Disclaimer: I own nothing

Gates

Two days had passed since Naruto's retrieval team had learned of the suspected location he was being held. The group now stood on the outskirts of Amegakure, each shinobi dressed in identical black hooded cloaks, there headbands hidden beneath.

Sakura looked up into the sky, indeed the weather was terrible rain poured down heavily, the temperature drifting above freezing. It made the village look even less appealing than it already did. Tall steal buildings with smoke escaping into the sky. It was truly a gloomy city, but it seemed to fit the scenario perfectly.

Kakashi stood in front of the group, he could see the genin were nervous but he wasn't surprised, he was too.

"Kakashi…"

Asuma's voice snapped Kakashi from his thoughts, taking a deep breath he turned back to the group and began to explain the plan. "Tonight we will be moving in. Our Intel shows Naruto is in this village, though specific location is still unknown, but he is somewhere in these buildings."

Pulling out a map Kakashi held it up for the team to view. "We can suspect he is being held towards the center of town where the largest of the buildings are."

"So we are practically going in blind?" Everyone turned to see Neji, his arms crossed and pale eyes narrowed.

"That's what you and Hinata are for, your byakugans will be how we find him." Kakashi spoke firmly.

"We will split into two teams, my team will consist of Gai, Hana, Shino, Chouji, Sakura, Sasuke, and Neji. Asuma will lead the other team, consisting of Kurenai, Hayate, Hinata, Shikamaru, Lee, Tenten, Ino, and Kiba."

"So what happens when one of us finds Naruto?" Shikamaru asked.

Dropping his bag onto the ground Kakashi bent down, reaching in he pulled out a smaller bag filled with ear pieces. Handing the bag around the group each ninja attracted the small device into their ears.

It was pitch black, dark clouds covered the moon. Amegakure citizen's slept, completely unaware of the Leaf ninja who dashed through their village. Asuma's group was the first to make it to the center of city, standing on the roofs of a cluster of apartments they scanned the horizon. Asuma's eyes locked onto a tall building west of where they currently were.

"Over there."

Jumping into the air, Asuma landed on a taller building, his team following suit. Pressing the button on the ear piece Asuma spoke quietly. "We are clear over here, we will be moving up, and there is a large building ahead that we will check out."

Through the ear piece Asuma heard Kakashi reply with a simple 'Alright'. As the Jounin leap from the building making their way towards the tall tower, Ino couldn't help but frown at the sinking feeling that grew in her stomach.

"Hey, Shikamaru…?" Ino spoke looking over to her male teammate. "Do you really think…we can save Naruto?" Shikamaru turned to look at Ino, giving her a supportive smile. "We have our senseis with us, this may be a difficult mission but I truly think that we can get him back…"

Ino gave a small nod before following the rest of the genin, including Shikamaru after the Jounins.

Kakashi and his own group weaved through the ally-ways of the village as they made their way around. The group had yet to run in to a single villager nor ninja not unlike Asuma's team. Leading his teammates through the narrow space between buildings Kakashi made sure to keep him guard up. Finally seeing a break between buildings he ran out.

Standing in what seemed to be a small market place. Looking up Kakashi could see the large neon signs above begin to flicker on.

Standing behind Kakashi, Neji remained silent as he looked around to the surrounding buildings. In an instant his byakugan activated. His pale eyes narrowed as the veins around them bulged. "Gai-sensei, I can feel a presence coming towards us."

The group all turned to where Neji was looking to. Between two large buildings a shadowed figure stepped out from between. Sasuke's head slowly raised, his dark eyes focusing on the figure.

"You finally show yourself…" Kakashi spoke stepping in front of Sasuke. His hand raised, with a single swift movement his forehead protector was moved up, his left eye revealing his matured sharingan. The clouds above shifted, the moonlight shining through. The shadow faded, the figure remained silent, his own eyes looking plainly at the group.

"Uchiha Itachi…" Kakashi said.

