Naruto: The Forgotten Clan

by The Hero of The Found

"It is simple Naruto, everyone can see it, even you! Even in your 'high and mighty' stature. We are all but pawns, running amuck to no purpose. But I intend to be so much more than that. I, I am god over these men. I did this so the world can be reborn from flames. I did this so no more would others have to suffer. Join me, and this world shall be rid of pain it caused itself."

36. Chapter 36

A/N: Attention! Something happened with my account or something, but something happened to where it didn't say that ch.35 was published. Ch.35 was published, if you hadn't read it then go back one and do so. I don't know what happened but I got the info that I posted it hours after I did so, I have no idea if you guys and girls even did. So once again ch.35 was posted, if you didn't read it then go back and do so. Now…here is the Sand village fight that you all have been waiting for, let's hope another one of these guys doesn't die, am I right or what…no…just me…ok.

Ch.36 Keep My Mind, Lose My Soul

Lee awoke to the sounds of explosions and screams. A ringing noise that deafened all sound to near nothingness. A light that consumed all else, but slowly and eventually gave way to the world around him. And it was of one that he didn't want to see. Of one that was all too familiar, but yet so foreign.

The sounds of explosions were the first thing to come to mind, Lee slowly regaining consciousness to see the world around him. There was a lot of them, coming in a high frequency and power, increasing with time. As this continued, Lee's world slowly came into place. The first thing he saw, was a body of an unknown ninja, staring him dead in the eyes, but for them to never be closed again. He was a Sand ninja, one of the many in the group, the one who had complained in the beginning. What had happened?

Moving his gaze upwards, he saw a horrifying sight. The group that had once been laughing at his side was fighting off ninja after ninja, each being replaced by another as soon as they fell. There were around eight when Lee was awake, now there were five. He didn't even want to know what had happened to the other two, if something did happen. The leader of the group, the bald Jounin was launching off fire blast after fire blast from his hands, his arms ablaze, striking down foe after foe, giving orders to his group as he did so. As he fought, a Sand ninja landed beside him in a flash, seemingly told him something, and then launched off into the distance, the Jounin immediately giving new orders to his group.

Lee eventually got feeling back in his body, now able to stand on his own. As he did so, the bald Jounin turned to Lee, striking out one more blast before turning to the man. "Lee, get your ass up I need your help out here!"

The green beast finally stood, and was now able to see the damage around him. The enemy came in full force, buildings around him were turned into rubble, the helpless screams of civilians sounding around every corner, Lee now unable to do anything. Children crying for mothers and vice versa, what will Lee now had was trying to make him stand, he needed to do something, anything! Ninja launching off buildings, fighting going on everywhere and anywhere that there was space. But as the fights continued, it seemed that the Sand was losing this battle, more than one being struck down or having to flee, quickly being chased by a few enemy ninja.

Lee scanned the area around him quickly, realizing that they were near surrounded and with wounded lying on the side of a building that they were trying to protect. Some of the more severe cases were missing limbs, gashes wide and deep into their arms and faces. One had his arm twisted into such an angle that it might have to be removed. It sickened Lee, he needed to do something. Turning to the group ahead of them, a feeling like burning was felt flowing through his veins, muscles tensing and power flowing through him like never before. Looking forward, he saw the source of their problems, a large team of ninja were on one of the overhead building's rooftops, firing down jutsu after jutsu, keeping Lee's team pinned in their spots, not able to move or really do anything.

Lee uncontrollably felt a growl pass through his teeth. Taking off in a green blur before the Jounin could turn to notice, the bald man's face turning to one of surprise and anger before turning back to the group ahead of them. But his eyes widening slightly at seeing where Lee had gone. The man was now fighting off the entire group of ten at once, dodging jutsu after jutsu, blow after blow, and sending explosive one's of his own. Leaping over one man, Lee slammed his right fist into the back of his partner's head, the enemy falling to the ground from three stories, hitting the ground hard. Lee then turned to the one he had leapt over, quickly seeing and dodging a fire jutsu which unfortunately hit a man behind Lee, the Green Beast then flipped towards the enemy, dodging another fire jutsu before lifting a leg high into the air and drop-kicking the man face-first into the cement, leaving behind a permanent crack in the man's skull and on the building.

The rest of the group then turned the Lee, the center leader motioning towards him while directing others to continue to pin down the group infront of them. A group of three charged Lee, the first was easily knocked out by a punch to the jaw, the man flying off the rooftop. The second almost got a solid blow upon Lee's side but was redirected by a backhand with Lee's right hand, then slammed into his chest by Lee's left, a loud cracking sound echoing before the man fell before Lee's feet. The third stopped for a moment before attacking, Lee not wasting any time before hitting the man in the gut twice, then once on his temple, the man also falling before Lee, no challenge what-so-ever.

The group then noticed how severe of a threat Lee might be and turned their attention to their attacker. The man's eyes widened a moment before group turned their jutsu's on him, Lee turning into a blur and dodging each fire, lightning, and water jutsu while gaining ground on them. The group got more desperate, launching faster and faster. As Lee got closer though, one of the group was hit by a stray fireball, it quickly spreading to his friend, both burning under the fire with screams of pure agony. Turning slightly, he noticed the bald Jounin now on the offensive, directing orders at his group to charge while he covered Lee.

Another was hit by a fireball, leaving two to Lee. The first was the weaker of the two, sloppily sending a punch to Lee's head. But grabbing the hand, a quick palm upward on the elbow of the man broke his arm, then a swift kick to the ribs most certainly broke something else, sending the man flying off the building with his friends. The leader then sighed and turned to Lee, rising his arms to meet Lee, as if he knew it was a hopeless battle. The two clashed, the leader more effective in Taijutsu than most, but not greater than Lee. Lee dealing hammer blow after hammer blow at the man, the leader rising his arms to his head to block the attacks. Unfortunately turned to great, one of the arms snapping in half at one of Lee's blows. Seeing his resistance fall, Lee quickly sent an uppercut to the man, sending him high into the air before meeting him quickly in mid-air an open palm crashing into his chest, a shockwave resounding as the man fell heavily onto the rooftop, a large crack developing into the concrete.

Flying downward, Lee landed upon the sand, breathing slightly irregular. Turning slightly from his position, Lee caught a glimpse of one of the ninja that Lee had sent to hell. His eyes open in shock and body contorted slightly. But the main thing that caught Lee's attention, the brand that stood upon the man's forehead protector, was one of the Leaf village. Opening his eyes in slightly surprise, he didn't notice the slight shaking in his shoulder, or the shouting in his ear. "Lee! Lee come on, answer me!"

The Green Beast turned to the disturbance, seeing then the bald Jounin he had met only earlier with a downcast expression but eyes as cold as night. He was ready for this, just the opposite of Lee. "We need your help, we got wounded and we have orders to move drive them back."

"Do you want me to help with the wounded?"

"Hell no, I need help sending these guys back to hell, we need to give the others time. The others can handle the wounded and escorting civilians. Listen I know that you might have feelings on not fighting these guys due to them being in what used to be your village. But right now I will protect my home and if you stand in my way-."

"These guys are not from my village. No one of the Leaf would do something like this. I will help; just tell me where to go."

"Just follow me kid, and be ready for hell."

The duo took off higher and higher above the village, possibly to get a better view of what they were dealing with. As they climbed each building, the sounds of battle drew closer and closer into Lee's ears. The noise growing louder and louder before they even reached the top. Finally resting upon one of the tallest buildings in the village, Lee could see all of the devastation that the Leaf was causing. It was horrible, the bodies of innocents lining the streets, their blood covering the walls and painting the area's a deep red, splattering seemingly across the entire village. Mother's holding children in their last moments, fathers trying to protect their loved ones but only in vain. Loyal and enemy ninja fought to their last breaths, the battle spreading across the entire village. And from what Lee had seen so far, it was a losing battle, the Leaf gaining ground with each moment. The element of surprise, it was just to great, they were never prepared for this.

In the distance, Lee could barely make out a yellow blur accompanied by a blue one, fighting off someone hazy to his vision; it must have been Naruto and Hinata. Although he was sure they were fine, some part of him wanted to go after them. Continuing to look, his eyes traveled upwards to see a man flying through the air on a platform of some kind, one seemingly made of pure…sand. Gaara, the man was fighting off something else, a ninja wielding a blade of considerable size, launching off blue beams of some kind but only in vain at Gaara's defense. Turning to the Jounin, Lee's voice expressed worry. "Should we help Gaara?"

"The Kazekage? Trust me he can handle himself; we need to either find the leader of this group or the largest mass of ninja and divert them. We can't waste time on small groups; we need to end this now. Wait…that man! Lee follow me, he must be one of the ones commanding this!"

