ItsukoAkatsuki: God, It's been over four years such I touched this story. A lot has changed since then, naturally. There isn't much left of this story to tell so I'm going to end it and be done with it. I'm sorry if that sounds like I'm being harsh but I closed the door to my high school years a long time ago. Sorry for the absence; I don't expect any forgiveness and honestly I don't deserve it. I'm not the same person from way back when. I apologize for the all the people who were waiting for this, if there was any left. I've reread what I've written and tried to remember what I had in store for this story but I'm finding myself not remembering what I had planned, if anything. But, I'm going to continue this story, despite all this time. I'm sorry if this chapter doesn't seem, at all, like the previous chapters. Like I said, it's been over four years since then so whatever I had planned I honestly can't remember but I'm not going to give you some quick cop-out just to finish this. At least, I hope it doesn't feel like that.

Sorry for being gone guys.

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Chapter 9: The Last of the Remnants…

There's an old saying that time changes and fixes old wounds. Indeed, with time this statement is usually proven as truth but no one expects things to change in such short amounts of time. The War came and went like it was just another headline in the news. The wounds that came with it didn't heal as quick and instead brought new ones. The world began to change; it happened so quickly that anyone from the "old world" seemed to be just as mythical as the word "chakra". A story that was told to children at bedtime. Just a story, a fairytale, and children don't believe fairytales are real when they get older. Shinobi of the old world faded away, whether they went on to discover new lands, or simply adjusted to the new world is unsure but as long as they lived, they intended to keep those 'fairytales' alive and prove to all those who listened that they were real and not make believe.

But, it was almost as if the world was cursing them for doing this. Those born with chakra still in their blood were soon plagued by incurable disease that they would soon call the geostigma. A tribute to the last time a shinobi battle would take place, and the beginning of the new world.

After the last 'shinobi' war, things began to change, newer, more modern things, began to enter the world. A new wave of technology [AN: Anyone who's read the last chapter of Naruto knows exactly what I'm talking about.] soon entered the shinobi world and the old ways were being lost in old books and stories. But, that was how time often treated its history. Locking it away in stories and books for those willing to learn and question its authenticity. The first child born with no chakra was the start of the change. The great nations came forward and discussed what it could possible mean. Some believed it was just a rare defect. Others believed it was a curse brought about from our actions in the last war. Not much action was done during this time. Then, more children were being born without it, and even more followed. The remaining shinobi were afraid that they were slowly being lost and that the world they once knew was falling apart. But, despite this, many of the shinobi who were tired of the fighting and the war welcomed this change. Believe it was time for a period of peace where all the nations could finally rest from their horrid upbringings.

The change happened too quickly. The world was soon forgetting what the word 'Shinobi' meant and treated it as if it was never truly a real thing. This created a lot of problems. Those who were unwilling to leave behind the old world soon fought back to remind those who had forgotten what we really once were. Those who had been born without chakra couldn't stand a chance against us. The fighting had started all over again but this time it wasn't the oldest of shinobis that would come to stop us but the planet itself. Well, to be more correct, it didn't just happen without a catalyst.

Something hit the ground harder than any type of destruction jutsu and created a crater that almost devastated the City Hidden in the Mist. The large crater disrupted the ocean's line and several of the smaller islands around the Hidden Mist city were lost to the tsunamis that followed in its wake. This type of calamity had been unheard of until now. The other villages came to assist, naturally, and believed that this had been the work of some powerful shinobi, the war had just ended several months prior, and the old world had not been forgotten just yet. The bravest of shinobis went underneath the ocean's surface; searching for what might have caused this crater. They no longer believed that a single shinobi could create a hole this big.

They had no idea, however, as to what they would bring back with them from their search. A small vessel, large enough to house a human, that appeared to be untouched. It was taken immediately, to the closest facility that could house it. There was fights about who would take care of this unknown vessel but it remained in the Hidden Mist village. It took time to crack open the vessel and even longer to identify what was inside. A being like them but surrounded by something different that wasn't chakra. They suspended the being in a vault; only those who were approved to study this creature were allowed in.

That's when they began to hear voices. A feminine voice that spoke to them, referring to themselves as JENOVA, and of course, Mother.

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Hear me…

I don't want to hear you…

You must let go of the old world…

I don't want to…that was the world I grew up in. It was the world that taught me my foundations, my beliefs, I can't just…let it go…

You have to…it doesn't exist anymore…

Maybe to you…but to me…it's still here, it's old, but it's not gone.

You don't think the same way you used to…

Does anyone? That doesn't make it any less real…

I am trying to give you a gift…

I don't want it…

You need it…

Then I'll learn to live without it…

Why are you so stubborn?

It's what I am, get used to it…

You are stupid and ungrateful…

I know but hopefully I won't be anymore…

I can change that…

If I can't change it myself then what's the point?

You are too weak…

…I know…

I can make you stronger…

…possibly…

You just need to give in…

…I've done it before…

You'll feel better when it's over…

…I probably will…

So why…won't you just give in?

