Reunion of Friends and Bonds

Yugi Home

Yugi felt relief when he lied down on his bed. It has not been long since his release at the hospital and his Grandpa ordered him to rest. However, how could he rest with all these thoughts swirling in his mind? So much was happening in a short period of time; the dreams, the glowing puzzle, and now a mind-controlled Bandit Keith started to make Yugi feel that this was only the beginning.

He wishes he could speak to Yami about these thoughts but ever since his duel with a mind-controlled Bandit Keith and the puzzle's strange behavior, the spirit seems to be lost in thought and frustrated at the lack of information he was receiving, so the spirit has remained distant since the fire.

It is times like this that Yugi wishes he could help, but he was as confused about the situation himself. Then a thought came to mind.

Tea, she could help Yami. When Yugi is down and confused, Tea always knew what to say. It might be a long shot as this was not a normal everyday problem, but Tea always had that quality to make everything right in the world. She always knew what to say to make him smile.

With that in mind, Yugi decided that the first day he goes back to school, he will ask her for help.

Outside Orochimaru Lair

Naruto and Sakura stood by as Hinata scanned the area with her Byakugan and Yamato discuss with his clone for information.

Naruto looked at Sakura and Hinata uneasily. Yamato told him, after Sakura's collapse that he caused her injury. Plus, when he placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder, he felt a slight jump. Although he never mentioned it, the action did hurt him.

The two girls still smiled at him and treated him with respect, but he could tell by their eyes they were still progressing what has happened.

Before Naruto could think more about the topic, Yamato's clone started to tell them information on where the entrance was and what was in store. He said he saw Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Sai, but so far, no Sasuke.

Yamato, who took in the information nodded. With the directions the clone has provided for the team, Hinata told them she has managed to pinpoint the path to take. With that, the clone was gone and only the four reminded.

Naruto just wanted to go into the lair of the snake and bring Sasuke back, but before he could move, Yamato stopped him.

Soon the captain showed the trio three seeds and when questioned Yamato explained how they worked.

From the trio's understanding, the seeds seem to work like trackers, which explains why they were able to track down Sai easily. Hinata had to admit she was impressed. Yamato really thought two steps ahead. It was no wonder Tsunade made him their leader.

Soon the team swallowed their seeds, knowing now that if they were captured or lost, Yamato would find them. That bit of information made Hinata feel safer than before. She still has nightmares of the Kumogakure shinobi, who tried to kidnap her when she was young. But she was a kunoichi now and she can now protect herself.

Soon the four begin to make their way to the snake's lair.

Pegasus Home

Mana and Mahad were silent as they progress the words Pegasus said. Did this kind man once hold the power of a Millenium Item? Mahad shuddered at the thought of the Millenium Eye previous wielder. He once looked up to Aknadin as a mentor and friend until his sudden betrayal to the throne. To think that Pegasus had Akanadin Millenium Item must have caused the man great grief.

Nonetheless, Mahad quickly pushed the thoughts aside and looked on to his apprentice.

"This world is completely different from our own." Mana nodded at her master. Her thoughts going back to Pegasus and the duel they just had.

"Very much so master."

For the next few minutes, silence came to the two magicians as Mahad looked out the window while Mana was looking through the deck of cards Pegasus left on the table.

"So how did your meeting go with Shadi?"

Mana waited for her master's reply, knowing fully well that what Mahad will say will be important for their upcoming role in this mission.

"Yugi Muto is the Chosen One or that is what Shadi believes. He stated that Yugi is now the host for the Pharaoh spirit and that he is the one destined to bring peace to this world."

"Do you think Yugi is the one our pharaoh has mention?" Mana asked. Mahad nodded in response. There was no question that Yugi was the one to save the Pharaoh and so he must be the one the two magicians must guard.

"He looks a lot like him too," Mana stated, remembering the picture. Besides the childlike structure of his face and eyes, Yugi could pass as the Pharaoh twin. Maybe looking like the Pharaoh is one of the traits of Yugi being the Chosen One. Was he a descendent or a reincarnation of her friend?

