Chapter 19
Temari was the first to pipe up. She told the group of her plan; head for the leaf, send a message ahead and lay traps on their way. "Based on the usual patterns of the leaf, we should run into at least one team from the leaf before they enter the village. We will need to act fast; we have already lost time and we are not at our fighting best. Everyone take a soldier pill and we will start moving. Lay whichever trap is fastest and keep moving. Gaara, plant some pit falls, Naruto explosive tags, Kunkuro poisons. I'll leave trip wires. If we travel at max speed, we should be in the leaf by sunrise tomorrow. Any questions?"
The boys shook their heads, ate their soldier pills and started moving. Traps were set, trees were jumped off and all was well until the group triggered a trap left by Sasuke. They were attacked by a hoard of snakes that launched from every direction. They fought of the assault but knew their location was now compromised. They needed to move faster otherwise they would be found. They couldn't sense anyone in the area so they must still be ahead of Sasuke, but they had no time to waste. They still had a while to go but they knew it was going to be close.
As Gaara set more pitfalls, he noticed a change in the landscape, they were nearing a destructive crater from Naruto's fight with Pain. It was only now that he realised the extent of that fight and the wounds it left on the landscape as well as the ninja travelling with him. He decided a five-minute break to have a drink and check their supplies was pertinent when he saw a small cave concealed behind a wine wall. He activated his jutsu that communicated with sand in the soil to keep watch. If anyone set foot within his radius he would know.
"We need to take a moment. It's about 10 miles to the village wall. Have some water and gather your energy. Naruto, it would be best of you entered sage mode, give us every advantage we can. If Temari is right, we should find a team shortly. We leave in two minutes." Gaara finished as he drank from his water skin.
Naruto began to meditate, gathering his energy. Kurama did his best to sync his energy with him but the seal was still preventing a full connection. He debated asking his vessel to remove the seal but decided against it right now. He was finally feeling in control, any shift in that might disrupt his work. He decided instead to keep amassing chakra should an extra burst be needed. 'You good Kit?' Kurama asked, sensing a different kind of despair. 'I don't know Kurama. I don't feel right. I'm better than I have been since I was 6 but I feel so sad. Not for myself but for Sasuke. I know I can't save him. I think I'm also scared to go back to the village.' Naruto finally started to figure his feelings out. He was getting much better at expressing his pain. 'You can do this Kit. He's with you.' Naruto knew he was talking about Gaara and felt a smile cross his face. He could do anything as long as he knew he was loved. Not only by Gaara but by Kurama as well.
Naruto achieved sage mode and was ready to go. Kunkuro and Temari left the cave and continued the journey. Gaara stayed behind for a moment with Naruto. He was hesitant but Naruto reached out and held Gaara in an embrace. "Thank you for everything Gaara. I know without your help; I would not still be here. I can't thank you enough." Finding his strength in the warm embrace of his friend, he placed a feather light kiss on his friends lips. Gaara was a little surprised but felt his smile, a real, full smile, reach his face. "You have nothing to thank me for Naruto. You saved me; I will always try to save you. I am so grateful that you were willing to try. Let's go save your village. Our journey isn't over yet." Gaara squeezed his hand and refused to let his hand go as they continued running through the trees.
About 4 miles out of the village, Temari and Kunkuro ran into team Gai. Naruto and Gaara were a couple of minutes behind. When they arrived, Neji and Rock Lee noticed how pale and thin Naruto looked. They were about to ask questions when Gai interrupted and reminded them of the impending threat. The teams continued the rest of the journey in silence. Gaara and Naruto did not let go of each other and Gaara found it comforting that he didn't snatch his hand away when others were around. He had expected Naruto to be fearful of this bond between them and not want anyone to know about it. Naruto felt he had nothing to hide about his relationship with the man who had saved him from himself.
As they approached the wall surrounding the village, Naruto suddenly stopped. He felt the presence of the masked Akatsuki member and could sense 1000 other chakra signals that all felt wrong. Naruto relayed this information to the team and told them to prepare for a battle as soon as they entered. This wasn't just a battle with Sasuke, it seemed the Akatsuki were ready to take the nine-tails once more now that Sasuke had captured the eight-tails.
