Chapter 9 : In the middle of the night.

In the event I'm gone. Remember me

Little did he know... the gathering storm was a result of that settled peace.

Kiba did not know what he was getting into.

One moment they were enjoying the evening in the barbeque shop, the next they were rushing out towards danger.

It started to pour half way through their chase. The branches and roofs became slippery. Kiba knew Akamaru hated the rain.

He kept glancing at Akamaru as they leaped from one wet surface to another. He knew Akamaru can keep up but still his chest felt heavy.

The smell in the air didn't help either. Usually it was pretty relaxing but today the smell of rain and mud annoyed him.

The undercurrent of something, the malicious intent was deeply mingled with the smell of rain too. All this did nothing to stop the growing ball of anxiety in his chest.

who could it be? The Nine tails?

Kiba frowned. He knew that wasn't true. If it was the nine tails then destruction would have already occurred. They wouldn't be running towards it but trying to get away from it.

He caught sight of Ino beside Akamaru, her face set , an anxious frown on her face.

Kiba wanted to say something but his focus was snatched by the rustling sounds made by the dozen ANBUs who rushed past them, in sync towards the unknown impending danger.

Kiba wished it was a false alarm. The amount of people heading that way, it unnerved him of the danger that lay ahead.

He saw the forest in front of him, at his next jump they would be inside it. His left foot left the roof surface, for a moment he was afloat in the air, then the next, his foot landed on the tree branch.

It was probably the rain, or his bad luck but his right foot never actually stayed on the branch. He felt his ankle twist, the brush of leaves, heard Akamaru's yelp and the thud as he hit the ground.

It didn't hurt much. For a moment it was silent. His disoriented gaze fixed at the sky away. It was pouring heavily. He saw the leaves and then his vision was filled with onslaught of raindrops.

It was the sight of a battlefield. He had imagined so many times in his dream - how gallantly he fought, when at the end of the day he had to stay behind so his team could escape. Sacrificing for his comrades, he was lying the same way - rain clouding his vision.

Only that was a dream and this was his reality. By no means did he want to go out like this.

He smelt Akamaru as it landed beside him, along with Ino and Shikamaru.

"Kiba! You okay? " It was Ino, her voice shriller. He felt fingers close around his hands and shoulders helping him get up. Akamaru's yelping and lapping.

He got up, pushing himself off the ground, thoroughly annoyed and angry at himself. This was no time to be pathetic. The village needed them.

"yeah, I am alright. " He straightened and shook his head, patting his soiled clothes, he turned to reassure Ino and Shikamaru, "Let's go. No time to waste."

His eyes were hard now. Face set in determination. The fear he had felt before was replaced with a fire, burning anger at his own humiliation. Kiba would show this guy- who ever it was.

Ino was curious. Honestly, she was more confused than curious but curious nonetheless.

They were out and running as soon as they were informed that a threat was identified near the outer edge of the village and they have to reach there as soon as possible.

who could it be?

It was a threat large enough that a team of special jounin ninjas and ANBU black ops were heading that way too. The order was directly from the Hokage.

Ino 's father was the head of Konoha's Intelligence department. Her whole clan worked in intel. So, it bothered her to stay at a clear disadvantage against this new threat.

what kind of lame Yamanaka was she?

It was lame, until Kiba fell of the tree.

Ino would have found it hilarious if she was not soaked to the bone, her body cold and shivering- from fear, anticipation or rain, she couldn't tell.

The night truly turned out fantastic.

She did notice that the place that they were going to was were Sasuke was being kept or near to that place.

Could it be that someone had come looking for Sasuke?

The whole squad stopped just after entering the clearing. What Ino saw there sored her deep to the core.

The place was a disaster zone. Trees and grass were burnt to the ground. Half the side of the house was ruined. No one was in sight.

There was ruined , broken pieces of wood and logs scattered around them. Captain Yamato's jutsu. Ino understood that the fight had already started. And the "threat" was already winning.

They moved forward, going all around and securing the area. Whoever they were against had already moved away, along with Captain Yamato.

It could be that they were still locked in fighting and Captain Yamato was trying to take them away from the village.

Ino was staring wide eyes, taking it all in when she heard Kiba shout "This way!"

Leaving two, the rest of the team moved toward the location pointed by Kiba.

She felt Shikamaru tap on her shoulder. She turned to look at him.

"Yes, shikamaru-"

"Ino, If we engage in fight, can you connect to me or anyone else using your mind control jutsu without the other party losing control? " Shikamaru spoke rapidly.

