A/N: Just wanted to say thanks for everyone who's reviewed so far. I'll try and write a new chapter each week, but no promises. Finals are coming up. And for the record, this story is not a retelling of the manga. I'm following the manga, but doing it my way.
Chapter Seven: The Battle Begins
Naruto and his team stared Itachi Uchiha in his non-Sharingan eyes. Every time Naruto had seen him, he had always had his Sharingan activated.
"Something's not right."
Kakashi edged closer and he drew a kunai from his waist pouch.
"Leave this one to me. I owe him for last time."
Kakashi nodded and Naruto sighed.
"Be careful Kakashi-sensei."
The rest of the group rushed back and into the trees to continue their journey towards the mountains. Kakashi sighed. He knew they could handle the mission without him.
"Where's the real Itachi?"
Itachi sighed and he shrugged.
"Nothing gets past the great Kakashi. I still can't let you pass here, since you sent the children away."
Itachi brought his hands up into several seals and he took a deep breath before bringing his hands up in front of his face.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Itachi shot small balls of flame from his mouth, forcing Kakashi to dodge.
"Basic Jutsu like that will not work on me."
Kakashi had already prepared for the fight ahead of him. His headband was off his left eye and he was already forming seals of his own. He saw the lake behind Itachi and he smiled through his mask. If I can just lead him to the lake, I can end this fight swiftly. Kakashi raised his hands into a string of seals and he pulled his mask low.
"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!"
Kakashi carefully controlled the amount of flame he used and he positioned himself between Itachi and the lake. Itachi could not dodge left or right due to the trees on both sides. He jumped backwards and he landed on the surface of the lake. Itachi sighed.
"Basic Jutsu will not work on me either, Kakashi."
Where Kakashi stood was now just a puff of smoke.
"What? A Shadow Clone?!"
Itachi turned around and he saw Kakashi behind him.
"Water Style, Water Dragon Jutsu!"
From the water rose a dragon shape and Itachi braced himself for the incoming blast. Itachi took the blast head on and he was thrown back against the nearest tree. Kakashi followed and he charged his hand for a Lightning Blade.
"This is the end."
He said and he plunged his hand through Itachi's right lung, puncturing it, causing the Uchiha to splatter up blood. Itachi began to convulse and shake, and where Itachi's face was moments ago was now the face of a completely different man.
"I thought so."
Kakashi said nothing further and he leapt into the trees, ready to pursue his advancing teammates. He summoned Pakkun and he let the dog guide him to his team.
Naruto and the others pushed forward until they reached their destination. When the trees gave way to the mountains they were greeted by a welcome sight. Team Gai was waiting for them. Neji, Lee, Tenten and Gai were in the clearing ahead. All of them had tears in their clothing and marks on their face. Gai was breathing deeply.
"Where's Kakashi?"
Gai asked. As if in response to his question, Kakashi dropped down into the clearing.
"Sorry about that. He was more trouble than he was worth. It looks like Akatsuki is even more dangerous than we thought. They can clone people and give them the host's abilities."
Gai nodded.
"We ran into some difficulty as well. I met Kisame on my way here. I barely managed to pull off a win, although I went a little overboard."
Gai said this and he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Kakashi now noticed how exhausted he was.
"How many?"
Gai looked him in the eyes and he spoke frankly.
"Seven."
Kakashi went wide eyed.
"You leave the rest to us. If you push yourself, you could end up like Lee did years ago."
Gai nodded and he sat down.
"I know. It was kill or be killed, but I won, and everyone is safe. That's all that matters."
Lee offered his shoulder to Gai, which he graciously accepted. Neji looked at Hinata.
"Why are you here?"
Hinata cast her eyes aside. She still could not stand up to her cousin. Naruto met Neji's gaze and he spoke to his friend.
"Because we need her."
Hinata blushed and she looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"They needed a Hyuga, so I came along. But now since there's two of us, we'll be even more formidable."
Neji did something he rarely did. He smiled.
"Just be careful."
Kakashi broke up the reunion and he sighed.
"Sorry to break up the reunion, but have we tracked down their location?"
Hinata snapped back to attention and she used her Byakugan.
"They're inside the mountain, but it is guarded by some sort of huge boulder. I think we have to move that rock before we can get in and rescue the Kazekage."
Sakura stepped forward and she slipped a small glove onto her hand.
"Leave it to me. Afterwards, follow in with a buttonhook entry."
Sakura drew back her fist and she punched the boulder as hard as she could. At first, it simply splintered. But then it just cracked straight down the middle. As soon as Sakura had broken the boulder, an explosion to the right had Naruto, Kakashi and Hinata running towards it. A blonde man laughed.
"Too bad it's just me and Sasori-no-danna here. If you want the Kazekage, you'll have to go through us first."
A small hunched over form creeped out from behind the now destroyed boulder. Sakura and Chiyo stepped forward with TenTen to face the other.
"Neji, Lee, you're backup for Naruto and I."
Everyone nodded. Naruto lunged at Deidara with a punch, which he easily dodged.
"You'll have to do better Kyuubi boy. You're next, once I defeat you."
Kakashi stepped forward.
"He's an explosives expert, Naruto. Just stay close to Hinata and leave this to me."
Naruto hated playing second banana while others fought, but he didn't have a choice.
"We'll back you up as best we can."
TO BE CONTINUED…
