Chapter Thirty-Seven
Kakashi heard the radio call from Kushina about Naruto as his group approached one of Pain's forms with Choji, Shikamaru, and Temari. While every instinct called for him to scram back east to assist Naruto and Minato, Kakashi was also keenly aware that this bozo was cutting a swath of destruction towards the parade of refugees making their way toward Hokage Rock and Konoha Hospital. Even worse, Shizune would have been on her way to the hospital when the attack had begun; he had no way of knowing if she and their unborn child were safe. They have to be; she's too smart to get caught in the open!
As his Sharringan scanned the surrounding area for hazards, Kakashi could sense at least a dozen people nearby buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Nothing you can do for them until you get this clown taken care of, so quit dawdling!
As they burst into a square of the damaged market district, a series of explosions split the air as a bald figure used a bizarre technique to release rocket-like projectiles toward several buildings yet to be destroyed. The target turned to face them; Kakashi noted the Rinnegan-type eyes. Interlocking fields of vision, but at least he doesn't have any of his buddies to watch his back at the moment!
A flurry of rocket strikes dashed any hope Kakashi had for an easy time as he, Shikamaru, Choji, and Temari scattered amidst the series of concussive blasts. Bits of rock and concrete flew through the air, stinging Kakashi as he ran for a better angle of approach. As he prepared to charge his Chidori attack, his radio earpiece came alive with Kushina's strained voice, "All units, Lord Fourth is dead."
Cold shock spread out of his chest at the unexpected message. The memories of his sensei all flashed before his eyes: being picked by the up-and-coming Jonin at Genin selection, training together, going to war together, mourning together, and propping one another up when the other wanted nothing more than to lay down and never get back up. "Sensei!" Kakashi charged his attack, focusing his red vision on his opponent. His target let off another salvo of projectiles, and Kakashi began weaving between them as he raced toward whichever of Pain's forms this was.
"Shikamaru!" Kakashi called out; thankfully the young shinobi understood perfectly as a tendril of shadow zipped along the ground and froze Pain's form in place. Kakashi had his opening and took it. SUCK ON THIS! Kakashi rammed the Chidori attack into the man's chest and punched clean through.
As he felt the spot where the man's heart was dissolve, a searing heat began burning around his fingers. OH SHIT! Kakashi frantically skittered backwards as the explosive chakra ignited on contact with the lightning chakra. The blast kicked him in the chest; he didn't even hear the explosion or register that he was flying through the air until he hit the ground.
The red filter in his vision disappeared as Kakashi stared up to the blue midday sky. Everything was muffled like he was listening through water. "Kakashi… Kakashi… KAKASHI!" He could hear Shikamaru and Choji shouting, but as they drew closer, their voices became less and less distinct. Kakashi walked into the house to find father dead. He was standing with Rin beside a badly crushed Obito, powerless to help his friend. He was holding Naruto for the first time as Minato raced to get Kushina to the Hospital after Obito tried killing them all.
His mind began wandering to Shizune as his grip on the world around him began slipping. Oh god! I'm sorry Shizune! His wife and unborn child were his only thoughts as his eyes closed.
Naruto arrived in the devastated section of the village, his sage mode overwhelmed him with the ubiquitous searing pain of those injured and the cold, empty sensation of death everywhere. Amidst the shattered buildings, Naruto felt the malevolent, shadowy presence waiting for him.
Among the things he couldn't sense was his father. Dad… Naruto sensed the chakra building, and he had greater issues to deal with. If the asshole lights another attack off like that, everything Dad lived for will be gone! Naruto dug down deep into his chakra reserves and dashed toward the demonic presence.
Arriving in a leveled crater, Naruto finally took in Pain – at least, this particular body he was using. The real one is not among them. Expanding his sense outward, Naruto could feel tendrils of chakra clinging to the caricature of a man standing in front of him, but somehow, the marionettist remained safely off stage. Where are you, Nagato?
"So, you finally decided to put in an appearance," Pain spoke with a deadpan voice. His Rinnegan eyes glowed an ugly thistle-shade, and his studded face was dead as his voice.
"Hello, Pain," Naruto tightened his fingers into fists, "or should I say, Nagato?"
"That name has no meaning in this world," Pain replied.
