Disclaimer: I do not own any wrights to Naruto or Shadow Skill. I merely use their characters and themes for entertainment purposes.

Naruto and his group along with twelve Anbu had been traveling for three days straight. In that time barely a word was spoken, everyone knew that there was a high chance that they would die. They were currently going against the strongest of the Tailed Beasts in their world. They could only pray that what the scroll from the Second Hokage said about the Dragon being in a state of dormancy. According to the scroll the Second Hokage researched the Dragon because it was the most elusive of the Tailed Beasts and was curious as too way. According to his own words the Dragon would go into dormancy every fifty years or so for some unknown reason. All they could do was hope that it was still dormant or was going into dormancy, other wise they would be slaughtered.

"Sir," an Anbu Captain said, "That is Mount Shin up ahead."

"Thank you," Naruto said. "It looks like we are about six hours travel away from the mountain." Naruto began to address everyone there, "We'll continue for another three hours and then rest we will need to be at our absolute best." No one objected in situations like this it was best just to follow orders unless something truly drastic came up.

Later as the team rested everyone went into smaller groups: the four Anbu teams were each by them selves; Lee, Gai, and Sakura were together: Ino, and Shikamaru were paired up; and Neji, Hinata, Lin and Naruto formed the last group. No one talked above a whisper, as is the habit of shinobi when they are about to enter danger. "I still don't see why he is in charge of the mission," an Anbu said.

"Who would be better?" an Anbu Captain stated, "Fight a beast with a person that had one. He has the most experience in dealing with something like this. This gives us the greatest chances of survival."

"I guess you're right," the first Anbu said, "But how can only the few of us hope to defeat this thing. It took nearly the entire village to slow down the Kyuubi and even then it was practically useless. And no one knows the sealing technique that the Fourth used."

"I talked to Uchiha about what he witnessed a few months ago when he saw Shadow Claw fight," the Captain said, "Uchiha said that the attack he used not only whipped out the oncoming forces but also leveled the entire area. And according to people overhearing the debriefing he did not have full control over the attack weakening it's power."

"So you think that Shadow Claw can control the attack properly know?" Another Anbu asked. The Captain did not answer only looked in the direction of Naruto's group.

"Why were we brought on this troublesome mission?" Shikamaru asked, "We're not strong enough to take on a Tailed Beast."

"We are part of the team," Ino answered, "We know what to watch out for, and you've got the brains to work out the best plan. Still this is a rather," she paused, "Intense mission." Ino looked over to Sakura and said, "I'm going to talk to Sakura we haven't talked in a while and…" She never finished and Shikamaru understood why.

"Both of you will probably have to open the Chakra Gates if we half to fight it," Sakura said.

"We are aware of that Sakura-san," Gai answered. For once the normally overly passionate duo were rather quite, "We have already removed our weights, we cannot afford to hold anything back against the Dragon. As soon as the order is given Lee and I will open all the Gates we can."

"Sakura-chan," Lee said, "I know you are worried about us using the Gates, but we have sworn to protect our precious people and if that entails us running our bodies then we are willing to make that sacrifice."

At that moment Ino joined the group, "Hey Sakura mind if I join you?"

"No Ino," Sakura responded, "We were just discussing what we were going to do against the Dragon."

"I see," Ino could see the tension between the three. In all honesty she came to talk to get her mind of the Dragon not think about it more. "So what do you plan to do when we get back?"

"I'm not really thinking about that Ino," Sakura answered.

Ino got a mischievous look on her face and winked at Lee and Gai, whom had no clue what that meant. That is until Ino spoke again, "Well when I get back I'm going to give Sasuke-kun a big kiss and tell him how I feel."

Like a conditioned response Sakura responded, "NO you're not Ino-pig. Sasuke-kun is mine and mine alone." Her anger immediately left with the laughing of Gai and Lee. After a few seconds Sakura finally caught on that Ino was joking to lesson the tension that had built up prior to her arrival. Soon Sakura herself was laughing at what she did, especially after remembering that Ino gave up on Sasuke the moment they she and he started going out.

