Chapter 10: Not even in hell.

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"When she walks she walks with passion
When she talks, she talks like she can handle it
When she asks for something boy she means it
Even if you never ever seen it"

~ Nelly Furtado

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"Kakashi-sensei, you're place is a tip. When was the last time you cleaned?" Naruto said as he entered the apartment of his former sensei. Eyeing the place as the Silver haired reaper was looking through book after book. Naruto then turned to watch his former teacher looked up from a particular book with surprise.

"How did you find this place?" Kakashi asked, a little surprised that someone was able to find his home when he was always such a secretive man, even with his students.

The actual room they were in was cluttered with scrolls, books and junk from every century you could think of. It was obvious that Kakashi only spent time there when he needed to eat or sleep. The rest of his time would be spent either working, training or…Naruto actually know what Kakashi got up to when he wasn't working, training, eating or sleeping. It was like the man just didn't know what real fun meant. He and Sakura use to have long talking sessions about it after her lessons but could never get to the bottom of it.

"Hey, it may have taken me a while to find but I did."

"About fifty years I would think"

"I'm not that old, nor that stupid, okay? I do have some smarts from my Dad after all."

"How is he by the way?"

"He and Mum are thinking of having a new baby." Naruto looked quite delighted at the thought of a possible baby brother or sister, though he rather it be another boy. He'd hate to have a sister that turned out to be a lot like his mum, very scary when mad.

Kakashi eyes crinkled at the thought happily. "Well, they at least your mum would know not to drop this one."

"HEY!"

"Heh, you know I'm joking Naruto"

"Hmph! Thought so."

"It was your Dad."

"…You are really pushing it ya know."

"But you make it so easy."

"Hmph. What are you looking for anyway?"

"Well, as Sakura said this person is going for old reaper families I'm going through the old accounts to see if there are connections between each of these families. So far: no luck."

"What about the stuff on Gargoyles?"

"What about it?"

"Well, if there was a weakness to the power would they go through the area that's at it's weakest? Wouldn't the Gargoyles see something?"

"I thought of that already and already crossed reference to the weakest points to where the reapers went missing."

"And?"

"Most of them match, some of them don't."

"Then really he's lying in wait and when he sense a reaper by themselves he goes after them"

He watched his old sensei nod in agreement to that logic. "That is a good assumption but there's a problem with that."

"What?"

"Why go for Reapers? We're not easy to catch."

"Seems to be with this guy."

"And we really have no purpose than to collect souls for demons and angels, our blood is powerful but has little use for anyone that might want to use it. Demonic and Angelic blood is exceptionally powerful, especially the upper level ones or, to be precise, royalty. You can do lots damage with any parts with them, except us."

"Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto said looking confused.

"Ah, sorry Naruto, I was just thinking out loud."

"Nah, don't worry. Besides Tsunade-ba-chan-sama wishes to see us before we go and investigate the new lead, that last one was pain."

"Hmm, well, at least we know to call them through their estrange cousins from now on."

"Heh."

After the third ring of the door bell the pinkette reaper started to tap her foot against the hard floor. From yesterdays escapades she decided to be a bit nice and let him off for one day, chances of finding missing reapers in Hell was pretty good anyway. However, she really couldn't be bothered to be here as she wasn't the teacher nor does she like being one. But a job was a job and Sasuke had better get a move on. She could feel Hakumei pacing up and down in her mind, getting just as restless as she was.

What the hell is taking that wanker so long?

Not a clue, humans have always been time wasters.

She heard Hakumei growled, very annoyed at the situation.

I swear on all that is unholy, I will maim him if does not come out in five minute.

You can't do squat.

Watch me Bubblegum.

Sakura rolled her eyes. There was a click and the door started to open, giving Sakura some relief of the boredom. "About time Sasu—" and her eyes zeroed in on his top half naked body "—ke".

HOLY FUCKING JESUS, LOOK AT THOSE ABS!

Oh get a grip Hakumei!

