A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! I really appreciate them!

Chapter 10: Why?

Hinata turned her eyes away from Sasuke and looked at Naruto. He was so still.

Quick thinking, Naruto-kun, she thought, fighting the urge to smile. It was another shadow clone. It had to be.

She waited for it to disappear. She waited for Naruto's triumphant voice to say; "Nice try, Sasuke!" or something like that.

Come on, Naruto-kun. She thought, glancing worriedly at Sasuke. He was also looking own at Naruto's body, a triumphant smile creeping on his face.

He…he's not coming out, she realized, fear taking hold. He…he's not going to help me.

She slowly inched away from Sasuke. Her sudden movement turned his attention back to her. He faced her, his eyes turning red.

Naruto-kun, she thought, shutting her eyes, help…

"A weakling like her is not needed in the Hyuga clan." …Otosama…

"People cannot change."…Neji nii-san…

"You can't make a good ninja."…why?…

"You are too kind…to selfless…too weak."

He's not going to get up, she thought. No one was going to help her. It was crystal-clear now.

I'm…all alone now…

She looked at his body again. Then something inside her snapped. The man she loved was gone…

…and somebody would have to pay.

I am not weak…

"You killed him," she murmured softly. Sasuke stopped and looked at her.

I'm alone, but I will not let him down.

"You killed him." She repeated, louder this time. Sasuke smirked.

"He deserved it. A weakling does not deserve to live."

Shut up, you bastard.

"YOU KILLED HIM!"

Chakra erupted from her body. The force of it sent him flying. He managed to summersault in mid-air and land safely on his feet. He looked at her in surprise.

The veins at the side of her head bulged. Chakra was swirling all around her. He had never seen her this way before.

"I promise you," she said, breathing hard. "You'll die with him today."

"You'll die with him."

Everything was faded, going in and out of focus. There were a few red spatters here and there, and Kakashi could swear he felt something sharp on his forehead.

Why does everything hurt so much? He thought weakly. Something warm was trickling down his face. He couldn't identify it.

And he could vaguely see an outline of…someone.

O-Obito, he thought weakly, shocked to see his old friend and teammate standing in front of him.

He looked at Kakashi, a sad smile on his face.

Kakashi looked at him, and at once, all the frustration, all the pain that he had been trying so hard to store away broke free.

I…I failed them, Obito. He thought again, struggling to keep his eyes open. What kind of Jounin am I? I'm strong in front of other people, but I'm weak when it matters most.

I failed, he thought, frustrated. It's been that way my whole life. I'm a failure.

Obito shook his head. "You have to fight," he said softly. "You have to live. You know you do."

I know…but…I…I…

No.

Obito looked surprised.

I'm tired of fighting already, Kakashi thought, closing his eyes. Obito was no longer a faint shadow. He seemed nearer somehow.

I don't want to fight anymore, he thought again.

I deserve death. I'm nothing. Even if I wanted to fight, I wouldn't be strong enough.

I was never strong enough.

He glanced straight into Obito's eyes. He needed to tell him.

I don't want to fight.

Silence. And then…

Obito held out his hand.

It wasn't just Obito's hand. It was the hand of fate. And once he held on to it, there was no turning back.

Silently, without another thought, Kakashi took it.

Itach looked down at the pathetic form of the once-famous Ninja. Another weakling who was worth nothing. Nothing at all.

He reached down, and took of his mask. He was dead.

He no longer needs to hide.

He then walked towards the entrance of the cave.

"Let's see…" he said softly, entering the darkness.

"Let's see how the 'avenger' will fight." He walked deeper into the cave.

"Let's see if he deserves to live."

"You're actually going to fight?" Sasuke said, nonchalance and sarcasm mixing in his voice. "I thought you were going to whimper and beg me not to kill you."

She simply glared at him, her whole body ablaze with chakra.

He shrugged. No matter. He could use the entertainment.

"Chidori Nageshi!"

Bright chakra erupted from his whole body. Probably one of his most powerful attacks. Even with the speed the Hyuga clan was known for, there was no way she could avoid this.

It soon died down. Sasuke watched the stalactites fall from the ceiling. If she was still standing, there was a chance that any of those would fall on her…

The smoke cleared. Sasuke drew back in surprise. She was still standing, glaring at him, and she hardly looked hurt at all.

"Do not attack his heart. It will only give him strength."

You should have listened to your own words, Gaara. Look what happened to you.

"Is that all?" She asked softly, looking at him. "I expected better…"

Suddenly, she disappeared. Sasuke blinked. She was right in front of him, pale eyes blazing in cold fury.

"46 strikes!"

Sasuke instinctively raised his arms to protect himself. Although he managed to deflect some, most of them hit their mark. She delivered a strike upwards, sending him slamming against the ceiling.

He dropped heavily. He watched the ground draw closer and he told himself to move. To do something to lessen the impact. But he knew he couldn't. He was too damn weak.

Suddenly, he heard her whisper. "I'm not done with you." He tried to turn in mid-air, but it was too late.

