The Darkness Within the Light
Chapter 8
Epiphanies
I'm so sorry...I know this took forever...but you can blame: Twilight, Death Note, school, and my parents for keeping me busy. (I've been grounded a lot) Once again sorry...please review
-Sakura-
Sakura looked up, her eyes gleaming with hope as the bushes outside the house rustled. Her face fell as Sasuke came out and walked straight past her, into the house. She didn't even glance at him, her eyes fixed on the bush. Next came Shikamaru, he had a look on his face that said everything. Sakura was filled with rage, sorrow, pain, and millions of other emotions she couldn't name. She whipped around and stormed after Sasuke. Once they were in the same room she hissed. "Where is he?"
Sasuke shot her an annoyed glance, but explained anyway. "He and Itachi…and possibly Kisame all evacuated the building."
"B…but the sc…scent…" she stuttered.
"We tried that…" Sakura turned unwillingly to stare at Kiba. His face looked disappointed, solemn, and angry. "I couldn't find the scent anywhere but that one room!" he growled, sounding upset. Suddenly he looked down. "I'm sorry Sakura-chan…I should…I could have tried harder…there had to be something there it's just…"
Sakura heard the pain in his voice, and could tell he felt responsible for not finding Naruto. Sakura walked over to him and gently put her hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault…" she told him soothingly. "You can't find a scent that's not there…"
Sasuke glared at Kiba, but said nothing before turning to Karin. "You think you can find their chakra?"
"If they're close enough I should be able to sense it…Naruto-kun's especially…" replied Karin, unwillingly.
"Then hurry up and do it!" hissed Sakura and Sasuke at the same time.
This caused both of them to glare at each other. Sasuke with gleaming Sharingan eyes, Sakura with simple aqua ones. Despite the difference in color, they were both filled with anger and annoyance. Both had been so close to their goal…and neither had gotten it. Once again, both of them were connected.
As their eyes met Sakura felt a pang of agony rip through her body. She had cried herself to sleep for this boy…but he had never returned her feelings…all the while Naruto had waited calmly, doing whatever she asked, constantly risking his life for her, a burden. If only she had sensed her true feelings before, then she could have spent more time with Naruto, but no…she was too absorbed with Sasuke…whom had never given her a thought. "Sasuke…" she whispered.
Sasuke stared at her calmly, knowing exactly what was going through her face. Her eyes betrayed her thoughts, again.
"Did you really mean it…back then?" she asked suddenly.
Sasuke blinked slowly.
Thank you… his own voice echoed from the past.
Sasuke stared at her, and then gave her a small nod. "But not in that way…"
Sakura took a deep breath, her aqua eyes closing. Then they flew open. "Can you honestly say that you don't care about Naruto?" she asked, her voice filled with pain. "Can you honestly say that he's meaningless?"
"Naruto…was…is my best friend…" admitted Sasuke, choosing his words carefully. "But I will not hesitate to kill him…if that's what it takes."
"But then…why'd you…?"
"If I had killed him then it would have meant that I would have played right into Itachi's hand…" said Sasuke simply. "Killing Naruto would have given me Mangekyo Sharingan…but I realized…I don't need it."
Sakura stared into his bright Sharingan eyes for a long time, analyzing his emotions. "You're lying…" she murmured; her voice just above a whisper. "Naruto does matter, you're just afraid to admit it…"
"You're mistaken…" said Sasuke, his eyes burning.
"Do you have idea what Naruto would do for you?" she spat at him. "He's risked his life, even his humanity to try to bring you back…" Sakura's eyes closed as she tried to block out the image of that horrible four-tailed monster. She shook her head, trying to clear it away. Then a voice rose out of her subconscious.
If he rips off both my arms, I'll kick him to death. If he breaks both my legs, I'll bite him to death. If he cuts off my head, I'll stare him to death. If herips my eyes outI'll curse him to death!
"Naruto…" said Sakura softly, taking a step backward. An epiphany came crashing down upon her. Although Naruto was doing all this for Sasuke, he'd been doing it for her too…he was still keeping his promise…trying to make her happy, even if it meant hurting himself. Even if it meant that she would grow up and marry Sasuke, Naruto never cared…as long as she was happy…
"I'll do it…" said Karin curtly, trying to draw Sasuke's attention to her. He turned toward her then she closed her eyes then waited. She concentrated for a long time…what seemed like hours to the impatient ninja. Finally her eyes flew open, she looked weak, but she was smiling with triumph. "They're headed East…but they're far…I can just barely sense Naruto…which means they could be miles away by now…and they're moving quickly…we need to leave…now!"
Her urgency startled Sakura, who after a brief hesitation bolted out of the door.
