"Naruto," the Uchiha smirked.
"Sasuke," the blond growled, evidently unhappy with the other's presence.
"I heard you're gonna be a father," Sasuke began, the chilling smile still adorning his face. "Congratulations. I even left you a gift. Did you like it?"
"Those men were innocent," Naruto growled, face hard as stone. "They weren't even supposed to attack you." The wind blew harshly against them and Sasuke's left sleeve flowed with the wind, empty below the elbow.
"I had to get your attention somehow," Sasuke said coolly. "After all these years, I thought you'd forgotten me." He raised a finger and wiped his eye in mockery.
"I never forgot you!" Naruto shot back harshly. "Every night when I closed my eyes you were there to haunt me, reminding me of my failure! Reminding me of how I failed you!"
"You did fail me, Naruto!" Sasuke interrupted. "Look at me! Your biggest failure!"
"Stop it, Sasuke," Naruto shouted, his eyes flashing orange for a moment. "Your crew is dead; you've no hope of killing the current Kages, much less controlling their countries!"
"I don't care anymore!" Naruto was shocked at Sasuke's reply. "You stopped my plan, you are the reason that I have nothing left! You took everything from me!" He raised his left arm for emphasis, showing how the sleeve fell short, just below the elbow.
"You sound deluded, Sasuke," Naruto said, raising his own bandaged arm. "You can't just throw the blame from one person to the next. Give up! Baa-Chan can fix you a new arm! You can't possibly beat me with one arm only!"
"Oh don't worry about my arm, Naruto," Sasuke smirked. The wind blew the hair out of his face, revealing his purple left eye. Rinnegan, Naruto growled. The sound of bits of metal clinking as they came together filled the air as Sasuke's shortened arm grew to its original length. Gears whirling and machinery moving. Naruto recognised this as one of the Rinnegan's abilities from his fight with Pain. "After I kill you," Sasuke continued. "I'm gonna kill Kakashi."
Naruto closed his eyes, as though he were deep in thought. "You're not going anywhere near Konoha from this point on."
"Oh?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "And you're gonna stop me? You think you can stop me? You think you're stronger than me?" With that, he let his chakra fill the air, his killer intent flowing in the direction of Naruto.
"And you think you're stronger than me?" Naruto opened his eyes to show that they were crimson, and his chakra sprang out of the human container, so ruthless and powerful that it nearly overwhelmed Sasuke's, making him step back. Sasuke's smile dropped. "I'm not going to stop you, Sasuke." He inhaled deeply, letting the Kuruma's chakra form around him, taking the shape of the nine tales. He jumped up, sword clashing with Sasuke's, who had also jumped up. "I'm going to kill you!"
::::::
"So, he left, huh?" Tsunade asked quietly, her back facing the Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Shizune, her front facing the village.
"Hai, Tsunade-sama," Shizune replied, who, despite her stoic expression, could not keep the worry out of her eyes. Who could? The blond knucklehead hero of the village, he who had grown close to many individuals of the village was in danger, and there was absolutely nothing they could do about it.
"I need you to temporarily take my seat while I lead a team to retrieve Naruto," Kakashi requested. "If need be, we'll back him up. Is that alright with you?"
Tsunade snorted disdainfully. "This is a fight between two monsters. Backup would only serve to get in the way."
"Will you do it?" Kakashi repeated, undeterred.
The aged woman sighed. "Of course I'll do it," she muttered. "Better bring him back in one piece."
"Thank you," Kakashi leaned forward, bowing respectfully. Turning to the Nara at his side, he started giving out instructions. "Shikamaru."
"Hai."
"Find Sakura, while I get Yamato and meet me at the village gate. We're heading to the Valley of the End in 2 hours," he ordered.
"What?" Shikamaru exclaimed, completely contrary to his normal behaviour, but they weren't under normal circumstances. "Sakura's pregnant! And Naruto will never forgive anyone for allowing Sakura to be in the line of danger."
"Sakura's the only one who will want to go near the battle, and, I hate to say this, but if Naruto is on the verge of death," everybody flinched, "Sakura's definitely the first person he wants to see."
"I understand, Hokage-sama," he finally replied gravely.
"Good," she acknowledged. "When you get there, observe the battle, and send Sakura in only when you see fit. Understand?"
"Hai."
"Dismissed." At that word, he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
:::::::
"Rasengan!"
"Chidori!"
Words of similar nature were exclaimed as the two men, bloodied and dirtied, clashed against each other and, just as quickly, jumped away from each other, raising their swords to continue attack. Red eyes met blue, as their pants were synchronised.
Tsukiyomi! Sasuke called out in his mind, trying to envelope Naruto in the reknowned genjutsu. A burst of chakra on Kyuubi's part prevented that from happening. Damn! Sasuke growled. Genjutsu's out of the picture till the end, then.
