Chapter Summary: The invasion is here and Naruto gets to discover a new side of Gaara, Sasuke is facing real power and the wheel of time is finally getting to the point of not return.
Notes:
Hello all, I want to thank you for stoping by and reading the story, thank you for the comments, the likes, kudos and bookmarks. Please, remember English is not my mother tongue so forgive the grammar, spelling and funny mistakes.
Chapter 10
Temptations and Invasion Part 2
Time stood still.
There was only him and the other two ninjas fighting in the arena. Naruto could feel a connection to the two individuals fighting down there, his hands grabbed the railing tightly while his eyes followed the blood coming from Gaara's shoulder. Something inside his chest weighed down his breath, his body was completely tense and a whisper in his mind was pushing at him to go down and do something.
…family…
Naruto shook his head, the growl he recognized as Kyuubi brought the word that was now dancing inside his head.
Master…
The world around him was spinning out of control, he did not hear Sasuke calling out to him. Nor did he heard anything else but what was happening between Gaara and Yugito, in les than a second Naruto jumped up and made his way towards the red head, just as Temari and Kankuro were dragging away a wounded Gaara with Yugito following close behind.
"NARUTO!" Sasuke watched as the blond left without any warning, he glanced back at Shino and Shikamaru.
"That Naruto, he didn't see this mess?" Shikamaru pointed with his finger the fighting going on behind them, his black eyes centred on Sasuke and then to the place where the blond had disappeared. "We better follow him, those Sand Genin could be leading him into a trap."
"One of the smartest things you have said so far, let's go!"
Naruto frowned while jumping from tree to tree trying to catch up to the berserk reiatsu he was sensing. The blond was so focused on his chase he never saw nor felt the shadow following him close behind. His only concern was the two Jinchuuriki ahead of him, later on, when everything settled down and he had time to think, Naruto would realize he was answering a primal call. The sudden emotion stirred deep inside his soul, a calling to follow them and stop whatever madness was about to happen.
They were near.
Naruto could sense the conflict up ahead of him. The power emanating from Gaara was raising alarm bells on his head, but there was something else making him feel restless.
We don't want to hurt them, brat.
'We? Since when are we a we?' Naruto inquired, tired of running instead of using his full potential.
Didn't you hear them? Family…whether you want it or not, whether you believe it or not, we are family.
Naruto almost faltered in his technique, his shunpo helping him run faster just as he finally caught sight of the group he had been following around.
'Family?'
But the Kyuubi didn't say anything else, and Naruto could not question him any longer for Gaara had finally stopped.
Temari and Kankuro were trying to get as far away as they could, the young woman had already sensed the Mist Genin following them and she was getting ready to stop their pursuer when Gaara finally reacted.
He lifted his face, half of the head was already covered in sand, "let me go."
The siblings could not react on time, soon sand was wrapping around their legs and wrists, Kankuro let out a painful scream when the sand tightened around his left hand, the cracking of bones reaching out Temari. Gaara smirked, throwing his older brother towards the running Yugito who caught Kankuro on time before both of them could fall to the ground.
"Gaara…Gaara, please hear me out…" Pleaded Temari trying to free her own hands as her eyes were gazing over Kankuro who was being put to rest by the blonde kunoichi.
Gaara's eyes turned to see his sister and Temari trembled under the soulless eyes. Where once had been green, almost aquamarine eyes, there was now a deep black pool with just a gleam of malice. The mask covering her little brother's face grew slowly.
"I don't have any use for cowards like you." His voice, guttural and supernatural, was reinforced by the sudden pressure in the atmosphere, almost choking Temari before she, too, was thrown away carelessly.
Temari let out a grunt of pain as her back collided against the nearest tree. She could sense the tears rolling down her cheeks and she hated the weakness this creature made her feel. This wasn't Gaara any longer, the person, or thing, in front of her was the monster residing in her little brother.
The forest was in total silence, there wasn't any wind blowing softly over the trees or hitting their sweaty faces. The atmosphere was tense and charged with some kind of tension that not many would be able to withstand. Up in a branch stood Gaara, his now black eyes turned towards Yugito, a feral smirk on his face.
The young woman narrowed her eyes, tilting her head up in a defiant stance. Her body was tense and leaning subtly forward. Legs slightly part to give her some leverage as her arms moved to the sides. She was ready to strike whenever the red head wanted.
Before her eyes, she watched the sand covering his body, there was still blood pouring from the wound she had inflicted on him but the wound in itself seemed to be healing slowly.
The sand was changing from a dirty yellow to a more defined and darker yellow and black. Covering Gaara's body slowly but surely, forming in his hands sharp and threatening claws and on the rest of his body the perfect shield. His face however was what called Yugito's attention.
There was a half mask there, one forming the face of a feral creature with fangs showing through its lips and eyebrows brought back in a frown. His eyes were big and oval with a dark eyeball and just the right amount of black to give him a fearful and menacing look.
"I want your soul." Deep and raspy voice was all Yugito could hear. The red-head tilted his head, his right hand moving up in a lazy movement. "You hurt my vessel…now, I hurt yours Nibi."
Yugito didn't even wait for an attack. Not wanting to take any unnecessary risks she jumped up and launched herself to attack. But her rash movement gave the creature the advantage it was waiting for.
His left-hand expanded, grabbing one of Yugito's ankles before she could evade it. There was a yelp coming from her as she felt the rough feeling of sand gripping her hard. Yugito lost her balance, almost falling forward until she felt the hand jerked her upwards.
There was a moment in which the young kunoichi defied gravity, floating in the air before falling. She turned her eyes to her enemy, ready to prevent a deathly fall when she finally saw a shiny, yellow ball forming in Gaara's right hand. Yugito felt her eyes go wide as she recognized the feeling of the attack that was about to hit her square in her chest.