"Yes, Grandpa told me that was the name you once used when you were his student – when you were a bright-eyed boy who he thought would change the world." Naruto shook his head, "Tell me, what happened to you? He said you wanted to make the world a better place." Naruto raised a hand to all the wreckage around him, "I somehow doubt this was what a younger you had in mind!"
"I learned the hypocrisy of the world around me," he held out a hand toward Naruto, "and I learned pain." Invisible vices clamped around Naruto, "And now you'll learn it, too!" Pain's force field dragged Naruto slowly at first, teasing him like a cat with a ball of string. Playfulness gave way to unrestrained violence as he whipped Naruto around and through the remains of a nearby building. Multiple impacts stung like hornet stings, and Naruto already felt bruises forming on his right shoulder and cheek where he'd taken the brunt of the impact.
Without so much a chance to recover, Naruto flew into the opposite building, again feeling the sting of his body turning intact structures into more rubble. Think fast, or otherwise you're toast! Pain whipped him around and down into the ground, forming a small crater.
Inexplicably, Pain let him go. As the force-grip on Naruto eased, he took several deep breaths, feeling bruises throughout both sides of his body. Keep it together; they'll heal fast. Naruto came off the ground, seeing Pain's demonic form before him. "Come quietly, that was only a taste of what I have for you otherwise."
Through sage mode, Naruto could sense it was a partial bluff. The act of using the force attacks drained an incredible amount of chakra; however, he was also replenishing it with alarm speed. An Uzumaki, just like you. Something about the stories Grandpa told him about the three orphans he'd raised for several years twisted Naruto's heart. That could be you over there if things had gone wrong. If Himawari hadn't come back to save Mom and Dad, it only would have taken one, maybe two bad decisions for you to turn into the monster.
Momentary sympathy faded as he sensed Pain preparing another force attack. I wonder how quickly it drains if I do this? Naruto made the hand seal to summon shadow clones – only summoning two to test his theory. As Pain's force lifted him up, the clones charged recklessly. Pain reacted as expected, also gripping the clones and slamming them into the ground. As he did, Naruto felt Pain's grip slacken. So, you can't divide your attention that many ways, and it drains your chakra that much faster! Naruto had enough freedom of movement to summon a dozen this time, charging them towards Pain haphazardly.
Pain's grip slipped entirely this time had he laid down enough force to repel the clones all at once. Naruto sensed Pain's chakra reserve was giving out much faster than his own. Let's see how well you repel this, shit for brains! Naruto summoned a full swarm of a hundred clones around Pain, and they charged in a human wave, Pain cut them down with sickening rapidity, but his force wall gave way about halfway through the perpetual waves Naruto sent at him. Time to end this!
Naruto joined the latest wave in the charge; Pain was now reduced to physical attacks to take down clones. Even in a weakened state, Pain was damn fast. Naruto took an opening and swiped him across the face. Deciding to conserve his own chakra, Naruto dispelled the clones as the situation turned into a one-on-one street fight. Pain weaved and blocked, but Naruto made another body shot connect.
Pain extracted a long metal spike from within his sleeve and swiped, Naruto feeling the skin on his chin parting as the razor-sharp surface slashed through the air. Nice trick, but I have a few party favors, too! Naruto grabbed twin kunai from his belt and flung them at Pain. Pain dodged the kunai, but he failed to notice the Thunder God Marks on them as the blades sailed harmlessly past.
Naruto teleported just over Pain's right shoulder and brough a forward crescent kick to the man's face, jerking his head backwards. Naruto bull-rushed, charging into pain as he tossed a kunai in the air. With a solid grip, Naruto teleported both of them into the air, and he body-slammed Pain into the ground. Naruto prepared to attack again when a cold, painful sensation shot up through the center of his right hand.
Pain had impaled Naruto through the right hand with one of his bladed spines. The pain was so great, Naruto felt a frigid wave of cold shock shoot outward throughout his body from where he'd been penetrated. Before Naruto could react, Pain's force gripped him again, body slamming him into the ground. Not taking a grip off Naruto, Pain summoned Naruto's left hand and impaled it through the same spike, also driving the spike into the ground.