"Anything else?" Mana questioned.

"Shadi stated that before long a tournament will be announced soon. One of his follow tomb keepers predicts this and she is never wrong. Plus, there will be evil to follow as another tomb keeper threatens the peace of this world."

Mana looked at her master in conflict. Could this woman really predict such events? As if reading her thoughts Mahad quickly stated, "She has the Millennium Necklace."

"Oh."

"She also states that soon warriors of another realm will arrive to assist us, or at least that what Shadi said."

"Another realm?"

Mahad nodded. He did not know how to respond to this piece of news. Does it mean the warriors will be transported to another time like them or is it something else? Shadi's words of this matter were blunt to the point but it did hold some mystery to them. Shadi also mentions that the woman also held a resemblance to Isis, so the thought of another Isis struck Mahad through the heart. He just prayed to the Gods of Egypt that he does not run into her, for his heart would not take seeing the face of a lost loved one. He decided to keep this information to himself for the time being for his own sake and for Mana, who also thought of Isis as a big sister.

Orochimaru Lair

It was not long when they encountered Sai and Kabuto, but Hinata was not expecting the results of the battle's aftermath. With the information provided by a captured Kabuto and a redeemed Sai, Team Kakashi was heading towards the heir, or from what Kabuto stated, the labyrinth.

Yamato asked Hinata if she could find Sasuke chakra through the maze but the young Hyuga stated that Orochimaru Lair had chakra signs everywhere blinding her senses. However, if she was close enough, she could pinpoint chakra coming from a person instead of a sign. In the end, it ended up with Sakura and Yamato heading in one direction while Sai, Naruto, and Hinata went another way.

They darted across the corridors, checking each room. Hinata told Naruto to calm himself as all he did was going into the room headfirst without checking for traps or enemies. Naruto did not answer and carried on while Sai looked at Hinata in the same conflict she was feeling.

Unlike Naruto, Sakura was checking each room carefully, however she too felt the need to burst into them. The thought of Sasuke being near them after all these years filled her heart with joy but she also felt fear. How much has the young Uchiha changed and when they face him what would she do.

Questions like this were best asked when she faced him. Yamato created a few wood clones to head in different directions to speed up their search. The worst thing that could happen in this mission is coming face to face with Orochimaru instead of Sasuke.

Suddenly Yamato turned pale and alert, making Sakura turn to her captain in concern.

"It's Naruto."

Sakura did not need an explanation. Naruto was in battle and she had a feeling it was with a certain snake.

Quickly Sakura followed Yamato, holding the temptation in opening the doors they were passing by.

BANG!

Sakura stared in disbelief; her captain and Hinata crashed into each other, resulting in them holding their heads in pain.

"S-Sorry."

"Hinata where's Naruto and Sai?" Yamato asked, helping the Hyuga stand up.

"Up ahead, Naruto told me to use my remaining charka to find you two. I did not want to leave him but...you know Naruto."

Sakura sighed in annoyance. Of course, Naruto had to face Orochimaru like the hero and not worry about his own skin.

The trio sprinted down the corridor with Hinata taking the lead. She tried to push her worries into the back of her mind. Naruto would be fine. He was strong and stubborn, but the thought of Orochimaru being near him made her body shudder.

A chuckle echoed in the halls. Sakura, Yamato, and Hinata knew who that was, and just around the corner were Naruto and Orochimaru. From their perspective, they have just made it as Naruto looked dead on his feet.

"You again Orochimaru?" Yamato commented, making the Snake Sanin smirk.

Orochimaru quickly turned his attention back to Naruto, calmly stating that the young shinobi was in his debt for letting Naruto live not once but twice. Hinata could not help but agree on how lucky Naruto is to battle and survive the Sanin twice in one day. Even the ANBU have trouble with Orochimaru and some don't even live to tell the tale.

