Chapter 54 – Why Did I Let You Go?
Shit…
Ignoring the aching of her body was becoming impossible. Chakra exhaustion was creeping up on her, the link between herself and Katsuyu sapping her of strength. Her attacks weren't as powerful as they usually were for fear of wasting chakra and she had a sinking feeling that she was going to be rendered useless long before the ambush was over.
They needed the evacuation to be complete. Only then could the village fight at its maximum strength. Only then would the deadliest of their shinobi be unleashed on the enemy – they wouldn't even know what hit them. Until then, they had to endure. It probably seemed ridiculous keeping their best assets out of the battle, but they had to. For the sake of the civilians who had yet to be evacuated. It was simply one of the rules they had to abide by. Fighting as fiercely as they currently were was already going against said rule. People like herself, Itachi, Shisui and even Sasuke shouldn't be involved already.
Her thigh stung horrifically as she skidded in the dirt, narrowly avoiding the barrage of kunai aimed for her. They were attacking her in platoons, having learned from their earlier mistakes of fighting her one-on-one. Not only was it pointless, but it was a waste of their numbers. All she could do in that moment was dodge their attacks. Going against so many was a waste of her own chakra – she wouldn't land any hits and any damage she sustained would be serious, meaning she would have no choice but to heal it immediately. Dodging was all she could do until she found her opening.
The biggest one was also the weakest, she soon discovered. While he surely dealt the greatest damage, he lacked the speed to keep up with his platoon. To try and resolve the issue, three others protected him while he attacked. There was still an opening, however. One of them wasn't a team player and while it wasn't obvious to an amateur, she spotted the tell-tale signs. If the guy saw an opening for her, he didn't think twice about taking it, going against the rest of the team's combo attacks. It seemed like part of the attack, but she could tell it wasn't from the subtle shifts in their dynamics. The one to the right had to readjust his positioning for the bigger attacks, whereas the one to the front often had to dodge at the last second to avoid being harmed.
Running further from her comrades wasn't an option. If she needed assistance then they wouldn't be capable of getting to her on time. They'd already pushed her back further than she felt comfortable with. Falling into a defensive stance, Sakura panted for breath, body ready for whatever attack they had waiting for her. There wasn't a chance to look around herself for the others – they were all too busy with their own battles.
How much longer could she withstand the assault? She'd already used Sōzō Saisei. The effects hadn't hit her yet, but she knew they would. Probably at the worst possible moment, too. It always did.
Narrowing her eyes on the other half of the platoon, she shifted in her stance. One of them was gathering a large amount of chakra – no doubt the big guy again. Taking him out was her main priority, but how? Getting through his bodyguards was proving to be a difficult, bordering on impossible, task.
She smirked, unnerving them.
It was a good thing she was persistent. Sakura simply wondered which would last longer: her persistence or her ability to move once the effects kicked in.
Now!
Ducking, she deflected the kunai aimed for her face, flicking the man between the eyes. He was thrown over the ledge of the platform, falling to his death, but she didn't focus on him as she spun, dealing another fatal blow to the fool attempting to sneak up on her.
The Uchiha brat was good – not that she'd ever doubted his ability. Unlike his older brother, who was naturally a genius, he had to work hard. She appreciated that about him. It was, perhaps, the only thing she respected about him, as harsh as that sounded. He pushed himself to get to where he was. He was also a major help to the battle. Someone she felt confident in. He would fight alongside her until the bloody end.
Everyone was evacuated from the hospital. That point was proven as the deadlier ANBU operatives made themselves known, taking only a second to assess the situation before they were launching their merciless attacks. Had it been herself giving the orders, she would have had them joining the battle long before now. However, she knew it was protocol. They had to ensure the villagers wouldn't be harmed. They were the main priority. After all, what was the point in saving their village if everyone died in the crossfire?
She darted through a large group of enemies, palms slamming at the backs of their necks. It took Uchiha a few seconds to realise what she had done, but once he had, he acted quickly, unleashing a devastating ball of fire that encased them.
"How long can you keep this up?" she asked him once they were given a moment to breathe. "If your stamina is anything like your brother's-"
Red and black eyes narrowed with annoyance, his upper lip curling as he muttered in response, "I am not my brother."
