Chapter two! Here we goooo! Thanks for looking out for me. Reviews are appreciated :)

'Obito'

The sparkling rain continued to fall mercilessly and uproariously. He opened his tired eyes. Reality slowly awakened him from his deep reminiscence. Kakashi thought about his students, who he had left behind. He decided that it was about time to return. He unleashed a soft sigh, before gently walking off the glassy pond. The ripples expanded like halos, slowly diminishing and gaining rebirth from the endless rain drops. A winding path of pure blossoms underneath his treading feat guided him safely back to the clearing. Petals floated peacefully like angels through the damp air. He shook his head slightly in order to completely wake himself up. Thoughts of his past were just a hindrance now. When he was not too far away, he suddenly sensed a strange and intimidating force, which disturbed him. The aura swirled around him and consumed his body, giving him chills. He entered the training ground cautiously and alert. He scanned the area carefully, trying to find an answer to his unspoken question and for his students, who were absent...

'What is going on?'

"So splendid of you to come…" A harsh voice caused him to immediately cease his movement. His cunning and widened eye hurriedly tried to find the source. His heart had increased in beats. He was suddenly staring at a familiar opponent. He narrowed his eyes, full of resentment.

"Orochimaru…" Kakashi whispered. He could only think of one thing: His soldier's valuable safety. A rare worry consumed his heart.

'Where are they?'

He could not see them, nor could he sense their vital chakra.

"Are you wondering where your students are?" He asked, sharply. It was as if he was reading his mind. Kakashi stared at his unpleasant eyes. A mild fear entered his body.

"What have you done with them?" Kakashi questioned, calmly. His voice was woven with a soft anger.

"Do not worry, they are right here…" He answered, wickedly. He suddenly revealed a long blade which was almost invisible. It was of outstanding beauty and sparkled like the stars, yet the blade was extremely worn. He had slain many people with that weapon and Kakashi clearly knew this. He widened his eyes with alarm, unable to predict his dark intentions. Orochimaru held the blade firmly, admiring it for a brief moment, before unexpectedly slashing a young tree. The crown it wore shattered like glass. The blossoms flew aimlessly in every direction. Once they had settled peacefully, the naked tree revealed three young ninja, who were painfully bound in a dangerous string of chakra. It felt alive and it stung them relentlessly. Kakashi could easily tell that their chakra had been absorbed, leaving them lifeless. However, as soon as Naruto noticed his loyal teacher, he brightened considerably, despite the dangerous situation. He was relieved to know that he had returned unharmed.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto and Sasuke said, simultaneously. Sakura's emerald eyes glowed with a limitless relief. Kakashi felt his heart leap with gratitude, but he still knew that the danger was far from over. He had to act rapidly in order to save them. Deep inside, boundless emotions were swirling uncontrollably.

"Orochimaru… let them go..." Kakashi demanded, seriously. He glared at his enemy.

"I can not do that. That would ruin my plan." Orochimaru hissed.

"What are your intentions? Why have you come back here and attacked my team?" Kakashi questioned, calmly, yet worry grew and spread through him. He did not know what Orochimaru was plotting, but it was indeed something dangerous.

"Isn't it obvious, Kakashi-kun? I am here for vengeance." He answered, coldly. His eyes were sharp like daggers.

"Vengeance? Are you after Naruto or Sakura?" Kakashi continued. Memories floated through his mind. When they had rescued Sasuke from the darkness that Orochimaru had created, he probably grew furious. They had stolen his container and ruined his plans of the perfect body and immortality that he had sought for. Vengeance was probably his main objective, but also to retrieve Sasuke, so he could regain his ultimate goal. Kakashi thought he was dead, despite his loose doubt of ascertainment.

"I am mainly after all of your lives." He admitted with a harsh tone. Kakashi's fears were confirmed.

"What are you planning, Orochimaru?" Kakashi asked, realizing sharply that he had kept his students alive. Orochimaru looked battered. They had probably fended him off well, despite their understandable loss. He was proud of them. Orochimaru laughed wickedly.

"I want to make things more interesting and enjoyable for me. I will now give you a choice." He revealed, amusement painted on his face. Kakashi readied his fighting stance, prepared for anything.

Or so he thought. This was something he had not imagined.

"Don't move. I will spare one of their lives. You choose." He said, being extremely forward. The words seemed to come in slow motion in Kakashi's cunning ears. His eyes widened with fear as he helplessly observed Orochimaru point his dangerous blade at his vulnerable students. Orochimaru smiled as he eagerly studied the reaction that Kakashi radiated.

