We are moving along here! The climax to the story will begin right here and now. Thinking about a sequel, but we'll see where the road takes me. BTW I used to be a huge Hina/Naru fan, but I have made the conversion to Naru/Saku pretty much because I think their relationship is becoming less one I still think Hinata is awesome especially after she fought Pein. There's a little of them in this chapter, just to warn you. For now enjoy the rest of DS.

It was dark but he could feel a soft hand entwined in his. It felt warm and he it helped him realize this darkness would not last. All he had to do was open his eyes because he was alive, and it was this hand in his that had saved him. It was a skilled hand but he knew the person whom had this talent did not always know she had it. She is beautiful, his first love, his hope, his strength and she gave him the will to fight.

"Sakura," he whispered as the blonde opened his eyes. The world was hazy at first but as his eyes adjusted, he realized he was at his comrade's campsite.

Sakura lay asleep on the ground, with her hand draped into Naruto's. He sat up slightly to gaze at her and gave her hand a slight squeeze before he released it, and placed it on her chest. He let her sleep a little while longer knowing they would have a long day ahead of them.

Naruto rose from his make shift bed, stretched and walked over to his back pack to change his clothes. After zipping up his jacket and tying his head band he realized he had brought his red coat with black flames. He felt this would be fitting to wear, after all this was going to be the beginning of the end.

After slipping his arms through the jacket the blonde surveyed the campsite, and realized a certain blind kunoichi was missing from her spot. Naruto closed his eyes and sensed her chakra nearby in the forest. He took off to speak with his friend, who he assumed was just as nervous as he was.

The jinchuriki came upon the spirit guardian sitting in a tree she appeared to be staring into the infinite forest. Upon closer inspection he realized she had her eyes closed and he could tell she was meditating. He landed next to her on the large tree branch and sat as she did, cross legged with hands folded in front of the body.

"Feeling better pervy blonde?" said Kou without breaking her position.

"You know I'm not like my old sensei blind bat," replied the blond with a smile of his own. She responded with a choked laugh, which lead to both ninja bursting out with laughter.

After recovering from their fit Kou sat back against the tree and straighten her leg, while letting the other fall loosely over the branch. Naruto did the same, but placed a hand behind him for balance.

"I see you got out of that rag you were wearing baldy," said the blonde with a smirk.

Kou touched her hand to the top of her head where she had wrapped her mother's scarf with a small frown. She had changed into clothes her master had brought. She wore a blue one shoulder cloth that draped like the monks wore their robes. The robe was draped to her mid thigh, but had a slit on both sides. A black ribbon was tied around her waist to keep the fabric in place. She wore her usual black spandex shorts, and a white tank top underneath the robe to cover her other shoulder.

"Master Daichi told me my ancestors have worn this robe for a long time. It's traditional for a master spirit guardian to wear it, personally I think it's a little out dated," she laughed. "And watch it blondie or I'll razor that hair of yours while you sleep so we can match."

Naruto gave a slight shake of his head, but in his mind he didn't doubt that she would follow through with her threat. His smile faded and he became serious, "I haven't seen you in while, did you learn the sealing technique?"

Kou nodded, "You tame the beast?"

"He was a bastard about it, but yeah he's been lending me power that I can control."

"Good. We're gonna need all the help we can get." Kou scratched her arm nervously, "Is he dead?"

Naruto knew immediately who she meant and replied firmly, "No."

That word brought conflicting feelings to Kou. She was relieved, but disappointed at the same time. Part of her knew the Uchiha was a criminal who needed to be taken out, but the other half still allowed her to have feelings for him. Naruto noticed this insecurity and sighed.

"I couldn't kill him. He was knocked out after our final blow, but I couldn't do it."

"You probably didn't even have enough chakra to do it anyway," responded the kunoichi shortly. "When we get inside the lair we have to focus on Madara and if Sasuke gets in our way I'll make sure he's done away with."

Naruto wasn't shocked by her answer. After training with her for over two years he had learned quickly she was bullheaded. It was this trait that had made them such great sparring partners.

"We will deal with things as they fall into place," spoke the jinchuriki softly.

"Now you're actually sounding smart. Are you sure you're not my master disguised?" They chuckled at this comment before regaining their serious mood.

