Pein

Guys, please don't be sad about this chapter. I know what you're going to think, but hey. It had to be this was. Also, Thanks for all the reviews last time. It means a lot. Anyway, enjoy people. You're about to gain a lot of knowledge of what's happened so far.

He'd declare himself a saint after this day. Naruto would be known as an angel. How could he not? He hadn't once thought of ways to kill his teammates as Kakashi trained him.

Kakashi watched as the blond breathed in deep breaths. Meditation was always a key component for the Naruto, especially to conquer Sage jutsu.

"That's good, Naruto. If you give your all, you won't fail."

Naruto concentrated deeply. Unfortunately, in his ear, there was a soft laugh. To anyone else, it was a murmur. But to Naruto, it was a laugh.

He opened up a single eye and stuck out his tongue. "Bloop."

That got the Uchiha. He covered his mouth with a ferocious blush and glared at Naruto. The blond laughed.

Within his mind, Gyuki sighed.

"How are we going to win a soon war if Naruto lets the Uchiha distract him?"

Naruto began to speak, but Kurama spoke first. "You didn't know? Naruto is in love with Uchiha."

The blond blushed deeply. 'I'm not.' he lied easily. He looked to Sasuke, who'd been leaning against a nearby tree, Sakura close and hovering.

Over the past year, the raven had changed. He'd gotten taller than most of their graduating classmates besides Naruto and he'd change his clothing.

Instead of the blue and white he once looked great in, the Uchiha turned toward the all black attire. Long sleeved Black shirt that showed the Uchiha fan upon the back. Over it, he wore a half sash. The outfit was completed with black pants and high black shinobi sandals. As a growing teen male, Naruto thought the Uchiha looked good.

If good wasn't enough, he relied on his nightly thoughts to keep the image. Sasuke was fucking beautiful. Every girl in the village in village knew and so did Naruto. Naruto fucking loved him. He wondered why Sasuke did not flaunt his beauty.

"Told you you were in love."

'Shut it, fox.'

Kakashi frowned deeply at his blond student. The student who was supposed to save the world soon.

"Naruto. How many times have we gone over the importance of your training?"

"It was Sasuke." The fifteen year old whined. "He laughed."

There eyes turned to Sasuke, whose own eyes were closed. He held a small smirk. "Dobe. It's no one else's fault you can't concentrate."

Sakura giggled behind her hand and Kakashi sighed. "Don't blame anything on your teammates, Naruto. You can't do that when war starts."

Naruto sighed. "We've been training all morning. Can we take a break? I promised I'd let Haku meet Temari today. She'll only be here for a day."

Kakashi stopped to think. "Hm...I could let you have some free time and potentially risk the world's safety or I could keep you training."

Sasuke stepped forward. "Just let him go, sensei. He wants to see how Itachi is doing. He's eight months along."

Kakashi contemplated even more. "Let him train or let him see a pregnant friend, risking the fate of future babies."

"Sensei" Naruto whined further.

Sakura giggled. "This is Naruto Namikaze. The one training to be hokage?"

Kakashi nodded. "Yeah. What do you think?"

Sakura watched her friend and teammate with the slightest smile upon her face. Eventually, Naruto gave a feral smirk and she looked back. "We're doomed."

Kakashi only looked at Naruto and smiled proudly. "I know."

Naruto noticed the hidden message between their small conversation. If Kakashi held so much faith in him and Sakura believed he could be stronger than he was now, maybe he'd win.

Someone grabbed his arm and he looked to obsidian eyes. Sasuke shrugged. "I'm stealing him now."

As Sasuke performed his shunshin, Naruto smiled and Kakashi shook his head. "Be back by tomorrow."

They disappeared. The blond sighed in relief when he witnessed the buildings of the Namikaze compound. "He won't leave me alone."

Sasuke smirked. "They expect a lot from you."

Naruto watched the other teens face for a single moment. "I won't be fighting alone."

"I know."

They walked together in silence, going to retrieve Haku to meet the Kazekage. With Gaara at school, Itachi pregnant, Karin on a mission, and Sakura a chunin, the two genin decided they would joint their daily activities.

Both were fine with such. It hurt Naruto to be so close and yet so far. He wanted Sasuke more than anything, but he could not have him. He'd once told Sasuke that the raven loved him. He said nothing back about it since.

His thoughts may have caused him to stare into the pale teens face. Sasuke glared. "What are you looking at, dobe?"

To protect himself, he glared back. "Nothing that interests me."

"Hn."

This was how Sasuke won their banters. All he needed to say was 'hn' and that meant 'fine.' It was his way of ignoring Naruto.

After a moment of silence, Naruto nudged the Uchiha. "I lied. So you do interest me. You've gotten stronger over the years you're my best friend. You interest me a lot."

