Disclaimer: I don't own naruto or any of its characters as they are the property of Masashi Kishimoto.
The author of the cover image is
indy-riquez from DeviantArt. You can check the link for the original image in my profile.

Chapter 30: Regrets

''I'm just saying that we Chunin should have our own lounge, that's all'' Said Kotetsu.

''You spend all your time in the Jounin's lounge anyway. I don't know why you'd need your own lounge'' Said Izumo.

The two Chunin, along with Naruto, had already spent hours traveling to the Fire Temple and the sun would set in just a couple of hours but they weren't in a rush since their destination was just a few minutes away, so they had settled for walking the rest of the way. And as always, the two best friends had discussed over all kinds of trivial matters along the way.

''It was just an idea'' Said Kotetsu. ''That or they could promote me to Jounin''

''You, a Jounin?'' Asked Izumo incredulously.

''Yeah, why not?'' Kotetsu shot back.

''You are not good enough to be a Jounin, man'' Said Izumo.

''I totally am!'' Insisted Kotetsu, seemingly offended.

''Really? You think you could hold your own against Asuma-Senpai, Kakashi-San, or Gai-San?'' Inquired Izumo.

''Maybe I would if I was given the chance to prove myself'' Said Kotetsu.

''Yeah, right'' Responded Izumo with a roll of his eyes.

''Well, if I wasn't doing errands for Tsunade-Sama all the time I would be able to show everyone my skills'' Said Kotetsu before turning to Naruto, maybe the blond would be more encouraging that Izumo. ''What do you think, Naruto?''

For a moment, the boy didn't realize he had been called, but when he felt the gaze of the men on him he turned to stare with a confused face at the two Chunin. ''Sorry, I couldn't hear you guys. Did you ask me something?'' Said Naruto.

''I was just talking to Izumo here and he thinks I'm not fit to be a Jounin, but you think I'm capable, right?'' Asked the expectant Kotetsu.

Naruto just nodded solemnly. ''I guess...'' Was the only thing he said before he went back to staring at the ground as they walked.

The two Chunin glanced at each other with concern. This behavior was very unlike Naruto. On a normal day, Naruto would have brightly smiled and said a few words of encouragement, but now he just settled for a plain 'I guess'? Now that they thought about it, this was the first time in all their travel that the boy had spoken a single word.

''Naruto, are you feeling well?'' Asked Kotetsu in concern. ''You have been acting a little...'' Said the Chunin, trying to find the right words.

''Off'' Finished Izumo.

''Yeah. Off'' Kotetsu agreed.

''I'm fine. I just have a lot in my mind at the moment'' Said Naruto, without even looking at them.

Izumo nodded in understanding. He guessed that anyone would be having reservation about this twelve guardians offer, as it was an important decision that would demand an insane amount of time in service.

However, Kotetsu wasn't as reserved on his guess. ''Oh, and why is that? Having personal problems? Could it be a girl, maybe?'' Asked Kotetsu playfully, trying to add some humor and hopefully raise Naruto's spirits.

At the question, Naruto turned to look at Kotetsu in surprise. ''How did you know?'' Asked the Jinchuuriki, much to the astonishment of the two Chunin.

Izumo was especially amazed. ''That was actually it?!'' Thought the man.

Kotetsu had not expected his guess to be right, he was just joking around. Not to mention that he didn't know that Naruto was interested in a girl. Still, he tried to play it cool. ''Naruto-Kun, it was obvious. Didn't you know? I'm an expert when it comes to girls, you could even say I'm a master'' Boasted Kotetsu was he grabbed his chin with a thoughtful look.

''Liar, you can't even talk to a cute girl without blabbering nonsense'' Thought Izumo as he stared blankly at his friend.

''Really?!'' Asked Naruto in excitement. It was the most cheerful the two Chunin had seen him all day. ''Then, maybe you could help me!''

''You can tell me what's up'' Said Kotetsu as he approached Naruto and put his hand on the boy's shoulder in a friendly manner. ''So, what seems to be the problem with your girl?''

Izumo thought that it wasn't Kotetsu's place to be involving himself in Naruto's matters and probably he should stop his friend from prying...but on the other hand, he could not deny he was curious as well. Maybe he would refrain from cutting off his partner this time.

