It's finally done!!!! Sorry for the long wait! To make up for it, I have made it long like requested! Enjoy!
~Sasuke started coughing up blood, and fell forward in agony.
"Sasuke!" Naruto cried.
"I'll handle him," came another voice. "I'll heal him."
Naruto and Yin looked sideways to see Itachi and Kisame. Itachi had spoken.
"Itachi-"
"Yin, shut up," Itachi growled. "I won't let you harm him any more."
He walked over to his brother and kneeled beside him.
"Sasuke," he muttered. "Look at me."
Sasuke did as told, looking into his brother's eyes.
The next second the wound on Sasuke's chest started to stitch itself back up. He gasped in relief as the pain subsided.
"Heh, good-bye suckers," Yin growled, pulling away and disappearing.~
Naruto stared at the place where moments ago Yin had been. He swore he'd see the end of her. First she messed up Neji, now she almost killed Sasuke... How many other people would she hurt? And for what further reason than to take over the world with Orochimaru and Akatsuki?
Naruto was taken out of his reverie when he turned Itachi stood, his robe shuffling about the ground with the movement.
"Where are you going?" Naruto asked calmly.
"Away," Itachi spoke.
"Itachi," Kisame spoke, his voice slightly worried. "We can't go back to Akatsuki... Yin will tell them what happened..."
"He's just my brother, they'd understand," Itachi replied, turning around to leave.
"But, they... I don't think they would Itachi..."
"Yeah, but you're just a stupid washed up fish, Kisame. Come on."
"Itachi... Let's face it, going back isn't a good idea. Besides, Deidara hates you, he'd jump at any occasion just to put you at shame. And... and... and now Yin hates you, and Orochimaru will have a say once more like the old days. And he really doesn't like you. And... and... hmmm..."
"That's three against five, I win," Itachi said.
"Four, Itachi." Kisame muttered.
Angry, Itachi snapped around on him. "What? You'd vote against me, Kisame?"
"Woah, Itachi," Kisame put his hands up warningly as Itachi advanced on him. "I didn't mean four to four, I meant three to four, I wouldn't vote--"
"Because you're afraid that they'll kill you, huh? So you wouldn't help me?!"
"No, I wouldn't vote because I wouldn't be going!" he said hastily.
"Oh," Itachi seemed to calm down.
Naruto eyed the pair of them warily. He'd never imagined that Itachi would get so angry over something... he always seemed so calm...
"But if I did have to vote, I'd vote against you," Kisame mumbled.
"What?!" Itachi shouted.
"Oops, meant to think that, forgot how good Uchiha ears were..."
"No, you mumbled that pretty loud, even I heard you," Naruto said.
Itachi looked at him, then back at Kisame triumphantly.
"See? Even he heard you, you great big ass! You are too stupid! Now, why, Kisame, would you vote against me?" Itachi seethed with anger.
"B-B-Because I wouldn't want you to stay... Because I don't think Akatsuki's right for you Itachi..." Kisame stuttered.
"What?" Itachi said, startled.
"I don't think that Akatsuki's the right thing for you. You aren't very... You aren't very... You aren't very evil..." he answered.
This seemed to shock Itachi. Naruto ignored it, looking at Sasuke, you was sitting up.
"Heh, don't make me laugh," Sasuke hissed. "Itachi not very evil? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. He's more evil than all of you."
"Sasuke," Naruto said. "Don't strain yourself."
"Bah, leave me alone, idiot," Sasuke growled, standing up. He tripped and almost fell forward, but Naruto caught him. "Kisame, Itachi's more evil than you could possibly imagine. You weren't there, you didn't see what he did, even if you know, you didn't see it happen."
"Sasuke, calm down," Naruto ordered. "Turn your Sharingan off."
Unconsciously, Sasuke did as told, but he still glared at Itachi with supreme hate.
"You want to know why I killed our clan, Sasuke?" Itachi whispered, closing his eyes. "You want to know why I only spared you? And do you want to know who my accomplice was?"
Sasuke let out a grunt of shock. "Accomplice?" he croaked. "You mean you didn't do it alone?
"No, I didn't do it alone..." Itachi muttered. "Do you wish to know, little brother?"
"I... I don't know..." Sasuke stuttered.
"It's a simple question. Do you want to know the real reason behind why I killed the clan? Or do you wish to keep your peace of heart by hating me, to be kept in the dark?"
"I... No... I don't wish to know..." Sasuke replied.
"What?" Itachi looked at him, surprise showing on his face. "Why not?"
"Sasuke," Naruto spoke. "This is your chance to find out why he betrayed you, who helped him... and you don't want to know?"
"No," he muttered. "I know it was because of some stupid feud between the clan and village. Am I right?"
"Yes," Itachi answered.
"Than no, I don't wish to know."
Itachi was speechless. He opened his mouth several times to reply, but no words would come out, so he finally closed it. He stared at his little brother in disbelief, searching for what he was thinking.
Sasuke had, however, decided the matter was over, and turned to Naruto, saying, "Are you sure Konoha will welcome me back?"
"Of course, or we wouldn't have searched for you forever!" Naruto exclaimed. "I mean, there may be some distrust in the beginning, because of you leaving and all, but in the end it will all be forgotten!"
Sasuke didn't respond at first. He stood staring at his sandals, pain contorting his face. Finally he looked up, staring at the now silent Naruto with near to wet eyes.
"Are you sure?" he muttered.
"Of course," Naruto replied softly, staring at his friend. "And if by any chance they don't I'll make them."
"Okay," Sasuke said. "I'll... stay."
