Kakashi was racing through the forest at top speed, when he heard a crackle through his earpiece.

It was Naruto.

"Kakashi-sensei, can you hear me?"

"Yes. I'm coming as fast as I can."

Kakashi could hear the sounds of a battle raging on the other end of the earpeice.

"Sai has already arrived, but we're going to need back up." Naruto's voice was deadly serious.

Kakashi ran his hands through his hair. "And I suppose you want me to go get it?" If they needed back up, then things were definitely bad over there. They would need his help to hold Sasuke off, wouldn't they?

Then they could send Sakura for back up, right?

Naruto sighed. "Kakashi-sensei, I know what your thinking." Kakashi flinched. "But if you really believe in me, then believe that I can hold Sasuke here until you arrive with reinforcements."

Kakashi closed his eyes.

How could he abandon Naruto and Sakura?

You wouldn't really be abandoning them, a voice inside his head whispered. They can handle themselves now. They're not the naive kids you used to know.

Kakashi's eyes snapped open.

He pulled his headband back over his sharingan.

"Who do you want me to get?"

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Despite the crappy conditions, a smile stretched across Naruto's face.

Kakashi actually listened to him, which surprised him. He had expected to have to threaten him with the spoilers from the latest Icha Icha paradise book.

"Naruto!" Sakura shouted, sounding slightly panicked. "BEHIND YOU!"

He felt cool breath on the back of his neck.

"You picked the wrong time to daydream, loser," Hissed Sasuke in an almost conversational tone.

Suddenly, there was a minor explosion.

Smoke drifted every which way, as the voice that haunted his nightmares rang out across the clearing.

"Long time no see, Sakura-chan, Naruto-kun."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Kakashi was speeding through Konoha when he heard another crackle over his earpiece.

Naruto sounded panicky.

"You better hurry up Kakashi-Sensei,"

He could almost feel Naruto's anxiety.

"Orochimaru has arrived."

Author's Note: Hey yo guys thnx for the epic reviews! Keep em coming!

I probably won't be able to post another chapter t'il like 2 days from now but i hope you like this one!

I will try to make the chapters longer in the future!

Remember: post lots of reviews!

whiteshadowmatsuo