"Now, you die." Was Gaara's statement as the Cero left his hands and moved at a supersonic speed towards its target.
Naruto was moving fast through the trees and the bushes around the forest. He could sense Yugito and Gaara near, but still far ahead of him. Something had made them stop and Naruto felt different fluctuations coming from the direction he was heading to. His whole attention was on what lay ahead, so he never noticed the two Sound shinobi following him. He didn't notice either as both of them fell, wearing huge and deadly slashes on their chest.
There was urgency in him, making him run forward. Zanpakutou at the ready as he finally saw something. There was a yellow flash coming from those fingers, a buzzing sound and a huge rose of the spiritual pressure around them. The blonde's eyes followed the falling figure of Yugito who was falling without any leverage to help her evade the attack. Naruto pulled his Zanpakutou out, jumping up in the air and invoking it as he tried to stop the attack.
Nii Yugito closed her eyes, going over all she had learnt, letting Nibi share some of her power as she prepared herself to receive the attack. An attack that never happened. She did hear a huge explosion and as soon as she opened her eyes she closed them, feeling strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist and tug at her to the side.
"Are you okay?" As she opened her eyes she saw the smiling face of one Uzumaki Naruto smiling down at her. There were remnants of the explosion around and Yugito was about to answer when Naruto frowned again pushing Yugito to one side while he jumped to the other.
No sooner had he realised that he saw Gaara moving towards him, his left hand in the form of a defined sword.
Okay, this seems to be our time to shine, Master.
'You think?' Naruto replied as he parried the slash with his own sword, making sparks fly around them.
They didn't share any words as Gaara's eyes focus solely on Naruto's. Both Jinchuuriki struck the other, slashing up and down, evading and parrying, almost equally in power as they tried to determine how strong was the other.
They were so focused on their own fight they didn't notice another figure jumping in the fight until her leg came crashing down breaking the contact of the swords.
"You didn't forget about me, did you boys?" Yugito gave them a cat-like smile before striking again.
Sasuke, Shino and Shikamaru didn't get too far following Naruto when a group of Sound Nin caught up to them.
The black-haired Genin was fighting with a middle age ninja who seemed to be eager to stab him with the pointy kunai in his hand. Sasuke evaded for the third time the attempt and he knew he was in deep trouble. Even with the Sharingan activated, this guy seemed experienced and was waiting patiently for Sasuke's speed to stop giving him an advantage. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Shino and Shikamaru facing the other enemies. Just when things couldn't get any more difficult for them another group, this time Sand Nins, arrived and Sasuke knew they were in deep trouble when his back found Shino's and Shikamaru's.
Sasuke smiled wolfishly as a trail of blood slid down his forehead to his cheek. This was certainly different to what he had done so far. It was a real battle, a fight to the death, not as secure and as scary as when he and the others had faced Zabuza. This one had the rush of unpredictability. This one he could lose and he could use all he knew to be the winner. It was about time he started using his abilities to probe himself he was capable of fighting. That his training wasn't for nothing and that he was on the right path to power and vengeance.
But just before Sasuke could give himself to the fight, two different blurs disposed of their opponents. There stood Guy and Kakashi, the last one turned towards his student and with a firm voice he addressed Sasuke, Shikamaru and Shino.
"You must go after Naruto, if possible I want you to capture and incapacitate the three Sand shinobi." Sasuke nodded his head, eager to go after Naruto and Gaara, eager to test his abilities with someone else. Someone who he was dying to challenge.
"Do not do anything unnecessary and dispose by any means of any enemy you cross paths with. Understood?" After a chorus of agreement, the three of them left, leaving behind a heated battle and entering to another.
Sasuke took the lead with Shino and Shikamaru following close behind. The three of them were moving fast through the trees in front of them, Shikamaru looked sideways to his right as Shino moved a little faster to position himself beside Sasuke.
"We're being followed." Sasuke frowned at the revelation, turning to Shino with a questioning glance.
The young man merely showed him one of his bugs and when Sasuke turned to Shikamaru the lazy shinobi nodded his head with a serious frown on his face. Sasuke looked ahead of him; he didn't want to stop only because they were being followed. For him it was most important to catch up with Naruto; but having some random shinobi behind him wasn't exactly what he was looking towards.
"I've got an idea." The voice of Shikamaru broke his thoughts and Sasuke turned surprised to the boy.
"What do you need?"
Shikamaru's lips quirked upwards, never thinking he would hear those words coming from Uchiha Sasuke but appreciating them. "Nothing, you can go ahead, Naruto may need your help."
Sasuke nodded his head, "okay, thank you." As an afterthought he looked at Shikamaru and gave the faintest of smiles to him. "Take care."
A snort left Shikamaru's mouth as he stood in one of the branches watching Shino and Sasuke move forward. The black-haired shinobi put a hand on his pocket and lifted his head to the sky.
"What a drag…really, if Naruto hadn't rushed and that red head hadn't gone berserk…hn, okay, let's do this."
"Oh, look here guys...fresh meat." Shikamaru turned to look at the shinobi who spoke. A tall, short-haired man with a self-satisfied smirk on his face.
Shikamaru sighed as he lifted his hands making a hand sign, the other three shinobi got ready as the tall man, apparently the leading shinobi, chuckled amused. "Oh, the baby here wants to play. Well let's…uh...what the hell."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "now, you're trap under my shadow technique."