In the blink of an eye the genin of the group dropped to their knees as killer intent flooded through them. Itachi's head dropped to the side as his sharingan activated as he looked at the group.

"So you all are here…" Itachi replied simply making Sasuke glare at the older Uchiha. As the heavy atmosphere surrounding them began to lift the genin slowly got to their feet.

Hana's two ninken began growling as Itachi took a step towards the group.

"Don't look him in the eye." Kakashi said watching as Itachi moved closer.

The air grew heavy when the sudden chime of metal on metal bounced off the buildings. Kakashi and Itachi now faced one another, each holding kunais which were pressed together. "Tell me, Itachi where is Naruto."

"…"

Itachi's hand released the kunai, his left hand gripped onto Kakashi's shoulder and his knee raised. Kakashi's own hand grabbed onto Itachi's wrist, pushing up Itachi's arm, Kakashi jumped back avoiding the kick.

"Gai, Hana…" Kakashi spoke motioning to the two Jounin. Itachi jumped back as Gai vanished before him, shocking the genin.

His sharingan watched as Gai appeared above him. Blocking a kick, Itachi was pushed back down onto the ground. Landing on his hands and knees he had hardly any time to dodge a punch. Flipping backwards, Itachi raised his arms, blocking Gai's kicks and punches, blood began seeping from his elbows from the sheer force.

Feeling a presence behind him, Itachi turned, his eyes narrowing when Hana and her ninken appeared behind him. His eyes fell upon her, only after a split second the young women dropped onto the ground.

With his attention turned Gai's fist was buried into Itachi's side sending him crashing into the wall of a building. Sasuke scowled as Itachi's form was pulled from the wall. Before he could take another step Kakashi stepped in front of the group. His dominant hand held out in front of him.

Lightning began surrounding Kakashi's hand creating a loud screeching sound. Kakashi dropped his hand and raced towards Itachi who remained motionless, his back still pressed to the wall.

'Chidori.' Kakashi's hand smashed through the wall sending pieces of cement flying into the air. As the rubble cleared, Gai, who was now carrying Hana saw Kakashi's hand buried deep into the wall directly above Itachi's shoulder, missing the man. Itachi's own hand was grasped onto Kakashi's wrist, he had directed the attack away from himself.

Kakashi grunted as Itachi's grip tightened, looking at the Uchiha, Kakashi's heart dropped when their eyes locked. Itachi's normal sharingan was replaced with a three-pronged wheel.

Suddenly the world around Kakashi vanished. He now hung on wooden planks, his arms and legs bound to them. The world surrounding him was black, the sky above red. A figure stood before him, a black sword in hand.

"Let's see how much you can endure." Itachi spoke before being overtaken by Kakashi's screams.

Kakashi's eyes snapped open, he was still facing Itachi. His wrist was dropped allowing his body to slump backwards falling onto the road with a thud.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

"Sensei!"

Sakura and Chouji called out watching at Kakashi lay unmoving. Sasuke's eyes remained locked onto Itachi, his own two-tomoe sharingan activated. A shiver ran up his spine as Itachi stepped over Kakashi's body and began walking towards them. Even Neji took a step back, his byakugan locked onto Itachi.

'This guy, he's strong…'

Sasuke remained still as Itachi approached him. His eyes wandering to Sakura, Chouji, and Shino who stood on either sides of him.

"…"

A set of kunai came flying towards them at racing speed, but with his sharingan Sasuke pulled out a handful of shuirken successfully blocking the attack. When the sound of bone crunching hit his ears Sasuke spun around.

Chouji sat on his knees, eyes wide in fear, his back faced Itachi his arm was pulled back, the left elbow inverted.

Itachi's boot pressed against Chouji's back, his hand still gripping the genin's broken arm. With another snap Chouji let out a blood curdling scream.

Team Asuma had arrived to the large building and were now making their way inside. The bottom floor was empty, the only object in the large room was a tall steel staircase leading the next floor. Following the stairs to the next floor the group began searching each room. Unknown to them a blue haired female stood floors above, her amber eyes watching them intently.

