It was such a beautiful night. The moon shone brightly. The stars were out. No clouds in the sky. A slight breeze propelled the leaves from their places in such a way they seemed as if they were dancing. The wind started to blow harder, causing Hikari's hair to fly around her head. Her eyes were a cold gray, a sign that she was very angry. Itachi stood some feet away from her, taking in this woman who he used to always find crying about one thing or another. The silence spoke more than words could. Hikari was full of emotions that she was determined to not let show. Itachi took one step, the wind blew harder forcing him back
"You've learned to control it better" He stated. He was met with more silence. "You're not the same Hikari I remember"
"And you sure as hell aren't the same Itachi I remember" Her voice was low.
"I haven't come to kill you"
"Like you could". He allowed a faint smile. He'd heard rumors of how his aunt had trained his cousins, how she had pushed and pushed. He'd also heard of her clan's cockiness.
"I want to discuss a deal"
"We don't have shit to discuss!". Itachi could tell if he didn't hurry and get it out that he'd have to fight her, not that was necessarily a bad thing. He did want to see how much stronger she had become.
"Naruto" Hiakri paled. That was the reaction he was hoping for. She calmed down.
"What about him?". He and Kisame had been watching the two of them for almost two weeks. At first he'd been surprised that Hikari would befriend someone like him but it all ended up working to his advantage.
"You release the fox for us"
"If I don't?"
"The Leaf village will be destroyed" Itachi knew her weakness was protecting others, she'd been that way ever since they were kids.
"Explain"
"We have assembled a fairly large group of shinobi who are highly skilled and trained. A day has been set when we will start our plan using this army. We will destroy anyone who gets in our way and with the Kyubbi we will be unstoppable. We have all the tailed ones except the fox. It would be much easier for you to release it than all the Akatsuki members. We'll leave Konoha alone if you do this."
"Why?"
"As powerful as we'll be they wont really be a problem for us. As we speak our men are making a very powerful jutsu around the village. Once activated it can cause the destruction of a very large area"
"How do I know that once I'm dead you'll do what you say?"
"I promise Hikari". She flinched. When Itachi would promise things he never broke them, no matter what. She remembered her mom always telling Hiro to copy that from their cousin. "Basically if I do this you'll leave Konoha alone, if I don't you'll destroy it. What about Naruto?"
"One of our members knows a way to keep him alive after the process" She nodded "I will personally make sure that nothing happens to him"
"And all this time I kept hearing how cold and heartless you were" She gave a sad laugh
"Hikari either way the end is inevitable but what you decide could save many people" He knew what her answer would be.
"When do I have to make a decision?"
"Now would be nice" She closed her eyes Think of something Hikari, think!
"Is that all you can do?" Kisame laughed dodging an attack by Naruto "I heard you were weaker but this is ridiculous". Naruto had been trying to go find Hikari but Kisame kept blocking him.
"Get out of the way!" Suddenly he was filled with anger. His chakra started to glow around him. Kisame's smile fell. The Rasengan started to form in his hand.
"Kisame" He turned to see a woman standing behind him. It was the distraction Naruto needed. His attack connected with the other man sending flying into the distance. The woman turned to leave
"Why'd you help me?" She shrugged
"Have you done what I told you to?"
"Yes but you still shouldn't kill them, its not right"
"We could have a discussion all night about the definition of that word but I don't have the time nor the patience. Go check on your friend" She was gone in the blink of an eye. Naruto didn't waste any time. He raced into the forest. He found Hikari a few minutes later leaning against a tree, she looked tired.
"Hikari" She started to fall to her knees but he caught her.
"He's not the same Naruto" She answered as tears slid down her face. Instead of asking questions, he picked her up then headed for her apartment. People were still out at the festival, he wished that they'd stayed there. Finally he made it to her building, opening her door he found Sasuke staring out the window. Naruto didn't want a big scene so he tried to quietly walk down the hall.
"I'm not deaf Naruto" He rolled his eyes and was going to add to it when he saw his cousin crying in his former teammate's arms. He automatically went into protective mode
"What the hell did you do?" He growled
"Nothing, she saw Itachi" He hurried down the hall, making it to her room then putting her on the bed. She turned over on her side with her back to him "Do you need anything?"
