*****

"What?" Naruto gasped underneath his breath. 'L.love her.' Naruto almost completely forgot Sakura was dead. It confused him, then he remembered Sasuke was too focused to realize that himself, Shino and Kiba were hidden. But then. why? What happened? He realized that ever since the day that he met up with Hinata, that he almost disregarded Sakura. He realized suddenly that every time he saw her after that she had become moody, silent, and snappy. He had no idea what was going on ever. Was he really that spacey to not realize that Sakura was hurting inside? Had he really abandoned his love for her? Was it just some stupid crush that really had no meaning? He felt shallow. Completely and utterly shallow. Competing with Sasuke for Sakura's affection, even Sasuke didn't really compete for it, but he only liked Sakura over some stupid crush. Sakura really loved Sasuke. And he now realized. Sasuke really loved her. He sat in confusion. Seeing Sasuke limp away with Sakura, he raced over to Sasuke. Harshly Naruto glared at Sasuke, not allowing him to take another step. "Why did you try to kill Sakura!" His fox-like attributes seemed to give an almost more ferocious look to his glare. "I. wasn't trying to kill her..." Sasuke, stunned added quickly, wide-eyed for a moment. Naruto had watched the whole thing. He then lowered his head and in a cold tone he added, "You wouldn't understand Naruto. Go away." "I won't let you hurt Sakura even more!" Naruto added as though she was still alive, "I'll kill you right now." He ran at Sasuke throwing a punch. "This time.. I can't let you try that. you're so simple-minded Naruto. You'll never understand." Sasuke sighed as he disappeared into thin air before Naruto's punch even made contact. "Damn." Naruto cursed underneath his breath.

*******

"Moonlight paths,

Will cross again. The crescent is all that remains, Only the sliver of light left in my heart.

Chime that bell, Let the ring rise once more. The sound is weak, Yet it rings proudly.

Touching a heart, May never be fulfilling. Being the most powerful, Brings nothing.

Nothing from my throat, The tremor of a swallow. Gravity cannot keep me on the ground, I'm Feeling so empty now.

Your touch chills, Bringing me once again to death. Don't come near, I just might kill you." A girl laced in golden robes ran her fingers, plucking the strings of a lyre whimsically; a sorrowful look came to her face, almost getting swept up in the poem. "Apollo. will you quit it?" A dark figure towered over the other's body wearing the robes of a huntress. Her eyes were filled with swirls of purple and blue patterns, surrounding her amethyst eyes. "I am sorry Artemis... you do not like my song?" The soft-spoken poet spoke, "is it time to fight?" "The goddess of the hunt yearns for blood spills and not of our own. not one of theirs were sacrificed. not one. except useless, citizens that lack any form of power!" "I wish we disregarded fighting. I do not like this. I wish we had just asked for passage dearest sister Artemis. power will accomplish nothing. this will be our demise."
"Then so be it sister." Apollo sighed. She did not mind being named after a male god. She held his ideas or peace and trust to herself, disregarding his arrogance. Her powers were very similar to his, especially the power of prophecy. "Try to go and kill them all at once will prove fatal." "You will not fight with me?" "Maybe later. right now... I have . a few things on my mind." Apollo's eyes drifted down to the ground. Her actions were carried out calmly and elegantly. Artemis gave a foul scorn to her sister and then faded into the moonlight with blood thirsty eyes wavering in the shadows.

*******

"Naruto!" Hinata gave a cry, although in her same soft voice. Hinata set Akamaru on the ground who ventured around for a period, Kiba greeting his dog excitedly. She, Neji and Tenten traced the life forms as well and rushed over here as fast as possible.
"Where's Sasuke and Sakura?" Neji posed curiously, remembering that he recognized their chakra still lingering. Naruto was about to say something, but Kiba cut him off quickly, knowing Naruto would give unnecessary information.
"It is a long story Neji. right now we really don't have time for it." Kiba growled, it was bothersome really. He hated bringing up sad occasions, it was not his thing per say. Even if he was competing in his own mind with Naruto for Hinata, he would still cover Naruto's back. And if he brought it up. well let's just say that it would come off almost snide and blunt, which was not needed for the particular occasion.
"I'm so glad you are all alright." Hinata gave a light smile, a faint blush lingering on her pale cheeks. Kiba scowled under his breath. She was starring at Naruto, those eyes that he wanted only for himself. He couldn't stand it. His knuckles whitened tightening his grip so hard it was as if he wanted to crush every single molecule enclosed in his hand.
"I'm. alright." Naruto shrugged, scratching his head half-heartedly. Ever since what Sakura had told him, about Hinata "liking" him. It couldn't be true, could it? He himself was confused. Hinata saved him in the forest, and she had always been so nice to him. Maybe she wasn't the most sexually arousing person, or the most noticeable, but she made Naruto feel different, as though he was something special, which was definitely unusual for him. He lowered his head softly and then coyly added in a softer tone, which was so unlike Naruto, "Thanks."
Everyone gaped at Naruto baffled. What on earth was he talking about? Hinata's cheeks just grew deeper red, noticing that his eyes were for once focused on her.
"I have a bad feeling about staying here." Tenten looked around the forest, which was basically silent for the most time, wavering around behind Neji, "Someone's coming. and the sun is setting. it's only mid day. this isn't right." She glomped onto Neji's arm using security for an excuse.
"Why. um. are you doing that?" Neji looked to Tenten with an awkward stare.
"Sorry. I just am nervous." Tenten lifted her hand from his arm, and that moment Neji lowered his head and then mumbled mellifluously, "No it's alright, just next time don't squeeze so hard. I'll protect you." Tenten blushed with slightly wide eyes and gave a sheepish grin.

