More than a month since the last update. Far longer than I would've liked, but it was out of my hands unfortunately.

I had to do some rewrites on the next chapter, which caused the delay. The next chapter (58), was originally split in two chapters. But I didn't like the idea of dragging the story on more than it has to, so I rewrote it and made it into a larger chapter. I recall saying that chapter 55 was the largest. I'm pretty sure ch. 58 surpasses it.

I'll try to update within two weeks, but I can't make promises. I want this story to wrap up. It's taken faaaaaar tooooo loong as is.

To everyone who added this story to their favorites and alerts. Arigato!

Reviewers:

Roswell: That it is! And its approaching fast!

Stalker1: the next two chapters are also downtime and preparation ;)

Gamesdean1: Thank you for your review! When I started writing this story I planted many seeds. Some that have been resolved very well, others not so much. Regardless, I wanted to make sure that most, if not all the questions/plot points were answered before this story wraps up!

Tobi-kun-is-a-good-boy: I truly hope I did the Naru/Michu pairing justice. I didn't want it to be over the top fluff, nor did I want it to be insignificant, because they both are integral to the story. As for your questions, to keep it short and spoiler free as possible, I'll rapid-fire it! Hmm/yes/hmm

Aren't those just fantastic answers? ;) I am very grateful for your kind words, I hope I can do it justice until the very end!

Darktrix151: Maybe they both will die? Enjoy the chapter!

Nithi Velu: Thank you! Enjoy this one!

Nita Alexander N: I'm very sorry the updates aren't frequent enough. I'm trying to speed it up, but it's difficult hehe.

Guest: I'll try! Enjoy!

KingYamYam: that's a good guess, unfortunately I'm keeping it on the hush :)

Alright let's get this chapter on the road!

Enjoy everyone!

Chapter 57: Rivals

Tomorrow they would be marching. Their destination was to be at Yuki no Kuni, which bordered with Tetsu no Kuni from the south. It was a rough region, but it was something that they hoped they would be able to use to their advantage. Initially they wanted it to be in Hi no Kuni, but after some convincing from Naruto and Hawke, they conceded.

Morale altogether was low. People didn't believe that they'd be going to victory, only to defeat and death. There was talk of desertion, to be with their families. The only reason everyone stayed where they were was because the simple reason that if they didn't stop the Reavers here and now, their families would be next.

Naruto briefly stared at his pale hand, while his gauntlet rested on the ledge next to him. He closed his eye and tilted his head back, enjoying the early afternoon sun on his face. He personally wasn't thinking about the odds, or of Kenpachi. No, Uzumaki Naruto was letting his mind wander to the days before the Reaver menace.

"What are you smiling about, dobe." Came the voice from his left.

His smile widened. "Thinking of the old days. Catching runaway cats and complaining to Kakashi about getting a cool mission."

He heard Sasuke sit down next to him. "I sometimes think of those days as well. The worst part was Orochimaru invading our exams. I think I rather have 10 more of him, than one Kenpachi."

Naruto let out a chuckle, his eyes still closed. "Yeah…It's been 8 years since those days. The better days."

"You think we can win?" Sasuke asked.

Slowly he opened his eye, the smile still adorning his scarred face. "I don't think we can win; I know we we'll win."

"How are you so sure?" his old rival asked.

"Of everything that happened, of everything we've learned. I just know we will beat him."

There was a moment of quiet. "Dobe."

"Teme."

"Dobe."

"Teme."

Sasuke shook his head in amusement. "What will you do when the war is over?"

Naruto's smile turned into a frown. "I don't really know…I have a feeling that I won't get any rest."

"If you mean Sakura…yeah she's going to keep pressuring you to come back to Konoha."

Naruto smiled at the thought. "Micheru probably will too. She quite enjoys it here."

"No chance to convince you?" Sasuke asked, a look of sincerity on his face.

"It's not a matter of convincing me," Naruto said before steering the conversation away. "What are your plans going to be?"

The Uchiha stared at the ground below, which wasn't too far, seeing as they were sitting on a random rooftop. "I don't know. For years I wanted to hunt my brother and kill him…but he told me things…it changed everything."

Naruto realized what he was talking about. "He told you the truth?"