"Ya... I can, it's different from mind control. But I can talk or transmit messages from one to another -It's - I just don't know for how long- I've never done it for too long, never in a fight." Ino replied.

She was not feeling at all confident in this ability, though. And after looking at the sight of battle, she didn't know how well the foght will go.

A loud blistering bang was heard again. Ino's head jerked towards the sound. That sound way close to katon.

Her mind wondered to Sasuke. Sasuke was helpless right now. If someone truly came for him, he wouldn't be able to defend himself.

Her feet stumbled, right in front of them was two bodies lying a little apart from one another. Her mind froze: dead?

It was the two ANBU who were put to guard on Sasuke. Ino 's breathing became shallow : someone was here to harm Sasuke.

As if to mock her, her brain decided it was the right time to remind her that Sakura was visiting Sasuke today.

Now, Ino 's mind completely shut down.

"No- not Sakura-"

Her heart beat painfully in her chest. The fear that griped her made her was numbing. She wasn't even able to swallow. Her throat parched.

Ino bent, clutching her hair. Rain pouring above her, almost obscuring her from view. She shut her eyes and tried to breathe. She felt herself shaking.

"Ino- Ino- Calm down! - Ino! " Ino's eyes snapped open. She raised her head and saw Shikamaru by her side, looking at her with concerned eyes, face rolling with raindrops.

"You okay-?" His voice was calm. So unlike the turmoil Ino felt.

"Sakura-" Ino shook her her - gulped twice so to speak again, "She said she was going to meet Sasuke today. What if, what if --" Tears well in her eyes. She couldn't complete it.

Shikamaru shook her again to bring her attention to him . His eyes were serious, no hint of doubt. His jaw was locked. He shook his head once.

"She's alright, Ino, don't worry about it. Focus." His voice was calm but firm.

Ino looked at him, into his eyes. The firm determination there was so unlike Shikamaru, it steadied her a bit. She felt grounded- back in the real world.

Ino took a deep breath and nodded. Shikamaru took a look at her again then stepped back. He turned around and started walking, Ino followed his back.

They went deeper into the dark forest, following the sound of crashing and fighting, rain silencing most of it.

In all honesty, Sasuke was enjoying this.

He felt it in his veins. His chakra running unrestrained, threatening to tear apart all his enemies.

It flowed like elixir. He felt so alive, it was as if he was immortal. He could taste it on his tongue, the vengeance and sweet taste of victory against the injustice.

He, now, will deliver his judgement.

He opened his eyes - sharingan awaken, tomes spinning. It felt good to see everything in red again. He had started to miss this.The world in red, the view only sharingan can provide.

His eyes met Naruto's first. It was always him. Him, Naruto. His woes began and ended with Naruto. Sasuke felt rage bubble inside him just by uttering that name. He felt like he would explode, so he looked away.

His eyes clashed with Kakashi next. The villian of this story. Sasuke directed all his rage towards him, focusing all of it into hatred for that sharingan thief. Since his arrival, Kakashi was giving him trouble- humiliating and taunting him.Today, Sasuke will show that hound summoner his real place.

Sasuke will return his hospitality in kind.

His gaze shift to the third occupant. That wood guy- Yamato. He saw him, Wood guy's fingers folded in jutsu signs. Sasuke sneered.This guy. Sasuke shook his head. He couldn't even bother with that guy. He was itching to kill Kakashi, it was driving him crazy.

And then he will kill that Hokage who ordered his capture, along with the members of the council. He couldn't stress how he had felt while captured and now, it was his time to return the favour.

They were the ones who poked him, they should be ready for the answer too.

He felt the wood wave come towards him, he didn't even bother to spare it a glance. The woods around him splintered , breaking apart under the force of his lighting attack. Long currents formed all around him, creating a barrier against upcoming wood attacks.

Sasuke threw an annoyed glance at Yamato. He narrowed his eyes and glared at him.

"I have no trouble with you. But If you try them one more time- "

Of course, the hypocrites of Konoha were never one to listen. His one attempt at peace, at mercy and it was discarded.

He, finally, turned towards wood guy. His back was at Naruto, he was aware, but even then he knew it was alright. Sasuke, from all he saw since coming back, was sure Naruto would never attack him, not from behind at least.

So, he took that as assurance that he will stop Kakashi too. But he didn't ponder on that. Just attacked.

The whole side, from where Yamato was standing to the wall behind him, was obliterated.

