A/N: All right all though this is not my first time writing fanfiction, it is new for me to post fanfiction. I would love to know what people have to say about this story but please don't just hate on me.
With that said...I have to say, and it pains me to do so...I do not own the Naruto Universe nor do I own any songs that maybe in here and I sadly never will...but I do however own the creativity it took to write this fanfiction and the oocs in it.
This fanfiction is rated MA or R for any language, violence, or sexual themes/content.
All this being said and done with I hope you enjoy reading Time never heals every wound!
End A/N.
Chapter 12: The First Target
"And I'm telling you that my team and I don't remember anything!" I yelled slamming my hands down on the Hokage's desk. Lady Tsunade was in the same position as me only on the other side of the desk.
"So I'm to believe that Itachi just put four of my best shinobi under some sort of genjutsu and then let them be?!"
"Yes! All we can recall is the warning he gave everything else is gone! Even I can't remember and I'm best at breaking genjutsu!" Lady Tsunade stared at me and I stared right back. My teammates stood behind me wanting desperately to be able to leave. I knew it was hard for them to lie to the Hokage's face about pretty much everything but they stood strong under her fiery gaze.
"Fine…You are dismissed. Tell no one about Itachi's true colors got it?!"
"Yes Hokage-sama!" Came all four of us plus one bark from Akamaru. We fled her office and into the light of day sighing in relief.
"Well now that that's over with…Who's up for some lunch at my place?" Kiba of course was already a mile down the street headed to my house Hinata trailed after him at her own pace. Once inside the house I did hand signs then touched the wall. Blue lightning like chakra spread over the walls, windows and doors of my house sealing out unwanted ease droppers.
"Wow I didn't know you could do that…" Kiba moved to touch the wall and got shocked away by a bolt of lightning before he could even touch it.
"It does worse for those trying to get in. I learned it from a scroll in Orochimaru's library. It takes the users chakra and uses their most prominent affinity as a defense. Only I can touch the walls or leave. Also I'm the only one who can release it." My teammates all nodded and sat down at the table. I walked into the kitchen and made simple sandwiches for lunch.
"So we can speak freely now?" I nodded at Hinata.
"As long as the seal is in place. I'll know when someone is to close before they get shocked." Everyone nodded and ate silently all collecting their thoughts.
"So who would have guessed that Itachi was a spy all this time…?" I nodded at Kiba's words. It was true I had never thought that my older brother still served the village. I would of never thought he would become a spy in the Akasuki either.
"What do we do about the Akasuki attack?" I looked over at Hinata who sat across from Shino who sat next to me.
"Well the Hokage knows about it so I guess we let her worry over it. I mean we don't even know when it will take place." I looked back down at my plate as I spoke. Thoughts spun around in my brain to fast for me to process them.
"It will probably happen after all the other tailed beasts have been collected." We all looked at Shino. I tilted my head wanting to know his reasoning's behind believing that.
"Well I would think that if they had to seal the beasts that they would do it in order." I jolted up out of my seat.
"Then that means Gaara is first!" During my time with Orochimaru I had heard talk about the one tailed beast. I figured out Gaara was the one to house it after that. My team however looked shocked.
"The Kazekage of Suna holds the One tailed Beast?" I nodded my head and headed for the door. Tsunade needed to be told this and right now. My team scrambled up and followed after me as I removed the seal on my house.
"Let me through! I don't care if she is in a meeting!" I growled at the ANBU that blocked the Hokage's door.
"We need to speak with Lady Tsunade right now! Its an emergency! The Kazekage is in danger!" The door was slammed open behind the ANBU guard to reveal Naruto. He looked panicked as he grabbed my arm pulling me into the room.
"How is Gaara in danger! Tell me Mina!" I stared at the blonde gripping my arm. I looked around the room at Kakashi and Saukra who looked confused and Tsunade who looked annoyed.
"You remember something Uchiha brat?" I glared at the female Hokage.
"No but my team and I where going over the information we…received and I remembered something I had heard during my time with Orochimaru." Everyone stared at me waiting to hear what I had to say. Tsunade nodded her head signaling me to continue.
"Gaara is the first target of the Akasuki. He holds the One tailed beast Shukaku." Naruto blanched and released me backing away. I guessed it wasn't from the news about the tailed beast being in Gaara but more from the Akasuki part. Most everyone in the Shinobi world knew of the horrible organization. An ANBU came in and handed Tsunade a scroll. Dread filled me when I saw the Suna symbol on it.
