Finally I have a new chapter out. Sorry it took so long, but I was out of the country and it was a massive amount to type. Here it is though. Chapter 61! Wow, what a number. And there's more to come :) Enjoy!
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"What's happening?" the villagers stared at the sky is terror.
"Mommy, why is the sky so dark?"
Yuna Tomoda watched it concerned. The villagers were starting to panic. So far there had only been minor attacks. Nothing the shinobi that had stayed behind couldn't handle. This however was a different matter. This was something dark and sinister. A shiver ran down her spine.
"Yuna," someone shook her shoulder. She turned her head and stared at Dante. "We need to get the villagers somewhere safe. The Academy, alright? The school's big enough to house everyone."
Yuna nodded. "Right."
"Okay, come on. But don't cause any more panic. Things are bad enough as it is."
"Do you know what's causing this?" Yuna asked.
Dante sighed. "I've sensed something similar once, but this... this is much stronger."
"What was it?"
"The One Tail's chakra. Gaara-sama had it under control then, but this... I don't know. We need to prepare for the worst."
***
She could see the irony if the situation. Madara had always been a master in hiding himself. All throughout the war no one had been able to find him and now all she had to do was follow the chakra of the one tailed beast. The creature that had hated her from day one. There was no doubt in her mind that when she found Shokaku she would find Madara as well.
She couldn't afford to wonder if this was his intention. If she had a chance of stopping this then she would take it.
She paused for a moment to catch her breath. She was tiring more easily lately. 'Come on kiddo. Work with me here. We have a job to do.'
There was still no sign of Sasuke and she wasn't sure if that was a good thing, but she could search for him later. 'Let's get them one at the time.' And maybe, after she had finished with Madara, it would be easier to talk some sense into Sasuke. She refused to give up on him yet. She had seen his thoughts. There was still something left of him, even though it was deeply hidden.
The sky roared again and Taryn narrowed her eyes. "Let's finish this."
***
"You sense that Bee?" Eight Tails said alarmed.
Bee nodded to himself. "There's no sound, but I know they're around. But it's more than one beast. Does that mean they're released?"
"Hn?" Naruto said, "who's released?"
"He means the other tailed beasts," Nine Tails provided, "can't you sense their chakra?"
"What, you're talking to me again now?" Naruto asked amused. Nine Tails rolled his eyes. Naruto looked at the sky. "Is that why it's so dark all of a sudden?"
"Why the moon is gone I don't know, but if we want to find out we'd better go."
Naruto nodded at Bee. "You're right. This can't be a good thing. We'd better hurry."He jumped down to the ground and started running. 'Maybe finally I'll run into Sasuke.'
"And then what?" the Nine Tails mocked, "do you think you can just fix everything? Like flipping a switch?"
"Just shut up already," Naruto growled, "you big pessimist."
"Fine, but don't come whining to me when it doesn't work out."
"Well go after him already," the Eight Tails told Bee, "you know he'll only get himself in trouble."
Bee sighed. "I've been doing nothing but run. Let's grab some tails and have some fun."
The Eight Tails rolled his eyes. "You and your rhymes."
"You like my rap, it's so fine. Very original and completely mine."
"Just go after Naruto already."
"I'm going dude. No need to be rude." He jumped from the branch he'd been standing on and followed after Naruto who was already far ahead.
***
Sasuke pulled back his blade and scoffed at the sight of the dead shinobi at his feet. 'Weaklings. All of them.' No measure of camaraderie had saved them. 'So much for teammates. I knew it all along. Other people only hold you back. Protecting others makes you weak.' He glanced to the side where he head a soft whimper. There was another shinobi hiding behind the rocks.
The young shinobi shivered at the sight of the young Uchiha. He looked at Sasuke horrified and backed away even further.
"Heh," Sasuke mocked while unsheathing his katana. He took a step closer. "Are you really going to make it harder for yourself? Just give up already."
"Y-you... you killed them."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. Just his luck. This one was a complete moron. "That's war," he shrugged, "they were in my way."
"They'll stop you," the shinobi threatened, "and they'll capture and execute you."
