I finally made it! Sorry it took me even longer to update this time! Considering this is my favorite out of all my "Naruto" fics (not just because of its popularity), it annoys me that it's also the one I tend to get most author's blocks on it. Or maybe I'm just not as good as I'd want to be when it comes to describing emotions with words?
Either way I finally finished this chappie (literally ten minutes ago) and so I'm submitting, hoping that you'll forgive my slow paste. I'm not gonna say that I hope the next chapter will be done faster, coz I said it the last time and… well, you know the result of that. However the next chapter is already around one-third done, so have hope.
As always I wanna thank everyone who reviewed the previous chapter. It means a lot and I do hope that you'll let me know what you think of this one as well. Naturally new reviewers are welcomed. Also I have a favor to ask you guys:
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ: this is actually a question I'm directing towards you guys in hope to make this story more enjoyable for you then you find it. Now the question basically concerns the events that occurred so far and a bit of those that are going to take place (in a way that is why I'd like to ask everyone to give their opinion): I'd like to know what you think of the story so far as well as a question about the near future. As you probably noticed (I heard that the anime returned to following the manga, so anime fans probably realized that too) this story does include events from the manga (with my twists in it) like the Suna mission or going to the Grass Country. However the Lighting Country mission was totally my idea. And my question for you is this: do you prefer that I'd just follow the manga, skipping events like the Lighting Country mission in the future (after Grass arc I have one planned, but to not spoil I won't say anything) or do you not mind those and would like to find out what bonus adventures await Naruto and Hinata? (those that want to find out what the bonus arc after Grass Country would be about, I can tell, but only through review reply or PM).
With that said, I believe the only thing left to do is to get on with the story:
Chapter #18: Leaving Things Behind
Yugito reached a nearby lake and stared at the sun deflecting in it for a moment. Her eyes narrowed slightly, while she lowered her head as a recollection of a certain event appeared in her mind. She picked up a stone and threw it at the water, making the small rock bounce off its surface few times before disappearing in the depths of the crystal blue liquid.
The kunoichi settled her eyes on the circles that appeared on the water and completely ignored the presence that she felt a second later. She just stood there, allowing Naruto to come close enough to stand beside her. But even then she did not look at the blonde, still concentrated on the circles, that now were slowly fading away.
"You really think that's the best solution?" the Kyuubi vessel asked her and seeing absolutely no reaction, he went on: "Running away never settled anything. As long as you won't stand up to it, the history will just keep repeating itself. Now that you two meet again, you can make this a turning point… are you gonna throw away that chance just because of what happened in the past?"
"He's a Jinchuuriki hunter" responded the kunoichi, still not looking at him as she picked up another stone and threw it into the lake as well. "And I'm still a monster… that much has not changed. And besides, what makes you think that this time will be any different from before?"
"You know, someone once told me, that looking into the past will only make you lose yourself in the present" announced Naruto as he too took the stone and made it bounce of the water surface few times. "History cannot be changed. We all have to live with the things we once did. But the past can teach us what we did wrong and increase our chances to not screw things up the second time. And because past cannot be changed, one must do everything that is in his power, to make a better future…"
For the first time since the start of their conversation, Yugito gazed at him, rising her eyebrow slightly. She quietly waited for him to continue and seeing this, the leaf-nin went on: "It's easy to make mistakes… Jinchuuriki or not, we're all still humans and certain events can push us to make the wrong judgments. For example a good friend of mine threw everything away, just because he thought that was the best way to achieve his goal. But even if we do make the wrong judgment, we must be prepared to realize that we made a mistake" he paused at this point and turned his eyes towards the sky, which this time was clear with only few, small, white clouds floating through it.
The blonde took a deep breath and then went on: "Kyouki made a mistake by judging you so fast, but are you any better? Because of what he did, you assume that is how he feels. People change, even if the change is not visible at first. Everyone deserves a second chance. Are you really that much of a hypocrite to think you should be given one, when you rid Kyouki from his?"
"He hates Jinchuuriki…" the girl began, however didn't managed to finish as the other blonde interrupted her: "And yet he came to help us when the Akatsuki attacked" and that very statement made Yugito went silent. The Kyuubi vessel didn't say a word for a while either, and then spoke up: "It's not easy for him either… you may not accept it, but after all you're the one who killed his only family… after something like that it's hard to make the first step… and yet, he came back. If you ask him, he'll certainly say that you're wrong, but the real reason he came here, was not killing you. It was you alone…"
"Why would he do that?"