"Now if you all could excuse me; I have unfinished business with Sai."

With that comment, Orochimaru was gone. It was here the trio noticed Sai's absence and Yamato quickly question Naruto on where the pale shinobi was.

"He's gone ahead to find Sasuke. We better find him before Orochimaru."

It was then that Sakura noticed an object and Hinata knew it was Sai's book. Sakura told them about Sai's drawing and of his brother. The young trio smiled sadly at the middle page of Sai joining hands with his brother. Yamato however was not as cheerful.

"Oh no."

The trio turned to see Yamato holding another book. A bingo book.

Meanwhile, outside the lair, Kabuto smirked as he cut down the clone that was guarding him. The fools really think they can change Sasuke's mind.

Soon his trained ears heard footsteps coming towards him.

"Orochimaru."

Kabuto quickly bowed before the snake Sanin as if he was a king. Orochimaru smirked and looked lost in thought.

"I must admit I never expected the leaf shinobi to make it this far."

Kabuto nodded. However, when Naruto stubbornness his arrival was bound to happen sooner or later.

"Indeed."

"And the ROOT shinobi. Sai wasn't it. His betrayal does not seem to surprise you." Kabuto asked, making Orochimaru chuckled in response.

"I know Danzo and his motives. I should have killed the brat where he stood but being a past ROOT myself. I must confess I was curious about the new blood."

Suddenly a loud explosion was heard in the distance and Orochimaru knew that Sasuke was soon going to be reunited with his old friends.

Naruto and his friends heard the explosion and quickly took off. It did not sound too far and if Sai was hell-bent on killing their old teammate, then Naruto knew he better hurry.

Soon the four found light in the tunnel and when the light died down, they all saw Sai; outside and looking up.

Hinata activated her Byakugan and gasped. Before she could warn anyone, Sakura charged into action.

Grabbing Sai, Sakura angrily demanded an explanation for his actions. Before she could stop her rant, a familiar voice called out her name. Sakura froze and looked up, it was him.

Hinata turned to Naruto. He began to look pale; his eyes widen at the familiar voice and his breathing seemed to stop.

Sasuke.

Together Naruto and Hinata took off to Sakura. Naruto nearly tripped but Hinata stopped his fall. Soon the duo were standing next to Sakura and looked up to see the young Uchiha coldly staring down at them.

Hinata shivered.

His charka feels strange. Dark.

The dark energy surrounding Sasuke made Hinata freeze in fear for a moment.

"Naruto and the Hyuga. What are you losers doing here?"

"Losers!" Naruto yelled, "We're here to take you back to the village!"

Sasuke scoffed at the blonde.

"I told you all way I left. To gain power and kill Itachi."

"Even if it means Orochimaru stealing your body? Are you insane?!"

The Uchiha remained silent. Sakura and Hinata looked at Naruto in concern. The young man furiously tightens his hands in a ball as if to squeeze the rage out of him.

"Why did you leave me that day?! You said you no longer believed in bonds, yet you left me alive!" Naruto yelled.

"The answer to that question is quite simple."

The team turned to face him, with Naruto waiting for an answer.

"He told me to kill my best friend to gain power equal to his."

Although the person's name was not mentioned the gang, especially Naruto and Sakura could tell he was talking about Itachi Uchiha.

"I want to defeat him my own way."

Suddenly Sasuke was not above them but standing in front of Naruto with his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"So, killing you was not my plan. But this time, I might have changed my mind."

Sakura could not believe what she was hearing. Sasuke was going to kill Naruto and right in front of her and Hinata. Sure, the Uchiha did not know the Hyuga well but they were still old classmates.

"Sasuke! Don't do it!"

Sasuke ignored her, keeping his eyes fixed on Naruto.

"I thought your dream was to be Hokage. You should have taken the hint and left me. Now, all that training would have gone to waste."

With those words said, the Uchiha lifted his sword and swung it to a position, ready to attack.

