And here's Chapter 21. I know, I know, I'm an ass for leaving you with a cliffhanger. Soooo, here's the next one. Hope you like it. Readers, Reviewers, thank you…If You Want Blood (You Got It)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Naruto whipped around to face Ino and the look of utter sadness and anger nearly drove him over the edge of his own over boiling emotions.

"Ino, I want you to take this filth and return to Konoha as quickly as possible. Shin, Gin, Genmaki, let the kids ride on your backs, full transformation. Stop for nothing. I'm sure there are enemies between here and there. Kill them, slaughter them, MASSACRE THEM! Let nothing stand in your way."

Ino nodded her head furiously as she stepped toward Kakashi, who had slumped submissively to the floor. She didn't bother looking back as she asked her question.

"What about you?"

Naruto's growls of frustration were growing in volume as he tried to calm himself. He needed his head clear for the task ahead of him.

"I'm making a quick stop over into the fox realm to gather reinforcements. If it's just Sasuke behind this, we won't need them. But…if it's Konoha as a whole…"

He left the question hanging for a moment before his eyes turned blood red and his fangs became more pronounced.

We'll burn the village to the ground. None shall oppose us. For their sakes, they better hope it's the Uchiha's idea.

Juugo and Karin were terrified of Naruto's transformation. They'd seen his fox form and they liked it, but this amalgamation of animal and man before them was truly terrifying. Naruto could smell their fear and turned to them with his red eyes as gentle as he could make them.

Juugo, Karin, do not fear me. I'm still Naruto. Mikomi has been threatened as is probably in the clutches of your father at the moment. I can only guess what he intends to do to her. I need the two of you to be strong and help Ino and Hikaru through this. Understand?

Juugo and Karin nodded their heads in agreement; utterly awash with relief that Naruto wasn't going to kill them. Unbeknownst to him, his killing intent had been climbing higher and higher, only not affecting Ino, Hikaru, and the foxes. Suddenly, they felt another spike in killing intent and all eyes turned to Hikaru, who had his head down and his hair covering his eyes, was leaking killing intent like someone was wringing out a sponge. Naruto walked over and knelt in front of his son, putting his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"Son?"

Hikaru slowly raised his head and Naruto recoiled from shock. Hikaru was…truly his son. The boys normally limp pink and blonde hair had become shaggier and coarser, his canines had become more pronounced and his eyes had taken on a golden quality.

"Hikaru?"

The boy snapped his head up and stared at his father. He didn't know what to make of the expression on his dad's face but one word came to mind.

Fear.

Naruto was afraid that a bit of the old Kyuubi's presence had leaked into his son and was now manifesting itself. Hikaru's voice was somewhat ragged as he spoke.

"Don't worry dad, this is something that Kiba-sensei and I came up with a while back. He called it 'berserker mode'. It brings out my more animalistic qualities and enhances my senses somewhat. My baby sister is in danger and I can't think of a better time to show it to the world."

Naruto sighed in relief and stood up, patting his son on the head.

"That's good son. We'll talk later. Now you three head back to Konoha. I'll meet you there. Be prepared for war."

He disappeared in a flash of flames as Team Ino bolted outside and four huge foxes fled toward the hidden village of Konoha.

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Tsunade had been holding little Mikomi for less than a minute when Penni perked up and began to growl. She tensed and whispered to Penni, asking what the problem was.

Intruders. They're not friendly. And the Uchiha is among them.

'Oh Kami. They planned this!'

Tsunade was about to bolt outside and run for the hospital, where Sakura could help her, but suddenly the walls of the house disappeared in a rush of flame and she looked outside to see Sasuke standing triumphantly with a huge dragon fire behind him. He dismissed it with a wave of his hand. Her eyes went wide with fear and she clutched Mikomi to her breast more forcefully.

"What are you doing here Uchiha? And why did you destroy Naruto's house?"

Sasuke sneered and made a motion with his hand. Immediately, his ANBU fanned out around the house and surrounded Tsunade and Penni. The Hokage crossed his arms and laughed long and loud.

