Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and do not claim to. This story is merely for entertainment uses only.

Naruto Asunder

Chapter 9:

Sasuke rapidly brought the still sheathed sword up to block Lee's kick and grunted as the force knocked him back down towards the forest floor. He flipped and landed on his feet effortlessly as he gripped the blade tightly. The sheath crumbled and fell away as his eyes glared furiously up at Lee who stood high up in the trees.

"I don't appreciate someone attacking me from behind," Sasuke said.

"It was not an attack. I wanted to get your attention."

"You are beneath my attention."

"And yet, I will crush you."

"And how do you figure that? I am an Uchiha and you can't even use chakra."

"I will show you."

Lightning coursed down Sasuke's blade as Lee blasted straight for him. He stabbed forward and Lee twisted in the air, while he caught his wrist. Sasuke summoned his Chidori Current and Lee yanked his hand back just before the ark of electricity hit it. The Uchiha swung again as Lee drifted helplessly in the air.

"Kyumon open!"

Lee seemed to blur out of existence as the second chakra gate released and the sword cut through his after image. Yet, Sasuke's eyes kept up with him the entire time. The Uchiha flipped through a few hand seals and inhaled deeply.

"Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu."

A barrage of fireballs showered the forest floor and Lee was hard pressed to dodge all of them as he bounced between the ground and the trees. He winced as a long electric blue spear shot at him almost too fast for him to react. It sliced effortlessly through the tree trunk behind him as he flipped backward. He pushed himself high into the air as Sasuke chopped at his arms. Lee kicked off the closest tree and tried to attack, but the electrified current rose up again. He twisted in the air and landed to the side.

"Face it. You cannot hope to defeat me. You can't even touch me, which makes everything you know useless." Sasuke rested his blade on his shoulder. "I have no interest in weaklings, so leave now while I'm feeling merciful."

"Would this be the same mercy you showed Sakura-chan when she released you?"

"I did nothing to her. Orochimaru temporarily gained control and struck."

"You left her alone and dying!"

Sasuke stared emotionlessly at the green clad ninja.

"I had no desire to harm her, but I was not going to help her either."

"There is no difference."

"I will not bother arguing with someone like you. I have no interest in the people of my past. My focus rests squarely on killing my brother and making sure the world reveres the Uchiha."

"The world will not revere an arrogant weakling."

Sasuke's lips twisted up into and amused smile.

"And how does someone like you have the audacity to call me weak?"

"Because that is what you are, and what I will prove."

Lee ripped the flask off his belt and undid the cork at the top. He took a single sip before returning it to its resting place. He smoothly slid into a stance as his muscles relaxed. It had taken a great deal of testing… and caused Gai-sensei to suffer a great number of bruises, but the result was worth it. One part sake to one hundred parts water was the perfect mixture that allowed him to experience the benefits of his drunken state without the… unsavory behavior that had resulted from it in the past. Even as deluded as the mixture was, a single sip still helped him loosen up significantly.

"Seimon open!"

His skin turned a shade darker and he blasted forward again. Sasuke only had enough time to bring his sword up to defend himself. Lee's fist smashed against the flat of the blade and the steel shattered.

"Konoha Daisenpu!" Lee spun rapidly in the air with a deadly spin kick and Sasuke was sent crashing backwards as his skidding body formed a ditch through the ground.

The Uchiha rolled to his feet and his cursed seal raged to life. His skin turned dark grey and a large dark cross appeared on the center of his face. Two claw like wings opened on his back and a shining black Chidori roared to life in his left hand. Lee sprung forward again and they engaged in a series of blocks and strikes. Sasuke attempted to drive the evil Chidori through Lee's body, but the latter managed to mostly evade every attempt. Although, he was still caught in the residual energy the attack produced.

"Enough of this!" Sasuke threw the Chidori high into the air. He made a quick hand sign and it exploded.

He leapt back and Lee watched in horror as the lightning attack surged in the sky and gathered several clouds around it. They darkened as they entered the lightning cloud and Sasuke swung his empty hand down.

"Kirin!"

The clouds burst and a strange lightning beast shot down. Lee's eyes barely had a chance to widen before it was upon him.

"Shomo-."

His command for the fourth gate was cut short as the beast crashed into him. The ground split and twenty feet of forest was leveled in an electric explosion. Sasuke cautiously returned to his normal form as he panted.

"Not as powerful as when I summon a full storm, but it was more than enough to deal with that fool." Sasuke stood tall and walked to the center of the crater.

