Here it is. The final chapter of Gaara's Daybreak. I'm breathless, this is the end of this story (Plus it's my longest chapter, over 7000 words!) If you haven't left a review before, please tell me what you think. The only thing left for this is the bonus chapter: Sasayaki's Origin. Aaaaand maybe a teaser for my next story!
Disclaimer: I'm too psyched to be dumb, I don't own Naruto.
Gaara's daybreak
Gaara sat there by the campfire, staring into the flickering flames. Konan was sitting beside him, her head resting on his shoulder. Kirabi was leaning against a tree, his notebook in his hand & tapping a pencil against his knee to a beat in his head. Temari was already asleep, her fan laying to her side.
"It's hard to believe this is almost over." Gaara said, quietly.
"I wish there was another way." Konan replied, "I don't want you to face him."
"I'll be fine. Now the other Akatsuki members are out of my way, I have a clear path to him."
"But still, do you really think you have a chance of beating him?"
"Do you?"
Konan was silent for a moment, considering carefully.
"There really is no-one else, is there?" she asked.
"Madara believed I was the one to do this." Gaara replied, "That means I am the only one he could entrust this task to. This is the reason for my existence, this moment."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. But remember your promise."
Gaara smiled, "Once this is over, it's just you & me."
Konan smiled as well. That sounded nice.
"Gaara-san."
Gaara tensed. Konan felt it & looked up at him questioningly. He rolled back his sleeve & channelled chakra into his ring. He opened his eyes in a dark, unidentifiable room, the only visible thing being Deva realm, standing before him.
"You called me?" Gaara asked, bowing.
"Yes. With the deaths of Itachi & Kisame, there are only three of us left, we don't possess enough chakra to seal the Bijū. I need you to search for the lost rings, while Zetsu searches for new members."
"Very well. Is that all?"
"Our losses are too great & are occurring too quickly. There is a force working against us, one greater than Konoha. Keep your guard up, there's no telling what's going to happen."
Gaara bowed again, "I shall."
He opened his eyes, staring at the flickering flames of the fire. Konan was resting her head on his shoulder again.
"What did he say?" she asked.
"It seems he doesn't suspect me." Gaara replied, "But I can't be certain. It's very possible he'll be expecting us."
"So what's the plan?" Kirabi asked, leaning forward.
"There is a cathedral." Gaara replied, "Inside is a large statue. If we destroy it, the chakra rods will become useless & Pein's connections to his other bodies. That will force the Rikudō Sennin's soul out of Nagato's body & render him dead."
Konan shot up & stared at Gaara intently.
"Are you saying?" she asked, with begging hope.
"Yes. I can save Nagato."
Konan gaped, her eyes brimming with tears. She threw her arms around him, crying freely.
"Thank you Gaara." she whispered, gripping tightly, "Please, save him."
"I will." he promised, placing a hand on her back. He closed his eyes as he reached into his pocket & gripped the communication stone Madara had given him so long ago.
"This wasn't how you planned it." Gaara thought, "I know you hate them, but I have no choice."
"I hate myself for the way I've been feeling." Konan said, fresh tears forming in her eyes, "All this time I've been angry at Nagato, when it wasn't his fault. It was that damn Sennin!"
"You had no way of knowing." Gaara told her, putting his arm around her down.
"Yes I did!" Konan replied, her tears falling down her cheeks, "Nagato was so gentle, there was no way he could become someone like Pein!"
"When we save him, you can apologise." Gaara said in an attempt to calm hr
"Do you think there's any way he could forgive me?" she asked, uncertainly.
"If he's as kind as you say he is, then he probably doesn't blame you at all."
Konan was still holding him tight, even after sleep took her. He gently placed her on the ground & laid his cloak on top of her. He stood up & leant against a tree not far from where Kirabi was sitting.
"That's some woman you got there." Kirabi said, "You save this friend of hers & she'll be all ova' you!"
"That's not exactly my reason for doing this, but you're pretty much right." Gaara replied, "But taking Nagato into account, this battle will be harder if we have to consider his safety as well."
"Ain't that the same with every battle?"
"What I mean is that I don't know what will happen to him if we destroy the Gedō Mazō. It may kill him as well."
"Damn, that's right. Well then, what if you disable those 'chakra rods' you were talking 'bout?"
"I have already come up with a plan for that, but I don't want to use it because he may still be injured in the process."
"I don't think he'd mind injury, after what he's already gone through."
Gaara folded his arms, his brow furrowed.
"You may be right." he said. Kirabi smirked.
"What I rap comes from the soul baby." he said.
"Don't call me that."
"Sorry."
* * * * *
The sun appeared on the horizon, its brilliant light shining across the calming blue sky. Gaara watched the brilliant orb & smiled.
"I agree." he said. Slowly, his cloak changed in colour, the black background with red clouds completely disappearing. In its place, an image appeared, the same on the front as on the back. The image was of a mountainous landscape, with the summits reaching beyond the clouds. The centre of the mountains was split in the middle, with a river opening out to sea. And at the horizon, the sun was rising, fiery and red. But the ocean and river didn't reflect the colour of the sunlight, they instead shone with the white light of the moon. Outside this image was a beautiful blue sky, with white clouds strewn across it. The design was outlined by gold thread, making the cloak shine in the sunlight. Gaara felt tension within him release, for now he wore the true cloak of the Akatsuki, bearing the portrait of Madara's home.
