I must of just blinked, or something. Because one moment, I was watching my teammates, frozen in terror about to be killed. To nothing at all.

Where did they both go? Did someone save them?

"I see" spoke the grass ninja in amusement.

It was then I noticed a blood splatter on the floor, was that Sasuke's?

Footprints were marked into the moss of the giant trees where my male teammate had jumped against, carrying Sakura with him.

I could only come to two conclusions. One, the ninja missed his target and only slightly grazed Sasuke, or two, Sasuke hurt himself to replace the fear with pain.

I was leaning more towards the latter.

Whilst I was relieved that they were both out of harms way, I only just realised…

That I was now completely alone with this snake creep.

Slowly, I began push myself to my feet, which caught his attention.

"I have to say, I wasn't expecting that."

I raised my eyebrow "expecting what?"

He released a strange chuckle "the two of them to leave you behind so quickly."

"They didn't abandon me!" I snapped back.

The grass ninja smirked, "I wonder, will they come to you're rescue now?"

This guy was beginning to piss me off, "shut up!"

"Or will they abandon you… like your mother did."

I blinked in confusion, "What did you just say?"

"Yes, her title was Lufu, do you know what that name means?"

"What's that got to do with this?!" I snapped.

"Everything…" he remarked.

And that's where I saw red, without thinking anything through I charged at him, jumping in the air with my fist clenched. I expected him to dodge it, what I didn't expect… Was the amount of force I produced from my fist. As my knuckles made contact with the ground, the earth imploded on itself, forcing the rock into shattering pieces.

I didn't give my enemy time to recover and went after him again, only this time he disappeared into the tree.

Hastily I searched the area, ignoring the stinging sensation coming from my vambrace.

"So that's what triggers your power" I heard him say from the shadows. "You'rE afraid. Afraid of the unknown, you so desperately want answers to who you are, and why your mother, your sweet, mother sent you away."

"YOU KNOW NOTHING OF MY MOTHER!" I roared.

"I know enough" he stated, "I know that she is a member of the once great Mori clan."

'Mori clan?'

"And I also know that she was a weak, frail woman."

'Weak? frail?'

"Unlike your father, who was strong… but wasn't…"

"Shut up! I've had enough of your lies!" I screeched, his voice and theories was making my brain throb.

"You want me to stop?" he challenged, "then tell me about her… what was she like? how old was she? what was her fears?"

I shook my head, trying to process these questions he was asking… "her name was Fumiko, she had blonde and black hair and…. and…"

"And?" he pressed on.

"She… She sent us away so we could raise the village alarm!"

"Is that what your brother told you?"

I gasped, how did he know I had a brother!?

"Oh my, you really don't know anything do you!"

I punched where the voice was coming from, only to hit a tree trunk.

"Here's another question for you" he spoke eerily "do you remember anything of your father?"

"My father!?"

"Yes, the other half that bought you into this world."

"I don't have-"

"This is all your fault!"

I released a shaky breath, whose voice was that? it sounded a lot like a man, with a lot of authority.

"Whose there?!" I yelled.

"Stop that!"

Now a female voice spoke sounding scared.

"No! I will not cease Fumiko! You have to let her go!"

Wait, the female was my mother.

"No I cannot!" she cried painfully "I love her too much…"

"As do I…" spoke the man in a calmer, more solemn voice "but we much do our duty, no matter how painful it will be…"

"STOP IT!" I screamed as I pulled my hair, trying to block these voices.

My brain felt like it was going to explode! Why is this happening?! Was the grass ninja doing this?!

"Hmmm I think I understand now."

I shot my head up, to see the ninja towering above me.

I froze, like I was stuck in a trance.

"Do you want them, Tomoko?" he asked, using my actual name for the first time.

I took a step back, not sure what he was talking about.

"Your memories" he answered the silent question, "I can give you what you seek… well I can at least try."

I shook my head, there was no way I was gonna let this guy manipulate me like this. But before I could retaliate, something large and somewhat slimy wrapped itself around my body.

'What the-'

I glanced down to see a human sized snake squeezing me tightly. It's dark brown scales matched the mud beneath my feet, giving it the perfect camouflage. It's large yellow eyes stared at me hungrily, and its tongue poked out at me, as if it was toying with me.

"Don't worry" he reassured in a sweet, sickly tone "I won't let it kill you."

'Shit! Shit! Shit! This isn't good!'

I just glared at him, and struggled to get free which was a mistake because the snake's grip only got more firmer.

"However…" he stated "I think its best I paralyze you for this."

"Wha?"

I couldn't finish my sentence, as the snake, as quick as lightning, stuck it's two long, deadly fangs into my shoulder.