"We need to go there now! We have to protect Gaara!" Naruto yelled slamming his fists down on Lady Tsunade's desk. The female didn't even look up instead read and reread the scroll.
"It's already too late for that isn't it Hokage-sama?" Everyone looked at me and I stared at Tsunade. She looked up then around the room.
"I've just been informed. The Kazekage of Suna has been kidnapped…by men in Akasuki cloaks." Naruto was out the door running.
"Mina you and team seven along with team Gai will go to Suna and retrieve the Kazekage at all costs! Dismissed!" We left all scattering to gather things and inform team Gai. We met up at the gates Naruto had been waiting for us despite his anger.
"Okay Mina since you know more of the Akasuki it seems… You will lead this mission." Everyone nodded and I sighed.
"Alright seeing as we are pressed for time I have no choice…Everyone gather around me and place your hands on my shoulders or arms. We're traveling by Lightning." I ran through hand signs and was glad the sky was already clouded over. All hands found a spot on my shoulders and arms and I knew Shino was the one holding my waist.
"Lightning style: Electric Pulse Jutsu!" The sky let out a thundering clap as a white hot bolt of lightning shot down from the sky. I quickly spread my chidori shield around everyone just before it hit us. A blinding light was all we could see for a few seconds and I focused on Suna.
Within seconds we were zapped back to the ground in the middle of Suna right outside of the Kazekage tower. I let the chidori shield drop and stumbled back drained of chakra. Shino caught me so I wouldn't fall.
"Naruto? Sakura?" We all turned and found a panicked Temari holding onto Kankuro. He looked just about dead. Sakura ran over and helped the blonde lift her brother.
"We got your plea for help and thanks to Mina were able to get here right away." Kakashi supplied an answer to Temari's next question. She nodded and we all headed to the hospital with her.
"Th-they took Gaara….Sasori…he…he was there….poison…" Kankuro passed out before he could finish. Sakura set to work saving his life while the rest of us waited outside the room. Once he was stable Sakura came out and was taken to make an antidote to the poison.
We all set out after the antidote was made and given to Kankuro. An elder of the village, Lady Chio came with seeing as she knew Sasori personally. We tracked the two Akasuki members to a sealed cave miles and miles away. We all put headsets on planning on separating to take out the Akasuki in three groups.
"Alright Sakura on my go you smash the door. Lady Chio ready yourself to go in with her as the rest of us will wait out here to get rid of the traps and block the them from leaving." Sakura and Lady Chio nodded and prepared to move fast. We all stood ready and waiting.
The plan was simple. Team Gai would take care of the traps that would trigger when Sakura smashed the wall. Sakura and Lady chio would go in first since they were more adempt to deal with Sasori's puppets. Team eight plus Naruto and Kakashi would wait outside to block the second unknown Akasuki member from leaving.
"Sakura now!" Chaos started as soon as Sakura's fist made contact with the rock sealing off the cave. I stood ready sharingan active and waiting. The traps activated and produced exacted clones of Team Gai as they stood closest to the entrance. Team Gai took off drawing the look a likes away so the rest of us could be ready.
Suddenly Naruto saw something inside the cave that made him rage. His eyes burned red and his whisker marks deepened. He took off entering the cave Kakashi moved to follow but I held up my hand.
"No Stay! Let Naruto go. Kakashi when he comes out stick to him like glue I don't want him taking the Akasuki alone. We can't let them capture Naruto as well." Kakashi stepped back and nodded. There was talking that could be heard but I couldn't make it out.
Suddenly a white bird like creature flew out of the cave. Naruto hot on its trail. It appeared the other Akasuki member was on top of it and Gaara was held into the birds mouth. Kakashi took off after them and I signaled Kiba and Hinata to go as well. Shino and I went into the cave.
The battle against Sasori was brutal and I began to understand why Lady Tsunade had sent so many of us. Lady Chio was tough and fast for her age. She battled with Sasori using the two of us as her puppets. Chio used Sakura's brute strength to smash anything that came at us while I was used for my fire and lightning jutsu. Shino supplied protection for Lady Chio with his beetles while trying to get at Sasori with his faster beetles.
Finally we took him down but Sakura was ran through with a poisoned sword. We were scattered around the cave. Shino was near the entrance while I was near the back. I had gotten pinned under a piece of the ceiling when it caved and couldn't move my lower body because of it. Lady Chio was by Sakura poisoned as well.