Naruto beamed in pleasure. Finally, after such a long, hard time, his friend was back to stay. Naruto swore with a fiery vengeance in his head that he would not let a single person from Konoha hurt Sasuke.
"Come on Kisame," Itachi spoke.
"Huhn? We're leaving already?" Kisame frowned. "Don't you want to stay?"
Naruto and Sasuke looked at Itachi, waiting for his answer.
"While they'll accept Sasuke back, Kisame, they'll NEVER accept me back," Itachi informed.
"But if you tell them why you killed the clan... the can't continue to be mad at you forever... It's not your fault," Kisame spoke.
"And tell me, Kisame," Itachi turned to him. "If you were the Hokage, and an Akatsuki member who killed off his whole family at a young age for a reason unknown to you, came and said, 'I killed my clan because' and 'Can I come back to live here,' would you believe them? Or would you attempt to have them arrested and killed?"
"I guess I'd arrest you..." Kisame muttered.
"Exactly," Itachi whispered. "Why would this one be any different?"
"Because she understands better than the rest," Naruto spoke. "I don't know what this problem is between you two, but granny-Tsunade would understand it better than anyone."
"Would she now?"
"Itachi, maybe you should try," Kisame said. "You never know what would happen. And if all went wrong, you could always-"
"'Always what,' Kisame? Run? Fight? Tell the damn bastards that ordered me to kill them to speak up?"
"O-Ordered?" Sasuke stuttered, shock showing on his face. "You were... ordered to kill our clan? Who?"
Itachi turned his gaze on Sasuke, staring him down until the younger one looked away.
"The Hokage's advisors... and the Third." he replied.
Sasuke fell to his knees, dumbfounded, as Naruto glared vehemently at Itachi.
"Don't tell him such lies!" Naruto shouted as explosions sounded to the north. He was quite surprised as to why nobody had attacked any of them yet. Either Yin hadn't informed Akatsuki of Itachi, Kisame and Sasuke's betrayal, or they were waiting to see what he would do. "Out of all three of them, the Third would never order-"
"What if our clan was evil?" Itachi interrupted coldly. "If you were Hokage, and the top clan in the village planned a coup de'etat, would you allow them to take over? Or would you order them killed by their strongest family member, who agreed with you about the clan being bad?"
"I-I don't know..."
"Well, you better, because if you ever do become Hokage, than you're going to have to make choices like this one that could very well mean the village's well being, or its destruction."
Naruto stared down at his feet, ashamed. So that was what had really happened to Sasuke's family... they wanted to take over Konoha.
"Come on, Kisame, let's go before Akatsuki finds out about us," Itachi spoke, turning.
"Wait!" Sasuke exclaimed. Itachi froze in mid-step. "If you were ordered to kill them off. does that mean...?"
"That I didn't hate them? That I wish I could have been the older brother you had been looking up to?" He paused. "Yes. Yes, I didn't hate them, and yes I wish I could have stayed with you longer. Come Kisame."
"So we're not going back?" Kisame asked, following Itachi.
"No," he responded.
"Itachi!" Sasuke suddenly shouted out. Itachi stopped, hearing the desperation in his younger brother's voice. "Y-You're defiantly... leaving...?"
"Yes,"
"And... the Clan's death really isn't... your... fault...?"
"Correct,"
"Then... I've been searching for revenge all this time... but you didn't... do anything... I went to Orochimaru damn it!" Sasuke broke out in a scream. "I went to Orochimaru to get power because I wanted to kill you, but it wasn't your fault!! Why would you let me believe that? Why didn't you order the Third and his advisors to tell everyone so you could stay with me!?" Sasuke's eyes filled with tears. Furiously, he rubbed at them, not wanting to cry. His voice was chocking as he went on, "I went for almost eight years thinking my brother was evil and wanted me dead too, but it was all a lie! I made everyone in Konoha hate me from being arrogant, and then betraying them, and all for nothing! I thought that the man I loved the most never loved me!" Sasuke couldn't stand wiping his eyes anymore, so he let the tears run down his face freely as he watched is brother face away from him, unmoving. Kisame and Naruto stared at Sasuke sadly, letting him rant on. "You made me hate you! Damn it, Itachi! I've been living hating you for almost eight years, and all for nothing! Why would you do this?!"
"So you could grow strong. Hate makes you strong, pride makes you weak," Itachi mumbled. Sasuke vividly remembered overhearing a conversation between his father and brother when he was younger, and remembered his father telling that exact thing to Itachi.
"Damn it! You're not our father!" Sasuke screamed. In an instant he was behind Itachi, pulling him around to face him. Itachi's eyes were wet too. "Do you seriously think that making me hate you would make me any stronger than letting me continue to love you?! You were the man I wanted to become!" Itachi flinched at Sasuke's words. "I wanted to be as strong as you! I wanted to be like you! I wised every day you would help me achieve that goal, but you were always too busy! So I trained myself, in the hopes I could make you proud! That I could become as strong, possibly stronger, as you, so you would be proud of me! You played my role of brother and father! Because father never paid any attention to what was happening with me!"
"That's not true, he was just busy-"
"Plotting the fall of Konoha! Admit it, Itachi, he didn't like me all that much! He ignored me! He never knew when my academy events came up, he was always too busy telling you how to get information on Konoha that would help him, he was too busy doing loads of crap! And I looked up to YOU! Face it, Itachi, staying would of made me just as strong, no, stronger, than I am now, because, no matter my age, I would've wanted your praise." His voice weakened by the end, it was almost inaudible. His eyes lowered to the ground as he asked, "Why didn't you stay?"
