A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! Again, I appreciate those of you who choose to review. I update for you guys! Yea, I'm trying to please everyone, but the story plot for this situation is basically set so yea..but I think I managed to get everyones little request/pleads in. Oh and don't worry if things that you want aren't happening yet! It all will, you just gotta give it time…Cuz, Heck, I love Koizumi too!
Warnings: Nande monai.
Disclaimer: If I owned the Naruto series…Sasuke wouldn't be such an asshole! I mean, I've read about what has been happening in the manga…WOW! T.T. ..So there it is.
Enjoy!
Behind The Smile
Chapter 21: Uchiha's Decision! Enemies Join Forces!
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(Long Drums opening to Naruto: Strong and Strike)
Koizumi's gaze calmly remained focused on the figure standing in between Sakura and Hidan - he seemed unaffected by the interruption, his stature and demeanor emotionless, his eyes cold, unmoving.
Her emerald orbs were wide as they transitioned to stare at pronounced back of the shinobi standing in front of her.There was a large, jagged yet defined gap in the wall to their right, signifying his place of forced entrance. A few leaves from the outside forest had traveled in with them, dragging themselves along the ground in accordance to slight breeze that pushed them. He stood casually, a lone hand idly resting in a pocket while the other was outstretched, holding Hidan's fist in a breaking grasp; his deep obsidian orbs emotionlessly held the Akatsuki member's surprised gaze.
Itachi's emotionless gaze rested on the same figure as well, his eyes briefly flickering in recognition.
Why ... ?
Her eyes had begun to waver in their wideness as her hands clenched in the ground beneath her. The inquiry repeated itself over and over in her mind, the complete and utter despairing confusion paralleling with her emotions. Her gaze fixated on the Uchiha clan symbol adorning the intruder's black colored stitching. The red rounded top that bore itself upon a spin-type like bottom , white in it's color .
"Sakura.." the intruder called . His voice stern and deep. "Are you stupid?" His words were almost slowly spoken at the same time that they were abrupt. He almost seemed insulted, angry, however his tone was of monotone. "If you really wanted to die this bad you could have just asked me to finish you off." He kept his stern eyes focused on Hidan, not glancing at the kunoichi he spoke to once. The hand that held the Akatsuki member's fist stationary constricted, threatening bone-breakage with the strength in which he squeezed; Hidan's face contorted into pain as he clicked his tongue in agitation, however he made noise of nothing. "Instead you would choose to die of someone as lowly as him?" Sasuke twisted Hidan's fist, forcing his released grasp of the kunai - the sudden clanking noise sounded as it banged against the ground, shuttering until falling motionless.
Her eyes had frozen in their waver before she lowered her head, obscuring part of her face from view.
Why ?
"Sakura.." Sasuke spoke again. His emotionless eyes were trained on Hidan, who's fist he still held in his grasp. "Is he the one who did that to you?"Sakura's head had raised to his inquiry , her hand finding her bruised and gashed lip as she looked down to her abdomen, the blood having soaked through her clothes. He must have already noticed when he came in. She still said nothing, her words dying in her throat with accordance to the sudden choke of tears.
The breif occurence brought Sasuke's obsidian gaze to glance at her newly watering orbs - and they had remained a bit longer than breifly, almost as if he were perplexed by an unknown emotion that swelled in cessation to her display of distress.
Even with his face contorted with pain, a dry grin decorated his lips. "That bitch deserved it-" His sudden interruption was halted the hand of Sasuke's that once held Hidan's, was shoved with incredible speed and force into the Akatsuki's stomach; the impact sent him flying past an unstartled Koizumi into the wall of the opposite side of the concrete room. Their was an awaiting silence as eyes transitioned to watch Hidan pick himself up from the rubble of the destroyed wall before bolting towards Sasuke in a raged manner.
The younger Uchiha waited for him, calm in his up-straight standing, hands placed in his pockets with casualness. The two collided with Sasuke bringing up a hand to still Hidan's punch, and manuevering his leg in a parry to Hidan's kick. No second transpired before Sasuke used that same leg to slam into Hidan's chest , sending him into the same wall. Sasuke had no time to straighten before another figure was upon him. Kakuzu's relenting gazed looked down upon Sasuke as his hand swung towards him, kunai in it's grasp.