"No I'll be fine" She whispered. Naruto got up quietly, walking out of the room and sliding her door shut a little. An angry Sasuke was waiting for him
"Explain"
"Itachi got her away from me. I dont know what happened. I tried getting to her but Kisame was a problem. Whatever he wanted to discuss with her, he wanted to do it alone" He ran a hand through his hair, leaned his back against the wall then slid down it to the floor.
"They were close even though he's older" Sasuke said sitting next to him
"Do you think she'll talk about what happened?"
"No, she keeps things to herself a lot. She always feels like she needs to protect everyone"
"I wonder what their planning, it has to be big"
"Why?"
"They haven't been after me recently, like today they could've made an attempt but they didn't" Naruto closed his eyes "Don't think this means everything's forgiven, we just happen to have concern for the same person"
"Hmph" Sasuke crossed his arms, his eyes closed a few seconds later
"Amazing they got in here undetected" It was the following morning. Naruto and Jiraiya sat in a small tea shop. Naruto had wanted him to train him again but had ended up on another subject "How was Hikari this morning?"
"Like nothing ever happened, Sasuke said not to bring it up, that she'll talk when she's ready" By now everyone knew Akatsuki had been there the previous night.
"You two on speaking terms now?" He raised an eyebrow
"Only last night" Jiraiya smiled "What?"
"I give you guys one month or two at the most, maybe not even that"
"Yeah right"
"You two were like brothers, its much easier to repair a bond like that than to completely destroy it"
"If you say so. Anyways that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. I want you to train me again" Jiraiya nearly choked on his tea
"Kid have you lost your mind?! Tsunade would never allow it, not in your state. If you thought she was bad before she's gonna be even worse now that's she's your mom officially! I'm not gettin killed over this!"
"When I fought Kisame last night I was able to use the Rasengan, actually it felt stronger than before"
"That's interesting, did you power it with the Kyubbi's chakra?"
"No, it was my own" Jiraiya nodded
"Maybe we can work something out"
"Seriously?"
"Yeah but don't get too happy, I still need to talk it over with Tsunade"
"Thanks!"
"How've you been feeling by the way?"
"Alright I guess" he shrugged "Could be worse" Jiraiya nodded
"I wonder what Akatsuki is planning"
"All I know is if they touch Hikari, I'll kill 'em"
"How long was she alone with him?"
"Maybe ten minutes, she's never gonna tell me is she?"
"Probably not. She deals with things on her own"
"Like Sasuke" He mumbled bitterly
"Actually no, she does it for a different reason. She was picked on a lot as a kid. Felt if she told her family every time it happened she'd be seen as weak so she kept it inside. Its how she's dealt with her problems"
"Why was she picked on?" Naruto was interested more now. Jiraiya seemed to hesitate
"Because of who she was"
"But she was related to the Uchihas, I cant imagine that would bring pain and suffering"
"Maybe one day I'll tell you the whole story but right now I gotta go. Thanks for the meal kid!"
"No problem…hey wait a minute!" Too late. The great Sanin had disappeared leaving Naruto to foot the bill "Why do I even eat out with him anymore?!" He groaned, landing his head on the table.
"I heard her family comes from demons" TenTen said. She, Ino and Sakura sat outside of the hospital on their breaks. Sakura ran a hand threw her hair and sighed. It was obvious that TenTen was in love with Neji. Sakura hoped he didn't feel the same or else it would make his and Hikari's marriage that much harder and make a very angry Sasuke.
"Where'd you hear that?" Ino asked as she sipped from her water bottle.
"My mom knows some people who know Hikari's family"
"But demons?"
"It has to be true. Have you ever seen when her eyes change color?"
"Sasuke's eye's do that"
"He has the Sharigan. I've never seen her use it at all. I cant believe Neji has to marry her"
"Actually that was surprising to me. He never said anything about it" Sakura finally spoke.
"He told me"
"Really?" They both asked at the same time
"What about Lee?"
"Nope, I know you don't want to believe it, especially you Sakura since you two are friends and all, but I love Neji and he does love me"
"Hold on, are you sure? Have you talked to him?" Ino asked
"Yes, many times. He wanted to marry me" There was a hint of sadness "She ruined everything"
"She didn't really have a choice either" Sakura grumbled. She was getting tired of listening to TenTen complain "Hikari doesn't want to be with him anymore than you want her with him" They lapsed into silence, enjoying the breeze that blew by them. Suddenly they heard a howl.