"Sasuke..." Itachi muttered, looking at his younger brother's depressed form. "Stop beating yourself-"
The next thing Itachi knew was that Sasuke's arms had locked around him. He stood frozen, looking at his brother's sobbing form, and moved his arms slowly, hesitantly, down to around Sasuke's back. Squeezing him tight, he looked at Kisame, who smiled reassuringly. He had to admit... It felt pretty heartwarming to be holding his brother again.
Naruto smiled, he enjoyed seeing Sasuke being happy. Not only was Sasuke back, but Sasuke had found the real reason why is Clan was murdered, and now he didn't have to hate Itachi again or be tempted to leave Konoha again.
"Sorry," Sasuke murmured when he pulled back off his brother. "But I couldn't help it, I was so upset the whole time I thought you were evil." Again Sasuke's eyes filled with tears.
Itachi smiled, something that Sasuke had missed since he was younger. "Don't apollogize. I didn't mind."
"Do you... really have to... leave?"
Itachi looked over at Kisame, who nodded as if to tell him he should stay. He looked back to Sasuke's pleading face.
"Well..." Itachi mumbled. "After all of that... I guess I'd be a pretty big ass if I left, huh? But I can't leave Kisame alone."
"I'll be fine-"
"Oh don't lie, you stupid fish," Itachi said. "You'd be alone and wanted by Akatsuki and Orochimaru, and more importantly, Yin."
Sasuke blushed at the name.
"Ah, yes, I forgot," Itachi looked at his brother and grinned knowingly. "My poor brother is helplessly in love with Yin."
"I am not!" Sasuke protested.
Naruto looked at them, all the while thinking, If you're staying Sasuke, I suggest you don't let Sakura know that...
"Don't lie to me, I remember the way you jumped in front of her when I was going to kill her." Itachi spoke.
"I don't like her."
"Correct, you don't, you love her."
"Do not!"
Itachi shook his head. "You know, Sasuke, Yin doesn't like you anymore, right? Since you stood up for Naruto?"
"That's okay... I think her and Deidara like each other, I caught them kissing once and freaked out."
Itachi started laughing, and Sasuke smiled.
"That idiot and Yin? Priceless! Anyway, if Kisame stays, I'll stay."
"I can't stay!!" Kisame shouted. "I'm actually evil!!"
"You can't be all that evil, you're a fish."
"I'm not a fish!"
"You're part shark, and shark's are related to fish, classified AS fish, therefore the logical answer is: you're a fish."
Kisame sighed, than said, "Itachi, I don't have a reason for joining Akatsuki other than I'm evil. I didn't do anything noble."
"I don't think you look all that evil," Naruto spoke.
Kisame glared at him, as he looked at him innocently.
"I'll try and stay, for Itachi and Sasuke, but not for the deranged fruit."
"I'm a fruit?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Well, you're an orange in fact." Kisame said. "One that I hope I never have to eat, I might get sick."
Naruto turned around, crossing his arms, thinking. Is everyone sure the Akatsuki are evil? They're all pretty childish.
"So what should we do?" Sasuke asked softly. "There's a war going on and all, so we can't really take it all so easy."
"Hmmm... Maybe we should go find Neji..." Naruto muttered.
Sasuke flinched. "Where is he? Yin and Akatsuki will be looking for him."
"He's... away. Somewhere out of the village with his team."
"Then he should be safe if he's with them," Sasuke answered.
"No... I don't think he will... I have a bad feeling about it for some reason."
"Probably because of the Dark Byakugan," Itachi provided. "He might be going into the Test, in which he might need some people there to help him from killing everyone."
"Well, let's go. Anything beats waiting here until the war's over."
---
Lee was getting aggravated. Neji still had Sakura, and he was still in his crazy possessed state. He wouldn't come back down to earth, literally. He could see that Sakura was beginning to lose consciousness, her eyelids drooping and her face going slack. Her body relaxed as she slowly began to hang limp in Neji's arms. Lee couldn't even imagine why Neji was only holding her to begin with, you'd think he'd want to do something besides float with her in his arms. But apparently not. Lee could see that Sakura's skin was burning from the excessive heat radiating off of his comrade's body.
He wished he could brake out of the roots holding him, but no matter how hard he strained, how hard he tried to twist, he couldn't even make his body move, let alone the roots. All he could move was his head, and a lot of help that would be! He was terrified that Neji might hurt Sakura, might grow vicious or something and... what? Bite her? He was pretty sure Neji wasn't a vampire, but one could never be too sure with freaky techniques. But he was deluding himself. Neji must still have some kind of hold on himself, or he would have obviously done something to Sakura, done anything to anyone, by now. But he hadn't, so what was Neji really doing than?
Lee tried to throw himself forward, but failed. He wished that Jiraiya-sama would come let him out, so he could do something, anything, to save Sakura. But even Gama wasn't acting. All the stupid toad was doing was sitting on the ground, apparently thinking about who knew what! He started to grow even angrier at the thought of that stupid toad being called out to do nothing. Only that damned toad and Jiraiya-sama could do anything to save Sakura, they were the only ones that were on this side of the barrier and not tied to the ground with thick roots.
"Jiraiya-sama!!" Lee shouted, seething. "We have to do something!"
"Like what Lee?" Jirayia called. "Do you have any idea what? No? Neither do I, only this stupid toad does and he won't speak. Hey, stupid toad," he stomped on Gama's back, "do you have and clue what to do yet?"
"Yes," Gama spoke.
"What?!" everyone shouted at the same time.
"Nothing," Gama answered. "We can do nothing."
"Nothing?!" Lee screamed. "That is your solution?! NOTHING!! That is a stupid solution! There has to be something!!"