He heard someone cough and a light breeze pushed away the smoke and dust. Lee was sprawled out on the ground as the last vestiges of the external chakra that occurred with the summoning of the fourth gate flickered and died. His chunin vest was almost completely destroyed and his suit was decorated with burns, rips, and missing patches. He wheezed painfully and clenched his fist amongst the ashes of the ground as he tried to push himself up.

A small scowl crept across Sasuke's face. He lifted his hand and the sound of birds chirping filled the air. Lee looked up weakly and started to reach for his flask. Sasuke was on him in an instant. The missing-nin wrenched the flask from the weak grip and looked it over carefully. He took out the cap and sniffed it before he tossed it to the ground.

"Why?" Lee asked as he reached for the flask. "Why did you fall so far?"

"I never fell... I ascended. While you were playing at ninja, I was learning real techniques and achieving real strength."

"Yet you have abandoned everyone and have even gone so far as to leave someone to die. What good is power if you do not help someone?" Lee grasped the flask and pulled it to him.

"Someone who doesn't know my pain could never understand my path. I have a higher calling as an Uchiha and an avenger, that is all you need to know." Lee flopped onto his back and started to down the contents of the flask in its entirety. "Now enough of this dribble. I've let you have your final moments to make peace. Be thankful for my mercy."

Sasuke thrust his hand down, but Lee caught the arm in mid strike. He took one last gulp and tossed the flask to the side. The taijutsu master's charcoal black eyes stared up defiantly.

"You are indeed powerful Uchiha. You know many techniques, far more powerful than I will ever be able to master. You are a genius and have had legendary teachers." Lee's grip tightened even more so. "However, you have lacked the knowledge that comes through hard work. More importantly, you have neglected the most basic concepts of observation. You dismissed my flask because you personally saw no value to it. What you should have been concerned about Sasuke… was that I wanted it."

"What are you going on about now dead la-?"

"Kaimon open! Kyumon open! Seimon open! Shomon open! Tomon open!" Lee's skin gained a dark reddish tinge as blood pumped more furiously through his body. Wild chakra surrounded him even though he lacked the ability to utilize it. Sasuke's eyes bled into the Sharingan as he tried to pull away and the curse seal started to spread. "Keimon open!"

Sasuke was blasted back and had to use his wings to slow himself so that he could land softly. Lee rose to his feet slowly, as if he was testing his body. The usual fatigue, strain, and lack of pupils that accompanied the gates were absent. Lee's body seemed relatively relaxed despite the power it was generating. Essentially, he had become the eye of the storm.

Sasuke charged his dark Chidori to life and prepared to charge as Lee looked up at him slowly… then disappeared. The Sharingan could keep up with the green clad boy, but Sasuke angrily found himself unable to react as efficiently as he would like. He swung his lightning charged hand, but Lee caught the arm and took the momentum of the attack. He flipped Sasuke face first into the ground.

The missing-nin summoned the current around his body and flipped up onto his feet. A confident smirk grew on his features as Lee glared at the electric current.

"You see you fool! Even with your self-destructive power, it can't help but yield to my Uchi-."

Lee appeared in front of him and launched a bone-crunching barrage of strikes. Knees, kicks, elbows, and fists blasted Sasuke with out slowing. His red eyes widened as he saw the strikes were moving between the arks of electricity. A viscous punch to the center of his face sent him tumbling back. He rolled into a crouch as Lee stood over the top of him.

"Your lightning shield is impressive. However, I see now that the arks are either consciously controlled or set to a rhythm. It is easy to get past with enough speed."

Sasuke's Sharingan spun as he locked his eyes with Lee. However, his face quickly paled as Lee stared back unflinchingly.

"How? How are you not ensnared by my genjutsu? No one can escape my eyes!"

"I apologize, but I do not reveal my abilities to my enemies."

Sasuke went to lunge with a Chidori, but Lee used an uppercut to launch him high into the air. The missing-nin spiraled higher and higher until he was towards the top of the trees. Lee leapt up and bounced from tree to tree in a blur. With each pass, he struck the defenseless Uchiha. Every strike came faster and harder until it stopped suddenly. Sasuke looked down to see his wrists tied up in Lee's bandages. He looked up twenty feet higher and the green clad ninja stared down coldly.

"Konoha Tatsumaki!"

Lee started to spin Sasuke and himself in the air. The Uchiha crashed through any trees that were in his path. The spin increased as the Uchiha was swung helplessly from the end of the bandage made rope. Lee clenched his teeth and forced his exhausted muscles to increase the speed even further. The two became a circular blur as the wind started to twist and rapidly follow them. The wind grew louder with every cycle until a terrifying howl echoed through the sky. A massive twister churned around them, pulling whatever it could into its vortex.

