25. Time

I knocked away another kunai with my dagger, stepping out of the way to narrowly avoid another. My eyes snapped in the direction the weapon had come from. Headed straight for me was a ninja, a man judging by their build, their face covered by a gray hood and a bandana wrapped around the lower part of his face. I squared my shoulders in his direction, gripping the handles of my daggers.

My enemy produce another kunai, palming it in their hand. They leapt forward, coming down at me with the intent of burying their weapon in my skull. My eyes snapped upwards and my dagger came up, catching their blade against mine. He seemed to press the entirety of his weight into his attack and my knees buckled. With another shove I was forced downward, onto my back. My arms shook as I fought against the kunai.

The ninja's face was so close to mine, I could see the gleam in his eyes. My teeth gritted together as my dagger dipped ever closer towards my face. I continued to struggle, finally forcing chakra into my arms. With a grunt of exertion, I pushed against my enemy, sending him flying backwards. I scrambled to my feet.

With labored breath, I watched the ninja get to his feet. The ninja glared in my direction, his posturing indicating he had much more energy than me to spare in this battle. But the danger struggled to keep hold of my attention. Half of me wanted to run, to follow the fear in my heart.

Stupid Uchiha! I have to get out of here before he gets himself killed!

Nothing had seemed amiss when Sasuke's match had begun, or even during for that matter. At least at first. Gaara was a difficult opponent, but Sasuke had been faring well. I understood the hold Gaara held over Temari and Kankuro, the fear I'd noticed during our first interaction, as I watched the match. The gourd on Gaara's back seemed to hold sand that Gaara could manipulate with his chakra. With complete ease, the sand answered every attack, defending Gaara as though by its own accord. And attacking at every opportunity. I'd never seen anything quite like it. Streams of sand shooting from the gourd, almost faster than I could account for.

Still, Sasuke was holding his own. His skills had improved, even in the short month we'd spent away from one another. Kakashi-sensei had taught him the Chidori attack; and it had been breathtaking to watch. I was envious that only a Sharingan user could use the technique, for it required too much concentration to manage without the Sharingan's ability to monitor sneak attacks while Sasuke molded the chakra.

Halfway through the match, however, all hell had broken loose. Gaara had, what I could only think to describe as, a mental breakdown. Up on the balcony, the details were indiscernible, but Gaara seemed to grow angrier and angrier, and he seemed to be losing control of himself. But yet, his attacks were suddenly more powerful. Temari, who had been standing near to me, had tipped me off that something was wrong. She was fidgety, panicky, as she watched the battle continue. Until, finally, very suddenly, she leapt off the balcony.

I was surprised and alarmed, my mind racing through thoughts, but my attention had been dragged from the field. The sound of battle, shouts and the ringing of metal, drew my eyes to the stands. Chaos reigned. My eyes darted here and there, taking in the scene until I could discern what was happening. Sand ninja were attacking Konoha.

The civilians in the stands seemed to be asleep, no doubt due to some kind of genjutsu. But among their prone bodies were Konoha shinobi, fighting off the onslaught of the foreign ninja. I immediately rushed forward, my body driving me towards the battle; but I found myself taking one last glance down to the arena.

My eyes narrowed to the middle of the field. Temari and Kankuro, supporting Gaara between them, made a mad dash out of the arena, retreating into the forests of Konoha. With a sinking feeling, I watched Sasuke hurry after them.

I'd cursed, hauling myself over the railing of the balcony, leaping towards the ground. I landed, hard, but paid no mind to the ache in my knees. I began to rush after my teammate, but was ambushed before I could leave the arena.

I had found myself surrounded by five ninja, their tensed muscles indicating their intent to kill. I'd managed, somehow, to make it down to this last opponent. But I was tired, both from my match, and the opponents I had somehow dispatched. Regardless of my fatigue, my enemy leapt at me again, slashing at me. I blocked with one dagger. The other slashed out, catching my enemy in the side.

The ninja let out a cry of pain as blood squirted from the wound, coating my hand in warm crimson blood. Using this distraction, I brought my previously occupied blade up, slamming the hilt into his face. He jerked backwards before crumpling at my feet.