"There isn't any I can come up with. Do you want to hear why? The story behind the Dark Byakugan?"
"Sure!"
"It was a very long time ago, when the Hyuuga's were still very respected, but still a long time ago," Gama began. "A war broke out amongst the Nations, and havoc ran loose. It was so terrible that even the Tailed Beasts were disturbed by it, and came to fight for whomever they felt was the more correct of the Nations, whether big or small.
"So the war raged on for years with barely any results. The Tailed Beasts fought amongst themselves and destroyed many small villages around were they fought. But nothing was working to end the war. So the leader of the Hyuuga's at the time, Masaru Hyuuga, came up with an idea. Together him and some fellow comrade's came up with a formula for a new variant of their Byakugan. They soon learned that it could only be used on children, all the adults died. No one was sure if the children would live when they became an adult or not. But it was a necessary risk. Or so they believed.
"So they used it on children between the ages of eight to sixteen. But soon after, the children were still dying from the Test. The Test is a test of pain that tries to see if you can live up to the techniques expectations, it rarely appears on any eye technique, but it always appeared on the Dark Byakugan," Gama explained. "But anyway, Masaru searched for a way to end the frequent Test, but he couldn't find a way. Than, suddenly, it worked. No body knew why or how, just that none of the children were dying from the Test. The Test still appeared, but they wouldn't die. The Hyuuga's passed it off like it was nothing, just a miracle.
"But one thing they didn't expect came to pass." Gama paused, waiting for someone to ask what this 'something' was.
"Wh-what happened?" Lee croaked, fear gripping his insides. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know what the answer would be, but he forced himself to listen.
"All twenty of them, all twenty children, became worse than the Tailed Beasts put together... and they were that strong singly. Every child reeked havoc upon our world, not just Japan. The Tailed Beasts fled, the countries stop warring with each other, and all worked together to try and end the threat."
"Than, why is everyone still intact? Why are we no dead?" Lee demanded.
"Because, that same week, the children disappeared." Gama answered.
"Disappeared?" Jiraiya asked. "They just disappeared? No one knows where?"
"There was a rumor at the time about a clan that might have had a hand in it," Gama admitted.
"Who?" Gai demanded for the other side of the barrier.
"Uchiha," was the reluctant reply. "But Uchiha never admitted to anything."
"What about my Clan?" came a voice from Gai's side of the barrier.
Everyone turned to face Sasuke, Naruto and...
---
Shikamaru paced uncomfortably back and forth at the base of the Hokage Monument. The enemy was rarely coming to face the three of them, so they were pretty safe. But where was Kakashi? He had thought about sending out the other two to go search, or himself, but if Kakashi came back during the search, he'd have to wait. So he had discarded the idea. But worry was starting to incase him in its icy grip as he tried to calm his nerves. He didn't want to lose anyone else to Akatsuki.
"Oh man," Kiba groaned, sliding down to the ground in exhaustion. "My feet hurt like hell, and I'm tired beyond belief. If this war doesn't end soon, I'm going to fall asleep during a fight." Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Than we'll fail," Shikamaru informed.
Kiba looked up at him, a serious look on his face. "Oh lighten up, will ya? No need to be so grumpy."
"Um... guys..." Hinata spoke up. "I think they're coming."
The three of them, including Akamaru, turned to look at where she pointed, and sure enough, there were the four of them running over to meet them. Shikamaru sighed in relief, so nothing had happened to them. And why should he 'lighten' up? He was just worried for his friends, and why shouldn't he be? He had every reason to worry. And he wasn't trying to act grumpy, he was just agitated and aggravated.
"Sorry we're late!" Kakashi called, coming to a stop in front of them. "We were held up by Naruto."
"Naruto?" Shikamaru asked, looking at Kiba and Hinata, smiling joyously that, at least a while ago, Naruto had still been intact to his body... hopefully. Kiba jumped up, exited, and Hinata looked worried, but happy all the same. "Is Naruto okay? What happened during his fight with Sasuke? Did everything go well? That stupid female Akatsuki didn't do anything, right?"
"Calm down!" Kakashi chuckled. "No, everything's fine. Naruto's okay, as is Sasuke. Sasuke has decided to stay in Konoha and leave Orochimaru." Hinata smiled happily, so Naruto finally succeeded. "I guess that would mean everything went well. Um, don't know what happened with the female Akatsuki member, Yin they said her name was. Also said to watch out for her, that she's more dangerous than the others. Naruto and Sasuke were going to check up on Neji, Naruto said that he felt that something was wrong and had to go check."
"What about Itachi and Kisame?" Ino spoke.
"Oh yeah! Almost forgot! Itachi and the fish are here too!"
"I'm pretty sure they figured that much out, Kakashi-sensei," Chouji informed.
"Well, fine, I'm sure they did," Kakashi said. "They are now staying, or going to try and stay, in Konoha with Sasuke."
"What?!" Shikamaru, Hinata, and Kiba shouted.
"They're going to stay with Sasuke. They quit Akatsuki. Something having to do with Itachi saving Sasuke from dying and Sasuke begging him to stay because he isn't evil, Itachi that is. Itachi wouldn't stay unless Kisame stayed and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. It went on and on about stuff and deranged fruits..."
"Okay..." Kiba mumbled. "I thought Naruto was the only idiot... Guess it's all four..."
"So, what's the plan?"