Neji was silently meditating while Lin was too his right twirling a stick between her fingers and Naruto and Hinata were sitting to his back with Hinata in front of Naruto with his arms wrapped around her. "Why are they sitting like that?" Neji wondered.

"They always sit like that," Lin answered. Neji was surprised he did not mean to speak his thoughts, "They have being doing that when ever they would go out on patrol back home. I think they do it to remember what they fight for."

"I find it odd that I'm this close to them," Neji commented.

"Why is that?" Lin asked, "From what I have observed you are rather close to Hinata."

"We were not always close," Neji said, "A little more than two years ago I rather disliked Hinata-sama and only heard of Naruto in passing. At that time I considered them both very weak and would never even consider spending anytime with them."

"I heard about the division of the Branch Family and the Main Family of the Hyuuga Clan from Hinata once," Lin said. "I all honestly I could never understand that. In the tribe everyone is family and treated like it whether you marry in or are born in. It just seems like so strange to think that a tribe or in your case a clan would ever be separated into two different places."

"That has been the way the Clan always was but I do not think it will remain that way for much longer," Neji said. HE then thought for a few seconds and commented, "I would like to see how your tribe works, see everyone is treated as an equal without it being forced."

"I don't see a problem with that," Lin said. "As I said everyone who comes into the tribe regardless of how is treated like family. And since Gau I mean Naruto married Hinata that makes any member of her family a part of the tribe."

That statement took Neji back, he had never thought about it that way. And he doubted that even Hiashi had as well. From the standpoint of the Saville Tribe the Hyuuga Clan was now part of it. He had to smile at the thought of some of the future children of the new family learning either Open Skill Shadow Skill or Gentle Fist, a rather disturbing concept if one were to become an enemy of them. "Maybe I will request some time off and go visit."

"Family is always welcome," Lin responded.

Three hours later the group made it to the base of the mountain. There was dead silence everywhere around them. Almost as if the very mountain was afraid of what it housed. Everyone was prepared to starch searching the it when Naruto stopped them, "All of you wait here; I'll go in alone."

"You can't be serious Naruto," Sakura objected, "We don't even know were any kind of entrance is or if the Dragon is even here."

"It's here," Naruto said, "I can feel it, and I know how to find it."

"Then let us come with you Naruto-kun," Hinata pleaded.

"No it's waiting," Naruto said, "It's curious about something and has not attacked yet. There may be a small chance we can avoid a battle. If not I will signal you. Gai is in charge until I get back."

"What will the signal be?" An Anbu Captain asked.

"You'll know it when you feel it," Naruto answered as he dashed away from sight.

"What does that mean?" Ino wondered.

"It means we'll sense his or the Dragon's power when the fight starts," Hinata said.

Naruto followed the feeling like he was receiving like a beacon. He quickly made his way to a cave half way up the mountain. The cave was huge big enough for Gamabunta to enter, yet still surprisingly well hidden by a permanent shadow cast by the large boulders on the top and sides of the cave. Naruto entered cave and the feeling he was getting was stronger than ever. After about ten minutes of walking the cave opened into a cavern that was probably as big as half the mountain. When he entered two large purple glowing eyes greeted him. "At first I thought you were an offspring of Kyuubi," a voice so deep it seemed to rattle Naruto's bones spoke. "I sensed traces of his power in you as you and the other humans approached. I wondered why Kyuubi would ever mate with a human so I held my attack. But as you got closer I realized that you were not his offspring but something else and again I held my attack. So tell me what are you?"

"I am the former vessel for the Kyuubi," Naruto answered, "Some of his chakra is now a permanent part of me."

"That would explain the feeling," the Eight Tailed Dragon spoke, "But if you say former then that means he is not imprisoned in you anymore. If Kyuubi escaped then you would be dead and I would still be able to sense him."

"Kyuubi was sent back to the demon world," Naruto informed, "He was sent there by Darkness."

Naruto felt the ground shake as an indication of movement from the Dragon, "So he is still around I thought he would have gone to his own origin a long time ago." The purple eyes moved closer to Naruto, "Now then why have you come here. If you believe you can use me as a tool like those fools did two hundred years ago then you are a fool."