"I like this better than the old one." Konan said, appearing by his side. She was wearing the same cloak as he was. Gaara smiled.
"This is what Madara wanted for us." he said, "A new dawn."
"You two look amazing." Temari said, strapping her fan onto her back. Gaara & Konan nodded in thanks.
"So we going then?" Kirabi asked, putting his notebook away.
"Yes, let's go." Gaara replied, walking off. He noticed how much lighter he felt now that he no longer wore that dark cloak. He was finally going to do it, to fulfil his destiny. As Konan walked beside him, he noticed how much more beautiful the cloak looked on her.
They walked miles to their destination, neither the two of them having their spirits dampened by the site of the mountain containing the Gedō Mazō. In fact, they felt glad of the site of it, they'd finally be able to put all this behind them.
Gaara blinked as he felt something in his right hand. Brow raised, he looked down at it. Those fingers… He looked up at Konan, who was smiling at him warmly.
"We're nearly there." she said, "Soon there will be nothing in our way."
"I can hardly wait." Gaara replied, squeezing her hand lightly, "But about Nagato…"
Konan's brow raised, "What is it?"
"There's no telling what condition he'll be in. he's been a prisoner of his own body for so long, he may have lost his mind."
Konan nodded sadly.
"Maybe, but he's my friend." she said, "He's gone through so much pain, I have to save him."
"We will." Gaara promised.
Temari walked beside Kirabi, looking at Gaara & Konan. She dropped her gaze to the ground.
"Huh, somethin' wrong?" Kirabi asked.
"My brothers have both managed to find someone to open up to." she said, sadly, "They don't need me any more."
Kirabi twitched nervously. This wasn't the kind of situation he was used to. Sure Samui, Karui & Omoi, his apprentices, were beginning to outgrow the need for him to protect them, but he still felt they needed him.
"Usually when it looks like they don't need you anymore, it's because you've given them all they can." he said, hoping he wasn't making this worse, "If you want them to always need you, then in it just becomes you needing them."
Temari nodded sadly, "I guess you're right."
"Damn straight I'm right." Kirabi replied, "Besides, pretty girl like you should have no problem finding someone who you'll need just as much as he needs you."
Temari looked away, "I don't really want to think about that."
"Oh? Sounds like you've been stung."
"… yeah, I guess you could say that."
Kirabi watched her with concern for a little longer before facing the road again.
"Yo Gaara-san! That the place?" he asked.
"Yes." Gaara replied, "This is where the Gedō Mazō is kept."
Konan squeezed Gaara's hand a little harder at the site of the entrance. They approached it slowly, noticing slight peculiarities in the landscape. A quick check with the Shukaku eye confirmed Gaara's fear.
"Damn." He growled, "He's in there."
"What does that mean?" Konan asked, worry etched on her face.
"He may know what we're planning." Gaara replied, "Either way, we're in for a fight."
"Against him?!" Konan exclaimed, "We don't stand a chance, he's never been defeated!"
"Don't worry, I have a plan." Gaara said with a look of determination, "Trust me."
Konan looked at him uncertainly for a moment. Then she nodded, swallowing her fear.
"Ok." she said, "Let's do this."
Gaara nodded at her, then turned to the boulder blocking the entrance. He pressed his hand against it & channelled his chakra into it. The boulder groaned as it rolled out of the way.
"Please wait out here." Gaara said, "I need you to keep an eye out for anyone who may turn up."
"Who are you expecting to come here?" Temari asked.
"Be ready for anything." he replied, "There's no telling how this may go."
With that, he & Konan entered the dark hallway.
Torches were lit along the walls, their eerie light casting shadows upon everything in view. The hallway seemed even longer this time around, their destination further away.
"So you've finally come." Pein's voice came from every angle, echoing across the walls.
"You've were expecting us?" Gaara asked, brow raised.
"Of course, you think I wouldn't know that my tower was broken into? The second you struck the water of dear Konan's prison, I knew who you were. You truly are Madara's apprentice, a manipulative fool."
"Manipulative? Yes. A fool? That's to be seen. But at least I don't cling to others like a parasite."
"A parasite? But that's exactly what you are. don't you realise that all humans are nothing but leeches, feeding off everything around them?"
"If that's the way you want to see it, fine. But you shouldn't speak down to people when you don't even know their capabilities. That leaves you vulnerable to your own arrogance."
"You think I have need to fear you?" Pein chuckled evilly, "For what reason should I fear a mere boy like yourself? What could you possibly do to me? Did you forget I am a god?"
"LIES!" Konan screamed, "Yahiko, you bastard! You tricked me!"
"Ah, Konan-chan, so you're here as well." Pein said, amusement clear in his voice, "But who is this Yahiko? You never knew him."
Pein laughed coldly.
"When my soul entered his body, I saw what he would be in time." he said, before growling, "He would be nothing!"
"You cruel son of a bitch!" Konan cried, tears falling down her face, "You were my friend, I loved you!"
"K-Konan?"
Konan froze.
"Nagato?" she called out, shock on her face.
"Konan…"
"NAGATO!" she screamed, running through the hall.
