Chapter 39: The real monsters

What were they doing here?

Better yet, what the hell was she doing here?

Things were not what they were supposed to be. She was supposed to have passed all the exams with ease, show just how great of a kunoichi she had become since graduation, gain the admiration of her peers and finally get Sasuke to pay attention to her instead of the spoiled little girl that was glued to his side. And yet, after the second exam, it had all come crashing down. That weird thing from inside Gaara's sand cocoon, the genjutsu used on the audience, the attack from Suna... It was all madness now, and this was not what Haruno Sakura had expected to face or even be trained to confront. Before today, not once had had she been in a serious enough fight for there to be any deaths...

Just a few moments ago, she had watched body after body fall to the ground and told to take part in a mission while people were dying all around her.

"How much further?!" Naruto yelled in front of her as they kept following the small dog.

"We're getting closer!"

How...

How was the class idiot Naruto able to keep calm right now even though it was taking Sakura all she had not to turn away.

Shikamaru stayed behind to play decoy despite saying the decoy would become a sacrifice. And sure, the doggy had yet to warn them about being followed again, but he hadn't said a word about the genin catching up either. Grim possibilities were whispered inside her mind before the girl managed to push the cruel voice away.

Not like it made much of a difference,

Because they were in way over their heads.

They were just genin; they were not supposed to be handling something this dangerous. It would be one thing if they somehow caught up to Sasuke-kun before he found the freaky redhead, but the boy was fast, and as much as he hated to admit it, Higurashi was not slow either. Not like Sakura was. Chances had probably already engaged them. So...what were their ragtag team even supposed to do? What could they do to try and help?

Pakkun was as small a shinobi dog as he could be; Naruto would just get himself killed, and her...Sakura was smart, yes, but there was a difference between book-smarts and just how much she could help in a fight. Making a plan in the middle of a life and death situation (one that would actually work) was not something she had any real experience with. And even if she had, it would probably be useless too. So what the hell were they even supposed to do right now?

Her blood seemed to freeze in her veins as the sound of cracking wood echoed through the forest reached her ears.

"Shit!" There was a seriousness she didn't expect in the class clown's voice. "Hurry up!"

They were not the right people for this kind of mission; it was too late already, and...

It was the sand she saw first. The ridiculously massive amount of sand unnaturally hovering in the air. Only after a pained moan somehow broke through her panic did the Sakura see the form of Higurashi Kagome being lifted in midair, trapped inside sand claws that were tightening their grip.

Really, they should leave.

They could not win.

"As if..." It was struggling, but there was no way not to recognize Higurashi's voice as she lifted her arms, hands lying still on the sand. "As if...I would be that easy to kill."

"Kagome!"

Pink erupted in front of them, a shrill pained screech almost deafening, drowning Naruto's concerned yell. Emerald eyes barely managed to catch a red blur tackling the loud blond with her.

"What..."

There, with a firm grip on her arm, was the monk impersonator from the Taisho team. Stern sare focused for just a second before looking back at the spot where the sand was now sprayed everywhere, semi-solid pieces crashing against the forest floor. The chirping sound of the jutsu Sasuke used during his match reverberated through the forest. The Uchiha had taken advantage of the redhead's momentary weakness to send his own attack. Cold blue light immediately followed by yet another chilling scream filled her ears. It was too much. This all was too much. She couldn't handle this.

"Will it hold?" A slightly hoarse female voice sounded on her right.

Sakura almost jumped; at some point, the two they were supposed to look for had landed on their side.

"This is supposed to be an extremely to be an extremely high-level genjutsu," the monk answered Higurashi's question with a wry smile. "So I can only guess."

"What are you doing here?" Disbelief dripped from Sasuke's words. "Pretty sure you were knocked out by the illusion."

"Kakashi-sensei sent us to tell you to get back and hide." Naruto still sounded surprisingly calm.

"Well, that option's gone to shit." Taisho Inuyasha scoffed.

