Second Chances

Author: Krys Yuy

Summary: After the confrontation with the Akatsuki, will it bring Naruto and Usagi closer, or farther apart?

Pairings: Usagi/Gaara, Naruto/Sakura (more to come!)

Warnings: Possible swearing, violence, possible OOCness, and definite spoilers for Naruto (anime/manga) all the way up to the most current episodes/chapters.

Rating: PG-13

Notes: No, you are NOT imagining things! This is an update after a two-year hiatus! Holy crap! This chapter was actually completed awhile ago, but something didn’t sit right with me and I left it to gather dust. Then I realized what was the matter and revamped what is actually a pretty important moment and also delayed a certain event. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Also, thanks to my wonderful reviewers for reviewing Chapter 04. Please do so again for Chapter 05. And please, don’t just leave “update soon”. If you had a favorite (or non-favorite) part of this chapter, please tell me! If there’s something you think should be expanded on, etc, write it down – I’d like your input. And if no one reviews, I’ll assume that no one is reading anymore. So please, read and review. Thank you and enjoy! P.S. Earlier chapters will be replaced with slightly revised versions soon.

Archive/Distribution: Fanfiction-Net, otherwise ask first.

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters used. Nor do I own the dialogue from Naruto episodes 84-85.

“The pain of being lonely… is out of this world, isn’t it?” – Uzumaki Naruto

Chapter 05 – Pieces of Me

“If you hurt my brother, I’ll kill you.”

“W-what?” Naruto’s eyes widened further as he stared at the kunoichi’s back. Brother? What is she talking about? he thought in confusion. He was forced to move a few feet back as Usagi pushed him behind her, putting more distance between them and their enemies.

Itachi stared back at her impassively. He’s supposed to be an only child.

“Who are you?” Kisame demanded, ignoring his cut as he picked up his sword.

Usagi smiled sweetly, though there was something dangerously threatening behind it. “None of your concern.”

Kisame’s hold tightened on his sword handle. “That fox is our business!”

“I told you – if you hurt him, I’ll kill you,” she threatened again. Her stance seemed relaxed at first glance, but at closer inspection, every muscle in her body was tensed.

Itachi was not impressed. Words were just words. But he learned long ago to not take first impressions for granted. He would not underestimate the stranger. Instead, he studied her through narrowed eyes.

“I can kill her right?” Kisame growled. The cut on his hand stung and he kept his gaze steady on the newcomer.

With the sharingan, the dark haired shinobi found nothing abnormal about her chakra level. He didn’t deem her to be a real threat and agreed. She was only in the way of his target. With a slight inclination of the head, he stated simply, “Eliminate her.”

Kisame sliced his sword through the air with a twisted smirk. “You’ll be the one to die,” he stated menacingly.

“Sorry boys. I’ll have to disappoint you.” She held out her right hand in front of Naruto protectively just as her left hand began to glow. “I never did follow orders right.” Her lips twitched upward as the glow brightened.

What is that jutsu? Itachi’s eyes narrowed slightly. I’ve never seen it before. Why can’t the sharingan pierce through it?

“Trouble, Uchiha-sama?” she asked sarcastically. Her face was perfectly composed – the complete opposite of her inner emotions. But even so, her mind worked quickly. “Let me help you.” Her left hand formed into a tight fist. “Mars…” She made a punching motion towards them. “… Snake Fire!” A spiral of fire surrounded her arm and shot out towards them.

“Useless.” Kisame swung his sword to a horizontal position so he could block. However, the fire wasn’t eaten by the sword. Instead, the flames pushed him back, passing through the weapon and forcing the shark ninja down to the ground, burning his skin. He grunted in pain and glared at the blonde. “W-what? Impossible!”

Naruto stared at the slightly taller girl, who was finally revealing her power. “Whoa,” he muttered, mouth dropping open.

