"Maybe this is all a dream"

I say this to myself as I pace around my bedroom. I remember saying this exact phrase a few months ago, though the meaning was different. Back then, it was said out of confusion, and that feeling you get before you go on stage. You know, butterflies. Butterflies made entirely out of hopes for the future, and for the past.

But now, I say it with only pure emptiness.

The events of these past few months have made me feel more alive than I ever have before. They made me realize that before I was missing a part of me, a part so essential that once it was found my world, and the World, was changed forever.

But, I guess now isn't the time for me to tell you this. In fact, this was probably a horrible place to start my long story.

If you really want to hear my story, then I guess we should start in the beginning…a few months ago...In a world so different from ours…

JULY - THE NINJA WORLD: VILLAGE HIDDEN IN THE LEAVES:

"Today I present to you possibly the greatest accomplishment ever achieved in modern-day Konoha. I am here, standing in front of you all, to confirm that the Akatsuki has been captured, interrogated, and are now standing behind us, awaiting to be publicly executed by their own blade. But first and formost, a moment of silence to all those who have given their lives to help achieve this moment: Riki Yokiko, Choji Akimichi, Shizune, Sumi Sayuko, Kurenai Yuhi, Sakura Haruno, Iruka Umino, Misaki Takahashi, Gaara of the Sand, Sasuke Uchiha, Might Guy, Yamato, Towa…"

The wind tangled Tsunade's burnt hair as she continued reading the names. Though her voice was strong and unwavering, her eyes showed more and more grief as each name was read.

"…Neji Hyuga, Konohamaru Sarutobi, and finally, the gallant sage Jiraiya. Every single one of these ninja showed courage, strength, and bravery during these past few days. "

Tears slowly fell off Naruto's face. These were not the tears he had cried before. As a child, his immature sobs were easily caused by bullies, and teasing. But now, he only has silent tears that hold the quiet memories of his past.

Sitting next to Naruto were his surviving friends from his village. Kakashi, Kiba, Ebisu, Shikamaru, and Ino. That was all.

Naruto didn't care that he lead the mission to capture the Akatsuki. Didn't care how it was a success. Didn't matter that he saved the ninja world. Doesn't care that he's the Hero, soon-to-be next Hokage.

He didn't save his friends. That's all that mattered.

Tsunade cleared her throat, and continued her speech. "Now to begin the execution, the avenging of all the friends we've lost. The Akatsuki members behind us were captured when they were defeated by our brave ninja. They were detained, interrogated, and their chakra has been removed. There is only enough chakra left for them to be alive until they are executed. When they were interrogated, we discovered that a man once thought to be called Tobi, is actually Madara Uchiha, who hasn't walked the grounds of this village for sixteen years, ever since the nine tailed fox incident."

Naruto got a pained look in his eyes.

"We will now begin the execution with..."

She bent over to look at her paper.

"...Deidara, and Sasori."

The two guards standing aside the two criminals pushed them towards the center of the platform. Standing on the platform were Granny Chiyo, intent on killing her grandson, and Kankuro, the only surviving sand sibling.

As Deidara and Sasori walked, their heads down, hands bound, and eyes showing nothing but fear. As they reached the platform, Sasori looked up to the crowd, and met eyes with a badly disguised Oraochimaru.

`Hiding out of fear. He's not a snake, He's a rat.` thought Sasori.

" Any last words?" said Tsunade.

"I thought this body would last forever." muttered Sasori.

"Hmm." said Deidara.

Granny Chiyo, with a wicked smile, moved her sword up to Sasori's chest. Kankuro glared at Deidara and moved his sword to Deidara's neck.

`Maybe…destruction is not art..` thought Deidara.

Behind the platform were eight other Akatsuki, seven with bowed heads, one with a curious look on his face, staring intently at the crowd.

`What to do…` thought Madara.

Thanks for reading my story! I'm not really going by the original Naruto plotline with this story, so I hope it's not to confusing...

But anyway, Thank you Kyle for being awesome and editting this. And thank you Andi for being awesome and hearing my ideas.