Disclaimer: I do not in ANY WAY own Naruto or Naruto: Shippuden.
A/N: Okay, my hiatus is finally over. And we come back with teh final chapter of this arc! Hope you all enjoy!
Also, please review!
Never Yield (Chapter 18) – Flying High
Naruto's P.O.V.
I didn't dodge when Sasuke came up and punched me in the arm (he hardly put any force behind it, too). I kind of deserved it for the prank I pulled on him – but he did thank me and Gamatatsu for it because it actually did get all the gunk out of his ears!
After the prank, though, the Coalition and the Skulk all had dinner together. It was good – everyone had their favorite foods in their sealing scrolls, and everyone was able to try dishes from the other villages too!
I'm so grateful for Gaara – he made sure to bring me specifically a few bowls of ramen from Suna. I love their native spices and it's so good!
And some of the other jinchuuriki brought me ramen too – apparently Kurama let his siblings know that I love ramen and they told their jinchuuriki! Not every village even had ramen at all (I actually felt terrible for them, and made sure they got to try some Konoha and Suna ramen!), so those that didn't have any still did bring me some other similar noodle dishes.
It was such an awesome surprise. Kurama didn't have to do that, but he said he wanted to do something to show how much he appreciated what I'm doing and what I've been through lately.
Choji especially loved sampling some food from the other villages. He quickly started asking specific cooking questions that I had no idea what most of it meant...and a lot of the jinchuuriki had no idea what they meant either. They just brought the food, but they didn't cook it...
They also told us some details about their trip here. They all went through changing environents like we did, but because of where they came from they went through different kinds of ecosystems that I would love to see too. Some of them have never been out of their country nearly this far in this direction, so hearing how foreign it was to them was cool! Seeing the smiles as they recounted their journeys made me happy for them.
After dinner, Sikona showed everyone where we would be sleeping...and there was a space issue. Considering how much warning we gave the village, they were barely able to put together some sleeping quarters for us.
The quarters consist of barrack-style lodgings under a large tarp. Over twenty beds laid out in a grid next to the infirmary where there was a large enough space. It makes sense that there isn't enough space in a building for us, and it wouldn't be fair to put some people inside and others outside.
The barracks also included some tables and chairs, probably for some kind of recreation. I know Shikamaru and Sasuke will likely be using that area for Shogi.
The village has seals to simulate stars and moonlight at night, so it was very peaceful. As some people went to bed quickly after dinner, others stayed out around the village enjoying the peace, cool air, and the lighting.
Hinata and I are spending time together at the inverted fountain. We are just sitting next to each other, her head on my shoulder and my head on her head, occasionally kissing while the fountain sprayed us with a cool, refreshing mist.
We are seated facing the barracks as we both wanted to observe what everyone is doing. I am happy to see Choji and Tenten seated in the chairs at the table, close together and talking. Along with Shikamaru and Sasuke, those two are another couple I didn't think of happening but I of course am beyond happy for them!
Itachi is talking to Shika and Sasuke, about what exactly I am unsure. Though I can imagine Itachi doing the whole "if you hurt my brother" thing and I can imagine Sasuke's reaction even clearer: "oh my fucking God, Itachi, shut up!"
And with Shika, I'm proud of him for coming out to his family. He told us during our journey here, and I'm so relieved that they are okay with it. And his reasoning for doing it now made sense: he didn't know if he would have another chance to do so.
I see other members of the Skulk interacting with some of the Coalition. Suigetsu and Utakata are sitting together, no doubt telling each other stories about Yagura. I suppose talking to someone who can relate can be cathartic for them, especially given Utakata's recent experiences.
Shino and Kiba are talking to B, and I can see from over here that Akamaru is absolutely loving B's rhyming and rapping. Ino and Sakura are talking to Kankuro, about what I'm not sure but the two girls' faces look focused. Lee and Neji are talking to Gaara, and Lee is practically jumping – I bet they're talking about some kind of taijutsu thing.
Karin and Juugo, along with our sensei, are talking to other jinchuuriki or their traveling companions. It's a mix-and-match of people between different nations – nations that are political allies/enemies – but here everyone is an ally and is a friend.
