I don't own Naruto and all characters affiliated to Naruto.

Okay, so here is Chapter Seven. Sorry for the delay. Here's where the main plot actually starts. There will be some fighting techniques mentioned in the following chapter and if you are not familiar with them, you can find a short description of the technique at the end of the chapter. Also, please inform me of any grammatical and spelling mistakes by emailing me.

Chapter Seven: The Coming Storm

It was already after midnight and a sort of peace had fallen across the ageing, mildewed village of Amaya which was situated just at the border of Lightning Country. While the streets were deathly quiet and the bustle of the town square had long subsided, the Isamu Inn buzzed with activity. The drone of voices filled the inn's atmosphere as weary travelers shared their tales and journey's experiences. Kano was dreadfully tired and in dire need of rest as his thoughts drifted, recalling certain memories; most unpleasant memories.

Kano strolled down the concrete path towards the main entrance of the imposing Takakuro mansion, taking his time as his enjoyed the sights and smells of the garden. It had been a long, taxing but rewarding mission; he knew that his father would be proud of him. By the time he reached the main door, a satisfied smile had already formed on his face. Then he froze. There was no one there to greet him, even the servants were nowhere in sight. Perhaps they had a surprise welcoming party for me? He chuckled to himself, albeit nervously. Something did not feel right, he was hesitant to slide open the door. Somehow Kano was indeed afraid of seeing what lay behind the screen. This is stupid. Kano chided himself harshly. Must be my nerves acting up again. I need a break. They're probably all seated in the living room waiting for me. He plastered a big smile on his face as he slide open the door forcefully. His smile dropped.

Before him, the once magnificent living room was in a chaotic shamble with furniture broken to splinters and parts of them arranged haphazardly throughout the large room. The lights flickered, some of them ripped off the walls and ceiling, leaving severed electrical wires that hung limply, dangling down. Kano stepped into the room vigilantly, already recovering from the initial shock. He activated his Kumori, surveying the damage and searching for any signs of life. His heart sank when he saw his third uncle's lifeless body impaled to the wall, blood still slowly trickling down from where he had been pierced. Fresh blood still flowing? It is highly likely that the enemy is still here. Kano's face twisted with renewed anger when he noticed the blood stained floor and the bloody trail leading out of the living room towards the training hall.

A hand patted Kano's shoulder in a friendly manner, tearing him away from his thoughts.

"Ah, Kano, it's been a while, eh?"

Takumi was greeted by a hostile scowl.

"Heh. Takakuro, I heard about what happened. Now, you don't have to take it out on me."

"Hm. I'm going kill her, you know."

"Oh. So what I heard was true. Is it wise to do so?"

"Takumi. You of all people, doubt my abilities?" Kano was getting more annoyed; his lack of sleep certainly did not help to improve his mood.

Takumi hastily corrected himself, "Of course not. I am very concerned. If she could kill your father and your…"

"She did."

"Kano, what if she has allies? Surely you can't stand against them alone? Knowing her, she could gather some powerful friends."

Kano massaged his temples, reflecting on what his friend was told him. Takumi is right. I cannot charge in blindly. I may lose so much more than I already have.

"My friend, I'm sorry but I can't go with you."

"Heh. Of course you can't. She'll kill you before you can even see her," he yawned, struggling to stay awake.

"I'm sorry I'm not a ninja. But I'm sure I can help you out somehow. Perhaps you should seek out an old friend of yours. I hear he's in the vicinity."

Kano eyed his friend suspiciously, "Who are you talking about?"

"Someone you haven't seen for years. Someone really powerful."

Kano's eyes widened in sudden realization, and then he barely whispered the name, "Orochimaru."

Darkness slowly crept across the land as night fell, but there was no moon to be seen. The heavy panting of two ninjas could be barely heard over the crickets' singing as they continued to push forward into the dense forest.

"Its Shino," Neji told Naruto blankly when he spotted the fellow Chuunin up ahead.

On hearing this, Naruto quickened his pace.

"Wait," the pearly eyed boy grabbed his partner's arm, holding him back. "There're several enemies ahead. We shouldn't just rush in."

The two Chuunins shifted in uncomfortable silence as they surveyed the situation.

"Naruto, get Hinata and Kiba, I see them further ahead. I'll assist Shino."