Sasuke laughed as they reached Haku and Zabuza's home. Knocking softly, the boy waited patiently. Haku answered the door with a smile.

The 16 year old was definitely odd. He'd gotten taller as well. Although his face still resembled that of a girl's, Haku's shaped had grown more defined. Shoulders broader and arms thicker. So he did look odd….standing with his hair down, wearing a pink kimono. "Is Temari-sama already here?"

"A few hours since she arrived. Right now she's in a trade meeting with the baa-chan, but she'll be done by the time we get there."

Haku nodded. "Let's go then."

Naruto barged into the hokage's office, grabbing Temari's arm gently. "You finished? Let's go."

Before they left the room, Tsunade's fist collided with the blond's head. "Damnit, brat! How many times do I have to tell you barging in here is not okay?"

Naruto rubbed his head with a whine. "But, you said you'd be done by this time."

"Doesn't matter." she grumbled. "There are highly advanced ANBU and Suna enforcers outside. How'd you get in here and past them?"

"Uh...I sealed my chakra."

Before Tsunade could further impale him, Temari cut in. "I did request to meet one of Naruto's friends, Tsunade-san."

Tsunade sighed. "Go on then. And be safe."

The two nodded and left. It was an odd friendship they had. Suna and Konoha knew too well. A kage and a genin good friends through an invasion. Naruto noted that over the years, he and Temari had relied on one another. They'd grown close.

So when the boy vowed to protect Konoha, he vowed to protect Suna too. His friends lived there.

"How's it like being a kage?" he asked casually as they walked down the steps.

Temari smirked. "Boring and exciting. You should know."

The Namikaze laughed heartedly. "Yes. I'm still a genin, but once the villagers trust me, Tsunade promised to move me to jounin immediately. How've you and Kankuro been? It's been so long since we saw one another."

"We've been getting by. Soon, Suna and Konoha will be the strongest allies in the world. Because of you of course."

Naruto had done a lot for the other villages, even Kiri, who once held a bounty upon his head. Now, they trusted him with their lives. Because of Temari and Naruto's friendship, Konoha and Suna were trusted allis.

He grinned sheepishly. "Huh, I never really thought about that."

"The only one that needs to join is the Raikage and Mizukage. The kumo man has a strong head."

Naruto laughed. "I visited a few times and grew close to his brother, Killer B. A will be in soon. I'm not so sure about Mei. She loves being independent."

They both laughed as they left the hokage tower. Temari spotted Sasuke before she noticed Haku.

"That's your lover."

Naruto blushed hazardly. "What?! I don't...Sasuke's not…" He trailed off as Temari smiled. He was defeated. Temari knew. She may have knew years ago during the chunin exams. For an odd reason, she could read him like Chi could.

She wasn't simply a good friend; she became part of his soul, much to his dismay.

Laughing, the girl bumped him. "Who's the pretty boy with Sasuke?"

Naruto laughed. "That's Haku, idiot."

Instead of laughing at the insult, Temari put her head down and blushed deeply. Fucking blushed. Naruto wouldn't be so shocked if it were Ino or Sakura.

But, Temari was like Tenten and Hinata. Maybe even tougher. This was the girl Naruto had grown to know in three years. One that never looked away, who when she'd seen men get murdered and injured and never looked away; and when her father died, did not look away. And when she witnessed some of Haruto's creations hurting her own, still did not look away; she only fought those beast and sent them to hell.

Her men recovered. Mute and off balance from the attacks. More because of their eyes than their twisted limbs. They resembled monsters of the night and Temari still never looked away. She was fucking powerful.

But seeing Haku, she looked away. Embarrassed and shy. "Oh Kami." Naruto spoke.

This must have broke Temari out of her slumber because she glared at Naruto. "Not a fucking word."

When they neared, Haku simply smiled at the girl. "It is nice to finally meet you, Kazekage-sama. Naruto has told me great things."

Temari smiled. "Only great. That means he hasn't said much." She and Naruto laughed. "But, please call me Temari."

Haku nodded. "When I first came to Konoha, Naruto showed Zabuza and I a wonderful place. Down by a river…" He trailed off and Temari grabbed his arm.

"Well come on then. Bye Sasuke...bye Naruto."

The dangerous duo stared after their friends and Naruto deflated. "Haven't seen her in months and she decides to spend her day with a potential lover."

Eventually he turned toward Sasuke with a bright smile. "Well, what do you want to do, teme?"

Sasuke smiled and looked down with his eyes closed.

"Sasuke? What's wrong?"

Sasuke smirked and lifted his head, eyes open. His mangekyo Sharingan made Naruto freeze. "Let's battle."

With that, the Uchiha punched Naruto. From close range, it seemed weak. Naruto begged to differ as he flew back and crashed into the Konoha market area. Many people watched as Sasuke walked over slowly to the fallen Namikaze.

