Chapter 9- Final Test
I laid on my bed half asleep. I could tell that it was still in the middle of the night even though I didn't open my eyes. For few seconds I wondered what made me wake up but soon I smelt the sent of lavender and water lilly.
I opened my eyes slowly and made out the outline of another person leaning over me. "What?" I muttered as I tried to figure out who it was. The person, whoever it was, had long blond hair and beautiful sapphire eyes that was shining with tears. The cold tears fell on my face but being half asleep I didn't wipe them off.
The person's lips moved and for some reason he couldn't figure out what they were saying…
I don't know why but I felt so happy and sad just by watching this person … so graceful yet held so much pain. I raised my right hand slowly and wiped the tears away from the person's face.
Don't cry… I raised both of my hands and rapped them around the small body… Don't cry… I pulled them to a gentle hug… that sad expression doesn't suit you…
……………
I woke up feeling a little dizzy. I brushed away my bangs and looked around. There was no one here except for me…
Maybe it was just a dream…
I laid back on my bed thinking about the person I saw last night, actually the person I saw every night. I was having the same dream for little less then a week now… he or she, the person was so pretty like a doll… and they looked lot like…
"TSUNADE-SAMA!!!" yelled Tenten as she ran into the Hokage's office.
All the teachers were in there as well as Jiraiya. Each of them looked at the young girl in surprise.
"What is it?" asked Tsunade.
Tenten was breathing hard, "It's… about Sasuke… and the others… they… went… after… Naruto."
Tsunade stood up in surprise, "WHAT?!" she yelled. Everyone else in the room looked shocked as well; everyone except Kakashi.
'I should have known they would do something like this…' thought Jiraiya.
(FLASHBACK)
Jiraiya was about to say something Kakashi. He was so interested at what Kakashi was about to say he didn't realize that Gaara just appeared next to them. But then suddenly there was a loud crashing noise as someone was thrown to the wall. Jiraiya looked back and saw Neji grabbing Gaara by the neck.
"NEJI STOP!" yelled Gai.
"YOU! YOU COULD HAVE STOPPED HIM! YOU COULD HAVE STOPPED NARUTO!" yelled Neji his grip on Gaara becoming tighter. Sands were forming around Neji's wrist and it seemed like it was going to attack Neji but then it stopped.
Gaara looked at the Hyuuga and even though his head was bowed he could tell he was crying.
"You… you would have stood a chance against him… yet you just let him leave!" His voice was becoming smaller with every word. His hands shock and as he released his grip on Gaara, he fell to the floor crying.
Nobody moved for a while. They never thought they would ever see Neji Hyuuga breaking down.
(End of Flashback)
Tsunade turned to look at the teachers and Jiraiya, "We all need to go and find them, the Akatsuki are with Naruto, they'll die!"
"There is no need to hurry Tsuande-sama…" said Kakashi as he walked towards the window.
"What are you talking about Kakashi! Are you crazy?" yelled Kurenai
Gai looked at Kurenai then at Kakashi, "We all think are students are skilled but against the Akatsuki…"
Kakashi just looked outside the window, "It's not about the Akatsuki… Tsunade-sama I'm sure you noticed as well."
Tsunade closed her eyes, "Do you have any prove?"
Kakashi turned around, "Yes… and this," he turned to everyone else, "Is what I need to tell you all."
Jiraiya looked at Kakashi, "Is this about the mission you were sent to?"
"Yes… and I spoke with Itachi… of course he didn't tell me everything but one thing is for sure…"
"Neji, can you see Naruto?" asked Shikamaru quickening his pace.
"Yes… he's up ahead… in some kind of clearing but…" He replied.
Kiba looked at Neji, "If all the Akatsuki are there then we haven't got a chance."
"Don't worry… for some reason he is alone."
"But can't this be a trap?" asked Lee, "I mean isn't it unlikely that he is just standing there alone?"
Sasuke looked towards Neji at the corner of his eyes. He hated to admit it but he had no choice at the moment but to trust the Hyuuga. 'but it isn't like I'm just going to let Neji take Naruto…'
"What… what is this place?" asked Kiba.
That made Sasuke snap back to reality. He looked around and in matter of few seconds he realized where it was. 'Dammit… Naruto you were planning this…' he thought as he gritted his teeth. He started to walk towards the two large statues...
"Sasuke?" asked Lee, "Where are you going?"
Sasuke stopped and looked back at them with his now activated Sharingan eyes.