I think I will!

That's not what I meant…

Her eyes flicked up to see his amused ones. He looked like he had just finished showering and just managed to find a pair of trousers to answer the door.

"See something you like?" Sasuke smirked.

Yeah baby, but come a little closer and I'll show you what I really like.

Sakura gave him a sarcastic smile. "Put some clothes on dead boy, no one wants to see that." She said as she entered the apartment without much thought.

Her eyes scanned the tidy room while he closed the door behind her and then he head toward his bedroom. She looked over to his retreating from and watched him for a moment before her eyes settled on his well sculptured butt. Her head tilted slightly in admiration then looked away to reframe herself.

Got to admit, that human does have a nice arse.

Hear, hear!

"Sasuke, I'm curious." Sakura said loudly for him to hear through the door when she heard it closed behind him. "What are you still doing at Naruto's apartment when you have a mansion?"

"Tsunade's orders" was the muffled reply.

"So you're not going sleep in your own home?"

"It's until I graduate, even then Naruto has already installed a door from his place to mine."

"I see."

"Would you like one too?" he opened the door again and walked out of his room with his uniform on. He straightened out his shirt almost tantalisingly, like he knew she was watching but she knew otherwise. The man could make putting on clothes very sexy and he wouldn't know it.

"Rather not have Naruto gallivanting around my home" Sakura said, knowing it wasn't Naruto's place he'd been hinting about.

"Ah" he smirked.

STOP MAKING GOOGLY EYES AT THE NEWBIE AND LET'S GO ALREADY! I'M GETTING TIRED OF WAITING AROUND HERE!

"C'mon, don't have all the time in the world" Sakura sighed Jeez, you really have no patience and I wasn't going all googly eyes on him!

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

Shut. UP!

They were both standing on an empty street together with the edge of the pavement in front of them. Sakura was leaning against a lamppost while reading today's newspaper as Sasuke drank his coffee, no longer able to take it without sugar now. The human reaper looked up and down the dark street. They had teleported to a different part of the world and now standing on a foreign street at night. If he was still human he would be very worried right about now.

"Why are we just standing here?" Sasuke asked.

Sakura paused in her reading and sighed as she pointed up at the sign behind them. "Can't you read the sign?"

Sasuke glanced up to it then back at her. "Six One Six Terra Cotya Street. What's that got to do with anything?"

"The devil's number." Sakura said as she continued to read.

"No that's Six Six Six." Sasuke said.

Sakura chuckled. "Whatever you say Sasuke, but this is the spot to go to hell."

"And why can't we use the elevator?" Sasuke asked.

"Because the elevator leads to the gates and takes longer to bypass, which reminds me" Sakura said and closed her newspaper. She placed a free hand into her pocket and pulled out a card. "Keep this on you on all times" she handed the card to him "You don't want to be stuck down there."

"Hn" he took the card from her grasp and looked over it carefully.

"I mean it Sasuke; souls have better times down there than reapers."

His head shot up to look at her in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"Demons like to fight Sasuke and if you give them the excuse they will, anything that proves to be a challenge will have their attention." Sakura pointed out to him. "So don't ever lose that card when you are down there and make sure it is somewhere where they won't be able to pickpocket it off you. If you don't have it they'll say you are an intruder and you must be taken immediately. Even then, don't let them touch it, they'll destroy it before your eyes and take you."

"And why am I being taken down there again?" Sasuke drawled, placing the card into a secret pocket of his coat.

"Don't worry, there hasn't been an undergraduate taken before, mostly because their sensei is there to watch out for them." Sakura said.

"Okay but you still haven't answered my question" Sasuke grunted.

"Which is?" Sakura asked.

"Why are we standing here?"

SHUUUUUUUUUUUUUME!

Sasuke looked back at the street to see a burnt and rusty looking bus roll right in front them to stop with a soft screech. There was a hiss of air and the doors opened to reveal a man sitting in the driver's both with long green spiky hair, blue eyes and pinkish skin wearing a dirty looking shirt that had the AC/DC logo on the front.