Kisame stumbled to his feet awkwardly, his shark-like features distorted in shock. My sword should have absorbed the chakra in that attack. Unless…

Damn it… my energy… Usagi felt the strain on her body, and it was only through sheer force of will that she kept it hidden. Why am I so tired already? Something’s wrong with my connection to the planets… and my chakra level… She stared determinedly at the Akatsuki members. I have to finish this.

“You didn’t use chakra,” Itachi stated emotionlessly, eyeing the blonde as if she were a specimen under a microscope.

“If you’re expecting me to explain, I’m not stupid.” She lifted one of her hands to her lips. “But let me give you a parting gift.” She set her feet apart and winked. “Venus…” She brought the fingertips to her lips and kissed them.

Her movements don’t make any sense, Itachi thought, frowning. She didn’t appear to be using any jutsu that he was aware of. No chakra was emanating from her attacks – that wasn’t supposed to be possible.

“Love and Beauty Shock!” Her hand glowed orange and she brought it down in front of her in a swift diagonal arc. The heart shaped energy sped forward, and managed to nick both members as they dodged before it crashed into the same wall that Sasuke’s chidori had earlier smashed, finishing what the lightning attack had started.

Feet touching lightly on the wall, Itachi’s eyes shifted as he brought a hand up to block just as she appeared in the bottom part of his vision, catching her foot before it connected with his chin. He saw her frown and he twisted her foot to prevent her from making her next move. But she only flowed with the movement, hands on the ground supporting her, and swung around with her other leg to swipe at him from below.

Again she missed and she gritted her teeth. “Tch.” She tried to ignore the way her arms were beginning to feel like heavy weights. My energy... She winced and barely had time to launch herself in the air just as Kisame’s sword swiped at the spot she had occupied. Evidence of the close call was a quarter of her long flowing hair drifting to the ground in uneven strands.

“Slippery little thing, aren’t ya.” Kisame grinned sharply as he watched her ricochet from above to land at her original position in front of Naruto. He noticed that her eyes were tracking Itachi’s position as if he were the greater threat – which, Kisame had to admit, the Uchiha was – but he didn’t like anyone ignoring him either. “You got a lot of nerve, wench.”

Neither he or Itachi missed the way she trembled, even as she stood tall and proud. There was something wrong with her, but Itachi knew without a doubt it was only a temporary handicap. He raked his gaze over her in cold calculation. She did not use seals – at least, none that he ever knew existed. This girl… was something else.

Naruto chanced a glance at the wall her attack had completely demolished, finishing what Sasuke’s chidori hadn’t. Holy –

Crap… Usagi winced as even more energy was sapped from her. I only had enough in me for two elemental spells? And not even three minutes’ worth of taijutsu! That can’t be right. I had more than enough time to rest. Her knees buckled slightly even though she was ready for any kind of counter from the missing-nins. Damn… the wish must have done something to me. She was about to reach for the tattered ribbon from her severed ponytail when a puff of smoke filled the hallway.

“Oh ho ho!” The white cloud dispersed to reveal Jiraiya with a woman hanging over his shoulder. “Well Usagi, it looks like you’re already taking care of things.”

Usagi nodded grimly. “I’m afraid they’re not going down so easily though.” She swayed a bit before straightening herself. “Mind helping me out?”

He eyed her in veiled concern even as he cheekily answered, “Anything for a lady.” He smirked at the two cloaked men, mind working rapidly for a solution to the immediate threat. “You two… don’t know me very well. Jiraiya the man is better at winning girls than being seduced by one. I would never let a woman seduce me with her beauty. When you become great like me, women will go crazy over your own beauty!”

“Even though that woman just winked and you were all over her!” Naruto frowned, eyeing his teacher in disappointment. “Now you’re just trying to look cool, you perverted hermit!”

“If it isn’t Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin. Even though you are without equal in your lust… I didn’t think you would be slowed down so easily,” Kisame commented, a wicked gleam in his eye.

“Your target is, as I thought, Naruto.” Jiraiya replied in turn, ignoring the insult.

Itachi’s eyes narrowed. “I wondered how Kakashi knew that. Now I see… his informant was… you, wasn’t it?”