'Are you fucking with me? I can't do that.'

His students gasped with shock as Orochimaru's conclusive plan was revealed. How would their teacher act in this threatening situation?

Were they going to die today?

"Who will you choose, Kakashi-kun?" Orochimaru asked with a hard tone. He was putting more inerasable pressure on Kakashi's already troubled mind. He could not respond. He could barely think straight. He acted accordingly and together, but he really was not. He was broken inside. He was searching for an unreachable answer.

'I need to save them. I made a promise, remember? I even told them. I don't let my comrades die. I do not want to fail them.'

"Time is running out..." Orochimaru reminded him, coldly. He moved the blade even closer to Sakura's frail neck. She winced. An indescribable and strong anger filled his body, draining out the cold and rain around him.

"Choose…" Orochimaru demanded again.

'Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto...'

Kakashi harboured many thoughts, memories and emotions when it came to his students. After everything they had been through, they had become truly important to him. There was no way he was going to let them die. He would protect them, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. He released a heavy sigh before straightening his strong back.

"No." Kakashi muttered, his expression darkening. Orochimaru stared at him with mild surprise. Kakashi's brows were furrowed and his eyes were etched with seriousness.

'He has suddenly changed.'

"What?" Orochimaru asked, calmly.

"No. I don't choose any of them..." Kakashi answered, sharply. A sliver of confidence was shining in his onyx eye.

"That goes against the rules." Orochimaru said, a weak excitement growing inside of him.

"Then, I give you my life. Spare theirs." Kakashi whispered, yet it was audible enough, despite the harsh rain.

"No, sensei!" Naruto shouted. He struggled recklessly, trying to stop Kakashi. Worry filled his sapphire eyes as they widened.

"Sensei…" Sakura whispered, trying to reach him. Sasuke speechlessly stared at his teacher with worry and anticipation. His teeth were gritted.

"Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke... Do you think I could choose between you? I could never do that, nor would I..." He admitted, slowly. He lowered his head, his silver bangs concealing his eyes. They stared at him, unable to say anything or react. They were shocked and the worry they felt was untamable. Kakashi suddenly raised his head and his strands of hair floated slightly, revealing his masked face completely. He looked at them.

"Don't worry. I'll be okay..." He said, softly. He tried to reassure them by giving them a weak smile. However, doubt remained in his heart. He was certain that his chances of winning were extremely slim.

"How amusing, Kakashi-kun..." Orochimaru said, extending his long tongue. He licked his lips with excitement.

"I won't give you my life so easily though. Not without a fight." He informed Orochimaru, preparing himself.

"You are making this most enjoyable. I will fight you." Orochimaru answered, his eyes wide with pleasure.

"Come on then..." Kakashi said, lowly. He refused to give up yet. The sparkling rain suddenly began to fall heavily, like sharp arrows. Blue thunder flashed silently in the distance, enveloping the greyness with a soft light... It caused the world to rumble mildly. They stared at each other intently.

"As you wish..." Orochimaru said, quietly. He suddenly charged with immense speed, holding his deadly blade tightly. Kakashi tried to evade smoothly but found that his legs refused to cooperate.

'A paralysis jutsu?'

"Move, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted, loudly. Memories of Orochimaru's power flooded through him, causing fear to rise within his body. Kakashi knew he had no chance of avoiding him. He was forced to guard. He had to...

'Move, move!'

Kakashi forced his body to listen to his mind. He quickly withdrew a weapon and shielded himself from Orochimaru's attack. When the impact weakened, he jumped gracefully in the air, trying to create some distance between them.

"You managed to escape my jutsu... Impressive… Your will is strong... However, you can't beat me the way you are now." The criminal said, teasingly. Kakashi remained unaffected. However, he had difficulty devising a strategy to beat him. He truly did not know how. He sighed deeply, before slowly revealing his most dangerous weapon. The red eye glistened with vibrancy, giving Orochimaru an indescribable sensation of fear and excitement.

"Sharingan..." Orochimaru whispered, revealing a pleasured smile.

"Fight me..." Kakashi said with a low and clear tone.

The monotonous sound of the sparkling rain rang through their ears. It was nearly suffocating. Kakashi stared at his opponent intensely. He was in the progress of analyzing him. Kakashi narrowed his different eyes, his sharingan especially glistening. The easiest way to land a direct hit on him, was to lure him somehow. Several variations of plans drifted through his mind, all being doubtful.

'Maybe if I managed to...' He saw Obito again.

