The next chapter is here! Enjoy!! REVIEW as always!!!
The Next Day…
Gaara groaned as someone shook him slightly. His eyes opened slowly and focused his blurry vision on the Hokage.
"Gaara, I've been shaking you for sometime now. You weren't waking up. Are you alright? You made us nervous…" she said softly.
He furrowed his eyes and stared at her.
"Us?" he asked, his voice coming out hoarse.
Tsunade glanced down and Gaara followed her gaze. His eyes widened when he saw his wife looking up at him, her eyes red and tears streaming down her face.
"Saya…" he said confused.
She covered her face as she continued silently crying and shaking. Gaara pulled her hands away making her look at him. Tsunade sighed.
"She had been trying to wake you for a while now…she managed to get my attention…she was crying and you weren't waking up when I shook you…" she said softly.
Gaara felt terrible. He didn't mean to scare her. That was something she didn't need right now. He lowered himself down next to her.
"Saya, I'm sorry. I did not mean to scare you…" he murmured softly.
She nodded and lifted her hand to his heart. He held it there as she tried to calm down. He kept letting his hands trace her body to let her know he was okay. Tsunade looked at him.
"Don't go to sleep for a while okay?" she asked him and he nodded.
She walked away and he returned to looking at his wife. She was looking up at him, her face red and puffy. He wiped some tears away and kissed her wet cheeks softly.
"I didn't mean to frighten you…" he said quietly.
Saya stared up at him.
"When you didn't wake up…I thought…I thought…" she couldn't finish her sentence.
She felt so weak and useless. A crowd of people stood up from the tent and started chattering loudly. Gaara furrowed his eyes and looked to see that Naruto, Hinata, Temari, the kids, and Kakashi and Gai had arrived back in Konoha. They looked around in shock and horror at the scene before them. Saya shifted in Gaara's lap and he looked down.
"What is it?" he asked softly.
"I want to sit up…" she said quietly.
Saya tried to sit up and Gaara leaned her against him carefully. Ryuzaki was holding Temari's hand and he was looking around. Gaara slowly moved the blanket on the floor to the side and buried his hand under the smooth sand. He pressed down on his palm and while Ryuzaki was looking around sand lightly touched the boy's fingertips. He looked down and smiled following the sand trail. Temari called after him but he kept following the sand. He looked up seeing his father and mother and ran towards them. The sand wrapped around him, slowing him down and bringing him to them. It let him down carefully and he looked at his parents.
"Father…mother…what happened here?" he asked quietly.
Gaara sighed rubbing his head softly and Saya smiled softly.
"Well, there was a nasty explosion and we got caught in it…but we're fine," she added quickly.
Ryuzaki nodded as Naruto came over and sent him to go talk with Jiro. When Ryuzaki was far enough away, Naruto looked pained.
"Are you guys alright?" he asked quietly.
The couple nodded slowly and Saya winced slightly as she shifted against her husband. Naruto glared around the village.
"Many are injured…some dead…and for what? Just plain out hate…" he muttered feeling the anger rise in him.
Kakashi walked over to them.
"I've received information on the whereabouts of where the rest of the Akatsuki are hiding out…" he said looking Saya over quickly.
"Are you alright?" he asked in a mono tone voice.
She nodded slowly still a little pale. Temari ran over to her brothers and Saya. Kat was still out of it.
"Thank god you guys are alright! I was so worried!" she yelled.
Saya stared at her sister-in-law.
"Did you guys happen to run into Shikamaru-kun while you were out finding Kakashi and Gai?" she asked in a whisper.
Temari's eyes saddened quickly and she looked down.
"I haven't got the slightest clue as to where he's run off too…but Kakashi says that he has an idea of where the Akatsuki hideout is…" she murmured softly trying to have some hope.
Saya smiled slightly and nodded. Temari stood up to start helping people who had minor injuries and Saya looked up at Gaara. Her hand absentmindedly reached for his and grabbed it tightly. His usually warm hands were very cold and rough from being cut up looking through the wreckage. He looked down eyeing her small hand in his. Hers was cold as well. He held it tightly and wrapped his other hand around her. He pulled some of the blanket up on her and she snuggled into him. Tsunade came by when it was time to clean her wound. Tsunade took off the bandage carefully. Saya flinched when Tsunade touched it.
