Noctis Eternum

Chapter Eleven: Aftermath

Author Notes: I finally gave a name to Naruto's mysterious power. Basically it is a culmination of a dark ritual performed by the Yondaime and the experiments of Orochimaru. Expect this to be a big plot point later on. If anyone felt like Orochimaru's power over the dead was odd it's mostly because I'm going for a more powerful Orochimaru than in canon. He's got a pretty cool theme going with the Edo tensei and part 1s themes, but I wanted to explore that forbidden dark arts side of him that fell off in part 2.


The dark black smog filled the air like a dry constricting blanket strewn across the city. The sun, hidden as it was through thick clouds, let very little light through to the fiery world below. All around was near silence, with only the crackles of burning logs and the occasional scream. The atmosphere was sorrowful, despair hung in the air, perhaps even heavier than the smog that choked the life of those still living.

He stared in numb silence at the innumerable dead. Men, women, and children of all ages laid silent in the destroyed city. The white marble towers which had seemed like a beacon of wealth and prosperity only hours before, now laid crumbled. The houses which had boasted of the good times the city had seen were burning down. Black flames consumed everything in sight. He felt the heat all the way from the palace ruins. Fu sat beside him, she too had no words for the scene before her. 'It wasn't supposed to end this way.' Naruto thought.

Orochimaru's jutsu had gone out of control. The dead had poured from the destroyed daimyo's palace into the city itself. The citizens hadn't even fought back. When the enemy began their slaughter the citizens had brought their pitch forks and farming tools, but when they realized the enemy wasn't some nameless man or woman, but their closest friends, their lovers, their children, their parents, they could not find the will to fight back.

Itachi and Kisame walked toward them. Naruto frowned deeply and Fu gasped. Blood dripped from Itachi's eyes in a constant small stream. The man staggered and would have fallen if Kisame hadn't slung Itachi's arm over his shoulder.

Naruto met their gaze, "What happened?" He asked, knowing whatever he would hear it would not be good.

"The city has fallen. Everyone is either dead or fleeing." Itachi said in a low voice.

"Everyone is dead? How? There's hundreds of thousands living in this city!" Fu yelled.

Itachi bowed his head in shame. "It spread like a plague. In only hours the entire city was gone. I had to cleanse it with Amateratsu or it would have spread to the entire country or worse, the rest of the continent."

Naruto clenched his fists. Itachi studied Naruto's reaction and sighed. "How did things on your end go? Do you know the cause of this...plague."

Naruto grimaced. "I think we have a bigger threat on our hands then Konoha."

III

The trip back to Amegakure was silent. No one spoke of the mission, or of the countless horrors they had seen. The gate guards noticed their haunted and dreary eyes and motioned them through without a word. They stood before Pein as the man questioned them on the missions events.

"I see. The snake has grown into a threat too great to ignore." Pein stated with a troubled look. Konan who stood next to Pein was pale and seemed near sick at the horrific details of the Sannin's latest work.

Zetsu leaned against the nearby wall listening in to the report. The usually stone faced plant man seemed troubled as well. "This jutsu and the Sannin are a threat to our plans Leader-Sama. We recommend action be taken..."

Pein glanced at black zetsu. "It's very unlike you to offer any advice. Do you have any new intelligence?"

White zetsu nodded. "We have spies inside Otogakure who report of massive chambers where the Sannin is rumored to be creating super soldiers. All we know so far is test subjects get brought inside, and they don't come out. Strange previously unknown soldiers are coming out months later."

Pein frowned in thought. "If he's using the people he kidnaps as material for these fabricated soldiers it would explain his lack of recent recruitment. The question now is how does he create these soldiers and how strong are they." Pein knew if the Snake was allowed to grow unchecked the man would pose a significant threat to Akatsuki. The man must be removed.

"Zetsu, I want you to infiltrate Otogakure and learn how the Sannin is making these soldiers."

"Hai!"

