"Suna's not that bad," Naruto thought as he stood on a high balcony, "If it weren't for the heat, that is." He sighed as he looked out at the village's night-time cityscape. The lights casted a soft white glow over the buildings. It looked so peaceful.

A faint smell wafted under his sensitive nose. A mix of lavender and lilac, with a slight twist of honeysuckle. He smiled as he recognized the smell, "Hey Hinata."

"Ok, seriously, stop doing that. It's creepy." Hinata said as she joined him on the balcony.

"I'm sorry," Naruto said, "But I can't help it if my heart beats like crazy every time you're around."

Hinata looked over at him, smiling, "Despite that being a boldfaced lie; that was really sweet."

Naruto smiled, "I thought it would be."

Hinata shook her head, sometimes, he was so impossible. But then again, that's why she loved him. She sighed as she held onto his arm, and rested her head on his shoulders. "It's a beautiful city."

Naruto looked down at her. "Not nearly as beautiful as you are."

Hinata blushed lightly, smiling.

Naruto looked out towards the horizon, which as cold and deep as darkness itself. But he knew that night was a benevolent force, where as Darkness was a horrible creature. But the problem was, that darkness was everywhere, in the hearts of his people, his friends, even himself.

He sighed, it seemed like a pointless battle, the very darkness he was fighting resided in his own heart, like an evil wraith that poisoned him against the enemy. Sometimes, it was even a ruler in some twisted sense. It would make him hate, even though he knew that put him in danger, it would make him envy, lust for power, arrogance, and so much more, even though the Darkness's very essence was buried in those actions. He hated to do it, yet at the same time he loved to, it was some horrible irony where he loved the Darkness he hated.

The worst part was that, as long as he was alive, he could never escape it. The wraith of Darkness would stay in his heart until the day he died. Only in the Blessed Realm could he be rid of the Darkness that was in his heart. But that day seemed very far away.

Then, a deep voice encroached upon his thoughts. "What you need, my student, is a light, something that inspires you to continue with your goodness until the day you lose your Darkness."

"Where can I find one, Kyuubi-sensei?" Naruto asked

"Look at your shoulder."Kyuubi told him.

Naruto did and he saw Hinata's two beautiful lavender eyes. They stared out over the city like two guardians of purity, watching over the village as it slept. Her eyes then shifted, from the village lights to him, and he saw something in that stare. It was a look of respect and admiration. Her stare seemed to convey all the expectations she had ever wanted in him, and he had met all of them, or so she thought.

Her expectation of never wanting power, was never made. He had broken her expectation of arrogance. She had never seen him envy any one, but he had. He looked away from her gaze in shame. The shame of knowing he had failed her, and that he had failed her so many times. He didn't deserve that look of praise.

Even though he didn't deserve it, he looked back at Hinata one more time, and this time he saw something even more surprising. Her look of admiration wasn't in ignorance of his failures, she knew that everyone had darkness and everyone failed, but she chose to forgive them, giving him a clean slate.

But he knew that each time he failed her expectations that it hurt her. He knew that every time he did something stupid like that he was killing her slowly.

The thought of him hurting her brought his shame back full force.

Hinata grabbed his hand, comforting him.

He looked down at her hand, he lovely, beautiful hand that held his.

A tear fell from his face.

"Hinata…"

"Yes, Naruto?"

"Th-there's…there's Darkness inside of me, a Darkness like some kind of master. I've…I've tried to save you from my failure, but…but I just can't find the answer."

Hinata held him tight as he continued.

"I'm sorry I failed you, Hinata."

"I know, Naruto…I know."

"You're my light Hinata, you're my one chance. So I'm going to hold on to you, and I'll never let go."

Hinata smiled as he said that.

"But I just need you to be with me as I enter the shadows."

"I will be there, Naruto, I will always be there."

Naruto smiled, "Then I will always do my best to keep myself from failing you again." Naruto hugged her as he looked up at the sky, where now, a thousand stars were now shining.

Sasuke smiled as he watched the two of them from his own balcony.

It was so innocent and pure.

Being a creature of light had its advantages. Of course, he'd never have something like that, he would be tainted. The thought wiped the grin from his face. Anyone that ever to close to him like that would tainted because of him.

