Naruto:
Brothers of Sand and Leaf
By Geor-sama
-Chapter 5-
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The sun sat low on the horizon of the wide river, creating the illusion that it was attempting to sink directly into the water. With the early songs of insects drifting through the indigo-colored sky and breath hanging in the air, it was as if the world was magical beyond words.
At least it was to Sakura who was trudging behind the annoying Sogetsu, who was slowly getting on her nerves. Then again so was Baki who was almost obsessive about this mission, he had forced them to swing around three more post towns for the last two weeks and now they were at a massive river with no way to cross.
Staring at the still surface and the distant shore she felt a form of depression setting in. How where they going to cross this and reach Sasuke?
"Well, I guess we'll have to camp here for tonight." Baki said dissatisfaction in his tone.
"WHAT!" Naruto shouted making Sakura feel a little better, at least she wasn't alone in her new found displeasure and Naruto it seemed was going to be more vocal about things.
"We're camping here tonight."
"What!" Naruto exclaimed once more "Come on! We can just walk across or something."
Baki snorted, glowering down at the blond "I'm in charge and I say we camp for the night." when Naruto opened his mouth to continue his argument Baki thrust a finger in his face "I. Am. In. Charge."
Sakura covered her mouth to keep from giggling at the way Naruto opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water, his features clouding in anger. She could count on one finger the number of times that telling him no had a positive effect on him.
"Come on!" Naruto almost whined and Sakura smiled, knowing where this was going.
"No!"
"Besides you're only a Genin you can't walk across." Sogetsu added and Sakura saw the way Naruto's eye-twitched.
At that she grinned a little more, watching Naruto who had his arms crossed and eyes in that classic closed position. It was obvious that he didn't see why nobody else could walk on water like he could.
"Oh come on, it's not like it's really that hard. Watch!" Naruto said before darting around the large man and out onto the surface of the river. Turning he grinned smugly at them, arms still crossed "See?"
Sakura shook her head, sighing as she slipped her pack off her shoulders. Amusing though it was to watch Naruto do this, it was clear that the others would stay on this side of the river for now.
"Get back here!" Baki shouted in anger as Naruto began to tap his foot in annoyance. This seemed to infuriate the man who started to take a step onto the water in an attempt to retrieve the boy.
Sakura however beat him too it. Scowling as she strode across the water she almost missed the look of surprise on his face, but Inner Sakura laughed loudly hands on her hips "THAT'S RIGHT! I CAN DO IT TO!" In truth this was actually only her first 'hands-on' experience with this technique, Tsuande had explained the basics once. Sakura was rather pleased at how well it was working. Coming to a stop in front of him she crossed her arms "Surprise."
He stammered for a moment then pointed a finger at her, eyes wide "SAKURA-CHAN!"
"Yes?"
"You're walking on water!" Naruto seemed lost and Sakura rolled her eyes.
"You think you're the only one allowed to learn this stuff? Tsuande taught me things other than healing and her strength you know."
Naruto however narrowed his eyes studying her closely, it was actually rather disturbing. Well, she'd cut that short. Slapping him upside the head she put a stop to any pranks he might be plotting "Idiot! We're supposed to be a team now. You don't argue with our team leader."
Naruto rubbed the side of his head, sort of frowning "B-but Sakura-Chan, if-"
She raised a fist under his nose, shaking it threateningly. Seeing his look of mild panic she nodded decisively "Good. Now come on, we're going back."
"But-"
"Don't make me drag you back by your ears." Sakura threatened, half hoping he would make her do just that. Naruto however sighed and putting his hands behind his head, squinted at her. "What?"
He lowered his voice, sounding slightly disgruntled "You're just like Granny Tsuande."
Sakura felt her eye twitch, not that Naruto seemed to notice "What do you mean just like her?"
He blinked slightly "Geez, you even sound like her now."
"Naruto..." Sakura growled warningly and the boy blinked leaning in close to stare at her closely.
"Hey! Granny Tsunade's been teaching you her stuff right? Has she taught you that genjutsu yet?" He tilted his head "Huh Sakur-urk!"
Seconds later he bounced off the water, coming to a stop a few feet away. Blinking he sat up, holding his nose where she had just punched him. "Sakura-Chan...I did-"
Sakura suddenly charged and Naruto yelling, scrambled to his feet and took off on a dead run in the opposite direction. The chase lasted until the sun finally set and Naruto tripped, skidding along the ground giving Sakura the chance to catch up to him.
The beating he received left him looking a little better than mashed potatoes.
Nodding satisfied that she had revenged herself of the implied insult about her needing THAT genjutsu Sakura grabbed his leg and dragged him back to the camp. Behind her, Naruto disappeared beneath the surface with a trail of air bubbles. Depositing him at the feet of Kiba and the others, she stepped away as he began to cough up the water he'd swollowed. Frowning Sakura paused and move back driving her foot into his stomach. HARD.
Nodding satisfied with the water becoming a fountain she turned away and went back to her pack.
Naruto rubbed his stomach absently, crouched down near the tent he was sharing with Kiba -the stench surrounding Shino and Shikamaru might have lessened enough for travel, but sharing a tent with them was still out- his pack in hand. Frowning he watched the smoke from the fire as it drifted upwards obscure the view of the fat and ghostly white moon.
Snorting he turned back to his pack, shifting through the contents in search of his dinner. Unfortunately it didn't seem that he had anything left, but he kept up his near silent chant for the heavenly meal that was ramen. Feeling his stomach rumbling he upended the pack, dumping all of its contents out on the ground. Weapons, medicine...he scanned everything then sat down heavily. He couldn't have run out already, he had packed more than enough!
"Oh no, no." he groaned in despair, staring blankly at the tightly bound pack of spare kunai in front of him. How could he have run out of food already? It was impossible, sure he ate a lot, but this was...he stopped short remembering that he had been sharing some of his ramen with Temari for the last few days.
Grumbling he shoved everything haphazardly back into his pack, before tossing it aside to cradle his head in his hands. A curse on hunger! Well it didn't matter, he'd just have to deal with this hunger he wasn't about to ask anybody else for food. Damn it, he was so stupid.
Sighing in frustration he closed his eyes, opening them a few seconds later to stare at the empty ground. Well, he couldn't spend the whole night here whining over his lack of food, he had training to do...but oh he was so hungry. Maybe he could steal some from one of the others, but that would be wrong, but he was hungry.
Naruto stood; arms crossed trying to decide which course he should take; stealing the food or going off to train. Scowling he stared down at his feet, it was so tempting but a Hokage shouldn't steal other peoples food. "I'll just hunt. Yea and it'll be great training!" That decided he turned and slipped out of the camp and into the canopy of trees.
What kind of animal would he be able to find at night? Not a rabbit, maybe a fish, but he doubted that. Oh well, he would still try. Listening to the noise of the forest he settled in on the branch of the tree, eyes narrowing. What could he find? Looking around he strained in the dark to see his food but couldn't see anything, which made him curse his stupidity all over again.