"Konan!" Gaara called, running after her. They burst out of the hallway & ran into the cathedral & froze.
"… Nagato-kun?" Konan whispered, her eyes wide in fear. Up ahead, on the once empty pedestal before the Gedō Mazō, stood a horrendous chunk of machinery, with cables & plugs wired into a skeletal figure. It was a young man, with dark red hair covering most of his gaunt face. Nagato looked up to them weakly, a look of pain in his eyes.
"Gaara… Konan…" he whispered, before yelling, "PLEASE, KILL ME!"
Gaara & Konan both stared in shock as they heard Nagato's request. He looked at them pleadingly, no hope at all in those Rinnegan eyes.
"Nagato…" Konan repeated looking at her old friend sadly.
"Nagato-san, we have no intention of ending your life." Gaara said, walking forwards, "We intend to give you your life back."
Nagato hung his head, "It can't be done."
"That's right."
Gaara stopped as another of Pein's bodies appeared beside Nagato, who didn't seem to even acknowledge the presence of. This pain had long, tied back hair & a chakra rod through his nose & attached to his cheek bones. This Pein smirked.
"This is my animal realm." he said, "More than fitting to stand before you creatures."
Gaara stared Pein in his eyes, seeing the evil inside. He took a couple more steps forward, facing his enemy.
"Pein, I have come here to put an end to your madness." he said, "If you surrender, then your next life may be peaceful."
Pein laughed again.
"Why would I need another life when I much prefer this one?" he asked.
"I see you've made your choice. Then words are pointless."
"Pointless? So you will succumb to your animalistic ways & attempt to kill me?" Pein asked, as if the idea was ridiculous, "Very well, I will allow you to indulge in your bestial urges."
He rolled back his sleeves & slammed his hand onto the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" he called. From nowhere, five other Pein's appeared, including Deva, the real Rikudō Sennin who took his place in the centre.
"So this is Pein Rikudō." Gaara noted, surveying the bodies with anger.
"For you to witness." Pein replied, casually waving a hand to his other bodies. They stared each other down, neither making the first move. Pein looked at Gaara with an amused smile on his face.
"Are you so in awe that you cannot move?" he asked. Gaara glared.
"If you are so confident in your abilities." he said, "Then why don't we fight in the old fashioned way?"
As he said this, he removed Sasayaki & unsheathed her blade, holding her challengingly as he looked at Pein.
"Oh? This is how you want to fight?" Pein asked, watching Gaara with interest, "All right, I suppose I could humour you for a while."
He descended the stairs confidently, smirking at Gaara. Behind him, animal realm summoned something & threw it. A large sword flew through the air spinning violently. Pein caught it without stopping or looking, grabbing the hilt with the blade behind him. He reached the bottom of the stairs & pulled the sword round & held it with one hand, the tip pointed at Gaara.
"Come then." he said. Gaara growled & dashed forward, Sasayaki held by his side. He reached Pein & thrust Sasayaki forward, aiming at his heart. But Pein blocked it easily, batting Sasayaki away & placing a small cut on Gaara's cheek with the tip of his sword.
"Hmph, is this all the strength you can muster?" Pein asked, tauntingly. Gaara leapt back & held Sasayaki in a defensive stance, awaiting Pein's next move. Pein didn't disappoint as he ran at Gaara, his expression unchanging as he brought his blade down on Gaara, who blocked it. But Pein didn't back off, continuing to push forward with his blade, resulting in a struggle.
"I must say, I'm disappointed." Pein told Gaara. In a smooth motion, he lifted the hilt of his sword & gave Gaara an identical cut to his other cheek, before leaping back. Gaara grunted in annoyance at his failure.
"He's toying with me." he thought, wiping away some blood, "But the preparations should be complete.
He raised his hand towards the Gedō Mazō & sand burst from the ground, flying in its direction. Pein looked back in surprise as he saw the statue become covered in sand.
"Sabaku Kyu!" Gaara cried, the sand obeying. The entire cathedral shook as the sand pulsed on the statue. But something was wrong, the sand fell away from the statue, which was completely undamaged. Pein slowly looked back to Gaara, a knowing smirk on his face.
"Did you really think something like that would work?" he asked, "The power of the chakra inside the Gedō Mazō radiates from itself, forming an indestructible shield around it. But in you doing that, am I to assume this little 'fight' was just a diversion? In that case…"
Pein rose his hand to Gaara.
"Banshō Ten'in." he called. Gaara's eyes widened in shock as he was lifted off his feet by some invisible force & hurled towards Pein. Before he could do anything to resist, Pein lifted his sword.
"GAARA!" Konan screamed. Gaara looked down at his stomach. Pein's blade was embedded deep in it, his blood pouring down the sword & dripping onto the floor. He looked back up at Pein, who was looking at him expressionlessly.
"Shinra Tensei." he said. Gaara was thrown back across the room, hit the floor & rolled across it a few times before stopping near Konan, who rushed to his side.
"Gaara!" she cried, lifting his head.
"K-Konan…" he whispered, the light in his eyes dimming. Tears were pouring down Konan's face, she placed a hand over his wound, surprised to see sand covering it.
"Gaara," she whispered, "Please don't die."
Pein watched her, smirking.