Breathing heavily, I distractedly wiped my stained blade on my black shorts. I sheathed my weapons and set my eyes on the exit. I sprinted forward, nearing the exit, when a sand ninja jumped in my path.

I came up short, feet skidding on the ground. I reached for my kunai holster, but hadn't pulled out a weapon before a metal object, glinting in the sunlight, soared through the air, plowing into the ninja's right temple. He was thrown to the side and he landed on the ground, motionless.

My head snapped in the direction the kunai had come from. My brother stood there, his brown hair falling messily into his eyes. Blood was splattered on his jounin vest and dirt smudged his cheeks. My eyes ranked his form, assessing, and a spark of relief came with the absence of any wounds on him. I nodded at him, silently thanking him for his assistance, before turning to leave.

"Nakao!"

I paused, glancing back to my brother. He advanced several paces, standing close enough to me I could see small beads of sweat on his hairline. I frowned, impatience flooding my mind, eyes darting to the exit.

"Where do you think you're going?" Keitaro asked of me, his eyes narrowed at my fidgeting.

"That way," I responded, pointing to the exit I was desperate to disappear through.

He shook his head, irritation flashing across his face. "Have you lost your mind? You can't go out there without backup!"

My own irritation flashed in my eyes. "What backup?" My arm swept out, indicating the fighting happening all around us. "There is no backup; I'm the backup, and I need to leave now-"

"Nakao, it's too dangerous!" he said seriously, aggravation sharpening his tone.

Anger flushed in my face. This past month, all my brother had done was doubt my abilities. He had doubted them before the Chuunin Exams had begun, mentioning how glad he was I had Sasuke to keep me safe. But I didn't need Sasuke to keep me safe. I'd proven myself capable of all that had been thrown at me.

Adrenaline and fear for Sasuke, anger and hurt over Keitaro's doubt clashed against each other. I'd spent years training to prove myself to him; that I could be as good as him. I'd trained with the ambition that I would, not only be able to take care of myself, but keep those I loved from harm.

I'd passed the first and second Exams. I'd defeated Natsuo. I'd confronted Orochimaru. I was not weak; at least, not as weak as Keitaro seemed to paint me as. But why should I be surprised? He didn't even seem to think I could handle the truth of my own past.

When this was all over, I didn't know what lay in store for myself and my brother. My brother had kept so much from me, and Natsuo's words seemed to indicate there was even more I did not know. Was he hiding something? Something horrible; something dangerous? Could I trust my brother ever again? Did he even feel as though I was worth his trust?

But it didn't matter now. Despite what my brother thought, I could protect myself. And right now, I needed to protect Sasuke. I need to get to him. He was facing three powerful and dangerous traitors and he needed me.

I opened my mouth, ready to give Keitaro a dismissive response, when my eyes flickered behind him. An enemy ninja was advancing towards my brother, whose attention was still focused on me. He didn't seem to sense the danger, or the crimson-stained sword the enemy was holding.

A weapon wouldn't get there quick enough. I ran through handsigns, ending just as the enemy raised his sword. I shot of blast of wind in his direction. The current wrapped around the ninja, cocooning him in a swirling vortex. I sent the ninja flying, slamming him into the nearest wall. The resounding noise was a mix of cracking cement and crushed bones.

Keitaro's head snapped in the direction the ninja's now-shattered body. It lay in a heap against the wall, motionless. Eyes wide, a trace of shock on his face, Keitaro looked back to me. His lips parted, as though he wished to speak, but no sound came out.

"We can argue later about my skills. That I'm not fast enough, strong enough, smart enough. But I'm all Sasuke has right now and I have to go."

Keitaro looked troubled, and the swarm of emotions in his eyes were too jumbled to read. I didn't know what he was thinking, but I didn't have the time to wonder. I'd wasted too much time as it was. I turned my back on him.

"Nakao," he called out again, and his voice sounded different. Sad, mollified, defeated. "I never-I didn't…I just…Come home."

