied his katana.
She bit her thumb, drawing blood, before crouching and slapping her hand down hard onto the earth.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
- - -
South East Side, Hokage Tower, 1700 hours, 31 minutes, 29 seconds.
Sasuke snapped his fist into his opponent's nose, relishing the feel of cartilage and bone breaking under his fingers. The man dropped and the Uchiha kicked at another, landing a rather nasty blow to the ninja's neck.
He'd been told to be merciful, but that was before he'd heard it. Those three clicks from Sai. Plan B.
That had been almost twenty minutes ago. Sakura needed him right now, dammit! But ROOT members just kept coming. Of course, he was strictly using taijutsu – his Chidori was best saved for ramming into Danzo's smug face – which only added fuel to his frustration, especially when his enemies didn't drop fast enough.
"Teme, that giant pet snake of yours would really be handy right about now!" Naruto shouted, punching a shinobi out of the way in order to glare at the raven. Sasuke glared right back, the scroll in question hanging uselessly from his belt.
"I would if I could you moron!" he shouted back, backhanding a kunai from his face, his knee knocking his attacker clear out on the ground. "Manda's been sealed away for some reason!"
"But Sakura-chan needs you!"
He whacked his bond brother in aggravation, right on top of his dense blonde head.
"I know that dobe! I'd be at her side right now if these ROOT members stopped appearing out of nowhere!"
Naruto snarled and lunged at an opponent aiming for Sasuke's unprotected side. The kitsune and the attacker barreled to the ground where the blonde punched him hard in the face, the force knocking the man out halfway from a pounding fist and solid stone.
"We've gotta do something teme!"
Sasuke whirled under a horde of shuriken, catching a few and sending them back with equal force.
"Call your toads then!"
Naruto looked at him, incredulous.
"Snakes flatten Sasuke! That's what we need. Flat-ten-ing! We don't need Tower Dominos! Dominos!"
The Uchiha buried a kunai into a man's stomach, hands itching to unsheathe Kusanagi. He growled at the dobe's logic, shuriken flying from his fingertips.
"Yes! An opening! Let's go teme!"
A hand fisted into his jacket, nearly pulling him off balance as Naruto broke into a run, his free hand throwing wild hits at anyone and everyone unlucky enough to be in their way.
Like a steam-engine, Sasuke thought as he was pulled along, the kunai singing on his fingertips as it sliced at arms and weapons aiming for him.
"Whiskers! Uchiha-senpai!"
A wall of earth shot up underneath his feet, listing him forward into the blonde, who was trying his best to stop on the blood-covered ground. They crash-landed on top of one another, a muddled heap that got Juugo chuckling as the rock wall cut off the attacking shinobi, shrouding them in shadow.
"Thanks for the hand Tsubaki-chan!" Naruto chirped as he disentangled himself from the cursing raven.
The blind girl nodded, biting back giggles as the two rivals spat obscurities under their breaths, trying to stand.
Sasuke huffed as he brushed himself off, Sharingan immediately drawn to the pile of unconscious men propped up against the North East Entrance. About ten or so were there, of what he could discern.
He turned his eyes back to his companions. Juugo was resting against a tree, the dark box shapes of his curse seal spread over his skin on the left side of his face. Cuts and gashes were peppered over his arms and chest, his shinobi vest tattered and hanging in shreds. Tsubaki's cheek was scratched and her arm was bleeding, but no other wounds seemed to be harming her. They looked exhausted but fit for more fighting, if a chance came.
"Did you get the message Uchiha-senpai?" the bronze-haired girl asked, motioning to the transmitter hanging halfway off her ear.
"Yeah," he quipped, his frustrations returning. He glared down at Manda's contract.
"Sakura-sama is in the Southern Forest, near the border." She turned her head in Naruto's direction, gaining his attention when she frowned. "Hyuuga-chan is at the North West Entrance. We lost contact with her a few minutes ago."
The blonde jumped, his eyes pleading in a silent scream as they locked onto Sasuke's.
"Keep Naruto away from me…"
"Naruto, go find Hinata and offer assistance if necessary. I'm heading for Sakura."
"Don't lose teme."
"Hn."
Naruto took off running, a worried frown marring his features. Sasuke gave a terse farewell before running back towards the earth wall. He knew this was the fastest way to where Sakura was taking his revenge head on and he would get there. ROOT members be damned.