"Your all dismissed."


The enduring darkness surrounded the blind eyes, offering its illusion of emptiness all around. But the sounds of a child screaming contradicted the deception, and created a feeling of rising terror around the fearing mind. The effects of this were heightened by the inability to move, which made the terrified soul frantic.

Naruto remained in his trapped state, unable to open his eyes or move. His entire body was immobile, but he still felt the pain. Illusionary ropes bound hands. They were wrapped in an outstretched manner, unable to even touch each other. He really hadn't the faintest idea how long he had been there, he slipped in and out of consciousness. The silence and darkness meant he was never sure if he was actually awake, or if he was asleep. In either case, he experienced the same thing. The only thing he could do in the silence was fear the unknown.

Naruto woke with a scream. The bed was completely soaked and Fu stirred awake beside him. Fu looked at him with worry, 'Naruto are you ok!?"

He cried and wept. His chest shuddered and he looked to be on the verge of a meltdown. 'Forget the pain...Forget and remember the happy times.'

Fu leaned over and hugged him. Naruto felt Fu's warm embrace and he felt himself slowly coming back to reality. Fu was crying and hugging him, "Naruto please calm down. I'm here for you."

Tears fell down his face as he remembered the horrible torture. Ibiki had left after seeing him so broken. He remembered how helpless he felt, and how he could do nothing at the time. He wanted to make that man feel pain, he wanted to murder him.

Fu hugged Naruto and cried with him, "Please, Naruto tell me what's wrong."

Konoha had kept him in a life of animosity, treating him like an animal on display. He was made to believe that where he lived was where he was meant to be, even though everyone around him only saw him as a sight, but not wanting to get close enough in case he attacked. But it was the intention of the handlers to tame him, so that he would attack who they wanted him to. Tsunade had played that part well. He never would have figured out the deception on his own. Why? Why was it that he had the Kyuubi sealed within him? Why was it that everyone either saw him as a monster, or a weapon?

"Will it ever change?" he thought, even the sound of his thoughts seemed distant, "Can I ever be seen as anything other than the Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi?"

It was a question he couldn't find the answer to. He turned towards the girl in his arms who looked at him with moist eyes. 'Maybe the answer isn't as far off as I think.'

Naruto shifted in her arms, "It's about what happened in Konoha" He whispered.

Fu laid on his chest as he began the story of what had transpired. Naruto told her about the torture and the child which he could not save. At the end of the gruesome session with the torturer the man had dragged what remained of the child and force fed the carcass to the child's parents.

Tears fell down Fu's face as she sobbed into Naruto's chest. 'How long has he kept this inside? Why didn't he tell me sooner?' She thought. They held each other and gazed into each other's eyes. Naruto did not know what compelled him, but as he looked into Fu's beautiful orange eyes he closed the distance with her.

Fu did not deny him as he kissed her. Fu melted into the kiss and emotions exploded inside of him. If he had thought he cared about this woman before, it was nothing compared to what he felt now. He loved this woman. He realized now what the word love truly meant. Naruto kissed Fu with passion and he held her tightly.

Fu moaned into his mouth and the two parted lips. Fu looked at him with a blush, "You know I have been waiting for this." She said breathing heavily.

Naruto smiled, an honest smile, "I love you." He said with longing.

Fu's eyes watered and she kissed him, "I love you too Naruto." She whispered.

The two resumed making out and things stayed like that for hours. Naruto felt at peace for the first time in his life. He did not need to fear being assassinated in his sleep. He felt accepted and loved. He looked at the green haired beauty next to him and snuggled into her embrace with a smile.

They held onto each other like they meant the world to each other. Fu was Naruto's everything now. She meant the world to him. 'I will do anything for her. This feeling is love? I've never felt it before. I will protect her by any means. Nothing will take her away from me.' Naruto thought.

Fu likewise was thinking about her feelings. 'Chomei is this true love?' Fu asked her Bijuu.

