Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"
Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.
"Pride without honor is arrogance, and the arrogant are easily beaten." by J. Hellscythe
"People will laugh at your dreams, then hate you when you make them come true ." -Wiz
"Mikoto," Kakashi was about to run to the woman, but a blur passed right by him. Skidding to a stop, Naruto examined Mikoto. Seeing her chest rise and fall, albeit slowly, gave the Uzumaki hope for the Uchiha.
"She needs medical attention, now," Naruto yelled out, looking for Sakura.
"Hard to heal a dead person isn't," Kisame voice rang out from behind Naruto. Turning around, Naruto went to protect Mikoto, but a giant ethereal hand punched the shark Akatsuki member away. Itachi walked up between Naruto and Kisame as his glare intensified
"Get her away from here," Itachi warned as he charged Kisame. Naruto nodded as he pulled some of Kurama's remaining chakra out. Grabbing Mikoto, Naruto gave her the chakra in an attempt to heal some of the damage, but still needed some healers. Picking her up, Naruto ran towards Kakashi. Just as he reached the Jonin, Sakura and Chiyo appeared.
"She needs help, now!"
Before he could turn, Mikoto's hand shot up and grabbed Naruto's wrist. "Help him," Mikoto's staggered breathing was bad and her voice was raspy as her strength began to fade. Not wanting her to speak again, Naruto nodded his head as he stood and allowed the healers to go to work. Looking at Kakashi and the others, Naruto just nodded his head as he turned to help Itachi. "Naruto, you used up a lot of chakra," Kakashi warned as the Uzumaki stopped.
"Well, I guess I'll need to dig up some more," Naruto stated. "If you want to help then follow me, but if not then stay behind and keep the wounded safe." This was the only warning Naruto gave as he ran to assist, Itachi. As he was running, Kurama's voice sprung to life.
"One minute," Kurama warned as if trying to convince the Uzumaki to stop. "That is how much chakra I have left to spare you."
"Understood," Naruto replied back. Getting closer, Naruto heard the steps of not one, but many individuals behind him. Looking behind him, Naruto's shocked expression quickly turned into one of sadistic glee. "Or we could just make this shark piss himself."
XXX
Behind the ethereal giant, Itachi spat out a giant fireball at his former partner. Sneering at the giant blazing fireball, Kisame simply swung his sword through the fire; immediately consuming the chakra rendering it useless. Samehada squirmed in Kisame's hand as if irritated by the chakra. "Sorry, had no choice," Kisame stated to his blade. "But soon you can have a helping of Uchiha chakra." After finishing his sentence, Kisame charged towards Itachi.
"Why bother charging me," Itachi challenged as his Sharingan glared at his opponent. "You cannot get past the Susanoo." The ethereal giant unleashed a roar as it swung it's blade towards Kisame. Kisame side-stepped the blade and leaped at the giant; bringing Samehada down on it. But the blade stopped short of reaching his target. Seizing his chance, Itachi used Susanoo free hand to grab Kisame. "Now you meet your end." Itachi's declaration only made the shark man laugh. Before Itachi could ask what was wrong, his vision immediately began to wobble. "Damn it, I used my eyes too much. My body is starting to burn out."
"No one knows your limit with those eyes then your own partner," Kisame grinned as Susanoo's hand began to disintegrate. "You've lost." Kisame landed on his feet as the giant finally faded out of existence. Coughing up a small amount of blood, Itachi glared at Kisame. "In a fair fight, you would've beaten me, but sadly you had to fight early on. All well, I guess this is the price you pay for those eyes of yours." Raising his sword above his head, Kisame was about to finish the job, but was stopped when a dog made of lightning appeared in front of him. Just managing to bring Samehada in front of him as a shield, but when Kisame went to counter-attack; Naruto appeared next too him in full demon cloak. "Shit!" That was all that ran through Kisame's mind as Naruto's fist collided with the rouge-ninja's stomach, plowing him through the ground.
Itachi, through his blurry and unfocused eyes, was shocked, as both Naruto and Kakashi had come to his aid. "Why," Itachi managed to utter out. "Why are you helping me?"
"Because Mikoto asked us too," Naruto answered with his back to the Uchiha. "Now, stand back, we have a shark to skin." Naruto's statement didn't hold much vigor, as his cloaked vanished. Digging his way back out of the hole, Naruto had just put him in, Kisame looked madder then ever.
"Okay, now I'm going to devour ever last drop of chakra you posses until-," Kisame stopped when he noticed Naruto's smile. Confused, Kisame took a quick glance behind him and saw the army of Suna nins staying him down. "Hm, well things don't appear to be in my favor." Even though he said this, Kisame's grin still came back into full view.
