1Biting The Hand That Feeds You

"What do you mean?" Sakura questioned as she began to pick up her head to look at the troubled

ninja but as soon as her eyes opened all that was left was a puff of smoke.

"Ghaaaa!" Naruto yelled in astonishment, "w-w-where'd he go! That was fast!"

"Yeah, I didn't even see a smoke bomb or even sense a jutsu he could've pulled off." Sasuke said

trying to act very cool still.

"I...don't know." Sakura said in a very low tone with her hand on her chest and staring into the sky.

Meanwhile, back at the village in the shadows

Azukari began walking down the partially lit corridor that lead to his masters throne room. As he

entered, he swallowed hard and maintained his best to keep his body from shaking when he heard

lord Kazuki speak from this throne chair.

"Have you finished your mission, oh humble minion?" Kazuki asked with a grin in his ice cold face.

"No," Azukari replied with a serious look on his face, "because I've come to end this task of which

you 've forced me to attempt to carry out for far to long."

"So are you saying that..."

"Yes, I demand a duel for your position as ruler over this land!" Azukari pointed at Lord Kazuki.

"Damn you Azukari!" Kazuki yelled as he slammed his massive fist on the arm of his chair. "I

assumed you would have finished this mission but apparently it's just to hard to get good help these

days. Why is it you wish to not fulfill this mission you've longed for sense you came here?"

"It is none of your concern!" Azukari retorted back.

"Oh but it is. You forget boy, there must be a reason for you to want to end the mission for us to

duel." Kazuki grinned menacingly. "So tell me the reason and you may have your duel."

Azukari clenched his fist tightly and stared at his master's evil grin. "A girl..."

"And what is this girls's name?" Kazuki grinned even more.

Azukari hesitated before answering in a very low tone. "Sakura Haruno..."

"Well then," Kazuki bellowed as he jumped from his chair. "If I get rid of this girl then there will be

no reason for us to duel now will there?" Kazuki continued to grin. "I'd hate to kill my most

valuable henchman."

"Is that all I am to you! A tool!" Azukari questioned at his master.

"Ta, ta now" Kazuki waved as he disappeared into a puff of smoke.

Azukari's eyes grew wide before uttering, "no..." and chasing after his master.

While darting through the trees at incredible speed, Azukari collected his thoughts and prepared for

what could be his final battle...