SUMMARY: This world is seldom kind and often cruel.
It is too late.
The challenge has been presented.
The challenge has been accepted.
Only in a world of child-assassins would no one step in to stop the train-wreck.
This is that world.
So no one steps in.
No one will step in.
Anyone who would cannot.
What can the Genins do?
There is strength in numbers.
But it will not be enough.
Orochimaru is one of the Sannin for a reason.
There has to be a loophole!
But how can they find it?
Their primary source of information is a little busy surviving.
Everyone knows the man is only toying with her.
Naruto and Gaara might be Jinchuuriki but it is too risky.
No one will be able to stop their rampage.
If they end up destroying the very thing they tried to save, what is the point?
They don't know what to do.
Sakura and Shikamaru - the widely recognised 'planning ones' have no clue.
This is it then.
Maybe if they weren't Shinobi they would have a hand-holding moment.
They haven't got the time for that.
Naruto doesn't seem to get the memo.
They fall over like dominos, sprawled on the ground.
Because they are Genin.
They are teenagers.
Maybe even pre-teens.
They are not perfect Shinobi.
But they don't wish to be.
So they draw strength from each other.
And they brace.
Temari begins with the dirty tricks.
This is not a spar.
This is her being toyed with by a predator.
This is her being the foolish fly in the spider's web.
And prey is not going to complain about doing 'dishonourable things'.
She begins with a kick right to his genitals.
She doesn't understand why he let her get that close.
But it has no effect.
Almost as if there is nothing there...
Her friends said the man - if she can even call him that - dabbled with genetics and '"experiments best left alone".
So what if he did something to his body?
The man in question smiles pleasantly at her.
Can he read minds now?
She pulls out the only other one she can think of at the moment.
Her aim is true and with a few slashes, Orochimaru is rendered unclothed.
Again, as expected, it does not faze him.
Temari thinks she hears a few members of the 'audience' gasp.
She couldn't care less.
They are trained in seduction and killing, what is a few clothes?
Not to mention they are not stepping in.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru seems to share her viewpoint.
"I think you need a haircut." she comments as her kunai slices half of his hair off.
It works.
Her whim actually paid off!
Somewhat.
It simply makes him enraged.
But Orochimaru is experienced.
He uses his anger to fight.
His next few attacks are far more vicious.
Temari isn't even defending at this point - she is struggling for her life.
The stubborn plant that refuses to die and grows in the dessert.
Maybe her father would be proud.
It's not like she will ever know.
Temari forces herself to struggle harder.
She's not fighting - not yet - but is better than simply surviving.
She has finally learnt how to live.
This snake-man is not going to take that from her.
Temari is stubborn.
She will die fighting.
There are a few basic rules to most fights.
Namely that attacking people who aren't your opponents means they can retaliate.
It is a risk.
None of them know Suna's customs.
They wish it didn't have to be a factor.
But their friend is losing.
She is losing.
They have to step in.
Perhaps on his own, Sasuke wouldn't be much of a distraction.
But as his two tomoes (and wasn't that a surprise) swirl to life and Neji stands next to his, his Byakugan activated, they think it might be enough.
They are in direct sight of Orochimaru.
Sasuke bares his shoulder.
There is nothing on it.
His movements controlled and deliberate, he reveals his other shoulder.
It is bare too.
He can pinpoint the exact moment Orochimaru's attention turns to him.
Temari takes advantage of the moment and stabs him in the back.
And Orochimaru dissolves.
Anko should have expected it.
He'd pulled the same trick with her after all.
When they all make it out of here-
They have to.
-,Anko is going to get back into shape and get them into it too.
Still this means Temari has won.
"I, Temari, Godaime Kazekage, hereby order the retreat of Suna! To go against this order is treason!"
And isn't that ironic?
They've been actively committing treason against Konoha but now, it is Suna that has to worry about it.
Little by little, Suna begins to retreat.
Their Treaty with Konoha is only for supplies.
There is an implication of mutual aid during an invasion but Temari is young.
She is going to have to play a dangerous game - mature for the Suna Council and a little foolish for Konoha.
Anko will be there to guard her back.
Temari is one of her brats now.
While it comes with a lot of trigger-happy privileges for Anko, it is not one-sided.
Gradually, Suna leaves.
The Shinobi come to swear loyalty to their new Kage and then retreat.
With Baki and her brothers guarding her, Temari looks every bit a ruler.
There will be time for proper greetings later.
First the Sand Siblings have a Village to sort out.
The Konoha Nin do not impend their departure, simply watching cautiously.
Their friends cannot watch them.
They have other matters to take care of.
Orochimaru has trapped their Kage.
While they couldn't care less if anything happened to the old man, they would rather not be branded traitors.
That is not the reason they begin to evacuate the civilians.
It is because no one deserves to be collateral damage.
Because when the powerful ones fight, they always make a mess.
And other people suffer for it.
They do not deserve it.
So they do their best to save as many as possible.
Rescue them from under toppling buildings, out of precarious positions and protect the hospital.
Then as if things cannot get any worst, Ra turns around.
And locks eyes with:
Them.