"It's over now come quietly or else you leave in a body bag," Naruto threat only seemed to make him grin even more.
"Well, this would be a problem," Kisame started as his body slowly began to melt. "But I think I'll take this chance to make my escape." With that the water clone exploded.
"Damn," Kakashi cursed, but Naruto just shrugged and passed right by him; straight too Itachi. Neither one of them said a word; they just looked at one another. Kakashi was about to walk over, when Naruto grabbed Itachi by the arm and helped him up. "What are you doing?!"
"I'm helping an injured man get over too where his mom is," Naruto fired back as he glared at both Kakashi and Sasuke as if challenging them to try and stop him. Sasuke looked furious, but was stopped by Kakashi's hand.
"He is in our custody," Kakashi mumbled into the young Uchiha's ear. "He will face justice for what he did."
As Naruto carried the blurry eyed Itachi, the Uchiha asked his question. "Why are you doing this," Itachi asked.
"Because there is something else going on here," Naruto growled out in a whisper, as his blue eyes flashed towards Itachi. "And I'll be damned before I let you leave without me knowing what that is." Itachi's eyes lowered as his onyx eyes glued to his mom.
"It's a lie."
Naruto's eyes widened, but that was all the cryptic Uchiha said. Mikoto's eyes opened slowly as she felt two new presences. Looking at Itachi with nothing, but love in her eyes; Mikoto smiled. "Hello, son," Mikoto frowned when Itachi looked away with shame in his eyes. "Itachi?"
"I'm in your custody, Uzumkai," Itachi stated. "My chakra is gone and I'm clearly in no condition to fight." Naruto just glared at the Uchiha, but slowly reached up and pulled Itachi's headband over his eyes. Kakashi at that time walked up and placed some chakra draining cuffs onto Itachi's wrists. Taking the captured Uchiha off of Naruto, the Uzumaki finally collapsed on the ground with a sigh.
"Well, this has been an interesting mission," Turning his eyes towards the Oto nin, Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Right, Dosu?"
The Oto nin in question, nodded his head as he approached the Konoha group. "It was, but meeting you wasn't by chance," Dosu stated quiet firmly as he reached into his cloak. Before he could even move another inch, several kunai and other weapons where pointed at him. Smiling underneath his bandages, Dosu slowly withdrew his hand revealing two scrolls. "These are for the Kazekage and Hokage respectfully." Throwing each scroll to a a ninja from that village, Dosu began to walk away with his team.
"So that's it," Naruto blurted out. "You came all this way to deliver two scrolls."
"No, I also came to say this to you," Dosu turned and fixed his only visible eye on Naruto. But no word came from, Dosu's mouth; instead Naruto could feel a vibrating feeling in his left hand. Looking over, Naruto could see Dosu's foot gently tapping the ground.
"Morse code," Naruto smiled as he concentrated on the pattern. Naruto's eyes shot open and looked at Dosu, who only nodded his head.
"Good luck, in staying alive." Dosu's statement confused everyone, but Naruto knew the real truth and it both angered and saddened him.
"What was that about," Kakashi asked as he held out his hand for Naruto. For a brief second, Naruto only stared at it, as if confused, but shaking his head, Naruto took the offered appendage and allowed to be hoisted up.
"I have no idea," Naruto lied with a confused grin. "Dosu is a strange guy." Kakashi could only stay at Naruto, but shrugged after a few seconds. "He knows I'm lying." Naruto cursed, but still couldn't let what he had learned out, at least not yet. After making their rounds and allowing everyone to rest up, Sakin offered the Konoha shinobi a place to stay to rest and heal, Mikoto more thoroughly. The thought of keeping Itachi outside of Konoha for more then a day, gave Kakashi a unsettling feeling, but Mikoto was hurt and needed help. After arriving in Suna, Itachi was immediately sealed up within a prison of gold dust and more sealing tags were placed along the bars, ensuring his capture, but the Uchiha didn't seem at all interested in escaping or even attempting one. He just seemed dead. Even when Sasuke, started threatening him, the older Uchiha didn't even move, not even a flinch. The next day, the Konoha group all stood outside Suna; Itachi secured by chakra chains connect to Naruto.
"Thank you for everything," Sakin stated with gratitude in his voice. "If it wasn't for you my son…"
"No problem," Kakashi answered as the Kazekage gave a nod. Gaara and Naruto were looking at one another, both wearing disinterested looks.
"So, you and your dad are getting along better," Naruto asked and received a nod from the Shukaku's container. "Well, good you will need that for the fights ahead."