"How sweet." he said, taunting, "Even after he has proven to be so weak, you still wish for him to live."
"SHUT UP!" Konan screamed, holding Gaara tight to her, "SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!"
Pein stood there, looking amused at her distress. He raised his hand, maintaining his smirk.
"Shinra-"
"Konoha Senpū!"
From nowhere, Maito Gai & Rock Lee appeared by Pein's side, aiming their trademark kick directly at him. Pein looked in surprise as they appeared, but didn't appear concerned. In front of him, human realm appeared, blocking the kicks with his hands. Gai & Lee leapt back, landing in front of Konan, who was staring at them in surprise. Neji & Tenten appeared by their sides.
"Team Gai, present!" Gai called. Many other Shinobi suddenly appeared.
"Team Kurenai, present!" Shino called.
"Team Asuma, present!" Asuma called.
"Team Kakashi, present!" Kakashi called.
Konoha Shinobi filled the cathedral, all of them facing Pein, who looked surprised. Pein leaned slightly so he could see Gaara past Lee.
"Was this your doing?" he asked, "You called for backup? Humph, how pathetic."
Naruto, who was standing by Kakashi's side, turned to see what Pein was looking at.
"GAARA!" he cried, running to his side, Temari & Kankuro had also appeared & were already beside Gaara.
"What happened?" Kankuro demanded, putting a hand on Gaara's wound.
"Pein, he-" Konan began, but was unable to finish her sentence.
"Pein?" Kankuro repeated, glaring at the person in question, "I'll-"
He made to get up, but felt something grab onto his sleeve. He looked back down to see Gaara gripping his arm.
"No, Kankuro." he said, weakly, "Stay out of this."
"But Gaara…" Kankuro said, filled with indecision.
"Where's Naruto-kun?" Gaara asked, looking around him. The hyperactive Ninja was nowhere to be seen.
"AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!" roared a voice. With extreme strain, Gaara lifted his head to see Naruto charging at Pein, a red cloak of chakra covering his body. Pein lifted his hand & Naruto was sent flying back beside Gaara.
"Naruto-kun." Gaara said, struggling into a sitting position, assisted by Konan & Temari, "Don't attack him like that."
But Naruto wasn't listening. He was about to charge Pein again when strange wooden posts lunged at him. The red cloak disappeared & a Shinobi appeared.
"Naruto-kun, please try to restrain yourself." the Shinobi asked.
"Urh, sorry Yamato-sensei." Naruto replied, rubbing his head.
"Naruto-kun, please stay back." Gaara said, "I need you here."
"Huh, what for?" Naruto asked, "Kankuro told me you needed our help."
Kankuro reached into his pocket & gave Gaara his communication stone back.
"Yes, I do need your help, but not yet. I need you & Kirabi-san to stay out of this."
Naruto looked up to Kirabi, who was grinning at him.
"So you must me the Kyubi Jinchuriki." Kirabi said, gesturing to himself, "I'm the Hachibi."
Naruto stared at Kirabi, before a large grin spread across his mouth.
"Hey!" he said, "Nice to meet you!"
"Likewise."
Pein stared at the group, annoyed.
"If we could get back to why we are here?" he asked.
"I agree." Kakashi said, "Gai-san, you take the one that blocked you. Shino-san, you take the big one. Asuma-san, you take the overweight one. We'll take the one with tied back hair. Move out!"
The Konoha Shinobi charged the paths of Pein, who moved to positions, Deva & Naraka standing back as the others defended them. Human realm leapt forward to intercept Gai's team, battling with intense taijutsu.
"Be careful!" Konan called out, "If he touches your head, he'll remove your soul!"
"Thanks!" Gai replied, aiming a kick at Human. Not far from their position, team Asuma were fighting Preta realm who, despite his size, was proving capable of dodging Shikamaru's shadow while blocking Choji's attacks & absorbing Asuma's chakra.
Asura realm was giving Team Kurenai some trouble, Hinata's Juken wasn't having any effect, Asura's body was too hard for her attacks to break through. Whenever Shino's insects would get close, Asura would open the crown of his head & a strange explosion of light would burn all the insets to ash. It fired two of it's hands out & was strangling Kiba & Akamaru, who were pinned to the ground. Kakashi's team was about to reach Animal realm when something happened. A wall of sand blocked their way. Sand was similarly getting in the way of the other teams, who stared in surprise. Kiba & Akamaru were released as the hands flew threw the air & back onto Asura's arms.
"The first clever thing you have done today." Pein said, looking at Gaara, who was shaking under the strain of holding up the wall of sand.
"Everyone," Gaara grunted, "Get back."
Everyone looked to Kakashi, who was frowning at Gaara. He nodded & they retreated, Kakashi walking over to Gaara.
"What's the problem?" he asked, not taking his eyes off Pein.
"He knows that if I have to summon one of my beasts in such a small area," Animal realm called out, "You would all be crushed under the debris."
"That's only a part of it." Gaara whispered, so only those nearby would hear, "I only wished for Naruto-kun to come, his bringing you all only complicates things."
"We weren't about to let him go off on his own, especially after all that you told us." Kakashi replied. Gaara nodded.
"That's understandable, but if you have to stay, then just stall him."
Gaara stopped talking as the strain grew too strong.