"He may not even realize it himself yet, but the fact is that you are the only friend he has left" Naruto replied calmly, carefully choosing every word he spoke. "Just like he is yours. Both of you, after what happened to your teammates, pushed others away for different reasons… and right now you don't have anyone besides yourselves…"
"Even if what you're saying is true" began Yugito doubtfully. "How can we put aside what happened? Past won't vanish just because we want it to, you said so yourself" and as she said that, the boy gave her a warm smile upon replying: "No, it won't. But understanding that is the first step in moving on…"
Meanwhile Kyouki walked aimlessly through the streets of the village. He had his sight settled on the ground beneath him and didn't looked up even once. In actuality he didn't even noticed a certain presence that waited for him a bit further: "A golden ryou (A?N: it's money in Naruto world, in case you don't know) for your thoughts" he heard a soft voice and as he gazed up, he saw Hinata standing in front of him.
"It's nothing important" the demon hunter replied simply, avoiding eye contact with the girl by looking to his right. "I was just… recollecting some memories, that's all. It's been a long while since I trailed off into the past… a really long while…"
"You were thinking about Yugito-san and yourself, right?" the Hyuuga heiress more stated then asked, making the boy look into her eyes, but only for a moment. He then lowered his sight again, making a worried expression cross the girl's face: "Kyouki-san, I meant to ask you this for a while, but there really wasn't a good time to do so before… I'd like to know why is it that after everything you still try so hard to hate Jinchuuriki?"
The masked boy turn his gaze to his left as he thought for a moment. He then propped his back against the wall of a hut and glanced at the sky, remaining silent. Second went by and then, finally, the former cloud-nin decided to answer: "Either way I'll feel like betraying someone… if I were to forgive Yugito for what she… Raijuu" he corrected himself hesitantly, yet still sounded unsure of his decision. "…did, it'd be like I just erased both Hana-niisan and Renge-chan from my memory. And if I keep on hating her, then she'll end up hurt. It may seem stupid, but the three of them were the only people I came to care about. I never really knew my parents, so my team was the only family I had. And although I know it doesn't make much sense, I feel that I own them all something…" and with those words he slid down the wall and sat of the ground, placing his hands on his knees and hiding his masked mouth behind them.
"Actually" Hinata replied as she settled next to him and placed her arm around him slowly. "It makes a lot of sense. You don't get to pick family, it's given to you… however that doesn't change the fact that some people may become close to you as a family, even when you're not blood-related to them at all. Does a father who doesn't care about his child deserves to be called like that? Family is not about people that are related to you… it's about people you can count on when you need them. And most importantly being a family doesn't mean you don't fight or have your differences. It means that in the time of trail they'll do their best to help you…"
"Then what do you think I should do, Hinata-san?" Kyouki asked after taking a deep breath. He gazed into her peril eyes almost as if he could find the answers to his problems in them. The Hyuuga heiress took a moment of thought and then, with a warm smile, she replied: "I never got to meet your, other teammates, Kyouki-san, however from the way you described her, I believe your sister forgave Yugito for what Raijuu made her do the moment she did it… and as for that other girl, Renge… I'm not the one to judge, but it seems that she would prefer that you'd live a happy life… and that's not easy to do when you're alone. Even hard times are much easier to get through when you share them with someone…"
"Still Raijuu is within her. Above all the training, it's unpredictable. Considering you being so close with Naruto, you should know that those demons cannot be controlled. At least not entirely. What if she'd go out of control? What if I'll be the one that will be forced to kill her?"
"And what if it'll be someone else that kills her?" Hinata replied with a question, making the boy looked at her surprised. "Would it make you feel any better if she'd get killed? Would that put you at ease?" she asked, lowering her sight as a memory of a certain cousin flashed in her mind: "Hatred is a very, tricky emotion. You think you want someone death and do everything that is in your power to make that 'dream' come true… and yet, at the end, you may came to realize that you were wrong. Some things show their real value only once they're out of your reach… that is why it's very important to know what you really care about before you make any decision…"
"You make it sound so easy…"
"Well, it's not… cause if it was, people wouldn't regret anything. If it was, we wouldn't have had this conversation and you and Yugito-san would never doubt one another. Because no matter what you say, deep down you know that you don't want to push her away. You did so, because it was easier… you did so, because of regret…"
"Not just that…" he admitted after a short moment of silence, making Hinata lift her head to gaze at him. "As I told you that story I came to realize that there was more reason to it… true I found hard to accept the fact that she killed my sister and Renge-chan… I really hated her… and I suppose it was that hatred that scared me… that was the reason why I've decided to run away… you know what I mean, don't you?"