"At last, I'll have my vengeance on that blonde idiot. He has deigned to take my children from me, so I'll take his from him. Unlike him though, I'm not above destroying that which threatens me and that thing you're holding will be a threat in the years to come. Hand it over."

"Absolutely not."

Sasuke quirked his eyebrow in an amused fashion, but before he could retort, Penni stepped in front of Tsunade, growling menacingly.

You will not touch the princess. If you or any of your men step forward, I shall rip you apart. Leave this place now or you shall all die.

"Bah, useless threats. You attack one of us, the others shall sweep in and grab the child. You won't harm that thing if you don't have to."

The princess is not to be harmed. I will lay down my life for her if need be. Lord Naruto would never forgive me if harm came to her.

Sasuke grinned maniacally and drew his sword.

"Kukukuku, don't worry demon. Your master won't be able to forgive you, because you'll be dead soon."

It was over before it ever started. Penni, despite being stronger than all of those opposing her, simply could not keep her attention on all of them. She was overwhelmed by the numbers of her enemy and while she held her ground, Sasuke went after Tsunade.

It was just as she feared. The whole mission was a decoy to lure Ino and Naruto away from Konoha. She watched as Sasuke ran toward her, his sword drawn and ready to cut, and leapt back with Mikomi in her arms. She had to get away, find Sakura or one of Naruto's friends. Running through the hole in the wall that Sasuke had created, she ducked under a sword swipe and headed for the hospital. Sasuke grinned and chased after her. He loved it when things were in motion.

Tsunade jumped in the air and came crashing down with a heel drop, making a fissure in the earth, trying to buy herself some time. As soon as her heel touched down, she was off again, screaming for help as the Hokage stayed close behind her, swinging his sword while laughing like a maniac. People dove out of the way and looked on in fear as the Godaime and Rokudaime ran through the streets, tearing up everything in their path. Tsunade wondered why none of Naruto's friends were there to help until it hit her.

'The bastard has them all out on missions.'

The hopelessness of her situation was beginning to sink in and she stifled a scream as the blade cut her free arm. Mikomi was wailing and flailing about. Tsunade was frantic. She didn't want to die, not like this, not while she held her granddaughter. She pushed chakra into her legs and jumped forward several feet before turning to face Sasuke. He drew up and rested his sword on his shoulder.

"Tired of running already Tsunade? Kukukukuku, I was hoping for more of a challenge."

"I'm not running from you anymore Uchiha. I'm making my stand and making sure you don't get your hands on Mikomi. I don't know why you are trying to get her but I won't let you kill this child."

Sasuke put his hand over his heart in an overdramatic display of hurt.

"You wound me Tsunade. I wouldn't merely try to kill the child just like that. No, she won't die immediately. Her parents need to be here before that happens. I want to see the looks on their faces as I hold my sword to her throat, taste the despair as I rob them of their child like they've robbed me of mine before I kill the both of them."

Tsunade's eyes widened and she shook her head in disbelief.

"Naruto will kill you this time for sure Sasuke, if Ino doesn't gut you first. Your time on this earth is up."

The smirk on Sasuke's face fell and his look became very grim. Tsunade could only wonder if his insanity had finally broken his mind.

"You have no idea how true your words are. Taking Orochimaru into myself was poor planning on my part. The disease that ate away at him has begun to affect me as well. My only goal now is to see all my enemies dead before I go. And Naruto must suffer most of all."

"But why?"

"Because…he deserves to suffer. All my problems can be traced back to him. He gave me companionship and made me weak. He tried to stop me from going to Orochimaru and gave me hope that someone actually cared. He kept trying to bring me back, distracting me from my goal of defeating Itachi. My whole predicament is his fault."

"That makes no sense."

The maniacal gleam came back into his eyes and a smirk familiar to Tsunade swept across his face.

"It doesn't have to make sense to you, as long as it makes sense to me. I need no reason but my own to destroy what is precious to others. NOW DIE!"