"Little Dudette" the driver said with a smile.

"Hey Junior" Sakura said as she walked up the steps and into the bus with Sasuke behind her.

"I told you not to call me that, Little Dudette." The man said.

"Well, I'm not little anymore" Sakura said.

"True true, who's he?" Junior said nodding towards Sasuke.

"Kakashi's new student" Sakura said.

"Ooooh! Been hearing he had a new one," Junior said then turned to Sasuke. "Did she give you the break down on the demons?"

"Not to trust them" Sasuke said.

"Good good my man!" Junior said then relaxed back into his seat. "Your card, please, safety protocol after all." Sasuke pulled it out and showed it him "Good, you guys may sit down" then added at Sasuke's look when he glanced towards Sakura as he placed the card back "Little Dudette here doesn't need one."

Sakura led Sasuke to the middle of the buss and sat in the nearest seat with him next to her. The buss then drove off from the side and accelerated down the street into the night.

"You don't need one?" Sasuke said.

"I have a permit Sasuke. Sometimes I'm down there for long assignments."

"Why?"

"Do you remember when you asked me what other jobs a reaper does?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, Reapers or Guards sometimes act as an angelic representative for those who made contracts with demons. Or try to get the reapers that are stuck in hell out of there. The latte is usually my job" Sakura said.

"Do they think you're not Lawyer material?" Sasuke asked with a chuckle.

"Something like that" Sakura muttered.

Yeah, Lawyers don't literally pulverize the opposition

That only happened the one time Hakumei, I can't help it when a demon pisses me off to the point where I can't control my actions!

But still as funny as hell

"I've got a question for you." Sasuke said.

"Shoot." Sakura shrugged as she spoke.

"If you're usually down there shouldn't you be a lot…pinker?" Sasuke asked.

"Oh, cause the hair is not enough" Sakura sarcastically said with a smirk.

"That's not what I meant" Sasuke rolled his eyes. "It's supposed to be hot in hell right? Almost hot enough to burn you."

"Yes Hell is hot, Hells Fire is the source of all the heat but to be fair it'll only make you uncomfortable, like you've just step out in the hot sun and you were already hot. You won't go pink though."

"What about burns?"

"Oh you will be burnt if you put your hand in the fire. That goes without saying."

"Obviously."

The bus swerved a little as the surroundings outside changed as it began to blur. The cityscape became urban villages till there was nothing but countryside. The world became darker, showing nothing but the billions of stars above.

"Hold on" Sakura said.

Sasuke immediately grabbed the bar in front of him as he asked. "Why?"

"We're about to go over a cliff" Sakura said as she leaned back into her seat and braced her feet against the seat in front of them, to her amusement Sasuke copied her.

As predicted, he felt the bus dramatically began to arch downwards as the tires spun while in mid-air. She could feel Sasuke tense next to her as he saw the ground coming closer and closer. Sasuke braced himself for the impact and closed his eyes. It was after a moment when he knew the bus must have hit the ground he reopened his eyes and saw they were in a tunnel, on a steep road.

"Relax, think rollercoaster" Sakura suggested.

"This whole damn thing is" Sasuke grunted.

"Awe, is my underling stressed out of his mind again?" Sakura said with a mocking smile.

Sasuke gave her one look that spelt it all out for her and she couldn't help but giggle. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves he then asked "Why did the bus go over that cliff anyway?"

The rosette reaper shrugged. "Deadman's Cliff, so many accidental deaths and suicides make the best entrances for the bus to hell."

They exited the tunnel that moment and Sasuke saw why the place would be terrible to end up in. It looked like a fiery wasteland teeming with volcanic eruption and demons everywhere. All shapes, sizes, colour, furred, scaly, mixed, some flying, some crawling or slithering were there. Then the souls he could see being gathered up for something that he probably didn't want to know what for. He was glad he was saved by Sakura otherwise he'd be among the hordes of those poor souls.

