Disclaimer: Well, i have a little sasuke doll sitting next to me- does that count? No...oh well, i'll just have to send my army of squirells after you then...until then, don't own.

A/N- okay- this is the second last chapter of Whisper! wow... I've been working on this for like...two years? go figure. so i'd just like to thank everyone for reviewing and ask you to please not kill me at the end of this chapter, because there is another chapter after this one...and i won't be able to write it if i'm dead. reviews are love!

Tsunade stared out the window, watching the sun set. It was an angry red, never a good sign.

"Lady Hokage?" She didn't turn to acknowledge the person that had entered the room, just tilted her head slightly in an invitation to come stand next to her. The slender woman joined her, eyes studying her face before turning out to the sight before them.

"There has been bloodshed." Tsunade stated wisely. It made her stomach twist uncomfortably. She was worried, very worried about the Konoha group.

"There's no news from Kakashi-sensei's team." Shizune informed her quietly. Of course there wasn't, she thought sourly. That would give them some hope and hope was a dangerous thing. It seemed the heavens didn't want to get her hopes up. "Should we send out a scout? Or a team of Anbu?"

"No." It came out harsher than she had intended. The Anbu were good, very good, but she had sent out a team already and their resources were stretched as it was. She may not have hope for the situation, but she did have faith that the blonde brat would never give up.

This was all giving her a headache, she decided, turning from the window and slowly returning to her desk. There were stacks of paperwork that reached the ceiling, an exaggeration of course but not by much. She could burry herself in the work for awhile, maybe forget her fears, if only for a moment. But first…

"I'm going to need more sake."

YyYyYyYyYyYyYyYyY

Kakashi jerked as Naruto disappeared, reaching out quickly to catch Iruka as he slumped to the floor, no longer supported by the blonde. The chunnin was cold, and it was only the faint rise and fall of his chest that reassured Kakashi that he hadn't lost Iruka.

He felt frozen, a feeling he had thought that he had finally rid himself of. Cold with rage and the need for revenge; Iruka was the light in his darkness, the harsh life of a ninja hadn't soiled his soul and heart like so many. No one had the right to do this to this man.

But underneath the cold, emotions warred. Worry fought anger and fear for control.

It worried him; he couldn't sense Naruto's chakra anymore, all he could feel was the twisted mess it had become. It was animalistic, Naruto a brief shred of who he had been moments before. He didn't know what had happened, or how it had happened but Naruto was no longer Naruto.

The sounds of the battle quieted suddenly, like everyone was holding a collective breath. They could sense it to, then. And they were confused, scared.

The aura was demonic and out for blood. It bled into the air itself, a red haze surrounding them. Goosebumps rose on his arms, the hair on the back of his neck standing straight up. The urge to run, to get everyone out crept up on him, but he viciously shoved it away. He needed to stop this, but he couldn't just leave Iruka. He wouldn't.

Then the silence was shattered. He felt them before he spotted them, a fresh wave of ninja, desperate to break the circle, to throw them into chaos. They were unfocused, no longer working as group, but as individuals. The change in the atmosphere was confusing them, scaring them. The united front had broken.

He gathered Iruka into his arms, murmuring soothing words at the groan it elicited from the unconscious man and just as the enemy nin broke through, he disappeared into a puff of smoke.

The cool air from outside was a stark contrast. It was silent, far enough away from the battle inside that there were no sounds aside from that of the night. It felt surreal, as though he had temporarily gone deaf. The sun had almost set a sliver of light on the horizon. He didn't want to do this, but he had run out of options. With a series of quick hand movements, he created two clones and summoned some of his most loyal nin dogs.

"Stay here and watch Iruka." Kakashi instructed them, he trusted him with his life, but more importantly he trusted them with Iruka's life. "Do not let anything happen to him." He made sure they understood, kneeling down and propping Iruka against a tree, then reached into the vest, covered with drying blood and pulled out the small emergency blanket, laying it over the chunnin.

"Be safe, 'Ruka." He whispered, brushing a stray strand of hair back from the tanned face. He didn't want to leave Iruka there, it was killing him to do so but it was safer for him, for the moment at least. He wouldn't let anything happen to the chunnin.

He stood, taking one last look at the unconscious man, the man that had somehow found the heart that he hadn't been sure he still had and captured it and then disappeared in another puff of smoke.

DdDdDdDdDdDdDdDdD

Naruto was out of control. Sasuke watched as the blonde ran on all fours, tearing up hard stone as he went with razor sharp claws and attacked everything in his path. He wasn't sure what to do. Red eyes had looked at him with no sign of recognition, just fury and something darker he couldn't identify.