When the huge clanking noise sounded, all eyes looked to watch the kunai held in Kakuzu's grasp fall the floor - resultant of an outside kunai intercepting it's path. The Akatsuki member immediately dissapeared from his location in surprise, reappearing next to Hidan; both gazes were focused on the figure that appeared next to Sasuke with slight surprise, as well as wariness.
(Song: Naruto - Strong and Strike)
Sakura's gaze widenced once more as she looked to the other Uchiha who had appeared in front of her, and next to Sasuke; his calm, unwavering gaze focused on the two Akastuki members before them. Not once did he glance to Sasuke, nor Sasuke to him. It brought on an abrupt moment of silence as all gazes looked to Sasuke, waiting for a reaction. Her heart had stopped as she waited, watching as Sasuke stood still, his eyes obscured by his bangs. It was forebodingly, when he slowly raised his head, stern Sharingan eyes focused on Kakuzu and Hidan.
He had struggled with a choice, and seemed to find his answer.
"Itachi, what is the meaning of this?"Kakuzu's gaze was wearily transitioning between Sasuke and Itachi.
"I will let this go no further. I ask you to step aside. Battle here is needless." Itachi's cool, montone voice was spoken clearly, genuinely. Kakuzu let out a small amused grunt.
"I agree. However my orders are clear. And as both an obstacle to us, and in betrayal of enactment of those same orders, we have no choice. If you do not choose wisely, you will die."
The older Uchiha did not at all seem affected by his words, he stood stationary, next to his brother, cold eyes unrelenting. He seemed to have have struggled with a choice, and found his answer.
In recognition of his choice ,no moment transpired before Hidan and Kakuzu seemingly dissapeared. No moment passed before each pair clashed - Kakuzu and Itachi, Hidan and Sasuke. Each side was very coordinated with their attacks. Itachi and Sasuke kept appearing next to eachother, clashing with the enemy with the same exact attack.
--
Why?
The same inquiry had sounded in her thoughts once again; her taken back emerald gaze focused on the Uchiha brothers as they fought the Akatsuki, of their own choice. They fought them because the said members had planned to kill her. They were all fighting, risking their lives, because of her. Because she couldn't fight for herself, because she was too coward to deal with her own life. What had she been thinking? Had she really wanted to die that badly?Was she that selfish? She had planned to leave behind all those that cared for her without a second thought. And it was because of that selfish motive that two unlikely people were forced to fight.
It brought the same question to her distressed thoughts, why?
--
Koizumi watched the battle silently. The stoic countenance that he bore on the outside was a complete counterbalance to the turmoil that raged inside, the strange sensations and memories that tried to divide his will. Inquiries as to why he showed mercy to the pink-haired kunoichi from his past. Why he was almost ..relieved that the two Uchiha brothers were fighting. Also, this abiding turning of his stomach as he watched them, analyzing, trying to figure out their connection to Sakura. Their feelings. Trying to comprehend why, why he almost felt, jealous?
He let his gaze transition to Sakura, fixating on her for a moment, watching her worried, troubled gaze as she looked at the two fighting for her.
"You asked me if I remembered the past. Do you?"
Flashback(s)
"Koizumi-kun! Koizumi-kun!" He looked back to see a pink haired little girl running towards him. Reveling at the fact that his insides seemed to melt with butterflies, fill with a sort of giddyness upon sight of her.
--
"It'd be a great honor if you'd welcome me with a smile when I return?" He had asked the question earnestly, but deep down he already knew the answer. He found himself not wanting to leave her with a frown. To be honest, he didn't want to leave at all, he had a bad feeling from the start. He didn't want to leave Sakura.
--
"Sakura-san. We will meet again, I promise." He was experiencing many strong feelings at that moment. Anger, Desperation, Hurt, Restlessness, Grief, Longing. A stray tear had made it's way down his face, moments from falling onto her porcelain-like skin.