Naruto smiled softly, "We get one shot at this and we're gonna end this war believe it."Kou couldn't help but feel assured by this little pep talk.

"Naruto, Kou lets pack up," came Sakura's voice from the camp.

Both ninja slowly rose to leave the branch but before they took off Kou turned to her friend, "She stayed with you all night, who knows after all your pestering she might actually be giving in."

Naruto gave a large smile and chuckled, "he-he about time who da thought all I had to do was almost die."

Kou frowned and smacked him over the head, "Shut up pervy blond we have a world to save."

They jumped to the ground and began walking towards the camp, "Technically you have two to save blind bat." This comment resulted in another hit upside the head.

When Naruto and Kou reached the campsite everyone was packing up their supplies and cleaning the area of all traces that they had been there. This was all done in silence.

Kou did a self chakra check to make sure she had fully healed, while Sakura probed Naruto to be sure her team mate could handle what they were about to face.

After everyone had finished Kakashi had them meet in a circle to go over their plan one final time.

"Madara will be left up to Naruto and Kou. If we see Sasuke or anyone else we will deal with them accordingly," said the copy cat sternly. "I received a message from Lady Tsunade the allied forces have met up with Madara's army. Someone is using Orochimaru's impure world resurrection. Whoever this person is will also have to be taken out."

The group nodded. All looked deadly serious.

"What else?" asked Sakura.

"Madara's army also consists of plant like beings who I assume are clones. They are derived from the Akatsuki member Zetsu. Killer Bee has met head on with Kisame and the two have taken their fight off the main battle field."

"Bee-sensei wants to make sure no one accidently gets involved and killed. It'll be a tough fight," replied Naruto.

Kakashi looked at his students and realized he had never seen them so serious. He looked to Kou and her master and briefly wondered if these people he didn't know were going to keep his pupils safe, but before his doubt could continue he realized he was talking about the spirit guardian and the man who had trained her. There could be no doubt during this mission and he knew for a fact Sai would rise to the occasion and he found Kou and Daichi to be trust worthy.

Kakashi gave one last statement, "If anyone wants to back out… now's the time to do it."

"We're in this together."

Everyone turned in surprised to Sai who did not have his usual fake façade. His face was etched with motivation and determination; although Kou couldn't see it she felt his presence change from when she first met him.

The group nodded together and Kakashi gave the order that could be his last, "Let's kick that Uchiha's ass."

Naruto gave a "whoop!" before he and his comrades leapt into the trees to begin their search for Madara.

The jinchuriki lead his group through the forest as he tapped within himself to locate the nine tails chakra. Once the chakra was released he began to glow yellow and was quickly able to locate where the other tailed beasts were located.

Naruto turned his head back, "It's not far at all, south of here in about three miles."

They continued single file until Kakashi had them halt and head towards the ground. He nodded to Kou who crouched and placed her hand on the ground.

"There's a cave in a clearing on the other side of this forest. There's some movement underground I can't pin point exactly who's Madara and who is a henchman," she said as she released her hand off the ground.

Daichi closed his eyes and formed a hand seal in front of his body. After a short pause, "I'm a sensor type. Madara's chakra is unmistakable he is in the deepest part of the cave. Sasuke is with him. There is another being as well, his chakra is very interesting it's almost like he has two chakras."

Everyone stared at the monk slightly confused but he continued despite the stares, "There are two others as well they seem to be guarding something I assume it is the area the beasts are held because of the amount of chakra in that room. What do you think Kakashi?"

Kakashi stood in thought, "We're going to have to split up. I originally didn't want this, but we have no choice. Time is of the essence."Everyone nodded in agreement.

The copy cat ninja looked towards the group to think about how to pair up his teams, "Once we're inside I think its obvious Naruto and Kou will head towards Madara. I'll leave it up to you on how to deal with Sasuke. Sakura and I will head to the chamber with this mysterious man. Daichi and Sai will deal with guards in the tail beast chamber. Once you both are through with the guards hold onto your positions and wait for us to meet up with you."

"Shouldn't we send for back up?" asked Sakura concerned.

"We don't have time. All the forces are trying to hold off Madara's army. We're on our own," stated Naruto. He turned to Sakura and smiled, "we can handle this believe it."