He sighed.

At least he could have something close to that.

He looked over the horizon, watching the twilight, and for a brief second, he felt his power surge, as it always did in the time between darkness and light. Then, as the sun fell behind the horizon, his power began to fall. By the time the stars were shining, he felt like he did normally.

He smiled, "Well, it's good to know that if anyone attacked me when the sun was setting, I'd whip their behinds."

He chuckled to himself as he stepped into his room.

Suddenly, the building shook. Sasuke heard a large ka-boom, as if it were right next to his head. The whole balcony was lit up in orange flame, which lit the room with an eerie glow.

In a second, Light in Exile flashed from Sasuke's heart to his hand, and he jumped to the balcony. Ten meters away, a large cloud of black smoke billowed into the air, outlined by the star-filled sky and the orange flame of the explosion.

"Naruto! Hinata!" Sasuke yelled, looking to the balcony they had been standing on a second ago.

"Behind you, Sasuke." Sasuke turned, and there, standing on the awning above his balcony stood the two Keyblade Master, their weapons at the ready. "Looks like Suna has some unwanted company."

"I guess we should show them the door, huh?" Sasuke said.

"Of course." Hinata said, and then, without a word, they teleported away.

Suddenly, a figure jumped from the balcony. "Hey! Wait up!" Haku said, jumping below.

Gaara stood in the plaza, Sandstorm, in his hand, a glaring look plastered on his face. In front of him stood three figures, they all wore black coats with red clouds. One of them was large, with orange hair, and a semi-maniacal grin on his face. Another had silver hair and a large sword. The third one was obviously female with red hair and glasses.

"I want his blood." The man with the orange hair said, before his expression changed to that of an evil man. "Things are going to get scary." Then it changed again, to a soft face "The Darkness holds no power over me." Again it changed, to that of an angry man that was used to things going his way "Bilge rats the lot of them." Then it changed again, to a worried face, this time he didn't speak though.

Gaara looked him over, something about him didn't seem right. There was something odd about him, which was saying a lot since Gaara himself was the Ichibi container who had to force himself awake in order to stay sane. The other two looked a little worried, and backed up a bit.

Gaara smirked, perfect distraction. With a jump, he lunged for the redhead, Sandstorm coming at her in full swing. Suddenly, a large sword got in the way of the sand blade.

The silver haired man had moved just in time to save his partner. "I'm afraid I can't let you kill her that quickly."

Gaara could see by his lips that he was a little dehydrated.

As soon as the thought went through his mind, the man pulled out a water bottle and took a swift swig. Gaara jumped back, before sending a tendril of sand at the boy, only to be surprised when his torso turned to water, which only swallowed the sand and made it wet. "Well, it's not like I have a limited supply." Gaara thought, "But if this boy can turn into water, then I may have a problem."

Suddenly, the water torso reformed to skin, and the boy looked at him with a shark-like smile. "That would be a good strategy, if I couldn't become water at will."

Gaara smirked, and he held up his arm. "Sabaku Kyuu."

Suddenly, Suigetsu heard Karin fighting, he turned, only just in time to see being engulfed by sand.

Gaara smirked again, "You may, but your teammates can't." He was about to finish her with Sabaku Sousou, when Juugo rammed him. The sand released her, and Karin fell to the ground, her arm hanging limp by her side.

"Thanks Juugo." She said to him. Juugo only looked back, his face twisting in so many ways.

Gaara let the sand around him pick him up, and he stood with Sandstorm in his hand. A scowl now painted hi face. "So the water guy keeps me at bay with his sword, and the big guy makes sure I don't take anyone out while me and the water guy fights, so what does the redhead do?"

As if to answer her question, she suddenly called out, "Guys, we have company."

"Ah. The look out." Gaara thought.

"Hey Gaara, taking out the trash?" A voice said behind him.

"I was beginning to wonder if you weren't going to make it, Naruto." Gaara said.

"What, and leave all the fun to you? Never." Naruto said, his black cloak flowing in the wind as he stood next to Gaara. "Oh, by the way, I brought some friends, hope you don't mind."

