Hi everyone, I would like to start this chapter with an apology for taking an age to do this chapter. I have been looking for work which at the moment is really hard. I also lost a good friend who sadly passed away during the writing of this chapter.

Warning: This chapter does contain strong language. (Just thought I should add a warning, just in case)


Chapter 9

Escaping The Serpents Embrace

The extraction room looked very different from before, the most notable thing being the a giant hole in the floor Kabuto used to make his escape. This latest battle Made Naruto's fight with Madara look like a school yard scrap. Now almost nothing remained of the extraction room. Although the skirmish last no longer than a few seconds, Kabuto's attack left its mark on the previous battles, Tsunade couldn't ignore her injuries ad keep fighting. Instead the brave woman fought through the pain and patiently waited for to be healed.

Two of the the injured ninja were covered in a thick blanket of white slugs. As always, Tsunade put her comrades lives above her own, ordering her summon not to touch her until both her comrades were healed. Once Shizune and Sai were both healed, the slugs moved on to Tsunade next. The multiple bodies merged into a much larger body. "Sai and Shizune's injuries were all minor." The slug placed herself over her summoners body.

Shizune soon joined the took quick action. However, her mentors constant fidgeting didn't make Shizune's job any easier. "You need to keep still, Tsunade-Sama." Her assistant ordered.

Ignoring her assistant's warning, Tsunade still tried to force herself to move. But even the slightest movement felt impossible. Admitting defeat the Gondime allowed the slug to heal her. Kabuto's latest actions, had infuriated her even more. "That son of a bitch," she cursed. As much as it pained the woman to admit it, she'd been caught completely off guard by the former spy. The blonde woman began silently scolding herself. "I'm supposed to be one of the most powerful shinboi, and yet I been tricked like a Genin."

Sensing her mentor's distress, Shizune tried to comfort Tsunade. "Try not to out yourself down, Tsunade-Sama." Shizune said softly. "If it wasn't for you, things could have been a lot worse." She reminded. As soon as Kabuto attacked, her mentor had summoned Katsuyu to her side. Without the slugs help to drive off Kabuto things could have been a lot worse.

One of Katsuyu's multiple bodies joined in. "Shizune-Chan is right, lady Tsunade." The slug agreed.

Concerned for the rest for her comrades, the Godaime neck to look cheeking suffering from any symptoms. To Tsunade's relief, nether Sai or Shizune appeared effected from the gas. Sai stood guard, while Shizune did her best to heal the Hokage.

As she began to feel her injuries healing. With nothing else to do, Tsunade decided to ask the Sai what they thought of the encounter with Kabuto. They'd already known about the wanted criminal joining Madara, however, they knew next to nothing about the medic's new abilities. "We should have had intelligence on Kabuto so we could prepare for this kind of scenario." She thought. "Sai, did you ever see Kabuto summon that creature before?" She asked.

Sai wished he could help in some way, filled with regret the pale ninja shook his head. "No, it wasn't like any of the previous summoning creatures we've seen in the past. Yamato and I never saw Kabuto in combat. It was properly an experiment that Kabuto made in a lab." Sai concluded.

As bleak as the situation looked, Sai still tried to offer Tsunade some comfort. "Don't worry, Naruto's got Kakashi, Sakura, Yamato and Sasuke protecting him. I'm sure Sakura can punch her way through anything, Kakashi and Yamato will have already come up with a strategy and as for Sasuke, I'm sure he'll help. That's if he's not fighting Naruto that is." Emotionally challenged teen hoped adding a joke would help ease the woman's concerns.

It seemed to work on Shizune beilved most what Sai said, couldn't help but doubt the Uchiha. Not even Sakura seemed keen to let Sasuke join them. A little surprised her mentor didn't prevent Sasuke following them herself. "Do you think we can really trust Sasuke?" The medic asked. "You even said you didn't trust him yourself."

Sai watched as his superior seemed to mull over her words. "If you really suspect, Sasuke's behind all this, then why did you Sasuke go with them?" Sai asked.

The question Tsunade remembered why. The Hokage summed up her answer in. "Because for some reason, Naruto does." She said. Tsunade turned her head towards the hole that Kabuto used to escape. Tsunade silently prayed for her Gaki's safe return. "Naruto, please be safe." She prayed.


Meanwhile back in the tunnels Kakashi and his team now face Kabuto and his new weapon

Fixated on taking his revenge Kabuto. "See Naruto, I promised I wouldn't let you get away that easily." The deranged medic licked his lips as he spoke as if he could taste blood in between them. Kabuto stared down menacingly at his chosen prey from atop the head of his summoned snake. Despite the medic's best efforts he'd been unable to stop his arms bleeding. "As long as this doesn't drag out, I can just kill Naruto here."