The Jounin took off faster than what Lee could comprehend, but following in his footsteps, he tried his best to deter his mind from the cries of the helpless around him, knowing that others would help. He hoped that the person that the Jounin had spotted was the leader, and not just another mistake. The two ran over rooftop after rooftop, the Jounin's arms once again ablaze. Firing off fireball after fireball at enemy ninja that they had passed, hitting every one that dared stepped in his path. Lee kept up but only barely, only once having to knock away a ninja in his path, sending him flying across the village.

As suddenly as the man took off he stopped upon the edge of one of the rooftops, looking down onto a group of enemy ninja. None of them were anything special, in a circle formation and seemingly discussing battle plans. Before Lee could discuss strategy, the Jounin gave a massive battle cry, throwing a few fireballs before the ninja knew what was coming. The first two never stood a chance, set ablaze before any knew what was happening. The other group caught the two and yelled out their position, two of the group giving a hand sign, the earth rising ahead of them and making a shield, blocking the third fireball. The rest of the group, five in number then hid behind the shield, but only one did not. One that was hidden to Lee before, hidden within the center of the group, one that he should have recognized from the start. The man smiled at Lee, his arms spreading as if accepting a brother. Ryu emitted a monstrous laugh before speaking to Lee. "What's the matter; not glad to see me?"

A fireball was launched from the Jounin, hitting Ryu square on. But out of the flames came not a burned man, but the same Ryu that had still stood only a few seconds before, only now with a slight look of irritation. Turning to his shoulder, a small patch of fire began to burn a hole in his in mesh armor shirt, threatening to hit his dreadlocks that were now slightly shorter than what Lee remembered. He turned away from the brunt patch, looking Lee straight in the eye, and he wasn't happy. "I'll take that as a no."

---

The explosion rocked Naruto to his core, threatening to break everything in his body. The heat that came from the blast was sure to burn skin and muscle from his back. He swore for a moment that he smelled his own flesh burning under the flame. Pain everlasting, which was the only feeling the man had. This explosion, it was different, it wasn't a bomb but some type of jutsu, and it was powerful. If the Ninetails hadn't pulled some extra weight and now guarding Naruto's back, the blonde would have probably been fried within the second along with the person within his arms. Hinata was held against Naruto's body, shielding herself from the flames and surviving against the rage. A red chakra shield guarding the both of them. Naruto reached inside of himself, calling upon the Ninetails, 'hey, thanks for that.'

'Like I can let you die.'

'Any idea who is doing this?'

'It is not any normal chakra, something…something that isn't right. I can't place it, it's like it is artificial. I cannot place the chakra signature. You are on your own in that regard.'

'Alright, just be ready and by my side. I'm going in blind.'

'Like I have anyone else to help at the moment. Be careful kit, this chakra, although strange, is strong.'

As the flames died, so did his grip upon Hinata, after a moment finally letting the heiress go. His back healing at a rapid rate from the slight burns he had suffered from the blast. Finally rising from the crouched position the both of them were in, they were able to see what havoc the jutsu had rained around them.

Everything was the same, no buildings were damaged, and nothing was even moved out of place. Not even a single patch of flame scattered the area. The one thing that had changed, the one thing that made Hinata cry out slightly in both shock and pain, which also made Naruto burst with hatred, were the shadows. They were endless, those that had once been there but had no chance against the flame. Every part of their physical and spiritual bodies were gone, the only thing remained were husks of what they used to be. Shadows plastered upon the sides and walls of buildings, each in a shocked state, each trying to escape what they could never. Some holding smaller ones, as if trying to protect them. Each shadow, was a person that had only a few seconds before existed in this physical plain. There had to be hundreds lining the streets, and each of them would have their vengeance.

Naruto turned, the Ninetail's influence clearly shown upon his eyes. Scanning the area widely for the perpetrator, the bastard that had dared do this. Sensing a massive chakra, Naruto climbed upwards at a furious pace, Hinata quickly following behind with the same look of rage upon her face. Upon reaching the roof of the building however, Naruto was met with a worse sight. Upon reaching the roof, Naruto with met with war. Ninja were fighting everywhere around the village, ninja pouring in from the front gate, now nearly reduced to rubble. Fire, water, lightning, and earth being shot out of every corner of the village, as if each ninja were fighting his or her own individual war. The screams off innocents crying out in helplessness, trying to avoid the inevitable.

Suddenly feeling a strong force beside him, Naruto instantly held a blue orb within his arms, pointing it straight at…a very angered Kankuro. The puppet master already held Crow and Salamander out in full view, blood coating his black outfit with some spreading upon his face. He had already seen a few battles, and wasn't done yet. "Naruto, no time to explain, help us get as many civilians as you can towards the south side of the village."

"Why?"

"Gaara has a plan, just do it! We don't have the time, I'm gonna try my best to push back these ninja. Just do as Gaara says, if he has a plan in this, then I would believe him."

With that Kankuro took off, leaving a slightly confused but still furious Naruto. With that the blonde put up a quick handsign, and in a puff of smoke came four Naruto's. The clones instantly taking off in different directions at a furious pace. "They will go to each side of the village and assist, I will try and aid Kankuro in driving back these ninja. Hinata go to the center of the village and try to get civilians from there, I think Gaara wants to use my transport seal. We won't get a second shot at it so get as many as you can…Hinata."

"Yah?"

"Cancel that, I'm gonna need your help with this."

"With what?"

"I think he means me."

Both turned to the sudden appearance of a dark chakra, powerful and blazing with passion. The man was hooded and cloaked, a pure onyx black from head to toe, not one piece of skin showing. The man stood upon the other end of the rooftop, as if he had been there all along, just waiting to be noticed. He stood facing towards the center of the village, a light breeze waving his trench coat back and forth with the wind. As the screams filled the air, his arms moved with them, waving as if conducting an orchestra of misery. Head moving as if he was in a trance, barely paying attention to those behind him. His voice was deep, much so than normally possible. He turned slightly towards the two behind him, a slight mocking in his tone. "Did you enjoy my jutsu? It took quite a while to get it to perfection."

Naruto burst with anger, his body bursting with the Ninetail's chakra. Launching forward, a fist ready to break his skull under the weight. "You did this!"

Before the fist could connect however, the man seemingly vanished in a wave of darkness, reappearing near the center of the roof, inbetween the two lovers. Moving as if still in a trance he spoke, each word echoing as if he reveled in Naruto's anger. "Yes, though know I am not proud of killing innocents. We were ordered to kill without mercy, so mercy I shall remove from my mind. Do you hear them?"

"Hear what?"

"Their pleas. Their screams. It is futile but why, why try to delay the inevitable with screams?"

"Are you asking me why they feel fear? Pain?"

"…Sorry but I am foreign to those concepts. Maybe just another feeling taken from me. Naruto…I wish to combat you."

Naruto clashed his fists together, a ringing noise echoing throughout the area from his gauntlets. The pupils within his eyes turning into slits, and color turning a blood red. "Thought I would have to ask."

"Yes, I am the strongest of my group. You are the strongest of yours, I think it would appropriate if we fought. Know that I will not show mercy, I will go at you with everything I have, including at your lover, if she chooses to join."

Hinata took upon her family's bloodlines stance, eyes burning with the want for justice for the fallen. "I will fight!"

"…Then I am sorry. I only wanted to take the Ninetails, now I will have to end the Hyuga bloodline. Another thing I will have to remove from my memory. Naruto Uzumaki…I had read a lot about you. You were once thought to be used as a weapon to the Leaf. In that truth, we are alike. But the one difference…instead of living my life free-."

Jak then turned from the center of battle, arms moving to his hood. Pulling it back and then around the neck with a forceful tug. Only to reveal short brown hair, sweeping to the right and covering one eye. The one eye that was showing was a light hazel color, skin only a light tan, a black pipe noise-piercing that ran in the middle of her small button nose. Voice then turned to a lighter tone and pitch, one feminine. "I had to live my life as a weapon."

Naruto recoiled slightly, his eyes and voice showing shock. "Wait, you are a girl!"

"Yes, does that change your feelings upon fighting me, do you wish to surrender?"

"No, I just…didn't really expect that."

"Unfortunately, people respect and fear men more than women. So it suited me to adopt the ruse of a man, at that point in time, to install more fear within my enemy. So now if you are done gawking may we?"

Jak's question was answered by Naruto flying forward in a flash of yellow, a fist aimed for the woman's face. She quickly blocked the blow, turning only slightly to see her second opponent close in fast. An arm latched upon Naruto's left, and with a forceful tug threw Naruto at Hinata, the woman ducking fast and avoid the blonde. The thrown ninja throwing a three-pronged kunai down by her feet as he flew through the air.