"I have come because there are people that seek your power," Naruto answered, "Though my village is not them."

"You think to little of me if you think a group of humans can use me," the Dragon retorted.

"They have already taken most of the others all ready," Naruto said. "And soon they will come for you. They will use the others powers to capture you. And then they will use all of you to bring Kyuubi back."

"Then they are fools," The Dragon said, "If you wish to live then leave. I have never desired the destruction of any human village but I do not like it when my nest is disturbed and you are disturbing my nest."

"I am afraid I cannot leave," Naruto said, "I do not wish to be your enemy but I also can't afford the risk of the people after you gaining your power. So I guess we have no choice." Naruto could feel the Dragon's incredible power begin to rise and knew that was his signal to leave. He could not fight the Dragon properly in its own layer, so using all of his speed he quickly left the cave.

Down at the base of the mountain the others felt the rise of powerful and dangerous chakra, "Lets go!" Gai ordered and the shinobi dashed off to find their leader.

Naruto exited the cave just as the group arrived when they met Naruto spoke, "Fell apart now we fight, remember the plan." The other nodded and they moved away from the entrance just as the Dragon came out.

Everyone got into the position Shikamaru indicated as the most effective formation. The plan entailed a series of stalling to give Naruto enough time to power up enough to use Kanon. The problem was that he needed extra time to concentrate enough on the Language of Martial Arts to draw out all his power. The plan started with Gai and Lee, they could do the most damage for the longest about of time because of the Gates. "Hachimon Tonkou Dai-Roku Keimon Kai!" Gai and Lee shouted in unison as they opened six of the Eight Chakra Gates, causing their bodies to erupt in power.

The Eight Tailed Dragon had exited its cave and was floating over the mountain when it sensed two very powerful chakra sources, "Impressive for humans," the Dragon thought, "Together they are about half as strong as the source that cause Kyuubi's imprisonment." The Dragon then focused its attention on the sources and saw as they rushed at him with, even to it, impressive speeds.

Gai and Lee wasted none of their limited time and rushed up the mountain and leapt into the air from two different sides of the Dragon. Knowing that the grapple moves of Lotus would not work on something this large they instead had to just their basic moves. Then again at the level they were fighting at even the basic moves your do damage. So while Gai attacked with his hands from the left, Lee attacked with legs from the right. Each hitting as hard as they could whenever they could.

The Dragon could feel the impacts of the humans' fists and feet as the made their way around its lengthy body. It had to admit that they did hurt a bit and he knew that at least some of his scales had been damaged as well. Because they were to close for it to attack with its mouth so the Dragon resorted to attacking with its tails. Unfortunately his targets were too small and moving to fast along its body for it to hit properly.

On the ground the others were preparing for their attacks. Those that had summons were preparing to call them as soon as Gai and Lee were done. Once that was complete they would all use the strongest attack jutsus they had that could affect a target of this size.

Gai and Lee were starting to wear down, it had only been a minute and a half but the strain they were putting on their bodies was quickly taking its toll. As Gai went for another punch his left bicep snapped causing him to fall off the Dragon. Lee seeing this jumped to catch his sensei, but just as he pushed off both of his legs broke causing him to scream in pain. Both injuries were enough for the Dragon to Gai into Lee with one of its tails sending them crashing down onto the mountain.

"Gai and Lee are down!" Shikamaru shouted, "Next attack group go!"

Three separate voices called out, "Kyuchiyose no Jutsu!" And a giant boar, falcon and weasel appeared each the size of a medium sized house, with all the Anbu riding on their bodies.

The boar picked up several boulders into its mouth and flung them as hard as it could at the Dragon. In mid flight the board charged and leapt at the Dragon. While the Dragon batted away at the boulders with its tails the Boar was able gash the Dragon with its tusks. And with this happened the Anbu on its back all called out "Katon: Karyuu Endan!" Three streams of fire shot out of their mouths and changing into smaller versions of what they were fighting and struck the Eight Tailed Beast.

