Chapter 15: Of Flames

"Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused." – Paulo Coelho

Hinata

The smell of blood and fire tinge her nose from every which direction and she gasps and nearly chokes, trying to get the taste of them both off her lips. Metal of swords and kunai clash and ring in her ears, concentrating her byakugan on her Father and Uncle just a few steps away. She's sure Father doesn't need her help, but she can tell from his grim expression he doesn't want to spend a prolonged period fighting his brother either.

This war came right to her and Naruto's footsteps...

"Please do not hold back on facing me Hiashi, I am already a part of the land of the dead where nothing can cause me physical pain." Hizashi remarks between palm strikes.

"I will not, this will be my final promise to you to get you to rest easy once more!" Hiashi exclaims, landing a gentle fist directly on his chest.

They both watch in horror as the blow indeed lands, Hizashi's skin tearing and reforming once more as if nothing was done.

'He can only be helped by sealing him!' Hinata realizes.

She turns her attention towards looking for one of the sealing squad members headbands, seeing a duo just up ahead by the shoreline. The sky switches been a clear blue to gray, smoke clouding the field further.

Electricity too crackles through the air, white and jagged and she taps at her own fingertips. It's time she put her own affinities finally to use on the battlefield.

She weaves herself between skirmishes, of Darui taking on the Gold and Silver Brothers to the sight of Asuma-sensei and Team 10 squaring off as butterfly wings the color of sapphire sprout from Chouji's back.

'Everyone is either fighting a dead loved one or a shinobi that was well renown in their lifetime.' Hinata considers, jabbing straight through the face of a Zetsu clone as his fangs near her arm.

On top of facing these undead shinobi are these strange humanoid creatures.

After dodging a torrent of fire she reaches the Suna shinobi, pointing them in the direction where Father, Uncle, and a few other resurrected shinobi are still battling.

"Have they been properly restrained in order for us to use the binding cloth?" The first man asks before they move to follow her and she frowns, there is no way for her to exactly know that.

"He will be." Hinata remarks instead pinpointing back on her Father and Uncle. Hiashi's movements have slowed just slightly, fatigue beginning to set in.

She approaches their fight from behind, gathering electricity slowly at her fingertips until she feels the warmth of the energy crackling and sparking in her ears.

'An electric fused gentle fist, I only have once chance to make this sneak attack work!' Hinata clenches her teeth.

And then she rises up her arm locking onto Hizashi's back, he sees her from the corner of her eye just as she pierces right in. Pearl eyes widen in shock, Father gaping as Hizashi writhes before crumpling to the ground.

"Do it now!" Hinata quickly orders the awaiting sealing duo behind her, the men rushing forward.

Hizashi's eyes meet hers just as the binding clothes enclose around him, stunned expression calming to one of relief.

"You really are your Father's daughter. He...he wasn't able to tell me much but I hope you and Naruto can end this war quickly." He murmurs proudly and Hinata feels her cheeks redden, managing a small grin back with a promise she will. There are no more words to exchange and she steps back to let the sealing team finish binding him.

She turns back around to see Hiashi nod at her, faintest of smiles upon his face. It's his first time seeing all the training she's done with Naruto and on her own in action, the use of their clan's abilities and her own nature affinities combined.

"I'm here Father." Hinata states assuredly. Somewhere along these forests and terrains Neji and other members of their clan both branch and main are fighting and her stomach coils knowing that not all of them may survive.

"He's right, you truly have grown so fast." Hiashi remarks, squeezing at her shoulder before his expression hardens once more as he takes in their surroundings. The smell of blood is getting stronger, smog coating the area and her insides turn to ice seeing shinobi from every nation dying from single hits to the chest or head.

War rages like a wild beast. Vicious; uncontrollable.

-X-

Sasuke

"I'm tired of your lies." Sasuke snaps, brushing off Karin's arm with a growl.

There is only one way to get the answers he wants it seems: returning to Konoha.

Karin stiffens at his words, but she grips back onto his arm again like a snake, squirming as his gaze becomes even more frigid. "I don't know what you're thinking Sasuke, but I'm not lying to you! I've never lied to you!"

She pouts at his lack of a response, resting her head against his shoulder. "Come on Sasuke, you know I only have best interests at heart!"

'Still lying even now.' He scoffs.

He briefly considers burning at her hands as her nails dig in, watching until her skin matches the color of the scorched grass below them. Or he could create a trail of fire to follow her like a shadow, forcing her to confess when the heat finally becomes too much for her.

But Karin is a healer, seen and dealt with first hand the world abusing her ten times over already. No matter how much pain he could inflict, it wouldn't probably faze her much.

And for some reason no matter how cruel he's been physically and verbally to her as of late she still wants to remain his confidante. A teammate.

Even when they both know he no longer trusts her like he used to.