Everyone's eyes widened, "s…sasuke?"
"This is between me and Naruto… stay out of it," he said coldly as he turned and jumped landing on top of the statue.
Shikamaru looked around, "This is the valley of the end…"
They all turned around to face Shikamaru, "What does that have to do with anything?" asked Kiba
"It looks like Naruto was expecting us…" said Shikamaru as he pointed at the figure that was standing on the second statue, "this was a mistake… we would have asked Tsunade-sama and Jraiya-sama to come with us… we have to go back and get them"
Neji glared at him, "We can't leave this to Sasuke!" he yelled
"We need to face the truth… Sasuke have the best chance against Naruto right now… I sure he can keep Naruto here long enough for us to come back."
"There is no need Shikamaru," said a voice behind them.
They all turned to see all the teachers and the rest of their teammates.
Tsunade looked at Naruto and Sasuke then at Jiraiya and Kakashi, "We should get closer to listen…"
They nodded.
………
"so… this is how you want to end it…"
There was no reply… Naruto just smirked at him.
Is this how you felt Naruto? When you tried to get me to not go to Orochimaru? Feeling betrayed and desperate? Knowing that it is almost impossible but you want to try anything that comes to your mind?
Sasuke looked at Naruto, "Is this what you wanted? To make me see how you felt? IS THAT IT NARUTO! YOU JUST WANT US TO SUFFER BEFORE YOU KILL US!!!" his voice echoed yet no reply was said.
There was silence where only the sound of the waterfall was heard.
Naruto brushed away his bangs that were covering half of his face, "No… trust me, this is completely different from when I tried to stop you from going to Orochimaru…"
Sasuke glared at him, "Then enlighten me… What is so different?"
Naruto closed his eyes and crossed his arms, "Let's put it this way… back then there were two possible outcomes… you coming back to Konoha or you going to Orochimaru. Now there are also two outcomes but it is either I go to Akatsuki… or…" he opened now red eyes, "you killing me…"
Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise but he didn't have time to reply as Naruto disappeared.
"So what's it going to be Sasuke!" yelled a voice from above him.
Sasuke looked up and barely had time to jump away from Naruto punch. There was a sound of a huge crack and smoke blinding his vision.
When the smoke cleared he saw Naruto slowly getting up and where his fist touch the stone was a huge crack.
(Song: In the End)
It starts with
One thing I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind I designed this rhyme
To explain in due time
Sasuke couldn't move… his legs were shacking, 'Naruto… you're serious… about destroying Konoha…' his hands balled into fist and he looked up at Naruto, "You're right… this is going to be different then the last time we fought here…I'M GOING TO GET YOU BACK TO KONOHA DAMMIT!!!!"
He charged at Naruto, jumped, and kicked him sideways right to the neck. Naruto blocked it without any trouble. Sasuke then flipped his body and using his hands to balance kicked Naruto again to the stomach, this time upward.
All I know
Time is a valuable thing
Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings
Watch it count down to the end of the day
The clock ticks life away
Naruto gritted his teeth as he was thrown to mid air. He saw Sasuke jump and in few seconds he was right behind him. 'Lion combo,' Naruto thought and just as Sasuke tried to grab him he turned his body and kicked his wrist. There was a sickening crack and Sasuke landed flat on the ground.
Naruto walked slowly towards Sasuke who was trying to get up, "Is that all you really got?"
Sasuke got to his knees breathing hard. 'if he just kicked a little harder… my wrist could have been broken and there goes my jutsu…' he watched as Naruto walked towards him, 'I need to think of something… fast…'
He kept walking and stopped only a foot away from Sasuke. He raised his hands but…
"Chidori Nagashi!"
It's so unreal
Didn't look out below
Watch the time go right out the window
Trying to hold on but didn't even know
Naruto suddenly was thrown back by the chodori currents. 'I forgot he could do that,' he fliped in mid air and landed on his knees. "You didn't improve much Sasuke…" he said with a smirk. Then his smirk vanished as he saw Sasuke smiling. He looked around and saw strings that crist crossed all around him… he followed the strings with his eyes and at the end of it saw explosives.
"One move Naruto and you might activate them…" Sasuke smirked as he saw Naruto looking up, "and if you jump there is no way to not touch them as you come down."
Naruto turned his attention back to Sasuke carfully pulling out ten kunais. "Don't underestimate me…" then to Sasuke's and rest of the Konoha nins surprise he jumped.