…I can't…I have to change…

Then let me help you…

…I'm sorry…but this is something that I need to do myself…I've already wasted so much time…

#

I gasped, forcing my head up, and from beneath the helmet attached to my head. I forcibly pulled my arms out of the mold, feeling the sharp pains of the needles coming out, and throwing myself out of the vessel that had once held me. I crashed onto the cold concrete ground in a heap of weakened flesh and various liquids. Trying to catch my breath, I forced myself to stand up, despite the groaning of my limbs that had already fallen asleep within the container. I studied the vessel that had once held me for however long a time. Hours, definitely, months, possibly, years, I hope not. My body didn't feel like my own. Like I was an alien in a body that wasn't my own but that was what JENOVA did to you once you started the merging process. It took a long time to do it safely. Doing it quickly often resulted in a swift but very painful death. Doing a quick search of my body I found that tiny little spot I had hoped would go away once I started to merge with JENOVA.

It was geostigma. The tiny spot was just the start of my body rejecting the chakra that had once been my life-force. This body could no longer sustain it and was falling apart. To put it in simpler terms: the planet was tired of our shit and was killing us off to start over. Even though the spot was so small, the size of a needle prick, it stung whenever chakra flowed underneath it. A sudden wave of nausea hit me, almost like a train, and I double over in pain. I could still hear her voice…

Where are you going? The process is not complete. You need to get back in the vessel so I can help you.

"You can't help me. You don't want to help me. You want to control me; and I stupidly went along with it." I said aloud. I forced myself to take a step away from the vessel, towards the door that housed this lab, and a single step away resulted in a long screeching.

YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME. YOU ARE SICK. YOU WILL DIE IF YOU DON'T LET ME SAVE YOU.

"Then I'll die." I replied back, I wasn't going back to that vessel. I was appalled at myself for even doing it in the first place.

"It's something that we all must do. If we ever hope to survive…whatever this is..." I recalled Sasuke's words to me before I laid myself into the vessel. I wanted to think, I can't believe I listened to you, but I always did. Every. Single. God damn. Time. I was a broken record. A slave to whatever he demanded, no matter how big or small, and just like always I had did what he asked of me.

How long are you going to keep doing this?

Not anymore…I promise

You say that all the time.

I know but I swear this time is different.

You said that the last time.

I know I did, but this time is different.

You also said that too.

You're right…so let's let my actions speak for myself this time.

I made it to the door. I felt like I was literally dragging my body behind me like a sack of vegetables. I straightened for a moment, ignoring the stiffness, and pain that I had done so unconcernedly once before. God, if Kakashi was here…he would be so disappointed.

I felt a wretch in my stomach and I face planted against the door; letting my weight collapse against it. Oh god, Kakashi, I am so sorry. I've dishonored your teachings haven't I? You taught me better than this and I keep fucking up…

I suppressed the urge to cry. I was tired of crying. I rubbed my eyes on my arm and refocused on getting out of this room.

When I managed to get the door open I fell face first into the hallway. I caught myself before hitting the ground and forced myself to stand on my feet. The further away I got from the vessel the worse I felt. JENOVA was screaming in my ears to come back and finish the merging process but I was tuning her out. Every step I took; her voice got quieter but my body hurt that much more.

My thoughts were broken by a sudden rumble that knocked me to the ground. When my head connected to the ground JENOVA forced her way back into my mind. I jolted with every shock that went through my body.

I CAME TO THIS PLANET TO HELP YOU. WHY ARE YOU RESISTING?

Do you ever shut up?

Think about all the things I can help you do…

By making me your mindless soldier? I'd rather stay weak then be your surrogate host.

I pushed JENOVA's voice as far back as I could. My body was finally waking up but that caused my geostigma to start pulsating with pain. Who knew that such tiny little marks could hurt so much?

Ignoring the pain, I forced my chakra out to take a reading of the area around me. I could feel several power sources, but at my weakened state I couldn't determine if they were friends or foes. Almost like an answer to my questions I heard a familiar voice yell out "NOOOOO!"

Ino? Hold on, I'm coming…

I propelled myself up to my feet and headed down the hall. I couldn't run but I could move quickly enough. Each step I felt JENOVA's control slipping away and my own strength returning. It was almost like I had tunnel vision, however, because I heard his voice before I noticed that he was standing down the hall parallel to me.

"…Sister…it seems you have not yet accepted Mother's gift."

I froze instantly; staring down at my bare feet I slowly looked up until I was looking into the narrow slits of Sephiroth's eyes.

"Sephiroth?" I stared at him in total disbelief. The only other time I had seen him was through the videos that Tsunade had shown me. I had never met him face-to-face. No emotion appeared to be on his face as he slowly made his way towards me.

I immediately braced for a fight but he merely chuckled. "You can hardly stand on your feet. Despite what you may think; I don't fight the helpless."

My blood instantly boiled and I, dumbly, surged forward with a fist full of chakra. He barely moved, dodging it with barely any trouble, and hit me in the back of the neck which caused me to crumble on the ground. He continued walking down the hall, "wait! I'm not done with you yet!" I shouted, my voice cracking.