His thoughts were deliberately cut off when Orochimaru glided forward with great force. Kakashi cursed himself for being slightly off guard due to his heavy thinking. He gasped lightly, being unprepared for the sudden attack. Kakashi read his movements fluidly, his keen eye interpreting every step. No matter how invincible Orochimaru seemed to be, he could not avoid being read. Kakashi had some advantage at least. He already knew that Orochimaru was aiming for his torso; the quickest way to kill.

'I have to risk it... If I really want to inflict a strong hit on him…'

Kakashi, although slightly hesitant, did not move a muscle... He closed his tired eyes, letting his fleeting chakra flow through his body softly, yet rapidly. Precision was an important factor. He blocked out his mind and his surroundings. The rain seemed to disappear. He could not hear it anymore. He could see a faint whiteness. This would soften the blow...

Orochimaru attacked relentlessly. He struck him deeply, piercing his shoulder. A rain of blood fell. Kakashi suddenly opened his eyes and grasped the silver blade with his hand. Orochimaru could neither release nor withdraw the weapon. Kakashi quickly empowered his hand with the Chidori, flickering lights of silver and blue enveloping his hand. With all his might, he stabbed Orochimaru in the chest area. Lightning gathered around the open wound, penetrating his body with efficiency and power. His blood fell greatly, but Orochimaru showed no sign of pain. He winced slightly, but the anger in his body overtook his pain. It was clearly visible in his golden eyes. Kakashi increased the pressure, but Orochimaru unleashed his fury by punching him in the gut. Kakashi groaned with mild pain. He did not feel it accurately, for he was stabilizing his chakra in order to weaken any inflicted damage.

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura watched with worried eyes, their hearts beating freely. There was nothing they could do to help. All they could do was watch Kakashi struggle. Once in a while Kakashi could hear their muffled cries, but he could do nothing to ease their worry... He only thought of protecting them and beating his difficult opponent.

Kakashi was clearly in an unfavourable position, for both his hands were unavailable. The blood that fell mixed with the shimmering puddles, creating red blotches. Orochimaru harshly withdrew his sword when he discovered that Kakashi was unable to move freely. He groaned softly, trying to block out the pain. He had difficulty maintaining his balance due to the previous attack. Seeing this, Orochimaru managed to punch him again, causing Kakashi to soar unwillingly in the damp air. He regained his senses immediately and landed gracefully on the ground. His headband slid gently off, landing in a puddle beside him. Drenched in pain and cold, he gritted his teeth, trying to calm the two feelings. The heavens were weeping wildly.

"What is wrong, Kakashi-kun?" Orochimaru asked, unconsciously holding his own wound.

"I was expecting more..." He added, narrowing his wicked eyes. They seemed to have an intimidating effect.

Kakashi did not react immediately. He only felt a harsh sting in his heart. He was not fairing well. He knew that he was strangely unfocused, which irritated him. He was growing tired and the pain was rising. He was not thinking straight. Their faces seemed to appear all the time too. He stared at Orochimaru for a moment to analyze him and the situation, his contrasting eyes narrowing.

Orochimaru had recently dealt with his students, probably causing him to partially lose some of his strength. He did not know what he had been doing when he was considered dead, but it seemed that his disturbed mind had deteriorated his body. A strong objective can overtake you, even causing your body to shatter. His gaze shifted to the wet ground. At least the weather was on his side. Electricity techniques, especially his Chidori, increased in power during energetic storms like this one. He could use the Chidori perhaps three more times. If he could get him to remain still for a few moments, he could penetrate him again, causing him to drastically weaken. He unleashed yet another deep sigh.

'Relax… you need to protect them. Remember...'

His red sharingan was sharp, shining with brightness. His students were still watching anxiously. Nervousness swallowed them.

"Be careful, sensei!" Naruto suddenly shouted, his voice trembling, yet a sliver of confidence was there.

"Such an annoying fool..." Orochimaru muttered as he slowly straightened his strong back. Kakashi gave him a hard glare, disliking his comment.

"How ironic, I could have been the one to kill him." He added, coldly. Kakashi hardened his intense stare.

"I won't let any of them die." He stated, clearly. He decided to act first. Kakashi suddenly floated in the rainy sky. He quickly jumped towards a thick tree with a crown of white blossoms. Once he was near the work of nature, he vanished. He distinctively submerged within the tree. It was truly outstanding to observe. Sakura gasped, uncertain of what kind of technique he was executing. Naruto's jaw dropped.

"Foolish..." Orochimaru snickered. He immediately formed a complicated hand seal.