Oh? Tsunade smirked. Perhaps he would become more useful to the battle than she originally thought. "Very well." Addressing the slug on her shoulder, she asked, "How are they, Katsuyu?"
Having long lost her haori, the slug clung onto her shoulder the best she could during the battle. Usually, Katsuyu hid beneath it. There was no room for her to do that with Tsunade's shirt. "Rin-chan is unconscious, though almost healed. Sakura-chan has closed all wounds successfully and repaired her lungs."
"She drained them of the blood, too?"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
Due to being connected with the contract, and having opened a connection with the pair, Tsunade was capable of viewing every injury Katsuyu assisted with in terms of healing. "And Naruto?" She pretended not to notice the Uchiha's interest in her words. "How is he doing?"
"Although he received a deadlier blow, it appears the Kyuubi worked simultaneously with Sakura-chan and myself, Tsunade-sama. Without its assistance, I would never have allowed Sakura-chan to continue, as it would merely be a waste of chakra and potentially life draining for her."
Yes, that was what Tsunade had believed, too. Having no idea the Kyuubi would step in to help Naruto, she had been devastated upon seeing the damage. No one could survive an attack like that. His chest was ripped open – the only thing keeping his organs inside being the way he landed and the way he was handled afterwards. His neck had been torn open, too. He'd been dead before he even hit the ground – or so she had thought. It seemed the Kyuubi had stemmed the bleeding from the moment he was struck. Was it self-defence? Did it do it for Naruto's sake?
It didn't matter. What mattered was that Naruto was going to make a full recovery. "Take Rin to the shelters where my patients are, Katsuyu. As for Naruto, take him to the previous Uchiha clan leaders. They will watch over him."
Rage flitted over Sasuke's features as he turned on her, snarling, "My father is in no fit state-"
"He is and will always be a valued member of Konoha," she cut him off firmly, honey brown eyes hardening on him. "Do not think that he is weak simply because he can no longer see. If anything, it makes him more dangerous, you fool."
"T-Tsunade-sama…"
"How the hell is he supposed to control the Kyuubi without his Sharingan?" he demanded, fists clenching. "What if it takes over Naruto's body while he's so weakened? You're putting everyone in danger."
"Tsunade-sama…"
"I know what I'm doing," came her angered response. If that brat wasn't careful, he was going to be the next one flying over the ledge of the platform. She would take great pleasure in it, too. Smart mouthed brat. "You-"
"Tsunade-sama!" Katsuyu snapped, finally gaining their attention as they stared down at the slug in shock. "Naruto-kun is…"
"Is what?" Sasuke questioned, eyes widening slightly.
Was Tsunade imagining the open display of worry? She smirked at the sight and turned her back on him, sensing what was amiss through her connection to Katsuyu. Sitting down, she beckoned the ANBU ordered to protect her to come closer while she opened the healing network once more, eyes shutting in concentration.
"Don't worry, Uchiha," she told him smugly. "Naruto's alive."
He sheathed his katana and took a step towards her, though couldn't get any closer due to her guard. "Then what's going on?"
Her smirk widened. "He's pissed – that's what's happened."
Even though her eyes were shut and her back was to him, Tsunade could sense the deadpan on his face and it amused her to no end. "W-What?"
Their trump card was back in the game.
A loud yell of anger exploded from him as he launched himself towards the main battle, somehow finding the strength to finish his transformation by the time he reached them.
Using the tails of the Kyuubi, Naruto instructed them to restrain the struggling Nibi who'd caused his mother a world of pain, his blue eyes narrowed with hatred as his grip tightened.
"Naruto, you-"
He paid his mother no mind. Didn't give Shisui the time of day as the man offered his assistance. Like hell he needed help taking down the coward in his grip. She knew she was screwed if he transformed and as a jinchūriki herself, she knew how vulnerable they were while transforming. Naruto hadn't known until Gaara warned him about it – reminding him of the chūnin exams and the way Sasuke had broken his armour, cutting off the transformation before it was complete. Due to Sasuke's Chidori, Gaara had been helpless. Together, he and Gaara had been working on ways to complete the transformation without leaving themselves open and defenceless. They'd yet to find a way.