Shino turned to look behind him; there was a slight movement from his eyebrows before he turned to look ahead of him. Sasuke's attention was focused on some point ahead of him before he decided to break the silence. "Should we …"
"I think there are more than he can deal with." Commented Shino. "However, Shikamaru was right, someone needs to help Naruto."
Sasuke turned surprise to the other ninja who nodded his head at him. "You mean…"
"We'll join you soon."
"Okay, you guys be fast. Naruto and I would be waiting." Sasuke flashed Shino a tiny smile before moving as Shino turned around and went back to Shikamaru.
The young Uchiha didn't move further away when he sensed something coming his way, barely stopping and jumping backwards, Sasuke saw with surprise some white darts making a line in front of him. There was a last, long one coming his way which he evaded in time only to feel the cold, hard surface of a blade against his neck.
Sasuke tensed up cursing softly as he tried to look sideways. "Finally, alone." The voice was young and deep, with a slight trace of roughness in it.
"I hear a lot of things about you, Uchiha Sasuke"
"Who the hell are you?" Sasuke could feel the young man behind him smile as he let go of the black-haired Genin. Sasuke took the opportunity to launch a side kick that was quickly avoided by his opponent with a movement of his arm.
As he finally had a good look at him, Sasuke was quite surprised at how young the man looked. He had a very serious expression; his gleaming green eyes were the only expressive enough; they were looking critically at Sasuke. His white hair falling straight down his back and Sasuke gasped in shock as he saw the blade moments ago had been pressed against his neck. It was coming out of his arm…and it was white…but it couldn't…
"This is my Kekkei genkai." Said the young man watching with amusement Sasuke's expression. "My name is Kaguya Kimimaru. And I'm here to see if you're really worth my master's effort."
They circled each other as Sasuke went inside his head to loop up any information he may have about some clan called Kaguya. But nothing came to his mind; he was also worried as he thought about Naruto and the others. It was starting to get clear to him that the other sound shinobi had been sent to diverse Sasuke's team mates away and get him alone.
His hand moved surreptitiously to his kunai holder, his dark eyes transforming into the red and black pools of his Sharingan. The young man in front of him let his lips quirked upwards and the bone-blade of his left arm rose to his chest.
"What master are you talking about? Who is he and what does he want with me?" asked Sasuke trying to get as much information as he could. He wasn't afraid. This was a one-on-one fight which he was sure he could win or at least hurt his opponent enough to go and look for help. Not that he needed it or anything.
"Orochimaru-sama, of course." Sasuke tensed up at hearing the name. "He seems quite adamant to name you his…heir."
At this Sasuke's confusion grew but his curiosity was closed behind. He knew about Orochimaru, Kakashi had made sure the young Uchiha knew everything about the third member of the Legendary Sannin. Trained by the Hokage himself, the three of them were the most powerful shinobi in all the elemental countries. Orochimaru had been marked as a traitor due to some of his beliefs and his weird experimentations, one of those experiments had been imprinted on him.
Unconsciously Sasuke's hand went to the place where Orochimaru had placed the cursed mark. And as if on cue he could feel the dark power pouring from it, tempting him to let it go and just used it.
"Yes, he did mark you, didn't he?" Kimimaru tilted his head as he launched himself, with his left arm raised ready to slash down on Sasuke.
The young Uchiha had to admit the man was fast; he barely had the time to put his kunai out and stopped the blade from colliding with his head. He let out a puff of air as his foot slid under the smooth surface of the branch he was in. Soon his back was against the tree and he could feel the sweat falling down his forehead. Kimimaru scowled and pressed harder.
"Is this all? Is this your power? Whatever would Orochimaru-sama want with a weakling like you, Uchiha?" The words stung Sasuke, a memory of a moment years ago flashing in his mind as he lifted his knee trying to hit Kimimaru straight in his stomach. It didn't work but at least it made Kimimaru lose his leverage on the blade and left Sasuke free to press him.
In a moment the fight changed and Sasuke started moving with cold and calculated taijutsu movements. Once punching straight ahead, sending a roundhouse kick up to his enemies' head. The kunai in his hand gleamed every time he moved his wrist and let the dim light of the sun hit its surface.
"This is more like it; show me you are really fit to be my master's heir." Kimimaru was only toying with Sasuke, analysing his every move, his attacks and his technique in general.
Sasuke dodged a punch to his jaw when a loud explosion called his attention, giving Kimimaru the opportunity to kick him in the stomach and send him down the tree. The black-haired boy didn't have the time to react when he saw the same bone-sword pressed tightly against his neck.
Kimimaru's attention, however, was pretty much in the direction where the explosion had come from. He was frowning and there was a light of recognition in his eyes.
"I still don't understand. Why are you doing this? If it's true Orochimaru sent you why not kill me or something!" The blade cut the skin enough to let a line of red appear on Sasuke's neck.
"You will speak of Orochimaru-sama with respect." Said Kimimaru in a low menacing tone before changing to a more academic one. "He has chosen you, Uchiha, because he saw potential in you. You should know Orochimaru-sama doesn't show interest in just anyone."
Sasuke remained silent hearing every word, his interest and curiosity taking over his own instinct to fight and the protection of his village and friends. Kimimaru tilted his head, signalling the place where they knew the explosion had come from.
"You have potential, you can be greater than your brother…"at the mention of his brother Sasuke's blood ran cold and his eyes were even more red and vicious than usual. He tightened his fists drawing blood from his palms.
"I'm stronger than him already." He exclaimed through clenched teeth. The brand-new technique Kakashi had shared with him was still fresh in his mind.
"No, you are weak and easy to anger." Kimimaru whispered knowingly, he moved the blade away and extended his hand to Sasuke. "But Orochimaru-sama would give you what Konoha would never do."
"And what is that?"
"Power."