"Okay," Shikamaru began, becoming serious again. "Okay, Hinata, I'm gonna need you to be our scout, to make sure we're not surprised by an odd combination of bunched together Akatsuki members. But first off, I believe I've figured out their positions. Okay, Konoha is like a circle," he grabbed a stick and knelt down, drawing one in the dirt. " Here is the front gate," he drew a N at the top, to signify North. "I believe Akatsuki is trying to close us off from the outside, so I believe that they have positioned themselves on four sides of Konoha. Pein and his girlfriend are up here," he drew two X's at the top of the circle. He labeled one with an P and one with a G. "From reports within my thinking time, it was reported that the clay user and a man named Tobi, described as a man with a orange finger print mask, are to the west of Konoha." He drew two more X's to the left side of the circle and labeled them with a D and with a T. " Here is the Hokage Monument, and us," He drew a rectangle to the south and an X labeled 'US.' "And to the east of Konoha it was reported that an Akatsuki member with a plant head... Well he was here." He drew an X to the east and labeled it U for unknown. I believe that there should be another Akatsuki member with this guy, although I'm unsure who, so I'll just leave a blank X next to him.
"Alright, it would only make sense that there would be two somewhere around the Hokage Monument." Shikamaru went on, looking to see if he had their attention. When he was sure he did, he said, "I don't have any reports of anyone being to the south, however. But that is and important place to check, it has the refuges going towards Sanctuary, but they should be pretty safe with Konohamaru and company, they're pretty strong. So we need to avoid Orochimaru and his giant snake, who I believe will be our signal."
"Signal?" Kiba asked, confused.
"Let me guess," Shino spoke. "Akatsuki can't go ahead of plan with Orochimaru in the town, because he's with them. He's suppose to kill as many as possible and than retreat, where Akatsuki will go according to plan."
"Exactly! Just that I believe that whatever they plan, there is too much buildings on the outer perimeter, as if they can't use the jutsu or whatever in such a packed together place. So, we need to defeat them BEFORE Orochimaru finishes. So, let me make this quick. We need to go here first," Shikamaru drew a line from them to Deidara and Tobi. "I don't know why, but I just have the feeling that this Tobi guy shouldn't be taken lightly. So, first Hinata, Kiba, you'll enter from behind them, the west. Hinata, take out the clay user's chakra first, we know he can blow us all up. Kiba, you hold off Tobi. Next, as a distraction, Ino and Chouji, you'll enter from the north. By than, Hinata, make sure you have Deidara's chakra disabled, if not, I'll step in and hold him down while you do, if they are disabled, I need you to take him out and all of you go against Tobi. We don't want to reveal all of us to them, in case they have members hiding to alert them. But if we need to, Kakashi and I will come in from the east. Hopefully they'll be slightly scared and expect an attack from the south. So they'll be wary.
"Next, now listen here, this part I kind of made up on the spot. I know who is to the north, west, and east, but I'm not sure if anyone is to the south, although I'm pretty sure there is. Therefore, it was either suppose to be Itachi and Kisame, or that Yin girl. If it's that Yin girl, we don't know anything about her, just that she's more dangerous than the rest, according to Sasuke and them. So, Hinata, you'll defiantly need to scout here, careful, to make sure that we're not surprised. We can't bare to lose, so we'll all just go straight on and attack her, no questions asked. But Hinata, I don't like putting you in danger like this, but once more you'll be the most important part of the plan, you must disabled her chakra network while we back you up. Everyone else we will do the same way as the first, except the leader in the north. Hinata, you'll be fighting him too..."
"Don't worry, Shikamaru," Hinata said, smiling. "I've trained for this stuff, just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't fight them."
"Well... I didn't mean that... Just because you're a girl..." he stuttered.
"It's okay, I understand," she said.
Shikamaru nodded. "Than let's move out."
---
"Akatsuki?!" Lee shouted angrily.
Sasuke's eyes were on Sakura in Neji's arms. She seemed to be conscious enough that Sasuk's voice brought her fully awake. She started to struggle, and Naruto called out her name, running at the barrier and pulling at it fiercely.
"That won't work," Gai informed.
"Shut-up! It has too!" Naruto screamed.
"He's going to hurt himself," Itachi muttered, leaning towards Sasuke. "You better stop the idiot, that's poisoned."
"I noticed," Sasuke replied. "Hey! You idiot! Pay closer attention to the damn roots, they're poisoned! If you don't let go soon, you're going to burn-"
"OW!" Naruto screamed, letting go.
"Yourself. Too late."
"Is there nothing we can-" Naruto saw Jiraiya. "HEY! Why haven't you stopped him you pervy sage?!"
"Pervy sage?" Kisame asked.
"Yeah, he's a pervert. The writer of 'Icha Icha Paradise,'" Gai answered. Kisame just nodded slowly, looking at Jiraiya like he was biggest idiot in the world, a look of disgust creeping onto his face.
"I've tried to stop him Naruto, I can't!" Jiraiya yelled.
"Than why aren't you stopping Orochimaru?!" Naruto shouted.
Jirayia opened his mouth, than closed it.
"Ha! You don't know why, do you?!" Naruto exclaimed.
Sasuke eyed the rope, than shrugged. Walking up to it, he simply grabbed it.
"Sasuke-" Naruto began.
The roots seemed to disintegrate in his hands, all the way across the barrier. In its place stood... nothing.
"How'd you do that?" Naruto asked, astonished as much as everyone but Itachi and Kisame.
Sasuke ignored him and walked up to Lee. He did the same thing to the roots surrounding him. Once free, Lee ran towards Neji, there was only one problem...
"I can not reach!" Lee shouted.
"No duh," Sasuke muttered, pushing him roughly out of the way. "Move it you dobe."
Standing below Neji, Sasuke looked up.
