Sorry for the late update, everyone! I went to my cousin's place in a different location because my dad had some business to do over there and we kind of stayed longer than expected. SIGH. So, I had to write this whole chapter today. And my brain is dead. Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

He's beating the kage bunshin like they're nothing! Kyoko thought worriedly. This is not good. It also seems like that barrel-thing Sasuke's in…had weird chakra radiating out of it. And what's worse is…I'M JUST STANDING HERE DOING NOTHING!

"Naruto!"

"Eh?" Naruto said. He looked back at Kyoko as several of his clones evaporated. "What?!" Naruto was still in demon-form, eyes fiercely slit and hair bristled.

Kyoko gulped. "N-Naruto, don't waste your time with that guy! You have to get Sasuke! I'll fight Kimimaro!"

Naruto tensed. "No way! He's stronger than what you can handle! Ten times at least! Just stay out of my way!"

He's out of control, Kyoko thought anxiously. He wants to kill Kimimaro for taking Sasuke…but right now Sasuke comes second? She shook her head. Fine then! If that's the way he wants to be…I'll complete the mission!

With a hefty leap over some of the clones' heads, Kyoko made a run for the coffin. She weaved through the sea of Narutos, trying to mask her movements from Kimimaro. However, the Sound Nin saw right through her attempt and appeared in front of her in half a second, bone-blade at hand.

Kyoko whipped out a kunai and stopped the blade before it could lob her head off. Her arms shook tensely as the enemy started to gain control. She dared to allow one hand to leave the kunai and pull out another, aiming to stab Kimimaro's arm. Kimimaro immediately moved slightly to the side to avoid the attack, and Kyoko took this chance.

Kunai left bone, and Kyoko flipped over Kimimaro's arm. She dashed off, pushing Naruto clones behind her to stall Kimimaro as well as she could. She could see the coffin coming closer. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Kimimaro too. With a loud cry, she dove.

The coffin was harder than she expected. Smashing into it face-first…not a good idea.

"Oooowwww…" Kyoko moaned quietly as she rubbed her face. "Stupid Sasuke…you'd better not be a jerk about this after we're through…" It was then Kyoko felt a split presence behind her. Kimimaro.

Kyoko darted to the side, narrowly escaping a fatal wound. Kimimaro's blade shallowly cut her arm, and Kyoko winced. She hopped back several feet while holding the coffin in front of her. A second later, she whirled around and dodged back again, avoiding another attack. As long as I have this barrel-thing in my hands, he won't dare attack my front side! So I just have to watch my back and—

The pain was incredible. It seemed as if spikes of pain sprouted every which way of her body each second she moved. The long slash cut into her side spilled wave after wave of blood onto the grassy area. Kyoko put a trembling hand over as much as the wound as she could and her hand immediately became tainted in red.

--My side…

"Leave," Kimimaro said. "Unless you want to die."

"You're probably gonna kill me anyway, so why bother?" Kyoko spat. She coughed, feeling blood coming up.

"I do not appreciate this type of impudence from children like you," Kimimaro said. "Now die."

Kyoko's eyes snapped shut, fearing what came next.

"Anyone who hurts my friends has to answer to me."

One of Kyoko's eyes opened and blurrily saw orange. She blinked, and looked up at the back of Uzumaki Naruto.

Naruto looked back and gave her a nice-guy pose. His features were still intimidating, but the toothy grin was familiar.

So…he still has some control over himself…even in this state, Kyoko thought with relief. Suddenly, she felt her hands start to burn. She instinctively drew her hands back and stared at the coffin. This chakra…

"It's almost time…" Kimimaro said. "The first step to Orochimaru-sama's ambition…"

Kyoko, sensing danger, (and also seeing Kimimaro distance himself) grabbed Naruto and jumped back a few yards away. It was lucky she did, for as soon as they touched the ground, the coffin exploded.

The smoke cleared and a figure came into view. Black, spiked hair, receding curse marks, and the Uchiha Crest.

"Sasuke…" Naruto whispered.

---

"I'm so happy we were able to bring you back, Sasuke!" Nami smiled.

"I have a confession to make," Sasuke said quietly.

Romantic Disney music started to play in the background and everyone around stopped and held their breath.

"What is it?"

"The only reason I went away…wasn't to become more powerful to defeat my brother but…to be able to become powerful to protect you!"

"What?"

