Okay, everyone. On this Thursday afternoon, I, Pure-chan, will be closing the vote for the main pairing. I know that it might be a little unfair for some and the vote was really close, but since I finished the Oto-Suna invasion arc today... Well, I did say that I will make the final decision by the time it ends. So, the winner is... GAARA!

(Applause)

Now that we're done with the dramatics, Sasuke will not be forsaken in this story. He, along with several of my OCs and Gaara will be part of the main cast. Oh, let's not forget Kita and Kouji too. I like Sasuke so I will not make him evil forever, but maybe temporarily depending on the story's needs. For now, about the characters, that's about it.

Anyway, I won't hold you for long. Please enjoy the show!

PS: I am not good at writing fight scenes so please forgive me.

Chapter Thirty Six

(Shinju's POV)

"First the Hyuuga girl will go and distract Orochimaru. Squad Tora will take care of his bodyguards and Alligator will aid the Hokage." Nara Shikaku's instructions were clear.

By then, Gaara has already been forming his ultimate defense. Before leaving though, Shinju had a few last words to say. "Temari, Kankuro, please take good care of Gaara." Before they turned around, she already left and prepared for battle. First, she randomly appeared in front of Orochimaru and tackled him before using a freezing jutsu. Then, a group of ANBU, most likely Squad Tora, charged at the false Kazekage's false bodyguards. Another ANBU stood in front of the Hokage, ready for confrontation.

The crowd was crazy, but they started to doze off bit by bit. Some Genin were still awake, like one Nara Shikamaru and one Inuzuka Kita. On the other hand, the guests and civilians were asleep, unaware of the battle raging right beside them. Shinju fired a couple of jutsu in rapid succession, not enough to truly harm Orochimaru (his power was on another level), but enough to distract him for a while as Konoha's best tactician gave orders to her comrades.

(Arisu's POV)

Suddenly, a masked figure jumped and attacked the Kazekage in the middle of the fight. Then, ANBU went to action as people around me started to fall under a genjutsu. I easily repelled it, along with my relatives and as some began to get Hanabi-sama out of harm's way, others went to look for Hinata-sama and the rest went to defend the village.

Having been chosen to be of the last category, I went to look for Daisuke and Shuhei. Sand and Sound ninjas were fighting against our own. Luckily, the civilians weren't harmed as the ones fighting are quite skilled. Right afterwards, I was ambushed by two Sound-nin and lost my footing. They then fell down to the ground, revealing my saviors: an obnoxious guy and a gentleman.

"Well?" Shuhei asked. "Don't just stare, we have some invaders to fight off here, Ari!"

Embarrassed, I got up from the ground. I won't admit that he was right, again. I am a Hyuuga after all.

"Now, now, this is not the time, Shuhei," Daisuke told him. "Since most shinobi are here, we should head into the village where most of the invaders should be. I also saw the Genin participating in the Exam flee, so I'm guessing that they're rejoining their troops posted outside the village."

Both Shuhei and I nodded, before we left and ran in the streets. There weren't that many people here yet, but most of the civilians have already evacuated to Hokage Mountain. I momentarily forgot about the fight I will have later on, only concentrating on the task at hand.

(Kita's POV)

Kiba-nii woke up not too long ago and we were following the Chunin as they led us to the refuges. Even though we both want to help the others, we knew that Hinata-san's safety was most important, especially since there are Kumo-nin amongst the audience. Neither of us wants a tragedy like that to happen again. But, at the same time, I'm worried for Sasuke… and Tsukiko. Sasuke's scent was heading further away, but Tsukiko was still at the arena.

"Oi, don't worry."

"Kiba-nii…" I turned my head. "I just can't help it…"

"Your friend, Tsukiko, right? She's strong, even if she only passed because she fought Chouji." He told me. "She'll be fine. I'm pretty sure that she is much stronger now too. That gal's Hinata's cousin after all."

"Yeah. You're right."

We didn't exchange another word as we ran through the village that was our home.

(Kasumi's POV)

Asuma left after the first orders were given, leaving me and Kurenai behind. We were going to stay inside the arena to protect the civilians as we both trust our teams to not act foolishly. I must admit though, I had no idea that Hyuuga-san had it in her to even attempt to take on Orochimaru. I guess that she is much stronger than I thought.. Hopefully, Shikaku's plan does not involve her getting killed. She was my first real apprentice of sorts after all… I think that I've taken a liking to her.

