Here's another chapter. I must be on a roll. Anyways, the final battle is in this one so let me remind everyone. I stink at fight scenes. I muddled my way through it but it's not terrific. Sorry. Please enjoy the chapter anyway.

Disclaimer: See all other chapters because I will not say...errr write it again.


Ch. 19: Alliances and Battles

For the next several weeks, Gaara was busy in meeting. Temari, Sasori, and all the Kages were currently discussing a plan of action to finally rid themselves of the Akatsuki. They learned a lot about their enemy with the help of Sasori. The ex-Akatsuki member turned good guy shared all the information he had about the Akatsuki. After he'd given them all the information he had, they began to plan.

Gaara sat back and looked out the window. His mind was not on the information or plans. He was the first to admit that. The plan was finished really. Tomorrow, they would ambush the Akatsuki using their own trap. These meetings were just to make sure they covered every possible angle so nothing went wrong. They'd even made sure that only the Kage's and Suna was aware that Sasori was in the sand village. The Akatsuki wasn't to discover that they'd been betrayed.

He sighed. Gaara just wanted this meeting to be over with. He wanted to go find Aya. With all the meetings he hadn't gotten to spend as much time with her as he would have liked. She spent a great deal of time on what she was calling one of her best paintings ever. Aya was being very secretive about this painting. She hadn't even let him see them. All he knew was that she sat in for the first few meetings, and she had sketched the entire time. Then she'd disappeared into her room and only came out when Gaara wasn't busy. He'd admit, he was mildly curious about this painting.

"Kazekage, are you with us?" the Raikage demanded.

Gaara looked at him. "Yes."

"Good. It looked like you were daydreaming." Raikage looked around. "So the plan is very simple and we've gone over every possible angle. Tomorrow we and our shinobi leave to begin the attack. We should all be in place in a weeks time."

There was a round of nods.

"I suggest we continue to keep Sasori our little secret," Gaara stated. "The less people who know, the less likely our enemy is to overhear."

Another round of nods.

"We should stay with our loved ones tonight. No telling if we'll return alive," Tsunade said with a meaningful look at Gaara. The Kazekage's relationship with Aya was common knowledge and everyone was secretly amused that of all the powerful shinobi in the world, it was a civilian that tamed Sabaku no Gaara.

Again, more agreements.

"Then let's say this meeting is ajurned and relax until tomorrow," Gaara said as he stood. He really wanted to go find Aya.

He looked at the door and felt the smile form on his face. Aya stood there with Kankuro and Hana. The painter smiled at him then address all the Kages. "My lords, I have a gift for everyone. May I show it to you?"

Tsunade smiled. "Who doesn't like gifts. Please, Aya, bring it out."

Aya gestured to Kankuro and Hana. Gaara's brother and her friend were carrying a painting with a white cloth covering it. With a flourish, Hana pulled the cloth off. Gaara smiled. All the Kage's found themselves staring at Aya's creation. Sasori found himself in awe of her talent. Temari smiled. Aya had been right. This was one of her best paintings.

This painting had each Kage, Sasori, and Temari sitting in this very room. Anyone looking could tell they were in the middle of a serious debate. Gaara sat in the center of the u-shaped table with two Kages on either side of him. To his right was the Raikage, the Mizukage, and Sasori. Tsunade, the Tsuchikage, and Temari sat to his left. The Raikage was speaking as the others watched him, and the expressions told the observers they were in agreement with him. There was an air of determination and hope around the painting. Almost as if the people sitting at this table were deciding the fate of the world and were going to make the future better for everyone.

"I call it Alliances," Aya told them with a proud smile. "What do you think?"

It was Sasori who finally broke the silence. "You are very talented."

Aya beamed at him. "I've been working on it since these meeting began. I wanted it to be perfect."

"Don't you want them all to be perfect?" the Raikage asked her.

She shook her head. "No. Only the important ones. I've made maybe seven paintings that I've spent this much time and effort on. One I gave to my parents as an anniversary gift. Another is hanging in Hana's room. Two are in my room. Gaara has the fifth and Sasuke the sixth. The last one is this."

"Why?" Tsunade asked curiously.

"Because this seemed like an important moment in our history. We're all working together. Nations that were once enemies are now allies," Aya explained. "It just needed to be captured so that everyone could see what we've accomplished."

The Kages all smiled. Tsunade spoke for them all when she said, "It's the best painting I've ever seen. I think we all want a copy for our villages."

Aya grinned. "Already taken care of. Part of why it took so long, was so I could make more than one."

"The others are at the Hayashi compound," Kankuro added. "The Kages will be allowed to take them home with them."

