Chapter 1

(The Tables Have Turned.)

He ran down the endless corridors of the labyrinth breathing hard. Each hallway looked the same as the one before with swirling patterns along the walls, the ceilings and the floors and each one was just as long. The only light came from the candlesticks mounted on the walls. His footsteps echoed on the stone flooring as he ran. Soon he came to a door and he slowed to a complete stop, opening it suddenly and looking inside to find it empty, just like the last one. He didn't bother closing it as he backed up and continued running down the corridor.

He continued this procedure for every door he found and every hallway he turned. He came to another door and opened it up to peer inside. He slammed his fist in frustration against the frame.

"Damn it!" he cursed as he turned back down the hallway and continued his desperate search. There just had to be a room that had who he was looking for inside. And so he continued running and opening doors, turning down new hallways and opening doors. He was getting more frustrated with every empty room; and more running.

Come on you loser, where the hell are you!? More running; where are you!? He kept screaming the thoughts over and over in his head as if the other could hear him. Suddenly there was a loud explosion nearby that shook every corridor and made the candle flames flicker. He determined where it'd come from and made his way there as quickly as possible. Somehow he knew…he knew he'd be there. He turned down another hallway and this time he could see daylight at the end of it and it got brighter as he got closer.

Up ahead, there were two people standing in a clearing of rubble and he recognized them. One of them was the rosette who shared the same squad as him. She had short pink hair that was held back by a red clothed village headband. Even from this distance he could tell it was her. The one who stood beside her on the far end was the latest member of their squad who'd been assigned for his own mission other than the one they'd been given, one he didn't know. This same shinobi made his blood boil but he had the specialty of keeping his cool about him. He got closer and closer and finally he broke through into the clearing with his two comrades. He saw they were looking up at something and so he too turned to face that something.

Right before his eyes, and he could barely believe them after all of this time, there stood his comrade, his friend who'd run away from the village a long time ago. The very one he'd sworn to bring home. All time seemed to just freeze around them as they took one another in, one of them being unamused and unemotional and for the first time ever, it wasn't Sasuke Uchiha.

"N-Naruto," Sasuke stuttered some as he beheld the sight of his now grown up comrade. He now wore dark black pants over which was draped a dark black cloth that went down to his knees from his stomach and was held in place by a fiery blood red coloured rope belt tied off at the side. His hands were heavily bandaged underneath a pair of black gloves and he wore a red long sleeved shirt that was parted down the torso, a necklace with a special stone at the end hung around his neck.

"Sasuke," Naruto replied impassively. It surprised the raven haired boy just how emotionless the blonde could be. Suddenly, memories of the past battle, of that day came flooding back to him.

"What the heck do you know about it!?"He growled at the blonde who'd pounded him into the ground, searching for an answer to his desertion. "It's not like you had a family in the first place… You were on your own right from the beginning! What makes you think you'd know anything about it huh?! I'm suffering now because I had those ties. How on earth could you possibly understand what it feels like to lose all that?!"

The boy's hands clenched into fists. "I…was such a fool back then," he stated. He continued to remember what had happened next.

"And do you really think I'm better off?!" the blonde asked suddenly. "Do you honestly think your suffering has been greater than mine? Let me ask you something Sasuke…would you really take being hated over being loved?" The raven haired boy was taken aback by the sudden question but decided to give an answer anyway.

"Humph, well maybe if I had been hated…I wouldn't be in as much pain as I am now!" The blonde haired boy suddenly became angrier than he had before. He shouted at the Uchiha.

"Then you're a damned idiot!" he screamed as he launched himself forward punching the raven haired boy on the jaw; the force throwing him back and skidding him on the surface of the water. He was able to use his chakra just in time to keep himself from going under. As he tried to sit up, he froze as he noticed the change about the air. Something demonic was nearby and whatever it was, the power leak was coming from Naruto. Naruto glanced up at the raven haired boy and the sheer amount of hatred and pain seething through his being reflected in his chakra and his eyes causing the raven haired teen to wince.

"You really don't get it do you?!" he continued to shout. "You're the one who's lucky here. You're the one that actually had a family and even though it was taken away from you, at least you were still loved! At least even though now they're gone you have a chance to make new bonds with others and heal your wounds because not everyone in the village hates you!"

"Back then…I was so wrapped up in my own goals, my own desires to become stronger…I just thought it was all about me and it wasn't," he continued to speak.

"You know it's a lot different for me! I've been hated since the day I was born and not just by the village either. I learned that my father was the fourth hokage and that he turned me into a monster just so he could save that wretched village. He gave up his life for that and used his only son to be the vessel of a demon!" Sasuke dodged another of Naruto's ferocious attacks as he came forth again with the help of his sharingan.

"Did you know Sasuke," he started again with a slight chuckle. "The fourth hokage saved the Hidden Leaf village from the wrath of the nine tailed fox? Well guess what…that same demon is sealed inside of me! That's why I'm a monster and that's why…I'm not here to bring you back to the village!" This caught the Uchiha by surprise.

"Then why the hell are you trying to stop me from leaving! Why the hell do you care about what I do?!" The blonde paused a moment, some slight sadness developing on his features but then it disappeared, however leaving a softer anger than before.

"Because…I thought you'd be different! I thought that you would understand me but I guess I was wrong. There's no one I can trust anymore, I'm all alone! I don't even have a clan to go to or an older brother to destroy for their destruction. I have…nothing because nobody loves a monster! That's why I'm going to run away from it all and then return to the village one day but stronger. I'll seek out my own power and destroy it all in one blow. Then in their final hours, they'll realize that they were wrong to treat me like scum. They'll realize…that they should've probably locked me up or killed me a long time ago!"

"Then why don't you just go?" Sasuke questioned. "We don't even need to fight like this if we're both going our own ways and there's nothing they can do about it so why not just spare yourself the further humiliation?" The blonde smirked then began to chuckle.

"You see, that's the problem Sasuke," he explained. "Since we're going our own separate ways, and despite that you're turning your own back on the Leaf it's still just as you said. In order to gain more power, I have to eliminate all ties I have with everyone and that includes you. What better way to sever our tie than to kill you just as you wish to do to me?" The Uchiha smirked some.

"Humph, fine by me," he said smugly, "But no more talking. Die Naruto!" he charged forth to attack. The blonde too charged forth, rage and bloodlust on his features.

"Sasuke!" he shouted. And the two clashed and the battle resumed eventually leading to their stalemate and Sasuke's defeat.

Now the raven haired teen stood before his friend once more, this time a new goal in mind. "Now I realize that I'm not the only one who matters in this world and I've come to a new resolve." He closed his eyes momentarily and let the breeze blow through his hair. When he opened his eyes again, there was a solid determination and his sharingan, now more mature, was activated.

"I'm not going to stoop to his level and I'll carve my own ninja way. With every fiber of my being, I'll stay true to our bond…I won't let it be broken and I'll bring you back to Konoha with my own strength!" After the Uchiha's proclamation, there rose a silence where only the wind that was blowing about could be heard. Then Naruto sighed, closing his own eyes.