At least he'd get to hear 'whisker-boy' later tonight. He liked hearing that, he wasn't entirely sure why but he did, it sounded nicer than a lot of things he'd been called. Temari-Chan was even starting to refer to him as 'Whisker-boy' around the others. He smiled, twirling his kunai absently as he thought about her. He reflected that maybe he was getting a little too relaxed around her, she wasn't Sakura-Chan after all, but he felt comfortable. Tilting his head he considered that fact, before giving up and resumed his hunt for food.
Spotting the bushes moving nearby he launched into action, throwing his kunai expertly catching a small odd looking animal with brown fur and an ugly snout. Landing closely by, he tilted his head studying it; he had only wounded it and he could probably get a meal out of this if he was lucky.
Retrieving his kunai he considered the animal just a little bit closer. "Damn it," Then shaking his head he retrieved the few on hand medical materials he carried and patched the animal up the best he could before letting it go. Sitting back on his haunches he snorted standing as he turned to stride toward the middle of the clearing.
He was such an idiot, he should have taken what he had and been happy. Grumbling he put his weapons up before unzipping his jacket and tossing it to the side. Nothing else for it, he would just have to train his ass off and deal with the consequences he'd brought on himself. Just like back in the village when he had been ignored.
Lifting his fingers, he focused his chakra speaking softly "Shadow Clone Technique." He was greeted seconds later with two identical clones, who looked around before focusing on the original. Naruto relaxed his stance and smiled "Alright, same as last night. Attack me."
The clones wasted no time, charging in concert toward the boy. Naruto caught the punch aimed high from the first clone-Naruto, twisting the arm a full hundred and eight degrees throwing the clone-Naruto over his shoulder. Turning before he could see the results he jumped over a lunge, flipped in mid air, and landed a kick right in the back of the second clones head.
He landed seconds later to watch as the clone dropped to the ground before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Eyebrows knitting together in thought he shook his head that had been far too easy. Could he have been getting stronger or was it simply that he hadn't put enough chakra into them? He frowned deep in thought before clutching his stomach as it rumbled in protest of his denying it food.
"Be quiet you!" He shouted at it peevishly but found that did nothing for it. Grumbling he fell back onto the ground, spread eagle, staring up at the stars over head. What he wouldn't give for some food! Even those vegetables that Kakashi-sensei was always trying to force on him.
Then he heard the sound of footsteps and he sat up on his elbows to stare at the person standing just on the inside of the clearing. The tall girl was smiling and Naruto groaned before collapsing onto the ground, how could he have not noticed her following him!
"So Whisker-boy that all you have or are you just too hungry."
The night forest was still and calm, with only the slickest of predators moving through the underbrush. Silently two figures crouched down in the tree branches over the small camp beneath them; neither looked at the other or said a word watching the two ninja carefully. It wasn't a complicated plan.
At least Sakura didn't think so.
All it required was absolute surprise and speed in a single well timed attack. Baki had suggested this course of action when she had whispered to him that she thought Shino and Shikamaru weren't who they seemed to be. Actually he had considered it for sixteen days, and then told her.
'The easiest way to make sure there who they're supposed to be is a quick attack. If you knock them out any sort of transformation techniques would be removed.'
The pink haired ninja finally glanced at her partner. The red headed ninja, who hadn't been her first choice and was here only because Baki had insisted, sensed her attention and glanced at her curiously. She frowned without meaning to, she could still remember the last time she was this close to the boy but she had no other choice and Naruto did seem to trust him.
Forcing her personal thoughts and feelings aside she considered the fact that these two were so far away from camp since they normally stayed close by. Gaara it seemed was thinking the same thing because he nodded every so slightly, it was an obvious question. Why?
It was also odd why it had taken Baki so long to decide on this course of action. Sakura admitted silently that she hadn't thought of this but she had been busy thinking more along the lines of finding out and then using that knowledge as a trap.
Gaara however seemed to be getting impatient and she decided to go ahead with the plan now while she could. Silently she pointed out 'Shino' then nodded telling him silently that was his target.
The red head merely looked at his target and Sakura located 'Shikamaru' tensing her muscles up for the pounce. Tense seconds ticked past and then suddenly a bullet of Sand blurred into the clearing, catching 'Shino' by surprise between the eyes. The boy collapsed almost instantly and
Sakura for a horrible minute thought he was dead, but she still found herself following suit. 'Shikamaru' reacted a split second later, turning from the surprise attack just as Sakura came out of the forest, her fist smashing into his jaw.
Landing lightly she turned to glance at Gaara who had teleported in a swirl of sand to stand before the still out cold Shino. Shifting her gaze the first thing she noticed was that he was breathing then the second thing was the fact that he hadn't changed. THAT WAS SHINO!
Feeling her stomach twisting into a knot she turned back to her target only to find that it was someone else other than the lazy looking bastard that was dating Ino. She relaxed slightly even while her mind began racing with possibilities. None of them made any sense and she looked at Gaara who narrowed his eyes answering her silently question.
"Baki isn't Baki."
Sakura slapped her forehead, unable to believe how stupid she'd been. So caught up in how odd Shino and Shikamaru had seemed she had missed that Baki wasn't behaving right! But why hadn't Kiba or Akamaru noticed the different scent? Easily answered of course, they weren't paying attention! None of them were.
"I'm so stupid!" Sakura muttered turning away, frustrated and disappointed with herself.
Gaara turned toward the camp, his voice calm "No. We just didn't notice."
"Ok, ok..." Sakura said, forcing her feelings of stupidity into a compartment for later study. "We need to take these two back to camp and let the others know what's going on."
"These two would slow us down." Gaara responded not looking back as the sand slowly spread up and over them "The sand will keep these two here."
Sakura started to protest then nodded, deciding that he was right. Besides they didn't have time to argue, the team was in danger. Narrowing her eyes she turned toward the direction of the camp before taking off with Gaara at her side all thoughts of silence cast aside.
Sakura knew she was scowling; she couldn't stop thinking how stupid she had been. If anyone died from this mistake it was her fault. Gaara however just seemed intent, then halfway there he veered off sharply and Sakura skidded to a stop.
"Where are you going?"
He paused as well, answering her without looking back "Naruto."
Sakura blinked then nodded "Alright." That said they silently they went they're separate ways.
"Ah! Thank you so much!" Naruto managed happily as he stuffed the food Temari had brought with her into his mouth. She didn't seem to care about his manners, but he paused self-conscious and swallowed then wiped at his mouth in an attempt to show some manners.
He wasn't sure why and he really wasn't sure why she was smiling at him like that. Temari seemed to notice his attention and smiled a little more before taking a bite of her own portion of the meal.
