Retrogression Chapter 12, a naruto fanfic

01/14/13 - 02/17/13

A/N: I know I'm way too late... but forgive me -_-. Life is so complicated and I know I'm lazy, but I pushed homework aside to get this chapter out! Also, I decided to sit down and write all the ideas I have until the very ending...and I'm finally done with them. So thankfully, I have this whole story planned out...just have to write it!

Well finally, here is chapter 12... continues with the flashback and then goes into Sasuke and Ino's thoughts about the situation.

Some Notes: In my story, Tobi doesn't exist... Just because the whole Obito/Madara thing would get too complicated in this story since it really was created before all that stuff happened... So here, Orochimaru is the main bad guy and the rest of the Akatsuki will be encountered in later chapters...

Also, Sasuke knows about Itachi but in my story, it's a bit different... he killed him to save him from the misery of being in the Akatsuki and what his life had become... Sasuke knows about the reason he was a spy and is angry with Konoha about it but also doesn't blame them (Haha don't we all wish in the real manga this were true?). In this story he's more focused on Naruto and Sakura and saving them from Orochimaru...

And obviously, he's in love with Sakura so his main focus is on that...

Orochimaru still wants Sasuke's power but also wants Naruto's too...

And wants Tsunade to heal him completely; but he doesn't know that Sasuke wants to use a specific power on him...

Okay, that's all. Any questions feel free to PM me :).

To end this, thank you Krakonfive for reviewing and I'm so happy that you like the way I've written this story... I've come to really enjoy writing in this style as well! Thank you for following my irregular updates! You will motivate me, I promise :)!

If needed reference...

::-::-::-::-:: Time breaks/Scene skips!

Italics/Regular – Flashbacks with regular text is a flashback in a flashback...hopefully that makes sense. (NEW: Italics with regular text can also be dream scenarios.)

And Italics/Bold used with regular text it stressing the point!

And BOLD in general is to emphasize.

OH! And Regular with Italics is used for thoughts (NEW: This is switched when it's a flashback, and Regular is used for thoughts!).

I'm sure this sounds confusing, but you'll get it eventually.

::-::-::-::-::

I have to say this again, even though I copy and paste it lol...

Did I create Naruto?

Nooo.

Did I create this fanfiction?

Yesss.

:].

::-::-::-::-::

Retrogression

By: dark dreamerx

::-::-::-::-::

Chapter 12

(Sasuke's flashback continues...)

::-::-::-::-::

Previously...

His eyes the same bloody color.

Whiskers prominent on his cheeks,

fangs bared...

and claws extending from his nails.

The Kyuubi...

was overtaking him.

Sasuke mused with nostalgia,

Will this be like our last fight... Naruto?

Sharingan:

twisted.

Silence.

Twirled.

Silence.

Focused.

Silence.

He could see it...

Staring into blood eyes.

The place where the demon resided...

The internal place.

Cage; bars; water; darkness.

An orange glow...

Killing intent.

Bubbling...

Snarling...

Such...

power.

Naruto was conversing with...

Step...splash...step...splash.

...him.

Sasuke let the liquid sink through his sandals.

Circle his toes...

cool his feet.

Words.

Exchanged.

The demon spoke.

Told Naruto to break the seal...

take all his power.

Surprisingly,

the Uzumaki refused...

A hand shot up.

"...Get lost..." he growled.

The prodigy smirked inwardly.

I'm glad you can decline him now...

Naruto.

His thoughts to himself...

Quiet.

Well aware of Naruto's power;

now.

Orochimaru...

wanted it.

Wanted himself.

Wanted everything.

No, he thought.

You won't have this power.

Not his.

Not mine.

Not hers.

Not ever.

Sasuke's hand shot out,

mirroring his best friend's action.

The kyuubi's chakra flared.

Wicked eyes widened.

"You're..."

he bellowed.

Silence.

"Ah, so you're an Uchiha... Allow me to congratulate you on making it this far..."

The Jinchūriki was startled;

then regained his composure.

Quickly.