Naruto's look got a bit more mellow as he recalled Kurotsuchi's actions. ''I-I don't know what's wrong with her lately. She has been avoiding me for no reason and I know she is doing it on purpose''

''Ignoring you, uh?'' Repeated Kotetsu. ''And you know you don't know why?''

Naruto nodded in response, making Kotetsu thoughtful.

''Hmmm, complicated'' Muttered Kotetsu. ''But there is a chance that this could be a good signal''

''Good?'' Asked Naruto. ''How is being ignored good?''

''You see, When they start giving you the cold shoulder it could be because they either aren't interested in you, or it could be because they like you and are confused about their feelings. You know, girl's stuff'' Said Kotetsu.

''Confused?'' Said Naruto. ''Why confused?''

''Sometimes when a girl loves you they overcomplicate things in their mind and get distant. Girls are weird like that'' Said Kotetsu.

''Love?!'' Asked Naruto, not expecting that.

''Yeah. Is either that or she doesn't like you and wants nothing to do with you, but let's hope is the former'' Said Kotetsu, earning him a glare from Izumo for the depressing comment.

Naruto frowned in sadness at hearing Kotetsu's explanation. ''I don't think she loves me, so she really must want me to leave her alone, then'' There was no way Kurotsuchi loved him. Someone like her would not love someone like him.

''Don't be so down, kid!'' Said Kotetsu. ''Look, don't just give up like that. If you really love her you must fight for her heart!''

''That's right'' Agreed Izumo. ''If you love this girl, don't just let her slip away. You have to keep trying your very best until your feelings reach her''

''Sorry guys, but you got things wrong. I don't lov...'' Naruto was incapable of finishing his statement. For some reason saying that he didn't love Kurotsuchi felt wrong, like a lie. But why? He didn't love her, at least not in the romantic sense, right? But on the other hand, he could say he cared deeply about her. She made him feel unlike any other person had made him feel. And not just because she was beautiful, but because she made him feel...whole. Like she completed a part of him that he didn't know was missing. The time he had spent with her living beside him had been the happiest period of his life, even if they sometimes fought, the good moments more than made up for it. If he were to lose her he didn't know what he would do...

Naruto stopped dead in his tracks as the realization hit him. He loved her...didn't he? Everything clicked in the boy's mind at that moment, now that he understood his feelings it all made sense. He loved Kurotsuchi, he had done so for some time. He didn't know what to do with this realization, but one thing was for certain: He had to get back to Konoha, he couldn't stay with the twelve guardians. He had things to settle and he had to face the girl he loved to put everything on the table. Even if she ignored him, he would not give up, he would find a way for them to talk and come to terms with this situation, that was a promise, and he didn't break his promises.

Naruto smiled confidently, now everything was clear to him. ''You are right, I can't give up on Kurotsuchi. Thanks, guys''

Both Chunin gave the boy a pleasant grin, happy that they could be of help. However, that only lasted a moment when the two men paid attention to what Naruto had Said and widened their eyes in shock.

''Wait, you mean the Iwa girl?!'' Asked Izumo.

''The Tsuchikage's granddaughter?! That Kurotsuchi?!'' Added Kotetsu.

Naruto nodded at their questions. ''The very same'' Responded the blond as he resumed their trip, leaving the two friends standing there dumbfounded.

''Are you going to stay there?'' Asked Naruto with a glance behind his shoulder.

''We-we are coming!'' Said Izumo as he and Kotetsu caught up to the Jinchuuriki.

At Naruto's revelation of his feelings for Iwa's most influential Kunoichi, both Chunin were now silent as they pondered on the bizarre situation. But Naruto didn't seem to mind as he continued to smile with confidence as he now had a purpose in mind.

''We are almost at the Fire Temple'' Said Izumo finally.

Naruto was glad for that. As soon as he met with the Fire Temple monks and told them he would have to pass on their offer, the sooner he would get back to Konoha.

Soon, they could see a path among the tall trees, no doubt it was the pathway to the Fire Temple.

''The temple is just right up...ahead...'' Izumo's voice died down and the three Shinobi stared in both shock and horror as soon as they turned into the pathway. At the distance, they could see a giant pile of rubble.