"Yes, it is what you humans call true love. You have found an equal in Naruto. We bijuu call it soul mates. He will do anything for you, as you would for him." Chomei said to her adoptive daughter.

Fu smiled, 'Thanks'

"No problem."

Fu laid with Naruto and the pair dozed off until mid day.


The loud rumbling of thunder could be heard all over as the lightning angrily tried to descend from the heavens, accompanied by light drizzles of rain water from the sky.

Sasuke stared blankly out of the window as the storm raged.

All he had ever wanted was to become strong, kill Itachi, avenge his dead clan and restore the Uchiha name to its former glory.

Yes, it was supposed to be as simple as that. He had never expected the crushing guilt and pain. When he had walked into that dimly lit cell and bragged to his rival, he had thought he would feel powerful, that he would finally gain the prestige and power he had always wanted. They had told him, "Turn on the demon and we will give you everything you ever wanted." He had not even thought twice before sticking the proverbial knife in his former friends back.

Yet here he was. He had everything he wanted. He had fame, power, prestige, he even became the apprentice of the famed yellow flash.

So why did he feel so empty inside?


Months Later

Morning sunlight slowly illuminated the room as two people slowly woke up. Fu leaned into Naruto and the two kissed. Naruto looked at Fu, "We really should get up and do something."

Fu nodded, "I was thinking we could ask for a vacation. We haven't had a break in weeks."

Naruto beamed in Happiness, "That would be great Fu."

Fu smiled and went to the bathroom to get on her Shinobi gear. Naruto jumped out of the bed and got himself out of his pajamas and into his Shinobi attire. He heard the bathroom door open and his jaw dropped. Fu walked out wearing dark green plants, a long sleeved leaf green shirt, a mesh undershirt, and a long white cloak with blue wave patterns on the hem. To top it off she put on black fingerless gloves.

He felt himself grasp for breath and she gave him a seductive smirk, "Like what you see Naruto?"

He nodded dumbly, "Yes! Most definitely."

Fu grinned, "Then let's go" She grabbed Naruto by the hand and he knew he was in for a wild ride. The duo held hands as they laughed along the way to Pein's office. Naruto knocked on Pein's door and he heard a stoic, "Enter"

Naruto entered with Fu in tow. Pein looked up from his boring paperwork to see the two Jinchuuriki holding hands and smiling like little children. "What have you come to visit me for?" Pein asked curiously.

Naruto smiled in happiness, "I was wondering if we could have some time off."

Pein's eyes opened slightly wider, "May I ask why?"

Fu tugged on Naruto's arm, "I actually asked Naruto if we could have some time off. We have been doing missions nonstop and Kisame-Sensei is a slave driver."

Pein looked amused, "You two have certainly been putting the hours in. Very well, I shall give you some time off but if you plan to leave the village I will need to assign an escort."

Fu looked dejected. She wanted to go to a nice resort with just her Special Kitsune. Naruto squeezed her hand in support, "However..." Fu looked up when Pein said that.

Pein smiled, "While I cannot let you both leave without a guardian I know someone who might be interested in coming along."

The pair wondered who he meant when Konan stepped forth from Pein's side with a warm smile. Fu beamed in happiness. What many didn't know was that the two had long been best friends ever since Fu had arrived in the city. The two were very close.

Naruto felt relief. "Thank you Leader-Sama" he said respectfully.

Fu grinned at Pein, "Thank you so much." Inwardly the two were happy they could be together without having to worry about being watched by someone they were uncomfortable relaxing with.

"It is nothing. Now leave and enjoy your vacation. I must complete this paperwork." Pein said.

Naruto along with Fu walked out of the room and as soon as the door closed Pein formed a hand seal. Zetsu's static hologram appeared before him. "Yes Leader-Sama" Zetsu said.

Pein looked at Zetsu stoically, 'The Jinchuuriki are going on their first vacation. I was going to send Itachi, but since Fu has improved her sensing I want you to follow them and make sure they return alive. I trust in their skills but I want to be certain."