"You have a plan?" Kakashi asked, Gaara nodded, "Very well then, we'll do what we can."
He stood up & took a few steps towards Pein, facing him with complete confidence.
"You, Pein or Rikudō Sennin, whoever you are." he said, "What do you hope to achieve by sealing the Biju?"
Pein chuckled at Kakashi's words.
"Children can be so slow." he replied, "Have you honestly no idea what I intend to do? I'm going to kill you all?"
Kakashi frowned.
"Kill us all? You mean all ninja? Why would you do that?"
"Why not?"
The Konoha Shinobi were stunned by his answer.
"Ha, look at you all, you make it seem like my goal is such a strange thing. But tell me, how much do you really know about me? Just what my idiotic disciples spread around, that I was a religious man. Those imbeciles told their story completely wrong, I am not a man of god, I am god!"
Pein climbed down the steps, gesturing to the cathedral.
"What is there to disprove that fact? Mention my name to anyone inside Amegakure & they will all tell you the same. But no-one outside wishes to see me that way, they say I am just another Shinobi. You filthy Shinobi who have destroyed everything I have worked to create! There is only one way to achieve the peace I have worked so hard to create & to have everyone see me as the god I am! I must erase every Shinobi off the face of the earth & make myself the only person capable of its arts!"
"This guy's insane!" Kiba said, Akamaru barking in agreement.
"Insanity is just another state of mind." Kakashi replied, "Like anger, or apathy, it's seeing the world in another way."
"Very clever, Hatake Kakashi." Pein said, "Having lived many generations does give me an unusual outlook on life, I must admit. But my outlook is far from insanity. I have seen just how people think & how they act under struggle. You all seek to destroy whatever brings change to your boring lives. I aim to stop that, to show you that there is another way to live, a way to truly achieve peace! Stand by me & I'll allow you to live to see it!"
"You seek to control people, to make them act according to your will." Neji spoke out, "You wish to trap people in a cage, that is something I cannot allow."
Pein surveyed Neji with interest.
"A Hyuga, & by the sound of things, a member of the branch family? I know all about your clan, you're trapped by that seal they place on you. I can remove that, if you pledge your allegiance to myself."
"Trading one cage for another is no different than staying in the original!" Neji replied, "A different view isn't worth the torment of seeing what more I cannot have!"
Hinata looked at her cousin sadly.
"Like all Konoha Shinobi," Pein said, "You remain loyal to your own beliefs. Commendable, but it will cost you your life."
Pein took a step forward, but stopped, surprise on his face. Before him, eight figures appeared, wearing black cloaks with red clouds.
"You… you're all alive?!" Pein exclaimed in shock.
"We had reason to believe there was a traitor among Akatsuki." Kakuzu said, "But we had to make sure. But the false comrade has now revealed himself, we came to face him."
They all faced Gaara.
"What a strange turn of events." Pein said, turning away, "Very well, kill them."
The eight members of Akatsuki stood between Pein & the Konoha Nin. Sasori, Deidara, Kakuzu, Hidan, Itachi, Kisame, Zetsu & Sasuke. Gaara looked at them all.
"So here you are." he said, "It looks like I failed to kill you."
"You did." Sasori replied, "You aimed to get us out of your way, so you could achieve your goal."
From his sleeve fell a scroll, which he grabbed & unravelled with one hand. A puff of smoke appeared & when it dissipated, a large puppet appeared draped across Sasori's shoulders, the Sandaime Kazekage.
"And you did it in the best possible way."
Pein barely managed to dodge as, from nowhere, Hidan's scythe flew at him.
"After all," Itachi said, "What better way to get someone out of your path, than to have them walk alongside you?"
The Akatsuki members all formed the same hand sign & their cloaks changed to match Gaara & Konan's. They then all turned to face Pein, who had retreated behind his other bodies.
"You dare betray me!" The Pein's roared, "I am your leader!"
"You?" Sasori asked, "You think you pull the strings?"
"You who has no appreciation for life?" Deidara asked.
"Who values yourself above all else?" asked Kakuzu.
"You, who claims to be a god?!" Hidan exclaimed.
"You have no honour, only hatred." Itachi said.
"You are a monster, inside & out." Kisame added.
"In the end, you stand alone." Zetsu said.
"Why would we stand beside scum like you?" Sasuke asked, glaring. Gaara, with the help of Kankuro & Naruto, got to his feet.
"A god is measured by how many believe in him." he said, "But in here, no-one sees you as any more than a tyrant."
Pein glared at them all, hate filling his eyes.
"You worthless dogs!" he growled, "All I offered you, you'd throw that away?"
Every single one of them nodded in unison.
"I see… then I have no choice but to kill you."
"Yeah right fucker, just try it!" Hidan cried, dashing forward. Kisame & Sasuke seemed to share his idea, as they ran at Pein as well, whipping their swords out as Hidan held his scythe. Itachi flew through a series of hand signs & blew a giant fireball from his mouth, aimed at the real Pein. Zetsu had disappeared beneath the ground & Deidara climbed on a clay bird, his hands digging in his pouches.
The paths of Pein moved at the same moment. Asura grabbed Samehada, not even reacting to the blades digging into his arm, smile maintained. Human realm blocked Hidan's scythe with his palms & Preta was absorbing the chakra of Sasuke's Kusanagi no Tsurugi: Chidorigatana, the Raiton chakra disappearing.