"It's healing nicely but it may leave somewhat of a scar…" Tsunade said softly.
Saya nodded as Tsunade began to clean it. She hissed loudly and grabbed the blankets tightly as she tensed up. Gaara didn't like seeing her in pain and he just wanted it to all stop. When Tsunade finished bandaging the wound she heard yelling and screaming coming from an area of the tent. She stood up and Ryuzaki ran over to Tsunade his eyes wide and frantic.
"Tsunade-sama, Kat-chan isn't breathing!" he yelled and everyone's eyes widened.
Saya went to get up but a sharp pain went through her arm and she gasped loudly. Gaara grabbed her but she grabbed the collar of his cloak and pulled him close.
"Go to them, I'll be fine," she said hurriedly.
Gaara hesitated but nodded after a while and headed over to the crowd. Tsunade was down on her knees sweating. She was trying to manually make the Mizukage breathe. Temari was holding Kankuro back. He was panicking and just wanted Kat to breathe. Gaara watched silently hoping she would breathe too. Tsunade tried for a good ten minutes and still no sign of life from the Mizukage. Tsunade covered her face and shook silently. Kankuro shook his head.
"Try harder! Don't quit on her! Just try for a little longer!" he practically pleaded with her.
Saya was a little away and felt the tears well up in her eyes. She started crying when she realized Tsunade couldn't bring her back. Ren decided to speak up and inform Saya of what was going on.
"Something's not right…" Ren said quietly.
Saya's head snapped up upon hearing her feathered companion.
"Ren, you can't do anything can you? I've used up too much chakra…I can't help her…" Saya thought sadly.
Ren seemed to sigh.
"No, she's not dead. We're in a jutsu…a Sharingan jutsu…an advanced Sharingan jutsu…" she murmured.
"It's a trap."
Saya's eyes widened but before she could speak she felt immense pain in her chest. Just as that happened, Sakura started shaking and then, she went still. Tsunade ran over to her and checked her pulse. Her eyes widened.
"Oh my god, she's stopped breathing!" she yelled in shock and started trying to help her apprentice.
Gaara was staring at his brother. Kankuro was a mess. His face was buried in Temari's shoulder and he was shaking silently. Temari was crying too. Saya struggled to get up.
"G-Gaara…" she said beginning to feel weak.
She knew what was happening. Itachi was "killing" the people that would distract the main people…the people who would realize it was a jutsu if they weren't so concerned with people dying. She tried to call out to them but she felt the heavy weight of the jutsu on her chest.
"G-Gaara!!!" she cried out falling to the floor.
Gaara whirled around and his eyes widened as he ran to her quickly.
"What is happening?" he asked quickly.
Saya felt her heart slow but she knew it was not real.
"It's fake…it's not real…it's a jutsu!" she said before she felt her heart slow and her eyes close.
Gaara stood up still holding her.
"Tsunade-sama, it's a jutsu. We need to break it," he said hurriedly.
Tsunade nodded slamming her hands together with Gaara and Kankuro, Temari, Naruto, and Kakashi as well as the other shinobi. The jutsu broke and everyone was back in reality. Saya was somewhat away from Gaara and Pein and Itachi with the rest of the Akatsuki were standing somewhat away. Everyone that could stand up did and tried to prepare themselves. They were all still hurt and weak. Pein smiled. He had his leg back too. Gaara growled lowly pulling his son behind him.
Ryuzaki stared out from behind his father seeing the red clouds again. Itachi stood there silently and unmoving. His eyes returned back to normal. Kankuro leaned over to Kat who now was breathing softly still out of it. He let out a sigh of relief and stood by her, pulling his puppets close for protection. Temari stood up and stood next to Gaara, her twins behind her as well. Saya got up quickly holding her shoulder tightly. She looked at her father and he stared back at her.
"You do realize what has to happen…don't you Saya?" he asked seriously.
She stared at him.
"H-Hai, I know…what has to happen…" she said never taking her eyes off of him.