Lee shouted out and gave one last all powerful swing that sent Sasuke spiraling down headfirst at the speed of the twister straight into the ground. The helpless body was drilled through the earth as the winds surrounding it tore apart the ground increasing the size of the current crater. Sasuke finally stopped and could only look up in half dazed horror as Lee fell towards him like a meteor.

Lee landed on the Uchiha with the points of his knees and elbows. Blood escaped from Sasuke's mouth as rocks were kicked up into the air and his body was pushed further down. The impact was so great that the force caused Lee to bounce and land flat on his back fifteen feet away. The battlefield slowly settled and all that could be heard was Lee's ragged breathing.

He stared at the sky as he panted heavily. His muscles ached worst than they had in a long time. The diluted sake helped keep him relaxed when opening the gates, which prevented a great deal of the damage, but six gates still took a heavy toll on him. He doubted he'd be able to move for a week.

He rolled onto his stomach and shakily looked up as the dust cleared. Sasuke remained on the ground motionless aside from shallow pain induced gasps. Lee frowned. The traitor was still alive and he didn't have the power to finish him off. The hair stood up on the back of his neck as he felt a presence enter the field. His eyes widened as a figure appeared next to the Uchiha's body. His bandaged body didn't match with the speed and grace with which the old man moved. Lee recognized him as soon as the man turned… Danzo.

Two Root members landed next to the old man and hoisted Sasuke out of the hole.

"Wha- what are you doing?" Lee renewed his struggle to stand as the war monger stared down at him.

"It is far too dangerous to let this boy wander about with Orochimaru's cells in his body. Your Hokage has already proven herself ineffective at being able to keep the boy in check. You have done a commendable job in serving your village." Danzo turned back to Sasuke. "However, the rest of the world must believe the Uchiha was destroyed."

"You're going to experiment on him!"

"Be content in your next life knowing you helped shape the future of Konoha."

One of the Root went to move forward, but everyone froze as the forest shook with a chilling roar. Two red chakra claws tore through the trees straight for the group of traitors. The Root agent dropped Sasuke as they and Danzo barely had a chance to dodge. The claws engulfed Sasuke and Naruto walked into the crater. A lone red tail swung slowly behind his chakra cloak.

Naruto stared at his chakra claws as Sasuke's Sharingan blazed to life and attempted to stifle the demonic energy. A panicked expression plastered itself on his face when the claws only squeezed tighter.

"Sorry Sasuke, but that won't work in your weakened state. You can't run anymore."

"Uzumaki put him down." Danzo said as his Root looked ready to attack.

"Sorry, but I won't let Orochimaru's regenerative abilities fall into your hands you traitorous bastard." Naruto gave one last sad look at his old friend. "Goodbye Sasuke. I'm sorry for failing you."

"Uzumaki stop!"

"Rasengan!"

Sasuke screamed in agony as the energy within the claws spun. A human sized Rasengan took shape around the traitor, and instantly, the body was reduced to nothingness. Naruto swung the Rasengan at the remaining three traitors. They dodged as the giant sphere exploded; leaving no trace that Sasuke had ever been in it.

Naruto ran over to Lee and picked him up while he wrapped the battered ninja's arm over his neck. He leapt back as one of the agents lunged for him.

"Bastards," Naruto mumbled as he forced chakra to his feet and tried to kick the masked attacker.

"Naruto-kun, you can't fight them while carrying me."

"Shut up Lee. I'm pissed at you enough as it is, so I don't want you playing hero."

Lee let his head hang limply as Naruto landed in a cloud of dust. The agent jumped back to Danzo's side quietly.

"That was beyond foolish Nine Tails."

"It's better than letting you gain the means to repairing your injuries. You're a big enough pain in the ass as you are now."

"I tire of your insolence. It is time I rectify Sarutobi's mistake in letting you live."

The old man tapped his cane on the ground confidently, as if he were giving some form of signal. Danzo and his men looked puzzled for a moment as a feral grin stretched across Naruto's face.

"What's the matter? You lose something you old fart?" Naruto chuckled and brought his hand up into a familiar cross shape sign. "I'd love to beat you down, but unfortunately, Baa-chan will want to know what's happened.

The chakra molded around his fingers easily, but the moment the technique was about to activate, it dissipated into the air. More specifically, it was sucked from his hands. He slowly turned his head as his eyes widened. A toothy shark like grin beamed down at him as the blue skinned missing-nin lifted his sword high in the air.