Shino was fast tiring; he could feel the dull ache in the fatigued muscles as he dodged another attack. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed another pair of enemy nins moving swiftly behind him, ready to deliver their attack. He breathed deeply, willing himself to keep his cool exterior, though he was crumbling bit by bit inside. His mind threatened to panic wildly as he felt a kunai graze past him, nicking his cheek slightly. There were too many of them, the forest floor was already littered with bodies but the wave of enemies seemed unending. Shino back-flipped, ready to retreat as his chakra was almost diminished. He looked up, realizing his mistake a tad too late as he saw a sound nin inches above him. Shino tried desperately to move away, but before his enemy could deliver the blow, his assault was brutally cut off.

"Having fun?" Neji glanced over at Shino.

"You had to spoil it," Shino murmured darkly.

"For a moment I thought that the cool Shino would panic," Neji smirked.

"Hmmpf."

"I take that as a yes?"

Neji moved into his ready stance as he noticed another pair of ninjas approaching them. Here they come. Fools, both of them. He leaped between two of them arms outstretched, delivering devastating blows to the throats before they could react. They slumped to the ground quickly, choking and wheezing. Neji continued his attack relentlessly, applying a Jyuken Boshi-ken technique in several fluid motions. His thumbs jabbed his enemies' tensed muscles aggressively, prodding the vital areasof the neck, the sides of the upper ribs and the solar plexusin one systematic attack.

Deft hands moved all over the fallen girl's body, searching frantically for something. Where the hell did she put it? The bespectacled ninja frowned as he ripped off the girl's hideous khaki-gray jacket.

"Kabuto," Naruto charged towards the older ninja, missing him completely.

"Ah, Naruto, I see that you haven't improved much."

"You bastard, how dare you touch Hinata!" Naruto spat acidly, his blue eyes glowered lethally at his opponent.

Naruto stormed forward senselessly, straight punching his enemy in blind rage, casting a frenzy of blows towards Kabuto. The bespectacled ninja easily dodged the attacks, ducking quickly; he drew out his leg swiftly, dealing a powerful kick directed to Naruto's ribcage. The blond boy contacted Kabuto's foot with his forearm, deflecting the vicious kick. The sliver haired ninja swirled around his opponent, stabbing a tanto into his back. Naruto broke away immediately when he felt the cold metal rip through his shirt, sinking slightly into his flesh. Kabuto was right in front of him again in a split second, this time kicking him in the stomach before he could react. Needle-like splinters flew in various directions, scattering onto the forest ground as Naruto slammed forcefully into the softwood tree, snapping its flimsy, slender trunk. He gritted his teeth when he felt the fresh, gnawing pain ripple through his body, igniting his anger further. Naruto narrowed his eyes at the smirking ninja before him, his mind bursting with wild fury.

Kabuto felt his blood froze when he notice a devilish red glow surround the blond boy before him, his heart quicken as he sensed a demonic aura clinging onto the surrounding air. He jumped forward, landing effortlessly onto a tree branch, barely avoiding the glowing red ball that rushed at him angrily. Kabuto turned back and saw Naruto charging at him again. What an idiot. Is that all he knows how to do? It's a waste a chakra. Kabuto launched himself off the branch, diving down towards Naruto at full force, at the same time his hands moved quickly to perform his chosen hand seals. However, before he could complete his attack, Naruto's blazing form vanished completely. Was it a trick? Kabuto's eyes darted frantically as he scanned the woods.

"Ompff!"

The sliver haired ninja was tossed violently off the ground, his body sailing through the air and landing with a resounding "thump". Kabuto's body winced in pain, not so much so from the heavy landing but from the destructive strike he had received. His body was momentarily paralyzed from shock and the painful throbbing. He willed himself to get up swiftly and stumbled a few steps forward, disorientated slightly. Kabuto turned to Hinata's prone form on the forest floor. I just need to get the scroll.

"Don't you dare go near Hinata!" Naruto growled at the traitor.

"Get out of my way, brat!"

Naruto dodged Kabuto's fireball, punching Kabuto straight in the face. His lightning fast punches were bullet-like and incessant, knocking his enemy to the ground. Kabuto grimaced at the excruciating pain and tried to block the damaging blows but he was pinned to the ground. Concentrate! Forget the pain! Kabuto hands moved into the Rin hand symbol as he forced his chakra to accumulate into his fists. Now! He launched a wave of energy directly at Naruto. Kabuto's eyes widened in horrified surprised when his attack did nothing to Naruto. His chakra is too strong!