The tree Shinobi rushed to the ruins of the building and upon closer inspection they could see the extent of the damage: The large metal gates were scrambled among a pile of stones; what seemed to be two bases of statues were left empty and broken as the golden monuments laid on the floor in a million pieces; the outer wall had crumbled, and the wooden roof now was nothing more than planks and splinters. But the most horrifying thing of all was the several bodies scattered all around the place and buried under the rocks. The corpses were wearing white and gray robes, making them fire ninja monks.

''What happened here?!'' Asked Naruto with turmoil.

''This can't be...'' muttered Kotetsu, still not believing his eyes. The gates of the Fire Temple were rumored to be impenetrable. And not only that but Chiriku was known to be very strong, maybe even S class. How on earth could a place like this fall with a man such as Chiriku protecting an already unbreachable building? And without anyone else knowing to boot.

Izumo made his way to one of the corpses. He covered his nose and grimaced at the smell of the rotting flesh. ''This guy has been dead for a while now. A few days at the very least'' Noted the Chunin as he examined the look of agony on the sickly purple face of the dead monk.

''But the Hokage just got a letter from the Temple this morning!'' Remarked Kotetsu. That had to mean that whoever sent the letter hadn't been the fire monks. This was a trap!

Before anyone could say anything more, Naruto and Kotetsu barely felt something coming from them. They jumped to the side as a large scythe struck the ground they had been standing half a second ago.

''So, you came her at last, Kyuubi''

The tree Konoha ninjas were quick to spot the two Akatsuki members just a mere yards away now that they decided to reveal themselves.

''I was tired of waiting'' Continued Kakuzu, staring coldly at the group and coupled with his unusual eyes color it made for a pretty intimidating glare.

''You...'' Replied Naruto with a glare of his own at the sight of the familiar figures of the two criminals.

''Akatsuki!'' Thought Kotetsu in alarm. He had never faced foes such as this before.

''This is bad'' Analyzed Izumo. They were terribly ill-equipped to handle two S-class missing nin. If these two monsters were able to lay waste to the fire temple by themselves- Chiriku included- and look no worse for wear then there was no way that their measly three-man squad could defeat them, even less so if they had not been anticipating a fight.

''You are the ones responsible for doing this, aren't you?!'' Accused Naruto as he pointed at what was left of the fire temple.

''Isn't that obvious? You really are a moron, aren't ya?'' Said Hidan mockingly. ''What? Did you really think that a pathetic and weak brat like you would really be chosen to be a member of the twelve guardian ninja? But now that I think about it, that Chiriku or whatever his name was wasn't so tough, so maybe you would fit quite well with those poor bastards''

''You better come with us quietly'' Added Kakuzu. '' I wasted too much time here that I could be spending tracking bounties. I'm not in the mood to play around this time''

''Like I'm going down without a fight, you assholes!'' Said Naruto as he raised his guard anticipating a fight. ''I'll show you how strong I've become!''

''Naruto, don't!'' Warned Izumo. ''We are not ready to take on guys like these!''

''Listen to Izumo, kid'' Added Kotetsu, just as alarmed and ready to defend himself. ''That would be suicide''

Naruto frowned at their lack of options. ''Then what do you propose we-''

''Run'' Interrupted Izumo.

Naruto widened his eyes at the suggestion and stared at the Chunin for a couple of seconds. They aren't going to let us go just like that so we might as well fight back!''

''We know that we would not be able to get away. Not all of us at least'' Said Kotetsu.

''That's why we'll hold them off for as long as we can. You make it back to Konoha and fast!'' Said Izumo.

''No way! I'm not leaving you guys to face these bastards alone! They are after me, I won't let you take that risk for me!'' Complained Naruto. There was no chance of him leaving comrades behind to save his own ass.

''This is not up for debate! We are Chunin, so we outrank you and we are the leaders of this mission by default!'' Insisted Izumo. Naruto was their village's Jinchuuriki, he was way more valuable for Konoha than he and Kotetsu could ever be and it was their duty as ninjas to see the best possible outcome in their mission even if it cost them their lives.

However, their discussion was cut short when Hidan rushed at them. ''As if I'd let my prey escape!''

The two Chunin quickly sprung into action at the sudden attack, and each pulled a blade to parry the Akatsuki's attack.

''Just go already, Naruto!'' Urged Kotetsu as he struggled to keep back the sadistic missing nin.