Sasuke jerked his head to Naruto. "You knew?!"

The blonde nodded. "He told me. I'm sorry Sasuke."

"I can't believe my parents…my clan would do something like that." Sasuke muttered.

Naruto remained quiet, watching as Sasuke struggled with the truth. Eventually the Uchiha continued. "But even then…killing her…I can't begin to…"

Naruto furrowed his brow. "What do you mean…her?"

"Izumi?"

When he saw that Naruto was still looking at him with a questioning gaze, he sighed. "He didn't tell you. She was his girlfriend…He killed her for Konoha…for you."

Naruto let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. "Kami…I…were they together long?"

Sasuke gave a half shrug. "Long enough. If everything hadn't happened, they probably would've stayed together."

He shook his head in disbelief. He couldn't imagine what that must've done to Itachi's head. "when you think you know everything about someone…What are you going to do?"

Sasuke stared ahead. "I don't know anymore. Everything used to be black and white. Whenever I think of my parents, I get angry, rageful. I wanted to kill Itachi for what he did. But now the truth muddled everything."

Naruto nodded in understanding. "Nothing's ever as easy it appears to be." Reciting what an old man once told him.

"Wise words. Doubt you came up with it," Sasuke said with a half-hearted verbal jab.

"Of course not. Saindaime hokage came up with it."

Sasuke smiled briefly at the memory of the old hokage. He climbed to his feet and pointed to the faraway training ground. "Let's spar."

Naruto quirked an eyebrow at the sudden change in conversation. "Spar?"

"Last time we fought, was at the valley of the end. We always did say we'd fight one another, find out who was stronger."

Naruto snorted. "I beat your ass back then; I was the clear winner."

Sasuke waved it away. "I call it a moment of weakness, mainly because of my corrupted mind."

The blonde let out a bark of laughter, slapping his knee. "Sure, teme. Let's call your betrayal a corruption of the mind."

The Uchiha let out a wry smile. "Still didn't answer my question."

Naruto slowly climbed to his feet. "I'm happy to beat you back into the dirt."

Sasuke smirked and turned away, stepping over the edge, letting himself fall to the ground. "Let's see who's fastest."

Naruto looked over the edge towards Sasuke's freefalling figure, briefly entertaining the thought to simply flashstep to the designated training area. With a shrug he stepped over the ledge as well, following after Sasuke.

A burst of chakra from his hands propelled him forward and he dashed over the rooftops, briefly hopping over some form of debris, but never losing momentum. Another chakra burst aimed at his left sent him around one of the towers, while a third burst sent him back on his proper path.

Pushing off from the corner of the roof he was sprinting across, he landed on the ground, with Sasuke mere meters ahead, who briefly looked over his shoulder, widening by a fraction upon seeing his 'rival' already close behind.

Naruto increased his speed and hopped, dashed or skid over various obstacles, until he was running alongside Sasuke. "I do hope you'll perform better during our actual spar."

Sasuke gave him a shove and turned left into an alleyway, while Naruto had to adjust his course to keep him going to their destination.

The woods indicated that the training ground was now rapidly approaching. Naruto's eye widened in surprise when from out of nowhere, Lee appeared, carrying boxes full of supplies.

Aiming his hand at the ground, a chakra burst sent him flipping over the flamboyant shinobi. A loud "Yosh, Naruto!" was all he heard in response as he didn't falter in his speed or momentum. Reaching the tree line, he didn't hesitate and quickly took to the trees and hopped from branch to branch.

To his left he saw Sasuke on the same trajectory, both on equal distance from the training ground that was near ahead. Smirking confidently, Naruto pushed off the last branch, his mouth opening to announce his victory, until-

"Yosh! Kakashi! You were right, He was fast! But this challenge is mine to proclaim as a victorious one!" Guy's voice boomed in Naruto's ear as he was firmly held in the tight grip of Might Guy.

Kakashi appeared next to the two, hands shoved in his pockets.

Naruto's eye darted to Sasuke, who had his arms crossed in front of him, a big smirk on his face. "KAKASHI! WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS!" Naruto bellowed, squirming as he tried to break from the Jonin's grip.