When the smoke settled and the crashing noise faded, Sasuke was standing,his sharingan spinning.His chakra hot and riled up. But he was satisfied.The fire in his heart went one notch up.

He did not spot Yamato. No matter how much he was enjoying this madness, he knew that guy with his wood release jutsu wasn't that weak to have gone down this easily. Probably was hiding or ran away.

He turned around hastily to look for Naruto and Kakashi. They were missing from their spots too. Sasuke cursed. He let himself get cocky.

Sasuke calmed himself. He shouldn't let his guard down so easily, or it will be too easy for Kakashi to trick him. He should not let this freeing madness and rage get to his head. He will not let them win and defeat Sasuke again. Last time, it didn't go so well for him. Not today.

Sasuke closed his eyes and focused. A few seconds later he heard it. Pushing chakra into his legs, he sprinted through the destroyed open walls of the house into the dark forest ahead.

Was this truly how it was supposed to be?

Naruto was unfocused. He was stalling. With horror in his eyes, Naruto watched as Sasuke opened his eyes and fixed them with his glare, sharingan spinning madly in his eyes.

One by one, he eyed each one of them. When Sasuke looked at Naruto, instead of fulfilment, Naruto felt sadness in his chest. Sasuke looked away as if Naruto repulsed him.

He felt his heart stop. why? why are you still running, Sasuke? Naruto couldn't understand him. No matter how much he tried. But one thing he knew, that moment? Sasuke was hurting the most.

When Sasuke attacked Yamato sensei, Naruto felt torn and horrified. He watched as Sasuke's rage tore the house apart, carved a huge hole in the wall.

Kakashi sensei signalled him, and they lept outside, Captain Yamato with them.

"Kakashi sensei this-" Naruto started but he was cut off.

"Listen carefully. Sasuke's gone out of hand. I will stay here and try to stop him. Naruto, I want you to leave with Captain Yamato and get to Lady Tsunade. Ask her for reinforcement-"

Kakashi stopped. He narrowed his eyes and looked back in the direction of the house. "I'll give a signal. Only dispatch reinforcement after that. Now, go."

Kakashi sensei pulls back and starts towards the house:" Sasuke's here".

Naruto did not want to do it. At all.

Leaving Kakashi sensei behind to deal with this Sasuke? Not at all. It screamed a bad idea from miles away.

Yamato sensei pulled him forward. He put a lot of wood traps in the way to help Kakashi sensei. But they left.

Naruto's mind was eating him. His heart pumping so hard, he felt it would burst any second. Blood was roaring in his ears. The rain did nothing to help his rising body temperature.

Halfway through he had to stop. He could not do it. Couldn't leave Sasuke and Kakashi sensei behind, to fight each other.The way Sasuke looked, he was sure it would end in a disaster.

Yamato sensei stopped with him.

"Naruto! It's not the time.Let's go."

"No, sensei, this isn't right." Naruto was anxious, it showed in his voice. He spoke faster.

"Can't you see? We cannot leave Kakashi sensei with Sasuke. I don't know, they don't need to fight. Sasuke is far more upset. I need to go, go back to him."

Naruto felt clarity after he said those words. Yes, he needed to go back. He cannot let them fight each other like that. He turned back around. Captain Yamato stopped him.

"Naruto.You know I can't let you go alone. The nine tails- it can all turn dangerous very quickly. " Captain Yamato voice had an undercurrent of warning.

"And we have to inform the Hokage about this situation as well. Don't stall." Yamato sensei added.

"But- "

"Naruto" Yamato sensei looked at him, eyes full of disapproval. His face stern, he shook his head at Naruto.

Naruto felt frustration well inside his chest. He had to go back. He decided to try one more time- one last plea.

"Yamato sensei, do you think Kakashi sensei will be alright? We both have seen what Sasuke has become. Kakashi doesn't. He will never attempt to fatally harm Sasuke but Sasuke? He will do anything. Sasuke is not holding back."

He looked up, straight at Yamato sensei. Stared into his eyes and delivered this in a deceptive calm, controlled voice, pitched low - as if talking about a failure in test.

A contrast so shocking to his voice moments ago that even Yamato sensei looked taken aback by his tone. It was so unlike Naruto, to sound detached.

Naruto suspects it is Sasuke who is speaking through him.

He blinks and let the guilt slip in. But doesn't back down. It is Yamato Sensei who gives in ,in the end.