Naruto knew that it was time to act, but no matter what Izumo and Kotetsu said, he wasn't going to let them die for him. So, instead of turning back the way he came he rushed into the woods. ''Come and get me, you assholes. I'm the one you want!'' Yelled Naruto over his shoulder as he went further into the forest.

No! Naruto!'' Shouted both Chunin in panic at the blond's disobedience.

''Idiot'' Murmured Kakuzu as he disappeared from sight as he went after Naruto at amazing speed.

Izumo and Kotetsu attempted to follow suit and protect Naruto as best as they could, but their path was blocked again by Hidan, slashing at them while laughing all the while, forcing them to back off.

''I won't let you get in the way. Not like you would make much of a difference anyway'' Taunted the Jashinist. ''Kakuzu can have the Kyuubi all to himself. For my part, I'll settle for dealing with the two of you. I can't kill the Jinchuuriki and where is the fun in that? I need some new sacrifices for Jashin-Sama anyway''

Both Chunin glared at the silver-haired man and they raised their blades again, ready to attack. This whole mission was going to hell and fast. They just hoped that Naruto could deal with an Akatsuki member by himself as they weren't even sure they could deal with this one even two versus one.

Meanwhile, Naruto hastily continued to jump tree after tree, trying to make as much distance from his comrades and the Akatsuki as possible. He was just jumping from a branch when he felt a strong grip grab him by the ankle.

He yelped in surprise when he glanced back to see a forearm connected by some kind of black threads, harshly pulling him down and smashing him into the ground, leaving a small crater with the impact of his body.

''You can't escape from me that easily'' Said Kakuzu as he stepped towards the downed boy as the black thread receded and his arm reconnected properly. Once he was in front of the unconscious Jinchuuriki he regarded him with a look of apathy, unimpressed at how easy he had gone down. But not a moment later, the boy burst into a puff of smoke and several more blonds came out from the trees around him, Rasengan in hand.

Kakuzu responded to the assault by simply extending his arms at either side of his body and shooting dark tendrils at the platoon of Narutos, piercing them and dispelling them and their Rasengans with them.

But as he did so, yet another Naruto came from the ground below the Akatsuki member, also with a Rasengan in hand. Kakuzu easily jumped back, avoiding the blow and catching the boy by the throat with an elongated arm, choking the life out of the clone and making it disappear just like the rest.

However, after he had done so, he groaned in pain when he felt an overwhelming force collide with his back, feeling it grind his robe and part of his skin.

''Odama Rasengan!(Big Ball Spiralling Sphere)'' Shouted Naruto and anther clone as they slammed a larger-than-normal Rasengan in the back of Kakuzu, sending the man flying and slamming him through several trees.

Both Naruto and his clone stood watching the damage done, feeling a small sense of accomplishment at having made a good diversion with the assault of the initial clones and leaving an opening for that last attack.

''He should be down for the count after that'' Thought Naruto, but still he didn't leave his guard down, not after he had done the same against Hidan the last time they met and the bastard stood up like nothing had happened, and Naruto wasn't about to let another Akatsuki surprise him like that again.

And sure enough, Naruto saw Kakuzu walk back into the clearing, but this time he didn't have his Akatsuki robe, revealing a sleeveless gray undershirt.

Naruto frowned in annoyance. He guessed that taking an Akatsuki out with a single attack was too good to be true.

''That wasn't half bad, Kyuubi. But you'll need more than that to do anything to me'' Said Kakuzu calmly although slightly annoyed. The brat couldn't see it since he was face to face with him, but that last attack had taken out one of four masks stitched to his back.

At the very least now Naruto knew that he had to keep his distance from the man if how easily he skewered his clones was any indication. But if it was a long-range battle that was needed he had a couple moves to try. ''Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)!'' Said Naruto with his trademark hand seal and fifty clones appeared all around him. After that, Naruto and his doppelgangers threw a barrage of Kunai and Shuriken at Kakuzu before quickly making yet more hand seals and thrust their palm forward. ''Fuuton: Reppusho(Wind Release: Gale Palm)!'' The current of wind increased the speed of the projectiles, resembling a blizzard of deadly steel coming towards Kakuzu.