That mere word sent a thrilling chill through Sasuke's back, making the adrenaline rush to his body. Power. It was what he had been trying to achieve ever since the incident. The power to obtain revenge and destroy his older brother the same way he had done with him.
The power he felt when Kakashi taught him the Chidori, the same one he felt when his Sharingan was activated. And yet, it wasn't enough. He knew it, the guy in front of him knew it and even Orochimaru knew it …power? Yes, he wanted it. Need it.
"I see you know what I'm talking about." Commented Kimimaru as Sasuke took his hand to stand up.
"How do you know Konoha isn't giving me the power your master is offering me?" At this Kimimaru smirked and turned around.
"They are only giving you enough to placate your needs and to entertain you. They need you here as the last survivor of a dying breed." Kimimaru lifted a hand to placate the angry growl coming from Sasuke. "Please, you are not getting really stronger; I know you have felt it…the last of his class, an outcast. Not family or anyone who really cares about him, and yet…yet he has advanced so much more than you."
Once again, Sasuke tensed up turning his head to the side evading the knowing gaze from Kimimaru. "I don't know what you are talking about."
"I think you do." Said Kimimaru calmly. "Follow me, I will show you the fight of someone who has been training with a Sanin."
Kimimaru left, leaving Sasuke behind but knowing well enough the young man would be following him any time soon. It took Sasuke a second, scowling. He went through Naruto's fight over and over and then...could it be possible …Without losing any more time, Sasuke went after Kimimaru eager to see if he was being truthful.
The forest was completely silent.
Whatever was happening back in Konoha was completely unknown to the three individuals facing one another. There was no wind, and yet there was a heavy pressure pressing down on them, a battle of wills that not many could whistand.
Naruto wiped away the blood rolling down his forehead, his blue eyes rolled down to the ground where he could locate Gaara's siblings, then back to where Yugito was standing up holding herself against the closest tree and finally to Gaara who was looking down on him with the same cold smile.
Whatever had happened, or whatever Gaara had done, it was something Naruto was not familiar with. Yet, he could see the likeness of a hollow on Gaara; the strange mask adorning his face, the strange carcass covering his body and the sword coming out of his right hand. The blond haired Genin creased his brows, knowing as soon as this fight was over he would need to tell Yoruichi what had happened.
Yugito slid her right leg, then her left one. Her spiritual pressure rose slightly, her eyes changing form and colour just as the air around her lifted in a whirl. Gaara snarled, turning his attention to her, soon another fight broke out between them with Gaara catching up to Yugito with a speed matching Naruto's.
"You won't make it, Nibi." The voice broke the silence around them, Naruto opened his eyes using shunpo to get there and help the young woman.
There was a moment of utter confusion between the three of them, Yugito had stopped the punch meant to stop her own transformation. Gaara had made use of his tail to punch Naruto straight on his face and Naruto had been so focused on Yugito he never saw the attack.
The blond stood slowly wiping away the blood on his mouth, he clenched his jaw watching as Yugito and Gaara engaged in a fight he was not sure he could understand.
'What is that? What the hell is happening with Gaara and Yugito?' Naruto reached out to Ryuujin, his zanpakutou stirred restlessly before poking inside his Master's mind.
Kyuubi says you won't be a good opponent against them, they are beyond your reach, Naruto.
'What the hell is that supposed to mean?' Naruto closed his hand tightly around Ryuujin, his eyes following the fight in which Yugito was still trying to get the upper hand but, little by little, seemed to be failing.
He is just saying they are a step ahead of you, unlike you the demon and the human are one.
Naruto scoffed at such a statement, not wanting to know what exactly it meant to be one with the demon. The only thing he was sure of was that Yugito was losing little by little.
Shukaku thought it would be a good idea to just punch the young woman repeatedly in the head before pinning her to a tree. Naruto's inaction was soon replaced by an urgency when he caught sight of a long and dangerously pointy spear aiming directly to Yugito's heart.
However, as soon as Naruto spurred into action he stopped, his blue eyes locking with black, soulless pools adorning a sandy mask with a huge smirk filled with malice. The maniac laugh that followed Naruto's discovery sent a jolt of fear through the young man's very soul. It was a warning…one wrong move and Yugito would die.
Time stood still for a second before Naruto found himself being thrown to the right. The laughter filled the forest, Yugito fought against the hold of her captor but his grasp was firm and painful on her neck. Naruto gripped the hilt of his zanpakuto, he staggered forward only to have the spear made of sand going through his shoulder.
Shukaku laughed tilting his head, his eyes piercing Naruto's very soul.
"Mm, what's the matter, Shinigami? Lost your will to fight?" mocked Shukaku snickering as he punched Naruto in the stomach.
The inside of Naruto's head was a mixture of voices, the headache grew just as Ryuujin and Kyuubi decided to speak at the same time.
Master! Please, let me out…let me help you…
You should listen to the lizard boy…at this rate Shukaku would finish us both!
He had Yugito! I can't just…attack! What if he kills her?
Nibi and her host are both idiots for letting a weakling like Shukaku capture them. If they have to die…
Shut up! I didn't ask for your opinion! I'm not about to let them die just because they got captured!
Then you better think of something or else…Shukaku will consume our souls.
Naruto dodged to the side as a wave of sand almost covered him. He jumped to the side to prevent yet another spear from coming into contact with his shoulder. Up in a tree Shukaku was laughing amused, his eyes gleaming weirdly as a moan of pain called Naruto's attention. Yugito was walking slowly. There was blood on her lips and she had a nasty cut on her forehead. The rest of her body was covered by sand except from a small spot just above her heart where the sand spear was getting dangerously closed.