I looked back to him, and for the first time in recent memory, Keitaro looked small. He was the young man in the kitchen again, tired eyes struggling to stay dry as he told his little sister, his new responsibility, of their parents' deaths. The sight tugged at my heart, but I didn't have time.

I faced forward and began to run, when a Sand ninja jumped in my path. I halted but the ninja had already flung a kunai in my direction. The air whistled past my ear and a kunai flew past me, knocking down the weapon headed for my forehead. Another kunai followed, striking down the ninja in my path.

I glanced over once more to find Keitaro squaring off against a group of four ninjas. His head jerked in my direction, eyes locking on me.

"Go!" he told me before pulling out his sword, facing his opponents.

I didn't hesitate. I ran forward, pushing chakra into the soles of my feet. I scaled up the cement wall that enclosed the arena. The sounds of battle met my ears clearer as I climbed higher. The cries of friend or foe, or both, anguished around me in the stands. But I pushed on, reaching the top of the wall and leaping over it.

As I rushed through the foliage of the forest, I worried Sasuke's trace might be too weak to follow. But I hadn't needed to even concentrate. But it wasn't Sasuke's chakra I was following. There was an overwhelming power that pulsed around me, leaving me a very clear trail to follow.

Worry seeped into my heart as I pursued, my surroundings a blur of green and brown as I sped through the forest. What on earth was this enormous power? Who did it belong to? Was Sasuke okay? Would I reach him in time?

I slowed my pace as I began to notice broken tree branches; a clear sign that someone had passed through here. My eyes took in the signs of battle and it sped up my heart rate. But I saw no sign of Sasuke, or sign that he might be injured. But the relief was temporary and I was just about to move forward once more when a strong blast of wind struck me from the side, sending my body flying into a tree trunk several feet away.

I cried out as I struck the tree. My head whipped backwards, hitting the bark with a hollow 'thunk'. I began to fall but quickly reached out, grasping a tree branch above my head. Clinging to the branch, I pulled myself up, scrambling onto its think plank. I glanced up, noting the area I had hit was now marred with the imprint of my form. My eyes darted away and around until I found the cause. Standing on a thick branch a few meters away from me, large fan in hand, stood Temari.

Temari was smirking, her fan spread out in front of her like a shield. I felt my hands clench into fists at my sides. I didn't have time for this. Which Temari had clearly known, as she'd stayed behind to hold off pursuers.

"Get out of my way," I glared at her.

She only smirked cockily at me.

Fine.

She was quick, a blur, as she leapt upwards. I copied her movement. With a mighty swing, Temari pulled her arm back and then thrust the fan in my direction. A stream of wind barreled towards me. I dodged, dropping several feet to avoid the attack. Out of range, I grabbed onto a branch, swinging myself onto it. Temari landed on a new branch of her own, wasting no time to send another blast in my direction.

I jumped upwards this time, avoiding the attack that blew my previous branch to splinters. But another blast came, and another, and I was forced to continue to leap around to avoid being sliced to bits.

The barrage ended and I landed on a branch, breathing heavily, eyes set intently on my opponents. My mind began to sift through options, gauging her power, wondering if mine could overtake her. But Temari wasn't one for breaks. She raised her fan and sent another blast of wind in my direction. I jumped away and reached into my back pouch, bringing out several shuriken and throwing them at Temari.

I'd been hoping she'd blast away the shuriken, but Temari didn't take the bait. Instead she dodged, simultaneously throwing a new blast of wind in my direction. Caught off guard, my feet slid on the branch and the wind caught me, blasting me into the tree trunk behind me.

I let out a cry as the wind sliced at my skin. Already injured from my battle with Natsuo, my wounds came aflame, burning me with white hot agony. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to focus on something besides the pain. I couldn't be beaten like this; not after what I'd managed today.

It cost me extra chakra, but I managed to push against her wind, gritting my teeth to keep from crying out in pain. I managed to slide around the tree trunk, pushing my back against it as Temari's wind rushed past my sides.

Sweat ran down my face, blood welling on my arms and legs. I wiped irritably at the hair sticking to my cheeks, my mind working furiously. I wanted to avoid a battle of winds. I didn't want to waste chakra fighting against her, knowing that whatever lay ahead was even deadlier than Temari. I couldn't waste my remaining energy on a pissing contest. I needed to do something about that fan.