He was headed straight for Shikamaru, Sasuke realized with horror. Naruto pushed past where Moon was unsteadily climbing to her feet, and right to where Shikamaru stood, fighting another enemy nin. He wouldn't notice until it was too late.

"Naruto!" Ino had noticed the change. Had sensed the demonic aura and realized that it that now surrounded their friend. The blonde ninja ran at Naruto before he could attack, crashing into him and sending them both sailing across the room.

"Ino!" Shikamaru yelled, attention torn from the battle in front of him to where the two blondes lay in a twisting, fighting heap. Naruto couldn't control whatever had come over him that much was for sure. If he couldn't determine the difference between friend and enemy- they would have to help him; and hope that whatever it was went away.

Sasuke darted across the room, intent on pulling the two apart. He sprung to the side just in time as a pillar of stone rose up in front of him, blocking his path. There was a quiet chuckle from behind him that chilled him, and filled him with rage at the same time.

"I was going to destroy him first," Moon appeared along side him, watching as Naruto and Ino continued to fight. "But he seems to be doing quite a good job of destroying himself and all of your little friends with him."

Sasuke felt his blood boil.

She easily dodged his punch, but he had been expecting that, going for her legs at the same time he slipped a kunai into his hand. The weapon slashed at her arm, leaving a shallow cut as she threw herself out of the way.

"I won't let you hurt anyone else." He promised quietly, easing the death like grip he held on the weapon, but just barely. "You will not make it out of here alive." He expected her to laugh, to mock him and tell him that he was delusional. He wasn't prepared for the cold smile on her face.

"I was not planning on leaving." There was something off about Moon, something that he hadn't noticed before. Now he was paying for it. Her eyes, they were hollow- dead. There was no spark, no life. She truly believed she would not be leaving there. "But I will not let you leave either."

Sasuke felt the breath in his body leave him suddenly as a great force hit him. They tumbled, the hard stone and broken rock scratching at his skin as he fought the vice grip that the ninja had on him.

They rolled to a stop, Sasuke face down with a heavy weight on his back, pinning him. Sharp nails dug into his shoulders, through his clothes as he fought; bucked, trying to throw whoever it was off.

"Perhaps I should just put this animal down first." The cold laughter came from a ways off, but he already knew that it wasn't Moon he was fighting at the moment. He would know Naruto anywhere.

"Naruto!" He wrenched an arm free, reaching behind him and grabbing one of the blondes ankles and pulled, trying to dislodge him. The nails dug in deeper. "Naruto- it's me!"

Then the weight disappeared suddenly, allowing him to scramble to his feet. The blonde's attention was no longer on him, focused instead on the swarm of insects and the person at the center of them.

Shino's armor was torn and bloody, but he stood there calmly, waiting for Naruto to make the first move.

He didn't have to wait long, as the blonde lunged, claws extended with a howl. Sasuke tried to get to them, only to find his way blocked by another enemy nin. He was large, bulging muscles and a scar down the side of his face; Sasuke dealt with him in seconds, using the man's body mass against him and continuing on. Naruto lashed out, knocking Shino off balance and then again, slicing through armor to skin and muscle and blood.

Kiba blocked Naruto's next attack, fangs bared as he placed himself between Naruto and where Shino kneeled on the floor, recovering from the wound. Sasuke used the distraction to join the fight, grabbing Naruto from behind and holding on.

"Dobe! Wake up!" He hissed, feeling his grip loosen as Naruto flailed. And then Naruto was no longer in his hold, the blonde backing away, and growling low in his throat as he glared at them.

Too focused in his anger, Naruto completely missed the ninja behind him until it was too late.

CcCcCcCcCcCcCcCcCcC

Sakura was a healer. That meant that she had a sworn duty to protect lives, to give second chances and to do the impossible every day. She was quickly becoming one of the best healer nin's around, under the direction of Lady Tsunade. She had never pictured herself as becoming a healer nin, she had never really thought of her future when she had been younger. It had always consisted of marrying Sasuke and having a large family that was the envy of everyone in town.

She had grown out of those fantasies. She was seeing someone back in the village, had gained the respect of her peers in her work and even led her own team on missions on occasion. She didn't really miss the old fantasies at all.

Sakura was a healer- she also had a mean temper and an amazing right hook.