"Hiya brat!"

Jiraiya dusted his hands off happily as the final Root member in the forest fell to his feet. He'd rounded up all of them and had his toads imprison them in their stomachs. He doubted they would talk, especially given the cursed seal on their tongues. However, it was always wise to keep potential pawns in play. You never knew when it could come in handy.

He leapt off towards the sounds of the battlefield. The fact that he could sense the battle this far out was impressive. The Uchiha made sense, but Gai's student keeping the fight even really impressed him. Although, the stupidity at charging off alone was all too similar to his own charge. A frown tugged at his lips. Naruto had learned a bitter lesson today, and it was one that no one ever wanted to. You can lose loved ones at any time, even to those you are trying to help. It was something most ninja would experience at least once. The younger generation was lucky that it was isolated, instead of rampant like war time. Regardless of when, it still wasn't easy to deal with and many shinobi were scarred irreparably by it.

However, he had faith his student would recover and gain even more determination… if that was possible. A chuckle that he had forming died on his lips as he felt a new chakra enter the battlefield after Naruto's. It was like an explosion that matched the other Jinchuriki. He'd felt that chakra before and it wasn't easily forgotten. He pumped more chakra to his feet as a small spark of panic flickered in the back of his mind.

Kisame Hoshigaki was without a doubt the worst possible adversary Naruto had out of the Akatsuki. It wasn't because the missing-nin was extremely powerful. No, it was because of that blasted sword of his. Jiraiya didn't know how, but the Samehada could disrupt and devour chakra within an unknown range. Given that all of Naruto's attacks were close range and made purely of chakra… it meant that aside from hand to hand combat there was little, if anything, his student could do. The other more troubling problem was that Itachi Uchiha wouldn't be far behind.

Naruto dodged to the side as the bandaged sword swung down with ridiculous force. He nearly lost his footing as the ground cracked where the sword impacted. The shark man's grin grew even wider and he lunged forward. Naruto tossed Lee high up in the air and summoned a clone to catch him. The clone gave a nod and grabbed the airborne ally before he took off towards the village. Naruto tossed a brief glanced over at Danzo and his cronies. Lee had to make it back to the village in order to tell Baa-chan about what had happened. With his testimony and Jiraiya's backing, they could deal with Danzo for good. However, he was sure the bandaged man wouldn't let that happen.

"Hey pay attention you little bastard!" Kisame said as he swung again.

Naruto cursed as he ducked and flicked a kunai into his hand. The wind element poured into the blade and lengthened the edge. He swung, but his eyes widened as the chakra dissipated once again. Kisame laughed and kicked Naruto square in the gut. The blonde gasped out as the wind was knocked out of him and he bounced across the ground. He grit his teeth and flipped onto his feet. Damn it, he'd have to use that. Without even asking for it, the fox poured its portion of the mixture in.

A purple fox shaped cloak of chakra covered him effortlessly and two tails emerged. The air swirled around him as he crouched down. Two other clones materialized next to him, each had a cloak with a single tail. One turned and lunged after Danzo while the other began to shape the chakra in Naruto's outstretched palm. A massive orb quickly took shape. The clone grinned and took off after the other one, while Naruto charged forward. Kisame mirrored the motion enthusiastically.

"Yoko: Odama Rasengan!" Naruto thrust his hand forward and clashed with the bandaged sword.

The attacks fought against each other evenly for a moment before the Rasengan stared to give. A shocked expression spread across Naruto's face as the spiraling ball and his cloak were sucked into the sword. He didn't have a chance to yell as the sword swept under his arm and caught him cleanly in the chest.

His body could only make a giant snap.

Kisame watched happily as the blonde soared across the landscape and landed in a heap. The happy grin slowly turned into a frown as he started to walk forward.

"Only seventy feet? Damn, I was hoping for at least ninety."

Naruto lay crumpled on the ground and wide eyed as he tried to suck in a breath. His ribs and chest had been shattered, while his right lung had literally popped. What the hell had happened? He was sure that the Rasengan had been stabilized, so why? Was it that sword? Red chakra started to seep from his body and he could feel the damage starting to mend. As the pain lessoned, he tried to come up with a plan.

He craned his neck as he heard two pops behind him. The clones had been destroyed. From their memories, Sasuke's brother had done it and was staring down Danzo. He had no idea why, but as long as the old bastard was being stalled he didn't care. With a wince, he started to pull more chakra from the Kyubi. His bones felt like they were almost ready to mend when the accursed sword was plunged into the ground by his head. Immediately, the healing stopped and the chakra was stolen from him.