Kunai and shuriken flew everywhere as we kunoichi fought off our enemies. Thankfully, I was quite decent at weaponry and taijutsu, or else, it would have been bad. But if they ever take a hostage… I bit my thumb, drawing blood. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

An otter appeared on one of the empty seats, dressed in blue and balls in its hands. It turned towards me, as if asking permission as I nodded. Smiling, it charged at the ninja behind me as I knocked out the ones in front. I heards cries of pain as I took on other enemy nin and successfully take them out. I moved in fluid motions and as soon as Kurenai made a genjutsu, I combined with one of my one, quite similar to Kirigakure no Jutsu.

"Do you have any more enemies for me to play with, Kasumi-chan?" The otter, my summon asked me, having finished off most of the ones around us.

"You can go play with the ones over there, Aoi," I said as I pointed towards where the Hyuuga have been sitting previously. "If you are overwhelmed, you can go back."

"Thank you, Sumi-chan! Off I go!" Aoi happily left the area. He was one of the most playful of my summons, but also the best suited for this situation. I'd summon Gin just so she would bring some of the invading nin to the Investigation Headquarters, but I doubt that it be of much use anyway.

(Shinju's POV)

When we would think that he could not stoop lower, well, Orochimaru proved us wrong. He resurrected the Shodaime and the Nidaime Hokage (not that I know what they look like, but Alligator informed me). Mokuton Jutsu and Suiton Jutsu came one after another. I and Alligator took care of the Nidaime Hokage as Sarutobi-sama fought the Shodaime. Eventually, I got mad.

"Oi, Alligator-san," I called out between blows. "What type of element are you?"

"I'm a Doton user," came his mumbled reply. If I didn't need to rely on hearing, I would have never heard it!

"Can you please contain Nidaime-dono as long as you can? I think I know how to stop the Jutsu."

Before he can reply, another wave was sent at us and I leaped nearer to the Nidaime. I need to perform a decent C-Rank Katon Jutsu then immediately fire it with a Fuuton Jutsu. Luckily, though my skills in Katon weren't that great, they were compensated with my abilities with the wind element. But first, I needed to dry up Nidaime-dono's clothes if that wasn't already the case so I can actually carry out my plan.

Thankfully, as I found out moments later, the conditions for my attack plan were respected and Alligator-san is fending him off quite well. I made the hand seals required for the Goukakyo no Jutsu and a medium size fireball shot out of my mouth. Faster than the eye could see (well I hope so), I continued with a giant gust of wind. The fire grew bigger and bigger and it hit Nidaime-dono, not. He was able to dodge that one. Still not giving up, I attacked with Suiton Jutsu, waiting for a perfect opportunity to show up.

"Oi, Hyuuga," Alligator-san said to me later. "I'll take care of the Katon Jutsu, but you must follow with a Fuuton Jutsu right after, understood?"

I didn't speak, but the understanding was clear between us. We must win this fight. Luckily for us, Sarutobi-sama does not seem to be going down anytime soon, especially with another ANBU there to help him. But then, the Nidaime led us to his brother and former pupil. I was out soon enough. There was no way that someone like me could stand battling against this type of opponents for more than a moment and if I weren't taking advantage of Alligator-san's presence and constantly running away, I'd be dead by now.

"Hyuuga, I want you to leave the battlefield and head out of the village, towards the Suna Jinchuuriki." The Nara clan leader ordered me just then. "Your presence will be more useful there, but don't use up all of your chakra, alright?"

Alligator-san and the other ANBU heard it as well and gave me a clear getaway. One of their summons, a furry beast, had her on its back and headed straight to where Gaara and Temari were. Biting my cheek, I hoped that Sandaime-sama will be alright. At his age, I doubt that he would be able to do much against two Hokage in their youth, even with ANBU by his side. That's without mentioning Orochimaru too.

About Alligator-san... Well, first of all, I don't think that there are any alligators or crocodiles in Japan... but then again, the Elemental Countries aren't Japan so I guess it's okay... I wonder what his mask would look like though. So... we failed to beat up the Second Hokage and the ANBU are helping the Sandaime whereas another squad was beating up the Sound Four, which explains the lack of a barrier. We also see what's going on a bit everywhere during the invasion too

So, um, for the other pairings

Sasuke/Kita 2 (the second one is mine XD)

Ino/Sai 3

Ino/Kiba 3

Sakura/Lee 3

Sakura/Shino 1

Tenten/Neji 1

Please vote and review!