Disclaimer: See previous chapters

SulliMike23 - Realistically speaking, no. I just wanted her to put up a good fight though.

AN – I can't believe it took a blizzard for me to finish this chapter. I really have to step it up on this.

-0-

"It would be so easy right now."

"Indeed…"

Amid the dense cover of the trees, Kisame and Itachi peered through as they watched Naruto helping Sakura trudge back to their camp. They were a good distance away, so Naruto couldn't sense heir chakra signatures. Not that it mattered, since his focus was on the injured kunoichi at his side. As Kisame has said, capturing Naturo would be easy right now.

"But we have our orders." Itachi finished.

Kisame gave a light snort, but said nothing more. When the Akasuki had learned that Naruto had been chosen to participate in Mortal Kombat, they had been forced to halt their plans of capture on him. The moment he was chosen, he came under the direct protection of Raiden which meant that any such attempts of capture meant they would have to face the wrath of the thunder god. And as skilled and powerful as the members of the Akatsuki were, it would be close to suicide to face Raiden, since it was his right to use any and all force necessary to ensure that Naruto and the others made it safely to the tournament in order to compete.

And they did not want to find out what any and all force detailed…

But they didn't sit idly by either, as they were also aware of the corruption the tournament had undergone under Shang Tsung. While that wasn't a concern (yet), losing Naruto in the tournament was, since they needed the Nine-Tails to complete their own plans. So the two that had him targeted were given a new assignment, to protect Naruto and make sure he got through the tournament. If necessary, they would face Shang Tsung and his champion themselves in order to do so. Itachi could claim that right since he hasn't lost a match yet and despite his sole defeat, Kisame could still be eligible as long as he wasn't beaten again.

…And if someone else could defeat the two, then so much more the better.

That was of particular concern to Itachi. There was a good chance that Naruto could be the one to challenge the champion before them. If that happened, then they wouldn't be able to interfere, especially if it was Final Kombat. So in the end, it could be up to their prey to make sure their mission was a success.

Ironic…

But it wasn't hopeless. They had also been observing his training with Liu Kang, and if anyone could help the reckless jinchuuriki fight the reigning champion, it would be a man who could endure one of the Sharingan's most powerful jutsu. It was a long shot, a very long shot, but…

-"I know his type."-

Still, that didn't mean they would just leave it up to chance, not if they could help it. They had a mission to complete and a quota to meet. If they had to deal with demonic sorcerers and half human-dragon champions and other warriors in between, then so be it. They will deal with it as necessary. Naruto will be safe from the dark machinations of Mortal Kombat.

After all, he belonged to the Akatsuki…

-0-

Seated a distance from the ring of the last fight, Sonya waited patiently within the cover of the trees for Kalus to revive. Currently, he was still unconscious from his fight with Cage and even now, his body remained prone and out in the middle of the open ring. She had thought to drag him into a less exposed area, but she couldn't risk him reviving in the process and ruining her chance of getting to Kano. It was a matter of patience now, she knew. Even when Kalus revives, he wouldn't go straight to Kano. At best, he would hold up in his camp to tend to his wounds and probably meet up with Kano some time afterward. It wasn't much, but she's dealt with worse leads. She would just have to wait-

"Hey there."

Blinking in surprise, she turned about to see Johnny Cage approach her, a slight, but cocky grin on his face.

"Uh, hi."

"Mind if I join you?"

"Actually-"

Before Sonya could finish her response, the action movie star sat right down beside her. Annoyance flared in her eyes, but Cage didn't seem to notice as he stared forward for a minute, appearing relaxed and pleased with himself as he turned to her, still grinning.

"So what's a beautiful lady like you doing in a place like this?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Really? You think that's what works with me?"

He gave a careless shrug. "Doesn't hurt to try."

Despite being annoyed, Sonya found herself questioning his attitude. It was far different from what she had seen after his match. Then, he seemed lost and shaken. That told her, if nothing else, that he wasn't as carefree or easygoing as he was appearing right now.

"Why are you here? Really? I doubt it was to try to flirt with me."

"I can't help it" he shrugged again. "It's a guy thing. Besides, you seem to have a clue as to what's going on in this place."

"Look, I don't know any more about this place than you do" she returned, not missing the hint of seriousness he had in his voice at his last words.

"Oh really? 'It's not you. It's this place' pretty much says otherwise."

"I only know what I heard from a few other fighters" Sonya explained, although she didn't know why. "I can't say anything for certainty. Besides, I have other business in this place."

"Hope it's not guy business, other than me of course" he grinned again

"As a matter of fact, it is. There's a wanted killer on this island and I'm here to take him down." She finally turned to him, making sure he saw her glare at him. "And I don't have time to stick around and babysit-"

A low thump from behind Cage suddenly cut her off and both fighters turned to see a large form slumped face-down on the ground, having apparently fallen from the trees. Cage was quick to move over the fallen body and turn him over.

"Whoa. Hey, you alright?"