Hinata came fast, dealing blow after blow to the woman, all in which she either blocked or repelled, seemingly playing a pure defensive game. Hinata's Byakugan blazed, trying to hit any chakra points on the woman, trying to hit anything at that. It seemed within seconds Jak had Hinata on defensive, dodging and blocking each attack that the Hyuga had thrown at her, and sending light jabs of her own. Both ninja were in a blur, fists and kicks flying at a speed that near no other person could see. Sensing a chakra build within the kunai, Hinata quickly pushed against Jak and back away, allowing a yellow flash to spawn. Now holding the kunai, Naruto went to work, slashing the air around Jak and trying to land hits of his own. Spawning an extra clone, both went to fight Jak, the woman moving with speed and power, moving around every blow the man through at her.

The real Naruto backed away suddenly, allowing the clone to move forward, following quickly by Hinata. The clone trying to land a hammer blow but being redirected downward by Jak, following which Hinata leapt over the fake Naruto, a kick aimed straight for the woman. The cloaked ninja distanced herself from the clone and concentrated once again upon Hinata, moving once again in a blur to meet the woman in each blow, now not even able to land a hit of her own. In a sudden move, Hinata twisted to the side, allowing Jak to see the clone she had once subdued charge her again. Scoffing slightly, Jak only pressed her right palm forward, a black spike emanating suddenly from the hand, impaling the clone in his heart.

What she didn't see however was the real Naruto blast through the smokescreen that the clone had created, a blue orb in his palm, shining bright blue with power. Retracting her spike, the same arm moved to seemingly catch the Rasengan. Naruto not even hesitating for a moment to place the orb within the woman. But as the ball hit Jak's palm, it stopped, like it hit an immovable wall. Turning her attention from Naruto, she quickly found Hinata back to her left, a Rasengan within her hand as well. But in the same motion, she caught the orb traveling upon her, stopping Hinata well in her tracks. The duo burst with chakra, the ground beneath them cracking under the pressure, trying with an amazing force to break Jak's block, but the woman stood, a smirk upon her face.

In a blast of chakra, the woman pushed forward against the two jutsu's, the wielders suddenly finding themselves flying backwards. Naruto reacted fast, throwing a quick handsign as he flew, a massive smoke screen appearing, and with it came an army of Naruto's, each out for blood. Jak stood, immovable and in a stance almost similar to Hinata's. The Naruto's charged, some wielding Rasengans, with furious looks upon their faces. Jak moved with swiftness and precision, dealing with each clone in seemingly one hit. Only light taps dissipating each and every clone, the ones that wielded the blue jutsu were tossed back into their comrades, dealing more damage to them than their enemy.

Naruto watched in slight awe at this before shaking his head, nodding towards Hinata to charge. The woman complied almost instantly, chakra building within her palms as she charged the woman, the blond quickly slammed a hand upon the ground, a black seal flowing from his onyx gauntlet and flooding the ground, a large scroll appearing in its place. The ninja then quickly summoned a clone, nodding hastily towards it, the shadow already knowing the plan, taking the scroll and leaving the battlefield.

As Jak dodged another blow and sent one of her own towards the clone's gut, dissipating it instantly, she fought off another with her right hand, another spike emanating from it and impaling the man. Twirling, those unlucky were decapitated instantly from the deadly spike, others that ducked under the spike were quickly met with the woman then placing her left palm upon the ground and spinning upon it, her right arm outstretched and catching those she had once missed in its deadly reach. Seeing the heiress then close in, she jumped from the position and swiped quickly with the spike, trying to catch the woman who dodged effortlessly around the spike, closing in fast. Jak retracted the spike and fought once again with the heiress, this time changing stances, now she fought with speed unlike any other. Flying around Hinata and trying to flank her, the woman still dodging her wide kicks sent to the back of her head and punches sent directly to her spine. The way she struck, the power within her blows, she fought like Lee.

Hinata, quickly seeing this fact, moved against Jak, already well knowing her friends fighting style. Every time the woman tried to move with speed behind her, Hinata was already turning, delivering a quick blow to a blocking arm before the woman disappeared. This repeated for a moment before Jak realized that her style was now useless. The cloaked ninja grimaced in frustration, switching styles again and facing Hinata head on, driving the woman back a few feet before suddenly launching into the air, her right palm facing Hinata.

The heiress felt immense chakra build up within the palm, a light seemingly forming around the hand before suddenly being released. Before Hinata realized it, a wave of heat passed over her, a burning sensation came to her skin as the light grew brighter, encompassing Jak entirely before seemingly wanting to swallow Hinata whole. A flash of yellow, a man stood before her, arms pointing towards the sky, a wave of black writing filled the sky, stopping the light within its tracks. Blocking the wave entirely, it started to dim, the light then condensing within an orb, the writing wrapping around the light. It began to grow smaller, the light along with the writing. The orb growing smaller and smaller until disappearing from this world entirely.

Naruto sighed slightly, stepping back before looking at Hinata, making sure she was alright. Looking down upon her arms, she noticed a few patches of burnt skin, blood flowing from the wound. If the jutsu had hit, she might as well have been a goner. Looking back to Naruto, she nodded slightly before the blonde turned, looking for the enemy. And in which he found, a dark gloved fist connecting with his face, before sending him flying backward next to Hinata, the man groaning slightly before rising, facing Jak. The woman's look was now filled with slight anger, pulling her gloves back with a slight force before adopting a stance, ready to face the duo again. Hinata grimaced before stepping into her own stance along with Naruto, this was going to take a while.

---

Gaara moved with a rage that seemingly encompassed the village. His movements were swift and without any form of mercy. Floating above the world upon a platform, any enemy ninja that met the man's gaze was quickly put to sleep, permanently. As he did so, he directed those with his village to the south, he need every villager that he could get, there would be no second chance to grab them all. Another part of his plan that he hoped work was that someone had found Naruto and directed him towards the south end of the village, he needed the Uzumaki's seal to get his people out of here. Out of this living hell.

Gaara moved through a large group of ninja, his sand trapping and crushing most in his path, sometimes having to send out sand to blast some out of the sky or to immediately crush those who needed to be disposed of immediately. A shield wrapped around the man, tools upon tools tried to impale the man, a glaring eye was the only thing seen from outside the shield, watching everything. Fire, water, lightning, earth, it mattered not, nothing got passed his defense. He could feel the being within him crying out in pleasure at the destruction he was causing, of all the blood that he was spilling, and it was only this one time that Gaara could actually agree with the beast, he wanted this. He wanted these men to go back home and tell of the terror that Gaara inflicted within their hearts, and for them to know that he was coming, and no man could stand within his way.

Hearing a scream of terror, Gaara quickly turned to his right to see a family, trapped within an alley way, trying to fight back three ninja but failing to do so. A man lunged forward, followed quickly by another, trying to protect what seemed to be a small child behind them, but quickly flung back by the three ninja, blood flying from their lips. Gaara's eye grew a little before glaring at the men, launching from his shield, uncaring about himself, he landed in the way towards the family, crossing his arms and glaring at the men. He spoke cleanly, without hate or anger, only with truth. "You will not make it out of this."

The first seemed to think otherwise, charging forward with a fist but was stopped by Gaara making a wide arc with his own, sand blasting from a corner of the alleyway and smashing the man into the side of a building. The other two then charged, as confident as the first but this idea was quickly discarded at Gaara moved again. Arms rising into the air, the two men found themselves quickly surrounded and bound by sand, it encompassing their entire forms, covering then their faces, he didn't want the child to see this part. Letting a palm point towards the men, Gaara quickly clenched it into a fist, his neutral look never changing as a loud crunch sounded from the sand piles, not moving as blood began to drip from the sand.

But his look changed slightly at turning, allowing the Sand Coffins to fall behind him, he turned to the family, the two men bowing slightly at the sight of their Kage, what caught his attention though was the girl, her moving past the two men and facing Gaara. She was smiling, her face showing a hint of fear, eyes red and bloodshot from probable tears, but still smiling, through all of this how could one find her face? She muttered out a small 'thank you' from which Gaara only nodded towards her, his expression slightly puzzled, but discarding this look he turned to the two men pointing towards the south wall of the village. "Get to the south part of the village, that is the most secure. We have a plan to get everyone out of here, move or you will be left behind."

"Right, thank you Kazekage."

Gaara watched with a hardened look in his eye as the family quickly collected their smaller member and ran out of the alley, sure enough heading towards the other end of the village. Gaara wished them well, hoping that they would get to the other end before they were caught. Hopefully someone would meet them and escort them along the way. Wishing that he could do it himself, Gaara sighed slightly, remorse filling his gaze. There were other things to think about now, other smiles to protect.