Zetsu nodded and disappeared from the room with a low static crackle.

Pein turned to Konan, "Now...You know your part."

Konan gave a Cheshire grin. "Don't you worry."

Outside the tower Naruto and Fu were happily running to find a Shinobi shop. Naruto looked over at the various Shinobi stores. He looked for a weapon's dealer and could find none."

He pouted and gained Fu's attention, "Something wrong, love?" She asked.

Naruto sighed, "I'm looking for a Shinobi shop and I just can't find one."

Fu giggled, "That's because they are all concealed by Genjutsu, silly."

Naruto stopped. He felt stupid. 'Of course they would not want the civilians to know where they are.' He thought. He looked around the market and used the skills Tobi taught him to looked around for signs of Genjutsu. Like an advanced Henge he noticed that a brick wall next to a bakery was shimmering.

He grabbed Fu's hand, "I know where it is." Fu glanced at him, "Lead the way" She said.

The pair walked forward towards the brick wall. Fu looked at him nervously, 'Naruto I don't think this is the entrance."

Naruto waved her off, "Trust me Fu." Fu nervously nodded and decided to trust him.

The duo ran forward and straight into the brick wall. The pair hit the brick wall and blacked out.

Water hit Naruto and he Sputtered. He woke up and groaned, 'What hit me" He groaned.

Someone near him laughed, "You ran headfirst into a brick wall, Un." Naruto turned towards the mysterious voice and found someone with black cloak with red clouds. The man was blond and had his hair in a ponytail. The man looking at him with analyzing blue eyes.

Fu laying next to him stirred. She picked herself up and glared at Naruto, "That's the last time I trust you enough to run into a brick wall."

Naruto sweated at Fu's glare, 'Hehe" He rubbed the back of his neck. He turned towards the cloaked man, "So where's the real entrance, um, Deidara right?"

Deidara smirked, "The shop is covered by a Genjutsu. It works like an advanced Henge. It's actually in the alleyway next to us." Deidara pointed to a alleyway five feet away that shimmered and revealed a medium sized store with dozens of customers all looking at them.

Fu blushed and hit Naruto over the head. Naruto yelped, "What was that for!?"

Fu looked indignant, "That's for convincing me to run headfirst into a brick wall."

Naruto blushed and figured he had that one coming, 'Ya, I'll admit I deserved that." he looked at Deidara, "So you're in the Akatsuki I see."

Deidara looked at him suspiciously, "Yeah Un. Who are you" unseen to them Deidara was chewing clay behind his back if they turned out to be hostile.

Naruto beamed at him, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I'm going to be a member soon."

Deidara stopped chewing his clay and blinked. His demeanor changed and he relaxed, 'Oh, I see now. Your that kid that we discussed in the last meeting. Nice to meet you, un." Deidara held out his hand and Naruto grasped it.

On second thought maybe he should not have done that. When he grasped Deidara's hand he felt something slimy and withdrew his hand quickly. Deidara grinned and held up his hand. Naruto blanched. On Deidara's hand was a mouth with tongue, teeth and all.

"Ewww" Fu's face looked disgusted.

Deidara laughed, "I see you don't like my bloodline"

"It's not that. It's just gross." Naruto said.

Deidara pitied the kid. He could not comprehend his artistically talented hands. "Well I need some supplies for a mission, so I'll catch you around." Deidara said and hurried to complete his task.

Naruto and Fu walked inside the shop and surveyed all assortment of weaponry. Naruto looked for something interesting and found a rack of weaponry. He skipped all the uninteresting stuff and found himself staring at an old katana. The katana wasn't really anything impressive and he blew it off.

He spotted Fu buying a few explosive tags and felt interested. He looked for the explosive tags and had an idea. 'When I use Kage-Bunshin I clone everything on myself... so what if I had one hundred explosive tags with me?'