"Shikan-ken! Asshou!" Naruto roared smashing Kabuto's battered body into the ground, crushing him.

Kabuto could hear and feel his bones snapping under the pressure of Naruto sheer strength. His hands changed into the Kai symbol, providing his body some relief from the extreme force. He had to escape quickly, there was no way he could survive the assault for much longer.

"Naruto! The fight ends now!" Neji called out.

"I'm not done with this bastard!"

"Hinata and Kiba have been poisoned! They need immediate medical attention!"

"Poisoned?" Naruto gasped in sudden realization, looking up at his fellow chuunin.

Now! Kabuto acted quickly the moment Naruto was distracted.

"Ah!" Naruto back-flipped to avoid the solid wall of soil that had emerged from the ground, looking back, he noticed that Kabuto had disappeared. Damn!

"Now Naruto!" Neji yelled at his teammate.

Naruto nodded and hurried forward to pick up Hinata, only to be shoved aside by Neji.

"You take Kiba. I'll carry my cousin."

"You failed to retrieve the Tsssu Ketsssueki ssscroll." Orochimaru scowled at Kabuto standing before him, his inhuman eyes flashing darkly.

"I have failed you, master. And await my punishment."

"The sscroll isss of great importance. Neverthelessss, everything isss going according to plan."

"What?" Kabuto snapped his head up. "But I've failed. The scroll is now in Konoha village."

"Exactly." His master smiled evilly, his malevolent voice dripping with malice. "You are dismissed."

Kabuto bowed and left silently, almost bumping into a servant that had rushed in.

"Master… Kano, head of the Takakuro Clan wishes to see you."

"I know," Orochimaru hissed as though irritated, "bring him in."

A hooded figure clad in the shade of shadows stepped into the gloomy room. He walked silently towards Orochimaru as the snake-like man gestured for him to come forward.

"Kano, my dear friend. Pleasssse… have a ssseat." He smiled darkly to the standing man.

"I thank you for your hospitality." Kano replied cautiously, he never trusted Orochimaru despite the many years they had known each other.

"Let me guessss, family problemsssss."

"Only one."

"Yesss… but a big one."

"Hm. So you are well informed." Kano answered cryptically.

"I'm always concerned about how my… friendsss are faring." Orochimaru eyed the Takakuro head with an insane gleam in his eyes.

"I want to kill her."

"Of courssse you do and you need my help."

"I shall kill her myself. I have a strong reason to believe that she is in Fire Country… in the village of Konoha." Orochimaru smiled to himself when Kano said this. In Konoha. How convenient.

I'm only afraid that she may have allies." Kano added.

"You… afraid?" The serpentine man questioned cynically.

"Yes. I am afraid for my clan. I do not want the Takakuro clan to die." Kano hated to admit his fears, especially in front of Orochimaru.

"Then you need more power… which only I can provide."

Kano looked knowingly at Orochimaru; he lifted his hand unconsciously to his neck as he massaged the area where a marking of three little black flames stained his skin.

Naruto watched in child-like awe as Sakura extracted the poison from Hinata's body. The injured ninja lay deathlike on the hospital bed. Her pale skin blended with the cold white sheets beneath her. Her sweet, porcelain countenance was smudge with dirt and her dark bangs stuck onto her damp forehead.

"Is she going to be alright?" Naruto stoked Hinata's dark blue hair tenderly, a worried smile creeping up his features.

He could not bear losing her, just when he really started to like the sweet angel before him. Her hair is so soft, just like the rest of her. Sakura stood there in amazement; she had never seen Naruto display such gentleness before. She sighed, now if only Sasuke would do the same to her.

"Smack!"

"Oww… Neji, what was that for?" Naruto howled, kneading his bruised hand gingerly.

"Don't touch her. And can't you be quiet for once? You'll wake her up."

"Guys, I think its best that you leave." Sakura lectured.

"But…" Naruto started.

"Let's go. We got to report to Tsunade anyway."

Naruto turned back and glance and Hinata's sleeping form fearfully.

"She'll be fine. I promise." The pink haired ninja assured Naruto, squeezing his shoulder lightly.

"Ah, there you are," Naruto and Neji were greeted by the Hokage as they entered her office, noticing that Shino was already there. "Neji, I believe that the Tsu Ketsueki scroll is with you."