Tsunade tried to knock his arm away but Sasuke drove his sword into her chest and ripped Mikomi out of her arms before bounding away towards the Hokage tower, laughing like a madman the whole way. Tsunade gasped and groaned at the pain in her chest, even as she began to heal it. She lamented the fact that she was simply too old to stop him and protect someone who was precious to her.

Penni appeared beside her mistress not a minute later, her fur missing patches and blood all over her. The look in her eyes was one of pure hatred for Sasuke and his followers. She looked at her mistress as Tsunade tried to heal herself and caught the scent of the Uchiha as he ran.

Where is the princess?

Tsunade looked up guiltily at her fox and turned her head away, tears of pure anger in her eyes.

"He took her. I was too weak to stop him. He…the bastard took her Penni. What are we going to do?"

Did he tell you anything?

Tsunade told her the story of how he wanted revenge on Naruto and the fox growled and bore her teeth.

Scum. Pure, unadulterated filth. Kidnapping a kit to use as a bargaining chip.

"What are we going to do?"

We shall do nothing until Lord Naruto returns. From what the Uchiha said, he will not harm the princess until Lord Naruto is present. My Lord will know what to do.

Tsunade could only nod her head sadly. Yes, Naruto would fix everything. She only hoped he would forgive her…

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Ino and the foxes ran at top speed to get back. It was quite a spectacle to be sure. The only thing that Ino could think was 'faster, faster, faster, have to go faster.' The foxes were all grim and their anxiety was passed on to their passengers. Even the normally upbeat Shin was quiet and introspective. The princess of the fox realm was in danger and they might be too late to do anything about it.

Ino couldn't believe the dilemma that they had created. They had underestimated Sasuke's deviousness and ability to gauge their reactions. They should have killed him when they had the chance. Her animalistic side was kicking in and her thoughts were going from worry for her daughter to vengeance.

….rip, tear, bite, smash, rend flesh, grind bone, gnaw throat, kill, kill, kill…

Ino shook her head to clear it of the startlingly satisfying thoughts and tried to remained focused. They had to get there quickly, it would only take a little while longer and they'd be in the village. Even though they'd been running for what seemed like eternity, she knew that they'd only been running at optimum speed for less than an hour. Being a strong demon had its advantages. She could cover more distance in a single bound as a demon than she could in an hour as a mere mortal. They'd make it soon.

And anyone who hurt her family would pay…

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Naruto flashed into the fox kingdom atop the palace and leapt down onto the palace steps. All foxes in the vicinity stopped and turned toward their king, waiting for his reaction. He looked around wildly and spoke in a booming voice.

"Send the council to me immediately. Tell them if they're not there in five minutes, I'll kill them. This is an emergency."

The foxes darted off in different directions to find the council, not wanting to disappoint their king. He had been fair to them since he took up his reign and no one wanted on his bad side after what he did to the old head elder.

Naruto walked into the throne room and sat down on the top step. It wasn't long before all three council members came bursting in, panting heavily. Foregoing the usual greetings, Naruto stood and nodded at the three. The elder spoke for all three as usual.

What do you need of us Lord Naruto?

"I need you three to accompany me to the mortal realm. The Hokage has kidnapped my daughter and might be planning to kill her. I need you to come with me if force comes to force."

We will follow you wherever you go. But…what of your status as protector of Fire Country and the Village Hidden in the Leaves?

"Sometimes…sometimes you have to tear something down to build it back up and make it retain its former glory. If the village has anything to do with my daughter's capture or death, I'll see the village and all of Fire Country burn."

Of course my Lord. We await your orders.

Naruto nodded and readied himself to transport. He was stopped however, when Hinamori spoke up.

My Lord, what does the Uchiha seek to gain by doing this? What could he possibly have to gain?

Naruto sighed and turned to face her.

"He seeks to gain a measure of revenge against me, for what I can only imagine. He thinks that I am the bane of his existence. In truth, I should have killed him long ago, but I always hoped he would see the error of his ways and look at me as a friend again. That was foolish of me."