Kakuzu rapidly extended his arms also and his chest started convulsing as his innards seemed to rearrange, making some strange white masks appear at the end of his hands supported by tendrils. ''Katon: Zukkoku(Fire Release: Searing Migraine), Futon: Atsugai(Wind Release: Pressure Damage)!'' both mask opened their mouth, one of them releasing a huge burst of flames while the other a high pressured current of wind, mixing together to form a raging storm of searing flames that clashed with Naruto's technique, overpowering it and using Naruto's own air Jutsu to power itself up even more, causing it to become a massive wall of flames going directly at the Jinchuuriki.

Naruto only had the time to see a gigantic wall of fire making its way towards him at incredible speed. Realizing that with the size of that attack he wouldn't be able to dodge, the clones he previously created gathered around him and climbing over each other to form a dome of clones around the real Naruto in an effort to protect him and the blond even created several more just in case.

Soon after, the raging flames engulfed the Naruto army. The numerous copies gave a pained yell as the heat scorched them and dispelled them in great numbers as the field around them resembled an inferno.

Kakuzu just stared impassively at the destruction his Jutsu was causing until the fire finally died down and just a single Naruto was left.

Naruto laid sprawled on the ground. The earth below and around him had turned black from the heat and a large portion of the trees surrounding him were no ore than ashes or still burning stumps.

Naruto slowly stood up, gasping for fresh air. He had felt as if he was going to die from suffocation and that was without even taking into account the unbearable heat. He brushed off the sweat on his face as he gave a breath of relief. Luckily for him he had come mostly unharmed. However, even just a little less clones and he would have been toast.

''Your Combination of Jutsu was good'' Said Kakuzu. ''But still, any collaboration Jutsu you can make can't compare to mine''

Naruto knew that he was running out of options. Against a foe of this level he would have to use his newest and most powerful Jutsu. Even if he could not properly throw the Rasenshuriken yet he would have no choice but to find a way to make it connect, it was his only hope of getting out of this save for using the fox's chakra, and he had promised that he would not rely on the Kyuubi anymore if he could help it.

But with a new plan of action, Naruto once again created a few dozen clones which rushed at Kakuzu as soon as they materialized.

The Akatsuki member stared in boredom and exasperation at the numerous blond rushing and screaming as they ran at him. As soon as the clones reached Kakuzu they attempted to engage him in Taijutsu, throwing kicks and punches from different directions to catch the man off guard. But Kakuzu was way more experienced than Naruto, he easily dodged, ducked, and side-stepped the blows sent his way while he counterattacked with his superior flexibility that his elongating limbs gave him at the same time as he impaled others with the tendrils coming from his body. But as soon as Kakuzu finishing dealing with the clones he noticed a high pitched noise coming from behind him.

But as soon as Kakuzu finishing dealing with the clones he noticed a high pitched noise coming from behind him. He turned around and widened his eyes when he saw two pairs of Narutos a few yards again from him. They were standing holding a ball of chakra with huge rotating blades of wind coming from them. Those orbs were the cause of the piercing sound and they produced a powerful current of wind around them just for being present. Kakuzu stared in surprise at the weird Jutsu, but if his guess was correct that attack had to be incredibly powerful to cause produce such a reaction in the environment just from the force of the condensed Chakra.

''I don't know what that technique is, but I can't let him hit me with it'' Concluded Kakuzu with apprehension.

''Let's go!'' Yelled one of the boys. a Naruto holding one the powerful orb started running at Kakuzu again flanked by two other Narutos.

Kakuzu kept his distance and shot a long stream of his black tendrils at the approaching teenagers.

Two of the Narutos jumped on the third one to use him as support and jump, avoiding the attack as the third one was dispelled.

Kakuzu expected something like that and quickly shot with his other arm another stream of threads, aimed specifically at the one holding the chakra ball.

The Narutos once more saw the attack coming. One of them grabbed the other and hurled it at the ground and towards Kakuzu with Rasenshuriken still in hand, missing being impaled by mere inches as the other was destroyed.

Kakuzu saw the blond coming and the dangerous attack coming closer at him. Still, the pattern was very predictable and had no problem dodging to the side and the blond rushed past him, missing the attack. But what the Akatsuki member didn't expect was for the boy to turn midair and hurl the ball at him. In his surprise, Kakuzu barely stepped aside to avoid the attack. ''Nice try'' Thought the missing-nin victoriously.

But at that moment, the orb that Kakuzu avoided turned into another Naruto, revealing the Rasenshuriken to had been a Henge all along.