When Naruto stood with a feral grin, they busied themselves back to their priorities. When Naruto and Sasuke fought, they'd mess up, but they'd fix the damage later. They'd make the fight quick before Kakashi came to quick both their asses.

To avoid hurting a villager, Naruto jumped into the air as Sasuke stared him down. "Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

He laughed maniacally as the series of flames were controlled by Sasuke and hard to avoid as they followed Naruto at a constant speed. The blond performed his own techniques, not speaking as water left his hands and dispelled the attack.

"Gonna have to try harder than that, Teme."

Sasuke laughed. "No you do."

It was only that smirk that told Naruto the Uchiha had gotten him all along. While his tailed beast were able to resist dojutsu, Naruto wasn't. Or maybe it was just the sharp handsome features in the eyes the blond couldn't resist.

Either way, he inhaled sharply as rocks formed around him. Sasuke stared at him. "Die!" He didn't even scream as the rocks crushed him.

While not avoidable, genjutsu was noticed. Naruto knew what was real and what wasn't. And that wasn't the case. These were the things he saw in his nightmares. The thing Haruto showed him. They didn't scare him much.

The blond waved his staff, absorbing the chakra used for the technique.

Sasuke smirked. "Using that move again? You'll get enough of absorbing my chakra."

Naruto smiled himself and jumped toward the Uchiha. "Careful. The last thing you want is for me to place a seal on your heart."

The two engaged in a large taijutsu match, dodging civilians at the same time. They laughed at their play.

Just as Sasuke punched his friend into the ground, Shisui flickered into existence. Although the man was blind, he got by how he could. He was still able to sense chakra, hence why he found them. However, he was not able to engage in combat.

"Naruto. Sasuke."

The Namikaze stood up with a smile. "Yes? We were just on our way to see Itachi. No need to worry."

Shisui smiled. "That's the thing. Itachi is in labor."

Sasuke stepped forward. "Labor?"

"Yes. It seems the little one wanted out early."

Sasuke smiled and grabbed hold of Naruto. "We'll be right there, Shisui. We're just going to pick up a few things first."

Shisui simply nodded and flickered out of existence.

Sasuke, having known that Pein had fathered Itachi's child, pulled Naruto along. "Come on, dobe. We're about to be uncles."

Naruto smiled softly at the Uchiha's happiness, a rare state with anyone else.

"Uncles." he whispered. They began walking side by side. "Sasuke?"

"Yeah?"

Naruto nervously bit his thumb. "Do you remember when I defected for a day?"

Sasuke looked at him with a sad smile. "Yes. We uh….we all do."

Naruto nodded. "When you were about to cut my…."

"Yeah." the Uchiha whispered, still not forgiving himself for the slash on Naruto's chest.

"Yeah. I told you you couldn't. Do you remember why I said you couldn't kill me?"

He turned his head to the side to avert the gaze, but the sudden rosiness of his cheeks gave him away.

Naruto answered for him. "I told you that you loved me."

Sasuke glared sharply, but his awkward beet red face demolished his own beasts. "What does it matter?"

Naruto shrugged with his hands in his pocket and looked away. "It doesn't." he lied. "I was just wondering if that were true."

Sasuke said nothing and then he crossed his own arms. "Even if I did, we could never be together. You have a clan to rebuild and I have to help my brother in taking care of my own. We could never….It's not true."

Naruto grabbed hold of the Uchiha's arm. "Hey." he glared softly. "Tell me one thing."

"What?" the raven hissed, but it had been weakened.

Naruto blushed slightly and moved in closer. Just one kiss and he would see if the Uchiha loved him or n-

Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.

A series of explosions and Naruto flew away from Sasuke. Everything blackened.

He woke in agony and semi-blindness amid a chaos. Then as he began to recover his consciousness, Naruto found himself laying by a pillar some distance from where he had been standing with Sasuke:

He could see a restaurants. a place where tables and chairs were all upside down, legs in the air, amid debris of glass and breakage: he saw the the market almost empty, nearly everybody gone: he saw old man Teuchi helping his daughter up, advancing aghast to the place of debris: he saw Sasuke standing not far off, white as a sheet, but helping others up. And still Naruto had no idea of what had happened. He thought perhaps something had broken down. He could not understand.

Someone was shaking him. The blond looked up, finding Gaara in his face. "Aniki."

He must not have been breathing as Gaara squeezed his nose and slapped him softly. And then it came, the sharp intake of breath.

He was breathing, but the air just didn't go in, like his lungs were surrounded by metal bands. Next came the rising panic, the dizzy feeling and the need to get low to the ground.

Gaara shook him again. "Aniki."

The blond gasped in stood in a tremor. "Gaara! Sasuke! What's happened."

Gaara looked among and around the ruins of Konoha. "It's Pein-nii-san. He's destroyed the village."