There was a cry of happiness behind him – no doubt his mother. Again, he didn't pay any attention and instead held out his hand, gaze settled on the murderous eyes of the Nibi.
"You hurt my mom," he muttered dangerously. "You killed Rin-o-nee-san."
"Bastard-"
"Shut the hell up," snapped Naruto and in response to his anger, the Kyuubi began powering up, opening its mouth threateningly. "I don't wanna hear it."
The struggling increased tenfold once the Nibi discovered what he was about to do, but still, it was nothing compared to his own strength.
"You came to my village…"
In the Kyuubi's mouth, a great ball began to form.
"You hurt my friends…"
He grit his teeth against the monstrous strength and in a bid to keep the damage to his own village minimal, he raised the Nibi into the air, staring up at it coldly.
"I won't ever forgive that!"
He couldn't hear the relieved cheering of his comrades as the beast bomb slammed into the Nibi, sending it soaring into the sky and way out of the village. The following explosion was enough to knock many off their feet, but he was quick to catch the flying shinobi with his tails, easing them down safely.
"We should assist Gai-san and Lee-kun," his mother chimed in quietly.
It was odd seeing her use the Kyuubi transformation. Until that point, she had never seen eye-to-eye with the Kyuubi. She wasn't able to wield its power without losing consciousness. Yet she was standing before him, standing eye level with him, with those big violet eyes.
"Let's go."
Naruto was awake.
Weakly, Sakura smiled.
Thank the Gods…
Suddenly, she winced, willing the cramping muscles to hold off for just a little while longer. The battle would soon be over. They would have their victory. But… Darkness… It was approaching so fast. There was no way for her to avoid it. And with the way her body ached so viciously she didn't want to avoid it. She wanted to accept it with open arms.
It was sloppily how she dodged a blow to the face and she winced as she felt several hairs being yanked from her scalp. Be quicker, she willed herself. Just a little while longer, she assured her body.
Several times, she caught Itachi's eye. Several times, he tried so hard to make it to her. Every time, however, he was stopped. Every time, her hope began to chip away. But now Naruto was alive. It would soon be over.
The breath was ripped out of her viciously as a foot connected with her stomach and Sakura was helpless against the force that sent her through the air. Enhanced strength – it wasn't mastered, for the attack was far too sloppy, but it was enough against her weakened state. She couldn't defend against it. There was too much going on, too many things sucking her chakra reserves dry.
For a moment, she was certain she'd landed on the ground. It was impossible, though. Wasn't it? She couldn't possibly land that softly after such a powerful attack. For her to only realise she was on the ground by feeling the grains of–
Sand.
For a split second, Sakura despaired at the sight of sand. For a split second, she thought another village had come to take them down.
But then she was being placed on the ground gently, a blonde appearing by her side and yanking her to her feet, teal eyes full of fury as she demanded, "What the hell are you playing at, huh? Get your ass in gear and defend your village!"
"Tsunade-sama has done it. The evacuation has been completed," she heard somebody yell for everyone to hear. "No more holding back!"
Looking over her shoulder, Sakura watched as ANBU revealed themselves, immediately putting themselves to use as they launched their deadliest attacks without hesitation.
No more holding back.
Gods, she hoped her body could handle it.
Nodding once to Temari and smiling in thanks, Sakura shut her eyes and took a deep breath, calming her mind. The pain was excruciating, but like the blonde said: she had to defend her village. They were relying on her to protect them. It was a risky gamble trying to use chakra in her weakened state, but what choice did she have? She had to push through. Had to persevere.
Had to keep hitting!
Green eyes snapped open, full of fury.
"Shannaro!"
They made it just in time. Barely.
Curling his hand into a tight fist, he ordered his sand to capture the Kumo-nin, watching with morbid fascination how their bodies were slowly crushed in his grip, their blood being absorbed by the sand, turning many of the grains a dark shade of red. He had a great fraction of them already.
"Shannaro!"
Glancing down, he found himself somewhat surprised by the growth in Haruno's strength. Almost like Naruto's, it seemed to be never ending. They all assumed she was at her limit, that there was no improving, but then she broke through that glass ceiling, leaving it to fall in giant shards on those who doubted her.