This gives me hope for that peace I want. Perhaps peace isn't what I thought it was before – before, I thought it was everyone getting a long and helping each other. But now, I think that peace is something along the lines of this: people coming together despite their differences to do what's right against something bad.
Because now I know that some people are irredeemable and are better off dead: Orochimaru, Yuka Tsunowari, Kabuto, Hidan, Pain.
So rather than wasting my time dreaming of some world where people like them don't exist or change their ways, I am going to focus on something tangible. Where all of the villages and nations work together as allies, putting past issues behind us for the good of all of our peoples.
"Naruto, look at me." My girlfriend says, and I life my head off of hers to look at her. "I can't say I know how much stress you're feeling right now. I know you've been thinking about everything non-stop since we left Konoha. So, for the next few seconds, try to focus on this." She says and before I can question her she cups both my cheeks in her hands and moves forward.
Pretty much, it was the best underground kiss of all time.
"Uhhh..." I say, not expecting this at all.
Yeah, I know I'm the "leader" of the Skulk and the Coalition, but I was under the impression that was a more general/spiritual kind of leading. Like "yeah we're going to Whirlpool" and not "okay, let's split up into groups and spar."
Because that's what I'm being asked to do.
To actually lead everyone right now. Like to actually be in charge right now. Kurenai-sensei says it's because I'm still a Tokubetsu Chuunin that I never got a solo-led mission, and now would be the perfect time for me to get experience.
"Okay, everyone! Here's what we're going to do first. Team spars! Each Konoha team will spar against a team consisting of a jinchuuriki and their two companions. The only rules are – obviously of course – not to kill or maim, and to not damage village structure." I say, having this idea. I mean, I think this is a good way to start – a friendly battle against another village's shinobi. No high-stakes like there were in the Chuunin Exams or anything.
"That sounds most youthful! Ohh, I hope we get to spar with Suna! IF I CANNOT BEAT HIS SAND, I WILL RUN AROUND THE VILAGE ONE THOUSAND TIMES!" Lee instantly says, and I can just see everyone from the other villages just look bewildered – and, of course, the Skulk in turn snickers at their expressions.
"If Suna has no objections to that, then sure. And I would like my own team to spar with Kumo – is that okay Octopops? A fight between partners in the underground sun, I bet it would really be fun!" I suggest, adding in my (very poor) rhyme at the end to entice him.
After talking to him yesterday, I think the best way for me to separate him from the Raikage in my mind would be to spar. Sparring and training clears my mind because I am focused on my goals, and if we spar I can see B for himself and not just A's brother.
And I want to fight him too because he's the only other jinchuuriki to have befriended their Bijuu before all this started. I befriended Kurama a few months ago, and B befriended his a couple decades ago (meanwhile, the other jinchuuriki have only been in contact with theirs since Kurama's second dissociation and my idea to come here).
So to spar with someone who is friends with their bijuu? It would be an interesting experience, especially because my team could probably learn a lot from someone who has as much experience as he does, given his age.
"Naruto you're working my heart, and now this fight I can't wait to start!" B raps and laughs, and I do the same.
And just like that, I get excited for what is sure to be a challenging but fun fight!
It's been too long since Shika, Hinata, and I had fought together like this. Even at the weekly Skulk meetings, we didn't really fight as a team. Sometimes with only one of our teammates, but never really as a whole team.
And it's fun to have a no-worries fight with them! Kurenai-sensei and Shika were right – our teamwork is as smooth as it ever was and didn't decay at all. Before I first came here to Whirlpool with Jiraiya, I was worried about how being gone for so long would affect our teamwork, but they said it wouldn't affect it at all. And they were completely right!
B only came with one companion, but he said it doesn't matter they were outnumbered. And he was right...
...because they kicked our asses. But in a good way! They really made Shika come up with some interesting plans on the spot, and they brought me to a level of good-exhaustion I haven't felt in months.
By the end, all three of us were sweaty, bruised, but oh-so pleased. And I know they didn't use all their strength (because we are still only a couple months into being Chuunin anyway), but what they did was the perfect training and catharsis for the three of us.
