Hey we're back. Sorry it's been so long! Anyway back to the story.

Choji's pov.

My vision was fading in and out. Colors that weren't there were floating just beyond my sight. Everything was silent...the birds were singing but I couldn't hear them. My body felt like lead and I didn't have the energy to move. My hands, my legs, my arms...just...everything...i couldn't move anything at all. My blood was flowing more slowly. My heart was slowing down. Just when I was about close my eyes and slip into the dark...a shadow stood over me. I looked up at the source but the only thing I could make out was a blurred figure. It Knelt down next to me and I closed my eyes, thinking it was over for me.

Suddenly a warm sensation spread throughout my body. I heard a voice say, "You can rest easy now kid. You did a good job. Get some sleep."

I opened my eye's one last time. All I saw was a rabbit mask. I finally gave into the call of sleep now knowing I would be able to wake up.

Neji's pov.

I felt a chakra signature closing in on my location fast. How was I to survive another fight? I had barely survived the last one. I stumbled to my feet, ready to fight till my last breath. Blood dripped from my open wounds and a dizzy spell almost brought me back down to my knees. I didn't let it. I forced myself to stand still until it passed. A figure blurred into the clearing coming to a stop right in front of me. I started to charge forward only to trip and fall. I tried to get up again only get as far as my hands and knees. Coughs racked my body.

"Just calm down pretty boy. I'm not here to fight you. God Cat would kill me in I fought you in the sorry state your in now. I would never hear the end of it."

I looked up to see an Anbu wearing a mask bearing the markings of a leopard.

"Rabbit will be here soon to patch you up. However we can't stay long. It will be up to you to get back to the village."

It lapsed into an awkward silence.

"And how exactly am I suppose to return to the village?"

"That's not my problem kid. It's yours."

It lapsed into another awkward silence. The Anbu mumbled something under her breath.

"What did you say?" I asked curiously.

"Every awkward silence an emo baby is born."

Before I could respond another Anbu landed in the clearing. It looked as if Rabbit had arrived.

Kiba's pov

I was worried sick. I wasn't sure if Akamaru would make it back to the village. I was pretty sure he wouldn't make it. Kankuro had walked of to give us some time alone. I heard the bushes to my left rustle. I threw a kunai into it. "You know, it's rude to throw kunai at allies."

An Anbu stepped out of the bushes, my kunai twirling around her finger. It took me a moment to place where I had seen her before. It was the same Anbu from the training session, "You!"

She smirked or I think she smirked...(HARD TO TELL WITH A FRICKIN' MASK ON HER FACE!). I growled at her, "what do you want! Can't you see my best friend is dying here!"

I heard a snort from her direction, "I'm not about to let him die...not after finally teaching him how to use a litter box."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!" I yelled at her.

She approached me and carefully took Akamaru from my arms, "I'm not about to let him die..." The tone is serious and yet somehow the way she said it made me feel warm. I believed her...

Her forehead pressed up against his and a soft glow surrounded him. I was amazed as some of the wounds started to heal. Soon only minor injuries were seen. Akamaru opens his small eyes and stared up at the two of us. I could almost feel the tears of joy welling up in my eyes.

For a moment everything peaceful...it didn't last long.

My head snapped to the side as I hear the sound of air being displaced. A kunai was heading straight for Akamaru. I only had enough time to turn around. At least that way the dog in my arms wouldn't be harmed again. Then the kunai finally made contact...but I was surprised not feeling any pain. I looked over my shoulder only to see the Anbu standing there. Her mask was chipping. I watched it split into two pieces and fell to the ground. A few drops of blood dripped on the ground. Had she really jumped in front of that for me?

With one with swift move the kunai, that now lay still on the ground, was snatched up and sent flying back. It flew through the air and straight through the assailants neck...he died instantly. I held breath as the body fell fell to the ground. The Anbu stood there staring at the body for several minutes...i approached her slowly and moved to face her. I gasped when I saw her face. "S...Sam?"

She looks startled for a moment and then froze. She tried to cover her face. On an whim I grabbed her hands...i slowly moved them away from her face. We stared into each others eyes and I leaned in slowly. Our lips met and we kissed. It just felt...right. The moment was broken far to quickly. She pulled away from me half frightened. She tried to explain herself."I...I..." She gave up, pushed me away, and took off. I watched but didn't follow.

Shikamaru's pov.

"Your mine!"

This was it. My shadow stangle jutsu had failed. I closed my eyes, accepting my defeat. Suddenly I heard a voice shout, "Not so fast girly!" I opened my eyes to see and Anbu kick the sound ninja right in the face. The Anbu landed in-front of me, facing where the sound ninja was getting to her feet.

"You'll pay for that Konoha ninja!"

"Don't make me laugh kid. I could kill you without using a single jutsu!"

"You and what army!"

Is I watched a squirrel climbed up onto the Anbu's shoulder. The sound ninja laughed. "You think some stupid rodent can help you!" The squirrel angrily chattered back at her.

"Now you did it girly."

"What the hell are you talking about."

Another squirrel appeared climbing up the tree and onto my shoulder. I looked at it and was surprised to find a cunning intelligence in its eyes. The sound ninja laughed again.

"So you have one more rat. What difference is it going to make."

"I don't just have one more squirrel...I have an entire army of them."

"What-t!"

As I looked around more and more squirrels appeared. Many held acorns, forks, or knives. Some even wore tiny helmets and vests. Finally the whole area was covered with squirrels.

"This is my army. Prepare to die."

With the Anbu's intentions stated the army attacked.

Time skip 5 minutes later.

As the squirrels dispersed the Anbu turned to face me. I gaped as I recognized the mask. The Anbu cocked her head to the side like a curious puppy.

"You'll swallow flies if you don't close your mouth."

I closed my mouth. "Your the Anbu from the training grounds."

"Yup-p"

"what are you doing here?"

"I can't have my Go partner dying now can I?"

"You're!"

She took of her mask, revealing the grinning face of the only person I've ever lost against.

"As much as I would love to stay and commit the look on you face to memory, I can't."

With that being said she laughed and took of onto the direction Naruto had disappeared in, the squirrel still on her shoulder. I snapped out of my shock at the sound of squealing laughed. I looked at the squirrel still perched on my shoulder.

"Shut up. If you were in my place you would be acting the exact same way." The squirrel continued to laugh at me.

"Troublesome..."

That's a wrap! See ya in the next chapter. What could possibly happen at The Valley of the End!