"What was that?" TenTen jumped
"Just a wolf" Ino yawned. Neji walked up to them "Hi Neji"
"Hi, TenTen would you please come with me?" She smiled and nodded. They left
"I think he does love her or at least care about her anyway" Sakura rested her chin on one of her hands "You see the way he watched her?"
"Yeah, I was hoping it wasn't true. Just gives her more room to be a bitch"
"Should I tell Hikari?"
"That's your call, if you don't want a fight on your hands I suggest you keep quiet though"
"She'd kill herself before fighting over a guy. Her exact words" Ino giggled
"Sakura-chan" Hinata raced to them panting
"Whats wrong?"
"Its Hikari and Naruto, they're getting ready to fight"
"Show me" Sakura and Ino ran behind her.
Five minutes later found the three outside the Hyuga estate. Naruto was beyond pissed while Hikari had her arms crossed.
"What happened?" Sakura whispered
"Naruto found out Hikari's plan"
"What plan?"
"How she'll sacrifice herself in order for the Kyubbi to be separated" Ino gasped
"She'd really do that?"
"Yes" Hinata appeared ready to cry any minute
She and Hikari had been outside earlier. Hikari was supposed to be practicing her walk but had ditched it in favor of sunshine. She and Hinata had been eating popsicles when a very angry Naruto appeared.
"Whats wrong with you?"
"Why didn't you tell me?" His voice was low
"Tell you what?"
"You'll die separating that stupid fox from me" Hinata drew in her breath. She'd never known that.
"Your point?" Hikari continued eating as if nothing were wrong
"How can you be so calm?! You could die and you don't care?"
"We all die eventually Naruto sometimes the way we live just speeds up the process"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean? And why wouldn't you tell me? I had to find out from Tsunade and even then she did it accidentally"
"I didn't tell you because I knew you'd be irrational" She stood "This is the best way to get rid of the fox. If I don't do this then you'll keep having problems. Old foxy will take over one day. Many more people will die then"
"There has to be another way, I'm not letting you do this!"
"Who the hell said I needed your permission?" That's when they had started their standoff.
"This cant be all thats bothering Naruto. This seems like something they could talk about" Ino said
"I'm not letting you do it" Naruto said
"Think about it, I die people live. I live people will die. You think Kyubbi likes being in you? He's just waiting for an opportunity Naruto. Stop thinking with your heart and use your head!" She turned to go but Naruto caught up, grabbing her by the elbow "Let go" Hikari said.
"Guys please don't" Sakura yelled
"Not until you promise me you wont do this"
"I cant do that" A wind began to blow. Ino promised she heard a wolf howl from not too far away.
"Naruto you aren't thinking straight! Stop it!" Sakura shouted
"I said let go" Hikari pushed him away. She didn't leave however. Instead the two looked like they were getting ready to fight.
"No! Not again!"
"What do we do?" Ino cried. Hinata acted first. She ran to Hikari and stepped in front of her.
"I wont let you two hurt each other" Her usual quiet and shy demeanor was gone.
"He wants the fight, I don't know what his problem is!"
"Naruto don't" Sakura and Ino stood in front of him
"I'm not gonna let her die because of me Sakura"
"You don't have to fight though" The wind blew stronger. Neji, TenTen and Lee were approaching them. Lee had started to shout a greeting but Neji shook his head. He could sense the tension.
"I don't have time for this, I'm outta here" Hikari was about to leave when someone pined her to a tree. Naruto's eyes were red.
"No Naruto!" Sakura screamed. Neji and Lee almost ran to stop him but Hikari gave them a look that said 'I can handle this'. Ino had her hands to her mouth.
"Something else is wrong" Neji stated
"We have to end this!" Hinata said
"We cant as much as I want to". Naruto was starting to grow fangs. A tail appeared behind him
"This is it boy! Stop her now!" The Kyubbi roared from behind its cage which was becoming looser.
"Naruto don't let him control you. He's feeding off your anger. The seal is already gone. He wont need much to get out" She whispered. His hand had moved to her throat. He was slowly choking her.
"Whats going on?" Sasuke appeared next to Sakura. He had sensed something and followed his instincts to the Hyugas. Now he saw his best (former) friend killing his cousin. To say he was mad was an understatement. His eyes turned Sharigan red.