Both calmed down slightly, not lifting their eyes off each other, even as little droplets of water started to fall from the sky, slowly getting heavier and more abundant – it was starting to rain. Sasuke's eyes flashed once, and they were off, speeding towards each other, katanas bouncing and creating sparks as they clashed, their movements too quick for any normal shinobi to track.
They bounced away from each other once again.
"Katon!" Sasuke yelled. "Great fireball jutsu!"
"Fuuton!" Naruto yelled. Hmph, Sasuke smirked. Still a dobe after all. Fire beats wind. "Wind hurricane jutsu!" Sasuke's eyes widened as his fireball was engulfed by the wind , which continued to head his way. "You blow at a fire, and it'll grow bigger. But if you blow at a candle, it extinguishes. I just made my fuuton techniques many times more powerful than your katon."
Sasuke jumped away and avoided the rolling ball of hot wind in the nick of time, saving himself. His angry, boiling red eyes glared at the blue ones that were looking down on him condescendingly.
"Dobe," Sasuke growled.
"Teme," Naruto replied, getting his sword into position.
::::::
Sakura splashed water on her face, rubbing the tears away before drying it with a towel. Hastily, she strapped her ninjato to her back before checking her pouch properly. Shikamaru had left but moments ago, informing her of Kakashi's plan. Making sure that she had her extra gloves, the chakra pills she had made and her adequate weaponry, she slipped on her boots and her elbow guards. Tightening her hitaite, she locked the apartment, and vanished.
She appeared right outside Ichiraku's ramen shop, and slipped in.
"Sakura-chan!" the old man, Teuchi called from behind the counter. "It's great to see you again! Say, I haven't seen you in that gear for quite a while now."
"Hai, Teuchi-san," Sakura smiled, going in further. "I'd like the usual, please."
"Ah, buying back for Naruto?" He didn't notice as she flinched sharply but deeply, because she recovered almost immediately, but the pain still remained.
"Yup!" She replied enthusiastically. "He'll be home late from a mission, so I want him to come home to his favourite meal, even when Ichiraku's already closed."
"Ah, you're so sweet, Sakura-chan," Teuchi chuckled, handing the large container of ramen and the barrel of soup to Sakura. "Naruto is lucky to have a wife like you."
"Nah," she replied, her mind deep in thought. "I'm lucky to have him."
"Ho ho ho!" Teuchi laughed, placing a bowl of chicken ramen on the table. "Here's a free bowl for Konoha's favourite blonde's wife!"
"Thank you, Teuchi-san," Sakura smiled thankfully, taking a seat and pulling out a pair of chopsticks. "I greatly appreciate it."
::::::
"Dobe," Sasuke growled, panting like a dog.
"Teme," Naruto replied, grinning like the sun, though he was tired all the same.
"You never give up, do you?" Sasuke asked.
"Not till you're dead," Naruto replied without missing a beat.
Shit. Sasuke thought. I'm steadily running out of chakra.
"You're running out of juice, eh?" Naruto asked, grinning. Sasuke scowled. "I can see it in your eyes. But me, I've got a long way to go." With that, his chakra flared again, and Kurama's chakra engulfed him once more. The yellow chakra formed the fox around him as his whisker marks solidified. Blobs of chakra compressed in front of the fox as it grew black.
"Bijuu…"
Fuck!
"Sphere!"
::::::
"Tsunade-sama."
"Team seven has not been back for two days. Konoha 12, I'm sending you on a mission to back them up, or pull them out if the situation is to dire. Is that understood?"
"Hai!"
::::::
"Summoning technique!" Sasuke and Naruto simultaneously shouted. Clouds of smoke burst through the entire valley as the rain worked at washing it away, revealing two giant toads, a snake, and a Cerberus.
"I thought I fucking put you down already, you damned mutt!" Gamabunta bellowed as he slid his sword out of his sheath.
"Sasuke-sama," Manda hissed, his tongue darting disgustingly in and out of his mouth. "Who are these foul creatures?"
"Kit," Kurama informed his host, a little apologetically. "I'm running a little low. I need time to gather more chakra."
That's ok, he replied mentally. Just don't take too long. "Hey Boss!" Naruto yelled at Gamabunta. "This may very well be my last fight! Let's make it a good one, huh?!"
"You don't get to say that, you damned runt!" The giant toad growled. "You're not allowed to die till you've had that drink with me!"
Naruto chuckled in reply. "Who said anything about dying? I just said this might be my last fight!"
"Damn right," the toad huffed. "Gamakichi!"
"Yo!" The slightly smaller toad replied with a wave.
"The dog should be a piece of cake for you!" His dad roared. "If you don't at least send him to the depths of hell, no dinner for you!"
"Right on, Dad!"