"AHHHHHHHH!" This time the waves of hot, searing pain pulsed through Naruto as his body spasmed in protest over the injury
"Fool," Pain rammed along spike into Naruto's left arm, "I offered you the chance to come quietly," He slammed Naruto into the ground like a piledriver, "Now, you'll know pain." Another spike drove through Naruto's right arm, muscle spasming violently as he screamed again. The next one drove into the back of Naruto's right thigh and then his left.
Even more disturbing, Naruto could feel the sickly sensation of the blades nullifying his chakra. I…I can't move! Even in his Sage Mode and nature chakra flowing through him, he was powerless. "Now, it's time for you to give up Nine-Tails, and experience a world of pain!" Pain raised a long blade and prepared to drive it through where Naruto's heart was.
"All units, Lord Fourth is dead." Hinata's knees threatened to give out as six simple words she'd never dreamed of hearing assaulted her. She remembered the sour, acidic pain she'd felt when a pre-teen Naruto said yes to Sakura asking him out on a date. She remembered the profound sense of emptiness and crushing guilt when Uncle Hizashi died saving her and Naruto. And she remembered countless nightmares of Naruto leaving her for someone else in the long years away at Mount Myoboku.
None of it held a candle to seeing Minato's lifeless form before her. Minato had been a second father to her, at times more of a father than her actual father. The thought of him being gone was incalculable. "Dad, no!" Konohamaru fell to his knees and began sobbing; Hanabi braced him as he threatened to fall flat to his face.
Hinata almost joined the two when she noticed a strange reaction from Kushina. Rather than sobbing or screaming, she pressed two fingers to her forehead and was speaking in a hushed tone. Hinata reached into her chakra and felt her hearing turn sharp as she drew off Kyuubi's power. "Inoichi, try and keep the path clear, we're incoming, and we can't guarantee his survival if we run into trouble!"
What?! The conversation made no sense. "Hinata, help me!" Kushina commanded as she carefully snaked hands under Minato's neck and arms.
"What?"
"He's ALIVE!" Kushina exclaimed, "But not for long if we don't hurry. Help me get him up on my back!"
Hinata did as commanded, joined by Hanabi and Konohamaru, they eased him upright and guided him onto a kneeling Kushina until she had a firm grip of his legs around her core. "Why not carry him over your shoulder?" Konohamaru asked.
"His back and head are badly injured. If I carry him that way, I could kill him!" she corrected. Minato's head slumped over her shoulder, his face cratered with bruises and abrasions.
"Why not just call for medics?" Hanabi asked, "Why the radio call that he's dead?!"
"Because, had we called for medics, the enemy would know he was alive and incapacitated. Do you think even an Academy graduate would pass up a juicy target like a badly injured Kage?" Her tone softened slightly, "Besides, if they knew he was alive, they could target him to distract Naruto. If the enemy thinks he's dead," she heaved herself to her feet, "it's one less variable in the situation."
"Mom, what now?" Konohamaru asked desperately.
"I need you three to keep the way clear while we make our way back to the hospital. At least one or two of Pain's forms are in the way." Kushina began walking in the directions they'd came when Hinata felt a frigid chill. Naruto!
"Naruto!" Hinata said breathlessly as she felt unfathomable pain through their linked chakra. "Naruto is in trouble!" Hinata strained as the almost unbearable level of pain transmitted to her. She exchanged a glance with Kushina, pleading silently.
"Hinata, go!" Kushina commanded.
Hinata turned away, uncertain if she was making the right choice. "Hinata, hurry! He's going to try extracting me from Naruto! If that happens he'll die almost instantly!" Nine-Tails sounded panicked – he never sounded panicked.
"Kyuubi, help me!" Hinata's legs began carrying her with supernatural speed. Having not yet figured out Flying Thunder God Technique, she was still reliant on her legs to carry her. As she rounded the corner, she almost fell face-first into the crater. Hinata kicked off the and sailed through the air, eyeing Pain as he prepared to stab Naruto through the back. "KIYAHHH!" Hinata activated her Byakugan and slashed at Pain as she threw herself between him and Naruto.
Pain dodged quicker than she expected. "Reinforcements?"
"Hands off my boyfriend, asshole!" Hinata raised her hands in a blocking motion.