"Don't! She doesn't want us to interfere" Neji grabbed his arm. Sasuke pulled away and was getting ready to beat the fox out of Naruto when Neji wrapped his arms around him.
"Let go!" Sasuke got ready to attack but Lee helped his friend restrain him "Naruto you kill her and wont hesitate to kill you!" He screamed. Sakura was scared now. She'd never seen Sasuke show so much emotion.
"Finish this! End her pathetic life!"
Naruto squeezed harder. Two tails appeared. Hikari could barely breathe but she managed to choke out
"You gotta control it Blu" A wolf howled again which seemed to bring Naruto out of it. Realizing what he was doing he stopped
"Hikari" She fell to the ground not moving "What did I do?" He fell to his knees and screamed
The fox paced in anger. He'd almost had her, almost.
"Okami's aren't as easy to kill as they used to be"
"We were never easy to kill" A white wolf appeared outside the gate
"I haven't seen you in a very long time" He snarled "What do you want?"
"Despite what you think Hikari never came her with the intention of killing you. In fact she was going to propose that when she did the separation that you leave ninety-five percent of your power with Naruto"
"So?"
"Have you forgotten already? Once separated you would still exist just on a smaller and less powerful scale. You leaving behind most of your power would ensure Naruto's survival"
"She really didn't come to kill me?"
"No, only to make an agreement. Do you agree?"
"If she were alive I'd say yes" He snorted "But she is dead"
"As I said before demon you cant kill an Okami so easily"
"Like you have room to talk, calling me a demon"
"We'll talk again old friend"
Naruto had collapsed unconscious. Sakura felt his pulse to make sure he was breathing. She glanced across to Sasuke who was kneeling over his cousin. Neji had stepped over but Sasuke wouldn't let him near her.
"She's still breathing" Hinata observed "We need to get them both to the hospital"
"Lee help me with Naruto" He and Sakura darted for the hospital. Hinata and Ino followed. Sasuke picked up Hikari. His eyes were still in Sharigan mode. He looked at Neji then TenTen then back to Neji. A creepy smirk appeared on his face then he was gone too.
Naruto awoke to a huge headache. He sat up but instantly regretted it. He rested his head back on the pillow. He finally realized he was in a hospital room (once again). The memories of what happened with Hikari flooded to him.
"I killed her" He whispered
"Glad to see you're awake" Sasuke sat in a chair next to him
"At least one of us is happy"
"It wasn't your fault"
"I'm tired of everyone saying that! I should've been able to control it better!"
"All the training in the world wouldn't be able to be in command of that thing" Naruto grumbled
"Why are you even here? I do remember you shouting you wouldn't hesitate to kill me if I killed Hikari" He watched his face but Sasuke kept the same cool demeanor.
"And I meant it"
"Okay…so why haven't you done anything yet?"
"Because idiot she isn't dead"
"What?!" He shot up "Are you sure?". Sasuke raised an eyebrow in irritation
"No, I just imagined talking with her a few minutes ago" Before he could stop him, Naruto had darted out of bed "You're supposed to be resting, you were out for two days. Tsunade will be in here any minute to check on you"
"Where's her room?"
"Three down from yours"
"Thanks" Five seconds later Naruto entered her room. He saw her lying on the bed with a machine hooked up to her. He walked over. She looked pale. He knelt next to her
"Hikari I'm so sorry. I cant believe I did this" He brushed some hair out of her face. He heard footsteps enter the room but didn't acknowledge the person
"Is she breathing?" The voice asked
"Through the machine" Naruto answered. The person bit into what sounded like an apple
"Wow that must suck! Don't worry bout it, shit happens" Naruto growled in anger. He jumped up to face the person only to see it was Hikari in a brown yukata munching her apple. He glanced back to the bed in time to see the clone disappear
"Hikari" He pulled her into a hug. His chin rested on her shoulder "I didn't mean…Im sorry"
"Its ok Naruto"
"How can you say that? I almost killed you"
"But you didn't. I knew you wouldn't"
"You have more faith in me than I do at times". Neither spoke for a few minutes. Naruto had a hold of her like he was afraid something would happen if he let go. Hikari finally broke away
"I gotta go"
"Where?"
"Lady Hyuga will be here any minute. Have no intention of dealing with that today" She hopped onto the window, opening it "If Neji asks tell him I went to hang out with his girlfriend" She smiled then jumped out.