"So… just the one Hell?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes and no, there are nine planes of Hell that are wrapped in one." Sakura said. "Some worse than others."

"Okay name 'em."

"All the planes?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I really don't like talking about Hell but I know a few things. Each plane, aka 'Ring of Hell', has its own Sheriffs and Master. The Sheriffs are usually the offspring's of the Master's as it's best to keep power within the family. Plane one does not have either. That is the place where the guards dwell; we went pass that while on the bus. The guards are there essentially to keep the demons in.
"There are only a few demons that are aloud to go by and those are Sheriffs. Sheriffs are the ones that make the contracts with stupid humans, you know the whole 'we'll give you what you want and in exchange we'll have you're soul' deal. The unfortunate bugger thinks they're off scot free because they believe Hell doesn't exist. Then, poof they are sent straight down here without a Reaper taking their soul first to Limbo when they die. And believe me they try to get out of it but 99% of the time they can't because once they sign that's it."

"Someone should stop them." Sasuke said.

"Are you kidding me? If they are stupid enough to sign a contract without reading it first then they deserve to down here. Besides the angels upstairs do the same thing along those lines except without contracts. Each side is constantly influencing Earth, but that's it, they influence. They mustn't do anything that would place them in direct association otherwise they will loose thousands of souls and they shall be reincarnated."

"But–"

"Sasuke, if they did not influence the human world there wouldn't be much point of its existence. If you could not see the choices in life, what is the point of living? Both sides have an obligation to show that there is good and there is bad. But it would be your own choice as to what you want to be."

"I see."

"Hmm, anyway, as I was saying the Sheriffs are usually the ones that do all the collecting of the souls but some would make their minions do it."

"We're here!" Junior shouted at the front as the bus stopped.

Sasuke and Sakura stood and walked away from their seat and up to the front of the bus. As soon as they were at the front of the bus the doors opened to reveal the world of Hell. The heat instantly hit them once they stepped off the bus and Sasuke couldn't help but agree with Sakura. The heat was uncomfortable. It was a wonder why reapers or guards ever came down here in the first place. He glanced at Sakura and found she wasn't even flinching from it all. He watched as she turned to Junior and thanked him for the ride before the bus door closed and the strange automobile went off its way. The rosette then glanced back at him and frowned at his look.

"What?" Sakura asked.

"How are you okay in this heat?" Sasuke asked.

Sakura smirked at him and started to walk down a pathway "Heat doesn't affect me Sasuke, not even in Hell."

"You could have told me" Sasuke muttered as he followed her.

"And that would make a difference to you, how?"

"Well, it would explain why you are able to be down here for 'long durations' as you so wonderfully put it."

"Oh jeez, look at you, only five seconds down here and you're already cranky as a nine month pregnant woman without chocolate. Hot weather not your thing, huh?"

"Hn"

"C'mon snowball, let's go. The sooner we find out what's happened to those Reapers the faster we can get out of here."

"Hmm, I spy with my red eyes…" Both Sasuke and Sakura stopped and turned to see a giant fox looking down at them with a vicious smile. "…Something to do with food."

A pair of golden amber eyes peered down into a microscope at a knife that was being held, shifting to different positions. The eyes narrowed and the owner of them leaned away to look at her assistant that just she walked through the door.

"Anything?" Tsunade asked.

"I could say the same to you." Shizune said, "All I know it's not a ceremonial knife nor is it used for cooking with."

"It's a Kukrithame, one that is used by royal angelic guards." Tsunade said

"Say what?" Shizune said and walked up to her to get a better look at it.

Tsunade presented the knife to her assistant; she showed the handle clearly to her. "See the engraving of the handle? It's an old model of the latest one. Without a shard."

"But that would mean it's over a thousand years old." Shizune said.

"Yes, and not a lot of them either." Tsunade said.