"Did you think I wasn't going to find those tiny little notes you tried to bury into the dirt or melt away? Details and updates about me that you're giving to somebody." Sasuke questions coolly and at this Karin stiffens, there is nothing she can say to fib her way out of this one.

For a long moment she is quiet, moonlight slipping over her features bathing her in a mix of light and darkness.

When she speaks again, it's like she's another person.

"...I did what I had to. I'm still poisoned."

Sasuke pauses, taking in her statement carefully. There is no flush to her skin to indicate fever or splotches of scarlet rashes to her body.

"It's not visible, or at least it isn't anymore..." Karin trails off knowing where his thoughts have gone, loosening her grip from him completely. Her voice is utterly devoid of emotion, staring blankly beyond him into the forests.

"Who?" He questions.

Karin shakes her head, lips pursing into a flat line nearly a scowl. "You already have a hunch, don't you? Suigetsu and I gave her enough information, not that I know what the Allied Forces have done with it."

'Suigetsu betrayed me too?' Anger and confusion swell forming into a knot in his chest. Is Jugo the only honest teammate he has left? He thinks of the last time he talked to Suigetsu, how unlike Karin he has always been acting like his usual snarky, sarcastic self.

'If I found an actual reputable vendor do you think I would still be here with you? I mean I like you and all Sasuke, but that was one of my main reasons for joining you in the first place. Well, that and you kind of scare me sometimes so don't want to get on your bad side!' He recalls.

He had already met with the vendor at that point, traded his secrets for the rare swords he'd seen him carrying around as of late.

'Her?'

He shuts his eyes to think and jade orbs look upon him coldly, fluttering pink hair tied back into a low messy ponytail.

Sakura.

Her lips curl into a wicked grin, leaning her head against her palm casually.

"How does it feel to know I can so easily win over your teammates?" She laughs.

He blinks away her image, twisting around and heading in the opposite direction deeper into the woods. Thorns and roots prick at his sides he ignores, unleashing a trail of electricity when Karin tries to follow.

"Sasuke, I-" Karin starts.

"Don't." Sasuke snaps warningly, not bothering to look back or let her finish.

There are few women he knows who would go through all this just to get information on him, he should've trusted his gut instincts earlier.

And now she knows too much.

'You didn't think Sakura was capable enough, strong enough, or even brave enough to go this far.' His thoughts mock him, and he grits his teeth. He wouldn't be foolish again.

It's always been her.

He focuses his attention on the fastest route he can take back to Konoha as he reaches a clearing, sky littered with stars and a waning moon as he calms his swirling thoughts. A war is going on now, everyone is distracted by the role they've been assigned to.

'The game is up now Sakura.'

-X-

Naruto

"What the hell do you mean I can't leave?! Isn't there a war going on right outside the island?" Naruto yells for probably 10th time in past 5 minutes.

And still, nobody is listening to him!

'Hinata went out there; I have to help her and others!' He scowls, balling his fists at hearing Kurama's sharp laugh billow out.

"You could always force them out of the way, go ahead and do it; I want you to use my power this time." He remarks, goading him on.

At his silence Kurama grunts, tone losing it's edge.

"I really do want you to investigate what's happening to the other tailed beasts."

And that urge to look into what's going on strengthens at sensing chakra so eerily similar to Kurama's far away from the temple's walls. Another quake passes, rocks crumpling as tiny cracks splinter across the ceiling and ground.

"Plans have changed." The first Kumo guard exclaims, holding up his staff to block Naruto as he positions himself to break through.

"What about Killer B? Why are you keeping him here hostage as well?" Naruto questions and the guard stiffens, wrinkling his nose as his gaze falls briefly to the ground.

"I'm not under liberty to tell you the details of this mission." He finally says and Naruto outright snorts at the pitiful lie.

'Right.' He rolls his eyes.

It's isn't just Kumo's security giving him trouble, Konoha shinobi are trying to keep him in place here as well.

'Because Killer B and I are jinchuriki I can only assume, though we can't stay on the sidelines while all our friends and families are fighting out there for our sakes!' Naruto sighs.

He thinks of Hinata, recalling the streak of blood that marred her cream skin towards the end of her taking on Pain before his vision itself turned crimson.

The memory lingers for a few seconds before he shakes it away just as heat encases his hands.

He needs to get back to her, at least see with his own eyes she isn't injured or seriously harmed.

"Now Naruto don't be yelling at these men for doing their jobs, you rebelling is going to make them be unwell!" B reminds him with a shoulder pat.

Naruto turns his attention back to him, B can get them out of this with some convincing!

"Are you sure you want to be cooped up in here B? I'm sure our teammates and friends could use your all pep talk to increase morale! Plus, there's the matter of your own brother fighting out there." He relates.