"Now, now, I don't want you healing up to much. As much fun as it would be to fight you, I have my orders." The blue skinned man looked up. "Hey Itachi, forget about the old guy and let's go!"

Naruto struggled to sit up, but the man looked down at him sadistically and brought his foot up. He stomped down hard on Naruto's face with a sickening crunch, and the world went black.

Itachi stared down impassively as Danzo's guards moved in front of their master. He wasn't concerned with them. They had already been caught in his genjutsu. If they became a nuisance, he could activate it at anytime. He turned his attention to the one man more responsible than any other for ruining his life. Well, that may not be the most accurate summary. The Uchiha had brought their fate down upon themselves. However, this man was the one who, uncompromisingly, ordered their destruction. Danzo, the leader of Root and quite possibly the most corrupt man in Konoha.

Itachi had made it an effort to know as much as possible about the old man. Danzo had, on numerous attempts, tried to take control of the village through any means necessary… often at the expense of someone else. Even the invasion of Sound was laced with his presence. After all, nothing went on inside the village's walls without that man knowing.

In some ways, Itachi understood Danzo. The man was so loyal to Konoha that he would destroy every last living thing to keep its walls standing. The problem arose from his unwillingness to compromise. For him, death, retreat, and subterfuge were the only means of securing control. It was why he felt only he was fit to be Hokage, and it was why the man had done so many horrible things in his quest for that position.

"You were a fool not to listen to me Danzo." Itachi said as he felt Naruto's chakra rise suddenly. "I warned you not to harm Sasuke."

"And I did not."

His Sharingan flared to life.

"These eyes see through your treachery. I know you were behind the incident that occurred recently. It would also not surprise me if you let Orochimaru take him in the first place."

"Assumptions and accusations hold little value when coming from a missing-nin."

"They do with a Hokage's backing."

Danzo stiffened ever so slightly. It was well hidden as always, but when the man cracked open his one good eye, Itachi knew he had struck a chord. He knew it was a risk to speak freely, but he no longer had the strength to remain silent.

"Sarutobi has long since passed on and so has anyone willing to help you Itachi. You are a missing-nin and will remain as such. Besides, we both know you will not put the village you slaughtered your family for in harms way."

"Yes, you speak the truth. I still am concerned with Konoha's safety. However, you did not head my warning, and for that, you will pay the price."

"You intend to kill me then?"

The two Root agents shifted forward and Itachi lifted a finger. They stopped in mid-step as if paralyzed. Danzo slowly lifted his hand towards his bandaged eye.

"There is no need for you to reveal your diseased eye. I will not kill you. Like Orochimaru, you would find some way to run."

Danzo relaxed slightly and his hand dropped back to his cane.

"What purpose do you have in confronting me then? Are you merely keeping me distracted so your partner can collect the Nine Tails?"

"No, I am here to tell you that you will not be returning to Konoha. I have personally delivered a scroll detailing everything that occurred in the past to the Godaime Hokage. Every failed coup, secret dealing, and traitorous action you have committed is now in her hands."

"You are a poor liar Itachi. There is no way to have knowledge of any of these alleged dealings. Besides, that woman's word against my own would have little merit."

"In the world of Tsukuyomi, the sealed tongues of your agents become rather loose. And as far as the Godaime's word, given Jiraiya-san's and the young ninja's report on what occurred here today, it should help authenticate it."

"No more than casting suspicion on me and having me watched."

"Yes, but you should have realized the Sandaime was never unaware of your actions. He just chose to tolerate them, but provided a means to stop you if necessary. The Fire Daimyo had been alerted by the Sandaime many years ago, that if I ever were to send him a scroll with information related to you, the Daimyo should value it highly."

Danzo gripped the top of his cane tightly.

"You mean?"

"Yes, if he hasn't read it already, the Daimyo is reading about your exploits. With the backing of two Kages and Jiraiya of the Sannin, you will be executed for treason if you return to Konoha."

"Hey Itachi, forget about the old guy and let's go!" Kisame called out from across the battlefield.

Itachi hid a frown as he saw his partner standing over the broken form of the Kyubi's Jinchuriki. He turned to walk away as his genjutsu dispelled, but paused as Danzo called out to him.

"I will claim my rightful place as Hokage Itachi. Do not think your actions will prevent me from gaining that position."

Itachi looked over his shoulder. The red eyes of the Sharingan stared down menacingly.

"Flee Danzo. Get as far ahead of your sins as you can, because they are coming to destroy you."