With all the stress everyone has been under, I can see we're not the only ones who needed that either. Everyone in the Skulk is looking pleased and relaxed – if not in some pain, but that's expected – at this intense sparring and training session.
"Okay, everyone, lunch time!" I say, because I am starving after the spar and I can tell most, if not everyone, from the Skulk and the other villages are hungry too.
(I think I even hear one of their stomachs growling, too!)
It's later in the day now. After lunch earlier, we did some more sparring, but individually and not nearly as intense. It was mostly a showing of different fighting styles from the other villages, stances, techniques. Well, it was more of an information-sharing session than a sparring session, but gaining knowledge is also great training.
(Iruka-sensei would be so proud if he could hear me say that about knowledge, haha!)
But after we finished those too, Kurama suggested something for me. 'Get all the jinchuuriki together. It's time for a family reunion.' He said. I was confused, but he said it with a tone of glee that I made me a bit excited!
So now here all eight of us are, sitting down near the inverted fountain and holding hands.
"Everyone, close your eyes and relax. Clear your mind. Breathe slowly." I instruct as per Kurama's suggestions.
I'm not sure what's supposed to happen, but after a minute or so of meditation I start to feel different. Like I'm lighter. And more free. And revitalized.
I open my eyes and am culture-shocked at seeing where I am: I am in some kind of void, but around me are all seven of my fellow jinchuuriki and their bijuu. I turn my head and see Kurama standing behind me, looking down at my face.
'Naruto, it is because of you we can all be here. My siblings and our partners. Like this, we are free of our cages for a little bit.' Kurama says, wrapping a single tail around my waist for a second – I'm going to interpret that as some kind of hug or other showing of affection.
'Ohhh YES! This feels so much better than when I was in your village, kid! Uh, sorry about that, by the way...' Shukaku says, and I just blink at that. I see Gaara punch his leg, and he is definitely mouthing some unpleasant to the giant tanooki. After berating his partner, Garra looks to me apologetically, but I just wave him off in understanding.
Honetly, I'd rather just let that whole event just go unmentioned. There is too much pain with that part of the day. But it's bittersweet because that's also the same day Hinata and I confessed to each other – and that is what I want to remember. Not everyone's struggles, the pain, the fear, the near-death battles.
Let's just remember the love and friendship from that day. Hinata and I. Shikamaru and Sasuke. Everyone accepting me as a jinchuuriki. That's what I'm choosing to remember about that day.
"Wow, this is very fascinating. What is this place?" Utakata asks, looking towards Saiken. I look at all the other bijuu in amazement – to really be seeing what, less than a year ago, everyone my age thought to be dead (Kurama) or non-existent (all the others). And now here they all are, surrounding me and people like me, all as allies and friends and even family as I said in my speech from yesterday.
This is my life. This is our life. Mine, and the Skulk's. Somehow things worked out that our lives changed so much but at the same time, we all are still ourselves.
"This place is the border between the physical and the spiritual. Think of it like a dream-scape. You can do whatever you want here, if you focus enough. Your physical bodies are safe and you can leave here whenever you want." A giant monkey-like bijuu tells us.
"So...what, can we fly if we want to?" Fuu, jinchuuriki of the seven-tails, asks. She closes her eyes and tries to jump, but she just lands back on your feet.
'Yes, you can. But it involves a lot more concentration that that, girl.' Chomei, her bijuu, says. But that tone of voice that leaks from the giant insect is one of just slight annoyance, not unlike how the Skulk talks to each other.
Even though Kurama told me that B was the only other one to really connect with his bijuu, perhaps that has changed too. And really quickly it seems. Everyone here looks to be calm, or even happy in this dream-scape place.
But being here, and what with all of Jiraiya's sealing and meditation training, makes me want to try something...
I take a very slow deep breath, close my eyes, and envision the exact space in which I am located in my head. I think about how it could work – I am imagining chakra pushing out of my feet as the propulsion source.
"Whoa!" Fuu exclaims, but I don't allow that to affect my concentration. I open my eyes and I hold back my pride at seeing everyone below me!
And just like that, I am flying!