Everyone stared after her, until Sasuke headed after her, with Karin at his heels. Then the Konoha group left, flanked by Suigetsu and Juugo, whom both looked confused.
-Naruto-
"Ok…so we're just gonna sit here until…"
An annoying laugh echoed across the clearing. "Yup…we're gonna sit here."
"Until what?"
"Not a chance…Itachi-san wouldn't be happy if I told you."
"Who said Itachi-san would find out…" said Naruto, glancing pointedly at Itachi, who was lying against a tree, his eyes closed.
"Oh he does that all the time…he's just resting his eyes…he's still awake…" said Kisame. The blue-skinned fish-man was sitting by a fire, totally relaxed. His huge teeth were formed into a grin and his hands were behind his head.
Naruto scowled at Itachi then glanced towards the night sky. He still couldn't feel his legs…or anything else for that matter. Itachi had beaten him senseless…until he was unconscious…and by the time he woke up again, they had moved…again. Apparently they meant to stay here for awhile…where ever here was. Despite not knowing where he was, Naruto felt a bit giddy…he had not talked…his connection with the Kyuubi's mind was a secret…for the time being.
Naruto once again, unsuccessfully tried to pull at whatever bound him to this damned tree. You're the fire Bijuu right?
Yes… the reply was hesitant. But that won't work…
Why can't you just burn down the tree…and while you're at it…get rid of Itachi and Kisame too
You know I can't do that…
I also knew you couldn't talk to me…
Listen to me kit! Right now I want to get out of here just as much as you do…but I can't because I've used up a hell of a lot of chakra just to keep you alive… The voice was a growl. Then suddenly it softened, into a strange tone, it almost sounded like the Kyuubi cared. Which it did, about itself… Speaking of which…are you aware of what's happening to your chakra system?
Naruto blinked. No, what's happening to my chakra system? His tone was sarcastic…but he also knew that this could be very important.
If you asked Itachi to look at it…he would not react well…
And why would that be? demanded Naruto
Your chakra would no longer be blue…
Get to the point! hissed Naruto, getting impatient.
Both of our chakras are currently a purplish color…because they're starting to leak into one another…
So basically…the seal is failing… concluded Naruto
No…not failing…it's just…not working correctly…if it was failing, I would have total control over you now…
You already have some control, reminded Naruto bitterly.
It took a lot out of me just to stop you from killing yourself!
Anyway…what exactly is going on? thought Naruto, trying to avoid the subject.
There was a pause, before the thought came. In short…our chakra systems are becoming one…which means…whenever Akatsuki tries to extract they won't be able to, without extracting both of us...
So basically I'm screwed…
"What's wrong with you?"
Naruto looked up to see Kisame staring at him strangely. "You look like you're having a heart-attack or something…"
That's not a bad idea... thought Naruto, his eyes meeting Itachi's. The Uchiha's eyes had flow open, although Sharingan was not present. Naruto's eyes narrowed, he was so used to seeing Itachi with Sharingan…it was strange to see him without it. "Done resting your eyes?" asked Naruto sarcastically. As he spoke Naruto realized something, he had an epiphany. Using Sharingan cost Itachi…it affected him, it made him tired…but what else did it do. Naruto grinned evilly; perhaps he could use this to his advantage.
"Humans are so frail…it's pathetic…" he murmured to himself, almost everything cost a human…even walking cost humans energy.
Kisame laughed suddenly. "Do you put yourself in that category?"
Naruto blinked, seriously thinking. "Not anymore…" he replied truthfully. "What about you? What are you exactly? Are you human…or fish?"
Kisame laughed again. "Both…" He grinned, revealing his sharp teeth.
Itachi suddenly stood up and walked away, without looking back. As soon as the shadowy figure disappeared Naruto turned to Kisame. "What was that about?"
"He's sensitive about his eyes…" snickered Kisame.
Naruto grinned, the more he thought about it, he thought he could actually get along with Kisame, as long as he wasn't trying to rip his chakra (or his face) to shreds. Naruto chuckled. "That could be useful…but I suppose there's no point in trying anything…"
"Honestly I'm disappointed…" sighed Kisame.
"About what?" asked Naruto, confused. What did that have to do with Itachi's eyes?
"Well you're the most…annoying of the Jinchuuriki…I was hoping you'd try something…make this a little less boring for me," said Kisame, grinning again. "But here you sit, and you haven't tried anything…it's like someone broke your spirit."
Naruto grinned bitterly. "Yeah, love tends to do that to people," he muttered without thinking.
Kisame blinked. "Love?" he asked, confused. Then he started laughing. "That medical ninja right…what's her name...? Sakura I think…"
Naruto stared at him strangely for a moment, cursing at himself.
Kisame looked at his expression then explained. "It's all in your file…we had to do some research before actually trying to attack you…you know…find weakness…and strengths. All of your 'friends' names would be in that file as well."