"Are the preparations complete?" Kakuzu asked.
"Almost." Sasori replied, "Now."
Kakuzu whipped off his cloak, revealing masks attached to his heavily stitched skin. One of the masks seemed to move, trying to pull itself off Kakuzu's body. It succeeded, the mask levitated into the air. A dark energy appeared behind the mask, forming into a grotesque body.
"Get back!" Kakuzu roared at the others. They complied & leapt behind Kakuzu & Sasori, who faced Pein confidently.
"Raiton: Gian!" Kakuzu cried, the mouth of the mask splitting open as a large blast of lightning burst from the hole, aimed straight at Pein. Preta realm ran to the front, facing the lightning.
But before the lightning got even close to Pein, it broke off. The lightning split off in many directions, but maintaining itself.
"What's going on?" Pein demanded, looking around him, paling, "No…"
Suddenly, every one of Pein's bodies jerked violently as electricity coursed through them.
"What happened?" Naruto asked, brow raised.
"The Sandaime Kazekage's Kekkai Genkai." Gaara replied, taking an aided step forward, wincing, "Iron sand, combined with Raiton chakra."
The paths of Pein shook violently under the assault, but the lightning was beginning to dissipate.
"Quick!" Gaara said, urgently, "Naruto-kun, Kirabi-san channel your Biju's chakra at them!"
Naruto looked confused, but did as he was told, as did Kirabi. Gaara clasped his hand into an unrecognizable seal.
"Biju Wana no Jutsu!" he cried. Chakra from Naruto & Kirabi burst forward, bringing the two to their knees. The Gedō Mazō reacted as well, its mouth breaking off as chakra burst out of it, flying at Pein. The chakra melded in the air then cloaked itself over Pein, who stared in shock. The chakra then formed into bonds, keeping them form moving.
"Now, Naruto-kun," Gaara whispered, under great strain from his wound & the amount of chakra he'd put into the Jutsu.
"Right!" Naruto replied, getting to his feet. He ran up to Pein, standing before him. Sasuke appeared behind Pein, smirking at Naruto.
"Ready, dobe?" he asked, a Chidori appearing in his hand.
"S-Sasuke!" Naruto stammered, before grinning, "Bring it on teme!"
A Kage Bunshin appeared by Naruto's side & together they made a Rasengan. When the sphere was complete, the Bunshin disappeared.
"Let's do this!" Naruto cried, sprinting forward, throwing his arm forward. Sasuke ran as well, his Chidori before him. The two Jutsus met & an explosion of chakra radiated through the cathedral. A black sphere enveloped Naruto, Sasuke & Pein's bodies. When the sphere disappeared, Naruto & Sasuke stood, winded from the explosion, but otherwise fine. Pein, however, was a crumpled heap on the floor, the chakra rods in his bodies smoking from being overloaded with chakra. Naruto & Sasuke leapt back as Deidara threw clay spiders at Pein's bodies.
"KATSU!" he cried, explosions blowing Pein's bodies apart.
"AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!" Nagato screamed, as the chakra rods in his back exploded. The Gedō Mazō crumbled into rubble, dust billowing across the cavern. Everyone covered their faces as the dust blew into their faces.
"Is- is it over?" she asked, turning to Gaara, "Is it-"
She paled. Gaara wasn't breathing.
"Gaara? GAARA!" she screamed. Sakura ran over to them, moving Konan out of the way.
"He's been cut deep." she said, checking his wound, "The sand stemmed the bleeding for the most part, but he needs to be seen to right away."
She pulled her gloves off & placed her hands over the wound, green chakra emanating from the gap between her hands & his wound.
"Something's wrong." she said, "It feels like something's resisting."
"NOW BOY, FEEL THE POWER OF MY EXISTENCE!" the Shukaku roared triumphantly.
"Sakura-chan, what's wrong?" Naruto asked, appearing by her side.
"I don't have enough chakra to heal him!" Sakura replied, sweat forming on her brow.
"Use mine!" Naruto said, placing his hands on top of hers, "It might hurt however."
"That's fine. Just focus your chakra."
She strained under the pressure of healing Gaara's wound, which didn't appear to be changing.
"I can't do it!" she cried, visibly shaking under the strain. She blinked as another pair of hands were placed on top of Naruto's.
"Yes you can, Sakura." Sasuke told her, "I believe in you."
"Sasuke…" Sakura whispered, before nodding determinedly, "Ok!"
The three of them channelled their chakra into healing Gaara's wound, each of them showing strain from trying to overcome the Shukaku's chakra.
"GET OUT! STOP THIS, I WILL KILL HIM!"
At a painfully slow rate, the wound was healing.
"Its working!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Shut up dobe, let her concentrate."
Temari bent over to see how Gaara was doing, worry plain on her face.
"HER! THIS IS ALL HER FAULT! BLOOD! I WANT YOUR BLOOD!"
"Something' happening!" Sakura said, "His arm is changing!"
"What?!" Temari exclaimed, "The Shukaku's-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Gaara's partially mutated arm grabbed her throat.
"Gack-Gaara!" she chocked.