He gathered one hundred explosive tags and a Fuma shuriken. He brought the merchandise to the casher and put it on the Akatsuki's tab. He walked outside and Fu's eyes bulged at the Fuma Shuriken covered in a ridiculous amount of explosive tags.

Fu stared at him. He suddenly felt nervous, "what" he blurted.

Fu just stared at him, "Why did you buy that many explosive notes for a vacation?" She said disbelievingly.

Naruto laughed nervously, "Well I have a bit of bad luck when it comes to C-Ranks. I thought it might apply to vacations too, so I decided I would pack extra."

Fu sighed, "Well it can't hurt, but if you even throw that thing it will kill us along with whoever your aiming at."

He waved her concern off, "I'm sure I'll come up with something."

Fu rolled her eyes and the pair set off for the gate. Naruto flashed the gate guards his badge and they scurried to get out of their way. Naruto smirked, 'I can't say I don't enjoy the perks of being Akatsuki'

Fu sent him an annoyed look for being such a showoff. He stuck his tongue out at her. Fu smirked as they walked out of the village. Soon enough they met up with a cheerful Konan. The woman sent them a thumbs up, "Ready to go?"

Fu grinned, "You won't believe how long I've waited for this."

Konan sent her a wink in reply, "I think I can guess."

Naruto simply looked confused but he blew it off as women being women.

"You human males are so oblivious it's a wonder your still alive." A deep voice laughed.

'Not everyone has the luxury of being an immortal demon.' He replied.

Kyuubi chuckled, "Trust me ningen. My age has nothing to do with my observation skills."

Naruto rolled his eyes. He almost regretted making that deal with the Kyuubi.

"Oh you know that's a lie. You get unlimited use of my power and all I get is access to your senses, and a little freedom when I possess a shadow clone." The demon smirked.

'Yes, you get to hear and feel everything when I make out with my girlfriend. I'm sure she would love to know about that.' He said sarcastically.

"Hah! Chomei can feel the same thing and trust me we have lived inside you two since the day you were born. It's not so bad once you get used to it." The kyuubi remarked.

Naruto sighed. 'Whatever, I'll let you possess one of my shadow clone when we get to wherever these two want to spend our vacation at. Don't make any trouble.'

The kyuubi merely gained a mischievous smirk. "Oh don't you worry ningen, I won't cause any trouble at all."

Naruto did not trust that innocent tone in the slightest but gave up. A deal was a deal and letting his Bijuu have a little freedom in exchange for full use of it's power was too good to pass up. He may only be able to control a few tails but that was still a good boost.

It was almost an hour on their trip when Naruto glanced at Fu. "So where are we headed anyway?"

Fu replied to Naruto with a chirp in her voice now that they were out of the village, "We are headed to hot spring country. They have the best resorts and hot springs available."

Naruto choked. That was almost a month away. Fu looked at him funnily, "You did not think that it would take so long?" She asked.

"Of course not. I thought this was going to be short." He said.

Fu laughed, "Well, it isn't. Pein assigned us a side mission to get us more acquainted to the various lands in the elemental nations. Think of it like an adventure. On the plus side we get to enjoy a relaxing stay at the continent's most luxurious resorts and spa's"

Konan and Fu exchanged a high-five making Naruto groan. He knew the two must be thinking about getting their nails done and other feminine things. At least he had Kyuubi. He blinked. What was he thinking?

"Hey, I resent that" The Kyuubi roared.

Naruto kicked some dirt in his path. The Trio were in the middle of the land of Rain and at the pace they were going it would be two days before they were out. Fu had decided to move at a civilians pace to appreciate the trip.

He glanced at a rock formation nearby and spotted carvings and statues. They were near a large ravine that was a product of the various Shinoi wars. He matched Pace with Fu. Konan watched their surrounding in an ever vigilant manner. Clearly the woman knew the land well and was wary of threats. The land was craggy and rocky, and it would be several more hours until something changes.