"We need to talk" Sasuke said from the doorway
"Fine. I need to change first" He saw Icee standing with Sasuke. His fur had changed color "What happened to him? His fur is white". Sasuke shrugged
"Was running around in the snow" He started down the hall
"That's impossible considering its not even winter, its spring! I'm not stupid"
"Says you" Came the reply. Naruto slightly grinned, trailing behind him.
"I wanted someone to talk to" Hikari said. It was near sunset. Lady Hyuga had found Hikari (thanks to Naruto) at her apartment and dragged her back to the hospital to make sure she was ok then had dragged her to the Hyuga place for more 'how to be a proper wife training'. Akane had already been there looking for her. The two sat in what Akane thought was Neji's room. Hikari ha poked her head in to make sure he wasn't there. She hadn't cared what room she went to, she just needed a break.
"Tell me what he told you" Akane swung her hair to the side then sat on the bed. Hikari sat on the floor facing her.
"He'll make sure Konoha and Naruto live if I release the fox for them"
"Really?"
"He said Akatsuki has amassed a small army and all they need is the fox. He said it'd be easier for me to do it than to gather all of their members"
"Your cousin's an asshole. I always said you care too much. You told him…"
"To fuck off. He wasn't expecting that" she smiled at the memory.
"He was mad"
"Yes"
"The plan?"
"I know he's going to retaliate hard so after I remove Kyubbi from Naruto I want you to take control of my wolves" Akane's eyes got big
"Are you sure?"
"Yes" She nodded 'They'll listen to you. I'm sure with your clan, my wolves and Miyuki and her mom you should be able to pull this off. Also Naruto wont be weakened like I thought from this separation. It'll make him stronger. He wont have to hold back anymore"
"What if we aren't enough?" There was a pause, then Hikari answered
"Don't worry. I talked to Dad, he said he'd be here" Akane clapped her hands. Hikari's father could destroy Akatsuki by himself "He's the backup though, people would ask too many questions and he's always on how I need to solve my own problems"
"Did you tell him about how you could die?"
"No, I couldn't" A faraway look came into her eyes. She felt a sting on her back "Ouch!"
"Whats wrong?"
"Nothing she rubbed her back" Akane crossed her arms
"Take it off"
"What?!"
"Your yukata"
"Why?"
"Just do it" Hikari pulled it off, revealing her undershirt and boy shorts underneath "I'm sure Neji would love this" Akane giggled. She walked around behind her then knelt down. She lifted her shirt up to expose a giant tattoo of a wolf with wings sprouting from its back. It was in a sitting position, looking as if it could see right through her. Hikari had received the tat to show she was chosen to lead her clan and the rest of the thirteen but hers was slightly different. For one Akane could feel energy coming from it. She slapped Hikari on the back causing a yelp to come from the other. "We may not need your Dad"
"What do you mean? You think…you think its waking up?"
"That or the fact that Icee's fur has changed color is a coincidence" Hikari looked across the room to see her wolf lying on the bed as if it were his.
"Where the hell is Naruto?!" Tsunade screamed. She was in his room and had assumed he'd be there resting. She knew he was going to push himself too far one day. She vented at the staff who were supposed to be watching him.
"I'll find him Hokage" Shizune said, hoping to calm her down. She darted from the room.
The woman watched from atop a roof as Naruto and Sasuke walked down the street. Naruto seemed to be more at ease as they talked. A dark haired woman appeared in front of them ranting and raving. The woman recognized her as Tsunade's assistant. Naruto gave a sheepish grin. He said something to Sasuke then disappeared in a poof of smoke. Sasuke started to walk but turned his attention to the roof. However the woman had already vanished. She ran from roof top to roof top trying to make it to her destination. She stopped at the Hyuga main house. She saw a window opened. She lept in to find Akane talking with Hikari, they were preparing to go talk with Tsunade, but she stopped. The masked woman stood facing them.
"Whoa! Whats going on? Hikari do you know who this is?"
"Yep" The woman removed her mask. Akane drew in a breath.
"You're her? I don't understand"
"Actually its more like a partnership" Hikari grabbed her yukata "Find out anything good?" She asked the woman
"Of course" Her sister Miya answered
"Unbelieveable" Akane said
"Ha! Wait til you've heard what I've found out" Miya stretched. It was going to be a long night.