I heard his chuckle again. He didn't bother turning around to face me. "Go back and accept Mother's gift. You are taking advantage of her gracious empower. Only then will you understand."

I gridded my teeth and threw myself against the wall so I could use it to prop myself up. "Y—you would betray your own people!? For a parasite!?" I cursed back and didn't have enough time to block his backhand. I went flying against the floor. I could taste blood from biting my own tongue as a result. "How dare you…I thought you better than those mindless drones."

I summoned chakra through my veins and threw myself to stare directly into his eyes.

Again, his chuckle, "your stubbornness will not save you. You should be thanking me for not killing you on the spot—"

"—I will not allow you to let that comet be absorbed. JENOVA will use her cells to wipe out this earth." I spat back.

"Exactly."

I felt my heart skip a beat. "…Is…is that your intention? Not for us to join with JENOVA but to let her destroy this planet?"

"Face it little sister; this world is dead, our line is dead, there is nothing left worth fighting over. It is time for Mother to bestow her gift onto this wretched planet and start anew. A world without war, without pain, without sadness. A perfect world…a world without 'Shinobi'."

Sending chakra to my feet I threw my foot up and over. Hoping to catch him in the chin but he caught me and tossed me against the wall. "You will need more power if you hope to stop me with that little sister. Stop trying to fight it. Mother will be here soon and everything will be as it always should've been. Save both yourself and me the trouble. Join with Mother; I have more important things that need to be done."

I laid on the ground, collapsed, my body was starting to tingle. JENOVA was forcing her way back in. Sephiroth's appearance was helping JENOVA stretch her control and every second that past I could see images of her flash through my eyes. My back arched up as I felt pain stab me in the spine. There was a strange noise filling my ears; like I could almost hear JENOVA's cells eat away my chakra. Converting each chakra cell into JENOVA's own cells. Soon, I wouldn't have any chakra to use against him, Sasuke, or his fatuous followers.

"…That's it…let Mother in. She will take away all the pain." I thought for a moment I could hear Sephiroth speaking to me.

So much for not being weak anymore. It's a good thing Naruto is dead because if he saw this he would be more than disappointed.

Another violent shock went through my body and my mind flashed to a moment in time I would never forget.

A battle, not so long ago, believed to have been won only to be proven wrong. I could see him standing before me.

Naruto…with a sword through his chest. Sephiroth, emerging from the smoke above. I had watched his descent down until it was too late. I couldn't run fast enough and I stood, standing, in shock. Naruto following, almost as if time had slowed to a crawl, and eventually hitting the ground.

Bile rose and I mindlessly covered my mouth. Tears burned my eyes and I couldn't stop them from spilling over. I bite down on my lip; adding more blood to my chin.

Sephiroth had turned and continued walking down the hall. I cracked my fist against the back of his head with a roar that came from deep within my chest. Sephiroth recovered quickly and spun around to deliver a swift kick to my stomach but I caught and used his leg to throw him back down the hallway. He landed on his feet and I noticed the smirk he had on his face. "Looks like I'll have to take care of my little sister after all."

"I am not your little sister. You and I have nothing in common."

"Indeed. Such a shame, we've could've been Mother's champions. Leading her to her throne."

"Stop talking. You're starting to annoy me." I rushed forward, jumping on the wall to bring him a spinning kick.

He dodged it, as I had expected, and I tossed my arm out so I break my fall. I used the weight of my falling to speed myself up and close the distance between us. He caught my next punch. His leather glove ripping slightly from absorbing the chakra I had thrown into it. The geostigma was burning but like JENOVA, I threw it to the back of my mind, and focused on stopping Sephiroth.

I threw punches and kicks at him but he blocked each one with either his hands, shoulders, or his hip. Each hit that landed seemed to make him stumble. I thought I heard him hiss when one of my punches landed on his right shoulder but I found myself suddenly being thrown back. I landed on my back and tried to jump quickly to my feet but a sudden kick to the small of my back sent me flying. I hit the wall hard and crumbled again. I rose to my feet but before I could collect myself another kick hit me in the chin and the wall behind me exploded from the force. The wall, despite being made of metal, couldn't hold up against the impact and immediately dissolved. I hit the ground of the next room and barely dodged Sephiroth's boot that came crashing down onto the ground.

I jumped up and used the wall to launch myself at him. He was much taller than I was so I had to get some height before I could throw any physical attack at him. I landed on his shoulders and threw myself down so I could wrap my legs around his head. Allowing for a semi-spin I managed to toss him to the ground.

Naturally, he got to his feet quickly, and seemed irritated that I had used such a fundamental attack to throw him down. I stared directly at him and even egged him on by using my fingers to gesture him closer.

"It's time I finally put you down…"

Sephiroth rushed forward but this time; I was ready.

TBC…

AN: I've decided to keep the length about the same as my other chapters to keep it consistent. I also want to know what everyone's thoughts are. Whether they like this or not, let me know. I apologize again for being gone. Hopefully, this is a good start to a new beginning. Reviews for this chapter will be very helpful.