Once Upon A Dream

I may or may not continue this, depending on how well it's received. If I do so, the next chapter probably won't be posted until after I've finished the story I'm already working on. Either way, please enjoy!
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Uzumaki Naruto couldn't believe his eyes as he watched the dust before him slowly clear. If it weren't for the fact that bad eyes were impossible thanks to the demon shared his body and soul, he would think it was time to get his sight checked by Sakura or Grandma Tsunade. But no, he knew from the dirt invading his nostrils and the cries of the injured and dying he could hear from the outskirts of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, the carnage before him weren't the trick of bad eyesight.

Konohagakure had been destroyed.

His village, his home, was nothing now but crumbling buildings that once stood proud and tall. Nothing but rubble remained of places he'd held close to his heart since he was just an parentless outcast, places he hadn't really had a chance to enjoy since he came back from his three year trip. Grandma Tsunade, Sakura, Kakashi, and everyone else... Undoubtedly, some were injured, some of them probably dead. Not to mention all the civilians and other shinobi who had nothing to do with any of this.

He couldn't draw breath into his lungs. There was a painful constriction around his heart as he stood there. His feet remained frozen to the ground as he tears started to fill his unblinking eyes.

All of this and for what? Because the Akatsuki wanted Kurama, not even realizing there was no separating them? The demon was as apart of Naruto as his heart, his soul.

First, it was Sasuke and then Jiraiya and now all of Konoha. It wasn't fair.

Jiraiya...

Just from thinking about his dead teacher, his heart ached painfully. The helplessness and depression he'd felt since learning of the Pervy Sage's death threatened to overwhelm him. Just for a little while, he wanted to give into his grief. But once again, Naruto had to remind himself wallowing in pity was the last thing the Pervy Sage would want or expect from him.

And if Harumi could hear what he was thinking, there was no doubt he would be telling him off in the harshest way possible. If he concentrated hard enough, he swore he could feel the hits of ghostly hands. But that was an illusion. Naruto hadn't felt an activity from their connection in over a week.

And even though he felt like giving up, there was no way he would, not when so many people had faith in him. He couldn't let Jiraiya or anyone else down. Not when they were counting on him.

Naruto took a deep breath and let it out. He could do this.

By his feet, Shima spoke, her froggy features pulled into a solemn expression. "It's obvious who's behind this. I felt the same presence as when I fought by Jiraiya's side."

Fury, already a small flame burning in Naruto's chest from Jiraiya, turned into a raging inferno. It shot through his being hot and fast. How dare Pain come here and hurt more people he loved. He'd already took Jiraiya from him. Naruto wouldn't let him take anyone else. In his mind, he heard Kurama rumble his agreement as he awoke.

In front of him, rubble started to succumb to gravity, revealing shinobi and civilians alike. But Naruto only had eyes for the six figures dressed in black cloaks with bloody red clouds. And it seemed they were in agreement when they stood before suddenly, the smoke from their summoning quickly dissipating. He grinned ruthlessly, sharp canines menacing.

"Bring it."

**************

Amidst the destruction and rubble, the spliced pieces of Katsuya did her best to heal and protect everyone in the debris. Tsunade methodically glanced around her, unable to move much thanks to her quickly depleting chakra. Though Pain had crushed the village suddenly, the injuries that'd been sustained so far were less severe than she imagined.

Shikamaru spoke quietly with his father, Nara Shikaku, seemingly oblivious to his broken leg, while an ANBU tried to help Iruka by lifting a piece of concrete off his back. It revealed a somewhat squashed mini Katsuya, and the Fifth Hokage let out a sigh of relief, thankful that his spine was protected and he wasn't dead --- or worse, paralyzed. Near her, Kiba was being tended to by his family along with a mini Katsuya while a slightly larger Katsuya helped a member of the Akimichi clan. She watched as more and more dirty, shallowly injured ANBU went around lifting up cement slabs, pieces of wood, and more remnants off of shinobi when a glare of white threaded with deep red caught her attention.

She turned her head towards it slowly, knowing only one person with hair that pure. Sure enough, the hair was attached to Kakashi's still body. Even as a sob caught in her throat, she thought it fitting his mask remained firmly on his bloodied face. From the size of the hole in his still chest, it was obvious he had been killed before Pain had released Shinra Tensei. And he wasn't the only one. More and more dead were revealed as ANBU moved pieces.

These bastards had broken homes and ruined for no reason. She didn't care what explanations the Akatsuki gave, what plans they had, there were no excuses for all the lives that'd been lost so far today. First Jiraiya and now this. She would never forgive Pain, ever.

Tsunade only forced herself to look away from Kakashi's corpse when a giant slab collapsed by near her, causing more and more debris to fall like dominoes, sending up dirt and dust into the air. But as it cleared, she could see the unmistakable profile of a giant frog, the figure of a human standing atop it. "Naruto..."

With his shining, sunflower yellow hair, it was definitely him but he looked... different. The short sleeved, mahogany cloak he wore was new as was the giant scroll strapped across his back. His blonde hair was a little longer judging from the way it almost fell over his brows, even with his hitate across his forehead. But it was his eyes that caught her attention.

His left had one wide vertical pupil instead of the normal circular one. The right also had a wide vertical pupil but with a pointed horizontal pupil dissecting it. Pupils like the Kyuubi, she thought. And they were glowing a bright umber, like they had been lit from within.

The pain and anger was clear on his handsome face. Though he wasn't gazing anywhere near her, she could feel the utter hate pouring off of him in waves.

Tsunade couldn't help the shiver of fear that ran through her weakening body. She couldn't stop the shock and fear when in a proof! of smoke, all six Paths of Pain stood before him. And she couldn't stop the smile of pride when Naruto faced them without flinching, a wicked grin crossing his face little by little.

"Bring it."

*********

In a lush forest near Konoha's western border, there was barely a rustle of leaves as six figures landed on the ground. The smallest of the group turned to the person beside them, a muscular older man with shockingly white hair. Though his smooth voice was muffled thanks to the speckled wrapping wound around his head and neck, the question was still clear. "How close are we now?"

Caught off guard by the sparkling turquoise gems peering up at him through the wrap, he paused before saying, "If we hurry, we should be there within the hour."

The youngest of them rolled his eyes, his displeasure clear on his face. "Hn."

"Shut up brat!" Like the smallest, the second smallest wore the same wrapping and beige capote that hide everything but expressive crystalline emerald eyes and slippered feet.

"Ow! I'm not a brat! Why did you hit me, you overzealous son a ---?"

"You forget yourself, little brother."

"You could've traveled with your team instead of us like Rumi offered. You choose to come with us so deal with it!"

"Watch where you put your hands, old man. I don't want to have to break, again."

"Aw, I'm just messing around, Rumi. Besides, what would my grandson say if he heard you speaking that way to me?"

The exasperated fondness was clear as 'Rumi' spoke once more. "Hands together, we're leaving."

And like a ephemeral zephyr on a scorching summer day, the group vanished as swiftly and silently as they appeared.