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Chapter 2: Sun without its Moon
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Dark eyes narrowed as he delivered a blow to his opponent's chin, finding resistance surprisingly light, the clone unable to dodge in time as its advance toward Neji came to a screeching halt. Another kick sent the clone flying, crashing unceremoniously to a tree nearby, as Sasuke gathered chakra on his right hand, the familiar chirping of birds heralded the spark of blue on his hand. But a hand appeared in front of him, along with his former mentor's concerned look.
"Wait Sasuke. Killing the clone will transfer his memories to the original. Let Neji handle this." Sasuke rolled his eyes as Neji disabled the clone, a well-placed blow to precise pressure points, sealing the clone's tenketsu points and robbing it of its fuel. The clone crumpled on his knees, red eyes glaring at the trio of men as the clone clawed the ground in front of it, a desperate bid to steady itself as its tails retreated to its body.
"Had this been the original, we would have been in for a fight of our lives." Neji observed as the clone pitifully writhed on the ground. "We're lucky this is only a scout."
"Luck had nothing to do with it, my dear Neji." A gruff voice intervened, surprising the three as the clone smirked deviously, ceasing its futile struggle as it leaned on a nearby tree, restrained by chakra chains.
"The boss will find you… and when he does… your pitiful lives will be erased. You're just as guilty as the rest."
Sasuke flinched at the expression on the clone's face. The sneer, so foreign and alien from his beloved's kind and warm face, a jarring juxtaposition that rattled him to his core. He heaved for a bit, letting go of unsteady breath that formed a noticeable lump on his throat as his eyes met blazing crimson ones.
Kakashi made sure that the chakra chains are secure before approaching, before doubling up with chakra binders, to keep the being before them from recovering.
"Let's move. More are coming."
"A party of three approaches from the North. We won't be able to return to HQ through the usual route." Neji informed his peers as his Byakugan surveyed the trees before them.
Kakashi sighed before leading the other two off a beaten path, kunai slicing through thick foliage before pressing onward, leaving Naruto's scout to look at them eerily from the distance. As they moved deeper into the forest, Kakashi finally slowed down, one hand carefully parting some rocks on solid ground, formed the hand seals and released the jutsu masking a tunnels' entrance and the men ventured deep into the darkness.
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"Just what happened while I was gone, Kakashi?" Sasuke finally felt safe enough to ask, to get some kind of answer amidst his confusion. And while he got the gist from their initial talk back in the Valley where they found him, curiosity continued to gnaw at his insides, to know not just what happened to Konoha and everyone they loved but to one very special person.
And thankfully, Kakashi got the hint, sensing the other man's growing anxiety. He too felt comfortable enough to talk, having resealed the entrance from whence they came from.
"As we told you, Naruto went rogue following the wedding. He locked himself in the Hokage tower and the next thing we knew, there was a burst of light, much like when he used the Kyuubi's power. And before long, the streets were overwhelmed with feral clones, hostile to anyone but their master. The village was hastily evacuated. And here we are now."
"Uchiha…" Neji whispered, moving by the other's side as Kakashi press onward. "Because we both care for Naruto, perhaps it's time I tell you the whole truth. What Kakashi-sama told you was true, yes. Naruto's clones did rampage across the village the day after the wedding. And many thought their attack pattern was… erratic, unpredictable. Only… it wasn't."
Sasuke, now intrigued, turned to his old rival. He and Neji used to compete for Naruto's heart as well. And while Neji may have been caught in between the chaos of it all, Sasuke could see how the man still cared deeply for their most unpredictable ninja.
"Many believed that the clones were a product of Kyuubi running amok. But… their real target was…. Someone we both know very well. It wasn't known much outside the walls of Hyuuga clan, but on the night of the wedding, a verbal fight erupted in the main chamber, where Hinata-sama and Naruto-sama were to consummate their marriage." In an instant, Sasuke felt a bitter taste at the back of his throat, hot bile rising, aware too well of just what went down that fateful day. It was the very reason why he distanced himself. He knew the consequences of his actions, he knew what came next when he relinquished his claim over his love.