"You coward! Why don't you fight me fairly!" Shukaku titled his head to the side; eyes wide open in a fake innocent expression.
"Coward? Probably…fairly?" At this a nasty expression took form on his face. "Nothing is fair for us…nothing…you should know that by now, holder of the Kyuubi."
The words made Naruto blink in confusion, there was something else there, an underlining secret and motivation. But what could motivate a demon taking control of his host if it wasn't the hunger for power and souls?
"I'm tired of these games." Gaara's left arm formed once again the long, sharp blade and he readied himself. "Let's finish this."
Naruto saw with a spark of fear in his eyes as Gaara went for him, blade at the ready. Just seconds away from a decision: his life or Yugito's.
Master!
Brat!
"Dodge!" The scream came from an unknown voice. It surprised not only Naruto but Gaara as well. There was a man with black clothing and Yugito safely in his arms.
Naruto didn't need anything else to confirm his new…friend was okay. A shinigami was always a good thing, right? So without any hesitation he stopped Gaara's blade screaming to the forest.
"Make our enemies bleed, Ryuujin Raikaze!"
Both blades collide and just like the first time there were sparks coming from both of them, the mask that moments ago was covering just half of Gaara's face was almost all around it, leaving only his eyes visible. There was an angry snarl coming from the young man as he and Naruto started another sword duelling.
Where Naruto's movements had been rash and wild, but with a subtle technique of swordsmanship; Gaara's strikes and slashes were calculated and what they may lack in speed didn't lack in strength. When both swords collided it was usually Naruto the one stepping backwards.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the shinigami putting his Zanpakutou out ready to join the battle. Naruto shook his head and grunted as he felt the sharp blade cut through his skin, "No, please! He…he is mine!"
And just as the words left his mouth the shinigami stopped, hesitating at first but accepting the request. Gaara smirked, twitching his wrist to the side he slashed to the left, Naruto had enough time to parry and just at that moment it happened.
It was a flash of images. Some feelings of pain and rejection but those weren't Naruto's. He frowned, moving to kick Gaara as he lifted his sword and let it fall down. Again there was a flash, this one longer and with a more defined image. A pretty young boy, a teddy bear and a ball. Kids laughing, a man with a kunai ready to kill.
"What the hell…?" Naruto moved backwards dodging the sandy blade over and over. Looking in front of him he saw Gaara restless with an unreadable expression on his eyes while his mask seemed to be cracking.
Naruto blinked for a moment before striking again, trying to make contact with Gaara's sword and just like that he saw it again. A man protecting a group of kids. Sand getting ready to protect and to attack. Loneliness, sadness…desperation.
It's an echo, Naruto. But…but it is not possible!
'Why?' Asked Naruto as he saw another flash of memories and sensations go through him. 'Why isn't it possible? Are those Gaara's memories?'
Yes, they are. But it is not possible because…he doesn't have a Zanpakutou. His blade is just made of sand, not of soul particles like me. There isn't a Zanpakutou spirit there…
'But there is something, right? He is a Jinchuuriki after all.'
Naruto was so distracted discussing the events with Raikaze he never noticed the sand under his feet or the one nearing him for both sides. It was too late as he felt Raikaze slip from his hand the moment the sand closed around him in a deathly grip.
The sand was closing on him, the roughness scratching the skin exposed of his body. Naruto coughed as some of the sand started filling his nose and mouth. He was trapped, the connection with Ryuujin had been blocked for some reason and he was getting desperate.
You idiot! I told you…
'Oh, shut up! I have some problems at the moment.'
Ugh, this is not going to happen again if I can help it.
'What are you talking about?'
But as soon as Naruto asked the question he felt a warm, tingling sensation filling up his body. From the seal on his stomach to his whole body making him gleam in a red light.
Now, use my gift wisely, Shinigami.
And Naruto did.
He couldn't explain how or why but the next thing he knew the sand around him exploded and there was a long and blinding explosion coming from the spot he was in. Gaara looked at him wide eyed before he too started gleaming; his light however was a mixture of yellow and black.
"Finally, you came to play, Kyuubi." Naruto's eyes narrowed and he was about to clarify to Gaara he wasn't the Kyuubi when the young man made a weird hand sign. "Now let us play to the dead."
No! Don't let him finish the jutsu! Stop him!
But it was already too late.
Gaara's eyes closed completely and Naruto felt a sudden pressure that was far greater to the ones he was used to. He kneeled as his eyes watched in horror the boy in front of him transformed.
Gaara was certainly not Gaara anymore. In its place was a huge sand-shape monster, resembling a kind of raccoon in two feet, its tail was destroying the trees behind it. But the face was what had Naruto's inner alarm in overdrive. It was, without a doubt, a Hollow mask.
It was completely white but it also had traces of sandy color in it. He had almond eyes and black sclera containing yellow irises. Its pupils had the shape of a four-pointed star and they were void of any kind of emotion, except from the small glint of malice looking down at Naruto.
Eh…Master, I think we have a huge problem. Said lamely Ryuujin getting once again in contact with Naruto.
No? Really? What was your first clue? Commented Kyuubi rolling his eyes, his chakra still pouring in a controlled manner over Naruto's body.
Naruto didn't have the time to answer the spirits inside him as Shukaku launched his first attack, hitting it straight in his chest and sending him flying to the nearest tree.
Blood poured out of Naruto's mouth as his body collapsed causing him to almost lose consciousness.
Naruto! Naruto…are you okay?
"Y-yeah…ugh…" Naruto stood up trembling, wiping away the blood from his mouth. He moved away as another foot almost fell down the place he had been moments before.