It was in that moment that an exuberant blonde man bounced in with his silver haired sensei reading a questioning book trailing behind him. "Hey Tsunade-ba-chan!" the blonde man looked happily Tsunade

"Naruto, how many times have I explained to you to never call me that!" Tsunade growled.

"Heh, not too sure boss-sama" Naruto grinned.

Tsunade rolled her eyes and closed her eyes to take a deep breath. She calmed and opened them again to Kakashi patient ones. "You're in time. We may have a traitor on our hands."

"Excuse me?" Kakashi said in surprise.

"This weapon was used by one who had access to angelic weaponry." Tsunade said and placed the blade down.

"I think that's a little off Tsunade-sama." Kakashi said.

"What do you mean?" Tsunade asked.

"The Black-market, you shouldn't forget about that." Naruto pointed out for Kakashi, the blonde may be a bit of an idiot at times but he did know his stuff when it came to goods from seedy places.

"Hmm, that is a possibility." Tsunade said. "And that would make sense as the essence around the knife is demonic."

"WHAT!" Shizune and Naruto said together.

"You think whoever it is they are trying to confuse us?" Kakashi asked.

"No doubt, I can't imagine an Angel would try and kidnap several reapers, one I'd understand if they fell in love with them and then tried to force them to love them back and demons I would definitely understand with more than one, they are a bunch of fickle cruel creatures but know better to kill one of us. We would also have had word from either side, but all of this is happening on earth. From what Sakura's uncovered, they are doing it through the Gargoyle's lacking their usual strength and that's really bugging me."

"Kakashi-sensei and I believe that this bastard is using it for a doorway and then lies in wait for a reaper to come along, very much like a spider with a web." Naruto said, "Kakashi-sensei mentioned about reapers being useless for ingredients for certain ritual and such."

"Hmm. That is interesting to bring up Kakashi" Tsunade said, glancing over to Kakashi with a serious look. "Because Reapers maybe useless in most rituals but not all." She then looked to at her assistant. "Shizune, we're going to have to look into the vault."

"Tsunade-sama?" Shizune said with a look that was slightly scared.

"We're going to be reading." Tsunade said.

"But Tsunade-sama it's forbidden to—"

"It's for forbidden for anyone else other than myself, it's just your lucky day Shizune"

"Oh"

Tsunade looked at Naruto and Kakashi. "Go find some clues around the places of the most recent kidnappings and don't hold anything back."

"Yes Tsunade-sama" Naruto and Kakashi said together and both bowed before leaving the room.

Sakura and Sasuke stared up at the demon before them.

"This is bad." Sakura uttered under her breath.

"You don't say." Sasuke drawled.

The demon before them was not like any other demon in it Hell. It was simply a huge sinister auburn fox with black markings streaking across it's eyes through to it's ears and black markings upon it's lips. Sasuke just couldn't get over the fact that this demon was enormous.

Massive.

Gigantic.

It was just…huge. And with that predatory smile they knew that it spelt BIG trouble.

"No, I mean bad Sasuke, this is the Kyuubi"

"Oh. Damn" Sasuke said with acknowledgement of the situation, and then looked at her "Run?"

With the one nod from Sakura they both turned and bolted for it. Sakura grabbed Sasuke and jumped when one of the large furry tails slammed down in front of them. However in mid flight another tail came and whooped them back where they were before they ran. Sakura took most of the blow, shielding Sasuke from it only to land on him when they were forced back down to the ground. And landing on muscles that were hard as steel did not help either, she believed the ground would have been softer.

"And where do you think you're going, meat?" Kyuubi growled.

Due to head trauma and lack of a functioning brain that moment Sakura couldn't help but utter "I find it kind of demeaning to be called that"

One look could describe what Sasuke was thinking when he heard her say that and it was along the lines of 'ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND WOMAN!' but cruder than the vocabulary of a Marine Marshal. He then turned to watch the Kyuubi stare down at them and inspect his potential meal. "You, I know you."

"Me?" Sasuke said with confusion.

"Not you, you Chicken Ass Hair boy." Kyuubi snarled.