The giant reptile rose up and puffed out its hood. while the end of its tail looked more like a rattlesnake.

"Who in hell is that?" Sasuke wondered. Able to summon snakes himself, Sasuke tried to figure out the animal's identity. The vast catalogue in his memory, but Wasn't like any summoning he'd ever seen. Once a ninja fully masted the art of summoning, the caster could summon a range of snakes to choose from. Rattlesnake's and Cobra's were just some of the many species. But the avenger had never seen a snake with both characteristics.

Even an experience ex-ANBU like Kakashi, couldn't believe his eyes. "Orochimaru. horror at what lay before him, The Jónin whole life hadn't seen a snake this large before. Faced with such an enormous foe, the copy-ninja began to worry about the fate of Sai, Tsunade and Shizune. The Jónin started picturing all three comrades fighting for their lives. Before panic even got a chance set in, Kakashi forced the grizzly images out of his mind. "There's no way, Kabuto defeated Tsunade-Sama." He told himself.

snapped out of his daze until Sakura asked. "Kakashi-Sensei what is that?"

Nether Kakashi or Yamato could give question he had never seen this type of snake before he doubted if even Orochimaru could have identified this species.

Kabuto sniggered "How rude of me let me. introduce you to my friend he is called Manda and as you might have noticed he is like no other snake you have encountered. In both appearance and in battle but I'll let you see that for yourselves. The answer to your question is he is a new breed of snake that I stumbled across a while back. He is a cross between two snakes; my former master and Sasuke knew the original quite well."

When Sasuke looked more closely, the Uchiha noticed. He'd been so distracted by the snakes appearance, he'd failed to spot the purple and black markings or its green eyes. The colossal serpent looked exactly like Orochimaru's summon-only twice as long. He'd killed the arrogant reptile died after using the space-time jutsu to escape from Dedira's explosion. "How can that , there's no way Manda survived that blast." He told himself.

Amused by Sasuke's reaction, towards his new snake Kabuto explained. "Allow me to introduce you all to Manda two," he began. "As you can see, I've made a few adjustments to his clone. It took a few attempts, but after extensive research and merging cells and countless operations until we had the end result."

Manda's clone eyes flickered as he glanced down at Sasuke.

No matter how frightening the snake seemed, The ANBU-captain didn't let his guard down for a second. "What happened to the original?" Yamato asked.

Sasuke quickly answered Yamato's question. "Manda, died during a battle with one of the Akatsuki." He explained.

From a medical stand point, Sakura wasn't impressed with the awful creation. "It's just horrible and cruel. People shouldn't meddle with nature like this." She said.

When the purple snake wagged his tail, it let out a hissing sound.

When the noise reached Naruto's ears, the boy's body shuddered in Kakashi's arms. In awe of the snake, the Jónin had all but forgot about his ill pupil. Somehow his student managed to sleep though most of the explosion. Even though Kakashi could feel Naruto breathing against his neck, but he'd much rather watch his unpredictable student leap into battle. "Naruto's never been out this long before," noted. "Don't worry, I'll get you through this." He promised.

Naruto's little whimper caught Kabuto's attention. The medic spotted the Kyuubi-host, sleeping in Kakashi's arms. "Aww, I see Naruto-kun's still not feeling well," He cooed.

Somehow, Kakashi resisted the urge to laugh at Kabuto's feigned concern. "I'm sure a homicidal-maniac, like yourself, took such good care of my student." His retort wasn't exactly professional, but the Jónin just couldn't help himself this time.

Orochimaru's former underling, smirk turned into a sneer. "I don't think you're in any position to criticize me, Kakashi." The medic said flatly. "Surely you've noticed your student losing weight, lethargic, abdominal pain, trouble sleeping and of course you'd notice the signs of the seal breaking." He finished.

The shocked look on the copy-ninja's face, told the ex-spy everything he needed to know. "Oh yes Kakashi, the seal's been weak for sometime now. I'm not sure how it happened, but it seems that the seal became damaged. The Kyuubi's chakra leaked out, and began poisoning the host's body. The body's natural response, chakra supply was redirected towards healing. But unfortunately this meant Naruto couldn't suppress the fox anymore. Effectively the nine-tail's was killing Naruto."

The first sound they herd the awful sound of screaming. "Please! Stop it hurts." The voice begged. "Sensei! Sensei!"

Next they heard Kabuto as he taunted their friend. "Aww, I think the monster's in pain."

Despite repeatedly telling himself it was just a recording, hearing his student calling for him, upset Kakashi greatly. Unaware when he started unconsciously pulled Naruto closer towards him.

