Chapter 9

A little help

Konan felt her energy begin to drain. The more chakra she lost, the quicker she was going to die. Her vision swam and her head pounded as the oxygen around her seemed less and less with every passing minute. Itachi knelt next to her, eagerly awaiting the result of her hardship. His arm found it's way around her thin shoulders. "Konan. Rest. I'll take over from here."

Her lavender eyes widened. "Itachi, no. You're still healing and it won't do you any good to use up what little chakra you have left. Trust me, you need it." She protested.

"You're worse off than me. Go on. I'll be fine."

She contemplated it for a minute before deciding that it wouldn't do him any harm if he had a go at it for a short period of time. "Don't overdo yourself okay?"
"I'm not a child anymore. Treat me as an equal."
"Gomen." She said, settling herself into a nearby corner. "Remember to spread the chakra out evenly, yeah?"

"Hai." He muttered.

"This will drain your energy rapidly. If you feel it's too much and you're going to faint, just tell me and I'll take over."

"I'll be fine, I swear."

"Right. Be careful now. I have to regain some of my chakra."

Itachi nodded and carried on from Konan's job. She was right; it did drain his energy rather quickly, but he forced himself to carry on no matter what. He cared too much for Konan to let her die and couldn't lose her as well. She'd done a lot for him in the past. Sighing, he turned his head slightly to see her sleeping against the wall. What if she never woke up? What would he do then? He just hoped she would me all right.

"Konan?"
"Yeah?"

Phew. She was still okay. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good, don't worry about me, I'm just resting."

"Okay. How am I doing?"

"You're doing perfect, keep it up."

"Arigato."

Itachi lay there. He lay on that floor. Grieving, sobbing and being torn apart by his emotions. The icy stone was numbing his already frozen body quickly, but the Uchiha didn't care. He cared for nothing and he could never forgive those bastards for killing his best friend. They deserved to rot in the deepest trench of hell. They deserved to suffer, suffer like they'd never suffered before. Gaara was gone and it was their fault. He would make them fucking die; he would torture them so hard that they'd beg for death. Even if that satisfaction would be enough, nothing could ease the dull aching pain in his heart. That pain would never leave him for as long as he lived. He wouldn't be able to live through the regret of unsuccessfully rescuing Gaara from his death. Not even a tender knock at the door made him lift his head up. He simply pretended that he didn't hear it. Then, a female voice sounded.

"Itachi, it's Konan, let me in!"

He didn't have the energy to do anything.

"Let me in before Pein realizes I'm gone!"

He weakly lifted himself from the floor and staggered over to the door. "Konan, Are you alone?"
"Yes, yes. Let me in!" She whispered desperately.

Itachi half-opened the door, glancing warily around to make sure she was telling the truth. Satisfied, he swung it fully open and pulled Konan inside, locking it behind him. The woman was carrying a small medical kit.

"How is your wound?"

"Don't know, don't care."

"Don't talk like that." She hugged him. "Gaara is dead then?"

"Yes." He choked out, bursting into another fit of tears.

"Hey, it's okay. I came because I can bring him back."

He pulled out of the hug and scowled. "Bullshit! Resurrection is impossible!"

"I can revive him."

"I tried that. He's still dead. I tried it for a half hour, Konan!"

"You didn't try the Life Transfer no Jutsu, now did you?"
"What the fuck is that?!"

"Exactly. It won't heal him properly, the external wounds will still be there, but the internal bleeding will be fixed."

"Prove me wrong. You can't resurrect somebody."

"I guarantee this will work."

"Fine." Little did he know that she would most probably die in the process of healing Gaara.

After a few minutes, Konan came over to him. "Itachi, Keep at it, I think he's getting better!" She began checking his vitals. "He has a pulse! A very weak one. Can you keep healing for a minute? His arm is broken and I need to put the bone back."

"Sure."

"It's best to do it whilst he's still unconscious or it'll hurt like crazy." She said, twisting the broken limb. Itachi flinched as he heard it crack into place.

"I'll take over from here, you're looking really worn out."

He nodded and moved out so the woman could help. "Gaara, come on." He whispered.

"He's breathing! We've got him back!" Exclaimed Konan.

Itachi leapt up and hugged her. "Thank you so much."

"It's fine. I had to repay him somehow. The kid's got some guts to attack Sasori like that, just to save me."

"Yeah." He sighed, looking down at his friend.

"Is your wound feeling better?"

"It doesn't hurt as much as it did. How long have has it been since it was inflicted?"

"Two days or something. The sacrifice happened whilst you were asleep the next day." They heard the younger boy move slightly. "Gaara?!" Called Itachi

He opened opened his eyes. "What happened?" He croaked out.

"Oh my God! You're alive!"

"What do you mean? Where's Shukaku? I can't hear him or anything!"

"He's gone. The Akatsuki took him. You were killed during the process, but Konan brought you back. I helped a little too."

