I apologize for not updating ASAP. This chapterwill be much more exciting I hope.

Disclaimer: It would be nice if I owned Naruto, but sadly, I only own episodes 1-76 and books 1-14 (Waah!).

Chapter 9: Betrayal

Outside of the fort, Itachi gently laid down his unconscious brother. At least this will be easier than planned, he thought, looking back at the tower with calm eyes.

All twelve Jei's leaped into the air at once at the squad of four, their eyes glinting maliciously. Naruto pulled out kunai knives and threw them at four of the clones. The clones disappeared before the knives hit their mark. They reappeared in the center of the group, kicking a member each into the air. Two clones pulled out their Kusanagi and sliced off all of Al's limbs and head, making sure he wouldn't be able to join the fight. The suit of armor clambered to the ground. Ed was quick enough to dispose of two clones with his wrist blade. One clone found his mark, unfortunately, slashing at Ed's right leg. Ed screamed in pain as he fell over, desperately trying to turn around and attack the clone. Blood started to escape from his wound and soaked the fabric of his pants. He looked up and saw Naruto trying to fight seven clones at once with his clones. For the blond ninja, it was a losing battle.

Sakura whipped out shuriken and flung them at a clone, which easily deflected them with his kunai. Two other Jei's kicked the kunoichi in the stomach and the back of the neck, effectively knocking her down to the floor. She strained to keep her eyes open as all three ninjas looked down on her, chuckling to themselves. Sakura only grinned. Two shuriken she secretly threw cut a wire near a wall. Hundreds of kunai and needles rained down on the clones, reducing them into water. The kunoichi strained to get up, but failed, the pain to unbearable to stand. But she knew she had to try her hardest in order to help Naruto, Edward, and Alphonse, who were in trouble. She tried once again, but stopped as a shadow loomed over her. Jei started to form a grin under his mask, slowly sliding Kusanagi out of its scabbard. Taking his time, he raised the sword to maximum height, ready to take out all of his frustration on Sakura.

The mist-nin's execution was interrupted by Naruto's kick to the head. The katana clattered across the ground. Jei quickly got on his feet again to gain control of the battle once more. He released hand signs and slammed his open hands to the ground. Large ice spikes shot up from the floor, one after the other, towards the blond Chuunin. Naruto repeatedly jumped from the spot he was standing to avoid the spikes. As he was doing this, he once again made his trademark seal, forming three clones, which charged at Jei. The mist-nin stood up and jumped at the clones, pulling out shuriken to target them. He threw the stars, destroying the clones. In back of those clones were three kunai. He deflected them with ease using his own knife. Then realizing what happened, he turned around to face three Naruto clones attacking him. Each clone kicked his face, stomach, and chest, propelling him into the wall. Jei slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Orochimaru stood over Sasuke's unconscious body, looking very pleased. He turned his head to face Itachi, who was crouched on the ground, bowing. The sounds of the battle still in progress rang out faintly from the fortress. The sun up in the sky shone down upon the land.

Orochimaru chuckled to himself. "Very excellent, Itachi. You have done very well, indeed."

"Thank you, Orochimaru-sama," said Itachi. Itachi was pleased as well. He was finally done posturing as the Snake ninja's servant. As soon as Orochimaru-"sama" activated the jutsu to take over Sasuke's body, Itachi would then dispose of both bodies, and claim himself Leader of the Sound ninja. It was what he had in mind after all this time. So far, everything was according to plan…

"Now, as for payment," He resumed his attention to his "Lord", his eyes locked onto Orochimaru's. The Sound ninja pulled out a poison needle and shoved it into the Uchiha's throat. He uttered a pained noise, his eyes wide and shocked. Had he planned against him as well! "I know you wanted to assassinate me as soon as I took over Sasuke's body. Don't think you can hide away a killing intent, Uchiha. Besides, now that my plan is complete, I have no further use for you anymore." He pushed the needle inward. Itachi coughed up blood as he fell to his knees. As he looked up into those reptilian eyes, he fell to the floor, dead. A pool of blood oozed out of his gaping mouth.

The Sound ninja then focused his attention on the younger Uchiha. He made a few hand signs and slammed his palm on the seal that surrounded his curse. Sasuke's body cringed in pain as the seal faded, then the mark of the curse faded as well. He bit his thumb and started to paint an elaborate design on Sasuke's body and himself. After his finished, he engaged in a string of hand signs and slammed both his hands onto Sasuke's body. A flash of violet light engulfed the two.