Even from the top of his summons head, Kabuto could see the anguish plastered on their faces. Enjoying the hold over them, Kabuto continued to mock the group of ninja. "I've got quite the collection of recordings now." The medic boasted, licking his lips. "This is just one of my many favourites. But nothing compares to hearing him beg for death." The serpent boasted.

Angered by Kabuto's claim, Sakura the vile medic a firsce the a glare. "Naruto would never beg for death, you liar!" She yelled.

The former leaf spy smile only seemed to grow even wider. "Are you quite sure about that, Sakura?" He challenged, "Why don't I show you."

"Your voice sounds a lot like Sasuke, but he doesn't care what happens to me. Don't worry I'll be dead soon, Anyway I'm just a monster I deserve this." The second Sasuke heard the first sentence, he knew what was about to come. Until that moment Sasuke never suspected they'd been watched that night. Then it dawned on the teen, that night been no coincidence. "I'll bet anything, they wanted me to find Naruto that night." He thought angrily.

Next they heard Sasuke's voice, although much more frantic than the Uchiha remembered. "What are you talking about?"

"Even your eyes are like his. If you were really Sasuke, then you should just kill me now. Before I hurt someone else." A blanket of silence seemed to descended, only the occasional hiss from Manda two. Their troubled thoughts were broken abruptly by a small voice called out to them. "I'm sorry."

All three Shinobi looked at Naruto, eyes were glassy from his fever. "I knew I couldn't stop the fox anymore. I just thought it would be better for everyone, if I just died. I'm sorry I'm such a coward sensei." The blond said, before passing out again.

The distraught Jónin could only stare at the boy in his arms. In the space of a few seconds, he'd heard his student admit he'd wanted to die and learnt he'd been sick far longer than he original thought. What truly upset the man more than anything, was the fact he hadn't noticed. "I'm the one that failed to protect you, and yet you're the one apologising." Kakashi thought. "Even though you were sick you still came on this mission, that makes you the bravest person I know." After the copy ninja, held Naruto closer to his chest.

Interrupted By a strong malice. The ninja braced themselves for Kabuto's attack, only to realise the killing intent came from Sasuke. The raven appeared more angry then the entire team put together. While he'd been incapacitated all he'd wanted to do was destroy Kabuto. And now the recovered avenger could finally slaughter the sadistic medic. "I was Naive to let you live before." The Uchiha sated, as he unsheathed his sword.

The sage, looked gazed at Sasuke slightly taken aback by his rage. The medic cocked his head to one side. "Pay for what, Sasuke-Kun?" He said innocently.

Kabuto's response only angered the teen even further. "I'm going to enjoy watching you suffer the same way you tortured Naruto." He stated. "How could you make him beg like a dog?" Fixated on killing the missing-nin, that Sasuke failed to notice when Naruto started to whimper and fidget.

This time Kakashi suspected his injuries weren't the cause of his student's distress. Even he felt slightly threatened by Sasuke's chakra. he could almost feel the raven's anger and hatred. Both Yamato and Kakashi suspected that Naruto found that malice unsettling. "Sasuke, you need to calm down." Yamato ordered.

As expected, Sasuke paid no heed to the captains's orders.

Kakashi knew his student well enough to know words alone wouldn't reach the boy when he was in this state. Just like Kabuto, Kakashi was just as surprised by Sasuke's reaction. In all the time he'd known usually stoic-teens rage, with this in mind, the jónin tried a slightly different approach. "Sasuke The Jónin warned trying to make see how his actions were effecting Naruto.

If Sasuke hadn't seen Naruto squirming in Kakashi's arms, the avenger would have happily ignored his former sensei's order. Slowly he calmed down, his susanoo didn't completely vanish, but the malice decreased dramatically. Sasuke reached across and gently ran his hand through Naruto's hair. Naruto responded by snuggling his hand. "Hmpth , idiot." Sasuke mumbled.

Before he could ask if Naruto Manda's clone and Kabuto went into action and like Kabuto said it was going to be ;like no other battle they had faced before.

On Kabuto's command, the hybrid rose up, and began building pressure into its fangs. As soon as Manda's clone was ready he took aim and launched its attack. "Cobra style: Venom Spray jutsu." The snake expelled the substance from his needle-sharp fangs.

Even though they were startled from being caught off guard everyone managed to jump out of the way and just in time. Lucky for them the venom only covered a short distance. Kakashi landed a few feet away from Sakura and Sasuke keeping his distance from Kabuto. Kakashi was surprised to hear a hissing sound coming from the front. Saw just how potent the venom was. they'd just stood moments the ice and rock dissolved before their eyes.