Indeed it was Lord Naruto, but now you have the chance to rectify the situation. You can fix your past mistakes.

"Hai, I can. Your primary objective is to secure my daughter and, if need be, bring her to our realm. I don't want her in harm's way."

The foxes all let a small smile cross their faces when he said 'our realm'. It made them feel that he was the best king they could possibly get. Without another word, they all vanished for the field outside Konoha. It would be most appropriate if they appeared in the spot where Naruto's journey began.

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Ino and the kids had arrived at the gates and blasted through them, not bothering to stop for anything. They rushed home to find Tsunade's house destroyed and the main house in rubble. Ino grit her teeth and growled low. All those happy memories in that house, destroyed on a whim. Ino was about to turn and head for the Hokage tower, when she heard the sounds of sobbing with her sensitive ears and found Tsunade crying hysterically, with a battered Penni trying to comfort her. As soon as the older woman saw Ino she latched onto her and began to sob into her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry Ino. I couldn't stop him. He took her, he took her."

Ino tried to be calm and sensitive but it was increasingly hard. She abruptly pushed Tsunade away and held her by the shoulders.

"I don't blame you Tsunade. Now, where is she?"

"Sasuke has her. He said he would wait until the two of you were back before he killed her in front of everyone."

Ino's eyes flashed dangerously and she whipped around to face the children.

"Tsunade, can you fight?"

"Yes."

"Go find Jiraiya, Sakura, Shizune, anyone of our friends to help. If any oppose you, kill them. This is a matter of blood now."

Tsunade nodded and ran off to find help, splitting into shadow clones as she ran. Ino stared impassively at the children until she spoke, her guttural voice betraying no emotions except pure, unbridled anger.

Baptism by fire children. That is what tonight is. Tonight, you become true ninja because I expect you to kill whoever stands in your way. Mikomi is in danger and I won't have her harmed if we can help it.

The three nodded decisively and followed Ino as she began her charge to the tower, the foxes leading the way, clearing a path.

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Sasuke felt excellent at this particular moment. He had felt Ino and her team coming and watched through his crystal ball as they headed for her house. He watched as they told Tsunade to find help and laughed as the old woman ran off. He looked down at the little girl he had in his arms, a collar with a leash around her neck. Mikomi was wailing in a very distressing way, due to the raiton jutsu that Sasuke was using to shock her through the collar. All around the dais he was perched on were ninja loyal to him and him alone. They cared nothing for Konoha as long as the Hokage's wishes were fulfilled.

He heard, more than saw, the approach of Ino and her team. The foxes ran out in front, biting and ripping the throats of any who stepped in their way. They cleared a path until Team Ino stood at the base of the dais. A large crowd had gathered earlier, wanting to know what their Hokage was doing with a baby with a tail. He tossed the crystal aside and stared down into Ino's burning eyes.

"Ah good, you're here. Where is your husband though Ino?"

"He'll be here soon and when he gets here, you're dead Uchiha. Give my daughter back and perhaps your death will be painless."

Sasuke shook his head and tsked the demon queen.

"I don't think you get it Ino. Today is the day I have my revenge on you and Naruto. You ruined my life, took my wife from me, and stole my children. Your punishment is that your children shall also be taken away from you before I kill Naruto in a most humiliating way. I have a jutsu that I know he'll love. My sensei taught it to me after all. ANBU, three of you come protect me."

Three of his loyal ANBU leapt onto the dais and stood beside their Hokage. Sasuke smirked and killed all three with a flourish. Ino watched with wide eyes as some of the blood spattered onto Mikomi. The Uchiha grinned evilly and pointed his sword at Ino and the kids.

"Kill those two, but spare my children. I have further need of them."

The remaining ninja of all ranks leapt into battle. Ino and the foxes tore into the jounins with a vengeance. The chuunin and genin took on the kids and the fight was on.