The blonde shinobi was well aware he was moving slowly and even using Shunpo wasn't enough. He needed to do something quick…but he was small…he needed to…
Wake the host
'What?'
The boy. Shukaku's host. He made his host go to sleep so he could get out. Wake him up and you'll be able to defeat him.
'Great idea. Where the hell is Gaara?'
But not soon after he had asked, Naruto saw a small, almost unnoticeable figure at the top of Shukaku's head. His eyes went wide in realization as he tried to climb up the trees, but even like that he couldn't get close enough.
Are you stupid?
Hey! He is not stupid!
You can summon the toad! Remember!
Naruto stopped dead in his tracks as he remembered what Jiraiya had taught him. Of course, the Toad Contract!
"Kuchijose no jutsu!" Naruto invoked the Toad boss. He felt himself being lift up in the air.
"Jiraiya! You better have a good…" the toad boss trailed off looking in front of him at the one-tailed demon. "Shukaku? What the hell is happening?"
"He went to sleep! There is an invasion going on and I need your help!" screamed out Naruto as Gamabunta's eyes looked up at the blonde over his head.
"An invasion? You summoned me." Naruto nodded his head as Gamabunta fixated his eyes on the demon in front of him. "I see. It was stupid of you to call me without knowing if I was going to help." Naruto gulped and he was about to explain when Gamabunta stopped him. "However, my kids seem to think you're a good person and besides…I owed this to an old friend of mine."
"Thank you! Now, let's stop Gaara from destroying everything."
Down in the forest Ichinose made sure the three humans were out of harm's way. He took the funny dress man with make-up to the place where the two blonde women were resting. The young man was moaning in pain and his eyes were unfocused as they watched Ichinose. Not that the human could actually see him, but still.
"Y-you…you save me" the voice startled him, making him draw the sword and point it to the source. Ichinose could not conceal his surprise as the young woman, the one who had been trapped under the red-head's sand, spoke and looked directly at him.
"You can see me? Th-that's impossible! You're a human!"
Yugito cracked up a smile shaking her head, "Yeah, I can see you. Not that difficult to do, but I'm not sure who or what you are."
Ichinose tilted his head ashamed to let those imprudent words out of his mouth. He stood up and went to the girl, kneeling in front of her to see her wounds. "I'm not allowed to speak."
"Ah, I see. But you did save me, right?" The man nodded his head and Yugito frowned as she looked up and saw not only a big toad but a huge raccoon. "Naruto. Gaara."
There was a silence between them only filled by the sounds of the battle going on a few feet away from them. Yugito stood up with some difficulty, readying herself to join the battle until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to look inside the man's eyes. He was eying her seriously and his face was expressionless as he spoke.
"The boy, Naruto, he wanted me to keep you safe." Was all he said and Yugito smiled at him.
"They are…I need to help them…"
"No, your safety seems to be very important to Naruto-san." Ichinose seemed really serious about it and Yugito finally let her shoulders drop as her gaze followed every movement of the two Jinchuuriki.
"Idiots." Was all she said as she felt another surge of strong spiritual power. Neither of them noticed Temari waking up or the confused frown on her face as she wondered who the other girl was talking to.
"This isn't working. I need to get to Gaara now!" Gamabunta grunted as he tried to stop another punch coming from Shukaku. The demon was laughing like a maniac sputtering nonsense while Naruto and Gamabunta wondered what to do.
"I need claws or fangs to stop Shukaku long enough."
Naruto blinked confused for a moment before he felt the surge of chakra coming from Kyuubi. Then his eyes lit up as he understood the message.
"Consider it done, Boss!" Gamabunta snickered as he felt Naruto getting ready to give him claws and fangs. The Sand Waterfall Funeral Shukaku had just created was getting closer on them the moment Naruto screamed out.
"Konbi Henge!"
A transformed Gamabunta made his apparition through the sand launching himself at Shukaku who was frozen in surprise. There was a guttural scream coming from the demon the moment Gamabunta, now looking like the Kyuubi, closed its mouth around Shukaku's neck, its claws firmly placed on his chest and arm.
Gamabunta didn't need to say anything to Naruto who jumped immediately and moved at Shunpo speed towards Gaara.
"Gaara!. Gaara, wake up!" he exclaimed as he ready his arm and threw a hard punch towards Gaara's jaw.
The punch to his face was enough to wake Gaara, it came like a jolt of electricity through his body. Those aquamarine eyes were back, confusion was quite evident on his face and the sand around them stopped just before it let gravity dragged it down. The red head locked his eyes with Naruto's blue ones, he tried to fight again but his attempts to punch Naruto ended up in another flash filled with painful memories that pierced through his very soul.
Pain.
Loneliness.
Desperation.
As they fell down, Gaara hated the emotions piercing through his flesh and soul, the pain he had longed to forget but that seemed to be always present. Sabaku no Gaara knew he was falling, the sand did not have any will of its own for Gaara and the demon were completely drained of any strength to save themselves. To save himself. Not that he wanted to.
"GAARA!"
Naruto screamed, stretching out his hand ready to grab the redhead who blinked confused. But it was useless as Naruto's own summoning had just vanished leaving both of them falling at a fast speed towards the ground.
Naruto from his part didn't count with Gamabunta to just vanish and leave them in this situation. The blonde felt drained. Totally tired after the fight, not only with Gaara but also with Neji. He couldn't fight anymore…and now that he thought about it, that the memories were coming back, he wasn't sure he wanted to keep fighting Gaara.
Yugito stood right beside Ichinose, she had observed quite fascinated as Naruto brought a summon. The great Gamabunta, the toad summon rumoured to only obey Jiraiyaof the Sannin and the Yondaime Hokage. The girl smiled, Naruto certainly was something else.