"You're going to bring me back huh?" he repeated the Uchiha's words. Then in a flash that nobody could see, he was standing right beside the Uchiha, a hand placed on his shoulder and taking everyone by surprise. Naruto scoffed and a grin tugged at his lips.

"So if I've got this right…" he started, "You've been spending these past few years chasing after me so you can bring me back to Konoha, is that right?" His question was met with silence from the Uchiha and he took this as affirmation.

"Well that is surprising," he continued. "To think you'd put aside finding and killing your older brother in order to come find me instead, how touching." His tone was mocking but there was still no response from the Uchiha. "If you ask me…I think you could've used that time smarter and finally have found him and avenged your clan. Then you could've finally lived in peace and lived happily ever after well…that is until I came about. Such a waste!" The Uchiha stirred.

"If that were so then why'd you not finish me off that day?" Sasuke questioned. He looked straight ahead past Naruto and stared blankly at the rubble that used to be attached to the wall. "I thought you said you wanted to break our bond so why not get it over with? You beat me didn't you?" The blonde paused for a moment then scoffed once more at the Uchiha's words.

"Why you ask? Why it's simple." He grinned. "It's because I refuse to kill someone who can't defend themselves. I'd defeated you and you were unable to continue battling, I spared you based on that principal. If you had remained able to fight then it would've been a different story. But now since you bring it up…" suddenly, Naruto's other hand reached behind him, grasping a hold of a sword hilt. He pulled it out of its sheath and began to bring it around. Sasuke remained unmoving.

"Let's see if the great Uchiha can defend himself now. He's able to fight now so the only reason he should get slain is because he chooses it to be so." The sword grew closer and now it was aimed towards Sasuke's back and at a vital spot.

"How can I possibly face Itatchi…when I'm not strong enough to save a friend?" he questioned blankly as the blade was now close to piercing through his flesh. The rosette, Sakura, gasped coming forth to try and stop it from happening but she was too slow. The blade pierced through Sasuke's body and drew blood and Sasuke just stood there a pained and shocked expression on his face as Naruto grinned with pleasure at the thought of finally defeating his life-long rival.


Sakura Haruno awoke with a start, throwing off her covers in the process, a scream of surprise escaping her lips. She then sat in her bed for a while as she slowly returned to reality. She looked about, realizing she was back in her room and that she was all alright. She tried to slow her breathing and her palpitating heart.

"Phew, just a bad dream," she stated, trying to reassure herself. As she sat there she tried to piece it all together again and figure out what it meant. However, her thoughts were interrupted by her mother's voice calling to her from the kitchen.

"Sakura! Are you out of bed yet? Sakura!" Sakura sighed. Her mother could be so annoying sometimes when she nagged. But nevertheless she had to admit that she was right about some things that she herself was wrong.

"Coming!" She called down as she got up and stretched to the ceiling. She then made her way over to her closet and opened it up, pulling out her usual clothing garments. She pulled on her usual red top with a white circle graphic on the back over top of a clean bra and then pulled up her typical black shorts which over top she put on a light, easy pink apron skirt around her waist. Next she tied on her kunai and shuriken holsters and pulled on her elbow protectors which were the same colour as her skirt. Then she tied on her new medical pouch and finally stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair some before tying it back with her red clothed leaf village headband. She gave a curt nod then turned tail and hurried into the kitchen for breakfast.

"Good morning," she called as she entered.

"Good morning," her father responded from behind his newspaper. Her mother nodded in her general direction.

"Took you long enough!" she pointed out. Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Mom, I told you before that when I say I'm coming, I mean it but I have to get ready first. It takes time," she said as she took her breakfast plate and sliced two pieces of bread before putting them neatly in the toaster.

"Well just as long as you're not sleeping in and being lazy," her mother countered. She always worried for her daughter seeing as she had only one child to worry for but it never stopped her from being just as much a nag as any other average mother was to their children.

The toast finally popped out of the toaster and Sakura retrieved the slices, spreading some jam over them as soon as they were cool enough. Then she went over to the frying pan where her mother had made pork for the morning and got a few slices of that as well. Then with a small bowl of white rice, she made her way over to sit down next to her father. Her father put down his newspaper and turned to her.

"Well then flower blossom what's on the agenda for today huh?" he asked excitedly. He always enjoyed talking with his daughter even if only for a little while every morning. She was usually either away on short missions, training with the hokage or trying to find information on her missing friend. Either way, she was often very busy and it was hard for her father since his only little girl was growing up right before his very eyes. Sakura finished chewing a bite of toast she'd taken.

"Well, I was going to head to the lady hokage's office to see if she had any jobs for me. Then I was going to practice some more by myself on one of the training fields."

"Hm, well that sounds like a good plan. Maybe on your way back home you could pick up a few things for me," her mother hinted.

"Oh sure, what do you need?" she asked. Her mother sat down with a pen and a slip of paper and wrote out a few things onto it then handed it to her daughter.

"There. It's just a few things so it shouldn't be too troublesome." Sakura took the list and went over it then pocketed it in her pouch.

"Alright, I'll do it as soon as I'm done for the day." With that she finished her breakfast, pulled on her low heel, knee high sandals and was out the door before her father could make another ridiculous and lame dad joke.

Sakura headed towards the hokage's office and arrived just in time to find her sensei downing some morning sake, probably the last of her bottle from last night. She sighed and began to help her out doing some organizing of the files she'd been working on. At around noon, she was sent to retrieve the traffic reports from the front gates. Suddenly, her name was called out from behind her.

"Hey…Sakura!" Sakura turned to see a little boy with brown hair that stuck up everywhere wearing gray pants and a pale green jacket with a dark green stipe down the middle and a blue scarf wrapped around his neck longer than his body, coming forth with his two comrades. It was Konohamaru Sarutobi, the grandson of the late third hokage and his two comrades Udon and Moegi. A smile made its way to her lips.

"Oh hi Konohamaru," she said as he and his teammates came to a complete halt. He smiled back at her, happy after having finally completed his latest cat rescue mission and eager to see if he could help anyone in any way during his break period.

"So where are you off too?" he queried.

"The main gate, I have to pick up this morning's pedestrian traffic ledger for Lady Tsunade," she replied. She noticed the eager expression on Konohamaru's face. "Do you want to come along?" she asked of the boy. Konohamaru grew excited.

"Yes that'd be super!" he exclaimed. "We're free right now. Well how about it guys?" he turned to his teammates. Moegi just shrugged.

"It's fine if you want to Konohamaru, I don't mind," replied the young genin. Udon nodded.

"Yeah, I don't have anything to do either," he stated. Sakura smiled.

"Alright then," she said gesturing for them to come along. The four ninja all made their way towards the main gate. All the while Sakura kept glancing back at Konohamaru when he wasn't paying attention and a nostalgic look came into her eyes. Konohamaru, she thought to herself. He causes trouble and can be hard to handle at times. He's just like him when he was that age.

Despite her hiding her glances from Konohamaru and Udon, Moegi noticed easily. However she didn't say anything until the sixth time while Konohamaru was distracted completely immersed in retelling the cat rescue story.

"Hey Sakura is something the matter?" she asked in a whisper pulling the rosette from her train of thought.