While in mid-air, Kabuto threw kunai at Kakashi. Obvious that Kabuto's main objective, was to capture Naruto again. Unable to perform hand-signs Kakashi felt vulnerable. "I can't counter with Naruto in my arms like this." Thankfully for Kakashi, the throwing starts were stopped in their tracks by a large piller of wood.

Yamato using his wood-Justu to protect the pair. "Don't worry Senpai, you just protect Naruto. We'll handle the rest." The ANBU said as he threw two shrunken deflecting another pair of kunai knives with a metallic clang. Yamato vowed to correct his mistake. "Not this time, I'll protect you Naruto." He promised.

Felt so grateful and proud of his friend's support. Kakashi could only give him the thumbs up for now.

"Don't forget about me." Sakura said as she prepared her fists for battle.

The raven doubted they'd be capable of taking on such a monster without his knowledge of snakes. Prepared to fight, Sasuke activated his sharingan. With his activated Kekkei-genkai activated Sasuke could see with the help of his sharp eyes to find the reptiles weakness, "You two take care of the snake, and don't get in my way Kabuto's mine." Sasuke warned.

With Yamato and Sakura's support, Kakashi felt more confident he'd be able to protect Naruto. Kakashi stared in awe and fear at the sight of this new threat never had he seen such a dangerous substance come from a summoning animal before. Before Kakashi could relax another barge of attacks followed the first. "Venom gas" This time Manda expelled gas from its mouth.

As the purple mist crept towards them, Kakashi took quick action. Surrounded by many tunnel entrances provided a quick escape route. "Everyone retreat into the tunnel, now!" The copy-ninja ordered.

As the group fled, Sakura noticed something familiar about the acidic smell. "Where have I smelled that before?" Then it hit her. As soon as the woman remembered, quickly sounded the alarm. "That's the same poison that Sasori used against me when I fought him. Whatever you do, don't breath it in." She warned.

Kabuto his fellow medic's deduction skills. "Very good Sakura," he praised. "As you already know, Sasori was my one of my mentor's. It seemed only fitting to give Manda's clone the same poison. Of course I've made a few adjustments to the recipe." He added.

While they all ran down the tunnel Sasuke spotted a small opening in one of the side walls. "I just need to keep Kabuto and that snake busy." Armed with a plan, Sasuke signalled to his three comrades. "I need some cover," He explained.

"Sasuke, actually asked for my help." Before she could get lost in the moment, Sakura lunched a exploding tag to temporally blind their perusers.

Blinded by smoke didn't faze the medic for a moment. "You think this is enough to stop me?" He asked. "Manda here doesn't need his sight to find you." He could see the group running away in the distance. With his prey in sight, Kabuto charged down the down the tunnel.


After a long and anxious wait, the snake finally to pass them by chasing the clones down the tunnel, nobody dared to move or even breathe in case they were herd. When they were suer the snake had passed them. "Looks like my genjutsu worked." Sasuke thought.

Kakashi looked over to Naruto he seemed to have cooled down a bit since applying the ice pack to his feverish fore copy-ninja looked for a place to set his young charge down but in such an enclosed space.

Seeing his former sensei struggling to find room, Sasuke came up with an alternative idea. "Just put him on me," Sasuke offered.

Kakashi gently placed Naruto on Sasuke's lap. Allowing Sakura the room she needed to work.

While Sakura scanned Naruto, she also checked her patient responsiveness. "Naruto, can you hear me?" She called. After three failed attempts, Naruto slowly opened his eyes. Although they only opened half-way, it was still a relief to see Naruto's blue eyes open for a change.

Seconds after waking up, Naruto anxiously cheeking his surroundings. When the blond saw sitting beside him, the blond became even more frantic. "Kakashi-Sesnei, Captain-Yamato's hurt. We were ambushed by villagers attacked us. You need to go back and help him." He cried.

"He doesn't know where he is." For once, Kakashi didn't know what to say.

On this occasion, Yamato steeped in to help. The ANBU-Captain gently rubbed Naruto's hair. "It's ok Naruto, I'm fine. Kakashi-Senpai rescued me as well." He promised.

They all watched as let out a long sigh. "Really, that's great." He said tiredly.

The blond's delirious state, wasn't the only thing worrying Sakura. "Naruto's breathing sounds a lot shallower and slow compared to a few moments ago." After listening to describe Sakura wanted to find out if Kabuto was telling the truth. She'd only scanned Naruto for less than a few seconds, when the medic already detected poison. "This can't be, how on earth did I not notice?" Like She felt like she'd failed as a medic and friend.

Putting her anguish to one side, Sakura carried on with her exam. "Tell me, how you're feeling?" The asked. "And don't lie," the medic added.

"I feel a little cold," Naruto admitted.

Sakura smiled. "That's ok, I'm sure Sasuke can keep you warm while I talk to Kakashi Sensei." Naruto did as she said, and leaned into Sasuke's shoulder.