His feet left the ground and he leaped over the wall, Sharingan blazing down at the shinobi suddenly rapt to his attention. Kusanagi sang in his hands as he pulled it forth, determined to get through.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Sasuke's head snapped up as Sakura's voice whispered over the forest, shaking in the tree tops as it carried on the wind. A second later, a high pitched scream ripped out of his belt, the unearthly sound nearly shattering his eardrums. Manda's contract rattled against the binds of his obi and another fierce cry issued from it. Startled, Sasuke didn't have the time to check his landing, and was forced to roll when he hit to avoid any damage.
What in the hells?
Kusanagi plunged into a shinobi's side just as the contract flew off his belt and forcefully opened in a blinding flash of light.
The entire earth trembled as Manda himself burst from the scroll, his huge, violet, scaly body instantly flattening a path of shinobi as the raging king of serpents shot for the forests, a rumbling snarl hissing from his dripping fangs. Without a second thought, Sasuke grabbed for the enraged snake's tail, crouching low over the whipping appendage. Everything blurred with Manda's speed; everything fell under Manda's might. He'd heard the saying, and so far, it was true.
Sasuke sheathed his katana and gripped onto the oily scales with both hands, every fiber of his being holding on for dear life.
- - -
Naruto Uzumaki smashed his feet into the shinobi's face, knocking the man clear out onto the ground. Kunai flew from his hands as he rushed forward, this thoughts whirling, spinning in wild circuits in his brain.
"We lost contact with her a few minutes ago..."
"We lost contact…
"…lost contact…
"Hinata!"
Her name became a mantra for him, a war cry as he plowed through his opponents. His belt pouch slowly emptied as the weapons inhabiting it flew out of his hands, burying into flesh, scraping over steel. Bones snapped under his fists, blood spurted under his feet as he raced forward, cerulean locked onto the rounded wall of the Tower.
"Yo Blondie!"
Naruto ducked just as a huge sword whipped sideways across his back, crashing into the head of the shinobi behind him. Suigetsu hefted his blade before careening it the opposite way, bowling over more of his appoints with a smirk. The group surrounding the kappa backed off for a few moments, assessing the new addition as he slowly stood.
"Dammit, these fuckers just keep coming!" the swordsman growled, taking the chance to rest against his blade, his wide grin belying the vague irritation in his voice.
"Where's Hinata-chan?"
A kunai skittered off the flat of the blade as violet eyes looked over at him.
"North West Entrance. Over there somewhere."
Suigetsu pointed to his left before slapping his sword down on a ROOT member's shoulders, dropping him like a bad habit. Naruto's final kunai knocked a shuriken out of the air as his gaze followed the kappa's finger. He could see some shinobi break off from the group heading for their position, going where Hinata was supposedly at.
"They've been doing that for a while now," Suigetsu spat as he swung his blade sideways, swiping the barrage of weapons out of the air. "Guess Hyuuga is putting up a good fight."
The blonde nodded even as fear pooled in his stomach, his eyes following the ninjas disappearing around the wall.
Hinata…
"Why are you still standing here, idiot?! Get your ass over there!"
Suigetsu shoved him forward, covering him with a kick to a shinobi's head, throwing off the man's projectory. The shuriken whistled past Naruto's ear as he gained his footing, hesitating for only a moment before taking off again, his empty weapons pouch a dull thud against his hip.
He blew by any others in his way, confident the swordsman would finish them off and raced for the entrance. The ones he'd trailed came into view and he pounced, driving them deep into the ground as he threw himself onto their shoulders. Two collapsed under him and he leapt off, his foot cracking into another's shoulder, sending the man flying into three others.
Without a backward glance, Naruto rushed past them, cerulean fixating on the group surrounding the door. He couldn't see anything in the confusion of their bodies; no traces of navy or lavender anywhere.
Anger laced his veins as he charged, somersaulting into the fray and slicing tendons with his lone kunai. Men fell all around him but he continued forward, attacking in wild abandon, his fists bleeding from the force of his knuckles snapping into bone.
"Hinata!"
Every call was answered with more furious yells on his part. He couldn't see her. Had she fallen?
The very thought tore through him and he screamed his war cry anew, slamming his body into his opponents, sending men flying every which way as adrenaline burned across his skin.
A shinobi sliced at him with his tanto, cutting deeply over the kitsune's arm. Naruto barely felt the pain as he grabbed the man by his collar and tossed him at the wall, his frantic calling nearly obscuring the sound of a body hitting cold stone.
"Hina -!"
A body slammed into his own, knocking into his chest. Air left his lungs in a violent rush as he unconsciously grabbed for the person to maintain his balance, dark navy hair flooding over his face. The familiar scent of lavender filled his nostrils, relief flooding him to the core as he saw familiar Byakugan eyes and pale cheeks over quickly rising shoulders.