It was the hardest thing to do. He had to tear himself away from her, and turn the other way, silently telling his legs to move one step at a time. It was something he never thought he'd be doing. But at that moment, his heart couldn't turn away from the rage that told him to make sure all those Sound were destroyed. He would make sure none came out alive. Their organization would end, he would make sure of tha before he left this world.
He didn't care how he did it, he didn't care what he had to do. Any possible way to do so, he would be willing to. Even if it meant leaving the most precious thing in his life. Even if it meant walking with darkness.
End Flashback(s)
It didn't matter how many memories continued to plague, what feelings he continuously sought to control. He had left that behind long ago, not wanting to relive those moments..or feelings. But the fact still was, he remembered. He had always remembered. However it was unacceptable. What he had become now, was unacceptable. He was way past the point of return. He was way past wanting to return.
And that's why he had to kill Haruno Sakura.
..ooo00oo00ooo..
Pakkun stated with wariness and awe from atop Kakashi's shoulders, who was also with the same incredulous stupor, downward towards the unconscious blond-haired shinobi propped up in Kakashi's arms. The said jounin himself sternly looked to Naruto, his eyes flickering with a sort of awarness and foreboding, a type of caution. It took a while before her tore his eyes away from Naruto to look at the two motionless bodies of the Akatsuki members.
It was unreal.
Frightening.
Flashback
Naruto's cerulean eyes were still unfocused, void of the pupils that showed his awareness, his consciousness. However he had slowly risen to a standing position, his head had turned in exact direction to the Akatsuki memebers, as if there was sight, was awareness. However his body seemed lacking, there was no reading of chakra anywhere inside him, nothing determining that he should still be among the living.
It couldn't be of his own accord could it? His fighting spirit - Naruto's will to keep righting till the end?Even if he had already passed his limit, burned all the chakra that his exhausted body had?
"Jinchuuriku of the Kyuubi, you don't think to fight us now, do you?" There was mockery, yet a genuine question laced with Zetsu's words, his face contorted with a grin behind the save haven of the jaws of his flytrap. "The Kyubbi is unable to help you both survive this ordeal, your power is now, reduced, to nothing."He again finished with intended matter-of-factness, drowning in humor.
Naruto's blank gaze reflected the sight of the two standing before him.
Everyone always tells me that... that I'm not a true ninja, that I rely on the Kyuubi's power too much…that I have none of my own…they say..If it weren't for the Kyuubi, I would be dead right now… I wouldn't have ever made it this far..that i am nothing without it..
It was then that blue chakra exploded from beneath him, rising in height like burning flames, moving to swirl around him with an erratic, yet calm and graceful manner; he was pulsating with inexplicable power - winds were ferocious, threatening to knock those surrounding off their feet as they had to fight to simply stay standing.
Kakashi's wide eyes remained focused on Naruto, his blue chakra was flaring even higher, creating the look as if he was engulfed in flames. It represented anger, determination.
Surprised and worried by his sudden display of power, Zetsu preformed a few handseals before shoving his clenched fists into the ground. Instantly many venus flytraps emerged from the ground in a straight path towards Naruto. Deidara also took the opportunity and did a few handseals as well."Torigata Nendo." The unmolded clay attached itself to the venus flytraps as the continued towards Naruto. Naruto's eerie, unfocused gaze still remained on the two Akatsuki members. As the flytraps neared closer to him, his eyes closed as his head lowered.
I don't believe that. I never will….I will not run away…that, is my way of the ninja!
Naruto's head shot up as the clay molds adorning the flytraps had started to spark in their position right next to him, his deep cerulean orbs holding a pupil, showing his regained conciousness. However he remained unmoving.
It was then that a somewhat large explosion rocked the forest clearing.
Kakashi and Pakkun were forced to jump back as the blinding light threatened to consume them. However their stern eyes were fixated on the explosion, waiting for the smoke to subside. And it did, revealing the swirling blue chakra - Naruto hadn't moved an inch, however he was unscathed, only the earth surrounding all sides of him burdened with crators and burns.