Watching her for a moment Naruto smiled brightly, returning to his own meal making sure to eat like a 'normal' person. This was nice, the two of them alone and eating together, it wasn't quite the same as when they ate after his training or even when he had eaten with Sakura. It was different he just wasn't sure why and he sure as hell wasn't going to waste too much time trying reason that trail of thought out.
"So, this all you do to train?" Temari finally asked and he shook his head, not answering immediately.
He didn't want to tell anyone what he was practicing and he didn't want anyone to see. But, he noticed the look on her face and he felt something inside him urging him to spill the beans. Besides what was the point in having an ultra cool technique if he couldn't show it off and brag? "This was just a warm up."
She raised an eyebrow while setting the remainder of her food down "Well?"
Smiling nervously Naruto scratched the back of his head "I...err...well..." he paused for a moment, eyes shining with an excitement as he started explaining. "Well I've been making up a new technique and it's really cool. It's like the Shadow Clone Technique; anyway I create these physical clones but there different."
"Different?" Temari asked slowly, drawing out the sound and he nodded eagerly his hands starting to move as he explained.
"The idea came to me while I was dreaming about Ramen! It all just kept disappearing as soon as I stabbed it with my fork and then when I woke up I thought 'Damn it! They wouldn't stick around long enough..' well then when sparred with my normal Shadow Clones they disappeared after one hit and then I was like 'Hey! What if instead of the clones going poof when struck once they stuck around longer?'"
"So they what stick around for two hits?" Temari asked humor in her tone but Naruto shook his head excitedly.
"Nope. I just started working on it and working on it...I tried doing it like Sakura-Chan suggested when I mentioned creating a new technique but I couldn't get it to work so I got to thinking about my Sexy Technique and how its more stable than normal so-"
"Wait a minute." Temari said cutting him off "I have no clue what the Sexy Technique is."
"Oh, I can show you..." Naruto said innocently moving to stand but Temari shook her head and he shrugged settling back down. "I guess...if I had to explain it, its like the Transformation Technique's they taught in the academy but solid...at least I think they are...anyway, I got to thinking about it and I tried moving my chakra in the same way while making the new Shadow Clones-"
"But the Transformation Technique is just an illusion, you shouldn't have it solid!" Temari sort of exclaimed and when Naruto stared at her she finished weakly. "You can't just change a Jutsu like that."
"Sure you can." Naruto said simply -as if she had said the sky couldn't be blue- "It's really easy. All you do is take your Chakra and sorta wiggle it and then twist it here and there and...BAM! Anyway, my new technique the clones are real and! They won't disappear until they get killed but that takes a lot of effort."
"What?" Temari said slowly, eyes wide staring at him.
"They don't disappear until you kill them." Naruto repeated feeling a touch of annoyance, sure she looked impressed but she also looked like she didn't quite believe him. He had seen that look often enough when he was growing up in the village, people had given it to him all the time and sometimes they still did.
Yet somehow with her looking at him like that he felt...bad. No not bad, hurt? No, it wasn't quiet that, he just couldn't put his finger on what he felt with her looking at him like that but he didn't like it.
"N-Naruto...you can't just...there have to be..."
"Of course you can. It's easy Temari-Chan!" Naruto exclaimed, arms going up excitedly. "I'll tea-" Naruto was surprised however when Temari suddenly tackled him backward, with enough force that they slid along the ground. He felt a sharp pinch in his neck but didn't think too much of it, instead wondering what had happened.
When they came to a stop it was against a tree, with the bark painfully digging into Naruto's back and Temari on top, her arms around him protectively. What was wrong with her? He tried to shove her off, but suddenly realized that he couldn't quiet manage to move his arm.
He felt her breath on his cheek, it was ragged like she was struggling to breath and he felt something icy clutch at his heart. Then she was moving, or more accurately was being pulled off of him and tossed aside with little regard.
Yet even as he stared up at the masked figure hovering over him he saw the various needles all over her shoulders and neck. Something clicked in his mind and he realized what that sudden pinch in his neck had been.
The masked figure knelt, using his fingers to check his neck before cursing.
"How many hit him?" Someone else asked and the man started slipping thin strips of paper from his pouch.
"Not enough." The mysterious figure muttered in response moving to apply the first note on Naruto's chest but was forced to leap backwards dropping them as Naruto threw his entire will -aided by some Kyuubi power- into moving his body.
HOW DARE THEY HURT TEMARI!
Landing he cursed glaring at his companion.
"Most of them hit that stupid girl." The other ninja said rushing to his partner's side, kunai held between each of his fingers.
Naruto growled, his arms feeling like they were made of lead but he still managed to move, rolling over and pushing himself to his feet. He was luck Temari had tackled him when she had, she'd obviously thrown them off the mark and taken most of what they had meant to hit him with. He was also lucky that the Kyuubi chakra seemed enough to reverse the effects of the blow to his neck.
Then he heard the tell-tell hissing of exploding note and looked down. Half a dozen were scattered around his feet and one was even partial on his chest. Out of instinct he jumped seconds before the ones on the ground exploded, but he couldn't avoid the one attached to him and he felt as if his body was being torn apart.
His leap was turned into a downward fall with a rain of dirt and blood. The pain from the explosion raced through his body and he could taste his own blood. If he survived it was only because the seal was only partial attached to him when it went off.
"Giichi!"
Naruto just barely noticed the slicing pain of the kunai as the struck, it wasn't until his body began to burn even worse that he realized the blades had been poisoned. Twisting in the air like a rag doll he finally slammed into the ground, blood splattering as he did.
Naruto bounced once, flipping so that he landed face down with a sickening sound of something snapping. Breathing raggedly, his vision went in and out of focus but he cursed them weakly and struggled to move his body.
He had to get up.
Sakura was running, not as fast as he could but she was running. She had started out going at top speed, but then thinking about it doubted that this imposter Baki would try anything with Sogetsu, Kiba and Kankuro in camp. Besides, even if he did try they were strong and could handle it.
Her biggest concerns were actually divided into the following: How exactly had they gotten Shikamaru and keep Shino from knowing? When had the managed to replace Baki and why hadn't Sogetsu noticed? What was the purpose of all this? Who or what were they after?
Sakura wrestled with those thoughts, but she forced herself to stop accepting that they would have answers soon enough. Right now she had to concentrate on getting back to camp, which meant pouring on just a tad more speed.
Hopefully Gaara would get to Naruto and then it'd really be in the teams favor, Gaara and Naruto on the same page would have to be almost impossible to beat. Her hopeful thoughts were thrown off course when a low rumbling filled the air off to her right side.
Skidding to a halt she took deep breaths, listening and wondering what was going on. The rumbling seemed like it was getting louder, it wasn't an earthquake so what could it be? Straining her ears and mind she realized it was an explosion.
An explosion coming from the direction that Gaara had went off in search of Naruto. What the hell? Glancing back at the direction the camp was she bit her lip then looked back toward were the explosion had come from.
What was she going to do?