Tsunade looked at the painting. "Alliances, huh. Well, it seems to come at just the right time."

"Let's see if we can keep the idea of this painting alive," the Mizukage stated as he stood. "Even after the Akatsuki has been dealt with."

There was universal agreement. The Kage's filed out to gather their copy of the painting and go home. Gaara told Kankuro to hang the painting up in the meeting room. "After that, tell our shinobi that we'll be leaving in the morning."

Kankuro nodded. "I'll see to it."

"I'll help Kankuro," Hana said almost shyly.

Gaara's brother grinned at her. "Thanks."

She blushed and gave him a smile.

Temari looked at Sasori out the corner of her eye. She'd gotten attached to the Red Sand and had every intention of making sure the attachment was mutual. He must have sensed her stare because he looked at her. Neither spoke but there was an unspoken agreement. They walked out of the room together and headed towards Temari's house.

Gaara looked dawn at Aya. "Let's go home."

Aya nodded and followed him to his house. She'd practically moved in with him. The kitchen saw more use because she actually knew how to cook. Some of her smaller painting found their way onto his walls along with the photos Kankuro had given her for her birthday. Her clothes were in his closet and in his dresser. He'd even provided her with a room to paint and sketch. When Kankuro found out about this, Kankuro had called Gaara whipped. Normally, Gaara would have made sure Kankuro never said that again, but he hadn't. Gaara had been more interested in the fact that he didn't mind being whipped than in punishing Kankuro for pointing it out.

"So what do you want to do with the rest of your day?" Aya asked as she made her way into the kitchen. She was hungry. It was almost time for dinner and she hadn't eaten all day. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, and she leaned into Gaara with a smile. He only touched her when they were alone. Unless she hugged him or took his hand first.

"Just stay with you," he said, finally answering her question.

Aya felt her heart do a slow flip in her chest. "Alright, Gaara. Let me make us something to eat."

Gaara nodded and released her. He wasn't interested in dinner but knew she wouldn't have eaten yet. Aya always forgot to eat when she was working on a painting. He sat and watched as she moved about the kitchen. Sometimes he still expected to wake up and find out he'd been dreaming. That Aya wasn't really his friend, his lover. That she'd been a figment of his imagination. Maybe he was dreaming. If so, he never wanted to wake up. Maybe one day he'd believe that this wasn't a dream. Until then, he'd enjoy the dream. After dinner, he took her up to his room – well really it was their room now – though neither of them got much sleep. Gaara saw to that.

Early the next morning, nearly all of Suna was gathered outside the village to say good bye to their shinobi. Alexa's father and many of her other relatives were among those leaving for the battle against the Akatsuki. She hugged them all tightly and ordered them to come home safe. Then she turned her attention to the Sand Siblings and Sasori. She hugged Temari, Kankuro, and Sasori while giving them the same order she'd given her family. When she turned to Gaara, she just stood there for about two seconds then threw herself into his arms.

"Be careful, Gaara," she ordered him. "I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you."

"I'll be fine, Aya." He held her close. Now was not the time to avoid contact with her just because they were in public. After all, there was a chance her wouldn't come back, despite what he was telling her right now. "We'll be home before you know it."

She pulled back and took his face in her hands. Aya didn't want to let go. She wanted to make him stay so that she'd knew he'd be safe.

"I want you to stay with your mother while I'm gone," he told her.

Aya nodded in agreement. "She already told me to stay at the Hayashi compound with them. I'm not sure which of us will need the support more. Dad's going with you."

"We'll be fine." He stepped back, forcing her to let go. "I promise." Gaara turned to the sand shinobi. "Let's move out."

Within seconds, all the shinobi were gone. Civilians and retired shinobi remained. None wanted to leave and let this day end because then it was one day closer to the battle. Some of those that had just left, wouldn't return alive. Despite how the battle with the Akatsuki ended, someone would loose a loved one. Everyone could only hope it wouldn't be them. Slowly, groups began making their way back into the village. Aya returned to her clan's compound and prayed to any god listening that Gaara and her friends would be alright.

Gaara and his shinobi ran with all the speed they had straight to the Amegakure. According to Sasori, this was the Akatsuki's base of operations. This was also where the Konoha shinobi had discovered the Akatsuki. A trap to ambush and take Naruto and Gaara. Now they would create a trap of their own. The next morning. Gaara and Naruto led a small portion of their shinobi into Amegakure. Among them were Gaara's siblings, Baki, Aya's family, Rookie 9, and Team Guy. Everyone stayed ready for a fight. They didn't wait long. The Akatsuki seemed to come from nowhere and surrounded the shinobi.