B looks at him blankly in response and Naruto winces internally, well he can't say he didn't try! Either he's going to say some stupid rhyme that his brother is strong enough without his influence or that everyone can create their own cheers until a grin abruptly breaks across his face.

"...That's a good point Naruto, my man!"

He nods his agreement to help and Naruto's sure his smile must look partially devious as they both turn their attention back to the officers.

"You guys sure you want to take both of us on?!" Naruto asks cheekily as the officers wince in panic.

Sunlight beats down on them as soon as they're outside the coolness of the temple's walls, air tinged with the scent of foliage and musk.

'Musk. They're are more people here than before.' Naruto clicks his teeth.

Because instantly he feels dozens of eyes boring on him, the crystal blue waters of the Falls of Truth rippling as figures stretch out of their hiding positions in the bushes and trees.

One is from the Nara clan.

'It's not just Hinata I sense, everyone from the Rookie 9, Kakashi-sensei, Granny...they're all out on the battlefield.' Naruto swallows.

The shadow imitation moves too fast for him to dodge, legs frozen into place as the man nods to his teammate to move in on him.

Stuck. Trapped. His heartrate quickens the more the sensation of feeling jailed rises up.

"We can't have you leave Naruto." Shibi Aburame voices from somewhere behind him, voice airy with lies the war has not yet started. His stomach roils, lies like that could be causing deaths at this very moment.

"You can't stay here; break out." Kurama repeats.

His voice is booming, blocking out all other sounds telling him what he already knows he must do: lash out.

But then out of the group his eyes land on Iruka.

-X-

Kakashi

"How many?" He repeats.

It doesn't feel like it's been a day of fighting, calming his breathing feeling his whole body thrum in pain.

As the mist clears away, the dead must be properly accounted for. A few of his comrades wince as the first rays of dawn fall over the forest, faces taking on shades of a ghastly white to a sickly green seeing their fallen friends.

Most succumbed to the silent killing of Haku and Zabuza, others left mummified or in pieces from Pakura's and Gari's attacks respectively.

"I'd say at least around 50 to 100, though that number could go up based on those that are critically wounded that were taken to the medical tents in time." Gai mentions, following his gaze around the area.

He manages a small grin at seeing Lee giving them a thumbs up in the distance, flashing one right back at him proudly.

"Ah, I remember when we still used to do laps around the Academy and the market district around this time of day. For Lee and the rest of his classmates, those innocent days of youth truly are gone now..." Gai frowns.

This is perhaps the first time he has head Gai say something negative in combination with youth. He'd like to believe Sakura, Naruto, and even Sasuke haven't completely pushed such happier memories to the back of their thoughts, locked them in a darkness never to be brought up or thought of again.

'All of Seven Ninja Swordsmen have been defeated, but I still sense something off about this situation.' He considers.

Have all of the undead shinobi been properly sealed?

He does a second check around the field before looking around the forest, searching for the outline of a figure somewhere within the overgrowth of vines and curved branches.

"I'm going to do a quick check of the grove nearby to make sure we aren't being followed before we meet up with the other Divisions." Kakashi announces, not waiting for Gai's response as he takes to the trees.

'I could be wrong, though I have to make sure.' Sweat beads at his brow he blinks away as he slides down into his eye. A rising tightness coils around his heart that is far harder to ignore when compared to the ache and exhaustion seeping into every muscle and bone in him.

The closer he gets, the more this sick, niggling feeling grows.

And his nauseated sense is proven right upon reaching the clearing. He's reminded himself dozens of times he may need to face a resurrected Rin in this war and even Obito somewhere down the line, no ones loved ones have been left untouched...

Including his own.

Sakumo doesn't look too surprised to see his own son, an expression of lament in dark eyes that mirror his own. They ended on good terms during their brief visit when Pain had destroyed the village, that he was at peace now and he forgave him.

"What's brought me back to the world of the living Kakashi?" He asks softly.

Kakashi purses his lips, words failing him at this new wedge in his throat.

"...It's a jutsu, however I'll get you properly sealed before you lose control of yourself; I promise." He rasps out.

He holds up his White Light Blade then, the very one that gave him the nickname of Konoha's White Fang.

-X-

Sakura

"This one has a radial-ulnar fracture, get measurements of his arm to prepare for a cast." Sakura orders before moving on to the next patient needing assessment.

A man around her age eases himself onto the table carefully, hands keeping pressure to a gash on his left knee. He only reluctantly moves his hands back at her assistance for him to lay down properly, palms stained a deep scarlet with his blood.

The influx hasn't let up at all.

She blinks away sleep from her eyes, ignoring another sharp twinge that runs down her legs from standing for this long. It's been maybe 9, no 11 hours she's been on her feet, weaving herself between the surgical tent to monitor how those with lost limbs are faring to returning back to the wound/burn care tent to aid in draining sores before they become infected and cover skin not yet charred to prevent the spread of necrosis.