Meanwhile, Sasuke was having a similar pep talk with his summon.
"These are inferior beings to us, Manda," Sasuke coached. "Skin them alive and drink their blood."
"Yes, Sasuke-sama," it replied, rearing back, ready to attack.
"No one is to remain alive, you hear?"
"Of course."
"Fuuton: Rasenshuriken!" Sasuke looked up just in time to see Naruto, atop the leaping toad, throw his signature technique at him.
Damn, I wasn't ready. Sasuke looks straight at the flying expanding ball of chakra and his Sharingan started to bleed. Ameratsu. The Rasenshuriken started to dissipate as black flames consumed it, finally disappearing just before reaching Sasuke.
"Odama Rasengan Rendan!"
The obstruction to Sasuke's view cleared only to reveal a herd of Naruto's clones with giant rasengans in their hands, descending upon him rapidly. Thinking quickly, he utilised his Rinnegan and replaced himself with the highest clone, watching with as their attacks pummelled into the already damaged earth, pulverising it further. Taking in a deep breath, his purple chakra wrapped around him, bringing out his famed Uchiha clan armour, Susanoo.
Looking around, he found Naruto still standing on top of his toad, who was currently battling the Cerberus. Smirking, he flew down towards his target with his Susanoo sword raised high.
"Die, Naruto!"
::::::
Sakura's gloved hand covered her mouth as her tears flowed freely. The four of them watched the battle below from their hiding place above. Sasuke and Naruto had been fighting for three days now, and the hole in the earth created by the Tobirama and Madara was now twice as deep as it had been before, thanks to the valiant efforts of Naruto and Sasuke. Three days, no food, no respite, no dialogue, no help, and finally, no more chakra. It was almost purely will power now, sword on sword, fist on fist. They might have been unconscious, for all they knew, yet fighting with what willpower they had within them. One, a will of vengeance, of violence, of blood. The other, of friendship, of loyalty, and of fire.
Sparks continued to fly from their swords. The speed had slowly deteriorated, but the energy and strength was still there. Once again, they clashed and flew apart, giving them a brief breather. Naruto took that chance to put his hands together into a hand sign. So he wasn't unconscious after all.
"Kage bunshin!" He but yelled, as three of his clones popped into existence, each in equally bad shape. As she observed, now, his cloak which was once red and silky was now sleeveless and dirtied, torn on almost all sides. Both his and Sasuke's blood adorned both their outfits, and Sasuke was in no better shape. His breathing was laboured and his eyes were quite unfocussed. The lack of food and sleep for three days did that to you. However, his malice and hatred were ever present and he refused to falter.
The clones attacked him, and he summoned three of his own to battle the group of blonds. The intensity of the battle lost nobody's attention, and nobody made a sound. Neither fighters left any openings, nor did they have any time to spare with idle chat and insults.
Suddenly, Sakura's eyes widened at what she saw. Another of Sasuke's clones appeared and backstabbed one of Naruto's. It disappeared before it could cry out in pain, but the original didn't seem to notice. The strain must have been too much for him, pushing him to the point where he didn't notice the extra information entering his head. She gasped again as she saw another clone get taken down. She had to do something or Naruto would be killed.
She got up from her position and prepared to run down.
"Sakura!" Kakashi hissed.
Another clone popped. She sped forward.
"Naruto!" She cried out. "Behind you!"
Naruto swung around, cutting the clones down before they had their chance at him. They disappeared in smoke, and left the original alone with his enemy. "Sakura?" Naruto question, bewildered. "What the fuck are you-"
The sound of metal piercing flesh sliced through the air as he stopped in mid-sentence.
"Naruto!" Sakura screamed as she watched blood drip from the tip of the blade that stuck out of his chest. "No!"
::::::
"Naruto! Behind you!"
Crap! Sasuke thought. The bitch is here. He fumed as his plan to play dirty was thwarted by his former teammate's entrance.
"Sakura?" Naruto asked, bewildered. Opening! Grinned Sasuke as he lunged forward. "What the fuck are you-" He was cut off as Sasuke's blade pierced through his torso via his back, the entire valley resounding with the disgusting noise. His blade was stained red with the blood that dripped angrily into the water.
"Naruto! NO!" Sasuke smirked as he heard the pinkette scream.
"That's right, Sakura," Sasuke laughed. "Scream, and cry. Feel the pain that your pathetic village charitably bestowed upon me."
"You bastard…" Sakura growled in rage.
"I've killed your love, and destroyed your family. Now I'm going to destroy your – " It was his turn to be interrupted as he was pulled forward by his shirt. He looked up to see Naruto glaring straight into his eyes, blood generously dripping from his mouth. Sasuke looked at Kusanagi only to find it broken, and it's blade still imbedded in the blonde's chest.