Suddenly, Hinata appeared next to Naruto, and Sasuke stood on the other side of Gaara. The four of them looked at the three enemy nins.

Karin smiled. "Oh, this is good." She said. "Just imagine how impressed the Leader would be when we bring back two Jinchuuriki."

Naruto's smile disappeared. "Gaara. No mercy."

"Understood."

Sasuke looked over at Juugo, and he felt a presence that seemed very familiar to him. He just couldn't remember.

Juugo remembered though. "Traitor!" Suddenly, his expression changed, "Riku, you codfish."

Suddenly, he remembered. Captain Hook.

"Well, well." Juugo said, his expression changed again, "If it isn't the boy I thought so much of."

Another name hit him, Maleficent.

"I'm going to scare you senseless."

Oogie Boogie.

"This time we'll turn you into a heartless, then you'll never betray us again!"

Ursula.

Suddenly, his face changed into a maniacal expression, "What's the matter? Didn't like the power?"

Sasuke's eyes widened, he knew that voice. It had been the voice in his head that made him leave Konoha three years ago. This was the Curse seal. This was the users of Darkness.

Juugo shook his head, and looked at Sasuke. "They know you."

"So are you guys going to attack or what?!" Suigetsu said.

Naruto looked up at him, and charged. Kingdom Key flashing.

Hinata followed.

Sasuke stared at Juugo, and Juugo glared at Sasuke, right before charging the Uchiha.

Gaara, Naruto, and Hinata all charged for Suigetsu, who was force to defend himself. Unfortunately, his sword was too large to move fast enough, and he had to turn one of his legs to water in order to save himself.

Suddenly, Karin joined, holding a kunai in her good arm, she dove forward, trying to take out Hinata. Hinata responded by sending three large, "Firaga!"s at her. Driving her back from the fight. Karin made another approach, and this time, Hinata broke off the fight completely to attack the redhead.

Sasuke's blade danced around Juugo, who was slowly lousing himself to the Seekers of Darkness. Sasuke's eyes were spinning madly, keeping him one step ahead of the boy the entire time.

Suddenly, Juugo's chakra flared, and he began to transform. His head grew two black horns, like the hat of a certain witch. His eyes sank back into his head until they were nothing but two black pits. His legs split into eight black tentacles, and his back seemed to grow to red coat tails. Finally, his wrists seemed to grow two golden bands, like that of a imprisoned genie.

Then, as one, collective voice, the seekers of Darkness yelled, "We want you back!"

Hinata was shooting fireballs like a machine gun shot bullets. Karin somehow miraculously dodged them all, to the point where it drove Hinata insane.

"You better do better than that." Karin said.

"Then how about this? Thundaga!" Suddenly a thunder bolt ripped through the sky and hit Karin full force, electrocuting her and turning the surrounding sand to glass.

When the lightning passed, Karin stood there smoking for a second, before falling over.

Hinata nodded in satisfaction, before turning to leave.

Suddenly, she heard laughing. "So the Jinchuuriki has found a whore strong enough to protect herself. Heh heh." Then Karin breathed her last.

Gaara and Naruto were making excellent progress. They had been fighting in a way that would make Suigetsu open to one area, and the other would attack from that area, forcing him to liquefy himself, which apparently took energy out of him.

Suddenly, Suigetsu dug the tip of his blade in the ground, and jumped on the top of the sword. "So, you can hold your own against flesh and blood. But let's see how well you can fight Darkness."

Suddenly five Heartless appeared.

Naruto quickly dispatched four of them, only getting a small but leeching scratch on his back before sending the last one to the abyss.

"Hm." Suigetsu remarked. "Not bad, but try this on for size." He said as he jumped to the floor, the sword now emitting a dark power.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. "How dare you!"

Everyone turned to see Haku, and he didn't look happy.

"How dare you taint Zabuza's sword with Darkness."

Suigetsu suddenly remembered someone that had always annoyed him. "Haku?"

"I'm going to murder you, Suigetsu!" Haku said, his ice shield forming.

Suigetsu suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.

That feeling was confirmed when Haku broke the shield down the middle, creating two deadly bladed spikes.

Sasuke stood, his back to a wall, cursing himself for letting himself get cornered. The horned creature he had been fighting grinned a smile that would make anyone's blood go cold.