"How original" Sasuke grumbled beneath his breath.

"You" Kyuubi said as he indicated Sakura with the tip of it's very sharp claw. "I know you. You're a friend of that damn brat"

The rosette reaper raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Not to sound uh…rude here…but…" Sakura said while she got up very slowly and cautiously as she kept her eyes on the Kyuubi. "…You're going to have to be a little more…specific than that."

"You KNOW who I am talking about"

"Not really, I got a ton of friends who—"

"NARUTO!"

"Ooooh that friend," Sakura said and then gestured around herself "well as you can see he's not here."

It happened so fast she didn't see it coming. One moment she was looking up at the Kyuubi, the next she was looking directly into one of it's menacing red eyes. She was literally 'eye to eyes' with the demon when it decided to get a closer look at her and intimidate her simultaneously. The rosette reaper could help it, her eyebrows resigned up to her hairline with surprise, but nothing gave away her fear. Not even her scent as she damn well made sure of it by keeping her heart calm and think calming thoughts. It helped even more when Sasuke stood up behind her, waiting for her orders to either fight with her or hightail it out of there with her. Either way he wasn't going to leave her side, even if he was still a newbie.

"Do not make me out as a fool, little girl." The Kyuubi growled.

Sakura pulled a face. "I am not little and in retrospect I'd be taller than you if we were to have the same width in bones structure and density."

The Kyuubi smirked at her. "You have guts little girl, what is your name so I would give your remains to your family."

"How sweet of you" Sakura said through a grim smile.

It was quiet between them for a moment before the Kyuubi became impatient with her and asked "Are you going to tell me where the brat is?"

"Um…ask again later?"

Sasuke grabbed Sakura when she uttered those words and pulled her back to him, almost protectively but in warning as he kept his eyes on Kyuubi. "Don't bullshit around; he has a mean temper from what Naruto told me all about him!" Sasuke hissed at Sakura under his breath.

The eye of the Kyuubi flicked onto Sasuke's form at that, the human reaper barely controlled his flinch when that happened. "He also has exceptional hearing" Sakura said through her fixed smile to Sasuke. The rosette reaper tilted her head towards Sasuke in a mocking playful manner while controlling her irritation and disbelief he would mention their friend's name in a sentence like that. Really? Couldn't the human be even more obvious than that? Was it even possible for that to even happen?

"Where is that brat?" Kyuubi growled lowly.

"Not here." Sakura said.

The raven haired reaper noticed something different about her now. It was almost if she wasn't afraid or something. It was odd as about five minutes ago they tried to flee from the nine tailed beast and now she was standing her ground against a powerful foe. He didn't know if she was brave, crazy, stupid or all three.

"You lie!" Kyuubi shouted.

"Okay he is here" Sakura said flippantly, "Can we go now?"

Both reapers jumped in different directions to get out of the way when the Kyuubi slammed his paw down to where they had been. The earth shook momentarily but it was enough to bring to there attention that the Kyuubi was now through with playing games. It wanted answers and it wanted it now, and since both reapers knew Naruto killing one of them wouldn't be a problem.

Sasuke watched in horror when Kyuubi focused his attention on Sakura. It hunched over like a menacing wolf and as if to reconstruct a certain scene from a fairytale it literally began to suck in a load of air. The air when static as power coursed right into the Kyuubi's mouth and just when things couldn't get worse an inferno of chakra blasted right at the girl like a dragon upon a damsel. Sasuke wanted to scream but the shock to see Sakura being engulfed by the flames stopped him from crying out.

He thought she was a powerful being, that she could have dodged it but there was no sign that she had. No sign of pink hair, her face smirking or her mocking the very being that hated Naruto so much. When the last part of the breath exited the Kyuubi's lungs, he saw the damaged it had done. The earth around hell had melted and seemed to smoke and steam from the intense heat. What stunned him the most was the fact the Kyuubi didn't look pleased at what was achieved. Instead it was focused and annoyed. Sasuke slowly look a little further down than to where Sakura had been.