He strode away from the old man as he saw Kisame hoist Naruto onto his shoulder. His eyes drifted over briefly to where his brother had finally met his end. There was nothing for him now. No way to atone through death, or hope for his brother to redeem their family. There was nothing… but Akatsuki.

Hinata felt as if ice water had been dumped into her lungs. Jiraiya's words endlessly repeated themselves in her head. Akatsuki had Naruto. It was such a simple but overwhelming statement, a simple phrase that had earth shattering meaning behind it. She knew of what almost happened to Gaara, everyone did. All chunin and jonin had been told of the Akatsuki. They had been told that Naruto was one of their targets. And it had filled her with joy that they had been determined to keep their fellow ninja safe.

However, now the mood was not so uplifting. Lee was in intensive care, although he was stable. Sakura had been killed within the safety of Konoha's hospital. Naruto was captured and the extraction process could occur at any time… a process that would end up killing him. She looked around at the somber group in the waiting room to the Hokage's office. Shikamaru, Shino, and Sai remained silent as they leaned up against the far wall. They were both lost in their thoughts. Kakashi kept his nose buried in that perverted book of his. But she knew all of their attention was on the door to their leader's office, where she and Jiraiya were fiercely discussing their options.

Today had started out on a high note with Naruto asking her to stay with him. Her depressed mood from the night before had been significantly uplifted. So, it was not the news she had been expecting when Kiba had come barreling into the training ground on Akumaru's back. All she had been told was that Sakura was hurt. She had run as fast as she could, but by the time she got there Sakura had already passed on. Hinata had listened in a daze as the head doctor explained everything that he new. Her only focus had been staring at Sakura's still form… and the white sheet they were draping over her.

Tsunade-sama took over the story after the doctor finished. Apparently, Orochimaru had used highly acidic venom that reacted too quickly for even Tsunade to stop. It didn't poison the body. It corroded, no melted it. The fact that Sakura had lasted as long as she did was a testament to her astounding ability. Hinata didn't want to think about what she had gone through.

However, what had broken her from her daze was that Naruto and Lee had charged off on their own. She would have done the same if Tsunade hadn't forbidden her from doing so. Instead, they had returned to the office and waited. They discussed what had happened in more detail, and the final moments Naruto and Sakura shared. It was cut short when the missing-nin Itachi Uchiha had appeared.

It had informed them that it was a clone and dropped a single scroll on the table before dispersing into a flock of crows. Hinata had watched as Tsunade cautiously opened the scroll and read. Her hazel eyes had grown wider as they dropped to each new line. Hinata had remained silent, since it was not her place to ask, but her curiosity had still skyrocketed.

Tsunade had finished a moment before Jiraiya blasted through the window. He'd said that he found Lee hanging limply from a tree branch like he had been dropped… like a clone carrying him had been dispelled. The toad sage had surmised what had happened in moments and returned back to the village. Tsunade had ordered Hinata to gather her new team and Kakashi before locking herself in her office with Jiraiya… two hours ago.

Lee watched the sun set slowly in the horizon as his room steadily grew darker. He knew he should be resting, but the fact that the clone carrying him had disappeared suddenly made him worry. Jiraiya's tense mood when he found him did little to ease it. Nor did that strange shark man in the Akatsuki garb.

I'm pissed at you enough as it is!

He clenched his hands into the sheets. Had he been wrong in going off by himself and fighting Sasuke? Was that why Naruto was so upset with him? Or was it the fact that Naruto could not claim revenge that had him upset? It didn't really matter. The blonde was the one to end the life of their one time comrade. Lee had failed to do even that, to spare his friend of that pain and responsibility.

He shook his head and looked around the room. It was empty. Just like that time after the chunin exams. Lee looked down at his hands. Naruto had visited him when he didn't even know him. In just a few meetings, the blonde had considered him a friend. It had left an impression and a sense of gratitude that had grown as he matured. Kindness… it was such a simple act. Yet, as he grew older, he began to realize how precious it was and how freely his friend gave it.

A thought dawned on him. Naruto was kind.

I'm pissed at you enough as it is!

Naruto wasn't saying that he felt robbed or betrayed. The blonde was saying he was worried about him. He was relieved he hadn't been killed by the traitor.

Lee relaxed slightly at that thought. He rested his head on the pillow and stared up at the ceiling. Why wasn't Naruto back yet?

Itachi watched as Kisame threw the boy on the ground in their hidden cave. Several figures moved from the shadows and circled around the battered blonde. Konan, Pain, and Madara were all there in the flesh. For so many of the Akatsuki to gather in person, it alluded to the importance of what was happening. Naruto twisted up weakly towards their faces and scowled.