As time passed, the group who was still unsuccessful in finding Naruto stood in the hallway of the sixth floor, the stench of blood catching their attention. Kiba stepped from behind Kurenai when Akaumaru began barking towards the fourth door leading from the hallway.

"Akamaru says that its Naruto's…" Kiba spoke softly looking to his sensei. Hinata, who stood behind Kurenai dropped her head, tears welling her eyes as she could only imagine what was behind the door.

Asuma nodded, waling to the door he slowly opened it. Immediately the smell grew and as soon as Asuma's eyes landed on the inside he gagged.

The floor of the dark room had taken the color red, the walls covered with bloody hand prints. Metal poles laid scattered around a lone wooden stole sitting the center.

All of the genin and jounin felt like vomiting as they peered around the room, none daring to walk inside.

"Just what the hell happened here?" Kiba croaked out turning away from the gore before him. Before anyone could speak a loud sound shook the floor.

"What do we have here? Intruders?"

Chills ran up the groups spines, turning around a blue skinned man stood behind them a large, bandaged-wrapped sword positioned on his shoulders. A cocky smirk revealing his razor sharp teeth. Instantly Asuma and Hayate readied their weapons, unsheathing their sword and chakra blades respectively.

Kisame's large sword slammed onto the cement floor shocking the genin. Hayate's knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip on his sword. A sharp breath exited his lips as his eyes locked with Kisame's.

"Asuma, you all go, I'll hold him here." Hayate spoke dryly.

Asuma turned to Hayate in shock. "Hayate…"

"Go." Hayate spoke firmly. Asuma nodded, looking to the genin who stood behind him, along with Kurenai the group ran past Kisame who stepped out of the way allowing them to pass.

As soon as Hayate saw the group disappear behind the wall he got into a fighting stance, his sword held in front of his body.

Kisame was slightly surprised when the brown haired man disappeared, pulling his own sword up he narrowly blocked what would be a direct strike to his jugular. Pushing down, Kisame's wrapped sword began to grind against Hayate's forcing the man to leap back.

Positioning his katana in front of himself, Hayate remained focused on Kisame, preparing for the next attack. Kisame ran towards Hayate, his sword lifted above his head. With incredible speed and force, the large sword slammed down. Hayate pushed his own blade up blocking the hit.

Shock spread over him as he began being pushed down, the concrete floor beginning to crack beneath him. Griming as Kisame's sword continued bushing him down, the bandages of the tip of the sword began unraveling. The downward, purple colored scales dug deep into Hayate's shoulder, gouging into his flesh.

Dropping his sword onto the ground Hayate fell onto his knees, his right hand grasping onto the open flesh which poured with blood.

Kisame smirked as he watched Hayate cringe in agony. "You see Samehada isn't like any other sword, it doesn't slice, it shaves."

Kisame's grip on Samehada remained as he walked towards Hayate who was still clutching tightly onto his shoulder.

Momentslater the door to the small room slowly closed, Kisame who's bare, blood covered sword hung loosely over his shoulder walked down the hall. Inside the room a severed, bloody corpse lay.

Team Kakashi stood horrified as Chouji's motionless body was flung through the air, smashing through the glass of a small shop. Neji whose byakugan remained activated rushed towards Itachi, his palms held out ready to attack. As Neji came towards him, Itachi jumped over him, his hand landed on the back on Neji's neck forcing him to fall to his knees.

Spinning midair Itachi pulled a kunai from his cloak and aimed down for Neji who narrowly dodged the attack. Sasuke's teeth gritted as he watched the two fight.

Clasping his hands together a large fireball flew towards were Itachi was standing. Itachi jumped up onto the balcony of one of the buildings dodging the attack with ease. Slowly he turned his head, his eyes locking onto Sasuke's.

Itachi's cloaked form landed in front of Sasuke, another kunai held in hand. Sasuke fell onto his back, his sharingan even having trouble staying on Itachi.