"Oh what…oh no sorry," she apologized. "I was just thinking to myself that's all."

"Um, okay if you say so," replied the younger kunoich.

"Hey we're here!" exclaimed Konohamaru suddenly causing Sakura to look up. They'd reached the main gate in no time and now Sakura shook herself from her reverie and strode forward taking the lead. She came to the entrance point shack and waved.

"Hey Izumo; Kotetsu! How are you today?" she called. The two gate guards grinned as she approached.

"Well look who's here," chuckled Izumo. Sakura seemed taken aback by the sudden phrase.

"Something's waiting for ya back in town," stated Kotetsu with a light laugh.

"Yeah, you have to see it to believe it," Izumo added. Now Sakura raised an eyebrow, confused by the two ninja's antics.

"What're you guys talking about?" Konohamaru inquired of the two. Realization suddenly lit up Sakura's features as she put two and two together. She turned to face back towards the village then back to the two Jonin.

"No way," she gasped. "You don't mean…"

"Yup," Kotetsu replied. Sakura's face remained one of shock until Izumo broke her from her thoughts.

"Hey, you're here for this morning's traffic reports aren't you?" he asked of the Kunoich. Sakura shook herself back to reality.

"Oh, yes. Lady Tsunade wanted them as soon as possible," she replied. Izumo nodded then he reached underneath the stand and brought out the papers.

"Here you go," he said. "All ready for delivery." Sakura took the papers and stowed them safely in her side pouch. Then she took off, team Ebisu hot on her heals headed towards the Hokage's office down a simple street. Sakura hoped that Izumo and Kotetsu hadn't pulled some prank; she hoped that he'd be there.

Meanwhile, the old toad sage known as Jiraiya had returned with his apprentice and the two were now walking through the village side by side. Many villagers stopped what they were doing to behold the sight.

"Heh, two and a half years and this place doesn't look like it's changed a bit," said the apprentice with some slight nostalgia forming. Jiraiya chuckled nearby.

"Heh, heh, well now I suppose it hasn't." The two came to a point in the street where the apprentice stopped nearby a telephone pole.

"I'm going to check it out," he stated. "I'll be right back." And in a flash he was gone from the ground and on the very top of the pole. He looked around observing his home village from the new height. He wore a blue v neck, short sleeved shirt with bandages going all the way up his arms. Over top of the bandages on his hands were a pair of black gloves and around his waist he wore a black sash. His pants were long and light gray with wrappings around one holding his shuriken and kunai holster in place. On his feet he wore, low heel shin high sandals and upon his brow he wore a leaf village headband with a hidden leaf village symbol. His raven black hair glinted in the sunlight. He suddenly caught a glimpse of the hokage monument, seeing an extra face up on it.

"Well…it looks like lady fifth finally had her own face installed. Not too shabby!" he spoke to himself. He crossed his arms across his chest, a smile upon his face as he continued looking about. Well everyone, he thought. Sasuke Uchiha has returned to the hidden leaf village. Just as he finished the thought, a familiar voice shouted up to him from below.

"Sasuke?" it questioned. "Sasuke is that really you? When'd you get back?" Sasuke gazed down and saw a familiar head of pink hair on the ground looking up at him. Sasuke smirked.

"Just now actually!" he called out as he leapt down to the ground and met her at the same level. "It's been a while hasn't it…Sakura." Sakura meanwhile didn't know how to react as Sasuke for like the first time ever was smiling at her and wasn't holding back his emotions. Sakura blushed.

"Heh, I've never seen you smile like that before Sasuke," she pointed out. Sasuke then wore a look of confusion on his face. Then the smile returned.

"Humph, yeah it's amazing what a few years of meditation and training can do huh?"

"Oh, yeah, I guess. Wow, you certainly have grown haven't you? I mean you always were taller than me but now you're even taller than when we were younger." Sasuke laughed lightly at that.

"Yeah well that's what happens when you hit puberty isn't it? Anyways it's great to see you again Sakura. I see I'm not the only one who's grown." Sakura blushed and glanced away.

"Oh yeah well I guess I have, haven't I, I mean…do you think I look more grown up like a woman and all?" she was blushing redder with every word. Sasuke chuckled.

"No, not really, you're still just you to me," he replied. Sakura's face lit up red as a tomato and for some reason, his answer slightly irked her. Her eye twitched some but she quelled her anger. Meanwhile Jiraiya watched the scene before him, an unimpressed look upon his face.

Jeez kid, you might be stronger and calmer but you're still just as thick as ever when it comes to women aren't you? He thought to himself. Sasuke meanwhile remained oblivious.

"Hey Sasuke," Konohamaru called out getting the raven haired teen's attention. Suddenly there was a puff of smoke an in Konohamaru's place, was a young and naked girl holding her butt and winking as she said, 'Sexy jutsu'. Sasuke stared with an unamused look, Sakura and Moegi were slightly fuming and as for the old toad sage, his nose was already starting to run with blood and his tongue hung out of his mouth. Konohamaru then changed back grinning.

"Heh, what did you think. Pretty awesome huh? Naruto taught me that one back when he was a new genin. Since he's not here, I need someone to judge how I did." Sakura once again quelled her anger, the toad sage looked rather disappointed and Sasuke just sighed.

"I see, so Naruto taught you that huh?" There was a short silence as everyone thought of the loud and sometimes troublesome blonde who used to run amok in the streets of Konoha. Sasuke sighed and placed a hand on Konohamaru's head and gave a light smile accompanied with a chuckle.

"Konohamaru," he started. "Naruto wherever he is…well he's not that scrawny little prankster anymore and you shouldn't be using jutsu like that, it's beneath you. Besides, I'm sure he stopped using that one a long time ago." Konohamaru looked down at his feet glumly.

"Yeah okay," he agreed. He shuffled his feet somewhat embarrassed.

"Aw come on Sasuke, that jutsu works like a charm. It sure as hell got my attention," the perverted toad sage said rather creepily. He wiggled his fingers as he pictured the naked woman again and Sasuke just deadpanned.

"See Konohamaru," Sasuke stated dryly. "That's another reason you shouldn't use it. Creeps like him. Do you really want someone like that touching you?" Konohamaru thought about it as he eyed the pervert and shuddered in disgust.

"Yeah okay, I guess not but…it can still work as a distraction can't it?" Sasuke thought for a moment then sighed.

"Yeah, I suppose it could but I'd still be careful with using it if I were you." Konohamaru nodded and grinned, rubbing his hands together.

"In that case, I have a new idea, heh, heh, heh!" Moegi his teammate then deadpanned and came up beside him.

"If it involves sneaking into the grown up's magazine section again, count me out!"

"Yeah, me too," added a nervous Udon. Sakura then appeared with a scary face on her.

"You're not planning anything immature and offensive are you?" she growled. Konohamaru gulped as sweat rolled down his brow.

"Who me?" he questioned pointing a finger at himself. "No way. I respect all women," he stated. Sakura then grinned and patted him on the head.

"Good boy," she cooed falsely. Konohamaru shook in her presence and Sasuke had to wonder just why the boy was so scared of her. He then cleared his throat.