The wind finally died down; no doubt Temari had realized I'd evaded the attack. I peered around the tree trunk cautiously, catching a glimpse of the kunoichi standing where I'd left her. I swallowed against my throat, trying to dispel the doubts circulating in my brain. No time for that.

I hopped out from my hiding spot, squaring off against Temari. I brought my fingers together, running them through a sequence of handsigns. Taking in a deep breath of air, I brought my index finger and thumb together, and blew out. Several streams of fire flew from my lips, barreling ever closer towards my opponent. Temari waited, a smirk on her face, before back flipping off of the tree branch. Head first, she sailed towards the ground, my fire in pursuit.

Temari landed gracefully on her feet, and my streams struck the ground all around her, encasing her in a ring of flickering orange and red. Temari glanced about herself, taking in her surroundings, before peering up at me.

I wasted no time. I brought my fingers together again, and once again attacked. This time, however, instead of forming my trademark streams of fire, I utilized Sasuke's fireball technique; and the great ball of flame hurtled towards the middle of the ring, straight for Temari.

I waited as the fireball smashed into the ground, settle the surrounding grass on fire. My eyes searched the ground, a bead of sweat running down my face. Had I gotten her? But just as I posed the question, I heard Temari let out a cry. A powerful gust of wind came hurtling upwards, straight for me. I back flipped off the tree branch, avoiding the attack.

I'd meant to land on the tree behind me, the tree Temari had abandoned just minutes prior. But as I landed on a branch, my feet slipped and I felt my stomach plummet. I let out a cry as I felt myself fall. My eyes just managed to catch a glimpse of the branch, and I noted a grainy substance coating it; like sand.

I fell, trying to catch hold of a branch, but Temari had leapt upwards, meeting me in the air. Her blue eyes glinted with triumph; her face smug. I glared as she reached into a pouch behind her, pulling out several kunai.

I reacted as quick as I could, bringing my hands together to form handseals. Just as Temari released her kunai, I made a large, sweeping motion, my wind slicing after my movements, barreling into Temari's chest.

She cried out as she took the hit, thrown backwards. Her back slammed into a tree trunk with enough force to break away pieces of the tree. She grunted on impact, blood spurting from her mouth.

I managed to somersault in the air, making a clean landing on the ground. I glanced up in time to see Temari fall towards the ground, chunks of tree falling after her. She hit the ground first with a loud thud.

I stepped towards her cautiously, weary of another trick; but it was clear I'd gotten her this time. Her body shook as she tried to sit up, but she faltered and fell onto her back again. One eye was beginning to swell shut, but the other glared at me with fury. Cuts marred her face, blood leaking from her bottom lip.

I stared down at her, frowning, knowing I could take this opportunity to end her completely if I wished. "I told you to get out of my way."

I didn't wait for a response, which I imagined would be bloody saliva sent in my direction. I jumped back into the trees and continued my pursuit.

The colors around me blurred again as I traveled at a rapid pace. I wasn't sure how much time my battle with Temari had cost me, but it'd been more time than I'd wanted to waste. That strange, powerful chakra was growing nearer, and it raised goosebumps on my skin.

I raced into the next clearing, stopping abruptly on the tree branch. The explosive sound of splintering wood rang out across the area. My eyes darted around before widening in alarm as an entire tree came hurtling in my direction. I gasped and dropped down a branch at the tree flew over me, smashing into the forestry behind me.

What the hell!?

Eyes wide, I took in my surroundings. The entire area looked like a war zone. Trees were ripped from the ground, some shattered into pieces. Everywhere I looked it was the same theme: destruction. Movement suddenly caught my eye and I glanced up, gasping.

I'd found Sasuke. He was slumped inside a massive crater, carved into a tree trunk. His face was streaked with dirt and blood and he was panting.

"Sasuke!" I cried in concern, quickly darting over to him.