"Simple, never been anything easier," Sasuke muttered to himself. "Guess it's time to summon that."
Sasuke's hands moved so fast it was hard to see them. He bit his thumb, allowing blood to course out, and slammed his hand on the ground. A large cloud of smoke rose into the air.
"The jutsu that Orochimaru hasn't even seen, humph. One say I'll kill him with it." Sasuke muttered.
When the cloud of smoke disappeared, in its place lay a large black dragon, curled around Sasuke, its tail flicking about only slightly. Naruto had never seen something so big. He was glad Sasuke summoned it away from everyone, around him and Lee, and didn't crush them all.
Naruto stood, transfixed even more than a moment ago.
"Oi, wake up you," Sasuke spoke to the dragon.
A large rumble that Naruto took for a yawn, erupted from the dragon's mouth. One blood red eye open and looked at Sasuke.
"Who are we killing today, Sempai?" the dragon asked.
"No one today, Ryuu, at least at the moment," Sasuke answered. "There's a war in Konoha right now, I've betrayed Orochimaru and Akatsuki."
"It's about damn time," the dragon, Ryuu, grumbled. He seemed to have a sudden thought and asked, "What about those Karin, Suigetsu and Juugo kids?"
Sasuke didn't answer.
"Hmmm, never mind then," Ryuu spoke. He stretched out, and looked at Sasuke again. "So, what's the problem?"
"The Hyuuga has Dark Byakugan," Sasuke said, like that was answer enough.
"Ah, how dreadful. Yin got to him than?"
"Yep," he responded.
"Alright than, what do you want me to do Sempai?"
Sasuke paused a moment, looking around at everyone's expectant faces.
"We're saving the girl he has, Sakura," Sasuke said.
"Hmmm, do you like her like you love-"
"Shut up!" Sasuke interrupted.
"Hmmm, okay than, Sempai."
"Now, we can't kill the Hyuuga, or harm Sakura, understand? I need you to help me block any attacks and to fly me in the air."
Ryuu looked up at Neji, than back down at Sasuke.
"Can do," he replied. "No, tell this green freak to move."
"It is Lee! Not green freak!" Lee exclaimed.
"Whatever," Ryuu grumbled. "Now move, before I eat you without Sempai's approval."
Lee shrieked and jumped out of the way at the dame time as Sasuke was jumping on top of Ryuu, the dragon spreading out to its full height.
"Alright, let's do this," Ryuu spoke.
Naruto watched from above, too amazed to move. The size of Ryuu still overwhelmed him, and, even worse... Sasuke was still cooler than him...
Sasuke stood atop Ryuu's massive head, now eye to eye with Neji.
"Neji, give me Sakura," Sasuke ordered.
A high-pitched whine seemed to erupt from within Neji, and Sakura shut her eyes in pain.
"Sakura!" Sasuke exclaimed.
At the silent command, Ryuu swung his tail out, to wrap Neji in it.
Neji flew out of the way.
"This is going to get serious," Ryuu informed.
"I know, just try and not to hurt him beyond repair."
"Same to you," Ryuu said.
With that, Ryuu lunged forward. Just in time Neji flew upwards, escaping him. At the same instant, another, higher pitched sound erupted from Neji, and Sasuke fell to his knees, holding his head in agony.
"Sasuke!" Sakura had freed her mouth. "Sasuke!"
"Sakura!" Sasuke forced himself to stand. "Sakura, just hold on a little longer!"
Sakura screamed out in pain as Neji's claws dug deep into her left arm.
"Sakura!"
Ryuu lunged once more, this time paying close to Neji's movements, bidden by Sasuke and his Sharingan. A ball of flame appeared in Neji's left hand, and he threw it at Sasuke. Ryuu spun sideways, Sasuke keeping on with his chakra. Immediately he spun right side up again, Sasuke staring deeply into Neji's eyes.
Immediately Neji was in front of him, atop Ryuu.
"Hey, get the bastard off me, Sasuke!" Ryuu exclaimed.
Sasuke ignored him.
"Neji," Sasuke spoke. "Let her go."
Neji's eyes bore into him. Sasuke knew that Neji was fighting against this madness, which was why he hadn't let the full power be unleashed. But Sasuke also knew that if he didn't hurry, Neji couldn't hold out much longer, Sakura would die. He had to subdue the Dark Byakugan.
"Ryuu, fly higher into the air," Sasuke ordered. "Where we can't be seen."
"Why-"
"Just do it," Sasuke replied.
"Sasuke, wait!" Naruto exclaimed. But Sasuke was already gone.
"Sakura!" Lee shouted.
Naruto stood staring up into the clouds, where Ryuu had disappeared.
"He'll be back," Itachi laid a hand on his shoulder.
"I-I know..." Naruto mumbled. "I just don't want to let him out of my sight, I feel like he'll leave again..."
Itachi smiled sadly at him.
"Don't worry," he said. "He won't."
"I wonder what's happening up there," Gai said.
"I hope Neji will be alright," Ten-Ten muttered. "And Sakura..."
The clouds came together, the sky darkened, and rain started to pour.
"Rain is always an omen," Naruto muttered.
"But an omen for whom?" Itachi asked. "It doesn't mean its Sasuke or them, it could be in Konoha."
"Why was Akatsuki here?" Naruto asked.
"I-I don't know. I refused to fight, so they wouldn't allow me that information."
"I know," Kisame asked. Everyone turned to him. "But you'll probably want to kill me for not telling you yet."
"What?"
"They are here for the other two Hyuuga's, the girls, to give the Dark Byakugan," Kisame spoke.