Sakura stared at her team mate not convinced. Kou felt her fellow kunoichi's heart rate speed up and could tell the cherry blossom feared for the jinchuriki's life.

"Don't worry Sakura I'll make sure the idiot doesn't get himself killed," said Kou with a smile.

"Enough we can't waste anymore time. Head for the clearing and take out any guards in our way," ordered Kakashi. With that the group took off once again.

Kakashi's team hid scattered amongst the trees. Kou was on the ground trying to find any guards, but she felt no presence. Why would Madara leave his hiding spot unguarded?

The clearing lead to a large cave with a giant boulder blocking the entrance, and neither Kou nor Daichi could sense any guards, and Sakura could feel no genjutsu. All gave the signals they had been instructed to give by Kakashi. They walked into the clearing on guard and stared towards the entrance.

"He knows we're here," said Kou disappointed. "He's waiting for us in there."

"Cocky bastard," chimed in Naruto.

"Yeah a cocky bastard with the undead and seven tailed beasts at his disposal, not to mention his sharingan" replied the blind kunoichi.

Kakashi signaled their attention as they circled up for one final instruction, "Kou can the boulder be taken out?"

"I'll need some help in order to save chakra. I'll need as much of it as I can get for when I seal Madara's soul away."

"Not a problem," replied Sakura.

Kakashi nodded at the kunoichi, "Once we're inside head to your assignment quickly." All nodded and looked at one another with slight concern. Kakashi pick up on the sense of doom that seemed to overtake them. He wasn't a speech giver and could only come up with one thing to say, "Kou, Sakura take this rock out."

Kou stood with her legs shoulder width apart in a slight squat. Her arms were also shoulder width apart and pointed upwards. Her fingers were together as she waited for Sakura's signal. Said cherry blossom began to run towards the boulder with a chakra infused fist. Just before she reached the rock she screamed, "Now!"

Kou stamped the ground as hard as she could with her right foot. A large crack in the earth started from her foot towards the boulder and reached it just as Sakura's fist connected. The boulder didn't stand a chance as it crumbled into dust with a loud bang.

"They're going to know we're here. Go as quickly as you can, and good luck," yelled Kakashi as he and his team moved into Madara's lair.

Once inside they paired off and sprinted down their respective paths. Kakashi and Sakura could sense the strange chakra Daichi had been talking about and ran straight for it.

Sai followed Daichi as the old monk led them towards the tailed beasts.

Kou quickly located Madara and Sasuke. Naruto followed with sage mode activated instead of using the kyuubi's chakra. His blind friend had been right they were going to need all the chakra they could get.

It took seconds for Kakashi and his female student to reach a large, dark room. Both squited their eyes as they began to walk carefully into the room. The strange chakra they had felt earlier was getting stronger as they made their way into the center. Suddenly torches lit themselves and revealed a round, tiled room. Sakura noted the burn marks in the middle, as well as the chains above it. This is where they tortured her. The cherry blossom closed her fist in anger.

"Well, well, well, if it's not the scrawny cherry blossom and her failure of a teacher. I have to admit I was hoping for that blind bitch and loud mouth brat to walk in her, but no matter I'll just kill their best friends," hissed a voice from one end of the room. Sakura and Kakashi took defensive stances back to back, and waited for their enemy to make his first move.

"It sounds like Orochimaru, but I thought Sasuke killed him," stated Sakura nervously.

"You are half correct girl. I am Orochimaru re-born in another body. I am the one you used to call Kabuto, although now I do not feel that name suits me any longer."

The voice seemed to be traveling around the room. The door Kakashi and Sakura had come through closed with a slam and locked itself. Both ninja flinched, and became ever more on edge. Kakashi lifted his head band to reveal his sharingan, while Sakura tightened her gloves on her hands.

"Come out coward!" yelled the cherry blossom, who was becoming more pissed off by the minute.

"I think you will be the one who is quivering in fear my dear, for I am no longer Kabuto," came the voice from a shadowed figure that began to walk towards the ninja. "I am now Kabumaru."

The figure became more visible and revealed a snake like Kabuto, who wore a hooded Akatsuki robe. A white snake was coiled around his shoulder, and his face appeared white and scaled.