Gaara returned to reality, sensing the growing chakra's and the battle growing with them. He had to hurry, otherwise it could grow out of his control. No, there was no stopping it, it would get out of his control, it was only a matter of time. He was on a limit, time not surely on his side. Moving his arms upward, he readied the sand contained within his gourd to propel himself upward. But stopping suddenly, a chakra, very powerful and very close. Looking upward, he tried to look for the object of this power, but at a loss as to where it was. But something was there, something very bright. Once thinking it was the sun, that thought was quickly discarded at it growing closer and began to split into eight parts. Oh no.

Quickly making a wide arc with his arm and shooting both palms into the air, the sand around Gaara launched upward, widening out and condensing in only moments. It grew wider and wider, eventually covering the entire area around him, a makeshift shield. The objects seemingly hit, Gaara hearing a monstrous blast and feeling a chakra pass through the sand he had created. Knowing that the threat had passed, Gaara slowly allowed the sand to fall, some falling into place where he had obtained it, the rest of it returning to his side, wrapping around his form in a barrier. That jutsu, it was powerful and aimed for him, the ninja was close and dangerous, he needed to be eliminated. Exiting the alley, Gaara quickly lifted himself into the air, a platform of sand supporting the man.

The Kazekage's cold eyes observed the area around him, trying to search for any ninja who could have done this. And in which he found one, a dark skinned man, obviously waiting for the Kage. Wielding a large cleaver, white hair that draped over one eye, chakra already building into his fist. The one thing however that mostly caught Gaara's attention was the one eye that could be seen, it was pure red, formed into…the Sharingan. He must be a controlled one, he was familiar to, wait…one of the Kage's escort…Darui if he recalled, escort to the Raikage. Now an enemy, if he was controlled then he couldn't kill the man, knocking him out and disabling him however was an available option.

Darui turned to the side slightly, his left hand resting upon the massive blade upon his side, the other started to grow a bright blue, sparking slightly. A show of power, meant to intimidate, but at this point it was nothing compared to his own chakra, what did he expect to accomplish? "Gaara, surrender, or die. You have three seconds."

Gaara did not even give Darui the choice to count down, and apparently, neither did he. The dark skinned man pushed forward his left hand, multiple laser-like objects shooting out of his palm. Pulling up his shied, Gaara's sand was expected to stop the lasers in their tracks. And when hearing the two jutsus connecting, a disappointed look filled Gaara's eyes, before rapidly disappearing at one of the lasers bursting straight through the sand and barely hitting Gaara's head.

The Kazekage's eyes widened slightly, this had been the first time that something had truly passed straight through his barrier. If this jutsu could continue to do that, then his defense would be practically useless, offense was the key then. The sand shield that protected Gaara would most likely not be useable, great, already making the battle much harder than what it is meant to be.

Lowering his shield slightly, he found Darui had moved, straight infront of him, sword in hand and ready to strike down the Kage. Gaara quickly pushed back, moving out of the way of the slash, watching as the lightning that infused the sword last second slashed clean through the air in which he once stood.

Landing upon a nearby rooftop, Gaara pushed forward, a blast of sand following his arms and quickly finding Darui. The man however vanishing within a blur, landing next to Gaara and slashing again with the blade. Barely dodging it again, the sand returned to Gaara's side blocking then each strike that the man threw at Gaara. The cleaver moved upward then, trying to cleave the man in two. Moving the sand upward, it caught the blade mid-flight and captured the blade, moving forward along the metal to capture the man. Darui, quickly seeing this pulled the cleaver out of the sand and backed away quickly, a handsign flashing and along with it coming more laser rounds, heading straight towards Gaara. The Kage pushed upwards, the sand quickly blasting him upwards, the rounds however quickly following. Pulling the sand next to him, the material formed into multiple shurikens, firing themselves at the orbs, hitting and exploding mid-flight.

Turning slightly, the Kage quickly found a blade about to meet his forehead before the sand intervened. This wasn't the first time he would have to thank the powers at be for granting him this power. Shaking this thought off, Gaara returned to the battle. Pushing forward at Darui once again, the sand formed into two hands, charging at the man almost in a blink, Darui having to drop the blade captured by the sand. Gaara instantly dropped the blade, focusing on moving the arms that charged his enemy. Darui moved fast, dodging the arms with incredible speed, easily obtaining his blade and charging Gaara again, moving around the man, launching laser after laser at the man. Gaara either throwing a sand shuriken to intercept the jutsu, or having to dodge the shield piercing jutsu, all the while still chasing the man with the giant sand arms.

Turning sharply out of the way of another sand blast, Darui came face to face once again with Gaara. The duo clashing fast, Darui trying to cleave the Kage with each swipe the man made. The blade however being blocked by sand each and every time, the material then trying to grab at the man, but suddenly vanishing and reappearing behind Gaara made it difficult to do so. Having enough, Gaara launched himself backwards, the sand arms going in the place of the Kage. Launching themselves at Darui with an intent to capture. The man, seeing the jutsu come, launching into the air, slicing at the material that tried to capture the man again and again. Finally having enough, Gaara made the arms spiral higher and higher into the air, causing Darui to continue his ascent. When Darui finally reached the pinnacle of his jump, Gaara spread the arms wide, the material circling wide before slamming his fists together, the sand arms repeating the motion, enclosing Darui with a massive thunderclap following.

Gaara watched the orb with a hardened gaze, watching at the enclosed arms slowly formed into an orb of sand, the excess material falling slowly towards the ground. After a few moments passing, Gaara turned from the orb, wanting to focus his attention elsewhere, but stopping at hearing the sound of a crack. Turning backwards sharply, Gaara's vision was filled by a flash, followed quickly by the sight of black lightning. The jutsu crashing into the Kage's area, it blasted Gaara backwards, rolling for seemingly ages until stopping at hitting part of a building.

The being within called for Darui's blood, wanting nothing more than to tear the man's head from body. But knowing that this was not his fault, that he was controlled, Gaara subdued the thoughts, focusing on how to subdue the man. As his mind went to work, the reality around him continued, Gaara learning harshly at the flash once more, a black lightning beast then heading straight for his form. Pulling the sand from around him, Gaara put up an effective wall between him and the beast, feeling as the jutsu hit his barrier, and definitely feeling the wall break, the lightning barely scorching his shoulder.

Hearing another spark, Gaara looked upward to find Darui, already launching orb after orb at the Kage. Quickly reacting, Gaara pulled his wall back over him, adding more sand and condensing it heavily, making an orb around his form. Each laser hitting and cracking part of his shield, each making an impact to kill Gaara. At the sound of the third orb hitting Gaara's look turned to anger, this was enough! He didn't care if he killed the man anymore, he couldn't waste any more time upon this.

Pushing both arms into the air, his shield turned into a cannon, firing off shot after shot made of condensed sand. Darui, suddenly aware that Gaara was on the offensive, tried to dodge the blasts, trying to fire off orbs to counteract the sand, but not having enough time as another would quickly take its place. Standing his ground upon a rooftop, Darui's blade went to work, slicing shot after shot into two pieces, both steel and sand becoming nothing but a blur. As the Cloud nin fought off the blasts fired by Gaara, he didn't notice the sand once again rising behind him, nor it turning into a hand high above what he could see. What he did see however was Gaara moved a palm downwards, looking upward, the last sight Darui saw was of a hand crushing his physical form.

The host sighed slightly in relief, looking over the sight of his devastation, Gaara checked for signs of life from the person he had just faced. And in finding one, a small source of chakra within the sand that was no Gaara's own, the Kazekage's mood lightened slightly. Thankful that the man hadn't died during that attack. But at realizing where he was once again, Gaara's hardened look returned, taking off within a blur, hoping to save as many as he could, and that his battle didn't take as much time as he thought.

---

Naruto meanwhile was dealing with problems of his own, at this particular moment, how to stop himself from flying into the other side of the village. Screaming in slight terror and pain, he was flying past buildings at what Naruto thought could have been the speed of sound, flipping wildly out of control as he did so, blasted back by a cheap jutsu from Jak. Thinking on how to escape this, a thought entered the man's mind, possibly the only plan he would think of. Throwing up a handsign, a group of Shadow Clones appeared infront of Naruto, all bracing and ready for the impact the blond was going to throw at them. Crashing into the group, all groaning in slight pain, the real Naruto stood up, turning to one of the clones. "Where is the Sage chakra, I need it now!"

"Sorry boss, it is difficult to obtain in this chaos, we are close though."

"While you are getting close I am getting my ass royally handed to me! What about civilians? How many have we gotten?"

"Around a few hundred and we are still counting! Just hold her off for a little while longer; we will get the Sage chakra soon."