"Why are you here...?!" he demanded.

Sasuke glanced sideways,

crimson regarding the blonde.

"Now I am able to see. So this was your secret power then... Hard to believe... That something like this existed inside you..."

I know you don't want to use it...

A glare.

I won't let him control you...

"Impressive that you've become able to see me, here inside Naruto... Such would be the power of that accursed Sharingan ... And your forsaken ancestry."

The Kyuubi's voice reverberated.

The walls.

Malicious resolute.

Overflowing.

Naruto's face held disorient;

he stared at the Uchiha.

The demon eyes grew veins.

Sasuke spoke.

"Well, it would appear... This isn't the first time time you've gazed into such eyes as these... Which would make you..."

He paused,

apathy in his eyes.

"Kyuubi, the nine-tailed fox demon, no doubt..."

Naruto blinked.

His expression easily read.

The demon smirked.

Endless teeth bared.

"Eyes with such power and chakra even more sinister than my own..."

A chuckle.

"Not at all unlike what I once saw in a certain Uchiha Madara..."

The prodigy narrowed his eyes.

Uchiha Madara...?

He pulled on his chakra.

I'll make him disappear...

Hand pressed against a black nose.

Silence.

Pop.

Chakra dispersed everywhere.

Arms shot up.

Naruto blocked his face;

incredulous.

Jaw dropped, too.

The Sharingan user eyed the chakra,

pointedly.

"And you expect me... To know that person?"

Red chakra seeped through the bars.

Back to it's confinement.

Bubbling...

Smoke...

Fading...

He'll be gone for a while...

The voice bellowed again.

"Unbelievable... To think you'd even be able to suppress my power..."

A pause.

Naruto swallowed thickly.

"I may not see you again..." the demon growled. "But... I... Warn... You..."

"Don't kill Na...ruto... You'll... End... Up... Regretting..."

The blonde grit his teeth,

eyes wide;

the words of the Kyuubi...

echoing...

until the Mangekyou Sharingan vanished.

Silence.

The Jinchūriki coughed,

his mind's walls now gone.

Back outside...

Tried to stand;

Sasuke watched him.

Silence.

The captain took the chance.

Clap.

His hands were together.

Wood pushed out of the wound;

the Kusanagi pushed with it.

Shit!

The Uchiha was forced back,

jumping out of the way.

A pole of wood,

almost piercing him.

Shuffling.

A jump.

He landed back on top of the crevice.

The captain's chakra almost capturing him...

in a wooden dome.

Not yet... I can't be taken.

A blank stare.

Three pairs of unfaltering eyes.

And a blue gaze;

unsettled.

"Sasuke..."

Then anger;

so much...

anger.

"WHY DON'T YOU GET IT! YOUR BODY'S GOING TO BE STOLEN BY OROCHIMARU ANYTIME NOW!"

Sasuke willed himself not to waver.

He had to stay calm.

He wasn't going to let Orochimaru take him.

It wasn't happening.

Onyx faltered.

The pink-haired girl below him,

was watching him.

Don't look at me like that...

Green eyes were sorrowful.

Sakura...

His Sakura...

He could still feel the love she'd held...

Just a few years ago...

He wanted it back.

Wanted Naruto's friendship back...

But he couldn't be selfish.

Waiting was inevitable.

He addressed Naruto,

"If that happens... Then it happens. You're still quite the kid... Naruto."

Their faces didn't understand.

But they would...

the lies.

He continued, "Revenge means everything to me... As long as I can have my revenge I could not care less about what happens to me or the whole world for that matter."

After my revenge...

"Let me make it clear for you. For both me and Orochimaru, right now, killing Itachi would be impossible."

...I will come back.

"But if I am able to accomplish my goals through nothing more than offering Orochimaru this body of mine..."

A pause.

"Then he can have my life. And my after life for that matter."

I have to be convincing.

Sasuke's face stern.

Crimson eyes.

Fleeting stare.

The blonde...

speechless.

The kunoichi...

broken.

The prodigy writhed inside.

Yearning.