Sasuke's head jerked in my direction at the sound of my voice and his eyes widened. I rushed over to him, my feet making uncomfortable hollow echoes as I crossed the nearest tree branch. But the branch held my weight and I rushed to my teammate, dropping to my knees before him.

"Sasuke, are you alright?" I asked breathlessly, taking in his injuries and scanning his body for wounds I may have missed. He was bruised and bloody and dirty, but I didn't note any significant injuries.

"Nakao!" Sasuke hissed, glaring at me before his eyes began to dart about. "What are you doing here?"

"I-huh?" I shook my head, caught off guard. "What are you talking about? I'm here to collect you before you get yourself killed."

"UCHIHA SASUKE!"

The roar shook the entire area. I spun around, my jaw dropping when I located the source.

"What the hell is that!?" I gasped in horror, eyes shaking.

"Gaara," Sasuke replied, gritting his teeth.

"On steroids?" I asked skeptically. But I was very much alarmed.

I could see Gaara, half of him at least; his left half. But it was his right half that was reason for concern. I didn't know how else to explain it; he was a monster. A form grew out of him, giant, monstrous. The right side of his face was now the color of sand, sprouting a large, pointed ear. His right eyes was completely black with a yellow iris, a black slit his new pupil. His arm was now twice the length of his normal body and ended in a giant claw larger than me. Swishing behind him was a tail. He looked crazed and saliva dripped from his mouth, running down newly formed fangs.

Gaara began to laugh manically. "I see now, Uchiha Sasuke!"

"Kuso!" Sasuke cursed, struggling to his knees. He shot me an urgent glare. "You idiot, get out of here!"

"Are you crazy!? No!"

"You are too soft, because your hatred is too weak!" Gaara called out, his voice gravely and deep.

"What the hell is going on!?" my eyes shook. "What is he talking about!?"

"Is this why you cannot beat me, Uchiha Sasuke!? Is it because you do not fight for your existence? Do you feel you do not need to kill me to know you are alive? I see, now, your reason for existence…and I will make you fight for it!" Gaara laughed that crazed laugh again and I was so confused I felt my head spin.

What in the world was going on here? What had happened to Gaara? I'd never seen anything like this. And what on earth was he talking about? What had transpired before I arrived?

"Nakao!" Sasuke yelled, a definite edge to his voice, seemingly realizing something I did not. He jumped to his feet, his attention on me, but he was too late to help me, and I was too late to comprehend the situation.

With incomprehensible speed, inhuman speed, Gaara's claw shot out in my direction. I let out a shriek of surprise, stumbling to my feet, but Gaara was much, much quicker. His claw engulfed me, leaving only my head free. I cried out in alarm and fear as I was yanked upwards, away from the branch, my feet hovering how many stories above the ground. I felt him tighten his hold and I cried out as my ribcage creaked beneath the force. I quickly coughed, his grip too much for my lungs to handle.

"You are weaker than me Uchiha Sasuke!" Gaara cried out, spit flying in all directions.

"Shut up!" I heard Sasuke ground out, rage tinting his tone.

Gaara leapt forwards and Sasuke copied. Gaara thrust his arm at Sasuke, and I, still in its grasp, felt light-headed from the sudden thrust into motion. Sasuke activated his Chidori.

I was dizzy and my chest felt tight. Everything seemed to be blurred together; only the bright light of Sasuke's Chidori breaking through the haze of colors. I saw it near, the blue light washing over me, blocking out my vision. I squeezed my eyes shut.

I'm going to die!

The sound of electric current, Sasuke's chakra crackling, filled my ears and I waited for something. What, I did not know. Pain? Pure oblivion after dying? But seconds passed and I felt nothing. Slowly, I peeled open my eyes.

We were no longer flying through the air. We'd landed on a branch and I could peer across the clearing. I found Sasuke, across from us, his back to me as he stood on a tree branch. His shoulders were heaving up and down and the Chidori in his hand was fading.

I quickly tried to evaluate my own situation, but I didn't have much time. I strained to peer at Gaara's good half, but movement caught my eye. The transformed arm, the one that held me, was suddenly turning to sand, quickly falling apart. I gasped as I suddenly plummeted, hurtling towards the ground. Frantically, I stuck an arm out, my hand roughly brushing against bark until I made a successful attempt at grabbing onto a tree branch.