"Is there anything we can do for him?" Kakashi asked.

Without medical supplies there wasn't much the medic could do. "The best thing we can do is get him to Tsunade." She said gently.

Yamato asked the burning question on everyone's mind. "Is it true what Kabuto said before?"

The Chuunin sighed with dismay. Delivered her diagnosis As simply as possible. "Kabuto wasn't lying. There's poison in Naruto's blood stream." That wasn't the only bad news. "When ever Naruto uses the Kyuubi chakra, like an open wound. The longer we stay here wasted time, the more chance he'll pick up an infection." She turned to her team mates and they nodded they

With time of the essence, Kakashi pressed Sasuke for information. "Sasuke, you've know Kabuto longer than any of us. I need to know everything you've about him."

Able to summon snakes, Sasuke knew every species and their weaknesses. "Without direct sunlight, I doubt Kabuto's monster can tolerate the cold for very long." He noted. While discovering an animals came easily, but when the raven tried to think of Kabuto's weaknesses it wasn't as easy. "If he were normal, Kabuto wouldn't be much of a challenge, but now that he's absorbed Orochimaru's cells, there's no telling what he's capable of." Sasuke thought.

While Sasuke muddle over this thoughts, Kakashi and Yamato patiently waited for a Sasuke's reply. The pair could see the raven was struggling to come up with a solution. Absorbed in the silence everyone jumped a little when Naruto spoke again. "Scars." The blond whispered the word so quietly that only Sakura heard. it.

At first, the concerned medic assumed Naruto was just rambling again. No matter what she thought, Sakura did her best to comfort her sick team-mate. "Your burns are extensive, but it's far too early to know if you'll be scared." She said, hoping this would be enough to reassure Naruto.

The blond shook his head. "No..there's scars on that snakes tail, Sasuke and Kakashi could use their sharingan to locate the parts were he would be the most weakest." He explained, speaking much louder than before.

As Kakashi listened to Naruto's plan it seemed to make perfect sense, except for one small detail. "How did you see those scars, when you were asleep most of the time?" The copy-ninja asked. In such dark conditions, Kakashi couldn't help but wonder how his student had noticed such a small detail. "If we go through with his plan I need to make sure he'd thinking clearly." Kakashi asked unable to hide his surprise in his voice.

With everyone listening, Naruto began to explain. "I've seen that ss...s..nake before," the teen stuttered. "Kabuto used that...that...thing during one of his experiments. That tail kept making a noise, it felt like my ears were being crushed. I just wanted it to stop..." Naruto covered his ears As if he was hearing it again.

Yamato didn't want Naruto reliving too much too soon. "That's enough for now Naruto, you just rest and leave Kabuto to us." He said." Naruto went back to leaning on Sasuke's bare chest.

Whenever flinched when Naruto's feverish body came into contact with his cold skin. Ever since listening to Sasuke began feel responsible for Naruto's condition. Started to wonder how different his life would be now, if he'd made a different choice. "If I'd stayed, Kabuto wouldn't of even dreamt about trying to kidnap you." He thought, the past few minutes hadn't suppressed his desire to tear the medic's throat out. "I'll make that bastard pay for what he did to you." Sasuke promised.

Sakura quietly watched Naruto as he slept comfortably on Sasuke's lap. Without his shirt on, the Chuunin could clearly see the raven's well developed torso. Even though it wasn't professional, Sakura couldn't help but feel slightly jealous of Naruto. Of all places Naruto could fall asleep, he'd ended up in the one in the place she could only dream of being. "Naruto, you lucky son of a bitch," she thought.

"Sasuke we need to move." Kakashi called.

Quickly waking up from his imagination, Sasuke gave the Jónin a small nod and went to sit up. But as soon as he moved, Naruto wrapped his arms around Sasuke's waist tightly. "Oi, Your not taking Sasuke-Kun away from me." The sleepy blond said.

The forced his urge to shove teen grit his teeth, Sasuke went to reassure his friend "Dobe, we don't have time for this, Kabuto..." Sasuke paused stopped suddenly. "Did he just call me.." He most of all was shocked to hear Naruto of all people to use an honour fic and the end of his name. The raven just couldn't resist. "Why Naruto, I didn't know you held me in such high regard." He teased.

Naruto's eyes shot open when he realised what he'd said. "I-um-er I- just- meant I was just dreaming." He lied only to realise he'd dug himself an even bigger hole.

Armed with this new information, Sasuke's smirk grew even wider. "So not only do you call me Sasuke-Kun, but you dream about me too?" he accused.

Naruto snorted. "I only dream about you sometimes and when I do I always beat you in a fight." He lied. Some were a little.