In mid air Naruto flipped his body upside down and threw each of the ten kunais at each end of each string. All of them hit its target including the one behind Sasuke.
I wasted it all just to
Watch you go
I kept everything inside and even though I tried it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when...
Sasuke's eyes widened, 'his form… he used Itachi's technique and hit the blind spot affectively without the sharingan…'
As the pieces of strings dropped to the floor Naruto got up.
………
Sasuke coughed up blood as he landed hard on the ground. There were bruises all over him and he could barely get up.
"Tsunade-sama, we have to do something!" yelled Tenten as she watched Sasuke trying to get up.
"There is nothing we can do," said Kakashi.
They looked at him, "What are you talking about?"
Kakashi closed his eyes, "This is Naruto's way of testing if Konoha is really worth going back to."
I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
to lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
Sasuke wiped away the blood and charged at Naruto once more. Naruto jumped backwards and threw three kunai at Sasuke. He got out his own kunai and threw it at the first one making both drop to the water fall. He grabbed the second kunai then spun his body half way and caught the third and threw both at Naruto.
As Naruto tried to dodge the kunais he jumped up higher forming hand seals.
"Hōsenka no Jutsu: Fire Release: Phoenix Immortal Fire Technique"
Naruto looked up and saw five fire balls aimed at him. 'Damn' he thought as he jumped from statue and landed at the bottom the the water fall.
"Gōkakyū no Jutsu: Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique"
There was huge amount flame and when Sasuke looked down at where Naruto was, from the top of the statue, all he could see was smoke then.
One thing I don't know why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try
Keep that in mind I designed this rhyme
To remind myself how
"baka…"
Sasuke turned around quickly but was to late…
"Rasengan!"
That knocked away all the breath and he fell limply to the floor. He tried to breath but found that it was getting harder and harder.
"Why aren't you using Chidori, Sasuke," said Naruto in a bored voice.
Sasuke got up only to fall back down. "Chidori … aren't meant… to be used to attack someone… from the same village…" It hurt his lungs everytime he tried to breath.
Naruto chuckled slightly, "Sasuke I'm not from the same village as you anymore…"
He clutched his chest as he tried to breath, "Was it… all a lie?" he asked as he looked at the ground, his bangs covering his eyes.
I tried so hard
In spite of the way you were mocking me
Acting like I was part of your property
Remembering all the times you fought with me
"You… said once… here at this place… that you thought of me as a brother…" He started to cough violantly.
Naruto just watched him without saying anything.
Sasuke took a deep breath. "I thought… being a friend to you… was all I needed… but no. I rejected all the girls and Sakura's and Ino's confession thinking if I only gave you time… maybe you might feel the same way…"
I'm surprised it got so (far)
Things aren't the way they were before
You wouldn't even recognize me anymore
Not that you knew me back then
But it all comes back to me
For the first time in years Sasuke felt tears forming in his eyes. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry for leaving you… for leaving Konoha… I took your affection for granted… I should have realized you were the only person who tried to understand me." He closed his eyes as tears felt to the floor, "I should have… tried to understand you… and think for once that your life… was worse then mine... but Naruto… please believe me… I did try to stop the villagers from taunting you…"
"It's too late for that… I wasn't planning to wait for you forever," said Naruto coldly.
Sasuke smiled and raised his head, "I know… and if it will make you satisfied… then kill me…"
You kept everything inside and even though I tried it all fell apart
What it meant to me will eventually be a memory of a time when I tried
"YOU IDIOT!" -smack-
Sasuke face turned sideways as a punch hit his face. He slowly looked back and saw Naruto holding the collar of his shirt… his other hand was raised for another punch. Then he felt something cold touch his cheek. "Naruto…"
Naruto closed his eyes as tears ran down his face, "Dammit! Why did you have to do that!" His fist shook, "You could have just hated me like the other villagers!"
Sasuke watched Naruto as he lowered his hand… then something came to him… 'That dream…' He raised his hands and rapped them around Naruto and brought them closer, '… the smell of lavender and water lily…' he smiled gently, 'geesh Naruto… you won't even leave me alone in my dream…'
(Song: Miracle by Cascada)
Boy meets girl
You were my dream,my world
But i was blind
You cheated on me from behind
So on my own
I feel so all alone
Though I know it's true
I'm still in love with you
I need a miracle
I wanna be your girl
Give me a chance to see
That you are made for me
I need a miracle
Please let me be your girl
One day you'll see it can happen to me
I need a miracle
I wanna be your girl
Give me a chance to see
That you are made for me
I need a miracle
Please let me be your girl
One day you'll see it can happen to me
It can happen to me
"I do believe you… more then you know…" said Naruto quietly…
but Sasuke did hear him…
I know that Naruto is still in love with Itachi. After all… he was the one to care for him and helped him when no one else did. But I'm as of now very happy with how things ended up… I became closer to Naruto and he is now truly back to the village. I know that it would take time for Naruto to actually stop hating everyone in the village but that is the least of my worries…
I keep wondering what would happen if Itachi came to the village to take Naruto… would Naruto go with him or stay? What would Itachi do if Naruto decided to stay? What would Arashi do?
