In rock and a hard place

10 - The Siege of Konoha

Naruto pov: The end was coming. I knew that. The feeling of dread washed over me as we prepared to attack Konoha. Itachi was going to stay behind and confront Sasuke, who had left the village with Orochimaru to become stronger. Itachi's disease had worsened over time as we raided many villages. His death was inevitable with his fight against his brother. Our numbers were low too. Kakuzu, Sasori, and Kisame were defeated. Nagato, Konan, Juzo, Black Zetsu, White Zetsu, Itachi, Tobi, and I were all that was left. The odds were stacked against us, and I knew that I would be the last one standing. The atmosphere was thick with tension as we made our final preparations. Each of us knew what this meant—this was our last stand. I looked around at my comrades, the remnants of the once-feared Akatsuki. Nagato, weakened but resolute, was determined to bring his vision of peace through pain to fruition. Konan, ever loyal, stood by his side, her eyes filled with a mix of resolve and sorrow. Juzo, stoic as always, silently sharpening his blade, ready for the upcoming battle. Black and White Zetsu, ever the enigmatic observers, whispered amongst themselves, their true intentions always shrouded in mystery. And then there was Tobi, our elusive leader, his true identity and motives still unclear even to us.Itachi, despite his illness, was steadfast. He had made his decision, and nothing would sway him from his path. He knew what awaited him with Sasuke, and yet, he faced it without hesitation. I felt a pang of sorrow for him, a brother doomed by the cruel hand of fate to fight the one he loved most. I couldn't help but think of Sasuke. Memories of our time together in Konoha flooded my mind. The times we trained together, fought together, and even the times we clashed. My feelings for him were complicated—love intertwined with rivalry, hope mingled with despair. I had to see him again, had to try to reach him, to tell him how I truly felt. As night fell, I found myself alone, staring up at the stars. The weight of everything bore down on me—the losses, the battles, the destruction we had wrought. But beneath it all, a single thought kept me going: Sasuke. I had to survive this. I had to make it through to the end, for him. The next morning, we set out. The journey to Konoha was filled with an eerie silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. As we neared the village, the familiar landscape brought a rush of memories. This was where it all began, and now, it was where it would all end. We were met with fierce resistance. The shinobi of Konoha fought with everything they had, defending their home with unwavering determination. The battle was intense, each clash bringing us closer to the brink. One by one, my comrades fell. Juzo, cut down by the combined efforts of Konoha's elite. Black and White Zetsu, torn apart by sheer force. Nagato, his body finally giving out, but not before unleashing one last devastating attack. Konan, fighting valiantly until the very end, her paper wings shredded in the wind. Finally, it was just Tobi and me. He looked at me, his mask hiding any emotion, but I could sense his resignation. "This is it, Naruto. The end of the Akatsuki."I nodded, gripping my kunai tightly. "I know. But I have to finish this. I have to see Sasuke."Tobi gave a small nod, almost imperceptible. "Then go. Find your path." With that, he disappeared, leaving me alone on the battlefield. The sounds of battle faded as I made my way through the village, my heart pounding in my chest. I found Itachi and Sasuke in a clearing, their fight nearing its conclusion. Itachi, bloodied and beaten, looked at me with a faint smile. "Take care of him for me," he whispered, before collapsing. I caught Itachi's cold body in my arms cradling him. "Go in peace my friend," I whispered. Sasuke stood there behind me, breathing heavily, his eyes filled with a mix of rage and sorrow. He looked at me, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. "It's over, now," I said softly, stepping towards him. "Itachi's gone. The Akatsuki is no more." Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "And what about you? Why are you here?" he asking going on the defensive expecting my attack. I took a deep breath, my heart aching with the words I had longed to say. "I don't have an easy way to say this Sasuke but I'm sorry," I said softly taking my hood off. Sasuke's expression wavered, the anger giving way to something deeper, something raw. "Naruto . . . y-you're alive," Sasuke gasped before passing out in my arms as I caught him. For a moment, there was silence. Then, slowly, picking him up I took him back to his apartment. I put him on his bed carefully changing his clothes before I let to go bury my fallen comrade's. "May you all find peace in the afterlife."