"I think we should get to the Hokage's office now, don't you toadstool?" he inquired of the toad sage. Jiraiya straightened up somewhat distracted from having been watching some young ladies walk by.

"Huh, what, oh yeah of course Sasuke, right, right!" he continued watching after the girls who walked by and had stopped outside of a shop. Sasuke reached up and tugged on the back of his master's collar, sighing as he went.

"Come on then," he said as he began dragging his sensei through the village all the while, Jiraiya tried to break free of his grip.

"Oh come on! Hey I've got an idea, why don't you go and I'll catch up huh, sound good?"

"Not if you want 'her' to come and find you peeking at the bath house," Sakura threatened as she followed them. Jiraiya straightened up some then, pouting as he let himself be dragged by his student. They waved goodbye to Konohamaru and his team as they went, Jiraiya too busy sulking to care.

Soon enough, after the episode in the streets, Sasuke found himself alongside Jiraiya, who'd finally decided to walk the rest of the way halfway up the stairs; and Sakura inside the Hokage's office. Tsunade held the two in her sight along with Shizune with a look of nostalgia on her own face.

"It's been a while you two," she stated, leaning back in her chair. "Your training proved to be fruitful I hope." Jiraiya laughed out loud.

"Hah, you think we would've come back without producing any results?" he stated plainly. Sasuke scoffed.

"Heh, mission accomplished and I'm content with my progress so far," he bragged. Tsunade nodded.

"Heh, well in that case...show me what you've got kid and don't hold back." Sasuke grinned.

"What, right here and now?" he asked sarcastically. He got into a ready stance which caused Tsunade to laugh lightly.

"Well…not exactly." Sasuke straightened back up. "I have someone I want you to go up against. I've kept him off missions the last few days so he'd be ready for just this moment. Your opponent will be…" but the hokage didn't get to finish her sentence as a knock on the door called her attention.

"Come in!" commanded the hokage. The door handle turned and the door itself creaked as it was opened on slightly rusty hinges. The ninjas currently within the room turned to face the doorway. No words were spoken as they saw who it was. The only thing that registered was surprise at who now stood before them in the room.

"Hey," greeted Shikamaru Nara as he and Temari of the hidden sand entered the office. There was some silence until Sakura called forth their attention.

"Hey Shikamaru, Temari, check out what the cat's dragged in!" she exclaimed excitedly. The two looked to where she was pointing and their eyes fell upon Sasuke. Shikamaru's eyes widened with surprise.

"Well I'll be," he exclaimed. "Sasuke Uchiha, it's been a while hasn't it? How've you been?" Sasuke smirked.

"Well Shikamaru I have to say you don't look like you've changed that much. You look just as laid back as ever. I've been good actually, better than I've felt in a long time."

"Heh and I see you haven't changed much either well…except that your attitude's not as harsh as before. Welcome back, did you just get in?" Shikamaru shifted position and pulled one hand out of his pocket then extended it. Sasuke approached and shook it while answering.

"Yeah, just a few moments ago actually. So I take it you're not my opponent then are you?" he queried. Shikamaru cocked an eyebrow.

"Opponent, what're you talking about?" Sasuke chuckled.

"Well lady hokage wants to test my skills on someone and you interrupted her before she could finish telling me who I'd be facing. Of course it could be you but then I don't think you would've agreed to it." Shikamaru smirked.

"Hardly, I'm just here to drop off some paperwork and then I'm gone. Besides if I did go up against you I get the feeling I would lose and I've had my hands full for the past few weeks."

"I see," Sasuke replied. They ended their handshake and Lady Tsunade cleared her voice drawing their attention.

"At any rate, Sasuke you won't find your opponent in here. He's out there!" she said pointing to a window on the left side of the office. Sasuke walked over to it and opened it to look outside. He smirked when he saw a familiar face sitting on the edge of the lower roof of the building.

"Well, well, well," said the voice of Kakashi Hatake. "Sasuke…it seems you went and grew up some I see." The silver haired jonin was sitting cross-legged and reading one of his favourite books. He wore his usual Konoha Jonin attire with his headband pulled down over one of his eyes and a mask covering his nose and the rest of his face below.

"Kakashi sensei," the Uchiha acknowledged. He leapt out the window and strolled over to the jonin who used to be his teacher and had taught him the chidori a while ago. Although his mask covered most of his face, it was noticeable that the jonin was smiling nostalgically through it.

"I see you haven't changed a bit sensei," Sasuke commented. He noticed the book in his sensei's hand. "And still reading those novels I see which reminds me…" he reached into his pouch and drew out a book then tossed it to Kakashi who caught it expertly. "The old toadstool gave that to me for some light reading but I couldn't really get into a story like that so I thought you might like it instead." Kakashi was barely listening to his student as he beheld the title of the book in awe.

"No way," he exclaimed. "Isn't this…this is…" his hand shook with excitement as he held the book.

"The latest installment of the make out series in three years," Sasuke replied. "I thought since you have the other books already, you'd want to get a head start before everyone else. It's not even in stores yet." Kakashi seemed to be overly pleased with his new present and right away Sasuke was wondering if he should've waited until later to give it to him.

"Calm down!" Lady Tsunade barked. She was slightly peeved that a book like that had made it into her presence. "This isn't the time to be fooling around Kakashi." She turned her head back in and stalked away from the window. Kakashi did as he was told, reclaiming his composure and closed the book he'd opened previously to see the inside then calmly placed it into his pouch. He then stood from his position and followed Sasuke back towards the open window.

"I take it then that you'll be my opponent?" questioned Sasuke as he leapt back through the open window. Kakashi leaned against the window frame as Sasuke turned to face him again.

"Well, you're half right," stated the Jonin causing the raven haired teen to raise an eyebrow. Then Kakashi's gaze fell upon Sakura. "Been a long time, hasn't it Sakura?"

"Oh, yes it has sensei," replied the rosette. Kakashi grinned under his mask.

"So as to whom my opponent will be…" he paused, letting the sentence hang in the air some. Then he leapt up onto the window sill. He looked between his two students now standing side by side. "It's going to be Sasuke and Sakura!" he stated plainly. The two were caught by surprise.

"So both of us at the same time," Sasuke questioned.

"That's right," interjected lady Tsunade, calling their attention. "Kakashi will put you to the test. How well you do against him will determine your future status."

"Huh, their future status?" questioned Shikamaru of no one in particular. Tsunade turned her gaze upon Sakura.

"Sakura," she called forth the rosette's attention. "It's time to show that your training with me wasn't a waste of time." Sakura gave a curt nod.

"Right!" Sakura agreed. Then Tsunade turned to Sasuke.

"And let's see how far you've come as well Sasuke." Sasuke nodded as well

"You won't be disappointed," he assured her.

"So," Kakashi called their attention back to him. "Shall we get started?

"Huh," Sasuke stated. "Here and now, don't you think we'd better move to a more appropriate location?" Kakashi nodded.

"Well, that goes without saying and I suppose you're right. Sasuke you must be exhausted from your trip back and this is so sudden, we should give you a chance to rest up a bit." Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

"That's not what I meant. I can go right now if you're ready!" Kakashi waved the raven haired boy's statement aside.