"Yo-you want to fight that monster!" Finally, Sakura had found her voice. "We're just genins!"

"Even if we try to run away, what makes you think he won't just follow us back to the village anyway? Our teachers don't need to deal with this right now." Higurashi almost glared at her before turning towards the others. "That thing still uses chakra to bind the sand together. Reiki can still affect him."

"Using yourself as bait..." Sasuke started.

"Not gonna work this time." Only to be cut off by the blue-eyed kunoichi. "I'll need to concentrate to pull enough reiki for an effective attack. You'll need to figure out a way to stop his movements for at least a couple of minutes."

"Will it be enough?" They were serious. They were dead serious, and the silver-haired Taisho was going along with this madness.

"It has to."

"I can make two more shots." Sasuke grimaced for an instant. "It will also take some time to prepare, though."

"Oi, Miroku..." They had all lost their minds. "The Kaze no kizu should be strong enough to make a dent, shouldn't it?"

"Yeah, it should," the monk trailed off. "I should be able to grab his attention, but I fear I can't say for how long I'll manage. It would also endanger both Kagome-sama and Sasuke-san, who will need to get closer to Gaara..."

They were told to run away...

So why were they all reading themselves for a fight?

Who cared if the freak followed them? That's what the adults were there for, right? They were just kids, simply unprepared genins. They were all weak...

She was weak.

Seriously considering going on the offensive instead of taking advantage of the small respite to run away. Trembling emerald traveled towards the blond at her side. Naruto hadn't said much since they began talking strategy. Of course, the boy didn't really have any particular ability. Just like her. The prankster was well out of his depth here. Just as useless as her. Surely, he was as scared as Sakura felt at this moment. Shakily, the girl turned only to freeze at the steely gaze inside her former classmate's cerulean eyes.

"I'll do it." For the first time since they started to talk strategy, Naruto spoke. "I can stop him."

"Orochimaru!"

Truthfully, he was not really surprised at the toad landing in front of his barrier, nor was he shocked at its accompanying accusatory scream.

Even if Jiraya of the Sannin all but lived in the road, the as was still loyal. There was a better chance of Ame suffering a draught than it was for the man to keep out of his way...that said, the rogue nin had figured his idiotic ex-teammate would remain in the city, busy protecting the place and saving worthless civilian. Probably betting on the power and strength of "The Professor" to keep the old man alive. That was the real purpose of all of his mid-level summons, after all. To keep the meddlesome pervert out of his fight...although...

"Had I known you wanted to see our old teacher die so badly, I would've waited for you."

"Jiraiya, the people!"

"At least one of our allies remains true." The white-haired Sannin wove hand-seals trying jutsu after jutsu on the barrier. "I wasn't needed."

Right, the Taishos. Troublesome bunch that seemed quite intent in throwing a wrench in his plans. According to his information, it was their team who'd intervened before Sasuke could awaken back in the Forest of Death. And they'd also taken an interest in the Higurashi girl...he would have to deal with them...later on, of course. Maybe after he acquired his new body or some time after. He couldn't deny that getting those bloodlines in his hands was also tempting.

"Orochimaru, you coward, take down this barrier."

"By all means," he almost laughed. "Tire yourself out. It will be a good opening before the main show."

"This will end here." The old man hissed at him.

"You've grown old, haven't you?" This time, the snake Sannin did laugh, cruel gaze locked onto his former teacher. "I've never seen you strain so much, hahaha."

"What's so funny?" Blind, stupid Sarutobi-sensei asked.

"It's pitiful, you know..." Amusement laced his words, with one single fluid motion, the fake skin covering his face was lifted, showing the young face of his current body. "Even you, he who was hailed as the god of the shinobi, cannot defeat old age."

"Who the hell are you?"

"No..." Oh, it seemed Jiraiya's senses weren't as dulled as their teacher's. "It can't be, you..."

"Oh, so you've figured it out." The shock on their faces was definitely a good bonus to this whole thing. "It's me, Orochimaru."