Wasting no time, the blond pushed Gaara toward Sasuke. "This is my fight, get to the hospital and you know how to place a barrier around it, Shuk."

Gaara nodded. "What about the citizens?"

"I'll handle them." Sasuke nodded and stared at Naruto in a heap of fear. Confusion and hope.

"Go!" The blond yelled. They disappeared. He watched as they citizens ran around attempting to pick up their knocked out friends and family.

"Help!" A small voice. A child screaming.

The boy he saw had been stuck beneath rubble, but still alive. He was afraid and in pain. His mother and other civilians were around, attempting to lift the rubble.

Naruto ran over to the boy. He kneeled down as others began mumbling. How crazy it seemed for him to help them after they'd treated him like a monster.

The boy stared at him. "It hurts." he cried.

"I got you. Don't squirm, kid. Just don't squirm."

With a single flick of his finger, the rubble flew away and off the boy. The people around gasped at the blood and twisted limbs.

His legs were bent backwards, as sign he's been runnin just as the rubble hit. There was blood on his back and neck.

Naruto's eyes filled with tears and he wiped them trying to be strong for the mother and her child. "You alright, kid. Everything's gonna be fine."

He clumsily reached into his pack and pulled out his green healing liquid. "See this here." He attempted in a soothing manner. "I got this from God Chi herself. It helps you with anything. Don't you worry."

Naruto mixed his own chakra within the cup and controlled the liquid. It came as a ball and he hovered it over the boy.

"It's going to be just like a shower, okay?"

The boy attempted to nod, but whimpered at the pain. That's when Naruto began to move the liquid over his body.

"Look!" A man cried.

They watched as the boy's limbs pushed back into place and the blood seeped away. The moved his neck and happy tears left his mother's eyes.

Instead of hugging her son like Naruto assumed she would, she engulfed him instead, smothering he in so much love it warmed him. "Thank you." She sobbed.

Naruto stood and helped the young boy up, fist bumping him.

When he noticed again the ravaged village, he moved back. "I have to stop this. I'll place a barrier around everyone in Konoha though. This'll protect you while I fight."

The blond closed his eyes and breathed deeply, letting himself feel every chakra signature in Konoha, besides Pein's. "Godlike Divinity: Light Barrier!"

The citizens skins shimmered and the blond jumped away. If he could just follow his brother's chakra, he'd be able to stop him.

"Naruto."

The call was sharp and still remembered, fresh in the back of his head. It had been what….nine years? Nine years since the death of their clan and Naruto had seen Pein.

It was an inexplicit thing for him to always shudder under Pein's gaze. Because in all, since the beginning of their time, Pein was always mightier, whether it be his gaze or his build. He always towered over his brothers as a clan heir should have. And he was staring. It had once been a powerful gaze; powerful enough to make the young blond look down.

The stare wasn't intentionally cold, but his face somehow lacked the mobility others had. His rinnegan eyes would rest on a point, even a person, and he'd stay like that...longer than the average person would. Others would alter their paths not to cross his and stand further back than was customary. It was like the elongated eye contact demanded a greater degree of physical separation.

He always stared down at Naruto that way. It once made Naruto look down, embarrassed and ashamed to be less stronger and mightier.

But today was different. Yesterday, he woke, went about his day, and slept. Today, he woke, went about his day, and then everything changed.

Naruto's whole body shimmered as he stared at Pein. He did not once falter or look away. So much that Pein looked down with a soft sad smile.

"All that's changed now, huh?"

Naruto glared and rushed forward. "Pein!"

They punched one another at the same time, but only Naruto flew backward. It did not stop him.

Pein laughed maniacally. "You should do better. A fault of teacher and student is that the teacher knows all of your moves. They taught you. I taught you for some time, brother. What have I told you about rushing into things. This is what has gotten Jiraiya killed and Kakashi as well."

He watched as Pein's paths came near him. Ready to fight the blond. Five of them. He'd remembered what Pein once called it when they were children. The Six Paths of Pain.

Naruto stood, disoriented. Pein had already killed pervy-sage and Kakashi-sensei. It angered him. Thinking of his training this morning with the Hatake, the blond smiled mischievously. Kakashi's words entered his mind.

"Sage mode is very important, Naruto. And while Jiraiya isn't in Konoha now to teach you, I have some knowledge on it. Don't worry, brat. I'll help you."

He bit his thumb. Pein watched as a large scroll formed around the boy's yellow cloak. As yellow toad-like irides, orange in pigment, formed around his eyes.

"Sage mode." the rinnegan child whispered proudly.

Naruto threw his palm upon the ground as a huge gust of smoke filled the air. It blinded the village for a moment, as they could not see the two brothers' battle.

When it cleared, however, most gasped.

Naruto stared below at Pein's army as he stood with his own.

Naruto, Fukasaku, Gamakichi, Gamabunta, Gamahiro and Gamaken.

