"I will not be stopped by the likes of you, Itachi!" Orochimaru hissed as the remaining head of the giant snake dove towards Itachi and Kisame.

Kisame began unwrapping his sword but Itachi put his hand out. The snake stopped and reared its head, bursting into black flames. Orochimaru jumped off, barely escaping the tongue of flames that was quickly engulfing the snake, 'Amaterasu…' Orochimaru stumbled as he hit the ground. Coughing up blood, he doubled over. 'That little girl's Gentle Fist, Tsunade's punch, and now this…my current body is at its limit…'

Itachi and Kisame watched as the snake was burned to ashes. Itachi grimaced, blood coming from his eyes. "We need to retreat Kisame, I've used the Mangekyou twice today…"

Kisame looked somewhat perturbed, "But, if we don't get the Nine-Tails now, it's going to be hard in the future. Konoha's not going to just forget this."

Itachi turned and started walking, "Regardless, we need to go now. Those Leaf ninja will be arriving soon."

Kisame shrugged, but dutifully shouldered his sword and followed after him, blending into the shadows caused by the setting sun.

At the diner, Neji was exchanging chakra filled blows with Kabuto.

Kabuto jumped back after a particularly vicious blow to the stomach. 'My medical ninjutsu's no use If I can't use my chakra. I wonder how Lord-'

Shikamaru was being healed by Shinzune. 'Dammit, we've taken to many losses, we need to end this quick…'

Kabuto gave a swift elbow to Neji's neck, knocking him unconscious. He rushed over to Orochimaru, who was on his knees, holding his stomach.

"Kabuto…we need…to do the jutsu now…" Orochimaru panted between breaths.

Kabuto looked surprised, "But, Sasuke isn't here. The nearest hideout isn't the one he's at."

Orochimaru looked at him angrily. "I KNOW that you fool! It doesn't matter anyway, Sasuke hasn't been trained yet. I need...a new body…now!"

Kabuto nodded, "Alright, let's go."

"I don't think so," came a voice in front of them. Looking up, Orochimaru and Kabuto saw two men, one in a dark green jumpsuit, the other in a flak jacket, smoking a cigarette.

Asuma took a puff from his cigarette, "You see, I've got a score to settle with you, Orochimaru."

Orochimaru smirked, "Oh, sorry about killing your precious Hokage, I'm sure you'll have a new one soon enough, whether it be Tsunade or not."

Asuma frowned, "Your right, we can replace the Hokage. But you killed someone I can't replace…my father," and with that, he charged at them slicing through the air with one of his blades.

Kabuto and Orochimaru dodged in opposite directions, barely avoiding the swath that Asuma cut between them.

Asuma stopped himself, and got back into stance. "Guy, mind takin' the other one?"

Guy smiled and gave him a thumbs up, "You got it, Asuma." With a wink, he charged at Kabuto.

Asuma turned back to Orochimaru, who was slowly getting up.

Orochimaru held out his arms, "Die, just like your father!" With that, snakes flew from his sleeves.

Asuma's swung his blades, slicing the snakes in half. Turning back to his opponent he lunged, creating a scythe of wind that shot of out his blade.

Orochimaru, weakened, stumbled as he dodged. The scythe cut clean through his left arm, severing it.

Orochimaru, crying out in pain, "DAMN YOU!" Clutching the remaining stump, he poofed off.

Kabuto, dodging a blow from Guy, quickly followed suit. Stopping, stunned, Guy looked around. Having concluded he was not near, he walked over to Asuma. "That was-"

Asuma slammed his right blade into the ground, his opposite fist clenched tightly around his other blade. Guy walked up, place his hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry, Asuma. We will avenged him, one day…"

******

Tsunade was kneeling next to Naruto, eye streaming with tears. Her hands were place over Naruto's wound, chakra flowing from her hands into his chest. 'I can't let you die. Not after I failed those two…you were protecting me…and her…" Tsunade glanced at the rest of the group, who were rushing over to Guy and Asuma, before her eyes rested on Hinata. "That girl must be something precious to you…if you'd do that. I know how that feels…' Tsunade's vision swam as she slowly ran out of Chakra. Rushing over, Shikamaru caught her as she slipped over, "Lady Tsunade, you did it. Naruto will be fine…"

******

'Wha-…I'm so hungry…I felt like I haven't eaten in days…' Naruto slowly raised his head, but winced as a stabbing pain jabbed in his chest.