"Oh nothing. I just saw you two running across the village, and I thought it would be nice little challenge for me and Guy here."

Naruto's gaze narrowed. "And your challenge obviously didn't have anything to do with me losing to Sasuke?"

"Obviously not." Came the light-hearted response.

Naruto glared at his old sensei. "I won't forget this."

Sasuke was standing there, a smirk still on his face. "Sore loser, dobe."

A tick appeared above his eyebrow and his hands opened and closed repeatedly, forming into fists. "You're going to regret those words in a few seconds, Uchiha."

"Ah, my young students sparring like the days of old. How I've missed those days. " Kakashi said dramatically as he whipped out his orange book, moving to the nearest tree for some shade.

Naruto who was finally released from his Guy's grip, moved over to the center of their old training area. "Everything goes?"

Sasuke hesitated, his eyes darting to the gauntleted hand. "Fine."

Naruto let out something in between a snort and a chuckle. "I don't need that to beat you."

Gai made his way between the two, his hand raised, ready to announce the start of their spar. "What a springtime of youth! Despite such dark and heavy days, you truly have been raised well and proper by my old ETERNAL-RIVAL!"

They both stared at Gai, not bothering with a response.

Gai looked at the two for a few seconds more before he grinned. "Begin!'

Naruto flickered away, appearing off to Sasuke's right side, slamming his fist into the side of his face.

To Sasuke's credit he took the punch with grace and went with its momentum, twirling to remain upright, flicking two shuriken to the blonde, who leaned to the right to dodge it.

Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Sasuke roared as he wasted no time, the large fireball impacting against Naruto.

Sasuke smirked as he watched how Naruto was unable to dodge it.

"Not bad, teme." The jutsu was sent airborne, revealing an unscathed Naruto with his hand outstretched.

"My turn."

"Kage: bunshin no jutsu!" a clone appeared next to the blonde who was waiting with crossed arms.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Naruto roared, his attack surging towards Sasuke who lowered into a crouch, preparing to dodge.

Fūton: Daitoppa!"

The second jutsu collided with the already approaching fire jutsu, rapidly increasing the fireball's size and speed.

Sasuke's eyes widened and quickly jumped out of the way, groaning in pain as the top of the fireball hit his leg.

"Too slow." Naruto appeared above him and jackhammered him into the ground.

Sasuke in a last-ditch attempt grabbed Naruto by his leg and pulled him down along with him, forming a small crater on the ground.

Naruto pushed himself off the ground, twirling mid-air, brandishing his katana in one hand, his other tossing a shuriken.

Sasuke did the same, reaching for his own blade while tossing a shuriken, colliding with his opponent's, mere inches from his face. "Tsk. You're really trying to get me."

The blonde crossed his arm, his eye glowing red for a moment. "Be glad I'm not using my full power. You'd be out of the final battle."

A drop of sweat slid down the side of the Uchiha's face. "Then it's time I stop holding back." he dashed forward again, disappearing with a kawarimi to dodge the incoming kunai that were tossed his way.

He appeared in a puff of smoke, perfectly in Naruto's blind side. But it mattered little, because he got jackhammered into submission by a clone. The same clone from before. With a groan he tried to get back up but let out a yell of surprise when his leg got grabbed, and got tossed into a nearby tree, hitting it hard. "Kami…"

Naruto sat down on one of the treeposts, giving a sideglance to Kakashi and Gai who were quietly watching. "Is that all you've got, teme?"

Sasuke let out a painful smirk. "I should use my sharingan for this." His eyes turned red, three tomoe appearing around both of his pupils.

Naruto's expression on his face changed barely. "You should've started with that."

"I wanted to see how far I could go without it." Was Sasuke's response as he got up from the ground.

"Not far," Naruto disappeared and appeared next to his former teammate. "Rasengan!" swinging it at Sasuke's face.

To the Uchiha's credit, he dodged the attack. Not that his sharingan had helped, it was pure luck and instinct that saved his life. He tried rolling away, planting his hands underneath his body, to try and get him airborne quickly.

The ferocious kick that was Naruto's follow-up helped him in that regard, bruising his ribs along the way.