"No, no, you go ahead and rest yourself up and take it easy for now. I'll meet you later at the training grounds. So long!" And with that, Kakashi formed a hand sign and was gone in a puff of smoke before either of his students could protest.

"Well that's odd isn't it?" questioned Shizune. "He seemed in a hurry." Tsunade sighed, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms across her chest.

"Yeah and I have a pretty good idea why," she sighed.

"Heh can't wait to read that book," Shikamaru stated. Sasuke stared at the place where his sensei used to be.

"I knew I should've waited to give it to him," Sasuke sighed.

"That explains it," Sakura stated. "He had that gleam in his eye. I'll bet that's why he's always late and making up lame excuses." Sasuke nodded in agreement. Meanwhile Jiraiya just chuckled behind them with his arms crossed over his chest feeling proud of himself.

Of course he wants to read it, he thought prideful. Who in his right mind wouldn't want to read my book before anyone else does?

A little while later, Sakura, Sasuke, Temari and Shikamaru were walking down a street in Konoha. Sasuke sighed.

"Whatever, it doesn't really matter to me when we take our test just as long as we get to," Sasuke stated. Sakura chuckled.

"Yeah well at least on the bright side of things this gives us the advantage to talk strategy right?"

"Right," he agreed. Sasuke then turned back to Shikamaru and Temari. "So what gives us the pleasure of hosting for someone from the sand? Is something going on between the two villages?" Shikamaru looked up and stopped walking.

"Well actually…the chunin exams are about to start and we've been getting ready for them," he stated simply.

"I've been busy running back and forth between your village and mine helping out," Temari added.

"Yeah, that's right and I'm her escort," Shikamaru said dully. "It's a drag and don't ask how it happened but I've been put in charge of organizing the chunin exams." A sudden wave of nostalgia arose on Sasuke's features.

"The chunin exams huh? That certainly takes me back," he said as he subconsciously lifted his hand to his shoulder where the curse mark from Orochimaru still existed. He clutched at it and gave a dry chuckle. "That was the turning point wasn't it? When everything went downhill." His friends gave him empathetic looks as they too remembered those same exams. Shikamaru was the first to recover as he stuffed his hands back into his pockets.

"Well speaking of which," he started. "What're you going to do Sasuke?" Sasuke looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" he asked

"I mean about the Chunin exams," Shikamaru stated. "You're the only one in our year who isn't a chunin. Everyone is but you." Sasuke became surprised.

"Really, everyone?" he questioned. He turned to face Sakura. "Then are you a Chunin too Sakura?" he asked. Sakura became prideful and struck a pose with a smile on her face. She laughed lightly.

"That's right," she clarified. "While you were away I participated in them with Ino and Choji since Shikamaru was already made a chunin in the first ones."

"I see," Sasuke noted.

"Oh you haven't even heard the half of it," Shikamaru continued. "Kankuro, Neji and Temari here, they've even taken it a step further. They've already been made Jonin."

"Jonin, really?" Sasuke asked in surprise. Shikamaru nodded. Sasuke took a moment to take it all in.

"Then…what about your brother Gaara of the sand?" Sasuke inquired of Temari. Temari smirked and placed a hand on her hip whilst jutting it out to the side.

"What you haven't already heard?" she questioned. "Gaara's been made the fourth Kazekage of the sand!" Sasuke deadpanned.

"Well….that was fast," he stated. As he shook himself from his stupor, he looked up towards the hokage monument. A slight breeze blew through his raven black hair. A small smile tugged on his lips. "Well then that's just fine," he said calling their attention. He continued looking at the monument.

"I decided something on my journey with the old toadstool…someday when we're all here together in Konoha, I want to protect it with both of my arms and my own strength. So I've aspired to become hokage and guard over the next generation when it comes about to the best of my abilities." His statement took them all by surprise.

"Are…you serious about that Sasuke?" asked a stunned Shikamaru. Sasuke brought his gaze down from the monument with a light smile on his face.

"Yeah, I'm positive. But before I can do that I have other goals to accomplish first but mark my words, I will be hokage one day and this village will be under my protection." Shikamaru smiled at his friend's resolve.

"You know it wasn't that long ago a certain blonde haired knuckle headed ninja made the same vow to be acknowledged by everyone else. Suppose you bring him home and he still wants to become hokage himself?" there was a slight pause. Sasuke turned to walk away.

"Then we'll battle as friends and rivals until one of us wins," Sasuke stated simply. Sakura sighed and rolled her eyes at the boy's simplicity. Shikamaru sighed too.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck with that," he said. "Sorry to chat and run but I've got to escort Temari to the meeting hall where we'll plan the final stages of the Chunin exams together."

"Oh, alright then," Sakura called out, waving them goodbye as they departed.

"See ya!" Sasuke called after them with his own hand wave. He then turned around again and Sakura joined him, walking side by side again. Suddenly the rosette remembered something.

"Oh yeah, I promised mom I'd pick her some things up when I was done today but since we don't know exactly when the test is, I'd best do it now," she declared.

"Oh, well do you need any help?" Sasuke asked catching the rosette off guard. She blushed.

"Um well, sure if you want but I wouldn't want you to be putting yourself out for my sake." Sasuke scoffed.

"What're you talking about? I don't have anything to do today other than prepare for the test so I can help if you want, just say the word." Sakura attempted to calm herself down.

"Well okay then. The first stop is the grocery market. I have the list with me." She pulled it out of her pouch, re read it then nodded, putting it back where she'd pulled it from. Sasuke then followed her about, helping to get the groceries and what not that were on the list according to Sakura's memory and then he helped her carry them home. Afterwards the two departed for the training field destined to be their testing arena.

They waited about for a few moments before becoming annoyed.

"Ugh, I know he's always been like this but this is getting ridiculous!" Sakura complained.

"Well at least this way, we don't get in trouble if we're late by five minutes to his originally set time," Sasuke pointed out. Sakura sighed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Yeah, I guess you have a point." Suddenly there was a puff of smoke above them on the fence surrounding the training arena. It dispersed to reveal Kakashi who waved down at them with a cheery smile.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Kakashi apologized. "I…ran into this old lady who needed help carrying some things."

"Oh give us a break already!" Sakura yelled at him. Sasuke stared up at him.

"Same old sensei, same old bad timing and excuses," he stated with an unamused tone. Kakashi chuckled slightly. They made their way into the training ground and the two comrades looked around. It was the same training ground they'd passed their first test in to become genin. Sasuke looked about, nostalgia entering his eyes.

"This…certainly brings back memories," Sasuke stated. Sakura nodded as she too looked around.

"Does it ever," she agreed. Kakashi who'd started reading his book again looked up to see his students looking about their old training ground. He too felt nostalgia flood him as he remembered those days. They all remembered.

Kakashi Hatake stood before his three new charges who had dropped their bags on the training field. He'd asked them to come early this morning and to not eat any breakfast otherwise they would puke. However that hadn't been the real reason. Kakashi then held up two bells.