"I will not allow my family to be hurt because of Akatsuki," Gaara declared as the sand around them jumped a little. Smiling, Naruto patted Gaara on the shoulder before turning away.
"Good luck, Gaara."
"Same to you, Naruto."
The Konoha nins soon began their trek through the desert and back home, but even then Naruto couldn't help, but remember Dosu's words. "Looks like what we feared is about to happen, Kurama." Naruto's words only got a growl out of the fox.
XXX
"So Itachi attacked you."
"Yes, he apparently still has feelings for his mother, Pein," Kisame's statement, didn't settle well with their leader, but he still kept his cool.
"It doesn't matter our plan is nearly complete."
"And if he spills about our plans," Kisame prodded, but was rewarded with a glare from the figure.
"As I said it doesn't matter," Pein repeated. "We now only need to find and capture four Jinchuriki and then we can complete our plan."
"Are you that Hidan and Kakuzu in capturing the Nibi's Jinchuriki?"
"Yes, but I'm off to go catch our other prize," Pein's statement just brought a shrug from the shark nin. "Now, if that is all, leave. I have to make preparations." Kisame nodded his head and left without any further discussions. Once Kisame was gone, Tobi emerged out of the shadows. "Itachi abandoning us is a problem."
"Yes, but it not something we can fix right now," Tobi answered back. "But all we can do is continue and capture the other Jinchuriki as fast as possible."
"Agreed," Pein replied as he stood up. "I'm off to capture the Rokubi (Six Tails)." Tobi nodded his head as the rippled eyed man walked off.
"Damn you Itachi," Tobi cursed. "But it doesn't matter, soon the rest of the Bijuu will fall into our hands and then my plan can be achieved." With that the masked man vanished in a swirling vortex.
XXX
Arriving in Konoha the group was met with stares of awe, as they saw a blind; chakra chained, and shackled Itachi. After giving the captured, nin over to the ANBU; Mikoto was dropped off a the hospital. "Well, that was an exciting mission," Naruto exclaimed. "But I think it's about time to head home and relax."
"Not so fast," Kakashi's hand stopped Naruto from walking away. "We still have to give our mission statement to the Hokage."
"Surely we all don't have to go," Naruto complained.
"Sorry, but we do in order to verify what had happened."
Naruto nodded his head, but the moment Kakashi's back turned; the Uzumaki's face darkened. He knew that wasn't the real reason behind him going to the Hokage's office, but it was better to play along; then have to deal with an even bigger problem later. Hinata turned around just as Naruto's face turned back to normal, but it was just enough to know something wasn't going to end well once they got too the Hokage.
XXX
"Is that your report," Tsunade asked as she stared at the group in front of her.
"Yes," Kakashi stated. "We caught Itachi Uchiha and we were giving a scroll by Dosu stating it was to be delivered to the Hokage."
"Well, we will have the scroll checked for any sort of traps," Tsunade finished, but then her eyes hardened when they fell on Naruto, who was currently picking at some dirt that was on his jacket. "That is all, except for Naruto and Kakashi; I would like to have a private word with you two."
Hinata looked at Naruto in concern, but the Uzumaki smiled at her. "I'll see you in a minute," Naruto promised without breaking his smile. The Hyuga gave a nod, but was still worried as she left. As the door began to close, Naruto's demeanor changed, rapidly. "Okay, let's get this over with."
"So you did know," Kakashi said in more of a statement then a question.
"Please, I knew this was going to happen before our mission started," Naruto reasoned with a dismissed wave. "We were up against Akatsuki members, so nothing sort of pulling out almost all the stops was we going to make it. And look what came from it. We have Itachi in custody, no one was killed and Gaara was saved before Shukaku was extracted. In my opinion that is a win in my eyes."
"You disobeyed direct orders," Tsunade's eyes were blazing with anger. "We all told, Kakashi, Sarutobi, Jiraiya-."
"Oh, please," Naruto interrupted with a wave of his hand. "Jiraiya is never here to help me train, like you guys wanted. So what am I suppose to do, sit around sucking on my thumb. I trained by myself in the use of my Bijuu's chakra simply because; no one else could've done anything."
"What about Yamato," Tsunade questioned which only got a laugh out of Naruto.
"With his chakra level, even if I did lose full control of the chakra; he wouldn't be able to hold me back."
"So you deliberately trained, knowing if you lost control you would've placed the entire village in danger."
"Who said I was training inside the village?"
This brought about a series of shocked expressions from the two adults. "What do you mean," Tsunade asked as her hands clenched into tight fists.
"Look, I don't train inside the village; too dangerous," Naruto stated nonchalantly. "So in order to keep the village safe, I go a few miles out and train to my heart's content."