Forming a hand seal. "Kage: Bunshin no Jutsu!" he grabbed his clone by the arm and shoulder and swung him up in the air, passing Sasuke in midair.

Using flash step he appeared against the clone, pushing off against him, slamming his shoulder into the flying Uchiha, who came crashing down to the ground, hard.

He landed on the ground next to his opponent, who was trying to crawl out of the small crater, a blade poised against his throat "You've lost."

Sasuke let his head hang in defeat. "You don't hold back, do you…"

Naruto looked at his old teammate with disappointment. "Listen to me carefully, Uchiha," he crouched down next to him, sticking his blade into the ground. "STOP TESTING YOUR OPPONENT. GO FOR THE KILL!" he gripped Sasuke by the back of his head and pushed it further in the dirt.

Kakashi and Gai appeared next to them. "Yo, calm down Naruto, it was just a spar."

The glare he sent them, nearly made them back off. "This is what he does, don't deny it. I've seen it plenty of times now."

Sasuke let out a muffled response, trying to break free.

Naruto grit his teeth, but let go, standing up while sheathing his blade. "After all this time, your arrogance still gets you. You're still an idiot. IF I FAIL YOU HAVE TO SUCCEED!" he yelled at the three, jabbing his finger at them.

They stared at him in surprise, but it was Sasuke who responded. "You're right, Naruto…I'm sorry."

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. "Okay, Let's leave it at that."

Kakashi stepped closer, gripping Naruto by the shoulder. "I believe in you. You can take him out, finish this war."

Naruto stared at his old sensei. It was something he wished he had heard years ago when he needed it most. "Arigato…Kakashi-sensei."

"Let's get back to the village, get some food. I'm starving!" Gai bellowed as he took the lead.

Kakashi's speech in the hub, a week ago had helped with morale, but it hadn't given them the confidence they needed. They were going into battle with mixed feelings.

To make matters worse, Rome and Mayu were also showing doubts and were often hidden away, planning things inside their quarters.

Looking at the solemn faces, it was difficult not to pity them, having already given up on the fight.

"Everyone, gather around! We've got some letters from Kirigakure. We're going to be calling out names. If you hear yours, come and get your letter!"

Naruto watched as a lot of people were called up. He gave a small smile. This was something that people really needed. A reminder of what they stood to lose, if the battle wouldn't go their way.

"Aki Inari!"

Naruto watched with interest as the young samurai quickly made his way over and grabbed the letter, a big smile on his face. Their eyes locked, and Inari made his way over to the blonde, waving along the way.

"Naruto!" he exclaimed as he waved the letter. "My kaa-san and Ojisan sent me a letter."

Naruto ruffled his hair. "How have they been?"

He grinned. "Good, despite everything, you know, they've been asking about you a lot."

Naruto returned the smile. "I've been doing okay, tell them I said hi."

"Tell them yourself! They are heading to Konoha the moment the war is over!"

"Uzumaki Naruto!"

A surprised Naruto looked at the chunin who called out his name. He didn't really have any friends that were in hiding in Kirigakure. Regardless, he made his way over and accepted the letters with a quiet 'thank you'.

Making his way back over to Inari, he stared at the two letters with the same surprised look he had when he got called out.

"Come on, open it!" Inari pushed, folding his own letter and sliding it in his pocket.

He gave a nod and tore the first one open, reaching for the content inside. He opened the folded paper and read it.

Hey, Nii-chan.

We heard you were still doing okay, and that things are looking up. We honestly can't wait to get back to Konoha and get the stand all fixed up. Just so you know, you're helping us!

Everyone here has faith that you are going to win! Hang in there!

We're glad you're back, Naruto-kun.

Love,

Ayame and Teuchi.

Ps: say hi to Hawke for me, tell him, I want another date with him when he gets back!

Naruto stared at the heartwarming letter, a soft smile on his face. He honestly had taken their kindred spirit for granted. 'Which really makes me doubt…'

Inari was off to the side, chatting with a fellow samurai, who was of similar age as he was. Turning his attention to the second message. Folding Ayame's one, he tore open the other.

In his hand he held the picture of the genin who had died in Suna. His breathing hitched as he took in their smiling faces.

'I want to go to my mom.'