Sakura gasped under her breath and her teacher gave a disgusted sigh, "Kabuto must have figured out how to absorb Orochimaru's chakra. He's the one controlling the army of the undead." The copy cat ninja adjusted his stance slightly and moved into a position in which he was should to should by Sakura's side.

"We'll have to be careful Sakura, but it is absolutely necessary we defeat him," continued Kakashi. His student gave a nod, and he could tell determination was written all over her face. She wanted to prove herself as not being worthless that much he knew, and Kakashi didn't blame her after everything they had been through. He was proud of her already, but this was life or death and he wouldn't want anyone else by his side except for her. The copy cat nin placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled with his eyes, "Let's beat the shit out of this guy then go save Naruto's ass." Sakura gave a slight smirk but directed her attention back to the enemy.

Kabumaru smiled evilly, "well let us begin this match of death." He took his own stance and summoned his white serpents to attack the leaf ninja.

On the other side of the cave Daich and Sai had reached their destination to find the remaining members of Sasuke's team guarding an enormous tree that had seven eyes open and two eyes closed on its branches. Suigetsu and Jugo were positioned in front of the tree and ready for battle.

Jugo had let his curse seal completely consume him and was whispering, "kill, kill, kill," under his breath. Suigetsu stood calmly with his giant sword over his shoulder.

"Looks like we get the pale on eand the old man, no fun huh Jugo," chuckled the swordsman.

Daichi and Sai also took stances to prepare for battle. "That's where they're keeping the tailed beasts seal. Remember once we kill these men we must keep our position," said Daichi without breaking eye contact with his enemy.

"I thought monks didn't kill? What about your vows?" asked the pale ninja with some curiosity.

"Vows are more like guidelines my boy. This is reality and in this moment my vows mean nothing, plus I don't like the smirk on shark boy over there," said the old man with a smirk.

Meanwhile Naruto and Kou had reached a door leading to Madara's chambers. In front of it stood a calm and fully healed Sasuke Uchiha.

Before Naruto could stop her Kou had picked up on Sasuke's presence and ran at him as fast as she could. She grabbed the Uchiha by his collar and pushed him against the wall, "Traitorous bastard!"

"Kou no wait!" yelled a helpless Naruto from behind.

"You idiot I thought we were going to take him out! He works for Madara!"

"Guess you're blind in more ways than one," responded a calm Sasuke with ice in his voice.

"SHUT UP YOU FUCKING TRAITOR!" screamed the kunoichi with tears in her eyes. She shoved Sasuke higher up onto the wall.

"Kou he told me everything when we fought. He's not a traitor… he has a plan and it's a damn good one," said the jinchuriki soothingly. "He turned you into Madara so he could gain access to Itachi's eyes…"

"Exactly he's…"

"Kou listen to the dobe," said Sasuke without as much chill in his voice.

"Bastard here needs Itachi's eyes to help us beat Madara. He knew full well we would come and help you escape," explained Naruto.

"What about when they tortured me? He let them burn me alive," cried Kou loosening her grip somewhat on Sasuke.

"I couldn't blow my cover, I had to appear t be aligned with him."

"But…but…you both fought," she stammered and looked back and forth between the two men.

"It's been a long time coming blind bat. You know that. Sasuke explained everything to me right after we exchanged that last blow. That's why I didn't kill him, and he didn't turn me into Madara."

"Doesn't Madara know now, I mean here you are confessing everything to us. Isn't he in that room?"

"He isn't in that room it's a trap. He thinks I am fighting you both right now. I know where he is and I'm going to take you to him."

"How do we know you're not setting us up?" asked a shaking Kou.

"Listen to my heartbeat…"

Kou dropped the Uchiha and placed her trembling hand on his chest. He was telling the truth, but he had deceived her before… no… this was different. She felt something genuine about the atmosphere in the room. "I still hate your guts spoiled, but Naruto and I can't do this by ourselves. What do you have in mind?"

Sasuke smirked and began to recount his encounter with Itachi while he had been in the spirit world, as well as the plan he had in mind. After he had finished his explanation all three ninja began to make their way down another corridor that was hidden behind a wall. This truly was the beginning of the end.