"Take things one at a time." Sakura whispered to herself. "Naruto's strong, he can handle an explosion, and they might need me back at camp." Biting her lip still she started once more toward the camp but thousands of horrible images of Naruto being caught flat footed flashed to her mind and she came to an abrupt halt.
"H-he doesn't need my help...he's strong enough..." Sakura whispered and then found herself turning away from the camp and racing toward the direction the explosion had come from. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she pushed herself to move as fast as he could.
She felt her eyes trying to water up, but she didn't let them since there wasn't a point in crying. This was Naruto's fault, he just kept insisting on sneaking out of the camp to train. He never thought ahead, NEVER considered the possibility that something bad could happen to him.
Damn him!
Sakura cursed bitterly as she tried to push her legs to move even faster. They needed her back at the camp and she was out in the woods leaving them to struggle with a powerful enemy. Why was she even bothering with Naruto? This was his fault, like it always was when he got into trouble.
Kiba and Kankuro, they were strong but how strong? Naruto she had confidence in, so why had she made the hardest choice for the one guy here that could probably take anything thrown at him? Simple, he was her real friend who could have just been caught in an explosion and the others were just her teammates that she just barely knew.
Damn Naruto.
Her pink hair fluttered around her face as she continued her race, reviewing everything that could have happened to the boy. Somehow it hurt her that Naruto probably wouldn't need her training, because she wanted to show him just how good she was getting. Then she remembered Temari was probably with him and if they were together when things hit the fan...
Sakura felt the muscles in her jaw and around her eyes tighten. Maybe she WOULD get to show off for Naruto, but that desire came from a stupid, selfish, and making-no-sense whatsoever part of her personality.
Forcing even more chakra into her legs she moved even faster, leaves swirling behind her. It was amazing what you could accomplish with fine control, Sakura reflected as she forced herself into higher speeds than most could achieve. Kakashi-sensei had praised her for the control and Tsuande-sama had also, it was her one real talent.
Fine control.
Sogetsu couldn't help but grin as he dodged the various slashes and stabs of the attacking four-armed puppet. He could still see the look of surprise on Kankuro's face when the fight had started, shortly after the explosion, when he'd tried to use his recently acquired scroll to summon his other puppet.
Unfortunately it had been destroyed before hand and he was stuck with the puppet he'd been carrying on his back. Sogetsu had originally been worried about how fast it would be, but now after the few brief exchanges he wasn't worried at all.
"I wonder how long you can remain hidden Kankuro." Sogetsu said grinning as he flipped backwards a split second before the charging puppet reached. A whistling sound alerted him to the secondary attack and he ducked at the last minute, unsurprised to find a knife extending from a detached arm.
Smirking he added charka to his speed and grabbed the arm yanking. This action seemed to have no response, except for a thick green liquid beginning to leak out of the joints and spread slowly. Realizing the danger almost instantly he released the device so that it clattered to the ground while he retreated.
Seconds later the puppet came charging back in, but it wasn't anything spectacular. Maybe Kankuro was getting sloppy, he doubted that, but he was probably getting tired. Not surprising with the amount of effort the boy was using to keep the chakra strings hidden -which took a great deal of skill-. Smiling he produced a handful of smoke bombs and dropped them using the cover to retreat upwards into the tree branches over head.
Crouching down he studied the clearing beneath him, flashing through the seals for his technique to see at night. Once the world was bright to him once more, he began scanning the clearing beneath him as best he could around the stationary puppet.
"Well," he murmured finally impressed. Kankuro wasn't slipping up with those chakra strings. Not that it mattered, he'd just have to destroy that doll and catch the ninja when he came charging out. Sogetsu's hands blurred through the four seals required to mold his chakra before thrusting his hands downwards fingers spread.
For a moment nothing happened and then branches snapped as ten miniature tornados extended from his fingers, tearing large patches up earth up under his tightly controlled barrage. Sogetsu watched in satisfaction as his specially designed technique created the havoc he intended. Sure it would reveal his location, but it would take care of that puppet first, he could already seeing it trying to dodge but he didn't let up and all too soon he severed the invisible strings and tore chunks out of the dolls body.
Keeping an eye out for tricks he quickly manipulated the whirlwinds and severed the remaining chakra strings so that it collapsed helplessly to the ground. Seizing his chance he brought his hands together forming a triangle, creating an even larger tornado which plowed through the damaged puppets chest.
"Hah! Now what are you going to Kankuro, your dollies not gonna help you now." Sogetsu gloated loudly, waiting for the tell-tell sign of an enemy charging out. It never came and he felt a nagging feeling of caution then turned, just as the dark sole of a sandal came smashing down into his face.
Grunting in pain he toppled out of the tree, narrowing his eyes as he flipped in the air to land in a crouch. Looking up he found Kankuro standing over head, arms crossed and glowering down at him as Sogetsu. "Then I'll guess we'll just have to settle things hand to hand."
Smirking Sogetsu stood slipping into his fighting stance "Oh yes, lets."
Kankuro his face twisting in anger jumped down, trying to drive a stomp kick into Sogetsu face. Unfortunately it only hit the x-block, which left him open for Sogetsu to grab the teen's foot and ankle, smashing the puppet master into the ground on his back. Sogetsu quickly followed with a stomping kick of his own, aiming for Kankuro's knee.
The boy however managed to yank his leg just enough so that the blow instead hit his shin with a sharp snapping sound. Releasing his grip Sogetsu snorted, allowing Kankuro to get back to his feet, taking satisfaction at the pain flittering across the teens face.
"Not bad, but then again your not much without your doll are you."
"Maybe not, but you have that superiority-complex." Kankuro managed then charged in, attempting another close range attack. Sogetsu however dodged each blow easily since there was no challenge without the puppet.
Sogetsu laughed openly in the frustrated boys face, unable to believe just how useless each of the former Kazekage kids were without there weapons. Laughing even more he ducked a particularly sloppy hook punch, and then caught the wrist and elbow as it came back in a hammer fist.
Locking the arm bar in Sogetsu drove his knee into Kankuro's thigh forcing the boy face first to the ground painfully. Bracing himself he smirked, voice dripping with sarcasm "You really think your something don't you? Pathetic."
"At least Kill-Me doesn't underestimate people." Kankuro managed, choking on dirt.
"What are you blabbering about?" Sogetsu asked, seconds before he heard the faint whistling of something approaching from behind. Releasing his hold on the arm he spun, hands coming up just in time to catch the head of the puppet with its extended knife inches from his chest. "That was clos-"
Then he felt it a burning sensation that raced up his legs, he knew what happened even as he looked down at his legs where the two arms sat there poisoned knifes sunk into his thighs and calf's. He tried to think of something to counter it, but his fingers twitched and he was forced to release his hold. Damn it!
Tripping he toppled backwards onto the ground, clenching his jaw tightly as he tried to fight the poison spreading through his body. How could he have gotten so careless? Stupid, stupid! Sogetsu raged at himself silently, while his vision blurred.