"You did that... for me?"

"I couldn't live knowing that you dead. I felt like it was all my fault and tried everything I could in my power to revive you, until Konan showed up. She did most of it. I just helped a little and took over when she was feeling weak."

"I knew I was dead. I saw my mother."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw her. She said I would be all right and Temari and Kankuro were grieving. I thought that somebody we knew had died, but then I realised it was me. I was dead. They were grieving for me."

"She was right. You will be fine."

"She also wanted to thank you, Itachi."

"Why? I didn't do anything."

"You've always been there for me."

How does she know who I am? Why don't I seem to remember much about your parents?"

"Mother was dead before you came and you don't remember my father that much because of your memory loss."

"I only remember when your father died. You all were unusually happy."

"Yeah. You can guess why."

"How is Sasuke?"
"He was fine the last time I saw him."

"What's he like?"
"He looks a lot like you, and has a bit of your personality. Unlike you, he can sometimes be cold and distant and other times, he's always worrying that I'm overworking myself and he's quite serious."

Itachi said nothing for a few seconds and then exhaled loudly. "I miss him."

"I'm not surprised."

Konan stepped forward. "Itachi, I need to check Gaara's health." She knelt beside the younger boy. "Can you move at all? Do you feel weak?"

"I'm just... stiff. I really don't know." He answered

She lifted him slightly and leant him against the wall. "You saved my life, kid. I couldn't let you die. Not after everything that's happened."

"I saved your life? How?"

"You fought Sasori. He was beating me up and you attacked him to get him off my back. I owe you."

"Being alive is enough for me."

"Gaara?" Said Itachi

"Yeah?"

"I thought you weren't coming back... your brother and sister... I told them..."

"Oh. So that's how they know. It's fine." The younger boy sighed. "I'm sure they're okay about it."

"They weren't okay about it at all! They were absolutely hysterical! I've never heard them cry so hard! You're all they've got!"

"I know. Should I phone them?"
"I'll do it later, but first, I need to look after you."

"Okay."

"I'm so happy you're back."

Gaara tried to get up. "Ow."

"You okay?"

"My arm. Fuck."

"You broke it."

"How the hell did I manage that?"

"Sasori."

"That bastard. Feels like I've fallen into a tank of acid."

"I'm guessing you're not numb anymore."

"Yeah. I wish I'd have stayed like that now."

Konan sighed. "I really want to heal you, but I used most of my chakra bringing you back earlier."

"It doesn't matter. I can deal with the pain."

"I can get you painkillers or something."

"I'll be fine."

"Sure?"

He nodded.

"Do you need anything?"

"No thanks."

He winced as she applied anti-septic to the stab wound between his ribs.

"I'm sorry if it hurts."

"It's fine, just do what you have to."

"I'm not meaning to upset you, but what do you remember?"

"I just remember being dragged into a dark room, I hurt all over and there was blood everywhere, then I was put on some sort of table and blacked out after a few minutes."

"If you get any flashbacks, just try to ignore them."

"Why?"

"Trust me. You won't like them."

He gave her a confused look and sighed. "All right."

"Are you hurting anywhere?"

"Not really. I feel kinda numb."

"That's normal. Lay down and rest."

"I've been resting long enough. I'll be fine." He once again attempted to get up, but was too weak.

"You need to take better care of yourself. Lay down."

"Fine."

She turned to Itachi. "I have to go. Pein will be wondering where I am. I'll leave my medical kit here in case it's needed. Change the dressing on your wound when you get chance. Make sure Gaara doesn't move too much and I'll be back in the morning, sure you'll be okay?"

"I'm quite capable. Bye."
"See you tomorrow." She stepped out of the door and closed it.

Konan slipped out into the corridor, praying that Itachi and Gaara would be okay. What if they needed her during the night? As she rounded the corner, Pein bumped into her.

"Gomen." She said.

"Everyone has been looking for you! Where've you been? Your hair is wet." his hand ran through a lock of her navy-blue hair and fisted a handful before letting it tumble down to just below her slender left shoulder. Pein was right. It was from when she splashed water on her face in the bathrooms.

"I was in the shower."

"Really? I don't believe you. The showers have been unoccupied all day."

"Believe what you want!"

"Where have you been, Konan?" He asked again, concern in his tone.

"In the fucking shower!" She hissed.

"Don't raise your voice at me."

"It's true. I felt dirty after training so I took a shower."

"I like my women dirty." He whispered into her ear. She shuddered, a feeling of unease rising rapidly in her chest. He shoved her roughly against the wall and pressed his tongue into the crook of her neck, coating the area of skin with saliva. She closed her lavender eyes and wrapped her thin arms around his neck. He growled and pulled the cloak halfway from her shoulders. She gasped, realising what he was about to do and pushed him away. "Not here! Someone will see."