Pein as the Deva Path, Asura, Human, Animal, Preta, and Naraka.

"Pein. You attacked this village that I vowed to protect. Our younger brother is here. Our deceased family is here. Everyone in this village is family and you tried to destroy them."

Pein smiled. "And they destroyed us."

Before the brother's could argue once more, Tsunade jumped before Naruto.

She and Pein stared one another down. "I never met you. I imagined that if I knew you before the murder of your family, it would be harder to defeat you now."

Pein smiled. "My, Otouto. Who else will defend you here? First Kakashi, who once refused to take care of you. And now a hokage. Watching you all these years and how could I not see that Konoha has began to accept you?"

Pein smirked with his eyes closed. When they opened, they seemed determined. "Tsunade of the sannin. I encourage you to leave my brother and I to fight. This is not a fight for a mere kage. We are much stronger. I've already taken one of your lives. Don't make me repeat history."

Tsunade moved into a slow fighting stance, a signal she'd already been weakened. "You being in this village is a threat. As Hokage of the leaf I am destined to protect everyone here."

Pein smiled. "Very well. I haven't committed a massacre in years."

At this, the Asura path moved forward, rushing at Tsunade in all its might. Naruto pushed his sage chakra into his fist.

Jumping down, he punched the path.

At first hand, the path buried into the ground with a muffled scream. Then as if a pressure bomb was let off inside it's body, thousands of small fragments of skin shattered in unison - horror with a mesmerizing beauty. It appeared to spread with the grace of snow, yet in truth it was more of a wild avalanche.

Naruto had utterly destroyed the Asura path.

He turned his back to Pein, never fering in the face of danger. There were few people in his world that had been able to look unfazed in a battle.

Like Itachi sitting, or Sasuke leaning against something, Pein talking as if he and the enemy were friends, or Hinata smiling and rubbing her chin, or even Shikamaru staring bored, Naruto was also able to laugh in the face of danger. He turned away from it, giving it a chance to jump at him.

Pein did not jump.

"Baa-chan. You're weakened and this is my fight. Only I can defeat him."

Tsunade opened her mouth to differ, but the blond had turned to Gamakichi. "Take her somewhere safe and have Gaara place a seal around her. Let no one interfere."

The toad nodded and ran off, watching as the civilians moved out of the way and proceeded to watch.

Naruto finally turned back to his brother. "That's one down. Five more to go, aniki. I swear I'll defeat you today."

Pein smiled. "Of course, brother. Let's see how strong you've gotten."

The animal path moved forward. "Summoning Rinnegan!"

The creatures summoned were tremendous. A giant Multi-headed dog, a giant ox, and a large rhino.

Proving to be the bullhead, the rhino charged at Naruto first, letting the blond notice his mistakes and weaknesses. He was slow.

Meaning that it'd be easy for him to dodge. He carefully moved to the side and grabbed the creature, throwing it into the air gracefully.

The ox and dog came afterward.

"Sage art: Big Ball Rasengan."

The attack hit them head on, giving Naruto time to turn toward his summons. "Fight them and defeat them."

The largest toads jumped into the air. Just as Naruto turned around, the Preta path pushed his fist out.

Naruto dodged easily. "Another bull-head." he mumbled. "I can just use Frog Kata to knock you down."

The blond intentionally punched toward the side of Preta's face, missing and not missing all together. Although his fist did not connect, the natural energy around expanded the range.

The Preta path was knocked out before they knew it.

"Two down." He mumbled.

He and Pein stared at one another, both panting at the energy they had to use. Pein in controlling all his summons and paths, and Naruto in action.

As soon as Pein blinked, the blond moved on to hand signs.

Pein smiled. "A new technique. I've never seen those signs before. Did you make it yourself, otouto?"

Naruto smirked and stared down the remaining four paths. Deva, Human, Animal, and Naraka.

"Wind Style: Rasenshuriken."

He threw it easily, hoping they would do what he believed. The paths as well as Pein began to move, but Naruto expanded the attack.

He watched as the Rasenshuriken completely destroyed the Human Path.

Pein smiled easily. "You're almost out of your Senjutsu. And I know all your other techniques because I taught them to you. What will you do now, brother?"

Just as Naruto opened his mouth, a dust cloud formed before him and he hurled toward Gamabunta, who swallowed he and the Animal Path whole.

Before the path could regain his vision, Naruto formed two rasengan in his hand and attacked, destroying the Animal path at once.

"That's the last of my Senjutsu." Naruto told Gamabunta.

The toad spit him and the destroyed path out as Pein began to attack fully. "You're weakened, but I know you. You have something else in store."

Naruto moved back and tossed his scroll to Fukasaku, who summoned a shadow clone of Naruto.

The blond quickly absorbed the clone's senjutsu, silently thanking Kakashi for thinking of a possibility such as Naruto running out of Senjutsu.