"Fool," he raised a hand, and Hinata felt the crushing sensation of gravity intensifying around her. "You've chosen death!" the ground began crumbling beneath Hinata as the unrelenting force brought her down to her knees.
"Hinata!" Naruto struggled against the metal spikes impaling him. "Get away from here!" A quick scan of his chakra network suggested the metal blades were blocking his charka; otherwise, Naruto would be on his feet and a force of nature.
"Die!" The force crushing Hinata intensified to bone-crushing proportions.
Her vision became narrowed around Naruto as she struggled to fight back, "Not… leaving… you!" She pushed back at the unrelenting force, "Because… I love… you!" The crushing forced released for a moment, and Hinata sucked in a much need breath of air. Rather than lash out at Pain, she rolled toward Naruto and brought a hooking kick around to attack the blade with a chakra-charged strike. Several of the blades fractured, weaking their hold on Naruto. She came to her knees and pulled with all her might on the blade impaling Naruto though his hands, the razor edge slicing into her palms.
"Hinata!" Naruto screamed as he watched blood stream from her hand as the blade tore free form his own.
"Enough of this!" Pain gripped her in his forcefield and flung her across the crater. Hinata landed awkwardly and her right ankle twisted as she landed.
"AHHHH!" She screamed as she forced herself back up to her good leg. Pain began approaching as blinding pain threatened to overwhelm her.
"HINATA!" flaming chakra shot through her body, encasing her injured ankle in an armored layer of chakra. Hinata again activated her Byakgugan and her Twin Lion Fists. Thanks, Kyuubi! She heard him growl in appreciation of the recognition.
"So, there is two of you!" Pain said with surprise entering his lifeless face.
"And there is going to be none of you when we're through!" Hinata lashed out with her lion shrouded hands, one strike making contact with Pain's face. He shot out a series of his spikes, and Hinata backflipped away. Mid-flip, gravity intensified, and she pancaked into the ground on her back.
"A valiant effort, but ultimately in vain." Pain began willing the earth around her to begin forming over her into a crushing tomb. Dammit! Hinata pushed back with everything Nine-Tails had, but the weight pressing her was taking everything she had just to keep it off.
"I want you to see this," he said to Naruto, "I want you to know what it is to lose something you love, to have it wretched from your hands before your eyes!"
By now, Naruto had freed one arm, from the spike impaling him, and was freeing another. As he did, Hinata felt her own chakra build. Come on, boy, just a few more! She began pushing back the earthen mound crushing her.
"Persistent one," Pain drew from his right arm another long, sharp blade. "I guess I'll just have to do this the hands-on method!"
"HINATA!" Naruto's squirted blood as he ripped desperately at the blade pinning this thigh to the ground. He's not going to make it!
"It's altogether fitting that he'd lose his lover," Pain said almost despondent. "So much pain comes from losing a lov… ahh!"
Hinata's eyes stretched wide as a brilliant glowing chain wrapped itself Pain's neck, jerking him up into the air and whipping him into the ground like a child's jump-rope. As the pressure released, Hinata's vision expanded outward again. From the edge of the crater, a sight emerged that hadn't been seen in Konoha in almost twenty years. Angry red tendrils of hair flapped in the wind, animated by the fiery chakra of the Red Hot Habanero Queen. "Get away from her, YOU BITCH!" Kushina shrieked as she again chain-whipped Pain like a dog with a chew toy.
As she did, Hinata felt the earthen mound around her collapse away and a firm set of hands pulling her to her feet. "Are you okay?" Naruto asked, oblivious to the fact that he was covered in blood and he was a hellscape of cuts and bruises.
"I am… Naruto, you're injured!" she reached out for him.
"I'll heal fast," he activated his tailed beast mode, orange chakra igniting around him. "Thank you for saving me," he winked. "I love you, too!"
Author's notes: Hi everyone. Apologies for this being so late to publication today; I had major issues with revision and wanted this chapter to get everything it deserved. I hope you enjoyed! I'll see you next week as the forces of Konoha fight back, and life-altering events occur. Until then, stay healthy, stay safe, and stay classy! If you're a fellow fan of Lilo and Stitch, happy 626 if you're reading at the time of publication!
6/26/2021 On a side note, if anyone is interested, I posted a poll to my profile about possible future projects. I always appreciate feedback. I'll keep it up through the next week.