At the same time as the boar the Falcon soared above the Eight Tail and began to flap its wings as hard as it could, causing twisters to slam into the Dragon. On its back the Anbu called out, "Suiton Daibakufu no Jutsu!" the formation of the water form the air caused extreme pain to the all Anbu but this was the strongest water jutsu each could do. All members had known Kakashi and he had taught them some jutsus he copied from Zabuza. The spinning water then water came down and crashed into the Dragon just after the fire dragons.

From bellow the Dragon the weasel pulled off its back two Kamas half the size of its body and left and did several slashes to the underside of the Dragon. The Anbu riding it threw out all of their fuma-shurikens and called out "Kage Shuriken no Jutsu!" the dozen or so giant shurikens then multiplied into over a hundred and hit the Dragon.

Then final attack from the weasel was the signal for Neji and Lin. They would be the final assault on the Dragon each using the strongest attack they could. Neji began, using his Byakugan to focus on the head he put as much charka as he could into his hands and called out, "Hakke ShoSho!" the result was a massive vacuum attack slamming directly into the Dragon's face.

At the same time as Neji Lin thrust her palm forward calling out, "Open Skill: Clay!" her body glowed with chakra for a moment then she disappeared then reappeared in the exact same spot, but not after leaving a long series of cuts on the Dragon's neck. The combined affect of all the attack caused a tremendous impact and explosion around the Dragon.

Down on the ground Hinata and Ino were looking for Gai and Lee when the explosion happened. The both looked up to see dust and steam cover the area. After a few seconds of silence a deafening roar from the Dragon caused everyone to shiver in fear.

The Dragon was angry and roared its rage. These humans and their pets had actually hurt it. Nowhere near enough to kill or even render it unconscious but for one such as it to be hurt by them was an insult. And for that insult the Dragon began to wave its tails in a seemingly random pattern but in reality it was using it's tails to mold chakra in perpetration for its own attack. "They will pay!" the Dragon thought as it caused the sky to darken suddenly blocking out the sky.

"What's it doing?" was on the thoughts of everyone on the ground. Their thoughts were answered when several powerful bolts of lighting shot out of the clouds striking the summons as well as several areas around them making the summons disappear in a burst of smoke. "Damn it," Shikamaru cursed loudly, "Naruto you better finishing that thing off!"

Naruto did not hear Shikamaru. While the others were attacking he was moving to a point to where he could do the most damage with Kanon. As he made his way up the mountain he could see the storm cloud form and then the lighting strike the summons. "Shit!" Naruto thought, "I have to do it know." He looked around and saw a large boulder not far from him, "That will half to do!" He ran to the boulder and began, "I AM INVINCIBLE!" he shouted, his body tensing up with the high release of chakra, "NO ONE CAN DEFEAT MY SHADOW SKILL!" more chakra caused his body to ripple with power, "AND NO ONE CAN SURVIVE ONE OF MY BLOWS!" with the last verse Naruto leapt into the air all his power flowing through his body. So much so that the Dragon stopped his attack just as Naruto began to flip to position his body to deliver his ultimate attack. The Dragon's purple eyes focused on Naruto with surprise held with in them as he called out, "SHADOW SKILL ULTIMATE ATTACK: KANON!" The orbs of chakra raced out of Naruto's extended foot crashing into the face of the Dragon at relative point black range causing Dragon's head to fly back resulting in it falling to the mountain side falling into unconsciousness.

Nearly a half an hour past and Hinata came back with another Anbu. Shikamaru, Ino and Hinata were able to gather most of the other members of the team, but not all. "Have you found Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked as she began to heal the Anbu member she had.

"I'm sorry Hinata," Ino said. "But I couldn't find him."

"Neither could I," Shikamaru said entering the clearing with Lin being dragged behind him. "We'll keep looking for as long as it takes. He was the one that allowed us to survive so even if…"

"He's not dead," Hinata said sternly. The others did not comment.

The three were about to go out on another search when the felt a massive release of chakra. "Now what?" Ino screamed.