Team Gai came to the rescue a little too late. I watched as Lady Chio gave Sakura the last antidote choosing to save the pink haired shinobi over herself. Once we were collected from the cave we headed towards where Naruto and Kakashi had gone.
Once there we released that we were all too late. Sakura kneeled down next to Gaara's motionless body her hands glowing green. Silence over took the grassy field we were in. Sakura's eyes darkened with sadness and she shook her head. Naruto stood in front of her looking on ahead at nothing. His body shook as strangled sobs broke free.
"Why? Why did Gaara have to die like this?" Naruto choked out while walking closer to Gaara's body that was laid out on the grass.
"You're the Kazekage, damn it!" Naruto stopped when he reached Gaara.
"You just became the Kazekage!"
"Calm yourself, Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto spun around and faced Lady Chio.
"Shut the hell up!" Tears poured from his blue eyes and blow away in the wind. He glared hard at the sand elder.
"It's your fault! If you goddamned Sand shinobi hadn't put that monster inside him, this never would've happened! Do you have any idea what kind of burden he carried?!" Naruto stopped choking back more sobs.
"Damn the Jinchuriki. You have no right to act like you're better, to label us and use us…" Naruto swayed as his tears continued to pour down his face and onto the grass below him. Everyone looked down stricken with sadness and guilt over Naruto's words. Naruto hid his face in his arm and cried harder.
"I couldn't save Sasuke…I couldn't save Gaara..I trained so hard for three years… and nothing's changed…" Naruto cried harder. I myself had tears streaming down my face. I felt the pain and sorrow from my families death all over again like an old wound being sliced open again. I looked around at everyone's faces of grief and found words coming out of my mouth.
(She sings Memories by Within Temptation)
Everyone had tears in their eyes as I finished. Naruto was kneeling on the ground crying hard. Lady Chio slowly stood her body weak from the poison. She walked past Naruto and knelt next to Gaara's body and placed her hands on top of his chest. Green Chakra flowed out her fingers but soon fizzled out.
Chio looked up sharply as hands were placed on top of her own. Blue chakra covered both Naruto's and chio's hands. Chio looked back down at Gaara's face while Naruto watched her intently lending her his Chakra.
"I'm happy that someone like you has appeared in the shinobi world we foolish old people created." We all watched Lady Chio speak. I knew what was happening but couldn't speak around the knot in my throat.
"Everything I've ever done was a mistake. But now, at the end, it looks like I'll finally be able to do the right thing. The sand Village and Konoha…Their future will be much different than the way things were back in my day." Chio looked up and into Naruto's eyes.
"That strange power of yours that Kakashi mentioned…That power will have a strong influence on the future. Become a Hokage like non before you." Lady Chio fell back and Sakura caught her. We all watched as Gaara opened his eyes when Naruto called his name.
Suddenly Suna shinobi filed the grassy field. Tamari and Kankuro came to the center of our circle. Temari rushed forward and hugged Gaara she pulled back and looked him over.
"Gaara! Are you alright!?" Gaara stared wide eyed at his sister before nodding his head slowly.
"Thank you, Naruto." Kankuro said while kneeling down next to the blonde. Naruto turned surprised and stared at Kankuro a moment before he smiled and looked at Chio who was still in Sakura's arms.
"You should thank the old lady over there, not me. She save Gaara with some kinda amazing medical ninjutsu. She's passed out now, but she'll come around when we get back to the Village-"
"No your wrong." Gaara sat up slowly while Temari blocked some girls from getting to him. I stood looking at Gaara sadly.
"Elder Chiyo used that Jutsu…" Naruto stared confused at Kankuro.
"I'm wrong? About what?" I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"It wasn't medical ninjutsu." Naruto looked up at me when I spoke. I held my left arm to my body and stared at Elder Chiyo.
"It was a life-transferring jutsu. Elder Chiyo is dead." Gaara's head turned and he looked surprised at my words. Kankuro nodded his head slowly.
"Life-transferring jutsu?" I nodded as TenTen spoke.
"Wh-What do you mean?!" Naruto looked between Kankuro and me.
"It is a ninjutsu that allows you to bring back the dead, in exchange for your own life." Naruto gasped.
"No way!" TenTen voiced her surprice.
"Many years ago, the Puppet Brigades were conducting research on how to bring their puppets to life. Elder Chiyo was in charge in of it. They were able to figure out the theory behind it, but… In the midst of their research, they decided it was too risky. They made it illegal to conduct the research on humans and forbade anyone to use the jutsu." Naruto stared at Lady Chiyo during Kankuro's tale. He slowly rose to his feet while still staring at the sand elder.