"Someone get his arm!" Kakashi ordered, him & a couple others trying to wrest his grip. Gaara's dead looking face twisted as a frown appeared on his brow, concentration etched on his face.
"How many times must I deal with you? This is my body & she is my family, leave us alone!"
"HAA HA HA HAA HAA HAAA!! YOU WILL NEVER BE FREE OF ME! I WILL KILL YOU ALL & PROVE MY EXISTENCE FOR ALL ETERNITY!"
Gaara's mouth twitched as he tried to speak.
"Ka-Katon…" he croaked.
"What?" Naruto asked, "What's he saying?"
"Ka-ton…."
"I don't understand it." Sakura said, frowning.
"The Shukaku is a Futon nature beast!" Kankuro exclaimed, "He wants you to use Katon chakra in your healing!"
"But that-" Sakura began.
"Fine." Sasuke interrupted, channelling his Katon chakra into Gaara's body.
"AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!! THE FIRE! IT BURNS!"
"GRRRRRRRRHHHHH! THIS! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FROM ATTACKING THOSE I LOVE!"
"AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Gaara's arm twitched, trying to finish Temari off. But as Gaara's arm began to revert to its normal state, it threw Temari across the cathedral.
"I've got her!" Deidara cried, grabbing her & falling back, his body cushioning her fall. Temari was unconscious.
"Almost…" Sakura groaned, as the wound nearly closed.
"Gaara!" Konan cried, grabbing his hand, "Stay with me!"
Inside Gaara's mind, a burned & bruised child lay on the ground.
"Is he gone?" the child thought, "The demon, I can't hear him anymore."
"Gaara-kun."
The child sat up, rubbing his head. Standing before him was-
"Madara-sensei?"
"You did an excellent job, Gaara-kun. Better than I could have imagined."
"How are you here?"
"I was aware of the risks of putting the Ichibi inside you like that. An old adversary used a similar method on his son. I did the same. You won, Gaara-kun. You defeated the Rikudō Sennin. Thank you."
"Your will is my own, Madara-sensei."
"Now I only have one last task for you."
"What is it?"
"Live."
"What is this?" Sakura asked, "There's another chakra source, and it's healing him!"
"This is…" Sasuke said, Sharingan active, "Uchiha chakra?!"
"Madara?!" Itachi exclaimed.
"Goodbye, Gaara-kun."
"Goodbye, Madara sensei."
"It's done!" Sakura exclaimed, pushing Naruto & Sasuke's hands back.
"Is he ok?" Naruto, Kankuro & Konan asked simultaneously.
"Guuuhh…"
"Gaara!" Konan cried, grabbing his hand.
Sakura stood up, pulling Naruto back. Sasuke backed off as well, giving Gaara some room. He opened his eyes.
"Hnnn!" he groaned, sitting up.
"Are you alright?" Konan asked, worriedly.
"I think so." he replied, rubbing his head, "But I think…"
He tried to change his arm, but it failed. He sighed.
"The Ichibi's chakra has been removed from my body." he said.
"Are you able to stand?" Kakashi asked. Gaara uneasily got to his feet.
"Yes." he replied, rubbing his head again, "Sakura-san, could you please check on him."
He pointed at Nagato, who didn't seem to have noticed anything of the battle.
"What, why should I help him?" Sakura asked, angrily.
"He wasn't in control of his body. The Pein's we destroyed have been controlling him for years."
How horrible." Sakura gasped, nodding, "All right."
She rushed over to check on him, her blonde Kunoichi friend close behind. Gaara picked up Sasayaki & used her to support himself as he limped over to Nagato, with Konan beside him.
Nagato was laid down on the ground, Sakura & her friend checking his body over.
"He's got severe malnutrition." she said, "Sleep deprivation & his muscles are weak from lack of use."
Sakura looked up to Kakashi.
"We have to get him to a hospital. That machine he was in is probably the reason he's still alive, but without the statue, it stopped working."
Kakashi nodded, "Sai-san, please take Nagato-san to Konoha hospital, he is to be treated carefully."
"Hai!" A pale skin boy said, whipping out a scroll & a brush. In seconds, he summoned a bird of ink & placed Nagato gently on top of it.
"Nagato-kun." Konan said, touching her friends hand.
"Konan-chan, am I really getting out of here?"
Konan smiled, "Yes, you are."
Nagato looked lost, he didn't know how to react.
"Gaara-san." he called out, "Thank you."
"It's fine." Gaara replied, leaning on Sasayaki. Sai took Nagato away, the bird hovering in the air.
"Sai-san," Gaara called out, "You should probably shield his eyes, he won't have seen sunlight in a long time."
"Hai."
They were gone, leaving everyone else in the cathedral to fall silent.
"So…. Now what?" Hidan asked, scratching his head.
"Technically, you guys are all S-rank criminals." Kakashi replied, "So we should try to bring you in."
"What?! You son of a bitch!" Hidan yelled.
"But, under the circumstances, the effects of the battle will have caused us to make a tactical retreat." Kakashi added.
Kisame smirked.
"Perhaps." he said.
"But seriously… what now?" Hidan asked, "Now Akatsuki's over with, what are we going to do?"
No-one replied, no one knew what to say.
"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed, "You'll be coming back to Konoha, right?"
"Hey, Sasuke-kun!"
