Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto in any way, shape, or form

Author's note PLEASE READ: Spoilers for those not up to date with the manga!!!

This story takes place some time AFTER the current manga chapter—when Naruto comes face to face with Sasuke for the final time. At this point, Naruto has completed his training and Orochimaru has taken over Sasuke's body. However, just as with the last body Orochimaru took over, some of Sasuke's consciousness is still present.

The story opens with Sakura, Naruto, Kakashi, Yamato, Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, and Sai battling Orochimaru, Kabuto, and the sound nins.

Also, since this is my fan fic—there will be some pairing stuff like SasuSaku or NaruSaku ( you'll have to read to see which) but I'm going to make this as "realistically possible" to the manga as I can

Also, I eliminated most of the –samas, -chans, and –kuns. I simply do not know how to use them properly and figured it would be more offensive to just throw them in wherever.

Chapter One: In the Thick of Battle

"Ino!" Sakura yelled above the noise. "Help Kakashi while I finish with Choji!"

The blond nodded and rushed across the battlefield toward the copy nin. Kakshi's wounds were minor and easily taken care of by basic medical jutsu. Sakura had her hands full with more serious wounds.

"Thanks," Kakashi said, tossing a sound nin out of the way. " Heads up!"

Landing a solid punch on one enemy, Ino spun away as two more advanced. " No problem!" she called out, deftly dodging and fighting her way into the fray.

All around was chaos. Bodies lay strewn across the parched land and still the sound ninjas kept coming. It had been a trap—a trap they had suspected, but still team seven could not give up the hope that it might be their last chance to save Sasuke. So they had willingly set themselves up, but had kept reasonable reinforcements in the background.

Though the two teams were more than well matched for the sound nins, Orochimaru had advantage in numbers and the Konoha crew was growing weary. More reinforcements were on the way, but Kakashi was not sure if the other teams would reach them in time. Out of the corner of his eye he glimpsed Sakura, wearily fighting off enemies as she tried to heal the innumerable injuries that threatened the lives of her comrades.

Naruto and Sai remained near the pink-haired healer, though Naruto began slowly fighting his way towards Kabuto.

Kakashi shook his head, resting momentarily while the sound nins regrouped. Most of their charka was spent. It was coming down to a hand to hand battle. He glanced up to the hill where Orochimaru sat atop the giant Manda. He had yet to order the snake into the battle. "That bastard," Kakashi thought. "I wonder how much of Sasuke is left in that body…"

Elsewhere on the battlefield….

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"Kabuto! Come on and fight me face to face!"

The grey haired lackey stopped in mid-swing and glared at Naruto across a sea of faces. "I'll finish you before you even get to Orochimaru-sama! He won't even have to lift a finger in this battle!"

They rushed at each other.

Naruto reserved his chakra, choosing to pummel Kabuto with his taijutsu instead. He would need all the energy he had for Orochimaru.

Sasuke.

With a fierce roar, the two enemies clashed.

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Her hands raw from healing and body worn from fighting, Sakura looked up from the sound nin she had annihilated. She blinked, attempting to remove the bleariness from her eyes. Quickly, her gaze sought out Kakashi, the former ANBU a whirling dervish amid a mass of attacking ninjas. Next, she found Ino—her confident rival, injured and fighting back-to-back with Shikamaru.

"N-Naruto?" She whispered, searching the confusion.

There! In the shadow of the hill!

No! She thought to herself. He needs to conserve his strength! She wanted to go to him, but she had to conserve her own strength as well. If Naruto won her the chance, she'd need every ounce for Sasuke.

A hand on her shoulder shocked her back into the moment, but the voice that accompanied it was friendly.

"Sakura," Sai nodded. "I'll go." He knew as well as she did, what needed to take place.

A look of thanks passed between them as the former ROOT member moved stealthily towards the two-man battle.

Another shadow fell over Sakura

"Hnnnnn!" She hit the ground, the air forced out of her lungs. Someone had attacked her from behind.

She rose slowly, her arms betraying her as they shook with weariness. The sound nin leered down at her, his hands performing the seals he would use to take her down.

Suddenly, he stopped in mid-motion and his eyes rolled back into his head. The body crumpled to the ground to reveal a smirking Yamato. "Come on, Sakura. On your feet." He hefted her up unceremoniously. "We need to get to Naruto."

She cast a worried look towards the direction Sai had gone. Yamato needed to be nearby in order to suppress the demon fox. The success of their mission depended on it.

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From his aerial perch Orochimaru watched the battle with amusement.

"See this Sasuke? They still think there is a way to save you." His taunt received no reaction from the faint presence that refused to leave its body. But he knew how to get to the Uchiha. "Funny how, after I kill your former friends, I'll go on to destroy Konoha. And after that… why…I think I'll leave Itachi alone. Why would I want to risk my new neck by doing something so foolish?"

An angry shimmering laced with sorrow flooded Orochimaru's mind. He smiled.

"I want to be immortal. I didn't get here by being foolish. Chasing after Akatsuki is worse than a death wish."

The strange sensation increased and Orochimaru's smile disappeared. He doubled over, fighting the strong will of Sasuke. When he regained control, he turned his gaze back to the battle, but his mind was elsewhere.

Which each new body he took, the sannin noticed a little more of each person was left behind. His last body held just traces of its former owner—slight resistance and a small amount of awareness. Sasuke's body, however, retained a larger portion of the Uchiha's mind. Mostly it was just perceived emotions, but sometimes Orochimaru could hear the boy speaking inside his mind.

It lead him to wonder if with each new body would present a harder and harder battle for control, or if it was simply the marvelous strength of the Uchiha genius.

Orochimaru watched solemnly as Kabuto bounced grotesquely off the ground and rolled to the base of the hill.

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Sai lowered his fist.

He watched as Kabuto stood up, brushing the dust from his garments.

"Go. I'll deal with the scientist."

Naruto opened his mouth to argue but was silenced by the approaching Yamato's steely gaze. "He's right Naruto. Leaf can't hold out much longer. We need to do this now."

Giving them his best good guy impression, Naruto grinned at Sakura and Yamato. He let his gaze linger on Sakura's face last. I'll get Sasuke back for her. And I'll protect my friends.

"Hai! Let's go!" He pointed up at Orochimaru. "I'm taking Sasuke back to Konoha ! And you're not part of the deal!"

He growled.

"Naruto!" Yamato grasped his arm, "remember, you don't need to use the foxes chakra! Remember what you learned!"

"We'll be right there with you," Sakura made a fist. We'll help you bring Sasuke back."

Kakashi paused to watch the three distant figures advance up the hill. He bowed respectfully and turned back to the action. If they could just hold out a little longer, the other two teams would arrive soon.

Coming ASAP ( probably later today/tonight) Chapter Two : Sakura's Compromise and Kurenai's Rage

Summary: Sakura is faced with the ultimate choice between saving two friends—and Kurenai unleashes her hidden rage from Asuma's death.

R&R no flames—I'll write what I want anyhow.