"You-," Tsunade was about to continue, when Naruto held up his hand.
"Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to go now," Naruto announced as he put his hands together. "This message isn't going to get back to the real me, if I stand here talking all day." With that the Futon Bunshin vanished in a swirl of wind that left minor scratches on the Hokage's floor.
XXX
Hinata was surprised to see Naruto standing at the gate to her home, when she had just left him at the Hokage's office. Before she could ask, Naruto told her about the clone. When asked why he did that, Naruto responded with 'So I could spend the day with my girlfriend.' This only brought a smile to the Hyuga's face. Taking his girlfriend by the hand, Naruto began too led her through the village. Before getting too far, Hinata felt, Naruto shuddered, but with a roll of his shoulders; he continued walking. "Everything ok," Hinata questioned.
"Yeah, but there might be some trouble later on, but I'll cross that bridge when I come too it," Naruto answered with an aloof tone in his voice. "But for now it, is just about you and me." Naruto gave the Hyuga a gently peck on the check causing her to blush. Looking at her, something slowly began to pry at the back of Naruto's head; as if they were being watched. "If only we didn't have some crowd following us." Hinata was confused at first, but Naruto gave a glance towards the nearest building with a sign overshadowing them. Activating her Byakugan, Hinata saw a small outline of someone, but it quickly faded away.
"Why are they following us," Hinata asked.
"Their not following us, just me," Naruto answered as he threw a ball at the sign. Before the ANBU agent could move, the ball exploded into a bright light; blinding the spy. When the light faded, the two were gone; all that was left was a note. Picking it up, the ANBU didn't know whether to be impressed or disturbed.
Better luck next time.
XXX
"You are asking for trouble," Hinata scolded as she sat on the nearest rock. Chuckling, Naruto leaned on a tree looking at the Hyuga.
"I'm not afraid of some ANBU," Naruto countered with a confident smirk. Hinata just raised an eyebrow at the Uzumaki.
"Are you afraid of anything," Hinata asked as she leaned forward.
Giving her a look of utter disbelief, Naruto laughed. "Of course," Naruto stated. "I would be a fool not to be afraid of something."
"Okay, what are you afraid of," Hinata pried as she watched Naruto walk away from his tree. The Uzumaki looked towards the small spring as a thoughtful expression played on his features.
"I'm afraid of losing the people I hold dear too me," Naruto stated calmly. "I don't want what happened to Kinkaku and Ginkaku to happen again." Hinata's eyes softened as she got up and gave Naruto a hug.
"You know you can't keep everyone safe," Hinata stated softly. "We have a dangerous job and we all have to do it."
"That is why, regardless of what she tries to do; I will train with Kurama's chakra," Naruto's eyes hardened like steel. "If anyone wants to get too you or anyone else I cherish in my life; they will regret it."
"I understand, but please try not too give our Hokage anymore reason to yell at you," Hinata asked, but got a small chuckle out of Naruto as he turned and faced her.
"No promises." Leaning forward the two kissed one another. After the kiss ended, the two looked out into the spring, while staying embraced.
XXX
Sitting in a dark room, Itachi was bound to the floor. Chakra seals were placed all over his body, along with a bit of cloth wrapped around his eyes. He couldn't help, but chuckle. They were making sure, he wasn't going anywhere; and who could blame them. Letting out a breath, Itachi heard the door open. Listening too the sound of the approaching individual, the Uchiha gained a visible frown when he heard three separate noises. "So you got caught," The voice growled out.
"Of course," Itachi answered back. "My chakra ran out and my body couldn't handle anymore of Susanoo."
"Tomorrow you will be brought before the council and will face your sentencing," Turning on his heel the visitor began to leave, but stopped when Itachi spoke up.
"Is it just the Hokage and the councilors or will the clan heads be attending as well, Danzo," Itachi's eyes even though they were covered, the old war hawk could feel there power.
"Well, that depends on the Hokage, but I think a little public showing of too your mother is something that could help keep the future Uchiha's in line; don't you think." Not receiving sort of response, Danzo turned and began to leave, but just as he got to the door, Danzo said one last thing. "You were a true ninja, acting from the shadows; too the very end. Goodbye, Itachi Uchiha
Okay finally done. This took a while longer then planned, but what ever. If this chapter seemed rushed, I'm sorry. Hopefully the next chapter will be better. Oh, he is a little tidbit for you guys. I have several other stories planned; some for Sonic the Hedgehog, Teen Titans, and then a big project that must first be further studied on before I even attempt it ;). But anyway, that is neither here nor there, hope you guys enjoyed and continue with me on this little adventure.