I know that the war is going begin and that I should be focusing on training and helping out the village… but how can I concentrate when I keep on thinking about what Naruto said?
"I do believe you… more then you know…" What could that have meant?
………
"Kisame, Deidara, get everyone back to the hide out…" said Itachi as he came to a stop
Deidara looked back at him, "Why aren't you coming?" he asked
"I need to talk to Naruto-kun… I'll catch up."
Naruto looked at Itachi wondering what was going on. Couldn't he just talk to him after they get back to the hide out?
"Alight but hurry," said Kisame as he turned
Itachi waited before all of them were out of sight.
"So what's going on?" asked Naruto, "We are still near Konoha wouldn't it be best if we talked back at the hide out?"
"Your friends are coming after you."
Naruto turned around, "So what?"
"I need to tell you something... about Sasuke… I don't want to lie to you anymore…"
Naruto looked back at him, "What are you talking about?"
(FLASHBACK)
"Nii-san, you know everyone in the village right?" asked Sasuke who appeared as if he is about 7 years old.
"Almost everyone… why do you ask?" replied Itachi as he kept writing on a scroll.
Sasuke sat down next to him grinning, "Do you know someone called Naruto?"
Itachi stopped then looked at Sasuke, "Why do you ask?"
"I saw him walking around the village… I don't know why but everyone is talking behind his back… even our classmates."
Itachi just watched him wondering what to tell his younger brother. Even though he wasn't allowed to know the Third Hokage told him about the nine-tail fox and Naruto. "He's an orphan, Sasuke, most don't know who his parents are. When he was young the Fourth Hokage died protecting him and many blame him for it."
"That's messed up," said Sasuke.
The older Uchiha laughed slightly then looked back at the scroll, "You're right… after all it wasn't Naruto's fault… actually he doesn't even know why the villagers hate him."
"Do you hate him?" asked Sasuke.
"No…" relied Itachi, "actually it's the opposite…"
The scroll Itachi was writing on reads: "As predicted the villagers are rejecting Naruto… Our plan is working perfectly… I'll be moving on to the next stage."
"huh?" Sasuke blinked several times.
(The next day)
The door opened and Sasuke walked in… his clothe were messy and has many cuts and bruise.
Their mother dropped the plate she was holding and rushed over to her youngest child, "Sasuke! Are you alight? What happened?"
"I got into a fight," said Sasuke in a stubborn voice.
Itachi walked over to him and looked at the cuts and bruised. "You were outnumbered weren't you?" he asked, "I told you, if you're out numbered run to me."
Sasuke looked away, "They weren't bullying me…"
"Then what was it about?" asked Mikoto (Sasuke and Itachi's mother).
Sasuke didn't look at his mother… instead he looked at his brother, "They were making fun of him… they call him 'monster' "
Itachi's eyes widened a little but then hid his emotion. 'Naruto-kun is only seven… I didn't expect them to go this far…'
"I'll get the first aid kit," said Mikoto as she walked out of the room.
Itachi looked back at Sasuke, "So… what exactly did you do?"
"I told them to shut up then we just got into a fight. I broke one of their wrist though," he said, "Is he really a monster?"
"No," that was all that Itachi said before he started to walk out the door.
(End of Flashback)
"Why…didn't you tell me this before?" asked Naruto.
Itachi stayed silent for a while, "I didn't want to lose to my brother… I didn't want you to love him… I guess you can call that jealously…"
Naruto started to walk away, "I have to see him… I need to see for sure…"
"I know… you probably would go back to Konoha-"
"Itachi… can you wait for me? Only a bit longer?"
The wind blew their hairs and the sun was starting to come out.
"Yes…"
"Thank you… Itachi…"
ok… I think I should do this now, since there is only about 2 chapters before this story ends.
What should the final pairing be?
ItachixNaruto?
SasukexNaruto?