"I know it sounds crazy," Sasuke said, pulling Nami into a strong hug. "But I came back…because I knew that you were on the rescue team to save me…from myself!"

"Oh Sasuke…"

Suddenly, the scene changed into a brighter setting with cherry blossom trees and a lake. Petals rained upon them and Kyoko, Gaara, Midori, and Neji popped out of nowhere.

"Isn't it so sweet?" Midori cooed. "Nami-chan and Sasuke-kun are finally together!"

"It sure is," Neji agreed.

"Congratulations to the happy couple!" Kyoko and Gaara grinned.

"Oh, you guys!" Nami giggled.

"Mm…huh…?" Nami opened her eyes to see a face with purple designs coming closer and closer to her own. She blinked. Then she screamed. "AUGH! GET AWAY PERVERT!" She brought her leg up where the sun don't shine and flung the person a few feet away.

"ARGH!" Kankuro yelped as he went into fetal position. "C-C-Crazy Konoha chick!"

"What were you doing?!" Nami demanded as she sat up and pointed dramatically at Kankuro. "On second thought, I don't wanna know!"

"I was just checking to see if you were conscious, obviously!" Kankuro exclaimed.

"A likely story!"

"It is because it's true!"

"Oh geez…" Nami groaned, "I just had the worst nightmare! I was together with Uchiha and Midori and Kyoko had boyfriends too and we were all happy and there were cherry blossoms and Gaara was smiling…It…it…it was like some kind of cheesy, corny…Fanfiction!" She shivered. "Happy place, happy place, happy place…"

"Well don't tell me about it," Kankuro said, rolling his eyes.

"Wait, what happened?" Nami questioned, her eyes darting around the area. "Is Kiba okay? Where's the Sound Ninja?"

"Sound Ninja?" Kankuro repeated. "I was in the middle of tracking the enemy when I came across you. Tell me more about him as we go along."

"So you guys are actually going to live up to your name as an ally?"

"Of course. We Suna shinobi are loyal."

"Sure," Nami shrugged, not really knowing herself if she was being sarcastic or not. She put her hands on the ground for an easier rise but suddenly felt pain jolt through her wrist like a drill. "OOOOOOWWW."

Kankuro came over and took her wrist carefully. "You broke it."

"No duh," Nami sighed.

Kankuro rolled his eyes and took out a roll of bandages. "Hold still." He wrapped the bandages around several times, creating a stiff cast-like covering. "That'll do for now. Let's go."

"Wait!"

"What now?" Kankuro demanded, annoyed. "This is a back-up rescue mission! We don't have the time to sit around and chat!"

"Where's Mimamoru?"

"Who?"

"My fox!"

"Oh. That guy. By the time I came, the fox was pulling you onshore and then it disappeared," Kankuro explained. "He was a summoning, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you don't have to worry about him at all, then. Now hurry up and show me which way that Konoha guy is!"

Thanks, Mimamoru… Nami thought as she followed the puppet master.

---

I can't believe it… Kyoko thought as she watched Sasuke run off. She turned to Naruto and said, "Naruto! You'd better go and knock some sense into him! Tell him how much pain he's caused everyone around him!"

"But you—"

"It's fine!" Kyoko said.

"You're injured!"

"This thing?" Kyoko said, wincing as she felt more blood run down her waist. "Nah! I don't need to move to fight!" Yeah right, Kyoko… "Forget about it!"

"No—"

"Are you both done arguing?" Kimimaro interrupted as he bounded towards them. "Because I'd like to finish this." Before he had a chance to slash at the two younger ninja, he felt an impact against his stomach along with a ringing in his ears that sounded like, "Konoha Senpuu!"

Kimimaro was thrown into the air and skidded several yards away. Slowly, he rose. "And just who are you?"

"Konoha's proud Azure Beast has reincarnated!" Lee introduced, striking his famous battle pose. "I am Rock Lee!"

"Lee/Gejimayu!" Kyoko and Naruto exclaimed.

"Why…what about your body?" Naruto asked.

"Do not worry about that!" Lee said. "You have to follow Sasuke! Leave this guy to me!"

"Yeah, go, Naruto," Kyoko nodded. "I'll explain things to Lee."

"Still…"

"What're you still doing here?" Lee interrupted. "You made a promise to Sakura-san with the Nice Guy Pose, didn't you, Naruto-kun?" His thumb went up, clear for Naruto and Kyoko to see. "I will defeat this person."