"Research?" repeated Naruto, his mind wandering to Jiraiya. He really hoped they didn't mean that kind of research. He shook his head, that was stupid to think…but who knew? Kisame seemed the type to take a peak at the hot springs…and if they'd been watching Naruto, they had probably been watching Sakura. The thought made him shudder.
"What's that face for?" asked Kisame, confused.
"Ero-sennin," replied Naruto, automatically. "I mean…oh never mind…it's not important." His face was contorted into an expression that was filled confusion, anger, and horror all at the same time.
"Ero-sennin?" asked Kisame. "You mean Jiraiya?" Suddenly Kisame's face twisted into a strange expression, similar to Naruto's, as he began to understand. "Not that kind of…"
"Sorry…but it's just what I've come to expect that word to mean. When you've spent almost three years of your life living with him…" Naruto shuddered.
Kisame stared at him, the strange expression starting to fade. "Try spending half your life with Itachi…"
"I think I'll pass…" said Naruto, turning to stare in the direction Itachi had taken. "Where's he go anyway?"
Kisame's head turned in the direction. "Probably someplace where it's quite."
"So he can paint his nails…in private," retorted Naruto. He turned to Kisame. "You sure he's not gay?"
Kisame started to roar with laughter. "I highly doubt it."
"What about you?" demanded Naruto.
The laughter instantly died and Kisame got a death-aura. "You just suggested I was like Jiraiya," he said seriously.
"I never said you watched the girls," replied Naruto, his tone serious.
"I am not gay!"
"Then I'd watch out for Itachi if I were you," said Naruto with fake concern.
The laugh returned. "You know…you get along with us very well…most Jinchuuriki…" he trailed off, as a faint shadowy figure appeared out of the forest.
"I'm not most Jinchuuriki," said Naruto bitterly. This disturbed him. Why should he be sitting here chatting…he should be trying to escape. Why was he getting along so well with Kisame of all people…well…of all…living things. That was better; it covered everything…and everyone.
Suddenly Itachi was there, he looked calm, his Sharingan deactivated. He glanced at Kisame, a warning in his eyes.
"I didn't tell him anything important," said Kisame rolling his eyes.
Itachi gave him a small nod and sighed, sitting down against the same tree as before. "This is pointless," he said suddenly. Both Naruto and Kisame looked confused so he continued. "Sitting here is not going to do us any good…"
"So we're moving?" asked Kisame.
Itachi nodded, once. "They're on the move…and his chakra's so strong…he'd be easy to sense."
"I'm right here," said Naruto annoyed.
Itachi ignored him and continued. "We must move…immediately."
"You afraid?" challenged Naruto.
Itachi glanced at Naruto before turning his gaze back to Kisame. "We would be badly outnumbered…and we could take them…if we didn't have to guard him."
"How many?" demanded Kisame.
"Ten humans…and a dog," said Itachi.
"Kiba…" murmured Naruto, suddenly paying attention to what his captors were saying.
Kisame grinned. "Let them come!"
"No…it's too risky," said Itachi sternly. Suddenly he was behind Naruto and the next thing he knew he was free from the tree. "Stand up."
"No," he said simply. It wasn't that he enjoyed sitting on the ground, but he didn't think his legs could hold him.
"Get up or I'll carry you!" said Kisame, suddenly siding with Itachi.
"Um…"
-Naruto-
Sakura stood at the edge of the clearing, her aqua eyes filled with hope. "Kiba," she said suddenly.
"Already on it!" Kiba sounded determined, like he was still trying to make up for not being able to find the scent earlier.
Akumaru took the left half of the clearing, and Kiba the right. Everyone else watched as the two trackers slowly made their way around the clearing.
Suddenly, next to a tree Akumaru paused and growled. Kiba looked up, and then gave the dog a small nod. "Itachi," he told the others. He made his way over to a nearby tree then he paused. "Sakura-chan…"
"What is it?" demanded Sakura.
"Naruto…" said Kiba, bending down and picking up something. The Konoha group instantly made its way over to him.
Kiba blinked, his eyes closing, before holding it out to Sakura.
Sakura took the torn headband from Kiba's hands. "Naruto," she whispered, stroking it gently. She turned to Kiba. "How old?"
"A couple hours…" replied Kiba.
"They're headed…," said Karin, once again trying to center the attention around her.
"The scent's going in all directions…" growled Kiba
Karin blinked, and closed her eyes. Then she opened them slowly. "So is the chakra…it's all even…"
"Shadow Clones," said Sasuke.
"So which way?" asked Choji, glancing at Sakura.
Sakura turned to Shikamaru, who looked uncomfortable. "We're going to have to split up."