The man chuckled deeply and pinned her arms to the stone behind her."Let them see. It's you and me and nobody else in my eyes."

That was it. She was sick of him pushing her around, making her do things she didn't want to do. "Fucking let me go!" She screamed, kicking him in the shins. The man didn't even flinch. He slapped her across the face. "How dare you! Whore!"

She growled and spat in his direction.

Pein hit her harder, but she refused to cry out.

"Bastard. Try that again."

"Oh, I will." This time, he used his fists.

She kneed him between the legs, smirking as he cried out and fell to the floor. Whilst he was down, she stole the opportunity to kick at his body until blood escaped his lips. Quick as a flash, Pein whipped out a small, knife-like weapon and slashed her across the leg with it. The pain was so terrible that she couldn't hold back a scream of agony. The weapon wasn't a knife at all; it was a poison-tipped dart.

"Konan!" Yelled Itachi, running towards her.

"No Itachi! Get back in there! They'll take you!"

"Not without you!"

"You idiot! Save yourself!"

It was no use. Kisame had already darted round the corner.

"Hello Itachi. I thought I would die if I didn't fuck you soon!" He said menacingly.

"Stay away from me."

"Fine. I'll take Gaara instead. He can be my new little toy."

"Leave him the fuck alone."

"You can't tell me what to do. I have power over this place." He charged inside the bathrooms with Itachi chasing after him.

Gaara had managed to stand up, despite his weakness and pain. He was breathing heavy, finding it a huge effort to even attempt to walk. "What's going on?!"

"Pein has got Konan!"

The younger boy pushed himself off the wall.

"No, you can't go! You're already hurt bad enough!"

Kisame got a tight hold of Gaara's wrist. "Well. Thought I'd never see you alive again!"

"Hey! Let me go!"

"Itachi doesn't want me anymore, so I'll make you mine!"

"No, no!" He was too weak to do anything and collapsed, still hanging limply from Kisame's grasp. The younger boy was so weak, he could barely lift his head.

Itachi growled and punched Kisame in the groin, then repeatedly smashed his face into his knee. "I told you to leave him alone! I told you so many times and you wouldn't listen! Touch him again and I won't stop until you're dead!" The hand loosened around Gaara's wrist. Blood now stained the floor and Kisame was now cursing loudly into his hands, gripping his severed face.

"Come on, let's go!" Itachi picked him up and ran. Konan was laying on the floor outside the room, bleeding heavily from a deep wound on her leg. Pein stood over her, his foot occasionally connecting with her shaking body.

"Konan!"

Pein smirked. "She won't be going anywhere with you. This girl is mine."

Itachi put Gaara on the floor. "You'll be okay?"

"Quit worrying, I'm fine." The sand-nin caught a glimpse of a small pile of sand about a metre away from him. Finally. Something to do. If only he had more chakra, he would've been able to use his Sand Burial Jutsu. Konan caught his gaze and nodded at him. She obviously knew about his ability. He crawled over to her, trying not to be seen by Pein. He noticed that she was clutching her right leg. "Konan, you're hurt."

"I've had worse, believe me." She said, smiling weakly through her pain.

"This is bad. Come on, I'll help you up."

She smirked and took his outstretched hand. "Thanks."

"Listen, go hide somewhere, get yourself away from here."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine. The sand will protect me from anything and everything that is a threat to my life."

"Anything?"

"Yeah, I'll show you." He picked up a sharp stone from the ground and tried to press it to his left arm. True enough, the sand prevented that sharp object from touching his pale flesh.

"Amazing."

"Go, I'll help Itachi. We'll be out of here in no time."

"Hai." She obeyed and staggered round the corner out of sight.

Hey people! Another Chapter has been posted, woot! I think this is a crap chapter, so I'm very sorry. Been tired lately. -yawn- Now, I am officially fourteen years old YAY! -Dances but falls over in process- Ow my face. .

Itachi: Do I escape from Kisame finally?

Me: You'll have to wait for Chapter 10, sorry. Anyway, what do you guys want for Christmas?

Gaara: A yaoi paddle! ^.^

Everyone: O.o

Itachi: I want some Dango! XD What do you want for Xmas?

Me: A glomp from you two!

Gaara: I am not glomping you, Vampy.

Me: :( Why not? I gave you a cookie yesterday, I let you do what the hell you wanted on my computer!

Gaara: I don't like hugs. What the hell?! -Looking at my yaoi pictures-

Me: Hey! I have enough of that with my damn parents!

Gaara: You drew GaaraXLee?! -Faints-

Itachi: -Runs over to Gaara- Hey, snap outta it!

Me: ¬.¬ Just leave him there. That's what he gets for looking at my yaoi collection. -sigh-

-Waves- Bye!

P.S: I need to start hiding my yaoi pics, due to my parents who keep looking at them! I have to lie for the majority of the time and tell them that one of the boys is a girl -.-''