The real Naruto sighed heavily, watching as the clones vanished in smoke, turning then back to the battle. Naruto concentrated his chakra and teleported in a flash, straight into the battle once again. Entering the fight, Naruto appeared between Hinata and Jak, already throwing a punch at the woman's head. But somehow already seeing this, the woman grabbed Naruto by the gauntlet, twisting and lifting Naruto off the ground and throwing him straight into Hinata, the heiress lucky enough however to catch the blond before he could impact. Naruto sighed before thanking Hinata slightly and focusing his attention towards Jak. This woman, whoever she was, whatever she was, was handling both Naruto with the Ninetails chakra flowing through him and Hinata at the same time and barely looking like she has taken any damage at all. This needed to be ended, but without the Sage Mode, he couldn't do much more than what he was already doing. The Rasenshuriken was out, that big of a blast radius it could accidently take out more than one civilian or friendly ninja…unless.

Turning to the heiress, Naruto's expression turned to one of concern, she was getting tired, her chakra growing weaker as the battle continued. He hated asking for more, but he needed time. "Hinata I need you to distract her, I will need time to set this up."

"How much?"

"Shouldn't be that long, maybe a minute."

"Done."

Naruto watched as her chakra grew, more and more than what even he thought that she could accomplish. Backing away slightly, even the ground beneath the woman started to crack slightly. It then concentrated, her chakra focusing upon her eyes and hands, both stretching out and palms pointed towards Jak, who watched intently. The chakra then became visible, something taking the form of flame, molding around her outstretched arms, going then into the physical embodiment of two lion heads, snarling and ready for battle. She then turned to Naruto, eyes hardened and battle-ready. The man staring at her wide-eyed and mouth slightly agape before closing and shaking his head slightly. "Kick her ass for me."

The blonde then threw his kunai backward, flashing in an instant and disappearing from sight. Hinata then turned to Jak, the hooded woman watching her intently, measuring every detail about her before speaking. "You know you still do not have the strength to beat me on your own."

"I know."

"Then why continue to fight?"

"It is not why I fight, but for who. I fight for my father, my clan, my family that was taken from me. And that I will take back!"

"But not this day."

Jak charged first, clashing with Hinata within a mock of the heiress's own Taijutsu style. A flurry of puches and kicks directed at killing Hinata came in haste and number, even the lion fists seemingly not helping at the flurry of her attacks. At each blow Hinata's resolve grew, along with her anger, the rage of her blows increasing along with her strength. In seemingly moments, the one defending was Jak, trying to block the power that resided within Hinata's fists, her arms seemingly tearing at each blow, crying out in slight pain.

In this moment Jak flew back suddenly, arms pointed back at Hinata, then in a furious motion threw fist after fist at Hinata. Launching from which were monstrous fire blasts, each aimed straight for the heiress. Watching the fire come closer and closer, the heiress calmed her mind, directing her chakra within her arms once more, away from her eyes. She imagined the points around her, each needing to be hit in sequence. She flowed from one point to the other, a blue line of chakra following her lion fists as she touched each imaginary point around her, the action becoming faster and faster with each moment. Eventually becoming nothing but a blue blur, hitting each point around her at one moment. "Protection of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"

Each blast came into contact with the shield, each as large as the building the heiress stood upon, each reduced to nothing by the shield. The fire doing nothing against the heiress. As the last fire blast hit the heiress, the shield died down, her arms still ablaze with the blue lions, now snarling at the landing Jak. The entire rooftop around her was slightly ablaze, small patches of land unaffected by the fire, while others were still in contact with the orange flame.

Hearing a footstep behind her, Hinata turned sharply to be met with her blond companion, smiling slightly and giving a thumbs-up to Hinata before turning to Jak, brandishing his three-pronged kunai and charging the woman suddenly. The duo clashed, Naruto teleporting around Jak, hitting her in one place then throwing his kunai to be in another, but even with this the woman kept up, fighting Naruto at every turn. One blow got past Naruto, hitting his gut and causing the man to wince in pain slightly, but ignoring it, he continued the assault. Launching a kick at the woman, it too was blocked, but using it, Naruto quickly turned and threw his kunai next to Hinata. The man teleporting next to the heiress with a smug look on his face. Jak's expression however was one of confusion, turning to them with her one eye showing puzzlement. "What did you hope to accomplish by doing that?"

"Oh, only this. Do it now!"

Jak, suddenly feeling a large chakra form in the sky, looked up to see a Naruto wielding a very large and very dangerous jutsu. One blue, in a shuriken-like form, spinning faster than what she could keep track of. Before she could react, he had already thrown the jutsu, heading straight for her. Behind that clone however was another, launching in time with the Rasenshuriken a black seal of some kind, gaining in size with each moment it traveled. Eventually taking the shape of a net, following the jutsu with speed.

Naruto only watched with a slight satisfaction as the jutsu hit, the blue orb exploding on contact, however before the orb could grow out of control, the net hit, enclosing the orb and imbedding itself within the concrete of the building, of what was left of it. The building was reduced to rubble, the explosion destroying everything within the net. As the orb died however, Naruto thought he might as well double-tap. The net then started to glow, brighter and brighter, glowing with an immense chakra before releasing into an explosion, less than what the Rasenshuriken would have been but still massive in size, both Hinata and Naruto shielding their eyes.

As the light died however, so did their chakra and the lowering of their arms showed the destruction that Naruto had caused. Nothing remained of the building Jak once stood upon, nothing besides its structural base and some light rubble, nothing remaining of the ninja that had caused them this much grief. Naruto laughed slightly, turning to Hinata with a slight grin. "Guess I didn't need that Sage chakra after all."

"That took way to long."

"Right, we need to…"

"Naruto?"

The blond stood, unresponsive, eyes wide and holding his chest in what seemed to be a state of pain. Then, suddenly erupted from his mouth came a scream of pure agonizing pain. Like nothing Hinata had never heard before, the sound coming from Naruto was of death. Quickly rushing to his side, Naruto began to change within her arms. His clothes began to tear, bit by bit then seemingly all at once, everything seemingly being torn away from his body. Cuts, deep and striking formed on his body, seemingly from nowhere, bleeding heavily from every portion of his body, chakra also began to dissipate, as if…his chakra flow, it was being cut. His gauntlets, they began to dent, over and over until they were nothing but unrecognizable metal, Hinata quickly tearing them off as they began to dig themselves into Naruto's arms. Blood began to flow, from eyes, ears, every cut that Naruto had, like this, he was going to die. Ninetails or not, no one could survive this…what was this?

Faster than what she could see, a clone of Naruto's landed by Hinata, holding a massive scroll. The clone looked about as bad as Naruto did, but somehow still in physical form. He opened the scroll hastily, pointing to it quickly. "You need…transfer Sage chakra…Naruto. Else we die."

"I can't do that! I don't even know how to?"

"Easy…you'll figure it out. You were always the smart one."

With that the clone dissipated, and from it came another voice, one deeper and much darker. "Hinata, quickly, you must put the Sage chakra within Naruto. It may be his only chance of survival."

'I don't know how, do you have any idea?'

"It flows like any other chakra; it only has a fancy name. You are not using it, you are only giving it, let it run through your system to Naruto's. It will be heavier, but it is chakra, don't overthink it. Once you give it to me I can use it to heal Naruto at a faster rate."

Hinata's mind was in chaos, watching Naruto die in her arms, blood covering both of their bodies, the Ninetails telling her to do something that she couldn't do. She couldn't, the Sage chakra wasn't meant for her, what could she do? It was...there was, no way. "Damn it Naruto!"

She had to try, it didn't matter now, if she failed Naruto died, if she sat here in hopelessness the same outcome would appear. It was better to do this than nothing. Turning towards the scroll, her fingers laced the highly detailed sealing inside the scroll, it was complicated, much more so than she could really understand. But she felt chakra within it, solid and spiritual, all she had to do was transfer it, simple…but highly doubtful it would be as easy as it sounds.

One hand upon the scroll, the other held Naruto's gut, the seal that kept the Ninetails within the blond. Focusing upon the chakra, it wavered at her approach, as if it knew that she wasn't the one it was meant for. She latched upon it anyway, the connecting of the two burning her veins like lightning, it hurt, but she had to persevere. Latching her chakra with Naruto's, it flowed steadily, but weakening by the second. Concentrating, she focused upon the Sage chakra, and eventually found it pouring within herself.

The first thing she felt was a heaviness, as if her body had gained weight by even holding this chakra, as if she would break through the earth itself, her head splitting as the gravity increased around her. But the pain grew, a fire that spread through her veins, flowing through her entire chakra system. It felt as if her entire chakra system was burning, screams of agony escaping her lips, and with her Byakugan, she could see it all. A orange chakra moved about her own, dominating and repressing her own chakra, it trying to break out of her own body, she had to get rid of it. Focusing the chakra into her other hand, the fire moved, pouring straight into Naruto, the ninja's chakra actually stabilizing, it was working. But even as the chakra passed through her system, although the weight lifted, Hinata still felt as if her body was burning from the inside out, cries of anguish now clear across the village.