He needed her.

Needed him.

Needed salvation.

Everything had to happen...

as it was.

As it is.

What's happening now...

Must be.

He'd tell them one day.

No...

he'd show them.

Especially,

especially her.

Shuffling.

The captain stood up.

Eyes dark.

He spoke of getting serious.

Of action.

Enough talk.

Sakura wanted him to stop.

Everything must have been...

too fast.

Sasuke got carried away.

"Konoha indeed... I'm through with you... Now things end..."

His arm raised.

Lighting crackled.

His ultimate jutsu.

Preparing...

Then suddenly,

his hand was caught.

"Now now, there's no need to use that jutsu... Sasuke-kun."

He appeared.

The one who was helping him.

To fulfill his goal.

The snake user...

One of the legendary sannin...

Orochimaru.

Sasuke was irritated;

he still did not like him.

"Remove your hand."

Bitter words.

Orochimaru said nothing.

Then,

another man appeared.

Silver hair.

A snide remark.

"There you go again... Forgetting exactly who it is you're talking to..."

The Uchiha answered with a dry tone,

"...I have no reason to stop."

But he knew better.

Knew this was perfect.

To make it look real.

"You know quite well this is not the right time... You have other priorities right now. Wouldn't want you to confuse yourself, Sasuke-kun..."

The medical shinobi smirked.

Pushed his glasses up,

smugly.

"That's quite the pathetic excuse,"

the addressed replied.

But Kabuto continued.

"But surely you'd allow it if it meant increasing the chances of your revenge succeeding by even one percent. Right...?"

Silence.

No answer.

Sasuke knew he was right.

Regardless of his...

hidden agenda.

He had to face that man.

And destroy him.

Then,

and only then...

Would he be able to face Naruto and Sakura again.

His hand was released;

Orochimaru's voice.

"Let's go."

One last glance below him.

At Team Seven.

His broken team...

how funny to have lied.

To have made it worse.

Much worse.

But they'd understand...

He'd hoped they would.

Sakura...

her heart was fragile.

But she would love him again.

And Naruto...

Crimson locked on azure.

...he'll become even stronger.

Silence.

I'll see you again...

Then the three figures vanished.

Smoke dispersing them...

to nothing.

::-::-::-::-::

Stepstepstepstep.

Again he'd let those memories...

possess him.

Jump.

He was having a hard time...

letting things go.

Remembering every thought,

exchange...

he'd had with them.

Before his return.

Was that when she'd changed?

When he'd left them there?

When she'd turned her back on him...

on everyone?

On Naruto...?

It was insane.

She was insane.

He was...

insane.

For her.

But damn,

he'd be forever.

After his cold revenge...

he'd learned the truth.

His brother had been a spy.

A fucking spy.

For Konoha...

to do their dirty work.

But it was for the sake of...

everyone.

Because of Orochimaru.

Because of the deaths...

the danger...

Itachi.

He'd loved Sasuke...

But the damned snake,

took advantage.

He knew...

And so he planned everything.

With Sasuke...

to help him with his "revenge".

When really...

he just wanted Itachi dead.

I will destroy him...

Stepstepstepstep.

The Uchiha was running,

the rescue team behind him.

Jumping.

Branches.

Trees.

Dirt.

...chasing her.

His thoughts were ravaging.

Flaring his blood.

Boiling...

and boiling.

He was going to lose it.

As if he already hadn't...

he was going to fucking lose it.

How the hell would they save her?

They only had a few weeks before...

he would contact him.

To talk about their plans...

And the Akatsuki would strike soon.

To take his rival...

Best friend...

brother, even.

If he's even alive...

We have to find her.

She may have an antidote...

Sasuke cursed under his breath,

again and again.

This was getting too ridiculous.

Her scent was fading...

he didn't know why.

Was she going to lose consciousness?

Shit...

Where was she even headed?

They were long past the outskirts of Konoha.

Just where...

was she planning to escape?

::-::-::-::-::

Ino was...

worried.

No,

she was petrified.

Her best friend...