The first thing I felt was the piercing of the flesh, as the fangs ripped though my skin with such ease. Next, was the pain… which was like being electrocuted a thousand times. Then finally… numbness, not being able to move, speak… even blink.

But I could still hear, see and smell.

"This snake not only has venom to render it's prey useless, it also reveals any hidden marks or seals." The ninja told me.

I tried to speak, but my throat was swelling up, making it hard to breathe.

'Damn it where is my team!?'

I saw the smirk on his face grow more twisted, "How interesting!" he sang "you weren't holding back after all!"

He poked his large snake tongue out and licked his lips.

"I'm going to enjoy this… its time you awakened… my little champion."

Meanwhile, Both Sakura and Sasuke were trying to regain their breath behind a nearby tree. Sasuke still had the kunai stabbed in his own thigh, granted it wasn't one of his most smartest idea, but it did the trick.

"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura breathed before letting out a gasp "Tomoko! Where's Tomoko!?"

"I could…" Sasuke huffed "Only… grab one of you…"

Sasuke slowly pulled out the kunai, making him wince and blood splatter everywhere.

"She's… still with that guy!?" Sakura cried.

Sasuke didn't say anything, as he threw the knife to the side, and continued to quiver in fear.

"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura remember "Sasuke-kun are you oka-hpmh!"

she was silenced by Sasuke's palm, and watched as he nervously looked behind him.

'We need to run!' Sasuke thought 'But Tomoko is still out there!'

His breathing became more frantic and panicky.

'What do I do!? WHAT DO I DO?!'

And that's when they heard it, a blood-curling scream echoing through the trees, shaking them to the core.

Sasuke slowly removed his hand Sakura mouth, leaning to the right to see past the tree. There, he got a glance at where the shrieking was coming from.

He didn't notice that Sakura had to, leaned closer to see what was going on.

His eyes widened, as he saw his best friend, coiled up in a gigantic snake, with its fangs sunk deep with in the crest of her neck. But that's not all that was happening.

Sasuke could not see Tomoko's eyes, because the Grass Ninja's hand was clamped down on her forehead in a spider-like grip.

He heard Sakura gasp behind him, she was now clutching onto his shirt.

"A most fascinating seal… I've never seen anything like it" the enemy mused.

Sasuke and Sakura watched the ninja pull his hand away to show what the fuss was about.

What they both saw was… strange. In the centre of Tomoko's forehead was a symbol of sorts… no one could be really sure, due to the fact they was so far away. It was somewhat shaped like a star, and looked like neutral atom without the centre circle.

The Grass ninja smirk and flecked his hand into a claw, slowly purple chakra appeared in his finger tips.

"By the way its etched into your skin, you have a Blóda Seal" he remarked.

'A Blood Seal? what the heck is that?!' Sasuke questioned.

"Sasuke-kun… we have to help her!" whispered Sakura harshly.

But Sasuke couldn't move, once again he became a statue of fear.

Without hesitation or second thought, the ninja clamped his hand on Tomoko's head and surged his chakra into her. Sasuke could see black lines proceeding from the atom mark, across her forehead, over her ears, creating a tiara like pattern woven together.

Her body was set alight with a light blue chakra, emulating from her body. Both teammates were amazed at how much chakra she had.

But now wasn't the time to be impressed.

Because If you thought Tomoko's screams from earlier was horrifying enough. The almost, gagging wail that escaped her lips sounded ten times worse. Her eyes had rolled to the back of her head so you could no longer see her beautiful, forest green eyes. Blood was flowing out of her mouth and nose endlessly, as if she was being electrocuted.

Slowly, her chakra ignited even brighter, only to be sucked into the ninja's hand.

"He's draining her chakra?" Sasuke mumbled.

"It's true!" he exhaled dramatically "you are as they say! opening the seal is the key to your power!"

Tomoko didn't reply, she couldn't due to all the pain she was in.

"Sasuke-kun do something!" Sakura begged.

"Awaken Kendra Tomoko! Show me the true power of Order!" he cheered and started laughing manically. However he suddenly stopped, and his face twisted in pain.

Sakura and Sasuke looked is astonishment and horror, as Tomoko's chakra changed from a its natural light blue, to a blinding spring green. Steam pulsed out of the ninja's hand and the sound of scorched flesh sizzled in the air.

The grass Ninja stumbled back before any any damage could be done, the Snake however… wasn't so lucky.

It released it's jaws from it's victims neck and hissed out in agony. It once smooth brown scales eroded into black and it collapsed into a pile of ashes.

once free, Tomoko stood there for about ten seconds as her Chakra faded away, then she collapsed face first to the ground.