But through her pain, she saw the changes within Naruto fade. Steam seemingly emanating from his body, the once multitude of cuts started to heal, but something was wrong, his chakra system was still strange, it wasn't flowing normally, as if some parts of it were not functioning properly. Tsunade could help, they just had to get back. Lifting her arms from the scroll and Naruto caused pain beyond words, as if her arms were breaking over and over at each joint movement. With curses escaping her lips, and tears flowing freely down her face. She grabbed Naruto, lifting his arm over her shoulder, resting his full weight upon her. It was beyond reason what pain she was feeling now, it was a wonder that she hadn't blackened out. She laughed to herself, Naruto better thank her once they got back. And at least that horrible ninja-. "Where do you think you are going?"

Her eyes rising, she screamed in anger and horror, past the tears, past the pain, Jak, not even scratched stood infront of her. With a frown upon her face, Jak moved around Hinata. "Are you finished already, huh, I thought you would last longer than that. Well, past my special trick, no one would have. Not even the great host of the Ninetails. Oh…I'm sorry, you want to know what happened. It's a little trick called 'Voodoo Doll', a sealing jutsu I created a long time ago. You have seen it before, in the Chunin Exams against…I forget his name. But when I landed that punch upon Naruto, it was over when he decided to use that jutsu against me. It is honestly a surprise that he is still living, but I would expect nothing less. Now…give him to me."

With an outstretched hand, Jak reached for Naruto, a victorious look upon her eye. But Hinata, almost screaming in pain, stepped backwards and away from Jak, a look of pure hatred in her eye. The brunette looked at her with confusion, scratching the back of her head slightly. "I don't understand, you are beaten, the best of the both of you is near death. You are so weak you can barely walk, why do you persist?"

Hinata tried to speak, to say that she would never let Naruto go, that she would never give up, but nothing came, the pain was just too great. Jak sighed, looking over Hinata with a disappointed look. "I guess I will never know. You should be thankful, not most go out with honor. Goodbye heiress-."

"Get Naruto!"

Out of seemingly nowhere came a group of ten Sand ninja, eight of which charging Jak with speed and power. Two unfortunate souls however caught the wrong end of Jak's spike, the others dodging or blocking the spike and going to work against the Rain ninja. The group attacked, all at once or synchronizing their attacks with each other, never giving the woman a chance to defend. The group eventually gained the upper hand, driving her back and back across the village, they were driving her away. The other two turned to Hinata, one was one she hadn't seen before, the other was recognizable, Baki if she remembered right. Both however were battle worn, the unknown ninja actually missing an arm, Baki's right arm hung loosely, while the other clenched a kunai. Turning to Hinata, he pointed towards the unknown ninja, "he is going to get you two towards the south end of the village. We need to activate the seal now we do not have any more time!"

But what are you going to do, she thought. "We will handle this one, now get going!"

But…you will die, you don't have a chance! She never got to express this however as Baki took off towards the battle, and towards his death. She only watched as the group got cut down slowly, one by one, Jak seemingly savoring each kill. The unknown ninja turned towards the duo, summoning a clone, one took Naruto while the other grabbed Hinata, lifting her off her feet and blazing a trail towards the south end of the village. Hinata turned over the ninja's shoulder, one final time, just to catch the moment of Jak imbedding a kunai into Baki's right eye.

---

Lee stared after the man infront of him, the ninja who had majority defeated him in the Chunin Exams was now the enemy. Feelings between anger and puzzlement went through Lee's mind. He had heard that the Rain trio were on the Leaf's side, but he hadn't really believed it till now, they just didn't seem like the type to do something like this. But in any case, with this powerful of an enemy this could be bad, if Ryu was still as strong as he was months ago, then it could go the wrong way. In this case however, it was much more than a test, now it was real, both of their lives on the line. And this was one battle that Lee wasn't intending to lose.

The Jounin stepped infront of Lee, his arms ablaze and glaring at Ryu with intent. "Deal with the group, I will handle dreads."

"You don't understand, he is extremely strong, you cannot beat him alone."

"Trust me kid, I got this one."

With a nod, the man took off into Ryu's awaiting arms, despite the several protests from Lee as he charged. Looking to the Jounin's right, the group of enemy ninja focused upon him, several preparing jutsus as he charged. Letting out a large groan of annoyance, Lee turned his attention towards the group and rocketed after them.

Appearing suddenly in the face of one of the members of the group, Lee's fist already hit the center of the ninja. Launching the ninja backwards, the other four charged Lee with no hesitation, a killer aspect in each of their eyes. The first tried to land a blow upon Lee's head, following with a kick to the man's sternum. Dodging the initial punch, Lee grabbed the man's leg and shifted his weight, the man flying through the air and slamming into another ninja that had charged. The third was also was less-than-considerable power, three blows landing upon the ninja's chest before he collapsed in a heap, Lee stopping for a moment to make sure he was actually incapacitated, surprise showing on his face at the finding that he was, before moving to the next.

The ninja he had once blown back with one punch was on the offensive. A water jutsu quickly being launched from the man, surprising powerful and nearly hitting Lee. The Green Beast recovering and charging the ninja, the man not even having time to make another handsign before a fist slammed into his temple, falling instantly towards the ground in a heap. The next two recovered from their collision, charging Lee with kunai clenched in their hands.

The two came fast, Lee bounding back and forth, twisting and turning in multiple forms to dodge each of the ninja's swipes. Redirecting then one swipe from a ninja to his left with Lee's left hand, his right quickly found the man's temple, knocking to the ground in two motions. The second came to Lee's side, trying to cut into the man's exposed weak point. Dodging low, an outstretched foot tripped the ninja, landing heavily upon his back before Lee stood and planted a foot upon the ninja's neck, pressing downward with a force and crushing the man's windpipe, the ninja dying as he struggled for breath.

Lee turned from the sight of his own destruction, only to find another. The Jounin and Ryu were fighting on a massive level, fire spreading the buildings around them, no doubt from the Jounin himself. The earth around them shattered on multiple levels, most likely from Ryu. But now something had changed, the Jounin stood upon an empty area, Ryu seemingly gone, this was bad. Lee shouted at the Jounin, the man apparently not hearing what Lee had to say but could hear noise coming from the man. Turning slightly, the bald man smiled, waving a hand to Lee. "I think he ran!"

He never runs, Ryu doesn't seem like to be one to give up, but why was he gone? Lee turned around the area, a fearful look in his eyes before resting upon an area behind the Jounin, a horrified look in his eye. The man smile faded with time, watching Lee's expression change slowly from slightly fearful to terrified. Before the man could speak upon this feeling however, he soon realized why. Something warm began traveling down his chest, and he soon found it hard to breathe. Looking downward, he soon found the object of this pain. A large, bloody fist was jutting out from his chest, holding something very crimson, squirting out blood as it stopped beating. The man's shocked expression was now implanted upon his face, blood flowing freely from the hole within his chest, his heart never to return to his body.

Ryu removed his arm, still holding the organ while the body fell to ground heavily eventually dropping the heart upon the ground, blood now starting to drain from his mouth, eyes still wide and holding terror within. Lee let out a roar of anger and anguish, seemingly exploding in a wave of green and red, charging Ryu within a blink. In what seemed to be only a moment, Lee's fist was impacting Ryu's forehead, or what Lee thought was his head. Ryu's hand was swallowing Lee's own, cracks sounding from the larger man's hand but Ryu never moving once. His dark eyes glaring into Lee's own, right hand holding the punch that was sent from Lee while his left flew downwards, striking the beast heavily, a heavy crunch sounding from the blow as Lee flew backwards. Eventually recovering, Lee glared at Ryu with a hatred unlike himself, nothing but rage filled the man, an aura of wrath directed at the ninja.

Ryu scoffed, looking at his bloody hand and pointing it at Lee, a mock look of confusion on his face. "What, did I do something wrong?"

Lee's hatred grew and grew with each moment, that man, he had a family, a life, but reduced to nothing before Ryu's fist. Before the ninja had known it, three of the gates had been broken. Lee's skin turning a bright red color, eyes containing no pupils, veins bulging out of the skin, the ground around him shattering and floating around him. Muscles were burning like fire, stretching and contorting to make him stronger, but at the price of pain. But he didn't care, the only thing that mattered right now was Ryu's death.