Jiraiya set the woman down so she leaned against the wall. As he straightened, he looked at them seriously. “I’ll take care of you guys.”

Before Jiraiya could act though, Sasuke’s weakened voice interrupted. “Don’t interfere. The one who will kill him… is me!”

“Sasuke…” Naruto could only watch, frozen, as his teammate struggled to stand on the other end of the hallway.

Usagi’s fingernails dug into her thigh, eyes trained on the young genius and his merciless older brother.

Itachi gave him a disinterested look. “I have no interest in you now.”

“Bastard!” Sasuke rushed him as he clenched his left fist.

Itachi deflected the punch and struck his brother’s face. In another swift motion, Itachi kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying all the way down the corridor and crashing against the wall.

“Sasuke!” Naruto made a move to rush over, but Usagi blocked his path. “Usa-chan…”

She shook her head. “You have no hope of going against Kisame or Itachi, Naruto. Leave this to Jiraiya-sama.” Her knees finally collapsed, but Naruto caught her before she could stumble.

“Usa-chan, what’s wrong?” he asked, gently letting her drop to the floor on her knees.

Not now… why now? The room was beginning to spin. I need to… stop… She watched Itachi through bleary eyes, a sense of dread telling her what he was up to.

“Too early… the difference is too clear.” Itachi walked over to his brother with unhurried steps. He picked him up by the scruff of the neck, slamming him against the wall unmercifully. “You’re weak… Why are you weak?” He leaned in close to Sasuke’s right ear, whispering. “Because it wasn’t enough. Your hatred…” Itachi felt the build-up of chakra behind his eyelids before his gaze opened to reveal deadly crimson.

“You’ll use the Tsukiyomi on your brother, eh?” Kisame called out, amused.

“NO!!” Usagi yelled, startling Naruto, but it was too late.

Sasuke was already screaming as he looked into those red, red eyes before he slumped over, unconscious.

“Itachi… to your own brother,” she murmured, pounding her fist against her knee.

Before Naruto could ask her what she was talking about, there was a rumble through the ground as the hallway was filled with some kind of dark pink lining. “This is…?” He looked around before spotting his teacher.

Itachi was forced to let go of Sasuke as the wall swallowed his younger brother.

Jiraiya had his hands on the now completely covered floor. “Ninpou Gamaguchi Shibari!” He grinned at the two missing-nins. “Too bad for you… Itachi, Kisame. You guys are already in my stomach!” Tentacles shot out from behind him, heading for the missing-nins.

Itachi was already running in the opposite direction. “Kisame, let’s go!” The shark-like ninja followed his partner without hesitation.

“It’s useless! No one has ever escaped from here before!” Jiraiya yelled, pumping more chakra into the stomach lining, urging the tentacles to go faster.

Usagi closed her eyes. “They’re gone,” she whispered.

“What?” Jiraiya looked at her, but then his head snapped around as he heard an explosion. He ran to the corner of the hallway and stared at disbelief at the large gaping hole in the wall. Black flames were licking the edges. He wordlessly approached the damage. What is this? It actually had the power to penetrate the frog’s stomach… He took out a blank scroll to record it for further study, even as his thoughts turned troubled. The Akatsuki should not be underestimated…

–

The two missing-nins were leaping across rooftops towards the edge of town. “Why are we retreating? Couldn’t you…” Kisame trailed off, sheathing the Samehada.

Itachi shook his head. “There’s no need to worry about Naruto in his present state. Also, for the time being, I have to rest somewhere.” His sharingan eyes faded away into his normal black ones, though his expression was still highly displeased. “I was foolishly forced into using Tsukiyomi and Amaterasu.”

“And what was up with that chick?” Kisame growled as he finally looked at the deep cut on his hand. “She was a whole lot of trouble we weren’t counting on.”

“Yes. We’ll report her,” Itachi replied coolly. “It seems there is another person that we have to take care of. She must be eliminated at all costs before she becomes an even bigger nuisance.”

–

“Ryuusa Bakuryuu!”