Pein stared at her intently and the look on his face was one she had never seen before. He was serious and didn't have that evil look. He turned and walked away from his group and she followed slowly. She knew this had to end and it had to end now. Sand quickly wrapped around her hand holding it tightly. She looked at it and followed it to her husband. He stared at her and she could tell he was worried though his emotionless face didn't show it.
She smiled slightly to him and looked at her son. He was watching her intently from behind his father. A tear rolled down her cheek and the sand on her hand tightened. She tried to shake it loose but it was hard. Finally, she closed her eyes tightly and gripped the sand tightly as small flames emitted from her hand, burning it. She walked on following her father slowly and closed her eyes to Naruto calling her name. Gaara and Kakashi went to follow them but the rest of the Akatsuki stepped in their way.
"This is between a father and his daughter…" Itachi actually spoke out.
Temari's eyes scanned the Akatsuki group.
"Which one of you is Hidan?!" she called out and Itachi stepped forward.
He stared at the Sand shinobi silently.
"He got held up somewhere back in the woods…by a vengeful Konoha shinobi…" he said quietly.
Temari's eyes widened.
"We left the two too their own battle and moved on…" he said not giving too much away.
Temari felt sick. Was Shikamaru okay? Was he even alive? She stared at the group and suddenly felt weak. Itachi's eyes scanned over the group of shinobi.
"According to our leader…this all ends today. It's either us…or you…" he said softly. Tsunade glared at the group.
She hated not knowing what was next. Itachi's eyes locked with Kakashi's eyes.
"Pein gave us the freedom to attack at will. If Saya does make it back…you'll all be dead…" he said removing his cloak.
He had on a long sleeved shirt and a vest that covered his chest area. He pulled out a long sword and nodded to the other Akatsuki members. They all attacked.
Meanwhile, Saya walked to a clearing with her father. She was tired and really just wanted to be home sleeping with her family. She wanted her husband and son with her. She wanted to be happy…and she wasn't. Pein turned around still with the serious look on his face.
"Saya…let's pretend we are a real father and daughter for a moment…" he said softly.
She stared at him uneasily but let him continue. Pein smiled some but it was not an evil smile. It was actually one that Kakashi had sometimes given her when he recalled good memories. Pein took in a deep breath and looked at her.
"A long time ago we were all a family. I really did love your mother and I adored you and your sisters, but they mostly stuck around with her. You…you always stood by me," he said quietly.
Saya felt sick inside.
"You're just like her…your mother…same eyes…same hair…same stubborn attitude…everything…is so similar…" he said quietly as if in a trance.
Saya felt the tears burning at the rim of her eyes.
"I used to wonder…if you had anything of mine…if I possibly contributed to who you are…" he said almost in a whisper.
"Then I realized…when I saw your son…" he stopped for a moment before continuing.
"I realized that…everything that happened…needed to happen. Your hate for me and your love for your new family…you have grown up well…and I do care for you in my own way. I just wish it didn't have to end like this…" he murmured and Saya felt her blood run cold.
"How is it going to end f-father?" she asked carefully.
He looked at her then. He smiled faintly.
"You're going to give up the Phoenix and I am going to put it in me. You are probably going to die…but all of your friends and family are going to die anyway so you should be happy that you will be joining them soon…" he muttered and soon appeared before her.
His hands shot out and their chakra connected manually. Saya gasped as she heard Ren shriek out in pain. Saya's eyes changed quickly and swirled their flame color. Pein gasped as well feeling the Phoenix being transferred into him.
Back with the other shinobi, Gaara had just crushed another Akatsuki member. He was becoming tired but he was holding out. He was about to crush another Akatsuki member when Tobi slashed him across the arm causing him to stumble back. He held his arm tightly growling lowly. Tobi seemed to let off certain arrogance. Gaara glared at him and tried to move his sand but his chakra was practically depleted. It was only the shriek of the Phoenix that caught everyone's attention. Gaara stared wide eyed and stared as a huge light appeared beyond the trees. Itachi seemed to smirk but in a flash it was gone.
"The transfer has begun…" he said.