Fear and apprehension filled her mind as she saw the fight unfold before her eyes, and she couldn't help but worry for the blond who was ready to sacrifice his life for her. And that now apparently was ready to sacrifice his life for Gaara's. Now there was no more doubt in her mind that Uzumaki Naruto was really the descendant of the Uzukage, and that she needed to help not only him but also Gaara. They were family, after all.
Yugao gasped, leaning forward.
Just as the fight had started, it had finished. She followed Naruto with her eyes, the punch he landed on Gaara and then the sudden disappearance of the demon and the toad. Sand was falling like rain and there, in the distance Gaara and Naruto were falling without anything or anyone to prevent a certain death.
Moving out of instinct she threw herself in their aid, behind her she was aware of the man with black clothes following her, moving even faster and readying himself to catch…Naruto.
With a look of determination she went left ready to catch Gaara. They arrived just in time; the man was very graceful catching Naruto and putting him on the ground. Yugito wasn't so graceful. Though she did catch Gaara and at least she did soften the fall from Gaara when the boy crashed against her and not directly to the ground.
"Ugh." Yugito saw as Gaara rolled to the side, eyes barely open. There was blood on his lip and he had quite a bruise on his eye. His whole body seemed incapable of movement as he laid there looking at the blue sky.
Ichinose made sure the young Master was okay before he turned his cold eyes to the redhead. The boy who had exploded with such an intense and abnormal spiritual pressure that resembled a Hollow. Without a doubt he was a threat, whatever the kid was it was a creature that could not live.
With determination, Ichino unsheathed his zanpakutou ready to finish what his Master had started.
Naruto, you better wake up and stop the shinigami.
With some difficulty Naruto opened his eyes. He let out a moan of pain, turning on his side he tried to incorporate. His gaze fell on the figure of the Shinigami that was coming closer to Gaara. At the other side, Yugito stood up guessing the intentions of the man she placed herself between the red head and the stranger.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked in a very menacing tone as her hand moved fast towards her kunai holster.
"The boy. He is not a boy at all. I dare say he isn't even human." Was all Ichinose said. Not really caring for the glint of hurt that went through, not only Gaara's but also Yugito's and Naruto's eyes.
"If… If you tried something against him…" Ichinose turned surprised as he saw Naruto standing up, trembling under the pain and exhaustion, he started moving forward. "You… You have to go through me…"
"And me." Said Yugito smiling at Naruto. Behind her she could hear the gasp coming from the red-head.
"But…Uzumaki-sama, you don't understand," Ichinose started, following with his eyes the staggering form of Naruto who walked past him just to stand right beside Yugito giving his back to Ichinose and locking his eyes with Gaara's.
"No…you don't understand…he…Gaara…" Naruto could barely speak, let alone stand up. His body was trembling and there was blood all over his face and left shoulder.
Gaara swallowed down, unable to look away from Naruto, the blond broke into a tired smile. A gentle gesture that made Gaara stirred painfully, as if something inside him had been broken and a bubble of hope had grown in his mind.
"Gaara…he is a friend." Nartuo finally said, voice firm giving no room for an argument. "He is family."
"A friend? Family? You just fought with him, Sir." Ichinose's hand was moving anxiously around his Zanpakutou, his confusion was visible in his face as he saw the stubbornness in his young Master's face. Why was he protecting a creature that was clearly a hollow in disguise? That almost killed him and the ones around him?
"Yeah…he was a …misunderstood friend." Yugito snorted at the lame explanation while Naruto chuckled weakly before sitting heavily beside Gaara.
There was a long silence after that; a last glance of doubt coming from Ichinose before the man put the Zanpakutou away. "If you're sure, Sir."
Naruto nodded his head as he turned to Yugito, "are you okay?"
"Yeah, nothing that a good night's sleep or some milk with tuna can't solve."
"Right, how about you, Gaara?" The boy in question frowned and turned his aquamarine eyes to Naruto.
The blonde Genin couldn't forget the images. The echo of the memories that were replaying over and over inside his head. The boy, a ball, the rejection, the treason…so much blood. Being raised in fear and loneliness, being treated as a weapon and nothing more. There wasn't love; there wasn't friendship or anything of the sorts. Only hate, revenge and death.
They weren't so different after all.
Gaara was what Naruto could have been if Yoruichi, Yugao, Kyouraku, Nanao and Team 7 weren't there.
"I…tried to kill you." His voice wasn't filled with the same contempt he had held before. Now, there was only confusion and hurt .
"I almost succeeded. I wanted to hurt you…I am a monster." Gaara tilted his head looking directly into Naruto's eyes. "Why?" Why do you want to be my friend? Why did you forgive my life?
Naruto shrugged, moaning painfully as he did so. "Why not? You…you're not different from me. It was thanks to my precious people that I stand before you the way I am."
"Precious people?" Confusion that made Naruto grimaced at how foreign it felt the word in Gaara's lips.
"Family. Friends. They hold my sanity, if it hadn't been for them…" Naruto lowered his gaze and there was a bitter smile on his face. "There is always a chance to change. To set right any wrongs you have done. And you won't be alone this time. You too have family and friends, Gaara."
Gaara remained silent, his thoughts going over Naruto's words. He could hear Shukaku, he was still there and yet…His eyes turned to glance at Naruto and Yugito, further down he saw the form of Temari and Kankuro standing up and moving towards him.
Uzumaki Naruto was certainly…curious and had shared with him something he still didn't understand but that made him feel warm inside.
"I'm sorry." Gaara finally whispered, Naruto merely grinned and Yugito sat right beside them smiling at Gaara then at Naruto.