After what felt like an eternity, he slowly looked at the back, where there was written a single sentence.

Make them pay.

He looked up and could see that Micheru was making her way over to him, giving him a warm smile. He did his best to hide his tumultuous emotions, sliding the picture in his pocket.

"Michu-chan." He said, forcing a smile on his face.

"You got a letter? I'm happy for you!" she said before turning to Inari, who she recognized from his hospital visit.

"Yeah, old friends. Wishing us luck." He handed her the letter, so she could read it. The hand in his pocket still held the picture.

"Oh Ayame! I remember her from Shogatsu. She was with Hawke, right?"

"That's the one. They're staying in Kirigakure."

She handed him back the letter. "Not for much longer," She handed him back the letter, a smirk on her face. "A week from now we'll be rebuilding everything they've destroyed."

"That's the spirit!" Inari yelled, pumping his fist in the air. "We're going to kick their asses!"

They both laughed at his antics, watching as he infected others with his antics and cheerful behavior.

Even Naruto felt more confident, a smirk slowly crawling onto his face. 'You're going down Kenpachi.'

Stepping inside their quarters, he noticed three of his 'former' associates. There was the angry face of Mayu, who all but glared at him. There was the conflicted face of Rome, who felt unsure what to do.

And then there was Hawke. He was sporting a big grin and was giving him a thumbs up.

"Ghost. Good to see you. How's your training going?" Rome asked. After all this time, he still preferred his old alias.

"It's fine. Last couple of days we've been talking about strategies, instead of actual training."

Rome nodded thoughtfully. "Smart. Don't want to risk any injuries."

Naruto looked to Mayu, who was still glaring at him. "You're still angry."

"Angry? Angry doesn't-"

Rome interrupted her with a gentle hand, beckoning for them to follow him. "Let's get into the meeting room."

Mayu marched into the room, waiting for the others to arrive. Rome closed the door with a quiet click. "I can't believe you, 'Ghost," She all but spat. "You've fought him three times. You know better than anyone, Micheru shouldn't be anywhere close to him!"

Naruto crossed his arms, looking at his former leader, one he had followed for years. He butted heads with her often, but they both wanted the same thing, which ended up with him backing down, mainly because she was the one who formed the fellowship, along with Rome. "Stop treating Micheru like a child. She's a stronger fighter than you are, she's matured."

"It doesn't matter how strong you think she is! Kenpachi is going to kill her, kill all of you!"

From the sidelines, Rome and Hawke were quietly watching, their eyes darting between the two.

"He's killable."

"HE BEAT YOU THREE TIMES! HE KILLED YOU IN YOUR LAST FIGHT." Mayu screamed, gripping the table she was leaning against.

Naruto's face twitched. "I've followed you for 8 years. dived into any fight we came across…hunted every scout, every Reaver that came here…Regardless of where it took me," he took a deep breath, gritting his teeth. "While you- you just sat at the inn, hiding!"

Rome placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "She wasn't hiding anywhere. You know she had her own job, just as you did. She's just worried about her daughter, can't you understand?"

"I've said this before, when you didn't want me doing research on the Shinigami. WE CAN'T THINK ABOUT WHAT IT MIGHT COST! IF WE LOSE EVERYONE DIES!"

There was a deafening silence in the room, but Mayu was seething. She stepped forward and gripped Naruto by his collar. "I'VE SACRIFICED ENOUGH. I'M NOT GOING TO LOSE MY DAUGHTER TO A LOST CAUSE!"

His eye flared red. "Lost cause?! We haven't lost yet!"

"We've lost, Naruto. Time you accept that. I'm not going to watch my daughter die, because you're too blind to see the truth!"

Naruto's eye glowed an even brighter red, watching Rome and Hawke, who both looked conflicted. "So that's that? The infamous hunters are giving up when it matters the most?

Rome held up his hands. "I don't agree with Mayu here…But I understand what she's going through. She's…we've lost enough. We have to look to the future now."

Mayu loosened her grip on his shirt, her face was still full of anger, but a couple of tears had made their way down her face. "I've lost my family to the Reavers…I refuse to lose my daughter to them as well."

The door clicked close to their left. Micheru and Kia had stepped inside, watching the scene unfold in front of them.

