The Chronicles of Naruto

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters in it.

This story is set in the current time line of the manga, however none of the events have occurred as they did in the manga

First I would like to apologize for the extremely long delay on the update. Got really busy with school, then the holidays came up and I got completely distracted. Second I would thank everyone for their patience with the story.

I would like to thank everybody for taking the time to review my story. Now on to individual comments.

Mcdowra: Thanks. The first few chapters were definitely rough. It was my first attempt at writing, so it didn't come out as good as I hoped it would have.

Aarong: Yes it does indeed have its sad points, but I tried to balance it out with the lighthearted scenes throughout the story.

ApatheticGoddess: Here the update you asked for. Hope you enjoy it.

Adngo714: There is no need to be so Curt. If you have a question or complaint about the story, then I would be happy to answer it for you. I only ask that you ask it in courteous manner. As for why Hinata died, there needed to be a catalyst for Naruto's rage and this, to me anyway, seemed the most reasonable/realistic way to do it.

Chapter 36: The Bandit

Yasuke was crouched on a fence with a stupidly confident smile aimed at the copy shinobi.

Kakashi - "The bandit from five years ago right? Yasuke, I think your name was."

Yasuke - "So you do remember me!" The bandit responded in an exaggerated tone of flattery. "It is an honor to remembered by one such as yourself." He gave a mock bow and turned to look at the Kyuubi down the street. "I wonder, do you think he would've remembered me too? I'm not so sure he would. He seemed rather agitated the last time we met. Honestly though, I'm not so sure I want him to remember me." He returned his gaze to Kakashi. "You see, I'm no good with awkward situations, and meeting the man who's wife you just killed definitely tops my list of possible awkw..." He jumped back suddenly as Kakashi came in a hard rush, destroying the area of the fence he was standing on.

Kakashi - "You did this to him?" He seethed and push forward again.

Yasuke - "Yes and no." He said while dodging the various strikes. "I was indeed the one that killed his wife, but it was without a doubt Sasuke that caused the whole situation. You see I was just pawn in the wh..." A punch slipped past his defenses and he was forced to adjust, but Yasuke moved right in line of the copy shinobi's rising knee. The bandit lurched forward at the impact to his stomach which was quickly followed by a right hook, then a left to the jaw, and finished with a strong kick to the abdomen that sent him flying back.

Kakashi - "Why did you do this to him? To his wife?" He said as he formed several seals. 'Katon, Karyuu Endan' Kakashi spat out a giant wave of flame at the prone Yasuke, completely enveloping him.

Yasuke - "I was ordered to." He said calmly even though he was surrounded by fire. "Well, I guess that's not exactly true. I was ordered to get his kid, but the wife wouldn't let me so I had to kill her." When the flames dissipated a small yellow sphere had formed around the bandit who was holding a steady seal. "Afterwards, Sasuke said that killing her would be enough, and we didn't need the kid anymore. All we had to do then was wait and not long after, you two showed up. So you see, I was just following orders." He finished and dispelled the barrier. Kakashi was there in a second with a ball of lightning in his hand.

Kakashi - "As do all shinobi in a war, but they die just the same." The Konoha shinobi then thrust forward, but was suddenly stopped when the barrier formed again. The two forces pushed against each other like two positively charged magnets until the pressure became too much and exploded. Both the fighters were sent flying back and it took several moments for them to refocus. "Why are you helping Sasuke? What has he done to make you owe him so?" He said and started forward, but Yasuke held up a hand for him to stop.

Yasuke - "He prevented Orochimaru from putting one of those cursed seals on me. In return I was forced to help him see his mission through to the end."

Kakashi - "End? What end?" He demanded. To which Yasuke only responded by pointing past him. Kakashi turned around in horror to see Sasuke desperately trying to avoid the attacks of a now seven tailed Kyuubi. At that moment he finally understood everything and turned back to Yasuke. "Why is he trying to destroy Konoha?"

Yasuke - "That's the one thing I'll never understand about him. Whenever I asked him he always responded with 'I owe it to the man who made me powerful'. Even thought he never liked Orochimaru, and despite the fact that even likes this stupid little village, he still felt honor bound to destroy it. Because that is what he wants I was forced to help him, but since the seventh tail just formed my deal with him is over." Kakashi's face scrunched up in confusion. "He said that I can leave after the seventh tail formed, so that I don't have to die with the rest of the village." With that he simply turned around and started making his way to edge of Konoha. At first, Kakashi wanted to follow him, but he knew that it would do him, or anybody else, no good. So he turned around and headed toward his student who so desperately needed his help.

Author's Notes:

Well, that was chapter 36. Hope you enjoyed it. I know, it was really short, but I didn't feel that this would fit in well with the final chapter. Yes, the next chapter will be the last in my story.

Please remember to review : ).

Techniques

Japanese / English

Katon, Karyuu Endan / Fire Element, Dragon Flame