"You two are idiots." She mumbled, shaking her head. "Men."
Gaara furrowed his brows in confusion, Naruto chuckled, placing his hand right on top of Gaara's one. The red head felt light, his heart was not hurting like before, and Shukaku was not whispering inside his head. He glanced at Naruto, then at Yugito and finally at his siblings.
It would take time but he thought he could do it. Family. Friends.
Sasuke had watched the fight, had followed (or tried to) every move as the forces of the two ninja collided against each other. Power like this was something Sasuke had never seen. Was this what a Sannin promised to his/her student? This was the power Orochimaru was offering him?
He saw as Naruto free himself, the damned sword in his hand. Matching every move the red-head made and finally he saw the summoning, he watched as Naruto transformed a huge toad into the Nine Tailed Fox.
Hidden away he saw it all and, while a part of him felt betrayal and hurt at Naruto for not telling him about this. For not sharing with him some of this power, some other part felt jealous and greedy to obtain the same power as Naruto. To be able to stand before a demon and come out as the victor.
"Are you convinced yet?" Kimimaru's voice was soft and calm. He was talking close to Sasuke's ear. "I didn't lie to you, Uchiha-san. Like you saw, this is the power of a Sannin and…Orochimaru-sama is way powerful, even more so than Jiraiya-sama."
There was a sudden discomfort coming from Kimimaru's Cursed Sealed. The young man frowned as he felt the tug of the call coming from the others. The Sound Four were in trouble and if they were in trouble…
"Orochimaru-sama." He turned his attention back to Sasuke who had his hands closed into tight fists, drawing blood from his palms. "You'll be given two weeks…only two weeks to make a decision."
"What happens if I accept?"
"You'll be given your heart's desire."
"And what if I decide I don't want it?" Kimimaru chuckled.
"Oh, I know you'll accept it all right."
And with those parting words Kimimaru left. Sasuke stood there watching as Naruto seemed to be talking with the Sand-nin. Taking a deep, calming breath Sasuke decided to come out of the shadows.
"Naruto!" The blonde lifted his head, a huge grin appearing as he tried to wave.
"Sasuke! What are you doing here?"
Sasuke scowled as he neared the group, no sooner had he arrived he saw as the oldest of the sand siblings got ready to fight. "I came here to help you and to capture these three."
"Kankuro, Temari back off."
"But Gaara…"
"Do it."
Naruto tried to stand up while Ichinose turned his eyes to the newcomer. The boy had moved past him, which only reassured Ichinose that he wasn't able to see him, his eyes turned however to Naruto's…companions. The blond girl and the red-head. They could see him, why? What was it about them that made them capable of seeing a shinigami?
"Naruto, Kakashi sent me to help you out. Since you didn't seem to have any trouble, I have to take them into custody."
"No." Naruto's declaration caught not only Sasuke but the others by surprise. "Sasuke, please they…"
Naruto didn't have the chance to finish his sentence as the last of his forces left him. His eyes rolled back, and he almost fell to the ground if it hadn't been for Yugito's arms around him. Sasuke's lips lifted lightly as he moved closer to the others. All of them tense, expectant as to what the Uchiha was going to do.
"Idiot. I can't pretty well capture three Sand shinobi if I'm all alone, now can I?" his black eyes moved from one sibling to the other before he continued. "The dunderhead must have seen something no one else could. I'm not as noble as him, so you better go before I tell the first high ranking ninjas where you are."
Kankuro and Temari were shocked but didn't lose any time. As soon as they saw Sasuke leave with Naruto, they grabbed their little brother and left.
The surprises of the oldest of the sand siblings weren't over because a few minutes later they heard Gaara addressed each one of them before apologizing sincerely to them. Life had certainly changed. And only time would tell if it had changed for good …or not.
The city in itself was a busy one.
It was filled with different kinds of business men and women moving around all day. Downtown, the city was filled with the best bars or Tea Houses the merchants like to occupy for long periods of time.
At the moment the city was buzzing with gossip after a young woman with her very old grandmother arrived telling every ear available about the surprise attack on the ninja village of Konoha.
"…A disaster! It's the Fourth Shinobi War!"
Rumours like this one spread all around the city and the nearest towns and it was probably the battle would be over before it reached the frontiers with the other Elemental Nations. Inside one of the most secretive Tea Houses, two men in black with red clouds kept drinking their beverages in all calmness. Never once stopping as the rumours reached their ears.
"One order of onigiri. Anything else?" The younger of the two waved his hand dismissively and the woman left as quickly as she had come.
"So, what do you think? It seems Konoha needs a new Hokage."
The hand that had been playing with one of the onigiri inside the basket stopped and the young man lifted his gaze from the table to look at his companion. Nukenin, Hoshigaki Kisame, shivered under the red stare of Uchiha Itachi.
"I think Konoha is finally ready to see my return."
Uzumaki Kushina stood proudly on the balcony of the hotel, her gaze sweeping through the street in front of her. She had seen the young man running down the street and entering the hotel in which she and the others were staying. Moments later she felt the insistent knock at her door, frowning, she turned towards the door opening it and glaring at the young man for his hastiness.
"What is it?" The young man lowered his eyes and was biting his lip nervously as he extended a small note to Kushina.
"Ma'am, the invasion has been a failure. Orochimaru and the Sand are retreating." The young man stopped before continuing. "However…however, the Third Hokage is dead."
Kushina's eyes were focused on the note in her hand. She knew this handwriting and her eyes narrowed even more as she took in the meaning of the words.
Sarutobi is dead. Konoha needs a new Hokage and Akatsuki is on the move. Ready to capture the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, Uzumaki Naruto.
Weasel