Naruto's face hardened, refusing to buckle. "If we don't stop them here, they will continue to tear families apart. This world will end! It's Micheru's decision, and she decided to fight. If only her mother held the same values. The values of a true shinobi."

"Shinobi?!" She spat, gripping him tight once more. "Shinobi…killers for hire! You have no morals, as long as you get paid."

"no morals? You're the one who wants to watch the world burn because you can't let go of your dead family. You're no better than Kenpachi!" Naruto yelled back.

There was a loud slap, and Naruto's head was snapped to the right. His eye widened in surprise. Mayu took a few steps back, breathing heavily

"DON'T COMPARE ME TO THAT MONSTER! DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT MY HUSBAND OR MY DAUGHTER. YOU NEVER HAD ANY FAMILY…HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW WHAT I WENT THROUGH."

Naruto stared at her, his hand resting on the table beside him. The red glow in his eye dissipated. "Sun, Mayu. You're a disappointment. It's a shame I've never realized this before," he walked past her, towards the door where Micheru and Kia were quietly watching. He paused. His fingers gripping the handle. "There's a boat leaving from Kirigakure. It will take you far from here. You should get on it. We have no use for cowards."

The door quietly clicked shut after he left, leaving Micheru to stare at it with a variety of emotions.

"Micheru…" her mother's voice quietly said.

Slowly she looked back towards her mom. She looked incredibly tired, and it looked like she wanted nothing more than the war to be over. "What?"

"Please don't join in his quest for death."

"What are you talking about?"

Rome's voice took control of the conversation. "We're in a similar situation, to the one we had in Mirarca. We have to leave."

Her eyebrows rose considerably. "And go where?"

Mayu sighed, her hand sliding through her dark blonde hair, which was starting to show wisps of gray. "This war is over. We need to make plans to make sure that their next target will be prepared."

a look of incredulity washed over Micheru's face. "Are you serious?" She looked towards Hawke and Rome. "You both agree with this?"

Hawke fervently shook his head, but Rome was hesitant and spoke up. "It's a difficult situation, Micheru. No matter what plan or tactic Ghost has in mind, facts are still facts. He's fought him three times. He's lost three times. Even if Kenpachi is the key to defeating the Reavers…We can't beat him."

"Things are different now! Madara is in the group, and so am I!"

Hawke stepped forward in support of the younger blonde. "Micheru is right. Things are different now. This isn't the same situation we had in Mirarca. We have a shot at ending this!"

"What's different? That we've inflicted more damage? They still outnumber us. Kenpachi's still unbeatable. The upcoming fight is already lost. Only the naive haven't figured that out yet."

"Naruto's not naive!" Micheru rebutted. Her face becoming flushed, not in embarrassment, but in anger.

"Naruto's holding on to a lost cause, and he's willing to drag everyone down with him." Mayu bit back.

"Maybe…" Kia started, a frown on his face. "It's because he doesn't give up as easily as you do, Mayu."

They all looked at the young man. His arms were crossed and the frown he held was now quickly turning into a sneer.

"Kia, I don't give up easily. I fought for my home. But if we lose here, there will be no one to warn the others." Mayu pressed.

"That's not our job. There are people in Kirigakure that are up for the task, should it come to it." He replied almost immediately, as if he expected her response.

"That's not something you can simply entrust to just anyone." Rome's heavy voice responded in turn. His voice was still kind, as it always was, but it held a sharp edge.

At that point, Kia snapped. "And it just so happens to be you? Naruto was right. You're a coward."

"What if it goes wrong? what if they can't manage to sneak a boat past the blockade. Their next target will be unprepared. It will be back to how it was before! Nations caught by surprise and wiped out. There will be no one to stop him!"

"We have to put our foot down at some point or another! We can't keep shuffling back!" Kia bit back, slamming his fist against the wall.

"How about we all calm down a bit." Rome said as he held up his hands.

"There's nothing more to say." Kia said, locking eyes with Micheru. He reached for his sash and untangled it, letting it fall to the floor.

She nodded. "We're staying. Do whatever you want, but you won't drag me away from this fight, mom."

"Micheru, please!" Mayu pleaded as she stepped closer.