"How can I become Hokage, if I can't even save one friend?"

The Uchiha paused.

Hinata and Sakura waited for the response and when it came it was not by words but action.

Sasuke began to aim the sword at Naruto's neck.

Quickly Hinata grabbed onto Naruto and pushed him away, while Yamato griped on the sword.

Sai used his scrolls to draw a large beast dog and summoned it between Sasuke and the team. Drawing his weapon, he glared at Sasuke. Even after the forgiveness Naruto, Sakura, and Hinata were going to give to not only the Uchiha but to him as well, the thought of betraying them left a sick taste in his mouth.

"Sai!" Sakura yelled. "Don't tell me you are still determined to carry out that mission?!"

Sai shook his head. His mission was the one thing on his mind since their departure from the village, but now after saving his team from Kabuto something changed.

"I am done with Danzo's orders. The mission means nothing to me. It's like what you all told me. I need to look out for myself and not for others."

Sasuke turned his attention to Sai.

"Naruto, Sakura, and Hinata are here to bring you back not as an enemy but because they want to protect the bond, they have with you. I might still be new at understanding bonds but I am sure you understand the importance of keeping them alive. Don't you Sasuke?"

The beast growled at the Uchiha as he scanned the area. Maybe now would be the time to use that Justus.

Staring coldly at Sai, Sasuke calmly replied, "I do, which is why they need to be cut."

The only bond Sasuke has now is his hatred for Itachi and nothing more. Orochimaru was a means to power so the bond between master and student does not apply to him. The thought of what Sai said infuriated him. How dare he assumed he cared for his past bonds. They disappeared the day he left the village, and it will stay that way.

"Your lives could have been spared today. Not by bonds but on a whim." Quickly Sasuke began to charge up his Chidori. "You all should disappear."

In a flash, he dashed towards Sai.

Hinata and Naruto quickly went to Sai's side and pushed him out of the way. Sasuke looked at the trio, coldly, with lightning still dancing around his hand. Sakura, with her charka fist in toll, began to dash towards the Uchiha. She will not kill him, just knock him out. When he is back in the village, he will hopefully forgive her for punching him and will be back to his old self. Sakura knew it was merely wishful thinking, but she had to try. She punched, but Sasuke dodged her attack with ease.

Yamato was about to join the battle too until a snake burst out from the ground and wrapped around his body. He looked up to see Orochimaru and Kabuto, looking at the small battle in interest. Every movement he made; the snake tightens its hold.

Then suddenly time seemed to have slow down and Yamato watched his team's movement slowed down with panic and confusion written on their faces. He felt a strong force push him down to the ground; every action made his muscles feel stiff and sore. Then a sudden burst of light flashed in his eyes as he heard screams echo in the battle. Did Sasuke perform a Jutsu? Was his team dead? Did he fail? When the light died down, Yamato found himself in Orochimaru's lair, and to his horror, his team, Sasuke, Kabuto and Orochimaru were gone. Feeling a presence behind him, he turned to see a cloaked figure sitting on one of the boulders. The figure stood up and with a quick slash of his blade, the snake holding Yamato was no more.

"Captain Yamato, right?"

Yamato nodded.

"My team, what happened to them?!"

"All you need to know is that they are alive, and I have the answers you seek."

Unknown

Naruto groaned and opened his eyes. He was in a room. Lying in bed.

Where am I?

Soon the door open and a young tan girl with brown hair entered.

"Glad to see you are awake."

The young girl looked relieved to see her guest awake. All Naruto could remember was white light and his body being lifted off the ground. Did Sasuke Chidori hit him when he was not looking? Were the others, ok?

"Shadi told me strangers would arrive here, but you guys falling out of the sky was something else."

Falling out of the sky? What is she talking about?

"Who are you?" Naruto asked. The best thing to do now is to gather information. Normally he was all taking action and ask questions later, but he was too sore to care.

"Oh, of course. My name is Mana."