And He Bled Crimson
By: Lost Nin
Disclaimer: There's no way in the world I can ever be as creative as Masahi Kishimoto, so in other words.... not mine in any way shape or form.

A.N. Once again than you to everyone who has reviewed and have taken the time to read my fic. I did say I would get this chapter out a lot faster then the last one, I'm quite proud of myself.
I'm still working on my other Naruto fic, I lost more then I thought I did when my computer crashed. I hope to wrap the next chapter to "Promises Kept" and get it out soon.
So far this story seems to be moving along quite well, I already have the next chapter mapped out, all that is left is to write it.

Chapter Note As for this chapter, there could be what some might call spoilers. I'm not too sure, then again they haven't showed it yet, how Orochimaru would bring the dead back to life, like what he offered Tsunade. It could be the same technique when he brought the first and second Hokage back, or it could be something entirely different. I took a guess and made it similar, I'm more then likely wrong, but hey this is a fanfic!

Well, I'll leave you to this chapter, hope you all enjoy. Thanks again for the support!

Chapter 3

Sasuke's darks eyes watched everything the cynical snake was doing, waiting for the first sign that he was being betrayed. The man had selected a Shinobi from the Sound to be the host body. The young, frightened man laid upon a table, unable to move thanks to Kabuto's interference. The pleading of the young man was gnawing at his heart, Naruto would have never wanted this, but he wasn't here to convince Sasuke that this wasn't right. But hopefully, soon, he would be.

It seemed to have taken forever before Orochimaru had announced he was ready. The raven-haired boy couldn't help but to hold his breath as he watched Orochimaru. From his vantage point he couldn't see what seals were being used, or hear which words the older man was saying. All that he could take in was the Sound Nin upon the table twitching before going limp, what appeared to be ash built up around him, covering his body slowly, taking over his appearance.

Sasuke could feel his heart start to pound as the recognizable shape of the boy he cared for so much molded before him. He stepped toward the table, wanting to get a better look, amazed at the sight before him. Everything that was distinctive about Uzumaki Naruto could be seen, his high cheekbones, the whiskered scar-like marks that lined his cheeks, his tousled hair. The pale gray color of his skin started to give way to a healthy peach color. His eyelids fluttered showing just a hint of deep blue. A hand reached out toward him, lips parted, his name whispered.......

Sasuke's body trembled as he reached out for the hand that so desperately reached for him. "I'm here, Naruto."

Suddenly everything came to a stop. The hand that had reached out for him collapsed back upon the table, the body became still. His heart felt as though it had stopped and a terrible throb overtook it. What was going on?

Sasuke looked toward Orochimaru just in time to see Kabuto move forward to steady the man as he nearly collapsed. Words that were barley audible reached his ears, drawing Sasuke's complete attention toward the other two.

"...body too weak..."

"...failed..."

Sasuke's eyes darted back to the table just in time to see the body return to its gray color then disintegrate back into ash. It pooled away, revealing the young Sound Nin that had been forced to give up his life.

"What happened?" Sasuke growled, his eyes locking on golden ones that seemed to be filled with exhaustion. Naruto was there! He was reaching out to him, he recognized him! What in the hell went wrong, or could this be part of some trick?

"Orochimaru-sama has overexerted himself."

"Bullshit!" Sasuke reached for his kunai and sprang toward the two while activating the Sharingan. He knew that Orochimaru had something up his sleeve, he had been too easily persuaded. Although it was painful to have object of his affections within reach, only for it to be taken away again, he had expected as much from the conniving man and had come up with a plan of his own... to make sure the both of them paid for their involvement in Naruto's death buy taking their own lives.

Just before reaching them a figure appeared before him. A boy, who couldn't be much older then him, held a unique sword in his hand. With determination he charged the boy, but came to a sudden halt when his attack was easily blocked. Sasuke growled in anger as his dark eyes met narrowed green ones. Just who in the hell was this?

"Kimimaro, Sasuke-kun isn't to be harmed, nor is he to leave here freely." Orochimaru spat out his orders.

The boy known as Kimimaro looked him over, giving Sasuke an uneasy feeling.

"As you wish, Orochimaru-sama."

Sasuke quickly moved away from the mysterious boy. He could see other Nins enter the room, blocking the only exit. If there was no way out, then there was only one option left. Sasuke quickly pressed his kunai to his own throat. "What plans you have for me is useless, I'll kill myself. I'd rather be dead then to host your soul." He could see Orochimaru's eyes widen in shock before he laughed.

"Kill yourself, before you avenge the death of your clan. I can still give you the power you seek to defeat Itachi."

"That means nothing to me now!"

Orochimaru's face became serious. "Because of that Kyuubi brat, you're willing to give up every goal you set for yourself?"