'No…' Sasuke said in his head 'he got Tomoko! She's down for the count!'

"So, you would have her mind ripped into pieces before letting anyone awaken her power?" The Grass Ninja asked to no one in particular. He then chuckled "Takashi… you were very careful."

'Takashi?' Sasuke thought in confusion, that was a name he'd never heard before.

"Sasuke-kun? What happened? Is Tomoko okay!?" Sakura asked frantically.

Sasuke, snapped out of his thoughts and looked back at her, he could see the worry in her eyes.

"I… don't know…"

How was he to explain that!? Tomoko… Tomoko was defeated! There was nothing he could do!

Sasuke turn to see the scene again, but saw no sign of their enemy.

'WHERE'D HE GO!? WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!'

"Sasuke-hpmh!"

He had once again clamped his hand over her mouth.

Sakura looked him in confusion but then noticed something behind her. Her eyes became the size of saucers as she saw a giant Snake hover over them like the cold calculating predator it was.

Sasuke seemed too caught up in his own head, but his hand wouldn't budge. Sakura muffled desperately into his palm, trying to pull it away from her.

"Sasuke-kun!" she breathed after finally freeing herself "A snake!"

Sasuke turned his head back around, his Sharingan on full display. They both only just managed to dodge the attack, but the snake was quick, and struck again, it's prey being Sasuke.

"I was so upset that I didn't even notice the presence of a snake…?" Sasuke asked himself.

The snake opened its large mouth, ready to swallow him whole. Sasuke did a double that, did he just see the cold eyes of the grass ninja behind it, glaring at him.

"DON'T COME NEAR ME!" He screamed out in terror.

Not really thinking, he tossed various weapons at the head of the beast, causing it to hiss out in pain and collapse.

Sasuke landed on a branch nearby and saw that he was now directly above Tomoko, who still had not moved.

As soon as he saw her, he called out to her. But still she remained in a comatose state, not moving an inch.

Then suddenly, he heard a strange cracking sound. glancing up, he hauled in fear. As someone began crawling out of the snake's scales.

"You can't let your guar down, even for a second" the grass ninja told them as he continued to push himself out of the fallen creature. "Prey need to strain their minds all the time, and run around… In the presence of a predator.""

He t lifted his head, a sick expression on his face and as licked of his lips.

The ninja coiled himself around the tree tuck, making his way to Sasuke like the slippery snake he was.

Sasuke was petrified and stuck in one place. It seemed that upon seeing Tomoko unmovable body, and his enemy's movement made him snap. The courage he once had was lost…

If Tomoko couldn't beat him… how was he gonna pull it off?

The ninja was close enough to strike, but he was interrupted by serval ninja weapons cutting his path.

Sakura released the breath she was holding.

"Sorry, Sasuke!" called a very familiar voice.

everyone looked upward, to see a bright orange outfit, and a goofy smile.

"Naruto!" Sakura cheered.

With his arms across his chest, he proudly proclaimed that he couldn't remember the password….

Typical of the Village's number one noisy ninja.

"Good Naruto!" Sakura called "You look kind of cool!"

Naruto ahem'd confidently.

"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled up to him "you must have come here to show off by helping us, but don't get involved!"

Naruto threw a questioning glance at his male teammate.

"Run!" Sasuke ordered "he's way above our level!"

"Looks like you defeated that big snake, Naruto-kun" the grass ninja commented.

Naruto stared at the enemy, concluding that he how very much resembled a snake, and that his attack from earlier was because of him. But something was wrong, one of his teammates was missing.

"where's Tomoko-chan?"

No one said anything, but he noticed Sasuke glancing downward. following his gaze, he saw his female friend laying lifelessly on the ground.

"Oy! Tomoko-chan!" he called blissfully unaware "now isn't the time to take a nap!"

But there was no response.

"Hey! Tomoko-chan! This isn't funny!"

"idiot!" Sasuke scolded "Tomoko was defeated!"

Naruto blinked, Tomoko, the strongest female rookie lost?!

No, the noisy ninja didn't believe it, he couldn't believe it!

"Tomoko!" he called frantically "get up now!"

Anger shot through him…

"Hey, hey hey! What have you done to her!?" he bellowed at the snake like creep.

"Naruto don't!" Sasuke snapped back.

The grass ninja smirked "I wanted to awaken her true self."

Naruto released a baffled huh, and exclaimed that there was no way that he was doing that because she was asleep.

"Looks like you were picking on the weak, eh?" Naruto established, pointing a finger at the enemy. he then proclaimed that he, 'the great Uzumaki Naruto', was here, and going to beat him to a pulp.