"Right? Her face looks so peaceful that I keep thinking that she's going to burst out laughing." I looked at Elder Chiyo's brother as he spoke.
"Right." Sakura said as she pulled Chiyo closer to her, tears streamed down her face.
"Right!" Sakura replied again closing her eyes tightly. The male Elder turned and looked at Gaara. Gaara sat with his head turned towards Chiyo. He stared at her from the corner of his eye.
"Naruto, you really are a strange person." Naruto along with servral others looked at Temari as she faced Naruto.
"You have the power to change people." Temari's eyes narrowed as she looked from Naruto to Chiyo.
"Elder Chiyo was always saying that she didn't care what happened to the Village. She wasn't the type of person who would do this for Gaara." Naruto looked at Chiyo while Gaara closed his eyes looking away.
"Elder Chiyo has placed the future in yours and Gaara's hands. A splendid end, befitting a true shinobi." I looked at Kakashi and nodded in agreement. It truly was a befitting end for Lady Chiyo.
"Just like the Third." Naruto said without looking away from Chiyo.
"That's right." Kakashi replied to him.
"I really understand how she felt now." I smiled sadly at Naruto.
"Gaara-sama!" I turned and watched Gaara lightly push a girl off of him as he tried to stand.
"No." Was his only word to the girl as he stood on shaky legs. Gaara nearly fell forward until
Naruto caught him by his arm. Gaara looked surprised and turned to look at Naruto. The blonde looked ahead and helped Gaara stand then let go.
They walked forward until they both were right in front of Sakura and Lady Chiyo. Sakura looked up tears still flowing from her eyes.
"Everyone, pray for Elder Chiyo." Everyone bowed their head and closed their eyes at Gaara's command. It was silent for a long time as we all prayed for the sand elder. Then finally everyone opened their eyes. Naruto looked at me.
"Mina can you sing her a song please?" I looked at Gaara. He nodded his head slowly and I let the words fall from my lips.
(She sings Keep holding on by Avril Lavigne)
After I finished we headed back. Elder Chiyo's body was carried on a stretcher and Gaara was held up by Naruto and Kankuro. I had to be carried on Shino's back since I couldn't walk all that way. Kakashi also had to be carried although he was lucky...more like unlucky enough to be on Gai's back.
Once we reached the Village Lady Chiyo's body was taken in first as a sign of respect. We all followed in after her. I, along with Kakashi, was taken to the hospital, and because of the shortage of rooms Kakashi and I ended up in the same room.
We were laying in our beds when the door opened. Kakashi looked up from his book while I looked up from getting my shoes on. Gaara walked into our room followed by Naruto, Sakura and my teammates.
"Are you sure you can make the trip back in your condition?" I smiled at Gaara and waved him off. It was true that I was in no condition to be traveling. I had several cracked and broken ribs, both my ankles were sprained badly, and I had deep cuts all over my body that were just beginning to heal.
"It won't take but a moment to get back. So don't you worry about us Kazekage-sama." Kakashi eyed me warily along with Shino. They knew what I was planning most likely. Gaara nodded and lead us outside the Village to say goodbye.
Naruto stood facing Gaara awkwardly. The rest of us had already said goodbye to the Kazekage and were now waiting on Naruto. Gaara slowly stuck out his hand for Naruto to grab, but Naruto just stared at it.
Suddenly grains of sand spun around Naruto's hand lifting it up and into Gaara's out stretched hand. Gaara smiled very softly and I could have sworn that Naruto blushed while smiling back. The two friends shook hands and then Naruto did stepped back.
I was set down on the sandy ground by Shino so I could prepare my jutsu since it wasn't cloudy at all. I ran through hand signs and took a deep breath which hurt and looked up at the sky.
"Kuton: Fire style Fire Phoenix Jutsu!" Fire shot up into the sky heating the climate more rapidly and making clouds form. Everyone took place around me all setting their hands on my shoulders or arms. I again ran through signs as Gaara and his siblings watched in curiosity.
"Lightning style: Electric Pulse Jutsu!" Like the first time I shielded us with chidori just before the lightning bolt struck us and then we were off into the blinding light again. It took only seconds for us to be back in Konoha. I collapsed into Shino after we landed. He sighed and carried me off to the hospital.