Someone she'd saved,

so long ago...

A missing ninja!

Such lunacy.

She'd hurt someone...

dear to her.

Naruto...

They'd been running,

for almost an hour now...

and she was doubting.

Doubting everything...

Everyone...

All this madness.

Just what in the world...

was going on?

Sasuke was leading them...

And Shikamaru was beside her.

Hinata was in the back,

and Lee in between them.

This team...

they'd formed.

It was to rescue her.

Haruno Sakura.

A fragile girl...

No...

A dangerous girl...

that needed to be saved.

Again.

She's lost it...completely.

Stepstepstepstep.

I don't know what I'll do,

if we can't save her...

If she killed Naruto...

Cerulean eyes wavered.

Throat constricting.

A gag.

...bile.

That's what she tasted.

To think that a little girl...

Embarrassed of her forehead...

would end up like this.

...a killer.

"Ino...?"

Ripped from her thoughts;

brown eyes regarded her.

Shikamaru...

"Y-Yes...?"

A frown.

"...We're going to find her."

"I know..."

"It'll be...alright..."

"...Thank you..."

She forced a smile,

knowing too well...

he wasn't so sure of himself.

Of that last word.

Of the outcome...

He'd remembered well.

Their last mission...

She knew he'd try everything...

but what if everything wasn't enough?

What if they never found her?

And what if they did?

Were they all going to...

attack her?

What if they couldn't convince her...

If they couldn't...

save her?

What then?

Would she...

poison them like she did Naruto?

Is it too late...

Is this all in vain?

Her body shook.

Quivered...

at her thoughts.

Her footing...

missing the branch.

A gasp.

She was falling.

"Ino!"

"Ino-san!"

Wind gushed through her hair.

Clawed her face.

Her body.

I can't stop!

He was there within seconds.

Catching her.

Of course...

Using shadows to hoist them up.

Back to their team...

"Ino, what are you doing?!"

His voice.

Vehement.

But she knew...

he'd just been worried.

His arms held her at arm's length.

Fingers hurting her.

Digging...

into her shoulders.

"I-I..."

"Don't let your thoughts consume you."

Sasuke...?

"I've done that all my life... it's no use."

All eyes watched him.

Her own cerulean wide and unbelieving.

Such raw honesty...

He definitely changed...

The blonde nodded,

mumbling an apology.

He and the others took off again,

Hinata sparing a worried glance.

Then she too,

went ahead.

A pair of warm lips captured hers.

...then they were gone.

A kiss...

Ino looked up into stolid brown eyes.

"Shika-?"

"Let's go. Stop being foolish... I'm here."

He let go of her shoulders,

and then grasped her hand.

And they were off.

He pulled her...

she followed.

Stepstepstepstep.

Jumpjumpjumpjump.

A pattern she'd grown accustomed to.

A pattern she knew wouldn't end quickly.

She felt guilty;

but her boyfriend was right.

He was here.

He'd help her though this...

...and she'd help save her best friend.

She promised her.

And she would keep it.

...definitely.

A/N: Ahhh sorry this took so long! I reallllllly want to update sooner, at least once a week... but it's just so hard and I never give myself enough time. I know this seems easy enough to write; but I really do put a lot of thought into each chapter so it really does take me a while.

Anyway, I'm going to try to update another chapter this week... but if I don't, I apologize in advance! I will update soon though, I intend to finish this no matter what!

On a side note, I changed Kabuto's words around a bit in the flashback to fit in with my story... obviously since the Akatsuki are working for them, they don't want Konoha to take them out...

I think I made everything else clear with Sasuke and his thoughts... and so yeah... next chapter will have interaction with Hinata and Lee... and some more of Sakura's POV! I think the way I portray her will be as if her Inner Sakura is criticizing her... It's the only way I can think of writing her character as without being perceived through other's eyes...

And also, I think next chapter will (and should) have an update on Naruto! Anyways, thank you so much for the reviews and favorites and follows and I hope this chapter didn't disappoint! Until next time, ja ne :D!