"You can't mean..." For a second, even anger drained from Sarutobi-sensei's voice. "You've already achieved the completion of that kinjutsu..."

"Hahahaha, it's been more than 10 years since I left the village...I suffered quite a bit because of that, you know."

"You terrifyingly inhuman creature," his teacher spat as if that was an insult. "One of the reasons I didn't choose you to be the Yondaime was because of your twisted idealogy."

Twisted, that was one meaningless word if he'd ever heard one.

Progress needed to be made, and for its sake, any price was worth it. In order to create a new technique, experimentation was necessary. And yet, people seemed intent on stagnating all advances just because of something as flimsy as morality. Thinking back on it, having his lab being discovered by the old man had not been a bad thing after all. Inside a village like this, his genius was shackled down, tied down by having to pretend he cared about their silly rules and morals. Having to slowly pick up his ingredients while trying to not attract too much attention had been both tiring and irritating. So different from the experience of being able to take whatever he desired, whenever he wished to. Of course, what he desired most, was knowledge. Precisely because of that, he needed time, never-ending, ever-lasting time. Horror changed into the ever familiar hatred and despise inside his former teammate's eyes as he explained his jutsu.

"The reason why I disguised myself as my old self until was because I thought I'd let you feel nostalgic about the past." It would be far more satisfying to kill his old teacher if the man knew who his killer was. "To grow old...how destitute it can be. When I look at you, I can feel it deeply. You will die here...and I will obtain an even younger, more beautiful, stronger body. Konoha really entertains me to no end."

"If you think you can get away with this..!" Another useless jutsu hit the barrier.

"Oh, and you will be able to stop me?" His laughter filled the air one more, cold and sharp. "The only thing you can do right now is sit tight and see our sensei's death. My new toys will come to me themselves."

"Uchiha Sasuke and Higurashi Kagome..."

"Exactly, the boy will fit me perfectly." His answer held poisonous amusement.

"A reincarnation jutsu that steals the body of another..." Sarutobi-sensei was doing his best to only show his anger, but Orochimaru could still hear it, the horror underneath. "What number face...body...is that one, hm?"

"I believe it's a second one." Again, he ignored Jiraiya's foolish attempts. "I intend to possess Sasuke-kun after he grows up enough for my tastes, hehehe. And with young Kagome-chan on my hands, I'll even be able to get a fourth body, even more powerful than the Uchiha boy.

"Oh, but I plan to have you die cursing your fate and regretting your entire life." Such an amusing thought, truthfully, again, he passed his hand in front of his face. Fake skin resurfacing to create a mask of his former appearance. "I suppose this face would be for the best, hm?"

Yes, this was exactly what he'd wanted; these almost mirrored expressions of naive horror and helplessness.

With a single movement from the First, tendrils of wood rushed forward.

Old Enma was not as slow as its age would suggest. Judging from the splattering of blood left outside the safety cage around the Sandaime Hokage, though, the old man was not fast enough.

"Hahahahaha, you mustn't let your guard down now, sensei." Jiraiya's angered yells, Sarutobi-sensei's hateful glare, the smell of metallic blood in the air. This was all so perfect. "You were always so compassionate."

And now, that compassion would mark his end.

What exactly had the boy been training for the last three weeks; none of them really knew, but there was determination screaming out of his every move. From her side, Kagome could see the fake monk glancing her way. It was up to her to decide whether or not the blond was to be trusted. To confirm if his abilities really were up to par.

She only had the time to nod before her instincts were screaming at her.

Chakra rushed to her legs, barely giving her enough speed to get in front of their small improvised group. Slender fingers rushed through the shortened hand seals that created a light pink dome above them. Sand crashed against it; Gaara had broken through the illusion. Pressure hit against her senses, her reiki holding out against the sudden force. They'd run out of time.

"He's going to go after me!" Her voice was barely heard over the shrill screams of the pained jinchuuriki. "I'm fast enough to keep away from him until you guys iron out the details, but I can only go for so long!"