Naruto sighed, 'This will take awhile.' he thought.


Sasuke gradually opened his eyes as he woke up in his large bed and checked out his room. Everything was totally the same, as always. Another dull day. One might think you insane if you called being trained by Konoha's Yondaime as dull, but in truth he resented it now. Every day he spent with the man learning what the man had to offer he was reminded of how someone else deserved to be there instead, a certain blond haired boy.

He had spent the last few months ruminating in guilt before he decided he would need to seek his former friend out and ask for forgiveness. He knew he didn't deserve it, hell he didn't even know why he felt this way in the first place, but like hell would he sit around acting like everything was fine.

He got himself dressed and walked out the front door. He wore the ring of the clan head proudly, signifying his place as one of Konoha's elite. Men and women alike bowed to him as if he were kami himself. It sickened him in a way he thought he could not feel. It was bad enough the Yondaime walked down the main road of Konoha every day soaking up the near permanent parade's attention, but now they practically worshipped the last Uchiha like a deity since he was that mans apprentice.

In spite of the fact that he did regularly ask himself for what reason did he genuinely betray his only real friend, a piece of him whispered in his mind that he shouldn't feel so guilty. That he was the last Uchiha and by Kami's right the Orphan had it coming for standing in his way. He squashed those thoughts down breathing erratically. Was he going crazy? Did he feel both vindication and guilt from his act of betrayal?

Maybe it was both. Maybe he was insane. How like him to support two conflicting views.

In the wake of the betrayal all his previously held beliefs were shattered. He wasn't the invincible Uchiha avenger he pictured himself as. He wasn't some untouchable elite. He was a scared boy who stabbed the only friend he had in the back, and he enjoyed it. Now the only thing left were regrets and the ghosts of his clan.

No Matter how much the citizens praised him, there was no clan to be recognized by, no father or mother to demonstrate his prowess too, no older sibling to dote on him. In one night he had lost his family. His dear sweet mother was murdered so brutally that he still could not believe his brother had done what he had.

In a different world maybe Naruto would not have stopped him from escaping. Maybe he would have gone to Orochimaru, trained under him, at some point killed him also. He had a plan in his head that went down the drain the moment his rival beat him down. Like a vase shattering his dreams too scattered to the wind. In the aftermath he was wild, he was vicious, he was insane.

But, he knew what would make things right. 'Naruto I hope your alive, I'm coming for you one day and I hope you can forgive me.' Sasuke thought.


Naruto walked along the gravel road in silence. Fu and Konan were chattering incessantly about girly things, he wisely stayed out of that. Every now and then he would glance at Fu with desire. Fu returned the look with a smile. He had never felt so alive for such a long time. He sometimes wondered how things could have played out differently. He imagined he would still be a slave for Konoha if he had not been betrayed.

The Yondaime turned out to be nothing like he imagined. Neither did the village. That was fine though. He had something better. He glanced at Fu and promised himself to protect her at all costs.

He looked at Konan. She was almost a decade older than them, but she still looked in her mid twenties and was fairly attractive. She had proved to be a good friend to Fu and if his girlfriend trusted her then so would he. He noticed Konan occasionally sending him a sultry wink which he turned down. He knew Fu would never forgive him if he did something behind her back.

The scenery had changed over the last two days and the trio walked through tall grass as they entered grass country. Naruto looked over the tall winding hills and towering unkempt grass. The chill breeze ruffled his hair as the group walked the beaten path.

Fu looked at the landscape with awe, "It's beautiful isn't it."

Naruto looked over the endless hills and grass landscape, "Looks okay, I guess."

"This land used to destroyed and torn by war. I am happy it has had time to heal." Konan remarked.

Fu held Naruto's hand as they admired the landscape. He caught Fu looking at a tall oak tree as they passed by. He wondered how he fit in the grand scheme of things. 'I wonder if all I am is an asset. What is a shinobi but a tool to be used and discarded? Does Pein and Tobi Sensei value me as a person or as a Shinobi, a tool?' He thought.