The kunai was swiped down, aiming for Sasuke's neck. A green blur passed in front of him followed by the snapping of an arm. Sasuke watched as Itachi stumbled back, staring blankly down at his arm, a bone protruding from skin and fabric.

Gai stood between the two, his arms held in a fighting stance, his eyes locked onto Itachi.

Itachi straighten up, his broken arm hanging loosely. His head slowly raised, his eyes looking off into the distance.

Another cloaked figure suddenly dropped down landing next to Itachi. His large, bloodied sword catching the group's attention. Hana, who had carried the unconscious Kakashi to the genin watched as her ninken began sniffing the air.

"Kisame…" Itachi spoke.

"What are they still doing here Itachi? Oh, don't tell me, you still haven't told them?" Kisame replied smirking at the group.

Hana's eyes widened as she looked at the blood that dripped from the sword. "Hayate…" she whispered.

"Told us what?" Sakura asked, her voice quiet as she looked at the men.

"So he never told you, your friend is no longer here…" Kisame spoke sadistically.

Shock washed over the group, Sasuke's clutched his hands, nails digging into his skin. Sakura sunk to her knees, her own hands grasping her pants.

"You're wasting your time here, Naruto is long gone." Itachi finally spoke. Kisame turned to his partner before the pair jumped from the street disappearing into the night leaving the broken group alone.

Gai's head dropped as he turned to the group, bring his hand to the ear piece he spoke softly.

On the top of the tallest buildings team Asuma stood silently, their eyes glazed over the horizon. Asuma's own hand held to his ear piece. "I understand…"

The group behind him inwardly cringed as the heard Gai's voice.

Naruto was gone.

Tears fell from Hinata's eyes as Kiba lay a hand softly on her shoulder. Lee was crying as well, his teeth grinding together while Tenten stood motionless behind him, shock overwhelming her. Shikamaru and Ino remained silent as they stood behind Asuma.

Taking a deep breathe Asuma spoke. "We are meeting up with Kakashi at the main gate…"

The group leapt from the tower down on the roofs below as they headed to the meeting point.

The two groups stood at the bridge exiting the village, angst and failure showered over them. Shikamaru was the first to speak when he noticed the missing genin.

"Where is Chouji?" He spoke looking to Sakura whose cheeks were streaked with dried tears. Ino stepped forward as well.

Sakura shook her head. After Itachi and Kisame left Sakura, Hana, and Shino quickly went to where Chouji was thrown. When they arrived Chouji was missing, the only remnant being the shattered glass and puddle of blood.

Shikamaru gave a slow nod before turning away. "We should leave, the weather is getting worse…" He replied plainly.

Ino spun around to look at her teammate, tears threatening to pour from her eyes. "Do you feel anything, Shikamaru? I thought you cared about him?" Ino yelled, her voice rising in anger.

Shikamaru continued walked away, his hand buried into his pockets. Tear silently dropping onto the ground as he walked. The rest of the group silently followed, turning their back from the failed mission.

Sasuke, who stood as the back of the group slowly looked up. The rain had turned to small flakes of snow as the temperature continued dropping. Taking a deep breathe he turned back to the village. His cold dark eyes fell into a trance as snow continued falling around him.

Slowly he turned his back to the village, following the distraught group in silence.

On the roof of the tallest building stood two figures, a male dressed in only ragged black pants and a female who remained behind him. The boy's blue eyes traveled over the buildings squinting through the white snow.

His breathe visible as he exhaled, his pale skin cold to the touch as snowflakes fell onto his bare shoulders, back, and head. A small glimpse of light caught his eyes, turning to a piece of metal that lay on the roof. Bending down he picked up the lost headband his blistered, bloodied fingers tracing over the indented leaf symbol.

His arm cocked back before limply throwing the unrecognized item from the skyscraper. The women behind him remained still, her face blank as she watched the child. Two figures stood on the railings above, a large white bag, stained with blood sat between them as they watched the lost boy.

The innocent child who had once existed was now gone, replaced by another, who like an unused canvas awaited to be painted into existence.

End