The clone dispersed and Pein nodded. "I knew it."

Naruto formed the rasenshuriken once again and hurled it at Pein only. However, the attack was absorbed by the Preta Path.

He growled silently, knowing and remembering that Pein was able to regenerate bodies. The outer path, he mused.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Two clones appeared beside him and helped him form two rasengan in each hand. "Smoke." He whispered.

The red smoke was dropped, obscuring Pein's vision of what Naruto was doing. Naruto and a single clone stood, both holding a rasenshuriken.

He hurled the chakra shuriken at Pein, knowing the Preta path would grab and absorb it.

And absorb it did. Just as the rasenshuriken reached the path, it transformed into the second clone and hit Preta easily, subduing it.

Naruto threw another Shuriken, knowing Pein did not have protection. He knew Pein would still dissipate it.

It gave himself time to jump through the smoke and destroy the outer path.

His clone prepared to kill the Preta path, however, Pein repelled it as well as the toads.

He was left alone to fight. Pein smiled. "What could you do now?"

He ran to Naruto with the Preta path. On both sides, they punched Naruto, knocking him down, instantly stabbing the teen with the metal rods.

Naruto did not squirm, knowing he would bleed to death. The Preta path moved forward and stabbed more rods into the blond.

Just as he moved to stab another, it tensed. Naruto watched as its cheeks shattered and he flew back, not defeated but unbalanced for the time being.

Naruto looked up as Hinata stood before him. "You have some nerve coming back to this village." She told Pein.

Pein smirked. "Little Hinata Hyuga. I never suspected you to have a crush on my little brother."

Hinata twirled and instantly broke three rods on Naruto's back. Just as Naruto suspected, the girl laughed and rubbed her chin casually. "Believe me when I say I'm in love with someone else."

Pein glared softly and Naruto smirked.

Shikamaru was lucky even if he didn't know it yet.

Hinata glared. "But, Naruto Namikaze is my friend. He's been my friend for a long time. And friends risk their lives for one another. If you want him…"

She trailed off and broke another rod. "You'll have to go through me."

Pein shrugged. "Shinra Tensei."

Hinata flew back, but still managed to stand. "I may not have a level greater than a kage's, but trust me when I say I will free my friend and he will defeat you."

She moved forward, engaging in combat with Naruto's brother, all the while removing the rods from Naruto.

Pein growled as Hinata hit him in the face. "You are too persistent, pretty girl." He jabbed her in the stomach, watching as she hurled back and crashed, creating a large crater in the already broken village.

Pein almost spoke, until he was hit in the face by Naruto.

Regaining his vision and helping the Preta path up, Pein stared at his brother. "So you've made more friends than Sasuke."

"Yeah." Naruto spoke.

Pein smirked. "Do me a favor and never forget Sasuke. He is more important to you than you think. And he's a day one. As well as a ride or die for you."

Naruto growled. "No more talk, Pein. Let's end this."

Naruto formed yet another rasengan in his palm. In his other hand, he performed a ball of light.

Pein watched in wonder as the teen mixed them together. "Hm."

Instead of throwing it, Naruto rushed at the older Namikaze. He couldn't have the Preta path absorbing it again. It was a mistake and he knew Pein could easily deflect it.

But that didn't happen.

Pein just...stood there, as if he were waiting for it all along.

Naruto faltered as his rasengan hit Pein in the stomach. It did not stop, but instead moved on until it went through Pein. A sharp hiss of agony was heard in his ear and Naruto moved his fist out.

He watched as the man fell forward upon his shoulders. Pein grunted and smiled at Naruto softly.

His own eyes filled with tears. "Pein. I'm so sor-"

"Don't" the older boy said fiercely. "This is how I wanted it to end."

"What?"

Pein smiled sadly. "I suppose it is time for you to know the truth."

"What truth, Pein?"

"Why I killed our parents and brothers, and left you and Gaara."

"Pein."

The older Namikaze looked up from his book at his father, who stood with a sharp stare in the doorway.

It had been three days since Naruto had gotten molested and Minato had been coming up with a way to go against the village.

At least that's what Pein assumed. He couldn't believe it. His father, who'd sworn to protect the village, was now going against it because of their hate toward Naruto.

"Yes, father?"

"It's time."

With that, the man walked away, ensuing Pein to follow him. The young jounin did follow.

Right into his mother's study. There sat Nagato, Deidara, and their mother.

They waited for Minato to speak. The man simply rubbed his eyes.

"I never came looking for a fight. I'm a pacifist by nature, but no one stands back and watches their child be injured unless they're a defective moron. I'm not."

Deidara spoke. "This is about the village and its hate for Naruto?"

Kushina nodded. "Hai."

Minato continued. "There are things your mother and I have been reading about on prophecy power."