She spun on her toes, leg swinging through the air until it landed a powerful kick on an unsuspecting enemy. Haruno Sakura was certainly a formidable opponent, Gaara decided. One he wouldn't mind battling himself. It would be an interesting spar and perhaps he could even find ways of improving his own techniques.
He didn't have time to admire others' strength. Facing his trembling enemies once more, Gaara smirked. The beast inside him was screeching with eagerness, shaking the bars on its cage. He could sense that his sand had completed its duties, allowing him to feel every grain it had created.
It was over for them.
"Move!" he heard his brother ordering of the Konoha-nin. "Get the fuck outta here if you value your lives!"
Never breaking eye contact with the enemy before him, Gaara slowly raised his hands and with the movement, the ground below him began quaking menacingly, rupturing in several places. The second the openings were revealed, devastating amounts of sand were lurching to the sky, grabbing the enemy shinobi on its way to him.
There was no escaping the cries of hundreds who were lost to his sand.
"He'll assist Naruto now," Temari informed her as she breathed out a deep sigh, relaxing though not entirely. A kunoichi of her calibre would never let her guard down. Facing her, she asked, "What are our orders?"
Oh? Temari was relinquishing control to her allies? That was so unlike her. Then again, she probably felt guilty for her previous actions. For their battle. "I'm not the one to give orders-"
"Yes, you are," she cut her off, eyes narrowing. "Tell me what we should do from here."
Looking around them, Sakura could see that her comrades were busy with taking the wounded to Tsunade. From their connection via Katsuyu she could sense the woman continuing with the healing network. She could also sense that her shishou had plenty of chakra to spare, unlike herself, who was running dangerously low.
"Sakura."
She glanced at her lover, green eyes quick to assess his wounds. There was nothing serious, but still, she placed her hand to his chest, sending a burst chakra throughout his body to ensure he was okay. Thankfully, he was, and she shut her eyes momentarily, releasing a deep sigh of relief. He was okay. They would all be okay.
"What should we do from here?" he enquired, hand briefly touching hers before they fell to their respective sides, untouching.
It irked Sakura how they were looking to her for their orders. They were supposed to follow Minato, or their captains. Why her all of a sudden? "I don't know about you, but I'm going to help my team," she told them, green eyes narrowing. "That idiot Naruto shouldn't be going all out after such a serious injury – it'll take all the chakra I have left to heal any damage this battle of his causes."
"Which is why Gaara has gone to fight with him," Temari stated. The large fan in her hands slammed into the ground, her grip on the top of it tightening. "If you're going to join in with that battle, then I'm coming, too. It's going to be like a royal rumble for monsters."
Wait, was Temari saying…?
Teal eyes shot to the left, rolling as she muttered under her breath, "He's always so impatient."
Fear shot up and down her spine as the Ichibi's raw power exploded around them, threatening to send her flying, his humongous form and scream of freedom causing her chest to constrict, her eyes to widen in pure horror, made her hands shake. Weakly, her arms shielded her face and neck from the flying debris, though slowly lowered to grant her a sight of a fully transformed Ichibi.
The last time she'd seen that thing…
"Don't falter," Temari ordered from beside her. "Gaara's in full control of Shukaku now."
Even from his place several metres away from them, Kankuro agreed with a loud, "They're even stronger now that they're working together."
But why would he unleash it in the middle of the village? There was already so much damage. How could he risk Konoha like that? Why? Just as the thoughts entered her mind, she reminded herself of how vulnerable Naruto was during his transformation. Even with experience in transforming, was it the same for Gaara? Was he equally vulnerable?
It didn't matter.
"Considering there are two of them now, Itachi, I think you should come with us. Shisui has already used his Mangekyō to assist Kushina-sama. Are you capable of using yours for Naruto?"
"I can try," he murmured, the tomoe swirling into their new design. It still looked so foreign on him, but at the same time, it felt familiar. It made her feel safe.
She smiled. "Let's go."
They were under attack as soon as they arrived.
