Please see first chapter for disclaimer, rating, warnings, pairings, etc.
Special Thanks: goes out to rao hyuga 18, McKazekage, ASirensLullaby, Arduinne, Guest, TheGirlWithNoIQ, sailorangelmoon1, jennibearrr, hikari to seimei, lidianm, ANIME-NICA, QueenP19, iloveyougaara3, and greetingsfrommaars for all your wonderful reviews - I can hardly believe this story has surpassed the 300 mark! Also thanks to everyone who's added this story to their favorites and follows lists - I feel so encouraged every time I see a new alert in my e-box!
Author's Note: So sorry for the long wait (again) for this update! I've explained things in the note at the bottom, but for now, I'll let you get straight to reading the chapter. I hope you enjoy!
*~Chapter XXXII~*
~Showdown~
Hinata felt completely out of her element. She had accustomed herself to practicing kata and sparring on foot, and aiming her kunai and senbon at stationary targets.
Fighting from horseback and aiming at a moving target was something different entirely.
Though the women had the two Akatsuki members outnumbered four to two, the men were surprisingly quick and agile despite their size. Where Hinata always felt slightly off-balance in her own saddle, they stayed ramrod straight in their own, easily striking and retreating when the situation called for each action.
Tenten had helped her transfer to Kiri right before the Akatsuki reached them, so now the two women had cornered the taller of the two men - with sickly grey skin and teeth filed to sharp points, like a shark's - away from his teammate. He wielded a massive sword with surprising dexterity, flashing it from one side to another to deflect all attacks Hinata and Tenten aimed at him.
Out of the corner of her eye, Hinata got occasional glimpses of how the fight was going for Temari and Ino. Their opponent appeared to have no sword, but he kept throwing out small balls, which exploded upon impact with the ground to release big, sticky nets the two blondes were barely managing to avoid.
The katana in Hinata's hand felt heavy and awkward, especially since she was trying to use it one-handed. Each impact of her weapon against the Akatsuki's rattled all the way up her arm, through her shoulder, and into her head. Even though she really had no idea what she was doing, she swallowed back her fear and channeled it - and her pain - into her determination. She knew Gaara was also in the middle of a fight at that very moment, and she knew he would come out the victor. She could do no less herself.
An idea, as bright as a firework, sparked to life in her mind. She glanced over at Tenten, trying to communicate with her without words. Please understand what I'm getting ready to do, she silently begged her sister-in-law.
Understanding lit Tenten's eyes as Hinata kicked her feet out of her stirrups. Guiding Kiri around the back of the Akatsuki's horse, she crouched in her saddle before leaping onto the back of the man's horse. For a moment she thought for sure she'd fall off, but she managed to grasp a handful of the Akatsuki's robe and regain her equilibrium.
Growling angrily, the Akatsuki let go of his reins and reached over his shoulder to try to grab her. Hinata jerked backwards, nearly unseating them both in her attempt to avoid his hand. I've got one shot at this!
Remembering everything Neji and Gaara had told her, she secured one arm around the Akatsuki's neck, cutting off his airway. He clawed at her arm, desperately trying to duck his chin so he could still breathe. Clenching her teeth, Hinata clung tighter, hoping she had the right angle to get enough momentum in her strikes as she hit each of the points in the single deadly technique Neji had shown her.
"Only use this if you absolutely have to, Hinata," he'd told her. "Only if it is your absolute last choice."
Shutting her mind against the horror of what she was about to do, Hinata drove the tips of her fingers into the side of the Akatsuki's neck in the final move of the technique.
With a horrible, rattling gasp, he went completely boneless, sliding sideways off his horse -and dragging her right along with him.
Her fall broken by the Akatsuki's body, Hinata pushed herself to her feet and ran for Kiri, knowing she and Tenten needed to help Temari and Ino now. As she remounted her horse, she tried very hard not to think about what she'd just done.
Was this even remotely close to what Gaara had felt that night when she'd found him in his room, covered in blood and looking like a broken man?
Tenten offered her a quick, sympathetic look as the two women rode toward the other Akatsuki member, but had no time for more as they immediately joined the fight upon reaching it.