"You probably shouldn't get up. You haven't fully recovered."

Naruto turned to his right, "Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi smiled, standing over his student, "You should probably be quiet, Naruto, some of our guests are trying to sleep." He motioned to Naruto's left, where Hinata was lying on an adjacent bed, facing Naruto, asleep. Her hands curled up near her face.

Naruto stared at her for a few moments. Kakashi, rolled his eyes. "Naruto...Naruto…" Grabbing Naruto's head, he turned it so his eyes were facing him. "You can ogle your teammate later, I was-"

He stopped as the door to the room slowly opened, through which Tsunade briskly walked.

Tsunade looked at him in surprised, "So you're finally up…only took you 3 days…"

Naruto clutched his stomach, drooling, "I haven't eaten in so long…"

Kakashi sighed, 'Always with the food. No wonder Hinata has so much trouble. Naruto's hopeless…' "You could thank Tsunade first, she's basically the reason you're here right now." Naruto's eyes snapped to her as Tsunade crossed her arms. "She's the one who healed you."

Tsunade sighed, "Only partially true. You healed a lot of yourself naturally, no doubt from…" she looked at Naruto's stomach. "I just gave it that extra push to save you."

Naruto scratched his head, "Oh, well, thanks…"

Tsunade smiled at him, "It's nothing. Besides, as Hokage, it's my duty to protect the leaf."

Naruto smiled back. Kakashi broke in, "Sorry to ruin this sentimental moment, but we have some business to discuss."

Tsunade crossed her arms, "Kakashi's right, we have to prepare for the impending attack."

Naruto scratched his head, "Attack? But I thought the Sand were our allies now?"

Kakashi leaned back against the wall, "They are, but you're forgetting about the Sound. With Orochimaru as their leader, they will not doubt attack again. Especially since he has a new body, he'll be at full strength."

Naruto looked down, "What about…"

Kakashi turned to look out the window, "Yes, Sasuke will probably attack as well. And he'll be powerful, with Orochimaru as his sensei. Not to mention the cursed seal…"

Naruto clenched his fist, "Then…I'll just have to get stronger."

Kakashi and Tsunade looked at him, stunned. Kakashi then smiled, "That's the spirit Naruto. You and Hinata are chunnin now, but there is still more to learn. Your growth as a ninja never stops. I still train to better myself. And besides…" Kakashi gave a slight grimace, "…I haven't been doing the best job as a sensei. I think it's time I earn that title. I will be spending more time training with you and Hinata once you both are better."

Naruto pumped his fist, "Yeah!...Wait, what about that old sage?"

Tsunade crossed her arms again, "Hmph! That old man ran out as soon as I got here. He never was one for responsibility."

Naruto, however, was looking at Hinata again, "Is she okay? What about everyone else?"

Tsunade smiled, "Yes, all of them are fine, although Kakashi here should probably still be taking it easy."

Naruto frowned, "Why? He looks fine…"

Kakashi smiled, "Don't worry, I am, now. That's something I have to teach you guys how to defend against."

Tsunade motioned towards Hinata, "She's fine, although she says she still doesn't feel well. I thought at first she was just faking it to be here with you, though, honestly, she might feel sick worrying about you…especially with all the trouble I've heard you've been getting in…"

Naruto looked at his sleeping teammate, 'Hinata…what is this feeling?'

Tsunade looked at him, then to Hinata, then to him. 'What an idiot…I need to help that girl out.' "Naruto, why did you do what you did?"

Naruto scratched his head again, "Uh…what did I do now?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes, "When you jumped in front of her to take that blow, why did you do it?"

Naruto looked at her, then at the bed in front of him. "I….I don't know…I…"

Tsunade held her head, 'This guy is total moron. I feel REALLY sorry for that girl. I guess it can't be helped.' An idea came across Tsunade's face. Smiling, "I have to go back to my office. Naruto, more sleep, now. If you do, I'll have my assistant send for some ramen for you. I hear you like Ichiraku's?"

Naruto nodded, before quickly pulling up his covers and laying his head.

Tsuande gave a knowing grin. "Kakashi, when Hinata wakes, tell her I need to see her in my office."

Kakashi nodded, and watched as Tsunade walked out. Leaning against the wall, he sighed 'I don't envy Naruto and Hinata right now. That grin was sinister.' Shivering, he pulled out his copy of Icha-Icha Paradise. 'Better get some reading in now, we're gonna be busy…'

******

Enjoy! And review. And stuff.