"You morons suck at decorating your clubhouse," Naruto coughed out.

Itachi could tell the boy was in immense pain. Kisame was sadistic like that. He'd let the boy have just enough chakra to keep him alive, but not enough to recuperate. He watched silently as Madara crouched down and cocked his head to the side.

"Aw, the little boy is trying to be tough." He patted the blonde on the head. "Tobi likes you!"

"Get away from me."

"Tobi thinks you're afraid."

"Yeah, well Tobi is a dumb ass."

Itachi watched as Madara's child like façade almost slipped. However, the ancient Uchiha held it together and stood up.

"Can do the cool thing now?" Madara asked.

Pain shook his head.

"The beasts must be extracted in order," the leader said. "Besides, the process will take longer than three days with Sasori and Deidara gone."

"But, Tobi thought only the sealing had to be in order?"

"Yes, but we have no place to house the Kyubi's spirit if we extract it."

"Oh Tobi knows!" The disguised Uchiha waved his hand excitedly over his head. "We can make a box to put it in!"

Kisame snorted back a laugh. Itachi watched silently as Madara looked over at him expectantly. It was a silent order.

"With my Sharingan, I could fortify a sealing statue to temporarily house the Nine Tailed Fox. It would keep the beast sedated until the rest are sealed, and it would also help speed up the extraction," Itachi said. He glanced up at Pain. "Could you summon another of the extraction statues?"

Pain stared at him intently for a few minutes before glaring down at Naruto. His Rinnegan made the man seem even more imposing. However, Itachi noticed the boy glared back with just as much intensity. The blue eyes didn't show a shred of hate, just determination and a promise to fight until the end. It almost made him take a step back. How could this child, battered and beaten, continue to look up at them unflinchingly? They were the same eyes his little brother had at one time… so long ago when they were a family.

"I could summon a smaller one as long as you are confident you can control the beast Itachi."

"I am."

"Very well, we can begin in an hour once Kakuzu and Hidan arrive. All of us being here in physical form will help expedite the process."

Kisame stabbed his sword into the ground and walked over to Itachi as the others started to walk out to various caverns.

"I told Samehada to keep nibbling at the kid. I'm going to go get something to eat. You coming?"

"No, I will remain here and make sure nothing happens to the Jinchuriki."

"Suit yourself."

Itachi watched Naruto silently as Kisame walked out. The blonde looked up at him and his lips curled up into a snarl.

"What the hell are you looking at?"

"You are unpredictable Naruto-kun, and my target. It would be unwise not to give you my full attention."

Naruto winced as he tried to move, but the sword must have pulled at his chakra harder because he quickly paled and became still again. Itachi sat down on the cold stone floor silently. Minutes passed in the dark cave and only Naruto's painful wheezing could be heard.

"I'm sorry, about Sasuke," Naruto said as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Why do you apologize? He was your enemy, and I have cut off ties long ago."

"Because he was your family and that doesn't change."

Itachi blinked in surprise. An apology was not what he expected in a conversation such as this, especially a sincere one.

"Do you hate me Naruto-kun? If it were not for me, Sasuke would have stayed in Konoha. Was he not your friend?"

"I don't hate you. I don't like you for sure, but I don't hate you. Sasuke made his own choices, and I gave him more chances than I should have." Naruto gave a pained grin. "The truth is. If he hadn't killed Sakura, I would never stopped trying to save him."

"So he murders one person and you give up?"

"No, Sakura was different. Sakura was the one person in this world that would have sacrificed everything for the good in him. She was determined to save that one last spec of decency in his soul. The fact that he left her to die showed that he had fully made his choice. After all, if he could have left someone like that to a painful death, what could I have done to change his mind?"

The room fell silent again, and despite his vast intelligence, Itachi couldn't come up with an answer.

It was long after dark when the door opened to the Hokage's office. Hinata's head almost popped off as fast as she snapped it around. Jiraiya waved them into the office and they all filed in quickly. Tsunade looked weary as she sat behind her desk. It was a look that everyone in the room shared. Jiraiya shut the door and the Hokage climbed to her feet and looked out across the village behind her.

"I am sorry for keeping all of you waiting. There are a number of issues that hold great priority to the village, and unfortunately, they had to be discussed before I could assign you a mission."

"Hokage-sama, with all do respect isn't going after Naruto fairly straightforward?" Sai asked. He winced when she shot a glare at him. "I'm sorry. My tongue is a little less weighed down now that the seal has been removed."