The enemy ninja watched this transformation, and undergone one himself. His skin turning the same crimson color, eyes turning pale and lifeless, veins showing clearly from his skin, the only difference from Lee, his face never once showed hatred. Purely nothing shown but calm, Ryu's power coming from no emotion. Facing Lee, Ryu shook his head as he watched Lee, watching the anger that enveloped the man. Watching the Green Beast delve deeper and deeper into his anger for power, all the while Ryu spoke, his voice a condescending tone. "You will lose this battle Lee, know that it wasn't because you were not strong enough. That it wasn't because you couldn't reach a higher power than mine. It was because you couldn't control your emotions, you don't know it, but you have already lost. You have lost your dream, and in so lost this battle."

Lee heard these words, and in this his rage continued to rise. How dare he talk about emotions, he just killed an innocent man! How dare he talk about my dream, he knows nothing of friends! If he wants power, then I will show him power!

The earth beneath Lee continued to crack, the chakra that surrounded the nin growing with second. Pulses of power scattering across the area, blasting Ryu back slightly at each shockwave. The Rain ninja watched as Lee's power continued to grow to proportional size within seconds, the man's body was sure to break. He could already see the tears along the skin, stretching deep into the muscles within Lee, he was breaking down but he continued to open gates. He was continuing with what surely was only pure will. But still, Lee was going at him with anger, not what this technique was truly meant for. He was going to lose, Ryu only hoped the man knew why by the time he killed him.

Lee's body continued to mold, the very air around them wiping wildly around Lee. Lifting nearby debris straight off the ground and launching them across the area, crashing into nearby buildings. His chakra reaching the breaking point along with his body, but he needed to continue, he needed the strength to beat this guy. Ryu needed to be taken down, whatever the cost. Lee could feel the chakra go towards his stomach, towards the final gate Lee would activate. With the seal breaking, Lee felt a power rush through his body, stretching all of his muscles to an extraordinary length, but forgetting the pain, forgetting the agony, Lee stared after Ryu with hatred residing in his eyes. "Gate of Joy, open!"

"Gate of Closing, open!"

Lee made the first move, a fist aimed for Ryu's head, which struck square-on. But instead of the man breaking under the force of the blow, Ryu pushed forward, chakra building within his forehead to block to blow, staring straight into the Leaf ninja's eyes. Pushing then forward with a push of chakra, Lee flew back slightly, chased then by the much larger man. A kick to the chest mid-flight continued Lee's trip, crashing heavily into a building. Lee's body feeling like a fire ran through his system, stopping suddenly at Ryu reappearing infront of Lee, his massive fist aimed for the man. Ducking under the fist in a blinding move, Lee's fist was suddenly hitting the bottom of Ryu's chin, sending the man rocketing upwards.

The fight continued into the air, each time fists clashed a shockwave produced, shattering the area around them, sending cracks deep within the earth and buildings around them, windows shattering from the force. Moving at such a rate that the human eye could barely keep track, the world around them nothing but a nuisance. Getting the upper hand from Ryu, Lee seemingly teleported behind the man, drop-kicking him and sending the man rocketing forward. His form crashing through multiple buildings, concrete and wood blasting from each impact.

Stopping suddenly, Ryu rose from the wreckage inside one of the buildings, shrugging off most of the rubble before Lee suddenly appeared before Ryu, the two clashing once again. Jumping and leaping off the walls of the abandoned room, the walls cracking at each hit and the room seemingly ready to collapse around them. With Lee jumping slightly and sending a wide arc kick, Ryu put up his right arm, blocking the hit and twisting slightly. His left foot suddenly outstretched, catching Lee in the stomach, the man feeling the air leave his lungs. As he seemingly floated in mid-air, Ryu switched positions, releasing his left foot and planting it upon the ground, his right leaving and now outstretched, connecting easily with Lee's face.

The ninja was blasted from the room, crashing through the building and landing upon his back on a nearby rooftop, his body aching from head to toe. Pain shot through his entire body, an agony that felt like every muscle in his body was about to tear. Like each limb of his body was being pulled in separate directions, but he couldn't give up, not now.

Lee slowly stood, the legs under him about to give, when Ryu appeared, pale eyes staring straight into his soul. He looked as well as Lee felt, that blow dealt to the man left gashes along his entire body, a piece of wood actually sticking out from his back, but simply removed with a tug from the man. But he wasn't ready to go down, not yet.

With a yell of pain and rage Lee shot forward in a blink, a foot connecting with Ryu's blocking arm. That was when the chakra within Ryu gained strength in only moments, his power now residing within his right fist. A blow landed upon Lee's gut, the man launching upwards at an insane speed, the man watching as Ryu flew upwards at Lee, a red aura surrounding him. Lee's eyes widened, watching as Ryu descended upon him, this was the move that ended him last time. "Eight Gates: Sora Ryu!"

No, this couldn't end like last time, he had to dodge this, for if he didn't he probably wouldn't walk away from it. Charging the chakra within him, Lee moved the lines across his arms, letting the bandages fly freely, he had to counteract this, and if this was the only way then it had to be done. Lee flashed with a green aura, followed quickly by a red one, the duo clashing faster and faster with each second, neither able to take the upper hand.

Until Lee threw a punch, hoping to gain the upper hand, but missed the larger man smiling at the lost connection. But sticking a palm outward, towards Lee's gut, the palm turned sidewise, the palm turning into something of a karate chop. As chakra filled the palm however, Lee soon saw that it was something else, he wasn't building up chakra for his Sora Ryu, but this! The palm grew a bright red, brimming with power beyond Lee. He felt the chakra within Ryu change, multiple gates activating at once, and he was on the seventh and yet showing no pain. What was this man? The chakra within the palm grew and grew, the palm seemingly growing into a blade. Then in one movement, closing the palm into a fist, seemingly reappeared behind Lee. At first the man feeling nothing, but that feeling ending at what Ryu spoke. "Eight Gates: Lord Loss!"

Lee felt nothing, absolutely nothing. It was strange, he was sure Ryu had hit him, but what had happened? As he fell towards the earth, he commanded his muscles and bones to move himself to an upright position, but nothing in his body responded. The mind went slightly haywire, Lee furiously trying to command his body to move, but finding no response at the commands. The Green Beast continued to fall and fall, until he hit a rooftop face-first. A groan coming from the man along with a small amount of blood coming from his mouth. As he lay there, cursing, groaning but in no pain, he still couldn't move as if nothing responded. What was going on, why couldn't he feel anything?

His eyes moved furiously around the area, quickly finding Ryu landing infront of him, slightly staggered but alive. The man seemingly hovered over the spot where he landed, motionless, a small amount of blood being seen flowing from what was the man's mouth. His skin turned back into the same dark color, his eyes becoming the dark orbs they once were. Turning back to Lee, a small smile upon the man's face in victory. Ryu limped over to Lee, the man's face showing both pain and anger. Stopping as he stood above the man, shaking his head slightly at the fallen man. "I learned that from that Hyuga clan, but instead of chakra points I hit, it was your nervous system. You will never move your arms or legs again, consider yourself in a vegetative state for the rest of your life. But I will spare you the pain, and kill you. It was an honor fighting you Lee, you actually provided me with a challenge."

Dreadlocks reeled back a fist, even in his weakened state it would prove to be fatal. Lee couldn't move, couldn't help but watch the man send the final blow towards his face. Was this it, was this how he would die? It certainly seems like it, like he could do anything as of now. Kami, Guy-sensei will never forgive him for this. Closing his eyes, and awaiting death, Lee was ready for the final blow.

But it never came, instead changed into the form of a major wind burst. Opening his eyes then, Lee watched as Ryu tried to hold his ground against the wind, but in his weakened state, it was only a matter of time before the man was lifted off his feet and flung back. Further and further until the man was completely out of sight, possibly hitting a few things on the way. Lee groaned against the jutsu, unable to move but praying that he wouldn't be carried off with the man. As it calmed though, the pain came to Lee, vision starting to go away, darkness taking place of light. Before the world left him however, he vaguely saw a black cloth of some kind lifting him upward, along with a giant weapon of some kind, a fan. Now knowing who his savior was, Lee allowed darkness to take him, hoping that Temari would be safe.

---

"Retreat! Full Retreat, orders by the Kazekage, head to the south end of the village! Those that are left behind will stay behind! Be there for be left behind, let's move it people!"

Temari sighed slightly at the command, leaning against her giant now, positioned on top of a now dead enemy ninja. She stood in a field of death, all done by her doing, her clothes torn in multiple places, marks upon marks on her body, blood of the enemy freshly stained on her form. There must have been at least fifty, possibly more. They just kept coming, it was inevitable, there was too many of them and they had the element of surprise, it was lost from the start. In total, she had felt that she had saved as many as she could. Many families owing their lives to the woman, others however, there were others who she could not save. Their blood still fresh within the mind.