When the ANBU captain thought back to that night Yamato just couldn't hold back the laughter. "A little, he calls for you all the time. Oh Sasuke-kun, I miss you so much please come home." Yamato was able to imitate a convincing girly voice. "He even sleeps with your old headband." The wood user added.

Now that Kakashi was certain about Naruto's feelings, whacked his comrade over the head. "Sorry about Yamato, he appears to have inhaled some of that gas." He explained.

But Sasuke wasn't the least bit annoyed, quite the opposite in fact the Uchiha was thankful that no-one could see him blushing. Just picturing Naruto sleeping with his headband was brining on a nose bleed. Before anyone noticed, Sasuke cleared his throat and tried to remain stoic. "Hmpt, why would you even keep that old rag?" He muttered. "Go back to sleep before your fever drives us all mad." He ordered.

Too tired to argue, Naruto went back to resting his head on Sasuke's chest. Within seconds the blond went back to sleep.

The nice moment was short with they could hear the sound of Manda's clone slowly searching the tunnels. With the snakes sense of smell it would wouldn't take long for the snake to find them. As they approached the group could hear the medic trying to Naruto out of hiding. "Naruto, come out-come out wherever you are." Kabuto chanted.

With the duo hurtling toward them they needed to put Naruto's plan to work. "Yamato, Sakura. As soon as Kabuto passes us take Naruto and leave." Kakashi ordered scooping Naruto out of Sasuke's arms-much to the raven's dislike.

While Yamato accepted his orders without question, Sakura wasn't so keen on leaving Kakashi and Sasuke alone with such a strong opponent. "You two can't possibly handle Kabuto and that snake alone. Let us help you." She begged.

Sasuke shook his head. "No, Kakashi and I are the only ones with Sharingan." Battle strategy wasn't the only reason, he wanted Sakura out of the fight. "Besides, you're our only medial ninja, Naruto needs you." Sasuke reminded.

Remembering her duty and training, Sakura nodded. "You better both come back." She warned.

The copy ninja smiled warmly. "Don't worry, I'll make sure Sasuke's on time." Kakashi promised. With that the two ninja set off.


Sasuke and Kakashi ran back towards the large hall they where in before then further away they lured Sniper and Kabuto the safer Naruto and Sakura would be. Both ninja got into position and ready with their sharingan ready to spot any weakness.

They waited apprehensible for Kabuto's arrival it seemed to take a life time for him to burst through the opening smashing the entrance open. Once the rocks and dust settled they could begin to put Naruto's theory into practice.

Sasuke quickly awakened his eyes determined to find Snipers weak point so he could protect Naruto and get him home. Naruto was right about the scars, the rattle snake tail had been so far used. But it was clear by the chakra running along the snake's body that the tail was not connected properly only a small amount of chakra was getting through to the tail. Also a long scar seemed to run down the middle off the snakes belly.

"Kakashi!" Sasuke called to his sensei.

He too could see. "I can see it Sasuke, wait for an opening and we will attack together it will take all of are strength to break through this summoning."

Kabuto looked down at Sasuke. "Oh, you haven't seen half of our power yet." Kabuto nodded and turned his attention to the remaining ninja in front of him. "Kakashi, Sasuke remember when you both fell victim to Itachi's genjutsu remember the torture that you both endured. Well this will be one hundred times worse soon you will beg for death just as Naruto pleaded when I did this to him in one of our little sessions."

"Rattle snake style: mind torture-jutsu."

When Manda's clone began to rattle it's tail, nothing happened at first. Kakashi and Sasuke began to wonder if the jutsu had failed. Then Kakashi felt something warm trickle down his face and hands. He raised them only to see scarlet blood dripping from his hands. He couldn't be suer but he knew more was coming out of his mouth as well. Then the pain started Kakashi clenched his abdomen and screamed it was like someone reaching in and crushing his organs one by one. He knew it was just an illusion but his mind and body made it feel real.

In a heartbeat Sasuke darted over to Kakashi's side. as he keeled over on the floor, Sasuke watched as he began to convulse wildly of the floor. Sasuke watched in horror as he seemed to bleed endlessly from every part of his body. Sasuke looked down at his fallen teacher with rage and horror as Kakashi's screams grew louder.

Remembered Naruto described what the snake did to him. "So, you did this kind of thing to Naruto?" Sasuke asked, barely able to keep his cool in front of Kabuto.

Kabuto didn't even attempt to hide his pleasure. "Yes, although very I'm surprised he even remembers much about it. he pretty much just begged for it to be over just as you will soon." The S rank criminal promised.