While Temari and Ino had been doing an admirable job holding the other Akatsuki member at bay, they were obviously beginning to tire. Having to avoid his sticky net traps and the kunai, senbon, and shuriken he occasionally threw in was quickly tiring the blonde duo.
Though Tenten and Hinata were also tired from their own just-won battle, their joining the fight increased the number against the Akatsuki, though he didn't seem too terribly bothered by the fact. He continued to ward off all who came close to him, having noticed the fate of his fellow and not wanting to face the same.
Two things happened simultaneously. A whoop - loud and bloodcurdling, the cry of a charging warrior - rose over the sounds of their fighting, and Temari tumbled over Sanraizu's hindquarters, arms and legs tucked tightly in an effort to protect her middle.
Hinata fought the urge to rush over to her sister-in-law as several familiar faces - led by Kankuro - charged into the fight on horseback, bristling with weapons and anxious to defeat anyone wearing a black cloak with red and white clouds.
Grateful backup had at last arrived, Hinata, Tenten, and Ino fell back, the first circling around to pick up Temari, who had regained her feet. As the quartet distanced themselves from the fight, Hinata demanded anxiously, "Are you b-both all right?"
"I'll certainly feel that tomorrow," Temari replied breathlessly. "But I think we are."
Pulling up once they'd gotten a safe distance from the fight - which was already wrapping up - Hinata took a moment to identify those who had come to help. Though a few faces were unfamiliar - undoubtedly members of Suna's military and ninja force - she recognized Kankuro, Rock Lee, Kiba, Shino, and Shikamaru, as well as Akamaru, Kiba's giant white dog.
Now out of imminent danger, Hinata felt herself beginning to tremble. She clenched her hands into fists around her reins, telling herself over and over she absolutely could not panic, not until the Akatsuki were defeated for good and Suna was safe. Even though their pursuers had been taken care of (she tried not to think too much about the how), they were all still in quite grave danger.
Lifting her gaze from their approaching allies, Hinata peered through the sizeable hole in Suna's wall. Much of the village between the wall and the Tower had been set ablaze, undoubtedly by the explosion she and the others had felt earlier. But she felt a sigh of relief escape her lips at the sight of the Tower still standing, strong and completely intact, on the other side of the flames and fighting.
"You all right?" Kankuro asked as he rode up to them. His fellows formed a protective circle around the women, alert for further signs of attack.
"We're fine," Temari said. Sliding off Kiri, she accepted Sanraizu's reins. The golden mare had been rounded up by one of Temari's fellow villagers, and she looked relieved as she climbed back into her saddle.
"I saw you fall off," Kankuro said. His dark eyes briefly flitted to his sister's stomach, then away. "I'm glad you're okay." He hesitated. "And - ah - Junior, is he...?"
"Fine." Temari blew some sand off the tips of her fan, which had also survived the fall without damage. "And we're not sure it's a 'he' yet, Kankuro."
Hinata bit her lip and leaned forward slightly in her saddle to draw her brother-in-law's attention. "How's Matsuri?" she asked.
"Haruno Sakura and some other medics are already setting up med headquarters a safe distance away," Kankuro reported. "I sent one of my lieutenants to escort her and some other injured we'd come across there." He frowned. "She looked bad when we showed up to take care of the original bunch who were following you all. She looks even worse now. I'm surprised she was still in the saddle."
Unable to help admiring her bodyguard's determination, Hinata nodded slowly. "I'm glad she's getting medical attention," she murmured. "Thank you, Kankuro."
He nodded briefly, seeming distracted. "For now," he said, "you all should head there, too. You'll be safe there, and we all need to get back to the village. They need our help, and-"
Ka-BOOSH!
Even from such a distance, the sudden roar of yet another explosion sounded like a thousand fireworks going off at once. Hinata's attention shot back toward the village, and she let out an involuntary cry when she saw the mushroom cloud of smoke topping the blazing fireball consuming the remains of the tower housing her husband's office.
"Gaara!"