"Like I said, even Kill-me doesn't underestimate people." Kankuro said, as he pushed himself upright; Sogetsu coughed, his lungs burning from the struggle for breathe. Well he was dying and it was his fault, but he'd be damned if he went alone.
Sucking in a ragged breath he closed his eyes, lifting his hands to his chest where the preformed a quick, though shaky seal, activating the explosive notes he had on him. In the brief instant it took for the notes to ignite and explode his mind lost its grip on the world and he flashed through his most loved moments of life. Then seconds later the pain of the poison was overshadowed by his body being torn apart by the explosions.
Inuzuka Kiba hated his life. He had several reasons for hating it, but none at the moment was greater than the fact that he was in the middle of what was left of the camp, ducking and jumping like an insane gerbil in an attempt to avoid getting killed. If it wasn't for Akamaru who was perched on his head barking a special code, the ninja would have already bit the dust.
This large, masked man had already claimed responsibility for killing Baki and he actually seemed to have the speed and strength to back that claim. Thankful this Diaki seemed to rely on taijutsu, which meant Kiba might have an almost even chance of beating him.
Kiba couldn't help but grunt as he tried to deflect an incoming blow that Akamaru had missed, but was forced backwards into a tree with enough force to make him feel as if he had broken his back. Kiba cursed wincing then on instinct alone ducked at Akamaru's bark of warning, allowing another blow to sail over head and snap a thick tree branch off the tree.
"Damn!" Kiba shouted, springing forward striking while the man's side was exposed. Driving his shoulder into the man's ribs he grunted and rolled away, Akamaru clinging to him tightly. Kiba skidded to a halt before getting to his feet quickly; jumping backwards avoiding a punch as it came crashing to the earth where he had just been.
There was no chance he could slug it out with this guy and his ninjutsu would require too much time to perform. Not that his opponent was giving him the chance, which meant he would have to try and make his own chance.
"Akamaru, get ready." Kiba whispered and when he received a confirming bark followed by the dog fleeing its perch on his head the dark haired ninja lunged forward, meeting Diaki in his charge. Ducking the right hook Kiba produced a kunai from his jacket sleeve, sinking it as far as he could into the large man's side.
Instant they separated -the large man grunt in pain and holding his ribs- Kiba spun, skidding to a stop with his hands in position for his patented Beast Human Clone Technique.
"Was that the best-" The masked ninja started to shout but paused seeing the rolling chakra surrounding Kiba and Akamaru who was racing over to jump onto the boys back. Seconds later they're were two Kiba's, each bearing fangs and flexing claws.
"Hyaaaaa!" The two Kiba's roared in unison as they pushed off with tremendous speed, spinning so quickly they created twin whirlwinds "Double Piercing Fang!"
Diaki reacted on instinct crouching down, attempting to protect his head. He was buffeted from side to side, his uniform getting sliced to pieces along with thin cuts appearing. Yet when the Kiba's came to a stop seconds later they saw the man standing up and pop his neck as if hey had been through nothing more than a summer breeze.
"That was a nice trick...how about I show you one of mine?"
Identical frowns found their way to both Kiba's faces as they produced a set of Kunai in each hand while crouching down for their next attack. Diaki however seemed unimpressed; lifting two of his fingers up swirling them slightly creating what appeared as typhoon level winds. "Blade of Wind!"
It happened in an instant; Kiba jumped shouting for Akamaru to do the same. Spinning they tried to weather the attack but despite there mass and speed were knocked back to the ground blood splattering the earth. Groaning the dog ninja pushed himself back up, his hands missing the familiar feel of kunai.
Looking around wincing in pain he tried to find Akamaru, but Diaki didn't give him the chance, moving quickly to catch the boy with a kick to the chin. Cursing under his breath he tried to check on his pet as he skidded along the ground but couldn't focus.
Diaki was blind sided by Akamaru-Kiba's Piercing Fang, which gave Kiba enough time to recover and get back to his feet, though his body ached in a thousand places from that last attack. Damn it looked like they would have to use their trump card; he was loosing too much blood for this fight to last much longer.
"Dynamic Marking!" Kiba shouted moving quickly as Akamaru transformed back into his dog form and began the specialized marking sequence. Kiba skidded to a halt, catching Akamaru, just as Diaki began cursing the dogs trick. That gave them all the time they needed to resume the transformation and launch the trump attack.
Tossing Akamaru up Kiba crouched down, assuming an attack stance. Seconds after a new set of what felt like sandals touched his shoulders they began a perfectly coordinated set of seals, with Kiba shouting out their intent at the last second "Man Beast Combination Transformation: Double-Headed Wolf!"
Seconds' later smoke seemed to billow up from nowhere surrounding them and Kiba felt his body groaning in protest at what the chakra was asking of it. The pain was brief however and the Kiba-Akamaru wolf growled jumping clear of the smoke glaring down at the stunned looking masked ninja. Diaki seemed to recover but it did him little good as the massive wolf began spinning in its downward decent.
With a roar of anticipation, the double-headed wolf was soon spinning with such ferocious speed that the trees nearly uprooted themselves from the wind. Diaki fumbled with his hands before desperately trying his slicing Blades Of Wind once more, however this time the mass it was slamming into was spinning far to fast to be affected.
Seconds later Diaki was knocked off his feet as the massive animal slammed into him, blood flowing behind it as the wolf rebounded from the ground and came back. The second blow came as he managed to get into a standing position, twisting the ninja around like a grain of dust in a hurricane. Falling Diaki tried to recover but was nailed yet again, forced to land in an awkward position.
Diaki tried to get back up only to be smashed back into the dirt by the final blow, a giant paw slamming down against his back with a snapping sound. Diaki made a loud wheezing noise, struggling futilely for a moment as he clawed at the dirt before his muscles relaxed and she took a finally shuddering wheeze of breathe. Tentatively, as if sensing the death, the massive animal removed its paw and was once more engulfed in smoke and a popping noise as the transformation ran out.
Thank the gods that had worked. Kiba thought wincing as he wondered how badly he was hurt. Maybe it was just a superficial wound but he doubted that, but he could hope. When he slammed into the earth he hissed a curse. That hadn't done him any good; he just hoped that Akamaru wasn't hurt to badly. At least they had won this fight, all on they're own.
That was something to be proud of right there. He was getting stronger and so was Akamaru, soon they'd even be able to win a fight without pushing themselves so close to the edge.
Damn it hurt.
He had to get up, had to fight. But his body refused to move and he could taste the coppery tang of blood in his mouth, yet he continued to try and stand up. He wouldn't give up, wouldn't stop, he couldn't stop. Up! He silently shouted but his body continued to ignore him.
He stared almost sightlessly out at the world around him, his eyes were so heavy. He had to get up, but he was so tired, he couldn't...without realizing it his eyes closed, mind slipping away as his rattling breath slowed to a dangerous rhythm. Then in the darkness a noise pulled his mind back from the brink of nothingness.