"Hinata!"
The thud of metal hitting flush resonated in his ears as the Hyuuga lurched against him, a tanto burying deep into her stomach. Horror swept down his body as his hands flew to her waist, her blood pooling over his skin in a sickening flow. Her attacker smirked and pulled his hand back, a chakra thread latching onto the handle and wrenching out the short blade.
Hinata jerked, crimson bubbling down her chin. An alarm screamed in his mind, terror turning his blood to ice. His breath stopped as he gripped her wound, pushing down on it in a desperate attempt to halt the alarming surge of warmth, the feel of thick scarlet oozing between his fingers making him want to vomit.
Kyuubi was laughing at him, the low tremors echoing around his quickly beating heart. His grip tightened.
Her voice was hoarse, her words thick with blood.
"N… Naruto… kun…"
She went slack in his embrace and he screamed.
- - -
Akatsuki no Sakura slowly straightened from the ground, staring emotionlessly at Danzo as the man bit out a harsh laugh.
"Was that supposed to do something?" he reproached, his katana lowering to the ground in a weary trek.
"Actually yes, bastard."
Danzo jumped as another Sakura appeared behind him, her elbow cutting across for his face. He ducked and the clone jumped forward, snagging his katana. He plunged a kunai into her back and the doppelganger dispersed in a cloud of smoke, the blade whistling as it flipped through the air. With an air of eased grace, Sakura caught it by the hilt, dropping into a crouch with her other hand resting against the tip of the sword.
"Impressive," the Elder sighed.
A smile was her only answer.
She felt the earth beneath her feet begin to tremble, just as it had been since her jutsu had taken affect. She could feel the hatred of the snake bearing down towards her, the angry snap of trunks dislodging under his might shaking the forest.
Sensei, you'd better had been right about this. I'm really not in the mood to become snake food.
Sakura pulled at her chakra, focusing it into the blade where it began to hum through the metal. She pressed more directly underneath her cursed mark as well as the swirling seal where Orochimaru had lost his powers to her.
"Hope you know how to move quickly," she spat at the man, the crashing of trees more apparent as Manda came closer. He was bracing himself up against a tree, fighting to remain upright as an earthquake erupted beneath their feet. "This is about to get real ugly."
The pinkette widened her stance, her chakra a steady green glow around her body.
She smiled as she sensed a familiar presence at the end of Manda's tail. She sent a gentle prayer to the Uchiha as the forest before her split in half, and Manda himself snarled down at her, his yellow eyes furious as he struck.
Her feet dug into the earth as the serpent slammed his fangs against the sword, his noxious breath racking through her hair when he screamed in fury. She was barely taller than his lower lip; each fang equaled at least one Sasuke.
Sakura bit back a curse as Manda bore down on her. Her katana bent threateningly as she dared a second to slam her chakra filled fist onto one of the serpent's fangs.
He shrieked, pulling away from her just long enough for her to roll out of reach. She saw Sasuke out of the corner of her eye, racing for her, but she had no time to even think his name as Manda attacked her again, his tail lashing out in frustration as she leapt from the range of his fangs, clearing a valley within the wood. The snake's wild movements kept Danzo in place, a protective charm rising up around him almost instantly as trees were thrown into the air like twigs.
"Pathetic human girl!"
Manda's livid voice further shook the clearing. He slammed his tail in front of her, impending her escape.
"How dare you summon me, the Great Manda!"
Arrogant as always… like Orochimaru…
Sakura stared into his inhuman eyes, revealed in the hate she saw there.
"How dare I summon you?" she mocked, dropping into a defensive stance. "Has the Great Manda forgotten the hundred men I slew just to gain his contract?"
His only response was a strangled hiss and a venomous attack. His fangs once more bore down on the sword, slowly pushing her backwards with his might.
"The impudence! Orochimaru was right about your evil mind, Akatsuki no Sakura!"
She snorted straight into his face, chakra blazing at the ready.
This was it… just a little more…
"Hardly. I was always evil. The two of you were just too stupid to realize it." Bingo.
"SILENCE!"
Sasuke came into her line of vision just as Manda struck. She threw a kunai at the ground to halt his racing feet, sending an apologetic smile to the Uchiha's stunned face as the great serpent's fangs snapped shut around her, obscuring her in darkness.
"Sakura!"
She could hear him yelling her name through the dense skin of the snake's mouth, and bit her lip in further atonement. Manda's chuckle reverberated around the cavern, threatening to throw her off balance. She had no time.
"SHANNARO!"