"Fire snake noe jutsu." He whispered, clearly. An exceedingly long snake emerged, engulfed in a raw fire. It lunged towards the unafraid tree with great force. It instinctively wrapped itself around it and let its dreadful flames feast on the hard bark. Despite the heat that covered him, he determinedly waited for an opportunity to strike Orochimaru. Suddenly, the tree shattered. The flickering flames scattered, but lingered dangerously in the air, refusing to die. Small pieces of wood flew aimlessly around, adorning the wet air like stars. Orochimaru smiled victoriously. However, a shape suddenly appeared behind the flames and wood. He unleashed a heavy war cry, diving through the air like an eagle. He ignored the flames and pieces of glasslike wood that pierced his skin. His hand was yet again consumed with a wavering light. He collided brutally with Orochimaru, who was unable to dodge. Kakashi's speed was unreadable.

"Chidori!" Sasuke blurted out. His ebony eyes smiled.

He struck him harshly on the shoulder, but it was not effective enough. Orochimaru was slightly shocked, which was an extra effect of the technique. However, he sharply regained his senses and reacted by pushing Kakashi away with tremendous power. Kakashi attempted to retaliate, but Orochimaru suddenly appeared and grabbed his neck with immense force. He held him against a wild tree and strangled him with pleasure. Kakashi winced and his vision began to unwillingly blur.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

He suddenly regained a clear vision and decided to act drastically. Kakashi formed a quick hand seal. Before Orochimaru could impale him, wild roots sprouted freely from the ground. They were almost shaped as a wicked hand. It wrapped its hard fingers around Orochimaru's unsteady legs. The sharp roots slowly grasped his sword, forcing Orochimaru to release his firm grip. He managed to maintain his balance though. Orochimaru recovered and, forming a brief hand seal, disappeared through thin air, transporting himself a short distance from Kakashi. Kakashi landed helplessly on the ground for he was unable to preserve the strength in his legs. He coughed slightly, absently holding his neck. He fully woke up mentally.

Kakashi immediately stood up. He grabbed Orochimaru's sword and, forcefully using his legs and the surface of an unbreakable tree, catapulted himself towards his enemy. Orochimaru noticed too late and he once again clashed with him. Using every ounce of energy he had left, he impaled Orochimaru. He groaned loudly with pain. Both of them collapsed on the ground due to the heavy impact. The blade shattered as well, causing the glow around it to diminish. Drops of blood danced down his body and his mouth. His yellow eyes were wide in a sickening way. Kakashi closed his eyes for a moment and suddenly, he could hear the rebellious rain fall. He felt it on his skin, washing away his pain.

"Sensei!" Naruto and Sakura shouted simultaneously with worry. Sasuke gasped, amazed by the intense battle.

'Is it over?'

When Kakashi was not moving, worry was replaced with a broad fear.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto repeated, more loudly.

"N-Naruto..." Kakashi whispered, gently opening his eyes, only barely though. He saw the rain.

I'm alive...'

He slowly rose from the shimmering ground. He vaguely observed Orochimaru's body in order to ascertain that he was dead. The man lay there, completely lifeless. His ebony locks concealed his pale face. The severity of the situation had sunk. Kakashi sighed deeply and impulsively chose to ignore his enemy. He slowly turned his head to observe his students, who were more important. His concern grew when he fully realized their conditions. He weakly approached them.

"Sensei, are you okay?" Naruto asked, alarmingly.

"You are injured." Sakura whispered, trying to hold back her frozen tears. She was emotionally struck by the situation.

"More importantly, are you three okay?" He asked, softly. He extended a weak hand and, with precise control and concentration, diminished the consuming rope of chakra. The consistent aura vanished and his students more or less fell to the ground. Sakura's eyes seemed drained of life. She was indeed the most fragile of the group, despite her abnormal and terrifying strength.

"Sakura..." Kakashi whispered.

"I'm fine. Naruto was the one who got poisoned." Sakura said, worriedly. Sasuke inspected him with precaution.

"He has a fever, but he should be fine." He informed, clearly.

"I feel alright. Honest." Naruto admitted, truthfully. He looked at Kakashi with sincere eyes, but they were full of concern.

"That wound looks horrible. You need medical attention at once." Sakura said and Naruto and Sasuke nodded vigorously with agreement. Kakashi felt it in his body too.

"Yeah… Just one moment..." He said, weakly. He turned around, making his way towards Orochimaru. He needed to fully clarify his condition. As soon as he approached him though, his tired face was replaced with a deep shock. Orochimaru's supposedly dead body had suddenly vanished. All he could see in his place was the sparkling rain.