"Now I thank you for defeating the Eight Tail for me," a voice to the right said. The three conscious shinobi turned and saw a lone figure wearing Akatsuki clothing standing there hold into two times, well one item and one body. "I did not imagine that he would be able to defeat the Dragon without the Fox," he gestured to the body that was not clearly Naruto. "I know have the Eight Tail," he held up what looked like some type of urn, "And the former vessel of the Nine Tail. I must really thank you for that. And as thanks I will let you live." He turned and began to leave when Hinata acting on pure fury tried to stop him. All he did was stop and at the right moment elbowed Hinata when she got close enough sending her back several meters. After that he casually walked a way as if nothing happened.

Just before Hinata passed out she whispered, "Naruto-kun."

At the same time Naruto's team was fighting the Eight Tailed Dragon, Jiriaya's team made it to the area where the information from the Sound spy indicated. They could already hear and feel the massive battle happening between the Seven Tailed Ox and Akatsuki. "So what is the plan?" Kakashi asked. "Do we wait or attack?"

"We wait," Jiriaya said. "At the level of the jutsus they are using they will be severely weakened by the end. And if the Ox kills some of them so much the better. Now spread out and set up for an ambush." The group consisting of the ones Jiriaya selected as well as several Anbu and Jounin jumped away from each other but still with in range to instantly help each other if the need arises.

At the battle with the Ox the Akatsuki were preparing to finish it off. They were using special runes to siphon off power from the spheres they brought with them to conserve their own chakra. "It's almost weak enough!" Kisame said. "It's time to stop pulling punches and bag this thing."

"Kisame is correct," Jubei said. "Let us finish this."

"Yes especially since the other target is here," Zetsu said.

Four members, Itachi, Kisame, Deidera and Jubei, then began the hand seals required for their attacks. Itachi with the fasts hand seal speed finished first, "Amaterasu no Jutsu." The black flames burst of Itachi's hands heading straight to the Ox that was being held firm by the massive paralyzing jutsus the others had just created. When the black fire hit the Ox it snarled in pain at the intensity of the heat.

The next to finish was Kisame performing, "Goshoku Zame!" the five sharks shot out of his hands, through the water from a previous jutsu earlier and leaped into the air taking massive bites from the Ox. The Ox after just being burned now had its flesh ripped off let another snarl of pain.

Deidera finished next with her special clay figures, "Here comes my special number sixteen, yeah." A large clay bird shot out from her hand and flew directly at the Ox exploding on impact.

This time the Ox did not have time to give any indication of pain as Jubei finished his hand seals, "Katon-Doton," causing a small volcanic eruption to happen under the Ox. "Now seal it while it is weakest."

"Now let us go get the One Tail," Sasori said. He was waiting for a chance to pay back the vessel.

"We shall keep the others busy," Itachi said. He could sense his brother close by and went to find him. He was curious because Sasuke seemed to feel different then last time.

Sasuke was not making any indication to hide his presence, he wanted to be found and soon got his wish. "Itachi, now I will kill you," he said to his brother as he appeared in front of him.

"You are different from the last time foolish brother," Itachi said. "Because I have never felt the Mangekyou Sharingan on the receiving end I am curios if this is what it feels like."

"Not exactly Itachi," Sasuke smirked. He activated his Sharingan revealing the fourth point.

"This is surprising," Itachi admitted, "I did not know of such a level. But what can it do?"

"Watch," Sasuke instructed as he dashed towards his brother. When he got close enough he reeled back and threw a chakra charged fist into his brother's face.

Itachi was beyond surprised now. He could not predict Sasuke's moves with his Sharingan, "So the fourth mark blocks other Sharingan's abilities to see techniques in advance." He then activated the Mangekyou Sharingan and the three bladed shuriken image in his eye appeared, "In that case let us test against this form." Itachi met the gaze of his brother and activated, "Tsuki-Yomi."

Sasuke found himself in the world that gave him nightmares for years after the slaughter of his clan. "Not this time Itachi," Sasuke said. He activated the even more advanced form and the four point star form appeared. "I have not even named this form yes but for now, we will see who is stronger."