With chakra flaring down her hands, she plunged the sword into the roof of his mouth, her hands instantly staining a black crimson. Manda shrieked and flung his head from side to side; his lower jaw dropped from underneath her and she gripped the katana, shoving it farther up until it fastened itself into firm bone, keeping her in place.
The great serpent writhed in anger, his body jerking and rolling, flattening the forest into a prairie within moments. Sasuke was still shouting for her, voice urgent; Danzo's shield was still flared, his body firmly pressed against a tree, trying to be as invisible as possible.
Blood coated her fingers and she reached up to the rough skin of the serpent's mouth, quickly drawing symbols in a wide circle. She used the katana as a balance that she rotated on, painting a seal. One hand-sign later, and the serpent recoiled in sudden pain, his jaws snapping shut once again, giving her second footing.
Her hands blurred as she attached her chakra to the markings, the seal beginning to glow. Manda screamed in agony, his fangs flashing as he tried to bite her, throwing back his massive head to knock her into his throat.
Fueled on by the strength Sasuke's voice carried, she wrenched the sword free, barely flinching as a waterfall of thick blood cascaded down on her, sizzling against her cloak, burning down her skin. The serpent jerked beneath her, and she gripped the roof of his mouth with a blazing hand, a feral smile slicing over her mouth.
"Your chakra is mine Manda," she snarled to the snake, her own seal exploding over her flesh.
"Cursed girl!"
Golden eyes stared down the massive cavern, black sockets rolling with sudden pleasure.
So this is what Manda's power feels like, Sakura marveled in growing delight.
"Fare thee well Great Manda," she mocked, slamming the katana into his lower jaw, adding to the ocean of blood filling the cavern. "Juin no gyakushū." (1)
He shrieked. Tainted crimson soaked into her maroon skin, evaporating instantly. Her curse marks reappeared and morphed, reaching for her eyes. Slanted black lined the golden orbs, stretching down the bridge of her nose. Her eyes flickered in a demonic light, the rounded pupil stretching vertical like an arrow, forming a snake's eye. Power flushed her body; her chakra supply doubled until her skin tingled and stretched taut, trying to keep it in. The sensation was so powerful she screamed, her cry mingling with Manda's as the giant snake collapsed, his dying breath tainted with damnation.
He hit the earth with a shattering rumble, gouging the ground with the force. Dust flew every which way, slapping Sasuke's cheeks as he held his hands before him, shielding his face. He could see the violet of the snake's scales draining to a pale ashen powder; Sharingan traced the flow of chakra as it left the serpent, draining the very essence of the snake… straight into the pinkette.
Sakura's teeth clenched determinedly as he fell, throwing herself against the corpse's lips. Her arms shook as she forcefully pulled Manda's lips apart, breathing deeply the clear air as she stepped out of the soiled mouth in a wash of blood.
Cursed energy swirled around her before settling into her skin. Blackish fluids dripped off her in harmless streams, sizzling and hissing upon contact with the ground. She regarded Sasuke carefully as she walked from the carnage, taking note of his surprise at her appearance. Sending a smile to him when she passed, she turned her cursed eyes on Danzo, mentally calculating the equivalency her chakra supply was now compared to the Elder's. She had enough; Sasuke's was about the same. It was a promise of a good fight.
Now to business…
She pointed the katana at the ROOT leader as though nothing had just occurred, a sneer pulling her lips across.
"Let's dance."
- - -
NaruHina lovers… grab the nearest tissue box. It's gonna be one for the record books. ;)
- - -
Hinata Hyuuga forced her eyes open as the warm arms carrying her placed her on the cool ground, shaking hands softly trembling off her body. A strangled groan brought her attention up to a mass of blonde hair, and she gasped, the waft of breath gliding over her cracked lips.
"N-Naruto… kun…?"
He didn't seem to hear her. His growling only intensified into a full-borne snarl that turned her insides to ice. His skin was starting to glow in an eerie red light, his chakra spiking and howling around him.
Kyuubi…?!
Naruto stood from her body, turning towards the ROOT members surrounding them. Crimson bled into his eyes as he locked onto the one holding his tanto out. His fists clenched tightly, his claws digging easily into the skin, drawing a rain of blood.
"You monster!" he snapped, his voice rumbling dangerously. "You'll pay for what you did to Hinata!"
The Hyuuga winced, her heart breaking as the docile tones she loved so much disappeared into the range of the animalistic. She could feel his anger like a tangible presence, but she knew it was the fox speaking. Not Naruto. Never Naruto.
Stop! Please…!