Everyone seemed to know what he meant. Pein was taking the Phoenix. The advantage went to Konoha then as Tsunade suddenly hit the ground sending shock waves towards some Akatsuki members killing them. Gai and Lee were working well together and Neji and Hinata were kicking ass together too. Kankuro's puppets were doing all the work for him sending his enemies flying to their deaths.
Temari stumbled back as yet another member attacked her fan. She sent them flying back quickly and didn't see the Akatsuki member behind her about to attack. She whirled around and gasped but the blow never came. She looked at the guy and he seemed to have stopped mid attack. She looked around him to see Shikamaru smirking.
"Did you really think I'd miss this?!" he said smirking.
Temari grinned and they fought together. Gaara stared at Tobi as he did a jutsu. When Tobi charged he closed his eyes knowing it was going to hurt a lot. Nothing happened. He opened his eyes and gasped. Hisa stood in front of him and had pulled out two small fans and whirled them around sending Tobi back. Haru stopped Tobi in dead air with his shadow jutsu. Ryuzaki stepped in front of them all. His eyes stared emotionlessly ahead at the Akatsuki member.
"You hurt my family for the last time. You don't need to be taking anymore unnecessary breaths…" he said, his tone dripping with venom.
He lifted his hands and sand wrapped around Tobi. Ryuzaki dropped to his knees and slammed his hands onto the ground. Tobi started to sink into the ground quickly and Ryuzaki smirked.
"You're going where the sun never shines…where shadows are never seen and air will never get to you…" he murmured as Tobi's head sunk beneath the ground.
"Sabaku Sousou…" he murmured and the ground trembled immensely.
Gaara stared wide eyed at the whole thing. Ryuzaki stood up and turned to his father. His eyes were back to normal and he didn't seem so scary anymore. Gaara pulled his son close to him.
"Did I do well father?" he asked quietly.
Gaara nodded quickly.
"You saved my life Ryuzaki…you did extremely well…" he finished staring where the light off in the clearing was dimming.
The transfer must have been coming to an end. Naruto was knocked back hard and blocked another hit. He growled lowly and groaned when another Akatsuki member charged him. That member never made it. He looked behind him to see a smaller version of his jutsu. Jiro stood grinning widely at his dad.
"I kick ass…" he said proudly and Naruto grinned, but then hit him over the head for cursing.
Meanwhile, Pein stopped the chakra connection and Saya fell to the floor breathing heavily. She was tired and felt empty without her Phoenix inside of her. She was lucky she wasn't dead. Pein's eyes swirled crazily and he looked at her smirking evilly. He looked stronger if that was possible. She knew it was over. He stepped up to her and stopped dead in his tracks. Saya looked up at him.
"W-What is happening?!" he asked a little confused as to why he couldn't' move at all.
Saya got up slowly stumbling a bit. She wiped the blood from her mouth.
"Father, I knew you wanted the Phoenix…but your body cannot handle it…which is why I gave it to you without a fight. Right now, Ren is tearing away at the vital organs in your body…and you are going to die…" she murmured softly.
Pein stared at her wide eyed.
"Y-You've done well…daughter…" he mumbled while blood poured from his mouth.
Saya grimaced as she watched her father deteriorate from the inside out. He smiled at her.
"I-I'm free…" were his last words to her before the Phoenix exploded out of him successfully tearing him to pieces.
Saya cried out feeling sick and dropped to her knees. Ren took form and stared at her.
"You realize that I cannot go back into you now…do you not?" the fire bird asked calmly.
Saya nodded. She knew the rules. Once something is extracted from your body it stays out. Ren sighed.
"I will watch over Konoha and Suna…be its guardian…and yours. I've grown quite attached to you and your family…I don't feel quite up to leaving…" the bird said and Saya grinned tiredly.
"You like us…" she mocked and Ren glared at her.
"Shut up…" she said smirking.
Saya closed her eyes as a warm breeze blew through Konoha. Meanwhile, the Konoha and Suna shinobi were doing well. Itachi threw another Konoha ninja to the floor and smirked.
"The transfer is complete! Your friend is dead!" he said smirking and then felt nothing but pure pain as a blue light blurred his vision and a hateful cry of Chidori was the last thing he ever heard.