Sasuke's jaw dropped at his words, this guy couldn't be serious! At this rate all four of them would be killed.

'What should I do?' he kept repeating in his head.

Sasuke assested the situation, and couldn't think of a way out. Tomoko was badly hurt, and she needed help. There was only thing left to do.

He deactivated his Sharingan and called the enemy to wait, gaining his attention. The young Uchiha reached into his pocket and grabbed the scroll.

"I'll give you the scroll."

Naruto couldn't believe his eyes, hell even Sakura was shocked.

"Please" his rival pleaded "take this and leave us in peace."

"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto roared "What are you doing!?"

'Shut up Naruto!' Sasuke thought.

"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO BY GIVING THE ENEMY OUR SCROLL?"

"You shut up!" the other male snapped back.

"What?" Naruto muttered, this could not be happening!

"I see, you're smart" the grass ninja complimented. He then banged on about how the only hope the prey has from the predator is to hand something else to eat so they can save themselves.

"Your teammate learnt that the hard way" he stated "without her, your team is in pieces."

Sasuke ignored his comment, only because he knew it was true. With Tomoko out of action, he found it hard to continue this fight.

Without her, the team, and himself, had ceased to function.

"Take it" he said whilst tossing it away.

Naruto gasped and jumped across. In the nick of time, he grabbed the scroll, pushed himself off a tree truck to land in-between Sasuke and the ninja.

"You…!" Sasuke seethed "DON'T BUTT IN! DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION YOU'RE IN!?"

Naruto's answer, came in the form of a fist, as he clocked his rival right in the face, causing him jump back into another branch.

"Why you… why did you do that!?" he demanded.

Naruto breathed in and out heavily "I… forgot the password" he said "so I can't make sure of this, but… You're a fake Sasuke, aren't you?"

"Naruto!" Sakura shot in "what… what are you saying?"

"You idiot!" Sasuke spat "I'm the real one!"

"Liar!" Naruto heaved "The idiot and coward I see in front of me, right now, can't be the Sasuke I know!"

Sakura stared at him in surprise.

"I don't know how strong he is, but there is no guarantee that he'll let us go even if we hand over our scroll!" Naruto explained.

"Tomoko would understand that, she would have kept fighting!"

Sasuke glared at him, why was he bringing his best friend into this? can't he see he was doing this for her!

"You're the one who is scared" Naruto accused "the one who doesn't understand the situation."

The grass ninja chuckled "Naruto-kun…"

He licked his lips once again "you're correct!" he then proceed to lift up his sleeve, showing a snake like seal. "I just have to… kill all of you to take the scroll."

He bit his thumb and traced a line of blood across the seal. Noticing this Naruto charged for an attack.

"STOP!" Sasuke called out desperately "RUN! NARUTO!"

I wasn't really sure how I got here, but it was a hell of a lot nicer than where I was. I woke up to find myself surrounded by golden corn, glistening in the bright warm sunlight. Sitting up I scanned my surroundings, looking for some sort of induction as to where I was.

"Where am I?" I asked myself. "Somehow I don't think I'm in the Forest of Death anymore."

Then I saw something in the distant…

"Hey is someone there?"

I pushed myself off the ground and walked towards figure, as I got closer… I could make out that it was a little girl.

"Excuse me?" I called kneeling to her level "could you please tell me where I am?"

The girl's eyes were cast downward, and she had an emotionless expression on her face. It was a little unnerving to be honest.

"Is something wrong?" I asked her.

Her head began to twitch unnaturally to the right, as if she was having a seizure. I stumbled backwards, falling over in the process, and whimpered slightly as she looked up at me.

"Wrong?" she asked in weird, sweet tone… her green eyes began diluting and blood began trailing out of her mouth. "What makes you think… that there is something…. wrong?"

My body shook uncontrollably, and my jaw was wide in horror.

The little girl began to walk towards me, her arms hanging loosely and almost dead like.

"Stay away from me!" I cried as I attempted to crawl away from her.

She stopped, which I wasn't expecting.

"I cannot do that" she told me.

I stared at her in confusion, "why?"

She then pulled a sick smile "because I am you!"

I shook my head, not believing her words.

"I am you!" she repeated more manically. As she repeated the phrase, over and over again. Her twitching became more violent and blood was now pouring from every available hole on her head.

I tried to crawl away from her again, only to be stopped my someone stomping on my foot.

"There is no escape" the girls voice now sounded much older.

I stared back at her in dismay, the little girl was now replaced by that woman…

The Woman covered in blood.

"I've missed you so much…" the woman said solemnly. "We can finally be together again…" she mused happy, "my daughter."