Holy… I am sooooo sorry about not updating. School is EVIL, EVIL I say. I know that's no excuse but at least I'm updating my other fics. Anyways, this will actually move the plot along

Oh and now the fox is Yuki, Yuuki means courage… heh, Oops. Maybe I'll go back and fix it soon.

Disclaimer: We know this already, don't own Naruto, though Yuki is all MINE )

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Jiraya trudged through the forest on foot. He didn't bother going through the trees, because for once he was in friendly territory. Having come from the Village of Sand and slowly making his way towards the Leaf Village of Konoha he had run into quite a few surprises; and none of them were pleasant. Being able to walk on the ground at a leisurely pace was a luxury after all he had gone through.

But, still there was yet another surprise. The kid had yet again gotten into trouble, which he learned from a very reliable source. Once again he, Jiraya, the seducer of women, had to go to the kid's rescue. Still, it wasn't like it was the kid's fault. More or less, trouble seemed to follow him like……

Damn perverted thoughts

Jiraya sighed and kept on making his way to the peaceful village. Although he would never admit it to anyone, he was worried sick about Naruto. Any number of things could happen at this point, including some random demon boss feeling Naruto's power or worse yet, a demon incarnate.

Jiraya shuddered and put away his unhappy thoughts. Those were for another time, and a time that was less riddled with his thoughts on war. Because they had just gotten out of one and by god he would prevent what he could.

Damn, he needed a sake.

Warm too.

Maybe just a quick rest as well.

We had been traveling for awhile after all.

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Naruto sighed and played with Yuki on the couch. He held a small red bouncy ball and was throwing it against the wall while the fox pup tried to catch it in his paws. The game was fun an all, but it had been going on for two days.

Naruto was so bored he could have done just about anything, including go outside. But if he did then Kyubi would yell at him, and he wasn't very good at blocking out the fox demon's voice yet. It required a concentration level that Naruto couldn't reach very often, worse yet, Yuki also was just as annoying. Only, he couldn't be blocked out by sheer concentration, especially when the damn thing was biting your ears!

'Get off my head.' Said Naruto

'You're spacing out. Throw the ball again.'

'Come on! I'm bored of this game. Let's play something else.'

'Like what?' Yuki tilted his head to one side, cutely.

'I don't know. Kyubi, any suggestions?'

/Kit, be patient, the Hokage said that the old man will come in a few days./

/Please, he's not coming for maybe another two weeks, he gets sidetracked so easily./

/That's true./ said Kyubi with a slight edge to his voice.

Just then Yuki's hackles were raised in a flash. His fur pointed out on all ends and he gave the impression of a growling cotton ball.

'What's wrong Yuki?' asked Naruto.

'Some strange presence outside. Very strong. Can't detect whether it's human or not.'

Naruto looked out the window but didn't see anything. Still, he sniffed the air and he sure smelled something. If he could ever describe it, he would have said it smelled like power.

But that can't be right, can it?

Just then Itachi swung through the window and landed softly on his feet without a sound. "Hello, young demon."

Naruto growled. "What do you want?"

"Me, I want nothing but my pride. My current employer however, wants you and your power."

Naruto's sky blue eye's widened. "What? Who's employing you and why?"

"Good questions. But, if you wish to know, come with me quietly."

Naruto struck a battle stance. "You wish, bastard!"

"Hmmmm?" Itachi's lips curled in a sick smile. "I was hoping you'd make this interesting."

/Becareful, Kit. He's dangerous./

/Yeah, like I don't know that!/

Without warning, Itachi ran towards Naruto and flicked a kunai into his hand. He slashed diagonally at Naruto who barely managed to dodge. Naruto, who currently didn't have any weapons slowly gathered his chakara and got ready to do a nin-jutsu.

"You underestimate me, kid." Said Itachi as he slashed at Naruto's hands, breaking his concentration.

Naruto swore and jumped back. This wasn't the right place to fight, there was no room, nor any place to put a trap. Itachi came around again and thrust with his kunai at Naruto's head.

Naruto dodged and saw Itachi's hand and a second kunai coming at the last second. He wasn't so lucky with the second blow but he managed to get away without too much damage.

Naruto landed a few feet away holding his arm which was now dripping with blood.

/Careful kit, he's making this a close range battle on purpose. You have to think this out./

Naruto nodded and looked around for anything that might help him. Itachi came in a third time and Naruto dodged as carefully as he could without ruining Saskue's house. This time after Itachi's first two strikes his knee came up and caught Naruto in the chin. He reeled backwards and landed against the wall, seemingly unconscious.

Itachi grinned and went over to Naruto and bent down to pick him up, but then Naruto's eyes snapped open, blood red. He reached out with a hand that was glowing with pure chakra and slammed it into Itachi.

Itachi, for the first time in 3 years was caught off guard. He fell backwards onto his back and lay there stunned. Naruto quickly brought his hands together in three swift motions and quickly disappeared only to reappear above Itachi. He brought his hand down but he wasn't fast enough, Itachi grabbed his wrist and threw Naruto across the room.

Naruto landed on his feet gently enough and Itachi stood up regaining what composure he had left.

"I must congratulate you, kid. You've just done something even my brother couldn't have done. However you have overlooked one tiny detail about our battle, and it's cost you the fight."

"What are you talking about baka? I'm perfectly fine and I'm gonna still kick your ass."

"Are you sure about that?"

Naruto stood there wondering what the hell he could have been talking about, when Kyubi came to a realization. /Kit, his blades! He must have poisoned his blades./

Naruto looked at the shallow flesh wound that grazed his upper arm. His eyes widened and slowly turned back to blue.

"Oh hell…."

"So, you realized it? Most ninja's would have spread chakara to the wound immediately after getting pierced but even if you had done that, it wouldn't have been any use. You see, I used a special poison that is impervious to any chakra healing. But don't worry, you'll wake up in about 12 hours."

Itachi had started to blur and Naruto could tell he was loosing consciousness fast. "Shit." He thought "How could I have fallen for such an old trick."

Itachi caught Naruto as he collapsed and picked him up. Naruto glared at him with his remaining strength.

"Don't worry kid. I won't hurt you any more than I have." Itachi laughed quietly.

And that was the last thing Naruto heard before he blacked out.

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Yuki ran down the road as fast as his paws could carry him. He hoped he could find someone willing to help. Someone strong……

The small fox kit dashed into a roadside inn and sniffed the air. He felt a strong presence of chakra coming from someone in the bar. He quickly ran inside and started yipping at a strangely dressed, snow haired man.

"What is it?" said a very drunk Jiraya.

Yuki kept on yipping.

"Naruto…" said Jiraya quietly.

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Okay, this is one of the more in depth battle scenes I've given you. Feed back? Hope to update soon.

I'll actually try this time.