His overwhelming anger burned away the remnants of the pain in his shoulder. Even though his hand and arm refused to work the way he wanted them to, he advanced on his enemy, ready to keep his promises, to take his revenge, to do what needed to be done. He would not stop until Orochimaru was completely, undeniably, irretrievably dead.
Gaara's blade met Orochimaru's with a nerve-shredding screech of metal. Green eyes burned into yellow as they slashed, blocked, retreated, charged anew. Fresh wounds appeared on each opponent, making it clear they were nearly evenly matched.
It would not be an easy victory for either man.
Despite his attempts to the contrary, memories kept flashing through Gaara's mind, distracting him for a few brief, precious seconds each time a new one appeared.
...Hinata's pale eyes shining with pleasure as she smiled at him, extending one hand to invite him closer...
Gaara blocked Orochimaru's attempt to sweep his legs from beneath him, parrying with a jab at the other man's momentarily unprotected stomach.
...Hinata's long midnight hair, as soft and dark as the night sky, glowing in the light of the moon as she brushed it, though she needed not go to so much trouble because of her natural beauty...
Orochimaru lashed out, his face set in an ugly, twisted scowl. For the first time since Gaara had first encountered him in his office, he looked like his confidence had been shaken, as if he thought he might not be good enough to win the fight.
...Hinata's voice in his ear, whispering how she loved him, how she trusted him, how she believed in him, no matter what he'd done in his past...
He ducked away just in time to avoid a slash which would have taken his head, cursing himself for his distraction. But Hinata's memory would not leave him alone, increasing his guilt, his pain, his anger with each flash. He had been a failure as a husband, as a protector, as a leader. Did he really deserve to win this fight?
...Hinata, her face set with determination, working her way through various kata; throwing kunai and shuriken with admirable skill; practicing with a katana he'd had made just for her...
Teeth clenching, Gaara threw himself fully back into the fight. Even when she'd gotten frustrated, when she'd lost her concentration or fumbled a move, Hinata hadn't given up. How could he even think about giving up himself, when his wife had not done the same in the face of strife and adversity?
She had not wanted to come to Suna and marry him - not really. He could tell the moment he saw her how she felt about the entire situation, though she'd been nothing less than polite and attentive. But she had endured, committing herself completely to making her relationship with him work and even thrive.
In honor of what she'd done, in honor of her memory, in honor of their love, he would win this fight. After that, he would let come what may.
Gaara ducked and spun away from Orochimaru's most recent strike, seeing the perfect set of moves to make fall together before his mind's eye like the pieces of a puzzle. Continuing his momentum, he feinted toward the snake's side, then reversed his katana's trajectory at the last moment and slashed the back of Orichmaru's leg cleanly down to the bone.
It buckled immediately, dumping the man into an ungainly heap on the floor. He slashed at Gaara in an attempt to return the favor, but the redhead swiftly sidestepped out of reach.
This was it. He'd gained the upper hand. Now was the moment to strike...
Faster than one would have thought, given his injury, Orochimaru regained his feet, balancing precariously on his uninjured leg. He held his katana before him, yellow eyes glittering hatefully behind the curtain of his tangled dark hair, abnormally long, sharp teeth bared in obvious hatred. "Going to strike while I was down, were you?" he hissed. "That's something I would do. Congratulations, Gaara. You were a better experiment than I thought you'd be."
Gaara faltered slightly, the momentum of his thoughts and the rhythm of the fight momentarily lost. "Experiment?" This was new.
Orochimaru's lips twisted into what was probably meant to be a smile. "Didn't anyone tell you? Your father wasn't the only one who wanted to create a perfect weapon, Gaara. He and I were united in that goal, though we had our differences on many others." His malicious eyes glowed like twin lamps, two pits of evil which made Gaara feel sick just looking at them. "It was my idea, you know. Your birth was the perfect setup, and I urged your father to take advantage of it."
Hand tightening around the hilt of his katana, Gaara narrowed his eyes. Orochimaru was a liar, but was it possible he was telling the truth in this case? Had his father only gone along with someone else's plan, instead of coming up with it on his own?