"Naruto-kun fled the estate in a fury. My theory was that Hinata-sama somehow managed to let it slip that she was the architect behind your departure. You know as well as I that she could not have orchestrated everything; for it was the council and our father who worked hard for it and pushed for it, seeing potential in marrying his daughter to the future Hokage, war hero to the village and savior of the world, but Hinata-sama felt every bit as guilty. The clones that went awry and attacked the brave ninja of the Leaf, they were on a warpath, not to harm innocents. But to hunt down Hinata-sama, our father and the council who orchestrated the whole thing. The ninja that caught in the crossfires were simply collateral casualties. You recall of course that the clone earlier looked at us with hatred. But it wasn't you its hate was directed at. Clones were…. Simple creatures aren't they? They probably were commanded with one simple order-to hunt down the Hyuuga and the council. And eliminate all who stand in their way. An order not unlike one that Naruto-kun would give in a fit of rage."
As Neji explained, something clicked within Sasuke. Realizing at once why it was so easy to fight against the clone, imbued with Kurama's golden chakra and the power of nature and why the clone was actively avoiding him in their combat.
"Luck had nothing to do with it, My Dear Neji…" The clone's voice echoed through Sasuke's mind. And the clone probably knew it too. Sasuke was the one who attacked him, so he had to exercise restraint. In an instant, he could still feel his Naruto's love, how even his clones cared for him despite their painful separation, how the Sun's love extended to his clones. And Sasuke could feel a fire within him, burning, igniting a deep seated resolve. He'll get his Naruto back no matter what.
"You understand now, don't you?" Neji turned to him. "Why only you can end this madness. As painful as it is to admit, Uchiha. We all are aware that much as how Naruto is your weakness, you are his as well."
Sasuke said nothing, he know exactly what he needs to do, now. And while it might incur a huge blow to his pride, he'd grovel and beg if he needs to. Naruto deserves that much…. For what went down between them, for all the pain everyone had to suffer, Naruto deserves to see Sasuke at his lowest, the Sun needs to see its moon losing its light, its pride and its glow and once the sun realizes that the moon cannot exist without it, only will its raging fires ebb and wane to light up the moon once more- only will it light as wholesome as it once did, free from the cold dark fires of hatred and dispair.
His hands balled into fists, various emotions raging through him. How could he have been so stupid? All along, Naruto has always needed him, wanted him. The man threw even his pride for him, begged and fell on his knees so that Sasuke might live, even considered shackling himself to a village who, despite his radiant care and achievements still look at him with careful, watchful eyes; an uneasy respect yet respect veiled with fear of what's in him and what he carried. Sasuke should know what it feels like- the loneliness of feeling the whole world against you, of everyone conspiring against you, for he too have been subject of such an uncaring world before.
"Uchiha?" Neji inquired once more. "You still with us?"
"I am…" This time, Sasuke's eyes had changed. There's no more confusion in them… only resolve… resolve and humility.
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Sasuke rolled his eyes as honey brown glared at him. It is no secret that Tsunade hated him. Yet, he knew they needed him, he knew he was vital for their plans. She was one of the loudest voice, who wanted the greatest criminal from Konoha to rot in prison, forgotten by the world just like their cursed bloodline; buried forever in history's ashes. Yet despite her hate, she too granted his freedom, convinced Kakashi to show leniency and hatched a plan with the council to lower his sentence. Never did he understand just what his subservience to them would entail.
He thought it was only his freedom that's at stake.
But he realized, too late that with his freedom, comes with the cost of Naruto's. And the council did know of it. For in their haste, in their need to be rid of him, they exiled him, under the guise of willful and consensual departure and in return, Naruto, war hero, the greatest and most powerful shinobi to ever grace the Earth would be shackled, not by cold hard steel and in darkness of prison, no, that would turn the public against them; they would be the mockery of the world if they were to chain the Kyuubi holder so callously.
But… by shackling the Kyuubi-carrier to the care of the Hyuugas under the guise of holy union, of love and of all that is good and wholesome, the public will be quelled, content that their hero roams free yet at the same time, bound forever to his village, bound not by chains of steel but by loyalty to family, to the Hyuuga and their heiress.
Sasuke could feel anger welling deep within him. And only this time did he understand Naruto's outburst. For without him, Naruto is lost. He was always the ship to Naruto's anchor. And without Sasuke to lead him to the north star, Naruto is lost in his own darkness, without purpose, without a compass to follow and look up to.
Anger… turned to guilt then resolution and brimming determination as Tsunade explained their plan of attack.