"I told you, teme," Naruto rasped angrily. "You're not going anywhere." With that, he grabbed Sasuke's shoulders and forced whatever chakra he had left into his palms.
"Fuuton! Wind armour torture!" Following that, Sasuke's eyes widened as wind-enhanced chakra as sharp as needles pierced every aspect of his body at a frequency too high for even the Sharingan to catch, severing every single one of his chakra coils, then his bones, effectively paralysing him. Sasuke screamed in agony as blood leaked from his mouth, but that wasn't the end. Blades of wind emerged and started slicing at his skin at extreme frequency, ripping and tearing at his skin, cutting and skinning him. He screamed as the torture continued for another ten minutes, by the end of which, he was no longer recognisable.
Sasuke slumped onto the ground, shaking in wild spasms, muttering incoherently. Naruto limped over, raising his katana.
"Suffer in hell, teme," he whispered, before whipping the blade down, beheading his enemy, his threat, and, a very long time ago, his brother. The threat was gone, and the danger that the Uchiha posed to Konoha was now over. There was no one to take revenge, because there was nobody to avenge. Closing his eyes, Naruto felt his body sway, before he lunged forward, only to be caught by Sakura and Kakashi. They lay him down on the floor as he opened his eyes. As his blurred vision started to clear, he could make out the crying form of Sakura as she showed determination in trying to heal Naruto. Ino and Sai were trying to hold her back, but Sakura looked like she was crying.
Wait…Ino? When did she get here? Slowly, he made out the forms of the rest of the Konoha 12. Shikamaru and Chouji were kneeling beside Kakashi, all looking grave and sad. Kiba was hugging a sobbing Hinata while Shino stood there, still as he ever was. Naruto couldn't hear anything, nor could he feel anything. Blood poured out of his wound like tears shed generously over days past and days to come. His blood filled mouth slowly curled into a smile as his hearing returned slightly.
"Sakura-chan…" he whispered softly.
"Naruto, shut up or the poison will spread faster!" She sobbed, looking at him as she continued to attempt to heal his hearing.
"P-poison?"
"His blade was poisoned, Naruto!" She shouted. "Now shut up and let me do my job!"
Naruto took a deep, painful breath. "Sakura-chan," he whispered. "I'm…I'm dying, right?"
Sakura's eyes leaked out more tears as she refused to answer.
"Heh heh…" Naruto chuckled. "Don't cry, Sakura-chan, you let it all out last time, remember?" Sakura but sobbed harder at that, and Naruto shakily raised his hand, feebly wiping away the tears on her cheeks.
"Sakura-chan?"
"Yes, Naruto?"
"Just…Just because I'm dying, doesn't mean…that I'll…I'll leave you." He rasped. "I'll always be…here." His hand touched her chest, her heart, and then slipped to her stomach. "Watch over her, Sakura-chan." He smiled one more time as she nodded furiously. "Now," He said, he final breath drawing near. "Gimme a kiss."
Slowly, she lowered her head, curled her hair behind her ear, and caught his lips in her own. She cared not that he was bleeding all over her, or that his lips were beginning to feel cold. All she cared was giving her love, her husband, and her friend one last kiss. Slowly, even while she was still kissing him, his hold loosened, and eventually, his hand went limp, and he breathed no more.
Sakura raised her head, and howled, tears pouring down her face like never before. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she screamed and cried like a vixen that had lost her mate. The thunder erupted and rain poured down on the Valley of the End. Blood was washed into the river as Sakura's cries got softer. Ino's eyes widened as Sakura knelt there, her mouth open and her face facing the heavens, her eyes white as paper.
"Everybody! Her brain's temporarily shut down! We gotta get her back to Konoha before it's permanent!" She cried out in alarm.
"Chouji!" Kakashi ordered. "Carry Sasuke and Naruto! Kiba! Take His head! Sai, take Ino and Sakura back to the Konoha hospital as quickly as you can. We'll meet you there."
Rain poured down heavily on the land of fire, but there wasn't the slightest hint of wind. The thunder roared and lighting flashed, but not even a breeze was felt, as though the sky was crying for Konoha, and for the blond Knucklehead. The clouds sobbed for those who were his friends, those who were his teachers and the lighting screamed for those who considered him a hero, a rival, a brother, or a teacher. For she who would call him her lover, her husband, and her motivation. It was a sad day for all of them. It was a day of excruciating pain, and of immense grief. It was the day that everybody remembered how a demon was raised from the slums and moulded himself into an important part of everyone's lives. For it was the day that the demon who turned into a hero was soon to return to the dust; it was the day that Naruto died.
A/N: I don't think much words from me are needed here, but I just want to thank you all for your support and reviews, I'm really excited to introduce Chiharu to everybody! So please leave a little review, because the more you send, the more I feel guilty and the faster I'll get the next chapter out! Peace!