"Yes" the Hyuuga heiress replied with a sad smile. "Even at that time it was too hard…"
"It still is…" Kyouki responded instantly, narrowing his eyes. But not with anger. It was something else. "And I'm not sure if it'll ever disappear. What she did… well, that hate may always remain in my heart…"
"But at the very least that feelings shows that you accept her existence. It's more then what most people did for her" and with that they both went silent, having Hinata break it after a short while: "I'm not saying your scars will heal fast… or that they ever will… but you could, at the very least, try taking the medicine…"
And at this point the boy smiled, yet the Hyuuga heiress did not saw that, as it was covered by the former cloud-nin's mask. A second later Naruto and Yugito appeared in the alley. The Raijuu vessel slowly walked over to them, having Kyouki stand up. The white-eyed girl moved aside and reached her crush as they both observed the other pair.
None of the Kumo shinobi said a word. In stead they just stood inches from one another, staring into each other's eyes. After few seconds, that seemed like hours, the two embraced one another, having the kunoichi let out the tears she held in so long to get free. The boy only shut his eyes. There was nothing more that either needed to say.
Soon after Kurenai's team was all packed and ready. As they stood in the middle of the road with Kyouki and Yugito just a little away, Naruto smiled widely towards the two while he said: "I guess we're off, but you guys should be able to handle things from here" and with that he gave both a thumbs up.
The demon hunter only lowered his head, smiling beneath his mask before he also held out his hand and tightening it into a fist, he slammed it softly into Naruto's: "Don't worry, we'll be fine" and with that he turned towards Yugito, who only smiled upon nodding. The Kyuubi vessel smiled even wider and then turned around, following his companions example. However the moment he did the first step, the female Jinchuuriki ran over to him and blocked his way.
"Just one, more thing before you go, Naruto" she announced, making all the leaf-nin stop and turn their gazes at them. Before anyone could take any action, Yugito leaned over a little and grabbing the whisker-marks cheeks with her hands, she placed a soft kiss on his lips, making the boy's face turn deep red: "Thank you for everything" she ended, letting him go.
An angry expression crossed Hinata's face as she frown for a split second and then turned away, making Kiba smile at her behavior. It took Naruto a moment to get out of his shock and then, still a little out there, he followed the rest of the Leaf shinobi back to their village, giving the two cloud-nins the final wave goodbye.
"Next time you have to come and visit us!" the blonde announced, once more turning towards the two as he kept on waving. "Surely we'll have loads of stuff to talk about! And Yugito-chan, watch that temper!" he joked, making the other Jinchuuriki smirk under her nose.
The whisker-marks kept on walking backwards until the village they just left disappeared behind a hill. He then smiled and gazed at the ground as a sudden, saddening feeling entered his heart. It wasn't pity nor the fact that he had to say goodbye. It was more as if he felt that he lost something ages ago and only now managed to realize it.
He slowed down the paste, making his companions turn around. As they all looked at the blonde, who suddenly stopped and stared at the ground, Kiba scratched the back of his head, slightly confused: "Oi, Naruto, is everything alright?" he asked a bit worried, yet Shino only send the Kyuubi vessel a quick gaze. The bug user knew what happened.
"Well, lets get going!" suddenly Naruto yelled loudly as he sped up. "I want to get back to Konoha ASAP! Next stop: Grass Country!" and with that he ran down the road, passing his comrades, with Hinata following him, giggling in the process. Kiba only whined and muttered something about 'troublesome people', which made Kurenai smile as well, while Shino only adjust his glasses.
Their mission was over, but the road before them was still a very long one. And it did not end on the Hidden Leaf Village.
---Same time, elsewhere---
Hidan and Kakuzu walked into a long, dark hallway, where the only light source were lit up torches that hung on the walls. The hallway itself was a rather narrow one and had a strange smell floating in the air. As they walked deeper, water drops began falling from the ground that former the ceiling of the tunnel, taking a loud splash through the entire place.
After a longer walk, they reached a wide, round room with a pond in the middle. A large statue with hands raised and tied together with huge, golden cuffs stood above the water. It had a bandana tied on its eyes, through which nine pupils saw. Yet, only three of them were opened.
Kakuzu glanced down, noticing a boy around fifteen years old laying on the floor motionless. He had gelled up, white hair and was wearing a black t-shirt along with long, baggy, black pants with three stripes going down each trouser leg. The former waterfall-nin also noticed a hitae-ate with the Rain symbol on his forehead.
"Took you long enough" announced Kisame as he walked out of the shadows along with Itachi, who merely gazed at his partner, yet said nothing. "How the hell did getting here from the Lighting Country took you this much time? Everything is already prepared for the sealing and I'm dying of boredom…"
"We had to make an extra stop" Kakuzu replied simply as he walked right pass the swordsman. The shark-face looked over his shoulder at the former waterfall-nin and narrowed his eyes, however he stopped himself from any comment. An instant later other members of the Akatsuki walked into the room.