"Your assignment is very simple," he stated. "You just have to take these bells from me, that's all there is to it. If you can't get em by noon you go without lunch."

"What?!" exclaimed the young blonde of the group. He just couldn't believe his ears. Neither could the other two for that matter. Kakashi then pointed towards the three wooden posts sticking up out of the ground which upon one there sat a timer.

"You'll be tied to those posts and you'll watch as I eat my lunch in front of you," Kakashi continued. The three new academy graduates eyed the posts as if they were the enemy, dreading ever being caught.

"Oh, that's right," Kakashi stated as he watched his students. "This was the site of your very first training lesson wasn't it?" Sakura smiled at the memory and looked down at her feet as she reminisced.

"It was squad seven," she stated plainly. Sasuke too looked down.

"All three of us together as one unit," he remembered, nodding his head. Kakashi continued to watch them, his own nostalgia bringing up something else as he gazed at nothing while remembering the past.

"That's right," he agreed. "We had a certain hyper active knuckle headed ninja with us back then didn't we? We had Naruto." There was silence as everyone remembered the loud mouthed pre-teen. Sakura remembered the night that Sasuke had left first.

"Don't leave me!" she cried as she ran after her comrade. Sasuke didn't listen as he headed out. She stopped short in a panic despite her better judgement. "If you go…I'll scream and…" Sasuke appeared behind her, a dead look in his eyes. Sakura's heart stopped.

"Sakura," Sasuke spoke in a dead, flat tone. "Thank you…for everything." Then from out of nowhere, the young Uchiha had chopped a pressure point at the back of her neck in one swift movement, knocking her out.

"Sasuke," the rosette let slip from her lips as she fell into unconsciousness.

Next Sakura remembered even further back to a conversation she'd had with Naruto before that fateful moment.

The blonde haired knuckle head sat silently next to his pink haired comrade at the Ichiraku noodle shop. He slurped his noodles nonchalantly, quieter than was normal for him as he was usually so loud. He had something heavy weighing on his mind it seemed as did Sakura his rosette partner who was barely touching her own bowl of ramen. Naruto looked back down at his own as he continued slurping.

"So hey, if you don't start eating that, it's gonna get cold ya know," he said, drawing the kunoich's attention.

"Hm, oh yeah, right of course," she said suddenly coming out of her stupor. "This looks delicious, mmm!" She broke apart her chop sticks to get started. The blonde smiled some but it wasn't his usual goofy grin. The time for all of that in his book was done.

"So I guess you wanted to talk about Sasuke didn't you?" he asked causing her to lapse back into her thoughts. He waited for her to answer. Finally she spoke up feeling somewhat ashamed of herself.

"So Naruto, I promised Sasuke not to tell you this but…" The blonde paid attention. "This is all that Orochimaru's fault. Kakashi sensei said that everything would be fine and I wish that I could believe him but…when he was fighting with Gaara and then again today, he had that same look in his eye. I don't know…what to do." she quivered with uncertainty and frustration at feeling so helpless. The blonde then wore a faraway look in his eyes as he stared into his ramen bowl.

"Orochimaru huh?" he asked. "Yeah…I ran into him not too long ago," he stated. This caught the rosette's attention.

"You did, but where?" she queried immediately. Naruto continued to look far away and distant. He sighed closing his eyes and bringing up the old memories.

"When I was off searching for Grandma Tsunade," he answered. "He went up against Pervy Sage and Grandma Tsunade at the same time. He was…incredible…" he paused. "In his own sick twisted way I suppose," he added quickly. He smiled weakly but it didn't last. Sakura looked down sulkily at her meal.

"This is not good," she declared, calling the young blonde's attention. He watched her intrigued then chuckled, turning back to his own ramen bowl and finishing it off.

"What're you talking about?" he laughed dryly. "Everything will be fine. Just believe what Kakashi sensei said I mean…he knows best right? We should have the utmost faith in our sensei." Sakura looked at him and sighed deciding he was right. Then she finally dug into her own bowl of ramen. Naruto meanwhile continued to stare into the bowl blankly.

"I wonder," he muttered to himself. "Maybe he's got the right idea. Why stay in a place like this when you could be free? Maybe that's where I belong." Sakura caught wind of it but couldn't understand what her teammate was talking about.

"Huh?" she wondered calling the blonde's attention. A light smile lit his features although it was more forced. He laughed out loud like his usual self.

"Oh it's nothing Sakura, just thinking out loud to myself," he continued laughing forcefully and Sakura could tell something was paining him but she'd never bothered to ask.

Sakura's fist clenched as she remembered how foolish she'd been back then to not see how badly Naruto had been hurting. Meanwhile Sasuke thought about his own mistakes concerning his blonde comrade with the whiskered cheeks.

"Sasuke!" he heard someone call from behind. It was a familiar voice and he turned slowly to meet the eyes of his teammate. They were filled with pain and confusion but that didn't matter to Sasuke.

"So it's you," he stated. "Hopeless little knucklehead."

Then he remembered the time Kakashi Hatake had tied him to the tree and they'd had their little chat.

Sasuke was bound to the tree's thick trunk by some strong wire. Kakashi, his Jonin sensei stood over him holding the end of it. Sasuke gritted his teeth in rage and struggled against his bindings.

"What's this all about?!" growled the Uchiha at his sensei. He glared daggers at the Jonin before him but Kakashi could care less.

"Sorry," his sensei apologized sarcastically. "But I knew you wouldn't want to sit still for a lecture so…I figured I had to pin you down." The young Uchiha scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Let it go," Kakashi continued. "You've got to forget about revenge." This only made the Uchiha more enraged.

"What?" he spat out.

"Believe me," said his sensei. "In this work I've met a lot of guys who feel the way you do. Trust me, for those who follow the path of revenge…it never ends well. You'll only tear yourself apart and even if you succeed and you get your revenge…what will you have then? Nothing; emptiness!"

"Shut-up!" Sasuke shouted. "What makes you think you know anything about it? It's easy for you to talk. You have no idea!"

"Easy…" Kakashi implied. "Just try to calm down." The young Uchiha had a dark and pained grin on his face.

"Maybe if I was to kill the most important people in your life, everyone whose ever meant anything; maybe then I'd listen to you because maybe then you'd have some idea of how I feel!" Kakashi remained calm and lolled his head back some to think about it.

"Hm, it's an interesting theory," he stated. Then he brought his head back down. "But I'm afraid you're a little late to put it to the test." Sasuke ground his teeth more. Then Kakashi finished his sentence with a slightly sad and fake smile on his face.

"Everyone you're talking about has already been killed!" This caught the young Uchiha by surprise. Then Kakashi held him in a gaze that made him look much older.

"I've been around longer than you have kid," he said simply. "And I've seen my share of troubles. You're not the only one who knows what it's like to lose somebody." Sasuke suddenly felt guilty for what he'd said earlier.

"So," continued Kakashi. "It looks like neither of us has lived a charmed life exactly have we? Still…we're not all that bad off." Sasuke looked up in surprise at his sensei mixed with some confusion.