Naruto stumbled under her punch, a dazed and confused look in his eyes as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. His eyes were red, like blood. The Naruto she knew was no longer there, she was going to have to get him back.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Kiba gather Shino up and take him away from the fight; somewhere he would be safe until she could heal him. There wasn't too much blood, especially for a stomach wound so she wasn't too worried. She did a quick inventory of the wounds Sasuke, Kiba and Naruto were sporting. Sasuke's shoulder worried her a bit, but he seemed to be able to use it a bit and she didn't have the time to check it over. It would have to wait.

"Uzumaki Naruto!" Sakura yelled, putting anger behind her words, hoping for some recognition. She got none. "Naruto, you idiot!"

He swiped at her, long claws flashing dangerously, but she wasn't afraid. She caught his hand and twisted, flipping him over her shoulder.

"Wake up right now!" She had spent the past three years by his side, joking with him, fighting with him, alongside him, he had been there when she was sick, when her mother had died- there was no one that knew her better. She had been there when the wounds were still raw from Sasuke's leaving; she had seen him at his best and worst- she didn't know how to be afraid of him. He was her best friend.

She was going to get through to him.

"I swear to god, I'll never buy you ramen again if you don't snap out of this." Still nothing. Sakura glanced over, noticing how Sasuke still stood by her side, watching, unsure of what to do. "Well?" She demanded, catching his attention. "Help me out here!"

The unsure look was replaced; Sakura nearly stumbled at the familiar smirk, one she hadn't seen in years and had missed. Maybe they had a chance.

"Dobe." Sasuke growled, taking a step forwards and then another. Sakura copied the movements, getting closer to Naruto; she held out her hands, placating a terrified animal.

The pillar of stone startled them all. It rose out of the ground, blocking them from Naruto and forcing them to stumble backwards.

"It's very touching but we have some unfinished business." Sakura was not in the mood. The next pillar of earth, one that rose up right where she had been standing a moment before shattered under her fist. Moon had chosen the wrong girl to mess with.

She spun, lashing out at the lunatic that had started it all, feeling her fist barely miss its target.

"Why don't you stay out of it?" Sakura challenged, ducking the rock that was aimed at her head.

"I think not." She lunged, aiming punch after punch, landing one that had Moon stumbling back a pace. It renewed her spirits. She was only human, and humans could be hurt.

A howl lit up the air, demonic, inhuman- raising the hairs on the back of her neck and it was coming from Naruto. The blonde charged and she jumped out of the way, watching as he sped up until he was a blur, a dangerous, furious blur.

Moon actually faltered for a moment, then regained her footing as the two crashed together in an explosion that forced her further away.
A hand found her arm in the dust, pulling her in one direction. She didn't fight it, sensing exactly who it was and allowed herself to be led. Then the dirt and dust cleared and she could see the fight.

Moon was struggling and Naruto held the advantage. Her face was covered in gashes, her neck similar and her body armor wasn't going to hold up much longer. Naruto was a whirlwind of energy, of anger, of something she couldn't describe. Then with tremendous strength, Moon finally pushed Naruto away, sagging a bit as she did so.

Sasuke's hand left her arm as he took a step forwards, towards the blonde. He froze when Naruto instantly went on the defensive; the blonde eyed them and Moon, looking like he would bolt or attack at any moment.

Sakura made a decision, steeled herself and stepped forwards. Naruto growled, more focused on her now, but she kept going, a slow, and steady pace and Naruto for the most part let her.

"Naruto- it's just me." She coaxed, stopping a few feet from him and dropping to a crouch. "It's just me, Sakura. You know the one that yells at you for your dirty laundry and buys you ramen for dinner and whose hair you accidentally dyed orange." The growling stopped as red eyes seemed to light a bit. She may have been imagining it, but maybe they were getting through.

And then Moon screwed it up. The kunai dug into Naruto's side as he turned, sensing the attack a split second too late. It left a long scratch up his side, knocking part of his armor off and staining his clothes crimson. He howled in pain, scratching a deep gash in the hand that held the kunai.

"Naruto!" Sasuke tried to get closer, but Naruto knocked him away like a rag doll, then turned and leapt at Moon.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The little brat- whatever he did to himself it had made him stronger. She could feel the blood running down her face, a brief distraction. He would suffer and die, she would make sure of it. Her own life didn't matter; so long as Sasuke suffered and she was the one to kill him, she would be content. Finally at peace.

Moon felt her footing begin to give as the demon continued his assault. He was strong and fast, but she wasn't ready to go yet. She would not lose to him.