"OH COME ON! I JUST GOT THESE CLOTHES!"

There she was.

ALIVE!

Annoyed as hell, but ALIVE!

He had to blink hard. Not once but TWICE just to make sure he wasn't seeing things. She was standing there, her clothes burnt and barely still clinging to her body from the Kyuubi's attack and there wasn't a single mark on her skin. All Sasuke could think right that moment was how the fuck did she manage that one?

"…Heat doesn't affect me Sasuke, not even in Hell…"

He frowned at the memory. Did this include fire as well? Did she have an immunity towards fire like he was immune to electricity? His trail of thoughts was halted when the Kyuubi began to walk towards Sakura.

"Tell me where that brat is!" Kyuubi snarled.

"What? You got accustomed to his face?" Sakura taunted.

"Tell me!" Kyuubi roared.

Sakura eyes flicked with anger and her weapon appeared in an instant. She slammed the bottom of her scythe against the solid ground, shattered the earth with her power. It was enough to still Kyuubi from further advancing towards her.

"Listen here you overgrown orange piece of fluff!" Sakura said with deadly calm manner that belayed her action seconds ago. "I have no qualm with you. Why would I lie?"

"You are his friend" Kyuubi growled. "You would be completely loyal to him and lie for him."

"Yes that is true, but you are forgetting something. Naruto is a guard down here. Meaning: he's by the border of the last gate, he wouldn't wonder here." Sakura said.

The Kyuubi then smirked maliciously looking at her intentionally. "Hmm, then I better leave him a present."

"And then what? I hardly see the point of killing me or least maiming me to spite him."

"But he cares for you, does he not?"

"And guess who does too Kyuubi? You wanted to know my name? It's Sakura Haruno." Sakura watched as Kyuubi froze at the name, his face became blank but there was acknowledgement and wariness in his eyes. "That's right big guy, I may not be as powerful as you but there are others out there that would not hesitate to squish you like a bug if you try to harm me. And that includes Mr Chicken Butt Hair."

The Gigantic Nine Tailed Beast bared his dangerously sharp teeth in frustration. She could see it was thinking it over very carefully before it turned and left swiftly from the scene. It was only after a moment when the demon was gone did Sakura let out a breath of relief. No doubt if the Kyuubi decided to kill her she'd be crushed under its paw. Yes she was powerful, but there was only so much she could do.

It was in that moment that Sasuke skidded down the crater to her with concern. When he was within reach he grabbed the upper part of her arms and checked her over.

"What are you doing?" Sakura asked with confusion and annoyance.

"Checking if you are okay." Sasuke said as he did so.

"Well, what's the prognosis doctor?" Sakura said softly and smirked.

Did you just…?

Shut up! I'm still female and I had just had the Kyuubi nearly killing me! I am entitled for some insanity!

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, as his eyes twinkled in amusement. "I could do a thorough check if you like."

"If only we had to the time to" Sakura bounced back with.

She then skipped off like nothing of what happened between them moments ago had ever occurred. Sasuke rolled his eyes in annoyance and followed her. He knew she was just playing with his womaniser side and he couldn't say he didn't like it. In fact, he could say she was softening up.

It also helped that forty-three percent of her clothes had been burnt away leaving some nice creamy flesh for him to see.

Sorry for the lateness guys. Having some family trouble that involves my brother being a complete idiot and keeping a job at the same time is really tiresome. Anyway, big shout out to:

Kaydreams, LaughsRFun, nightwish635, HlorkexD, Gothic Lust, MichiiHaru-Chan, sleepingdreamer08, Emily Nash, gemaima11, Mizz Hime-Sama, Akatsuki Sakura Uchiha, Lady Rini, C.A.M.E.O.1 and Only and finally Reignashii. Such lovely people and hope you've enjoyed the chapter so far and I hope to find out what everyone thinks of this one.

Thanks again!