Towering waves of sand moved towards an invisible foe, crushing and mixing together. A real enemy would have been caught in the dirt current and immediately covered with no possible way to escape. The ocean of sand swirled restlessly as it created a gigantic whirlpool in the middle of the desert.

Gaara wiped at the beads of sweat that formed on his brow, annoyed that he was panting slightly. The offensive technique was taking more out of him than he originally calculated. He mentally commanded the sand waves to stop and it took a couple of seconds before the shifting desert stilled. Frowning, he realized that his own chakra-enhanced sand was still much faster to react.

With the demon Shukaku inside him, the red haired genin was able to control sand whenever he wished. The speed with which the sand reacted was another matter entirely. The sand he carried in his gourd had been fed chakra ever since he was a child, which meant it moved quicker and faster. Other sand from the terrain or that he created would still be at his command, but he would have to use more chakra to keep it up to the speed he wanted. Though it was a valuable attack, the strain on the user was rather inefficient, if seen from another point-of-view.

He would just have to keep training to increase his stamina, Gaara inwardly decided. However, he allowed himself a brief rest as he sat down on the sand. He unbuckled his gourd and placed it to the side. The desert sun beat down on his body but he paid it no mind, used to the high temperature and dry weather. His skin was also covered with a thin layer of sand anyway, so he was protected from the hot rays. Tilting his head down to stare at the ground, he counted how many days he had been out in the desert.

Seven. That meant he had been gone a week from the Sand Village. The three-day journey from the Leaf to the Sand had left him at his limits, but it had also given him time to think about himself, about Uzumaki Naruto, about… everything. The same day he and his siblings had returned to their home village, he left that night to begin training. He would become stronger, so that he could… change.

His defeat at the hands of Uzumaki Naruto had already begun the transformation. He knew it, deep down inside, even where Shukaku whispered. The Uzumaki had shown him a new path, a path that wasn’t about destruction and blood. The blonde knew Gaara’s pain, and yet, he made his own way. He didn’t allow the hurt and loneliness to dictate his life. Naruto had precious ones, people that made him strong. In the end, it wasn’t his techniques – his pure heart, his love for his friends is what made him so formidable.

Gaara wanted that. The path he chose – of violence and death – it never left him feeling complete. He was empty inside and always… always lonely. The redhead wanted something more. He wanted to be able to share emotions – hate, sadness, even happiness… as long as he could share it with another person. To be seen as something other than a frightening weapon… to be needed by someone… to be needed just by being himself… that’s what he wanted.

Through Naruto, Gaara realized he could change his path through hard work. He didn’t have to be alone. He could change and maybe, one day, have precious ones of his own. Temari and Kankurou flashed through his mind briefly, and even Uzumaki Naruto. But then a certain blonde stranger tugged at the back of his consciousness.

“I’m here because… because of you.”

He needed answers from the blonde female. I will see you again. If anything, it was just to learn why she had been so… so intimate with him.

Gaara stood up as Shukaku began to stir anxiously in his head. Ignoring him – it was easier with less people around – he focused on his goal instead. Still, there was something else nagging at his mind and as he tried to push it back, he found it harder than before but managed to silence it despite its mysterious persistence. He closed his eyes and his hands flew through a flurry of seals to practice his new technique yet another time. It didn’t matter how long it took him to perfect it. He would become stronger before he saw both Uzumaki Naruto and the enigmatic blonde kunoichi again.

Then you can tell me who you are.

–

Usagi groaned, opening her eyes groggily. As she sat up, she noticed the night sky and the glow of the firelight illuminating the small campsite. “What happened?” she asked no one in particular.

“We’re about a quarter of the way to our next destination,” Jiraiya replied. He had his chin rested on folded hands, his elbows propped up on his knees as he sat cross-legged. “You fainted from exhaustion.”

“… pathetic.” She shook her head, angry at herself. “I only did two attacks!”

“Naruto described them to me.” The older ninja gestured towards the forest, where they could hear the genin gathering wood. “I wish I could have seen them myself.” One eyebrow quirked up. “Did you really attack with hearts?”