Confidence returning, Orichmaru grinned savagely. "When that weakling revealed your sudden change of heart, it only confirmed what I knew all along - your father had been too easy on you. The fact you were his son held him back from doing what really needed to be done to make you into the weapon you needed to be. I killed him and intended to take you that night, but your meddling witch of a sister sounded the alarm before I could. You've been too well protected ever since." His eyes darted around shiftily, exactly like a snake's. "You're a liability, and sadly too far gone for me to be able to finish training you. You've got to go." With an awkward, lurching move, Orichimaru lunged for Gaara katana first.
Once again, Gaara's instincts took over. Despite his shock, he was able to sidestep, his own sword swinging around-
"Gaara!"
He faltered for only a moment, knowing what he'd just heard was impossible, but unable to deny how real it sounded.
No. It can't be. Shaking off his surprise, Gaara barely avoided Orichmaru's next strike and committed himself to his own, throwing all his tumultous emotions into the swing as he screamed words he neither heard nor remembered.
Orochimaru's stunned expression endured for only a moment before going slack. His eyes turned glassy, and his mouth dropped open soundlessly as his body crumpled once more to the floor, this time not to rise again.
Gaara blinked at the head of dark hair lying separate from Orochimaru's body, feeling quite numb all of a sudden.
It was over. He'd had his revenge. He'd avenged his village, his people, his sister, his wife.
He felt nothing.
Footsteps behind him drew his attention in that direction. He only felt dimly surprised to see Kankuro, Neji, Naruto, Sasuke, and another, unfamiliar, Konoha ninja standing there. Itachi stood next to his younger brother, sword dangling from one hand, the other cupped over his bleeding side.
But on Itachi's other side... There was Tenten, and Ino, and Temari-
Temari? He blinked, feeling what little blood left in his face drain away. His gaze lingered on his sister, taking in her loose hair, her torn and bloody clothes, her dirty face...
A blur detatched itself from the group and hurried toward him. Gaara stood absolutely still as what could only be a ghost slammed into him, smelling of sweat and blood and lavender.
"Gaara!" Two small hands fisted into his tunic as a warm figure tucked itself against his chest, the heat from her body spreading through his chilled limbs, bringing life back into his own body.
"Hinata," he whispered. He looked down at the head of midnight hair buried in his chest, then lifted his gaze to his brother, his brother- and sister-in-law, to his sister...
Very slowly, very carefully, he lifted his hands, hesitating for only a moment before pressing them to Hinata's back. She lifted her face, tearstains making clean trails on her dirty cheeks, but her eyes bright and full of life and love, the most breathtakingly beautiful smile on her lips.
"Hinata," he breathed. Ignoring the presence of everyone else and allowing only his wife to fill his vision, command his attention, he lowered his head and pressed his lips to Hinata's.
She tasted salty like tears; sweet like victory; and above all, so very real.
Only then did the truth really sink in.
They were alive, both of them, despite the odds, despite everything.
"Gaara." And then they were kissing again, and he knew with absolute certainty the war was won.
Everything, at long last, was going to be all right.
*~To Be Continued~*
Author's Ending Notes: I know this chapter was relatively short, especially compared to some of the others, but I feel the addition of anything else would take away from its impact. As to the long wait for this update, since the last time I posted a new chapter, my mother had knee surgery, my grandmother a mini-stroke, and I injured my back, so I either haven't really had time to write, or haven't really felt like it. I'm happy to report my mother's knee is much better now, my grandmother is recovering, and my back is better, too. Hopefully I'll be able to get the next update up much sooner. In the meantime, though, thank you so much for your patience, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I hope to see you again for the next update!
Author's Ending Notes 2: Many people have asked if there will be, and have requested, a sequel. I'm afraid I have to say there won't be a sequel, but there will be another prequel - entitled Light and Dark - which is already in the works. It will mainly be about Itachi and Temari's story, but Gaara will also, obviously, play a pretty big role. You'll get some more insight about events leading up to Hinata's arrival in Suna, and Gaara's thoughts on the matter. But before that, there's still a few chapters left in this story! Thank you all again so much for your encouragement and interest!