His eyes stung, tears of understanding, of knowing what Naruto had been and how he must have felt growing up finally caught up to him. He wished that Orochimaru had never shared that information with him, but he had wanted to make it clear that he could bring Naruto, the boy back. Not Naruto, the Kyuubi host, the boy he knew, the boy he had grown to respect. "At least I would see him again."

Orochimaru pushed Kabuto away, his eyes grew angry. "I should have killed him long before he corrupted you."

"You corrupted me." Sasuke could feel the razor-sharp metal of the kunai rip the tender skin of his neck as he passed it over, a warm wetness flowed down his skin. Before he had time to react an agonizing pain shot through his wrist as it was yanked away. He cried out, dropping to his knees as his wrist was twisted brutally by the green-eyed boy. The sound of his kunai striking the floor was the last thing he heard before he blacked out.

9 months later.......

Hatake Kakashi's life hadn't been the same since that day nine months ago. His team, the only team he had ever trained up to that point, was torn apart. Naruto was... well it wasn't something he cared to think about. Sasuke, his prized student, had disappeared. It was unknown until recently what the young Uchiha had been up to, and with the knowledge he now obtained he wished he never would have found out.

After Sasuke had fled Konoha, he had gone after the boy, wanting him to face what he did instead of running away. He had been angry and disappointed with Sasuke's actions, but he felt partially responsible for what had transpired. He knew about Naruto's teasing, that he was constantly testing Sasuke to keep him in check and he had allowed it. Yet he had always had a feeling deep within that Sasuke could snap, the seal was a very unpredictable thing.

He had thought a lot about Sasuke's reaction, the boys eyes were filled with so much pain, so much remorse. He hadn't meant to hurt Naruto. During the year and a half the boys trained together, either it be with the whole team or alone together, they had formed some sort of bond, a deeper friendship then either would have admitted to. He could only imagine what was going through Sasuke's mind. Making your first kill as a Shinobi changes your perception, but to have your first kill be that of your teammate and friend....

After searching for a couple of weeks, and finding absolutely no sign of the boy, he finally returned to Konoha to take up training the last of his students. Even though everything had fallen apart around them, he wouldn't give up on Sakura. Having all of his attention on her training, she had turned out to be a better Shinobi then he had ever imagined her to be. In fact, he was quite proud of her.

The sound of footsteps on the bridge approaching caused him to place his favorite book down, looking over his shoulder he spotted the final student of his team.

"Ohayo, Kakashi-sensei."

"Ah, Sakura. I'm glad you decided to come." As he placed his book away he watched the young woman before him fold her arms and glare at him.

"Like I could let you go alone."

"I'm sure you already know the nature of our mission?" He could see a flash of hurt cross her green eyes before she nodded. "Then we should be going." Kakashi hopped down from the railing he had been sitting on and picked up his pack he had thrown to the ground a short time ago.

The Hokage had received word on Sasuke that very morning. It was said that Orochimaru's new puppet had been responsible for the deaths of innocents at a neighboring village, an ally of the Leaf. Those who survived had said the youth had been unmerciful, even using children as tools to obtain what he needed. She had ordered Kakashi to assemble a team to confirm their accusations, and upon verification to deal with the situation.

"Kakashi-sensei..."

He eyed his student with curiosity.

"Um, is... is "he" coming with us?"

"He?" He could see her discomfort. "He is a part of this team, Sakura. We're going to need his help. You can always change your mind."

"No, I can do this." He watched her reposition her pack.

"If it makes you feel better he's already pushed ahead of us." Kakashi started toward the village gate. They had a three day journey ahead of them and it was best to get started if they would make it to the area he had designated for them to camp for the night.

"I hope he doesn't find him before we do."

Sakura's voice had been quiet, as though she were speaking her thoughts that weren't meant for him to hear.

He eyed Sakura, understanding how she felt, but they weren't traveling to have a chit chat with Sasuke, they were going to eliminate his existence. "Sakura, I need you to understand this right now. Sasuke is no longer a Shinobi of the Leaf. He is to be treated as our enemy and dealt with swiftly. Don't give him the upper hand, for he will use your feelings toward him as a weapon."

"I know.... I'm just afraid what he might do to Sasuke. No matter what, I don't want to see him dead."

He couldn't help but silently agree with her. He never wanted to see someone important to him die again, but knew that wouldn't be avoidable. He had his orders and like it or not, Sasuke had betrayed them all.

A.N. After having some confirmation that it more then likely would be Kuchiyose Edotensei no Jutsu (Summoning Worldly Resurrection Skill) I'm just going to go ahead and leave things the way I have written, there's a reason behind it . Thanks to everyone that clued me in. I just wanted to make sure before I did anything.