Not waiting for an answer, the girl jumped out, taking advantage of the way the sand had recoiled from the burn of her shield. It didn't last for long, or at least it wasn't painful enough to keep him out of it. Sand was rushing at her, still crumbling from the edges. The sound of chirping filled her ears as a blue light came racing towards the limbs.

Again, an agonized scream echoed through the forest. There was something different, though, something that didn't quite match with the redhead lurking underneath. One single glance at Sasuke, who'd just landed at her side, let her know all she needed. This was what he'd seen in the arena, and he was not planning on pushing her away. The Uchiha was simply giving her some breathing room, giving Gaara a second target.

And then, the yell twisted into laughter, loud and deranged.

"Hahahaha, I see!...to that's what it was..." The voice sounded even more garbled than before. "The reason why I'm so excited...I just got the answer!...it's this pain. Defeating someone strong enough to hurt me and utterly destroying them...that's what gives me an even greater sense of existence!

"More! I want MORE!"

Sand began moving once more, not towards them, however. Instead, something seemed to be taking form behind, far more flexible than an arm...it looked more like a tail.

"Back away!"

Her feet were moving as she spoke, jumping once more as her instincts shouted at her to move, to go faster.

The sand from the tail seemed to be going after her as the claw followed the Uchiha. Crimson looked back at her, allowing her to take a breath of relief. The sharingan should be enough for him to keep away. It would be fine, for a while at least, but the others really needed the others to get to work.

Her breath was coming in pants, Muscles burning as she forced herself to keep moving.

Right.

Left,

Below.

Right.

Above.

It was too fast. Too fluid.

Her intuition the only thing keeping her away from the sand's grasp. Using her reiki wasn't a good idea, not if Kagome wanted her attack to have enough power to make a difference. What little breathing room they'd gained by having Gaara try to chase two targets was barely changing a thing.

For just a bit longer, it would still be manageable.

Drops of crimson slid down her cheeks as she sprinted through the branches, caring only for her feet to find their footing and nothing more. Still, this was too much; was this really the same kind of thing Naruto kept locked inside? No, the beast was not even fully released, was it? So far, there was only one claw and a tail...had they failed to get Naruto back into control, would they have been forced to face something like this back in Wave? Would this be forced to face it if it were to happen again?

No.

Gaara had all but given up on controlling the monster, freely giving it reign instead of keeping himself in control.

Naruto would not reach that point.

At least, not as long as they...

Instincts screaming forced her to push those thoughts back down.

Not the time.

Definitely not the time.

Shit.

How long could they last like this?

She'd worried about having to use her reiki and being left without enough for the last attack. Not once, however, did the girl think that maybe her worry should be about being physically able to move in the first place.

"Is this...all you've got?!" The garbled voice chased behind her. "It's not enough! Your hatred is not enough! Your existence is not enough!"

Chills ran down her spine as the words filled the air.

This was a provocation, plain and simple. And falling for it would ruin whatever plan the others were trying to put in place. Azure flickered to find crimson. Sasuke would not fall for it, could not try to go in the offensive. Even if the girl was aware that the taunts were cutting into him just as deeply as they cut into her.

Gaara was wrong. His logic twisted and warped from years of emotional abuse and hatred; both of them knew that. His actions lacked purpose, sense. It was just mindless violence...and yet...he wasn't entirely wrong...their efforts so far were not enough. The two of them were nowhere close to finding the truth, to get retribution.

This whole thing had been nothing but a waste of time.

In fact...their search had barely moved at all...

A crack echoed in front of her.

Her feet slipped to the front.

Shit.

Too slow...

Pushing back, her body fell faster, claws of sand scratching at her skin as she fell. Being on the ground was dangerous, far too dangerous. Pain hit her as her feet touched the ground, blood dripping from her left leg. Not enough time to run or to heal herself. Using reiki to burn the sand away would affect the attack that mattered.

The chirping noise reached her first.