By the time they arrived, the assault was already in full swing and Naruto could sense Sasuke approaching with speed. By his calculation he would be upon them in 10 minutes. He needed to find Tsunade, Kakashi and his team. Sasuke was their mess so they would clean it up. Gaara stayed with Naruto while the others split up to lend assistance where they could. The majority of the assault was coming from white Zetsu. They appeared to be using mostly physical attacks although after they injured their opponents, they were able to mimic specialty Jutsu including Byakugan. It was creating a problem for the troops but Temari and Kunkuro were assets due to their long rang attacks which gave no option for Zetsu to take their Jutsu.
Team Gai found command control and made Shikaku aware of the approaching reinforcements in the form of Sasuke and his Taka. They also delivered the message that Naruto and the Kazekage were going to take him on, hopefully with the help of Kakashi and Team 7. Shikaku agreed but also deployed team Ino-Shika-Cho (formerly team Asuma) to assist. Team Gai were then deployed to assist against the Zetsu with the order of long rang attacks for Neji and Ten Ten where as Rock and Gai were given clearance to use their Taijutsu.
Naruto had found Kakashi, Sakura and Sai. They all looked at him with concern but after being given the information they realised that questions would have to wait. Iruka also saw Naruto and decided he would provide back up and medical support.
The battle raged on and the leaf shinobi seemed to be holding back the waves of Zetsus. Iruka, Kakashi and team 7 were ready for Sasuke, waiting on the east wall. Naruto could sense him just beyond the hills, maybe two minutes. He took this time to speak with Gaara.
"Gaara, this isn't your fight. I need you to support your siblings and fight on that front. You can help them and keep the village safe. I know this isn't your village but I need you to do this for me. And after this is over, I want to keep spending time with you if you will have me. I have never felt so safe as I have with you. I want to spend the rest of my days with you." Naruto spoke this sentiment with confidence, never letting his eyes off Gaara.
The Kazekage didn't necessarily like the idea of separating but he understood why Naruto felt the need to do this with his team. "As you wish, Naruto. I would like for you to stay with me as well. I look forward to find our future together." Gaara lent forward and pressed a firm kiss on his lips. They gave each other one final hug before they departed. During their moment of connection, Kurama reached out and spoke to Gaara 'Thank you for helping him. I will keep him safe during this fight'. Gaara nodded, realised his grip on the man who held his heart and started running towards his siblings.
As Naruto watched Gaara leave, he felt a small pang of sadness followed by a cool breeze on his wrist and a warmth coming from Kurama. He wiped a single tear that had escaped and sat to meditate. He gathered his nature energy and entered sage mode. It was only moments after he opened his eyes that he felt Sasuke's presence underground. "Scatter!" He called to his team just a second before a giant snake slithered up from underground and took a chunk out of the wall. Sasuke's team took a target each. Karin attacked Sakura, Jugo went after Kakashi and Zugetsu went after Sai.
Sasuke looked at Naruto before he flashed his Sharingan and loudly announced "I don't believe we need an audience Iruka-Sensei!" He laughed as he gathered energy in his lightning blade before attacking the Chunin. Naruto snapped. "Don't you dare touch Iruka-sensei!" Sasuke wasn't fazed by Naruto's emotional response. He laughed harder before teleporting behind his old teaching and striking Iruka down. Iruka crumpled to the ground, holding the wound in his should. Quicker than the yellow flash, Naruto appeared between Sasuke and Iruka, thrusting a Rasengan towards Sasuke. He jumped back with a laugh, enjoying the pain he had inflicted on his friend.
"Iruka-sensei, are you ok?" Naruto asked, forming a plan to make this safer for the all-out battle that was about to take place. It was clear Sasuke had no feelings for his former village or anyone that has ever helped him. "Yes Naruto. I'll be fine. I am so proud of what a fine young man you have become. I know this is your fight and I'm only a distraction for you. Please be safe." Iruka spoke with such adoration it made Naruto feel warm. He gave Naruto one final hug before bounding off in the direction of Sakura and Karin.
With Iruka gone, Sasuke and Naruto were left alone. It was time for the final battle to begin. Kurama used this brief moment to reach out to Naruto. 'Kit, you aren't strong enough to beat him right now. If you wanna do this, break the seal. That way you will have full access to my power.' Naruto thought over his proposal and was struck by how distracted he had been. 'Of course Kurama. I should have removed it ages ago. You have always been there for me. We are equals. I trust you wholeheartedly Kurama. There is no one I would rather have watching my back during this fight.' Naruto reached in and undid the seal. He felt Kurama's power rush through him and he felt so much stronger. 'Lets do this Kurama. We have adventures with Gaara to look forward to.' Naruto and Kurama both smiled genuine smiles before the turn to fight Sasuke.