"Well, look what we have here," one of them said. Sasori had told them about the man in charge of the Akatsuki. An Uchiha everyone had believed dead. Madara didn't look very different from the last time he'd been seen. He had the traditional Uchiha looks. Dark hair, lanky build, and red sharingan eyes. Madara gave them an almost pleasant smile. "Thank you so much for hand delivering the Jinchuriki to us. You've saves us so much time and trouble."

Gaara grinned as he finished counting the Akatsuki surrounding his team. All of the members were here. Luck was with them after all. Gaara looked at Naruto and nodded.

With his trademark grin, Naruto faced Madara. "You're right. We have saved you time. I can't say the same for trouble though. We came with plenty of that."

Sasuke smirked and raised his fingers to his lips. When he blew threw them, fire erupted into the air. All the shinobi from all the hidden villages came out of hiding and wasted no time in attacking. Sasuke raced to Itachi. That fight was his and his alone. Itachi smirked when Sasuke faced him. The two brothers took fighting stances and, after five tense seconds, attacked.

Narut and Gaaara stood together facing Madara. He was their battle. Madara made the first move. His hands moved so fast neither Gaara nor Naruto saw what he did. The next thing they knew, flames were chasing them around. They dodged and racked towards their enemy with weapons and jutsus ready.

The sounds of battle were everywhere and metal struck metal or flesh. There were cries of pain and grins of triumph. The smell of blood and sweat filled the air. Jutsus were being used to cheat death or to bring it to the enemy. Some died for their efforts. Some were injured too badly to fight. Some got back up and continued fighting because there was no other choice. All tried not to think about those who would not be returning home.

It seemed liked hours passed. Gaara and Naruto still struggled with Madara. He was the head of the Akatsuki. In theory, cut off the head and the body dies. Madara had to die or this would just repeat itself.

There was an explosion some where behind them. Naruto instinctively looked over to make sure it wasn't a friend. He let out breath of relief. Sasuke had just used a jutsu and sword to force Itachi back. The older Uchiha was mortally wounded now. Sasuke had gotten his revenge. For a moment, Sasuke closed his eyes and felt something in him loosen at last. It was over. He and his family would be safe from Itachi. At long last, he could revive his clan.

"Didn't your sensei teach you not to look away from your opponent," Madara demanded as he moved after Naruto.

Gaara raised a wall of sand to shield Naruto from the attack. The Kazekage wasn't sure how much longer he could keep this up. He was getting tired, making more and more difficult to control the sand. He scanned the area. His side was winning. Of course, they had the advantage of numbers. Already, Itachi and two other Akatsuki members were down. Deidara had been killed last year in the first attempt to capture Gaara. Sasori had changed sides. That left only five members left for the Akatsuki. They couldn't win. Still, Gaara wanted to make it home alive.

He lowered the shield and faced Madara again. He noted that others had joined him and Naruto. Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi were on the other side of Madara in a fighting stance. Madara saw them too. He merely smirked and activated another jutsu. He began transporting himself around and attacking. Gaara just barely dodged a kunai when Madara appeared behind him. The Kazekage knew he couldn't keep fighting like this. He needed more chakra. More power. Just more of everything. But where in the world...His thoughts trailed off when he saw Naruto's eyes turn red temporarily before going blue again. The blond was using the nine-tailed fox, which gave Gaara and idea. He hesitated a moment then tapped into his mind.

'Shukaku,' he called out mentally.

"What do you want boy?" the beast demanded.

'You're help.'

Shukaku seemed intrigued. "You never want my help. What's changed?"

'Aya. You want to keep her safe too. It's not just my feelings in here. You're part of me.' Gaara smirked. 'Besides, you'll get a chance to kill. Maybe not your body but with your power.'

The one-tailed beast shifted a little then nodded. "So be it."

Gaara felt the chakra flood his system along with the jutsus Shukaku could use. This fight had only just begun. The two Jinchuriki began their attack using their beasts' power. Madara was actually having to dodge now. The Akatsuki leader was enraged. How could all of his fighters be defeated so easily? How could this group of brats destroy his plans? He would make them pay. It would kill him but they would pay.

Madara jumped into the air. Gaara and Naruto jumped after him. They weren't about to let him escape. Madara's hands moved at lighting speed as he prepared for a move he'd saved as a last resort. It could kill him but his well laid plans were already destroyed. At least he could take these two Jinchuriki – the ones that had ruined his plans – with him. There seemed to be a bright light forming around him. Everyone was forced to shield their eyes. Then there was an explosion that enveloped the three air born fighters.


That's it for this one and yes I left you in a cliff hanger. We'll see how things turn out in the next chapter, which will be the last one by the way. Hopefully you enjoyed reading this chapter. Until next time.