As Hidan looked around and spotted a figure with spiky, black hair and a weird, orange, whirlpool mask covering his face. He wore the usual, Akatsuki cloak, along with the ring on his finger. The one that once belonged to a certain puppeteer. The scythe user then turned towards the blonde woman (A/N: just as a reminder: I made that character a female, though I know that in the original he's a guy) and with a bored tone, he announced: "You should be pleased, Deidara… you won't have to suffer Tobi's annoying presence anymore…"
"Oh, don't say that, Hidan-san" the one wearing the mask said with his voice sounding fake, yet the former rain-nin ignored him completely and continued: "We found your partner" and the moment he said so, a third figure appeared in the shadows of the hallway he and Kakuzu just walked through.
Sasori had his head lowered and held it in his right hand as he felt a bit dizzy. The redhead gazed up at the people gathered in the room, with his face emotionless as always, though for some reason Zetsu had a weird feeling that he just saw rage crossing the puppeteer's face for a split second.
"I never expected to see you alive, Sasori" announced a mysterious figure, who still remained covered in shadows, not revealing itself to others. "I was positive Kengo would just finish you off once he'll be done with you… but more importantly: did you gave him the information he was looking for?"
"Possibly" the former sand-nin replied shortly with an angry tone in his voice. "I have no idea what sort of drug he used, but it appears it works even for puppets. But that's besides the point. Sorry, Deidara, but you won't be rid of Tobi just yet. I'm not rejoining the Akatsuki… at least not for the time being…"
"Mind explaining yourself?" Itachi cut in calmly, gaining the redhead's attention.
"I have a different priority at the moment" Sasori responded simply, turning towards the Sharingan user. "The only reason why I came with Hidan and Kakuzu was to unseal my greatest masterpiece. I'm not letting Kengo go after this. I'll make him pay, since I know where to find him…"
None of the people gathered in the room said a thing. Some exchanged glances, knowing which puppet their former member had in mind. A doll that has yet been used and at the same time one that was the most frightening of all. The puppeteer walked down another hallway, deeper into the compound, announcing to no-one in particular: "Once I'll make all the necessary preparations, I'm leaving to the Grass Country!"
---That time, back in the Hidden Leaf Village---
A man with long, messy, black hair stood in the middle of an empty street, looking before him. His body was covered in bandages that hid his right eye and circled around his right side, which seemed to be missing an arm. He had a cross-like scar on his chin and had to prop himself with a stick in order to keep standing. He wore a black robe, that left the left side of his torso completely uncovered.
"It'd appear I still have some power in this village" he stated emotionlessly as he gazed at the figure kneeling before him. "I've pulled some strings and you'll be assigned to Hatake Kakashi's cell for the time being. It'll make your mission much easier to fulfill, however do not take it lightly. For our goals… it is very important that you complete it. I've also chosen you a new name for this time. Starting today, until the end, you'll be going under the name Sai. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Danzou-sama" a young boy kneeling before the man replied. He had medium-length, black hair and a black shirt with its left sleeve short and right one long, that exposed his navel. He had long, black pants and wore black, fingerless gloves on his hands. His hitae-ate with the Leaf symbol was located on his forehead and we was carrying a backpack with a handle wrapped in bandages sticking out of it.
The boy, Sai, seemed to smile, however the man only narrowed his eyes in annoyance, before he stopped him: "Don't bother… that smiling face of yours is still as fake as it has always been. It works on my nerves just to look at it. To think that someone of yours skills is lacking in something that simple. It doesn't matter though, for a shinobi, it's a very useful trait…"
"I have heard however that people more gladly accept a smiling face then any other" the boy responded, his face once more becoming emotionless, just like the man's. "It'll be bothersome to fit it… this is truly regrettable: I've practice for quite some time and yet I'm still incapable of showing this thing called… 'emotion'…"
---mysterious man and Sasori's rage… what awaits Naruto in the Grass Country?---
Who is this Sai person that's suppose to join Naruto and his team? What is his mission? What puppet does Sasori have that is even stronger then the Sandaime Kazekage? Coming up: Naruto heads out to the Grass Country in search of Sasuke and Kakashi's team is re-arranged! The adventure is not over yet!
Well, that's that for this time. I truly hope that you enjoyed it and that you'll answer my question, so that I'd know where you prefer this story to go. Thanks in advance to everyone.
Best wishes and hopefully until next time!