In rock and a hard place

9 - Friendship

Naruto pov: Amidst the pain of losing Deidra I became friends with another jinchuuriki named Gaara. It happened after we had raided another bordering village. He approached me as I was training in the woods. "Why," he asked voice laced with sadness. "Why did you attack my village." I only looked at him with sympathy and longing. His village had accepted him as there protector their hatred no longer turned towards him. He seemed impatient for my answer. "How long did it take before the villagers stopped hating you," I asked ignoring his question. "It took 3 months as I trained to be a ninja," he replied. "I was a victim of my village's hatred, I trained to be a ninja but nothing changed," I said sitting down. " I did have two people who looked out for me though." "Is that why you joined the akatsuki," he asked taking a seat next to me. "Partly," I admitted, glancing at him. "But it was more than that. I wanted power, yes, but I also wanted to change things. I saw how the Akatsuki operated, how they could bring entire nations to their knees. I thought if I could harness that power, maybe I could force the world to see the injustice and make them change." Gaara looked at me, his eyes searching for something. "And did it work? Did you change anything?" I shook my head, feeling the weight of my past decisions. "Not in the way I hoped. Instead of bringing change, I brought destruction. The cycle of hatred just continued. But now . . . now I think I understand what needs to be done. It's not about force; it's about willing to understand everyone feels pain and suffering." Gaara nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes. "So what will you do now? Continue with the Akatsuki's path of destruction?" I took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of my words. "I'm going to stay with the Akatsuki they're my family now. Despite everything, they took me in when I had nowhere else to go. I'm going to stay until I'm the last one standing. Only then will I return to my village, to Sasuke. He's the one who protected me against the villager's, and always cared about my well being, and the one I secretly love. I need to see him again, to see if there's any hope for us to find peace together." Gaara's eyes widened in surprise, but then softened in understanding. "You really think you can do it? Survive the Akatsuki and then go back to the village?" "I have to," I said firmly. "For Sasuke, and for the chance to finally break the cycle of hatred. I'll use the power I've gained to protect, not destroy. And maybe, just maybe, we can find a way to change the world together." Gaara watched me for a long moment, as if weighing my words. "It won't be easy, Naruto. The Akatsuki are powerful, and their goals are set on a path of darkness. Do you even think they'll let you go if they manage to survive." "I know it won't be easy, but if they do manage to survive I'm not sure if they'll let me leave," I replied, my voice steady. "But I've already made my choice. I can't turn back now. The Akatsuki have become my family, and I owe them. But once it's over, if I'm the last one left, I'll find a way to return to Konoha. To Sasuke." Gaara stood up, offering me a hand. "Then I hope you succeed, Naruto. For both your sakes." I took his hand, standing up with newfound determination. "Thank you, Gaara. I won't let you down." As we stood there in the quiet forest, the weight of my decision settled on me. The path ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but I had never been one to shy away from a challenge. The Akatsuki, my new family, needed me. And Sasuke, my heart, was waiting for me. I would navigate the treacherous path ahead, for both the family I had found and the love I yearned to reclaim. Gaara and I parted ways with a silent understanding. As I watched him disappear into the woods, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The road would be long and arduous, but I was ready to face it. For the Akatsuki. For Sasuke. For a future where we could all find peace.