Usagi couldn’t help but giggle at the disbelieving tone he used. “Umm… yeah.” She sat up straighter and crossed her legs, mirroring him from across the fire. “I don’t know if you’d understand even if I explained it.”

He stared at her for a moment before he smiled slowly. “You are one mysterious kunoichi.”

“That I am.” She flexed her hands as she felt a bit of her energy returning. It wasn’t much, but it was something. “I wish I could speak with Setsuna. Maybe she could tell me what’s wrong.”

“How did you come to know Setsuna?” Jiraiya asked curiously.

“She… she was one of my teachers growing up,” Usagi answered vaguely. She gazed into the fire as if it would give her the words she was searching for. “She helped me learn about my powers.”

Powers? Jiraiya’s interest, which had already been reasonably peaked, grew even more with what little the girl had said. “Usagi, you don’t have to tell me anything. I trust you simply because Setsuna was the one who brought you to me. But still, I’d like to know… who exactly are you?”

“There are a lot of answers to that question.” The corners of her lips quirked up slightly. “You wouldn’t believe me.”

“I may not look it,” he replied with a playful smile, “but I’ve traveled across the world for a good portion of my life. I’ve seen and heard some pretty unforgettable things.”

The ruins of Konoha burning flashed in her mind, and it was as if she was back in the midst of the destruction, the stench of death and ash clogging her nose. She was unable to suppress the shudder that rippled through her. Her heart ached and she closed her eyes, making not a sound but screaming on the inside.

“So have I.”

That one sentence was weighed down with a sorrow so profound that Jiraiya was sure if he hadn’t seen it himself, he would have never believed she was capable of smiling. He regretted that the words intended to lighten the mood had the opposite effect. Not knowing what to say, but wanting to comfort her, he opened his mouth but she beat him to it.

“I’ve gone and made things depressing, haven’t I? I’m sorry.” She smiled then – a gentle, soft one that made her resemblance to Naruto all the more striking.

But the young genin had never shown such a tender grin; instead, he had cheerful beams and boastful smirks. No, the similarity laid in their power to mask deeper emotion. It was only Jiraiya’s experience that allowed him to see past what others easily overlooked. Usagi was strong and willful as evidenced by her condition after the fight in the town. While he hadn’t witnessed the altercation, Naruto’s wide-eyed description and the Akatsuki’s caution in regards to her spoke volumes. She had made quite the impression in such a short amount of time.

“I just… need to get stronger.” There was the barest hint of steel in her tone. “I need to regain what I’ve lost.”

“And what is that?” the Toad Hermit asked quietly.

Friends. Family.

She placed her right palm over her heart.

Gaara.

“Pieces of me.”

–

Sakura placed the flowers in a vase by Sasuke’s bed before looking down at his still body in worry. The only sign that he was alive was the gentle up and down movement of his chest that signaled his breathing. “What happened to you, Sasuke-kun?”

She had to hear from Ino of all people that Kakashi-sensei and Sasuke were in the hospital. Kakashi-sensei had been in a fight whereas Gai-sensei had checked Sasuke in. She didn’t know who attacked them, and no one was talking. What was worse was that both of them were in comas. Neither would wake for unknown reasons. She wished she could talk to Naruto about it, but it seemed he was away on a mission for an indeterminate amount of time.

Sakura brushed her hand through Sasuke’s hair, allowing herself this one guilty pleasure. She could only ever get this close to her crush when he was unconscious. She leaned in close and whispered, “Please be all right…”

–

Usagi and Jiraiya sat in companionable silence, the crackling of the fire the only sound in the quiet night. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice when Naruto plopped down beside her.

He had lingered in the forest long after he had finished gathering wood, mind replaying his close encounter with the Akatsuki. He thought of Sasuke and his older brother, of how the cool and rational teammate he knew had disappeared to reveal only someone thirsty for revenge. Sasuke and Itachi were brothers and Naruto, someone who had always longed for a family, couldn’t understand how such a bond could be poisoned past the point of recognition. If he had someone to call a sibling, he would hold tight and never let go.