And it hit Pein. He knew what would come next.

"They planned to use you. They planned to use your power to go against Konoha."

Naruto shook his head. "And you told who?"

Pein sighed. "I told the council. I told them of our clan's plans and informed them that Gaara and you had no idea about it."

Naruto choked on his tears.

"I was ordered by the council to murder those who knew of the rebellion and eliminate any evidence of knowing."

"But, you gave that evidence to me. The day before the massacre." Naruto recalled, remembering the scrolls and books Pein gave him. It all made sense now.

The murmurs in the dark.

His father. Itsuka. Mata Itsuka...Someday. Someday soon.

His mother as she whispered to her silenced husband. Kodomo No Tame...for the sake of the children.

And Pein. Everybody someday dies. The family, once knit, has been badly moth eaten. We are fish swimming through the gaps of the net. Nen nen...rest my family. The sea is severed from your veins. You have been cut loose.

He saw these things and only now were they beginning to make sense. Naruto closed his eyes, trying to deny everything.

"Open your eyes, otouto. Open them to see what I've seen."

Naruto opened his eyes and Pein stared into them.

Pein sobbed quietly as he stood before his father.

Deidara sat in the chair. Alive and dead at once.

Should he have moved Nagato from the door? It hurt so much to leave him there.

His mother lay strewn in half.

There was only one man left and he kneeled before him, not looking at Pein.

"I've always known you'd defend Naruto. I'm so glad you did. I think it would have hurt me worse. Not to hurt the village, but use my son to do so."

Gaara was still crying and Pein wanted the child to be quiet. He sobbed silently.

Minato put his head down. "I wish you were still younger. I used to come home and your mother would be so tired. You were silent for the most part.

Never cried, never really looked away. That's why I knew you'd be a great leader. But, sometimes you'd cry. Silently, like you are now."

Pein bit his lip to keep quiet and Minato laughed softly. "I'd pick you up and you'd whine a bit. Eventually you'd cry harder for me to rock you. I'd say 'daddy's got you, Pein. Daddy's got you and nothing will ever hurt you.'"

Pein let out a loud sob.

"I know. I know it hurts now. But you don't have to cry anymore. Hush now, Pein. Even when he's not holding you, daddy's got you and nothing will ever hurt you."

Pein almost sheathed the sword in his hand. But Minato continued. "Do not stop here, Pein. Finish me so that I can reassure your brothers and mothers you loved them with your life."

Pein unsheathed the sword again.

"But, promise me one thing, Pein."

"Yes, tou-san?"

"Take of your brother. Naruto will take care of Gaara and soon be clan heir, but he won't do it for himself. Take care of him and make sure he lives. You have always been your brother's shinobi first."

Pein sobbed, but repeated. "I am my brother's shinobi first."

"That's it."

He knew his father was smiling, even as the sword went through his heart, killing him instantly.

Pein removed the sword and looked to his family.

Hiruzen said he'd be declared a missing nin, so he'd have to leave soon.

"I will mourn you all in peace. Rest my family. The sea is severed from your veins. You've been cut loose."

He heard the door open and close. "Hello!" Naruto called.

"Tou-san? Kaa-san? Brothers?"

Pein wiped his eyes and stood straighter, letting his heart shatter for a final time. To gain, Naruto's attention, he dropped the sword and the sheath.

"I watched you for years and saved you when I could to honor tou-san's last wish. I fought Haruto to keep the nightmares away for some time. I had to free you from that camp and I spread word of you in Kiri so they could remove their bounty."

Naruto gasped sharply at all the information.

It had always been silent for a moment. Unbearable. But here, at dawn, the sun seemed to spit yellow venom on the terrific land where a broody mist and an atrocious semblance always hung. The spinney that hugged the battlefield drooped and had a dreary look like it was in an eternal slumber. The stock of the trees seeped with sap like the beads of sweat that the sun sucked from under their skins.

The glittering morning deity, that was once temporary assuagement for the winds that were to come as it emerged from its night of hiding, now reminded Naruto of another day he and Pein survived. Of another man dead. Of another mother lost. Of another son fighting. Of another house destroyed. Of another life amount to nothing.

Pein was taking so long to move on, but Naruto didn't want him to anyway.

"Why didn't you move?" he asked.

Pein shook his head. "I have to go too, Ky. I knew you wouldn't do it. I knew you'd stop if you knew I was weakened."

"No." The blond sobbed. "I only just got you back. I can't...I don't want…."

"It's time, otouto, for you to walk alone as I always knew you must; yet a part of my light stays with you, as part of yours leaves with me. You and I, Naruto, are kindred as I told you, twin souls. I will return, and sooner than you fear, with new strength to my legs, to my bones, strong enough to carry you. Heaven and prison can't be the same thing. and we'll keep on looking, together."