It was a terrifying, and depressing thought. That all his efforts were only making him more of what he hated being, a tool, a slave. But… if this is what it meant to be a Shinobi, then this is what every Shinobi went through. Then it wasn't just him alone, was it? It was just that he always knew this pain, and everyone else just learned it later. Then… what did that make him? If he knew something instinctually that everyone else needed time to learn, did that mean he was enlightened?

'Heh, I'm beginning to sound like Pein.'

Pein had stated he desired to use Naruto for Akatsuki's goals, but what were those goals besides bringing Justice? Was a peaceful world bought by blood and iron truly worth it? Was his goal a lie?

"For Kami's sake stop lamenting ! Your making it flood in here." Kyuubi stated in annoyance.

'Piss off!' He replied.

The kyuubi roared and he cut off the connection. Let the fox by mad. He would forget about it in a few hours anyway. Time worked strangely for immortals. They could hold grudges for an eternity or forget about it in minutes.

Hours passed and Naruto noticed something disturbing. As they entered the country he noticed a distinct lack of people. 'There should be at least a passerby. Maybe it's because we are so close to the border of Amegakure.' he thought worried.

Fu was relaxed as she walked with her favorite person in the world. She saw a meadow of flowers ahead and she felt so many emotions brewing within her. She wanted Naruto so much that she could barely restrain herself at times. She knew he liked to take things slow so she stopped herself from doing anything drastic.

Konan too noticed the lack of passerby and grew tense. 'We should have passed by someone by now. Grass country is an agricultural powerhouse. Something is wrong.' She thought.

Fu warmly grasped Naruto's hand and tugged him towards the meadow. Naruto smiled, 'We've been walking for two days. I suppose we could use a break.'

Naruto walked alongside Fu slowly as they treaded the soft ground and laid down a blanket. Konan trailed behind them and sat down. She laughed seeing the sheer care the two looked at each other with. She remembered feeling the same way once with Yahiko.

Naruto unsealed the rations and the pair sat down in the flowery meadow. Naruto looked towards Fu and caught his breath.

Fu smiled at him with the sunlight shining in her face. He gulped and started fixing his sandwich. Fu looked at him curiously, "Hey Naruto."

He stopped making his sandwich and looked at her. She looked in amazement at the field they sat in, "This is such a beautiful place, Isn't it?"

Naruto acknowledged her, "It really is...I've never really seen something so beautiful to be honest. I've always struggled and never had the time to really appreciate life." He said solemnly.

Fu looked at him in distress, "When one knows despair as we have it truly is important to appreciate life. I did not learn that until I was in the ever raining Amegakure." Fu said with melancholy.

Naruto smiled coyly, "Let's stop acting all depressed. All that is behind us." He looked at Fu and smirked. Fu grinned and locked lips with him. They kept it short for Konan's sake who was blushing.

"You two certainly move quick." Konan joked.

"Not fast enough." Fu remarked glum.

"Maybe you should give him some convincing." Konan said with a wink.

Naruto huffed in mock offense. "I'll have you know I move at my own pace thank you!"

"Hahaha I guess it's everyone's preference." Konan laughed.

Naruto gathered his belongings after everyone finished eating and they set off. After an hour nothing of interest had happened. Naruto bored out of his mind looked around like a hawk trying to find something interesting to occupy his time.

He spotted a black speck in the distance. Further up the path was a village. He squinted his eyes and could barely make out some of the buildings. Konan looked at the village and took out a map.

She frowned as she surveyed the map. "This is odd." She commented.

Naruto looked at her confused, "What is it?" He asked.

Konan pointed at the map. There is a trade route through this village and we haven't seen anyone yet. It's very unusual." Naruto looked over her shoulder and wondered the same. 'Where did they all go?' They thought.

Naruto shrugged, "Well let's see what's going on then."