"You bastard!" Itachi shouted. "Why didn't you at least tell me?!"
"Well..."
"They're here for my daughters!?" Hiashi shouted.
"Kind of-"
An explosion sounded.
"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted.
Everyone turned to look at the sky, where a second ago the explosion had happened..
Everyone waited in grim silence, until suddenly the clouds parted in a circular shape, sun shining threw them. You could dimly see Sasuke falling, with, apparently, Sakura in his arms.
"Sasuke!"
Ryuu, holes torn in his wings, flew out of the clouds, diving after them. Flying underneath, Sasuke and Sakura fell onto his back.
"Sasuke!" Naruto started to run towards where Ryuu landed. "Sakura!"
Sasuke slipped off of the dragon when Ryuu lowered himself. Sakura clutched him, wincing in pain. Both of their clothes were torn and bloody, and Sasuke limped.
"What did you do?" Jiraiya asked him.
"Subdued his Byakugan, he's on Ryuu's back," Sasuke coughed.
"So it was true that the Uchiha's could subdue it..." Gama muttered.
Sasuke nodded. "Sakura, you alright?"
"Yes, thanks Sasuke," she gasped.
"Sasuke, you stay with Sakura and Neji, we need to get to Hinata and Hinabi, Yin is after them." Naruto said.
"I want to come," Sakura growled. "She did that to Neji, you don't know the physical strain on his body that causes."
"But-"
"I'm coming too," Neji's voice choked. He fell forward, off Ryuu. Ryuu's tail swished out and grabbed him.
"When you need to get down, you tell me, not just climb off," Ryuu reprimanded. "Especially in your state."
"I'm fine," Neji muttered. Ryuu lowered him to the ground. He was in a worse condition than Sakura and Sasuke both put together. Sakura stumbled over to him.
"Here, let me heal you," she ordered.
"No, heal yourself and Sasuke first-"
"No protesting, you're in worse shape than us."
While Sakura went to work, they Naruto and Jiraiya divided everyone up into teams. Team One, who would be going after Hinabi, consisted of Sasuke; Sakura; Neji, he had to be with Sasuke in case the Byakugan too over; Itachi; Lee; and Gai. Team Two, which would be going after Hinata, consisted of Naruto, Jiraiya, Kisame, Hiashi and Ten-Ten.
"Hinabi should be going to the Sanctuary, or be there already," Hiashi informed. "You guys be careful."
Everyone nodded. When Sakura was done healing Sasuke's wounds and Sasuke preformed the little healing jutsu he knew on her, the groups broke off.
"Follow me," Naruto said to his group. "I have a feeling of where they are!"
---
"Konohamaru, slow down a little," Hinabi complained. "You're walking like my father when he's late for a clan meeting!"
"Sorry," Konohamaru said, smiling. "I just want to get you to safety."
He slowed down, and together they walked through the forest to the Sanctuary, alone.
"Konohamaru," Hinabi whispered suddenly. "There's someone following us!"
"I know," he whispered back. "It's Akatsuki, just keep walking and act natural."
"We can't lead them to the others!"
"I know," he smiled slightly. "Just trust me. I know what I'm doing."
"Maybe on a regular Akatsuki, but your trap has already been disarmed," a voice came.
Konohamaru and Hinabi spun around, facing a woman in Akatsuki robes.
"Get behind me Hinabi!" Konohamaru ordered, moving in front of her.
"Ah, so romantic, I think you like her," the woman smiled mischievously. "Too bad she'll soon be with Akatsuki."
"I won't let you touch her!" he shouted.
"You can't beat my Roi'ken, it's impossible," she sneered.
"Well I'll be the first than!" he shouted.
"We shall see," she said. She began to charge.
---
Hinata and Kiba snuck up behind Tobi and Deidara.
"They're real big idiots, you know," Kiba mumbled. "Arguing over art."
"It's not the same Tobi!" Deidara was shouting.
"But Sempai! I am telling you, I really saw it! Yin's clay pigeon looks exactly like yours!"
"She can't make one! She said herself she sucks!"
Tobi didn't answer to that, instead he started dancing around Deidara, waving his hands in the air.
"Sempai loves Yin! Sempai loves Yin! Sempai loves Yin! And Yin loves Sempai!" he sang.
"Tobi! Shut up!"
"SENPAI!!!" Tobi shouted so loud Deidara reached out and smacked him.
"Sorry, reflex," Deidara said.
"Sempai! You hurt me!" he whined.
"I said sorry," Deidara answered. "What is it anyway?"
"There's someone watching us!"
"Okay, Hinata, move out," Kiba said.
"Right!" she spoke.
Together both of them moved towards them, only to see another Akatsuki appear in front of Tobi and Deidara.
"Tobi you idiot!" she shouted. "Don't go and say I love him!"
"Sorry Yin-sempai!" Tobi exclaimed.
Yin rolled her eyes and turned around.
"Okay, where are you Hyuuga girl?" Yin called out.
"Kiba, should we-"
"No," Kiba whispered. "Don't move-"
"There you are," Yin's voice was behind them. They froze. "You're coming with me Hyuuga."
"Huh?" Hinata turned around. Yin's hand snatched at her, but Hinata ducked it, tumbling to her side to avoid her.
"Why do you want me?!" Hinata exclaimed.
"For the same reason as your brother and little sister. I need new subjects."
"Hinabi?!"
"Be a good girl and don't make me hurt you." Yin spoke.
"I'm not going anywhere!" Hinata yelled.
"Fine than," Yin said. "It's time to show you the Roi'ken."
"Hinata!" Kiba exclaimed, running to her side. "You won't take Hinata you bitch!"