Naruto couldn't think straight. His vision was growing cloudy, but he blamed it on the tears. He couldn't look into Pein's face without feeling mournful.

"You were my brother." He whispered. "When life became a storm, you were the boat that kept the briny water from entering my lungs. You were love when I needed it and I thank you with all that I am."

"But, the storm's not over, Pein. The winds rage with Haruto, seeking to crush what they can never be. I have to know my own strength, test it, find truth and liberty, to realize that there is no prison that can hold me. Only then will I know that I am doing what I choose to do, that my own love is a choice, a gift to give."

Pein nodded with a smile.

"But, you were always there to guide me. Even when you defected, I had reassurance in my head that you were still alive and well. But now, you're leaving the world. I'll have no one to look out for me. I'm so scared."

"I was too." Pein admitted.

"What?" As far as Naruto knew, Pein never really was afraid of anything. He'd ask countless times before.

"I know. Everytime you asked me what I was afraid of, I'd tell you nothing. I know that you used to think I was so strong. But, I was afraid a lot."

"Of what?"

Pein rested his head upon Naruto's shoulder, death growing heavy on him now. Yet, he still stared at Naruto. "I had dreams of losing you. It was always you. You got killed, you were taken. You died by my hand. That was my biggest fear."

"Losing me?" Naruto murmured.

"Hm."

They grew quiet for a moment. "I will use my outer path technique to bring everyone back. All those killed during my attack."

Pein did just that and kneeled before Naruto. He smiled proudly at the boy. "You've grown stronger. So much that even a kage may not be able to defeat you."

"I have everyone with me, aniki." Naruto's eyes lit up sadly. "Itachi is in the hospital, Pein. He's in labor. He's having your child. You're going to be a father."

Pein nodded. "Another Namikaze. I trust you will take care of it for me, Naruto."

More tears filled mismatched orbs. Unbeknownst to the wielder that they were losing pigment. "Pein."

"Mother always said for the children. I pray it does not have the lives we had."

"Me too."

More silence ensued and Pein placed his hand into his lap.

"I know that Danzo is dead because you killed him and the council is losing the little power they had. I know you will attack Konoha."

Pein weakly grabbed hold of Naruto's nose. "Even if you did, I want you to know that, no matter what you do from here...I will always love you."

Naruto waited until the man died. Pein had died squeezing his nose. He did not fall over. He remained in his sitting position.

Even in death, Pein did not fall.

Naruto wasted no time in sealing his brother's body and wiping his tears. He supposed he would mourn his brother in peace and alone. No one else would.

As soon as he stood weakly, the blond watched as as the whole town cheered for him. The little boy he once helped ran toward and jumped on him.

For them, he would smile.

"Don't worry. I know that this village will be fixed in no time."

Naruto stood back. "Godlike Divinity: Prior Undoing."

They watched in awe as the buildings formed again and shops restored. Naruto smiled. "It's a reverting technique. It reforms all things material or goes back and undoes something I want to be undone."

They all cheered, but Naruto collapsed onto his knees. "Can someone please escort me to the hospital? I think my friend is done giving birth."

A large shinobi picked him shushined to the hospital. He walked in with Naruto and everyone cheered.

Naruto let himself down. "I can take it from here. Thank you."

The blond walked toward the room where he felt Itachi's chakra. Stepping in, Sasuke turned back and smiled at him.

Gaara jumped. "Aniki...look. Her name's Nekoda."

Naruto stepped in fully. That name meant Pain.

Itachi looked up from the girl. "Would you like to hold her?"

Naruto nodded without word and walked near the bed.

The little girl opened her eyes and he gasped. A Rinne Sharingan at such a young age. Nekoda looked much like the Animal path without the piercings. Pein's female path.

He smiled. "She's beautiful."

The baby giggled at Naruto.

And then something happened. On her skin black marks began to form. Disappearing and reappearing. "What's wrong with her pretty skin?"

Sasuke walked over. "What, dobe?"

"There are black marks appearing and reappearing on his skin."

Sasuke observed for a moment, and then shook his head. "There aren't."

A searing pain struck through the blond's head and he quickly handed the child Itachi. It wasn't the baby. It was him.

His eyes. Something was wrong with his eyes.

Itachi stared in concern. "Naruto-kun. Is something wrong?"

Naruto moved toward the door and looked back. "I'm fine."

He stared until he could not see them and he knew he was blind.

The fight, the jutsu. He'd overdone everything and now he was blind.

Another searing pain went through his head and the blond collapsed onto the ground. "I'm fine. Just a little weak from my fight."

He knew Sasuke was holding him. "Naruto. Your eyes are pure white. You're blind."

Naruto heaved. "I'm fine."

And That's that. Once again, I hope you guys review and anticipate the next chapter. I've been doing well in this story. I have a new story coming soon. After this is completed. I can't wait. Haha.