"Sakura, do you need any help over here?" Shizune questions and Sakura shakes her head, tacking on the best smile she can muster in these circumstances.

"No, I'll finish handling this man before taking a small break! Nanami can cover this tent while I get a quick meal in?" She suggests and Shizune considers it for a moment before nodding.

She must look like crap from the way Shizune lingers behind her, no they both must look like hell telling from the redness in her eyes to the paleness of her skin.

"Do you remember me?" The man asks softly as soon as Shizune is out of the room.

Sakura peers up from preparing her sterile field by his knee, brows furrowing taking in his features. He looks to her like any other ordinary guy from her age group, raven colored hair and matching dark eyes. He squirms at her lack of response, pink burning at his cheeks.

"My name is...Morio; I'm from Iwa. I um, err sent you a letter maybe a day or two ago regarding my feelings." He whispers out in a single breath.

'Don't stutter, you're finally talking to her properly again!' He reminds himself.

He can't chicken out telling her his true feelings this time, lingering for so long at her medical tent day after day since she had healed and bandaged up his hand that people began to cast him with looks of suspicion that he was potentially a spy for the Akatsuki.

'Letter?' Sakura ponders.

And then it clicks, the letter she read twice over before pushing it to the recesses of her mind.

'I know you might not recall me from the hundreds of faces you've taken care of over the years, but you brought warmth to me during a bleak period of time in my life after my parents died shortly before this war started. If we happen to meet on the frontlines of battle or worse case I die in one of the skirmishes I wanted to let you know I love you. I love your laugh, your smile, even your outbursts of rage. Most of all though I love the joy you bring to so many people, patient or not.'

-Morio

Love.

The word inevitably makes her think of Sasuke and no matter how kind and proper this man before her is, he can't create the same fluttering in her chest that exhilarates and frustrates her all at once.

Sakura bites her tongue, not letting said thoughts slip aloud.

"I can't return your feelings; I'm sorry." She states once she properly finds her voice.

His eyes turn glassy, clouding over like an approaching storm.

He must know the rumors she's heard whispered behind her back time and again now. It's bound to come up when anyone discusses the topic of her non-existent love life in comparison to her friends.

"Right, you still love that traitor." He spits.

Sakura clenches her teeth, not refuting his point because it is painfully true her heart still aches for Sasuke. They don't exchange any further words as she finishes stitching up his wound, he deserves much better than her who could never love him fully.

"He won't ever love you know." Morio scoffs too loudly under his breathe as he heads to the observation tent across the way.

'No, he won't. Especially when he finds out what I've done.' Sakura muses, pulling off her bloody gloves to wipe away her sweat. Her vision feels blurry, stomach tight with hunger not helped by the harshness of Morio's words digging at her emotional weaknesses.

Hakui and Nanami slip into the tent, onyx eyes equally wide in alarm.

"Sakura, we've received multiple reports that many of these deaths coming in weren't detected by any of the sensory ninja!" Hakui exclaims.

"Not only that, but many eyewitnesses stated they saw nothing out of the ordinary until the teammate suddenly went berserk!" Nanami adds in.

'There's a spy within our ranks.' Sakura frowns.

She recalled Ino mentioning to her hours ago seeing what could've been one of them disguised as one of the sensor shinobi after they had finished sealing Asuma-sensei.

A White Zetsu.

These White Zetsu must be able to copy people's abilities down to their chakra signatures though I would need to interrogate one to be sure!" Sakura considers.

Her head throbs trying to think any deeper on it, Nanami lightly gripping onto her arm to keep her steady.

"Sakura, please take a break so you can be in top condition! This news hasn't been reported yet to headquarters, you go to them and we'll watch the patients here." She urges, not giving her a chance to respond before shooing her out of the tent.

She only manages to get maybe 50 feet away from the tent before she gets the prickly sensation of being watched.

'Another Zetsu clone?' Sakura scoffs, balling up her fists.

She isn't too tired to give a necessary beatdown or create a fissure right into the ground beneath her if need be.

But this man, this perhaps clone that watches her from the shadows would've surely moved to attack her by now if they were an enemy. Part of her wants to think maybe her eyes are playing tricks on her due to sheer exhaustion, that this figure before her with a familiar posture isn't real.

That is until she steps closer and gets a better look.

Sharingan eyes stare right back at her.

-x-

Sorry there isn't too much NaruHina this chapter! I'll be honest with you guys, my motivation and energy hasn't 100% fully returned yet for this story but I truly do appreciate all the love last chapter it surprised me people are still interested/invested in this story when I was considering taking a break from it. I did enjoy writing this chapter out and I hope you guys are excited for the interactions coming next! Let me know your thoughts!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!