Sasuke chuckled. "That so? Well, you won't be there to see it." He ran the man through with his katana.
"Are you done playing around now?"
Sasuke turned to Madara and scoffed. He eyed the markings on the man's body that were visible on his arms and legs. "So you used them huh."
"It's time," Madara answered, ignoring the mocking tone in the boy's voice, "they'll be here soon."
"So you're just going to wait again? Couldn't you have stayed at the hide-out then?" Sasuke snorted, his katana still at hand.
"They'll be drawn by the chakra of the tailed beasts," Madara said "and I need to be in the open to make full use of these powers." He smiled. "Don't worry. You'll get your chance with Naruto. Just remember... the Nine Tails is mine."
"I have no need for tailed beasts," Sasuke said in a bored tone and he swung his katana around. He wasn't going to let go of the weapon. He never had trusted Madara and he wasn't going to start now.
A crack of lightning pierced the sky, accompanied by a loud thunder. Madara let out a dark laugh. "I can feel it," he said greedily, "they're coming."
***
"Lee?" Gai asked worriedly when his student's eyes fluttered open, "how are you feeling?"
"Gai-sensei," the boy gasped and he winced at a jolt of pain.
"Easy Lee."
"Are you alright sensei? Where are we?"
"I'm fine. We're in the infirmary."
"Are you injured? Was I not fast enough? Kakashi-sensei... is he...?"
"What were you thinking?!" Gai barked, "didn't I tell you never to use that move again?! It could have killed you! It's a war Lee, we don't have he resources we would have had in Konoha."
Lee struggled to sit up and winced gain. "I would do it again," he said, "to protect the people I care about."
Gai's eyes watered and he hugged Lee close. "I'm so proud of you!"
Lee carefully hugged his sensei back. "I'm so glad to make you proud!"
"Good to see the patient is feeling better," Sakura entered the tent and after a slight narrowing of her eyes at Gai, she checked Lee's vitals and redid his bandages. "You still need to rest," she warned Lee, "no fighting or you'll rip something permanent. Got that?"
Lee nodded meekly.
Sakura narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Just so you know, "she said, "I posted a Jounin outside your tent. You're not making a run for it as well."
"As well?" Gai asked, "who took off?"
Sakura hesitated. "Taryn," she said.
Lee's eyes went wide. Gai scoffed, making Sakura glare at him. "Were you saying something?!" she growled threatening.
"Not at all," Gai muttered annoyed and crossed his arms.
***
Taryn crouched down on a branch and frowned in deep thought. They were both here. 'So much for taking them one at the time.' Sitting this close to Madara, she could feel the presence of the tailed beasts even stronger. A shiver ran down her spine. She clenched the hand with the Sakegari Blade. She only had one chance. If she failed it was all over. But she was up against two powerful Sharingan users. It would take skill and precision. Genjutsu wan not her forte. True, she could break free of most illusions and she had fought Itachi's and Kakashi's Sharingan many times, but neither of them had ever intended to kill her.
These two had.
And she feared for both their sanity as well.
She couldn't come up with a plan of attack. That wouldn't work in this case. She would have to improvise.
Taryn took a deep breath. It was now or never. She jumped down from the tree and landed in front of them.
"Taryn," Madara cooed, "not exactly who I was expecting, but welcome.
""Save it for someone who cares," Taryn hissed.
"Are you here again to persuade me to go back to Konoha?" Sasuke sneered.
Taryn turned to him and scoffed. "Why do you keep making everything about you?" she asked, "you're really not that important. I'm not here for you."
"Then why are you here?" Madara asked amused, making her turn her attention back to him. In one fluent movement she pulled three leaf-shaped shuriken and threw them at Madara. He vanished and a log was in his place. He reappeared behind her and Taryn spun around, two daggers already in her hand. She threw them, but again he was faster. His laughter seemed to come from all sides.
Quickly she activated her Byakugan.
"You want to fight me?" he taunted her, "you're nowhere near good enough to defeat me. Especially now." His Sharingan turned, but Taryn disrupted her chakra to break the spell. She cast her Silver Wind jutsu at him, but he dodged it. He sent a fireball her way.