Kakuzu looked in shock at the new blond just a mere couple of meters away from him and he realized his mistake too late when the clone extended his palm to him and yelled with all his might. ''Futon: Reppusho(Wind Release: Gale Palm)!'' the clone put all the Charka possible on that attack, so much so that he himself dispelled as soon as he made it.

Kakuzu grunted in pain and surprise at the strong wind current that connected with his body, sending him flying through the air and towards the other pair of Narutos that had yet to move.

Just like the pair before them, one of the Narutos grabbed the other by the arms and with a mighty yell threw him towards the airborne Akatsuki member with the real Rasenchuriken in hand, and soon after the attack reached Kakuzu, causing a large explosion of a violent condensed wind.

Kakuzu's yells of agony went unheard as the deafening high pitched wind-like explosion around made it impossible to hear as the Narutos caught in the blast were dispelled as the forest around disintegrated, the fine blades of wind destroying everything they touched at a cellular level.

The remaining Naruto covered his face to shield his eyes from the burst of violent wind befoe him but he was still sent flying backward from the force of the explosion.

That continued for several seconds until it finally died down. Once the wind had calmed, Naruto stood up from the ground and made his way to see the damage he had done.

There was a crater the size of a stadium on the ground, the trees around it had been either uprooted and thrown away or they had been destroyed, and at the ccenter of the crater was the form of Kakuzu laying facedown on the dirt.

Naruto wondered if that had finally dealt with the Akatsuki member, and his questions were answered when he could see Kakuzu's body twitching in an effort to stand up but to no avail. Naruto realized that the man was still alive, albeit just barely. He knew that he had to finish the job. as much as he hated taking a life he realized that unless he took care of Kakuzu he would never be safe from him. So he made his way to the downed missing-nin as he created a Rasengan in one hand.

Kakuzu was still trying in vain to stand, but he realized it was useless. His innards felt like jelly, his normally strong as steel threads that were part of his Jiongu had been so damaged that he could barely move them. He had never expected that Jutsu to be this strong, it had even destroyed most of his hearts save for his original one. In this state a single fatal blow would end him. It was then that he realized that the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki was making his way towards him with another ball of Chakra in his hand, and even tough it was the basic version of the last attack it was still and incredibly deadly Jutsu, it would definitely bee enough to kill him in the state he was in.

''You...Damn brat!'' Said Kakuzu, barely managing to mutter those words to the blond, but his rage was so strong that he just wanted to curse him to hell. He would not accept this loss! This couldn't be happening, he would not lose to the worst Jinchuuriki he had met!

Naruto stopped just beside Kakuzu as he stared down at the man. He could see the eyes full of hatred that the Akatsuki member was shooting at him. Naruto knew that this man was one of the people whose sole purpose was to capture and killing anyone like him, but still, Naruto could not help but pity the deplorable state the missing-nin was in.

''I'm sorry about this'' Muttered Naruto as he raised his Rasengan, ready to strike down the man.

Kakuzu could only watch in fury and panic as the Jinchuuriki prepared to deal the final blow.

''Stop right there, moron!''

Naruto halted his attack and glanced behind him in shock to see Hidan standing at the edge of the crater staring down at both of them, and not only that but he was holding a bloodied Izumo with one hand while he had a Kunai at his throat.

''You!'' Said Naruto in anger when he saw the state that his fellow leaf ninja was in. The Chunin looked terribly, his limbs were covered in blood and didn't seem to be able to move them, leaving him at the mercy of the remaining Akatsuki member. ''Let him go, right now!''

''Sorry. No can do, shithead!'' Said Hidan with a mocking grin. ''I may not get along with Kakuzu that well, but I hate you infinitely more! So if you don't want this guy to be gutted like a pig I recommend that you surrender!''

''You bastard!'' Said Naruto with hatred. This was the second time that Hidan held someone hostage against him.

''Idiot, what took you so long?'' Kakuzu managed to say despite his wounds.

''Shut up! I'm not the one that was beaten by the Kyuubi'' Said Hidan angrily. He could not believe that Kakuzu had lost to someone like that boy. Yeah, whatever the brat had used to cause this level of destruction to the landscape had to be something good, but that didn't make the idiot good in Hidan's eyes. It had probably been a lucky shot, and Kakuzu loves to berate Hidan for leaving his guard down, well serves him right for always being a pain in the ass. ''And oh boy, did he thrash you good !''