"At least you and I have been lucky enough to find new comrades to help fill the void." Kakashi finished. "Anyway, I do know how you feel. With the chidori, you've been granted a gift of awesome power. It's not a power to be used against your comrades or to seek vengeance." Kakashi unwound the wire holding the young Uchiha in place. "I think…in your heart of hearts…you know what it's for."

Sasuke then remembered something Naruto had said to him in the valley of the end.

"I thought you'd be different! I thought that you would understand me but I guess I was wrong. There's no one I can trust anymore, I'm all alone! I don't even have a clan to go to or an older brother to destroy for their destruction. I have…nothing…because nobody loves a monster!"

At this point Kakashi had somewhat returned to his reading of his new novel but when he glanced up he realized bringing up Naruto's name had had an effect equivalent to that of a strong punch. Sakura was on her hands and knees while Sasuke had sat down on the ground hugging his legs to his chest, both feeling plum right miserable thanks to the resurfaced memories. Kakashi deadpanned.

Whoops, he thought to himself. I guess Naruto's name is taboo to these guys. Kakashi recovered himself first and decided it was time to get things started. He pulled two familiar objects out of his right pocket and bounced them while holding them between his index finger and thumb. They made a musical jingling sound that got his two student's attention. Their eyes widened when they saw the bells from the very first test.

"Alright," Kakashi suddenly spoke up sharply. "Show me how far you've come. After all…you haven't given up on your Naruto have you?" This had the desired effect as the two young shinobi finally stood up, serious expressions on their faces.

"Not a chance!" declared Sakura.

"What do you think I've been doing all these years, sleeping?" replied Sasuke mockingly. Kakashi smiled under his mask then pocketed the bells while still holding up his book wide open.

"The rules are the same as they were that first day. I don't care how you do it…just get these bells away from me. Oh and remember…"

"If we're not prepared to kill you…" Sasuke started, interrupting.

"We won't get the bells. We know," Sakura scoffed. Kakashi chuckled to himself as he too remembered the first day.

"Exactly," he clarified. "Show no mercy if you ever hope to get these bells. You've got till sunrise tomorrow." The two Shinobi before him grinned as they readied themselves for battle. Sasuke loosened some of his bandages around his arms then reached back to tighten his headband.

"I sure hope you're not going to be reading that stupid book of yours the entire time," Sasuke stated nonchalantly. "Kakashi!" Sakura meanwhile pulled out a pair of somewhat faded black gloves and pulled them onto her hands.

"Oh I'm sure he'll try if he hasn't finished it already," Sakura taunted. "Either way, let's give him a reason to pay attention to us...alright Sasuke?" Sasuke continued grinning.

"Heh, right," he agreed. Kakashi smirked under his mask and pocketed his book in his pouch.

"Actually, I haven't quite finished the book but I think I'll save that little pleasure for later," he stated. "Besides, I've got a feeling I'd better keep on my toes. It's a whole new ball game." He reached up towards his crooked headband that was covering one of his eyes.

"This time…it's serious!" he finished as he pulled his headband up to reveal his sharingan eye. And all three prepared for combat as the unseen spectators took up their desired positions on the sidelines.


Meanwhile, near a secret hideout

Far away from Konohagakure…

She moved as fast as a flying serpent through the trees of the forest, tearing the unsuspecting leaves she passed by to shreds and stirring up flocks of nesting birds. Her night black hair mixed with streaks of crimson blood red and venomous green trailed behind her, long and beautiful glinting in the light of the high noon sun.

Eventually she came to a clearing where there was a hole in the ground, a swirling snake pattern surrounding it and backed by a short wall. She was home at last or a least, her temporary home. Although she'd reached her destination, she didn't slow down as she dove head first into the hole and flew down the many twisting and turning corridors until she came to a sudden halt, kicking up dust before a pair of double doors that stood tall and proud for an underground chamber. She grinned as she pushed them open with her two hands, biting her lip as she entered the room.

Inside it was large and in the center there was a rather large table where at the end of this table, sitting at its head, two golden serpentine eyes opened, reflecting her own serpentine eyes and a figure moved out from behind the large back of the chair. She could sense the grin from the person who occupied that chair and she herself couldn't help but grin as well. The two double doors finished shutting automatically behind her and after she straightened herself to her full height she strolled to the other end of the table and bowed before her master.

"Viper," he stated her name. "I see that you're back. I trust you have valuable news." She who was named Viper grinned.

"If I didn't do you think I would've boldly announced my presence as so? Of course I have information." She spoke back. The man then stood and approached her as she rose to her feet once more. His complexion was pale, his hair was long and black and he looked as though he could be a snake combined with a man. He was the infamous Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sanin of the Hidden Leaf who'd defected many years ago.

"Very well then, what news do you bring?" he queried. The serpentine woman grinned, looking him in the eye very unafraid.

"Well for starters my lord, I thought you'd like to know that all of our other bases are doing well and Karin is doing a rather good job on her end in her new position," Viper stated. She began playing with her hair, twirling it around her finger, a habit she'd developed for when she got bored.

"Then," she continued. "There's something even more intriguing that I believe we should discuss. It seems as though our old friends, the Akatsuki are coming out of the woodworks and have chosen now as their time to strike and capture the many tailed beasts of our world. So far, the intel I've gathered indicates that they've sent Deidara and Sasori to the Hidden sand to retrieve the Shukaku." Orochimaru brought his hand up to his face, cupping his chin within it in a thinking manner.

"My, my, now this is troublesome," he stated solemnly. "Whatever shall we do? If we plan to keep Naruto here with us any longer we'll need to think up counter measures immediately. Not that there's anything to worry about at the moment after all, the sound village isn't close to the sand village. That's all the way in the land of wind." Another man slipped out of the shadows from behind Orochimaru, a man who wore big round glasses, a standardized village uniform for the Sound Village and he had his silver hair tied back in a spiky ponytail.

"If the Akatsuki are acting now, we'll have to keep on the down low from now on won't we Lord Orochimaru? After all we can't risk them finding Naruto here now can we?"

"Hm no definitely not; especially since he hasn't even mastered his kekei genkai yet. He's only recently awakened it. We need more time. Very well, we'll have to stay on high alert at all times and prepare the boy for a possible confrontation. I want all sound ninja informed to keep an eye open for our red cloud emblazoned black cloaked friends. Viper dear…see to it the boy knows and monitor his kekei genkai's strength for me will you? I doubt it'll be ready in time before I need a new vessel so I'll require a new body. Kabuto I'd like for you to search one out for me, one that's stronger than this one."

"Of course my Lord, I'll leave as soon as possible," Kabuto bowed in respect then backed away and left the room. Orochimaru then turned to Viper.

"Now…let us see how our young pupil is doing today," he stated as he stood then started to leave the room. Viper grinned maliciously.

"Right!" she replied. "I assume I'll be the one who has to debrief him on the Akatsuki's abilities?"

"Quite right," Orochimaru confirmed as they exited the room and began trekking through the many corridors leading towards the training arena. "However, I wonder if we might be able to manipulate the five great nations into taking care of a few members themselves." Viper snickered.