But he was heedless to her silent cries. He lunged for the man, ripping the short blade out of the shinobi's hands instantly. Revenge was a white hot fire lacing up his arms, down his legs, across his chest. He yelled in a fury and swiped for the man's face, his claws creating nasty lines across the pale cheek.
The men were backing away from him; they knew that red chakra. Naruto only growled, his eyes still burning into the ninja trying to crawl away.
His anger bloomed as Hinata's pale, bloody face entered his mind. He readied his claws, poised for the kill.
This man would pay. No one hurt his special person like that. No one.
"Die."
Arms circled his chest, just under his arms, stopping his attack. They held onto him fast, the scent of lavender stilling his angry body instantly.
"Please… Naruto-kun… please stop…"
Hinata's voice was muffled against his jacket. He could feel her warm breath as it seeped through the fabric to his skin. A shiver rippled through is body at the feeling.
"But… they –"
Her hands tightened their hold against him, until she could feel his rapid heartbeat against her fingers.
"I know… what they did… but they're backing off…"
And it was true. The ROOT members were sending him scathing looks but no longer attacking, their hands raised in surrender as they slowly backed away from the snarling kitsune.
"Mercy… Naruto-kun…"
He sighed and clasped her small hands in his, closing his eyes and willing his anger away. Her steady breathing soothed his nerves, aiding his mental battle with the Kyuubi as he forced the red chakra back down to the seal. The loss of power left him light-headed and dizzy, but he remained firm, strangely content in her arms.
For you… anything.
Cerulean leapt back to the remaining men. With a growl he wordlessly ordered them away, and to his satisfaction, they took their chance, walking off with their fallen comrades in an effort to appease him.
"Thank you… Naruto… kun…"
Her grip loosened and she fell like a lifeless doll, her knees buckling out from under her. He spun and caught her, cradling her to his chest as he hit his knees.
"Oh gods… Hinata!"
Her wound still bled in profuse streams, a growing stain over her ruined jacket, soaking into his own. He could see the scarlet footprints leading to their position from where she'd stumbled over, just to stop him. She coughed, a lodge of scarlet oozing out of her lips. Panic seized him where his anger had been, choking him, strangling him. He held onto her with every fiber of his being.
"Hinata, you gotta use that medical jutsu!"
A smothered noise wrenched in her throat. She shook her head, burying her face into his chest against the pain.
"…not enough… chakra…" she rasped against his skin. He grabbed her hand, placing it over the wound.
"Use mine."
The gesture made her blush slightly but her gaze was already dimming. She could feel the damage with every intake of air. Her medical training wasn't complete. She didn't want to waste his chakra… he needed it, all of it. He was destined for greater things; she was nothing but a failure. Hinata was content to die here, knowing he was safe, warm in his arms. She shook her head again, taking in his beautiful eyes.
"No… Naruto-kun…"
"Please."
Her heart cracked at his simple request. His tears fell onto her face in careless abandon. Anguish lined his face and she bit her lip. He wasn't supposed to care so much. He wasn't supposed to be sad like this only for her. It was too out of this world.
"Please…!"
She concentrated on the jutsu she'd read in one of the Academy's textbooks. It was a simple enough technique, but she wasn't confident it would work against her injuries. Still…
His hand tightened around her own. Blood bubbled out from between the contact.
…to fail him now would be unforgivable.
"Ok… Naruto-kun… I'll try…"
His smile was like the sun on her face. The glow of their chakra warmed her entire body, entwining them together like a blanket wrapped around their shoulders. She closed her eyes in concentration, her other hand coming up to take his. Silence fell between them for a few moments, peaceful and comfortable.
"Hinata…" came the whisper at her ear, sending tremors rocketing down her spine, "why'd you do it?"
Her eyes lifted to his, too tired to process his message.
Naruto noticed her uncertainty and smiled slightly with a sheepish tilt in the corners of his lips.
"Sorry. What I meant was… why did you block that attack from hitting me? You could've… you…" he swallowed, as if just saying his worst fear would make it come true.
She felt a heat dust over her cheeks, her heart beginning to pound. His worried expression hovered mere inches above hers, forcing her concentration back onto the jutsu.
"I… I was just being… selfish," she finally managed, sighing into his jacket.
Her voice sounded raspy to her own ears, her usual stutter replaced by tired pauses as she struggled with her deepest secret, almost not believing it was leaving her mouth so easily.
He frowned in confusion.
"What…?"
The gentle hum of the healing jutsu murmured between them as Hinata steeled herself, forcing her eyes to his, a tender smile on her face.