Micheru stared at the door. "Take care, mom."

Both of them stepped through, but turned in the hallway, looking towards Hawke.

He looked between the groups and slowly moved towards Mayu and Rome, but paused for a moment. "When I joined the fellowship, I was certain that this was a group of people I'd follow to the very end," his shoulders slumped, and his head dipped forward. "I still believe that…just not with you two. "

"Hawke…Don't do this…we've been together for years." Rome said as he gripped his fellow hunter by the shoulder.

"You're not worthy of the outfit…of the color." Hawke said between gritted teeth.

"What?!" Rome said, his eyes narrowing.

Hawke pushed his hand away and reached for his leader's sash. "Kia, Naruto and Micheru all handed in their sash. But they were wrong in doing so. You two should." With a grunt he untied the knot in one flued motion and pulled it off.

Rome stared at Hawke before snapping, grabbing Hawke by the throat, pushing him back, until they bumped against the wall. "I built this group from the ground up! Who do you think you are?!"

Hawke grunted and tried to break free. "This group was formed to protect the innocent, to fight against the Reavers! YOU'RE TURNING YOUR BACK ON EVERYONE!" He kicked Rome's feet out from under him, who dropped to the ground.

By now Micheru and Kia were running back in, staring at Rome who was on his knees. Rome glared up at Hawke. With a roar of anger, he pushed off from the ground and slammed into Hawke, crashing through the wall and landing in the hallway.

Falling on his back, Hawke used his lower legs to flip Rome away. He climbed to his feet and slammed his fist into the bald man's face who stumbled back. "Last chance, Rome. Stand down, or I'll kick your ass."

Rome straightened his back, wiping the sliver of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Kick my ass? I'm the better fighter here!"

"No, you're not, I am."

Both turned to Naruto, who was standing there with crossed arms. "Stay out of this, Ghost! This is between Hawke and me!" Rome yelled.

Mayu was standing in the newly created hole. "Stand down, both of you!"

Hawke sneered. "You don't give us any more orders!"

"Hawke. You know we can't risk you getting injured before the fight. Just…let it go." Micheru said pleadingly.

"I will, once Rome and Mayu both leave the group!" Hawke bit back.

Naruto eyed his old mentor quietly.

Rome stared at Hawke, before turning to Kia, Micheru…and finally settling on Mayu. She gave a single nod and looked away.

The leader of the fellowship let out a sigh, his anger dissipated. With a sad smile he too nodded. "I wish you all the best, Hawke. I hope you'll win…I just know it won't be the case."

"Then at least I die with a clear conscience. That I went out, protecting the people who couldn't protect themselves. Which is the foundation of our group. The very first brick!"

He turned and walked towards the exit. His footsteps creating echoes in the quiet hall of their barracks. "Ghost."

"Rome?" was Naruto's response, eyeing his former superior.

"Don't fail."

Naaruto stared at the clean shaven man, his lips thin. "We won't."

Mayu quietly slid past the group, her eyes locked on her daughter as her hands wrapped around her daughter. "Please come with us, Micheru!"

Her daughter stepped forward and embraced her mother in a hug. "I love you, mom."

Mayu let out a muffled sob, wrapping her arms around her last living family. "I've lost Susie…your dad and now I'm going to lose you. I can't do this without you."

"It's going to be okay; I promise. You have to make sure the world knows." Micheru said, tears sliding down her face as well.

Mayu slowly let go and stepped back. She smiled sadly, yet lovingly at her daughter. With a shivering breath she straightened her back. "Good luck, Hunter Sun."

She turned and moved toward the door, nodding towards Hawke and Kia, her eyes eventually settling on the blonde 'former' hunter.

Rome held out his hand and gripped hers tight. Together they gave one last look at the group standing there. "Good hunting. Hawke, you're in charge from now on."

They opened the door and Rome stepped outside, but before Mayu joined him, she reached for her sash and let it slip to the ground. The group remaining behind watched as the piece of cloth fell to the ground.

When they looked back up, Mayu and Rome were gone.

I hope you all enjoyed it, and I sincerely hope I managed to make the last part of the chapter convincing!

Hopefully, see you in two weeks!