Our Reflection in Each Other's Eyes.

Chapter 39: Sorrow

The members of the Hyuga clan jumped to protect Naruto after Neji reminded him that he was the key of the plan.

The Ten Tails raised its arms with black rods raining down on everyone below.

Many of the people were hit by the rods as the others ran. From a distance I saw Sakura-chan lift a stone slab with her monstrous strength.

I was still immobile, having no idea what to do. I looked around and saw how shinobi nearby would get stabbed by a rods.

Blurry memories came to mind of the day I was stabbed by one of those due to Pain. Without thinking I lunged in direction of the shinobi, knowing that if I am stabbed by the rain that is going to fall over them, I won't be revived this time.

Time seemed to slow as I ran toward them. The only sound I could hear was the one of my heart beating and my ninja shoes hitting against the floor as I ran.

I felt my headband fall off of my forehead as I forced the shinobi out of the way, with them falling to the sides. There was no time for me to move therefore I simply crossed my arms over my face.

Kyoko faced the rain of rods that were now designated for her. As instinct she raised her arms over her face, not necessarily believing it would stop them, but rather being the only thing she could think of doing.

Not a single rod hit.

She could swear she had seen a rain of rods that would hurt everyone around. With shaky movements she opened her eyes and saw that the rods were hovering above everyone.

Everyone watched her in both confusion and amazement. A pair of smoky black hands had sprung from beneath the floor and took the same position as her own.

She was confused, but found the occurrence to be something familiar. She opened her hands and grabbed a hold of thin air, but the smoky hands grabbed the rods.

She turned her right hand and the smoky hand turned as well. She looked up at all the staring eyes to receive gasps.

She closed her eyes and turned back to the hands. She clenched them and the smoky hands did as well. Anger filled within her at the sight of all of the dead bodies as the cause of these rods.

She gripped them tightly before moving her hand back and lunging them back in the direction they had come from.

Kyoko fell to the ground as the rods rained back toward the Ten Tails. Her vision was hazing as the surrounding noises were becoming difficult to hear. A medic quickly moved to her side.

She was out cold and her awakening was of uncertainty.

Simultaneous to Kyoko's actions, Neji had jumped in defense of Hinata and Naruto. Neji was wounded by three rods that embedded into his chest. Naruto held him against himself as he shouted for the medics only to have Neji tell him he was done for.

Obito was shouting words to Naruto that were making him waver. Hinata raised her hand to his face and told him words that made him pick himself back on his tracks.

Her words reminded him that Neji's actions couldn't be in vain. That if Naruto gives up now, everyone else will die too.

In encouragement he stood up holding Hinata's hand. The two stood facing the Ten Tails when Hinata was suddenly covered by visible chakra. Naruto was going to proceed with the last plan HQ left for them.

He collected his chakra and made a few clones. He ran to every shinobi, spreading his chakra to them.

Kyoko was taken to higher ground as everyone was slowly getting engulfed in an orange chakra.

The Nara clan had immobilized the Ten Tails with a stronger boost to Naruto's chakra.

He was spreading his chakra to everyone by simply touching their hands as he ran.

Lee held Neji as he cried endlessly. Tenten spoke to him softly as Gai encouraged him by saying that Neji will always live within them.

Naruto stood in silence before passing his chakra to everyone.

Everyone stood side by side, facing the beast ahead.

Jūgo, Suigetsu, Orochimaru, Sasuke and Itachi arrived to Konoha. Sasuke sprung up to a high point from which he gazed over Konoha and remembered his time in it.

Orochimaru explained to Suigetsu that in order for him to ascertain that he wants to destroy Konoha, he should first go through sentiment as it is still his home village.

'Kyoko, if you were here right now, what would you say I do?' Sasuke wondered to himself.

Images of Kyoko's laughing face filled his memories as he closed his eyes in anger.

'I'm sorry I won't oblige to what I'm certain you would've said, but they have to pay for taking you away from me.'

He closed his eyes to hear her laughter in his memories. His most valued moments with her played in his head; when he dealt with her stubbornness, her anger, and her happiness.

'I realize now that I was the reason you were dragged into this turmoil. I would rather have you hate me for the rest of your life but still have you alive.' He looked up at the sky, 'Lend me your strength darling, I need it now more than ever.'

He dropped back to the ground, leading the group forward.

They reached the Uchiha compound where they entered a lower level. There Orochimaru recalled what he had told the men he had to do, doing just as said.

The Four Hokage were reanimated. Orochimaru explained why they were there as they got updated on what has been happening.

The Second Hokage, Tobirama, explained to Sasuke what causes for the Uchiha to unlock the next level of their Sharingan.

Tobirama was describing precisely what feelings they go through before unlocking it. Sasuke was angered at his precision and flashed his mangekyou sharingan.

As Itachi watched, he recalled when Sasuke had unlocked it.

Months before

Sasuke was out looking for Kyoko as usual. I had decided to do the same, only scouting the area closest to the Akatsuki base.

I sensed Sasuke's chakra nearby therefore I went to it. I arrived to find Sasuke looking everywhere in the surrounding trees for a sign of Kyoko.

A scream filled our ears and immediately Sasuke ran in its direction. All of us followed behind him.

In an open area a body lie on the floor covered in a pool of blood. Sasuke approached it and immediately dropped to his knees. I walked behind him and got a glimpse of the person's face.

It was Kyoko herself.

Her clothing was tattered and her body was covered in bruises.

I refused to believe it as everyone else did the same. Without having to be told, the others searched the area in case it was a trap of some sort. Karin stayed beside Sasuke after confirming that the traces of chakra that remained belonged to her.

He pulled her body against himself as he cried. I hadn't seen him cry this way since the day of the clan massacre.

He rocked her back and forth as his lips rested against her forehead. He spoke soothing words that were more for him than her.

When he looked up at me, his eyes revealed his mangekyou as he promised her body he would make everyone pay.