The sound of gates being attacked and the roar of anger.
"HOW DARE THEY!" A malevolent voice roared, obviously taking this personal.
Naruto struggled to keep breathing, he had to keep breathing.
'NARUTO!'
He heard the memory-shout from Temari and he struggled a little bit harder. He wouldn't die now, he couldn't die! He was Uzumaki Naruto! In the uncertainty that filled the moment he heard another howl of primal rage and suddenly his breathing became easier.
'I felt I had become stronger…I started liking myself a little more… It was thanks to you...'
He had to get up, had to move, had to save her...his body hurt so bad though. It was like his joints were on fire and his blood was boiling. What was happening to him? Why was his body hurting so much and still refusing to respond to him. He had to save her; he didn't have time for this.
He was getting up!
Then he heard the howl of rage growing in intensity and he understood. The burning pain, the blood boiling. The demon inside him was forcing life back into his body. The Kyuubi was pissed and in his weakened state there was going to be little he could to keep the demon influence in check.
"HOW DARE THEY!" That malevolent voice roared once more.
Naruto opened his eyes slowly; his sight so much sharper and clearer that he had no doubt that he was already partially transformed. He focused on a blade of grass trying to regain some form of control; he could feel the bones in his hands cracking slightly as they altered themselves into claws.
Yet some how he was only able to see a memory he had repressed.
'Rasengan!' Naruto shouted slamming his hand forward, driving the swirling blue mass of Chakra into the already dying ninja's sternum. The force of the blow fought the power of his clawed grip which tightened around the man's throat.
The dying ninja howled with inhuman suffering as the torture continued until finally Naruto released his hold and sent the ninja spinning backwards with a gapping hole in his chest.
Unseeingly he stared at his bloodstained hand.
"A bit young for me...but she's not too bad looking." Distantly as if the noise was coming from a long corridor, he heard his attackers "Hey you don't mind if we borrow your girlfriend do you?"
A righteous fury blossomed with such intensity that all morals were cast aside and he willed his hand flat against the ground, the red chakra surrounding his arm and hand. Damn them! They deserved to have the demon unleashed on them for what they were doing.
He wouldn't let them!
This was more than a simple fight. 'Hey damned fox, you want them?' A wordless roar of affirmation and Naruto managed a feral smile. 'Just don't harm her...'
Pushing upwards his muscles protesting for a moment and then the burning sensation of the demon inside him took care of the pain. Slowly, his mind retreated inwards allowing the demon its influence while Naruto began to stand.
"I guess not Giichi." The voice said casually answering its own question. "You want to go first or should-"
Naruto heard the demon roar in anticipation of its release as he managed to stand upright once more.
"Wha-impossible!" one of the future dead men shouted.
Naruto felt his throat burn from the animalistic growl that escaped him 'Just remember...she's off limits.' Naruto shot at the Kyuubi as he lifted his gaze to meet the looks of the two ninjas. "You're not going to touch her."
"Wh-why not?"
"Because I'm going to kill you." he said in a flat, though slightly distorted, voice. Then finally, Naruto released his faint grip on control and the demon influence rushed in with such evil glee that Naruto's lips twitched into one of the most disturbing smiles that any human had ever been witness too.
The one on the left took a step back, eyes wide in fear.
"Murai!" The other ninja shouted angrily while at the same time drawing and throwing his kunai.
Kyuubi-Naruto crouched down clawed hands flexing while the red chakra that had been leaking out of him slowly took the shape of a tailed fox. Red eyes narrowed watching the seemingly slow moving weapons and then at the last second he released a hate filled roar deflecting the weapons before moving with such speed that he appeared to disappear.
He reappeared behind the attacking ninja, slashing out with such terrible strength that the ninja was sent hurtling through the air, blood falling behind him from the deep gashes in his back. Crouching down on all fours, Kyuubi-Naruto watched his prey intently before rearing back with one of his arms thrust his hand forward, extending a tendril of red chakra in the shape of a clawed hand plowing though the earth.
The ninja had no clue what hit him; only that his shoulders and abdomen exploded into unbearable pain. Kyuubi-Naruto roared in satisfaction jerking his arm, sending the energy tendril and the impaled ninja to the side where he promptly crashed into a tree uprooting it.
Relaxing his hand Kyuubi-Naruto recalled the tendril, sensing the kill close at hand. Muscles rippling the demonic boy charged across the clearing before leaping into the air, twisting slightly before coming down on all fours on the ninja's chest with a sickening sound.
Blood sprayed into the air from the ninja's mouth and Kyuubi-Naruto roared leaping off of its prey and would have continued its vicious assault on the ninja's corpse, but Naruto's instincts reasserted themselves for a moment holding it in check. Frustration raced through Kyuubi who was still trapped behind the accursed gates.
He was still subject to Naruto's instincts and the limit of influence he could toss into the chakra. Which meant it could only drive the boy so far before they would seek to reestablish some sort of boundaries on him. Still they were only a minor nuisance to him, as long as he didn't harm her.
Shrugging them off for a moment Kyuubi-Naruto lashed out, slashing through the man's clothes and chest with both his physical and chakra claws. Blood splattered the demonic boy's cheek and he crouched down, satisfaction racing through his mind.
Then he remembered the other one.
Hanuro Sakura did not panic -at least not in the traditional sense- she had been in far too many fights through her short time as a ninja. As a Kunoichi she did not have the luxury of panicking, as a medical ninja she especially didn't have that luxury. Because the instant she panicked, it could cost someone his or her life.
Yet for some reason, racing through the forest away from people that would need her and toward someone that wouldn't, she felt that was exactly what she was doing. She was panicking and for some unknown reason this made her move even faster, made her push just a little bit more. She still couldn't understand it though, why after all this time was she doing something so stupid?
Sakura found herself cursing Naruto silently and her own stupidity. Yet she managed to move even faster, so fast that even some ninja's would have problems following her. He didn't need her, Sasuke had never needed her either, yet she always rushed to help them. She always messed things up though, got in the way, she was nev-she skidded to a halt, shaking her head violently.
NO!
She wouldn't think like that. She was different now she could help! Naruto might be stronger than her and Sasuke might be stronger than her; but she could help! She was Hanuro Sakura, apprentice to The Fifth Hokage Tsunade-Sama! She would help Naruto because he was her comrade and he needed her! She would help Sasuke because she loved him and he needed her!
She was HANURO SAKURA!
Then she felt it, a murderous intent the likes of which she had only felt once before. Sakura couldn't help but take a step backwards and lean against a tree...it was so deep, so hate-filled...taking a deep breath, she pushed off the tree struggling to keep her breathing under control.
She had to put this...fear...into a compartment. It was pointless and it wasn't helping her or Naruto, because on some instinctual level Sakura knew that was who this murderous intent came from. It was like Sasuke and the Forest of Death all over again, but she wouldn't let it end the same way.