Taryn rolled out of the way and narrowed her eyes. She could clearly see the dark flow of his chakra. Or better said, the chakra of the tailed beasts. It was sinister and tainted by hatred and anger. She suppressed a shiver.
She was familiar with Shukaku's malice, but to have it combined with six other Bijuu made it almost unbearable. How could Madara stand it?
Madara chuckled when he felt her unease. "Do you like my new powers?" he asked.
Lightning struck the ground beside her, splitting open the ground. The earth rose up in an attempt to trap her. Above her head the sky grew darker and a fierce wind started to blow. Taryn jumped a mere second too late and hit her knee. She gasped and dropped to the ground.
Madara laughed evilly. "There's someone here who wants to kill you..." he said in a singing voice.
Taryn narrowed her eyes and breathed heavily. Her leg hurt badly. "Shukaku," she breathed.
Madara grinned and took a step towards her. "He really doesn't like you," he purred and shook his head.
Taryn glared at him. "You won't kill me," she stated.
"Oh?" Madara questioned, "and why is that?"
"You want this child," she answered, "the last Uchiha heir."
Somewhere close by Sasuke stiffened and tightened his grip on his katana. Taryn ignored it and kept her focus on Madara. He eyed her amused.
"Well thought," he complimented her, "I have to admit, I did think about that, but I don't need it anymore. I have almost reached my goal." He smirked again.
Then Taryn caught a movement from the corner of her eye. She jumped to evade Sasuke's katana swinging down. She slammed her hand against is shoulder to block his chakra. "Stay out of this," she hissed.
"Play nicely Sasuke," Madara smiled, "don't overexert yourself. You'll need your energy for the upcoming fight."
Sasuke glared at him. "Stop telling me what to do. I can take her."
"I'm sure you can," Madara mused, "very well. But make it quick. They'll be here soon."
Taryn gritted her teeth. She had purposely been throwing knives at Madara earlier to determine his agility, but she knew she would be in trouble if she had to fight both of them at the same time.
She kept Byakugan activated. It would help her keep an eye on their chakra signature. The lack of regular sight was uncomfortable, but she had learned how to fight blindfolded long ago. She would just have to improvise.
There was only one other problem. She had no intention of killing Sasuke. She doubted he would show her the same courtesy. And Madara knew that.
She glared at him, but he merely smiled at her.
"Don't ignore me," Sasuke growled and she heard his Chidori chirp.
"Ugh, not this again," she groaned. She flitted out of the way and avoided the lightning blade. She reappeared behind him, but he turned before she could use Gentle Fists on him. He tried to capture her in an illusion, but she sent a disruption through her chakra to break free.
Sasuke signed the seals for a fireball jutsu, but she countered it with on of her own. She took her fan and released Silver Wind, but he moved out of the way and landed on a branch above her head.
Taryn redirected the jutsu and crushed the branch, but he was already gone.
She easily found him again and formed a fireball jutsu. She had to keep him dodging. She couldn't take the risk of letting him use Amaterasu or Susanoo.
Taryn took a dagger and cut in her upper arm when he tried to trap her with a genjutsu again. At the same time she had to wear off Madara who attacked her from the other side.
She ducked his attack, jumped and managed to kick Sasuke in the ribs.
Taryn took a handful of shuriken and threw them at Madara, turned back to Sasuke to block his katana with a dagger and tried to kick him. He tackled her instead.
Taryn rolled over, grabbed a handful of sand and threw it in Sasuke's eyes.
She caught him of guard. He flinched and lost focus for a second. He growled and rubbed his eyes. "That was a dirty trick," he commented.
"I never said I would play fair," Taryn responded. She hit him with Gentle Fists and cut off his chakra flow. He grabbed her wrists, but she managed to fling him over her shoulder.
Immediately after she used a wind attack on Madara. She had to get close to him.
Madara flitted out of the way and his taunting laughter followed her around. He used an earth based jutsu on her and she was hit by the flying rocks.