Naruto's friends were yelling, trying to catch his attention, she didn't know why. They were murderers; she would have thought they would want him to kill her. They killed innocent men, men who weren't even ninjas and could not protect themselves. They killed the man she loved. But it didn't matter because as soon as Sasuke was dead and she saw the life seep from his eyes, she would be with him again.

It was time to put the puppy down.

KkKkKkKkKkKkKkKkK

His side burned. It was a nagging distraction, one he did not need. The world was hazy- he wasn't sure where he was, just that there was danger all around. Different levels of energy and they were driving him crazy.

The woman before him, there was a lot of energy in her; he wanted to snuff it out. He wanted it to go away, so he would make it go away. There were others. They surrounded him and yelled things at him but he didn't know what they were saying. He couldn't trust them, they reached out to hurt him, to snuff him out like the energy around, but he backed away, he wouldn't let them get him.

A girl, pink hair, she had sat before him and had murmured things and he had listened, had tried to understand, she had almost had him. And her companion- a boy with hair like a ravens. His stomach twisted every time he looked at him. It was an odd feeling, he didn't understand it, didn't understand the pain he felt when they had been fighting. He tried to ignore it, but they stood out in his hazy mind.

He wanted blood. He could smell it, all around. It surrounded him, it clung to him and the stench was overwhelming.

The woman before him, she could command the earth, she was an enemy- she hurt him. She was covered in blood from so many people, it confused him, but underneath it all, he could smell her own blood and knew she was hurt.

He attacked, scratched and clawed and bit and she stumbled. He could feel her strength leaving her, but there was still a lot left. He wasn't sure why but she needed to be brought down.

His claws dug into soft skin, felt it break and bleed. An eye for an eye, blood for blood. His hands closed around a thin throat, squeezing as she gasped for breath. Her eyes were calm though, not frightened, he wanted to see the fear. He squeezed tighter, and there was a spark of fear.

"Naruto," A voice whispered in his ear. Naruto? Was that him? It couldn't be. He glanced around, but there was no one close by. The boy and girl remained looks of fear on their faces and something else. They were still trying to reach him, but he didn't understand them. "You are not a killer." He knew the voice.

He tried to remember, but it hurt his head. He dropped the woman, stumbling backwards as images of a man with brown hair, tied back and a scar on his nose filled his mind. He knew him, they were family?

He sunk to his knees, clutching his head, trying to stop the pain, trying to stop the disjointed memories.

The woman before him said something, her lips curling into a harsh smirk as she looked over his shoulder to someone else and then burning hot pain engulfed him. His hands fell from his head, as he gasped, the air suddenly torn from his lungs.

The woman stared at him, smiled at him, then he looked down, surprised to see the rock spear embedded in his stomach. There was screaming, noises too loud as other energies came closer. He couldn't support himself any longer as he tipped sideways and hit the ground, grunting as the rock shifted.

The yelling drew closer, it seemed like so long, but it couldn't have been more than a few seconds and then there were worried faces above him and he wondered distantly who was fighting the woman because he could feel her fighting, still.

"Naruto." Something wet dropped onto his face, it irritated him, but no more than the pain in his stomach. Dark, obsidian eyes stared back down at him, wet from…tears? "Dobe." The boy croaked out. A hand clutched his, warmth began to spread through him; the girl had her hands on his stomach, around the wound and the rock still stuck in it.

He looked back up, at the boy, saw his own eyes reflected there, purple in colour and Naruto woke up.

AaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaA

The building creaked and groaned as the floor shifted and moved. The earth rose up and tried to swallow him, but he blocked it easily. Moon had been weakened and he was not happy.

Gaara felt the sand filter through the rocks, seeking every opening that Moon had left and exploiting it. She was unsteady on her feet, blood loss and the beating Naruto and Sakura had inflicted taking their toll. It gave him an advantage.

Lee stood by, waiting for any sign that he would be needed, while watching Gaara's back for enemy nin. They made a good team, but this time Gaara needed to fight alone.

This woman was a threat, to everyone. She had hurt people he called friends, had harmed his family and all for revenge. It was petty and it fueled his anger. Still he kept his face a cold mask as he lifted his hands, feeling the sand rise with him and then pushed forwards with a crushing force.

The rock wall barely blocked the attack as sand got through and wrapped around her wrist. Debris rained down from the ceiling above, small pieces in a dust cloud. The building was structurally weak against their opposing forces.

Lee remained at his side though, a warm presence that gave him hope. Hope was a dangerous thing, he had not experienced it a lot in his lifetime, yet, it was a pleasant change. He knew he could count on Lee.