*****
"I'll take away your burden." A soft voice floated through the air. Startled, Sasuke felt Sakura disappear from his back. A rush of air flew past him and as his eyes drifted back into focus. In front of him a cloaked figure stood. The ghost-like character held Sakura limply in her glowing fingertips. She seemed to be almost floating, a whimsical flow came from her. The beating of Sasuke's heart swelled in his throat.
"Why do you and your sister's like to cause so much pain? She's already dead!" He spat irately, his eyes shaking in his sockets.
"I know that." The voice flowed so simply, as though she was dead, emotionless, "I do not try to cause pain. such reckless anger." She dared not show her face, "I am sorry you are so pained. but I must take this girl. that was not her only use, yet my sister's failed to realize that." Sparkling light glimmered onto her as she evaporated, her body sparkling in the rays of the sun.
"Damn you!" Sasuke cried hopelessly. Dropping to his knees, shuddering he let out in a weak voice, "Damn you."

****
"Akamaru's acting up." Kiba raised an eyebrow as he saw Akamaru barking at him riotously. Kiba was stunned, his dog never got angry with him. And on what account?
But to Hinata, it was a different matter. "What are you talking about. Oh! No wonder why!" In front of her Akamaru whimpered tenderly. Hinata knelt down, "His leg is hurt. aww." She pulled out some bandages from her sack and took Akamaru's bleeding paw.
"What are you both talking about? That lazy ass dog is just sleeping, how is that acting up?" Naruto raised an eyebrow curiously as though everyone was insane.
"Akamaru is acting strangely energetic." Shino observed Akamaru almost frolicking throughout the trees.
"Ugh!" Tenten fell to her knees, holding her left hand. She gritted her teeth trying to hold down the pain. Everyone turned to her unexpectedly and then Kiba dropped to the ground holding his leg.
"Dammit, why did you bite me Akamaru? I thought you were my best friend." Kiba sniveled weakly, turning back to the bloody-toothed dog.
Everyone stared at each other bewildered. What the hell was going on?! Tenten held out her left hand. It had deep tooth marks in it.
"Bu.but that's impossible!" Hinata cried refusing what happened.
"He bit me!" Tenten lashed out, "I swear it!"
"This is. really odd." Naruto shivered.
"Attack the Akamaru in front of you. if you see the dog attack it." Neji added in an almost formal tone.
"What the hell-?!?!" Naruto looked at Neji as though he was a nutcase.
"I can't hurt him... No matter what I can't!" Kiba snarled.
"He didn't do anything! He's just injured!" Hinata wailed.
"Just do it! Or I will!" Neji demanded with a hiss. No one dared move. Except for Shino who seemed to understand what he was talking about. Neji cursed under his breath and then threw a shuriken at each spot someone saw Akamaru.
"No! Don't do it Neji!" Hinata wept, tears straining from her large blank eyes, but it was too late. She closed her eyes and then a puff of smoke appeared in front of her causing her to open them, "An illusion." She understood. The clouds all formed into one large wolf.
"You like my pets?" A mocking voice came from above there head, nearest to the area from where the moon was. All attacking at once, they were easily able to kill the wolf, except Kiba could not join them in the killing. A nerve was bit in his leg, almost an Achilles' heal if you will. He couldn't move at all. He let out a low hiss. The illusions even smelt like Akamaru, if Neji didn't have his Byakugan to a maximum level and the fact that even Hinata failed to realize, then the sisters were underestimated. This one was. unreal.
"Don't worry. oh by the way. here's your pathetic little mutt." Akamaru appeared from the wolf's half dead body. Another illusion, that even Neji didn't catch.
"You bitch!" Kiba roared and then cringed, slinking back to rest in his previous position, hopelessly staring at his whimpering pup.
"Humph. well. your group is fortunate enough to have so many members. after all. you have basically,. well possibly a chance now, for one of you to survive that is. And it's good for me too. I can just kill you pathetic runts here and now instead of having to search for all of you."

****** Chapter 12 End To be continued..