"The explosion, was completely absorbed by his chakra energy?" Pakkun payed no heed to the dot of perspiration that slid down his dog-like face.
"If the Kyuubi can't fight in the face of it's threatened life, then i will." His cerulean orbs were stern as his fists clenched, his voice calm yet filled with venom. "I will fight for the both of us!" His last words were concluded with his swift disappearance, and he reappeared with unparalled speed, falling down upon the surprised Akatsuki members, Ransengan-filled fist poised.
"Incredible speed. He left no moment for his moves to be seen until impact. He created one of his most powerful attacks instantly, without the aid of his clones."
Deirdara and Zetsu were barely able to dodge as Naruto's fist dug into the earth, creating a large, spherical explosion.
..ooo00oo00ooo..
Itachi jumped to the side as Sasuke ran from behind him, towards the two Akatsuki members. His once empty fist was instantly filled with a staticky, consuming ball of chakra- he shoved his ahead of him, a large explosion ensuing.
..ooo00oo00ooo..
Naruto slowly raised himself into a standing position, gaze resting on the spot where the two Akatsuki members reappeared.
Deidara threw a few kunai in his direction. Zestu sent more flytraps. With amazing speed, Naruto seemingly disappeared, dodging the kunai, but one of them disappeared with him. When he reappeared he was even closer to them, kunai at hand,moving at an incredible speed. He maneuvered his body to dodge the venus flytraps. As they came around at him again, he effortlessly used the kunai to cut their stems.
He dropped to the ground in front of Zetsu, and it seemed to go in slow motion as the Akatsuki spy's eyes widened as he watched Naruto shoot up towards him kunai in hand. The Venus flytrap around the Akatsuki spy's head tried to close up, but Naruto was too fast. He shoved the kunai towards his multi-colored face, in the middle of his forehead. The flytrap around him completely stopped as Zetsu's eyes rolled to the back of his head. He fell to the ground, the venus flytrap enclosing his head withering away. The Akstuki member lay motionless, pronounced dead.
Naruto's head slowly turned to the side as he glared at Deidara, who was a distance behind him. The Akatsuki member jumped back further, cursing under his breath, his adorned with panic.
Deidara attempted to do a few hastey handseals, however was interrupted as Naruto instantly appeared in front of him, landing a chakra filled punch to his face. He left no time for Deidara to land as he pursued, landing punch after punch and kick after kick. Swiftly, Naruto snatched a kunai from Diedara, and made a swing. Deidara managed to dodge, a few of his hair strands falling to the ground. Naruto in turn, kicked him another time. He chased after Deidara and jumped up in the air. When he came down, Naruto shoved the kunai in the middle of his chest, taking both of them to the ground. It seemed to go in slow motion as Naruto's gaze was focused ahead as their bodies fell towards the earth - as the kunai penetrated Deidara's chest, a few drops of of blood splattered onto his cheek.
Upon full impact to the ground, Naruto did a small flip, landing at Deidara's feet. The Akatsuki member coughed out blood.
"Your not so bad, yeah?" Deidara started, a sly grin making its way onto his face. "But with those wounds your pretty much dead, yeah?"On que. a large amount of blood splattered onto the grass below Naruto, his former wounds reopening to join with the newer ones. He slightly hunched over, eyes still remaining on Deidara. It seemed the Akatsuki member were about to say more, but he coughed up more blood, and closed his eyes.
Naruto looked at the fallen Akatsuki members before turning around in Kakashi's direction. Without making eye contact, the young man began to make his way over there. After a few steps, he collapsed.
End Flashback
"Kakashi, he's on the brink of critical condition. We have to take him back to Konoha immediately, or he will die." Kakashi looked to the ground with troubled eyes. He took a deep sigh. They didn't have too much medial skills, they could only stop the bleeding for a small amount of time, buying them enough to attempt bringing him back to Konoha alive. They couldn't risk his life any further. The mission to retreive Sakura had to be abandoned. Hopefully only for the moment.
With that Kakashi carefully lifted the unconscious Naruto onto his back, taking one last look at the path they were headed on, before turning the opposite way.
This would be his second sprint, Naruto on his back, towards Konoha.