Ducking beneath the object launched her way, Sakura shot up, swinging her fist forward so that the shock wave of her chakra could shatter the boulder flying their way. The second it was in pieces, Temari came in from below, her fan making the air around them become distorted as it threw the debris back at the attacker, impaling them.
The other jinchūriki seemed to understand what they were trying to achieve, so did everything he could to prevent it. To make matters worse: there were more Kumo-nin around. These ones were fighting alongside the Hachibi. Why hadn't they defended the Nibi?
"I'll make an opening for you to get to Naruto," Sakura yelled over her shoulder at Itachi, already running forward.
Somehow, Kushina lost her control of the transformation. She was seated not far from the battle, breathing heavily and nodding at something Shisui was saying to her. He was standing several feet in front of her, his Mangekyō standing out hauntingly on the battlefield. He was assessing Naruto's movements critically, waiting in case he was needed. No doubt he'd told Shisui to take care of Kushina rather than aid him.
He needn't worry, really. Together, Naruto and Gaara were an admirable team. Somehow, they were in perfect sync with their attacks, forcing the Hachibi back, the damage they caused it with each attack filling her with wary hope.
She dropped to the ground, fingers scraping at the dirt when a Kumo-kunoichi thought she found an opening. Then, not caring for how dirty the move was, she flung said dirt into the woman's brown eyes. Nothing was keeping her from getting to Naruto. Nothing. Within a second, Sakura swung her left leg around, knocking the blinded woman to the ground and while she was disorientated, she ended it with a single blow to the head.
Side stepping another's attack, Sakura raised her hand, creating a gun with her fingers, one she didn't hesitate to use once her finger was aligned with the guy's face. The water bullet ended it quickly, but she didn't stick around to watch him fall to the ground.
Create an opening!
She clenched her fist tightly and threw it forward, sending out another shock wave. Many fell victim to her brute strength and for those who miraculously continued to stand, Temari was quick to dispatch of, snarling as she swung her deadly fan, forcing them out of the way.
"Go," she ordered of them, already swinging her fan behind her in preparation for another attack. "Don't let that thing harm my baby brother."
Nodding, she ran ahead, flinging whatever weapons she had left at those she deemed unworthy of her chakra. For those extra troubling opponents, she merely used her water gun to get rid of them. Whatever happened, Itachi couldn't use any chakra until he was up there with Naruto. The Mangekyō was a massive drain on his chakra.
Noticing someone running straight for her, more than likely preparing to shoulder barge her out of the way to stop the rampage, Sakura took a deep breath and leaped once they were close enough, spinning over their charging body until she landed firmly onto the ground. Never pausing for a second, she spun and planted a hand to the ground, kicking the attacker in the back of the head just as he set his eyes on Itachi.
"Now, Itachi," she yelled over the sounds of the three beasts fighting.
Gods, it was like nothing she'd ever experienced before. They were tearing chunks out of each other, randomly firing beast bombs that never actually hit their opponents. Gaara seemed to be the most ruthless out of the three, whereas the Hachibi was in perfect sync with his jinchūriki. Naruto, however… It was obvious that he was new to the transformation. Some of his attacks were sloppy. They were full of openings.
She assumed he would go straight to Naruto. Instead, however, Itachi grabbed her wrist, tugging Sakura against him as his lips pressed to her forehead, eyes shutting.
"I love you."
And then, just as her ears popped and began to ring following a deafening bang, just as the air grew dramatically hotter around them and her skin began to blister, he disappeared from her grip and shoved her back with chakra enhanced strength, leaving her to reach out brokenly, to cry out his name desperately. All she could see was sand rushing towards her and the other Konoha-nin, enclosing them inside the safety of Shukaku's Ultimate Defence, all the while her lover disappeared amongst the explosion, lost within the three tailed beasts and their colliding beast bombs.
"Itachi!"
A/N - For every life spared, another is lost. Remember the earlier quotes before you all murder me, 'kay?
Omg, guys. Next chapter is the final chapter. I've been trying to delay the inevitable (that's a lie, I had really bad writer's block), but it's here and I don't know what to do with myself (I say that every time a story of mine comes to an end but...).
Oooh, while I'm here: One OK Rock is amazing and I can't believe I've never heard of them before.