'Where did he go?'

He swiftly realized where Orochimaru was.

'Shit.'

He fluidly turned around and saw Orochimaru in front of Naruto, ready to cut him with his broken blade. Thunder roared in the distance, causing the sky to awaken with whiteness. After that, everything seemed to progress in slow motion. Kakashi ran. He ran so fast. His extreme movement was impossible to observe. Naruto tried to evade, but his body failed to cooperate. He fell to the ground, for his chakra was gone, unable to give him mobility and strength. Sasuke and Sakura tried to move too, but their bodies refused.

"You ruined everything for me. Die…" Orochimaru muttered.

"Naruto!" They called.

Naruto tried to move. He could not. He did not want to, but he waited for the pain to arrive. He waited for his blood to flow uncontrollably, like a wave. He shut his sapphire eyes tightly.

It never came...

He felt something liquid-like and warm on his brave face. No pain came though. Naruto reopened his eyes and noticed that Kakashi had shielded him. Naruto wore a mask of shock, unable to consume the reality that had just unfolded.

'No!'

Orochimaru simply smirked.

"Oh, so I managed to kill him instead. Well, that was the deal." He muttered, weakly. Before the team could execute a single action, Orochimaru hastily gathered his shattered strength and vanished, uttering something as he did so. Naruto could not make out the distant words, for he was trapped in an indescribable element. His blood was frozen with fear and he could not blink his eyes. It was a feeling of fear and denial. The only enemy they had now was time and the bitter rain. Kakashi suddenly fell to the ground, unwillingly welcoming the hard impact.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted, piercingly.

He came closer and knelt down beside him. Sakura and Sasuke approached them as well. Kakashi was lying vulnerably on his back. It was the first time they had seen him like this. His eyebrows were knitted with a distant pain and his eyes were closed. Sakura examined him thoroughly and noticed the especially severe wound on the side of his stomach. The blood seemed to come in constant flows, despite her desperate attempts to heal him.

"Heal... Heal!" She screamed, harshly. Although she knew she had no chakra left, she tried with great effort. Tears danced freely down her flawless cheeks. Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura cried, attempting to reach him with her voice. She felt useless again. Sasuke gained a faint courage within him.

"Sensei?" Sasuke asked, softly. He shook him gently. Kakashi slowly opened his eyes. They were empty, hollowness seeping in.

"Is... Is he gone?" Kakashi asked, weakly.

"Yeah… He's gone, thanks to you." Sasuke said, shifting his gaze to the mirror on the ground. Naruto was engulfed with so many emotions. Tears slid down his cheeks.

"Kakashi-sensei, you did not have to do that!" Naruto said, loudly, resting his shivering hands on Kakashi's shoulders. He lowered his head, his golden locks swaying.

"Yes I did..." Kakashi whispered, gently and sincere. Naruto lifted up his head to meet Kakashi's eyes. They tended to be always emotionless, but now, one could clearly see a faint softness, for they sparkled, like the rain.

"Why?" Naruto asked, loudly.

"I don't let my comrades die, remember?" He answered, truthfully. He smiled weakly, despite his heavy breathing. He felt a strong pain swirl through him, like the undying wind. He could not see anymore, for his vision became cloudy. An inerasable feeling of relief consumed his heart. His students were alive. That was all that mattered. Their young faces began to diminish gradually.

"At... At least you are okay..." He mumbled. He had not broken his old promise. His heart felt like a feather, bearing no weight and drifting away, enjoying the lightness it consisted of. His eyes began to close.

"Naruto... Are you crying?" He managed to ask, weakly. He did not know why, but he tried to raise his hand to wipe away his tears. He could easily tell that he was the one who the most affected. However, he could not complete his journey and his hand lifelessly dropped to the ground. He gently shut his eyes and welcomed the endless darkness...

"Why...?" Naruto asked again to the rain, resting his forehead on his chest. He clenched his vest gently, trying to reach him. He wept softly. Sakura was crying too, a bit louder than Naruto. Her tears fell freely, mixing with the glittering rain. Sasuke actually felt tears develop behind his emotionless eyes, but he forced himself to remain calm.

He stood up, staring at the sky. Sakura wiped away her tears that were streaming down her face and rose as well. Naruto barely looked up, his eyes empty. Slowly, he weakly stood up too. They knew each others thoughts and emotions. Their feelings entwined and mixed. They all knew what to do.

'It is our turn to save you, Kakashi-sensei.'

That was that. Hope you enjoyed it.