"Oh please, that old teammate of yours Jiraiya is already spreading the word throughout the allied nations while he's trying to search for our student. We both know that the leaf isn't just going to sit idly by and allow one of their greatest weapons be controlled by a couple of snakes such as ourselves. They'll bring him back by force if necessary even though they'll just treat him poorly again and keep him in the village as a prisoner. Those poor fools have no idea what he's truly capable of though; they have no idea that he has awakened the long forgotten Uzumaki bloodline trait. They won't take him with ease and he doesn't even need our help." Orochimaru laughed his usual chilling laugh as they turned another corridor.

"Indeed and who would've ever thought that he'd be far more useful to me then that Uchiha brat. I must commend you Viper for warping his young mind and bringing him here in place of Sasuke. Once his kekei genkai has reached fruition, my endless body hopping days will finally be over and I'll not only be immortal in soul but I'll also have an immortal body that's my very own. Who needs the sharingan of the Uchiha when you can have the forbidden techniques of the Uzumaki instead?" he cackled and Viper couldn't help but grin.

"Yes that's exactly right my lord. I'll bet that no one even knew of this technique when the clan was all but wiped out years ago in the third great shinobi war. They were wise to keep it under lock and key. I can only imagine what might've happened if some vengeance seeking Uzumaki had found them before I had. That could've been a disaster."

"I agree. Nevertheless, I still thank you for your loyalty and the discovery of the Uzumaki clan's secrets. Now let us stop speaking of that. We are nearing the training arena." And with that two more large stone doors were opened in front of them automatically and they stepped through to see that the test subjects that'd been forced to fight were being tossed about and turned into a bloody tossed salad. It all happened so quickly and none could react to the young blonde's precise attacks.

From their place above the arena, Orochimaru and Viper watched as Naruto Uzumaki made short comings of his opponents. After a bit Orochimaru sighed.

"If he continues on like this…I'll have run out of test subjects for my research," he complained. Viper gave him a sly smile as she watched the spectacle and chuckled dryly.

"Well what did you expect? He's running out of good opponents who can give him a challenge. He doesn't want to hold back but with these so called test subjects it's quite pointless to go all out. It's quite sad actually. Maybe we should let him take on an Akatsuki or two? It would at least keep him happy enough not to complain so much." Orochimaru grinned.

"Well then, shall we?" he inquired as he made his way down to the bottom level indicating for Viper to follow so they could tell the blonde about the new developments. As they approached they had to duck as one guy who'd tried to attack the blonde from behind using the curse mark was sent spiraling into the wall. Orochimaru then whistled, calling the young boy's attention. The blonde looked up from what he was doing.

"Naruto my boy; why don't you take a little break? We need to discuss some important matters with you." Naruto nodded then as another few guys tried to jump him he didn't even turn around as his Chokuto blade came up above his head to counter their own weapons. They were stopped immediately and the boy stared at Orochimaru an unamused look on his face.

"Fine," he sighed. "This was getting boring anyway. I seriously need some better competition." Viper gave her master a side glance.

"What'd I tell you?" she asked mockingly. Orochimaru ignored her and waited for Naruto to dispatch the guys who'd jumped him which he did easily by simply turning about in a perfect leg sweep that was too fast to dodge and as they were free falling onto their backs, he went about again with his leg higher this time, kicking them back across the room and into the walls, knocking them all unconscious in the process.

Afterwards he stretched to the ceiling and then sheathed his sword after knocking off the blood it'd drawn in one swift swipe. Then he pulled his red long sleeved shirt back on from where it'd lain limply behind him as he'd fought. Then he quietly followed his two masters over to where he'd set his water canteen earlier. As he took a swig, he also dumped some of it on his head to cool down from the fight then turned to face both Orochimaru and Viper.

"So…" he started, catching his breath. "What'd you want to see me about?" Orochimaru grinned as Viper took a seat next to Naruto on the three-D stone snake carving that was indented into the wall. She took the tip of the snake's tail.

"Well it's quite simple really," Orochimaru stated. "You see, the Akatsuki are finally making their move on the jinchuriki hosts for the tailed beasts. They've already sent someone after the Shukaku." Naruto took this into thought and scoffed.

"Alright and let me guess you're here to make sure I play it safe, is that it?" he asked somewhat scathingly. In all truth, Naruto hated feeling like he was being babied by anyone and he didn't like the idea of the option of staying inside until the whole thing blew over. However, Orochimaru wasn't like that. He grinned again and chuckled.

"Quite the contrary my boy," he almost cooed. "I just came to let you know is all. In the meantime, I want you to go over all of the data I've collected on them over the years along with Viper and should you come across them in our travels I'd like you to take them out for me. As for keeping you safe well that's what all of this training has been for and more. I'm not going to tell you to stay inside because it'd be a waste of your talents and besides, weren't you just complaining a moment ago that you didn't have anyone good to fight against?" The blonde was barely paying attention anymore as the prospect of destroying the Akatsuki brought a twisted smile to his face.

"Heh, very well then," he said standing up now. "I'll get right on it, researching that is. It'll be too fun to make an example out of them all before we destroy the leaf village. Sounds interesting," he said as he glanced back over his shoulder, his cerulean eyes blazing with excitement, a malicious grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. Then he walked away towards where his room was located and disappeared behind the big double doors. Orochimaru grinned after him.

"That boy truly is our diamond in the rough," he complimented. Meanwhile Viper took a glance at Orochimaru's back with her own grin playing across her features. She laughed internally to herself.

Oh but that my friend is where you're wrong, she thought. Soon, he'll be all mine. You see Orochimaru while this boy possesses the unique ability to complete your transformation into an immortal being, he also possesses the unique ability to destroy you when I desire and not only that but once his kekei genkai has fully matured and I've transformed him into the ten tails jinchuriki…then he'll use his kekei genkai combined with Kaguya's own strength to destroy that wretch once and for all and free my true master in the process to rule over this world. And when the brat dies along with Kaguya, I'll have obtained his kekei genkai for myself and together with my master and his army we shall begin to reign over the eighty eight realms with no one to stand in our way.

Suddenly Orochimaru felt a more ominous presence behind him and he turned to see Viper staring off into space.

"Is everything alright…Viper?" he queried suspiciously, not trusting the look in her eyes. Viper suddenly returned to where she was at the moment, shaking her head and then walking past Orochimaru to leave.

"Oh no Lord Orochimaru," she said as she passed him. She flickered from the bottom floor and ended up near the double doors. As she walked out she said with a malicious grin on her face and an evil glint in her eyes that Orochimaru couldn't see from behind. "Everything…is just fine!"


AN: Just wanted to say that yes, I have decided to give Naruto a bloodline trait. His bloodline trait however is not related to Sasuke's and has a higher value to Orochimaru because it is based on the Uzumaki clan's ridiculously strong life forces and their ability to seal living souls inside of other living things. Therefore it is more related to the life force theme and can help Orochimaru achieve a perfect body that won't reject him ever and he can become a true immortal. The name of the new Kekei Genkai will be released in one of the up coming chapters along with a description of what it does and how it works. So stay tuned for what's coming up next and I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Also don't forget to check out my other stories as well...if you're interested that is.

Sincerely,

Almine