A slow, hesitant nod of his head is the only thing Naruto needed, before he sprints in the direction of the raging battle.

When he stumbles upon them, his stomach hollowed. Shock grips his body tight. The sight he sees is so horrible, he hates it instantly. Kyuubi lashes out in his mind. He somehow pushes it back and controls himself.

Pressing a hand to his mouth, he doubles over. Thankfully, he does not puke. Naruto shuts his eyes close, and shakes his head twice, harsh and fast.

Nothing changes.

Sasuke's sword is still impaled deep inside Kakashi's chest. Sasuke stands tall above Kakashi, twisting the sword, face blank, eyes spinning red of the sharingan.

Kakashi is half bent , kneeling, though Sasuke never lets his knees touch the ground. Keeping him up with his sword.

Naruto feels sick. Kyuubi rages against the seal. Naruto, for a split second considers giving in. Then, Sasuke eyes meets his and the world goes blank.

Kakashi had sorely mistaken Sasuke.

On one side, he was impressed with his growth but he was afraid too. Sasuke amassing this power was good but not when they were enemies.

As a teacher, Kakashi will always wish well for Sasuke but at that moment standing against him, there was nothing remotely familiar between them.

So, he went ahead and wished Sasuke bad. Wished that Sasuke hadn't grown into this person he was today. It would have saved themselves a lot of trouble, if he hadn't.

Kakashi grimaced at his own thoughts.

Way to go Kakashi Hatake, you are an admirable sensei to be wishing bad for your own pupil.

But no matter how much he tried, how much he said that this Sasuke wasn't his student anymore, he couldn't do it.

Kakashi was not able to throw Sasuke out from his heart and mind. He still had hope, somewhere in his black heart, he still blamed himself.

Kakashi knew where he went wrong : The day he opened his heart for team 7 was the day he lost.

Kakashi wasn't meant to be anyone's sensei.He was,simply put,a bad teacher. And today, his proof was right in front of him, holding a sword in hand, ready to battle.

Remorse? Ah! Yes, in the end you only have that left : Hate for yourself.

Since, he failed his duty as a sensei. Kakashi decided, he will not fail in his duty as a shinobi.

He wasn't cut out to be a jounin sensei, but he was the best cut to be a shinobi.

Duty before all. Village before all.

And therefore, he will fight Sasuke today stop him and turn him back to Konoha, where he truly belonged.

Sasuke 's home was in Konoha. And at last, as respite, he can do that much. Bring him back here, in every sense.

Sasuke will stay, if he was kept.

And he stands before him with that thought in his mind.

Sasuke walks out of the ruined house like an embodiment of stark darkness. Kakashi takes his position. His eyes red of the sharingan, spinning tomes.

It was a battle between the sharingan: and Sasuke was it's true heir.

The first strike pushed Kakashi a few feet back, followed by continuous strike from Sasuke's electrified sword. Sasuke was going all out.

Sasuke's eyes were crazed, his face made of stone. That in itself upset Kakashi more than he realized. Sasuke was way too far in his head.

Kakashi fell back, erected huge mud walls on all three sides. Then, he quickly substitute himself with a shadow clone and buried himself deep in the ground.

When Sasuke came, he was ready. The mud wall fell and Sasuke entered and attacked Kakashi clone. Kakashi waited. He saw Sasuke leap and a huge katon blew towards his Clone.

Sasuke was still in the air, when Kakashi struck. He made sure to appear behind Sasuke, out of the earth, and thrust a chidori in his chest.

Kakashi heart stalled. He looked down, at his hands, stuck in Sasuke's chest, creating a gaping hole.

Then, Sasuke sizzled and died.

Kakashi was standing still, no feeling in his body as he stared at the place Sasuke was supposed to be standing.

He heard someone behind him speak. In his shock he wasn't sure who it was, though. He slowly turned his face.

"I wasn't sure how serious you were Kakashi. Didn't know the rules."

Sasuke was standing behind him. Eyes blazing, sword crackling with lightning.

Sasuke smirks, a cruel twist of lips before a sword is plunged deep into Kakashi's chest.

Kakashi mind only captures the short view, a shapeless blur of Sasuke's sword as it he moves it and then dark vicious pain grips his body and mind.

"Glad you made it clear." Sasuke adds calmly, staring down at Kakashi, eyes vacant of any emotion.

Kakashi cannot help but think, that even madness will be more desirable to see than this emptiness in Sasuke's eyes.