Naruto nodded without hesitation and turned his back to run.

In the down time, Kyoko had wrapped her waist in bandages. By the time Naruto had decided to follow Sasuke, she was slowly standing up.

"Lee, he can use his bones as weapons," Kyoko explained. "Probably some kind of bloodline limit. Be careful." She pulled out a few needles and tried to straighten her stance, but the moment she did so, she felt her body give in. She crouched down, vision blurry.

"Kyoko-san," Lee said. "Do not try to fight anymore! Let me handle it."

And I barely did anything, Kyoko thought. "Fine."

"If worse comes to worse, run," Lee continued. "But do not fear!" he said with an air of excited confidence. He never took his eyes off of Kimimaro who seemed to be waiting. "I will protect you with my life! So stay right there!"

Kyoko sweat dropped. "Yeah…thanks…"

The moment Lee shot forward towards Kimimaro, Kyoko stood up and followed as well.

"Hey, you said—" Lee began.

"I'm not gonna stand by and watch from the sidelines!" Kyoko declared. "The wound is no big deal, okay?!"

Lee wasn't about to argue; he was too pumped up about fighting to do that, and Kyoko did seem okay…

"All right," Lee agreed. He noticed that Kimimaro's figure was already close, so he leapt into the air, shouting, "Konoha Senpuu!"

---

"That mission was awfully long…" Marieke groaned as she and several other jounin passed through the gate.

"It was too long if you ask me!" Gai exclaimed. "I wanted to see how Lee's operation came out sooner! I must see Hokage-sama immediately! Dear lord, I hope he's okay!"

Marieke sweat dropped as Gai ran off, stumbled over a rock, got up, and continued running like a maniac. She shook her head. "That guy…"

---

Lee's not landing a hit! Taijutsu won't work on this guy…especially if he's moving around freely! So it looks like its time to try out my new technique! Kyoko thought. She pulled out a number of needles and let them loose, arms widely spread.

Kimimaro saw them coming and he easily dodged both them and the green boy's punches. Suddenly, he felt a few stinging forces imbed themselves in his back. Then he realized the needles were still coming at him. He dodged the attacking needles once more along with Rock Lee's taijutsu. When he glanced back at the girl who was yards away, he noticed her moving her hands around in a strange way.

Lee aimed a strong kick, forcing Kimimaro to fall backwards to avoid it. The moment he did so, he saw two groups of needles fly towards him. He attempted to avoid them by turning to the side, but some of them still hit their target in the arms. Another attack from the taijutsu user and a dodge made it easy for Kyoko to get a few needles to hit his legs.

Kyoko smirked and jerked her arms back. "Phase one is complete. Now for Phase two!"

As if being pulled by some kind of invisible force, Kimimaro faltered forward. Lee saw his chance and immediately punched Kimimaro squarely in the face. Kimimaro's head snapped to the side and he grimaced. "What…"

"Figure it out yet?" Kyoko asked as she wiggled her fingers mockingly.

Kimimaro felt his body tense. He narrowed his eyes in realization. "…Chakra strings…"

"That's right!" Kyoko smiled. "It took forever to master these strings...Takes a lot of concentration, you know? But when I did, well…I had Tenten train with me. Not only that, but Kankuro gave me some pointers too!"

Kimimaro didn't know who these "Tenten" or "Kankuro" people were, but he knew he had to figure out how to get himself out of the chakra strings before that Lee fellow could continue beating him like a sack. He couldn't actually let these children defeat him and get Orochimaru's future container back.

"Lee! Finish him!" Kyoko called.

"You got it! As soon as I drink my medicine!"

Silence.

"…Wha…?" Kyoko gaped.

Kimimaro gave Lee a questioning look as he pulled out a bottle and started chugging it. Once he was through, he gagged. "Medicine always has a bad after taste…" Then he faltered.

"…Lee…?"

Lee hiccupped. His cheeks flushed and his head bobbed to the sides waveringly.

Kimimaro stared.

"Wash're ya lookin' at, freak?!" Lee hollered, his voice unnaturally high.

Oh crap…I know that look… Kyoko thought.

I've been thinking a lot about the ending for this too. At first I had the ending all planned out, but after a lot of thought I'm not so sure anymore. I'm still debating over what type of ending would be best...hm...Ah well. I'll think later when my head isn't so jumbled. Anyway, R&R please!

-HM