“If you hurt my brother, I’ll kill you.”

His voice, usually boisterous and loud, was subdued as he broke the hush.

“… why did you call me brother?”

Usagi gave only a slight start as she became conscious of his presence. She was aware of Jiraiya watching them both closely, but most importantly, waiting for her answer. She scrambled to think of any excuse for her instinctive words earlier that day, but then took in how Naruto couldn’t quite look at her. His shoulders were hunched in such a way that suggested he was preparing for a physical blow.

She wanted to tell him then. The words were ready to spill from her lips, but rational thought saved her from being too hasty. Her story wasn’t so easily comprehended and she didn’t want to run the risk of isolating him. And so she settled on half-truths.

“You remind me of him,” she whispered. The sparks from the fire added an eerie light to her face, dancing colors of red and orange reflected in her blue orbs.

“Who?” Many things often went over Naruto’s head, but even he could sense her heartache.

“My little brother.” She raised her gaze for the first time that night to lock gazes with one identical to her own. “You’re just like him.” An image of a seventeen-year old Naruto came unbidden to the forefront of her mind, his posture bent over a map in the war room, face serious and not unlike their father’s. “Though some things are a bit different.

Naruto didn’t know what possessed him to ask. “Is he…?” he trailed off, obviously uncomfortable, his hand scratching the back of his head.

“He’s gone,” she answered his unfinished question. “He was betrayed by his best friend.” Her expression remained carefully blank.

Naruto couldn’t imagine his precious people doing such a thing. “I’m… sorry,” he replied awkwardly.

Usagi nodded, knowing there were no words. The firelight flickered over Naruto’s face and she couldn’t help but wonder at the innocence reflected in him, even though he was sure to have seen more horrors than any normal twelve year old could possibly comprehend.

“And it’s not only that you remind me of him… I also see you as a sort of surrogate little brother,” she confessed, giving him a tentative lop-sided smile, her first genuine one since she had regained consciousness.

Words stuck in Naruto’s throat even as he fought the emotion welling up inside him, turning his face away. No one had ever said such a thing to him, and he could not mistake the affection in her voice for anything else. Naruto had only known her for more than a day; nevertheless he felt like he could trust her with anything. He recalled her actions when they had been by the small shrine. She had fretted over him as if they were close. As if they were family. She was mysterious and confusing – and Naruto hated to be confused – but there was a kindness she showed him that he was rarely given.

And he found himself reaching out.

“You’d make a pretty cool big sister,” he murmured. He gathered his courage and chanced a look at her.

To find that she was beaming at him, looking as if an enormous weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Naruto blushed at the warm gaze directed at him, heavily embarrassed, but at the same time, secretly pleased. But if she kept looking at him like that, he was sure his face would remain a permanent red.

“Umm… what are you going to do about your hair?” he asked in an attempt to divert attention away from him.

“My hair?” she asked, puzzled. She tilted her head to the side before recalling the fight’s events. “My hair!” she exclaimed with wide eyes. She reached back and combed her blonde tresses over her shoulders to survey the damage. Her right ponytail had survived, but the one on the left had lost a quarter of its original length. She touched the uneven strands delicately and let out a small sound of disgust. “Kisame.”

Naruto and Jiraiya both shivered at the way she spat out his name, an obvious vow of future retribution.

Usagi’s expression turned forlorn as she pushed thoughts of the missing-nin away and focused on her unwanted haircut. “Only one thing to do,” she said aloud after a moment, nodding to herself.

In one swift move, before either ninja could blink, she had cut through the right ponytail to even out the length with the left one, chakram in hand. Its glint under the moonlight seemed especially menacing. The cut piece of navy ribbon fluttered to the ground with the golden strands of hair. Usagi carefully picked up her severed hairpiece, folded it, and placed it in her back pouch.

Naruto decided she didn’t look too different, seeing as her hair was still considered long by any standards, even with the new length. She was just reattaching her circular weapon to her belt when he hesitantly asked, “Umm… Usa-chan?”