"I… I used to always cry and give up... I nearly went the wrong way... but you... you showed me the right way..."
One of her hands lifted to his face, cupping the warm whisker marks.
"I was always chasing you... wanting to overtake you... I just wanted to walk with you... I wanted to be with you..."
He leaned into the contact, eyes wide as tears fell free.
"Hinata-chan…"
"You changed me Naruto-kun…" she continued, her own tears mixing with his as they fell down her face. "Your smile saved me… so you need to know that… I'm not afraid to die protecting you… that's why I stopped them from hurting you…"
The glow of the jutsu wavered just slightly, mirroring the shock lining his features.
"But… why?"
His face was very close to hers now she noticed. With growing courage, she tilted his head down and pressed her lips to his, her smile brushing against his flushed skin. He blinked in shock and she breathed in deeply, her fragrance pure velvet and lavender on his flesh. She was shaking as she pulled away and his hold on her tightened, the jutsu somehow maintained between them.
Her voice whispered over his mouth, warmed his heart and captured him in peace as he stared, unbelieving, down at the girl in his arms.
"Because I… love you... Naruto …"
- - -
Alright, take a moment. Let it settle… breathe…
*one second later*
ZOMG SHE DID IT! YES THAT TOTALLY JUST HAPPENED!
*cough*
…erm. Now that that is out of my system… heh… heh… let's continue shall we?
*face palm*
- - -
Sasuke Uchiha gasped for breath as Sakura rebounded off Danzo's shield, her death grip on the stolen katana finally wrenched from her fingertips. She knocked into him, coughing blood as he caught her, his hands on her shoulders, holding her steady.
The forest behind them was barely recognizable. The combined strength of their attacks had torn a whole into the earth, flattening the woods into a wide, ripped road.
Though they had managed to back the Elder clear to the canyon just beyond, Danzo still remained standing, beads of sweat on his brow, his bandages falling freely from his face. Sakura's curse mark began to recede, the grey maroon color draining down to black vines crawling across her skin. Her eyes were emerald and pained as she braced herself against him, her shredded cloak hanging off her tiring body in tatters.
"Damn. He blocks everything we throw at him," she hissed, more to herself than to him. "Itachi-sensei wasn't lying." He merely nodded into her hair, Sharingan locked onto the Elder with severe distaste.
Sakura held up her bleeding hands, the gloves ripped from where the katana had flown from her grip. His eyes were drawn to the red on her skin, the sight boiling his already spiked hatred.
"With that katana we have serious problems now."
Once more he nodded, his ribs aching from where Danzo had sliced into his side with a kunai, his calf throbbing in painful remembrance of a deft heel determined to break the bone.
They stood together as Danzo tested the sword in his hands, reveling in the feel of the familiar steel in his hands once again.
"Is that all you got?" he asked them, masking his fatigue. They were stretching him to his limits.
Sakura scoffed.
"In your dreams grandpa."
Then they were charging him; a flash of scarlet and black on his left, pink to his right. He focused his chakra into his hands, a forceful wind blowing quickly off his fingertips, singing against his blade. Within the blink of an eye, he was slicing for the Uchiha's stomach, the metallic twang of his sword meeting a split-second kunai block resounding before his kick sent the raven sprawling backwards. Only a second had passed, so quick were his movements, that Sakura barely saw Sasuke shooting away before a foot slammed into her temple.
Stars popped before her eyes, making her blink fiercely against the wind blowing into her. Danzo's sword carved into her side and across, making her spit blood as she tried to dodge. He found the scruff of her neck and tossed her aside, a crumpled heap next to the raven.
"Sakura!"
She forced herself up, her hands already pulling the last of her cursed chakra into a healing jutsu. The wound scabbed over and she pulled away, gasping for breath. Sasuke's warm hand was on her shoulder as he crouched behind her.
"Next plan…?"
I have to do it now… or we'll have no chance.
Sakura leaned back into the Uchiha, muttering under her breath.
"Follow my lead."
He nodded against her neck.
"Too slow!"
Danzo was suddenly before them, katana swinging down for the kill. Without hesitation, she reached behind her and pulled Kusanagi from its sheath, the tip of the attacking blade screaming against the flat of steel. Sparks flew as the Elder bore down, pinning her slowly down.
Sasuke whirled and kicked him hard in the chest, freeing her. He staggered backwards and the Uchiha attacked again, shuriken flying in a wave before him. A flash of red caught his eye from underneath the bandages, and with shock, he saw Sharingan staring steadily back at him.