Naruto had been badly injured; he had taken over the fight so Sasuke and Sakura may attend to their friend. To his friend. The fight needed to be ended soon, more and more people were being injured, reflexes slowed from the long battle. He would be the one to end it.

Gaara pushed again, feeling the rock begin to break. More debris rained down from the ceiling and the walls as well this time. Lee flashed over his head, stopping a larger piece of rock from hitting him and losing his concentration.

Lee flashed him a bright smile, that warmed him and without losing his hold on the sand, he reached out, grabbing part of Lee's green suit and pulled him flush against him. Gaara kissed him, pressed all the feelings he could into it, all the feelings he wasn't sure he would ever be able to say. Pressed regret and love and loss and friendship and forever into the kiss and then pulled away. Confused eyes stared back at him, and then sharpened with realization.

Gaara spared some sand to carry Lee a distance away and hold him there. Then he turned back to Moon.

He knew what he had to do.

"Goodbye Lee."

MmMmMmMmMmMmMmMmM

Her hand was aching, a constant throbbing through her; she had been able to heal it a bit, but it was still broken. She had scratches and gouges from her brief fight with Naruto and was fairly certain that she had sprained her ankle. That was the least of her problems however.

The building was collapsing around them.

Gaara and Moons fight was causing the ceiling and walls to come down and if they didn't get out of there soon, they would be trapped.

"Shika!" She yelled. Shikamaru was by her side in an instant, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her out of the way of a large piece of debris. "We need to get everyone out of here."

"On it." He nodded, then disappeared from her side. Ino headed for where Sakura and Sasuke were crowded around Naruto. The path remained clear, the enemy nin apparently deciding to get the hell out of there while they still could.

"Sakura!" She dropped down next to them, swallowing down the nausea as she realized how badly Naruto was injured. Hazy blue eyes stared back. Blue. Naruto was back. "You need to get him out of here. The place is collapsing."

"I'll do it." Sasuke spoke up, pulling Naruto gently into his arms and disappearing in whirlwind.

"I'll help the others." They climbed to their feet and separate in different directions, Ino heading for Gaara, Sakura heading for Kankuro and Gai.

"Gaara!" The kazekage barely spared her a glance; she could see the perspiration beading his forehead and the tension in his thin frame. He was holding the place up, she realized. Moon was the one trying to bring it down and he was giving them time to get out. "Gaara?"

"Make Lee leave." His eyes flickered to hers briefly, pleading with her to make sure Lee made it out alive. To make Lee leave him there. "Make him leave. No matter what." Ino wanted to protest, to fight, and to tell him that he had to get out as well, that he had people to lead- that he had friends who needed him and loved him. "Please."

The whispered word broke her. Ino nodded, fighting back tears as she turned from Gaara. Kakashi was by her side in an instant, glancing over at Gaara, then back at her in understanding.

"Get Lee out of here." She whispered hoarsely, watching Lee across the room try to get free from the sand that held him, shouting for Gaara, tears streaming down his face. Gaara had made his choice; there would be no changing his mind.

Kakashi was gone a second later, grabbing Lee and disappearing. Hinata, Temari and Kankura had gotten out as well. She watched Kiba gather Shino up and hightail it through a once barred window. All that was left was Gai and herself. And Gaara.

Ino chanced one last look back at the sand ninja, at the man that had become her friend, the man that was a great leader, that had stolen Lee's heart and then Gai grabbed her around the waist and they were suddenly outside.

Hinata and Kankuro were holding Lee back, while Temari sat on the ground, tears streaming down her face. Ino had never seen her cry. Naruto lay on the ground, head resting in Sakura's lap as she worked on healing the still bleeding wound, Sasuke knelt by his side, whispering to him, Ino could see how pale Naruto was and knew that their chances were slim.

Kiba was crouched by a tree, Shino next to him as they bandaged the stomach wound Shino had received, Kakashi supporting an unconscious Iruka-sensei nearby. Someone came and stood next to him- Shikamaru. He pulled her close, an arm around her shoulders, sharing comfort. They were a sight for sore eyes. Battered and bruised.

And then with a deafening noise, the building collapsed in on itself, disappearing, sinking into the ground as sand rose up high into the air and then fell, blanketing the ground and erasing any sign that there had once been a building there. All that remained was a large field of sand.

And then the silence sunk in and she knew that Gaara was gone.

When my time comes

Forget the wrong that I've done

Help me leave behind some

Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me

And when you're feeling empty

Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest, Leave out all the rest.

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