The man gave a low groan and Cage gave him a quick look-over. "Right, dumb question." Turning his head, he addressed Sonya. "He's in rough shape."

At this point, Sonya had moved beside Cage and the fallen man, quickly seeing the marks of injury, with his vest half torn off by come sort of corrosive agent. But first and foremost was the masked face and spiky silver hair.

"Kakashi…"

"You know this guy?" Cage asked as he began lifting him upright.

"Yeah. He and his team are camped not too far from here." Pausing, she looked back over to the ring and Kalus' still unmoving body before turning back to Kakashi and sighing in resignation. Quickly making a decision, she grabbed the ninja's arm and slung it across her shoulders. "We have to get him there."

Following suit, Cage did likewise with his other arm, wincing a bit from his own bruises as they lifted him up. Yet he couldn't help, but remark to her "'Thought you didn't have time to babysit."

"I don't" she growled. "So you can imagine how pissed off I'm going to be after this. Now shut up and let's go."

"Yes, Beautiful."

-0-

'I lost…'

That seemed to be the only clear thought that rang through Sakura's mind while she sat on a large boulder to rest and recover a bit of strength. Naruto was seated nearby, his own thoughts keeping him quiet at the moment, but Sakura had yet to notice this as she was lost in her own solitary thought. Looking back, she realized that she wasn't surprised by her defeat at Sasuke's hands. After all, he was one of the best shinobi of their generation, and there were very few among their group who could boast at being his equal. Add to the fact that he was of the Uchiha clan, trained by Orochimaru, a genius in his own right, and possessed an incredible drive to become stronger and you had a shinobi that would excel beyond what anyone would have imagined.

But that didn't lessen the hurt one bit…

She spent close to three years in her training, doing everything she felt in her power and more in order to possess the strength to one day bring Sasuke back, to no longer be the helpless girl she was at the start of her time as a genin. But, in the end…

She lost…

With a quiet sigh, she lifted her head and turned her attention to her teammate, who had his head downcast with a sullen look on his face. It wasn't hard to understand why. Her defeat by Sasuke couldn't have been any good for Naruto's feelings than they were for her own. Still, Naruto couldn't afford to lose his focus because of hurt feelings, whether they were his or hers. Too much was at stake.

Besides, that look on his face didn't suit him…

"I guess it's your turn."

"Huh?"

"Well, I gave it my best shot. I guess I couldn't get through that thick skull of his." With a light-sounding sigh, Sakura forced a smile. "Go figure, huh?"

Naruto gave her a confused look, not sure he was hearing her properly. "Sakura…"

"Hey, don't worry about it" she shrugged, hopping up from her seat and stretching lightly. "He didn't hurt me too badly, all things considering." She then turned to face him directly, her smile still in place. "Just make sure to put in a good punch in his gut for me when you face him, okay?"

She wasn't sure her act was all that convincing. Sure, surface-wise, she played the part flawlessly, even making sure to keep her stretch light in order not to aggravate her injuries while simultaneously playing them off. But Naruto… as much as she liked calling him an idiot, she knew he wasn't a fool and was quite capable of seeing through her with little to no problem. She just hoped that he was too distracted with his own thoughts to try to see deeper.

"Oh, yeah." Naruto grinned. "Believe it!"

Her smile became true at his declaration, knowing she had succeeded, at least for the moment. Hopefully, it would be enough to keep him focused on the tournament. As much as she wanted to try and get Sasuke back, she knew that winning Mortal Kombat took priority. And right now, Naruto was their best chance at doing it, so long as he keeps his head in the game. And it looked like as of right now, until Kakashi-sensei returned, it would be her assigned task to help keep it that way.

"Good. Now, come on. We still have some training to do. Especially you."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!"

-0-

The spiral of the dimly lit staircase would normally be the prelude to the stuff of nightmares. And while this was true in this case, the demon sorcerer held no such fears as he slowly descended, going far beneath the luxurious palace into a dark and deep cavern, also barely lit by the torches in the far walls as well as the fading sunlight coming from the opening in the distance. The glittering eyes of unknown creatures also flittered in the dark, snarling menacingly, but staying within the shadows and away from the striding form of Shang Tsung.

…As well as their other occupant.

Within the center of the cavern, a large muscular figure moved in a silent kata. Despite the hulking frame that easily towered over the sorcerer, it moved with silent grace and frightening agility. Its slow strikes, followed by deep breathing, also marked the precision that one would never guess would be seen from its brute appearance. Shang Tsung stopped moving and waited for the hulk to complete his practice, using arts that the sorcerer himself had taught him; arts that played a vital part in its victories.

Numerous victories…

Practice completed, the hulk turned to the sorcerer, red eyes gleaming in the shadowed area, and with no hair on its head save for a thin ponytail lock. Wearing nothing, but a loincloth around its waist, the figure could be seen in all its muscular, four-armed glory. A deep voiced rumbled out as he addressed Shang Tsung.

"Is it time?"

The sorcerer smiled. "Yes. Let's bring this game to an end."

"As you wish, master."