Shaking this thought from her mind, Temari turned towards the southern end of the village. Intent on getting out of this battle, when she heard and felt a massive crash towards the center of the village. Turning slightly, her eyes widened in surprise. Rock Lee, possibly one of the best Taijutsu users in the Leaf, was upon the ground, unmoving, seemingly not breathing, with a much larger opponent above him, ready to strike the man down. The blond didn't think upon the action she took, only launching herself forward, fan opening seemingly by itself, all three moons open. Landing quickly behind Lee, the larger man quickly saw Temari but was unable to dodge, good.

Temari cut the air with her fan, a whirlwind blowing past where Temari struck. Launching the man clear off his feet and towards the other end of the village. It should take him a while to get back here, and just enough to get Lee out of here. Closing the fan quickly and attaching it to her back, she knelt next to the man. Lee was breathing, but only barely so, blood was covering the area around his form and his chakra was near empty, he needed medical attention and fast.

Picking up the man and wrapping one of his arms around her form, she rested his body weight upon herself. Taking off suddenly, she had barely enough time to realize that she had been shot forward by a fire jutsu. Picking up pace at this development, she felt the heat hit their backs, whoever chasing them picking up speed and power with each moment. Turning backward slightly to see their opponent, it was a woman, slightly short brown hair, hooded, and angry in many senses of the word. Launching another fire jutsu from seemingly nowhere, it hit the back of Temari's foot, skin burning at the touch and causing the woman to cry out in pain. But through the pain she continued, determined to reach the rest of the group.

As another jutsu barely touched their backs however, it became apparent that she was gaining more and more ground, Temari wasn't going fast enough. Turning to Lee, a thought crossed her mind of dropping the man, but what could she say to Naruto then, that she left one of his greatest friends to die? Kami what would she say to Gaara, who also saw the man in high regard. No, he had to be saved.

Continuing forward, she felt another fire ball hit the backs of her legs, covering more area this time and inflicting an insane amount of pain. As a cry of agony passed her lips, she barely caught a form passing by her, towards the opponent behind. No, it wasn't just one person, but three? Stopping suddenly, Temari watched as the three forms clashed against the unknown woman, fighting her off slightly, but losing heavily. It was when the three were allowed a brief respite in the battle that Temari caught the sight of her ally, Kankuro.

The puppet master went at the ninja, but was losing heavily, both Crow and Salamander taking heavy hits from the woman. Pieces of both puppets breaking off and scattering. The brother turned to Temari, a look of anger upon his bloodied face, yelling at her with a force. "Temari, take Lee and get out of here. Gaara is going to activate the seal soon!"

A slight horror passed through her mind at the thought of what Kankuro was suggesting. "No, I won't leave you!"

"It isn't your choice! I will hold this one off, go now! Don't make me regret this!"

Kankuro locked both puppets together infront of him as the woman floated into the air, launching a furious punch that almost shattered both machines. But pushing forward, it rocketed the woman backwards and onto the opposite side of the roof. He turned to Temari once more, a slight look of sadness within his eyes. "Go, please."

He wasn't going to survive this battle, he wasn't going to live past this. That…that idiot! Why was he doing this! Kami why did he have to be so difficult! Dropping Lee quickly, Temari unsheathed her fan and cut the air within one motion. The blast going beyond Kankuro and hitting the woman head on, her feet digging into the concrete of the roof, and in a remarkable feat, stepped forward against the wind. But with one more push, the concrete that held the roof she was standing on shattered, sending both the woman and the roof flying back. Kankuro looked back at Temari, rage spreading across his face, but this was dismissed as his sister grabbed the front of his hood. "Do not do that again! I will get Lee, and then let's get out of here. Have Crow go into self-destruct, she will be back fast."

Kankuro nodded, slightly thankful that Temari had saved him. Going over to Crow, saying a slight 'thank you' to the puppet, then pressing a mechanism within the puppet, Crow twitching suddenly before stopping in the same time, watching the area around him with a single eye. The puppet master felt some regret at doing this, he had been through a lot with Crow, and it was a shame to see him go.

Kankuro then nodded, turning back to Temari and giving a thumbs-up before hearing a crash behind him. Looking back, it was the same woman as before, only now angrier than ever. But before she could get anywhere, Crow seemingly rocketed from his spot, paper bombs now lining his form, heading straight for the woman. And before she could seemingly dodge, the puppet hit its target, the area around the woman exploding in a glorious fashion, wood and stone flying around the area.

The puppet master gave a slight look of victory towards Temari, a smug look upon his face. To which his sister only scoffed, picking up Lee once more before taking off with her brother, happy that he was at least alive.

That was until a three-pronged kunai appeared, faster than what Temari could have seen, faster than what Kankuro could have felt. Neither even knew it was there until it impacted the back of Kankuro's neck, the man's eyes widening in pain. Temari screamed in terror, watching as her brother fell from the hit, but something was wrong, was the kunai, flashing? In that moment, the metal exploded, the paper bomb that was attached to the kunai detonating and leaving it's mark. Kankuro's head was sent scattering in multiple directions, while his body fell towards the earth, Salamander landing next to him.

All feeling left Temari, watching, unable to do anything as Kankuro hit the earth, life all but left his body. Water flowed freely from her eyes, screams of despair and rage filled the air around her. Temari wanted to go back, to get Kankuro, to see if he was alive. Past the hysteria however, she knew that nothing remained of her brother. She wanted to go back, how she wanted to go back, but if she did, she would be in the grave next to him. So disregarding all feelings, disregarding every instinct she held to go back, Temari continued.

Continuing into the southern part of the village, she began to notice past the tears that a sand wall covered the majority of the south end, a blockade, Gaara. As she approached still, she began to notice the amount of ninja by the gates, trying to break through. They saw her, carrying Lee she was an easy target to spot. Temari then began to run, as fast as her legs could take her, dodging each jutsu the ninja sent at her. She felt a prick along the shoulder; a runaway shuriken had embedded itself within her. But it didn't matter; only getting out of here did.

Approaching the sand wall faster and faster, she began to notice it open slightly, a small hole only seemingly big enough for one person. Her ticket inside. Temari transferred all of her chakra to her legs, not even feeling another kunai enter her leg mattered, only leaving filled her mind. Launching from the rooftop, another shuriken hit her back, along with a fire jutsu hitting Lee's side. But as they approached the hole, several other ninja now noticing it and trying to force their way inside, Temari blasted them back mid-flight with a small jutsu. Then throwing Lee first, the man fit easily through the sand, Temari following close behind. As the passed the barrier, the sand closing behind them, she felt something grab her, sand. Bringing them both towards the ground, Temari noticed the earth beginning to light a brilliant yellow, as if it was absorbing each person there.

She didn't really know when they left, or when they got back. But as the sand beneath her feet turned to grass, that was when she was sure they were safe. Looking around slightly, she noticed the scenery change majorly, an open area within an encampment of some kind, the ninja that were once going about their daily lives stopping at the sudden appearance of the group. Temari turned, trying to count who had survived, they were all damaged, from adults to children. But as how many survived, it wasn't enough, not near enough.

Temari watched as Gaara walked past her, seemingly towards the front of the group, past him was Hinata, holding an unconscious Naruto in her arms. Lee lay among several others, some attending to the man one including Chiyo for some reason, while others were within their own state of shock. She turned then to where Gaara had gone, he was now standing with a man, one armored to the core in an onyx color, shouting orders toward ninja who went immediately towards the most injured, she noticed his eyes turned to ones of horror at seeing Lee, Hinata, and Naruto. He disregarded this however, continuing to focus his efforts upon the majority of the wounded.

That was when Gaara turned, seeing her face and giving a small smile for her safety. He walked next to her, Temari's heart stopping at each footstep he took. When he finally arrived, his voice projecting curiosity, asking the question she never wanted to hear. "Where is Kankuro?"

She screamed, filling the air with nothing but pure agony incarnate.

---

Jak stood upon one of the many rooftops, a three-pronged kunai in her hands. Admiring the craftsmanship, the weight of the blade, the seals along it, taking each scratch along the blade into memory. The blade was amazing, she was slightly amazed that Naruto left the blade in his haste, not that he could help it. But as she was focused upon the metal, someone landed behind her, heavy in footsteps. She turned slightly, smiling as she did so at Ryu, the man sending one back. "Did you get him?"

"I think so, he escaped but in any case he won't survive our next battle. What about yours?"

"Wind user, wish we had Hanzo on his one. The woman flung me back across the village."

"The great Ryu, beat by a woman. How does it feel?"

"Like the first time it happened. You know how much I hate losing."

"You will succeed next time, but now we wait, for a time when they decide to show themselves once more."

Jak held the blade within the palm of her hand, feeling the weight shift slightly as her hand did the same. Then as suddenly as she focused the chakra upon it, the blade began to melt. From the metal to the tip, everything about the blade became a liquid, falling to the ground through the cracks of her fingers, nothing now but a black goo.