Rage filled him at the simple thought his clan's kekkei genkai was in the man who'd betrayed them. He swung his foot at the man's chest, ignoring the biting pain as his bruised leg bones screamed upon impact.
Danzo tumbled down before jumping backwards with a grace unused to age. Sasuke drove a kunai into his shoulder before a blast of wind blew him aside, where he hit the flat surface of a rock, his breath living his lungs in a painful rush. Sakura was at his side in an instant, sliding her hand down Kusanagi's edge, her blood flowing steadily down the blade.
"Sakura… what…?"
She didn't answer, her stormy gaze thundering Hell at the man picking himself off the ground near the edge of the canyon.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Kusanagi buried deep into the ground, her blood pooling down to the rocks. The earth began to rumble in violent quakes; each pebble and shard of rock danced on the ground in time to the vibrations. He stared in surprise as Sharingan caught the faint glimmer of chakra threads slithering into the soil beneath them, heading straight for Danzo.
"Ten Thousand Fangs!"
Black snakes erupted from the ground, fangs dripping venom as they latched themselves to Danzo's legs, his arms, his waist, holding him in place. His sword swung out, decapitating a few of the oily serpents but soon he was overrun, three snakes sliding up the blade of his katana, their venomous hisses forcing him to drop his weapon.
Sakura offered her hand to Sasuke, pressing Kusanagi into his palm.
"Now's your chance. Send a Chidori into the sword and stab him. My blood will act like a conductor, leading your chakra straight into his blood stream. Got it?"
He nodded an affirmative, gripping the familiar hilt with sure hands.
"I'll do my best to hold his attention and give you an opening. I only have enough chakra to do this once, so don't miss."
He smirked at the mischievous smile on her lips, unable to stop himself.
"I never miss."
She ran towards the pile of snakes, kunai whirling. Danzo blocked them away with more chakra wind, his Sharingan seeing through her every move. Sakura hid a smile at the irony.
She backhanded the Elder, the movement nearly knocking the bandages clear off his head. His own fist flew for her face and she ducked sideways, aiming an attack from behind.
"Now Sasuke!"
The Uchiha lunged forward, Chidori igniting down his hands and into his blade. He saw the shock in Danzo's eyes and marveled in the sudden fear.
Yelling in triumph, he swung his sword before him, stabbing forward, his blade alive with electricity…
Sakura felt a pull on her arm and she found herself being flown back to Danzo's front within seconds, her snakes disappearing in a brilliant cloud of smoke, landing before him just as Sasuke's sword struck true. Blood pooled down her mouth as Chidori snapped off with a sudden jolt and she listed forward, gagging.
But she pulled her hands from behind her, grinning in pained triumph.
"Got ya… bastard…"
Her fingers were splayed, her arms reaching out sideways. Chakra strings laced from each fingertip, wrapping around Danzo's form, pinning him firmly against her back. Kusanagi was buried deep into her stomach where it ran clear out through, stabbing the Elder as well.
Sasuke was only a breath away from her and she smiled for him, even as each jerk of the man behind her trying to pull away made more scarlet streams ooze from her mouth and onto the blade.
"…finish it Sasuke," she told him gently, wincing at the agony in his onyx eyes.
He shook at her words, his head already shaking in disobedience.
"No. Sakura-!"
Her hands clasped his own, the chakra strings stretching to her needs. His flesh was warm enough for her to feel the chill of her own. She squeezed reassuringly.
"You wanted your revenge… right? Finish it."
His grip tightened under her touch. His knuckles went bleach white.
"No… I can't…"
"Sasuke, look at me."
He tore his gaze away from her wound and met her eyes. Her peaceful smile unnerved him, his chest lurching painfully with each tear that fell down her cheek, mixing with blood.
"This is what Itachi died for… what I'm dying for."
He wanted nothing more than to pull away, but her fingers held him fast. Her blood kept him from screaming. Her tears kept his sanity from tearing out his eyes from the shear horror of it all.
Danzo struggled against her back. Sakura bit back a scream as she gagged.
"Now Sasuke! Please!"
He closed his eyes, trying to find the remains of his strength. His chakra burned hotly underneath his skin, raging like a caged dragon.
"I can't hold on much longer. Do it now!"
He was killing her. His fault. His doing.
Forgive me…!
"Sasuke!"
Her smile for him. Her words left unspoken. Only for him.
He screamed as the pressure built, his chakra exploding from within.
"Chidori!"
The rushing current slammed out of his hands, drowning out all sound, all feeling. A shroud of white enveloped them as the electricity raced down the blood-stained sword, slicing cleanly through flesh and bone.