The remaining ninja will distract the clones while Sasuke slip into the tower, and put an end to the dark times that engulfed not just their beloved home of Konoha, but the world they live in.
Without its moon, the sun could not find itself, could not center itself. Without the moon guiding the tides of the Earth, the Sun is an aimless giant, unable to control its unwieldy gravity and it will collapse under the weight of its own mass. And Sasuke simply cannot allow that to happen.
Without even resting, without even pausing, hesitation was discarded as he led Konoha's ninja back to their home. Once in times past, they were set free by the light of the Sun; blanketed by its warmth and protected in its embrace at the cost of its own light and splendour. Now it is their turn to keep it from darkening, from ever dimming- to keep it burning onward by giving back its moon.
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A loud snarl, a growl echoed in his mindscape, Kurama watched, in anguish and horror as the very man he respected… the only mortal he saw as his son descend into grief… grief and madness everlasting at the loss of his beloved. Many thought the tailed beasts were lost when their carriers fell into coma.
But the reality was far from it.
After the war, a connection between them was forged, so intimately that Naruto's grief and anguish caused pause to the great demons of eight. So strong was his grief and loneliness that it echoed deep throughout their most sacred thoughts and feelings; resonated in the very recesses of their souls. And the demons, beasts who weren't used to feeling such intense emotions were temporarily pulled, sucked into the growing abyss of the Sun's dwindling light, and their only anchor at the center of it all, their eldest, Kurama- who can only cling and hope to whatever gods and higher power out there that his host will cease its unending black hole of suffocating darkness.
"Naruto…" The old voice was weary as he wrapped his tail on the still figure, sitting, unmoving just in front of Kurama's prison. "I am here… we are all here…" Kurama was soothing this time, but still, he could not stop the tears that fell from shaking pools of azures. A shaky voice replied, a harrowing painful gasp echoed through the chamber, a dark chamber devoid of its former warmth, of passion and radiance.
"But he's not here, Kurama… He's… not… here…" Came the simple reply, a tearful soulful reply that would tug at the demon's heart strings; one that would shake Kurama to his very core at the sheer despair and loneliness behind those words. And Kurama could only offer his warmth, for he know that not even the combined might of the nine could quell the sun's darkness.
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"Alpha team, you have your orders, create a distraction. The operation shall commence… now." Kakashi, despite his appearance was equally determined. For Naruto was not just his student. He is his successor, not just to the mantle of his office, but to the will of fire that brings them all to the future.
"Sensory team, be on the lookout for stray clones. Make sure to inform the Beta team as soon as one strays from delta path. Round them up to the center of hokage's plaza and lure them away from the tower. Move!" Tsunade was also resolute. And this time, despite her animosity for the Uchiha, she turned to Sasuke, burying her anger, her unbridled distaste for the man and his previous deeds. For she too realized that without Sasuke, there is no Naruto.
"And you, Uchiha." She tried to contain her anger. Knowing it's useless to keep away this criminal from her brother now. "It was a mistake to separate you from the kid. I know that now. I know that my words won't hold any value to you, nor will they carry weight now after what we conspired to do; and what grief we caused you. But go with the full blessing of Konoha and the world behind you. All our hope lies in you now."
Sasuke merely nodded, understanding just how difficult must it be for the woman to let go of her anger toward him, to lay her hopes unto the very man she despised and loathed; whom she sought to destroy and keep away from the only good person she has left.
"Foolish, pitiful creatures. You still think that salvation shall avail you. But our boss' orders are clear. You will be erased!" Naruto's clones yelled from the tower, a pressure just as suffocating as they first rampaged gripped Konoha. And that was when they knew it's their time to move, and their only chance to get close to the scalding simmering Sun.
"The Alpha team is now hot… pursued by the clones. Time for you to go, Sasuke. There should be minimal resistance in the grounds now. Commence infiltration."
And Sasuke needed no further words, need no further urging. His soul was burning, his heart thumping against his very ears.
He ran through the halls like never before.
To his side, Kakashi and Neji luring whatever errant clones came their way so that Sasuke can reach the darkened sun within Konoha unimpeded.
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A/N: Next chapter will be last… hopefully. And if I can fit in, a mini epilogue to tie it all off together. I hope you're enjoying this ride so far. Until next time.