The light from Itachi's eyes faded and his body went limp. The only thing holding him up was the fist in his chest. Kakashi looked up at the younger shinobi. Blood splattered his face and mask but he continued to stare.
"You were given the gift of foresight, but you didn't see that coming you son of a bitch…" he murmured noticing the vast amount of shinobi staring at him in shock.
The war was over. Akatsuki was dead. As if on cue, Ren flew up into the air shrieking and Gaara's eyes widened. He took off into the clearing to find his wife and everyone followed. Saya was resting on her knees. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing softly. He dropped down beside her and stared at her. She opened her light green eyes and finally they sparkled like they used to. She gave him a big grin and hugged him tightly.
"It's finally over…" she said happily and he returned the hug.
She looked up at all her friends and they grinned as well.
"Mother!" a voice called out and her eyes met with her son's green eyes.
She grinned and he ran into her hugging her tightly. She returned the hug and held him close to her.
"Mother, you won't believe what I can do!" he cheered but Gaara stopped him.
"I think we can save that conversation for later…" he said calmly, smirking at Saya's confused gaze.
Saya stood up slowly and stared up in the sky at her Phoenix. Ren was circling the sky gracefully. Saya smiled softly. She then realized how much she missed home. She felt like she hadn't been to Suna in years. She wanted to go back. She had students of her own to train and a hospital to keep in order. She looked towards the gates and her eyes furrowed. Two figures were coming through the gates at top speed. She recognized the symbol on their headbands. They were sand shinobi. Her eyes widened. Those were her top students! She headed towards them quickly and everyone else followed.
"Matsuri…Akin…what are you doing here?" she asked calmly.
The two looked her over seeing her injuries.
"What the hell happened here?" Akin asked shocked.
Saya shook her head.
"Akatsuki attacked but they're dead now…why are you here?" she asked again and Matsuri stepped forward.
"We were sent by the committee…" she said and then turned to Gaara.
"Gaara-sensei, we have a problem in Suna…" she finished and Gaara stared at her waiting for her to continue.
"It seems there is rumor of a traitor living in Suna…" she said quickly.
Gaara nodded slowly after thinking it over. Tsunade stood next to him.
"Our job just never ends doesn't it?" she asked and Gaara couldn't help but smirk slightly at her comment.
He nodded to her and turned to his siblings.
"Kankuro…are you able to walk?" he asked softly.
Kankuro nodded.
"Hai I could get to Suna…might be a little slow but I know my way…" he said nodding.
Gaara turned to Temari.
"You will take the children with Shikamaru?" he asked calmly.
Temari nodded quickly. Saya furrowed her eyebrows.
"What about Kat?" she asked softly.
Gaara looked at her.
"She will stay here until she is ready to come back with you…" he murmured and Saya frowned.
"You want me to stay here?" she asked a little upset.
He nodded.
"You're hurt and your chakra is depleted. Rest here and look after Kat, then come and join us in Suna…" he said calmly.
Saya didn't like that idea but she thought it was probably the smartest. Saya, Naruto, Kakashi, and Tsunade walked them to the gates. Matsuri scooped up Ryuzaki and Temari and Shikamaru each took a twin. Akin assisted Kankuro and Gaara was ahead of them. Saya walked up to him while the others were saying their goodbyes and Naruto was questioning Matsuri and Akin about their powers. He was shocked at how strong they were. Saya stared up at Gaara, a small frown still on her face.
"You'll be careful won't you?" she asked softly so only he could hear.
He smiled faintly at her concern.
"I'll be fine Saya. Please don't be concerned. We will see each other in Suna very soon…" he said and she smiled slightly.
She let her head fall into his chest carefully listening to his heartbeat, which was shockingly steady. He smirked.
"I'll be waiting for you…" he murmured in her ear and she smiled, a small blush forming across her face.
He kissed her forehead softly and walked away from the gates with his siblings and the children. Matsuri grinned at Saya.
"See you in training Sai-chan!" she cheered and Akin just smirked.
Saya let out a playful sigh and waved them off. She turned around and grinned at her Konoha family. She followed them back to where they started to rebuild their village.
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