..ooo000ooo000ooo..
Sasuke and Itachi calmly returned to tall standing positions as they had lowered their formerly outstretched legs. Their emotionless gazes rested on two Akatsuki members who had just crashed into the wall on the opposite side of the room, the same part of the wall crumbling all around them, large pieces of debris toppling over them. It was a moment longer before a small explosion of sorts sent the debris flying off of the compacted area. Hidan and Kakuzu emerged, calmly walking towards them.
"I will try one last time Itachi." Kakuzu started. "What will you gain from saving that woman? And fighting alongside your brother, who you will only battle after?"
"What will you gain from killing her?" Itachi countered, with his calm emotionless voice.
"Satisfaction at the thought of ridding such a bitch-" Hidan started.
"Shutup Hidan!" Kakuzu quickly replied. Sasuke had started his position, but immediately froze when Itachi had thrown his arm in front of him. His icy gaze snapped to the older Uchiha in a glare. As if it took every ounce of self-control he possessed, the younger Uchiha allowed no pause as he slowly straightened up, eyes slowly transitioning to the two Akatsuki members, namely Hidan.
"I have no desire to fight you, Kakuzu-san, please step aside." Itachi still held manners even in this situation.
"Nor do I, Itachi. Do you really intend to give up all you have worked for? Everything you've done will have all been useless. You plan to turn your back on this organization for her?"
Sakura lowered her head even further. She wanted to say something, really. But the words kept dying in her throat. She was starting to feel nauseous. Her heart was hurting even more. She reached a shakey hand up to grasp the clothing above her heart. She didn't notice when Sasuke's eyes traveled back to look at her for second.
"I was never truly a part of this organization." His answer was very vague, equivocated - the meaning behind his words unclear. kakuzu seemed as though he were about to question, his eyes unsure, however was interrupted.
"Enough of this. It seems they won't go down without a fight. That's what we'll give them." Koizumi had stepped forward, his eyes were trained on Sakura.
Her wide eyes met his gaze.
This wasn't good, she had witnessed Koizumi's power back when she was little. Back then when they were being attacked that night the village was destroyed, he was already weak and had little chakra. But other times, she was awed. He was stronger than Itachi is now, back then. There's no doubt that he improved over the years.
Sakura looked to Itachi, studying him.
But wait, what was she kidding herself? She hadn't seen Itachi's full power, not even close yet, so she had no clue how strong he was. Sakura looked to Sasuke. And Sasuke, she hadn't really seen him battle fully. He was just toying with her back then. She couldn't believe that they would just be defeated easily, but still. She didn't want them getting hurt over her. Sakura lowered her head, and took a deep breath.
"Just let them kill me!" Sakura started. Everyone's eyes snapped to her. "There's no use fighting for me, getting hurt because of me. Please, just don't fight." Sakura finished. She didn't bring her head up to look at any of them.
"That's the spirit, woman!" Hidan started. "Finally something we can agree on." Hidan remarked, teasingly.
"Don't order me around, Sakura." Sasuke spoke. His voice was cold, but irritated. Sakura's head slowly rose up to look at Sasuke, who was walking in front of her. "I'm tired of hearing these idiots throw words around. I'm past mercy for their lives." The peircing sound echoed throughout the room as he finally initiated his Sharingan. He had made a decision.
"Sakura-san, I will not allow you to die." Itachi also calmly walked to Sasuke's side, once again positioning himself in front of her. His voice was gentle at the same time that it was emotionless. He had made a decision.
There they stood. The two Uchiha brothers. Itachi and Sasuke. Side by side, under the most unfortunate circumstances. Ready to fight the most powerful shinobi, for one woman. They had long ago made their decision. They were going to put aside their feelings towards each at that moment, they were going to ignore the whispered calls for battle with each other.
They were going to protect Haruno Sakura.
Thanks for reading!
My apologies for lack of "edge-of-your-seat action" this chapter. I have my lazy moments, don't worry, they pique me as well. I'm planning on creating some nice action for next chapter, wishfully enough to make up for the lack in this chapter. :
Thanks