"We'll see," she sneered.
---
Konohamaru blocked the punch, skidding backwards only slightly.
"Is this your pathetic Roi'ken?" he asked. "If so, everyone you fought must have been pretty weak!"
"You little bastard!" she shrieked. "I'll show you the Roi'ken if you truly desire to die!"
Konohamaru felt an impact to the air and was hurled backwards, flying through several trees.
"And that was only the lowest level!" Yin screamed.
"Heh, that was pathetic!" Konohamaru shouted. "I can beat you easily!"
He ran at her, a clone forming next to him. Together they made the Rasengan just like Naruto had showed him.
"Ha! Weak!" Yin yelled.
Suddenly the Rasengan was out, his clone was gone, and he was being pummeled from every side with what felt like really sharp kunai at every inch of his body.
"Konohamaru!" Hinabi yelled. "Move!"
Konohamaru collapsed to the ground.
"Konohamaru!"
Yin turned, a blood curdling look in her eyes, which were violet and dimmed to white in the centers. Hinabi backed up, frightened.
"You're coming with me!" Yin shouted.
"N-No!"
"Come on princess," she hissed.
"Hey you psycho bitch! Leave Hinabi alone!" Konohamaru was behind Yin. He spun her around and punched her hard in the face, knocking her over.
Konohamaru was panting in a rage, his clothes torn to almost shreds, blood coating him from head to foot. His eyes met Hinabi's and he smiled.
"Don't worry, Hinabi," he said. "I promise she won't take you."
Hinabi blushed and smiled. "O-Okay."
"You fucking little bastard," Yin growled, standing up. "How'd you live that?"
"Because I can't die yet, Hinabi isn't safe. What kind of death woud it be if I let my friend be taken by a cunt like you?"
Yin growled and kneed Konohamaru, knocking him backwards.
"Leave boy, or you'll get hurt!"
"Konohamaru, just let her take me-"
"NO!" he shouted, tackling Yin.
Yin's body melted into the ground. Suddenly he was taken from behind and slameed against a tree, Yin's flesh pressing against his back. "You seem suicidal, just like that Naruto boy. He must teach you. You want the full power of Roi'ken? Fine!"
"Konohamaru! No!" Hinabi screamed. "Don't! Get out of here! Let her take me!! I can see her chakra, it's frightening! You have to go!" She had tears in her eyes.
"Hinabi! Run!" Konohamaru ordered. "NOW!!"
"No-"
"NOW!! She'll kill me anyway! I don't want to die knowing I failed to save you! Please Hinabi! Let me die honorably!!"
"Konohamaru!"
"RUN!!"
She nodded, turning, running through the forest, sobbing.
"Die boy!" Yin shouted.
Konohamaru's scream was unlike any Hinabi had ever heard, could ever imagine. It ripped the air, made Hinabi shiver as she stumbled through the forest. She tripped and fell, sobbing his name.
Konohamaru's screams died out. Hinabi cried into her hands. She couldn't make herself move, couldn't bare the agony of Konohamaru's death. They had become such good friends in the past year...
"Hello Hyuuga," Yin's voice said from behind. Hinabi froze.
A hand pulled her roughly to her feet.
"Let's give you the damn Dark Byakugan now so you won't be any trouble to take," Yin growled. She slammed Hinabi to a tree. Hinabi noticed Konohamaru's blood covering her. Staring into Yin's eyes as if she was already dead, she prepared for the pain she knew would come.
"Go ahead," Hinabi spoke emotionlessly. "I don't care."
Yin smirked.
"Too bad."
Yin's eyes seemed to ripple like waves in Hinabi's vision, than everything else seemed to swim. But Hinabi's eyes were held by Yin's. Pain flared in her stomach, she gasped in agony and felt her body go limp in Yin's arms, yet her gaze wouldn't tear away from Yin's.
She distantly heard her name being called. She saw Yin's body be torn away from her and saw the ground spiraling up to meet her.
"Hinabi!" the voice called again.
She saw Yin's body collapse to the ground. Felt arms wrap around her.
"Hinabi!" she finally recognized the voice.
"Konohamaru..." she gasped. "How are you alive?"
"I have ways."
Hinabi embraced him fiercely, sobbing in relief.
"I thought I had lost you!" she cried.
"Like I told you earlier," Konohamaru said, lifting her face to his with a gentle hand. "I made a promise, I wouldn't let her take you."
Hinabi stared into his eyes, blushing.
"Thank you."
"What happened here?" came a voice.
"Oh, hi Gai-sensei," Hinabi blushed and pulled away, turning her face away.
"Wh-What happened?" Sakura stuttered, staring at Yin's body.
"You're too late, I've already protected Hinabi," Konohamaru said.
"Here, let me heal you two..." Sakura muttered, astonished.
"She tried to give her Dark Byakugan," Itachi said. "And he countered it. I'm surprised, you shouldn't have been able to get within twenty feet of her..."
"The power of love can do anything," Gai informed.
Konohamaru and Hinabi both blushed.
Neji walked up and knelt before Hinabi.
"You're safe, thank goodness she couldn't complete it." he whispered, throwing his arms around her. "Konohamaru, thank you."
Konohamaru just nodded. "I promised her." He looked away while Sakura finished healing him.
Naruto© Masashi Kishimoto
I don't own Naruto, but I wish I did:)
The ideas here are mine, if you wish to borrow an idea, just ask!
Please comment!
Next time on Naruto, A New Villain: Captured?
While Konohamaru might have saved Hinbai, Hinata has yet to be saved, will Naruto get to her in time?