Tsunade took the ancient scroll from the Hyuuga and inspected it.

"Good job guys."

"What's so important about that stupid scroll anyway? My Hinata almost died because of it!"

"SMACK!" Neji pounded his fist into Naruto's skull, "She's not your Hinata!"

Tsunade tried to suppress a girlish giggle, "Well, we have just discovered what this scroll is for."

"Hokage, the scroll must be something really special for Orochimaru to be after it." Neji stated.

"Orochimaru?" Tsunade arched her eyebrows and Naruto's sky blue eyes widened as they questioned in unison.

"We were ambushed by sound nins." Shino finally spoke.

"Sound nins? Really? I fought Kabuto though, but he got away." Naruto frowned. "We had to get Hinata and Kiba back because they were poisoned."

"Hmm, it was lucky that I sent you two to aid Shino's team. I was sure Orochimaru would come after the Tsu Ketsueki scroll when I found the truth behind it." The Hokage fingered the yellowed scroll thoughtfully. "It contains a forbidden jutsu."

She glanced at the three Chuunins before her seriously. Shino and Neji stiffened and looked back expectantly while Naruto fidgeted uncomfortably, scratching the back of his head nervously.

"Erm, why did you stop? Aren't you going to tell us about the scroll?" Naruto asked brusquely, breaking the silence.

"The scroll contains the secret to stealing advanced bloodlines. By performing certain rituals and erm… murdering the subject, one can obtain the chosen bloodline. Several ANBU members and I have come to the conclusion that Orochimaru intends to kill off all with such bloodlines and obtain the abilities."

Silence engulfed the Hokage's office. For once, even the cold and impassive Neji displayed shock on his face as his pearly eyes grew large. Heh, of course Neji would be afraid, I'm sure he doesn't want his pretty eyes to be ripped off his pretty boy face, Naruto thought, seeing Neji's reaction. Then his mind snapped when he thought of a certain pearly eyed girl lying on a hospital bed.

"Oh no! He's going to kill my Hinata!" Naruto cried out. "I have to protect her!"

He started running out of the Hokage's office, only to be stopped by Neji as he grabbed the whiskered boy's collar, pulling him back fiercely.

"Now, now, there's no need to panic. I shall be protecting the scroll, along with many other Jounins. But we must be on our guard. Orochimaru is sure to come to Konoha sooner or later. You are dismissed and I'm giving all three of you two days off."

Tsunade sighed heavily as she watched the three Chuunins amble out of her office dejectedly. They all knew the inevitable was about to come. There was going to be another war.

Fighting Techniques/Weapons used in this chapter.

Jyuken Boshi-ken: Used by Neji. It is a modified form of Boshi-ken, also known as Thumb-Drive FistThis is unique to the ninja's system of combat. The fist is formed with the thumb protruding. The thumb is positioned for a driving jab, reinforced by the curled index finger.It is especially well suited for attacking nerve centers with precision and when combined with the Hyuuga's Jyuken (gentle fist), it forms a devastating attack.

Tanto: Used by Kabuto. A tanto is basically a knife. It has many purposes likedigging, or it could be thrown like a shuriken. It is mainly used to stab and cut the enemy.

Rin: Used by Kabuto. Rin is one of the 81 hand symbols used by Ninjas. Rinbrings strength to the mind and body.

Kai: Used by Kabuto. Kai is another one of the 81 hand symbols. Kai gives complete control over the body's functions allowing the Ninja to withstand extreme conditions like extreme temperatures and stress.

Shikan-ken: Used by Naruto.The shikan-ken is the fundamental fist of the Ninja arts. The fist is formed with the fingers half-folded and leaving the middle knuckles protruding. The knuckles are the striking points. This is which best applied to all hard and broad bone structure like the facial bones and breastbone.

Asshou: Used by Naruto A Taijutsu technique also known as pressure palm. The ninja drives their fist into their opponent while they are on the ground. Then proceeds to crush the opponent into the ground. Also used by Jiroubou in the actual Naruto series.

Dotonjutsu: Used by Kabuto. He used this jutsu to escape when Naruto pinned him to the ground. Basically Dontonjutsu refers to an earth escape art, like hiding underground or using the ground as an escape route.

Coming up next in Chapter 8: Itachi and Kisame seek Naruto out. Sasuke hears that his brother is in Konoha and challenges him.