The rush of pure energy shot him backwards, his hands ripped from Sakura's, his back scraping harshly across the graveled cliff. His head collided with the rock he'd been introduced to only moments before, and he lay stunned, blinking the blinding white away from his eyes.
Then his mind came alive. Sakura. Where was Sakura?!
The demons in his mind chanted to themselves in glee you killed her. You killed her. You killed her!
"Sakura!"
Two forms lay across him, one the smoking remains of what he could only assume was Danzo, the other nearly dangling off the cliff's edge, a hint of pink splayed over rock in a boneless heap.
No… no!
He half crawled, half sprinted to her side, his hands shaking as he reached out to her form, his eyes already searching for a sign of life.
No…!
He rolled her over and pulled her to his chest, his trembling fingers immediately seeking a pulse underneath her matted cloak. Frustrated and terrified, he stopped hassling with trying to pry the cloth away and pressed his cheek to her lips, every inch of him hoping, praying, she'd be breathing.
Her raspy breath caressed his skin, a fine mist of scarlet peppering over his flesh. Relief flooded through him, and he pulled her closer until her head rested against his collarbone and her breath wafted over his neck.
He counted each breath; each pull of air proof that she was alive, that she was ok.
"Sakura."
He shook her gently, assessing her injuries. Blood pooled underneath her and he called her name again, trying to keep his voice under control. She needed medical jutsu, immediately. He didn't even want to think about the amount of damage his Chidori caused.
"Sakura!"
She groaned against him and he immediately stilled his hand, choosing instead to peer down at her face, the hint of a smile playing on his lips. Sakura blinked a few times before meeting his gaze, her own mouth turning upwards into a smile.
"Hi…" she whispered, her voice hoarse as she cupped his cheek with a warm hand.
He gripped it gently, gazing down at his pinkette.
"Hi yourself."
The sound of metal striking rock drove their gazes apart to see a scroll rolling away from Danzo's remains. Strange markings were painted on the sides, and one of the corners was on fire, the flame twisting quickly around the parchment. It rolled right for them.
"Oh shit."
The words had barely left her mouth before Sasuke found himself being forcefully pushed away by her hands, his body barreling backwards off a slanted rock.
The scroll exploded before he could blink, before he could comprehend what had just happened. The force of the blast scattered rocks into the air, raining down in a sharp hail. Slabs of rock gave way at the edge, falling down the canyon. Sakura reached out for grip as the rock underneath her gave way, sending her sliding off the cliff.
"Sakura!"
He fell to his stomach and slid across the rocks, his hand clasping hers firmly just as her body disappeared off the ledge. His muscles screamed as she jerked to a stop, hanging limply over the canyon.
"I got you. Just hold on."
His other hand tried to gain a stable hold on the ledge to his left, but the movement caused his body to list forward, his toes digging into rock to keep himself on top of the cliff.
He knew the situation was hopeless, but since it was for Sakura, he'd give tooth and nail to see it though. And dammit, he would see this through!
"Sakura, bring up your other hand! I need you to pull yourself up!"
She merely stared up at him, her emerald eyes blazing quietly. He read the sadness there, as well as penance. She knew the situation was just as hopeless. She didn't do as he said but continued to stare up at him, memorizing his face.
"Dammit Sakura. Please! Just hang in there!"
He saw her eyes change. A gentle smile eased over her mouth, her eyes shown with forgiveness. He stiffened before frantically tightening his hold on her hand.
Unbidden, Itachi's face appeared in his mind, just before his aniki had died. It was a perfect match.
Suddenly he understood.
"Sorry Sasuke… there won't be a next time…"
He was terrified.
Her own grip lifted off his palm and she slowly slid downwards, leaving a trail of crimson in her wake across his skin.
His pleas echoed around the canyon but she did not hear nor heed his requests. Her lips softened in farewell.
Her fingers smeared down his own and then she was falling, her eyes closed in peace.
All he could do was watch her fall, his hand hanging loosely over the edge, where she had been.
Where she wasn't… anymore.
- - -
(1) Juin no gyakushū = Cursed Seal Counterattack.
- - -
(A/N: OMG I can't believe I got this done. 20 pages, two days, over 9500 words! This is the longest, saddest chappie in the history of any of my stories. I hope the length – or content – didn't kill you too much. Thanks for all of you who rode it out to the end. I'm sure everyone wants to kill me now after that last part, but now you know how the prologue ties into the story! I suggest you read it again. Hopefully it's pretty seamless transition… I was just going by memory at that last bit. I hope you all enjoyed the read! Next chapter is the last! Until next time! R&R plz!)