Frowning in disgust at her own stupidity and weakness, she took off, running faster than ever ignoring the faint burning in her lungs. She didn't care; she had to get to Naruto as quickly as she could, because if this feeling was coming from Naruto she never wanted to be exposed to it again.
She had failed Sasuke, she would be damned if she failed Naruto as well.
She wouldn't let it happen again.
Murai wet his lips, watching in a frightened fascination as the blond tore into Giichi. Stupid, he thought darkly. A head on assault had been the most foolish thing Giichi had ever attempted. Neither of them stood a chance against this boy, not now. That was why they had selected an ambush, because they had been told just how dangerous this brat was when forced.
Murai had covered every angle; Sembon needles, poisoned kunai and exploding seals. Most of all it was surprise and absolutely no reason for the boy to get back up. Murai felt his stomach churn at the way his friend was being man handled by such a young child.
Not that Murai was doing himself much good just standing there watching. He knew that as soon as the blond was finished with his partner he was next and that it wouldn't be a pleasant death.
He had to think!
What could he do against this onslaught? Run! He dodged the incoming attack by the skin of his pants, staring hard at the blond and his red chakra. Yes, keep moving don't stop and don't let him corner you.
Damn it! He cursed as the boy thrust a hand out sending a tendril of chakra in the shape of a clawed hand toward him, flipping he dodged it only to receive a blow from the other hand. Cursing he clutched his now useless arm he moved away, dodging and dancing as best he could managing always to avoid a killing or truly crippling blow but just barely.
This demon was just too fast for him, he had no hope. None at all. Murai struggled to keep his rising fear under control, if he panicked now he really would be dead. He heard the cracking of timber and jumped out of the way to avoid the collapsing tree and then slipped just as a red hand came hurtling through the space his chest and head had been.
Cursing his luck, he landed painfully on top of Temari. This was it, any second those claws would come crashing into him and he'd be dead. Damn it get up! Murai silently raged at himself, but he knew he'd lost too much blood.
Looking up he saw Naruto crouching down like an animal, eyes narrowed and growling.
Yet the blond didn't move toward him, or send those red-clawed hands at him. The only movement was that red chakra tail behind him. Why? He was easy prey so why halt his attack now. What was going on, what had stopped the boy's attacks? Without thinking, he shoved the girl that was beneath him away weakly, only to pause as a low rumble filled the clearing.
Blinking he stared up at the blond who was crouching down like a predator about to spring. There was no reason for it, not that it really mattered, Murai could taste the blood in his mouth and the way his body was refusing to function properly. He was dying already.
Then his mind started clicking on facts that he had over looked. Naruto had only struck out because they had threatened Temari. He had stopped his onslaught because Murai had collapsed on top of her. Naruto had growled because he had shoved her away.
Damn the brat had a weakness but Murai was too weak to exploit it. Closing his eyes, he tried to prepare himself for the coming death, but he couldn't just give up. He had a chance to live, a chance to tell the council that they should just take the boy when he came.
Summoning all the reserves of strength he possessed Murai moved, grabbing her wrist and yanking her up and over him all in one fluid motion. He heard the growl of rage but it didn't matter, he was safe.
Now he just had to get to his feet and escape.
Gaara peered down into the clearing, arms crossed, studying the situation below detachedly. These two ninjas had never stood a chance that much was obvious. He'd arrived just as the first ninja died -twenty minutes ahead of Sakura- and he had watched in curiosity as Naruto toyed with the last one.
It was obvious to Gaara that Naruto was like a cat with a lame mouse, toying with it before putting it out of his misery. Not that Naruto seemed entirely in control of his actions. Gaara wasn't sure what had given him that impression but it was still there. Gaara was also curious about that red chakra, it wasn't the first time he had seen it but this was the first time it had ever taken a physical form.
Deep inside, Gaara felt Shukaku stirring slightly, as if it was responding to something. Sleep deprived eyes narrowed slightly, studying the chakra more closely. It seemed to be moving on its own, as if guided by an entirely separate consciousness. It was hesitating though, why?
Because Naruto didn't want to risk hurting Temari.
Gaara felt his eyes widen in that realization at the same time the enemy ninja made his move, hauling his sister up in front of him like a human shield. It was a clever move, exploiting the weakness. However Gaara felt something inside him stirring, something almost foreign. Concern for his sister. Then the anger came, like a tidal wave.
How DARE HE! That was HIS sister!
Without realizing it, he was willing the sand to start spreading over his body, so that he could take on the misshapen and blue veined body of the demon inside him. Yet even as it began to respond, the Shukaku fought against his will, attempting to hold the sand in the gourd.
Gaara didn't understand, normally it was very happy he was willing to take that form but now it was as if the demon was afraid? No, that didn't feel quite right, but since Shukaku didn't speak to him in the clearest of terms, he had no clue.
Why?
Curiosity replacing his anger Gaara let the sand slip back into the gourd, frowning in thought as he considered Naruto and his red chakra. He had know that the blond had something inside him that gave him incredible power, a bloodline limit or something similar, something that Naruto could consider a 'monster'.
Yet now with the reaction of the sand demon inside of Gaara, he had to rethink that. Maybe this monster was another demon. Why hadn't the tanuki reacted before now? Why was it only now reacting to the demon sealed inside Uzumaki Naruto? Because it was only now that the demon was physically manifesting itself.
The red head finally understood what had prompted his 'fathers' interest in the sand demon. He also guessed that this was like two predators in the wild, avoiding fights if possible. Nothing to do with fear, but everything to do with survival.
Gaara snapped himself out of his reflections as the ninja threw Temari away from him, while at the same time taking off into the forest. Naruto looked torn for a moment and Gaara understood the inner struggle between ninja and demon, in the end Naruto won.
With blinding speed, the blond moved toward the still unconscious girl, catching her inches from the ground even as his red chakra receded.
That left the enemy ninja for Gaara.
The red headed ninja moved quietly, slipping into the man's path to cut off his escape. Gaara didn't even blink as his shield of sand whipped up and around absorbing the few throwing stars and kunai that had been tossed at him.
Narrowing his eyes Gaara turned his head to follow the other ninjas new path, he could let the man go...yet even as he thought that, his sand snapped out like a whip, knocking him to the ground before cinching around his ankles and pulling him back.
The man laid motionless, not squirming as the sand slowly slid up his legs, enclosing him inside a cocoon of sand. Gaara raised an eyebrow, wondering about that until he saw the puddle of blood under the man's mask. That would explain it; in his attempt to flee and subsequent capture, he'd bitten through his tongue and was in shock.
This would be a mercy killing now...if he was pleasant about this.
Gaara smiled slowly, like a predator his eyes tightening. Closing his fingers slightly the sand began to compact and the man tried to struggle futilely. When the pressure was too much the ninja began to scream in a bloody, confused voice. Gaara tilted his head to the side, eyes shining with something akin to pleasure.
