The search party group had wandered in and out of the forest for hours on end but there was still no sign the blonde had ever stepped foot into the dense forest except for a small patch of blood that Kiba had found. Using his nose, he tracked the boy's scent to the middle of the woods where his coat lay. Even Kakashi's dogs were having a hard time trying to find the fox. Tsunade turned to look back at the way they came. If they started back soon; they still wouldn't make it to the gates before nightfall which worried her. Some of the Jounin looked at her expectantly but she shrugged they off; determined with finding the blonde and bringing him home.

All of the search's heads picked up when Kakashi's dogs gave out a whole at a clearing not to far from their current position. Running in the direction which they hope lead to Naruto; they stopped dead in their tracks when they heard a small yelp…like from a fox. Kakashi was the first to run out into the clearing; astonished by the sight he saw. "Don't let the rookie out here…" He yelled back immediately.

The other leaders of the squads did so, some having to hold back persistent one's such as Neji and Sakura. Even Kiba and Shikamaru were yelling about not being able to see their friend.

Tsunade walked out with the leader; even her eyes watering at the sight. "Naruto…."

The boy stood there, all nine tail's out and with the look of destruction on his face. It seemed the fox had seriously took advantage of Naruto's weakness; now wishing to come out of his prison. "No! Naruto hold him back!" Tsunade barked, shaking in the fear of loosing someone dear to her yet again.

Kakashi lifted merely a small hand which caused the boy to snap and growl viciously. "…Are we going to have to…"

"Yes…it seems so.." Kakashi said answering the Hokage and taking out a kunai, "I'm sorry Naruto…I promised to never let one of my comrades die but…if this continues…." Kakashi said, his own eye flowing with tears.

'You were suppose to be the one whom would change everything…but I guess we really did put to much pressure on you…Naruto..' He thought raising the kunai. 'With him in this state, he can swipe good but…his body is still getting used to this…I can hit his blind spot….Naruto….goodbye…you were like a son I never had…'

Reaching back, Kakashi lunged forward. "DON'T DO IT!"

The scream even made the fox jerk a bit. Glancing up, he quirked a brow as a young girl headed toward him. "Sakura! Stay outta this!" Tsunade cried running over to the girl and holding her back as Kakashi got ready again.

"No. I won't let you! You're the one whom said abandoning friends are worse then scum…didn't you?"

Kakashi and Naruto glanced at the girl now. "…Friend…" Naruto growled walking over; Kakashi standing still as the blonde passed him with a threatening growl.

Tsunade however, wouldn't back off so easily. Keeping Sakura behind her, she glared at the blonde with sorrowful eyes. "Move hag…my business isn't with you.." Naruto said growling.

Before she was able to reply, Sakura ducked under her outstretched arms and held Naruto close. Naruto did nothing, a small smirk appearing on his face as Sakura whimpered into his shoulder; his evil aura harming her without him doing anything but standing there. "Why do you want me back?" He hissed in her ear and then looking up at the other rookies whom emerged.

They looked at there former friend with sadness and some with anger. "Because…you're my friend…and I love whom you are…even if it means you acting like this…" Sakura said looking up at him with hurtful eyes.

Naruto growled, unconvinced as he let his claws lightly dig into the girl's shoulders as she looked up at him. "You'd stay with me even if I were to harm you at this moment?…"

Neji lashed out as he dug farther into the girl's skin to hold back Tsunade with a very worried Kakashi. Sakura flinched as the iron smell of blood hit her nostrils. "..Hai….forever." She whispered.

Naruto let go, his eyes flickering back to their crystal blue, the red chakra leaving him. Looking down at his hands, he blinked slightly. Was he really this desperate…to harm his own friends? Naruto let the swelling tears run down his cheeks as he looked up at his friends. Sakura smiled brightly as he was suddenly hugged by almost all the rookies; excluding Neji, Shikamaru, Shino, and Choji whom looked on with grateful faces. Being tackled to the ground, Naruto smirked and accepted the group hug. "Arigeto…Kakashi-sama, Tsunade-sama…everyone…"

Kakashi smiled and nodded to the other Jounin as they started to make there way back. Reaching over now, he plucked the boy out of the ball of laughing and crying ninja.

"Now…lets focus on getting the other lost boy whom?" Kakashi said smiling at the others.

"WAHOO! RACE YOU BACK!" Kiba screamed to the others as he ran off; the rookies trailing behind him along with Kakashi and Tsunade whom held a, now passed out Naruto. "The kid has been through enough for a life time…lets get him to a hospital to treat his wounds and then we'll locate Sasuke's position if we can." Tsunade said; ruffling the boy's hair.

"Hai."

Elsewhere

The kunai hit the target dead ahead, straight into an ANBU officers chest, piercing through his stomach and hitting vital organs. A shadow stepped over and looked down at the dying carcass with little amusement as the man breathed his last words. "Sasuke-kun…you…"

Splash. Red Liquid squirted all over the body as Sasuke finished off the officer, crimson staining his pale face, and still short black hair. Standing up, the boy wore ANBU attire and a mask was placed around his hip. His dark eyes held no emotion as he stood up and brushed a few drops of blood of his face.

"You could have killed him in one shot.." A new voice hissed from the background within the shadows.

"That wouldn't be as fun…the look of despair on the face always make the kill more exciting…" Sasuke whispered back, not bothering to look at the man he was talking to, "Besides, you always taught me to make my opponent suffer before they die…master Orochimaru."

The snake smirked as he walked over and patted the boy's head. "Your ready…to finish my dream…and after you do so…you will have the thing you most dearly desire.." He said, hissing again in the boy's ear before turning around to leave.

"..Revenge…"