I held on for dear life, using all of my upper body strength to pull myself onto the branch. My heart was hammering in my chest, reminding me that death had waited mere moments below me. I sagged against the branch once I'd scrambled atop it, breathing heavily. One arm wrapped itself around my ribcage as I took in a deep breath and my chest pulsed tenderly in response. I winced. Couldn't wait to see the bruises on this one.

Pushing aside the pain, I glanced back to Gaara and Sasuke. Gaara's arm was beginning to morph back to normal, but his left arm was beginning to change into a monstrous form instead. My mind couldn't comprehend what was going on, but I didn't have the luxury of thinking about. Sasuke's Chidori had faded completely by now and I watched in horror as Sasuke suddenly fell face first onto his branch.

"Sasuke!" a shriek of terror was wrenched from my throat.

Gaara laughed manically, leaping off his branch with ease towards my fallen teammate. But as he flew through the sky, Sasuke did not stand; he didn't even move. I was on my feet without thinking, moving before I'd even realized it. My eyes were glued to Sasuke's prone form, fear coursing through me. How was I going to make it in time!? I wasn't going to make it-!

Just as Gaara neared Sasuke, a blur shot out from the forestry and, suddenly, a foot was connecting with Gaara's face. I stopped in momentary surprise, wide-eyed as Gaara flew backwards. Sasuke's savior landed on a branch further ahead.

"Naruto!" I almost felt like I could cry in relief. Just then, a flash of pink and Sakura was there too. She dropped down beside Sasuke, fussing over his unconscious body.

Naruto glanced from Gaara to me, his eyes wide. "Nakao! What the hell is that!?"

I quickly moved forward, closer to Naruto's position. I glanced to the beast in question. "It's Gaara."

"Gaara!?" he echoed in astonishment and disbelief.

Gaara was appraising Naruto, having landed safely across the clearing. He almost sounded thoughtful as he spoke. "You're the guy I tried to kill."

Naruto's eyes widened and began to shake. Unsure of what he was talking about, I glanced between Naruto and Gaara nervously.

Gaara watched Naruto for another moment before bending his knees and lunging forward. At first, I presumed he'd head straight for Naruto. He was his opponent now after all. But I started as Gaara bypassed Naruto, headed straight for the incapacitated Sasuke.

The world seemed to slow down and I heard only the blood pounding in my ears. I saw Sakura slide in front of Sasuke, holding only a kunai up against Gaara's extended claw. Fear rushed through me. She'll be massacred!

I was closer to Sasuke this time; I could make it in time. With a surge of chakra to my legs, I pushed off, seemingly racing against time; racing against Gaara. I had to get there before he did. Even if I could cause a momentary distracting for Sakura to get Sasuke to safety.

I reached them in time. I quickly shouldered Sakura out of the way, sending her sprawling beside Sasuke with a gasp of surprise. But there was no time to pull a weapon. No time for handsigns. I heard the faint shout of my name before Gaara's claw wrapped around me.

I cried out as the pressure closed around me again, robbing me of my breath. Gaara let out a growl of anger, his eyes flashing at me. I was helpless as Gaara swung his arm, smashing me in a tree meters away from my teammates.

My head hit the trunk with a resounding crack. The pain surged immediately and my eyes watered. Black dots sprouted in my vision, clouding what my suddenly blurry vision didn't. My hearing had been muted again, leaving me with only the sound of high-pitched whistle in my ears. I tried to focus my eyes, tried to find Naruto and Sasuke and Sakura.

But I was tired. My vision was blurry, so I closed my eyes. My head was pounding and it felt hard to breathe.

Did Sakura get Sasuke out of harm's way? Who was going to help Naruto beat Gaara? Who was going to make sure the three of them remained alive and intact?

I tried to peel my eyes open, but I couldn't. Everything was dark and I was suddenly falling.

Author's Note:

So grateful for everyone's support! And very much in love with the reviews! Thank you!