Sasuke stared at the man, his Sharingan spinning madly.

The psychopath stared back, his expression constantly changing as the Seekers of Darkness fought for control of the boy's body. It was like looking into six different faces on one head.

Suddenly, an idea hit Sasuke. "Time for my original jutsu." He said before starting a series of handsigns. "Rat, Dog, Dragon, Tiger, Horse, Snake, Boar, Tiger, Dog, Horse, Dragon, Monkey, Ox, Monkey, Rat, Dog, Tiger, Bird, Ram, Rabbit, Snake Tiger, Rat, Boar, Tiger, Horse, Tiger! Dive in the Mind Jutsu!"

Suddenly, both Sasuke and Juugo froze.

Sasuke stood in what looked like a sewer. Water dripped from cracks in the ceiling, and landed in an interminable river of murky water. "Where is he?" a voice echoed through off the walls.

"He's here." Another voice said.

"Boy!" The first voice cried, "Where did he go?" He asked, oblivious to the first voice.

"I WANT BLOOD!" A third voice cried.

"Boy!" A fourth voice cried, "Come here boy! I want my pleasure!"

Sasuke grimaced. That was Maleficent's voice he had just heard.

"Boy!" Another voice said, "Give me energy, Now!"

"KIIIILLLLLL!" The third voice cried.

Sasuke sighed before closing his eyes to filter through the noise.

Yelling, screaming, whispering, more yelling.

Suddenly, he heard another noise.

Sobbing.

He opened his eyes and used the jutsu to immediately teleport himself to the origin of the noise.

There in front of him was a small boy, kneeled over and crying in his hands. "Why won't they go away? Why won't they go away?" He whimpered.

Sasuke looked down at the boy, who sat there, rocking back and forth. It was heart breaking.

Suddenly the boy turned, and his eyes widened as he saw another being in his head. The boy suddenly shot up and backed against the wall, his arms over his head. "Don't hurt me!" he cried.

Sasuke just looked at the boy, when suddenly, another voiced cried. "Boy! I want food! Get over here before I hurt you!"

The boy, shivering from fright, got up and began to walk towards the hallway. Suddenly, the boy was stopped by a gloved hand. "Don't go anywhere." Sasuke said, before disappearing.

Sasuke stood again, his back to the wall, and the horned creature in front of him. Then the horns shrank back into his head, his eyes reemerged, the eight black tentacles returned to two legs. The coat tail-growths disappeared and the two golden wrist-bands disappeared. Then, he began to change more. He began to get younger.

Before Sasuke realized it, he was staring to the face of a twelve year old boy.

The boy looked up at the robed man, and began to cry. "Thank you, thank you." The boy said, falling to his knees and clutching at Sasuke's boots. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Suigetsu knew he was in trouble.

That fact that both legs and one arm were frozen solid was good indicators.

Suigetsu raised the sword high above his head and brought it down on Haku.

Haku refroze the shield halves together at the last second to create an unstoppable defense.

"Blizzaga!" Naruto yelled, freezing Suigetsu's free arm.

Suigetsu cursed, and tried to wiggle free. Only for Gaara to freeze the swordsman's torso.

Haku glared at the boy, "This is why Zabuza never chose you to be his successor!" He yelled, "Because you would use power as an excuse to disgrace his sword!"

Suigetsu shook his head, "The idiot always thought of honor before power. It good thing he died, those who sacrifice power for something as trivial as honor would never be able to survive in days like this."

Haku took one look at him before taking his shield and slicing off Suigetsu's head, which instantly turned to water.

Haku smiled. "Yeah, just try to reform your head without your body, moron."

The puddle bubbled.

When the excitement died downed, and Sasuke checked Juugo into the nearest hospital to be looked over, everyone went back to their apartments. Naruto stood at his balcony, watching the night sky, when he smelled Hinata's scent.

"Hey, angel." He said.

"Um. Naruto." Hinata said, hesitantly.

"Yeah?"

"Are you a Jinchuuriki?"

"Busted." A certain giant fox said.

Naruto turned to Hinata. "Uh, is it too late to say that I have a confession to make?"

End Chapter.