Ino was in full battle fury, her claws and tails splitting skulls and ripping through torsos, leaving the owners of the bloodied body parts to fall to the ground, where they were trampled by the mob that assembled around them. Ino's face was set into a permanent grimace as she continued to slaughter those around her. In those moments, she was the epitome of a vulpine vixen protecting her child. Nothing else mattered.

Genmaki ripped out throats like he was pulling potatoes out of the ground. As soon as one was finished he turned to another and the cycle began anew. This was his lord's child, a blessed vixen of the vulpine, and his life was her's. He drove his tail into an ANBU's heart and carried on.

Gin was methodical as he kept an eye on the kids and disemboweled ninja after ninja. He would have thought the threat of his lord was enough to keep these hairless apes at bay, but alas, blind loyalty to a pathetic excuse for a ruler could make anyone stupid he supposed.

Shin was, for once in his entire life, not smiling or joking. There were no flames of youth here, no shining examples of the shining brilliance of hard work. This was do or die, and he would not let his king down. He howled in frustration, as the enemies never seemed to stop coming. It didn't take him long to figure out that what he was fighting weren't normal clones. He growled in anger as he tore a throat open, only to spit it out as the repulsive taste accumulated on his tongue. He shouted out to his superior Genmaki.

These aren't normal clones! These are people who have already been dead! These are reanimated corpses!

I know that Shin! Just keep fighting! Lord Naruto will be here soon!

Shin growled and kept going, deciding to use only his claws and tails. This would be a long fight.

Juugo crushed another chuunin's face on his knee and fell back into his Muay Thai stance. There weren't many ninjas for him to fight, as most seemed to be circling Hikaru, but there were enough to sate his anger on. He thrust his palm into another's temple, killing the man. He knew he didn't like to kill, but they had started it. His adopted little sister's life was at stake.

Karin headbutted a genin with her hitai-ate, knocking him out. She hadn't killed anyone yet, but she knew eventually she would have to. She hazarded a glance up at her father and scowled at the satisfied look on his face. The man had no soul, she was convinced of that. She swept another chuunin's feet out from under him and put a kunai through his heart. It was her first kill and though she didn't want to admit it, she felt justified.

After all, this was her family they had decided to fight against.

Hikaru was like a man possessed. All those hours and days of practicing with his father were paying off here. He leapt from the chest of a man he had just impaled with his claws and kicked another in the jaw, before spring boarding backwards and delivered a head crushing heel drop to another's sternum, breaking it. He still hadn't touched the ground since his first leap and a small part of him was happy for that. His baby sister needed him and he'd be damned if he let something like size and strength stop him. His growls became more and more guttural and feral as the battle wore on, his looks becoming more primal and his claws lengthening with every passing minute.

He was truly his father's son.

A loud boom and shout warned them of the arrival of Jiraiya, who sat atop GamaKen, whose large spear and shield wiped out entire bodies with a slash. Several more shouts announced the arrival of their friends.

Sakura was smashing heads in and ripping them off with her incredible strength.

Kiba and an aging Akamaru tore into the enemies as a giant two headed wolf.

TenTen swept ninjas aside with her bo staff.

Cries of pain came from another area as Hinata and Neji Jyuukened everyone in sight.

Shikamaru was choking ninjas with his Kagemane.

Lee was everywhere at once it seemed, dashing in and out, crushing enemies with his superior taijutsu.

Chouji had grown to monumental heights and was crushing ninjas underfoot. He looked out over the village walls and to his horror, saw an approaching army. He squinted and gasped. It was the Sound. He looked back to where the Uchiha stood and narrowed his eyes.

"You bastard! You betrayed us all. You planned for all of us to be out of the village so you could take Naruto's daughter and invade with the Sound."

Sasuke threw his head back and laughed mirthlessly. He finally caught his breath and glared at Chouji.

"I always said I was loyal to the strongest village. Of course, I meant the Sound. You think I really care for this village? Do you? I care for my ambitions and mine alone. I want to see you all suffer at having everything taken away from you like I had everything taken away from me."