“Yes?” She gave him her full attention immediately, and Naruto knew that particular fact would take some getting used to.

“It’s okay if you say no... but, would you mind, uh, if… I mean, could I call you… umm…”

And Usagi knew what he was too flustered to put into words. “Sure, Shorty, I’d like that.” She added in a teasing hair tousle for good measure to accompany the nickname she hadn’t used in years.

Jiraiya lay down on his blanket, staring up at the sky. He smiled and closed his eyes as Naruto let out an indignant squawk at the nickname, while Usagi’s resulting laugh chimed in the wind.

–

Gaara sat in light meditation, having finished his training for the time being. There was only so much a person could do before they were threatened with chakra depletion. He had staked out a camp in an oasis deep in the midst of the desert, one that Gaara was sure few people ever made it to. They had a higher chance of being lost in a desert storm’s clutches.

… ood…

He stiffened.

..bl…oo..d… giv… me…

Gaara’s forehead creased in concentration as he felt the beginnings of bloodlust stir in his veins.

… enou.. gh… time… you..r.. due…

After the exhausting fight against Uzumaki Naruto and his toad summons, Shukaku was finally rousing from his rest. Gaara winced, one hand clutching his forehead as the other buried itself in the sand, trying to find some purchase but the tiny grains only slipped through his fingers. He had been able to ignore his demon host earlier, so focused was he on mastering his new technique, but it was obvious that Shukaku had by now regained whatever energy he had spent in their lost fight. The demon was trying to take control once again, greedy for another chance at freedom after one taste, his words strengthening.

… you owe me!

Gaara grit his teeth, breathing heavily and pushing back against the presence encroaching on the corners of his mind. If he had any choice, his demon would never again see the light of day.

Who do you think you are?!

The bloodlust called out to him, a sweet song of sin dripping in darkness. It offered a bitter relief from the incessant pounding of Shukaku in his head. Just a moment’s peace… one moment…

Your existence is nothing without me!

No, he disagreed; tempering his resolve, there is more to me than you.

Shukaku shrieked, feeling his hold on Gaara faltering, and frustration nipped at the one-tailed demon. He wanted the blood owed him, damnit! But it seemed his container would not yield this time. They weren’t near any delicious snacks for him, and so the boy was able to resist easier without temptation dangling in front of his face.

It only takes a moment, Gaara…One slip-up… and you’re mine again.

Gaara showed no outward signs of emotion as he slipped back slowly into a meditative stance, but his insides shook at the ominous promise all the same, suspecting that time was the only obstacle in keeping it from coming true.

–

Though she had not revealed the whole truth the night before, there was still a lightness in Usagi’s heart that could only be attributed to the way Naruto openly accepted her. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t earlier, but now there was a tilt to his lips that had been missing before when he smiled at her. She also had the pleasurable feeling that came with being accepted. The grief she felt over the loss of her world and loved ones was still great, but having Naruto let her into his life made the transition a little easier.

Frankly, she was a bit surprised he had accepted her so readily. But, once she thought about it, it wasn’t too uncharacteristic. The Naruto from her world had always been optimistic – more willing to trust others than to be wary first. It also didn’t escape her keen eye that this world’s Naruto was a bit starved for attention, and underneath that, love and acknowledgement of him as a person. She had a vague and unsettling suspicion as to the origin of his insecurities, which both angered and saddened her. Discrimination and fear of the unknown did not change, no matter how different the world. However, looking at him now, it was as if that hatred never touched him at all if she took in the way he was talking excitedly to Jiraiya.

“Come on, Ero-sennin! Let’s hurry up and start training already!” he exclaimed enthusiastically. He turned around to look at her, walking backwards. “Don’t you think so, ‘neechan?”

Usagi’s heart warmed instantly as Naruto called her ‘older sister’. Before she could answer though, Jiraiya told his apprentice not to be so impatient.

“We still have to gather information on Tsunade, too. That’s what this whole trip is about aside from training.”

