Thank you all for the wonderful reviews.

With the singular exeption of one review that ruined a goodly portion of my day. Please, for future referance, a critic review is not you being allowed to ride my butt because I have priorities. I'm sorry that roughly 6,000 words a chapter isn't good enough for some of you and I appologize if my grades are slightly more important to me than keeping a rigid update on my story. But please, if you think that my story is being dragged out, tell me. I appreciate well thought out and substantiated critic reviews.

P.S. If you will remember in chapter 20, I explain why is was that Naruto didn't realize Sasuke was Boss Hebi.

Sorry that this is such a short chapter. I wanted to get something out quickly to keep you all going until the end of finals. Thank you all for your support.

On with the show!

Chapter_21: The Beginning of the End

"Suigetsu get out of here!"

The blond grinned, but didn't move other than to wrap an arm around Karin's waist. The woman continued to struggle and yell; a task made distinctly more difficult by the large bullet wound in her abdomen.

Suigetsu chuckled. He pulled the bleeding woman to him as carefully as he could.

"I'm not leavin' ya behind. So you can just forget about that."

Karin's fist landed squarely in his solar plexus, but it had no strength behind it.

"Idiot, this place is burning down around us and if you don't leave now we're both going to die."

The concussive blast of a fifty caliber rifle had the pair crouching down lower behind the bar. The redhead punched him again. It did nothing but make Suigetsu laugh.

"This is no time to laugh. We are going to die!" Karin was yelling.

Suigetsu kissed her.

It had the affect he wanted. Karin stopped trying to hit him.

The bond man pulled away, grinned and said. "I'm not dying today and neither are you."

"Fine," Karin levered her handgun over the top of the bar and emptied the clip. Her whisper was lost in the answering gunfire. "You wonderful idiot."

.:xXXx:.

'Hello, this is Fuka, reporting live from the remains of Hokage tower. It has been several hours since the building which housed our elected head of state was bombed. We are still awaiting the confirmation of our Hokage's death.

'Emergency responders were slow to the scene. What remains of Police and SWAT teams arrived within the last hour. Though early reports held some hope, we understand now that there were no survivors. We grieve with the friends and families who have lost loved ones to this tragedy.

'In related news: no one has, as of yet, come forward to take credit for the bombing. Fingers are being pointed to gangs and the recent rash of violence in the downtown area.

'Once again, this is Fuka, reporting…hold on…yes? Yes…understood… We have confirmation. The remains of our Hokage's body are being extracted at this very moment. According to the team which discovered him, the blast was actually detonated inside the central office.

'The man responsible for finding our Hokage's remains: the recently appointed interim KPD Commissioner Hatake Kakashi has just emerged from the building. I'm going to see if I can get a word with him.

'Mr. Hatake, Mr. Hatake…a word…'

'I have something to say ma'am, if you would permit me.'

'Oh, um, who…are you?'

'I speak with the authority of a benevolent benefactor. It is his wish that the city of Konoha use his organization's resources to rebuild and recover from this violent assault.'

'Oh...I see. Your benefactor, does this person have a name?'

'He wishes to remain anonymous for the time being. He does not wish his offer to be rejected as false for the timing.'

'Well, I can certainly understand that. But, what kind of resources are we talking about? What is it that your anonymous benefactor is offering to the city of Konoha and what strings are attached to them?'

'No strings. He sees your need and wishes only to help. He asks that you allow himself and his organization to aid your fair city by restoring it to its' former glory.'

'I'm not sure I follow.'

'In addition to monetary recompense, which I can assure you is considerable, it is my employers deepest desire to rid Konoha of the filth spawning in its streets.'

'So this gentleman wants to…'

'Crush the gangs tearing this city apart, once and for all.'

'I'm sorry, I didn't ask for your name. Could you speak clearly for the microphone?'

'Certainly. My name is Konan.'

.XX.

That had been three months ago. No one could have known what events that single unscheduled interview would set into motion.

Konan was the silver screen's newest and brightest star. Everyone loved her. And with every enthralling word, the shivering masses of Konoha were drawn farther into the web of lies created by Konan's mystical benefactor.

Now they no longer questioned when families went missing. No one cared that the few remaining politicians had died tragic and mysterious deaths.

'It's is happening for the good of Konoha.' That's all Konan would have to say to smooth the situation over. '…for the good of Konoha…'

And soon enough, no one thought to ask about people they didn't know. No one cared about the arrogant political figure that kept no promises and gave only taxes in return for votes.

The benefactor delivered on his promises. They never saw him to thank him. They wanted to thank him.

He had begun to rebuild. With the seemingly endless supply of resources now that their disposal; the people of Konoha had begun to restore their city. It was wonderful, liberating.

They no longer had to live in fear. They were told to be and do all that they could for the city. It was wonderful. The benefactor would take care of them now. They didn't need Hokage's or Mayors' or elections. They would keep the man would had given them a new chance.

They hated what the gangs had done to them; hated the constant state of caution, worry. But no more. They would not sit behind locked doors at night, cowering and whimpering. They were the masters now. They were powerful. Because of the benefactor.

The police had been dismissed. Who needed police when you had a powerful and benevolent man caring for your every need?

The interim Commissioner had raised some protest, but concern over such drastic change was to be expected. Some echoed his unease, but they were not many.

Even when their nameless benefactor began his hunt for corrupt officials only some called for mercy. They had lived under the heel of gangs and mercenaries for as long as they could remember and the men who were dying on their television screens had delivered Konoha into the gangs' hands, for money. Perhaps a bullet in the back of the head was too kind a fate for them.

But it didn't stop with the politicians. Corruption never stopped with one person, first the elected officials then the cops.

.:xXXx:.

"Kakashi!"

"Yamato, Asuma, where's Shikamaru?"

Bullets skittered around the three men, tearing away chunks of concrete from the walls around them.

"He said he had to do something." Asuma ducked instinctively as a bullet clipped an outcropping near his head. "He'll be back soon."

"Idiot," Kakashi's voice lashed out. "Do you really think that they're going to let him live? He's the guy they've been hunting before they came after us. I told you not to let him out of your sight."

Running footsteps cut off whatever answer Asuma had.

Konoha's last three living policemen turned, weapons drawn.

Shikamaru sprinted past them, yelling as he went. "Run, come on, we've only got a few seconds."

Asuma, Kakashi and Yamato took the hint and started after the brunette. They had only taken a handful of steps before the explosion rent the air.

"That was yours then?" Kakashi spat gravel but continued to run.

Beside him Shikamaru grinned. "Hopefully that was an Akatsuki too. But at least we've gotten a little bit of a head start."

They sprinted towards safety, a predetermined safe house only the Comissioner of the PD knew about. Kakashi hoped that that head start would be enough.

.:xXXx:.

"For the good of the people," Konan would say; it was always: "For the good of the people."

The crowds would cheer and celebrate as another public figure was murdered before their eyes. They would scream for more. They would cry to be free.

Konan would nod and their benafactor would find more. There were always more to find, more to blame, more to destroy.

And Naruto could only watch in despair.

A/N: So, tell me the truth. Is this trying to breath life into a story that should have ended last chapter? Let me know.

Also, sorry about that micro rant up on top, I was a little frustrated. I'm glad I got that off of my chest though. And sorry if I offended you reviewer...you know who you are.

So anyway...REVIEW...the good kind.

Until next time.