Quickly followed by the blue lightning in Sasuke's hand destroying the chakra-formed limb racing towards her. Again, he was standing in front of her, his back towards her...and again, Kagome could see the black taint from the seal threatening to overtake him...

"Sasuke!"

The young heiress was by his side in an instant, the pain on her leg just as easily ignored as the insane ramblings of the beast in front of them that had former transformed, sand covering him almost entirely while her hands went to help Sasuke. He'd pushed himself too much, all for her sake, and yet...it still wasn't enough...

They were too weak...

Smoke filled the space around them, her ears almost ringing at the loud sound exploding so close to her. Wild untamed chakra licked at her senses for just a second before it was gone. Azure eyes widened at the size of the giant toad landing in front of him. Blocking the onslaught of sand.

Naruto did pull through, after all.

So this was what they were trying to pull.

Not a bad idea, per se...in fact, usually, he would be amused by it.

Except that there was now no hope for him to be able to get to her.

Scarlet eyes had narrowed as the man watched the useless excuse for a proctor sent her chasing after an unknown threat that was essential to the traitor's plans. So close, he had been so close to stop pretending to be asleep and slice the idiot's head from his shoulders for the mere idea that such trash could risk her life for the sake of the pathetic village. He would have...if not for the fact that the Taishos had sprinted right after...

Just as he thought, they were looking for him.

Rumors had it that the current Taisho head was just as strong as the very first Inu no Taisho, and the matriarch was not far behind. Trying to act now would only destroy his future chance. For so long he'd waited that a few years would be nothing compared to it. Better to have the opportunity later than to rush now and lose it. Another opening would show up, and if it didn't, then he would make one.

"Shouldn't we move or something?"

A glare cut to the woman on his right; a nobleman needs retainers and bodyguards. The black-haired woman was one of his best children, but oh so strong-willed that sometimes he wondered if the pain of having to keep an eye on her was worth it. His gaze cut to the roof of the arena, where the Sandaime Hokage was likely to meet his end, for a second before looking back down. Pristine and long silver hair that was far too distinctive to be anyone else but the young Taisho heir hovered near the barrier. Considering whether the information he could get was worth remaining here, more than likely. And effectively cutting off his chances of staying here or follow the kids.

"We'll linger around the wall and leave as soon as the nuisance starts to die off."

With a little luck, he'd be able to intercept the girl as she made her way back to the village. Even if those idiots flanked her like fucking dogs.

Masochistic, maybe, to try and get so close when he knew years would likely pass before he could maneuver them both to the place they were destined to be. He was an addict, however, and the temptation was so very strong not to have a taste, a taste of her presence, of her soul.

There was no hesitation in his movements, not as he stood abandoning the cannon fodder he brought to make his act believable, followed only by the young woman he'd trained himself. Not as the sound of battle was replaced by that of screams around him while they walked into the street. Neither did he falter as sharp gusts of wind sliced the foolish Suna shinobi that thought he could get the drop on them. It was only a loud crash as yet another giant snake summon collapsed like stringless puppets that his steps faltered.

No matter the time or the place, Taishos were always dangerous.

His wide spy network made it, so he was never truly ignorant of what was happening with the ancient clan, but it had been a long time since he'd been able to actually observe either head in action by himself. And so far, he never had the misfortune of having to face someone with the particular blood limit the woman had, judging from the way the summon was now writhing in the edge of the wall, it was precisely the Taisho matriarch who was the closest.

"Wait, wait!" Panic seeped into Kagura's voice. "You want to go there? That woman is said to be able to remember a chakra signature if she's encountered it even once!"

"Oh?" Slowly, he turned to face her. "Are you refusing to follow my orders, then?"

Fear, oh so familiar and beloved fear crept inside the blood-colored eyes of one of his eldest children. He could savor it, the raw emotion as memories of their shared past experiences were likely running around in her mind. The girl was useful, but as long as he didn't break her to the point of no return, there was no need to restrain himself. And clearly, she knew it as well.

"N-not at all, master," the young woman rushed to say.