"Normally you would be correct Sai, however a great deal of information has come to light and my forces are limited. It made the selection for a rescue team difficult."

"Are we not the rescue team?" Shino asked.

"Yes, but you five are not enough. We believe that a large number of the Akatsuki have gathered in one place. One or two members are usually dangerous enough, but Jiraiya has received reports that there may be up to four in Fire Country."

"That would require at least four squads comprised of a jonin and three chunin each," Shikamaru said as he rubbed his chin. "Or a smaller squad with ninja of comparable strength to the Akatsuki members."

"Yes," Jiraiya said with a nod. "But as stated earlier, other matters require the majority of the ninja forces. And honestly, Tsunade and I are the only pure S-class ninja here… no offense Kakashi."

"None taken."

"And we can't leave the village," Tsunade said. "Honestly, we can't even spare all of you."

"Hokage-sama, you act as if you still haven't made a decision," Sai said and once again received a glare. "Who is going after Naruto and when do we leave?"

"Sai-kun," Hinata turned to him before Tsunade could retort. "Please show Hokage-sama a little more patience. She is trying to tell us her thought process as a sign of respect." She turned back to her leader. "You are afraid you are sending us on a suicide mission correct, Sensei?"

Tsunade looked shocked for a moment before a weary smile crept up on her lips.

"That sums it up nicely Hinata. Yes, apart from personal feelings, if Naruto was not a Jinchuriki I would have a tough time justifying this mission."

"Then we are lucky are we not? How do I know this? Because we have an excuse to go rescue our fellow leaf-nin." Shino walked toward the center of the room. "As I do with all teammates, I have placed a female bug on him for tracking purposes. It would be wise for me to be a part of the rescue team."

"You need a jonin to lead and my dogs will be able to provide backup in the tracking department." Kakashi snapped his book shut and pocketed it. "I also request to be on the team."

"I will also be accompanying them," a voice called outside from the window.

Everyone turned to the familiar figure with red hair and a gourd on his back.

"Gaara of Suna, what are you doing here?" Tsunade asked. "I sent the messenger hawk only eight hours ago."

"It arrived three hours ago. I molded my sand into a large bird and flew. It was… improvised, but successful."

"I can't in good conscience ask the leader of our ally to go on such a dangerous mission."

"I'm not asking for permission, Hokage-dono."

Tsunade sighed in annoyance, but nodded her head in consent. She cast one last look at Hinata. The message was clear to the girl… do not volunteer. Hinata had a guess as to why. While she paled in comparison to Sakura, she was a good medic-nin and whatever her leader had planned would have need of her. As much as it hurt, she couldn't be selfish. She would have to place her faith in the others and wait for Naruto-kun's safe return.

"Sai, I am putting you under Jiraiya's supervision until Kakashi returns. Shikamaru and Hinata, summon all available ninja to the council room. I don't care about rank. The rest of you, good luck and bring the knuckle head back."

Naruto was jostled awake. He hadn't realized exactly when he had passed out, but assumed it wasn't long ago. His head tilted to the side. He was levitating above the ground in some kind of reddish aura. Why was he in a floating bubble? A large stone statue rested on the far wall. Its ten stone eyes were closed tightly and various cloaked figures stood on its outstretched fingers. It looked so familiar to him, but he couldn't put his finger on where he had seen it before.

He rested his head back. The pain had lessened substantially. Actually, he couldn't feel much of anything… kind of like a dream. It was peaceful in a way. Wait, why was he in pain before? He'd been fighting someone and gotten hurt. A sharp roar from the Kyubi in the back of his mind snapped his attention out of its stupor.

"Oh cra-!"

The aura surged and he erupted into a silent scream that shattered his existence.

Author's Notes:

Please Read and Review.

Well, I can honestly say that this is one of the longest fight scenes I have ever written. Not even the final scene in my book was that long.

I hope that you enjoyed the chapter and that everything was explained enough. As far as Sasuke, I wanted to portray him as the aloof and Uchiha focused character he was at the start of Shippuden, with the darker and more twisted nature (from the current manga) creeping just below the surface.

A couple quick updates. I don't have to be at the dojo next week so I will have more time to hopefully write something other than Naruto. I do enjoy this, but I have three original stories that need some attention. (Not to mention I need to find time to do a final edit on my book) Anyway, if anyone has been reading the others I appreciate your patience and I hope to have everything going again soon.

Also, I will be adding a Naruto Asunder section to the WSE Forums if you want to check it out.

See you next week.