Disclaimer: See previous chapters

SulliMike23 - Yip.

airnaruto45 - I don't want to rush him in this too soon, but yeah.

Kaelin - That is not my intention, I can assure you. Granted, her part in this has waned a bit from how I planned it when I first started, but she is going to do more than be a punching bag (Which was never part of the plan to begin with).

ShadowImageComics/Paradox009 - I'll try. Despite what some writers say, THE BLOCK IS REAL!

bluemarvel0 - Hopefully, I'll have a few more.

-0-

"Will he be alright?"

Nodding, Sakura rose up from the still-unconscious Kakashi, the glow from her hands after using Shosen Jutsu (Mystical Palm Technique) fading away. With a sigh, she gazed over his form to make sure she hadn't missed anything while answering Liu Kang, who had asked the earlier question.

"Yeah, he should be. The injuries aren't as bad as they look."

"Are you sure?" Naruto said worriedly while was standing close behind her ".Because they look really bad."

"The only real problem is his chakra. It's close to exhausted." Her checkup finished, she turned to him and mused. "No doubt, he stretched the use of his Sharingan."

From the background, Cage spoke out "He must have been in one heck of a fight to come out like this."

Looking back at Kakashi, Sakura could help but agree. Aside from the various bruises he sported, a part of his vest looked as if it was melted by some sort of corrosive agent. And if he was pushed to use his Sharingan to this point, then he really must have been in a desperate situation. What was questionable was how he lost so much chakra in so short a time. As draining as the kekkei genkai was, Kakashi could handle it being active for a considerable period of time. It shouldn't have rendered him to be this weak.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go."

The group blinked in surprise as Sonya turned about from where she had been standing in watch and quickly stride away, passing by Liu Kang as she did. Mixed expressions came over the faces of the two shinobi as she departed, but not before stopping briefly and turning back to them.

"I hope he does okay."

"What's her rush?" Naruto said sullenly after she left completely.

"She has her own mission to complete, Naruto" Sakura answered understandingly. "That's all."

Continuing to watch her departing form, Cage could help but grin "Well, you got to hand it to that woman, when she puts her mind to something."

Sakura and Naruto both exchanged a glance at his comment and would not be surprised to learn that they had thought the same exact thing.

'Why do I get the feeling it's not her mind he's admiring?'

He was through waiting…

That was Scorpion's thought as he smashed his fist up into his opponent's face after reeling them in with his spear. Amazingly, his foe managed to stand back up, albeit wobbly. But this match was past over. Aside from the cauterized wound in the fighter's side, the blow from the uppercut had likely broken the man's jaw, plus the numerous bruises he had acquired from fighting the now-highly-motivated Shinrai-Ryu specter. But Scorpion wasn't so focused on his opponent than he was on his one sole desire.

Revenge…

-0-

The memories of his end flew through his mind like a torturous blur. It started with black cold, as death was expected to be. But that changed, rapidly turning into inferno heat. He remembered screams, unsure whether they were his own or from someone else. The demonic flames continued to ravage him in endless torment as he descended into the Nether-Realm. Time ceased to exist; all was suffering. Nothing could be worse than this, he believed.

He was wrong…

His mind recalled another voice, one telling him that his clan had shared his fate. More than that, his wife and child had also been slain. At this, the flames of the Nether-Realm ceased to hurt him, as an even greater torment had now come to him. But this time, the pain brought something else with it.

Rage…

…A horrible rage that had taken the once-tormenting fires and turned them into power. The pain was still there, but it no longer mattered. The pain had been consumed by his rage just as the flames of the Nether-realm had once consumed him, especially upon learning what, or rather who was the cause of it; the very one who sent him there in the first place.

-0-

'Sub-Zero…'

That name burned in Scorpion's mind and with it came the raw hatred he felt for the Lin Kuei. So much so that the image of his staggering opponent changed into that of his most hated rival. The translucent eyes of the specter practically turned into fire as he grabbed hold of his mask and tore it off of his face. If the opposing fighter was coherent enough, he would have been terrified at the sight of the Shinrai-Ryu's face, or rather, lack of a face. There was no skin, muscle, eyes, anything…

…Only a completely dry skull.

An inhuman howl suddenly rang out as Scorpion lurched forward, his jaw opening as he let out a blast of fire upon his opponent. The fire consumed the opponent completely, incinerating him before he could finish screaming and turning him into an ashen skeleton than crumbled to the ground.

Scorpion wins! FATALITY!

Turning away from the remains that were once his opponent, Scorpion stormed off, replacing his mask over his face and hiding the fearsome visage beneath, but not the rage in the eyes. He was through waiting. And with the announcement of the champion making his appearance, less regard and attention would be given to the other matches and opponents, giving the specter a bit more freedom to do what he came here to do. No more watching from the bushes and the backgrounds.

Time to go hunting…

"That's it. Keep to the flow, and cycle the fury."