"So, what you said just now?"

"I-it's just..." Scarlet eyes flickered in anxiety. "We've been so careful all this time. It would be a waste for us to have to go back into hiding now."

It was commendable, he supposed, the way her voice only slightly trembled as his fingers grabbed and crushed her chin. A feeble excuse for her impertinence, to be sure, but still pitiful altogether; And he'd never cared for excuses.

"You're right; it would be a pity for us to get caught now, wouldn't it?" he purred at her. "Such a waste it would be for them to catch on to us. Which is why you'll go and report to me, and I trust you will not fail me. "

"O-of course...master."

Fear and hatred both appeared to swirl within her crimson eyes as she nodded and hurried to reach the border of this pathetic village.

Shaking his head, the man walked the opposite way.

His mind wandering on its own back to that moment, the instant reiki filled the air, and long treasured memories seemed to burst alive once more. He wanted it. Wanted her.

In her eyes, even hatred became beloved, as long as they were focused on him.

Soon, he reminded himself.

Soon enough, he would have her, and finally, he would be able to finish what had been started so long ago. Maybe he'd even pay a visit to that man, the imbecile that had been useless enough to fly off the edge and ruin his plans. He could even use that guy to get into her head, have her by his side as retribution was finally taken for the long decade he'd been forced to wait. For now, however, for now, he'd relish in the familiar feeling of her soul being so close to him. Bask in the accumulated memories that sustained him.

This time he would not fail.

They were...familiar.

Those cold eyes, watching him from below the giant toad. So angry and cold and so very lonely.

Naruto had seen them in his mirror every day of his life for what felt like an eternity back when he was a child...before bright azure eyes finally looked at him with nothing but pure confusion before shining brightly as the delicate-looking girl offered her hand to him. Things had changed then, his small apartment just as cold but his days a little warmer, filled with smiles and pranks and even silly fights with the other boy who was always by Kagome's side but whose annoyed glares were still warmers than the ones he got in the village.

Thinking about it now...Naruto was sure he had hated them, Konoha and those who lived in it, hating him.

Each new glare fanning the anger, the pain inside him.

They were still there, the hateful eyes. But there were people glaring back on his behalf now and soft smiles that soothed the hurt. He'd been lucky, oh so lucky to have risked entering the Uchiha compound and found the people who'd spent the past few years watching over him. Compared to Gaara of the Desert, Uzumaki Naruto had an easy life. Saved from that hell of loneliness when he was still so young, a hell the redhead was still trapped within.

But his friends were out of bounds.

Even if he could sympathize (no precisely because he could), he would stop the monster raging in front of him.

"20 seconds!" Kagome's yell broke his train of thought.

"Huh?"

"If you can manage to hold him down for 20 seconds, that's all we need!"

"Hmph, 20 seconds, she says." Gamabunta snorted loudly. "As if that thing is so easy, 'sides, who said I was gonna fight in the first place?"

"Wait, aren't I supposed to be your underling?!" He just couldn't get a break, could he? "A boss is someone who's supposed to help out an underling when he's in trouble, ain't he? That's the way of the family, right?!"

"Sure, but I ain't exchanged sakazuki with you yet...why should I have ta do anythin' for the sake of one guy?!"

Panic began to flow inside him, shit, he'd forgotten how annoying this guy was with the whole superiority issues. This was totally different back in the cliff though, if he failed now then...then what would they do?

"Now, don't be saying that and listen to the guy, would ya?" The blond wanted to cringe at the feeling of the small toad (that had been the embarrassing result of his first failed attempt at summoning and his reason for his delay) sitting on his shoulder. He really didn't need the spoiled brat to muck things up. "I was saved by him, pops!"

"Why are you here, Gamakichi?!" Now there was worry in the toad boss' voice.

"I was bored, so I came out to play. But never mind that that guy tried to bully me around."

"Say what?!" Gamabunta moved, almost sending him crashing to the ground. "Tell you what, kid, I'll recognize you as my underling! And I'll show you the way of the family...It's payback time, you hoodlum!"