Usagi couldn’t wait until they found Tsunade. She had been quite close to the older woman in her world, and only hoped they could be again here. However, she could tell that Naruto was a lot more interested in the new technique Jiraiya had promised to teach him. If her suspicions were correct, then he would be teaching him the Rasengan.Well, he’ll master it soon enough if his determination is anything like my world’s Naruto’s, she thought.

“… and we’ll start gathering information at this town.”

“Wow!” Naruto marveled at the huge city they just arrived at, which was in the middle of celebrating a festival. The three travelers started down the long stairs that led into the city. From their vantage point, they could see all sorts of games and booths with a variety of people bustling about enjoying all the activities. “This is my first time being in a place like this!”

Usagi’s face had an expression of excitement that mirrored Naruto’s perfectly. The last few years in her world had been sadly bereft of any festivals. There had been no time for games in a time of war where the enemy would only take advantage. Orochimaru was not one to observe any kind of holiday, and instead, chose to see it as a weakness. So, to experience a festival after so long seemed like a chance to revisit her childhood.

“I think I’ll enjoy this,” she admitted with a twinkle in her eye. She was already considering which booth to run to first.

Jiraiya grinned. There’s still a kid in her yet. “We’ll rest here and start training tomorrow. So you two play while you can. I’ll be doing the same.” He winked as they reached the bottom of the stairs and began heading in the direction of the nearest bar with young, attractive women. “We’ll meet up in a few hours!”

“Come on, neechan! Let’s go!” Naruto pumped his fist in the air before he realized that Usagi wasn’t by his side anymore. “Eh? Neechan?” He turned his head side to side before cotton candy was suddenly shoved in front of his face. He pulled his head back to find Usagi smiling at him.

“You want to share this with me?” she asked, popping some of the pink sugar cloud in her mouth.

“Yeah!” Naruto happily tore off a piece of the candy for himself.

“So, little brother…” Usagi wrapped an arm around the genin’s shoulders. “… what do you want to do now?”

Naruto decided then and there that he very much liked being called ‘little brother’, especially with the way Usagi said it so warmly. “Let’s try out everything!”

“Why not?” Usagi grinned and steered them both towards the game booths, determined to not have the past invade her thoughts, at least for a little while.

–

“So, do you think you can help her?”

Tsunade looked back at her old friend impassively, ignoring the presence of Shizune and Ton-ton, who were watching quietly in the background. “I don’t owe you any favors, Setsuna.” She took another drink of sake. “Besides, I heal the body. I can’t heal the heart.”

The Pluto senshi watched her friend hopelessly, saddened in how bitter and lost the medical shinobi had become because of the cruel fate she had been dealt with. To lose her brother so young, and then her lover… it had disillusioned Tsunade enough for her to leave her village so she could forget the past. Unfortunately, the past always haunted her no matter where she went.

“You do, however, know about the long dead Moon Village here. She will come seeking answers… perhaps you two can help each other. She also knows a thing or two about loss…”

Tsunade’s fist tightened around her glass. “Setsuna, I will not waste my time baby-sitting some girl.”

“Were you listening to anything I was saying?” Setsuna fingered the shawl of her commoner disguise, wishing she could grip her Time Key in the public bar. “She’s not just some girl. She carries the Ginzuishou, Tsunade.”

She shook her head. “That’s a myth.”

“Not where she’s from.”

Tsunade remained silent for a long time before she stated, “… if she finds me, she finds me. I’ll deal with it then.” She refilled her glass sloppily as she began to ignore the senshi.

It wasn’t a yes or no, but it would have to do. Setsuna resisted the urge to sigh. If Usagi and Naruto did not reach Tsunade’s heart, then all would already be lost before the snake even had Sasuke. “Take care of yourself, Tsunade.” Then she was gone in a swirl of mist.

Shizune blinked a couple of times, looking at the spot where the strange woman had just been. She looked at her teacher a bit apprehensively. “Tsunade-sama… are you okay?”

The legendary healer stared deep into her drink. “… we’ll see.”