Returning back to the training, Liu Kang watched the closed-eyed Naruto as he continued his focus on the violent intent. Nearby, Sakura sat in watch, with Kakashi lying nearby, still unconscious. So far, Naruto had improved quite a bit. He had been worried that the situation with his sensei would have shaken his focus, but as it stood, it only seemed to solidify it. Once again, the Shaolin monk was impressed by Naruto's determination and will.

"Through the cycle lies the strength. Your strength…"

The words reverberated through Naruto's mind, keeping him to his focus; so much so that he soon lost touch with the world around him. Drifting to another place, a place within, Naruto opened his eyes to find himself in a familiar landscape (or rather, mindscape). But there was something different about it. In front of the cage/seal of the Kyuubi, a large mirror was stationed. Walking toward it, Naruto naturally saw his reflection coming toward him, but upon closer inspection he found that the face of his reflection was shrouded in deep shadow, showing nothing of his features save for his eyes.

Deep red eyes…

Naruto was a bit started by the image, but he didn't back away or turn away. He just stared at the image of himself. He couldn't help but feel that there was…something more to what he was seeing. But before he could think further, a loud roar bellowed out. He half-expected to see the demonic visage of the Kyuubi, but (1) the roar didn't sound at all like his prisoner and (2), it had come from behind him. In the mirror before him, he saw a thick mist behind him and large form shadowed within it, a creature of some kind. But even though it couldn't be seen clearly, one thing was unmistakable to Naruto.

Its eyes… blood red eyes…

"Naruto!"

In a flash, the mindscape/vision snapped away and Naruto found himself looking up at the sky. Blinking, Naruto rose up from the ground to see Sakura's worried face as well as Liu Kang's solemn one.

"What happened?"

"You tell us" Sakura replied. "You suddenly went still and fell backward."

"I…I'm not sure…I was doing the focus thing and then…" His gaze lowered in forced concentration. "I don't know. I saw…"

"A vision" Liu Kang replied simply, causing Naruto to look up at him.

"Yeah. I think so."

"Of what? What did you see?" Sakura inquired.

The jinchuuriki shook his head "I'm not sure. My head's still a bit foggy."

"I think it's best if we take a break, Naruto" the Shaolin said after a moment. Rising up from the ground, he lent his hand out to help Naruto up as well. "But don't worry. You've made a great deal of progress here."

"You really think so?"

With a nod, Liu Kang replied "You already understand and grasp the general concept on how to channel your fury without letting it overtake you, just as Sakura has. Your situation is simply unique in that it takes a bit more effort."

With a wide grin (and a slight blush from the encouragement), Naruto couldn't help, but exclaim "Even so, I won't give up; believe it!"

"…Not so loud, Naruto."

The moan was low, but enough to catch the attention of all three of the fighters. Turning about, they saw a revived Kakashi moving to lift himself upright. Both shinobi rushed to his side, with Sakura bending down to him and holding him down, telling him not to move. Another groan came from him at her mothering, but regardless, Kakashi settled back down, wincing inwardly at how sore he felt. But given what had happened, that was no surprise.

"How long have I been out?"

"Not too long" Sakura answer, finishing her examination. "Just an hour or so."

"What happened to you?"

He was through waiting…

Patience has never been a strong point for Sasuke. Even before the tragedy of his clan, Sasuke had always been driven to be a stronger, better shinobi. At a young age, he constantly practiced and trained in order to be strong like his brother. And with the massacre of his clan, he strove to become stronger. That followed him all the way to his departure of Konoha, to the dark promise of power given to him by Orochimaru.

Logically speaking, to expect that he could reach Itachi's level of power while still a genin was insane, but Sasuke was stubbornly determined, going so far as to jump at the opportunity of Orochimaru granted him even at the risk of his own body. While it may have been possible to grow stronger in Konoha with his team, he realized that it would take more time than he was willing to spend, time he didn't want to lose. It is said that time heals all wounds, but Sasuke didn't want healing. He didn't want to forget the pain, the hurt…

…The hatred.

-"If you want to defeat me, foster your hatred and despise me…"-

That same hatred was what led him here to this tournament. He knew the time was close for Orochimaru to complete his pact with him, but that was of little concern to him. What was of concern would be finding Itachi after all this time. He had already began planning ahead to form a team that would be able to track him down, but with news of his entry into the tournament, Sasuke knew he had a better chance, or rather, a more immediate chance, to take down Itachi. And after his victory over Sakura, Itachi was to be the next match.

Except it hadn't come…

It didn't take much for Sasuke to realize that Shang Tsung may have simply lied to him or delayed the match for his own purposes. Too much of the sorcerer reminded him of Orochimaru and Sasuke already knew not to take his words at face value. Whatever the case may be, Sasuke wasn't going to wait any longer. The hatred he kept bottled inside was stirring and he was through being patient.

Time to go hunting…