"What do you mean by th-" Sasuke's question was cut short by an agonising pain in his chest he could understand why Naruto had pleaded for death. This was far worse than Itachi's genjutsu at least you could pass out in a coma afterwards. The pain seemed to go on forever.

"Now that I'm holding Kakashi and Sasuke hostage Naruto's bound to come out." Put his plain into motion. "Naruto! If you come out now and surrender quietly, I'll let them go and kill you swiftly. If I feel like it."

Manda abruptly stopped rattling. A second later, the serpent let out a painful yowl of pain throwing Kabuto off his head.

When the noise finally stopped, Sasuke's body relaxed. Once the raven's thoughts cleared, he wondered who or what saved them. "Kakashi...did...he..make...it stop?" He wondered. Kakashi lay just a few feet from him. Sasuke turned his head towards the fight, only to see Naruto stabbing the serpent's tail with a kunai. The raven's eyes widened with horror. "No...that...idiot's..going to...get himself killed."

By a gently voice by his side. "Sasuke-kun, are you alright?" Sakura rushed over quickly helping them to the feet Kakashi had taken the worst of it and was very shocked he was also shaken next to Sasuke was panting heavily. Sakura checked Kakashi over and determine he was fine and only worn out from the effects.

The pair raven watched Naruto hold his ground. Quietly Wondering where this sudden burst of strength came from. "Seconds ago he couldn't even move, now he's fighting." More importantly, Sasuke wanted to know why they were here in the first place. "We just gave you escape, why did you come back!"

Sakura told him to be quite and explained what happened "It wasn't my idea," she said looking at Naruto. "He wouldn't let us leave you." She said.

It all made sense to Sasuke now. "Even now he's still protecting me."

Naruto had awakened to the sounds of Sasuke and Kakashi's painful screams he tried desperately to get free of Sakura's strong grip he knew what was happening to them and the pain they were going through. He says that suffered many experiments so many that he had forgotten what happened. But this one was by far worse just the sound of that snakes tail had driven Naruto mad in a few short moments. That did explain why he flinched when he heard the sound tail at the beginning of there encounter.

His strikes with his wind nature. After one more slice the tail finally detached. "Now you'll never hurt anyone again." Naruto promised. desperately held on to Sniper trying to get rid of the tail trying to stop any one from suffering the same fate as he and his friends had suffered.

Writhing in pain, Manda's clone repeatedly swung his tail trying to throw Naruto off. After another good swing, the weakened blond lost his grip and fell to the ground, landing only a few feet away from the giant serpent.

Before Naruto got the chance to recover, the purple snake wrapped his huge coils around the blond's body, preventing him from escaping. No matter how much Naruto struggled, the Kyuubi host just couldn't free himself from of Manda's tight grip. "If I'm going to die here, then I need to tell Sasuke." Fearing his end Naruto looked down at his secret crush. Before he'd been unable to give Sasuke his message, "Sasuke, I'm sorry. I couldn't save you." He gasped.

Horrified to hear Naruto say it again, Sasuke's jaw clenched as he tried to get to his feet. "Shut up! I'm going to get you out of there." The raven could barely crawl. Unable to get to up, the raven turned darkly to Kabuto. "Let him go" the Uchiha ordered.

Unmoved by Sasuke's plea, Kabuto even felt confident enough to laugh at the Uchiha's demands. "I appreciate your offer, but as I said I no longer bare any grudge against you." But the medic still wanted to know why Sasuke to save Naruto so badly. "What I really want to know is, Why you're so determined to save Naruto?"

"It doesn't matter why I want to save him." Sasuke snapped as he tried to get up. "Make that freak let go of him." He ordered.

Both Kakashi and Sakura watched Sasuke as he staggered to his feet. Nether of them needed to know The teen's efforts alone, showed just how desperately Sasuke wanted to save Naruto. Kakashi didn't say anything and watched as his student for his friend.

"If that's your answer, then there's no need to draw this out. Let's watch Naruto die together." With a simple snap of his fingers, Kabuto ordered his creation to kill.

On his masters order, Manda's clone began to constrict his prey.

As soon as the coils tightened around his body, Naruto gasped as he desperately tried to pull in air. Every time the teen breathed out, the coils got even tighter. In no time at all, Naruto found himself unable to breath. "I...can't...breath.." he thought. In contrast to his last brush with death, Naruto desperately fought for his life. "No..I...don't...want..to..die." The teen silently begged for someone to intervene.

Even as Naruto chocked for air, Kabuto continued to taunt the dying Jinchuirki. "I wonder how much longer his body can bear. Can you hear the sound of your bones breaking?" He asked.

They all felt powerless to help, it made worse as they could hear Naruto's struggles getting quieter.