Kakashi, being petty, gives his own empty smile, " You took me by surprise. Rematch?"

His eyes are dim, he doesn't feel his own smile but somehow he cannot stop himself from grinning like an idiot:

"Now that the rules are clear, I know we will enjoy it better. Haha... " He tries to laugh but halfway he sobers.

"You truly are my student, Sasuke that was an excellent use of substitution." He gazes at Sasuke's eyes, "I knew you would. I don't think I'll ever truly be able to hurt you like that."

Kakashi never thought he would have to do this. That he would say such words at this moment, looking up at his rogue student, all sentimental and heartfelt.

The whole idea makes him want to take a day off and laugh all day. He ends up closing his eyes.

Sasuke's confused face is his last sight.

It's not a bad sight, per see, Sasuke has a very pretty face, and a confused frown makes him look like lost kid.

No, not bad at all.

Tsunade had enough surprises for a lifetime. She did not want any more.

But when her door was pushed open and Yamato walked in carrying a caged Naruto, she knew it wasn't over yet.

Tsunade stood up and frowned. She did not speak, her silence was permission enough for Yamato to report.

Judging from the looks of it, this had to do with Sasuke. She grind her teeth. God Forbid, that Uchiha brat had done something to cause trouble...

"Lady Tsunade, Captain Kakashi request you to send reinforcement as fast as possible. Sasuke Uchiha has broken free. Kakashi has decided to keep him engaged but from the looks of it, he will require assistance-" Yamato spoke, his words betrayed nothing but gave away the urgency of the request.

Tsunade nodded.Tilting her head to the side, she spoke to one of the ANBUs :

"Dispatch a team of jounin ninjas and ANBU."

"A.. Also" Yamato hesitated, after a second, he shook his head and added, " Capt. Kakashi also requested that Naruto's friends - Team 8,10 and Team Gai be sent to intercept Sasuke. "

Now, Tsunade frowned. "What? Why would that be necessary? Kakashi especially requested they be sent? " She spoke, confused.

Yamato nodded. It was clear, though, that he didn't support the same idea.

Tsunade stayed silent for few seconds. Then, she nodded again and said,

"Okay. Alright, send Team Gai, Team Asuma and Team Kureni along with the reinforcement."

She turned her focus back to Yamato and Naruto. Nodding at Naruto, she asked, "What's up with him? "

Yamato shook his head, probably in disappointment. " Sasuke"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes and waited but Yamato didn't elaborate, so she went to Naruto herself.

"Does he needs to be restrained? " She asked Yamato. From inside the cage, Naruto shook his head frantically.

"No.Depends. He's been trying to run back, I had orders to keep him away, from Kakashi. Naruto cannot be allowed to come under the nine tails influence again." Yamato answered.

Tsunade nodded, and ordered " Release him."

The wood cage came undone. Naruto slipped to the floor. He leaped back to his feet moments later.

"Baa-chan! Kakashi sense- he - sense! " Naruto stammered. It was clear that whatever had happened had aggrieved him, a lot.

"Naruto calm down." Tsunade ordered, her tone calm but firm.

"No, Baa-chan! Kakashi sensei needs help, medical help. Sasuke! He - he " Naruto grimaced, his words became small, as he finished " He impaled Kakashi sensei in the chest."

"Naruto.Calm down. It's Kakashi. The best jounin level ninja in Konoha. He is not so easy to kill." Tsunade said, her voice calm and confident.

She smirked and added, humorlessly, "Kakashi is still the sensei, here. I have faith that he has it handled."

Naruto wasn't so sure. "I saw it with my own eyes!"

"You were under a genjutsu ,Naruto, when I retrieved you." Yamato replied. "It's possible that what you saw wasn't real either. "

Naruto pressed his lips, clenched his jaw and looked away. Tsunade sighed.

"Let's wait a bit, Naruto. Sasuke cannot possibly escape. If the next call of trouble comes, you are free to go. Till then, have faith in your friends." Tsunade told Naruto. Hoping it would pacify him a bit.

When she saw it wasn't enough, she added, "There is no need to rile yourself up and let Kyuubi take control.The village should be your primarily concern."

That stopped Naruto. Even though he still looked frustrated and ready to run for help, Tsunade knew he will listen.

Well, until help is needed. Because if they need help after all , then Naruto is the only real help they have.

A/N:

Update schedule : every sunday.

Thank you for your comments!

I cherish all of them.So, thank you so much for reading my story. I'll do my best to make this story a good one. Thank you!