"Oi, oi!" He had never really thought of it before, but a toad's head didn't have a lot of places to grab onto. "We just have to hold him fr 20 seconds!"

"And I said, it's not gonna be that easy!"

"Oi, moron!" Sasuke's annoyed yell stopped his reply. "We're moving south; keep him away from it!"

Despite the tension, the blond could feel a smile tugging at his lips. It was rude and jerk-y and all Sasuke, but he'd known the boy for a long time, and Naruto knew just what those words meant. A vote of confidence, complete trust in his own abilities to keep himself alive and give them the opportunity to attack. This time, it would be Naruto who'd have their backs covered; he would face the immediate threat.

"Be careful!" Kagome yelled one final time before rushing to follow Sasuke.

"Those are?"

"Part of his family!" Was Gamakichis nosy answer.

"So, you do know something about family, huh?" Before the blond could answer, the toad moved again. "Hold tight! I'm jumping!"

It was something different, the sensation of being propelled through the air at a stupid speed while he held for dear life onto the giant toad under him. Almost as shocking as the sudden slow down as Gamabunta took out a blade, slashing at the sand monster in front of them only to jump right back, sand followed after them. The sound of the blade being broken, flying out of the toad boss' hands filled his ears, closely followed by the echoes of surprised screams behind them.

"Oi, boss!" Naruto fought to be heard against the loudness of the air around them. "They won't be able to aim if we move around this much!" They're counting on us here!"

"You're fun!" Gaara's voice was almost painful to hear, intertwined with the beast's own. "This is fun! Uzumaki Naruto!"

Slowly, the sand seemed to move away from the monster's head, the small figure of Gaara of the Desert rising through it. And the village's jinchuuriki didn't need good instincts to know this couldn't mean anything good.

"Thank you for keeping me entertained so far..." This time, the voice came only from the boy's body. "Now, I'll show you the true power of the Sand Demon."

"The medium shows signs of insomnia from being possessed by Shuukaku." What exactly that meant, Naruto wasn't sure, but the toad's tone was grim. "Take a look at those bags under his eyes. I could give him a competition."

"Insomnia?"

"Those possessed by the badger demon, Shuukaku, become such that they can't even have a single night of decent sleep...as far as I know, it's because of the terror.

"If they sleep, their personality is eaten away by Shuukaku, bit by bit, until they disappear. Because the medium suffers from a lack of sleep, their personality tends to be unstable, but you know...while the medium's awake, Shuukaku's real powers are suppressed...if he were to fall asleep on his own, then..."

"Spell of fake sleep!"

In an instant, the redhead's face fell down, eyes closing.

"Hahahaha! I'm finally out!" There were not two voices anymore, only the demons. "And there's someone I want to kill right off! Fuuton-!'

"We're gonna jump!" And Naruto very much shared the panic in Gamabunta's yell.

"Renkuudan!"

A/N:So, yes we are going to be seeing some stuff from Sakura's perspective. Like I said before I don't hate her character and I'm not intending to bash her, but I'm trying to keep the core aspects of all characters, and honestly once you truly stop and look at her character's motivations...there is not a lot with her. Hell, her studying with Tsunade was not really a thing she wished for, that was Tenten's stated goal. Sakura as a child only thought about her crush on Sasuke and even after he leaves there is nothing in the manga that makes it look like she actually got over him. Honestly I think you can swap those two and nothing big would fundamentally change. Maybe it would even be a little better since Tenten actually has a personal motivation to become a shinobi, sure she most likely has a crush on Neji but what little we see of her she still manages to act normal around him and even though Lee can be overwhelming and even annoying she shows she cares so I think that kind of dynamic would probably remain the same. Anyway, what I wanted to say was that yes, we'll be getting more POVs from her since she will start having more appearances and some things need to be looked at from her perspective.

As always, thank you guys so much for reading and any review/criticism/comment is greatly, greatly appreciated.