Taryn gasped and fell to one knee. 'I can't take this much longer. I have to end it soon.'
"Is that all you've got Taryn?" Madara mocked her, "how are you going to avenge Itachi when you're this weak? How is that child of yours ever going to achieve anything?"
Taryn narrowed her eyes. "You're wrong," she said to him in a deadly voice, "it's not about revenge. It's never been about revenge." She ran at him, ready to use Gentle Fists.
Madara watched her amused. "A straight forward attack Taryn? I thought you'd know better." His Sharingan turned and Taryn ducked to roll around him.
Madara's smirk dropped when she suddenly vanished. He spun around to find her behind him. 'A clone?' His Sharingan was still active and he saw her grin. He figured it out one heartbeat too late.
Taryn lifted her hand and pushed it forward. Madara gasped when the Sakegari Blade came at him. "What?!" he gasped and it pierced his Sharingan.
***
Temari lowered her fan when she recognized the shinobi coming through the door. "Ao," she gasped.
The man nodded at her. "They sent me to replace you. You're wanted back at headquarters. Kazekage's orders."
"Is everything alright?" Temari asked concerned, "did something happen with my siblings?"
"I don't know," Ao answered, "I was told to send you back and stay here myself with the lords and ladies and to tell you to bring that scroll, whatever that means."
Temari nodded slowly. "Alright. Take care." She hesitated. "How bad is it out there? We lost communication a while back."
Ao sighed. "It's not pretty. We have a lot of casualties and rumor has it Madara is using the tailed beasts now. Fortunately we still have the two remaining beasts in our possession. But if we don't stop him soon, it will al be over."
***
"We're getting closer," Naruto said, "Nine Tails feels it too."
"Same with Eight here," Bee nodded, "the other tails are near."
"Listen," Naruto said and came to a halt on a branch.
Bee tilted his head to the side. "I don't know what you heard, but there's nothing but the sound of the birds."
"Not one bird," Naruto corrected, "a thousand. It's Chidori. Sasuke must be near."
"We must hurry then and go. Capture Uchiha, yo."
"It's Madara you must be wary of," the Nine Tails interrupted, "if he uses Sharingan..."
"Sasuke has Sharingan too," Naruto said, "I can't let him use it."
"And there's the other Bijuu to worry about," the Eight Tails cut in, "I can feel them clearly now."
Bee suddenly looked up. "That was a fireball jutsu just now bro, and by the looks of it, it was a mighty blow."
Naruto followed his gaze. He could just see the flames die out. "That's about three miles from here." He grew a determined face. 'I'm coming, Sasuke.'
***
There was no wind and it was dark, but the streetlights were on, so she could see. In the distance was a restaurant and cheerful laughter came through the opened windows. It made her smile and she made her way over to join them.
People in the streets smiled at her and greeted her as she passed them. She returned their smiles and continued moving towards the restaurant.
It was so peaceful here. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so light-hearted.
She passed Matsuri in the streets and waved at the girl. Not long after she saw her sister come out of a bar with Dante. Taryn smiled at the sight of them together. When they walked by her, Taryn turned to greet them. And she froze in place.
Something wasn't right.
Temari was her sister. She was used to her chakra signature, but she couldn't feel it.
At all.
She looked around again. The streets were crowded with happy people.
Still...
Something was off.
'There's no wind.'
She activated her Byakugan, but couldn't find a single chakra trace. She deactivated the jutsu. The same people were still here. For the second time she used Byakugan, but with the same result.
She gasped. 'There's no one here.'
Her heart skipped a beat and she turned her head towards the sky.
There was no moon, but instead there was a giant eye looking down on her.
A Sharingan.
Taryn tensed an involuntarily took a few steps back. She spun around and shook her head, but nothing changed. The same streets and buildings were there.
"Kai release!"
Nothing happened.
She tried disrupting he chakra, but with the same result. She drew blood and again there was no change.
She was trapped in a genjutsu world. With no way of getting herself out.
'Okay,' she thought frantically, 'now it's time to panic.'
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A/N Everyone who feels the need to smack Sasuke on the head say ''Aye". AYE!