Redemption In Your Eyes

The First Spring

Hinata raised one hand. The air was moist, but the rain seemed to have stopped. The crunch of twigs and gravel reached her and she dropped her arm. Head hung low, Naruto stepped forward, covered in blood spatter. Not knowing if it was his blood or a foe's, Hinata ran forward. Wrapping him in her embrace, she gripped the back of his shirt.

Tension radiated from him and she could feel the strain in each individual muscle. Slowly, he let his arms find their way around her waist and gingerly he rested his cheek on her shoulder. They stayed for a moment, just breathing.

Finally, Naruto pulled back. "We don't have any more time to waste."

She nodded.

"Konoha needs us."

Taking a deep breath, she activated her byakugan again. "Follow me."

They moved quickly, not reserving any energy to gain speed. A mist hung heavy in the air, and it started to sprinkle again as they closed in on the tattered outskirts of Konoha. The ground trembled periodically beneath their feet. Trees were sprawled across their path and bodies dotted the landscape. Suddenly the treeline broke and the village was visible. Skeletons of buildings that had once stood proud loomed over the destruction. Roadways were blocked by the dead and rubble.

Hinata skidded to a halt, and it was a moment before Naruto did too. Looking back, he saw her byakugan retreat and her silver eyes fill with tears. Before he could stop her, she was digging in one pile of stones. Rushing over, he was just in time to watch her pull a child from the debris.

The child was old enough to have been an academy student. One of his arms was clearly broken and it was certain he had numerous other injuries. Blood covered his clothes and dirt obscured its source.

Naruto gently pulled on her shoulder. "Hinata..."

Jerking away, she channeled healing chakra to her finger tips. Grazing his crippled arm, she began to work on him.

"Hinata," he repeated her name with more urgency. The ground shook again. "He's done. There's nothing we can do. We need to focus on-"

"No," she scolded softly. "You can't see what I can." She met his eyes with the full power of her kekkai genkai. "There is hope. And there are others. I'm not a fighter like you, but I'm far from useless."

He started, shocked. "I never said you were -"

"Just go," she added, "please." Turning her focus back to the boy, "You can't see what I see in the distance. You're needed there, and I'm needed here."

Knowing better than to argue, he stood. "Things will be okay... You'd better believe me."

For the first time in a long time, she smiled at him. "I've always believed you."

Walking away reluctantly, he began to pick up his feet and move quicker. The ground shook again, but he was too nimble to be tripped. Running at breakneck speed, he let the nine-tail chakra envelope him. Another shockwave rumbled. The kyuubi chakra looked like fire over his skin and seeped through his clothes. Naruto leapt high, seeing the full rainbow of chakra tentacles writhing in the distance.

Gasping, he took in the full fury of Madara. There was a split second before the subject of his fixation noticed him. His stature was dwarfed by the power radiating from him. Eyes burning scarlet, Madara turned on him. The tentacles slashed at both Itachi and Sasuke, who dodged artfully. Shoulders back, Madara smashed the ground with his ghostly arms. The Uchiha brothers tumbled like dolls dropped from the hands of a frightened child.

Coming in with a rasengan swirling in his hand, Naruto aimed for Madara's heart. Side stepping and catching the blonde's wrist, he squeezed until the ball of chakra withered. Bringing his fist up, Naruto connected with Madara's face. Absorbing the blow, he threw Naruto into the dirt. Rolling with the momentum, he came to his feet.