They all turned around in surprise as three people entered the chamber.
"What is it Suigetsu-san?" Sasuke asked.
"You're done here? When are we leaving?" Suigetsu asked.
"Yeah, let's get out of this dump!" Karin exclaimed.
Sasuke turned to face his team.
"Taka has met its goal." he said, "There is no reason to remain as it is. Go your own way."
"WHAT?!" Karin exclaimed, "You're ditching us?!"
"I don't really care." Suigetsu said, "All I want is that."
He pointed at the Samehada on Kisame's back. Kisame grinned. He pulled out Samehada & held it up to his mouth. He whispered something to it.
"Here." he said, throwing it at Suigetsu, who caught it, surprised.
"You're giving this to me?" he asked, shock evident on his face.
"I'm retiring." Kisame replied, making a hand sign. A puff of smoke appeared as he finally dropped his henge, revealing himself to be a brown haired, tanned man, "I heard rumour of a medic-nin capable of healing Itachi-san's illness. Me & him are going to check up on it."
Itachi nodded.
"Sasuke-san." The person who must be Jugo spoke up, "If you'll let me, I'd like to continue travelling with you."
"Jugo, that's fine." Sasuke replied.
"WELL SCREW THIS!" Karin yelled, "I'm out of here!"
She turned around & left, but no-one seemed to notice.
"Sasuke…" Naruto said.
"Naruto-kun, I'm going with Itachi." Sasuke said, before smirking, "But I promise I'll come back every now & then to kick your ass, alright dobe?"
"Bring it on teme!" Naruto replied grinning.
Hidan walked over to Kakuzu, who was checking the remains of Pein.
"So what are you going to do?" he asked, crouching down beside him.
"With this guy dead, I'll claim Akatsuki's assets for my own." Kakuzu replied, "The money I'll gain should allow me to relax for a while."
"Heh, still thinking money's most important." Hidan joked.
"What about you?" Kakuzu asked, "Our partnership is effectively over, you gonna go back to just wandering around & killing?"
"Nope." Hidan replied, looking around the cathedral, "I'm taking this place! I'll convert it for Jashin-sama!"
Kakuzu sat up, looking at Hidan.
"I don't think Konohagakure would leave you be with sacrificing people so close to them." he said.
"Yeah, but according to the scriptures, creating a temple in Jashin-sama's honour is greater than any sacrifice. Once I fix this place up, I'll spread the word of Jashin-sama all around!"
Further across the cathedral, Temari was waking up. Deidara helped her to her feet, looking at her with concern.
"Ow, my head." Temari complained, before blinking & looking at her brother, "Gaara! He's ok!"
She tried to run to him, but Deidara grabbed her arm & pulled her close to him, kissing her. Temari's eyes were wide with shock.
"You… but you, what about…?" She stammered. Deidara smiled.
"I don't have a reason to kill Itachi-san anymore." he said, "I hated him because of what he was making my art into; something dark & evil. But now my art has done something good, it stopped evil. I no longer bear a grudge against the Uchiha."
Temari's eyes watered as she threw herself at him, kissing him with a force that surprised him.
"What do ya know?" Kankuro said, "And 'bang!' she's got one."
Sasori walked over to Kakuzu.
"When you're done, I'll take those." he said.
"Fine." Kakuzu replied.
Zetsu walked over to Gaara.
"It looks like you did it. Good job."
"Thank you." Gaara replied, "So what are you going to do now?"
"Oh, I guess I'll go back to Kusagakure. They're probably wondering where their leader is."
As Zetsu disappeared, Konan mouthed to Gaara, "He's the leader of Kusagakure?!"
"They, are the leader of Kusagakure." Gaara replied. Konan laughed.
"All right." she said, "So where do we go from here?"
"Where do you want to go?"
Konan smiled, "I have an idea."
She grabbed the back of Gaara's head & pulled him in, kissing him.
* * * * *
"So how is he?" Gaara asked.
"He should be alright." Konan replied, "He said that once he gets out, he's going back to Amegakure, to be their leader."
"A leader's quite a step down from a god."
"Yeah, anyway, are we leaving?"
"Yeah."
Gaara turned to Naruto.
"Maybe I'll see you around." he said.
"You better!" Naruto replied. They shook hands, Naruto grinning broadly. Gaara then turned to Kankuro.
"Take care." he told him.
"Heh, I'll be fine!" Kankuro replied.
"He's got me!" Tenten said, her arms around his waist.
"He sure does." Konan said, laughing.
"Well, we'd better leave." Gaara said, "If we want to get there in time."
"All right." Konan said, waving goodbye.
"Hey, Konan-san."
Gaara & Konan both glanced to their right, were Shikamaru's was leaning against the gate.
"Don't be too troublesome for Gaara-kun." he said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Konan asked, smirking. Shikamaru's shrugged.
"Goodbye, Shikamaru-kun." Gaara said.
"Later." Shikamaru replied, waving as he walked away.
"Right. Later."
He & Konan bade farewell to their friends one more time, before turning round & setting off for Yukigakure.
"We've had sand." Gaara said.
"And rain." Konan replied.
"Now for some snow!" Umibe announced, happily.
As they walked away, a figure appeared in a tree, hidden in the shadows.
"Have a good life, Gaara." Madara whispered.