Fu looked around wary of their surroundings and they walked onward. As the details became more visible Naruto felt dread creep in. As they got closer and closer it became more apparent that something bad had happened. No longer a speck on the horizon they almost were upon the village. What had Naruto creeped out was the fact absolutely no one was around.

The village was deserted as they entered it. Blood stains were all over the village, but strangely no bodies were around. Naruto entered the village twirling a Kunai. Konan looked around with an expert eye and took the lead. Fu held the rear. The three were now actively looking for threats. Naruto took in every minor detail.

Gouges in the wood of the buildings painted a dark picture in his mind. All the lights in the streets were out. Blood stained the doors and the town was silent, save for their own breathing. The town was small with about three hundred and ninety houses with a few essential buildings. The houses were mainly made out of wood and brick.

Naruto cautiously eyed the empty shops as they passed by. The doors and windows were broken with blood staining the glass. Some of the buildings were burned down and he spotted signs of fighting.

Naruto stopped the two Kunoichi, "Something about this isn't right. Bandit's would never kidnap an entire town. The only reason that the Daimyo's across the Elemental nations haven't exterminated them all is because they usually don't cause enough trouble to make the cost of killing them all worth it." Naruto said coldly.

Fu grimaced at the dead village. Naruto looked at the burned town hall with anger, "This is genocide on a large scale. Whoever did this needs to be brought to justice."

Konan nodded. "It is the role of Akatsuki to bring divine justice to those who commit evil, so hath our Lord Pein commanded."

Fu looked at Naruto surprised, "Naruto we can't just abandon our vacation to chase down some bloodthirsty bandits."

Naruto shook in rage, 'No, we must do this. Our mission is to bring peace right?" He asked Fu.

Fu nodded. She felt bad for the villagers, she did, but she also exterminated bandits for a living and she just wanted a vacation. On the other hand she could never deny Naruto. She loved him. Fu breathed deeply, "Alright, but we can't take too long. We have a deadline of three months before we need to be back in Amegakure."

Naruto grasped her tightly, "Thank you..." He said lowly. She hugged him back and wished she could heal him of all the wrongs that had been done to him.

Naruto looked at her, 'Let's go look for clues. I think I might have an idea of who did this."

Fu nodded, "Lets hurry."

Konan remained silent deciding to let them take the lead. She would offer advice if needed but this was a good learning experience for them.

They spent hours looking for clues of who could have massacred the townspeople. Finally Fu spotted soft tracks in the dirt. There were over fifty leading from the town and various skid marks where bodies had been dragged away.

Fu cursed, "I found the tracks but there are a lot of them." Naruto followed her gaze and found the tracks leading into the forest and away from the main road. He grimaced and made a split second decision.

"We're going to find the bastards who did this. Come on." He sprinted off into the forest at High-Jounin level speeds. Fu gaped at his brashness and followed suit, Konan not far behind.

Konan looked at Naruto stoically from the far rear of the group, 'We need to be careful here. If these were Shinobi we are heavily outmanned." Naruto looked at her heatedly, "I don't care. I won't rest until I see these bastards dead."

Fu worried for Naruto. She knew he was obsessed with Justice ever since he had arrived in Amegakure. To see it so strongly was disconcerting. It was bad enough her best friend was also obsessed with Pein's commandments and dogmatic beliefs. 'He needs this. It's best to encourage him in the right direction. Every man needs a way to relieve stress, who am I to judge if killing some life low bandits does the trick? I'll give him the support and love he needs afterwards.' She thought

Naruto was whipping by each tree with a haste that only could be matched with his rage. He had suffered at the hands of monsters with no empathy. He had power now and he would use it to save those who could not defend themselves. He narrowly dodged trees and branch's as he followed the deep footprints in the muddy forest floor.

After moments they arrived at a large cave in a mountain side that obviously lead into the lair of the monster who did this. Naruto snarled, 'The bastard's are in there. No mercy!'