For the next seventy hours in the brothers' minds a war of wills was raged. Itachi would send images of him killing Sasuke over and over again and Sasuke would be able to block some as send his own images right back. Itachi would then counter Sasuke and the process would continue. This lasted for the entire duration of the seventy hours, when the jutsu ended both Sasuke and Itachi dropped to the ground breathing hard. "You have come very far Sasuke. But you still cannot beat me." He stood up and began to advance of Sasuke whom was still recovering from the chakra expenditure.

"That used up more chakra than I thought," Sasuke thought as Itachi approached. "I don't have anything left to fight him off with. I guess I shouldn't have been so overconfident."

Itachi was only three meters from Sasuke when suddenly a wall of purple fire appeared in-between them. "Thank you for helping me get my Sharingan Itachi-kun."

"You dare interfere with my battle Orochimaru?" Itachi said. "You know you cannot defeat me."

"Not yet but," Orochimaru came out of the ground behind Sasuke and knocked him out, "Once I get Sasuke-kun's body I will face you." Orochimaru had his eyes shut so Itachi could not affect him. "Now I must leave." He picked up Sasuke and disappeared in puff of smoke. A second later the purple wall also disappeared.

Jiriaya was having a hard time fending off Kisame and Jubei. They worked in a tag team fashion as one would attack him pull back and then the other would. It was a simple but effective tactic, "If I had just some help with would be a lot easier. But the others are busy with the other members." Jiriaya was about to perform another jutsu when Kisame took a swing with Samehada and absorbed the chakra, "And that's not helping either."

"Give up old man you can't win," Kisame taunted. In reality it was the Akatsuki that could not win. The Konoha shinobi had them out numbered and if what he sensed from Itachi was accurate then they had already beaten or fought to a draw with one their best. "Just need to stall a little bit longer until they the One Tail."

Garra was fighting alone. He had sensed the presence of demon chakra near him and went to investigate. That had been his mistake, for the demon chakra was coming from three spheres of stone with two members of Akatsuki waiting for him. One he recognized, Sasori, the other was a woman apparently from Stone. "You know you can't defeat me," Garra addressed Sasori.

"That was then, yeah," Deidera answered. "Now you face me instead of Jubei, yeah." Three pieces of clay shot forward from her hand taking the shape of small birds. When they came with in a half meter of Garra the sand automatically came up and blocked the explosion.

"Suna Shuriken," Garra said as clumps of sand raced towards the two Akatsuki members. The dodged resulting in Sasori being missed completely and Deidera only getting hit once resulting a minor wound.

"Not bad yeah," Deidera smirked, "But try number four." More pieces of clay came out of her hand this time taking the form of a large insect. Again Garra's sand blocked the attack. But unlike last time the resulting explosion was enough to knock him back.

"I have to go on the offensive," Garra thought. He waved his hand and a large clump of sand burst from his gourd and struck at the two. This time Garra concentrated on Deidera and was able to get her arm. After her arm was encased in sand he squeezed his hand and the sand crushed Deidera's arm. As soon as he did that though Sasori used his tail to cut the sand off freeing Deidera. The sand then retreated back to the gourd.

"I can see why you had such a hard time, yeah," Deidera said to Sasori. "He is strong but know he has lost."

"Just do it already we need to leave," Sasori said impatiently.

"Yeah," Deidera smiled. She lowered her head in concentration for moment then snapped it up saying, "Special number 8: Kai."

Garra's eyes widened as he felt the sand in his gourd felt funny. He realized to late that when he crushed Deidera hand she slipped something into his sand. The result was an explosion right on his back sending him forward right into contact with Sasori. And without his sand to protect him Garra was pierced by Sasori's tail. "We need you alive so this will only knock you out. You should feel incredibly lucky I don't have my normal poison."

Back with Jiriaya, he and his opponents were both breathing hard when a plant grew out of the ground, "We got him lets go," Zetsu said. That was all they needed to hear as the three then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Three days later both teams were back and each heard the news from the other. Adding up the results, seven people were dead, everyone else with various degrees of wounds three members of the team have been capture by enemies and to top it all off, the Akatsuki got the last three of the Tailed Beasts. Needless to say no one was feeling very well after this mission.