How he missed doing this to those that annoyed him, the way they struggled so futilely against his sand. Yet, now he couldn't take quite as much pleasure in the prolonged death of this ninja. Frowning in disgust with himself, Gaara tightened his hand into a fist, causing the sand to finish the gruesome task.
"Desert Funeral."
The ninja's mutilated screams echoed in the night, the blood raining down over the area. Lowering his hand back at his side, feeling less than satisfied. He was getting soft; he should have tortured the man a bit more first...but that would have been wrong.
Closing his eyes, he stood there a moment longer then turned back toward the clearing, moving slowly until he stopped just inside the shadow of the trees. He could hear Sakura's hurried footsteps and wondered what had kept her, but he was really only paying attention to Naruto and Temari.
Eyebrows knitting together he was presented with a new problem; what should he do about those two?
She was breathing; Naruto kept repeating that over and over to himself. Each time he thought that relief flooded through him for a few moments before the fear came rushing back. At least she was alive and she was breathing. Yet despite the ebbing tides of comfort and fear, he felt empty, so empty that he almost wished the damned fox were still influencing his actions.
Sighing, he started checking Temari over once more, it gave him something to do. He'd already removed the various needles that had hit her, cursing each time he did so. Other than that, he had been forced to rely on the basic medical skill from the academy and he could almost swear that he could hear hollow laughter belonging to Kyuubi.
Even with his basic understanding, he knew that something was wrong with her, because her forehead was beginning to glisten with sweat. Thankfully he kept his panic under control as he tried to decide what to do. He couldn't leave her there to go get Sakura and he didn't want to risk moving her to carry her back to camp.
Lacking other ideas, he patted her cheek softly, trying to get her to open her eyes. He knew it was a futile effort, but he still tried. He eventually found himself stroking her cheek with his fingers, but he quickly pulled his fingers away and began calling her name loudly.
Focused as he was, he still heard the snapping of twigs and he turned, pulling a kunai just as Sakura came rushing into the clearing. "Sakura-Chan!" The pink haired ninja came to an abrupt stop looking around at the destruction, eyes slightly wide before starting toward him and Temari. Naruto moved back slightly to give her room, finally appreciating the true value of having a medical ninja with the team.
"Naruto...what happened?" Sakura asked, checking Temari over frowning thoughtfully.
"We were talking...and then Te-Chan tackled me...and she had all these sebon needles in her, I just pulled them out..." he darted his eyes around then looked back at her "I think...she's not poisoned is she? I mean I know the kunai they used on me were but the needles...she's sweating..."
Sakura scowled, obviously concentrating before the chakra formed around her hands. Then silently she reached inside the other girl, removing globes of something before tossing them aside. Naruto watched in silence as his best friend worked desperately to save Temari and absently he wondered when exactly Sakura had changed. Yes, he had always thought she was a good ninja, but now she seemed so much better.
"I think I got everything, the poison wasn't too serious. Just a paralyzing agent." Sakura said after a moment, the tension leaving her voice. "When we get back to camp I'll give her some antidotes that I made before we left Konoha."
Naruto let out the breath he'd been holding and studied her closely, frowning "Are you alright Sakura-Chan?"
"Hmm? yea." Sakura said absently, and then looked up at him questioningly. "Where's Gaara? He was supposed to be heading this way already."
Naruto stared at her for a moment then looked around "I don't know. I was to busy...I-I" Suddenly everything that had happened flooded through his mind. The pain, the hate that let Kyuubi influence him so much, the death. It all left a bitter taste in his mouth, it hadn't been right. Kyuubi had made him take pleasure in the murder...but he couldn't hide behind that reasoning.
"You protected someone important to you." Sakura said gently standing as well, hand touching his shoulder. Then she glanced down at Temari then back up at him "We need to get back to the camp, Kiba and Kankuro were fighting one of the guys behind this whole deal."
Naruto forced back the tears he had felt trying to form, no time for that but it was just so hard to keep it all bottled up inside him and there wasn't room anymore. Still Naruto shoved his loneliness, fears, hate and guilt aside. He had to help his friends; he turned to take a step but paused remembering Temari.
He looked down, her face appearing to glow in the dim light of the moon over head. She looked so beautiful; he wanted to kiss her. He looked away suddenly ashamed at his feelings and thoughts, he wasn't entirely sure why other than...he liked her...like he used to like Sakura and-
"I'll bring her back." A new voice said abruptly and Naruto turned with Sakura to see Gaara entering the clearing arms crossed. Seeing they're attention, he repeated himself slowly. "I'll bring her back."
"Where were you?" Sakura asked defensively and Gaara raised an eyebrow before glancing at Naruto.
"Watching."
Naruto understood what the look meant and grabbed Sakura's arm jerking on it "Come on, we gotta go help Kiba and that bastard Kankuro." The pink haired girl nodded and turned following the blond as he took off into the forest.
Naruto kept a decent lead on Sakura, mulling everything over eventually convincing himself that he liked Temari as just a friend. He put every ounce of belief in that and it seemed to work. With that issue resolved, and knowing that Gaara had seen what he'd done, he poured even more chakra into his legs.
Sakura it seemed was working over time to keep up with him but it didn't register. Because deeper inside Naruto, near where Kyuubi resided, Naruto knew that he liked the other girl as more than a friend.
AN:
1) Due to more than a few questions about the time frame for this fic, I will give you a clear answer. (Like I did in Chapter 1) This is anime based and as such falls into the filler arc line, up to the Curry of Life episodes. There is a minor plot change in an earlier filler episode, I'm not going to say which because it'll be revealed soon enough.
2) FIGHTS! There was a bunch of that going on in this chapter, you have a probelm with any of them (Beyond 'Dude those sucked!' I want ligitmate problems if your gonna complain about my fights.) then please let me know.
3) Temari is 15 and Naruto is 13, that's a 2 year age difference. It is also very possible, a two year age difference isn't a big deal (once you get past a five year age difference that causes the real problems.) Just mentioning this so that were all on the same page for this fic.
4) Anything you might complain about invovling Shikamaru, Shino, Baki and/or Sogetsu being too easily fooled or etc. will be answered next chapter!
5) Expect reinforcements soon.
6) Finally Naruto's fight:
It does make sense that the 4th would make sure that Kyuubi didn't have ANY control what so ever, to make sure that he is completely caged and not just given the same chance in a human body. However I think that in Naruto's weakened conditoned Kyuubi might be able to exert some control through his chakra.
Evidence could be seen from toward the end of the Sauske/Naruto Battle Royal. At least that's my view on it, feel free to disagree but who's to say that kyuubi couldn't pump out his chakra with a little extra something in it? Also anytime you pour demon essence into something it's going to be influenced.
And that's all I have to say on that.
Thanks to my beta Wanderer3 and to my reviewers.
Geor-sama