Just when they lost all hope, thick Wood burst from the ground and wrapped itself around Manda's neck. Try as it might, the serpent couldn't break free from the woods tight grip. With a twist a sharp snap echoed through out the cave. When the wood vanished, the lifeless snake fell heavily to the floor. Naruto slowly slipped out of the experiments limp coils and into Yamato's waiting arms.

Kabuto looked less than pleased to see his precious clone lying dead on the floor or Naruto lying inside Yamato's arms. "No! No! No!" He shouted.

Even with his medical skills, he'd lost a lot of blood from his arms. Now he'd lost his new snake to back him up Kabuto had nothing else to use. "Don't think you've won yet Sasuke," The scorned man warned. "Once I'm fully healed, I'll be back for both of you. Next time our paths cross I'll make sure you both suffer." With that the sage disappeared in a puff of smoke.

With Kabuto gone, Kakashi staggered to his feet. Every few steps, the Jónin body was racked by spasms. Kakashi bravely ignored his pain, no jutsu would prevent the determined copy-ninja from getting to his student. At last the Jónin was able to get to Naruto's side. "Is he alright?" Kakashi asked, failing miserably to hide his concern.

As much as the ANBU wanted to his friend some good news, Yamato couldn't be certain and shook his head. "I'm not sure, I think he's breathing." He said. You didn't need a medical to see Naruto didn't look well. The former ANBU-Captain gently laid the unconscious teen on the ground. "Naruto, can you here me?" The Jónin asked.

A few feet away, Sasuke also struggled to stay on his feet. unsteadily on his feet and stumbled towards the pair. When the raven finally got to his side, Naruto still wasn't responding to Yamato.

Overcome with fear, Sasuke pulled Naruto into his arms and tried to wake the blond himself. "Oi, Naruto!" Sasuke called. "Stop fooling around, and just open your eyes, right now!" He ordered hoping to sound authoritative, but came out like begging. Not only did his rival didn't move and he felt so cold. It didn't matter anymore, Naruto was dead for real this time. The raven pressed his fore-head against Naruto's. "I can't loose you too, I'm not strong enough, Usuratonkachi." He whispered as softly as possible.

Lost in his grief, Sasuke didn't hear the stern voices ordering him to release Naruto's body. It wasn't until he felt someone grab Naruto's arm. that the Uchiha reacted. Their attempts to remove Naruto, quickly turned into a game of tug-of war. It took the combined efforts of Yamato and Kakashi to separate Sasuke from Naruto.

Even then the copy-ninja still needed to restrain Sasuke away from Naruto's distress. Upset Sasuke tried to get out of his former sensei's arms and tried to return to Naruto's side. "No..let me go." Sasuke snarled as he fought to free himself.

As much as Kakashi understood Sasuke's pain, he needed to give Sakura room to work. "Sasuke, you need to let Sakura examine Naruto." His explanation did nothing to calm Sasuke down. Due to his exhaustion the copy-ninja lacked the strength to hold the frantic teen back.

Ignoring the commotion around her, Sakura focussed on her task and scanned her team-mate's body. While she worked, all the dangers of crushing the human body flooded her thoughts. "That snake's powerful grip could have easily broken a rib or punctured his lungs." She thought. Crushing the body also cut off the blood supply the internal organs. To the young-woman's reilfe, her initial exam none of these things, but that still didn't mean they could relax. "Naruto's alive, but he's very weak. We need to get him to Tsunade-Sama straight away." She pointed out firmly.

Sure enough, when Sasuke took a closer look he saw Naruto's chest rising and falling softly. Relief washed over the raven's entire being. "Thank Kami." Sasuke thought slumping to the ground.

With Naruto passed out from his injuries, the ANBU Captain carefully lifted Naruto into his arms. "We need to move now." He ordered.

Kakashi gazed at his friend over to him grateful to see that his student was safe and alive. The copy-ninja couldn't even begin to express his gratitude towards Yamato. If it hadn't been for his comrades quick thinking, Naruto would have died. "You did well." The Jónin praised.

On another day Yamato would have rejoiced at the praise from his mentor, but He shrugged off. "I'll explain later, for now we need to get Naruto to Tsunade."

Kakashi agreed and they followed him down the tunnels silently nobody wanted to talk about wha they had seen or heard in those tunnels for now.


I've made a lot of changes to this one.

The fight scene needed major improvements. I'm not very good at writing fight scenes aren't my strong point, but I hope its not too bad. I also removed Ibiki and replaced him with Yamato. (Yay, more screen time for our favourite Wood-User)

Again, I wrote Sasuke WAY too emotional in the original. Also I did change the summoning every so slightly, He went from Sinper-Manda two and doesn't speak (Which I think was a good idea)

If you liked this chapter, please could you take the time and leave a review. Thank you