Sasuke soon felt the tug of a familiar power and knew that Naruto was about to arrive. He smiled and leapt off the dais and ran for the fields on the other side of Konoha. Cackling as he ran, with Mikomi in his arms, he shouted out for all to hear.

"Tell Naruto to meet me at the Valley of the End. I wish to revisit the past with him one last time."

The only thing that the assembled ninjas could do was turn their attention to the approaching Sound ninja. It was time to crush that village once and for all.

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Naruto appeared in a flash of flames and ran for the center of town, the fox council right behind him. He wanted to kill Sasuke and today he would. He crushed anyone in his way mercilessly and found Ino's familiar signature. He knew that the kids were fine, he could sense them as well and almost let out a sigh of relief. He reached Ino's side in seconds.

"Where is Mikomi? Where is Sasuke?"

"He said for you to meet him at the Valley of the End. He wants your final battle to be there."

"Bastard."

Naruto didn't give her time to say anything else as he leapt onto the dais. The Konoha ninjas finished off the last of the undead bodies and turned to the golden figure.

"Everyone listen! The Sound are on their way and you need to protect the village. Fight until they are all dead. I need Sakura and Lee to come with me to the Valley of the End."

No words were said as the two appeared beside him in a flash. They nodded to their unspoken leader and he looked down at Ino.

"Ino, I need you to help out here. Stay with the kids and make sure they're safe."

"What about you?"

Naruto grimaced and looked at her with soft eyes.

"I'm going to get our daughter back and rectify a situation I should have taken care of years ago. The vulpine council will aid you."

He turned to the foxes and gave them a solemn stare.

"You three, full power, kill any who are not Konoha ninjas. Destroy them. Lee, Sakura, let's go."

Ino watched with sad eyes as the three leapt off the dais and ran for the Valley. She steeled her resolve as she heard Chouji shout that the Sound were nearly there. They had gotten bold and were only a mile from the gates, running toward the village in full view. Ino told all the foxes to follow her and they ran for the field in front of the gates. The Sound pulled up short when they saw a blonde woman with two purple tails waving behind her, grinning at them with pure bloodlust.

"Hello boys. I'm so glad you showed up. My subjects and I here were just dying to meet you."

The Sound ninja watched in horror as she transformed into a purple fox the size of a house and the rest of the foxes transformed into their true states. A flash of deadly white fangs made them shudder.

And now you'll die because we met you. Have at them.

As the foxes rushed forward with howls of glee, something became very apparent to the ninjas of the Sound.The Sound had no chance at the hand of so many demons.

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Naruto, Sakura, and Lee rushed along at top speed, following a trail that Naruto remembered vividly from his childhood. This was the trail they took to rescue the ungrateful brat when he went to Orochimaru. Sakura knew of it, but Lee and Naruto grew grimmer and grimmer as they went.

There was where Chouji had nearly died fighting Jiroubo.

This was the spot where Neji had taken the life of Kidomaru.

Here was where Kiba and Akamaru fell into the canyon fighting Sakon and Ukon.

This was the forest of Tayuya, where Shikamaru and Temari demolished half of the landscape.

They came finally to a strange white forest and Lee looked reverently upon the strange sight. There, hanging out of a giant spire of bone, were the remains of Kimimaro, the last of the Kaguya. Lee shook off his feeling of dread and continued following Naruto.

The scent was getting stronger and stronger, until finally Naruto found the light at the end of the tunnel. There, on the head of Uchiha Madara stood Sasuke with Mikomi in his hands, dangling over the waterfall by her tail. Naruto's fury grew as he took in the smirk on the Uchiha's face and his growl became more and more audible until it shook the landscape. Lee and Sakura took a step back, trying to stifle the over flowing killing intent that bubbled out of their long time friend.

Naruto was lost in his thoughts, his mind murky. The sight of his daughter in the hands of an enemy made his blood boil.

He felt angry.

He felt helpless.

He felt despair.

He felt hatred.

But most of all, he felt betrayed.

And there was only one person responsible for betrayal in his life…his head threw back as he howled the accursed name to the four winds.

SASUKE!!!!!!