Kakuzu glared at Hidan. If he ever recovered from this he would teach the loudmouth a lesson for making fun of him.

''So, what are you waiting for?! Surrender right now, or do you want this piece of shit to die?!'' Repeated the Jashinist, poking Izumo's throat with the Kuai slightly just enough to draw blood for emphasis. ''I already killed the other. If you don't want this one to share the same fate listen to me''

Naruto stared coldly and with just barely suppressed rage at the sadist. He had killed Kotetsu?! He would never forgive him!

''Don't...do it...Naruto''

Naruto's attention was diverted to Izumo, who just barely managed to talk.

''Izumo! Hang in there!'' Pleaded Naruto. ''I promise I'll get us out of this mess!''

''No...save yourself...'' Continued Izumo, finding great difficulty speaking not just because of his injuries but also because of the way Hidan was holding him by the collar of his jacket. ''He won't let me live...even if you listen to him...I'm already dead''

''Don't say that!'' Said Naruto in desperation. He would not let one of his comrades die because of him! Kotetsu was dead, he would not let Izumo die too!

''You shut up!'' Said Hidan before smacking Izumo on the face with the handle of the Kunai.

''I'm going to kill you for this!'' Said n irate Naruto.

''Just try it and see what happens to this guy'' Hidan shot back.

Naruto didn't know what to do. This couldn't be happening! This wasn't supposed how this mission was going to go down! He had put two of his comrades in danger just for being a target of the Akatsuki, and he didn't listen to Izumo's orders before when he told him to run. This was all his fault...

''Ahhh!'' Yelled Naruto suddenly when several black threads went through his body, piercing each and every limb.

Kakuzu smirked cruelly at the blond while he held his arm forward and kept his threads on the boy's body, subduing him. He had taken the opportunity of Hidan's distraction to use all of his remaining strength to strike when the Jinchuuriki's guard had been down.

Naruto yelled in pain as he fell to the ground. With each and every limb of his body rendered useless he could not put much resistance as the threads continued to wrap themselves around him and sinking into his flesh.

''Hahahaha! What a dumb fucker you are!'' Said Hidan with sadistic glee. Realizing that he had no more need for a hostage, he didn't waste time and nonchalantly buried his Kunai in Izumo's neck, making the Chunin gargle in his own blood before he died and Hidan tossed his corpse aside like trash.

After that, the Jashinist made his way inside the crater that that Naruto and Kakuzu were in before he grabbed the scythe on his back and started slashing at the downed Jincchuuriki, making Naruto yell and squirm in agony every time he did so. He would make sure the idiot would not be able to move at all just for good measure, and he was going to enjoy inflicting those wound on top of it.

He continued that for a few minutes and by the time he was done Naruto had fell unconscious, his clothes ragged, and was covered from head to toe in his own blood, but still alive even if just barely.

''Stop playing around and help me at once!'' Said Kakuzu in exasperation at his partner. He was still sprawled on the floor, extremely wounded and the idiot of Hidan decided to first have some fun instead of giving him a hand.

''I'm coming, I'm coming. Geez, don't be so impatient, Kakuzu'' Said Hidan as he crouched down to help his partner.

Meanwhile, as the two criminals minded their own business, Kotetsu slowly limped through the nearby woods. He was badly injured and could barely walk. He had been lucky that the crazy Akatsuki member had left him for dead after he inflicted him a seemingly mortal wound on his stomach. Kotetsu himself didn't know how he was still standing, but that didn't matter right now, he had to make it back to Konoha one way or another. He knew that he could not do anything for Izumo and Naruto anymore, not in the state he was in. he just hoped he could make it thorugh all the way without dying, and more importantly, that it wasn't too late to get help.

Author's note:

...I know, I know. I disappeared for a while there. And I have no excuse, I really have no good reason for not updating for this long. The truth is that I have been extremely depressed for some very personal reasons and I didn't feel motivated to write. Luckily, I have been feeling much better these past few days and decided to give myself the time to complete this chapter.

And I feel a tad bit rusty from leaving for so long, so I hope I can get back on track soon.

Anyway, as always please feel free to review or PM me if you have the time!

Hope to see you soon!