I start it out slow – I continuously envision how the propulsion system of my feet and chakra network are working. I'm not graceful by any stretch of my own imagination, but I am at least mobile in the air and I am slowly flying up and down, and around, and even under everyone as the dream-scape is whatever we want it to be – and I didn't want it to have a floor for the moment.
'This, Naruto, is a bit like our dissociations. Like I said, I really think you would be able to appreciate what it would be like. Given your skill at the dream-scape already, I just think this is further proof.' Kurama tells me as I focus on the air in my hair, the mist on my face – all of which I am imagining what flying would feel like in my physical body.
"Naruto, can you help me do that? It looks rather pleasant." Gaara asks, and I look down at everyone and smile. I let myself down on the floor – which I re-envision for myself so I don't fall infinitely (or until I wake myself up, I guess) – and look at everyone.
"I'll help anyone who wants to! But basically it all comes down to detail. You have to envision exactly what you think you would feel..." I start to explain what was going through my mind and how I plan out my seals when I am doing sensei's assignments.
(After a while, they all manage to fly. B didn't need any assistance, and Fuu was overjoyed when she first got off the floor. I'm happy I was able to help everyone experience this.)
Two Days Later
In the past two days since we first entered the dream-scape, the eight of us jinchuuriki and our eight bijuu partners have gotten even closer.
We started to do things in the dream-scape that I wouldn't have even thought possible. Gaara was the first one to make himself gigantic and he and Shukaku actually were able to play. Like he chased around the tanooki like he was a little dog and it was one of the strangest things I have ever seen and likely will ever see.
But the thing that I appreciate most from all our times there, is what Kurama did for me. He imagined my parents there. I was able to see them, to touch them, to hear them. It may not have been totally real, but Kurama knows how they looked and felt and sounded. So all of that was real.
He gave me that gift, knowing that he would likely never be able to do something like that again. The dream-scape requires at least five bijuu to make, and after this mission it's unlikely for all of us in the Coalition to group together like this again.
We will still always be the Coalition, but we won't likely really be together again like we are when this is all done.
'Everyone get out! Something's happening!' Son Goku, that monkey-like bijuu whose name I was unaware of before, tells us and we all follow the order.
We wake up and all of Whirlpool is shaking.
"Why didn't the alarms sound before?!" Jiraiya yells, but there is no answer as suddenly the ceiling of the underground city starts to rain dust and rock and then a bright, incinerating light breaks through and into the inverted fountain, instantly destroying it.
And then a black-and-red cloaked, red-haired (an Uzumaki, maybe?) man who looks to be in terrible shape drops down where the now-destroyed fountain is.
"Nagato...this will be the only thing I say to you. For your sake, may the Shinigami have mercy on your soul." Jiraiya says, in a tone that nearly breaks my heart at hearing it.
What the FUCK?
But I can't even question how Jiraiya knows who this is – because this guy wasn't in any of Itachi's reports – because immediately Nagato – is this guy Pain? - launches himself immediately at Itachi.
And just like that, we are fighting Akatsuki. How many others are on their way, we have no idea. But this is what we've been preparing for...what we've been dreading.
But we made a pledge to Sikona and this village to protect it.
And so I jump in and make shadow clones to confuse the enemy and to start corralling the villagers and helping with the evacuation.
A/N: You all didn't think I forgot Jiraiya's connection with Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko, did you? Because there is a reason I didn't bring it up until now...
Sorry for the months of hiatus for this chapter. I've been dealing with a lot of physical and mental issues (like how my therapist nearly committed me to a psych ward two months ago) and I have not been able to write this story at all until now. Writer's block didn't help anything, either.
Anyway, this is the last chapter of the "Jinchuuriki Coalition" arc! Next chapter begins the final arc of this story: "The Battle of Whirlpool" and I am excited.
To be honest, I'm now looking past this story and want to get to the sequel/spin-off. The final arc shouldn't be too long, but will definitely have something extreme... **wink**
And yes, that "best underground kiss of all time" is a Percy Jackson reference.
I hope you all enjoyed! Stay tuned for Chapter 19!
Also, don't forget to review!