She grabbed him by the neck and threw. He slammed against the cave wall, blood spraying everywhere.

She rushed forward, every fiber of her being screaming for punishment.

Revenge.

She caught him by the neck before he hit the floor. He coughed, sending blood spraying all over her. She didn't care.

"Never…" She whispered, slamming him into the wall once more. Never before had she felt so violent.

"…again…" she delivered 46 strikes, not caring about the blood that rained down.

"…will I be…" her hand was ablaze with chakra. She glanced into the eyes of the rebel. The avenger.

The coward.

Only a coward would attack a man with his back turned.

"…weak." She pushed him against the wall. Holding him by the neck, she glared at him one last time. The chakra in her hand swirled faster and faster. Without another thought, she slammed it into his chest.

A deciding blow to the heart.

She looked at his broken, bleeding body in satisfaction. She'd defeated him.

She wandered over to Naruto. Kneeling beside him, she tried to stop the tears. Then the memories came rushing back.

He never let go, she thought, holding his hand, just like before. He never gave up on me. He was the very reason I fought.

I owe him my life.

"Please, Naruto-kun…" she murmured. The tears came out, and she knew it would be futile to stop them. Outside, rain started to pour.

"We're all waiting for you…" she murmured.

"Naruto-kun…"

"You know, you should never turn your back to your opponent."

She gasped and whirled around. Sasuke was still standing, his ablaze with fury.

He charged full force, his eyes set on hers. An intent to kill.

"Chidori!"

I can't use that again! she thought. There's no guarantee it can defend that.

But I've got no other choice.

"Shuguhakke rokujyuu yonshou!"

Sasuke nearly stopped in surprise. He had never seen that technique before. But then again…

That doesn't matter. He thought, rushing forward, faster this time. I can break it easily.

He leaped into the air. Every defense, no matter how strong, always had a weak spot. He drove his hand towards the shield, intending to break it. The noise was deafening.

I'll give her credit, he thought, pushing harder. Her technique is strong…

…but I'm stronger.

The shield started to give way. The pressure was too much, and her arms were starting to slow down.

Faster, she thought, faster, faster, faster…

He had broken through. Time seemed to slow down. She froze, watching the blinding light of chakra move closer. She closed her eyes.

Gomenasai, Naruto-kun…

She felt the immense pressure on her chest, her skin breaking and burning. The pain was too much.

…I was too…

She watched everything fade away. It was over.

…weak.

Sasuke smiled triumphantly. It was free and clear. The Sand Village could now take over.

As if it mattered.

He had defeated both of them.

I am strong. I am the right one.

I am the avenger.

Itachi looked at his face. It was so full of pride. Triumph. Strength.

He had defeated them both. All the doubts he had were gone.

For once, he thought, a shadow of a smile touching his lips. I'm proud of him.

Really proud.

Sasuke looked at them, lying there, limp. Useless.

Lifeless.

"Do not attack his heart. It will only give him strength."

"I'll think about that when I'm standing over their dead bodies."

He had kept his promise. He started to walk away. He was this much closer to avenging the clan. He was this much closer to defeating his brother.

"Gaara-kun," Temari whispered, clutching his hand. "Are you alright?"

Slowly, he opened hi eyes. Her blue-green eyes shone with relief.

"Temari," he swallowed inwardly. He felt awkward asking her, but he had to know. "What you said before I passed out, did you…I mean, was it…"

She cut him off. "I meant it," she said softly, "and I don't care if you're willing to believe me or not. I know it's hard for you to trust people, but I want you to know this; I will wait for you."

Gaara looked at her. For once in his life, he felt no sense of distrust. He knew he could trust her. Somehow, he knew he could.

"Arigato, Temari."

He tried to sit up. "You really shouldn't." Temari said nervously. "You were severely injured, and I wasn't able to bandage you-"

She was cut off by his look. He was genuinely smiling. "You're always like that, fussing over other people." He chuckled. "You don't look like it though…"

He leaned closer. She looked into his soulful, green eyes, her heart beating faster.

He stopped when he saw her eyes widen in horror. He whipped around in time to see the kunai whizzing towards him.

The Kazekage watched in satisfaction as the blood sprayed everywhere, tainting the ground a deep, red crimson.

"T-Temari…" Gaara murmured.

She looked at him, struggling to keep her eyes open. His gaze traveled towards the kunai stuck in her chest.

"Why?" he said softly. "Why did you protect me?"

She simply said nothing. Their gazes met, and he saw it in her eyes. She was begging for forgiveness.

"Don't leave me," he said, choking on the words. It wasn't fair that he could only feel relief for a brief moment…

…before it was destroyed.

"Please," he murmured. It wasn't fair that the only one who truly loved him had to be the first to leave him. He gazed into her blue-green eyes…

…before they closed forever.

"Don't leave me."

A/N: …neow…I guess I...uh...sorta like making Gaara suffer.

JOKING! Don't hurt me!

Glad to know you guys are still with me! It's over in two more chapters. In the meantime, I hope you guys will check out SNAKE. Thanks again!

Rei